scholarly journals Green Space and Physical Activity in China: A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (23) ◽  
pp. 13368
Author(s):  
Jing Shen ◽  
Jian Cui ◽  
Mengfei Li ◽  
Caitlin Vitosky Clarke ◽  
Yuanyuan Gao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Green Space ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Active Commuting ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Electronic Bibliographic Database ◽  
Study Designs

Green space may play an essential role in residents’ physical activity (PA), but evidence remains scattered in China. This study systematically reviewed scientific evidence regarding the influence of green space on PA among residents in China. Keyword and reference searches were conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, EBSCO, and CNKI from the inception of an electronic bibliographic database to May 2021. Eligibility criteria included the following: study designs—observational (e.g., longitudinal or cross-sectional studies) and experimental studies; study subjects—people of all ages; exposures—green space (e.g., parks, vegetation areas, open green fields); outcomes—leisure-time and work/school-related PA (e.g., active commuting); and country—China. All but two studies identified at least one measure of green space to be associated with PA. Street greenness was associated with increased odds of active commuting (e.g., cycling) and walking, and a reduced risk of physical inactivity. Access to green space was associated with increased PA levels and green space usage. Distance to green space was inversely associated with the odds of PA. By contrast, evidence linking overall greenness exposure to PA remains limited. Future studies adopting experimental study design are warranted to establish more robust scientific evidence of causality between green space and PA in China. Future studies are also warranted to examine the underlining mechanisms and the differential impacts of green space on population subgroups in China.

scholarly journals Exercise as a Therapeutic and Supporting Strategy for Climacteric Symptoms: an Evidence-Based Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-38
Author(s):  
Rodrigo Gomes Pereira Pinto ◽  
David Michel de Oliveira ◽  
Anderson Geremias Macedo ◽  
Giselle Soares Passos
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Physical Exercise ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Health Improvement ◽  
Climacteric Symptoms ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Cross Sectional

AbstractClimacteric is a natural process characterized by the female hormones reduction and increased symptoms that interfere in the woman's quality of life. The objective was to raise scientific evidence on the physical exercise effects as a therapeutic strategy on climacteric symptoms. This systematic review study accessed the Virtual Health Library (VHL) and consulted articles from the last 10 years, with the following eligibility criteria; inclusion, scientific articles published in the last 10 years, with clinical, quasi-experimental, cross-sectional design and case studies conducted with women in the climacteric. Articles published before 2010 with delineations were excluded; epidemiological, systematic review, meta-analyzes, experimental studies with animal model. The studies included in the review were read in full, critically analyzed and categorized. The findings showed that active women have a reduction in vasomotor and somatic symptoms of the climacteric, also collaborating in the prevention of diseases prevalent in this period. Aerobic physical exercise improves physical fitness and quality of life indicators of climacteric women. In clinical practice, aerobic exercise can be considered an auxiliary strategy in the climacteric symptoms treatment and female health improvement. Keywords: Climacteric. Health. Physical Exercise. ResumoO climatério é um processo natural caracterizado pela redução dos hormônios femininos e aumento de sintomas que interferem na qualidade de vida da mulher. Objetivou-se levantar evidências científicas sobre os efeitos do exercício físico como estratégia terapêutica na sintomatologia climatérica. Este estudo de revisão sistemática acessou a Biblioteca Virtual de Saúde (BVS) e consultou artigo dos últimos 10 anos, com os seguintes critérios de elegibilidade; inclusão, artigos científicos com delineamento clínico, quase-experimental, transversal e estudos de caso realizados com mulheres no climatério. Foram excluídos artigos publicados anterior a 2010, com delineamentos; epidemiológico, revisão sistemática, metanálises, estudos experimentais com modelo animal. Os estudos incluídos na revisão foram lidos na integra, analisados criticamente e categorizados. Os achados demonstraram que mulheres ativas apresentam redução dos sintomas vasomotores e somáticos do climatério, também colabora na prevenção de doenças prevalentes nesse período. O exercício físico aeróbio melhora a aptidão física e indicadores de qualidade de vida de mulheres climatéricas. Na prática clínica o exercício aeróbio pode ser considerado uma estratégia auxiliar no tratamento dos sintomas do climatério e melhora da saúde feminina. Palavras-chave: Climatério. Saúde. Exercício Físico.

