Decline In Physical Activity Levels Research Articles

Analysis of University Students' Perspectives on Physical Activity and Mandatory Physical Education

The decline in physical activity levels during the transition from high school to college is evident, despite the known impact of youth and adolescent physical activity on later life. Observable trends reveal a decline in enthusiasm for sports activities and a notable decrease in motivation for engaging in physical activity. The college environment plays a pivotal role in shaping students' engagement with physical activity, presenting an opportunity to significantly enhance their quality of life. This study's primary objective is to analyse university students' attitudes toward physical activity and assess their satisfaction with compulsory physical education at Masaryk University, comparing results spanning nearly two decades. In adherence to contemporary research methodologies, a questionnaire survey combining standard quantitative and qualitative analysis procedures was conducted. The survey questions focused on examining various facets of physical activity, including volume, intensity, sports preferences, and attitudes toward mandatory physical education at Masaryk University in Brno. A total of 1,293 respondents (422 men and 871 women) with an average age of 20.7 years participated in the study. The findings underscore a notable inclination among almost 73% of students to welcome an extension of compulsory physical education to 2 or more semesters (currently set at 2 semesters at MU). Moreover, over 75% of students express contentment with the spectrum of mandatory sports activities offered in physical education. The study reveals a growing interest among students in individual physical activities and a burgeoning enthusiasm for unorganized sports. These outcomes furnish valuable insights into students' perceptions regarding the organization of physical and sports education activities within university settings.

Decadal Trends in Physical Activity Adherence Among Korean Older Adults: An Analysis of National Survey of Older Korean Data, 2011-2020.

This study investigated adherence to physical activity (PA) guidelines and associated sociodemographic factors among older Koreans from 2011 to 2020. Utilizing four public data sets from the National Survey of Older Koreans, the study included the data on 40,993 older adults 65years and older in South Korea, collected between 2011 and 2020. Adherence to PA guidelines and sociodemographic factors were assessed through self-reported questionnaires. The data were analyzed using a two-way analysis of variance and post hoc tests. Overall adherence increased from 39.1% in 2011 to 48.2% in 2017, then decreased to 37.6% in 2020 (p < .001). Men had higher adherence than women (p < .001). Age-related adherence peaked in the young-older group (65-74years old) and was lowest in the oldest-old group (85+ years old) (p < .001). Marital status, education, and income were also significantly related to PA adherence (p < .001) across the years. Although continuous increase in adherence to PA among Koreans 65years and older was observed, the decline in PA levels during the COVID era underscored the need for targeted interventions and well-informed health care policies to address demographic challenges. Still, considering that data were collected during the recommended social distancing period, a cautions interpretation of these findings is warranted. Significance/Implications: Health policies aiming to improve adherence to PA guidelines should prioritize Korean older adults who are female, belong to the oldest-old group, are single, and have low education and income levels, with the goal of enhancing health equity.

Development of Normative Data of the Athletic Skill Track and Development Coordination Disorder Questionnaire in Children

