scholarly journals A Pandemic within the Pandemic? Physical Activity Levels Substantially Decreased in Countries Affected by COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 2235
Author(s):  
Jan Wilke ◽  
Lisa Mohr ◽  
Adam S. Tenforde ◽  
Pascal Edouard ◽  
Chiara Fossati ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
World Health ◽  
Sports Facilities ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Total N ◽  
Key Stakeholders ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Activity Questionnaire

Governments have restricted public life during the COVID-19 pandemic, inter alia closing sports facilities and gyms. As regular exercise is essential for health, this study examined the effect of pandemic-related confinements on physical activity (PA) levels. A multinational survey was performed in 14 countries. Times spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) as well as in vigorous physical activity only (VPA) were assessed using the Nordic Physical Activity Questionnaire (short form). Data were obtained for leisure and occupational PA pre- and during restrictions. Compliance with PA guidelines was calculated based on the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO). In total, n = 13,503 respondents (39 ± 15 years, 59% females) were surveyed. Compared to pre-restrictions, overall self-reported PA declined by 41% (MVPA) and 42.2% (VPA). Reductions were higher for occupational vs. leisure time, young and old vs. middle-aged persons, previously more active vs. less active individuals, but similar between men and women. Compared to pre-pandemic, compliance with WHO guidelines decreased from 80.9% (95% CI: 80.3–81.7) to 62.5% (95% CI: 61.6–63.3). Results suggest PA levels have substantially decreased globally during the COVID-19 pandemic. Key stakeholders should consider strategies to mitigate loss in PA in order to preserve health during the pandemic.

scholarly journals The active living gender’s gap challenge: 2013–2017 Eurobarometers physical inactivity data show constant higher prevalence in women with no progress towards global reduction goals

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
X. Mayo ◽  
G. Liguori ◽  
E. Iglesias-Soler ◽  
R. J. Copeland ◽  
I. Clavel San Emeterio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Inactivity ◽  
International Physical Activity Questionnaire ◽  
World Health ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Global Reduction ◽  
Activity Questionnaire ◽  
The Eu

Abstract Background The World Health Organization (WHO) considers physical inactivity (PIA) as a critical noncommunicable factor for disease and mortality, affecting more women than men. In 2013, the WHO set a 10% reduction of the PIA prevalence, with the goal to be reached by 2025. Changes in the 2013–2017 period of physical inactivity prevalence in the 28 European Union (EU) countries were evaluated to track the progress in achieving WHO 2025 target. Methods In 2013 and 2017 EU Special Eurobarometers, the physical activity levels reported by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire of 53,607 adults were analyzed. Data were considered as a whole sample and country-by-country. A χ2 test was used to analyze the physical inactivity prevalence (%) between countries, analyzing women and men together and separately. Additionally, PIA prevalence was analyzed between years (2013–2017) for the overall EU sample and within-country using a Z-Score for two population proportions. Results The PIA prevalence increased between 2013 and 2017 for the overall EU sample (p <  0.001), and for women (p = 0.04) and men (p < 0.001) separately. Data showed a higher PIA prevalence in women versus men during both years (p <  0.001). When separately considering changes in PIA by gender, only Belgium’s women and Luxembourg’s men showed a reduction in PIA prevalence. Increases in PIA prevalence over time were observed in women from Austria, Croatia, Germany, Lithuania, Malta, Portugal, Romania, and Slovakia and in men from Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, and Spain. Conclusions PIA prevalence showed an overall increase across the EU and for both women and men between 2013 and 2017, with higher rates of PIA reported for women versus men during both years. PIA prevalence was reduced in only Belgium’s women and Luxembourg’s men. Our data indicate a limited gender-sensible approach while tacking PIA prevalence with no progress reaching global voluntary reductions of PIA for 2025.

scholarly journals Immediate Impact of the COVID-19 Confinement on Physical Activity Levels in Spanish Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (14) ◽  
pp. 5708 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rubén López-Bueno ◽  
Joaquín Calatayud ◽  
Lars L. Andersen ◽  
Carlos Balsalobre-Fernández ◽  
José Casaña ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Spanish Population ◽  
World Health ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Paired Samples ◽  
Chi Squared ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
University Degree

