A Longitudinal Study of Objectively Measured Built Environment as Determinant of Physical Activity in Young Adults: The European Youth Heart Study

Background:This longitudinal study aimed to examine if a Movability Index (MI), based on objectively measured built environment characteristics, was a determinant for objectively measured physical activity (PA) among young adults.Methods:Data collected from 177 persons participating in the Danish part of the European Youth Hearth Study (EYHS) was used to examine the effect of the built environment on PA. A MI was developed using objectively measured built environment characteristics, and included residential density, recreational facilities, daily destinations and street connectivity.Results:Results showed a positive cross-sectional association between MI and PA. PA decreased from baseline to follow-up. MI increased, primarily due to participants relocating to larger cities. An increase in MI from baseline to follow-up was associated with a reduced decrease in PA for females.Conclusions:Our findings suggest that the built environment is a determinant for PA, especially for females. The found gender differences might suggest the need to develop gender specific environmental indices in future studies. The validity of the measures can be further improved by creating domain specific PA measures as well as domain specific environmental indices and this can potentially reveal more specific built environment determinants for PA.

Download Full-text

High-intensity physical activity is not associated with better cognition in the elder: evidence from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study

Alzheimer s Research & Therapy ◽

10.1186/s13195-021-00923-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Zhiyuan Wu ◽

Haiping Zhang ◽

Xinlei Miao ◽

Haibin Li ◽

Huiying Pan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Longitudinal Study ◽

Episodic Memory ◽

Cognitive Performance ◽

Sensitivity Analyses ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Mixed Effect ◽

Global Cognition

Abstract Background To evaluate the association of physical activity (PA) intensity with cognitive performance at baseline and during follow-up. Methods A total of 4039 participants aged 45 years or above from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study were enrolled in visit 1 (2011–2012) and followed for cognitive function in visit 2 (2013–2014), visit 3 (2015–2016), and visit 4 (2017–2018). We analyzed the association of PA intensity with global cognition, episodic memory, and mental intactness at baseline using adjusted regression methods and evaluated the long-term effect of PA intensity using multiple measures of cognition scores by mixed effect model. Results In cross-sectional analysis, mild and moderate PA, rather than vigorous PA, was associated with better cognitive performance. The results remained consistent in multiple sensitivity analyses. During the follow-up, participant with mild PA had a 0.56 (95% CI 0.12–0.99) higher global cognition, 0.23 (95% CI 0.01–0.46) higher episodic memory, and 0.33 (95% CI 0.01–0.64) higher mental intactness, while those with moderate PA had a 0.74 (95% CI 0.32–1.17) higher global score, 0.32 (95% CI 0.09–0.54) higher episodic memory, and 0.43 (95% CI 0.12–0.74) higher mental intactness, compared with individuals without PA. Vigorous PA was not beneficial to the long-term cognitive performance. Conclusions Our study indicates that mild and moderate PA could improve cognitive performance, rather than the vigorous activity. The targeted intensity of PA might be more effective to achieve the greatest cognition improvement considering age and depressive status.

Download Full-text

Objectively measured physical activity according to the periods of the day in the Pelotas Cohort

Revista Brasileira de Atividade Física & Saúde ◽

10.12820/rbafs.25e0149 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 25 ◽

pp. 1-10

Author(s):

Andrea Wendt ◽

Fernando C. Wehrmeister ◽

Luiza I. C. Ricardo ◽

Bruna Gonçalves C. da Silva ◽

Rafaela C. Martins ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Young Adults ◽

Birth Cohort ◽

Socioeconomic Position ◽

Triaxial Accelerometer ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Cross Sectional Analysis ◽

Objectively Measured ◽

Sectional Analysis ◽

Objectively Measured Physical Activity

This study aims to describe objectively measured physical activity (PA) in different periods of the day in young adults according to sex, socioeconomic position and during weekdays and weekends. This is a cross-sectional analysis carried out with the participants of the 1993 Pelotas Birth Cohort at 22 years. PA was assessed by triaxial accelerometer. Descriptive analyses were performed presenting the time spent on light PA (LPA) and bouted moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) in different periods of the day (morning - 6am to 11:59 am, afternoon – 12pm to 7:59 pm and night – 8pm to 11:59pm). The present study included 2,766 individuals (48.2% male and 51.8% female). LPA was higher among women, while bouted MVPA levels were higher among men. The median of PA was higher on weekdays compared to weekends for all intensities. The bouted MVPA medians in the morning and at night were zero minutes for all days and both sexes. The richest group presented a higher percentage of individuals with zero minutes. PA may vary according to different periods of the day and intensity. The absence of PA practice was markedly influenced by sex and socioeconomic position.