Background: The escalating prevalence of pediatric obesity and the concomitant decline in physical activity levels have underscored the imperative to rigorously assess motor competencies in the younger demographic. The Athletic Skill Track (AST) and Development Coordination Disorder Questionnaire (DCDQ) are pivotal instruments in this context. However, normative benchmarks for these tools, particularly within the Pakistani pediatric milieu, remain inadequately delineated. Objective: This investigation aimed to establish preliminary normative benchmarks for AST and DCDQ among a cohort of children aged 4 to 12 years in Lahore, Pakistan. A secondary objective involved delineating gender disparities in test performance and elucidating the correlation between Body Mass Index (BMI) and test outcomes. Methods: Adopting a cross-sectional study framework, data were collated from an urban-based private school in Lahore, utilizing convenience sampling methods. The participant pool comprised 500 healthy children within the 4-12 age bracket. The research protocol encompassed anthropometric measurements and subsequent administration of AST and DCDQ. Data analysis was executed utilizing SPSS software, version 28.0. Results: The study unveiled a marked gender-based disparity in AST performance, with boys manifesting superior rapidity across all AST tracks (AST 1: Mean=21.84, SD=4.99; AST 2: Mean=22.66, SD=5.083; AST 3: Mean=20.23, SD=4.76). An age-progressive enhancement in test performance was evident, as reflected in the linear decrement in completion times for AST-1 and AST-2 with advancing age. This trend, however, exhibited deviations from extant literature in specific cohorts, particularly in nine-year-old participants. In the realm of DCDQ outcomes, a significant positive correlation with age was observed, suggesting developmental advancements in coordination skills. The gender analysis revealed that boys outperformed girls in DCDQ assessments (Boys: Mean=60.17, SD=5.87; Girls: Mean=57.45, SD=7.09). Conclusion: The present study enriches the extant body of knowledge by providing essential normative data for AST and DCDQ within a Pakistani pediatric population. It underscores notable gender and age-related variances in motor skills and coordination, offering critical insights for the formulation of targeted interventions and early detection strategies in motor skill development.

Associations between physical activity levels and ATPase inhibitory factor 1 concentrations in older adults

BackgroundAdenosine triphosphatase inhibitory factor 1 (IF1) is a key protein involved in energy metabolism. IF1 has been linked to various age-related diseases, although its relationship with physical activity (PA) remains unclear. Additionally, the apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I), a PA-modulated lipoprotein, could play a role in this relationship because it shares a binding site with IF1 on the cell-surface ATP synthase. We examined here the associations between chronic PA and plasma IF1 concentrations among older adults, and we investigated whether apoA-I mediated these associations. MethodsIn the present work, 1096 healthy adults (63.8% females) aged 70 years and over who were involved in the Multidomain Alzheimer Prevention Trial study were included. IF1 plasma concentrations (square root of ng/mL) were measured at the 1-year visit of the Multidomain Alzheimer Prevention Trial, while PA levels (square root of metabolic equivalent task min/week) were assessed using questionnaires administered each year from baseline to the 3-year visit. Multiple linear regressions were performed to investigate the associations between the first-year mean PA levels and IF1 concentrations. Mediation analyses were conducted to examine whether apoA-I mediated these associations. Mixed-effect linear regressions were carried out to investigate whether the 1-year visit IF1 concentrations predicted subsequent changes in PA. ResultsMultiple linear regressions indicated that first-year mean PA levels were positively associated with IF1 concentrations (B = 0.021; SE = 0.010; p = 0.043). Mediation analyses revealed that about 37.7% of this relationship was mediated by apoA-I (Bab = 0.008; SE = 0.004; p = 0.023). Longitudinal investigations demonstrated that higher concentrations of IF1 at the 1-year visit predicted a faster decline in PA levels over the subsequent 2 years (time × IF1: B = –0.148; SE = 0.066; p = 0.025). ConclusionThis study demonstrates that regular PA is associated with plasma IF1 concentrations, and it suggests that apoA-I partly mediates this association. Additionally, this study finds that baseline concentrations of IF1 can predict future changes in PA. However, further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms underlying these observations.

Physical Activity During the Corona Period and Its Relationship with the Physical and Mental Health of Children and Adolescents

Context: This review article aims to discuss physical activity during the corona period and its relationship with the physical and mental health of children and adolescents. Methods: A literature search was conducted on the Pub-Med, Wiley, ScienceDirect, and Springer databases from 2020 to 2022 to find related articles scientific. Search engines were searched on September 7, 2022, using the following keywords: Exercise and children and adolescents and COVID-19, physical activity and children and adolescents and COVID-19, sport and children and adolescents and COVID-19, physical activity and children and adolescents and COVID-19 and physical and mental health. Results: The present findings revealed a decline in physical activity levels in children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic. These reductions were associated with various physical and mental health problems. It seems there is a difference in the prevalence of insufficient physical activity across genders, regions, and countries. Conclusions: Restrictions on mobility, social distancing, or closure of schools, clubs, and recreational centers, although an effective measure against the spread of COVID-19, have caused an increase in sedentary behavior, and so the incidence of numerous mental and physical health problems. Therefore, these limitation periods should be shortened as much as possible.

