The Los Angeles Lift Off: a sociocultural environmental change intervention to integrate physical activity into the workplace

PURPOSE: To present the development and feasibility testing of a sociocultural environmental change intervention strategy aimed at integrating physical activity into workplace routine. DESIGN: Randomized, controlled, post-test only, intervention trial. Setting. Los Angeles County Department of Health Services' worksites. PARTICIPANTS: Four hundred forty-nine employees, predominantly sedentary, overweight, middle-aged women of color, distributed across 26 meetings. INTERVENTION: A single 10-min exercise break during work time involving moderate intensity, low-impact aerobic dance and calisthenic movements to music. MEASURES: Primary-level of participation, particularly among sedentary staff; secondary-self-perceived health status, satisfaction with current fitness level, and mood/affective state. RESULTS: More than 90% of meeting attendees participated in the exercises. Among completely sedentary individuals, intervention participants' self-perceived health status ratings were significantly lower than controls' (OR = 0.17; 95% CI = 0.05, 0.60; P = 0.0003). Among all respondents not regularly physically active, intervention participants' levels of satisfaction with fitness were more highly correlated with self-ranked physical activity stage of change (r = 0.588) than the control participants' (r = 0.376, z = -2.32, p = 0.02). Among the completely sedentary, control participants reported significantly higher levels of energy than did intervention participants (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Captive audiences may be engaged in brief bouts of exercise as a part of the workday, regardless of physical activity level or stage of change. This experience may also appropriately erode sedentary individuals' self-perception of good health and fitness, providing motivation for adoption of more active lifestyles.     

Effect of a Six-Month Lifestyle Intervention on the Physical Activity and Fitness Status of Adults with NAFLD and Metabolic Syndrome

(1) Background: Physical inactivity has been linked to NAFLD, and exercise has been reported as useful to reduce intrahepatic fat content in NAFLD. (2) Objectives: To assess the physical activity (PA) and fitness status after a six-month lifestyle intervention (diet and PA) in adults with NAFLD and metabolic syndrome (MetS). (3) Design: Prospective cohort analysis of data obtained between baseline and six-year parallel-group randomized trial (n = 155, aged 40–60 years old, with MetS and NAFLD). Participants were randomized into three nutritional and PA intervention groups: Conventional diet (CD); MedDiet-high meal frequency (MD-HMF); MedDiet-physical activity (MD-PA). (4) Methods: PA and fitness status were assessed using a validated Minnesota questionnaire, ALPHA-FIT test battery, accelerometers, and functional fitness score. Information related to age, gender, education level, marital status, socioeconomic status, smoking habit, and alcohol consumption were also obtained. (5) Results: The CD group had higher improvement in standing handgrip than the MD-HMF group. The MD-PA group did more modified push-up repetitions than the CD group. The MD-PA and CD groups showed higher sitting handgrip than the MD-HMF group. The MD-HMF group showed the highest decrease in aerobic capacity. The MD-PA group showed lower light intensity PA/day than the CD and MD-HMF groups. The MD-PA group showed higher moderate intensity PA than the CD and MD-HMF groups. The CD group reported more METs per day than the MD-HMF group. (6) Conclusions: Lifestyle six-month intervention with diet and regular PA improved functional fitness in middle-aged patients with NAFLD and MetS. Aerobic capacity improved in patients who followed a Mediterranean diet and regular training sessions at six months.     

A study of exercise programs and instructors for a fitness program in a corporate setting

The objective of the study was to evaluate the importance of diversity in exercise programs and athletic instructors in a corporate physical fitness program. Subjects were 717 Japanese chemical factory employees (male 524, female 193) in Japan who were surveyed using a questionnaire, with a resultant response rate of 84%. Many employees who participated in regular physical activities on a voluntary basis were motivated to exercise for reasons other than health, with a variety of motivating factors suggested. The total number of sports programs in which male and female employees participated voluntarily were 31 and 15, respectively. For employees not yet participating in physical activities but expressing interest in joining a company sponsored sports class, the total number of programs in which interest was shown was 40 for males and 22 for females. Professional athletic instructors from outside fitness clubs appeared to have far more appeal to employees than athletic instructors who were recruited from company employees and given a short athletic instructor course to become health care leaders at the same factory in addition to their regular job. In order to enhance participation in and adherence to a corporate fitness program, it was suggested that the number of exercise programs be increased and that outside professional athletic instructors be employed.     

