scholarly journals What Is Moderate to Vigorous Exercise Intensity?

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian R. MacIntosh ◽  
Juan M. Murias ◽  
Daniel A. Keir ◽  
Jamie M. Weir
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Exercise Intensity ◽  
Health Benefits ◽  
Individual Variability ◽  
Moderate Intensity ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Maximal Heart Rate ◽  
Vigorous Exercise ◽  
Intensity Physical Activity ◽  
Vigorous Intensity

A variety of health benefits associated with physical activity depends upon the frequency, intensity, duration, and type of exercise. Intensity of exercise is the most elusive of these elements and yet has important implications for the health benefits and particularly cardiovascular outcomes elicited by regular physical activity. Authorities recommend that we obtain 150min of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) each week. The current descriptions of moderate to vigorous intensity are not sufficient, and we wish to enhance understanding of MVPA by recognition of important boundaries that define these intensities. There are two key thresholds identified in incremental tests: ventilatory and lactate thresholds 1 and 2, which reflect boundaries related to individualized disturbance to homeostasis that are appropriate for prescribing exercise. VT2 and LT2 correspond with critical power/speed and respiratory compensation point. Moderate intensity physical activity approaches VT1 and LT1 and vigorous intensity physical activity is between the two thresholds (1 and 2). The common practice of prescribing exercise at a fixed metabolic rate (# of METs) or percentage of maximal heart rate or of maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O2max) does not acknowledge the individual variability of these metabolic boundaries. As training adaptations occur, these boundaries will change in absolute and relative terms. Reassessment is necessary to maintain regular exercise in the moderate to vigorous intensity domains. Future research should consider using these metabolic boundaries for exercise prescription, so we will gain a better understanding of the specific physical activity induced health benefits.

Abstract P063: The Association Between Physical Activity and Fasting and 2-Hour Glucose in US Adults: NHANES 2013-2014

Circulation ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 137 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua R Sparks ◽  
Xuewen F Wang
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Plasma Glucose ◽  
Fasting Glucose ◽  
Glucose Disposal ◽  
Moderate Intensity ◽  
Moderate Intensity Physical Activity ◽  
Intensity Physical Activity ◽  
Vigorous Intensity ◽  
Activity Questionnaire

Background: Glucose concentrations in a fasted and during a glucose challenged state rely on different mechanisms for regulation. In a fasted state, hepatic regulation of glucose is important; while in a glucose challenged state, muscle glucose disposal becomes more important. Evidence suggests that physical activity of moderate or higher intensities can increase muscle glucose disposal during an insulin-stimulated state, but has less effect on hepatic insulin sensitivity. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between glucose concentrations (fasting and after an oral glucose ingestion) and minutes of physical activity at moderate- and vigorous-intensity in a large population. Methods: The sample included 2,807 adults (47.4% male and 52.6% female) aged 18-80 years who participated in the National Health and Nutritional Examination Surveys (NHANES) from 2013-2014 and who did not take any diabetic medications. Minutes being physically active at moderate- and vigorous-intensities during work, and recreationally, were collected using the Physical Activity Questionnaire, which was based on the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. Moderate-intensity physical activity was defined as any activity that caused a small increase in breathing or heart rate, while vigorous-intensity physical activity was defined as large increases in breathing or heart rate. Both intensities had to be performed for a minimum of 10 continuous minutes. Plasma glucose concentrations at fasting and 2 hours after consumption of a drink containing 75g glucose (2-hour glucose) were determined. Pearson product correlations were performed for analysis. Results: The population had 141±133 (mean±SD) minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity during work and 63±56 minutes recreationally, as well as 174±156 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity during work and 77±56 minutes recreationally. Minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity performed during work was associated with 2-hour plasma glucose concentrations (r=0.15; p=0.045); this association was not affected after adjusting for age, race, and sex (p=0.049), but was no longer significant after BMI was also adjusted (p=0.059). Recreational or total minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity, and moderate-intensity physical activity was not associated with 2-hour glucose (p>0.20). Additionally, none of the physical activity minutes was associated with fasting glucose (p>0.27). Conclusion: Self-reported vigorous-intensity physical activity during work was positively associated with 2-hour glucose, but not fasting glucose. The results are surprising. Further studies with objective physical activity measures are needed to examine the associations with fasting and 2-hour glucose.

