bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
O.2.1-2 How do social prescribing interventions for physical activity work from a complex intervention research perspective: a narrative review on mechanisms of change
Authors: Jacobsen Julie Sandell , Nielsen Rasmus Oestergaard , Jessen Nanna Holt , Rasmussen Lene Gissel , Skjerning Halfdan Thorsø , Jensen Dea Kejlberg , Bueno Solvej Videbæk , Kallestrup Per , Christensen Jeanette Reffstrup , Ryom Knud
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Social prescribing (SP) interventions for physical activity (PA) remain to reveal consistent findings on health outcomes, partly because suboptimal research methods have been applied. The purpose of this study was to synthesise the behaviour-related mechanisms and socio-economic considerations of SP interventions for PA based on a narrative literature review. The synthesis was then used to develop a logic model inspired by the methodology from complex intervention research, illustrating how these interventions may improve health outcomes.

Methods

A narrative review was performed using Medline, Embase and PsycINFO to identify scientific literature on SP interventions for PA. The literature search was executed on February 20-21, 2023. Inclusion criteria were; studies investigating person-centred mechanisms and/or system-based mechanisms. Any population was eligible, and no source restrictions were applied. Findings were synthesised and illustrated in a comprehensive logic model on SP interventions for PA.

Results

A total of 340 studies were identified from the electronic literature search, and 11 studies met the inclusion criteria. Person-centred mechanisms for successful SP intervention were identified as: (1) Integrating medical and social needs in the referral process; (2) Trusted and informed relationships in the linking process; and (3) Meaningful relationships in a non-stigmatising setting in the engagement process. System-based mechanisms for successful SP intervention were identified as the need to fully integrate the SP interventions in the General Practice and community organisations. In addition, successful SP intervention was, among other findings, explained through emotional buy-in from all SP agents and clients.

Conclusion

The present study display mechanisms of SP interventions for PA, suggesting that they should include socio-economic considerations and preferably system thinking. We also urge for more complex intervention thinking in developing and evaluating SP interventions for PA to clarify the mechanisms of what works for whom and under which circumstances.

Support/Funding Source

No funding source was applied for this study.
O.2.1-7 Young people’s perspectives on integrating targeted physical activity in substance use treatment: implications for practice
Authors: Klamert Lisa , Craike Melinda , Bedi Gillinder , Kidd Susan , Parker Alexandra
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Problematic substance use (SU) in young people is a global health concern and leads to difficulties in key life areas. Rates of problematic SU are highest in young people aged 15-25 years. Physical activity (PA) may reduce problematic SU (ie., alcohol, tobacco, illicit use), and provide a less stigmatizing treatment option. Yet, research on this treatment approach in this population remains limited, targeted PA is rarely routinely implemented in substance treatment for young people, and global policy lacks responsivity to this health priority.

Method

A quantitative research survey (n = 145 young Australians) and a qualitative focus group (n = 4) were conducted and analyzed. Eligibility criteria included: i) aged 15-25 years; ii) moderate or severe risk of substance-related health and other problems (assessed by WHO ASSIST); and iii) prior access of SU treatment or willing to engage in future treatment. The purpose of this research was to explore young people’s perspectives on the (1) acceptability, (2) experienced barriers, and (3) preferences regarding the integration of PA as an adjunct intervention in existing treatment services.

Results

Survey data showed that 97.8% of young people found preference-driven PA interventions acceptable within SU treatment practice. A further 94.9% believed that PA-based interventions are appropriate and effective (95.6%) for reducing their SU, and 94.9% expressed their willingness to engage in these interventions. Barriers to PA were exercise-induced fatigue, cost of PA, lack of motivation, existing substance use, and lack of PA guidance. Interview data showed a clear preference for highly tailored, planned but unsupervised interventions, with frequent check-ins. Additional preferences were clear directives, highly passionate and motivating facilitators and a focus on behavior change. Preference-driven PA interventions were perceived to provide a sense of personal accomplishment and perceived care from service providers.

Conclusion

PA is perceived to be acceptable within the treatment of SU among young people and may offer a non-stigmatizing adjunct to existing treatments. Factors that might influence translation of PA interventions into practice and policy were identified in the preferences of young people involved in this study, highlighting the importance of including young people as key stakeholders in intervention design and delivery.
O.2.2-3 Virtual nature as an intervention to promote connectedness with and visitation of nature among university students: a randomized trial
Authors: Brambilla Elena , Stendal Karen , Sundling Vibeke , Calogiuri Giovanna
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Human-nature interactions, including visitation of nature and nature connectedness (NC), a psychological construct defining an individual’s cognitive and affective connection with the natural world, are associated with a variety of health and well-being indicators. University students often experience high levels of stress and mental health challenges, while having little access to and few opportunities to interact with nature. This randomized controlled trial explored the effectiveness of a virtual nature intervention, delivered either through two-dimensional (2D) or immersive virtual reality (VR) devices, in eliciting increased NC and the likelihood of visiting a naturalistic location among university students.

