The Differences in Physical Activity Preferences and Practices among High versus Low Active Adolescents in Secondary Schools

This study aimed to (a) identify the differences in the preferred, practiced, and organized physical activity (PA) between high and low physically active Czech and Polish boys and girls and to (b) identify which types of PA are likely to be recommended by low active boys and girls. The research was carried out between 2010 and 2019 in the Czech Republic and Poland and included 6619 participants aged 15 to 19 years. The preferences and practices of the different types of PA and participation in organized PA were identified using a PA preference questionnaire and weekly PA was identified using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-long form. Czech and Polish boys and girls who were low active preferred less physically demanding and more health-oriented PA compared with high active individuals. Power exercises and participation in organized PA are the most significant predictors of achieving at least 3 × 20 min of vigorous PA per week among low active individuals in both countries. Monitoring the trends in the preferred and practiced types of PA among boys and girls is crucial for the effective promotion of PA to low active boys and girls and positive changes in physical education and school health policy.

Personality-Related Determinants of Physical Activity Among Polish and Spanish Physical Education Students

We aimed to analyze personality-related determinants of physical activity among Polish and Spanish physical education (PE) students. The study was conducted among 219 Polish and 280 Spanish PE students, using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and the NEO-FFI Personality Inventory. Compared with Spanish PE students, their Polish counterparts are characterized by a higher level of extraversion and conscientiousness and a lower level of neuroticism. The level of total physical activity for all students was 8,697.21 METs, and this value was higher among Polish students. Among Polish and Spanish PE students, the level of total, vigorous, and moderate physical activity increased along with the increase in extraversion, while a decrease occurred along with the increase in neuroticism. The level of each domain of physical activity also increased in line with the intensification of student conscientiousness. In moderation analyses, it was shown that the home country of students may be considered a moderator of the relationship between conscientiousness and total exercise in such a way that the physical activity increased along with the increase in conscientiousness only among the Polish students. In addition, the country is a moderator of the correlation between moderate physical activity and neuroticism (p = 0.031), openness (p = 0.049), and conscientiousness (p = 0.019), with moderate activity only decreasing among Polish students and increasing along with the increase in openness and conscientiousness. Positive correlations among physical activity, extraversion, and conscientiousness, as well as negative ones with neuroticism, were demonstrated among Polish and Spanish students, and also the moderating impact of the country on the correlation between personality-related dimensions and physical activity.

Influência do trabalho de docência no bem-estar individual, qualidade de vida, e (in) atividade física de professoras do ensino fundamental

Introdução: O trabalho docente é imprescindível para sociedade, mas de alta exigência e baixa valorização o que pode interferir na saúde de docentes. Objetivo: avaliar a influência do trabalho docente no estilo, qualidade de vida (QV), e nível de atividade física (AF) de professores. Métodos: Estudo transversal avaliou docentes do ensino fundamental de escolas públicas. Foram utilizados instrumentos autopreenchidos pelos participantes sobre o perfil profissional, massa corporal, estatura autorreferidos, e calculado o índice de massa corpórea (IMC), para o perfil do estilo de vida individual (PEVI) utilizou-se Pentáculo do Bem-estar, a QV foi avaliada pelo Questionário de Qualidade de Vida - SF-36, e o nível de AF pelo International Physical Activity Questionnaire – IPAQ. Resultados: Participaram 93 docentes do sexo feminino com idade média de (43,5 ±7,8) anos, IMC (26,9 ± 4,8), com carga horária semanal de (40,4 ± 13,4) horas e tempo de serviço de (16,5 ± 7,9) anos. Sobre PEVI, a nutrição (1,57 ± 0,8), AF (0,94 ± 0,9), e controle do estresse (1,68 ± 0,9. Em relação a QV estão próximas aos valores mínimos de referência. 73,2% das docentes foram classificadas pelo IPAQ como irregularmente ativas ou sedentárias. Não foram encontrados correlação entre as variáveis. Foi observado associação p(0,01) entre AF, tempo de docência e PEVI. Conclusão: Foi possível concluir que embora as professoras tenham sido consideradas com boa QV, a maioria foi classificada com sobrepeso, estilo de vida abaixo do nível saudável e insuficientemente ativas. Estratégias institucionais devem ser implantadas para prevenção do adoecimento docente.

