Participation In Habitual Physical Activity Research Articles

The Paws Project: The Impact Of Social Distancing On Physical Activity During The COVID-19 Pandemic

Physical and social distancing guidelines have been introduced across many US states to minimize community transmission of COVID-19. We hypothesized that social distancing behaviors may pose a barrier to the participation in habitual physical activity for the general population. PURPOSE: To determine whether engaging in social distancing behaviors predicts physical activity level of the US public. METHODS: We developed an online questionnaire: the COVID-19 Physical Activity and Wellbeing Survey (PAWS). Social media was used to recruit 4,819 respondents (Median age: 46 years [IQR: 35-59]; 51.3% female) from the US population during April through June 2020. The survey included questions on adherence to 11 social distancing behaviors, and validated questionnaires which assessed self-reported physical activity and sedentary behavior (Global Physical Activity Questionnaire; GPAQ), depression (Patient Health Questionnaire; PHQ-9), anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale; GAD-7) and mental wellbeing (World Health Organization 5-item wellbeing scale; WHO-5). Physical activity level was categorized into 4 distinct groups: inactive (0 MET-min·week-1); low (1-599 MET-min·week-1); moderate (600-2999 MET-min·week-1); and high (≥3000 MET-min·week-1). An ordinal generalized additive model (GAM) was used to determine which social distancing factors predicted physical activity level, after accounting for demographic, socioeconomic, and mental health variables. RESULTS: The GAM analysis revealed that wearing a facemask in public (OR: 1.60 [1.34-1.92]), limiting use of public transport (OR: 1.29 [1.08-1.54]), and restricting travel outside the house (OR: 1.21 [1.02-1.43]) were social distancing behaviors associated with higher odds of being more physically active (P < 0.05). Conversely, working from home (OR: 0.84 [0.74-0.95]) and avoiding physical activity outside the house (OR: 0.76 [0.66-0.88]) were associated with higher odds of being less physically active (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight that working from home and avoiding outdoor physical activity may negatively impact on physical activity levels of the general public during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Accelerometer-Assessed Habitual Physical Activity and Sedentary Time of Chinese Children and Adolescents with Visual Impairments

Introduction: Physical activity is a key component of a healthy lifestyle for youths with visual impairments (i.e., blindness or low vision). This study aims to examine the habitual physical activity and sedentary time of Chinese children and adolescents with visual impairments and to determine whether age, gender, and body composition significantly influence their behavior. Methods: A purposeful sample method was utilized to recruit 137 Chinese youths with visual impairments from a special school for individuals with visual and hearing impairments. A total of 72 students with visual impairments (aged 7–17 years; M age = 13.4) participated in this study. ActiGraph GT3X accelerometers were used to measure the habitual physical activity and sedentary time. Results: Youths with visual impairments in this study spent an average of 287.86 (standard deviation [ SD] = 45.67) minutes of light physical activity, 146.79 ( SD = 56.95) minutes of moderate physical activity, 18.47 ( SD = 15.15) minutes of vigorous physical activity, 165.26 ( SD = 69.83) minutes of moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity, and 979.51 ( SD = 109.10) minutes of sedentary time per day. Children with visual impairments in elementary school engaged in more habitual physical activity and had less sedentary time than did students in middle and high school. Differences in gender and body composition with regard to time spent being active or sedentary were insignificant. Discussion: Findings demonstrated that Chinese youths with visual impairments in this study had sufficient health-enhancing physical activity and were habitually active. Future research is needed to identify the factors that account for the high habitual physical activity levels of Chinese youths with visual impairments. Implications for practitioners: Transition planning for students with visual impairments to facilitate active habitual physical activity participation when children grow up is warranted.

