Leisure-time Physical Activity Research Articles

The Experience of Stress-Related Growth Associated With COVID-19 Among Older Korean Immigrants

While some studies have investigated stress-related growth (SRG) during the COVID-19 pandemic, little research has been conducted to explore the positive psychological changes associated with COVID-19 among older Asian immigrants. Thus, we aimed to identify perceived positive changes resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic based on the SRG framework. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 11 participants using a purposeful criterion sampling strategy. Both content mapping and content mining questions were used. Data were analyzed qualitatively using the constant comparative method. Challenges and stressors associated with the pandemic such as fears of physical or verbal attack, COVID-19 infection, strict COVID-19 regulations and mandates, and limited opportunities to interact with others were identified based on the statements of participants. We identified three salient themes that were characterized as SRG components: (a) increasing leisure-time physical activity participation, (b) developing a closer relationship with others, and (c) improving resilience. The findings of this study present qualitative evidence that older Korean immigrants to the United States experienced positive changes associated with the pandemic such as being more physically active, developing closer relationships, and improving resilience. These changes are associated with the main elements of SRG, and it appears that the pandemic may have resulted in older Korean immigrants experiencing SRG.

Measuring Cardiorespiratory Fitness without Exercise Testing: The Development and Validation of a New Tool for Spanish Adults

Background: Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is an important component of overall physical fitness and is associated with numerous health benefits, including a reduced risk of heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. However, direct measurement of CRF is time-consuming and therefore not feasible for screening purposes. Methods: A maximal treadmill exercise test with the Bruce protocol was performed to estimate VO2max in 1047 Spanish men and women aged 17 to 62 years. Weight, height, and heart rate were measured. Leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) was recorded using the Minnesota Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire. A multiple linear regression model was developed to predict exercise-based VO2max. The validity of the model was examined by correlation, concordance, Bland–Altman analysis, cross-validation, and construct validity analysis. Results: There was no significant difference between VO2max obtained by the Bruce protocol (43.56 mL/kg/min) or predicted by the equation (43.59 mL/kg/min), with R2 of 0.57, and a standard error of the estimate of 7.59 mL/kg/min. Pearson’s product–moment correlation and Lin’s concordance correlation between measured and predicted CRF values were 0.75 and 0.72, respectively. Bland–Altman analysis revealed a significant proportional bias of non-exercise eCRF, overestimating unfit and underestimating highly fit individuals. However, 64.3% of participants were correctly classified into CRF tertile categories, with an important 69.9% in the unfit category. Conclusions: The eCRF equation was associated with several cardiovascular risk factors in the anticipated directions, indicating good construct validity. In conclusion, the non-exercise eCRF showed a reasonable validity to estimate true VO2max, and it may be a useful tool for screening CRF.

Physical Activity Levels and Social Cognitive Theory Correlates among Adults with Crohn’s Disease: Preliminary Results from a Cross-Sectional Analysis

There is increasing research and clinical interest in physical activity (PA) as an adjuvant therapy for improving health outcomes among persons with Crohn’s disease. To date, little is known regarding PA behavior and its cognitive and behavioral correlates in Crohn’s disease. Thus, we assessed self-reported PA and its social cognitive theory (SCT) correlates in a sample of persons with Crohn’s disease. Data on demographic and clinical characteristics, disease activity, leisure-time PA, and SCT variables were collected from 30 participants with Crohn’s disease (90% White, 60% female) through an online survey. SCT variables assessed included exercise self-efficacy, social support, outcome expectations, goal setting, and planning. Analyses involved comparing PA levels and SCT survey scores using independent sample t-tests and non-parametric bivariate correlations. The majority of participants were in clinical remission (60%) and over half (57%) were classified as physically active, yet the mean PA level was lower than normative values for adults. Females (n = 18) and participants who reported previous surgery for Crohn’s disease (n = 18) were almost twice as physically active as male participants and those without a history of Crohn’s disease-related surgery, respectively (p’s < 0.05). Overall, participants who reported greater exercise goal setting behaviors had higher levels of PA (rs = 0.34; p < 0.05). These findings highlight lower overall levels of PA in persons with Crohn’s disease, and exercise goal setting represents a potential target of behavior change interventions for increasing PA in this population.

