US Determinants of Exercise in Women Phone Survey

Abstract

The US Determinants of Exercise in Women Phone Survey is a specialized instrument developed to assess the self-reported levels of physical activity and their associated factors, or correlates, among adult women residing in the United States. Recognizing that many adult females fail to meet recommended exercise guidelines due to obstacles at individual, interpersonal, and environmental levels, this measure was specifically designed to be inclusive of women from diverse racial and ethnic groups. It serves as a crucial tool for public health research focusing on barriers and facilitators to maintaining an active lifestyle.

Keywords

Physical activity, exercise determinants, women’s health, correlates of exercise, health behavior, self-report survey, diverse ethnic groups, public health.

Authors

Evenson, K. R., Eyler, A. A., Wilcox, S., Thompson, J. L., & Burke, J. E.

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Purpose

The primary purpose of the survey is to systematically measure the frequency, intensity, and duration of self-reported physical activity among a diverse population of women. By focusing on women across various racial and ethnic groups, the instrument aims to identify specific demographic, psychosocial, and environmental factors (correlates) that either promote or impede adherence to recommended exercise levels.

This data is vital for informing targeted public health interventions and policy development, ensuring that strategies to increase physical activity are culturally sensitive and address the multifaceted barriers experienced by this population.

Construct

The scale primarily measures the behavioral construct of Physical Activity, defined as any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that results in energy expenditure. Crucially, the survey also assesses the Correlates of Physical Activity, which are the associated psychosocial and environmental variables hypothesized to influence exercise behavior.

These correlates typically span three ecological levels: Individual factors (e.g., self-efficacy, motivation), Interpersonal factors (e.g., social support), and Environmental factors (e.g., access to facilities, neighborhood safety). The instrument is designed to capture these determinants simultaneously to provide a holistic view of exercise behavior.

Validity

Specific details regarding comprehensive construct or criterion validity measures (such as comparisons against objective measures like accelerometry) were not explicitly detailed in the provided summary content. However, given its publication in leading preventative medicine journals, it is highly probable that rigorous validation procedures were undertaken during the development phase of the Women’s Cardiovascular Health Network Project (WCHNP).

In academic literature concerning behavioral surveys, establishing content validity—ensuring the items adequately cover the domain of physical activity and its known correlates—is a foundational requirement. Researchers typically strive for strong concurrent validity, correlating self-reported activity with established, validated measures.

Reliability

The psychometrics of the instrument have been formally investigated and documented. Evenson et al. (2006) specifically demonstrated that the survey exhibited moderate to substantial test-retest reliability. This finding suggests that the instrument provides consistent results when administered to the same individuals over a reasonable period, indicating stability in the measurement of both physical activity levels and their determinants across diverse racial and ethnic groups.

The focus on test-retest reliability is particularly important for phone surveys, where slight variations in administration or respondent recall might occur. The reported strength confirms the instrument’s utility for longitudinal or interventional studies.

Factor Analysis

While the provided source content does not explicitly detail the factor structure of the survey, instruments designed to measure multiple ecological correlates of behavior typically undergo rigorous factor analysis (either Exploratory Factor Analysis or Confirmatory Factor Analysis).

Such analyses would be necessary to confirm that the items intended to measure distinct constructs (e.g., social support vs. environmental access) load onto separate, appropriate factors, ensuring the internal structure aligns with the theoretical model of exercise determination.

Instrument

Test Type: Questionnaire / Self-Report Survey

Format: Phone Survey (Administered via telephone interview)

Language Available: Primarily English; likely translated into Spanish or other relevant languages given the focus on diverse populations, though not explicitly confirmed in the source.

Population Group: Adult Females

Age Group: Adults (Typically 18+)

Population Details: Women from diverse racial and ethnic groups, specifically those participating in research affiliated with the Women’s Cardiovascular Health Network Project.

Test Methodology: Structured telephone interview format, relying on self-report data concerning physical activity frequency, duration, and intensity, alongside questions assessing various psychosocial and environmental correlates.

Keywords

Reliability, psychometrics, health promotion, self-efficacy, telephone survey, WCHNP, preventative medicine.

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Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: Not provided in the source material.

Affiliation Email addresses: Not provided in the source material.

Correspondence Address: Not provided in the source material.

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

The primary reference detailing the reliability of the instrument was published in 2006 (Evenson et al., 2006), indicating the scale was formalized and validated around that time or shortly before. Given its origin within a publicly funded research network (WCHNP), the instrument is likely intended for broad use in academic and public health research.

Specific details regarding fees or formal licensing requirements are not provided, but researchers should contact the primary authors for permission and access to the full questionnaire.

Reference’s

• Evenson, K. R., Eyler, A. A., Wilcox, S., Thompson, J. L., & Burke, J. E. (2006). Test–tetest reliability of a questionnaire on physical activity and its correlates among women from diverse racial and ethnic groups. American Journal of Prev. Medicine, 25, 15-22.
• Eyler AA, Wilcox S, Matson-Koffman D, Evenson KR, Sanderson B, Thompson J, Wilbur J, and Rohm-Young D. (2002). Correlates of physical activity among women from diverse racial / ethnic groups: A review. J Women’s Health Gender-Based Med., 11(3), 239-53.
• Eyler AA, Matson-Koffman D, Rohm Young D, Wilcox S, Wilbur J, Thompson JL, Sanderson B, and Evenson KR. (2003). A quantitative study of correlates of physical activity among women from diverse racial/ethnic groups: The Women’s Cardiovascular Health Network Project – Introduction and Methodology. Am J Prev Med., 25(3 suppl), 5-14.
• Eyler AA, Matson-Koffman D, Rohm Young D, Wilcox S, Wilbur J, Thompson JL, Sanderson B, and Evenson KR. (2003). A quantitative study of correlates of physical activity among women from diverse racial/ethnic groups: The Women’s Cardiovascular Health Network Project.

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Items of the US Determinants of Exercise in Women Phone Survey

IMPORTANT: The following scale items must be preserved in their original language and must not be changed in any way.

The specific items comprising the US Determinants of Exercise in Women Phone Survey were not included in the source material provided.