ABSTRACT
Physical activity of moderate intensity for 30 minutes a day, on most days substantially reduces the risk of many chronic diseases. To assess the effect of regular physical activity on blood pressure and blood sugar levels in a rural Indian community. This community-based study was carried out in Periakattupalayam and Rangareddipalayam in south India, with 485 subjects, aged 20 to 49 years. The study was done in five phases: Awareness campaign, baseline assessment of participants, intervention phase [10 weeks], interim, and final assessment. Physical activity of moderate intensity [brisk walking for 30 minutes on four days / week] was promoted by forming 30 small walking groups, in a home-based setting, with professional supervision. Village leaders and Self-Help Group members were the resource people for the promotion of physical activity. Analysis was done by using paired 't' test; the 'Intention-to-Treat' approach was utilized for the interpretation of the findings of the study. Of the 485 subjects, 265 [54.6%] complied with walking on more than four days / week, while 156 [32.2%] walked on one to four days / week, and 64 [13.2%] dropped out during the intervention period. This study has shown that a 10-week intervention to promote physical activity was effective in significantly decreasing the population's BP by 1.56 / 0.74 mm Hg, fasting blood sugar levels by 2.82 mg%, body weight by 0.17 kg, and BMI by 0.06 kg / m[2]. This study has proved the functional feasibility of enabling people to undertake physical activity in a rural Indian community, and the effectiveness of using physical activity, to significantly reduce the population's mean BP and blood sugar levels