Seasonal Variation in Adult Leisure-Time Physical Activity

Abstract

Weekly leisure-time energy expenditure averaged approximately 15-20% higher during spring and summer. Much of this difference was due to active respondents participating in a second activity during these seasons.

UK adults exhibit higher step counts in summer compared to winter months

“…The change in ambulatory activity, between summer and winter, observed in this pedometerbased study is consistent with seasonal patterns reported in qualitative questionnaire-based studies, which measure a broader range of physical activities (Dannenberg et al 1989;Uitenbroek 1993;CDC 1997;Matthews et al 2001;Pivarnik et al 2003). This paper objectively measured the seasonal variation in steps accumulated throughout the day, with all forms of steps contributing to the daily total.…”

“…This seasonal pattern has been well defined in large scale self-report studies, which have examined changes in leisure-time, occupational and household activity, in the USA (Dannenberg et al 1989;CDC 1997;Matthews et al 2001;Pivarnik et al 2003) and UK (Uitenbroek 1993). Self-report measures of physical activity can however lack validity in that individuals often exhibit an inability to accurately self-assess low intensity activities, such as walking behaviour (Sallis and Saelens 2000).…”

The effects of a lifestyle physical activity counseling program with feedback of a pedometer during pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with COPD: A pilot study

“…Another reason for the lower steps/day score can be seasonal influences on daily physical activity. Energy expenditure in daily physical activity and leisure-time physical activity is significantly higher in spring and summer [54][55][56]. Schönhofer et al [31] do not describe in which season they carried out their study.…”

“…By incorporating these activities during pulmonary rehabilitation, daily physical activity levels may remain higher after rehabilitation and the benefits of rehabilitation may last longer. The Dutch Norms for Healthy Physical Activity (DNHPA), which is derived from the www.elsevier.com/locate/pateducou Patient Education and Counseling 61 (2006) [48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55] norms of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) [9][10][11], serve as reference for the effects of lifestyle physical activities on health.…”

Pedometers As a Means to Increase Ambulatory Activity for Patients Seen at a Family Medicine Clinic

“…The time of year may have also enhanced participation because spring has been associated with approximately a 15% to 20% increase in activity levels. 31 Although the intervention was generally practical within the confines of modern medical practice, phone support from health educators may not be feasible for many clinics.…”