Jogging, nordic walking and going for a walk - inter-disciplinary recommendations to keep people physically active in times of the covid-19 lockdown in Tyrol, Austria

Physical activity has a strong impact on physical and mental health. It prevents diseases, strengthens the immune system, and helps to reduce stress. Moreover, physical activity increases the psychological well-being, with outdoor exercise showing even more positive effects. In times when national regulations also restrict the possibilities for exercise, the authors—referring to scientifically sound findings and adhering to the current social distancing rules—recommend allowing moderate outdoor sports activities (jogging, Nordic walking, going for a walk) and the use of park trails, hiking trails, and forest roads in easy terrains.

Download Full-text

Physical Activity, Screen Time, and Sleep Duration of Children Aged 6–9 Years in 25 Countries: An Analysis within the WHO European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI) 2015–2017

Obesity Facts ◽

10.1159/000511263 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-13

Author(s):

Stephen Whiting ◽

Marta Buoncristiano ◽

Peter Gelius ◽

Karim Abu-Omar ◽

Mary Pattison ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Childhood Obesity ◽

Sleep Duration ◽

Screen Time ◽

School Administrators ◽

Well Being ◽

Pooled Analysis ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Short Sleep Duration ◽

Nationally Representative

Background: Children are becoming less physically active as opportunities for safe active play, recreational activities, and active transport decrease. At the same time, sedentary screen-based activities both during school and leisure time are increasing. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate physical activity (PA), screen time, and sleep duration of girls and boys aged 6–9 years in Europe using data from the WHO European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI). Method: The fourth COSI data collection round was conducted in 2015–2017, using a standardized protocol that included a family form completed by parents with specific questions about their children’s PA, screen time, and sleep duration. Results: Nationally representative data from 25 countries was included and information on the PA behaviour, screen time, and sleep duration of 150,651 children was analysed. Pooled analysis showed that: 79.4% were actively playing for >1 h each day, 53.9% were not members of a sport or dancing club, 50.0% walked or cycled to school each day, 60.2% engaged in screen time for <2 h/day, and 84.9% slept for 9–11 h/night. Country-specific analyses of these behaviours showed pronounced differences, with national prevalences in the range of 61.7–98.3% actively playing for >1 h/day, 8.2–85.6% were not members of a sport or dancing club, 17.7–94.0% walked or cycled to school each day, 32.3–80.0% engaged in screen time for <2 h/day, and 50.0–95.8% slept for 9–11 h/night. Conclusions: The prevalence of engagement in PA and the achievement of healthy screen time and sleep duration are heterogenous across the region. Policymakers and other stakeholders, including school administrators and parents, should increase opportunities for young people to participate in daily PA as well as explore solutions to address excessive screen time and short sleep duration to improve the overall physical and mental health and well-being of children.

Download Full-text

Residents’ Physical Activities in Home Isolation and Its Relationship with Health Values and Well-Being: A Cross-Sectional Survey during the COVID-19 Social Quarantine

Healthcare ◽

10.3390/healthcare9070795 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (7) ◽

pp. 795

Author(s):

Yifan Zuo ◽

Mu Zhang ◽

Jiayu Han ◽

Kevin W. Chen ◽

Zhanbing Ren

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Satisfaction With Life ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Positive Impact ◽

Well Being ◽

Physical Activities ◽

Mediating Effect ◽

Satisfaction With Life Scale ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Health Values

The objective of the present study was to examine the associations between residents’ physical activity, health values, and well-being during isolation. On the basis of the physical activity rating scale, health values scale, subjective well-being scale, and the satisfaction with life scale, we collected 505 valid questionnaires online from 31 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions in China. A series of multiple linear regression models were established to study the relationship between variables, and the bootstrap confidence interval was selected to test the mediating effect. The results showed that during the period of isolation, physical activity directly (b = 0.463, p < 0.001) or indirectly (b = 0.358, p < 0.001) had a positive impact on residents’ well-being through the mediating effect of health values. There was a positive correlation between physical activity and health values (b = 0.710, p < 0.001), while health values had a direct positive association on well-being (b = 0.504, p < 0.001). In addition, a moderate amount of physical activity was found to be more associated with the well-being of residents during home isolation compared to small and large amounts of physical activity. This study shows the importance of residents’ physical activities in home isolation. Moderate exercise at home and regular physical activity are beneficial to our physical and mental health, especially in terms of improving overall well-being.

