scholarly journals The Associations Between Access to Recreational Facilities and Adherence to the American Heart Association's Physical Activity Guidelines in US Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Larissa Andrade ◽  
Ryan Geffin ◽  
Mark Maguire ◽  
Pura Rodriguez ◽  
Grettel Castro ◽  
...  

Physical activity decreases the risk of long-term health consequences including cardiac diseases. According to the American Health Association (AHA), adults should perform at least 75 min of vigorous physical activity (PA) or 150 min of moderate PA per week to impact long-term health. Results of previous studies are varied and have yet to integrate perceived access to facilities with AHA PA guidelines. We investigated whether access to free or low-cost recreational facilities was associated with meeting the AHA PA guidelines.Methodology: This cross-sectional study utilized data extracted from the Family Life, Activity, Sun, Health, and Eating (FLASHE) database collected in 2017 (n = 1,750). The main exposure variable was access to free or low-cost recreational facilities. The main outcome variable was meeting the AHA guidelines of 150 min moderate PA or 75 min vigorous PA per week. Covariates included age, sex, level of education, overall health, BMI, ethnicity, hours of work per week, income, and time living at current address. Unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression analysis were used to calculate measures of odds ratio (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI).Results: Of the 1,750 included participants, 61.7% (n = 1,079) reported to have access to recreational facilities. Of those with access to facilities, 69.9% met AHA PA guidelines while 30.4% did not. After adjusting for covariates, participants who reported access to recreational facilities were 42% more likely to meet AHA PA guidelines compared with participants who did not (adjusted OR 1.42; 95% CI 1.14–1.76). Secondary results suggest that healthier individuals were more likely to have met AHA PA guidelines.Conclusions: Having access to free or low-cost recreational facilities such as parks, walking trails, bike paths and courts was associated with meeting the AHA PA guidelines. Increasing prevalence and awareness of neighborhood recreational facilities could assist in access to these facilities and increase the ability of individuals to meet AHA PA guidelines. Future research should determine which types of recreational facilities impact physical activity strongest and discover methods of increasing their awareness.

Author(s):  
Dorthe Dalstrup Jakobsen ◽  
Jasper Schipperijn ◽  
Jens Meldgaard Bruun

Background: In Denmark, most children are not sufficiently physically active and only a few interventions have been found to increase long-term physical activity among overweight and obese children. The aim of our study was to investigate if children are physically active in correspondence to Danish recommendations after attending a multicomponent-overnight camp. Methods: A questionnaire was developed to estimate children’s physical activity level and behavior and investigate how transport, economy, availability, time, motivation, and knowledge about physical activity affect children’s physical activity level and behavior. Results: In this study, 60.9% of the children did vigorous physical activity (VPA) minimum 30 minutes 3 times per week up to 3 years after camp. Most children were physically active at a sports club (44.3%) and only 5.7% of the children did not participate in physical activity. Parental physical activity and child motivation toward physical activity were significantly (P < .05) associated with children doing VPA. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that 60.9% of children who attended camp engage in VPA after camp, which compared with a recent Danish study, is more frequent than children who did not attend camp. Further investigations are needed to determine the long-term health effects in children attending interventions such as multicomponent-overnight camps.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. e0242517
Author(s):  
Takumi Aoki ◽  
Kazuhiko Fukuda ◽  
Chiaki Tanaka ◽  
Yasuko Kamikawa ◽  
Nobuhiro Tsuji ◽  
...  

The current focus of meeting the physical activity guidelines for children and young people include preventing conditions such as high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, metabolic syndrome, obesity, low bone density, depression, and injuries. However, the relationship between sleep habits and meeting physical activity guidelines is still unclear. This study aimed to assess this relationship among fifth- to eighth-grade (ages 10–14) Japanese children. This cross-sectional study included 3,123 children (boys: 1,558, girls: 1,565, mean age: 12.5 ± 1.2 years). Questionnaires were used to assess parameters such as moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per day, school and weekend night sleep durations, social jetlag, daytime sleepiness, napping, screen time, and breakfast intake. Participants were divided into an achievement and a non-achievement group depending on their physical activity guideline achievement status (i.e., whether they met the children’s physical activity guideline of 60 min or more of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per day). Then, to determine the sleep habits in relation to the children’s achievement of guideline-recommended physical activity levels, multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted. In fifth- and sixth-grade (ages 10–12) boys, an inverse association was observed between physical activity guideline achievement and daytime sleepiness. In seventh- and eighth-grade (ages 12–14) boys, physical activity guideline achievement was inversely associated with social jetlag and skipping breakfast. Additionally, in seventh- and eighth-grade girls, physical activity guideline achievement was inversely associated with inappropriate sleep duration on weekends and screen time. These results suggest that meeting the physical activity guideline is related to favorable sleep habits in Japanese children. However, their relevance may differ by school type and gender.


