Physical Activity Levels and Related Energy Expenditure during COVID-19 Quarantine among the Sicilian Active Population: A Cross-Sectional Online Survey Study

Background: During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the Italian government has adopted containment measures to control the virus’s spread, including limitations to the practice of physical activity (PA). The aim of this study was to estimate the levels of PA, expressed as energy expenditure (MET–minute/week), among the physically active Sicilian population before and during the last seven days of the COVID-19 quarantine. Furthermore, the relation between this parameter and specific demographic and anthropometric variables was analyzed. Methods: 802 Sicilian physically active participants (mean age: 32.27 ± 12.81 years; BMI: 23.44 ± 3.33 kg/m2) were included in the study and grouped based on gender, age and BMI. An adapted version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire—short form (IPAQ-SF) was administered to the participants through an online survey. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test and the Kruskal-Wallis rank-sum test were used for statistical analyses. Results: As expected, we observed a significant decrease of the total weekly energy expenditure during the COVID-19 quarantine (p < 0.001). A significant variation in the MET–min/wk in the before quarantine condition (p = 0.046) and in the difference between before and during quarantine (p = 0.009) was found for males and females. The male group decreased the PA level more than the female one. Moreover, a significant difference in the MET–min/wk was found among groups distributions of BMI (p < 0.001, during quarantine) and of age (p < 0.001, both before and during quarantine). In particular, the highest and the lowest levels of PA were reported by the young and the elderly, respectively, both before and during quarantine. Finally, the overweight group showed the lowest level of PA during quarantine. Conclusion: Based on our outcomes, we can determine that the current quarantine has negatively affected the practice of PA, with greater impacts among males and overweight subjects. In regards to different age groups, the young, young adults and adults were more affected than senior adults and the elderly.

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Association Between Physical Activity and Post menopausal Symptoms in Saudi Women: A Cross-sectional Study

Iranian Rehabilitation Journal ◽

10.32598/irj.19.2.1237.1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 (2) ◽

pp. 157-164

Author(s):

Muneera Almurdi ◽

◽

Syamala Buragadda ◽

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Short Form ◽

Study Groups ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Menopausal Symptoms ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Physically Active ◽

Menopausal Women ◽

Significant Difference

Objectives: Menopause is the termination of a woman’s menstrual cycle for a year. In this condition, women’s health status declines due to hormonal changes and aging. Physical Activity (PA) is among the best available alternatives for managing menopause-related symptoms without any adverse effects. This study aimed to assess the relationship between PA and symptoms, such as fatigue, depression, and insomnia in Saudi menopausal women. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 60 menopausal women; they were divided into physically active and inactive groups. The group allocation was conducted based on their PA level determined by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short-Form (IPAQ-SF). Menopausal symptoms, such as fatigue, depression, and insomnia were assessed using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), respectively, in the study groups. The association between PA and fatigue, depression, and insomnia was assessed using the Pearson correlation coefficient. The significance level was set at P≤0.05. Results: Fatigue, depression, and insomnia were more prevalent in physically inactive post-menopause women than the active women. A significant difference was observed in the outcome variables between the study groups. Furthermore, a significant association was detected between PA and fatigue, depression, and insomnia in the study participants. Discussion: Half of the explored menopausal women were physically active. Physically active menopausal women presented less fatigue, depression, and insomnia, compared to their inactive counterparts. This study suggested that PA positively impacted menopausal symptoms (fatigue, insomnia, & depression). Besides, the collected results highlighted the importance of physical activity among menopausal women.

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Epidemiological Study on the Dose–Effect Association between Physical Activity Volume and Body Composition of the Elderly in China

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17176365 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (17) ◽

pp. 6365

Author(s):

Xiao Hou ◽

Zheng-Yan Tang ◽

Yu Liu ◽

Yu-Jie Liu ◽

Jing-Min Liu

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Body Composition ◽

Short Form ◽

The Elderly ◽

The Body ◽

Dose Effect ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Old Adults ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The One

