Metabolic Equivalent Minutes Research Articles

Aerobic Conditioning in Geriatric Rehabilitation

This article reviews the historical development of aerobic conditioning. The many physiological effects of aerobic conditioning are presented including the effects on cardiovascular, muscular, and neuromuscular health leading to increased physical endurance and increased lifespan. Aerobic exercise prescription follows the frequency, intensity, time, and type, as well as the volume and progression principles. Frequency recommendations are at least 3 d/wk and 3 to 5 d/wk appears to be conducive to meeting overall physical activity recommendations. Intensity determination is based on several methods that include heart rate methods, ratings of perceived exertion (Borg and OMNI), the talk test, and the counting talk test. Time recommendations include at least 150 to 300 minutes a week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, 75 to 150 minutes a week of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity, or an equivalent combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity aerobic activities. Type recommendations include any aerobic activities involving major muscle groups used in a continuous or intermittent manner. Volume recommendations include ≥500 to 1000 metabolic equivalent minutes per week and approximately 150 min/wk of moderate-intensity activity. Progression recommendations include the gradual advancing of the exercise duration, frequency, and intensity, making sure that the progressions allows for the best adherence to aerobic exercise on an ongoing basis. The benefits of aerobic exercise have been shown to be important for every aspect of living a healthy lifestyle across the age span, particularly for aging adults, adults with chronic conditions, and adults with disabilities.

Dose-response relationship between weekly physical activity level and the frequency of colds in Chinese middle-aged and elderly individuals.

Engaging in appropriate physical activity can significantly lower the risk of various diseases among middle-aged and older adults. Investigating optimal levels of physical activity (PA) is crucial for enhancing the health of this demographic. This study aims to explore the dose-response relationship between weekly PA levels and the frequency of colds among Chinese middle-aged and elderly individuals, identifying the necessary PA level to effectively diminish the risk of colds. We conducted a cross-sectional study using a web-based survey targeting individuals aged 40 and older (n=1,683) in China. The survey collected information on PA and the frequency of colds. Data was analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis test and the χ2 test. We explored the dose-response relationship between weekly PA and cold frequency over the past year through an ordered multivariate logistic regression model and a restricted cubic spline model. (1) Brisk walking emerged as the preferred physical exercise for those over 40. The findings suggest that engaging in moderate (odds ratio (OR) = 0.64, P<0.001, 95% confidence interval (CI) [0.50-0.81]) and high (OR = 0.64, P<0.001, 95% CI [0.51-0.79]) levels of PA weekly significantly reduces the risk of catching a cold. Individuals with one (OR = 1.47, P<0.001, 95% CI [1.20-1.80]) or multiple chronic diseases (OR = 1.56, P<0.001, 95% CI [1.21-2.00]) were at increased risk. Those residing in central (OR = 1.64, P<0.001, 95% CI [1.33-02.01]) and western China (OR = 1.49, P = 0.008, 95% CI [1.11-02.00]) faced a higher risk compared to their counterparts in eastern China. (2) According to the restricted cubic spline model, adults who experienced one cold in the past year had a weekly PA level of 537.29 metabolic equivalent-minutes per week (MET-min/wk) with an OR value of 1. For those reporting two or more colds, the PA level was 537.76 MET-min/wk with an OR of 1. (1) Brisk walking is the most favored exercise among the Chinese middle-aged and elderly, with the prevalence of colds being affected by the number of chronic diseases and the geographic location. (2) Regular, moderate exercise is linked to a lower risk of colds. To effectively reduce cold frequency, it is recommended that middle-aged and elderly Chinese individuals engage in a minimum of 538 MET-min/wk of exercise.

