International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Version Research Articles

The association of mental health with physical activity and its dimensions in Chinese adults: A cross-sectional study.

Selecting the most efficient type of physical activity that improves mental health can assist in choosing appropriate interventions. Hence, the objective of this study was to evaluate the associations between physical activity and its various aspects, including weekly physical activity, weekly walking and exercise sessions, and the frequency of walking and exercise per week, with the mental health of Chinese adults. This cross-sectional study was carried out in Hangzhou (2023) involving 512 adults aged 18 and 64. Each participant received a self-completed questionnaire comprising three sections. The initial section focused on gathering basic information about the participants, such as gender, age, annual income, and marital status. The second section consisted of the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), which aimed to evaluate the mental health status of the participants. Lastly, the third section included the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Version (IPAQ-SV), which assessed the metabolic equivalent (MET) of activities like walking, moderate-intensity exercises, and high-intensity exercises. The study found that mental health problems affected 25.74% of adults, while physical inactivity was prevalent in 49.63% of adults. The statistical model was highly significant (F = 25.143, p < 0.001), suggesting that at least one predictor has a significant impact on mental health. The model accounted for 39% of the variance in mental health, with all variables showing predictive value. Notably, the number of walking days per week emerged as the most influential predictor of mental health (β = -0.392), followed by level of weekly physical activity in MET, the number of exercise training sessions per week, weekly exercise training in MET, and weekly walking in MET (β = -0.312, -0.301, -0.212, and -0.202, respectively). Adults can allocate more days per week to walking and their usual physical activity to improve their mental health.

Dental students’ healthy lifestyle behaviors, physical activity levels and social media use: cross sectional study

BackgroundHealthy lifestyle behavior includes appropriate behaviors such as eating habits, physical activity and weight control in order to stay healthy and prevent diseases. The aim of this cross-sectional study is to evaluate healthy lifestyle behaviors, physical activity levels and social media use of dental students.MethodsAn online questionnaire including demographic characteristics, International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Version (IPAQ-S) and Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile (HPLP) was filed by 420 dental students. The data were evaluated statistically.ResultsThe mean age was 21.6 ± 1.96 years and the majority of the students (71.7%) were living with their families. Obesity and overweight in males and underweight in females were statistically higher. There was no difference between the genders in terms of social media use. The most preferred applications were Instagram (92.7%), YouTube (85%) and Twitter (59.7%). In terms of IPAQ durations and HPLP scores, there was no gender difference. According to the IPAQ classification, while the majority of students (64.3%) were physically low active, 23.1% were physically inactive. As the total HPLP score increased, the total IPAQ score increased.ConclusionIt is concluded that as the university students make up the majority of the young adults, encouraging their health-promoting behaviors is crucial for improving public health.

Physical activity and bone mineral density in Greek women: an observational study

Purpose: This observational study aimed to investigate the correlation between physical activity (PA) and bone mineral density (BMD) in Greek women. Materials - Methods: 46 women (aged &gt;45 years) participated and grouped according to their BMD into three groups: Group A (normal BMD), Group B (osteopenia), and Group C (osteoporosis). The evaluation of PA and lower limb endurance (LLE) was carried out through the Greek version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-short version (IPAQ-Gr), and 30 seconds sit-to-stand (30STS) test, respectively. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and Post-Hoc comparison (Tukey’s test) were used for the statistical analysis. The correlations between BMD and the variables: age, height, weight, body mass index, 30STS, and IPAQ-Gr were calculated using the Pearson’s r correlation coefficient. Statistical significance was set at p&lt;0.05. Results: The results showed that PA, as expressed with the IPAQ-Gr, has a weak and positive correlation to BMD (r=.209, p=.163). The best correlation, with a statistically significant difference, was weak and negative and found to be between the age and BMD (r=-.287, p=.05). Post-Hoc comparison demonstrated statistically significant differences in the 30STS between Group A (normal BMD) and Group C (osteoporosis) (p=.01). Conclusions: As expected, BMD was found to be age-related, while statistically significant was the difference between LLE of women with normal BMD in relation to osteoporotic women. PA seemed to have a positive effect on BMD, although no statistically significant difference was found. However, further research needs to be conducted with larger sample size to investigate the relationship between physical activity and BMD. keywords : physical activity, bone mineral density, quantitative ultrasound, Greek version of international physical activity questionnaire-short version, 30 seconds sit-to-stand test

