Changes In Physical Activity Participation Research Articles

The Impact of a Place-Tailored Digital Health App Promoting Exercise Classes on African American Women's Physical Activity and Obesity: Simulation Study.

BackgroundThe increasing prevalence of smartphone apps to help people find different services raises the question of whether apps to help people find physical activity (PA) locations would help better prevent and control having overweight or obesity.ObjectiveThe aim of this paper is to determine and quantify the potential impact of a digital health intervention for African American women prior to allocating financial resources toward implementation.MethodsWe developed our Virtual Population Obesity Prevention, agent-based model of Washington, DC, to simulate the impact of a place-tailored digital health app that provides information about free recreation center classes on PA, BMI, and overweight and obesity prevalence among African American women.ResultsWhen the app is introduced at the beginning of the simulation, with app engagement at 25% (eg, 25% [41,839/167,356] of women aware of the app; 25% [10,460/41,839] of those aware downloading the app; and 25% [2615/10,460] of those who download it receiving regular push notifications), and a 25% (25/100) baseline probability to exercise (eg, without the app), there are no statistically significant increases in PA levels or decreases in BMI or obesity prevalence over 5 years across the population. When 50% (83,678/167,356) of women are aware of the app; 58.23% (48,725/83,678) of those who are aware download it; and 55% (26,799/48,725) of those who download it receive regular push notifications, in line with existing studies on app usage, introducing the app on average increases PA and decreases weight or obesity prevalence, though the changes are not statistically significant. When app engagement increased to 75% (125,517/167,356) of women who were aware, 75% (94,138/125,517) of those who were aware downloading it, and 75% (70,603/94,138) of those who downloaded it opting into the app’s push notifications, there were statistically significant changes in PA participation, minutes of PA and obesity prevalence.ConclusionsOur study shows that a digital health app that helps identify recreation center classes does not result in substantive population-wide health effects at lower levels of app engagement. For the app to result in statistically significant increases in PA and reductions in obesity prevalence over 5 years, there needs to be at least 75% (125,517/167,356) of women aware of the app, 75% (94,138/125,517) of those aware of the app download it, and 75% (70,603/94,138) of those who download it opt into push notifications. Nevertheless, the app cannot fully overcome lack of access to recreation centers; therefore, public health administrators as well as parks and recreation agencies might consider incorporating this type of technology into multilevel interventions that also target the built environment and other social determinants of health.

Trends in Aerobic Physical Activity Participation Across Multiple Domains Among US Adults, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007/2008 to 2017/2018.

Understanding how participation is changing across domains of physical activity is important for monitoring progress and informing promotion efforts. The authors examined changes in physical activity participation in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007/2008 to 2017/2018. The prevalence of inactivity, insufficient activity, and meeting the aerobic physical activity guideline in multidomain physical activity and each domain (leisure time, occupational/household, and transportation) was estimated for each cycle and stratified by selected characteristics. The authors tested trends over time and overall changes (2017/2018 vs 2007/2008). For multidomain physical activity, the prevalence of inactivity decreased linearly; meeting the aerobic guideline increased nonmonotonically, and the 2017/2018 prevalence (68.1%) was higher than 2007/2008 (64.1%). Similar findings were observed for adults aged ≥65 years, non-Hispanic Blacks, Hispanics, high school graduates, and adults with obesity. Domain-specific results varied, but decreasing trends in inactivity and increasing trends in meeting the guideline were consistently observed across subgroups for occupational/household activity. Meeting the guideline through transportation activity was rare. Increases in meeting the guideline and decreases in inactivity in multidomain activity and selected domains are encouraging results, especially among subgroups historically reporting low activity participation. Activity promotion efforts are important to maintain progress, and the transportation domain may be an underutilized source of physical activity.

English

This study aimed to examine the effect of Covid-19 anxiety on physical activity levels of the Faculty of Sports Sciences students. The information was obtained from 233 students of the Faculty of Sport Sciences. As a result of the reliability analysis of the scales, the Cronbach's Alpha value of the coronavirus anxiety scale in athletes was found to be 93; Cronbach's Alpha value of the cognitive behavioral physical activity scale was found to be 83. Structural equation model (path) analysis was applied so as to determine the effect of coronavirus anxiety on the athletes who participate in physical activity, and as a consequence of the analysis, it has been recorded that Covid-19 had a statistically noteworthy and negative effect on physical activity (β=0.353, p<0.05). 1 unit increase in Covid -19 anxiety causes 0.353 decrease in physical activity participation. It has been concluded that it explains 12.5% of the change in physical activity participation.   Key words: Corona virus, anxiety, physical activity.

