Intensity Physical Activity Research Articles

Cognitive function and its longitudinal predictability by intensity of physical activity in Chinese middle-aged and older adults.

The aging population faces several health problems, including cognitive decline that can progress to Alzheimer's disease. Regular physical activity is widely recognized for its extensive benefits, including physical and mental health improvements especially for older adults. This study aimed to examine the prediction of physical activity intensities on cognitive function of older adults. Data from 8 years prospective survey among Chinese population aged 45 years and older is used. Cognitive function was measured by word recall, orientation, numeric subtraction, and copying a picture. Physical activity was assessed with three intensity levels. General estimating equations (GEE) with unstructured correlation matrix is used to test the prediction of physical activity intensity on cognitive function. Cognitive function of participants significantly declined from 9.81 at baseline to 8.81 after 8 years. Moderate-intensity physical activity for 3 days/week was strongest positive predictor of cognitive function with a betta coefficient of 0.64. Light-intensity physical activity also positively predicted cognitive function, however vigorous physical activity for more than 3 days/week negatively predicted cognitive function. Cognitive function of the Chinese population is found to continuously decline after 60 years old age. Fortunately, this decline can be delayed with age-tolerable light to moderate-intensity physical activities.

Plant polysaccharides and antioxidant benefits for exercise performance and gut health: from molecular pathways to clinic.

In the last three decades, our understanding of how exercise induces oxidative stress has significantly advanced. Plant polysaccharides, such as dietary fibers and resistant starches, have been shown to enhance exercise performance by improving energy metabolism, reducing fatigue, increasing strength and stamina, mitigating oxidative stress post-exercise, facilitating muscle recovery, and aiding in detoxification. Moreover, antioxidants found in plant-based foods play a crucial role in protecting the body against oxidative stress induced by intense physical activity. By scavenging free radicals and reducing oxidative damage, antioxidants can improve exercise endurance, enhance recovery, and support immune function. Furthermore, the interaction between plant polysaccharides and antioxidants in the gut microbiota can lead to synergistic effects on overall health and performance. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current research on plant polysaccharides and antioxidants in relation to exercise performance and gut health.

Attainment of World Health Organization physical activity recommendations by Ecuadorian children: Analysis of social and anthropometrics factors in two distinct populations.

Daily adherence to WHO recommended physical activity guidelines has multiple health benefits in children and adolescents. Limited data from low and middle-income countries are available regarding adherence to WHO physical activity recommendations. This study aims to objectively measure physical activity intensities and explore associations with sociodemographic and anthropometric factors related to nonadherence to the WHO minimum physical activity recommendations. Two cross-sectional studies were conducted between 2014 and 2019 in two distinct populations of Ecuador in terms of poverty and residency (Cuenca: 66% live in urban areas, and 38.2% have unsatisfied basic needs; Quininde, 76.4% live in rural areas and 91% have unsatisfied basic needs). Waist-worn accelerometers were used to measure daily physical activity, standardized questionnaires were used to assess sociodemographic variables (age, sex, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status), and anthropometric (weight, height, waist circumference) measurements were taken. Multivariable regression was used to assess the relationship between sociodemographic and anthropometric factors with physical activity in each study population. The study involved 650 participants in Cuenca, with a mean age of 9.1 years (SD 2.9), and 985 children and adolescents in Quinindé, with a mean age of 8.3 years (SD 0.4). In both settings, boys were more likely than girls (Cuenca: adj. OR 3.09, 95% CI 2.17-4.39; Quinindé adj. OR 5.63, 95% CI 4.03-7.85) to achieve the WHO physical activity guidelines. More affluent participants were much less likely to meet this recommendation than their poorer counterparts in both settings. In Cuenca, a higher waist circumference was inversely associated with meeting WHO daily physical activity recommendation (adj. OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.94-0.98), whereas in Quinindé, adherence to WHO guidelines was more likely in non-Mestizo than Mestizo children (adj. OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.02-2.07). The findings suggest that anthropometric differences and sociodemographic disparities influence the attainment of WHO physical activity recommendations in Ecuadorian children.

