Indirect Effect Of Physical Activity Research Articles

Effects of physical activity on anxiety levels in college students: mediating role of emotion regulation.

To explore the effects of physical activity on anxiety levels in college students, as well as to examine the mediating role of emotion regulation. A convenience sample of 1,721 college students from Shanghai, Jiangsu, Shandong, Guangxi, and Hunan was used to conduct an evaluation and a survey through the Physical Activity Rating Scale (PARS-3), the Anxiety Self-Rating Scale (SAS), and the Emotion Regulation Scale (ERQ). College students' anxiety level, cognitive reappraisal, and expression inhibition scores were (44.72±10.37), (30.16±6.51), and (16.96±4.99), respectively. There were significant grade and physical activity level differences in anxiety levels and cognitive reappraisal, and significant gender and physical activity level differences in expression inhibition among college students. Process model 4 mediated effect regression analysis showed that physical activity had a significant positive effect on cognitive reappraisal (R 2 = 0.14, β = 0.04, P<0.001), and physical activity did not have a significant expression inhibition effect (R 2 = 0.17, β = 0.01, P = 0.27). Physical activity (β = -0.03, P = 0.012), cognitive reappraisal (β = -0.59, P<0.001), and expression inhibition had a significant effect on (β = 0.57, P<0.001) anxiety levels (R 2 = 0.37). In the model effect relationship, the direct and indirect effects of physical activity on anxiety levels were -0.028 and -0.019, respectively. Physical activity has a significant negative effect on college students' anxiety levels. Cognitive reappraisal is a mediating variable for the effect of physical activity on anxiety levels. The higher the level of physical activity and the higher the intensity of the activity, the lower the level of anxiety.

A cross-sectional study of the association between physical activity and depressive symptoms among adolescents in southwest China stratified by parental absence: the mediating role of insomnia and the moderating role of resilience

ObjectivesThis study explored the mechanisms by which physical activity was associated with depressive symptoms in multi-ethnic (Han, Yi and Tibetan) adolescents in southwest China. The mediating role of insomnia in...

Does Self-Reported Trait Mindfulness Contribute to Reducing Perceived Stress in Women Who Practice Yoga and Are Physically Active?

(1) Background: This study aimed to investigate whether yoga practice and physical activity level play an essential role in trait mindfulness and perceived stress reduction. Moreover, the study examined the differences in trait mindfulness and perceived stress between women who practiced yoga and those who engaged in other physical activities or were physically inactive, taking into account the time spent on physical activity in accordance with the World Health Organization recommendations. (2) Methods: A sample of 201 women participated in a cross-sectional online-based study, including 96 yoga practitioners and 105 non-practitioners of yoga (including physically active and inactive individuals). The average age of the participants was 36 years (range, 18-72 years; M = 36.19, SD = 11.64). Respondents completed the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). (3) Results: Women who practiced yoga and were physically active had a significantly higher level of trait mindfulness and lower perceived stress levels than women who did not practice yoga and were physically inactive. An indirect effect of physical activity on perceived stress through mindfulness was shown only for women practicing yoga for at least 150 min per week. (4) Conclusions: This study revealed the importance of frequent yoga practice in reducing perceived stress and improving mindfulness traits. These findings may serve as a basis for implementing preventive actions in women experiencing high levels of everyday stress.

Does physical activity and inflammation mediate the job stress-headache relationship? A sequential mediation analysis in the ELSA-Brasil study

