Levels Of Moderate-intensity Physical Activity Research Articles

COVID-19 PANDEMİSİ SIRASINDA KİSTİK FİBROZİS DIŞI BRONŞEKTAZİ HASTALARINDA COVID-19 FOBİSİ VE FİZİKSEL AKTİVİTE DÜZEYİ

Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic period may affect physical and mental health of non-cystic fibrosis (CF) bronchiectasis patients. The aim of this study was to compare COVID-19 phobia, quality of life, health anxiety, physical activity level and sleep quality during the pandemic between patients with non-CF bronchiectasis and healthy controls.
 Methods: Thirty non-CF bronchiectasis patients and 44 healthy controls were included. COVID-19 phobia (Coronavirus 19 Phobia Scale (CP19-S)), quality of life (Nottingham Health Profile (NHP)), health anxiety (Health Anxiety Inventory (HAI)), physical activity level (short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-SF)) and sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)) were evaluated.
 Results: NHP energy, pain, and physical mobility scores and moderate-intensity physical activity levels were significantly lower; PSQI sleep disturbance score was significantly higher in patients compared with controls (p0.05). The majority of patients and controls did not meet the recommended levels of moderate or high-intensity physical activity per week.
 Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a decline in quality of life, reduced moderateintensity physical activity, and increased sleep disturbances among non-CF bronchiectasis patients. Both patients and healthy individuals have experienced coronaphobia and exhibited low levels of physical activity. These results reveal the importance of providing physical activity counseling during the pandemic period.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on perceived cardiorespiratory fitness in athlete patients.

IntroductionCardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), as one of the most potent prognostic factors in medicine, is followed longitudinally to guide clinical management. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic‐related changes in lifestyle stand to influence CRF.ObjectiveTo assess the influence of the pandemic on perceived CRF in athlete patients and evaluate how perceived CRF change was related to demographics, pre‐pandemic measured CRF, and current physical activity (PA).DesignProspective cohort study, utilizing electronic survey.SettingTertiary care sports cardiology clinical practice.ParticipantsAdult athlete patients without COVID‐19 with pre‐pandemic measured CRF using cardiopulmonary exercise testing.InterventionsNot applicable.Main Outcome MeasuresPerceived change in CRF since pandemic onset; association between perceived CRF change and demographics, PA, health status, and pre‐pandemic measured CRF assessed via analysis of variance (ANOVA).ResultsAmong 62 participants (male: 71%, 50.1 ± 12.1 years old), 40% (25/62) reported no change and 32% (20/62) reported an increase in perceived CRF since pandemic onset. Among the 27% (17/62) who reported a decrease in perceived CRF, in most (12/17), this was characterized as only mild. Demographics and pre‐pandemic measured CRF did not differ across groups of perceived CRF change. Participants with a moderate or greater decrease in perceived CRF regarded their overall health (via Euro Quality of Life Visual Analogue Scale) as worse than other groups (ANOVA, p = .001). Although total PA was similar across groups, those who had improvement in perceived CRF reported higher levels of moderate intensity PA (ANOVA, p = .008).ConclusionsThe majority of participants perceived that they had maintained or improved CRF over the pandemic. Findings from this study suggest that a reduction in perceived CRF from pre‐pandemic values in athletic patients in clinical practice may not result from population‐wide pandemic changes in lifestyle. Worse health status and lower levels of moderate intensity PA were associated with perceived reduction in CRF over the pandemic in athlete patients.

In the Dark About Physical Activity - Exploring Patient Perceptions of Physical Activity After Elective Total Knee Joint Replacement: A Qualitative Study.

The study aimed to explore patient perceptions of and motivations for physical activity after total knee joint replacement. Participants were purposively sampled after completing a public outpatient rehabilitation exercise group. Semistructured interviews were completed with 22 participants (mean age 70 years, 45% women) 6 to 12 months after total knee joint replacement. Interviews were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. Themes were identified by an inductive and iterative process of data analysis. The main theme to emerge was participants were in the dark about physical activity. Participants were typically not familiar with physical activity guidelines and had difficulty distinguishing between low- and moderate-intensity physical activity. Three subthemes were identified: 1) people prioritize participation in meaningful life situations after total knee joint replacement, 2) rehabilitation was perceived to not explicitly address moderate-intensity physical activity levels, and 3) other health and social reasons replaced knee osteoarthritis as barriers to physical activity. Limited understanding of physical activity recommendations, prioritization of participation in meaningful life situations, rehabilitation that was impairment focused, and other health and social reasons appeared to contribute to low levels of moderate-intensity physical activity in adults after knee joint replacement. Addressing being in the dark about physical activity may be an important first step to increase the effectiveness of behavioral interventions designed to promote physical activity after total knee joint replacement.

