Moderate Activity Levels Research Articles

Changes in physical activity and the association between pain and physical activity – a longitudinal analysis of 17,454 patients with knee or hip osteoarthritis from the GLA:D® registry

Investigate change in physical activity following an 8-week education and exercise therapy program for patients with knee/hip osteoarthritis, focusing on those with low physical activity level. Furthermore, to evaluate associations between changes in pain intensity and physical activity. Data from the Good Life with osteoArthritis in Denmark (GLA:D®) registry, at baseline, immediately after completion, and 12 months after entering the program was used. Measures of interest were UCLA activity scale (1-10) and Visual Analog Scale for pain intensity (0-100mm). Changes in physical activity levels (low 1-4, moderate 5-6, and high 7-10) over three time points were investigated. Asymmetric fixed effects regression models were used to evaluate the association between clinically relevant change in pain (≥15mm) and change in physical activity level from baseline to 12 months. 37% with low activity level at baseline (n=4,836) and 69% of all patients (n=17,454) reached or maintained at least a moderate physical activity level at follow-ups. Surprisingly, both an improvement (β=1.44, P<0.001) and a worsening (β=1.18, P<0.001) in pain intensity was associated with increased physical activity in low activity patients. For all patients a similar trend was observed (β=0.51, P<0.001 and β=0.11, P=0.215, respectively). In low active knee or hip OA patients, a third of patients participating in an education and exercise therapy program reached and maintained at least a moderate physical activity level for 1year. The improvement in physical activity was not dependent on pain reduction.

Relationship between physical activity and musculoskeletal disorders among low income housewives in Kuala Lumpur: A cross sectional study.

Housewives play a crucial role in their families’ and communities’ quality of life. However, musculoskeletal disorders are common among housewives due to housework and lack of physical activity. These musculoskeletal problems have been associated to leisure physical activity. As a result, the goal of this study was to determine the incidence of musculoskeletal problems and their association to physical activity among low-income women in Kuala Lumpur. A cross-sectional research was done among 82 housewives in Kuala Lumpur’s low-income housing area. Housewives were asked to fill out a sociodemographic questionnaire, a short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ), and body mass index were measured by researcher. The total prevalence of musculoskeletal problems was found to be 89.0%, with the lowest frequency in the lower back (35%), followed by the knee (31%), ankle or foot (31%), and elbow (1% %). The subjects spent an average of 117.6 + 474.8 minutes per week on MVPA and 524 + 810.3 MET minutes per week on physical activity. A total of 88% of the participants had a low level of physical activity, 8.5 percent had a moderate level of activity, and 3.7% had a high level of activity. In a Chi-square test, there was no significant association between musculoskeletal problems and physical activity. The primary sociodemographic factors impacting musculoskeletal diseases were body mass index and household income, while the primary variables influencing physical activity were household income and education level, according to a logistic regression test. In a Poisson regression test, only body mass index had a significant relationship with number of musculoskeletal disorders. In conclusion, housewives are likely to suffer from musculoskeletal problems, with a high incidence in the lower back, knees, ankles, and feet, and the majority of them engage in little physical activity. Furthermore, the high percentage of musculoskeletal problems in this study varies with the findings of other research based on the type of housework done by housewives in low-cost housing areas. Future research should look at identifying the sorts of household tasks and positions employed, as well as the amount of hours spent on housework each week.

Diabetic Polyneuropathy in Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the three most common chronic diseases worldwide. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) among patients with diabetes. This cross-sectional study was carried out on DM patients who visited King Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAUH) between August 2021 and February 2022. We used the Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument (MNSI) questionnaire to determine if the patients had DN. In addition, we used the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) to assess the level of physical activity (PA) in these DM patients. A total of 336 patients consented to participate in the study. We found a DN prevalence of 23.8% amongst DM patients treated at the KAUH. In addition, the prevalence of DN amongst T1DM and T2DM patients was found to be 16% and 24.4%, respectively. Furthermore, we found that 65% of DM patients developed complications, with a significant correlation observed between the duration of DM and the development of complications. However, patient age and sex were non-statistically significantly correlated with the development of complications. Analysis of the GPAQ showed that among the 249 patients who completed the questionnaire, none had a high physical activity level, while 4% and 96% had moderate and low physical activity levels, respectively. No association was found between physical activity and patients' age, sex, type of DM, duration of DM, and development of complications. DN prevalence amongst DM patients treated at KAUH was 23.8%. The duration of diabetes was found to be a risk factor for DN. However, patient age and sex were non-statistically significantly associated with DN.