BackgroundEvidence indicates that physical activity reduces stress and promote a myriad of health-enhancing effects through anti-inflammatory mechanisms. However, it is unknown whether these mechanisms interfere in the association between psychosocial job stress and headache disorders. ObjectiveTo test whether physical activity and its interplay with the systemic inflammation biomarkers high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and acute phase glycoproteins (GlycA) would mediate the associations between job stress and headache disorders. MethodsWe cross-sectionally evaluated the baseline data from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil) regarding job stress (higher demand and lower control and support subscales), migraine and tension-type headache (ICHD-2 criteria), self-reported leisure-time physical activity, and plasma hs-CRP and GlycA levels. Conditional process analyses with a sequential mediation approach were employed to compute path coefficients and 95 % confidence intervals (CI) around the indirect effects of physical activity and biomarkers on the job stress-headache relationship. Separate models were adjusted for sex, age, and depression and anxiety. Further adjustments added BMI smoking status, and socioeconomic factors. ResultsIn total, 7,644 people were included in the study. The 1-year prevalence of migraine and tension-type headache were 13.1 % and 49.4 %, respectively. In models adjusted for sex, age, anxiety, and depression, the association between job stress (lower job control) and migraine was mediated by physical activity [effect = −0.039 (95 %CI: −0.074, −0.010)] but not hs-CRP or GlycA. TTH was associated with higher job control and lower job demand, which was mediated by the inverse associations between physical activity and GlycA [Job Control: effect = 0.0005 (95 %CI: 0.0001, 0.0010); Job Demand: effect = 0.0003 (95 %CI: 0.0001, 0.0007]. Only the mediating effect of physical activity in the job stress-migraine link remained after further adjustments including socioeconomic factors, BMI, smoking, and the exclusion of major chronic diseases. ConclusionIn the ELSA-Brasil study, physical activity reversed the link between job stress and migraine independently of systemic inflammation, while the LTPA-mediated downregulation of GlycA was associated with lower job stress-related TTH.

Sleep, activity, and cognition: An analysis of academic impact on university students

Purpose: This study aimed to construct and assess a theoretical framework to elucidate the interrelationships between sleep, physical activity, cognitive function, and academic outcomes in Qatari university students. Methods: A study involving 44 students (age: 23.59 years ± 4.34) was conducted. The variables included “grade” (academic performance), rapid visual information processing (RVIP), sleeping efficiency (SE), and average weekly steps (WS). Changes in RVIP, SE, and WS over six weeks (two weeks before, during, and after exams) were analyzed using the Friedman test. Bivariate Spearman’s correlations and mediation and moderation analyses were performed. Results: The Friedman test confirmed significant variations in WS over the study period, indicating fluctuating physical activity levels. A negative correlation was observed between age and physical activity, indicating decreased physical activity in older students. A positive correlation was observed between academic performance and physical activity, suggesting a beneficial impact of physical activity on academic outcomes. There was a significant indirect effect of physical activity on academic performance via cognitive functioning, highlighting cognitive mediation. Conclusions: These findings underscore the role of physical activity in enhancing academic performance, potentially through cognitive advantages. This study establishes positive correlations between physical activity, academic performance, among university students.

Mediation role of cardiorespiratory fitness on association of physical activity and physical literacy among 8-12 years old children: the PAK-IPPL cross-sectional study.

The effect of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) on the relationship of physical activity (PA), and physical literacy (PL) in 8-12 Pakistani children are largely unknown. Therefore, this study aims to examine the mediating role of CRF in the relationship between PA and PL in this demographic. This cross-sectional study involved 1,360 children aged 8-12 (mean age = 10.00, SD = 1.41 years) from 85 higher secondary schools in South Punjab, Pakistan. Data were collected during the 2020-2021 academic year using the Canadian Assessment of Physical Literacy-2 (CAPL-2) protocol to assess physical activity (PA), Body Mass Index (BMI), and PL levels. CRF was measured using the PACER (Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run) test. Descriptive statistics, independent samples t-tests, Chi-squared tests, and Generalized Additive Models for Location, Scale, and Shape (GAMLSS) were used for age and sex-specific CAPL-2 scoring. Associations among components were evaluated through Pearson's correlation, multivariate logistic regression, and mediation analyses. The study revealed that boys had significantly higher scores in CRF, PA, and PL across all age groups compared to girls (p < 0.001), with boys' scores being 20%, 10%, and 14% higher, respectively, than those of girls. Conversely, overweight children showed significantly reduced PA and PL levels (p < 0.001). An inverse correlation was found between BMI and CRF (r 2 linear = 0.022; quadratic = 0.028). CRF scores had significant negative correlations BMI (r = -0.143) and positive associations with MVPA, PA, DB, and PL (r ranging from 0.241 to 0.624). CRF was observed to partially mediate the association between MVPA and PL. The direct impact of PA on PL was significant and meaningful (β = 0.002, p < .001). Additionally, the indirect effect of PA on PL through CRF was also significant (β = 0.001, p < .001), indicating that CRF serves as an important mediator in this relationship. The combined total effect of PA on PL, which includes both direct and mediated pathways, was robust and highly significant (β = 0.003, p < .001). The study revealed a strong positive correlation between CRF, PA, and PL, but a negative one with BMI in South Punjab children aged 8-12. Notably, CRF and PA emerged as significant predictors of PL levels in this population. Consequently, interventions that are both systematic and targeted towards improving these factors should be implemented as strategies to enhance children's PL levels and promote physically active behaviors.

