Health Benefits Of Physical Activity Research Articles

Intensity-specific physical activity measured by accelerometer and the risk of mortality among individuals with cardiometabolic diseases: A prospective study from the UK biobank

BackgroundWhile the health benefits of physical activity for general population are well-recognized, the prospective associations of physical activity volume and intensity with mortality among cardiometabolic disease individuals remain unclear. ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to investigate the associations of accelerometer-measured intensity-specific physical activity with mortality risk among population with cardiometabolic disease. DesignProspective cohort study. SettingParticipants were recruited from the United Kingdom (UK) across 22 assessment centers from 2006 to 2010. ParticipantsA total of 9524 participants from the UK Biobank (median: 67.00 years, interquartile range: 61.00–70.00 years) were included in final study. MethodsAccelerometer-measured total volume, moderate-to-vigorous and light intensity physical activity collecting from 2013 to 2015 were quantified using a machine learning model. Multivariable restricted cubic splines and Cox proportional hazard models with hazard ratios (HRs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were employed to examine the associations of interests. ResultsDuring the follow-up period (median: 6.87 years; interquartile range: 6.32–7.39 years), there were 659 (6.92 %) death events with 218 (2.29 %) cardiovascular disease-related deaths and 441 (4.63 %) non-cardiovascular disease-related deaths separately. In the fully adjusted models, compared with participants in the lowest quartiles of total volume, moderate-to-vigorous and light physical activity, the adjusted HRs (95 % CIs) of all-cause mortality for those in the highest quartiles were 0.40 (0.31, 0.52), 0.48 (0.37, 0.61), and 0.56 (0.44, 0.71) while those for cardiovascular diseases-related mortality were 0.35 (0.22, 0.55), 0.52 (0.35, 0.78) and 0.59 (0.39, 0.88), and for non-cardiovascular diseases-related mortality, they were 0.42 (0.30, 0.59), 0.40 (0.29, 0.54) and 0.54 (0.40, 0.73), separately. The optimal moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity level for cardiovascular diseases-related mortality reduction was found to be in the third quartile (17.75–35.33 mins/day). Furthermore, the observed inverse associations were mainly non-linear. ConclusionsPromoting physical activity, regardless of intensity, is essential for individuals with cardiometabolic disease to reduce mortality risk. For both all-cause and cardiovascular disease-related and non-cardiovascular disease-related mortality, the observed decrease in risk seems to level off at a moderate level. The current findings deriving from precise device-based physical activity data provide inference for secondary prevention of cardiometabolic disease.

P114 Promoting physical activity using mobile health technology in people living with Rheumatoid Arthritis: MOTIVATE RA

Abstract Background/Aims People living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) tend to be less active than the general population which may be due to RA associated musculoskeletal pain, stiffness and fatigue. The health benefits of physical activity (PA) are widely recognised in the general population and studies in RA have also highlighted improvement in RA associated symptoms. However, encouraging increased PA in people living with RA is challenging and adherence to PA is usually low. Mobile health (mHealth) technology (i.e., fitness watches and apps) may provide an effective and economical solution to promoting PA in this high-risk population. The aims of the current study were to assess whether use of mHealth technology in RA i) increases PA levels and ii) reduces RA disease activity. Methods People with RA were randomised to either the MOTIVATE (mHealth intervention) or conventional care (CC) groups. The CC group were provided with online educational materials, as provided in routine care (e.g., PA information leaflets), to increase PA whereas the MOTIVATE group were provided with a personalised, progressive walking programme delivered via mHealth technology with ongoing, individualised support throughout the 12-week intervention. All participants received a self-testing kit, via mail, at baseline (week 0) and post-intervention (12 weeks). Measures included anthropometrics, blood pressure, PA monitoring, health questionnaires and all were requested to self-report RA disease activity using RADAI-5. Change data between weeks 0 and 12 were compared between groups using One-Way ANCOVA, controlling for baseline, and reported as mean difference (95% CI). Results Of 50 participants, 25 were randomised to the MOTIVATE group (age 50±11years; BMI 29±7kg/m2; females n=23), and 25 to CC (n=25, age 50±11years; BMI 26±6 kg/m2; females n=24). An increase in moderate-to-vigorous PA was observed in the MOTIVATE group, compared to a decrease in CC [81min (1, 160) vs. -35min (-123, 53); P=0.09)]. This was accompanied by an increase in steps per day in the MOTIVATE group, and a decrease in CC [763 (-432, 1957) vs. -76 (-1267, 1115); P=0.40]. A reduction in PHQ-9 depression score was evident in the MOTIVATE group whilst CC were unchanged [-2 (-2, -3) vs. 0 (-2, 0); P=0.07]. RADAI-5 decreased in the MOTIVATE group and stayed the same in CC [-2 (-2, 0) vs. 0(-2, 0), P=0.27]. Conclusion These findings identify the potential effectiveness of an mHealth PA programme to increase PA levels in people living with RA. Use of remote PA monitoring, with support from exercise specialists, may be an effective strategy to improve engagement in exercise and PA in the RA population. Data is suggestive this could improve RA related symptoms, although we did not observe statistical significance. Disclosure D.J. Bannell: Grants/research support; Research grant from the Aintree Arthritis Trust. M. France-Ratcliffe: None. K.L. Hesketh: None. M. Cocks: None. N. Goodson: None. C. Taylor: None. T. Pecanha: None. H. Jones: None. D.A. Low: None. V.S. Sprung: None.

