Increase Physical Activity Levels Research Articles

Dancing at Home During Quarantine: Considerations for Session Structure, Aerobic Fitness, and Safety

Dancing has been recommended as a suitable home-based physical activity during the quarantine period associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Dancing can reduce sedentary behavior and thereby maintain physical and emotional health. The aim of this article was to provide support to dance, fitness, and/or other health professionals in guiding individuals wishing to practice dancing activities at home. By considering dancing as a strategy to increase levels of physical activity at home, this article is divided into three sections: i) the structure of a dance session, ii) elements of aerobic fitness, and iii) safety considerations. A home setting dance session lasts ~40-50 minutes, including the warm-up, the specific dancing activities, and the cool-down.

Brief Report: Youth Living With Perinatally Acquired HIV Have Lower Physical Activity Levels as They Age Compared With HIV-Exposed Uninfected Youth.

Few studies have evaluated physical activity patterns or their association with vascular inflammation among youth living with perinatally acquired HIV (YPHIV). We assessed YPHIV and youth perinatally HIV-exposed but uninfected (YPHEU) in the PHACS Adolescent Master Protocol with at least one Block physical activity questionnaire (PAQ) completed between ages 7-19 years. Physical activity metrics were as follows: (1) daily total energy expenditure (TEE) and (2) physical activity duration (PAD) defined as the minutes of daily moderate and vigorous activities. In a subgroup, we measured serum biomarkers of coagulation (fibrinogen and P-selectin) and endothelial dysfunction (soluble intracellular cell adhesion molecule-1, soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, and E-selectin) obtained within 3 months of a single PAQ. Repeated measures linear regression models were used to compare the trajectories of log-transformed TEE and PAD by HIV status, adjusting for confounders. Spearman correlations were calculated to assess the relationship of TEE and PAD with vascular biomarkers. Five hundred ninety-six youth (387 YPHIV and 209 YPHEU) completed 1552 PAQs (median PAQs completed = 3). The median age at enrollment (Q1, Q3) was 11 (9, 13) years. TEE and PAD increased with age in both YPHIV and YPHEU. However, even after adjusting for confounders, YPHIV had significantly less increase per year than YPHEU for TEE (5.7% [95% confidence interval (CI): -9.9% to -1.4%, P = 0.010] less) and PAD (5.2% [95% CI: -9.2% to -1.1%, P = 0.016] less). Among 302 youth with biomarker measures (187 YPHIV and 114 YPHEU), we observed little correlation with TEE or PAD. Both groups had increases in physical activity levels as they aged, but YPHIV had smaller increases throughout adolescence compared with YPHEU, which may impact long-term health.

Patients with osteoarthritis and low physical activity increased their physical activity level after a supervised patient education and exercise therapy program

