Week Of Moderate-intensity Activity Research Articles

Eleven‐minutes of brisk walk a day shown to reduce risk of early death

Current guideline recommends at least a 150 min of moderate intensity activity a week (e.g., brisk walking, cycling or playing tennis) or 75 min of vigorous intensity activity a week, spread over 4–5 days a week to reduce risks of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Despite this modest recommendation, uptake for this level of activity remains low in the general population due to time commitments. A new study, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine conducted by researchers from the MRC Epidemiology Unit at the University of Cambridge has set out to explore the amount of physical activity necessary to have a beneficial impact on several chronic diseases and premature death. One of the main aim is to understand the shape of the dose–response association between levels of physical activity with premature death and chronic disease outcomes. To do this, researchers performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of 196 peer-reviewed articles, covering more than 30 million participants, from 94 large study cohorts. This, according to the investigators enabled them to produce the largest analysis to date of the association between physical activity levels and risk of heart disease, cancer, and early death. From their analyses, they concluded that, apart from work-related physical activity, 2 in 3 people reported activity levels below 150 min per week of moderate-intensity activity, and fewer than 1 in 10 managed more than 300 min per week. Overall, higher activity levels of physical activities were associated with lower risks of all outcomes. Compared with inactive individuals, adults who achieved the 150 min of moderate-intensity activity had a 31% lower risk of all-cause mortality, a 29% lower risk of CVD mortality, and a 15% lower risk of cancer mortality. If all individuals accumulated at least 150 min a week, then 15.7%, 12.3%, and 7.1% of all-cause, CVD-related, and cancer-related deaths, respectively, would ‘potentially have been averted’. The researchers also calculated that if everyone in the studies had done the equivalent of at least 150 min per week of moderate-intensity activity, around 1 in 6 (15.7%) premature deaths, 1 in 9 (10.9%) cases of CVD, and 1 in 20 (5.2%) cases of cancer, would have been prevented. They also found that ‘beyond’ 150 min per week of moderate-intensity activity, the additional benefits in terms of reduced risk of disease or early death were ‘marginal’. Importantly, even reducing the amount of physical activity by half also came with significant benefits. Accumulating 75 min per week of moderate-intensity activity brought with it a 23% lower risk of early death. If everyone managed at least 75 min per week of moderate-intensity physical activity, around 1 in 10 (10%) premature deaths, 1 in 20 (5%) cases of CVD, and nearly 1 in 30 (3%) cases of cancer, would be prevented. Seventy-five minutes per week of moderate activity was also enough to reduce the risk of developing CVD by 17% and cancer by 7%. The study therefore suggests that doing some level of activity is better than doing none. This is particularly so for individuals who struggles to do the recommended 150 min of moderate-intensity physical activity a week. Thus, ‘11 min a day—75 min a week—of moderate-intensity physical activity—such as a brisk walk—would be sufficient to lower the risk of diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and a number of cancers’, according to the authors.

Late effects in a high-risk population of breast cancer survivors.

To better understand the impact of cancer and treatment on outcomes and guide program development, we evaluated breast cancer survivors at risk for long-term medical and psychosocial issues who participated in survivorship care visits (SVs) at Johns Hopkins Hospital. We conducted a prospective survey study of women with stage I-III breast cancer who participated in SVs from 2010-2016. The same 56-item questionnaire administered at SV and follow-up included an assessment of symptoms, social factors, demographics, anxiety, depression, and comorbidities. We added the Godin Exercise questionnaire to the follow-up. In 2018, 74 participants were identified as disease-free and mailed a follow-up survey; 52 (70.3%) completed the survey. At a median follow-up time of 3.1years after diagnosis, participants were less likely to be employed (54% vs. 67%) than at the SV. About two-thirds were sedentary, and this was associated with high body mass index (p = 0.02). Sufficiently active participants (≥ 150min per week of moderate-intensity activity) were less likely to report pain (p = 0.02) or fatigue (p = 0.001). Although 19% had moderate/severe anxiety or depression at follow-up, participants who reported employment satisfaction were less likely to be depressed (p = 0.02). Awareness of issues faced by survivors is critical for enhancing care and developing models to identify patients who might benefit most from targeted long-term interventions. Interventions to address physical activity, persistent symptoms, and mental health are critical for breast cancer survivors.