Participation in physical activity by adolescents with physical disability: Protocol for a national participation snapshot and Delphi consensus study (“Youth Experience Matters”)

Young people with physical disability experience challenges to being physically active. To attain the health benefits of physical activity (PA) and sustain engagement, it is essential that participation is meaningful and enjoyable. This study aims to describe current participation in PA by adolescents with physical disability in Ireland, and to establish consensus on their priorities for enhancing physical activity participation. A parallel convergent mixed methods study will be undertaken, comprising a national cross-sectional quantitative assessment of PA participation (“Participation Snapshot”) and Delphi consensus study (“Delphi”). Adolescents (n=100) aged 13–17 years with a physical disability will be invited to take part. The Participation Snapshot primary outcome is the Children’s Assessment of Participation and Enjoyment (CAPE). Contextual factors including underlying medical diagnosis, demographics, mobility (Functional Mobility Scale), hand function (Manual Ability Classification System) and health related quality of life (Child Health Utility 9D) will also be collected. The Delphi will comprise two to four survey rounds, until consensus is reached. Round 1 consists of a bespoke survey, designed and piloted with a public and patient involvement (PPI) panel, with open-ended questions and Likert scales inviting contributions from adolescents on their prior experience and ideas to enhance participation. Responses will be analysed using inductive thematic analysis to construct items and themes, which will then be deductively mapped to the “F-words” and the family of Participation-Related Constructs frameworks. These items will be presented back to participants in subsequent rounds for selection and ranking, until consensus is achieved on the “top 10 priorities” for enhancing PA participation. The project team and PPI panel will then co-design dissemination material and identify targets for dissemination to relevant stakeholder or policy groups. The findings will provide a basis for developing interventions aiming to enhance future PA participation for adolescents with physical disability.

The ENJOY Seniors Exercise Park IMP-ACT project: IMProving older people’s health through physical ACTivity: a hybrid II implementation design study protocol

IntroductionThe health benefits of physical activity are well established; however, most older people are not sufficiently physically active. Despite the availability of various physical activity interventions and programs, implementation of effective prevention strategies to reduce older people’s physical inactivity are lacking. The ENJOY IMP-ACT project is an implementation research project, based on a previous evidence-based physical and social activity program utilising specialised outdoor exercise equipment (the Seniors Exercise Park) for older people. The ENJOY IMP-ACT aims to increase participation in physical activity to improve health outcomes for older people in Victoria, Australia.MethodThe ENJOY IMP-ACT is a hybrid II implementation-effectiveness pre-post mixed method study design. Five local governments (6 public sites/parks) will undergo a 3-month control period followed by 9-months implementation intervention (TERM framework intervention: Training, Engagement, Resources development, Marketing and promotion), and a maintenance phase (3 months). Various methodologies will be employed throughout the project at each site and will include direct observations of park users, intercept surveys with park users, online access monitor platform (using an online app), interviews with stakeholders and exercise program leaders, a process evaluation of physical activity programs, a social return-on-investment analysis, and other related activities.DiscussionThrough the implementation framework design, the ENJOY IMP-ACT is uniquely placed to translate an evidenced-based physical and social activity program into real world settings and increase physical activity among older people. If successful, this program will inform scale up across Australia with the goal of improving the health and wellbeing of older people.Trial registrationThis registration trial is prospectively registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry. Trial number ACTRN12622001256763. Date registered 20/09/2022.

