International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form Research Articles

To Identify and Compare ActivPAL Objectively Measured Activity Levels With Self-Reported Activity From the International Physical Activity Questionnaire in Older Adults With Intellectual Disability.

The positive impact of physical activity on health is widely known. A comparison between activPAL objective measures and International Physical Activity Questionnaire short form (IPAQ-SF) self-reported activity levels was completed with older adults with intellectual disability. Understanding differences between the two methodologies will better support the interpretations of findings and recommendations. ActivPAL measures including intensity, time and type were considered for 72 participants. Similarly, the IPAQ-determined measures were investigated. Implications of different numbers of activPAL valid days were considered. Comparisons between the activPAL and IPAQ-SF scores were examined using multiple correlation coefficients. Low to moderate agreement was found between the activPAL and IPAQ-SF using Spearman's Rho and Pearson's correlation coefficients. The IPAQ-SF may not be the optimal tool for the accurate determination of activity levels in this population.

Healthcare professionals’ promotion of physical activity to people living with and beyond head and neck cancer: a cross-sectional survey

PurposePhysical activity (PA) can improve health-related outcomes for head and neck cancer (HaNC) patients, and PA guidance from healthcare professionals’ can increase patients’ PA levels. However, less than 9% of HaNC patients are physically active. This study explored healthcare professionals’ promotion of PA across the National Health Service (NHS) in North West England and North Wales, to HaNC patients.MethodsA cross-sectional online survey exploring healthcare professionals’ promotion of PA in HaNC. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire–Short Form was used to estimate healthcare professionals’ PA levels. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive or inferential statistics and qualitative data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Data were synthesized drawing on the capability-opportunity-motivation-behavior model and theoretical domains framework.ResultsEighty-one professionals participated. Fifty-three percent self-reported high levels of PA. Seventy-five percent considered PA promotion as part of their role; however, only 39% discussed PA with their patients (reflective motivation and social/professional role and identity). Only 38% felt confident initiating PA discussions and 76% reported needing further training. Training on the benefits of PA for HaNC patients and how to encourage health-related behavior change were identified as beneficial (psychological capability and knowledge).ConclusionHealthcare professionals are influential in enabling patients to adopt health-related behavior change; however, PA promotion was not routine practice for professionals involved in the care of HaNC patients. Training should be provided to professionals on PA promotion, with a focus on behavior change techniques. Future research should explore how behavior change techniques can be implemented into clinical practice to improve health-related outcomes in HaNC.

The association between physical activity levels and quality of life in elderly lung cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy in China: a cross-sectional study

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the association between physical activity (PA) levels and quality of life (QOL) in elderly lung cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy in China.MethodsTwo hundred eight elderly lung cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy were recruited by convenient sampling at two tertiary A hospitals in Guangxi from October 2023 to March 2024. The evaluation of PA Levels by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF) was conducted, and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Lung (FACT-L) was utilized to measure the QOL. Multiple linear regression was used to identify factors correlated with QOL.ResultsOut of 208 elderly patients with lung cancer who were undergoing chemotherapy, 119 (57.20%) had low-level PA, 79 (38.00%) had moderate-level PA, and 10 (4.80%) had high-level PA. The mean score of FACT-L was 95.41 ± 15.01, and FACT-L was correlated with age, residency, education level, and per capita monthly household income (P < 0.05). Moderate to high PA levels explained 19.4% of the variation in QOL among elderly patients undergoing chemotherapy for lung cancer.ConclusionElderly lung cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy exhibited lower levels of PA. The increase in PA levels was associated with better QOL. Treatment options for elderly lung cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy may involve PA plans to boost their QOL. It is vital to evaluate the patient’s physical condition and functional level when creating these plans to ensure safety and effectiveness, thereby increasing patient engagement and maximizing enhancements in their QOL.

A Cross-Sectional Study on the Association between Physical Activity and Cognitive Function Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Tianjin.

