Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
PHYSIOTHERAPY THEORY AND PRACTICE, cilt.38, sa.1, ss.189-200, 2022 (SCI-Expanded)
Background: Physiotherapists (PTs) must be role models and convincing promoters of physical activity (PA). Objective: This cross-sectional study aimed to determine whether Turkish PTs' PA promotion and counseling practices are associated with their own PA habits. Method: An open-access survey was distributed to 2,619 PTs via e-mail to collect information about the PTs' PA habits; their knowledge, role perception, confidence, perceived barriers and feasibility in PA promotion; and their counseling practices. During the year that the survey was online, 421 (16.1%) PTs responded. The PTs were divided into two groups: physically active PTs (engaged in at least one type of PA) and inactive PTs. Chi-square test of independence was used for data analysis. Results: Knowledge of PA did not differ between the groups (p>0.05). Physically active PTs had higher role perception (except in one item) and greater confidence in PA promotion than inactive PTs (p<0.05). Except for one barrier, engagement in PA was not associated with perceived barriers or feasibility in PA promotion (p>0.05). Significantly more physically active PTs suggested PA to 10 or more patients/month [25.2% (n=40), vs. 13.5% (n=26); p=0.005] and suggested at least one type of PA [78.7% (n=137) vs. 59.2% (n=141); p=0.000]. PTs who engaged in vigorous-intensity PA and strength training were significantly more likely to suggest these types of PA than PTs who did not [44.1% (n=15) vs. 10.4% (20); p=0.000 and 91.1% (n=113) vs. 83.2% (n=154); p=0.047, respectively]. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that physically active PTs had higher role perception and confidence, and more actively promoted PA in their counseling practice.