Higher Vigorous Physical Activity Research Articles

High physical activity relates to higher risk of incident carotid plaque components

Abstract Background The rupture of carotid atherosclerotic plaque, primarily driven by plaque components, is among the leading causes of ischemic stroke. Although physical activity (PA) stands as a major modifiable target for prevention of atherosclerotic diseases, recent studies suggested a potential adverse impact of high-volume PA on atherosclerotic plaque burden in athletes. Data remains scarce from the community-dwelling population regarding to the impact of PA on the longitudinal change of carotid plaque components. Objectives To assess the association between PA and the incidence of carotid plaque components and explore whether the association of PA with stroke and all-cause mortality differs by the presence of plaque components. Methods Between 2007 and 2012, in a community- dwelling cohort in Netherlands, 1327 stroke-free persons (mean ± standard deviation age 72 ± 9 years, 45% women) with carotid atherosclerosis (carotid intima-media thickness > 2.5 mm) were invited for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to assess carotid plaque components. From these, 696 persons (1267 carotid arteries) underwent a follow-up MRI between 2014 and 2017 (median between-scan interval 6 years). Carotid plaque components included calcification, intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH), and lipid-rich necrotic core (LRNC). The volume of moderate, vigorous and total PA (unit: metabolic equivalent task hour, MET-h) was assessed using LASA Physical Activity Questionnaires around the time of the first MRI scan. Participants were followed for the occurrence of stroke or all-cause mortality until December 31, 2019. Generalized estimation equation and Cox regression models were used in the analyses, with adjustments for plaque size and other cardiovascular risk factors. Results Compared to lowest quintile PA group, participants in the highest quintile total PA group had a higher risk of new onset of plaque components, odds ratio (95%CI) 2.69 (1.21; 5.94) for calcification, 1.35 (0.82; 2.24) for LRNC and 1.93 (1.12; 3.34) for IPH (Figure 1). Similar associations were observed for vigorous PA but not for moderate PA. Over a median follow-up of 9.5 years, 118 persons suffered a stroke and 298 died. As shown in table 1, baseline IPH, rather than LRNC or calcification, modulated the associations of PA with stroke and all-cause mortality (P-interaction <0.05): higher total PA was associated with a lower risk of stroke among IPH-free persons, with the hazard ratio (95% CI) of 0.929 (0.867; 0.996) per 10 MET-h/week increase; no associations between PA and stroke were found among those with IPH. Similar associations were found between vigorous PA and all-cause mortality. Conclusions Among the middle-aged and elderly with subclinical atherosclerosis, high level PA, especially high vigorous PA, may lead to an unstable carotid plaque. The beneficial effect of PA on stroke and all-cause mortality is only among persons with a stable carotid plaque profile, especially without IPH.

Longitudinal Associations Between Physical Activity and Sedentary Time and Cardiorespiratory and Muscular Fitness in Preschoolers.

Background/Objectives: The impact of physical activity (PA) and sedentary time (ST) during preschool years on the physical fitness (PF) levels of school-aged children remains unaddressed. This study aimed to investigate the associations of objectively measured vigorous physical activity (VPA), moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), total physical activity (TPA), and ST in the last year of preschool (age of 6-7 years; n = 77; 51% boys) with cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and muscular fitness (MF) in the first grade of school among Estonian children. Methods: We assessed PA (accelerometers), CRF (20 m shuttle run), and MF (z-score of relative upper- and lower-limb muscular strength). Results: In the unadjusted analysis, higher VPA, MVPA, and TPA in preschool were associated with a higher MF in school among boys, while a higher VPA in preschool was related to a higher CRF in school among girls. However, VPA, MVPA, TPA, and ST in preschool were unrelated to CRF and MF among boys and girls after adjustment for baseline age, accelerometer wear time, the corresponding PF item, and parent's education. In addition, a higher PF level in preschool was frequently related to a higher corresponding PF item in school among both genders. Conclusions: Moderate-to-vigorous and vigorous type of activities during final year of preschool, as well the amount of TPA that preschoolers are involved in, are not sufficient to affect their CRF and MF longitudinally. In addition, ST in preschool did not impact the CRF and MF of boys and girls in the first grade.

The Correlation Between Fear Avoidance Beliefs and Physical Activity in Unilateral Vestibulopathies.

