Biomedical subjects

N J Gionet

Publications and source records attributed to N J Gionet.

2 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1989

Self-reported exercise behavior of employees: a validity study.

The aim of the present study was to assess the validity of different self-reported questions for measuring exercise behavior of 551 employees. Values of maximum oxygen intake, body mass index, muscular endurance, and a fitness profile, based on the individual results obtained from each of the three physiologic parameters, were used as validity criteria for the self-reported measures. The influence of fitness profile on the measures of exercise habits indicated that the fit employees reported a more active pattern of exercise behavior, participated in more strenuous physical activity, and expended a greater amount of energy in a typical week than the unfit employees. There was no gain obtained in explaining fitness categorization with a more elaborate method compared with a simple question in measuring exercise behavior. The results of the present study show that the suggested simple method (one question) for assessing exercise behavior of employees is valid and can be useful for nurses and company physicians when evaluating the baseline behavior of a group of employees to assess the impact of exercise promotion programs at the work site.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Active living in communities: understanding the intention to take up physical activity as an everyday way of life.

The purpose of this study was to identify psychosocial factors influencing the intention to incorporate physical activity into daily routine. The subjects were 353 residents from New Brunswick aged 15 to 80 years. The intention to be active was explained by current physical activity habit (beta = 0.563, p < 0.0001), age (beta = -0.197, p < 0.0001), attitude toward the behaviour (beta = 0.164, p < 0.0001), and the obligation felt to perform the behaviour (beta = 0.155, p < 0.0001). These variables explained 52% of the variability in intention. MANOVAs revealed significant differences between high and low intenders concerning the perceived consequences of carrying out the behaviour (p < 0.0001) and the evaluation of these consequences (p < 0.01). It is suggested that a social marketing program should promote the concept that "walking every day for 15 consecutive minutes is fun and healthy; it will make me feel better, more energetic, and more relaxed, not to mention that it should contribute to the improvement of my physical condition while I enjoy the outdoors".

Adolescent↗