Characteristics related to meeting CDC/ACSM physical activity guidelines in adults

American Journal of Health Studies, Fall, 2002 by Lorraine Silver Wallace, Janet Buckworth

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Almost one third of the sample met the ACT CDC/ACSM guideline (31.3%, n=216). Males (40%) were more likely to meet the VACT guideline recommendation than females (27.4%), [c.sub.2](674) = 11.54, p<.01. Fewer individuals (13.6%, n=94) met the MACT CDC/ACSM guideline, and there was no difference in the proportion of males (16.9%) and females (12.2%) meeting the MACT recommendation. Significant differences were not observed in meeting either the MACT or VACT CDC/ACSM guideline as a function of race or age.

Social Support (Peer and Family) and Perceived Severity of Inactivity as a Function of Meeting CDC/ ACSM Guidelines

There were significant differences in social support (peer and family) and perceived severity of inactivity as a function of gender and meeting CDC/ ACSM guidelines for both MACT and VACT (See Table 1). Family and peer social support for physical activity was significantly higher among those meeting MACT and VACT recommendations for both males and females. Perceived severity of inactivity differentiated all groups with the exception of males meeting the current MACT guideline.

CHARACTERISTICS PREDICTED WHETHER AN INDIVIDUAL MET THE ACSM/CDC GUIDELINES

Table 2 presents significant results of the logistic regression analyses. Of the six characteristics entered into the model, age and race were insignificant predictors of meeting either the moderate or vigorous CDC/ ACSM guideline. Being male (113%), perceiving the consequences of inactivity as severe (19%), and re porting greater social support for physical activity from peers (6%) and family (4%) improved the odds ratio significantly of meeting either the MACT or VACT CDC/ACSM guideline.

DISCUSSION

A large segment of individuals in this sample (55% males; 67% females) did not satisfy minimum CDC/ ACSM guidelines for either MACT or VACT. Martin, Morrow, Jackson, and Dunn (2000) reported that 68% of a random sample of U.S. adults did not meet the guidelines for either moderate or vigorous activity set forth by the CDC/ACSM. Despite differences in definitions used to measure physical activity level in the literature, national surveys have consistently documented that a majority of American adults are irregularly active or completely sedentary (USDDHS, 1996, p.177). The small proportion (13.6%) of our sample meeting MACT recommendation raises a concern about maintenance of an active lifestyle since lower intensity exercise has better adherence rates than VACT (Dishman & Buckworth, 1996).

In our sample, age and race did differentiate those meeting and not meeting CDC/ACSM criterion. Increasing age and non-Caucasian race have consistently been found to be related to decreased participation in physical activity (USDDHS, 1996, p. 181). Our findings are most likely attributable to the homogeneous nature of the study sample, since 73% of the subjects were between the ages of 21 and 30 and 85% were Caucasian. Results from the logistic regression analyses found that gender was the best predictor of meeting CDC/ACSM guidelines. Males have consistently been shown to more active across all age groups and race/ethnic groups as compared to females (Pate et al., 1995; USDHHS, 1996, p.177).