Download Full-text

Association of Perceived Built Environment Attributes with Objectively Measured Physical Activity in Community-Dwelling Ambulatory Patients with Stroke

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph16203908 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (20) ◽

pp. 3908

Author(s):

Masashi Kanai ◽

Kazuhiro P. Izawa ◽

Hiroki Kubo ◽

Masafumi Nozoe ◽

Kyoshi Mase ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Built Environment ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Multiple Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Ambulatory Patients ◽

Objectively Measured ◽

Objectively Measured Physical Activity

There is little evidence on how perceptions of the built environment may influence physical activity among post-stroke patients. This study aimed to explore the associations between perceived built environment attributes and objectively measured physical activity outcomes in community-dwelling ambulatory patients with stroke. This cross-sectional study recruited patients who could walk outside without assistance. We assessed both objectively measured physical activity outcomes such as number of steps and duration of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) with an accelerometer and the patients’ perceived surrounding built environment with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Environmental Module. Sixty-one patients (67.0 years old) were included. The multiple linear regression analysis showed significant associations of the presence of sidewalks (β = 0.274, p = 0.016) and access to recreational facilities (β = 0.284, p = 0.010) with the number of steps taken (adjusted R2 = 0.33). In contrast, no significant associations were found between perceived built environment attributes and MVPA. These findings may help to suggest an approach to promote appropriate physical activity in patients with stroke depending on their surrounding built environment.

Download Full-text

Characterizing Objective and Self-Reported Levels of Physical Activity Among Florida Firefighters Across Weight Status Category: A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study

Workplace Health & Safety ◽

10.1177/2165079920925505 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 68 (11) ◽

pp. 513-518

Author(s):

Hannah Kling ◽

Katerina Santiago ◽

Leonor Benitez ◽

Natasha Schaefer Solle ◽

Alberto J. Caban-Martinez

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Weight Status ◽

Healthy Weight ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Difference ◽

Objectively Measured ◽

Probabilistic Sample

Background: Firefighters suffer from a disproportionally high burden of chronic diseases that could be prevented from regular bouts of physical activity (PA). The goal(s) of this pilot study were to (a) describe typical PA levels in professional paid firefighters, and (b) assess their ability to estimate their own levels of PA. Methods: A repeated measures study design was used to assess self-reported and objectively measured levels of PA from a non-probabilistic sample of firefighters ( n = 18) over 1 week. Objective measures of PA, measured by accelerometry were defined as the number of minutes spent in sedentary, light, moderate, and vigorous PA. Firefighters completed a follow-up questionnaire recording their self-reported levels of PA. Results: Obese (body mass index [BMI] > 30 kg/m2) firefighters spent 8,033 ± 2,543 minutes/week in sedentary activity, overweight (BMI = 25–29 kg/m2) firefighters 6,533 ± 1,587 minutes/week, and healthy weight (BMI = 18.5–24.9 kg/m2) firefighters 5,846 ± 1,160 minutes/week. The difference in self-reported weekly minutes spent in light, moderate, and vigorous activity and objectively measured minutes in activity was calculated. Healthy weight firefighters reported the least difference (1,924 minutes/week), followed by the overweight (3,884 minutes/week) and obese (5,749 minutes/week). Conclusion/Application to Practice: Firefighters poorly estimated their true level of PA compared with their objectively measured PA and obese firefighters reported the greatest inconsistency. Occupational health nurses should aim to support firefighters in achieving PA levels that assist firefighters to achieve a healthy weight and educate them about what it means to be engaged in each level of PA.

