Activity Levels Of Adolescents Research Articles

Aerobic exercise in adolescents with obesity: preliminary evaluation of a modular training program and the modified shuttle test.

BackgroundIncreasing activity levels in adolescents with obesity requires the development of exercise programs that are both attractive to adolescents and easily reproducible. The aim of this study was to develop a modular aerobic training program for adolescents with severe obesity, with a focus on variety, individual targets and acquiring physical skills. We report here the effects on aerobic fitness from a pilot study. Furthermore, we examined the feasibility of the modified shuttle test (MST) as an outcome parameter for aerobic fitness in adolescents with severe obesity.MethodsFifteen adolescents from an inpatient body weight management program participated in the aerobic training study (age 14.7 ± 2.1 yrs, body mass index 37.4 ± 3.5). The subjects trained three days per week for 12 weeks, with each session lasting 30–60 minutes. The modular training program consisted of indoor, outdoor and swimming activities. Feasibility of the MST was studied by assessing construct validity, test-retest reliability and sensitivity to change.ResultsComparing pretraining and end of training period showed large clinically relevant and significant improvements for all aerobic indices: e.g. VO2 peak 17.5%, effect size (ES) 2.4; Wmax 8%, ES 0.8. In addition, a significant improvement was found for the efficiency of the cardiovascular system as assessed by the oxygen pulse (15.8%, ES 1.6).Construct validity, test-retest reliability and sensitivity to change of the MST were very good. MST was significantly correlated with VO2 peak (r = 0.79) and Wmax (r = 0.84) but not with anthropometric measures. The MST walking distance improved significantly by 32.5%, ES 2.5. The attendance rate at the exercise sessions was excellent.ConclusionThis modular, varied aerobic training program has clinically relevant effects on aerobic performance in adolescents with severe obesity. The added value of our aerobic training program for body weight management programs for adolescents with severe obesity should be studied with a randomized trial. This study further demonstrated that the MST is a reliable, sensitive and easy to administer outcome measure for aerobic fitness in adolescent body weight management trials.

Influence of aggressive computer games on the brain cortex activity level in adolescents

Dynamic changes in the activities of different areas of the brain cortex were studied in order to determine cortical structures responsible for playing aggressive computer games, with the degree of initial aggression of the adolescent subjects taken into account. Changes in anxiety and aggression produced by aggressive computer games were found to depend on the initial level of aggression of the subjects. In adolescents with a high baseline level of aggression, the amplitude of the N200 component increased in the frontal and decreased in the temporal areas of the cortex, whereas, in adolescents with a low baseline aggression level, N200 decreased in the frontal and increased in the temporal cortical areas.

Towards an understanding of salient neighborhood boundaries: adolescent reports of an easy walking distance and convenient driving distance

Numerous studies have examined the association between the surrounding neighborhood environment and physical activity levels in adolescents. Many of these studies use a road network buffer or Euclidean distance buffer around an adolescent's home to represent the appropriate geographic area for study (i.e., neighborhood). However, little empirical research has examined the appropriate buffer size to use when defining this area and there is little consistency across published research as to the buffer size used. In this study, 909 12th grade adolescent girls of diverse racial and geographic backgrounds were asked to report their perceptions of an easy walking distance and a convenient driving distance. These two criterions are often used as the basis for defining one's neighborhood.The mean easy walking distance in minutes reported by adolescent girls was 14.8 minutes (SD = 8.7). The mean convenient driving distance in minutes reported was 17.9 minutes (SD = 10.8). Nested linear multivariate regression models found significant differences in reported 'easy walking distance' across race and BMI. White adolescents reported on average almost 2 minutes longer for an easy walking distance compared to African American adolescents. Adolescents who were not overweight or at risk for overweight reported almost 2 minutes fewer for an easy walking distance relative to those who were overweight or at risk for overweight. Significant differences by urban status were found in the reported 'convenient driving distance'. Those living in non-urban areas reported on average 3.2 minutes more driving time as convenient compared to those living in urban areas. Very little variability in reported walking and driving distances was explained by the predictors used in the models (i.e., age, race, BMI, physical activity levels, urban status and SES).This study suggests the use of a 0.75 mile buffer to represent an older female adolescent's neighborhood, which can be accessed through walking. However, determining the appropriate area inclusive of car travel should be tailored to the geographic location of the adolescent since non-urban adolescents are willing to spend more time driving to destinations. Further research is needed to understand the substantial variability across adolescent perceptions of an easy walking and convenient driving distance.

