Lower Moderate-to-vigorous Physical Activity Research Articles

Is the positive relationship of infant weight gain with adolescent adiposity attenuated by moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in childhood? Evidence from the Millennium Cohort Study.

Rapid infant weight gain is a key risk factor for paediatric obesity, yet there is very little evidence on how healthy behaviours in childhood might modify this association. We aimed to examine how the association of infant weight gain with adolescent adiposity might be attenuated by moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in childhood. The sample comprised 4666 children in the UK Millennium Cohort Study. The two outcomes were BMI Z-score and % fat at 14 years. Sex-stratified regression models were developed testing for interactions between infant weight Z-score gain between 0 and 3 years (continuous or categorical) and MVPA at 7 years (continuous or binary). Models were sequentially adjusted for basic covariates, socioeconomic variables, and parental BMI levels. Effect modification was observed in boys but not girls and, among boys, was stronger for % fat than BMI. In a fully adjusted model for boys, the association between infant weight Z-score gain and adolescent % fat was 1.883 (1.444, 2.322) if MVPA < 60 min/day and 1.305 (0.920, 1.689) if MVPA ≥ 60 min/day; the difference between these two estimates being -0.578 (-1.070, -0.087). Similarly, % fat was 2.981 (1.596, 4.367) units higher among boys who demonstrated rapid infant weight gain (+0.67 to +1.34 Z-score) compared to normal weight gain (-0.67 to +0.67 Z-scores), but having MVPA ≥ 60 min/day reduced this effect size by -2.259 (-3.989, -0.535) units. In boys, ~75% of the excess % fat at 14 years associated with rapid infant weight gain was attenuated by meeting the MVPA guideline. In boys known to have demonstrated rapid infant weight gain, increasing childhood MVPA levels, with the target of ≥60 min/day, might therefore go a long way to towards offsetting their increased risk for adolescent obesity. The lack of effect modification in girls is likely due to lower MVPA levels.

How do short sleepers use extra waking hours? A compositional analysis of 24-h time-use patterns among children and adolescents

BackgroundTo examine compositional associations between short sleep duration and sedentary behavior (SB), light physical activity (LPA) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) among children and adolescents.MethodsMulti-day 24-h data on sleep, SB, LPA and MVPA were collected using accelerometers among 343 children (8–13 years old) and 316 adolescents (14–18 years old). Children and adolescents with sleep duration of < 9 and < 8 h, respectively, were classified as short sleepers. Robust compositional regression analysis was used to examine the associations between short sleep duration and the waking-time composition.ResultsSeventy-one percent of children and 75.3% of adolescents were classified as short sleepers. In children, being a short sleeper was associated with higher SB by 95 min/day (p < 0.001) and lower MVPA by 16 min/day (p = 0.002). Specifically, it was associated with a higher amount of time spent in long sedentary bouts (βilr1 = 0.46, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.29 to 0.62) and lower amounts of time spent in sporadic SB (βilr1 = − 0.17, 95% CI = –0.24 to − 0.10), sporadic LPA (βilr1 = − 0.09, 95% CI = –0.14 to − 0.04) and sporadic MVPA (βilr1 = − 0.17, 95% CI = –0.25 to − 0.10, p < 0.001 for all), relative to the remaining behaviours. In adolescents, being a short sleeper was associated with a higher amount of time spent in SB by 67 min/day (p = 0.001) and lower LPA by 2 min/day (p = 0.035). Specifically, it was associated with more time spent in sedentary bouts of 1–9 min (βilr1 = 0.08, 95% CI = 0.02 to 0.14, p = 0.007) and 10–29 min (βilr1 = 0.10, 95% CI = 0.02 to 0.18, p = 0.015), relative to the remaining behaviours.ConclusionsAmong children and adolescents, short sleep duration seems to be highly prevalent and associated with less healthy waking time. Public health interventions and strategies to tackle the high prevalence of short sleep duration among children and adolescents are warranted.