Measuring the impact of oesophagectomy on physical functioning and physical activity participation: a prospective study

BackgroundOesophagectomy remains the only curative intervention for oesophageal cancer, with defined nutritional and health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) consequences. It follows therefore that there is a significant risk of decline in physical wellbeing with oesophagectomy however this has been inadequately quantified. This study prospectively examines change in physical functioning and habitual physical activity participation, from pre-surgery through 6-months post-oesophagectomy.MethodsPatients scheduled for oesophagectomy with curative intent were recruited. Key domains of physical functioning including exercise tolerance (six-minute walk test (6MWT)) and muscle strength (hand-grip strength), and habitual physical activity participation, including sedentary behaviour (accelerometry) were measured pre-surgery (T0) and repeated at 1-month (T1) and 6-months (T2) post-surgery. HR-QOL was measured using the EORTC-QOL C30.ResultsThirty-six participants were studied (mean age 62.4 (8.8) years, n = 26 male, n = 26 transthoracic oesophagectomy). Mean 6MWT distance decreased significantly from T0 to T1 (p = 0.006) and returned to T0 levels between T1 and T2 (p < 0.001). Percentage time spent sedentary increased throughout recovery (p < 0.001) and remained significantly higher at T2 in comparison to T0 (p = 0.003). In contrast, percentage time spent engaged in either light or moderate-to-vigorous intensity activity, all reduced significantly (p < 0.001 for both) and remained significantly lower at T2 in comparison to T0 (p = 0.009 and p = 0.01 respectively). Patients reported deficits in multiple domains of HR-QOL during recovery including global health status (p = 0.04), physical functioning (p < 0.001) and role functioning (p < 0.001). Role functioning remained a clinically important 33-points lower than pre-operative values at T2.ConclusionHabitual physical activity participation remains significantly impaired at 6-months post-oesophagectomy. Physical activity is a measurable and modifiable target for physical rehabilitation, which is closely aligned with patient-reported deficits in role functioning. Rehabilitation aimed at optimising physical health in oesophageal cancer survivorship is warranted.

Associations of Body Mass Index, Motor Performance, and Perceived Athletic Competence with Physical Activity in Normal Weight and Overweight Children.

Children who are overweight and obese display lower physical activity levels than normal weight peers. Measures of weight status, perceived motor competence, and motor skill performance have been identified as potential correlates explaining this discrepancy. 1881 children (955 males; 926 females; 9.9 years) were assessed as part of the Physical Health Activity Study Team project. The age, habitual physical activity participation (PAP), body mass index (BMI), socioeconomic status (SES), motor performance (MP), and perceived athletic competence (PAC) of each child included were assessed. Gender-specific linear regression analyses (main effects model) were conducted to identify the percent variance in PAP explained by the following variables: BMI, MP, and PAC. For males, 18.3% of the variance in PAP was explained by BMI, MP, and PAC. PAC explained 17% of the variance, while MP, BMI, and SES only accounted for 0.6%, 0.7%, and 0.5%, respectively. PAC explained 17.5% of PAP variance in females; MP explained 0.8%. BMI, SES, and chronological age were not significant correlates of PAP in girls. An established repertoire of motor skill performance has been seen as a vehicle to PAP in children; however, this study indicates that PAC should not be overlooked in intervention strategies to promote increased PAP.

Associations between individual and environmental factors and habitual physical activity among older Chinese adults: A social–ecological perspective

PurposeTo examine, within a social–ecological framework, associations between multifaceted individual and environmental factors and habitual physical activity (HPA) among older Chinese adults. MethodsThrough a mix of qualitative and quantitative methods, a survey instrument assessing various factors underlying 3 social–ecological dimensions of intrapersonal, interpersonal, and community and environmental resources was developed. Using a cross-sectional design, older adults (n = 1580, aged 67 ± 7 years) recruited from 10 communities in Shandong province completed the social–ecological survey of HPA. Data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Path Modeling. ResultsFactors related to intrapersonal (medical knowledge, motivation, physical function, sport skills, socioeconomic status, and education), interpersonal (social support, social activity, and social norms), and community and physical environmental resources (safety, capacity, availability of and access to physical activity facilities) were found to be significantly associated with older adults' participation in HPA. ConclusionThe findings provide an initial validation of a social–ecological approach to the study of HPA in China, suggesting that strategies aimed at promoting physical activity in older adults should address multiple levels of factors that may contribute to the likelihood of older Chinese adults being physically active.