Obesity, Lifestyle Behaviors, and Dietary Habits of Saudi Adolescents Living in Riyadh (ATLS-2 Project): Revisited after a Ten-Year Period.

Objective: Undesirable lifestyle behaviors are associated with many adverse health outcomes. This study revisited the lifestyle behaviors, dietary habits, and overweight/obesity status of Saudi adolescents from Riyadh during the year 2019/2020. We report on the rationale, design, and methodology of the current study and provide preliminary findings of the changes that occurred between the two cross-sectional studies within the span of a ten-year period. Methods: A comparison was made between two cross-sectional studies, one conducted in 2009/2010 and the other in 2019/2020, using the same design, methods, and instruments. A multistage stratified cluster random sampling technique was used to select adolescents attending public and private secondary schools. Measurements included demographics, weight, height, waist circumference, physical activity (using valid questionnaire and accelerometer), sedentary time, sleep duration, and dietary habits. Results: The total number of participants was 1262 adolescents, of which 52.4% were male, with a mean (SD) age of 16.4 ± 0.95 years. About 41% of paternal and 39.1% of maternal education levels were university degrees. Over 37% of the families earned more than SAR 20,000/month. Body mass index and waist circumference of males was larger than that of females and the overall prevalence of overweight/obesity was 40.5% with significance (p < 0.001) difference between males (47.3%) and females (32.8%). Between 2009/2010 and 2019/2020 datasets, there were significant changes in age (p < 0.001), waist circumference (p < 0.001), screen time (p < 0.001), moderate-intensity physical activity (p < 0.001), vigorous-intensity physical activity (p < 0.001), total physical activity (p < 0.001), and consumption of breakfast (p = 0.015) and fruits (p = 0.002). Conclusion: The most notable change between the two studies was a significant reduction in the prevalence of physical inactivity among Saudi adolescents, which was due to increased levels of moderate-intensity physical activity among Saudi females, as a result of recent positive sociopolitical changes occurring in the country over the past four years. The findings provided rich information that can be used to explore trends in overweight/obesity, lifestyle behaviors, and dietary habits among Saudi adolescents over the past ten-year period.

Physical Activity Levels among Male and Female Undergraduate Students at Umm Al-Qura University

Physically inactive is a significant problem in modern society worldwide. One of the primary reasons for this problem is that technological advances have allowed a reduction in energy expenditure for most individuals in habitual daily tasks. This study aimed to assess the levels of physical activity among male and female students at Umm Al-Qura University (UQU) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). This research is a cross-sectional study conducted at UQU between September and December 2019 that investigated the levels of physical activity in a sample of 968 male and female students (452 males and 516 females), (mean age ± SD, 22.1 ± 1.7 years). The Arabic short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used to assess physical activity levels. The majority of students (54%) were observed to be at a light-intensity physical activity level (238.0 ± 143 MET-minutes/week), 38.4% were achieving the recommended daily levels of moderate-intensity physical activity (1470 ± 701 MET-minutes/week), and 7.6% were achieving vigorous-intensity physical activity (3903 ± 1043 MET-minutes/week). The independent samples t-test indicated no significant differences in light-intensity physical activities between males (240.4 ± 147 MET-minutes/week) and females (236.6 ± 141 MET-minutes/week) t (519) = .287; p < 0.167. The present study concluded that 54% of the participants were failing to meet the physical activity recommendations of the WHO; this is a key public health concern. National campaigns with collaborations of various government and public sectors in KSA are needed to increase physical activity in different domains.

