World Health Organization Physical Activity Research Articles

Factors associated with meeting the WHO physical activity recommendations in pregnant Colombian women

In the absence of medical contraindications, physical activity (PA) can offer health maternal and fetal health outcomes during pregnancy. However, most pregnant women may not consider PA to be feasible, suitable and safe. Hence, it is essential to determine the prevalence of pregnant women who meet the PA recommendations and the possible factors associated with that meeting, since it might be important from the perspective of pregnant women's health. The aim of the present study was to establish the prevalence of meeting the World Health Organization PA recommendations for Colombian pregnant women, as well as possible factors that may be associated with meeting that recommendations. A cross-sectional study including representative data from the National Nutritional Situation Survey (2015) in Colombia was performed. Data were collected in 2015–2016. From an initial sample of 1140 Colombian pregnant women, 702 participants with complete data were included in the final analysis. PA was assessed by self-reported information through the long version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Several potential factors were analysed according to four levels of the socioecological model: the individual, interpersonal, organizational and community levels. The prevalence of Colombian pregnant women who met with the PA recommendations was 7.5%. Indigenous and Mestizo pregnant women showed lower probabilities of meeting the PA recommendations [Indigenous: OR 0.05, 95% CI (0.01–0.18); Mestizo: OR 0.12, 95% CI (0.06–0.22)] than Afro-Colombian participants. Additionally, participants who lived near green and safe spaces for PA were more likely to meet the PA recommendations [OR 2.30, 95% CI (1.06–4.79)] than those who did not live near green areas. In conclusion, a low percentage of Colombian pregnant women met the new PA recommendations. The associations found according to race/ethnicity and living near green and safe areas underline the presence of fundamental disparities associated with meeting PA recommendations.

Effects of exercise intensity and frequency on improving cognitive performance in middle-aged and older adults with mild cognitive impairment: A pilot randomized controlled trial on the minimum physical activity recommendation from WHO.

Background: The World Health Organization physical activity guidelines recommend adults and older adults to accumulate at least 150–300 min of moderate or 75–150 min of vigorous aerobic-type physical activity weekly for health benefits including improvements of cognitive performance. However, the optimal exercise intensity and frequency for maximizing the cognitive benefits remain unclear. Purpose: We conducted a parallel, assessor-blinded, pilot randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of different intensities and frequencies of the WHO-recommended minimal volume of aerobic-type physical activity on improving cognitive performance in middle-aged and older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Methods: Participants were randomly allocated to the stretching exercise control group (CON), once-a-week and thrice-a-week moderate-intensity walking groups (M1 and M3), and once-a-week and thrice-a-week vigorous-intensity walking groups (V1 and V3). Intervention duration was 12 weeks. The primary outcome was global cognitive performance assessed by the Hong Kong version of Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Secondary outcomes were self-report and objective cognitive performances, mental health, sleep quality, and cardiorespiratory fitness. Results: Thirty-seven participants completed the study (CON: n = 7, M1: n = 7, M3: n = 7, V1: n = 8, V3: n = 8). Participants in all four walking exercise groups demonstrated significant improvements in global cognitive performance assessed by the Hong Kong version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment after the intervention when compared to CON (p < 0.001). The walking exercise interventions also significantly mitigated the anxiety severity (p < 0.005) and improved the cardiorespiratory fitness (p < 0.05) of the participants in the walking exercise groups. Conclusion: 150-min moderate- or 75-min vigorous-intensity walking exercise performed once- or thrice-weekly showed similar effects on improving cognitive performance in middle-aged and older adults with MCI. The 12-week walking exercise interventions also reduced anxiety severity and improved cardiorespiratory fitness of the participants. Clinical Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov, identifier NCT04515563

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Physical Activities in Post COVID 19 Lockdown among Adult Learners in South East Nigeria

Background: Reduction in physical activity, irrespective of the cause, as well as increase in the prevalence of sedentary behaviours are strongly associated with the development of some of the most serious health problems adults face such as , diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Consequently, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that adults should undertake regular physical activity. Many adults lack knowledge of the physical activity recommendations. The aim of the study is to determine the knowledge, attitude and physical activity level in post Covid- 19 lockdown among adult learners in South East Nigeria. Methods: The descriptive research design was adopted for the study. Researchers’ structured questionnaire on knowledge of, and attitude towards physical activities and the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) were used to collect data. Results: Though the adult learners possess high level of knowledge of physical activities (64.10 %), majority do not know the physical activity recommendations by the WHO, while only 58.46% showed positive attitude towards physical activities. Physical activity level of the respondents as reported through the short form of the IPAQ showed that 54.87 % are low, 26.84 % are moderate while only 18.29 % has high physical activity level. Conclusion: The adult learners had high level of knowledge of physical activity, positive attitude towards physical activity. This did not translate to high level of physical activity. Public health awareness and health talks on the benefits of physical activities and WHO physical activity guidelines and recommendations should be mounted by the institutions.