Purpose: Physical activity (PA) is important to improve and maintain general health. However, the level of PA is decreasing with age, especially in patients with lifestyle-related diseases such as osteoarthritis (OA). The recommended first-line treatment for patients with hip or knee OA, patient education and exercise therapy, may therefore help not only to relieve OA symptoms but also to improve general health, if PA can be increased. Such an improvement is especially important for patients with low PA level. In this study we aim at identifying the proportion of OA patients who increased and maintained their PA levels after entering a patient education and exercise therapy program. Methods: We used data from the Good Life with osteoArthritis in Denmark (GLA:D®) program, which is a supervised patient education and exercise therapy program delivered in primary care to patients with hip or knee OA. The intervention consists of two patient education and 12 supervised exercise therapy sessions. Patients participating between 2013 and 2019 were included in the study, if they provided information on the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) activity scale at three time points (TP): TP0) baseline, TP1) immediately after and TP2) 12 months after entering the program.The outcomes of interest were changes on the UCLA activity scale (1-10, low to high) (Table 1). In this study, we defined patients as ’low active’ if they reported a UCLA activity level of ≤ 3; ‘sometimes participate in mild activities’ or lower at TP0.We calculated the proportion of all and of the ‘low active’ patients, who increased their PA by at least one UCLA activity scale unit, from TP0 to TP1, and from TP0 to TP2. Furthermore, we evaluated the proportion of patients who at least maintained their increased PA level from TP1 to TP2. Finally, we calculated the proportion of ‘low active’ patients, who reached at least UCLA activity level 4 (‘regular participation in mild activities’) at TP1, and at TP2, as well as the proportion of these patients who at least maintained a UCLA activity level of 4 from TP1 toTP2. Results: During the inclusion period, 19,079 patients with hip or knee OA participated in the GLA:D® program and provided complete information on the UCLA activity scales. They were on average 65 years old, had a mean BMI of 28, and 13,683 (72%) were female. 7% (n=1,352) reported low PA at baseline (UCLA activity score ≤ 3) and these patients were on average 65 years old, had a mean BMI of 31 and 936 (69%) were female.In the ‘low active’ patient group, 81% (n=1,092) and 80% (1,086) reported an increased UCLA activity level at TP1 and TP2 compared to TP0, respectively (Figure 1). The increased PA level was maintained by 48% (n=650) of the ‘low active’ patients from TP1 to TP2.When considering all patients, 37% (n=7,103) and 38% (n=7,243) increased their UCLA activity level from TP0 to TP1, and from TP0 to TP2, respectively. 18% (n=3,387) of all included patients had at least maintained their increased PA levels from TP1 to TP2.In the ‘low active’ patient group (level 1-3), 76% (n=1,033) and 75% (n=1,016) reached a PA level of at least 4 on the UCLA activity scale, corresponding to regularly participating in mild activities such as walking, at TP1, and at TP2, respectively (Figure 2). 62% (n=844) of the ‘low active’ patients maintained their increased UCLA PA level of at least 4 from TP1 to TP2. Conclusions: Eight out of ten osteoarthritis patients with low physical activity at baseline reported improved physical activity immediately after and 12 months after entering a supervised patient education and exercise therapy program. About half maintained their increased physical activity level from immediately after to twelve months after the GLA:D® program.View Large Image Figure ViewerDownload Hi-res image Download (PPT)View Large Image Figure ViewerDownload Hi-res image Download (PPT)

Anthropometric Variables as Mediators of the Association of Changes in Diet and Physical Activity With Inflammatory Profile.

Mechanisms underlying the associations of high levels of physical activity (PA) and adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) with a better inflammatory profile remain unclear. Our objective was to assess the mediating role of changes in body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC), as markers of body fat in the association of changes in PA and adherence to the MedDiet, with changes in the inflammatory profile. This study included 489 adults, aged 55-75 years, from the PREDIMED-Plus multicenter lifestyle intervention trial. An inflammatory score was calculated, based on 8 blood biomarkers: high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, interleukin 6, interleukin 8, interleukin 18, monocyte chemo-attractant protein-1, C-peptide, leptin, and regulated on activation, normal T-cell-expressed and secreted chemokine. Biomarkers, levels of PA, score of MedDiet adherence, BMI, and WC were measured at baseline and at 1-year follow-up. Linear regression models were fitted according to the Baron and Kenny framework for mediation analysis. Changes in BMI and WC mediated the association of both changes in PA and changes in the MedDiet adherence with the inflammatory score. Body mass index mediated 26% of the association of changes in total PA with the inflammatory profile, and 27% of the association of changes in the MedDiet, while WC mediated 13% and 12% of these associations, respectively. In older adults at high cardiovascular risk, increasing PA levels and adherence to a MedDiet during 1 year were associated with a lower inflammatory score, which was partly mediated by a reduction in body fat. International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number: ISRCTN89898870; registration date July 24, 2014, retrospectively registered.