Methods

Thirty-eight university students (age 24.7±5.4 year) were randomized into two groups and viewed a video of a naturalistic location in the vicinity of the university campus either through VR or 2D devices. Further, participants received information about the naturalistic location and were invited to an organized hiking tour in that location. Pre- and post-assessment of NC, intention to engage in active nature visits, intention to visit the location viewed in VR or 2D, and intention to participate in the hiking tour were collected. Additionally, participation in the hiking tour was recorded.

Results

A mixed between-within subjects ANOVA showed that both conditions significantly improved NC (F1,35 = 293.302; p < 0.001), intention to visit the location (F1,36 = 18.848; p < 0.001), and intention to participate in the hiking tour (F1,36 = 12.450; p < 0.001), but did not improve intention to engage in active nature visits, with no significant differences between the type of virtual nature exposures (VR vs. 2D). Six (16.7%) students participated in the organized tour, three from each condition. The type of virtual nature exposure was not a significant predictor for participating in the tour.

Conclusions

This study provides evidence of the potential of virtual nature exposure in promoting NC and visitation of nature among university students, regardless of the technology employed (VR or 2D). More research is needed to better understand the impact of such types of intervention in supporting behavior changes and health in this population.
O.2.3-1 Stand Up for Health: process evaluation of an intervention to reduce sedentary behaviour in contact centres
Authors: Sivaramakrishnan Divya , Manner Jillian , Baker Graham , Parker Richard , Lloyd Scott , Jepson Ruth
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Contact centres have been identified as high-pressured workplaces where staff are sedentary, and one in four experience musculoskeletal problems. Stand Up for Health (SUH) is an intervention developed using the 6SQuID intervention development framework to target sedentary behaviour in contact centres. It is an adaptive intervention based on the Social Cognitive Theory and the Social Ecological Model. The aim of this study was to test the acceptability and feasibility of implementing SUH in contact centres.

Methods

The study used a stepped-wedge cluster randomised trial design and included eleven UK-based contact centres. Intervention implementation involved working with contact centre stakeholders to develop a customised action plan that aligned with SUH’s theory of change. This was operationalised to include two workshops, creating a SUH committee, and loaning equipment (desk-risers, exercise equipment) to each centre. During the pandemic, online staff consults replaced these activities. The process evaluation adopted the RE-AIM framework to understand acceptability and feasibility of implementing the SUH intervention. Interviews and focus groups were conducted with 33 staff members and stakeholders, and 96 participants completed an activity preference questionnaire. Qualitative data were analysed using a codebook thematic analysis approach and descriptive statistics were used to describe activity preferences.

Results

The intervention was acceptable and feasible to deliver, and most contact centres implemented several activities aligned with each level of the programme’s theory of change. All centres reported that more than 50% of staff participated in at least one SUH activity (during the pre-lockdown period). Perceived benefits such as reduced sedentary behaviour, increased physical activity, and improved staff morale and mood were reported by contact centre staff and stakeholders. Participants felt that SUH was particularly significant because it increased awareness of sedentary behaviour, encouraged movement, and helped staff manage stress.

Conclusions

SUH is an adaptive multicomponent programme that considers the culture and contexts of contact centres. The programme shows potential as an appealing and acceptable intervention, impacting several wellbeing outcomes. Next steps include adapting the intervention for the post-pandemic work context, and further pilot testing before large scale evaluation.

Funding Source

National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) [PHR project grant: 17/149/19]
O.2.3-5 Workplace Active Certification: the creation of a certification process that values and rewards professional organisations implementing physical activity for their employees
Authors: Vandaele Frank , Evans Adam , De Dominicis Stefano , Gross Michael , Heuzé Gurvan , De Clerck Ine
Published: September 2023

Purpose

The workplace is often highlighted as a potential location for promoting physical activity and healthy lifestyles. However, embedding physical activity in the workplace seems less obvious. Due to the unique culture and structure of companies, differences in interpersonal relationships and in personal motivation, as well as local/national differences, it is impossible to offer a simple “one size fits all” strategy that can be applied everywhere in Europe. The 'Workplace Active Certification' (WAC, Erasmus+) project aimed to develop an evidence-based certification process through which companies that successfully embed HEPA in the workplace can be certified as 'physically active'

Methods

To achieve this goal, the programme integrated different types of evidence from different sources. These included a scoping review, multi-stage online interviews with 'pioneer' employers (28) in several (7) European countries, and iterative consultations with cross-sectoral experts in health and physical activity promotion (44). The full certification/audit process was tested and evaluated with 16 pioneer companies. The project included 10 cross-sectoral supporting partners.