Tiredness after work associates with less leisure-time physical activity

Physical activities and sedentary behaviors take place in different contexts. This study aimed to determine if the context, total score, and leisure-time MET-index assessed by the Baecke questionnaire associate with each other or with sedentary behavior and physical activity outcomes from a 4-week accelerometer measurement in physically inactive adults with overweight. The item “After working I am tired” correlated negatively with items related to leisure-time physical activity and sports participation. The total Baecke Score showed weak but significant correlations with accelerometer-measured sedentary behavior, physical activity, daily steps, and mean activity intensity of the day (r = − 0.33, 0.41, 0.35, and 0.41, respectively). The associations strengthened when the Sport Index was omitted from the Score. The leisure-time MET-Index did not correlate with accelerometer-measured sedentary behavior or physical activity. Tiredness after working associated with less self-reported physical activity during leisure time. This suggests that better recovery from work-related stress could increase leisure-time physical activity, or increasing leisure-time physical activity could reduce tiredness after working. Moreover, among self-reportedly inactive adults with overweight, focusing the questionnaire on work and non-sport leisure time instead of total time might give more accurate estimates of sedentary behavior and physical activity when compared to accelerometry.The study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03101228, 05/04/2017).

The Role of Dietary Intake of Live Microbes in the Association Between Leisure-Time Physical Activity and Depressive Symptoms: A Population-based Study.

Current research has shown promising associations between factors such as diet, total physical activity, and mental health outcomes, acknowledging the intricate interplay between these variables. However, the role of dietary intake of live microbes, coupled with leisure-time physical activity (LTPA), in their relationship to depressive symptoms necessitates further exploration. The present study examined a cohort of 25,747 individuals who participated in the NHANES between the years 2007 and 2018. Patient's Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) was employed, whereby individuals scoring ≥ 10 were classified as exhibiting symptoms of depression. LTPA status was reported by the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire and calculated by MET-minutes/week. Foods consumed by participants were evaluated by live microbes per gram, which were categorized into three groups: low, medium, and high. After controlling for all covariates, findings indicated that LTPA was negatively associated with depressive symptoms [OR (95% CI): 0.983(0.976,0.990), p < 0.001]. Participating in more LTPA was positively correlated with consuming all three levels of dietary live microbes [low, β (95% CI): 0.086(0.063, 0.109); medium, β (95% CI): 0.009(0.007, 0.012); high, β (95% CI): 0.002(0.001, 0.002)]. Moreover, taking more foods with medium live microbes was associated with lower depressive likelihood [OR (95% CI): 0.931(0.882,0.982), p = 0.010]. Intake of medium and high levels of live microbes mediated the association between LTPA and depressive symptoms by 4.15 % and 0.83 %, respectively. Dietary intake of foods containing medium and high levels of live microbes may be a mediator of LTPA's negative association with depressive symptoms.

Alzheimer's disease prevention: Apolipoprotein e4 moderates the effect of physical activity on brain beta-amyloid deposition in healthy elderly

