Sufficient Levels Of Physical Activity Research Articles

Effects of Covid-19 pandemic in Turkey: Physical activity, smartphone usage, musculoskeletal system

This study aims to evaluate relationship between physical activity level, smartphone usage, back and neck health during Covid-19 pandemic. Participants between ages of 18-65 were included in study. Smartphone usage was evaluated with Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version, physical activity levels with short form of International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Oswestry Disability Index and Neck Bournemouth Questionnaire was used to evaluate back and neck problems. A total of 251 people (179 women, 72 men, age: 28.11±9.49 years, min-max: 18-62 years) participated in study. 134 participants (53.38%) had low physical activity levels; 35 individuals (13.94%) had sufficient physical activity levels while 82 participants (32.66%) were not physically active. A weak positive correlation was found between neck pain and total score of smartphone addiction scale, daily smartphone usage time, daily smartphone check frequency, and first check time after waking up (r=0.199, r=0.149, r=0.132, respectively). A weak negative correlation was found between neck pain and first check time after waking up (r=-0.145). As a result of study, it was observed that physical activity levels were insufficient in majority of individuals who participated in survey. The relationships we expected between physical activity level, smartphone usage characteristics, low back and neck health could not be demonstrated, only weak relationships were found between some features of smartphone use and neck health. We believe that finding solutions to increase physical activity levels of individuals during pandemic period will have both protective effects on health and will prevent problems by affecting musculoskeletal system positively.

Physical Activity and Health Among Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander Older Adults.

Objectives: Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander (NHPI) older adults often experience social disadvantages and poor health outcomes. Physical activity has been associated with better health in other racial groups, but limited studies have examined these associations in NHPI older adults. Methods: Using data from the 2014 Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander National Health Interview Survey (n = 1,045), logistic regression models examined associations between physical activity and memory/psychological distress/self-rated health. Results: Sufficient levels of physical activity were associated with lower odds of memory problems, serious psychological distress, and poor/fair self-rated health. Unfortunately, only half of the sample reported sufficient physical activity and approximately 30% reported none. Also, 78% of the sample was estimated to be overweight/obese, and 29% had diabetes. Discussion: Culturally-appropriate interventions are recommended to increase physical activity in this population, which could also help reduce high rates of overweight/obesity and diabetes.

Implementing Exercise in Standard Cancer Care (Bizi Orain Hybrid Exercise Program): Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

BackgroundDespite the established benefits of regular exercise for patients with cancer to counteract the deleterious effects of the disease itself and treatment-related adverse effects, most of them do not engage in sufficient levels of physical activity and there is a paucity of data on the integration of efficacious exercise programs that are accessible and generalizable to a large proportion of patients with cancer into routine cancer care.ObjectiveWe intend to examine the effects attributable to the implementation of a community-based exercise program on cardiorespiratory functional capacity and quality of life for patients with cancer.MethodsThis will be a hybrid study. In the first experimental phase, patients diagnosed with any type of cancer will be randomized into two parallel groups. One group immediately performs Bizi Orain, a 3-month supervised exercise program (3 times a week), in addition to behavioral counseling in a primary health care setting; the other is a reference group that starts the exercise program 3 months later (delayed treatment). In the second observational phase, the entire cohort of participants will be followed-up for 5 years. Any person diagnosed with cancer in the previous 2 years is eligible for the program. The program evaluation involves the uptake, safety, adherence, and effectiveness assessed after completion of the program and with follow-ups at 3, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, and 60 months. The primary outcomes of the experimental study, to be compared between groups, are improved physical function and quality of life, whereas overall survival is the main objective of the prospective study. To analyze the association between changes in physical activity levels and overall survival, longitudinal mixed-effects models will be used for repeated follow-up measures.ResultsA total of 265 patients have been enrolled into the study since January 2019, with 42 patients from the hematology service and 223 from the oncology service.ConclusionsBizi Orain is the first population-based exercise program in Spain that will offer more insight into the implementation of feasible, generalizable, and sustainable supportive care services involving structured exercise to extend survival of patients with cancer, improve their physical function and quality of life, and reverse the adverse effects of their disease and related treatments, thereby reducing the clinical burden.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT03819595; http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03819595International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)DERR1-10.2196/24835

Building on Lessons Learned in a Mobile Intervention to Reduce Pain and Improve Health (MORPH): Protocol for the MORPH-II Trial.

