Abstract
The health value of an active lifestyle is well recognized. However, the behavioral and psychological correlates of physical activity need further investigation.
We hypothesized that physiotherapists are significantly different from non-health related professionals in a) Health Locus of Control and b) physical activity levels as measured by activPALTM (PAL Technologies Ltd) and that physical activity levels are significantly correlated with Health Locus of Control.
A convenience sample of 10 physiotherapists and 10 non-health related professionals completed the Health Locus of Control scale and then was monitored by the activPALTM for 24hours. The activPALTM's accuracy, test-retest and inter-instrument reliability was tested in a single participant study. Study design, Cross-sectional study.
Physiotherapists were statistically significant more active (p<0,01) than non-health related professionals. Further the odds of having an external Health Locus of Control were 11.6 times as high among non-health related professionals as among physiotherapists. Internals were significantly more active (p<0,05) than externals. The validity of the activPALTM was strongly supported.
Physiotherapists were found more active and more often internals than non-health related professionals. A strong influence of Health Locus of Control in daily activities was observed. The results also support the use of the activPALTM as a physical activity measure.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 105-114 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Health Science Journal |
| Volume | 3 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| Publication status | Published - 2009 |
Keywords
- Physical activity
- behavioral and psychological correlates
- Health Locus of Control
- health related professionals
- accelerometer