The relationship between physical activity, cognitive function and health care use: A mediation analysis

Physical activity is known to provide substantial health benefits and subsequently reduce health care use among older people, but little is known about how much of this effect is due to improved cognitive function as opposed to physical improvements in health. We study the direct and indirect effect of physical activity on health care use using the word recall task as a measure of cognitive function in a mediation framework. We use data from eight waves of the US Health and Retirement Study (HRS) (2004 - 2018) of people aged 65 and older and exploit genetic variations between individuals as an instrumental variable (IV) for cognitive function, a local health care supply measure as IV for health care use, and neighbourhood physical activity as IV for individual physical activity in our simultaneous three-equation model. We find small but negative direct and indirect effects of physical activity through improved cognitive function on the probability to see a GP and being admitted to a hospital, as well as the number of GP visits and the hospital length of stay. Improved cognitive function explains between 5% to 17% of the total effect of physical activity on the reduction in health care use.

The association between physical activity and subjective well-being among adolescents in southwest China by parental absence: a moderated mediation model

ObjectivesBuilt on the Positive Youth Development (PYD) framework, this study examined how physical activity affected the subjective well-being of adolescents in the multi-ethnic area of southwest China. The mediating role of school connectedness as an external development asset and the moderating role of resilience as an internal development asset were specified and tested within the framework of sport-based PYD.MethodsA cross-sectional survey of 3143 adolescents (47.2% boys with mean age = 12.88 and SD = 1.68) was conducted in 2020. A structural equation model (SEM) was developed to estimate the direct effect of physical activity, the mediating effect of school connectedness, and the moderating effect of resilience on adolescents’ subjective well-being. Multi-group comparison was made to investigate differences and similarities across three parental absence subgroups: (1) both parents present, (2) one parent absent, and (3) both parents absent.ResultsAs surmised, physical activity, school connectedness, and resilience all positively and significantly affected adolescents’ subjective well-being. SEM analyses revealed that school connectedness mediated the effect of physical activity on subjective well-being. Moreover, resilience moderated both the direct and indirect effects of physical activity (through school connectedness) on subjective well-being. Finally, the multi-group comparison revealed a moderating effect of parental absence on the moderated mediation model.LimitationsThis study is a cross-sectional survey, so inference of causal associations among the study variables is impossible.ConclusionsHealthy lifestyle behaviors, school-supportive settings, and positive individual development assets can enhance the subjective well-being of adolescents in southwest China, especially those whose parents were absent. Physical activity interventions informed by the PYD framework should be incorporated into public health programs designed to foster the physical and mental health of left-behind adolescents in southwest China.

The effects of physical activity on depression and quality of life in Chinese perimenopausal women

BackgroundWomen are more likely to experience depressive symptoms and poor quality of life (QoL) during perimenopause. The effectiveness of physical activity (PA) in perimenopause on mental well-being and health outcomes has been frequently reported. This study aimed to investigate the mediating effect of PA on the relationship between depression and QoL in Chinese perimenopausal women. MethodsA cross-sectional study was performed, and participants were recruited through a multistage, stratified, probability proportional to size sampling method. Depression, PA, and QoL were measured by Zung Self-rating Depression Scale, Physical Activity Rating Scale-3, and World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire. The direct and indirect effects of PA on QoL were analyzed by PA in a mediation framework. Results1100 perimenopausal women participated in the study. PA mainly plays partial mediating roles in the relationship between depression and physical (ab = −0.493, 95 % CI: −0.582 to −0.407; ab = −0.449, 95 % CI: −0.553 to −0.343) and psychological (ab = −0.710, 95 % CI: −0.849 to −0.578; ab = −0.721, 95 % CI: −0.853 to −0.589; ab = −0.670, 95 % CI: −0.821 to −0.508) domains of QoL. Additionally, intensity (ab = −0.496, 95 % CI: −0.602 to −0.396; ab = −0.355, 95 % CI: −0.498 to −0.212) and duration (ab = −0.201, 95 % CI: −0.298 to −0.119; ab = −0.134, 95 % CI: −0.237 to −0.047) intermediated the relationship between moderate-to-severe depression and physical domain; frequency (ab = −0.130, 95 % CI: −0.207 to −0.066) only had a mediation influence between moderate depression and physical domain; intensity (ab = −0.583, 95 % CI: −0.712 to −0.460; ab = −0.709, 95 % CI: −0.854 to −0.561; ab = −0.520, 95 % CI: −0.719 to −0.315), duration (ab = −0.433, 95 % CI: −0.559 to −0.311; ab = −0.389, 95 % CI: −0.547 to −0.228; ab = −0.258, 95 % CI: −0.461 to −0.085), and frequency (ab = −0.365, 95 % CI: −0.493 to −0.247; ab = −0.270, 95 % CI: −0.414 to −0.144) all interceded between the psychological domain and all levels of depression, except for the frequency between severe depression and psychological domain; in terms of social relationship and environment domains, intensity (ab = −0.458, 95 % CI: −0.593 to −0.338; ab = −0.582, 95 % CI: −0.724 to −0.445), duration (ab = −0.397, 95 % CI: −0.526 to −0.282; ab = −0.412, 95 % CI: −0.548 to −0.293), and frequency (ab = −0.231, 95 % CI: −0.353 to −0.123; ab = −0.398, 95 % CI: −0.533 to −0.279) were mediators only on mild depression. LimitationsThe cross-sectional study and self-reported data are major limiting factors. ConclusionPA and its components partially mediated the association between depression and QoL. Suitable prevention methods and interventions for PA may improve the QoL for perimenopausal women.

