Muscle-strengthening Activities Research Articles

Effects of Physical Activity on Health

ZusammenfassungRegelmäßige Bewegung trägt sowohl zum Erhalt als auch zur Verbesserung des Gesundheitszustandes bei und ist für die menschliche Entwicklung über die gesamte Lebensspanne des Menschen wichtig. Starke Evidenz hinsichtlich der positiven Auswirkung körperlicher Aktivität auf die Gesundheit liegt in den Bereichen Gesamtsterblichkeit, Krebserkrankungen, Herz-Kreislaufgesundheit, muskuloskelettale Gesundheit, Stoffwechselgesundheit sowie neurokognitive Gesundheit vor. Körperliche Aktivität umfasst jede Form von Bewegung, bei der durch die Kontraktion der Skelettmuskulatur eine Erhöhung des Energieverbrauchs erzielt wird. Sie wird über die Belastungskomponenten Häufigkeit, Dauer, Intensität und Wochenumfang quantifiziert und gesteuert. Als gesundheitswirksame körperliche Aktivität werden all jene Bewegungsformen bezeichnet, welche die Gesundheit verbessern und bei denen das Verletzungsrisiko gering ist. In den Österreichischen Bewegungsempfehlungen werden ausdauerorientierte Bewegung, Krafttraining und Koordinationsübungen empfohlen. Training nimmt innerhalb der gesundheitswirksamen körperlichen Aktivität eine Sonderstellung ein. Es zielt darauf ab, Anpassungsvorgänge im Körper in Gang zu setzen, um Körperfunktionen zu verbessern. Dabei muss die Aktivität an die unterschiedliche individuelle Leistungsfähigkeit, das Aktivitätsniveau und das Alter angepasst und nach bestimmten Grundsätzen durchgeführt werden. Durch das Training kommt es zu einer positiven Veränderung physiologischer Parameter, die wiederum in enger Verbindung mit einer Verbesserung des Gesundheitszustandes steht. Durch regelmäßige ausdauerorientierte und muskelkräftigende Bewegung werden weitreichende Gesundheitseffekte erzielt. Dennoch kann es bei der Ausführung zu unerwünschten Ereignissen kommen. Hiervon betroffen sind v. a. der Bewegungsapparat und das Kreislaufsystem. Durch adäquate Vorbereitung, passende Ausrüstung und richtige Ausübung wird jedoch nicht nur der persönliche, sondern auch der gemeinschaftliche Gesundheitsnutzen durch Bewegung und Sport gesteigert.

Health impact of an intervention sport-competition-based in elderly: the “In-Common sport” project

Abstract Background The health benefits of a regular physical activity (PA) in older people are well known but the majority of older people in Europe do not meet the recommended levels to maintain health. How to promote a regular PA in elderly is a responsibility and a challenge for Local Authorities. “IN COMMON SPORTS-Intergenerational Competition As Motivation For Sport And Healthy Lifestyle Of Senior Citizens” is a three year Erasmus+ Sport project which promotes active lifestyle in senior citizens bringing them closer to sport activities. The project involved five countries: Portugal, Italy, Spain, Bulgaria and Hungary. The aim of the study is to present one-year follow-up data of the Italian sample. Methods Quasi-experimental study with 121 participants over 60-aged recruited in Cesena (Italy) through newspaper advertising. The experimental group (EG) attended twice a week structured training sessions for two years. Sessions included aerobic activity of moderate intensity and muscle-strengthening activities interspersed with aerobic activity of vigorous intensity. The training was the basis for the preparation in a competition that took place in each country. The control group (CG) received the advice to practice regular PA. Upper limb muscle strength (Handgrip Test) was measured as primary outcome. Results One year follow-up analysis were conducted on 76 participants, 52 in EG and 24 in CG (mean age: 71±6.7) using ANOVA and ANCOVA to test the effects of the intervention. The EG significantly improved upper limb muscle strength (1.9±2.8) vs CG significantly worsened (-1.9±3.5). After adjusted for unbalanced variables, the comparison between groups showed a significant effect of intervention on handgrip test (p value=0,012). Conclusions ”IN COMMON SPORTS” project has significantly improved handgrip strength in Italian participants. This test has shown to be a proxy of decline in cognition, mobility, functional status and mortality in older community-dwelling populations. Key messages IN COMMON SPORTS promotes active lifestyle in senior citizens bringing them closer to sport activities. The project has proven to be effective in improving handgrip strength.