Associations between Physical Activity and the Incidence of Cerebrovascular Disease or All-Cause Mortality among 146,742 Older Adults: A 13-Year Prospective Cohort Study

ObjectivesAlthough studies have indicated that physical activity (PA) is related to cardiovascular disease, the specific association between PA and incident cerebrovascular disease (CBVD) remains uncertain. The current study aimed to investigate the associations between PA levels and the CBVD incidence or all-cause mortality. DesignProspective cohort study. Settings and ParticipantsOlder participants (aged >60 years) from the UK Biobank. MethodsThe baseline PA was classified as total, light, moderate, and vigorous PA based on the metabolic equivalent–minutes per week (MET-min/wk) and considered as exposures, whereas CBVD incidence and all-cause mortality were considered as the outcomes. Cox proportional hazards were used to calculate the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs for the influence of the association between PA and CBVD incidence and all-cause mortality. ResultsA total of 146,742 participants aged 60 years and older were included. During a median follow-up period of 13.5 years (interquartile range of 12.8-14.2), 9338 older individuals developed CBVD and 3033 death were recorded (including 767 CBVD-related deaths). High volumes of PA were consistently associated with lower risks of CBVD and all-cause mortality. The lowest risk of CBVD incidence was observed at 2001-2500 MET-min/wk of total PA (HR 0.61, 95% CI 0.53-0.70), and the lowest risk of all-cause mortality was observed at 2501-5000 MET-min/wk (HR 0.52, 95% CI 0.43-0.63) in older adults. Total PA at 2001-2500 MET-min/wk significantly reduced the CBVD incidence in older women (HR 0.57, 95% CI 0.46-0.71), which was more pronounced than that in older men (HR for 2001-2500 MET-min/wk: 0.64, 95% CI 0.50-0.77). Conclusions and ImplicationsTotal PA at 2001-2500 MET-min/wk significantly reduced the risk of incident CBVD and all-cause mortality in adults aged >60 years, although the extents of risk reduction vary in men and women.

Association between joint physical activity and healthy dietary patterns and hypertension in US adults: cross-sectional NHANES study

BackgroundLack of physical activity (PA), poor dietary habits, or other unhealthy lifestyle behaviors are potential modifiable risk factors for hypertension. It has been sufficiently demonstrated in previous studies that physical activity or healthy dietary patterns can reduce the risk of hypertension. However, no research focused on the joint effects of PA and healthy dietary patterns on hypertension in a representative sample of adults.MethodsWe used data collected from the 2007–2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Healthy dietary patterns were assessed with the Healthy Eating Index 2015 (HEI-2015), and PA was measured using the metabolic equivalent minutes per week reported in questionnaires. We created four lifestyle categories based on the HEI-2015 and PA: (1) unhealthy diet and physically inactive (less than recommended PA), (2) healthy diet but physically inactive, (3) unhealthy diet but physically active (recommended PA), (4) healthy diet and physically active. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between joint PA and HEI-2015 and hypertension.ResultsA total of 24,453 participants were enrolled in the study. Compared with unhealthy diet and physically inactive individuals, only healthy diet and physically active participants (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 0.77, 95% CI 0.65–0.9) were negatively associated with hypertension, while healthy diet but physically inactive participants (AOR: 0.89, 95% CI 0.76–1.03) and unhealthy diet but physically active participants (AOR: 0.9, 95% CI 0.76–1.06) were not associated with hypertension.ConclusionIn a representative sample of US adults, our findings suggest that individuals with recommended PA and healthy dietary patterns have a lower risk of hypertension than those with an unhealthy diet or less than recommended PA. Healthy eating habits and regular PA are potential preventive precautions against hypertension.

O101: Current guidelines on physical activity do not prevent skeletal muscle loss and physical decline prior to Oesophagogastric cancer surgery: a new benchmark for prehabilitation?