The longitudinal associations between wearable technology, physical activity and self-determined motivation

ABSTRACT Wearable technology has been posited as a potential intervention for improving adherence to physical activity and reducing sedentary behaviour. However, the long-term effectiveness of these devices is questionable and little attention has been paid to the motivational processes that drive physical activity behaviour. The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of wearable technology for improving body composition and physical activity, and also to explore the associations with self-determined motivation. Fifty-eight participants completed questionnaires measuring their physical activity and motivation on a monthly basis for a period of six months. In addition, body composition was measured at baseline and at the end of the study. Participants who used wearable technology did not improve their body composition over the duration of the study. Moreover, participants using wearable technology experienced a decline in physical activity levels when compared with non-users. Furthermore, an association emerged between introjected motivation and wearable technology use. This study provides further evidence that wearable technology may not be effective for improving long-term physical activity adherence. Furthermore, it suggests introjected motivation may be an important mechanism within this relationship.

Qualitative study of practices and attitudes towards physical activity among prediabetic men and women in urban and rural Malawi

ObjectivesGiven the decline in physical activity levels in Malawi, like other sub-Saharan African countries, and its implication for non-communicable disease (NCD) prevention, this study aimed to compare and contrast accounts...

Factors associated with decreased physical activity levels among community-dwelling residents during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic: a long-term observational study.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to determine the factors associated with decreased physical activity levels among community residents over a long-term observation period during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. [Participants and Methods] We conducted a cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire and daily steps as an indicator of physical activity levels. The study population consisted of 704 community-dwelling residents aged 40 years and older who participated in the health program from 2019 to 2020. We compared the daily steps from March-December 2019 to March-December 2020 and performed multivariate analysis to identify the factors associated with decreased daily steps. [Results] Of all participants, 447 (63.5%) returned the questionnaire and 309 (43.9%) were included in the analysis. During the COVID-19 pandemic, 133 (43.0%) respondents had decreased physical activity levels. The multivariate analysis showed that working (odds ratio, 2.08; 95% confidence interval, 1.10-3.94) was significantly associated with decreased daily steps during the COVID-19 pandemic. [Conclusion] There was a significant association between decreased physical activity levels and working during the COVID-19 pandemic. When restrictive measures such as teleworking are implemented, it may be necessary to take measures to prevent a decline in physical activity levels.

A multicomponent structured health behaviour intervention to improve physical activity in long-distance HGV drivers: the SHIFT cluster RCT

