Association between physical activity and cardiorespiratory factors in adolescents: a cross-sectional exploratory study

Background: Currently, under half of the adolescents reach recommended daily levels of physical activity (PA). It is known that higher levels of PA lead to higher levels of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and therefore, a health-related CRF criterion value could contribute to identify the target population for primary cardiovascular disease prevention. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the relation between PA levels and CRF factors in healthy adolescents. Methods: A cross-sectional exploratory study with healthy adolescents aged 12-18 years old was conducted. Socio-demographic and body composition data were collected using a questionnaire. PA level was scored with the Physical Activity Index (PAI) and CRF assessment included lung function (LF) measured with spirometry and exercise tolerance measured with Incremental Shuttle Walking Test (ISWT). According to PAI scores the sample was divided in two groups: 1 (sedentary, low and moderately active); 2 (vigorously active (VA)). Descriptive statistics were applied to characterise the sample. Independent sample t-tests assessed differences between groups and simple logistic regressions identified the predictors of being VA. Results: The study included 115 adolescents (14.63±1.70 years old; 56.52% female). Adolescents presented a normal body mass index=21.19±3.14 Kg.m-2) and LF (forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1)=105.58±12.73% of the predicted). Significant differences were found between groups in height (G1–163.44±8.01; G2–167±8.65; p=0.024), LF (FEV1/ forced vital capacity (FVC); G1–97.58±10.66; G2–94.04±8.04; p=0.049), ISWT distance (G1– 1089.81±214.04; G2–1173.60±191.86; p=0.038); heart rate (HR) at rest (G1– 84.61±13.68; G2–79.23±13.81; p=0.038), HR at the end of the best ISWT (G1– 124.71±37.57; G2–133.54±33.61; p=0.041) and percentage of the maximal HR achieved during ISWT (G1–63.09±19.03; G2–67.53±17.08; p=0.043). Simple logistic regressions showed that height (OR–1.054; 95%CI 1.006-1.104), ISWT distance (OR–1.002; 95%CI 1.000-1.004) and HR at rest (OR–0.971; 95%CI 0.945-0.999) were predictors of being VA. Conclusions: Results suggest that more physically active adolescents have a better CRF profile. The findings suggest that PA is important to adolescents’ health status and it should be encouraged since childhood. Clinical practice will benefit from the use of PAI, ISWT and HR findings, allowing physiotherapists to use it for prescribing exercise.

Youth-Physical Activity Towards Health: evidence and background to the development of the Y-PATH physical activity intervention for adolescents

Background: Despite known benefits of regular physical activity for health and well-being, many studies suggest that levels of physical activity in young people are low, and decline dramatically during adolescence. The purpose of the current research was to gather data on adolescent youth in order to inform the development of a targeted physical activity intervention. Methods: Cross-sectional data on physical activity levels (using self report and accelerometry), psychological correlates of physical activity, anthropometic characteristics, and the fundamental movement skill proficiency of 256 youth (53% male, 12.40 ± 0.51 years) were collected. A subsample (n = 59) participated in focus group interviews to explore their perceptions of health and identify barriers and motivators to participation in physical activity. Results: Findings indicate that the majority of youth (67%) were not accumulating the minimum 60 minutes of physical activity recommended daily for health, and that 99.5% did not achieve the fundamental movement skill proficiency expected for their age. Body mass index data showed that 25% of youth were classified as overweight or obese. Self-efficacy and physical activity attitude scores were significantly different (p < 0.05) between low, moderate and high active participants. Active and inactive youth reported differences in their perceived understanding of health and their barriers to physical activity participation, with active youth relating nutrition, exercise, energy and sports with the definition of ‘being healthy’, and inactive youth attributing primarily nutritional concepts to ‘being healthy’. Conclusions: Data show a need for targeting low levels of physical activity in youth through addressing poor health related activity knowledge and low fundamental movement skill proficiency. The Y-PATH intervention was developed in accordance with the present study findings; details of the intervention format are presented.

Atividade fisica e aptidão fisica de adolescentes : similaridades e contrastes em uma decada

Universidade Estadual de Campinas . Faculdade de Educação Física

Indicadores de saude em mulheres acima de 50 anos de idade participantes de um programa de atividades fisicas no complexo da Mare-RJ

Univesidade Estadual de Campinas. Faculdade de Educação Física

Crescimento fisico e aptidão fisica relacionada a saude em escolares de alto nivel socioeconomico

Universidade Estadual de Campinas. Faculdade de Educação Física

Tracking dos indicadores da aptidão fisica relacionada a saude em escolares

Universidade Estadual de Campinas . Faculdade de Educação Física

Saude coletiva e aptdão fisica de escolares de segundo grau : estudo a partis do Colegio Tecnico Industrial - UNESP, Bauru

Universidade Estadual de Campinas . Faculdade de Educação Física

Is screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm bad for your health and well-being?

