Leisure-time Physical Activity In Adults Research Articles

Experiences of older adults leisure-time physical activity in aquatic and leisure facilities

ABSTRACT For older adults, being physically active is positively associated with various health benefits. Despite the positive benefits of leisure-time physical activity, most older adults within Australia do not participate in physical activity at a level to generate health benefits. Aquatic and leisure facilities are important infrastructure for supporting leisure-time physical activity with local governments in Australia investing significant public funds into their development and re-development. Little is currently known regarding the experiences of older adults in these facilities. Guided by a socio-ecological approach and drawing on a qualitative methodology, this study aimed to explore the experiences of older adults (n = 20, M = 73 years of age) using aquatic and leisure facilities to better understand how this setting might be more effectively utilized to support older adult leisure-time physical activity. Multilayered analysis revealed that the social cultural environment including social networks and the behaviour setting including location and having multiple leisure-time physical activity options, assisted in supporting participation. While social norms in the perceived environment detracted from older adult’s experience. Among other recommendations, aquatic and leisure facilities could consider implementing a comprehensive word of mouth strategy into the marketing framework and generate awareness of the broad social opportunities available.

Escapism or Integration? Family Constellations Reflecting on the Leisure-Time Physical Activity of Adults

Insufficient physical activity is an increasing threat to personal well-being and public health. While significant research has focused on the factors that encourage or restrict physical activity, the impact of family constellations on physical activity remains under-researched despite its evident impact on leisure-time physical activity (LTPA). This study aims to analyze how being embedded in a family constellation reflects on LTPA. Our data are drawn from interviews with 89 working adults living in a household with a spouse and/or children. The results indicate that individuals have both escapist and integrative motivations for LTPA, which reflect particular family constellations. This finding leads to the following LTPA dimensions: solitary escapism, co-escapism, integrative escapism, and integration. Furthermore, the mechanism is bidirectional: family affects LTPA, and LTPA reflects on personal and family well-being. Public and private actors can utilize these findings when compiling policies and recommendations and developing services intended to increase LTPA.

Changes in adult leisure-time physical activity during and after COVID-19 restrictions in Colorado Springs, Colorado

ABSTRACT The public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic may have changed leisure-time physical activity (PA) behaviour, as many ‘Stay-at-Home’ policies mandated closure of indoor recreational facilities. This study examined changes in adult leisure-time PA in more and less active groups during and after COVID-19 restrictions in a relatively active region where outdoor PA was not limited. Self-reported data on walking, moderate, and vigorous PA before, during, and after restrictions were collected via a retrospective internet survey with convenience and snowball sampling. Respondents (N = 183) were categorised as either meeting (n = 129) or not meeting (n = 54) the national recommendation of 150 minutes/week of moderate-to-vigorous aerobic PA (MVPA) during the period before restrictions. Minutes of walking, MVPA, and total PA were compared across groups and periods with two-way repeated-measure ANOVAs. Those who met PA guidelines decreased MVPA by 51.0 minutes/week during restrictions compared to before. Those not meeting PA guidelines increased total PA by 88.1 minutes/week during restrictions. This study highlights a need to better understand interactions between built environment and social cognitive factors related to leisure-time PA, which may help inform future PA interventions.

Current and future costs of cancer attributable to insufficient leisure-time physical activity in Brazil.

