Physical Activity Levels In People Research Articles

Physical Health Parameters: Comparison of People with Severe Mental Illness with the General Population

Introduction: Obesity is commonly associated with severe mental illness (SMI). Physical activity has been shown to reduce morbidity and mortality from chronic conditions. The aim of this exploratory study was to explore the physical health parameters and physical activity levels of people with SMI in North Queensland. Method: Twenty participants from the general population and 21 participants with SMI volunteered to participate in this comparative study. Information regarding participants' physical activity levels in the previous 7 days was collected. Anthropometric measures were taken, including body mass index, blood pressure and waist-to-hip ratio. Results: Body mass index was significantly higher for participants with SMI (p = 0.05). Total domestic and garden metabolic equivalent of task (MET) mean (p = 0.03), total leisure MET mean (p = 0.00), total moderate MET mean (p = 0.04), total vigorous MET mean (p = 0.01), total work MET mean (p = 0.05) and overall total physical activity (p = 0.00) scores were significantly higher for participants from the general population. Conclusion: This study found differences in physical health parameters and activity levels between these two populations. These results can inform future occupational therapy by providing a direction for intervention.

Using incentives to reduce substance use and other health risk behaviors among people with serious mental illness

IntroductionSerious mental illness (SMI) is associated with high rates of tobacco and other drug dependence, poor treatment compliance, obesity and low levels of physical activity, which have severe medical and psychosocial consequences. Interventions that effectively reduce these health risk behaviors among people with SMI are urgently needed. MethodsPublished reports from studies evaluating incentive-based treatments for promoting tobacco and other drug abstinence, treatment attendance, medication use and increased physical activity are reviewed. ResultsResults of this review indicate the efficacy of incentive-based treatments for reducing tobacco and other drug use among people with SMI. Few studies have examined whether incentive-based treatments improve treatment attendance, medication use and physical activity levels in people with SMI; however, initial evidence is positive and indicates that further research in these areas is warranted. ConclusionGiven the medical and psychosocial costs of tobacco and other drug use, treatment non-compliance and physical inactivity, and the efficacy of incentive-based treatments for improving these behaviors, such interventions should be further developed and integrated into behavioral health treatment programs for people with SMI.

Editorial Board, 2010/2011

This is the season to be thankful while looking forward to our next adventures. The number and quality of new manuscripts continue to increase. During the past year, we published diverse papers ranging from an administrative case report of a triage system for acute care physical therapy services,1 to a perspective on the effects of statins on skeletal muscle,2 to a randomized controlled trial examining the effect of progressive resistive training on physical activity levels of people with osteoarthritis.3 Our new features that link evidence to practice and discuss the relevance of health policy issues ( Health Policy in Perspective ) have helped broaden our scope of interest as we find our way forward in this time of health care reform. Listening to the podcasts and hearing the voices of our authors as they discuss with other experts the relevance of their work to clinical practice has given us a greater understanding of the research. The year 2011 will only offer more! The January issue is chock-full of exciting information that challenges some of our traditional approaches in the clinic and in the classroom. For example, the systematic review by Katalinic et …

Editorial Note on: Glucose tolerance and physical activity level in people with spinal cord injury

Editorial Note on: Glucose tolerance and physical activity level in people with spinal cord injury

Understanding the structure of community collaboration: the case of one Canadian health promotion network

In 2004, over 6.8 million Canadians were considered overweight, with an additional 2.4 million labeled clinically obese. Due to these escalating levels of obesity in Canada, physical activity is being championed by politicians, physicians, educators and community members as a means to address this health crisis. In doing so, many organizations are being called upon to provide essential physical activity services and programs to combat rising obesity rates. Yet, strategies for achieving these organizations' mandates, which invariably involve stretching already scarce resources, are difficult to implement and sustain. One strategy for improving the health and physical activity levels of people in communities has been the creation of inter-organizational networks of service providers. Yet, little is known about whether networks are effective in addressing policy issues in non-clinical health settings. The purpose of this investigation was 2-fold; to use whole network analysis to determine the structure of one health promotion network in Canada, and to identify the types of ties shared by actors in the health network. Findings revealed a network wherein information sharing constituted the basis for collaboration, whereas efforts related to sharing resources, marketing and/or fundraising endeavors were less evident.

