Daily Activity Behavior Research Articles

Validity and Reliability of the Daily Activity Behaviours Questionnaire (DABQ) for Assessment of Time Spent in Sleep, Sedentary Behaviour, and Physical Activity.

Sleep, sedentary behaviour (SB), and physical activity are among key behavioural determinants of health. There is a need to evaluate questionnaires that capture movement behaviours across the full 24-h day. The aim of this study was to examine the measurement properties of the Daily Activity Behaviours Questionnaire (DABQ), a novel questionnaire (with a past seven-day recall period) for estimating the time spent in sleep, SB, light physical activity (LPA), and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) among adults. A sample of 126 adults was recruited. DABQ was administered to the participants on two occasions seven days apart to examine its test-retest reliability. The convergent validity of DABQ estimates was explored against activPAL4 accelerometer/inclinometer estimates. Intraclass correlation coefficients for absolute agreement and consistency between the times spent in sleep, SB, LPA, and MVPA estimated by DABQ in the test and re-test ranged from 0.59 to 0.69. Spearman’s correlations between the times spent in sleep, SB, LPA, and MVPA estimated by DABQ and activPAL4 ranged from 0.38 to 0.66. In terms of reliability and validity, DABQ is comparable with existing questionnaires; however, it has an important advantage of enabling a comprehensive assessment of all four 24-h movement behaviours. The measurement properties of DABQ make it suitable for large-scale epidemiological studies on 24-h movement behaviours.

Daily Physical Activity of College Students Based on Embedded Accelerometer

With the development of microelectronics and sensor technology, sensors can be widely integrated into mobile phones and mobile devices, and the use of accelerator sensors to monitor human movement has a wide range of application prospects. The human body’s behavior in daily activities is closely related to the individual’s physical and mental health. Therefore, scientifically preparing and monitoring the daily exercise of the human body is very important for fitness planning and improving physical health. This article introduces an embedded acceleration sensor to investigate the daily physical activities of college students. The article lists several accelerometers commonly used to detect human physical activity, confirms the basic status of the human body motion database, and obtains the database construction process. This article selects 100 students from a certain city who participate in resources and use acceleration sensors to detect their daily physical activities for a week. The test result is that among the students surveyed, the wearing time of computer students is 5228.1 minutes for boys and 5557.3 minutes for girls; sports health science students wear 5028.9 minutes for boys and 4878.3 minutes for girls; police school students wear 6598.7 minutes for boys and 6524.1 minutes for girls.

BEHAVIORAL THERAPY TO REDUCE EMESIS IN PATIENT WITH PSYCHOGENIC VOMITING

Psychogenic vomiting or “functional vomiting” is vomiting without any obvious organic pathology, resulting from psychological mechanisms. It is can occurs cause a result of an emotional disturbance or psychic disturbance without organic pathology. For the psychogenic vomiting treatment, there are previous treatment using pharmacotherapy, behavioral therapy, cognitive therapy, and supportive psychotherapy. Behavior therapy aim to changing the behavior in daily activities to reduce dysfunction and improve quality of life. Cognitive therapy aims to change psychological significance of people’s beliefs about themselve, their personal world, and the future. Author used the literature review method by collecting several literatures that discuss about psychogenic vomiting, cognitive behavioral therapy, training behavioral therapy, and supportive therapy for psychogenic vomiting. The treatment should be directed to relieving intensity of vomiting episodes and improving the patient’s health related to quality of life. The guideline of treatment of psychigenic vomiting remain unclear. Based on the literature, many various methods are used to treat psychogenic vomiting. Behavior therapy and cognitive therapy can be choosen to treat vomiting based on the underlying disease. All of the literature on psychogenic vomiting supports the use of a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary approach including pharmacological and psychotherapeutic treatment. Keywords: psychogenic vomiting, behavioral therapy, cognitive therapy.

