Physical Activity Interventions Research Articles

Fostering physical activity motivation at substance use disorder treatment facilities: A qualitative study grounded in self-determination theory

Background and aimsStudies have found inconclusive results for the effects of physical activity (PA) interventions on substance use, mental health, and physiological health of people experiencing substance use disorders (SUDs). To improve PA interventions for individuals with SUDs, a deeper understanding of the underlying motivational processes is imperative. This study employs self-determination theory as a framework to explore factors impacting PA motivation in SUD treatment contexts. MethodsA qualitative research design utilising semi-structured interviews explored the experiences and perspectives of five people with lived or living experience of SUD treatment and five stakeholders within SUD treatment facilities across Western Australia. A reflexive thematic analysis was employed for the data analysis. ResultsFive themes were developed: (i) Belonging to a Community, describing the sense of community fostered by group PA (ii) Mind, Body, and Soul, outlining the impact of PA on mental and physical well-being and sense of self; (iii) Physical Activity and Recovery Integration, describing how structured PA supports individuals transitioning from SUD treatment to community environments, (iv) Goals and Rewards, illustrating how setting goals fosters a sense of accomplishment, and (v) Safe Space, describing the importance of creating safe environments for PA exploration. ConclusionInsights gained from this study could be used to design PA interventions that address individuals’ basic psychological needs and promote more autonomous motivation while fostering peer connections, PA knowledge, and independence. These implementations may lead to greater PA engagement and adherence.

Physical Activity Interventions In Treating Cancer Induced Cachexia: A Systematic Review

Physical Activity Interventions In Treating Cancer Induced Cachexia: A Systematic Review

Physical Activity and Excess Body Weight and Adiposity for Adults. American College of Sports Medicine Consensus Statement.

Excessive body weight and adiposity contribute to many adverse health concerns. The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recognizes that the condition of excess body weight and adiposity is complex, with numerous factors warranting consideration. The ACSM published a position stand on this topic in 2001 with an update in 2009, and a consensus paper on the role of physical activity in the prevention of weight gain in 2019. This current consensus paper serves as an additional update to those prior ACSM position and consensus papers. The ACSM supports the inclusion of physical activity in medical treatments (pharmacotherapy, metabolic and bariatric surgery) of excess weight and adiposity, as deemed to be medically appropriate, and provides perspectives on physical activity within these therapies. For weight loss and prevention of weight gain, the effects may be most prevalent when physical activity is progressed in an appropriate manner to at least 150 min·wk-1 of moderate-intensity physical activity, and these benefits occur in a dose-response manner. High-intensity interval training does not appear to be superior to moderate-to-vigorous physical activity for body weight regulation, and light-intensity physical activity may also be an alternative approach provided it is of sufficient energy expenditure. Evidence does not support that any one single mode of physical activity is superior to other modes for the prevention of weight gain or weight loss, and to elicit holistic health benefits beyond the effects on body weight and adiposity, multimodal physical activity should be recommended. The interaction between energy expenditure and energy intake is complex, and the effects of exercise on the control of appetite are variable between individuals. Physical activity interventions should be inclusive and tailored for sex, self-identified gender, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, age, and developmental level. Intervention approaches can also include different forms, channels, and methods to support physical activity.

Physical Activity Interventions Among Older Adults with Chronic Illnesses: Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

