Optimal Level Of Physical Activity Research Articles

Association between accelerometer-derived physical activity and depression: a cross-sectional study using isotemporal substitution analysis

ObjectivesDepression is a significant public health concern, and physical activity has been identified as a non-pharmacological intervention. Understanding the dose–response relationship between physical activity and depression is crucial for designing...

Association between physical activity and depressive symptoms in adolescents: A prospective cohort study

It remains uncertain whether a protective association between physical activity and depression exists among adolescents and what the optimal level of physical activity might be. This study aimed to estimate the associations of physical activity levels with depressive symptoms and new-onset depression, while identifying potential modifying factors influencing the relationships. In this cohort study, we initially enrolled 1957 participants at baseline and followed up with 1738 of them after two years. Our analysis focused on data from 1482 students who provided complete information on both physical activity and depressive symptoms. Generalized linear regression and restricted cubic spline regression models were performed. Our adjusted models revealed that engaging in 4–7 h/week of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) at baseline was negatively associated with subsequent depressive symptoms and new-onset depression compared to the non-MVPA group. However, exceeding 7 h/week of MVPA did not provide substantial benefits. Furthermore, drinking and screen time potentially modified the relationship between MVPA and new-onset depression. Our findings suggest that 4–7 h of MVPA per week may be an appropriate level to reduce depressive symptoms in adolescents. Moreover, individual behaviors (e.g., drinking and screen time) warrant heightened attention in interventions targeting the reduction of depression in this population.

The influence of visitors’ specific motor actions on the perception and evaluation of museum exhibits

Background and Study Aim. An important element in the system of museum activities are approaches to attracting visitors. Among these approaches, one can single out the dialogue of the museum with visitors through specially organized active motor actions. Such actions have certain parameters (the nature of physical activity and its age-appropriateness, intensity, duration, etc.), which can influence the perception and evaluation of exhibits and the decision of visitors to return to the museum. The purpose of the study is an attempt to explain how specially organized active motor actions of visitors affect the perception and evaluation of museum exhibits and getting satisfaction from visiting.
 Material and Methods. Publications from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoS) were selected as the source of information. The search was carried out using keywords that characterize the interaction of visitors with the subject-spatial environment of the museum. The VOSviewer program was used to analyze the relationships between documents retrieved from WoS.
 Results. It is argued that the sedentary behavior of visitors, typical for many museums, does not contribute to their involvement in the museum space and the creation of meaning in museums. It is noted that an important aspect in the organization of special motor actions of visitors is the orientation to their motivation and interpretation of movements in the museum exhibits. The optimal level of physical activity has been identified. It creates a comfortable feeling and contributes to an adequate perception of the exhibits and corresponds to the main mission of the museum.
 Conclusions. Specially organized motor actions form the maximum motivation for visitors to study the museum exhibits. Such movements carry a certain semantic character of the theme of the museum.

The association between physical activity and cognitive function in the elderly in rural areas of northern China.

Physical activity plays an important role in cognitive function in older adults, and the threshold effect and saturation effect between physical activity and cognitive function are unclear. The purpose of this study was to explore the threshold effect and saturation effect between physical activity and cognitive function in the elderly. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used to measure moderate-intensity physical activity and vigorous-intensity physical activity and total physical activity in older adults. Cognitive function assessment uses the Beijing version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MoCA). The scale consists of seven parts: visual space, naming, attention, language, abstract ability, delayed recall and orientation, for a total of 30 points. The total score of the study participants < 26 was defined as the optimum cutoff point for a definition of mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The multivariable linear regression model was used to initially explore the relationship between physical activity and total cognitive function scores. The logistic regression model was used to assess the relationship between physical activity and cognitive function dimensions and MCI. The threshold effect and saturation effect between the total physical activity and the total cognitive function scores were investigated by smoothed curve fitting. This cross-sectional survey had a total of 647 participants aged 60 years and older (mean age: 73 years, female: 53.7%). Participants' higher level of physical activity were associated with higher visual space, attention, language, abstract ability, and delayed recall scores (P < 0.05). Physical activity was not statistically associated with naming and orientation. Physical activity was a protective factor for MCI (P < 0.05). Physical activity was positively correlated with total cognitive function scores. There was a saturation effect between total physical activity and total cognitive function scores, and the saturation point was 6546 MET × min/wk. This study showed a saturation effect between physical activity and cognitive function, and determined an optimal level of physical activity to protect cognitive function. This finding will help update physical activity guidelines based on cognitive function in the elderly.

