scholarly journals Physical activity in the classroom to prevent childhood obesity: a pilot study in Santiago, Chile

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco Mardones ◽  
Pilar Arnaiz ◽  
Johana Soto-Sánchez ◽  
Juana Saavedra ◽  
Angélica Domínguez ◽  
...  

AbstractThis paper describes a 4-month pilot study that tested the suitability of a physical activity intervention for first graders (children aged 6 and 7 years) in a public school in Santiago, Chile. Teachers were trained to deliver the programme in the classroom during the school day. Teachers were surveyed to determine if this intervention fit within their curriculum and classroom routines and they reported in a focus group that it was suitable for them. All children actively participated in the programme and positive changes in their attitudes towards physical activity were observed by their teachers. Anthropometrics, blood pressure and hand grip strength were measured in the students. A significant reduction was observed in children with high waist circumference ≥ 90th percentile, and in mean systolic blood pressure. However, statistical power values for those comparisons were rather low. Anthropometry and hand grip strength were not modified. The latter calculations and the lack of a control group are showing the weaknesses of this pilot study and that further research with a larger sample size and an experimental design is strongly needed.

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 587-587
Author(s):  
Abigail Nehrkorn-Bailey ◽  
Garrett Forsyth ◽  
Barry Braun ◽  
Kimberly Burke ◽  
Manfred Diehl

Abstract Based on adult inactivity, a new intervention named AgingPLUS was created, targeting motivational barriers to physical activity. Data come from a pilot study (N = 116), with 56 participants randomized to the AgingPLUS group (Mage = 63.52 years, SD = 7.89 years), and 60 randomized to the active control group (Mage = 63.06 years, SD = 8.30 years). Multi-group linear growth curve analyses examined improvements in hand-grip strength and blood pressure from pretest (Week 0) to immediate (Week 4) and delayed posttest (Week 8). Findings showed that only participants in the AgingPLUS group had significant improvements in hand-grip strength for the right (B = 1.34, p < .001) and left hand (B = 1.73, p < .001), as well as significant reductions in systolic (B = -3.28, p < .05) and diastolic blood pressure (B = -1.92, p < .01). These findings provide support for the efficacy of AgingPLUS.


2022 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Julian Mutz ◽  
Thole H. Hoppen ◽  
Chiara Fabbri ◽  
Cathryn M. Lewis

Background Anxiety disorders are leading contributors to the global disease burden, highly prevalent across the lifespan and associated with substantially increased morbidity and early mortality. Aims The aim of this study was to examine age-related changes across a wide range of physiological measures in middle-aged and older adults with a lifetime history of anxiety disorders compared with healthy controls. Method The UK Biobank study recruited >500 000 adults, aged 37–73, between 2006 and 2010. We used generalised additive models to estimate non-linear associations between age and hand-grip strength, cardiovascular function, body composition, lung function and heel bone mineral density in a case group and in a control group. Results The main data-set included 332 078 adults (mean age 56.37 years; 52.65% women). In both genders, individuals with anxiety disorders had a lower hand-grip strength and lower blood pressure, whereas their pulse rate and body composition measures were higher than in the healthy control group. Case–control group differences were larger when considering individuals with chronic and/or severe anxiety disorders, and differences in body composition were modulated by depression comorbidity status. Differences in age-related physiological changes between females in the anxiety disorder case group and healthy controls were most evident for blood pressure, pulse rate and body composition, whereas this was the case in males for hand-grip strength, blood pressure and body composition. Most differences in physiological measures between the case and control groups decreased with increasing age. Conclusions Findings in individuals with a lifetime history of anxiety disorders differed from a healthy control group across multiple physiological measures, with some evidence of case–control group differences by age. The differences observed varied by chronicity/severity and depression comorbidity.


2014 ◽  
pp. 219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dahan da Cunha Nascimento ◽  
Ramires Alsamir Tibana ◽  
Franklin Benik ◽  
Keila Elizabeth Fontana ◽  
Frederico Ribeiro Neto ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-72
Author(s):  
Robin Orr ◽  
Anthony Rofe ◽  
Ben Hinton ◽  
Jay Dawes ◽  
Gianpiero Greco ◽  
...  

