Activity Levels In Young Adults Research Articles

Relationships Between Spinal Curvature Parameters and Somatic Variables, Bone Mineral Density, Sedentary Habits and Physical Activity Levels in Young Adults: a Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Postural disorders in young adults result in poorer physical performance and quality of life in old age. It is important to know the determinants of posture parameters among the young adult population.

Examination of Physical Activity Levels of Young Adults

The aim of the present study was to examine the physical activity levels of young adults in terms of some variables. A total of 206 people were included in the present study. The physical activity level and body mass index of the participants were determined. The physical activity level of the participants was evaluated with the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. In order to determine the body mass index of the participants, their height and body weight were measured. The mean physical activity score of the participants was 2554.41±1935.35 MET-min/week. The mean body mass index of the participants was determined as 21.96±3.21 kg/m2. It was found that there was a statistically significant difference between males and females in terms of physical activity score (p=0.023). A statistically significant difference was found between males and females in terms of body mass index (p

Sports Specialization, Physical Literacy, and Physical Activity Levels in Young Adults.

Youth sport specialization may be associated with physical literacy and physical activity in young adulthood. The purposes of this study were to compare young adult (18-25y) physical literacy and physical activity by high school sport specialization status and to examine the relationship between current physical activity and physical literacy. Retrospective, cross-sectional study design. Participants were recruited from ResearchMatch, university classes, and social media posts. Participants (N = 172; aged 22.1 [2.1] y; 80.1% female) completed the following anonymous surveys on REDCap to assess: demographics and injury history, sport specialization, physical literacy (PLAYself), and physical activity (Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire). When controlling for age, there were no statistically significant differences in physical literacy (F2,166 = 2.02, P = .14) or moderate to vigorous physical activity (F2,161 = 0.24, P = .79) between sport specialization groups. There was a moderate, positive relationship between physical literacy and physical activity (r = .33, P < .001). Young adult physical literacy and physical activity were similar regardless of youth sport specialization level. Young adult physical literacy was positively associated with physical activity. Future studies should consider physical literacy as a possible correlate of physical activity among young adults.

Behavioral changes in FPR2/ALX and Chemr23 receptor knockout mice are exacerbated by prenatal alcohol exposure.

Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) causes neuroinflammation that may contribute to the pathophysiology underlying Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Supplementation with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) has shown success in mitigating effects of PAE in animal models, however, the underlying mechanisms are unknown. Some PUFA metabolites, specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs), play a role in the resolution phase of inflammation, and receptors for these are in the brain. To test the hypothesis that the SPM receptors FPR2 and ChemR23 play a role in PAE-induced behavioral deficits, we exposed pregnant wild-type (WT) and knockout (KO) mice to alcohol in late gestation and behaviorally tested male and female offspring as adolescents and young adults. Maternal and fetal outcomes were not different among genotypes, however, growth and behavioral phenotypes in the offspring did differ and the effects of PAE were unique to each line. In the absence of PAE, ChemR23 KO animals showed decreased anxiety-like behavior on the elevated plus maze and FPR2 KO had poor grip strength and low activity compared to age-matched WT mice. WT mice showed improved performance on fear conditioning between adolescence and young adulthood, this was not seen in either KO. This PAE model has subtle effects on WT behavior with lower activity levels in young adults, decreased grip strength in males between test ages, and decreased response to the fear cue indicating an effect of alcohol exposure on learning. The PAE-mediated decreased response to the fear cue was also seen in ChemR23 KO but not FPR2 KO mice, and PAE worsened performance of adolescent FPR2 KO mice on grip strength and activity. Collectively, these findings provide mechanistic insight into how PUFAs could act to attenuate cognitive impairments caused by PAE.

A STUDY OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY LEVELS AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN YOUNG ADULTS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

The aim: To investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the level of physical activity and quality of life in young adults. Materials and methods: A survey of 327 young people aged 18-25 years was conducted; the SF-36 (Medical Outcomes Study-Short Form) questionnaire was used to determine the quality of life; a questionnaire taking into account the WHO Global Recommendations on Physical Activity for Health in order to determine the level of physical activity was applied. Results: Young adults men 88 (27%) and 239 women (73%), mean age 21.4±1.8 y.o., the survey showed that 52% of those studied did not engage in physical activity at all, 28% had insufficient physical activity, only 20% had an adequate level of physical activity. There was a decrease in all quality of life indicators during the pandemic period compared to the previous period, especially the physical role functioning indicator (p = 0.0002), general health (p = 0.0004), emotional role functioning indicator (p = 0.0001) and mental health indicator (p = 0.0004). Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the quality of life and physical activity levels of young adults and most of this is due to the restrictive measures of the pandemic.

