Associations between perceived neighbourhood environmental attributes and self-reported sitting time in patients with schizophrenia: A pilot study

Sitting behaviours may, independent of physical activity behaviours, be a distinct risk factor for multiple adverse health outcomes in patients with schizophrenia. In order to combat sitting behaviours health care providers and policy makers require further understanding of its determinants in this population group. The aim of the present study was to investigate the variance in sitting time explained by a wide range of community design and recreational environmental variables, above and beyond the variance accounted for by demographic variables. One hundred and twenty-three patients (42♀) with schizophrenia (mean age=41.5±12.6 years) were included in the final analysis. The built environment was rated using the Instruments for Assessing Levels of Physical Activity and Fitness environmental questionnaire and sitting time was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-short (IPAQ) version. Regression analysis showed that environmental variables were related to sitting time. The body mass index (BMI) and disease stage explained 8.4% of the variance in sitting, while environmental correlates explained an additional 16.8%. Clinical practice guidelines should incorporate strategies targeting changes in sitting behaviours, from encouraging environmental changes to the availability of exercise equipment.     

A Review of Physical Activity Measures Used Among US Latinos: Guidelines for Developing Culturally Appropriate Measures

Background  As the US population continues to grow and diversify, there is a need for progressive physical activity measurement and cross-cultural research. Studies suggest that US Latinos are among the most sedentary of ethnic groups compared to others; however, study findings may be biased given that some measures may not be culturally sensitive for assessing behaviors that are not characterized as leisure time physical activity. Purpose  The primary objective of this review was to identify and evaluate measures used to quantify physical activity among US Latinos. Methods  A review of the literature was performed and studies examining levels of physical activity among Spanish and English speaking Latinos were documented. This process involved identifying existing guidelines for the purpose of culturally adapting and/or translating (into Spanish) physical activity measures for the Latino population. These guidelines were used as the minimal criteria for the evaluation of the 13 identified measures of physical activity. Results  Of these 13 measures, four were available in English and nine were available in Spanish. One English measure met the guidelines for being culturally adapted for assessing physical activity among Latinos. There were no Spanish measures that met all the guidelines for physical activity assessment among Spanish-speaking Latinos. Lastly, the identified guidelines for developing culturally appropriate measures were improved to advance physical activity measurement among ethnic and cultural groups. Conclusion  Future research should merit the use of culturally appropriate guidelines to increase the understanding of physical activity patterns in the USA. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Perceived athletic competence and physical activity in children with developmental coordination disorder who are clinically referred,and control children

The relationship between perceived athletic competence (PAC) and physical activity (PA) in children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is still unclear. This study investigated differences in PAC and PA between, and within, a group of children with DCD that were clinically referred (n = 31) and a group of control children (n = 38), aged 7–12 years. All children were categorized in four groups: (1) children with DCD/low PAC, (2) children with DCD/normal to high PAC, (3) control children/low PAC, and (4) control children/normal to high PAC. PAC was assessed with the Self-Perception Profile for Children, and PA was assessed with the Modifiable Activity Questionnaire. Children with DCD participated less in unorganized PA, but not in organized PA, compared with control children. Normal to high PAC was found in more than half of the children (64.5%) with DCD. Children with DCD/low PAC and children with DCD/normal to high PAC participated significantly less in unorganized physical activity compared with control children/normal to high PAC, but not compared with control children/low PAC. The results indicate that there are large individual differences in PAC in children with DCD.     