Results

All this shared information has resulted in a toolbox with an introductory questionnaire and a comprehensive list of 40 WAC criteria that should be met by any organisation wishing to develop its 'Active Workplace' approach and become 'WAC certified'. The criteria are divided into 5 categories: needs assessment, leadership, planned actions, work environment and evaluation. In 2022, a total of 13 companies were awarded the WAC certificate.

Conclusions

We have developed a certification system with the following characteristics: multi-level, contextualised, targeted, action-based and impact and sustainability oriented. Going through the certification process helps companies to improve their workplace HEPA policies. Achieving certification recognises and rewards professional organisations for implementing HEPA for their employees.

Funding Source

ERASMUS+ European Commission.
O.2.3-11 Light standing work and high intensity occupational physical activities predict baseline and 8-year progression of carotid atherosclerosis among women
Authors: Korshøj Mette , Allesøe Karen , Mortensen Ole Steen , Siersma Volkert , Kauhanen Jussi , Krause Niklas
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Recent reviews link higher levels of occupational physical activity (OPA) to cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the evidence for women is inconsistent and studies of activity-limiting symptomatic CVD are prone to healthy worker selection effect. To address these limitations, this study investigated OPA effects on asymptomatic carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT), a proxy for atherosclerosis, among women.

Methods

Participants include 905 women from the population-based Kuopio Ischemic Heart Disease Risk Factor Study with baseline (1998-2001) data on self-reported OPA and sonographic measurement of IMT. Linear mixed models with adjustment for 15 potential confounders estimated and compared mean baseline IMT and 8-year IMT progression for five levels of self-reported OPA. Analyses stratified by cardiovascular health and retirement status were planned because strong interactions between pre-existing CVD and OPA intensity have previously been reported.

Results

Light standing work, moderately heavy active work, and heavy or very heavy physical work were all consistently associated with greater baseline IMT and 8-year IMT progression than light sitting work, being hazardous for cardiovascular health. The greatest baseline IMT was observed for heavy or very heavy physical work (1.21 mm), and the greatest 8-year IMT progression for light standing work and moderately heavy active work (both 0.13 mm), 30% above sitting work (0.10 mm). Stratified analyses showed that these differences were driven by much stronger OPA effects among women with baseline carotid artery stenosis. Retired women experienced slower IMT progression than those still working at baseline.

Conclusions

Light standing work and higher levels of OPA intensity predict higher baseline IMT and 8-year IMT progression, especially among women with baseline stenosis. This study suggests that inconsistent findings regarding the effects of OPA on cardiovascular diseaes and mortality outcomes may be due to healthy worker selection and exposure misclassification biases including the failure to distinguish between standing and sitting work postures in many cohort studies.

Funding Source

This project is funded by the Danish taxpayers, via the Danish Work Environment Research Foundation, grant number 20195100247.
O.3.1-1 Relevance of policies to promote physical activity among children and adolescents: the case of Ecuador
Authors: Avilés Angélica Ochoa , Dután Samuel Escandón , Grueso Juliana Mejía , Soto Gisselle , Vélez Ximena , Varela Andrea Ramírez
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Physical inactivity among children and adolescents is a public health concern. PA promotion (PAP) policies should rely on the best evidence. This study aimed to contrast PAP policies among children and adolescents in Ecuador with the best available evidence.

Methods

We undertook a comprehensive analysis that included the following procedures: (1) the Country Contact of the Global Physical Activity Observatory GoPA! identified key governmental informants from the Ministries of health, education, and sports at the national and subnational level; (2) the informants provided a list of policies, programs, or technical documents in force that comprise PAP among children and adolescents; (3) the preliminary results of an ongoing umbrella review (PROSPERO ID 408458) were used to identify effective PAP strategies in children and adolescents; (4) the core team determined whether the policies addressed at least one of the eight investments that work for physical activity proposed by the International Society for Physical Activity and Health (ISPAH) (whole-of-school programs, active travel, active urban design, healthcare, public education, including mass media, sport and recreation for all, workplaces, community-wide programs); (5) through a content analysis, we contrasted the strategies proposed in the policy documents with effective strategies identified in systematic reviews.

Results

Seven decision-makers from the health (n = 3), sport (n = 2), and education (n = 2) sectors identified four policies implemented at the national level. One policy addressed the whole-of-school programs approach, while the others the community-wide programs approach. Few strategies in the official documents were aligned with the effective strategies identified in the umbrella review. School-based strategies focused mainly on physical education, and neither the community-based nor the school-based strategies comprehensively addressed the community, school environment, teachers, and parents. In addition, policies in Ecuador lack information regarding an implementation and evaluation plan, the extent, timeframe, and scope of these strategies, and their viability for enhancing PA in children and adolescents.