To investigate the individual effectiveness of motivational interviewing, tailor-made interventions, social context-related interventions, shared decision making, and monitoring & feedback versus active- and passive control groups on physical activity level among older adults at short-, middle-, and long term. Secondary aim is to compare the effectiveness of interventions using a single motivational strategy versus interventions combining multiple motivational strategies. Literature search of PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, and PEDro databases using keywords and subject headings. Randomized controlled trials comparing two or more arms, with one arm focused on motivational strategies influencing physical activity were included. We identified 20,690 titles, of which 51 (comprising 11,596 participants) were included. Methodological quality and quality of evidence was evaluated using PEDro scale and GRADE approach. Outcomes were physical activity levels measured by objective- or subjective instruments at 3-, 6-, and 12 months follow-up. Standardized mean differences between intervention- and control groups were used as the mode of the analyses. For primary outcome, 6 months follow-up, pooled data demonstrated a statistically significant trend for higher effectiveness interventions using multiple motivational strategies compared with an active control intervention, while other singular motivational strategies did not show similar results for this comparison. The quality of the body of evidence was graded as very low for all motivational strategies. In our search, we have used broad in- and exclusion criteria for eligible studies regarding population characteristics resulting in a wide variety of conditions and illnesses included in our review which warrants a better representation of daily clinical practice. However, this led to data being pooled from a wide variety of different study populations and settings, content of interventions and outcome measures, increasing the heterogeneity of study characteristics. Interventions combining multiple motivational strategies show a trend to be more effective than using singular treatment strategies, although the optimal composition remains unclear.

Developing translational products for adapting evidence-based physical activity interventions in rural communities

The development and distribution of educational materials is a key strategy to support the implementation of evidence-based interventions (EBIs). Rural communities have higher rates of physical inactivity and face higher burden of many diseases that increased physical activity can prevent. To support the translation of a developed physical activity intervention for adults in micropolitan communities (10,000-50,000 people), called Active XXXX, the University of XXXX Prevention Research Center for Rural Health (PRC-RH) created a toolkit and supplemental resources designed to guide implementers through the implementation of the intervention. Through a community-engaged process, the PRC-RH underwent three phases of review and evaluation of the developed products. The first phase involved the Community Advisory Board from the pilot intervention, the second involved the PRC-RH State Advisory Board and public health practitioners from across the state, and the third involved micropolitan leaders and micropolitan health department staff. The feedback received through these three phases resulted in changes to the developed products to improve usability, readability, and clarity. The feedback also resulted in the development of additional materials to further support the implementation of the intervention. The success the PRC-RH experienced in the review process can be attributed to the strong, established partnerships with practitioners across the state who represented a variety of community roles and organizations. The developed materials can be used to improve physical activity rates in rural and micropolitan communities, in turn reducing chronic diseases and improving the quality of life for rural residents.

Physical Activity and Excess Body Weight and Adiposity for Adults. American College of Sports Medicine Consensus Statement

ABSTRACT Excessive body weight and adiposity contribute to many adverse health concerns. The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recognizes that the condition of excess body weight and adiposity is complex, with numerous factors warranting consideration. The ACSM published a position stand on this topic in 2001 with an update in 2009, and a consensus paper on the role of physical activity in the prevention of weight gain in 2019. This current consensus paper serves as an additional update to those prior ACSM position and consensus papers. The ACSM supports the inclusion of physical activity in medical treatments (pharmacotherapy, metabolic and bariatric surgery) of excess weight and adiposity, as deemed to be medically appropriate, and provides perspectives on physical activity within these therapies. For weight loss and prevention of weight gain, the effects may be most prevalent when physical activity is progressed in an appropriate manner to at least 150 min·wk−1 of moderate-intensity physical activity, and these benefits occur in a dose–response manner. High-intensity interval training does not appear to be superior to moderate-to-vigorous physical activity for body weight regulation, and light-intensity physical activity may also be an alternative approach provided it is of sufficient energy expenditure. Evidence does not support that any one single mode of physical activity is superior to other modes for the prevention of weight gain or weight loss, and to elicit holistic health benefits beyond the effects on body weight and adiposity, multimodal physical activity should be recommended. The interaction between energy expenditure and energy intake is complex, and the effects of exercise on the control of appetite are variable between individuals. Physical activity interventions should be inclusive and tailored for sex, self-identified gender, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, age, and developmental level. Intervention approaches can also include different forms, channels, and methods to support physical activity.

Physical Activity to Reduce Pain Scale in Diabetic Neuropathy Patients: A Scoping Review.

