scholarly journals Environmental and Motivational Determinants of Physical Activity among Canadian Inuit in the Arctic

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (13) ◽  
pp. 2437
Author(s):  
Victor O. Akande ◽  
Robert A.C. Ruiter ◽  
Stef P.J. Kremers
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Gender Effects ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Mediation Effects ◽  
Environmental Correlates ◽  
Motivational Regulation ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
Steps Per Day

Background: Canadian Inuit have transited from a physically active hunter-gatherer subsistence lifestyle into sedentary ways of life. The purpose of the current study was to measure physical activity levels among Nunavut Inuit adults, and explore the socio-cognitive and environmental factors influencing the number of steps taken per day. Method: Inuit and non-Inuit adults (N = 272) in Nunavut participated in a seven-day pedometer study during summer and winter seasons. Participants were asked to complete the Neighbourhood Environmental Walkability Scale (NEWS) and Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire (BREQ-3). Data analyses included descriptive statistics, hierarchical linear regression, and tests of mediation effects. Results: Participants had limited to low activity at a rate of 5027 ± 1799 and 4186 ± 1446 steps per day, during summer and winter, respectively. There were no seasonal and age effects on the number of steps. Gender effects and community differences were observed. Perceived infrastructure and safety as well as land use mix diversity were found to be positive environmental correlates of steps taken, which were partially mediated by identified motivational regulation. Conclusion: Physical activity levels among Nunavut adults are generally low, but can be promoted by improving the external physical environment and internal motivational regulation.

scholarly journals Predictors of physical activity for weekdays and weekends among adolescent – a cross-sectional study in Sarawak, Malaysia

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-50
Author(s):  
WHYE LIAN CHEAH ◽  
HELMY HAZMI ◽  
CHING THON CHANG
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
School Students ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
Steps Per Day ◽  
The Mean

Background: This study aimed to describe the patterns of physical activities both at weekends and on weekdays and to identify their associated factors. Material/Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among secondary school students aged 13-15 years old in Kuching Division, Sarawak, Malaysia. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic information and to measure perceived barriers, self-efficacies and social influences. Anthropometric measurements were taken and used to determine BMI-for-age, while pedometers were used to assess the physical activity levels. Data were analyzed using SPSS. Results: A total of 474 students from six secondary schools participated. About 16% of the respondents were overweight and obese, majority of them males. The mean BMI was 21.21 ±12.93, higher among males. The mean steps per day were 6251.37±3085.31, with weekends recorded a higher number of steps. The number of steps among males was higher than among females. On weekdays, self-motivation scores significantly predicted the participants’ number of steps/physical activity rate (b = 521.43, 95% CI -72.78 to 1050.19). At weekends, lack of interest and knowledge scores (b = -427.82, 95% CI -837.72 to 17.92) and making choices scores (b = 737.41, 95% CI -197.94 to 1276.88) were significant to predict the number of steps/physical activity levels. Conclusions: These findings indicated the importance of investigating predictors of physical activity for weekdays and weekends. Thus, efforts should focus on how to motivate adolescents to be more physically active targeting the identified predictors for weekdays and week ends.

scholarly journals Dynamic Target Setting increases workplace physical activity: evidence from a randomised trial

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susannah Hume ◽  
Pieter Cornel ◽  
Michael Sanders ◽  
Karen Tindall ◽  
Paul Vilanti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Field Experiment ◽  
Randomised Trial ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Target Setting ◽  
High Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
Steps Per Day ◽  
Dynamic Target

We conduct a field experiment in a large workplace, testing two forms of target to increase physical activity - standard targets (10,000 steps per day) or dynamic targets (10% more than last week). We find that effects overall are modest, but that dynamic targets are more impactful for people with high physical activity levels.

scholarly journals Physical Activity Levels in Alaska Native Children Participating in the SkiKu/AK Nordic Program

