Moderate Physical Activity Groups Research Articles

Physical activity level correlates with obesity-related factors, but not with fundamental movement skills in preschool children: a cross-sectional study.

This study aimed to examine the differences in physical activity (PA) level, fundamental movement skill (FMS), and obesity-related factors in preschoolers. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 426 preschool children aged 3-5 years. Participants were assigned to the low PA group (LPAG), moderate PA group (MPAG), and high PA group (HPAG) according to the total score obtained in the PA questionnaire for young children. FMS and obesity-related factors were also analyzed. PA was compared by age and sex, and FMS and obesity-related factors were compared between groups. Significant differences were found according to sex. Boys were more active than girls in the 3-4 years age group, but no significant differences were observed at the age of 5 years. LPAG showed lower FMS than MPAG and HPAG, although this was not statistically significant. However, body mass index (BMI), BMI z-score, body fat, and muscle mass showed significant differences in terms of PA levels. Consideration of age and sex is crucial in promoting PA among preschoolers. Additionally, better obesity-related factors are associated with higher PA levels, and FMS may be a useful tool in evaluating health and fitness.

Effects of moderate physical activity on HB level and psychological well-being in females – A randomized control trial

Objective: To determine the effects of moderate physical activity on HB level, and psychological well-being in females. Methodology: A single blinded, randomized control trial was conducted on n=30 participants for a period of 6 months. The participants with the age 18-25 years were recruited through non-probability convenient sampling technique and randomly divided into two groups experimental and control group. The data was collected at the baseline after the six weeks of intervention. The outcome measures were Hb level and psychological wellbeing through perceived stress scale (PSS). Results: The mean age of study participants was 19.59±1.32 years. While mean BMI of the participants was 24.22±3.43 kg/m2. The result showed significant increase in hemoglobin concentrations in experimental group as compared to control group (p<0.001) after 6th week intervention. On the other hand, there were no significant differences between both group (p=0.63) at the end of intervention. Conclusion: Moderate physical activity group suggests that the intervention had a positive impact on this hemoglobin parameter. However, since there were no significant differences in perceived stress levels. Keywords: Key words: hemoglobin; brisk walking; psychological well-being; push-ups; sit ups; stress scale; physical fitness.

ASSESSMENT OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN MEDICAL STUDENTS IN A CITY, A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

Background:Physical inactivity and the associated health problems pose a current and growing threat to public health. Todays medical student is a future physician. There is an increase in morbidity and mortality among doctors due to noncommunicable diseases. Physical activity plays an important in the prevention of non-communicable diseases, including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Metabolic equivalent task is used as a means of expressing the intensity of physical activitiy. Aims and Objective:To assess physical activity in MBBS students in a medical college. Material and Methods:It was a cross-sectional study conducted on 200 medical students (129 males and 71 females) aged between 18-25 years. Physical activity of MBBS students was assessed in detail with respect to the time, type and quality of activity. IPAQ (short) questionnaire was used and information was asked about three specific types of activity such as walking, moderate-intensity activities, and vigorous-intensity activities and calculation of MET was done. Results: The MET score was calculated from IPAQ and it was found that 28.5%, 45.5%, and 26% of students fall in low, moderate, and high physical activity groups, respectively. Conclusion:It was observed that nearly a quarter of medical students had low physical activity as calculated by MET. Follow up study in students in the academic period is needed to identify the trend of physical activity among them.

Does light physical activity reduce blood pressure responses to laboratory stressors?

Individuals exhibiting exaggerated blood pressure responses to stress are at increased risk for later cardiovascular disease. Engagement in brief bouts of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity may reduce instances of these exaggerated blood pressure responses. While observational work has shown that periods of light physical activity may also be associated with reduced blood pressure responses to stress in daily life, the few experimental studies involving light physical activity have methodological limitations that temper conclusions. The current investigation sought to understand the effects of brief bouts of light physical activity on blood pressure responses to psychological stress. In a between-person, single-session experimental design, 179 healthy, young adults were randomized to 15 min of light physical activity, moderate physical activity, or sitting before engaging in a 10-min computerized Stroop Color-Word Interference Task. Blood pressure readings were collected throughout the study session. Surprisingly, the light physical activity participants showed higher systolic blood pressure responses to stress than control participants by 2.9 mmHg (F (2, 174)=3.49, ηp 2 =0.038, p=.03), whereas no significant differences were shown between moderate physical activity and control groups (F (2, 174)=2.59, ηp 2 =0.028, p=.078). These findings show that light physical activity may not be related to reduced blood pressure responses to stress in an experimental session involving healthy, college-aged adults and question the extent to which brief bouts of physical activity may reduce acute blood pressure responses to stress.