Abstract Prehabilitation is being widely adopted to optimise physical health prior to surgery. However, there remains a lack of consensus regarding exercise type and intensity with current guidance extrapolated from generic, non-cancer populations. The WHO and American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommend 600-1200 Metabolic Equivalent minutes (MET-mins) per week of physical activity (PA) but the effectiveness of this recommendation in cancer populations is unknown. Patients undergoing treatment for Oesophagogastric cancer were prospectively recruited. International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) quantified PA at baseline and throughout treatment. Two cohorts were defined (lowPA and highPA) based on ACSM cut-off of 1200 MET-mins/week. Outcome measures were physical function (1 minute sit-to-stand, 1mSTS), CT muscle mass, chemotoxicity, and failure to complete planned treatment. 38 patients completed all study assessments (highPA n=20, lowPA n=18) with no difference in baseline characteristics or disease stage between groups. LowPA group showed declines in 1mSTS performance following chemotherapy, whereas the highPA group improved (mean difference -4 versus +10, p=0.001). Whilst both saw a decline in skeletal muscle mass, the lowPA group lost significantly more (mean difference -5.1 versus -1.8, p=0.007). There were trends towards a lower incidence of severe chemotoxicity (30% vs 61%, p=0.054) and failure to complete planned treatment (15% versus 28%, p=.33) in the highPA group. Whilst further research is required to define the most effective prehabilitation strategy, this study is the first to suggest a new benchmark to preserve muscle mass and function is higher than current guidelines and should be considered when developing prehabilitation recommendations.

Cost-effectiveness of reducing children’s sedentary time and increasing physical activity at school: the Transform-Us! intervention

BackgroundImproving physical activity and reducing sedentary behavior represent important areas for intervention in childhood in order to reduce the burden of chronic disease related to obesity and physical inactivity in later life. This paper aims to determine the cost-effectiveness of a multi-arm primary school-based intervention to increase physical activity and/or reduce sedentary time in 8–9 year old children (Transform-Us!).MethodsModelled cost-utility analysis, using costs and effects from a cluster randomized controlled trial of a 30-month intervention that used pedagogical and environmental strategies to reduce and break up sedentary behaviour (SB-I), promote physical activity (PA-I), or a combined approach (PA + SB-I), compared to current practice. A validated multiple-cohort lifetable model (ACE-Obesity Policy model) estimated the obesity and physical activity-related health outcomes (measured as change in body mass index and change in metabolic equivalent task minutes respectively) and healthcare cost-savings over the cohort’s lifetime from the public-payer perspective, assuming the intervention was delivered to all 8–9 year old children attending Australian Government primary schools. Sensitivity analyses tested the impact on cost-effectiveness of varying key input parameters, including maintenance of intervention effect assumptions.ResultsCost-effectiveness results demonstrated that, when compared to control schools, the PA-I and SB-I intervention arms were “dominant”, meaning that they resulted in net health benefits and healthcare cost-savings if the intervention effects were maintained. When the costs and effects of these intervention arms were extrapolated to the Australian population, results suggested significant potential as obesity prevention measures (PA-I: 60,780 HALYs saved (95% UI 15,007-109,413), healthcare cost-savings AUD641M (95% UI AUD165M-$1.1B); SB-I: 61,126 HALYs saved (95% UI 11,770 − 111,249), healthcare cost-savings AUD654M (95% UI AUD126M-1.2B)). The PA-I and SB-I interventions remained cost-effective in sensitivity analysis, assuming the full decay of intervention effect after 10 years.ConclusionsThe PA-I and SB-I Transform-Us! intervention arms represent good value for money and could lead to health benefits and healthcare cost-savings arising from the prevention of chronic disease in later life if intervention effects are sustained.Trial registrationInternational Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN83725066). Australia and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry Number (ACTRN12609000715279).