한국남성 20대와 30대의 복부비만에 따른 신체활동과 영양소 섭취량 비교: 제7기(2016~2018년) 국민건강영양조사 자료를 이용하여

This study aimed to compare physical activity and nutrient intake according to obesity in men in their 20s and 30s based on the 7th National Health and Nutrition Survey. There were no statistically significant differences in physical activity variables except for muscle strengthening activity. In the 20s, significance was shown in muscle strengthening activity for more than 1 day/week, and in the 30s, significance was confirmed only for 2 days or more/week. Nutrient-related variables were found to be significantly different in the intake of fat and sodium according to abdominal obesity only in the 30s. It was confirmed that the importance of muscle strengthening activity should be emphasized in the 30s. In addition, it can be considered that the difference between fat and sodium intake rather than total energy intake affects abdominal fat accumulation.

Dietary and Physical Activity Behaviors Among High School Students - Youth Risk Behavior Survey, United States, 2019.

Establishing healthy dietary and physical activity patterns among youths is an important public health strategy for improving health and preventing chronic diseases; however, few adolescents meet U.S. government recommendations for dietary or physical activity behaviors, and disparities by sex and race/ethnicity exist. CDC analyzed data from the 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey to update estimates of dietary and physical activity behaviors among U.S. high school students overall and by sex and race/ethnicity. In addition, 2-year comparisons (2017 and 2019) and trends in prevalence of these behaviors during 2009–2019 were examined. In 2019, overall, during the 7 days before the survey, 41.8% of students had eaten fruit or drunk 100% fruit juices <1 time/day; 40.7% had eaten vegetables <1 time/day; and 16.7% had not eaten breakfast on all 7 days. Moreover, although 57.4% of students had played on ≥1 sports team during the 12 months before the survey, less than half of students had been physically active for ≥60 minutes/day on all 7 days (23.2%), had exercised to strengthen or tone their muscles on ≥3 days/week (49.5%), had met both aerobic and muscle-strengthening physical activity guidelines (16.5%), or had attended physical education classes on all 5 days in an average school week (25.9%). Trend data indicate limited progress in shifting dietary and physical activity behaviors. That is, with the exception of decreases in the percentage of students who had consumed soda ≥1 time/day (2009: 29.2%; 2019: 15.1%), sports drinks ≥1 time/day (2015: 13.8%; 2019: 10.6%), and <3 glasses/day of plain water (2015: 50.5%; 2019: 44.6%), high school students’ dietary and physical activity behaviors have not improved and, in certain cases, have worsened. These findings support the need for multicomponent approaches, including policy and environmental changes, and opportunities for adolescents to learn about and practice making healthy choices.

PancREatic Cancer and Individualised Supervised Exercise (PRECISE): a feasibility trial protocol for patients with resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Background: Patients with resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy can experience an array of complications including fatigue, pain and the loss of physical function. Accumulating evidence from largely early stage breast cancer studies supports exercise as an adjunct therapy to help mitigate treatment complications. However, there is a lack of evidence of its feasibility in pancreatic cancer. The purpose of this study is to explore the initial feasibility of delivering a supervised, individualized, and progressive concurrent exercise intervention to individuals with resectable PDAC who are undergoing adjuvant therapy. Methodology: Ten patients with resectable PDAC undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy will be recruited. Clinical care teams will screen patients against inclusion criteria to determine eligibility. All enrolled participants will complete a 16-week, supervised, tailored, moderate intensity exercise intervention consisting of aerobic and muscle strengthening activities. The primary outcome will be feasibility of delivering a supervised exercise intervention. Secondary outcomes will include measures of physical fitness, fatigue, and quality of life. Outcomes will be measured at baseline (T1), 16 weeks (T2) and 3 months post intervention (T3). The feasibility, acceptability and potential utility of the supervised exercise intervention will be explored qualitatively through semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders (e.g. active participants, eligible participants that declined participation and the research staff including exercise physiologists and recruiting clinicians). The use of health and social care services, medications and personal expenses incurred during the trial will also be used to determine cost-effectiveness of this intervention and a potential further RCT in PDAC. Discussion: The overall aim of this study is to determine the utility of a supervised, tailored, moderate intensity exercise intervention in PDAC patients undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy. This feasibility study will help inform the design of future randomised controlled trials to determine the efficacy of the exercise intervention in PDAC.