Independent and interactive effect of sedentary time and physical activity on risk of all-cause mortality: A prospective cohort study.

Sedentary behavior (SB) and physical inactivity have been associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality. Evidence in China is scarce, and it is unclear whether physical activity (PA) attenuates or even eliminates the harmful effects of prolonged SB in the Chinese population. We conducted a prospective cohort study of 17 084 Chinese adults. PA and sitting time (ST) were assessed using the IPAQ. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the risk of PA and ST with all-cause mortality. Interaction plots were used to visualize the interaction effects. During a median follow-up of 6.01 years, a total of 1106 deaths occurred. PA level was inversely associated with the incidence of all-cause mortality, while ST showed a detrimental association (all ptrend < 0.05). In the stratified analysis, ST was associated with all-cause mortality in the low PA, while the association was attenuated in the moderate PA group: the HRs (95% CI) comparing ST of 4-8, 8-11, and ≥11 to <4h/day were 1.15 (0.73-1.81), 1.55 (0.92-2.59), and 2.70 (1.52-4.80), respectively. In the high PA group, no significant association was found across all ST levels. In the joint analysis, compared with the high PA and ST <4h/day, the harmful effect was found only in the combined low PA and moderate PA groups with ST ≥11 h/day (HR:2.71, 95% CI:1.69-4.35). In addition, a significant interaction association was found. Our study, based on a prospective cohort, suggests that the detrimental effect of ST on all-cause mortality is attenuated or eliminated by high PA levels in the Chinese population.

EFFECTS OF MILD, MODERATE AND INTENSE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ON KNEE JOINT PROPRIOCEPTION IN HEALTHY YOUNG ADULTS

Aim: To evaluate the immediate effects of various activity levels on knee joint position sense. Methodology: Sixty males aged between 19 and 24 years, without any complains of discomfort or pain in the knee joint were selected from Bakhtawar Amin Hospital, Multan using convenience sampling, between April 2nd, 2019 to July 28th, 2019. Group A participants walked on the treadmill at a speed of 4 km/h for 5 min (n = 20). Group B participants ran on a treadmill at 6.4 km per hour for five minutes (n = 20). Group C participants sprinted on a treadmill at 8.5 km per hour for five minutes (n = 20). Results: Mean age of the subjects was 21.18±1.77. In the moderate physical activity group, the difference in the means in passive reproduction of the knee flexion angle of 20o observed was 1.40±2.39, (p-value 0.013), and similarly in intense physical activity was 1.75±3.58 (p-value 0.020). For the knee flexion angle of 40o, the difference in the means for moderate was 1.35±1.84 (p=0.002), and for the intense activity was 2.35±2.27 (p=0.012). However, in the group with mild physical activity, the difference in the means was statistically insignificant. Conclusion: The study indicated that physical activities of moderate level and intense level decrease the joint position sense appreciation at the knee joint in less active healthy individuals.

Higher levels of physical activity is associated with better walking ability and fall-related fitness of older adults during COVID-19 in China

This study analyzed the relationship of physical activity levels with walking ability and fall-related fitness in older adults in the Henan Provence, China. Physical activity levels of 288 older adults were assessed using the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. The participants were divided into low (LPAG, n = 81), moderate (MPAG, n = 106), and high physical activity groups (HPAG, n = 101). The 10-m walking test (10MWT), 3-m backward walking (3MBW), and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) were used to evaluate walking ability. Thirty seconds Sit to Stand Test (30SST), Time up and Go Test (TUGT), and figure-of-8 walk test (8WT) were evaluated for fall-related fitness. One-way ANOVA was used to detect between group differences, whilst Pearson’s correlation was used to evaluate the relationship between total physical activity level and the measured variables. Logistic regression analyses were used to compute the odds ratios (ORs) of LPAG and MPAG relative to HPAG. There were significant differences between the groups for walking ability, 10MWT (p &lt; 0.01), 3MBW, and BBS (p &lt; 0.01), and also for variables of fall-related fitness, TUGT (p &lt; 0.01), and 8WT (p &lt; 0.01). Total physical activity levels had significant correlations with all variables except 30SST. In the walking ability, OR for 10MWT was 2.42 and 2.53 times for the LPAG compared to that for HPAG by model 1 and model 2. OR for BBS was 3.24 and 3.54 times for the LPAG and 9.31 and 9.65 times for the MPAG compared to for the HPAG by model 1 and model 2. In the fall-related fitness, OR for 8WT was 14.09 and 16.76 times for the LPAG compared to that for HPAG. High levels of physical activity are positively correlated with good walking ability and fall-related fitness. Increasing physical activity levels can reduce the risks associated with impaired walking ability and fall-related fitness.