Download Full-text

Abstract P234: Associations of Clinical Characteristics and Health-related Behaviors With Physical Activity Levels in Stage B Heart Failure Patients

Circulation ◽

10.1161/circ.141.suppl_1.p234 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 141 (Suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Maira Tristao Parra ◽

Meredith A Pung ◽

Kathleen Wilson ◽

Christopher Pruitt ◽

Barry H Greenberg ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Heart Failure ◽

Clinical Characteristics ◽

Well Being ◽

Physically Active ◽

Heart Failure Patients ◽

Health Related Behaviors ◽

Health Related ◽

Active Patients

Hypothesis: insufficiently active heart failure patients will report poorer QoL, more fatigue and depressive mood compared to active patients. Aims: To characterize clinical characteristics and health-related behaviors according to physical activity (PA). Also, to explore predicting factors of quality of life (QoL). Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of a cohort of Stage B HF patients. PA classification was set as active, moderately active or insufficiently active, according to the LTEQ questionnaire. For QoL, the SF-36 questionnaire was used. ANOVAS, Chi-Square tests or likelihood ratios and unadjusted multiple regression models were calculated. Significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. Results: In this cohort, 277 HF patients completed the PA questionnaire. The prevalence of active patients was higher than moderately active and insufficiently active (53.3% vs 15.2% and 29.6%), respectively. Younger age (p = 0.044), lower waist circumference (WC) (p = 0.002), and lower waist-to-hip ratio (p = 0.046) were associated with being active. The prevalence of Type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in the active groups was significantly lower (p = 0.001). Physically active groups had cases of mild LV enlargement (1.4% and 7.5%, respectively), while no cases were observed among insufficiently active patients (p = 0.017). PA was positively associated with less fatigue (p= 0.002), more vigor (p = 0.001), more self-efficacy (p < 0.001), and better quality of life (p = 0.002). Patients who were less physically active had more inflammation (CRP, p = 0.015; IL-6, p <0.001; TNF-α: p = 0.033, and IL-1ra, p = 0.001). WC (β =-0.16, p = 0.008), glucose (β =-0.12, p < 0.001) and fatigue (β = - 0.39, p < 0.001) predicted general health perception (R 2 = 0.449). For physical functioning (high scores reflects performing PA without limitations due to health), WC (β = - 0.28, p = 0.001), sleep (β = - 1.50, p = 0.003) and fatigue (β = - 0.32, p = 0.018) were significant predictors (R 2 = 0.422); while age (β = 0.36, p <0.001) physical activity (β = 0.051, p = 0.055), sleep (β = 0.50, p =0.046), fatigue (β = -0.37, p <0.001) and depression (β = -1.12, p <0.001) predicted emotional well-being (R 2 = 0.696). Conclusion: Physically active heart failure patients had a better anthropometric profile and lower prevalence of T2DM. In this cohort, PA was not a significant predictor for general and physical functioning, but it remained relevant for predicting emotional well-being.

Download Full-text

Physical Activity of Polish and Norwegian Local Communities in the Context of Self-Government Authorities’ Projects

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph16101710 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (10) ◽

pp. 1710

Author(s):

Anna Maria Urbaniak-Brekke ◽

Beata Pluta ◽

Magdalena Krzykała ◽

Marcin Andrzejewski

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Local Governments ◽

Local Authorities ◽

Physically Active ◽

Time Pattern ◽

Outdoor Sports ◽

Action Model ◽

Recreation Facilities ◽

Sport And Recreation ◽

The Impact

The aim of this paper is to evaluate the relationship between the physical activity (PA) undertaken by two groups of residents living in Poland and Norway, and projects run by their respective local authorities. A secondary goal is to determine PA levels in the studied social groups. Two representative groups (one from each country) were examined using a diagnostic survey, supported by questionnaires and interviews. The Polish cohort consisted of 382 respondents who were residents of 11 municipalities in the Kalisz district of the Greater Poland voivodship. The Norwegian cohort was made up of 378 residents of 8 Indre Sogn municipalities from the Sogn og Fjordane region. Norwegians are twice as physically active as Poles and assess their municipal sport and recreation facilities to be much better. There is no statistically significant relationship between Polish and Norwegian PA levels in the two studied groups and their positive views on the impact of their local governments’ projects to promote PA. Statistically significant correlations occurred between the frequency of PA undertaken, the time pattern of class unit, MET level (metabolic equivalent) and the declared use of the sport and recreation facilities of the two communities. Both groups are more willing to be active outdoors than indoors and thus municipal authorities should take particular care about the state of outdoor sports and recreation infrastructure. An innovative and original action model is presented to assist local authorities in their attempts to raise PA levels in their communities.