Impact of Moderate-Intensity and Vigorous-Intensity Physical Activity on Mortality

2018 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 715-721 ◽  
Author(s):  
HIROYUKI KIKUCHI ◽  
SHIGERU INOUE ◽  
I-MIN LEE ◽  
YUKO ODAGIRI ◽  
NORIE SAWADA ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Moderate Intensity ◽  
Intensity Physical Activity ◽  
Vigorous Intensity

scholarly journals Do vigorous-intensity and moderate-intensity physical activities reduce mortality to the same extent? A systematic review and meta-analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. e000775
Author(s):  
Juan Pablo Rey Lopez ◽  
Angelo Sabag ◽  
Maria Martinez Juan ◽  
Leandro F M Rezende ◽  
Maria Pastor-Valero
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Prospective Studies ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Physical Activities ◽  
Total Physical Activity ◽  
Moderate Intensity ◽  
All Cause Mortality ◽  
Specific Mortality ◽  
Intensity Physical Activity ◽  
Vigorous Intensity

ObjectiveTo examine whether vigorous-intensity physical activity confers additional reductions on all-cause and cause-specific mortality compared with moderate-intensity physical activity.DesignA systematic review (registered in PROSPERO CRD42019138995) and meta-analysis.Data sourcesThree electronic databases up to April 14 2020.Eligibility criteriaInclusion criteria were prospective studies that contained information about (1) moderate-intensity (3–5.9 metabolic equivalent tasks (METs)) and vigorous-intensity (≥6 METs) physical activities and (2) all-cause and/or cause-specific mortality. Exclusion criteria were prospective studies that (1) exclusively recruited diseased patients (eg, hypertensive patients and diabetics) or (2) did not account for total physical activity in their multivariable models (3) or did not adjust or exclude individuals with comorbidities at baseline or (4) used physically inactive participants as reference group.ResultsFive studies (seven cohorts using sex-specific results) were pooled into a meta-analysis. For all-cause mortality and controlling by total physical activity, vigorous-intensity physical activity (vs moderate) was not associated with a larger reduction in mortality (HR 0.95, 95% CI 0.83 to 1.09). After the exclusion of one study judged with critical risk of bias (Risk Of Bias in Non randomized Studies, ROBINS tool) from meta-analysis, results remained similar (HR 0.98, 95% CI 0.85 to 1.12). Due to the limited number of studies, meta-analyses for cancer and cardiovascular mortality were not performed.ConclusionsProspective studies suggest that, for the same total physical activity, both vigorous-intensity and moderate-intensity physical activities reduce all-cause mortality to the same extent. However, absence of evidence must not be interpreted as evidence of absence due to the existing methodological flaws in the literature.

scholarly journals Regular Moderate- to Vigorous-Intensity Physical Activity Rather Than Walking Is Associated with Enhanced Cognitive Functions and Mental Health in Young Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 614 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takumi Nakagawa ◽  
Ibuki Koan ◽  
Chong Chen ◽  
Toshio Matsubara ◽  
Kosuke Hagiwara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Moderate Intensity ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
Intensity Physical Activity ◽  
Vigorous Intensity ◽  
Dose Dependent ◽  
The Brain

The beneficial effect of physical activity (PA) on the brain has been well established. Both acute and regular PA can boost a range of cognitive functions and enhance mood and mental health. Notably, the effect of acute PA on the brain and cognitive functions is generally found to be dose-dependent, in terms of both the amount and intensity of the exercise episode. In contrast, in the case of regular PA, the literature has primarily focused on the amount of exercise, and limited studies have assessed the influence of the exercise intensity. Since PA in higher intensity causes more extensive, more powerful, and longer-lasting neurobiological changes, it may prove more beneficial to cognitive functions and mental health. In the present study, we set out to test this hypothesis by employing a battery of questionnaires and laboratory tests with a sample of young adults. We found that more frequent vigorous- and moderate-intensity PA rather than walking (considered low to moderate intensity) was associated with better cognitive and mental health measures. Meanwhile, compared with no moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) at all, as few as 1~2 days per week (lasting at least 10 min each time) of MVPA was associated with a variety of benefits, particularly related to coping with challenging situations. In light of the neurobiological literature, the present study speaks to the value of moderate- to vigorous- rather than low-intensity PA in enhancing cognitive functions and mental health.

