Usual Level Of Physical Activity Research Articles

Effects of progressive aquatic resistance training on symptoms and quality of life in women with knee osteoarthritis: A secondary analysis.

To conduct a secondary analysis to study the effects, those 4months of aquatic resistance training have on self-assessed symptoms and quality of life in post-menopausal women with mild knee osteoarthritis (OA), after the intervention and after a 12-month follow-up period. A total of 87 post-menopausal volunteer women, aged 60-68years, with mild knee OA were recruited in a randomized, controlled, 4-month aquatic training trial (RCT) and randomly assigned to an intervention (n=43) and a control (n=44) group. The intervention group participated in 48 supervised aquatic resistance training sessions over 4months while the control group maintained their usual level of physical activity. Additionally, 77 participants completed the 12-month post-intervention follow-up period. Self-assessed symptoms were estimated using the OA-specific Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and Health-related Quality of life (HRQoL) using the generic Short-form Health Survey (SF-36). After 4months of aquatic resistance training, there was a significant decrease in the stiffness dimension of WOMAC -8.5mm (95% CI=-14.9 to -2.0, P=.006) in the training group compared to the controls. After the cessation of the training, this benefit was no longer observed during the 12-month follow-up. No between-group differences were observed in any of the SF-36 dimensions. The results of this study show that participation in an intensive aquatic resistance training program did not have any short- or long-term impact on pain and physical function or quality of life in women with mild knee OA. However, a small short-term decrease in knee stiffness was observed.

High intensity exercise for 3 months reduces disease activity in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA): a multicentre randomised trial of 100 patients

BackgroundExercise is considered important in the management of patients with rheumatic diseases, but the effect of high intensity exercises on disease activity is unknown.ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of high intensity...

Optimization of the management of a patient with a backache (with clinical observation)

Back pain in terms of socio-economic losses over the past 5 years has come to the first place among the causes of disability, and therefore the problem of rapid effective anesthesia and rehabilitation of this large group of patients is topical. In most cases, the main sources of back pain are the structures of the musculoskeletal system, and the reasons are their microtraumatization due to sudden unprepared movements, prolonged stay in a static position, heavy physical labor. The task of clinical and instrumental examination is to exclude specific causes of dorsalgia. It is also important to present the results of the survey in an accessible form, in particular to correctly interpret the data from neuroimaging research methods. Adequate anaesthesia for acute back pain, informing the patient about the favorable prognosis of the disease and early motor activation are essential to prevent the transition of the physiological feeling of pain into the pathological process - chronic pain syndrome. When dealing with chronic pain, the interaction of specialists of different profiles in the multidisciplinary team is required. Kinesiotherapy, ergotherapy, cognitive-behavioural therapy are the main methods of non-drug treatment of lower back painIt is recommended that the patient maintains the usual level of physical activity and then increases it. It is necessary to teach the patient to correctly perform movements in the social, professional and domestic spheres, to explain how to avoid unsafe movements that can provoke dorsalgia. The article presents the observation of a patient with chronic back pain. Success in treatment has been achieved through effective anesthesia through rational selection of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Dexalgin), local administration of local anesthetics to overcome kinesiophobia, and a combination of cognitive-behavioural therapy, kinesiotherapy, and ergotherapy.

The effects of acute exercise on visuomotor adaptation, learning, and inter-limb transfer.

Pairing an acute bout of lower-limb cycling exercise with skilled motor practice enhances acquisition and learning. However, it is not known whether an acute bout of exercise enhances a specific form of motor learning, namely motor adaptation, and if subsequent inter-limb transfer of this adaptation is enhanced. Seventeen young healthy participants performed a bout of cycling exercise and rest, on separate days, prior to right-arm reaching movements to visual targets under 45° rotated feedback of arm position (acquisition), followed by an immediate test of inter-limb transfer with the untrained left arm. After a 24-h delay, participants returned for a no-exercise retention test using the right and left arm with the same rotated visual feedback as acquisition. Results demonstrated that exercise enhanced right-arm adaptation during the acquisition and retention phases, and transiently enhanced aspects of inter-limb transfer, irrespective of usual levels of physical activity. Specifically, exercise enhanced movement accuracy, decreased reaction and movement time during acquisition, and increased accuracy during retention. Exercise shortened reaction time during the inter-limb transfer test immediately after right-arm acquisition but did not influence left-arm performance assessed at retention. These results indicate that an acute bout of exercise before practice enhances right-arm visuomotor adaptation (acquisition) and learning, and decreases reaction time during untrained left arm performance. The current results may have implications for the prescription of exercise protocols to enhance motor adaptation for healthy individuals and in clinical populations.