Glucose tolerance and physical activity level in people with spinal cord injury

Cross-sectional, observational study. To evaluate the associations of physical activity and neurological lesion level with glucose tolerance in people with spinal cord injury (SCI). New South Wales, Australia. Twenty-five people (5 women, 20 men) with SCI (>6 months post-injury) aged between 18 and 65 years were recruited. Exclusion criteria included known coronary heart disease, stroke or diabetes. Participants underwent an oral glucose tolerance test. Fasting and 2-h plasma glucose concentrations were classified according to the World Health Organization categories of glycemia. Participants also completed the Physical Activity Scale for Individuals with Physical Disabilities and mean MET-hours day(-1) was calculated. Associations with the 2-h plasma glucose concentration were calculated through multiple and stepwise regressions. Participants presented with complete or incomplete tetraplegia (n=11 TETRA) or complete or incomplete paraplegia (n=14 PARA) with neurological lesion levels ranging from C3/4 to T12. Mean 2-h plasma glucose was 7.13+/-2.32 mmol l(-1). Nine participants had disordered glycemia (n=6 TETRA; n=3 PARA) and the remaining participants had normal glucose tolerance. Those participants with normal glucose tolerance participated in more moderate-vigorous and strength exercise and undertook more non-exercise-related mobility than those with disordered glycemia. Physical activity and age, but not lesion level were independent determinants of 2-h plasma glucose concentration (r=0.683, P=0.001), explaining 47% of the variance. Physical activity level is independently associated with glucose tolerance in people with SCI. Non-exercise activity may also be important for maintaining normal glycemia.

P2.177 Effects of a multi-mode exercise program on quality of life and overall physical activity level in people with Parkinson's disease

P2.177 Effects of a multi-mode exercise program on quality of life and overall physical activity level in people with Parkinson's disease

Physical activity level in people with high blood pressure

This study aimed to analyze the level of physical activity for people with high blood pressure cared for in a health center. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 310 individuals between 18 and 69 years of age through the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). The majority (80%) of participants presented low or moderate levels of physical activity. The analysis of association between sociodemographic variables and physical activity level revealed that older men from the interior of the state with higher educational levels have a greater chance of exhibiting lower levels of physical activity. The logistic regression model revealed that origin, schooling and diabetes are predictors of low physical activity level. The conclusion is that part of the sample does not match the desirable profile to practice regular physical activity.

Physical Activity Levels in People with Multiple Sclerosis in Saskatchewan

A substantial body of literature supports the benefits of physical activity for people with multiple sclerosis (MS). This study examined the types and amounts of physical activity reported by a cross-sectional sample of people with MS in Saskatchewan, Canada. Individuals with MS who were seen in the Saskatoon Multiple Sclerosis Clinic in 2006 were mailed a physical activity survey. Demographic information was collected from a confidentiality-protected clinical database. The response rate was 38.2% (108 of 283). No statistically significant differences in baseline demographics were found between responders and nonresponders. Of the responders, 93.5% engaged in some form of moderate physical activity at least once per week. Of these, 15.7% participated in group classes (mean [SD], 2.35 [1.32] days per week), 63.9% performed a minimum of 15 minutes of self-directed continuous activity (mean [SD], 4.5 [1.8] days per week), and 88.0% accumulated short bouts of moderate physical activity totaling a minimum of 20 minutes daily (mean [SD], 5.4 [1.9] days per week). In addition, 28.7% of responders reported that daily self-care required moderate physical effort. Physical activity decreased with increasing disability. The majority of responders participated in regular physical activity when multiple types of activity are considered. All activity sources should be considered when examining activity levels of individuals with MS.

Establishing evidence-based physical activity guidelines: methods for the Study of Health and Activity in People with Spinal Cord Injury (SHAPE SCI)

Prospective, observational cohort study. This paper describes the rationale and methodology for the Study of Health and Activity in People with Spinal Cord Injury (SHAPE SCI). The study aims to (1) describe physical activity levels of people with different injury levels and completeness, (2) examine the relationship between physical activity, risk and/or presence of secondary health complications and risk of chronic disease, and (3) identify determinants of physical activity in the SCI population. Ontario, Canada. Seven hundred and twenty men and women who have incurred a traumatic SCI complete self-report measures of physical activity, physical activity determinants, secondary health problems and subjective well-being during a telephone interview. A representative subsample (n=81) participate in chronic disease risk factor testing for obesity, insulin resistance and coronary heart disease. Measures are taken at baseline, 6 and 18 months. SHAPE SCI will provide much-needed epidemiological information on physical activity patterns, determinants and health in people with SCI. This information will provide a foundation for the establishment of evidence-based physical activity guidelines and interventions tailored to the SCI community.

