Habitual and Low-Intensity Physical Activity in People with Multiple Sclerosis

2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannah L. Gullo ◽  
Anna L. Hatton ◽  
Sally Bennett ◽  
Jennifer Fleming ◽  
David H. K. Shum

People with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) undertake insufficient physical activity based on current guidelines. Recent work points to the benefits of increasing the amount of time spent in all non-sedentary physical activity. The current study sought to explore the potential benefits to community participation, as well as examine factors predictive, of engagement in ‘habitual’ and/or low-intensity physical activity. Seventy-four people with MS were compared to 67 healthy controls using the Frenchay Activities Index (FAI). Findings revealed differences in habitual activity level (p < .001), and low-intensity physical activity (p < .001), with people with MS having a lower level of engagement than healthy people. After controlling for the impact of MS on mobility, years since symptom onset, physical fatigue and reduced positive affect were the most significant predictors of engagement in ‘at least weekly’ low-intensity physical activity. Higher frequency of low-intensity physical activity was significantly associated with greater home, social and occupational participation (all p < .05), and physical health status (p < .01), but not mental health status (p = .964) in people with MS. Results suggest that improving habitual activity level and engagement in low-intensity physical activity may be of benefit for people with MS.

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (16) ◽  
pp. 5706
Author(s):  
Francisco Cabrera-Chávez ◽  
Veronica Lopez-Teros ◽  
Perla Yareli Gutiérrez-Arzapalo ◽  
Feliznando Isidro Cárdenas-Torres ◽  
Efren Rafael Rios-Burgueño ◽  
...  

Background and objectives: Both antihypertensive peptide intake and physical activity help to control blood pressure. Our aim was to evaluate the impact of consuming amaranth antihypertensive peptides on systolic blood pressure (SBP) in normotensive rats and the magnitude and relevance of the peptide-induced antihypertensive effect in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Materials and Methods: Treatments (alcalase-generated amaranth protein hydrolysate, captopril, or water) were given by gavage and the SBP measured by the tail-cuff method. Physical activity was performed five days/week (for twenty weeks). Results: The normotensive rats’ SBP (mmHg, average/group) remained unaffected after amaranth antihypertensive peptide supplementation (121.8) (p > 0.05 vs controls). In SHR, the SBP was lowered by 24.6 (sedentary/supplemented at two weeks), 42.0 (sedentary/supplemented at eight weeks), and 31.5 (exercised/non-supplemented at eight weeks) (p < 0.05 vs sedentary/non-supplemented). The combination of supplementation and physical activity lowered the SBP by 36.2 and 42.7 (supplemented/exercised at two weeks and eight weeks, respectively) (p < 0.05 vs sedentary/non-supplemented), but it did not have additional antihypertensive benefits (p > 0.05 vs sedentary/supplemented at eight weeks or exercised/non-supplemented at eight weeks). Conclusions: Amaranth antihypertensive peptide supplementation has no impact on SBP in normotensive rats. This supplementation develops sustained antihypertensive benefits in SHR, which are similar to the antihypertensive effect developed after eight- or twenty-week low-intensity physical activity. These findings have implications for developing safe and effective peptide-based functional foods.


2021 ◽  
Vol 90 (2) ◽  
pp. 157-162
Author(s):  
Leonardo Gomes de Oliveira Luz ◽  
Marcos de Sá Rego Fortes ◽  
Geraldo de Albuquerque Maranhão Neto

Introduction: A coronavirus epidemic began in November 2019 (COVID-19) in the Chinese city of Wuhan. However, the current scenario shows the coexistence of other pandemics, the insufficient physical activity level and obesity, the effect of this combination tends to enhance the complications attributed to coronavirus infection. In this scenario, among other strategies to combat COVID-19, social distancing, and active lifestyle compatible with a healthy immune function are recommended. Objective: The aim of this study was to analyse the impact of COVID-19 pandemic over the populational habitual physical activity and recommend the inclusion of a physical exercise routine in your daily life. Conclusion: Moderate physical activity is indicated in order to meet the recent recommendations of the World Health Organization and to optimize the immune response. Therefore, the daily physical exercise should be included, especially at home in longer periods of social distancing.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 294-300
Author(s):  
Lalli Singh ◽  
Devangi Desai