Структура та рівень рухової активності студентів закладів вищої освіти

Актуальність. Актуальність дослідження визначається суперечностями між позитивним впливом оптимальної рухової активності на ефективне функціонування організму та низьким рівнем її сформованості в студентів. Мета дослідження полягає у визначенні структури та рівня рухової активності студентів вищих закладів освіти. Методи. Використано міжнародний опитувальник рухової активності методика (IPAQ). Усього в педагогічному досліджені брало участь 1160 студентів (323 хлопців та 837 дівчат) 1–4 курсів денної форми навчання Східноєвропейського національного університету імені Лесі Українки. Результати. У більшості респондентів (57 %) спостерігаємо низький рівень рухової активності. 30 % молоді мають середній рівень рухової активності й лише 13 % – високий. Установлено, що високий рівень рухової активності найнижчий у першокурсників. У процесі навчання рівень рухової активності практично не змінюється та суттєво не позначається на кількості локомоцій студентів. Обраний фах суттєво не впливає на рівень рухової активності молоді. До факторів, які проявляють своєрідний вплив на звичний рівень рухової активності, належать місце народження й проживання студентів. Найбільша кількість осіб із високим рівнем рухової активності місцем свого народження вказали велике місто (16,4 %). Низький рівень рухової активності найбільше виявляють студенти із сіл і невеликих міст (65 % і 59,1 % відповідно). Висновки. Установлений рівень рухової активності є недостатнім і не сприяє підтриманню належного функціонального стану організму. Тренувальний ефект має високий рівень рухової активності, до якого належать самостійні або спеціально організовані заняття фізичними вправами. Але цей компонент рухової активності перебуває переважно лише у вигляді обов’язкових навчальних занять фізичними вправами. Якщо таких занять немає, тоді відсутній високий рівень рухової активності.

Avoiding sedentary behaviors requires more cortical resources than avoiding physical activity: An EEG study

Why do individuals fail to exercise regularly despite knowledge of the risks associated with physical inactivity? Automatic processes regulating exercise behaviors may partly explain this paradox. Yet, these processes have only been investigated with behavioral outcomes (i.e., based on reaction times). Here, using electroencephalography, we investigated the cortical activity underlying automatic approach and avoidance tendencies toward stimuli depicting physical activity and sedentary behaviors in 29 young adults who were physically active or physically inactive but with the intention of becoming physically active. Behavioral results showed faster reactions when approaching physical activity compared to sedentary behaviors and when avoiding sedentary behaviors compared to physical activity. These faster reactions were more pronounced in physically active individuals and were associated with changes during sensory integration (earlier onset latency and larger positive deflection of the stimulus-locked lateralized readiness potentials) but not during motor preparation (no effect on the response-locked lateralized readiness potentials). Faster reactions when avoiding sedentary behaviors compared to physical activity were also associated with higher conflict monitoring (larger early and late N1 event-related potentials) and higher inhibition (larger N2 event-related potentials), irrespective of the usual level of physical activity. These results suggest that additional cortical resources were required to counteract an attraction to sedentary behaviors. Data and Materials [https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1169140]. Preprint [https://doi.org/10.1101/277988].

