scholarly journals Impact of COVID-19 on Physical Activity Among 10,000 Steps Members and Engagement With the Program in Australia: Prospective Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Quyen G To ◽  
Mitch J Duncan ◽  
Anetta Van Itallie ◽  
Corneel Vandelanotte
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
South Wales ◽  
First Case ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Important Health

BACKGROUND Physical activity is an important health behavior, due to its association with many physical and mental health conditions. During distressing events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a concern that physical activity levels may be negatively impacted. However, recent studies have shown inconsistent results. Additionally, there is a lack of studies in Australia on this topic. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to investigate changes in physical activity reported through the 10,000 Steps program and changes in engagement with the program during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS Data between January 1, 2018, and June 30, 2020, from registered members of the 10,000 Steps program, which included 3,548,825 days with step data, were used. The number of daily steps were logged manually by the members or synced automatically from their activity trackers connected to the program. Measures on program usage were the number of new registered members per day, the number of newly registered organizations per day, the number of steps logged per day, and the number of step entries per day. Key dates used for comparison were as follows: the first case with symptoms in Wuhan, China; the first case reported in Australia; the implementation of a 14-day ban for noncitizens arriving in Australia from China; the start of the lockdown in Australia; and the relaxing of restrictions by the Australian Government. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used to test for significant differences in number of steps between subgroups, between engagement measures in 2019 versus 2020, and before and after an event. RESULTS A decrease in steps was observed after the first case in Australia was reported (1.5%; <i>P</i>=.02) and after the start of the lockdown (3.4%; <i>P</i>&lt;.001). At the time that the relaxing of restrictions started, the steps had already recovered from the lockdown. Additionally, the trends were consistent across genders and age groups. New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, and Victoria had the greatest step reductions, with decreases of 7.0% (<i>P</i>&lt;.001), 6.2% (<i>P</i>=.02), and 4.7% (<i>P</i>&lt;.001), respectively. During the lockdown, the use of the program increased steeply. On the peak day, there were more than 9000 step entries per day, with nearly 100 million steps logged per day; in addition, more than 450 new users and more than 15 new organizations registered per day, although the numbers decreased quickly when restrictions were relaxed. On average per day, there were about 55 new registered users (<i>P</i>&lt;.001), 2 new organizations (<i>P</i>&lt;.001), 25.6 million steps (<i>P</i>&lt;.001), and 2672 log entries (<i>P</i>&lt;.001) more in 2020 compared to the same period in 2019. CONCLUSIONS The pandemic has had negative effects on steps among Australians across age groups and genders. However, the effect was relatively small, with steps recovering quickly after the lockdown. There was a large increase in program usage during the pandemic, which might help minimize the health impact of the lockdown and confirms the important role of physical activity programs during times of distress and lockdowns.

scholarly journals Impact of COVID-19 on Physical Activity Among 10,000 Steps Members and Engagement With the Program in Australia: Prospective Study

10.2196/23946 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. e23946
Author(s):  
Quyen G To ◽  
Mitch J Duncan ◽  
Anetta Van Itallie ◽  
Corneel Vandelanotte
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
South Wales ◽  
First Case ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Important Health