Physical Activity Behaviors and Barriers in Multifetal Pregnancy: What to Expect When You're Expecting More.

The health benefits of prenatal physical activity (PA) are established for singleton pregnancies. In contrast, individuals with multifetal pregnancies (twins, triplets or more) are recommended to restrict or cease PA. The objectives of the current study were to determine behaviors and barriers to PA in multifetal pregnancies. Between 29 May and 24 July 2020, individuals with multifetal pregnancies participated in an online survey. Of the 415 respondents, there were 366 (88%) twin, 45 (11%) triplet and 4 (1%) quadruplet pregnancies. Twenty-seven percent (n = 104/388) of respondents completed no PA at all during pregnancy, 57% (n = 220/388) completed PA below current recommendations, and 16% (n = 64/388) achieved current recommendations (150-min per week of moderate-intensity activity). Most respondents (n = 314/363 [87%]) perceived barriers to PA during multifetal pregnancy. The most prominent were physical symptoms (n = 204/363 [56%]) and concerns about risks to fetal wellbeing (n = 128/363 [35%]). Sixty percent (n = 92/153) felt that these barriers could be overcome but expressed the need for evidence-based information regarding PA in multifetal pregnancy. Individuals with multifetal pregnancies have low engagement with current PA recommendations but remain physically active in some capacity. There are physical and psychosocial barriers to PA in multifetal pregnancy and future research should focus on how these can be removed.

Physical activity during pregnancy in Italy: prevalence, intensity and associated factors

Abstract Background Recently the Italian Ministry of Health, following WHO and ACOG example, recommend that healthy pregnant women practice at least 150 minutes per week of moderate intensity activity (3-6 METs). The study aimed to evaluate if women meet guidelines and to identify potential target groups for public health intervention. Methods From November 2015 to November 2017, 390 women completed, just after delivery at an Italian hospital, a questionnaire about sports and exercise before and during pregnancy. Physical activity (PA) was classified according to intensity in Metabolic Equivalent Task (MET). Women were considered sufficiently active when reaching the recommended PA levels. Results 52% of women practiced any sport at anytime during pregnancy, with a higher prevalence in the II trimester (45%), while only 30% of women kept exercising throughout all trimesters. When including time and sport intensity, only 4,6%, 6,4% and 4,6% of women reached the recommended PA levels in the I, II and III trimester. Sufficiently active women practiced mainly swimming and walking, two highly recommend sports in pregnancy. Factors favour PA practice were Italian nationality, higher educational level, work, BMI, attending birthing classes and being active before pregnancy. However, even without contraindications, 26% of women active before pregnancy stopped exercising in pregnancy and only 15% achieved recommended PA levels. 58% of sedentary women before pregnancy, kept being sedentary in pregnancy. Conclusions Although half of women practiced sport during pregnancy, only a few were sufficiently regular and active. As pregnancy is an ideal time to adopt or to reinforce a healthy lifestyle, public health interventions should be strengthen considering also specific target groups. Key messages Effective public health policies should be identified and implemented to favour an active lifestyle during pregnancy. Specific target groups less prone to meet PA guidelines should also be addressed.

Comparison of affect-regulated, self-regulated, and heart-rate regulated exercise prescriptions: Protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Recent evidence has highlighted the potential benefits of affect- and self-regulated exercise prescriptions for the promotion of physical activity and exercise behavior (Baldwin et al., 2016; Williams et al., 2015, 2016). However, questions remain about which characteristics of the exercise prescriptions make them more effective. ObjectivesThis study will compare exercise prescriptions with and without choice, and with and without an emphasis on affective valence, to determine which method of intensity regulation is most effective for increasing walking behavior. DesignParallel-groups randomized controlled trial. MethodsInsufficiently active (less than 90 min per week of moderate-intensity activity) adults will be recruited to participate in a six-week study consisting of a two-week baseline period and four-week intervention. Walking behavior will be measured objectively using consumer-based activity monitors, and based on self-reported data. Other outcome measures will include affective attitudes, variables related to intrinsic motivation, self-reported compliance, resting heart rate, and weight. Participants will be randomized to one of four walking programs that either regulate intensity based on the choice of the intensity or based on heart rate, and either have or lack an emphasis on the affective valence of exercise. ConclusionsRecruitment and onboarding has begun. Results of this randomized controlled trial are expected to be available by the middle of 2018.