Predictors of the Quality of Life of University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Quality of life (QOL) is a complex and multifaceted concept that has been used to study different aspects of people’s lives, including physical and psychological wellbeing, financial independence, social relationships, personal beliefs and living situation. In this study, we aimed to assess the QOL of a group of Spanish university students and identify associated factors. Method: We completed a cross-sectional study of the QOL of 868 university students using the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire. In addition, data regarding sociodemographic information and self-esteem (Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale), physical activity (International Physical Activity Questionnaire—Short version), diet (Spanish Index of Healthy Eating), alcohol consumption (CAGE questionnaire) and sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) were collected. Results: A total of 66.2% of participants assessed their QOL positively, while 58.8% favorably evaluated their overall health. Students reported the highest scores for the physical health domain of QOL, whereas they gave the lowest scores for the psychological health domain. Age was inversely associated with QOL. Higher self-esteem and satisfaction with academic performance, as well as sleep and diet quality, were directly associated with higher QOL. The physical health domain of QOL was scored more highly by participants who had a healthy body weight or those who reported moderate levels of physical activity. Higher scores in the social relationships domain of QOL were directly linked to alcohol intake, smoking and low body weight in addition to being inversely associated with screen time. The psychological domain of QOL was lower for those who were overweight or lived alone. Conclusion: Many sociodemographic, academic and behavioral variables are associated with university students’ QOL. The present findings underscore the need to direct further initiatives toward identifying and overcoming barriers to increased QOL for university students.

The Effect of Built Environment on Older People Leisure-Time Walking and Physical Activity in Different Sex Groups in the City of Ningbo, China

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of built environment (BE) elements on older people’s (OP) leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and leisure-time walking (LTW) level in the city of Ningbo. Older participants numbering 312 were randomly recruited using cross-sectional survey in 2019. International Physical Activity Questionnaire-short version (IPAQ-S) and Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale—abbreviated (NEWS-A)—were used to gather LTPA data and the perceive scores of BE, respectively. Liner regression analysis was performed to investigate the association relationship between the perceived scores of BE and OP’s LTW and LTPA. The study’s results showed that, when not considering different sex groups, OP’s LTW was significantly related with the perceived scores of access to services (AE, p = 0.045), walking/cycling facilities (W/CF, p = 0.007), aesthetics, and land use mix diversity (LUMD, p = 0.04). OP’s LTPA was significantly related with AE (p = 0.04) and aesthetics (p &lt; 0.001). The association relationships of BE with LTW and LTPA varied in different sex groups. Three elements (AE, W/CF, and LUMD) and one element (pedestrian/traffic safety and P/TS) of BE were found be related with older male and older female’s LTW, respectively. One element (aesthetics) and two elements (aesthetics, LUMD) of BE were found be related with older male and older female’s LTPA, respectively. The results indicated that the effects of BE on OP’s LTW and the effects of BE on OP’s LTPA were different. The effect also varied in different sex groups. More studies are needed to confirm the effect of BE on OP’s LTW and LTPA in different sex groups to globally enrich the scientific data base.

Association of Functional Disability and Biopsychosocial Factors in Older Adults With Low Back Pain Who Live in the Amazonas State Brazil: A Cross-Sectional Study

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to identify social and clinical factors associated with levels of functional disability (FD) in older adults with low back pain (LBP) in the city of Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil. MethodsA cross-sectional study of 557 adults with LBP aged ≥60 years was completed. Sociodemographic and clinical features, pain intensity (Numeric Rating Scale), FD (Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire), physical activity (International Physical Activity Questionnaire-short version), body mass index, educational level, health perception, emotional level, and self-reported diseases were evaluated. Statistical analysis was used to verify the association between quantitative variables and a group; Student t test or Mann-Whitney test, and analysis of variance (normality assumption) or Kruskal-Wallis test (non-parametric), P value of less than .05. ResultsThere were 81.3% female participants, 54.9% self-reported their race and/or skin color as brown, and 37.8% were sedentary. Pain intensity scores were 6.26 ± 2.19 in female participants and 5.82 ± 1.84 in male participants. Mean FD scores were 11.68 ± 6.08 for female participants and 9.61 ± 5.76 for males participants, although 39.7% of the total group presented with severe disability (score ≥14) and FD was associated with female sex (P = .001), physical activity (P≤ 0.001), body mass index (P≤ .001), emotional level (P < .001), and health perception (P < .001). ConclusionIn this group of older adults with LBP, FD was associated with female sex, level of physical activity, body mass index, emotional level, and health perception. Many factors that were identified with FD are modifiable; therefore, interventions, such as nutrition education and re-conceptualization of self-emotional and health perception, may have potential to help in preventing and reducing FD.