중·고등학생들의 신체활동과 학업스트레스의 관계에 대한 회복탄력성의 매개효과 검증

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between physical activity and academic stress in secondary students. Furthermore, this study aims to examine the mediated effects of resilience on the relationship between physical activity and academic stress. This study is expected to present the ways and grounds for the necessity of improving mental health and academic stress as well as building resilience.BR Method: The participants of this study were 506 middle and high school students recruited using convenience sampling, which is a non-probability sampling to complete the questionnaire. For data analysis, PASW Statistic 20.0, IBM SPSS 25.0, and AMOS 25.0 version program were used to conduct frequency analysis, descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, correlation analysis, independent sample t-test, one-way ANOVA, and multiple regression analysis.BR Results: First, physical activity was significantly influenced to resilience, social support seeking, and problem solving of stress-coping strategy. Second, in terms of the mediated effects of resilience on the relationship between physical activity and academic stress, the indirect effect of physical activity on academic stress through resilience was statistically significant. Lastly, as the result of mediated effects on resilience between physical activity and academic stress of the middle and high school students, the significant mediated effects were revealed.BR Conclusion: Since the high resilience of the middle and high school students affects academic stress, it is necessary to provide them with opportunities to increase their resilience in order to reduce academic stress. In addition, efforts to increase physical activity are required. Through this, it is judged that increasing resilience can help release the level of academic stress as a result.

DOES EMOTIONAL EATING MEDIATE THE EFFECT OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND SLEEP DURATION ON FAT INTAKE IN PREGNANT WOMEN?

Pregnant women need nutrients, one of which is fat. High fat intake might occur due to emotional eating. Emotional eating and excessive fat intake are assumed to be caused by low physical activity and insufficient sleep duration. This study purposed to investigate whether emotional eating mediates the effect of physical activity and sleep duration on fat intake in pregnancy. This study used an analytic survey method with a cross-sectional approach. The population of this study was pregnant women in the second and third trimesters who lived in Bondowoso Regency. Sampling was conducted with a cluster random sampling technique, and 105 subjects were obtained. The research instruments included a 24-hour food recall form, Emotional Eater Questionnaire (EEQ), Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaires (PPAQ), and four sleep duration questions from the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) form. Statistical test used path analysis. The direct influences in this study were shown by the variables of physical activity and sleep duration on emotional eating (p-values 0.027 and &lt;0.001), and emotional eating on fat intake of pregnant women (p-value &lt;0.001), respectively. Emotional eating can explain the effect of physical activity and sleep duration on fat intake with the indirect effect value greater than that with the direct effect. The conclusion of this study is that there is a role for emotional eating to mediate the indirect effect of physical activity and sleep duration on fat intake. Women who are pregnant should be able to do dietary habit, regulate sleep, and physical activity.

Better Subjective Sleep Quality Partly Explains the Association Between Self-Reported Physical Activity and Better Cognitive Function.