Correlates of Physical Activity Among Adults in Botswana: Sociodemographic Factors, Health Status, and Body Image.

Growing evidence of lower physical activity (PA), higher sedentary behavior, and prevalence of overweight and obesity in African countries calls for more research on PA behavior and its various correlates in this context. This study examined the proportion of adults meeting World Health Organization PA guidelines from 3 urban regions of Botswana, as well as the relationship among sociodemographic factors, body image, and participation in moderate to vigorous PA. Using a 2-stage stratified cluster sampling approach, cross-sectional data were collected from 699 participants (females = 66%; M = 32.60y; SD = 11.96). Overall, 45.8% of participants met World Health Organization PA guidelines. Censored regression analyses indicated that females (B = -221.573, P &lt; .001), and individuals from middle- (B = -331.913, P &lt; .001), and high-income (B = -165.185, P = .036) households spent significantly less minutes in moderate to vigorous PA per week. Evaluative (B = -333.200, P &lt; .001) and affective (B = -158.753, P = .038) components of body image were associated with significantly less minutes spent in moderate to vigorous PA per week. A systematic approach to PA promotion that targets females, middle- to high-income groups, and individuals experiencing body image concerns is needed.

O7-4 Temporal trends in sport participation according to WHO physical activity guidelines and its effect on weight status: a French school-based study between 2015 and 2019

BackgroundInsufficient physical activity (PA) is an important risk factor for overweight and obesity among adolescents, both causes of cardiovascular diseases. Sport is the largest contributor to achieving the World Health Organization (WHO) PA levels guidelines. However, few studies have investigated temporal trends in weekly sport participation in relation to adolescents' weight status. The main objective of this study was to compare sport participation to weight status and investigate their relationship over time.MethodsTwo data collections were conducted during spring 2015 (n = 1019) and 2019 (n = 1112) in 30 French high schools. Adolescents reported their age, sex, height, weight, parents' socioeconomic status (SES) and hours of sport per week. Body mass index was calculated and classified into three categories (normal weight, overweight, obese) according to the International Obesity Task Force. Three sports groups were created according to WHO PA guidelines: no sport (NS), sport less than 7 hours a week (7-) and sport more than or equal to 7 hours a week (7+). Binary logistic regressions adjusted for age, sex and SES were performed to evaluate sport participation, weight status and their relationship over time.ResultsBetween 2015 and 2019, prevalence of overweight and obesity increased from 9.1% to 14.1%, with this increase greater among low-SES girls. We observed an increase in both the proportion of adolescents playing 7+ hours of sport (8.0% to 12.3%) and those not playing sport (34.2% to 35.9%). These changes varied according to adolescents' SES. In 2019, low-SES adolescents were 1.5 times less likely to play sport (95% CI:1.17-1.99) while no change was observed among high-SES adolescents. Finally, 7+ adolescents were no more likely to be overweight or obese in 2019 compared to 2015. Contrarily, NS and 7- adolescents were 1.7 and 1.8 times more likely respectively to be overweight or obese in 2019 compared to 2015.ConclusionThese results confirm the adequacy of WHO PA recommendations to counter the rise of overweight and obesity, and show that enough hours of sport participation alone could help stabilize overweight and obesity prevalence, without controlling for other forms of PA.

Physical activity pattern and migraine according to aura symptoms in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil) cohort: A cross-sectional study.