The Role Of Academic, Cultural, And Language Stresses On Physical Activity Among International College Students

There were 1.09 million international college students in the U.S. as of 2018 (Institute of International Education). Previous studies showed that many international students experienced academic stress, as well as language and cultural stresses (Yan & FitzPatrick, 2015). Further, previous studies also indicated that the U.S. cultural may facilitate participation in physical activity for international students (Yan & Cardinal, 2013). It is unclear whether those different types of stresses and time in the U.S. would be associated with their participation in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). PURPOSE: The present study aimed to examine whether academic, cultural, and language stresses, as well as time in the U.S. would predict MVPA among international college students. METHODS: Participants were 249 international college students (48.2% female; Mage = 27.48, SD = 6.12) enrolled in a public research university in Southern U.S.. MVPA was measured by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (Craig et al., 2003). Previously validated scales were used to measure students’ perceived academic stress (e.g., “I worry about my academic performance”); cultural stress (e.g., “It’s hard for me to develop opposite-sex relationships here”); and language stress (e.g., “My English embarrasses me when I talk to people”). Time in the U.S. was measured by asking how many months they had been in the U.S.. Finally, gender and BMI were also measured. RESULTS: The independent T test showed that males participated significantly more MVPA than females (Male: M = 293.71 METs; Female: M = 241.79 METs); t(245) = 3.09, p<.01. The multiple regression model with gender and BMI controlled was statistically significant, F(6,242) = 3.37, p < .01, R2 = 7.7%. Cultural stress significantly predicted MVPA (β = -.21, p <.01), with higher cultural stress was associated with lower MVPA. Language stress, academic stress, and time in the U.S. did not predict MVPA. CONCLUSION: The results indicated that cultural stress was related to MVPA among international college students. However, it is unclear whether experiencing more cultural stress discourage MVPA or participating MVPA helps international students manage their cultural stress. To answer this question, qualitative studies and interventional studies are needed in the future.

Perceived And Actual Motor Competence And Physical Activity In Children With And Without Asthma

Motor competence (MC) and perceived motor competence (PMC) are important determinants of physical activity participation and may contribute to the lower physical activity levels and fitness previously observed in children with asthma. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare MC, PMC, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) levels in children and adolescents with and without asthma, and to determine whether motor skills predict lower MVPA in children with asthma compared to their healthy peers. METHODS: Eleven children with persistent asthma (age=11.1±0.7 years; 54.5% female; BMI percentile=53.4±9.8) and 20 children without asthma (age=11.1±0.6 years; 50.0% female; BMI percentile=60.3±6.2) participating in the Exercises for a Healthy Asthma Lifestyle and Enjoyment (ExHALE) study have been analyzed to date. Asthma diagnosis was verified by the child’s physician. MC was measured using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2. PMC was measured using the Athletic Competence domain from the Self-Perceptions Profile for Children. MVPA was assessed via accelerometry. RESULTS: Children with asthma reported lower PMC than children without asthma (2.5±0.1 vs. 2.9±0.1, p=0.04) with no significant differences in MC between groups (7.0±0.9 vs. 7.6±0.5, p=0.55). Children with asthma engaged in 16 fewer minutes of MVPA per day compared to their healthy peers (27.7±5.5 vs. 44.1±22.3, p=0.06), however, in preliminary analyses, this difference was not statistically significant. MC and PMC were not significant predictors of MVPA (MC: β=0.95±1.70, PMC: β=-14.6 ±9.3; p>0.05), and there were no differences by asthma status (p’s>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Children with asthma reported lower self-perceptions of motor competence and engaged in fewer minutes of health-enhancing physical activity compared to their healthy peers. Motor skills, however, were not significant predictors of physical activity engagement. Additional research is needed to better understand the factors contributing to lower physical activity levels and fitness previously observed in children with asthma. As the ExHALE study proceeds, we will be able to reexamine these relationships further and examine asthma characteristics that may influence these relationships.

Physical behaviors and chronotype in people with type 2 diabetes

IntroductionPrevious investigations have suggested that evening chronotypes may be more susceptible to obesity-related metabolic alterations. However, whether device-measured physical behaviors differ by chronotype in those with type 2 diabetes (T2DM)...

