Increasing Exercising

1. Increasing Exercising Alexander Trocino

2. Background Information • In the United States more than one-third (35.7%) of adults and almost one-fifth (17%) of children are obese. In addition to proper nutrition, daily exercise is the best way to both prevent and treat obesity. The CDC recommends that adults age 18-64 receive 2 .5 hours (150 minutes) of Moderate-intensity aerobic activity every week in addition to 2 or more days of muscle-strengthening activities per week. Although this is just the recommended minimum incorporating this amount of exercising into your daily life can greatly improve your health. In addition to weight loss exercising has been proven to boost energy, improve mood (reduce stress), combat health conditions and disease, and improve your quality of sleep. • Purpose of the Survey • The purpose of this survey was to identify the exercise patterns of individuals and identify ways to increase physical activity levels in adults age 18 and older. • For this study a convenient sampling was used. First a survey was created on Surveymonkey.com, which is a free online service. After creating the survey participants were sent an email with a link to the survey. The email stated: “Hello Friends I recently published a survey on SurveyMonkey.com about physical fitness and exercise. If you would like to participate, please click here. I would appreciate it if all responses were received by the end of this week Thank you”. 100% of those emailed responded. Data was analyzed using the Surveymonkey.com analysis feature. • Participants • Their were a total of 5 participants who took this survey. Three participants (60%) were between the age of 18 and 24 the remaining two participants (20%) were between the age of 55 and 64. A majority of the participants were female (80%) with only one male participant (20%). Increasing Exercise Procedure

3. Questions and Results

4. Results • Graph • Discussion • Questions and Results • Every participate in this study had a gym membership in the last 6 months. Although 100% of the participants had a gym membership a much lower percentage of friends and relatives had gym memberships. • This high amount of gym memberships by the participants could identify the fact that fitness is a very important aspect of modern society. The fact of the matter is that although all of the individuals possess a gym membership the amount these memberships are used could identify an increased need for physical activity. Question 3: Gym membership Do you or someone you know have or had a gym membership in the last 6 Months?

5. Graph • Discussion • Results • Question and Results Question 4: Physical activity level Over half of the participants in this study engaged in a high level of physical activity. With 40% of individual labeling themselves as very active and 20% identifying as Extra Active. The CDC recommendations for healthy fitness levels are actually in between the moderately active and very active level of this survey. With 40% of individuals ranking lower than this recommendation these results further support the need for increased physical activity.

6. Results • Graph • Discussion • Questions and Results • Surprisingly none of the participants listed socializing with friends as a reason for exercising. On the other hand 100% of the participants listed Getting/staying fit as a reason for going to the gym. • With fitness on the minds of most participants it seems that their must be other influences that limit their exercise level. Question 5: Reason for exercising

7. Results • Graph • Discussion • Questions and Results • Walking and free weights were the most popular forms of exercising. Push-ups, Sit-ups, Running/jogging, and hiking were all tied for second with three individuals stating that they liked these activities. • The enjoyment of these selected exercises could be based on the ability to do them anywhere. Activities like yoga, walking, push-ups, and sit-ups, versus activities like team sports and bike riding may be more popular because gym membership are not needed. Also based on the reasons for exercising listed in the pervious question many of these enjoyed exercises are individual activities allowing for time for self reflection and stress management. Question 6: Favorite exercises

8. Results • Graph • Discussion • Questions and Results • Among all of these activities the most common form of exercising is walking with three participants walking one or more times per week. Jogging/Running was also a frequently participated activity with two individuals jogging 3-4 times a week. • The low levels of many of these activities could be based on the fact that it is currently winter. Question 7: In the past 7 days Have you done any of the following activities in the past 7 days (last week)? If yes, how many time?

9. After analyzing the surveys the answers for this question were as followed: Lack of time, Busy with work, Lack of motivation, Children, Lack of energy, Don’t want to shower afterwards, Distance to the gym. • The most popular response were: • 1.) A lack of motivation, 4 participants stated this factor. • 2.) A lack of time, 3 participants stated this factor • 3.) Too busy, 2 participants stated this factor • What are your top three reasons for not exercising/ going to the gym? Question 8: Reasons for not exercising

10. All five of the participants in this survey stated a different motivator. These answers are listed below: • Stress management • yoga gives me a break throughout the day • physiological and psychological benefits • health • stay in shape • Although there is a wide variety of answers it seems that the motivating factors that lead to consistent exercise are actually divided directly down the middle with half of the individuals listing a mental reason and half listing a physical reason. Physical activity helps to alleviate stress this could be through the release of different chemicals or the simple ability to take a break from work to clear your mind. • What motivates you to be consistent in your exercise program? Question 9: Motivation

11. All five of the participants in this survey stated a different factor that could increase activity levels. These answers are listed below: • More time in my day to go to the gym • Different varieties of exercise • Availability of facilities good weather • Add variety • More time and gym buddies • After analyzing these answers it is evident that the two most popular factors that individuals believe would increase their level of exercise are Time and Variety. • What are some factors that could increase your level of exercise per week? Question 10: Increasing your level of exercise

12. Be healthier and exercise • 7 Days without physical activity makes one weak • Conclusion • After analyzing the survey it has become evident that although being physically fit is something that most individuals strive to accomplish the levels of physical activity are not high enough to achieve this goal. The purpose of this survey was to identify ways to increase the levels of physical activity in adults. After going thought all the questions it was found that the lack of time is one of the biggest deterrents to exercising. Individuals also identified that the variety of their workouts is not at the levels they want them to be. It seems that one of the best summations of this data is that individuals feel that exercise time is time wasted and their current workouts are boring. One way these problems could be corrected and fitness levels could be increased would be the implementations of a gym buddy. The socialization factor of having a workout partner could alleviate some of the boredom in a exercise routine. Using this time to socialize and bond with friends also combines working out with fun time so more time can be spent on work following the gym. Summary