Objective assessment of sedentary time and physical activity throughout the week in adolescents with Down syndrome. The UP&DOWN study

This study aimed to examine the patterns of sedentary time and physical activity (PA) throughout the week in adolescents with Down syndrome (DS). The study comprised 109 adolescents with DS (68 males and 41 females) aged 11–20 years, participating in the UP&DOWN study, but only a total of 100 adolescents provided valid data. Sedentary time and total, light, moderate, vigorous, and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) were measured by accelerometers. There were no significant differences in the time spent in sedentary time and PA levels between weekdays vs. weekend days, as well as between school time vs. after school-time periods (all p > 0.05). Adolescent males engaged in more total PA, moderate PA, vigorous PA and MVPA than females on weekend days (all p < 0.05). Differences between age groups showed that sedentary time increases and PA decreases with advancing age in all analyses, so that the oldest groups were more sedentary and less active (all p < 0.05). Only 43% of adolescents with DS met the PA recommendations of ≥60 min/day of MVPA. Our findings show valuable information to be considered in future interventions aiming to decrease sedentary time and increase PA levels in adolescents with DS.     

A meta-regression to examine the relationship between aerobic fitness and cognitive performance

Many studies have been conducted to test the potentially beneficial effects of physical activity on cognition. The results of meta-analytic reviews of this literature suggest that there is a positive association between participation in physical activity and cognitive performance. The design of past research demonstrates the tacit assumption that changes in aerobic fitness contribute to the changes in cognitive performance. Therefore, the purpose of this meta-analysis was to use meta-regression techniques to statistically test the relationship between aerobic fitness and cognitive performance. Results indicated that there was not a significant linear or curvilinear relationship between fitness effect sizes (ESs) and cognitive ESs for studies using cross-sectional designs or posttest comparisons. However, there was a significant negative relationship between aerobic fitness and cognitive performance for pre-post comparisons. The effects for the cross-sectional and pre-post comparisons were moderated by the age group of the participants; however, the nature of this effect was not consistent for the two databases. Based on the findings of this meta-analytic review, it is concluded that the empirical literature does not support the cardiovascular fitness hypothesis. To confirm the findings of this review, future research should specifically test the dose-response relationship between aerobic fitness and cognitive performance. However, based upon the findings of this review, we also encourage future research to focus on other physiological and psychological variables that may serve to mediate the relationship between physical activity and cognitive performance.     

Relationship between physical activity and physical fitness in school-aged children with developmental language disorders

Children with developmental language disorders (DLD) often experience difficulty in understanding and engaging in interactive behavior with other children, which may lead to reduced daily physical activity and fitness levels. The present study evaluated the physical activity and physical fitness levels of 8–11 year old children with DLD (n = 27) and compared this to typically developing (TD) age and gender matched controls (n = 27). In addition, it was investigated whether interrelationships existed between physical activity and physical fitness in children with DLD and in TD children. Physical activity was measured using accelerometers. Physical fitness was measured using five tests of the Eurofit test battery (standing broad jump (SBJ), sit-ups (SUP), handgrip (HG), 10 × 5 m shuttle run (10 × 5 m SR), and the 20 m shuttle run test (20 m SR)). Physical activity of children with DLD did not significantly differ from TD children. Physical fitness of children with DLD was significantly lower on the SBJ, SUP, HG and 10 × 5 m SR than TD controls, while no significant difference was found on the 20 m SR. Strong significant relationships were found between physical activity variables and sedentary behavior and some physical fitness measures (SBJ and SUP) in children with DLD, while in TD children a strong significant relationship was found between time spent in moderate to vigorous physical activity and performance on the SBJ. This study reveals important differences in fitness between children with DLD and TD children, which should be taken into account when creating physical activity interventions. Special attention has to be paid to children with DLD who show low physical activity and low physical fitness performance.     

Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study Linked External Data (LED): Protocol and practices for geocoding and assignment of environmental data

Our brain is constantly shaped by our immediate environments, and while some effects are transient, some have long-term consequences. Therefore, it is critical to identify which environmental risks have evident and long-term impact on brain development. To expand our understanding of the environmental context of each child, the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study® incorporates the use of geospatial location data to capture a range of individual, neighborhood, and state level data based on the child’s residential location in order to elucidate the physical environmental contexts in which today’s youth are growing up. We review the major considerations and types of geocoded information incorporated by the Linked External Data Environmental (LED) workgroup to expand on the built and natural environmental constructs in the existing and future ABCD Study data releases. Understanding the environmental context of each youth furthers the consortium’s mission to understand factors that may influence individual differences in brain development, providing the opportunity to inform public policy and health organization guidelines for child and adolescent health.     