Background Long-distance heavy goods vehicle drivers are exposed to a multitude of risk factors associated with their occupation. The working environment of heavy goods vehicle drivers provides limited opportunities for a healthy lifestyle, and, consequently, heavy goods vehicle drivers exhibit higher than nationally representative rates of obesity and obesity-related comorbidities, and are underserved in terms of health promotion initiatives. Objective The aim of this trial was to test the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the multicomponent Structured Health Intervention For Truckers (SHIFT) programme, compared with usual care, at both 6 months and 16–18 months. Design A two-arm cluster randomised controlled trial, including a cost-effectiveness analysis and process evaluation. Setting Transport depots throughout the Midlands region of the UK. Participants Heavy goods vehicle drivers. Intervention The 6-month SHIFT programme included a group-based interactive 6-hour education session, health coach support and equipment provision [including a Fitbit® (Fitbit Inc., San Francisco, CA, US) and resistance bands/balls to facilitate a ‘cab workout’]. Clusters were randomised following baseline measurements to either the SHIFT arm or the control arm. Main outcome measures Outcome measures were assessed at baseline, with follow-up assessments occurring at both 6 months and 16–18 months. The primary outcome was device-measured physical activity, expressed as mean steps per day, at 6-month follow-up. Secondary outcomes included device-measured sitting, standing, stepping, physical activity and sleep time (on any day, workdays and non-workdays), along with adiposity, biochemical measures, diet, blood pressure, psychophysiological reactivity, cognitive function, functional fitness, mental well-being, musculoskeletal symptoms and work-related psychosocial variables. Cost-effectiveness and process evaluation data were collected. Results A total of 382 participants (mean ± standard deviation age: 48.4 ± 9.4 years; mean ± standard deviation body mass index: 30.4 kg/m2 ± 5.1 kg/m2; 99% male) were recruited across 25 clusters. Participants were randomised (at the cluster level) to either the SHIFT arm (12 clusters, n = 183) or the control arm (13 clusters, n = 199). At 6 months, 209 (54.7%) participants provided primary outcome data. Significant differences in mean daily steps were found between arms, with participants in the SHIFT arm accumulating 1008 more steps per day than participants in the control arm (95% confidence interval 145 to 1871 steps; p = 0.022), which was largely driven by the maintenance of physical activity levels in the SHIFT arm and a decline in physical activity levels in the control arm. Favourable differences at 6 months were also seen in the SHIFT arm, relative to the control arm, in time spent sitting, standing and stepping, and time in moderate or vigorous activity. No differences between arms were observed at 16–18 months’ follow-up. No differences were observed between arms in the other secondary outcomes at either follow-up (i.e. 6 months and 16–18 months). The process evaluation demonstrated that the intervention was well received by participants and that the intervention reportedly had a positive impact on their health behaviours. The average total cost of delivering the SHIFT programme was £369.57 per driver, and resulting quality-adjusted life-years were similar across trial arms (SHIFT arm: 1.22, 95% confidence interval 1.19 to 1.25; control arm: 1.25, 95% confidence interval 1.22 to 1.27). Limitations A higher (31.4%) than anticipated loss to follow-up was experienced at 6 months, with fewer (54.7%) participants providing valid primary outcome data at 6 months. The COVID-19 pandemic presents a major confounding factor, which limits our ability to draw firm conclusions regarding the sustainability of the SHIFT programme. Conclusion The SHIFT programme had a degree of success in positively impacting physical activity levels and reducing sitting time in heavy goods vehicle drivers at 6-months; however, these differences were not maintained at 16–18 months. Future work Further work involving stakeholder engagement is needed to refine the content of the programme, based on current findings, followed by the translation of the SHIFT programme into a scalable driver training resource. Trial registration This trial is registered as ISRCTN10483894. Funding This project was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Public Health Research programme and will be published in full in Public Health Research; Vol. 10, No. 12. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.

Physical activity and mental health in sports university students during the COVID-19 school confinement in Shanghai.

BackgroundIn 2022, Shanghai was seriously affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The government implemented citywide static management for 2 months, as well as all universities in Shanghai, which changed the normal learning and living style of sports students and led to a decline in physical activity level. As the physical activity has a strong correlation with mental health, this study aimed to investigate the current state of physical activity (PA) and mental health of the students in Shanghai University of Sport. It will try to reveal the correlation between PA and depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, fear of COVID-19 and smartphone addiction.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted on a random sample of 400 students who came from six different majors in May 2022 at the Shanghai University of Sport. Respondents completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF), the Chinese version of the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), the Chinese version of the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), the Chinese version of the COVID-19 Fear Scale (FCV- 19S), and the Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS-SV). Demographics, PA, depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, fear of COVID-19, and smartphone addiction were compared. A binary logistic regression model was used for the further analysis.ResultsA total of 376 college students were included in the final analysis. Binary logistics analysis showed that moderate physical activity (MPA) was negatively correlated with depression (OR = 0.95, 95%CI = 0.93–0.98), anxiety (OR = 0.97, 95%CI = 0.95–0.99), fear of COVID 19(OR = 0.99, 95%CI = 0.98–0.99)and smartphone addiction (OR = 0.94, 95%CI = 0.9–0.98) (all P < 0.05). Sedentary behavior was positively correlated with smartphone addiction (OR = 1.01, P < 0.01, 95%CI = 1.001–1.004).ConclusionThere was an association between the presence of MPA and depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, fear of COVID-19, smartphone addiction, and sedentary behavior associated with smartphone addiction levels. Clarifying the causal relationship between PA and mental health will require further research.