The association between physical activity (PA) and cognitive function remains controversial, and the impact of gender on this association remains underexplored. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between PA and cognitive function and to explore whether this association was modified by gender among older adults. In 2016, a cluster sampling method was used to select community-dwelling older adults aged 65 and above. PA was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form and classified as low, middle, and high. Cognitive function was assessed by using the revised Chinese version of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale. The multiple linear regression model was used to explore the association between PA and cognitive function and to assess whether this association differs by gender. A total of 676 participants with a mean age of 73.63 ± 6.39 were included. The multiple linear regression analysis showed that higher PA was significantly statistically associated with Full Intelligence Quotient (FIQ), Performance Intelligence Quotient (PIQ), and verbal Intelligence Quotient (VIQ) (P<0.05). Among the WAIS-RC subtests, higher PA was significantly statistically associated with higher scores of the similarity subtest, picture completion subtest, and picture arrangement subtest (P<0.05). In the gender subgroup analysis, higher PA was significantly statistically associated with FIQ and PIQ (P<0.05), but no significant association was found with VIQ (P>0.05) in the male group, while in the female group, there was no significant statistical association between higher PA and FIQ, PIQ, or VIQ (P>0.05). Higher PA was significantly statistically associated with better cognitive function (P<0.05). In the male group, PA was significantly statistically associated with cognitive function, whereas no comparable association was found in the female group.

From home to health: Telerehabilitation's contribution to physical activity and quality of life in young adult teleworkers.

The global implementation of full-time telework became widespread during the new normal conditions following the pandemic, resulting in reduced physical activity (PA) among teleworkers and young adults. It is vital to comprehend how telehealth interventions favorably impact PA levels and overall well-being of young adults who face increasingly blurred boundaries between work and home life. The aim of this study is to examine the effect of telerehabilitation (TR) on PA levels and quality of life (QoL) in young adult teleworkers. A quasi-experimental study was conducted on 82 teleworkers (54 females and 28 males). Levels of PA and QoL were assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF) and the Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL-14) questionnaire. TR was provided to all participants for four weeks, three times a week, for 40 minutes per session. Levels of PA and QoL were evaluated at baseline and after four weeks of the intervention. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. After four weeks of TR, there has been a significant improvement in the scores of IPAQ and HRQOL-14 (p < 0.05). In regards to IPAQ-SF results, TR had a significant effect on the sitting or sedentary behavior of the teleworkers. The results showed that a short-term TR intervention improved both the level of PA and QoL in young adult teleworkers. Therefore, TR may be an effective treatment approach to improve PA and QoL and promote a healthy lifestyle in teleworkers.

Uncovering the alterations in extrinsic foot muscle mechanical properties and foot posture in fibromyalgia: a case-control study.

The aim of the study was to evaluate foot posture and the mechanical properties of extrinsic foot muscles in fibromyalgia. Patients with fibromyalgia (n = 86) and age- and gender-matched controls (n = 41) were included in the study. Foot Posture Index (FPI), Beighton and Brighton criteria were used to evaluate static foot posture, joint hypermobility, and benign joint hypermobility syndrome (BJHS), respectively. Tonus, elasticity, and stiffness of the extrinsic foot muscles including gastrocnemius medialis, tibialis anterior, and peroneus longus were measured by the MyotonPRO® device. Foot function, quality of life, and physical activity level were assessed by the Foot Function Index (FFI), Short Form-36 (SF-36), and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF), respectively. The frequency of abnormal foot posture in the fibromyalgia and control groups was 68.6% versus 39%, respectively; and neutral foot posture was approximately twice as prevalent in the control group compared to the fibromyalgia group (p = 0.006). Pronated foot posture was the most common abnormality in fibromyalgia (61.6%) and observed in 85.5% of the patients with joint hypermobility and in 87.1% of those meeting BJHS criteria. The elasticity of peroneus longus at rest and the elasticity of tibialis anterior in the standing position were significantly different between the fibromyalgia group and the control group [1.08 (0.22) vs. 1.02 (0.25), p = 0.037 and 0.92 (0.29) vs. 0.87 (0.24), p = 0.011, respectively]. Regarding the fibromyalgia group, no difference was detected among foot posture groups in terms of myotonometric data. Pronation foot posture is common in fibromyalgia with a much higher frequency in fibromyalgia patients with hypermobility. In daily clinical practice for fibromyalgia, particular attention should be given to foot alignment.