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate Chinese old adults’ different body compositions in response to various levels of physical activity (PA). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate the dose–response relationship between PA and body composition in old adults. Methods: 2664 participants older than 60 years (males: n = 984, females: n = 1680) were recruited for this cross-sectional health survey. PA was assessed by the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and the body composition was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) instruments. The differences of separate body composition indices (lean body mass, LBM; bone mass, BM; and fat mass, FM) of older participants with different PA levels (below PA recommendation and over PA recommendation) were examined using the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). To compare the differences of three body composition indices with six different multiples of PA recommendation (0–1 REC, 1–2 REC, 2–4 REC, 4–6 REC, >6 REC), the one-way ANOVA and Turkey’s test was used for the post hoc analysis to identify the upper PA-benefit threshold in different indices of body composition. Results: The LBM and BM are significantly higher and the FM are significantly lower in old adults performing more PA volume than the WHO recommendation, compared with individuals performing less PA volume than the WHO recommendation. There were significant increases in LBM for males in “1–2 REC”, “2–4 REC”, and “>6 REC” groups, compared with the “0–1 REC” group; and there were significant increases in BM for males in “1–2 REC”, “2–4 REC”, compared with the “0–1 REC” group. The best PA volume for LBM and BM in females was the PA volume of “2–4 REC”. Additionally, whether males or females, there was no significant difference in FM between the “0–1 REC” group and other separate groups. Conclusion: The PA volume that causes best benefit for body composition of the elderly occurs at 1 to 2 times the recommended minimum PA for males, while it occurs at 2 to 4 times that recommended for females. No additional harms for old adults’ body composition occurs at six or more times the recommended minimum PA.

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The Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic Movement Restrictions on Self-Reported Physical Activity and Health in New Zealand: A Cross-Sectional Survey

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18041719 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (4) ◽

pp. 1719

Author(s):

Rebecca M. Meiring ◽

Silmara Gusso ◽

Eloise McCullough ◽

Lynley Bradnam

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Physical Activity ◽

New Zealand ◽

Online Survey ◽

Short Form ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Physically Active ◽

Positive Effect

This study describes self-reported physical activity (PA), motivation to exercise, physical and mental health and feelings towards PA during the March-May 2020 COVID-19 lockdown in New Zealand. Adults over the age of 18 years (n = 238; 80.2% female) completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), the Behavioural Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire 3, the Short Form-36 and open-ended questions about PA through an anonymous online survey. Regular exercise was undertaken by 85% of respondents prior to lockdown, but only 49.8% were able to maintain their usual level of PA. Although respondents were considered sufficiently physically active from the IPAQ, 51.5% reported not being able to maintain their usual level of PA primarily due to the closure of their gym facilities. Sixty percent of respondents reported that PA had a positive effect on their overall wellbeing. When asked to specify which aspects of wellbeing were affected, the effect on mental health was reported the most while the effect on body image or fitness was reported the least. Strategies to increase or maintain engagement in physical activity during lockdowns should be encouraged to promote positive mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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The Mediating Role of Orthorexia in the Relationship between Physical Activity and Fear of COVID-19 among University Students in Poland

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10215061 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (21) ◽

pp. 5061

Author(s):

Cezary Kuśnierz ◽

Aleksandra Maria Rogowska ◽

Aleksandra Kwaśnicka ◽

Dominika Ochnik

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

University Students ◽

Online Survey ◽

Mediating Effect ◽

Survey Study ◽

Categorical Variables ◽

Continuous Variables ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Physically Active ◽

The Relationship

Previous research showed that the COVID-19 pandemic has a significant impact on the wellbeing and lifestyle of populations worldwide, including eating and physical activity (PA) patterns. The present study aims to examine the mediating effect of orthorexia on the relationship between PA and fear of COVID-19. A sample of 473 university students from Poland of a mean age of 22 years (M = 22.04, SD = 2.90, 47% of women) participated in the cross-sectional online survey study. Continuous variables were measured using the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) and the Test of Orthorexia Nervosa (TON-17), while categorical variables divided participants into the physically active and inactive group regarding WHO criteria (150 min per week). Weak gender differences were found. Active people showed lower fear of COVID-19 and higher orthorexia scores than those inactive. Orthorexia was found as a suppressor variable, which increases the negative predictive value of PA on fear of COVID-19. The model of cooperative suppression explained 7% of FCV-19S. The mechanism of mediation showed that health-related behavior could help reduce fear of COVID-19, but caution is necessary for people with addictive behavior tendencies. Universities should support university students by offering programs focused on increasing healthy lifestyles and improving wellbeing.

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Comparative physical activity as a global question to assess physical activity among university students

BMC Sports Science Medicine and Rehabilitation ◽

10.1186/s13102-021-00247-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Katharina Diehl ◽

Alessia Brassat ◽

Jennifer Hilger-Kolb

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

University Students ◽

Online Survey ◽

Group Level ◽

Comparative Measurement ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Physically Active ◽

Comparative Optimism ◽

Individual Assessment ◽

The Individual

Abstract Background To assess physical activity (PA), a comparative measurement – evaluating one’s own PA compared to others – may be an appropriate method. In previous studies, the use of comparative measurements led to an effect known as unrealistic comparative optimism (UCO) – people being unrealistically optimistic about their behavior. Our aim was to use this comparative measurement in university students to quantify the prevalence of UCO at the group level and to draw conclusions on its validity. Methods We used data from the Nutrition and Physical Activity in Adolescence Study (NuPhA), a cross-sectional online survey that included only self-reports (n = 689). To assess PA among students, they were asked to rate their PA level compared to that of their same-aged fellow students. In addition, we used the Godin-Shephard leisure-time PA questionnaire and other questions on PA for comparisons. We used bivariate and cluster-based analyses to identify potential UCO. Results We found that UCO at the group level led to an uneven distribution, with a higher proportion of students who rated themselves as being more physically active than average. However, the individual assessment of PA with a single and simple comparative question seemed to be valid. Discussion A global single comparative question seems useful for studies where PA is measured as a covariate in university students.

