A novel environmental enrichment device increased physical activity and walking distance in broilers

Background:Physical activity levels, including walking, are lower in the southern U.S., particularly in rural areas. This study investigated the concept of rural neighborhood walkability to aid in developing tools for assessing walkability and to identify intervention targets in rural communities.Methods:Semi-structured interviews were conducted with physically active adults (n = 29) in rural Georgia. Mean age of participants was 55.9 years; 66% were male, 76% were white, and 24% were African American. Participants drew maps of their neighborhoods and discussed the relevance of typical domains of walkability to their decisions to exercise. Comparative analyses were conducted to identify major themes.Results:The majority felt the concept of neighborhood was applicable and viewed their neighborhood as small geographically (less than 0.5 square miles). Sidewalks were not viewed as essential for neighborhood-based physical activity and typical destinations for walking were largely absent. Destinations within walking distance included neighbors’ homes and bodies of water. Views were mixed on whether shade, safety, dogs, and aesthetics affected decisions to exercise in their neighborhoods.Conclusions:Measures of neighborhood walkability in rural areas should acknowledge the small size of self-defined neighborhoods, that walking in rural areas is likely for leisure time exercise, and that some domains may not be relevant.

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Voluntary wheel running is effective on suppressing of obesity but not on blood pressure and insulin resistance in female rats fed with high fructose diet

Trakia Journal of Sciences ◽

10.15547/tjs.2021.01.004 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

pp. 21-28

Author(s):

P. Tayfur ◽

K. Gökçe Tezel ◽

Ö. Barutçu ◽

S. Yılmaz ◽

E. Ö. Özgür ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Insulin Resistance ◽

Blood Pressure ◽

Body Weight ◽

Weight Gain ◽

Wheel Running ◽

Female Rats ◽

Walking Distance ◽

Voluntary Activity ◽

Voluntary Physical Activity

A fructose-rich diet has been known to cause metabolic syndrome effects such as body weight gain, increased blood pressure, blood lipids and glucose levels. The role of voluntary physical activity in these alterations is not known clearly. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible improving effects of voluntary physical activity in rats that were feeding with a fructose-rich diet. Spraque-Dawley female rats were separated as control (C;n=7), voluntary physical activity (A;n=7), fructose (F;n=7) and fructose+activity (F+A;n=7) groups. A and FA groups were kept in cages with running wheels during six weeks. F and FA groups were fed with adding 20% fructose in drinking water. Body weight was measured weekly and Lee Index was used to determine obesity. At the end of the feeding period serum glucose, insulin and lipid levels were measured by enzymatic method and blood pressure was determined with the tail-cuff method. Daily voluntary walking distance in F+A and A groups were similar during six weeks. Fructose intake induced to increase systolic blood pressure (p=0.001), diastolic blood pressure (p=0.002), glucose (p=0.041), insulin (p=0.001), cholesterol (p=0.001), triglyceride (p=0.001) and liver weight (p=0.035). The voluntary activity was found effective on the decrease of weight gain (p=0.018) however we did not observe a significant effect on blood pressure (p=0.917) and insulin resistance (p=0.565) following the fructose-rich diet. We conclude that voluntary activity has preventive effect on obesity but may not to be effective on increased blood pressure and insulin resistance in female rats which were feeding fructose-rich diet during six weeks.

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Improving Rehabilitation for Patients with Intermittent Claudication: A Randomized Controlled Trial with a Mixed-Methods Evaluation (The CIPIC Rehab Study)

10.31487/j.jicoa.2021.04.01.sup ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Maj Siercke ◽

