Changes In Physical Activity Levels Research Articles

Stand up for health—avoiding sedentary behaviour might lengthen your telomeres: secondary outcomes from a physical activity RCT in older people

BackgroundTelomere length has been associated with a healthy lifestyle and longevity. However, the effect of increased physical activity on telomere length is still unknown. Therefore, the aim was to study...

The effect of a behaviour change intervention on the diets and physical activity levels of women attending Sure Start Children’s Centres: results from a complex public health intervention

ObjectivesThe UK government's response to the obesity epidemic calls for action in communities to improve people's health behaviour. This study evaluated the effects of a community intervention on dietary quality...

Changes in physical activity during a weight loss intervention and follow-up: a randomized controlled trial.

SummaryPhysical activity is an important component in weight loss treatment and weight maintenance. We evaluated the physical activity component of two weight loss programmes, either standard care (SC) as defined by national guidelines, or a commercial programme (CP; Weight Watchers) over the period of weight loss and follow-up. 772 adults (mean body mass index: 31.4 ± 2.6 kg m−2) were recruited by primary care practices in Australia, the United Kingdom, and Germany, and randomly assigned to 12 months SC, or the CP. They were then followed up at 24 months. Change in physical activity levels were assessed by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ)-short form, and pedometer recordings. Both groups reported increases in physical activity using the IPAQ from baseline to 12 months and 24 months (within groups P < 0.0001) and in pedometer steps from baseline to 12 months only (within groups P < 0.0001). Differences between groups with both methods of assessment were not significant. There was a significant difference in weight loss between the groups at 12 months favouring the CP group; however, this statistical difference was not maintained at 24 months. In conclusion, despite similar increases in reported activity, there were significant differences in weight loss and regain between groups. Therefore, greater weight loss seen with the CP is unlikely to be due to increases in physical activity. Trends in pedometer steps mirrored changes in weight over time more closely than the IPAQ; however, both assessment tools have limitations. Better activity assessment measures are needed to more accurately gauge changes in physical activity during weight loss interventions.

Self-efficacy, action control, and social support explain physical activity changes among Costa Rican older adults.

Self-efficacy, action control, and social support are considered to influence changes in physical activity levels in older adults. This study examines the relationship among these variables and explores the putative mediating and moderating mechanisms that might account for activity changes. A longitudinal study with 54 older adults (≥ 50 years of age) was carried out in Costa Rica. In a moderated mediation analysis, action control was specified as a mediator between self-efficacy and physical activity, whereas social support was specified as a moderator between self-efficacy and action control. Baseline physical activity, age, and sex were specified as covariates. Action control mediated between self-efficacy and physical activity. An interaction between social support and self-efficacy on action control pointed to a synergistic effect at the first stage of the mediating process. The effect of self-efficacy on physical activity was partly explained by action control, providing evidence of action control as a proximal mediator of physical activity. Moreover, the moderator role of social support was confirmed: high social support appeared to compensate for low levels of self-efficacy.

Walks4Work: Assessing the role of the natural environment in a workplace physical activity intervention

The primary aim of this study was to examine the impact of physical activity (PA) in the natural environment (eg, "green exercise") on resting autonomic function in the Walks4Work intervention. A secondary aim was to assess the feasibility of Walks4Work in terms of adherence, change in PA levels, and cardiovascular health parameters. In an 8-week randomized control trial, 94 office workers in an international company were allocated to one of three groups: control, nature (NW), or built (BW) lunchtime walking route. Both walking groups were required to undertake two lunchtime walks each week. The NW route centered around trees, maintained grass, and public footpaths. In contrast, the BW consisted of pavement routes through housing estates and industrial areas. Data were collected at baseline and following the intervention. To investigate the impact of the intervention, mixed-design analysis of variance (ANOVA) were performed. A total of 73 participants completed the intervention (drop-out rate of 22%). No difference was observed in resting autonomic function between the groups. Self-reported mental health improved for the NW group only. PA levels increased at the intervention mid-point for all groups combined but adherence to the intervention was low with rates of 42% and 43% within the BW and NW groups, respectively. Accompanying a guideline of two active lunchtimes per week with low facilitator input appears inadequate for increasing the number of active lunchtimes and modifying cardiovascular health parameters in an office population. However, this population fell within normal ranges for cardiovascular measures and future research should consider investigating at-risk populations, particularly hypertensive individuals.

