Maintained Physical Activity Induced Changes in Delay Discounting

2016 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 499-528 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J. Sofis ◽  
Ale Carrillo ◽  
David P. Jarmolowicz

Those who discount the subjective value of delayed rewards less steeply are more likely to engage in physical activity. There is limited research, however, showing whether physical activity can change rates of delay discounting. In a two-experiment series, treatment and maintenance effects of a novel, effort-paced physical activity intervention on delay discounting were evaluated with multiple baseline designs. Using a lap-based method, participants were instructed to exercise at individualized high and low effort levels and to track their own perceived effort. The results suggest that treatment-induced changes in discounting were maintained at follow-up for 13 of 16 participants. In Experiment 2, there were statistically significant group-level improvements in physical activity and delay discounting when comparing baseline with both treatment and maintenance phases. Percentage change in delay discounting was significantly correlated with session attendance and relative pace (min/mile) improvement over the course of the 7-week treatment. Implications for future research are discussed.

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aymen El Masri ◽  
Gregory S. Kolt ◽  
Emma S. George

Abstract Background Despite being one of the largest migrant groups in Australia, few physical activity interventions exist for Arab-Australians. The primary aim of this study was to test the feasibility and acceptability of a 12-week culturally tailored physical activity intervention for Arab-Australian women. Methods This study used a single-group pretest–posttest design, and was informed by extensive formative research and consultation involving the Arab-Australian community. Participants were insufficiently active Arab-Australian women aged 35–64 with no current illness or injury that would limit physical activity participation. The intervention comprised 6 face-to-face physical activity and education sessions over 12 weeks. The intervention was conducted at 2 separate intervention sites in Western Sydney, Australia. Feasibility outcomes included recruitment, session attendance, and retention. The acceptability of the intervention was assessed through a process evaluation questionnaire completed post-intervention. Accelerometers and the short-form International Physical Activity Questionnaire were used to measure physical activity at baseline and post-intervention. Descriptive statistics were used for feasibility and acceptability outcomes, and changes in physical activity were examined using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. Results Of the 53 women who were contacted or expressed interest, 22 were eligible and enrolled in the study. Participants were primarily recruited through direct contact by Arab-Australian community workers and by word-of-mouth. Average session attendance was 63% and the retention rate post-intervention was 68%. The culturally-related intervention components, such as the appropriateness of content, and women-only setting, were rated highly favourably (4.33 to 4.87/5). General intervention elements, such as the face-to-face delivery, knowledge and approachability of facilitators, and session structure, were also rated favourably (4.33 to 4.93/5), and the lowest scored item was the intervention session frequency (3.2/5). There were no statistically significant changes in physical activity post-intervention. Conclusions The findings from this study highlighted factors related to recruitment and delivery that need to be considered when developing physical activity interventions for Arab-Australian women. Further research is required using a larger sample and a randomised controlled trial design to examine the longer-term impact on physical activity, and to also examine ways of increasing intervention engagement and retention among Arab-Australian women. Trial Registration: ANZCTR, ACTRN12618001392257. Registered 20 August 2018, https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=375636.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Pischke ◽  
Claudia Voelcker-Rehage ◽  
Tiara Ratz ◽  
Manuela Peters ◽  
Christoph Buck ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Despite the crucial role of regular physical activity (PA) for preventing chronic non-communicable diseases, fewer than half of older adults in Germany engage in the recommended levels of endurance training. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to compare acceptance and effectiveness of two interventions (web- vs. print-based) for PA promotion among initially inactive community-dwelling older adults aged 60 years and above in a nine-month randomized trial with a cross-over design. METHODS Participants were recruited offline and randomized to one of the following interventions for self-monitoring PA: (a) a print-based intervention (PRINT n=113), (b) a web-based intervention (WEB, n=129). Thirty percent (n=38) of those in group (b) received a PA tracker in addition to WEB (WEB+, (c)). After randomization, participants and researchers were not blinded. Participants’ intervention preferences at baseline were assessed retrospectively. All intervention groups were offered ten weekly face-to-face group sessions led by trained assistants. Afterwards, participants could choose to stay in their group or cross over to one of the other groups and group sessions were continued monthly for another six months. Three-dimensional accelerometers to assess PA and sedentary behavior (SB) at baseline (T0), three-month (T1) and nine-month follow-ups (T2) were employed. Adherence to PA recommendations, attendance of group sessions, and acceptance of the interventions were assessed via self-administered paper-based questionnaires. Linear mixed models were used to calculate differences in moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) and SB between time points and intervention groups. RESULTS One-hundred and ninety-five participants completed T1. Only n=1 changed from WEB to PRINT and n=15 moved from PRINT to WEB (WEB-WEB: n=103, PRINT-PRINT: n=76) when offered to cross over at T1. One-hundred and sixty participants completed T2. MVPA in min per day increased between baseline and T1, but these within-group changes in time disappeared after adjusting for covariates. MVPA decreased by 9 min per day between baseline and T2 (βtime = -9.37, 95% CI: [-18.58; -0.16]), regardless of intervention group (WEB vs. PRINT: βgroup*time = -3.76, 95% CI: [-13.33; 5.82], WEB+ vs. PRINT: βgroup*time = 1.40, 95% CI: [-11.04; 13.83]). Nineteen percent of the participants met PA recommendations at T0, 20% at T1, and 20% at T2. For SB, there were no significant group differences and group-by-time interactions, neither at T1 nor at T2. Intervention acceptance was generally high. Use of intervention material was high to moderate at T1 (e.g., the PA diary was used by over 65% at least once a week) and decreased by T2 (40-50% in PRINT and in WEB used the PA diary at least once a week, and 58% in WEB+). CONCLUSIONS Despite high levels of acceptance of web- and print-based interventions for PA promotion and little movement between groups at T1, when given the choice, participation was not associated with increases in PA or decreases in SB over time. CLINICALTRIAL German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00016073 (Date of registration 10–01-2019).