Public health surveillance of habitual physical activity in adolescents and adults in Namibia: a cross-sectional validation of activity questionnaires against accelerometry.

Monitoring population-level physical activity is crucial for examining adherence to global guidelines and addressing obesity. This study validated self-reported moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) against an accurate device-based method in Namibia. Adolescent girls (n = 52, mean age 16.2 years [SD 1.6]) and adult women (n = 51, mean age 31.3 years [SD 4.7]) completed the PACE+/GPAQ self-report questionnaires and were asked to wear an Actigraph accelerometer for 7 days. Validity of self-reported MVPA was assessed using rank-order correlations between self-report and accelerometry, and classification ability of the questionnaires with Mann-Whitney tests, kappa's, sensitivity and specificity. In the adolescents, Spearman's rank coefficients between self-reported MVPA (days/week) and accelerometry measured MVPA were positive but not significant (r=0.240; P=0.104). In the adults, self-reported MVPA (minutes/day) was moderately and significantly correlated with accelerometer-measured MVPA (r=0.396; P=0.008). In both groups, there was fair agreement between accelerometry and questionnaire-defined tertiles of MVPA (adolescents κ=0.267; P=0.010; adults κ=0.284; P=0.008), and measured MVPA was significantly higher in the individuals self-reporting higher MVPA than those reporting lower MVPA. The PACE+ and GPAQ questionnaires have a degree of validity in adolescent girls and adult females in Namibia, though more suitable for population than individual level measurement.

Neighborhood Built Environment Measures and Association with Physical Activity and Sedentary Time in 9-14-Year-Old Children in Saskatoon, Canada.

This study assessed whether perceptual and researcher-rated measures of neighborhood-built environments (BEs) predict device-based multiple activity-related outcomes, specifically: moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), light physical activity (LPA), and sedentary time (ST), in children. Eight hundred and sixteen children aged 9–14 years from Saskatoon, Canada, were surveyed on their perceptions of BE, and their PA outcomes were objectively monitored for one week at three different time frames over a one-year period, September 2014 to August 2015. The researcher-rated BE measures were collected by trained researchers using multiple BE audit tools: neighborhood active living potential (NALP) and Irvine Minnesota inventory (IMI), 2009–2010. A multilevel modeling approach was taken to understand BE influences of children’s PA outcomes. Children’s perceived availability of parks and sidewalks predicted a higher accumulation of MVPA and a lower accumulation of ST. Children’s report of the absence of neighborhood social disorder (e.g., threats from scary dogs/people) predicted a higher LPA, while reported concern about crime predicted a lower MVPA. Researcher-rated neighborhood activity friendliness predicted a lower ST, however, researcher-rated safety from crime predicted a higher ST. Perceived BE characteristic were stronger predictors of children’s PA outcomes compared to researcher-rated BE factors.

Endothelial‐Derived MicroRNAs are Novel Biomarkers Reflecting Prolonged Sitting Pattern and Physical Activity in Postmenopausal Women: Possible Ethnic Differences