ObjectivesTo investigate if higher baseline leisure time physical activity level is associated with less brain Aβ burden and whether the ApoE4 genotype moderates this association cross-sectionally and longitudinally. DesignProspective cohort study. Methods204 cognitively normal older adults (74.5 ± 6.6 years; 26 % ApoE4-carrier) were analyzed. Energy expenditure (METs min/week) in leisure time physical activity was measured at baseline using the Minnesota Physical Activity Questionnaire. Positron emission tomography data with 11C-labeled Pittsburgh compound B positron emission tomography imaging was carried out to assess brain Aβ burden and quantified using global cortical distribution volume ratios. A subsample of 128 participants underwent longitudinal Pittsburgh compound B positron emission tomography (2.0 ± 0.9 scans over 5 ± 3 years). Statistical analysis was run according to leisure time physical activity (high/low group) and the ApoE4 genotype (carrier/noncarrier). ResultsThe ApoE4 genotype moderated the relationship between leisure time physical activity and Aβ, such that low leisure time physical activity had a greater impact on Pittsburgh compound B distribution volume ratios in ApoE4-carriers than noncarriers. This ApoE4 × leisure time physical activity effect on Pittsburgh compound B was also observed when all available Pittsburgh compound B timepoints were included in the model. Brain Aβ deposition increased over time (p < 0.001), and ApoE4-carriers had disproportionately greater Aβ accumulation than ApoE4-noncarriers. The lower leisure time physical activity group had marginally greater Aβ accumulation than the higher leisure time physical activity group (p = 0.099), but there was no significant ApoE4 effect on Aβ accumulation. ConclusionsLow leisure time physical activity in combination with the ApoE4-carrier genotype is associated with increased Aβ burden, suggesting that ApoE4 moderates the effect of leisure time physical activity on Aβ load. However, this effect was insufficient for baseline physical activity to modulate the change in Aβ accumulation over time.

Joint associations of sedentary behavior and domain-specific physical activity on C-reactive protein in Korea

Sedentary behavior (SB) and physical activity (PA) exert opposing effects on inflammatory markers. This study examined the associations of a more subdivided combination of PA and SB with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). Using the 2014–2019 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, this cross-sectional study analyzed 20,541 adults. The independent variables were SB, defined as ≥10 h of sitting per day, and three domains of PA: occupational PA (OPA) during work, leisure-time PA (LPA) during leisure time, and transportation PA (TPA) or active commuting. The dependent variable was hs-CRP ≥ 1.0 mg/L. Besides exploring the individual association of SB and each PA with hs-CRP, the combined association of SB and each PA with hs-CRP was also examined using multiple logistic regression. The analyses indicated that concurrent exposure to SB and OPA (odds ratio [OR] 1.36, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02–1.80) significantly raised the likelihood of increased hs-CRP, while SB without LPA (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.11–1.41) or TPA (OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.08–1.31) significantly increased risk of higher hs-CRP, compared to their respective reference. The absence of non-occupational PA such as LPA or TPA combined with SB was associated with the increased hs-CRP risk, whereas OPA increased the risk when present concurrently with SB. Reducing SB and OPA while increasing LPA and TPA, is necessary to reduce inflammatory conditions.

Association Between Leisure-Time Physical Activity and Occupation Activity Level, National Health Interview Survey-United States, 2020.

Physical activity for any purpose counts toward meeting Physical Activity Guidelines (PAG). However, national surveillance systems traditionally focus on leisure-time physical activity. There is an incomplete understanding of the association between meeting PAG in leisure time and occupation activity level among US workers. We used cross-sectional 2020 National Health Interview Survey data to examine US adults aged 18-64years who worked the week before the survey (n = 14,814). We estimated the proportion meeting aerobic and muscle-strengthening PAG in leisure time by occupation activity level (low, intermediate, and high). Using logistic regression, we examined the association between meeting PAG in leisure time and occupation activity level, adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics and stratified by hours worked. We compared the sociodemographic characteristics of adults working ≥40hours (the previous week) in high-activity occupations to those in low- or intermediate-activity occupations. Adults working in high-activity occupations were less likely to meet PAG in leisure time (26.1% [24.3-28.1]) versus those in low-activity (30.6% [29.1-32.2], P < .01) or intermediate-activity (32.4% [30.8-34.2]) occupations. In stratified, adjusted models, adults working ≥40hours in low- and intermediate-activity occupations were 13% and 20%, respectively, more likely to meet PAG in leisure time versus those in high-activity occupations. Among those working ≥40hours, adults in high-activity occupations were more likelyto be Hispanic or Latino, male, younger, and have a high school education or lower compared with those in less active occupations. Traditional surveillance may underestimate meeting PAG among people working in high-activity occupations, potentially disproportionately affecting certain groups.

