CORRELATION OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY WITH FEAR OF FALL IN PATIENTS WITH TOTAL KNEE REPLACEMENT

An older patient who has had total knee replacement surgery may be afraid about falling. Fear of falling following TKR and its effects on physical activity have received little attention. The purpose of this study was to see if there was a link between physical activity and fear of falling in individuals with TKR. The PASE Scale is used to measure physical activity. The fall efficacy scale is reliable measure for assessing fear of falling. The objective of the current study was to assess physical activity and fear of fall and to find Correlation of physical activity with fear of fall in patients with TKR. This research was conducted in the Physiotherapy OPD, in AVBRH Hospital in Wardha. The results of 60 TKR patients were studied. The PASE scale and the FES were used to measure physical activity and fear of falling, respectively. This study significantly showed that the correlation between PASE and FES was negative which means that there is Fear of Fall among participants who undergone TKR which was associated with decrease in physical activity score. Most of the studies indicated that there is decrease in physical activity in patients with TKR but very few studies indicated fear of fall in the patients. Therefore, the current study is being carried out which could help to reach the conclusion to find whether there is any correlation between physical activity and fear of fall in patients undergone TKR.

Impact of regular physical activity awareness sessions by primary care physicians in rural India

Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background Regular physical activity is associated with improved physical and mental health. Studies have shown that regular physical activity reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, osteoporosis, depression and obesity. Patients frequently identify their family physicians as an important source of constant encouragement for physical activity. Purpose We wanted to assess the impact of regular awareness sessions about physical activity by Primary care physicians in adults. Methods 73 participants between the age group 30 to 60 years were recruited in this single center study in rural India.70 participants completed this 6 month intervention study whereas 3 participants dropped out of study. Once in a month audio visual awareness session of one hour were conducted from August 2017 to January 2018 by primary care physicians to educate the participants about ill effects of sedentary lifestyle and benefits of regular physical activity. Pre and post intervention data were collected by using validated Godin leisure time exercise questionnaire from all 70 participants. Paired t test and Wilcoxon test were used to compare pre- and post-intervention data. Percentage increase in physical activity score was also calculated. Results In this study baseline Godin score pre intervention were 38.82 ± 12.22 (Mean ± SD) and post intervention were 65.98 ± 11.25 (Mean ± SD). Participants significantly improved Godin score post intervention which were statistically significant (p: < 0.001) . Compared to baseline pre intervention score, there was 170% increase in physical activity score post intervention. Conclusions Results of this intervention suggest that regular awareness sessions using modern technology is cost effective in changing physical activity behavior in people. Active involvement of primary care physician in this intervention will further help in establishing and continuing physical activity behavior. Physicians can play a major role in promotion of physical activity. As primary care physicians have direct regular contact with their patients and their families, their role in promotion of physical activity will have more impact and long-lasting effect on patient’s behavior. We assume that similar studies are needed to promote physical activity in the people.

How the Wakamola chatbot studied a university community’s lifestyle during the COVID-19 confinement

This work aimed to study the effect of confinement on weight and lifestyle using the Wakamola chatbot to collect data from 739 adults divided into two groups (341 case-control, 398 confinement). Nutrition score (0–100 scale) improved for men (medians 81.77–82.29, p < 0.05), with no difference for women (medians 82.29 in both cases). Both genders reduced the consumption of sweetmeats and sugared drinks ( p < 0.01); men increased their consumption of vegetables, salad, and legumes ( p < 0.01). Both genders reduced their physical activity score (men 100–40.14, p < 0.01, women 80.42–36.12, p < 0.01). Women sat less hours/week, men’s medians 28.81–28.27, women’s medians 35.97–23.33, p = 0.03. Both genders slept longer (hours/day), men 7–7.5, women 7–8 ( p < 0.01) (medians). Their overall health score was significantly reduced (men 85.06–74.05, p < 0.01, women 84.47–72.42, p < 0.01), with no significant weight difference in either gender. Wakamola helped to contact participants and confirm changes in their lifestyle during confinement.

Marked skeletal muscle deficits are associated with 6-minute walk distance in paediatric pulmonary hypertension

Background: Poor growth is common in children with pulmonary hypertension; however, skeletal muscle deficits have not been described and the association between muscle deficits and functional status is unknown. Methods: Patients aged 8–18 years with pulmonary hypertension (diagnostic Groups 1, 2, or 3) and World Health Organization functional class I or II underwent dual-energy absorptiometry to measure leg lean mass Z-score (a surrogate for skeletal muscle). Muscle strength was assessed using dynamometry. Physical activity questionnaires were administered. Clinical data, including 6-minute walk distance, were reviewed. Relationships between skeletal muscle, physical activity score, and 6-minute walk distance were assessed by correlations and linear regression. Results: Sixteen patients (12.1 ± 3.2 years, 50% female, 56% Group 1, 56% functional class II) were enrolled. Leg lean mass Z-score was significantly less than reference data (−1.40 ± 1.12 versus 0.0 ± 0.9, p < 0.001) and worse in those with functional class II versus I (−2.10 ± 0.83 versus −0.50 ± 0.73, p < 0.01). Leg lean mass Z-score was positively associated with right ventricular systolic function by tricuspid annular plane systolic Z-score (r = 0.54, p = 0.03) and negatively associated with indexed pulmonary vascular resistance (r = −0.78, p < 0.001). Leg lean mass Z-score and forearm strength were positively associated with physical activity score. When physical activity score was held constant, leg lean mass Z-score independently predicted 6-minute walk distance (R2 = 0.39, p = 0.03). Conclusions: Youth with pulmonary hypertension demonstrate marked skeletal muscle deficits in association with exercise intolerance. Future studies should investigate whether low leg lean mass is a marker of disease severity or an independent target that can be improved.