Testing the Reliability of Neighborhood-Specific Measures of Physical Activity Among Canadian Adults

2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 367-373 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gavin R. McCormack ◽  
Alan Shiell ◽  
Patricia K. Doyle-Baker ◽  
Christine Friedenreich ◽  
Bev Sandalack ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Test Reliability ◽  
Moderate Intensity ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Retest Reliability ◽  
Walk Ability ◽  
Intensity Physical Activity ◽  
Recreational Walking ◽  
Vigorous Intensity ◽  
Test Retest Reliability

Background:Capturing neighborhood-specific physical activity is necessary to advance understanding of the relations between neighborhood walkability and physical activity. This study examined the test–retest reliability of previously developed items (from the Neighborhood Physical Activity Questionnaire) for capturing setting-specific physical activity among Canadian adults.Methods:Randomly sampled adults (N = 117) participated in 2 telephone interviews 2 to 5 days apart. Respondents were asked a series of items capturing frequency and duration of transportation-related walking, recreational walking, and moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity undertaken inside and outside the neighborhood in a usual week. The test–test reliability of reported physical activity levels were then examined using intraclass and Spearman’s rank correlations, kappa coefficients, and overall agreement.Results:Participation, frequency, and the duration of transportation-related and recreational walking and vigorous-intensity physical activity inside and outside the neighborhood showed moderate to excellent test–retest reliability. Moderate reliability was found for moderate-intensity physical activity undertaken inside (k = .48; ICC frequency = .38; ICC duration = .39) and outside (k = .51; ICC frequency = .79; ICC duration = .31) the neighborhood.Conclusions:Neighborhood-specific physical activity items administered by telephone interview are reliable and are therefore appropriate for use in future studies examining neighborhood walk-ability and physical activity.

scholarly journals Physical Activity and Fundamental Motor Skill Performance of 5–10 Year Old Children in Three Different Playgrounds

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (9) ◽  
pp. 1896 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessie Adams ◽  
Jenny Veitch ◽  
Lisa Barnett
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Motor Skills ◽  
Moderate Intensity ◽  
Fundamental Motor Skills ◽  
Moderate Intensity Physical Activity ◽  
Direct Observations ◽  
Intensity Physical Activity ◽  
Measured Time ◽  
Vigorous Intensity ◽  
Playground Design

Playgrounds provide opportunities for children to engage in physical activity and develop their fundamental motor skills. The aim of this descriptive pilot study was to examine whether playground design facilitated different levels of physical activity and fundamental motor skills. Children aged 5 to 10 (n = 57) were recruited from three independent playgrounds located in Melbourne (Australia). Whilst playing, children wore accelerometers which measured time spent in physical activity and direct observations recorded fundamental motor skills and play equipment use. A general linear model with playground type as the predictor and adjusting for monitor wear-time identified whether mean time in physical activity was different for the three playgrounds. Frequencies and a one-way ANOVA assessed whether the observed mean number of fundamental motor skills varied between playgrounds. On average, 38.1% of time (12.0 min) was spent in moderate- vigorous-intensity physical activity. Children in the traditional playground (n = 16) engaged in more moderate-intensity physical activity (9.4 min) than children in the adventure playground (n = 21), (5.6 min) (p = 0.027). There were no significant associations with vigorous-intensity physical activity or fundamental motor skills between playgrounds. Children performed few fundamental motor skills but used a wider variety of equipment in the contemporary and adventure playgrounds. Playgrounds need to maximise opportunities for children to engage in physical activity and develop fundamental motor skills.

scholarly journals Intensity of bouted and sporadic physical activity and the metabolic syndrome in adults

PeerJ ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. e1437 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jordan Robson ◽  
Ian Janssen
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Health Benefits ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Physical Activity Guidelines ◽  
Health And Nutrition ◽  
The Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Intensity Physical Activity ◽  
Vigorous Intensity