Background and HypothesisDuring waking hours, older adults spend the most time sitting and are least likely to meet physical activity guidelines. Such a sedentary lifestyle is associated with cardiovascular and coronary heart disease mortality risk, particularly in postmenopausal Hispanic/Latino women. The deleterious impact of prolonged sitting includes endothelial dysfunction, which favors atherosclerotic initiation. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are potential biomarkers of physiologic function, which carry molecular cargo from the parent cell, including metabolites, proteins, and nucleic acids, that reflect the cell’s biological health status. Some EV cargo, such as microRNAs (miRs), are capable of mediating cell‐to‐cell communication. We hypothesize that miRs encapsulated in endothelial cell (EC)‐derived EVs serve as molecular transducers bridging prolonged sitting with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.ObjectiveIdentify potential miR transducers associated with prolonged sitting durations.Materials, Methods, and ResultsArchival behavior data and plasma samples were used from a population of 518 women participants, aged ≥55 years and BMI ≥25kg/m2, from the UCSD Metabolic, Exercise, and Nutrition, Reach for Health, and Community of Mine studies. Objective measures of sitting posture and moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity (MVPA) were collected from participants using waist‐worn ActiGraph. We identified subpopulations of women who had low MVPA and the shortest or longest mean sitting bout duration across quartiles as Interrupted Sitters (IS, n=18) or Super Sitters (SS, n=53), respectively. CD144+EVs representing EC‐EVs were immunoprecipitated from archival plasma samples for miR profiling. Five target miRs (miR‐199a‐5p, let‐7d‐5p, miR‐140‐5p, miR‐142‐3p, miR‐133b) potentially associated with sitting patterns were identified using Qiagen miScript miR PCR Array Human Cardiovascular disease, employing propensity score balance for confounding factors. Technical validation by qPCR corroborated that 3 miRs had significantly greater expressions in EC‐EVs from SS, compared to IS. The significance of this expression difference was sustained in the non‐Hispanic subpopulation, but only miR‐133b was still significantly different between the two groups in the Hispanic subpopulation. Moreover, miR‐133b expression, but not miR‐199a‐5p, let‐7d‐5p, or miR‐140‐5p expression, in the SS Hispanic group decreased with increased MVPA.ConclusionEC‐EVs carrying CVD‐related miRs may be promising for monitoring prolonged sitting patterns in overweight postmenopausal women, which may differ by ethnicity.Support or Funding InformationAmerican Heart Association Go Red For Women Strategically Focused Network grant (16SFRN28420000) and the National Institutes of Health: Community of Mine (R01 CA179977), Reach for Health (U54 CA155435) and Metabolism, Exercise and Nutrition at UCSD (MENU; U54 CA155435 and also the California Walnut Commission), and training grant from NHLBI (T32 HL079891).

Is Less Sedentary Behavior, More Physical Activity, or Higher Fitness Associated with Sleep Quality? A Cross-Sectional Study in Singapore.

Objectives: To examine the independent, joint, and fully combined associations of sedentary behavior (SB), moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) with the odds of poor sleep quality (SQ). Methods: We performed a secondary data analysis on 757 working adults (male = 345) in Singapore, with an average age of 35.2 years. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was used to assess SQ. Objectively measured MVPA and SB were each obtained using an accelerometer. A non-exercise prediction equation was used to estimate CRF. Logistic regression models were used to determine associations. Results: In total, 13.2% of the sample (n = 100) was identified as having poor SQ. After adjusting for study covariates, independent analyses revealed a clear inverse association for higher CRF and lower odds of poor SQ (OR = 0.50; 95% CI = 0.28–0.91). SB and MVPA demonstrated no independent associations. Joint associations revealed that odds of having poor SQ for those with low CRF was higher regardless of SB level and was further deteriorated by lower MVPA in the fully combined model. The fully combined model also demonstrated that those with lower SB, higher MVPA, and higher CRF had the lowest odds of having poor SQ (OR = 0.28; 95% CI = 0.10–0.78). Conclusions: Physical activity/exercise training programs that aim to improve CRF may be useful in lowering the odds or poor SQ in working adults.

Which cancer survivors are at risk for a physically inactive and sedentary lifestyle? Results from pooled accelerometer data of 1447 cancer survivors

BackgroundPhysical activity has beneficial effects on the health of cancer survivors. We aimed to investigate accelerometer-assessed physical activity and sedentary time in cancer survivors, and describe activity profiles. Additionally, we identify demographic and clinical correlates of physical activity, sedentary time and activity profiles.MethodsAccelerometer, questionnaire and clinical data from eight studies conducted in four countries (n = 1447) were pooled. We calculated sedentary time and time spent in physical activity at various intensities using Freedson cut-points. We used latent profile analysis to identify activity profiles, and multilevel linear regression analyses to identify demographic and clinical variables associated with accelerometer-assessed moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), sedentary time, the highly active and highly sedentary profile, adjusting for confounders identified using a directed acyclic graph.ResultsParticipants spent on average 26 min (3%) in MVPA and 568 min (66%) sedentary per day. We identified six activity profiles. Older participants, smokers and participants with obesity had significantly lower MVPA and higher sedentary time. Furthermore, men had significantly higher MVPA and sedentary time than women and participants who reported less fatigue had higher MVPA time. The highly active profile included survivors with high education level and normal body mass index. Haematological cancer survivors were less likely to have a highly active profile compared to breast cancer survivors. The highly sedentary profile included older participants, males, participants who were not married, obese, smokers, and those < 12 months after diagnosis.ConclusionsCancer survivors engage in few minutes of MVPA and spend a large proportion of their day sedentary. Correlates of MVPA, sedentary time and activity profiles can be used to identify cancer survivors at risk for a sedentary and inactive lifestyle.