Measuring sedentary behaviour across the spectrum of adults with intellectual disabilities: A comparison between accelerometer and international physical activity questionnaire

Purpose: Measuring sedentary behaviour in adults with intellectual disabilities (awID) is important but challenging, particularly in those with profound intellectual disabilities (ID) many of whom are pre-verbal. This study sought to evaluate the measurements of daily sedentary hours in awID across the intellectual disability spectrum, using accelerometer-derived estimates against self- or proxy-report with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-short version (IPAQ-s).

A cross-sectional study about the relationship between physical activity and sarcopenia in Taiwanese older adults

To the best of our knowledge, none of Taiwanese studies on the relationship between physical activity (PA) and sarcopenia by the latest 2019 Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) cutoff points of sarcopenia has been published. We used the Taiwan version of international physical activity questionnaire-short version and the 2019 AWGS diagnostic criteria of sarcopenia to examine the relationship between PA and sarcopenia in older adults. Volunteers in this cross-sectional study were recruited from those attending senior health checkup program held at a regional hospital in Taipei City from May 2019 to Sep 2019. Muscle strength was assessed by grip strength, physical performance was assessed by usual gait speed on a 6-m course, and muscle mass was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Multiple logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between PA and sarcopenia. Odds ratios and corresponding 95% confidence intervals were calculated. 565 participants were recruited and data from 500 participants were used. The study participants had a mean age of 73.87 years old, with 47% men and 53% women. 138 (27.6%) participants were classified as having sarcopenia, among which 48 (45.3%) in low PA participants and 90 (22.8%) in moderate to high PA participants. Compared with those with low PA, moderate to high PA protected against the risk of sarcopenia with the odds ratio (OR) 0.46 (95% CI 0.27–0.79, p-value = 0.005). A significant protective effect of PA on sarcopenia was found among the older adults after adjusting for sex, institutionalization, age, BMI, albumin, hemoglobin, HDL-C levels, history of cardiovascular disease, education level and alcohol drinking.

Sex-Specific Physical Activity Patterns Differentiate Weight Loss Maintainers From Regainers: The MedWeight Study.

Although plenty of evidence indicates that weight loss maintainers are highly physically active, studies focusing on the sex-specific differences in activity levels between maintainers and regainers are scarce. The authors aimed to investigate sex-specific differences in activity patterns in a cohort of Mediterranean maintainers and regainers. Sample includes 756 participants of the MedWeight registry (60.5% women), aged 18-65 years, who lost ≥10% of their initial weight, and either maintained their loss for ≥12 months or regained it. Participants completed a series of questionnaires, including demographics and weight history. Activity levels were evaluated with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-short version. Maintainers of both sexes were, in total, more active than their same-sex regainers. When specific activities were considered, women maintainers spent more time walking than regainers (Padjusted = .02), whereas men maintainers spent more time in vigorous activities (Padjusted = .001) and walking than regainers (Padjusted = .001). Modest increments in activity of sex-relevant intensity were associated with increased odds for maintenance. Maintainers attained a more active lifestyle than their same-sex regainers, involving more walking for both sexes and more vigorous activities for men. The detected differences, according to activity intensity, support that activity patterns associated with successful weight loss are distinguishable between sexes.