In individuals with unilateral vestibulopathy (UVP), physical activity (PA) is recommended to stimulate central vestibular compensation. However, the presence of fear avoidance beliefs might negatively influence PA. The objectives of this study were to investigate the relationship between fear avoidance beliefs and PA and to compare PA levels between individuals with UVP in an acute/subacute vs chronic phase. In this cross-sectional study, PA was measured using a triaxial accelerometer. Fear avoidance beliefs were quantified using the Vestibular Activities Avoidance Instrument. The correlation between fear avoidance beliefs and PA was evaluated using regression analyses, with other potential influencing factors also considered. A total of 102 participants were included. The average age was 56.1 (SD 15.2) years, and 57.8% were male. Participants with chronic UVP presented with shorter sedentary time (4,591 vs 5129min/wk; P =0.004), longer standing time (1443 vs 1165min/wk; P =0.025), higher vigorous PA (187 vs 107min/wk; P =0.005), and higher total PA (773 vs 623min/wk; P =0.003) compared to participants with acute/subacute UVP. In participants with acute/subacute UVP, variability in total PA was explained up to 54.7% by fear avoidance beliefs, etiology of the UVP, and gender (R2=0.547, F4,45=13.6, P <0.001). In participants with chronic UVP, fear avoidance beliefs explained 4.1% of the variability in total PA (R2=0.041, F1,49=2.086, P =0.155). In acute/subacute UVP, assessing fear avoidance beliefs helps to understand physical inactivity. In chronic UVP, no significant association between fear avoidance beliefs and PA was observed. for more insights from the authors (see the video, Supplemental Digital Content, available at: http://links.lww.com/JNPT/A488).

Effect of vigorous-intensity physical activity on incident cognitive impairment in high-risk hypertension.

We investigated the effect vigorous physical activity (VPA) on the risk of incident mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and probable dementia among individuals with high-risk hypertension. Baseline self-reported frequency of VPA was categorized into low VPA (<1 session/week), and high VPA (≥1 session/week). We used multivariate Cox regression analysis to examine the association of VPA categories with incident MCI and probable dementia events. Participants in the high VPA category, compared with low VPA, experienced lower events rates (per 1000 person-years) of MCI (13.9vs 19.7), probable dementia (6.3vs 9.0), and MCI/probable dementia (18.5vs 25.8). In the multivariate Cox regression model, high VPA, compared with low VPA, was associated with lower risk of MCI, probable dementia, and MCI/probable dementia (HR [95% CI]: 0.81 [0.68-0.97], 0.80 [0.63-1.03], and 0.82 [0.70-0.96]), respectively. This study provides evidence that VPA may preserve cognitive function in high-risk patients with hypertension. Hypertension is associated with an increased risk of cognitive impairment Physical activity (PA) is associated with a lower risk of decline in cognition The effect of ≥1 sessions of vigorous-intensity PA (VPA) per week was assessed This analysis included SPRINT MIND trial participants with high-risk hypertension ≥1 VPA sessions/week was associated with lower risk of future cognitive impairment.

Accelerometer-Measured Physical Activity, Fitness and Indicators of Cardiometabolic Risk among Rural Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study at 15-Year Follow-up of the MINIMat Cohort.

Little is known about the relationship of physical activity (PA) and fitness with cardiometabolic risk among rural adolescents in low- and middle-income countries. Thus, we examined the associations of PA and fitness with selected cardiometabolic indicators along with potential gender-based differences in a birth cohort of rural adolescents from southeast Bangladesh. We utilized data from the 15-year follow-up of Maternal and Infant Nutrition Interventions in Matlab (MINIMat) cohort (n = 2253). Wrist-worn ActiGraph wGT3x-BT accelerometers were used to estimate sedentary time (ST) and PA. Fitness was assessed using: handgrip strength, standing long jump, and Chester Step Test. Anthropometric parameters, systolic blood pressure (SBP), and fasting lipid, insulin and glucose levels were measured. We calculated insulin resistance using the Homeostasis Model Assessment equation (HOMA-IR). Linear regression and isotemporal substitution models were fitted. The adolescents spent 64min/day (inter-quartile range: 50-81) in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). A 10-minute-per-day higher vigorous PA (VPA) was associated with: 4.9% (95% confidence interval (CI): 2.9-6.8%) lower waist circumference (WC), 3.2 mmHg (95% CI: 1.5-4.8) lower SBP, 10.4% (95% CI: 2.9-17.3%) lower TG, and 24.4% (95% CI: 11.3-34.9%) lower HOMA-IR. MVPA showed similar associations of notably smaller magnitude. Except for WC, the associations were more pronounced among the boys. Substituting ST with VPA of equal duration was associated with lower WC, SBP, triglyceride and HOMA-IR. Grip strength was favorably associated with all indicators, displaying considerably large effect sizes. Our findings indicated beneficial roles of PA- particularly VPA- and muscular fitness in shaping cardiometabolic profile in mid-adolescence. VPA and grip strength may represent potential targets for preventive strategies tailored to adolescents in resource-limited settings.

