Average Physical Activity Level Research Articles

Aging, Resting Pulse Rate, and Longevity

To examine the relationship between resting pulse rate (RPR) and longevity in individuals aged 70 to 90. The Jerusalem Longitudinal Cohort Study (1990-2010) is a prospective longitudinal study of a representative cohort born in 1920-21. Home-based comprehensive assessment in 1990, 1998, and 2005. Individuals aged 70 (n = 453), 78 (n = 856), and 85 (n = 1,044), with follow-up to age 90. Comprehensive assessment included average RPR, beta-blocker usage, and physical activity level. Mortality data were collected from the Ministry of Interior from 1990 to 2010. Cox proportional hazards ratios (HRs) were determined for RPR (continuous variable), adjusting for sex, education, diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, congestive heart failure, hypertension, kidney disease, anemia, physical activity, body mass index, self-rated health, dementia, beta-blocker use, and an interaction term for RPR by beta-blocker use. Mean RPR was 75.1 ± 9.9 at 70, 74.5 ± 10.9 at 78, and 68.5 ± 10.5 at 85 in women and 74.3 ± 10.7 at 70, 73.1 ± 11.2 at 78, and 65.2 ± 10.5 at 85 in men, with a significant decline from 78 to 85 for both sexes. In participants not taking beta-blockers followed up from 70 to 77, 78 to 84, and 85 to 90, mean RPR was lower in survivors than nonsurvivors for women (75.8 ± 9.2 vs 83.5 ± 10.9, P < .001; 75.2 ± 9.8 vs 79.9 ± 12.6, P = .004; 71.5 ± 9.9 vs 74.6 ± 10.7, P = .02, respectively) and men (75.2 ± 10.3 vs 75.2 ± 10.9, P = .98; 73.5 ± 10.1 vs 77.2 ± 12.1, P = .005; 67.1 ± 9.5 vs 70.4 ± 11.7, P = .01, respectively). Adjusted HRs for mortality per 10-beat increase in RPR during follow-up were 1.13 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.87-1.47) for 70 to 77, 1.35 (95% CI = 1.11-1.65) for 78 to 84, and 1.17 (95% CI = 1.01-1.37) for 85 to 90. RPR declines in the oldest old, and this decline is associated with greater longevity. It may serve as a simple prognostic marker in the oldest old.

Physical activity and physical activity induced energy expenditure in humans: measurement, determinants, and effects

Physical activity is defined as any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that results in energy expenditure. The doubly labeled water method for the measurement of total energy expenditure (TEE), in combination with resting energy expenditure, is the reference for physical activity under free-living conditions. To compare the physical activity level (PAL) within and between species, TEE is divided by resting energy expenditure resulting in a figure without dimension. The PAL for sustainable lifestyles ranges between a minimum of 1.1–1.2 and a maximum of 2.0–2.5. The average PAL increases from 1.4 at age 1 year to 1.7–1.8 at reproductive age and declines again to 1.4 at age 90 year. Exercise training increases PAL in young adults when energy balance is maintained by increasing energy intake. Professional endurance athletes can reach PAL values around 4.0. Most of the variation in PAL between subjects can be ascribed to predisposition. A higher weight implicates higher movement costs and less body movement but not necessarily a lower PAL. Changes in physical activity primarily affect body composition and to a lesser extent body weight. Modern man has a similar PAL as a wild mammal of a similar body size.

Walk on the bright side: physical activity and affect in major depressive disorder.

Although prescribed exercise has been found to improve affect and reduce levels of depression, we do not know how self-initiated everyday physical activity influences levels of positive affect (PA) and negative affect (NA) in depressed persons. Fifty-three individuals diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and 53 never-depressed controls participated in a seven-day experience sampling study. Participants were prompted randomly eight times per day and answered questions about their physical activity and affective state. Over the week, the two groups of participants did not differ in average level of physical activity. As expected, participants with MDD reported lower average PA and higher average NA than did never-depressed controls. Both participants with MDD and controls reported higher levels of PA at prompts after physical activity than at prompts after inactive periods; moreover, for both groups of participants, PA increased from a prompt after an inactive period to a subsequent prompt at which activity was reported. Depressed participants in particular showed a dose-response effect of physical activity on affect: longer duration and/or higher intensity of physical activity increased their PA significantly more than did short duration and/or lower intensity physical activity. Physical activity did not influence NA in either group. In contrast to previous treatment studies that examined the effects of prescribed structured exercise, this investigation showed that self-initiated physical activity influences PA. These findings also underscore the importance of distinguishing between PA and NA to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the effects of physical activity on affect in MDD.