To estimate the associations of physical activity (PA) levels with migraine subtypes. Physical activity has been associated with reduced migraine prevalence, but less is known about its relationship with migraine subtypes and PA levels as recommended by World Health Organization (WHO). In this cross-sectional analysis of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil), we estimated the odds ratios (ORs) of migraine with aura (MA) and migraine without aura (MO), compared to participants without headaches, according to PA levels in the leisure time (LTPA), commuting time (CPA), and combined PA domains. In total, 2773 participants provided complete data, 1556/2773 (56.1%) were women, mean (SD) age of 52.3(9.1) years. In this study's sample, 1370/2773 (49.4%) participants had overall migraine, 480/2773 (17.3%) had MA, and 890/2773 (32.0%) had MO. In the LTPA domain, there were reduced odds of MA (OR 0.72, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.53-0.96; p=0.030) and MO (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.56-0.90; p=0.005) in participants who met the WHO PA guidelines after adjustment for confounder variables. In the analyses stratified by intensity, moderate LTPA was associated with reduced odds of MA (OR 0.56, 95% CI 0.320-0.99; p=0.049), while vigorous LTPA was associated with reduced odds of MO (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.395-0.77; p=0.001). There were no significant associations between migraine subtypes and CPA or combined PA domains. In the whole migraine sample, meeting the WHO PA guidelines in the LTPA (OR 0.275, 95% CI 0.083-0.90; p=0.034), CPA (OR 0.194, 95% CI 0.064-0.58; p=0.004), and combined domains (OR 0.115, 95% CI 0.032-0.41; p=0.001) was associated with reduced odds of daily migraine attack frequency. Meeting the WHO PA guidelines for LTPA, but not CPA or combined PA domains, is associated with lower migraine occurrence. Moderate LTPA favors MA reduction, while vigorous LTPA favors MO reduction.

The association of aerobic, resistance, and combined exercises with the handgrip strength of middle-aged and elderly Korean adults: a nationwide cross-sectional study

BackgroundHandgrip strength (HGS), an indicator of overall muscle strength, is a key component in sarcopenia diagnosis. Although exercise is an effective strategy to prevent sarcopenia, the most appropriate exercise type targeting sarcopenia needs to be established. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the physical activity (PA) patterns and HGS.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study using the data from the 7th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2016–2018). The study population included 12,814 adults aged ≥ 40 years. According to the World Health Organization PA guidelines for public health, both aerobic (moderate to vigorous PA ≥ 150 min/week) and resistance exercises (≥ 2 sessions/week) are recommended. Study participants were categorized into one of the four groups depending on their adherence to each of two exercise guidelines (“neither,” “aerobic only,” “resistance only,” and “combined”). By defining normal HGS cutoff values as the lowest quartile of HGS from the population aged 20 years and above, we classified participants as “preserved” HGS group if their HGS was equal to or above the cutoff values. A Poisson regression model was used to calculate adjusted prevalence ratios (APRs) for preserved HGS across the four PA guideline adherences stratified by age and sex groups.ResultsIn middle-aged adults, the “combined” exercise group was independently associated with the preserved HGS (male, age 50–59 years, APR = 1.072; male, age 60–69 years, APR = 1.180; female, age 50–59 years, APR = 1.112; female, age 60–69 years, APR = 1.188). For adults aged ≥ 70 years, meeting only aerobic or resistance exercise guidelines showed a positive association with HGS before adjusting for other health-related variables. In males of ≥ 70 years, the APR of preserved HGS was highest in the “combined” exercise group (“resistance only,” APR = 1.459, “combined,” APR = 1.664), while in women aged ≥ 70 years, the significance was lost after adjusting for covariates.ConclusionsAdults meeting both aerobic and resistance exercise guidelines were associated with the highest prevalence of preserved HGS. Performing both types of exercise might be the most effective way to prevent sarcopenia that should be investigated in future clinical trials.

Could the complying with WHO physical activity recommendations improve stress, burnout syndrome, and resilience? A cross-sectional study with physical education teachers

PurposeTeachers are exposed to inherent psychosocial risks in the workplace such as chronic stress, psychological distress, exhaustion, and burnout syndrome. To compare the values in psychosocial variables based on compliance with the recommendations for physical activity by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the type of physical activity performed.MethodsThe study had a non-experimental and comparative design, with measurements in a single group. The sample was composed of 415 physical education teachers from Spain, with an age range of 21–53 years (28.78 ± 6.15) and a heterogeneous distribution of gender (69.4% male; 30.6% women). The Perceived Stress Scale, the Maslach Burnout Inventory, the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale, and an Ad-Hoc questionnaire were used to record the sociodemographic aspects and physical-sports practice.ResultsMost of the teachers complied with the recommendations for physical activity practice (n = 335; 80.7%). Physical activity was associated with lower signs of burnout and a greater ability to overcome. Although, teachers who did not comply with WHO recommendations, showed greater stress and emotional exhaustion. In conclusion, enough practice of physical activity based on WHO was shown as a preventive factor of stress and signs of burnout.ConclusionsThe findings suggest that perform physical activity based on the WHO recommendations helps for work stress prevention and burnout syndrome in teachers, as well as to overcome work adversities.