Associations between back pain incidence, and physical activity and sedentary behaviours: A prospective cohort study with data from over 365,000 participants.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the associations between (i) various types of physical activity and the risk of back pain incidence, and (ii) the influence of substituting sedentary behaviours with physical activities on back pain incidence. DESIGN: A prospective cohort study. METHODS: We analyzed UK Biobank data collected from 365,307 participants who were free of back pain at baseline. The exposures were total, light, moderate and vigorous physical activity, and sedentary behaviours. The outcome was back pain incidence. The main statistical models were the Cox proportional hazard model and the isotemporal substitution model. RESULTS: In the follow-up time (median, 12.97 years; inter-quartile range, 12.10-13.71), 25,189 individuals developed back pain. The associations between all types of physical activity and incident back pain were significantly non-linear (p < 0.001) among the general population and other subgroups. High physical activity was associated with a decreased risk of back pain compared with no physical activity. The lowest risk occurred in the 1801-2400 MET-min/week subgroup of total physical activity (HR 0.64, 95% CI 0.59-0.69), approximately consisting of 1200, 600, and 600 MET-min/week of light, moderate and vigorous physical activity, respectively. Extremely high vigorous physical activity was related to high risk, specifically in males (HR 1.13, 95% CI 1.02-1.25). Replacing 1 hour/day of sedentary behaviours with an equal time of physical activity reduced the risk of incident back pain by 2%-8% (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Physical activity was related to a reduced risk of back pain incidence (except over-high vigorous physical activity). Substituting sedentary behaviours with physical activities reduced the risk of future back pain.

Joint Associations of Diet and Device-Measured Physical Activity with Mortality and Incident CVD and Cancer: A Prospective Analysis of the UK Biobank Study.

We examined the joint associations of diet and device-measured intensity-specific physical activity (PA) with all-cause mortality (ACM), cardiovascular disease (CVD), and cancer incidence. We used data from 79,988 participants from the UK Biobank, a population-based prospective cohort study. Light PA (LPA), moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), vigorous PA (VPA), and total PA (TPA) were measured using a wrist-worn accelerometer. Diet quality score (DQS) was based on 10 foods and ranged from 0 (unhealthiest) to 100 (healthiest) points. We derived joint PA and diet variables. Outcomes were ACM, CVD, and cancer incidence including PA, diet and adiposity-related (PDAR) cancer. During a median follow-up of 8 years, 2,863 deaths occurred, 11,053 participants developed CVD, 7,005 developed cancer, and 3,400 developed PDAR cancer. Compared with the least favorable referent group (bottom PA tertile/low DQS), participants with middle and high (total and intensity specific) PA, except for LPA, had lower ACM risk and incident CVD risk, regardless of DQS. For example, among middle and high VPA and high DQS groups, CVD HR were 0.79 (95% CI, 0.74-0.86) and 0.75 (95% CI, 0.69-0.82), respectively. The pattern of cancer results was less pronounced but in agreement with the ACM and CVD incidence findings (e.g., HR, 0.90, 95% CI, 0.81-0.99; 0.88, 0.79-0.98; and 0.82, 0.74-0.92 among high VPA for low, moderate, and high DQS groups, respectively). Device-measured PA reveals novel joint associations with diet on health outcomes. Our results emphasize the crucial role of PA in addition to a healthy diet for reducing chronic diseases and mortality risk.

