Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.

This large scale survey focuses on the measurement of physical activity patterns and fitness levels of a random sample of the adult population of England. The information has provided a database from which the levels of physical activity and fitness amongst the population can be better understood. In particular, it shows the relationship between fitness, health and wellbeing.

Main Topics:

Household Survey: Home activities; walking; cycling; sport and exercise activities; employment; other physical activites; attitudes to activity and health; diet; alcohol; smoking; health status including current and past illnesses/symptoms; women's health; classification data; local sports facilities. Many of the questions covered both past and present behaviour. Physical Appraisal: Anthropometry (height, weight, skinfold thickness, waist and hip girth); shoulder abduction (i.e. reaching above the head); arterial blood pressure; lung function (forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume); muscle function (explosive power of lower limb, hand grip strength and isometric quadriceps strength); cardio-respiratory exercise test (graded treadmill walking sub-maximal); perceived exertion. Measurement Scales Bradburn Scale - <i>Bradburn, N.M., </i>The structure of well-being<i> (Chicago: Aldine, 1969). London School of Hygeine Cardiovascular Questionnaire - </i>Rose, G. and Blackburn, Cardiovascular survey methods' (WHO monograph 56, 1986, pp.1-188). Borg Scale of Perceived Exertion - Borg, G.A.V.,Psychophysical basis of perceived exertion' <i>Medical Science Sports Exercise</i> 14(5), 1982, pp.377-381).

Multi-stage stratified random sample

Data from this survey have been tagged by OPCS at the National Health Service Central Register at Southport for deaths and cancer registrations.

Face-to-face interview

Physical measurements

physical appraisal