Background Physical activity is an important health behavior, due to its association with many physical and mental health conditions. During distressing events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a concern that physical activity levels may be negatively impacted. However, recent studies have shown inconsistent results. Additionally, there is a lack of studies in Australia on this topic. Objective The aim of this study is to investigate changes in physical activity reported through the 10,000 Steps program and changes in engagement with the program during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Data between January 1, 2018, and June 30, 2020, from registered members of the 10,000 Steps program, which included 3,548,825 days with step data, were used. The number of daily steps were logged manually by the members or synced automatically from their activity trackers connected to the program. Measures on program usage were the number of new registered members per day, the number of newly registered organizations per day, the number of steps logged per day, and the number of step entries per day. Key dates used for comparison were as follows: the first case with symptoms in Wuhan, China; the first case reported in Australia; the implementation of a 14-day ban for noncitizens arriving in Australia from China; the start of the lockdown in Australia; and the relaxing of restrictions by the Australian Government. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used to test for significant differences in number of steps between subgroups, between engagement measures in 2019 versus 2020, and before and after an event. Results A decrease in steps was observed after the first case in Australia was reported (1.5%; P=.02) and after the start of the lockdown (3.4%; P<.001). At the time that the relaxing of restrictions started, the steps had already recovered from the lockdown. Additionally, the trends were consistent across genders and age groups. New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, and Victoria had the greatest step reductions, with decreases of 7.0% (P<.001), 6.2% (P=.02), and 4.7% (P<.001), respectively. During the lockdown, the use of the program increased steeply. On the peak day, there were more than 9000 step entries per day, with nearly 100 million steps logged per day; in addition, more than 450 new users and more than 15 new organizations registered per day, although the numbers decreased quickly when restrictions were relaxed. On average per day, there were about 55 new registered users (P<.001), 2 new organizations (P<.001), 25.6 million steps (P<.001), and 2672 log entries (P<.001) more in 2020 compared to the same period in 2019. Conclusions The pandemic has had negative effects on steps among Australians across age groups and genders. However, the effect was relatively small, with steps recovering quickly after the lockdown. There was a large increase in program usage during the pandemic, which might help minimize the health impact of the lockdown and confirms the important role of physical activity programs during times of distress and lockdowns.

scholarly journals Physical Activity Behaviour Before, During and After COVID-19 Restrictions: A Longitudinal Smartphone Tracking Study of 5395 UK Adults. (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannah McCarthy ◽  
HWW Potts ◽  
A Fisher
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Physical Activity Behaviour ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Activity Data ◽  
Significant Drop ◽  
Viral Spread ◽  
First Case ◽  
Baseline Activity ◽  
The Impact

BACKGROUND The COVID-19 Pandemic led to the implementation of worldwide restrictive measures to reduce social contact and viral spread. These measures have been reported to have a negative effect on physical activity (PA). Studies of PA during the pandemic have primarily used self -reported data. Only one academic study using tracked data this did not report on demographics. OBJECTIVE The study aimed to explore patterns of tracked activity before, during and immediately after Lockdown in the UK and examine differences in sociodemographic characteristics and prior levels of PA. METHODS Tracked longitudinal weekly minutes of physical activity were captured using the BetterPoints smartphone app between January and June 2020. Data was plotted by week, demographics and activity levels at baseline. Non-parametric tests of difference were used to assess mean and median weekly minutes of activity at significant points, before, during and as lockdown was eased. Changes over time by demographics (age, gender, Index of Multiple Deprivation, baseline activity levels) were examined using generalised estimating equations (GEEs). RESULTS There were 5395 users with mean age of 41 (SD 12), 61% were female. At baseline, 26% of users were inactive, 23% fairly active and 51% active. There was a relatively even spread across deprivation deciles (31% in the least deprived deciles and 23% in the most.). We found significant changes in PA from the week before the first case of COVID-19 was announced (baseline), to the week that social distancing restrictions were relaxed (Friedman test: χ2(2) = 2331, p < 0.001.) By the first full week of lockdown, the median change in PA 57 minutes less than baseline. This represents a 37% reduction in weekly minutes of PA. Overall, 63% of people decreased their level of activity between baseline and the first week of COVID-19 restrictions. Younger people showed more PA before lockdown but the least PA after lockdown. In contrast, the over-65s appeared to remain more active throughout and increased their activity levels as soon as lockdown was eased. Levels of physical activity levels among those classed as active at baseline showed a dramatic drop compared with those considered to be fairly active or inactive. Socioeconomic group and gender did not appear to be associated with changes in PA. CONCLUSIONS Our tracked physical activity data suggests a significant drop in PA during the UK’s COVID-19 lockdown Significant differences by age group and prior PA levels suggests that Government response to COVID-19 needs to be sensitive to these individual differences and react accordingly. Specifically, considering the impact on younger age groups and those that were fairly active not meeting recommended PA levels prior to lockdown.

scholarly journals Evaluation of pharmacy-led weight management service to minimise the risk of cardiovascular disease

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aliki Peletidi ◽  
Reem Kayyali
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Weight Management ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Management Service ◽  
Initial Weight ◽  
Public Health Services ◽  
Clinical Role ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Mean