This study aims to identify physical activity that can reduce pain scales in diabetic neuropathy patients. The scoping review method was used in this research using three databases and one search engine, namely PubMed, CINAHL, Sage Journal, and Google Scholar. Inclusion criteria include full-text articles and publications in English and Indonesian between 2012-2022 with a minimal quasi-experimental design. Critical Appraisal was used to assess the article's bias. Research found 12 articles discussing the effectiveness of activity training in reducing the pain scale in diabetic neuropathy patients from the results of a scoping review of 12 studies, articles were found that used pain scales such as the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Foot Health Status Questionnaire Pain Score (FHSQ), and Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic symptoms and signs Scale for pain assessment, in measuring pain intensity. Some variations of physical activity include aerobic exercise, resistance exercise, vibration, and a combination of aerobic and resistance training. 30minutes each session for 8weeks with a frequency of 6 days/week. These studies used various designs, namely RCT, Experiment, and Quasi-experimental Pre test-post test with control group design Physical activity improves blood circulation and minimizes peripheral nerve damage so that pain intensity can decrease. Conclusion: Physical activity intervention is effective in reducing pain scales in diabetic neuropathy patients and can be a supportive therapy for diabetic neuropathy patients who experience pain.

Combined mindfulness-based stress reduction and physical activity improved psychological factors and sleep quality in patients with MDD: A randomized controlled trial study

Non-pharmacological interventions are available to improve sleep quality including mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and physical activity (PA). The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the combination of MBSR and PA interventions as an augmentation to treatment as usual with sertraline to improve sleep and psychological factors among patients with MDD. Sixty-seven patients in outpatient care diagnosed with MDD for a minimum of 2 months (mean age: 35.32 ± 7.8; 65 % female) and currently on sertraline treatments were randomized into four groups including: 1) Physical activity, 2) MBSR, 3) Combination MBSR and physical activity (MBSRPA), and 4) Control. All participants completed self-reported questionnaires on sleep quality, depression, anxiety, and perceived stress from baseline to 8 weeks later at post-test and four weeks later at follow-up. Over time, sleep disturbance and psychological problems were reduced in all conditions when compared to the control. Moreover, MBSRPA had a more positive impacts on perceived stress, anxiety, depressive symptoms and sleep quality. The results of the present study confirmed the effectiveness of MBSRPA as an augmentation to standard therapy to help reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, perceived stress, and sleep problems in patients with MDD.

Effect of physical activity on social communication impairments in children with autism spectrum disorder: A meta-analysis

This meta-analysis aims to systematically evaluate if different physical activities (PA) improve the social communication impairments (SCI) seen in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). For this meta-analysis, five databases (Web of Science, PubMed and Cochrane Library database in English, and CNKI and Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform in Chinese) were searched from database inception to September 11, 2024. The eligibility criteria included (1) study population comprised children with ASD, with no gender restriction; (2) experimental group consisted of a PA intervention; (3) control group consisted of nonPA interventions or routine activities; (4) outcomes were assessed using validated SCI scales (e.g., social cognition, social motivation, and/or social awareness); and (5) study design involved a randomized parallel group design. The quality of the evidence for each study was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. From a pool of 2714 potentially relevant articles, 17 were eligible for inclusion in this review. The results of overall response of PA intervention to SCI illustrated a Medium degree of statistical heterogeneity between studies (I2 = 53.3 %, p < 0.01); the effect size of PA intervention on SCI (expressed as standardized mean difference) was −0.34 (95 % CI: −0.57, −0.11), which was statistically significant. SCI of autistic children could be potentially improved by PA interventions, though further research is needed to clarify if benefits achieve clinical significance in addition to statistical significance. Proper design of PA interventions (45–90 min per session, more than 3 times per week and for 8–12 weeks) may enhance their effectiveness in treating SCI in children with ASD.