Machine learning derived physical activity in preschool children with developmental coordination disorder.

To compare the device-measured physical activity behaviours of preschool children with typical motor development to those with probable developmental coordination disorder (pDCD) and at risk for developmental coordination disorder (DCDr). A total of 497 preschool children (4-5 years) in the Coordination and Activity Tracking in CHildren (CATCH) study completed repeated motor assessments and wore an ActiGraph GT3X on the right hip at baseline for 1 week. We calculated physical activity metrics from raw accelerometer data using a validated random forest classification machine learning model for preschool-age children. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and linear regression models compared physical activity between typically developing children, children at risk for DCDr, and those with pDCD identified based on motor scores at baseline and averaged over time, accounting for age, sex, and accelerometer wear time. We found no differences in daily time spent sedentary, in light physical activity, or moderate-to-vigorous physical activity between typically developing children, children at risk for DCDr, and those with pDCD. However, children in the DCD groups spent less time doing ambulatory activities (walking/running) than typically developing children. Analysis of variance: baseline classification, DCDr to typically developing, run: F = 5.34, p = 0.005, classification averaged over time, DCDr to typically developing, walk: F = 5.82, p = 0.003. Regressions: DCDr compared to typically developing for walk: B = -3.47 (standard error 1.05), p < 0.001, pDCD compared to typically developing for run: B = -1.82 (standard error 0.62), p = 0.004. Designing interventions for preschool children with motor difficulties targeting specific physical activity types (walk/run) may help mitigate physical activity intensity differences observed later in childhood.

Use of Accelerometry and Global Positioning System (GPS) to Describe Children's Park-Based Physical Activity Among Racial and Ethnic Minority Youth.

Parks are one component of the built environment to promote regular physical activity (PA) among youth. This study investigated differences in park-based PA among youth based on demographics and park features in racially or ethnically diverse communities. In 2017-2018, parks were selected in majority Asian (n = 3), Latino (n = 5), and Black (n = 4) neighborhoods in North Carolina (n = 6) and New York (n = 6). Researchers recruited parents/caregivers of 5-10-year-olds to participate. Children wore an Actigraph GT3 + waist accelerometer and a QStarz GPS unit and were instructed to play normally for at least 15min. Evenson cut-points were used to classify PA levels as sedentary, light, moderate, and vigorous. Chi-squared tests and non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to examine differences in PA intensity minutes (sedentary, light, moderate-to-vigorous) across study location and demographic variables. Youth participated from NY (n = 200) and NC (n = 157). Overall, most park-based PA was spent in light intensity (59.9%), followed by moderate-to-vigorous intensity (32.4%). Females, compared to male participants, spent more time in sedentary behavior (9.0%, 6.1%) and less time in moderate-to-vigorous PA (26.6%, 38.1%). Participants who identified as Black (32.9% MVPA), Latino (35.8%), and Other (39.8%) spent higher percentages of time in moderate-to-vigorous PA than Asian (26.6%) and non-Hispanic White (21.3%) participants. The highest proportion of moderate-to-vigorous PA occurred on swing sets (46%) and basketball courts (45%). Racial and ethnic, sex, and activity area differences in park-based PA indicate that diverse youth use parks uniquely; these factors should be considered in designing parks for various ages and backgrounds.

Premature wear of the hip prosthesis as an early mechanical complication qualified for revision surgery – a rare case report and clinical implications

