Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity and Step Count Compilation for Elementary-Aged Youth Participating in Summer Camp Activities

The summer months have recently been identified as a time of the year when children gain excess weight. Despite contrary beliefs, youth are more susceptible to weight gain and fitness losses during this time. Summer camps have been identified as a possible solution to reduce declines in overall health during these months. The purpose of this study was to establish expected step counts and moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) values for a variety of activities in one residential camp. Participants included 188 campers (M age = 8.7). Sessions included a variety of invasion, target, net/wall and fitness activities. Step counts and MVPA were tracked across 51 days, incorporating 839 activity sessions using a NL–1000 (New Lifestyle Inc., Lee Summit, MO, USA) accelerometer to track campers’ activity. Means and steps/minute were calculated for each activity. Invasion games represented the greatest opportunity for campers to engage in physical activity. Findings are useful for researchers and practitioners to evaluate physical activity and MVPA at camp settings.

Association of physical activity on blood glucose in individuals with type 2 diabetes

Regular physical activity (PA) has been shown to improve glycemic control in persons with type 2 diabetes. This study aimed to investigate the impact of PA on blood glucose after controlling for medication use, demographics, and week of activation using a real-world population of individuals with type 2 diabetes. A longitudinal, retrospective study was performed evaluating weekly PA of Livongo members (N = 9,509), which analyzed fasting blood glucose (FBG), step counts, and daily active minutes. Linear mixed-effect modeling technique was used to investigate within member and between member effects of input variables on average weekly FBG. Of members enrolled, 6,336 (32%) had self-reported body mass index, qualified week with diabetes medications, and FBG measures. Members’ baseline average age was 49.4 (SD 10.1) years old, 43% female, and 45,496 member weeks with an average of 7.2 qualified weeks (PA observable in ≥4 days) per member. Average weekly FBG was 140.5 mg/dL (SD 39.8), and average daily step counts were 4,833 (SD 3,266). Moving from sedentary (<5,000 steps per day) to active (≥5,000 steps per day) resulted in mean weekly FBG reduction of 13 mg/dL (95% CI: −22.6 to −3.14). One additional day of ≥8,000 steps reduced mean weekly FBG by 0.47 mg/dL (95% CI: −0.77 to −0.16). Members who completed 30 min of moderate to vigorous PA above the population average reduced mean weekly FBG by 7.7 mg/dL (95% CI: −13.4 to −2.0). PA is associated with a mean weekly FBG reduction of 13 mg/dL when changing from a sedentary to active lifestyle while participating in a remote diabetes monitoring program.

Variability in physical inactivity responses of university students during COVID-19 pandemic: A monitoring of daily step counts using a smartphone application

This study investigated the changes in physical inactivity of college students during the COVID-19 pandemic, with reference to their academic calendar. We used the daily step counts recorded by a smartphone application (iPhone Health App) from April 2020 to January 2021 (287 days) for 603 students. The data for 287 days were divided into five periods based on their academic calendar. The median value of daily step counts across each period was calculated. A k-means clustering analysis was performed to classify the 603 participants into subgroups to demonstrate the variability in the physical inactivity responses. The median daily step counts, with a 7-day moving average, dramatically decreased from 5,000 to 2,000 steps/day in early April. It remained at a lower level (less than 2,000 steps/day) during the first semester, then increased to more than 5,000 steps/day at the start of summer vacation. The clustering analysis demonstrated the variability in physical inactivity responses. Independent of the academic calendar, many inactive students did not recover their original daily step counts after its dramatic decrement. Consequently, promoting physical activity is recommended for inactive university students over the course of the whole semester.

Weather, Built Environment, or Personal Factors: Predictors of Walking by Independent Living Residents With Frailty

Environmental factors influence older adult physical activity. However, the evidence about which factors lead to increased physical activity is mixed and few have studied how these factors affect those with frailty or living in retirement communities. This study investigated how environmental and weather factors influence physical activity among pre-frail and frail older adults residing in independent living retirement communities. We used ActivPal accelerometers to measure 7-day step counts among (n=108) pre-frail and frail residents in 9 independent living residences in metropolitan Chicago. We conducted environmental audits using the MAPS Abbreviated tool and collected National Weather Service Station data (temperature, precipitation, and daylight minutes) during the ActivPal periods. Participants were on average 80.0 years, 74% female, and average daily step count was 3,450 (range 151 - 11,663). Four buildings were in suburban areas and 5 in urban areas and four were private-pay residences while 5 offered subsidized rent. ANOVA results showed private-pay buildings had higher total MAPS scores than subsidized buildings (p=0.001), and urban buildings had higher total MAPS scores than suburban buildings (p < 0.000). Mean step differences were non-significant between different building types: (mean steps = 3,317 private-pay, 3,629 subsidized, 3,536 urban, 3,350 suburban). Pearson product-moment correlations showed a positive association between steps and MAPS positive streetscape features (p=0.011). Multiple regression analysis showed higher temperature days, precipitation, and more minutes of daylight were associated with higher step counts (p=.04). Given the dramatic variation in individual step counts, future research should investigate personal factors that contribute to activity among independent living residents.

