Men's Physical Activity in Adolescence Predicts Their Physical Activity Parenting as Fathers.

Weight stigma, defined as negative misconceptions and stereotypes associated with weight, is a social issue in pregnancy and postpartum that can impair engagement in healthy behaviours. Previous studies have not tested the behavioural implications of weight stigma on integral factors that promote maternal and newborn wellbeing, including physical activity (PA) and nutrition. To evaluate the relationship between experiencing weight stigma from close others (i.e., family, friends, partners) in pregnancy and postpartum and adherence to PA and nutrition recommendations. Cross-sectional surveys were administered online at ≥13 weeks pregnant, and 3 months postpartum. In both surveys, participants indicated whether they had experienced weight stigma from close others, PA levels, and if their nutrition behaviours had stayed the same/worsened or improved. Participants were grouped as active or inactive referring to international prenatal PA guidelines, and as improved or stayed the same/worsened nutrition. Logistic regression analyses tested the relationship between frequency of weight stigma and adherence to recommendations. Significance was accepted as p < 0.05. The surveys were completed by 463 participants, and 397 (85.7%) had experienced weight stigma in pregnancy and 341 (74.6%) in postpartum. Frequency of weight stigma was significantly associated with adherence to prenatal PA (β=0.59, Odds Ratio [OR]=1.80, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]=1.3, 2.3, p < 0.001), prenatal nutrition (β=0.44, OR=1.56, 95% CI=1.2, 1.9, p < 0.001), and postpartum PA (β=0.26, OR=1.30, 95% CI=1.0, 1.6, p = 0.019). Weight stigma from close others in pregnancy and postpartum may reduce adherence to PA and nutrition recommendations, thus strategies to mitigate weight stigma are warranted.

Assessing physical activity barriers and facilitators among Latinos/as: Qualitative findings from a citizen science pilot study in a Los Angeles park.

Background: Physical activity is well supported as an effective intervention with numerous benefits for people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Recent research has suggested stronger physical activity guidelines for people with MS (PAG-MS). This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to assess the impact of PAG-MS on quality of life (QOL). A secondary aim is the assessment of the number of adverse effects across studies to gauge physical activity safety in people with MS. Methods: A systematic search was conducted from inception to October 2024 in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, Scopus, and PsycINFO. Two independent reviewers assessed included studies for eligibility, extracted data, and evaluated risk of bias using the Cochrane Revised Tool for Risk of Bias in Randomized Trials. Randomized controlled trials assessing QOL with an intervention meeting PAG-MS were included. Extracted data were analyzed via meta-analysis and compared with clinical significance thresholds where possible. Results: Nineteen studies including 891 people with MS were identified. Meta-analysis revealed significant increases in overall QOL (standardized mean difference [MD], 1.13; 95% CI, 0.40-1.86; P &lt; .01) as well as physical (MD, 12.84; 95% CI, 5.29-20.39; P &lt; .01) and mental (MD, 16.75; 95% CI, 11.9-21.59; P = .04) subscale scores. Physical and mental subscale scores surpassed clinical significance thresholds. The majority of studies were rated to have a high risk of bias. Conclusions: The current PAG-MS appear to be effective in improving QOL in people with MS. Multiple forms of physical activity that met the PAG-MS demonstrated comparable efficacy, supporting the feasibility of individualized physical activity prescriptions based on patient-specific needs and preferences.