Physical activity and the risk of postmenopausal breast cancer - the Norwegian Women and Cancer Study

BackgroundThe relationship between physical activity (PA) throughout life and the risk of postmenopausal breast cancer overall and by estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) status, has been reported, but without consistent results. The present study aimed to investigate PA from young age to adulthood in participants of the Norwegian Women and Cancer (NOWAC) Study, in order to determine whether changes in PA level affect the risk of postmenopausal breast cancer.Methods1767 invasive breast cancer cases were identified among 80,202 postmenopausal participants of the NOWAC Study during 8.2 years of median follow-up. PA levels at age 14 years, 30 years and at cohort enrollment were obtained via a self-administered questionnaire. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to estimate relative risks and 95% confidence intervals of the risk of postmenopausal breast cancer overall and by ER/PR status.ResultsRisk of postmenopausal breast cancer overall and by ER/PR status was not associated with physical activity level at enrollment. Women with a low PA level at age 30 had an increased risk of ER+/PR + breast tumors (P for trend = 0.04) compared to women with a moderate physical activity level at age 30. Women with a low physical activity level at all three periods of life had a 20% significantly reduced risk of postmenopausal breast cancer, as well as a reduced risk of ER+/PR + and ER+/PR- breast tumors, compared with women who maintained a moderate physical activity level. However, when analyses were corrected for multiple tests, the result was no longer statistically significant. The findings were consistent over strata of age, body mass index and use of hormone replacement therapy.ConclusionsThe study results from this large Norwegian cohort do not support an association between physical activity at different periods of life and the risk of postmenopausal breast cancer.

Examining the Communication Effects of Health Campaigns

Community-wide health communication campaigns have been used for over 30 years to increase awareness of the benefits of physical activity. The relationship between raising campaign awareness influencing physical activity behavior directly or through intermediate variables has not been fully explored. The aims of this study were to examine the relationship between campaign awareness and four socio-cognitive variables on changes in physical activity levels among a cohort of adults exposed to a physical activity campaign. Find Thirty every day® was a population-wide, serial mass media campaign delivered in Western Australia. There was a significant association between campaign awareness and higher outcome expectations. The likelihood of higher outcome expectations and higher decisional balance was significantly greater in people who maintained campaign awareness compared with people who had no/relapsed campaign awareness. Those with higher compared with lower outcome expectation, self-efficacy, social support, and decisional balance were more likely to remain sufficiently active. A significant proportion of people who remained insufficiently active were not aware of the campaign. Finally, we found an association between the four individual socio-cognitive variables and levels of change in physical activity that appeared to be independent. The article adds to a small but growing body of literature that reinforces the importance of target audience refinement in physical activity mass media campaigns.

Gender-specific changes in physical activity pattern in Iran: national surveillance of risk factors of non-communicable diseases (2007–2011)

This study describes the gender-specific pattern of physical activity (PA) in Iran 2011. The 4-year changes in PA levels (domains) are also determined according to the Iran's national surveys conducted on 2007 and 2011. Physical activity assessed based on the global physical activity questionnaire. In all, 4,121 (2007), and 7,436 (2011) adults were analyzed. Based on 2011 survey, 56.4 %, 39.2 %, and 74.4 % of participants were physically inactive at work, commuting and recreation, respectively. In all domains of PA, males showed a higher degree of activity (min/day) than females (P value <0.001). The overall prevalence of physical inactivity was increased from 15 % (2007) to 21.5 % (2011) (P value <0.001). Over the 4 years, a significant decline in total physical activity (MET × min/week) and the duration of commuting activity were noted in both genders. Work-related activity was dramatically decreased in females. However, the time spent in recreational activity remained relatively constant. This report indicating that the Iranian population, particularly females, have become less active during the survey period. Physical inactivity should receive more attention as a public health issue.