Background: Mechanical complications of total hip arthroplasty (THA) are potential issues that may arise following the primary THA. Improper placement of THA can lead to misalignment of the joint axis, resulting in instability, pain, and walking difficulties. Among the relatively rare postoperative mechanical complications, premature wear of prosthesis components is included. This wear can lead to catastrophic prosthesis dislocation, necessitating surgical revision of the THA. Aim of the study: The aim of this paper is to present an intriguing case description of a patient with premature THA wear classified as an early postoperative mechanical complication, warranting revision THA surgery. The likely cause of premature wear of the implanted acetabular cup was excessive prosthesis use associated with intense physical activity and a high level of patient fitness. Care report: The paper presents the medical history and treatment course of a 33-year-old active patient who underwent uncemented left hip THA surgery due to diagnosed coxarthrosis caused by congenital dysplasia. After 5 years, premature wear of the implanted acetabular cup occurred. The likely cause was excessive prosthesis exploitation related to intensive physical activity and a high level of patient fitness. A year after the first revision surgery, THA dislocation occurred, resulting in the necessity of a second revision with replacement of the acetabular cup, polyethylene inserts and femoral head of the endoprosthesis. Summary: Premature wear of THA poses a significant clinical challenge. Functional limitations, associated with the loss of hip joint stability, lead to difficulties in performing basic activities, further decreasing the patient's quality of life. It is also worth emphasizing that the treatment process for premature THA wear is associated with the possibility of surgical complications and a prolonged recovery period.

Rhythm of cognition: exploring Greek traditional dance's acute effects on children's executive functions

ABSTRACT This study examined the acute effects of a Greek traditional dance (GTD) lesson on school-aged children's executive functions (EFs), with a focus on the separate and combined effects of lesson intensity and cognitive demands. Ninety-three children were randomly assigned to one of four conditions, involving a 20-minute GTD lesson with varying intensity (high vs. low) and cognitive demands (high vs. low). EFs were assessed pre- and post-intervention, using the ANT for inhibitory control, Digits Backwards for working memory, and the How many - What number for cognitive flexibility. Results from (M)ANCOVAs, controlling for pre-test EFs scores, indicated that high cognitive demands groups demonstrated better accuracy in congruent trials for inhibitory control (F = 6.47, p = .013, η 2 = .07), while low-intensity groups exhibited better accuracy in switch trials for cognitive flexibility (F = 9.11, p = .003, η 2 = .09). No significant differences were observed for working memory. Although the GTD positively impacted inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility, most EF parameters did not significantly differ. Class duration, physical activity intensity and teaching method used might have affected the results and should be considered in future research on dance programs and children's EFs.

Physical Activity Monitoring in Children in the 1-Year After 3 or More Days of Invasive Ventilation: Feasibility of Using Accelerometers.

To measure physical activity in a cohort of children who survived greater than or equal to 3 days of invasive ventilation. Prospective cohort study (2018-2021). Quaternary children's hospital PICU. Children (2-17 yr old) without a preexisting tracheostomy who were ambulatory pre-illness and received greater than or equal to 3 days of invasive ventilation. None. We measured duration and intensity of physical activity using hip- (< 6 yr old) or wrist- (≥ 6 yr old) worn ActiGraph GT3XP-BTLE accelerometers (ActiGraph, Pensacola, FL) for 7 days at three timepoints: hospital discharge, 3 months, and 12 months post-discharge. We measured duration of moderate or vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and nonsedentary activity, both characterized as percent of total awake wear time and total minutes per day. We categorized participants based on when they first attained a "high activity" day defined as greater than or equal to 60 minutes of MVPA or a day with percent of MVPA in the top quartile of all days measured. We evaluated 55 children of whom 43 (78%) had data from greater than or equal to 1 timepoint including 19 (35%) with data from all timepoints. Maximum daily MVPA increased across the three post-discharge timepoints (median, 16.0 min [interquartile range (IQR), 8.0-42.8 min], 48.3 min [27.8-94.3 min], and 68.4 min [34.7-111.0 min], respectively) as did maximum daily percent of awake wear time in MVPA (median, 4.3% [IQR, 2.8-9.0%], 10.1% [5.7-14.4%], and 11.1% [7.1-17.5%], respectively). Of the 43 participants, 27 achieved a high activity day: nine of 43 during the hospital discharge period, 14 of 43 during the 3 months post-discharge period, and four of 43 during the 12 months post-discharge period; 16 of 43 did not demonstrate high activity during the post-discharge year. In the 1-year after PICU discharge measuring physical activity with accelerometers in children 2-17 years old is feasible. Furthermore, demonstration of variable recovery trajectories in our pilot cohort suggests it has potential to be an outcome measure in clinical trials.

