Sleep following intense physical exercise stabilizes motor learning in typically developing boys

There is compelling evidence that sleep (N2, REM sleep, but also N3) supports the consolidation of motor memory in adults. Although children express higher levels of REM sleep and N3, it is still not understood why sleep does not benefit the consolidation of motor memory in children as in adults. Here, we aimed to manipulate sleep by daytime physical exercise in typically developing boys (N = 12; range 9–12 yrs) to test the impact on sleep and motor learning. The manipulation consisted of 1 h of intense ergometer exercise during the daytime before a night of restorative sleep. In a rest control condition, children were seated comfortably and listened to an audio drama. Motor learning was assessed with a visuomotor finger sequence tapping task; in both conditions learning took place before either exercise or rest. Prior to sleep in the sleep laboratory, motor memory was assessed as a baseline. Motor memory was again collected in the morning after a night of sleep in the lab. While there was no change in N3, we found prolonged REM sleep latency after physical activity compared to rest, corresponding to a prolonged first sleep cycle. With respect to motor learning, we found superior accuracy of motor performance after physical exercise compared to rest. Our findings suggest that physical exercise during the daytime stabilizes sleep-dependent motor learning.     

Routine participation in sports and fitness activities among out-patients with psychotic disorders: A multi-site cross-sectional survey in England

BackgroundSedentary lifestyle is a significant contributor to poor outcomes in people with psychotic disorders. However, little is known about the extent of routine participation in specific sports and fitness activities among those who do take part. We investigated the frequency, intensity, time and type of sports and fitness activities (“fitness”) completed by people with psychotic disorders in their daily life and explored correlates associated with fitness participation.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional survey among out-patients with psychotic disorders (n = 529) recruited from six different NHS sites in England. Subjective participation in fitness activities during the previous week was assessed by an adaptation of the UK Time Use Survey. The main outcome was whether participants met the minimum World Health Organization recommendations for moderate intensity physical activity (≥150 min/week) through fitness. Poisson regression models with robust error variance were used to examine associations of this outcome with participant variables.ResultsIn total, 267 (52.2%) participants reported taking part in routine fitness activities in the previous week, many of whom did so alone (n = 163, 59.1%). Only 21.5% (n = 114) completed ≥150 min of fitness activities in the previous week. The likelihood of attaining these recommendations was lower among participants who were female, older in age, in a relationship, unemployed and with fewer social contacts.ConclusionMental health services promoting physical activity interventions among people with psychotic disorders may need to modify their approaches based on previous patient preference and increase their focus on sub-groups of patients who are less likely to routinely engage in fitness activities.     

Physical activity and motor skill outcomes of a 10-week intervention for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities ages 4–13: A pilot study

BackgroundChildren with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) often experience increased barriers to engaging in physical activity (PA) which can stem from lack of gross motor function (GMF) development. Intervening on GMF at an early age can create better opportunities for children with IDD to engage in regular PA. In turn, increased PA can improve health outcomes and increase social skills.ObjectiveThe primary objective of this pilot study was to explore the effectiveness of a community-based GMF-focused PA intervention for improving overall motor skills and PA for children with IDD.MethodsAll study participants (n = 24) engaged in 10 weeks of programming for 1 h each week. A convenience sample was utilized.ResultsResults indicated no statistically significant changes pre to post for motor skill scores. However, a visual analysis of mean changes showed a consistent pattern of increased scores from pre to post on most skills. Additionally, we found that a change in participant locomotor skills significantly predicted change in Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity (MVPA), F (1,11) = 5.16, Adj R² = .26, p = .04.ConclusionsThese results suggest individualized attention on GMF may help to increase motor skills for children with IDD. This study adds to the small but growing amount of research examining the efficacy of community based adapted PA interventions. Further, study results should support continued exploration of effective approaches to address the motor delays experienced by children with IDD.     