Physical activity has been associated with better cognitive function and better sleep quality. Yet, whether the beneficial effect of physical activity on cognitive function can be explained by an indirect pathway involving better sleep quality is unclear. To investigate whether sleep quality mediates the association between physical activity and cognitive function in adults 50 years of age or older. 86,541 community-dwelling European adults were included in the study. Physical activity and sleep quality were self-reported. Indicators of cognitive function (immediate recall, delayed recall, verbal fluency) were assessed using objective tests. All measures were collected six times between 2004 and 2017. The mediation was tested using multilevel mediation analyses. Results showed that self-reported physical activity was associated with better self-reported sleep quality, which was associated with better performance in all three indicators of cognitive function, demonstrating an indirect effect of physical activity on cognitive function through sleep quality. The mediating effect of sleep quality accounted for 0.41%, 1.46%, and 8.88% of the total association of physical activity with verbal fluency, immediate recall, and delayed recall, respectively. These findings suggest that self-reported sleep quality partly mediates the association between self-reported physical activity and cognitive function. These results need to be confirmed by device-based data of physical activity and sleep quality.

Association between physical activity and vitamin D is partially mediated by adiposity in older adults: EpiFloripa Aging Cohort Study

Studies have found that physical activity (PA) could be a protective factor and adiposity a risk factor for low serum 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25(OH)D) concentration. This cross-sectional study hypothesized that PA could have a direct effect on 25(OH)D, and adiposity could be a mediating factor. Data from the second wave of the EpiFloripa Aging longitudinal study, collected during 2013 and 2014 (n = 1197) in Florianopolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil, was used. PA was measured using an accelerometer and classified as light PA (LPA), moderate and vigorous PA (MVPA), and total PA (TPA); 25(OH)D levels were measured using the microparticle chemiluminescence method. Body fat composition (%fat) was assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Structural equation modeling was performed to analyze the total, direct, and indirect effects of PA on %fat and 25(OH)D levels, presented using the standardized coefficient (β). Participants with complete data were included in the analysis (n = 574, 66.7% female). MVPA showed a direct (β = 0.11; P < .05) and total positive effect on 25(OH)D (β = 0.12; P < .05). All models of PA had a direct negative effect on %fat. Additionally, a direct negative effect of %fat on 25(OH)D was observed in all models. A marginal and partial effect of %fat as a mediator of the relationship between MVPA and 25(OH)D was noted (β = 0.01, P = .09). Our results show that PA presents a direct effect on serum 25(OH)D. %fat has a small contribution as a mediator of this relationship. These data suggest that an increase in MVPA and a decrease in %fat could be strategies to increase 25(OH)D levels in older adults.

Urban green space and mental well-being of Aotearoa New Zealand adolescents: A path analysis

BackgroundGrowing evidence shows the positive influence of neighbourhood green space on mental well-being among adults through multiple health behaviours, but similar studies are lacking for adolescents. MethodsData were drawn from the 2019 wave of the Youth2000 survey series in Aotearoa, New Zealand with secondary school students (aged 10-19 years) from the city of Tamaki Makaurau, Auckland. Emotional well-being was measured with the World Health Organization-5 Well-being Index, and depressive symptoms were assessed using the Reynolds Adolescent Depression Scale-short form. Neighbourhood green space was assessed using three different measures: percentage of green space, Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and the distance to nearest green space from place of residence. Exposure areas of these measures were calculated using Euclidean buffers of 100m, 300m, 800m and 1600m around participants’ meshblock residential addresses. Three mediating (physical activity, social cohesion, sleep) and ten control variables (in adjusted models) were included in path analysis to test the direct and indirect relationships between green space and adolescent mental well-being. ResultsIn unadjusted models, percentage of green space had a negative relationship with emotional well-being, and inconsistent effects of NDVI were detected in different buffers. Minor indirect effects of physical activity and sleep were also found. Depressive symptoms and emotional well-being were more strongly related to other individual and neighbourhood factors (e.g., neighbourhood deprivation). After adjusting for control variables, no significant associations of green space with adolescent depressive symptoms and emotional well-being were identified. ConclusionsUrban neighbourhood green space does not appear to be a dominant factor contributing to adolescent mental well-being through physical activity, social cohesion and sleep. Appropriate individual and environmental control variables are needed to take into consideration in future studies that explore the green space-mental well-being relationships in adolescents.

Examining effects of habitual physical activity and body composition on bone structure in early post-menopausal women: a pQCT analysis.