Socioecological factors influencing physical activity engagement for women across the menopausal transition: a systematic review.

Physical activity during menopause can be effective in reducing the physiological changes associated with reproductive aging that increase risks for noncommunicable diseases, yet many women do not meet the recommendations for physical activity. This study aimed to synthesize factors influencing physical activity for women across menopausal transition phases using a socioecological approach. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis was used to systematically search 10 databases between 2001 and 2021. A comprehensive search strategy was used to identify studies on physical activity of women in various stages of menopause. A socioecological model was used to categorize the reported barriers and enablers. Twenty studies met the inclusion criteria. The findings highlight several intrapersonal barriers such as existing health complaints versus enablers such as awareness of the health benefits of physical activity during menopause. Ensuring women's safety, preventing injury, and enhancing exercise self-efficacy were important components of programs. Social support was also an important enabler of women's engagement in activities. Several barriers and enablers were identified and can inform practitioners and future interventions to encourage physical activity among women in various stages of menopause. For instance, when encouraging physical activity during menopause, practitioners should consider other health complaints, safety, and injury prevention while discussing the benefits of physical activity related to managing menopausal symptoms. There was a lack of theoretically informed studies exploring the barriers and enablers to physical activity for women in various stages of menopause; thus, research designs may not have fully accounted for influences. Future research that combines socioecological and individual theories of behavior is needed to comprehensively understand the complexity of physical activity among women across the menopausal transition.

Mental health clients’ receptiveness to and recommendations for integrating physical activity discussions into therapy: a mixed methods study

Objective The mental health benefits of physical activity are well-established. Integrating physical activity counseling into therapy would expand the reach of this evidence-based treatment for mental illness. This mixed methods study examined mental health clients’ receptiveness and recommendations for effectively discussing physical activity in therapy. Methods A diverse sample of U.S. adults in therapy (N = 478) completed a survey that included the open-ended question: What specific recommendations would you have for your therapist to effectively discuss physical activity with you? We conducted a qualitative content analysis to identify their most common recommendations. Results Most participants indicated they would be comfortable discussing physical activity with their therapist. The content analysis resulted in 26 unique categories; most common recommendations included: provide information about what to do (n = 81), discuss physical activity benefits (n = 63), be understanding and nonjudgmental (n = 49), provide accountability (n = 41), and consider physical/mental health conditions (n = 35). Overarching themes emphasized making mental health central to discussions, tailoring discussions to each client, and reframing physical activity as a feasible, enjoyable activity. Conclusions Mental health clients are open to discussing physical activity during therapy if it is approached in a supportive, understanding, and personalized way. Clients’ recommendations can inform future professional development for therapists.

Lifelong Sports through the Lens of Physical Literacy: Understanding Definitions, Benefits, and Challenges

The participation in lifelong sports often encounters obstacles such as lack of individual motivation, inadequate knowledge and skills, as well as unsupportive environment. This article aims to address these issues by discussing the concept of physical literacy as a tool to promote participation in lifelong sports. library research method was used to understand the definition and importance of physical literacy, motor skills development, and the influence of self-confidence, motivation, and competence on participation in physical activities. The results of the library research show that physical literacy is an essential element that encourages individuals to participate in lifelong sports. This includes the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to lead an active lifestyle. Understanding the long-term health benefits of physical activity can also be a strong driver for individuals to lead an active lifestyle. The conclusion is that effective educational strategies or interventions need to be developed and implemented to promote physical literacy and lifelong sports participation. Collaboration with the government and other health organizations is crucial to create an environment that supports everyone to participate in physical activities.

