Relation of pedometer steps count & self reported physical activity with health indices in middle aged adults

To describe the relationship between daily physical activity (steps/day and self report method) and health indices. Also to observe relationship between daily physical activity and existence of any prior sign of metabolic syndrome in middle aged adults of 40-60 years. A secondary objective was to observe relation between objective (steps/day) and subjective (IPAQ) measure of physical activity.

145 subjects were recruited from residential colony of New Delhi, India and their health indices (waist circumference, hip circumference, waist hip ratio, blood pressure, resting heart rate), and presence of any sign of metabolic syndrome were noted down. Their daily physical activity was determined by pedometer (steps/day) and IPAQ (self report). Steps/day was compared with self reported physical activity, presence of any prior sign of metabolic syndrome, and health indices.

The average steps/day was 3226±1558 for females (n=76) and 4273±2530 for males (n=69). IPAQ results were inversely related with WHR (p=0.046, r=-0.166), RHR (p=0.020, r=-0.193) and signs of metabolic syndrome (p=0.017, r=-0.198). Pedometer determined physical activity was inversely related with prior signs of metabolic syndrome present (p=0.041, r=-0.170). Pedometer determined steps/day were positively correlated with self-reported physical activity (p<0.001, r=0.56).

Main findings suggested that fewer steps/day and METS are associated with more components of the metabolic syndrome. Prior signs of metabolic syndrome were mainly present in females. Majority of participants were sedentary, showed high resting heart rate, high waist hip ratio and more number of sign of metabolic syndrome.