Download Full-text

The built environment correlates of objectively measured physical activity in Norwegian adults: A cross-sectional study

Journal of Sport and Health Science ◽

10.1016/j.jshs.2017.11.002 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 19-26 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Ane Kristiansen Solbraa ◽

Sigmund Alfred Anderssen ◽

Ingar Morten Holme ◽

Elin Kolle ◽

Bjørge Herman Hansen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Built Environment ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Objectively Measured ◽

Objectively Measured Physical Activity

Download Full-text

Does physical activity lower the risk for metabolic syndrome: a longitudinal study of physically active older women

BMC Geriatrics ◽

10.1186/s12877-020-01952-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Izabela Zając-Gawlak ◽

Jana Pelclová ◽

Dorota Groffik ◽

Miroslava Přidalová ◽

Agnieszka Nawrat-Szołtysik ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Metabolic Syndrome ◽

Longitudinal Study ◽

Older Women ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Physically Active ◽

High Density Cholesterol

Abstract Background The associations between physical activity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) have been mainly found in cross-sectional studies. The aim of this longitudinal study was to examine the relationship between meeting step-based guidelines and changes in the risk of metabolic syndrome. Methods This study included data from older women (baseline age 62.9 ± 4.3 years) from a 7-year longitudinal study in Central Europe. At baseline and follow-up, physical activity was measured by an accelerometer, and the risk for MetS was assessed according to the NCEP-ATP III criteria. In 59 women, multivariate repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare differences in changes in the risk of MetS in groups based on meeting step-based guidelines (10,000 steps/day and 9000 steps/day for women aged <65 and ≥ 65 years, respectively). Results Over 7 years, steps/day increased from 10,944 ± 3560 to 11,652 ± 4865, and the risk of MetS decreased from 41 to 12% in our sample. Women who longitudinally met step-based guidelines had a significantly higher mean concentration of high-density cholesterol (HDL-C) (64.5 and 80.3 mg/dL at baseline and follow-up, respectively) and a lower concentration of triglycerides (TGs) (158.3 and 123.8 mg/dL at baseline and follow-up, respectively) at follow-up compared to baseline. Moreover, women who increased their daily steps over 7 years to the recommended steps/day value significantly decreased the concentration of TGs (158.3 mg/dL and 123.8 mg/dL at baseline and follow-up, respectively). Conclusions Our study might suggest that the long-term meeting of step-based guidelines or an increase in daily steps/day to achieve the recommended value could be related to a lower risk of MetS, specifically in concentrations of HDL-C and TG. These findings may help in designing interventions aiming to decrease the risk of MetS in older women.

Download Full-text

Long-Term Correlates of Objectively Measured Physical Activity and Sedentary Time in Norwegian Men and Women

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2014-0390 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 12 (11) ◽

pp. 1500-1507 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Ane Kristiansen Solbraa ◽

Ulf Ekelund ◽

Ingar M. Holme ◽

Sidsel Graff-Iversen ◽

Jostein Steene-Johannessen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Sedentary Time ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Perceived Health ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Negatively Associated ◽

Objectively Measured ◽

Objectively Measured Physical Activity

Background:Sex, age, body mass index (BMI), perceived health and health behavior are correlates known to affect physical activity and sedentary time. However, studies have often been cross-sectional, and less is known about long-term correlates. Thus, the aims were to investigate 1) the associations between a set of characteristics (demographic, biological, psychological, and behavioral) and objectively measured physical activity and sedentary time at 13-year follow-up, and 2) the association between changes in these characteristics over time and physical activity and sedentary time.Methods:Baseline characteristics were collected in 40-year-olds in 1996, and follow-up data on objectively measured physical activity and sedentary time were obtained in 2009 (n = 240). Data were analyzed by multiple linear regressions.Results:Self-reported physical activity (P < .001) and improved perceived health (P = .046) were positively associated with moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) whereas BMI (P = .034) and increased BMI (P = .014) were negatively associated with MVPA at follow-up. Women spent less time being sedentary than men (P = .019). Education (P < .001) was positively associated and improved perceived health (P = .010) was negatively associated with sedentary time at follow-up.Conclusions:MVPA and sedentary time at follow-up were associated with behavioral, biological and demographic correlates. However, the nature of our analyses prevents us from inferring causality.

Download Full-text

Evidence synthesis - A systematized literature review on the associations between neighbourhood built characteristics and walking among Canadian adults

Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention in Canada ◽

10.24095/hpcdp.39.1.01 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 39 (1) ◽

pp. 1-14 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Brenlea Farkas ◽

Daniel J. Wagner ◽

Alberto Nettel-Aguirre ◽

Christine Friedenreich ◽

Gavin R. McCormack

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Land Use ◽

Literature Review ◽

Built Environment ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Evidence Synthesis ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Full Text Review ◽

