scholarly journals Sedentary Death Syndrome

2004 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 447-460 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon J. Lees ◽  
Frank W. Booth

Sedentary death syndrome (SeDS) is a major public health burden due to its causing multiple chronic diseases and millions of premature deaths each year. Despite the impact of physical inactivity, very little is known about the actual causes of physical inactivity-induced chronic diseases. It is important to study the mechanisms underlying molecular changes related to physical inactivity in order to better understand the scientific basis of individualized exercise prescription and the rapies for chronic diseases, and to support improved public health efforts by providing molecular proof that physical inactivity is an actual cause of chronic diseases. Physical activity has a genetic basis. A subpopulation of genes, which have functioned to support physical activity for survival through most of humankind's existence, require daily exercise to maintain long-term health and vitality. Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is an example of a SeDS condition, as it is almost entirely preventable with physical activity. To determine the true role of physical inactivity in the development and progression of T2D, information is presented which indicates that comparisons should be made to physically active controls, rather than sedentary controls, as this population is the healthiest. Use of sedentary subjects as the control group has led to potentially misleading interpretations. If physically active individuals were designated as the control group, a different interpretation would have been drawn. It is thought that there is no difference in GLUT4 concentration between T2D and sedentary groups. However, GLUT4 expression is higher in active controls than in sedentary and T2D groups. Therefore, to obtain causal mechanisms for SeDS in order to allow for scientifically based prevention and therapy strategies, physically active subjects must serve as the control group. Key words: physical inactivity, chronic diseases, diabetes, glucose

2021 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 235-242
Author(s):  
Ivan Holik ◽  
Vesna Štemberger ◽  
Petra Pejić Papak ◽  
Vilko Petrić ◽  
Matea Kitak

The aim of this research is to study the impact of physically active breaks, accompanied by video materials, on the level of pupils’ educational achievement and their attitudes toward physically active breaks during the teaching process in the classroom. The research lasted for two months, and the apposite sample consisted of a total of 38 pupils aged 10 to 11. The influence of physically active breaks on the educational achievement was estimated by the percentage of correct answers in the tasks of mathematics, while the Croatian version of the questionnaire Attitudes towards the Physical Activity Scale (APAS) was used for evaluating the attitudes toward physically active breaks with video materials. Differ ences between the initial and final measuring inside the same group were tested by the Student’s dependent sample t-test, while for differences between the experimental and control group the Student’s independent sample t-test was used. The obtained results showed that the ability to solve mathematical tasks in the experimental group has significantly improved when compared to the control one and that physically active breaks have a positive influence on the pupils’ attitudes toward physical activity. The implementation of physically active breaks into teaching has an impact on pupils’ productivity in the educational process, while at the same time their need for movement is fulfilled.


2007 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 146-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank W. Booth ◽  
Simon J. Lees

Currently our society is faced with the challenge of understanding the biological basis for the epidemics of obesity and many chronic diseases, including Type 2 diabetes. Physical inactivity increases the relative risk of coronary artery disease by 45%, stroke by 60%, hypertension by 30%, and osteoporosis by 59%. Moreover, physical inactivity is cited as an actual cause of chronic disease by the US Centers of Disease Control. Physical activity was obligatory for survival for the Homo genus for hundreds of thousands of years. This review will present evidence that suggests that metabolic pathways selected during the evolution of the human genome are inevitably linked to physical activity. Furthermore, as with many other environmental interactions, cycles of physical activity and inactivity interact with genes resulting in a functional outcome appropriate for the environment. However, as humans are less physically active, there is a maladaptive response that leads to metabolic dysfunction and many chronic diseases. How and why these interactions occur are fundamental questions in biology. Finally, a perspective to future research in physical inactivity-gene interaction is presented. This information is necessary to provide the molecular evidence required to further promote the primary prevention of chronic diseases through physical activity, identify those molecules that will allow early disease detection, and provide society with the molecular information needed to counter the current strategy of adding physical inactivity into our lives.