Assessment of physical activity and physical fitness among undergraduate medical students

Background: In a nationwide survey conducted in the Indian Council of Medical Research- INdia DIABetes study (Phase-1) 2014 on physical activity and inactivity patterns, overall, 392 million individuals in India are physically inactive. Physically active medical students tend to recommend physical activity for patients or at-risk individuals in their future practice. Exercise is a subset of physical activity that is planned, structured, and repetitive which helps in achieving physical fitness. Aim and Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of physical activity (PA) and physical fitness among medical students and to correlate both. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study, in which physical activity level was assessed using Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. Physical fitness using Harvard step test, hand grip dynamometer, sit-up and push-up test, shoulder – flexibility test, body mass index, and body adiposity index was assessed among 150 medical students in a tertiary care hospital. Results: Physical activity level when analyzed, 16% of students performed low PA, 74% belonged to moderate PA Group, and 10% in high PA group. When mean metabolic equivalent of task min/week attained by study population in three domains of physical activity (work/travel/recreation) was analyzed, results showed no significant difference between males and females in different domains of physical activity. Conclusion: Although the students met the recommended physical activity as per the World Health Organization, physical fitness was not achieved up to the desired level. No correlation was noted between physical activity and physical fitness among medical students.

The Relationship between Physical Activity during Pregnancy, Post-CesareanSection Pain, and Analgesia Requirement

Background &amp; Objective: The cesarean section increases worldwide and has many side effects, including acute pain. This study investigated the relationship between physical activity during pregnancy, analgesic consumption, and maximal postoperative pain in women with low segment cesarean section.&#x0D; Materials &amp; Methods: 340 Cesarean section women were interviewed by demographic and global physical activity questionnaires during the pre-operative visits. The participants were categorized into high, moderate, and low physical activity groups (high PA, moderate PA, low PA, respectively) according to the global physical activity questionnaire guidelines. The maximal postoperative pain (MPP), the type, and doses of analgesia used/2 days were recorded. Pearson correlation, Chi-square, and one-way ANOVA were used to analyze the data.&#x0D; Results: MPP was reduced in the high PA group (5.48 ±1.72) compared to the moderate (6.46±1.30) and low PA groups (6.97±1.92; p&lt;0.0005, p&lt;0.0005, respectively). There was a difference between the moderate and low PA groups (p=0.04). Paracetamol was the common analgesic without significant difference among groups (p=0.37). The numbers of paracetamol doses significantly reduced in the high PA group (3.31±1.65) compared to the low PA group (4.03±2.01, p=0.01). MPP had a significant and low negative correlation with total physical activity (r=-0.25, p=0.0005). There was a negative significant correlation between occupation (r=-0.491, p=0.0005), recreational (r=-0.262, p=0.0005), and travel activities (r=--0.150, p=0.006) with MPP. There was a low positive correlation between sedentary activity and MPP (r=0.23, p=0.0005).&#x0D; Conclusions: Maternal physical activity can be a non-pharmacological and cost-effective method of pain management.

The effect of denture-wearing on physical activity is associated with cognitive impairment in the elderly: A cross-sectional study based on the CHARLS database.