Challenges and barriers in conducting school-based physical activity research: A narrative review

ABSTRACT Physical activity (PA) is associated with numerous mental and physical health benefits. But it has been observed that young people and children frequently participate in low levels of PA, which is especially noticeable when they progress from primary to secondary school. Thus, in order to improve physical health among school-going children, different schools should put in place school-based PA intervention programs. The researchers designing PA intervention protocols for school children encounter various challenges during implementation; hence, this narrative review determines the challenges and barriers faced by the researchers during data collection on PA of school-going adolescent children. The review highlighted the challenges encountered during implementation of school-based PA and fitness among school children. The key issues mentioned in the review involved problems related to communication with schools, recruitment of participants along with the informed consent, implementation and data collection, environment of school, and barriers to PA in school. The documentation of these difficulties can help advance knowledge of the researchers and their efficacy, which will finally result in the development of strengthened and close relationships with school-based educational institutions, leading to implementation of intervention protocols and enhancing physical fitness in school children.

Physical activity and symmetry following total knee arthroplasty: Results of a pilot randomized trial

ObjectiveThis pilot trial examined a Physical Activity and Symmetry (PAS) intervention focused on common deficits of physical inactivity and joint loading asymmetry following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). DesignParticipants (n ​= ​60) were enrolled during routine physical therapy (PT) following TKA and randomized to the PAS intervention or an attention (ATT) control group. The PAS intervention included physical activity counseling and balance exercise to address joint loading symmetry; content was delivered during 2 sessions at the end of routine PT plus supplemental sessions 4-weeks and 8-weeks following PT. The ATT control condition included supplemental sessions at 4-weeks and 8-weeks focused on general evaluation of surgical recovery benchmarks. Primary outcomes were weekly minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), measured with an accelerometer, and peak force loading symmetry (limb symmetry index; LSI) during a 10 ​m walk, measured with a 3-sensor in-shoe device. General linear mixed models compared changes in outcomes between randomized groups at 3-month and 6-month follow-up. ResultsBoth PAS and ATT groups increased MVPA, but there were no clinically meaningful between-group differences at 3- or 6-month follow-up (p ​> ​0.05). There were also no clinically meaningful between-group differences LSI at 3- or 6-month follow-up (p ​> ​0.05). ConclusionThe PAS intervention did not yield improvements beyond ATT control. It is possible that PAS components were being delivered as part of routine PT, and a more intensive intervention (e.g., more visits, guidance for exercise progression) or targeted approach (e.g., those with deficits at end of routine care) may be needed to further improve outcomes.

Implementation And Scalability Of Physical Activity Interventions Delivered Within Primary Care: A Narrative Review

Implementation And Scalability Of Physical Activity Interventions Delivered Within Primary Care: A Narrative Review

Impact Of A Family Physical Activity Intervention On Physical Activity Co-participation In Parents And Young Children

Impact Of A Family Physical Activity Intervention On Physical Activity Co-participation In Parents And Young Children

Combined Virtual-Reality- and Gym-Based Physical Activity Intervention for Children With a Developmental Disability: Effects on Physical Activity Levels, Motor Skills, and Social Skills.

This study examined the effects of a combined virtual-reality- and gym-based physical activity (PA) program on PA levels, motor skills, and social skills of children with a developmental disability (DD). Twenty-five children with DD were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The intervention was conducted for 60min, two times a week, for 12weeks. Pre- and postintervention assessments encompassing PA levels measured via Gravity Estimator of Normal Everyday Activity, motor skills evaluated using the Test of Gross Motor Development-Third Edition, and social skills gauged via the Social Skills Rating System-Parent were conducted. Additionally, a follow-up assessment was administered to the experimental group 12weeks postintervention. The findings unequivocally demonstrate that the combined virtual-reality- and gym-based PA program yielded significant enhancements in PA levels, motor skills, and social skills among children with DD in the experimental group. Notably, these improvements were sustained 12weeks after the intervention. These findings may help professionals develop and implement better PA programs for children with DD.

A Workplace Physical Activity Intervention and a Smartphone App for Overweight and Obese Sedentary Women.

