Moderate-to-vigorous Physical Activity Intervention Research Articles

Effectiveness of moderate to vigorous physical activity among stroke risk predicted population. A pilot study

Background. The increasing prevalence of stroke, particularly among younger populations in countries like India, necessitates effective preventive strategies. Modifiable risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, and smoking contribute significantly to stroke incidence. This study focuses on the implementation of a 12-week moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) program to address these risk factors and reduce stroke incidence. Methodology. The study involved a structured MVPA intervention among individuals at risk of stroke, emphasizing consistent adherence to the protocol. Key outcomes, including systolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, and total cholesterol levels, were monitored. Cardiovascular fitness improvements were assessed using the Cooper's Run Test. The study also examined the feasibility and acceptability of the MVPA intervention through participant adherence rates. Results. The MVPA group exhibited significant reductions in systolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, and total cholesterol levels compared to the control group. These findings underscore the efficacy of MVPA in managing major stroke risk factors. Additionally, participants demonstrated enhanced cardiovascular endurance, highlighting the program’s positive impact on overall cardiovascular health. High adherence rates in the MVPA group indicated the feasibility of implementing structured exercise protocols for individuals at risk of stroke. Conclusion. This pilot study demonstrates the effectiveness of a 12-week MVPA program in reducing key stroke risk factors and improving cardiovascular fitness among individuals at risk of stroke. The findings emphasize the importance of structured exercise interventions in stroke prevention efforts. While promising, further research with larger sample sizes and longer durations is necessary to establish the sustained benefits and feasibility of such interventions. Implementing tailored MVPA programs holds significant potential for mitigating stroke risk, offering valuable insights for global stroke prevention strategies.

Characterizing longitudinal change in accelerometry-based moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos and the Framingham Heart Study

BackgroundPhysical activity promotes health and is particularly important during middle and older age for decreasing morbidity and mortality. We assessed the correlates of changes over time in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in Hispanic/Latino adults from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL: mean [SD] age 49.2 y [11.5]) and compared them to a cohort of primarily White adults from the Framingham Heart Study (FHS: mean [SD] 46.9 y [9.2]).MethodsBetween 2008 and 2019, we assessed accelerometry-based MVPA at two time points with an average follow-up of: 7.6 y, SD 1.3 for HCHS/SOL, and 7.8 y, SD 0.7 for FHS. We used multinomial logistic regression to relate socio-demographic and health behaviors with changes in compliance with 2018 US recommendations for MVPA from time 1 to time 2 (remained active or inactive; became active or inactive) across the two cohorts.ResultsIn HCHS/SOL mean MVPA was 22.6 (SD, 23.8) minutes at time 1 and dropped to 16.7 (19.0) minutes at time 2. In FHS Mean MVPA was 21.7 min (SD, 17.7) at time 1 and dropped to 21.3 min (SD, 19.2) at time 2. Across both cohorts, odds of meeting MVPA guidelines over time were about 6% lower in individuals who had lower quality diets vs. higher, about half in older vs. younger adults, about three times lower in women vs. men, and 9% lower in individuals who had a higher vs. lower BMI at baseline. Cohorts differed in how age, gender, income, education, depressive symptoms, marital status and perception of general health and pain associated with changes in physical activity. High income older Hispanics/Latino adults were more likely to become inactive at the follow-up visit as were HCHS/SOL women who were retired and FHS participants who had lower levels of education and income. Higher depressive symptomology was associated with becoming active only in HCHS/SOL women. Being male and married was associated with becoming inactive in both cohorts. Higher perception of general health and lower perception of pain were associated with remaining active only in FHS adults.ConclusionsThese findings highlight potentially high-risk groups for targeted MVPA intervention.