Association between leisure time activities and emotional intelligence among school students in Kollam district of South Kerala

Background: Leisure activity plays a key role in forming an individual’s physical and mental development. Both leisure-time physical activity and emotional intelligence (EI) are related to health-related quality of life. Objectives were to assess the EI of school children belonging to various boards and to find out whether leisure time activity has association with EI. Methods: A cross-sectional study was undertaken among 200 school students belonging to various boards of Kollam district. EI was measured using self-report EI developed by Shuttle et al for-data collection. Results: Among 200 subjects, 50 students studying in 9th standard belonging to different boards were taken from each school, 146 (73%) of students belonged to nuclear family, 154 (77%) shared their daily events with family. 109 (54%) choose arts as leisure time activity and 91 (45.5%) chose sports, 112 (56%) of the students spend at least one hour in social media and only 55 (27.5%) had a habit of reading newspaper daily. Significant statistical association was found between gender, type of school, sharing events with their parents, leisure time activity and EI (p&lt;0.05). Conclusions: The study concluded that leisure activity has significant role in the developing EI of a person. It was found that the government (State syllabus) school children have better EI comparing with other boards and also the students who are good at arts also have good EI.

Impact of sitting at work on musculoskeletal complaints of German workers - results from the study on mental health at work (S-MGA)

IntroductionSedentary behavior (including prolonged sitting) is a form of physical inactivity that has a negative impact on health, possibly including musculoskeletal complaints (MSCs). The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which time spent sitting at work is associated with the one-year prevalence of MSCs in the neck, shoulder, upper back/thoracic spine, and lower back among workers from the Study of Mental Health in the Workplace (S-MGA). In addition, the study also examined whether leisure time, physical activity, and sex modify the relationship between occupational sitting and MSCs.MethodsFor this analysis, we used the S-MGA, a 5-year prospective study in Germany. The S-MGA is a nationwide representative employee cohort study with a baseline survey in 2012 and a follow-up survey in 2017. Sitting at work was measured using a question asked at baseline. The Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire was used to determine the one-year prevalence of MSCs in the neck, shoulder, upper back, and lower back pain (yes/no). The assessment of MSCs was only conducted at the 2017 follow-up. Adjusted Poisson regression models were used to determine the association of baseline level of weekly hours spent sitting at work with MSCs during follow-up. In addition to unadjusted models, models were adjusted for demographic (age, sex, body mass index and occupational skill level), occupational (heavy lifting at work), psychological disorders and lifestyle factors (smoking status and leisure time physical activity), as well as preexisting musculoskeletal conditions reported at baseline. To examine whether the relationship between sitting time and pain was modified by sex and leisure time physical activity, the models were stratified for both these variables.ResultsAmong the participants analyzed (n = 2,082), 49.8% were male, while 50.2% were female, and more than 60% of the study population spent over half of their working hours in a sitting position. Exposure to increased sitting at work reported at baseline was not consistently associated with 12-month prevalence of MSCs in the upper body at follow-up. However, differences in the association between occupational sitting and MSCs were dependent on the intensity of leisure time physical activity. Prevalence ratios (PRs) indicated an increased prevalence of MSC in the neck (PR = 1.46; 95% CI = 1.18–1.80) and shoulder (PR = 1.30; 95% CI = 1.03–1.64) in workers without leisure time physical activity who spent 25 to < 35 weekly working hours sitting.DiscussionThese findings suggest that leisure time physical activity interacts with the relationship between sitting at work and MSCs. The relationship between sitting at work and musculoskeletal pain needs further investigation, but we found indications that leisure time physical activity may counter the effects of sitting at work.

Association of Environmental Injustice and Cardiovascular Diseases and Risk Factors in the United States.

