2.4.2. Physical activity level
shortness of breath
Physical activity level was measured by recording the mean of the number of steps for the week using pedometer and the mean of walking and moderates PA frequency, duration and intensity using international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ).The pedometer consists of a bracelet worn around a participant’s wrist during the day. This bracelet pedometer measured individuals’ daily steps. The international recommendation is for 10,000-steps daily, in order to fulfil international recommendations to engage in 30 min of brisk walking daily. This amount of daily steps is considered reasonable estimate of daily activity for apparently healthy adults. Based on currently available evidence, it is proposed the following preliminary indices be used to classify pedometer-determined physical activity in healthy adults (<5,000 steps/day is used as a ‘sedentary lifestyle index5,000–7,499 steps/day is typical of daily activity excluding sports/exercise and it is considered ‘low active’7,500–9,999 likely includes some volitional activities (and/or elevated occupational activity demands) and it is considered ‘somewhat active>or = 10,000 steps/day indicates the point that should be used to classify individuals as ‘active’.Individuals who take >12,500 steps/day are likely to be classified as ‘highly active’.The IPAQ asked the individuals to report their level of PA by writing the frequency (days per week) and duration (minutes per day) of each type of PA. To measure the intensity of PA, metabolic equivalents (METs) were calculated. The levels of two types of PA (moderate PA and walking) including frequency (days per week), duration (minutes per day) and intensity (METs) were measured in the intervention of this study.IPAQ defines walking as including any form of walking from place to place which equals 3.3 METs. Moderate PA is defined as that which needs moderate physical effort and causes some shortness of breath such as carrying light loads, bicycling at a regular pace or doubles tennis. This equals 4 METs. The METs for each type of PA is found by multiplying duration (in minutes) and frequency (in days) by 3.3 for walking and by 4 for moderate PA. The total METs equals the summation of the walking METs and moderate level of PA METs.