scholarly journals Use of Physical Activity Monitoring Devices by Families in Rural Communities: Qualitative Approach (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iryna Sharaievska ◽  
Rebecca A Battista ◽  
Jennifer Zwetsloot

BACKGROUND Several studies support the impact of information communication technology–based interventions to promote physical activity among youth. However, little is known on how technology can be used by the entire family to encourage healthy behavior. Previous studies showed that children and youth rely and are dependent upon the decisions and values of their caregivers when it comes to having a healthy lifestyle. Thus, the exploration of behavior and attitudes of the entire family is needed. OBJECTIVE The study aimed to explore (1) perceptions of how the use of physical activity tracking devices (Fitbit Zip) by families in rural communities influence their patterns of participation in physical activity, (2) how attitudes toward physical activity change as a result of using physical activity tracking devices as a family, and (3) what factors influence participation in physical activity among families in rural communities. METHODS A total of 11 families with 1 to 3 children of different ages (7-13 years) took part in semistructured group interviews following 2 weeks of using physical activity tracking devices (Fitbit Zip) as a family. The participants were asked to discuss their experience using the Fitbit Zip as a family, the motivation to be physically active, the changes in their pattern of participation in those activities, the level of engagement by different family members, and the factors that affected their participation. All interviews were voice-recorded with the participants’ permission and later transcribed verbatim using pseudonyms. To analyze the data, the principal investigator (IS) used open, axial, and selective coding techniques. RESULTS A total of 3 themes and several subthemes appeared from the data. The families in rural communities reported no or minimal changes in physical activities as a result of using physical activity tracking devices (Fitbit Zip) because of a lack of interest or an already active lifestyle. However, the attitude toward physical activity was altered. The family members reported an increased awareness of their activity level, introduced more conversations about active and healthy lifestyles, and changed their view of physical activity to a more positive one. The participants described the changes they were able to make and the constraining factors that stopped them from making further changes in their lifestyle. CONCLUSIONS Technology might serve as a facilitator to participation in physical activity among families. Technology can motivate the change in attitude toward active recreation. As long-term changes in lifestyle require internal motivation, the change in the attitude might have a more long-lasting impact than the change in the immediate behavior. More longitudinal studies are needed to further explore long-term change in both behavior and attitude toward physical activity. Additional exploration of constraints to participation in physical activity among families is also an important area of exploration.

Rheumatology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 60 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosie Barnett ◽  
Anita McGrogan ◽  
Matthew Young ◽  
Charlotte Cavill ◽  
Mandy Freeth ◽  
...  

Abstract Background/Aims  Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a chronic rheumatic condition, characterised by inflammatory back pain - often associated with impaired function and mobility, sleep disturbance, fatigue, and reduced quality of life. Despite the vast advances in pharmacological treatments for axSpA over the last few decades, physical activity and rehabilitation remain vital for effective disease management. At the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases in Bath (RNHRD), the 2-week inpatient axSpA rehabilitation programme has been integral to axSpA care since the 1970’s. Prior research has demonstrated significant short-term improvements in spinal mobility (BASMI), function (BASFI) and disease activity (BASDAI) following course attendance. However, the long-term outcomes are yet to be evaluated in this unique cohort. Methods  Since the early 1990’s, clinical measures of spinal mobility, function and disease activity have been routinely collected at the RNHRD at all clinical appointments through administration of the BASMI, BASFI and BASDAI, respectively. Dates of attending the axSpA course and standard clinical and treatment follow-up data were also collected. Multiple linear regression models were used to investigate the impact of course attendance on final reported BASMI, BASDAI and BASFI scores (final score=most recent). Length of follow-up was defined as time between first and last recorded BASMI. Results  Of the 203 patients within the Bath SPARC200 cohort, 77.8% (158/203) had attended at least one rehabilitation course throughout follow-up. 70.0% (140/203) of patients were male. The mean duration of follow-up was 13.5 years (range 0-35 years); 28.1% (57/203) of individuals with 20+ years of follow-up. Course attendance (yes versus no) significantly reduced final BASMI score by 0.84 (p = 0.001, 95%CI -1.31 to -0.37) and final BASDAI score by 0.74 (p = 0.018, 95%CI -1.34 to -0.13). Although course attendance reduced final BASFI by 0.45 (95%CI -1.17 to 0.28), this relationship did not reach significance (p = 0.225). Whilst minimally clinically important difference (MCID) is, to our knowledge, yet to be defined for BASMI, MCIDs were achieved long-term for both BASDAI and BASFI - defined by van der Heijde and colleagues in 2016 as 0.7 and 0.4 for BASDAI and BASFI, respectively. Conclusion  These results provide novel evidence to support the integral role of education, physical activity and rehabilitation in the management of axSpA. Future work should investigate additional outcomes of critical importance to patients and clinicians, such as fatigue, quality of life and work productivity. Furthermore, a greater understanding of the factors that confound these outcomes may provide insights into those patients who may most benefit from attending a 2-week rehabilitation course. In addition to facilitating identification of those patients who may require additional clinical support. Disclosure  R. Barnett: None. A. McGrogan: None. M. Young: None. C. Cavill: None. M. Freeth: None. R. Sengupta: Honoraria; Biogen, Celgene, AbbVie, Novartis, MSD. Grants/research support; Novartis, UCB.