Police officers may be required to use their firearms in self-defence. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationships between hand grip size and strength with pistol shooting accuracy in police officers. Twelve (age = 38.08 ± 6.24 years; height = 174.42 ± 7.33 cm) police officers had their hand sizes (palm width and hand span) and hand grip strength measured. Handgrip dynamometer was set at a Glock 17 pistol's grip width (50 mm). The officers fired 10 rounds from their service pistols at a stationary target. Independent samples t-tests were performed to identify differences between the sexes. Correlations were used to investigate relationships between measures of hand size, strength, and marksmanship. Alpha levels were set at p < 0.05. Male officers were significantly stronger (p = 0.01) and had a bigger hand width (p = 0.03), but not hand span. There were no significant differences in marksmanship between the sexes. Neither hand size nor grip strength had a significant impact on marksmanship even though there were strong and significant relationships between hand size (span and MCP) and grip strength. A V-shaped curve appears to exist between grip strength and marksmanship and hand span and marksmanship, with a potential influencing factor being the standard sizing of the pistol grip.


2019 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 161-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manasi Desai ◽  
Ahmed Mohamed ◽  
Andrew Davenport

Introduction: Haemodialysis patients are at an increased risk of sarcopenia. Physical inactivity is now recognised as a major cause of muscle wasting in haemodialysis patients. It is unclear as to what and how much exercise is required to show benefit. We therefore performed a pilot study of cycling during haemodialysis. Methods: Patients underwent a progressive submaximal individualised cycling exercise, 3× a week during haemodialysis for 4 months using bed-cycle ergometers. Body composition was measured by multifrequency segmental bioimpedance and muscle function by 6-min walking test, and hand grip strength and pinch strength. Results: In total, 56% of patients in a dialysis centre fulfilled exercise study inclusion criteria and 13 (72.2%) of 18 patients completed the exercise programme, with the mean age of 64.0 ± 16.6 years and 76.9% being male. The 6-min walking test increased following exercise from 349 ± 105 to 398 ± 94.2 m, p < 0.05, as did both hand grip strength and pinch strength, with 20.4 ± 9.1 versus 23.4 ± 9.9 kg, p < 0.01, and 4.3 ± 1.8 versus 5.9 ± 2.4 kg, p < 0.05, respectively. There were no changes in appendicular muscle mass or other body composition detected with bioimpedance in either the exercise group, or 21 control patients, propensity matched for body composition, comorbidity and frailty. Muscle strength did not change in the control group. Haemodialysis sessional Kt/Vurea was greater at the end of the exercise programme compared to controls (1.63 ± 0.63 vs 1.21 ± 0.12, p < 0.01). Conclusion: The majority of dialysis centre patients met our exercise study entry criteria and could potentially benefit from cycling during haemodialysis. We found that muscle function and strength improved after a 4-month, thrice weekly cycling exercise programme.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robbert J. J. Gobbens ◽  
Marcel A. L. M. van Assen

Frailty is a predictor of disability. A proper understanding of the contribution of individual indicators of frailty in the prediction of disability is a requisite for preventive interventions. The aim of this study was to determine the predictive power of the individual physical frailty indicators: gait speed, physical activity, hand grip strength, Body Mass Index (BMI), fatigue, and balance, for ADL and IADL disability. The sample consisted of 505 community-dwelling persons (≥75 years, response rate 35.1%). Respondents first participated between November 2007 and June 2008, and a subset of all respondents participated again one year later (N=264, 52.3% response rate). ADL and IADL disability were assessed by the Groningen Activity Restriction Scale. BMI was assessed by self-report, and the other physical frailty indicators were assessed with the TUG test (gait speed), the LAPAQ (physical activity), a hand grip strength test, the SFQ (fatigue), and the Four-test balance scale. All six physical frailty indicators were associated with ADL and IADL disability. After controlling for previous disability, sociodemographic characteristics, self-perceived lifestyle, and chronic diseases, only gait speed was predictive of both ADL and IADL disability, whereas there was a small effect of fatigue on IADL disability. Hence, these physical frailty indicators should be included in frailty assessment when predicting future disability.


