Physical Activity Levels in Six Native American Communities Using the FITT-VP Approach
Published: N/A
Journal: Translational Journal of the American College of Sports Medicine
Abstract
## Purpose: This study aimed to describe physical activity (PA) via the frequency, intensity, time, type, volume, and progression (FITT-VP) principles of Native Americans (NA), it is necessary to understand their current PA. The purpose was to 1) evaluate PA levels utilizing FITT-VP principles and 2) compare the patterns of PA in NA men and women. ## Methods: Recruitment and evaluation (n= 586) took place as part of the OPREVENT2 study baseline evaluation. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire–Short Form assessed frequency (days per week), intensity (walking, moderate, vigorous), and time (minutes per day). The total MET-minutes for the previous 7 d provided the volume of activity. ## Results: The NA sample was 45.8 ± 15.1 yr of age, with a body mass index of 31.5 ± 6.4 kg·m−2. The FIT-V corresponded to 4.7 ± 2.3 d·wk−1, walking (3.3 METs intensity), 52 ± 47 min·d−1, and 2536 ± 2203 MET·min−1. The men (n= 162) reported a greater frequency of 3.2 ± 2.5 d·wk−1(P= 0.007) of vigorous activity lasting 55 ± 50 min·d−1compared with the women (n= 433) with 2.6 ± 2.5 d·wk−1of vigorous activity lasting 34 ± 38 min·d−1. The men reported higher MET-minutes than did the women (P= 0.0001). Overall, 71% of men and 77% of women met the recommended PA guidelines. ## Conclusions: Given that the majority of NA report adequate walking time and frequency, interventions are needed to improve moderate- and vigorous-intensity aerobic fitness, as well as muscular strength and endurance, neuromotor, and flexibility activities.
Faculty Members
- Margarita S. Treuth - Salisbury University, Salisbury, MD
- Marla Pardilla - Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
- Lisa Poirier - Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
- Joel Gittelsohn - Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
- Leslie Redmond - University of Alaska Anchorage, Anchorage, AK
Themes
- Obesity and cardiovascular disease in Native Americans
- Physical activity levels
- Gender differences in physical activity
- FITT-VP principles
- Health interventions for Native Americans
Categories
- Area, ethnic, cultural, gender, and group studies
- Physiology, general
- Area studies
- Biological and biomedical sciences
- Exercise physiology and kinesiology
- Health sciences
- Environmental health
- Ethnic studies
- Social sciences
- Public health, general
- Sociology, demography, and population studies nec
- Physiology, oncology and cancer biology
- Public health
- Biology biological sciences, general
- Biological and biomedical sciences, other
- Sociology, demography, and population studies
- Biomedical sciences, general