Purpose: A full 85% of Canadians fail to meet physical activity (PA) guidelines, and 69% report being sedentary. Physical therapists are uniquely positioned to promote an active lifestyle; thus, we explored the PA and sedentary behaviour (SB) of Master of Physical Therapy (MPT) students as well as the associated facilitators and barriers. Methods: We used a mixed-methods approach, accelerometry and photovoice (a focus group discussion in which participants discussed self-selected photographs). Accelerometer data were used to quantify PA (light, moderate, and vigorous) and SB. Thematic analysis of the focus group discussion was informed by the socio-ecological model. Results: A total of 26% of participants met national PA guidelines, and mean daily sedentary time for participants was 670.7 (SD 34.4) minutes. Photovoice analysis revealed four main themes related to the facilitators of and barriers to PA and SB: (1) priorities and life balance, (2) commitment and accountability, (3) environment, and (4) MPT programming. Conclusions: A full 74% of participants did not meet the recommended PA guidelines; this is concerning given their immanent roles as health care professionals. Physical therapists are well prepared to prescribe PA to clients. Not only do MPT students need competencies in prescribing PA and exercise, but they may also need to be supported in meeting PA guidelines themselves and limiting SB throughout their studies.
Purpose: A full 85% of Canadians fail to meet physical activity (PA) guidelines, and 69% report being sedentary. Physical therapists are uniquely positioned to promote an active lifestyle; thus, we explored the PA and sedentary behaviour (SB) of Master of Physical Therapy (MPT) students as well as the associated facilitators and barriers. Methods: We used a mixed-methods approach, accelerometry and photovoice (a focus group discussion in which participants discussed self-selected photographs). Accelerometer data were used to quantify PA (light, moderate, and vigorous) and SB. Thematic analysis of the focus group discussion was informed by the socio-ecological model. Results: A total of 26% of participants met national PA guidelines, and mean daily sedentary time for participants was 670.7 (SD 34.4) minutes. Photovoice analysis revealed four main themes related to the facilitators of and barriers to PA and SB: (1) priorities and life balance, (2) commitment and accountability, (3) environment, and (4) MPT programming. Conclusions: A full 74% of participants did not meet the recommended PA guidelines; this is concerning given their immanent roles as health care professionals. Physical therapists are well prepared to prescribe PA to clients. Not only do MPT students need competencies in prescribing PA and exercise, but they may also need to be supported in meeting PA guidelines themselves and limiting SB throughout their studies.
Entities:
Keywords:
health promotion; physical activity; sedentary lifestyle
Authors: Richard P Troiano; David Berrigan; Kevin W Dodd; Louise C Mâsse; Timothy Tilert; Margaret McDowell Journal: Med Sci Sports Exerc Date: 2008-01 Impact factor: 5.411
Authors: Zhen Xu; Qiuxia Xu; Yifan Wang; Jielu Zhang; Jiapei Liu; Fei Xu Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-05-19 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: G H Rawlings; R K Williams; D J Clarke; C English; C Fitzsimons; I Holloway; R Lawton; G Mead; A Patel; A Forster Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2019-08-13 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Zachary C Pope; Daheia J Barr-Anderson; Beth A Lewis; Mark A Pereira; Zan Gao Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2019-09-25 Impact factor: 3.390