Effects of 2 brief interventions on women's understanding of moderate-intensity physical activity.
BACKGROUND
Women's understanding of "moderate-intensity" physical activity (MPA) as presented in the media is not well-understood. This study assessed whether women who are presented a mass-media message about MPA can demonstrate a moderate-intensity walking pace without practicing this pace first.


METHODS
Insufficiently active women (n = 75, age 40 +/- 12 years, 76% White) were shown a mass-media description of a MPA recommendation. Forty-one were randomized to also practice a moderate-intensity (55%-70% of maximum heart rate) walk. One month later, participants were asked to demonstrate a 10-minute moderate-intensity walk. Groups were compared on the proportion of participants who walked > or = 10 minutes at a moderate intensity.


RESULTS
At posttest, more participants who received practice at baseline walked at a moderate-intensity > or = 10 minutes than those who received no practice (P < .05).


CONCLUSIONS
To understand MPA, it is not enough to simply hear and read a description of MPA. It is essential to practice MPA.
Rice
Kelly R
KR
Missoula City County Health Dept, Missoula, MT 59801, USA.
Heesch
Kristiann C
KC
Dinger
Mark K
MK
Fields
David A
DA
D000328:Adult; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008402:Mass Media; D008875:Middle Aged; D009825:Oklahoma; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology*; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*