scholarly journals Study on Health and Physical Fitness for Office Workers in Hong Kong: Phase I

1996 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 39-48
Author(s):  
Pak Kwong CHUNG
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Phase I ◽  
Office Workers ◽  
Resting Heart Rate ◽  
Lung Capacity ◽  
Cardiorespiratory Endurance

LANGUAGE NOTE | Document text in Chinese; abstract in English only.The study consisted of two phases: Phase I was designed to investigate the health status and physical fitness levels of office workers and phase II was conducted to examine the training effects of a circuit training on health and physical fitness of the workers. In phase I, health and stress inventories (Pace of Life Index, General Well-Being Scale, and Bacek Sports Questionnaire), health indices (blood total cholesterol, blood pressure, lung capacity, and resting heart rate), and physical fitness assessment (bicycle ergometer test; skinfold measurement, sit-ups test; grip strength test; and sit and reach test) were conducted to 171 (112 males & 59 females, aged 30-49) office workers from 22 local corporations. From Descriptive Statistics analyses, it was found that the overall health status and stress level of the office workers were at acceptable levels. However, the lung capacity of the workers was in the category of "fair". The total cholesterol level of the male 40-year old group was found higher than the optimal level. Most of the fitness indices of the workers were in categories of "average" or "fair" when comparing with that of the general population of U.S.A. The Correlation analyses shown that the female workers, with higher regular physical activity hours, had fewer incidents of low-back pain and lower resting heart rates. It was also found that the lower the percent body fat, the lower the systolic blood pressure and the better the cardiorespiratory endurance. Similar correlations were found in the male workers: the better the cardiorespiratory endurance, the lower the resting heart rate and systolic blood pressure for the workers. Researchers indicated that workers with higher levels of physical fitness would have higher working ability and productivity, it was suggested that local office workers should give priority to regular physical activity. Activities such as aerobic exercises, calisthenics, stretching, and muscular training should be included in the exercise programmes so that a total fitness can be developed.

Changes in selected parameters of health and physical fitness following a sixteen-week deployment at sea

1994 ◽  
Vol 80 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-29
Author(s):  
P W King-Lewis ◽  
A J Allsopp
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Exercise Group ◽  
Lower Percentage ◽  
Resting Heart Rate ◽  
Percentage Body Fat ◽  
Cardiac Recovery ◽  
Test Occasion ◽  
Rate Of Recovery

AbstractThe effects of 16 weeks at sea upon selected parameters of health and physical fitness were investigated in 30 male volunteers (from a total crew of 48 men) prior to, and immediately following deployment. The 30 subjects were assigned toeither an exercise group, ‘Ex’ (n=12), or a non-exercising group, ‘Nil ex ’ (n = 18), according to their reported participation in vigorous training or sports. Body mass index (BMI), calculated from height and weight, revealed that prior to deployment 13 of the 30 subjects (two in the Ex group) had a BMI over 25 kg.m−2 (i. e. overweight), and a further three subjects (all ‘non-exercisers’) had values of 30 kg.m−2 or more (obese). In addition, the diastolic blood pressure of two subjects was in excess of 95 mmHg and five subjects had resting heart rates above 89 beats per minute. Retrospective comparisons between the Ex and Nilex groups revealed a significantly lower percentage body fat (P<0.01) and a faster rate of cardiac recovery (P<0.05) following a standardised bout of exercise in the Ex group, albeit that these individuals were significantly younger (mean age of 24 years) than those in the Nilex group (32 years). Following deployment, in the Nilex group, comparisonof pre- and post values showed that resting heart rate was elevated (P<0.01) on return from sea. Similarly, in the Nilex group heart rate while performing the standardised exercise about was also elevated (P<0.05) on the second test occasion. In the Ex group, heart rate measures during and foJlowing exercise indicated a significantly slower rate of recovery (P<0.05) on the second test occasion.

scholarly journals Cortisol, blood pressure, and heart rate responses to food intake were independent of physical fitness levels in women

2015 ◽  
Vol 40 (11) ◽  
pp. 1186-1192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sisitha U. Jayasinghe ◽  
Susan J. Torres ◽  
Steve F. Fraser ◽  
Anne I. Turner
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Oxygen Consumption ◽  
Food Intake ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Maximal Oxygen Consumption ◽  
Physical Activity Guidelines ◽  
Time Treatment ◽  
Fitness Levels