Comparison of questionnaire and accelerometer-based assessments of physical activity in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: clinical and prognostic implications

Objective. (i) To compare daily physical activity (PA) levels evaluated by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and by triaxial accelerometry in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) patients; (ii) to describe daily PA patterns based in objective measurements; and (iii) to observe the association between prognostic indicators and PA measurements. Design. This is a cross-sectional study with 24 stable HFpEF patients. PA was assessed through the IPAQ short version and triaxial accelerometer. Time spent in moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) from IPAQ was computed as self-reported walking and MVPA. Prognostic indicators were: distance on the 6-minute-walking test (6MWT), oxygen consumption (VO2) during the test, quality of life (QoL), BNP plasma level, and E/e′ ratio. Results. Compared to accelerometry, IPAQ underestimated sedentary time (253 ± 156 vs. 392 ± 104 min/day, p = .001) and overestimated MVPA (44 ± 56 vs. 19.3 ± 26 min/day, p < .001). Accelerometer-derived data showed that HFpEF patients spent 50% of their waking time in sedentary behaviours and 2.5% in MVPA. Of measured surrogate prognostic markers, functional capacity (6MWT, r = 0.652, p = .04; VO2, r = 0.512, p = .02) and QoL (r=−0.490, p = .04) were correlated with MVPA. Conclusions. The IPAQ underestimated sedentary time and over-estimated MVPA in HFpEF patients. Using accelerometer-derived data, HFpEF patients spent only a minority of their time involved in MVPA, which was the only PA pattern positively associated with prognostic indicators.

Muscular and Functional Capacity in Subjects Under Treatment for Knee Osteoarthritis: Role of Physical Activity Status.

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the role of physical activity (PA) in muscular and functional capacity in subjects under treatment for knee osteoarthritis submitted to an interdisciplinary educational program emphasizing the regular practice of PA and exercises. Methods: Subjects under treatment for primary knee osteoarthritis (N = 136; age = 66 [3]) were allocated in sedentary to sedentary (SED-SED, sedentary or insufficiently active at pre and post), active to sedentary (ACT-SED, active or very active at pre and sedentary or insufficiently active at post), sedentary to active (SED-ACT, sedentary or insufficiently active at pre and active or very active at post), and active to active (ACT-ACT, active or very active at pre and post) groups. Muscular capacity (isokinetic test), functional capacity (timed up and down stairs test, timed up and go test, and 5 times sit to stand test), and daily living PA (International PA Questionnaire short version) were assessed before and after (12 mo) the follow-up. Results: There were improvements in performance (P < .05) in the time to up and down stairs: 37% in SED-ACT and 27.5% in ACT-ACT; timed up and go test: 33.5% in SED-ACT, 19% in ACT-SED, and 40% in ACT-ACT; 5 times sit to stand test: 39% in SED-ACT and 51% in ACT-ACT groups after 12 months of follow-up. Conclusions: The present results suggest that high levels of daily living PA may have an important role in the prevention/management of knee osteoarthritis.

Energy expenditure measured with accelerometers and self-report questionnaire in people with intellectual disabilities.

There are different instruments to measure energy expenditure in general population, but we do not know whether these instruments can be used in people with intellectual disability. A sample of 33 participants was invited to wear a triaxial accelerometer during seven consecutive days. Energy expenditure was measured with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Version (IPAQ-S) to gather data regarding the participant's descriptions of the physical activity performed. Agreement between the accelerometers and IPAQ-S in terms of energy expenditure measurements was not reached (P>0.05). A significant correlation was found between moderate metabolic equivalent of tasks measured with accelerometers and vigorous metabolic equivalent of tasks measured with the IPAQ-S (r=-0.351 [P=0.045]). The main conclusion of this study was a level of discrepancy between measurements taken using the IPAQ-S and the accelerometers in people with intellectual disability.

Physical Activity Level of Ambulatory Stroke Patients: Is it Related to Neuropsychological Factors?

Physical inactivity is an important risk factor for stroke and stroke recurrence. There is insufficient knowledge about the physical activity (PA) level in stroke patients who are ambulatory in the subacute phase. Our aim was to compare the PA level between ambulatory stroke patients and a population of the same age and to investigate neuropsychological factors that could affect the PA level in the same stroke group. Eighty-five subacute stroke patients and 58 healthy subjects were included. Patients' demographic features, disease-related features, and comorbidities were recorded. The PA level was assessed by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Version and a pedometer (OMRON Walking style II). The Apathy Rating Scale was applied to determine the apathy level. Depression level was investigated by the Geriatric Depression Scale. The standardized Mini-mental State Examination was performed to assess the cognitive status. The PA level was significantly higher in the healthy group than in the stroke group (p<0.001). Step count and walking distance were significantly higher in healthy group (p=0.001 and p=0.04, respectively). The PA level of men was significantly higher than that of women (p=0.03). Participants who were classified as level 4 had a lower PA level than those who were classified as level 5 according to the Functional Ambulation Category. There was no relationship between the PA level and the apathy, cognitive, and depression levels in the stroke patients (p>0.05). Subacute stroke patients have a lower PA level than healthy subjects. This is not related to neuropsychological factors. The reasons for minor deficits related to ambulation should be researched further while developing strategies for increasing the PA level of subacute stroke patients.