Daily behavioral measures recorded by precision technology devices may indicate bovine respiratory disease status in preweaned dairy calves

Precision technology devices can measure and detect relative changes in an animal's behavior to possibly create alerts to intervene and to administer treatments. However, the association of relative changes in daily feeding and activity behaviors in calves with bovine respiratory disease (BRD) status is still largely unexplored. The objective of this case-control study was to determine if daily behavioral patterns of preweaning dairy calves (measured by precision technologies) change before BRD diagnosis. This case-control study enrolled 33 pairs of calves (33 BRD calves matched by age, sex, and birthdate to 33 controls) health scored daily for BRD for the preweaning period (until 50 d on the automated feeder). A pedometer (IceQube, Ice Robotics) was attached to the left rear leg to track activity (lying time, lying bouts, total steps, and acceleration activity index). At 3.0 ± 2.0 d of age, calves were trained to use the automated feeder, which recorded milk and calf starter intake, drinking speed, and feeder visits. Calves were allotted a maximum 10 L/d of milk replacer (Cow's Match, Land O'Lakes Animal Milk Products Co.; 140 g/L) and starter (Special Calf Starter and Grower, Baghdad Feeds), ad libitum. Calves were scored daily for signs of BRD using the Wisconsin scoring system, and their lungs were scored with ultrasonography twice weekly. Outward signs of BRD as defined by the Wisconsin scoring system and an area of consolidated lung ≥3.0 cm2 was identified as BRD (d 0). Relative changes in daily behaviors were calculated using d -5 before BRD diagnosis as the baseline for each calf for each behavior. Linear mixed models were used to investigate the association of BRD status with feeding behaviors, activity, and relative changes in calf behavior over a 5-d period before diagnosis, as well as the BRD status × day interaction. Calves with a BRD bout were diagnosed at an average age of 33.0 ± 9.0 d (mean ± standard deviation) and weighed 56.1 ± 9.7 kg. Over the period, BRD calves had reduced milk and starter intake, greater lying times, and fewer lying bouts, step counts, and activity indices when compared with healthy calves. Furthermore, there was a BRD status × day interaction for relative changes in unrewarded visits, and relative changes in calf starter intake. Specifically, BRD calves had a decline in relative changes in their unrewarded visits on d -4, -2, -1, and 0 compared with healthy calves. This study suggests that there is the potential to use feeding and activity behaviors to identify BRD development in preweaning calves. However, utilization of an animals' daily behavioral patterns in real time is fundamental for developing disease detection algorithms, thus we suggest relative changes in unrewarded visits may be useful for algorithm development when d -5 is used as a baseline. Future research should investigate the potential of feeding behavior and activity levels collectively to indicate BRD status in calves using machine learning techniques.

Is Complexity of Daily Activity Associated with Physical Function and Life-Space Mobility among Older Adults?

ABSTRACTPurposeInformation about mobility and physical function may be encoded in the complexity of daily activity pattern. Therefore, daily activity pattern complexity metrics could provide novel insight into the relationship between daily activity behavior and health. The purpose of the present study was to examine the association between the complexity of daily activity behavior and the mobility and physical function among community-dwelling older adults 75, 80, and 85 yr of age.MethodsA total of 309 participants wore accelerometers concurrently on the thigh and the trunk for at least three consecutive days. Five activity states (lying, sitting, standing, walking, or activity other than walking) were defined in three different temporal grains (5 s, 1 min, and 5 min), and Lempel–Ziv complexity was evaluated. We assessed complexity of daily activity behavior using the life-space mobility and physical function with distance in preferred pace 6-min walk and the Short Physical Performance Battery.ResultsWeak positive associations were observed between the complexity of daily activity and the mobility and physical function at the finest temporal grains in both sexes (Spearman rho = 0.19 to 0.27, P < 0.05). No significant associations were observed in the coarsest temporal grain in either sex.ConclusionsLempel–Ziv estimates of daily activity complexity with a fine temporal grain seem to be associated with community-dwelling older adults’ physical function. The coarsest 5-min temporal grain may have smoothed out physiologically meaningful short activity bouts. Because complexity encodes information related to timing, intensity, and patterning of behavior, complexity of activity could be an informative indicator of future physical function and mobility.