BackgroundEngaging in sufficient levels of physical activity, guarding against sustained sitting, and maintaining a healthy body weight represent important lifestyle strategies for managing older adults’ chronic pain. Our first Mobile Health Intervention to Reduce Pain and Improve Health (MORPH) randomized pilot study demonstrated that a partially remote group-mediated diet and daylong activity intervention (ie, a focus on moving often throughout the day) can lead to improved physical function, weight loss, less pain intensity, and fewer minutes of sedentary time. We also identified unique delivery challenges that limited the program’s scalability and potential efficacy.ObjectiveThe purpose of the MORPH-II randomized pilot study is to refine the MORPH intervention package based on feedback from MORPH and evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of this revised package prior to conducting a larger clinical trial.MethodsThe MORPH-II study is an iteration on MORPH designed to pilot a refined framework, enhance scalability through fully remote delivery, and increase uptake of the daylong movement protocol through revised education content and additional personalized remote coaching. Older, obese, and low-active adults with chronic multisite pain (n=30) will be randomly assigned to receive a 12-week remote group-mediated physical activity and dietary weight loss intervention followed by a 12-week maintenance period or a control condition. Those in the intervention condition will partake in weekly social cognitive theory–based group meetings via teleconference software plus one-on-one support calls on a tapered schedule. They will also engage with a tablet application paired with a wearable activity monitor and smart scale designed to provide ongoing social and behavioral support throughout the week. Those in the control group will receive only the self-monitoring tools.ResultsRecruitment is ongoing as of January 2021.ConclusionsFindings from MORPH-II will help guide other researchers working to intervene on sedentary behavior through frequent movement in older adults with chronic pain.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT04655001; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04655001International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)PRR1-10.2196/29013

THE INFLUENCE OF MICROSOCIAL FACTORS ON THE FORMATION OF ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION IN SCHOOLCHILDREN

Introduction. In recent years, there has been anincrease in the prevalence of hypertension in both adults andchildren. The discrepancy in the prevalence of the diseasein children is associated with the absence of a standardizedmethod of measuring blood pressure, uniform criteria forassessing its level, as well as the "hypodiagnostics" ofarterial hypertension in children. Attention should alsobe paid to the relatively low compliance of some childrenand adolescents in the treatment and awareness of the needto maintain a sufficient level of physical activity, healthyeating and prevention of bad habits.The aim of the study was to determine the influence ofmicrosocial factors on the formation of arterial hypertensionin schoolchildren.Material and research methods. 848 school - agechildren were examined and divided into the followinggroups: the first group consisted of 182 children withhypertension, the second group - 78 children with arterialprehypertension and the control group - 588 children withnormal blood pressure.Sociometric survey was conducted by collectinginformation about the peculiarities of diet and quality ofnutrition, physical activity and psychological factors inchildren using questionnaires. Blood pressure level wasmeasured with automatic tonometers with variable cuffs inthe morning on both hands, three times, with an intervalof 2 minutes. The results were evaluated according topercentile tables in terms of age, sex and height. Statisticalprocessing of the obtained data was performed usingMicrosoftOfficeExcel and Statistica 10.0.Results. Analyzing the psychological atmospherewithin the family, it was found that 585 (69.0%) childrencalled the situation within the family good and warm, 100(12.1%) thought that family conditions were bad and 138(16.3%) children did not decide on account of bad or goodrelations within the family.Assessing the peculiarities of nutrition among thesurveyed schoolchildren, it was found that children fromthe 1st group ate the most irrationally. They ate bread andbaked goods more often every day, meat and dairy productsa little less often, and vegetables and fruits even less often.Equally important factors influencing a child’s healthand development are the presence of physical activity, dailyroutine, walks in the fresh air, and so on. Another importantfactor that affects both the general health of the child andhis physical development is regular exercise in sections orclubs.Children from the 1st group have the lowest level ofregular sports, unbalanced diet, and more often havepsychological problems in relationships with peers andparents. Given the data of statistical analysis, thesemicrosocial factors can be regarded as risk factors for thedevelopment of hypertension in schoolchildren.Conclusions. According to the conducted correlativeand cluster analysis, three key groups of microsocial factorsthat affect the level of blood pressure in children can beidentified: the factor of balanced nutrition, psychosocialfactor and the factor of physical activity. The abovefactors are complex, they can be classified to the categoryof risk factors for the development of hypertension inschoolchildren and early prediction of increased bloodpressure in them.

