Sitting Time Research Articles

FMUPorto - Summaries and comments

A - Barriers and enablers influencing female athlete return-to-sport postpartum B - Occupational Sitting Time, Leisure Physical Activity, and All-Cause and Cardiovascular Disease Mortality

Physical activity and sedentary behavior levels among individuals with mental illness: A cross-sectional study from 23 countries.

People with mental illness tend to present low levels of physical activity and high levels of sedentary behavior. The study aims to compare these levels in mental illness patients, exploring the role of socioeconomic development and treatment setting. This cross-sectional study used accelerometers and the Simple Physical Activity Questionnaire (SIMPAQ) to assess physical activity and sedentary behavior in mental illness individuals living in 23 countries. Two-way ANOVAs were used to evaluate the interaction between socioeconomic development and the treatment settings on physical activity and sedentary behavior. A total of 884 (men = 55.3%) participants, mean age of 39.3 (SD = 12.8), were evaluated. A significant interaction between socioeconomic development and treatment settings was found in sedentary behavior (F = 5.525; p = 0.019; η2p = 0.009; small effect size). Main effects were observed on socioeconomic development (F = 43.004; p < 0.001; η2p = 0.066; medium effect size) and treatment setting (F = 23.001; p < 0.001; η2p = 0.036; small effect size) for sedentary behavior and physical activity: socioeconomic development (F = 20.888; p < 0.001; η2p = 0.033; small effect size) and treatment setting (F = 30.358; p < 0.001; η2p = 0.047; small effect size), showing that HIC patients were more active, while MIC patients were more sedentary. Moreover, despite of inpatients had presented higher levels of physical activity than outpatients, they also spent more time sitting. Socioeconomic development plays an important role in sedentary behavior in patients with mental disorders, warning the need to develop new strategies to reduce these levels in this population.

The Regulate your Sitting Time (RESIT) intervention for reducing sitting time in individuals with type 2 diabetes: findings from a randomised-controlled feasibility trial

BackgroundReducing and breaking up sitting is recommended for optimal management of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Yet, there is limited evidence of interventions targeting these outcomes in individuals with this condition. The primary aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of delivering and evaluating a tailored online intervention to reduce and break up sitting in adults with T2DM.MethodsA mixed-methods two-arm randomised controlled feasibility trial was conducted in ambulatory adults with T2DM who were randomised 1:1 to the REgulate your SItting Time (RESIT) intervention or usual care control group. The intervention included online education, self-monitoring and prompt tools (wearable devices, smartphone apps, computer apps) and health coaching. Feasibility outcomes were recruitment, attrition, data completion rates and intervention acceptability. Measurements of device-assessed sitting (intended primary outcome for definitive trial), standing and stepping, and physical function, psychosocial health and wellbeing were taken at baseline, 3 months and 6 months. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted at six-months (post intervention) to explore acceptability, feasibility and experiences of the trial and intervention using the Framework Method.ResultsSeventy participants aged 55 ± 11 years were recruited. Recruitment rate (proportion of eligible participants enrolled into the study) was 67% and participant retention rate at 6 months was 93% (n = 5 withdrawals). Data completion rates for daily sitting were 100% at baseline and ranged from 83 to 91% at 3 months and 6 months. Descriptive analysis demonstrated potential for the intervention to reduce device-measured sitting, which was 30.9 ± 87.2 and 22.2 ± 82.5 min/day lower in the intervention group at 3 and 6 months, respectively, compared with baseline. In the control group, sitting was 4.4 ± 99.5 and 23.7 ± 85.2 min/day lower at 3 and 6 months, respectively. Qualitative analysis identified three themes: reasons for participating in the trial, acceptability of study procedures, and the delivery and experience of taking part in the RESIT intervention. Overall, the measurement visits and intervention were acceptable to participants.ConclusionsThis study demonstrated the feasibility and acceptability of the RESIT intervention and evaluation methods, supporting a future definitive trial. If RESIT is found to be clinically effective, this could lead to changes in diabetes healthcare with a focus on reducing sitting.Trial registrationThe trial was registered with ISRCTN (number ISRCTN14832389).

