Aerobic physical activity assessed with accelerometer,diary, questionnaire,and interview in a Finnish population sample

This study evaluates the agreement between different methods to assess moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in a large sample of Finnish adults. Methods were classified and examined pairwise (accelerometer vs diary; questionnaire vs interview). Proportion of participants meeting the aerobic health‐enhancing physical activity (HEPA) recommendation was compared pairwise between all four methods. The present study of 1916 adults aged 18‐75 years (mean age 50 years, 57% women) is a sub‐sample of population‐based Health 2011 Study conducted by the National Institute of Health and Welfare in Finland. Participants used accelerometer for 7 days and completed physical activity (PA) diary during the same period. PA questionnaire and interview were completed retrospectively to assess typical weekly PA over the past year. Agreement between the methods was analyzed with paired samples t ‐test and Bland‐Altman plot. Kappa‐test was used to compare the prevalence of meeting the HEPA recommendation. The accelerometer resulted in 13 minutes (P  <  0.001) higher weekly total amount of MVPA compared to diary. According to Bland‐Altman plot, the 95% limit of agreement was from +273 to −247 in weekly minutes. The comparison between questionnaire and interview showed non‐significant mean difference of 3 minutes (P  =  0.60) in weekly MVPA, but the Bland‐Altman plot showing the 95% limit of agreement from +432 to −427 in weekly minutes. Agreement of meeting HEPA recommendation was moderate between questionnaire and interview (κ  = 0.43) but poor (κ  = 0.20‐0.38) between other comparisons. The inter‐method differences were large especially at the individual level. Thus the assessment of PA is strongly method‐dependent and not interchangeable.     

Changes in physical activity, maximal isometric strength and maximal oxygen uptake from late teenage to adulthood: an eight-year follow-up study of adolescents in Denmark

A randomly selected group of 88 men and 115 women, aged 23–27 years in 1991, were tested as teenagers in 1983, and then followed-up in 1991. A mean increase of 15% in maximal voluntary isometric strength was found in men, and no change was found in women over the 8 years. Body weight increased 14% in men and 6% in women. Strength in relation to body weight (N · kg^?1) did not change in men, but a small decrease of 3% was found in women. Strength in abdominal muscles decreased in blue-collar workers but increased in students. Maximal oxygen uptake (V?_o2max (ml · min^?1kg^?1) decreased 9% in men and 3% in women. The values in 1991 were 47.9 and 39.5 ml · min^?1kg^?1 for men and women, respectively. Participation in leisure sport activities decreased 1.7 h · week^?1 in men and 1.2 h · week^?1 in women. Seventy percent of the men and 74% of the women participated in regular leisure sport activity, which was a marked increase from 8 years before, when only 54% of the men and 57% of the women were similarly active. The overall decrease in V?_O2max in men was due primarily to a decrease among blue-collar workers and unemployed men: 19%vs 4% in other occupational groups. Only 20% of the blue-collar workers participated in sport activities for more than 4 h · week^?1, and 47% did not participate at all. In women, changes in strength and V?_O2max were related to motherhood. Abdominal muscle strength decreased, but arm flexor strength increased in women who had become mothers. V?_O2max decreased 14% in mothers vs 2% in other women. Changes over 8 years in V?_O2max and strength did not relate to changes in physical activity, but a significant relationship between decrease in physical activity and gain in body fat was found in men. Changes in body weight and body fat were the only variables that correlated with changes in strength. None of the observed changes related to changes in V?_O2max (ml · min^?1kg^?1). For the 23- to 27-year-olds, the level of physical activity assessed in h · week^?1 was almost as high in women as in men.     

Physical activity intensity and subclinical atherosclerosis in Danish adolescents: The European Youth Heart Study

The aim was to investigate the associations between physical activity (PA), cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and intima media thickness (IMT) or stiffness. This was a population‐based cross‐sectional study (n = 336) of Danish adolescents [mean age (standard deviation, SD): 15.6 (0.4) years]. PA intensity was assessed objectively (ActiGraph model GT3X) and CRF using a progressive maximal bicycle test. Carotid IMT and arterial stiffness were assessed using B‐mode ultrasound. In a multivariate analysis (adjusted for pubertal development and smoking status), CRF was inversely associated with measures of carotid stiffness (standard beta: ?0.20 to ?0.15, P < 0.05) in boys, but not in girls. No associations were observed between any of PA and IMT. Boys in the least fit quartile had significantly stiffer carotid arteries compared to the most fit quartile (difference between lowest and highest quartile ranging between 0.4 and 0.5 SD, P < 0.05). This difference in arterial stiffness between low and high quartiles was similar for moderate‐to‐vigorous PA (MVPA). Further adjustment for sedentary time attenuated the difference observed between quartiles MVPA slightly. Adiposity did not attenuate these differences. Our observations suggest that increasing CRF or MVPA in the least active group of the population may be beneficial for vascular health.     

