Habitual Physical Activity In Adolescents Research Articles

Bone characteristics and physical fitness in children and adolescents with visual impairment.

Lower habitual physical activity in adolescents with visual impairment (VI) have detrimental effect on their general health such as bone quality and physical fitness. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the bone quality in children with VI and to analyze the correlations of their bone characteristics with anthropometric and physical fitness tests. The participants (N.=38) were adolescents (14.85±2.79 yrs) with low vision (N.=18) or blindness (N.=20). Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) was used to measure bone mineral density (BMD), bone mineral content (BMC) of the total body and L1-L4 of the lumbar spinal region. After anthropometry physical fitness was examined by laboratory test (V̇O<inf>2peak</inf>) and field tests (strength and running). Height, weight, Body Mass Index (BMI), V̇O<inf>2peak</inf> were similar in the two groups. Blind boys showed significant higher handgrip strength. Estimated V̇O<inf>2peak</inf> (from 20-m shuttle running test) was significantly lower in blind children (43.84±4.42 mL/kg/min) than in children with low vision (35.08±5.23 mL/kg/min; P<0.001). BMD and BMC did not differ in subgroups, Z-score of total body BMD was significantly lower in blind children. Means of Z-score in L1-L4 lumbal spinal region were negative values and similar in blind and low vision adolescents' subgroups. A linear regression model in the collective group revealed significant associations of BMD (r2=0.538; P=0.0001) and BMC (r2=0.698; P=0.048) with BMI and handgrip strength test. Adolescents with VI have generally decreased bone health and physical fitness level. BMI and handgrip strength are predictors of total body BMD and BMC; suggesting that these measures may be adequate to estimate bone health.

Public health surveillance of habitual physical activity in adolescents and adults in Namibia: a cross-sectional validation of activity questionnaires against accelerometry.

Monitoring population-level physical activity is crucial for examining adherence to global guidelines and addressing obesity. This study validated self-reported moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) against an accurate device-based method in Namibia. Adolescent girls (n = 52, mean age 16.2 years [SD 1.6]) and adult women (n = 51, mean age 31.3 years [SD 4.7]) completed the PACE+/GPAQ self-report questionnaires and were asked to wear an Actigraph accelerometer for 7 days. Validity of self-reported MVPA was assessed using rank-order correlations between self-report and accelerometry, and classification ability of the questionnaires with Mann-Whitney tests, kappa's, sensitivity and specificity. In the adolescents, Spearman's rank coefficients between self-reported MVPA (days/week) and accelerometry measured MVPA were positive but not significant (r=0.240; P=0.104). In the adults, self-reported MVPA (minutes/day) was moderately and significantly correlated with accelerometer-measured MVPA (r=0.396; P=0.008). In both groups, there was fair agreement between accelerometry and questionnaire-defined tertiles of MVPA (adolescents κ=0.267; P=0.010; adults κ=0.284; P=0.008), and measured MVPA was significantly higher in the individuals self-reporting higher MVPA than those reporting lower MVPA. The PACE+ and GPAQ questionnaires have a degree of validity in adolescent girls and adult females in Namibia, though more suitable for population than individual level measurement.

Habitual physical activity in adolescents and young adults with Cerebral Palsy and age-matched peers

To provide a summary of the existing published knowledge on the association between sedentary lifestyle and childhood asthma. Twelve years ago, the first longitudinal studies carried out in children showed a relationship between physical activity and asthma. Several epidemiological studies confirmed these findings, with sedentary lifestyle predicting the onset of asthma.A systematic review of epidemiological studies was conducted within the MEDLINE database. Epidemiological studies on children subjects, published in English were included in the review. A comprehensive literature search yielded 50 studies for further consideration. Following the application of the eligibility criteria, we identified 11 studies.A positive association and an excess risk of asthma during childhood were revealed to sedentary lifestyle. The findings proved the association between childhood asthma and sedentary lifestyle. The correlation between bronchial asthma and sedentary life during childhood and identifying whether preventable or treatable risk factors exist needs to be determined. Further research on the topic is essential for safer and standardised conclusions.Asthma can be controlled when managed properly. The role of the nurse as an educator should establish and maintain a relationship with patients in order to help them manage their disease. The steps towards asthma management will help paediatric patients to guide their approach to the condition.