Is active commuting associated with sedentary behaviour and physical activity in women with fibromyalgia? The al-Ándalus project

Purpose This study aimed to examine the association between active commuting and sedentary time (ST) and physical activity (PA) in women with fibromyalgia. Materials and methods This cross-sectional study included 420 women with fibromyalgia (aged 30 to 74 years old) from Spain. The participants wore an accelerometer during seven days to record ST and PA. They also self-reported patterns of active commuting. Linear regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationships between commuting and accelerometer outcomes. Age, pressure pain threshold, and accelerometer wear time were used as confounders. Results There was a negative association between active commuting and ST whereas active commuting was positively associated with moderate PA, moderate-to-vigorous PA, total PA, and step count (all p ≤ 0.01). No associations were observed in the older group. Conclusion Younger women with fibromyalgia who were active commuters spent less ST and were involved in greater PA than passive commuters. This study highlights the importance of promoting active commuting to increase PA among young women with fibromyalgia, while other sources of PA might be recommended for older patients if levels of active commuting are not increased. Implications for rehabilitation Active commuting is a source to increase PA in women with fibromyalgia. Active commuting alone does not seem to be enough to increase PA levels in older women with fibromyalgia and additional PA strategies should be implemented. Promotion of active commuting in young women with fibromyalgia is recommended.

A Systematic Review of Interventions to Increase Physical Activity Among American Indian and Alaska Native Older Adults.

Physical activity (PA) is a powerful protective factor known to reduce risk for chronic conditions across the life span. PA levels are lower among American Indians and Alaska Natives (AIANs) when compared with other racial/ethnic groups and decrease with age. This evidence justifies a synthesis of current intervention research to increase PA levels among AIANs. This systematic review examines completed interventions to increase PA among AIAN older adults and considers recommended practices for research with Indigenous communities. The systematic review was designed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement for systematic review protocols and reporting guidelines. Three electronic databases, PubMed, Web of Science, and PsycINFO, were searched for academic literature. Trials investigating interventions to increase PA among AIAN adults older than 50 years were eligible. The Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies was used to evaluate the quality of evidence. Three published trials were identified, including one group-level, clinic-based and two individual-level, home-based interventions. All were 6 weeks in duration, took place in urban areas, and used self-report PA measures. Findings indicated an overall increase in PA levels, improved PA-related outcomes, and improved psychosocial health among participants. None described community-engaged or culture-centered research strategies. The narrow yet promising evidence represents a need for expanded research and a call to action for using culture-centered strategies. An advanced understanding of cultural and contextual aspects of PA may produce more impactful interventions, supporting health and mobility across the life span.

Physical activity levels during physical education in Spanish children

Introduction: Physical education (PE) can contribute to total daily physical activity (PA) among children. In consequence, the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport has developed 16 teaching units focused on increasing PA levels during PE lessons, called Unidades Didácticas Activas (UDA; Active Teaching Units). Objectives: The goal of this study was to compare whether children participating in UDA lessons spent more time in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) than children participating in traditional lessons. Design: Quasi-experimental design. Methods: A total of 355 children (8–9 years old, 53.9% boys) from 7 schools in Granada participated in the study. Students were divided into two groups: a traditional PE group ( n = 204) and a UDA group ( n = 151). Time spent in MVPA was assessed using tri-axial accelerometers. Results: Time spent in MVPA was higher in the group engaged in the UDA lessons compared to the group that received traditional lessons (13.6 vs 15.2 minutes, p = .021, Standard Error = 0.27). The percentage of children who met international MVPA recommendations was similar for both groups (UDAs: 12.7% and traditional: 13.2%, p = .504). Conclusions: UDA lessons and their methodology favoured greater participation in MVPA compared to a traditional PE approach. It will be important to change PE methodology (including duration, frequency and focus) to achieve MVPA goals.