Abstract Aims The primary aim of the programme was a minimum of a 5% weight reduction of the initial weight, while the secondary outcomes were a reduction in participants’ body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), blood pressure (BP), AUDIT-C score and an increase in the Mediterranean diet (MD) score and an improvement in physical activity levels. Methods This 'before and after' study was a 10-week weight management (WM) programme and it was developed and delivered in community pharmacies in Patras chosen for convenience, thus consisting the first service of its type in Greece. The sample size was calculated (n = 96) based on the mean BMI for a Greek male and female individual, and the standard deviation (SD) of weight at baseline of 14 kg. Results Nearly every participant enrolled in the 20 participating pharmacies, 97.4% (n = 114/117), achieved the programme’s aim, losing at least 5% of their initial weight. The mean percentage of total weight loss of the 117 participants at the 10th week was 8.97% (SD 2.65), and the t-test showed statistically significant results (P-value < 0.001; 95% CI [8.48, 9.45]). A significant reduction in the waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) was observed in both male (P-value = 0.004) and female (P-value < 0.001) participants. The participants’ BP and AUDIT-C score and physical activity levels significantly improved (P-value < 0.001), as well as their MD score. Conclusion This study provides the first evidence that Greek pharmacists have the potential to play an important role within primary healthcare and that after training they are able to provide public health services for both the public’s benefit and their clinical role enhancement.

scholarly journals The Intricacies of Children’s Physical Activity

2015 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 269-275 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy A Brusseau
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Education ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Physical Activity Patterns ◽  
Change Behavior ◽  
Before And After ◽  
School Recess ◽  
Physical Activity Programming ◽  
Children’S Physical Activity

AbstractUnderstanding the physical activity patterns of youth is an essential step in preparing programming and interventions needed to change behavior. To date, little is known about the intricacies of youth physical activity across various physical activity segments (i.e. in school, out of school, recess, classroom physical activity, physical education, weekends, etc.). Therefore, the purpose of the study was to examine the physical activity patterns of elementary school children across various segments and during two seasons. A total of 287 fourth and fifth graders from the Southwest US wore the Yamax Digiwalker SW-200 pedometer for 7 consecutive days during the Fall and Spring seasons. Children were prompted to record their step counts when arriving and leaving school, before and after physical education and recess, as well as on the weekends. Means and standard deviations were calculated and ANOVAs and t tests were utilized to examine difference by sex, season, and segment. Youth were more active outside of school and on weekdays (p<0.05). Boys were generally more active than girls and all youth were more active during the milder Spring season. There is a clear need for Comprehensive School Physical Activity Programming and weekend physical activity opportunities. Furthermore, greater emphasis is needed on PE and across other activity segments for girls to increase their physical activity levels.

“Replanning” a Statewide Walking Program Through the Iterative Use of the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance Framework

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Laura E. Balis ◽  
Samantha M. Harden
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Physical Activity Promotion ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Implementation Quality ◽  
Walking Program ◽  
Activity Promotion ◽  
Core Components ◽  
Iterative Evaluation

Background: Interventions undergo adaptations when moving from efficacy to effectiveness trials. What happens beyond these initial steps—that is, when the “research” is over—is often unknown. The degree to which implementation quality remains high and impacts remain robust is underreported as these data are often less valued by community entities. Comprehensive and iterative evaluation is recommended to ensure robust outcomes over time. Methods: The reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance framework was used within an assess, plan, do, evaluate, report process to determine the degree to which a statewide physical activity promotion program aligned with evidence-based core components, assess who was reached and impacts on physical activity behaviors, and make decisions for future iterations. Results: Walk Across Arkansas was adopted by a majority of delivery agents and was effective at increasing physical activity levels postprogram, but those effects were not maintained after 6 months. Future decisions included recruitment strategies to reach a more diverse population and a blueprint document to reduce program drift. Conclusions: This article details the process of “replanning” a community-based physical activity intervention to understand public health impact and make decisions for future iterations. Pragmatic reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance questions were useful throughout the assess, plan, do, evaluate, report process.

scholarly journals Objectively assessed moderate-to-vigorous physical activity levels among primary school children in Norway: The Health Oriented Pedagogical Project (HOPP)