Sanne Pagh Moller ◽

Lau Caspar Thygesen ◽

Henrik Sillesen ◽

Dorthe Overgaard

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Clinical Trial ◽

Mixed Methods ◽

Usual Care ◽

Randomized Clinical Trial ◽

Intermittent Claudication ◽

Walking Distance ◽

Significant Difference

Aim: This study aimed to explore how qualitative data about rehabilitation for patients with intermittent claudication do provide an enhanced understanding of the quantitative experimental results. Background: The study was a randomized clinical trial comparing a rehabilitation intervention with usual care. A statistically significant difference between rehabilitation and usual care was found in walking distance, physical activity, quality of life and diet. The findings from the quantitative and qualitative analyses were analysed separately on their own tradition. In this study, mixed methods address whether the qualitative results could help explain the quantitative results and bring forward additional information. Design: Complex mixed-method intervention design with a convergent questionnaire variant. Methods: From April 2017- May 2019, patients diagnosed with intermittent claudication were included in a randomized clinical trial (N=118). In addition, qualitative interview informants from the intervention group were sampled from the quantitative study population for a survey (N=43) and focus group interviews (N=10). Interviews were conducted from April 2018-August 2019. Results: Integrated analyses identified how improvement in walking distance, physical activity, diet and quality of life was affected by team spirit, pedometer, education and fun exercise in a local setting. Quantitative and qualitative findings primarily confirmed and expanded each other; however, two discordant results were also evident. Conclusion: Our study adds empirical evidence regarding how a mixed-methods study can be used to obtain a more nuanced understanding of complex healthcare problems. The study provides new knowledge concerning how to set up a rehabilitation programme for patients with intermittent claudication.

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THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT INFLUENCED THE INCIDENCE OF FALLS IN OLDER ADULTS LIVING IN THE UNDERSERVED COMMUNITY

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.1076 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S292-S292

Author(s):

Rie Suzuki ◽

Jennifer Blackwood ◽

Shailee Shah ◽

Sabah Ganai ◽

Kimberly Warden

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Built Environment ◽

Walking Distance ◽

Health Clinic ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Eligibility Criteria ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Past ◽

Underserved Community

Abstract The built environment is commonly cited as a facilitator to local walking. Although health promotion programs targeting physical activity are available, few studies have investigated the associations of the perceived neighborhoods with the incidence of falls in the minority communities. Hence, the purpose of this preliminary study was to understand whether the perceived built environment influenced the fall experiences in older adults living in the underserved community. The preliminary cross-sectional survey was conducted at the regional health clinic in Flint, MI. Descriptive statistics and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were performed using SAS v8.4. The eligibility criteria included over 65 years old and Flint residents. Of 132 participants, the mean age was 69.75 (SD=5.00). The majority were female (68%), African Americans (80%), single, divorced or widowed (80%), and > GED (84%). The ANOVAs supported that “had fallen in the past year” was associated with “stores are within easy walking distance,” “easy to walk to a transit stop” and “there is a dirt strip that separates the streets from the sidewalks.” The fall experience was more likely to associate with the sedentary lifestyle and the comorbidities such as diabetes, fatigues, muscle spasms, and chronic pain. To summarize, the built environment increased the incidence of falls in the past year. Those who had fallen had poor health conditions. Further studies are needed for older adults to engage in physical activity. It is essential to develop the age-friendly support systems and accommodations to local walking in this community.

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Proximity to Facilities and Its Association with the Health-Related Habits of Functionally Independent Older Adults

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17228677 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (22) ◽

pp. 8677

Author(s):

Mónica Machón ◽

Kalliopi Vrotsou ◽

Isabel Larrañaga ◽

Itziar Vergara

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Social Life ◽

Basque Country ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Green Spaces ◽

Walking Distance ◽

Residential Areas ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Health Related

The aim was to examine how proximity to facilities, as a component of community determinants, is associated with the health-related habits of functionally independent community-dwelling older adults. This was a cross-sectional study. Data were collected by face-to-face interviews. Participants were >65 years old, living in 15 municipalities of Gipuzkoa (Basque Country, Spain). Proximity to park-green spaces, cultural-sport centers, market-food stores, retirement associations, religious centers, primary care centers and hospitals was explored. Sociodemographic variables and health-related habits (diet, physical activity and self-perceived social life) were collected. Logistic regression models were performed. The sample comprised of 634 individuals (55% women; mean age: 74.8, SD 6.7 years). Older age (odds ratio-OR: 0.94, 95% CI: 0.91–0.97) was associated with lower physical activity, while being male (OR: 1.71, 95% CI: 1.08–2.68) and proximity to park-green spaces (OR: 1.64, 95% CI: 1.03–2.61) were related to more physical activity. Individuals with good self-perceived health (OR: 3.50, 95% CI: 1.82–6.74) and religious centers within walking distance (OR: 2.66, 95% CI: 1.40–5.04) had higher odds of a satisfactory social life. Encouraging the creation of park-green spaces and leisure centers near residential areas can assist in promoting physical activity and improving the social life of older adults.