Author(s):  
Tyler Prochnow ◽  
M. Renée Umstattd Meyer ◽  
Megan S. Patterson ◽  
Megan E. McClendon ◽  
Luis Gómez ◽  
...  

Despite growing health disparities in Latino populations related to lack of physical activity (PA), little is known regarding the impact of social networks on PA and sedentary behavior among a sample of Latino fathers residing in functionally rural colonias. Fathers wore accelerometers and responded to questions regarding their self-efficacy and characteristics of who they were active with most often. Fathers (n = 47) attained a mean of 73.3 min of moderate-to-vigorous PA (SD = 23.8) per day and were sedentary for a mean of 364.0 min (SD = 74.4) per day. In total, fathers reported 205 alters and significantly more family members (M = 3.60, SD = 1.64) than friends (M = 0.77, SD = 1.37). Sedentary time was positively associated with number of peers and inversely related to the number of children reported. Minutes of moderate-to-vigorous PA was significantly associated with greater self-efficacy and number of family members reported. This study contributes to the evidence by further examining PA correlates of Latino fathers from functionally rural colonia communities. Additionally, this study supported both family systems theory and the socio–ecological model as it details the interpersonal and familial influences of PA behavior. Thus, supports for family activity promotion and programs which impact familial norms and activity at the family level may be particularly useful.


Gerontology ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Ahmed Ghachem ◽  
Frédérik Dufour ◽  
Tamas Fülöp ◽  
Pierrette Gaudreau ◽  
Alan A. Cohen

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Age-related changes in biological processes such as physiological dysregulation (the progressive loss of homeostatic capacity) vary considerably among older adults and may influence health profiles in late life. These differences could be related, at least in part, to the impact of intrinsic and extrinsic factors such as sex and physical activity level (PAL). <b><i>Objectives:</i></b> The objectives of this study were (1) to assess the magnitude and rate of changes in physiologi­cal dysregulation in men and women according to PAL and (2) to determine whether/how sex and PAL mediate the apparent influence of physiological dysregulation on health outcomes (frailty and mortality). <b><i>Methods:</i></b> We used data on 1,754 community-dwelling older adults (age = 74.4 ± 4.2 years; women = 52.4%) of the Quebec NuAge cohort study. Physiological dysregulation was calculated based on Mahalanobis distance of 31 biomarkers regrouped into 5 systems: oxygen transport, liver/kidney function, leukopoiesis, micronutrients, and lipids. <b><i>Results:</i></b> As expected, mean physiological dysregulation significantly increased with age while PAL decreased. For the same age and PAL, men showed higher levels of physiological dysregulation globally in 3 systems: oxygen transport, liver/kidney function, and leukopoiesis. Men also showed faster global physiological dysregulation in the liver/kidney and leukopoiesis systems. Overall, high PAL was associated with lower level and slower rate of change of physiological dysregulation. Finally, while mortality and frailty risk significantly increased with physiological dysregulation, there was no evidence for differences in these effects between sexes and PAL. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Our results showed that both sex and PAL have a significant effect on physiological dysregulation levels and rates of change. Also, although a higher PAL was associated with lower level and slower rate of change of physiological dysregulation, there was no evidence that PAL attenuates the effect of physiological dysregulation on subsequent declines in health at the end of life. Substantial work remains to understand how modifiable behaviors impact the relationship between physiological dysregulation, frailty, and mortality in men and women.


Gerontology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 65 (3) ◽  
pp. 229-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haritz Arrieta ◽  
Gotzone Hervás ◽  
Chloe Rezola-Pardo ◽  
Fátima Ruiz-Litago ◽  
Miren Iturburu ◽  
...  