Adherence to Physical Activity Recommendations Among Stroke Survivors in the United States.

Physical activity is an effective modifiable behavior for preventing recurrent strokes. This study aims to determine the adherence to physical activity recommendations among stroke survivors in the United States. We further compared our findings with the adherence observed among myocardial infarction (MI) survivors and healthy adults, each assessed against distinct physical activity guidelines specific to their respective populations. We utilized data from the 2011 to 2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a nationally representative survey. To establish benchmarks for stroke survivors, we referenced 3 different physical activity recommendations outlined in 2011, 2014, and 2021 American Heart Association stroke prevention guidelines. Similarly, for MI survivors and healthy adults, we used the 2011 guidelines for secondary prevention of coronary vascular diseases and the 2020 World Health Organization physical activity guidelines, respectively. Adherence to recommendations was determined by the respondents' self-reported intensity, duration, and frequency of physical activity. Multivariate logistic regression compared adherence in stroke survivors, MI survivors, and healthy adults. Among 48 222 stroke survivors in the United States, the overall adherence rates to 2011, 2014, and 2021 physical activity guidelines were 75.4%, 40.2%, and 69.2%. For independently mobile stroke survivors, the adherence rates increased to 78.1%, 42.1%, and 69.9%. Among MI survivors and healthy adults, the adherence rates were 42.7% and 72%. When 2021 recommendations were used as a benchmark, older (aged ≥65 years) stroke survivors were more likely to adhere to recommendations than younger survivors (71.9% versus 62.3%; P<0.0001). After adjusting for sociodemographic factors and comorbidities, non-Hispanic Black survivors were less likely to adhere to recommendations (adjusted odds ratio, 0.81 [95% CI, 0.7-0.94]), whereas older and higher educated stroke survivors were more likely to adhere to recommendations. Geographically, stroke belt and nonrural residents were less likely to adhere to recommendations ([63.5% versus 67.9%; P<0.0001]; [53.8% versus 58.7%; P<0.0001]). Stroke and MI survivors were less likely to adhere to the latest recommendations than healthy adults (adjusted odds ratio, 0.74 [95% CI, 0.69-0.8]; (adjusted odds ratio, 0.24 [95% CI, 0.22-0.26]). A substantial number of stroke survivors do not meet physical activity recommendations. Tailored interventions should be designed for at-risk populations, for example, non-Hispanic Black survivors and lower educated stroke survivors.

Effects of a behavioral intervention on physical activity, diet, and health-related quality of life in postpartum women with elevated weight: results of the HIPP randomized controlled trial

BackgroundApproaches to improve physical activity (PA), diet, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) during postpartum in diverse women with elevated weight are needed.MethodsHealth In Pregnancy and Postpartum (HIPP) was a randomized controlled trial that followed African American and white women with overweight or obesity from pregnancy through 12 months postpartum. Participants were randomized to a behavioral intervention grounded in social cognitive theory (n = 112) or standard care (n = 107). From enrollment (≤ 18 weeks gestation) through 6 months postpartum, the intervention group received two in-depth counseling sessions (one each during pregnancy and postpartum), counseling calls, behavioral podcasts, and access to a private Facebook group, while the standard care group received monthly mailings and podcasts focused on healthy pregnancy and infant development. PA (SenseWear armband), diet (ASA24), and HRQOL (SF-12) measurements were obtained from blinded assessors at baseline and 6- and 12-months postpartum. Linear or quantile regression models, depending on conformity to normality assumptions, were used to test differences between behavioral intervention and standard groups in PA outcomes (minutes/day of total PA, light PA, and moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA (MVPA), and total steps/day), dietary outcomes (diet quality and six measures of dietary intake), and HRQOL at 6- and 12-months postpartum, controlling for baseline values, race, parity, weight status, education, maternal age, gestational age, and caloric intake (for most diet models).ResultsThere were no statistically significant differences by group for any PA, diet, or HRQOL outcomes at 6 or 12 months postpartum. Irrespective of group assignment, all PA outcomes improved from pregnancy to postpartum, as did kcals and the mental component of HRQOL. Furthermore, while not statistically significant, virtually all PA outcomes, except MVPA at 12 months, and several dietary outcomes, including diet quality, had patterns favoring the intervention group but with small effect sizes.ConclusionsPostpartum PA, diet, and HRQOL did not differ significantly between women in the behavioral intervention group and those in the standard care group. Given the increased responsibilities and stress that women face during the postpartum period, this appears to be a challenging time to make lifestyle changes.Trial registrationThis trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov on 10/09/2014. Identifier: NCT02260518.