Physical Activity and Self-Efficacy in Overweight/obese Adults with Type 2 Diabetes and Concurrent Kidney Disease

Physical activity (PA) is an important component in the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Determining current patterns and predictors of PA is essential to implement programs that encourage behavior change for patients with these diseases. PURPOSE: To describe self-reported PA and self-efficacy among adults with type 2 diabetes and CKD and determine predictors of overall PA patterns. METHODS: 76 overweight/obese participants (age: 66±8 y; body mass index [BMI]: 33.0±5.3 kg/m2; sex: 60% male; ethnicity: 91% non-Hispanic white; race: 80% white) with type 2 diabetes and CKD, participating in a technology-delivered lifestyle intervention, completed two well-validated surveys at baseline: International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Version and Self-Efficacy for Exercise (SEE) Scale. Biomarkers (hemoglobin A1c, glomerular filtration rate, C-reactive protein) were collected via blood draw. Multiple linear regression was performed to predict total metabolic equivalent (MET)-minutes/week of PA based on biomarkers, BMI, and SEE. Preliminary analyses were conducted to ensure no violation of the assumptions of the regression model. Statistical analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics (version 22.0). RESULTS: Participants self-reported completing (median [interquartile range, IQR]) 594(1435) MET-minutes/week walking intensity, 160(780) MET-minutes/week moderate intensity, 0(960) MET-minutes/week vigorous intensity, and 1431(2938) total MET-minutes/week. 40.8% of participants met the PA guidelines of 150 minutes/week (median [IQR]: 107[346] min/week). Average SEE scores were 55±22 (range 2 to 90). SEE was the only statistically significant predictor of total MET-minutes/week (β=0.364, p=0.004). CONCLUSION: Self-efficacy for exercise was a strong predictor of PA in patients with type 2 diabetes and CKD. Social cognitive theory-based programs that build self-efficacy and incorporate PA should be developed to promote risk reduction of these chronic diseases. Given the tendency to self-report higher levels of PA, future studies should include more objective measures of PA to explore these relationships. Supported by NIH Grant R01 DK100492 (PI MA Sevick)

Level of agreement between physical activity levels measured by ActiHeart and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire in persons with intellectual disability

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the level of agreement between objective physical activity (PA) (ActiHeart®) and subjective proxy-respondent International Physical Activity Questionnaire-short version (IPAQ-S) data in adults with intellectual disabilities (IDs).Method: Fifty-eight participants wore ActiHeart® monitors for seven consecutive days. Caregivers of each participant completed the IPAQ-S on behalf of the participant. Total PA, time spent in light, moderate, and vigorous activity as well as time spent being sedentary were assessed by the IPAQ-S and the ActiHeart®. Results were compared by means of correlation analyses. The level of agreement was presented with Bland–Altman plots.Results: Objective PA (ActiHeart®) was higher (225.57 ± 91.96 min/week) than IPAQ-S PA reported by care-givers (177.06 ± 309.17 min/week). Weak significant correlations were observed between the ActiHeart® and IPAQ-S instruments for sedentary behavior (r = 0.31; p = 0.04); no significant correlations for light (r= −0.04; p = 0.8), moderate (r= −0.07; p = 0.63), or vigorous PA (r= −0.2; p = 0.18) were found. Limited agreement between objectively determine PA (ActiHeart®) and IPAQ-S was found.Conclusion: IPAQ-S is inaccurate when determining PA in persons with ID as it significantly underestimates the true levels of PA in this cohort.Implications for RehabilitationPersons with intellectual disability (ID) report insufficient physical activity for health benefits.Physical activity is often determined by means of subjective proxy reporting.Objective physical activity measurements by means of combined heart rate and accelerometer are necessary to determine accurate levels of physical activity in persons with ID.Exercise interventions should be based on objective physical activity measurements.

