Vigorous Physical Activity Levels Research Articles

Body mass index, physical activity, and smoking in relation to military readiness.

The objective of the study was to analyze the influence of excess weight, regular physical activity, and smoking on the military readiness of the Belgian Armed Forces in a cross-sectional online survey. A multinomial logistic regression was used to study the influence of modifiable risk factors on participation in the physical fitness test. In our study population (n = 4,959), subjects with a body mass index higher than 25 kg/m(2), smokers, and subjects with a lower level of vigorous physical activity were significantly more likely to have failed the physical fitness test. In the Belgian Armed Forces, serious efforts should be made to encourage vigorous physical activity, smoking cessation, and weight loss to preserve our military readiness. Instead of relying on civilian public health interventions, Belgian Defense should develop its own specific approaches to prevent weight gain, improve physical fitness, and influence smoking attitude.

Energy requirements in top-level DanceSport Athletes

Dancesport is a sport of recent history: recognition by the IOC as Olimpic discipline came in 1997. Scientific literature on this new sport is almost nonexistent. The purpose of this study is for define the energy expenditure and the intensity of the two main dancesport disciplines (latin-american and standard dances) in top-level athletes and verify characteristics and differences of these two dance genres. Twenty dancers, 10 male and 10 female (10 couples,), aged between 19 and 31 years, have been enrolled in this study. 5 couples were latin-american dancers while 5 couples standard dancers. Athletes were asked to wear a metabolic holter (Sensewear Armband)for 25 hours and to perform a training session and a simulated competition to record BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate), DEE (Daily Energy Expenditure), TEE (Training Energy Expenditure), MET (Metabolic Equivalent) and PAL (Physical Activity Level). Statistical analysis reveals no differences between the two dance disciplines, our results suggest that dancesport is a moderate/heavy activity that requires a strong energy expenditure. Athletes involved in continuous training programs show a vigorous Physical Activity Level.

Ethnic Differences in Physical Activity and Metabolic Risk

This study aimed to examine ethnic differences in objectively measured physical activity (PA) and the relationship between PA and metabolic risk factors. The analysis included 2566 participants of the Dallas Heart Study (53% non-Hispanic black, 32% non-Hispanic white, and 15% Hispanic) who wore an accelerometer for an average of 7 d. PA was assessed as mean activity counts and time spent in moderate and vigorous activity. Outcomes included body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, fasting glucose, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance, and plasma lipid and lipoprotein levels. A higher proportion of Hispanics than either whites or blacks obtained the recommended ≥ 150 min·wk of moderate PA (24%, 14%, and 10%, respectively, P < 0.0001). White males were more likely to engage in vigorous activity than other sex-ethnic groups (P < 0.05). Time in moderate-to-vigorous activity was inversely related to BMI, waist circumference, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance, heart rate, and positively associated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (P < 0.0001) in the combined cohort, and the relationship was similar in all ethnic groups (P interaction > 0.05). A significant inverse association between PA and triglycerides was observed in whites (P = 7.2 × 10). Vigorous activity was associated with greater differences in risk factors than moderate activity (for example, β = -0.30 vs β = -0.02 for BMI). Bouts lasting ≥10 min were associated with metabolic risk factors independent of <10-min bouts in the overall sample, with similar trends observed within subgroups. Hispanics had higher levels of moderate activity than whites or blacks, whereas white men had higher levels of vigorous PA than other sex-ethnic groups. The relationship between PA and several metabolic risk factors was similar across ethnicities. Vigorous PA was associated with greater benefits than moderate PA.

The correlation between physical activity and grade point average for health science graduate students.

