High Amounts Of Physical Activity Research Articles

Association Between Knowledge and Practice in the Field of Physical Activity and Health: A Population-Based Study.

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the association between knowledge about physical activity (PA) recommendations (in terms of duration and frequency) and physical activity practice in a population-based sample of adults and adolescents. Cross-sectional survey, conducted in Pelotas, Brazil. Participants (10+ years) were included in the sample and reported their perception about the minimum number of days and duration of PA to achieve health benefits. Those who reported PA practice ≥ 150 min/wk (adults) and ≥ 300 min/wk (adolescents) were considered active. The sample included 1696 adults and 399 adolescents. More than one-third (38.6%) of the adult population reported that < 150 minutes of PA per week would be sufficient to obtain health benefits. Moreover, 76.1% of the adolescents reported that < 300 minutes per week were sufficient to obtain health benefits. Among adolescents, those who were active tended to report that higher amounts of PA were needed to obtain health benefits. Despite global recognition of the role of PA for improving health, knowledge about the minimum frequency and duration for achieving health benefits is still low in Brazil, particularly among adolescents.

SPORTS, EXERCISE, AND LENGTH OF STAY IN HOSPITALS: IS THERE A DIFFERENTIAL EFFECT FOR THE CHRONICALLY ILL PEOPLE?

This paper examines the effects of sports and exercise on hospital stays for males and females by various chronic conditions using a panel dataset from Canada. The results suggest that moderately active and active individuals have shorter hospital stays than inactive individuals. On average, individuals with moderate to higher amount of physical activity stay 36% to 39% less than inactive individuals. Physical activity has consistent impact on hospital stays for the entire population as well as subgroup of people with or without chronic conditions. However, its effect is substantially larger for people with chronic conditions, especially for those who have diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. The paper also suggests that additional exercise once moderate level of exercise is achieved does not generate substantially large benefits in the form of shorter hospital stays. Hence, it provides additional evidence to support the recent physical activity guidelines for adults that highlight health benefits of moderate amount of regular physical activity. (JEL I1)

“Obese Equals Lazy?” Analysis of the Association between Weight Status and Physical Activity in Children

Introduction. Literature provides evidence that overweight children are more sedentary. To verify this generalized statement behavior patterns of overweight and nonoverweight children needs to be understood. Therefore, we investigated the distribution of sedentary and activity levels in a quantitative and qualitative way. Methods. Data was collected from 37 randomly selected nonoverweight and 55 overweight children. They were 8 to 11 years of age. Height and weight were measured and weight status was characterized by BMI (BMI-percentile, BMI-SDS). Daily PA (physical activity) was measured by direct accelerometry. Spare time and screen time entertainment were obtained by questionnaires. Results. The amount of time spent “passive” was significantly higher in overweight children, while nonoverweight children were more “active.” The multiple regression model shows a significant association between weight status (BMI-SDS) and activity parameters. Additionally, screen time entertainment was significantly related to BMI-SDS. Conclusion. The results support the statement that overweight children are less active than nonoverweight children. The high amount of PA seems to be an important factor to prevent overweight in children given that PA shows the highest correlation to weight status. Quantitative and qualitative measurements are needed for further analysis.

Widening the perspectives of fracture prevention in osteoporosis by identifying subgroups based upon psychological aspects and health behaviour

The potential importance of psychological aspects in relation to risk factors for fractures and preventing unhealth behaviour has rarely been investigated in the field of osteoporosis. This study explores some psychological aspects and health behaviour of people detected to have osteoporosis at the time of a forearm fracture. Moreover, it aims at revealing subgroups within this population with clinical relevance for managing secondary prevention actions. Data collection was based on questionnaires and physical tests. Eighty-five individual were analysed. The results confirm earlier research on a similar population having relatively good self-reported health behaviour. The individuals reported high quality of life, high amount of physical activity and low alcohol intake. A majority reported good osteoporosis knowledge, a high sense of coherence (mean = 74) and high activity-specific balance confidence (mean = 81). Furthermore, hierarchical cluster analysis indicated a typology of two subgroups where 75% matched a health-resilient group while 25% matched a health-vulnerable group. The vulnerable group had a significantly lower sense of coherence SOC (p = 0.02) and activity-specific balance confidence, ABC (p = 0.001). This pattern was confirmed from behavioural aspects but only regarding one traditional risk factor namely the history of fractures. The health-vulnerable group achieved a significantly weaker physical profile, less reported time spent outdoors and lower quality of life. The differences found between the subgroups indicate that this typology, as a complement to models based upon relative risk like FRAX, can be relevant for widening perspectives in future research and clinical practice of fracture prevention in osteoporosis.