Assessment of habitual physical activity in adolescents with type1diabetes.

To evaluate habitual physical activity in a cohort of adolescents with type 1 diabetes in relation to similarly aged control subjects. A cross-sectional case control study of 54 healthy adolescents and 66 patients with type 1 diabetes, 14 to 18years of age, was conducted. Subjects were surveyed using the Habitual Activity Estimation Scale, a validated self-report instrument to assess activity levels in teens. Subjects' time was classified into categories ranging from inactive (lying down, resting) to very active (increased heart rate and diaphoresis). Active time, described in relative (%) and absolute hours per day was determined for each individual. Age, sex, weight, height and body mass index were recorded for all participants, and the charts of subjects with type 1 diabetes were reviewed for most recent levels of glycated hemoglobin, low-density lipoproteins, high-density lipoproteins, total cholesterol, triglycerides and blood pressure. Aregression analysis was performed to determine factors associated with hours spent being active. Subjects with type 1 diabetes spent similar hours being very active (3.4hours vs. 3.5hours, p=0.49) but reported more time being inactive than controls (2.0 hours vs. 1.3 hours, p=0.002). In both groups, female gender was associated with more hours spent being active. Metabolic control as assessed by glycated hemoglobin worsened with activity. In the group with type 1 diabetes, more hours spent being active were associated with lower systolic blood pressure, lower serum triglyceride levels, lowertotal cholesterol and higher high-density lipoproteins, whereas inactivity correlated with higher low-density lipoproteins and total cholesterol. Adolescents with type 1 diabetes reported significantly more time being inactive than did healthy controls. In patients with type 1 diabetes, activity was associated with improved cardiovascular risk profile.

Duration and patterns of habitual physical activity in adolescents and young adults with cerebral palsy

Adolescents and young adults with cerebral palsy (CP) show reduced motor function and gait efficiency, and lower levels of habitual physical activity (HPA), than adolescents with typical development and children with CP. This study examined activity duration and patterns in this population in the Middle East through long-term monitoring of a large sample using accelerometers. Adolescents and young adults with bilateral CP at Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels II, III, and IV, were monitored in their habitual environment for four consecutive days with ActivPAL3 monitors. Time spent in sedentary, standing, and walking activities, and frequency of walking steps and transitions, were analysed for each GMFCS level. Measurements were made on 222 participants (132 males, 90 females; mean age 16 y 9 mo SD 2y, range 13 y 4 mo-22 y). The Mann-Whitney U test demonstrated significant differences (p<0.05) between GMFCS levels, showing reduced walking and standing activity and increased sedentary duration at higher GMFCS levels (p<0.001), except for increased standing time between GMFCS levels II and III (p=0.07). Participants in educational facilities exhibited less sedentary behaviour than those who were homebound (p<0.05). These descriptions of duration and frequency of active and sedentary behaviours may serve as a basis for recommendations to minimize inactivity in this population. Adolescents and young adults with CP in the Middle East demonstrate similar patterns of HPA to their peers in other regions.

Measurement of habitual physical activity performance in adolescents with cerebral palsy: a systematic review

This systematic review compares the validity, reliability, and clinical use of habitual physical activity (HPA) performance measures in adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP). Measures of HPA across Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels I-V for adolescents (10-18 y) with CP were included if at least 60% of items reported HPA performance in the domains of intensity, frequency, duration, and mode. Seven measures of HPA performance met the criteria: StepWatch, pedometers, Uptimer, heart rate flex method, accelerometers, and self-report measures including the Children's Activity Participation and Enjoyment (CAPE) scale and the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents. The CAPE scale had the strongest validity and reliability but was limited by its inability to measure activity intensity. No study was identified that evaluated the psychometric properties of physical activity measures in non-ambulant adolescents with CP (GMFCS levels IV and V). When deciding on an appropriate measure of HPA in adolescents with CP, clinicians need to consider their research question including the domains of HPA they are evaluating and the population they wish to assess. Accelerometers provide the most robust information about the patterns of HPA, with some evidence of validity but limited data on reliability. Further research is needed to compare the use of tri- and uniaxial accelerometers.