Effects of qigong exercise on physical fitness and patient-reported health outcomes in lung cancer survivors.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a three-month Guolin Qigong (GQ) intervention on physical fitness and patient-reported health outcomes among patients with lung cancer. METHODS: This pilot study was a non-randomized controlled trial. Eligible participants who were over 18 years of age and diagnosed with stage I-IV lung cancer were enrolled in the study and received either the GQ intervention or usual care (UC). Participants in the GQ group performed GQ at least twice a week (one hour per session) for three months. Physical fitness (chair stand, arm curl, sit and reach, back scratch, 8-foot up and go, 6-min walk test) was assessed at baseline, post-intervention, six months, and 12 months. Self-reported quality of life and sleep (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life questionnaire and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) were assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and six months. RESULTS: Forty-nine participants (65% females, 59.1 ± 7.0 years old, ranging from 39 to 71 years old) were enrolled in the study, and 25 participants completed all tests at 12-month follow-up (13 in GQ vs. 12 in UC; 68% females, 59.3 ± 5.5 years old). Compared to the UC group, results for the chair stand and arm curl tests improved significantly in the GQ group from baseline to post-intervention (P = 0.024 and P = 0.041, respectively). Similarly, the 8-foot up and go test improved in the GQ group from baseline to post-intervention and 12 months (P = 0.004 and P = 0.008, respectively) when compared to the UC group. Between-group analyses also revealed a statistically significant improvement in global health status/quality of life from baseline to six months (P = 0.018) and quality of sleep from baseline to post-intervention (P = 0.034) in favor of the GQ group. CONCLUSION: GQ had a beneficial effect on lower and upper body strength, locomotor performance (speed, agility, and balance while moving), quality of sleep, and quality of life among lung cancer survivors, but further randomized controlled trials are warranted to confirm these findings. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial has been registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2200059145).

Reliability of Accelerometer Scores for Measuring Sedentary and Physical Activity Behaviors in Persons With Multiple Sclerosis.

This brief research note examined the reliability of scores from an accelerometer as measures of sedentary and physical activity behaviors in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). The analysis was performed on a combined data set from 2 previous longitudinal investigations of physical activity in MS. We focused on the number of days required to reliably estimate sedentary behavior, based on time spent in sedentary behavior per day and number of sedentary breaks, number of long sedentary bouts, and average length of sedentary bouts per day. We further examined the number of days required to reliably estimate physical activity behavior, based on time spent in light and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and average length of activity bouts per day. Between 4-6 days of monitoring and 3-7 days of monitoring were necessary for good reliability of scores from all sedentary outcomes and physical activity outcomes, respectively. These results should guide research and practice examining sedentary and physical activity behaviors using accelerometry in persons with MS.

The Canadian Assessment of Physical Literacy: methods for children in grades 4 to 6 (8 to 12 years).

BACKGROUND: Physical literacy is described as the motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge and understanding to value and engage in a physically active lifestyle. As such, it is expected that those who have greater physical literacy would be more likely to obtain the health benefits offered by habitual physical activity. A theoretical model and assessment battery, the Canadian Assessment of Physical Literacy (CAPL), for the assessment of childhood physical literacy had been proposed in theory but validity data were lacking. The purpose of this study was to explore validity evidence for the CAPL among children in grades 4 to 6. METHODS: CAPL validity was evaluated through three analyses that utilized cross-sectional data obtained through local schools in Eastern Ontario, Canada. A confirmatory factor analysis compared the data to the theoretical model. Patterns of association between self-reported age and gender and the CAPL total and domain scores were examined using regression models. Teacher ratings of participants' knowledge, attitude and physical activity competence were compared to assessment results. RESULTS: The CAPL was completed by 963 children (55 % female) in grades 4, 5 and 6. Children were 8 to 12 years of age (mean 10.1 years), with 85 % of children approached agreeing to participate. A confirmatory factor analysis using data from 489 children with complete raw scores supported a model with four domains: engagement in physical activity (active and sedentary), physical competence (fitness and motor skill), motivation and confidence, and knowledge and understanding. Raw domain scores followed expected patterns for age and gender, providing evidence for their validity. Interpretive categories, developed from age and gender adjusted normative data, were not associated with age indicating that the CAPL is suitable for use across this age range. Children's gender was associated with the physical competence, motivation and engagement in physical activity domain scores, indicating that further research is required regarding the gender adjustment of the raw CAPL scores. CAPL domain and total scores were statistically significantly associated with teacher ratings of the child's motivation, attitudes, fitness, skill and overall physical activity. CONCLUSIONS: CAPL offers a comprehensive assessment of engagement in physical activity, physical competence, motivation and confidence, and knowledge and understanding as components of childhood (grades 4 to 6, 8 to 12 years) physical literacy. Monitoring of these measures enhances our understanding of children's physical literacy, and assists with the identification of areas where additional supports are required.