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kiplin Taber ◽  
Colin Campbell ◽  
Melynda S. Coker ◽  
Lars Flora ◽  
Robert H. Coker
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Alaska Native ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Moderate Physical Activity ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
Cross Country Skiing ◽  
Cross Country

Background: Physical activity is recommended to mitigate the incidence of obesity, but delivery of community wide initiatives is cumbersome. The challenges met by such programs are magnified when implementation transpires in the remote villages of Alaska. To overcome the difficulty of this challenge in the Arctic, the Skiku/AK Nordic cross-country skiing program was developed. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether access to Skiku/AK Nordic program would promote physical activity levels that met the daily recommendations for physical activity in Alaska Native children. Methods: Eight children (4 females and 4 males; 10±2 years/age) were recruited from Kaktovik, Alaska for participation in this study. Expert coaches and staff provided one week of cross-country ski instruction and access to ski equipment. Physical activity was monitored using ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometers. Data collected from the devices was then downloaded and analyzed using ActiLife software. Results: The participants expended ~586 calories/day devoted to physical activity. Light and moderate physical activity was 68±38 minutes/day and 447±248 minutes/day, respectively. Conclusions: Delivery of the Skiku/AK Nordic program promoted favorable levels of physical activity in Alaska Native children. Further research is needed to assess the longitudinal and seasonal effectiveness of the Skiku/AK Nordic program.

scholarly journals The association between psychological characteristics and physical activity levels in people with knee osteoarthritis: a cross-sectional analysis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daisuke Uritani ◽  
Jessica Kasza ◽  
Penny K. Campbell ◽  
Ben Metcalf ◽  
Thorlene Egerton
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Pain Catastrophizing ◽  
Psychological Characteristics ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Fear Of Movement ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
Steps Per Day ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Background:The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between psychological characteristics and physical activity levels, measured as the average number of steps per day, in people with knee osteoarthritis (OA).Methods: This study analysed baseline data from a randomized controlled trial (Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry reference: ACTRN12612000308897). A total of 167 adults aged over 50 years, with knee pain rated as four or more on an 11-point numeric rating scale, and knee OA diagnosed using American College of Rheumatology clinical criteria, were recruited from the community (62 men and 105 women; mean age, 62.2 ± 7.5 years). The average number of steps per day over seven consecutive days was measured using an accelerometer-based device. Psychological characteristics evaluated were: depressive symptoms (Depression Anxiety Stress Scale), self-efficacy (Arthritis Self-Efficacy Scale for pain and other symptoms), fear of movement (Brief Fear of Movement Scale for Osteoarthritis), and pain catastrophizing (Pain Catastrophizing Scale). The association between the average number of steps per day and psychological characteristics was analyzed using a multiple linear regression analysis, with the average number of steps per day as the dependent variable, adjusting for each psychological characteristic separately, and age, sex, body mass index, and pain entered as covariates.Results: There was evidence that the amount of physical activity was associated with fear of movement (coefficient [B]: -117, 95% confidence interval [95%CI]: -227 to -8) and with pain catastrophizing (B: -44, 95%CI: -86 to -1). The association with self-efficacy was similar (B:117, 95%CI: -12 to 246). However, the direction of the association with depressive symptoms was less clear (B: -59, 95%CI: -138 to 19).Conclusions: The results of this study revealed that the relationship was such that lower fear of movement and lower pain catastrophizing may be associated with more steps per day. It may be hypothesized that fear of moving and pain catastrophizing lead to activity avoidance and that strategies to improve these disease-related psychological aspects may be useful in enhancing physical activity participation, although this hypothesis is highly speculative and needs further testing given the cross-sectional design of this study.

scholarly journals A Move-A-Thon Event: A Workplace Demonstration of a Proposed Alternative Strategy to Incentivize Workers to Engage in Physical Activity