Changes in physical activity across pregnancy among Chinese women: a longitudinal cohort study

BackgroundSufficient physical activity (PA) during pregnancy is beneficial for a woman’s health; however, the PA levels of Chinese women at different pregnancy stages are not clear. The aim of our study was to investigate PA changes during pregnancy and the association of population characteristics with PA change among Chinese women.MethodsData were obtained from 2485 participants who were enrolled in the multicentre prospective Chinese Pregnant Women Cohort Study. PA level was assessed in early pregnancy (mean = 10, 5–13 weeks of gestation) and again in mid-to-late pregnancy (mean = 32, 24–30 weeks of gestation) using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire short form (IPAQ-SF). Sufficient PA (≥ 600 MET min/week) in early pregnancy and insufficient PA in mid-to-late pregnancy indicated decreasing PA. Insufficient PA in early pregnancy and sufficient PA in mid-to-late pregnancy indicated increasing PA. The associations between demographic, pregnancy and health characteristics and PA changes were examined by multivariable logistic regression.ResultsTotal energy expenditure for PA increased significantly from early (median = 396 MET min/week) to mid-to-late pregnancy (median = 813 MET min/week) (P < 0.001), and 55.25% of the participants eventually had sufficient PA. Walking was the dominant form of PA. Women with sufficient PA levels in early pregnancy were more likely to have sufficient PA in mid-to-late pregnancy (OR 1.897, 95% CI 1.583–2.274). Women in West China and those in Central China were most and least likely, respectively, to have increasing PA (OR 1.387, 95% CI 1.078–1.783 vs. OR 0.721, 95% CI 0.562–0.925). Smoking was inversely associated with increasing PA (OR 0.480, 95% CI 0.242–0.955). Women with higher educational levels were less likely to have decreasing PA (OR 0.662, 95% CI 0.442–0.991).ConclusionsPA increased as pregnancy progressed, and walking was the dominant form of PA among Chinese women. Further research is needed to better understand correlates of PA change.

Adolescents\u2019 sedentary time, affect, and contextual factors: An ecological momentary assessment study

BackgroundFew adolescents achieve sufficient levels of physical activity, and many are spending most of their time in sedentary behavior. Affective response following sedentary time may influence motivation to remain sedentary. Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) is a real-time data capture methodology that can be used to identify factors influencing sedentary time, such as the context of the home setting, and resulting affective state within a free-living setting. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between context at home and adolescent sedentary time, and the relationship of sedentary time and subsequent affect.MethodsAdolescents (n = 284; 10–16 y) participated in an EMA study that used random, interval-based sampling methods. Adolescents each received 22 unannounced surveys over 7-days through a smartphone application. One survey was randomly sent within each 2-h time-period. These time-periods occurred between 4:00 pm-8:00 pm on weekdays and 8:00 am-8:00 pm on the weekend. This 15-question survey included a series of questions on context (indoors/outdoors, alone/not alone) and positive affect. Adolescents concurrently wore an accelerometer at the hip, and the 30-min bout of accelerometry data prior to each survey was used in analyses. Mixed-effect location scale models were used to examine the association between context at home and sedentary time (stage 1) and the adjusted sedentary time and positive affect (stage 2), with each model adjusted for covariates.ResultsAdolescents were 12.6 ± 1.9 y of age on average, about half were White (58%), and engaged in high levels of sedentary behavior during the 30 min prior to the survey (21.4 ± 6.8 min). Most surveys occurred when adolescents were with others (59%) and indoors (88%). In Stage 1, both being alone and being indoors at home were positively associated with sedentary time (p < 0.001 for both). In Stage 2, adjusted sedentary time was not related to positive affect. Age was negatively related to positive affect (p < 0.001).ConclusionsBoth contextual factors, being alone and indoors at home, were related to additional time spent sedentary compared to being with someone or outdoors. After adjustment, sedentary time was not related to subsequent positive affect, indicating other factors may be related to adolescent’s positive affect in home settings.

