scholarly journals Risks of Obesity in Adolescence: The Role of Physical Activity in Executive Functions

Obesities ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 101-106
Author(s):  
Fátima Gameiro ◽  
Beatriz Rosa
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Cognitive Flexibility ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Neuropsychological Battery ◽  
Neuropsychological Screening ◽  
Obese Adolescents ◽  
Within Subjects ◽  
Trail Making ◽  
Inhibition Control ◽  
Binge Eating Scale

The aim of this study was to analyze the efficiency of a physical activity program on executive performance in obese adolescents. Fifteen adolescents (5 males and 10 females), with a mean age of 14.73 years and an IMC mean of 36.74 participated in the study. None of the participants presented a compulsive eating disorder when screened by the Binge Eating Scale. A pretest and posttest assessment, twelve months later, was conducted by using a neuropsychological battery that evaluated the cognitive flexibility (Comprehensive Trail Making Test), inhibition control (Stroop Neuropsychological Screening Test and by the Frontal Assessment Battery), and planning (Tower of London). ANOVA of repeated measures was performed. The within-subjects tests demonstrated significant statistical differences between the two moments of evaluation at the level of inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility tasks, with higher performances in the second evaluation. These results suggest that the inclusion of obese adolescents in such programs may promote their executive capacities.

Habit-based workplace physical activity intervention: a pilot study

2019 ◽  
Vol 69 (7) ◽  
pp. 471-474 ◽  
Author(s):  
K Hamilton ◽  
E Fraser ◽  
T Hannan
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Office Workers ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Step Counts ◽  
Within Subjects ◽  
Health And Well Being

Abstract Background Increasing workplace physical activity has important implications for workers’ health and well-being. However, few interventions targeting physical activity in the workplace are grounded in behavioural theory. Aims The aim of this study was to develop and pilot a 6-week habit-based intervention designed to promote the development of workplace physical activity habits and increase average weekly step counts. Changes in the strength of workplace physical activity habit and weekly step counts were assessed at 1 and 6 weeks following the intervention. Methods The study was a prospective three-wave within-subjects single-arm intervention study that ran for 12 weeks (baseline, 7 weeks, 12 weeks). During the 6-week intervention, participants received information regarding 10 top tips (10TT) to increase and promote habit formation and wore a pedometer during work hours. Differences in workplace physical activity habit and weekly step counts were compared across baseline (T1), 1 (T2) and 6 weeks (T3) post-intervention using repeated measures analyses of variance. Results Data from 20 sedentary office workers at a large Australian University were included. The average strength of workplace physical activity habits significantly increased from baseline (M = 3.90) to 1 week post-intervention (M = 4.45), and these effects were maintained 6 weeks later (M = 4.72). No significant increase in step counts were observed across any of the time points (all P > 0.05). Conclusions The results of this pilot study reveal that workplace physical activity habits can be strengthened via a habit-based intervention. Further research is needed to replicate these findings in larger cohorts of office workers.

Effect of physical activity through virtual reality on design creativity

2021 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-115
Author(s):  
Kenton B. Fillingim ◽  
Hannah Shapiro ◽  
Catherine J. Reichling ◽  
Katherine Fu
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Industrial Design ◽  
Peak Performance ◽  
Creative Performance ◽  
Creative Processes ◽  
Design Creativity ◽  
Within Subjects ◽  
Design Students ◽  
Institute Of Technology

AbstractA deeper understanding of creativity and design is essential for the development of tools to improve designers’ creative processes and drive future innovation. The objective of this research is to evaluate the effect of physical activity versus movement in a virtual environment on the creative output of industrial design students. This study contributes a novel assessment of whether the use of virtual reality can produce the same creative output within designers as physical activity has been shown to produce in prior studies. Eighteen industrial design students at the Georgia Institute of Technology completed nine design tasks across three conditions in a within-subjects experimental design. In each condition, participants independently experienced one of three interventions. Solutions were scored for novelty and feasibility, and self-reported mood data was correlated with performance. No significant differences were found in novelty or feasibility of solutions across the conditions. However, there are statistically significant correlations between mood, interventions, and peak performance to be discussed. The results show that participants who experienced movement in virtual reality prior to problem solving performed at an equal or higher level than physical walking for all design tasks and all designer moods. This serves as motivation for continuing to study how VR can provide an impact on a designer's creative output. Hypothesized creative performance with each mode is discussed using trends from four categories of mood, based on the combined mood characteristics of pleasantness (positive/negative) and activation (active/passive).

scholarly journals Annual rhythms in adults’ lifestyle and health (ARIA): protocol for a 12-month longitudinal study examining temporal patterns in weight, activity, diet, and wellbeing in Australian adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel G. Curtis ◽  
Timothy Olds ◽  
François Fraysse ◽  
Dorothea Dumuid ◽  
Gilly A. Hendrie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Intervention Strategy ◽  
Temporal Patterns ◽  
Trial Registration ◽  
Multi Level