Change in physical fitness due to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in French adolescents: a comparison between two independent large samples from Diagnoform battery.

Numerous studies reported a significant decline in physical activity level in adolescents as a result of the COVID-19 lockdown. Physical fitness is recognized as a powerful marker of health in youth. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown on health-related physical fitness in French adolescents. Two cross-sectional studies were performed comparing two different groups of French adolescents, before (sample 1) and after the first lockdown (sample 2). A total of 1231 adolescents (aged to 16.5 ± 1.5 years) participated in the two cross-sectional studies. Complete data for physical fitness and anthropometrics data were obtained. Adolescents from sample 2 showed lower physical fitness levels compared to adolescents from sample 1. Regarding physical fitness for boys and girls, physical fitness levels were significantly lower in both sex between adolescents from the sample 1 and adolescents from the sample 2, except for cardiorespiratory fitness and flexibility for boys and girls, respectively. The physical fitness global score was also significantly lower between adolescents from the sample 1 and 2 for boys (−9.8%, p < 0.01) and girls (−16.2%; p < 0.01), respectively. Overall, the higher difference was found for performance in the speed body displacement test (−30%). A difference of 12.8% and 25% was observed for boys and girls, respectively. Conclusion: COVID-19 pandemic lockdown had a negative impact on physical fitness in French youth. This study highlights the need to develop, in a near future, prevention programmes in order to improve the physical fitness in youth.What is Known:• COVID-19 pandemic deeply impacted lifestyle habits. A worrying decrease of physical activity, associated to a dramatic increase of time spent in sedentary behaviors was found in many coutries.What is New:• Our study bring first data on the health-related physical fitness consequences due to lockdown in French adolescents. Our study demonstrate the negative impact of COVID-19 pandemic lockdown on health-related physical fitness in French adolescents.

Changes in physical activity during COVID-19 pandemic among Saudi Arabians: Results from a cross-sectional study.

Background and AimsThe COVID‐19 pandemic and the resultant change in sedentary behaviors have had immense health, economic, and social implications globally. As governments worldwide imposed lockdowns and curfews, the amount of time spent indoors greatly increased. This lead to a dramatic change in physical activity (PA) levels and profound consequences on daily routines. Our study aimed to investigate patterns of PA during the COVID‐19 pandemic among adults residing in Saudi Arabia.MethodsThis cross‐sectional survey‐based study aimed to investigate patterns of PA during the COVID‐19 pandemic among adults residing in Saudi Arabia. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire was utilized to measure participants' PA levels between April 2021 and May 2021. Participants were then classified into three groups according to their PA level, and their PA levels and sedentary behaviors were analyzed.ResultsWe surveyed 463 participants, 315 (68%) of which were female and 134 (32%) of which were male with a median age of 23 (interquartile range, 21–35) years. Moderate‐to‐high PA was reported by 257 (55.7%) of the participants. There was a significant decrease in PA during the COVID‐19 pandemic and resultant lockdowns among the participants (p = 0.04), with higher rates of sedentary behavior among males than females (p = 0.14).ConclusionsThe decline in PA is a profound challenge of the COVID‐19 pandemic that needs to be addressed by health practitioners and policymakers. Our study highlights the decline in PA levels seen during the COVID‐19 pandemic and the importance of promotional programs and interventions to increase PA among the Saudi Arabian population without compromising the essential health restrictions and social distancing.