Physical Activity During Pregnancy and Preterm Birth Among Women With Gestational Diabetes.

Physical activity, as a modifiable factor, emerges as a primary intervention strategy for the prevention and management of gestational diabetes (GD). Among women with GD, the association of physical activity during pregnancy with preterm birth remains unclear. To examine the association of accelerometer-derived physical activity metrics and patterns with preterm birth among women with GD. This prospective cohort study recruited pregnant women with GD in Hangzhou, China, from August 2019 to August 2023 as part of the Westlake Precision Birth Cohort study. Statistical analysis was performed between August and November 2023. Wearable accelerometer-derived physical activity metrics and patterns. Measurements of physical activity via wearable accelerometer were performed at a median (IQR) of 25.4 (24.6-26.6) weeks' gestation. Preterm birth was determined through the examination of delivery records. Incident preterm birth was defined as the delivery of infants before completing 37 weeks of gestation. Among the 1427 women meeting the inclusion criteria, the mean (SD) age was 31.3 (3.8) years, and there were 80 cases of preterm birth. An increase in moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) and the fraction of physical activity energy expenditure derived from MVPA exhibited an inverse association with preterm birth, with an odds ratio per 30 minutes of 0.64 (95% CI, 0.42-0.98) and an odds ratio per SD of 0.69 (95% CI, 0.55-0.88). In the dose-response analysis, there was a progressive decrease in the odds of preterm birth with increasing duration of MVPA per day, reaching a plateau at approximately 74 minutes per day. Furthermore, the findings indicated that active MVPA (MVPA ≥30 minutes per day), whether it was concentrated into a few days or followed a more regular pattern, had similar beneficial association with preterm birth. In this prospective cohort study, MVPA during pregnancy exhibited an inverse association with preterm birth among women with GD. Concentrated physical activity was associated with similar benefits in reducing preterm birth risk as regular physical activity.

Ovarian reserve, metabolic and neuroendocrine profiles of cadets from Air Force Academy: a pilot study.

Intensive physical activity and rigid dietary regimes can act as modifiers of neuroendocrine axes in women, inducing hormonal disorders and related menstrual irregularities such as functional hypothalamic amenorrhea (FHA). It would be important to evaluate if such disturbances may worsen female fertility. The aim of this study was to evaluate ovarian reserve markers and neuroendocrine axis in young military academy female cadets with years of training and occurrence of FHA. This is a prospective pilot study involving young female cadets from the Military Academy training program. Ovarian reserve markers and metabolic and neuroendocrine factors in the early follicular phase were measured with blood tests and transvaginal ultrasound. The study group consisted of 11 women belonging to the first year of training and the control group of 33 women belonging to the second to sixth year of training. No differences were found about ovarian reserve markers between the two groups. Moreover, the occurrence of FHA did not modify the ovarian reserve compared to eumenorrhea in both groups. Women from the study group showed significantly higher levels of fasting Insulin (42.18±26.14 uUI/mL versus 11.9±10.2 ng/mL, P value <0.001) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (310.06±67.90 uUI/mL versus 248.67±61.57 uUI/mL, P value = 0.015) compared with control group. Both intense physical training and FHA do not appear to impact the ovarian reserve of young female cadets. Although preliminary, these findings seem reassuring about the reproductive health of these women and their future fertility.

