Physical Activity Intensity Levels Research Articles

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Physical Activity and Student Achievement

This COVID-19 pandemic situation is considered unfavourable for some parties due to several factors such as restrictions on activities outside the home and sometimes feeling overwhelmed with many tasks while at home. So the purpose of this research is to see the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on physical activity and student achievement. The subjects in this study were students who voluntarily filled out a questionnaire distributed through social media. A total of 124 respondents were collected. The 124 students were divided into five categories of levels of physical activity. There are 26 students in the shallow category, 67 students in the low class, 23 in the medium category, eight students in the high sort and 0 in the very high category. The intensity of physical activity during the pandemic in a week shows five students do not do physical activity at all a week, 74 students do one physical activity a week, 25 students do 2 or 3 times physical activity a week, ten students do 4 or 5 times physical activity a week, and ten students do 6 or 7 times of physical activity in a week. While the student achievement of 124 students seen as many as 98 students are in a complete category or the percentage of 79.03%, and as many as 26 students are in the incomplete category or the rate of 20.97%. The average value of student learning outcomes in physical education subjects is 80.60. Based on the study results, it can be concluded that students' physical activity during the COVID-19 period was included in the low category with an intensity level of physical activity once a week. The student achievement is at a high level of completeness

Metabolically healthy obesity: Inflammatory biomarkers and adipokines in elderly population.

Obesity is linked to elevated levels of inflammatory serum markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFa). Adiponectin and resistin are adipokines related to obesity. It has been described that adipose tissue presents a high production and secretion of these diverse pro-inflammatory molecules, which may have local effects on the physiology of fat cells as well as systemic effects on other organs. Our aim was to evaluate the impact that lifestyle modifications, by following a Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet) program and physical activity (PA) training, would have on inflammatory biomarkers and adipokine profile in a Metabolically Healthy Obese (MHO) elderly population from Malaga (Andalusia, Spain). Subjects aged ≥65 years (65 to 87 years old) with obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m2) were included in this study if they met ≤1 of the following criteria: systolic blood pressure ≥130 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 85 mmHg; triglycerides ≥150 mg/dL; HDL-C <40mg/dL in men and <50mg/dL women; and fasting blood glucose ≥100mg/dL. Selected subjects underwent a personalized intensive lifestyle modification. Anthropometric measurements, PA, MedDiet adherence, analytical parameters, and inflammatory biomarkers were analyzed after 12 months of intervention. 166 MHO elderly subjects, 40 (24.1%) male and 126 (75.9%) female (p < 0.0001), aged 71.7±5.2 years old (65 to 87 years old) were included in the study. After 12 months of intervention, only the waist circumference was significantly reduced in all the population (-2.5 cm, p<0.0001), although weight and BMI were maintained. MedDiet adherence increased significantly (p<0.001), but all intensity levels of PA decreased significantly (p<0.001). Concerning inflammatory biomarkers, only TNFa serum increased their levels after the intervention (p<0.001). Regarding the adipokine profile, adiponectin concentrations experienced a significant increment (p<0.001); besides, resistin concentrations decreased significantly (p<0.001). In this sense, only TNFa, adiponectin, and resistin correlated with PA. Adiponectin also correlates with insulin, triglycerides and HDL-c in baseline conditions and after 12 months of intervention; CRP, IL-6, TNFa, adiponectin, and resistin concentrations correlated with anthropometric parameters and some intensities of PA. In addition, adiponectin levels correlates with insulin, triglycerides and HDL-c. In baseline conditions, resistin levels correlated positively with TNFa (p = 0.01) and CRP (p<0.0001) levels. TNFa and IL-6 correlated positively with CRP (p = 0.03 and p<0.0001, respectively). After 12 months of intervention, only IL-6 correlated positively with CRP (p = 0.006). In addition, adipokines levels correlated positively during the process of lifestyle modification. However, during this process, only IL-6 correlated positively with itself (p<0.0001) and with CRP (p = 0.03). Healthy aging is a multifactorial biological process in which lifestyle is essential. The presence of obesity in elderly metabolically healthy population is not a problem necessarily. Elderly MHO population who eat a MedDiet and practice regularly PA are capable to modulate their production of inflammatory cytokines (CRP, IL-6, TNFa) and adipokines profile (adiponectin, resistin), preventing other metabolic disorders.