Conclusion

This study is the basis for adapting and reformulating existing policies in Ecuador to ensure effective and comprehensive PAP in children and adolescents. New studies should analyze the level of implementation and monitor existing and new policies.

Funding

The study was funded by UNICEF-Ecuador.
O.3.1-8 The western research hub for physical activity and health: answering the World Health Organization’s call to implement the global action plan on physical activity
Authors: Thornton Jane , Kristen Reilly
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Physical activity provides a multitude of health benefits yet only half of Canadians meet national physical activity guidelines for health. In response to the global epidemic of physical inactivity, the World Health Organization (WHO) created the Global Action Plan on Physical Activity (GAPPA) to help countries prioritize decreasing physical inactivity. In 2021, we formed the Western Research Hub for Physical Activity and Health (The Hub) to respond to this call to action from the WHO. Our purpose is to advocate for and implement meaningful, sustainable and culturally relevant physical activity opportunities within our community and beyond. Our team is comprised of 30 junior and senior university scholars and a Community Advisory Council of local organization representatives and patient partners who inform and co-design our work.

Project description

Through ongoing discussions with our members, we learned that while the GAPPA provides a clear roadmap, funding for such implementation projects is scarce and researchers, community organizations, and policymakers feel they do not have the necessary expertise to undertake implementation or scale-up projects. To address these gaps, we created The Hub’s Implementation Support Service. This service provides those working on GAPPA-related projects with support from our team in the form of: implementation resources (frameworks and toolkits); advice from implementation scientists; regular meetings to troubleshoot implementation barriers; networking support to connect with relevant partners; and financial support (seed grants worth $5000 CAD). Funding applications are reviewed and selected by a committee of researchers, community organizations, and patient partners. The Implementation Support Service will undergo a process and impact evaluation by understanding perceptions of those delivering and receiving the implementation service, as well as determining the short- and long-term effects of the implementation projects we support.

Conclusions

The Western Research Hub for Physical Activity and Health is the first and only collective of its kind aimed directly at addressing and implementing the WHO’s GAPPA framework by providing a centralized access point for implementation seed grants and services. By providing resources and facilitating access to physical activity, our Hub can support more individuals staying active for more of their lives, with implications for population-level health.
O.3.2-1 Evaluation of the Active Together multi-modal cancer rehabilitation service embedded within clinical care
Authors: Thelwell Michael John , Myers Anna , Humphreys Liam , Frith Gabriella , Pickering Katie , Phillips Gail , Keen Carol , Copeland Rob
Published: September 2023

Purpose

The Active Together service provides multimodal rehabilitation support for people affected by cancer, embedded within clinical pathways at all stages of cancer treatment. The service aims to improve patient outcomes, such as physical fitness prior to surgery, tolerance to treatments, post-operative complications, and survival rates.

Project description

The design of the Active Together service was informed by extensive stakeholder engagement, involving consultations with patients and health professionals to determine the key elements of an impactful and sustainable rehabilitation service. Informal discussion groups and co-design workshops were held to understand ‘what mattered most’ to patients and to develop key features of the service.

The Active Together service is delivered by a multi-disciplinary team at the Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre at Sheffield Hallam University, in partnership with Sheffield Teaching Hospitals and Yorkshire Cancer Research. Patients with a cancer diagnosis, over the age of 18 years and receiving treatment with curative intent are referred to the service, which provides exercise, nutritional and psychological support throughout their treatment.

The evaluation aims to determine the impact of the service on patient outcomes and any economic benefits to the wider healthcare system. Outcome measures are captured throughout the patients’ treatment to assess the impact on their physical, nutritional, and psychological state. Economic evaluation will assess its effect on the costs of patients’ treatment, compared to patients that received treatment for cancer without rehabilitation.

Initially, the Active Together service has provided support to patients in Sheffield, being treated for one of three specific forms of cancer: lung, colorectal and upper gastrointestinal. Over the next 2-3 years, the service will be scaled-up to provide support to patients receiving treatment for other forms of cancer at hospitals across Yorkshire. Findings will be disseminated to key stakeholders within the healthcare system and in academic journals.

Conclusions

Evidence to support the role of multi-modal rehabilitation for cancer patients is growing. The translation of that evidence into practice is less advanced. The results of this evaluation will provide valuable insight into service implementation and an understanding of the impact of cancer rehabilitation on both patient outcomes and the health economic landscape.
O.3.2-4 Sedentary time and the risk of breast cancer among Nigerian Women
Authors: Azubuike Samuel Onyinyechukwu , Abazie Ogechi Helen
Published: September 2023

Purpose

The aim of this study was to determine if sedentary time is independently associated with BC risk in Nigeria. While the role of physical activity in breast cancer (BC) risk has been reported in a few available sub-Saharan African (SSA) studies, the independent role of sedentary behavior (prolonged sitting or reclining) hypothesized as differing from physical inactivity (the absence of health-enhancing PA) has not been investigated in SSA.