Are Recreational Sports a Relic of the Past OR a Solution for the Future?

Children's participation in sport is a critical component to their physical and social development and as such, efforts should be made to provide all children with the opportunity to play. In recent years, there has been an observed shift in the focus of youth sports from that of participation for the health benefits of physical activity and fun to that of winning and competing. As a result, there has been a rise in club sports offerings and a subsequent reduction in recreational sports opportunities. This change presents unique challenges to children's access to sport and may not adequately support their overall physical, social, and emotional development. This commentary will discuss the benefits and barriers to increasing recreational sport opportunities using the Social Ecological Model as a framework. It also will propose solutions that can be implemented at the intrapersonal, interpersonal, organizational, community, and public policy levels to revive recreational sports.

Physical Exercise After Solid Organ Transplantation: A Cautionary Tale.

An increasing body of randomized controlled trials suggests the safety of engaging in moderate to vigorous intensity exercise training following solid organ transplantation. Fueled by emerging sport events designed for transplant recipients and the ever-growing body of research highlighting the diverse health benefits of physical activity, transplant recipients are now increasingly participating in strenuous and occasionally competitive physical endeavors that largely surpass those evaluated in controlled research settings. This viewpoint article adopts a cautionary stance to counterbalance the prevalent one-sided optimistic perspective regarding posttransplant physical activity. While discussing methodological limitations, we explore plausible adverse impacts on the cardiovascular, immunological, and musculoskeletal systems. We also examine the physiological consequences of exercising in the heat, at high altitude, and in areas with high air pollution. Risks associated with employing performance-enhancing strategies and the conceivable psychological implications regarding physical activity as a tribute to the 'gift of life' are discussed. With a deliberate focus on the potential adverse outcomes of strenuous posttransplant physical activity, this viewpoint aims to restore a balanced dialogue on our comprehension of both beneficial and potentially detrimental outcomes of physical activity that ultimately underscores the imperative of well-informed decision-making and tailored exercise regimens in the realm of posttransplant care.

Prevalence of physical inactivity and associated factors among older adults in Gondar town, Northwest Ethiopia: a community-based cross-sectional study

IntroductionOlder adults are increasing in number in both developed and developing countries. However, as the world’s aging population grows, the burden of diseases among older people also increases. Despite this, co-occurring health problems due to physical inactivity in older adults have become a concern, and physical inactivity can be caused by different conditions. As a result, for older adults to have better health outcomes, early diagnosis of physical activity status and prevention of non-communicable diseases are crucial. There is a lack of data on the prevalence and associated factors of physical inactivity among older adults that is scarce in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in the study area, Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of physical inactivity among older adults in Gondar town, Northwest Ethiopia, in 2022.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from April 1st to June 30th, 2022, in Gondar town, Northwest Ethiopia. The data was collected by the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire, Volume 2 through face-to-face interviews among 838 participants. Data were entered into Epinfo version 7.1, then exported and analysed using the Statistical Package of Social Science version 25. A binary logistic regression model was performed to identify factors associated with physical inactivity. The result was considered statistically significant based on an adjusted odds ratio of 95% and a p-value less than 0.05.ResultThe prevalence of physical inactivity was 65.6% (95% CI: 62.1–68.9). Being female (AOR: 3.053, 95% CI:1.487–6.267), age group > = 80 (AOR: 4.082, 95% CI:1.234–13.497), primary school level (AOR: 3.020, 95% CI:1.433–6.367), no formal education (AOR: 8.573, 95% CI:2.843–25.847), unemployed (AOR: 10.273, 95% CI:5.628–18.753), and symptoms of depression (AOR: 7.152, 95% CI: 4.786–17.965) were significantly associated with physical inactivity.ConclusionPhysical inactivity was relatively high among older adults in Gondar town. Being female, older age, having low levels of education, being unemployed, and having depression symptoms were associated with physical inactivity. We suggest promoting the health benefits of physical activity among females by reducing their burden, older age groups, and unemployed older adults, and avoiding depression among individuals.