Abstract 15439: Association of Vigorous Physical Activity With Cardiovascular Disease and Mortality in 136,766 Adults From High-Income, Middle-Income and Low-Income Countries: The Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiological (PURE) Study

Background: It’s recommended adults get 150-300 minutes of moderate physical activity (MPA) and/or 75-150 minutes of vigorous physical activity (VPA) per week. Some studies have found high VPA to be protective and others found it to be harmful. These studies have been conducted in high-income countries using recreational VPA as the exposure of interest. Purpose: To evaluate the effects of VPA with all-cause mortality, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in countries at different economic levels. Methods: Participants aged 35-70 years were recruited from 21 countries at various stages of economic development. Physical activity (total, walking, MPA, VPA, as well as recreational vs. non-recreational PA) was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Primary clinical outcomes were the composite of mortality plus major CVD (CVD mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke, or heart failure) and mortality. A total of 136,766 participants without baseline CVD, cancer, and HIV were analyzed. Models were adjusted for age, sex, urban/rural residency, country income level, education, household wealth index, smoking, baseline chronic diseases, physical impairments, MPA, walking and centre as a random effect. Results: During the median follow-up of 11.5 (8.6-12.4) years, there were 9846 deaths and 7900 major CVD events. The median min/wk (IQR) for total PA, walking, MPA and VPA were 690 (250-1530), 40 (0-420), 330 (75-860), 0 (0-0). The mean VPA was 103±390 min/wk. Compared to no VPA, 150-299 minutes per week of VPA was associated with reduced risk for the composite outcome and mortality, HR = 0.82 (0.73,0.92) and 0.74 (0.64,0.86), respectively. When VPA was stratified into either recreational or non-recreational VPA, recreational VPA displayed a U-shape relationship, such that higher levels were associated with less benefit. Increasing non-recreational VPA continued to confer reduced risk even above 3000 min/wk. At any amount of moderate PA, higher VPA was associated with reduced risk for the composite outcome and mortality. Conclusion: Higher levels of VPA were associated with reduced risk for mortality and major CVD events up to more than 40 times the minimum recommended amount. At no point did VPA confer an increased risk.

Abstract 17225: Association Between Moderate and Vigorous Physical Activity on Long-Term Heart Failure Risk: The Cooper Center Longitudinal Study

Introduction: Regular physical activity (PA) is associated with a lower risk of heart failure (HF). However, the relative contributions of moderate and vigorous intensity exercise on HF risk is still unclear. We characterized the association between moderate (MPA) and vigorous physical activity (VPA) on the long-term risk for HF. Methods: We included participants free from baseline coronary disease in the Cooper Center Longitudinal Study (CCLS) who were Medicare eligible at age 65 years. PA was measured from a self-report instrument that included duration (minutes/week) and intensity of exercise (METs), with moderate intensity as 3-6 METs and vigorous intensity as 6 METs. Incident HF was defined as a HF hospitalization event (primary diagnosis) from Medicare claims files. MPA and VPA were considered separately as continuous variables. The association between baseline PA and incident HF was evaluated by Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for standard HF risk factors. Results: Of 32,322 individuals (mean age 50.9, 74.2% men), the mean number of hours/week of MPA and VPA was 1.2 and 1.4, respectively. 56.42% reported zero MPA and 42.6% reported zero VPA. Higher levels of VPA, but not MPA, were associated with a lower burden of HF risk factors. After 275,373 person-years of follow-up, we observed 954 incident HF hospitalizations. MPA was not significantly associated with HF risk in either model. VPA was inversely associated with HF risk in age-adjusted models. After multivariable adjustment, VPA was not associated with HF risk (see table). Conclusions: Midlife VPA, but not MPA, was associated with a lower risk for HF. However, after additional adjustment for traditional HF risk factors, the association between higher VPA and HF risk was no longer significant. These findings suggest that the inverse association between midlife VPA and long-term HF risk may be mediated by a more favorable risk factor profile.