Researchers have reported positive associations between physical activity and academic achievement. However, a common belief is that improving academic performance comes at the cost of reducing time for and resources spent on extracurricular activities that encourage physical activity. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between self-reported physical activity and grade point average (GPA) for health science graduate students. Graduate students in health science programs completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and reported their academic progress. Most participants (76%) reported moderate to vigorous physical activity levels that met or exceeded the recommended levels for adults. However, there was no significant correlation between GPA and level of physical activity. Negative findings for this study may be associated with the limited range of GPA scores for graduate students. Future studies need to consider more sensitive measures of cognitive function, as well as the impact of physical activity on occupational balance and health for graduate students in the health fields.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome and the association with socio-demographic characteristics and physical activity in urban population of Iranian adults: A population-based study

BackgroundThe metabolic syndrome (MetS) is the main concern of health problem in transition population. The objective was to determine the prevalence of MetS and its association with socio-demographic and physical activity in Iranian adults. MethodsA population-based cross-sectional study of 1000 representative samples aged 20–70 years was conducted in urban area in northern Iran. The socio-demographic data were collected by interview and the physical activity was assessed by standard International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Weight, height, waist circumference and the systolic and diastolic blood pressures were measured by standard methods. Fasting plasma glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol level and low density lipoprotein cholesterol level were measured using enzymatic method. The ATP III criteria were used for diagnosis of MetS. ResultsThe prevalence rate of MetS was 42.3% (36.5% men and 47.1% women, p=0.001). The higher education at university level was appeared inversely associated with MetS (age adjusted OR=0.34, p=0.001) compared with illiterate. The prevalence rates of MetS were 49.0%, 42.5% and 22.6% in low, moderate and vigorous physical activity level respectively (p=0.001). After adjusting for potential confounding factors, the vigorous physical activity was inversely associated with MetS compared with low level (adjusted OR=0.46, p=0.001). ConclusionThese results highlight an immediate action of preventive measures programs for modification of cardio metabolic risk factors.

Examining the efficacy and feasibility of exercise counseling in individuals with schizophrenia: A single-case experimental study

Physical activity has been shown to help individuals with schizophrenia improve their physical and mental health. Despite these benefits, individuals with schizophrenia are less active than those in the general population. This mixed-methods study explored the feasibility of a theory-driven exercise counseling intervention on the psychological mediators of physical activity behaviors and levels of moderate and vigorous physical activity in obese adults with schizophrenia. A reversible A-B-A single-case experimental design was used to evaluate the effect of exercise counseling before, during, and after the intervention. Post-study interviews evaluated the acceptability of the intervention. Four obese adults with schizophrenia participated in the two-month study. Exercise counseling proved feasible with three participants progressing to the next stage of change. Increases in self-efficacy and perceived benefits of exercise were reported throughout the intervention. Accelerometry indicated moderate and vigorous physical activity levels did not change for three participants and decreased significantly for one. This study helped show that exercise counseling may be an effective way of strengthening the determinants of physical activity. Future research will need to address strategies to increase moderate and vigorous physical activity using exercise counseling.

Self-reported Physical Activity Predicts Pain Inhibitory and Facilitatory Function

Considerable evidence suggests regular physical activity can reduce chronic pain symptoms. The dysfunction of endogenous facilitatory and inhibitory systems has been implicated in multiple chronic pain conditions. However, few studies have investigated the relationship between levels of physical activity and descending pain modulatory function. The purpose of this study was to determine whether self-reported levels of physical activity in healthy adults predicted 1) pain sensitivity to heat and cold stimuli, 2) pain facilitatory function as tested by temporal summation (TS) of pain, and 3) pain inhibitory function as tested by conditioned pain modulation (CPM) and offset analgesia. Forty-eight healthy adults (age range = 18-76 yr) completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and the following pain tests: heat pain thresholds, heat pain suprathresholds, cold pressor pain, TS of heat pain, CPM, and offset analgesia. The IPAQ measured levels of walking, moderate, vigorous, and total physical activity over the past 7 d. Hierarchical linear regressions were conducted to determine the relationship between each pain test and self-reported levels of physical activity while controlling for age, sex, and psychological variables. Self-reported total and vigorous physical activity predicted TS and CPM (P < 0.05). Individuals who self-reported more vigorous and total physical activity exhibited reduced TS of pain and greater CPM. The IPAQ measures did not predict any of the other pain measures. These results suggest that healthy older and younger adults who self-report greater levels of vigorous and total physical activity exhibit enhanced descending pain modulatory function. Improved descending pain modulation may be a mechanism through which exercise reduces or prevents chronic pain symptoms.