Enacted measures to control the spread of COVID-19 disease such as compulsory confinement may influence health behaviors. The present study investigated changes in physical activity (PA) levels during the first days of confinement. Using an online survey, the Spanish population (n = 2042, 54% women, age 35.9 (SD 13.6) years) replied to questions concerning sociodemographic characteristics as well as PA behavior before and during the first week of enacted isolation. Physical activity vital sign (PAVS) short form was used to estimate weekly minutes of PA before and during the isolation period. Statistical analysis used the following tests: Mc Nemar Chi-squared tests, independent and paired samples t-test, and effect size (Cohen’s d). During the first week of confinement, participants reduced their weekly PA levels by 20% (~45.2 weekly minutes (95% CI: 37.4−53.0)). This led to a decrease from 60.6% to 48.9% (difference: 11.7%) (p < 0.0001) in the number of participants meeting the recommended World Health Organization (WHO) PA levels. Subgroups including men, participants aged 43 or over, and those not holding a university degree had the greatest reductions in both weekly minutes of PA and adherence to guidelines. The PA levels of the Spanish population generally declined during the first days of COVID-19 confinement.

scholarly journals Social and Educational Sustainability of the Physical Education of Romanian Students and the Impact on Their Physical Activity Level

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (21) ◽  
pp. 9231
Author(s):  
Florin Valentin Leuciuc ◽  
Petru Ghervan ◽  
Ileana Monica Popovici ◽  
Florian Benedek ◽  
Andreea Gabriela Lazar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Education ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Personal Data ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
World Health ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Educational Sustainability

Nowadays, a descending trend concerning physical activity levels among youth has been recorded, as well as differences between males and females; more than half recorded a low level of the physical activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the social and educational sustainability of physical education and to determine the level of physical activity by using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) short form for Romanian undergraduate and graduate students. In our study, we included students and applied the IPAQ short form anonymously. They gave their consent to use these personal data only for scientific purposes. Overall, two thirds of the subjects (according to the IPAQ scoring protocol) and more than half (according to the World Health Organization recommendation for physical activity) consider themselves to be active. The present study showed that there is a prevalence of insufficient physical activity among Romanian University students (around 40%). The situation seems to be better than in other countries, but in self-evaluation, many people tend to overestimate their potential. To avoid this aspect and gain some objectivity, it is better to use a gadget in order to measure the level of their physical activity.

scholarly journals Effects of Body Mass Index on Bone Loading Due to Physical Activity

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-13
Author(s):  
Tina Smith ◽  
Sue Reeves ◽  
Lewis G. Halsey ◽  
Jörg Huber ◽  
Jin Luo
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
International Physical Activity Questionnaire ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Moderate Activity ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Accelerometer Data ◽  
Light Activity ◽  
Bone Loading ◽  
Activity Questionnaire

The aim of the current study was to compare bone loading due to physical activity between lean, and overweight and obese individuals. Fifteen participants (lower BMI group: BMI < 25 kg/m2, n = 7; higher BMI group: 25 kg/m2 < BMI < 36.35 kg/m2, n = 8) wore a tri-axial accelerometer on 1 day to collect data for the calculation of bone loading. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (short form) was used to measure time spent at different physical activity levels. Daily step counts were measured using a pedometer. Differences between groups were compared using independent t-tests. Accelerometer data revealed greater loading dose at the hip in lower BMI participants at a frequency band of 0.1–2 Hz (P = .039, Cohen’s d = 1.27) and 2–4 Hz (P = .044, d = 1.24). Lower BMI participants also had a significantly greater step count (P = .023, d = 1.55). This corroborated with loading intensity (d ≥ 0.93) and questionnaire (d = 0.79) effect sizes to indicate higher BMI participants tended to spend more time in very light activity, and less time in light and moderate activity. Overall, participants with a lower BMI exhibited greater bone loading due to physical activity; participants with a higher BMI may benefit from more light and moderate level activity to maintain bone health.

scholarly journals Aprendo Moviéndome: programa de descansos activos para educación primaria

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 107-135
Author(s):  
Virtudes Peláez-Flor ◽  
Alejandro Prieto-Ayuso
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Primary Education ◽  
World Health ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Sedentary Behaviors ◽  
Royal Decree ◽  
Warm Up ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Educación Primaria ◽  
Active Breaks