Physical fitness in relation to transport to school in adolescents: the Danish youth and sports study

In many Western countries, there are concerns about declining levels of physical activity in school-aged children. Active transport is one way to increase physical activity in children, but few studies have evaluated whether active transport in school-aged children and adolescents has beneficial effects on fitness and, if so, whether different modes of transport affect different aspects of fitness. In this study, we examined the association of active transport with different aspects of fitness in a representative Danish sample of 545 boys and 704 girls, 15–19 years of age. Physical fitness was assessed through a number of field tests, including a maximal cycle test, dynamic and static strength in different muscle groups, muscle endurance, flexibility and agility. Transport to school was reported as the mode of transport. Almost two-thirds of the population cycled to school. Cyclists had higher aerobic power than both walkers and passive travelers (4.6–5.9%). Isometric muscle endurance (10–16%), dynamic muscle endurance in the abdominal muscles (10%) and flexibility (6%) were also higher in cyclists compared with walkers and passive travelers. Mode of travel was not related to leisure-time sports participation. Our findings suggest that commuter bicycling may be a way to improve health in adolescents.     

Physical activity and physical fitness as protection against premature disease or death

It is known from prospective studies that the incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD) is lower in the physically active compared with the sedentary part of the population, and the rate of CHD is lower with higher fitness level. In studies where both physical activity (PA) and fitness are assessed, only fitness, and not PA, appear to be an independent predictor of mortality from CHD. It is unclear whether other fitness components than maximal oxygen uptake ( V o_2max) have a beneficial effect on the rate of CHD. Further, it seems likely that there is an upper threshold of fitness ( V o_2max) above which no further improvement in risk factors for CHD is found. However, most middle-aged people have fitness levels below this threshold. There is no doubt that the middle-aged sedentary person benefits from physical activity regardless of type and intensity, and it may be easier to motivate a sedentary person to carry out moderate physical activity. However, it is likely that the best effect is achieved by performing physical activity of a type and intensity sufficient to improve the fitness level. Still, recommendations of type, frequency, duration and intensity are matters of debate.     

Assessment of physical activity, fitness and performance in 76-year-olds

In a population study comprising 588 76-year-olds, the level of physical activity and physical performance, as well as associations between the variables included, was investigated. Men were significantly more active than women unless household activities were included in the physical activity scale, in which case no difference was found between men and women in the summer, whereas women were significantly more active than men in winter. In all performance variables (isometric knee extensor strength, stair-climbing and maximal walking speed) men had significantly higher values than women. Correlations between physical activity and physical performance were moderate, but still indicate that the scale is a valid one for assessing physical activity.     

Physical activity in leisure-time is not associated with 10-year changes in waist circumference

To examine whether physical activity (PA) is associated with changes in waist circumference (WC), and changes in WC given changes in body mass index (BMI). Longitudinal population-based study including 2026 men and 2782 women aged 21-81 years. Subjects were examined in 1991-1993 (baseline) and 2001-2003 (follow up), where height, weight and WC were measured. Information about overall PA in leisure-time (LTPA), walking, biking and sports activity was collected with self-administrated questionnaires at baseline. Outcomes were changes in WC and changes in WC given changes in BMI between baseline and follow up. The median increase in WC was 3.0 cm in men and 3.5 cm in women during follow-up, and with a considerable inter-individual variation. LTPA, walking and biking were not significantly associated with the outcomes. Inverse associations between sports activity and the outcomes were observed in both sexes, and these were significant in some analyses. Associations were not altered by adjustment for confounders or by exclusions of subjects with diseases and/or treatment by obesity-inducing medication. This study suggests that LTPA, walking and biking have no appreciable effects on changes in WC or changes in WC given changes in BMI, whereas sports activity may have small preventive effects.     