Download Full-text

Examining How Dog ‘Acquisition’ Affects Physical Activity and Psychosocial Well-Being: Findings from the BuddyStudy Pilot Trial

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani9090666 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (9) ◽

pp. 666 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Katie Potter ◽

Jessica E. Teng ◽

Brittany Masteller ◽

Caitlin Rajala ◽

Laura B. Balzer

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Pilot Trial ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Well Being ◽

Epidemiologic Studies ◽

Physically Active ◽

Ethical Concerns ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Dog Ownership ◽

Dog Owners

Dog owners are more physically active than non-dog owners, but evidence of a causal relationship between dog acquisition and increased physical activity is lacking. Such evidence could inform programs and policies that encourage responsible dog ownership. Randomized controlled trials are the ‘gold standard’ for determining causation, but they are prohibited in this area due to ethical concerns. In the BuddyStudy, we tested the feasibility of using dog fostering as a proxy for dog acquisition, which would allow ethical random assignment. In this single-arm trial, 11 participants fostered a rescue dog for six weeks. Physical activity and psychosocial data were collected at baseline, 6, and 12 weeks. At 6 weeks, mean change in steps/day was 1192.1 ± 2457.8. Mean changes on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale and the Perceived Stress Scale were −4.9 ± 8.7 and −0.8 ± 5.5, respectively. More than half of participants (55%) reported meeting someone new in their neighborhood because of their foster dog. Eight participants (73%) adopted their foster dog after the 6-week foster period; some maintained improvements in physical activity and well-being at 12 weeks. Given the demonstrated feasibility and preliminary findings of the BuddyStudy, a randomized trial of immediate versus delayed dog fostering is warranted.

Download Full-text

A Meta-Study of Qualitative Research on Social Support Related to Physical Activity Among Older Adults

Kinesiology Review ◽

10.1123/kr.2020-0005 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-15

Author(s):

L. Jayne Beselt ◽

Michelle C. Patterson ◽

Meghan H. McDonough ◽

Jennifer Hewson ◽

Scott MacKay

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Social Support ◽

Older Adults ◽

Qualitative Research ◽

Well Being ◽

Future Research ◽

Physically Active ◽

Supportive Behaviors ◽

Study Methodology ◽

Barriers And Challenges

Physical activity (PA) and social support have known benefits for the well-being and health of older adults, and social support is associated with PA behavior and positive affective experiences in PA contexts. The aim of this study was to synthesize qualitative research conducted on the experiences of social support related to PA among older adults (age ≥55 years). Following meta-study methodology, the authors searched nine databases and extracted information from 31 studies. Results were synthesized in terms of common themes and in light of theoretical and methodological perspectives used. The qualitative literature identifies supportive behaviors and social network outcomes which may be useful for informing how best to support older adults to be physically active. This literature rarely reflected the experiences of vulnerable populations, and future research should aim to further understand supportive behaviors which enable older adults to overcome barriers and challenges to being physically active.

Download Full-text

Physical activity, diet and quality of life during mandatory (COVID-19) quarantine following repatriation

SAGE Open Medical Case Reports ◽

10.1177/2050313x20972508 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

pp. 2050313X2097250

Author(s):

Philippe Jean-Luc Gradidge ◽

Herculina Salome Kruger

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

South African ◽

Cardiovascular Health ◽

Sitting Time ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Physically Active ◽

Self Monitoring ◽

Prolonged Sitting ◽

Online Tools

The coronavirus disease 2019 crisis in South Africa has been managed through an effective evidence-based approach. The aim of this case report was to determine the value of staying physically active during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, using online resources to prevent the harmful effects of sedentary behaviour under confined living conditions. A repatriated South African citizen was placed into monitored 14-day quarantine confined to a room, self-monitoring dietary intake and physical and health measures, while engaged in online exercise videos and indoor walking. This study demonstrates that structured indoor activity improves physical and mental health outcomes, despite prolonged sitting time during the day. During the current pandemic and in the presence of limited freedom of movement, sustained physical activity is made feasible by accessing online tools and resources, essentially reducing vulnerability to existing cardiovascular health concerns. However, these findings are based on a single participant and therefore further study is required.