Background:- Lockdown in India happened due to COVID-19 pandemic. In this lockdown, government urged people to stay at home to prevent the spread of the virus. Prolonged homestay for longer duration leads to sedentary behavior which affects physical as well as mental health of the individuals. Aim:- This study aimed at determining the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the physical activity and mental health of physiotherapy college students. Also to know the correlation between physical activity and mental health in physiotherapy students keeping pandemic COVID-19 in between them. Method:- A web-based survey was undertaken. 250 physiotherapy students were approached out of which 214 had successfully filled up the entire form. The questionnaire of IPAQ(SF) for physical activity level and DASS-21 for mental health were used. Data Analysis:- Prevalence for physical activity and prevalence of mental health status for physiotherapy students was calculated and presented in form of frequency distribution and spearman’s correlation was used to find the any relation between them. Results:- Prevalence of 79% was obtained for mild physical activity. 17% for moderate physical activity and 4% severe physical activity was obtained. Prevalence of mental health status were noted it showed 29.90% mild, 32.71% moderate and 10.73% severe level of affection in physiotherapy students. Also, there is a weak positive co relation between physical activity and mental health of physiotherapy students considering pandemic. Conclusion:- With the present study it can be concluded that there is a significant reduction in the physical activity and also prevalence for mental health status shows deterioration level among physiotherapy students. Looking at the current scenario early intervention are needed to improve the mental health status and physical activity of physiotherapy students. Key words: Covid 19, lockdown, stress, physical activity and health status.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farren L. Goulding ◽  
Charity D. Evans ◽  
Katherine B. Knox ◽  
Hyun J. Lim ◽  
Michael C. Levin ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, degenerative disease of the central nervous system. Because of the long-term and unpredictable nature of the disease, the burden of MS is significant from both a patient and societal perspective. Despite a recent influx of disease-modifying therapies to treat MS, many individuals continue to experience disability that negatively affects productivity and quality of life. Previous research indicates that physical activity has a positive impact on walking function in individuals with MS, in addition to the usual beneficial effects on overall health. However, most people with MS are not active enough to gain these benefits, and a lack of support to initiate and maintain physical activity has been identified as a major barrier. This study will evaluate the impact of a novel intervention involving individualized behavioural change strategies delivered by neurophysiotherapists on increasing physical activity levels in individuals with MS who are currently inactive.Methods/Design This single-blinded, parallel-group, randomised controlled trial will be conducted in Saskatchewan, Canada. Eligible participants include individuals with MS who are ambulatory, but identified as currently inactive by the self-reported Godin Leisure-time Exercise Questionnaire (GLTEQ). The intervention will be delivered by neurophysiotherapists and includes individualised behavioural change strategies aimed at increasing physical activity over a 12-month period. The control group will receive usual care during the 12-month study period. The primary outcome is the change in physical activity level, as measured by the change in the GLTEQ score from baseline to 12 months. Secondary outcomes include the change in patient-reported outcome measures assessing MS-specific symptoms, confidence and quality of life.Discussion Physical activity has been identified as a top research priority by the MS community. Findings from this novel study may result in new knowledge that could significantly impact the management and overall health of individuals with MS.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farren L. Goulding ◽  
Charity Evans ◽  
Katherine A. Knox ◽  
Hyun J. Lim ◽  
Michael C. Levin ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, degenerative disease of the central nervous system. Because of the long-term and unpredictable nature of the disease, the burden of MS is significant from both a patient and societal perspective. Despite a recent influx of disease-modifying therapies to treat MS, many individuals continue to experience disability that negatively affects productivity and quality of life. Previous research indicates that physical activity has a positive impact on walking function in individuals with MS, in addition to the usual beneficial effects on overall health. However, most people with MS are not active enough to gain these benefits, and a lack of support to initiate and maintain physical activity has been identified as a major barrier. This study will evaluate the impact of a novel intervention involving individualized behavioural change strategies delivered by neurophysiotherapists on increasing physical activity levels in individuals with MS who are currently inactive.Methods/Design This single-blinded, parallel-group, randomised controlled trial will be conducted in Saskatchewan, Canada. Eligible participants include individuals with MS who are ambulatory, but identified as currently inactive by the self-reported Godin Leisure-time Exercise Questionnaire (GLTEQ). The intervention will be delivered by neurophysiotherapists and includes individualised behavioural change strategies aimed at increasing physical activity over a 12-month period. The control group will receive usual care during the 12-month study period. The primary outcome is the change in physical activity level, as measured by the change in the GLTEQ score from baseline to 12 months. Secondary outcomes include the change in patient-reported outcome measures assessing MS-specific symptoms, confidence and quality of life.Discussion Physical activity has been identified as a top research priority by the MS community. Findings from this novel study may result in new knowledge that could significantly impact the management and overall health of individuals with MS.Trial Registration: This study is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04027114 (July 10, 2019).