scholarly journals How does academic achievement relate to cardiorespiratory fitness, self-reported physical activity and objectively reported physical activity: a systematic review in children and adolescents aged 6–18 years

2017 ◽  
Vol 52 (16) ◽  
pp. 1039-1039 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adilson Marques ◽  
Diana A Santos ◽  
Charles H Hillman ◽  
Luís B Sardinha
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Academic Achievement ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Cardiorespiratory Fitness ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Explanatory Variables ◽  
The Relationship

ObjectiveThis report aimed to systematically review the evidence for a differential association between objective and self-reported physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness on academic achievement.DesignSystematic review.Data sourcesStudies were identified from searches in Embase, Education Resources Information Center, PubMed, PsycINFO, SPORTdiscus and Web of Science databases from January 2000 to December 2016.Eligibility criteria for selecting studiesEligibility criteria included cross-sectional, longitudinal and interventional study designs. Outcomes included students’ school grade or a standardised test or measure of academic achievement. Explanatory variables were cardiorespiratory fitness and objective and self-reported physical activity. Inclusion criteria included school-aged children and adolescents aged–18 years (or students from primary to secondary school when student’s participants age was not described) and articles published in English, Portuguese or Spanish.ResultsA total of 51 articles met inclusion criteria: 41 cross-sectional, 2 intervention and 8 longitudinal studies. Results from 11 studies were inconsistent regarding the relationship between objectively measured physical activity and academic achievement. Ten of the 16 articles reported positive associations between self-reported physical activity and academic achievement. From the 22 studies that analysed the relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness and academic achievement, it was verified that they all generally support the beneficial effect of cardiorespiratory fitness on students’ academic achievement.ConclusionHigher cardiorespiratory fitness may be important to enhance children and adolescents’ health and, additionally, academic achievement. Due to a lack of consensus across studies, methodological issues associated with the assessment of physical activity should be considered when investigating physical activity and academic achievement.

scholarly journals Associations between Nature Exposure and Health: A Review of the Evidence

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 4790
Author(s):  
Marcia P. Jimenez ◽  
Nicole V. DeVille ◽  
Elise G. Elliott ◽  
Jessica E. Schiff ◽  
Grete E. Wilt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Observational Studies ◽  
Green Space ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Empirical Literature ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Long Term Effects

There is extensive empirical literature on the association between exposure to nature and health. In this narrative review, we discuss the strength of evidence from recent (i.e., the last decade) experimental and observational studies on nature exposure and health, highlighting research on children and youth where possible. We found evidence for associations between nature exposure and improved cognitive function, brain activity, blood pressure, mental health, physical activity, and sleep. Results from experimental studies provide evidence of protective effects of exposure to natural environments on mental health outcomes and cognitive function. Cross-sectional observational studies provide evidence of positive associations between nature exposure and increased levels of physical activity and decreased risk of cardiovascular disease, and longitudinal observational studies are beginning to assess long-term effects of nature exposure on depression, anxiety, cognitive function, and chronic disease. Limitations of current knowledge include inconsistent measures of exposure to nature, the impacts of the type and quality of green space, and health effects of duration and frequency of exposure. Future directions include incorporation of more rigorous study designs, investigation of the underlying mechanisms of the association between green space and health, advancement of exposure assessment, and evaluation of sensitive periods in the early life-course.

scholarly journals THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT INFLUENCED THE INCIDENCE OF FALLS IN OLDER ADULTS LIVING IN THE UNDERSERVED COMMUNITY

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S292-S292
Author(s):  
Rie Suzuki ◽  
Jennifer Blackwood ◽  
Shailee Shah ◽  
Sabah Ganai ◽  
Kimberly Warden
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Built Environment ◽  
Walking Distance ◽  
Health Clinic ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Past ◽  
Underserved Community