The Use of Theory to Develop Physical Activity Interventions in Urological Cancer Survivors: A Narrative Review.

To summarize the current available evidence on the use of behavior change theories to explain and change physical activity behavior in urological cancer survivors. Five electronic databases including Medline, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane, and Psych INFO and reference lists of key studies were searched between database inception and November 2020. Peer-reviewed articles on the use of behavior change theories to understand or change physical activity in urological cancer survivors were included. The theory of planned behavior and the social cognitive theory were the most used theories to explain and change physical activity behavior in urological cancers, respectively. However, the use of behavior change theories in physical activity interventions for urological cancers is still low across all urological tumor groups. Planning frameworks such as the intervention mapping approach should be used to enhance the systematic use of behavior change theories during every phase of intervention development. In addition, more research is needed to identity which behavior change techniques are most effective to change physical activity behavior in urological cancer survivors. Nurses play a key role in the urological cancer patients' clinical pathway and should be able to motivate patients to engage in sufficient physical activity levels. Therefore, it is important that nurses understand the underlying reasons why patients (do not) engage in physical activity and which behavior change techniques are most effective in changing a patients' behavior.

Commuter Choices: A clustered, quasi-experimental trial of a social cognitive approach to increasing active commuting among office workers

IntroductionIncreasing the use of active commuting (walking or cycling to work; AC) is associated with positive health outcomes and has been shown to be a feasible strategy for increasing physical activity. However, intervention studies for increasing AC have been criticised for lacking rigour and poor use of theory. This study was an impact evaluation of a multi-component, theory-based workplace intervention that aimed to increase AC among office workers in Brisbane, Australia. MethodsFive workplaces were enrolled into the study, three into the intervention group and two into a comparison group. Commuter Choices, a six-week program based on social cognitive theory (SCT), was developed. The program included four lunchtime seminars, goal-setting, personalised journey plans, a buddy system and online information. It was implemented in October–November 2018. Self-report data were collected pre/post-intervention using an online survey and a 7-day online diary of commuting behaviour. Generalised estimating equations were used to examine pre-to post-intervention changes in commuting and in SCT constructs. ResultsAfter adjusting for confounding variables, the intervention group added a mean of 8.9 min/day of AC, with no significant change in the comparison group. Post-intervention, intervention participants were more likely than comparison group participants to achieve sufficient levels of physical activity from commuting (40% vs 14%; p < 0.001) and to achieve 80% of sufficient physical activity from commuting (75% vs 49%; p = 0.001). The SCT constructs self-regulation and social support increased in the intervention group only (p < 0.01). ConclusionsThe increases in AC in the intervention group are meaningful at a population level. Commuter Choices is a promising model for future interventions. A larger trial with a more diverse sample would be worthwhile.

Depressive Symptoms, Fatigue and Social Relationships Influenced Physical Activity in Frail Older Community-Dwellers during the Spanish Lockdown due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Due to the dramatic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Spain underwent a strict lockdown (March–May 2020). How the lockdown modified older adults’ physical activity (PA) has been poorly described. This research assesses the effect of the lockdown on PA levels and identifies predictors of sufficient/insufficient PA in frail older community-dwellers. Community-dwelling participants from the +ÀGIL Barcelona frailty intervention program, suspended during the pandemic, underwent a phone-assessment during the lockdown. PA was measured before and after the lockdown using the Brief Physical Activity Assessment Tool (BPAAT). We included 98 frail older adults free of COVID-19 (mean age = 82.7 years, 66.3% women, mean Short Physical Performance Battery = 8.1 points). About one third of participants (32.2%) were not meeting sufficient PA levels at the end of the lockdown. Depressive symptoms (OR = 0.12, CI95% = 0.02–0.55) and fatigue (OR = 0.11, CI95% = 0.03–0.44) decreased the odds of maintaining sufficient PA, whereas maintaining social networks (OR = 5.07, CI95% = 1.60–16.08) and reading (OR = 6.29, CI95% = 1.66–23.90) increased it. Living alone was associated with the reduction of PA levels (b = −1.30, CI95% = −2.14–−0.46). In our sample, pre-lockdown mental health, frailty-related symptoms and social relationships were consistently associated with both PA levels during-lockdown and pre-post change. These data suggest considering specific plans to maintain PA levels in frail older community-dwellers.