Methods

The study was a multisite hospital-based case-control design involving 379 histologically confirmed BC cases and 403 cancer-free controls. The participants ≥ 20 years were interviewed in-person using a pretested questionnaire. Data were collected on self-reported number of hours per week of sitting associated with occupation, religious activity, and television watching, as well as PA intensity scores (in metabolic equivalent hours per week) associated with each sedentary time domain. The results were stratified by estrogen receptor status (extracted from records) and body mass index (BMI). Data were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression based on Statistical Software for Social Sciences, adjusting for relevant confounders.

Results

Following full adjustment including total PA intensity, total sedentary time (OR [≥43.3 hrs./wk. vs < 28.30hrs/wk.] 1.78, 95% CI: 1.07, 2.94) was associated with an increased BC risk. Every additional hr./wk. of sitting was associated with a 2% (1.00,1.04, p for trend = 0.044) increased BC risk among women with estrogen receptor negative (ER-) BC, and 1% (95% CI: 1.00,1.03) increase in women with BMI> 25kg/m2. Similarly, every additional hr./wk. of sitting watching television was associated with a 5% (95% CI: 1%, 9%, p for trend = 0.023) increased BC risk especially among women < 50 years (OR 1.05, 95% CI:1.01, 1.09) and women with BMI > 25kg/m2 (OR 1.06, 95% CI:1.01,1.10) following full adjustments.

Conclusion

The findings suggest that the number of hours of sitting independently increased BC risk especially among women with ER- breast cancer and women with high BMI ≥25kg/m2. Health enhancing physical activity Intervention programs aimed at reducing sedentary time especially those associated with television watching will help reduce BC risk in Nigeria and SSA.

Support/Funding source

National Open University of Nigeria.
O.3.3-3 Impact and lessons learned from 18 Years of BIG – a project to promote physical activity among women in difficult life situations
Authors: Herbert-Maul Annika , Abu-Omar Karim , Sommer Raluca , Sauter Alexandra , Ziemainz Heiko
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Since 2005, practitioners and researchers have developed the BIG-project (“Movement as investment in health”), a community-based participatory research (CBPR) project that aims to empower socially disadvantaged women to engage in physical activity (PA) and exercise. These women are often unemployed, single mothers or belong to an ethnic minority facing barriers to exercise such as high registration fees, no availability of childcare or culturally insensitive programs. To date, the project has been scaled to 23 communities. The long project duration and multiple project site provide an excellent opportunity to investigate the long-term impacts of CBPR on PA promotion. The follow-up study of BIG (NU-BIG) examines the long-term effects on individual and structural levels at the project sites.

Methods

NU-BIG uses a mixed method approach. About 389 women who participate in BIG exercise programs completed a survey. Additionally, qualitative interviews, focus groups and a photo-voice study were conducted with approximately 45 women who take part in the exercise program and those who are working in the different city-administrations to organize BIG courses.

Results

15 communities were able to maintain project activities up to 18 years, while some communities ceased all activities. Effects of BIG at the structural level include low barrier exercise classes and planning groups, women only pool hours, local networks to support the project, cooking classes and social gatherings for women. The BIG-project reaches the addressed women and empowers them by increasing their PA levels, mental well-being, self-efficacy, and social network.

Conclusions

BIG demonstrates that CBPR can have a long-term impact on PA promotion at the individual and structural level. The participatory approach of BIG is key to its success. By involving women in planning, it is possible to tailor all activities to their needs and thus reach them, contradicting the label that they are “hard to reach” for health promotion. Through the involvement of local stakeholders e.g. political decision makers or chairs of sports clubs it is possible to achieve change over time, however this can also make BIG vulnerable to political interests and log-rolling.
O.3.3-6 Brazilian immigrant parents' preferences for content and intervention modalities for the design of a family-based intervention to promote their preschool-age children’s healthful energy balance-related behaviors
Authors: Caires Thais , Le Qun , Greaney Mary L , de Souza Lindsay Ana Cristina Terra
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Childhood obesity is a complex public health problem disproportionally affecting racial/ethnic minority populations and children in immigrant families. Promoting healthful energy balance-related behaviors (EBRBs) in young children, a fundamental obesity preventative strategy, is critical for addressing health disparities in childhood obesity among ethnic minority and immigrant populations. Accumulating evidence indicates that unhealthful EBRBs, including poor eating behaviors (e.g., high consumption of unhealthy foods and sugar-sweetened beverages [SSBs]), inadequate physical activity (PA), excessive sedentary behavior/screen time, and short sleep duration, increase the risk of childhood overweight and obesity. Brazilians are a rapidly growing ethnic immigrant population in the United States (U.S.) and currently, there is a lack of childhood obesity prevention interventions addressing the needs of Brazilian preschool-age children.