Predicting lying, sitting and walking at different intensities using smartphone accelerometers at three different wear locations: hands, pant pockets, backpack.

ObjectiveThis study uses machine learning (ML) to develop methods for estimating activity type/intensity using smartphones, to evaluate the accuracy of these models for classifying activity, and to evaluate differences in accuracy between three different wear locations.MethodForty-eight participants were recruited to complete a series of activities while carrying Samsung phones in three different locations: backpack, right hand and right pocket. They were asked to sit, lie down, walk and run three Metabolic Equivalent Task (METs), five METs and at seven METs. Raw accelerometer data were collected. We used the R, activity counts package, to calculate activity counts and generated new features based on the raw accelerometer data. We evaluated and compared several ML algorithms; Random Forest (RF), Support Vector Machine, Naïve Bayes, Decision Tree, Linear Discriminant Analysis and k-Nearest Neighbours using the caret package (V.6.0–86). Using the combination of the raw accelerometer data and the computed features leads to high model accuracy.ResultsUsing raw accelerometer data, RF models achieved an accuracy of 92.90% for the right pocket location, 89% for the right hand location and 90.8% for the backpack location. Using activity counts, RF models achieved an accuracy of 51.4% for the right pocket location, 48.5% for the right hand location and 52.1% for the backpack location.ConclusionOur results suggest that using smartphones to measure physical activity is accurate for estimating activity type/intensity and ML methods, such as RF with feature engineering techniques can accurately classify physical activity intensity levels in laboratory settings.

The Influence of Loneliness on the Smoking and Physical Activity of Community-Dwelling Older Adults: Results from the Health and Retirement Study.

To use the loneliness model in examining the influence of loneliness on the number cigarettes smoked per day and the different intensity levels of physical activity among community-dwelling older Americans in the United States. This study analyzed a nationally representative sample of older adults aged 65+ in two waves (2010 and 2012) of data from the Health and Retirement Study. Response rates for the two waves were 81% and 89.1%. The sample size for smoking model was 199, and for physical activity models was 3018. Outcomes included number of cigarettes smoked per day and physical activity at three intensity levels: light, moderate, and vigorous. Independent variable was the UCLA loneliness scale. A lagged dependent approach for modeling longitudinal data was adopted. Models controlled for outcomes at the first timepoint (Wave 1), health/physical functioning, and demographic variables. Loneliness was associated with an increased number of cigarettes smoked per day (β = 2.93, P < .05) and decreased engagement in moderate and vigorous physical activity for older adults (β = .12, P < .05; β = .12, P <. 05), after controlling for these behaviors at baseline and other covariates. The findings call for smoking reduction and physical activity enhancement interventions targeting older adults who have high levels of loneliness. Efforts to enhance social support will be crucial to eradicating the harmful health impact of loneliness. Critical limitations include self-reported measures and unobserved confounders.

Association of physical activity and positive thinking with global sleep quality

This study examined the association of different intensity levels of physical activity and positive thinking with a global sleep quality among college students. The research question was: to what degree were the different intensity levels of physical activity and positive thinking significantly associated with the global sleep quality among college students? We recruited students, who enrolled in regular physical education classes during a fall semester at a major public university. 553 students signed the consent form and indicated their voluntary participation in this study. The final data set for analysis consisted of 403 college students with the mean age of 19.01 years ± 1.559 years (217 males vs. 186 females) based on the results of data screening. They completed three questionnaires: International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Positive Thinking Scale (PTS) during a regular physical education class. The multiple regression model revealed that vigorous-intensity physical activity, positive thinking, and negative thinking were collectively and individually associated with the Global PSQI sleep quality (F = 19.389, p = .000), explaining 12.8% of the total variance in the Global PSQI sleep quality for the total sample. College students’ engaging in vigorous intensity level of physical activity, and having a good level of positive thinking and a low level of negative thinking were both collectively and individually linked to the Global PSQI sleep quality.