Age, activity, and native femoral offset are associated with articular noise in ceramic on ceramic total hip arthroplasty (THA) with custom stems.

To report the prevalence of articular noise following total hip arthroplasty (THA) with custom stems and ceramic-on-ceramic (CoC) bearings, to determine the risk factors for articular noise, and the effect of articular noise on quality of life (QoL). A consecutive series of uncemented primary THAs using custom stems implanted between 01/02/ 2014-01/04/2017 were evaluated. The cohort comprised 479 patients (529 hips, 301 males and 228 females), aged 55.9 ± 11.6 with a BMI of 25.8 ± 4.3kg/m2. Postoperative assessment included Oxford hip score (OHS), forgotten joint score (FJS), and a dedicated questionnaire on articular noise. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise the data. Regression analyses were performed to study factors associated with presence of noise. At a minimum follow-up of fiveyears, 431 patients (476 hips) were available for postoperative assessment. OHS was 45.3 ± 6.1, FJS was 83.6 ± 24.7, and 69 patients (71 hips, 15%) reported articular noise. The impact of noise on QoL was 1.4 ± 2.1. Multivariable analyses confirmed that the presence of articular noise was associated with younger age (OR,0.95; 95%CI,0.93-0.97; p < 0.001), smaller native femoral offset (OR, 0.95; 95%CI,0.90-1.00;p = 0.034), as well as intense (OR, 3.15; 95%CI, 1.15-9.79; p = 0.033) and very intense physical activity (OR, 4.71; 95%CI, 1.52-16.15; p = 0.009). The prevalence of articular noise following primary THA with custom stems and CoC bearings was 15%, butthe impact of noise on QoL was minimal for most patients. Younger, highly active patients should be advised of an increased likelihood of noise from CoC THA, particularly if they have low native femoral offset on preoperative imaging.

Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior on Bone Health in Adults: A Systematic Review.

The objective was to analyze the longitudinal associations of physical activity (PA) and Sedentary behavior (SB) on bone health indicators (BHI) in healthy young adults. Articles were selected from five databases and 17 longitudinal studies were selected after meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Among these, only one study assessed the association between childhood PA and adult BHI, the results showed no significant association between PA and BHI. Positive associations between adolescence and adulthood were observed between PA with bone mineral content and density and bone microarchitecture. In adulthood, the results were divergent; among the three studies located, two found a positive association. SB was negatively associated with bone mineral density and content from childhood to adulthood. However, from adolescence to adulthood, it was negatively associated with total tibia area but positively associated with trabecular thickness, cortical thickness, and cortical bone mineral. The evidence of the positive effect of PA and its intensities between adolescence and adulthood on BHI seems to be more consolidated, and it is still necessary to understand the role of intensities, volume of PA and SB in different periods of life with BHI in adulthood.

Active parents, active youth? Exploring the association between physical activity of youth with Cystic Fibrosis and their parents

BackgroundParents play a major role in shaping their children's physical activity (PA) behaviour. This study aimed to investigate the association between PA of youth with Cystic Fibrosis (YwCF) and their parents. MethodsPA was measured by an ActiGraph GT3x-BT for seven consecutive days. Data were processed by GGIR and PA intensities were based on the age-specific Hildebrand equations. Moderate-to-vigorous PA was chosen as primary outcome. Results26 YwCF-parent dyads participated. A significant positive association was found between parental PA behaviour and YwCF's PA behaviour for both moderate-to-vigorous PA and total PA (R2=0.60;p=0.001;R2=0.64;p<0.001). Furthermore, YwCF with less active parents perform 16 min/day less moderate-to-vigorous PA compared to YwCF with more active parents (p=0.004). ConclusionHigher parental PA levels are strongly associated with higher YwCF's PA levels. This association needs to be confirmed in a larger cohort to explore whether parental behaviour is an effective strategy to improve YwCF's PA levels.