Factors associated with adherence to the muscle-strengthening activity guideline among adolescents

PurposeWe aimed to explore associations between guideline-concordant muscle-strengthening activity (MSA) and demographic, biological, psychosocial, and behavioral factors among Australian adolescents. MethodsWe used baseline data from the ‘Resistance Training for Teens’ cluster randomized controlled trial (collected April–June 2015). Adolescents (n = 602, mean age = 14.1 ± 0.5 years, 50% female) from 16 schools in New South Wales, Australia self-reported their sex, primary language spoken at home, postal code (for socioeconomic status), resistance training (RT) self-efficacy, motivation for RT, perceived strength, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), screen-time, and sleep. Participants also completed tests of height, weight, cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness, flexibility, and RT skills. MSA was self-reported and participants were dichotomized as ‘meeting’ (3–7 days) or ‘not meeting’ (0–2 days) the MSA guideline. Binary logistic regression with odds ratios (OR) was used to determine associations with adolescents' MSA. ResultsAnalyses for each variable group explained a small-to-moderate proportion of the variance in MSA. Sex, muscular fitness, RT self-efficacy, perceived strength, and total MVPA emerged as statistically significant factors. However, only RT self-efficacy (OR = 2.48 [1.37 to 4.50]) and total MVPA (OR = 1.48 [1.22 to 1.79]) were associated with guideline-concordant MSA in the full model, which explained 52% of the variance. ConclusionsOur study adds to the limited understanding of adolescents' MSA behavior. RT self-efficacy and total MVPA were independently associated with guideline-concordant MSA among Australian adolescents. The findings have implications for the design and delivery of future interventions targeting adolescents’ MSA behavior.

Relationship Between Muscle-Strengthening Activity and Cause-Specific Mortality in a Large US Cohort.

IntroductionMuscle-strengthening activity (MSA) has beneficial effects on hypertension, glucose homeostasis, and other health conditions; however, its association with mortality is not as well understood.MethodsWe analyzed data from the Cancer Prevention Study-II Nutrition Cohort (data collection 1982–2014), a prospective US cohort that consisted of 72,462 men and women who were free of major chronic diseases; 18,034 of the cohort died during 13 years of follow-up (2001–2014). We used Cox proportional hazards modeling, controlling for various potential confounding factors, to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for MSA (none, >0 to <1 h/wk, 1 to <2 h/wk, and ≥2 h/wk) in relation to mortality risk, independent of and in combination with aerobic physical activity.ResultsThe association between MSA and mortality appeared to be nonlinear (quadratic trend P value, <.001). After multivariable adjustment and comparison with no MSA, engaging in less than 2 hours per week of MSA was associated with lowered all-cause mortality (>0 to <1 h/wk: HR = 0.88, 95% CI, 0.82–0.94; 1 to <2 h/wk: HR = 0.90, 95% CI, 0.84–0.97), but engaging in 2 or more hours per week was not associated with reduced risk (HR = 1.01; 95% CI, 0.92–1.09). Associations were similar but not significant for cancer mortality. Engaging in >0 to <1 hr/wk of MSA was associated with a 19% lower risk (HR = 0.81; 95% CI, 0.71–0.92) of cardiovascular disease mortality, but more time spent in MSA was not associated with reduced risk (quadratic trend P value =.005). Associations did not vary by amount of moderate-to-vigorous aerobic physical activity.ConclusionEngaging in ≥2 hours per week of MSA was associated with lower all-cause mortality, independent of aerobic activity. Reasons for the lack of association with higher amounts of MSA are unclear. Our findings support recommending muscle-strengthening activities for overall health.

Sex Difference in Participation in Muscle-Strengthening Activities.