Does Prenatal Physical Activity Affect the Occurrence of Postnatal Anxiety and Depression? Longitudinal Study.

The aim of the foregoing study was to assess whether physical activity during pregnancy affects the occurrence of anxiety and depression during pregnancy, postpartum and 6 months following childbirth. This study tried to answer the following questions: How was the incidence of depression and anxiety different in the pre- and postpartum periods? What intensity level of physical activity protects against the symptoms of anxiety and depression? Does the time spent engaged in sedentary activities and MVPA affect the occurrence of depression and anxiety before and after childbirth? The study group under analysis consisted of 187 women aged 19–41 years. The research was conducted between April 2016 and November 2020. The study was divided into four stages: T0—qualification to participate in the study; T1—medical history acquisition, consisting of a short questionnaire and two long questionnaires (the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7)), as well as an assessment of 7-day physical activity using Actigraph accelerometers during the pregnancy; T2—the completion of the EPDS and GAD-7 questionnaires after the birth; T3—the completion of the EPDS and GAD-7 questionnaire 6 months after giving birth. The obtained results were statistically processed in the Statistica 13.3 software package. A significance level of p < 0.05 was assumed. The highest percentage of depression occurred immediately after the delivery, followed by 6 months after delivery, and the smallest number of women suffered from depression before the birth (p < 0.001). The analysis of correlations of physical activity with anxiety symptoms did not show significant correlations. However, the situation is different in the case of depression symptoms. Women taking fewer steps before delivery showed a greater tendency to develop depressive symptoms before, immediately after and 6 months after the delivery (p < 0.001). Women who were less active (took fewer steps per day, spent less time in moderate-to-vigorous physical (MVPA) activities or spent more time being sedentary) showed symptoms of depression on the EPDS scale. It appeared that those with severe anxiety symptoms had the highest sedentary time scores before the delivery (p = 0.020). Reduced physical activity promotes the onset of postnatal depression, while being active reduces this risk. Interestingly, even light physical activity “protects” against the occurrence of depression and is better than sedentary activities. Such clear conclusions cannot be drawn in relation to anxiety symptoms. Sedentary behaviour may promote anxiety symptoms immediately after childbirth, but this study should be continued in order to confirm it during other time periods.

Resilience of adolescents in physical activity during the covid-19 pandemic: a preliminary case study in France

Purpose: The objective of this study was to examine how adolescents' physical activity (PA) changed during the COVID-19 crisis according to level of intensity and whether there are typologies of resilience based on individual and environmental characteristics. Methods: A longitudinal follow-up study of PA in a representative sample of French adolescents (n=808, 16.32±1.01 years old) was carried out. Two online surveys collecting reported data on amounts of PA were completed the week before and during the first week of the lockdown. Data related to individual and environmental characteristics were collected. A principal component method with qualitative and quantitative data (FAMD) for cluster analysis was performed to identify adolescent’s profiles according to their individual, interpersonal and environmental determinants. Two-way repeated measures ANOVA and a Bonferroni Post-Hoc test were performed to detect any significant effects of adolescents’ clusters on time and each intensity level of PA. Results: Three clusters were identified and characterized by a multifactorial process: active, studious and rural adolescents (37%) reported a significant increase in their MVPA (+707 Mets·week-1, p&lt;0.05), inactive, underachieving and rural adolescents (32%) reported a stability in their MVPA (0 Mets·week-1, NS) and urban adolescents (31%) reported a significant decrease of MVPA (-237 Mets·week-1, p&lt;0.05). Conclusion: This study investigated the multifactorial and temporal complexity of PA resilience according to a socio-ecological anchoring, suggesting that factors of resilience in PA are linked to availability of rural and green environments (environmental determinants), good pedagogical follow up (interpersonal determinant) and high initial involvement in PA (individual determinant).

