An Exploratory Characterization Of Physical Activity Levels And Modes In College-age Native Americans

Native Americans (NA) suffer high rates of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Physical activity (PA) has an important role in decreasing disease risk, but few studies investigate PA participation in NA individuals, especially college-aged individuals (18-25 yrs). PURPOSE: This study characterizes the PA practices (e.g., mode and minutes per week [m/wk]) in college-aged NA. METHODS: 28 college-aged NA individuals completed an online survey (50% female; Age: 22.5 ± 2.1 yrs, BMI: 27.6 ± 6 kg/m2). An adapted version of the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis PA questionnaire obtained PA levels (m/wk) and modes (e.g., walking, ceremonial dance, individual sports). Participants reported if they were currently enrolled in college (n = 19) and if they lived on (n = 8) or off-campus (n = 11) to determine residential environment. Frequencies and descriptives evaluated PA level and mode. Separate independent-samples t-tests assessed the difference in PA between individuals who lived on and off campus and males and females. RESULTS: Overall, participants reported participating in 201.4 ± 287.9 m/wk of exercise, with 43% reporting over the ACSM-recommended PA level of 150 m/week. The most common modes of PA reported included walking for exercise (86%), individual sports (57%), ceremonial dance (46%), low- and high-impact aerobics (low: 36%; high: 39%), and resistance training (36%). There were no significant differences between PA levels by environment (p = 0.79) or sex (p = 0.32). CONCLUSIONS: Although exploratory, results suggest walking is the most prevalent mode of PA for college-aged NA. Also, although the average number of PA m/wk was above the recommended PA level, 57% did not individually meet this recommendation. Sex and living on or off campus did not impact PA m/wk. As the current study sample is small, future studies in a larger sample can better characterize PA and identify individual and sociocultural characteristics associated with PA. Such research can also identify more effective and culturally sensitive exercise recommendations to improve health outcomes in NA populations. This study was supported by funds provided by the We Are Healers Fellowship.