Factors Associated with Changes in the Objectively Measured Physical Activity among Japanese Adults: A Longitudinal and Dynamic Panel Data Analysis

Background: Factors of dynamic changes associated with changes in the objectively measured physical activity have not been well understood. We aimed to 1) evaluate the longitudinal change in the physical activity trajectory associated with age according to sex and to 2) determine the dynamic changes factors associated with the change in physical activity-related variables across a wide age range among Japanese adults.Methods: This longitudinal prospective study included 689 Japanese adults (3914 measurements) aged 26–85 years, whose physical activity data in at least two surveys were available. Physical activity-related variables, such as intensity (inactive, light [LPA; 1.5 to 2.9 metabolic equivalents (METs)], moderate to vigorous [MVPA; ≥3.0 METs]), total energy expenditure (TEE), physical activity level (PAL), and step count, were evaluated using a validated triaxial accelerometer. The inactive times were calculated by subtracting the sum of sedentary (<1.5 METs) and non-wearing periods from 1440 minutes. Statistical analysis involved the latent growth curve models and random-effect panel data multivariate regression analysis. The covariates for multivariate analysis included the age, sex, region, body mass index, waist/hip ratio, comorbidity score, smoking status, alcohol intake, energy intake, diet quality score, hemoglobin, heart rate, hand grips, leg power, and trunk flexibility.Results: During a mean follow-up period of 6.8 years, physical activity was assessed 5.1 times in men and 5.9 times in women on average. The profiles for the inactive time, LPA (only men), MVPA, step count, PAL, and TEE showed clear curvature, indicating an accelerated rate of change around the age of 70. In contrast, other variables exhibited minimal or no curvature over the age span. The MVPA trajectory was positively associated with alcohol consumption, hand grips, leg power, and trunk flexibility, and negatively associated with age, local area, BMI, comorbidity score, and heart rate over time.Conclusions: Our results indicated that the physical activity trajectory showed clear curvature, accelerated rate of change around the age of 70, and determined physical health and fitness and BMI as dynamic changes factors associated physical activity changes. These findings may be useful to help support populations to achieve and maintain the recommended level of physical activity.

Turtling the salamander: tail movements mitigate need for kinematic limb changes during walking in tiger salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum) with restricted lateral movement

Lateral undulation and trunk flexibility offer performance benefits to maneuverability, stability, and stride length (via speed and distance traveled). These benefits make them key characteristics of the locomotion of tetrapods with sprawling posture, with the exception of turtles. Despite their bony carapace preventing lateral undulations, turtles are able to improve their locomotor performance by increasing stride length via greater limb protraction. The goal of this study was to quantify the effect of reduced lateral flexibility in a generalized sprawling tetrapod, the tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum). We had two potential predictions: (1) either salamanders completely compensate by changing their limb kinematics, or (2) their performance (i.e., speed) will suffer due to the reduced lateral flexibility. This reduction was performed by artificially limiting trunk flexibility by attaching a 2-piece shell around the body between the pectoral and pelvic girdles. Adult tiger salamanders (n = 3, SVL = 9 cm-14.5 cm) walked on a 1 m trackway under three different conditions: unrestricted, flexible shell (Tygon tubing), and rigid shell (PVC tubing). Trials were filmed in a single, dorsal view, and kinematics of entire midline and specific body regions (head, trunk, tail), as well as the fore and hindlimbs, were calculated. Tygon individuals had significantly higher curvature than both PVC and unrestricted individuals for the body, but this trend was primarily driven by changes in tail movements. PVC individuals had significantly lower curvature in the trunk region compared to unrestricted individuals or Tygon; however, there was no difference between unrestricted and Tygon individuals suggesting the shells performed as expected. PVC and Tygon individuals had significantly higher curvature in the tails compared to unrestricted individuals. There were no significant differences for any limb kinematic variables among treatments including average, minimum, maximum angles. Thus, salamanders respond to decreased lateral movement in their trunk by increasing movements in their tail, without changes in limb kinematics. These results suggest that tail undulations may be a more critical component to sprawling-postured tetrapod locomotion than previously recognized.

Is a 4-Week Long Functional Training Program Able to Improve Physical Fitness Components in University Faculty and Staff?

