Prospective Observational Study of Factors Related to the Movement Subscale Score of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Hip-Disease Evaluation Questionnaire Six Months After Total Hip Arthroplasty

Background The movement subscale score of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Hip-Disease Evaluation Questionnaire (JHEQ) is reportedly lower than other subscale scores after total hip arthroplasty (THA). This study aimed to assess factors related to the movement subscale score of the JHEQ six months after THA. Methods Participants were 90 female patients with hip osteoarthritis who underwent THA. We examined clinical background factors and surgical information, and measured hip joint range of motion, lower extremity muscle strength, maximum walking speed, physical activity, Japanese Orthopaedic Association score, and JHEQ score. We also measured the number of steps and “fast walking time” as physical activity, and calculated the moderate intensity activity ratio. A stepwise logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors related to high and low movement subscale scores. Results Six months after surgery, the total score and all subscale scores of the JHEQ were significantly higher compared to preoperative scores (p < 0.01). The movement subscale score was lower compared to other subscale scores (p < 0.01). The stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that preoperative movement subscale score (odds ratio: 1.26, 95%CI: 1.08–1.47, p = 0.003), activities of daily living category of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association hip score (odds ratio: 1.66, 95%CI: 1.18–2.33, p = 0.004), and moderate intensity activity ratio (odds ratio: 1.05, 95%CI: 1.00-1.11, p = 0.035) are factors that determine high and low movement subscale scores. Conclusion The postoperative movement subscale score is related to not only the ability to conduct activities of daily living and preoperative movement subscale score, but also the moderate intensity activity ratio.

Impact of ActiGraph Sampling Rate and Intermonitor Comparability on Measures of Physical Activity in Adults

Background: ActiGraph is a commonly used, research-grade accelerometer brand, but there is little information regarding intermonitor comparability of newer models. In addition, while sampling rate has been shown to influence accelerometer metrics, its influence on measures of free-living physical activity has not been directly studied. Purpose: To examine differences in physical activity metrics due to intermonitor variability and chosen sampling rate. Methods: Adults (n = 20) wore two hip-worn ActiGraph wGT3X-BT monitors for 1 week, with one accelerometer sampling at 30 Hz and the other at 100 Hz, which was downsampled to 30 Hz. Activity intensity was classified using vector magnitude, Euclidean Norm Minus One (ENMO), and mean amplitude deviation (MAD) cut points. Equivalence testing compared outcomes. Results: There was a lack of intermonitor equivalence for ENMO, time in sedentary/light- or moderate-intensity activity according to ENMO cut points, and time in moderate-intensity activity according to MAD cut points. Between sampling rates, differences existed for time in moderate-intensity activity according to vector magnitude, ENMO, and MAD cut points, and time in sedentary/light-intensity activity according to ENMO cut points. While mean differences were small (0.1–1.7 percentage points), this would equate to differences in moderate-to vigorous-intensity activity over a 10-hr wear day of 3.6 (MAD) to 10.8 (ENMO) min/day for intermonitor comparisons or 3.6 (vector magnitude) to 5.4 (ENMO) min/day for sampling rate. Conclusions: Epoch-level intermonitor differences were larger than differences due to sampling rate, but both may impact outcomes such as time spent in each activity intensity. ENMO was the least comparable metric between monitors or sampling rates.

The physiological demands of Singing for Lung Health compared to treadmill walking

Participating in singing is considered to have a range of social and psychological benefits. However, the physiological demands of singing, whether it can be considered exercise, and its intensity as a physical activity are not well understood. We therefore compared cardiorespiratory parameters while completing components of Singing for Lung Health (SLH) sessions, with treadmill walking at differing speeds (2, 4, and 6km/hr). Eight healthy adults were included, none of whom reported regular participation in formal singing activities. Singing induced physiological responses that were consistent with moderate intensity activity (METS: median 4.12, IQR 2.72 - 4.78), with oxygen consumption, heart rate, and volume per breath above those seen walking at 4km/hr. Minute ventilation was higher during singing (median 22.42L/min, IQR 16.83 - 30.54) than at rest (11L/min, 9 - 13), lower than 6km/hr walking (30.35L/min, 26.94 - 41.11), but not statistically different from 2km/hr (18.77L/min, 16.89 - 21.35) or 4km/hr (23.27L/min, 20.09 - 26.37) walking. Our findings suggest the metabolic demands of singing may contribute to the health and wellbeing benefits attributed to participation. However, if physical training benefits result remains uncertain. Further research including different singing styles, singers, and physical performance impacts when used as a training modality is encouraged.

The physiological demands of Singing for Lung Health compared to treadmill walking

Participating in singing is considered to have a range of social and psychological benefits. However, the physiological demands of singing, whether it can be considered exercise, and its intensity as a physical activity are not well understood. We therefore compared cardiorespiratory parameters while completing components of Singing for Lung Health (SLH) sessions, with treadmill walking at differing speeds (2, 4, and 6km/hr). Eight healthy adults were included, none of whom reported regular participation in formal singing activities. Singing induced physiological responses that were consistent with moderate intensity activity (METS: median 4.12, IQR 2.72 - 4.78), with oxygen consumption, heart rate, and volume per breath above those seen walking at 4km/hr. Minute ventilation was higher during singing (median 22.42L/min, IQR 16.83 - 30.54) than at rest (11L/min, 9 - 13), lower than 6km/hr walking (30.35L/min, 26.94 - 41.11), but not statistically different from 2km/hr (18.77L/min, 16.89 - 21.35) or 4km/hr (23.27L/min, 20.09 - 26.37) walking. Our findings suggest the metabolic demands of singing may contribute to the health and wellbeing benefits attributed to participation. However, if physical training benefits result remains uncertain. Further research including different singing styles, singers, and physical performance impacts when used as a training modality is encouraged.