Exploring human behavior patterns and socio‐demographic factors based on American Time Use Survey

SummaryAs human activities in mobile environments are facing an ever‐increasing range of data, it is of great research importance to explore in depth the salient features of data that discriminate human behavior patterns and socio‐demographic factors. However, human activity behavior that consists of a series of complex spatio‐temporal activity processes is difficult to model. In this article, we develop a framework to perform activity behavior pattern mining and recognition, and the proposed framework has been applied to the American Time Use Survey to explore representative activity behavior patterns and socio‐demographic factors. The main contributions are as follows: (1) A method of activity behavior similarity is presented based on daily activities and activity sequences. (2) An activity sequence similarity algorithm with is proposed by line segment tree, greedy algorithm, and dynamic programming. (3) Representative activity behavior patterns and socio‐demographic factors are derived by clustering analysis and mining. (4) The activity behavior pattern is recognized by activity behavior features or socio‐demographic features. Through the experiments, we find that different daily activity behavior patterns are associated with specific socio‐demographic factors.

Effects of COVID-19 on physical activity and mood in the middle-aged people: Concerns and strategies

Objective: To assess the impact of coronavirus on the physical activity levels before and during self-quarantine, and the effect of self-isolation on the total mood status of Iranian citizens during the covid-19 pandemic. Material and Methods: A national sample of 2359 middle-aged (M age=42.8±5.3 years, n=1183,50.1%, male; n=1148, 48.7% female) Iranian completed an online questionnaire that assessed changes in daily physical activity behavior and mood status from March 20th to April 20th, 2020. The questionnaire implemented to collect the total duration, intensity, and frequency of physical activity and their psychological mood condition via the BRUMS Mood Scale. Results: There were significant differences between physical activity frequency, duration, and intensity before and during the coronavirus pandemic. There was no significant difference between the total mood conditions between the sex categories. The main key finding of the current study is that the total physical activity participation behavior of our middle-aged populations has decreased meaningfully. Conclusion: The present study has provided important approaches that should be implemented to promote the engagement of middle-aged adults in physical activity. Therefore, based on scientific evidence, maintaining a regular physical activity routine regarding world health organization guidelines is a key strategy for physical health.

A Vexing Question in Motor Control: The Degrees of Freedom Problem.

The human “marionette” is extremely complex and multi-articulated: anatomical redundancy (in terms of Degrees of Freedom: DoFs), kinematic redundancy (movements can have different trajectories, velocities, and accelerations and yet achieve the same goal, according to the principle of Motor Equivalence), and neurophysiological redundancy (many more muscles than DoFs and multiple motor units for each muscle). Although it is quite obvious that such abundance is not noxious at all because, in contrast, it is instrumental for motor learning, allowing the nervous system to “explore” the space of feasible actions before settling on an elegant and possibly optimal solution, the crucial question then boils down to figure out how the nervous system “chooses/selects/recruits/modulates” task-dependent subsets of countless assemblies of DoFs as functional motor synergies. Despite this daunting conceptual riddle, human purposive behavior in daily life activities is a proof of concept that solutions can be found easily and quickly by the embodied brain of the human cognitive agent. The point of view suggested in this essay is to frame the question above in the old-fashioned but still seminal observation by Marr and Poggio that cognitive agents should be regarded as Generalized Information Processing Systems (GIPS) and should be investigated according to three nearly independent but complementary levels of analysis: 1) the computational level, 2) the algorithmic level, and 3) the implementation level. In this framework, we attempt to discriminate as well as aggregate the different hypotheses and solutions proposed so far: the optimal control hypothesis, the muscle synergy hypothesis, the equilibrium point hypothesis, or the uncontrolled manifold hypothesis, to mention the most popular ones. The proposed GIPS follows the strategy of factoring out shaping and timing by adopting a force-field based approach (the Passive Motion Paradigm) that is inspired by the Equilibrium Point Hypothesis, extended in such a way to represent covert as well overt actions. In particular, it is shown how this approach can explain spatio-temporal invariances and, at the same time, solve the Degrees of Freedom Problem.