Enabling physical activity participation for children and youth with disabilities following a goal-directed, family-centred intervention

BackgroundThere is a paucity of research demonstrating the optimisation and maintenance of participation outcomes following physical activity interventions for children and youth with disabilities. AimTo evaluate changes in physical activity participation in children with disabilities following a goal-directed, family-centred intervention at a healthsports centre, and to identify factors influencing participation following the intervention. Methods and proceduresA mixed methods pre-test post-test cohort design was applied. Recruitment occurred over a 12 month period during standard clinical service provision. The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) was administered to children and parents pre (T1) and post-intervention (T2), and at 12 weeks follow-up (T3). Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) was applied to assess outcomes at 12 weeks follow-up (T2–T3). Qualitative inquiry described barriers to goal attainment at T3. Outcomes and resultsNinety two children with a range of disabilities (mean age 11.1yr; 49 males) were included in the study. Statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in parent ratings of COPM performance and satisfaction of participation goals were observed following intervention. Ratings at 12 weeks follow-up remained significantly higher than baseline, and 32% of children attained their COPM-derived GAS goal. Environmental factors were the most frequent barrier to goal attainment following intervention. Conclusion and implicationsThese results provide preliminary evidence for goal-directed, family-centred interventions to optimise physical activity participation outcomes for children with disabilities.

A couple-level analysis of participation in physical activity during unemployment

There is a well-documented negative correlation between unemployment and health. Yet, little research has examined how unemployment relates to participation in physical activity, and few researchers have considered how an individual's unemployment may affect the health of their spouse or partner. The purpose of this study is to answer three questions: 1. Is one's own unemployment associated with changes in physical activity participation? 2. Is one's partner's unemployment associated with changes in physical activity participation? 3. Do changes in physical activity behaviors associated with unemployment differ by gender? This study uses nationally representative, longitudinal data on couples in the United States, covering the period 1999–2013. These data, obtained from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics, are used to estimate fixed-effects models of the relationships between one's own, and one's partner's, unemployment and participation in physical activity. I find that for men unemployment is not associated with changes in physical activity time. For women, own unemployment is associated with increases in physical activity, whereas a partner's unemployment is associated with decreases in physical activity. I argue that unemployed women, unlike men, are able to take advantage of the increased availability of time through reduced labor supply to invest in their health during unemployment, which could have positive long-run consequences. Results suggest the importance of studying unemployment and health at the household level and suggest a need for further investigation into gender differences in unemployment and health.

Changes in sport and physical activity participation for adolescent females: a longitudinal study.

BackgroundParticipation in sport and physical activity is reported to decline during adolescence, particularly for females. However we do not have a clear understanding of changes in the context (i.e., modes and settings) of participation throughout adolescence. This study investigated longitudinal changes in physical activity participation and the specific modes and settings of physical activity, together with cross-sectional comparisons, for two age cohorts of female adolescents.MethodsSurvey of 729 adolescent girls (489 recruited in Year 7 and 243 in Year 11). Participation in eight different modes/settings was reported. PA was measured using 24-h recall diary and metabolic equivalent weighted energy expenditure (MET-min) in Leisure Time Moderate and Vigorous Physical Activity (LTMVPA) on the previous day was calculated.ResultsThere were no significant changes in duration or total MET-min of LTMVPA on previous day. However, there were significant changes in the modes/settings of participation across time. Participation in school physical education rose during early adolescence before decreasing significantly, and participation in competitive sport and club sport significantly decreased over time; however there were increases in non-competitive forms of physical activity.ConclusionsOverall levels of physical activity did not significantly decrease over adolescence, which is positive for physical health. However, the transition from structured sport to non-organised physical activity may effect social and psychological health, which needs to be further examined.

Assessment of Cancer Survivors' Experiences of Using a Publicly Available Physical Activity Mobile Application.

