The Impact of Isolation Measures Due to COVID-19 on Energy Intake and Physical Activity Levels in Australian University Students

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic resulted in physical isolation measures in many parts of the world. In Australia, nationwide restrictions included staying at home, unless seeking medical care, providing care, purchasing food, undertaking exercise, or attending work in an essential service. All undergraduate university classes transitioned to online, mostly home-based learning. We, therefore, examined the effect of isolation measures during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia (March/April) on diet (24-h recall) and physical activity (Active Australia Survey) patterns in third-year biomedical students. Findings were compared with students enrolled in the same course in the previous two years. In females, but not males, energy intake was ~20% greater during the pandemic, and snacking frequency and energy density of consumed snacks also increased compared with 2018 and 2019. Physical activity was impacted for both sexes during the pandemic with ~30% fewer students achieving “sufficient” levels of activity, defined by at least 150 min over at least five sessions, compared with the previous two years. In a follow-up study six to eight weeks later (14–18% response rate), during gradual easing of nationwide restrictions albeit continued gym closures and online learning, higher energy intake in females and reduced physical activity levels in both sexes persisted. These data demonstrate the health impacts of isolation measures, with the potential to affect long-term diet and activity behaviours.

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The impact of isolation measures due to COVID-19 on energy intake and physical activity levels in Australian university students

10.1101/2020.05.10.20076414 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Linda A Gallo ◽

Tania F Gallo ◽

Sophia L Young ◽

Karen M Moritz ◽

Lisa K Akison

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Energy Intake ◽

Activity Patterns ◽

Mental Wellbeing ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Home Based ◽

Level Of Activity ◽

Walking Activity ◽

Reduced Physical Activity ◽

The Impact

Background: The pandemic inflicted by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) resulted in physical isolation measures in many parts of the world. In Australia, nationwide restrictions included staying at home, unless seeking medical care, providing care, purchasing food, undertaking exercise, or attending work in an essential service. All undergraduate university classes transitioned to online, mostly home-based learning. This disruption to daily life may have consequences for eating and physical activity patterns. Methods: In this observational study, we examined the effect of isolation measures, during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia (March/April), on diet (24-hour diet recall, ASA-24) and physical activity (Active Australia Survey) patterns among third-year biomedical students in Brisbane, Australia. Findings were compared to students enrolled in the same course in the previous two years. Results: In females, energy intake was ~20% greater in 2020 compared with 2018 and 2019, and the frequency of snacking and energy density of consumed snacks were also increased. In males, there was no difference in energy intake or snacking behaviour. Physical activity was impacted for both sexes, whereby fewer students undertook any walking activity and, of those that did, time spent doing so was less compared with 2018 and 2019. The proportion of students reporting any vigorous activity was not different for males or females but, among males who participated in this level of activity, the duration was less in 2020 compared with previous years. The proportion of male and female students achieving sufficient levels of activity, defined by at least 150 mins over at least 5 sessions, was ~30% less in 2020. Indeed, the majority of students reported as having undertaken less physical activity than usual. Conclusions: Increased energy intake for females and reduced physical activity for males and females demonstrate impacts of isolation measures that may have deleterious consequences for physical and mental wellbeing, with the potential to affect long-term nutrition and activity patterns.

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Effect of Statewide Lockdown in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic on Physical Activity Levels of Hemodialysis Patients

Blood Purification ◽

10.1159/000514935 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Maggie Han ◽

Priscila Preciado ◽

Ohnmar Thwin ◽

Xia Tao ◽

Leticia M. Tapia-Silva ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

New York ◽

New York City ◽

New York State ◽

Hemodialysis Patients ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Physical Activity Levels ◽

National Emergency ◽

The Impact

Background/Objectives: On March 22, 2020, a statewide stay-at-home order for nonessential tasks was implemented in New York State. We aimed to determine the impact of the lockdown on physical activity levels (PAL) in hemodialysis patients. Methods: Starting in May 2018, we are conducting an observational study with a 1-year follow-up on PAL in patients from 4 hemodialysis clinics in New York City. Patients active in the study as of March 22, 2020, were included. PAL was defined by steps taken per day measured by a wrist-based monitoring device (Fitbit Charge 2). Average steps/day were calculated for January 1 to February 13, 2020, and then weekly from February 14 to June 30. Results: 42 patients were included. Their mean age was 55 years, 79% were males, and 69% were African Americans. Between January 1 and February 13, 2020, patients took on average 5,963 (95% CI 4,909–7,017) steps/day. In the week prior to the mandated lockdown, when a national emergency was declared, and in the week of the shutdown, the average number of daily steps had decreased by 868 steps/day (95% CI 213–1,722) and 1,222 steps/day (95% CI 668–2300), respectively. Six patients were diagnosed with COVID-19 during the study period. Five of them exhibited significantly higher PAL in the 2 weeks prior to showing COVID-19 symptoms compared to COVID-19 negative patients. Conclusion: Lockdown measures were associated with a significant decrease in PAL in hemodialysis patients. Patients who contracted COVID-19 had higher PAL during the incubation period. Methods to increase PAL while allowing for social distancing should be explored and implemented.