Cancer is an increasing cause of death and disability in Brazil and a pivotal vector for growing health expenditures. Lower levels of leisure-time physical activity are associated with a higher risk of some cancers. We quantified the current and future cancer direct healthcare costs attributable to insufficient leisure-time physical activity in Brazil. We performed a macrosimulation model using: (i) relative risks from meta-analyses; (ii) prevalence data of insufficient leisure-time physical activity in adults ≥ 20 years; (iii) national registries of healthcare costs of adults ≥ 30 years with cancer. We used simple linear regression to predict cancer costs as a function of time. We calculated the potential impact fraction (PIF) considering the theoretical-minimum-risk exposure and other counterfactual scenarios of physical activity prevalence. We projected that the costs of breast, endometrial, and colorectal cancers may increase from US$ 630 million in 2018 to US$ 1.1 billion in 2030 and US$ 1.5 billion in 2040. The costs of cancer attributable to insufficient leisure-time physical activity may increase from US$ 43 million in 2018 to US$ 64 million in 2030. Increasing leisure-time physical activity could potentially save US$ 3 million to US$ 8.9 million in 2040 by reducing the prevalence of insufficient leisure-time physical activity in 2030. Our results may be helpful to guide cancer prevention policies and programs in Brazil.

Perspectives and experiences of leisure-time physical activity in adults with stage 4 cancer: a qualitative interpretive-description study

Purpose Leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) can be beneficial for individuals with advanced cancer, but little is known on how to tailor rehabilitation strategies targeting LTPA in cancer care. Our objective was to explore perspectives and experiences of LTPA in people with stage 4 cancer. Materials and methods Guided by interpretive-description methodology, our qualitative study consisted of individual, semi-structured interviews with 20 Canadian adults diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed inductively. Results The participants’ median age was 51.5 (range, 35-73) years. Cancer types included breast (n = 12), lung (n = 4), and other (n = 4). Participants highlighted their experiences of LTPA as diverse and complex, impacted by individual and cancer-related factors. They emphasized being intentional with LTPA through activity planning and modification. LTPA participation was linked to physical well-being, social connections, and meanings of accomplishment and loss. Many participants desired personalized support related to LTPA, that is integrated, interprofessional, and accessible in cancer care. Conclusion The experiences of LTPA for people with stage 4 cancer are personal and connected to health and psychosocial meanings. Further efforts in rehabilitation are needed to address the challenges faced by people with advanced cancer and optimize safe, meaningful participation in LTPA. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION Experiences of leisure-time physical activity in individuals with stage 4 cancer are personal and linked to health benefits and psychosocial meanings. Activity participation frequently involves consideration of cancer-related symptoms, management of risks, and intentional planning and modification of activities. Trained rehabilitation professionals integrated in cancer care may be well suited to support people with stage 4 cancer through personalized activity recommendations. This research can help inform future clinical, research, and educational efforts in rehabilitation aimed at targeting physical activity in individuals with advanced cancer.

Dose-response association of leisure time physical activity with mortality in adults with major chronic diseases.

We aimed to evaluate the association between leisure-time physical activity (PA) and mortality risk in adults with major chronic diseases. A total of 170,579 adults with major chronic diseases aged 30-84 years from the U.S. National Health Interview Surveys (1997-2014) with linkage to the National Death Index (NDI) through December 31, 2015 were included in this study. During a median follow-up of 7.25 years, 36,914 adults with chronic diseases died from all causes, 8,767 died from cardiovascular disease (CVD), and 9,090 died from cancer. Compared with participants with no leisure-time PA, those with a low level (10-59 min/week) of total leisure-time PA had a 23% [hazard ratio (HR) 0.77, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.73-0.82] reduced risk of all-cause mortality. Adults with higher levels of leisure time had more reduced risk of all-cause mortality, as well as CVD-specific and cancer-specific mortality. Adults with leisure-time PA ≥ 1,500 min/week had more reduced risk of CVD-specific mortality (61%) but less reduced risk of cancer-specific mortality (29%) compared with the reduced risk of all-cause mortality (43%). There was an inversely non-linear dose-response relationship between leisure-time PA and all-cause and cause-specific mortality. Reduced risk of all-cause and cancer-specific mortality between leisure-time light-to-moderate PA and vigorous-intensity PA time were largely comparable. Low and high levels of leisure-time PA showed substantial survival benefits compared with no leisure-time PA in adults with major chronic diseases. The light-to-moderate-intensity leisure-time PA is largely comparable with vigorous PA to provide survival benefits for all-cause and cancer-specific mortality.