Effect of a Comprehensive Health Education Program to Increase Physical Activity among Primary School Students in China

China’s National Physical Fitness and Health Surveillance(NPFHS)survey revealed high levels of sedentary behavior among primary school-aged children. Sedentary behavior is linked to both short-term and long-term physical and mental health conditions. A comprehensive school health education program was designed and its effectiveness to raise physical activity levels in Grade 4 primary school children was evaluated. Twelve schools(6 of program, 6 of control)from six cities in two economically different provinces were selected. Students at program schools received physical activity instruction both in and out of school. Control schools carried on with their usual level of physical activity for students, as required by national educational standards. Program effectiveness was assessed by comparing students’ physical activity behaviors at pre- and post-program, and by comparing students’ physical activity scores at program schools with students’ scores at control schools. The pre-program survey of students’ behaviors was done at the end of Grade 3, and the post-program survey was done at the end of Grade 4. Multi-level modeling was used to evaluate program effectiveness to allow for missing data. Results from 4472 students showed at pre-program there was no difference in control and program schools’ student physical activity scores. At post-program students in program schools did significantly more physical activity compared to students in control schools. Students in program schools were more physically active after the comprehensive school health education program. A school-based comprehensive health education program would effectively increase children’s physical activity level in China. There is a potential to reduce sedentary behavior among children by implementing school programs that are environmental in nature; that is, activities involve not only the students, but also the school administration, teachers, parents, and community members.

Accuracy of the defining characteristics of the nursing diagnosis for fatigue in women under radiotherapy.

To evaluate the accuracy of the defining characteristics of the nursing diagnosis for "fatigue in women with breast cancer under radiotherapy". Study of diagnostic accuracy, with cross-sectional design, performed in 130 women with breast cancer under radiation treatment. A data collection instrument was used to evaluate clinical socio-demographics and to investigate the presence or absence of defining characteristics for fatigue. The latent class analysis model was applied to assess accuracy measurements of the characteristics identified. Fatigue diagnosis was present in 21.9% of the women. The characteristic which showed the highest sensitivity was "Impaired capacity in maintaining the usual level of physical activity", while "Impaired capacity in maintaining usual routines" and "Lack of interest about the surrounding environment" presented greater specificity. Accurate diagnostics allow devising an action plan directed to the patients' real needs.

Factors associated with circulating concentrations of irisin in the general population cohort of the ABCD study.

Animal studies have shown that irisin is a myokine secreted following physical exercise, and that it induces the remodeling of white adipose tissue toward brown adipose tissue. Therefore, a protective role of irisin against obesity, diabetes, and other metabolic and cardiovascular conditions has been hypothesized. However, data in humans are contradictory and few data are available concerning the general population. We aimed to evaluate the association between serum irisin concentrations and habitual physical activity, as well as other metabolic and cardiovascular factors in a general population in a Mediterranean area. We considered 858 consecutive individuals included in the ABCD (Alimentazione, Benessere Cardiovascolare e Diabete) study (ISRCTN15840340), a longitudinal observational single-center study of a cohort representative of the general population of Palermo, Sicily. Irisin serum concentrations (Phoenix Europe, Germany), habitual physical activity (HPA) level, and other blood and clinical variables were measured. The irisin serum concentrations were not normally distributed in the cohort (Shapiro-Wilk test=0.94; P<0.001). A significant association between irisin concentrations and HPA was observed (P<0.001). Irisin concentrations were higher in women than in men (P<0.01), and significantly correlated with serum concentrations of HDL-cholesterol (P<0.05) and hs-C-reactive protein (hs-CRP; P<0.05). Binary logistic regression analysis demonstrated that high (⩾ median value) irisin serum concentrations were significantly associated with female gender (OR=1.63; 95% CI=1.16-2.28), high serum hs-CRP concentrations (OR=1.61; 95% CI=1.02-2.54) and the HPA level (OR=1.42; 95% CI=1.02-1.96). Our study confirms, in a cohort of a general population, that irisin concentrations gradually increase with the usual level of habitual physical activity.

Association between demographic and socioeconomic conditions with exercise practice and physical fitness in community projects participants aged 50 years or more in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo.