BackgroundRegular participation in physical activity (PA) is associated with improved physical and psychosocial outcomes in cancer survivors. However, PA levels are low during and after cancer treatment. Interventions to promote PA in this population are needed. PA mobile apps are popular and have potential to increase PA participation, but little is known about how appropriate or relevant they are for cancer survivors.ObjectiveThis study aims to (1) assess recruitment, study uptake, and engagement for a publicly available PA mobile app (GAINFitness) intervention in cancer survivors; (2) assess cancer survivors’ attitudes towards the app; (3) understand how the app could be adapted to better meet the needs of cancer survivors; and (4) to determine the potential for change in PA participation and psychosocial outcomes over a 6-week period of using the app.MethodsThe present study was a one-arm, pre-post design. Cancer survivors (N=11) aged 33 to 62 years with a mean (SD) age of 45 (9.4), and 82% (9/11) female, were recruited (via community/online convenience sampling to use the app for 6 weeks). Engagement with the app was measured using self-reported frequency and duration of usage. Qualitative semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted after the 6-week study period and were analyzed using thematic analysis. PA, well-being, fatigue, quality of life (QOL), sleep quality, and anxiety and depression were self-reported at baseline and at a 6-week follow-up using the Godin Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire (GLTEQ), the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G), the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (FACIT)-Fatigue Scale Questionnaire, the Health and Quality of Life Outcomes (EQ5D) Questionnaire, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), respectively.ResultsOf the people who responded to the study advertisement, 73% (16/22) agreed to participate and 100% (11/11) of the participants who started the study completed all baseline and follow-up outcome measures and the telephone interview. On average, participants used the app twice a week for 25 minutes per session. Four themes were identified from the qualitative interviews surrounding the suitability of the app for cancer survivors and how it could be adapted: (1) barriers to PA, (2) receiving advice about PA from reliable sources, (3) tailoring the application to one’s lifestyle, and (4) receiving social support from others. Pre-post comparison showed significant increases in strenuous PA, improvements in sleep quality, and reductions in mild PA. There were no significant changes in moderate PA or other psychosocial outcomes.ConclusionsAll participants engaged with the app and qualitative interviews highlighted that the app was well-received. A generic PA mobile app could bring about positive improvements in PA participation and psychosocial outcomes among cancer survivors. However, a targeted PA app aimed specifically towards cancer survivors may increase the relevance and suitability of the app for this population.

The association between symptom severity and physical activity participation in people seeking care for acute low back pain.

To investigate the association between symptom severity and physical activity participation in people with acute non-specific low back pain (LBP). The sample included a total of 999 patients who presented to primary care with an acute episode of low back pain. Symptom severity, in terms of activity limitation and severity of pain; and physical activity participation before (habitual) and after pain onset were assessed using self-report questionnaires. All participants were interviewed within 14 days of pain onset. At interview most of the participants (87.5 %) reported having moderate to extreme activity limitation due to back pain. There was a significant decrease in physical activity participation after pain onset (mean difference: -176 min, 95 % CI 327-400; p < 0.0001) but no association between habitual or change in physical activity participation and symptom severity was observed (p > 0.21). Pain onset causes a significant and immediate decrease in physical activity participation, but this change does not seem to be associated with symptom severity.

Patterns of 12-Year Change in Physical Activity Levels in Community-Dwelling Older Women: Can Modest Levels of Physical Activity Help Older Women Live Longer?

Few studies have addressed changes in physical activity participation over time among the elderly. The authors hypothesized that there were distinct trajectories of physical activity level over time and identifiable predictors of such trajectories, as well as that the maintenance of regular physical activity, even below recommended levels, was associated with lower mortality risk. Using longitudinal data (1994-2009) from 433 initially high-functioning older women aged 70-79 years at baseline, a joint latent class and survival mixture model identified 4 activity trajectory classes: always active (16.6%), fast declining (19.2%), stable moderate (32.3%), and always sedentary (31.9%). Obesity, coronary artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, depressive symptoms, low self-efficacy, mobility disability, and low energy were associated with sedentary behavior and/or a fast decline in activity. Women in the fast declining and always sedentary classes had hazard ratios for death of 2.34 (95% confidence interval: 1.20, 4.59) and 3.34 (95% confidence interval: 1.72, 6.47), respectively, compared with the always active class; no mortality difference was found between the stable moderate and always active groups (hazard ratio = 1.24, 95% confidence interval: 0.63, 2.47). Our findings suggest that physical activity does not have to be vigorous to be beneficial and that the gain may be the greatest among women who reported the lowest levels of activity.

Long-term evaluation of physical activity habits after epilepsy surgery

OBJETIVES: Studies have shown that people with epilepsy have a low degree of participation in physical activities. The purpose of this study was to assess the physical exercise habits in patients after epilepsy surgery using a standardized questionnaire. MMETHODOLOGY: The study population consisted of 102 patients submitted to cortico-amigdalo-hippocampectomy. A questionnaire was designed to assess physical activities participation before and after surgery. Patients were classified as physically active, inadequately active or sedentary. The questionnaire was applied pre-operatively and after a mean of 47 months post-operatively. RESULTS: Forty eight per cent of the patients participated in physical activities before surgery and 56% of them did so post-operatively. No considerable changes in physical activity participation were observed after surgery. Additionally, the frequency they needed supervision during exercise, were advised by a physician not to practice exercise or cautioned by a relative or friend against participation in sports did not change significantly after successful epilepsy surgery. Less exercise-related seizures occurred postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Difficulties adapting to seizure freedom and psychosocial and psychiatric co-morbidity might be important factors interfering in these physical activity habits. A multidisciplinary approach might be the only way to try to alter some aspects of these patients' postoperative life style.