Background: The purpose of the present paper was to investigate whether screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) causes health-related quality of life to change in men or their partners. Methods: A cross-sectional case-control comparison was undertaken of men aged 65-83 years living in Perth, Western Australia, using questionnaires incorporating three validated instruments (Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36, EuroQol EQ-5D and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) as well as several independent questions about quality of life. The 2009 men who attended for ultrasound scans of the abdominal aorta completed a short prescreening questionnaire about their perception of their general health. Four hundred and ninety-eight men (157 with an AAA and 341 with a normal aorta) were sent two questionnaires for completion 12 months after screening, one for themselves and one for their partner, each being about the quality of life of the respondent. Results: Men with an AAA were more limited in performing physical activities than those with a normal aorta (t-test of means P = 0.04). After screening, men with an AAA were significantly less likely to have current pain or discomfort than those with a normal aorta (multivariate odds ratio: 0.5; 95% confidence interval (Cl): 0.3-0.9) and reported fewer visits to their doctor. The mean level of self-perceived general health increased for all men from before to after screening (from 63.4 to 65.4). Conclusions: Apart from physical functioning, screening was not associated with decreases in health and well-being. A high proportion of men rated their health over the year after screening as being either the same or improved, regardless of whether or not they were found to have an AAA.

Effects of Aerobic Training on Psychosocial Morbidity and Symptoms in Patients With Asthma A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Asthma symptoms reduce patients daily activities, impair their health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and increase their reports of anxiety and depress, all of which seem to be related to a decrease in asthma control. Aerobic exercise training is known to improve aerobic fitness and reduce dyspnea in asthmatics; however, its effect in reducing psychologic distress and symptoms remains poorly understood. We evaluated the role of an aerobic training program in improving HRQoL (primary aim) and reducing psychologic distress and asthma symptoms (secondary aims) for patients with moderate or severe persistent asthma. Methods: A total of 101 patients were randomly assigned to either a control group or an aerobic training group and studied during the period between medical consultations. Control group patients (educational program plus breathing exercises) (n = 51) and training group patients (educational program plus breathing exercises plus aerobic training) (n = 50) were followed twice a week during a 3-month period. HRQoL and levels of anxiety and depression were quantified before and after treatment. Asthma symptoms were evaluated monthly. Results: At 3 months, the domains (physical limitations, frequency of symptoms, and psychosocial) and total scores of HRQoL, significantly improved only in the training group patients (P < .001); the number of asthma-symptom-free days and anxiety and depression levels also significantly improved in this group (P < .001). In addition, a linear relationship between improvement in aerobic capacity and the days without asthma symptoms was observed (r = 0.47; P < .01). Conclusions: Our results suggest that aerobic training can play an important role in the clinical management of patients with persistent asthma. Further, they may be especially useful for patients with higher degrees of psychosocial distress.

Adjuncts to Physical Training of Patients With Severe COPD: Oxygen or Noninvasive Ventilation?

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown positive effects from noninvasive ventilation (NIV) or supplemental oxygen on exercise capacity in patients with COPD. However, the best adjunct for promoting physiologic adaptations to physical training in patients with severe COPD remains to be investigated. METHODS: Twenty-eight patients (mean +/- SD age 68 +/- 7 y) with stable COPD (FEV(1) 34 +/- 9% of predicted) undergoing an exercise training program were randomized to either NIV (n = 14) or supplemental oxygen (n = 14) during group training to maintain peripheral oxygen saturation (S(pO2)) >= 90%. Physical training consisted of treadmill walking (at 70% of maximal speed) 3 times a week, for 6 weeks. Patients were assessed at baseline and after 6 weeks. Assessments included physiological adaptations during incremental exercise testing (ratio of lactate concentration to walk speed, oxygen uptake [(V) over dot(O2)], and dyspnea), exercise tolerance during 6-min walk test, leg fatigue, maximum inspiratory pressure, and health-related quality of life. RESULTS: Two patients in each group dropped out due to COPD exacerbations and lack of exercise program adherence, and 24 completed the training program. Both groups improved 6-min walk distance, symptoms, and health-related quality of life. However, there were significant differences between the NIV and supplemental-oxygen groups in lactate/speed ratio (33% vs -4%), maximum inspiratory pressure (80% vs 23%), 6-min walk distance (122 m vs 47 m), and leg fatigue (25% vs 11%). In addition, changes in S(pO2)/speed, (V) over dot(O2), and dyspnea were greater with NIV than with supplemental-oxygen. CONCLUSIONS: NIV alone is better than supplemental oxygen alone in promoting beneficial physiologic adaptations to physical exercise in patients with severe COPD.