The sedentary aspects of many U.S. occupations and the amount of time American workers spend in the workplace make it an ideal location to implement health promotion programs. This study assessed the effectiveness of a free smartphone app with a goal-setting feature to increase physical activity (PA) and impact anthropometric, body mass (BM), and body composition (BC) changes among overweight and obese women within a community health workforce. Eighteen overweight and obese (body mass index [BMI] = 32.18 ± 4.48 kg/m2), adult (50.73 ± 8.76 years), female volunteers, tracked daily steps with a free smartphone app (StridekickTM) over an 8-week period. Pre- and post-program body composition (BC) measurements included: relative (%) body fat (BF), fat mass (FM), fat-free mass (FFM), and lean mass (LM), using dual X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA scan), and five anthropometric measurements (biceps, waist, abdomen, hips, and thigh). Pre- to post-program average daily steps resulted in significant anthropometric changes for biceps, hips, and thigh measures, with encouraging changes in FFM, LM, and relative (%) BF. The goal-setting feature of the app did not result in significant differences between the experimental and control groups. No differences were noted in FM, BMI, waist, and abdomen or step goals compared with steps completed. An occupational PA health promotion intervention program that tracked daily steps through the StridekickTM smartphone app resulted in anthropometric, BM, and BC changes. The workplace is an ideal location to affect change in health behaviors via a free smartphone app to increase PA and improve health.

"Now I Am Walking Toward Health": A Qualitative Study About the Outcomes of Physical Activity Participation That Matter to Older Adults.

Randomized controlled trials that deliver physical activity interventions have demonstrated benefits for older adults across numerous health outcomes. However, too little attention has been directed to ensuring that such trials are measuring patient-relevant outcomes. To support outcome selection for future trials, the objective of this study was to understand what outcomes related to their physical activity participation older adults find important. We conducted 12 semistructured interviews with adults aged 65years and older and analyzed interview transcripts with a reflexive thematic analysis. Older adults desired diverse outcomes from their physical activity participation, ranging from generic (e.g.,quality of life) to specific (e.g.,leg strength). Relevant outcomes were classified under five themes: physical, clinical, social, psychological, and overarching, each with respective subthemes. The outcomes that older adults found important were plentiful and rooted in a desire to improve their quality of life. Some of the outcome themes have been reported frequently in past trials (e.g.,physical), but others have not (e.g.,social). Future researchers should be aware of, and responsive to, the priorities of older adults when designing trials and defining outcomes. Significance/Implications: This study will help to improve outcome selection for future trials of physical activity with older adults. In alignment with a patient-oriented research philosophy, this study will also ground future outcome selection in the priorities of older adults.

Nutritional Support and Physical Activity Intervention Programs with a Person-Centred Approach in People with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: a Scoping Review.

The knowledge is sparse in the literature on intervention programs using nutritional support and physical activity for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease within a person-centred approach. We aimed to explore and map the existing evidence on intervention programs with a person-centred approach, focusing on nutritional support and physical activity for people with COPD. A scoping review was conducted using Arksey & O'Malley's methodological framework. A search in the databases CINAHL and PubMed, and a grey literature search, was conducted in June 2022 and updated in June 2023. We identified studies published between 2012 and 2023. The PRISMA checklist for scoping reviews, supported by The PAGER framework was used for reporting the method. A total of 15 studies were included. The primary interventions comprised behavior of change or self-management, addressing needs assessment, motivation, personal goals, education, and physical activity. Health-related quality of life and hospital stay displayed no clinically significant variances. However, eight studies demonstrated differences in physical function and activity levels. Nutritional outcomes were addressed in one study, and three studies involved relatives. This scoping review addresses a knowledge gap in nutritional support interventions with a person-centred approach. It indicates that there is a need to increase nutritional support and consider the patient's physical and social environmental resources within Behavior of change or Self-management intervention programs for patients with COPD. The review found no clinical effect on health-related quality of life, although there were some effects on physical activity. The results highlight how the interdisciplinary team can include the patients' resources when structuring the management of COPD by applying a person-centred approach.