Community-based exercise program for solid organ transplant recipients: Views of exercise professionals and patients

Purpose of the study: Although transplantation improves quality of life in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients, recipients continue to have limitations in exercise capacity and decreased levels of physical activity (PA) years after transplant. Community Based Exercise (CBE) programs have been shown to successfully increase PA levels in other populations, however none exist for SOT recipients. Objective: To identify important factors when developing and implementing a CBE program for SOT recipients. Methods: We conducted a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with seven SOT recipients, and six exercise professionals (EPs). The data was analyzed using thematic analysis. Main findings: Six themes were identified: 1) Motivators to exercise; 2) Perceived barriers to exercise (financial vulnerability post-transplantation, fear of injury, lack of exercise recommendations and medication side effect); 3) Level of supervision (recipients wanted guidance without overprotective supervision, while EPs were torn between extensive monitoring, and promoting independence); 4) Required education and foundational knowledge in EPs; 5) The importance of CBE programs for the SOT population; and 6) Tailored program structure (group setting with individualized exercise prescription). Principal conclusions: Recommendations may be used to develop an effective CBE program for SOT recipients, and thus improve PA levels among this population.

The relationship between physical performance and quality of life and the level of physical activity among the elderly.

BACKGROUND:Loss of physical function during the process of aging might affect the quality of life. Physical function assessment tests predicts outcomes such as falls, institutionalization, and death. Studies assessing the association of physical function with quality of life and physical activity level of elderly population in India is scarce. Hence we aimed to assess the physical function of community dwelling older adults and to determine its association with physical activity levels and quality of life.MATERIALS AND METHODS:This was a cross-sectional analytical study. 89 community dwelling older adults between 60 and 80 years of age were recruited. Physical function was assessed by standing balance, walking speed, and grip strength. Quality of life was assessed by WHO QOL BREF questionnaire and physical activity level was assessed by International Physical activity Questionnaire.RESULTS:Standing balance was reduced in 24% and walking speed was decreased in 33% of the participants. Males had higher walking speed, and grip strength. Quality of life was better among males. Standing balance, walking speed and grip strength was significantly higher in moderate – heavy activity levels. There was positive correlation between physical function and quality of life. There was also positive correlation between physical activity level and quality of life.CONCLUSION:Physical function, quality of life and physical activity level were decreased. Males had better physical function and quality of life. Physically active individuals had better physical function and quality of life. Early detection of decreased physical function and increase in physical activity level could result in better quality of life among elderly.

Reversing the Deconditioning Effects of the Pandemic in the Elderly via Telerehabilitation

Objective: To investigate the effect of a structured home-based interactive telerehabilitation program on physical activity (PA) level, sleep, and quality of life (QoL) in older individuals who were in home confinement during the pandemic. Materials and Methods: A total of 23 participants in the age range of 65–90 (mean: 72.47 ± 5.58) years (15 females) were included in the study. A telerehabilitation exercise program was administered three times per week for 8 weeks. PA levels and sleep parameters were evaluated (using the Sensewear Armband) at baseline and at the end of the 8th week. In addition, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Epworth Sleepiness Scale were used for self-reported evaluation of sleep, and the World Health Organization QoL Instrument-Older Adults Module was administered to evaluate the QoL. Results: Comparing pre- and postexercise evaluation results demonstrated a significant increase in PA levels and significant improvements in sleep duration, sleep latency, and daytime sleepiness. In addition, a significant increase was observed in the total QoL scores. Conclusion: The telerehabilitation exercise program seems to be an effective method to increase PA levels, improve sleep-related parameters, and enhance QoL in older adults affected by home confinement during the pandemic.

Do Automatic Habits Predict Physical Activity Engagement in Older People?

Sufficient physical activity is crucial to maintaining independence, health and wellbeing during ageing, yet physical inactivity is common in older people. Identifying factors associated with physical activity engagement is essential to develop novel approaches to increase activity in older people. Automatic, context-dependent habits may play an important role in physical activity behaviour. The current study aimed to investigate the relationship between physical activity behaviours and their automaticity in older people. 123 community dwelling Australians aged over 65 – 88 years (M=72.2; 81 women), recruited from participant registries, hospital noticeboards and community groups, completed an online questionnaire. Current physical activity levels were measured using the Incidental and Planned Exercise Questionnaire, and automaticity of those physical activity behaviours were measured using the Self-Report Habit Automaticity Index. Participants also reported demographic information, body mass index (BMI), medical history and current mood symptoms. Participants reported an average of 2.28 hours planned walking (SD=2.33), 5.81 hours planned moderate/vigorous exercise (SD=4.02), and 20.5 hours incidental activity (SD=15.52) per week. Multiple regression analyses revealed that after controlling for age, gender, BMI and depression symptoms, higher automaticity scores were associated with more hours per week of planned walking (p=.012), moderate/vigorous exercise (p=.038), and incidental activity (p=.017). Supporting older people to make their physical activity more habitual could therefore be an effective approach to increase levels of physical activity in this population.

