Impact of Acute Physical Activity on Children's Divergent and Convergent Thinking: The Mediating Role of a Low Body Mass Index

2019 ◽  
Vol 126 (4) ◽  
pp. 603-622 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashish Bollimbala ◽  
P. S. James ◽  
Shirshendu Ganguli

While prior studies have examined the positive influence of physical activity (PA) programs on children's creative potential, they have not explored the mediating roles of psychological and physiological variables. In this study, we investigated the impact of a single dance session as a form of PA on two indicators of creative potential—divergent and convergent thinking, each of which adopts a different cognitive pathway. We also investigated the influence of a physiological condition, low body mass index (BMI), on the relation between PA and creative potential. This was a randomized controlled experiment involving 34 school children randomly assigned to either the dance intervention or a sedentary group based on their BMI profile. We measured the children's divergent and convergent thinking at pre- and post-intervention time points. Following this single PA session, we found a significant difference between divergent and convergent thinking abilities in treatment group participants with normal BMI levels and participants in the control group, but there was no difference between low BMI level treatment group participants and those in the control group. This study supported hypothesized boundary conditions for executive function improvements from PA and suggests a need for a holistic approach (involving both proper nourishment and PA) in order to facilitate improved creativity in children.

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 444-450 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cong Wang ◽  
Peiguo Wang ◽  
Huaqiang Ouyang ◽  
Jing Wang ◽  
Lining Sun ◽  
...  

Objective: To estimate the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine (Chining decoction, CHIN) for radiation-induced oral mucositis in patients with head and neck cancer. Methods: From May 2014 to December 2015, 70 consecutive patients were randomly assigned to receive CHIN (treatment group) or recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF) spray (control group) at a 1:1 ratio. CHIN was administered to treatment group from the first day of radiotherapy until the completion of radiotherapy. Simultaneously, the rhEGF spray was administered to control group on the oral mucosa of irradiated area. The clinical benefit was determined by gradation of mucositis (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v4.0), oral pain, and xerostomia (visual analysis scale) for each week during radiotherapy. Body mass index was evaluated before and after radiotherapy. Results: Patients in the treatment group had prominent remission of oral pain and grade of mucositis on each observing point compared with those in control group ( P < .01). Xerostomia was decreased notably in treatment group compared with control group ( P < .01). Body mass index in the treatment group exhibited advantage over control group after radiotherapy, but there was no statistical significance (19.8 ± 3.26 vs 18.8 ± 2.5 kg/m2, P = .153, >.05). Conclusions: CHIN presented an obvious advantage in preventing radiation-induced oral mucositis compared with rhEGF spray.


2018 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zorislava Bajić ◽  
Nela Rašeta ◽  
Nenad Ponorac

Introduction: Bone formation marker osteocalcin (OC) and bone resorption marker C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen (CTX) can be used to detect or to monitor the early responses of the skeleton to physical activity. Literature suggests that it is likely that higher body mass index (BMI) has positive effect on bones and can postpone onset of osteoporosis.Aim of the Study: The aim of this study is to:1.Determine the effect of aerobic physical acitivity on OC and CTX in young women2.Investigate correlation of OC, CTX and BMI in young women engaged into structured aerobic excerciseMaterial and methods: Study included 64 healthy young women, aged 19 to 25 years, devided into two groups: intervention group (n=32) and control group (n=32). The study duration was six weeks with follow-up period of four weeks. The intervention group underwent structured aerobic physical activity program for six weeks, but the control group did not receive such program. Level of OC, CTX and BMI were measured at baseline, after 6-week aerobic program, and after 4-week follow up (only intervention group).Results: There was significant increase of OC level after 6-week aerobic program, while level of CTX did not changed. OC level was at its maximum immediately after finishing the program in the participants with normal BMI (p<0.001). There was no statistically significant interaction of BMI and CTX level.Conclusion: Aerobic physical activity increases level of osteocalcin, suggesting that it has positive influence on bone formation in young women, primarily in women with normal BMI.


Author(s):  
Yangchang Zhang ◽  
Yang Xiong ◽  
Jia Dong ◽  
Tingting Guo ◽  
Xiaoman Tang ◽  
...  