Atorvastatin Treatment Does Not Alter Pulse Wave Velocity in Healthy Adults.

Introduction. Both statins and regular physical activity (PA) reduce arterial stiffness. The present post hoc analysis examined if arterial stiffness was improved with high-dose atorvastatin treatment in healthy adults and whether PA levels magnified this response. We utilized data from a double-blind, random-assignment clinical trial investigating the effects of atorvastatin 80 mg/d for 6 mo on skeletal muscle symptoms. Methods. Central and peripheral arterial pulse wave velocity (PWV) were measured and PA levels assessed at baseline and 6 mo in subjects randomized to atorvastatin (n = 21, 9 men) or placebo (n = 29, 16 men). Results. Baseline participant characteristics, PWV, and PA levels were not different between treatments. Central (means ± SD; 8.7 ± 2.6 to 9.0 ± 2.5 m/sec) and peripheral PWV (9.9 ± 1.3 to 9.8 ± 1.6 m/sec) were unchanged from baseline following atorvastatin treatment (time × drug interaction: P ≥ 0.13). Similarly, PA levels were unaffected by time or treatment. In sex and age adjusted models, baseline levels of PA were not related to changes in PWV with atorvastatin treatment. Conclusion. These data indicate that high-dose atorvastatin treatment for 6 mo does not influence arterial stiffness in healthy adults. Participation in habitual PA did not magnify the vascular effects of statin therapy. This study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00609063.

Association between habitual physical activity and brown adipose tissue activity in individuals undergoing PET-CT scan.

Augmented brown adipose tissue (BAT) mass and activity lead to higher basic metabolic rate which is beneficial against obesity. Our aim was to investigate whether habitual (i.e. usual weekly participation) physical activity is linked with BAT activity and mass in humans, in a group of patients undergoing (18) F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scanning. Cross-sectional study. Forty patients with cancer [26 male; 14 female; age 52·7 ± 17·5; body mass index (BMI) 26·4 ± 4·5]. Patients completed the 'usual week' form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and underwent assessment of BAT activity/mass via (18) F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT. We detected a significant association between habitual physical activity (METs-minute/week) and BAT activity [normalized by body weight (BW) (τ = 0·28, P = 0·02), body surface area (BSA) (τ = 0·29, P = 0·02) and lean body mass (LBM) (τ = 0·38, P = 0·002)]. We also found a significant negative relationship between BMI and BAT activity [normalized by BW (τ = -0·30, P = 0·006), BSA (τ = -0·31, P = 0·004) and LBM (τ = -0·45, P = 0·001)] as well as a significant negative relationship between age and BAT activity [normalized by LBM (τ = -0·28, P = 0·01)]. The results also indicate significant differences between low/moderate/high levels of habitual physical activity and BAT activity (P < 0·05). Moreover, BAT activity was different across the BMI categories (normal/overweight/obese) in both sexes (P < 0·05). Finally, BAT activity was greater in women than in men (P < 0·05). Increased participation in habitual physical activity is associated with higher BAT activity. Moreover, individuals with normal BMI demonstrate higher BAT activity compared to overweight and obese individuals. Finally, age is inversely linked with BAT activity, while women demonstrate higher BAT activity than men.

Addressing the Cardiometabolic Risk of Working in Physically Demanding Occupations

Habitual physical activity participation is widely accepted to be a safe and effective method for managing cardiovascular and metabolic disease risk factors. However, engagement in physical activity has the potential to trigger cardiovascular events, especially when the activity is of vigorous intensity and the participant is unfit or has pre-existing cardiometabolic conditions. Occupational physical activity is a population-specific stressor, and there is a clustering of risk factors which predispose to cardiometabolic conditions amongst “blue-collar” workers. These factors centre on physical work demands relative to worker physical fitness, conditions of the working environment (shift work, temperature, noise pollution, air pollution and the nature of the activity) and socioeconomic status-related worker lifestyle. We conclude that the risk of cardiometabolic disease and associated cardiovascular events occurring in physically demanding occupations is dictated by the interaction of numerous factors, many of which are modifiable through habitual physical activity participation.