Perceived health as related to income, socio-economic status, lifestyle, and social support factors in a middle-aged Japanese

BACKGROUND: Few studies have examined the association of perceived health with socio-economic status, especially income, and social isolation and support in Japan. The purpose of this study is to clarify the associations among perceived health, lifestyle, and socio-economic status, as well as social isolation and support factors, in middle-aged and elderly Japanese. METHODS: Subjects were 9,650 participants aged 47-77 years who completed a self-administered questionnaire in 2000 in the second survey of a population-based cohort (the Komo-Ise study). The questionnaire included items on sociodemographic and socio-economic factors, social isolation and support, lifestyle, past history of chronic disease and perceived health. Perceived health was dichotomized into excellent or good health and fair or poor health. A logistic regression analysis was used to determine the odds ratios of socio-economic status, social characteristics and lifestyle in relation to self-reported fair or poor health. RESULTS: We found that household income, physical activity, sleeping, smoking habit, and BMI had a strong association with self-reported fair or poor health in middle-aged and elderly Japanese men and women. Male subjects tended to report fair or poor health as household income decreased. The results for women differed in that social isolation and low social support had a stronger association for self-reported fair or poor health than low household income. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated that perceived health was associated with socio-economic and social characteristics among middle-aged and elderly residents in Japan.     

Major contributing factors of self perceived health in Hungarian ambulance personnel

Health status of ambulance personnel has an important impact on the quality of patient care. Surveys in some smaller regions of Hungary have been conducted on health behavior of ambulance personnel; however they do not mirror the complexity of multidimensional health status in this respect. The aim of the present study is to examine the self-perceived health status of ambulance personnel (AP) and its most salient work related and individual factors. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional survey was carried out among AP of the Hungarian National Ambulance and Emergency Service in 2008. The survey covered all the regions and sample taking ensured the study to be of representative value. Anonymously 364 individuals gave their answers that could be evaluated. After data procession and coding, records were statistically analyzed by SPSS 15.0. Spearman correlation, chi-square test and multivariable logistic regression analyses were applied to measure the significance of variables. The survey was conducted with a self-fill-in questionnaire measuring the following dimensions of self-perceived health: self-rated health, self-rated physical fitness and limitation in daily activities by health problems. Results: The results revealed that self-perceived general health status of ambulance personnel does not differ significantly among the emergency units in many terms. However, there are significant differences regarding the complexity of the duties what they have to deal. In their self rated health 1.9 times (95% CI:1.2-2.8), in their self rated physical fitness 2.0 times (95% CI:1.3-3) and in the limitation of daily activities by health problems 1.9 times (95% CI:1.2-3.1) those ambulance personnel feel more favorable who do any kind of sports activity. Generally they experience serious stress; they have not enough leisure time and hardly do sport. Due to their bad lifestyle all fifth ambulance personnel suffer from serious obesity. Conclusion:Physical activity may enhance self perceived health even though if the person delivers physical symptoms. Regular training to increase the physical fitness should be implemented for ambulance personnel that could well contribute to copying with psychological trauma.     

某高校656名女教职工运动与健康认知情况调查

目的了解广东高校女教职工运动与健康关系的认知情况及态度。方法对广东省高校女教职工运动与健康关系的认知情况及态度,采用现场答卷的方式进行调查。结果有36.9%的女教职工有较强的锻炼意识;有39%的女教职工认为体育锻炼有必要;43%的女教职工体育锻炼无规律;52.1%女教职工认为锻炼身体不必要,71%及87%的女教职工不知道运动与身体和心理健康的关系。结论高校女教职工在紧张的工作和家庭生活中,多数缺乏基本的身心保健常识。因此,对女教职工加强身心保健知识方面的健康教育对于帮助她们养成良好的运动习惯是很有必要的。     

北京市西城区和昌平区促进身体活动和健康策略执行现状调查

目的了解北京市西城区和昌平区促进身体活动和健康策略在西城区和昌平区的执行现状。方法采用计算机辅助的电话调查方法（CATI）开展调查,采用单纯随机抽样方法抽取电话号码,利用SPSS13．0软件进行一般描述性统计分析和x。检验。结果本次电话调查共成功完成访问2450个,其中西城区1238个,昌平区1212个。利用政府提供的健身场所锻炼过身体的比例,西城区和昌平区分别为45．9％和53．8％,昌平区好于西城区;单位设立工间操的比例两区均为1／3;两区人群在体育锻炼时接受过指导的比例均在15％左右;全民健康生活方式行动的知晓率均约50％;身体活动不足会带来健康危害的知晓率均高于90％;体育锻炼参与比例,2个区差异无统计学意义。结论北京市西城区和昌平区全民健身场地利用情况要好于其他健身场所,工间操制度、社会体育指导员的工作、以及人群身体活动相关知识知晓情况尚需加强。2个区一般人群参加体育锻炼的水平高于全国平均水平。     