El ámbito educativo es uno de los pilares fundamentales a través del cual el sedentarismo puede ser combatido. En este sentido, la asignatura de Educación Física es considerada como pieza clave para aumentar los niveles de actividad física en los alumnos. Sin embargo, debido a que las propias clases de Educación Física resultan insuficientes para aumentar los niveles de actividad física recomendados por la Organización Mundial de la Salud, surgen los descansos activos, cuyo objetivo principal es reducir las conductas sedentarias y la obesidad en los alumnos, por medio de AF estructurada en las aulas. Así pues, el objetivo principal del presente trabajo es presentar un programa de descansos activos para Educación Primaria, titulado Aprendo Moviéndome. Con este programa, se pretende ofrecer un nuevo recurso al profesorado de Educación Primaria a través del cual poder aplicar breves sesiones de actividad física con los alumnos para poder lograr beneficios como la mejora de salud, la atención, el comportamiento o el rendimiento académico, entre otros. El programa Aprendo Moviéndome está compuesto por ocho sesiones de descansos activos de una duración de entre 10 y 12 minutos, diseñados para trabajar en clase o en el patio del colegio durante el horario lectivo por el maestro. Las sesiones han sido diseñadas para trabajar contenidos curriculares pertenecientes al Real Decreto 126/2014 de Educación Primaria. Cada descanso activo está dividido en tres partes: calentamiento, desarrollo y vuelta a la calma. Como prospectiva de investigación se recomienda la aplicación del programa a un contexto real, con el propósito de conocer fortalezas y debilidades del mismo. The educational context is one of the fundamental pillars through which sedentary lifestyle can be reduced. In that sense, Physical Education is considered a key element to increase physical activity levels in children. However, due to the fact that only the PE subject is insufficient to increase the PA levels recommended by the World Health Organization, active breaks emerged. The main objective of active breaks is to reduce sedentary behaviors and obesity in students, through structured physical activity in classrooms. Thus, the main objective of this work is to present an active break program for Primary Education, entitled Aprendo Moviéndome. With this program, it is intended to offer a new resource to primary teachers through which they can apply short physical activity sessions with students, with the purpose to achieve benefits related to health, attention, behavior or academic performance, among others. The Aprendo Moviéndome program is made up of eight sessions between ten and 12 minutes. It has been designed to be conducted in class or in the schoolyard during school hours by the teacher. The sessions have been designed to work on curricular content belonging to Royal Decree 126/2014 of Primary Education. Each session is divided into three parts: warm-up, development, and cool down. As prospective investigation, the application of the program to a real context is recommended, with the purpose of knowing its strengths and weaknesses.

Measurement of attention based on physical activity levels of secondary school students

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 474-480
Author(s):  
Nimet Haşıl Korkmaz ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Young People ◽  
International Physical Activity Questionnaire ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
School Students ◽  
Physical Activity Questionnaire ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
Concentration Test ◽  
Activity Questionnaire

The goal of this study is to investigate whether or not the attention level of middle school students’ changes depends on their physical activity. Fourty middle-school students who have been taking education in Yalova province joined the study as a volunteer. Fifty percent of the participants are male and the others are female. The experimental and the control groups have been formed and each of these groups consisted of 10 male and 10 female students. International physical activity questionnaire short form and Burdon concentration test were used as the information gathering instruments. To compare the experimental groups with the control groups, a T-test was used for independent groups. To compare one to another participant in each group, also T-test was used for dependent groups. Using the international physical activity questionnaire short form, preliminary and final tests were applied to each participant. According to the results of the questionnaire, weekly MET values of each participant were calculated. At the beginning of the study, the Burdon concentration test applied to each participant. Our study has finished in eight weeks. The physical activity levels of the control group were kept constant and no information was given. Twenty pieces of Xiaomi-mi-band-3 smart bracelets were supplied to the experimental group and they were informed about the features of these devices. At the end of 8 weeks period, the international physical activity questionnaire short form and Burdon concentration test were applied to each participant again. According to the physical activity levels of the control group, no significant difference has been found between the results of the Burdon concentration test (p > 0.05). But according to the physical activity levels of the experimental group, a significant difference has been found between the results of the Burdon concentration test (p < 0.05). As a result, it has been observed that an increase in levels of physical activity provides an increase in concentration. In conclusion, it is seen that many students and young people have low levels of physical activity due to both lifestyle and virtual world dependence. Although there are many factors, the decrease in physical activity causes low levels of attention. The better the attention levels of our students and young people, the more successful they will be in their lives. Our study and most of the mentioned studies reveal that attention is a developable skill and a situational factor that is open to influence. Therefore, attention development in children who are directed to recreational activities should be emphasized, especially during periods of rapid physical growth. If we want our students and young people to be more successful, they should be encouraged and supported more about physical activity.

Concurrent Validity Between Electronically Administered Physical Activity Questionnaires and Objectively Measured Physical Activity in Danish Community-Dwelling Older Adults

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Rasmus T. Larsen ◽  
Christoffer B. Korfitsen ◽  
Carsten B. Juhl ◽  
Henning Boje Andersen ◽  
Henning Langberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Concurrent Validity ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
World Health ◽  
Moderate Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Activity Questionnaire ◽  
Objectively Measured ◽  
Activity Questionnaire

Aim: To investigate the concurrent validity of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-short form (IPAQ-SF) and the Nordic Physical Activity Questionnaire-short (NPAQ-short) when compared with objectively measured daily steps among older adults. Methods: Spearman’s ρ between IPAQ-SF and NPAQ-short and objectively measured steps using Garmin Vivofit 3 physical activity monitors. Results: A total of 54 participants were included. The IPAQ-SF subscales’ moderate physical activity (PA), moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA), and sedentary time showed little or no correlation with daily steps. The NPAQ-short subscales’ vigorous PA, moderate PA, and MVPA showed little or no correlation. The IPAQ-SF subscales’ vigorous PA and walking showed fair correlation. Only the IPAQ-SF metabolic equivalent of task minutes showed moderate to good correlation with daily steps. The IPAQ-SF categories and NPAQ-short categorization of World Health Organization compliance were significantly different, but the magnitudes were small and distributions indicated problems with the categorization. Conclusion: The concurrent validity is low, as the scores did not reflect objectively measured daily steps.

