Traditional Physical Activity Research Articles

Modest Gains After an 8-Week Exercise Program Correlate With Reductions in Non-traditional Markers of Cardiovascular Risk.

Background: Although engaging in physical exercise has been shown to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular events, the molecular mechanisms by which exercise mediates these benefits remain unclear. Based on epidemiological evidence, reductions in traditional risk factors only accounts for 50% of the protective effects of exercise, leaving the remaining mechanisms unexplained. The objective of this study was to determine whether engaging in a regular exercise program in a real world clinical setting mediates cardiovascular protection via modulation of non-traditional risk factors, such as those involved in coagulation, inflammation and metabolic regulation.Methods and Results: We performed a prospective, cohort study in 52 sedentary patients with cardiovascular disease or cardiovascular risk factors at two tertiary medical centers between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2019. Prior to and at the completion of an 8-week exercise program, we collected information on traditional cardiovascular risk factors, exercise capacity, and physical activity and performed plasma analysis to measure levels of fibrinolytic, inflammatory and metabolic biomarkers to assess changes in non-traditional cardiovascular risk factors. The median weight change, improvement in physical fitness, and change in physical activity for the entire cohort were: −4.6 pounds (IQR: +2 pounds, −11.8 pounds), 0.37 METs (IQR: −0.076 METs, 1.06 METs), and 252.7 kcals/week (IQR: −119, 921.2 kcals/week). In addition to improvement in blood pressure and cholesterol, patients who lost at least 5 pounds, expended at least 1,000 additional kcals/week, and/or achieved ≥0.5 MET increase in fitness had a significant reduction in plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 [9.07 ng/mL (95% CI: 2.78–15.35 ng/mL); P = 0.026], platelet derived growth factor beta [376.077 pg/mL (95% CI: 44.69–707.46 pg/mL); P = 0.026); and angiopoietin-1 [(1104.11 pg/mL (95% CI: 2.92–2205.30 pg/mL); P = 0.049)].Conclusion: Modest improvements in physical fitness, physical activity, and/or weight loss through a short-term exercise program was associated with decreased plasma levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor, platelet derived growth factor beta, and angiopoietin, which have been associated with impaired fibrinolysis and inflammation.

Understanding the Benefits of Standing and Sitting Baduanjin Based on Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing: An Observational Study.

Objectives: Although Baduanjin (a traditional Chinese physical activity) has been reported to promote general health, the optimal exercise intensity and kinematic characteristics of this intervention remain poorly understood. This investigation aimed to quantify and compare the exercise intensities of traditional standing Baduanjin (TB) and sitting Baduanjin (SB) using cardiopulmonary exercise testing, to further clarify the sources of the previously observed benefits of this modality.Study design: Observational study.Interventions: Healthy individuals were recruited to perform TB, SB, and cycling (in order) until they reached their ventilatory threshold. Intensity-relevant parameters based on type of exercise and specific time points (exercise start and the end of the 2nd, 4th, 6th, and 8th set of motion) were compared between TB and SB with ventilatory threshold as control.Results: Forty individuals (18 male and 22 female) completed the trial. Significant differences in peak oxygen uptake, metabolic equivalent of task, and Borg scale existed among the three exercise types, indicating a decreasing overall exercise intensity in the order of ventilatory threshold, TB, and SB. All parameters except the respiratory exchange ratio fluctuated significantly across the time points.Conclusions: Both TB and SB resulted in a significantly lower exercise intensity when compared with the ventilatory threshold established through cycling exercise. The benefits of Baduanjin might be explained partly by its appropriate exercise intensity and intermittent intensity pattern. Baduanjin might be a potential alternative to existing schemes for exercise rehabilitation.

Physical Activity and Its Relationship with Preterm Birth in the Presence of Depressive Symptomology.