Feasibility of combining noninvasive brain stimulation and personalized counseling to increase physical activity

Few older adults meet recommended physical activity guidelines. Behavioral interventions may be more effective when combined with other modalities to promote activity. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) designed to increase the excitability of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) — a brain region subserving motivation and executive function — has the potential to augment behavioral interventions. We designed a randomized, double-blinded trial to examine the feasibility of combining personalized behavioral counseling and tDCS targeting the left dlPFC to improve physical activity and related outcomes in sedentary older adults living within the supportive housing. Participants wore a Fit-Bit throughout the study period. Baseline step counts were determined for two weeks, then participants completed four bi-weekly personalized counseling sessions over eight weeks. They were also randomized to receive 10 sessions of tDCS or sham stimulation over the two weeks after the baseline. Physical, cognitive, and patient-reported outcomes were assessed at baseline, after ten brain stimulation sessions, and after four behavioral sessions. 33 individuals were screened and 16 enrolled (age=80±7, 13 females). 13 participants completed the study, including 100% of study assessments, 99±5% of brain stimulation sessions, and 98±7% of behavioral sessions. Fit-Bit adherence rate was 93±13%. Daily step counts were 3197±1480 at baseline and 4722±2553 over the last two weeks of the intervention. While the study is ongoing and blinded, these preliminary results indicate that it is feasible to conduct a controlled study of tDCS combined with personalized behavioral counseling to increase physical activity in sedentary older adults living within supportive housing.

The Relationship of Physical Activity Level With Arterial Stiffness, Cerebral Blood Flow, and Cognitive Function in Young Adults

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the relationship of physical activity level with arterial stiffness, cerebral blood flow, and cognitive function in young adults.METHODS: Forty-six young adults participated in this cross-sectional study. Physical activity levels were assessed for seven consecutive days using accelerometers. To assess arterial stiffness, the carotid–femoral artery pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) and augmentation index (AIx) were measured. Cognitive function was assessed using the Stroop Color-Word test, and cerebral blood flow was evaluated using near-infrared spectroscopy devices during the cognitive function test.RESULTS: AIx was inversely associated with axis-1 counts, vector magnitude counts, moderate-intensity physical activity (MPA) time, and moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) time (r≤-0.31, p≤.04). The AIx adjusted to the heart rate of 75 beats per minute was inversely correlated with axis-1 counts, vector magnitude counts, step counts, MPA time, and MVPA time (r≤-0.33, p≤.03). There was no relationship between cfPWV and physical activity level parameters (r≤0.10, p≥.51). The difference between oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin levels was positively related to axis-1 counts, step counts, MPA time, and MVPA time (r≥0.31, p≤.04). Regarding cognitive function, the response time for the presented words was negatively associated with step counts (r=-0.42, p<.01) and MPA time (r=-0.29, p=.048), and response time on the presented words with matched color was negatively related to step counts (r=-0.31, p=.04).CONCLUSIONS: More physically active adults are more likely to have lower arterial stiffness, increased brain oxygenation, and better cognitive function, even if they are young and healthy.

A Method for Behavior Change Support by Controlling Psychological Effects on Walking Motivation Caused by Step Count Log Competition System

Systems presenting information that encourages competition by using rankings and scores (hereafter referred to as competition information) have become widespread to support behavioral change. However, users without high levels of motivation, such as behavior change support targets, do not necessarily benefit from competition information. In this study, we propose a method to control the psychological effects caused by competition information to support behavior change. We implemented a competition information presentation system using step counts logs to support increasing one’s daily steps. We designed two patterns of competition information considering psychological effects. One is likely to have good effects, using three mechanisms to easily obtain results corresponding to the effort, make closely matched rivals with similar abilities, and pay attention to a small number of rivals. The other is unlikely to have positive effects and may potentially even have negative ones, using a mechanism that brings about the opposite results of the former pattern. We evaluated 42 participants with low levels of motivation over six weeks. The results showed that the former information pattern increased participants’ step counts by about 1000 steps per day, and the latter information pattern did not lead to an increase. We confirmed the feasibility of the proposed method and discussed the possibility of the appropriate use and potential abuse of such techniques for manipulating motivation. Our study can be helpful in designing a competition information presentation system considering psychological effects.