Sleep, circadian rhythm, and physical activity patterns in depressive and anxiety disorders: A 2-week ambulatory assessment study.

BackgroundActigraphy may provide a more valid assessment of sleep, circadian rhythm (CR), and physical activity (PA) than self‐reported questionnaires, but has not been used widely to study the association with depression/anxiety and their clinical characteristics.MethodsFourteen‐day actigraphy data of 359 participants with current (n = 93), remitted (n = 176), or no (n = 90) composite international diagnostic interview depression/anxiety diagnoses were obtained from the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety. Objective estimates included sleep duration (SD), sleep efficiency, relative amplitude (RA) between day‐time and night‐time activity, mid sleep on free days (MSF), gross motor activity (GMA), and moderate‐to‐vigorous PA (MVPA). Self‐reported measures included insomnia rating scale, SD, MSF, metabolic equivalent total, and MVPA.ResultsCompared to controls, individuals with current depression/anxiety had a significantly different objective, but not self‐reported, PA and CR: lower GMA (23.83 vs. 27.4 milli‐gravity/day, p = .022), lower MVPA (35.32 vs. 47.64 min/day, p = .023), lower RA (0.82 vs. 0.83, p = .033). In contrast, self‐reported, but not objective, sleep differed between people with current depression/anxiety compared to those without current disorders; people with current depression/anxiety reported both shorter and longer SD and more insomnia. More depressive/anxiety symptoms and number of depressive/anxiety diagnoses were associated with larger disturbances of the actigraphy measures.ConclusionActigraphy provides ecologically valid information on sleep, CR, and PA that enhances data from self‐reported questionnaires. As those with more severe or comorbid forms showed the lowest PA and most CR disruptions, the potential for adjunctive behavioral and chronotherapy interventions should be explored, as well as the potential of actigraphy to monitor treatment response to such interventions.

Early life risk factors for childhood obesity-Does physical activity modify the associations? The MoBa cohort study.

ObjectivesHigh maternal pre‐pregnancy body mass index (BMI), high birth weight, and rapid infant weight gain are associated with increased risk of childhood obesity. We examined whether moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity (MVPA) or vigorous physical activity (VPA) in 9‐ to 12‐year‐olds modified the associations between these early life risk factors and subsequent body composition and BMI.MethodsWe used data from a sub‐cohort of the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study (MoBa), including 445 children with available data on accelerometer assessed physical activity (PA). All participants had data on BMI, 186 of them provided data on body composition (dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA)). We used multiple regression analyses to examine the modifying effect of PA by including interaction terms.ResultsMaternal pre‐pregnancy BMI and infant weight gain were more strongly related to childhood body composition in boys than in girls. Higher VPA attenuated the association between maternal pre‐pregnancy BMI and BMI in boys (low VPA: B = 0.32, 95% CI = 0.22, 0.41; high VPA B = 0.22, 95% CI = 0.12, 0.31). Birth weight was unrelated to childhood body composition, and there was no effect modification by PA. PA attenuated the associations between infant weight gain and childhood fat mass (low MVPA: B = 2.32, 95% CI = 0.48, 4.17; high MVPA: B = 1.00, 95% CI = 0.10, 1.90) and percent fat (low MVPA: B = 3.35, 95% CI = 0.56, 6.14; high MVPA: B = 1.41, 95% CI = −0.06, 2.87) in boys, but not girls.ConclusionFindings from this study suggest that MVPA and VPA may attenuate the increased risk of an unfavorable body composition and BMI due to high maternal pre‐pregnancy BMI and rapid infant weight gain in boys, but not in girls.