While the impacts of social and environmental exposure on cardiovascular risks are often reported individually, the combined effect is poorly understood. Using the 2022 Environmental Justice Index, socio-environmental justice indexand environmental burden module ranks of census tracts were divided into quartiles (quartile 1, the least vulnerable census tracts; quartile 4, the most vulnerable census tracts). Age-adjusted rate ratios (RRs) of coronary artery disease, strokes, and various health measures reported in the Prevention Population-Level Analysis and Community Estimates data were compared between quartiles using multivariable Poisson regression. The quartile 4 Environmental Justice Index was associated with a higher rate of coronary artery disease (RR, 1.684 [95% CI, 1.660-1.708]) and stroke (RR, 2.112 [95% CI, 2.078-2.147]) compared with the quartile 1 Environmental Justice Index. Similarly, coronary artery disease 1.057 [95% CI,1.043-1.0716] and stroke (RR, 1.118 [95% CI, 1.102-1.135]) were significantly higher in the quartile 4 than in the quartile 1 environmental burden module. Similar results were observed for chronic kidney disease, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol, lack of health insurance, sleep <7 hours per night, no leisure time physical activity, and impaired mental and physical health >14 days. The prevalence of CVD and its risk factors is highly associated with increased social and environmental adversities, and environmental exposure plays an important role independent of social factors.

Adolescent Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Future Work Ability

Although research indicates that low fitness in youth is associated with a higher risk of chronic disability in men, the association of fitness in adolescence with work ability in working men and women remains unknown. To examine the associations of adolescent health-related physical fitness with future work ability. This 45-year observational cohort study, conducted in Finland, examined the direct and indirect longitudinal associations of objectively measured health-related fitness in adolescence (in 1976) with self-reported work ability and sickness absence in early middle age (in 2001) and the Work Ability Index in late middle age (in 2021). A countrywide stratified random baseline sample included fitness measurements for cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) (running 1.5 km for girls and 2 km for boys), musculoskeletal fitness (MF; standing broad jump and sit-ups for both sexes, pull-ups for boys, and flexed-arm hang for girls), and height and weight, from which body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Structural equation modeling-based path analysis, adjusted for age and sex at baseline and for educational level, work-related physical strain, and leisure-time physical activity in late middle age, was conducted. Data analysis was performed from January to July 2023. Self-reported work ability was measured with structured questions in early middle age and with the validated Work Ability Index in late middle age. The final sample from longitudinal analyses (1207 individuals; 579 [48%] male individuals) consisted of participants with fitness measurement from age 12 to 19 years, and work ability assessment from age 37 to 44 years and/or age 57 to 64 years. Higher adolescent CRF was associated with higher work ability (839 participants; β = 0.12; 95% CI, 0.01 to 0.22; P = .03) and lower sickness absence (834 participants; β = -0.07; 95% CI, -0.12 to -0.02; P = .004) in early middle age and, indirectly, mediated by work ability in early middle age, with a higher work ability at the end of working age (603 participants; β = 0.04; 95% CI, 0.001 to 0.08; P = .04). The results remained consistent in both sexes and after adjustment for the confounders. Neither MF nor BMI was associated with work ability (MF, 1192 participants; β = -0.07; 95% CI, -0.17 to 0.03; BMI, 1207 participants, β = 0.09; 95% CI, -0.004 to 0.19) or sickness absence (MF, 1185 participants, β = 0.02; 95% CI, -0.03 to 0.06; BMI, 1202 participants, β = -0.03; 95% CI, -0.09 to 0.03) in early middle age or with late middle age work ability, mediated by work ability in early middle age (MF, 603 participants, β = -0.02; 95% CI, -0.06 to 0.01; BMI, 603 participants, β = 0.03; 95% CI, -0.004 to 0.07). These findings suggest that low CRF in youth is associated with poor work ability at the middle and end of working life, which highlights the informative and prognostic value of CRF assessment early in youth. Enhancing CRF in the first decades of life might contribute to better work capacity and productivity in the labor force, which would have implications for health, quality of life, society, and the economy.

