Intermediate Physical Activity Research Articles

Domain-Specific Physical Activity and Stroke in Sweden

Associations of domain-specific physical activity with stroke incidence and poststroke outcomes have not been extensively studied using long-term, population-based data. To investigate associations of leisure time, work time, transport, and household physical activity with stroke incidence and death or dependency in activities of daily living (ADL) 3 months after stroke. The prospective, population-based Interplay Between Genetic Susceptibility and External Factors (INTERGENE) cohort study was conducted among a random sample of individuals from an urban-rural area covering western Sweden; 3614 individuals aged 24 to 77 years were examined in 2001 to 2004, and 1394 individuals were reexamined in 2014 to 2016. The median (range) follow-up was 20.0 years (56 days to 21.9 years). Data were analyzed from September through October 2023. Physical activity levels were self-reported for leisure time, work time, transportation, and household domains. The mean number of steps taken over a 6-day period was collected in a subgroup of participants using a sealed pedometer. Follow-up for stroke incidence and mortality rates continued until December 31, 2022. The composite outcome of death or ADL dependency was assessed at 3 months after stroke. Among 3614 individuals (mean [SD] age, 51.4 [13.1] years; 1910 female [52.9%]); 269 individuals (7.4%) developed stroke, of whom 120 individuals (44.6%) were dead or ADL dependent at 3 months. Intermediate (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 0.54; 95% CI, 0.38-0.77) and high (aHR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.31-0.73) levels of leisure time physical activity were associated with a reduced incidence of stroke compared with low levels, as was an intermediate level of physical activity in transportation (aHR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.52-0.93). High levels of leisure time physical activity were also associated with a reduced risk of poststroke death or ADL dependency (adjusted odds ratio, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.16-0.71) compared with low levels. Work time and household physical activity were not associated with stroke incidence or stroke outcomes. In exploratory subgroup analyses, there were interactions between physical activity and smoking (current smoking or smoking in the past year associated with stroke risk only in participants with low or intermediate physical activity: aHR, 2.33; 95% CI, 1.72-3.15) and family history of stroke (first-degree relative with a history of stroke associated with stroke risk only in participants with low or intermediate physical activity: aHR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.27-2.38). In this study, leisure time and transport-related physical activities were associated with a reduced risk of stroke. A high level of leisure time physical activity was also associated with a lower risk of death or ADL dependency 3 months after stroke.

Gastrointestinal Symptoms and Irritable Bowel Syndrome Are Associated With Female Sex and Smoking in the General Population and With Unemployment in Men.

Background: The influence of daily life exposure on the gastrointestinal tract is not fully understood. This study aimed to examine associations between functional gastrointestinal symptoms and sociodemographic status and lifestyle habits in the general population.Methods: The Malmö Offspring Study (MOS) included 2,648 participants from the general population who had answered a questionnaire about sociodemographic status, lifestyle habits, medical health, and self-reported irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The visual analog scale for IBS (VAS-IBS) was completed to assess gastrointestinal symptoms the past 2 weeks. Subjects with organic gastrointestinal diseases were excluded. Presence of self-reported IBS and gastrointestinal symptoms the past 2 weeks were used as dependent variables to study the associations with age, sex, body mass index, education, occupation, marital status, smoking, snuff using, alcohol drinking frequency, alcohol amount per drinking occasion, physical activity at work, and physical activity during leisure time, using logistic regression and generalized linear model.Results: Self-reported IBS was associated with gastrointestinal symptoms the past 2 weeks (p < 0.001). There was an association between IBS and female sex (p < 0.001), former smoking (p < 0.001), present smoking (p < 0.001), and an inverse association with drinking 3–4 standard glasses per occasion (p = 0.038). Gastrointestinal symptoms were associated with age 50–59 years (p = 0.009), ≥60 years (p = 0.004), female sex (p < 0.001), studying (p = 0.036), unemployment (p = 0.009), former smoking (p = 0.001), and present smoking (p = 0.012). In men, IBS was associated with middle-age and both IBS and gastrointestinal symptoms were associated with unemployment (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively). In women, IBS was associated with present smoking (p = 0.022), and gastrointestinal symptoms were associated with former smoking and inversely associated with higher age (p = 0.006) and intermediate physical activity at work (p = 0.008). No associations were found with BMI, education, marital status, or snuff using.Conclusion: Self-reported IBS in the general population shows strongest association with female sex and smoking, whereas gastrointestinal symptoms also are associated with unemployment and inversely associated with higher age. In men, both IBS and gastrointestinal symptoms are associated with unemployment. In women, both IBS and gastrointestinal symptoms are associated with smoking, whereas symptoms are inversely associated with higher age and intermediate physical activity.