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Does Cardiac Rehabilitation After an Acute Cardiac Syndrome Lead to Changes in Physical Activity Habits? Systematic Review

Physical Therapy ◽

10.2522/ptj.20130509 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 95 (2) ◽

pp. 167-179 ◽

Cited By ~ 31

Author(s):

Nienke ter Hoeve ◽

Bionka M.A. Huisstede ◽

Henk J. Stam ◽

Ron T. van Domburg ◽

Madoka Sunamura ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Randomized Clinical Trials ◽

Evidence Synthesis ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Long Term Effects ◽

Short Term ◽

Home Based ◽

Best Evidence Synthesis ◽

Physical Activity Levels

BackgroundOptimal physical activity levels have health benefits for patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and are an important goal of cardiac rehabilitation (CR).PurposeThe purpose of this study was to systematically review literature regarding short-term effects (<6 months after completion of CR) and long-term effects (≥6 months after completion) of standard CR on physical activity levels in patients with ACS.Data SourcesPubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, and PEDro were systematically searched for relevant randomized clinical trials (RCTs) published from 1990 until 2012.Study SelectionRandomized clinical trials investigating CR for patients with ACS reporting physical activity level were reviewed.Data ExtractionTwo reviewers independently selected articles, extracted data, and assessed methodological quality. Results were summarized with a best evidence synthesis. Results were categorized as: (1) center-based/home-based CR versus no intervention, (2) comparison of different durations of CR, and (3) comparison of 2 types of CR.Data SynthesisA total of 26 RCTs were included. Compared with no intervention, there was, at most, conflicting evidence for center-based CR and moderate evidence for home-based CR for short-term effectiveness. Limited evidence and no evidence were found for long-term maintenance for center-based and home-based CR, respectively. When directly compared with center-based CR, moderate evidence showed that home-based CR has better long-term effects. There was no clear evidence that increasing training volume, extending duration of CR, or adding an extra intervention to CR is more effective.LimitationsBecause of the variety of CR interventions in the included RCTs and the variety of outcome measures in the included RCTs, pooling of data was not possible. Therefore, a best evidence synthesis was used.ConclusionsIt would appear that center-based CR is not sufficient to improve and maintain physical activity habits. Home-based programs might be more successful, but the literature on these programs is limited. More research on finding successful interventions to improve activity habits is needed.

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THE SHORT- AND LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF A 24-MONTH HOME-BASED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PROGRAM ON PHYSICAL ACTIVITY LEVELS AND BODY COMPOSITION OF OLDER ADULTS AT RISK OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE: THE AIBL ACTIVE TRIAL

Alzheimer s & Dementia ◽

10.1016/j.jalz.2017.07.305 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 13 (7) ◽

pp. P895

Author(s):

Kay L. Cox ◽

Elizabeth V. Cyarto ◽

Kathryn A. Ellis ◽

David Ames ◽

Patricia Desmond ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Body Composition ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Long Term Effects ◽

Activity Program ◽

Home Based ◽

Physical Activity Levels ◽

Short And Long Term

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The Impact of Scholastic Factors on Physical Activity Levels during the COVID-19 Lockdown: A Prospective Study on Adolescents from Bosnia and Herzegovina

Children ◽

10.3390/children8100877 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (10) ◽

pp. 877

Author(s):

Damir Sekulic ◽

Daria Ostojic ◽

Andrew Decelis ◽

‪José Castro-Piñero ◽

Tatjana Jezdimirovic ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Grade Point Average ◽

Bosnia And Herzegovina ◽

Sport Participation ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Grade Point ◽