Sedentary time transitions and associations with quality of life in cancer survivors during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background Patterns in sedentary time (SED) and its impact on quality of life (QoL) in cancer survivors during the COVID-19 pandemic remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to 1) compare total and domain-specific SED before and during the pandemic; and 2) examine its association with QoL in a global sample of cancer survivors. Methods In an online survey, cancer survivors retrospectively self-reported domain-specific SED (e.g. transportation, television) before and during the pandemic via the Domain-Specific Sitting Time Questionnaire. QoL was assessed via the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT)-General and FACT-Fatigue. Paired t-tests compared daily SED before and during the pandemic. Analysis of covariance compared QoL among: those who remained high (>8 h/day), remained low (<8 h/day), increased (<8 h/day to >8 h/day), or decreased (>8 h/day to <8 h/day) daily SED. Results Among cancer survivors (N = 477, Mage=48.5 ± 15.4), 60.8% reported that their SED remained high, 19.7% remained low, 7.5% increased SED, and 11.9% decreased SED. Computer and television screen time significantly increased (p’s<.001), while SED during transportation significantly decreased (p<.001). Sub-group analyses revealed that those who reduced SED who were normal or underweight (p=.042) or were meeting physical activity guidelines (p=.031) had significantly less fatigue than those who increased or remained high in SED, respectively. Those who remained high in SED with <3 comorbidities (p’s =.005) had significantly better social well-being than those who increased SED. Conclusions As we transition to a post-pandemic era, behavioral strategies for cancer survivors should focus on reducing screen time to improve QoL and fatigue.

Impact of a Discontinuous Training Program on Sedentary Behavior in Italian Type 2 Diabetes Older Patients: The Results of the TRIPL-A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Physical activity is an important predictor of quality of life in older adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Unfortunately, most T2D adults adopt a sedentary lifestyle. The randomized, controlled TRIPL-A trial aims to verify the effect of a personalized, discontinuous exercise program on a sedentary lifestyle of T2D older adults. Methods: A total of 305 T2D patients (mean age ± SD: 68.8 ± 3.3 years) were divided into a control arm receiving only behavioral counseling and an intervention arm of an 18-month supervised discontinuous exercise program (ERS). The primary outcomes were the changes in sitting time (ST) and metabolic equivalent (MET) values, both evaluated by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire short form. A repeated measures ANOVA with Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons was used to compare study outcomes. Results: The ST and MET differed significantly during the study compared to the control group (p = 0.028 and p = 0.004, respectively). In the intervention group, a decrease from baseline in ST at 6 months (p = 0.01) and an increase in MET values at 6 months (p = 0.01) up to 12 months (p < 0.01) were found. No significant differences were found for the other variables. Conclusions: Beneficial lifestyle changes were found within the first year of intervention. These results align with the theory of change.

A self-management program increases the dosage of inpatient rehabilitation by 26 minutes per day: a process evaluation

Purpose To evaluate the implementation of a self-management program, My Therapy, designed to increase inpatient rehabilitation therapy dosage via independent practice. Materials and methods A process evaluation of My Therapy for adult patients admitted for rehabilitation for any condition supervised by physiotherapists and occupational therapists across eight rehabilitation wards compared usual care. Outcomes included reach, dosage, fidelity and adaptation. Results The mean (SD) age of the process evaluation sample (n = 123) was 73 (11) years with a mean (SD) length of stay of 14.0 (6.6) days. The My Therapy program reached 68% of participants (n = 632/928), and resulted in an average increase in therapy dosage of 26 (95% CI 12 to 40) minutes/day of independent practice. All My Therapy audited programs (n = 28) included body function/structure impairment-based exercises, and half (n = 13/28) included activity/participation-based exercises. On average, participants completed programs 1.8 (SD 1.2) times/day, which were prescribed in accordance with the My Therapy criteria, demonstrating fidelity. There were no between-group differences in daily steps or standing time, however, My Therapy participants spent more time sitting (p ≤ 0.05). Implementation adaptations were minimal. Conclusion A self-management rehabilitation program was implemented with fidelity for two in three rehabilitation patients, resulting in increased therapy dosage with minimal adaptations.