Practicality of Veterans Specific Activity Questionnaire in evaluation of exercise capacity of community-dwelling Japanese elderly

Objective The aim of this study is to determine whether a questionnaire-based method using the Veterans Specific Activity Questionnaire (VSAQ) is a practical tool for the development of a safe exercise program to prevent a reduction in physical performance. Methods One hundred and twenty-one senior residents of Yakage, Okayama, agreed to voluntarily participate in this study. They were asked to complete a questionnaire for information on age, sex, subjective health status, exercise habits and VSAQ. We investigated the relationship between age and exercise capacity predicted by VSAQ (predicted metabolic equivalents (METs)). In addition, for 36 out of the 121 participants, we performed a 6-min walk distance test (6MD) and investigated whether its results correlate with the predicted METs. Furthermore, we prepared a modified VSAQ and examined its practicality in the evaluation of the exercise capacity of Japanese elderly (n=50). Results We found that the predicted METs correlate well with age. Habitual exercise and subjective health status did not affect the predicted METs. A significant correlation was observed between the predicted METs and the results of 6MD (r=0.56, p<0.001). We also found that certain activities included in the original VSAQ are unfamiliar to Japanese elderly; thus, we made a few modifications to the original VSAQ in order to evaluate the physical fitness of Japanese elderly. The number of inadequate answers was reduced by employing the modified VSAQ. Conclusion These findings imply that the modified VSAQ is useful in evaluating the exercise capacity of Japanese elderly adequately and is a practical scale for safe exercise.     

生活方式对初中生体质健康的影响

目的 了解初中生生活方式现状,探究生活方式与体质健康的相关性。方法 按照整群抽样法,抽取574名初二学生进行问卷调查,同时对其进行体质测试。结果 课外体育锻炼时间、睡眠时间、睡眠质量、日均荧屏接触时间、婴儿期母乳喂养情况、膳食结构、父母日常锻炼习惯与学生体质测试成绩显著相关(t值分别为5.536、2.867、3.373、4.417、2.420、4.496、4.522,P<0.05)。结论 家校联合引导督促学生养成良好生活方式,有助于增强学生的体质健康。     

Comparison of dietary and smoking habit changes in physical fitness improvers and nonimprovers

Changes in dietary, smoking, and alcohol intake habits of men who voluntarily increased their physical fitness level (n = 532) were compared with men who did not increase physical fitness (n = 390). These men were middle-aged (average age = 43 years), initially sedentary and free of disease, and had been examined twice at a preventive medicine clinic within a 1- to 6-year period. Subjects were retrospectively assigned to two fitness groups--improvers and nonimprovers--based on changes in treadmill performance between baseline and follow-up examinations. Fifteen lifestyle variables were assessed by questionnaire and evaluated for change. At baseline the two groups were similar in demographic variables and diet, differing significantly only in follow-up interval (P less than 0.001), treadmill time (P less than 0.001), whole milk consumption (P less than 0.003), and smoking (P less than 0.001). At follow-up, positive changes in health habits were seen for both groups. Statistically significant differences in health habit change between the groups were seen only for beef (P less than 0.003) and coffee (P less than 0.003) consumption (consumption of both decreasing in more improvers than nonimprovers). Smokers at baseline were less likely to improve their physical fitness. We concluded that individuals who voluntarily increased their physical fitness level were not more likely to change their dietary and alcohol habits than persons who maintained a more sedentary lifestyle.     

