Physical Activity In Adult Population Research Articles

Seasonality and climate change: Challenges for physical activity in older adults

Seasonality and climate change: Challenges for physical activity in older adults Research indicates seasonal variations in physical activity levels among adults in different climates due to temperature and humidity. Climate change’s increasing extreme weather may significantly affect physical activity in older adults already struggling to meet activity guidelines. Isabelle J. Dionne from the Université de Sherbrooke explains. Physical activity (PA) is a key behavior in the determination of health and quality of life of older adults but remains low in developed countries. The environment where PA is practiced is emerging as a significant motivation factor to adhere to PA in adult populations, and natural environments are now being promoted as a favorable milieu. Indeed, PA practiced in natural environments was associated with greater feelings of revitalization and positive engagement, decreases in tension and depression, and increased energy compared with exercising in synthetic environments such as indoors. Because outdoor PA, also called ‘green PA,’ is associated with higher adherence to a program than the same indoor intervention, a better understanding of how safe outdoor PA can be practiced all year round seems a promising avenue for health promotion.

Quantitative Sensory Changes Related to Physical Activity in Adult Populations: A Scoping Review.

Exercise-induced hypoalgesia related to physical activity produces sensory adaptations, but its mechanism remains unclear. Quantitative sensory testing is an effective measurement tool to identify sensory changes, but the extent of evidence linking quantitative sensory testing and physical activity has not been explored. The purpose of this scoping review is to synthesize the evidence on using quantitative sensory testing to evaluate psychophysical changes related to physical activity in adult populations. The researchers developed a comprehensive search strategy with a Health Sciences Librarian using the Arksey and O'Malley Methodological framework. Four databases (Medline [PubMed], CINAHL, Web of Science, and Embase) were searched for peer-reviewed primary research. After 2790 articles were evaluated, 196 studies were included for final review. More than half of studies used randomized controlled trial design (50.5%), followed by quasi-experimental (24.0%) and observational (25.5%) strategies. Healthy adults (42.9%) and individuals with chronic health conditions (20.9%) were examined most frequently. Aerobic (27.6%) and strength (21.4%) physical activity types were most commonly studied. Static quantitative sensory testing measures of pressure pain threshold (84%) were used most frequently. The findings of this scoping review demonstrate available evidence for quantitative sensory testing as a measurement tool of neuromodulation related to physical activity in adult populations. A systematic review is warranted to examine outcomes and recommendations.

Effects of quarantine due to the COVID-19 on sleep time, anxiety, and physical activity in adult population: A longitudinal study in Kerman, southeastern Iran

Introduction: The COVID-19 outbreak imposed serious mental pressure on people worldwide. This study aimed to assess the effect of the two-month quarantine enforced at the beginning of the outbreak on physical activity (PA), sleep, and anxiety in inhabitants of Kerman. Methods: The present study was conducted on 911 subjects randomly selected and interviewed twice: Before the COVID-19 outbreak (Feb 2020) and at the end of two-month quarantine. The level of anxiety was measured using the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), PA by the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ), and daily sleep hours were reported by participants. Results: A high percentage of people experienced a decrease in PA (39.6%), an increase in sleep hours (33.7%), and an increase in anxiety (16.3%) during the quarantine. Women, young people, students, and illiterate people were more susceptible to increased level of anxiety;and women, young people, hypersomniac people, and people with higher education levels experienced lower PA. Furthermore, the odds of an increase in sleep hours was higher in men and young people and lower in people with intense PA and higher levels of anxiety. The changes in the three variables were mostly related to the quarantine, although interaction between PA and sleep was also present. Conclusion: The quarantine caused hypersomnia, a decrease in PA, and an increase in anxiety level especially among young people and women. As these are also risk factors of cardiovascular diseases, it is suggested that health authorities encourage an active lifestyle in the public and provide them with economic and psychological supports during the quarantine.