Predictors of the Quality of Life of University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Quality of life (QOL) is a complex and multifaceted concept that has been used to study different aspects of people’s lives, including physical and psychological wellbeing, financial independence, social relationships, personal beliefs and living situation. In this study, we aimed to assess the QOL of a group of Spanish university students and identify associated factors. Method: We completed a cross-sectional study of the QOL of 868 university students using the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire. In addition, data regarding sociodemographic information and self-esteem (Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale), physical activity (International Physical Activity Questionnaire—Short version), diet (Spanish Index of Healthy Eating), alcohol consumption (CAGE questionnaire) and sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) were collected. Results: A total of 66.2% of participants assessed their QOL positively, while 58.8% favorably evaluated their overall health. Students reported the highest scores for the physical health domain of QOL, whereas they gave the lowest scores for the psychological health domain. Age was inversely associated with QOL. Higher self-esteem and satisfaction with academic performance, as well as sleep and diet quality, were directly associated with higher QOL. The physical health domain of QOL was scored more highly by participants who had a healthy body weight or those who reported moderate levels of physical activity. Higher scores in the social relationships domain of QOL were directly linked to alcohol intake, smoking and low body weight in addition to being inversely associated with screen time. The psychological domain of QOL was lower for those who were overweight or lived alone. Conclusion: Many sociodemographic, academic and behavioral variables are associated with university students’ QOL. The present findings underscore the need to direct further initiatives toward identifying and overcoming barriers to increased QOL for university students.

In vitro investigation of antimicrobial, enzyme inhibitory and free radical scavenging activities of Inula salicina L.

In this study, in vitro biological activities and total phenol/flavonoid contents of methanol extract (ISM) and its hexane (ISH), chloroform (ISC), ethyl acetate (ISEA) and aqueous methanol (ISAM) fractions obtained from aerial parts of Inula salicina were investigated. ISEA showed the highest antioxidant activity against DPPH and ABTS radicals with an IC50 value of 0.014 mg ml-1for both assays. ISEA exhibited a good anti-inflammatory activity with an IC50 value of 0.060 mg ml-1. ISEA was found to exhibit a moderate level of antidiabetic activity against α amylase enzyme with an IC50 value of 0.290 mg ml-1. ISEA and ISM presented low and moderate inhibitory activity against acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase enzymes with IC50 values of 0.577 and 0.279 mg ml-1, respectively. ISC with MIC values of 78 and 156 µg ml-1 displayed a significant antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and S. epidermidis, respectively. Almost all extracts had moderate effect against Candida species. The highest total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined in ISEA with 574.8 mg GAE (gallic acid equivalent) g-1 extract and 30.48 mg QE (quercetin equivalent) g-1 extract, respectively. These results showed that ISEA had a good antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity with moderate α-amylase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory activity. Also, ISC exhibited a significant antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus species.

A theory-based model of cumulative activity

Energy expenditure can be used to examine the health of individuals and the impact of environmental factors on physical activity. One of the more common ways to quantify energy expenditure is to process accelerometer data into some unit of measurement for this expenditure, such as Actigraph activity counts, and bin those measures into physical activity levels. However, accepted thresholds can vary between demographics, and some units of energy measurements do not currently have agreed upon thresholds. We present an approach which computes unique thresholds for each individual, using piecewise exponential functions to model the characteristics of their overall physical activity patterns corresponding to well established sedentary, light, moderate and vigorous activity levels from the literature. Models are fit using existing piecewise fitting techniques and software. Most participants’ activity intensity profile is exceptionally well modeled as piecewise exponential decay. Using this model, we find emergent groupings of participant behavior and categorize individuals into non-vigorous, consistent, moderately active, or extremely active activity intensity profiles. In the supplemental materials, we demonstrate that the parameters of the model correlate with demographics of age, household size, and level of education, inform behavior change under COVID lockdown, and are reasonably robust to signal frequency.