Sensor-measured Physical Activity In Overweight And Obese Women In Early Pregnancy

Overweight and obese pregnant women may benefit from physical activity (PA) in pregnancy, yet few studies have examined sensor-measured PA in pregnancy. PURPOSE: To evaluate sensor-measured PA in overweight and obese pregnant women and its sociodemographic and psychological correlates. METHODS: We analyzed baseline data from an ongoing behavioral lifestyle intervention trial in Columbia, SC (n=202). PA was measured with the SenseWear Armband; compliance was set at wearing for 20+ hrs/d, 5+ days (including 1+ weekend day). PA measures were daily duration of light PA (LPA), moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA), daily steps, and meeting MVPA guidelines (≥150 min/wk of MVPA in ≥10 min bouts). PA was presented as median (interquartile range). Subgroup differences in medians were examined with quantile regression models. Correlations of PA measures with perceived stress, depressive symptoms, PA social support, PA self-efficacy, and PA self-regulation were studied. A logistic regression model was used to examine correlates of meeting MVPA guidelines. RESULTS: Participants (mean of 12.4 weeks gestation) had a median of 203 (154, 258) min/d LPA, 34 (20, 49) min/d MVPA, and 4,870 (3768, 6590) steps/d. LPA, MVPA, and steps were lower in African American and obese women (p<.05). LPA was lower in nulliparous women (p<.05). Participants with less than college education had lower MVPA and steps (p<0.05). Further, LPA, MVPA, and steps were positively associated with PA self-efficacy (r’s ranging from 0.13 to 0.16, p≤.05) and PA goal setting (r’s ranging from 0.16 to 0.21, p<.05). MVPA was positively associated with PA planning (r=0.16, p<.05). Only 10.4% of participants met MVPA guidelines, which was more prevalent in white (17.1%) vs African American (2.2%) women and in overweight (17.9%) vs obese women (3.7%) (p<0.05). After adjusting for age, parity, and marital status, white women and overweight women had higher odds of meeting MVPA recommendation than their counterparts: white: 5.8 (1.2-28.6); overweight: 5.2 (1.6, 16.9). CONCLUSION: Sensor-measured PA was low in overweight and obese pregnant women in early pregnancy with significant differences by race, education, parity, and pre-pregnancy weight status. Programs targeting PA are needed for this population. Funded by NIH/NICHD.

Physical activity and sedentary behavior in women with rheumatoid arthritis: a comparison of patients with low and high disease activity and healthy controls.

Objective: In rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, low levels of physical activity (PA) and high levels of sedentary behavior (SB) may play a role in enhancing cardiovascular risk. We do not know how long-term control of disease activity impacts upon daily PA levels and if treated patients attain PA levels seen in healthy controls. We therefore compared habitual levels of PA and SB between female RA patients with low disease activity achieved by anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy, those with active arthritis (aRA) and non-RA controls.Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional comparison of 40 RA patients on anti-TNF therapy for >2 years with DAS28<3.2 (tRA), 32 patients on conventional disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs with DAS28>3.2 (aRA) and 34 healthy controls (C) with the groups matched for age and body mass index. PA was assessed using the ActiGraph accelerometer to determine step count and time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), light activity and sedentary time.Results: Daily step count was 72% higher in tRA and 40% higher in C in comparison to aRA (p<0.01). Sedentary time (as a proportion of wear time) was 10% less in tRA than aRA (p=0.03), while light activity time was 18% higher (p=0.014). Both RA groups had 40% lower MVPA time than C (p=0.001). Only half of either RA group fulfilled current WHO guidelines for PA compared with 82% of controls.Conclusion: RA patients who had long-term disease suppression were more physically active with less SB compared to RA patients with active disease. They had similar light PA and SB to controls although lower MVPA. Behavioral change interventions are likely to be needed in order to restore moderate exercise, further reduce SB and to meet guidelines for daily PA.