2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 204-210 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karin A. Pfeiffer ◽  
Michael J. Wierenga

Participation in a sport is widely considered a valuable form of physical activity, especially for children and adolescents. In addition, many think that sport participation translates to future physical activity. However, limited research has examined the ability of youth sport to significantly contribute to meeting daily physical activity guidelines (60 min/day of moderate to vigorous physical activity) and whether the physical activity behaviors of youth sport participants will translate into future, habitual activity in both the short and the long term. In this paper, available research on the role of youth sport in the promotion of physical activity is evaluated. Two major questions are used to frame the discussion: How much physical activity do youth sport participants attain during games and practices, and does sport participation during childhood and adolescence translate into habitual physical activity in adulthood? This is followed by ideas for future research and preliminary recommendations for best practices or policies.


2015 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 577-583 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Mizrahi ◽  
Fiona Naumann ◽  
Carolyn Broderick ◽  
Juliane Samara ◽  
Mary Ryan ◽  
...  

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to quantify physical activity levels and determine the barriers to physical activity for women with ovarian cancer.Materials and MethodsWomen with ovarian cancer from 3 oncology clinics enrolled in the cross-sectional study. Physical activity and barriers to physical activity were measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and Perceived Physical Activity Barriers scale, respectively. Demographic, medical, and anthropometric data were obtained from medical records.ResultsNinety-five women (response rate, 41%), with a mean (SD) age of 61 (10.6) years, a body mass index of 26.5 (6.8) kg/m2, and 36.6 (28.2) months since diagnosis, participated in the study. The majority of the participants had stage III (32%) or IV (32%) ovarian cancer, were undergoing chemotherapy (41%), and had a history of chemotherapy (93%). The majority of the participants reduced their physical activity after diagnosis, with 19% meeting recommended physical activity guidelines. The participants undergoing treatment reported lower moderate-vigorous physical activity compared with those not undergoing active treatment (mean [SD], 42 [57] vs 104 [119] min/wk; P < 0.001) and less total physical activity barriers (mean [SD], 49 vs 47; P > 0.4). The greatest barriers to physical activity included fatigue (37.8%), exercise not in routine (34.7%), lack of self-discipline (32.6%), and procrastination (27.4%).ConclusionsWomen with ovarian cancer have low levels of physical activity. There are disease-specific general barriers to physical activity participation. The majority of the participants reduced their physical activity after diagnosis, with these patients reporting a higher number of total barriers. Behavioral strategies are required to increase physical activity adherence in this population to ensure that recommended guidelines are met to achieve the emerging known benefits of exercise oncology.


2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (10) ◽  
pp. 737-746 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie H. Murphy ◽  
Angela Carlin ◽  
Catherine Woods ◽  
Alan Nevill ◽  
Ciaran MacDonncha ◽  
...  

Background: Time spent in university represents a period of transition and may be an appropriate time to promote physical activity among young adults. The aim of this study was to assess participation of university students in sport and physical activity in Ireland and to explore the association between physical activity and perceptions of overall health, mental health, and happiness. Methods: The Student Activity and Sport Study Ireland was a cross-sectional online survey among a representative sample (n = 8122) of university students in Ireland. Binary logistic regressions were performed to examine associations between self-reported physical activity and gender (predictor variables) and individual perceptions of overall health, mental health, and happiness (binary outcomes). Results: Only 64.3% of respondents met the recommended level of 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per week with males significantly more active than females (72.1% vs 57.8% meeting guidelines). Those meeting physical activity guidelines were more likely to report greater overall health and higher mental health and happiness scores compared with their inactive peers. Conclusions: Active students enjoy better health (overall and mental) and are happier than their inactive peers. This provides a clear rationale for providing students with opportunities to be active at university. The data provide a baseline to monitor changes in physical activity patterns.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 48-55
Author(s):  
Rabeea Maqsood ◽  
Sarah Buckingham ◽  
Karyn Morrissey

Policing has become an increasingly sedentary occupation. At the same time, rates of depression are increasing across the police force. Vigorous physical activity (VPA) has been associated with decreasing rates of depression, yet studies of VPA in policing are limited. This study aimed to explore the prevalence of depression and examine its association with VPA in police officers and staff in England, further stratified by gender. A cross-sectional, secondary data analysis of the Airwave dataset was undertaken. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression. Of 28,465 police officers and staff in England, 12% reported having doctor-diagnosed depression and 25% were physically inactive. Relative to being physically inactive, undertaking VPA for either four or seven days was significantly associated with having the lowest odds of reporting depression (OR 0.59, 95% CI: 0.51–0.70, p < 0.001) (OR 0.59, 95% CI: 0.45–0.77, p < 0.001), respectively, suggesting a U-shaped/non-linear relationship. This relationship was also observed in the gender-stratification analysis. While the odds of reporting depression were significantly lower for men than women, VPA was significantly associated with reducing the odds of reporting depression slightly more in women (OR 0.43, 95% CI: 0.27–0.67, p < 0.001) than in men (OR 0.50, 95% CI: 0.33–0.75, p < 0.01), indicating women may be more likely to benefit from VPA than men. Vigorous physical activity may provide a protective effect against depression. To prevent the onset of depression in the target population, policy-makers should consider designing physical activity guidelines for police officers to promote VPA in the target population.