BackgroundCurrently, only a few studies have examined the link between dental health, cognitive impairment, and physical activity. The current study examined the relationship between denture use and physical activity in elderly patients with different cognitive abilities.MethodsThe study data was sourced from the 2018 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) database, which included information on denture use and amount of daily physical activity undertaken by older persons. Physical activity was categorized into three levels using the International Physical Activity General Questionnaire and the International Physical Activity Scale (IPAQ) rubric. The relationship between denture use and physical activity in middle-aged and older persons with varying degrees of cognitive functioning was studied using logistic regression models.ResultsA total of 5,892 older people with varying cognitive abilities were included. Denture use was linked to physical activity in the cognitively healthy 60 + age group (p = 0.004). Denture use was positively related with moderate physical activity in the population (odds ratio, OR: 1.336, 95% confidence interval: 1.173–1.520, p < 0.001), according to a multivariate logistic regression analysis, a finding that was supported by the calibration curve. Furthermore, the moderate physical activity group was more likely to wear dentures than the mild physical activity group among age-adjusted cognitively unimpaired middle-aged and older persons (OR: 1.213, 95% CI: 1.053–1.397, p < 0.01). In a fully adjusted logistic regression model, moderate physical activity population had increased ORs of 1.163 (95% CI: 1.008–1.341, p < 0.05) of dentures and vigorous physical activity population had not increased ORs of 1.016 (95% CI: 0.853–1.210, p > 0.05), compared with mild physical activity population.ConclusionThis findings revealed that wearing dentures affects physical activity differently in older persons with different cognitive conditions. In cognitively unimpaired older adults, wearing dentures was associated with an active and appropriate physical activity status.

Physical activity attenuates the association between household air pollution and health-related quality of life in Chinese rural population: the Henan Rural Cohort Study.

Limited research focused on the association between household air pollution (HAP) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This study aimed to investigate the association of HAP with HRQoL and the effect modification of physical activity. A total of 16,761 eligible participants were derived from the Henan Rural Cohort Study. Based on structured questionnaires, HAP was assessed by fuel type, cooking duration and kitchen ventilation; HRQoL was measured with utility index and VAS score from the European Quality of Life Five Dimension Five Level Scale (EQ-5D-5L); physical activity was assessed by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Generalized linear models and tobit regression models were utilized to explore the relationship of HAP with HRQoL. Further sensitivity analyses were conducted using structural equation models. Compared with those who cooked with clean fuels, short-duration, or good kitchen ventilation, participants who cooked with solid fuels, long-duration, and poor ventilation had lower utility index and VAS score (All P < 0.001). The decrease in utility index for solid fuel users vs. clean fuel users were 0.06 [95%confidence interval (CI) 003, 0.08], 0.03 (95%CI 0.01, 0.04) and 0.02 (95%CI 0.01, 0.04) in low, moderate and high physical activity group, respectively, which decreased with physical activity levels (Pfor interaction < 0.05). Similar results were observed in associations of kitchen ventilation with utility index and VAS score. HAP negatively associated with HRQoL in rural population, and potential intervention aimed at maintaining adequate physical activity. The Henan Rural Cohort Study has been registered at Chinese Clinical Trial Register (Registration number: ChiCTR-OOC-15006699). Date of registration: 06 July, 2015. http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=11375 .

Effects of Physical Activity Level on Attentional Networks in Young Adults.

Although physical activity is associated with better attentional functioning in elderly populations or in specific clinical populations, the association between physical activity level and attention has been less studied in young adult populations. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate whether the positive effects of physical activity on attentional networks extend to young adults. In total, 57 college students were recruited and assigned to one of three groups of physical activity levels (high, moderate, and low) based on their self-reported exercise. Each participant completed the Attention Network Test to evaluate the efficiency of three components of attention: alerting, orienting, and executive control. Compared with the low physical activity group, both the high and moderate physical activity groups exhibited better executive control. In addition, the efficiency of the executive control network was positively correlated with physical activity. By contrast, no statistically significant differences were detected among these three groups for the functioning of the alerting or orienting networks. These findings suggested that physical activity had a positive effect on attention in young adults, with the benefit primarily observed for the executive control component rather than for the alerting and orienting components of attention.

