Abstract

The Pilot Survey of the Fitness of Australians obtained the first Australian adult data on objectively measured physical fitness from a population probability-sample base. The survey also obtained self-reported physical activity habits which previous Australian population surveys have also examined. In this paper we describe the main methods of the Survey, with a particular emphasis on procedures for obtaining high-quality physiological data from a population sample in field settings. The overall survey comprised three sequential components (questionnaire (n=2298), physical health assessment (n=1302) and blood lipid measures (n=1246)), with participation in the second and third components dependent upon participation in the preceding stage. We describe sample selection; the questionnaire (including sociodemographic and personal variables, self-reported leisure-time, home and occupational physical activity, other health behaviours and psychological measures); physiological and anthropometric assessments; blood lipid measurement; trialling of procedures; and, data processing and analysis. This brief account of the methods of the Pilot Survey of the Fitness of Australians shows ways in which expertise from exercise physiology, psychology, epidemiology and biostatistics may be integrated in a population study of physical activity as a pattern of behaviour, along with objective examination of major biological correlates of activity and inactivity. It is hoped that the results of this field study will help in formulating soundly-based procedures for the regular monitoring of physical activity in the adult Australian population.
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