Effect of an After-School Intervention on Increases in Children’s Physical Activity

Evaluate the effect of an after-school intervention on physical activity program changes and individual behaviors among children. A quasi-experimental evaluation of a YMCA-driven environmental change intervention with 16 intervention and 16 control sites in four metropolitan areas in the United States. Intervention sites participated in learning collaboratives designed to promote physical activity and nutrition through environmental change, educational activities, and parent engagement. Behavioral foci included increasing overall physical activity levels as well as combined moderate and vigorous physical activity and vigorous physical activity. Outcomes were assessed longitudinally using preintervention and follow-up surveys of program implementation and accelerometer measures of physical activity. ActiGraph accelerometer data were collected from a sample of 212 children, ages 5-11 yr, attending the programs. On average, 3 d of data were gathered per child. Reliability of the accelerometer counts averaged 0.78. Multivariate regression models were used to control for potential confounding variables and to account for clustering of observations. Data indicate greater physical activity increases in children in intervention versus control sites after modest intervention implementation. Controlling for baseline covariates, children in intervention sites showed greater increases in average physical activity level than in control sites (76 counts per minute, P = 0.037, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 8.1-144) and more minutes of moderate and vigorous physical activity (10.5 min·d(-1), P = 0.017, 95% CI = 1.5-18.6), minutes of moderate physical activity (5.6 min·d(-1), P = 0.020, 95% CI = 0.99-10.2), and minutes of vigorous physical activity (5.1 min·d(-1), P = 0.051, 95% CI = 0.21-9.93). Results indicate significant increases in daily physical activity among children in intervention versus control sites. This study documents the effectiveness of an environmental change approach in an applied setting.

Greenhouse gas emissions of self-selected individual diets in France: Changing the diet structure or consuming less?

The aim was to estimate the greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE) associated with self-selected diets and to evaluate the impact of modifying dietary structures on diet-associated GHGE. Food consumption data from 1918 adults participating in the French national dietary survey and GHGE of 73 highly consumed foods (in g CO2e/100g of edible food) were used to estimate the GHGE of each individual diet. The mean diet-associated GHGE was 4170g CO2e/day and a high inter-individual variability was observed. When the total caloric intakes were reduced to meet the individual energy needs, the diet-associated GHGE decreased by either 10.7% or 2.4%, depending on the assumption made on the average physical activity level of the population. The meat and deli meat food group represented the strongest diet-associated GHGE contributor, but the impact of different meat reduction scenarios was modest. In particular, when fruit and vegetables were iso-calorically substituted for meat, either null or even positive diet-associated GHGE variations were observed because the needed amounts of fruit and vegetables to maintain the caloric content of the diet were high. Therefore, substituting fruit and vegetables for meat (especially deli meat) may be desirable for health but is not necessarily the best approach to decreasing diet-associated GHGE.

Aspects of activity behavior as a determinant of the physical activity level

This study investigated which aspects of the individuals' activity behavior determine the physical activity level (PAL). Habitual physical activity of 20 Dutch adults (age: 26-60 years, body mass index: 24.5 ± 2.7 kg/m(2)) was measured using a tri-axial accelerometer. Accelerometer output was used to identify the engagement in different types of daily activities with a classification tree algorithm. Activity behavior was described by the daily duration of sleeping, sedentary behavior (lying, sitting, and standing), walking, running, bicycling, and generic standing activities. Simultaneously, the total energy expenditure (TEE) was measured using doubly labeled water. PAL was calculated as TEE divided by sleeping metabolic rate. PAL was significantly associated (P<0.05) with sedentary time (R=-0.72), and the duration of walking (R=0.49), bicycling (R=0.77), and active standing (R=0.62). A negative association was observed between sedentary time and the duration of active standing (R=-0.87; P<0.001). A multiple-linear regression analysis showed that 75% of the variance in PAL could be predicted by the duration of bicycling (Partial R(2) =59%; P<0.01), walking (Partial R(2) =9%; P<0.05) and being sedentary (Partial R(2) =7%; P<0.05). In conclusion, there is objective evidence that sedentary time and activities related to transportation and commuting, such as walking and bicycling, contribute significantly to the average PAL.