Have the Fundamental Movement Skills of U.S. Children Changed?

Purpose: By using four national data sets, this study aimed to examine the changes in U.S. children's fundamental movement skills (FMS) from 1985 to 2019. Method: Three Tests Gross of Motor Development (TGMD) normative studies, i.e. TGMD-1 (N = 909, male% = 50), TGMD-2 (N = 1143, male% = 50) and TGMD-3 (N = 864, male% = 51), and the TGMD-2 data of the 2012 NHANES National Youth Fitness Survey (NNYFS-2012; raw N = 352, national represented population = 12,509,706, male% = 51) were used for analyses. Each item in TGMD-2/NNYFS and TGMD-3 was carefully examined, and these that did not match to TGMD-1 were deleted. Cohen's D effect size (ES) was utilized for the difference among year-to-year comparisons. Result: From 1985 to 2000, FMS in US children of 3-7 years old (90% increase & 10% no change) increased temporarily, but remained stable (17% increase & 83% no change) among 8-10 years old. Between 2000 and 2019, however, U.S. children began to demonstrate a slight/stable drop in FMS among 3-5 years old (22% decrease & 78% no change), and a distinct decline among 6-10 years old (80% decrease & 20% no change). While children with normal BMI showed the highest FMS score, the direct cause of reduction in FMS is still unknown. Conclusion: An overall up-and-down change was observed in U.S. children's FMS between 1985 and 2019, and more longitudinal studies with FMS-related variables are needed.

Benefits of tai ji quan practice on neuromuscular functions in older adults: A Systematic Review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Tai Ji Quan (TJQ) practice has been recommended for reducing falls in older adults, but a gap exists in our understanding of the neuromuscular mechanisms underlying TJQ practice benefits. This study aims to quantify and validate neuromuscular mechanisms underlying TJQ practice benefits in older adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This review and analysis followed the PRISMA framework. All meta-analyses were performed in R. RESULTS: For healthy older adults, TJQ practice was found to decrease muscle onset latency. Higher leg muscle activations were found during TJQ gait in comparison to normal gait. A significant interaction between TJQ practice time and age of the cohort was observed in muscle onset latency. For adults with pre-existing health conditions, TJQ practice has similar neuromuscular benefits as conventional rehabilitation methods. CONCLUSION: Neuromuscular function improvements associated with TJQ practice provide a mechanism for reducing falls in older adults with and without pre-existing health conditions.

U.S. Children and Youth's Physical Activities Inside and Outside of School PE: 1985 vs. 2012.

The purpose of this study was, by taking advantage of the rich data from two U.S. national fitness surveys, to examine the physical activity (PA) students engaged in, both inside and outside school physical education (PE), determine if there are differences by grade, sex, and weight status, and if there was a change between 1985 and 2012. The data from the 1985 National Children and Youth Fitness Study (NCYFS) and the 2012 NHANES National Youth Fitness Survey (NNYFS) were matched, merged (N = 6178, 3107 boys and 3071 girls), and analyzed. It was found that basketball remained the most popular PA inside school PE across both surveys. Swimming was the most popular PA outside of school PE in 1985, but was replaced by running in 2012. Although PA taught and promoted inside of school PE and that such PA practiced outside were moderately correlated across the surveys, some disconnections were noticed. The impact of grade, sex, and weight status on PA preference and participation was also confirmed. What is needed is to the design and integration of more lifelong and individual PAs in future school PE curricula and school and community children and youth sport and PA programs.