To examine the relationship between physical activity (PA) and preterm birth (PTB) within the context of depressive symptoms (DS). Data are from the Life-course Influences of Fetal Environments (LIFE) Study, a cohort comprised of 1410 Black women, age 18-45 years who delivered a singleton in Metropolitan Detroit, MI. DS were measured with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D); a score > 23 indicates severe DS. Traditional leisure time PA (LTPA) and non-LTPA during pregnancy (walking for a purpose, climbing stairs) were both measured. Modified Poisson regression models were used to estimate the association between PTB and PA. Effect modification by severe DS was assessed via stratification. Approximately 16% of women had a PTB; 20% had CES-D scores > 23. Walking for a purpose was the most frequently reported type of PA (79%), followed by any LTPA (37.7%) and climbing stairs (13.5%). Compared with women who reported no PA, women who reported walking for a purpose (PR = 0.70, 95% CI 0.61, 1.10), partaking in LTPA (PR = 0.67, 95% CI 0.50, 0.90), or climbing stairs (PR = 0.61, 95% CI 0.45, 0.81) were less likely to have PTB. Results stratified by severe DS show the association between LTPA and PTB was more pronounced in women with severe DS, while the non-LTPA relationship with PTB was more heterogeneous. Women who participated in traditional LTPA (any or walking only) and non-LTPA experienced improved birth outcomes. LTPA may buffer against PTB among pregnant Black women with severe DS as well as none or mild DS.

Children and Adolescents Treated for Valvular Aortic Stenosis Have Different Physical Activity Patterns Compared to Healthy Controls: A Methodological Study in a National Cohort

Previous research in children and adolescents with congenital heart defects presents contradictory findings concerning their physical activity (PA) level, due to methodological limitations in the PA assessment. The aim of the present cross-sectional study was to compare PA in children and adolescents treated for valvular aortic stenosis with healthy controls using an improved accelerometer method. Seven-day accelerometer data were collected from the hip in a national Swedish sample of 46 patients 6–18 years old treated for valvular aortic stenosis and 44 healthy controls matched for age, gender, geography, and measurement period. Sports participation was self-reported. Accelerometer data were processed with the new improved Frequency Extended Method and with the traditional ActiGraph method for comparison. A high-resolution PA intensity spectrum was investigated as well as traditional crude PA intensity categories. Children treated for aortic stenosis had a pattern of less PA in the highest intensity spectra and had more sedentary time, while the adolescent patients tended to be less physically active in higher intensities overall and with less sedentary time, compared to the controls. These patterns were evident using the Frequency Extended Method with the detailed PA intensity spectrum, but not to the same degree using the ActiGraph method and traditional crude PA intensity categories. Patients reported less sports participation than their controls in both age-groups. Specific differences in PA patterns were revealed using the Frequency Extended Method with the high-resolution PA intensity spectrum in Swedish children and adolescents treated for valvular aortic stenosis.

RETRACTED: Virtual reality sports auxiliary training system based on embedded system and computer technology

Virtual Reality technology, the complex environment can be a simulated, traditional sports courses at the stadium, equipment, it is due to limitations such as safety, to provide scientific and accurate teaching and learning's, a complex by visualizing the theoretical knowledge in the abstract sport, you can get more technical knowledge. Compared to the traditional physical education activities, simulate sports scene only by generating VR panoramas that cannot be virtual reality technology. Based on this, you can improve the enthusiasm and athletic ability of students effectively. Because of immaturity and high-priced equipment of VR technology, at present, people that education is using unpopular making, carefully virtual reality technology. In this context, we can apply virtual reality technology to sports training, which can obtain more effective training effect. In the first part of this paper, we talk about the research of virtual reality panorama, the second part about the research of virtual reality video, the third part about the application of virtual reality in physical education teaching, and the fourth part is the conclusion and investigation process. In the study, VR, as a new technology, found that you have the prospect of a wide range of applications. As long as it has been used in scientific and rational, you can VR is to promote the level of improvement and sports greatly sports scene. Users can increase users' interest; it can be immersed in a variety of preset virtual locations. Therefore, in the VR device, which allows the user to improve the experience of the VR device, you can interact well in a virtual scene.