Active Lifestyle and Immune System

Immunity is the defence mechanism of any organism in which it resists against infections, diseases and foreign pathogens. There are many contributing factors responsible for the performance of an immune system known collectively as life style factors or modifiable factors. These factors comprise of sleep, psychological well-being, diet, nutrition and physical activity. In this review we will discuss the impact of physical activity on health, aging and immunity. The management of immune system through physical activity and it’s importance will be also discussed. Although, for a balance immune system, diet and nutrition also have a major role along with physical activity. But in this mini-review our focus will be on the physical activity aspect to enhance and boost the immunity. Sleeping for 8 hours and brisk walk for 20-30 minutes at least is required along with healthy diet, for an effective immune system. Improper diet or lack of good sleep or physical activity and effect immunity and make a person more vulnerable to diseases and having a healthy lifestyle can help you fight against such conditions. Avoiding junk and fast food and replacing it with organic food helps in positive immune response. Various health related advantages of physical activity on regular basis. It has positive impact on the functionality of immune system. However, we cannot say for sure about the risk of contracting infection as it is still not clear. There are different levels of physical activities and they affect the immune system in a variable fashion. For example, athletes have intensive physical activity which suppresses the activity of many immune cells. On the other hand, some types of immune cells are stimulated by an intermediate physical activity. Hence, there are variables responses of physical activity on immune system regulation in athletes and in common population. These mechanisms that transform an active life style into good immune regulation which means good health, is still under investigation. Future researches are suggested to know the optimal extent of physical activity and training which may affect the immunity in a positive manner.

The association between physical activity and sleep quality in stroke-free adults living in rural settings. The Three Villages Study

Background/objectivesThe relationship between physical activity and sleep quality has been reported in specific conditions or in selected individuals. To better understand this association at the population level, we aimed to assess the association between physical activity and sleep quality in community-dwellers residing in three neighboring rural villages of Coastal Ecuador. MethodsA total of 1438 individuals aged ≥40 years were included. Data collection focused on the levels of physical activity and sleep quality. Multivariate models were fitted to assess independent associations between adequate physical activity and good sleep quality, after adjusting for relevant covariates. ResultsPhysical activity was categorized as ideal in 676 (47%) individuals, intermediate in 644 (45%), and poor in 118 (8%). According to the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), 880 (61%) individuals had a good sleep quality. In univariate analysis, the percentage of individuals with a good sleep quality was lower among individuals with poor and intermediate physical activity when compared to those with ideal physical activity. Using individuals with poor physical activity as the referent category, a logistic regression model showed that a good sleep quality was significantly associated with intermediate (odds ratio, OR: 1.54; 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.03–2.30; p = 0.036) and ideal (OR: 1.78; 95% C.I.: 1.18–2.69; p = 0.006) physical activity, after adjusting for relevant covariates. ConclusionsThis population-based study provides robust epidemiological evidence favoring an association between adequate levels of physical activity and good sleep quality in middle-aged and older adults living in rural settings.