Associations between expiratory spirometry parameters and limitations in daily life activities in patients with schizophrenia

Objective

This cross-sectional study considered whether variability in respiratory functioning could explain the variability in walking ability of individuals with schizophrenia taking into account variability in body mass index (BMI), lifestyle factors, psychiatric symptoms, antipsychotic medication use and muscular fitness.

Method

Eighty patients with schizophrenia and 40 age-, gender- and BMI-matched controls underwent a spirometry and the 6-min walk test (6MWT) and completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Patients were additionally screened for psychiatric symptoms.

Results

Compared to health controls, patients with schizophrenia achieved a lower distance on the 6MWT (583.6±109.7 m versus 710.6±108.4 m, P< .001) and had a lower forced vital capacity (3.7±1.1 L versus 4.3±0.9 L, P< .001) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) (3.0±1.0 L versus 3.6±0.7 L, P< .001). In multiple regression analysis, 68.1% of the variance in walking distance was explained by FEV1, BMI, muscular fitness and total energy expenditure.

Conclusion

The respiratory health of patients with schizophrenia should be of concern for clinicians. In addition, future research interventions should seek to investigate the impact of an impaired respiratory health upon individuals with schizophrenia.     

Differences in physical functioning between relatively active and passive patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Objective

According to the Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) protocol for patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), therapists are advised to categorize patients in relatively active and passive patients. However, evidence to support the differences in physical functioning between these subgroups is limited. Using the baseline data from a multicentre randomized controlled trial (FatiGo), the differences in actual and perceived physical functioning between active and passive patients with CFS were evaluated.

Methods

Sixty patients, who received CBT during the FatiGo trial were included. Based on the expert opinion and using the definitions of subgroups defined in the CBT protocols, the therapist categorized the patient. Data from an activity monitor was used to calculate actual physical functioning, physical activity, daily uptime, activity fluctuations and duration of rest during daily life. Perceived physical functioning was assessed by measuring physical activity, physical functioning and functional impairment with the Checklist Individual Strength, Short Form-36 and Sickness-Impact Profile 8.

Results

Relatively active patients have a significantly higher daily uptime and show significantly less fluctuations in activities between days. Passive patients experience a significantly lower level of physical functioning and feel more functionally impaired in their mobility. However, no significant differences were found in the other actual or perceived physical functioning indices.

Conclusions

A clear difference in actual and perceived physical functioning between relatively active and passive patients with CFS as judged by their therapists could not be found. Future research is needed to form a consensus on how to categorize subgroups of patients with CFS.     

Associations between physical activity and the built environment in patients with schizophrenia: a multi-centre study

Objective

This study investigated the variance in walking, moderate and vigorous physical activity (PA), explained by neighbourhood design and other environmental variables above and beyond the variance accounted for by demographical variables.

Method

A total of 138 patients (46♀) with schizophrenia (mean age = 41.2±12.5 years) from 13 different centres in Belgium were included in this 4-month cross-sectional study. The built environment was rated using the Instruments for Assessing Levels of Physical Activity and Fitness (ALPHA) environmental questionnaire, which was validated first. PA levels were assessed with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire.

Results

Validity coefficients for the ALPHA ranged between 0.44 and 0.86 and test-retest reliability intraclass correlation coefficients ranged between 0.64 and 0.84. Regression analyses showed that environmental variables were related to all types of PA. The variance explained by the models including demographic and environmental variables ranged from 20% for vigorous PA up to 68% for walking. Minutes of walking (r= 0.63, P< .001) and of moderate-intensity PA (r = 0.43, P< .001) were related to emotional satisfaction with the environment. Moderate-intensity PA was also related to the presence of PA supplies at home (r= 0.49, P< .001).