Paternal peri-conceptional physical activity and the risk of congenital heart disease in offspring: A case-control study.

Genetic and environmental factors have been shown to contribute to the development of congenital heart disease (CHD). To date, the focus of scientific articles has primarily centered on genetics and maternal environmental factors, with comparatively less attention given to paternal risk factors. This study aims to investigate the potential association between paternal pre-conceptional physical activity levels (PA), along with paternal peri-conceptional smoking and alcohol consumption, and the risk of CHD in offspring. An observational case-control study was conducted in Lebanon, with 279 participants, aiming to investigate potential risk factors for CHD. We included children with confirmed CHD, born between 2012 and 2022. Controls born in the same timeframe were selected randomly from the general population using online questionnaire forms. Mean age of children included was 6 years old (0-10). The pre-conceptional PA was assessed using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire validated in Arabic. In addition, paternal smoking, alcohol consumption, and maternal risk factors were collected. The study included 128 CHD cases (45.9%) and their parents, as well as 151 healthy infants (54.1%) and their parents. There were no statistically significant variations in the alcohol consumption noted between the fathers in the case and control groups (p=0.18). The paternal involvement in recreational-related PA during the peri-conception period was associated with a reduced risk of the CHD development in offspring by 46.9% (OR=0.531, 95% CI: 0.301-0.936, p=0.029). Additionally, increasing paternal total sitting time by 1 h above the average, which was approximately 260 min (4h), increased the risk of CHD in offspring by 0.4% (p=0.001). Moreover, paternal smoking exhibited an apparent association with a 56% increased risk of offspring developing CHD, notwithstanding that the confidence intervals included the null (OR=1.56, 95% CI: 0.86-2.8, p=0.136). This observational study is the first to report a potential association between paternal PA, and CHD in offspring. This study aligns with previous reports, advocating for the paternal engagement in PA and the adoption of healthy lifestyle habits, especially during the critical stages of conception. Such practices are strongly recommended to enhance fertility and promote optimal health for offspring. However, due to the subjectivity in reporting PA and lack of molecular proof, additional prospective and molecular studies are required to validate these findings.

Physical activity and mental health in individuals with multimorbidity during COVID-19: an explanatory sequential mixed-method study

ObjectiveTo understand the physical activity and mental health of individuals living with long-term conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic.DesignA sequential explanatory mixed-methods study with two phases: phase 1: quantitative survey and...

Abstract MP62: Adherence to Guideline-Recommended Physical Activity Nullifies Mortality Risks of Extended Sitting in Adults With Diabetes

Introduction: Sedentary lifestyles have been associated with increased mortality for people with diabetes. While most governments and health organizations advocate for adults with diabetes to engage in at least 150 min/week of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), it is unclear whether meeting these guidelines can mitigate the heightened mortality risks associated with prolonged sedentary time in this population. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that adhering to the guideline-recommended 150 min/week of MVPA could mitigate the mortality risk from prolonged sedentary time in U.S. adults with diabetes. Methods: This study included 3,533 nonpregnant adults aged 20 years diagnosed with diabetes from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2007-2018). Sitting time and MVPA were assessed using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. We analyzed sitting time as both a continuous variable (h/d) and as a categorical variable (&lt;4, 4-&lt;6, 6-8, &gt;8 h/d). The mortality status of the participants were ascertained via linkage to the National Death Index by December 31, 2019. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs for associations between sitting time and mortality were estimated using Cox models, adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, and Carlson comorbidity index, stratified by MVPA (inactive [&lt;10 min/week], insufficiently active [10-&lt;150 min/week], active [150 min/week]). The presence of multiplicative effect measure modification was evaluated by contrasting the model incorporating continuous sitting time, categorical MVPA, and their interaction term, and the model excluding the interaction. We accounted for the NHANES complex survey design (sampling weights, clustering, and stratification) in all analyses. Results: Among 3,533 adults diagnosed with diabetes (mean [SE] age: 60.3 [0.3] years; 48.7% females; 60.6% non-Hispanic White), 695 deaths were documented over a median (interquartile range) follow-up of 5.6 (3.1-8.7) years. In the fully adjusted models, sitting time was positively associated with mortality risk among adults with diabetes who were physically inactive or insufficiently active but not among active adults ( P for interaction=0.04). Specifically, the HRs (95% CIs) of mortality for 1h/d increment in sitting time across MVPA levels were 1.08 (1.04, 1.12) in inactive adults, 1.09 (1.01, 1.18) in insufficiently active adults, and 1.01 (0.96, 1.06) in active adults. Results remained unaltered when comparing the most sedentary (&gt;8 h/d) to the least sedentary (&lt;4 h/d) categories: across MVPA levels (from low to high), the HRs (95% CIs) of mortality were 1.83 (1.23, 2.72), 1.84 (0.81, 4.17), and 1.11 (0.73, 1.69), respectively. Conclusions: Our findings show that achieving 150 min/week of MVPA can substantially mitigate the elevated mortality risks associated with extended sitting time among U.S. adults with diabetes.