Abstract P378.3: Vigorous Physical Activity And Incident Cognitive Impairment In Hypertension: Findings From The Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial - Memory And Cognition In Decreased Hypertension (sprint Mind) Study

Background: Hypertension has been linked with increased risk of cognitive impairment, but fewer studies have examined the association between physical activity (PA) and incident cognitive impairment in hypertension. Objective: To examine the association between vigorous PA (VPA) and incident mild cognitive impairment (MCI), probable dementia (PD), or composite MCI/PD in SPRINT MIND. Methods: This analysis included SPRINT MIND participants with baseline self-reported PA data. VPA, defined as PA associated with sweating, increased heart rate or breathing, was grouped into low (&lt;1 sessions/week) or high (≥1 sessions/week) VPA. Using multivariable Cox regression, we examined the association of VPA and MCI, PD and MCI/PD events. Results: This analysis included 7,669 participants (aged 70±9 years, 35% women, 59% White) (Table). After a median follow-up of 4.4 years, 571, 271 and 761 MCI, PD and MCI/PD events occurred respectively. High VPA, compared to low VPA participants, experienced lower events rates (per 1,000 person-years) of MCI (14.0 vs 19.7), PD (6.2 vs 9.1) and MCI/PD (18.5 vs 19.7). In multivariable Cox regression model, high VPA, relative to low VPA, was associated with lower risk of MCI (HR [95% CI]: 0.77 [0.64 – 0.92]), PD (0.72 [0.55 – 0.93]), and MCI/PD (0.77 [0.66 – 0.90]) (Figure). There were no significant interactions between VPA participation status and trial randomization to standard (goal systolic blood pressure (SBP) &lt;140 mm Hg) or intensive (goal SBP &lt;120) treatment for hypertension for any cognitive impairment outcomes. Conclusion: Among patients with high-risk hypertension, doing vigorous PA ≥ 1 sessions/week may be protective against cognitive decline.

Associations between nutrition knowledge and obesity-related attitudes and physical activity among young adults from Kenya, South Africa, and the United Kingdom

Objective: This study’s aim was to test associations between nutrition knowledge and obesity-related attitudes and physical activity (PA) among 3000 18–35-year-old men and women from Kenya, South Africa (SA), and the United Kingdom (UK). Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in April 2022. To estimate nutrition knowledge, dietary recommendation knowledge score was computed using the standard General Nutrition Knowledge questionnaire. Obesity-related attitudes were from the British Social Attitudes Survey. Self-reported days of vigorous and moderate PAs and walking were used. Ordinal logistic regression was employed to test all associations, while adjusting for age group, gender and a household asset score. Using simple mediation, testing was also done to ascertain whether obesity-related attitudes mediated associations between nutrition knowledge and PA. Results: Consistently, better nutrition knowledge was associated with disagreeing that ‘There is no reason to worry about obesity’ (ORs ≥ 1.09), but lower odds of being against ‘Providing free weight management courses’ and ‘Creating/improving cycle paths and pavements to encourage PA’ (ORs ≤ 0.90). Better nutrition knowledge was also associated with higher vigorous PA in SA (OR = 1.09), and moderate PA (OR = 1.04) and walking (OR = 1.12) in the UK. In the combined sample, associations of nutrition knowledge with vigorous PA were fully mediated by believing that ‘Obesity results from not exercising enough’ (11.1% mediated). Likewise, associations of nutrition knowledge with moderate PA were fully mediated by attitude towards ‘Creating or improving cycle paths and pavements to encourage PA’ in the UK (38.9% mediated). Conclusions: Nutrition knowledge is associated with obesity-related attitudes and PA among young adults, but some relationships are country-specific. Interventions based on findings from high-income countries should be evaluated before being implemented in low-resource settings.

The association between physical activity and musculoskeletal disorders-a cross-sectional study of teachers.

Combined with insufficient physical activity (PA) prolonged and improperly performed sedentary work can lead to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). The aim of this study was (I) to evaluate the self-reported level of PA and the prevalence of MSDs in male and female teachers, and (II) to investigate the association between PA and MSDs in teachers in Polish primary and secondary schools. The study included 254 teachers from primary and secondary schools from Upper Silesia, Poland, excluding physical education teachers. The level of PA was assessed using the Seven-Day Physical Activity Recall (SDPAR). A standardized Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) was used to assess the prevalence of MSDs. A similar percentage of female (80%) and male (90%) teachers met the WHO recommendations on moderate-intensity PA. The recommendations on performing vigorous-intensity PA were met by significantly (p = 0.002) less female than male teachers (50% and 75% respectively). Lower back disorders during the last 12 months and the last 7 days (57% and 45%, respectively) were the most commonly reported MSDs by teachers, followed by neck (53%, 40%), upper back (39%, 28%), and knee disorders (37%, 26%). The highest pain intensity was experienced by the teachers in the lower back and neck. Teachers with a greater number of MSDs were less likely to engage in vigorous-intensity PA and total PA than those with fewer painful areas of the body. Pain intensity in the neck, knees, upper- and lower back, and wrists/hands was negatively related to moderate and total PA. BMI negatively correlated with total PA, moderate-intensity PA vigorous-intensity PA, and high vigorous-intensity PA. The study revealed the association between PA and MSDs in studied teachers. The most of the studied teachers met the WHO recommendation, and women were less likely to perform vigorous and high-vigorous PA than men. The lower back and neck disorders were the most common among the teachers.