Associations between child and sibling levels of vigorous physical activity in low-income minority families

Background and objectives: A child’s level of habitual physical activity is partly determined by a familial component, but the literature is limited regarding sibling influences. Multiple studies suggest that targeting siblings is an effective strategy for improving child health behaviors. Patients and methods: We analyze Moving to Opportunity for Fair Housing (MTO) data to study associations between the odds of a child attaining 20 min or more of vigorous physical activity at least 3 days every week and parallel measures from an older sibling and a parent. We include covariates representing the social environment such as household income and neigh-borhood safety. Results: There were 1347 study units that consisted of a child (age 11.2 y ± 2.6), an older sib-ling (age 14.8 y ± 2.8), and a parent (age 38.3 y ± 7.5). A child’s odds of vigorous physical ac-tivity for 20 min or more was increased if the older sibling (OR 1.67; 95% CI 1.32-2.11) or parent (OR 1.36; 95% CI 1.08-1.72) had a comparable activity level compared to children whose older siblings or parents did not exhibit a comparable level of activity. Conclusions: A younger sibling’s level of physical activity is positively associated with an older sibling’s and/or parent’s level of physical activity. Family-based approaches, especially those incorporating siblings, may be effective at increasing physical activity in children.

Factors associated with serum lipids of adolescents from the Brazilian South

OBJECTIVE: This study analyzes factors associated with serum lipids in adolescents from southern Brazil. METHODS: This is a school-based cross-sectional study with a probabilistic sample composed of 660 adolescents aged 14 to 19 years from the city of Três de Maio, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. The following independent variables were analyzed: body mass index; waist-to-height ratio; moderate to vigorous level of physical activity; sedentary behaviour; lipid, total saturated fatty acid, cholesterol, sodium, and fiber intakes; smoking; and alcohol abuse. Linear regression analysis tested the association between the independent variables and total cholesterol and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol. RESULTS: Body mass index was directly associated with total cholesterol (β=0.96, p=0.001) and reversely associated with high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (β=-0.45, p&lt;0.001). CONCLUSION: High body mass index may have a negative impact on the lipid profile of adolescents. Thus, monitoring nutritional status is important to prevent and control dyslipidemia in adolescents. We suggest multidisciplinary and intersectoral actions that encourage teenagers to acquire a healthy lifestyle, with emphasis on the adoption of an active lifestyle and balanced diet.

Measure of Vigorous Physical Activity in a Paediatric Population

Background: Activities generating relatively high ground-reaction forces produce greater gains in bone mass than low- to moderate-intensity forces, especially when imposed during early childhood. We investigated in a pediatric population the amount of time spent in Vigorous Physical Activity (VPA), that is currently used to estimate high-intensity forces beneficial to skeletal health. The objectives of this study were: 1) to quantify the proportion in a general pediatric population that do not accumulate at least 20 minutes of VPA daily, which is currently recommended for bone health; 2) and to identify any age and gender-based differences. Methods: Physical activity wasrecorded during 10 days using an uniaxial accelerometer in 255 children and adolescents (117 females; 138 males). According to Ekelund et al.,VPA was defined as > 3000 counts.min-1. The time spent at VPA intensity was expressed as minutes per day, and the proportion of subjects who accumulated less than 20 minutes of VPA daily was assessed considering gender and age. Results: Our cohort of healthy children and teenagers had a normal mean value of VPA. However, 31.8% of the participants (31.9% of males and 31.6% of females) did not accumulate at least 20 minutes of VPA daily. Vigorous PA was 31.7% lower in females compared to males.Finally, the time spent in VPA decreased significantly with age in the male group (t=-2.5, p=0.014), but not in the female group (t=-1.6, p=0.105). Conclusions: Vigorous PA measured by accelerometer is a useful and valid tool to assess the amount of highintensity forces beneficial to skeletal health during growth. Around 30% of children and teenagers of both genders do not accumulate at least 20 minutes of VPA. We may hypothesise that the gender-related differences in BMD may be due partially to the difference in VPA observed in this study, females being less vigorously active. Further research is needed to establish the relationship between the VPA level and bone mineral accretion.