Evaluating Human Physiological Parameters and Thermal Responses to Sudden Temperature Change across Different Age-Groups: A Case Study of a Shopping Mall in Shenyang, China

Shopping malls are large buildings and thus have extremely high heating or cooling costs and energy requirements. This study explored the response patterns of human physiological parameters to sudden temperature changes (temperature difference &gt;30 °C) at moderate activity levels in a Shenyang shopping mall. The temperature was set to −12 °C for cold conditions and indoor temperature conditions were set to 18 and 24 °C. Fifty participants underwent hot—cold—hot room temperature exposure. The following results were observed for short-duration stays in the shopping mall. (1) When the temperature difference between hot and cold environments was &gt;30 °C and the indoor temperature did not exceed 24 °C, 12–18 min on average was required for the body to reach a new physiological equilibrium. Children required less time to return to a steady state than other age-groups. (2) Children, adolescents, and young adults preferred indoor temperature conditions of 18 °C, whereas middle-aged adults preferred a slightly warmer environment. Thus, in view of the excessively high indoor temperature of the mall, its temperature should be maintained within a range that not only conserves energy but also provides human comfort.

Cardiometabolic Risk Factors In African-American And White-American Women Based On Physical Activity Levels

PURPOSE: African- American women have a significantly higher cardiometabolic risk at a younger age and experience an earlier onset along with a greater severity of cardiovascular disease than White- American women in the United States. African- American women, when compared to White- American women, have a lower rate of exercise and leisure physical activity time. Research indicates that an increase in physical activity reduces the risk of cardiometabolic diseases among healthy individuals.To examine whether there is a health disparity in the prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors between 20-50-year-old African- American and White- American women compared based on their physical activity levels (low, moderate, vigorous). METHODS: The data were harvested from the 2015 to 2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The sample consisted of 615 women: 355 White- American (57.7%, age 34.92 ± 9.67), and 260 African- American (42.3%, age 35.81 ± 9.47). The prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors were calculated using descriptive statistics and crosstabs and chi square to assess statistical significance. RESULTS: There was no difference in the prevalence of pre-diabetes and high cholesterol amongst the two groups exercising at low, moderate, or vigorous physical activity levels. There was a statistically significant difference in the prevalence of diabetes between the two groups at the moderate physical activity level. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups in the prevalence of high blood pressure at low, moderate, and vigorous physical activity levels. CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of their physical activity level, 20-50-year-old African- American women have a higher prevalence of high blood pressure when compared to White- American Women.

Prevalence of short and long sleep duration: Ravansar NonCommunicable Disease (RaNCD) cohort study

BackgroundPrevalence of short and long sleep duration varies in different countries and changes over time. There are limited studies on Iranians’ sleep duration, and we aimed to evaluate the prevalence of short and long sleep duration and associated factors among people living in Kermanshah, Iran.MethodsThis population-based cross-sectional study was conducted between November 2014 and February 2017. Data was collected from 10,025 adults aged 35 to 65 years using census sampling, and we evaluated the short and long sleep duration (≤ 6 and ≥ 9 h, respectively) and its relation with the socio-demographic factors and health-related status of the participants.ResultsMean age of participants was 48.1 years (standard deviation = 8.2), and 47.4% of participants were male. Of our participants, 11.6% had short, and 21.9% had long sleep duration. Age ≥ 50 years, female gender, being single, mobile use for longer than 8 h per day, working in night shifts, moderate and good levels of physical activity, BMI ≥ 30, past smoking, and alcohol use were associated with short sleep duration (P < 0.05). Female gender and living in rural areas were associated with long sleep duration (P < 0.05).ConclusionIn the Ravansar population, short and long sleep duration are prevalent, with long sleep duration having higher prevalence. People at risk, such as night shift workers, as well as modifiable factors, such as mobile phone use, can be targeted with interventions to improve sleep hygiene.