Successful Physical Activity Maintainers: Strategies and Characteristics of Young African American Women

African American (AA) women have disproportionately high physical inactivity and obesity prevalence rates in comparison to their gender and racial counterparts. AA women experience unique barriers to leisure-time physical activity (LTPA); however, methods to overcome these barriers are less developed. Therefore, this study used semistructured interviews to explore strategies of young, active AA women that support LTPA maintenance and to identify their psychosocial and behavioral characteristics. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire-long was also administered to provide descriptors of participants’ LTPA. Ten women (age: M = 26.1, SD = 1.7 years) who met national guidelines for aerobic or muscle-strengthening LTPA at least 6 months (aerobic LTPA: M = 2,578.0, SD = 1,228.5 metabolic equivalent-minutes [MET-min]/week; muscle-strengthening physical activity: M = 4.0, SD = 1.9 days/week) completed the study. Four categories emerged from the interviews: (a) early-life contributors to LTPA participation, (b) characteristics of current LTPA, (c) initiating LTPA participation, and (d) maintaining LTPA participation. Findings revealed participants identified weightlifting as a preferred type of LTPA, identified various planning/preparation methods to overcome LTPA challenges, and relied on social media to initiate and maintain LTPA. This study identified several strategies used by young AA women to maintain regular LTPA and program preferences. These data are important in this understudied group as similar strategies may help inactive young AA women overcome LTPA challenges and promote long-term adherence. This could help prevent health and physical activity disparities in this population.

Diet quality is associated with nutrition knowledge and physical activity in the US military veterans enrolled in university programmes

IntroductionMilitary veterans are at greater risk for chronic medical conditions, many of which are associated with greater body mass index (BMI). Detrimental changes to diet and physical activity (PA) levels...

The Epidemiology of Domain-Specific Physical Activity in New Zealand Adults: A Nationally Representative Cross-Sectional Survey.

Surveillance of domain-specific physical activity (PA) helps to target interventions to promote PA. We examined the sociodemographic correlates of domain-specific PA in New Zealand adults. A nationally representative sample of 13,887 adults completed the International PA Questionnaire-long form in 2019/20. Three measures of total and domain-specific (leisure, travel, home, and work) PA were calculated: (1)weekly participation, (2)mean weekly metabolic energy equivalent minutes (MET-min), and (3)median weekly MET-min among those who undertook PA. Results were weighted to the New Zealand adult population. The average contribution of domain-specific activity to total PA was 37.5% for work activities (participation = 43.6%; median participating MET-min = 2790), 31.9% for home activities (participation = 82.2%; median participating MET-min = 1185), 19.4% for leisure activities (participation = 64.7%; median participating MET-min = 933), and 11.2% for travel activities (participation = 64.0%; median MET-min among participants = 495). Women accumulated more home PA and less work PA than men. Total PA was higher in middle-aged adults, with diverse patterns by age within domains. Māori accumulated less leisure PA than New Zealand Europeans but higher total PA. Asian groups reported lower PA across all domains. Higher area deprivation was negatively associated with leisure PA. Sociodemographic patterns varied by measure. For example, gender was not associated with total PA participation, but men accumulated higher MET-min when taking part in PA than women. Inequalities in PA varied by domain and sociodemographic group. These results should be used to inform interventions to improve PA.

Physical fitness, cardiovascular and musculoskeletal health, and occupational performance in firefighters.

To perform their work efficiently and safely, firefighters should maintain all aspects of physical fitness. Cardiac-related incidents are the leading cause of duty-related deaths in firefighters, and many firefighters have poor musculoskeletal health (MSH) that hinder their occupational performance (OP). Establishing the relationship between physical fitness, cardiovascular health (CVH), MSH and OP may add new insight on the most significant factors influencing OP in firefighters, specifically in the City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Service (CoCTFS), which had not been studied before. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate whether physical fitness, CVH and MSH were associated with OP in firefighters, in the COCTFRS. This cross-sectional study included 283 full-time firefighters aged 20-65 years from Cape Town, South Africa. A researcher-generated questionnaire was used to collect data on sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle factors and MSH. Physical measures were used to collect information on physical fitness, CVH, and OP [using a physical ability test (PAT)]. Linear and binary logistic regressions, adjusted for age, sex, height and weekly metabolic equivalent minutes (WMETM), multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA), adjusted for age, sex, height and body mass index (BMI) and backward stepwise regressions were used to investigate the associations between the various constructs. From multivariable analyses, age, lean body mass, body fat percentage (BF%), estimated absolute oxygen consumption (abV̇O2max), grip strength, leg strength, push-ups, sit-ups, WMETM and heart rate variability were associated with PAT completion times (all p < 0.01). The MANCOVA showed a significant difference between performance categories of the PAT based on physical fitness and CVH (both p < 0.001). WMETM, BF%, abV̇O2max, grip strength, leg strength and sit-ups explained the highest proportion (50.5%) of the variation in PAT completion times. Younger, non-obese, fitter and stronger firefighters, with a better CVH status, performed significantly better and were most likely to pass the PAT in firefighters, in Cape Town, South Africa. Firefighters should maintain high levels of physical fitness and a good level of CVH to ensure a satisfactory level of OP.