Effect of eHealth to increase physical activity in healthy adults over 55 years: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

To estimate the effect of eHealth interventions on increasing physical activity (PA) in healthy adults over 55years, a systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. MEDLINE, Cochrane, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, and Scopus databases were searched, from inception to February 2020, for experimental studies reporting the effect of eHealth interventions on steps/day, daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA min/day), PA min/week, and MVPA min/week among adults over 55years. The DerSimonian and Laird method was used to compute a pooled effect size (ES) estimate and the respective 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Eighteen studies were included in this meta-analysis with adults whose age ranged from 58 to 74.2years. The interventions lasted between four and 52weeks. The ES estimates of eHealth interventions on increasing PA were 0.59 (95% CI: 0.15-1.02) for steps/day, 0.49 (95% CI: 0.17-0.80) for daily MVPA, 0.13 (95% CI: 0.01-0.24) for total weekly PA and 0.31 (95% CI: 0.13-0.48) for weekly MVPA. Considering clinical improvements, the mean change difference estimates were an increase of 1616.28 steps/day (95% CI: 386.25-2846.31), 7.41minutes of daily MVPA (95% CI: 3.24-11.57), 40.54minutes of total weekly PA (95% CI: -8.71 to 89.79) and 56.35minutes of weekly MVPA (95% CI: 17.43-95.27). In conclusion, eHealth interventions are effective in increasing PA levels among adults over 55years, resulting in increased steps/day, MVPA min/day, PA min/week and MVPA min/week.

The role of automatic habit in physical activity behaviours in older people: A new target for lifestyle interventions for dementia risk reduction?

AbstractBackgroundPhysical inactivity is a key risk factor for dementia, yet physical inactivity is common in older adults. Increasing physical activity levels in this population is an urgent health priority. Automatic, context‐dependent habits may play an important role in physical activity behaviour. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between physical activity behaviours and their automaticity in older people.Method123 community dwelling Australians aged over 65 years (M=72.2; 81 women), recruited from participant registries, local hospital noticeboards and community groups, completed an online questionnaire. Current physical activity levels were measured using the Incidental and Planned Exercise Questionnaire, and automaticity of those physical activity behaviours were measured using the Self‐Report Habit Automaticity Index. Participants also reported demographic information, falls and medical history, and current mood symptoms.ResultParticipants reported an average of 2.28 hours planned walking (SD=2.33), 5.81 hours planned moderate/vigorous exercise (SD=4.02), and 20.5 hours incidental activity (SD=15.52) per week. Multiple regression analyses revealed that after controlling for age, gender, BMI and depression symptoms, higher automaticity scores were associated with more hours per week of planned walking (p=.012), moderate/vigorous exercise (p=.038), and incidental activity (p=.017).ConclusionIn a sample of active older Australians, participants who engaged in higher levels of physical activity reported their activity to be more automatic than those reporting lower levels of activity, regardless of the type of physical activity engaged in. Supporting older people to make their physical activity more habitual could therefore be an effective approach to increase levels of physical activity in this population.

Firefighters Are More Physically Active On-Duty Compared to Off-Duty.