Physical Activity Self-Report Is Not Reliable Among Subjects with Mild Vascular Cognitive Impairment: The AFIVASC Study.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week. Adherence to these recommendations is difficult to assess. We aimed to evaluate the validity of self-reported physical activity in mild vascular cognitive impairment (mVCI) and whether physical activity was associated with cognitive status, by using baseline data from a randomized controlled trial. A hundred and four subjects with mVCI were included (mean age 72 years; 51% women). Subjects underwent neurological, physical, and comprehensive neuropsychological assessments. Adherence to WHO physical activity recommendations was evaluated using both self-reported information and objective measures (accelerometry). There was poor agreement (kappa = 0.106) between self-report of following WHO recommendations and actually fulfilling them according to accelerometry. Only 16.6% of participants reported following WHO recommendations and displayed compatible values according to the accelerometer. Participants whose accelerometry values confirmed adherence to WHO recommendations had better performance in a global measure of cognition, attention, and mental speed processing. In multiple regression analyses, education and accelerometry values in accordance with WHO recommendations were independently associated with the global measure of cognition, attention, and processing speed, controlling for sex, age, and depressive symptoms. Accelerometry results were not associated with memory and executive functions. In this sample of mVCI subjects, self-reported physical activity displayed poor agreement with accelerometry values, suggesting that objective measures of physical activity are preferable. Physical activity (performed, at least, according to WHO recommendations) was associated with better cognitive performance overall.

Mental health and physical activity in vocational education and training schools students: a population-based survey.

BackgroundThe prevalence of young people not adhering to the World Health Organization (WHO) physical activity guidelines is high, especially among students in vocational education and training, compared to fellow peers. Also, low levels of mental health have been found in this group, however, to a lesser degree than peers in general education. As positive mental health aspects have more generally been found to be associated with increased likelihood of physical activity in young people, this study examined the association between mental health and physical activity among Danish students in vocational education and training.MethodsStudents in vocational education and training (N = 5277, mean age 24.3 years, range 15.8–64.0 years) responded to a national representative survey assessing four aspects of mental health (well-being, self-efficacy, self-esteem and life satisfaction) and physical activity. Physical activity was dichotomized as adherence to the WHO minimum guidelines or not. Logistic regression was used to examine if each mental health aspect was associated with physical activity in crude and adjusted models.ResultsA positive dose–response association was found between all aspects of mental health and adherence to WHO physical activity guidelines. However, the association between self-esteem and physical activity was modified by gender, with a dose–response relationship found only among males.ConclusionsHigher levels of positive mental health were associated with better odds of achieving WHO physical activity guidelines in a dose–response-manner. Prospective studies are needed to further elucidate the causal relationship between mental health and physical activity. Future interventions must pay attention to differential gender effects.

Is it important to achieve physical activity recommendations at early stages of life to improve bone health?

SummaryResearch in bone health during childhood is limited and important to prevent future diseases, particularly, osteoporosis. Bone parameters using DXA and pQCT in 295 Spanish children were evaluated and we found a benefit of meeting the World Health Organization physical activity recommendations in bone composition in childhood.PurposeTo investigate the association between physical activity (PA) and bone health in a Spanish paediatric cohort, considering the influence of meeting/not meeting the current World Health Organization (WHO) PA recommendations and to elucidate if there are differences between boys and girls.MethodsIn a cohort of children born in the region of Aragon (Spain) in 2009, followed until the age of 7 years, bone parameters were assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) (whole body scan) and peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) (tibia scanned at the 8% (distal) and 38% (diaphyseal) of the total tibia length) in 295 7-year-old children (154 boys) in the last evaluation performed between 2016 and 2017. PA was assessed using GT3X Actigraph accelerometers.ResultsBoys had significantly higher areal bone mineral density (aBMD), higher total bone mineral content (BMC) at the diaphyseal site and higher trabecular BMC and vBMD, and higher total bone area at the distal site than girls (p<0.01 for all of them). Both boys and girls complying with the WHO PA recommendations had significantly higher trabecular BMC than their inactive counterparts.ConclusionsMeeting WHO PA recommendations has a beneficial effect in bone composition in childhood both in boys and in girls.