The Effectiveness of the Transtheoretical Model to Improve Physical Activity in Healthy Adults: A Systematic Review

Despite the known risks of physical inactivity, only 50% of adults meet the recommended guidelines for physical activity (PA). Therefore, numerous interventions have been designed to increase PA across a lifespan. The purpose of this systematic review was to determine the effectiveness of interventions based on the transtheoretical model to improve PA in healthy adults. Electronic databases (CINAHL, MEDLINE, Psychology & Behavioral Sciences Collection, PsycINFO, Sociological Collection, and SPORTDiscus) were systematically searched from January 2001 to May 2020. A total of 11 randomized pretest-posttest studies were included in this review. Ten studies utilized a subjective measurement of PA, and 3 studies included an objective measure. Five studies demonstrated significant improvements in PA for the transtheoretical model-based intervention groups compared with control/comparison groups; however, 6 studies demonstrated no differences between groups. The findings suggest that there is inconsistent evidence to support the use of interventions based on the transtheoretical model to improve PA in adult populations. Interventions were more successful when materials were delivered via in-person counseling and when study participants were in the precontemplation or contemplation phases at baseline.

Physical Activity among Adults with Low Socioeconomic Status Living in Industrialized Countries: A Meta-Ethnographic Approach to Understanding Socioecological Complexities.

Method Using MeSH keywords, we searched major electronic databases including Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL, and PsycINFO in order to identify relevant publications published between January 2000 and October 2018. We included 19 qualitative studies which met inclusion criteria and were focused on physical activity determinants among adults. Results Determinants emerging from these studies were grouped into six themes: (i) urban environment, (ii) financial constraints, (iii) work-life integration, (iv) community engagement, (v) social support, and (vi) psychosocial factors. After conceptualising these six themes into a social ecological model, we identified potential research gaps for physical activity among adults with low socioeconomic status living in industrialized countries. Conclusion Our major insight was that, in industrialized countries, physical activity overlooks potential strengths to maintain health and well-being of those people with low socioeconomic status. A more complex understanding of contradictions between positive and deficit frames would lead to more critical insights of research gaps of physical activity in adult population with low socioeconomic status.

A scoping review of behaviour change theories in adults without dementia to adapt and develop the ‘PHYT in dementia’, a model promoting physical activity in people with dementia

IntroductionResearch has established that exercise and physical activity can improve executive functioning, independence and quality of life in people with dementia. A dedicated theory explaining behaviour change in relation to physical activity in people with dementia does not exist. We aimed to develop a theoretical model which can be used to inform effective interventions to promote physical activity in people with dementia. MethodsThere were five phases: 1. A search of the literature to identify theories which have been used to explain behaviour change in relation to physical activity in adult populations without a diagnosis of dementia; 2. Description of the theories (and sub-theories) and their main constructs; 3. Synthesis of the constructs; 4. Adaptation of the constructs to dementia; 5. Development and explanation of a model for physical activity in people with dementia (the ‘PHYT in dementia’). ResultsWe identified nine theories used to explain behaviour change in relation to physical activity in adult populations without a diagnosis of dementia. Through our synthesis, we identified nine umbrella constructs. We integrated three more dementia-relevant constructs and developed the ‘PHYT in dementia’. The model was explained by providing a practical example of its application. DiscussionBased on a scoping review of behaviour change theories in adults without dementia and following adaptation of the constructs from these theories to dementia, we derived a new theoretical model, the ‘PHYT in dementia’, which includes both individual-level and environment-level constructs. The model needs to be tested empirically, which our research team will do in the process evaluation of the Promoting Activity, Independence and Stability in Early Dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment (PrAISED 2) study. Results from field-testing will inform refinement of the model.

The impact of financial incentives on physical activity in adults: a systematic review protocol