Comparison of Physical Activity Level From Osteoporosis, Parkinson and Healthy Subjects

Lifestyle at the habitation immensely affects the progression of various illnesses, such as Osteoporosis and Parkinson’s disease (PD). These disorders lead patients to a sedentary lifestyle and result in significantly less movement compared to the average healthy individual. The combination of these backgrounds escalates the percentage of fall incidents. Quantifying physical activity levels from longitudinal Activities of Daily Living (ADL) data of these disease patients could stipulate intuition of their fall mechanisms. The objective of this study is to compare the osteoporosis, Parkinson's disease, and healthy group’s physical activity level from their ADL. For this study total of eighteen subjects participated (healthy=6, osteoporosis=6, PD=6). The result indicated that the dynamic physical activity level for the healthy subject was 13.2%, the osteoporosis subject was 7.9%, and the PD subject was 7.0%. This indicates that there was a significant decline in physical activity level for the PD compared to healthy subjects (P=0.0024*). Also, a comparison between healthy and osteoporosis subjects showed a significant difference (P=0.0066*). Lastly, the physical activity level of PD and osteoporosis subjects did not have a significant difference among them (P=0.6276). The aim of this study was to evaluate the physical activity level of the osteoporosis, PD, and healthy subjects. The systematic approach of collecting physical activity levels with the Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) device allowed researchers to collect the quantitative data of ADL. In this experiment, healthy subjects were significantly more physically active compared to osteoporosis and PD patients.

Exploring the Association between Alcohol Drinking and Physical Activity in Adolescence; Two-Year Prospective Study in Younger Adolescents from Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Insufficient physical activity and alcohol consumption (AC) are important health-threatening behaviors in adolescence, but there are controversial findings regarding the association that may exist between AC and physical activity levels (PALs) at this age. This study aimed to prospectively examine the relationship that may exist between AC and PAL in younger adolescence, considering the potential confounding effect of sports participation. The participants (n = 669, 337 females) were adolescents from Bosnia and Herzegovina who were tested on two occasions, at baseline (14 years of age) and again at follow-up (16 years of age). The variables included AC (as indicated by the AUDIT questionnaire), sports participation, age, gender (predictors), and PAL (obtained by the PAQ-A questionnaire) criterion. The results indicated that PAL at baseline was higher in those adolescents (boys) with a higher AUDIT score, but this association was partially confounded by sports participation. Multinomial regression indicated a higher risk of a decline in PAL over the study course in adolescents with a higher AUDIT score at baseline (OR = 1.32, 95%CI: 1.11–1.54 for being in the high-risk group for a decline in PAL). The most probable explanation is likely found in the high drop-out from sports in the studied period and earlier initiation of AC in adolescents involved in sports. Public health and sports authorities should urgently act preventively and develop educational programs against alcohol drinking in youth athletes.

Age-Related Decline in Physical Activity Level in the Healthy Older Japanese Population

The Dietary Reference Intakes 2020 divided the older population into those aged 65-74 y and those over 75 y old. However, physical activity level in each age group was not specified. This study examined age-related differences in physical activity level among healthy Japanese older people, and the effect of lifestyles on these differences. In total, 70 people (22 men, 48 women) aged 65-85 y old participated in this study. Total energy expenditure was measured using the doubly labeled water method, and basal metabolic rate using expired gas concentration and volume. The Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly and a triaxial accelerometer were used to assess physical activities. Physical activity level was significantly higher among 65-74 y old (median 1.86) than those over 75 y old (1.76). However, the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly did not show any significant differences between the age groups. The duration of physical activity with 3.0-5.9 metabolic equivalents was longer for both locomotive and household activities among 65-74 y old than those over 75 y old. Younger participants walked a median of 6,364 steps a day, compared with 4,419 steps for older people. The 65-74 y old participants involved in paid work or who habitually exercised, and those over 75 y old taking more than 40 min a day of moderate to vigorous physical activity, and walking more than the median level for their sex and age group had significantly higher physical activity levels.