Author(s):  
Anna Gabriela Silva Vilela Ribeiro ◽  
Rozangela Verlengia ◽  
Maria Rita Marques de Oliveira ◽  
Matheus Valério Almeida Oliveira ◽  
Idico Luiz Pellegrinotti ◽  
...  

This study aimed to investigate the association between compliance with the guidelines of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) accumulated in bouts of ≥10 min or nonbouts with body composition and physical function in older adults. The authors evaluated 230 noninstitutionalized older adults. Body composition was estimated using bioimpedance, and physical function was assessed using four physical tests. Physical activities were monitored for 7 days using an accelerometer. Older adults who were physically active according to MVPA in bouts of ≥10 min were less likely to have low appendicular skeletal muscle mass (odds ratio [OR] = 0.12), excess body fat (OR = 0.30), and abdominal obesity (OR = 0.34) and more likely to have a higher physical function (OR = 5.78). No significant association was observed with MVPA nonbout. Our findings indicate that older adults who accumulate MVPA in bouts of  ≥10 min have better parameters for body composition and physical function.


Author(s):  
Maria do Socorro Simoes ◽  
Fernando Wehrmeister ◽  
Marcello Romiti ◽  
Antonio de Toledo Gagliardi ◽  
Rodolfo Arantes ◽  
...  

We investigated if cardiorespiratory fitness modifies the association between obesity and the level of physical activity. In this cross-sectional study, we analyzed data from 746 adults, free of diagnosed cardiorespiratory or locomotor diseases. We analyzed sociodemographic and clinical information, cardiovascular risk factors, cardiorespiratory fitness, anthropometry, and level of physical activity (time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity). Those that spent more time in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity were younger, male, with lower body mass index, without self-reported arterial blood hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia, non-smokers, and presented with better cardiorespiratory fitness. The linear regression coefficients showed that cardiorespiratory fitness changes according to the level of physical activity and body mass index (obesity in low cardiorespiratory fitness: β 6.0, p = 0.213, 95%CI -3.5 to 15.6; in intermediate cardiorespiratory fitness: β 6.3, p = 0.114, 95%CI -1.5 to 14.2; in high cardiorespiratory fitness: β -6.3, p = 0.304, 95%CI -18.4 to 5.8). This effect modification trend was present after adjusting the model by covariates. Cardiorespiratory fitness potentially modifies the association between body mass index and the level of physical activity. It should be routinely assessed to identify persons with overweight/ obesity with low/ intermediate cardiorespiratory fitness to prescribe individualized training.


2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. 742-752 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanna Sweeting ◽  
Kylie Ball ◽  
Julie McGaughran ◽  
John Atherton ◽  
Christopher Semsarian ◽  
...  

Background: Physical activity is associated with improved quality of life. Patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) face unique clinical and psychological challenges. Factors such as fear of ICD shock may negatively impact on physical activity, while a sense of protection gained from the ICD may instil confidence to be active. Aim: We aimed to examine the impact of an ICD on physical activity levels and factors associated with amount of activity. Methods: Two cross-sectional studies were conducted. Accelerometer data (seven-day) was collected in March–November 2015 for 63 consecutively recruited hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients, with or without an ICD, aged ⩾18 years. A survey study was conducted in July–August 2016 of 155 individuals aged ⩾18 years with an inherited heart disease and an ICD in situ. Results: Based on the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, mean leisure time physical activity was 239 ± 300 min/week with 51% meeting physical activity guidelines. Accelerometry showed that mean moderate–vigorous physical activity was the same for patients with and without an ICD (254 ± 139 min/week versus 300 ± 150 min/week, p=0.23). Nearly half of survey participants ( n=73) said their device made them more confident to exercise. Being anxious about ICD shocks was the only factor associated with not meeting physical activity guidelines. Conclusions: Patients with inherited heart disease adjust differently to their ICD device, and for many it has no impact on physical activity. Discussion regarding the appropriate level of physical activity and potential barriers will ensure best possible outcomes in this unique patient group.


2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine Hanna ◽  
Anne Hanley ◽  
Avril Huddy ◽  
Michael McDonald ◽  
Fiona Willer

OBJECTIVE: To assess participation in physical activity and knowledge of general nutrition and current public health messages about the health benefits of physical activity in university dance students, and to investigate differences between first-year and later-year students and between students in dance and dance performance course groups. METHODS: This cross-sectional study recruited 67 participants from dance undergraduate degrees in a university in Australia. Nutrition knowledge was assessed using the General Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire. Physical activity participation and awareness of its benefits were assessed using the Active Australia Survey. RESULTS: Results indicate low nutrition knowledge among dance students, with 47% and 52% of responses correct in dance and dance performance students, respectively. Nutrition knowledge did not vary between students in first or later years. Self-reported participation in moderate and vigorous physical activity varied substantially and met or exceeded recommendations based upon duration and frequency for 98% of participants. However, awareness of physical activity messages varied, with dance students more likely to disagree about the level of activity needed for health benefits. CONCLUSIONS: Dance students report varying levels of physical activity that usually met or exceeded recommendations; however, knowledge of general nutrition and physical activity benefits was low. Improved knowledge could contribute to changes in behavior that improve health status in this population.


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