Physical Activity Levels in Physical Education Lessons at Singapore Primary School

Physical education (PE) lessons are the appropriate occasions to promote physical activity for children. Although the moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) levels during PE lessons were investigated in several countries, MVPA levels during PE lessons were never reported at Singapore primary schools. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate physical activity intensity levels during PE lessons at a Singapore primary school. A total of 93 students (40 girls) voluntary participated in the study: 28 in Grade 1, 39 in Grade 4, and 26 in Grade 6. They were asked to wear an accelerometer on their non-dominant hand in two PE lessons to measure physical activity levels objectively. They also completed questionnaires on their experiences during the PE lessons. The average of the MVPA levels time (%) in the scheduled lesson time across the three grades was 46.98 ± 5.25%, but the average of the MVPA levels time (%) in the actual lesson time was 69.74 ± 7.31%. These results indicated that it would be possible to achieve the recommended MVPA time in PE lessons. The findings of this study would be useful for PE teachers to reflect whether their PE lessons are efficient to promote primary school student’s physical activity levels.

The relationship between sleep and physical activity in an in-patient rehabilitation stroke setting: a cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT Background Appropriate sleep and physical activity are known to be important for positive neuroplastic changes in the brain and therefore may affect stroke recovery. Objective To investigate the relationship between sleep and participation in different intensity levels of physical activity; to investigate the convergent validity of a commercially available device (Fitbit Flex) in measuring sleep and physical activity in people with stroke. Methods A cross-sectional observational study in people with stroke undergoing rehabilitation. Participants wore two accelerometers on their unaffected wrist for seven consecutive days and recorded a sleep log, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Fatigue Assessment Scale. Any relationships between sleep and activity were assessed with linear regression. Pearson and intra-class correlation coefficients were used to assess the validity of the two accelerometers (Fitbit Flex against the validated GENEActiv). Results Twenty-three patients with stroke were recruited. Twenty complete data sets were analyzed. Participants had approximately 9 hours of sleep and 13 hours of sedentary behavior per day, with 99 minutes spent on physical activity (16 min spent on moderate to vigorous activity). Time spent on sleep was significantly related to sedentary, light and moderate physical activity time (r = −.67, .22, .20). The ICC of the Fitbit Flex in measuring light physical activity was .884 p < .001 but was not correlated for other measures. Conclusions More sleep was related to less sedentary behavior and more time spent on physical activity. Fitbit Flex was only valid for measuring light physical activity.

Evaluation of Sedentary Behavior and Physical Activity Levels Using Different Accelerometry Protocols in Children from the GENOBOX Study

BackgroundPhysical activity (PA) has acquired a significant relevance due to the health benefits associated with its practice. Accelerometers are an effective tool to assess PA; however, the diversity of cut-off points used to define different PA intensities through accelerometry could interfere in the interpretation of the findings among studies.ObjectivesThe present study aimed to examine the sedentary behavior (SB) and physical activity (PA) levels in children using six selected accelerometry protocols based on diverse cut-off points.MethodsClinical examination, anthropometric measurements, and PA evaluation by accelerometry were assessed in 543 selected children (10 ± 2.4 years old) from the Spanish GENOBOX study. The ActiLife data scoring program was used to determine daily min spent in SB, and light, moderate, vigorous and moderate-vigorous PA using six validated accelerometry protocols differing in their cut-off points.ResultsVery different estimations for SB and PA intensity levels were found in children, independently of the non-wear-time algorithm selected, and considering puberty stages, age and body mass index. The time spent in daily SB varied from 471 to 663.7 min, PA ranged from 141 to 301.6 min, and the moderate-vigorous PA was reported between 20.7 and 180.2 min.ConclusionThe choice of a particular accelerometry protocol considering these factors is important to evaluate SB or PA intensities to suit the characteristics of the sample researched. It seems necessary to establish future lines of research that include different analytical approaches to measure SB and PA by accelerometry based on standardized and validated methodology.