A survey of the effect of an information-motivation-behavioral model-based intervention on university students’ osteoporosis knowledge, health beliefs, and self-efficacy

ABSTRACT This randomized controlled trial investigated the effectiveness of a Healthy Living Awareness Program for the Prevention of Osteoporosis based on the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills Model (HLAPPO-IMB) in university students [intervention group (n = 43), control group (n = 44)]. The intervention group completed the online training to prevent osteoporosis in the information stage of the IMB. In the motivation stage, the researchers texted (WhatsApp) the intervention group spot and reminder notifications concerning the prevention of osteoporosis. They also provided them with telephone counseling. In the final stage, the researchers evaluated whether the intervention group participants developed target behavioral skills. The intervention group had significantly higher mean posttest and follow-up Osteoporosis Knowledge Test scores than the control group (respectively, r = .519, r = .513, p < .001), indicating a large effect size in the posttest and follow-up test. There was no significant difference in pretest and follow-up Osteoporosis Health Belief Scale, Osteoporosis Self-Effective Scale, and International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form scores between the groups (p > .05). The results showed that the HLAPPO-IMB helped the intervention group participants expand their knowledge of osteoporosis. However, it did not improve their self-efficacy in doing weight-bearing exercises, taking calcium, and engaging in physical activity.

Are the Relationships of Physical Activity and Television Viewing Time With Mortality Robust to Confounding? A Study, Utilizing E-Values, From the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study.

Physical activity and sedentary behavior are associated with health outcomes. However, evidence may be affected by confounding bias. This study aimed to examine the relationships of physical activity and television (TV) viewing time with all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality in a cohort of Australian adults, and determine the robustness of these relationships to residual and unmeasured confounding. Data from 27,317 Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study participants (mean age = 66) were used. Physical activity was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form and categorized as insufficient, sufficient, or more than sufficient. TV viewing time was categorized as low, moderate, or high. Multivariable Cox regression models were used to evaluate associations of interest. E-values were calculated to assess the strength of unmeasured confounders required to negate the observed results. For highest versus lowest physical activity category, the hazard ratio was 0.67 (95% confidence interval, 0.56-0.81) for all-cause mortality; E-values ranged between 1.79 and 2.44. Results were similar for cardiovascular mortality; however, hazard ratios were lower (0.72; 95% confidence interval, 0.51-1.01) and E-values much smaller (1.00-2.12) for cancer mortality. For highest versus lowest TV viewing time category, the hazard ratio was 1.08 (1.01-1.15) for all-cause mortality; E-values ranged between 1.00 and 1.37. Results were similar for cardiovascular and cancer mortality. Physical activity and TV viewing time were associated with mortality. The robustness to unmeasured/residual confounding was moderate for physical activity (all-cause and cardiovascular mortality), but weaker for physical activity (cancer mortality) and TV viewing time in this study of Australian adults.

Changes in physical activity and all-cause mortality among individuals with dementia: a cohort study using the National Health Insurance Service Database in Korea

ObjectiveTo examine associations between the amount and changes in regular physical activity (PA) before and after diagnosis of dementia and all-cause mortality risk, and whether these associations differ by PA...

Health literacy and loneliness among physically inactive Danes aged 18-65: a cross-sectional study.