Promoting physical activity for health benefits via a 10-week mobile-application-based personal training programme

ABSTRACT Mobile-application-based interventions promoting engagement in regular physical activity have been shown to afford weight loss, although the wider health benefits remain unknown. This exploratory intervention study quantified the effects of a 10-week mobile-application-based personal training programme combined with nutritional education content, considering physical and psychosocial health-related outcomes. Eleven healthy individuals completed the intervention, comprising physical activity prescription (resistance and high-intensity interval training), nutritional education, a daily step target and online personal trainer support. Outcomes included anthropometrics, circumferential measurements, resting heart rate, blood pressure, aerobic capacity, self-rated health, physical activity enjoyment scale, and the Pittsburgh sleep quality index. Significant improvements in body mass, circumferential measurements and aerobic capacity (p < 0.05) were observed amongst participants. Mobile-application-based interventions promoting physical activity may elicit improvements in physical health outcomes. Although healthy individuals were recruited for the purpose of this study, further research is now warranted to explore the potential health-related benefits of such mobile-applications amongst targeted groups such as disengaged, inactive populations, or individuals with long-term health conditions.

A qualitative study of physical activity drivers in autistic individuals using COM-B. Autistic and non-autistic perspectives

BackgroundDespite evidence of the health benefits of physical activity in non-autistic populations and the additional benefits for autistic populations, physical activity levels remain stubbornly low in autistic individuals. Understanding the determinants of physical activity is essential in order to support intervention development. MethodsThe current research applied the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) and Capability Opportunity Motivation, Behaviour (COM-B) model of behaviour to identify determinants of physical activity behaviour, mechanisms of action, and potentially efficacious behaviour change techniques. Fifteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with autistic adults (N = 4) and children (N = 2), parents of autistic children (N = 4), and stakeholders in autism care and support (N = 5). A deductive approach was taken to map themes onto TDF and COM-B. ResultsParticipants identified three overarching themes: Discordance between autistic and non-autistic perspectives; physically active environments; and autonomy and choice. Eight subthemes were identified and mapped onto COM-B and TDF. Recommendations for intervention development are made and potential behaviour change techniques are identified. ConclusionsGiven the important role of care providers, future research should focus on the attitudes and behaviours of individuals who care for and support autistic individuals to identify barriers and drivers of physical activity promotion, particularly for individuals with high support needs. An argument is made for co-design in future intervention development.

Priority populations’ experiences of the accessibility and inclusion of recreation centres: a qualitative study

BackgroundAlthough the health benefits of physical activity are well documented, certain priority populations are often disproportionately insufficiently active and at higher risk of poor health. Recreation centres have the potential to provide accessible and supportive environments for physical activity for all. However, little is known about priority populations’ experiences of these venues and their views of how accessibility and inclusion can be optimised. This study aimed to gain in-depth insights of recreation centre experiences and potential strategies for improving inclusion and accessibility amongst priority populations (women, older adults, ethnic minorities, persons living with disabilities/additional needs, individuals identifying as LGBTQIA+, low socio-economic position).MethodsThis qualitative study (2021–2022) involved 18 semi-structured individual interviews with adult priority population users of recreation centres (50% 65 + years, 61.2% female) in one Melbourne municipality. Participants were asked to discuss their positive and negative experiences at the centres and to identify strategies for enhancing accessibility and inclusion. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Content analysis was performed for data analysis.ResultsWhile many participants had positive views of the facilities and programs at the centres, as they met their needs, they also had suggestions for improving accessibility and inclusion. Similarly, most participants were happy with the communications, felt included, and perceived the culture positively. Those who did not feel included at the centres offered many potential strategies for changing the culture, modifying communications (e.g., signage), and establishing partnerships for better access and inclusion.ConclusionsThe present study adds to essential knowledge concerning priority populations’ experiences of recreation centres. For recreation facilities that were generally perceived as having positive inclusion and accessibility, the findings nonetheless highlighted suggestions for further enhancement. These strategies may be useful more broadly for improving accessibility and inclusion, thereby promoting physical activity and ultimately health for all.