Psychosocial stress and well-being in patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction in a tertiary care center

BackgroundPsychosocial factors such as stress have been previously implicated as a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). There is little evidence regarding the prevalence of stress among patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). MethodsA total of 903 patients with AMI enrolled in the North Indian ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (NORIN-STEMI) registry were included in this study. Perceived stress in these subjects was evaluated using the Perceived Stress Scale-10 questionnaire while the World health Organization (WHO-5) Well-being Index was used to evaluate psychological well-being. All these patients were followed up for one month and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were determined. ResultsA majority of patients with AMI had either severe (478 [52.9%]) or moderate stress (347 [38.4%]) while low stress levels were observed in 78 [8.6%] patients. Additionally, most of the patients with AMI (478 [53%]) had WHO-5 well-being index <50%. Subjects with severe stress were younger (50.86 ± 13.31; P < 0.0001), more likely to be males (403 [84.30%]; P = 0.027), were less likely to have optimal level of physical activity (P < 0.0001) and had lower WHO-5 well-being score (45.54 ± 1.94%; P < 0.0001) as compared to those with low and moderate stress levels. On 30-days follow-up, subjects with moderate/severe stress had higher MACE however, the difference was non-significant (2.1% vs 1.04%; P = 0.42). ConclusionA high prevalence of perceived stress and low well-being index was observed in patients presenting with AMI in India.

News Brief: More guidance for optimal levels of physical activity for lower risk of mortality.

News Brief: More guidance for optimal levels of physical activity for lower risk of mortality.

A Pilot Cross-Sectional Study on the Level of Depression and Physical Activity among Students in Poland and Portugal in the Second Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Objectives: The aim of the study was to make a preliminary assessment of depression rates and levels of physical activity and the association between physical activity and depression among Polish and Portuguese students in the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A web-based online survey was conducted among students in Poland and Portugal (398 respondents-229 from Poland and 169 from Portugal) aged between 17 and 26 in October 2022. The level of depression was assessed by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) in Polish and in Portuguese. The level of physical activity was measured by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) in Polish and in Portuguese. Results: Overall, 20-35% of respondents suffered from moderate depression, with a lower proportion among men. There were no differences in the percentage distribution of depression classification between Polish and Portuguese students. A decrease in the severity of depression was observed with increasing physical activity. In both countries, walking more often had the strongest effect on reducing depression scores. Conclusions: The continued and alarming prevalence of depressive disorders among university students in the year after the pandemic began had a significant impact on this population-further research on the impact of physical activity on mental health in different populations should be conducted to adjust the optimal level of physical activity for alleviating negative psychiatric symptoms.

Identifying sex-specific injury predictors as a key factor in maintaining optimal physical activity levels.

Optimal physical activity is known to reduce cardiovascular, respiratory and endocrine system diseases and, as a consequence, improve quality of life. An important risk factor for reinjuries during normal exercise is the initial connective tissue pathology. The variety of clinical dysplastic manifestations significantly complicate the timely diagnosis of this comorbidity. To establish pathognomonic sex-specific dysplasia phenotypes that indicate a particular sensitivity to physical exertion. The study involved 117 participants with recurrent musculoskeletal injuries that occurred during normal exercise. There were 67 women (57.26%) and 50 men (42.74%), which made it possible to compare the presence of the identified signs between sexes. A validated questionnaire was used to screen their connective tissue status. Ranking the most commonly revealed dysplasia signs depending on their clinical significance made it possible to establish pathognomonic sex-specific phenotypes that indicated a particular susceptibility to injuries. Individualized programs of optimal physical activity are necessary for men with chest deformities, flat-valgus feet, dolichostenomelia, arachnodactylia, hemorrhoids, abdominal muscle diastasis and recurrent hernias. In women, special sensitivity to physical exertion was associated with a combination of signs such as asthenic body, joint hypermobility, overly soft auricles, thin hyperelastic skin, atrophic striae, telangiectasias and varicose veins. Of particular importance were universal signs such as gothic palate, scoliosis, kyphosis, leg deformities, temporomandibular joint crunching, and moderate to high myopia. Participants' connective tissue condition should be considered when designing optimal physical activity programs. Identifying the established sex-specific dysplasia phenotypes will allow timely optimization of training loads, thus reducing the risk of injury.