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(470) Effect of environmental enrichment, associate or not to physical activity, on nociceptive and motor functions in an animal model of Fibromyalgia

Journal of Pain ◽

10.1016/j.jpain.2015.01.390 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 16 (4) ◽

pp. S93

Author(s):

L. Lima ◽

S. Dourado ◽

T. Souza ◽

D. Carvalho ◽

F. Oliveira ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Animal Model ◽

Environmental Enrichment ◽

Motor Functions

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Physical Activity during Winter in Old-Old Women Associated with Physical Performance after One Year: A Prospective Study

Current Gerontology and Geriatrics Research ◽

10.1155/2015/253451 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 ◽

pp. 1-5 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Atsushi Mizumoto ◽

Hikaru Ihira ◽

Keitaro Makino ◽

Shigeyuki Saitoh ◽

Hirofumi Ohnishi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Physical Performance ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Walking Speed ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Walking Distance ◽

Step Counts ◽

Physical Performances ◽

Maintenance Group

Background. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the decline of physical activity during winter influences physical performances (after 1 year) in old-old women.Methods. Fifty-three Japanese women (mean age: 78.4 ± 3.2 years) participated in this study. Data of physical activity was collected by using an accelerometer at baseline and 3-month follow-up, and participants who decreased step counts in this period were defined as declining groups. We measured grip strength, knee extensor strength, total length of the center of gravity, hip walking distance, and maximum walking speed to evaluate physical performances at baseline and 1-year follow-up. Repeated-measures analysis of variance determined the difference in physical performance between declining groups and maintenance group with maintained or improved step counts.Results. Daily step counts for 22 older women (41.5%) decreased during winter. A statistically significant interaction effect between group and time was found for maximum walking speed (F(1,50)=5.23,p=0.03).Post hoccomparisons revealed that walking speed in the maintenance group significantly increased compared with baseline (p=0.01); the declining group showed no significant change (p=0.44).Conclusion. Change of physical activity during winter influences the physical performance level after 1 year in community-dwelling old-old women, particularly its effect on maximum walking speed.

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The Relationship between Convenience of Destinations and Walking Levels in Older Women

American Journal of Health Promotion ◽

10.4278/0890-1171-18.1.74 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

pp. 74-82 ◽

Cited By ~ 138

Author(s):

Wendy C. King ◽

Jennifer S. Brach ◽

Steven Belle ◽

Richard Killingsworth ◽

Mark Fenton ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Women ◽

Leisure Time Physical Activity ◽

Neighborhood Environment ◽

Walking Distance ◽

Positive Trend ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Neighborhood Walkability ◽

The Relationship

Purpose. To examine the relationship between physical activity and (1) convenience of destinations, measured by whether destinations (such as a park, trail, businesses, and services) are within walking distance of the home, and (2) participants' perception of the quality of their neighborhood surroundings for walking, captured with a global neighborhood “walkability” rating. Design. Cross-sectional analysis of data obtained in 1999. Setting. Community in southwest Pennsylvania. Subjects. Older Caucasian women (n = 149, mean age = 74.2 years). Response rate = 79%. Measures. Walking levels, leisure-time physical activity, and features of the neighborhood environment were measured with interviewer-administered questionnaires. Physical activity was also measured objectively with a pedometer. Results. Living within walking distance (defined as within a 20-minute walk of home) of a park; biking or walking trail; or department, discount, or hardware store was related to higher pedometer readings ( p < .01). In addition, there was a positive trend between the sum of destinations within walking distance of home and activity levels measured by pedometer and questionnaire ( p < .01). There was also a positive trend between participants' neighborhood “walkability” rating and activity levels measured by pedometer and questionnaire ( p < .01). Conclusion. These findings suggest that the ability to make utilitarian walking trips from home and the perception of having favorable neighborhood surroundings for walking are associated with increased physical activity levels in older women.

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