BackgroundPrevious data from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate men are more likely than women to participate in muscle-strengthening activities (e.g., resistance training). However, a recent review by Rhodes et al. concluded there is no reliable sex difference in participation. The purpose of the current paper was to review population-level surveys of participation in muscle-strengthening activities to clarify if a sex difference in participation exists.MethodsKeyword searches (e.g., “resistance training participation”) were performed in PubMed and Google Scholar to identify papers that surveyed a general adult population (N > 1,000) and reported an outcome of the proportion of the population meeting recommendations for “muscle-strengthening activities” (i.e., ≥ 2 times/wk) or participating in resistance training.ResultsSixteen studies from 6 countries met the inclusion criteria. Irrespective of the measure of participation, population-levels of participation were typically higher in men than women. More men than women met recommendations for muscle-strengthening activities in England (men 34%; women 24%), Finland (men 18.1%; women 16.4%), Northern Ireland (men 25%; women 14%), Scotland (men 30%; women 25%), and the United States (men 34.8%; women 25.8%). For Australia, some studies showed no sex difference in participation, whereas other studies showed greater participation among men.ConclusionA sex difference exists in participation in muscle-strengthening activities. Low participation rates in both sexes indicate efforts to encourage participation in men and women are warranted. The results also highlight the need for rigorous definitions of “participation,” as the lack of such definitions explains the mixed results reported previously.

Associations of Multiple Chronic Health Conditions with Health Behavior

This study aimed to scrutinize the association of the number of chronic health conditions with health behavior. The health behavior was measured by meeting the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines (PAGs) for Americans for five physical activity levels for adults aged 18 years or older in the United States using data from the 2017 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). The empirical results of a multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that respondents living with chronic health conditions were more likely to participate in aerobic physical activities, but not meeting the PAGs. In the insufficient physical activity subgroup, all of the predicted odds ratios were greater than one and increased as the number of chronic health conditions increased. It implied that the increase in the number of chronic conditions was positively associated with participating in insufficient physical activity. Respondents who reported having less than three chronic health conditions were more likely to meet the aerobic physical activity guidelines compared with respondents living with three or more chronic health conditions. Importantly, respondents who reported having 4 or more chronic health conditions had a higher likelihood of meeting the recommendations for muscle-strengthening activity. However, chronic health conditions would significantly discourage respondents from participating in both aerobic and muscle-strengthening physical activities. In conclusion, this study found that chronic health conditions played an important role in determining regular participation in the level of physical activity for individuals living with chronic health conditions.

Recommended physical activity and all cause and cause specific mortality in US adults: prospective cohort study

ObjectiveTo determine the association between recommended physical activity according to the 2018 physical activity guidelines for Americans and all cause and cause specific mortality using a nationally representative sample of...

DIABETES RISK STATUS AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN WOMEN OF CHILDBEARING AGE: U.S. BRFSS

PURPOSE: Women of childbearing age with prediabetes (PD) or gestational diabetes (GD) can reduce their odds of diabetes by engaging in physical activity (PA). This study examined the odds of meeting the current United States aerobic activity (AA), muscle-strengthening activity (MSA), both, or neither recommendation(s), according to diabetes risk status (DRS). METHODS: Women (N=282,302) ages 18-44 who participated in the 2011, 2013, 2015, or 2017 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey were categorized by DRS: no diabetes (ND), diabetes (DM), or high risk for diabetes (HRD). Logistic regression models stratified by body mass index (underweight [<18.5], desirable weight [18.5-24.9], overweight [25.0-29.9], and obese [≥30.0]) were fitted, controlling for potential confounders. RESULTS: Compared to the ND referent group, overweight women with DM had significantly (p≤0.05) lower odds of meeting the AA recommendation (OR 0.83, CI 0.67-1.00). Overweight women considered HRD were less likely to meet the MSA recommendation (OR 0.81, CI 0.68-0.97) and more likely to not meet either recommendation (OR 1.20, CI 1.03-1.40). Among women in the desirable weight group, those considered HRD had lower odds of meeting MSA only (OR 0.72, CI 0.61-0.85) or both recommendations (OR 0.77, CI 0.64-0.93). Desirable weight women with DM had greater odds of not meeting either recommendation (OR 1.43, CI 1.12-1.82). CONCLUSIONS: Increased AA and MSA in women at risk for diabetes may benefit maternal outcomes. Strategies targeting the determinants of PA should be considered to increase participation.