Physical inactivity remains a public health concern, with 42% (around 1 in 2) of women and 34% (around 1 in 3) of men in the United Kingdom, for example, failing to meet moderate-to-vigorous physical activity guidelines. To promote physical activity (PA) at scale, smartphone-based mHealth (mobile health) software apps offer a promising solution. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of implementing an mHealth app offering very small ("micro") financial incentives for PA in Leeds, United Kingdom. A 5-week single-arm proof-of-concept study was conducted with rolling recruitment among Caterpillar Health app users between September 12 and December 12, 2022 (Obesity-Related Behavioral Intervention Trial model, phase IIa). Users earned microincentives in the form of "points," redeemable for consumer rewards (eg, movie tickets and gym passes), for meeting personalized daily step goals (US $0.13 per goal achieved; set using data from a 5-day baseline) and completing educational quizzes (US $0.33 per quiz). Descriptive statistics assessed feasibility outcomes (ie, reach, recruitment, retention, engagement, and acceptability) and preliminary effectiveness. Paired-samples t tests (P<.05) examined changes in weekly mean daily step count (from baseline) and step goal achievement over 5 weeks. Of 285 app downloads, 46 users consented to participate (recruitment rate: 16.1%). Participants (mean age: 39.9, SD 11.1 y; 71.1%, 33/46 woman) had a baseline step count of 5598 (SD 2664) steps/day. A total of 25 participants remained engaged (ie, completed at least 1 quiz) at study week 5 (retention rate: 54.3%). Acceptability was high, with 75% of respondents (12/16) indicating they would recommend the app. Weekly mean daily step count did not significantly increase from baseline (mean difference 317, SD 2273, P=.53). Weekly daily step goal achievement rate (%) decreased from study week 1 to 5 (-23.23, SD 22.85, P=.02). Despite lower-than-expected recruitment and no statistically significant PA increase, relatively high engagement and acceptability suggest future pilot testing (Obesity-Related Behavioral Intervention Trial model, phase IIb) of a refined intervention (eg, wider selection of loyalty reward partners) and modified study protocol (eg, simplified consent process) is warranted.

Most children in the United States do not meet the recommended daily physical activity (PA) and sleep guidelines. This study described the contribution of after-school programs to children's daily moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), the prevalence of meeting the U.S. MVPA guidelines (60min daily), sleep duration (9-12h daily), and sleep efficiency (≥ 85% daily) guidelines, and differences by gender, age, and school-level income. This cross-sectional study included 72 children (8-12years, grades 3-6) attending after-school programs at 14 elementary schools in a public school district in Arizona. The children wore ActiGraph GT3X + accelerometers for at least three weekdays and one weekend day for 10h/day to measure PA and sleep. The time spent in MVPA intensity was calculated during after-school programming, and overall MVPA and sleep were averaged across all daily hours. Fisher's exact test was used to examine differences in the prevalence of meeting MVPA and sleep guidelines. After-school programs contributed an average of 35min of daily MVPA among participants. Nearly all (99%) of the children met the PA guidelines, 40% met the sleep efficiency guidelines, and none met the sleep duration recommendations. No statistically significant differences were observed by age, gender, or school-level income (p > 0.05). Although after-school programs effectively support PA, adherence to sleep guidelines remains challenging. After-school programs alone may not be sufficient to improve sleep outcomes. Future studies should explore potential differences in sleep habits between days children attend and do not attend after-school programs.

Infographic. Evidence-based physical activity guidelines for adults living with lower-limb amputation.

This report uses 2024 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data to describe the percentage of adults who met federal aerobic physical activity guidelines for Americans during leisure time, by selected sociodemographic characteristics. Data from the 2024 NHIS were used for this analysis. Point estimates and corresponding variances for this analysis were calculated using SAS-callable SUDAAN software to account for the complex sample design of NHIS. Differences between percentages were evaluated using two-sided significance tests at the 0.05 level. Linear and quadratic trends by age group, family income, education, and urbanization level were evaluated using orthogonal polynomials in logistic regression. In 2024, 47.2% of adults age 18 and older met the federal guidelines for aerobic physical activity, with men more likely to meet the federal guidelines for aerobic physical activity (52.3%) than women (42.4%). Among adults, the prevalence of meeting the federal guidelines for aerobic physical activity increased with increasing level of education. Adults living in the West were more likely to meet the federal guidelines for aerobic physical activity compared with those living in other regions. Aerobic physical activity was higher among adults without disabilities (49.8%), those with healthy weight (54.8%), and those with excellent or very good health (57.8%).