Return to Sports After Arthroplasty

Arthroplasty of the hip has become one of the most successful surgical interventions and has seen significant advancements over the last century. With these developments, patient expectations have shifted from merely achieving pain-free daily mobility to anticipating a full recovery, including the ability to participate in sports. This shift has driven innovations in prosthetic materials and surgical techniques, such as the development of wear-resistant materials like highly cross-linked polyethylene and the adoption of minimally invasive procedures to enhance recovery.However, concerns persist among patients about the risks of resuming sports postoperatively, particularly the fear of prosthesis-related accidents or failures. A survey of 300 German surgeons identified periprosthetic fractures as the greatest risk, followed by polyethylene wear and implant loosening. The study also examines osteoporosis as a risk factor, suggesting that while sports can help prevent periprosthetic osteoporosis, high-energy trauma may increase the severity of injuries. Although modern prosthetic materials have reduced wear and improved durability, the type and intensity of physical activity continue to influence prosthesis longevity.Therefore, it is recommended that low-impact sports be resumed 3-6 months postoperatively, while high-impact sports should be approached with caution, particularly during the first year after surgery, to minimize the risk of complications. Coordination training before and after surgery is also emphasized to reduce the risk of falls and injuries. In summary, the study highlights that high-impact sports cannot be generally recommended, as coordination deficits may persist for up to 12 months following total hip replacement. Such activities should only be considered later-on and only by patients who are experienced in these specific sports.

Leisure-time Physical Activity in People with Spinal Cord Injury: A Population-based Community Sample

Objectives: To examine leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) volume in the Australian spinal cord injury (SCI) population while exploring its associations with sociodemographic and injury-related characteristics. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional analysis of the Australian cohort of the International Spinal Cord Injury Survey. The study included 1579 participants aged 18 years or older with an SCI. Analyses included summary statistics, analysis of variance, and regression modelling. Results: Approximately 58% (n = 863) of participants reported some participation in LTPA. The average (SD) total LTPA per week was 333 (318) minutes. Males, younger people, traumatically injured individuals, participants with less time since their injury, and those who required less assistance to ambulate reported between 50% and 200% more engagement in LTPA than their counterparts. Only 204 (13%) participants were compliant with the current SCI-specific physical activity guidelines for fitness improvement. Sociodemographic and injury-related characteristics explained a 2.9% variance for total LTPA, but the model was statistically insignificant. Conclusion: Participation in LTPA in the Australian SCI population was low, and not enough activity was performed at intensities that elicit healthful change. These data add to the growing body of LTPA and physical activity data for the global SCI population. The trends of physical inactivity are globally consistent. Some sociodemographic variables and injury-related characteristics influence the volume and type of LTPA performed, but their effect is mild. Urgent attention is warranted to improve LTPA volume globally.

Relationship Between Physical Literacy and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Physical literacy (PL) can positively affect the health of children, adolescents, and adults, and is closely related to cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF). To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the relationship between overall physical literacy (PL) and CRF in children and adolescents. Cross-sectional, cohort and experimental studies on the relationship between PL and CRF in children and adolescents were collected by searching the Web of Science Core Collection, PubMed, EBSCOhost, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases. Based on the characteristics of the included literature, PL was divided into physical competence (PC), daily behavior (DB), knowledge and understanding (K&U), and motivation and confidence (M&C). R 4.3.6 was used to analyze the combined effect size of PL and the relationships of the four dimensions with CRF among children and adolescents. A total of 21 articles were included, 42.9% of which were published after 2020, involving a total of 43,352 children and adolescents from 23 countries or regions. The characteristics of the included studies showed that, except for the K&U of children and adolescents aged 13-18years, the K&U of other age groups and the PL, PC, DB, M&C of all age groups were significantly positively correlated with CRF. Furthermore, the results of male and female samples in all included studies were the same. The results of the meta-analysis indicated that PL (COR = 0.64, 95% CI 0.58, 0.70), PC (COR = 0.74, 95% CI 0.69, 0.79), DB (COR = 0.49, 95% CI 0.40, 0.57), K&U (COR = 0.41, 95% CI 0.23, 0.56), and M&C (COR = 0.45, 95% CI 0.41, 0.49) were significantly positively correlated with CRF. Regarding DB, total physical activity (TPA) was positively correlated with CRF (COR = 0.49, 95% CI = 0.40, 0.57). Moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), vigorous physical activity (VPA) and high physical activity (HPA) were positively correlated with CRF (COR = 0.16, 95% CI 0.09, 0.22; COR = 0.33, 95% CI 0.22, 0.43; COR = 0.38, 95% CI 0.13, 0.58), but light physical activity (LPA) was negatively correlated with CRF (COR = - 0.20, 95% CI - 0.32, 0.06). PL and CRF are positively correlated among children and adolescents, suggesting that the development of physical literacy has a wide range of effects on children and adolescents' cardiopulmonary health and that these effects are not limited by PL and its various dimensions or sex. In addition, to exert the positive effect of daily activities on cardiopulmonary health, the intensity of physical activity should reach a moderate level or above.