Burden of cancer attributable to insufficient physical activity in Tunisia

Insufficient physical activity is a risk factor for several types of cancer. Therefore, estimating the burden of cancer attributable to insufficient physical activity is essential to evaluate the effect of health promotion and prevention interventions. We estimated the number of incident cancer cases, deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) attributable to insufficient physical activity in the Tunisian population aged 35 years and older in 2019. We estimated the age-specific population attributable fractions by sex and cancer site to estimate the proportion of cases, deaths and DALYs that could be avoided with optimal levels of physical activity. We used data on cancer incidence, mortality and DALYs from the Global Burden of Disease study estimates for Tunisia in 2019, and data on physical activity prevalence from a Tunisian population-based survey in 2016. We used site-specific relative risk estimates from meta-analyses and comprehensive reports. The prevalence of insufficient physical activity was 95.6%. In 2019, 16 890 incident cancer cases, 9368 cancer-related deaths and 230 900 cancer-related DALYs were estimated to have occurred in Tunisia. We estimated that 7.9% of incident cancer cases, 9.8% of cancer-related deaths and 9.9% of cancer-related DALYs were attributable to insufficient physical activity. At cancer sites known to be associated with inadequate physical activity, 14.6% of cancer cases, 15.7% of deaths and 15.6% of DALYs were attributable to insufficient physical activity. Insufficient physical activity contributed to almost 10% of the cancer burden in Tunisia in 2019. Reaching optimal physical activity levels would considerably reduce the burden of associated cancers in the long-term.

The association between steps per day and blood pressure in children

Lower levels of physical activity are associated with an increased overall cardiometabolic risk, as well as the risk or being overweight. It is difficult to determine the optimal level of physical activity that protects the needs of children and young people. Studies on the required number of steps, as well as approximating the daily volume of physical activity, are gaining increasing credibility in research and practice. Researchers propose a "rule" of ≥ 11,500 steps per day, for children and teenagers of both sexes. The aim of the study was to assess whether 11,500 steps a day is sufficient to maintain normal blood pressure among children and adolescents. 1002 children and adolescents aged 4–15 were included in the study. To assess physical activity, measured in the number of steps per day, the Actigraph accelerometer wGT3X-BT was used. The normal number of steps was defined as greater than or equal to 11,500 steps per day for children and teenagers, for both girls and boys. In the entire study group, a significantly lower risk of hypertension was observed when the number of steps was normal (OR is 0.45 and the upper confidence limit for OR is 0.71). The study confirmed the beneficial protective role of physical activity against hypertension in older children and adolescents. However, it should be emphasized that no such relationship has been demonstrated in the case of preschool children. The presented norms of the number of steps should be promoted to the wider community to make prevention of cardiovascular diseases even more effective.

