이미라1, 김완수2

혜천대학 간호과1, 대구대학교 운동처방학과2

Under the national health project, ‘Health Plan 2010', there have been noticeable important changes in physical activity participation in Korea. However, partly because of the limitations with the physical activity monitoring tool that has been used nationwide, this project has had some difficulties to reach its possible maximum accomplishment. Therefore, it is time to review its limitations in detail with an emphasis on its scientific evidence and, based on this, to provide the directions to change. Therefore, the authors intended to draw the key factors which have led responsible organizations or scientists to modify former physical activity recommendations because these factors reflect important changes in the field of physical activity or exercise and can give directions when developing a physical activity monitoring tool. Then, the currently used physical activity monitoring tool was reviewed on the basis of these factors. The findings of the in-depth review were as follows. There has been a paradigm shift in which efficacy of physical activity was expanded from cardiorespiratory fitness to health benefits including preventing chronic diseases and weight management. In addition, much emphasis has been laid on feasibility and safety. Accordingly, these three factors (efficacy, feasibility, and safety) have been implied to be importantly considered when developing a physical activity monitoring tool. On the basis of these findings, the physical activity monitoring tool currently used in Korea appeared to have some measurement issues requiring modification. Therefore, further studies are necessary to develop a more valid physical activity monitoring tool. The currently used monitoring tool should be modified in this context: it should apply evidence-based definitions/descriptions of physical activity intensity, include items to incorporate individuals who do meet the minimum recommendation but not regarded as doing either moderate-intensity physical activity or vigorous-intensity physical activity in the current monitoring tool, and add items to give information on safety of physical activity participation. (Korean J Health Promot Dis Prev 2009 ; 9(2):75-85)

Keywords: Health Promotion, Physical activity, Measurement