Abstract Background Almost one in three Australian adults are now obese, and the rate continues to rise. The causes of obesity are multifaceted and include environmental, cultural and lifestyle factors. Emerging evidence suggests there may be temporal patterns in weight gain related, for example, to season and major festivals such as Christmas, potentially due to changes in diet, daily activity patterns or both. The aim of this study is to track the annual rhythm in body weight, 24 h activity patterns, dietary patterns, and wellbeing in a cohort of Australian adults. In addition, through data linkage with a concurrent children’s cohort study, we aim to examine whether changes in children’s body mass index, activity and diet are related to those of their parents. Methods A community-based sample of 375 parents aged 18 to 65 years old, residing in or near Adelaide, Australia, and who have access to a Bluetooth-enabled mobile device or a computer and home internet, will be recruited. Across a full year, daily activities (minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity, light physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep) will be measured using wrist-worn accelerometry (Fitbit Charge 3). Body weight will be measured daily using Fitbit wifi scales. Self-reported dietary intake (Dietary Questionnaire for Epidemiological Studies V3.2), and psychological wellbeing (WHOQOL-BREF and DASS-21) will be assessed eight times throughout the 12-month period. Annual patterns in weight will be examined using Lowess curves. Associations between changes in weight and changes in activity and diet compositions will be examined using repeated measures multi-level models. The associations between parent’s and children’s weight, activity and diet will be investigated using multi-level models. Discussion Temporal factors, such as day type (weekday or weekend day), cultural celebrations and season, may play a key role in weight gain. The aim is to identify critical opportunities for intervention to assist the prevention of weight gain. Family-based interventions may be an important intervention strategy. Trial registration Australia New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, identifier ACTRN12619001430123. Prospectively registered on 16 October 2019.

Latent Structure of a Brief Clinical Battery of Neuropsychological Tests Administered In-Home Via Telephone

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anastasia Matchanova ◽  
Michelle A Babicz ◽  
Luis D Medina ◽  
Samina Rahman ◽  
Briana Johnson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Executive Functions ◽  
Factor Structure ◽  
Neuropsychological Tests ◽  
Factor Model ◽  
Digit Span ◽  
Neuropsychological Battery ◽  
Memory And Attention ◽  
Sociodemographic Correlates ◽  
List Learning ◽  
Trail Making

Abstract Objective To examine the factor structure and sociodemographic correlates of a battery of clinical neuropsychological tests administered in-home and via telephone. Method Participants included 280 healthy adults who completed a 35–40 min battery consisting of seven auditory-verbal neuropsychological tests (i.e., 10 variables) that included digit span, list learning and memory, prospective memory, verbal fluency, and oral trail making. Results After removing oral trail making part A, a three-factor model comprised of executive functions, memory and attention demonstrated the best fit to the data. Nevertheless, the shared variance between the nine remaining neuropsychological variables was also adequately explained by a single-factor model and a two-factor model comprised of executive functions and memory. Factor scores were variably associated with education, race/ethnicity, and IQ, but not with sex or age. Conclusions Findings provide preliminary support for the feasibility and factor structure and sociodemographic correlates of a brief telephone-based screening neuropsychological battery comprised mostly of commonly administered clinical measures. Future studies are needed to determine the test–retest reliability, sensitivity, and ecological relevance of this battery, as well as equivalency to in-person assessment.

scholarly journals Executive Functions and Domain-Specific Cognitive Skills in Climbers

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 449
Author(s):  
Florian Heilmann
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Cognitive Flexibility ◽  
Cognitive Skills ◽  
Neuropsychological Tests ◽  
Specific Test ◽  
Domain Specific ◽  
Sport Climbing ◽  
Novices And Experts ◽  
General Physical

Athletes in a particular sport have specific cognitive skills acquired due to regular confrontation with sport-specific requirements. Studies show that the particular type of sport carried out and fostered by general physical activity impacts executive functions (EFs) such as inhibition, working memory, and cognitive flexibility. There are inconsistent results on the connections between domain-specific cognitive skills and executive functions. This study aimed to evaluate the relations between EFs and domain-specific cognitive skills in climbing. Due to that, we examined the executive functions (neuropsychological tests) and domain-specific cognitive skills (climbing-specific test: a preview of the route vs. climbed moves; climbed moves vs. recognition of moves) of 19 climbers (10 novices, 9 experts, grades 5 to 6a vs. 6c+ to 7b). The inter-subject effects analysis shows that novices and experts in sport climbing do not differ in executive functions in this particular case. Concerning domain-specific cognitive skills, there are differences between experts and novices. Experts show a significantly higher level in planning performance or route idea (p < 0.001) as well as in memorizing of climbed moves (p = 0.004). There are no relations between executive functions and domain-specific cognitive skills in climbers.