Introduction: The physical wellbeing of university faculty and staff is often overlooked. Exercise improves physical fitness and could indirectly lead to benefits such as enhanced work productivity and mood. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a short duration high-intensity functional training (HIFT) program on essential components of physical fitness in university faculty and staff members. Methods: Eighteen university faculty and staff members (age 35.4 ± 11.7 years) participated in the study. Prior to training, they completed five assessments: cardiorespiratory fitness (submaximal VO2), muscular strength (one repetition maximal leg press [1RM]), muscular endurance (push-ups), body composition (body fat percentage [BF%]), and trunk flexibility (sit and reach). Tests were repeated after four weeks (three sessions per week) of multi-modal HIFT. Paired samples t-tests were used to compare pre- and post-training data. Results: There were significant improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness (p=0.009), 1RM leg press (p<0.01) and push-ups completed (p<0.01). No significant changes were shown in BF% (p=0.581) or trunk flexibility (p=0.199). Conclusions: Four weeks of training improved cardiorespiratory fitness as well as muscular strength and endurance. HIFT programs represent a time-efficient and effective training method for improving multiple components of physical fitness in university faculty and staff, despite a relatively short duration.

The Effect of Exercising on the Decrease Back Pain: A Systematic Review

The aim of this study was to determine the impact of exercising on the back pain. Tools used for the literature review are electronic databases: Google Scholar, PubMed, Medline, Mendeley, for the time period from 2010. to 2019. After the selection of papers regarding the criteria, 20 studies that suit the needs of this systematic review were selected. Therapeutic training for relieving back pain is very heterogeneous, a total of 12 different therapeutic exercise programs were conducted. The most used programs are pilates and conventional (traditional) program for relieving back pain, followed by stabilization exercises, as well as other methods, such as: sling method, motor control exercises, stretching exercises, segment stabilization, as well as combined programs. Based on the analysis of the research conducted so far, it has been determined that exercising has positive impact in decreasing pain intensity and the level of disability, on the increase of the maximum strength, durability and trunk flexibility, as well as on the improvement of the overall health related functionality of patients with back pain. It has been concluded that program of exercises has a multiple positive impact on the health of patients with the chronical back pain and that exercising to these patients is, therefore, recommended.

Functional fitness in older people: A population-based cross-sectional study in Borba, Amazonas, Brazil (Aptitud funcional en personas mayores: Un estudio transversal de base poblacional en de Borba, Amazonas, Brasil)