Epidemiologische Evidenz zur Prävention des Prostatakarzinoms durch körperliche Aktivität

Earlier reviews yielded contradictory results for reducing the risk of prostate cancer by physical activity. 32 Cohort studies and 17 case control studies taking the ones up to 2001 and the ones up to 2010 together. Additionally, subgroups from studies analyzing aggressive carcinomas and those after the age of 65 were presented separately. In the mean, no risk reduction was found in earlier and in studies from the last 8 years with mostly imprecisely measured activity. In 7 studies with subgroups on aggressive forms a positive dose response relationship was documented, being significant in 3 studies. The subgroup over 65 years with high amount of physical activity yielded a significant effect in 3 studies. Physical activity in leisure and in work fails to be protective but substantial evidence exists for an effective prevention by intensive physical activity.

Associations of Physical Activity with Driving-Related Cognitive Abilities in Older Drivers: An Exploratory Study

The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between hysical activity and driving-related cognitive abilities of older drivers. Thirty-eight female and male drivers ages 61 to 81 years (M = 70.2, SD = 5.0) responded to the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and were assessed on a battery of neuropsychological tests, which included measures of visual attention, executive functioning, mental status, visuospatial ability, and memory. A higher amount of reported physical activity was significantly correlated with better scores on tests of visual processing speed and divided visual attention. Higher amounts of physical activity was significantly associated with a better composite score for visual attention, but its correlation with the composite score for executive functioning was not significant. These findings support the hypothesis that pzhysical activity is associated with preservation of specific driving-related cognitive abilities of older adults.

Physical Activity and Influenza-Coded Outpatient Visits, a Population-Based Cohort Study

BackgroundAlthough the benefits of physical activity in preventing chronic medical conditions are well established, its impacts on infectious diseases, and seasonal influenza in particular, are less clearly defined. We examined the association between physical activity and influenza-coded outpatient visits, as a proxy for influenza infection.Methodology/Principal FindingsWe conducted a cohort study of Ontario respondents to Statistics Canada’s population health surveys over 12 influenza seasons. We assessed physical activity levels through survey responses, and influenza-coded physician office and emergency department visits through physician billing claims. We used logistic regression to estimate the risk of influenza-coded outpatient visits during influenza seasons. The cohort comprised 114,364 survey respondents who contributed 357,466 person-influenza seasons of observation. Compared to inactive individuals, moderately active (OR 0.83; 95% CI 0.74–0.94) and active (OR 0.87; 95% CI 0.77–0.98) individuals were less likely to experience an influenza-coded visit. Stratifying by age, the protective effect of physical activity remained significant for individuals <65 years (active OR 0.86; 95% CI 0.75–0.98, moderately active: OR 0.85; 95% CI 0.74–0.97) but not for individuals ≥65 years. The main limitations of this study were the use of influenza-coded outpatient visits rather than laboratory-confirmed influenza as the outcome measure, the reliance on self-report for assessing physical activity and various covariates, and the observational study design.Conclusion/SignificanceModerate to high amounts of physical activity may be associated with reduced risk of influenza for individuals <65 years. Future research should use laboratory-confirmed influenza outcomes to confirm the association between physical activity and influenza.

The effects of high physical activity on pharmacokinetic drug interactions

Introduction: With the development of new drugs, it is common practice for drug manufacturers to measure their pharmacokinetic parameters. This testing involves the discovery of the absorption, distribution, metabolic, excretory and toxicological properties of drugs. The testing is usually done in non-stressful conditions at rest, however, this does not necessarily tell the entire picture as there is increasing knowledge about the effects that high levels of physical activity can have on the pharmacokinetics of some medications.Areas covered: This review discusses the alterations that physical activity can have on the absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination parameters of commonly used medications, and clinical outcomes data are reported when known, demonstrating that an interaction exists between exercise and certain medications. This drug–exercise pharmacokinetic interaction alters the performance of medications especially under conditions where exercise is performed for a long period of time. Particular medications that may be affected are those with a narrow therapeutic dosing range, such as digoxin, theophylline and warfarin. Other important medications include insulin and those administered via a transdermal patch drug delivery system. For this review, a literature search was performed between 1966 and 2010.Expert opinion: Patients and healthcare providers should be aware that exercise can adversely affect the way some medications are intended to work. Patients taking certain medications should be closely monitored when performing high amounts of physical activity.