INFLUÊNCIA DA ATIVIDADE FÍSICA SOBRE A QUALIDADE DE VIDA DE GESTANTES: UM ESTUDO TRANSVERSAL

Introdução: A gestação provoca alterações que incidem principalmente nos sistemas cardiorrespiratório, musculoesquelético e no metabolismo geral que não se restringe apenas aos órgãos, mas também à mecânica do corpo feminino. Além de atentar para todas essas alterações, é necessário que os profissionais de saúde preocupem-se com a qualidade de vida dessas mulheres, o que trará benefícios tanto para ela como também para o feto. Objetivos: Avaliar o impacto do exercício físico sobre a qualidade de vida em gestantes. Metodologia: Trata-se de um estudo transversal realizado com gestantes. Elas responderam a um questionário internacional de atividade física, intitulado IPAQ (International Physical Activity Questionnaire) versão curta e divididas em sedentárias e fisicamente ativas. Além disso, um questionário de qualidade de vida (SF – 36). Resultados: Foram avaliadas 56 mulheres, tendo as grupo “Ativa” média de idade de 28,6 ± 5,6 anos e grupo “Sedentária” a média de idade foi de 29 ± 6 anos. No quesito dor o grupo “Ativa” teve uma melhor pontuação quando comparado ao grupo “Sedentário” (48,4 ± 29 vs. 69 ± 23,7, respectivamente (p = 0,007). O mesmo aconteceu com Estado Geral da Saúde 50 ± 11,5 vs. 57,1 ± 10,6 (p = 0,01) e Limitação por Aspectos Emocionais 38,2 ± 9,9 vs. 54,5 ± 14,1 (p&lt;0,001). Conclusão: Com base nos achados do presente estudo, o exercício físico influencia positivamente a qualidade de vida das gestantes.

Relationship between Body Composition, Physical Activity Level and Lower Back Symptoms

Lower back problems is one of the most common physiological conditions because the lumbar region allows flexion of the trunk and supports body mass. Lower back symptoms can be related to physical inactivity, body composition and discapacity. The Center for Disease Control reported, in 2012, that 19% of young adults between the ages of 18-24 years, and 25 % of adults ages 25 to 44 years had significant lower back pain affecting their laboral capacity. PURPOSE: Determine the relationship between body composition, physical activity level and lower back symptoms/discapacity among college students. METHODS: Physcial Activity level was evaluated using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-short version (IPAQ). Body Composition was assessed using: 1)three sites skinfold technique to determine percent body fat (PBF,women:tríceps, suprailliac and thigh; men:chest, abdominal and thigh), 2)body mass index (BMI:weight/ height) and 3)waist circunference(WC).The lower back symptoms and discapacity was determine using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). RESULTS: 21 college students (71.4% women, 28.6% men) participated in this study. They reported an average score of 6.9±6.1 percent of discapacity. The average BMI was 22.7+9.3; the average waist circunference was 75.3+24.2 cm. The average percent body fat was 22.0±10.3%. The Pearson’s correlation analysis found a significant relationship between WC and PBF (r=0.59, p=0.01). Also, that PBF was significantly related to ODI (r=0.46, p=0.01). When, we examined the data to determine gender differences, significant differences were found for PBF (females had higher BPF, p<0.05) and ODI (females reported a higher score ODI, p<0.05). A multiple regression analysis showed that the variable that better predicts discapacity was percent body fat (r=0.60, p= 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggest that percent body fat was related to waist circunference, and more importantly to a higher discapacity index. Also, that percent body fat was the better predictor of discapacity caused by lower back symptoms.

Assessment of Physical Activity by Accelerometer and IPAQ-Short Version in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease Undergoing Hemodialysis

Aim: To compare the short version of International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and the accelerometer measurement of physical activity (PA) in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Methods: Sample consisted of 40 patients (19 men) aged 45 ± 16 years. Patients reported their PA using the IPAQ during a face-to-face interview, and wore an Actigraph GT3-X accelerometer for 1 week to obtain minutes per day of light PA, moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) and total PA as well as raw counts per day (vector magnitude). Results: All PA-related variables were significantly correlated among instruments (r = 0.34-0.47) when analyzed as a group. However, when analyzed separately by gender, the relationships were present for women only (r = 0.46-0.62). IPAQ significantly underestimated light PA (IPAQ vs. accelerometer: 180.0 vs. 251.1 min/day, p = 0.019), but no differences were found between methods for MVPA and total PA. Conclusion: Modest correlations were found between self-reported PA time by IPAQ (short version) and accelerometer, but only in women. However, the IPAQ may underestimate light PA, which is the main form of PA in this population.