Effect of Gender, Physical Activity and Stress-Related Hormones on Adolescent’s Academic Achievements

Background: Physical activity (PA) has been shown to develop better fitness and body function in children. Various studies have shown that as the age of students increases, its correlation with school achievement decreases. Different hormonal changes during adolescence make it difficult to adjust in his/her environment, causing stress. To the best of our knowledge, no study has studied the correlation between stress-related hormones and school performance among adolescents. This study was conducted to evaluate physical activity and stress-related hormones, cortisol and serotonin, among school adolescents aged 12–18 years old and find their association with academic achievements. Methods: A total of 300 students were invited to participate in this study. Physical activity of the participants was assessed in relation to the time spent performing various physical activities. End of the academic year grades were obtained from the school as a collective measure of academic achievement and executive function. The levels of cortisol and serotonin were measured using the competitive immunoassay techniques. Results: There was a significant correlation between age, gender, BMI, cortisol, serotonin, physical activity score; and academic achievement, and executive functioning among participants. Academic achievement and executive functioning scores correlated positively with gender, serotonin, physical activity score, but negatively with age, BMI and salivary cortisol. Stepwise regression analysis showed that physical activity and demographic parameters and stress-related hormones, cortisol and serotonin, explained around 61.9–77.9% of academic performance and executive functioning variation in school adolescents, especially females. Conclusions: Optimal physical activity and release of stress-related hormones could be the determining factor for performance in school and other activities. These results should be taken into consideration while planning the school curriculum.

Assessment of magnitude of physical activity among rural high school children of Nelamangala taluk, Bengaluru: a cross sectional study

Background: In India, more than two thirds of adolescents aged 11-17 years have insufficient physical activity. Though data on prevalence of physical activity among adolescents with reference to WHO criteria are available, very few studies have assessed the magnitude of physical activity. Hence, the study was conducted to assess the magnitude of physical activity among rural high school children of Nelamangala Taluk, Bengaluru.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 200 high school students from 6 co-education schools. Magnitude of physical activity was assessed using physical activity questionnaire for adolescents (PAQ-A), a self-reported, validated questionnaire.Results: Mean age of the study participants was 14.35 years. 112 (56%) of them were female and 123 (61.5%) of them were studying in 10th standard. 100 (50%) of them were from government or aided school. Final Physical activity score of study participants was 2.39±0.64. There was a statistically significant difference (p<0.05) in the final physical activity score between males and females. Government or aided school participants had a better final score than those of private school and the difference was statistically significant. Final physical activity score decreased with their promotion to higher class. There was no significant difference between activity levels during physical education class across variables like sex, class studying and type of school.Conclusions: Physical activity was better among males, government school participants and those studying in lower class in comparison to their counterparts. Majority of this difference can be attributed to activities happening beyond the school hours.

Dietary intake, physical activity and muscle strength among adolescents: the Malaysian Health and Adolescents Longitudinal Research Team (MyHeART) study

ObjectiveTo examine the role of dietary intake and physical activity in muscle strength among adolescents.DesignCross-sectional analysis.SettingThe Malaysian Health and Adolescents Longitudinal Research Team (MyHeART) study.ParticipantsFifteen-year-old secondary school children who have given consent and who participated in the MyHeART study in 2014.Primary outcome measureMuscle strength was measured in relation to dietary intake (energy and macronutrients) and physical activity by using a hand grip dynamometer.ResultsAmong the 1012 participants (395 male; 617 female), the hand grip strength of the males was higher than that of the females (27.08 kg vs 18.63 kg; p<0.001). Also, males were more active (2.43vs2.12; p<0.001) and consumed a higher amount of energy (2047 kcal vs 1738 kcal; p<0.001), carbohydrate (280.71 g vs 229.31 g; p<0.001) and protein (1.46 g/kg body weight (BW) vs 1.35 g/kg BW; p<0.168). After controlling for ethnicity, place of residency and body mass index, there was a positive relationship between hand grip strength and the intake of energy (r=0.14; p=0.006), carbohydrate (r=0.153; p=0.002) and fat (r=0.124; p=0.014) and the physical activity score (r=0.170; p=0.001) and a negative relationship between hand grip strength and the intake of protein (r=−0.134; p=0.008), for males. However, this was not observed among females.ConclusionsEnergy, carbohydrate and fat intakes and physical activity score were positively correlated with hand grip strength while protein intake was negatively correlated with hand grip strength in males but not in females.

Physical Activity in the Elderly with Fall Experience Over the Past Year: Results from Amirkola Health and Ageing Project

Background and purpose: Nowadays, immobility is known to be the fourth risk factor for mortality. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between fall experience over the previous year and levels of physical activity in the elderly.Materials and Methods: The study was performed with 1616 participants of 60≤ years. The relationship between physical activities in the elderly with age, sex, educational level, body mass index, comorbidities, and fall experience over the previous year was evaluated. Physical activity in the elderly was evaluated using the physical activity scale for the elderly.Results: In the multiple regression model, the age (β: -1.6, 95% CI: -2.0- -1.1), sex, female (β: 11.0, 95% CI: 4.3-17.6), and comorbidities (β: -6.8, 95% CI: -13.5 - -0.1) had a significant relationship with the physical activity score. On the contrary, there was no significant difference between the score of physical activity and both groups with and without the experience of fall over the previous year (β: 0.09, 95% CI: -8.0 - 8.2).Conclusion: Increasing age with comorbidity resulted in a decrease in the average physical activity score in the studied elderly population. However, the experience of fall had no relationship with it. Providing the conditions alongside the training required to carry out physical activities, especially in the elderly people with the disease, was suggested.