Can reminders improve adherence to regular physical activity and exercise recommendations in people over 60 years old? : Arandomized controlled study.

SummaryPurposeThe purpose of the study was to investigate whether additional reminders could enhance adherence to a 12-week program consisting of regular physical activity.MethodsThe study collective consisted of pensioners insured with the Austrian Insurance Fund for Civil or Public Servants. They were made aware of our program through the public service union. The subjects were randomized to an intervention group (group A) that received reminders and to a control group (group B) that did not receive such notifications. Adherence to physical activity was assessed by the use of diaries.ResultsGroup A performed 96 min more moderate intensity regular physical activity per week than group B (group A median 269 min, r = 0–1560 min; group B median 173 min, r = 0–2700 min). The Mann–Whitney U-test showed no significant differences (p = 0.080) between the study groups.There was no difference in muscle strengthening activity (group A: median: 2, r = 0–13 sessions; group B: median: 2, r = 0–20 sessions).ConclusionThe major positive observation was that both the experimental and control group participants exceeded the recommended level of physical activity. Nevertheless, there were some differences concerning the minutes of physical activity performed in favor of the intervention group.

PancREatic Cancer and Individualised Supervised Exercise (PRECISE): a feasibility trial protocol for patients with resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Background: Patients with resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy can experience an array of complications including fatigue, pain and the loss of physical function. Accumulating evidence from largely early stage breast cancer studies supports exercise as an adjunct therapy to help mitigate treatment complications. However, there is a lack of evidence of its feasibility in pancreatic cancer. The purpose of this study is to explore the initial feasibility of delivering a supervised, individualized, and progressive concurrent exercise intervention to individuals with resectable PDAC who are undergoing adjuvant therapy. Methodology: Ten patients with resectable PDAC undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy will be recruited. Clinical care teams will screen patients against inclusion criteria to determine eligibility. All enrolled participants will complete a 16-week, supervised, tailored, moderate intensity exercise intervention consisting of aerobic and muscle strengthening activities. The primary outcome will be feasibility of delivering a supervised exercise intervention. Secondary outcomes will include measures of physical fitness, fatigue, and quality of life. Outcomes will be measured at baseline (T1), 16 weeks (T2) and 3 months (T3). The feasibility, acceptability and potential utility of the supervised exercise intervention will be explored qualitatively through semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders (e.g. active participants, eligible participants that declined participation and the research staff including exercise physiologists and recruiting clinicians). The use of health and social care services, medications and personal expenses incurred during the trial will also be used to determine cost-effectiveness of this intervention and a potential further RCT in PDAC. Discussion: The overall aim of this study is to determine the utility of a supervised, tailored, moderate intensity exercise intervention in PDAC patients undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy. This feasibility study will help inform the design of future randomised controlled trials to determine the efficacy of the exercise intervention in PDAC.

Abstract D102: Lower acculturation is associated with lower aerobic physical activity among recent Latino immigrant cancer survivors