Abstract P209: Accelerometer-Measured Sedentary Behaviors and Venous Thromboembolism Risk Among Older Women

Introduction: Venous insufficiency, which can occur with prolonged sedentary behavior, is associated with venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk. Whether accelerometer-measured sedentary behaviors are associated with VTE risk is unknown. Hypothesis: Longer total sitting times, mean sitting bout durations, and time spent in prolonged sitting bouts are associated with a greater risk of incident VTE. Methods: We studied participants of the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) Objective Physical Activity and Cardiovascular Health (OPACH) study without prior VTE, with adherent accelerometer wear, and with sedentary behavior data (n=5,591). Between May 2012-April 2014, participants wore the ActiGraph GT3X+ triaxial accelerometer at the hip for 7 days. Three sedentary behavior measures were classified using the Convolutional Neural Network Hip Accelerometer Posture algorithm: total sitting time, mean sitting bout duration, and time spent in prolonged (≥30 minutes) sitting bouts. VTE events were centrally adjudicated. Multivariable-adjusted (Table) Cox models estimated HRs and 95% CIs for each sedentary behavior in relation to VTE risk. Women were censored at death, loss to follow-up, or end of follow-up (February 2023). Mediation by BMI was evaluated for behaviors associated with VTE. Results: On average, participants were 79 years old. Over a mean follow-up of 8.2 years, 229 women experienced a VTE. In primary confounder-adjusted models, longer mean sitting bout durations were associated with greater incident VTE risk (HR per 5-minute increase=1.15; 95% CI: 1.04, 1.28) (Table). BMI mediated approximately 30% of this association (p&lt;0.01). We found no significant evidence that total sitting time nor time spent in prolonged sitting bouts were associated with VTE. Conclusions: Longer mean sitting bout duration was associated with greater VTE risk, with substantial mediation by BMI. Our results suggest that reducing sedentary bout length in older women may reduce VTE risk.

Activité physique et qualité de vie chez les survivantes du cancer du sein

To assess physical activity (PA) and its determinants in breast cancer survivors (BCS), attending a Tunisian hospital, as well as to assess their quality of life (QOL) and examine the relationship between PA and BCS'QOL. We conducted a cross-sectional study among BCS attending the outpatient oncology, gynecology and radiotherapy clinics at a Tunisian hospital in April 2022 using a self-administered questionnaire. The valid Arabic version of the International Physical Activity. Questionnaire short version was used to assess PA and sitting time. QOL was assessed using the valid Arabic version of the 12-item Short-Form health survey. A total of 95 BCS were recruited. BCS reported overall moderate PA levels with a median MET of 1440 (IQR 680- 2400) minutes/week and a mean total sitting time of 281.79±134.36 minutes/day. Overall, patients aged 50 years and above had significantly lower levels of sitting time (231.43±129.32vs 332.14±121.63, p= 0.04). Similarly, subjects aged 50 years and above, and of rural origin had higher levels of PA (1908.5 (IQR 939.7-3268.5) vs. 1266 (IQR 471-2946), p= 0.114 and 1788.5 (IQR 1072.5-3252) vs. 1440 (IQR 537-3057), p= 0.259 respectively). Regarding BCS'QOL, they showed moderate disability in the physical component (39.3 ±7.08) , and mild disability in the mental component (43.94 ±9.23). BCS' QOL was significantly correlated to PA (r=0,258, p=0,012). Adherence to regular PA is effective in improving BC patients' survival rate. Therefore, to enhance survivors' QOL, a healthy lifestyle including regular PA is well recommended.