Quantitative Assessment of Physical Activity in Adults with Sickle Cell Disease

Cardiopulmonary disease is a leading cause of death for adults with sickle cell disease (SCD) and targeted therapies to modify cardiopulmonary disease currently do not exist. Physical fitness is an important predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and overall survival. More specifically, individuals who have lower fitness are at a higher risk for poor cardiovascular outcomes and premature death. Previous studies show that adults with SCD have lower physical fitness levels compared to the general population and deconditioning is one of the reasons cited for lower fitness in SCD. Fortunately, increasing physical activity can improve physical fitness and can result in better daily functioning, disease-related symptomatology, and cardiovascular outcomes in other chronic disease populations. Thus, evaluating the amount of physical activity in SCD provides an excellent opportunity to explore strategies to improve physical fitness which could have larger implications to cardiovascular health in SCD. The objective of this study is to determine physical activity levels in addition to identifying barriers, facilitators, and attitudes towards physical activity in an adult population with SCD.Methods: We obtained consent from 110 ambulatory adults with SCD (age=19-68 yrs; 69% female; 77% HbSS) during routine visits at an adult comprehensive sickle cell center. Participants completed validated quantitative assessments (International Physical Activity Questionnaire, CDC Barriers to Exercise Survey, and Determinants of Physical Activity) to determine weekly physical activity levels and to identify barriers, facilitators, and attitudes towards physical activity. High self-efficacy is a marker of resilience to sustaining physical activity, so we evaluated self-efficacy using a scale tailored to SCD, the Sickle Cell Self-Efficacy Scale. Information regarding genotype, gender, age, pain medication use, disease-modifying therapy, hospital admissions, and acute care visits were obtained from the electronic medical record. Physical activity levels were stratified into three groups: (1) sub-adequate( < 3 days of low to moderate-intensity exercise), (2) adequate(3 days of moderate-intensity activity or > 4 days of low-intensity activity), and (3) optimal ( ≥4 days of moderate-intensity activity). We compared proportions across the three groups using chi-square analysis. To compare scales across the three groups, we used the non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test.Results: 94 completed entries and 16 partial entries were analyzed at the conclusion of the study. Only 21.8% (n=24) of the participants reported optimal levels of physical activity. There were more males in the optimal activity group (N=18/24, p=<0.0001) compared to the other groups, but there was not a significant difference between genotype and age among the three groups. Among the barriers evaluated, lacking energy was identified more often in the sub-adequate group compared to the other two (Table 1). Other important barriers to physical activity such as lack of time, social influence, and so forth were identified more often in the sub-adequate group than the optimal group but this was not statistically significant (Table 1). Facilitators to physical activity and self-efficacy scores did not differ tremendously between the three groups. Interestingly, participants in the optimal sub-category were more likely to use short-acting pain medications compared to the other groups (Table 1). However, there were no significant differences between use of long-acting pain medications, the use of disease-modifying therapy, and hospital admissions among the physical activity groups.Limitations: The quantitative surveys were validated in the general population which may not include the needs specific to SCD. Self-reported physical activity levels are subjective and consequently subjected to recall bias.Conclusion: This is the first report of physical activity levels in US adults with SCD. The majority of SCD participants reported sub-optimal levels of activity and currently do not meet the national guidelines of physical activity in the US. This study underscores the importance of implementing strategies such as regular exercise to increase physical activity in SCD. Gender-differences in physical activity, pain medication use, and fatigue as barriers and facilitators to physical activity will need to be studied further. [Display omitted] DisclosuresOgunsile: Global Blood Therapeutics: Consultancy, Other: Disease-Specific Presentations on SCD; Clearview Research Institute: Consultancy, Honoraria; Novartis: Consultancy, Other: Treatment-Specific Therapy on Crizanlizumab ; Forma: Consultancy, Other: Attended one Advisory Board Meeting . Lebensburger: Novartis: Consultancy; Bio Products Laboratory: Consultancy. Kanter: Fulcrum Therapeutics, Inc.: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Forma: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Agios: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Beam: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Sanofi: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Graphite Bio: Consultancy; GuidePoint Global: Honoraria; Fulcrum Tx: Consultancy.

STEP UP! LESS PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AFTER CONCUSSION IS ASSOCIATED WITH PROLONGED CLINICAL RECOVERY AMONG ADOLESCENTS

Background:While many adolescent athletes recover from concussion within one month, some will not recover within this timeframe. Concussion management guidelines have evolved to de-emphasize rest and promote early re-introduction of sub-symptomatic physical activity. However, the optimal levels of physical activity during concussion recovery have yet to be determined.Hypothesis/Purpose:To investigate the association between quantity, frequency and intensity of physical activity after concussion with clinical recovery, defined as return-to-play (RTP) clearance from their physician.Methods:We conducted an observational, prospective cohort study of 26 youth athletes who sustained a concussion and were evaluated at two time points: initial visit (<14 days post-injury) and RTP clearance visit. Participants reported concussion symptoms using the Post-Concussion Symptom Inventory (PCSI). Participants wore an activity tracking device for the first two weeks after initial visit. This allowed us to quantify average steps/day, exercise frequency (average workouts/week), exercise duration (average time/workout), and exercise intensity (average/maximum HR during workouts). We grouped participants by clinical recovery timing (RTP <28 days vs. ≥28 days post-injury) and compared physical activity measures using independent samples t-tests. We then identified the sensitivity, specificity, and classification accuracy of cutpoints for each exercise variable using a Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) and Area under the Curve (AUC) analysis.Results:Half (n=13) of the participants required ≥28 days to receive RTP clearance. The two groups were similar in age, proportion of females, and past concussion history (Table 1). Those who required ≥28 days for RTP clearance reported significantly greater symptom severity at the initial examination than the RTP <28 days group, despite similar initial visit timing (Table 1). During the two weeks after the initial visit, the RTP ≥28 days group took fewer steps/day, exercised fewer days/week, and exercised fewer total minutes/week (Table 2). Among the activity/exercise variables examined, the highest classification accuracy between groups consisted of ≥9,100 average steps/day, ≥4 sessions/week, and spending ≥135 total minutes/week exercising (Table 3).Conclusion:Higher daily step counts and more frequent/longer exercise sessions were associated with clearance for RTP within 28 days from concussion in adolescent athletes. These preliminary results further support the benefit of physical activity during concussion recovery. However, our study cannot assess the causal effect of these findings, given that those who felt better earlier may have been willing to participate in more physical activity. Further research is needed to develop duration-, frequency- and intensity-specific physical activity level guidelines to aid clinicians in concussion management.