Changes in Physical Activity Participation From 1985 to 2004 in a Statewide Survey of Australian Adolescents

To examine changes in physical activity during a 19-year period between 2 representative cohorts of adolescents from New South Wales, Australia. Repeat cross-sectional study. Randomly selected secondary schools from New South Wales, the most populous state in Australia. One thousand fifty-five adolescents surveyed in May through October 1985 (with the Australian Health and Fitness Survey) and 1226 adolescents surveyed in March through April 2004 (with the New South Wales Schools Physical Activity and Nutrition Survey). Participants were aged 12 to 15 years. The proportion meeting current guidelines for physical activity (60 min/d of moderate to vigorous physical activity) and time spent in moderate to vigorous physical activity assessed by self-reported participation in physical activity using the same questionnaire at both time points. All of the age and sex groups reported increases in both the prevalence of physical activity (mean increase range, 11.7%-20.0%) and in the minutes per week spent in moderate to vigorous physical activity (median increase range, 135-175 minutes). These findings remained the same after additional adjustment for age, socioeconomic status, and cultural background. Physical activity participation has considerably increased during the past 19 years among adolescents in the state of New South Wales, Australia. These findings provide important information about trends in compliance with physical activity recommendations and in time spent in physical activity. They could help to explain what aspects may need to be promoted to maximize the role of physical activity in reducing the high and increasing rates of child and adolescent obesity.

Testing Pathways from Awareness to Outcomes in the VERB Media Campaign, 2002–2003

Evaluations of mass media campaigns used to increase community awareness about physical activity (PA) have not explored the mechanisms through which the campaigns exert their influence. The hierarchy of effects (HOE) model (conceptualized as a causal chain between awareness, understanding, attitudes, expectations, and behavior change) has been proposed to explain the immediate and media-specific effects of campaigns, but it has not been empirically tested. PURPOSE: To systematically test the HOE model, using data from a nationwide PA media campaign. METHODS: The VERB campaign was a large-scale, multi-strategy campaign developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and targeting US youth aged 9–13. Survey data from a longitudinal sample (n = 2364), collected pre-campaign (2002) and post-campaign (2003), were used in structural equation modeling to test pathways and hierarchies of campaign effects. Variables considered were VERB campaign awareness, understanding of the VERB message, attitudes to PA, outcome expectations and change in PA participation. RESULTS: Among all participants, significant paths were identified between campaign awareness and message understanding (path coefficient 0.72, p<.001), and between message understanding and change in PA participation (path coefficient 0.11, p<.05). At baseline there was a high prevalence of positive attitudes and outcome expectations, and these were not influenced by message understanding or campaign awareness. Among the inactive participants only, the same paths were identified, except attitude was related to change in PA participation (path coefficient 0.13, p<.05) and campaign awareness was more strongly related to change in PA than in the total sample (path coefficient 0.14, p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: These findings provided limited support for the “causal chain” HOE model, but demonstrate a distinct sequence of effects for pre-teens that goes directly from cognitive understanding to PA behavior, and bypasses attitudes and outcome expectations. These findings suggest that increased campaign awareness and understanding are key proximal impacts that lead to behavior change. This informs the design of future campaigns to address youth PA.

Change in Physical Activity Participation Among Adolescent Girls from 8th to 12th Grade

Physical activity levels of girls decline in adolescence, but little is known about changes in participation in specific types of physical activity. This study examined change in participation in specific activities during adolescence in girls. Girls (N = 398, age 13.6 +/- 0.6 y at baseline, 58.5% African American) from 31 middle and 24 high schools in South Carolina completed the 3-Day Physical Activity Recall (3DPAR) in 8th, 9th, and 12th grades. Girls reported their predominant activity and its intensity level in each 30-min time block on the previous 3 d. Vigorous physical activity declined from 45.4% in 8th grade to 34.1% in 12th grade. The probability of participating in several forms of vigorous physical activity in 12th grade was strongly associated with participation in those activities in 8th grade. Early-in-life participation in sports and other forms of vigorous physical activity are important to the maintenance of physical activity during adolescence in girls.

Longitudinal Analysis of Adolescent Girls’ Participation in Physical Activity

Adolescent girls were resurveyed each year from grade 6 to grade 10 to determine the change in physical activity participation as they matured and the variables most related to continued participation in physical activity in grade 10. Primary participation declined over the 5 years while secondary sport involvement increased. The five types of variables most related to participation in grade 10 were (a) significant others’ participation and encouragement (socializing agents), (b) movement satisfaction, especially satisfaction with sport ability (personal attribute), (c) independent, assertive self-descriptions (personal attribute), (d) sports equipment available (socialization situation), and (e) preference for active rather than sedentary activities (personal attribute). For interschool teams, the first two personal attributes were most influential. For community organized activities, the socializing agents and socialization situation variables were most important, and for both average hours per day and total activities participated in, sports equipment available was most highly correlated.