Light and Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity Correlates with Physical Fitness in Hispanic Elders

Keeping a physically active lifestyle requires consistent self-regulatory effort such as action control (e.g., continuously monitoring and evaluating a behavior in terms of one’s goals). Involving the romantic partner in interventions might be particularly effective in the long run. The present study examined the long-term and transfer effects of an action control intervention in couples using text messaging for promoting target persons’ and partners’ physical activity, anthropometric measures and physical fitness 6 months post baseline. A total of 121 overweight and obese romantic couples, randomly allocated to an intervention (n = 60; information + action control text messages) or a control group (n = 61; information only) and to participating as target person or partner, completed baseline assessments (T1). 100 couples (82.6%) completed the 6-month follow-up (T3) assessment. Primary outcomes included self-reported moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and objective MVPA and MVPA adherence using triaxial accelerometers across a diary period of 14 days after T3. Secondary outcomes included BMI, waist-to-hip circumference and physical fitness (target persons only) using a submaximal aerobic cycle test. At T3, there were no significant between-group differences between target persons and partners with regard to their objective MVPA, self-reported MVPA, BMI, waist-hip ratio or physical fitness. No significant changes in outcomes were observed from T1 to T3; however, changes in BMI from T1 to T3 between target persons and partners in the intervention group were associated. Overall, the brief 14-days action control intervention was not effective in improving target person’s physical activity, body measures and physical fitness in the long-term. Moreover, no long-term benefits for partners emerged. While brief ecological momentary interventions might be a promising tool for short-term effects, future studies are needed to test features enhancing long-term effectiveness. Associations in romantic partners’ changes suggest that dyadic interventions can be a promising approach, as changes induced in one partner may then transfer over to the other (controlled-trials.com ISRCTN15705531).

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Physical Activity, Fitness, and Adiposity of Prepubertal Girls

Pediatric Exercise Science ◽

10.1123/pes.8.3.259 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

pp. 259-267 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Lennart Raudsepp ◽

Toivo Jürimäe

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Physical Fitness ◽

Performance Indicators ◽

Muscular Strength ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Physical Activities ◽

The Body ◽

Fitness Tests ◽

Physical Activity Recall ◽

Prepubertal Girls

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between physical activity and physical fitness and adiposity in a sample of 77 girls, aged 10–11 years. Physical activity was assessed by 7-day physical activity recall by which children reported how much time they spent on low and moderate-to-vigorous physical activities. Physical fitness was measured by EUROFIT test battery. Adiposity was estimated by sum of five skinfolds. The main finding of the study was that moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and adiposity were significant predictors (with 16–34% accounted variance) of physical fitness tests where the body mass affects performance. Indicators of physical activity and adiposity were not significantly related with fitness items requiring muscular strength, balance, flexibility, and speed of limb movement. Furthermore, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and aerobic fitness predicted 22% of variance in adiposity in girls.

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A comparison of physical activity, physical fitness levels, BMI and blood pressure of adults with intellectual disability, who do and do not take part in Special Olympics Ireland programmes: Results from the SOPHIE study

Journal of Intellectual Disabilities ◽

10.1177/1744629516688773 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 22 (2) ◽

pp. 154-170 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Denise Walsh ◽

Sarahjane Belton ◽

Sarah Meegan ◽

Kirsty Bowers ◽

Deidre Corby ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Blood Pressure ◽

Intellectual Disability ◽

Physical Fitness ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Well Being ◽

Self Report ◽

Special Olympics ◽

The Impact ◽

Fitness Levels

People with an intellectual disability are less physically active, live more sedentary lives, have lower fitness levels and are more likely to be overweight or obese than the general population. No evidence exists on the impact of participation in Special Olympics Ireland (SOI) on physical activity and physical fitness levels. Adults with intellectual disabilities (16–64 years) were recruited from services and SOI clubs. Physical measures included waist circumference, height, weight, blood pressure, heart rate and 6-min walking test. Self-report questionnaires gathered data on physical activity levels. Actigraph (GT3X) accelerometers were used to gain an objective measure of physical activity. SOI participants accumulated more moderate to vigorous physical activity per day, had higher fitness levels and more positive health profile scores than those not taking part in SOI. SOI has the potential to make a positive difference to people’s physical health and subsequently their overall health and well-being.