2019 ◽  
Vol 67 (4) ◽  
pp. 153-158
Author(s):  
Susan Reutman ◽  
Renee Lewis
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Small Group ◽  
Worksite Health Promotion ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Charitable Donation ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
Steps Per Day ◽  
Worksite Health ◽  
Incentive Strategy

Motivating employees to increase their physical activity is a health promotion challenge. A Move-A-Thon (MAT) event approach was implemented as an alternative incentive to help workers to optimize their physical activity levels. We implemented a demonstration project in which workers were incentivized for their participation through monetized donations to charity. Their steps were monitored over the 2-week demonstration period. The MAT goal was for participants to achieve a minimum of 3,000 daily steps for 2 weeks, for which they could earn a total donation of up to US$20. Participants walking at least once with up to five different “exercise buddies” could earn up to US$2 more per buddy for donation. Of 10 workers invited, nine enrolled and eight completed participation by logging their monitored steps across an average of 13.75 full MAT participation days. Participants averaged 9,330.8 steps per day—more than triple the lower threshold required for a maximum US$20 charitable donation. The eight participants walked with a total of 21 “exercise buddies.” They were receptive to future MAT events of longer duration. In total, the monetized donation to charity made by those eight participants was US$202. The MAT event participants were successful at promoting physical activity among a small group of workers for 2 weeks. Future worksite health promotion projects with this type of incentive strategy are indicated.

Social inequality in lifestyle, motivation to change lifestyle and received health advice in individuals with diabetes: A nationwide study

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (8) ◽  
pp. 847-854
Author(s):  
Marie B. Andersen ◽  
Anne-Sofie D. Bjørkman ◽  
Maria Pedersen ◽  
Ola Ekholm ◽  
Stig Molsted
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Socioeconomic Position ◽  
Smoking Status ◽  
National Health Survey ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Motivation To Change ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Health Advice ◽  
Physical Activity Levels

Aims: The aim was to investigate the association between socioeconomic position (SEP) and physical activity, alcohol consumption and smoking, motivation to change lifestyle and health advices from general practitioners (GPs) in individuals with diabetes. Methods: Data were provided by the Danish National Health Survey 2013 and 7504 adults (⩾ 40 years) with diabetes were included. Educational level was used as SEP indicator and categorized into low, middle and high SEP. Dependent variables included physical activity, alcohol consumption, smoking, motivation to change lifestyle and GP lifestyle advices. Multiple logistic regression analyses adjusted for age, body mass index and ethnic background were performed. Results: Higher SEP were associated with reduced odds of being physically inactive (middle SEP odds ratio (OR) men 0.58 (95% confidence intervals 0.47–0.72) and women 0.59 (0.47–0.75)) and non-smoking (middle SEP OR men 0.74 (0.59–0.93) and high SEP OR women 0.54 (0.38–0.77)) compared to participants with a low SEP. Alcohol consumption above the recommended maximum was associated with high SEP in men, OR 1.83 (1.30–2.61). Elevated SEP was associated with a motivation to increase physical activity levels (middle SEP OR men 1.45 (1.19–1.76) and women 1.35 (1.09–1.67)), high SEP was associated with none advice from GPs regarding smoking cessation among women, OR 0.47 (0.25–0.89). Conclusions: Socioeconomic position was strongly associated with lifestyle in individuals with diabetes. The most pronounced inequalities were found in physical activity levels, smoking status and the motivation to become more physically active. Municipalities and GPs may need a greater focus on SEP in interventions to change lifestyle in individuals with diabetes.

