Physical Activity Participation In Individuals Research Articles

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Exhibit Elevated Physical Activity and Reduced Sedentary Behavior.

According to previous research, individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have lower levels of physical activity than their typically developed (TD) counterparts. There have been conflicting reports about physical activity (PA) levels in people with ASD. Given the conflicting evidence, further investigation is required. We believe that evaluating PA in individuals with ASD is critical in order to offer PA intervention plans aiming at increasing their health-related physical fitness on a daily, systematic, and individualized basis. In the current study, an ActiGraph monitor (GT3X+) was used to accurately measure PA and sedentary activity in 21 children with autism aged 6.43 ± 2.29 years and 30 TD children aged 7.2 ± 3.14 years. Our data indicated that while the light and moderate activity counts were not significantly different between the two groups, the vigorous activity was significantly higher in ASD compared to TD. This finding was attributed to ASD characteristic stereotypy and self-stimulating behaviors. The significantly higher vigorous PA is discussed in relation to altered neurochemistry, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation as etiological mechanisms in ASD. This research provides a better understanding of the status of PA participation in individuals with ASD.

Significantly Lower Physical Activity Participation in Individuals with Chronic Pancreatitis Compared to Controls: An Exploratory Study of Objectively Assessed Physical Activity Levels

Introduction: The beneficial effects of exercise and physical activity (PA) have been demonstrated in many chronic inflammatory diseases. Knowledge on PA levels is unknown in the chronic pancreatitis population, and there are currently no specific PA recommendations for this condition. Methods: PA was measured objectively over a 7-day period in 17 individuals with chronic pancreatitis using an accelerometer (ActiGraph) and in 15 controls, matched for age, sex, and body mass index. Results: Participants with chronic pancreatitis spent a significantly lower amount of time in moderate, light, and moderate/vigorous activity compared to the healthy control group. Mean time in light activity in the chronic pancreatitis group was 825.4 ± 972 (standard deviation [SD]) compared to 1,500 ± 958 (SD) in the healthy control group. Moderate activity mean minutes were 61.6 ± 85 in the chronic pancreatitis group compared to 161.4 ± 131.2 in the healthy control group. Moderate/vigorous mean minutes were 62.1 ± 86 (SD) in the chronic pancreatitis group compared to 164.3 ± 132 (SD) in the healthy control group. There was no significant difference found between the groups for either vigorous activity or time spent sedentary. Conclusion: This exploratory study offers early objective evidence that activity levels in the chronic pancreatic group are not meeting current international recommendations. Further investigation of this chronic illness population is strongly recommended.

Swimmers with Down Syndrome Are Healthier and Physically Fit than Their Untrained Peers

While there are positive benefits from physical activity participation for individuals with Down syndrome, little is known about the effects of swimming training. The aim of this study was to compare the body composition and physical fitness profile of competitive swimmers and moderately active (untrained) individuals with Down syndrome. The Eurofit Special test was applied to a group of competitive swimmers (n = 18) and a group of untrained individuals (n = 19), all with Down syndrome. In addition, measurements were taken to determine body composition characteristics. The results showed differences between swimmers and untrained subjects in height, sum of the four skinfolds, body fat %, fat mass index and all items of the Eurofit Special test. Swimmers with Down syndrome exhibited physical fitness levels near to the Eurofit standards, although lower fitness levels were attained by these persons when compared to athletes with intellectual disability. It can be concluded that the practice of competitive swimming seems to counteract the tendency for obesity in persons with Down syndrome and also helps to increase strength, speed and balance.

Psychological Perspectives of Participation in Physical Activity and Sports among Persons with Mobility Impairments

The purpose of this integrative review is to synthesize the scientific literature referring to barriers and facilitators of physical activity participation for individuals with mobility impairments. Using EBSCO and Google Scholar search engines, peer-reviewed articles published in English between 2000-2019 were screened. After extracting research-based articles focusing on participants with mobility limitations 46 articles were retrieved, including eight intervention studies. The outcomes reported in these studies were synthesized referring to theoretical approaches including the theory of reasoned action, the transtheoretical model of change, and self-efficacy theory. A thematic analysis was conducted on study contents. The following categories were constructed. (a) Personal factors, with secondary categories: personal medical condition, personal psychological perception of physical activity practice, and self-efficacy; (b) environmental factors, with secondary categories: physical environment and social environment, each of them also containing tertiary categories, and (c) interventions aimed at increasing physical activity. Practices promoting physical activity participation were recommended.