This research tested the hypothesis that women who had higher levels of physical fitness will have lower hypothalamo–pituitary–adrenal axis (cortisol) and sympatho-adrenal medullary system (blood pressure and heart rate) responses to food intake compared with women who had low levels of physical fitness. Lower fitness (n = 22; maximal oxygen consumption = 27.4 ± 1.0 mL∙kg−1·min−1) and higher fitness (n = 22; maximal oxygen consumption = 41.9 ± 1.6 mL∙kg−1·min−1) women (aged 30–50 years; in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle) who participated in levels of physical activity that met (lower fitness = 2.7 ± 0.5 h/week) or considerably exceeded (higher fitness = 7.1 ± 1.4 h/week) physical activity guidelines made their own lunch using standardised ingredients at 1200 h. Concentrations of cortisol were measured in blood samples collected every 15 min from 1145–1400 h. Blood pressures and heart rate were also measured every 15 min between 1145 h and 1400 h. The meal consumed by the participants consisted of 20% protein, 61% carbohydrates, and 19% fat. There was a significant overall response to lunch in all of the parameters measured (time effect for all, p < 0.01). The cortisol response to lunch was not significantly different between the groups (time × treatment, p = 0.882). Overall, both groups showed the same pattern of cortisol secretion (treatment p = 0.839). Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, or heart rate responses (time × treatment, p = 0.726, 0.898, 0.713, and 0.620, respectively) were also similar between higher and lower fitness women. Results suggest that the physiological response to food intake in women is quite resistant to modification by elevated physical fitness levels.

The Effects of an Incremental Approach to 10,000 Steps/Day on Metabolic Syndrome Components in Sedentary Overweight Women

2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 737-745 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony Musto ◽  
Kevin Jacobs ◽  
Mark Nash ◽  
Gianluca DelRossi ◽  
Arlette Perry
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Waist Circumference ◽  
Systolic Blood Pressure ◽  
Fasting Glucose ◽  
Resting Heart Rate ◽  
Overweight Women ◽  
Metabolic Syndrome Components

Background:Pedometer programs can increase physical activity in sedentary individuals, a population that is at risk for developing metabolic syndrome and each of its individual components. Although the popular 10,000 steps/day recommendation has shown to induce many favorable health benefits, it may be out of reach for sedentary individuals. This study observed the effects of incremental increases in steps/day on metabolic syndrome components in sedentary overweight women.Methods:This study was a longitudinal, quasiexperimental design. Participants were recruited from a 12-week work-site pedometer program and grouped as either ‘active’ or ‘control’ after the intervention based on their steps/day improvement. Self-reported physical activity, pedometer assessed physical activity, BMI, resting heart rate, waist circumference, blood pressure, triglycerides, HDLC, and fasting glucose were measured before and after the program.Results:The active group showed significant within-group improvements in waist circumference and fasting glucose. Significant group differences were observed in resting heart rate, BMI, and systolic blood pressure; however, the changes observed in systolic blood pressure were not independent of weight loss.Conclusions:Incremental increases in steps/day induced favorable changes in some MetS components suggesting that this approach is a viable starting point for sedentary individuals that may find it difficult to initially accumulate 10,000 steps/day.

Association between Physical Activity and Blood Pressure in Normotensive Adults

1993 ◽  
Vol 76 (2) ◽  
pp. 701-702
Author(s):  
John E. Martin ◽  
Christi A. Patten ◽  
Colin A. Armstrong
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Systolic Blood Pressure ◽  
Diastolic Blood Pressure ◽  
Habitual Physical Activity ◽  
Resting Heart Rate

In 18 normotensive adults (15 women, 3 men), higher levels of habitual physical activity were significantly associated with lower diastolic blood pressure, but not with systolic blood pressure or resting heart rate.

scholarly journals Broad-spectrum physical fitness benefits of recreational football: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2018 ◽  
Vol 53 (15) ◽  
pp. 926-939 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zoran Milanović ◽  
Saša Pantelić ◽  
Nedim Čović ◽  
Goran Sporiš ◽  
Magni Mohr ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Passive Control ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Resting Heart Rate ◽  
Muscular Fitness