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Relationship Between Sedentary Behavior and the Incidence of Constipation During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Jurnal Ilmu Keperawatan (Journal of Nursing Science) ◽

10.21776/ub.jik.2021.009.02.10 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 219-228

Author(s):

Elvira Sari Dewi ◽

◽

Bella Cendie Asteria ◽

Yulian Wiji Utami

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Sedentary Behavior ◽

International Physical Activity Questionnaire ◽

Short Form ◽

Rank Test ◽

Exclusion Criteria ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Spearman Rank ◽

The Relationship ◽

Activity Questionnaire

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused changes in a variety of sectors, including education. Changes in online learning methods during the COVID-19 pandemic can increase the risk of sedentary behavior in students. Sedentary behavior is one of the factors related to constipation. This study aims to determine the relationship between sedentary behavior and the incidence of constipation during the COVID-19 pandemic in students at Universitas Brawijaya. This research is correlation research with a cross-sectional approach. Sampling used total sampling with a sample of 87 students according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Sedentary behavior was measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire – Short Form (IPAQ-SF) and the incidence of constipation was measured using the Constipation Scoring System (CSS). The correlation between sedentary behavior and the incidence of constipation was statistically analyzed using the Spearman Rank test with alpha=0.05. The results show that As many as 82.8% of students at Universitas Brawijaya have sedentary behavior and 17.2% are constipated. There was a correlation between sedentary behavior and the incidence of constipation (p=0.020; r=+0,249). In conclusion, there is a relationship between sedentary behavior and the incidence of constipation during the COVID-19 pandemic in students at Universitas Brawijaya.

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COVID-19 lockdown impact on physical activity and anxiety levels among physiotherapy practitioners, teaching faculty and students in Mumbai: a cross-sectional web-based e-survey study

International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health ◽

10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20211765 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (5) ◽

pp. 2406

Author(s):

Farzan Kamdin ◽

Kruti Khemani ◽

Annamma Varghese

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Short Form ◽

Significant Proportion ◽

Mental Wellbeing ◽

Survey Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Web Based ◽

Teaching Faculty ◽

Anxiety Levels ◽

Physiotherapy Students

Background: Coronavirus (COVID-19) has spread rapidly throughout the world leading to an emergency global pandemic. Among the varied affected sections of the population and healthcare, physiotherapy is no exception. To what extent, both the physical activity and anxiety levels have been affected amongst the physiotherapy practitioners, teaching faculty and students is not completely known. Hence, this study was undertaken.Methods: Among a potential 400 participants, 357 responded (response rate=89.25%). Cross-sectional web based open e-survey was sent using google forms via emails and social media platforms such as Whatsapp, facebook, instagram and linkedin messenger. The primary outcome measures were international physical activity questionnaire-short form (IPAQ-SF) for self-reported physical activity and general anxiety disorder (GAD-7) questionnaire for measuring self-reported anxiety.Results: Out of the 357 participants, 40 were inactive (<600 METs/week), 175 were minimally active (600-3000 METs/week) and 142 were health enhancing physically active (>3000 METs/week). The GAD-7 score showed a significant proportion of participants (74%) to have mild to moderate anxiety and only 26% had moderately severe to severe anxiety. Physiotherapy students were found to do least amount of physical activity in a week (mean METs/week of 2590) and were also more anxious with an average GAD-7 score of 7.7. Practicing physiotherapists and teachers had better scores of 3285 and 3028 METs/week and also better mean GAD-7 scores at 6.4 and 5.3, respectively.Conclusions: The lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the physical activity levels and mental wellbeing of physiotherapy students more than the physiotherapy practitioners and teaching faculty.

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Exploring the Health-Promoting Potential of the “parkrun” Phenomenon: What Factors are Associated With Higher Levels of Participation?