Effectiveness of wearable technology-based physical activity interventions for adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-regression.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder with the increasing prevalence of a modern sedentary lifestyle. Wearable technology-based physical activity interventions (WT-BPAI) might provide a channel to improve diabetic self-management. The study aimed to (1) evaluate the effectiveness of WT-BPAI on PA levels, glycemic levels, and other outcomes (blood pressure [BP], body mass index [BMI], and serum lipid profile) in adults with T2DM, and (2) investigate the potential covariates affecting aforementioned outcomes. Eight databases were searched thoroughly using three steps from inception until January 16, 2024. The quality of the studies and overall evidence were evaluated. The package meta of the R software program version 4.3.1. was utilized for meta-analyses, subgroup analyses, and meta-regression analyses. A total of 19 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were found. Meta-analyses revealed that WT-BPAI significantly increased 1583 steps per day and decreased systolic BP (SBP) by 2.46 mmHg. Subgroup and meta-regression analyses found that function, duration of intervention, and age were significant covariates. According to the risk of bias version 2, more than half of the trials raised some concerns about the randomization process, deviations from the intended intervention, and missing outcome data. The certainty of the evidence was very low for all outcomes based on the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) criteria. WT-BPAI can be considered a supplementary intervention to increase the steps per day and decrease SBP, especially when used for short periods in young adults with T2DM. However, we need more well-designed research with long-term outcomes.

The impact of parkrun on life satisfaction and its cost-effectiveness: A six-month study of parkrunners in the United Kingdom.

An intervention suggested by the World Health Organisation that might increase life satisfaction is parkrun, a free, weekly, timed five kilometre run or walk. The issues with such interventions are (1) whether they impact on the life satisfaction of their participants, and (2) whether they are cost-effective. A study of 548 newly registered parkrunners were asked about their life satisfaction at baseline and six months later. A change of one life satisfaction point per year per participant was defined as one WELLBY (wellbeing adjusted life year), with a value of £13,000. Three approaches were used to estimate the additionality (added value) of parkrun: (1) by comparing a participant's number of parkruns to total activity; (2) by accounting for the participant's perceived impact of parkrun across 16 measures; and (3) combining these two methods equally. After six months, weighted, seasonally adjusted life satisfaction increased from a mean of 7.489 to 7.746, a change of 0.257. Both life satisfaction improvement and additionality were greatest for the least active. Assuming only half a year of benefit, the total value of the life satisfaction change for the 2019 parkrun population of 400,167 participants was estimated as £667.4m, with the least active accounting for almost half. Comparing to the cost of running parkrun in 2019 and using the activity, impact and combined methods for additionality, benefit-cost analysis ratios were found to be 16.7, 98.5 and 59.3 to 1, respectively. These were between 2.8 to 16.7 times that of other population-level physical activity interventions. Physical health was a mediator between activity and life satisfaction; mental health was only found as a mediator when combined with physical activity. Successful features of parkrun that might guide other interventions include its framing (role, time, place and cost) and ability to forge both strong and weak social ties.

Enhancing Cancer Supportive Care: Integrating Psychosocial Support, Nutrition, and Physical Activity Using Telehealth Solutions.

This review explores current guidelines for integrating psychosocial support, nutrition, and physical activity into cancer care and examines the resources available to deliver comprehensive care effectively and equitably, with a focus on telehealth solutions. A review of current guidelines related to psychosocial support, nutrition, and exercise in oncology published between the years 2020 and 2024 was conducted. Additionally, relevant articles from the authors' personal archives were included. Current guidelines emphasize routine psychosocial distress screening, nutritional assessment, and tailored physical activity interventions for patients with cancer. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network and ASCO highlight the need for regular psychosocial evaluations and the management of common psychiatric disorders. The American Cancer Society and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommend nutritional screening, personalized counseling, and exercise to improve treatment tolerance and overall quality of life. Despite these recommendations, challenges such as resource limitations, time constraints, and financial barriers hinder their implementation. Integrating psychosocial support, medical nutrition therapy, and physical activity into cancer care is essential to enhancing patients' quality of life. Telehealth offers a viable solution to overcome barriers by providing remote access to supportive services, facilitating comprehensive care, and promoting patient engagement. The effectiveness of telehealth in delivering psychosocial, nutritional, and physical activity support highlights its potential to improve patient outcomes and overcome barriers to care. Telehealth technologies hold high potential to optimize cancer care delivery, ensuring personalized support for patients throughout their cancer journey.