title: Physical activity levels and functional performance in the osteoarthritis initiative: a graded relationship.
abstract: OBJECTIVE Physical activity improves function in adults with arthritis , but it is unknown if there is a grade d relationship between physical activity and functional benefit . This study was undertaken to examine the cross-sectional and longitudinal relationship between self-reported physical activity and observed functional performance in adults with knee osteoarthritis ( OA ) . METHODS The Osteoarthritis Initiative cohort included 2,589 patients with knee OA ( 2,301 with longitudinal followup data ) who were ages 45 - 79 years at baseline . Prospect i ve annual functional performance was assessed for 2 years using timed 20-meter walk tests .  We used linear regression to estimate differences across physical activity quartiles in subsequent function ( baseline and 1-year activity predicts 1-year and 2-year function , respectively ) adjusted for demographic factors ( age , sex , race/ethnicity , education level , and marital status ) and health factors ( OA severity , knee symptoms , knee pain , knee injury , body mass index , comorbidity , depression , smoking , alcohol use , and other joint pain ) . RESULTS Increasing physical activity levels had a significant grade d relationship to functional performance . Adults in physical activity quartile groups from least active to most active had an average gait speed of 4.0 , 4.2 , 4.3 , and 4.5 feet/second , respectively , at baseline ( P for trend<0.001 ) and 4.0 , 4.2 , 4.3 , and 4.5 feet/second , respectively , after 1 year ( P for trend<0.001 ) ; increasing trends remained significant after adjusting for covariates . Findings were similar within sex and age groups . CONCLUSION These prospect i ve data indicate a consistent grade d relationship between physical activity level and better performance in adults with knee OA . These findings support guidelines that encourage patients with arthritis who can not attain minimum recommended physical activity to be as active as possible
target: Over 1.5 years of using EVS in a large hospital system , improvements occurred in relative weight loss among overweight patients and reduction in glycosylated hemoglobin among diabetic patients .
  Few studies have examined a brief physical activity tool as a vital sign measure .
  Initial investigations suggest the promise of these simple and quick assessment tools , and research is needed to test the effects of their use on chronic disease outcomes
background: INTRODUCTION Physical activity ( PA ) is strongly endorsed for managing chronic conditions , and a vital sign tool ( indicator of general physical condition ) could alert providers of inadequate PA to prompt counseling or referral .
  This systematic review examined the use , definitions , psychometric properties , and outcomes of brief PA instruments as vital sign measures , with attention primarily to studies focused on arthritis .