Effect of elite sport activity on salivary microbiota: The case of water polo

It has been well established that the human gut microbiota plays a pivotal role in humans' health, since it is involved in nutrients' uptake, vitamins' synthesis, energy harvest, inflammatory modulation, and host immune responses. Moreover, gut microbiota alterations have been associated to an increasing number of diseases and its composition can be affected by several factors, including physical exercise. In particular, it has been reported that intense physical activity can induce metabolic changes which translate in alterations of specific biomarkers that can lead to the onset of infections, inflammation and hepatic or kidney disorders. Recently, the oral microbiota has shown its relevance not only for the health of oral cavity but also for human host's health, emerging as an ecological niche with a great potential for the study of gut microbiome alterations due also to its accessibility respect to other tracts that can be inferred through fecal samples analysis. Thus, the purpose of this study has been to assess the effect of intense physical activity, i.e., elite water polo, on the human salivary microbiota. Thirteen professional water polo players and nineteen sedentary controls were recruited for this study. The salivary microbiota analysis was performed in oral rinse collected from both controls and athletes three months after the beginning of the agonist season. Our results showed significant differences in the salivary microbiota between athletes and controls. In particular, three species, namely Oribacterium sinus, Oribacterium parvum and Oribacterium asaccharolyticum, were found to be significantly increased in the water polo players compared to controls. Even if these data have to be further validated, also to assess the role of these identified species, they strengthen the hypothesis that elite sports can influence and alter the status of the gut microbiota. Moreover, the saliva is confirmed as a suitable sample for microbiome evaluations that may improve athletes' status evaluation and monitoring.

Associations Between Physical Activity and Symptoms of Mental Health Disorders in Adolescence: Evidence From the Longitudinal Swedish Twin Register

PurposeThe transition phase between childhood and adolescence is critical, given the observation of increased mental health issues during this period, coupled with the absence of efficient intervention tools. This study aims to examine a possible effect of physical activity on mental health symptoms in adolescents during this transitional age. MethodsWe used data from a large-scale population-based Swedish twin sample of 14,083 individuals to investigate cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between physical activity and mental health problems during childhood and adolescence. We examine different aspects of mental health symptoms, including internalizing and externalizing symptoms. We applied generalized estimating equations to investigate the associations and explored potential familial confounding using within-twin pair analysis. ResultsWe found high physical activity intensity and frequency to be associated with better mental health throughout childhood and adolescence, cross-sectionally and longitudinally. Compared to those who reported low, those reporting high physical activity intensity and frequency in both childhood and/or adolescence had significantly lower symptoms of mental health at age 15. This association was statistically significant for both internalizing and externalizing symptoms. The within-twin pair analysis showed that familial confounding factors can largely explain the association with the externalizing scale, but not the internalizing scale. DiscussionPhysical activity in childhood and adolescence may play an essential role in reducing the risk of developing mental health problems, especially internalizing symptoms. Implementing acceptable, low-risk, and cost-effective interventions to promote physical activity could effectively safeguard young individuals from these symptoms.