Both physical inactivity and loneliness are public health threats bringing huge costs to society and quality of life. The two health challenges often co-exist, suggesting physically inactive and lonely individuals to be a high-risk group. Health literacy as a concept is understood as a modifiable health determinant, and it has been proposed for promoting equity in future health promotion. The aim of this study was to examine the association between health literacy and loneliness among physically inactive adults. A representative sample of 6,196 Danish adults, aged 18-65 years, was invited to a screening on a set of health outcomes for physical inactivity, which was based on the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form. A total of 1,033 adults were classified as physically inactive and therefore received the full questionnaire screening on a set of different health outcomes including the Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ) and the Three-Item Loneliness Scale (T-ILS). Two statistical approaches were applied: (1) health literacy expressed as nine different continuous variables corresponding to the domains of HLQ using logistic regressions analyses to examine the association between health literacy and loneliness; (2) health literacy expressed as nine different binary variables showing proportions of low literacy among lonely versus non-lonely participants. Statistical analyses were performed using Stata/IC version 16.1. Among a sample of 1,010 physically inactive adults, 23.7% felt lonely with a T-ILS score below ≥7. Regression analyses predicted a negative association between health literacy and loneliness in all HLQ domains, after adjusting for gender, age, education, and occupation. Adjusted ORs ranged from 0.21 (95% CI: 0.16; 0.27) to 0.69 (95% CI: 0.57; 0.83) in domains 1-5 and 0.50 (95% CI: 0.41; 0.61) to 0.70 (95% CI: 0.55; 0.89) in domains 6-9. A similar pattern was found in the analysis with health literacy as a binary variable as the proportions of low health literacy were the highest among persons with loneliness in all HLQ domains. Even after adjusting for sociodemographic factors, a negative association was predicted between health literacy and loneliness in physically inactive adults. This suggests that strategies for improving physical activity among inactive individuals might be more effective if they include a focus on enhancing health literacy and addressing loneliness.

Evaluating the Psychometric Properties of a Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior Identity Scale: Survey Study With Two Independent Samples of Adults in the United States.

Emerging evidence suggests a positive association between relevant aspects of one's psychological identity and physical activity engagement, but the current understanding of this relationship is primarily based on scales designed to assess identity as a person who exercises, leaving out essential aspects of physical activities (eg, incidental and occupational physical activity) and sedentary behavior. The goal of this study is to evaluate the validity of a new physical activity and sedentary behavior (PA/SB) identity scale using 2 independent samples of US adults. In study 1, participants answered 21 candidate items for the PA/SB identity scale and completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF). Study 2 participants completed the same PA/SB identity items twice over a 1-week interval and completed the IPAQ-SF at the end. We performed factor analyses to evaluate the structure of the PA/SB identity scale, evaluated convergent validity and test-retest reliability (in study 2) of the final scale scores, and examined their discriminant validity using tests for differences in dependent correlations. The final PA/SB identity measure was comprised of 3 scales: physical activity role identity (F1), physical activity belief (F2), and sedentary behavior role identity (F3). The scales had high test-retest reliability (Pearson correlation coefficient: F1, r=0.87; F2, r=0.75; F3, r=0.84; intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC]: F1: ICC=0.85; F2: ICC=0.75; F3: ICC=0.84). F1 and F2 were positively correlated with each other (study 1, r=0.76; study 2, r=0.69), while both were negatively correlated with F3 (Pearson correlation coefficient between F1 and F3: r=-0.58 for study 1 and r=-0.73 for study 2; F2 and F3: r=-0.46 for studies 1 and 2). Data from both studies also demonstrated adequate discriminant validity of the scale developed. Significantly larger correlations with time in vigorous and moderate activities and time walking and sitting assessed by IPAQ-SF with F1, compared with F2, were observed. Significantly larger correlations with time in vigorous and moderate activities with F1, compared with F3, were also observed. Similarly, a larger correlation with time in vigorous activities and a smaller correlation with time walking were observed with F2, compared with F3. This study provided initial empirical evidence from 2 independent studies on the reliability and validity of the PA/SB identity scales for adults.

THE CORRELATION BETWEEN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, EMOTIONAL EATING, EATING PATTERN, AND GENETIC TRAITS WITH OBESITY AMONG FEMALE STUDENTS