Effects of shiftwork on lifestyle and mental health status of employees of a major Japanese electrical manufacturer

To examine the effect of shiftwork on lifestyle and mental health, a self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted among employees of a leading electrical appliances manufacturing company in Japan. The questionnaire included eight health practices recommended by Morimoto, the General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28) and demographic variables. Considering the effects of type of occupation, working hours and gender, analysis was focused on 295 male blue-collar mere employees working less than 8 hours per day and engaged in daytime work or two-shift work. Scores for Health Practice Index (HPI) and physical exercise of shift workers were significantly lower than those of daytime workers for those from 30 to 45 years of age (p<0.05). However, in scores for HPI and each lifestyle factor, no significant difference was found among shift workers and daytime workers 29 or younger and 46 and older. In scores for the total GHQ-28 and its four subscales, no significant differences were found among shift workers and daytime workers 29 or younger, between 30 and 45, and 46 years of age and older. No significant effect of shiftwork was found on mental health status and lifestyle practices excluding physical exercise. The findings suggested reduction of physiological and psychological stress due to shiftwork among employees of the major company. However, the effect of shiftwork on lifestyle practices and mental health status might be affected by various factors. Therefore an investigation of the work load in regard to shiftwork should be conducted precisely in the future.     

北京市丰台区老年人运动健身现状及相关因素分析

[目的]了解北京市丰台区老年人群的人口学状况、健康状况和生活习惯,并分析影响老年人群运动健身行为的因素,为指导老年人科学健身提供参考。[方法]采用《中国国民运动健身指导系统的研究与应用》的调查问卷,内容主要包括自然情况、健康状况、运动习惯、生活习惯和饮食习惯等5部分。[结果]145名受试对象中,均表现患有多种疾病的征象,老年男性的脂代谢异常、高血压病、骨关节病和肝病的发病情况与老年女性存在明显差异,并在睡眠时间、食欲状况和吸烟状况上存在显著差异。老年男性和女性体育人口所占比例分别为88.9%和85.7%。运动中有控制心率的男性与女性比例分别为27.6%和26.9%,有专业人员指导的男性与女性比例为10.3%和7.5%。经相关分析发现职业、文化程度和月人均生活费与体育锻炼行为存在紧密联系。[结论]北京丰台区老年人慢性病的发病率较高,参与健身锻炼的比率较高,以有氧运动为主,但缺少力量性练习,运动中缺乏科学指导。     

Agreement of self-reported and physiologically estimated fitness status in a symptom-free population

A population of 204 symptom-free clerical and white-collar employees who volunteered for a corporate-based health promotion program was studied to determine agreement between self-reported and physiologically determined fitness status. Physiologic fitness was estimated using exercise treadmill performance. There were statistically significant differences between self-reported and treadmill-estimated fitness status. The study population rated their fitness substantially higher than that estimated by treadmill performance. Self-reported fitness was found to be poorly correlated with physiologic fitness, indicating independent distributions. These relationships persisted across gender. The results question the use of self-reported estimates of physical health in health services research.     

Relationship between regular exercise and life style, social network, education and subjective symptoms in Japanese middle aged and elderly residents]

OBJECT AND METHODS: A community-based survey of 12,630 residents of Gunma Prefecture aged 40 to 69 years was conducted to investigate the relationship between the habit of regular exercise and life style, social network, and subjective physical and mental symptoms in particular. The subjective physical and mental symptoms were measured using the Todai Health Index (THI). The response rate was 91.6%. A total of 6,736 responses were analyzed after excluding respondents with chronic diseases from the analysis. On the question about the habit of regular exercise ("Do you exercise regularly?"), the responses were divided into three categories: 1. Often, 2. Sometimes, 3. Hardly ever or Never. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The results are summarized as follows: 1. The proportions of residents who exercise "often" were 14.2% and 11.1% for males and females, respectively, while those of "hardly ever or never" were 52.3% and 59.4% for males and females, respectively. More males than females had the habit of regular exercise. Respondents were divided into three age categories: 40-49, 50-59 and 60-69 years. Among the female respondents, it was shown that the older the age category the greater the habit of regular exercise. 2. Both male and female respondents who had regular exercise habits scored significantly lower on the THI scales for vague complaints, depression, and irregularity of life, while they scored higher on the aggression and lie (social desirability) scales. 3. Both male and female respondents who had regular exercise habits also tended to have be better perceived health and social networking, i.e. having close friends, having a hobby and involvement in community social activities, as well as taking care of pets. This group also had a higher average education level and less of a smoking habit. This study suggests that regular exercise habit correlates not only with physical health and fitness levels but with mental health status as well.     