Amount of Physical Activity in Pregnancy and Infant Heart Outcomes

Purpose: Our previous findings demonstrated that the amount (dose) of maternal physical activity during pregnancy was associated with changes in fetal heart autonomic control, similar to an adult exercise trained response. The purpose of this study was to determine if the dose of maternal physical activity during association persists after birth. Methods: We analyzed 43 maternal-infant pairs. Since the majority of measures were not normally distributed, the correlations between infant heart rate (HR) and HR Variability (HRV) metrics and maternal physical activity measures were assessed by the Spearman correlation coefficient. The Spearman procedure also was used to examine relationships among the physical activity variables. Results: The median values for maternal physical activity duration were 1140 min (~90 min/wk), for energy expenditure 6,635 kcal, and the intensity was 5.4 kcal.min-1 (Table 1). Based on the average maternal weight, average intensity is near the cut-off (6.0 kcal.min-1) for moderate and vigorous intensity level of physical activity. There was a significant positive correlation between the duration of maternal physical and infant Low Frequency (LF) HRV power (p=0.02), as well as the amount of energy expenditure (i.e. calories burned) in physical activity with infant short-term HRV (RMSSD, p=0.03), LF power (p=0.01) and high frequency (HF) HRV power (p=0.03). Conclusion: The amount of time and energy expended during physical activity during gestation positively influences the development of neonatal cardiac autonomic control. Coupled with our previous findings of positive fetal dose associated with physical activity during pregnancy suggests, the prenatal period may be the earliest time at which the cardiac health of infants can be positively influenced to decrease risk of heart disease.

Objectively Assessed Physical Activity Levels in Spanish Cancer Survivors

To objectively assess physical activity (PA) levels in a cohort of Spanish cancer survivors. Descriptive, cross-sectional. The Hospital Universitario de Fuenlabrada and two healthcare centers in Madrid, Spain. 204 cancer survivors and 115 adults with no history of cancer. Participants wore a triaxial accelerometer for seven or more consecutive days to assess PA levels. Body mass index (BMI), indirect indicators of adiposity (waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio), and cardiorespiratory fitness also were determined. Light, moderate, vigorous, and total PA (sum of the former). Most (94%) of the cancer survivors met international recommendations for moderate PA, but very few (3%) fulfilled those (75 minutes or more per week) for vigorous PA. Except for lower total (minute per day, p=0.048) and vigorous PA levels (p<0.001 for both minute per day and minute per week) recorded in the cancer survivors group, no between-group differences were detected (p>0.05). A high percentage of the survivors (33%) were obese (BMI greater than 30 kg/m2), and many also showed poor cardiorespiratory fitness (45% were below the 8 metabolic equivalent threshold). Although cancer survivors overall met international PA recommendations for a healthy lifestyle, their BMI and cardiorespiratory profiles were not within the healthy range. Cancer survivors need to be informed about healthy lifestyle habits and should be regularly monitored.

Making Lifestyle Changes after Colorectal Cancer: Insights for Program Development

Healthy lifestyle behaviours may improve outcomes for people with colorectal cancer (crc), but the intention to take action and to change those behaviours may vary with time and resource availability. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of current lifestyle behaviours in people with and without crc in our community, and to identify their desire to change and their resource preferences. A mixed-methods survey was completed by people diagnosed with crc who were pre-treatment (n = 54), undergoing treatment (n = 62), or done with treatment for less than 6 months (n = 67) or for more than 6 months (n = 178), and by people without cancer (n = 83). Current lifestyle behaviours were similar in all groups, with the exception of vigorous physical activity levels, which were significantly lower in the pre-treatment and ongoing treatment respondents than in cancer-free respondents. Significantly more crc respondents than respondents without cancer had made lifestyle changes. Among the crc respondents, dietary change was the change most frequently made (39.3%), and increased physical activity was the change most frequently desired (39.1%). Respondents wanted to use complementary and alternative medicine (cam), reading materials, self-efficacy, and group activities to make future changes. Resources for lifestyle change should be made available for people diagnosed with crc, and should be tailored to address physical activity, cam, and diet. Lifestyle programs offered throughout the cancer trajectory and beyond treatment completion might be well received by people with crc.