ABSTRACTBackground: The prevalence of obesity continues to rise steadily due to various factors. The demanding academic schedules leads to reduced physical activities among female students. Academic stress may induce emotional instability, which may result in emotional eating. Excessive food intake may ultimately contribute to the development of obesity.Objectives: This study aims to analyse factors contributing to obesity in female students, such as physical activity, emotional eating, eating pattern, and genetic traits. Methods: Employing a cross-sectional research design, was conducted at Jenderal Sudirman University in October 2022. A sample comprising 54 female students was selected through a stratified random sampling technique. Research instruments were International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF) to assess physical activity levels, the Emotional Eating Scale (SSES) to gauge emotional eating tendencies, the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) to evaluate dietary patterns, and a genetic questionnaire to ascertain genetic antecedents. The bivariate analysis between variables were conducted using Chi-Square test.Results: There is a statistically significant correlation between emotional eating behaviors and the prevalence of obesity (p=0.028). Furthermore, a statistically significant association is observed between genetic factors and the incidence of obesity (p=0.000). In contrast, no statistically significant relationships are discerned between obesity and physical activity (p=0.386), high-energy dietary patterns (p=0.268), or low-energy dietary patterns (p=0.102). Conclusion: This investigation substantiates the presence of a relationship between emotional eating tendencies and genetic factors with the manifestation of obesity among the studied population. Conversely, no discernible relationships were identified between physical activity, dietary patterns, and obesity. These findings underscore the multifaceted nature of obesity etiology and highlight the prominence of emotional and genetic influences in this context.Keywords: Eating pattern; Emotional Eating; Genetic, Obesity; Physical Activity

Short-Term Outcomes and Multidimensional Factors Associated With Preoperative Sedentary Behavior Among Chinese Older Adults With Gastric Cancer: An Observational Study.

The current study aimed to examine the short-term outcomes and multidimensional factors associated with preoperative sedentary behavior among Chinese older adults with gastric cancer. An observational study was conducted among older adults with gastric cancer in a tertiary hospital in Jiangsu, China. A total of 393 participants were enrolled by convenience sampling. Sedentary behavior was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF). Logistic regression was applied to explore the relationship between preoperative sedentary behavior and short-term outcomes. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to determine the factors associated with participants' sedentary behavior. Preoperative sedentary behavior was related to multiple outcomes, including total complications, prolonged length of stay, and increased hospitalization costs. Two or more comorbidities and depression were risk factors for sedentary behavior. High-density lipoprotein; female sex; and high school, middle school, and primary school and below educational levels were protective factors for sedentary behavior. Health care professionals need to simultaneously concentrate on multidimensional aspects linked to sedentary behavior to successfully administer behavioral interventions for enhancing older adults' overall prognosis. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, xx(x), xx-xx.].

Analysis of Factors Influencing Exercise Benefits and Barriers in Cardiovascular Disease Patients Visiting the Emergency Department Based on Machine Learning

Objective: To investigate the exercise benefits/barriers and influencing factors among cardiovascular disease (CVD) patients seeking emergency care. Methods: A convenience sampling method was used to select CVD patients who visited the emergency department of a tertiary hospital in Chengdu from December 2023 to July 2024 as the study subjects. The investigation was conducted through medical record review and on-site questionnaire surveys. The research tools included a general information questionnaire, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF), the Exercise Benefits/Barriers Scale (EBBS), the Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and the Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS). Data were entered into Excel and statistically analyzed using SPSS 26.0. Results: Among the 1080 patients, 62.9% did not meet physical activity standards. Depression and social support explained 48.0% of the total variance in exercise benefits/barriers. The random forest algorithm performed best in predicting influencing factors. Conclusion: CVD patients seeking emergency care are generally insufficiently active, with depression and social support significantly impacting exercise benefits/barriers.

Impact of daily physical activity level on mental health and quality of life in substance use disorders patients

ABSTRACT Background Substance use disorders patients often exhibit low levels of physical activity. However, the daily level of physical activity appears to significantly impact the patient’s rehabilitation process. Methods This study analyses the daily level of physical activity (International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form) in a group of 125 patients undergoing rehabilitation, and its relationship with levels of mental health (Depression Anxiety Stress Scale) and quality of life (Short Form Health Survey). Additionally, gender differences in all measured variables were analyzed. Results The results show a strong correlation between daily physical activity and levels of mental health (ρ>0.787), as well as a moderate correlation between physical activity levels and quality of life (ρ:0.406–0.586). Furthermore, when analyzing gender differences, women exhibited lower levels compared to men in physical activity (p < 0.001), mental health (p < 0.05), and different quality of life indicators (p < 0.05). Conclusion The results of this study indicate that the level of daily physical activity could influence the quality of life and mental health of patients during the rehabilitation process. Therefore, rehabilitation treatments should include strategies to increase patients’ daily physical activity levels. Furthermore, considering the gender disparities identified, additional studies are warranted in this field.