Author(s):  
Jing GUAN ◽  
Guojun WANG ◽  
Chunli GENG

Background: There is a lack of specific study of the impact of physical activities on middle-aged and elderly adults in developing countries. We aimed to investigate the causal impact of different levels of physical activity on self-rated health status for Chinese adults with an average age of 61 yr from years 2011 to 2015. Methods: China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) conducted by the Peking University of China was utilized which was a longitudinal database and thus allowed to control for the effect of unobserved individual heterogeneities. In this study, this control was carried out using fixed effect and propensity score matching methods. In addition, this study further took into consideration of the discrete feature of our response variable, self-rated health status, by applying an ordered logit model. Results: Participating in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity significantly increased individuals’ self-rated health status (P<.05) whereas lower intensity physical activity did not increase individuals’ self-rated health status. Conclusion: Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity is an important instrument to improve the health status of middle-aged and elderly population in China. Government should encourage people to involve in more moderate-to-vigorous physical activity as it is an efficient way to improve individuals’ health status.


Gerontology ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Ahmed Ghachem ◽  
Frédérik Dufour ◽  
Tamas Fülöp ◽  
Pierrette Gaudreau ◽  
Alan A. Cohen

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Age-related changes in biological processes such as physiological dysregulation (the progressive loss of homeostatic capacity) vary considerably among older adults and may influence health profiles in late life. These differences could be related, at least in part, to the impact of intrinsic and extrinsic factors such as sex and physical activity level (PAL). <b><i>Objectives:</i></b> The objectives of this study were (1) to assess the magnitude and rate of changes in physiologi­cal dysregulation in men and women according to PAL and (2) to determine whether/how sex and PAL mediate the apparent influence of physiological dysregulation on health outcomes (frailty and mortality). <b><i>Methods:</i></b> We used data on 1,754 community-dwelling older adults (age = 74.4 ± 4.2 years; women = 52.4%) of the Quebec NuAge cohort study. Physiological dysregulation was calculated based on Mahalanobis distance of 31 biomarkers regrouped into 5 systems: oxygen transport, liver/kidney function, leukopoiesis, micronutrients, and lipids. <b><i>Results:</i></b> As expected, mean physiological dysregulation significantly increased with age while PAL decreased. For the same age and PAL, men showed higher levels of physiological dysregulation globally in 3 systems: oxygen transport, liver/kidney function, and leukopoiesis. Men also showed faster global physiological dysregulation in the liver/kidney and leukopoiesis systems. Overall, high PAL was associated with lower level and slower rate of change of physiological dysregulation. Finally, while mortality and frailty risk significantly increased with physiological dysregulation, there was no evidence for differences in these effects between sexes and PAL. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Our results showed that both sex and PAL have a significant effect on physiological dysregulation levels and rates of change. Also, although a higher PAL was associated with lower level and slower rate of change of physiological dysregulation, there was no evidence that PAL attenuates the effect of physiological dysregulation on subsequent declines in health at the end of life. Substantial work remains to understand how modifiable behaviors impact the relationship between physiological dysregulation, frailty, and mortality in men and women.


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