Best Practices for Meta-Reviews in Physical Activity and Health Research: Insights From the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans Advisory Committee Scientific Report

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Linda S. Pescatello ◽  
Emily A. Hennessy ◽  
Peter T. Katzmarzyk ◽  
William E. Kraus ◽  
Anne F. Fish ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Advisory Committee ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Physical Activity Guidelines ◽  
Health Related Research ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Scientific Report ◽  
Synthesis Methodology ◽  
High Level ◽  
Meta Analyses

Background: Systematic reviews (SRs) and meta-analyses (MAs) have proliferated with a concomitant increase in reviews of SRs/MAs or “meta-reviews” (MRs). As uncovered by the 2018 US Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee (PAGAC), there is a paucity of best practice guidance on MRs on physical activity health-related research. This manuscript aims to fill this gap. Methods: In total, the PAGAC conducted 38 literature searches across 3 electronic databases and triaged 20,838 titles, 4913 abstracts, and 2139 full texts from which 1130 articles qualified for the PAGAC Scientific Report. Results: During the MR process, the following challenges were encountered: (1) if the SR/MA authors had limited experience in synthesis methodology, they likely did not account for risk of bias in the conclusions they reached; (2) many SRs/MAs reviewed the same primary-level studies; (3) many SRs/MAs failed to disclose effect modifier analyses; (4) source populations varied; (5) physical activity exposures were nonstandardized; and (6) dose–response effects or effect modification of the physical activity exposure could not be identified. Conclusions: Using examples from the PAGAC Scientific Report, we provide (1) a high-level introduction to MRs; (2) recommended steps in conducting a MR; (3) challenges that can be encountered; and (4) guidance in addressing these challenges.

Using wearable cameras to investigate health-related daily life experiences: A literature review of precautions and risks in empirical studies

2021 ◽  
pp. 174701612110540
Author(s):  
Laurel E Meyer ◽  
Lauren Porter ◽  
Meghan E Reilly ◽  
Caroline Johnson ◽  
Salman Safir ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Sensitive Information ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Serious Adverse Events ◽  
Best Practice Guidelines ◽  
Wearable Cameras ◽  
Health Related Research ◽  
Health Related

Automated, wearable cameras can benefit health-related research by capturing accurate and objective information about individuals’ daily experiences. However, wearable cameras present unique privacy- and confidentiality-related risks due to the possibility of the images capturing identifying or sensitive information from participants and third parties. Although best practice guidelines for ethical research with wearable cameras have been published, limited information exists on the risks of studies using wearable cameras. The aim of this literature review was to survey risks related to using wearable cameras, and precautions taken to reduce those risks, as reported in empirical research. Forty-five publications, comprising 36 independent studies, were reviewed, and findings revealed that participants’ primary concerns with using wearable cameras included physical inconvenience and discomfort in certain situations (e.g. public settings). None of the studies reviewed reported any serious adverse events. Although it is possible that reported findings do not include all risks experienced by participants in research with wearable cameras, our findings suggest a low level of risk to participants. However, it is important that investigators adopt recommended precautions, which can promote autonomy and reduce risks, including participant discomfort.

Umbrella and Systematic Review Methodology to Support the 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. 805-810 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Torres ◽  
Bethany Tennant ◽  
Isabela Ribeiro-Lucas ◽  
Alison Vaux-Bjerke ◽  
Katrina Piercy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Quality Control ◽  
Advisory Committee ◽  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Assessment Instruments ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Systematic Review Methodology ◽  
Physical Activity Guidelines ◽  
Short Period