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (21_suppl) ◽  
pp. 38-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Hai Deng ◽  
Per Morten Fredriksen
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Linear Regression ◽  
Primary School ◽  
School Children ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Participation Rate ◽  
Primary School Children ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Physical Activity Levels

Aims: The objective was to investigate moderate-to-vigorous physical activity levels (MVPA) of primary school children at baseline of the Health Oriented Pedagogical Project (HOPP), Norway. Methods: Data on 2123 children aged 6–12 years were included for analysis (75% participation rate). Average minutes per day in MVPA was objectively measured using accelerometry based on seven-day averages. The sample was analysed for age-, sex-, socioeconomic-, and season-related patterns. A linear regression investigated the moderating effect of these factors as well as body mass index and waist circumference. Results: Some 86.5% of the sample had at least 60 min/day MVPA, averaging 90.7 min/day. The main differences in daily averages were between age groups 6½–9 and 10–12 ( p < .05). Boys (95.8 min/day, 95% CI: 94.1–97.5) were more active than girls (85.6 min/day, 95% CI: 83.9–87.2) in all age groups ( p < .0001). MVPA was lower by 3.5 min ( p < .0001) per additional year of age in the linear regression (R2 = 0.176) and was reduced by 20 min less per day in MVPA in the winter months compared with the summer months ( p < .0001). Conclusions: Physical activity levels are already in decline from 6–7 years old and are likely to continue to decline into adolescence. Interventions must therefore focus on primary school children.

scholarly journals Una unidad didáctica intermitente de acondicionamiento físico solo mejora los niveles de capacidad cardiorrespiratoria de los estudiantes con un perfil no saludable de condición física (An intermittent physical fitness teaching unit only improves cardior

Retos ◽  
2019 ◽  
pp. 8-15
Author(s):  
Santiago Guijarro-Romero ◽  
Daniel Mayorga-Vega ◽  
Carolina Casado-Robles ◽  
Jesús Viciana
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Education ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Cardiorespiratory Fitness ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Teaching Unit ◽  
Experimental Group

El objetivo del presente estudio fue comparar el efecto de una unidad didáctica intermitente de acondicionamiento físico en Educación Física sobre los niveles de actividad física y capacidad cardiorrespiratoria entre estudiantes con un perfil saludable/no saludable de capacidad cardiorrespiratoria. Ochenta estudiantes de 2º-3º curso de Educación Secundaria fueron asignados aleatoriamente al grupo control y grupo experimental. El grupo experimental, dividido en perfiles saludable/no saludable, realizó una unidad didáctica intermitente de acondicionamiento físico para mejorar la capacidad cardiorrespiratoria. El grupo control trabajó un contenido diferente durante el mismo tiempo y con la misma frecuencia, pero sin hacer hincapié en la mejora de la capacidad cardiorrespiratoria. Antes y después de la intervención, la capacidad cardiorrespiratoria se evaluó objetivamente mediante el test de ida y vuelta de 20 metros. Los niveles de actividad física fueron medidos objetivamente a través de un pulsómetro durante las clases de Educación Física. Ambos perfiles tuvieron mayores niveles de actividad física durante las clases de Educación Física que el grupo control (p < .001). Sin embargo, solo los estudiantes con un perfil no saludable mejoraron significativamente sus niveles de capacidad cardiorrespiratoria tras la unidad didáctica (p < .01). Aunque una unidad didáctica intermitente de acondicionamiento físico parece tener un efecto similar en los niveles de actividad física de todos los perfiles de capacidad cardiorrespiratoria de los estudiantes, solo mejora la capacidad cardiorrespiratoria de los estudiantes con un perfil no saludable. Abstract. The purpose of the present study was to compare the effect of a Physical Education-based physical fitness intermittent teaching unit on physical activity levels and cardiorespiratory fitness among students with healthy/unhealthy cardiorespiratory fitness profile. Eighty students from 2º-3º grades of Secondary Education were randomly assigned to the control group and experimental group. The experimental group, divided into healthy/unhealthy profiles, performed a physical fitness intermittent teaching unit to improve the cardiorespiratory fitness. The control group worked a different content during the same time and with the same frequency, but without emphasizing cardiorespiratory fitness improvement. Before and after the teaching unit, students’ cardiorespiratory fitness was objectively measured by the 20-meter shuttle run test. Participants’ physical activity levels were measured objectively using a heart rate monitor during Physical Education lessons. Students from both profiles had higher physical activity levels during Physical Education lessons than the control group (p < .001). However, only students with an unhealthy cardiorespiratory fitness profile statistically improved their cardiorespiratory fitness levels after the teaching unit (p < .01). Although an intermittent physical fitness teaching unit seems to have similar effect on physical activity levels of students from all cardiorespiratory fitness profiles, it only improves the cardiorespiratory fitness of those with an unhealthy one.