Questionnaire-Based Prevalence of Physical Activity Level on Adults According to Different International Guidelines: Impact on Surveillance and Policies

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. 1014-1021
Author(s):  
Edgard Melo Keene von Koenig Soares ◽  
Guilherme E. Molina ◽  
Daniel Saint Martin ◽  
João Luís A. E. Sadat P. Leitão ◽  
Keila E. Fontana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
World Health Organization ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
World Health ◽  
Prevalence Estimates ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
State 1 ◽  
Weekly Frequency

Background: The World Health Organization recommends 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity (PA) throughout the week. However, the weekly frequency of PA and how to combine moderate and vigorous PA to define who reaches the recommended PA are controversial. PA level might be highly different based on the recommendation and/or the criteria employed. Methods: Demographic data and PA level evaluated by International Physical Activity Questionnaire from 3 random and representative samples from 1 state, 1 city, and 1 local organization in Brazil were analyzed (n = 2961). Nine criteria from different recommendations were used to define PA level. Prevalence estimates and 95% confidence intervals of sufficient PA were calculated for each criterion and compared with the referent (World Health Organization guideline). Total agreement, sensitivity, and specificity were also calculated with 95% confidence interval. Results: When a weekly frequency of PA was required, the prevalence of sufficient PA decreased by 11% (P < .05). For all criteria, doubling the vigorous PA minutes was similar to simply adding them to moderate PA. These findings are consistent regardless of sex, age, and educational level. Conclusion: Prevalence estimates and agreement between different PA recommendations were significantly affected when a minimum frequency was required but did not change when vigorous PA minutes were doubled.

scholarly journals Criterion validity of The International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF) for use in clinical practice in patients with osteoarthritis

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenth Louis Joseph ◽  
Hanne Dagfinrud ◽  
Anne Christie ◽  
Kåre Birger Hagen ◽  
Anne Therese Tveter
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
International Physical Activity Questionnaire ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Criterion Validity ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Physical Activity Questionnaire ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
Physical Activity Recommendations ◽  
Activity Questionnaire ◽  
Activity Recommendations

Abstract Background To tailor physical activity treatment programs for patients with osteoarthritis, clinicians need valid and feasible measurement tools to evaluate habitual physical activity. The widely used International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF) is not previously validated in patients with osteoarthritis. Purpose To assess the concurrent criterion validity of the IPAQ-SF in patients with osteoarthritis, using an accelerometer as a criterion-method. Method Patients with osteoarthritis (n = 115) were recruited at The Division of Rheumatology and Research at Diakonhjemmet Hospital (Oslo, Norway). Physical activity was measured by patients wearing an accelerometer (ActiGraph wGT3X-BT) for seven consecutive days, followed by reporting their physical activity for the past 7 days using the IPAQ-SF. Comparison of proportions that fulfilled physical activity recommendations as measured by the two methods were tested by Pearson Chi-Square analysis. Differences in physical activity levels between the IPAQ-SF and the accelerometer were analyzed with Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test and Spearman rank correlation test. Bland-Altman plots were used to visualize the concurrent criterion validity for total- and intensity-specific physical activity levels. Results In total, 93 patients provided complete physical activity data, mean (SD) age was 65 (8.7) years, 87% were women. According to the IPAQ-SF, 57% of the patients fulfilled the minimum physical activity recommendations compared to 31% according to the accelerometer (p = 0.043). When comparing the IPAQ-SF to the accelerometer we found significant under-reporting of total physical activity MET-minutes (p = < 0.001), sitting (p = < 0.001) and walking (p < 0.001), and significant over-reporting of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (p < 0.001). For the different physical activity levels, correlations between the IPAQ-SF and the accelerometer ranged from rho 0.106 to 0.462. The Bland-Altman plots indicated an increased divergence between the two methods with increasing time spent on moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity. Conclusion Physical activity is a core treatment of osteoarthritis. Our finding that patients tend to over-report activity of higher intensity and under-report low-intensity activity and sitting-time is of clinical importance. We conclude that the concurrent criterion validity of the IPAQ-SF was weak in patients with osteoarthritis.

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