Quality of life in patients receiving percutaneous coronary intervention and optimal medical therapy in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

This study assessed Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) of patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) 6 to 12 months after receiving Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) and/or Optimal Medical Therapy (OMT) at a hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 113 patients. Data on demographic, lifestyle behaviours, and HRQOL were collected using a structured questionnaire through face-to-face interviews. HRQOL was measured using EQ-5D-5L and EQ-VAS. Data on co-morbidity and other clinical characteristics were extracted from hospital records. Bivariate and multivariable linear regression models were run to test the differences in EQ-5D-5L utility index and EQ-VAS scores between PCI/OMT and OMT alone groups. EQ-5D-5L utility index and EQ-VAS scores were lower in PCI/OMT compared to OMT groups, although the differences were not clinically meaningful. Weight status, smoking, and physical activity were associated with EQ-5D-5L utility index score, whereas only physical activity was associated with EQ-VAS score. The findings suggested that improving sufficient physical activity levels and stopping smoking after PCI or/and OMT may help increase HRQOL among ACS patients.

DİŞ HEKİMLİĞİ ÖĞRENCİLERİNDE SAĞLIKLI YAŞAM BİÇİMİ DAVRANIŞI İLE FİZİKSEL AKTİVİTE DÜZEYİ ARASINDAKİ İLİŞKİNİN BELİRLENMESİ

Sağlıklı yaşam biçimi, kişinin sağlığını etkileyen tüm davranışlarını kontrol ederek, kendi sağlığına en uygun davranışları belirlemesi ve uygulaması olarak tanımlanabilir. Çalışmamızın amacı geleceğin sağlık profesyonelleri olacak diş hekimlerinin sağlıklı yaşam biçimi davranışlarını ve fiziksel aktivite düzeyi ile arasındaki ilişkiyi belirlemektir. Araştırma, Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi Diş Hekimliği Fakültesi öğrencilerinden çalışmaya katılmayı kabul eden 177 katılımcı ile gerçekleştirilmiştir. Öğrencilerin değerlendirilmesinde; Uluslararası Fiziksel Aktivite Değerlendirme Anketi, Sağlıklı Yaşam Biçimi Davranışları Ölçeği II (SYBÖ) ve araştırmacılar tarafından geliştirilen Sosyo-Demografik Veri Formu kullanılmıştır. Öğrencilerin yaşları ortalaması 22,25±1,72 yıldır ve 101’i (%57,1) kadındır. Öğrencilerin fiziksel aktivite ölçeği puan ortalama değeri 1584,70±1753,01 MET-dk/hf’dır (düşük düzeyde fiziksel aktivite). Öğrencilerin Sağlıklı Yaşam Biçimi Davranışları Ölçeği puan ortalaması 126,9±18,7’dir. Yeterli düzeyde fiziksel aktivite seviyesine sahip olan öğrencilerin inaktif öğrencilere göre; SYBÖ toplam, fiziksel aktivite ve stres yönetimi alt ölçek puan ortalamalarının anlamlı düzeyde yüksek olduğu belirlenmiştir (p˂0,05). Yapılan Pearson Korelasyon analizi sonucuna göre, fiziksel aktivite düzeyinin SYBÖ toplam puanı (r: 0,152), fiziksel aktivite (r: 0,354) ve stres yönetimi (r: 0,168) alt ölçek puanlarıyla pozitif yönlü orta düzeyde korelasyon gösterdiği tespit edilmiştir (p&amp;lt;0,05). Çalışmamızın sonuçlarına göre diş hekimliği öğrencilerinin düşük fiziksel aktivite düzeyine sahip oldukları ve sağlıklı yaşam biçimi davranışlarının orta düzeyde olduğu belirlenmiştir. Fiziksel aktivite düzeyinin sağlıklı yaşam biçimi davranışları toplam puanı, fiziksel aktivite ve stres yönetimi alt ölçek puanlarıyla ilişkili olduğu görülmüştür.