Conclusion

Neighbourhood design and other environmental variables show significant associations with multiple types of PA in patients with schizophrenia.     

Objective measurement of weekly physical activity and sensory modulation problems in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

This study aimed to objectively compare the daily physical activity (PA), as indicated by moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) during a week and metabolic equivalents (METs) per minute, between children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and typically developing children. Moreover, sensory modulation problems were examined using behavioral and physiological measures. Twenty boys with ADHD (mean age 8.64 ± 2.57 years), and 20 matched typically developing boys (mean age 9.10 ± 1.79 years) participated in our study. Each child wore a PA monitor for 14 h a day, seven days a week. All participants’ parents were asked to fill out daily activity logs for their children. The problems of sensory modulation were detected using sensory profile (SP) questionnaires and Sensory Challenge Protocol that measured electrodermal response (EDR) to repeated sensory stimulation. Compared with the controls, the children with ADHD had a generally higher level of PA (1.48 ± 0.10 vs. 1.60 ± 0.12 METs/min; p = 001), and tended to spend more time in MVPA on weekdays (35.71%) and the weekend (57.14%). However, when analyzing hourly recorded PA, the group differences were obvious only for certain hours. Our data suggested that children with ADHD were more hyperactive in structure-free than structured settings. The ADHD group showed their sensory modulation problems on the SP but not on the EDR. We found some correlations between sensory modulation problems and hyperactivity in children with ADHD.     

The mediating role of physical self-concept on relations between biological maturity status and physical activity in adolescent females

The current study examined the mediating role of physical self-concept on relations between biological maturity status and self-reported physical activity in adolescent British females. Biological maturity status, physical self-concept and physical activity were assessed in 407 female British year 7-9 pupils (M age = 13.2 years, SD = 1.0). Participants completed the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (Kowalski, Crocker, &; Donen, 2004) and the Children and Youth Physical Self-Perceptions Profile (Whitehead, 1995). Percentage of predicted adult height attained at measurement was used as an estimate of biological maturity status. Structural equation modelling using maximum likelihood estimation and bootstrapping procedures revealed that perceptions of sports competence, body attractiveness and physical self-worth mediated an inverse relation between maturity status and physical activity. The results provide partial support for Petersen and Taylor’s (1980) Mediated Effects Model of Psychological and Behavioural Adaptation to Puberty within the context of physical activity.     

Association between objectively assessed physical activity and sleep quality in adolescence. Results from the GINIplus and LISA studies

Study objectivesPopulation-based studies on the association of objectively assessed physical activity (PA) with sleep among adolescents are rare. We examined this association by applying accelerometry and accounting for the day-by-day variability.MethodsAccelerometers (Actigraph GT3X) were worn for one week by 1223 participants during the 15-year follow-up of the German birth cohorts (German infant study on the Influence of Nutrition Intervention plus air pollution and genetics on allergy development, GINIplus) and (Influence of Lifestyle factors on the development of the Immune System and Allergies in East and West Germany, LISA) to measure PA and sleep. PA was categorised into sedentary, lifestyle and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) referring to Sasaki and Romanzini. Sleep was analysed according to the algorithm developed by Sadeh. Sleep quality was represented by sleep efficiency (SE), sleep onset latency (SOL) and time awake per hour after sleep onset (TAPH). Sleep and activity were additionally reported by diaries. Linear and generalized mixed-effects-models with logit-link with subject specific random intercepts were used stratified by sex and adjusted for confounding variables.ResultsPhysical activity appears to be associated only with sleep quality the following night. Among female participants, SE improved (β = 0.12 [95% CI = (0.05; 0.18)]) per 10 minutes increase of MVPA. SOL decreased (OR = 0.83 [95% CI = (0.69; 0.99)]) among male participants with at least 60 min of MVPA per day. Engaging in leisure sport MVPA was associated with higher SE among female (β = 0.70 [95% CI = (0.22; 1.17)]) and male participants (β = 0.76 [95% CI = (0.18; 1.34)]). Also, TAPH among female (β = −0.37 [95% CI = (−0.65; −0.09)]) and SOL among male subjects (OR = 0.70 [95% CI = (0.57; 0.85)]) decreased. Increasing lifestyle activity was related to longer SOL among female (OR = 1.36 [95% CI = (1.15; 1.62)]) and male subjects (OR = 1.32 [95% CI = (1.10; 1.58)]).ConclusionsIn this large population-based sample of German adolescents MVPA and leisure sport improved short term sleep quality, supporting regular PA in adolescents for their health benefit.     