Maternal physical activity and sitting time and its association with placental morphology and blood flow during gestation: Findings from the Queensland Family Cohort study

ObjectivesAntenatal exercise is associated with placental morphological alterations, however research in this area is limited. Given the emphasis on the beneficial effects of antenatal exercise, it is important to understand its effect on placental function and the relationship to foetal development. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between physical activity, sitting time, and placental outcomes measured during gestation. DesignProspective cohort study. MethodsPregnant women in the Queensland Family Cohort study self-reported physical activity at 24 and 36 weeks of gestation (n = 203) and were categorised into physical activity volume groups of nil–low (0–<500 metabolic equivalent of task·minutes/week), moderate (500–<1000 metabolic equivalent of task·minutes/week), or high-volume activity (≥1000 metabolic equivalent of task·minutes/week). Participants reported average daily sitting time, whereby excessive sitting time was considered as ≥8h/day. Placental stiffness, thickness, and uteroplacental blood flow resistance were measured by ultrasound imaging at each timepoint. ResultsPhysical activity volume was not associated with changes to placental morphometrics or uteroplacental blood flow resistance at 24 or 36 weeks of gestation. Excessive sitting time at 36 weeks was associated with greater placental stiffness (p = 0.046), and a lower umbilical artery pulsatility index (p = 0.001). ConclusionsPlacental tissue stiffness and umbilical artery resistance were altered in late gestation with higher maternal sitting time but not with physical activity volume. Overall, excessive sitting time may be a risk for suboptimal placental function and could be an important focus for antenatal care.

Prospective Associations of Accelerometer-Measured Machine-Learned Sedentary Behavior With Death Among Older Women: The OPACH Study.

Sedentary behavior is a recognized mortality risk factor. The novel and validated convolutional neural network hip accelerometer posture algorithm highly accurately classifies sitting and postural changes compared with accelerometer count cut points. We examined the prospective associations of convolutional neural network hip accelerometer posture-classified total sitting time and mean sitting bout duration with all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) death. Women (n=5856; mean±SD age, 79±7 years; 33% Black women, 17% Hispanic or Latina women, 50% White women) in the Women's Health Initiative Objective Physical Activity and Cardiovascular Health (OPACH) Study wore the ActiGraph GT3X+ for ~7 days from May 2012 to April 2014 and were followed through February 19, 2022 for all-cause and CVD death. The convolutional neural network hip accelerometer posture algorithm classified total sitting time and mean sitting bout duration from GT3X+ output. Over follow-up (median, 8.4 years; range, 0.1-9.9), there were 1733 deaths (632 from CVD). Adjusted Cox regression hazard ratios (HRs) comparing women in the highest total sitting time quartile (>696 min/d) to those in the lowest (<556.0 min/d) were 1.57 (95% CI; 1.35-1.83; P-trend<0.001) for all-cause death and 1.78 (95% CI; 1.36-2.31; P-trend<0.001) for CVD death. HRs comparing women in the longest mean sitting bout duration quartile (>15 minutes) to the shortest (<9.3 minutes) were 1.43 (95% CI; 1.23-1.66; P-trend<0.001) for all-cause death and 1.52 (95% CI; 1.18-1.96; P-trend<0.001) for CVD death. Apparent nonlinear associations for total sitting time suggested higher all-cause death (P nonlinear=0.009) and CVD death (P nonlinear=0.008) risk after ~660 to 700 min/d. Higher total sitting time and longer mean sitting bout duration are associated with higher all-cause and CVD mortality risk among older women. These data support interventions aimed at reducing both total sitting time and interrupting prolonged sitting.