Moderate physical activity may not decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease in persistently overweight and obesity adults

BackgroundBody mass index (BMI) and physical activity (PA) has been documented to be associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the evidences regarding joint phenotypes of BMI and PA trajectories with risk for CVD and all-cause mortality are still limited.MethodsParticipants from the Kailuan Study, followed up during 2006–2019 were included, with primary outcomes of CVDs (myocardial infarction or stroke) and all-cause mortality. BMI and PA were repeatedly measured at least three times, and thus joint phenotypes trajectory groups were identified by group-based trajectory modeling. Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine the associations between trajectory groups and CVDs and all-cause mortality.ResultsTotally 88,141 (6 trajectories) and 89,736 participants (5 trajectories) were included in the final analyses relating trajectories to CVDs and all-cause mortality, respectively. Compared with persistent normal-weight with moderate PA group, participants were associated with increased risk of CVD in persistent overweight with moderate PA trajectory group (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 1.31, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.22–1.41) and persistent obesity with moderate PA trajectory group (aHR: 1.55, 95% CI: 1.41–1.69). While the rising to overweight with moderate PA in normal-weight status with active PA (aHR: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.65–0.79), persistent overweight with moderate PA (aHR: 0.92, 95% CI: 0.87–0.97) and decline to normal-weight in overweight status with moderate PA (aHR: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.67–0.80) trajectories group were significantly associated with decreased all-cause mortality risk. The associations remained robust among stratifying by age and sex individuals and sensitive analysis.ConclusionsThe long-term trajectories analysis showed that moderate PA may not decrease the risk of CVD in persistently overweight and obesity adults.

EFFECTS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ON QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG FEMALE UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

Objective: to determine the effects of physical activity on quality of life among female undergraduate students. Material &amp; Methods: A randomized clinical trial was conducted on n=52 female students, after taking approval from higher authorities of the Bilquis Postgraduate College for Women PAF Nur Khan Base Rawalpindi, The inactive female students &gt;1monthbetween 18-25 years were included in the study. The participants were randomly divided into three groups, such as Light Physical Activity (LPA), Moderate Physical Activity (MPA) and Vigorous Physical activity (VPA) group. The short form (SF-36) was used to observe Quality of Life (QOL), among participant at baseline and after six weeks of intervention. The One Way ANOVA with Tukey HSD post hoc was applied on mean differences for comparison. The clinical significance eta squared (η2) was used. Results: The result showed that Role limitation (mental) was significantly improved in vigorous activity group than the light (MD=21.20, d=0.85, 95% CI=0.97 to 43.37) and moderate (MD=23.94, d=0.96 95% CI=4.05 to 43.83) activity group. While social function showed significant improvement in moderate activity group as compared to light (MD=15.30, d=1.01, 95% CI=3.83 to 26.76) activity and vigorous (MD=9.60, d=0.63, 95% CI=1.68 to 20.88) activity group. The pain also showed significant improvement in moderate activity as compared to light (MD=20.32, d=1.09, 95% CI=5.48 to 35.16) and vigorous (MD=21.97, d=1.18, 95% CI=9.67 to 34.26) activity group. Conclusion: PA significantly improved QOL of female undergraduate students. It was also found that VPA improves role limitation (emotional) while MPA improves social function and body pain.

Üniversite Öğrencilerinde Fiziksel Aktivite Düzeyinin Akademik Öz-Yeterlik, Anksiyete ve Stres Üzerine Etkisinin İncelenmesi

Amaç: Bu çalışma üniversite öğrencilerinde fiziksel aktivite düzeyinin akademik öz-yeterlik, anksiyete ve stres üzerine olan etkisini incelemek amacıyla planlandı. Sekonder olarak cinsiyete göre fiziksel aktivite düzeyinin akademik öz-yeterlik, anksiyete ve strese olan etkisi incelendi. Gereç ve yöntem: Çalışmaya 18-30 yaş aralığında 132 üniversite öğrencisi (kadın: 67, erkek: 65) dahil edildi. Katılımcıların fiziksel aktivite düzeyleri Uluslararası Fiziksel Aktivite Anketi ile değerlendirildi ve katılımcılar anketten alınan skora göre minimal aktif (n=71) (Grup I) ve yeterince aktif (n=61) (Grup II) olarak 2 gruba ayrıldı. Akademik öz-yeterlikleri sorgulamak için Akademik Öz-Yeterlik Ölçeği kullanıldı. Anksiyete ve stres düzeyleri sırasıyla Beck Anksiyete Ölçeği ve Sınıfta Stres Nedenleri Ölçeği ile değerlendirildi. Bulgular: Gruplar arası karşılaştırmada Grup I ve Grup II deki öğrencilerin akademik öz-yeterlikleri arasında anlamlı fark bulunmuştur (p=0,001). Anksiyete düzeyleri açısından iki grup karşılaştırıldığında Grup II’deki öğrencilerin daha düşük anksiyeteye sahip oldukları belirlendi (p=0,012). Fiziksel aktivitenin akademik öz-yeterliğe istatistiksel olarak anlamlı ve artırıcı etkisinin olduğu bulunmuştur (p=0,005; R2=0,06). Sonuç: Çalışma sonuçlarımız fiziksel aktivite düzeyleri yeterince aktif olan öğrencilerin akademik öz-yeterliklerinin daha yüksek ve anksiyetelerinin daha düşük olduğunu gösterdi. Bu bilgiler ışığında öğrencilerin ruhsal iyilik hallerinin geliştirilmesi için fiziksel aktivite düzeylerinin artırılması faydalı olacaktır.

