The Southern Medical Journal (SMJ) is the official, peer-reviewed journal of the Southern Medical Association. It has a multidisciplinary and inter-professional focus that covers a broad range of topics relevant to physicians and other healthcare specialists.

SMJ // Article

Original Article

Mode of Physical Activity Participation in US Adults: A Regional Perspective

Authors: James R. Churilla, PhD, MPH, Tammie M. Johnson, DrPH, MPH, Michael R. Richardson, PhD, MSH

Abstract

Objective: Examine the mode of physical activity (PA) participation in United States adults by US Census region.

Methods: The study sample (N = 323,435) included adult (18 years of age and older) participants from the 2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Participants reported meeting both aerobic and muscle strengthening activity (MSA) guidelines, the aerobic-only guideline, the MSA only guideline, or neither.

Results: The greatest prevalence estimate of meeting the mutually exclusive aerobic and MSA guideline was found in the West Census Region (24.3, 95% confidence interval 23.6–24.9) and the greatest prevalence estimate of meeting neither aerobic nor MSA guideline was found in the South Census Region (38.1%, 95% confidence interval 37.5–38.7). Physical and mental health were found to be positively associated with PA and non-Hispanic Blacks and Hispanics reported the greatest levels of meeting neither federal PA recommendation.

Conclusions: These data suggest that mode of PA participation varies by demographics and census region in US adults. State and local health departments should communicate between and within regions and disseminate information to raise awareness of the health benefits of meeting the federal PA guidelines.

This content is limited to qualifying members.

Existing members, please login first

If you have an existing account please login now to access this article or view purchase options.

Purchase only this article ($25)

Create a free account, then purchase this article to download or access it online for 24 hours.

Purchase an SMJ online subscription ($75)

Create a free account, then purchase a subscription to get complete access to all articles for a full year.

Purchase a membership plan (fees vary)

Premium members can access all articles plus recieve many more benefits. View all membership plans and benefit packages.

References

1. US Department of Health and Human Services. Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd ed. Washington, DC: US Department of Health and Human Services; 2018.
 
2. Ford ES, Li C, Zhao G, et al. Sedentary behavior, physical activity, and concentrations of insulin among US adults. Metabolism 2010;59:1268–1275.
 
3. Sisson SB, Camhi SM, Church TS, et al. Leisure time sedentary behavior, occupational/domestic physical activity, and metabolic syndrome in U.S. men and women. Metab Syndr Relat Disord 2009;7:529–536.
 
4. Katzmarzyk PT, Lee IM. Sedentary behaviour and life expectancy in the USA: a cause-deleted life table analysis. BMJ Open 2012;2:e000828.
 
5. Gopinath B, Kifley A, Flood VM, et al. Physical activity as a determinant of successful aging over ten years. Sci Rep 2018;8:10522.
 
6. Droomers M, Schrijvers CT, Mackenbach JP. Educational level and decreases in leisure time physical activity: predictors from the longitudinal GLOBE study. J Epidemiol Community Health 2001;55:562–568.
 
7. O’Donoghue G, Kennedy A, Puggina A, et al. Socio-economic determinants of physical activity across the life course: A “DEterminants of DIet and Physical ACtivity” (DEDIPAC) umbrella literature review. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0190737.
 
8. Musich S, Wang SS, Hawkins K, et al. The frequency and health benefits of physical activity for older adults. Popul Health Manag 2017;20:199–207.
 
9. Hart PD, Benavidez G, Erickson J. Meeting recommended levels of physical activity in relation to preventive health behavior and health status among adults. J Prev Med Public Health 2017;50:10–17.
 
10. Troiano RP, Berrigan D, Dodd KW, et al. Physical activity in the United States measured by accelerometer. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2008;40:181–188.
 
11. Zhao G, Li C, Ford ES, et al. Leisure-time aerobic physical activity, muscle-strengthening activity and mortality risks among US adults: the NHANES linked mortality study. Br J Sports Med 2014;48:244–249.
 
12. Simon P, Gonzalez E, Ginsburg D, et al. Physical activity promotion: a local and state health department perspective. Prev Med 2009;49:297–298.
 
13. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. https://www.cdc.gov/brfss/index.html. Accessed April 27, 2021.
 
14. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The BRFSS Data User Guide. August 15, 2013. https://www.cdc.gov/brfss/data_documentation/pdf/ UserguideJune2013.pdf. Accessed April 27, 2021.
 
15. Nelson DE, Powell-Griner E, Town M, et al. A comparison of national estimates from the National Health Interview Survey and the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Am J Public Health 2003;93:1335–41.
 
16. SAS Institute. Base SAS 9.4 Base Product. Cary, NC: SAS Institute; 2013.
 
17. Brawner CA, Churilla JR, Keteyian SJ. Prevalence of physical activity is lower among individuals with chronic disease. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2016;48:1062–1067.
 
18. Blackwell DL, Clarke TC. State variation in meeting the 2008 federal guidelines for both aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities through leisure-time physical activity among adults aged 18–64: United States, 2010-2015. Natl Health Stat Rep 2018:1–22.
 
19. Magyari PM, Churilla JR. Association between lifting weights and metabolic syndrome among U.S. adults: 1999–2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. J Strength Cond Res 2012;26:3113–3117.
 
20. Boyer WR, Indelicato NA, Richardson MR, et al. Associations between mental distress and physical activity in US adults: a dose-response analysis BRFSS 2011. J Public Health (Oxf ) 2017;1–6.
 
21. Churilla JR, Ford ES. Comparing physical activity patterns of hypertensive and nonhypertensive US adults. Am J Hypertens 2010;23:987–993.
 
22. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Adult participation in aerobic and muscle-strengthening physical activities–United States, 2011. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2013;62:326–330.
 
23. Filc D, Davidovich N, Novack L, et al. Is socioeconomic status associated with utilization of health care services in a single-payer universal health care system? Int J Equity Health 2014;13:115.
 
24. Powell LM, Slater S, Chaloupka FJ, et al. Availability of physical activityrelated facilities and neighborhood demographic and socioeconomic characteristics: a national study. Am J Public Health 2006;96:1676–80.
 
25. Saffer H, Dave D, Grossman M, et al. Racial, ethnic, and gender differences in physical activity. J Hum Cap 2013;7:378–410.
 
26. Bassett DR Jr, Mahar MT, Rowe DA, et al. Walking and measurement. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2008;40:S529–S536.
 
27. Arboleda Serna VH, Arango Velez EF, Gomez Arias RD, et al. Effects of a high-intensity interval training program versus a moderate-intensity continuous training program on maximal oxygen uptake and blood pressure in healthy adults: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials 2016;17:413.