Measurement and prediction of the energy expenditure of older Australian women during household and garden tasks.

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Participation in regular moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity reduces risk for cardiovascular disease, non-insulin dependent diabetes, osteoporosis and some cancers. Recent epidemiological recommendations are that at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity (eg. brisk walking at 4.8-6.4 km-hr) on most days is sufficient to confer these significant health benefits. Many older Australians spend substantial amounts of time engaged in household and garden chores but it is unknown whether the intensities of these activities are sufficient to confer the aforementioned health benefits. The aims of this study are therefore to: 1. measure directly the energy cost of self-paced common household and garden activities 2. provide data that are required to estimate accurately the prevalence of 'adequate' levels of physical activity among older adults 3. identify indirect methods (such as heart rate, motion and breathing frequency) which, in combination, are suitable for estimating energy expenditure in large scale surveys. The outcomes of this study will be: 1. A greatly improved understanding of whether for older Australians (55-65 years) energy expenditure of self-paced household and garden activities is adequate to confer health benefits. 2. Our results will be used in key public health interventions which are aimed at modifying the physical activity levels of Australians. 3. If the public health message encourages some of the ~45% of insufficiently active older Australians to undertake regular moderate intensity physical activity then this will reduce the cost of the health care system, substantially reduce the premature loss of life and decrease morbidity and disability. 4. Our results will help public health epidemiologists to monitor the percentage of Australians who are adequately physically active.