The Role of Disease Severity, Affected Joints, and Physical Activity Levels on Functional Impairment in Osteoarthritis after the COVID-19 Pandemic

Hip and knee osteoarthritis (OA) is common among Chilean adults over 60, impacting their functionality. This study aimed to determine how health factors such as disease severity, type of OA, medication use, and physical activity levels relate to functionality in individuals with OA. The sample size included 67 women and 13 men aged 38 to 92 (66.6 ± 11.2) with diagnosed knee or hip OA. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF) was used to estimate physical activity, the Lequesne Index for functional impairment, and the VAS (Visual Analog Scale) for pain. Data were collected from December 2022 to March 2023. We performed bivariate analyses, which indicated that greater OA severity and bilateral OA are associated with increased functional impairment and pain. Medication use was correlated with higher pain levels, and physical activity was correlated with functionality; there was no correlation with age. Here, 65.4% of the variance in functionality problems was explained by OA severity, bilateral involvement, and pain level, highlighting their impact on functionality. Functionality problems were higher in individuals who suffered higher levels of severity when they performed lower levels of physical activity. These findings underscore the importance of promoting physical activity to improve the quality of life for individuals with OA.

Effects of an acute maximal exercise bout on serum insulin-like growth factor-1 in adults with MDD

Exercise has acute, positive effects on mood and can lead to antidepressant effects over time when repeated regularly. The mechanisms underlying the antidepressant effects of exercise training are not well known, limiting the prescription of exercise training for depression. Serum Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1) appears dysregulated in those with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), suggesting MDD could inhibit or alter the IGF-1 response to exercise. In healthy individuals, exercise has been shown to acutely increase serum IGF-1, which may act positively on the dysregulated IGF-1 system in MDD. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the sensitivity of serum IGF-1 levels to an acute maximal exercise bout in adults with MDD and healthy controls. Additionally, clinical and behavioral factors of MDD are likely to affect this system, such as depression severity, antidepressant usage and physical activity habits. Baseline data were used from a larger trial in Germany (SPeED Study) collected from individuals with mild to moderate MDD (n=113) and healthy controls (n=34) that were matched for age, sex, and education. Demographics, depression severity (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-17), self-reported antidepressant usage, MVPA (International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form), and blood draws before and after a maximal exercise test were collected. Multiple linear regressions were conducted to determine relationships between depression severity, antidepressant usage, and physical activity with peripheral IGF-1 levels following acute exercise. Covariates included demographic factors and IGF-1 pre-exercise (baseline levels). Acute IGF-1 changes occurred similarly in depression (mean ± SD; 11.3 ± 12.9) as well as healthy adults (11.3 ± 20.4: p>0.05). Neither depression severity, antidepressant use, nor regular physical activity were significant predictors of peripheral IGF-1 levels at baseline or following exercise. Individuals with MDD are likely to have favorable exercise-induced IGF-1 changes regardless of clinical and behavioral differences. Acute exercise increases peripheral IGF-1 briefly, and in response to repeated exercise bouts, the IGF-1 system could normalize over time. The normalization of the IGF-1 system might be a possible mechanism underlying mood increases that occur during exercise with exercise training research warranted.

The associations between dairy product intake, fatigue status, and physical activity among postpartum women in Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundFatigue is a major issue that affects women during the postpartum period. A healthy dietary pattern and increased physical activity (PA) are commonly recommended lifestyle modifications to promote health during this time. However, little is known about the interrelationship between dairy product intake, PA level, and postpartum fatigue (PPF) among women. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether PPF is associated with dairy product intake in relation to PA level.MethodsA total of 242 women were included in this cross-sectional study. Data related to dairy product intake and PA were collected using a food frequency questionnaire and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire—Short Form, respectively. PPF was assessed using the Fatigue Severity Scale. Logistic regression models were used to examine associations between the intake of dairy products and PPF among women engaged in low, moderate, and high levels of PA while controlling for potential confounders.ResultsHigher consumption rates of yogurt and total dairy predicted lower odds of PPF in women engaged in moderate levels of PA (aOR = 0.24 [95% CI = 0.07, 0.86] and 0.70 [95% CI = 0.53, 0.93], respectively). In women engaged in high levels of PA, lower odds of experiencing PPF were predicted by higher consumption rates of milk (aOR = 0.24 [95% CI = 0.07, 0.89]), yogurt (aOR = 0.21 [95% CI = 0.05, 0.83]), laban (aOR = 0.16 [95% CI = 0.03, 0.86]), and total dairy (aOR = 0.66 [95% CI = 0.47, 0.92]). However, no association was observed between dairy product intake and PPF in women with low levels of PA.ConclusionsHigher consumption rates of dairy products were associated with lower odds for experiencing PPF, particularly for women engaged in moderate to high levels of PA. These findings support nutritional and PA promotion programs to moderate issues with PPF. However, the cross-sectional design of this study could limit the ability to infer causality between dairy intake, PA, and PPF. Further longitudinal studies are needed to establish causality and explore the mechanisms underlying these associations.