Leisure-Time Physical Activity Impact on Quality of Life, Anxiety, Depression, and Clinical Intensity of Pemphigus Vulgaris

Background: Currently, physical activity serves as a preventive approach to reduce the side effects of medical conditions and mental disorders, as well as to enhance public health. Objectives: This study aims to explore the impact of physical activities on depression, anxiety, quality of life (QoL), and the severity of clinical symptoms in patients with polycythemia vera (PV). Methods: This study was conducted as an experimental investigation on patients with polycythemia vera (PV) who were referred to Razi Hospital in Tehran. A total of 76 patients were selected as the statistical sample and were randomly divided into 2 equal groups: an intervention group and a control group. The intervention involved engaging in recreational walking in a park for 60 minutes every other day, for three sessions a week, over a period of 8 weeks. Results: The intervention group showed improved QoL compared to the control group after 8 weeks (P-value = 0.045, 5.2 ± 2.97 vs. 7.5 ± 6.45); (P-value = 0.066, 4.97 ± 1.89 vs. 6.1 ± 4). Additionally, there was a noticeable reduction in anxiety levels in the intervention group compared to the control group after 8 weeks (6.92 ± 4.7 vs. 9.31 ± 4.97, P-value = 0.03). However, there was no significant difference in depression and the severity of symptoms between the 2 groups over the two-month period (4.6 ± 6.03 vs. 4.3 ± 7.78, P-value = 0.067). Nonetheless, significant improvements in anxiety were observed in the intervention group.

Physical Activities and sedentary time of Students Outdoor Education and Conventional Education in Primary Schools

This research set out to evaluate physical activity and sedentary time between outdoor education and conventional education settings. The research methodology employed a mixed method technique. The research methodology employed a mixed method technique. The research sample consisted of twenty-one students in fourth and fifth grades at an elementary school in Sudamanik 01, Cimarga District, Lebak Regency, Banten Province, Indonesia. The demographics of the participants in grades four and five were similar in terms of height (144.31 ± 2.01) centimeters and body weight (37.02 ± 1.26) kilograms. The level of physical activity and sedentary time were assessed through the utilization of an accelerometer. For twenty-one students, physical activity and sedentary time were compared in participating school during six days of outdoor education and five days of conventional education. The group in outdoor education exhibited a higher level of physical activity compared to conventional education, as evidenced by the results of statistical tests with a p - value &amp;lt; 0.001; conversely, outdoor education results in less sedentary time than traditional education (p &amp;lt; 0.001). The primary conclussions of research revealed that switching from conventional education to outdoor education environment reduced the sedentary time and increased light to moderate the level of physical activity during school hours. There are differences in leisure time physical activity on days at school with or without outdoor education. Henceforth, it can be concluded that outdoor education successfully prompted students to engage in physical activity.

Biologically Informed Polygenic Scores for Brain Insulin Receptor Network Are Associated with Cardiometabolic Risk Markers and Diabetes in Women.

To investigate associations between variations in the co-expression-based brain insulin receptor polygenic score and cardiometabolic risk factors and diabetes mellitus. This cross-sectional study included 1,573 participants from the Helsinki Birth Cohort Study. Biologically informed expression-based polygenic risk scores for the insulin receptor gene network were calculated for the hippocampal (hePRS-IR) and the mesocorticolimbic (mePRS-IR) regions. Cardiometabolic markers included body composition, waist circumference, circulating lipids, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 1 and 3 (IGFBP-1 and -3). Glucose and insulin levels were measured during a standardized 2-hour 75 g oral glucose tolerance test and impaired glucose regulation status was defined by the World Health Organization 2019 criteria. Analyzes were adjusted for population stratification, age, smoking, alcohol consumption, socioeconomic status, chronic diseases, birth weight, and leisure-time physical activity. Multinomial logistic regression indicated that one standard deviation increase in hePRS-IR was associated with increased risk of diabetes mellitus in all participants (adjusted relative risk ratio, 1.17; 95% confidence interval, 1.01 to 1.35). In women, higher hePRS-IR was associated with greater waist circumference and higher body fat percentage, levels of glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, apolipoprotein B, insulin, and IGFBP-1 (all P≤0.02). The mePRS-IR was associated with decreased IGF-1 level in women (P=0.02). No associations were detected in men and studied outcomes. hePRS-IR is associated with sex-specific differences in cardiometabolic risk factor profiles including impaired glucose regulation, abnormal metabolic markers, and unfavorable body composition in women.

