Predictors of Physical Activity Improvement in Control Group Participants
Author Information
Author(s): Lauren A Waters, Marina M Reeves, Brianna S Fjeldsoe, Elizabeth G Eakin
Primary Institution: The University of Queensland, School of Population Health, Cancer Prevention Research Centre, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Hypothesis
Which baseline demographic, health, and behavioral characteristics predict successful improvement in physical activity among control group participants in a lifestyle intervention trial?
Conclusion
Participants with certain socio-demographic characteristics may respond favorably to minimal intensity interventions in physical activity trials.
Supporting Evidence
- 51% of usual care participants reported an increase of 60 minutes or more of physical activity.
- Being retired and having a secondary school education were predictive of physical activity improvement.
- Higher BMI was associated with greater odds of increasing physical activity.
- Participants who were not married had higher odds of improving physical activity.
Takeaway
Some people are better at getting more active when they have certain backgrounds, like being retired or having finished high school.
Methodology
Multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine predictors of a 60-minute increase in physical activity per week among usual care and intervention group participants.
Potential Biases
Self-reported physical activity may be subject to recall bias or inaccuracies.
Limitations
The study was exploratory and lacked experimental manipulation to infer causation; psychosocial variables were not measured.
Participant Demographics
The majority of participants were women (62%), Caucasian (92%), with a mean age of 58 years; 83% were overweight or obese.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.005
Confidence Interval
1.62, 15.47
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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