Physical inactivity, coupled with increasing obesity levels, in firefighters plays a key role in aggregated cardiovascular events. The purpose of this study was to investigate device-measured physical activity (PA) for firefighters while on- and off-duty to have a clearer understanding of their overall PA level. Methods: Twenty-nine career firefighters participated in this non-experimental, within-subjects study by wearing an accelerometer to assess PA intensities and step-count. Obesity was classified using body mass index (BMI). Dependent t-tests were used to examine mean differences in PA intensities when on- and off-duty. Pearson product-moment correlations were used to assess the association between PA intensities when on and off-duty. Results: According to the World Health Organization BMI categorizations, 20 firefighters were overweight, 9 were obese, and, thus, none were normal weight. Only light PA (LPA) was statistically significant (p = 0.026) for on- and off-duty days with a small-to-medium effect size (d = 0.47), meaning that on average, firefighters performed more minutes of LPA when on-duty compared to off. There was a significant difference between on- (9060.2 ± 2636.4) and off-duty (7495.3 ± 2835.8) daily step counts (p = 0.011). Conclusion: As the results demonstrate, there is a dire need for increased PA levels in firefighters while on- and off-duty.

P011 Physical Activity Levels in Daily Life of Patients with Moderate-to-Severe Crohn's Disease Before and After Infliximab-Induced Remission.

BACKGROUND: Although the role of physical activity (PA) in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients is not well defined, several studies about its effect on disease’s etiology and activity have addressed this issue. In addition, Crohn’s disease (CD) patients seem to have a lower level of PA and this behavior is associated with disease activity. This study evaluated a cohort of patients with moderately-to-severely active CD submitted to anti-TNF therapy in order to compare the exercise capacity and physical activity in daily life before and after anti-TNF-therapy induced remission. It is hypothesized that CD patients who achieved anti-TNF-therapy-induced remission present significant improvement in the previous levels of exercise capacity and PA in daily life. METHODS: In this prospective longitudinal study conducted between March 2015 and June 2018, 44 adult outpatients with active CD were evaluated at two different moments: before infliximab (IFX) administration and 24 weeks after infliximab therapy. We included patients with CD, aged ≥ 18 years and under 65 years, with a 3-month history of active disease, defined as a Harvey-Bradshaw index (HBI) score of 8 or higher and a serum level of C-reactive protein of more than 5.0 mg per liter, with indication for anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha therapy, i.e. refractory disease unresponsive to conventional therapies or steroid-dependent and those presenting with aggressive disease or features of poor prognosis prediction, such as extensive bowel disease, complex fistulizing disease, or severe endoscopic lesion as defined by the presence of deep and extensive ulcers. Eligible patients received induction therapy consisting of intravenous injections of 5 mg/Kg of IFX at weeks 0, 2, and 6 followed by maintenance infusion (5 mg/Kg) at weeks 14 and 22. Participants were followed until week 24. Patients were evaluated for PA in daily life using accelerometer, exercise capacity, peripheral muscle strength, anthropometry, and body composition. The primary endpoint was an increase in the total number of steps/day in daily life at week 24 in CD patients achieving IFX-induced remission. Secondary endpoints included improvement in the shuttle walking test (SWT), the handgrip strength (HS), active time, and inactive time. RESULTS: Thirty-eight (86.4%) patients achieved infliximab-induced remission at the end of 24 weeks and presented a significant increment from baseline in number of steps taken of 1092 (7440 ± 2980 vs. 6348 ± 3177, respectively; P = 0.006). The inactive time was significantly reduced when compared to baseline period (454.2 ± 106.3 vs. 427.9 ± 97.8, respectively; P = 0.033). There was no difference in the distance walked before and after IFX therapy. CONCLUSION: Infliximab-induced remission followed by maintenance therapy has shown to be effective for increasing PA levels in daily life as shows by increase in the number of steps taken per day as well as by reduced inactive time on patients with moderately-to-severely active CD. Given the important role of PA for patients with CD, anti-TNF therapy may be useful therapeutic strategy along with targeted PA recommendations for increasing PA levels. Furthermore, strategies of treatment associated with an exercise program must be considered for this population.

Fundamental Movement Skills and Accelerometer-Measured Physical Activity Levels during Early Childhood: A Systematic Review.