НАУКОВІ ПІДХОДИ ДО ПРОБЛЕМИ ЗДОРОВ’ЯЗБЕРЕЖУВАЛЬНОЇ ДІЯЛЬНОСТІ В ЗАКЛАДАХ ВИЩОЇ ОСВІТИ

The correct way of life of participants in the educational process depends on the use of health technologies in educational institutions of Ukraine. Domestic scientists believe that among university students there is sometimes a negative attitude towards the formation of a healthy lifestyle and physical culture as subjects.The purpose of the article is to analyze scientific approaches to the problem of health care and the right way of life of students of higher education institutions.Researchers have identified different types of life: prosperous (characterized by high quality of life and good health throughout life); satisfactory; bad. Today, technologies for ensuring a prosperous (correct) life remain poorly studied. The concept “proper lifestyle” in education is closely linked to the definition of health as a state of completed physical, mental and social well-being. The indicator of health is not only the absence of disease, but harmonious nervous and mental development, high mental and physical performance. There are many conditions for health activities: systematic implementation of social programs for cultivating a healthy lifestyle; raising the level of physical education; acquisition of skills of analysis of information that affects health, sports, sleep, healthy eating. The health competence of future social workers is a set of systematic knowledge and ideas about the positive and negative changes in the health of all participants in the educational process and the ability to develop an effective program to preserve the health of students in the educational process. Scientists claim that physical education alone is not able to fully ensure a sufficient level of physical activity of university students, to promote their health and proper lifestyle.Conclusions. The results of the study allow us to conclude that: 1. Nowadays, there are many scientific approaches to the problem of health and the right way of life. Which have in common and different in the works of domestic and foreign scientists. 2. The main condition of health care activities in higher education institutions is the personal involvement of participants in the educational process in health care activities.

Relationships between changes in self-reported physical activity, sedentary behaviour and health during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in France and Switzerland

ABSTRACT To assess whether changes in physical activity and sedentary behaviour during the COVID-19 lockdown are associated with changes in mental and physical health. Observational longitudinal study. Participants living in France or Switzerland responded to online questionnaires measuring physical activity, physical and mental health, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. Paired sample t-tests were used to assess differences in physical activity and sedentary behaviour before and during lockdown. Multiple linear regressions were used to investigate associations between changes in physical activity and changes in mental and physical health during lockdown. 267 (wave1) and 110 participants (wave2; 2 weeks later) were recruited. Lockdown resulted in higher time spent in walking and moderate physical activity (~10min/day) and in sedentary behaviour (~75min/day), compared to pre COVID-19. Increased physical activity during leisure time from week 2 to week 4 of lockdown was associated with improved physical health (β=.24, p=.002). Additionally, an increase in sedentary behaviour during leisure time was associated with poorer physical health (β=−.35, p=.002), mental health (β=−.25, p=.003), and subjective vitality (β=−.30, p=.004). Ensuring sufficient levels of physical activity and reducing sedentary time can play a vital role in helping people to cope with a major stressful event, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Physical activity after ischemic stroke and its association with adverse outcomes: A nationwide population-based cohort study