Background: Myostatin has been proposed as a candidate biomarker for frailty and sarcopenia. However, the relationship of myostatin with these conditions remains inconclusive. Objective: To determine the association of serum myostatin concentration with body composition, physical fitness, physical activity level, and frailty in long-term nursing home residents. We also aimed to ascertain the effect of an exercise program on myostatin levels. Methods: We obtained study data on 112 participants from long-term nursing homes. Participants were randomly assigned to a control or an intervention group and performed a 6-month multicomponent exercise program. Serum myostatin levels were analyzed by ELISA. Assessments also included body composition (anthropometry and bioelectrical impedance), physical fitness (Senior Fitness Test), physical activity level (accelerometry), and frailty (Fried frailty criteria, Clinical Frailty Scale, and Tilburg frailty indicator). Results: The concentration of myostatin at baseline was positively correlated with: a leaner body composition (p < 0.05), and a higher number of steps per day and light and moderate-vigorous physical activity in women (p < 0.005); greater upper and lower limb strength, endurance, and poorer flexibility (p < 0.05) in men; and better performance (less time) in the 8-ft timed up-and-go test in both women (p < 0.01) and men (p < 0.005). We observed higher concentrations of serum myostatin in non-frail than in frail participants (p < 0.05). Additionally, we found that the implemented physical exercise intervention, which was effective to improve physical fitness, increased myostatin concentration in men (p < 0.05) but not in women. The improvements in physical condition were related with increases in serum myostatin only in men (p < 0.05–0.01). Conclusions: Higher serum levels of myostatin were found to be associated with better physical fitness. The improvements in physical fitness after the intervention were positively related to increases in myostatin concentrations in men. These results seem to rule out the idea that high serum myostatin levels are indicative of frailty in long-term nursing home residents. However, although the direction of association was opposite to that expected for the function of myostatin, the use of this protein as a biomarker for physical fitness, rather than frailty, merits further study.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandre-Charles Gauthier ◽  
Marie-Eve Mathieu

Introduction Taste is a key sensory modulator of eating behaviour and thus energy intake. The effects of acute exercise has recently been confirmed especially regarding sweet and salty tastes. Physical activity is a safe and effective countermeasure to certain types of chemosensory losses, especially in older populations. Knowing that taste can be impaired with increased adiposity, it is unknown if the adoption of an active lifestyle on a regular basis can mitigate such impairments. Methods Data were extracted from NHANES 2013-2014 database. Perception of salt and bitter tastes for Tongue Tip Test and Whole Mouth Test, physical activity levels over an 8-9-day period and adiposity were analyzed. Moderation analyses were used to study the impact of adiposity on taste perceptions, with physical activity level as the moderator. Results The 197 participants (130 males) included in this project had a mean+/-standard deviation age of 49.1+/-5.2 years, a mean body fat percentage of 31.7+/-7.6% and mean daily physical activity levels of 11 084+/-3531 Monitor-Independent Movement Summary unit (MIMS). The positive association between adiposity and both bitter Tongue Tip Test and overall result (salt+bitter) of Tongue Tip Test were moderated by the adoption of an active lifestyle, with better taste scores observed in individuals achieving higher physical activity levels. When moderation analysis were stratified by gender, the effect of physical activity was no longer significant. Perspectives This study is the first to evaluate the influence of an active lifestyle on the preservation of some taste perceptions across a wide range of adiposity levels. While differences in taste can be observed regarding body fat percentage, physical activity moderates that relation only when men and women are analysed together.


2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 401-408
Author(s):  
Anamica Batra ◽  
Richard C. Palmer ◽  
Elena Bastida ◽  
H. Virginia McCoy ◽  
Hafiz M. R. Khan

Objective. In 2015, only half (48%) of older adults in the United States (≥60 years) reported engaging in any kind of physical activity. Few studies examine the impact of evidence-based programs when adopted in community-based settings. The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of EnhanceFitness (EF) upto 12-months. Method. EF was offered to older adults in South Florida. A total of 222 EF classes were offered between October 2008 and December 2014. Program consisted of a 1-hour session held three times a week. Even though participation was required for 4 months, 1,295 participants continued the program for at least 1 year. Results. All participants showed significant improvement in outcome measures. A mean change of 1.5, 1.7, and 1.9 was seen in number of chair stands at 4, 8, and 12 months (p < .001), respectively. The number of arm curls performed improved from 16.8 at baseline to 18.8, 18.8, and 19.2 at 4-, 8-, and 12-months, respectively. Participants improved their up-and-go time by decreasing from 9.1 (baseline) to 8.7 (4 months) to 8.6 (12 months; p = .001). Discussion. Randomized controlled trials are commonly used to determine the efficacy of an intervention. These interventions when disseminated at the population level have the potential to benefit large masses. EF is currently offered at more than 700 locations. This tremendous success of EF brings attention to an important question of continuous monitoring of these programs to ensure program consistency and intended outcomes. The model used by the Healthy Aging Regional Collaborative could be replicated by other communities.