Early childhood is a key period for children to begin developing and practicing fundamental movement skills (FMS), while aiming to perform sufficient physical activity (PA). This study reviews the current evidence for the levels of achievement in FMS and PA measured using accelerometers among 4–5-year-old children and examines differences by gender. This review was conducted using the PRISMA framework. Keyword searches were conducted in Pubmed, Medline, Google Scholar and SPORTDiscus. Inclusion criteria included age: 4–5 years old; FMS measurement: Test of Gross Motor Development 2 and 3; PA measurement: objective methods; balance measurement: static single limb; study design: cross-sectional observational/descriptive, randomised control trials, intervention studies; language: English. Twenty-eight articles from twenty-one countries met the inclusion criteria and were split into either FMS and PA articles (n = 10) or balance articles (n = 18). Three articles showed children achieving 60 min of moderate to vigorous PA per day, two articles demonstrated significant differences between girls’ and boys’ performance of locomotor skills and five reported locomotor skills to be more proficient than object control skills at this age for both genders. Balance was measured in time (n = 12), points score (n = 3) or biomechanical variables (n = 3), displaying heterogeneity of not only measurement but also outcomes within these data, with static single limb balance held between 6.67 to 87.6 s within the articles. Four articles reported girls to have better balance than boys. There is little conclusive evidence of the current levels for FMS, PA and balance achievement in young children 4–5 years of age. The academic literature consistently reports low levels of FMS competence and mixed evidence for PA levels. Inconsistencies lie in balance measurement methodology, with broad-ranging outcomes of both low and high achievement at 4–5 years old. Further research is required to focus on increasing practice opportunities for children to improve their FMS, increase PA levels and establish sufficient balance ability. Consistent and comparable outcomes during early childhood through more homogenous methodologies are warranted.

Physical activity attenuated the association of air pollutants with telomere length in rural Chinese adults

BackgroundExposure to air pollutants (nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matters (PMs)) or physical inactivity is linked to telomere length (TL) shortening. However, there is a lack of research on combined effects of either NO2 or PMs and physical activity (PA) on TL. This study aimed to explore the joint associations of air pollutants (NO2 or PMs) and PA with relative TL in rural Chinese adults. MethodsThis study was conducted among 2704 participants aged 18–79 years in rural China. Concentrations of NO2 and PMs (PM with an aerodynamics diameter ≤ 1.0 μm (PM1), ≤2.5 μm (PM2.5) or ≤10 μm (PM10)) were estimated using random forest models incorporated with satellites data, meteorological data, and land use information. Relative TL of each participant was measured by a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Linear regression models were applied to examine the independent associations between PA, NO2 or PMs and relative TL. Interaction plots were used to depict the altered associations between NO2, PM1, PM2.5, or PM10 and relative TL along with increasing PA levels. ResultsEach 1 μg/m3 increment in NO2, PM1, PM2.5, or PM10 was associated with a 0.038 (95% confidence intervals (CI): −0.044, −0.033), 0.036 (95% CI: −0.041, −0.031), 0.052 (95% CI: −0.059, −0.045), or 0.022 (95% CI: −0.025, −0.019) decrease in relative TL among all participants; similar findings were observed among normal glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glucose (IFG) participants as well as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. PA at certain levels counteracted the association of air pollutants (NO2, PM1, PM2.5, and PM10) with relative TL among IFG participants or T2DM patients. ConclusionsLong-term exposure to NO2 and PMs was associated with relative TL shortening and these effects may be counteracted by PA at certain levels in IFG participants or T2DM patients.

An Interventional strategy of physical activity promotion for reduction of menopause symptoms.