Physical activity practice,body image and visual impairment: A comparison between Brazilian and Italian children and adolescents

The aim of this study was to analyze the physical activity and body image of children and adolescents with visual impairment (VI) in Brazil and Italy. For this, 41 children and adolescents with VI (19 Brazilian and 22 Italian) aged 10.22 ± 2.19 years old (18 girls and 23 boys) answered the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children (PAQ-C), the Offer Self-Image Questionnaire (OSIQ), and an instrument with information about the disability, body weight and height. We analyzed the relationship between data from PAQ-C and OSIQ, as well as the gender, level of disability (blindness or low vision) and country using independent Mann–Whitney test. Body mass index (BMI) values were higher for Brazilian youths, with more than half of them classified as overweight and obese. Italian youths exhibited values of body image that were more positive and only 27% presented overweight or obesity. Blind children and adolescents were less active than those with low vision, but no differences were found between countries or genders. In Brazil, we detected significant correlations (p > 0.05) between physical activity, body image and BMI, which more active youths presenting lower values of BMI and a better perception of body image. Physical activity seems to have a positive influence on body image and BMI for children and adolescents with VI, thus it should be encouraged especially for those with higher disability degrees.     

Relationship between sleep habits,anthropometric characteristics and lifestyle habits in adolescents with intellectual disabilities

The aim was to explore the relationship between sleep habits and overweight/obesity, physical activity and sedentary behaviours in French adolescents with intellectual disabilities. This observational study was conducted on 535 French adolescents with intellectual deficiency. Sleep habits were analyzed and related to anthropometric measures, physical activity and sedentary behaviours. The study was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire. Adolescents completed the questionnaire during an interview with the principle investigator. Sleep timing behaviour was classified into 4 sleep patterns: Early-bed/Early-rise, Early-bed/Late-rise, Late-bed/Late-rise, and Late-bed/Early-rise. Of 573 eligible participants, 125 were excluded because of missing data on age, weight or height. The number of participants identified in each of the four sleep patterns was as follows: Early-bed/Early-rise, N = 59 (15.4%), Early-bed/Late-rise, N = 164 (43%), Late-bed/Early-rise, N = 56 (15%), Late-bed/Late-rise N = 102 (27%). Adolescents who woke up early were more active than those from the late rise group (p < 0.001). The number of adolescents who are sedentary was higher in late rise vs. early rise subjects (p < 0.001). Subjects in the late-bed group were more likely overweight and obese (p < 0.05). Results suggest that sleep behaviour was associated with overweight/obesity, physical activity and sedentary behaviour in adolescents with intellectual deficiency. Sleep behaviours should be considered in planning health promotion strategies.     