Physical Activity Levels ◽

A Prospective Study ◽

The Impact

Scholastic factors (academic achievement) are hypothesized to be important determinants of health-related behaviors in adolescents, but there is a lack of knowledge on their influence on physical activity levels (PAL), especially considering the COVID-19 pandemic and the imposed lockdown. This study aimed to investigate the associations between scholastic factors and PAL before and during the pandemic lockdown. The participants were adolescents form Bosnia and Herzegovina (n = 525, 46% females), who were observed prospectively at the baseline (before the pandemic lockdown) and during the lockdown in 2020 (follow-up). The scholastic factors (grade point average, behavioral grade, school absences, unexcused absences) were evidenced at the baseline (predictors). The outcome (PAL) was evaluated using the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents at the baseline and the follow-up. Gender, age, parental/familial conflict, and sport participation were observed as confounders. No significant influence of the predictors on PAL were evidenced at the baseline or at the follow-up. The scholastic variables were significantly associated with the changes of PAL which occurred due to pandemic lockdown, with a lower risk for negative changes in PAL among adolescents who were better in school (OR = 0.56, 95%CI: 0.34–0.81, and OR = 0.66, 95%CI: 0.34–0.97, for the grade point average and behavioral grade, respectively). Students who do well in school are probably more aware of the health benefits of proper PAL, and therefore are devoted to the maintenance of their PAL even during the home-confinement of lockdown. Public health authorities should focus more on helping adolescents to understand the importance and benefits of proper PAL throughout the school system.

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P069 Results of an online survey exploring the effects of shielding during the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA)

Rheumatology ◽

10.1093/rheumatology/keab247.067 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 60 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

Meena Naja ◽

Raj Amarnani ◽

Madhura Castelino

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Online Survey ◽

Joint Stiffness ◽

Poor Sleep ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Physical Activity Levels ◽

Reduced Physical Activity ◽

Age Range ◽

Exercise Classes ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background/Aims The COVID-19 pandemic has created many challenges for patients with chronic rheumatological diseases. SpA - which includes ankylosing spondylitis (AS), axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and enteropathic arthritis - often affects young people who are otherwise fit and able. Many SpA patients take immunosuppressive medications and therefore were advised to shield. In view of this, we conducted a survey to better understand how shielding has affected the physical activity and symptoms of SpA patients during the pandemic. Methods An online anonymised survey was created and advertised via social media from 4th June to 4th July 2020. Patients with SpA were invited to complete the survey which included 18 questions exploring the impact of the pandemic on their symptoms, physical activity levels and medication use. Results There were 136 survey respondents, of whom 74.3% were female, with an age range from under 25 to over 75 years. The underlying diagnoses were PsA (60.5%), AS (28.4%), axSpA (10.5%) and enteropathic arthritis (0.8%). The majority (66.7%) of respondents were shielding; 44.1% were on disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (csDMARDs) and 56.6% were on biologics (bDMARDs). Most (94.1%) had continued their DMARDs throughout the shielding period. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use was reported to be increased in 18.6% of respondents, and unchanged in 69.0%. Compared to before the pandemic, 54.8% reported worsening joint stiffness and 45.6% reported worsening joint pain. Most respondents (67.6%) reported reduced levels of physical activity, the commonest reasons being: shielding (54.6%); increased fatigue (45.8%); concerns around social distancing (45.4%); poor sleep quality (38.6%); working from home (28.6%) and low mood (28.6%). Only 14.7% had attended a virtual exercise class. Conclusion Approximately 2 in 3 patients with SpA reported they were shielding during the first wave of the pandemic. Similar numbers of patients reported reduced physical activity levels and increased joint stiffness over this time. It is important to acknowledge that given the nature of the anonymised survey, we cannot be certain if the same patients who were shielding were the same as those who had reduced levels of physical activity or worsening symptoms. We have, however, shown that over half of the surveyed patients attributed their reduced physical activity levels to shielding. Taking into account that social restrictions (either self-imposed or government advised) are likely to be ongoing, we believe that a focus should be placed on supporting patients to maintain their activity levels, through initiatives such as specialist virtual exercise classes. Disclosure M. Naja: None. R. Amarnani: None. M. Castelino: None.