Effect of Weather, School Transport, and Perceived Neighborhood Characteristics on Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity Levels of Adolescents From Two European Cities

The main goal of this study is to analyze the influence of several environmental factors (temperature, precipitation, mode and duration of school transport, perception of physical activity [PA] opportunities, and perceived neighborhood walkability) on adolescent’s daily moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) levels of two European mid-sized cities. Data were collected from a sample of 829 adolescents (49.7% Spanish; 55.2% females; 14.33 ± 0.73 years). Daily meteorological data were collected for the valid days for each subject and MVPA levels were assessed with Actigraph GT3X accelerometer during seven consecutive days. Data were analyzed using multilevel modeling. Warmer weather ( p &lt; .01), lower levels of precipitation ( p &lt; .05), and use of active school transport ( p &lt; .05) were significantly associated with higher MVPA levels. Environmental neighborhood perception did not show significant influence. Further efforts should be carried out to increase PA opportunities during colder periods, rainy days, and to promote the use of active transport

Comparison and Comparability: Fitness Tracking Between Youths with Different Physical Activity Levels

This study compared a three-year tracking of health-related physical fitness between two comparable samples of six graders that enrolled either in a PE4life middle school (n = 154) or another school with a traditional PE program (n = 93) in the United States. For the cohort, the FITNESSGRAMTM (Cooper Institute for Aerobics Research, 1992) battery was administered twice with a three-year interval, and moderate and vigorous physical activity levels in PE classes were assessed. Fitness tracking then was assessed with six statistical techniques and compared between the two samples. Students in the PE4life Program demonstrated significantly higher moderate and vigorous physical activity level (p < .001) in PE classes and improved significantly more in most fitness measures at follow-up (ps < .05–.001) than those in the traditional program. Results of tracking assessed with Spearman correlations, Kappa statistics, and Kendall's tau-b did not reflect the significant differences in fitness changes between the two samples, whereas those assessed using stability in extreme quartiles, changes in percentage of students in at-risk groups, and odds ratios reflected the significant differences in the fitness changes between the two samples. The last three tracking methods identify differences in fitness changes in addition to assessing tracking stability and are recommended in fitness tracking research.

OP46 Walking to Work: The Contribution to Adult Physical Activity Levels

BackgroundThere is increasing evidence of the link between adult obesity levels and travel behaviour: countries with highest levels of active travel generally have the lowest obesity rates. Walking is a...

Weekday and weekend physical activity patterns of French and Spanish adolescents

Adolescents' objectively assessed physical activity (PA) patterns during specific segments of the day remain unclear. In order to develop a clearer understanding this study examined country and gender differences in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) levels during specific segments of weekdays and weekend days, and explored the contribution of each segment to PA guidelines. Morpho-demographic, socio-economic and PA data were collected from a sample of 829 French and Spanish adolescents (45.0% Spanish; 55.2% females; 14.33±.73 years). Actigraph GT3X accelerometers were worn for seven days to assess adolescents' MVPA for three segments of weekdays (school-travel-time, school-time, and non-school-time), and weekend days (morning-time, afternoon-time and night-time). Data were analysed using multilevel modelling. The most active segments were non-school-time (29.2±17.5 min) and school-time (25.8±14.2 min) during weekdays, and morning-time (28.2±25.8 min) on weekend days. Except for school-time, Spanish adolescents were more significantly active than French adolescents during all segments. Significant gender differences were found in all segments. Country differences highlight the need to recognise cultural contexts that influence adolescents' PA. Common European-wide strategies may be insufficient to increase MVPA levels if cultural variability is not considered. Spanish and French PA intervention programmes should target girls and low-active boys during non-school-time and weekends.