Activity patterns and behavior of Myocastor coypus in a gated community in the metropolitan area of Buenos Aires (Argentina)

Abstract Anthropization processes confront local wildlife with a new set of conditions that may lead to local extinctions or allow the expansion of some species. This is what happens with the coypu (Myocastor coypus) in gated communities in the metropolitan area of Buenos Aires (Argentina), where its rapid population growth results in continuous conflicts with the local inhabitants. The aim of this study was to document the daily and seasonal activity patterns and behavior of the coypu in an urban landscape within their natural distribution range. To achieve this, we conducted a camera-trap survey within areas occupied by the species from February to November 2018. The coypu activity was mainly crepuscular and nocturnal with variations between seasons. We found that the seasons with the greatest activity patterns overlap were winter and autumn (84%), while the least overlap was observed between summer and winter (53%). During the active periods, time spent on foraging behavior was dominant. Time dedicated to vigilance was greater in summer than in winter. This result, alongside an increase in nocturnal activity during summer, shows that coypu in this urban landscape shift its behavior when exposed to an increasing human activity. This study brings up more ecological data of this species, which is key to find alternative control methods within gated communities to lead to a harmonic relationship between inhabitants and the species in its native distribution.

歩行時の足圧情報・腰部加速度/角速度を用いた軽度認知機能障害やフレイルの推定

The number of elderly people with dementia is increasing every year and becoming a social problem. As symptoms of dementia progress, physical function declines and physical activity decreases, creating a vicious cycle. However, in the case of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), half of all dementia patients can recover to a normal state through treatment. Early detection of dementia is therefore essential. Therefore, we focused on gait disturbance, one of the symptoms of dementia. As an experimental method, we conducted an outdoor walking experiment using an insole with a pressure sensor placed and a lumbar acceleration/angular velocity sensor. Ten cognitive function estimation parameters were extracted from the obtained foot pressure data and lumbar acceleration/angular velocity data. The Mini-Mental State Examination(MMSE) was also used to measure the subjects' cognitive function. Multiple regression analysis and binomial logistic regression analysis were performed to examine the relationship between cognitive function and the estimated parameters of cognitive function. As a result, highly accurate cognitive function estimation equations were obtained for the MCI group. In addition, discriminant equations were obtained with high accuracy for healthy subjects and MCI, and for dementia and healthy subjects with MCI. This study is expected to confirm the decline of cognitive function from walking behavior in daily activities and to be useful for early detection and treatment of dementia.

Dispersion of daily physical activity behaviors in school-age children: A novel approach to measure patterns of physical activity.

The objectives of this paper are (1) to examine patterns of physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior; (2) to describe development of a method to quantify movement dispersion; and (3) to determine the relationship between variables of movement (i.e., volume, intensity, and dispersion), volume of sedentary behavior, and estimated cardiorespiratory capacity in school-aged children. A secondary analysis of an existing data set with raw accelerometer data identified PA patterns of movement dispersion in school-aged children. Bar graphs visually depicted each participant's daily vector magnitude counts. The research team developed a dispersion variable-movement dispersion-and formula to provide a new quantification of daily PA patterns. Total movement dispersion represents both intensity and distribution of movement, whereas pure movement dispersion refers to the distribution of movement during the wear time, independent of intensity. Kendall's tau examined the relationship between several variables: body mass index percentile, average minutes of sedentary behavior, average minutes of light PA, average minutes of moderate-vigorous PA (MVPA), derived VO2 max, total movement dispersion, and pure movement dispersion. Three participants' activity graphs were presented as examples: (1) active, (2) inactive, and (3) mixed. The more active participant had the highest values for pure and total movement dispersion. The inactive participant had much lower pure and total movement dispersion values compared to the active participant. The mixed participant had high average minutes of MVPA yet lower pure and total movement dispersion values. Total movement dispersion had a significant correlation with average minutes of light PA (r = .406, p = .016) and average minutes of MVPA (r = .686, p < .001). Pure movement dispersion was significantly correlated with average minutes of light PA (r = .448, p = .008) and average minutes of MVPA (r = .599, p < .001). Average minutes of sedentary behavior (SB) were not significantly correlated with total (r = .041, p = .806) or pure movement dispersion (r = .165, p = .326). Movement dispersion may provide another tool to advance knowledge of PA, potentially leading to improved health outcomes. Raw accelerometer data, such as that gathered at the elementary school in this study, offer opportunities to identify school-aged children at risk for obesity, SB, and lack of PA.