Effect of nutrition education and traditional game-based physical activity interventions, on lipid profile improvement in overweight and obese children in West Java Indonesia.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVESOne ongoing effort to curtail dyslipidemia in school children is through lifestyle intervention. This study analyzes outcomes of the intervention of nutrition education and Javanese traditional game-based physical activity, on lipid profiles of overweight and obese children.SUBJECTS/METHODSThe experimental study consisted of three steps: data collection (October to December 2016), intervention processes (January to March 2017), and final report preparation (April to May 2017). This was a split-plot block study, enrolling a total of 72 subjects. Traditional game intervention (12 meetings) and nutrition education (9 meetings) was carried out within 3 months with material related to obesity.RESULTSOur results showed no decrease in the levels of total cholesterol in the group receiving nutrition education (rise by 1.56 mg/dL), but when compared to subjects without intervention, total cholesterol levels experienced was increased. The group which did not receive physical activity showed increase in the total cholesterol, whereas the traditional game intervention group showed a decrease of 0.05 mg/dL total cholesterol at the end of the intervention. Nutrition education and physical activity interventions did not influence any reduction in the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, but rather showed a tendency to increase at the end of the intervention. However, the increase in LDL-c levels in the traditional game group was lower than in other intervention groups. Duncan's test indicated that the effect of nutrition education and physical activity interventions did not differ from the cut-off values of LDL-C and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.CONCLUSIONSTotal cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the traditional game group tended to decrease at the end of the intervention, but the results did not differ much from other intervention groups. We deduce that nutrition education and traditional game-based physical activity interventions are not capable of improving blood lipid profiles in overweight and obese children within 3 months. It is necessary to increase the time of physical activity intervention to maintain the lipid profile in another study.

Effects of Physical Activity on Children's Motor Skill Development: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Objective This systematic review synthesized current randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining casual evidence regarding the effects of traditional and exergaming-based physical activity (PA) interventions on motor skill development in typically developed children (i.e., those aged 6-12 years). Methods We adhered to the PRISMA-P statement and searched electronic databases (Medline, PsycInfo, Web of Science, PubMed, ERIC, Scopus, and SportDiscus) from inception through July 2020. We screened for peer reviewed RCTs published in English between 2000 and 2020 examining the effect of PA on motor skill development in healthy children. Results A total of 25 RCTs were included, 20 (80%) of which reported significant improvements in children's motor skill performance. Specifically, 18 studies examined traditional PA interventions and 7 studies examined exergaming-based PA interventions, 83% and 71% of which observed statistically significant improvements in children's motor skill development, respectively. Conclusions Findings support the causal evidence regarding the effects of PA on motor skill development in children. Notable limitations of this review included heterogeneity of measurement protocols and assessment tools used to test children's motor skills across studies, a wide range of PA intervention dose across studies, and the lack of power analyses and long-term follow-up assessments in individual studies to discern appropriate sample sizes and long-term effectiveness, respectively. To further strengthen the evidence in this emerging field, we advocate for future RCTs to employ a priori power analyses, long-term follow-up measurements, and more exergaming-based interventions to allow for comparisons with traditional PA interventions, to explore the dose response and moderating relationships between PA and motor skill development in childhood, and to utilize homogenous assessment instruments to allow for more rigorous, quantitative syntheses.

Effect of Novel Rhythmic Physical Activities on Fundamental Movement Skills in 3- to 5-Year-Old Children

Based on traditional rhythmic physical activities (TRPA), we created novel rhythmic physical activities (NRPA). The purpose of this study was to verify the effectiveness of NRPA in improving children's fundamental movement skills (FMS). 289 children (135 boys, 154 girls) from 3 to 5 years old were randomly divided into an experimental group and a control group. Tools of Test of Gross Motor Development-2, Tekscan instrument, and balance beam were to assess children's FMS. Two-way repeated measures ANOVA was used to analyze and compare the changes in the related parameters of locomotor, manipulative, and balance movement skills before and after intervention (groups × time). NRPA performed significantly better than TRPA from pre- to posttest for FMS. Furthermore, NRPA had significantly higher posttest scores than TRPA. Therefore, NRPA could effectively promote the development of children's FMS due to the concept of the sensitive period of motor development, the variability of movement parameters, and the incomplete repeatability of practice methods.