Abstract The built environment is commonly cited as a facilitator to local walking. Although health promotion programs targeting physical activity are available, few studies have investigated the associations of the perceived neighborhoods with the incidence of falls in the minority communities. Hence, the purpose of this preliminary study was to understand whether the perceived built environment influenced the fall experiences in older adults living in the underserved community. The preliminary cross-sectional survey was conducted at the regional health clinic in Flint, MI. Descriptive statistics and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were performed using SAS v8.4. The eligibility criteria included over 65 years old and Flint residents. Of 132 participants, the mean age was 69.75 (SD=5.00). The majority were female (68%), African Americans (80%), single, divorced or widowed (80%), and > GED (84%). The ANOVAs supported that “had fallen in the past year” was associated with “stores are within easy walking distance,” “easy to walk to a transit stop” and “there is a dirt strip that separates the streets from the sidewalks.” The fall experience was more likely to associate with the sedentary lifestyle and the comorbidities such as diabetes, fatigues, muscle spasms, and chronic pain. To summarize, the built environment increased the incidence of falls in the past year. Those who had fallen had poor health conditions. Further studies are needed for older adults to engage in physical activity. It is essential to develop the age-friendly support systems and accommodations to local walking in this community.

scholarly journals Like Mother, like Son: Physical Activity, Commuting, and Associated Demographic Factors

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (14) ◽  
pp. 5631 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline Brand ◽  
Cézane Priscila Reuter ◽  
Arieli Fernandes Dias ◽  
Jorge Mota ◽  
Michael Duncan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Skin Color ◽  
Demographic Factors ◽  
Active Commuting ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Living Area

A mother’s healthy conduct may lead to the healthy conduct of their children. Thus, this study aimed to verify the role of demographic factors in the relationship between mothers’ physical activity (PA) and commuting to work with children and adolescent’s PA and commuting to school. This cross-sectional study comprised 1421 children and adolescents aged 6 to 17 years and 1421 mothers, from Brazil. PA, commuting, socioeconomic status (SES), skin color/ethnicity, and living area were evaluated by questionnaire. Logistic binary regression models were used. Results indicated that mothers’ PA and commuting were associated with children and adolescent’s PA and commuting to school in crude and adjusted models. Considering the role of the demographic factors, an association was only observed for girls in the relationship between mother’s PA with children’s PA. In adolescents, an association was observed in both high/low SES, boys/girls, and rural/urban areas. Regarding children and adolescent active commuting to school, there was an association with mothers commuting. All demographic factors were strongly associated, except for rural areas. Therefore, mothers’ PA as well as commuting to work are associated with children and adolescent’s PA and commuting to school. Sex, living area, and SES are the related demographic factors.

scholarly journals DISTANCE TO FITNESS ZONE, USE OF FACILITIES AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN ADULTS

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 157-161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alice Tatiane da Silva ◽  
Rogério César Fermino ◽  
Adalberto Aparecido dos Santos Lopes ◽  
Claudia Oliveira Alberico ◽  
Rodrigo Siqueira Reis
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Day Length ◽  
Inverse Association ◽  
Active Commuting ◽  
Open Spaces ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Physically Active

ABSTRACT Introduction: The characteristics of the built environment are important predictors of physically active behavior. In this regard, the presence, availability, access to and quality of public open spaces for physical activity close to home are positively associated with their use and higher levels of physical activity in the population. Objective: To analyze the association between distance from home to outdoor fitness zones with the use of these facilities and physical activity in adults from Curitiba, Brazil. Methods: Cross-sectional study conducted with 328 users of 20 outdoor fitness zones. Distance was calculated with the Geographic Information System (GIS) using the street network in ArcGIS 10.1 and classified in tertiles (≤854 meters; 855-1741 meters; ≥1742 meters). To assess the use of the facilities, three attributes were considered: weekly frequency (times/week), length of stay (minutes/day) and length of use (months). The leisure module of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) assessed physical activity, and travel to the destination was classified as "passive" or "active". The association was tested using Poisson regression in STATA 12.0. Results: An inverse association was found between the upper tertile of distance from home to the outdoor fitness zones and active commuting (PR: 0.70; 95% CI: 0.51-0.97), and ≥31 min/day length of stay (PR: 0.49; 95% CI: 0.31-0.76). Conclusion: Reducing distances and increasing the number of facilities may increase physical activity through active commuting and length of stay at outdoor fitness zones.

