AimTo investigate the association between self-reported physical fitness level obtained by a single-item question and objectively measured fitness level in 30- to 49-year-old men and women.MethodsFrom the Danish ‘Check Your Health Preventive Program’ 2013–2014 fitness level was assessed in 2316 participants using the Aastrand test. Additionally, participants rated their physical fitness as high, good, average, fair or low. The association of self-reported- with objectively measured fitness level was analyzed by linear regression. Categories of self-reported- and objectively measured fitness level were cross-tabulated and agreement was quantified by Kappa statistics. Gender differences within categories were investigated by Poisson regression.ResultsData from 996 men and 1017 women were analyzed (excluded, n = 303). In both men and women a higher self-reported fitness level was associated with a higher objectively measured fitness level (Rall = 0.42). Kappa agreement was 0.25. Poisson regression revealed that women rated their fitness level significantly lower than men (p < 0.001).ConclusionA single-item question is a cost-effective way of measuring physical fitness level, but the method has low association and fair agreement when compared to the Aastrand test. Men tend to overestimate physical fitness more than women, which should be accounted for if using the question in primary care settings.

BackgroundLow levels of cardiorespiratory fitness are associated with high risk of non-communicable diseases and all-cause mortality. Physical activity level is the primary determinant of cardiorespiratory fitness in adults. However, knowledge on how to motivate people to engage in physical activity and maintain an active lifestyle is lacking. This study aims to investigate whether a motivational, individual, and locally anchored exercise intervention, in primary care, can improve cardiorespiratory fitness in 30 to 49 year olds with a low or very low cardiorespiratory fitness.Methods/DesignTwo-armed randomised controlled trial with 6 and 12 months follow-up. The primary outcome is cardiorespiratory fitness estimated via a maximal incremental exercise test. Secondary outcomes include physical activity level and sedentary behavior (objectively measured), self-reported physical activity, biochemical parameters (HbA1C, HDL- and LDL-cholesterol, and triglyceride), anthropometric parameters and health-related quality of life. A total of 236 participants with low levels of cardiorespiratory fitness classified at a local health check programme will be randomised. The intervention consists of four motivational interviews, a six months membership to a sport club, and a global positioning watch to upload training activity to Endomondo.com. The comparison group will receive standard care: a one hour motivational interview followed by another interview if requested. Effects will be estimated by evaluating the differences in mean changes in cardiorespiratory fitness between the two groups.DiscussionIn new and innovative ways the focus of this study will be to improve cardiorespiratory fitness among a 30–49 year-old at-risk group using social media, Global Positioning System-technology, on-going personal support and individually tailored physical activity.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov (no.NCT01801956).

Purpose Lumbar decompression surgery (LDS) and total hip arthroplasty (THA) are frequently performed in the elderly population, but very little is known about their subsequent physical capacity and participation in leisure activities. Despite similar demographics and comorbidities, it is questionable whether LDS patients achieve equally high levels of physical capacity and quality of life postoperatively as do THA patients. The aim was to compare the physical activity level, participation in leisure activities and related quality of life 1 year after an LDS and THA procedure. Methods Data from 95 THA patients and 83 LDS patients were gathered from questionnaires on self-reported physical activity level, leisure activities and quality of life. Results LDS and THA patients reported equally moderate levels of physical activity. The median score was 42.3 METs/day (IQR 37.9; 47.7) for the LDS group and 41.0 METs/day (IQR 38.5; 48.5)

Background: Risk factors for chronic disease, including low cardiorespiratory fitness levels (VO 2max), are often present in middle-aged populations. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a motivational, individual, and locally anchored physical activity intervention on increasing VO 2max in 30-49 year-olds with low VO 2max. Methods: 232 adult volunteers with low VO 2max were randomised to intervention (n = 115) or routine care (n = 117). The intervention included four motivational interviews; six months' free membership to a local sports club; and a GPS-watch/activity monitor for uploading training data to an online platform/community. Routine care was one or two motivational interviews. Inclusion criteria were low VO 2max based on the cut off levels: ≤ 39 and ≤ 35 ml O 2 /kg/min. For 30-39 and 40-49 year-old men respectively and ≤ 33 and ≤ 31 ml O 2 /kg/min for 30-39 and 40-49 year-old women, respectively. The primary outcome was change in VO 2max from baseline to twelve months estimated with a maximal ergometer bicycle test. Secondary outcomes included physical activity, biochemical and anthropometric measures, and healthrelated quality of life. The primary analyses were based on all available data and sensitivity-and predefined sex analyses were performed. The between-group differences were estimated using independent t-tests and presented with 95% confidence intervals. Results: No significant between-group differences in primary or secondary outcomes were found at twelve months' follow-up. The mean VO 2max change from baseline in the intervention-and routine care (ml/kg/min) was 3.8 (95% CI: 2.6; 5.0) and 3.4 (95% CI: 1.7; 5.2), respectively. No changes in physical activity were observed. The mean VO 2max (ml/kg/min) changes from baseline in the intervention-and routine care group in men were: 5.0 (95% CI: 3.5; 6.4) and 3.5 (95% CI: 1.5; 5.4); and in women: 1.5 (95% CI:-0.1; 3.1) and 3.4 (95% CI:-0.1; 7.8), respectively. Significant differences in VO 2max between non-completers (44.2%) and completers were observed, 26.3 (95% CI: 25.1; 27.5) vs 28.2 ml/kg/min (95% CI: 27.1; 29.0; p = 0.02). Sensitivity analyses did not change the main result. Conclusion: Offering a multi-component physical activity intervention to 30-49 year-olds with low levels of VO 2max had no effect on the change in VO 2max from baseline to twelve months compared with routine care. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov (no. NCT01801956). Registered 1 March 2013.

Performing physical activity is considered health promoting but may induce a need for subsequent rest periods. This study aimed to determine the within-day interactions between vigorous physical activity (VPA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) in participants with low cardiorespiratory fitness. We tested the hypothesis that VPA is associated with a temporary subsequent increase in SB. One week of accelerometer data containing a minimum of one 10-min bout of VPA from 62 participants with low cardiorespiratory fitness (31-50 years old) were obtained from the MILE study. A comparison of SB was made between days with a bout of VPA and days without (control). Due to a positive association between VPA and number and duration of sedentary bouts, the time accumulated in both uninterrupted and total sedentary bouts were 27 (95% CI, 10-45) min and 29 (95% CI, 9-50) min higher on VPA days compared to control days (P < 0.05). Our results indicate that in participants with low cardiovascular fitness, unprompted VPA is positively associated with an increase in subsequent sedentary time. We propose that such VPA-associated sedentary time may be viewed as part of a healthy activity pattern.