American Journal of Health Promotion ◽

10.1177/0890117118770106 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 33 (1) ◽

pp. 13-23 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Verity Cleland ◽

Meredith Nash ◽

Melanie J. Sharman ◽

Suzi Claflin

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Environmental Factors ◽

Regression Models ◽

Online Survey ◽

Multivariate Analyses ◽

Health Gain ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Physically Active ◽

Health Promoting ◽

Intentions To Participate

Purpose: “ parkrun” is a free and increasingly popular weekly 5-km walk/run international community event, representing a novel setting for physical activity (PA) promotion. However, little is known about who participates or why. This study aimed to identify sociodemographic, health, behavioral, individual, social, and environmental factors associated with higher levels of participation. Design: Cross-sectional. Setting: Tasmania, Australia; June 2016. Participants: Three hundred seventy two adult parkrun participants. Measures: Online survey measuring sociodemographic, health, individual, social and environmental factors, parkrun participation, and PA. Analysis: Descriptive statistics, zero-truncated Poisson regression models. Results: Respondents (n = 371) were more commonly women (58%), aged 35 to 53 years (54%), and occasional or nonwalkers/runners (53%) at registration. A total of 44% had overweight/obesity. Half had non-adult children, most spoke English at home, and 7% reported PA-limiting illness/injury/disability. Average run/walk time was 30.2 ± 7.4 minutes. Compared to regular walkers/runners at registration, nonwalkers/runners were less commonly partnered, more commonly had overweight/obesity, less physically active, and had poorer self-rated health. Multivariate analyses revealed relative parkrun participation was inversely associated with education level and positively associated with interstate parkrun participation, perceived social benefits, self-efficacy for parkrun, and intentions to participate. Conclusion: parkrun attracts nonwalkers/runners and population groups hard to engage in physical activity. Individual- and social-level factors were associated with higher relative parkrun participation. parkrun’s scalability, accessibility, and wide appeal confers a research imperative to investigate its potential for public health gain.

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Social Jetlag Among Night Workers is Negatively Associated with the Frequency of Moderate or Vigorous Physical Activity and with Energy Expenditure Related to Physical Activity

Journal of Biological Rhythms ◽

10.1177/0748730416682110 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 32 (1) ◽

pp. 83-93 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Mariana Silva Alves ◽

Raphael Zardini Andrade ◽

Graciele Cristina Silva ◽

Maria Carliana Mota ◽

Sabrina Gonçalves Resende ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Energy Expenditure ◽

Short Form ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Night Shift ◽

Absolute Difference ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Shift Workers ◽

Negatively Associated ◽

Social Jetlag

This cross-sectional study analyzed the association between physical activity (PA) and social jetlag (SJL) among shift workers. We evaluated 423 employees, aged between 18 and 60 years, who worked in a poultry-processing company in Brazil. Physical activity levels (PAL) were determined by the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-SF). SJL was calculated as the absolute difference between the time of mid-sleep on work and free days. The percentage of workers insufficiently active was high on all shifts, with no significant differences between the 3 shifts. The amount of time spent in sedentary behavior on workdays did not differ between shifts. Among night-shift workers, negative associations were observed between SJL and 1) the duration and weekly energy expenditure while walking; 2) the frequency of moderate and vigorous PA; and 3) the total energy expenditure related to PA. Even though PAL did not differ among workers on different shifts, we found a high prevalence of subjects who were insufficiently active or too sedentary among all groups. Also, SJL was negatively associated with PA in night-shift workers. These results suggest that PA should be encouraged among shift workers and that SJL may be an important factor in reducing PA in this cohort.

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Physical Activity Levels and Mood State during COVID-19 Quarantine among the Kermanshah Population: A Cross-Sectional Online Survey Study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-397992/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Mohammad Azizi ◽

Alireza Aghababa ◽

Rastegar Hoseini ◽

Hadi Rohani ◽

Maghsoud Nabilpoor

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Physical Activity Level ◽

Mood State ◽

Short Form ◽

Regular Physical Activity ◽

Activity Level ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Physical Activity Levels

Abstract Background One of the most important consequences of COVID-19 pandemic is anxiety and stress in the general population that can be reduced by regular physical activity. The aim of this study was to estimate the physical activity levels and mood state during covid-19 quarantine among the Kermanshah population. Methods In this cross-sectional study, using the purposeful random sampling method, a total of 2471 subjects ((male (n = 1256) and female (n = 1215)) were selected. To assess the physical activity level from physical activity questionnaire short form (IPAQ-SF) and mood state was measured by the abbreviated form of the Iranian version of the standard POMS questionnaire (Bill Morgan 1979). The descriptive statistic method (mean, standard deviation, and percent), deductive (Chi- square and Spearman's correlation) were used for analyzing the data. Results The results showed that a significant difference was observed between the number of sessions (P = 0.001), intensity (P = 0.001), and duration of exercise (P = 0.001) before and during coronavirus. There are significant positive relationships between low (r = 0.93; P = 0.001) and high (r = 0.673; P = 0.034) levels of physical activity and negative mood state, and a positive relationship between moderate physical activity level (r = 0.82; P = 0.001) and positive mood state. Conclusions It could be determined that the current quarantine has negatively affected the mood state. In general, to prevent COVID-19, regular physical activity is recommended under the health and safety protocols.

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