Physical activity levels and suggestions for its promotion among university students

Introduction: Physical activity not only has positive effects on health, but is also linked to various aspects of life. Physical activity is considered one of the main components that contribute to a healthy lifestyle and general improvement in health including physical strength, muscle endurance and flexibility. A variety of evidences show that regular physical activity is beneficial to health and strong scientific research exists that reported decreased mortality rate with an optimal level of physical activity. This study was designed to evaluate the physical activity status of university students and their suggestions to promote physical activity. Material &amp; Methods: From January to October 2019, a cross-sectional study was conducted among 2,916 university students, studying at different universities in Faisalabad. The aim was to measure the levels of physical activity according to the pre-defined inclusion/exclusion criteria. Participants were enrolled in the study using convenient sampling. The questionnaire used in this study consisted of three sections, with the first part recording the demographics of the participants, the second part an International Physical Activity Questionnaire and the third part containing several suggestions for promoting physical activity. Logistic regression analysis was used for factors influencing physical activity behaviour. Confidence interval (CI=95%) and odds ratio (OR) were calculated and P-value &lt;0.05 was considered significant. Results: The findings of our study revealed that 2469 (84.6%) of the students out of 2916 were physically active. Of 2916, 1541 (52.8%) participants were moderately active, while 928 (31.8%) participants were highly active. Overall 92.20% male were physically active compared to females 81.70%. Moreover, our study found that the most preferred suggestion for the promotion of physical activity proposed by the students (n=1011, 34.7%) was a provision of physical and social environments that encourage and allow safe and pleasurable physical activity. The least preferred suggestion by the students (n=735, 25.2%) was the addition of at least thirty minutes of exercise as part of the curriculum. Conclusion: This study found that the physical activity profile of most students was between moderate and high. The top-ranked suggestion for the promotion of physical activity among the students was a provision of physical and social environments that encourage and allow safe and pleasurable physical activity.

Effect of Online Training during the COVID-19 Quarantine on the Aerobic Capacity of Youth Soccer Players.

Motor abilities, such as endurance and the optimal level of physical activity, play a fundamental role in football as they are necessary to maintain the high effectiveness of the training process. The aim of this study was the observation of the trend of changes in the level of cardiorespiratory endurance of young football players in a one-year cycle overlapping with the COVID-19 lockdown and an assessment of the impact of the training intervention during home confinement. The participants of the study were 24 young football players. We analysed the results of the study in a one-year training cycle (lockdown from 11 March 2020 to 6 May 2020). The cardiorespiratory endurance was measured using the Multistage 20 m Shuttle Run test—Beep Test. A repeated measures analysis of variance was used in the study. Detailed comparisons were made using Tukey’s HSD test. Statistically significant differences were noted in endurance in a one year cycle: F(5.115) = 22.65; p < 0.001; partial Eta-squared = 0.50. An increase in the level of endurance by mean = 179.17 m, SD ± 189.87 m was noted between T1 and T6. After the break caused by the COVID-19 restrictions, a decrease in the level of cardiorespiratory endurance was noted. Only after two training mesocycles was a significant increase in the mean value noted compared to the period before the pandemic (p < 0.05). With the negative impact of restrictions in mind, coaches and physiotherapists should exercise caution when planning training, taking into consideration the level of physical activity during the pandemic.