Methods

Guided by the family ecological model, this formative cross-sectional study assessed the preferences (content, intervention modality, and language) of 52 individual Brazilian immigrant families (27 mothers, 25 fathers) for the development of a family-based intervention to promote healthful energy balance-related behaviors (EBRB).

Results

Overall, 85% or more of parents reported being interested or very interested in content related to five (increase fruits and vegetables, reduce unhealthy foods and sugar-sweetened beverages, increase physical activity, and reduce screen time) out of the seven assessed EBRBs. Group sessions delivered by community health workers (CHWs), email, and text messages were the preferred intervention modalities with most parents (71.2%) indicating a preference for content delivered in Portuguese. Interventions integrating multiple components such as workshops offered by CHWs, text messaging using SMS and WhatsApp, and printed materials should all be considered.

Conclusions

Future steps should include investigating different communication channels and their integration into a pilot test of a linguistic and cultural-sensitive family-based intervention to promote healthful EBRBs of preschool-age children in Brazilian families in the U.S.
O.4.1-6 Multidimensional physical activity profiles and changes in physical function and self-reported walking ability among community-dwelling older adults – a 4-year follow-up
Authors: Palmberg Lotta , Karavirta Laura , Löppönen Antti , Hyvärinen Matti , Rantanen Taina , Rantalainen Timo
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Physical activity (PA) is multidimensional but often assessed using single metrics. We studied how data-driven PA profiles predict changes in physical functioning and self-reported walking ability over time among older adults.

Methods

Participants (n = 318) were community-dwelling 75-, 80- and 85-year-olds who wore a thigh-mounted accelerometer for 3-7 days at baseline. PA intensity, fragmentation, absolute and relative PA minutes, sit-to-stand transitions, and gait bout characteristics were used in PA profiling using k-means cluster analysis. Physical function was assessed at baseline and at follow-up 4 years later. Substantial decline in physical function was operationalized as decline of at least 2 points in the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB, range 0-12) and at least 0.2 m/s decline in habitual 10-m walking speed. Change in self-reported walking ability during 2 km walk was assessed using a 5-point scale (decline vs. no change/improvement for all). Data were analyzed using logistic regression analysis.

Results

Three physical activity profiles were identified, and named as Exercisers, Actives and Inactives. Exercisers and Actives accumulated high PA minutes, but Actives engaged in predominantly light intensity PA that was accumulated in shorter bouts. The largest difference was observed in relative PA minutes (minutes exceeding participants’ preferred walking speed). Inactives accumulated the lowest PA minutes, intensity and highest activity fragmentation.

During the follow-up period, 32% of participants experienced a substantial decline in walking speed, 24% in SPPB score and 21% in self-reported walking ability. Among women, Exercisers, but not Actives, had lower risk for a substantial decline in walking speed (OR 0.30, 95% CI 0.10-0.95) and SPPB score (0.33, 0.12-0.88) compared to Inactives after adjusting for age, depressive symptoms, comorbidity and baseline walking speed or SPPB score. Among women, Exercisers also had lower risk for decline in self-reported walking ability, but this was explained by differences in health. For men, the differences were not statistically significant.

Conclusions

Daily PA that is accumulated in longer bouts and at intensity exceeding one’s preferred walking speed may be especially beneficial for the maintenance of physical function with advancing age.

Funding Source

Academy of Finland, Finnish Ministry of Education & Culture and European Research Council.
O.4.1-10 The FITT guidelines for multicomponent fall prevention programmes for community-dwelling older adults
Authors: Tomazin Katja , Knific Tjaša , Dolenc Maja
Published: September 2023

Purpose

The most commonly proposed intervention for fall prevention in community-dwelling older adults is a multicomponent exercise programme. This is a structured form of exercise that improves muscle performance, balance, proprioception, coordination, mobility, and gait. It usually includes balance and functional exercises versus control. Although it has been suggested that exercise programmes for fall prevention should be performed three or more times per week, no precise guidelines for frequency (F), intensity (I), T(time), and T(type) of a multicomponent exercise programme have been proposed. It has already been pointed out that frequency, type, and time of a multicomponent exercise programme do not explain the effects of balance exercises in older adults. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the reporting of FITT guidelines for a multicomponent exercise programme for fall prevention in community-dwelling older adults, with a focus on intensity.