Surveying the knowledge of the World Health Organization physical activity guidelines, exercise habits and beliefs of hospital staff.

Surveying the knowledge of the World Health Organization physical activity guidelines, exercise habits and beliefs of hospital staff.

Physical inactivity and headache disorders: Cross-sectional analysis in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil).

Physical inactivity has been linked to headache disorders but estimates based on the current World Health Organization physical activity guidelines are unknown. To test the associations between headache disorders and physical inactivity in the ELSA-Brasil cohort. In a cross-sectional analysis, linear (continuous variables) and logistic regression models (categorical variables) tested the associations of physical activity levels in the leisure time, commuting time, and combined leisure time physical activity + commuting time physical activity domains with headache disorders, adjusted for the effects of sociodemographic data, cardiovascular risk variables, psychiatric disorders, and migraine prophylaxis medication. Of 15,105 participants, 14,847 (54.4% women) provided data on physical activity levels and headache. Higher physical activity levels (continuous values) in the leisure time physical activity domain associated with lower migraine and tension-type headache occurrence and lower headache attack frequency, while in the commuting time physical activity domain it associated with more frequent headache attacks. Compared to people who met World Health Organization physical activity levels in the leisure time physical activity or combining leisure time physical activity + commuting time physical activity domains (i.e. ≥150 min.wk-1 of moderate and/or ≥75 min.wk-1 of vigorous physical activity), physical inactivity associated with higher migraine occurrence, while somewhat active (i.e. not meeting World Health Organization recommendations) associated with higher migraine and tension-type headache occurrence. Physical inactivity in the commuting time physical activity domain associated with higher tension-type headache in men and lower migraine in women. Physical inactivity within vigorous leisure time physical activity intensity, but not moderate leisure time physical activity, associated with higher migraine, mostly in women. Finally, physical inactivity associated with higher headache attack frequency regardless headache subtype. Physical inactivity and unmet World Health Organization physical activity levels associate with primary headaches, with heterogeneous associations regarding headache subtype, sex, physical activity domain/intensity, and headache frequency in the ELSA-Brasil study.

Emotional Intelligence in Physical Activity, Sports and Judo: A Global Approach

Emotional intelligence (EI) has been studied in relation to health and physical activity (PA) or in a sport-specific approach. EI is related to sports performance; however, combat sports seem to show characteristics of their own that involve better control of emotions than other sports. This study aimed to analyse whether there are differences in EI dimensions between those who do not achieve World Health Organization (WHO) PA recommendations, those who meet WHO PA recommendations, those who meet WHO PA recommendations practising sports, and judokas of different levels. A descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted. The sample comprised 2938 undergraduate students from Madrid and 487 active Spanish judokas. PA was measured by the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ). EI was assessed by the Trait Meta-Mood Scale (TMMS-24). Three different one-way ANOVA and ANCOVA (controlling for gender and age) were conducted to compare the effect of type of group studied on the EI dimensions. Significant differences in EI dimensions were found between those who do not meet PA recommendations, those who meet PA recommendations, those who meet PA recommendations practising sports, and judo athletes of different levels. However, when controlling for gender and age, these differences remained specifically in emotional attention and in emotional repair. Judo athletes and high-performance judo athletes showed better EI than the rest of the studied groups.

Occupational Health: Does Compliance with Physical Activity Recommendations Have a Preventive Effect on Musculoskeletal Symptoms in Computer Workers? A Cross-Sectional Study.

A lack of physical activity in computer workers (CW) can contribute to the development of musculoskeletal symptoms (MSS). Aim: (i) Evaluate MSS over a 12 month and 7 days period, (ii) determine physical activity (PA) levels and compliance with World Health Organization (WHO) PA recommendations, and (iii) assess the relationship between compliance with WHO PA recommendations and MSS. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study comprising 119 computer workers. The Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) was used to evaluate the MSS and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used to analyse the perception of the level of PA. Results: MSS occurred in the lumbar region (56.3%), neck (43.7%), and shoulders (39.5%). 44.7% of the participants reported a low level of PA. The percentage of compliance was similar among women and men (62.2% vs. 58.5%, respectively). Negative correlations were found between pain intensity and metabolic equivalent values. The participants who followed the WHO PA recommendations reported a lower frequency of MSS compared to those who did not, but the differences were not statistically significant. Conclusion: It was possible to conclude that computer workers presented a higher frequency of MSS in the lower back, neck, and shoulders. Regarding the level of PA, participants were mostly classified as low. Participants who followed the WHO PA recommendations reported lower MSS than those who did not. This finding could be important in obtaining successful programs that promote health-oriented physical activity in this group of workers.

