Analysis of the association between different domains and intensities of physical activity in adults: An observational and cross-sectional study
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 10, 2025

Visualization of Intensity Levels to Reduce the Gap Between Self-Reported and Directly Measured Physical Activity
Published on: March 7, 2019
Diego G D Christofaro1, William R Tebar1, Gerson Ferrari2
1Department of Physical Education, School of Technology and Sciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Presidente Prudente, SP, Brazil.
Background And Objective:
To analyze the association between different domains and intensities of physical activity (PA) in adults.
Methods:
269 participants were randomly selected in a community-dwelling representative sampling process. The habitual PA practice was assessed in different domains (occupational, sports practice, and leisure time/commuting) using Baecke's questionnaire and in different intensities (light, moderate, vigorous, and very vigorous) by accelerometry. Linear regression models analyzed the association between variables.
Results:
Moderate and moderate-to-vigorous PA was positively associated with the three PA domain scores. Vigorous PA was associated with sports practice and leisure time/commuting PA. Only sports practice was associated with very vigorous-intensity PA (β = 1.32; 95% CI = 0.29; 2.35). Different associations were observed in stratified analyses according to sex and age groups. Men and younger participants showed an association of domain scores with higher intensity PA than their counterparts.
Conclusion:
The findings suggest that higher intensities of PA were observed primarily in leisure time/commuting PA and sports practice, and this association varied according to sex and age.
Related Concept Videos
Three Developmental Domains
Physical Development
Physical processes, also known as maturation, encompass the biological changes that occur across an individual's life. These changes begin with genetic inheritance and continue through various stages, including growth in height and...
Assessment of the Cardiovascular System I: Subjective Data
Initial Enquiry
Ask the patient about their primary concern and thoroughly explore all reported symptoms.
Medical History
Investigate past illnesses affecting the cardiovascular system, such as angina, anemia, rheumatic fever, congenital heart disease, stroke, thrombophlebitis, dysrhythmias, varicosities
Inquire about symptoms...
Correlations
Lifestyle Factors and Health
Benefits of Physical Activity
Physical activity, whether through structured exercise or casual activities like walking, biking, or dancing, is a cornerstone of a...
Exercise and Muscle Performance
Endurance exercises
Endurance exercises involve running, swimming, or cycling, which require repetitive movements with low force output. When a person engages in endurance exercise, a few noticeable changes occur in their skeletal muscles. For instance, the number of capillaries...

