Changes in Physical Activity across the Lifetime of Current Ultra-Endurance Exercisers

Karen Birkenhead; Geoff Lovell; Susan I Barr; Colin Solomon

doi:10.12691/jpar-3-1-3

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Changes in Physical Activity across the Lifetime of Current Ultra-Endurance Exercisers

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Changes in Physical Activity across the Lifetime of Current Ultra-Endurance Exercisers

Karen Birkenhead, Geoff Lovell, Susan I Barr and Colin Solomon

Journal of Physical Activity Research, Vol.3(1), pp.11-19

2018

DOI: https://doi.org/10.12691/jpar-3-1-3

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Abstract

Human Movement and Sports Science

historical physical activity

ultra-marathon

ultra-cycling

ultra-triathlon

extreme exercise

This study describes the physical activity across and within the lifetime of current ultra-endurance exercisers. Participants (n = 115, % female = 42, age range 21 to 74 years) completed a modified version of the Lifetime Physical Activity Questionnaire (LPAQ) to assess physical activity over six life periods (5-12, 13-18, 19-30, 31-45, 46-60 and 61-75 years). Participants then were categorised into five groups according to which of these life periods they demonstrated the largest absolute increase in ultra-endurance exercise (UEE included all running and cycling) compared to the previous life period. All groups demonstrated significant increases (p < .005) in UEE between their categorised life period of largest increase in UEE (IUEE) and the previous life period. Within groups, increases in average UEE MET-hours year-1 ranged from 144% to 402%. Lifetime exercise volumes varied considerably within groups (average lifetime MET-hrs year-1 IUEE13-18 = 3830±2362; IUEE19-30 = 4358±2832; IUEE31-45 = 2975±1970; IUEE46-60 = 2839±1721; IUEE61-75 = 3454±1720) and within the entire sample (average lifetime MET-hrs year-1 = 3400±2229 [range 375-12140]). This study is the first to describe the physical activity across and within the lifetime of ultra-endurance exercisers and reports that ultra-endurance exercisers exhibit significant increases in UEE within their lifetime.

Details

Title: Changes in Physical Activity across the Lifetime of Current Ultra-Endurance Exercisers
Authors: Karen Birkenhead (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Arts, Business and Law
Geoff Lovell (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Arts, Business and Law
Susan I Barr (Author) - University of British Columbia, Canada
Colin Solomon (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Publication details: Journal of Physical Activity Research, Vol.3(1), pp.11-19
Publisher: Science and Education Publishing
Date published: 2018
DOI: 10.12691/jpar-3-1-3
ISSN: 2574-4437
Copyright note: Copyright © 2018 Karen Birkenhead, Geoff Lovell, Susan I. Barr and Colin Solomon. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Organisation Unit: Centre for Human Factors and Systems Science; Tropical Forests and People Research Centre; School of Social Sciences - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health and Sport Sciences - Legacy; Forest Research Institute; School of Health - Sports & Exercise Science; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99451120302621
Output Type: Journal article

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