Min Of Physical Activity Research Articles

Quantifying Physical Activity in First- Through Fourth- Grade Physical Education via Pedometry

The aim of this study was to determine pedometry steps per minute (SPM) cutscores that accurately quantify physical activity (PA) time in first-through fourth-grade physical education. A total of 257 participants were grouped in two data pools, first-and second-grade (n = 126), and third- and fourth-grade (n = 131). Systematic observation was the PA criterion instrument and pedometry was the predictor instrument. Correlations between physical activity measures were strong (r = 82–89, p < .01). Ten min of PA and 33.33% of the lesson time engaged in PA within a 30-min class can be quantified by 61–63 SPM for first- and second-grade, and 58–61 SPM for third- and fourth-grade. In conclusion: (a) SPM values were a valid indicator of students achieving or not achieving PA criteria, and (b) pedometry is a valid and practical tool for physical activity surveillance within physical education.

Physical Activity, Social Support, and Health-Related Quality of Life Among Persons With HIV Disease

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 800,000 to 900,000 Americans live with HIV disease (HIVD) and that it is transmitted to 40,000 others annually. Biomedical research has focused on finding a cause and cure, including early detection techniques and pharmacologic therapies to extend life. Meanwhile, persons with HIVD continue to face multiple challenges as they live with symptoms and the effects of treatment modalities that affect their quality of life. The purpose of this investigation was to identify and explore relations among physical activity (PA), social support, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in persons with HIVD who were living in community settings. Findings indicated a significant inverse correlation between participant's HRQOL and meeting moderate or vigorous PA recommendations from Healthy People 2010, but weekly frequency of participating in at least 30 min of moderate or vigorous PA was significantly (r = .49, p < . 01) correlated with HRQOL. Friend social support and weekly frequency of PA accounted for 37% of the variance in HRQOL in a regression analysis.

Blood Pressure Reduction Following Physical Activity

1729 The American Heart Association has recommended moderate physical activity (PA) for treatment of high blood pressure (BP), however only walking has been observed. PURPOSE The purpose of these case studies is to describe the acute blood pressure response (∼1 hr avg.) of hypertensive adults to short bouts (15–20 min) of PA. METHODS Three hypertensive subjects performed a control day (CD) and a physical activity day (PAD) wearing an Accutraker II (ambulatory blood pressure monitor) and an RT3 triaxial accelerometer (3 axis; 1 min log). The control day consisted of activities of daily living. For the PAD, each subject was instructed to increase their PA throughout the day by taking stairs, walking the dog, gardening, etc. Data were analyzed for short isolated bouts of PA (>2 kcals·min−1) and corresponding blood pressures within one hour following cessation of activity. RESULTS The CD blood pressures were averaged at the exact time of day the PA day was performed. Subject 1 (73yo [[female symbol]], BMI 20.1 kg·m−2) whom pulled weeds (5.3 ± 1.2 kcals·min−1) and subject 3 (73yo [[female symbol]], BMI 21.2 kg·m−2) whom did brisk walking (6.9 ± 2.7 kcals·min−1) decreased BP following a short bout of PA. Subject 2 (71yo [[male symbol]], BMI 32.0 kg·m−2) whom did yard work (2.1 ± 0.8 kcals·min−1) increased BP until 45 minutes post PA and then decreased BP. Table 1 below presents these data.Table 1: Control Day and up to 1 Hour Post PA Blood Pressure in Three Hypertensive SubjectsCONCLUSIONS: Although results above suggest that there are responders and non responders to PA, there is promising data that short bouts of PA may decrease BP in some hypertensive adults. This study partially funded by IU Adult Fitness Program.