Activity, Activity Restriction, and Sedentarism in Nursing Research

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), cancers, diabetes mellitus, and chronic respiratory diseases account for almost two thirds of global mortality, killing millions of people across the world (American College of Sports Medicine, 2011). The socioeconomic impact and years of productive life lost are staggering. In 2011, global leaders met at the United Nations to set a new international health agenda related to NCDs. In the resulting declaration, the United Nations proclaimed that inactivity was one of the leading risk factors for NCDs and called on world leaders and health professionals to develop a multifaceted plan to ameliorate such modifiable risk factors in order to decrease the mortality associated with NCDs (U.N. General Assembly, 2011). This call to action marked only the second time in its history that the U.N. General Assembly met to address a global health issue, with HIV/AIDS having served as the topic for the first such meeting. Prior to the 1940s, health care providers accepted the common wisdom that rest and reduced activity were of value in promoting health and recovery from illness. Decades of research by scientists who studied bed rest and physical activity, however, revealed that the function of almost every organ system is adversely affected by inactivity. The effects on the cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems, in particular, rapidly lead to deconditioning and, eventually, to a decline in health status. As a result of this research, many providers now encourage early ambulation after illness or medical procedures for the elderly, for surgical patients, and for other hospitalized or institutionalized patients and are beginning to encourage it even in intensive care units. In spite of the evidence, however, health care providers often continue to restrict activity for a variety of reasons, such as to prevent falls and, unfortunately, sometimes to assure convenient provider access to patients. Of concern also is the increasingly sedentary lifestyle many healthy individuals are adopting due to changes in work and leisure environments. Aerobic and resistance or strengthening exercises have both physical and psychosocial benefits including improved cardiac and metabolic indicators and reduced perceptions of fatigue, depression, and anxiety. Such exercise can also help prevent osteoporosis, improve lipid levels, manage weight, reduce falls, and improve quality of life. However, a large percentage of the population does not engage in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity on a regular basis. In addition, many health care providers, including nurses, often lack knowledge about the type and amount of physical activity necessary to achieve specific outcomes such as improved fitness, enhanced bone health, or a healthy body weight, which is associated with reduced risks of diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and several types of cancer as well as premature mortality. The overall goal of this special section, ‘‘Activity, Activity Restriction, and Sedentarism,’’ was to provide biobehavioral evidence of the effectiveness of interventions or alterations in care that increase appropriate physical activity or reduce sedentarism in healthy and acutely or chronically ill populations. Furthermore, we wanted to publish research examining the unintended consequences of immobility and/or activity restriction that result from acute and chronic disease processes and their treatments. The six articles we selected provide examples of the latest nursing research exploring the full continuum of activity levels, from sedentarism through moderate-to-vigorous exercise. Of these six, four are related to inactivity, with two documenting the decline in physical status when activity is restricted, one describing the correlates of decline in physical activity, and the final article exploring the changes in physical activity levels following a medical procedure. In their article, Mottola and colleagues describe a study in which they identified the detrimental effects of inactivity upon a biomarker of bone resorption when women have been prescribed antepartum bed rest. Their findings lead them to express concern for the effect of bed rest treatment on lifelong maternal bone health. Moes and colleagues examined the effects of neuropathic pain upon activity and muscle mass using an animal model. Their results

Associations between Initial Change in Physical Activity Level and Subsequent Change in Regional Body Fat Distributions