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Effect of Inpatient and Outpatient Pneumonia on Mobility Disability, Gait Speed, and Physical Activity in Older Adults

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10061236 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (6) ◽

pp. 1236

Author(s):

Joshua Brown ◽

Reiko Sato ◽

John E. Morley

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Gait Speed ◽

Fold Increase ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Short Term ◽

Life Study ◽

Physical Activity Levels

Pathophysiological changes caused by pneumonia may influence physical functioning in older adults. This study was a secondary analysis of the Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders (LIFE) Study. The LIFE Study included 1635 individuals over an average follow-up of 2.6 years at eight clinical sites during 2010–2013. Adults ≥ 70 years-old with mobility limitations (Short Physical Performance Battery score ≤ 9) were randomized to a physical activity (exercise) intervention or health education control arm. This analysis evaluated the association between pneumonia events and major mobility disability (MMD), gait speed, and physical activity levels. Pneumonia events, classified as inpatient or outpatient, were assessed by self-report during longitudinal follow-up. MMD was measured by the inability to complete a 400-m walk test, or other proxies, as a binary outcome and separately analyzed as “short-term” and “long-term” MMD. Short-term MMD was defined as MMD occurring in the assessment period immediately following (between 1-day to 6-months after) a pneumonia event and long-term was in the following assessment period (6 to 12 months after the event). Short- and long-term gait speed was similarly recorded during the walk test in meters per second (m/s) and measured on a linear scale. Physical activity levels were captured via accelerometry and shown visually. Mixed-effects repeated measures regression adjusted for intervention assignment, baseline demographics, comorbid conditions, and frailty. Among the 1635 participants, n = 174 (10.7%) had a pneumonia event of which 80 (46% of events) were hospitalized. Those with pneumonia during follow-up had higher baseline medication use, prior hospitalizations, and higher prevalence of lung disorders but similar baseline functioning. Pneumonia hospitalization was associated with a 4-fold increase [OR = 4.1 (3.2–5.0)] and outpatient events were associated with a 2-fold increase [OR = 2.6 (2.1–3.1)] in the odds of short-term MMD. Pneumonia hospitalizations, but not outpatient events, were associated with a nearly 10% decrement in short-term gait speed. Pneumonia events were not associated with either long-term MMD or gait speed outcomes. Physical activity levels decreased from baseline immediately following the pneumonia episode (10–30% reductions) and returned to baseline after 6 months. These results emphasize the importance of managing pneumonia risk factors to prevent disease in order to maintain physical independence and activity in older adults.

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Integrating Motivational Interviewing into Clinical Care to Increase Physical Activity Levels in Women with Gestational Diabetes

10.21203/rs.3.rs-61688/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Ralph Smith ◽

Ashley Ridout ◽

Angus Livingstone ◽

N. Wango ◽

Yvonne Kenworthy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Glycaemic Control ◽

Gestational Diabetes ◽

Motivational Interviewing ◽

Clinical Pathway ◽

Moderate Intensity ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Physical Activity Levels ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background: Regular physical activity (PA) improves glycaemic control in women diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes (GDM). However, PA advice competes with other components of care, with many women forgoing the benefits of regular PA. Motivational interviewing (MI) is an effective technique for increasing individual PA levels. A clinical pathway was developed integrating MI on PA into the routine care. This report evaluates the impact of MIs on self-reported PA levels.Methods: Women attending a single centre NHS GDM clinic were invited to engage in an individual PA-focused MI session, delivered by a trained midwife. This included goal setting and activity planning. All women had a confirmed diagnosis of GDM based on a 75g oral glucose tolerance test using the International association of diabetes and pregnancy study group diagnostic thresholds. A modified version of the exercise vital sign was used to evaluate self-reported aerobic PA levels at baseline and two-week telephone follow-up. PA levels were coded into three categories: i) red (<30mins moderate intensity PA (MIPA)/week), ii) amber (30-150mins MIPA/week) and iii) green (150mins MIPA/week). Women with contraindications to PA were excluded. The main outcome was the difference PA levels from baseline to two weeks. The Pearson’s Chi-squared test was used to evaluate statistical difference in self-reported PA levels from baseline to follow-up.Results: Complete follow-up data was obtained from 62 women. Mean gestation was 27+5/40 weeks (9-36+4/40), mean age 31.7y (21-43y) and mean BMI 29.9kg/m2 (18.3-48.2 kg/m2). At baseline, 19 (30.6%) were coded red (<30mins MIPA/week); 26 (41.9%) amber (30-150mins MIPA/week); and 17 (27.4%) green (150mins MIPA/week). Self-reported physical activity levels of these women at two-week follow-up revealed only 3 (4.8%) women coded red, 24 (38.7%) amber and 35 (56.5%) green. This demonstrates a significant association for increased PA levels after MI at two-week follow-up (p=0.0001).Conclusion: This new clinical pathway provides encouraging results, showing that self-reported PA increased significantly at two-week follow-up. Further work is now required to examine the impact on glycaemic control, maternal and fetal outcomes, and maintenance of PA levels. This model of care should be integrated into other high-risk patient groups.

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