P08-14 The association of childhood commuting modes and physical activity in adult age

BackgroundPhysically active lifestyle prevents and contributes to managing non-communicable diseases. Childhood physical activities have shown to associate with physically active lifestyle in adulthood. More research on which childhood physical activity modes associate with physical activity in later life is still needed. Within the present study, we examined how physically active commuting to school in childhood contributed to overall physical activity in adulhood.MethodsThe participants (N = 3596) were from the population-based, longitudinal Cardiovascular Risks in Young Finns Study. Questionnaires were used in assessing subjects' childhood (1980) and adulthood (2001-2018) physical activity. ActiGraph accelerometers were also applied in the adulthood measurements (2018-2020). The results were analyzed using logistic and linear regression models. Participants' age, sex, parents' educational background, parents' income level, childhood living area, participants' educational background, adulthood income level, and adulthood living area were adjusted for in the models.ResultsBased on the preliminary examinations, childhood commuting was not associated with self-reported commuting to work (2001-2018) or accelerometer-measured overall physical activity (2018-2020) in adulthood (p>.05). Active commuting in childhood associated with increased self-reported leisure-time physical activity in the year 2001 (b=.38, p>.001), 2007 (b=.35, p>.001), and 2018 (b=.28, p=.012), but the association between childhood commuting and self-reported physical activity in the years 2001 and 2018 attenuated after adjusting for all covariates (p>.05).ConclusionsPhysically active commuting in childhood (1980) was associated with higher levels of self-reported leisure-time physical activity in adulthood (2001-2018). The associations attenuated after adjusting for covariates excluding the one between active commuting and leisure-time physical activity assessed in 2007. Physically active commuting can be regarded as recommendable with respect to the development of physically active lifestyle, if supportive evidence for the causality between childhood commuting and leisure-time physical activity in adult age can be found. Future research should also focus on assessing whether active commuting in childhood contributes to adulthood activities parallel to active commuting in childhood.

Declines in Physical Activity among New Zealand Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Longitudinal Analyses of Five Data Waves from Pre-Pandemic through April 2021.

Insights specific to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity participation in New Zealand (NZ) is limited. The purpose of this study was to examine longitudinal changes in leisure-time physical activity from pre-pandemic through April 2021. Demographic characteristics (age, gender, ethnicity, deprivation, disability status) and numerous indicators of leisure-time physical activity participation were assessed in a cohort of NZ adults (n = 1854, 54.6% women) over five waves (pre-pandemic, April 2020, June 2020, September 2020, and April 2021). Repeat measures were completed for: proportion participating in any physical activity; proportion meeting aerobic physical activity recommendations; physical activity duration; number of physical activities. There was a significant (p < 0.05) decline in mean physical activity duration and number of activities during the initial lockdown period in April 2020, but the proportion participating in any physical activity and the proportion meeting physical activity recommendations remained stable. However, all four physical activity participation indicators were significantly (p < 0.05) below pre-pandemic levels in all subsequent waves. Considerable and sustained declines in NZ adult leisure-time physical activity participation were evident over the first year of the pandemic. As of April 2021, physical activity participation showed limited signs of recovering to pre-pandemic levels.

The Association of Health-Related Factors with Leisure-Time Physical Activity among Adults with COPD: A Cross-Sectional Analysis.

This study aimed to examine the association of health attitudes, health appraisals and affective experience to leisure-time physical activity in adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Cross-sectional analyses were conducted with a sample of 274 adults with COPD drawn from the second wave of the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS 2) Study. Chi-square analyses and independent t-tests were used to test the differences between physically active and inactive COPD patients (active group versus inactive group) for all study variables. Multiple logistic regression was used to examine the association of each study variable with leisure-time physical activity. The results showed that there were significant differences between the active and inactive groups in terms of age, education, functional limitations, health attitudes, health appraisals and affective experience. After controlling for socio-demographic variables and functional limitations, beliefs about the importance of physical fitness and strength for a good life and comparative health appraisals were significantly related to physical activity. However, neither negative nor positive affect was associated with physical activity status. Modifiable factors, such as health attitudes toward physical fitness and strength, as well as health appraisals, should be considered for developing effective physical activity promotion interventions among COPD patients.