Abstract Introduction: Latino cancer survivors engage in less physical activity than non-Latino cancer survivors. Previous research has shown that higher acculturation is associated with higher leisure-time physical activity among foreign-born Latinos. However, there is limited research on the association of acculturation with leisure-time aerobic and muscle-strengthening activity among foreign-born Latino cancer survivors, for whom the acculturation and physical activity association may be influenced by lifestyle changes related to cancer survivorship. Therefore, we examined whether acculturation was associated with aerobic and muscle-strengthening physical activity among Latino cancer survivors. Methods: We used cross-sectional data from the 2008-2015 National Health Interview Survey (n=1,293). Participants were individuals that self-identified as Latino, ≥20 years old, and not pregnant. Cancer diagnosis was assessed by the survey variable, “Ever told by a doctor you have cancer?” Nativity (US-born, foreign-born) and years living in the US (&amp;lt;10 years living in US, ≥10 years living in US) were used as proxies of acculturation. Aerobic physical activity was measured based on self-reported minutes of moderate-to-vigorous aerobic physical activity engaged in per week, then categorized into none, some activity, and meeting the aerobic activity guideline. Muscle-strengthening activity was measured based on self-reported frequency of muscle-strengthening activity per week, then categorized into meeting and not meeting the muscle-strengthening guideline. Cutoffs for meeting the aerobic and muscle-strengthening guidelines were based on the 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. Logistic regression models were used to examine the association of acculturation with aerobic and muscle-strengthening activity among Latino cancer survivors. Models were adjusted for age, sex, education, and Hispanic subgroup. Results: Approximately 33% of the sample reported meeting the aerobic activity guideline, and 15% reported meeting the muscle-strengthening guideline. Foreign-born cancer survivors living in the US &amp;lt;10 years were significantly less likely to meet the aerobic physical activity guideline (Odds Ratio [OR]: 0.26, 95% Confidence Interval: 0.10-0.67) and to engage in some aerobic activity (OR: 0.38, 95% CI: 0.16-0.89), compared with US-born Latino cancer survivors. There was no significant association between acculturation and muscle-strengthening activity. Conclusion: Recent Latino immigrants with a history of cancer are less likely to engage in aerobic physical activity compared with their US-born counterparts. Research is warranted on the barriers to aerobic physical activity among recent Latino immigrant cancer survivors. Citation Format: Shreya Desai, Mariana Vazquez, Daphne C Hernandez, Lorraine R Reitzel, Rosenda Murillo. Lower acculturation is associated with lower aerobic physical activity among recent Latino immigrant cancer survivors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Twelfth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2019 Sep 20-23; San Francisco, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2020;29(6 Suppl_2):Abstract nr D102.

Muscle-Strengthening Activities and Sociodemographic Correlates among Adults: Findings from Samples in Mainland China.

A growing body of research has investigated the level of participation in muscle-strengthening (MS) activities and their correlates among Western populations; however, scarce attention has been paid to this issue among Chinese adults. This study aimed to describe the level of MS activities and to explore the relationships between sociodemographic correlates and level of MS activities in a large sample of Chinese adults. For this study, 3073 adults were recruited from 13 cities in Hubei Province. A self-reported questionnaire was utilized to collect data on MS activities and sociodemographic information among participants in this study. According to World Health Organization physical activity guidelines, MS activities should be undertaken at least two days per week. Multivariate logistic regression was used to explore the sociodemographic correlates of MS activities. The statistical significance level was set up as p < 0.05. The prevalence of MS activities among participants was 28.5%. MS activities among the total samples were associated with sex (adjusted odds ratios (aORs) for male = 1.98, 95% confidence intervals (95% CI): 1.67–2.34) and family composition (aOR for multiple children = 1.35, 95%CI: 1.12–1.64). Among males, normal weight status (aOR = 1.39, 95%CI: 1.08–1.78) and multiple children (aOR = 1.58, 95% CI: 1.21–2.05) were associated with MS activities. There was no association of sociodemographic factors with MS activities among females. Our results suggest that approximately 70% of adults in Hubei Province do not engage in recommended MS activities. These activities were associated with sex and family composition, which differed between sexes. This study provides sex-specific information on MS activity interventions. Future studies should use improved designs to explore more sociodemographic (e.g., health status, marital status and smoking status) and other dimensional correlates of MS activities among Chinese adults, to provide an evidence base for improved health behavior interventions.

Assessing the prevalence of meeting physical activity recommendations among U.S. healthcare workers: Data from the 2015 National Health Interview Survey

We examined the prevalence of U.S. healthcare workers who met the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans (2008 Guidelines), and the relationships among meeting the 2008 Guidelines and health behaviors, musculoskeletal symptoms, and occupational- and workplace- factors. We estimated prevalence of meeting the 2008 Guidelines for aerobic and muscle-strengthening activity using data from the 2015 National Health Interview Survey. Among 1,502 U.S. healthcare workers, 56.2% met the recommended guideline for aerobic activity; 30.1% met the recommended guideline for muscle-strengthening activity; and 25.3% met both recommended guidelines. Adjusting for covariates, meeting the 2008 Guidelines was associated with no history of smoking, current alcohol consumption, type of occupation, occupational activities, and availability of a health promotion program at work. Our findings suggest multi-level approaches (combining individual and organizational level efforts) are needed.