Comparing participation in physical recreation activities between children with disability and children with typical development: A secondary analysis of matched data

BackgroundFacilitating participation in physical recreation among children with disability is an increasingly important aim of paediatric rehabilitation.AimTo compare the extent (diversity and frequency), context (where and companionship), experience (enjoyment) and preference for participation in physical recreation activities outside-of-school between children with disability and children with typical development.Methods and proceduresOne hundred and sixty-three children with physical, intellectual, sensory or multiple disabilities (67 girls; mean age 10.8 yr) were matched with 163 children with typical development for age, sex, geographical location and socioeconomic status. Participation in 16 physical recreation activities (including walking, cycling, team sports) was compared between these two groups using non-parametric statistics and relative risk ratios.Outcomes and resultsThere were significant differences between the groups in 14 activities. A lower percentage of children with disability reported participating in 5 physical recreation activities. A higher percentage of children with disability reported not participating in their preferred activities. Children with disability were less likely to participate on their own in some day-to-day physical recreation activities such as walking and cycling.Conclusions and implicationsDifferences between the groups related to the context (companionship) and preference for participation. Understanding and addressing these differences may enhance participation among children with disability.     

Correlates between neurological soft signs and saccadic parameters in schizophrenia

Objective

Neurological Soft Signs (NSS) and impairments in oculomotor saccadic paradigms are both frequent in patients with schizophrenia but their correlation has never been explored.

Methods

78 patients with DSM-IV schizophrenia (including 43 non-treated) and 41 matched healthy controls were tested for NSS, and on three saccadic tasks: prosaccades, predictive saccades and memory-guided saccades) using infrared oculometry. We analyzed correlations between NSS scores and latencies in all three tasks, rate of errors in memory-guided saccades, and rate of anticipated predictive saccades.

Results

No correlations were found in healthy controls. In the patient group, the NSS total and motor coordination scores were positively correlated with three saccadic variables: the latency of prosaccades (r = 0.36, p < 0.01 and r = 0.36, p < 0.01 respectively), of memory-guided saccades (r = 0.35, p < 0.01 and r = 0.32, p < 0.05 respectively) and, negative correlations were found, with the rate of anticipated predictive saccades (r = − 0.33, p < 0.01; r = − 0.35, p < 0.01 respectively). NSS total, motor coordination and sensory integration scores were correlated to the latency of non-anticipated predictive saccades (r = 0.34, p < 0.01; r = 0.24, p < 0.05 and r = 0.40, p < 0.001 respectively). The NSS total, motor integration and sensory integration scores were correlated with the rate of errors in memory-guided saccades (r = 0.38, p < 0.01; r = 0.37, p < 0.01 and r = 0.34, p < 0.01 respectively).

Conclusions

These results support a common pathological mechanism with partial overlapping neural substrates between NSS and saccades in schizophrenia.     

Neural Correlates of Winning and Losing While Watching Soccer Matches

The purpose of this study was to examine the emotions experienced by spectators when their favorite team wins or loses a soccer match using fMRI. Those who watched winning scenes showed activation of the right and left occipital lobes, left temporal lobe, left limbic lobe, middle occipital gyrus, superior temporal gyrus, guneus, and uncus. Those who watched losing scenes showed activation of the right frontal lobe and right limbic lobe. This result suggests that emotional suppression is much stronger in negative emotional responses than in positive responses.     

Correlates of subjective and objective burden among caregivers of patients with bipolar disorder

Objective: We examined the relationship between mood symptoms and episodes in patients with bipolar disorder and burden reported by their primary caregivers. Method: Data on subjective and objective burden reported by 500 primary caregivers for 500 patients with bipolar disorder participating in the Systematic Treatment Enhancement Program for Bipolar Disorder (STEP‐BD) were collected using semistructured interviews. Patient data were collected prospectively over 1 year. The relationship between patient course and subsequent caregiver burden was examined. Results: Episodes of patient depression, but not mood elevation, were associated with greater objective and subjective caregiver burden. Burden was associated with fewer patient days well over the previous year. Patient depression was associated with caregiver burden even after controlling for days well. Conclusion: Patient depression, after accounting for chronicity of symptoms, independently predicts caregiver burden. This study underscores the important impact of bipolar depression on those most closely involved with those whom it affects.