Download Full-text

The impact of participation in extra-curricular physical activity on males from disadvantaged schools

European Physical Education Review ◽

10.1177/1356336x15625381 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 23 (1) ◽

pp. 60-72 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Sarahjane Belton ◽

Paul Prior ◽

Eric Wickel ◽

Catherine Woods

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Well Being ◽

Multinomial Regression ◽

Physical Competence ◽

Psychological Well Being ◽

Physically Active ◽

Study Results ◽

The Impact ◽

Academic Year ◽

Health And Well Being

Extra-curricular physical activity (ECPA) may have an important role to play in the health and well-being of adolescents, but the actual benefits are relatively unknown. This study examined ECPA participation amongst adolescent males (age 12–15 years) from disadvantaged backgrounds, and evaluated its impact on overall physical activity (PA) accumulation and psychological well-being. At three time points over a single academic year, participants from four schools ( n = 174) wore a pedometer for seven days and completed a questionnaire assessing habitual PA, frequency of ECPA participation, barriers to ECPA participation and seven psychosocial subscales. An average year-long score was calculated for each participant, for each variable. Across seasons, 84% of participants reported regular (≥ twice a week) or occasional (once a week) participation in ECPA. Those reporting regular participation in ECPA were significantly ( p < .01) more active (steps/day) and scored higher ( p < .01) on each psychosocial subscale. Results of multinomial regression analysis showed that perceived physical competence ( p < .001) had a significant main effect on ECPA participation. Our study results indicate that students from disadvantaged backgrounds whom participate in ECPA at least once a week are significantly more physically active and have a higher level of psychological well-being than those who never participate.

Download Full-text

Physical Activity Advertisements That Feature Daily Well-Being Improve Autonomy and Body Image in Overweight Women but Not Men

Journal of Obesity ◽

10.1155/2012/354721 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 2012 ◽

pp. 1-19 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Michelle L. Segar ◽

John A. Updegraff ◽

Brian J. Zikmund-Fisher ◽

Caroline R. Richardson

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Weight Loss ◽

Body Image ◽

Weight Control ◽

Well Being ◽

Framing Effects ◽

Obese Women ◽

Physically Active ◽

Overweight Women ◽

Anova Model

The reasons for exercising that are featured in health communications brand exercise and socialize individuals about why they should be physically active. Discovering which reasons for exercising are associated with high-quality motivation and behavioral regulation is essential to promoting physical activity and weight control that can be sustained over time. This study investigates whether framing physical activity in advertisements featuring distinct types of goals differentially influences body image and behavioral regulations based on self-determination theory among overweight and obese individuals. Using a three-arm randomized trial, overweight and obese women and men (aged 40–60 yr,n=1690) read one of three ads framing physical activity as a way to achieve (1) better health, (2) weight loss, or (3) daily well-being. Framing effects were estimated in an ANOVA model with pairwise comparisons using the Bonferroni correction. This study showed that there are immediate framing effects on physical activity behavioral regulations and body image from reading a one-page advertisement about physical activity and that gender and BMI moderate these effects. Framing physical activity as a way to enhance daily well-being positively influenced participants’ perceptions about the experience of being physically active and enhanced body image among overweight women, but not men. The experiment had less impact among the obese study participants compared to those who were overweight. These findings support a growing body of research suggesting that, compared to weight loss, framing physical activity for daily well-being is a better gain-frame message for overweight women in midlife.

Download Full-text

The Relationship Between Postural Control and Self-Reported Engagement in Physical Activity in Young and Older Age

Journal of Aging and Physical Activity ◽

10.1123/japa.2015-0052 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 24 (2) ◽

pp. 196-200 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Bożena Wojciechowska-Maszkowska ◽

Dorota Borzucka ◽

Aleksandra Maria Rogowska ◽

Michał Kuczyński

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Postural Control ◽

Force Plate ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Physically Active ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

Eyes Open ◽

The Relationship ◽

Postural Performance ◽

Better Than

Physical activity is known to have beneficial effects on a host of factors related to physical and mental health, and positively affects postural control. However, there is no agreement on which measures of postural control and to what extent they are dependent on the past and present physical activity in older adults. To answer this question we compared the postural performance in a 20-s quiet stance with eyes open on a Kistler force plate in 38 subjects, aged 60–92, who were formerly and are currently physically active (AA) with those who were always inactive (II) and those who were either formerly (AI) or are currently (IA) active. Results indicated that only current activity promoted better postural control while former activity was ineffective. Postural control in AA and IA was very similar and much better than in II and AI who, in contrast, displayed similarly deteriorated postural control.

Download Full-text