Movement Therapy and Cognitive Function in Middle-Aged and Older Adults: A 10-Year Study

Cognitive function is an important component of healthy aging and physical activities have been shown to support late life cognitive function. However, it is unclear whether non-traditional physical activities provide additional benefits for cognitive function above and beyond traditional leisure physical activities. This study examines the associations between movement therapy and cognitive function in the US population. We used data from the waves 1, 2 and 3 (1995-2014) of the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study. MIDUS included a national probability sample of community-living adults aged 25-75 years old in 1995 (wave 1) and added the wave 2 cognitive functioning tests of executive function and episodic memory. We applied multivariate linear regression models to estimate the effect of movement therapy (wave 2) on the cognitive episodic memory and executive function (wave 3) while controlling the covariates (wave 2 sociodemographic factors, health, and cognitive function). A total of 2097 individuals aged 42-92 years (mean 64.4, sd 10.9, 55.6% women) were included in the analysis. Movement therapy was independently associated with better episodic memory (beta=0.117, p=0.02), but not with executive function (beta=0.039, p=0.14), after including control variables. The results suggest that movement therapy may be an effective non-pharmacological intervention to attenuate age-related cognitive decline in middle-aged and older adults. Future research should test whether these findings can be replicated in similar populations and if confirmed, interventions should incorporate a wider range of physical activities in community-living older adults with the goal of maintaining and improving physical and cognitive health.

Physical Activity Tracking Wristbands for Use in Research With Older Adults: An Overview and Recommendations

Traditional physical activity tracking tools, such as self-report questionnaires, are inherently subjective and vulnerable to bias. Physical activity tracking technology, such as activity tracking wristbands, is becoming more reliable and readily available. As such, researchers are employing these objective measurement tools in both observational- and intervention-based studies. There remains a gap in the literature on how to properly select activity tracking wristbands for research, specifically for the older adult population. This paper outlines considerations for choosing the most appropriate wrist-worn wearable device for use in research with older adults. Device features, outcome measures, population, and methodological considerations are explored.

Higher-Impact Physical Activity Is Associated With Maintenance of Bone Mineral Density But Not Reduced Incident Falls or Fractures in Older Men: The Concord Health and Aging in Men Project.

High-impact physical activities with bone strains of high magnitude and frequency may benefit bone health. This study aimed to investigate the longitudinal associations between changes in loading intensities and application rates, estimated from self-reported physical activity, with bone mineral density (BMD) changes over 5 years and also with incident falls over 2 years and long-term incident fractures in community-dwelling older men. A total of 1599 men (mean age 76.8 ± 5.4 years) from the Concord Health and Aging in Men Project (CHAMP) were assessed at baseline (2005-2007) and at 2- and 5-year follow-up. At each time point, hip and lumbar spine BMD were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and physical activity energy expenditure over the past week was self-reported via the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) questionnaire. Sum effective load ratings (ELRs) and peak force were estimated from the PASE questionnaire, reflecting the total and highest loading intensity and application rate of physical activities, respectively. Participants were contacted every 4 months over 2 years to self-report falls and over 6.0 ± 2.2 years for fractures. Hip fractures were ascertained by data linkage for 8.9 ± 3.6 years. Compared with sum ELR and PASE scores, peak force demonstrated the greatest standardized effect size for BMD maintenance at the spine (β = 9.77 mg/cm2 ), total hip (β = 14.14 mg/cm2 ), and femoral neck (β = 13.72 mg/cm2 ) after adjustment for covariates, including PASE components (all p < .01). Only PASE scores were significantly associated with reduced falls risk (standardized incident rate ratio = 0.90, 95% confidence interval 0.81-1.00, p = .04). All physical activity measures were significantly associated with reduced incident fractures in univariate analyses, but none remained significant after multivariable adjustments. Older men who engaged in physical activity of high and rapid impact maintained higher BMD, while higher energy expenditure was associated with reduced falls risk. Coupling traditional physical activity data with bone loading estimates may improve understanding of the relationships between physical activity and bone health. © 2020 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).

