The Physical Activity History (PAH) can be used to rapidly measure a person's exercise and physical activity level. It gives moderately detailed information which can be used to estimate a patient's risk for a variety of medical conditions.
Data collection:
(1) amount of time spent on heavy intensity activities
(2) amount of time spent on moderate intensity activities
|
Heavy Intensity Activity |
Intensity in METS/min |
Cutpoint for Frequent Participation |
|
jog or run |
8 |
2 hours/week |
|
vigorous racket sports |
8 |
3 hours/week |
|
bicycle faster than 10 miles per hour |
6 |
2 hours/week |
|
swimming |
6 |
2 hours/week |
|
vigorous exercise class |
6 |
3 hours/week |
|
vigorous dancing |
6 |
3 hours/week |
|
non-job activity (shoveling, weight-lifting, moving heavy objects) |
6 |
3 hours/week |
|
vigorous job activity (lifting, carrying, digging) |
5 |
5 hours/week |
|
other strenuous sports (basketball, football, skating, skiing) |
8 |
3 hours/week |
where:
• MET = metabolic equivalent.1 MET/min is approximately equal to 1 kilocalorie for a 70 kg man
|
Moderate Intensity Activity |
Intensity in METS/min |
Cutpoint for Frequent Participation |
|
non-strenuous sports (softball, shooting baskets, volleyball, ping pong) |
4 |
3 hours/week |
|
take walks, hikes, walk to work |
4 |
4 hours/week |
|
bowling or golf |
3 |
3 hours/week |
|
home exercises, calisthenics |
4 |
3 hours/week |
|
home maintenance and gardening (carpentry, painting, raking, mowing) |
4 |
5 hours/week |
|
Time Spent in Activity during the past year |
Participation in Activity |
|
< 1 hour per month |
nonparticipation |
|
1 hour up to cutpoint |
infrequent |
|
cutpoint or higher |
frequent |
heavy score in exercise units =
= SUM for all heavy activities ((intensity in NETS/min) * ((number of months of infrequent activity) + (3 * (number of months of frequent activity))))
moderate score in exercise units =
= SUM for all moderate activities ((intensity in METS/min) * ((number of months of infrequent activity) + (3 * (number of months of frequent activity))))
total score in exercise units =
= (heavy score) + (moderate score)
|
Total Activity Score |
Female |
Male |
|
low |
<= 149 |
<= 278 |
|
low to moderate |
150 - 284 |
279 – 468 |
|
moderate to high |
285 - 467 |
469 – 699 |
|
high |
>= 468 |
>= 700 |
from Table III page 453
Purpose: To calculate a patient's exercise level using the Physical Activity History.
Specialty: Surgery, orthopedic
Objective: other testing, exercise
ICD-10: ,