Physical activity plays a crucial role in preventing and managing obesity and its related comorbidities, with minimal side effects. Similarly, consuming a balanced diet is essential for maintaining good health and adequate nutrition. However, most adults fail to meet population-based dietary and physical activity guidelines. In this pilot cluster-randomized controlled trial, we aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a video-based physical activity and dietary intervention among adults aged 30-59 years in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. A total of 63 adults participated in the 12-week program, with 31 assigned to the intervention group and 32 to the control group. The intervention group received a video-based program delivered via Telegram and YouTube, complemented by a 2-hour in-person session focusing on technical orientation and safety training. Standard care was provided to both the intervention and control groups and consisted of a single 60-minute in-person lifestyle education session and a printed booklet commonly used in Cambodian health center settings. The intervention group demonstrated greater improvements in physical activity adherence, healthy eating adherence, exercise self-efficacy, healthy eating self-efficacy, systolic blood pressure, body weight, body mass index, waist circumference, fasting blood glucose, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Given its high accessibility and ease of implementation, video-based content appears to be an effective approach and policy for improving health behaviours, even in resource-limited settings. These findings support the use of video and digital platforms as potential strategies and evidence-based policy for preventing and managing non-communicable diseases in low-resource settings.

Regular physical activity is linked to improved health and hypertension management, yet many adults with hypertension do not meet aerobic guidelines, and limited research has examined the use of wearable devices in promoting activity in this population. This study aimed to examine the association between wearable device use and adherence to the aerobic physical activity guideline among individuals with hypertension. Adults with self-reported of hypertension in the 2017 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were included in the analysis. Participants were categorizing as either wearable device users or nonusers based on self-report. Participants were categorizing as meeting the aerobic physical activity guidelines if they reported engaging in at least 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per week. Otherwise, they were categorizing as not meeting the guideline. Associations between wearable device use and guideline adherence were evaluated using survey-weighted adjusted Poisson regression with a log link, adjusting for demographic characteristics. Among 1602 participants with hypertension, 18.1% (95% CI, 14.1-22.5) of participants reported using wearable devices. Among users, 79.3% (95% CI, 69.9-88.6) met the aerobic physical activity guideline, compared to 70.3% (95% CI, 64.7-76.0]) of nonusers. Wearable users were more likely to meet the guideline than nonusers (prevalence ratio = 1.22, (95% CI, 1.06-1.40). Wearable devices could be an effective tool in promoting physical activity among individuals with hypertension leading to adherence to the recommended aerobic physical activity guideline.

ABSTRACTBackgroundPhysical activity (PA) is associated with improved health outcomes among cancer survivors (CS), yet PA participation and access to PA programs in cancer care are low. Mobile health (mHealth) technologies such as wearable activity trackers and smartphone lifestyle applications are promising strategies to promote PA among CS. However, CS's adoption patterns and willingness to share resulting mHealth data with healthcare providers are underexplored.AimsThis study examined mHealth technology ownership and usage as well as willingness to share wearable data with healthcare providers among CS and identified demographic and health‐related correlates.MethodsSelf‐reported data were collected from post treatment CS (n = 518; Mage = 56.5 (SD = 14.5); 54.6% female) from a large healthcare system. Univariate logistic regression models examined associations between demographic (age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, income, marital status, employment status, health status, BMI) and disease (time since diagnosis, treatment received, disease stage) characteristics and meeting PA guidelines (i.e., 150 min/week of moderate to vigorous PA) and activity tracker ownership, lifestyle app usage, and willingness to share wearable data with healthcare providers.ResultsNearly all CS (97.5%) owned a smartphone. Over half (52.9%) owned an activity tracker, and one‐third (32.4%) used a lifestyle app. Most (64.3%) were willing to share wearable data with healthcare providers. Participants with a college degree or higher income, those who met PA guidelines, and those who were obese were more likely to own a wearable activity tracker. Along with those factors, younger age (< 65) and full‐time employment were also associated with a higher likelihood of using a lifestyle app (p < 0.05). Being employed full‐time was significantly associated with willingness to share data with a healthcare provider. No other relationships were significant.ConclusionsMany CS use or are open to using mHealth technologies. However, differences in adoption by demographic characteristics and unclear demographic and disease correlates of willingness to share data highlight the need for targeted, inclusive, and evidence‐based strategies to integrate these tools into survivorship care. Understanding who adopts mHealth technologies is essential to optimizing their potential to improve long‐term cancer outcomes.