Correlates of sitting time in adults with type 2 diabetes.

BackgroundStudies suggest a relationship between sitting time and cardiovascular disease mortality. Our aim was to identify socio-demographic, contextual, and clinical (e.g., body composition, diabetes duration) correlates of self-reported sitting time among adults with type 2 diabetes, a clinical population at high risk for cardiovascular disease. We sought to determine if there was an inverse relationship between sitting and step counts in a diabetes cohort in whom we had previously identified low step counts with further lowering in fall/winter.MethodsThe cohort included 198 adults (54 % men; age 60.0 SD 11.5 years; Body mass index 30.4 SD 5.6 kg/m2) (Montréal, Canada). Socio-demographic, contextual and clinical factors were assessed using standardized questionnaires and step counts with a pedometer over 14 days (concealed viewing windows). Total sitting time was estimated once per season (up to 4 times per year at –month intervals) using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short version. Potential sitting time correlates were evaluated using Bayesian longitudinal hierarchical linear regression models in participants with sitting time data (n = 191).ResultsThe average sitting time was 308 (SD 161) minutes/day without variation across seasons. Sitting time correlates were being an immigrant (56 fewer minutes/day spent sitting compared to non- immigrants, 95 % credible interval, CrI: −100, −11) and having a university degree (55 more minutes/day spent sitting compared to those without a university degree, 95 % CrI: 10, 100) after adjustment for potential correlates observed in univariate analyses (sex, age, job status, waist circumference, depressed mood, steps). Correlation between sitting and steps, adjusted for age and sex, was −0.144 (95 % CI: −0.280, 0.002).ConclusionThere was low correlation between sitting time and step counts. Therefore, high sitting time and low step counts are behaviours that may need to be independently targeted. Interventions to reduce sitting time in adults with type 2 diabetes may need to target non-immigrants and those with a university degree.

Exercício físico como fator de proteção para a saúde em servidores públicos

INTRODUÇÃO: A atividade física é reconhecida como fator de proteção para a saúde, sendo seus benefícios associados à redução de doenças crônicas e à diminuição do risco de morte prematura por doenças cardiovasculares. Embora a atividade física seja um importante recurso para políticas de promoção de saúde, o baixo nível e a inatividade física são preocupantes em todo o mundo. Em uma sociedade cada vez mais urbanizada e industrializada, exercícios físicos praticados regularmente são importantes recursos para manter o nível de atividade física recomendado, contudo, é preciso identificar as práticas mais adequadas às necessidades preconizadas como efeito protetor do exercício físico para a saúde.OBJETIVO: Analisar a prevalência de atividade física, fatores sociodemográficos, frequência, modalidades e motivos para a prática de exercício físico em servidores públicos de uma universidade.MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal, amostra aleatória (280 indivíduos) nível de confiança 95%, erro amostral 5%. Para avaliar o nível de atividade física foi utilizado o instrumento IPAQ (International Physical Activity Questionnaire), versão curta, na forma de entrevista. Foi aplicado um questionário sociodemográfico e questionado se os indivíduos praticavam exercício físico regularmente, a modalidade e frequência semanal, bem como os motivos para a prática. Os dados foram analisados utilizando-se o software estatístico SPSS - 14.0.RESULTADOS: A prevalência de inativos e insuficientemente ativos foi de 43,9%. Entre os que fazem exercício físico, 92,5% o fazem para a saúde (p&lt;0,005), porém 29% são inativos ou insuficientemente ativos. Das modalidades mais praticadas, ao contrário do esperado, a caminhada não foi significativa.CONCLUSÕES: Houve diferenças no nível de atividade física quanto à idade, sexo, estado civil e ocupação, bem como nos motivos, na escolha e diversidade de modalidades praticadas. Além de encorajar e monitorar a atividade física, é preciso criar estratégias institucionais a fim de que se possam obter benefícios de melhor qualidade para a saúde.