To investigate the association between both demographic and socioeconomic conditions with physical fitness and regular practice of physical exercises in participants of community projects, supervised by a physical education teacher. This enabled to investigate whether the adoption of an active lifestyle depends only on the personal choice or has any influence of socioeconomic factors. 213 individuals aged over 50 years joined the study, and provided information about their socioeconomic status (age, gender, education/years of study, and income); usual level of physical activity (ULPA); and physical fitness, by a physical battery tests which allowed the calculation of general functional fitness index (GFFI). The generalized linear model showed that participants ranked in the highest GFFI groups (good and very good) had more years of study and higher income (p < 0.05). The multiple linear regression model complements the previous analysis, demonstrating the magnitude of the change in the GFFI in association with the years of study (group > 15), income (all groups) and age (p < 0.05). By means of analysis of variance, a difference between the groups was verified and longer practice of exercises (> 6 months) were also associated with education and income (p < 0.05); among the groups with exercise practice whether greater than or equal to six months, that supervised showed better results in the GFFI (p < 0.05). The association between variables strengthens the hypothesis that adherence and maintenance of physical exercise might not be only dependent of individual's choice, but also the socioeconomic factors, which can influence the choice for any active lifestyle.

Maximum Tolerated Dose of Walking for Community-Dwelling People Recovering From Hip Fracture: A Dose-Response Trial

ObjectiveTo determine how much moderate-intensity physical activity, in the form of walking, could be prescribed for people living in the community after hip fracture in terms of safety, tolerability, and feasibility. DesignPhase I dose-response design. SettingPublic community rehabilitation centers. ParticipantsCommunity-dwelling adults (N=21; 16 women; mean age, 75±9y) who were cognitively alert, attending community rehabilitation after hip fracture (mean days postfracture, 110±47d), able to walk with or without a gait aid, and for whom it was safe to participate in physical activity. InterventionsIndividually supervised doses of moderate-intensity walking completed in 1 week in addition to their usual levels of physical activity. Three participants were required to complete a dose of walking before dose escalation for the next cohort of 3 participants. Dose escalation ceased when >1 participant in a cohort had an adverse event or was unable to tolerate the dose or if the maximum dose of 150min/wk was achieved. Main Outcome MeasuresMaximum tolerated dose of walking per week (in minutes), adverse events, mobility, and walking confidence. ResultsThe maximum tolerated dose of walking for adults after hip fracture before significant discomfort was experienced (eg, breathlessness, pain, and fatigue) by any participant was 100min/wk. No adverse events occurred, but participants began to be unable to tolerate higher doses beyond 100min/wk. ConclusionsThis provides preliminary evidence that community-dwelling older adults recovering from hip fracture can complete a sufficient amount of moderate-intensity physical activity to maintain and improve their health.

Fruit consumption and physical activity in relation to all-cause and cardiovascular mortality among 70,000 Chinese adults with pre-existing vascular disease.

ObjectivesTo assess the associations of fresh fruit consumption and total physical activity with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality among Chinese adults who have been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease (CVD) or hypertension.MethodsDuring 2004–08, the China Kadoorie Biobank study recruited 70,047 adults, aged 30–79 years, with physician-diagnosed stroke or transient ischaemic attack, ischemic heart disease, or hypertension. Information on diet and physical activity was collected using an interviewer-administered electronic questionnaire. Cox regression was used to yield hazard ratios (HRs) for the independent and joint associations of fresh fruit consumption and total physical activity with mortality.ResultsAt baseline, 32.9% of participants consumed fresh fruit regularly (i.e. >3 days/week) and the mean total physical activity were 15.8 (SD = 11.8) MET-hr/day. During ~7-years follow-up, 6569 deaths occurred with 3563 from CVD. Compared to participants with <1 day/week fruit consumption, regular consumers had HR (95% CI) of 0.84 (0.79–0.89) for all-cause mortality and 0.79 (0.73–0.86) for CVD mortality. The HRs for the top vs bottom tertile of physical activity were 0.68 (0.64–0.72) and 0.65 (0.60–0.71), respectively, with no clear evidence of reverse causality. After correcting for regression dilution, each 100 g/day usual consumption of fresh fruit or 10 MET-hr/day usual levels of physical activity was associated with 23–29% lower mortality. The combination of regular fruit consumption with top 3rd of physical activity (>16.53 MET-hr/day) was associated with about 40% lower mortality.ConclusionAmong Chinese adults with pre-existing vascular disease, higher physical activity and fruit consumption were both independently and jointly associated with lower mortality.