The Acti-Pair program helps men with prostate cancer increase physical activity with peer support: a mixed method pilot study.

Although the health benefits of physical activity (PA) are recognized, prostate cancer patients do not follow PA recommendations. Barriers to PA, whether physical, environmental or organizational, are known. Furthermore, even when these barriers are overcome, this achievement is not systematically accompanied by lifestyle change. Many strategies have shown to be effective in increasing patient adherence to PA. This study aims to assess the feasibility and the viability of the Acti-Pair program which combines three strategies: peer support, a personalized and realistic PA project, and support from health and adapted physical activity professionals in a local context. We conducted a pilot study utilizing a mixed qualitative and quantitative methodology, employing feasibility and viability assessments. Quantitative assessments included recruitment, retention adherence rates, process and potential effectiveness (PA and motivation) indicators; while qualitative methods were used to evaluate the program's practicality, suitability and usefulness. Indicators of potential effectiveness were assessed before and after the intervention using a Wilcoxon test for matched data. Qualitative data were collected through semistructured interviews conducted by two researchers with various program stakeholders. The study lasted for 3 years. Twenty-four patients were recruited over a 25-month period. Forty-two percent of patients completed the program 3 months after the beginning. We recruited 14 peers and trained nine peers over a 10-month period. The program was coordinated extensively by adapted PA professionals, while health professionals were involved in recruiting patients and peers. Self-reporting of moderate to vigorous PA was increased after the Acti-Pair program initiation [42.86 (30.76) at baseline to 53.29 (50.73)]. Intrinsic motivation significantly increased after participation in the Acti-Pair program [1.76 (1.32) before the intervention vs. 2.91 (1.13) after the intervention]. The key player to support the Acti-Pair program in the field has been the PA support system. The main challenge has been the difficulty of health professionals in promoting PA. This pilot study has shown that the Acti-Pair program is feasible and viable. It will allow us to extend the peer support intervention to other contexts and assess the effectiveness of this intervention and its generalization.

Mindful Eco-Wellness: Steps Toward Personal and Planetary Health.

Rising greenhouse gas levels heat the earth's surface and alter climate patterns, posing unprecedented threats to planetary ecology and human health. At the same time, obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease have reached epidemic proportions across the globe, caused in part by decreases in physical activity and by over-consumption of carbon-intensive foods. Thus, interventions that support active transportation (walking or cycling rather than driving) and healthier food choices (eating plant-based rather than meat-based diets) would yield health and sustainability "co-benefits." Emerging research suggests that mindfulness-based practices might be effective means toward these ends. At the University of Wisconsin-Madison, we have developed a mindfulness-based group program, Mindful Eco-Wellness: Steps Toward Healthier Living. Loosely based on the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction course, our curriculum teaches mindfulness practices in tandem with sustainability principles, following weekly themes of Air, Water, Food, Energy, Transportation, Consumption, Nature Experience, and Ethics. For example, the "Air" class offers participants practice in guided breath meditations while they learn about the benefits of clean air. The theme of "Food" is presented through mindful eating, accompanied by educational videos highlighting the consequences of food production and consumption. "Transportation" includes walking/movement meditations and highlights the health benefits of physical activity and detriments of fossil-fueled transportation. Pedagogical lessons on energy, ecological sustainability, and the ethics of planetary health are intertwined with mindful nature experience and metta (loving-kindness) meditation. Curricular materials, including teaching videos, are freely available online. Pilot testing in community settings (n = 30) and in group medical visits (n = 34) has demonstrated feasibility; pilot data suggests potential effectiveness. Rigorous evaluation and testing are needed.

Cultural, Linguistic, and Geographical Diversity of Participants in Australian Physical Activity Research Studies: A Systematic Review.