Perceived Barriers of Physical Activity Participation in Individuals with Intellectual Disability-A Systematic Review.

Individuals with intellectual disability (ID) tend to have a sedentary lifestyle, with low physical fitness and an increased risk of chronic diseases. One reason for the prevalence of a sedentary lifestyle is the existence of barriers to participation in physical activity (PA). The purpose of this systematic review is to update knowledge about the perceived barriers of PA participation in individuals with ID. Electronic searches were carried out in the PubMed, Scopus, SPORTDiscus and Web of Science databases, from September 2020 to May 2021, and included articles published between January 2016 and May 2021. The terms used were: “mental retardation”, “intellectual disability”, “intellectual disabilities”, “physical activity”, “motor activity”, “barriers”, “obstacles”, “embarrassment” and “constraint”, in combination with the Boolean operators “AND” or “OR”. After the methodological process, five studies were included for analysis. These studies revealed the existence of several perceived barriers to regular PA participation, which were grouped into five main groups: personal (6 topics), family (4 topics), social (13 topics), financial (1 topic) and environmental (1 topic). The knowledge and identification of participation barriers can be of extreme importance both to institutions and professionals aiming to enhance the participation of individuals with ID in regular PA programs.

"It is the fear of exercise that stops me" - attitudes and dimensions influencing physical activity in pulmonary hypertension patients.

Pulmonary hypertension is a progressive cardiorespiratory disease that is characterized by considerable morbidity and mortality. While physical activity can improve symptoms and quality of life, engagement in this population is suboptimal. The aim of this study was to explore attitudes towards exercise and the dimensions that influence physical activity participation in individuals with pulmonary hypertension. Virtual, semi-structured interviews were conducted with individuals, with a formal diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension. Participants were recruited through the Pulmonary Hypertension Association of Ireland. Interviews were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. Nineteen patients were interviewed (n = 19). There was a female preponderance (n = 13) and the mean age was 50 ± 12 years. Three themes were identified and included fear, perceived value of exercise and environmental factors. Fear was the primary theme and included three sub-themes of fear of (i) over-exertion, (ii) physical damage and (iii) breathlessness. The perceived value of exercise encompassed two distinct sub-themes of perceived (i) exercise importance and (ii) benefits of exercise. Environmental factors included the terrain, weather conditions and location. Fear of overexertion, harm and dyspnoea strongly influenced attitudes to and engagement in physical activity. This study revealed heterogenous patient perspectives regarding the importance of physical activity and exercise. Future interventions that mitigate fear and promote the value of physical activity for individuals with pulmonary hypertension may have considerable benefits in promoting physical activity engagement. Such interventions require multidisciplinary involvement, including specialised pulmonary hypertension clinicians and exercise and behaviour change specialists.

I ride for MS: The impact of bike MS participation on motivation for physical activity in individuals with multiple sclerosis

BackgroundMultiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease that results in deficits in physical and cognitive functioning. Research supports the use of physical activity (PA) to aid in MS symptom management and slow disease progression, however individuals diagnosed with MS are generally physically inactive. Social support has been shown to increase PA behavior in group exercise settings. Events such as Bike MS, a charity bicycle ride where individuals raise money for MS, could increase motivation for participation and therefore may be an ideal setting to introduce PA to individuals diagnosed with MS. Objective/Hypothesis: The objective of the current research was to explore motives for participation in a Bike MS event in individuals diagnosed with MS and their family members, and examine if their Bike MS participation has translated to long-term PA behavior change and positive quality of life outcomes. MethodsA descriptive qualitative approach using semi-structured focus group, individual, and phone interviews, combined with observational field notes, was used to explore the experiences of seven individuals diagnosed with MS and four family members from two regional self-help groups who all actively participated in a Bike MS event. ResultsParticipants reported important social bonds, raising awareness for the cause, fundraising, long-term physical benefits, and overall increased quality of life as motives for participation. All participants reported long-term PA participation as a result of Bike MS participation. ConclusionResults support using Bike MS to increase long-term PA participation in individuals with MS, resulting in positive quality of life outcomes.

Attitudes and beliefs towards physical activity participation in individuals with below-knee amputation

Attitudes and beliefs towards physical activity participation in individuals with below-knee amputation

Leisure time physical activity participation in individuals with spinal cord injury in Malaysia: barriers to exercise.