A scoping review of studies exploring leisure-time physical activity in adults diagnosed with advanced cancer

Despite improving survival rates, people with advanced cancer face several physical and psychosocial concerns. Leisure-time physical activity (LPA) has been found to be beneficial after cancer diagnosis, but little is known about the current state of research exploring LPA in advanced cancer. Our objectives were to (a) map the literature examining LPA in people with advanced cancer, (b) report on the terms used to describe the advanced cancer population within the literature, and (c) examine how the concept of LPA is operationalized within the literature. Our scoping review followed Arksey and O'Malley's methodological framework. We performed a search of 11 electronic databases and supplementary sources (February 2018; database search updated January 2020). Two reviewers independently reviewed and selected articles according to the inclusion criteria: English-language journal articles on original primary research studies exploring LPA in adults diagnosed with advanced cancer. Descriptive and thematic analyses were performed. Ninety-two articles met our criteria. Most included studies were published in the last decade (80%) and used quantitative methods (77%). Many study populations included mixed (40%), breast (21%), or lung (17%) cancers. Stages 3-4 or metastatic disease were frequently indicated to describe study populations (77%). Several studies (68%) described LPA programs or interventions. Of these, 78% involved structured aerobic/resistance exercise, while 16% explored other LPA types. This review demonstrates a recent surge in research exploring LPA in advanced cancer, particularly studies examining exercise interventions with traditional quantitative methods. There remains insufficient knowledge about patient experiences and perceptions toward LPA. Moreover, little is known about other leisure activities (e.g., Tai Chi, dance, and sports) for this population. To optimize the benefits of LPA in people with advanced cancer, research is needed to address the gaps in the current literature and to develop personalized, evidence-based supportive care strategies in cancer care.

Leisure time physical activity in persons with spinal cord injury across the seasons

ABSTRACT Objectives The main goal of this study was to assess the level of leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and its differentiation across the seasons among persons with spinal cord injury (SCI). The additional aim was to determine whether socio-demographical, injury, and seasonal factors are determinants of LTPA. Methods This study included 51 adults with SCI, who completed the LTPA questionnaire for persons with SCI during a calendar year in the middle of four seasons, and demographic questionnaire. A multiple regression analysis was used to examine the role of socio-demographical, injury, and seasonal variables, as determinants of LTPA. Results The levels of LTPA were differentiated throughout the seasons. Three models containing variables related to LTPA were created. All models were significant, for mild LTPA (F = 10.01, r 2 = 0.21), moderate LTPA (F = 5.24, r 2 = 0.9), and heavy LTPA (F = 7.09, r 2 = 0.6). Age at the time of study, lack of employment, tetraplegia, and shorter time since injury were significantly, negatively associated with LTPA. Conclusion LTPA in persons with SCI differs significantly in relation to the seasons throughout a year. The season of the year should be considered in future studies and interventions on LTPA in adults with SCI.

An Examination of Sport Participation Tracking and Adult Physical Activity for Participants of the Michigan State University Motor Performance Study

ABSTRACT Research tracking sport participation from youth to adulthood is relatively rare, as is research that tracks youth sport participation with regard to adult physical activity (PA) levels, especially in the United States. Aims of this study were: 1) To investigate the degree to which sport participation tracked across youth, adolescence, and early adulthood in a sample of participants from the Michigan State University Motor Performance Study (MPS), and 2) Determine if differences existed in their levels of adult PA relative to prior sport participation. In total, 256 (60.8%) former participants from the MPS completed follow-up surveys regarding routine sport participation and PA across the previous year. Sport participation tracked consistently from youth to college. Further, regardless of the level of youth sport participation, adult leisure time PA was relatively consistent among groups. Although the study did not directly test the influence of the MPS on subsequent adult outcomes, our findings suggest that participants’ past sport participation was not a good predictor of adult PA for those who were involved in a program that emphasized fundamental motor skills in youth. Further investigation of such programs can help to better inform their influence on adult PA.