Response to: Does the Dissociated Effect of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviors on Overall Health Depend on Their Occupational or Leisure Setting?

Reply: We thank the authors for their letter and review of our article. We are pleased that our paper has generated some thoughtful discussion on what we agree are important questions. At its basic level, our study begs the question of whether all physical activity is health-promoting. Based on the findings of our observational study, it seems occupational physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) may not predict health as well as leisure PA and SB. However, we recognize the limitations of our study and the need for additional work to confirm these findings and inform targeted health promotion recommendations. First, it is necessary to understand the long-term effects of occupations that require high levels of SB and high levels of PA. In order to advance our understanding in this area, there is a need for prospective cohort studies that examine the temporal sequence between domain-specific SB and PA on a range of indicators of health over time. These studies should examine a range of health indicators including disease burden, health care expenditures, and health-related quality of life. Second, there is a need for more research to better understand the mechanisms explaining the relations between domain-specific SB and PA and these indicators of health. Experimental studies that examine a range of potential mechanisms are needed. For example, Holtermann et al1 proposed PA intensity level and insufficient rest/recovery might explain the differential effects of occupational and leisure PA. The rationale behind this suggestion is occupational PA is often performed at lower intensities but for long durations and with fewer opportunities for rest/recovery while leisure PA is often performed at higher intensities but for shorter durations and longer opportunities for rest/recovery. Experiments that control for intensity and volume of PA as well as duration of recovery are needed to confirm this proposal. It should be noted that the limited evidence in this area is due in part to the difficulty of measuring domain-specific PA and SB. For example, in our study, we used an ActivPAL monitor to measure steps per hour as a primary outcome for PA. While the ActivPAL is a good measure of SB, light PA and moderate PA which make up most occupational time, it is limited in its ability to capture upper body movements that are common is some occupations (eg, manufacturing).1,2 Additionally, best practice for quantify intensity (eg, heart rate, subjective intensity, objective measures [counts], etc.) of occupational PA remains unclear. Moreover, psychological mechanisms, such as low worker control,1 may contribute to the differential effects. Additional studies are needed that account for these methodological limitations in order to advance our understanding of appropriate interventions for individuals working in specific occupations. Health promotion experts in this area will also need to consider carefully the objectives of health advancing interventions. For example, individuals completing high levels of occupational PA and low levels of leisure PA may not benefit from increases in leisure PA. Rather an intervention that allows the individual to take more recovery breaks during work might be more useful for advancing their overall health. The rationale guiding these decisions should be based on a holistic model of health that considers health outcomes not often measured including stress, anxiety, mood, fatigue, burnout, pain, and quality of life. Additionally, we recommend these decisions be made collectively by stakeholders at numerous levels including employers, employees, and health promotion experts. We, again, thank the authors for their letter and hope this discussion contributes to growth in this field.

Relationship of sedentary time, physical activity and fitness with 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D in middle-aged sedentary adults: The FIT-AGEING study.

Potential interactions between sedentary behaviour, physical activity (PA), and physical fitness with 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) status have been previously suggested. However, data are scarce concerning the association between these predictors of general health and the main active metabolite of vitamin D, the 1,25-dihidroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D). This study aimed to analyse the relationship of sedentary time, PA levels, and physical fitness (i.e., maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and muscular strength) with 1,25(OH)2D in middle-aged sedentary adults. A total of 73 (39 women) middle-aged sedentary adults (53.7±5.1years old) participated in this cross-sectional study. Sedentary time and PA intensity levels were objectively measured with triaxial accelerometers for 7 consecutive days. VO2max was determined by a maximum treadmill test. Lower and upper limb muscular strength was assessed by an isokinetic strength test and by a handgrip strength test, respectively. 1,25(OH)2D plasma levels were measured using a DiaSorin Liaison® immunochemiluminometric assay. No significant relationships were found between objectively measured sedentary time, PA levels or physical fitness (i.e., VO2max, extension and flexion peak torque, and hand grip strength) and 1,25(OH)2D (all P>0.05). All results persisted after controlling for age, sex, fat mass or energy, vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus intake. In summary, our results show that vitamin D status is not affected by physical activity habits and sedentary behaviour in middle-aged sedentary adults.