Born without night: the consequence of the no-night environment on reproductive performance in diurnal zebra finches.

We investigated the consequence of no-night environment (constant light, LL) on reproductive performance in zebra finches in the parent (P) and subsequent (F1) generation. As a measure of the overall effects on metabolic reproductive health, we monitored daily activity behaviour, recorded song and cheek patch size in males, and measured body size and hormone levels. As compared with controls under 12 h light:12 h darkness (12h:12 h LD), both P and F1 pairs showed a compromised reproductive success, as evidenced by fewer fledglings and fewer viable offspring with longer fledging durations, and increased offspring mortality with three successive clutches under LL. The overall negative effect of the no-night environment was increased in the F1 generation. As compared with P pairs, F1 pairs had more failed nesting and breeding attempts, took longer to initiate reproduction, incubated fewer eggs, produced fewer viable offspring with longer fledging duration, and showed increased offspring mortality. Consistent with negative reproductive effects, P males showed significant changes in the motif duration and other spectral features of song, and both F1 and F2 males copied poorly the song of their parent under LL. Plasma corticosterone and sex hormone (testosterone in males and oestradiol in females) levels were significantly lower under LL. Daily plasma melatonin rhythm persisted but with a reduced amplitude under LL. These results demonstrate the importance of night in reproduction in a continuously breeding diurnal species, and give insight into the possible impact on physiology of animals whose surrounding environment is consistently losing the darkness of night.

Feasibility of a Sensor-Controlled Digital Game for Heart Failure Self-management: Randomized Controlled Trial.

BackgroundPoor self-management of heart failure (HF) contributes to devastating health consequences. Our innovative sensor-controlled digital game (SCDG) integrates data from sensors to trigger game rewards, progress, and feedback based on the real-time behaviors of individuals with HF.ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to compare daily weight monitoring and physical activity behavior adherence by older adults using an SCDG intervention versus a sensors-only intervention in a feasibility randomized controlled trial.MethodsEnglish-speaking adults with HF aged 55 years or older who owned a smartphone and could walk unassisted were recruited from Texas and Oklahoma from November 2019 to August 2020. Both groups were given activity trackers and smart weighing scales to track behaviors for 12 weeks. The feasibility outcomes of recruitment, retention, intervention engagement, and satisfaction were assessed. In addition to daily weight monitoring and physical activity adherence, the participants’ knowledge, functional status, quality of life, self-reported HF behaviors, motivation to engage in behaviors, and HF-related hospitalization were also compared between the groups at baseline and at 6, 12, and 24 weeks.ResultsA total of 38 participants with HF—intervention group (IG; 19/38, 50%) and control group (CG; 19/38, 50%)—were enrolled in the study. Of the 38 participants, 18 (47%) were women, 18 (47%) were aged 65 years or older, 21 (55%) had been hospitalized with HF in the past 6 months, and 29 (76%) were White. Furthermore, of these 38 participants, 31 (82%)—IG (15/19, 79%) and CG (16/19, 84%)—had both weight monitoring and physical activity data at the end of 12 weeks, and 27 (71%)—IG (14/19, 74%) and CG (13/19, 68%)—participated in follow-up assessments at 24 weeks. For the IG participants who installed the SCDG app (15/19, 79%), the number of days each player opened the game app was strongly associated with the number of days the player engaged in weight monitoring (r=0.72; P=.04) and the number of days with physical activity step data (r=0.9; P<.001). The IG participants who completed the satisfaction survey (13/19, 68%) reported that the SCDG was easy to use. Trends of improvement in daily weight monitoring and physical activity in the IG, as well as within-group improvements in HF functional status, quality of life, knowledge, self-efficacy, and HF hospitalization in both groups, were observed in this feasibility trial.ConclusionsPlaying an SCDG on smartphones was feasible and acceptable for older adults with HF for motivating daily weight monitoring and physical activity. A larger efficacy trial of the SCDG intervention will be needed to validate trends of improvement in daily weight monitoring and physical activity behaviors.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT03947983; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03947983

Association of occupation with the daily physical activity and sedentary behaviour of middle-aged workers in Korea: a cross-sectional study based on data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

ObjectivesThe WHO recommends that adults engage in regular moderate-to-vigorous physical activities (MVPAs) and muscle-strengthening activities (MSA), and minimise sedentary behaviour. This study aimed to determine the association of occupation with...