Changes in Physical Activity during the COVID-19 Pandemic-An Analysis of Differences Based on Mitigation Policies and Incidence Values in the Federal States of Germany.

Measures to slow down the spread of coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 have had an impact on the daily life and physical activity (PA) of many people. Nevertheless, in Germany, mitigation policies and incidence values vary widely across the federal states (Länder). Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate regional differences in PA during the coronavirus pandemic. This study is based on the SPOVID project (Examining physical activity and sports behavior in the face of COVID-19 pandemic: a social inequality perspective) that incorporates a large-scale, representative cross-sectional survey representing the German population (≥14 years). Based on the survey that took place in October 2020 (N = 1477), we investigated the relationships between the COVID-19 incidence values as well as the mitigation policies across the federal states in Germany and changes in PA. Pearson correlations indicated a strong negative relationship between PA change and 7-day incidence values (r = −0.688 **, p = 0.009) and a moderate negative relationship between PA changes and an index of mitigation policies (r = −0.444, p = 0.112). Higher 7-day incidence values and stricter mitigation policies were associated with a stronger decline in PA levels. Therefore, it is important to support people to stay active even if there are restrictions. In particular, in federal states and regions with high incidences and stricter mitigation policies, measures to promote health-enhancing PA are necessary.

Clinical and psychosocial stress factors are associated with decline in physical activity over time in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis

BackgroundPhysical activity (PA) patterns in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) over time are not well described. The aim of this study was to describe associations of physical activity (PA) with disease activity, function, pain, and psychosocial stress in the 2 years following diagnosis in an inception cohort of children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).MethodsIn 82 children with newly diagnosed JIA, PA levels, prospectively determined at enrollment, 12 and 24 months using the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children (PAQ-C) and Adolescents (PAQ-A) raw scores, were evaluated in relation to disease activity as reflected by arthritis activity (Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score (JADAS-71)), function, pain, and psychosocial stresses using a linear mixed model approach. Results in the JIA cohort were compared to normative Pediatric Bone Mineral Accrual Study data derived from healthy children using z-scores.ResultsAt enrollment, PA z-score levels of study participants were lower than those in the normative population (median z-score − 0.356; p = 0.005). At enrollment, PA raw scores were negatively associated with the psychosocial domain of the Juvenile Arthritis Quality of Life Questionnaire (r = − 0.251; p = 0.023). There was a significant decline in PAQ-C/A raw scores from baseline (median and IQR: 2.6, 1.4–3.1) to 24 months (median and IQR: 2.1, 1.4–2.7; p = 0.003). The linear mixed-effect model showed that PAQ-C/A raw scores in children with JIA decreased as age, disease duration, and ESR increased. The PAQ-C/A raw scores of the participants was also negatively influenced by an increase in disease activity as measured by the JADAS-71 (p < 0.001).ConclusionCanadian children with newly diagnosed JIA have lower PA levels than healthy children. The decline in PA levels over time was associated with disease activity and higher disease-specific psychosocial stress.

ASSESSING THE EFFECTS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ON CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS HODGKIN’S LYMPHOMA SURVIVORS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Physical activity can improve metabolism, lung functionality, aerobic capacity, physical fitness components and quality of life among children and adults diagnosed with cancer. The daily practice of physical activity and physical fitness levels are important factors to cancer care and prevention, showing positive effects on the immune system and hematologic malignancies. Hodgkin's lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system, originated from B lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) present in the lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow, blood and numerous other organs. This system has a defense function, protecting organism from external agents and diseases. The aim of this systematic review is to analyze the effects of physical activity on fatigue, physical fitness levels and quality of life in children and adolescents Hodgkin's lymphoma survivors. The PRISMA protocol was used to conduct a systematic review of SportDiscuss, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Pedro databases. 4 articles met inclusion criteria (randomized controlled trials, pre-post intervention studies with and without control group, pilot studies or preliminary studies; full-text and peer-reviewed studies; diagnosis of lymphoma during childhood or adolescence; studies using validated assessment tools or a combination of validated and non-validated tools; studies including physical activity, physical fitness and quality of life as outcomes; studies focusing Hodgkin Lymphoma exclusively; studies published in English). Results evidence a progressive decline in physical activity levels, a progressive decrease in VO2max, increased fatigue, muscular strength reduction, and major risk of cardiovascular diseases in Hodgkin’s Lymphoma survivors. Future research should clarify the effects of physical activity on HL management and etiology, to reach definitive conclusions and develop specific policy recommendations.&#x0D; &#x0D; &lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt; Article visualizations:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0783/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

