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Alleman, H R

Newmark, M L

Smith, K A

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The Impact of Temperature on Physical Activity Levels During a 12-Week Walking Intervention Halee R. Alleman, Melissa L. Newmark, Kimberly A. Smith. Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, PA  Temperature is a commonly reported barrier to obtaining regular physical activity. PURPOSE:  The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of temperature on physical activity during a 12-week pedometer based intervention.  METHODS:  541 participants wore a pedometer daily for 12 weeks to monitor their step counts (Fall n=357; Spring n=184).  Each week, participants were required to report their daily step counts via email. Participants were also encouraged to complete a pre- and post-survey which questioned their perceived barriers to obtaining regular physical activity.  Lastly, average weekly temperatures were recorded through the use of a historical weather database and then correlated to weekly average step counts.  RESULTS: 269 of the 541 participants who registered for the program completed at least 9 of the 12 weeks (Fall n=172 (48%); Spring n=95 (52%)).  Of the completers, there was a significant decrease in step counts between week 1 and week 12 of the fall semester (p=0.012).  This reduction in step counts was moderately correlated to a reduction in temperature (r=.513; p=0.088). However, during the spring semester, completers’ step counts significantly increased from week 1 to 12 (p<0.000).  This increase in step counts was strongly correlated to an increase in temperature (r=.742; p=0.006).  It should also be noted that 28% of survey respondents perceived temperature as being a challenging barrier to obtaining regular physical activity. CONCLUSION: Temperature had a moderate, positive correlation with physical activity during the fall semester and a strong, positive correlation with physical activity during the spring semester.  Even though only 28% of survey respondents reported temperature as a challenging barrier, research shows that temperature may be more of an impact than perceived.    

The Impact of Temperature on Physical Activity Levels During a 12-Week Walking Intervention

http://digitalcommons.wku.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2314&context=ijesab

The Impact of Temperature on Physical Activity Levels During a 12-Week Walking Intervention

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