Measured Physical Activity Levels Research Articles

Psychological Well-Being, Self-Reported Physical Activity Levels, and Attitudes to Physical Activity in a Sample of New Zealand Adolescent Females

Physical activity (PA) is a key component of healthy development, not only physically but also psychologically. The aim of the present study was to measure PA levels and psychological well-being in adolescent females using a cross-sectional design, and to investigate the relationship between the two. Psychological well-being (self esteem and lack of depression, anxiety, and stress), PA, and established predictors of PA from the Theory of Reasoned Action (Fishbein & Ajzen, 1975; Madden, Ellen, & Ajzen, 1992; health consciousness, significant others, priority, perceived barriers, and attitudes) were measured using 148 adolescent females aged 16 to 18 years. Results show a link between depression and level of PA, and between anxiety and PA. Attitudes towards PA, priority of PA, and perceived barriers to PA were also related to levels of PA. However, there were no significant associations between psychological well-being and attitudes towards PA, even though psychological well-being may influence the actual level of activity. Positive associations between PA and psychological well-being in adolescent females encourage future studies into causal relationships between the two. The most effective strategies for increasing PA in middle to late adolescent females may be targeting perceived barriers to PA rather than attitudes.

P43 Assessing the validity of a home activity monitor in patients with COPD

BackgroundSelf-reported physical activity equivalent to at least 2 h a week is associated with reduction in the risk of hospital admission and death in COPD.1 However, whether self reported activity...

Physical Activity Levels of Children attending Family Child Care Homes

Family Child Care Homes (FCCH's) are the second largest provider of non-relative care in the U.S. However, despite providing care for nearly 1.9 million children under the age of 5, little is known about the physical activity (PA) levels of children attending FCCHs. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to objectively measure PA levels in 2- to 5-year-old children attending FCCHs in 5 counties in western Oregon. METHODS: 205 children (50.2% male) between the ages of 2 and 5 (mean age = 3.4 ± 1.2 yrs) from 53 FCCHs wore an ActiGraph GT1M accelerometer for the duration of their time in care for 1-week. Accelerometers were removed during naptime and providers noted the times monitors were put on and taken off throughout the day. Time spent in sedentary (SED), light (LPA), moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), and light- moderate-vigorous PA (LMVPA) was calculated using the intensity-related cut-points developed by Pate et al. (2006). Resp RESULTS: Physical activity levels per hour of child attendance (excluding nap time), were as follows: 26.3 ± 6.2 min of SED (male = 24.9 ± 1.0 and female = 27.4 ± 0.9), 24.2 ± 3.8 min of LPA (male = 24.1 ± 0.6 and female = 23.6 ± 0.5), 9.4 ± 4.3 min of MVPA (male = 11.2 ± 0.7 and female = 8.9 ± 0.6), and 33.7 ± 6.2 min of LMVPA (male = 35.1 ± 0.9 and female = 32.6 ± 0.9). 25.7% (23.8% female and 27.4% male) of children met the physical activity recommendation of 60 minutes of MVPA per day. Overweight (OW) and non-overweight (N-OW) children exhibited similar levels of MVPA, with the exception of OW 4 y olds, for whom MVPA were significantly lower than their N-OW counterparts. Among N-OW children, MVPA levels were significantly higher among children age 4 y than children aged 2, 3, or 5 y. No age-related differences in MVPA were observed among overweight children. (OW: 2y = 9.7 ± 1.4, 3y = 9.8 ± 1.5, 4y = 8.5 ± 1.3, 5y = 10.7 ± 1.7; N-OW: 2y = 7.9 ± 0.9, 3y = 10.5 ± 0.8, 4y = 12.4 ± 0.9, 5y = 11.0 ± 1.7) CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that a significant percentage of children attending FCCH do not meet PA guidelines for preschool children. Interventions are needed to increase physical activity in this population. National Institute of Food and Agriculture Grant 2008-04423

Does Race or Sex Moderate the Perceived Built Environment/Physical Activity Relationship in College Students?