Methods

Systematic reviews of randomised control trials comparing the effectiveness of structured, multicomponent fall prevention programmes in community-dwelling older adults were included. Studies that focused on a specific condition, such as stroke, were excluded. We included only studies that compared fall rates before and after the multicomponent programme. PubMed, PEDro, EMBASE, Scopus were searched until January 2023.

Results

Preliminary results showed that FITT guidelines for multicomponent exercise were not consistently reported across studies. In particular, exercise intensity was often not reported. Without a valid and reliable measure of exercise intensity, the dose-response relationship for a multicomponent exercise programme should be further investigated.

Conclusions

Limitations of this systematic review include variability in the design of multicomponent interventions and incomplete reporting of FITT in reported studies.

Support/Funding Source

The study is founded from Next Generation EU Recovery and Resilience Facility and resources from National institute of public health Slovenia.
O.4.2-4 The influence of organized sport participation on health-related fitness development during adolescence
Authors: Kolunsarka Iiris , Stodden David , Gråstèn Arto , Huhtiniemi Mikko , Jaakkola Timo
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Organized sport participation plays particularly big role in promoting adolescents’ physical activity and health-related fitness. However, it remains to be understood how current, past, or complete non-participation in organized sports affect adolescents’ individual trajectories of cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness and whether adolescents benefit from their past participation in organized sports in terms of fitness. Thus, the aim of this research was to study the development of cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness during adolescence in those 1) who continued or started organized sport participation, 2) who dropped out, and 3) who never participated or dropped out before adolescence.

Methods

In this five-year longitudinal study, which was carried out between 2017-2021, self-reported sport participation data were collected annually, and cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness measurements were collected every other year from 963 participants (Mage = 11.25 ± 0.31). Multi-group parallel latent growth curve model was used to examine initial levels and slopes (rate of change) of cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness simultaneously in each of three sport participation group: 1) continuous, 2) dropout, and 3) non-part.

Results

Continuous group had significantly higher initial levels of cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness compared to other two groups. Moreover, both continuous and non-part groups had positive slopes of cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness. Although dropout group had significantly higher initial levels of cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness compared to non-part group, the slopes were smaller or not significant. Thus, at the last time point, there were no longer significant differences between these two groups in levels of cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness.

Conclusions

Continued participation in organized sports promotes adolescents’ health-related fitness. However, as adolescents dropout these health-related fitness improvements seem to be lost. Therefore, it is necessary to consider what could be done so that adolescents who dropout or never participated in organized sports would have equal opportunities to promote their health-related fitness. One reason for dropout is that organized sports tend to get more competitive, time-consuming, and expensive in adolescence. Thus, solution could be low-cost and low-threshold recreational or school-related physical activities that could improve or maintain health-related fitness during adolescence.

Funding Source

Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture
O.4.2-7 Feedback from the inside: physical activity effects on interoceptive and emotional awareness
Authors: Passarello Noemi , Alivernini Fabio , Mandolesi Laura , Lucidi Fabio
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Interoceptive awareness refers to how one perceives its internal bodily sensations, and it has been associated with the ability to recognize, describe and regulate emotions. Physical activity (PA) has been demonstrated to have tremendous benefits for emotional well-being, but few studies have investigated how PA could moderate interoceptive awareness abilities. In this contribution, we first analysed the association between PA and interoceptive awareness. Then, we tested whether PA could functions as a moderator factor for emotional-bodily awareness relationship.

Method

344 young adults were divided in three experimental groups according to their PA level (sedentary= 60; active= 114; highly active=170), assessed through the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). The Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA), and the Toronto Alexythimia Scale (TAS-20) were also administered, to analyse participants’ interoceptive and emotional awareness. Data were analysed through generalized linear model (GLM) (to test PA association with interoceptive awareness), and moderation analysis (to test if PA could moderate bodily-emotional awareness relationship).

Results

GLM outputs showed that MAIA’s interoceptive awareness dimensions were successfully predicted by PA level, specifically Noticing, Not-distracting, Attention-regulation, Emotional awareness, and Self-regulation. Moreover, moderation analysis results showed that PA acted as moderating factor between interoceptive and emotional awareness ().

Conclusions

Despite its preliminary nature, our contribution represents one of the first attempts to operationalize the relationship between Interoceptive and emotional awareness through the inclusion of PA, suggesting the use of practices based on emotional and body awareness to promote psychological and physical well-being as well as successes in sport.
O.4.3-6 Relationship between actigraphy derived physical activity, sedentary behaviours and sleep parameters in preschool children - a cross sectional study
Authors: Matłosz Piotr , Wyszyńska Justyna , Mazur Artur , Tutak Jacek , Martinez-Rodriguez Alejandro , Herbert Jarosław
Published: September 2023

Purpose

The aim of the study was to explore the associations between physical activity and sedentary time with sleep parameters among preschool children.