Mental health and socioeconomic status impact adherence to youth activity and dietary programs: a meta-analysis

PurposeSubstantial efforts have gone into reducing the physiological and psychological harm of obesity in youth, but few studies have reviewed the factors contributing to adherence to pediatric weight management programs. The attrition rates to programs offering multiple components to address BMI improvement and healthy lifestyle change among youth are quite high. The purpose of this study is to review the literature for factors contributing to adherence to these programs among children and youth with obesity and determine pooled effect of these factors.MethodsA systematic literature search and meta-analysis was conducted through the PubMed database on pediatric weight management interventions offering at least physical activity and dietary support for obese youth aged 10–17 years, where variables contributing to adherence were reported. Only those studies achieving a threshold of methodological rigour were included.ResultsAltogether, seven studies were included in the analysis. There was a pooled RR of lower socioeconomic status on non-adherence of 1.34 [95% confidence intervals 1.19–1.52] and poorer mental health on non-adherence of 1.12 [95% confidence intervals 1.08–1.17].ConclusionIt is important to address barriers related to lower socioeconomic status in pediatric weight management programs to increase adherence. Further, addressing supports for those with poorer mental health can reduce the risk of non-adherence in multi-disciplinary programs targeting youth with obesity.     

The experiences of peer-facilitators delivering a physical activity intervention for emergency service workers and their families

IntroductionEmergency service workers (e.g. police, fire, ambulance officers) are regularly exposed to occupational stressors and potentially traumatic events, resulting in an increased risk of poor mental and physical health. For example, emergency service workers are twice as likely to experience suicidal thoughts compared to the general population and one in ten will develop posttraumatic stress disorder. Despite this, emergency service workers face barriers to accessing traditional mental healthcare. Physical activity is non-stigmatising and may help improve the mental and physical health of this population; however, novel ways to help people engage are needed. Peers with lived experience may be well-placed to co-deliver physical activity programs alongside health professionals. The aim of this study was to understand the experiences of peer-facilitators co-delivering an online physical activity intervention for emergency service workers and their families.MethodsQualitative interviews were conducted with 6 peer-facilitators. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and analysed using exploratory thematic analysis.ResultsTwo main themes were explored. The first theme related to the value of lived experience that reflected two subthemes, i) credibility and relatedness by virtue of experience; and ii) knowledge and confidence by virtue of experience. The second theme related to the impact of the peer-facilitator role on the peers themselves, whereby peer-facilitators reported an increased sense of purpose and social connection.DiscussionThis qualitative study provides insights into how peer-facilitators can complement health professionals in the delivery of physical activity interventions for emergency service workers. Further research is needed to elucidate training requirements and safety protocols.     

聚合酶链反应检验法在阴道炎患者阴道细菌检查中的应用价值

目的探讨聚合酶链反应检验法在阴道炎患者阴道细菌检查中的应用价值。方法选取2019年6月~2020年6月于我院行细菌检查的58例阴道炎患者为研究对象,所有患者均采用阴道分泌物细菌培养、聚合酶链式反应(PCR)检验,比较两种检验方法阳性检出率。结果PCR检验阳性检出率(89.66%)高于细菌培养法(70.69%),差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论PCR检验法应于阴道炎患者阴道细菌检查中,阳性检出率高,可为阴道炎的诊断及治疗提供较准确的科学依据,具有较高的临床应用价值。     

How can an agent-based model explore the impact of interventions on children's physical activity in an urban environment?

Insufficient physical activity (PA) among most children and adolescents is a global problem that is undermining the realisation of numerous developmental and health benefits. The aim of this study was to explore the potential impact of interventions on PA by using an agent-based model (ABM) simulating children's daily activities in an urban environment. Three domains for interventions were explored: outdoor play, school physical education and active travel. Simulated interventions increased children's average daily moderate-to-vigorous PA by 2–13 min and reduced the percentage of children not meeting PA guidelines, from 34% to 10%–29%, depending on the intervention. Promotion of active travel and outdoor play benefited more those in a higher socio-economic position. Agents' interactions suggested that: encouraging activity in diverse groups will reduce percentage of the least active in the population; and initiating outdoor events in neighbourhoods can generate an enhancing effect on children's engagement in PA. The ABM provided measurable outcomes for interventions that are difficult to estimate using reductionist methods. We suggest that ABMs should be used more commonly to explore the complexity of the social-environmental PA system.     