Physical Activity Intensity, Perceived Exertion, and Enjoyment During Head-Mounted Display Virtual Reality Games

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the following: (1) the level of physical activity (PA) achieved during commercial active virtual reality (VR) games, and (2) which active VR games elicit higher enjoyment levels in young, healthy adults. Materials and Methods: Thirty-six participants completed four study sessions, each devoted to playing one of the following head-mounted display VR games for 15 minutes: Beat Saber (BS), Holopoint (HP), Hot Squat (HS), and Relax Walk VR. PA intensity measures included percentage of heart rate reserve (%HRR), ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), and accelerometry. Enjoyment was measured with the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES) following each gaming session. Mixed-model analysis of variances were used to analyze the outcome measures. Results: The analyses showed that HS elicited significantly higher %HRR and RPE than BS, HP, and Relax Walk. HS was the only game to reach moderate intensity via %HRR. Accelerometer data showed that time in whole-body moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) for HS was significantly greater than HP, which was greater than BS and Relax Walk. Also, males exhibited significantly more whole-body and upper limb MVPA compared with females during gameplay. BS and HP were rated significantly more enjoyable than HS and Relax Walk. Conclusions: Results from this study suggest that active VR games can elicit varying degrees of PA intensity levels in young healthy adults, with HS eliciting moderate intensity activity. The games rated highest in enjoyment required mostly arm movement and a perceived light exertion. ClinicalTrials: NCT04221139.

Virtual Reality And Its Effect On Physical Activity Intensity In Young Healthy Adults

The lack of physical activity in our society demands non-traditional means to meeting physical activity recommendations to obtain and maintain health benefits. Virtual reality (VR) is a new form of gaming technology which allows participants to interact within a realistic environment by projecting physical movements into the virtual world. Whether commercial virtual reality technologies are able to induce moderate levels of physical activity and high levels of enjoyment are unknown. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of commercial VR active games on physical activity intensity levels and enjoyment in young healthy adults. METHODS: Thirty-six (18 males, 18 females) participants completed four study sessions, with each devoted to playing one VR game for 15 minutes. The games included Beat Saber, Holopoint, Hot Squat, and Relax Walk VR (non-active game). Physical activity intensity levels during VR gameplay were measured with percentage of heart rate reserve (%HRR), ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), and accelerometry. Enjoyment was measured with a visual analog scale (VAS) and the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES) following each gaming session. Mixed design ANOVAs were used to analyze the outcome measures. RESULTS: Data showed that Hot Squat (41.3% + 13) elicited significantly higher %HRR (p < 0.001) than Beat Saber (13.5% + 5.8), Holopoint (28.1% + 13.1), and Relax Walk VR (8.0% + 7.2). Average RPE for Hot Squat (13.4 + 1.4) was significantly greater (p < 0.001) than Beat Saber (9.5 + 1.7), Holopoint (11.4 + 2.0), and Relax Walk VR (6.7 + 1.0). Accelerometer data showed a main effect of game (p < 0.001) and sex (p < 0.004) on percentage of time in whole-body moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). MVPA for Hot Squat (34.8% + 19.5) was greater than Holopoint (15.4% + 16.7), which was greater than Beat Saber (2.1% + 2.1) and Relax Walk VR (0.2% + 0.7). For both VAS (p < 0.001) and PACES (p < 0.001) scales, Beat Saber and Holopoint were rated more enjoyable than Hot Squat and Relax Walk VR. CONCLUSIONS: Results from this study suggest that active VR games can elicit varying degrees of physical activity intensity levels in young healthy adults, with Hot Squat eliciting moderate intensity activity. Thus, active VR games could be an alternative and enjoyable mode of obtaining physical activity.