Independence and Sex Differences in Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior Trends from Middle Adolescence to Emerging Adulthood: A Latent Class Growth Curve Analysis.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship and sex differences in the growth patterns of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary behavior (SB) from middle adolescence (around age 15) to emerging adulthood (18–29 years old). We used the secondary data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health’s (Add Health) publicly accessible database. MVPA and SB were assessed four times (1995, 1996, 2000–2001, and 2008–2009) for a total of 681 individuals from middle adolescence to emerging adulthood. Latent class growth modeling was utilized to identify heterogeneous growth patterns in MVPA and SB. Chi-square tests were used to assess group dependence and sex differences in MVPA and SB growth patterns. Seven quadratic growth patterns for MVPA and two linear growth patterns for SB were found. Both MVPA and SB growth patterns exhibited slow or rapid rate of change at different periods of adolescence and emerging adulthood. MVPA growth patterns included: decline (slow)-and-rise (rapid), rise-and-decline (both rapid), decline-and-rise (both rapid), consistently low, consistently high, decline (rapid)-and-decline (slow), and decline (rapid)-and-rise (slow). SB growth patterns included: consistently low (slow decline) and consistently high (rapid decline). While women were more likely to be involved in consistently low group for MVPA and consistently low (slow decline) group for SB, men were more likely to be involved in rise-and-decline (both rapid) group, consistently high group, and decline (rapid)-and-rise (slow) group for MVPA and consistently high (rapid decline) group for SB. SB growth patterns were independent of MVPA growth patterns. SB should not be assumed to decrease as a result of MVPA intervention. Treatment of MVPA should prioritize adolescence over emerging adulthood, with an emphasis on preventing men’s MVPA levels from decreasing in emerging adulthood and increasing women’s overall MVPA levels.

The Efficacy of Physical Activity for Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Background: This systematic review and meta-analysis assesses the efficacy of regular, moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Methods: RCTs including children and adolescents with clinically diagnosed ADHD, implementing regular MVPA, and assessing ADHD core-symptoms on a valid rating scale post-intervention (primary outcome) were included. Outcomes were pooled through random-effects meta-analysis. Prospero registration: CRD42019142166. Results: MVPA had a small effect on total ADHD core symptoms (n = 11; g = −0.33; 95% CI [−0.63; −0.02]; p = .037). Conclusions: MVPA could serve as an alternative treatment for ADHD. New RCTs are necessary to increase the understanding of the effect regarding frequency, intensity, type of MVPA interventions, and differential effects on age groups.

Psychosocial mediators of physical activity change in a web-based intervention for Latinas.

Objective: To determine whether psychosocial constructs targeted in an online physical activity intervention for Latinas mediated changes in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Method: Data were taken from a randomized trial of a web-based MVPA intervention for Latina women age 18-65 (N = 205) based on social cognitive theory and the transtheoretical model. Baseline and 6-month measures included minutes/week of MVPA (ActiGraph GT3X + accelerometers and 7-Day Physical Activity Recall Interview) and theorized mediators (self-efficacy, behavioral processes, cognitive processes, social support, enjoyment). A multiple mediation model adjusting for baseline MVPA was fit using a products of coefficients method, simultaneously testing all hypothesized mediators. Results: MVPA increased more in the intervention group than controls by 50 min/week (self-report) and 31 min/week (accelerometers). For the self-reported MVPA model, there was an intervention effect (a-path coefficient) on self-efficacy (b = 0.43, p < .01), cognitive processes (b = 0.64, p < .01), behavioral processes (b = 0.54, p < .01), and enjoyment (b = 9.91, p = .01). Changes in self-efficacy (b = 24.54, p = .03), social support from friends (b = 2.36, p = .04), and enjoyment (a = 0.74, p = .08) were associated with changes in MVPA (b-path coefficient). However, only changes in self-efficacy (b = 10.49, 95% CI [2.46, 24.54]) and enjoyment (b = 7.30, 95% CI [0.92, 21.78]) mediated the intervention effect on MVPA (ab-path coefficient). For the accelerometer-measured MVPA model, intervention effects were significant for self-efficacy (b = 0.48, p < .01), cognitive processes (b = 0.62, p < .01), and behavioral processes (b = 0.61, p < .01), yet only self-efficacy was associated with changes in MVPA (b = 4.43, p = .03), and mediated intervention effects on MVPA (b = 12.15, 95% CI [11.25, 16.34]). Conclusions: Future MVPA interventions with Latinas should target self-efficacy and enjoyment to maximize efficacy. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Comparing Accelerometer and Self-Reported Treatment Effects in a Technology-Supported Physical Activity Intervention.

To estimate and compare the change in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) between an accelerometer and technology-supported physical activity (PA) log across a 3-week PA intervention. Participants (N = 204, 77% female, age = 33 ± 11 years, body mass index = 28.2 ± 7.1 kg/m2) were randomized to one of two activity-related intervention arms: (1) increase MVPA intervention or (2) decrease sedentary behavior active control. Participants wore an accelerometer while simultaneously completing a technology-based PA log every day for 5 weeks: a 2-week baseline assessment phase and a 3-week intervention phase. Bivariate linear mixed-effects models and correlations were used to characterize the relationship of MVPA between measurement methods throughout the intervention. Effect sizes were calculated to determine the intervention effect by measurement method. At baseline, PA log MVPA was 28 minutes greater than accelerometer-based minutes of MVPA in the active control group. This difference was 35 minutes (95% CI [23.7, 46.1]) greater at follow-up than at baseline measurement in the MVPA intervention group. In the active control group, there was a significant 16-minute (95% CI [6.0, 26.5]) increase between the two measures from baseline to follow-up. The intervention effect size based on the PA log was 0.27 (95% CI [0.14, 0.39]) and 0.42 (95% CI [0.28, 0.56]) when using the accelerometer. Our results indicate that PA log MVPA and accelerometer MVPA estimate significantly different minutes per day of MVPA. It is important researchers use caution when comparing MVPA intervention outcomes from different measurement methods.