BackgroundMost adults fail to meet global physical activity guidelines set out by the World Health Organization. In recent years, behavioural economic principles have been used to design novel interventions that increase physical activity. Immediate financial rewards, for instance, can motivate an individual to change physical activity behaviour by lowering the opportunity costs of exercise. This systematic review will summarise the evidence about the effectiveness of financial incentive interventions for improving physical activity in adults.MethodsWe will search MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Web of Science, Scopus, PsycINFO, EconLit, SPORTDiscus, the National Health Service Economic Evaluation Database, ClinicalTrials.gov and the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform from inception using a comprehensive, electronic search strategy. The search strategy will include terms related to ‘financial incentive’ and ‘physical activity’. Only randomised controlled trials that investigate the effect of financial incentives on physical activity in adult populations and that are written in the English language will be included. Two review authors will independently screen abstracts and titles, complete full text reviews and extract data on objective and self-reported physical activity outcomes. The authors will also assess the study quality using the Cochrane risk of bias tool and provide a systematic presentation and synthesis of the included studies’ characteristics and results. If more than two studies are sufficiently similar in population, settings and interventions, we will pool the data to conduct a meta-analysis. If we are unable to perform a meta-analysis, we will conduct a narrative synthesis of the results and produce forest plots for individual studies. Our subgroup analyses will examine the differential effects of an intervention in healthy populations compared to populations with disease pathology and compare the effects of interventions using financial rewards to interventions using financial penalties.DiscussionThis systematic review will determine the effectiveness of positive and negative financial incentives on physical activity in adults. Findings will help inform the development of public health interventions and research in this field.Systematic review registrationPROSPERO 2017:CRD42017068263

Predictors of perceived barriers to physical activity in the general adult population: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundThe perception of personal barriers to physical activity varies according to the sociodemographic characteristics of individuals. ObjectiveTo determine the predictors of the perception of barriers to physical activity in the adult population. MethodA cross-sectional study with 1066 adult women and 1036 adult men. The sociodemographic variables (age, gender, marital status, socioeconomic level, level of education), the perception of barriers that do not allow performance of physical activity (i.e. lack of time, social support, energy, motivation, skill, resources, and fear of injury during practice); and the level of physical activity through the International Physical Activity Questionnaire in its short-form version were evaluated. ResultsIndividuals from low socioeconomic level (1 and 2) have higher risks of perceiving barriers such as lack of motivation [OR 1.76 (95% CI (1.4–2.1))] and lack of resources [OR 1.37 (95% CI (1.1–1.6))]; individuals with partners did not perceive the lack of social support [OR 0.29 (95% CI (0.2–0.4))] and lack of motivation [OR 0.54 (95% CI (0.4–0.7))] as barriers to physical activity. Individuals with low schooling perceived lack of social support [OR 3.81 (95% CI (3–4.7))], lack of resources [OR 2.78 (95% CI (2.2–3.3))], and fear of injury [OR 2.70 (95% CI (2.2–3.3))] as barrier to physical activity. ConclusionFactors such as socioeconomic level, marital status, level of education, and self-perception of health are predictors of barriers to physical activity.

Validação de uma escala de percepção do ambiente para a prática de atividade física em adultos de uma região de baixo nível socioeconômico

O objetivo do estudo foi verificar a validade de uma escala de percepcao do ambiente para a pratica de atividade fisica em adultos. Este estudo de validacao teve duas amostras: 1) Comparacao da escala com dados avaliados de forma objetiva e com a pratica de atividade fisica (767 individuos com 18 anos ou mais); 2) Estudo de reprodutibilidade (30 individuos com 60 anos ou mais). Ambas as amostras residiam no Distrito de Ermelino Matarazzo, zona leste de Sao Paulo, SP. A escala de percepcao do ambiente para a pratica de atividade fisica foi composta por questoes embasadas na escala NEWS e numa escala de apoio social para a pratica de atividade fisica e a versao final foi composta de 38 questoes. Analises de dados: a escala foi comparada com o ambiente avaliado de forma objetiva, com o nivel de atividade fisica e por meio de medida repetida. Os coeficientes de correlacao para as questoes variaram de r=0,51 a ate r=0,89 e para os escores de r=0,72 a ate r=0,94. Houve diferenca estatisticamente significativa na media do escore de percepcao de facilidades/conveniencias para a pratica de atividade fisica segundo a classificacao do ambiente avaliado de forma objetiva (p<0,01). As pessoas que praticavam alguma atividade fisica no tempo de lazer tiveram maiores medias nos escores de facilidades/conveniencias (p<0,01), percepcao de seguranca geral (p=0,033) e de apoio social (p=0,001). A escala apresentou resultados satisfatorios de reprodutibilidade para a amostra de idosos e de validade para os adultos, principalmente, na percepcao de facilidades/conveniencias.

Efficacy of tailored-print interventions to promote physical activity: a systematic review of randomised trials.