Caloric Intake, Body Image and Its Relationship With Physical Activity In Mexican Adolescents

During the adolescent period there is an increased awareness of body image that can lead to dramatic reductions in caloric intake without concomitant changes in habitual physical activity levels PURPOSE: The present study evaluated the perception of body image and its association with caloric intake as well as physical activity in adolescents from Guadalajara, Mexico. METHODS: The subjects were 19 volunteer adolescents (men; n=8 and women; n=11, age=16.5±1.2 years) high school students at the University of Guadalajara system. They were evaluated using a World Health Organization (WHO) life style questionnaire. The questionnaire included sections for the evaluation of body image, habitual physical activity levels and caloric intake. RESULTS: The findings revealed that 50% of subjects were below their age-specific caloric requirements. In relation to body image, 47% reported the desire to change their body “look”. Two thirds (66%) of all subjects, reported that a diet was necessary in order to improve body image, but that they would not follow a diet to accomplish such objective. Only 18% of the women considered that exercise could help in the improvement of their body image, while 75% of the men reported that exercise could help to increase their muscle mass in order to improve body image. Sixty-two % of men and 45% of the women reported that diet and exercise were necessary to improve body image. Regarding habitual physical activity, 68% reported at least 20 minutes of physical activity once a week. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of a small sample size, we conclude that the present findings do not provide support to the hypothesis of association between perception of body image, caloric intake and physical activity levels in adolescents from Guadalajara, Mexico.

RT3 Accelerometer Accuracy in Estimating Short Term Physical Activity in Individuals with Visual Impairments

The purpose of this study was to estimate validity and reliability for RT31 monitors when worn by 19 school age participants with visual impairments during physical education. Values from RT3 monitors were compared to observational data using the Children’s Physical Activity Form (CPAF). Estimates of reliability for the RT3 monitors were calculated by placing two monitors on participants during data collection and then calculating intraclass correlations using repeated measures. Validity estimates between RT3 monitors and CPAF scores resulted in a strong relationship (R = .89, p < .001, n = 19). Validity and reliability estimates indicate that the RT3 is a useful tool for measuring short term physical activity levels in adolescents with visual impairments.

Sibling Activity as a Determinant of Physical Activity Levels in Adolescents with Autistic Spectrum Disorders

Sibling Activity as a Determinant of Physical Activity Levels in Adolescents with Autistic Spectrum Disorders

Sibling Activity as a Determinant of Physical Activity Levels in Adolescents with Autistic Spectrum Disorders

1789 Adolescents with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) may be less active than peers due to communication and behavior deficits associated with the condition. It is reasonable to conclude that disability characteristics are a primary determinant of physical activity (PA) in this group. However, since disability characteristics are difficult to modify, other factors that affect PA behavior must also be examined. Previous research in adolescents without disabilities indicates that PA levels among siblings are positively correlated. Sibling activity may also have a positive influence on PA behaviors of adolescents with ASD, particularly since these individuals do not form strong peer relationships and typically engage in family-based activities. PURPOSE: To examine the influence of sibling PA on PA levels of adolescents with ASD. METHODS: Five males with ASD (ASDS = 12.6 ± 1.1 yrs), 6 gender matched adolescent siblings (SIB = 11.2 ± 1.2 yrs), and 8 males with ASD and no adolescent siblings (ASDNS = 12.3 ± 2.2 yrs) participated. Physical activity levels were measured with a uniaxial accelerometer. The device was worn during waking hours for 5 weekdays and 2 weekend days. Data are reported as time engaged in moderate-vigorous PA (MVPA). A Kruskall-Wallis test was used to examine differences between groups and Spearman rank correlation was used to study the relationship between sibling PA levels. Significance was set at p<0.05. RESULTS: There were no differences in weekday and weekend PA levels, so these data were combined in further analysis. There were no group differences in MVPA (ASDS = 15.9 ± 4.3 min.hr−1 hr; SIB = 16.2 ± 4.7 min.hr−1 hr; ASDNS = 13.9 ± 9.0 min.hr−1 hr). There was no significant relationship between ASDS and SIB MVPA ranks (rs = .70). CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that siblings do not have a significant influence on PA levels of adolescents with ASD. Supported by the AAU-Updyke-Willett Kinesiology Research Fund.