Background: Physical activity (PA) programs are inexpensive, non-pharmaceutical and universally accessible options with demonstrated efficacy in reducing menopausal symptoms. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a behavioral strategy for initiating and sustaining PA with the hope to reduce or eliminate menopausal symptoms. Methods : Menopausal and perimenopausal women (n=190) were randomly assigned to intervention (n=95) and non-intervention (n=95) groups using a random-numbers table. The intervention group consisted of 18 neighborhood network subgroups, each consisting of five to six women known to one another. They participated in a 12-week regular PA program, augmented by eight interactive group education and discussion sessions. The Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) self-report instrument was used to determine perceived severity of menopausal symptoms. Results: The intervention group showed a significant reduction in the frequency and severity of menopausal symptoms (P < 0.001). Those whose symptoms rated severe/very severe for hot flushes were reduced from 30.1% to 11.8%. Also, participants whose sleep problems and joint discomfort rated severe/very severe declined from 28% to 6.5% and joint discomfort rated severe or very severe was reduced from 52.7% to 4.4%, respectively. Conversely in the nonintervention group, hot flushes, sleep problems and joint problems got significantly worse(P < 0.05). Conclusion: Implementing educational program that increases awareness of PA benefits in combination with existing neighborhood networks that facilitate communication and cooperation may increase PA levels and decrease menopausal symptoms. Such networks offer alow-cost means of improving quality of life (QOL) for perimenopausal and menopausal women.

A Systematic Review on the Intervention Using Exercise Gaming to reduce Childhood Obesity

The worsening trend of childhood obesity is a global public health issue. Digital technology evolution is a contributing factor towards physical inactivity and obesity among children. In order to overcome this growing problem, exercise games have been introduced in early eighties to ameliorate this obesogenic environment. Exercise games utilize innovative technologies that provide an interactive environment, requiring gestures and body movements to simulate on-screen gameplay. The objective of this review is to assess the effectiveness of exercise gaming intervention in managing childhood obesity. A systematic review was performed. Six articles examining exercise video games impact on weight management among children published between January 2013 and December 2017 in the English language were selected from a total of 54 articles identified through five major search engines. Majority of the research was conducted in developed countries particularly in the United States whereby some developing countries had started with small-scale researches in this area. The result indicated that there was a significant increase in physical activity level, reduction of BMI, reduced adipose tissue composition and a positive psychological impact after the intervention of exercise games. However, the impact of exercise games on physiological and metabolic parameters were inconclusive and requires further study. In conclusion, exercise games are the effective way to combat childhood obesity, along with other modules of lifestyle.

Exercise interveNtion outdoor proJect in the cOmmunitY for older people \u2013 results from the ENJOY Seniors Exercise Park project translation research in the community

BackgroundMany research studies evaluate physical activity interventions for older people in the community, however relatively few successfully promote maintenance of physical activity beyond the completion of the intervention. This study aimed to implement and evaluate the effects of sustained engagement in physical activity on mental, social and physical health outcomes through the use of the Seniors Exercise Park physical activity program for older people (the ENJOY project).MethodPeople aged ≥60 years underwent a 12-week structured supervised physical activity program using outdoor exercise park equipment followed by 6 months unstructured independent use of the exercise park. Participants were assessed at baseline, 3 months and 9 months and completed a test battery evaluating physical activity, physical function and health related quality of life measures. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare differences between baseline, 3 and 9 months.ResultsOf the 95 participants, 80 (84.2%) completed the 3 months supervised program, and 58 (61%) completed the 9 month assessment (the latter impacted by COVID-19 restrictions). A significant increase in physical activity level was demonstrated following the 12 weeks intervention (p < 0.01). Significant improvements were also demonstrated in all physical function measures (p < 0.01), self-rated quality of life (p < 0.05), wellbeing (p < 0.01), fear of falls (p < 0.01), falls risk (p < 0.01), depressive symptoms (p = 0.01) and loneliness (p = 0.03) at 3 months. At the 9 months follow up, significant improvements from baseline were demonstrated in the frequency, duration and total of physical activity level (p < 0.05), and all physical function measures (p < 0.05), with no decline in these measures from 3 to 9 months. At 9 months, significant changes were observed in the health related quality of life mobility and self care domains with reductions in both fear of falls and falls risk (p < 0.05).ConclusionThe Seniors Exercise Park may be an effective modality for improving and sustaining older people’s physical function and wellbeing and can be an important public health infrastructure investment in promoting physical activity for older people. Future work should focus on wider implementation of the program and on scaling up this initiative to achieve public health benefit for the community.Trial registrationTrial registration number ACTRN12618001727235, Date of registration 19th October 2018, https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=375979