Summary of Physical Activity Workgroup

July 12-13, 2001, Washington, DC

I.                      Three areas of interest were identified by Abby King to address as a group:

a.      Predictors/mediators

b.      outcome measures

c.      need to explore cross-site studies of these factors

 II.                   Terry encouraged the group to think about a need for additional funding to do this

a.      What are the variables of interest; what are the cross data sets?  

b.      Ideas about ways to combine these data sets were identified;

1.       to do parallel analyses within each site. 

2.       everyone to do their own analyses and then do  meta-analyses

3.      to combine all of the data sets 

III.                  Further discussion of the basic goal of the Physical Activity workgroup: Measurement of Activity/Exercise

a.   Triangulation of measurement of activity

b.   How do these activities relate to stage of change or self-efficacy?

c.      How are we going to approach this?

d.      Consideration of the reliability and validity of measurement of activity/exercise using triangulation

e.      Comparability of activity/exercise and sensitivity to change of measures

 IV.                 Challenge was given for each research group to come up with questions about what we want to learn about activity/exercise.

a.      Each participant was challenged to do this while they were walking, running, swimming or otherwise exercising! 

V.                   Potential mediators for activity/exercise that mediate interventions with respect to outcomes, ie what are the psychosocial mediators?  Which are the most popular? 

a.       Common measures were identified including: 

-Self-efficacy

-Social support.

-Perceived stress

-Attitude

-Mood.

-Stage of change was identified but it was suggested that this not be considered a mediator as it is not clearly conceptualized as such.

b.     Action: Each site will need to send  measures  in for compilation.  Plan was made to address this with the full BCC group and establish the most appropriate way to organize this process.  

VI.                 Outcome measures

a.      Identified different ways to conceptualize and measure outcomes across studies:

1.       As done by the Nutrition Workgroup options include:

-       % who are at criteria of 5/day

-       Standardized Z scores pre to post in terms of eating fruit and vegetables

               -      % change in absolute values

b.      Specific areas of interest as outcomes were identified

1.      Energy expenditures;

2.      Volume of exercise;

3.      Moderate versus mild;

4.      % who are doing a certain amount;

5.      % adherence to the goal of each study;

6.      felt it would be difficult to come up with a specific criterion across all studies 

VII.                Summary

a.       Three projects/ideas were identified

1.       Discussed plans to move this forward. Terry and Barbara will work and coordinate with Trish regarding her ability/willingness to help organize the incoming measures. 

VIII.              Additional Ideas Submitted

a.      The studies that include fitness testing (i.e. treadmill/VO2 max etc) may want to combine questionnaire/other subjective measures with objective fitness levels including:

1.      self-efficacy

2.      time of exercise (frequency/duration; intensity/mode)

3.      Perception of fitness