Web Alert

Adaptive Sports USA https://adaptivesportsusa.org/ Description: Individuals with disabilities may often be looking for safe and supportive outlets for physical activity from general health goals to aspirations in elite-level competition. Adaptive Sports USA's mission is to “empower individuals with a disability through access to competitive sport(s) opportunities.” The organization helps to provide an outreach network from the regional to international level in support of the “adaptive sport-minded community.” They provide resources in education, coaching expertise, and competition opportunities through all stages of an adaptive athlete's development to encourage those athletes to “learn, compete, and grow.” The web site highlights specific sports from archery to track and field, including information on athlete classification. There also is a calendar of upcoming competitive events. Additionally, there is an area outlining the chapters that exist across the United States with associated links where those interested in adaptive sports can reach out to get involved as either an athlete or volunteer. Cost: Free to explore the web site, US $50/year for an individual membership, US $225/year for a chapter membership. Noom https://www.noom.com/ Description: Noom is a new weight-loss app designed to encourage lasting healthy lifestyle changes. Its focus is different from the typical calorie counting approaches to dieting and instead targets the psychology of our eating habits. The app allows users to log their meals and track their weight and activity in addition to providing support via a one-on-one coach and peer group of other Noom users. There are daily tasks and lessons focused on self-awareness and identifying trends and pitfalls in our daily dietary routines. The company highlights that its users have lost significant weight and kept it off through breaking old destructive habits and replacing them with healthy ones. Through healthy habits, their users can reduce the risk of chronic health problems and “foster healthier relationships with themselves in the process.” Cost: The app is free to download, subscriptions range from US $59 per month to US $199 per year plus tax. Right to Play USA https://www.righttoplayusa.org/ Description: Right to Play is an international organization aimed at protecting, educating, and empowering children “to rise above adversity using the power of play.” The organization recognizes children as among the most vulnerable people in the world with many children fighting to merely attend school as they try to avoid violence, child labor, early marriage, illiteracy, and inequality. Through play, children can be empowered to stay in school and out of work and be kept safe from exploitation and abuse. More specifically, the ability to attend school gives girls the power to make healthy decisions about their bodies and futures. The group has a broad definition of play including poetry, dance, art, and music and has a stated impact of transforming the lives of 2.3 million children each year. Cost: The web site is free to explore. Association for Applied Sport Psychology https://appliedsportpsych.org/ Description: The Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP) has a wealth of resources for athletes, coaches, and nonsport performers (dancers, musicians), business professionals, and tactical occupations (military, police, firefighters). Founded in 1985, the AASP is the leading organization for sport psychology consultants and professionals. The web site includes a plethora of information about applied sport psychology, graduate training, professional development, and certification. In particular, the AASP blog contains interesting articles as educational resources and tools for coaches, parents, athletes, and other performers. The group also offers regular webinars on a variety of topics. Additionally, there are links to publications, and a “student center” for those in various related educational programs. Cost: The web site and blog are free to access; the webinars are available for on-demand purchase of up to US $50. Move Your Way https://health.gov/moveyourway/ Description: Move Your Way is a great resource within the health.gov web site. Specifically, it includes tools, videos, and fact sheets with tips to make it easier to be more physically active. Based on the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, Move Your Way makes the information very understandable and usable for adults to implement changes in their activity habits, and also for parents to encourage their children to get moving. Of particular utility is the interactive activity planner that lets you plan your week of both aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities to strive to meet the physical activity guidelines. Cost: Free.

A Narrative Review of Handgrip Strength and Cognitive Functioning: Bringing a New Characteristic to Muscle Memory.

Measures of handgrip strength have not only emerged as a clinically viable screening tool for determining risk for morbidity, functional disability, and early mortality, but also for helping to identify cognitive deficits. However, the phenomena that links low handgrip strength with cognitive decline remains unclear. The role of the muscular and neural systems, and their adaptations to muscle strengthening activities over the life course, may provide important information for how age-related changes to muscle mass, strength, and neural capacity influence cognition. Moreover, disentangling how handgrip strength and cognitive function are associated may help to inform healthcare providers working with aging adults and guide targeted interventions aiming to preserve muscle and cognitive functioning. To 1) highlight and summarize evidence examining the associations of handgrip strength and cognitive functioning, and 2) provide directions for future research in this area. Articles from the PubMed database were searched from November 2018-May 2019. The search term algorithm, inclusion and exclusion criteria were pre-specified by investigators. Several cross-sectional and longitudinal studies have revealed that measures of handgrip strength were associated with cognitive declines regardless of age demographics and the presence of comorbidities. Handgrip strength can be used in clinical and epidemiological settings for helping to determine the onset and progression of cognitive impairment. Future research should continue to examine how handgrip strength and cognitive function are linked.

