OBJECTIVES: This study examined the physical activity patterns of the University of Santo Tomas college students in Manila, Philippines in terms of participation in moderate to vigorous physical activity, frequency and duration of participation, METS-min/week, sitting habits and walking activities. METHODS: A total of 551 males and 850 female college students (N=1401) from the University of Santo Tomas were randomly selected for the study. After anthropometric measurements (height, weight, BMI and Waist circumference) were taken, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (short form) was answered by the students. RESULTS: A greater percentage of male college students engage in vigorous physical activity (66.97%) in terms of frequency per week (2.42 + 1.56 days), duration (119.52 + 70.70 minutes) and MET-min/week (2252.77 + 2789.81 METS). On the other hand, more female college students engage in moderate physical activity in terms of frequency per week (4.69 + 2.04 days). However, male college students who engage in moderate physical activity spend a longer duration (106.02 + 108.55 minutes) and higher METmin/week (1945.59 + 2721.02 METS) than their female counterpart. CONCLUSION It is important to engage in physical activity on a daily basis, with recommendations given by the American Heart Association and the World Health Organization. Appropriate physical activity assists young people to develop healthy musculoskeletal tissues, cardiovascular system, neuromuscular awareness and maintain a healthy body weight and composition. It has also been associated with psychological benefits in young people by improving control over anxiety and depression, good selfperception and expression, as well as avoidance of tobacco, alcohol and drug use.

Background: Increased falls rate in older adults may be due to a declining level of physical activity. However, there is currently no local assessment tool to assess the physical activity of older adults in the Philippines. Purpose: The objectives of the study were to: (1) translate the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) in Filipino (PASE-F); (2) establish the validity and equivalency of PASE-F version; and (3) determine the association between physical activity level and fall history in older adults living in the community. Methods: Standard translation procedure was followed. Qualitative analysis and appropriate revisions were done based on the comments of three health professionals in geriatric care. Equivalency was analyzed using two-sample t-test with equal variances, and Spearman Rho. The association of physical activity with fall history was established using simple logistic regression. Results: 310 (62.3% females) community-dwelling older adults, with mean age 68 ±6.5, from Manila, Philippines participated. The validated PASE-F and the original PASE were equivalent with a p-value of 0.84, and Spearman’s Rho of >0.05. No significant association was found between PASE-F scores and fall history, p-value = 0.16, 95% CI [1, 1.004]. Fallers show non-significantly higher PASE-F scores compared to non-fallers. Conclusion PASE-F is a valid and equivalent translation of the original PASE. However, obtained PASE-F scores did not show association with a history of falls. Prospective studies may be done to determine the predictive value of PASE-F scores in the incidence of falls.
Exercise

BACKGROUND: Gluteus medius (GMeds), peroneus longus (PL), and tibialis anterior (TA) help in maintaining frontal stability of the lower extremity, particularly, the ankle. Muscle activation must be sufficient to prevent the occurrence of an ankle sprain. The purpose of this study is to compare the muscle activation of the GMeds, TA, and PL during drop landing on stable and unstable surfaces of physically active individuals. METHODS: Surface EMG (sEMG) was used to determine the muscle activation pattern of the GMeds, TA, and PL of fifteen (15) recreational athletes during drop landing. The mean percentage of maximum voluntary isometric contraction (%MVIC) was calculated for comparison. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare means. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in the muscle activity of GMeds (p=0.69), TA (p=0.26), and PL (p=0.23) on stable and unstable surfaces. However, a small effect size showed that GMeds (d=0.30) has higher activation in the unstable surface while TA (d=0.28) and PL (d=0.17) have lower activation on unstable surface. CONCLUSION Landing surface does not significantly alter muscle activity of GMeds, TA, and PL. However, the magnitude of the difference in the mean %MVIC between groups shows the compensatory mechanism of the body when subjected to different surface conditions. This can be used when creating injury prevention programs of the lower extremity.