An Examination on Physical Activity Levels of Employed Individuals

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the physical activity duration, intensity, energy expenditure, and average metabolic equivalent (MET/h) values of employed individuals, as well as how they differ by gender and age. The study included 463 volunteers, 261 women and 202 men ranging in age from 18 to 65. Physical Activity Assessment Questionnaire (PAAQ), International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF), and Personal Information Form were applied to the participants with the self-assessment method. It was determined that durations of “sitting at work, walking for transportation, transportation, and activities are done sitting at home” were longer in males compared to females, and the duration of standing physical activity at home was longer in females compared to males. It was determined that there was a statistically significant difference between the age groups in terms of the duration of moderate-to-vigorous physical activities participation of the employees, and the duration of participation in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity decreased as the age increased. It was found that the total amount of physical activity spent by women in the last seven days for physical activity at work and at home and for standing activities at home was higher than men. It has been found that about ¾ of both female and male do not walk during the lunch break, and the rate of walking during the lunch break of employees aged 45 and over is higher than those of other age groups (p<0.05). As a result, it was observed that the participation time of females in all activity areas except standing activities at home was shorter compared to males and that as age increases, the duration of participation in moderate-to-vigorous PA decreases and that female’s walking time for transportation purposes is longer than men’s, but there is no difference between lunch break walking times.

Keywords

• Sedentary lifestyle
• Energy expenditure
• Metabolic equivalent
• Moderate physical activity
• Vigorous physical activity

Çalışan Bireylerin Fiziksel Aktivite Düzeylerinin İncelenmesi

Öz

Bu çalışmanın amacı çalışan bireylerin fiziksel aktivite süreleri, fiziksel aktivite şiddetleri, harcadıkları enerji ile ortalama metabolik eşdeğer (MET/saat) değerlerinin; cinsiyet ve yaşa göre incelenmesidir. Çalışmaya, 18 ile 65 yaşları arasında 261 kadın ve 202 erkek olmak üzere toplam 463 gönüllü katılmıştır. Katılımcılara Fiziksel Aktivite Değerlendirme Anketi, Uluslararası Fiziksel Aktivite Anketi-Kısa Formu ve Kişisel Bilgi Formu kendini değerlendirme yöntemi ile uygulanmıştır. İş yerinde oturma, ulaşım amaçlı yürüyüş, ulaşım ve evde oturarak yapılan aktivite sürelerinde erkeklerde kadınlardan daha uzun olduğu; evde ayakta yapılan fiziksel aktivite için harcanan sürenin kadınlarda erkeklerden daha uzun olduğu saptanmıştır. Çalışanların orta-yüksek şiddetli fiziksel aktiviteye katılım süresi bakımından yaş grupları arasında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı fark olduğu, yaş arttıkça orta ve yüksek şiddetli fiziksel aktiviteye katılım süresinin azaldığı saptanmıştır. İşyerinde ve evde yapılan fiziksel aktivite için bir saatte harcanan ve evde ayakta yapılan aktiviteler için kadınların son yedi gün içinde harcadıkları toplam fiziksel aktivite miktarının ise erkeklerden daha yüksek olduğu bulunmuştur. Hem kadınların hem de erkeklerin yaklaşık ¾’ü öğle molasında yürüyüş yapmadığı, 45 yaş ve üzerindeki çalışanların öğle molasında yürüyüş yapma oranlarının diğer yaş gruplarında çalışanlardan daha yüksek olduğu bulunmuştur (p<0,05). Sonuç olarak, kadınların evde ayakta yapılan aktiviteler dışında tüm aktivite alanlarına katılım sürelerinin erkeklerden daha kısa olduğu, yaş arttıkça orta-yüksek şiddetli fiziksel aktivitelere katılım süresinin azaldığı, kadınların ulaşım amaçlı yürüyüş süresinin erkeklerden daha uzun olduğu, ancak öğlen arası yürüyüş süreleri arasında fark olmadığı görülmüştür.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Hareketsiz yaşam tarzı
• Enerji harcaması
• Metabolik eşitlik
• Orta şiddetli fiziksel aktivite
• Şiddetli fiziksel aktivite

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