scholarly journals A digitally enhanced home-based physical activity intervention for high-risk middle school youth during COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gina L Tripicchio ◽  
Gareth J Jones ◽  
Chantelle N Hart ◽  
Moonsup Hyun ◽  
Emily DeSabato ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Home Based ◽  
Health Coaches ◽  
Middle School Youth ◽  
High Risk Youth ◽  
Digitally Enhanced ◽  
School Youth

Abstract COVID-19 significantly impacted physical activity among high-risk youth. Camp from Home, a digitally enhanced home-based intervention, was developed to address physical activity disparities among middle school youth during COVID-19. Camp from Home enrolled 62 youth in 54 families from five schools in Philadelphia during the summer of 2020. The 6-week intervention comprised of (1) three home deliveries of “activity kits” including exercise equipment and activity booklets, (2) asynchronous sport and exercise videos posted to a private YouTube channel, and (3) supportive text-messages from health coaches. YouTube analytics and self-report surveys completed by parents and youth at baseline and at the end of programming were used to assess engagement, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy. Youth participants were 12.4 (1.2) years, 38.7% female and 90.3% Black/African American. At follow-up, 41 parents (75.9%) and 34 youth (54.8%) completed measures. Youth self-reported increases in self-efficacy (ΔM(sd) = 0.4(1.0), p = .03) and physical activity (ΔM(sd) = 4.2(7.9), p = .004), despite suboptimal engagement in digital program components. Overall, participants highly rated the program. Activity kits and text-messages from health coaches were rated as most helpful. Most parents (95.1%) and youth (83.8%) expressed interested in participating again in the future. A 6-week digitally enhanced, home-based physical activity intervention was acceptable and feasible among parents and youth during the summer of 2020, with youth reporting improvements in self-efficacy and physical activity. Summer programs are critical for reducing disparities in physical activity and hold potential for addressing key barriers for high-risk youth even outside the context of COVID-19.

scholarly journals Acceptability, Feasibility and Preliminary Evaluation of a Novel, Personalised, Home-Based Physical Activity Intervention for Chronic Heart Failure (Active-at-Home-HF): a Pilot Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nduka C. Okwose ◽  
Leah Avery ◽  
Nicola O’Brien ◽  
Sophie Cassidy ◽  
Sarah J. Charman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Heart Failure ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Chronic Heart Failure ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Step Count ◽  
Home Based ◽  
At Home

Abstract Purpose Less than 10% of heart failure patients in the UK participate in cardiac rehabilitation programmes. The present pilot study evaluated feasibility, acceptability and physiological effects of a novel, personalised, home-based physical activity intervention in chronic heart failure. Methods Twenty patients (68 ± 7 years old, 20% females) with stable chronic heart failure due to reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (31 ± 8 %) participated in a single-group, pilot study assessing the feasibility and acceptability of a 12-week personalised home-based physical activity intervention aiming to increase daily number of steps by 2000 from baseline (Active-at-Home-HF). Patients completed cardiopulmonary exercise testing with non-invasive gas exchange and haemodynamic measurements and quality of life questionnaire pre- and post-intervention. Patients were supported weekly via telephone and average weekly step count data collected using pedometers. Results Forty-three patients were screened and 20 recruited into the study. Seventeen patients (85%) completed the intervention, and 15 (75%) achieved the target step count. Average step count per day increased significantly from baseline to 3 weeks by 2546 (5108 ± 3064 to 7654 ± 3849, P = 0.03, n = 17) and was maintained until week 12 (9022 ± 3942). Following completion of the intervention, no adverse events were recorded and quality of life improved by 4 points (26 ± 18 vs. 22 ± 19). Peak exercise stroke volume increased by 19% (127 ± 34 vs. 151 ± 34 m/beat, P = 0.05), while cardiac index increased by 12% (6.8 ± 1.5 vs. 7.6 ± 2.0 L/min/m2, P = 0.19). Workload and oxygen consumption at anaerobic threshold also increased by 16% (49 ± 16 vs. 59 ± 14 watts, P = 0.01) and 10% (11.5 ± 2.9 vs. 12.8 ± 2.2 ml/kg/min, P = 0.39). Conclusion The Active-at-Home-HF intervention is feasible, acceptable and effective for increasing physical activity in CHF. It may lead to improvements in quality of life, exercise tolerance and haemodynamic function. Trial Registration www.clinicaltrials.gov NCT0367727. Retrospectively registered on 17 September 2018.