Understanding factors associated with children achieving recommended amount of MVPA on weekdays and weekend days.

Low levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) are consistently reported for children from industrialized countries. Perennially inadequate levels of MVPA have been linked to increased chronic disease risks. Very few studies have compared physical activity levels among children from geographically diverse places, and how they differ on weekdays versus weekends. The purpose of this research is to examine the factors that influence whether children achieve 60min of MVPA on weekdays compared to weekend days. Data were analyzed on children (n=532) aged 8-14years from communities in Southern and Northern Ontario, Canada that participated in the study between 2009 and 2016. Children's MVPA was measured using an Actical accelerometer, environmental features measured with a geographic information system, and demographic data came from child/parent surveys. Variables were selected using a least absolute shrinkage and selection operator. The variables were entered into logistic regression models to assess the relationship between children meeting the MVPA guidelines. During the week, boys were more active than girls (OR=4.652 p<0.001) and as age increased children were less likely to reach the MVPA guidelines (OR=0.758 p=0.013). On weekends boys were still more likely to meet the guidelines (OR=1.683 p=0.014) and children living in rural Northern Ontario were more likely to reach the MVPA guidelines compared to all groups in Southern Ontario. The findings indicate that different variables influence whether children meet the MVPA guidelines on weekdays compared to weekends. Comparing weekdays and weekends provides more useful information for creating effective MVPA interventions.

Neighborhood characteristics associated with park use and park-based physical activity among children in low-income diverse neighborhoods in New York City

Urban parks provide spaces and facilities for children's physical activity (PA) and can be a free resource in low-income communities. This study examined whether neighborhood characteristics were associated with children's park use and park-based moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) in low-income diverse communities and how associations differed between ethnic groups. Data on park visits and MVPA came from 16,402 children 5–10-years old directly observed using the System for Observing Play and Recreation in Communities in 20 parks in low-income neighborhoods with majority Latino or Asian populations in New York City. Neighborhood characteristics included land use mix (LUM), street audits, crime rates, and an area deprivation index. We employed Poisson and negative binomial models to estimate effects of neighborhood-level variables on the number of children observed in parks and engaging in MVPA, overall and by ethnicity. Results for Asian, Latino, and African American children indicated that higher levels of LUM and pedestrian-friendly streets were associated with greater numbers of children in parks and higher MVPA across all three groups. For Asian and Latino children only, quality of environment was positively associated with MVPA, whereas level of deprivation and crime rates in the surrounding neighborhood were negatively associated with children's park-based MVPA. In contrast, a park's access to public transportation was negatively associated with number of all children observed and engaging in MVPA. Study findings suggest that park-based MVPA interventions can be informed by understanding how neighborhood characteristics facilitate and constrain park use and park-based MVPA.

Peer support for physical activity adoption among breast cancer survivors: Do the helped resemble the helpers?

Interventions offering peer mentoring programmes promoting moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) have shown improvements in MVPA and well-being from baseline; however, research is limited. The purpose of this study was to compare the physical activity (PA) levels and psychosocial well-being of coaches and participants at baseline and following a 12-week intervention. Breast cancer survivors (<5years) were recruited and randomised into either exercise (Reach-to-Recovery (RTR)+PA) or control (RTR Control). Participants in both groups were individually assigned one of the 18 available coaches who delivered either the MVPA intervention or the control condition via telephone. PA (7-Day PA Recall), psychosocial well-being, fatigue and mood were assessed at baseline and intervention completion. Seventy-six breast cancer survivors (average age=55.62 (±9.55)) were randomised. At baseline, all participants showed significantly lower MVPA (p=.001) and well-being (p<.05) as compared to coaches. However, post-intervention showed significant improvement in PA and well-being in RTR+PA, so that they were no longer significantly different from the coaches. Post-intervention, MVPA (p<.01), quality of life (p<.05) and fatigue (p<.05) remained significantly lower in RTR Controls compared to coaches. Future interventions should consider the behavioural patterns not only of the participants, but also of those who deliver the interventions.

