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Bernard M.1, Silva S.N.2
1International Institute of Health Sciences, Physiotherapy, Welisara, Sri Lanka, 2International Institute of Health Sciences, Academic, Welisara, Sri Lanka
Background: Around the world, aerobic activity is a leading type of exercise that many people engage in. Within the particular types of these exercises, walking plays a major role in building and sustaining the lives of people. The government of Sri Lanka has established 'walking paths' to promote walking as an aerobic exercise with the intention of reducing non communicable diseases among the urban Sri Lankans since the last few years. There seems to be a very high utilization of these walking facilities. However the effectiveness of the exercises they do is unknown. It is important to evaluate how individuals who practice walking as an aerobic exercise attempt to reduce the effect of Non-Communicable diseases. The need here is to evaluate whether there is a true aerobic impact on the subject, as intended. Further whether they adhere to other healthy practices related to exercises is also not known.
Purpose: To assess the walking related aerobic parameters and the effect of exercise related habits such as the type of shoes used for walking, water intake while walking, use of a diet plan, skipping meals and the relationship of exercises to meals.
Methods: A descriptive cross sectional quantitative study was done on 150 conveniently selected adults who practiced walking, from Colombo and Gampaha districts in the Western Province of Sri Lanka. The data collection was done using an interviewer-administered questionnaire, a check list and a mobile app to determine the walking speed.
Results: The majority (66.7%) were males. 23.3% were of the age group 20-30 years and 51-60 years. 82.7% of the correspondents did not follow a diet plan while 16% did skip meals. 32% strongly agreed that they did know what Aerobic activity is, whereas 63.3% of a majority has not assessed whether their exercise effort was considerable or not. The highest number of participants (34%) presented with diabetes where 37% revealed that walking resolved the condition fairly. 82% walked to maintain or attain general fitness. Mean heart rate before and after walking was recorded as 82.26 bpm and 92.71 bpm respectively. The average walking speed of an individual was 1.27 ms-1. 56.7% of the population did wear proper walking shoes, but only 52% strongly agreed on the awareness of proper walking shoes. 24% or participants walked 4 to 6 days a week, and for more than 40 minutes a day.
Conclusion(s): The people who practiced brisk walking, did so not merely to prevent Non Communicable Diseases. Majority of the exercise related practices of these individuals were satisfactory. The government initiatives on exercise promotion seems successful.
Implications: This study implies that the majority of the people used brisk walking successfully as an aerobic exercise. It can be implied that when the basic infrastructure for exercises are available, the habit of exercising can be promoted successfully.
Funding acknowledgements: Self funding research. The author would like to Acknowledge the assistance from International Institute of Health Sciences, Sri Lanka.
Topic: Cardiorespiratory
Ethics approval: Bioinquirer ethics review committee, Sri Lanka
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