Physical activity and exercise during pregnancy in Greece: A cross-sectional study

Introduction: Physical activity and exercise during pregnancy is regarded safe and beneficial in absence of pregnancy complications. The aim of this cross-sectional study is to describe physical activity of pregnant women in Greece and explore if it changes during pregnancy compared to the period before pregnancy. Material and Methods: The study was conducted in a private maternity hospital. Women were asked to fill in an adapted questionnaire based on Pregnant Physical Activity Questionnaire; birth outcomes and anthropometric measurements of the neonate were collected by the research midwife. Results: In our study population of 193 pregnant women, approximately half reported no or minimal physical activity during pregnancy and were less active than current guidelines’ recommendations. Gynaecologist’s opinion regarding exercise during pregnancy was conceived as positive only by a minority of women. Overall, women were less active during pregnancy than before, although they spent more time slowly walking for fun or exercise. Lastly, significant decrease was observed in all occupational activities involving slow or quick walking and lifting weights. Conclusions: These results indicate that systematic counselling of pregnant women regarding physical activity and exercise during pregnancy will be needed to achieve optimal physical activity levels for the majority of women in Greece.

Is physical activity in pregnancy associated with prenatal and postnatal depressive symptoms?: Results from MAASTHI cohort study in South India

ObjectivePhysical inactivity leads to depression and other adverse health consequences. Pregnant women are an important subgroup to study the health consequences due to physical inactivity since it can lead to adverse outcomes in pregnancy and even after delivery. Therefore, we aimed at understanding the level of physical activity among pregnant women, prevalence of prenatal and postnatal depressive symptoms and whether level of physical activity is associated with prenatal and postnatal depressive symptoms. MethodsIn an ongoing cohort study, we measured the physical activity using a validated Physical Activity Level (PAL) questionnaire. We administered the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) during pregnancy and within seven days of delivery to assess depressive symptoms in 1406 women. Associations were adjusted for potential confounders such as maternal age, education, socioeconomic status, gravida, EPDS score during pregnancy, social support, skinfold thickness, blood pressure, blood sugar level. ResultsWe found that 7.2% of pregnant women had low levels of physical activity. The prevalence of prenatal and postnatal depressive symptoms was 9.0% and 31.9% respectively. Pregnant women with a low level of physical activity had significantly higher odds of developing postpartum depressive symptoms (OR = 3.15, CI: 1.98–5.02, p < 0.001) when adjusted for potential confounders. ConclusionsModerate level of physical activity among pregnant mothers is essential and has its association with postnatal depressive symptoms. Health care professionals need to counsel pregnant women to assess depressive symptoms at both the prenatal and postpartum period and inform them about the importance of the optimal level of physical activity.

Features of Physical Activity of Russian and Foreign Students: Motivators, Barriers, Self-Esteem

Introduction. Intense physical activity is associated with good health and wellbeing of an individual, and its manifestations in students can have gender and socio-cultural features. The purpose of the study is to identify the features of physical activity of Russian and foreign students of a regional university through the assessment of its motivators, barriers and interrelation with self-esteem indicators, the knowledge of which can be used as the basis for creating personalized preventive health promotion programs. Materials and Methods. An online survey among 423 Russian and foreign students of a regional university was conducted using the Godin-Shephard Leisure-Time Physical Activity Questionnaire using the Ashton Motivators and Barriers Scale and the modified method of Dembo – Rubinstein. The data obtained were statistically processed with the calculation of Student’s t-test, chi-square, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Results. It has been revealed that two-thirds of the respondents have an optimal level of physical activity, and its motivators (the desire to improve health, physical shape, and body) and barriers (lack of time) are universal. Russian female university students surpass foreign ones in terms of the duration of physical activities, and foreign girls are inferior to foreign young men in terms of the frequency of classes. Barriers specific to Russian girls have been identified: Inappropriate weather and the belief that physical activity is not a right occupation for women. Russian young men have mentioned the lack of conditions for training as a barrier. The difference between Russian young men and foreign ones is that foreigners find positive correlation between physical activity, confidence, and physical attractiveness. Discussion and Conclusion. The results obtained may be useful for teaching personnel of university departments of physical education, medical and psychological services, and student self-government organizations. It is recommended that university prevention programs be gender-specific, culturally oriented, aimed at neutralizing the system of internal and social barriers to attending classes, and based on the student's self-esteem potential.