Lifestyle habits and obesity indices among male adolescents in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Obesity among adolescents is a global health apprehension which requires early prevention. The aim of this study was to determine the association between lifestyle habits including physical activity, sedentary behaviors and eating habits with obesity indices of body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) among male adolescents in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. We randomly selected 471 secondary school male adolescents aged 14–18 years. A pre-validated self-reported questionnaire was used to record the data on physical activity level, sedentary behaviors, sleep duration and eating habits. The International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) cutoff values for adolescents under 18 years of age were used to define overweight and obesity. Total energy expenditure was calculated using metabolic equivalent-minutes per week. Anthropometry including weight, height, BMI, waist circumference, waist/height ratio (WHtR), were assessed. 53.7% and 48.4% of the adolescents were overweight/obese and had abdominal obesity; respectively. Those with overweight and obesity or above 50% of WHtR were much less active in terms of METs-min/week from vigorous-intensity sports, sum of all METs-min/week from all vigorous-intensity physical activity, total METs-min/week from all physical activity compared with non-obese adolescents and below 50% of WHtR. The present study identified the lifestyle habits that were associated with obesity and may represent valid targets for the prevention and management of obesity among Saudi adolescents. Knowledge of the factors that contribute to obesity could be used in preventive programs for the control of obesity among adolescents.

Association Between Joint Physical Activity and Dietary Quality and Lower Risk of Depression Symptoms in US Adults: Cross-sectional NHANES Study.

Depression escalating public health concern and the modest efficacy of currently available treatments have prompted efforts to identify modifiable risk factors associated with depression symptoms. Physical inactivity, poor nutrition, or other lifestyle behaviors are among the potentially modifiable risk factors most consistently linked with depression. Past evidence regarding the single effect of physical activity (PA) or dietary quality (DQ) on reducing the risk of depression symptoms has been well-documented. However, the association of the joint effect of PA and DQ on depression symptoms has never been investigated in a representative sample of adults. This study investigates the association between PA and depression symptoms and between DQ and depression symptoms, and their combined effects on US adults. Data were obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007 to 2018 cycles. The primary exposures were DQ and PA, measured using the Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2015 and the metabolic equivalent (MET) minutes per week reported in questionnaires, respectively. Depression symptoms were defined as a 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) score of ≥10. We created 4 lifestyle categories: healthy diet and active individuals, unhealthy diet but active individuals, healthy diet but inactive individuals, and unhealthy diet and inactive individuals. Participants were considered to have a healthy diet if they fell within the 60th percentile of the HEI-2015 or to be active if they met the current guidelines for PA. A survey-multivariable logistic regression approach was used to model adjust the variables relevant to the associations, and an age-adjusted prevalence for depression symptoms was calculated following the NHANES guidelines. In total, 19,295 participants represented a weighted number of 932.5 million adults aged 20 to 80 years in the noninstitutionalized US population. The total age-adjusted prevalence of depression symptoms among all respondents was 7.08% (1507/19,295). Of the respondents, 81.97% (15,816/19,295) met the PA recommendation and 26.79% (5170/19,295) scored at or above the 60th percentile on the HEI-2015. Depression symptoms were inversely associated with a higher level of PA (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 0.819, 95% CI 0.716-0.938) and healthy DQ (AOR 0.809, 95% CI 0.701-0.931), respectively. A healthy diet combined with recommended PA was associated with a significantly lower risk of depression symptoms (AOR 0.658, 95% CI 0.538-0.803) than those who consumed an unhealthy diet but were physically active (AOR 0.890, 95% CI 0.765-1.038) or consumed a healthy diet but were physically inactive (AOR 1.077, 95% CI 0.817-1.406). Our findings indicate that people with a healthy diet and recommended PA have a lower risk of depression symptoms than those with an unhealthy diet and a low level of PA. A healthy dietary habit and regular PA are potential precautions against depression.

Circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders and the risk of dyslipidemia among railway workers in southwest China: A cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT Railway workers are more likely to have an irregular work schedule, which had an effect on their circadian rhythm of sleep, and may lead to circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders (CRSWDs). The association between CRSWDs and dyslipidemia in railway workers is poorly understood. The objective of this research is to study the association between CRSWDs and the risk of dyslipidemia. This cross-sectional study was conducted among railway workers in Southwest China. CRSWDs were assessed by the morningness-eveningness questionnaire self-assessment version (MEQ-SA). The blood samples were collected in the morning and the lipids of participants were measured. Associations of CRSWDs with dyslipidemia and its components were analyzed. A total of 8079 participants were enrolled in this study, and the results revealed that shift work sleep disorder (SWD) and advanced sleep-wake phase disorder (ASWPD) were associated with a higher risk of dyslipidemia (OR 1.17, 95%CI 1.06–1.29, P < 0.01; OR 1.68, 95%CI 1.09–2.64, P < 0.05) after adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics and lifestyles, in comparison with the control group. As for its components, the SWD group was associated with a higher risk of elevated total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein than the control group, while the ASWPD group was associated with a higher risk of elevated total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein (P < 0.05). In summary, SWD and ASWPD participants were associated with a higher risk of dyslipidemia in railway workers in Southwest China. Abbreviation: TG: triglyceride; TC: Total cholesterol; LDL-C: low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; HDL-C: high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; FPG: fasting plasma glucose. MEQ-SA: morningness-eveningness questionnaire self-assessment version; IPW: inverse-probability weighting; HDS: healthy diet scores; FFQ: food frequency; PA: physical activity; IQAP-SF: international physical activity questionnaire short form; MET-min/wk: metabolic equivalent task minutes per week; BMI: body mass index; SBP: systolic blood pressure; DBP: diastolic blood pressure; HBP: hypertension; DM: diabetes; CVD: cerebrovascular disease; OR: odds ratios; CI: confidence intervals.

EVALUATION OF THE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY LEVELS OF COVID-19 PATIENTS IN TURKEY

Purpose: Covid-19 is a viral infection that affects either the respiratory system or the other systems. Studies about the effects of Covid-19 on physical activity are still scarce. This study aims to compare the changes in the physical activity levels of patients before and six months after Covid-19 in Turkey.&#x0D; Methods: One hundred and six participants that have been six months after Covid-19 contraction were included in the study. Along with the Patient Assessment Questionnaire, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form was used to assess physical activity energy consumption (vigorous-intensity physical activities, moderate-intensity physical activities, walking, and total physical activities).&#x0D; Results: Participants became either less physically active or more sedentary six months after Covid-19 (p=0.019). Vigorous-intensity physical activity levels were significantly decreased (Mean±SD: 341±854 vs. 109±331 Metabolic Equivalent Task minutes/week, p=0.015), and perceived fatigue during exercise was significantly increased between before and six month after infection (Mean±SD: 4.76±2.17 vs 6.17±2.27, p=0.001). Participants who had dyspnea (n=12) during the period of Covid-19, did more moderate-intensity physical activity (p=0.020) and walking (p =0.021) after Covid-19, compared to those who had not.&#x0D; Conclusion: Particularly changes in vigorous-intensity physical activity levels and perceived fatigue during exercise were seen in Covid-19 infected patients. We recommend supporting gradually increased tailor-based exercise programs by health professionals in public health agencies, not only for protecting the individuals from Covid-19 outcomes, but also for returning to their preinfection fitness levels.