Health and Wellness Impacts of Traditional Physical Activity Experiences on Indigenous Youth: A Systematic Review.

Traditional physical activities have numerous physiological and psychosocial benefits for Indigenous youth around the world. Little is known about the positive health and wellness impacts of traditional physical activity experiences on Indigenous youths. The aim of this systematic review is to explore the holistic health and wellness impacts of traditional physical activities on Indigenous youth from certain North American and Oceania geographic areas. A systematic search of four electronic databases (PubMed, ERIC, Scopus and Web of Science) was conducted to identify peer-reviewed publications of qualitative research exploring the diverse health experiences of traditional physical activities for Indigenous youth in Canada, the United States of America, New Zealand and Australia. A qualitative synthesis of studies between 2006 and 2018 were included, and findings were synthesized using an integrated Indigenous-ecological model, which broadly captures health and wellness impacts under intrapersonal, interpersonal, organizational, community and policy level outcomes using medicine wheel teachings. In total, nine studies were identified via this search. Overall, the literature described numerous emotional, mental and spiritual benefits of traditional physical activity, and youth experiences were affected by familial and communal relationships, and systemic factors. Among Indigenous youth, this research shows the importance of including traditional physical activity in future programs and partnerships with community expertise.

Cultivating, Developing, and Promoting Lifestyle Physical Activity in College, for Life

The positive benefits of physical activity (PA) have long been substantiated and widely accepted by the public but unfortunately, most American, and Canadian adults still do not meet the US and Canada PA guidelines. With only 27% of high school students adhering to these guidelines, PA levels tend to decline during the late adolescent years into college. What intervention strategies can be incorporated into the campus culture that will not only increase PA levels in school, but increase the likelihood of adhering to higher levels of PA long after graduation into adulthood? A two-phase, mixed methodology focus group study was recently completed to explore preferences, associations, perceptions, and top motivators to PA. In phase one, facilitated group discussions were conducted with 234 participants from 13 diverse groups in Southern Ontario and 175 participants from 13 groups in South Carolina. Questions were asked regarding the participants’ preferences to meet PA guidelines, views on lifestyle PA versus traditional PA, and top motivators to PA. Based on the feedback from phase one, a survey (phase two) was designed and administrated to participants from the same community groups in Guelph and South Carolina. Among the 18-34-year-old participants, the overwhelming majority of both male and female respondents from both Southern Ontario and South Carolina indicated a preference for lifestyle PA, agree that exercise is a stress reliever, feel “happy and feel like I’ve accomplished something afterwards” but see exercise as planned, structured, regimented, routine, repetitive. “Feeling good and happier afterwards, better health, losing and maintaining my weight, appearance, and seeing the rewards physically were the top PA motivators. Specific intervention strategies are provided to improve PA levels in college emphasizing the need to focus on lifestyle PA opportunities for college students to embrace and experience both in college, and for the rest of their lives.

Opening a Window on Attention: Adjuvant Therapies for Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), most commonly known as Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative disease (UC), is a chronic and relapsing intestinal disease which cannot be cured completely. The prevalence of IBD in Europe and in North America has increased over the past 20 years. As most IBD patients are young at onset, their quality of life (QOL) can be influenced to varying degrees. Thus, current treatment goals are typically focused on preventing complications, including maintaining clinical remission and improving the QOL. Adjuvant therapies have been widely concerned as an effective treatment in alleviating IBD symptoms, including dietary intervention, traditional Chinese medicine, smoking, alcohol, and physical activities. This review focuses on different ancillary therapies for IBD treatments, in particular the mechanism of reducing inflammation based on the actual data from research studies. Moreover, comparing the latest data, this review also presented potential future prospect for adjuvant therapies.

