Indian Journal of Physiotherapy & Occupational Therapy-An International Journal

Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Subscription Access
Open Access Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Restricted Access Subscription Access

Exercise Habits of Physical Therapists and Student Physical Therapists as Compared to other Health Care Professionals - a Cross Sectional Survey


Affiliations
1 K J Pandya College of Physiotherapy, Sumandeep University, Vadodara, India
     

   Subscribe/Renew Journal


Background&Objective: Physical activity is an important component of healthy lifestyle to reduce a person's risk of developing disease and subsequent disability. The endorsement of an active lifestyle is more credible coming from a professional who is physically active. Physical therapy practitioners are among the many health care professionals who can counsel their patients to address the public health care concern of physical activity. Health care providers who are physically active themselves are more likely to counsel patients on the benefits of activity. Hence this study is aimed to examine the leisure-time physical activity habits of physical therapists&student physical therapists and compare these habits with those of other health care professionals.

Method: A cross sectional survey was carried out in Baroda city of India to find out leisure time physical activity habits of physical therapists, student physical therapists and other health care professionals including physicians, students of MBBS, BDS and nursing by using a paper form based survey tool after getting informed consent.

Data Analysis: Total of 852 health care professionals including students was surveyed and 822 were responded out of which 338 were physical therapists and remaining were other health care professionals. Leisure time physical activity was analyzed as Vigorous Activity, Moderate Activity, Combination of both and Strengthening Training. The different exercise levels were compared between physical therapists and other health care professionals by using independent t test. The p value is more than 0.05 in all categories shows that there is no difference between leisure time physical activity of physical therapists and other health care professionals.

Conclusion: Physical therapists and student physical therapists exercised at same rates that are of the other health care professionals in Baroda, India.


Keywords

Leisure Time Physical Activity, Physical Therapists, Health Care Professionals
Subscription Login to verify subscription
User
Notifications
Font Size


  • Warburten DE, Nicol CW, Bredin SS. Health benefits of physical activity: the evidence. CMAJ. 2006; 174:801-809.

  • Bauman AE. Updating the evidence that physical activity is good for health: an epidemiological review 2000-2003. J Sci Med Sport. 2004; 6-19.

  • Exercise is Medicine. Available at: http://www.exerciseismedicine.org /. Accessed November 24, 2009.

  • American Physical Therapy Association.HOD P06-08-07-08. Available at: http://www.apta.org/AM/Templet.cfm? Accessed November 24 2009.

  • American Physical Therapy Association.HOD P06-05-19-09. Available at: http://www.apta.org/AM/Templet.cfm? Accessed November 24 2009.

  • Pate RR, Pratt M,Blair SN, et al. Physical Activity and public health. JAMA. 1995; 273:402-407.

  • Williford HN, Barfield BR, Lazenby RB, Olson MS. A survey of physician’s attitudes and practices related to exercise promotion. Prev Med. 1992; 21:630-636.

  • Rea BL, Hopp Marshek H, Neish C, Davis N. The role of health promotion in Physical Therapy in California, New York and Tennessee. Phys ther. 2004; 84:510-523.

  • Chevan J, Haskvitz EM. Do as I Do: exercise habits of physical therapists, physical therapists assistants and student physical therapists. Phys Ther. 2010; 90:726-734.


Abstract Views: 340

PDF Views: 0




  • Exercise Habits of Physical Therapists and Student Physical Therapists as Compared to other Health Care Professionals - a Cross Sectional Survey

Abstract Views: 340  |  PDF Views: 0

Authors

Cheraladhan E. Sambandham
K J Pandya College of Physiotherapy, Sumandeep University, Vadodara, India
Jagatheesan Alagesan
K J Pandya College of Physiotherapy, Sumandeep University, Vadodara, India
Sankar B. Mani
K J Pandya College of Physiotherapy, Sumandeep University, Vadodara, India
Chhotala D. Shailesh
K J Pandya College of Physiotherapy, Sumandeep University, Vadodara, India

Abstract


Background&Objective: Physical activity is an important component of healthy lifestyle to reduce a person's risk of developing disease and subsequent disability. The endorsement of an active lifestyle is more credible coming from a professional who is physically active. Physical therapy practitioners are among the many health care professionals who can counsel their patients to address the public health care concern of physical activity. Health care providers who are physically active themselves are more likely to counsel patients on the benefits of activity. Hence this study is aimed to examine the leisure-time physical activity habits of physical therapists&student physical therapists and compare these habits with those of other health care professionals.

Method: A cross sectional survey was carried out in Baroda city of India to find out leisure time physical activity habits of physical therapists, student physical therapists and other health care professionals including physicians, students of MBBS, BDS and nursing by using a paper form based survey tool after getting informed consent.

Data Analysis: Total of 852 health care professionals including students was surveyed and 822 were responded out of which 338 were physical therapists and remaining were other health care professionals. Leisure time physical activity was analyzed as Vigorous Activity, Moderate Activity, Combination of both and Strengthening Training. The different exercise levels were compared between physical therapists and other health care professionals by using independent t test. The p value is more than 0.05 in all categories shows that there is no difference between leisure time physical activity of physical therapists and other health care professionals.

Conclusion: Physical therapists and student physical therapists exercised at same rates that are of the other health care professionals in Baroda, India.


Keywords


Leisure Time Physical Activity, Physical Therapists, Health Care Professionals

References