Assessment of physical activity in daily life

The absence of physical activity represents a major risk factor for coronary heart disease. Therefore, the evaluation of physical activity is a very current topic within the framework of epidemiologic studies. The aim of this study, based on the Baecke questionnaire, was to compare the various indices [leisure time activity index (LAI) and sport activity index (SAI)] obtained in a control population (control group) with those obtained in a population presenting risks of coronary disease [cardiovascular risk factor (CVRF)]. The control group consisted of 195 volunteers and the CVRF group of 69. All volunteers were between 27 and 60 years of age and had similar professional activities; therefore, the occupation activity index (OAI) evaluated in the original Baecke questionnaire was not taken into account. Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) was calculated for each volunteer using the indirect method involving shuttle run tests. The results have shown a direct correlation between SAI and VO2max in the control group (r = 0.309; p < 0.01), whereas VO2max did not appear to be correlated with the SAI in the CVRF group. This is probably because the VO2max value is underestimated. The use of indirect methods in populations presenting risk factors for coronary disease may be inappropriate, as the psychological attitude of the volunteers towards physical activity must be taken into account. Multiple regression analyses revealed that in both groups, 30% of the VO2max variations could be predicted by parallel variations in the mass of body fat and of the SAI, although the influence of these parameters is different in the two study groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)