Objectively assessed physical activity is associated with increased hair cortisol content in young adults

Assessing long-term cortisol secretion presents difficulties when cortisol measurement is carried out by saliva, plasma and urine analyses. Hair cortisol has gained increased interest as an alternative biological marker. So far, one study has been published studying hair cortisol in endurance athletes, showing higher levels compared to controls. Using accelerometer data in the present study, we cross-sectionally explored the relationship between moderate physical activity (MPA) and vigorous physical activity (VPA) levels and hair cortisol concentrations after taking into account age, gender, and perceived stress. Hair specimens were collected from 46 university students (20 males, 26 females, Mage ± SD =21.2 ± 1.87 years). Participants provided information about their socio-demographic background and levels of perceived stress. Accelerometer data were collected to assess physical activity. Cortisol concentrations were measured in the first 3-cm hair segment nearest to the scalp. MPA was not correlated with hair cortisol content (r = −0.08). A significant correlation was found between VPA and hair cortisol (r = 0.34, p < 0.05). A regression analysis revealed that participants with higher VPA had elevated hair cortisol concentrations even after taking into account age, gender and perceived stress (β = 0.33, p < 0.05, ΔR2 = 0.106). This is the first study showing that objectively assessed VPA is associated with increased hair cortisol levels in young adults. As VPA can be regarded as a physical stressor, it seems imperative that researchers consider participants’ levels of VPA if they examine the relationship between stress exposure, hair cortisol and health.

Both Hair Cortisol Levels and Perceived Stress Predict Increased Symptoms of Depression: An Exploratory Study in Young Adults

Objective: Depressive symptoms are a common mental health problem among young adults, but the physiological mechanisms that mediate between stress and depressive symptoms remain unclear. Accordingly, this exploratory study (1) examined how hair cortisol concentrations were associated with self-perceived stress and depressive symptoms in a sample of young adults and (2) tested whether hair cortisol could explain variance in depressive symptoms beyond perceived stress before and after controlling for levels of vigorous physical activity (VPA). Methods: The sample consisted of 42 exercise and health science university students (20 males, 22 females; mean age = 21.2 years). Cortisol concentrations were extracted from hair strands close to the scalp. Participants completed self-rating questionnaires about depressive symptoms and perceived stress. Results: Students with elevated hair cortisol levels tended to report lower depressive symptoms and lower perceived stress. Increased perceived stress was associated with higher depressive symptoms, and both hair cortisol and perceived stress predicted depressive symptoms after controlling for VPA. Conclusions: The present data suggest that elevated hair cortisol levels do not necessarily constitute a health risk. Hair cortisol measurement can serve as a noninvasive and painless biomarker of chronic stress and mental disorders; however, additional research is needed.

Obesity increases risk of declining physical activity over time in women: a prospective cohort study

Research indicates that risk of obesity increases as physical activity (PA) decreases; however, the reciprocal effect has been rarely studied. The present investigation was conducted to determine the contribution of obesity on objectively measured PA over 20 months. A prospective cohort design with 254 middle-aged women was employed. Body fat percentage (BF%) was measured using Bod Pod, and obesity was defined as BF% ≥32%. PA was assessed objectively using 7-day accelerometry at baseline and ∼20 months later at follow-up. Of the 254 subjects, 124 were obese (49%) at baseline. Mean BF% was 32.1 ± 7.8 and average age was 41.7 ± 3.1 years. Mean weekly PA was 2.79 ± 0.85 million activity counts for all participants. Over the 20-month period, PA decreased significantly more in obese women (-8.1% ± 27.1%) than in nonobese women (0.3% ± 31.7%) after adjusting for confounders (F = 5.3, P = 0.022). Moderate plus vigorous PA levels also decreased more in obese women (-28.1 ± 73.6 min/week) than in nonobese women (-5.9 ± 66.8 min/week), after adjusting for covariates (F = 7.84; P = 0.0055). It appears that obese women tend to reduce PA over time at a faster rate than nonobese women. Evidently, obesity is a risk factor for decreasing PA over time in middle-aged women.