SPORTS PARTICIPATION AND LIFESTYLE BEHAVIORS IN ADOLESCENTS

Participation in organized sports is an effective means of increasing physical activity levels in adolescents, but sports participation may also impact other health related behaviors. PURPOSE: The purpose of this investigation was to determine if adolescents who participate in organized sports score differently on other lifestyle behaviors than adolescents who do not participate in organized sports. METHODS: 303 adolescents (96 boys and 207 girls, mean age 13.2 ± 1.5) participated in this investigation. They were separated into two groups for analysis based on their response to a question on whether or not they participated in organized school or club sports (yes n = 141, no n = 162). MANOVA was used to compare groups based on their responses to an adolescent lifestyle profile questionnaire separated into the following lifestyle behaviors: Health Responsibility, Physical Activity, Nutrition, Personal Growth, Interpersonal Relations, and Stress Management. RESULTS: Adolescents who participated in organized sports scored significantly higher on lifestyle behaviors related to Physical Activity (p = .000), Nutrition (p = .001), and Interpersonal Relations (p = .004), but were no different from adolescents who did not participate in organized sports on Health Responsibility, Personal Growth, and Stress Management. CONCLUSIONS: Sports participation has a beneficial impact on lifestyle behaviors beyond physical activity for adolescents.

Influence of Parents’ and Siblings’ Physical Activity on Activity Levels of Adolescents

The aim of this study was to examine parental and sibling influences on adolescents’ self‐reported levels of physical activity. 375 13‐14 year old adolescents and their biological parents and siblings were subjects of the study. Only multiple children families (adolescents with both brother and sister) were recruited to the study. The 7‐day physical activity recall was used to quantify the physical activity levels of the adolescents and their parents and siblings. Time spent in moderate (3‐5 METs), hard (5‐7 METs), very hard (7 or more METs) activity intensity categories and sleep (1 MET) was measured. Males’ physical activity was significantly related to fathers’ and brothers’ activity levels (r = 0.15‐0.37) whereas females’ activity was associated with both parental and siblings’ moderate intensity activity as well as with fathers’ total weekly physical activity (r = 0.17‐0.33). The results of multiple regression analysis indicated that for males 19% and for females 15% of the variance in physical activity was explained by the parental and sibling physical activity of different intensities. The findings generally support the notion that significant others do exert an influence on adolescents’ exercise behaviour.

Prevalence and impact of chronic illness among adolescents.

A sample of 7465 persons aged 10 to 17 years from the 1988 National Health Interview Survey on Child Health was used to assess the prevalence and impact of chronic conditions in adolescents. We defined a condition as chronic if it was first noted more than 3 months before the interview or a condition that ordinarily would be of lengthy duration, such as arthritis or heart disease. An estimated 31.5% of US adolescents were reported to have one or more chronic conditions. The most commonly reported chronic conditions included respiratory allergies, asthma, and frequent or severe headaches. Chronic conditions had widely varying impact on adolescent activity levels. On average, adolescents with chronic conditions experienced 3.4 bed days and 4.4 school absence days related to their chronic conditions in the year before the interview. Adolescents with chronic conditions were also reported to experience 35% more behavioral problems than their counterparts without chronic conditions. Adolescents with multiple chronic conditions had substantially more bed days, school absence days, and behavioral problems than adolescents with a single chronic condition. Implications of these findings are discussed.