684-P: Associations between Self-Reported Symptoms and Physical Activity Measured by Accelerometer in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes

Objectives: Fatigue and sleep disturbance are common in adults with T2D. The symptoms carry contextual variations and may influence physical activity (PA). This study examined the associations between these symptoms and PA measured by an accelerometer. Methods: Fifty-three T2D adults completed a 7-day period during which they wore an ActiGraph-GT3X on the non-dominant wrist and completed a diary each morning. The diary assessed prior-night sleep and fatigue level (0-10) and feeling rested (1-5) upon awakening. Daytime PA data from the ActiGraph-GT3X were scored following the Freedson algorithm, including sedentary behavior, light- and moderate-intensity PA. The repeated 7-day data were analyzed using linear mixed models including both inter- and intra-individual sleep and fatigue variables as predictors of PA. Results: Participants were 60.3 (range 50-76) years and 29 (54.7%) were females. The mean values for fatigue and feeling rested were 3.1 (range 0-8.6) and 3.3 (range 1.6-5.0), respectively. Controlling for age, sex, BMI, and diabetes duration (estimate=-2.4, p=0.021), inter-individual fatigue and feeling rested were not related to moderate-intensity PA; however, intra-individual fatigue (estimate=-4.0, p=0.029) and feeling rested (estimate=8.0, p=0.045) upon awakening were significantly associated with moderate-intensity PA. There were no significant associations between other sleep variables (e.g., sleep duration and efficiency) and PA variables. Conclusions: At the inter-individual level, fatigue and feeling rested were not related to moderate-intensity PA. In contrast, at the individual level, lower fatigue and more restful sleep were associated with higher levels of moderate-intensity physical activity. These findings highlight the importance of addressing both inter- and intra-individual effects of symptoms commonly reported by T2D patients on physical activity in research and clinical practice. Disclosure B. Zhu: None. M. Kim: None. C. Fritschi: None. Funding University of Illinois at Chicago; National Institute on Aging (P30AG022849)

Physical Activity and Cardiometabolic Risk Factor Clustering in Young Adults with Obesity.

There is a paucity of information on the clustering of cardiometabolic risk factors in young adults and how this clustering may vary based on whether or not they perform sufficient levels of physical activity. We analyzed baseline data from 346 young adults (23.3 ± 4.4 yr) participating in the Healthy Body Healthy U clinical trial from 2015 to 2018. Cardiometabolic risk factors were measured according to standard procedures and moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) was determined by accelerometry. A cardiometabolic clustering score (ranging from 0 to 5) was created from five biomarkers according to whether or not a standard clinical risk cut point was exceeded (0, no; 1, yes): abdominal circumference (>102 cm (men) or >88 cm (women)), hemoglobin A1c (≥5.7%), HDL cholesterol (<40 mg·dL (men) or <50 mg·dL (women)), systolic blood pressure (≥130 mm Hg), and diastolic blood pressure (≥85 mm Hg). Cardiometabolic dysregulation (CD) was defined as a cardiometabolic clustering score ≥3. Multiple logistic regression determined the independent association between level of MVPA and CD, while adjusting for sex, race/ethnicity, sedentary time, and smoking. The prevalence of CD was 18% (22% in men, 17% in women). We observed a nonlinear graded association between MVPA and CD. Participants performing 150-300 min·wk of MVPA significantly lowered their odds of CD by 66% (odds ratio, 0.34; 95% confidence interval, 0.16-0.75), whereas those exceeding 300 min·wk lowered their odds by 61% (odds ratio, 0.39; 95% confidence interval, 0.18-0.86) compared with those performing <150 min·wk, independent of obesity and the other covariables. Recommended levels of moderate-intensity physical activity is significantly associated with lower odds of CD and thus may prevent or diminish the need for expensive pharmaceutical treatment over the remainder of the life-span.

The Feasibility of Remotely Delivered Exercise Session in Adults With Alzheimer's Disease and Their Caregivers.

Adults with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and their caregivers represent a segment of the population with low levels of moderate-intensity physical activity (MPA) and limited options for increasing MPA. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of a group video conference approach for increasing MPA in adults with AD and their caregivers. Adults with AD and their caregivers attended 30-min group exercise sessions three times per week for 12 weeks. Exercise sessions and support sessions were delivered in their homes on a tablet computer over video conferencing software. Nine adults with AD/caregiver dyads enrolled, and seven completed the 12-week intervention. Adults with AD attended 77.3% of the group exercise sessions, and caregivers attended 79.2% of group exercise sessions. Weekly MPA increased in both adults with AD (49%) and caregivers (30%). Exercise delivered by group video conferencing is a feasible and potentially effective approach for increasing MPA in adults with AD and their caregivers.