Sleep, Dietary Habits, Smoking Status and Physical Activity among Jordanian Nurses

Background: Healthy lifestyle is important in promoting health and reducing risk of chronic diseases. Nurses’ lifestyle could be affected negatively by working night shifts or always rotating shifts, long working hours and high exposure to work-related stress. Purpose: This study aims to assess nurses’ lifestyle and factors associated with it. Methods: A cross-sectional design with an online survey was used in this study. The sample included 203 Jordanian nurses from four hospitals. Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, while dietary habits were assessed using the Rapid Eating Assessment for Participants-Shortened Version. Physical activity was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Results: Nurses’ mean age was 32.7±5.66 years and on average, they have 8.27±5.63 years of experience. Approximately, 25% of nurses were tobacco smokers. The majority of nurses reported poor sleep quality (n = 174, 85.5%). Approximately, 58% of nurses were overweight or obese and 41.9% of nurses had poor dietary habits. Only 39.5% of nurses reported moderate or high levels of activity. Conclusion: Jordanian nurses’ lifestyle showed poor quality in most aspects. Implications for Nursing: Nurses should be aware of the importance of adopting a healthier lifestyle to prevent possible complications. Nurse leaders should consider the health status of nurses and prevent illnesses by encouraging a healthier lifestyle of nurses. Keywords: Nurses, Lifestyle, Sleep quality, Dietary habits, Nutritional status, Physical activity.

Comparable Instrumented Knee Joint Laxity and Patient-Reported Outcomes After ACL Repair With Dynamic Intraligamentary Stabilization or ACL Reconstruction: 5-Year Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Technical innovation has led to the renaissance of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) repair in the past decade. Purpose/Hypothesis: The present study aimed to compare instrumented knee joint laxity and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) after ACL repair with those after primary ACL reconstruction for acute isolated ACL tears. It was hypothesized that ACL repair would lead to comparable knee joint stability and PROs at 5 years postoperatively in comparison with ACL reconstruction. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1. Methods: A total of 85 patients with acute ACL tears were randomized to undergo either ACL repair using dynamic intraligamentary stabilization (DIS) or primary ACL reconstruction with a semitendinosus tendon autograft. The primary outcome was the side-to-side difference in anterior tibial translation (ΔATT) assessed by Rolimeter testing at 5 years postoperatively. Follow-up examinations were performed at 1, 2, and 5 years. PROs were assessed using the Tegner activity scale, the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective score, and the Lysholm score. Furthermore, the rates of recurrent instability, other complications, and revision surgery were recorded. A power analysis was performed a priori, and the Friedman test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Bonferroni correction were applied for statistical comparisons with significance set at P < .05. Results: The mean age at inclusion was 28.3 ± 11.5 years in the ACL repair group and 27.1 ± 11.5 years in the ACL reconstruction group. At 5 years postoperatively, a total of 64 patients (ACL repair: n = 34 of 43 [79%]; ACL reconstruction: n = 30 of 42 [71%]) were available for follow-up. At 5 years, ΔATT was 1.7 ± 1.6 mm in the ACL repair group and 1.4 ± 1.3 mm in the ACL reconstruction group (P = .334). Preinjury PROs were restored as soon as 1 year after surgery and plateaued until 2 and 5 years postoperatively in both groups. At the 5-year follow-up, the mean Lysholm score was 97.0 ± 5.4 versus 94.5 ± 5.5 (P = .322), respectively, and the mean IKDC subjective score was 94.1 ± 9.9 versus 89.9 ± 7.8 (P = .047), respectively, in the ACL repair group versus ACL reconstruction group. At 5 years postoperatively, 12 patients in the ACL repair group (35%; age <25 years: n = 10/12; Tegner score ≥7: n = 10/12) had recurrent instability, of whom 10 underwent single-stage revision ACL reconstruction. In the ACL reconstruction group, there were 6 patients with recurrent instability (20%; age <25 years: n = 6/6; Tegner score ≥7: n = 5/6); however, in 5 patients, staged revision was required. Differences between both groups regarding recurrent instability (P = .09) or ACL revision surgery (P = .118) were not statistically significant. Recurrent instability was associated with age <25 years and Tegner score >7 in both groups. Conclusion: At 5 years after ACL repair with DIS, instrumented knee joint laxity and PROs were comparable with those after ACL reconstruction. Although no significant difference was found between repair and reconstruction, a critical appraisal of the rates of recurrent instability (35% vs 20%, respectively) and revision surgery (38% vs 27%, respectively) is needed. Young age and a high preinjury activity level were the main risk factors for recurrent instability in both groups. However, single-stage revision ACL reconstruction was possible in each case in the ACL repair group. Although ACL reconstruction remains the gold standard in the treatment of ACL tears, the present study supports the use of ACL repair with DIS as a feasible option to treat acute ACL tears in patients aged ≥25 years with low to moderate activity levels (Tegner score <7). Registration: DRKS00015466 (German Clinical Trials Register).