The Effects of the BAILAMOSTM Dance Program on Physical Activity Levels and Cognition of Older Latino Adults: A Pilot Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 089826432110209
Author(s):  
Guilherme M. Balbim ◽  
Susan Aguiñaga ◽  
Olusola A. Ajilore ◽  
Eduardo E. Bustamante ◽  
Kirk I. Erickson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Health Education ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Cognitive Health ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
Global Cognition ◽  
Latino Adults ◽  
And Performance

Objective: To investigate the effects of the BAILAMOSTM dance program on physical activity (PA), cardiorespiratory, and cognitive health. Methods: A parallel, two-armed pilot study was conducted with 57 older Latinos randomized to the BAILAMOSTM dance program ( n = 28) or health education (HE) ( n = 29). We conducted two- and three-way repeated-measures ANOVAs. Results: BAILAMOSTM participants increased participation in leisure moderate-to-vigorous PA (LMVPA) ( F[1,53] = 3.17, p = .048, η2 G = .01) and performance in global cognition relative to HE participants ( F[1,52] = 4.19, p = .045, η2 G = .01). Attendance moderated increases in moderate PA, MVPA, LMVPA, and total PA ( p < .05). Participants of both groups with ≥75% attendance increased participation in PA. Among participants with <75% attendance, BAILAMOSTM participants increased PA relative to HE. Discussion: BAILAMOSTM positively impacted self-reported PA and global cognition in older Latinos. Even smaller doses of dance appear to impact self-reported PA levels.

Location, Location, Location: Accelerometer Placement Affects Steps-Based Physical Activity Outcomes During Pregnancy and Postpartum

2021 ◽  
pp. 155982762110304
Author(s):  
Mallory R. Marshall ◽  
Alexander H. K. Montoye ◽  
Michelle R. Conway ◽  
Rebecca A. Schlaff ◽  
Karin A. Pfeiffer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Time Points ◽  
Repeated Measures Analysis ◽  
Pregnancy And Postpartum ◽  
Vigorous Intensity ◽  
The Right ◽  
Physical Changes ◽  
Intensity Classification ◽  
Measurement Validity

As pregnancy progresses, physical changes may affect physical activity (PA) measurement validity. n = 11 pregnant women (30.1 ± 3.8 years) wore ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometers on the right hip, right ankle, and non-dominant wrist for 3–7 days during the second and third trimesters (21 and 32 weeks, respectively) and 12 weeks postpartum. Data were downloaded into 60-second epochs from which stepping cadence was calculated; repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to determine significant differences among placements. At all time points, the wrist accelerometer measured significantly more daily steps (9930–10 452 steps/d) and faster average stepping cadence (14.5–14.6 steps/min) than either the hip (4972–5944 steps/d, 7.1–8.6 steps/min) or ankle (7161–8205 steps/d, 10.3–11.9 steps/min) placement, while moderate- to vigorous-intensity activity at the wrist (1.2–1.7 min/d) was significantly less than either hip (3.0–5.9 min/d) or ankle (6.1–7.3 min/d). Steps, cadence, and counts were significantly lower for the hip than the ankle at all time points. Kappa calculated for agreement in intensity classification between the various pairwise comparisons ranged from .06 to .41, with Kappa for hip–ankle agreement (.34–.41) significantly higher than for wrist–ankle (.09–.11) or wrist–hip (.06–.16). These data indicate that wrist accelerometer placement during pregnancy likely results in over counting of PA parameters and should be used with caution.

scholarly journals Context matters! sources of variability in weekend physical activity among families: a repeated measures study

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert J. Noonan ◽  
Stuart J. Fairclough ◽  
Zoe R. Knowles ◽  
Lynne M. Boddy
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Repeated Measures

Accelerometry and Self-Report Are Congruent for Children’s Moderate-to-Vigorous and Higher Intensity Physical Activity

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Claudio R. Nigg ◽  
Xanna Burg ◽  
Barbara Lohse ◽  
Leslie Cunningham-Sabo
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Fourth Grade ◽  
Assessment Method ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Upper Elementary ◽  
Upper Elementary School ◽  
Intensity Physical Activity

Purpose: This study used different analytic approaches to compare physical activity (PA) metrics from accelerometers (ACC) and a self-report questionnaire in upper elementary youth participating in the Fuel for Fun intervention. Methods: The PA questionnaire and ACC were assessed at baseline/preintervention (fall fourth grade), Follow-up 1/postintervention (spring fourth grade), and Follow-up 2 (fall fifth grade) of 564 fourth grade students from three elementary schools (50% females, 78% White, and 28% overweight or obese). Different analytic approaches identified similarities and differences between the two methods. Results: On average, self-report was higher than ACC for vigorous PA (range = 9–15 min/day), but lower than ACC for moderate PA (range = 24–30 min/day), light PA (range = 30–36 min/day), and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA; range = 9–21 min/day). Spearman’s correlations for vigorous PA (.30, .26, and .32); moderate PA (.12, .13, and .14); and MVPA (.25, .25, and .24) were significant at each time point (all ps ≤ .01), whereas correlations for light PA were not significant (.06, .04, and .07; all ps > .05). In repeated-measures analyses, ACC and questionnaire measures were significantly different from each other across the three time points; however, change difference of the two measures over time was only 5.5 MVPA min/day. Conclusions: The PA questionnaire and ACC validated each other and can be used to assess MVPA in upper elementary school children in a similar population to the current study. However, each assessment method captures unique information, especially for light-intensity PA. Multiple PA measurement methods are recommended to be used in research and application to provide a more comprehensive understanding of children’s activity.

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