BackgroundRural US adults experience disparities in meeting the physical activity guidelines (PAGs). Little is known about preferred types of leisure-time physical activity (LTPA), nor their relationship with meeting the PAGs. This study aimed to identify the most prevalent LTPAs among US adults, the relationship between LTPA types and meeting PAGs, and how these differed by residential status.Methods2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Study data were analyzed. Age-adjusted prevalence of 75 LTPAs and 11 categories of LTPAs that respondents spent the “most time” and “next most time” in during the previous month were compared by residential status (metropolitan; non-metropolitan). Logistic and multinomial logistic regression analyses adjusted for a variety of factors were used to compare the prevalence of meeting aerobic-, muscle strengthening, and combined PAGs by residential status. Age-adjusted prevalence of meeting the combined PAGs by 11 LTPA categories was compared by metropolitan status.ResultsWalking was the most prevalent LTPA (44.1%). Lawn/garden, hunting/fishing, household, farm/ranch work, childcare, and winter activities were more prevalent among non-metropolitan (rural) residents. Walking, running/jogging, weightlifting, conditioning, other activities, sports, bicycling, water activities, and dance were more prevalent among metropolitan (urban) residents. Non-metropolitan residents were less likely to meet the minimal aerobic-, muscle-strengthening, and combined PAGs, and were more likely to be inactive. Among adults that engaged in walking, roughly 25% met the combined PAGs and about 22% did not meet either PAG.ConclusionsWhen creating targeted rural PA interventions, LTPA preferences could be embraced and augmented or the non-preferred LTPAs could be adapted.