Background: Few studies have examined which lifestyle factors relate to the development of fat distribution. Therefore, the identification of the determinants of changes in fat deposition is highly relevant. Methods: The association between the change in physical activity (PA) and the subsequent changes in regional body fat distributions was examined. In total, 1,236 men and 1,201 women were included at baseline and participated in the Danish MONICA (MONItoring Trends and Determinants in CArdiovascular Disease) study. A questionnaire was used to assess PA at 5 and 11 years after baseline examination, while waist circumference (WC) and hip circumference (HC) were measured at both follow-ups. Results: Among men, WC increased in the constant active group to a lesser extent than in the non-constant active group (3.4 vs. 4.1 cm; p = 0.03) concerning leisure time physical activities (LTPA). A similar pattern was observed for both WC and HC in relation to occupational physical activities (OPA) (p = 0.02). Among women, the results went in the same direction for LTPA, whereas the associations with OPA were in the opposite direction (p = 0.001). Conclusion: LTPA and OPA were associated with reduced subsequent 6-year changes in regional fat distribution for men. For women, no associations were observed in relation to WC; however, OPA seemed to increase HC among women.

Relationships between perioperative physical activity and urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy: an observational study

BackgroundHigher physical activity levels are continence-protective in non-prostate cancer populations. Primary aims of this study were to investigate changes in physical activity levels over the perioperative period in patients having radical prostatectomy, and relationships between perioperative physical activity levels and post-prostatectomy urinary incontinence.MethodsA prospective analysis of patients having radical prostatectomy and receiving perioperative physiotherapy including pelvic floor muscle training and physical activity prescription (n = 33). Physical activity levels were measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and/or the SenseWear Pro3 Armband at four timepoints: before preoperative physiotherapy, the week before surgery, and 3 and 6 weeks postoperatively. Urinary incontinence was measured at 3 and 6 weeks postoperatively using a 24-hour pad test and the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire – Urinary Incontinence Short Form (ICIQ).ResultsPhysical activity levels changed significantly over the perioperative period (p < 0.001). At 6 weeks postoperatively, physical activity levels did not differ significantly from baseline (p = 0.181), but remained significantly lower than the week before surgery (p = 0.002). There was no significant interaction effect between preoperative physical activity category and time on the 24-hour pad test (p = 0.726) or ICIQ (p = 0.608). Nor were there any significant correlations between physical activity levels and the 24-hour pad test and ICIQ at 3 or 6 weeks postoperatively.ConclusionsThis study provides novel data on perioperative physical activity levels for patients having radical prostatectomy. There was no relationship between perioperative physical activity levels and post-prostatectomy urinary incontinence, although participants had high overall preoperative physical activity levels and low overall urinary incontinence.

The Children in Action Pilot Study

Interventions that can successfully alter the trajectory toward obesity among high-risk children are critical if we are to effectively address this public health crisis. The goal of this pilot study was to implement and evaluate an innovative physical activity program with Hispanic-American (HA) preschool children attending Head Start. The Children in Action (CIA) program was a five month physical activity intervention. This intervention was a pilot study with 3- to 5-year-olds enrolled in four HA Head Start centers. After baseline assessment, centers were matched by enrollment and randomly assigned to either the intervention or the control condition. A total of 295 preschool children were randomly selected across the four centers. The primary endpoints of this study were favorable changes in physical activity levels and gross motor skills. Using mixed effect time-series regression models, changes in weight was a secondary endpoint. We did not observe a statistical difference between intervention and control groups in physical activity levels during the awake time, gross motor skills, or weight status. Process evaluation data showed that there was adherence to protocols and the intervention was delivered 92% of the time, four times per week, during the five month intervention. We demonstrated that it is feasible to conduct the SPARK-Early Childhood (EC) curriculum among preschool children attending Head Start centers but that an increased dose and/or longer intervention duration will be required to impact gross motor skills, physical activity levels and weight status during this critical early childhood development stage.

PP65 What is the Effect of a Behaviour Change Intervention on the Diets and Physical Activity Levels of Women Attending Sure Start Children’s Centres in Southampton? Findings from a Non-Randomised Controlled Trial

BackgroundA major component of the government response to the obesity epidemic includes action in communities to improve people’s health behaviour. This study evaluated the effects of a community-based intervention on...

Health promotion in individuals with mental disorders: a cluster preference randomized controlled trial.

