Relationship between Physical Activity and Medicine Use in the Spanish Population

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

PA is defined by type as in exercise intentional and moving for purposes of getting around.  Did this study account for every kind of PA? Address this issue in a section.  Use of the word "increase" and variations of the word are high in the abstract.  Maybe try rewriting the abstract.  Can some attention be paid to other factors that may determine the relationship between PAL and medication?  If we promote PAL should we be concerned with the ability to engage in PA meaning resources, wealth, income, surroundings, neighborhood, built environment, or location?  We are missing at least a nod to the body of studies that look at the relationship between health, wealth, and the build environment all of which most likely influence PA. If we mean just moving, then most likely low-income groups do that by virtue of living their everyday life simply walking.  Middle to upper income groups have more time for exercise and leisure time PA and so can have higher levels.  There is no mention of these studies or these ideas. 

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

Dear Editor, 

Please find enclosed the authors' reply

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

First of all, I would like to thank you for sending me this article for review and congratulate the authors for their initiative in this highly relevant research in the field of health.

 

The method information in the abstract is very sparse. Enlarge.

It is recommended to use the Strobe Statement.

Indicate place, dates, recruitment and evaluation periods.

The conditions under which the subjects were measured should be further described.

Indicate who performed the measurements and number of investigators, information given to participants, etc.

Include potential sources of bias.

It would be very interesting to analyze whether the relationship between the use of medications and the level of physical activity could be measured by age. There is a strong association between medication use and age. As well as the practice of physical activity and age.

Author Response

Dear Editor,

You will find the authors' reply in the attached file.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

Dear authors,

This is an interesting paper, and is meaningful for encouraging people to take part in more physical activity to promote health and reduce health care cost. Although the study design and results are simple, but this paper was well written. Some minor suggestions as follows:

 

1.      Abstract

The purpose of this study and method could be shortened, and results and conclusions are better to be enhanced.

 

2. Table 2 This table is hard to be understanded, suggest authors to improve this table. Some unnecessary lines could be deleted.

Always, * means significant difference. P* is better to be changed to another symbol.

Author Response

Dear Editor, 

Please find enclosed the authors' reply

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 4 Report

Thanks for the opportunity to read this article.

After reading, I have some comments that I present below.

 

Introduction

1. Line2 32-33. The concept of physical activity was not initially defined by Devís et al. Authors should cite who initially defined the concept of PA.

 

2. Line 34. PA is not an indicator of health. It is a health behaviour.

 

3. Lines 51-52. Does the investment in promoting PA among children reduces the costly effect of an ageing population and low PA after retirement?

 

4. Lines 72-77 The paper is not about covid-19. This paragraph can be deleted.

 

Methods

Well done.

 

Results

5. In addition to the p-value, is it possible to report the effect size?

 

Discussion

6. How can you say that "the use of medicines in the general Spanish population was high? What is the point of reference for ranking high?

 

 

7. Some parts of the discussion look like a re-presentation of the results. Avoid putting numeric values into the discussion.

Author Response

Dear Editor,

You will find the authors' reply in the attached file.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

Thank you for answer to the revision