The Association between Body Mass Index and Leisure-Time Physical Activity in Adults with Multiple Sclerosis.

(1) Purpose: Conflicting information exists regarding the relationship between obesity, leisure-time physical activity (PA), and disability in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). We aimed to investigate the association between leisure-time PA and weight status in a relatively large cohort of PwMS. Furthermore, we examined this relationship according to the level of neurological disability. (2) Methods: The study included 238 PwMS (138 women) with a mean Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score of 2.5 (standard deviation [SD] = 1.7), mean disease duration of 6.4 (SD = 8.2) years, and mean age of 40.5 (SD = 12.9) years. Obesity was defined using two different metrics, each based on body mass index (BMI). Leisure-time PA was determined by the Godin–Shephard leisure-time PA questionnaire. Statistical analyses included multivariate logistic regression, the chi-square test, and Pearson coefficient correlations. (3) Results: The unadjusted odds ratio (OR) between leisure-time PA and BMI based on the World Health Organization’s (WHO) definition was 1.070 (p = 0.844) for overweight and 1.648 (p = 0.254) for obesity. The adjusted OR was 1.126 (p = 0.763) for overweight and 1.093 (p = 0.847) for obesity after adjustment for age, gender, and disability status. Chi-square analysis revealed no significant correlation between leisure-time PA and obesity (p = 0.564) according to the BMI threshold for PwMS. The unadjusted OR (95% confidence interval [CI]) between disability level and BMI based on the WHO definition was 1.674 (p = 0.220) for overweight and 0.618 (p = 0.460) for obesity. The adjusted OR was 1.130 (p = 0.787) for overweight and 0.447 (p = 0.234) for obesity after adjustment for age, gender, and leisure-time PA. Similarly, chi-square analysis revealed no significant correlation between disability level and obesity (p = 0.701) per the BMI threshold for PwMS. (4) Conclusions: No association was found between leisure-time PA and BMI in PwMS. An additional finding was the absence of any association between obesity and neurological disability level in the multiple sclerosis cohort.

Level of leisure-time physical activity and its association with the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in adults: a population-based study.

To analyze the associations between changes in the level of leisure-time physical activity in adults and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome. This is a population-based study conducted with 818 adults aged 20 years or older from Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Southern Brazil, between 2009 and 2014. We tested the association of maintenance and/or changes in the level of physical activity with the prevalence of metabolic syndrome, adjusted for sociodemographic variables (gender, age, schooling, income, marital status, and ethnicity) and smoking habits. We used logistic regression and estimated the odds ratios (OR) and their respective confidence intervals (95%CI). The overall prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 30.9% (95%CI 27.2-34.7). Regardless of adjustment variables, adults who ceased to be active and/or remained physically inactive during leisure time in the study period presented, respectively, 108 and 124% higher odds of developing metabolic syndrome (OR=2.08; 95%CI 1.30-3.33 and OR=2.24; 95%CI 1.38-3.65). Women and individuals younger than 45 years showed lower odds of having metabolic syndrome. This sample presented a significant association between remaining or becoming inactive and a greater chance of developing metabolic syndrome.