ASSESSMENT OF HEALTH AND PHYSICAL PREPAREDNESS OF STUDNTS OF THE FACULTY OF DOCTORS TRAINING FOR THE ARMED FORCES OF UKRAINE

In recent years, there has been a steady trend of deteriorating health and fitness of student youth. The purpose of the article is to assess the level of health of students in the Faculty of Physician Training for the Armed Forces of Ukraine is one of the basic factors for improving training. The article uses such research methods as the analysis of medical records of 68 students of the Faculty of Physical Training for the Armed Forces of Ukraine and conducted a survey on the developed questionnaire, one of the items of which is the question of self-assessment of health. The results of the research determined anthropometric indicators and found that the state of health, physical activity, forms of rest of students can not be considered satisfactory. This is partly due to hypodynamics, which increases during training. It is shown that only one-fifth of students have the optimal level of physical activity for their age. It was found that 20% of students consider their health «excellent», 46% − «good», 29% − «satisfactory» and 5% − «unsatisfactory». Some students have chronic diseases, often turn to doctors for various diseases, not all students recover on weekends, and sports are the last among all forms of recreation. For 69% of students, physical education classes are the main activities, and perhaps the only, means of improving health and improving physical condition, and 70% of respondents seek to independently choose educational material at physical education classes. The prospects for the further esearch provides for the development and implementation of innovative programmes on physical education, which are the necessary preconditions fir the motivation of students to perform physical exercesises with the aim to improve the educating of priorities of a healthy lifestyle, improving health and fitness.

2019 Novel Coronavirus: Emphasis on Maintaining Optimal Levels of Physical Activity Under Self-quarantine Conditions

2019 Novel Coronavirus: Emphasis on Maintaining Optimal Levels of Physical Activity Under Self-quarantine Conditions

Self-assessment by doctors and patients of their adherence to a healthy lifestyle and their readiness to modify behavioral risk factors of cardiovascular diseases

Background. Poor adherence to risk factor behaviors management increases the risk for a further cardiac event. Unfortunately, poor adherence to behaviors recommended in lifestyle interventions is widespread, particularly over the long-term; thus, the “adherence problem” represents a significant challenge to the effectiveness of these interventionsObjective: The goal of the trial was the assessment of patient’s and physician’s attitude to a healthy lifestyle and evaluation of their stage of readiness for change in dealing with unhealthy behavior with the goal of cardiovascular disease risk factors modification particularly smoking cessation, physical activity, healthy dietMethods: We performed a poll of 158 patients who visited the outpatient clinic of the State Institution of Sciences “Research and Practical Center of Preventive and Clinical Medicine” State Administrative Department with the purpose of preventive services and of 65 physicians – employees of our clinic – about their adherence to healthy lifestyle habits. As the determination of the readiness to deal with an unhealthy behavior allows making individualized preventive counseling, we used a special questionnaire for standardizing approaches to determining the stage of change of three major behavioral risk factors of cardiovascular diseases – smoking, unhealthy diet, and low level of physical activity. The readiness to change was identified according to the Transtheoretical Model (TTM) of Behavior Change. The results of physicians questionnaire (n=65) were compared to the results of patients questionnaire (n=158). Results. Most of the participants – 87,3±2,6 % of patients and 93,6±3,1 % of physicians – were non-smokers. Only 26,6±3,5 % of patients and 20,6±5,1 % of physicians reported following a healthful diet and only 8,9±2,3% of patients and 20,6±5,1 % of physicians perform regular physical activity. The prevalence of optimal level of physical activity among physicians was significantly higher (p&lt;0,05). 72,5± 6,3 % of physicians were on action stage in the matter of healthy diet and 74±6,2 % – in the matter of physical activity regimen, it was significantly higher (р &lt; 0,05) that among patients – 45,7±4,6 % and 41,0±4,1% respectively. Conclusions: Our findings highlight poor adherence to healthy lifestyle habits among physicians and patients, especially in the matter of healthy eating and optimal level of physical activity, and needs for targeted strategies that improve long-term adherence to health behaviors and enhance physician’s knowledge about lifestyle-based health promotion interventions.