Each year, the Exercise, Sport, and Movement (ESM) editorial team recognizes research that exemplifies innovation, methodological rigor, and meaningful impact. We celebrate papers that not only advance the science of exercise but also inspire new ways of understanding human movement. From among the papers published in the previous year, one is selected as the ESM Paper of the Year. For 2024, we are pleased to recognize “Physical Activity Patterns in Adolescents and Adults With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities” by Dr Brian C. Helsel and colleagues (1). This outstanding work advances movement science and reflects our field’s commitment to inclusivity and equitable access to physical activity for all. EXPANDING THE EVIDENCE BASE FOR MOVEMENT EQUITY Although physical activity is one of the strongest determinants of health, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) remain underrepresented in research. Helsel and colleagues address this long-standing gap with one of the most comprehensive studies to date. Using device-based monitoring of 330 participants aged 10–70 yr, the authors reveal meaningful disparities. On average, participants engaged in just 14 min of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity each day, and only 12.4% met recommended moderate-to-vigorous physical activity guidelines. As Director of Fitness & Healthy Lifestyles at Special Olympics International and ESM’s Editorial Board Member and Inclusion Excellence Consultant, Melissa M. Otterbein, MPH, CHES, ACSM-PAPHS, observes, “This article stands out for its inclusivity and breadth of demographics, particularly its rare focus on older adults with IDD.” By extending their work beyond children and youth to include participants up to 70 years of age, Helsel and colleagues highlight an aspect of movement equity that has historically received limited attention. Their research underscores the need for more data that captures the full diversity of age and ability. ADVANCING ECOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES ON MOVEMENT One of the most important aspects of this work is its capacity to reorient how we think about disability, not as a deficit to be overcome, but as part of the diverse ecological landscape of human movement. For decades, research on individuals with IDD has depended largely on self-reports, which can be shaped by circumstance, communication, and context. Helsel and colleagues move the field forward using continuous, device-based measures that capture movement as it unfolds in real time. This approach depicts the natural rhythms of everyday activity with a degree of detail and precision and generates a more complete picture of behavioral patterns. Their findings show how structure and setting matter by revealing how activity levels rise during school or work hours but fall in the mornings, evenings, and weekends, lending support for the “structured day” hypothesis. Their analysis of seasonal patterns further highlights the link between environment and activity, and their age-based analyses reveal how movement patterns change across adolescence through adulthood. Together, these insights suggest strategies for designing programs that sustain structure while supporting independence. By situating disability within its social and temporal contexts, Helsel and colleagues remind us that physical activity is not defined solely by an individual’s ability but also the rhythms of daily life and the structures and systems that organize it. As Associate Editor-in-Chief Katrina DuBose, PhD, FACSM, explains, “This work offers a clearer understanding of the physical activity behaviors in individuals with IDD, paving the way for practitioners to develop tailored programs and for families to receive evidence-based guidance.” TRANSLATING EVIDENCE INTO INCLUSIVE PRACTICE Honoring this work as the 2024 ESM Paper of the Year recognizes more than excellence; it reflects the field’s ongoing evolution toward greater inclusivity. Helsel and colleagues’ findings suggest that accessibility and structure are important considerations in understanding human movement. Their results indicate that educational, occupational, and environmental systems may influence opportunities for physical activity among individuals with IDD. The next challenge lies in translating these insights into programs, policies, and practices that reflect the realities of diverse lives. Progress will depend on sustained collaboration among researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and individuals with lived experience. As movement science continues to grow, inclusivity must remain a guiding principle, ensuring that individuals of all abilities are adequately represented in both data and design. CONCLUSION Helsel et al’s “Physical Activity Patterns in Adolescents and Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities” exemplifies the core values of an ESM Paper of the Year: significance, innovation, and transformative impact. By filling a long-standing gap, it extends the reach of movement science toward greater inclusivity and understanding and demonstrates that advancing scientific understanding and promoting equity are fundamentally linked goals. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST AND SOURCE OF FUNDING The author has no conflicts of interest or funding sources to report.

Antenatal anxiety and depression are associated with dietary and physical activity: A cross-sectional evaluation for early pregnancy women in Guangzhou.

ABSTRACTRegular physical activity (PA) has been shown to benefit sleep. However, the effects of PA timing and adherence to the WHO's recommended 60‐min moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity (MVPA) guideline on sleep are unclear, especially for children with ADHD who often experience sleep problems. This study examined whether timing of MVPA influenced objectively measured sleep, including sleep latency (SL), sleep efficiency (SE), total sleep time (TST), and wake after sleep onset (WASO), among children with ADHD. This cross‐sectional study involved 253 children with ADHD (Mage = 8.60 ± 1.31 years, 81% boys). MVPA timing was categorized as more than 8 h before bedtime, 3–8 h before bedtime, and less than 3 h before bedtime. Meeting the MVPA guideline was defined as engaging in at least 60 min of MVPA daily. PA and sleep were recorded using an ActiGraph GT9X accelerometer for 7 consecutive days. Among the participants, 174 children (68.8%) met the WHO daily guidelines of 60 min of MVPA. These children had better sleep outcomes than those who did not meet the guideline, with shorter sleep latency, higher sleep efficiency, and less WASO. Regarding PA timing, meeting the MVPA guideline and MVPA time more than 8 h before bedtime were associated with reduced SL, improved SE, and reduced WASO. Conversely, MVPA time less than 3 h before bedtime was associated with decreased SE and increased WASO. Performing MVPA more than 8 h before bedtime and MVPA guideline attainment are crucial for improving sleep outcomes in children with ADHD.

Impact of physical activity and frailty on mortality and utilization among middle-aged and older adults in South Korea.