The Association between Symptoms, Pain Coping Strategies, and Physical Activity Among People with Symptomatic Knee and Hip Osteoarthritis

Effective use of coping strategies by people with chronic pain conditions is associated with better functioning and adjustment to chronic disease. Although the effects of coping on pain have been well studied, less is known about how specific coping strategies relate to actual physical activity patterns in daily life. The purpose of this study was to evaluate how different coping strategies relate to symptoms and physical activity patterns in a sample of adults with knee and hip osteoarthritis (OA; N = 44). Physical activity was assessed by wrist-worn accelerometry; coping strategy use was assessed by the Chronic Pain Coping Inventory. We hypothesized that the use of coping strategies that reflect approach behaviors (e.g., Task Persistence), would be associated with higher average levels of physical activity, whereas avoidance coping behaviors (e.g., Resting, Asking for Assistance, Guarding) and Pacing would be associated with lower average levels of physical activity. We also evaluated whether coping strategies moderated the association between momentary symptoms (pain and fatigue) and activity. We hypothesized that higher levels of approach coping would be associated with a weaker association between symptoms and activity compared to lower levels of this type of coping. Multilevel modeling was used to analyze the momentary association between coping and physical activity. We found that higher body mass index, fatigue, and the use of Guarding were significantly related to lower activity levels, whereas Asking for Assistance was significantly related to higher activity levels. Only Resting moderated the association between pain and activity. Guarding, Resting, Task Persistence, and Pacing moderated the association between fatigue and activity. This study provides an initial understanding of how people with OA cope with symptoms as they engage in daily life activities using ecological momentary assessment and objective physical activity measurement.

Active commuting to school in children and adolescents: An opportunity to increase physical activity and fitness

The purpose was to describe the patterns of commuting to school in young people and to examine its associations with physical activity (PA) and cardiorespiratory fitness. The sample comprised 2271 Estonian and Swedish children and adolescents (1218 females) aged 9-10 years and 15-16 years. Data were collected in 1998/99. Mode of commuting to and from school was assessed by questionnaire. Time spent (min/day) in PA and average PA (counts/min) was measured by accelerometry. Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed by means of a maximal cycle ergometer test. Sixty-one percent of the participants reported active commuting to school (ACS). Estonian youth showed lower levels of ACS than Swedish (odds ratio, 0.64; 95% confidence interval, 0.53-0.76) and girls reported lower levels than boys (0.74; 0.62-0.88). ACS boys showed higher PA levels than non-ACS boys for moderate, vigorous, MVPA, and average PA levels (all p ≤ 0.01). Participants who cycled to school had higher cardiorespiratory fitness than walkers or passive travellers (p < 0.001). Nearly two-thirds of the participants actively commuted to school. ACS may provide an opportunity to increase levels of daily PA, especially in boys, and cardiorespiratory fitness, especially if cycling. Public health strategies should develop and test ACS patterns to get more evidence and promote bike-friendly environments.

Pet ownership and adolescent health: Cross‐sectional population study

To determine whether adolescent health and well-being are associated with having a pet in the household (any pet, or specifically dogs, cats or horses/ponies) or average daily time spent caring for/playing with pet(s). Design, setting and participants--Cross-sectional data from the third wave of the Health of Young Victorians Study (HOYVS), a school-based population study in Victoria, Australia. Predictors--Adolescent-reported pet ownership and average daily time spent caring for/playing with pet(s). Outcomes--Self-reported quality of life (KIDSCREEN); average 4-day daily physical activity level from a computerised diary; parent-proxy and self-reported physical and psychosocial health status (PedsQL); measured BMI status (not overweight, overweight, obese) and blood pressure. Statistical Analysis--Regression methods, adjusted for socio-demographic factors, and non-parametric methods. Household pet data were available for 928 adolescents (466 boys; mean age of 15.9 (SD 1.2) years). Most adolescents (88.7%) reported having a pet in their household. Of these, 75.1% reported no activity involving pets over the surveyed days. It appeared that neither owning a pet nor time spent caring for/playing with a pet was related, positively or negatively, to adolescent health or well-being. Despite high rates of pet ownership, adolescents had little interaction with pets. It appears that owning a pet and time spent caring for/playing with a pet was not clearly associated with adolescents' health or well-being.