Impact of Psychological Deficits and Pain on Physical Activity of Patients with Interstitial Lung Disease.

The impact of psychological deficits and pain on physical activity has not been adequately studied in patients with fibrotic interstitial lung disease (ILD). We aimed to determine the association of depression, anxiety, sleep quality, and pain with physical activity in fibrotic ILD. Waist ActiGraph activity monitors were worn for seven consecutive days to track step counts and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) minutes at baseline and 6-month follow-up. Psychological deficits and pain were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and the Brief Pain Inventory. Multivariable linear regression was used to determine if each deficit independently predicted physical activity when adjusted for potential confounders. A total of 111 patients were recruited, with 91 of these patients completing the 6-month follow-up. Median step count and MVPA minutes were 3853 steps/day (interquartile range 2236-6805) and 87 (17-225) min/week at baseline, respectively, with no significant changes at follow-up. Borderline or abnormal depression and anxiety scores were present in 19% and 22% of patients, respectively. Poor sleep quality and moderate-to-severe pain were present in 61% and 9% of patients. Higher depression scores were associated with fewer baseline and follow-up step counts and lower MVPA minutes at follow-up on unadjusted analysis; higher pain severity scores were associated with fewer baseline step count. Pain severity remained an independent predictor of reduced step count after adjusting for patient's age, smoking status, ILD severity, and weather variables. Pain severity may be a potentially modifiable determinant of physical activity in patients with fibrotic ILD.

Combined effects of obesity and objectively-measured daily physical activity on the risk of hypertension in middle-aged Japanese men: A 4-year prospective cohort study

BackgroundThe combined effects of physical inactivity and obesity on hypertension have been recognized; however, previous studies evaluated physical activity using questionnaires. We aimed to examine the effects of physical activity, measured using an accelerometer, and obesity on hypertension onset. MethodsAt baseline, 426 middle-aged Japanese men who were not on antihypertensive medications were included. Physical activity was measured for 7 consecutive days using an accelerometer. Mean daily moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and step count (SC) were calculated. Low MVPA and low SC were each defined as the first tertile. Obesity was defined as ≥25 kg/m2 of body mass index. The onset of hypertension was defined as receiving antihypertensive agents during the 4-year follow-up. The combined effects of obesity and physical inactivity on hypertension were examined using Cox regression analysis. Potential confounders included age, smoking, alcohol consumption, daily salt intake, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and systolic and diastolic blood pressures. ResultsCox regression analysis revealed that both obesity and low MVPA predicted hypertension in patients, independent of confounders (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.64, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.08–6.42, p = 0.033), unlike obesity alone (HR: 1.50, 95% CI: 0.50–3.26, p = 0.590). Stratification by obesity and SC revealed similar hypertension risks among the two groups (Obesity with low SC [HR: 2.10, 95% CI 0.88–5.24, p = 0.089]; Obesity without low SC [HR: 1.72, 95% CI 0.93–4.01, p = 0.082]). ConclusionsHere, findings suggest that the coexistence of obesity and decreased MVPA may increase the risk of hypertension onset.

Physical activity as measured by accelerometer in NHANES 2005-2006 is associated with better bone density and trabecular bone score in older adults.

Physical activity is associated with improved bone parameters in adolescence, but it is not clear if this persists into adulthood. Further, it is unclear how low levels of physical activity as measured by accelerometer may impact bone parameters. We analyzed data from subjects from NHANES 2005-2006 over the age of 20 who had accelerometry and bone mineral density (BMD) testing. We analyzed women and men separately and grouped by over or under 50years of age: 484 younger women, 486 older women, 604 younger men, and 609 older men. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was categorized as low (less than 5min daily), intermediate (5-20min daily), or high (at least 20min daily). Among younger women and men, there was no significant relationship between MVPA and BMD or trabecular bone score (TBS). Conversely, older women with intermediate and high MVPA had higher TBS (1.360 ± 0.008 and 1.377 ± 0.009 vs 1.298 ± 0.010, p< 0.001), total hip T-score (- 1.02 ± 0.13 and - 0.90 ± 0.09 vs. - 1.51 ± 0.08, p< 0.01), and femoral neck T-score than women with low MVPA, respectively. Similarly, older men with high MVPA had higher TBS, total hip T-score, and femoral neck T-score than men with intermediate and low MVPA. Older, but not younger, women and men with higher levels of activity had higher BMD and TBS. Benefits were noted with as little as 5-20min of daily physical activity. Our results suggest that physical activity is a crucial component of bone health maintenance.

