Development of a self-report questionnaire to reflect the diversity of womens' physical activity

D e v e l o p m e n t of a self-report questionnaire to reflect the diversity of w o m e n s ' physical a c t i v i t y F.A. Morris*, T.Seedsman, C. Morse & T. Morris Victoria University

Numerous measures of physical activity lack the sensitivity to capture the diverse range ol women's activities (Ainsworth, 2000). Questionnaires focussed on formal exercise show women's participation rates are lower than those of men, leading to the conclusion that women are less active. To accurately reflect women's activity, and more rigorously measure physical activity intervention outcomes, development of a self-report measure reflecting the broad range of women's physical activity is underway. This paper reviews existing measures and reports on the development of the new scale. The Perceived Physical Activity Measure (PPAM) is based on five categories identified in Fontane's (1996) continuum of physical activity. Appraisal of logical validity will be sought from experts in physical activity measurement. Subsequent to this, 104 women, undertaking different levels and types of activity, such as manual work, regular general exercise for health, or intensive exercise training, will rate their physical activity on the five subscales. Criterion validity will then be determined by comparing scores of these groups on the five categories. The sensitivity of the PAM to the breadth of physical activity and to small changes in activity levels promises to support it's usefulness across a wide range of applications.

The e f f e c t of e x e r c i s e on DDE and bone mineral density in w o m e n aged 4 5 - 6 5 S. Marshall*~, J.Beard 2, R. Bronks 1, R. Newton3 & T. Triplett-McBride 4 1School for Exercise Science and Sport Management, Southern Cross University, Australia 2Northern Rivers Institute of Health and Research, Lismore, Australia 3Biomechanics Laboratory, Ball State University, Indiana, USA. 4Department of Physical Activity, University of Wisconson-La Crosse

The metabolite of DDT, 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis (p-chlorophenyl) ethylene (DDE) is stored in adipose tissue and is a potent androgen and oestrogen receptor antagonist. Additionally, previous results have found exercise stimulates catecholamine production that increases the rate of lipolysis from adipose tissue. This study investigated the effect of differing exercise intensities on DDE mobilisation and bone mineral density (BMD) in 59 women aged 45-65 years. The 24-week program consisted of subjects being randomly assigned into either a walking (W), resistance training (RT) or a control (C). Baseline (Wk 0) results found a reduction in BMD was significantly correlated with age (r=-0.36,p=0.004) and with increases in the log of DDE levels (r=-0.27, p=0.030). At the completion of the study (Wk24) BMD was significantly correlated with age (r=-0.43,p=0.005) and with increases in the log of DDE levels (r=-0.28, p=0.04). The results suggests past exposure to DDT is associated with a reduced BMD in women and differing exercise intensities did not significantly increase the mobilisation of DDE from adipose tissue. Therefore, the antagonistic activity of DDE was maintained on BMD. Explanation for this outcome may be due to different rates of lipolysis occur at various sites of adipose tissues and insulin resistance adipose tissue increase in women aged 40 years and over. 21