Changes of Physical Activity Level and Physical Fitness in Adolescent Students within One Year

Previous studies focused on the relationship between physical activity level and physical fitness in adolescents were mostly from cross-sectional data. Since growth have influence on the development of physical fitness in these population. More longitudinal study would be helpful to better understand the related factors. PURPOSE: To explore the changes and sexual difference of junior high school students' physical activity level and physical fitness in one year period. Further examine the correlation between physical activity level and changes of physical fitness. METHODS: Subjects were 308 seven-grade students (145 males; 163 females) of Ta-Kuan junior high school in Taipei country, Taiwan. Physical activity level was collected using International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Adolescence in Taiwan-Show Card Version (IPAQ-A). Physical fitness was assessed as body mass index (BMI), sit-and-reach, long jump, sit-up and 800/1600-m walk/run test. The interval of two tests was one year. According to the data, we came to the conclusion through the method of descriptive statistics, independent t-test, paired t-test and Pearson's product-moment correlation. RESULTS: In average, there was no significant change of physical activity level after one year in this observed population (1834.00 +/- 1686.70 vs. 1882.03 +/- 1482.54 MET-min·wk-1). No significant differences were found on changes of physical activity level between genders. After one year, there were significant growth (p<.05) in height (3.12 +/- 2.60 cm), weight (3.61 +/- 3.40 kg), and BMI (0.62 +/- 1.20 kg·m-2). Significant improvements (p<.05) of sit-and-reach (4.51 %), long jump (1.29 %) and 800/1600-m walk/run test (10.09 % in male; 4.53 % in female) were also found. The improvements of male students' height, weight, long jump and 800/1600-m walk/run test were greater than females'. There were no significant correlations between average physical activity level and changes of physical fitness in one year period. CONCLUSIONS: When adolescent students maintained their habitual physical activity, some of their physical fitness improved with age in puberty.

Seasonal variations in physical activity and implications for human health

This review explores the implications of seasonal changes in physical activity for fitness and human health. Photosensitivity and nutrient shortages mediate animal hibernation via the hypothalamus and changes in leptin and ghrelin concentrations. Opportunities for hunting and crop cultivation determine seasonal activity in under-developed human societies, but in developed societies temperature and rainfall are dominant influences, usually over-riding innate rhythms. Both questionnaire data and objective measurements show that many groups from children to the elderly increase their physical activity from winter to spring or summer. Measurements of maximal oxygen intake and muscle strength commonly show parallel seasonal changes. However, potential effects upon body mass and body fat may be counteracted by changes of food intake; subsistence agriculturists sometimes maintain or increase physical activity at the expense of a decrease in body mass. In developed societies, body fat commonly increases during the winter, with parallel changes in blood lipids, blood pressure and blood coagulability; moreover, these changes are not always fully reversed the following summer. Most developed societies show increased all-cause and cardiac mortalities in the winter. Health consequences of seasonal variations in physical activity including an increased vulnerability to cardiac catastrophe and a year-by-year increase in total body fat seem most likely if the average level of physical activity for the year is low. Public health recommendations should underline the importance of maintaining physical activity during adverse environmental conditions by adapting clothing, modifying behaviour and exploiting any available air-conditioned indoor facilities.