Enhancing feedback by health coaching: the effectiveness of mixed methods approach to long-term physical activity changes in nurses. An intervention study

BackgroundAlthough knowledge of the barriers and motivators to physical activity participation among nurses is increasing, the factors influencing motivation methods’ effectiveness are not completely defined. This study aimed to identify the methods that support increasing the level of daily physical activity and the factors that influence the effectiveness of motivation methods among nurses.MethodsThis study was based on an intervention study protocol. All registered nurses in clinical settings were invited to participate in the study. The study involved 71 professionally active nurses. A self-reported questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic and employment data. The level of physical activity was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and the daily number of steps was assessed using a pedometer. Body composition was measured using a bioimpedance method, and the 5-year risk of cardiovascular events was assessed using the Harvard Score. The intervention included self-monitoring daily steps using a pedometer and completing a diary daily for one month. Additionally, a few-minute speech was sent to each participant via email on the intervention’s 7th, 14th, and 21st days.ResultsThe analysis revealed a higher value of physical activity recorded in the follow-up compared to the initial and final measurement in the Recreation domain [Met] (p < 0.001) and a higher value of daily steps in the follow-up compared to the final measurement (p = 0.005). Participants with a higher Harvard Score were more likely to increase their daily number of steps (OR = 6.025; 95% CI = 1.70-21.41), and nurses working in hospital wards were less likely to do so (OR = 0.002; 95% CI = 0.00-0.41).ConclusionsRecommendations for physical activity in the nursing population should focus on increasing leisure time physical activity and regular risk assessment of cardiovascular events. A mixed methods approach, such as feedback enhanced by health coaching, effectively achieves long-term physical activity changes in nurses.

Joint effect of physical activity and sedentary behavior with the female urinary incontinence: an analysis of NHANES 2011-2016.

Our study aimed to assess the independent and joint effects of leisure-time physical activity and sedentary behavior with urinary incontinence (UI). Data were obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011-2016. The primary endpoint was the risk of different subtypes of UI, including stress UI, urgency UI, and mixed UI. The primary exposures were leisure-time physical activity and sedentary behavior. Sedentary behavior was assessed by screen time. Weighted univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to observe the independent and joint relationship of leisure-time physical activity and sedentary behavior with UI risk (including stress UI, urgency UI, and mixed UI). In total, 6,927 female participants were included in this analysis. 3,377 females did not have UI, 1,534 had stress UI, 836 had urgency UI, and 1,180 had mixed UI. Screen time with ≥5h/day was associated with increased odds of urgency UI [odds ratio (OR) =1.31, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.06-1.61], which indicated the relationship of sedentary behavior and urgency UI. Engaging in leisure-time physical activity with of ≥750 metabolic equivalent (MET)·min/week was found to be significantly associated with reduced likelihood of mixed UI (OR=0.68, 95%CI: 0.55-0.85). Additionally, the interaction term of leisure-time physical activity<750 MET· min/week and screen time≥5h/day was observed to be linked with increased odds of urgency and mixed UI. Participants experiencing a lower level of leisure-time physical activity and a higher level of sedentary behavior together might enhance the urgency and mixed UI risk.