How does the self-reported health of undergraduate nursing students change during their degree programme? Survey results from a Scottish University

BackgroundThe lifestyle behaviours, and the physical and mental health of nurses, are poorer than those of other allied health professionals, and of the general population. However, these were no less favourable among first year undergraduate nursing students at a Scottish Higher Education Institution (HEI) than among similar people of the same age. We compared health and health behaviours among the same cohort of undergraduate nursing students over the course of their degree.MethodsAn anonymous self-complete repeat cross-sectional survey was administered during a timetabled teaching session at three time-points to undergraduate nursing students at the start of Years 1, 2 and 3 of their programme. They had received written information about the study previously.ResultsSelf-reported health did not change significantly over time, but there was a clear decline over the 3 years in the proportions of students rating their mental health as excellent/very good/good and a concomitant increase in those rating their mental health as fair/poor. Correspondingly, the mean WEMWBS wellbeing score declined over the 3 years, with the proportion of students with a score of < 46 (indicating either high risk of major depression, or in high risk of psychological distress and increased risk of depression) increasing from one quarter to one half. This effect was captured and described using a Bayesian regression analysis. The most noticeable change in health behaviours was a decline in physical activity levels over the study period. The proportion of students managing 150 min of weekly physical activity decreased from three quarters to two thirds. This was reflected in higher self-reported sedentary time, although there were no observable trends over time in mean BMI, or proportions of students categorised as overweight or obese.ConclusionsThis paper suggests that there may be a decline in mental health and in participation in physical activity among nursing students over the course of their degree. We recommend the incorporation of an intervention into the undergraduate nursing curriculum that promotes and encourages regular physical activity, offering students the opportunity to learn about health promotion and lifestyle change in practice, to improve their own physical health, and to address mental wellbeing.

Contextualizing Parental/Familial Influence on Physical Activity in Adolescents before and during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Prospective Analysis

Parental and familial factors influence numerous aspects of adolescents’ lives, including their physical activity level (PAL). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the changes in PAL which occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to evaluate influence of sociodemographic and parental/familial factors on PAL levels before and during pandemic in adolescents from Bosnia and Herzegovina. The sample included 688 adolescents (15–18 years of age; 322 females) who were tested on two occasions: in January 2020 (baseline; before the COVID-19 pandemic) and in April 2020 (follow-up; during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown). Variables included PAL (measured by the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents–PAQ-A) as well as sociodemographic-, parental-, and familial factors. A significant decline in PALs was recorded between baseline and follow-up (t-test: 11.88, p < 0.001). Approximately 50% of adolescents underwent sufficient PAL at baseline, while only 24% of them were achieving sufficient PAL at the time of follow-up measurement. Paternal education was positively correlated (OR (95%CI): baseline: 6.63 (4.58–9.96), follow-up: 3.33 (1.19–7.01)), while familial conflict was negatively correlated (baseline: 0.72 (0.57–0.90), follow-up: 0.77 (0.60–0.99)) with PALs before and during the pandemic. This study highlights the importance of the parent–child relationship and parental/familiar support in promoting physical activity both during regular life and during crises and health challenging situations like the COVID-19 pandemic.