Insights from outside BJOG

Insights from outside BJOG

Barriers to leisure-time physical activity in adults living in a low socioeconomic area of the Brazilian Southeast

The aim of this study was to describe the main perceived barriers to engagement in leisure-time physical activity and associated factors among adults from the Ermelino Matarazzo district, Sao Paulo, Southeast, Brazil. Data were obtained from a population-based household survey conducted in 2007 involving 889 subjects (≥ 18 years). The long version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to identify physically inactive individuals. Open question about barriers was applied only for people inactive in leisure and content analysis was conducted to categorize the barriers. Descriptive analysis was performed using frequencies. Bivariate associations between the five most frequently reported barriers and sociodemographic variables, reported diagnoses of chronic diseases, nutritional status, working timing, travel time (to work and school), and television watching were determined using the chi-square test. Results showed that the five most prevalent barriers were lack of time (39.7%), lack of desire or motivation (18.4%), dislike exercising (6.3%), have an injury or disease (5.6%), and lack of money (3.6%). The vulnerable groups to lack of time were people married, young and middle aged, and with longer labor journey. Health problems were related by people with hypertension, diabetes, heart diseases, elderly, with low education and who did not have labor activities. People who were not working, with low education and income, and with hypertension related more dislike of exercising. Lack of desire or motivation was most cited among people who watched television. These results are important to support community programs promoting leisure-time physical activity in areas with low socioeconomic status.&#x0D;

Leisure-time Physical Activity Throughout Adulthood

PURPOSE: Limited evidence documents the benefits of leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) throughout adulthood on mortality risk. This study modelled LTPA patterns from adolescence into middle-age and their associations with all-cause, CVD, and cancer mortality. METHODS: In 1994-96, 315,059 adults (58% males) aged 50-71 yrs enrolled in the NIH-AARP Diet and Health study retrospectively described their participation in LTPA (hours/week) for approximate ages 15, 25, 35 yrs, and 50 yrs. LTPA patterns over these age-periods were modelled using semi-parametric group-based mixture models and 10 LTPA patterns throughout adulthood were identified. Participants were followed for mortality through 2011. Associations between life-course LTPA patterns and mortality were modelled using Cox proportional hazard models [(Hazard Ratios (HR) and 95% CI)] adjusting for age, sex, race, education, smoking, body mass index, and diet. The least active LTPA pattern (0 hrs/wk throughout all age-periods) was used as the referent group. RESULTS: Over 13.6 yrs of follow-up. a total of 71,377 deaths from all-causes, 22,219 deaths from CVD, and 16,388 deaths from cancer occurred. Compared to those who were consistently inactive throughout adulthood, participants who maintained LTPA participation over time were at lower risk for all-cause, CVD, and cancer mortality. For example, maintaining 7+ hrs/wk resulted in risk reduction of 29% for all-cause [HR: 0.71 (0.68, 0.73)], 24% for CVD [HR: 0.66 (0.62, 0.70)], and 10% for cancer mortality [HR: 0.90 (0.83, 0.97)]. Adults who were inactive at ages 15-35 (~1hr/week) but increased LTPA over time also had consistent reductions in risk for all-cause [HR: 0.65 (0.62, 0.68)], CVD [HR: 0.57 (0.53, 0.61)], and cancer mortality [HR: 0.84 (0.77, 0.92)]. In contrast, adults who reduced LTPA in adulthood had the lowest mortality benefits for all- cause and CVD mortality, and no benefits for cancer mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Participants who maintained or increased LTPA by their ~50’s had the lowest risk for mortality, independent of previous LTPA. LTPA during midlife (i.e., ~50yrs) rather than LTPA early in adulthood (i.e., 15’s through 35’s) seems to be most important for both all- and cause-specific mortality.

Australian Adult Physical Activity Sufficiency Trend Data: Positive, Prevalent, and Persistent Changes 2002–2012