The menopausal transition is characterized by dramatic bone loss, leading to an increased risk of fracture. Few studies have examined how modifiable risk factors influence bone structure. Thus, the objective of this cross-sectional study was to examine the relationship between habitual physical activity (PA), body composition, and bone structure in post-menopausal women with low bone mass. Data was analyzed from 276 post-menopausal women with low bone mass enrolled in the Heartland Osteoporosis Prevention Study. Body composition and bone structure measures were collected using dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) at the tibia. Habitual PA was collected using the Human Activity Profile questionnaire. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine the relative impact of habitual PA and body composition on bone structure measures (density, area, and strength). Direct and/or indirect effects of PA on bone outcomes were assessed by path analysis. Mean (± SD) age of participants was 54.5 (± 3.2) years and average BMI was 25.7(± 4.7). Mean T-score of the total lumber spine and hip were - 1.5 (± .6) and - 0.8 (± .59), respectively, with all women classified with low bone mass. Habitual PA had a significant positive effect on bone area and strength measures at the 66% site, and trend effects at the 4% site. Lean mass had a significant positive effect on area and strength at the 66% site and 4% site. Fat mass showed no effect at the 66% site, with a positive effect on density and strength at the 4% site. Increased habitual activity was related to improved bone structure of the tibia. Our results in post-menopausal women emphasize that PA and lean mass preservation are important for maintaining bone structure in the years following menopause.

Physical activity, confidence and quality of life among cancer patient-carer dyads

BackgroundPhysical activity (PA) has been positively associated with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among cancer patients and family caregivers. However, there has been no relevant research for patient-caregiver dyads.MethodsPath analysis, based on the actor–partner interdependence model (APIM), was used to examine the relationship between physical activity and health-related quality of life and explore the mediating role of emotional distress in 233 dyads.ResultsIn both patients and caregivers, physical activity had a direct positive effect on physical quality of life (QoL) but not on mental. There was a significant indirect effect of physical activity on health-related quality of life via emotional distress for both dyad members. Patients’ and caregivers’ confidence in fighting cancer was negatively associated with their own emotional distress. Caregivers’ confidence in fighting cancer was positively associated with their physical activity and also negatively associated with patients’ emotional distress.ConclusionsPhysical activity may be considered as a possible behavioral and rehabilitation strategy for improving health-related quality of life in patient-caregiver dyads and reducing negative symptoms. Future research and intervention may consider cancer patient-family caregiver dyad as a unit of care.

The role of anxiety and depression in the relationship between physical activity and sleep quality: A serial multiple mediation model

BackgroundPhysical inactivity exacerbates poorer sleep quality, but potential underlying mechanisms of this association remain unknown. The present study aims to disentangle the pathways linking psychical activity to sleep quality through the serial mediation effect of anxiety and depression in a Chinese population. MethodsData analyzed were from Guangdong Sleep and Psychosomatic Health Survey, a cross-sectional population-based study with a representative sample of adult inhabitants aged 18-85 years living in Guangdong province, China. A total of 13,768 participants were included with the response rate of 80.4%. Singe and serial mediation analyses were conducted to examine whether anxiety and depression mediated the relationship between physical activity and sleep quality, independently and jointly. ResultsBoth direct and indirect effects of physical activity on sleep quality were found. As predicted, anxiety and depression mediated the relationship between physical activity and sleep quality (B Anxiety = -0.17, 95% bootstrap CI: -0.20 to -0.15; B Depression= -0.25, 95% bootstrap CI: -0.28 to -0.21), respectively. In addition, serial mediation analyses indicated that the association of physical activity and sleep quality is mediated by anxiety and depression in a sequential manner (B = -0.13, 95% bootstrap CI: -0.15 to -0.11). LimitationsThe primary limitation of the study is the cross-sectional design, which limits the causal inference ability. ConclusionsThese findings highlight the role of anxiety and depression as serial mediators of the relationship between physical activity and sleep quality. Thus, exercise-based programs focusing on improving sleep could benefit from a multi-faceted approach therapeutically targeting psychiatric disorders.