Determining metabolic equivalent values of physical activities for persons with paraplegia.

PURPOSE: The compendium of physical activity (CPA) may not be appropriate for persons with paraplegia (PP) because of their possible low resting metabolic rate (RMR), or 1 MET, and a lack of physical activities (PAs) engaged by PP in the CPA. A CPA supplement, therefore, is needed. The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility of constructing a short supplement for PP with two specific aims: to determine whether PP need an alternative 1-MET value and if selected PA can be classified into corresponding categories based on their 'engagement' and 'energy expenditure (EE)' characteristics. METHOD: Thirty-one PP (161.26 cm +/- 22.99 cm, 60.52 kg +/- 15.32 kg, and 24.16 +/- 6.25 years) were recruited. RMR and 10 PA with different intensities were measured using indirect calorimetry. The z- and t-tests were employed to examine MET difference between the measured values and those of CPA (alpha = 0.05). RESULTS: One-MET for PP (3.1 mL/kg/min) was lower than that of the CPA (3.5 mL/kg/min). Although some MET values were found to be similar to those in the CPA, others were statistically significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: To be able to measure PA-related EE of a disability subpopulation using the CPA accurately, a supplement that accounts for the impact of different types of activities and the EE characteristics of the subpopulation must be developed.

CHOIS: enabling grid technologies for obesity surveillance and control.

CHOIS, the Child Health and Obesity Informatics System, is developed using open source portal technology with three-tiered Open Grid Services Architecture, an accepted standard for accessing Grid Computing and other services under Open Grid Collaborating Environments (OGCE). Its web application provides web based forms with 112 different fields to enter data ranging from demographic, height & weight for BMI, to genomic information. Automatic computation of BMI, BMI percentile and the risk of obesity alert are embedded into this system. After successful testing of the prototype, CHOIS is now ready to be used by the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) for obesity surveillance. This HIPAA & FERPA compliant secure system, integrating large databases in a high performance grid computing environment, enables school-nurse to collect data on school children and report statistical and surveillance information on BMI to identify those at-risk and obese for obesity prevention and intervention programs.

Variability: Human nature and its impact on measurement and statistical analysis.

•Variability is a human nature and large or small variability could directly impact our measurement and statistical data analysis practice.•If not handle correctly, variability could lead to incorrect conclusion or misleading statement on research findings.•Using real and hypothetical data, common errors in measurement and analyzing of variability were illustrated and how to address the errors were highlighted.•There is a call for improving in measurement techniques and better statistical training for handling variability.

Multilevel modeling of walking behavior: advances in understanding the interactions of people, place, and time.

It has become increasingly clear that the influences on walking as well as other forms of regular physical activity are complex and require an increased understanding of factors across multiple levels of influence. Ecological frameworks have provided the field with a heuristic means of capturing potential impacts on behavior across diverse domains, including personal, behavioral, social or cultural, and environmental. We discuss advances in both understanding and applying this framework through the inclusion of previously ignored dimensions of impact (e.g., time), the application of state-of-the-art statistical methods for understanding interactions among multiple domains (e.g., signal detection), and the development of computer technologies (e.g., agent-based modeling) aimed at simulating the complex relationships between multiple levels of impact and walking behavior. We conclude with suggestions for future research in this emerging field.

"We move kids"-the consensus report from the roundtable to examine strategies for promoting walking in the school environment.

In conjunction with the Walking for Health Conference, a Roundtable with 12 physical education teachers and 11 pedagogy researchers and public health professionals was organized to initiate a dialog between practicing school teachers and a group of researchers to identify practical and effective strategies for increasing physical activity, particularly walking, in the school setting. Discussions were organized on the following major themes: (1) promoting physical activity, (2) barriers for physical activity promotion in children, and (3) integrating physical activity with other health behaviors in the curriculum. There was a focus that came through on strategies to overcome barriers to allow opportunities for students to increase their physical activity levels. These strategies require the commitment not only of physical education teachers but also of their fellow teachers, school administrators, parents, local community members, and of course the students themselves. The issue of limited resources continually came up, thus realistically limiting strategies to those that could be implemented without additional cost. Any progress to be made with respect to the implementation of these strategies depends on the infrastructure of support that can be built on the excellent recommendations provided by the Roundtable focus groups.