Safety of exercise for adults with thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections.

BackgroundCurrent guidelines for patients with thoracic aortic aneurysms or dissections (TAD) restrict vigorous exertion with the intention to prevent acute aortic dissections. However, a safe threshold for exercise intensity has not been established for TAD patients. In this study, we measured exertional changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressure during isometric and dynamic exercises in a cohort of TAD patients to determine safety of moderate intensity exercise.MethodsThirty-one adults with TAD and 14 controls were recruited from UTHealth outpatient clinics. All participants completed an exercise protocol consisting of two circuits of five moderate intensity exercises: hand grips, leg raises, bicep curls, stationary cycling, and wall sits. Blood pressure values were recorded during exercise using Spacelabs OnTrak Ambulatory Blood Pressure monitors. Perceived exertion during each exercise was measured using the Borg CR-10 scale.ResultsNo significant differences in the maximum exertional systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, or change from baseline was found between the TAD and control groups. Higher amounts of self-reported weekly moderate activity level (MAL) in TAD correlated with lower exertional SBP during exercise. Higher Borg scores were associated with a greater change in systolic pressure.ConclusionModerate intensity exercise is safe and feasible for many TAD patients. Our data confirms that the Borg score may be a useful proxy for exercise intensity. In this study, we establish a reproducible exercise protocol that can be adapted to create individualized exercise regimens for TAD patients as part of a care plan to improve long-term cardiovascular health.

Solar variability between 650 CE and 1900 - Novel insights from a global compilation of new and existing high-resolution 14C records

This study investigates solar variability between 650 CE and 1900 based on new and published 14C records with a time resolution of two years or higher. The new high-resolution 14C data presented here are derived from Danish oak and span the period 1058–1250 CE. We determine the durations of past solar minima and periods with moderate solar activity from the solar modulation potential calculated using a carbon-box model with the high-resolution 14C records as input. The observed intervals of solar minima and intermittent periods with moderate activity levels suggest that a Maunder-type minimum occurred in 656–707 CE. We tentatively propose to name this minimum the Horrebow Minimum after Christian Horrebow, an early Danish astronomer who studied the occurrence of sunspots and was the first to propose that they follow a cyclic behaviour. Changes in amplitude and cycle length of the 11-year solar cycle are investigated by bandpass filtering 23 individual 14C records. The filtered 14C data indicate that the length of the 11-year solar cycle may be prolonged before the onset of the Oort, Maunder, and Spörer minima. The amplitude of the 11-year solar cycle associated with solar minima and periods with moderate solar activity between 650 CE and 1900 is estimated to 1.1‰. A two-sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov goodness-of-fit test indicates that there is no significant difference between the amplitude distribution of 11-year solar cycles during solar minima and periods of moderate solar activity. A review of the high-resolution 14C records encompassing the near-Earth supernova events that occurred in 1006 CE, 1054, 1181, 1572, and 1604 suggests that these events were not accompanied by distinct changes in the 14C production rate. Nonetheless, an unusual increase of c. 10‰ in Δ14C between 1048 CE and 1055 is observed and discussed.

The Impact of Interorganizational Strategic Activities on Product Recall Risk

Product recalls can pose major financial and reputational risks for firms. However, there is limited empirical research about the antecedents of these harmful events. This study investigates the impact of mergers and acquisitions and joint ventures on product recalls. Furthermore, we introduce the strategic flexibility of the firm’s industry rivals as a moderator, influencing these relationships. We draw on the punctuated equilibrium theory and a large longitudinal dataset from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Our results indicate that mergers and acquisition activity has an inverted U-shaped relationship and that joint venture activity has a U-shaped relationship with product recalls. Additionally, we show that the latter relationship is flatter when the strategic flexibility of rivals is higher. Our findings contribute to theory in several ways: First, we advance punctuated equilibrium theory by identifying why firms can change from the equilibrium period to the revolutionary period and, more importantly, what negative outcomes can emerge in this period. Second, we advance mergers and acquisition and joint venture literature by demonstrating that inorganic growth can be related to increased product recalls, especially if the firm has a moderate level of mergers and acquisition activity, as opposed to either a low or a high level of it. Third, the findings contribute to product recall literature by giving another explanation for the increase of product recalls for firms. Practical implications are discussed.