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Development of smartphone application for personalized physical fitness education for university students in COVID-19 pandemic era

Journal of Engineering Research ◽

10.36909/jer.asseee.16057 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Adang Suherman ◽

◽

Kuston Sultoni ◽

Jajat Jajat ◽

◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Physical Fitness ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Smartphone Application ◽

Physical Fitness Test ◽

Test Items ◽

Fitness Education ◽

Health Related ◽

Online Distance Learning ◽

Online Distance

Online distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic can impact decreasing physical activity and increasing sedentary behaviour, leading to the reduced physical fitness of students. The research aims to develop an android application (app) to assist students in developing physical fitness independently. Four stages of development have been carried out to create the Mahasiswa Bugar application. The advantages of the Mahasiswa Bugar app are as a guide to measuring physical fitness that can be done by students themselves and based on existing literature. Physical fitness test items guided through this application are health-related fitness, body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength and endurance, and flexibility, including features for feedback, history or recording of test results and training program. The results of the quasi-experiment show that the percentage of student involvement in vigorous physical activity has increased. Although the fit student android application's socialization did not significantly impact increasing the intensity of physical activity and motivation to train, this application could be a solution for students in fostering physical fitness independently during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Relationships between Depression, Daily Physical Activity, Physical Fitness, and Daytime Sleepiness among Japanese University Students

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18158036 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (15) ◽

pp. 8036

Author(s):

Hideki Shimamoto ◽

Masataka Suwa ◽

Koh Mizuno

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

University Students ◽

Physical Fitness ◽

Undergraduate Students ◽

Daytime Sleepiness ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Developed Countries ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Physical Activity Levels ◽

Part Time

In Japan and other developed countries, the lifestyles of many—particularly the younger generation—have been disrupted in recent years. This disruption may manifest as a decrease in physical activity and deterioration in the quality and quantity of sleep. Depressive tendencies are also increasing among university students. This study examined the relationship between mental health, physical activity, physical fitness, and daytime sleepiness. Eighty-five undergraduate students participated in this study (52 men and 33 women, aged 18.9 (±1.4) years). Physical activity levels were measured using an accelerometer (Lifecorder, Kenz, Nagoya, Japan) for two weeks. To evaluate their level of physical fitness, maximal oxygen uptake (V˙O2max) was calculated by an indirect method using a cycle ergometer. Depressive tendencies and daytime sleepiness were evaluated using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). The PHQ-9 score was positively correlated with sleepiness (r = 0.35, p = 0.001) and total steps per day (r = 0.39, p < 0.001). Moreover, the PHQ-9 score was positively correlated with V˙O2max (r = 0.25, p = 0.019). The PHQ-9 score was higher in students with good exercise habits or part-time jobs. An important finding was the positive correlation between depression and variables related to physical activity levels. These results suggest that vigorous physical activity, such as exercise and part-time jobs, might be positively associated with depressive tendencies among university students.

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Physical Fitness and Motor Competence in Chinese and German Elementary School Children in Relation to Different Physical Activity Settings

Children ◽

10.3390/children8050391 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (5) ◽

pp. 391

Author(s):

Andreas Hohmann ◽

Xinchi Yuan ◽

Manfred Schmitt ◽

Hui Zhang ◽

Micha Pietzonka ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Physical Fitness ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Multivariate Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Motor Competence ◽

Activity Settings ◽

School Sport ◽

One Year ◽

Club Sport

(1) Background: Children with greater physical activity (PA) may show a higher physical fitness (PF) and motor competence (MC) compared to peers with less PA. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), PF, and MC in 8- to 9-year old children in Germany and China. MVPA was differentiated into five PA settings: family sport, club training, school sport, leisure sport, and outside play. (2) Methods: This longitudinal study comprised N = 577 children (n = 311 girls, n = 266 boys) who were studied over a one-year period. Each child’s PF and MC was determined using sports motor tests. The children’s PAs were measured using a questionnaire. (3) Results: The children’s PA was positively associated with PF and MC. The MVPA-settings: family sport, leisure sport, outside play, school, and club sport, explained between 18 and 23 percent of the variance in selected PF and MC characteristics in a multivariate linear regression analysis. (4) Conclusions: An increase in the children’s MVPA might be an appropriate aim in the school sport in Germany as well as in the club sport system in China. Furthermore, family sport should be enhanced in Germany and outside play activities in China, respectively.

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Body Composition and Physical Fitness Tests Among US Army Soldiers: A Comparison of the Active and Reserve Components

Public Health Reports ◽

10.1177/0033354919867069 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 134 (5) ◽

pp. 502-513

Author(s):

Dale W. Russell ◽

Joshua Kazman ◽

Cristel Antonia Russell

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Body Composition ◽

Physical Fitness ◽

Health Behaviors ◽

Assessment Tool ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Active Duty ◽