Cross-sectional. An epidemiological study describing leisure time physical activities (LTPA) and the associations of barriers, sociodemographic and injury characteristics to moderate-vigorous aerobic exercise participation among individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) in a developing Southeast Asian country. SCI community in Malaysia. The study sample consisted of 70 participants with SCI. Questionnaires were distributed containing an abbreviated Physical Activity Scale for Individuals with Physical Disabilities (items 2-6) and the Barriers to Exercise Scale using a 5-tier Likert format. Statistical analyses were χ2 tests, odds ratios, and binary forward stepwise logistic regression to assess the association and to predict factors related to participation in moderate-vigorous intensity aerobic exercise (items 4 and 5). Seventy-three percent of the study sample did not participate in any form of moderate or vigorous LTPA. The top three barriers to undertaking LTPA (strongly agree and agree descriptors) were expensive exercise equipment (54%), pain (37%) and inaccessible facilities (36%). Participants over the age of 35 years, ethnicity, health concerns, perceiving exercise as difficult and indicating lack of transport were significantly different (p < 0.05) between participation and non-participation in moderate-vigorous aerobic exercise type of LTPA. Age, ethnicity, indicated health concerns and lack of transport were the significant predictors in likelihood of participating in moderate-vigorous LTPA (p < 0.1). The issues raised depicted barriers within the intrapersonal (health concerns, exercising is too difficult, pain while exercising, age more than 35), interpersonal (different ethnicity), community (expensive exercise equipment), and policy levels (lack of or poor access to transportation, inaccessible facilities) that prevent LTPA participation.

체계적 문헌 고찰을 통한 장애인의 신체활동 참여 동기 분석

체계적 문헌 고찰을 통한 장애인의 신체활동 참여 동기 분석

Physical activity correlates among people with psychosis: Data from 47 low- and middle-income countries

BackgroundPeople with schizophrenia engage in low levels of physical activity (PA). However, few large-scale studies have investigated the factors that may influence PA participation in individuals with psychosis and data from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is especially scarce. Thus, we investigated PA correlates in a large sample of people with a psychosis diagnosis across 47 LMICs. MethodsCross-sectional data from the World Health Survey, restricting to those with a self-reported lifetime diagnosis of schizophrenia/psychotic disorder, was analyzed. PA was assessed by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and participants were dichotomized into those that do and do not (low PA) meet the minimum recommended PA weekly targets (≥150min). A range of socio-demographic, health behavior, and mental and physical health variables were examined using random effects logistic regression. ResultsOverall 2407 people (mean 42.0years, 41.5% males) with schizophrenia/psychosis were included. The prevalence of low PA was 39.2% (95%CI=37.0%–41.2%). Male sex (odds ratio (OR)=1.33), increasing age, unemployment (vs. employed OR=2.50), urban setting (vs. rural OR=1.75), inadequate fruit consumption (vs. adequate fruit intake OR=3.03), depression (OR=1.33), sleep/energy disturbance, and mobility limitations were significantly associated with low PA. Marital status, education, wealth, smoking, vegetable and alcohol consumption, anxiety, cognition, pain, and chronic medical conditions were not significant correlates. ConclusionPA is influenced by a range of factors among people with psychosis. These correlates should be considered in interventions aiming to facilitate PA in psychotic individuals living in LMICs.

Barriers and enablers of physical activity engagement for patients with COPD in primary care.

BackgroundGiven that physical activity (PA) has a positive impact on COPD symptoms and prognosis, this study examined the factors that both encourage and limit participation in PA for individuals with COPD in a primary care setting from the perspective of social cognitive theory.MethodsA purposive sample of 26 individuals with a range of COPD severity (age range: 50–89 years; males =15) were recruited from primary care to participate in one of four focus groups. Thematic analysis was undertaken to identify key concepts related to their self-efficacy beliefs.ResultsSeveral barriers and enablers closely related to self-efficacy beliefs and symptom severity were identified. The main barriers were health related (fatigue, mobility problems, breathing issues caused by the weather), psychological (embarrassment, fear, frustration/disappointment), attitudinal (feeling in control of their condition, PA perception, older age perception), and motivational. The main enabling factors were related to motivation (autonomous or controlled), attitudes, self-regulation, and performance accomplishments.Clinical implicationsWhen designing interventions for individuals with COPD, it is important to understand the patient-specific social cognitive influences on PA participation. This information can then inform individually tailored management planning.