Ramadan daily intermittent fasting reduces objectively assessed habitual physical activity among adults

BackgroundMuslims around the world practice intermittent fasting during the month of Ramadan each year. We hypothesized that daily physical activity could be reduced among Muslims due to the inability to refuel and rehydrate in the fasting state.MethodsA cohort study design among adults registered with national physical activity community program. Data from a pedometer-based community program was used to extract 3 months of daily step counts before, during, and after Ramadan for the past years (2013–2019). A survey was conducted among participants to determine fasting practice and other health and environmental factors.ResultsA total of 209 participants completed the survey and provided valid data on physical activity. During Ramadan, the average steps per day decreased significantly (− 385 ± SE 158) among participants who fasted (n = 151) p = 0.046 and increased (+ 731 ± SE 247) for the non- fasting participants (n = 58) p = 0.010. Fasting participants preferred before sunset (33.8%) or evening (39.7%) for physical activity. Whereas, non-fasting participants preferred early morning (34.5%).ConclusionFasting during Ramadan impacts the daily physical activity behavior among Muslims. Interventions should focus on creating awareness of the importance of maintenance of adequate physical activity for adults fasting during Ramadan.

Physical Activity Promotion in a Safety-net Clinic: Does the Provider Make a Difference? A Pilot Study.

Despite the long-term health benefits of physical activity, many Americans across the lifespan do not meet the recommended levels. However, physical activity discussions in the clinic setting may hold promise. The purpose of this study aimed to understand health care providers' beliefs and practices about physical activity discussions being a part of patients' healthcare treatment. Semi-structured, audiotaped interviews were conducted to elicit narratives from ten health care providers. Interview data were transcribed verbatim, then coded and analyzed by two qualitative researchers using NVivo12. Three major themes emerged: importance of regular PA counseling for vulnerable populations, patients' lack of regular physical activity, including subthemes of lack of time, current health conditions, and social determinants of health, and healthcare provider's reflections about their own physical activity. Healthcare providers have an important role when it comes to promoting good health. Having physical activity discussions with patients at every clinic visit is a great opportunity to encourage patients to engage in healthy lifestyle behaviors such as regular physical activity. From this pilot study, implications for practice may include increased awareness of the healthcare providers to discuss physical activity at every visit, which may lead to improved provider-patient communications related to the benefits of daily physical activity behaviors. These discussions may even have a secondary gain of encouraging the providers themselves to adopt the healthy behavior and thereby serve as a role model for their patients.

Building Students’ Moral Through Uswatun Hasanah Principles: A Systematic Literature Review

School or madrasah needs to instill good attitudes in the form of speech and behavior in daily activities. The prophet taught Muslims a good example (uswatun hasanah) for students when they gathered and interacted with different communities. Uswatun hasanah, or excellent conduct, is an Islamic religious value born from training and habitual action by providing a good example. Religious and moral education is essential as the root of forming a believer-pious person. This study seeks to understand uswatun hasanah through systematic literature by exploring knowledge patterns in the national database. The results indicate that good moral guidance (uswah) is not based on theoretical teaching but necessitates concrete examples through the role and responsibility of educators in the context of learning and learning processes. As such, educators should be an example (uswatun hasanah) (a good example) for students through excellent conduct in day-to-day activities.

Association of Daily Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour with Protein Intake Patterns in Older Adults: A Multi-Study Analysis across Five Countries.