Introduction: Aging has been associated with loss of physical capacity caused by the deterioration of most physiological systems. Objective: To analyze the differences in functional Fitness (FF) associated with gender, age and physical activity (PA), and to compare the FF scores of Borbenses with other populations. Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out, comprising 233 elderly (71,2±8,9 yrs old; range between 60,0 to 95,7 yrs old). The FF was evaluated using the Senior Fitness Test battery and PA was estimated by questionnaire. Result: After controlling for age and PA, sex-related differences in FF were only found in shoulder flexibility (favoring women) and in aerobic endurance (AE, favoring men). There were age-related differences in lower body strength (LBS) and AE in both genders and in agility/dynamic balance in men, and upper body strength in women, only, (favoring the younger age group). PA-related differences in FF were only found in trunk flexibility (favoring the active group). Borba population had higher scores in the trunk flexibility than both samples studied and higher scores in shoulder flexibility than Madeiran, only. Conclusion: Except for flexibility and AE, our results indicated FF homogeneity between men and women. The oldest men and women underperformed in LBS and AE. The rest of the FF components may be more dependent on other related factors such as sex, lifestyles, and the environment. Taking into consideration the reference population from the US and Portugal, Borba population underperformed on the majority of FF components, with the exception of flexibility. Resumo. Introdução: O envelhecimento tem sido associado à perda de capacidade física causada pela deterioração da maioria dos sistemas fisiológicos. Objetivo: Analisar as diferenças na aptidão funcional (AptF) associada ao sexo, idade e atividade física (AF), e comparar os Borbenses com outras populações. Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo transversal, em 233 idosos (71,2±8,9 anos; entre os 60,0 e os 95,7 anos). A AptF foi avaliada usando a bateria Senior Fitness Test e a AF foi estimada por questionário. Resultados: Após controlo da idade e a AF, as diferenças relacionadas ao sexo na AptF foram encontradas apenas na flexibilidade do ombro (favorecendo as mulheres) e na resistência aeróbica (RA, favorecendo os homens). Houve diferenças relacionadas à idade na força corporal inferior (FCI) e RA em ambos os sexos, na agilidade/equilíbrio dinâmico nos homens, e força na parte superior do corpo nas mulheres (favorecendo os mais jovens). As diferenças relacionadas à AF na AptF foram encontradas apenas na flexibilidade do tronco (favorecendo o grupo ativo). A população de Borba apresentou resultados mais altos na flexibilidade do tronco comparativamente às duas amostras estudadas. Conclusões: Com exceção da flexibilidade e RA, os nossos resultados indicaram homogeneidade entre homens e mulheres na AptF. Homens e mulheres mais velhos tiveram um desempenho inferior em FCI e RA. As restantes componentes parecem depender mais de outros fatores (i.e., sexo, estilos de vida e meio ambiente). Levando em consideração a população dos EUA e Portugal, Borba teve um desempenho inferior na maioria dos componentes de AptF, expeto na flexibilidade. Resumen. Antecedentes: El envejecimiento se ha asociado con la pérdida de capacidad física causada por deterioración biológica, funcional en la mayoría de los sistemas fisiológicos y eventual muerte. Objetivo: analizar las diferencias en la aptitud funcional (AptF) asociadas con el sexo, la edad y el nivel de actividad física (PA), y comparar las puntuaciones de AptF de los Borbenses con otras poblaciones. Métodos: el estudio transversal se llevó a cabo en 233 personas mayores (71,2±8,9 años; entre 60,0 y 95,7 años). Se realizaron evaluaciones de AptF según los procedimientos de la prueba de aptitud física Senior y se estimó la PA mediante un cuestionario. Resultados: Independiente de la edad y los níveles de AFla mujeres presentaron mejores niveles de flexibilidad en los hombros y los hombres mejor capacidad aerobia (CA). Se presentaron diferencias relacionadas con la edad en la fuerza de en los miembros inferiores (FMI) y CA en ambos sexos, y en la agilidad / equilibrio dinámico en los hombres y en la fuerza en los miembros superiores de las mujeres (con evidencia en personas más jóvenes). Las diferencias relacionadas con PA en AptF se encontraron solo en la flexibilidad del tronco (favoreciendo al grupo activo). La población de Borba presentó resultados más altos en la flexibilidad del tronco en comparación con las dos muestras estudiadas. Conclusión: Con la excepción de la flexibilidad y la CA, nuestros resultados indicaron homogeneidad entre hombres y mujeres en AptF. Los hombres y mujeres mayores tuvieron un rendimiento inferior al de FCI y CA. Los componentes restantes parecen depender más de otros factores (es decir, sexo, estilos de vida y medio ambiente). Teniendo en cuenta la población de EE. UU. Y Portugal, Borba tuvo un rendimiento inferior en la mayoría de las componentes de AptF, a excepción de la flexibilidad.

Effects of Circuit Training Exercise on Trunk Flexibility and Muscular Endurance of Female Secondary School Teachers in Anambra State

Technological advancement and socio-economic pressure has deprived many women the time and resources to exercise and to engage in physical activities which affect their physical fitness level their physical fitness level should come up to standard that will help them to execute their duties well. Circuit training exercise which is an important aspect of this study is aimed at improving this standard. This study was designed to determine the effect of circuit training exercise programme on the selected physical fitness variables of female secondary school teachers in Anambra State. The study was guided by two research questions and two hypotheses. Randomized pretest, posttest control group design were adopted for the study and the population consisted of all the female secondary school teachers in Anambra State. The sample consisted of 60 female teachers from 6 secondary schools in Otuocha educational zone. The schools were selected with purposive sampling technique while the 60 female teachers were selected using simple random sampling technique. The instruments used for data collection are as follows – measuring tape, stop watch and gym mats. Eight weeks exercise programme was adopted for the training. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics of mean and mean difference for answering the research questions. The null hypotheses were tested using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) at 0.05 level of significance. The result of the study showed that experimental group recorded high mean difference in trunk flexibility and muscular endurance. There were also significant difference between the mean muscular endurance of the experimental and control group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between trunk flexibility.

Can eight weeks of judo and taekwondo physical education improve the health-related fitness of male university students?

