Are the physical activity habits of Turkish physiotherapists associated with their physical activity promotion and counseling?


TUNA H., Bozan O., Elibol N., ÜNVER B.

PHYSIOTHERAPY THEORY AND PRACTICE, cilt.38, sa.1, ss.189-200, 2022 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 38 Sayı: 1
  • Basım Tarihi: 2022
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1080/09593985.2020.1729909
  • Dergi Adı: PHYSIOTHERAPY THEORY AND PRACTICE
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, ASSIA, BIOSIS, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.189-200
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Physical activity, physiotherapists, physical activity promotion, counseling practices, HEALTH-PROMOTION, GENDER-DIFFERENCES, THERAPISTS ROLE, PRACTITIONERS, STUDENTS, SEX
  • Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

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.