Reduced knee extensor function in heart failure is not explained by inactivity

Background The goal of this study was to determine if heart failure alters knee extensor muscle torque, power production or contractile velocity. Methods Heart failure patients ( n = 11; 70.4 ± 4.3 yrs) and controls ( n = 11; 70.3 ± 3.4 yrs) matched for age and sex were evaluated for knee extensor contractile performance under isometric and isokinetic conditions and body composition by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Additionally, we recruited sedentary to minimally active elderly controls to match heart failure patients for habitual physical activity and assessed activity levels using accelerometry. Results Groups did not differ for total or regional body composition or average daily physical activity level. Despite similar muscle size and use, heart failure patients exhibited 21–29% lower ( P < 0.05 to P < 0.01) isometric knee extensor torque throughout a range of knee angles, 15–33% lower ( P = 0.05 to P < 0.01) peak concentric torque measured at various isokinetic speeds and corresponding reductions ( P = 0.05 to P < 0.01) in peak power output. Expression of peak isokinetic torque data relative to isometric torque eliminated group differences, suggesting that impaired contractile function under dynamic conditions is explained by deficits in the force generating capacity of muscle. No group differences were found in the time required to reach target velocity during isokinetic contractions, an index of contractile velocity. Conclusion Because group differences in muscle torque were independent of age, sex, physical activity level and muscle size, our results suggest that muscle contractile dysfunction in these patients is likely attributable to the heart failure syndrome.

大学生における慢性機能性便秘発現に及ぼす性および生活習慣との関連‐横断的研究‐

The purpose of this study was to estimate some relationships between a constipation and sex, body mass index (BMI), lifestyles, and dietary intakes in collegiate students; males (n = 172) and females (n = 256). Based on the Rome's criteria, subjects were divided into three groups: a regular stool group (R), a tend-to-be-constipated group (T) and a constipated group (C). Following results were obtained.The C group was 3.5-fold higher in the females than in the males (males 2.9%, females 10.2%). The average physical activity level was 2.07 and 1.70 in the males and females, respectively. There was no significant difference in the BMI among the three groups in both sexes. The daily food intakes and nutrients were much more in males than in females. After adjusted for the energy intake, no significant differences were observed in almost all food and nutrient intakes in both sexes, and/or among the three bowel groups. Mean intakes of daily dietary fiber were similar both in males and females (males; 11.6±4.0 g/day, females; 12.1±4.9 g/day). Although dietary fiber intakes per 1000 kcal energy were significantly higher in females than in males, there were no significant differences among the three bowel groups. The males who took daily water over 1,500 ml were more in the R groups than in the C groups. Both males and females who did not defecate at a set time decreased in the R groups, but increased in the T and C groups.Based on these results, it was suggested that sexual differences, lower PAL, lower intakes of water including milks, and irregular times in a bowel evacuation but not in the BMI, might be concerned totally with the incidences of the constipation.

AKTIVITAS FISIK, ASUPAN ENERGI DAN STATUS GIZI WANITA PEMETIK TEH DI PTPN VIII BANDUNG, JAWA BARAT

&lt;p class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0cm 13.05pt 6pt 17.85pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 26.95pt;"&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 10pt;" lang="en-us" xml:lang="en-us"&gt;Quality of human resources is very important to improve productivity. The worker productivity is correlated with nutritional status and health status. The objective of the research is to analyze physical activity, energy intake&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 10pt;" lang="en-us" xml:lang="en-us"&gt;, nutritional status, of women workers at Tea Plantation PTPN VIII Bandung, West Java.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 10pt;" lang="en-us" xml:lang="en-us"&gt; The cross sectional design was used in this study to elaborate physical activity, nutritional status, and productivity of tea picker’s women. The criteria of study sample were tea picker’s women at cluster area of Malabar tea plantation of PTPN VIII Bandung, having infant and they were willing to be interviewed. The total number of 92 women sample was chosen randomly. Primary data consisted of physical activity recall (2x24 hours), food consumption &lt;span&gt;recall&lt;/span&gt; (2x24 hours), anthropometry data (weight and height), and productivity (passage of tea sprout). Secondary data were included data of PT Perkebunan Nusantara VIII Bandung, West Java. The result showed that more than a half of samples having active or moderate physical activity level (PAL). The physical activity level of samples during work day (average PAL=1.87) was higher than holiday (average PAL=1.69) (p&amp;lt;0.05). The physical activity was related to energy expenditure. According to Schofield equation, energy expenditure of sample during workday (average=2362 kcal) was significantly higher (p&amp;lt;0.05) than day off (average=2134 kcal). This result is related to Oxford equation, energy expenditure of sample during workday (average=2223 kcal) was significantly higher than holiday (average=2011 kcal). The related factors of energy expenditure are body weight and age. Energy intake on workday and day off were respectively &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 10pt;" lang="en-us" xml:lang="en-us"&gt;2362 kcal and 2134 kcal&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 10pt;" lang="en-us" xml:lang="en-us"&gt;. The average energy adequacy level during workday and day off according to Schofield and Oxford equation were &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 10pt;" lang="en-us" xml:lang="en-us"&gt;not significantly different&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 10pt;" lang="en-us" xml:lang="en-us"&gt;, respectively &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 10pt;" lang="en-us" xml:lang="en-us"&gt;97,2% and 103,3%. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 10pt;" lang="en-us" xml:lang="en-us"&gt;The majority of samples had normal nutritional status, and 30.4% of the sample was overweight. The energy adequacy level according to Schofield and Oxford equation are related to nutritional status of women workers. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 10pt;"&gt;Keywords: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 10pt;" lang="en-us" xml:lang="en-us"&gt;physical activity, energy expenditure, nutritional status, plantation &lt;span&gt;women&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/em&gt;