2007 ◽  
Vol 4 (s1) ◽  
pp. S64-S71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathy J. Spangler ◽  
Linda L. Caldwell

A collaborative framework that influences the promotion of policy related to physical activity should include parks and recreation as well as public health practitioners and researchers. As governments at all levels become increasingly focused on the impact of public resources, park and recreation agencies are challenged to document and demonstrate the impact of leisure services. Public policy associated with parks and recreation is driven by public interest and is often debated in the absence of relevant research to demonstrate the determinants and correlates of parks and recreation to address prevailing social conditions. This paper describes current policy and funding issues faced by public parks and recreation professionals responding to increasing physically active leisure across the lifespan of Americans. We also discuss how a collaborative framework approach can be used to inform public policy designed to increase the physical activity of the American public.


2016 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  

There is incontrovertible evidence of the benefits of regular physical activity in the primary and secondary prevention of several chronic diseases, on contrary a sedentary lifestyle can progress into a Sedentary Death Syndrome (SeDS), which is a major Public Health burden due to its causing multiple chronic diseases and a large amount of premature deaths each year. In Italy, Sports Medicine represents a fundamental reference for those practicing physical activity at competitive or non-competitive level; its purposes include: health care of the athletes practicing all kind of sports, through the pre-participation screening for elegibility (such screening constitutes an established medical programme that has been implemented for more than 30 years), and the promotion of diagnostic and therapeutic protocols to guarantee the state of health of individual at high risk or carrying a specific diagnosed disease. Substantial evidence emphasizes the role of physical therapy in terms of an individualized sport-therapy, in the prevention of cardiovascular, metabolic, musculoskeletal, respiratory, rheumathic and neoplastic diseases, improving the clinical condition or, when combined with lifestyle modifications, favouring concomitantly the control or the regression of the pathology. Regular physical exercise as a prophylactic and therapeutic tool, is strongly recommended to reduce morbidity and mortality, to improve quality of life and to limit Public Health medical expenses.


Author(s):  
Conor Cunningham ◽  
Roger O’ Sullivan

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted communities across the world. Government responses, of promoting ‘social distancing’ at a population level, and ‘self-isolation’ of older adults to mitigate its spread have been unprecedented. Despite the importance of these Public Health and Social Measures (PHSM), they present challenges to maintaining a physically active lifestyle, particularly for older adults. Context The importance of physical activity (PA) for health is well documented. There is strong evidence that PA in later life reduces the risk of disease, helps to manage existing conditions, and develops and maintains physical and mental function. Staying physically active is particularly important for older adults currently. Implications and recommendations Research suggests that PHSM have already reduced levels of PA for older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to COVID-19 many older adults were not engaging in enough PA to attain health benefits. Evidence indicates that there will be an increase in the number of older adults not meeting guidelines for PA due to the impacts of COVID-19. This has implications for population health and public health policy. How to support older adults to remain physically active during and after the COVID-19 crisis will require careful consideration. Going forward it is imperative that policy and practice support all older adults to achieve the recommended levels of PA to ensure that they are not disadvantaged in the short- but also in the longer term by the impact of COVID-19.


2015 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 128-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Dewhurst ◽  
Leslie Peacock ◽  
Theodoros M. Bampouras

Physical activity assists older individuals’ functional ability and postural stability. Recently, Scottish country dance (SCD) was reported as being a beneficial form of physical activity for functional ability in older females. This study aims to examine the effect of SCD on postural stability. Scottish country dancers (n = 20) were compared with physically active controls (n = 33) for static postural sway measured on a force platform. The Romberg and Tandem stances were used under ‘eyes open’ and ‘eyes closed’ conditions. Ninety-five percent ellipse area and sway velocity were calculated from the center of pressure displacement. Ninety-five percent ellipse area was the same for both groups in all tests. The control group had greater sway velocity for all tests (P < .01) except Tandem eyes closed. SCD participation resulted in similar postural sway as participation in other physical activities, however nondancers may need a greater amount of regulatory activity to maintain balance.


2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (14) ◽  
pp. 826-838 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Norris ◽  
Tommy van Steen ◽  
Artur Direito ◽  
Emmanuel Stamatakis