Background and Study Aim: This study aimed to determine if Judo and Taekwondo in a physical education (PE) setting could improve the fitness of university students. Material and Methods: Students who registered voluntarily for the courses were considered for the study (n=27, 18-22 years for Judo; n=39, 18-22 years for Taekwondo). The control group (n=32, 20-24 years) was composed of students who were not part of a physical education course. None of the participants were college athletes nor PE students. The duration of the courses was eight weeks, twice a week with 50 minutes per session. Both courses included training for muscular fitness, flexibility, explosive strength, and cardiovascular fitness. The courses also included sparring matches and sport-specific training. The following health-related fitness parameters were measured before and after eight weeks: cardiovascular fitness using the Cooper Test, muscular endurance using 60 seconds curl-up test, trunk flexibility using the sit-and-reach test, and explosive leg strength using the standing long jump test. Parametric tests were applied to detect any effect of the courses on the students. Differences with p ≤ 0.05 and Vargha-Delaney Common language effect size (VD) ≤ 42% or ≥ 58% were considered as evidence for any improvements in the fitness parameters. Results: Most of the tested parameters, apart from body composition, improved in both martial arts groups while those of the control group dropped. These changes were significantly different (p ≤ 0.05 and VD ≤ 42% or ≥ 58%). The regular curl-ups and sitting stretch done during the eight weeks improved the muscular endurance and trunk flexibility of the Judo group, respectively. Moreover, continuous practice of the rolling/falling technique may have contributed to the improvement in flexibility of the Judo students. Conclusions: There is evidence that eight weeks of Judo and Taekwondo in a PE context improves the health-related fitness of male university students.

Effects of group kinesiotherapy on primary and secondary symptoms of osteoarthrosis

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of a specific, kinesiotherapy-based rehabilitation program on the various symptoms of osteoarthrosis (OA), following group treatment. Thirty-one individuals, of both sexes, aged over 50 years and with medical diagnosis of OA, underwent 16 sessions, twice a week, totaling eight weeks, of a specific rehabilitation protocol based on group kinesiotherapy. Primary OA symptoms were assessed (directly related to the disease: OA symptoms, trunk flexibility, balance and pain), and so were secondary ones (indirectly related to the disease: signs of depression and anxiety, and quality of life). Data were tested through Student's t test or Wilcoxon's test, and contingencies of categorical data were analyzed using McNemar's test. There was an improvement in all primary symptoms of OA after the kinesiotherapy protocol was applied. Signs of anxiety and depression improved only in contingency, when risk stratification was taken into account. In addition, physical components of quality of life also showed improvement, which did not occur with mental components though. Therefore, the kinesiotherapy-based rehabilitation program was capable of positively influencing all primary symptoms, and only some aspects of secondary OA symptoms.

Physical Activity in Aging Population

It is known that worldwide populations are aging, and also that physical activity can play an important role in minimizing impairments characteristic of old age. Adopting a more active lifestyle and doing regular physical activity, including aerobic and resistance exercises, daily walking etc. have been demonstrated to improve cardiovascular, respiratory, and musculoskeletal parameters in older adults. We assessed a potential participant from Elbasan (Albania), 67 years, for eligibility to participate in a 5 month training program. The subject gave written informed consent before inclusion.The following parameters were measured at the beginning (baseline) and end of the training period: BMI, body fat percentage, hand grip strength, lower/upper limb and trunk flexibility and range of motion, heart rate, balance, pain intensity, as well as VO2 max, directly and/or an estimate using the Rockport fitness test estimate. An initial evaluation was carried out just before starting the training (baseline). A second evaluation was made 5 months after starting the program of physical exercise (post training). Each evaluation included the recording of health related events, such as any changes in previous symptoms, as well as measurements of balance, flexibility, body composition, coordination, muscle strength, and aerobic capacity, to detect any changes that might have been induced specifically by physical activity. The subject’s attendance and participation in the program was also recorded. Range of motion for each part evaluated (trunk, hip, cervical region and shoulder) is improved about 15-20° degree. BMI, hand grip strength, lower/upper limb and trunk flexibility, heart rate, balance, pain intensity, VO2 max are also improved after training program. Following a training program or a regular physical activity in older adults minimise impairments characteristics in this age and cardiovascular, respiratory, and musculoskeletal parameters. According to the low importance shown in my country for the physical activity in older adults, I want to emphasize the importance of state structures involvement and the sensibilization of this group of age to stimulate an actively participation in physical training programs followed by professionals for bests life parameters. A higher investment for this age group, building as many facilities as possible for activation and spending quality free time, hiring more physiotherapists in nursing homes will increase life motivation and improve the quality and the parameters of living.