The Relationship between Physical Activity and Quality of Life in Postmenopausal Women: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Postmenopausal women frequently encounter a range of symptoms, including fatigue, diminished physical strength, reduced energy levels, vasomotor symptoms such as hot flushes, and vaginal atrophy, all of which adversely affect their overall quality of life. Engaging in physical activity and structured exercise may effectively alleviate these symptoms and enhance overall well-being. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between physical activity and quality of life in postmenopausal Greek women. This cross-sectional clinical study included 219 postmenopausal women. Women with natural menopause for at least 12 consecutive months were enrolled in this descriptive, cross-sectional study. The female participants were asked to fill out the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-short form (IPAQ), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the EuroQol (EQ-5D-5L) instrument. Anthropometric measurements included weight, height, and waist circumference measurements. A total of 219 postmenopausal women with an age of 61.4 ± 6.1 years and body mass index (BMI) of 25.6 ± 3.7 kg/m2 were studied. Out of the total postmenopausal women studied, 64.8% were physically active. The mean value of MET-min/week was M = 1383.46 ± 1030.12. Physical activity among postmenopausal Greek women showed a strong correlation of PA with quality of life (r = 0.5; p ≤ 0.001) and age (r = 0.55; p ≤ 0.001) and a medium correlation with the HADS (r = 0.4; p ≤ 0.05). There was a 64.8% prevalence of physically active postmenopausal Greek women. The findings underscore the significance of fostering physical activity and quality of life among postmenopausal women to formulate efficacious therapeutic interventions. The results demonstrate a correlation between physical activity and the age of female participants, quality of life, and the HADS and can be used to improve postmenopausal women's physical activity levels, which is recommended as a strategy for improving the quality of life in postmenopausal women.

Does cognitive function affect functional capacity and perceived fatigue severity after exercise in patients with coronary artery disease?

Successful execution of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation programs, an important branch of physiotherapy in individuals with coronary artery disease (CAD), depends on adequate cognitive abilities. It has been identified that coronary microvascular dysfunction, marked by reduced coronary flow reserve, is associated with impaired cerebral blood flow, affecting haemodynamic and cognitive performance. This study aimed to investigate how cognitive function influences functional capacity and differences in fatigue perception in CAD patients. Fifty CAD patients, with an average age of 59.40±6.58years, were evaluated for comorbidities (Charlson comorbidity index), number of CAD risk factors (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidaemia, smoking, and physical inactivity), cognitive performance (Montreal cognitive assessment scale [MoCA]), functional capacity (incremental shuttle walk test [ISWT]), exercise-induced fatigue (Modified Bourg Scale), and physical activity (PA) levels (international physical activity questionnaire-short form). Analyses focused on the links between MoCA scores and CRF, ISWT outcomes, and differences in fatigue perception. Findings revealed a strong positive link between MoCA scores and ISWT performance (r=0.83, p<0.001), and a strong inverse relationship between CRF and MoCA scores (r=-0.95, p<0.001). In addition, MoCA score was positively correlated with differences in fatigue perception (r=0.88, p<0.001). These results highlight the critical role of cognitive function in determining functional capacity and managing fatigue in CAD patients. They also suggest that cognitive interventions may be a potential adjunctive approach in physiotherapy programmes.