A Web-Based Physical Activity Promotion Intervention for Inactive Parent-Child Dyads: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Low levels of physical activity are associated with numerous adverse health outcomes, yet sedentary lifestyles are common among both children and adults. Physical activity levels tend to decline steeply among children aged between 8 and 12 years, even though children's behavioral patterns are largely governed by familial structures. Similarly, parents' activity levels have been generally reported as lower than those of nonparents of comparable age. For this reason, family-based physical activity promotion interventions are a potentially valuable and relatively underresearched method for mitigating physical activity declines as children develop into adolescents and for increasing physical activity in parents. This study aims to assess the efficacy, feasibility, and acceptability of a novel theory-based web-based physical activity promotion intervention among parent-child dyads in Finland who do not meet physical activity recommendations at baseline. Participants (target N=254) will be recruited from the general population using a panel company and advertisements on social media and randomly assigned to either an immediate intervention group or a waitlist control group. The intervention consists of 4 web-based group workshops over the course of 10 weeks, web-based tasks and resources, and a social support chat group. Data on physical activity behavior and constructs from the integrated behavior change model will be collected through self-report surveys assessing physical activity, autonomy support, autonomous motivation, attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, intention, self-monitoring, habit, and accelerometer measurements at baseline, post intervention, and 3 months post intervention. Exit interviews with participants will assess the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention procedures. This study will reveal whether the intervention changes leisure-time physical activity among intervention participants relative to the control group and will examine the intervention's effects on important theoretical predictors of physical activity. It will also yield data that can be used to refine intervention materials and inform further implementation. Trial recruitment commenced in September 2023, and data collection should be completed by December 2024. The planned intervention has potential implications for both theory and practice. Practically, the use of an entirely web-based intervention may have scalable future uses for improving physical activity in 2 key populations, while also potentially informing on the value of dyadic, family-based strategies for encouraging an active lifestyle as an alternative to strategies that target either parents or children independently. Further, by assessing change in psychological constructs alongside potential change in behavior, the intervention also allows for important tests of theory regarding which constructs are most linked to favorable behavior change outcomes. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06070038; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06070038. DERR1-10.2196/55960.

Effects of physical activity and sedentary behavior on serum vitamin D in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a complex, heterogeneous disease with multiple extrapulmonary manifestations, among which vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency are very common in COPD and are associated with the health status and clinical outcomes of COPD patients. This paper aims to analyze the impact of leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and daily sitting time (DST) and their interactions on serum vitamin D in patients with COPD. Participants aged ≥40 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) in the USA from 2007 to 2012 who had undergone pulmonary function tests and vitamin D tests were selected as the study participants. Participants' LTPA and DST were assessed using the General Practice Assessment Questionnaire (GPAQ). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the relationship between serum vitamin D, LTPA, DSA and the combination of the 2 in patients with COPD, and the results were expressed as odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI). This study included 1,448 samples. The mean vitamin D concentration of the samples was (68.27 ±26.78) nmol/L; 360 participants (24.86%) had vitamin D deficiency and 539 participants (37.22%) had vitamin D insufficiency. Vitamin D and 25(OH)D3 expression levels differed across the 4 groups (150 min/week and DST > 8 h revealed the highest vitamin D expression levels, while LTPA 8 h showed the lowest. Vitamin D was weakly correlated with FEV1, FVC, BMI, age, and LTPA (p < 0.01), but not with DST. Body mass index (BMI) was weakly positively correlated with DST (r = 0.142, p < 0.01). Serum physical activity and DST independently affect vitamin D levels in COPD patients; therefore, increasing physical activity and minimizing DST may help improve vitamin D levels and prevent vitamin D deficiency.

Identifying the health benefits of city bike infrastructure expansion policy

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to understand how policy actions implemented by city governments to improve infrastructure within the built environment can in turn influence healthy behaviors and population health. The authors investigated the associations between policy actions implemented by city governments to improve biking infrastructure and multiple health outcomes including leisure-time physical inactivity, obesity and coronary heart disease (CHD). In addition, this study tested if bike use for commuting and leisure-time physical activity were mediators between policy actions to improve biking infrastructure and health outcomes, and whether the health effects of bike infrastructure were different in cities of different population density. We merged local sustainability survey data with city-level chronic disease measures for the largest cities in the U.S. (n = 457). Results from regressions using Ordinary Least Squares estimation and mediation tests showed policies implemented to improve biking infrastructure were associated with lower prevalence of leisure-time physical inactivity, obesity and CHD. These relationships were most notable in medium-density cities (1,500–3,000/sq. mi). Moreover, leisure-time physical activity and active commuting mediated the relationship between bike infrastructure improvement policies and health outcomes. This study demonstrated the value of a policy-based intervention in enhancing population health.