Response of oxidative stress biomarkers to a 16-week aerobic physical activity program, and to acute physical activity, in healthy young men and women

Physical activity (PA) is associated with a reduced risk of coronary heart disease, and may favorably modify the antioxidant–prooxidant balance. This study assessed the effects of aerobic PA training on antioxidant enzyme activity, oxidized LDL concentration, and LDL resistance to oxidation, as well as the effect of acute PA on antioxidant enzyme activity before and after the training period. Seventeen sedentary healthy young men and women were recruited for 16 weeks of training. The activity of superoxide dismutase in erythrocytes (E-SOD), glutathione peroxidase in whole blood (GSH-Px), and glutathione reductase in plasma (P-GR), and the oxidized LDL concentration and LDL composition, diameter, and resistance to oxidation were determined before and after training. Shortly before and after this training period they also performed a bout of aerobic PA for 30 min. The antioxidant enzyme activity was also determined at 0 min, 30 min, 60 min, 120 min, and 24 h after both bouts of PA. Training induces an increase in GSH-Px (27.7%), P-GR (17.6%), and LDL resistance to oxidation, and a decrease in oxidized LDL (−15.9%). After the bout of PA, an increase in E-SOD and GSH-Px was observed at 0 min, with a posterior decrease in enzyme activity until 30–60 min, and a tendency to recover the basal values at 120 min and 24 h. Training did not modify this global response pattern. Regular PA increases endogenous antioxidant activity and LDL resistance to oxidation, and decreases oxidized LDL concentration; 30 min of aerobic PA decreases P-GR and B-GSH-Px activity in the first 30–60 min with a posterior recovery.

Physical activity levels of Barbadian youth and comparison to a U.S. sample.

This is the first study to report on physical activity levels of young people in Barbados. The Self-Administered Physical Activity Checklist was administered to 1,579 children aged 8 to 18 years. The majority of youth (69%) reported at least 60 min of physical activity on the previous school day. Boys and younger students reported greater physical activity than girls and older students (p < .001). Participation in physical education was low among primary (30%) and secondary (18%) school students, and youth reported the majority of their physical activity took place after school (58%). Physical activity levels and patterns were similar to those of U.S. youth. Gender and grade differences in physical activity could put girls and older youth at higher risk for health problems such as obesity. Policy recommendations to support youth physical activity in Barbados include mandatory daily physical education and after-school physical activity programs.

AFRICAN AMERICAN MOTHER-DAUGHTER PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PATTERNS BASED ON OBJECTIVE MONITORING

Inactivity is a risk factor for obesity - a serious health problem for African American women. Purpose: To compare the average physical activity (PA) patterns of mothers and daughters over a one-week period. Methods: Mother(or primary caregiver) and daughter participants in a church-based obesity prevention program wore CSA monitors (model 7164) for one week. Monitoring occurred during the same week period for each mother-daughter pair. Twenty-one pairs had complete data (defined as BMI & 5 or more days of monitoring, average = 6.3 days.). Mother-daughter ages were 34.3 ± 7.5 and 7.8 ± 1.3 yrs and BMI levels were 31.8 ± 6.4 and 19.1 ± 5.3, respectively. CSA activity counts were analyzed according to the method of Trost et al. (2001). Average daily time spent in moderate PA (MPA = 3–5.9 METS), vigorous PA (VPA = 6–8.9 METS), and very vigorous PA (VVPA = 9 METS), and the number of 5-, 10- and 20-min bouts of PA at = 3 METS and = 6 METS were calculated using the regression equation developed by Freedson. Results: The young girls were very active, accumulating on average more than 148 ± 44 min of moderate PA daily. The girls also engaged in a surprising amount of VPA and VVPA (18.4 ± 7.1 and 7.4 ± 4.4 min/day, respectively). Conversely, mothers were quite inactive, averaging 16.3 ± 13 min MPA and barely 1 min of VPA. Mothers had on average less than one 5-min bout of MPA during the monitoring period. Mothers' activity levels were not related to the girls' (p = 0.28), but girls' BMI were negatively correlated with VPA (r = 0.03) and VVPA (r = −0.01). Due to low PA levels, relationhips between BMI and activity wen not observed. Conclusions: African American girls appear to be very active at young ages, but may be at risk for steep declines in PA based on mothers' activity patterns. Supported by National Heart Lung Blood, RO1 HL65131