BackgroundA previous meta-analysis showed that maximal oxygen uptake increased by 3.51 mL/kg/min (95% CI 3.07 to 4.15) during a recreational football programme of 3–6 months in comparison with continuous moderate-intensity running, strength training or a passive control group. In addition, narrative reviews have demonstrated beneficial effects of recreational football on physical fitness and health status.ObjectiveThe purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the magnitude of effects of recreational football on blood pressure, body composition, lipid profile and muscular fitness with reference to age, gender and health status.DesignSystematic review and meta-analysis.Data sourcesMEDLINE, PubMed, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) and Google Scholar were searched prior to 1 February 2017. In addition, Google Scholar alerts were set up in January 2012 to identify potential papers with the following key terms: recreational football, recreational soccer, street football and street soccer.Eligibility criteria for selecting studiesRandomised and matched controlled trials with participants allocated to a recreational football group or any other type of exercises or passive control group were included. Training programmes had to last at least 2 weeks to meet the inclusion criteria. The primary outcome measures were blood pressure, resting heart rate, body composition, muscular fitness, and blood lipids and glucose tolerance. A total of 31 papers met the inclusion criteria and were included.ResultsThe effect of recreational football on systolic blood pressure (SBP) versus no-exercise controls was most likely extremely largely beneficial (effect size (ES)=4.20 mm Hg; 95% CI 1.87 to 6.53). In addition, a most likely very large beneficial (ES=3.89 mm Hg; 95% CI 2.33 to 5.44) effect was observed for diastolic blood pressure (DBP), when compared with non-active groups. Furthermore, a most likely extremely large beneficial effect was shown for SBP and DBP in participants with mild hypertension (11 and 7 mm Hg decrease, respectively) and participants with prehypertension (10 and 7 mm Hg decrease, respectively). Meta-analysis of recreational football determined the impact on resting heart rate as most likely extremely largely beneficial (ES=6.03 beats/min; 95% CI 4.43 to 7.64) when compared with non-active groups. The observed recreational football effect on fat mass was most likely largely beneficial (ES=1.72 kg; 95% CI 0.86 to 2.58) and the effect on countermovement jump (CMJ) performance was most likely very largely beneficial (ES=2.27 cm; 95% CI 1.29 to 3.25) when compared with non-active groups. Possibly beneficial decreases were found in low-density lipoprotein levels (ES=0.21 mmol/L; 95% CI 0.06 to 0.36). Possibly largely beneficial effect was observed for DBP in comparison with continuous running training. Small harmful and unclear results were noted for SBP, fat and lean body mass, body mass index, as well as muscular fitness when compared with running and Zumba training.ConclusionThe present meta-analysis demonstrated multiple broad-spectrum benefits of recreational football on health-related physical fitness compared with no-exercise controls, including improvements in blood pressure, resting heart rate, fat mass, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and CMJ performance. Additionally, recreational football is efficient and effective as Zumba and continuous running exercise regimens with highlighted social, motivational and competitive components.

scholarly journals “With Every Step, We Grow Stronger”: The Cardiometabolic Benefits of an Indigenous-Led and Community-Based Healthy Lifestyle Intervention

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 422 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henry Lai ◽  
Rosalin Miles ◽  
Shannon Bredin ◽  
Kai Kaufman ◽  
Charlie Chua ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Indigenous Peoples ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Cardiometabolic Health ◽  
Health And Wellness ◽  
Resting Heart Rate ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Wellness Intervention