Physical activity and protein intake are associated with ageing-related outcomes, including loss of muscle strength and functional decline, so may contribute to strategies to improve healthy ageing. We investigated the cross-sectional associations between physical activity or sedentary behaviour and protein intake patterns in community-dwelling older adults across five countries. Self-reported physical activity and dietary intake data were obtained from two cohort studies (Newcastle 85+ Study, UK; LiLACS, New Zealand Māori and Non-Māori) and three national food consumption surveys (DNFCS, The Netherlands; FINDIET, Finland; INRAN-SCAI, Italy). Associations between physical activity and total protein intake, number of eating occasions providing protein, number of meals with specified protein thresholds, and protein intake distribution over the day (calculated as a coefficient of variance) were assessed by regression and repeated measures ANOVA models adjusting for covariates. Greater physical activity was associated with higher total protein intake and more eating occasions containing protein, although associations were mostly explained by higher energy intake. Comparable associations were observed for sedentary behaviour in older adults in Italy. Evidence for older people with higher physical activity or less sedentary behaviour achieving more meals with specified protein levels was mixed across the five countries. A skewed protein distribution was observed, with most protein consumed at midday and evening meals without significant differences between physical activity or sedentary behaviour levels. Findings from this multi-study analysis indicate there is little evidence that total protein and protein intake patterns, irrespective of energy intake, differ by physical activity or sedentary behaviour levels in older adults.

Annual, seasonal, cultural and vacation patterns in sleep, sedentary behaviour and physical activity: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundTime spent in daily activities (sleep, sedentary behaviour and physical activity) has important consequences for health and wellbeing. The amount of time spent varies from day to day, yet little is known about the temporal nature of daily activity patterns in adults. The aim of this review is to identify the annual rhythms of daily activity behaviours in healthy adults and explore what temporal factors appear to influence these rhythms.MethodsSix online databases were searched for cohort studies exploring within-year temporal patterns (e.g. season effects, vacation, cultural festivals) in sleep, sedentary behaviour or physical activity in healthy 18 to 65-year-old adults. Screening, data extraction, and risk of bias scoring were performed in duplicate. Extracted data was presented as mean daily minutes of each activity type, with transformations performed as needed. Where possible, meta-analyses were performed using random effect models to calculate standardised mean differences (SMD).ResultsOf the 7009 articles identified, 17 studies were included. Studies were published between 2003 and 2019, representing 14 countries and 1951 participants, addressing variation in daily activities across season (n = 11), Ramadan (n = 4), vacation (n = 1) and daylight savings time transitions (n = 1). Meta-analyses suggested evidence of seasonal variation in activity patterns, with sleep highest in autumn (+ 12 min); sedentary behaviour highest in winter (+ 19 min); light physical activity highest in summer (+ 19 min); and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity highest in summer (+ 2 min) when compared to the yearly mean. These trends were significant for light physical activity in winter (SMD = − 0.03, 95% CI − 0.58 to − 0.01, P = 0.04). Sleep appeared 64 min less during, compared to outside Ramadan (non-significant). Narrative analyses for the impact of vacation and daylight savings suggested that light physical activity is higher during vacation and that sleep increases after the spring daylight savings transition, and decreases after the autumn transition.ConclusionsResearch into temporal patterns in activity behaviours is scarce. Existing evidence suggests that seasonal changes and periodic changes to usual routine, such as observing religious events, may influence activity behaviours across the year. Further research measuring 24-h time use and exploring a wider variety of temporal factors is needed.

Cross-sectional associations between 24-hour activity behaviours and mental health indicators in children and adolescents: A compositional data analysis

ABSTRACT We examined associations between youth 24-hour activity behaviour compositions and mental health. Data were collected from 359 participants (aged 9–13 years). Activity behaviours (sleep, sedentary time (ST), light physical activity (LPA) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA)) were assessed using wrist-worn accelerometers. Questionnaires and a computerized cognitive test battery assessed mental health outcomes. Linear mixed models examined associations between activity behaviour compositions and mental health. Post-hoc analyses modelled the influence of reallocating fixed durations of time between activity behaviours on mental health. ST was associated with worse internalizing problems (all participants; p< 0.05) and poorer prosocial behaviour (primary school participants only; p< 0.05), relative to the other activity behaviours. LPA was associated with worse cognitive test scores among primary school participants; p< 0.05). For all participants, reallocating time to ST from sleep and MVPA was associated with higher internalizing problems. Among primary school participants, reallocating time to ST from any other behaviour was associated with poorer prosocial behaviour, and reallocating time to LPA from any other behaviour was associated with lower executive function. Children’s mental health may be promoted by schools integrating opportunities for MVPA throughout the day. Our results provide further evidence for the influence of daily activity behaviours on youth mental health.