Activity-related typologies and longitudinal change in physical activity and sedentary time in children and adolescents: The UP&DOWN Study

BackgroundChildren and adolescents can be distinguished by different typologies (clusters) of physical activity and sedentary behavior. How physical activity and sedentary behaviors change over time within different typologies is not known. This study examined longitudinal changes in physical activity and sedentary time among children and adolescents with different baseline typologies of activity-related behavior. MethodsIn this longitudinal study (3 annual time points) of children (n = 600, age = 9.2 ± 0.4 years (mean ± SD), 50.3% girls) and adolescents (n = 1037, age = 13.6 ± 1.7 years, 48.4% girls), participants were recruited in Spain in 2011–2012. Latent class analyses identified typologies based on self-reported screen, educational, social and relaxing sedentary behaviors, active travel, muscle strengthening activity, and sport at baseline. Within each typology, linear mixed growth models explored longitudinal changes in accelerometer-derived moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and sedentary time, as well as time by class interactions. ResultsThree typologies were identified among children (“social screenies”, 12.8%; “exercisers”, 61.5%; and “non-sporty active commuters”, 25.7%) and among adolescents (“active screenies”, 43.5%; “active academics”, 35.0%; and “non-sporty active commuters”, 21.5%) at baseline. Sedentary time increased within each typology among children and adolescents, with no significant differences between typologies. No changes in physical activity were found in any typology among children. In adolescents, physical activity declined within all typologies, with “non-sporty active commuters” declining significantly more than “active screenies” over 3 years. ConclusionThese results support the need for intervention to promote physical activity and prevent increases in sedentary time during childhood and adolescence. Adolescents characterized as “non-sporty active commuters” may require specific interventions to maintain their physical activity over time.

German recommendations for physical activity and physical activity promotion in adults with noncommunicable diseases

BackgroundExisting physical activity guidelines predominantly focus on healthy age-stratified target groups. The objective of this study was to develop evidence-based recommendations for physical activity (PA) and PA promotion for German adults (18–65 years) with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).MethodsThe PA recommendations were developed based on existing PA recommendations. In phase 1, systematic literature searches were conducted for current PA recommendations for seven chronic conditions (osteoarthrosis of the hip and knee, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, stable ischemic heart disease, stroke, clinical depression, and chronic non-specific back pain). In phase 2, the PA recommendations were evaluated on the basis of 28 quality criteria, and high-quality recommendations were analysed. In phase 3, PA recommendations for seven chronic conditions were deducted and then synthesised to generate generic German PA recommendations for adults with NCDs. In relation to the recommendations for PA promotion, a systematic literature review was conducted on papers that reviewed the efficacy/effectiveness of interventions for PA promotion in adults with NCDs.ResultsThe German recommendations for physical activity state that adults with NCDs should, over the course of a week, do at least 150 min of moderate-intensity aerobic PA, or 75 min of vigorous-intensity aerobic PA, or a combination of both. Furthermore, muscle-strengthening activities should be performed at least twice a week. The promotion of PA among adults with NCDs should be theory-based, specifically target PA behaviour, and be tailored to the respective target group. In this context, and as an intervention method, exercise referral schemes are one of the more promising methods of promoting PA in adults with NCDs.ConclusionThe development of evidence-based recommendations for PA and PA promotion is an important step in terms of the initiation and implementation of actions for PA-related health promotion in Germany. The German recommendations for PA and PA promotion inform adults affected by NCDs and health professionals on how much PA would be optimal for adults with NCDs. Additionally, the recommendations provide professionals entrusted in PA promotion the best strategies and interventions to raise low PA levels in adults with NCDs. The formulation of specific PA recommendations for adults with NCDs and their combination with recommendations on PA promotion is a unique characteristic of the German recommendations.