Association between Leukocyte Mitochondrial DNA Copy Number and Regular Exercise in Postmenopausal Women.

BackgroundPrevious studies suggest that habitual exercise can improve skeletal mitochondrial function; however, to date, the association between exercise and mitochondrial function in peripheral leukocytes has not been reported. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between regular exercise and mitochondrial function by measuring leukocyte mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number in postmenopausal women.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 144 relatively healthy, non-diabetic, non-smoking, postmenopausal women. Clinical parameters, including anthropometric measurements and cardio-metabolic parameters, were assessed. Regular exercise was defined as at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity activity, or an equivalent combination of moderate and vigorous-intensity activity, over a duration of at least 6 months. Leukocyte mtDNA copy numbers were measured using real-time polymerase chain reaction assays, and these were normalized to the β-globin copy number to give the relative mtDNA copy number.ResultsThe mtDNA copy number of peripheral leukocytes was significantly greater in the exercise group (1.33±0.02) than in the no exercise group (1.05±0.02, P<0.01). Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that regular exercise was independently associated with mtDNA copy number (β=0.25, P<0.01) after adjusting for the variables age, body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance value, and levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and homocysteine.ConclusionRegular exercise is associated with greater leukocyte mtDNA copy number in postmenopausal women.

Physical activity and health-related quality of life among older men: An examination of current physical activity recommendations

ObjectiveTo determine differences in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) between older men achieving versus not achieving American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the United States Department of Health and Human Services recommendations (USDHHS) physical activity (PA) recommendations. MethodOlder-aged men (≥ 55years) completed a mailed survey that assessed self-reported PA and HRQoL. Data were collected between September and October of 2010. Results387 older men (Mean age=65) completed the survey. Under half (48%) reported achieving the ACSM recommendation while 64% reported achieving the USDHHS recommendation. Older men achieving the ACSM recommendation reported significantly higher scores in physical health (Δ=3.5, p<0.001), mental health (Δ=4.4, p<0.001), and global health (Δ=4.3, p<0.001) component scores compared to those not achieving the recommendation. Those achieving the higher dose recommended by the USDHHS (≥300minper week of moderate-intensity activity) reported significantly higher scores on the PHC (Δ=2.1, p=0.029) and GHC (Δ=2.3, p=0.027) scales compared to those achieving the USDHHS base recommendation (150–299.9minper week of moderate-intensity activity). ConclusionsSelf-reported PA was significantly and positively associated with higher HRQoL scores among older men. Associations were stronger for those achieving a higher volume of PA.

Preliminary studies on the effect of moderate physical activity on blood levels of glutathione

Molecular epidemiological approaches are being used to study how physical activity may protect against cancer. Prior epidemiological data suggest that physical activity protects against lung cancer; however, interpretation of these data is complicated by potential confounding by smoking. Glutathione (GSH) detoxifies cigarette smoke carcinogens and the paper tests whether physical activity levels are associated with blood GSH levels. Study subjects were enrolled in a chemoprevention trial testing whether antioxidant micronutrient supplementation reduces genetic damage from cigarette smoking. Physical activity data were collected by questionnaire from 178 subjects at 12 months of follow-up in the trial. Total GSH (tGSH), which is the sum of free and protein-bound GSH and glutathione disulfide levels, was measured using the 5,5′-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzenoic acid) colormetric assay with red blood cell samples collected at the 12-month time point. In multivariate linear regression analyses that controlled for gender and cigarettes smoked per day, tGSH was positively associated with hours per week of moderate intensity activity (β=0.005, p=0.02). Hours per week of vigorous intensity activity were unassociated with tGSH and the effect of moderate activity remained after control for vigorous activity. The results are consistent with prior research showing differential effects of moderate and vigorous activity and suggest a mechanism through which physical activity may influence lung cancer risk.