Background: This paper investigates the problems regarding caffeinated drinks intake, late chronotype, and increased body mass index (BMI) among medical students at a Chinese university. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2018 with 616 medical students from Chongqing Medical University in Chongqing, China, whose information were collected by a self-reported questionnaire that included four sections: Demographic characteristics; Caffeinated drinks intake and physical state; Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire; Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 21. Multiple mediation analyses were conducted to test the impact of late chronotype on increased BMI through caffeinated drinks consumption through two models. Results: The significantly mediated effect of caffeinated drinks consumption was revealed (estimate: −0.01, SE = 0.01, 95% CI [−0.02, −0.01]), and which played a positive role in linking late chronotype (B = −0.01, SE = 0.01, p < 0.001) and increased BMI (B = 1.37, SE = 0.21, p < 0.01), but their significant association did not be found in reversed model. In addition, physical activity and inactivity times demonstrated significant indirect effects in the two models. Conclusions: Interventions should focus on reducing caffeinated drinks intake and sedentary behavior time, enhancing physical activity among medical students.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 00214-2020
Author(s):  
Magnus Svartengren ◽  
Gui-Hong Cai ◽  
Andrei Malinovschi ◽  
Jenny Theorell-Haglöw ◽  
Christer Janson ◽  
...  

Study objectivesObesity is often associated with lower lung function; however, the interaction of lung function with central obesity and physical inactivity is less clear. As such, we investigated the effect on lung function of body size (body mass index (BMI)), central obesity (waist circumference (WC)) and self-reported physical activity.MethodsLung function, height, weight and WC were measured in 22 743 participants (12 791 women), aged 45–75 years, from the EpiHealth cohort study. Physical activity, gender and educational level were assessed using a questionnaire.ResultsObesity, central obesity and physical inactivity were all associated with lower forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC). However, in participants without central obesity there was an increase in both FEV1 and FVC by BMI (% predicted FVC increasing from median 98%, interquartile range (IQR) 89–110% in underweight participants (BMI <20) to 103%, IQR 94–113% in obese participants (BMI ≥30)). In contrast, there was a decrease in % predicted FVC in participants with central obesity (from 98%, IQR 89–109% in the normal weight group to 95%, IQR 85–105% in the obese weight group). We further found a negative association between physical activity and lung function among those with low and high levels of physical activity (% predicted FEV1 97%, IQR 86–107% versus 103%, IQR 94–113%, respectively and % predicted FVC 96%, IQR 85–106% versus 103%, IQR 94–113%, respectively). All results remained when calculated by z-scores.ConclusionsThe association between BMI and lung function is dependent on the presence of central obesity. Independent of obesity, there is an association between physical activity and lung function.


Kinesiology ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 132-141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alberto Grao-Cruces ◽  
Rafael Ruiz-López ◽  
José-Enrique Moral-García ◽  
Alberto Ruiz-Ariza ◽  
Emilio J. Martínez-López

The aim of the study was to assess the effects that a steps/day programme may have on body mass index (BMI) among primary education students (11.37±0.48 years). A six-week controlled trial with a follow-up was completed with an experimental group (N=66, pedometer + steps/day programme + reinforcement programme in their physical education (PE) marks + weekly follow-up in PE), and a control group (N=76). Omron HJ-152-E2 pedometers were used. Normoweight students complied with programme requirements to a greater extent than their overweight counterparts (72.7 vs 59.1%). The programmed minimum number of 12,000 steps/day for boys and 10,000 for girls was exceeded by 83% of boys and 60% of girls. The differences in the number of steps/day between boys (14,274) and girls (10,626) were significant across all the measured periods (p&lt;.05). The results show that the teenagers who complied with the programme requirements reduced their BMI significantly after the intervention (p&lt;.001) and this reduction persisted for six weeks after the programme (p&lt;.001). In conclusion, the six-week programme of 12,000 steps/day for boys and 10,000 for girls, jointly with a reinforcement programme in their PE marks and weekly follow-up by their PE teacher, reduces BMI significantly in 11-12-year-old schoolchildren. Monitored steps/day programmes in the PE curriculum increase out-of-school physical activity and reduce BMI in 11-12-year-old schoolchildren.


Sensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 1404 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Alberto Benítez-Andrades ◽  
Natalia Arias ◽  
María Teresa García-Ordás ◽  
Marta Martínez-Martínez ◽  
Isaías García-Rodríguez

This study shows the feasibility of an eHealth solution for tackling eating habits and physical activity in the adolescent population. The participants were children from 11 to 15 years old. An intervention was carried out on 139 students in the intervention group and 91 students in the control group, in two schools during 14 weeks. The intervention group had access to the web through a user account and a password. They were able to create friendship relationships, post comments, give likes and interact with other users, as well as receive notifications and information about nutrition and physical activity on a daily basis and get (virtual) rewards for improving their habits. The control group did not have access to any of these features. The homogeneity of the samples in terms of gender, age, body mass index and initial health-related habits was demonstrated. Pre- and post-measurements were collected through self-reports on the application website. After applying multivariate analysis of variance, a significant alteration in the age-adjusted body mass index percentile was observed in the intervention group versus the control group, as well as in the PAQ-A score and the KIDMED score. It can be concluded that eHealth interventions can help to obtain healthy habits. More research is needed to examine the effectiveness in achieving adherence to these new habits.