Relationship Between Health-Related Fitness Knowledge, Physical Activity Intensity, and Activity Levels in High School Students

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between health-related fitness knowledge (HRFK) and various intensity and activity levels of physical activity in male and female high school students. At the end of a Fitness for Life course, high school students (N = 280) completed a HRFK questionnaire and the Leisure-Time Physical Activity Questionnaire (Godin &amp; Shephard, 1985). Pearson correlations were computed among physical activity levels (mild, moderate, and strenuous). A one-way MANOVA with appropriate follow-up univariate ANOVAs examined the effect of gender on physical activity intensity scores (total, healthy, and strenuous). A one-way ANOVA examined the difference in HRFK scores between the active group and the less active group. Results showed no significant correlation between HRFK and all physical activity scores. Females had higher HRFK scores and males had higher physical activity scores for all intensity levels. Ninety-two percent of all students were classified as active and males were more active than females. There was no significant difference in HRFK scores between the active group and the less active groups.

Physiological and exertional responses of partner dance in elderly.

In order to verify if partner dance is an appropriate physical activity (PA) for elderly, to promote and maintain healthy fitness level, physiological and exertional responses during ballroom and smooth dance in elderly were examined. Twenty healthy amateur dancers (10 men and 10 women, age 72.0±5.9 years, BMI 25.5±4.2 kg/m2) with multiyear dancing experience performed 3 different kinds of ball (choosing between Mazurka, Viennese Waltz and Polka or Slow Waltz, Tango and Foxtrot), each lasting 3 minutes, with a 3-minute recovery between consecutive balls. Cardiorespiratory data were continuously recorded with a portable metabolimeter (K5, Cosmed Srl., Rome, Italy) in order to assess metabolic equivalent task (METs) of each ball. The Borg Category-Ratio anchored at the number 10 (CR10 Scale) was used to assess perceived effort (RPE) at the end of each ball. There were no gender differences in METs and RPE. Also, no differences in RPE were observed between balls. The mean METs for ballroom dance were: Tango 4.3±1.1, Slow Waltz 4.5±1.1 and Foxtrot 4.8±1.4 METs, respectively; the mean METs for smooth dance were: Mazurka 5.3±0.9, Viennese Waltz 5.8±0.8 and Polka 5.9±1 METs, respectively. Polka elicited significantly higher METs values than Tango (P<0.0007) and Slow Waltz (P<0.0017); Viennese Waltz elicited significantly higher METs values than Tango (P<0.0016), too. In general, ballroom and smooth dance demanded moderate to vigorous PA intensity levels (according to the specific classification for elderly). Therefore, all studied dance styles met the suggested intensity of the current guidelines for elderly and thus may serve as a legitimate form of PA for elderly.

The effect of a video-supported assessment to increase the accuracy of self-reported physical activity.

Self-reported physical activity differs from activity levels measured by device. We tested the effect of a video that visualizes the intensity levels of physical activity to increase the agreement between self-reported and accelerometer-based moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) within a single-blinded, randomized study. Participants (N=378, 40-75years) wore an accelerometer for seven days. Prior to the collection of self-reported data by the IPAQ-SF, participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to a control group (CG) or a video group (VG). The outcome was the absolute difference between self-reported and accelerometer-based time spent in MVPA (ΔMVPAIPAQ-Accelerometry ). To examine the agreement, we used Spearman correlation coefficients and Bland-Altman analysis. To test the video effect, we used Wilcoxon signed-rank test, Bayes factor, and simultaneous-quantile regression. In total, 302 participants fulfilled the accelerometer wear time criteria (≥10hours/day; ≥6days) and completed self-reports within three days after the wearing period. The median of ΔMVPAIPAQ-Accelerometry was -9.0min/day (IQR: -32.0 to 66.6) for CG and -11.5min/day (IQR: -29.9 to 14.3) for VG. Wilcoxon signed-rank test revealed no differences in ΔMVPAIPAQ-Accelerometry between study groups whereas Bayes factor indicated insensitivity of the data. Simultaneous-quantile regression revealed no relationship between video presentation and ΔMVPAIPAQ-Accelerometry in the 25th percentile. In the 50th (b=-12.4 [95% CI=-23.2 to -1.5] and 75th percentile (b=-45.7 [95%CI=-70.5 to -20.9]), ΔMVPAIPAQ-Accelerometry was negatively associated with video presentation. To conclude, video-supported assessment may increase the accuracy of self-reported MVPA among individuals who slightly underestimated and those who overestimated their MVPA.