Validity of traditional physical activity intensity calibration methods and the feasibility of self-paced walking and running on individualised calibration of physical activity intensity in children

There are no practical and valid methods for the assessment of individualised physical activity (PA) intensity in observational studies. Therefore, we investigated the validity of commonly used metabolic equivalent of tasks (METs) and pre-determined PA intensity classification methods against individualised PA intensity classification in 35 children 7–11-years-of-age. Then, we studied validity of mean amplitude deviation (MAD) measured by accelerometry during self-paced walking and running in assessment of individualised PA intensity. Individualised moderate PA (MPA) was defined as V̇O2 ≥ 40% of V̇O2reserve and V̇O2 < ventilatory threshold (VT) and vigorous PA (VPA) as V̇O2 ≥ VT. We classified > 3–6 (or alternatively > 4–7) METs as MPA and > 6 (> 7) METs as VPA. Task intensities were classified according to previous calibration studies. MET-categories correctly identified 25.9–83.3% of light PA, 85.9–90.3% of MPA, and 56.7–82.2% of VPA. Task-specific categories correctly classified 53.7% of light PA, 90.6% of MPA, and 57.8% of VPA. MAD during self-paced walking discriminated MVPA from light PA (sensitivity = 67.4, specificity = 88.0) and MAD during self-paced running discriminated VPA from MPA (sensitivity = 78.8, specificity = 79.3). In conclusion, commonly used methods may misclassify PA intensity in children. MAD during self-paced running may provide a novel and practical method for determining individualised VPA intensity in children.

Impact Of A Dog Walking Course On College Students’ Physical Activity

The increase in sedentary behaviors, poor dietary choices, and academic time demands during college or university is well documented. Physical activity-related service-learning curricula offers a way to circumvent the negative effects of these increases by providing students with physical activity, as well as the opportunity to learn responsibility, life skills, and values associated with larger social issues. Research identifies the positive effects of dog walking for both dogs and humans. Shelter dogs, in particular, benefit from this physical activity because of their stressful surroundings and need for physical and psychological activity. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare physical activity (PA) levels of students enrolled in a standard PA course and students enrolled in a service-learning PA course where shelter dogs were walked by students. METHODS: College students enrolled in a standard fitness walking course (N = 46; 74% females) and a fitness dog walking course (N = 19; 68 % females) wore NL-1000 pedometers 2 times/week during their 50 minute class session. Data was collected across 30 and 32 course sessions, respectively. Means and stand deviations were calculated and an independent t-test was performed. RESULTS: Students in the standard fitness walking course acquired approximately 1760.9 steps ± 640.9, walked an average of .83 miles ± .3) and acquired approximately 7.6 minutes ± 4.2) of moderate to vigorous PA. Students enrolled in the fitness dog walking course acquired approximately 4406.0 steps ± 317.9, walked an average of .2.1 miles ± .16 and acquired approximately 26.2 minutes ± 3.2) of moderate to vigorous PA. There was a significant difference in steps (t(60) = 20.8, p < .000, d = 5.2), distance (t(60) = 20.9, p < .000, d = 5.3, and minutes (t(60) = 19.7, p < .000, d = 5.0) of moderate to vigorous PA between courses. CONCLUSION: Students enrolled in a service-learning PA course walked significantly more steps, distance, and minutes than students enrolled in a traditional PA course. Notably, students in the dog walking course reached approximately 40% of their recommended step requirements during class time. The local shelter dogs also benefitted from being physically active demonstrating the utility of community engagement when seeking innovative ways to promote PA among college students.

A Comparison Of Two Qualitative MVPA Scoring Protocols: Youth Met Y Cut-points Require Further Exploration