scholarly journals Effects of peer influence on dietary intake and physical activity in schoolchildren

2009 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 376-383 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tara Finnerty ◽  
Sue Reeves ◽  
Jaqueline Dabinett ◽  
Yvonne M Jeanes ◽  
Claus Vögele
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Dietary Intake ◽  
Peer Influence ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Saturated Fat ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Anthropometric Measures ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Physical Activity Levels

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the dietary intake and physical activity of boys and girls aged 9–13 years, and the influence of peers on these behaviours.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingNine primary and secondary schools in south-west London.SubjectsA total of 315 children wore sealed pedometers, provided self-report measures of dietary intake and answered a questionnaire relating to peer influence. Anthropometric measures of height and weight were also obtained.ResultsObese children had the lowest reported energy intakes and the lowest step counts per day. Boys took significantly more steps per day than girls, however girls were closer to achieving their recommended cut-offs for physical activity. Girls had lower energy intakes per day and lower BMI Z-scores than boys, however both genders, across all age groups, had higher than recommended intakes of saturated fat. There were significant associations between peer influence and physical activity levels but not between peer influence and dietary intake.ConclusionsLow energy intake and physical activity levels but high saturated fat intakes among boys and girls across all age groups highlight the importance of promoting both physical activity and healthy food choices. The finding that peers have a significant effect on physical activity levels but not on dietary intake offers an important approach for the design of health promotion interventions and obesity prevention programmes. Such designs may be particularly beneficial for obese youth, since the low physical activity levels found could be a major contributing factor to the maintenance of the condition.

scholarly journals Age and Physical Activity among Canadian Women and Men: Findings from Longitudinal National Survey Data

2000 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Curtis ◽  
Philip White ◽  
Barry McPherson
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Inverse Relationship ◽  
Leisure Time ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Activity Involvement ◽  
Age Cohorts ◽  
Age Cohort

This study reports on age-group differences in leisure-time sport and physical activity involvement among a large sample of Canadians interviewed at 2 points during the 1980s. Comparisons are made for 5 age cohorts, for men and women, and without and with multivariate controls. The results contradict the usual finding of an inverse relationship between age and level of physical activity. On measures of (a) activity necessary to produce health benefits and (b) energy expenditure. Canadians over 65 were as active as, or more active than, their younger counterparts, and their activities did not decline over the 7 years between interviews. The extent of change varied by age and across women and men. Among women, increases in involvement were greatest in the middle-aged. Among men, the greatest increase was in the oldest age groups. For both genders, the youngest age cohort showed the smallest change over time, and there was evidence of slight declines in activity levels among young men.

Evidence-Based Practice Guideline: Increasing Physical Activity in Schools—Kindergarten Through 8th Grade

2007 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 137-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Bagby ◽  
Susan Adams
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
School Setting ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
International Health ◽  
The United States ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Sedentary Behaviors ◽  
Obesity Epidemic ◽  
8Th Grade

Because of the growing obesity epidemic across all age groups in the United States, interventions to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviors have become a priority. Evidence is growing that interventions to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviors have positive results and are generally inexpensive to implement. National and international health organizations are calling for a comprehensive approach for reducing obesity in children that includes increasing physical activity in the school setting. Although the call to increase activity levels in schools is clear, little guidance has been given to schools on specific methods to accomplish this task. This article provides an overview of an evidence-based guideline developed by a physical education teacher and a school nurse to provide inexpensive, easy-to-implement, effective strategies to increase physical activity in students. Tools are also included in the guideline to measure the effectiveness of the intervention.

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