The Australian population is highly diverse in terms of cultural heritage, languages spoken, and geographical dispersion. Health outcomes are often worse among these culturally, linguistically, and geographically diverse populations, and this is reflected in rates of physical activity participation, with people from these groups often engaging in insufficient physical activity for health benefits. This research aimed to investigate if physical activity intervention studies conducted in Australia were (1) designed to recruit culturally, linguistically, and geographically diverse participantsand (2) recruiting culturally, linguistically, and geographically diverse participants. We conducted a systematic review of physical activity intervention studies conducted in adults in Australia between 2015 and November 2022. Information relevant to inclusivity in study recruitment methods and diversity of recruited participants was extracted. We identified and extracted data from 371 studies, of which 98 were protocol papers for which no follow-up data was available. Only 26 studies (7%) included methods to recruit culturally or linguistically diverse participants. Most studies (189, 51%) recruited participants from major city locations, with few studies recruiting from more remote locations. No studies included recruitment from very remote regions. Information on cultural, linguistic, or geographic diversity of participants recruited to physical activity studies was provided by 109 studies (40% of studies including results) with the majority recruiting White, English-speakers from major cities. Few Australian physical activity studies are designed to recruit culturally, linguistically, and geographically diverse participants. Due to limited reporting of the diversity of participants, comparisons with population-representative data are unreliable.

A08: Effects of Participation in Sports Clubs Activity on College Students’ Perceived Stress and Well-Being

Purpose: Mandated social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19 pandemic has brought more anxiety and stress to college students. The primary purpose of this study was to examine whether college students' participation in sports club activities can reduce anxiety and stress. The secondary purpose was to compare the effects of different types of sport clubs. Methods: The sample consisted of 242 college students (143 males; mean age=22.63 years old) in an academically prestigious university. They were voluntarily enrolled in either team sports clubs, such as volleyball, football, baseball, and softball, etc. (n=96), or individual sports clubs, such as squash, cycling, mountaineering, etc. (n=146). They responded to validated scales to assess perceived stress (Sheldon Cohen, 1983) and well-being (Diener &amp; Biswas-Diener, 2009). Self-compiled questionnaires on motivation to join sports clubs and basic information on club organization activities were collected. All surveys were conducted in October 2021. Results: A considerable proportion of students (34.7%) participated in sports clubs to reduce academic pressure. Most of them (72.26%) have already recognized the physical and mental health benefits of physical activity. Significant decreases were observed for perceived stress in both groups: team sports group (ΔM = -0.76, p &lt; 0.01), and individual sports group (ΔM= -0.77, p &lt; 0.01). A significant increase in well-being was observed in two types of courses led by the team sports group (ΔM=1.55, p &lt; 0.01) followed by the individual sports group (ΔM=1.34, p &lt; 0.01). Individual sports clubs have a more pronounced effect on reducing negative emotions than team sports clubs (ΔM = -2.01, p &lt; 0.05). Conclusion: Participation in both team sports clubs and individual sports clubs reduced perceived stress and increased well-being. Individual sports clubs had more decreases in negative emotions compared to team sports clubs.

Comparative effectiveness of interventions on promoting physical activity in older adults: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Despite the well-established health benefits of physical activity, a large population of older adults still maintain sedentary life style or physical inactivity. This network meta-analysis (NMA) aimed to compare the effectiveness of wearable activity tracker-based intervention (WAT), electronic and mobile health intervention (E&MH), structured exercise program intervention (SEP), financial incentive intervention (FI) on promoting physical activity and reducing sedentary time in older adults. The systematic review based on PRISMA guidelines, a systematic literature search of PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, EMbase, Cochrane Library, Scopus were searched from inception to December 10th 2022. The randomized controlled trials (RCT) were included. Two reviewers independently conducted study selection, data extraction, risk of bias and certainty of evidence assessment. The effect measures were standard mean differences (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) in daily steps, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary time. A total of 69 studies with 14,120 participants were included in the NMA. Among these included studies, the results of daily steps, MVPA and sedentary time was reported by 55, 25 and 15 studies, respectively. The NMA consistency model analysis suggested that the following interventions had the highest probability (surface under the cumulative ranking, SUCRA) of being the best when compared with control: FI + WAT for daily steps (SUCRA = 96.6%; SMD = 1.32, 95% CI:0.77, 1.86), WAT + E&MH + SEP for MVPA (SUCRA = 91.2%; SMD = 0.94, 95% CI: 0.36, 1.52) and WAT + E&MH + SEP for sedentary time (SUCRA = 80.3%; SMD = -0.50, 95% CI: -0.87, -0.14). The quality of the evidences of daily steps, MVPA and sedentary time was evaluated by very low, very low and low, respectively. In this NMA, there's low quality evidence that financial incentive combined with wearable activity tracker is the most effective intervention for increasing daily steps of older adults, wearable activity tracker combined with electronic and mobile health and structured exercise program is the most effective intervention to help older adults to increase MVPA and reduce sedentary time.