A systematic review of the Human Activity Profile

Objective: To review the measurement properties (reliability, validity, responsiveness) of the Human Activity Profile (HAP), a self-report measure of energy expenditure or physical fitness. Data sources: MEDLINE, CINAHL and EMBASE were searched up to September 2005 and the reference lists of included studies were checked for additional relevant studies. Review method: Studies were included that reported Human Activity Profile scores, test-retest reliability, correlations with other measures, or responsiveness (sensitivity to change). Of 83 potentially relevant articles, 39 articles were included plus the test manual. Two independent reviewers extracted data from the included studies. Results: The Human Activity Profile has been used to evaluate physical activity in a wide variety of clinical populations and in healthy individuals. The change in score required to be 90% confident that change is beyond measurement error was estimated to be 7.8 for the Maximum Activity Score and 6.8 for the Adjusted Activity Score. The construct validity of the Human Activity Profile was supported by a large number of studies, although evidence for criterion validity was limited to four studies. No studies have investigated a priori the responsiveness or minimum clinically important difference of the Human Activity Profile. Conclusion: The Human Activity Profile appears to be a useful indicator of physical activity levels in people with chronic pain, arthritis, renal failure, various neurological and cardiorespiratory conditions, as well as in healthy older people.

Evolution of Physical Activity Level of People Over 50-Years Old Involved in a Community Physical Activity Promotion Program

PURPOSE: the focus of this paper was to verify the evolution of physical activity level (PA) of people over 50 years-old from a region under a PA intervention program (Agita São Paulo). METHODS: Total sample comprised 494 subjects, 50–88 yrs-old (62.2+9.0 years-old): 220 in 1999 (102 men, 118 women), and 274 in 2004 (144 men, 130 women). Sample was randomized according to sex, age, socio-economic, and educational status. Physical activity level (sedentary, irregularly active, active, very active) was determined using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), version 8th, short, last week form, obtained by means of a home-based interview. Data were analyzed using two proportion test. The level of significance adopted was p <.05. RESULTS: prevalence of active people increased about 61% while the irregularly active decreased 60.0% (p <0.05). The prevalence of sedentary people diminished 30.7%, and very active diminished almost 33% but those values were no significant (p >0.05). CONCLUSIONS: data suggested that PA intervention problem could contribute to increase the PA level of the population over 50-years old by changing specially people from irregularly active to active level.Figure

'Physical education makes you fit and healthy'. Physical education's contribution to young people's physical activity levels.

The purpose of this study was to assess physical activity levels during high school physical education lessons. The data were considered in relation to recommended levels of physical activity to ascertain whether or not physical education can be effective in helping young people meet health-related goals. Sixty-two boys and 60 girls (aged 11-14 years) wore heart rate telemeters during physical education lessons. Percentages of lesson time spent in moderate-and-vigorous (MVPA) and vigorous intensity physical activity (VPA) were recorded for each student. Students engaged in MVPA and VPA for 34.3 +/- 21.8 and 8.3 +/- 11.1% of lesson time, respectively. This equated to 17.5 +/- 12.9 (MVPA) and 3.9 +/- 5.3 (VPA) min. Boys participated in MVPA for 39.4 +/- 19.1% of lesson time compared to the girls (29.1 +/- 23.4%; P < 0.01). High-ability students were more active than the average- and low-ability students. Students participated in most MVPA during team games (43.2 +/- 19.5%; P < 0.01), while the least MVPA was observed during movement activities (22.2 +/- 20.0%). Physical education may make a more significant contribution to young people's regular physical activity participation if lessons are planned and delivered with MVPA goals in mind.

Development and validation of an exercise performance support system for people with lower extremity impairment.

To identify innovative strategies to support appropriate, self-directed exercise that increase physical activity levels of people with arthritis. This article reports on one interactive, multimedia exercise performance support system (PSS) for people with lower extremity impairments in strength or flexibility. An interdisciplinary team developed the PSS using self-report of lower extremity musculoskeletal impairments (flexibility and strength) to produce an individualized exercise program with video and print educational materials. Initial evaluation has investigated the validity and reliability of program assessments and recommendations. PSS self-report and professional assessments were similar, with more impairments indicated by self-report. PSS exercise recommendations were similar to those made by 3 expert physical therapists using the same exercise data base. Results of PSS impairment assessments were stable over a 1-week period. PSS exercise recommendations appear to be reliable and a valid reflection of current exercise knowledge in rheumatology. Furthermore, users were able to complete the computer-based program with minimal assistance and reported it to be enjoyable and informative.