ORIGINAL PAPER
Activity of daily living
on non-working and working days
in Polish urban society
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Medical University of Warsaw, Warszawa, Poland
(Department of Clinical Nursing)
Online publication date: 2017-09-14
Corresponding author
Katarzyna Wesolowska
Medical University of Warsaw, Department of Clinical Nursing, Ciołka 27, 01-445 Warszawa, Poland
Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2018;31(1):47-54
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ABSTRACT
Objectives: Activities of daily living are currently the simplest form of activity. For many people this is the only activity
in which they participate. In this connection, it is important to determine the level of physical activity connected with
daily habits including occupational activities. The main goal of the presented study has been to assess the level of activities
of daily living in different age groups and its differentiation by season and working (WD) and non-working
days (NWD). Material and Methods: The study group (urban citizens, N = 106) was divided into young (Y) (N = 40),
middle-aged (M) (N = 38), and senior (S) (N = 28) participants. The daily step number on 7 consecutive days during 4 seasons
between June 2012 and 2013 was counted objectively using pedometers. The long-form of the International Physical
Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was completed each season as a subjective assessment. Results: The daily step number for
the whole group for the year was (median) 6615 (range: 3648–10 709), fewer than recommended. The median (Me) was
highest in group M (Me = 6994, range: 3648–10 709) followed by Y (Me = 6957, range: 4094–10 321) and S (Me = 5469,
range: 3743–8955). The lowest daily step number occurred in winter (M = 6208, Y = 6063, S = 5242), and the highest
in spring (Y = 7385) or summer (M = 7717; S = 6095). All groups had a greater daily step number on WDs compared
to NWDs (Y: 8411 vs. 5744, M: 7612 vs. 5839, S: 6327 vs. 4580; p < 0.01 for all). Pedometer-tracked values did not correlate
with the IPAQ results. Conclusions: Activity level in Polish urban society is low, especially on NWDs and in colder months.
The daily number of steps is highest in the middle-aged group, which may be connected with working status. Objective
methods are recommended for assessing physical activity level. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2018;31(1):47–54