Would you be happier if you moved more? Physical activity focusing illusion

Research shows that individuals who are more physically active also report greater happiness. However, subjective well-being is prone to cognitive biases. For instance, people overrate the influence of single factors (e.g., money) on their happiness; a phenomenon termed the focusing illusion. In this study, we examined whether the relationship between physical activity and subjective well-being is stronger when individuals focus on physical activity explicitly compared to individuals with no specific focus. We experimentally manipulated the physical activity focus by varying the order of scales administration. Participants (N = 200) completed questionnaires that measured physical activity and subjective well-being placed in separate envelopes and provided in a random order. We found that individuals with higher levels of vigorous physical activity were more satisfied with life regardless of the order of scale presentation (no focusing effect). However, we found evidence of a possible focusing illusion for moderate-intensity physical activity. Individuals with higher levels of moderate-intensity physical activity reported higher subjective well-being when they were asked about physical activity first but not when they reported their well-being unaware of the upcoming physical activity questions. Thus, subjective well-being judgments can be biased by a prior focus on moderate-intensity physical activity. The order of scale administration when assessing subjective well-being should be carefully considered.

Effects of a physical activity and nutrition program in retirement villages: a cluster randomised controlled trial

BackgroundThis cluster randomised controlled trial aimed to determine if a 6- month home-based intervention could improve the physical activity and dietary behaviours of adults aged 60 to 80 years living in retirement villages located in Perth, Western Australia.MethodsParticipants (n = 363) from 38 retirement villages were recruited into the trial and allocated to the intervention (n = 197: 17 sites) or control (n = 166: 21 sites) group and were blinded. Previously validated instruments-Fat and Fibre Barometer and International Physical Activity Questionnaire, along with anthropometric measures (weight, height, waist and hip circumferences) and blood pressure were collected at baseline and 6 -month time period. Comparisons between intervention and control groups were undertaken pre- and post- intervention using univariate chi-square and t-tests. Multi-level mixed regression analyses were then conducted to ascertain the effects of the intervention on changes in the outcome variables over time and between groups.ResultsA total of 139 (70.5%) intervention and 141 (84.9%) control group participants completed the program and post-test assessments. The intervention group demonstrated significant increases in time (80 min more per week on average) devoted to moderate-intensity physical activity, engagement in strength exercises (from 23.7% to 48.2%), frequency of fruit consumed as well as fat avoidance and fibre intake scores, in addition to a 0.5 kg mean reduction in weight post program, whereas no apparent changes were observed in the control group. Mixed regression results further confirmed statistically significant improvements in weight loss (p < 0.05), engagement in strength exercises (p < 0.001) and fruit intake (p = 0.012) by the intervention participants at post-test relative to their controls.ConclusionsRetirement offers a time to reassess lifestyle, and adopt positive health enhancing physical activity and dietary behaviours. This intervention was successful in improving weight, engagement in strength exercises, increasing levels of moderate-intensity physical activity and consumption of fruit among retirement village residents. Further investigation is needed on how to better engage retirement village managers in such programs.Trial registrationAustralia and New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry (ACTRN12612001168842) registered November 2, 2012.

Should Physical Activity Recommendations for South Asian Adults Be Ethnicity-Specific? Evidence from a Cross-Sectional Study of South Asian and White European Men and Women.

International public health guidelines recommend that adults undertake at least 150 min.week−1 of moderate-intensity physical activity. However, the underpinning evidence has largely been obtained from studies of populations of white European descent. It is unclear whether these recommendations are appropriate for other ethnic groups, particularly South Asians, who have greater cardio-metabolic risk than white Europeans. The objective of our study was to determine the level of moderate-intensity physical activity required in South Asians adults to confer a similar cardio-metabolic risk profile to that observed in Europeans of similar age and body mass index (BMI) undertaking the currently recommended levels of 150 min.week−1. 148 South Asians and 163 white Europeans aged 18 to 70 years were recruited. Physical activity was measured objectively via vertical axis accelerations from hip-worn accelerometers. Factor analysis was used to summarize the measured risk biomarkers into a single underlying latent “factor” describing overall cardio-metabolic risk. Sex did not modify the association between physical activity and the cardio-metabolic risk factor, so data for both sexes were combined and models adjusted for age, sex, BMI and accelerometer wear time. We estimated that South Asian adults needed to undertake 232 (95% Confidence interval: 200 to 268) min.week−1 in order to obtain the same cardio-metabolic risk factor score as a white European undertaking 150 minutes of moderate-equivalent physical activity per week. The present findings suggest that South Asian men and women need to undertake ~230 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity per week. This equates to South Asians undertaking an extra 10–15 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity per day on top of existing recommendations.

