Moderate-intensity Activity Time Research Articles

Association of frailty with activity levels and sedentary behaviours in patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis: A cross-sectional study.

Research on the association between activity levels and sedentary behaviour with frailty in patients affected by hepatitis B cirrhosis is sparse. This study aimed to explore the association of frailty with activity levels and sedentary behaviours in patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis. This cross-sectional study followed the STROBE checklist. This study was conducted in Guangzhou, China, between August 2021 and October 2022. The frailty condition of patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis was assessed using the liver frailty index (LFI). Their physical activity levels and sedentary time were assessed using the International Questionnaire of Physical Activity. Pearson correlation and binary logistic regression were used to analyse the data. Among the 503 patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis in the final analysis, 107 (21.3%) were identified as frail. Frailty was negatively correlated with walking time (r = -0.174, p < 0.001), moderate-intensity activity time (r = -0.185, p < 0.001), high-intensity activity time (r = -0.243, p < 0.001) and total activity time (r = -0.256, p < 0.001). Patients with insufficient activity (<150 min/week) and sedentary behaviour (≥420 min/day) were found to have 2.829 times higher risk of frailty than those with sufficient activity (≥150 min/week) and no sedentary behaviour (<420 min/day) (95% CI: 1.380, 5.799). Patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis who exhibited frailty demonstrated limited physical activity and engaged in sedentary behaviours. Patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis contributed their data to the study.

Training program intervention to encourage physical activity for health in people with transtibial amputation: A feasibility study.

People with transtibial amputation (PTTA) would benefit from increased physical activity levels (PAL) but generic programs developed to support increased PAL do not address the barriers which PTTA experience. To evaluate the effect of a 12-week training program, developed for PTTA, on their PAL. Ten PTTA participated in a 12-week training program, which involved one instructor-led supervised group session per week. The program incorporated balance, flexibility, cardiovascular endurance, strength, and agility, as well as educational elements. Personalized starting level and progression intensity were based on the instructor's assessment in the first training session. The effect of the intervention on PAL (self-report questionnaire and accelerometer), fitness, walking symmetry, and adverse effects was determined by analysis of variance before and after the intervention. There was a significant increase in self-reported time in moderate-intensity activity and accelerometer-measured step count and time in movement after the program compared with baseline ( p = 0.02). The distance walked in the Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) ( p < 0.001), time to perform agility test ( p = 0.01), and lower-limb strength power ( p = 0.01) and endurance ( p = 0.01) were significantly greater after the program, and no adverse effects were identified. This study demonstrated an intervention designed specifically for PTTA that can increase PAL.

Sedentary and physical activity time differs between self-reported ATLS-2 physical activity questionnaire and accelerometer measurements in adolescents and young adults in the United Arab Emirates

BackgroundMost young adults and adolescents in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) do not meet the established internationally recommended physical activity levels per day. The Arab Teen Lifestyle Study (ATLS) physical activity questionnaire has been recommended for measuring self-reported physical activity of Arab adolescents and young adults (aged 14 years to mid-twenties). The first version of the ATLS has been validated with accelerometers and pedometers (r ≤ 0.30). The revised version of the questionnaire (ATLS-2, 2021) needs further validation. The aim of this study was to validate the self-reported subjective sedentary and physical activity time of the ATLS-2 (revised version) physical activity questionnaire with that of Fibion accelerometer-measured data.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, 131 healthy adolescents and young adults (aged 20.47 ± 2.16 [mean ± SD] years (range 14–25 years), body mass index 23.09 ± 4.45 (kg/m2) completed the ATLS-2 and wore the Fibion accelerometer for a maximum of 7 days. Participants (n = 131; 81% non-UAE Arabs (n = 106), 13% Asians (n = 17) and 6% Emiratis (n = 8)) with valid ATLS-2 data without missing scores and Fibion data of minimum 10 h/day for at least 3 weekdays and 1 weekend day were analyzed. Concurrent validity between the two methods was assessed by the Spearman rho correlation and Bland-Altman plots.ResultsThe questionnaire underestimated sedentary and physical activity time compared to the accelerometer data. Only negligible to weak correlations (r ≤ 0.12; p > 0.05) were found for sitting, walking, cycling, moderate intensity activity, high intensity activity and total activity time. In addition, a proportional/systematic bias was evident in the plots for all but two (walking and moderate intensity activity time) of the outcome measures of interest.ConclusionsOverall, self-reported ATLS-2 sedentary and physical activity time had low correlation and agreement with objective Fibion accelerometer measurements in adolescents and young adults in the UAE. Therefore, sedentary and physical activity assessment for these groups should not be limited to self-reported measures.