Metabolome-wide association study on physical activity

The underlying mechanisms linking physical activity to better health are not fully understood. Here we examined the associations between physical activity and small circulatory molecules, the metabolome, to highlight relevant biological pathways. We examined plasma metabolites associated with self-reported physical activity among 2217 participants from the Airwave Health Monitoring Study. Metabolic profiling was conducted using the mass spectrometry-based Metabolon platform (LC/GC–MS), measuring 828 known metabolites. We replicated our findings in an independent subset of the study (n = 2971) using untargeted LC–MS. Mendelian randomisation was carried out to investigate potential causal associations between physical activity, body mass index, and metabolites. Higher vigorous physical activity was associated (P < 0.05/828 = 6.03 × 10–5) with circulatory levels of 28 metabolites adjusted for age, sex and body mass index. The association was inverse for glutamate and diacylglycerol lipids, and direct for 3–4-hydroxyphenyllactate, phenyl lactate (PLA), alpha-hydroxy isovalerate, tiglylcarnitine, alpha-hydroxyisocaproate, 2-hydroxy-3-methylvalerate, isobutyrylcarnitine, imidazole lactate, methionine sulfone, indole lactate, plasmalogen lipids, pristanate and fumarate. In the replication panel, we found 23 untargeted LC–MS features annotated to the identified metabolites, for which we found nominal associations with the same direction of effect for three features annotated to 1-(1-enyl-palmitoyl)-2-oleoyl-GPC (P-16:0/18:1), 1-(1-enyl-palmitoyl)-2-linoleoyl-GPC (P-16:0/18:2), 1-stearoyl-2-dihomo-linolenoyl-GPC (18:0/20:3n3 or 6). Using Mendelian randomisation, we showed a potential causal relationship between body mass index and three identified metabolites. Circulatory metabolites are associated with physical activity and may play a role in mediating its health effects.

Association of Air Pollution and Physical Activity With Brain Volumes.

In high-pollution areas, physical activity may have a paradoxical effect on brain health by increasing particulate deposition in the lungs. We examined whether physical activity modifies associations of air pollution (AP) with brain volumes in an epidemiologic framework. The UK Biobank enrolled >500,000 adult participants from 2006 to 2010. Wrist accelerometers, multimodal MRI with T1 images and T2 fluid-attenuated inversion recovery data, and land use regression were used to estimate vigorous physical activity (VigPA), structural brain volumes, and AP, respectively, in subsets of the full sample. We evaluated associations among AP interquartile ranges, VigPA, and brain structure volumes and assessed interactions between AP and VigPA. Eight thousand six hundred participants were included, with an average age of 55.55 (SD 7.46) years. After correction for multiple testing, in overall models, VigPA was positively associated with gray matter volume (GMV) and negatively associated with white matter hyperintensity volume (WMHV), while NO2, PM2.5absorbance, and PM2.5 were negatively associated with GMV. NO2 and PM2.5absorbance interacted with VigPA on WMHV (false discovery rate-corrected interaction p = 0.037). Associations between these air pollutants and WMHVs were stronger among participants with high VigPA. Similarly, VigPA was negatively associated with WMHV for those in areas of low NO2 and PM2.5absorbance but was null among those living in areas of high NO2 and PM2.5absorbance. DISCUSSION: Physical activity is associated with beneficial brain outcomes, while AP is associated with detrimental brain outcomes. VigPA may exacerbate associations of AP with white matter hyperintensity lesions, and AP may attenuate the beneficial associations of physical activity with these lesions.