ObjectiveThis review provides the first meta-analysis of the impact of physically active lessons on lesson-time and overall physical activity (PA), as well as health, cognition and educational outcomes.DesignSystematic review and meta-analysis of controlled studies. Six meta-analyses pooled effects on lesson-time PA, overall PA, in-class educational and overall educational outcomes, cognition and health outcomes. Meta-analyses were conducted using the metafor package in R. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane tool for risk of bias.Data sourcesPubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, ERIC and Web of Science, grey literature and reference lists were searched in December 2017 and April 2019.Studies eligibility criteriaPhysically active lessons compared with a control group in a randomised or non-randomised design, within single component interventions in general school populations.Results42 studies (39 in preschool or elementary school settings, 27 randomised controlled trials) were eligible to be included in the systematic review and 37 of them were included across the six meta-analyses (n=12 663). Physically active lessons were found to produce large, significant increases in lesson-time PA (d=2.33; 95% CI 1.42 to 3.25: k=16) and small, increases on overall PA (d=0.32; 95% CI 0.18 to 0.46: k=8), large, improvement in lesson-time educational outcomes (d=0.81; 95% CI 0.47 to 1.14: k=7) and a small improvement in overall educational outcomes (d=0.36; 95% CI 0.09 to 0.63: k=25). No effects were seen on cognitive (k=3) or health outcomes (k=3). 25/42 studies had high risk of bias in at least two domains.ConclusionIn elementary and preschool settings, when physically active lessons were added into the curriculum they had positive impact on both physical activity and educational outcomes. These findings support policy initiatives encouraging the incorporation of physically active lessons into teaching in elementary and preschool setting.Trial registration numberCRD42017076933.


2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 71-77
Author(s):  
Peter Kokkinos ◽  
Puneet Narayan ◽  
Charles Faselis

The association between physical activity and health has been recognized since antiquity. Yet daily physical activity in modern societies, especially for the last 100 years, has declined greatly. Additionally, people tend to become less physically active as they age. This is unfortunate because of the known link between physical activity and health. Physical inactivity can lead to many physiologic maladaptations that can increase the risk of cardiometabolic abnormalities and death. This manuscript reviews the influence of physical activity on cardiometabolic health and mortality.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 12-20
Author(s):  
Myriam Galfo ◽  
Fabrizia Maccati ◽  
Francesca Melini

Objective: The 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a global public health emergency resulting in lockdowns, associated food habits and lifestyle changes and constraint public health delivery. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 induced lockdown in Italy on lifestyle behaviours among physically active population adults. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted from April to June 2020 on 175 subjects (48.6% males and 18–66 age range) by a structured questionnaire to collect information on demographic characteristics, anthropometric data, lifestyle factors and dietary habits. Results: It merged that 40% of the sample gained weight (≈1kg) with no significant differences between genders. Alcohol consumption and physical activity practice and duration significantly decreased during lockdown, while physical activity frequency, sedentary activities, sleep times, daily breakfast habits and consumption of sweets significantly increased. A multiple logistic regression model showed that education level, nutritional status, frequency of physical activity, eating between meals, and sweet consumption had a significant effect on weight gain during COVID-19. Conclusions: Lockdown had a bi-directional impact (both positive and negative) on lifestyle changes, because more time was spent at home. These results need to be confirmed with further longitudinal studies among a larger population sample to better understand the lasting effects of this pandemic on lifestyle behaviors and their changes. Key words: Covid-19, lifestyle behaviour, lockdown, pandemic, physical activity.


Author(s):  
Stephen Barrett ◽  
Stephen Begg ◽  
Paul O′Halloran ◽  
Michael Kingsley

Little is known about the impact that physical activity (PA) coaching interventions have on sedentary behaviours. The aim of this study was to investigate if a coaching intervention that increases PA coincidentally influences objectively measured sedentary time in insufficiently physically active adults. We recruited 120 insufficiently physically active ambulatory hospital patients and randomized them to either receive a PA coaching intervention designed to increase objectively measured moderate-to-vigorous-intensity PA (MVPA) or be part of a control group. Participants wore an accelerometer for seven days at baseline, post-intervention (three months) and follow-up (nine months). Changes in the average length of sedentary bouts, proportion of time in sedentary behaviours and number of sedentary bouts were evaluated using mixed-model ANOVAs. At baseline, both groups undertook 67 ± 13 sedentary bouts and spent 69% ± 6% of their time in sedentary behaviours. Compared with control, the intervention group decreased the number of sedentary bouts by 24% and the proportion of time in sedentary behaviours by 7% (p < 0.001). Significant changes were not observed between the groups for average length of sedentary bouts. The PA intervention led to a decrease in the number of sedentary bouts and proportion of time in sedentary behaviours. Future research should investigate PA coaching interventions designed to target simultaneous changes in MVPA and sedentary behaviours.


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