2008 ◽  
Vol 22 (S1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian R Lanza ◽  
Daniel K Short ◽  
Kevin R Short ◽  
Yan W Asmann ◽  
Sreekumar Raghavakaimal ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Muth ◽  
Annabel B Losecaat Vermeer ◽  
Damiano Terenzi ◽  
Soyoung Q Park

A healthy diet and lifestyle may protect against adverse mental health outcomes, which is especially crucial during stressful times, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. This preregistered longitudinal online study explored whether diet and lifestyle (physical activity, sleep, and social interactions) could predict wellbeing and mood during a light lockdown in Germany. Participants (N = 117, 72 males; 28 9 years old) answered mental health and lifestyle questionnaires (social connections, sleep, activity) followed by submitting one week of food and mood-lifestyle diary (food intake, positive and negative mood, mental wellbeing, sleep quality, physical activity level, quantity and quality of social interactions) via a smartphone app. We used multivariate linear and mixed-effects models to predict mood and wellbeing by using dietary components and lifestyle factors. Inter-individual analyses revealed that sleep and social interaction significantly impacted mood and wellbeing. Interestingly, fruit and vegetable intake predicted wellbeing, even when controlling for all lifestyle factors. Fruit and vegetable intake also significantly predicted daily fluctuations in wellbeing within individuals next to sleep, physical activity, and social interactions. We observed gender differences in fruit and vegetable intake and anxiety levels. Our results emphasize the importance of diet contributing to individual wellbeing, even in the challenging times of a pandemic.


Circulation ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 138 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Erica Schorr ◽  
Mary Whipple ◽  
Diane Treat-Jacobson

Introduction: Evidence supporting the effects of supervised exercise therapy (SET) on alleviating symptoms and improving walking ability for patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease (PAD) is robust and well recognized. However, little is known about the impact of SET on free-living physical activity (PA). The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between participation in SET and changes in free-living PA among individuals in the the EX ercise Training to Reduce Claudication: Arm ER gometry versus T readmill Walking ( EXERT ) trial. Methods: In this randomized, controlled trial, 104 participants (mean age 68±9; 29% female) were allocated to receive treadmill (TM) exercise (n=41), upper body ergometry (UBE) exercise (n=42), or usual-care (UC) (n=21) for 12 weeks. Exercise participants attended SET three times per week; UC participants met with study staff weekly. PA was measured over 7 days via waist-worn ActiGraph accelerometers at baseline, 6, and 12 weeks. Steps per day was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes were proportion of time in light and moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and sedentary time. PA was controlled for in TM participants by using SET logs. Results were analyzed using descriptive statistics, two-sample t-tests, and analysis of variance. Results: Regardless of randomization, average daily steps were low at baseline and 6 weeks (4,013 steps, p =.72; and 3,911 steps, p =.84, respectively), and slightly higher at 12 weeks (4,307 steps; p =.93). Although not statistically significant but perhaps clinically relevant, UBE participants exhibited greater increases in MVPA over 12 weeks (0.9% to 1.3%; F =.48, p =.62) compared to TM (1.2% to 1.3%; F =.35, p =.71) and UC (1.3% to 1.5%, F =.03, p =.97); similarly all participants exhibited reductions in sedentary time and increases in free-living PA between baseline and 12 weeks. Conclusions: These data suggest individuals with PAD attending SET replace sedentary time with light or moderate intensity PA regardless of exercise modality. Despite study participants meeting the recommended daily steps for adults with chronic conditions (3,500-5,500 steps), it is suspected that they did not reach the daily goal of 30 minutes of enhanced PA to reduce health risks. Future research should incorporate activity tracking devices that can provide feedback on PA as an approach to meet daily PA goals. Activity tracking devices used in conjunction with SET may further improve walking distance, symptom management, and quality of life among patients with symptomatic PAD.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document