The purpose of this research was to explore the relationship between the perceived built environment and physical activity (PA) among college students, and to determine whether race and/or sex moderate this relationship. Participants were 785 college students (435 students in Study 1 and 350 in Study 2). Students completed questionnaires assessing characteristics of their neighborhood, and were followed up 1 (Study 1) or 2 (Study 2) weeks later to measure PA levels. Seeing others in one's neighbourhood being active was found to be significantly related (p < .01) to higher levels of PA for students in both studies. In Study 2, race was found to moderate the relationship between having many places within walking distance and PA, affecting African Americans more strongly than Caucasians. Sex was not found to moderate the perceived built environment/PA relationship. It appears that certain aspects of the perceived built environment may have an effect on the level of PA in college students, with race moderating this relationship.

Use of accelerometer data in prediction equations for capturing implausible dietary intakes in adolescents

Reporting errors have been quantified in epidemiologic studies by comparing reported intakes with predicted energy requirements (pERs). Several studies lacking measures of physical activity level (PAL) assigned low-active levels to obtain pERs. We applied objective physical activity measures to current methods to quantify dietary reporting errors and compared associations with anthropometric and dietary variables among plausible and implausible reporters. This study included 2868 adolescents with an average age of 13 y. Three-day dietary records, accelerometers, and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry were used to assess diet, activity, and body composition, respectively. Three variations of physical activity coefficients were used: 1) assigning low physical activity coefficients (PA(low)), 2) calculating PAL values (PA(PAL)), and 3) applying minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (PA(MVPA)). Of the total participants, 51.5%, 51.8%, and 37.1% of the PA(low), PA(PAL), and PA(MVPA) groups, respectively, were classified as underreporters, and 40.8%, 37.9%, and 42.4% of the respective groups were classified as plausible reporters. Underreporters had a higher body mass index, body fat, and waist circumference than did plausible reporters (P < 0.001 for all). Overreporters had a lower weight and body fat than did plausible reporters (P < 0.001 for all). Underreporters reported lower dairy and calcium intakes than did plausible reporters; the results were attenuated with adjustment for total energy. Accounting for objective physical activity measures to quantify reporting errors resulted in different and potentially more reasonable proportions of implausible reporters.

Measures of Physical Activity Using Cell Phones: Validation Using Criterion Methods

Background Physical activity is associated with reduced risks of many chronic diseases. Data collected on physical activity in large epidemiological studies is often based on paper questionnaires. The validity of these questionnaires is debated, and more effective methods are needed.Objective This study evaluates repeated measures of physical activity level (PAL) and the feasibility of using a Java-based questionnaire downloaded onto cell phones for collection of such data. The data obtained were compared with reference estimates based on the doubly labeled water method and indirect calorimetry (PALref).Method Using a Java-based cell phone application, 22 women reported their physical activity based on two short questions answered daily over a 14-day period (PALcell). Results were compared with reference data obtained from the doubly labeled water method and indirect calorimetry (PALref). Results were also compared against physical activity levels assessed by two regular paper questionnaires completed by women at the end of the 14-day period (PALquest1 and PALquest2). PALcell, PALquest1, and PALquest2 were compared with PALref using the Bland and Altman procedure.Results The mean difference between PALcell and PALref was small (0.014) with narrow limits of agreement (2SD = 0.30). Compared with PALref, the mean difference was also small for PALquest1 and PALquest2 (0.004 and 0.07, respectively); however, the limits of agreement were wider (PALquest1, 2SD = 0.50 and PALquest2, 2SD = 0.90). The test for trend was statistically significant for PALquest1 (slope of regression line = 0.79, P = .04) as well as for PALquest2 (slope of regression line = 1.58, P < .001) when compared with PALref.Conclusion A Java-based physical activity questionnaire administered daily using cell phones produced PAL estimates that agreed well with PAL reference values. Furthermore, the limits of agreement between PAL obtained using cell phones, and reference values were narrower than for corresponding estimates obtained using paper questionnaires. Java-based questionnaires downloaded onto cell phones may be a feasible and cost-effective method of data collection for large-scale prospective studies of physical activity.