Physical fitness and academic performance in youth: A systematic review

Physical fitness (PF) is a construct of health‐ and skill‐related attributes which have been associated with academic performance (AP) in youth. This study aimed to review the scientific evidence on the association among components of PF and AP in children and adolescents. A systematic review of articles using databases PubMed/Medline, ERIC, LILACS, SciELO, and Web of Science was undertaken. Cross‐sectional and longitudinal studies examining the association between at least one component of PF and AP in children and adolescents, published between 1990 and June 2016, were included. Independent extraction of articles was carried out by the two authors using predefined data fields. From a total of 45 studies included, 25 report a positive association between components of PF with AP and 20 describe a single association between cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and AP. According to the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines: 12 were classified as low, 32 as medium risk, and 1 as high risk of bias. Thirty‐one studies reported a positive association between AP and CRF, six studies with muscular strength, three studies with flexibility, and seven studies reported a positive association between clustered of PF components and AP. The magnitude of the associations is weak to moderate (β = 0.10–0.42 and odds = 1.01–4.14). There is strong evidence for a positive association between CRF and cluster of PF with AP in cross‐sectional studies; and evidence from longitudinal studies for a positive association between cluster of PF and AP; the relationship between muscular strength and flexibility with AP remains uncertain.     

Physical activity as part of an intervention program for elderly persons in Göteborg

Intervention strategies have been described, and the effect of the intervention has been evaluated in three subsamples belonging to the third cohort of 70-yeardd people who have been studied lontitudinally in Göteborg, Sweden. The subjects who had been exposed to intervention measures were more physically active at the age of 76 than the controls. They participated to a greater extent in gymnastics groups and walking pups and took part in more other physical activities. Women in the intervention group did not change over the years concerning knee extensor strength, whereas women in the control group became weaker. Both groups of men showed a decrease in knee extensor strength and all subjects showed a decrease in maximal walking speed.     

Daily physical activity related to aerobic fitness and body fat in an urban sample of children

This study evaluates associations between objectively measured daily physical activity vs aerobic fitness and body fat in children aged 8-11 years. A cross-sectional study of 225 children aged 7.9-11.1 years was performed. Abdominal fat mass (AFM) and total body fat (TBF) were quantified by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. TBF was calculated as percentage of total body mass (BF%). Body fat distribution was calculated as AFM/TBF. Aerobic fitness was measured by indirect calorimetry during a maximal cycle ergometer exercise test. Daily physical activity was assessed by accelerometers for 4 days and daily accumulation of moderate-to-vigorous and vigorous activity was calculated. Significant relationships (P<0.05) existed for vigorous activity vs ln BF% (r=-0.40), ln AFM (r=-0.35), TBF/AFM (r=-0.22) and aerobic fitness (r=0.38), whereas moderate-to-vigorous activity displayed weaker relationships (-0.22, -0.18, -0.12 NS, and 0.25). Multiple regression analyses with inclusion of possible confounders concluded that vigorous activity was independently related to aerobic fitness and ln BF% or ln AFM. Moderate-to-vigorous activity was only independently related to aerobic fitness. In this population, low daily accumulation of vigorous activity was, already in children aged 8-11 years, associated with more body fat and lower aerobic fitness. A similar relation was not found for daily accumulation of moderate-to-vigorous activity.     

Prediction of physical fitness and physical activity level in adulthood by physical performance and physical activity in adolescence - An 18-year follow-up study

Barnekow-Bergkvist M, Hedberg G, Janlert U, Jansson E. Prediction of physical fitness and physical activity level in adulthood by physical performance and physical activity in adolescence - An 18-year follow-up study. The aim of the study was to investigate relationships between physical fitness and self-reported physical activity in adulthood and to what extent the level of physical fitness and leisure-time physical activity in adulthood can be explained by anthropometric measures, physical performance, physical activity, attitudes to sports activities and socio-demographic characteristics at the age of 16. A group of 157 men and 121 women was tested at the ages of 16 and 34 by means of questionnaires and fitness tests. Physically active men and women had higher estimated VO_{2 max} and performed better in curl ups and bench press than those who were inactive. Performance in physical tests, height, weight and physical activity at the age of 16 contributed best to explain adult physical performance and physical activity. The magnitude of explanation varied between 10% (9-min run test) and 56% (bench press test); it was in general lower in the men than in the women. The various fitness tests and physical activity were explained by different predictors and the predictors also differed between men and women. The findings about attitudes to sports and socio-demographic factors at a young age that influence adult physical activity habits and fitness are very complex and further research is required to identify specific inactivity risks.     