ABSTRACT Background Sufficient physical activity (PA) is highly recommended to improve the prognosis after stroke. However, there have been only a few studies evaluating the changes in PA level after stroke. Aims We aimed to identify the changes in PA level between before and after stroke, and to determine the association between PA and adverse outcomes. Methods This observational, retrospective cohort study was performed using the Nationwide Health Insurance Service (NHIS) database in South Korea. Subjects between the ages of 20 to 80 years, who had a first-ever ischemic stroke from 2010 to 2013, were included. Subjects were divided into either the “sufficient” or “insufficient” subgroups, depending on the result of the self-reported PA questionnaire. Adverse outcomes, including all-cause mortality, stroke recurrence, and myocardial infarction (MI), were collected from a post-stroke health checkup to 2017. Results Of the 34,243 subjects with ischemic stroke, only 21.24% had sufficient PA level after stroke. Among those with insufficient PA level, only 17.34% improved their PA level after stroke. Subjects with sufficient PA level after stroke, regardless of their PA level prior to stroke, showed a lower risk of composite adverse outcomes (adjusted Hazard Ratio [HR], 95% CI: 0.85, 0.80–0.90). Subjects who went from insufficient to sufficient PA level (HR 0.87, 95% CI: 0.81–0.93) showed a significantly lower risk of composite adverse outcomes. Conclusions Achieving a sufficient PA level after ischemic stroke appears to significantly reduce major adverse events. Further effort is needed to promote the PA level after ischemic stroke.

Physical activity trajectories following gynecological cancer: results from a prospective, longitudinal cohort study

BackgroundParticipating in physical activity after a diagnosis of cancer is associated with reduced morbidity and improved outcomes. However, declines in, and low levels of, physical activity are well documented in...

The detrimental effect of COVID-19 nationwide quarantine on accelerometer-assessed physical activity of heart failure patients.

AimsA reduction of habitual physical activity due to prolonged COVID‐19 quarantine can have serious consequences for patients with cardiovascular diseases, such as heart failure. This study aimed to explore the effect of COVID‐19 nationwide quarantine on accelerometer‐assessed physical activity of heart failure patients.Methods and resultsWe analysed the daily number of steps in 26 heart failure patients during a 6‐week period that included 3 weeks immediately preceding the onset of the quarantine and the first 3 weeks of the quarantine. The daily number of steps was assessed using a wrist‐worn accelerometer worn by the patients as part of an ongoing randomized controlled trial. Multilevel modelling was used to explore the effect of the quarantine on the daily step count adjusted for weather conditions. As compared with the 3 weeks before the onset of the quarantine, the step count was significantly lower during each of the first 3 weeks of the quarantine (P < 0.05). When the daily step count was averaged across the 3 weeks before and during the quarantine, the decrease amounted to 1134 (SE 189) steps per day (P < 0.001), which translated to a 16.2% decrease.ConclusionsThe introduction of the nationwide quarantine due to COVID‐19 had a detrimental effect on the level of habitual physical activity in heart failure patients, leading to an abrupt decrease of daily step count that lasted for at least the 3‐week study period. Staying active and maintaining sufficient levels of physical activity during the COVID‐19 pandemic are essential despite the unfavourable circumstances of quarantine.

Dietary Pattern and Its Correlates among Lithuanian Young Adults: Mediterranean Diet Approach.

A poor diet leads to serious health risks and accounts for a significant proportion of deaths. Young adults are the population whose health behaviors particularly need to be studied in terms of nutrition because they are in a period of life when the effects of nutrition accumulate to health outcomes that usually appear later in life in forms of disease or infirmity. The aim of this study is to examine the dietary pattern and its relationships with physical activity and covariates, such as body mass index, gender, age and education among Lithuanian young adults of 18–36 years old. A cross-sectional study was performed among Lithuanian young people aged 18–36 years. Snowball sampling—a non-probability, convenient sampling strategy—was used. In total, data were collected from 3031 study participants: 1723 (56.8%) were male and 1308 (43.2%) were female. The mean age was 23.72 ± 4.80 years. Adherence to a dietary pattern was evaluated using the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS). Physical activity, height, weight and education data were also gathered. About 7% of young people fully complied with the health-related Mediterranean diet, and one-third had poor compliance. Non-compliance is mostly related to the underconsumption of olive oil, nuts, fish, seafood, legumes and wine, as well as the overconsumption of red meat. The female gender (β = 0.26; p < 0.01), higher education (β = 0.30; p < 0.01) and a sufficient level of physical activity (β = 0.15; p < 0.01) predict a healthier diet. These study results should be considered by nutrition policymakers and public health authorities to improve policies and develop intervention plans for improving the nutrition habits of young adults in order to prevent health-damaging outcomes later in their life.