2015 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 100-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly Hsieh ◽  
Tamar Heller ◽  
Julie Bershadsky ◽  
Sarah Taub

Abstract Individuals with intellectual disability (ID) are at risk for obesity and physical inactivity. We analyzed a subset of 2009–2010 National Core Indicators (NCI) database to examine (1) the impact of three adulthood stages– younger (20–39 years), middle (40–59 years), and older (60 years and older) on Body Mass Index (BMI) and physical activity (PA); and (2) the relationship between social-environmental context (i.e., residence type, everyday choices, and community participation) and BMI and PA, with adjustment for individual characteristics of the adults with ID. Findings highlight the need to pay more attention to obesity by providing health education and emphasizing healthy choices. Results also suggest the importance of community participation as a way of promoting more physical activity.


2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 624-631
Author(s):  
Takeshi Umegaki ◽  
Susumu Kunisawa ◽  
Masaya Kotsuka ◽  
So Yamaki ◽  
Takahiko Kamibayashi ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mijin Kim ◽  
Hiroko Isoda ◽  
Tomohiro Okura

Abstract Background: The intake of citrulline (CIT) and leucine (LEU) can stimulate protein synthesis. However, the efficacy of the combined intervention of CIT and LEU intake with exercise on body composition and physical activity (PA) remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the combined effect of CIT and LEU intake and weight-bearing exercises (WBE) and square stepping exercise (SSE) for 20 weeks on body composition, PA, and amino acid concentration in older women with low body mass index (BMI) (16 to 21 kg/m 2 ). Methods: A total of 23 participants practiced WBE and SSE once a week for 75 minutes and were administered supplement (Ex + CIT·LEU group: CIT 0.8 g and LEU 1.6 g; Ex + Placebo group: 3.5 g carbohydrate) twice a day for 20 weeks. Body composition was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. PA, including leisure-time, household, and occupational PA, was assessed using the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly. Amino acid concentrations in the blood were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography.Results: Significant interactions were observed in the body weight, BMI, lean mass, body mass, household and total PA, tyrosine, and phenylalanine. The within-group analysis showed that tyrosine of post-intervention measurement (Post) significantly in both groups ( p < 0.05). Body weight, BMI, lean mass, body mass, household PA, total PA, and phenylalanine of Post increased significantly in the Ex + CIT·LEU group ( p < 0.05). Additionally, significant positive correlations were observed between the intake rate of supplements and bone mass ( r = 0.80) and between the practice rate of WBE at home and bone mineral density ( r = 0.66) in the Ex + CIT·LEU group. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the intake of CIT and LEU, with the practice of WBE and SSE, could improve body weight, muscle mass, bone mass, and PA in older women with low BMI, which may prevent sarcopenia and frailty.Trial registration: UMIN000022385. Registered 20 May 2016, https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-39 bin/ctr/ctr.cgi?function=brows&action=brows&recptno=R000025797&type=summary&language=J


2019 ◽  
pp. 22-28
Author(s):  
V. M. Nedoborenko ◽  
I. P. Kaidashev

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is one of the causes of chronic fatigue with a decrease in the quality of life, impaired cognitive function and poor labor productivity. Obesity as a condition of chronic low-intensity inflammation is one of the factors that increases the risk of anemia and impairs the quality of life in the general population. We drew attention to the high global prevalence of anemia among pregnant women of reproductive age in the world and the prevalence of high body mass index among women compared to men in most countries. The objective of the work was to determine the impact of obesity on clinical features and quality of life of women with ІDA. We analyzed the main markers of ІDA and hematologic indices in women with obesity (n = 30) compared with the control group (n = 10), where there were women with ІDA but without obesity. It was found that there was no statistical difference between these parameters, but nevertheless, the serum ferritin level in obese women was (4.70 ± 2.68) ng/ml compared to (3.50 ± 2.93) ng/ml and had a significant positive correlation with body mass index. The analysis of the questionnaires revealed that obesity is still a significant factor in women with ІDA and obesity, which determines the decrease in quality of life mainly in the physical aspect in the absence of significant influence on the psychosocial components of health.


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