Background.Physical activity guidelines for adults only recognize the health benefits of accumulating bouted moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), or MVPA occurring over at least 10 consecutive minutes. There is a lack of evidence supporting the health benefits of other patterns and intensities of activity including sporadic MVPA (i.e., MVPA occurring in periods of fewer than 10 consecutive minutes) and light intensity physical activity (LIPA). The objective of this study was to examine the health benefits associated with physical activity that does not meet the physical activity guidelines criteria for bouted MVPA. Specifically, we examined the association between sporadic MVPA and bouted and sporadic LIPA with the metabolic syndrome.Methods.We studied a representative cross-sectional sample of 1,974 adults aged 20 years and older from the 2003–2006 US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Physical activity was measured over 7 days using Actigraph AM-7164 accelerometers. Each minute over the 7-day measurement period was classified as being of a sedentary, light, or moderate-to-vigorous intensity. A 10 min threshold differentiated bouted activity from sporadic activity. Average minutes/day of sporadic LIPA, sporadic MVPA, bouted LIPA, bouted MVPA, and embedded MVPA (MVPA occurring within bouts of primarily LIPA) were calculated. Metabolic syndrome status was determined using established criteria. Associations were examined using logistic regression and controlled for relevant covariates.Results.For every 30 min/day of physical activity, the odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of the metabolic syndrome was reduced by 4% (1–7%) for bouted LIPA, 64% (51–71%) for bouted MVPA, and 57% (45–67%) for embedded MVPA. Sporadic LIPA was not independently associated with the metabolic syndrome. We could not examine the association between sporadic MVPA and the metabolic syndrome because participants accumulated such a marginal amount of this type of activity (i.e., median = 2 min/day, only 11% of participants accumulated ≥5 min/day).Conclusion.The intensity of non-bouted activity is important, as embedded MVPA had a stronger association with the metabolic syndrome than sporadic LIPA and a comparable association to bouted MVPA.

scholarly journals Truckies' Nutrition and Physical Activity: A Cross-sectional Survey in Queensland, Australia

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 145-150 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marguerite C. Sendall ◽  
Laura K. McCosker ◽  
Rahma Ahmed ◽  
Phil Crane
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Truck Drivers ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Diet And Physical Activity ◽  
Intensity Physical Activity ◽  
Vigorous Intensity ◽  
Sugary Drink

Truck drivers are at increased risk of diet- and physical activity-related chronic diseases. Despite this, there is a paucity of data about Australian truck drivers' diet and physical activity behaviors. A multiple choice and short response survey was distributed to truck drivers attending an Australian Truck Show. The survey asked about self-reported health, source of health information, number of serves of fruit, vegetables, unhealthy food, and sugary drink consumed per day, and frequency of moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity per week. The survey was completed by 231 truck drivers—almost all were male, with a mean age of 46 (range 20 to 71) years. Over 85% of survey respondents worked more than 9 hrs per day. Nearly 75% acknowledged the need to make changes to improve their health. Half consumed fewer serves of fruit and 88% consumed fewer serves of vegetables than national recommendations. Over 63% consumed at least one serve of unhealthy foods per day, and 65% drank at least one can of sugary drink per day. Most (80%) undertook less than moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity levels provided in national recommendations. Of concern, almost 90% of drivers had above the recommended body mass index—approximately 60% were obese. This is almost double the proportion found in the general population. These findings highlight the importance of health promotion to help drivers make better choices about their health behaviors, which are often underpinned by the limitations of their work environment. Health promotion in transport industry workplaces should be an important topic for future research.

Promoting physical activity in people with intellectual and multiple disabilities through a basic technology-aided program

2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giulio E Lancioni ◽  
Nirbhay N Singh ◽  
Mark F O’Reilly ◽  
Jeff Sigafoos ◽  
Gloria Alberti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Multiple Disabilities ◽  
Moderate Intensity ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Data Recording ◽  
Program Monitoring ◽  
Moderate Intensity Physical Activity ◽  
Intensity Physical Activity ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Basic Technology

This study assessed a technology-aided program (monitoring responding, and ensuring preferred stimulation and encouragements) for promoting physical activity with 11 participants with severe/profound intellectual and multiple disabilities. Each participant was provided with an exercise device (e.g. a static bicycle and a stepper) and exposed to the program according to an ABAB design, in which A and B represented baseline and intervention phases, respectively. Data recording concerned (a) the participants’ responses with the exercise device (e.g. pedaling) during baseline and intervention phases and (b) their heart rates during the last intervention phase. The results showed that all participants had significant increases in responding with the exercise devices during the intervention phases. Heart-rate values during the intervention sessions indicated that the participants’ responding during those sessions mostly amounted to moderate-intensity physical activity, with potential benefits for their overall physical condition. Implications of the findings and questions for future research in the area were discussed.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document