Abstract 107: Self-Reported Physical Activity Patterns among Colorectal Cancer Survivors in Egypt

Abstract Purpose: Compared to the U.S., colorectal cancer (CRC) in Egypt is more prevalent among younger individuals (under age 40) and diagnosed at an advanced stage leading to higher mortality rates. Given these higher mortality rates, focusing on tertiary prevention strategies, such as physical activity, is warranted. Our study purpose was to assess physical activity behavior in colorectal cancer survivors living in Egypt. Methods: Egyptian study staff recruited 86 participants from the Alexandria University Oncology Department. Eligible participants were post-primary or currently undergoing treatment for CRC. Study staff administered the World Health Organization physical activity questionnaire (GPAQ; www.who.int/chp/steps/GPAQ/en/) and Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire (GLTEQ). Both assessments were translated into Arabic. Results: The median age of study participants was 52 years old with 43% being male, 64% reporting early stage cancer, 77% reporting one or more years of school, and 79% living in an urban location. Most participants (76%) had a normal or overweight BMI. According to the GPAQ, the median total MET mins/wk for participants was 1440 with interquartile range of 225 to 6720; 63% of participants met the GPAQ WHO recommendations of ≥600 MET mins/wk. Occupational and transportation contributed to the majority of total MET mins/wk. According to the GLTEQ, the median for weekly minutes of ≥moderate intensity physical activity was 0 with interquartile range of 0 to 23 minutes per week. Only 14% were meeting physical activity recommendations of ≥150 weekly minutes of ≥moderate intensity physical activity based on the GLTEQ. Conclusion: The prevalence of meeting physical activity recommendations varies depending on measurement tool used. Considering sources of physical activity beyond recreational alone is important for more fully understanding physical activity behavior. The low levels of recreational or leisure exercise provides an opportunity for increasing the prevalence of sufficient physical activity in CRC survivors in Egypt. Citation Format: Salma Mohamed Aly, Doaa Genena, James Shikany, Lori Brand Bateman, Mona Fouad, Waleed Arafat, Salah-Eldin Abdelmoneim, Sejong Bae, Isabel Scarinci, Marwa Hussein, Miriam A. Zaki, Somaia Khamess, Laura Q. Rogers. Self-Reported Physical Activity Patterns among Colorectal Cancer Survivors in Egypt [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 9th Annual Symposium on Global Cancer Research; Global Cancer Research and Control: Looking Back and Charting a Path Forward; 2021 Mar 10-11. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2021;30(7 Suppl):Abstract nr 107.

Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity and Body Composition in Children from the Spanish Region of Aragon

Most of the studies analyzing the effect of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) on children’s health do not contain information on early stages or do not use accurate methods. We investigated the association between PA and body composition using objective methods, perinatal data, lifestyle behaviors, and World Health Organization (WHO) physical activity (PA) recommendations. The CALINA study is a longitudinal observational cohort study of children born in Aragon (Spain) in 2009. A total of 308 7-year-old children (52.3% boys) were assessed. We used dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and accelerometry. Rapid weight gain until 12 months and lifestyle behaviors were considered as covariates both in the ANCOVA and linear regression models. A higher percentage of boys met the WHO PA recommendations compared to girls (69.6% vs. 40.9%, respectively; p < 0.001). There was a negative association between MVPA and subtotal fat and abdominal fat in both girls and boys. After adjusting for perinatal and lifestyle variables, we found that subtotal body fat, abdominal fat, and fat mass index (FMI) were significantly lower in those classified as active. MVPA was associated with body fat both in boys and girls. More research is needed to identify the cutoffs points of MVPA that generate benefit to boys and girls in all body composition components.

The Association Between Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Resting-State Prefrontal Cortex Oxygenation Is Modified by Self-Reported Physical Activity: Results From The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing.