Low levels of physical activity (PA) in early childhood can have an impact on children's healthy development and increase the risk of a range of chronic conditions in later life. Accelerometer-measured PA data within and outside of early childhood education and care (ECEC), together with demographic data, are needed to support policy changes and intervention development for the United Kingdom. Accelerometer data for 419 children aged 2-4years (49.6% male) attending UK ECEC settings were analyzed. Mixed-effects linear regression models were fitted to compare levels of PA between weekdays attending an ECEC, weekdays not attending an ECEC, and weekend days. The proportion of children meeting international guidelines for PA and probability of children meeting these guidelines were analyzed. Total PA was significantly higher on ECEC weekdays than non-ECEC weekdays (mean difference: -14.6min; 95% CI, -20.8 to -8.4; P < .001) and weekends (mean difference: -11.5; 95% CI, -19.5 to -3.5; P = .005). Girls had lower TPA on ECEC weekdays (adjusted MD -14.02 [-22.35, -7.48], P < .001) and activity for all children increased with months of age (adjusted MD 1.61 [1.11, 2.11], P < .001). Findings were similar for non-ECEC weekdays. Less than a quarter of children (23%) met the guideline of 180minutes of total PA per day and 2.4% of children met the guidelines for 60minutes of daily moderate to vigorous PA. Fewer girls achieved the recommended total PA (odds ratio: 0.53; 95% CI, 0.29-0.97; P = .038) and guidelines were more likely to be met in older children (odds ratio: 1.12; 95% CI, 1.06-1.17; P < .001). Early years children were more active on days attending ECEC settings. Young children in the United Kingdom are largely not meeting the recommended activity levels within ECEC or home environments.

Current physical activity guidelines recommend 150-300 min/week of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) to improve health. However, whether brief, sporadic MVPA can be included within this recommended dose remains unclear. In a cohort study, we analyzed data from 96,054 UK Biobank participants whose MVPA was objectively measured by accelerometers at baseline between 2013 and 2016. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality, with follow-up through 2022. A machine learning algorithm, trained on ground-truth camera data, was employed to differentiate between sporadic and bouted MVPA. During a follow-up period of 8.0 years, 3586 deaths and 4948 incident cardiovascular disease events are identified. Compared to the least active individuals (65 min/week of sporadic MVPA at 10th percentile), those accumulating 150 and 300 min/week of sporadic MVPA have 48% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 44% to 52%) and 50% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 41% to 57%) lower all-cause mortality, respectively. For bouted MVPA, compared to the least active individuals (38 min/week of bouted at 10th percentile), those accumulating 150 and 300 min/week of bouted MVPA have 33% (95% CI: 29% to 37%) and 49% (95% CI: 44% to 53%) lower all-cause mortality, respectively. In joint analysis, optimal health benefits are observed in individuals who incorporated both bouted and sporadic MVPA, rather than merely accumulating additional sporadic MVPA beyond 150 min/week. In conclusion, meeting the minimum physical activity recommendation through accumulating brief, sporadic MVPA is supported. Incorporating bouted MVPA, rather than accumulating additional sporadic MVPA beyond 150 min/week, may confer further health benefits.

Physical Activity Guideline Adherence and Glycemic Control in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes in the Northern Region of the Dominican Republic

Non-Hispanic Black (NHB) men engage in less aerobic physical activity (PA) and are less likely to meet national guidelines than non-Hispanic White men, despite PA's protective benefits against chronic disease. This study examined psychosocial factors associated with meeting PA guidelines among NHB men. A total of 134 participants (M = 36.7 years, SD = 9.8) were recruited via social media and completed validated measures of motivation, psychological needs, and self-efficacy. Forward stepwise logistic regression identified scheduling self-efficacy as the strongest independent correlate of meeting PA guidelines (OR = 2.31, 95% CI: 1.49-3.57), above intrinsic motivation, autonomy, and competence. These findings suggest that the ability to manage time and integrate PA into daily routines may be more critical than motivation alone. PA interventions for NHB men may benefit from focusing on planning strategies, self-regulatory skills, and culturally relevant community support to improve engagement and reduce health disparities.