INDICATORS OF BONE METABOLISM IN GIRLS-DESCENDANTS OF THE FIRST GENERATION OF MIGRANTS LIVING IN THE KHMAO-YUGRA

The study examined the content of bone metabolism in the blood serum of 15 girls with the usual level of physical activity, the descendants of migrants of the first generation of markers living in the territory of KhMAO-Yugra (age 18-24). We detected two signs indicating the change of the regulatory systems of the bone metabolism in girls surveyed, which were shown as: reducing the concentration of the active form of vitamin D, and increase the concentration of osteolysis markers - C-terminal telopeptide and parathyrin serum. From these data we can conclude that the marked changes in bone metabolism and its regulatory systems linked to the climatic conditions of the subjects live.

Effects of Yoga on Heart Rate Variability and Depressive Symptoms in Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of a 12-week yoga program on heart rate variability (HRV) and depressive symptoms in depressed women. This was a randomized controlled trial. Twenty-six sedentary women scoring ≥14 on the Beck Depression Inventory-II were randomized to either the yoga or the control group. The yoga group completed a 12-week yoga program, which took place twice a week for 60 min per session and consisted of breathing exercises, yoga pose practice, and supine meditation/relaxation. The control group was instructed not to engage in any yoga practice and to maintain their usual level of physical activity during the course of the study. Participants' HRV, depressive symptoms, and perceived stress were assessed at baseline and post-test. The yoga group had a significant increase in high-frequency HRV and decreases in low-frequency HRV and low frequency/high frequency ratio after the intervention. The yoga group also reported significantly reduced depressive symptoms and perceived stress. No change was found in the control group. A 12-week yoga program was effective in increasing parasympathetic tone and reducing depressive symptoms and perceived stress in women with elevated depressive symptoms. Regular yoga practice may be recommended for women to cope with their depressive symptoms and stress and to improve their HRV.

Functional ability in younger and older elderlies after discharge from the intensive care unit. A prospective cohort.

ObjectiveTo compare the functional capacity of younger elderly individuals (60 to 79 years old) with that of older elderly individuals (≥ 80 years old) during the first 6 months after discharge from the intensive care unit.MethodsA multicenter prospective cohort study was conducted, in which data on intensive care unit admission and outcomes after hospital discharge (immediate post-discharge, after 3 months and after 6 months) were collected. Muscle strength was evaluated through the protocol of the Medical Research Council and dynamometry (handgrip); the ability to perform activities of daily life and functional independence were assessed by the Barthel index and the usual level of physical activity (International Physical Activity Questionnaire); and quality of life was assessed by the 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey Version 2.ResultsAmong the 253 patients included, 167 were younger elderly (between 61 and 79 years old), and 86 were older elderly (≥ 80 years old). During the sixth month of evaluation, the older elderlies presented a higher need for a caregiver (69.0% versus 49, 5%, p = 0.002). Functional capacity prior to intensive care unit admission and in the third month after discharge was lower in older elderlies than in younger ones (Barthel prior to the intensive care unit: 73.0 ± 30.0 versus 86.5 ± 22.6; p <0.001, Barthel in the third month: 63.5 ± 34.0 versus 71.5 ± 35.5, p = 0.03), as was the usual level of physical activity (International Physical Activity Questionnaire in the third month: active/very active 3.4% versus 18.3%, no physical activity 64.4% versus 39.7%, p < 0.001, and International Physical Activity Questionnaire in the sixth month: active/very active 5.8% versus 20.8%, no physical activity 69.2% versus 43.4%, p = 0.005). Older elderlies had lower muscle strength when assessed according to handgrip in both the dominant (14.5 ± 7.7 versus 19.9 ± 9.6, p = 0.008) and non-dominant limb (13.1 ± 6.7 versus 17.5 ± 9.1, p = 0.02). There were no differences in functional capacity loss or reported quality of life between the age groups.ConclusionAlthough there were great functional capacity losses after discharge from the intensive care unit in both age groups, there was no difference in the magnitude of functional capacity loss between younger (60 to 79 years) and older elderly individuals (≥ 80 years old) during the first 6 months after discharge from the intensive care unit.