The prevalence of sedentary behavior among university students in Saudi Arabia

BackgroundA considerable body of research has demonstrated that reducing sitting time benefits health. Therefore, the current study aimed to explore the prevalence of sedentary behavior (SB) and its patterns.MethodsA total of 6975 university students (49.1% female) were chosen randomly to participate in a face-to-face interview. The original English version of the sedentary behavior questionnaire (SBQ) was previously translated into Arabic. Then, the validated Arabic version of the SBQ was used to assess SB. The Arabic SBQ included 9 types of SB (watching television, playing computer/video games, sitting while listening to music, sitting and talking on the phone, doing paperwork or office work, sitting and reading, playing a musical instrument, doing arts and crafts, and sitting and driving/riding in a car, bus or train) on weekdays and weekends.ResultsSBQ indicated that the total time of SB was considerably high (478.75 ± 256.60 and 535.86 ± 316.53 (min/day) during weekdays and weekends, respectively). On average, participants spent the most time during the day doing office/paperwork (item number 4) during weekdays (112.47 ± 111.11 min/day) and weekends (122.05 ± 113.49 min/day), followed by sitting time in transportation (item number 9) during weekdays (78.95 ± 83.25 min/day) and weekends (92.84 ± 100.19 min/day). The average total sitting time of the SBQ was 495.09 ± 247.38 (min/day) and 58.4% of the participants reported a high amount of sitting time (≥ 7 hours/day). Independent t-test showed significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) between males and females in all types of SB except with doing office/paperwork (item number 4). The results also showed that male students have a longer daily sitting time (521.73 ± 236.53 min/day) than females (467.38 ± 255.28 min/day). Finally, 64.1% of the males reported a high amount of sitting time (≥ 7 hours/day) compared to females (52.3%).ConclusionIn conclusion, the total mean length of SB in minutes per day for male and female university students was considerably high. About 58% of the population appeared to spend ≥7 h/day sedentary. Male university students are likelier to sit longer than female students. Our findings also indicated that SB and physical activity interventions are needed to raise awareness of the importance of adopting an active lifestyle and reducing sitting time.

Differences between Health and Non-Health Science Students in Lifestyle Habits, Perceived Stress and Psychological Well-Being: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The aim of this study was to investigate lifestyle habits in health and non-health science students from the University of Split, Croatia, and to evaluate their association with perceived stress and psychological well-being. We surveyed 783 students during February-March 2021. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was used in the analysis. Health science students spent less time using screens, were sitting less, slept less, but also showed better compliance with the Mediterranean diet compared to non-health science students (10.6% vs. 5.9%). There were no differences in stress and well-being perception between the two study groups. Female gender, lack of sleep, less daily sitting time, anxiety, and lower optimism were associated with higher stress in non-health science students, while anxiousness and more sitting were found to be significant among health students. Well-being among health science students was positively associated with BMI, having had COVID-19, being refreshed after waking up during working days, Mediterranean diet adherence, health perception, optimism, and quality of life, and negatively with TV time and anxiousness. Shorter sleep duration on non-working days, feeling refreshed after waking up on non-working days, higher quality of life and optimism, and lower anxiousness were associated with higher well-being among non-health students. Identifying unhealthy lifestyle habits in students is essential for implementing targeted interventions to better their health outcomes.