The relationship between physical activity levels and health-related quality of life in elderly individuals aged 65 years and above with a chronic disease

Background: Chronic diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide with increasing prevalence in the population aged 65 years and above. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between physical activity level and health-related quality of life in elderly individuals. Material and methods: The participants aged 65 years and older (46 males and 35 females) were divided into 3 groups according to their physical activity levels: low physical activity (&lt;150 minutes/week), moderate physical activity (150–300 minutes/week) and high physical activity level (&gt;300 minutes/week). Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was calculated using EQ-5D scale. Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to determine the relationship between physical activity level and HRQoL scores in elderly individuals. Results: A significant relationship and differences were found between high, moderate and low physical activity levels and HQQoL dimensions (P&lt;0.05). The moderate and high physical activity groups were found to be significantly higher in all dimensions compared to the low physical activity group according to HRQoL scores (P&lt;0.001). Conclusions: It has been concluded that high and moderate physical activity levels have a great positive relationship with HRQoL in individuals aged 65 years and older with a chronic disease.

Dose-response association between physical activity and clustering of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors among 26,093 Chinese adults

BackgroundThere is uncertain evidence in the dose-response association between overall physical activity levels and clustering of cardiovascular diseases modifiable risk factors (CVDMRF) in Chinese adults. This study examined the hypothesis whether inverse dose-response association between overall physical activity levels and clustering of CVDMRF in Chinese adults exist.MethodsTwenty-six thousand ninety-three Chinese adult participants were recruited by two independent surveys in Nanjing and Hefei during 2011 to 2013, from random selected households provided smoking, glucose, lipids, anthropometric, and blood pressure measurements. Logistic regression model was applied to examine the dose-response association between overall physical activity (measured by metabolic equivalent task (MET)- minutes per week) and having ≥1, ≥2, and ≥ 3 CVDMRF (dyslipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, cigarette smoking, and overweight).ResultsAn inverse linear dose-response relationship between physical activity and clustering of CVDMRF was identified, as increased physical activity levels are associated with lower odds of having clustering of CVDMRF. The adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of having ≥1, ≥2, and ≥ 3 CVRF for moderate physical activity group and high physical activity group was 0.88 (0.79 to 0.98) and 0.88 (0.79 to 0.99), 0.85 (0.78 to 0.92) and 0.85 (0.78 to 0.92), 0.84 (0.76 to 0.91) and 0.81 (0.74 to 0.89), respectively, with low physical activity as reference group.ConclusionsAmong Chinese adults, physical activity level inversely associates with clustering of CVDMRF, especially in those aged 35–54 years. Health promotion including improve physical activity should be advocated. The potential role of physical activity in the clustering of CVDMRF warrants further validation.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AS COPING STRATEGY FOR ACADEMIC STRESS AMONG UNDERGRADUATE FEMALE STUDENT

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of physical activity as a coping strategy to reduce academic stress among undergraduate female students. Methodology: A Randomized control trail (NCT04221022) was conducted in Bilquis Postgraduate College for Women PAF, Nur Khan Base, Rawalpindi. A total of n=37 undergraduate inactive female (&gt;1-month) students, age between 18-24 years, with moderate level of academic stress measured on academic stress scale were included in the study. While students with diagnosed psychological disorders, systematic diseases were excluded. The participants randomly divided into Light Physical Activity (LPA), Moderate Physical Activity (MPA) and Vigorous Physical activity (VPA) groups. The academic stress scale (ASS) was used to observe level of academic stress among participant at baseline and after six weeks of intervention. Results: The mean age of female study participants was 20.24±1.44 years. Pre-Post analysis showed that all group significantly improve (p&lt;0.001) level of academic stress after 6 week intervention. The academic stress was significantly improved in moderate PA group as compare to vigorous PA (15.17±12.39 Ver. 44.62±36.94, p=0.019). Conclusion: All types of physical activities were effective as a coping strategy for reducing academic stress among female undergraduate students. But moderate level of physical activity like brisk walking was significantly associated with reduction in academic stress as compare to vigorous and light physical activities. Keywords: Cognition, mental health, physical activity, stress.