Video-game based exercises for older people with chronic low back pain: a protocol for a feasibility randomised controlled trial (the GAMEBACK trial)

ObjectivesTo investigate the feasibility of implementing a video-game exercise programme for older people with chronic low back pain (LBP). DesignSingle-centred single-blinded randomised controlled trial (RCT). SettingPhysiotherapy outpatient department in a public hospital in Western Sydney, Australia. ParticipantsWe will recruit 60 participants over 55 years old with chronic LBP from the waiting list. InterventionsParticipants will be randomised to receive video-game exercise (n=30) or to remain on the waiting list (n=30) for 8 weeks, with follow up at 3 and 6 months. Participants engaging in video-game exercises will be unsupervised and will complete video-game exercise for 60minutes, 3 times per week. Participants allocated to remain on the waiting list will be encouraged to maintain their usual levels of physical activity. Main outcome measureThe primary outcomes for this feasibility study will be study processes (recruitment and response rates, adherence to and experience with the intervention, and incidence of adverse events) relevant to the future design of a large RCT. Estimates of treatment efficacy (point estimates and 95% confidence intervals) on pain self-efficacy, care seeking, physical activity, fear of movement/re-injury, pain, physical function, disability, falls-efficacy, strength, and walking speed, will be our secondary outcome measures. ResultsRecruitment for this trial began in November 2015. ConclusionThis study describes the rationale and processes of a feasibility study investigating a video-game exercise programme for older people with chronic LBP. Results from the feasibility study will inform on the design and sample required for a large multicentre RCT. Trial registrationAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12615000703505.

Efficacy of progressive aquatic resistance training for tibiofemoral cartilage in postmenopausal women with mild knee osteoarthritis: a randomised controlled trial

To study the efficacy of aquatic resistance training on biochemical composition of tibiofemoral cartilage in postmenopausal women with mild knee osteoarthritis (OA). Eighty seven volunteer postmenopausal women, aged 60-68 years, with mild knee OA (Kellgren-Lawrence grades I/II and knee pain) were recruited and randomly assigned to an intervention (n=43) and control (n=44) group. The intervention group participated in 48 supervised aquatic resistance training sessions over 16 weeks while the control group maintained usual level of physical activity. The biochemical composition of the medial and lateral tibiofemoral cartilage was estimated using single-slice transverse relaxation time (T2) mapping and delayed gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of cartilage (dGEMRIC index). Secondary outcomes were cardiorespiratory fitness, isometric knee extension and flexion force and knee injury and OA outcome (KOOS) questionnaire. After 4-months aquatic training, there was a significant decrease in both T2-1.2ms (95% confidence interval (CI):-2.3 to-0.1, P=0.021) and dGEMRIC index-23ms(-43 to-3, P=0.016) in the training group compared to controls in the full thickness posterior region of interest (ROI) of the medial femoral cartilage. Cardiorespiratory fitness significantly improved in the intervention group by 9.8% (P=0.010). Our results suggest that, in postmenopausal women with mild knee OA, the integrity of the collagen-interstitial water environment (T2) of the tibiofemoral cartilage may be responsive to low shear and compressive forces during aquatic resistance training. More research is required to understand the exact nature of acute responses in dGEMRIC index to this type of loading. Further, aquatic resistance training improves cardiorespiratory fitness. ISRCTN65346593.