Impact of ActiGraph Sampling Rate and Intermonitor Comparability on Measures of Physical Activity in Adults

Background: ActiGraph is a commonly used, research-grade accelerometer brand, but there is little information regarding intermonitor comparability of newer models. In addition, while sampling rate has been shown to influence accelerometer metrics, its influence on measures of free-living physical activity has not been directly studied. Purpose: To examine differences in physical activity metrics due to intermonitor variability and chosen sampling rate. Methods: Adults (n = 20) wore two hip-worn ActiGraph wGT3X-BT monitors for 1 week, with one accelerometer sampling at 30 Hz and the other at 100 Hz, which was downsampled to 30 Hz. Activity intensity was classified using vector magnitude, Euclidean Norm Minus One (ENMO), and mean amplitude deviation (MAD) cut points. Equivalence testing compared outcomes. Results: There was a lack of intermonitor equivalence for ENMO, time in sedentary/light- or moderate-intensity activity according to ENMO cut points, and time in moderate-intensity activity according to MAD cut points. Between sampling rates, differences existed for time in moderate-intensity activity according to vector magnitude, ENMO, and MAD cut points, and time in sedentary/light-intensity activity according to ENMO cut points. While mean differences were small (0.1–1.7 percentage points), this would equate to differences in moderate-to vigorous-intensity activity over a 10-hr wear day of 3.6 (MAD) to 10.8 (ENMO) min/day for intermonitor comparisons or 3.6 (vector magnitude) to 5.4 (ENMO) min/day for sampling rate. Conclusions: Epoch-level intermonitor differences were larger than differences due to sampling rate, but both may impact outcomes such as time spent in each activity intensity. ENMO was the least comparable metric between monitors or sampling rates.

Relationship of knee pain to time in moderate and light physical activities: Data from Osteoarthritis Initiative.

While OA literature indicates greater pain is related to less time being physically active, it is not known if time curtailment occurs primarily for moderate intensity activities or for light activities or in both. We examine the cross-sectional association of knee pain with physical activity using data from 1874 Osteoarthritis Initiative participants. Knee pain characteristics of constant and intermittent pain were each scored by the Intermittent and Constant Osteoarthritis Pain instrument and categorized into four pain levels (no pain, intermittent pain below and above median level, and constant pain). The relationships between knee pain levels and objectively measured physical activity (average weekly moderate or light intensity minutes) were assessed by quantile regression adjusted for socio-demographics and health factors. Knee pain levels had a strong negative relationship with moderate intensity physical activities (p-value for trend =0.029). Compared to the no pain group, persons with more severe knee pain, particularly those reporting higher intermittent or constant pain spent less time in moderate activity. In contrast, there was no notable trend related to pain with time spent in light intensity activity. These patterns remained when restricted to persons with clinical evidence (symptoms and/or radiographic) of knee OA and among persons not using medications for knee symptoms. Greater knee pain levels were strongly related to less moderate intensity activity time, but not time spent in light intensity physical activity. This relationship suggests that light activity may be a more acceptable way to increase physical activity than moderate activity for people with symptomatic knee pain.

How Much Walking Should be Advocated for Good Health in Adolescent Girls?

It is currently not known how much walking should be advocated for good health in adolescent girls. The aim of this study was therefore to recommend health referenced standards for step defined physical activity relating to appropriate health criterion/indicators in a group of adolescent girls. Two hundred and thirty adolescent girls aged between 12 to 15 years volunteered to take part in the study. Each participant undertook measurements (BMI, waist circumference, % body fat, and blood pressure) to define health status. Activity data were collected by pedometer and used to assess daily step counts and accumulated daily activity time over 7 consecutive days. Individuals classified as 'healthy' did not take significantly more steps·day-1 nor spend more time in moderate intensity activity than individuals classified as at health risk or with poor health profiles. 'Healthy' adolescent girls do not walk significantly more in term of steps·day-1 or time spent in activity than girls classified as 'unhealthy.' This could suggest that adolescent girls may not walk enough to stratify health and health related outcomes and as a result the data could not be used to inform an appropriate step guideline for this population.