体育锻炼对中老年人体质健康影响的研究

日常生活中有很多的运动机会,积极参加体育锻炼有助于身体健康。为了检验体育锻炼对中老年人健康体质产生的影响。本研究从某校跳体育锻炼者中随机抽取100名中老年人作为研究对象。采用比较法等研究方法等,对为期18周的锻炼前后的体重和肺活量等多项体质指标进行了对比分析,解释了体育锻炼的健身功效。并对一些事项提出了建议。     

学生体质监测的根本目的是健康促进

学生体质下降是全球共同关注的问题,学生体质的监测工作在一些国家均早已常规开展.新时代中国学生体质监测的根本目的 是健康促进,制订与现时及远期健康相关联的体质评价标准,以个体为中心,加强监测结果的反馈与应用,从个体层面长期多维度追踪体质与健康变化,发展更具开放性的学生体质健康监测指标体系,帮助学生建立健康的生活方式,养成...     

The effect of lifestyle modification on physical fitness and work ability in different workstyles

It is generally considered that physical fitness is affected by daily life activities including leisure time activity and working time activity. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of different levels of physical activity at work on physical fitness, analyze the effects of 12-week lifestyle modification outside of working hours on physical fitness, work satisfaction and subjective symptoms, and to consider the role of lifestyle modification in occupational health. Lifestyle modification, consisting of aerobic exercise and diet counseling, was conducted for 12 weeks. The data before and after the intervention from 49 male workers were obtained. Physical fitness such as exercise endurance, flexibility, agility, balance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, and muscular power was measured before and after the intervention. The subjects were asked to fill out questionnaires about their work activities, subjective complaints, and work satisfaction. Subjects were divided into active work group (n = 14) and sedentary work group (n = 35) for analysis according to their work activities. As for differences in physical fitness due to different levels of physical activity, the active work group had superior exercise endurance and balance compared to the sedentary work group. In addition, the sedentary work group tended to experience greater fatigue than the active work group. In the active work group, flexibility and muscular strength were significantly increased with lifestyle modification and, in the sedentary work group, exercise endurance, flexibility and muscular endurance were significantly improved while balance also showed a tendency to improve. In the sedentary work group, lifestyle modification resulted in reduced fatigue and stiff neck as well as an increased work satisfaction. In the active work group, no change was observed in complaints or work satisfaction, but improved physical fitness led to a reduction in subjective complaints and an increase in work satisfaction. The level of physical activity at work contributes to the physical fitness of the worker and the addition of aerobic exercise in the worker's leisure time improves physical fitness and thereby contributes to increased work ability regardless of differences in the level of physical activity at work.     

兰州市大学生体育锻炼与健康投资现状

目的了解大学生体育锻炼与健康投资的现状,为引导大学生体育健康投资提供参考。方法运用文献资料法、问卷调查法、数理统计法对兰州市8所高校大学生体育锻炼、健康投资的现状进行调查分析。结果兰州市大学生有较强的健身意识和良好的锻炼习惯,55％的学生能保证1—3次／周的体育锻炼,但在体育的健康投资方面注重实物消费,84．63％的学生没有花钱健身的意识,63．48％的学生不同意花钱健身。结论大学生体育健身态度积极,但健康投资观念还需加强正确引导。     

Nutrition assessment of athletes: a model for integrating nutrition and physical performance indicators.

Athletes, like all people, have special nutritional needs based on their age, lifestyle, health status, level of physical activity, physical conditioning, and type of sport. The diets of many athletes are inadequate due to overly restrictive eating habits, nutrition misinformation, dietary fads, and/or obsession with weight and food. There is a growing need for sports nutrition counseling and education to help athletes improve their eating habits. However, before attempting to develop intervention strategies, sports nutritionists should assess the metabolic changes that take place during exercise and how these changes affect nutrition status. In addition, it is important to consider how psychosocial factors may influence an athlete's eating habits and his/her ability to make positive changes. A two-pronged model is introduced that can be used as a guide for the practitioner in interpreting relevant data and integrating physiological and psychological considerations for the design of individualized nutrition care plans for athletes.     

陕西省居民健康需求与健身锻炼现状调查

[目的]了解陕西省居民健康需求和参加健身锻炼现状及其影响因素,并提出相关建议.[方法]采用方便抽样方法选取陕西省所属10个行政市(区)居住时间在6个月以上的居民作为研究对象,以问卷的形式调查居民的健康需求和健身锻炼现状.[结果]陕西省60岁以上的居民对健康比较关注和十分关注两项总和及对全民健身含义不知道的人数比例明显高...