The Influence of Distance to School on the Associations Between Active Commuting and Physical Activity

2011 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 72-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenna Panter ◽  
Andrew Jones ◽  
Esther Van Sluijs ◽  
Simon Griffin
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Young People ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Active Commuting ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Environmental Determinants ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Active Commuting To School ◽  
Walking To School

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine the associations between active commuting behavior, levels of physical activity and distance to school in 9–10 year old children. Participants were children (n = 1824) who took part in the SPEEDY study (Sport, Physical activity and Eating behavior: Environmental Determinants in Young people). For both boys and girls, significant positive associations were observed between walking to school and physical activity and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity during weekday journey times (8–9am and 3–4pm), and the size of association also became stronger with increasing distance from school. Promotion of active commuting to school might be an important way to increase levels of physical activity in school children.

scholarly journals Associations between Park and Playground Availability and Proximity and Children’s Physical Activity and Body Mass Index: The BEACH Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 250
Author(s):  
Javier Molina-García ◽  
Cristina Menescardi ◽  
Isaac Estevan ◽  
Ana Queralt
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Body Mass Index ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Weight Status ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
Active Commuting ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Parent Questionnaire

A cross-sectional study was designed to evaluate the relationship between the availability and proximity to parks and playgrounds and physical activity (PA). Moreover, the accessibility to parks and playgrounds and its association with active commuting to/from school (ACS) and body mass index (BMI) were analyzed. The sample was composed of children aged 6–12 years old from the BEACH (Built Environment and Active CHildren) study in Valencia, Spain. The availability and proximity to parks and playgrounds were calculated at different buffer sizes (250, 500, 1000 and 1250 m) using geographical information system data. PA out of school was assessed using accelerometers. Sociodemographics and ACS were measured with a parent questionnaire. Objectively measured weight and height were used to calculate BMI. Mixed linear regression analyses were conducted for each exposure variable, adjusting for sociodemographics, neighborhood walkability level, and participant clustering. The number of parks and playgrounds were positively associated with moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) and total PA (TPA); including light PA and MVPA, during weekdays, in different buffer sizes. A negative relationship between distance to the nearest playground and TPA during weekdays was found. In addition, the number of playgrounds was positively related to ACS in different buffer sizes, whereas park land area was negatively related to the BMI percentile. This study highlights the importance of assessing the availability and proximity to parks and playgrounds in children’s neighborhoods when PA behavior and weight status are analyzed. Study findings may help policymakers when targeting interventions to promote health-enhancing behaviors in children.

scholarly journals Green Space Quality and Health: A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (21) ◽  
pp. 11028
Author(s):  
Phi-Yen Nguyen ◽  
Thomas Astell-Burt ◽  
Hania Rahimi-Ardabili ◽  
Xiaoqi Feng
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Cohort Studies ◽  
Green Space ◽  
Health Benefits ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Tree Canopy ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Wide Range

(1) Background: As cities densify, researcher and policy focus is intensifying on which green space types and qualities are important for health. We conducted a systematic review to examine whether particular green space types and qualities have been shown to provide health benefits and if so, which specific types and qualities, and which health outcomes. (2) Methods: We searched five databases from inception up to June 30, 2021. We included all studies examining a wide range of green space characteristics on various health outcomes. (3) Results: 68 articles from 59 studies were found, with a high degree of heterogeneity in study designs, definitions of quality and outcomes. Most studies were cross-sectional, ecological or cohort studies. Environment types, vegetation types, and the size and connectivity of green spaces were associated with improved health outcomes, though with contingencies by age and gender. Health benefits were more consistently observed in areas with greater tree canopy, but not grassland. The main outcomes with evidence of health benefits included allergic respiratory conditions, cardiovascular conditions and psychological wellbeing. Both objectively and subjectively measured qualities demonstrated associations with health outcomes. (4) Conclusion: Experimental studies and longitudinal cohort studies will strengthen current evidence. Evidence was lacking for needs-specific or culturally-appropriate amenities and soundscape characteristics. Qualities that need more in-depth investigation include indices that account for forms, patterns, and networks of objectively and subjectively measured green space qualities.

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