Physical activity and health related quality of life

Abstract

BackgroundResearch on the relationship between Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) and physical activity (PA), to date, have rarely investigated how this relationship differ across objective and subjective measures of PA. The aim of this paper is to explore the relationship between HRQoL and PA, and examine how this relationship differs across objective and subjective measures of PA, within the context of a large representative national survey from England.MethodsUsing a sample of 5,537 adults (40–60 years) from a representative national survey in England (Health Survey for England 2008), Tobit regressions with upper censoring was employed to model the association between HRQoL and objective, and subjective measures of PA controlling for potential confounders. We tested the robustness of this relationship across specific types of PA. HRQoL was assessed using the summary measure of health state utility value derived from the EuroQol-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) whilst PA was assessed via subjective measure (questionnaire) and objective measure (accelerometer- actigraph model GT1M). The actigraph was worn (at the waist) for 7 days (during waking hours) by a randomly selected sub-sample of the HSE 2008 respondents (4,507 adults – 16 plus years), with a valid day constituting 10 hours. Analysis was conducted in 2010.ResultsFindings suggest that higher levels of PA are associated with better HRQoL (regression coefficient: 0.026 to 0.072). This relationship is consistent across different measures and types of PA although differences in the magnitude of HRQoL benefit associated with objective and subjective (regression coefficient: 0.047) measures of PA are noticeable, with the former measure being associated with a relatively better HRQoL (regression coefficient: 0.072).ConclusionHigher levels of PA are associated with better HRQoL. Using an objective measure of PA compared with subjective shows a relatively better HRQoL.

Physical Activity Level and Adult Saudi Health Related Quality of Life

“…The high PAL promotes health and prevents illness. Risk of diseases increases with physical inactivity [1] [3]- [5]. Moreover, it has been estimated that physical inactivity accounts for 6% -10% of all global deaths annually [19].…”

“…Physical activity (PA) is associated with reduced risk for serious health conditions as coronary heart disease, cancers, diabetes, and stroke [1]. Unfortunately physical inactivity in Saudi Arabia (SA) is a growing challenge to public health [2] as its prevalence in the Saudi society ranged from 43% to as high as 99% in certain segments of the population [3].…”

“…The GPPAQ is composed of 7 self-explanatory questions that can be answered in 30 -60 seconds and are referred to the amount and type of physical activity in the workplace, the number of hours spent on different activities and the usual walking pace [6]- [8] The GPPAQ is suitable for adult from 16 -74 years and its electronic template [9] automatically calculates the subject's data into physical activity index which categorizes the subject's physical activity level (PAL) as active, moderately active, moderately inactive, or inactive [6]- [8]. Meanwhile Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) is an important concept in health research and can help to inform decisions on prevention and treatment of ill health [1]. Because the WHO defines health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity [10], many of the HRQoL questionnaires are designed to be multidimensional with different domains that cover the physical, functional, social, and psychological aspects of health.…”

“…A better understanding of how healthy lifestyles, such as PA, can influence HRQoL which might help to inform policy makers intending to encourage PA in the general population [15]. In spite, evidence on the association between HRQoL and PA in the general population is limited as previous research has focused on specific interventions or populations with chronic conditions [16] or the long-term effects of sustained PA on the incidence of chronic conditions [1]. The current study aimed to address this gap of knowledge by defining the relationship between the adult Saudi PAL and their HRQoL and examine the hypothesis that higher PAL would be associated with better HRQoL.…”

A Five-Year Evaluation of the Bearfit Worksite Physical Activity Program

“…The relationship between health and regular physical activity is well established [1][2][3][4][5]. Benefits of physical activity include weight management, reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, better selfesteem, improved mental health and mood, and increased longevity [6][7][8].…”