Joint associations between objectively measured physical activity volume and intensity with body fatness: the Fenland study

Background/ObjectivesPhysical activity energy expenditure (PAEE) represents the total volume of all physical activity. This can be accumulated as different underlying intensity profiles. Although volume and intensity have been studied in isolation, less is known about their joint association with health. We examined this association with body fatness in a population-based sample of middle-aged British adults.MethodsIn total, 6148 women and 5320 men from the Fenland study with objectively measured physical activity from individually calibrated combined heart rate and movement sensing and DXA-derived body fat percentage (BF%) were included in the analyses. We used linear and compositional isocaloric substitution analysis to examine associations of PAEE and its intensity composition with body fatness. Sex-stratified models were adjusted for socio-economic and dietary covariates.ResultsPAEE was inversely associated with body fatness in women (beta = −0.16 (95% CI: −0.17; −0.15) BF% per kJ day−1 kg−1) and men (beta = −0.09 (95% CI: −0.10; −0.08) BF% per kJ day−1 kg−1). Intensity composition was significantly associated with body fatness, beyond that of PAEE; the reallocation of energy to vigorous physical activity (>6 METs) from other intensities was associated with less body fatness, whereas light activity (1.5–3 METs) was positively associated. However, light activity was the main driver of overall PAEE volume, and the relative importance of intensity was marginal compared to that of volume; the difference between PAEE in tertile 1 and 2 in women was associated with 3 percentage-point lower BF%. Higher vigorous physical activity in the same group to the maximum observed value was associated with 1 percentage-point lower BF%.ConclusionsIn this large, population-based cohort study with objective measures, PAEE was inversely associated with body fatness. Beyond the PAEE association, greater levels of intense activity were also associated with lower body fatness. This contribution was marginal relative to PAEE. These findings support current guidelines for physical activity which emphasise that any movement is beneficial, rather than specific activity intensity or duration targets.

Longitudinal Associations of Healthy Behaviors on Fitness in Adolescents: DADOS Study

This study aims to investigate the individual and combined associations of physical activity, sedentary time, diet, and sleep at baseline on cardiorespiratory fitness at 24-month follow-up in adolescents. The DADOS (Deporte, ADOlescencia y Salud) prospective cohort study was performed between 2015 and 2017. Analyses were conducted in 2020 and included 189 adolescents aged 13.9 (SD=0.3) years at baseline. Vigorous physical activity, total sedentary time, and sleep duration were evaluated by GENEActiv accelerometer. Sleep quality and adherence to a Mediterranean diet were evaluated by questionnaires. Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed by the 20-meter shuttle run test. A healthy lifestyle index was created by including positive scores for each individual behavior, and 3 categories of achievement (≤1, 2, ≥3) were established. Performing high vigorous physical activity and low screen time at baseline were individually associated with the likelihood of achieving high cardiorespiratory fitness at follow-up (OR=3.33 and 3.09, respectively). ANCOVA indicated that adolescents with a healthy lifestyle index ≥3 at baseline showed higher cardiorespiratory fitness at follow-up than those with a healthy lifestyle index of 2 and ≤1 (74.4 [SE=1.5] vs 68.9 [SE=1.4] and 67.8 [SE=1.5] laps, respectively; p<0.01). Adolescents with a healthy lifestyle index ≥3 at baseline were more likely to have high cardiorespiratory fitness at follow-up (OR=3.10) than their peers with ≤1. The results showed a cumulative impact of baseline health-related behaviors on cardiorespiratory fitness at 24-month follow-up in adolescents. These findings underline the key role of promoting a healthy lifestyle to improve adolescents' health.

Assessing the stress-buffering effects of social support for exercise on physical activity, sitting time, and blood lipid profiles

Objective This study tested the hypothesized stress-buffering effects of social support on physical activity, sitting time, and blood lipid profiles. Participants 537 college students. Methods College students volunteered to self-report stress, social support for exercise, physical activity and sitting time, and provided blood samples to assess lipid profiles in this cross-sectional study. Results Lower stress was associated with higher vigorous physical activity (β = −0.1, t = −2.9, p = .004). Higher social support was associated with higher moderate (β = 0.2, t = 2.0, p = .042), vigorous (β = 0.5, t = 5.4, p < .001), and total (β = 0.1, t = 3.2, p = .001) physical activity, and lower sitting time on weekdays (β = −0.1, t = −3.3, p = .001) and weekends (β = −0.2, t = −3.6, p < .001). Social support moderated the association between stress and sitting time on weekdays. Conclusions Stress reduction and fostering social support may be important strategies for promoting physical activity and reducing sedentary behaviors in college students. Additional strategies are needed to buffer the deleterious effects of stress.

