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Objectives. We examined the relations of meeting or not meeting the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommendations for muscular strengthening activities with percentage of body fat, body mass index (BMI; defined as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters, squared), muscular strength, and obesity classification in women. Methods. We analyzed data on 918 women aged 20 to 83 years in the Women's Injury Study from 2007 to 2009. A baseline orthopedic examination included measurement of height, body weight, skinfolds, and muscle strength. Results. Women who met muscle strengthening activity recommendations had significantly lower BMI and percentage of body fat and higher muscle strength. Women not meeting those recommendations were more likely to be obese (BMI≥30) compared with women who met the recommendations after we adjusted for age, race, and aerobic physical activity (odds ratio=2.28; 95% confidence interval=1.61, 3.23). Conclusions. There was a small but significant positive association between meeting muscle strengthening activity recommendations and muscular strength, a moderate inverse association with body fat percentage, and a strong inverse association with obesity classification, providing preliminary support for the muscle strengthening activity recommendation for women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which aims to describe the prevalence and stability of long-term tracking of physical activity (PA) behaviors in women with a variety of methods. It mentions the WIN study which monitors real time physical activity behaviors in community-living women which include measures of vigorous walking and strengthening activities. It concludes that PA behaviors are stable across long periods and implies that 50% of community-living women are involve in adequate PA for health benefits.