The Importance of Type 2 Diabetes and Physical Activity Research Beyond The Covid-19-Pandemia: A Letter to The Editor

Diabetes and diabetes-related diseases or health problems are global issues, and they cause human distress and great expenditures in a society. Therefore, diabetes and physical activity research is remarkable from a viewpoint of individual and public health especially during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. In a Corona-changing world it is important to prioritize physical activity in health promotion and strengthen scientific research to highlight the significance and the health benefits of physical activity for improving the management of diabetes (especially type 2), as well as to prevent the increase in global burden of diabetes, other non-communicable diseases and COVID-19. The new research findings could contribute solid scientific-based evidence to the international guidelines on physical activity in preventing and managing type 2 diabetes, and decreasing the diabetes-related risk of morbidity and mortality. Therefore, type 2 diabetes and physical activity research is timely and relevant, focusing on one of the leading health problems that our time is currently facing. Finally, in order to be successful, to change and save lives, the diabetes research requires more funding.

Requirements for Universally Accessible Upper-Body Exercise Equipment: The Case of People with Spinal Cord Injuries in Korea.

People with disabilities face considerable obstacles when exercising, which precludes them from the social and health benefits of physical activity. Especially for individuals with paraplegia with spinal cord injuries, it is necessary to maintain continuous participation in physical activity even after discharge, as it helps to maintain mobility and daily living activities through upper body strength. However, the participation rate of people with disabilities in physical activity in Korea is still low, mainly due to the lack of exercise equipment and facilities. The aim of this study is to identify aspects that can be improved for better accessibility to exercise equipment for individuals with paraplegia with spinal cord injuries and to reach a consensus on possible guidelines for accessible exercise equipment. This study reviews and evaluated the usability of four existing upper-body exercise equipment for individuals with paraplegia with spinal cord injuries. To assess usability, task performance scores and time were measured, and a survey was conducted on safety and satisfaction. Based on these results, areas for improvement were identified. Through literature review, usability results, and opinions from various stakeholders, eight requirements for universal accessibility were proposed. It is necessary to consider how wheelchair users access the exercise equipment. The access method to the exercise area (facility regulations, auxiliary equipment to be provided, etc.) and placement of exercise equipment should also be considered. Information such as explanations of the exercise equipment and how to use it should be located within the wheelchair user's field of vision. Considering the participation rate in sports for people with disabilities in Korea, it is necessary to explain the exact exercise equipment and exercise method. It is also necessary to consider how wheelchair users transfer from the wheelchair to the seat of the exercise equipment. Parts that require manipulation of each exercise equipment must be within the wheelchair user's range of motion. Various supports or assistive devices that provide body support according to each piece of equipment are needed. In addition to the wheelchair's own brake, it is necessary to provide a fixing device so that the wheelchair does not move during the exercise. For people with spinal cord injuries, the arm ergometer, aerobic exercise equipment, showed higher scores in performance, stability, and satisfaction compared to other exercise equipment. Among the strength exercise equipment, shoulder press had an effect on performance, seated lat pull-down had an effect on stability, and seated chest press had an effect on satisfaction. Therefore, when selecting exercise equipment, it is necessary to recommend aerobic and strength exercise equipment according to the preferences of people with spinal cord injuries. When developing strength exercise equipment, it is necessary to consider usability evaluation factors for individuals with spinal cord injury.