Introduction: In 2016, the 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee, a group of experts in exercise science and health, began an extensive review of the literature to inform the second edition of the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. Methods: The purpose of this paper is to describe the evidence-based methodology used to review, evaluate, and synthesize published, peer-reviewed physical activity research. The protocol-driven methodology was designed to maximize transparency, minimize bias, and ensure relevant, timely, and high-quality systematic reviews. Training protocols, quality control procedures, search strategies, assessment instruments, abstraction guides and forms, and reporting templates were developed. Results: A systematic approach was used to select the evidence for the 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee Scientific Report that included umbrella reviews and systematic reviews. Within 16 months, 38 searches were conducted; and 20,838 titles, 4913 abstracts, and 2139 full texts were triaged. Of those, 1130 articles were abstracted to answer 38 research questions. Conclusions: To inform population-based physical activity guidelines, this systematic process facilitated a vast review of the literature on physical activity and health in a short period of time. This flexible, yet rigorous and transparent process included a clear and detailed methodology with a focus on training and quality control.

Meeting Physical Activity Guidelines and Health-Related Fitness in Youth

2013 ◽  
Vol 44 (5) ◽  
pp. 439-444 ◽  
Author(s):  
James R. Morrow ◽  
Jacob S. Tucker ◽  
Allen W. Jackson ◽  
Scott B. Martin ◽  
Christy A. Greenleaf ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Activity Guidelines ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Health Related Fitness

scholarly journals Relationship of Meeting Physical Activity Guidelines With Health-Related Utility

2014 ◽  
Vol 66 (7) ◽  
pp. 1041-1047 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kai Sun ◽  
Jing Song ◽  
Jungwha Lee ◽  
Rowland W. Chang ◽  
Charles B. Eaton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Activity Guidelines ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Relationship Of

scholarly journals Association Between Meeting Physical Activity Guidelines with Ambulation and Quality of Life in Claudication

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 681-681
Author(s):  
Andrew Gardner ◽  
Polly Montgomery ◽  
Ming Wang ◽  
Biyi Shen ◽  
Shangming Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Moderate Intensity ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Physical Activity Guidelines ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Group 1

Abstract We determined if meeting the 2018 physical activity guidelines was associated with better ambulatory function, health-related quality of life, and inflammation than failing to meet the guidelines in patients with peripheral artery disease and claudication. Secondly, we determined the optimal number of total daily steps that are needed to meet the physical activity guidelines. Five hundred seventy-two patients were assessed on their daily ambulatory activity for one week with a step activity monitor, and were grouped according to whether they achieved less than 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity per week (Group 1=Do Not Meet Guidelines; n=397), or whether they were above this threshold (Group 2=Meet Guidelines; n=175). Treadmill peak walking time (mean±SD) was significantly higher (p<0.001) in Group 2 (709±359 sec) than in Group 1 (427±281 sec). The health-related quality of life score for physical function was significantly higher (p<0.001) in Group 2 (61±22%) than in Group 1 (44±21%). High sensitivity C-reactive protein was significantly lower (p<0.001) in Group 2 (3.6±4.5 mg/L) than in Group 1 (5.9±6.1 mg/L). Finally, 7,675 daily steps was the optimal threshold associated with meeting the physical activity guidelines, with a sensitivity of 82.9% and a specificity of 88.4%. In conclusion, patients with claudication who meet the 2018 physical activity guidelines for US adults had better ambulation, HRQoL, and inflammation outcomes than those who failed to meet the guidelines. From a practical standpoint, patients with claudication best achieved the physical activity guidelines by taking a total of 7,675 daily steps.

scholarly journals My Healthy Body by L. Framer and F. Gerstein

2013 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Tan
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Good Reason ◽  
Health Behaviours ◽  
The Body ◽  
Personal Hygiene ◽  
Plain Language ◽  
Physical Activity Guidelines ◽  
Health Related ◽  
The University ◽  
Healthy Body

