The Duke Activity Index (DASI) is a questionnaire-based assessment tool used to measure the physical activity levels of individuals. The DASI was developed by researchers at Duke University and has been extensively validated in various populations. The purpose of the DASI is to provide an easy-to-use and reliable method for healthcare professionals to assess their patients' physical activity levels.
The DASI consists of 12 questions that cover a range of activities, such as leisure-time activities, work-related activities, and household activities. The questions are scored on a scale of 1-5, with a maximum possible score of 58. A higher score indicates a higher level of physical activity.
The benefits of using the DASI include its ease of use, its ability to assess multiple aspects of physical activity, and its reliability and validity. However, the DASI has some limitations, such as the potential for response bias, the fact that it does not measure the intensity or duration of physical activity, and the fact that it is self-reported. It cannot help you with an accurate estimate of your heart rate zones like other sub-maximal exercise tests can. That said, there is a DASI walk through available if you are interested to gauge your current fitness level (Just send an email request) although we would always recommend an exercise assessment if possible. Included at the end of the blog is a table of average MET scores across the demographics to help you understand where you currently are in regards to fitness.
In addition to the DASI, there are several sub-maximal exercise tests that can be used to assess an individual's fitness level. These tests include the Bruce protocol, Chester Step Test (CST), six Minute Walk Test (6MWT), and a bike test (there are more...). These tests are often used by healthcare professionals to prescribe safe and effective exercise programs for their patients. Each test is chosen on its own merits after considering a patients or participants fitness levels and limitations based off an initial assessment/discussion and background information such as event/procedure, medications, co-morbidities, current symptoms and other limitations.
The advantages of completing sub-maximal exercise test includes; the ability to assess an individual's cardiovascular fitness level, the ability to monitor changes in fitness over time, and the ability to prescribe individualized exercise programs based on the individual's current fitness level. It also helps the patient understand what activities are currently suitable for them to do for example, gardening, housework and other chores (this can be very useful and can help lower anxiety and worry in the early stages of rehabilitation when there are a lot of questions - understandably so).
Table 1 below provides a comparison of the suitability of the different exercise tests mentioned above:
Table 1
Heart rate training zones are also used by practitioners to prescribe safe and effective exercise programs. These training zones are based on an individual's maximum heart rate (HRmax) and are typically expressed as a percentage of HRmax. Table 2 below provides an overview of the different heart rate training zones:
*Note. Heart Rate Reserve (HRR) is used to calculate the zones from an assessment, genrally using the Karvonen method.
Table 2
In conclusion, the Duke Activity Status Index is a validated tool used to assess physical activity levels, and there are several submaximal exercise tests that can be used to assess an individual's fitness level. Heart rate training zones
Table 3 - MET averages for demographics
If you think your fitness could do with a leg up please feel free to get in touch to start virtual (anywhere in the world) or face to face exercise classes (in Cambridge, UK). We do offer functional capacity tests (listed above) including a write up with appropriate training zones to work to a safe and effective level.
ATBGO
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