Physical activity can change the physiological and psychological circumstances during COVID-19 pandemic: A narrative review

Background: With the outbreak of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), many studies’ attention to this world’s complexity increased dramatically. Different views on sports and physical activities have been presented, which have addressed the advantages and disadvantages of sports activities in this period differently. The purpose of this review was to investigate the physiological and psychological effects of physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Using PubMed, Science Direct, Medline, and Web of Science electronic databases, this review summarizes the current knowledge of direct and indirect effects of physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic, evaluating the advantages and drawbacks of specific exercise physiology conditions. All types of studies were assessed, including systematic reviews, case-studies, and clinical guidelines. The literature search identified 40 articles that discussed COVID-19, immune system, the relation between immune system and exercise or diet, and psychological impacts of physical activity. Results: Forty articles review showed that the immune system depends on the type, frequency, intensity, and duration of the exercise. Intense or prolonged exercise with short recovery periods can progressively weaken the immune system and increase the risk of COVID-19. One of the acute responses after moderate-intensity training is improved immune function and a decrease in inflammatory cytokines. Paying attention to dietary intakes of micro-and macronutrients in conjunction with exercise can strengthen the condition to fight against coronavirus. Exercise can also affect the psychological dimensions of the COVID-19 pandemic, including depression, anxiety, and stress, which improve community mental health during the quarantine. Conclusion: Setting appropriate physical activity based on individuals’ properties and proper diet plan may enhance the physiological and psychological body’s condition to fight against coronavirus.

Repeated assessments of physical activity and risk of incident venous thromboembolism

Essentials It is debated whether physical activity influences the risk of venous thromboembolism. The association was explored accounting for fluctuations in physical activity over time. Overall and in the elderly, physical activity was associated with 23% and 30% lower risk. A moderate proportion of the association (14-36%) was mediated via body mass index. SUMMARY: Background Whether physical activity influences the risk of incident venous thromboembolism (VTE) remains controversial, potentially because of methodological challenges, such as regression dilution bias. Objectives To investigate whether physical activity was associated with VTE risk, and explore the role of body mass index (BMI) as a mediator in a population-based cohort with repeated assessments of physical activity. Methods Participants (n = 30 002) attending one or more surveys of the Tromsø Study 4-6 (1994-1995, 2001-2002, and 2007-2008) were included and categorized on the basis of weekly physical activity. Incident VTE was registered until 31 December 2016. Hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated by the use of time-varying Cox regression models. The Aalen additive hazard model was used to quantify the total, direct and indirect effects of physical activity. Results There were 531 incident VTEs during follow-up. Physical activity (≥ 1 per week) was associated with a lower risk of VTE (HR 0.77, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.64-0.92) than being inactive. The effect was most pronounced for those aged ≥ 65 years (HR 0.70, 95% CI 0.55-0.88) and for provoked events (HR 0.66, 95% CI 0.50-0.89). The differences in absolute risk between active and inactive individuals were - 0.42 (95% CI - 0.73 to - 0.14) and - 1.59 (95% CI - 2.74 to - 0.52) events annually per 1000 individuals in the total and elderly populations, respectively. A moderate proportion of the association (14-36%) was mediated via BMI. Conclusion Our findings suggest that regular physical activity is associated with a lower risk of VTE, particularly in the elderly. The association occurred at a low weekly amount of physical activity, and was only partly mediated by BMI.

Muscle Strength and Body Weight Mediate the Relationship Between Physical Activity and Usual Gait Speed

BackgroundUsual gait speed (UGS) is recognized as a good indicator of a variety of health conditions as well as a predictor of future disability and mortality. There is evidence that UGS increases with physical activity. Muscle function and body composition changes may mediate these changes. However, we do not know exactly which of these factors contribute to the effect of physical activity on gait speed or the magnitude of their contribution. MethodsData are from 1378 women aged 75 years and older recruited in the Toulouse EPIDémiologie de l'OStéoporose cohort. Body weight and composition (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry), knee extension strength, and physical activity habits were assessed. The INDIRECT macro for SPSS (SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL) was used to determine total and specific indirect effects of physical activity on UGS through body weight (BW) and composition as well as muscle mass and strength. ResultsKnee extension strength [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.0091, 0.0231] and BW (95% CI 0.0037, 0.0412), but not fat mass or muscle mass, were mediators of the relationship between physical activity and gait speed. However, muscle mass significantly mediated the relationship between physical activity and muscle strength (95% CI −3.0722, −0.6265). ConclusionsResults suggest that muscle strength and BW are the most significant mediators of the relationship between physical activity and UGS. Although the specific effect of muscle mass appears negligible at first sight, its role should not be overlooked given its impact on muscle strength.