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The epidemiology of muscle-strengthening exercise in Europe: A 28-country comparison including 280,605 adults

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  • Jason A Bennie
  • Katrien De Cocker
  • Jordan J Smith
  • Glen H Wiesner

Abstract

Objective: Muscle-strengthening exercise (use of weight machines, free weights, push-ups, sit-ups), has multiple independent health benefits, and is a component of the Global physical activity guidelines. However, there is currently a lack of multi-country muscle-strengthening exercise prevalence studies. This study describes the prevalence and correlates of muscle-strengthening exercise across multiple European countries. Methods: Data were drawn from the European Health Interview Survey Wave 2 (2013–14), which included nationally representative samples (n = 3,774–24,016) from 28 European countries. Muscle-strengthening exercise was assessed using the European Health Interview Survey Physical Activity Questionnaire. Population-weighted proportions were calculated for (1) “insufficient” (0–1 days/week) or (2) “sufficient” muscle-strengthening exercise (≥2 days/week). Prevalence ratios were calculated using multivariate Poisson regression for those reporting sufficient muscle-strengthening by country and by sociodemographic/lifestyle characteristics (sex, age, education, income, self-rated health etc.). Results: Data were available for 280,605 European adults aged ≥18 years. Overall, 17.3% (95% CI = 17.1%-17.5%) reported sufficient muscle-strengthening exercise (≥2 days/week). Muscle-strengthening exercise was geographically patterned with the lowest prevalence reported in South-eastern European countries (Romania, Malta and Cyprus: range: 0.7%-7.4%), and the highest prevalence in the Nordic countries (Iceland, Sweden, and Denmark: range: 34.1%-51.6%). Older age, insufficient aerobic activity, poorer self-rated health, lower income/education, being female, and being overweight/obese were significantly associated with lower likelihood of reporting sufficient muscle-strengthening exercise, independently of other characteristics. Conclusions: Most European adults do not report sufficient muscle-strengthening exercise, and prevalence estimates varied considerably across countries. Low participation in muscle-strengthening exercise is widespread across Europe, and warrants public health attention.

Suggested Citation

  • Jason A Bennie & Katrien De Cocker & Jordan J Smith & Glen H Wiesner, 2020. "The epidemiology of muscle-strengthening exercise in Europe: A 28-country comparison including 280,605 adults," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(11), pages 1-18, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0242220
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0242220
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Anne Loyen & Hidde P van der Ploeg & Adrian Bauman & Johannes Brug & Jeroen Lakerveld, 2016. "European Sitting Championship: Prevalence and Correlates of Self-Reported Sitting Time in the 28 European Union Member States," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(3), pages 1-17, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Hanming Li & Xingquan Chen & Yiwei Fang, 2021. "The Development Strategy of Home-Based Exercise in China Based on the SWOT-AHP Model," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-12, January.
    2. Hrvoje Radašević & Jelena Čvrljak & Željko Pedišić & Danijel Jurakić, 2021. "Prevalence and Correlates of Muscle-Strengthening Activity Participation in Croatia: A Cross-Sectional Study in a National Representative Sample of 4561 Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-10, August.
    3. Jort Veen & Diego Montiel-Rojas & Andreas Nilsson & Fawzi Kadi, 2021. "Engagement in Muscle-Strengthening Activities Lowers Sarcopenia Risk in Older Adults Already Adhering to the Aerobic Physical Activity Guidelines," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-8, January.
    4. Paola Gómez-Redondo & Victoria Marín & Javier Leal-Martín & Carlos Ruiz-Moreno & Verónica Giráldez-Costas & Pilar Urdiola & Ignacio Ara & Asier Mañas, 2022. "Association between Physical Activity Guidelines and Sedentary Time with Workers’ Health-Related Quality of Life in a Spanish Multinational Company," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-11, May.

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