ObjectiveComputer-tailored physical activity interventions are becoming increasingly popular. Recent reviews have comprehensively synthesised published research on computer-tailored interventions delivered via interactive technology (e.g. web-based programs) but there is a paucity of synthesis for interventions delivered via traditional print-based media in the physical activity domain (i.e. tailored-print interventions). The current study provides a systematic review of the tailored-print literature, to identify key factors relating to efficacy in tailored-print physical activity interventions.MethodComputer-tailored print intervention studies published up until May 2010 were identified through a search of three databases: Medline, CINAHL, and Psycinfo; and by searching reference lists of relevant publications, hand searching journals and by reviewing publications lists of 11 key authors who have published in this field.ResultsThe search identified 12 interventions with evaluations reported in 26 publications. Seven out of the 12 identified studies reported positive intervention effects on physical activity behaviour, ranging from one month to 24 months post-baseline and 3 months to 18 months post-intervention. The majority of studies reporting positive intervention effects were theory-based interventions with multiple intervention contacts.ConclusionThere is preliminary evidence that tailored-print interventions are a promising approach to promoting physical activity in adult populations. Future research is needed to further identify key factors relating to efficacy and to determine if this approach is cost-effective and sustainable in the long-term.

A Review and Meta-Analysis of Affective Judgments and Physical Activity in Adult Populations

Popular theories of health behavior have often been criticized for neglecting an affective component to behavioral engagement. This study reviewed affective judgment (AJ) constructs employed in physical activity research to assess the relationship with behavior. Studies were eligible if they included: (a) a measure of physical activity; (b) a distinct measure of AJ (e.g., affective attitude, enjoyment, intrinsic motivation); and (c) involved participants with a mean age of 18 years or older. Literature searches were concluded in September, 2009 among five key search engines. This search yielded a total of 10,631 potentially relevant records; of these, 102 passed the eligibility criteria. Random effects meta-analysis procedures with correction for sampling and measurement bias were employed in the analysis. Articles were published between 1989 and 2009, with sample sizes ranging from 15 to 6,739. Of the studies included, 82 were correlational and 20 were experimental, yielding 114 independent samples. The majority of the correlational samples reported a significant positive correlation between AJ and physical activity (83 out of 85), with a summary r of 0.42 (95% CI 0.37 to 0.46) that was invariant across the measures employed, study quality, population sampled and cultural variables. Experimental studies demonstrated that persuasive, information-based, and self-regulatory interventions failed to change AJ; by contrast, environmental and experiential interventions showed promise in their capability to influence AJ. The results point to a medium-effect size relationship between AJ and physical activity. Interventions that change AJ are scarce despite their potential for changing physical activity. Future experimental work designed to evaluate the causal impact ofAJ on physical activity is required.

Concurrent validity of a modified version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-A) in European adolescents: The HELENA Study

The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was developed to measure health-enhancing physical activity in adult populations. This study explores the concurrent validity of a modified version of the long IPAQ (the IPAQ-A) for the assessment of physical activity among adolescents. In total, 248 healthy adolescents, divided into one older and one younger age group (aged 15-17 years (N=188) and 12-14 years (N=60), respectively) from nine Healthy Lifestyle by Nutrition in Adolescence (HELENA) Study centres across Europe, voluntarily participated in the study. Data on total physical activity, as well as activities in different intensities derived from the IPAQ-A, were compared using Spearman's correlation coefficient and Bland-Altman analysis, with data from an accelerometer. Tertiles of total physical activity for the IPAQ-A and the accelerometer were compared using Kendall's tau-b. For the older age group, significant correlations between the instruments were found for time spent walking, for moderate and vigorous activities as well as for total physical activity (Rs=0.17-0.30, P<0.05). No significant correlations were found for any of the variables studied in the younger age group. Kendall's tau-b showed low but significant correlations for tertiles of total physical activity (P<0.001). The IPAQ-A has reasonable validity properties for assessing activities in different intensities and for total physical activity in healthy European adolescents aged 15-17 years. For adolescents aged 14 years and younger, the correlations were unsatisfactorily low and objective methodology, such as accelerometry, may be the appropriate alternative.