The association between habitual physical activity and cigarette cravings, and influence of smokers' characteristics in disadvantaged smokers not ready to quit.

RationaleHabitual physical activity (PA) may have an important role in suppressing cigarette cravings. Systematic reviews show a strong acute effect of bouts of PA on reducing cigarette cravings, and it may be that these effects accumulate.ObjectivesThe aim was to investigate the relationship between habitual levels of PA and cigarette cravings in disadvantaged smokers not ready to quit by examining baseline cross-sectional data from the Exercise Assisted Reduction then Stop smoking study (EARS).MethodsA series of linear regression models were applied to investigate the relationship between habitual PA and cigarette cravings and to identify additional predictors of cigarette cravings. The analyses were extended by including interaction terms with PA to identify potential moderators of the relationship between PA and cravings.ResultsA higher level of moderate intensity PA was associated with lower cravings (p = 0.033). Additional predictors were the mood and physical symptoms scale (p = 0.007; higher scores were associated with higher cravings) and alcohol consumption (p = 0.002; higher consumption was associated with lower cravings). In addition, a moderation effect of alcohol consumption was found; at higher levels of alcohol consumption, higher PA was significantly associated with higher cravings (p = 0.023).ConclusionsOverall, participation in regular PA is associated with reduced cigarette cravings; among those with heavy alcohol consumption, this participation is associated with higher cravings. These exploratory analyses suggest that further research into the relationship between PA, alcohol consumption and cigarette cravings is needed.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00213-016-4326-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Influence of moderate intensity physical activity levels and gender on conditioned pain modulation

This study examined the potential influence of moderate intensity physical activity (PA) levels and gender on central pain modulation using conditioned pain modulation (CPM) in healthy men and women. Twenty four individuals (12 men and 12 women) who reported engaging in the moderate intensity PA for 150 min or more per week and 24 individuals (12 men and 12 women) who reported engaging in moderate intensity PA for 60 min or less per week completed a self-report PA questionnaire and a 7-day PA assessment using an accelerometer. Furthermore, the participants completed the CPM testing to evaluate the efficiency of central pain modulation. The active individuals scored higher on the PA questionnaire and spent more minutes for light, lifestyle, moderate and vigorous intensity PA than the less active individuals. The active men and women exhibited comparable magnitudes of CPM, and showed a greater magnitude of CPM when compared to their less active counterparts. However, these beneficial effects of higher dose moderate intensity PA disappeared when time spent for vigorous intensity PA was statistically controlled for. These results suggest that the higher dose moderate intensity PA does not add to the benefits from vigorous intensity PA to further improve central pain modulatory systems.

Age-associated changes in the level of physical activity in elderly adults.

[Purpose] This study aimed to clarify how light-, moderate-, and vigorous-intensity physical activity in older adults changes with age, subdividing physical activity according to intensity levels, by using an accelerometer. [Subjects] Older adults living independently in the community were included (n = 106, age: 65–85 years). [Methods] A triaxial accelerometer was used to measure the amount of light-, moderate-, and vigorous-intensity physical activity (1–2.9, 3–5.9, and ≥6 metabolic equivalents, respectively) and inactive time over 7 days. Light- and moderate-intensity physical activity levels were further subdivided into 1–1.9, 2–2.9, 3–3.9, and 4–5.9 metabolic equivalents, respectively. [Results] The amount of moderate-intensity physical activity at both sub-levels showed significant inverse correlations with age (r = −0.34, −0.33, respectively), but this was not seen with other levels. Both levels of moderate-intensity physical activity were independently predicted by age using multiple regression analysis adjusted for gender and body mass index. [Conclusion] These results suggest that understanding the reduction in moderate-intensity physical activity with age in older adults, subdivided according to intensity level, could be a useful index to increase the amount of higher intensity physical activity in stages, considering individual health conditions.

Randomized trial of a telephone-based weight loss intervention in postmenopausal women with breast cancer receiving letrozole: the LISA trial.