Qualitative measures of activity have been traditionally described utilizing MET values. Notably, activity intensity is categorized as moderate if MET values range from 3.0-5.9; activities with 6.0+ METs are categorized as vigorous-intensity. Recently, the Youth Compendium of Physical Activities was released by an NCCOR workgroup in response to concerns that adult MET energy expenditure values may not accurately account for age differences in basal metabolic rates. However, the Youth Compendium does not currently provide adjusted METy moderate-vigorous activity (MVPA) cut-points for youth, resulting in potential research errors such as over-reporting of a child’s MVPA. PURPOSE: To determine if average MVPA energy expenditure values would significantly differ when two youth scoring protocols (the traditional Three-Day Physical Activity Recall (3DPAR) vs. new NCCOR Youth Compendium) were compared across repeated measures in a sample of pre-adolescent girls. METHODS: Study participants completed detailed 7-day PA logs at study baseline (BL), 1-week follow-up (FU1), and 3-month follow-up (FU2). All self-reported activities were coded with MET (3DPAR) or METy (NCCOR Youth Compendium) energy expenditure (EE) values from each protocol’s respective activity repository. Conservatively, if multiple EE values were available per activity, the lowest value was selected. Activities were considered MVPA if MET/METy metrics exceeded 3.0. RESULTS: At all data collection times, mean volume of MVPA was greatest when utilizing the NCCOR protocol. Group differences between the scoring protocols were significant when examining both weekday (BL/FU1/FU2: p < .001) and weekend activity (BL/FU1/FU2: p < .001). CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first study which provides comparisons of two qualitative MVPA scoring protocols utilizing repeated measures analyses of EE values in youth. Thus, findings may be important to future research using self-report activity data. In the current study, adult cut-points for MVPA were applied to the Youth Compendium scoring protocol, although literature suggests that EE of similar activities is higher for children than adults. Consequently, we urge that higher MVPA cut-points for the Youth Compendium be explored to more accurately capture measures of PA epidemiology in youth.

12 Weeks Of Maximal Strength Training Restores Muscle Force-generating Capacity In Patients With Schizophrenia

Patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (ICD-10) suffer from impaired muscle force-generating capacity (MFGC) and functional performance of the lower extremities. PURPOSE: To investigate if 12 weeks of maximal strength training (MST) would restore MFGC and functional performance. METHODS: Forty-eight outpatients (28 men, 35±10 yrs; 20 women, 35±12 yrs) were randomized to a training group (TG) or control group (CG). Forty-eight age and gender matched healthy controls (28 men/20 women, 35±11 yrs) were tested to establish reference values. TG performed leg press MST (4x4 repetitions) 2d/week for 12 weeks at ~90% one repetition maximum (1RM). CG received two sessions of MST and encouragement to follow traditional physical activity guidelines. RESULTS: 17/24 patients in the TG (12 men/5 women, 34±11 years) completed 79% of training sessions and 19/22 patients in the CG (9 men/10 women, 37±12 years) completed the study. TG improved 1RM (28%, 12.6±4.1 to 16.2±5.0 Kg·mb-0.67, p<0.01) and rapid force development (20%, 18.6±8.6 to 22.4±10.8 N·m·s-1·mb-0.67,p<0.01), reaching 106% and 85% of healthy reference values, respectively. TG improvements differed from CG (p<0.01) where no changes occurred (1RM; 11.4±3.0 to 12.0±2.7 Kg·mb-0.67, rapid force development 16.4±6.9 to 17.3±6.5 N·m·s-1·mb-0.67). Both TG and CG improved 30-second sit-to-stand test (30sSTS) performance (15±3 to 17±4 stands and 13±3 to 14±3 stands, respectively, p<0.05). Changes were not apparent as between group difference nor close the gap to reference levels (27±5 stands). CONCLUSION: MST restored the patients’ lower extremity MFGC and improved 30sSTS performance. Supported by grants from the Norwegian ExtraFoundation for Health and Rehabilitation, The Liaison Committee between the Central Norway Regional Health Authority and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, and The Norwegian Directorate of Health.