Exercise during CHemotherapy for Ovarian cancer (ECHO) trial: design and implementation of a randomised controlled trial

IntroductionEpidemiological evidence supports an association between higher levels of physical activity and improved cancer survival. Trial evidence is now needed to demonstrate the effect of exercise in a clinical setting....

Exoskeletons in the Digital Era: A Way to Improve the Level of Physical Activity Among Older Citizens

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on the level of physical activity among older citizens. Objective The aim of this short paper is to set focus on the potential benefits of assistive walking devices for older citizens. Methods In this feasibility study, 24 older citizens aged &gt;65 years participated in the study. The participants answered to the following questionnaires after fulfilling a consent form: Tilburg Frailty Indicator, International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and Quality of Life. Then, physiological and biomechanical assessments were made in a laboratory setting with and without wearing an exoskeleton (aLQ, IMASEN Electrical Industrial Co). The aLQ is a passive-assistive lower-limb walking exoskeleton activated by a cam spring system designed to improve gait. After the tests, the participants were asked to answer the following questions: “Do you feel the exoskeleton is helping you to walk?” and “What is your opinion on the device?”. Results The participants were community-dwelling older individuals, aged 72.6 (SD 4.5) years, and were characterized by an overall high level of physical activity of 3069 (SD 2847) metabolic equivalent–minutes per week. Their Tilburg Frailty Indicator indicated an overall frailty score of 3.5 (SD 2.5). The participants reported a Quality of Life score of 6.7 (SD 1.6) and an overall health score of 76.4 (SD 17.1). Moreover, of the 24 participants, 7 (29%) reported that carrying the tested exoskeleton did not induce any noticeable changes, and 3 (10%) reported that they walked better with the device than without. Conclusions These findings are of importance in our current digital era where the COVID-19 pandemic forced municipalities and hospitals to cancel or postpone the training and rehabilitation of older citizens, resulting in a degradation of the level of physical activity and health in general. The use of assistive walking devices can be a way to improve or maintain their level of physical activity. Future studies using a prospective design should confirm that. Conflicts of Interest None declared.

Fourth-Grade Cooking and Physical Activity Intervention Reveals Associations With Cooking Experience and Sex

ObjectiveExamine the impact of Fuel for Fun: Cooking with Kids Plus Parents and Play (FFF) on children's culinary self-efficacy, attitude, fruit and vegetable (FV) preferences, physical activity (PA), and body mass index. DesignRandomized controlled trial. SettingEight elementary schools in 2 Northern Colorado districts. ParticipantsFourth-grade students; 7-month interventions: school (S.FFF)—theory-based cooking + tasting lessons, active recess, lesson-driven cafeteria promotions; or school + family (S+F.FFF) with added family nights and home activities. Main Outcome Measure(s)Cooking self-efficacy and attitudes, FV preferences, PA, and measured height/weight. AnalysisIndividual outcomes nested by classroom, school, and district and assessed > 12 months with repeated measures controlled by sex and baseline cooking experience, with a significance level of P < 0.05. ResultsThe sample included 1,428 youth, 38 teachers, 4 cohorts, 50% boys, 75% White, and 15% Hispanic. No intervention effect was observed. Those who cooked retained higher self-efficacy, attitude, and FV preferences (P < 0.001). Girls reported higher self-efficacy and attitude than boys. Moderate-to-vigorous PA and metabolic equivalent minutes increased for all students; boys retained higher levels (P < 0.001). Body mass index percentile remained stable. Conclusions and ImplicationsCooking and sex were associated with all outcome measures and should be considered for intervention tailoring. Treatment impacts were not evident nesting by classroom, school, and district. Accurate assessment of school-based interventions requires rejecting student independence from group assignment assumptions.