scholarly journals Intrapersonal, Behavioral and Environmental Factors Associated With Meeting Recommended Physical Activity Among Rural Latino Youth

2011 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 521-536 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cynthia K. Perry ◽  
Brian E. Saelens ◽  
Beti Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Physical Activity Level ◽  
Latino Youth ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
After School ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Middle School Youth ◽  
Recommended Physical Activity ◽  
School Youth

This study aimed to identify intrapersonal, behavioral, and environmental factors associated with engaging in recommended levels of physical activity among rural Latino middle school youth. Data were from an anonymous survey of 773 Latino youth (51% female) about level of and barriers and motivators to physical activity, risk behaviors, and park use. Logistic regression models identified factors correlated with meeting recommended levels of physical activity (5 days or more 360 min/day). Thirty-four percent of girls and 41% of boys reported meeting this physical activity recommendation. Participation in an organized after school activity (p < .001) and in physical education (PE) classes 5 days a week (p < .001) were strongly associated with meeting recommended physical activity level. Making PE available 5 days a week and creating opportunities for organized after school physical activity programs may increase the number of rural Latino middle school youth who meet recommended physical activity level.

Should Physical Activity Intervention Efforts Take a Whole Population, High-Risk, or Middle Road Strategy?

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 966-970 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geeske Peeters ◽  
Richard Hockey ◽  
Wendy Brown
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Heart Disease ◽  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Chronic Conditions ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Incidence Rates ◽  
Theoretical Modeling ◽  
Actual Distribution ◽  
Mail Surveys

Purpose:This study was designed to compare theoretical strategies for changing physical activity (PA) in terms of their potential to reduce the incidence of chronic conditions in midage women: (1) whole population: +30 minutes/week in all, (2) high-risk: +60 minutes/week in the lowest 25% of the PA distribution, and (3) middle road: shift all those not meeting guidelines to a level commensurate with meeting guidelines.Methods:10,854 participants (50–55 years in 2001) in the Australian Longitudinal Study of Women’s Health completed mail surveys in 2001, 2004, 2007, and 2010. PA was calculated as MET·minutes/week spent in walking, moderate and vigorous PA in the previous week. Incidence rates per 1000 person-years for diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, cancer, and depression were calculated for the actual distribution and after modeled shifts in PA.Results:The incidence rates were 10.6 for diabetes, 7.0 for heart disease, 30.7 for hypertension, 8.0 for cancer, and 28.4 for depression. Greater reductions in incidence were found for the middle road strategy than for the whole population and high-risk strategies, with reductions ranging from –6.3% for cancer to –12.3% for diabetes.Discussion:This theoretical modeling showed that a middle road strategy to increasing PA was superior to the whole population and high-risk strategies, in terms of reducing incidence rates of chronic conditions in middle-aged women.

scholarly journals Iterative development of a multiple technology-based physical activity intervention for Latina adolescents: The Chicas Fuertes Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Britta Larsen ◽  
Emily D. Greenstadt ◽  
Brittany L. Olesen ◽  
Bess H. Marcus ◽  
Job Godino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Study Objective ◽  
Latina Adolescents