Carbohydrate-Electrolyte Drink Ingestion and Skill Performance During and After 2 hr of Indoor Tennis Match Play

Twenty-two tennis players were individually studied on 2 occasions. They performed a prematch skill test, a 2-hr tennis match against an equally ranked opponent, and a postmatch skill test. A carbohydrate-electrolyte (CHO-E; Lucozade Sport) or flavor-matched placebo-electrolyte (PL) beverage was administered in a double-blind fashion. During the trials, heart-rate and movement intensity were monitored, and the match was recorded for performance analysis. There were no differences in skill-test scores pre- to postmatch or between trials (154±38 pre- and 160±35 postmatch on PL, 155±36 pre- and 165±33 postmatch on CHO-E). CHO-E ingestion elevated blood glucose concentration throughout the match, and participants reported feeling more energetic (general activation) and more tense (high activation) 1 hr into the match than at baseline (p<.05). Participants in the CHO-E trial spent more time in moderate-intensity activity and less time in low-intensity activity than on PL. Performance analysis revealed that CHO-E ingestion increased overall serve success (M±SD, 68%±7% for CHO-E vs. 66%±7% for PL; p<.05) and success of first serves (65%±9% for CHO-E, 61%±7% for PL; p<.01) and serves to the advantage side (70%±9% for CHO-E, 66%±7% for PL; p<.05). Return success was greater during the second set of the match (p<.05) in the CHO-E trial. Differences in serve and return success were not associated with blood glucose response to CHO or player ability.

Weight Status, Physical Activity, and Fitness Among Third-Grade Rural Children

Rural children are at a particular high risk for obesity. Given the importance of exercise in obesity and chronic disease prevention, this study evaluated the level and relationship between physical activity and fitness in a sample of rural third graders. The second purpose of the study was to determine potential differences in physical activity and fitness level by weight status in this sample. Twelve schools participating in a multidisciplinary research project were randomly selected for the study. Body mass index-for-age percentile, the modified Self-administered Physical Activity Checklist, and the FITNESSGRAM battery tests were utilized to determine children's weight status, physical activity, and fitness level, respectively. Thirty-eight percent of the 237 participating children (9.2 ± 0.4 years) were overweight or obese. Nearly 15% were extremely obese. Children spent 91.8 ± 83.8 and 32.2 ± 47.7 minutes in moderate- and vigorous-intensity activities. Obese children spent less time in moderate-intensity activity (p < .01) and combined moderate- and vigorous-intensity activity more than other children (p < .05). Forty-three percent of all children failed to meet the fitness standard for muscular strength and 36% failed to meet it for flexibility. Rural children in this sample had higher rates of obesity compared to the national average; they had poor fitness and 30% failed to meet the minimum physical activity recommendations on the previous day. Future interventions should focus on increasing physical activity, especially of moderate-intensity, and improving physical fitness in order to reduce obesity and decrease the risk of future chronic diseases in this high-risk population.

Interactive Multimedia for Promoting Physical Activity (IMPACT) in Children

To develop and examine the efficacy of a computer-based interactive multimedia curriculum for promoting physical activity in fourth grade children. The participants were 209 fourth grade children (mean age of 9.5 +/- 0.4 years) from four schools. Two schools received an 8-week multimedia intervention delivered by interactive CD-ROM, supplemented by four classroom and four homework assignments. Two control schools received educational CD-ROMS not related to health outcomes. Measures conducted before and after intervention included height, weight, percentage body fat (bioimpedance analysis), physical activity (5-day accelerometry), and psychosocial aspects of physical activity by questionnaire. All outcomes were examined using general linear models. There was a significant treatment effect for obesity reduction in girls but not in boys. There were no significant treatment effects on total physical activity by accelerometry (total counts per minute), but there was an overall treatment effect on reducing percent of time in moderate-intensity activity (16.5% to 15% of the time) and significant sex-by- treatment interactions for light-intensity activities (reduction in boys from 78% to 75% of the time and an increase in girls from 78% to 81% of the time). There were marginal/significant treatment effects for improvements in behavioral outcomes, including self-efficacy (p = 0.06), social norms (p = 0.07), and outcome expectancies (p = 0.049). The interactive multimedia curriculum favored an improvement in obesity indices in girls and was associated with subtle changes in physical activity in girls and general improvement in psychosocial outcomes related to physical activity.