2011 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-57
Author(s):  
Swapan Kumar DEY ◽  
Sangita PAL

LANGUAGE NOTE | Document text in English; abstract also in Chinese. A proper and systematic use of physical training can enhance physiological improvement. The present study was aimed to investigate the effects of formal training programs on different physical and physiological profiles of prepubescent tribal boys at different age group. The study was conducted on 69 young boys who were divided into three subgroups i.e. Group-I (n=23, age=9.3±0.19), Group-II (n=18, age=10.1±0.86), Group-III (n=28, age=11±0.22) according to their chronological age. All the boys were inducted in Tripura sports school having formal training of 18 months. Another 64 boys were also chosen as control group (sedentary in nature) from the same community. They were also divided into three subgroups as per their respective test groups. All the boys including sedentary groups belong to similar socio-economic status and dietary habits. Tests were conducted three times in 18 months duration on test groups and twice in control groups to evaluate the height, weight, hand grip strength, body fat%, endurance ability, speed ability, explosive power of the lower extremities and hemoglobin% of all the boys. The result of the present study revealed that almost all the parameters were increased significantly in all three test groups after 18 months duration, except body fat% which was found to be changes insignificantly in group II boys. When the comparison was made among the groups, it was observed that in pre training, all the parameters were changed significantly at p<0.01 & body fat% at p<0.05 level except 800m run and standing broad jump (SBJ) respectively. Significant differences were also observed following 18 months of training in height, hemoglobin percent, 800m run at the level of p< 0.05 and weight, hand grip strength, 30m flying start, aerobic capacity, SBJ at p<0.01 levels, except body fat% which was found to be statistically insignificant. All the parameters were found to be more in Test group-III as compared to other two groups. Prior to training no such significant differences were observed in above parameters with respect to control group. Following 18 months of training, a significant difference was found with respect to control group in all parameters except height, weight (Gr-I & Gr- II) & body fat%. However the increase in above anthropometric and physiological parameters may only because of the augmenting effect of training or due merely because of their growth & development. It has been reported that moderate physical training is necessary for normal growth & development and it is more pronounced in the subject who belongs at the trigger point of adolescence. So it may be concluded that under same nutritional status the effect of formal training is more effective in higher age group as compared to the lower age group. 本文旨在探討印度部落兒童,透過運動訓練而影響的體型及生理變化。邀請了69名兒童進行評估及比較,結果顯示: 大部份體型及生理指標有明顯的增長。


BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. e023845 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda Anette Kornstad Nygård ◽  
Ingunn Mundal ◽  
Lisbeth Dahl ◽  
Jūratė Šaltytė Benth ◽  
Anne Marie Mork Rokstad