Physiological relevance and health cost benefits. Reply: “Disputing the Claims for Physiological Fitness and Health Adaptations from Purposeful Training using Off-road Vehicles” by Milburn et al.

Thank you for the opportunity to respond to the Letter to the Editor entitled ‘‘Disputing the Claims for Physiological Fitness and Health Adaptations from Purposeful Training using Off-road Vehicles’’ by Milburn et al. (2012). We have several concerns with this Letter. First, we take exception to the authors’ opening sentence in which they imply a conflict of interest and appear to be attempting to discredit our research through our association with the Canadian Off-Highway Vehicles Distributors Council (COHV). We stated quite explicitly in our article that ‘‘This study was supported through a research grant organized by the COHV which included funds from both private and government sources’’. The COHV had no involvement at any stage of the research or manuscript preparation. Let us be clear that our interest in off-road vehicle riding has been, and remains, purely scientific in relation to the physiological and health-related indices associated with acute and habitual physical activity participation. We will accept it as true that the authors’ Letter to the Editor is similarly concerned only with the current science presented, and is in no way influenced by their previously published opinions objecting to the environmental, social and financial aspects of this activity (Bissix and Medicraft 2008). Milburn and colleagues appear to have overlooked important aspects of our article and of pertinent basic physiology research, in relation to the health benefits of physical activity participation. All physical activity participation has inherent risks (Goodman et al. 2011)—some more than others, and informed decisions regarding participation are only possible through consideration of both the risks and rewards. As we have acknowledged previously (Burr et al. 2010a), we do not deny the important concerns in regard to potential traumatic injury (and other issues such as land use and environmental impact); however, these issues are not germane to the evaluation of the effects on physiological health, fitness and chronic disease risk. We feel that the authors’ suggestion to disregard the possible health benefits of this activity for reasons apart from the question at hand (i.e. ‘‘is the physical activity stimulus capable of stimulating changes in health?’’) to be misguided. Given their previous publication exploring ‘‘...the problems of beer consumption as well as the emerging evidence of benefit’’ (Preedy 2009), we think the authors can appreciate our belief that these outlying objections to the validity of our results are analogous to suggesting evidence of the beneficial cardiovascular health effects of modest alcohol consumption (Gaziano et al. 1993) be similarly ignored owing to the role of alcohol in traumatic injury, the environmental impact of producing and shipping wine, or the ill effects of alcohol abuse on health (Eckardt et al. 1981; Ogden and Moskowitz 2004). Certainly these are all areas of concern, but do not change the original evidence of an association with health from a physiological perspective. Milburn and colleagues’ suggested that ‘‘none of the data indicates that riders met the important threshold of a minimum of 10 min at moderate intensity to conform to ACSM guidelines’’ is simply incorrect. Intensity and Communicated by Susan A. Ward.

Habitual walking and its correlation to better physical function: implications for prevention of physical disability in older persons.

Our objective was to determine the association between participation in habitual physical activity (including walking, shopping, and indoor and outdoor activities) and leisure-time or sports activities on physical performance and fitness in older persons. In an observational study, 123 predominantly ethnic Chinese participants aged 50 years and older were recruited from a health promotion program. Main outcome measures were bioelectric impedance for body fat composition, peak oxygen consumption (VO(2)max), gait speed, handgrip strength, and chair rise time. The mean age of participants was years. Those with a higher self-reported walking level had a better VO(2)max; every 1 minute per day increase in habitual walking increases VO(2)max by 0.096 (ml/kg)/min (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.027-0.165, p=.007) and is possibly associated with a faster gait speed; (95% CI 0.000-0.005, p=.078). There is an age-related rise in body fat composition, decline in VO(2)max, and slower chair rise time. Men had a lower body fat composition, better VO(2)max, and stronger handgrip. Habitual walking may impart important health benefits in terms of improvement in physical performance, fitness, and its implications for the prevention of physical disability in older adults. This also reinforces the theory that low- to moderate-intensity activities may improve cardiorespiratory fitness. There is an inevitable physiological age-related decline in physical fitness.