Behavioural patterns of university students during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study of the effects of active transportation, uninterrupted sitting time, and screen use on physical activity and sitting time

Background The closure of universities due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may alter the behaviour of students. This study aimed to determine the effect of active transportation duration, uninterrupted sitting time, and screen time to study on physical activity and sitting time during the lockdown. Methods This was a cross-sectional study based on data collected via an online questionnaire for university students during the second confinement in France (between October and December 2020). Participants (N=2873) completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, which assessed physical activity and sedentary behaviour, and contained questions about modes of transport, and perception of uninterrupted sitting time and screen time to study prior to confinement and during confinement. Multiple regression models assessed how time duration of active transportation, uninterrupted sitting time, and screen time studying increased or reduced confinement effects on physical activity and sitting time. Results The regression models showed that physical activity decreased during confinement for students who engaged in more prolonged periods of active transportation prior to confinement. Moreover, the perception of long, uninterrupted sitting time and high screen time prior to confinement significantly increased sitting time during confinement. Students who adopted the most active transport time prior to confinement were the least likely to increase their screen time during confinement. Conclusions Confinement reduced physical activity levels and increased sitting time, mainly among students who adopted active transport and accumulated longer uninterrupted sitting time prior to confinement. Students who combined-long periods of uninterrupted sitting time with high screen use could be a riskier profile for health. Analysis of physical activity time and sitting position should include its accumulation patterns.

Longitudinal relations between independent walking, body position, and object experiences in home life.

How do age and the acquisition of independent walking relate to changes in infants' everyday experiences? We used a novel ecological momentary assessment (EMA) method to gather caregiver reports of infants' restraint, body position, and object holding via text messages sparsely sampled across multiple days of home life at 10, 11, 12, and 13 months of age. Using data from over 4,000 EMA samples from N = 62 infants recruited from across the United States and sampled longitudinally, we measured changes in the base rates of different activities in daily life. With age, infants spent more time unrestrained. With the onset of walking, infants spent less time sitting and prone and more time upright. Although rates of object holding did not change with age or walking ability, we found that infants who can walk hold objects more often in an upright position compared with nonwalkers. We discuss how accurately measuring changes in lived experiences serves to constrain theories about developmental mechanisms. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Brief Report: Decreased Physical Activity and Prolonged Sitting Time Are Associated With Liver Steatosis in People With HIV.

Physical activity (PA) regulates intrahepatic storage of fat and reduces the risk of liver steatosis. Given our limited understanding of the pathogenesis of metabolic complications in people with HIV (PWH), it remains unclear whether evidence from the general population can be extrapolated to PWH. We investigated the association between PA and liver steatosis in a single site of the Swiss HIV Cohort Study. We screened consecutive Swiss HIV Cohort Study participants using vibration-controlled transient elastography and defined liver steatosis as controlled attenuation parameter ≥248 dB/m. PA was measured using the International PA Questionnaire. We evaluated the association of 3 different measures of PA with liver steatosis in separate multivariable logistic regression models. Of 466 participants, 127 (27.3%) were female, median age was 52 years (interquartile range 43-59), and 244 (52.4%) were overweight (body mass index [BMI] ≥25 kg/m 2 ). Liver steatosis was present in 235 (50.4%) individuals. In multivariable analysis, PA below the recommendations of the European Association for the Study of the Liver was associated with steatosis (adjusted odds ratio, 2.34; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.44 to 3.85). Using alternative scales of PA, including metabolic equivalents task minutes (min) per week (adjusted odds ratio 0.76, 95% CI: 0.60 to 0.94) and sitting hours per day (aOR, 1.16; 1.07 to 1.26), yielded comparable results, and associations were similar when we restricted the analyses to lean (BMI <25 kg/m 2 ) subjects. Insufficient PA and prolonged sitting time were associated with liver steatosis among PWH, independent of BMI. Our results support the importance of promoting PA to prevent liver steatosis in PWH.

Sitting Less, Recovering Faster: Investigating the Relationship between Daily Sitting Time and Muscle Recovery following Intense Exercise: A Pilot Study.