Insufficient physical activity (PA) is a risk factor for several noncommunicable chronic diseases. The World Health Organization stresses the need for national PA trend data to help inform strategies to arrest noncommunicable chronic disease incidence. The Active Australia Survey questionnaire quantifies leisure-time physical activity. Despite being used repeatedly in large population surveys, these data have never been analyzed as a single dataset. This study established temporal trends for aerobic PA sufficiency prevalences in the Australian adult (18-75+ y) population, 2002-2012, based on leisure-time physical activity. Individuals' records from 58 surveys were merged into a master database (N = 443,211) and categorized according to sufficiency of PA (150minutes of PA per week). Data were age/sex standardized to the 2011 Australian population. PA sufficiency trends were determined for the whole sample and sociodemographic subgroups. Sufficient PA prevalences 2002-2012 increased from 55.9% (95% CI, 55.893-55.897) to 61.2% (95% CI, 61.223-61.267). No reported PA prevalences decreased from 16.1% (95% CI, 16.095-16.101) to 13.8% (95% CI, 13.745-13.811). This pattern persisted across most sociodemographic subgroups. Disparities between age groups, male/female, metropolitan/rural, and advantaged/disadvantaged categories, although present, were not diverging further. Levels of adult leisure-time physical activity are slowly increasing, but a substantial proportion of the population is still at increased risk of adverse health outcomes due to insufficient PA.

Leisure-time physical activity across adulthood and biomarkers of cardiovascular disease at age 60–64: A prospective cohort study

Background and aimsThis study examined associations between leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) across adulthood (from age 36) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) biomarkers at age 60–64. MethodsLTPA was reported by study participants from the MRC National Survey of Health and Development at ages 36, 43, 53 and 60–64 (n = 1754) and categorised as inactive, moderately active (1–4/month) or most active (5+/month) at each age. Linear regression was used to examine associations between a cumulative adulthood LTPA score (range = 0–8), and change in LTPA between ages 36 and 60–64 (i.e. always inactive, became inactive, became active, always active) and inflammatory [C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6)], endothelial [tissue-Plasminogen Activator (t-PA), E-selectin] and adipokine [leptin, adiponectin] measures extracted from overnight fasting blood samples at age 60–64. ResultsThe more active a participant was over adulthood, the better their biomarker profile, e.g. fully-adjusted difference in t-PA (both sexes) and adiponectin (women) per unit increase in the LTPA score (95% confidence interval) = −2.2% (−3.6; −0.8) and 2.0% (0.2; 3.8). Those that became active at age 60–64 showed slightly healthier biomarker profiles than those that became inactive [e.g. fully-adjusted difference in IL-6 = −9.9% (−23.9; 4.1) vs. −3.8% (−12.4; 4.8)], although the best profiles were seen for those always active [IL-6: −15.0% (−24.2; −5.7)], when compared with the always inactive group. ConclusionsGreater accumulation of LTPA across adulthood was associated with a more favourable CVD biomarker profile in early old age. Earlier uptake and long-term maintenance of LTPA may provide the greatest benefits for CVD prevention.

Leisure-time physical activity in youth as a predictor of adult leisure physical activity among Japanese workers: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundWorkers in Japan are not sufficiently active; however, it remains unclear how their leisure-time physical activity habits may be developed. This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship of age- and intensity-specific leisure-time physical activity in youth to adulthood leisure-time physical activity habits among Japanese workers.MethodsIn 2012, 968 workers (333 males and 635 females) from three companies and six hospitals in the Tokai region of Japan agreed to complete and submit a self-administered questionnaire. Intensity-specific leisure-time physical activity at ages 12 and 20 years was assessed retrospectively, and workers’ current participation in regular leisure-time physical activity was assessed as an outcome measure. Multivariable-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using logistic regression analysis.ResultsMean ages for males and females were 40 and 37 years, respectively. Strenuous leisure-time physical activity at age 12 years was significantly positively associated with adulthood participation in leisure-time physical activity among male workers [adjusted OR (95% CI) = 2.29 (1.02, 5.14)]. Additionally, both strenuous and moderate physical activity at age 20 years was significantly positively associated with participation in regular leisure-time physical activity in adulthood among males and females.ConclusionsOur results suggest that some leisure-time physical activity in youth may predict adult workers’ participation in regular leisure-time physical activity in Japan. Encouragement of leisure-time physical activity in youth could therefore be an effective measure to develop adult leisure-time physical activity habits among workers.