Confusion and Conflict in Assessing the Physical Activity Status of Middle-Aged Men

2009

Assessing Physical Activity in Middle-Aged Men

Sample size: 90 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Dylan Thompson, Alan M. Batterham, Daniella Markovitch, Natalie C. Dixon, Adam J. S. Lund, Jean-Philippe Walhin

Primary Institution: School for Health, University of Bath

Do different physical activity recommendations classify middle-aged men similarly regarding their activity levels?

Physical activity status varies significantly based on the recommendation applied, with small differences leading to major impacts on classification.

The proportion of men defined as active ranged from 11% to 98% based on different recommendations.
Only 8% of men met all 12 recommendations and were classified as active.
The study found very poor agreement between the classifications of physical activity status across different guidelines.

Depending on which rules you use, almost everyone can be called active or not active, showing how confusing exercise guidelines can be.

The study used synchronized accelerometry and heart rate monitoring to assess physical activity in men aged 45-64 years.

The sample only included middle-aged men, which may not represent the general population, and did not include women.

Men aged 45-64 years, asymptomatic non-smokers with a BMI ≤35 kg/m².

0.15 to 0.34

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