Vigorous Activity Usage of Self-Identified Leaders: A Descriptive Quantitative Analysis

The aim of the study was to conduct original research to better understand the relationship between participation in vigorous physical activity and the frequency in use of five servant leadership characteristics. The relationship between vigorous physical activity participation and self-reported servant leadership characteristics was evaluated in 162 women and men with a median age of 36 ± 9 years. Participants’ self-reported vigorous physical activity participation was evaluated with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and self-reported servant leadership characteristics were evaluated using the Servant Leadership Questionnaire (SLQ). Vigorous physical activity participation was not statistically related to self-reported servant leadership characteristics. Participants in this study on average participated in approximately 43 minutes of vigorous physical activity each day of the week. These participants had much higher vigorous physical activity participation rates than the national average. Participants’ perception of their servant leadership characteristics was also high. Findings suggest that the exclusive use of servant leadership philosophy to promote vigorous physical activity participation is not needed, leaving open the possibility that any type of leadership approach could be used to promote physical activity participation.

Physical Fitness in Patients With Oligoarticular and Polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis Diagnosed in the Era of Biologics: A Controlled Cross-Sectional Study.

To perform a comprehensive evaluation of and identify correlates for physical fitness in consecutive patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) who have been diagnosed in the era of biologics and to compare the results with those obtained in healthy controls. The study cohort included 60 patients with JIA (50 girls) ages 10-16 years and 60 age- and sex-matched controls. The JIA group included 30 patients with persistent oligoarticular JIA and 30 patients with extended oligoarticular or polyarticular disease. Measures of physical fitness included cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) by peak oxygen uptake (Vo2peak ) during a continuous graded treadmill exercise test, muscle strength by isokinetic and isometric knee and hand grip evaluations, and bone mineral density (BMD) and body composition by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Physical activity was assessed by accelerometry. Forty-two percent of the patients were being treated with biologic drugs. Patients with JIA demonstrated lower muscle strength and total body BMD compared to controls, but there were no differences in CRF and body composition. Physical fitness was comparable between the persistent oligoarticular and extended oligoarticular/polyarticular-JIA groups. In patients with JIA, we identified associations between higher vigorous physical activity and higher CRF and muscle strength, but did not find any association between physical fitness and disease variables. In this cohort of patients with JIA, we found suboptimal muscle strength and BMD compared to controls, but no differences in CRF and body composition. Vigorous physical activities appeared important for optimizing muscle strength and CRF in patients with JIA; the importance of such activities should be highlighted in patient education.

An examination of active travel trends before and after college graduation

BackgroundActive travel (AT); walking and biking for transportation; has many health, environmental and economic benefits, yet rates of participation remain low in the US. During college years AT participation is typically higher than in older adulthood, but it is unknown how this behavior tracks into later life stages. Therefore this study examined AT participation before and after graduation from college. Methods: A volunteer sample of college students participated in an online baseline survey with follow-ups at regular intervals, up to, and including, post-graduation. The survey assessed participant demographics, AT participation (dichotomized as high/low AT), physical activity (PA) participation, and post-graduation work details (hours worked, sit time at work, distance to work), and health outcomes (body mass index, stress, depression,). Separate logistic regression models predicted AT status according to pre/post-graduation factors and significant factors were examined simultaneously in a multivariate logistic model. Results: Students (n = 204) were predominately female (n = 122, 60.7%) and Non-Hispanic White (n = 166, 83%). The high post-graduation AT group reported 324.73 ± 193.10 min of AT/week versus those in the low AT group (24.69 ± 41.81; p<.001). Higher post-graduation AT was associated with higher vigorous PA and AT in the last semester of college, higher moderate PA post-graduation, lesser distance to work, and less sit time at work. The final multivariate model resulted in a Nagelkerke R2 of 0.33 with pre-graduation vigorous and AT minutes/week, post-graduate moderate PA, and distance to work as significant predictors of post-grad AT. Discussion: The current study examined how AT behavior tracks across a major life transition, indicating the importance of supporting health-related behaviors during the college years. College campuses may use these findings to support AT among students for positive long-term health outcomes well beyond the time spent in college.