Effect of Sex, Body Mass Index and Physical Activity Level on Peak Oxygen Uptake Among 14-19 Years Old Adolescents.

The aim was to describe longitudinal trends in peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) among 14- to 19-year-old adolescents in Norway, and to examine effects of sex, body mass index (BMI), and physical activity (PA) level on VO2peak during adolescence. Of 124 invited students from two lower secondary schools in Norway, 116 eighth-grade students (61 boys and 55 girls; 14 years old at baseline) volunteered to participate. The study has a longitudinal design with 6 yearly repeated measures of body height and mass, VO2peak and PA level. VO2peak allometrically scaled to body mass raised to the power of 0.67 was measured using a walking or running incremental test on a treadmill, whereas PA level was self-reported. Among 696 possible observations, 555 (79.7%) were valid. Multiple linear regression and linear mixed model analyses were used to examine the associations between age, sex, BMI, PA level and VO2peak. VO2peak showed a non-linear pattern from age 14 to 19, with a distinct increase for boys peaking at age 17, while the results provide a flatter and more stable curve for girls. Sex, BMI and PA level together explained 43–71% of the variance in VO2peak at the different age levels. Sex and PA level contributed independently to explain a significant proportion of the variance in VO2peak at all measurement occasions, while BMI did not. Adjusted sex differences in VO2peak increased over time, from 26.5 ml·kg−0.67·min−1 at age 14 to 55.5 ml·kg−0.67·min−1 at age 19. The independent contribution from PA level to the variance in VO2peak increased from age 14 to 16 and then decreased. While PA level explained 32.5% of the total variance in VO2peak for 16-year-olds, this number was 14% in 19-year-olds. In conclusion, aerobic power showed a non-linear pattern during adolescence, peaking at age 17. Sex and PA level explained a large proportion of the variance in VO2peak, each of them being an independent contributor to VO2peak. Aerobic power is linked to improved health and seems to depend largely on sex and PA level in adolescents, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a sufficient PA level during adolescence.

Nutrient Intake, Physical Activity Levels, and Metabolic Status in Australian University Biomedical Students

Abstract Objectives This study aimed to assess nutritional intake, physical activity levels and their association to metabolic health in a cohort of university biomedical science students. Methods This study followed a cross-sectional design. Participants were recruited from a third-year endocrinology practical class from The University of Queensland (2018–2019), with complete data obtained from 324 students, aged 19–25 years (n = 196 females and 128 males of which 57% were Caucasian, 28% Asian, 7% Subcontinental Asian, 6% of mixed race or other, and 2% not disclosed). Nutritional intake was quantified using the Automated 24 h dietary assessment Tool (ASA24-Australia) and physical activity levels quantified using the Active Australia Survey. Results Mean height and body mass (±SD) was 164.36 cm (±6.85) and 60.0 kg (±10.6) in females and 178.1 cm (±7.41) and 73.4 kg (±11.5) in males. Median daily energy intake was 6760 kJ in females and 10,338 kJ in males. The following nutrients had a low percentage of female and/or male students meeting the minimum recommendations: fibre (24% of females and 30% of males), calcium (16% of females and 32% of males), folate (32% of females, 59% of males), iron (6% of females, 80% of males), and potassium (33% of females and 32% of males). In females, median daily intake was well below recommendations for calcium (621 vs 1000 mg) and iron (8.8 vs 18 mg). Sufficient level of physical activity, defined as at least 150 minutes over at least five sessions in one week, was met in 82% of females and 85% of males. Conclusions These results suggest that undergraduate biomedical science students in Australia have inadequate intakes of fibre, calcium, folate, and potassium, with a particular concern regarding the very low intake of calcium and iron among young adult females. Associations to metabolic health, including blood glucose control, insulin sensitivity, advanced glycation end products, and body composition are currently being analysed. Funding Sources The study was funded by institutional support from School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Australia. L.A.G. was supported by an Early Career Fellowship from the National Health and Medical Research Council and Heart Foundation (Australia), and a UQ Amplify Fellowship. K.M.M was supported by a Senior Research Fellowship from the National Health and Medical Research Council.