2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 152-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyra Hamilton ◽  
Katherine M. White

Background:Parents are at risk for physical inactivity; however, few studies have designed physical activity (PA) interventions specifically applied to individuals with young children. To ensure the effectiveness of interventions, it may be useful to first elicit the needs from the target population and incorporate salient strategies identified to the design and delivery of a resultant intervention. We aimed to explore strategies for what to include in and how to best deliver a program designed to increase parental PA.Methods:Twelve parents (6 mothers, 6 fathers) of children younger than 5 years participated in focus group discussions exploring strategies for an intervention program designed to increase parental PA.Results:A range of themes such as Focus on the Children and Flexible Life/Family Plans imbedded in strategies such as persuasion and information, problem-solving, skill building, and environmental approaches were identified. In addition, a range of strategies for how to best deliver a parental PA intervention evidenced in emerging themes such as Diverse and Brief and Individualized Approach was discussed.Conclusions:Future research should continue to adopt a ground up, community-based approach to the development and implementation of interventions for this at-risk group to ensure sustained involvement in regular PA.


2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 138-146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naiman A. Khan ◽  
Charles H. Hillman

Physical inactivity has been shown to increase the risk for several chronic diseases across the lifespan. However, the impact of physical activity and aerobic fitness on childhood cognitive and brain health has only recently gained attention. The purposes of this article are to: 1) highlight the recent emphasis for increasing physical activity and aerobic fitness in children’s lives for cognitive and brain health; 2) present aspects of brain development and cognitive function that are susceptible to physical activity intervention; 3) review neuroimaging studies examining the cross-sectional and experimental relationships between aerobic fitness and executive control function; and 4) make recommendations for future research. Given that the human brain is not fully developed until the third decade of life, preadolescence is characterized by changes in brain structure and function underlying aspects of cognition including executive control and relational memory. Achieving adequate physical activity and maintaining aerobic fitness in childhood may be a critical guideline to follow for physical as well as cognitive and brain health.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Hubner ◽  
Julie Blaskewicz Boron ◽  
Karsten Koehler

Background: The effect of physical activity and exercise on hunger and satiety has been well-studied in younger adults, but the influence of aging is less understood. While some evidence suggests that acute bouts of exercise induce a compensatory eating drive, long-term activity may improve satiety sensitivity. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of exercise on appetite in older adults.Methods: We systematically reviewed available literature investigating the effect of exercise on appetite in older adults adults (CRD42020208953). PubMed, PsycINFO, Academic Search Complete, the Sports Medicine & Education Index, and Web of Science, were searched for peer-reviewed articles published in English with no date restriction. Included studies implemented a primary exercise or physical activity intervention with a control group, on a generally healthy population ≥60 years of age. Selected studies included at least one appetite outcome. Risk of bias was assessed using the 11-point Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) tool. Standardized mean difference summary statistics (Hedge's g effect sizes) and 95% confidence intervals were reported.Results: We identified 15 reports (13 studies) which met all inclusion criteria (5 resistance training, 3 aerobic, 6 mixed modalities). Studies included 443 participants (Age = 68.9 ± 5.2, 82.3% female) and had generally “good” bias scores (PEDro = 6.4 ± 0.88). Random effects meta-analyses revealed that the exercising group showed statistically significant reductions in glucose [SMD = −0.34 (95% CI: −0.67, −0.02), p < 0.05, PEDro =6.4 ± 0.45] and leptin [SMD = −0.92 (95% CI: −1.28, −0.57), p < 0.00001, PEDro = 6.2 ± 0.75].Discussion: This systematic review revealed that exercise and physical activity may modulate resting hunger and satiety in older adults. Decreases in fasting leptin and glucose hormones suggest that exercise promotes satiety sensitivity in adults aged 60+. This review highlights that engaging in exercise and activity programs may provide a meaningful avenue for improving chronic and functional disease burden in later life by promoting appetite control and balanced energy intake. Recommendations for future research include investigations of appetite in response to varied exercise modalities within more diverse and representative samples of older adults.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdalena Wilczynska ◽  
Anna K Jansson ◽  
David R Lubans ◽  
Jordan J Smith ◽  
Sara L Robards ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: ecofit is an evidence-based multi-component physical activity intervention that integrates smartphone technology, the outdoor environment and social support. In a previous efficacy trial, significant improvements were found across several clinical, fitness, and mental health outcomes among adults at risk of (or with) type 2 diabetes. Methods: The aim of the present pilot study was to evaluate a number of health-related and feasibility outcomes of the ecofit intervention in a ‘real-world’ setting, using a scalable implementation model. ecofit was adapted and implemented by a rural municipal council in the Upper Hunter Shire, New South Wales, Australia and evaluated using a single-group pre-post design. Inactive middle-aged and older adults (N=59) were recruited and assessed at 6- (primary time-point) and 20-weeks (follow-up). Results: Improvements were found in this predominantly overweight and obese sample for aerobic fitness, functional mobility, upper and lower body muscular fitness, systolic blood pressure and waist circumference at 6-weeks. At 20-weeks, effects were found for aerobic fitness, functional mobility, upper and lower body muscular fitness, and systolic blood pressure. Overall, participants were satisfied with the ecofit program. Participants attended the 6-week primary time-point (66.1%) and follow-up at 20-weeks (41.6%). Conclusions: Our findings support the preliminary effectiveness and feasibility of the ecofit intervention delivered by municipal council staff following a brief training from the research team. This study provides valuable preliminary evidence to support of a larger implementation trial.


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