The prevalence of strength training activities in an Australian population

Introduction: The core components of physical activity, cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, balance, and flexibility, can provide many health benefits and potentially slow declines associated with aging. National health authorities have widely promoted aerobic exercise message to the public, although the promotion of strength training has received far less attention. The primary objective of this research was to determine the prevalence of strength training activities in an Australian population whist examining gender and age trends. The secondary purpose of this research was to ascertain from those individuals currently training if the level of training is sufficient to promote health benefits and meet the recommended guidelines as reported by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). Methodology: A Computer-Assisted-Telephone-Interview (CATI) survey (n = 1235; male = 620, female = 616) conducted by Population Research Laboratory at CQUniversity performed a survey of Central Queensland adults in October-November 2007. Respondents were asked to report on their strength training knowledge, sources of strength training knowledge, participation levels, duration, frequency and intensity of training, and barriers and constraints to engaging in strength training. Participants: Respondents were 18 years of age or older that could be contacted by direct-dialed, land-based telephone service. A telephone database using a computer program to select, with replacement, a simple random sample of phone numbers selected respondents. Results: Almost 80% of the population did not perform strength training, 15% performed strength training but at an insufficient level for health benefits while only 5% performed at a sufficient level. Significantly more males performed strength training and at sufficient levels than females (p = 0.037). Respondents over 65 years were less likely to participate in strength training and less likely to train at sufficient levels than younger cohorts (p = 0.003). From the respondents performing sufficient levels of strength training males trained significantly more days per week (p = 0.021), numbers of repetitions (p = 0.016) and at a higher intensity (p = 0.022) than females. Strength training participation over 65 years was significantly less for number of days per week (p = 0.004), number of exercises performed (p = 0.017), number of repetitions (p < 0.001) and intensity of training (p < 0.001) than younger cohorts. Conclusions: The present data suggests that the prevalence of Australian's participating in regular strength training programs is low and unlikely to provide health benefits. The findings also underscore the need to increase overall education on the benefits of regular strength training with an emphasis among targeted adult populations to increase participation in strength training programs.