Global disease burden attributed to low physical activity in 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2019: Insights from the Global Burden of Disease 2019 Study.

The purpose of this investigation is to estimate the global disease burden attributable to low physical activity (PA) in 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2019 by age, sex, and Socio-Demographic Index (SDI). Detailed information on global deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) attributable to low PA were collected from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. The ideal exposure scenario of PA was defined as 3000-4500 metabolic equivalent minutes per week and low PA was considered to be less than this threshold. Age-standardization was used to improve the comparison of rates across locations or between time periods. In 2019, low PA seems to contribute to 0.83 million [95% uncertainty interval (UI) 0.43 to 1.47] deaths and 15.75 million (95% UI 8.52 to 28.62) DALYs globally, an increase of 83.9% (95% UI 69.3 to 105.7) and 82.9% (95% UI 65.5 to 112.1) since 1990, respectively. The age-standardized rates of low-PA-related deaths and DALYs per 100,000 people in 2019 were 11.1 (95% UI 5.7 to 19.5) and 198.4 (95% UI 108.2 to 360.3), respectively. Of all age-standardized DALYs globally in 2019, 0.6% (95% UI 0.3 to 1.1) may be attributable to low PA. The association between SDI and the proportion of age-standardized DALYs attributable to low PA suggests that regions with the highest SDI largely decreased their proportions of age-standardized DALYs attributable to low PA during 1990-2019, while other regions tended to have increased proportions in the same timeframe. In 2019, the rates of low-PA-related deaths and DALYs tended to rise with increasing age in both sexes, with no differences between males and females in the age-standardized rates. An insufficient accumulation of PA across the globe occurs together with a considerable public health burden. Health initiatives to promote PA within different age groups and countries are urgently needed.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY CHANGES OF SPORT SCIENCES STUDENTS IN TERMS OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC

This study aimed to examine changes in physical activity levels of sport sciences students during COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey. A total of 264 subjects completed the online survey, but only 225 (164 females, 61 males) subjects resulted eligible for the study. The questionnaire measured the total weekly physical activity energy expenditure before and during quarantine (i.e. the sum of walking, moderate-intensity physical activities, and vigorous-intensity physical activities) in Metabolic Equivalent Task minutes per week (MET–min/wk) using an adapted version of International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-S). When the averages of weekly physical activity durations and frequencies in terms of MET were compared according to the physical activity levels of the students, it was seen that there was significant decrease in both walking, moderate intensity, high intensity and total physical activity participation during the pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period (*p

Association Between Physical Activity and Type 2 Diabetes Using the International Physical Activity Questionnaires: A Case-Control Study at a Health Promoting Hospital in Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand.

Health education and promotion is active in Thailand where diabetes is prevalent at 11.6% of the general adult population in 2021. This study aimed to describe and compare the levels of physical activity between patients with newly diagnosed diabetes and non-diabetic controls in northern Thailand. This observational case-control study included participants aged between 25 and 74 years in Chiang Mai. We recruited 150 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) at Sanpatong District Hospital and 150 control participants (non-T2DM) in the community. Interviews were conducted using the International Physical Activity Questionnaires-Short Form. Anthropometric measurements and social demographic information were collected from both patients and controls in 2019. The mean age of the participants was 58.8 ± 8.4 years in the T2DM group and 56.5 ± 9.9 years in the non-T2DM group. Compared to controls, patients with T2DM had received significantly more physical activity education (P < 0.001, Fisher's test). Most cases (93.3%) had received such education at a hospital or health center. The median total metabolic equivalents (METs) minutes per week (min/week) for participants in the T2DM group were higher than those in the non-T2DM group (2726 vs 1140 METs min/week) (P < 0.001, Mann-Whitney test). Comparing the case and control groups in the category of PA level, we found that the case group had a higher proportion of high-level physical activity (P < 0.001, chi-square test). Diabetes patients attending a community hospital exhibited high levels of physical activity. The majority of them received education related physical activity from a primary health care service.