Physical activity level as an outcome measure for use in cancer cachexia trials: a feasibility study

Cancer cachexia impacts on treatment options, quality of life and survival. New treatments are emerging but need to be assessed using outcomes which patients find meaningful. One approach is the measurement of physical activity levels by small lightweight monitors, but experience is limited in cancer patients. This study formally assessed the acceptability of wearing an ActivPAL™ monitor for 1 week using compliance based on analysis of movement data. The optimal period of monitoring was explored by comparing mean values of daily step count and energy expenditure (EE) for 2 or 4 and 6 days of monitoring. The relationships between step count, stepping EE and non-stepping EE were also explored. Sixty patients (mean age 68 years; Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0-2) with lung or upper gastrointestinal cancer took part. All but one found that the monitor acceptable and mean [95% CI] compliance was 98% [94-100%]. Median daily step counts and EE scores over 2 or 4 days were significantly higher than those from 6 days (p ≤ 0.01). Step count was strongly related to stepping and non-stepping EE (r = -0.911, p < 0.01). The ActivPAL™ is acceptable to patients with outcomes obtained over 6 days recommended for use in future studies.

Validation of the RT3 in the measurement of physical activity in children

The aim of this study was to assess the validity of the RT3 accelerometer, and its inbuilt algorithm, in measuring inactivity, walking and running in children. Twenty children, aged 7-12 years, participated in the study. The RT3 was compared to physiological energy expenditure obtained via a wireless portable ergospirometric system. Data analysis was performed using Bland and Altman plots and Pearson product moment correlation coefficients. There were no significant differences between the methods for each activity. Bland and Altman 95% limits of agreement between the two measures in kcalmin(-1) for each of the activities were as follows: inactivity (-0.058, 0.47), walking at 3kmh(-1) (-1.22, 0.83) brisk walking at 6kmh(-1) (-2.74, 0.54), brisk walking at 6kmh(-1) on an incline of a 10% gradient (-1.69, 2.11), and jogging at 9kmh(-1) (-3.67, 1.24). Energy expenditure via the RT3 correlated significantly with that obtained by indirect calorimetry for each activity independently (r=0.56-0.84, all P<0.01). The RT3 provided a valid estimate of inactivity, walking and running and would thus appear appropriate for the objective measurement of physical activity levels.

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<h3>Objectives</h3> To use wrist-worn accelerometers (Axivity AX3) to establish normative physical activity (PA) and acceptability data for the high-risk elderly preoperative population, to assess whether PA could be modified by a prehabilitation intervention as part of routine care, to assess any correlation between accelerometer-measured PA and self-reported PA and to assess the acceptability of wearing wrist-worn accelerometers in this population. <h3>Study design</h3> Prospective, observational, pilot study. <h3>Setting</h3> Single National Health Service Hospital. <h3>Participants</h3> Frail patients≥65 years awaiting major surgery referred to a multidisciplinary preoperative clinic at which they received a routine intervention aimed at improving their PA. 35 patients were recruited. Average age 79.9 years (SD=5.6). <h3>Primary outcomes</h3> Normative PA data measured as a mean daily Euclidean norm minus one (ENMO) in milli-gravitational units (m<i>g</i>). <h3>Secondary outcomes</h3> Measure PA levels (m<i>g</i>) following a routine preoperative intervention. Determine correlation between patient-reported PA (measured using the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly) and accelerometer-measured PA (m<i>g</i>). Assess acceptability of wearing a wrist-worn accelerometer measured using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) questionnaire and device wear time (hours). <h3>Results</h3> Median baseline daily PA was 14.3 m<i>g</i> (IQR 9.75–22.04) with an improvement in PA detected following the intervention (median ENMO post intervention 20.91 m<i>g</i> (IQR 14.83–27.53), p=0.022). There was no significant correlation between accelerometer-measured and self-reported PA (baseline <i>ρ</i>=0.162 (p=0.4), post intervention <i>ρ</i>=−0.144 (p=0.5)). We found high acceptability ratings (median score of 10/10 on VAS, IQR 8–10) and wear-time compliance (163.2 hours (IQR 150–167.5) preintervention and 166.1 hours (IQR 162.5–167) post intervention). <h3>Conclusions</h3> Accelerometery is acceptable to this population and increases in PA levels measured following an unoptimised routine clinical intervention which indicates that health behavioural change interventions may be successful during the preoperative period. Accelerometers may therefore be a useful tool to design and validate interventions for improving PA in this setting. <h3>Trial registration number</h3> NCT03737903.

