Table 1 Physical activity levels of middle-aged and elderly Chinese women, SWHS, 1997–2000

I. Adolescence (13–19 years of age)

Exercise/sports

   Hours/week*

Part of a sports team/Participation in tournaments

II. Adult

Exercise/Sports (past 5 years)

   Most common exercise types^†

Tai Chi and other slow movement exercises

Dancing

Walking

Jogging

Martial arts gymnastics

   Exercise intensity^‡

Moderate

Vigorous

   Sweating during exercise

Usually did not sweat

Sweat most of the time

Sweated every time

   Hours/week*

   MET-h/week*

Non-exercise activities (past year)

   Stair climbing

Number of flights of stairs/week*

   Transportation^§

Walking

Hours/week*

Cycling

Hours/week*

   Daily activity^||

Walking

Hours/week*

Cycling

Hours/week*

   Housework

Amount done by participant

Less than half

Half

All

Hours/week*

MET-h/week from non-exercise activities

MET-h/week – Total

III. Occupational activity (last job)

   Activity level

Low

Medium

High