IntroductionAge-related loss of muscle mass, muscle strength and muscle function (sarcopenia) leads to a decline in physical performance, loss of independence and reduced quality of life. Nutritional supplements may delay the progression of sarcopenia. The aim of this randomised, double-blinded controlled trial including 100 participants (≥65 years) is to assess the effect of a marine protein hydrolysate (MPH) on sarcopenia-related outcomes like hand grip strength, physical performance or gait speed and to study the associations between physical performance and nutritional intake and status.Method and analysisThe intervention group (n=50) will receive 3 g of MPH per day in 12 months. The control group (n=50) receive placebo. Assessments of Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), hand grip strength, anthropometric measurements, nutritional status as measured by the Mini Nutritional Assessment, dietary intake, supplement use, biomarkers of protein nutrition and vitamin D, and health-related quality of life (EQ-5D), will be performed at baseline and after 6 and 12 months of intervention. Linear mixed models will be estimated to assess the effect of MPH on SPPB, hand grip strength and quality of life, as well as associations between physical performance and nutrition.Ethics and disseminationThe study has been approved by the Regional Committee in Ethics in Medical Research in Mid-Norway in September 2016 with the registration ID 2016/1152. The results will be actively disseminated through peer-reviewed journals, conference presentations, social media, broadcast media and print media.Trial registration numberNCT02890290.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Auwal Abdullahi ◽  
Amina Shuaib Bala ◽  
Sani Musa Danazumi ◽  
Saadatu Maiwada Abubakar ◽  
Rislanu Isyaku Adamu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Pregnancy results in many changes, including reduced hand grip strength (HGS). However, good HGS is required for physical functions such as carrying and breastfeeding the baby after birth. The aim of this study was to determine the factors that may predict HGS during pregnancy. Methods The study was a cross-sectional study approved by the Research Ethics Committees of Kano State Ministry of Health and Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital in Kano, north-west, Nigeria. Pregnant women at the designated hospitals were included in the study if they had no serious comorbidities or any known neurological condition that affects the hands and the neck. Demographic characteristics and independent (predictor) variables (age, weight, height, BMI, maternity leave status, number of full-term deliveries, number of preterm deliveries, number of live births, number of abortuses, gravidity, trimester, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, inter arm systolic BP difference [IASBP], inter arm diastolic BP difference [IADBP], and heart rate) of each of the participants were recorded by experienced therapists. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, t-test, Pearson correlation coefficient and standard multiple regression. Result One hundred and sixty-one pregnant women with mean age, 25.04 ± 4.83 years participated in the study. In the dominant hand, 120 participants (74.5%) had weak grip strength. In the non-dominant hand, 135 participants (83.9%) had weak grip strength. For the dominant hand, the total variance explained by the whole model was significant, 28.5%, F(11, 161) = 1.187, R2 = 0.081, p = 0.300 . In the final model, none of the variables significantly predicted HGS. However, systolic blood pressure contributed to the model more than any other variable (Beta = -0.155). For the non-dominant hand, the total variance explained by the whole model was not significant, 33.1%, F(11, 161) = 1.675, R2 = 0.111, p = 0.089 . In the final model, only systolic blood pressure (Beta = -0.254, p = 0.023) significantly predicted hand grip strength. Conclusion Cardiovascular events or changes during pregnancy (such as change in systolic blood pressure) may be related to HGS in pregnant women. It is therefore, important for clinicians to pay attention to this, in planning rehabilitation strategies for pregnant women.


2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (5) ◽  
pp. 279-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vicente Martínez-Vizcaíno ◽  
Diana P Pozuelo-Carrascosa ◽  
Jorge C García-Prieto ◽  
Iván Cavero-Redondo ◽  
Montserrat Solera-Martínez ◽  
...  

ObjectiveTo test a physical activity intervention (MOVI-KIDS) on obesity indicators, physical fitness and blood pressure (BP) in children.MethodsA crossover randomised cluster trial was conducted, which comprised 1434 children (4–7 years old) from 21 schools in the provinces of Cuenca and Ciudad Real in the Castilla-La Mancha region of Spain. The intervention consisted of three 60 min sessions/week on weekdays between October 2013 and May 2014. Changes in anthropometric variables, physical fitness and BP parameters were measured. The analyses used were mixed regression models to adjust for baseline covariates under cluster randomisation.ResultsThere was no significant improvement in overweight/obesity with the intervention compared with the control group in both sexes. Further, the intervention did not alter other adiposity indicators or BP parameters. Improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness were seen in girls (1.19; 95% CI 0.31 to 2.08; p=0.008), but not in boys. Finally, there was an improvement in velocity/agility in both girls (−2.51 s; 95% CI −3.98 to −1.05; p=0.001) and boys (−2.35 s; 95% CI −3.71 to −0.98; p=0.001), and in muscular strength in both girls (0.66; 95% CI 0.03 to 1.28; p=0.038) and boys (1.26; 95% CI 0.03 to 1.28; p<0.001).ConclusionMOVI-KIDS was not successful in reducing the adiposity and maintained BP levels at previous healthy values in children. The intervention, however, showed significant improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness in girls, and muscular strength and velocity/agility in boys and girls.Trial registration numberNCT01971840; Post-results.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document