Effects of Yoga on Heart Rate Variability and Mood in Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

To examine the effects of an 8-week yoga program on heart rate variability and mood in generally healthy women. Randomized controlled trial. Fifty-two healthy women were randomly assigned to a yoga group or a control group. Participants in the yoga group completed an 8-week yoga program, which comprised a 60-minute session twice a week. Each session consisted of breathing exercises, yoga pose practice, and supine meditation/relaxation. The control group was instructed not to engage in any yoga practice and to maintain their usual level of physical activity during the study. Participants' heart rate variability, perceived stress, depressive symptoms, and state and trait anxiety were assessed at baseline (week 0) and after the intervention (week 9). No measures of heart rate variability changed significantly in either the yoga or control group after intervention. State anxiety was reduced significantly in the yoga group but not in the control group. No significant changes were noted in perceived stress, depression, or trait anxiety in either group. An 8-week yoga program was not sufficient to improve heart rate variability. However, such a program appears to be effective in reducing state anxiety in generally healthy women. Future research should involve longer periods of yoga training, include heart rate variability measures both at rest and during yoga practice, and enroll women with higher levels of stress and trait anxiety.

Daily physical activity and life satisfaction across adulthood.

Physical activity is considered a valuable tool for enhancing life satisfaction. However, the processes linking these constructs likely differ across the adult life span. In older adults the association between physical activity and life satisfaction appears to involve usual levels of physical activity (i.e., a between-person association driven by differences between more and less active people). In younger adults the association has consistently been based on day-to-day physical activity (i.e., a within-person association driven by differences between more and less active days). To resolve this inconsistency, a daily diary study was conducted with a life span sample of community-dwelling adults (age 18-89 years; N = 150) over three 21-day measurement bursts. Usual physical activity was positively associated with life satisfaction in middle and older adulthood; however, this association was not present in young adulthood. When present, this between-person association was mediated by physical and mental health. A within-person association between physical activity and life satisfaction was also present (and did not differ across age). Generally, on days when people were more physically active then was typical for them, they experienced greater life satisfaction. Age differences in life satisfaction followed a cubic trajectory: lower during emerging adulthood, higher during midlife, and lower during older adulthood. This study adds to accumulating evidence that daily fluctuations in physical activity have important implications for well-being regardless of age, and clarifies developmental differences in life satisfaction dynamics that can inform strategies for enhancing life satisfaction.

Physical activity measured by accelerometry and its associations with cardiac structure and vascular function in young and middle-aged adults.

BackgroundPhysical activity is associated with several health benefits, including lower cardiovascular disease risk. The independent influence of physical activity on cardiac and vascular function in the community, however, has been sparsely investigated.Measures and ResultsWe related objective measures of moderate‐ to vigorous‐intensity physical activity (MVPA, assessed by accelerometry) to cardiac and vascular indices in 2376 participants of the Framingham Heart Study third generation cohort (54% women, mean age 47 years). Using multivariable regression models, we related MVPA to the following echocardiographic and vascular measures: left ventricular mass, left atrial and aortic root sizes, carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity, augmentation index, and forward pressure wave. Men and women engaged in MVPA 29.9±21.4 and 25.5±19.4 min/day, respectively. Higher values of MVPA (per 10‐minute increment) were associated with lower carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity (estimate −0.53 ms/m; P=0.006) and lower forward pressure wave (estimate −0.23 mm Hg; P=0.03) but were not associated with augmentation index (estimate 0.13%; P=0.25). MVPA was associated positively with loge left ventricular mass (estimate 0.006 loge [g/m2]; P=0.0003), left ventricular wall thickness (estimate 0.07 mm; P=0.0001), and left atrial dimension (estimate 0.10 mm; P=0.01). MVPA also tended to be positively associated with aortic root dimension (estimate 0.05 mm; P=0.052). Associations of MVPA with cardiovascular measures were similar, in general, for bouts lasting <10 versus ≥10 minutes.ConclusionsIn our community‐based sample, greater physical activity was associated with lower vascular stiffness but with higher echocardiographic left ventricular mass and left atrial size. These findings suggest complex relations of usual levels of physical activity and cardiovascular remodeling.