Association Of Physical Activity And Visual Impairment In Older Adults

Visual impairment directly and indirectly affects the health of the elderly. The World Health Organization identifies visual loss as one of the major reasons for disability in the elderly. It has been suggested that lifestyle factors such as physical activity, health status and diet are associated with visual function. PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to investigate possible associations between self-report measures of physical activity level, health status, and visual function in community-dwelling older adults who attend an Eye Clinic for their eye care. METHODS A cross-sectional study and in-clinic interviews assessed demographic, visual and health information from 100 community-dwelling older adults, aged ≥55(M = 68, SD = 8.0). RESULTS Eye disease history was significantly correlated with self-reported measure of physical activity levels (r = .29, p = .00) and social history was significantly correlated with diet (r = .23, p = .02). CONCLUSIONS The findings of this study may provide knowledge to identify and develop health promotion interventions in the eye clinic for older persons who are at risk for developing chronic diseases and disability.

Validity of a Modified Peach Questionnaire for Assessment of Physical Activity Among 9- to 12-year Old Children

2272 Habitual physical activity is necessary to optimize physical fitness, current health, well being, growth and development for children. Self-report is a practical and widely used method for assessment of habitual physical activity level (PAL). Personal and Environmental Associations with Children's Health (PEACH) is originally a computerized questionnaire developed at the University of Bristol as a part of the multi-national European Youth Heart Study (EYHS). Nine questions from the PEACHquestionnaire regarding PA habits were translated and modified to fit Norwegian society. PURPOSE: To assess the validity of a modified PEACH questionnaire when applied to 9- to 12-year old children's habitual physical activity level. METHODS: The modified PEACH questionnaire was validated against the children's PAL measured by the Computer Science and Application Inc (CSA 7164) activity monitor for seven consecutive days. Time spent at moderate-to-vigorous PAL (MVPA, 3-8.9 METs) was calculated from the CSA scores using the QBASIC data reduction program (Trost et al, MSSE, 34: 350-5, 2002). Spearman correlation coefficient was used to compare the PAL scores from the PEACH questionnaire to the CSA scores. RESULTS: A total of 157 children completed the CSA measurement period and the PEACH questionnaire. The PEACH and CSA scores indicates a low, but significant (p≤0.05) correlation (rho=0.27) for the 9- to 12-year old children. When divided into age groups, there is a significant correlation between PEACH and CSA scores for all the children, except the 12-year olds, as shown in the table below.TableCONCLUSION: The modified PEACH questionnaire's measurement of PAL provides low but acceptable validity compared to PAL measured by CSA for 9- to 11-year old children, but not for 12-year olds.

Physical activity, aerobic fitness, and seven-year changes in adiposity in the Canadian population.

Associations among baseline physical activity, aerobic fitness, changes in physical activity, and 7-y changes in adiposity were determined. The sample consisted of 602 males and 644 females, aged 20-69 y, from the 1981 Canada Fitness Survey and the 1988 Campbell's Survey. Questionnaire-derived measures of physical activity level consisted of activity energy expenditure (AEE) and time spent on physical activity. Participants were grouped into physical activity level categories by AEE and physical activity intensity (based on MET values), and physical activity level changes were determined from movement between tertiles of AEE from baseline to follow-up. Aerobic fitness levels at baseline were determined using the Canadian Aerobic Fitness Test. Changes in body mass, the sum of five skinfolds (SF5), and waist circumference (WC) were used as indicators of adiposity change. ANCOVA and multiple regression analyses indicated that neither baseline physical activity levels, intensity, physical activity change categories, nor aerobic fitness levels were significant predictors of changes in adiposity. In conclusion, physical activity was not predictive of 7-y changes in indicators of adiposity in this sample.