Effect of Physical Activity on the Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome and Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Apparently Healthy Adults

Metabolic syndrome and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) carry high cardiovascular risks. We performed a cross-sectional study to evaluate the effect of different amounts of physical activity (PA) on the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and LVH in our study population. This study was a cross-sectional survey of 1494 apparently healthy subjects: 776 men with a mean age of 57.6 + 12.3 years, and 718 women with a mean age of 56.4+ 11.0 years. The metabolic syndrome was defined according to modified criteria of the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III. LVH was diagnosed by electrocardiography voltage criteria. The amount of PA was determined with a questionnaire and stratified into low, moderate or high levels. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its components was as follows: metabolic syndrome, 15.5%; obesity, 29.7%; high triglyceride level, 21.7%; low high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol level, 35.9%; high blood pressure, 56.9%; and impaired fasting glucose, 13.1%. A high amount of PA (> 14 km per week walking distance) was significantly associated with lower prevalence of metabolic syndrome [odds ratio (OR) = 0.53, p = 0.001], lower prevalence of obesity (OR = 0.56, p = 0.001), triglyceridemia (OR = 0.58, p = 0.007) and LVH (OR=0.37, p = 0.006). This study suggests that high amounts of PA are inversely correlated with the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and LVH in men and women.

Objectively measured daily physical activity related to cardiac size in young children

Training studies in children have suggested that endurance training can give enlargement of cardiac dimensions. This relationship has not been studied on a population-based level in young children with objective methods. A cross-sectional study was made of 248 children (140 boys and 108 girls), aged 8-11 years, from a population-based cohort. Left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVDD) and left atrial end-systolic diameter (LA) were measured with echocardiography and indexed for body surface area (BSA). Physical activity was assessed by accelerometry, and the duration of vigorous physical activity per day (VPA) was calculated. Acceptable accelerometer and echocardiography measurements were obtained in 228 children (boys=127, girls=101). Univariate correlations between VPA and LVDD were indexed for BSA in boys (r=0.27, P<0.05) and in girls (r=0.10, NS). Multiple regression analysis showed that independent factors for LVDD, indexed for BSA for boys, were age and VPA. LA indexed for BSA was not related to physical activity variables in either gender. No clear relationship exists between cardiac size and daily physical activity in children aged 8-11 years. This suggests that significant cardiac remodelling due to volume exposure secondary to a high amount of physical activity begins later in life.

Adherence to a randomized controlled trial of aerobic exercise in breast cancer survivors: the Yale exercise and survivorship study

To examine predictors of exercise adherence in breast cancer survivors. Seventy-five breast cancer survivors were randomly assigned to exercise (n = 37) or usual care (n = 38). Demographic, prognostic, physiologic, and psychosocial information was collected at baseline and 6 months. The exercise goal was 30 min of exercise 5 days/week for 6 months. Women randomized to exercise participated in moderate-intensity recreational exercise for 123 +/- 52 min/week (81% of the prescribed 150 min/week) over 6 months. Baseline variables associated with better adherence were lower body mass index (BMI), smaller waist circumference, higher amounts of physical activity 6 months prior to enrollment, being in the preparation vs. contemplation Stage of Change and higher FACT-B breast cancer subscale score. After adjusting for these variables, lower BMI and higher Stage of Change continued to be associated with better adherence (p < 0.05). Future studies of exercise and breast cancer prognosis should target obese women for participation, as well as women just beginning to contemplate participation and its benefits after a cancer diagnosis.

Higher Levels of Physical Activity Are Associated With a Lower Risk of Abnormal Glucose Tolerance in Renal Transplant Recipients

We investigated and compared diets and physical activity levels of renal transplant recipients (RTRs) with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) and abnormal glucose tolerance (AGT), and we identified clinical risk factors for AGT. This study was cross-sectional and observational. This study took place in a hospital's renal outpatient department. Patients included adult RTRs with NGT and AGT. All patients were assessed regarding age, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist/hip ratio (WHR), percent body fat (measured using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry), dietary intake (3-day diet diary), and physical activity (PA) levels (total minutes/week, using the Physical Activity Statewide Questionnaire). The RTRs with AGT (n = 47) were significantly more obese (P = .04) and more centrally obese (P = .05) than RTRs with NGT (n = 35). The mean self-reported dietary macronutrient and energy intake was not significantly different between groups. However, the total amount of PA (median) was significantly lower in RTRs with AGT versus RTRs with NGT (255 [median, range 0 to 1940] versus 580 [median, 75 to 1095] minutes/week, respectively, P = .03), particularly in female RTRs (P = .007). After logistic regression analysis, total PA was identified as an independent predictor of AGT in all RTRs (beta = 0.940, R(2) = 0.090, P = .04). Percent body fat according to dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry was inversely associated with a high level of PA (>300 minutes/week) (beta = 0.906, R(2) = 0.211, P = .003). A higher amount of PA is associated with a lower risk of AGT in RTRs (particularly in females). An emphasis on increasing PA should be encouraged for all RTRs.