First year physical activity findings from turn up the HEAT (Healthy Eating and Activity Time) in summer day camps.

BackgroundSummer day camps (SDCs) serve 14 million children yearly in the U.S. and aim to provide participating children with 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). This study evaluated an intervention designed to increase the percent of children meeting this MVPA guideline.DesignTwo-group, pre-post quasi-experimental.Setting/ParticipantsTwenty SDCs serving 1,830 children aged 5–12 years were assigned to MVPA intervention (n = 10) or healthy eating attention control (n = 10).InterventionThe STEPs (Strategies to Enhance Practice) intervention is a capacity-building approach grounded in the Theory of Expanded, Extended and Enhanced Opportunities. Camp leaders and staff receive training to expand (e.g., introduction of activity breaks/active field trips), extend (e.g., schedule minimum of 3 hours/day for PA opportunities), and enhance (e.g., maximize MVPA children accumulate during schedule activity) activity opportunities. Camps in the comparison condition received support for improving the types of foods/beverages served.Main outcome measuresPercent of children accumulating the 60min/d MVPA guideline at baseline (summer 2015) and post-test (summer 2016) measured via wrist-accelerometry.ResultsMultilevel logistic regression conducted fall 2016 indicated boys and girls attending intervention SDCs were 2.04 (95CI = 1.10,3.78) and 3.84 (95CI = 2.02,7.33) times more likely to meet the 60min/d guideline compared to boys and girls attending control SDCs, respectively. This corresponded to increases of +10.6% (78–89%) and +12.6% (69–82%) in the percentage of boys and girls meeting the guideline in intervention SDCs, respectively. Boys in comparison SDCs increased by +1.6% (81–83%) and girls decreased by -5.5% (76–71%). Process data indicated intervention SDCs successfully extended and enhanced PA opportunities, but were unable to expand PA opportunities, compared to control SDCs.ConclusionsAlthough substantial proportions of children met the MVPA guideline at baseline, no SDCs ensured all children met the guideline. This intervention demonstrated that, with support, SDCs can help all children in attendance to accumulate their daily recommended 60min MVPA.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT02161809

The daily workload analysis of physical therapists of visiting health center in Korea

and motor performance is accepted, but the degree to which PA levels influence dynamic balance in adolescents has yet to be explored. Purpose: This study sought to examine the levels of dynamic balance in young people to investigate any correlation between the latter and BMI or Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity (MVPA). Methods:One hundred and fifteen secondary school adolescents (55 girls, 60 boys mean age 13.92 years± .66) were assessed for height (m) and body mass (kg) using a Seca stadiometre and weighing scales (Seca Instruments, Germany) from which body mass index (BMI, kg/m2) was determined. The Y balance was used to assess dynamic balance. This is a reliable and valid tool for adolescents. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to determine levels of habitual MVPA from which a dichotomous (high vs lowMVPA calculated in METs) variable was created using a median split. Correlations between dynamic balance, MVPA and BMI were calculated. ANCOVA analysis enabled the differences in the dependant variables between fitness and gender groups to be analysed controlling for any impact of weight status whilst at the same time enabling the association between the dependant variables and the covariate to be determined. Results:Pearson’s productmoment correlations indicated a significant correlation (p= .0001) between dynamic balance and total METs (r= .403). A 2 (gender) by 2 (high vs low MVPA) way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), controlling for BMI, indicated significant gender (p= .026) and MVPA level (p= .002) main effects. Girls, and adolescents with high MVPA, had better Y-balance scores than boys and adolescents with low MVPA respectively. BMI was not significant as a covariate (p= .177). Conclusion(s): The results of the present study suggests it is the level of physical activity (MVPA) not BMI that has a stronger influence on dynamic balance. Future research examining how MVPA interventions modify dynamic balance would be useful in understanding any cause and effect relationship between the variables studied here. Implications: This study suggests that dynamic balance appears to be associated with MVPA independent of BMI. Physiotherapy is promoting exercise as being important for general health, however the intensity should be considered in relationship to balance.