BackgroundThe existing literature on weight management interventions targeting physical activity and healthy eating in mental health care appears to provide only limited evidence. The aim of the study was to examine the effectiveness of a 10-week health promotion intervention, followed by a 6-month follow-up period in individuals with mental disorders living in sheltered housing in the Flanders region (Belgium).MethodsThe study had a cluster preference randomized controlled design. Twenty-five sheltered housing organisations agreed to participate (16 in the intervention group, nine in the control group). In the intervention group, 225 individuals agreed to participate, while in the control group 99 individuals entered into the study. The main outcomes were changes in body weight, Body Mass Index, waist circumference and fat mass. Secondary outcomes consisted of changes in physical activity levels, eating habits, health-related quality of life and psychiatric symptom severity.ResultsA significant difference was found between the intervention group and the control group regarding body weight (−0.35 vs. +0.22 kg; p=0.04), Body Mass Index (−0.12 vs. +0.08 kg/m2; p=0.04), waist circumference (−0.29 vs. + 0.55 cm; p<0.01), and fat mass (−0.99 vs. −0.12%; p<0.01). The decrease in these outcomes in the intervention group disappeared during the follow up period, except for fat mass. Within the intervention group, a larger decrease in the primary outcomes was found in the participants who completed the intervention. No significant differences between the two groups in changes in the secondary outcomes were found, except for the pedometer-determined steps/day. In the intervention group, the mean number of daily steps increased, while it decreased in the control group.ConclusionsThe study demonstrated that small significant improvements in the primary outcomes are possible in individuals with mental disorders. Integration of health promotion activities targeting physical activity and healthy eating into daily care are, however, necessary to maintain the promising results.Trial registrationThis study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov NCT 01336946

Increased physical activity improves aerobic fitness, but not functional walking capacity, in severely obese subjects participating in a lifestyle intervention

To determine the relationship between change in physical activity level and change in directly measured maximal aerobic fitness in severely obese subjects participating in a 1-year lifestyle intervention, and to determine whether change in 6-min walk test (6 MWT) could be used as an indicator of change in aerobic fitness. Complete data on aerobic fitness (maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) and time to exhaustion on the VO2max test), 6 MWT, and physical activity (Actigraph GT1M accelerometer) were obtained for 21 subjects (mean age 42.6 years (standard deviation (SD) 11.0 years); mean body mass index 39.6 (SD 4.5) kg/m(2)). Multiple linear regression (controlling for change in body mass index) was used to analyse the relationships for: (i) changes in physical activity vs aerobic fitness and change in 6 MWT; and (ii) changes in aerobic fitness vs 6 MWT. Change in physical activity level was related to VO2max and time to exhaustion (partial r > 0.63, p < 0.003). No significant relationships were found between changes in aerobic fitness and 6 MWT (partial r < 0.22, p > 0.351) or between changes in physical activity level and 6 MWT (partial r = 0.15, p = 0.531). Increased physical activity level over 1 year resulted in increased aerobic fitness in severely obese subjects. Although the sample size was small, these results suggest that change in 6 MWT might not be a good indicator of maximal change in aerobic fitness in this population.

Impact of Physical Activity on Cardiovascular Events in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure

We have previously demonstrated that the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in chronic heart failure (CHF) is more than double compared with the general population in Japan. However, the impact of physical activity on cardiovascular events in CHF patients remains to be fully elucidated. We performed a prospective, nationwide large-scale multicenter study of 9,178 patients with stage A/B/C/D CHF in Japan. We obtained the baseline physical activity data for 7,292 and yearly changes in physical activity data during a 3-year follow-up period for 4,353 patients. We divided the patients into high- and low-exercise groups by using the median value of physical activity in the stage A/B and C/D groups. In both groups, patients who exercised more were characterized by younger age and less advanced stage of CHF. Importantly, the baseline physical activity levels were significantly associated with all-cause death, heart failure (HF) hospitalization and other cardiovascular events (except acute myocardial infarction, stroke, HF hospitalization). Furthermore, the yearly change in physical activity level was also significantly associated with HF hospitalization and other cardiovascular events in both groups. The baseline level of physical activity and its yearly changes are significantly associated with all-cause death and major cardiovascular events in both stage A/B and C/D patients, suggesting that physical activity could be an important therapeutic target to improve the long-term prognosis of CHF patients.