Methods

Children aged from 5 to 6 years (n = 676) attending to kindergartens were recruited, measures included accelerometer-derived 24 h activity from seven consecutive days and nights: moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), sedentary time, sleep duration, sleep efficiency, wake after sleep onset (WASO), number of awakenings, Movement Index, Fragmentation Index and Sleep Fragmentation Index.

Results

Longer time spent in MVPA was associated with higher sleep efficiency both in boys and girls. Longer time spent in sedentary behaviour was associated with lower sleep efficiency, and higher WASO, number of awakenings, Movement Index and Sleep Fragmentation Index. MVPA may be related to sleep efficiency and Sleep Fragmentation Index both in boys and girls. Among boys MVPA was inversely associated with WASO, number of awakenings and Fragmentation Index, while in girls with sleep duration, Movement Index and Sleep Fragmentation Index. Sedentary time was inversely associated with sleep efficiency and directly associated with WASO, number of awakenings, Movement Index and Sleep Fragmentation Index. Meeting recommended level of MVPA was associated with better sleep efficiency, lower WASO and number of awakenings among boys

Conclusions

The sedentary time from all valid days had the strongest, negative effect on sleep-related parameters in preschool children. The results of the present study appear to suggest that sedentary time reduction may contribute more to improving sleep quality than increasing MVPA.
O.4.3-10 Validation and investigation of a video-assisted version of the KIDSCREEN-27 for Danish children
Authors: Kurtzhals Mette , Melby Paulina Sander , Nielsen Glen
Published: September 2023

Background

Poor well-being among children is an increasing concern worldwide. In Denmark, the decrease in well-being among children and youth has been evident in recent years making research on the promotion of well-being important. Three generic and comprehensive questionnaire-based measures of children’s well-being and quality of life of different lengths have been developed across 13 European countries (KIDSCREEN-52, KIDSCREEN-27, and KIDSCREEN-10). The questionnaires have been translated and validated in several languages – and the cross-cultural comparability and psychometric properties have been found satisfactory. However due to the required reading abilities for understanding and filling in the questionnaire the children’s self-report version has mainly been validated and used in ages 11-18 years. For this reason, parent proxy reporting is often used for children below age 11. In Denmark, the questionnaires have been translated, but no validation study has been published.

Purpose

To test the measurement properties and evaluate the feasibility validity and reliability of a video-assisted version of the Danish KIDSCREEN 27 child self-report on a sample of Danish children aged six to nine years.

Methods

An electronic version with video and speech-assisted instructions and explanations for the questionnaire was developed. The questionnaire was administered to a large sample of Danish school children aged six to nine years.

Expected results and outcomes

We aim to improve the measurement of self-reported well-being among children aged six to nine years by using our video and speech-assisted electronic version of the KIDSREEN-27. Preliminary findings will be presented and discussed. The study is important, as its evident that we need a better understanding of the prerequisites, causes, pathways, and indicators of children’s well-being.
O.4.3-11 The integration of Brain Gym Principle with Aerobic Dance for developing a new physical education instruction
Authors: Samawathdana Rungrawee , Tingsabhat Suthana , Seenumkam Thanyarat , Vathagavorakul Rawisara , Wongpipit Waris
Published: September 2023

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to demonstrate a new Physical Education (PE) instruction by integrating the concept of Brain Gym (BY) Principles with Aerobic Dance (AD) to enhance cognitive and physical movement skills in secondary school students.

Methods

The study was a systematic documentary research by reviewing BY and AD related research paper. The inclusion criteria for selecting documents were reliability, representativeness, and meaning. These findings were reviewed using five experts in Physical education, brain gym, and aerobics dance exercise. The Item Objective Congruence Index (IOC) was certified with IOC=1, as the basis for considering and rechecking the results of the study.

Results

The new PE instruction composes of five steps: 1) introducing, reviewing, and checking the readiness of learning; 2) instructing, demonstrating, and rechecking; 3) practicing the brain and physical movement; 4) concluding and reflecting; and 5) cool down. Moreover, the learning activities should include four groups of the mix in low and high impact aerobics dance movements which were 1) Cross over; 2) Lengthening; 3) Energizing; and 4) Useful movement.

Conclusions

The brain gym principles benefits learner in cognitive function, which enhancing in learning, communication ability, attention, memory, academic performance. While aerobic dance activity helps learners to improve the physical movement abilities, increases blood circulation, decreasing cholesterol levels, and enjoyment in learning. This research demonstrates the process of developing a new PE approach using documentary research qualifies by PE expertise and found that the new approach composed of five step and must be adapted brain gym and aerobic exercises principles. Hence, this new PE teaching approach have been implemented using quasi-experimental research and approved to publish in a qualifies publisher in Thailand.