Mild Depression ◽

Physical Test ◽

Us Army

Objectives: US Army reserve soldiers and active-duty soldiers differ in their daily work demands and supporting resources, yet research on reservists’ health and fitness is lacking. The objectives of this study were to (1) determine whether physical test failure rates and health behaviors differed between active-duty soldiers and reserve soldiers and (2) establish which demographic and health behavioral factors were associated with failing physical tests. Methods: We analyzed a sample of 239 329 US Army active-duty and reserve soldiers surveyed from September 2013 through March 2015 using the Global Assessment Tool. We extracted data on soldier demographic characteristics and health behaviors, as well as Body Composition Test (BCT) and Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) results. We compared the 2 groups using the active-to-reserve adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for each variable. We used logistic regression models to determine which variables were associated with failing these tests. Results: The odds of failing the BCT (aOR = 0.76; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.73-0.78) or the APFT (aOR = 0.31; 95% CI, 0.30-0.32) were lower among active-duty soldiers than among reservists, and the odds of doing high levels of high-intensity interval training (aOR = 1.47; 95% CI, 1.42-1.51), resistance training (aOR = 1.45; 95% CI, 1.42-1.48), and vigorous physical activity (aOR = 2.92; 95% CI, 2.86-2.98) were higher among active-duty soldiers than among reservists. The odds of using tobacco (aOR = 1.37; 95% CI, 1.35-1.40), binge drinking alcohol (aOR = 1.11; 95% CI, 1.09-1.13), having insomnia (aOR = 1.46; 95% CI, 1.43-1.48) or mild depression (aOR = 1.50; 95% CI, 1.48-1.53), and sustaining a physical activity–related injury (aOR = 2.52; 95% CI, 2.47-2.57) were higher among active-duty soldiers than among reservists. Conclusions: Policy makers and military leaders could use this information to implement health screenings and tailor health-promotion, intervention, and treatment programs.

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Tracking of Physical Activity, Physical Inactivity, and Health-Related Physical Fitness in Rural Youth

Pediatric Exercise Science ◽

10.1123/pes.11.4.364 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 364-376 ◽

Cited By ~ 57

Author(s):

Russell R. Pate ◽

Stewart G. Trost ◽

Marsha Dowda ◽

Alise E. Ott ◽

Dianne S. Ward ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Physical Fitness ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Intraclass Correlation ◽

Correlation Coefficients ◽

Skinfold Thickness ◽

Rural Youth ◽

Cycle Ergometer ◽

After School ◽

Fitness Measures

This study examined the tracking of selected measures of physical activity, inactivity, and fitness in a cohort of rural youth. Students (N = 181, 54.7% female, 63.5% African American) completed test batteries during their fifth- (age = 10.7 ± 0.7 years), sixth-, and seventh-grade years. The Previous Day Physical Activity Recall (PDPAR) was used to assess 30-min blocks of vigorous physical activity (VPA), moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), TV watching and other sedentary activities, and estimated energy expenditure (EE). Fitness measures included the PWC 170 cycle ergometer test, strength tests, tnceps skinfold thickness, and BMI. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) for VPA, MVPA, and after-school EE ranged from 0.63 to 0.78. ICCs ranged from 0.49 to 0.71 for measures of inactivity and from 0.78 to 0.82 for the fitness measures. These results indicate that measures of physical activity, inactivity, and physical fitness tend to track during the transition from elementary to middle school.

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Proposal for an Enhanced Physical Education Program in the Primary School: Evaluation of Feasibility and Effectiveness in Improving Physical Skills and Fitness

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2015-0694 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 13 (10) ◽

pp. 1025-1034 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Laura Dallolio ◽

Andrea Ceciliani ◽

Tiziana Sanna ◽

Andrea Garulli ◽

Erica Leoni

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Physical Education ◽

Physical Fitness ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Primary Schools ◽

Handgrip Strength ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Control Group ◽

School Based ◽

Experimental Group

Background:A large proportion of children do not reach the recommended levels of physical activity for health. A quasiexperimental study with nonrandom assignment was performed to evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of a school-based physical education intervention aimed at increasing the levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA).Methods:Ten classes from 4 primary schools, including 241 children aged 8 to 10 years, were recruited. The experimental group (n = 97) received 4 additional sessions/week of 60 minutes of MVPA for 8 months. The control group (n = 135) continued their standard program (2 sessions of 50 minutes/week). Motor abilities (standing long jump, handgrip strength, Harre circuit, sit and reach), physical fitness (Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Level-1), anthropometric measures (body mass index, waist to height ratio), and self-efficacy (Perceived Physical Ability Scale for Children) were evaluated at baseline and after the intervention.Results:The experimental group significantly improved in the Harre circuit both in males (P < .001) and females (P < .01), whereas physical fitness test improved only in males (P < .001). Males in the experimental group improved the perception of self-efficacy in coordinative abilities (P = .017).Conclusions:The proposed school-based MVPA program showed effectiveness and feasibility. The differences observed by gender highlight the need to use different strategies to increase the involvement of all the participants.

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