A Mobile Technology Intervention With Ultraviolet Radiation Dosimeters and Smartphone Apps for Skin Cancer Prevention in Young Adults: Randomized Controlled Trial

BackgroundSkin cancer is the most prevalent and most preventable cancer in Australia. Despite Australia’s long-running public health campaigns, young Australian adults continue to report high levels of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure and frequent sunburns. Young people are now increasingly turning away from traditional media, such as newspapers and TV, favoring Web-based streaming, which is challenging the health care sector to develop new ways to reach this group with targeted, personalized health promotion messages. Advances in technology have enabled delivery of time- and context-relevant health interventions.ObjectiveThe primary aim of this randomized controlled trial was to test the effect of UVR feedback from a smartphone app or a UVR dosimeter feedback device on sun protection habits, sun exposure behaviors, sunburn, and physical activity levels in young adults.MethodsYoung adults aged 18-35 years (n=124) were recruited from Queensland, Australia, between September 2015 and April 2016, via social or traditional media campaigns and outreach activities in the local community. Participants were randomized into 3 groups for a 4-week intervention: (1) no intervention control group; (2) UVR monitor group, who were asked to wear a UVR dosimeter feedback device set to their skin type; and (3) a SunSmart app group, who were asked to download and use the SunSmart phone app. Data were self-assessed through Web-based surveys at baseline and 1 week and 3 months postintervention.ResultsComplete data were available for 86.2% (107/124) of participants (control group, n=36; UVR monitor group, n=36; and SunSmart app group, n=35). Intervention uptake in the UVR monitor group was high, with 94% (34/36) of participants using the device all or some of the time when outdoors. All SunSmart app group participants downloaded the app on their smartphone. There was no significant difference in the change in the sun protection habits (SPH) index (main outcome measure) across the 3 groups. However, compared with the control group, a significantly greater proportion of the participants in the UVR monitor group reduced their time unprotected and exposed to UVR on weekends during the intervention compared with the baseline (odds ratio [OR]: 2.706, 95% CI 1.047-6.992, P=.04). This significant effect was sustained with greater reductions observed up to 3 months postintervention (OR: 3.130, 95% CI 1.196-8.190, P=.02). There were no significant differences between the groups in weekday sun exposure, sunscreen use, sunburn, suntan, or physical activity.ConclusionsUsing technology such as apps and personal UVR monitoring devices may improve some sun exposure behaviors among young adults, but as the SPH index did not increase in this study, further research is required to achieve consistent uptake of sun protection in young people.Trial RegistrationThe Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials register ACTRN12615001296527; https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=368458 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/731somROx)

Blue blocking glasses worn at night in first year higher education students with sleep complaints: a feasibility study

BackgroundLate adolescence and early adulthood is a period of highest incidence for onset of mental health problems. Transition to college environment has been associated with many risk factors such as the initial disruption—and subsequent irregularity—of the student’s sleep and activity schedule. We tested the feasibility of using blue blocking glasses (BBG) at night in first year higher education students with sleep complaints, to obtain preliminary evidence for the impact of BBG on sleep, activity, and mood.MethodsParticipants were 13 first year undergraduates (from 10 different academic courses) living on campus for the first time with sleep complaints/disorders confirmed at screening via the Duke Structured Interview Schedule for Sleep Disorders. We used a 2-week, balanced crossover design (BBG vs placebo glasses; participants were unaware which was the active intervention) with computer-generated random allocation. Exploratory analyses provided descriptive and frequency summaries to evaluate feasibility of the intervention.ResultsPreliminary evidence supports the feasibility and acceptability of the trial; almost all screened participants consented and completed the protocol with high adherence; missing data were negligible. Additionally, the effectiveness of BBGs to enhance sleep, mood, and activity levels in young adults was supported.ConclusionsThe results of this feasibility trial suggest that BBG have potential as an inexpensive and feasible intervention for reducing sleep and circadian dysregulation in young adult students. A larger trial, following this successfully implemented protocol, is necessary to fully test the efficacy of BBG.

The roles of need-supportive social environments in university physical education courses

It is well documented that the physical activity levels of young adults have declined below the recommended guidelines on health. Since positive experiences in physical education (PE) could influence individuals to adopt physically active lifestyles, studying different motivation types (motivational regulations) in university PE is warranted. Guided by the self-determination theory (SDT), the main purpose of the present study was to investigate the differential relationships among social environments (i.e. autonomy support, self-reference, and cooperative learning), basic psychological needs (i.e. autonomy, competence, and relatedness), and motivational regulations in university PE courses. Hong Kong university students (N = 219) aged 18–26 completed questionnaires that assessed the SDT variables in PE and exercise behaviours. Multiple mediation analyses showed that all three social environments had positive indirect effects on intrinsic motivation and identified regulation through all three psychological needs, except for indirect effects of autonomy support through autonomy. Moreover, autonomy support had a positive indirect effect on introjected regulation through relatedness, and cooperative learning had a negative indirect effect on amotivation through autonomy. Overall, relatedness was the strongest mediator. Finally, intrinsic motivation and identified regulation were positively associated with enjoyment and intention for future participation in the PE activity. The results are consistent with SDT assumptions and expand the literature on the differential effects of social environments on motivational regulations in university PE. Implications on teaching strategies and future studies are discussed.