Associations between weather conditions and physical activity and sedentary time in children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the associations between weather conditions and physical activity (PA) and sedentary time (ST) in children and adolescents. A systematic search of six databases identified 11,816 articles, of which 26 studies were included in the review. Several weather conditions were included, such as rainfall, temperature, wind speed, day length, sunlight, humidity, snowfall, and clouds. Meta-analyses showed that higher temperatures were associated with more moderate-to-vigorous PA, while lower temperature and heavily rainfall was associated with longer ST. Children and adolescents showed more PA and less ST during favorable weather conditions. Future longitudinal and intervention studies on PA and ST should focus on how weather conditions promote or hinder these behaviors.     

Matching Special Olympics registration data with administrative health databases: Feasibility and health status differences in children and youth with IDD

BackgroundChildren and youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) experience health disparities. What is unknown is if data collected from children and youth with IDD who participate in Special Olympics is representative of children and youth with IDD who do not.ObjectivesAim 1: determine the feasibility of matching a database of registrants from Special Olympics Ontario (SOO), with population-based health services databases in Ontario, Canada housed at ICES. Aim 2: evaluate the differences between the database sources with regards to demographic variables and clinical status.MethodsUsing deterministic and probabilistic matching, registration data from SOO were matched to administrative health databases. Established algorithms were used to determine the prevalence of asthma, diabetes, and mental disorder in addition to demographic variables.ResultsThe matching rate was over 90%; 8404 were attributed to children and youth between the ages of 0–19 years. When comparing SOO participants with IDD to non-SOO participants with IDD, children and youth who participate in SOO were, on average, older with no further differences between groups on clinical or demographic variables. When comparing those previously not identified in the health services databases (from SOO) to those with IDD identified by ICES, the SOO participants appear to use the health system less, possibly indicating a better health status.ConclusionsResearch conducted on child and youth who participate in Special Olympics Ontario can be generalized to the broader population of children and youth with IDD in Canada when adjusted for age; however, care should be taken when comparing levels of overall morbidity.     

The Australian Obesity Management Algorithm: A simple tool to guide the management of obesity in primary care

Obesity is a complex and multifactorial chronic disease with genetic, environmental, physiological and behavioural determinants that requires long-term care. Obesity is associated with a broad range of complications including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, dyslipidaemia, metabolic associated fatty liver disease, reproductive hormonal abnormalities, sleep apnoea, depression, osteoarthritis and certain cancers. An algorithm has been developed (with PubMed and Medline searched for all relevant articles from 1 Jan 2000–1 Oct 2021) to (i) assist primary care physicians in treatment decisions for non-pregnant adults with obesity, and (ii) provide a practical clinical tool to guide the implementation of existing guidelines (summarised in Appendix 1) for the treatment of obesity in the Australian primary care setting.Main recommendations and changes in managementTreatment pathways should be determined by a person’s anthropometry (body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC)) and the presence and severity of obesity-related complications. A target of 10–15% weight loss is recommended for people with BMI 30–40 kg/m² or abdominal obesity (WC > 88 cm in females, WC > 102 cm in males) without complications. The treatment focus should be supervised lifestyle interventions that may include a reduced or low energy diet, very low energy diet (VLED) or pharmacotherapy. For people with BMI 30–40 kg/m² or abdominal obesity and complications, or those with BMI > 40 kg/m² a weight loss target of 10–15% body weight is recommended, and management should include intensive interventions such as VLED, pharmacotherapy or bariatric surgery, which may be required in combination. A weight loss target of > 15% is recommended for those with BMI > 40 kg/m² and complications and they should be referred to specialist care. Their treatment should include a VLED with or without pharmacotherapy and bariatric surgery.