Obesity is associated with poor outcomes in women with operable breast cancer. Lifestyle interventions (LIs) that help women reduce their weight may improve outcomes. We conducted a multicenter randomized trial comparing mail-based delivery of general health information alone or combined with a 24-month standardized, telephone-based LI that included diet (500 to 1,000 kcal per day deficit) and physical activity (150 to 200 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week) goals to achieve weight loss (up to 10%). Women receiving adjuvant letrozole for T1-3N0-3M0 breast cancer with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 24 kg/m(2) were eligible. Weight was measured in the clinic, and self-report physical activity, quality-of-life (QOL), and diet questionnaires were completed. The primary outcome was disease-free survival. Accrual was terminated at 338 of 2,150 planned patients because of loss of funding. Mean weight loss was significantly (P < .001) greater in the LI arm versus the comparison arm (4.3 v 0.6 kg or 5.3% v 0.7% at 6 months and 3.1 v 0.3 kg or 3.6% v 0.4% at 24 months) and occurred consistently across strata (BMI 24 to < 30 v ≥ 30 kg/m(2); prior v no prior adjuvant chemotherapy). Weight loss was greatest in those with higher baseline levels of moderate-intensity physical activity or improvement in QOL. Hospitalization rates and medical events were similar. A telephone-based LI led to significant weight loss that was still evident at 24 months, without adverse effects on QOL, hospitalizations, or medical events. Adequately powered randomized trials with cancer end points are needed.

Should physical activity recommendations be ethnicity-specific? Evidence from a cross-sectional study of South Asian and European men.

BackgroundExpert bodies and health organisations recommend that adults undertake at least 150 min.week−1 of moderate-intensity physical activity (MPA). However, the underpinning data largely emanate from studies of populations of European descent. It is unclear whether this level of activity is appropriate for other ethnic groups, particularly South Asians, who have increased cardio-metabolic disease risk compared to Europeans. The aim of this study was to explore the level of MPA required in South Asians to confer a similar cardio-metabolic risk profile to that observed in Europeans undertaking the currently recommended MPA level of 150 min.week−1.MethodsSeventy-five South Asian and 83 European men, aged 40–70, without cardiovascular disease or diabetes had fasted blood taken, blood pressure measured, physical activity assessed objectively (using accelerometry), and anthropometric measures made. Factor analysis was used to summarise measured risk biomarkers into underlying latent ‘factors’ for glycaemia, insulin resistance, lipid metabolism, blood pressure, and overall cardio-metabolic risk. Age-adjusted regression models were used to determine the equivalent level of MPA (in bouts of ≥10 minutes) in South Asians needed to elicit the same value in each factor as Europeans undertaking 150 min.week−1 MPA.FindingsFor all factors, except blood pressure, equivalent MPA values in South Asians were significantly higher than 150 min.week−1; the equivalent MPA value for the overall cardio-metabolic risk factor was 266 (95% CI 185-347) min.week−1.ConclusionsSouth Asian men may need to undertake greater levels of MPA than Europeans to exhibit a similar cardio-metabolic risk profile, suggesting that a conceptual case can be made for ethnicity-specific physical activity guidance. Further study is needed to extend these findings to women and to replicate them prospectively in a larger cohort.

Physical activity, body mass index, alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking among East Asian college students

Objective: To identify levels of moderate-intensity physical activity (MPA) and vigorous-intensity physical activity (VPA) in a representative sample of college students in six East Asian economies and examine their relationship with weight, alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking. Design: Cross-sectional survey. Setting: College students recruited from 21 different colleges in six East Asian economies. Method: Self-reported physical activity, weight, height, alcohol consumption, and smoking were assessed using already-validated instruments. Multiple logistic regression models of MPA and VPA were separately performed for each economy, controlling for age, gender, living area before college, military experience, paid employment, and religion. All the analyses were performed using SAS 9.2 with clustering effects accounted for. Results: Being a heavy drinker increased the odds of engaging in VPA in five economies (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.56 to 2.65). Cigarette smoking was not associated with MPA in any economy and was only associated with VPA in China (AOR = 1.54) and Taiwan (AOR = 1.48), indicating that smokers are more likely to engage in VPA than non-smokers. Conclusions: The relationship between college students’ VPA and alcohol consumption and between MPA and cigarette smoking is similar across the East Asian economies, whereas the relationship between VPA and smoking varies substantially.

Evaluation of Children Playing a New-Generation Motion-Sensitive Active Videogame by Accelerometry and Indirect Calorimetry.