Activation, physical activity, and outcomes among individuals with T2D.

To explore the associations among activation, physical activity, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and healthy days in older adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D) who participated in wellness programs. Observational, longitudinal cohort study utilizing survey, claims, and wellness program data. From January to May 2018, individuals enrolled in a commercial or Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plan with T2D (aged 55-89 years) and SilverSneakers or step count data were eligible. Three waves of surveys were mailed (n = 5000) to collect information on activation (Consumer Health Activation Index; Influence, Motivation, and Patient Activation for Diabetes) and health-related quality of life (Healthy Days). Generalized linear models and predictive models evaluated the associations of unhealthy days and HbA1c with physical activity and activation factors. Additional models tested the relationship between physical activity and future acute care visits, accounting for potential confounders via inverse probability of treatment weighting. Respondents to all 3 waves (n = 1147) had higher comorbidity indices but lower HbA1c than individuals with T2D without physical activity data (P < .0001). Individuals with moderate and high activation levels had 67.4% to 74.0% and 71.6% to 85.6% fewer unhealthy days, respectively, than those with lower activation (P < .01). Individuals with high (> 8000/day) step counts at baseline were predicted to have 2.04 fewer unhealthy days/month at follow-up (P < .05) and 0.19% (P < .02) lower HbA1c units, respectively, compared with those with less than 4000 steps per day. High SilverSneakers activity (> 2 activities per week) reduced subsequent acute care visits by 49%. Increasing patient activation levels encourages physical activity, which can help improve glycemic control and health-related quality of life, especially among older adults.

A Comparative Test of Creative Thinking in Preschool Children and Dolphins

Creativity is considered one aspect of intelligence. Including creativity allows for more room for expression (e.g., participants can respond with movement instead of written or verbal responses) than in standard intelligence assessments. The Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking (TTCT; Torrance, 1974) are the leading method of assessing creative abilities in school-aged humans and above. To assess creativity in young humans and nonhuman animals, modifications must be made to facilitate nonverbal responses. In the current study, a cross-species comparison was conducted between preschoolers and bottlenose dolphins to examine responses to a modified creativity task in which both species were trained to demonstrate non-repeated behaviors to an “innovate” prompt. The resulting behaviors for the first test session were coded for fluency (number of non-repeated behaviors demonstrated), originality, and flexibility (low, moderate, or high activity level). Children and dolphins produced a similar number of non-repeated behaviors during individual test trials and also had similar originality scores. Related to flexibility, dolphins displayed more low energy activity levels compared to the children. Given the limited understanding of creative abilities in animals and young children, this comparison using a modified version of the TTCT offers exciting possibilities. These results could provide further evidence of similarities in cognitive processes for humans and nonhuman animals.

THE EFFECT OF SALIVARY TESTOSTERONE LEVELS ON HEART RATE VARIBILITY ON STUDENTS OF MEDICAL FACULTY OF JENDRAL SOEDIRMAN UNIVERSITY

Testosterone is a steroid hormone produced by Leydig cells in testis. Testosterone levels can be measured through a saliva sampel. Testosterone have effect in the cardiovascular system. Testosterone can affect cardiac contractility and has a cardioprotective role in maintaining the autonomic balance of the heart. Cardiac autonomic activity can be assessed by Heart Rate Varibility (HRV). This study aims to determine the effect of salivary testosterone levels on HRV in FK Unsoed students. This study was an analytic observational study with a cross sectional approach. The number of subjects in this study were 31 students who were taken by consecutive sampling, with inclusion criteria, namely male gender, age 17-25 years, agreed to the informed consent, BMI 18,5-24,9 kg/m2, body temperature 36,5-37,5 ℃, and low to moderate level of physical activity. Testosterone levels were measured using the Salimetrics ELISA method. HRV were measured using a POLAR M400 heart rate monitor and the Welltory application with the result of HRV parameters in the form of SDNN. The data normality test used the Saphiro-Wilk test. Bivariate analysis used Pearson’s correlative parametric test. The subjects of the study had a low mean testosterone saliva levels, namely 12,38±3,70 pg/mL and a low mean SDNN of 56,74±19,70 ms. The results of the Pearson correlation test of testosterone with SDNN shows the value of r = 0,147 and the value of p = 0,429, so it can be concluded that there is no correlation between testosterone saliva levels and HRV in SDNN parameters.