Decreased levels of physical activity: results from a cross-sectional study in southern Italy during the COVID-19 lockdown.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Italian government took security measures to try to limit infections. Restrictive measures included social distancing, home confinement and the closure of all public structures like gyms and swimming pools. The impact of these limitations on health and lifestyle was inevitably negative. The purpose of this study was to establish the level of physical activity (PA), expressed as energy expenditure (MET-minute/week) in a Southern Italian population before and during the COVID-19 lockdown. An adapted version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-short form (IPAQ-SF) was published on the official website of the National Institute of Gastroenterology IRCCS S. de Bellis, Castellana Grotte, Bari, Italy and on several social media in May 2020. Three hundred ten replies (72% women) from Apulia (60%), Calabria (28%), Campania (11%) and Sicily (1%) were included in the study. The COVID-19 lockdown had a negative effect on the vigorous PA intensity level and on walking, but not on the moderate PA intensity level. Additionally, daily time spent sitting down increased by more than 12% during the COVID-19 lockdown. Isolation changed PA behaviors. The decreased energy expenditure (MET-minute/week) during the lockdown had a negative impact in both genders, especially on the young adults and adults' groups.

Different Levels of Physical Activity, Physical Health, Happiness, and Depression among Older Adults with Diabetes.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between different levels of physical activity (light, moderate, and vigorous), physical health, happiness, and depression among older adults with diabetes. Using data from the National Social Life, Health and Aging Project (NSHAP) Wave 3, the results indicate that moderate and/or vigorous physical activity is more effective than light physical activity for promoting physical health and happiness and lowering depression of older adults with diabetes. This study suggests that activity professionals and therapists working with older adults with diabetes need to encourage their participation in physical activity as well as adjust a level of physical activity intensity that is tailored to participants’ needs and expectations.

Differential Risk of Incident Fractures Depending on Intensity and Frequency of Physical Activity According to Cognitive Status: A Nationwide Longitudinal Study.

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated an increased risk of fractures in subjects with various degrees of cognitive impairments. Recently, there has been growing recognition of the vital effect of physical activity (PA) on delay and prevention of fractures in older adults.Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the optimal intensity and frequency of PA needed to prevent fractures in cognitively preserved older adults (CP), participants with subjective cognitive decline (SCD), and dementia patients using a large-scale nationwide cohort study.Methods: Data from a nationwide health screening program for individuals at the transitional age of 66 years were used in this study. A total of 968,240 subjects was enrolled, followed from 2007 to 2014, and classified as CP (n = 759,874), SCD (n = 195,365), or dementia group (n = 13,001). Adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) by demographic and known risk factors for fractures were evaluated to identify the impact of various frequency and intensity PA on the occurrence of hip, vertebral, and limb fractures.Results: In CP participants, the most noticeable reduction of hip and vertebral fracture risk was shown in those performing vigorous-intensity PA at least three times per week. In the SCD group, the risk decrement in hip and vertebral fractures was most prominent in subjects who performed multiple-intensity PAs at least three times a week regardless of intensity. In the dementia group, only high-frequency walking and high-frequency & multiple-intensity PA decreased the risk of hip fractures compared with absence of PA.Conclusion: These findings suggest a role for various PA intensity and frequency levels to prevent hip and vertebral fractures according to cognitive status. Further study is needed to validate the effects of PA intensity and frequency proposed in this study on fractures according to cognitive status.