Physical activity levels in Physiotherapists

Abstract

Background: Low physical activity (PA) levels are a public health problem. Despite the evidence of the health benefits of PA, studies show that the Portuguese population is not active enough to benefit their health. Health professionals, including Physiotherapists, have an important role to play in promoting PA to their patients. If Portuguese Physiotherapists are to be called upon to act as PA specialists, it must first be determined whether they lead by example.

Objective: To evaluate the PA levels of Portuguese Physiotherapists according to the most recent WHO recommendations.

Methods: An online questionnaire was distributed and applied over a period of 6 months, made up of a characterization form of sociodemographic data and by the IPAQ-SF. A sample composed of 553 Physiotherapists was obtained.

Results: The IPAQ-SF results revealed a high level of PA (56.8%), a moderate level of PA (31.5%), and a low level of PA (11.8%). Regarding the analysis of the PA METS, we were able to observe that the vigorous PA METS had a higher average of 2413.15 (SD=4201.411), followed by the moderate PA METS with an average of 1857.91 (SD=2930 .073) and, finally, the METS associated with walking with an average of 1635.54 (SD=2841.805).

Conclusion: It was verified that the Portuguese Physiotherapists’ PA levels are high and that 88.3% of the sample complies with the WHO recommendations for PA. Portuguese Physiotherapists can be in a leadership position by the example they settle in promoting regular PA to their patients.