BACKGROUND Adolescent girls report the lowest levels of physical activity (PA) of any demographic group, with rates especially low for racial/ethnic minority girls. Only 3% of Latina teens meet national PA guidelines, and these habits appear to persist into adulthood. Developing effective interventions to increase PA in Latina teens is necessary for preventing disease and reducing disparities. OBJECTIVE The study objective was to develop a mHealth PA intervention for Latina adolescents using a multi-stage iterative process based on an adaptation of the IDEAS (Integrate, DEsign, Assess, Share) framework. METHODS Development of the intervention was accomplished through three iterations: 1) feedback from a previous web-based pilot study, Niñas Saludables; 2) conducting focus groups with the target population; and, 3) vetting the final materials with a youth advisory board (YAB) comprising Latina adolescents. Based on feedback from participants in the Niñas Saludables study, plans to improve the intervention included incorporating visual social media posts and text messaging, adding a commercial wearable tracker, and revising the existing website to be primarily visual; proposed procedures and material were then refined through focus groups. Participants for focus groups (N=50) were girls age 13-18 who could speak and read in English who were recruited from local high schools and after school programs serving a high proportion of Latinos. Facilitated discussions focused on experience with PA and social media apps, and specific feedback on intervention material prototypes and possible names and logos. Materials were refined based on their feedback, then were beta tested by the YAB. YAB members (N=4) were Latinas age 13-18 who were not regularly active and were recruited via word of mouth and selected through an application process. RESULTS The focus group discussions yielded the following findings: PA preferences included walking, running and group fitness classes, while the least popular activities were running, swimming, and biking. Most participants used some form of social media, with Instagram being the most favored. Participants preferred text messages be sent no more than once a day, be personalized, and be positively worded. Focus group participants preferred an intervention directly targeting Latinas, and social media posts that were brightly colored, included girls of all body types, and provided specific tips and information. Modified intervention materials were generally perceived favorably by the YAB members, who provided suggestions for further refinements including incorporation of some Spanish phrases. CONCLUSIONS Latina teens were generally enthusiastic about an mHealth PA intervention, provided the materials were targeted specifically to them and their preferences. Through multiple iterations of development and feedback with the target population, we gained insight into the needs of Latina teens and joined with industry partners to build a viable final product.

Modello di riabilitazione cardiologica teleguidata durante pandemia da COVID-19

2020 ◽  
pp. 271-275
Author(s):  
Giovanni Pasanisi ◽  
Biagio Sassone ◽  
Jonathan Myers ◽  
Giorgio Chiaranda ◽  
Andrea Raisi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Cardiac Rehabilitation ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Rehabilitation Program ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Rehabilitation Programs ◽  
Home Based ◽  
Video Tutorials ◽  
Rapid Spread ◽  
Collateral Effects

Background. The COVID-19 pandemic has induced many governments to promote national lockdowns. Despite a period of quarantine is the best option and recommendation to stop the rapid spread of infections, this may have collateral effects on other dimensions of the isolated patients’ physical and mental health. Physical activity is the major component of cardiac rehabilitation programs that have been abruptly discontinued. Aims. To counteract physical inactivity during the COVID-19 outbreak we propose an home cardiac rehabilitation program under telemonitoring guidance, the home-bAsed physiCal acTivity Intervention during cOvid-19 quaraNtine (ACTION) study, testing its feasibility. Methods and results. ACTION is an observational study in cardiac outpatients referred to an exercise-based cardiac rehabilita-tion program. A program consisting of aerobic recommendations combined with a selection of strength and balance exercises is recommended. Video tutorials providing details of the workouts will be sent to patients. Selected patients can be followed during the home-sessions via video connection using current smartphone applications. Conclusions. The ACTION study could provide applicable results for safe and effective exercise therapy in outpatients with car-diovascular disease, while preventing the COVID-19 outbreak from generating adverse health consequences due to acute cessa-tion of physical activity. Findings from the ACTION study can also be useful after the end of COVID-19 outbreak for patients who cannot participate in traditional center- or home-based cardiac rehabilitation programs.

Promoting Student Engagement with School using the Check & Connect Model

1999 ◽  
Vol 9 (S1) ◽  
pp. 169-184 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra L. Christenson ◽  
Mary F. Sinclair ◽  
Martha L. Thurlow ◽  
David Evelo
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
High Risk ◽  
School Engagement ◽  
Coping Skills ◽  
School Dropout ◽  
Predictor Variables ◽  
Dropping Out ◽  
Middle School Youth ◽  
School Youth ◽  
Over Time

Enhancing coping skills of students at high risk of school dropout is critical, particularly when school demands increase. The data-based Check & Connect school engagement model, originally designed to reduce the risk for dropping out among secondary/middle school youth with learning and emotional/behavioural disabilities, is described. Also described in this article are the students' patterns of school engagement over time, for whom national US statistics indicate only 42 per cent to 61 per cent typically complete high school. Results indicate that the levels of school engagement vary and change over time, among these high risk adolescents, supporting the importance of focusing on alterable indicators of risk, rather than status predictor variables. Furthermore, students' risk for disengagement from school was significantly lower for the youth who received sustained intervention throughout grade nine, compared to similar youth who received intervention support throughout grade eight.

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