Abstract 59: Age-Specific Probabilities of Transitioning between Ideal, Intermediate, and Poor Levels of Physical Activity in the United States: The Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)

Maintenance of recommended physical activity levels is associated with favorable cardiovascular outcomes. Consequently, the American Heart Association (AHA) included physical activity in the new Ideal Cardiovascular Health concept. Although physical activity is known to decline with age, the age-specific probability of transitioning between AHA defined levels (ideal, intermediate, poor) is unclear. This knowledge could inform interventions seeking to increase or maintain physical activity levels across the life-course. We estimated age-specific prevalence of ideal (≥150 min/wk moderate or ≥75 min/wk vigorous or equivalent combination), intermediate (1-149 min/wk moderate or 1-74 min/wk vigorous or equivalent combination) and poor (0 min of moderate and vigorous) physical activity among adult (16+) European Americans (EA) and African Americans (AA) from the 2007-2010 NHANES (n=13,418) and Hispanic/Latino participants (H/L) from the 2008-2011 HCHS/SOL (n=14,291). Prevalence estimation incorporated data from identical NHANES and HCHS/SOL self-report questionnaires. We then used the prevalence estimates to calculate age, race, and sex-specific probabilities of transitioning between levels using Markov-type state-transition models. These models are designed to estimate transition probabilities from cross-sectional data assuming time-constant transitions, and have been updated to accommodate complex sampling procedures. The estimated 5-year probability of maintaining ideal physical activity levels remained high through the fourth decade of life, after which race and sex differences were observed. For example, the estimated 5-year probabilities of transitioning from ideal to intermediate physical activity levels were similar at age 40 for EA and AA men (1.2% [95%CI: 0.3, 2.3] vs. 2.2% [95%CI: 1.0, 3.6]), but by age 65 diverged to 5.3% (95%CI: 3.9, 6.9) vs. 11.6% (95%CI: 8.5, 15.2), respectively. During middle age, the estimated probability of transitioning from intermediate to poor physical activity levels was accelerated, although variation by race was noted. For example, the estimated probability of transitioning from intermediate to poor physical activity levels was &lt;25% for EA, AA and H/L men through age 40, but by age 65 this increased to 32.6% (95%CI: 22.0, 44.1) for EA men and 41.1% (95%CI: 26.1, 58.0) for AA men while remaining low (11.1% (95%CI: 0.3, 24.3) for H/L men. Across all race-sex groups, individuals with poor physical activity levels had a 0% estimated probability of transitioning to ideal or intermediate physical activity levels, regardless of age. These results indicate need for interventions aimed at maintaining ideal physical activity levels beginning in young adulthood, particularly in AAs who transition from ideal levels at earlier ages than other race/ethnic groups. Innovative efforts may be needed for those with poor physical activity.

Fish consumption and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in relation to depressive episodes: a cross-sectional analysis.

High fish consumption and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) intake are suggested to benefit mental well-being but the current evidence is conflicting. Our aim was to evaluate whether a higher level of fish consumption, a higher intake of omega-3 PUFAs, and a higher serum concentration of omega-3 PUFAs link to a lower 12-month prevalence of depressive episodes.We used data from the nationwide Health 2000 Survey (n = 5492) and the Fishermen Study on Finnish professional fishermen and their family members (n = 1265). Data were based on questionnaires, interviews, health examinations, and blood samples. Depressive episodes were assessed with the M-CIDI (the Munich version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview) and a self-report of two CIDI probe questions, respectively. Fish consumption was measured by a food frequency questionnaire (g/day) and independent frequency questions (times/month). Dietary intake (g/day) and serum concentrations (% from fatty acids) of PUFAs were determined. Fish consumption was associated with prevalence of depressive episodes in men but not in women. The prevalence of depressive episodes decreased from 9% to 5% across the quartiles of fish consumption (g/day) in men of the Health 2000 Survey (p for linear trend = 0.01), and from17% to 3% across the quartiles of fish consumption (times/month) in men of the Fishermen Study (p for linear trend = 0.05). This association was modified by lifestyle; in the Health 2000 Survey a higher level of fish consumption was related to a lower prevalence of depressive episodes in men who consumed the most alcohol, were occasional or former smokers, or had intermediate physical activity. The associations between depressive episodes and the intake or serum concentrations of omega-3 PUFAs were not consistent.In men, fish consumption appears as a surrogate for underlying but unidentified lifestyle factors that protect against depression.