Changes in body composition with a hypocaloric diet combined with sedentary, moderate and high-intense physical activity: a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundThere is evidence showing the effectiveness of a hypocaloric diet and the increase in physical activity on weight loss. However, the combined role of these factors, not only on weight loss but also body composition, remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a hypocaloric diet on the body composition of obese adult women throughout different degrees of physical activity during a weight loss program.MethodsOne hundred and seventeen healthy female volunteers were randomly assigned to one of the experimental groups: a control group with a low-level prescription of physical activity (1–4 METs), moderate physical activity group that performed 10.000 steps walking (5–8 METs) and intense physical activity group that trained exercises by at least 70% of VO2max three times a week (> 8 METs). All subjects followed a hypocaloric diet designed with a reduction of 500 kcal/day. Nutritional counseling was provided throughout the study period to help ensure dietary adherence.ResultsWe found no differences in body weight compared to moderate and intense physical activity (ßstand. = − 0.138 vs. ßstand. = − 0.139). Body fat was lower in women following an intense activity (ßstand. = − 0.436) than those with moderate exercise (ßstand. = − 0.231). The high-intense activity also increased muscle mass at the end of the intervention, standing out above the moderate activity (ßstand. = 0.182 vs. ßstand. = 0.008).ConclusionsThese findings indicate that a hypocaloric diet, without prescription of physical activity, is adequate to lose weight in the short term (12 weeks), but physical activity is vital to modify the body composition in women with obesity. Body fat was lower when women practiced a moderate exercise compared to hypocaloric diet only, but an intense physical activity was the most effective protocol to obtain a reduction of body fat and maintain muscle mass.Trial registrationThe study protocol complied with the Declaration of Helsinki for medical studies, it was approved by the bioethical committee of Córdoba University, in the Department of Health at the Regional Government of Andalusia (Act n°284, ref.4156) and retrospectively registered in clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03833791). Registered 2 January 2019.

Influence of physical activity on cardiac autonomic control in patients with dyslipidaemia

The objective of this study was to compare the cardiac autonomic control of dyslipidaemia patients engaged in different levels of physical activity and to determine the predictive ability of physical activity for cardiac autonomic dysfunction in these patients. This study also aimed to compare the cardiac autonomic control of dyslipidaemia patients and healthy adults. 52 patients (age: 49.1±4.53 years) with dyslipidaemia were recruited along with 16 healthy adults. Physical activity levels were assessed by International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and subjects were divided into three categories – low, moderate, and high physical activity. Heart rate variability (HRV) analysis was performed for obtaining time and frequency domain parameters. Presence of cardiac autonomic dysfunction was defined as standard deviation of N-N intervals &lt;44 ms. HRV parameters were compared between 3 groups of dyslipidaemia patients and healthy controls. Predictive ability of physical activity for cardiac autonomic dysfunction in dyslipidaemia was evaluated after adjusting clinical covariates. There was a significant difference between low-frequency power (cardiac sympathetic control), and ratio of low- and high-frequency (HF) power (sympatho-vagal balance) in low versus moderate physical activity group and low versus high physical activity group (P&lt;0.001). Significant differences were also observed for HFnu power (cardiac vagal activity) and total power between the dyslipidaemia groups. Physical activity was found to be a significant (P=0.03), independent predictor of cardiac autonomic dysfunction in dyslipidaemia patients. Findings of the present study suggest that cardiac autonomic profile of dyslipidaemia patients with different physical activity levels varied significantly. Dyslipidaemia patients engaged in moderate and high physical activity demonstrated significantly less sympathetic activity and better sympatho-vagal balance than those engaged in low levels of physical activity; also, vagal cardiac control was significantly greater in high physical activity group. Lower levels of physical activity determined the presence of cardiac autonomic dysfunction in these patients at an optimal cut-off value of ≤1,558 Metabolic Equivalent of Tasks- min/week.