Physical activity level in healthy free-living Japanese estimated by doubly labelled water method and International Physical Activity Questionnaire

To measure total energy expenditure (TEE) for normal healthy Japanese by the doubly labelled water (DLW), and to compare the physical activity level (PAL) among categories classified by the categories used in daily reference intake (DRI), Japan and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). A total of 150 healthy Japanese men and women aged 20- to 59-year-old living in four districts of Japan. TEE was measured by the DLW method, and the PAL was calculated from TEE divided by basal metabolic rate. Simultaneously with TEE measurement, the PAL was assessed employing the categories used in DRI, Japan and IPAQ. The average TEE and PAL were 10.78+/-1.67 MJ/day and 1.72+/-0.22 for males and 8.37+/-1.30 MJ/day and 1.72+/-0.27 for females, respectively. The subjects in the highly active categories assessed by both DRI and IPAQ showed significantly higher PAL compared with less active categories. However, PALs among light and moderate categories by DRI, and insufficient and sufficiently active by IPAQ were not significantly different. In developed countries, highly active subjects could be assessed by a simple questionnaire. However, the questionnaire should be improved to clarify the sedentary to moderately active subjects by assessing carefully very light to moderate physical activity.

Associations between overall physical activity level and cardiovascular risk factors in an adult population

It is well established that physical activity level is inversely associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and with all-cause mortality. However, the dose-response relationship between physical activity and other cardiovascular disease risk factors is not fully understood. The aim of the present study was to explore the dose-response relationship between daily physical activity, as measured by a metabolic equivalent score, and BMI, waist circumference, waist hip ratio, total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, systolic and diastolic blood pressure. A total of 1693 men and women, 33-64 years of age, from the 3 year follow-up of a population-based intervention study, were included in this cross-sectional study. Information on physical activity and other lifestyle factors was obtained by self-report questionnaire. Associations between activity level and biological variables were explored by general linear regression. Data from 835 (51%) men and 805 (49%) women were included. Mean age was 50.8 years (33-64). A significant inverse association between average 24-hour physical activity level < or =45 METs and waist circumference (men p = 0.012, women p = 0.011), BMI (p = 0.0004), waist-hip-ratio (p = 0.002) and triglycerides (p = 0.0001) was found as well as a positive association with HDL (p = <0.0001). In those with an activity level above 45 METs there were no associations. No association was found with total cholesterol, LDL, systolic or diastolic blood pressure. This study suggests a linear dose-response relationship between activity level and certain biological cardiovascular risk factors up to a threshold of a daily 24 h MET-score of 45, which corresponds to a moderate physical activity level.

LARGE INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES IN THE LEVEL OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ARE APPARENT THROUGH THE PUBERTAL TRANSITION.