The Place of Physical Activity in the Time Budgets of 10- to 13-Year-Old Australian Children

Low physical activity has been associated with increased fatness and deceased fitness. This observational study aimed to describe the magnitude, composition, and time-distribution of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in Australian children. A total of 1132 10 to 13 year old schoolchildren completed a 24-h activity recall diary on 2 to 4 occasions. MVPA was defined as any activity requiring ≥3METs, including sport, play, active transport, chores, and other activities. MVPA was higher in boys than girls (173 vs 140 min/day; P<.0001), higher on nonschool days than school days (166 vs 143 min/day; P<.0001), and decreased with age (9 min/day per year of age). MVPA consisted of structured sport (37%), active transport (26%), unstructured play (24%), and chores/miscellaneous activities (13%). Every hour of MVPA was associated with a reduction in screen time (26.5 min), non-screen-based sedentary pastimes (8 min), and sleep (5.5 min). The least active quartile of children were more likely to be girls (OR=3.4), have higher screen time, and sleep more. From 4:00-6:30 PM on school days there were large differences in participation between high-active and low-active children. Findings suggest MVPA interventions should target girls, screen time and focus on the after-school period.

Understanding Physical Activity During Home-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation From Multiple Theoretical Perspectives

: Previous studies have shown that moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) levels during home-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) have been problematic. Consequently, the present study examined the utility of the theory of planned behavior, protection motivation theory, and social cognitive theory in explaining physical activity (PA) during a Canadian home-based CR program. : Patients (N = 280, mean age 62.8 years; 95.4% white, 72.5% male, 78.9% married, 52.3% retired, 48.0% income more than $60000; and 33.8% postmyocardial infarction) completed a questionnaire at program onset and a MVPA assessment at 3-month followup. : Path analyses showed that each theory accounted for 28% to 34% of the variance in PA. The theory of planned behavior showed that perceived behavior control was the key predictor of 3-month MVPA (β = .36), whereas protection motivation theory showed that intention (β = .30) was the key predictor. Finally, barrier self-efficacy (β = .21) and the availability of home PA equipment (β = .15) were the key predictors of 3-month MVPA within social cognitive theory. : All 3 theories appeared to be viable options to inform the development of a MVPA intervention during home-based CR. However, the key constructs to target within each theory varied, suggesting the need to potentially use multiple theories to inform intervention development.

TRACE

<h3>Background</h3> Greater moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) is associated with lower risk of some child mental health problems (CMHP). However, there is no evidence showing the potential population impact of increasing MVPA on CMHP (prevalence and inequalities). We used data from the UK Millennium Cohort Study (∼18 000 children born 2000–2002), to model a hypothetical MVPA intervention scenario, simulating universal achievement of the government’s MVPA target of 60 min (m) MVPA per day. <h3>Methods</h3> 6344 children had MVPA (measured using accelerometers at 7 years[y]); of these, 4590 had data on outcome (CMHP), exposure (socio-economic circumstances) and potential confounders. CMHP at 11 y were measured using parent-reported Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) total score, dichotomised using an established cut-off. Predicted probabilities of CMHP were estimated in logistic marginal structural models, weighted for attrition, adjusted for MVPAand baseline and intermediate confounding (including externalising behaviours at 7[y], to account for potential reverse causality between MVPA and some aspects of CMHP, such as hyperactivity).Inequalities were assessed using Risk ratios (RRs) and differences (RDs) [95% CIs], according to household income quintiles. Intervention was simulated by re-estimating predicted probabilities after modifying theMVPA variable. <h3>Results</h3> 49% of children achieved the 60 m MVPA target, with greater activity levels observed in lowest (65 m) compared to highest (62 m) income quintile. Greater MVPA was associated with increased risk of CMHP (RR 1.003 [0.999–1.007]), and with externalising problems in particular (RR 1.009 [1.005–1.013]). Overall prevalence of CMHP was 12.2%, with relative and absolute inequalities between lowest and highest income quintiles (RR 2.6 [1.5–3.7]; RD 11.7 [6.0–17.4]). Simulation of the intervention led to 96% achievement of the 60 m MVPA target (30 m average increase for all children, assuming 100% uptake). CMHP prevalence increased to 14.1%. Relative inequality decreased slightly (RR 2.5 [1.5, 3.6]), and absolute inequality increased (RD 13.3%; [6.6, 20.0]). In sensitivity analyses with internalising problems as the outcome, greater MVPA decreased absolute inequality in CMHP, but not relative risk or prevalence. <h3>Conclusion</h3> Findings based on a UK-representative sample of children with objective MVPA data and a validated measure of CMHP, imply that universal achievement of the national MVPA target may not reduce prevalence in CMHP or absolute inequalities. However, these findings are likely subject to reverse causation (despite adjustment for earlier externalising behaviours). Further analyses will examine these relationships in detail, including differentiating aspects of CMHP (emotional, peer, conduct and hyperactivity subscales), using teacher-reported SDQ, and positive mental health outcomes.