Is incidence of a health condition associated with physical activity change in adults over two years?

Introduction: Physical activity is a recommended component of self management of many health conditions. The aim of this study was to examine if health status change or incidence of any of arthritis, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or hypertension was associated with a change in physical activity level over a two year period.

Changes in physical activity levels, lesson context, and teacher interaction during physical education in Australian schools

Introduction: No Australian studies have examined student physical activity (PA) participation, the time spent in key lesson contexts, and the social support for participation in physical education (PE) classes over time. This study describes changes in PA, lesson context and teacher interaction in PE over the first two years of secondary schooling in NSW schools.

Influence of social and environmental variables in declining physical activity during transition to adulthood

Introduction: The transition to adulthood is characterized by a decrease in physical activity level. However, to our knowledge, there are no studies that examined the role of environmental and social variables in the decline of physical activity during transition to adulthood. The main purposes of the study were to determine the changes in physical activity level and the influence of sociodemographic and environmental variables on those physical activity levels during transition to adulthood.

Cutting 5 billion calories from the English diet: estimation of the effect on obesity prevalence

BackgroundIn October, 2011, the UK Health Minister called on the food and drinks industry to cut 5 billion calories from the nation's daily diet. The subsequent effect on obesity has not been formally modelled. We sought to establish the potential effect on overweight and obesity in the English population. MethodsWe developed a spreadsheet-based model to estimate the effect of a mean reduction of 100 calories per person per day in England (equivalent to a daily reduction of 5 billion calories). The parameters used in the model were developed by Christiansen and Garby (2002) and are based on principles of conservation of energy. These parameters estimate change in body-mass index (BMI) on the basis of change in total energy intake and change in physical activity levels. Physical activity levels were assumed to remain constant. Baseline obesity levels were taken from the Health Survey of England (2006). Two scenarios were modelled for all adults (≥16 years) in England: (1) a reduction of 100 calories per person per day; and (2) a calorie reduction dependent on baseline BMI. In the first scenario we modelled a uniform shift in the obesity curve, with the assumption of a log normal distribution (a shift in the mean with a fixed SD). In the second scenario the distribution of BMI was divided into a series of discrete 2·5 kg/m2 strata and the change in BMI for each stratum was calculated separately. We modelled a linear increase in calorie reduction from 100 calories for those with a BMI greater than 22·5 kg/m2 to 222 calories for those with a BMI greater than 47·5 kg/m3, such that the mean daily calorie reduction was 100 calories. FindingsScenario 1 predicts a reduction in the prevalence of obesity from 25% to 14%, a reduction of 11 percentage points; and a reduction in the prevalence of overweight or obese from 63% to 50%, a reduction of 13 percentage points. This reduction is equivalent to 4·5 million fewer adults with obesity. The percentage of the population with a BMI less than 17·5 kg/m3 would rise from 1·5% to 3·6%, an increase of nearly 900 000. Scenario 2 predicts a reduction in the prevalence of obesity from 25% to 14%, a reduction of 11 percentage points; and a reduction in the prevalence of overweight or obese from 63% to 48%, a reduction of 15 percentage points. There was no rise in the percentage of the population with a BMI less than 17·5 kg/m3. InterpretationRemoval of 5 billion calories from our daily diet, if achieved, would nearly halve the number of adults with obesity. It is unlikely to fully reverse the rise in overweight and obesity recorded in the past 30 years. Both scenarios result in a similar effect on the proportion of the population classified as overweight or obese. However, weighting the calorie reduction towards the population overweight and obese avoids the potential harm of increasing the number of underweight individuals. FundingOTM is an NIHR-funded academic trainee in public health. PS is funded by the British Heart Foundation. No explicit funding was sought for this work.