The association of physical activity with loneliness, social isolation, and selected psychological protective factors among older adults

The primary objectives were to investigate the association of physical activity levels with 1) loneliness and social isolation; 2) protective factors: resilience, purpose-in-life, and perception of aging; and 3) the impact of these factors on healthcare expenditure patterns across physical activity levels. The study sample was identified from adults age ≥65 who completed a health survey in 2018 or 2019 (N=6,652). Among survey respondents, the prevalence of low, moderate, and high physical activity levels was 29%, 31%, and 41%, respectively. Moderate and high physical activity were associated with 15%-30% lower likelihoods of loneliness and social isolation; and with 27% to 150% higher protective factors. In addition, physical activity was associated with the mitigation of increased healthcare expenditures associated with loneliness, social isolation, and low levels of protective factors. Thus, physical activity could serve as an intervention to reduce loneliness and social isolation, augment protective factors, and mitigate excess healthcare expenditures.

Is the Prevalence of Low Physical Activity among Teachers Associated with Depression, Anxiety, and Stress?

The aim of this study was to analyze the levels of stress, depression, and anxiety among Polish secondary school teachers and their association with selected psychosocial, sociodemographic, and lifestyle factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 116 Polish teachers in 2019, using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire—Short Form (IPAQ-SF), the Depression and Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21), and author questionnaire including psychosocial factors specific to the respondents’ work environment. The prevalence of moderately to extremely severe levels of depression, anxiety, and symptoms of stress in teachers was 18.1%, 22.4%, and 51.7%, respectively. Among respondents with moderate or high physical activity level (PAL), normal or mild levels of depression (OR = 3.62; CI [1.31–10.03]), anxiety (OR = 2.61; CI [1.01–6.73]), and stress (OR = 2.79; CI [1.16–6.69]) were more common. The level of individual symptoms of mental disorders was higher than indicated by previous Polish reports. Given that teachers’ low PAL is significantly related to their moderately to extremely severe levels of stress, depression, and anxiety, we suggest running leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) enhancement programs and supporting the leadership of school management and the higher-education system in this regard.

Physical activity is associated with physical and global function in patients with axial spondyloarthritis, independent of disease activity

ObjectivesTo investigate whether physical activity is independently associated with physical and global function in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), and to analyse the relationship between subtypes of physical activity (work, transport, and recreation) and functional impairment. MethodsOne-hundred-and-eighty-five patients were included. Physical function was assessed using BASFI, and global function was assessed using the ASAS health index (HI). Physical activity was measured using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. Levels of physical activity were categorised as low, moderate or high. The associations between levels of physical activity and the BASFI and ASAS HI scores were analysed using multivariate regression analysis. ResultsOf the 185 patients, 46, 63 and 76 reported low, moderate and high levels of physical activity, respectively. There was a negative correlation between the BASFI and total physical activity. Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that a high level of physical activity was independently associated with BASFI after adjusting for age, ASDAS. sacroiliitis and syndesmophyte number (ß (95% CI) =-0.88 (-1.49–-0.26); p=0.006). One-hundred-and-forty-six had good global functioning (ASAS HI≤5). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that moderate physical activity was independently associated with good global functioning (OR (95% CI) = 2.82 (1.02–7.86); p = 0.047). Recreational activity, but not work- and transport-related activity, showed a significant relationship with ASAS HI scores (ß (95% CI) =-0.55 (-1.02—0.08); p = 0.023). ConclusionsPhysical activity in those with axSpA is associated independently with physical and global functioning. Among the subtypes of physical activity, recreational activity is related to global functioning.