Objectively Measured ◽

Walking For Transportation

Introduction Evidence to date suggests that the built environment has the potential to facilitate and even discourage physical activity. A limitation of previous reviews is that they have typically not been country-specific. We conducted a systematized literature review of quantitative studies that estimated associations between the built environment—which were objectively measured—and walking among Canadian adults. Methods Five scientific databases were searched for peer-reviewed studies published in all years up to December 31, 2016, that estimated the association between the built environment (i.e. objectively measured using audits and Geographic Information Systems [GIS]) and physical activity among a sample of Canadian adults. The database searches, title and abstract screen, full-text review and data extraction were undertaken by two reviewers. Results Of 4140 articles identified, 25 met the inclusion criteria. Most studies included data from a single Canadian province. All but two studies were cross-sectional. Most studies captured self-reported walking for transportation and walking for any purpose. Overall walkability and land use were consistently associated with walking for transportation, while proximity to destinations was associated with walking for any purpose. Conclusion Our review findings suggest that the built environment is potentially important for supporting adult walking. Overall walkability, land use and proximity to destinations appear to be important given their association with transportation walking and walking for any purpose.

Download Full-text

Physical Activity Throughout Adolescence and Hba1c in Early Adulthood: Birth Cohort Study

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2016-0245 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 14 (5) ◽

pp. 375-381

Author(s):

Priscila M. Nakamura ◽

Grégore I. Mielke ◽

Bernardo L. Horta ◽

Maria Cecília Assunção ◽

Helen Gonçalves ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

High Performance ◽

Early Adulthood ◽

Self Report ◽

Birth Cohort Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Low Levels ◽

Objectively Measured ◽

Hba1c Concentration

Background:Physical inactivity is responsible for 7% of diabetes deaths worldwide, but little is known whether low levels of physical activity (PA) during adolescence increase the risk of diabetes in early adulthood. We evaluated the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between PA throughout adolescence and HbA1c concentration in early adulthood.Methods:HbA1c was measured by high performance liquid chromatography. PA was assessed by self-report at the ages of 11, 15, and 18 years and by accelerometry at the ages of 13 (subsample) and 18 years. The loss percentages of follow up were 12.5% at 11 years, 14.4% at 15 years, and 18.7% at 18 years.Results:At 18 years, boys showed higher HbA1c than girls. At age 18 years, accelerometrybased PA at 18 years was inversely related to HbA1c levels in boys. Self-reported leisure-time PA at ages 11, 15, and 18 were unrelated to HbA1c in both genders. PA at 13 years of age was unrelated to HbA1c among both genders. In trajectory analysis, PA and accelerometer PA trajectories were not associated with later HbA1c.Conclusions:Objectively measured PA at 18 years was cross-sectionally inversely associated with HbA1c in boys only. No prospective associations were identified.

Download Full-text

Geographic clusters of objectively measured physical activity and the characteristics of their built environment in a Swiss urban area

10.1101/2021.04.23.21255966 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Juan R Vallarta-Robledo ◽

Stephane Joost ◽

Marco Andre Vieira Ruas ◽

Cedric Gubelmann ◽

Peter Vollenweider ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Built Environment ◽

Spatial Dependence ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Demographic Factors ◽

Spatial Clusters ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Objectively Measured ◽

Socioeconomic And Demographic Factors

Evidence suggests that the built environment can influence the intensity of physical activity. However, despite the importance of the geographic context, most of the studies do not consider the spatial framework of this association. We aimed to assess individual spatial dependence of objectively measured moderate and vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and describe the characteristics of the built environment among spatial clusters of MVPA. Cross-sectional data from the second follow-up (2014-2017) of CoLaus|PsyCoLaus, a longitudinal population-based study of the Lausanne area (Switzerland), was used to objectively measure MVPA. Local Morans I was used to assess the spatial dependence of MVPA and detect geographic clusters of low and high MVPA. Additionally, the characteristics of the built environment observed in the clusters based on raw MVPA and MVPA adjusted for socioeconomic and demographic factors were described. Data from 1,889 participants (median age 63, 55% women) were used. The geographic distribution of MVPA and the characteristics of the built environment among clusters were similar for raw and adjusted MVPA. In the adjusted model, we found a low concentration of individuals within spatial clusters of high MVPA (median: 36.9 mins) and low MVPA (median: 10.1 mins). Yet, clear differences were found between clusters; high MVPA clusters were in areas where specific compositions of the built environment favor physical activity. The built environment may influence spatial patterns of MVPA independently of socioeconomic and demographic factors. Interventions in the built environment should be considered to promote physically active behaviors in urban areas.

Download Full-text