Physical Activity in Preschool Children With the Transition to Outdoors

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 170-175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Russell R. Pate ◽  
Marsha Dowda ◽  
William H. Brown ◽  
Jonathan Mitchell ◽  
Cheryl Addy
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Outdoor Play ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Minute Period ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
Trained Observers ◽  
Children’S Physical Activity ◽  
Observation Period

Background:It is known that children are more physically active outdoors than indoors. However, few previous studies have observed the time course for physical activity as young children transition from indoor to outdoor activities.Methods:Participants were 3- to 5-year-old children enrolled in the Children’s Activity and Movement in Preschool Study (CHAMPS). Trained observers used the Observational System for Recording Physical Activity in Children-Preschool Version (OSRAC-P) to record children’s physical activity levels over 20 minutes in outdoor settings. The 20-minute outdoor observational period began immediately following the transition from indoors to outdoors.Results:Children’s activity levels were moderately high at the time of transition and declined over the 20-minute observation period. Different patterns, however, were observed for boys and girls. Overall, boys were more active than girls. Boys’ activity levels declined in a linear fashion over the 20-minute period, while girls’ activity levels increased slightly, decreased, and then increased slightly again.Conclusions:These data indicate that physical activity levels decline with increased duration of outdoor play. The frequency and duration of outdoor play should be investigated for the purpose of optimizing physical activity levels.

scholarly journals Physical Activity Status in Patients With Coronary Heart Disease: Results From the Cross-Sectional EUROASPIRE Surveys

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 1378-1384 ◽  
Author(s):  
Delphine De Smedt ◽  
Els Clays ◽  
Christof Prugger ◽  
Johan De Sutter ◽  
Zlatko Fras ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Coronary Heart Disease ◽  
Heart Disease ◽  
Risk Profile ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
The Cross

Background:The study aim was to assess the physical activity levels as well as the intention to become physically active in patients with stable coronary heart disease (CHD) with a special focus on the association with their risk profile.Methods:Analyses are based on the cross-sectional EUROASPIRE IV surveys. Information was available on 8966 patients in EUROASPIRE III and on 7998 patients in EUROASPIRE IV. Physical activity level according to patients risk profile and their medical management was assessed, the intention to become physically active was investigated and a time trend analysis was performed.Results:A better cardiovascular risk profile as well as receiving physical activity advice or weight loss advice was associated with better physical activity levels. The physical activity status improved significantly over time, the proportion of patients reporting vigorous physical activity for at least 20 minutes ≥ 3 times/week increased from 14.1% to 20.2% (P < .001). Similarly, a significantly greater proportion of patients are in the maintenance stage (36.6% vs. 27.4%) and a smaller proportion in the precontemplation stage (43.2% vs. 52.3%).Conclusion:Although an increase was seen in the proportion of patients being adequately physical active, physical activity levels remain suboptimal in many CHD patients.

scholarly journals Factors Influencing Food Choices in Different Sports: Importance of Sustainability, Performance and Health: A Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cosima Nuszbaum ◽  
Mari Wollmar ◽  
Agneta Sjöberg
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Food Preferences ◽  
Food Choices ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Outdoor Sports ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Physical Activity Levels

Abstract Background: This study investigates food preferences among individuals active in different sports. Since food intake affects the carbon footprint, it is of interest to investigate influencing factors of food choices regarding sustainability. Physically active individuals are in need for high intakes of energy and protein in order to maintain their performance. Little is known about what influence food choices in this population. Method: A survey of a sample of 367 individuals was conducted in German and Swedish gyms, climbing halls and CrossFit boxes. Therefore, a questionnaire was developed to capture information about factors influencing food choice and consumed protein sources. Kruskal-Wallis-test tested significant differences between sport groups and physical activity levels.Results: The most frequently consumed animal-based protein were dairy-products, and the most frequently used plant-based source were grains. Taste and health were the main influences on food choices. Significant differences were observed between sport groups and physical activity levels. Sustainability was ranked as moderately important, with the highest importance in people active in the outdoor sports running and climbing. Participants with high physical activity levels and active in CrossFit rated performance more important than the rest of the sample and consumed protein supplements, eggs and poultry more frequently. Conclusion: Differences in food choices between various sports and physical activity levels were identified. Understanding the underlying influences on food choices might help to motivate a shift towards a more sustainable diet in athletes.

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