Feel Better But Exercise Less: An Examination of Exercise Enjoyment, Personality and Physical Activity in Young Adults

The purpose of the present study was to examine aspects of personality and exercise enjoyment on physical activity levels in young adults. Fifty-three undergraduate students (22 males and 31 females) participated in this study. Participants were asked to complete surveys assessing exercise enjoyment, personality, and physical activity level. Participants were then asked to ride a bike for 30-minutes at a moderate intensity (at 65% maximal heart rate) to assess mood. Statistical analyses revealed that physical activity was strongly correlated with enjoyment of exercise. Highly physically active participants self-reported significantly less neuroticism and greater extraversion than less active participants. After the exercise bout, there was a significant improvement in mood, with more neurotic individuals reporting the greatest improvements. The findings observed in this study emphasize the need for mental health and fitness practitioners to develop exercise programs that address individual needs and encourage the enjoyment of exercise in order to promote well-being among young adults.

Recall of past activity levels in young adults is predictive of adolescent activity levels

Purpose: To determine whether a global physical activity question (GPAq) administered in young adulthood can be used to accurately rank former physical activity levels (PA) relative to peers of the same age and sex during adolescence. Methods: Data were obtained from the Physical Activity in Young Adults Study, a 10- year follow-up study of 12 - 16 year old adolescents. Five hundred twenty-eight young adults, mean age 24.5 (±1.0) years, completed a GPAq regarding current and past (adolescent) PA. GPAq answers were used to determine whether young adults could accurately rank their past (adolescent) PA levels relative to peers of the same age and sex. GPAq responses were compared with actual self-reported PA levels assessed by the Modifiable Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (MAQ-A; collected during adolescence). For adolescent PA, an average of 4 years of activity from the MAQ-A 1990-1993, was used. Results: Regardless of gender, Jonckheere-Terpstra tests for trend (p

Genetic Influences on Physical Activity in Young Adults

The aim of this study was to investigate genetic and environmental influences on different aspects of physical activity in young adult twins. We studied 1274 Finnish twins with a mean age of 22.4 yr, from the population-based FinnTwin12 study. Physical activity was assessed with the Baecke Questionnaire, yielding four indexes: the sport index, leisure time activity index, work index, and total score. Quantitative genetic analyses based on linear structural equations were used to estimate the contribution of genetic and environmental factors on these physical activity traits. The overall heritability estimates were 64% (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.56%-0.70%) for sports activity, 41% (95% CI = 0.31%-0.51%) for leisure time activity excluding sports, 56% (95% CI = 0.48%-0.63%) for physical activity at work, and 54% (95% CI = 0.45%-0.62%) for total physical activity. Unique environmental factors accounted for the rest of the trait variances. We did not find evidence for common environmental or dominant genetic influences. The heritability estimates did not differ between men and women, and no sex-specific genetic factors were found. Sports activity and leisure time activity excluding sports were associated (r = 0.27), and additive genetic factors explained 57% of their association. Our results suggest that genetic factors contribute significantly to physical activity levels in young adults and that sports activity is under stronger genetic influence than leisure time physical activity excluding sports. We also concluded that physical activity at work does not seem to be associated with sports activities or other leisure time physical activity at this age.

Differences In Physical Activity Levels Of Young Adults Using Percent Fat Cut-points Versus Body Mass Index

Differences In Physical Activity Levels Of Young Adults Using Percent Fat Cut-points Versus Body Mass Index

Age-related differences in physical activity levels of young adults.

To examine age-related differences in the physical activity behaviors of young adults. We examined rates of participation in vigorous- and moderate-intensity leisure-time activity and walking, as well as an index of physical activity sufficient for health benefits in three Australian cross-sectional samples, for the age ranges of 18--19, 20--24, and 25--29 yr. Data were collected in 1991, 1996, and 1997/8. There was at least a 15% difference in vigorous-intensity leisure-time physical activity from the 18--19 yr to the 25--29 yr age groups, and at least a 10% difference in moderate-intensity leisure-time physical activity. For the index of sufficient activity there was a difference between 9 and 21% across age groups. Differences in rates of walking were less than 8%. For all age groups, males had higher rates of participation for vigorous and moderate-intensity activity than did females, but females had much higher rates of participation in walking than males. Age-associated differences in activity levels were more apparent for males. Promoting walking and various forms of moderate-intensity physical activities to young adult males, and encouraging young adult females to adopt other forms of moderate-intensity activity to complement walking may help to ameliorate decreases in physical activity over the adult lifespan.

A stages of change approach to understanding college students' physical activity.

This study examined self-reports of physical activity behavior among college students from a stages of change perspective. A questionnaire on health needs was administered to a random sample of 800 students at a private university; 217 completed questionnaires were analyzed, using chi-square statistics. In addition to examining activity behavior from a stages of change approach, the authors explored the relationship of demographic variables to activity behavior. Forty-six percent of the students were inactive or were exercising irregularly. Gender and year in school were unrelated to stage of exercise adoption. Results from this pilot study indicate the need for stage-matched interventions to increase activity levels in young adults.