A Prospective Study of Age-Specific Physical Activity and Premenopausal Breast Cancer

Physical activity has been consistently associated with lower risk of postmenopausal breast cancer, but its relationship with premenopausal breast cancer is unclear. We investigated whether physical activity is associated with reduced incidence of premenopausal breast cancer, and, if so, what age period and intensity of activity are critical. A total of 64,777 premenopausal women in the Nurses' Health Study II reported, starting on the 1997 questionnaire, their leisure-time physical activity from age 12 to current age. Cox regression models were used to examine the relationship between physical activity, categorized by age period (adolescence, adulthood, and lifetime) and intensity (strenuous, moderate, walking, and total), and risk of invasive premenopausal breast cancer. During 6 years of follow-up, 550 premenopausal women developed breast cancer. The strongest associations were for total leisure-time activity during participants' lifetimes rather than for any one intensity or age period. Active women engaging in 39 or more metabolic equivalent hours per week (MET-h/wk) of total activity on average during their lifetime had a 23% lower risk of premenopausal breast cancer (relative risk = 0.77; 95% confidence interval = 0.64 to 0.93) than women reporting less activity. This level of total activity is equivalent to 3.25 h/wk of running or 13 h/wk of walking. The age-adjusted incidence rates of breast cancer for the highest (> or = 54 MET-h/wk) and lowest (< 21 MET-h/wk) total lifetime physical activity categories were 136 and 194 per 100 000 person-years, respectively. High levels of physical activity during ages 12-22 years contributed most strongly to the association. Leisure-time physical activity was associated with a reduced risk for premenopausal breast cancer in this cohort. Premenopausal women regularly engaging in high amounts of physical activity during both adolescence and adulthood may derive the most benefit.

Vigorous physical activity and cytokines in adolescents

Habitual physical activity and chronic exercise may positively influence circulating cytokines in youth as in adults. The purpose of this study was to determine if adolescents reporting higher amounts of physical activity had a better cytokine profile independent of weight status. We compared the concentrations of cytokines in highly active (n = 60) and less active adolescents (n = 60) of different weight status [normal weight (BMI < 75th percentile), and overweight (BMI > 95th percentile)]. Vigorous physical activity (VPA) was obtained through a questionnaire and included activities with a MET level of > or =6. Adiponectin, resistin, TNF-alpha and IL-6 were measured in fasting plasma samples. Anovas indicated that girls with high VPA had higher adiponectin than girls with low VPA (P < 0.05), but similar resistin, TNF-alpha and IL-6 concentrations (P > 0.05). Boys with high VPA had only a trend to lower resistin than those with low VPA (P = 0.052). Differences between VPA groups were independent of weight status. In adolescents, higher amounts of accumulated habitual VPA may improve some cytokines, reducing the risk of inflammation associated with increased adiposity and insulin resistance. The effect of physical activity appears to be independent of weight status.

Childhood Obesity Among Punjabi Children in Relation to Physical Activity and Their Blood Profile

The prevalence of childhood obesity has been increasing during the last three decades and child obesity accounts for nearly 30 percent of all adult obesity. Obesity occurs when a positive balance develops between the energy intake and expenditure. Obese children spend less time in physical activity more time in sedentary activities and rest. Higher amounts of physical activity have the potential to protect against obesity through the maintenance of energy balance and thus prevention of accumulation of excess adipose tissue. Obesity is greater among children and adolescents who frequently watched television not only because little energy was expended while viewing TV but also because of concurrent consumption of high calorie snacks. There is a strong relation of obesity to higher BP and fasting insulin and lipid concentrations in children and young adults. Childhood obesity has emerged only recently in India unlike in the West where it existed for a long time. Obesity in children as young as two years onwards have been reported from the Indian population. Since there is increase in the trend of childhood obesity the present study was undertaken to assess childhood obesity among Punjabi children in relation to physical activity and their blood profile. (excerpt)

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, DIET AND ADIPOSITY IN BLACK AND WHITE TEEN-AGERS

PURPOSE To determine the relations of physical activity (PA) and diet to percent body fat (%BF) in black (n = 141) and white (n = 140) youths, 14–18 y of age. METHODS %BF was measured with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Free living moderate-vigorous PA (MVPA) and diet were assessed with 6.1 (±1.4) independent 24-h recalls over a 12-week period. RESULTS The girls (n = 173, 29.8%BF) were higher (p < .001) than the boys (n = 108, 17.3%BF) in adiposity; the race effect and the race × sex interaction were not significant. Multiple regression showed that lower %BF was associated with more MVPA (p = .002 partial r = −.18) and greater energy intake (p = .05, partial r = −.12). Similar results were obtained when fat intake was used in place of energy intake. None of the 2-way interactions among race, sex, MVPA and energy intake were significant. Sex-specific correlations between MVPA and %BF were r = −.27 (p = .005) for the boys and r = −.22 (p = .004) for the girls. The correlation of energy intake with %BF was r = −.03 (n.s.) for the boys and r = −.21 (p = .006) for the girls. CONCLUSION Lower degrees of adiposity were associated with a higher energy throughput, as indicated by higher amounts of PA and energy intake; the association of higher energy intake with lower %BF was clearer in girls than in boys. Supported by NIH (HL64157).