Physical activity and atrial fibrillation: Data from wearable fitness trackers

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Physical fitness of blind and sighted children

Summary Twenty-seven children (age 7–17 years) with varying degrees of blindness but with no other known disorder were assessed for physical fitness. Twenty-seven randomly selected children with normal eyesight were also assessed. Maximum oxygen uptake ( ) was measured directly during a progressive exercise test on a treadmill. There was a significant and substantial reduction in in totally blind children (mean ± standard deviation 35.0±7.5 ml · min^–1 · kg^–1) compared with normal children (45.9±6.6 ml · min^–1 · kg^–1). Partially sighted children had a significant but smaller reduction in . Fitness assessed by a step-test was significantly reduced in the visually impaired children, and skin-fold thickness was also significantly greater in totally blind children.The level of habitual physical activity for each child, as assessed by a questionnaire, correlated with (r=0.53,p<0.0001). Blind children were significantly less active than normal children, and the difference between mean for blind and normal children became non-significant when their different activity levels were taken into account. It is concluded that totally blind children are less fit than other children at least partly because of their lower level of habitual activity.     

P300, N400, aerobic fitness, and maximal aerobic exercise

Electrophysiological effects of aerobic fitness and maximal aerobic exercise were investigated by comparing P300 and N400 before and after a maximal cycling test. Event-related potentials (ERPs) were obtained from 20 students divided into two matched groups defined by their aerobic fitness level (cyclists vs. sedentary subjects). The session of postexercise ERPs was performed immediately after body temperature and heart rate returned to preexercise values. At rest, no significant differences were observed in ERP parameters between cyclists and sedentary subjects. This finding argued against the hypothesis that ERP modifications may be directly assumed by aerobic fitness level. The postexercise session of ERPs showed a significant P300 amplitude increase and a significant P300 latency decrease in all subjects. Similarly, N400 effect increased significantly after the maximal exercise in all subjects. ERP changes were of the same magnitude in the two groups. The present study argues for a general arousing effect of maximal aerobic exercise, independently of the aerobic fitness level.     

Targeting physical health in schizophrenia: Results from the Physical Activity Can Enhance Life (PACE-Life) 24-week open trial

Poor health and low cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) contribute substantially to the shortened lifespan of individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs). Increasing physical activity has demonstrated value; however, there are limited interventions that are accessible and adequately address motivational challenges. This paper reports on an open trial of Physical Activity Can Enhance Life (PACE-Life), a motivational theory-based manualized multicomponent walking intervention. The primary aim was to examine the feasibility of implementing PACE-Life through meeting the recruitment target (n = 14), attendance and adherence rates, and participant feedback. The secondary aim was to assess the impact of PACE-Life on intermediate targets (autonomous motivation and satisfaction of autonomy, relatedness, and competence needs), proximal outcomes (Fitbit steps/day and minutes spent walking), the primary outcome (CRF), and secondary outcomes (loneliness, symptoms, resting heart rate, blood pressure, weight, body mass index, and hip and waist circumference). Seventeen participants with SSDs enrolled in a 24-week open trial. Assessments occurred at baseline, mid-point, post-test, and one-month follow-up. The recruitment target was exceeded, the group attendance rate was 34%, Fitbit adherence rate was 54%, and participant feedback indicated satisfaction with the intervention as well as a positive group environment. There was a large improvement in the primary outcome of CRF with 77% of participants achieving clinically significant improvement at post-test. Small and medium effect size increases were observed in autonomous motivation and satisfaction of autonomy, relatedness, and competence needs. Fitbit data and secondary outcomes generally remained unchanged or worsened during the intervention. Results from this open trial indicate that PACE-Life leads to meaningful changes in CRF among people with SSDs.     

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.     

前牙缺失中种植基桩数目对种植固定桥适合性影响的实验研究

为探讨前牙321缺失中不同种植基桩数目对Ni-Cr合金种植固定桥桥支架适合性的影响,采用三维坐标测量法,对3组分别含有1、2、3个种植基桩的五单位双端固定桥试件进行测量.结果显示选择不同的种植基桩数目对同一长度的铸件的精度有差别,含2个基桩的试件精度最高.固位体的理论边缘间隙值在50～150μm,理论浮升量在100～250μm.     

淡色库蚊溴氰菊酯抗性品系生物学特性的研究

目的　比较抗性品系和敏感品系主要生物学特性的异同 ,求抗性品系相对适合度 ,为杀虫剂的合理使用提供理论依据。方法　观察并记录淡色库蚊抗性品系及敏感品系吸血、繁殖和发育等生物学特性 ,组建实验种群生命表。结果　抗性品系吸血率低于敏感品系且差异显著 ;卵期死亡率高于敏感品系且差异显著 ;卵、幼虫和蛹的发育历期均长于敏感品系且差异显著 ;抗性品系适和度为 0 .66。结论　淡色库蚊溴氰菊酯抗性品系存在适合度缺陷。     

Marriage behaviour in the Alpine Non Valley from 1825 to 1923

Blood donor specimens from South-west Scotland were analysed for the following polymorphisms: ABO, Rhesus (D), Haptoglobin, Transferrin, Immunoglobulin (GM), RBC acid phophatase, RBC phosphoglucomutase and RBC adenylate kinase.

Genetic differences exist between the regions in S.W. Scotland and between S.W. Scotland and other Irish and Irish Sea regions. This variability is detailed and discussed. The results are mapped by converting the data into distance values and by using a non-metrical scaling technique. Overall the present S.W. Scotland data are similar to Cumbrian and Manx results and dissimilar to the Irish data.     

Dancer perceptions of the cognitive,social, emotional,and physical benefits of modern styles of partnered dancing

ObjectiveTo study dancers’ perceptions of the physical, cognitive, affective, and social benefits of partnered dancing.Method225 dancers (71% female) were recruited through a community ballroom dance center and completed an online survey designed to measure their perceptions of the physical, cognitive, affective, and social benefits of modern, partnered dance styles (swing, Lindy Hop, and ballroom dancing). Subgroups were formed for analyses. For one set of analyses, groups based on length of dance participation were formed: experienced (dancing for more than 2 years) or novice (dancing for less than a year) dancers. For another set of analyses, groups based on frequency of dance practice were formed: committed (dancing at least one or more times per week) or occasional (dancing two or fewer times per month).ResultsThe majority of participants reported perceived benefits in physical fitness, cognition, affect, and social functioning. Experienced dancers reported significantly greater self-perceived physical, social, and cognitive benefits than novice dancers. Committed dancers were more likely than occasional dancers to report improvements in physical fitness, U = 6942, z = 2.38, r = 0.16, p < 0.05. A Mann-Whitney test indicated that self-reported improvements in mood (i.e., feeling less depressed and more happy) were greater for women than for men, U = 3945, z = −3.07, r = 0.20, p < 0.001. Length and frequency of dance participation significantly predicted perceived physical benefits [Χ² (1,6) = 35.463, p <0.001, R² = 0.16] and social benefits [Χ² (1,6) = 15.776, p < 0.05, R² = 0.07], but not cognitive benefits.ConclusionsResults suggest that participation in partnered dance styles is associated with perceived improvements in physical fitness, cognitive functioning, social functioning, mood, and self-confidence, and that perceived benefits may increase as individuals dance more frequently and over longer periods of time.