New-generation active videogames (AVGs) use motion-capture video cameras to connect a player's arm, leg, and body movements through three-dimensional space to on-screen activity. We sought to determine if the whole-body movements required to play the AVG elicited moderate-intensity physical activity (PA) in children. A secondary aim was to examine the utility of using accelerometry to measure the activity intensity of AVG play in this age group. The PA levels of boys (n=26) and girls (n=15) 5-12 years of age were measured by triaxial accelerometry (n=25) or accelerometry and indirect calorimetry (IC) (n=16) while playing the "Kinect Adventures!" videogame for the Xbox Kinect (Microsoft(®), Redmond, WA) gaming system. The experiment simulated a typical 20-minute in-home free-play gaming session. Using 10-second recording epochs, the average (mean±standard deviation) PA intensity over 20 minutes was 4.4±0.9, 3.2±0.7, and 3.3±0.6 metabolic equivalents (METs) when estimated by IC or vertical axis (Crouter et al. intermittent lifestyle equation for vertical axis counts/10 seconds [Cva2RM]) and vector magnitude (Crouter et al. intermittent lifestyle equation for vector magnitude counts/10 seconds [Cvm2RM]) accelerometry. In total, 16.9±3.2 (IC), 10.6±4.5 (Cva2RM), and 11.1±3.9 (Cvm2RM) minutes of game playing time were at a 3 MET intensity or higher. In this study, children played the Xbox Kinect AVG at moderate-intensity PA levels. The study also showed that current accelerometry-based methods underestimated the PA of AVG play compared with IC. With proper guidance and recommendations for use, video motion-capture AVG systems could reduce sedentary screen time and increase total daily moderate PA levels for children. Further study of these AVG systems is warranted.

Arterial Structure and Function in Ambulatory Adolescents with Cerebral Palsy Are Not Different from Healthy Controls

Physical inactivity in youth with cerebral palsy (CP) places them at increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease. The current study assessed indices of arterial health in adolescents with CP, classified as levels I-II of the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) (n = 11, age 13.2 ± 2.1 yr), in comparison to age- and sex-matched controls (n = 11, age 12.4 ± 2.3 yr). Groups were similar in anthropometric measurements, resting blood pressures, and heart rates. There were no group differences in brachial flow-mediated dilation (11.1 ± 7.8 versus 6.1 ± 3.6), carotid intima-media thickness (0.42 ± 0.04 versus 0.41 ± 0.03 mm), and distensibility (0.008 ± 0.002 versus 0.008 ± 0.002 mmHg) or central (4.3 ± 0.6 versus 4.1 ± 0.9 m/s) and peripheral pulse wave velocity (7.1 ± 1.7 versus 7.6 ± 1.1 m/s); CP versus healthy controls, respectively. Vigorous intensity physical activity (PA) was lower in the CP group (CP: 38 ± 80 min versus controls: 196 ± 174 min); groups were similar in light and moderate intensity PA levels. Arterial health of ambulatory youth with CP is not different from a control group despite lower vigorous PA levels. Similar studies need to examine individuals with more pronounced mobility limitations (GMFCS level III–V).

The effectiveness of a brief intervention using a pedometer and step-recording diary in promoting physical activity in people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance

To evaluate the effectiveness of a brief intervention using a pedometer and step-recording diary on promoting physical activity in people with type 2 diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). People with type 2 diabetes or IGT who attended the Illawarra Diabetes Service were invited to participate. Participants in the intervention group received a pedometer and a diary to record their daily steps for a two-week period. Both the intervention and comparison group received advice on physical activity. Physical activity levels were measured using the Active Australia Survey at baseline, and at two and 20 weeks. A total of 226 participants were recruited. At two-week follow-up the mean self-reported minutes of walking was significantly higher in the intervention group than the comparison group (223 minutes versus 164 minutes; p=0.01), as was the percentage of intervention participants achieving recommended levels of moderate-intensity physical activity (63.5% versus 41.8%, p=0.02) and the percentage of intervention participants achieving adequate levels of total physical activity (68.9% versus 48.0%, p=0.04). There were no differences between study groups for any physical activity measure at 20-week follow-up. A pedometer and a step-recording diary were useful tools to promote short-term increase in physical activity in people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes or IGT. Future studies need to examine whether a longer intervention, individualised physical activity counselling and support for achieving step goals could result in increasing physical activity over the long term.