(1) There is growing concern surrounding the adverse effects of prolonged sitting on health, yet its impact on post-exercise recovery remains relatively unexplored. This study aimed to better understand the potential influence of habitual prolonged sitting on recovery time and the unfavorable impact prolonged sitting may have on time to recovery, as assessed by muscle damage and inflammatory markers and an isokinetic dynamometer. (2) Nine college-age men (mean age ± SD = 22.1 ± 3.1 years, body mass = 80.9 ± 15.7 kg, height = 171 ± 9.0 cm, Body Mass Index (BMI) = 27.6 ± 4.9 kg·m2) participated in an exhaustive exercise protocol. Creatine Kinase (CK), Myoglobin (Mb), C-Reactive Protein (CRP), White Blood Cell Count (WBC), Peak Torque (PT), and muscle soreness were measured at baseline and 0, 24, 48, and 72 h post-exercise. Dietary and exercise logs were maintained during the 5-day testing procedure. (3) No significant differences were observed in muscle damage markers (CK [p = 0.068] and Mb [p = 0.128]), inflammatory markers (CRP [p = 0.814] and WBC [p = 0.140]), or PT [p = 0.255]) at any time point. However, a significant positive correlation was found between daily sitting time and the percent increase in CK concentration from 0 h to 72 h (r = 0.738, p = 0.023). Strong correlations were also noted between prolonged sitting and percent change in Mb concentration at 48 h (r = 0.71, p = 0.033) and 72 h (r = 0.889, p = 0.001). There was a significant two-way interaction for time × velocity (p = 0.043) for PT with a simple main effect for time at 60°·s-1 (p = 0.038). No significant associations were detected between daily carbohydrate or protein intake and recovery markers (p > 0.05). (4) The findings suggest minimizing daily sitting time may expedite and potentially aid muscle recovery after an intense exercise bout, although further research is warranted to validate these findings.

Occupational Sitting Time, Leisure Physical Activity, and All-Cause and Cardiovascular Disease Mortality

For the first time, the 2020 World Health Organization guidelines on physical activity recommended reducing sedentary behaviors owing to their health consequences. Less is known on the specific association of prolonged occupational sitting with health, especially in the context of low physical activity engagement. To quantify health risks associated with prolonged occupational sitting and to determine whether there is a certain threshold of physical activity that may attenuate it. This prospective cohort study included participants in a health surveillance program in Taiwan who were followed-up between 1996 and 2017. Data on occupational sitting, leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) habits, lifestyle, and metabolic parameters were collected. Data analysis was performed in December 2020. The all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality associated with 3 occupational sitting volumes (mostly sitting, alternating sitting and nonsitting, and mostly nonsitting) were analyzed applying multivariable Cox regression models to calculate the hazard ratios (HRs) for all participants and by subgroups, including 5 LTPA levels and a personal activity intelligence (PAI)-oriented metric. Deaths occurring within the initial 2 years of follow-up were excluded to prevent reverse causality. The total cohort included 481 688 participants (mean [SD] age, 39.3 [12.8] years; 256 077 women [53.2%]). The study recorded 26 257 deaths during a mean (SD) follow-up period of 12.85 (5.67) years. After adjusting for sex, age, education, smoking, drinking, and body mass index, individuals who mostly sat at work had a 16% higher all-cause mortality risk (HR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.11-1.20) and a 34% increased mortality risk from CVD (HR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.22-1.46) compared with those who were mostly nonsitting at work. Individuals alternating sitting and nonsitting at work did not experience increased risk of all-cause mortality compared with individuals mostly nonsitting at work (HR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.97-1.05). For individuals mostly sitting at work and engaging in low (15-29 minutes per day) or no (<15 minutes per day) LTPA, an increase in LTPA by 15 and 30 minutes per day, respectively, was associated with a reduction in mortality to a level similar to that of inactive individuals who mostly do not sit at work. In addition, individuals with a PAI score exceeding 100 experienced a notable reduction in the elevated mortality risk associated with prolonged occupational sitting. As part of modern lifestyles, prolonged occupational sitting is considered normal and has not received due attention, even though its deleterious effect on health outcomes has been demonstrated. In this study, alternating between sitting and nonsitting at work, as well as an extra 15 to 30 minutes per day of LTPA or achieving a PAI score greater than 100, attenuated the harms of prolonged occupational sitting. Emphasizing the associated harms and suggesting workplace system changes may help society to denormalize this common behavior, similar to the process of denormalizing smoking.