Physical fitness,everyday physical activity,and fatigue in ambulatory adults with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy

This study assessed physical fitness and its relationships with everyday physical activity (PA) and fatigue in cerebral palsy (CP). Participants were 42 adults with ambulatory bilateral spastic CP (mean age 36.4 ± 5.8 years; 69% males; 81% with good gross motor functioning). Progressive maximal aerobic cycle tests determined VO_2peak (L/min). Objective levels of everyday PA were measured with accelerometry and self‐reported levels of everyday PA with the Physical Activity Scale for Individuals with Physical Disabilities. Fatigue was assessed with the Fatigue Severity Scale. The average aerobic capacity of adults with CP was 77% of Dutch reference values. Participants were physically active during 124 min/day (85% of Dutch reference values), and half experienced fatigue. In women, lower physical fitness was related to lower self‐reported levels of PA (R_p=0.61, P=0.03), and in men to higher levels of fatigue (R_p=?0.37, P=0.05). Other relationships were not significant. Results suggest that ambulatory adults with CP have low levels of physical fitness, are less physically active than able‐bodied age mates and often experience fatigue. We found little evidence for relationships between the level of physical fitness and everyday PA or fatigue.     

Associations between physical activity,body composition,and physical fitness in the transition from preschool to school

The purpose of the study was to assess the longitudinal associations of physical activity (PA) with body composition and physical fitness (PF) at the 12-month follow-up during the transition from kindergarten to school in Estonian children aged 6 to 8 years (n = 147). PA and sedentary behavior (SB) were assessed using the accelerometer. Body composition was measured from triceps and subscapular skinfold thicknesses and PF using PREFIT test battery. SB at the mean age of 6.6 year had negative relation with upper and lower body strength and motor fitness at the mean age of 7.6 year in adjusted models. Light PA (LPA) and moderate PA(MPA) at 6.6 year were positively and SB was negatively associated with fat-free mass index (FFMI) at 7.6 year after adjustments for confounders [vigorous PA (VPA), total awake wear time, child's sex, age at measurement]. Substituting 5 min/d of SB at 6.6 year with 5 min of VPA was related to higher FFMI at 7.6 year. In adjusted models, VPA at 6.6 year was positively associated with cardiorespiratory fitness at 7.6 year, greater baseline VPA or moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) predicted greater upper body strength a year later and LPA, MPA, VPA, MVPA at 6.6 year were positively related to lower body strength at follow-up. In adjusted analysis greater VPA at 6.6 year was related to better motor fitness at follow-up. Promoting higher-intensity PA and reducing SB at preschool may have long-term effects on body composition and PF in children at the first grade.     

中老年人业余体育活动、体质与冠心病危险因素

目的 :探讨业余体育活动水平 (LPAL)、体质 (PF)与冠心病 (CHD)危险因素的关系。方法 :用多因素分析方法观察了LPAL、PF、有规律的体育活动年限 (RPA)对 179名 5 0～ 70岁受试者血压 (BP)、血清甘油三酯 (TG)、总胆固醇(TC)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇 (HDL -C)的影响 ,并调整了年龄、性别及其它生活方式参数。结果 :较少的体育活动、较差的体质水平有较高的BP、TG、TC和较低的HDL -C、HDL -C/TC ;调整混淆因素后RPA与CHD危险因素无独立相关 ,TG、TC、HDL -C、HDL -C/TC与PF独立相关 ,BP与LPAL独立负相关。提示PF比LPAL对血脂和脂蛋白有更大的影响 ,而LPAL比PF对BP有更大的影响。     

Physical activity is inversely associated with high blood pressure independently of overweight in Brazilian adolescents

The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between blood pressure (BP) levels and physical activity (PA) domains accounting for overweight/obesity. Adolescents aged 10 to 17 years old were recruited (n = 1021). International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) criteria were used to define overweight and obesity. High BP was defined using the Center of Disease Control and Prevention criteria. Different domains of PA (school activities, sport out of school, and leisure time PA) were assessed using a validated questionnaire. The prevalence of overweight/obesity was 21.9% for boys and 14.8% for girls. Some 13.4% of boys and 10.2% of girls, respectively, had high blood pressure (HBP). A strong and positive association was found between overweight and HBP. After adjustment for body mass index (BMI), total PA was inversely associated with BP. When all PA domains were entered simultaneously in a regression model, and after adjustment for BMI, only sport out of school was significantly and inversely associated with systolic BP [β: –0.82 (–1.50; –0.13)]. These findings open avenue for the early prevention of HBP by the prevention of obesity and promotion of PA.     