Ethnic and Cultural Issues in Assessing Physical Activity

Although the physical activity questionnaire, in general, is the most common measure of physical activity levels in minority subgroups, additional measures may be needed to supplement the information collected by questionnaire alone. The most frequent types of physical activities performed in many of these minority groups are often lower intensity activities. However, when assessing activity by questionnaire, we know that lower intensity activities like walking and housework tend to be less reproducible than higher intensity activities such as many of the organized sports (Kriska et al., 1990; Sallis et al., 1985). Therefore, the activity questionnaire alone may not be the best way to quantify these lower intensity, variable frequency, life-style activities. As Figure 3 reminds us, measurement of lower intensity activities may require the use of more objective measures. One feasible approach may be to use a simple, inexpensive, objective measure of activity like an activity monitor or a pedometer. Step monitors are now successfully being used to estimate levels of movement expressed as "daily steps taken throughout the day" and to document activity changes in intervention efforts. However, activity monitors also have their own set of limitations such as the inability of capturing cycling, swimming, and upper body movement. Likewise, monitors certainly are not as practical as physical activity questionnaires in assessing activity in population studies. It is likely that a combination of the two methods of activity assessment would work best. Individuals who have scored low on the activity questionnaire could be given a step monitor to further evaluate their physical activity levels. Although promising, much more work needs to be done in this area.

Physical activity social support and middle- and older-aged minority women: results from a US survey

Background: Many American adults remain sedentary despite many known health benefits. Research on the determinants of physical activity have indicated that social support is one of the strongest correlates, but little is known about this relation in important subgroups of middle and older-aged women. Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the association of physical activity-related social support on several measures of physical activity in a national sample of minority women. A unique aspect of these measures is the inclusion of vigorous household tasks and occupational physical activities. Methods: The US Women's Determinants Study was conducted in 1996–1997. The survey was a modified-random sample, telephone survey of 2912 Black, Hispanic, American Indian/Alaskan Native, and White women age 40 and older. A composite score of physical activity social support (PASS) was analyzed as the independent variable in logistic regression analyses. Four measures of physical activity levels served as the dependent variables. A separate analysis was done to distinguish PASS from friends versus PASS from relatives. The potential confounding effect of race/ethnicity, marital status, age, income and education were evaluated and adjusted in the models. Results: Hispanic women were more likely to have high PASS scores than the other racial/ethnic groups. Odds ratios indicate that subjects with high levels of PASS were significantly less likely to be sedentary than those with low support, even after adjusting for race/ethnicity. While there were significant associations among levels of social support and physical activity, this was not true for the measure of “regular exercise.” There was no significant difference between the contribution of “friend” support versus “family” support on all four measures on physical activity. Discussion: Based on our results, enhancing social support may be an important aspect of interventions aimed at increasing physical activity in a population of sedentary women of various racial/ethnic backgrounds. Also, “regular exercisers” in this population appear to be less reliant social support to maintain their behavior.

Systemic arterial compliance is reduced in young patients with IDDM.

Arterial elastic properties are altered with increasing age and in various disease states, including non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). Whether young patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) have reduced arterial compliance before developing endothelial dysfunction or overt micro- and macrovascular disease is unclear. Systemic arterial compliance and endothelium-dependent, flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) was assessed in 25 individuals with uncomplicated IDDM (23 +/- 4 yr, 14 females and 11 males) and compared with 30 age-matched controls (15 females and 15 males). Arterial compliance was determined via simultaneous measurements of aortic blood flow and carotid arterial pressure. The relationship between arterial compliance and endothelial function (assessed by brachial artery FMD) was also examined. Arterial compliance was 29% lower in IDDM subjects compared with control subjects (0.46 +/- 0.05 vs. 0.65 +/- 0.07 arbitrary compliance units, P < 0.05). Blood pressure, lipid levels, and daily energy expenditure (a measure of physical activity levels) were not different between groups. Compliance in the IDDM group was not related to the integrity of endothelial vasodilator function, disease duration, or degree of glycemic control. Arterial compliance is reduced in young patients with IDDM before the development of overt micro- or macrovascular disease. Early assessment of arterial compliance may be useful in predicting the development of diabetic vascular complications.