Accelerometer-measured physical activity and functional behaviours among people on dialysis

Background The feasibility of wrist-worn accelerometers, and the patterns and determinants of physical activity, among people on dialysis are uncertain. Methods People on maintenance dialysis were fitted with a wrist-worn AxivityAX3 accelerometer. Subsets also wore a 14-day electrocardiograph patch (Zio®PatchXT) and wearable cameras. Age-, sex- and season-matched UK Biobank control groups were derived for comparison. Results Median (interquartile range) accelerometer wear time for the 101 recruits was 12.5 (10.4–13.5) days, of which 73 participants (mean age 66.5 years) had excellent wear on both dialysis and non-dialysis days. Mean (standard error) overall physical activity levels were 15.5 (0.7) milligravity units (mg), 14.8 (0.7) mg on dialysis days versus 16.2 (0.8) mg on non-dialysis days. This compared with 28.1 (0.5) mg for apparently healthy controls, 23.4 (0.4) mg for controls with prior cardiovascular disease (CVD) and/or diabetes mellitus and 22.9 (0.6) mg for heart failure controls. Each day, we estimated that those on dialysis spent an average of about 1 hour (h/day) walking, 0.6 h/day engaging in moderate-intensity activity, 0.7 h/day on light tasks, 13.2 h/day sedentary and 8.6 h/day asleep. Older age and self-reported leg weakness were associated with decreased levels of physical activity, but the presence of prior CVD, arrhythmias and listing for transplantation were not. Conclusions Wrist-worn accelerometers are an acceptable and reliable method to measure physical activity in people on dialysis and may also be used to estimate functional behaviours. Among people on dialysis, who are broadly half as active as general population controls, age and leg weakness appear to be more important determinants of low activity levels than CVD.

Postprandial walking reduces glucose levels in women with gestational diabetes mellitus

The purpose of this study was to investigate blood glucose changes, as measured by a continuous glucose monitoring system, that occur in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) following an acute bout of moderate-intensity walking after consuming a high-carbohydrate/low-fat meal. This study found that moderate-intensity walking induced greater postprandial glucose control compared with sedentary activity and it appears that moderate-intensity activity may be used to reduce postprandial glucose levels in women with GDM.

Prevalence of Behavioral Risk Factors of Non Communicable Diseases among Adolescents of Higher Secondary Schools of Lalitpur District in Nepal

Non Communicable Diseases are the biggest cause of death worldwide. There are eight major risk factors, out of which four of them are behavioral risk factors (tobacco use, harmful alcohol consumption, unhealthy diets and physical inactivity) and four of them are biological risk factors. The general objective of this study is to assess prevalence of behavioral risk factors of non-communicable diseases among adolescents. The study was conducted on students of higher secondary schools of Lalitpur. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with the sample size 396. Structured questionnaire developed by STEPS SURVEY Nepal 2013 was used for data collection. Data management, analysis and interpretation were done using SPSS 20 version by calculating frequency and percentage. The prevalence of current tobacco (smoking) consumption was 17.2% and the prevalence of smokeless tobacco consumption was 8.1%. Current alcohol consumption was 14.4%. The prevalence of inadequate vigorous intensity activity was 58.3% and moderate intensity activity was 50.5%. The prevalence of fruit and vegetables consumption was 21.2% and 60.4% respectively. On the basis of findings of study it is concluded that use of tobacco products and alcohol was higher in male than female. All of the students consumed fruits and vegetables at least once a day but none of adolescents follow the consumption of fruits and vegetables as recommended by WHO. The adolescents were active as they involved in both vigorous and moderate intensity activity. The private schools students were less involved in physical activity as compared to public schools.

How Much Walking Should be Advocated for Good Health in Adolescent Girls?

Background:It is currently not known how much walking should be advocated for good health in adolescent girls. The aim of this study was therefore to recommend health referenced standards for step defined physical activity relating to appropriate health criterion/indicators in a group of adolescent girls.Method:Two hundred and thirty adolescent girls aged between 12 to 15 years volunteered to take part in the study. Each participant undertook measurements (BMI, waist circumference, % body fat, and blood pressure) to define health status. Activity data were collected by pedometer and used to assess daily step counts and accumulated daily activity time over 7 consecutive days.Results:Individuals classified as ‘healthy’ did not take significantly more steps·day–1 nor spend more time in moderate intensity activity than individuals classified as at health risk or with poor health profiles.Conclusion:‘Healthy’ adolescent girls do not walk significantly more in term of steps·day–1 or time spent in activity than girls classified as ‘unhealthy.’ This could suggest that adolescent girls may not walk enough to stratify health and health related outcomes and as a result the data could not be used to inform an appropriate step guideline for this population.