Computational Opportunities In The Estimation Of Free-living Temporal Gait Parameters From Wearable Accelerometry Data

Wearable accelereometrs are widely used to monitor free-living physical activity (PA) in the variety of epidemiological and clinical studies. Due to a small size, long battery life and low costs their popularity grew exponentially in recent years. This motivates researchers to seek additional utility of free-living accelerometery outside traditional PA measurements. Arguably, the assessment of mobility and gait parameters is one of the most popular and exciting applications of wearable accelerometers. However, because of the sheer size of free-living, sub-second level accelerometry data, the choice of existing analytical methods and the development of new ones is highly limited by the computational capabilities of modern computers and workstations. In this work, we explore possible solutions to this challenge. Namely, multi-core and graphics processing unit (GPU) computing. As a motivating example, we use the Adaptive Empirical Pattern Transformation (ADEPT), an open-source, dictionary-based pattern recognition method dedicated to the segmentation of walking strides in high-density accelerometry data. PURPOSE: We propose to minimize the computational time of the ADEPT algorithm by application of the GPU computing using inexpensive, desktop workstation equipped with the consumer-grade GPU. METHODS: We use data collected on 5 healthy participants equipped with the wrist-worn tri-axial Actigraph GT3X monitor over 48-hour period at sampling frequency of 100Hz. Next, we deploy the ADEPT algorithm on single-core Intel I9-900K CPU, 8-core CPU and Nvidia RTX 2080 GPU and measure total computation time. RESULTS: Average single-core CPU computation time was equal to 607.70 (sd = 0.3), multicore CPU was 344.40 (sd = 0.8) and GPU was 25.52 (sd = 0.07) seconds. GPU enabled computing allowed for nearly 23 times faster computation with respect to single-core and 14 times with respect to multicore processing. CONCLUSIONS: GPU accelerated computing allows for the application of more complex and time-consuming methods in the statistical analysis of high-density accelerometry data collected in free-living settings over multiple days. Additionally, it creates possibilities for scaling-up computationally intensive methods to much larger samples enabling their application in large epidemiological studies.

Comparison of device-based physical activity and sedentary behaviour following percutaneous coronary intervention in a cohort from Sweden and Australia: a harmonised, exploratory study

BackgroundFew studies have measured device-based physical activity and sedentary behaviour following a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), with no studies comparing these behaviours between countries using the same methods. The aim of the study was to compare device-based physical activity and sedentary behaviour, using a harmonised approach, following a PCI on-entry into centre-based cardiac rehabilitation in two countries.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted at two outpatient cardiac rehabilitation centres in Australia and Sweden. Participants were adults following a PCI and commencing cardiac rehabilitation (Australia n = 50, Sweden n = 133). Prior to discharge from hospital, Australian participants received brief physical activity advice (< 5 mins), while Swedish participants received physical activity counselling for 30 min. A triaxial accelerometer (Actigraph GT3X/ActiSleep) was used to objectively assess physical activity (light (LPA), moderate-to-vigorous (MVPA)) and sedentary behaviour. Outcomes included daily minutes of physical activity and sedentary behaviour, and the proportion and distribution of time spent in each behaviour.ResultsThere was no difference in age, gender or relationship status between countries. Swedish (S) participants commenced cardiac rehabilitation later than Australian (A) participants (days post-PCI A 16 vs S 22, p < 0.001). Proportionally, Swedish participants were significantly more physically active and less sedentary than Australian participants (LPA A 27% vs S 30%, p < 0.05; MVPA A 5% vs S 7%, p < 0.01; sedentary behaviour A 68% vs S 63%, p < 0.001). When adjusting for wear-time, Australian participants were doing less MVPA minutes (A 42 vs S 64, p < 0.001) and more sedentary behaviour minutes (A 573 vs S 571, p < 0.001) per day. Both Swedish and Australian participants spent a large part of the day sedentary, accumulating 9.5 h per day in sedentary behaviour.ConclusionSwedish PCI participants when commencing cardiac rehabilitation are more physically active than Australian participants. Potential explanatory factors are differences in post-PCI in-hospital physical activity education between countries and pre-existing physical activity levels. Despite this, sedentary behaviour is high in both countries. Internationally, interventions to address sedentary behaviour are indicated post-PCI, in both the acute setting and cardiac rehabilitation, in addition to traditional physical activity and cardiac rehabilitation recommendations.Trial registrationsAustralia: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR): ACTRN12615000995572. Registered 22 September 2015, Sweden: World Health Organization Trial Registration Data Set: NCT02895451.