Physical Activity Patterns of Adult Women with Physical Disabilities

915 The physical activity (PA) patterns of adult women with physical disabilities were surveyed via a questionnaire mailed to 725 women in a metropolitan area of a northeastern urban center. 178 women responded; 126 women met the inclusion criteria of an age range of 21 to 55 yrs. Survey respondents were 45.4 ± 7.7 yrs, predominantly Caucasian (80.6%; 15.3% African-American), and had an education level of HS/GED (33.6%), some college(22.1%), or bachelors' degree (21.3%). 27 different physical disabilities were identified as the primary physical disability, with 47.6% being multiple sclerosis, 7.1% being cerebral palsy, and 3.2% being polio or blindness. Self-reported PA levels were assessed by means of the Health Plan Activity Survey (Ainsworth et al., 1996), a modified Baecke survey designed to measure PA levels in women. Survey data revealed that the women engaged“never” or “less than once per month” in physically active household activities (71-97%) and active exercise (55-87%). The majority of the women (54%) walked/ propelled/cycled < 5min/day to/from work, school, and/or errands. In their current occupation, the women reported that they predominantly “sometimes to always,” sit (85%) and“never or seldom” stand (58%), walk (55%), lift heavy loads (91%), or sweat from exertion (79%). These reported low levels of PA in women with physical disabilities compare unfavorably with U.S. and Canadian surveys of PA levels in women with or without physical disabilities.

Physical Activity Habits of African-American College Students

The purpose of this study was to examine the physical activity habits of African-American college students enrolled at a historically African-American institution. A total of 253 freshmen (90 males, 163 females) completed self-report measures of physical activity levels and were also assessed on height and weight. Chi-square analyses demonstrated that males (65%) were more active than females (42%). No significant differences existed between the prevalence of overfatness or obesity and activity levels for either males or females. Descriptive statistics showed a trend for groups categorized as more active to participate more frequently in selected physical activities. The authors concluded that freshmen African-American college students, especially females, display low levels of physical activity.

Association of Physical Activity and Physical Performance with Sarcopenia in Elderly Obese Patient in Community

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Sarcopenic obesity (SO) is a condition in which sarcopenia and obesity occur simultaneously. This condition will lead to risk of higher morbidity, mortality, and reduced quality oflife. This study aimed to examine the proportion of SO patients in community and observation the association of physical activity level and physical performance with sarcopenia in elderly obese patientin communityMethods: An analytic observation cross-sectional study with consecutive sampling was carried out. Inclusion criteria included subjects with age ≥ 60 years old, body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 Kg / m2,able to walk at least 10 meters, and has a good cognitive function. Subjects with pacemaker, using metal implants, history of cancer, acute cardiovascular and respiratory disorders, deformities, or painin extremities and receive regular therapeutic exercise were excluded from this research. Measurement of physical activity level using Physical Activity Scale for Elderly (PASE) questionnaire and physicalperformance using gait speed and timed up and go test (TUG). Sarcopenia is based on criteria from Asian Working Group of Sarcopenia (AWGS) 2019 with body composition assessment using BioelectricImpedance Analysis (BIA)Results: There were 119 subjects in this study. Proportion of sarcopenia obesity in all subjects was 23,5% with 71,4% was female. The results showed that physical activity level and physical performances valuesin SO patients were lower than in obesity patient. There were no significant association on physical activity level (p &gt; 0,05) and significant association on physical performance, both in gait speed and TUGtest (p &lt; 0,05).Conclusion: Physical performance is associated with sarcopenia in elderly obese patient in community. Coexistence between sarcopenia and obesity has a syner gistic impact on functional limitations.Keywords: elderly, obesity, physical activity level, physical performance, sarcopenia