This paper examines methodological issues in physical activity measure ment by examining the findings of the 1994 Trent Health Lifestyle Survey which reported physical activity participation levels in adult men and women in the Trent region of England. In the survey, individuals were sampled from FHSA registers across ten districts of Trent Regional Health Authority ( N=18,787), and results indicated that high proportions of males (44 per cent) and females (46 per cent) had not undertaken any occasions of moderate or vigorous physical activity of at least 20 minutes duration in the previous four weeks. When asked about accumulated time spent on physical activity, 65 per cent of males and 64 per cent of females reported participating in 30 minutes or more 'energetic' activity on most days. In order to examine methodological issues, results of the survey are compared with those from national physical activity prevalence surveys. This comparison illustrates that even small methodological differences between surveys can substantially influence results, and caution is required in making such comparisons.
Fentem PH, Bassey EJ, Turnbull NBThe New Case for Exercise. London: Sports Council and Health Education Authority, 1988.
2.
Royal College of Physicians.Medical Aspects of Exercise: Benefits and Risks. London: RCP, 1991.
3.
Hardman A. Exercise and the Heart.Report of a British Heart Foundation Working Group. London : British Heart Foundation, 1991 .
4.
Berlin JA, Colditz GAA meta-analysis of physical activity in the prevention of coronary heart disease . American Journal of Epidemiology1990: 132: 612-18.
5.
Folsom AR, Caspersen CJ, Taylor HL, et al. Leisure time physical activity and its relationship to coronary risk factors in a population-based sample: the Minnesota Heart Survey. American Journal of Epidemiology1985: 121: 570-79.
6.
Powell KE, Thompson PD, Casperson CJ, Kendrick JS. Physical activity and the incidence of coronary heart disease. Annual Review of Public Health1987: 8: 253-87.
7.
Shaper AG, Wannamathee G.Physical activity and ischemic heart disease in middle aged British men. British Heart Journal1991: 66: 384-94.
8.
Sternfeld B.Cancer and the protective effect of physical activity: the epidemiological evidence. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise1992: 24: 1195-1209.
9.
Taylor CB, Sallis JF, Needle R.The relationship between physical activity and exercise and mental health . Public Health Reports1985: 100: 180-88.
10.
Lane NE, Bloch DA, Wood PD, Fries JF. Aging, long-distance running and the development of musculoskeletal disability: a controlled study. American Journal of Medicine1987: 82: 772-80.
11.
Stephens T., Casperson CJThe demography of physical activity. In: Bouchard C, Shephard RJ, Stephens T (eds), Physical Activity, Fitness and Health. International Proceedings and Consensus Statement. Champaign IL: Human Kinetics, 1994 , 204-13.
12.
Bouchard C, Shephard RJ, Stephens (eds). Physical Activity, Fitness and Health: International Proceedings and Consensus Statement. Leeds: Human Kinetics Publishers, 1994.
13.
Roberts H., Dengler R., Magowan R.Trent Health Adult Lifestyle Survey. NHS Executive, Trent, Department of Public Health Medicine & Epidemiology, University of Nottingham , March 1995.
14.
Activity & Health Research. Allied Dunbar National Fitness Survey - a Report on Activity Patterns and Fitness Levels, Main Findings. London: Health Education Authority & Sports Council , 1992.
15.
Walker A., Hoinville TGHealth Education Authority National Survey of Activity and Health (HEANSAH) . London: Health Education Authority , 1995.
16.
Office of Population & Census Statistics.National Monitor: 1991 Census, Great Britain. London: OPCS, 1992 (no. CEN 91 CM 56).
17.
Pate RR, Pratt M., Blair SH, et al. Physical activity and public health: a recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American College of Sports Medicine. Journal of the American Medical Association1995: 273: 402-7.
18.
Physical Activity Task Force.The Health of the Nation. More People, More Active, More Often. Physical activity in England - a Consultation Paper. London: Department of Health, 1995, 9-11.
19.
Smith C., Nutbeam D.Assessing non-response bias; a case-study from the 1985 Welsh Heart Health Survey. Health Education Research1990: 5: 381-6.
20.
Asking questions, introduction; Block 3, Unit 11. In: Principles of Social and Educational Research. Milton Keynes: The Open University, 1993.
21.
Strecher VJ , Becker MH, Clark NM, Prasado-Rao P. Using patient descriptions of alcohol consumption, diet, medical compliance and cigarette smoking. The validity of self-reports in research and practice. Journal of General InternationalMedicine, 1990: 4: 160-66.
22.
Jackson N., Little J., Wilson ADComparison of a diet history interview with a self-completion questionnaire in assessment of diet in an elderly population. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health1990: 44: 162-7.
23.
James NJ, Bignell CJ, Gillies PAThe reliability of self-reported sexual behaviour. AIDS1991: 5: 333-6.
24.
White JA, Roberts H., Weller D., Davies P.Adult physical activity patterns and lifestyle factors. In: Atkinson G, Reilly T, Sport, Leisure, and Ergonomics. (Proceedings of the third International Conference on Sport, Leisure & Ergonomics, 12th-14th July1995). London: E & FN Spon.
25.
McEwan RT, Harrington BE, Bhopal RS, Madhok R., McCallum A.Social surveys in HIV/AIDS: teaching or writing? A comparison of interview and postal methods. Health Education Review1992: 7: 195-202.
26.
Bauman A., Owen N., Rushworth RLRecent trends and socio-demographic determinants of exercise participation in Australia. Community Health Studies1990 : 14: 19-26.
27.
Department of the Arts, Sport, the Environment, Tourism amd Territories (DASETT).Pilot Survey of the Fitness of Australians . Canberra: Australian Government Publishing Service, 1992.
28.
American College of Sports Medicine.Position stand. The recommended quantity and quality of exercise for developing and maintaining cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness in healthy adults. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise1990: 265-74.
29.
Wimbush E.A moderate approach to promoting physical activity: the evidence and implications . Health Education Journal1994: 53: 322-36.
30.
Fentem PH, Walker A.Setting targets for England: challenging, measurable and achievable. In: Moving on: International Perspectives on Promoting Physical Activity . London: Health Education Authority , 1995.
31.
Lee IM, Hsieh CC, Paffenbarger RSExercise, intensity and longevity in men: the Harvard Alumni Health StudyJournal of the American Medical Association1995: 273: 1179-84.
32.
Sykes K.Measurement and evaluation of community physical fitness - concept and controversy ? Health Education Journal1989: 48: 190-97.