Limitação ao fluxo expiratório em tabagistas em diferentes níveis de atividade física

Introdução: a verificação da limitação ao fluxo aéreo ocasionado pelo tabagismo, por meio do pico de fluxo expiratório, é uma medida viável para estudos populacionais que permite a sinalização precoce ou prevenção da instalação crônica da doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica. Objetivo: avaliar o grau de limitação ao fluxo expiratório em tabagistas em diferentes níveis de atividade física. Metodologia: trata-se de um estudo transversal, onde foram selecionados 68 fumantes ativos por mais de um ano, acima de 18 anos, de ambos os sexos. O pico de fluxo expiratório foi obtido por meio do medidor portátil do modelo Mini-WrightTM® e o nível de atividade física foi avaliado pelo International Physical Activity Questionnaire 8.0. As variáveis estudadas foram descritas pela amplitude de variação das médias, desvios padrão, máximo, mínimo e coeficiente de variação, sendo estabelecido o nível de significância de 5% através do teste Qui-quadrado. Resultados: o percentual de redução dos valores do pico de fluxo expiratório, previsto em relação ao obtido, chegou a uma redução média de 56,87% em maiores de 60 anos e 53,19% em tabagistas com um tempo de prática maior de 30 anos. Houve aumento considerável do percentual médio de redução do pico de fluxo expiratório nos grupos de tabagistas insuficientemente ativos e sedentários. Conclusão: os resultados sugerem que a limitação ao fluxo expiratório foi mais acentuada em tabagistas do sexo feminino, acima de 60 anos, com tempo superior a 30 anos de prática do tabagismo e com baixo nível de atividade física. Os tabagistas considerados muito ativos apresentaram menor nível de limitação ao fluxo expiratório.

Relationship between Objectively and Subjectively Measured Physical Activity in Adolescents during and after COVID-19 Restrictions

Background: Studying the relationship between subjectively and objectively measured physical activity (PA) can provide viable information on youths’ behaviors. However, the restrictions due to COVID-19 pandemic, which reduced children’s possibilities to be active, may negatively affect it. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between subjectively and objectively measured PA levels (light, moderate, vigorous, and moderate-to-vigorous) during COVID-19-based restrictions and after they were lifted, and to determine whether such relationships changed in these two periods. Methods: A total of 26 adolescents (58% girls; mean age = 12.4 ± 0.5) wore accelerometers during public restrictions and after they were removed. Participants also completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire during the same periods. Results: High significant correlations were found at all levels of PA (r = 0.767–0.968) in both time periods, except for moderate PA during restrictions. Comparing the two periods, significantly higher correlations were found for moderate PA (p < 0.001) and moderate-to-vigorous PA (p = 0.003) after restrictions were lifted. Conclusions: In this highly active cohort of adolescents, results emphasize the potential threat of lockdown conditions for youths’ ability to accurately perceive their behaviors, with possible detrimental consequences on the short- and long-term health.

Physical Training Increases Erythroferrone Levels in Men

Intense physical activity contributes to an increased demand for red blood cells, which transport oxygen to working muscles. The purpose of this study was to assess the concentration of erythroferrone (ERFE), the novel marker of erythroid activity in athletes, during the beginning of their training season. The study group consisted of 39 athletes aged 23.24 ± 3.77 years. The study was carried out during the athletes’ preparatory period of the training cycle. The control group consisted of 34 healthy men aged 22.33 ± 2.77 years. The erythropoietic activity was evaluated by determining athletes’ concentrations of erythropoietin (EPO) and erythroferrone (ERFE). The level of physical activity was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). In the athletes’ group, we observed higher concentrations of EPO (Me = 12.65 mIU/mL) and ERFE (40.00 pg/mL) compared to the control group (EPO: Me = 5.74 mIU/ml, p = 0.001; ERFE: Me = 25.50 pg/mL, p = 0.0034). The average intensity of physical exercise significantly differentiated the participants as far as EPO and ERFE concentrations. These results suggest that intense physical activity, at least at the beginning of the training season, may stimulate EPO production, which increases ERFE release. This seems to be an adaptative mechanism that provides adequate iron for enhanced erythropoiesis.

The influence of physical activity on balance, risk and fear of fall in the elderly / A influência da atividade física no equilíbrio, risco e medo de queda em idosos

The purpose is to evaluate possible relationships between the level of structured physical exercise and the risk of falls in the elderly. The volunteers were elderly of both genders aged from 60 to 70 years old, sorted into 3 groups, which were: Structured Exercise Group (SEG); Sufficiently Active Group (SAG); Insufficiently Active Group (IAG). For data collecting, validated tools were used, being the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), Falls Efficacy Scale International (FES-I-BRASIL) and Test Up and Go (TUG) for the level of physical activity, risk of fall, and mobility, respectively. In addition, perimetry of the abdomen, waist, and hip were collected, in addition to body mass and height. It was found that the level of physical activity is directly related to the fear of falls and that the exercises structured by a professional and Physical Education further reduce this fear.