Fromer, Liza, and F. Gerstein. My Healthy Body. Toronto: Tundra Books, 2012. Print. Liza Fromer is a broadcast journalist with a degree in Radio and Television Arts from Ryerson University. In addition to working with The Discovery Channel and being a weekend anchor and reporter at A-Channel in Calgary, Liza has co-hosted CityTV’s Breakfast Television, hosted The Weather Network’s “Good Morning Toronto” and SLICE network’s series, “The List”. Currently, Ms Fromer lives in Toronto, as does her co-author sister-in-law, Dr. Francine Gerstein, a family physician and cosmetic medicine practitioner. Together they have co-written My Healthy Body and five other books that make up the Body Works Series. My Healthy Body opens with an author’s note about seeking medical advice for health concerns, then covers the following topics: sleep, exercise, nutrition, vaccination, eye and dental care, and the importance of family and friends, learning, and personal hygiene. Fun facts and true/false questions signal the end of each topic. Colourful illustrations depict children engaged in a variety of daily activities related to the health topics being discussed. The book focuses on the role that individuals play in being healthy. While it does not specifically situate health behaviours in a broader context of health promotion (i.e., that being healthy is affected by many factors, one of which is individual behaviour) the sections on family and friends and learning, although presented from a personal choice perspective, are a nod to some of these broader determinants. Overall, My Healthy Body is engaging and informative without being text heavy. However, it does have a few limitations. Firstly, I was surprised that, despite the book being written and published in Canada, the nutrition section does not refer to Canada’s Food Guide, highlighting the USDA’s guide instead. Similarly, the section on exercise eschews the more inclusive term, physical activity, used in the Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines. Secondly, while the publisher’s website lists the book as suitable for children ages six to nine years old, this book includes vocabulary that may be more suited to the upper end of this range and readers may need assistance to understand some of the terms. Some terms are introduced in plain language, followed by the medical term in parentheses. This treatment of health-related terminology is inconsistent – some words, such as “tissues”, “self-esteem”, “obesity” are not defined in the text, nor are they addressed in the brief glossary at the end of the book; unexpectedly, the glossary does introduce some terms that do not appear in the text (e.g., antigen). Finally, the book ends abruptly, with no conclusion, suggestions for further reading, or mention of the glossary. Recommended: 3 out of 4 stars Reviewer: Maria TanMaria is a Public Services Librarian at the University of Alberta’s H. T. Coutts Education Library. She enjoys travelling and visiting unique and far-flung libraries. An avid foodie, Maria’s motto is, “There’s really no good reason to stop the flow of snacks”. 

scholarly journals A systematic review of physical activity and quality of life and well-being

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 1098-1109 ◽  
Author(s):  
David X Marquez ◽  
Susan Aguiñaga ◽  
Priscilla M Vásquez ◽  
David E Conroy ◽  
Kirk I Erickson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Committee Report ◽  
High Quality Research ◽  
Physical Activity Guidelines ◽  
Meta Analyses

Abstract Maintaining or improving quality of life (QoL) and well-being is a universal goal across the lifespan. Being physically active has been suggested as one way to enhance QoL and well-being. In this systematic review, conducted in part for the 2018 U.S. Health and Human Services Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans Scientific Advisory Committee Report, we examined the relationship between physical activity (PA) and QoL and well-being experienced by the general population across the lifespan and by persons with psychiatric and neurologic conditions. Systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and pooled analyses from 2006 to 2018 were used for the evidence base. Strong evidence (predominantly from randomized controlled trials [RCTs]) demonstrated that, for adults aged 18–65 years and older adults (primarily 65 years and older), PA improves QoL and well-being when compared with minimal or no-treatment controls. Moderate evidence indicated that PA improves QoL and well-being in individuals with schizophrenia and Parkinson’s disease, and limited evidence indicated that PA improves QoL and well-being for youth and for adults with major clinical depression or bipolar disorder. Insufficient evidence existed for individuals with dementia because of a small number of studies with mixed results. Future high-quality research designs should include RCTs involving longer interventions testing different modes and intensities of PA in diverse populations of healthy people and individuals with cognitive (e.g., dementia) and mental health conditions (e.g., schizophrenia) to precisely characterize the effects of different forms of PA on aspects of QoL and well-being.

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