What comes first, negative emotions, positive emotions, or moderate-to-vigorous physical activity?

BackgroundAlthough there is no doubt that indicators of physical activity (PA), negative and positive emotions are associated, the order in which they operate is not well-established. In this study, we investigated indirect associations between a negative emotions indicator (emotional symptoms of depression; henceforth: depression), a positive emotions indicator (physical activity [PA] liking), and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), in order to identify which one of the three variables is likely to precede the others. MethodsData were collected twice, with a 7–8-month follow-up. 879 adults from the general population (N = 879 at Time 1, T1; N = 603 at Time 2, T2) filled in questionnaires measuring depression, PA liking and MVPA. ResultsMediation analyses showed that a higher level of depression (T1) predicted a lower level of PA liking (T2) which in turn explained a lower MVPA level (T2). Additionally, a higher level of PA liking (T1) predicted a lower level of depression (T2), which in turn was associated with a higher MVPA level at T2. Analyses with MVPA operating as the independent variable or the mediator were not significant. ConclusionsResults indicated that both negative and positive emotions precede rather than follow MVPA engagement.

Boys, older children, and highly active children benefit most from the preschool arena regarding moderate-to-vigorous physical activity: A cross-sectional study of Norwegian preschoolers.

The preschool environment exerts an important influence on children's behaviour, including physical activity (PA). However, information is lacking regarding where and when most of children's PA is undertaken. This study aimed to describe PA and sedentary time (SED) during preschool hours and time out-of-care, and on weekdays and weekend days, and to investigate differences in PA patterns according to sex, age, and MVPA levels. From September 2015 to June 2016, we measured PA levels of 1109 children (age range, 2.7–6.5 years; mean age 4.7 years; boys, 52%) using ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometers for up to 14 consecutive days. We applied a linear mixed model to analyse associations and interactions between total PA (counts per minute [cpm]), light PA (LPA), moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), SED, sex, age, and overall MVPA regardless of setting, during preschool hours versus time out-of-care, and on weekdays versus weekend days. Children undertook more PA and less SED on weekdays compared to weekend days (p < 0.01). For boys, MVPA levels were higher during preschool hours than during time out-of-care (p < 0.05). Differences in total PA and MVPA between preschool hours versus time out-of-care, and between weekdays and weekend days, were greater in boys, older children, and highly active children than in girls, younger children, and children with lower overall MVPA levels (p < 0.01). The preschool arena is important for children's PA. Concerning MVPA, this study showed that boys, older children, and highly active children benefit more from this environment compared to girls, younger preschoolers, and children with lower MVPA levels.

Associations between psychological factors and accelerometer-measured physical activity in urban Asian adults.

Examine the association between psychological variables and accelerometer-measured moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in urban Asians. A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Singapore. Participants wore an accelerometer for 7days to measure physical activity (PA). Demographic, anthropometric and psychological data were also collected. Psychological variables included PA guideline knowledge, motivational profile for PA self-regulation (5 subscales), perceived barriers to PA (4 subscales) and perceived social support for PA. Regression models with adjustment for socio-demographic variables were fitted. External regulation (b = - 13.03, 95% CI - 34.55; - 1.50) and perceived daily life barriers (b = - 12.63, 95% CI - 24.95; - 0.32) were significantly associated with fewer weekly MVPA minutes. A significant interaction between perceived social support and age (p = 0.046) was found. Social support was significantly negative associated with MVPA minutes in younger (< 28years), but not in older participants. Considering levels of self-determination to engage in PA and perceived daily life barriers may be important for planning PA interventions in urban Asian populations. Caution is required when promoting social support for PA as it was associated with lower MVPA in younger people.