Community-based and Indigenous-led health and wellness approaches have been widely advocated for Indigenous peoples. However, remarkably few Indigenous designed and led interventions exist within the field. The purpose of this study was to evaluate an Indigenous-led and community-based health and wellness intervention in a remote and rural Indigenous community. This protocol was designed by and for Indigenous peoples based on the aspirations of the community (established through sharing circles). A total of 15 participants completed a 13-week walking and healthy lifestyle counselling program (incorporating motivational interviewing) to enhance cardiometabolic health. Measures of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA; 7-day accelerometry and self-report), predicted maximal aerobic power (VO2max; 6-min walk test), resting heart rate and blood pressure, and other health-related physical fitness measures (musculoskeletal fitness and body composition) were taken before and after the intervention. The intervention led to significant (p < 0.05) improvements in VO2max (7.1 ± 6.3 % change), with the greatest improvements observed among individuals with lower baseline VO2max (p < 0.05, r = -0.76). Resting heart rate, resting systolic blood pressure, and resting diastolic blood pressure decreased significantly (p < 0.05) after the intervention. Self-reported and accelerometry-measured frequency of MVPA increased significantly (p < 0.05), and the total MVPA minutes (~275 min/week) were above international recommendations. Change in VO2max was significantly correlated with change in self-reported (r = 0.42) and accelerometry-measured (r = 0.24) MVPA minutes. No significant changes were observed in weight, body mass index, waist circumference, body fat (via bioelectrical impedance), grip strength, and flexibility. These findings demonstrate that a culturally relevant and safe, community-based, Indigenous-led, health and wellness intervention can lead to significant and clinically relevant improvements in cardiometabolic health and physical activity behaviour, with the greatest changes being observed in the least active/fit individuals.

Physical fitness changes induced by thermal aquatic standardized exercise in chronic venous disease patients

2021 ◽  
pp. 026835552110519
Author(s):  
Erica Menegatti ◽  
Simona Mandini ◽  
Yung-Wei Chi ◽  
Gianni Mazzoni ◽  
Anselmo Pagani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Aquatic Environment ◽  
Thermal Water ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Venous Disease ◽  
Exercise Protocol ◽  
The Impact

Background Lack of physical activity represents a risk factor for both cardiovascular and chronic venous diseases (CVD), nevertheless a specific exercise protocol for CVD patient is still missing. This investigation was aimed to assess the impact of a standardized exercise protocol in a thermal water environment on physical fitness and quality-of-life (QoL) in CVD patients. Methods Sixteen (16) CVD patients performed 5 standardized exercise sessions in a thermal water pool. Before starting the exercise protocol, the cohort filled International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) to determine their physical activity level. At baseline and at the end of the exercise program, leg volume, QoL, musculoskeletal and cardiovascular physical fitness were assessed by means of water plethysmography, validated questionnaire and functional test, blood pressure and heart rate at rest were also reported. Results All the patients were categorized as physically inactive: average activity time 235.6 (155.2) MET-minutes per week. At the end of the study, a significant leg volume reduction was found (−16%; p < .002). Significant improvement in lower limb strength (p < .0001), endurance (p < .006), rapidity and balance (p < .05) together with decrease in resting heart rate (−1.8%, p < .0001) and systolic blood pressure (−1.1%, p < .04) were reported, significant improvement in bodily pain (p < .0005) and social function (p < .002) QoL items were observed. Conclusions The proposed exercise protocol in thermal aquatic environment demonstrated to be an effective treatment modality improving both cardiovascular and musculoskeletal outcomes and QoL in sedentary CVD patients. Aquatic environment investigations require proper analysis of the various factors involved, in a standardized and reproducible way. The herein report can be a reference for further studies on different health related conditions.

Is academic performance an indicator for physical fitness?

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald Chow ◽  
Cooper Midroni ◽  
Drew Hollenberg ◽  
Stuart Cumner
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Middle School ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Academic Performance ◽  
Middle School Students ◽  
Health Education ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
School Students ◽  
Physical And Health Education

Abstract Many studies have investigated whether elevated levels of physical activity and fitness improve academic performance in children, but only a few have examined whether it is physical fitness which varies with academic performance. The purpose of this study was to examine if academic performance is indeed an indicator for physical fitness. For this study, middle school students were recruited for the necessary values and information. The data acquired for academic performance were based off of a public honour roll list distributed within the school community and physical fitness was evaluated via mile-run time, resting, post-active blood pressure and heart rate. There were no differences in proportion across the academic cohorts for any measurements of physical fitness. There was no conclusion such as “students with higher academic performance are less physically fit”; all academic cohorts had relatively similar levels of physical fitness. This may be due to mandatory physical and health education classes, which all students attend; the physical fitness levels are similar due to similar training.

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