Individuals with anxiety disorders exhibit lower intrinsic functional connectivity between prefrontal cortical areas and subcortical regions. The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is sensitive to the acute and chronic effects of physical activity (PA), while the anxiolytic effects of PA are well known. The current study examined the association of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and its interaction with PA, with resting-state, left PFC oxygenation. This cross-sectional study used data from participants (N = 2444) from The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing, a nationally representative prospective study of community-living adults aged 50 and older in Ireland. The Composite International Diagnostic Interview Short-Form determined fulfillment of criteria for GAD. The short-form International Physical Activity Questionnaire determined adherence to the World Health Organization PA guidelines. Resting-state, left PFC oxygenation was continuously measured via a Portalite. Tissue saturation index (TSI) was calculated as the ratio of oxygenated hemoglobin to total tissue hemoglobin (expressed as a percentage) for the final minute of a 5-minute supine-rest period. Multivariable linear regression quantified associations of GAD with TSI in the total population and population stratified by PA status. Participants with GAD had lower TSI (b = -1.416, p = .008) compared to those without GAD. However, this association was modified by PA. Among participants who met the PA guidelines, TSI did not differ according to GAD status (b = -0.800, p = .398). For participants who did not meet the guidelines, TSI was significantly lower among those with GAD (b = -1.758, p = .004). These findings suggest that PA may help to protect brain health among older adults with GAD.

E-athletes’ lifestyle behaviors, physical activity habits, and overall health and wellbeing: a systematic review

Background E-sports is becoming increasingly popular; however, participation is not without risks. Certain lifestyle factors associated with gaming may have negative effects on the wellbeing of the players. Objective This systematic review of current studies of e-athletes’ health and wellbeing, primarily focused on athletes level of physical activity. This review also aimed to gain insight on potential health promotion and management strategies for e-gamers and e-athletes. Method Four online databases (Medline, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and EBSCO) were searched for full-text English articles published between 2010 and April 2020. A total of six articles met the inclusion criteria and were included for review. Results From the six studies, five themes were identified: (1) demographics of e-sports; (2) e-athletes’ level of physical activity, compared to World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines; (3) reasons to engage in physical activity; (4) physical training as a part of e-sport training; and (5) degree of sedentary time. Other findings included e-sports injuries reported by participants, broader aspects of health behaviors, along with proposals for multiple disciplinary team approaches to e-athlete management. Conclusion Despite the level of sedentary behavior and e-sports related injuries from the reviewed studies, the majority of e-athletes in the studies included met WHO physical activity guidelines with health promotion as primary motivation. Other health behaviors (sleep and diet) are particularly relevant to e-athletes. More research is needed to better understand this population's health-related behavior and habits to better establish their wellbeing and health risks.

Advancing the global physical activity agenda: recommendations for future research by the 2020 WHO physical activity and sedentary behavior guidelines development group

BackgroundIn July, 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) commenced work to update the 2010 Global Recommendations on Physical Activity for Health and established a Guideline Development Group (GDG) comprising expert public health scientists and practitioners to inform the drafting of the 2020 Guidelines on Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior. The overall task of the GDG was to review the scientific evidence and provide expert advice to the WHO on the amount of physical activity and sedentary behavior associated with optimal health in children and adolescents, adults, older adults (> 64 years), and also specifically in pregnant and postpartum women and people living with chronic conditions or disabilities.MethodsThe GDG reviewed the available evidence specific to each sub-population using systematic protocols and in doing so, identified a number of gaps in the existing literature. These proposed research gaps were discussed and verified by expert consensus among the entire GDG.ResultsEvidence gaps across population sub-groups included a lack of information on: 1) the precise shape of the dose-response curve between physical activity and/or sedentary behavior and several of the health outcomes studied; 2) the health benefits of light-intensity physical activity and of breaking up sedentary time with light-intensity activity; 3) differences in the health effects of different types and domains of physical activity (leisure-time; occupational; transportation; household; education) and of sedentary behavior (occupational; screen time; television viewing); and 4) the joint association between physical activity and sedentary time with health outcomes across the life course. In addition, we acknowledge the need to conduct more population-based studies in low- and middle-income countries and in people living with disabilities and/or chronic disease, and to identify how various sociodemographic factors (age, sex, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status) modify the health effects of physical activity, in order to address global health disparities.ConclusionsAlthough the 2020 WHO Guidelines for Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior were informed by the most up-to-date research on the health effects of physical activity and sedentary time, there is still substantial work to be done in advancing the global physical activity agenda.