Secular trends in aerobic fitness performance in a cohort of Norwegian adolescents

The purpose of the present study was to compare 3000 m running test results between 1969 and 2009 in a cohort of Norwegian high school pupils. Between 1969 and 2009, a total of 4981 (2827 boys) 3000 m running tests were collected from two Norwegian senior high schools. One‐way ANOVA with Tukey's post hoc test was used to analyze the differences in the running times between the different decades. The running times have increased by 10% and 6% from the 1980s to the 2000s for boys and girls, respectively. The distribution showed a decline in aerobic fitness performance for all deciles. The largest negative change in difference was found for pupils with the poorest aerobic fitness level in both boys and girls. The cohort of 16‐ to 18‐year‐old boys and girls in the decade 2000–2009 had a poorer aerobic fitness performance in the 3000 m running test compared with earlier decades. The decline in running performance was greater for boys than girls, and the gap between the most and the least fit is becoming considerably larger.     

Physical activity among adolescents: The role of various kinds of parental support

The objectives of this study were (a) to examine the association between various kinds of parental social support and adolescents' physical activity (PA) and (b) to examine whether various kinds of social support from mothers and fathers were differently associated with boys' and girls' PA. Data came from the Aarhus School Survey that included 2100 schoolchildren at 11, 13, and 15 years of age. Parental social support for PA was measured by items about encouragement to do PA, doing joint PA, parents watching PA, and talking about PA. PA was measured as at least 4 h of vigorous PA per week during leisure time. We used logistic regression analyses to estimate the associations for girls and boys separately, adjusted by age group, parents' occupational social class, family structure, and migration status. There were significant and graded associations between adolescents' PA and all four dimensions of parental support for PA. The association patterns were similar for mothers' and fathers' social support and similar for girls and boys. Social processes in the family are important for adolescents' participation in PA. It is important to continue to explore these social processes in order to understand why some adolescents are physically active and others are not.     

Physical fitness in adolescents with normal weight and overweight

We studied the associations of overweight (OW, BMI > or =85th percentile) and physical activity (PA) with physical fitness in adolescents. The nationally representative sample was 1120 boys and 1146 girls, aged 15-16 years. Height and weight were self-reported. The level of PA was based on self-reported frequency and duration of sweating during organized and non-organized activity. Fitness was measured by sit-ups, sit-and-reach, five-jump, back-and-forth jumping, ball skills, coordination and endurance shuttle run tests. The fitness index was calculated as the mean of z-scores for individual tests. The prevalence of OW was 17.3% in boys and 11.8% in girls. The main effect of PA (in analysis of variance) on all fitness tests was significant (P< or =0.005). The main effect of OW was significant (P<0.002) for all tests, except for sit-and-reach. According to linear regression models, the association between PA and fitness was stronger than that between OW and fitness. Sit-ups, endurance shuttle-run and fitness index showed the strongest association with PA (standardized beta coefficients 0.31-0.49). OW was not associated with sit-and-reach test (coefficient 0.04) and only weakly with the ball skills test (coefficients -0.10 to -0.12). In conclusion, OW had the most negative association with cardiorespiratory and muscle endurance, and explosive power tests.     

A Physical Education trial improves adolescents' cognitive performance and academic achievement: the EDUFIT study

To analyze the effects of an intervention focused on increasing the time and intensity of Physical Education (PE), on adolescents' cognitive performance and academic achievement. A 4‐month group‐randomized controlled trial was conducted in 67 adolescents from South‐East Spain, 2007. Three classes were randomly allocated into control group (CG), experimental group 1 (EG1) and experimental group 2 (EG2). CG received usual PE (two sessions/week), EG1 received four PE sessions/week and EG2 received four PE sessions/week of high intensity. Cognitive performance (non‐verbal and verbal ability, abstract reasoning, spatial ability, verbal reasoning and numerical ability) was assessed by the Spanish Overall and Factorial Intelligence Test, and academic achievement by school grades. All the cognitive performance variables, except verbal reasoning, increased more in EG2 than in CG (all P < 0.05). Average school grades (e.g., mathematics) increased more in EG2 than in CG. Overall, EG2 improved more than EG1, without differences between EG1 and CG. Increased PE can benefit cognitive performance and academic achievement. This study contributes to the current knowledge by suggesting that the intensity of PE sessions might play a role in the positive effect of physical activity on cognition and academic success. Future studies involving larger sample sizes should confirm or contrast these preliminary findings.