Background A number of epidemiologic studies have shown an association between low levels of physical activity and elevated weight gain, but most reports of physical activity have been made by self-report. Recently, we directly measured physical activity using three-way accelerometers in adult female rhesus monkeys and showed that sedentary monkeys gained significantly more weight than active monkeys (Sullivan et al, Am J Physiol Regul Integ Comp Physiol 2006;291:R633-42). An eightfold variation in daily physical activity was found between the least and most active monkeys, and the physical activity level was very stable over time. Purpose Over adolescent development, human studies have shown a dramatic decrease in average physical activity level. In this study, we sought to determine if individual differences in physical activity already exist prepubertally and whether an individual9s prepubertal level of physical activity predicts their postpubertal level of physical activity. Methods Forty-three rhesus monkeys were studied over a 1-year period between 2005 and 2006. Monkeys were living in seminatural conditions in large outdoor troops at the Oregon National Primate Research Center. Each year the monkeys were brought indoors for a 10-day period in the summer and each monkey had physical activity monitored one summer by a three-way accelerometer (set to record activity counts each minute) that was attached to a loose-fitting metal collar. During the 10-day period of study, monkeys were housed individually in single cages. Results There was a 10.5-fold difference in physical activity level among monkeys. Over the 1-year study period there was a 2.6-fold decrease in physical activity. There was a significant correlation (r = .519, Conclusion We conclude that like humans, monkeys experience a decrease in physical activity as they transition through puberty; however, prepubertal physical activity level is a strong predictor of postpubertal physical activity level. These findings suggest that sedentary adolescents will remain sedentary in adulthood and that these individuals will be at risk of obesity.

Total energy expenditure, resting metabolic rate and physical activity level in free-living rural elderly men and women from Cuba, Chile and México

The objective of this study was to assess total energy expenditure (TEE), resting metabolic rate (RMR) and physical activity level (PAL), and to estimate energy requirements (ERs) in free-living elderly subjects from Cuba, Chile and Mexico. Cross-sectional study designed to estimate ERs. Rural regions of Cuba, Chile and Mexico. Forty subjects >60 years old were selected to participate in this study. A dose of doubly labeled water (DLW) was administered and urine samples were collected in the following 12-14 days. From the isotopic analysis, TEE was derived. RMR was measured by indirect calorimetry. TEE in Chilean (8.8+/-1.6 MJ/day) and Cuban (8.3+/-1.3 MJ/day) elderly was not different, and was higher for the Mexican group (9.5+/-1.5 MJ/day) (P < 0.0001). RMR was not different between countries. PAL and activity energy expenditure (AEE) were only different between Chile and Mexico (P < 0.002). For the three regions, overall PALs were 1.70+/-0.16 for male and 1.62+/-0.13 for female subjects (P < 0.02), and AEE was 3.05+/-0.66 and 2.27+/-0.66 MJ/day for male and female subjects, respectively (P < 0.001). Predictive equations (MJ/day) were RMR = 1.6447 + 0.05714 x weight (kg) + 0.449 sex (male = 1; female = 0) (R2 = 0.75; SEE = 0.479) and TEE = 3.414 + 0.0795 x weight (kg) + 1.227 x sex (male = 1; female = 0) (R2 = 0.75; SEE = 0.668). There were differences in TEE and PAL owing to sex and region. The average PAL in men was higher than the PAL reported either with factorial approach or with the DLW method in elderly. Predictive ER equations based on RMR and TEE gave very similar results to calculations from the 2004 FAO/WHO/UNU report.

Physical Activity and Mood during Pregnancy

To compare three physical activity (PA) measures in pregnant women and examine mood correlates of physical activity changes during pregnancy. A sample of 12 pregnant women (PW) was recruited during their first trimester and 12 nonpregnant women (NPW) (baseline age = 30.7 +/- 4.4 yr) were matched to the PW (29.8 +/- 4.2 yr). Once monthly, for seven consecutive months, total weekly energy expenditure (TWEE) was assessed using a physical activity diary (PAD) and a recall interview (PAR). Accelerometers were worn for 3 d each month. Mood was also assessed. A two-factor mixed-model ANOVA was used to analyze the data (2 groups [PW vs NPW] x 7 times across pregnancy). Mean PAR TWEE and daily mean MTI counts were positively and moderately correlated with mean PAD TWEE (PW: r = 0.40 and NPW: r = 0.50, P < 0.001). The MTI counts decreased significantly in PW by 23% from gestational weeks 12 to 36 compared with a 5% decrease in NPW. Fatigue and vigor scores improved from gestational weeks 12 to 16 and worsened from weeks 32 to 36 in PW. Changes in PA were not correlated to changes in mood in either group. The results provide some evidence for the validity of the 7-d PAR and accelerometer as measures of physical activity in pregnancy. Healthy women who maintain an above average level of physical activity during the second and third trimesters can enjoy mood stability.

Obesity

Obesity