Motor Gains from Using Proprioceptive Cues in Treadmill Walking: Clinical Exercise Rehabilitation for Individuals with Parkinson’s Disease

Treadmill walking is the conventional rehabilitation strategy used to improve gait and stability in individuals with Parkinson’s disease. Current evidence suggests that coupling proprioceptive cues (such as vision and hearing) with treadmill walking can significantly improve measures of gait. Consistent with the model of the lifespan approach of motor development, these findings offer novel insight into rehabilitation strategies that have the potential to improve physical activity participation in individuals with Parkinson’s disease.

Validation of the PAR-Q+ and ePARmed-X+

The Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire for Everyone (PAR-Q+) and the electronic Physical Activity Readiness Medical Examination (ePARmed-X+) were created recently to reduce the barriers to physical activity participation for individuals with and without established chronic disease. Our primary purpose was to provide preliminary evidence on the effectiveness of these new forms for pre-participation screening and risk stratification. In particular, we sought to examine the new PAR-Q+ (and ePARmed-X+) risk stratification strategy in comparison to the previous PAR-Q. The new PAR-Q+ and ePARmed-X+ risk stratification and pre-participation strategy reduced significantly the number individuals that were sent for medical referral in comparison to the PAR-Q (i.e., 0.8% vs. 15%, respectively). The reliability of the PAR-Q+ over a three month period was high (r = 0.99). Moreover, the new strategy demonstrated high sensitivity (0.90 (95% CI = 0.77-0.96)) and specificity (1 (95% CI = 0.99-1)) for determining those with and without hypertension, respectively. In conclusion, our preliminary evaluation of the new PAR-Q+ and ePARmed-X+ risk stratification and pre-participation strategy in comparison to the PAR-Q reveals that the new process reduces greatly the barriers to physical activity participation, with a high reliability, sensitivity, and specificity of measurement.

Roles of State and Trait Anxiety in Physical Activity Participation for Adults with Anxiety Disorders

Physical activity has benefits for reducing levels of anxiety. However, factors that affect physical activity participation for individuals with anxiety disorders have not been well studied. Here, we aimed to clarify the roles of state and trait anxiety in physical activity participation by examining relationships among seven major study variables in Taiwanese adults with anxiety disorders. A multi-site, cross-sectional explanatory design was used. Data were collected using one interview and five self-administered questionnaires. The sample included 144 Taiwanese adults diagnosed with anxiety disorders. State and trait anxiety were significantly correlated with most of the study variables. Physical activity participation by subjects with anxiety disorders was significantly correlated with state anxiety, benefits of activity, self-efficacy for activity, and social support for activity. When age, sex, and education were controlled in the analysis, state anxiety was associated significantly and negatively with physical activity, benefits of activity, and self-efficacy for activity, and was correlated positively with barriers to activity. Trait anxiety was found to be correlated significantly and negatively with benefits of activity and self-efficacy for activity, and correlated positively with barriers to activity. State anxiety demonstrated greater power than trait anxiety in its relationship with physical activity. These findings suggest that clinical mental health professionals should consider state anxiety when encouraging Taiwanese adults with anxiety disorders to engage in physical activity.

The Role of Exercise in Weight Regulation in Nonathletes

Obesity is an extremely prevalent condition that is associated with a range of deleterious health effects. While traditionally considered a disorder primarily of energy intake, accumulating evidence underscores the importance of energy expenditure in the development and treatment of obesity. As the most variable component of energy expenditure, physical activity can influence the development of obesity as well as success in achieving both initial and long term weight loss. Among the types of exercise-related physiological and behavioural factors most likely to be involved in the development of obesity are reductions in the amount of physical activity actually performed, differences in the effect of physical activity on diet-induced thermogenesis, and modeling of deleterious dietary and exercise patterns on the part of the family and other facets of the environment. In contrast, there is relatively little evidence supporting the common belief that obese individuals have a significantly greater energy intake than nonobese individuals. With respect to weight reduction in the already obese, while increased physical activity levels often augment caloric restriction programmes in aiding initial weight loss, evidence suggests that physical activity may be particularly important in helping to sustain initial losses through increased total energy output, preservation of lean body mass, and changes in substrate utilisation. The psychological benefits received from regular participation in a physical activity programme may serve as an additional impetus for engaging in such activities over the long run. Developing programmes to aid in long term adherence to physical activity regimens remains the most critical challenge. Recent results suggest the utility of regular, brief contacts in aiding sustained physical activity participation in individuals attempting to control their weight.