Long-Term Effects of Tai Chi Intervention on Sleep and Mental Health of Female Individuals With Dependence on Amphetamine-Type Stimulants.

Previous studies provide evidence that Tai Chi (TC) can reduce the symptoms of sleep problems and be of benefit for the rehabilitation of substance abusers. In this study, we investigated if TC practice can improve sleep quality and mood of females who are dependent on amphetamine-type stimulant (ATS). Eighty subjects were randomly assigned to TC intervention and standard care (SC) for 6 months. We applied analysis of variance on repeated-measure with the year of drug dependence as the covariate to test the changes of the self-rated Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), as well as fitness after 3 and 6 months. Relapse investigation was conducted by checking the database of China's National Surveillance System on Drug Abuse and that of the Shanghai Drug Control Committee's illicit drug dependents. Our investigation focused on the relapse of participants who had undergone and completed treatment in the Shanghai Mandatory Detoxification and Rehabilitation Center in 2015. The result showed that the PSQI scores of sleep duration [F(2, 92) = 9.86], need for sleep medications [F(2, 92) = 36.44] and daytime dysfunction [F(2, 92) = 5.15] were found to have a significant difference by time × group interaction after 6 months. SDS showed no significant difference between the two groups; however, the score of SDS in TC decreased after 6-month intervention, and no changes were observed in SC. Pulse rate had significantly decreased in the TC group compared with the SC group after 6 months. 9.5% (4) ATS dependents in TC and 26.3% (10) ATS dependents in SC were found to have relapsed. Our result suggested that TC had positive effects on sleep quality, depression and fitness. Long-term study demonstrated that TC may be a cheap and potential supplementary treatment for ATS-dependent individuals. TC may also be considered as an alternative exercise to escalate abstinence for ATS-dependent females. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ChiCTR-IPR-14005343 chictr. org.cn.

Canadian Agility and Movement Skill Assessment (CAMSA): Validity, objectivity, and reliability evidence for children 8-12 years of age.

PURPOSE: The primary aim of this study was to develop an assessment of the fundamental, combined, and complex movement skills required to support childhood physical literacy. The secondary aim was to establish the feasibility, objectivity, and reliability evidence for the assessment. METHODS: An expert advisory group recommended a course format for the assessment that would require children to complete a series of dynamic movement skills. Criterion-referenced skill performance and completion time were the recommended forms of evaluation. Children, 8-12 years of age, self-reported their age and gender and then completed the study assessments while attending local schools or day camps. Face validity was previously established through a Delphi expert (n = 19, 21% female) review process. Convergent validity was evaluated by age and gender associations with assessment performance. Inter- and intra-rater (n = 53, 34% female) objectivity and test-retest (n = 60, 47% female) reliability were assessed through repeated test administration. RESULTS: Median total score was 21 of 28 points (range 5-28). Median completion time was 17 s. Total scores were feasible for all 995 children who self-reported age and gender. Total score did not differ between inside and outside environments (95% confidence interval (CI) of difference: -0.7 to 0.6; p = 0.91) or with/without footwear (95%CI of difference: -2.5 to 1.9; p = 0.77). Older age (p < 0.001, η 2 = 0.15) and male gender (p < 0.001, η 2 = 0.02) were associated with a higher total score. Inter-rater objectivity evidence was excellent (intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.99) for completion time and substantial for skill score (ICC = 0.69) for 104 attempts by 53 children (34% female). Intra-rater objectivity was moderate (ICC = 0.52) for skill score and excellent for completion time (ICC = 0.99). Reliability was excellent for completion time over a short (2-4 days; ICC = 0.84) or long (8-14 days; ICC = 0.82) interval. Skill score reliability was moderate (ICC = 0.46) over a short interval, and substantial (ICC = 0.74) over a long interval. CONCLUSION: The Canadian Agility and Movement Skill Assessment is a feasible measure of selected fundamental, complex and combined movement skills, which are an important building block for childhood physical literacy. Moderate-to-excellent objectivity was demonstrated for children 8-12 years of age. Test-retest reliability has been established over an interval of at least 1 week. The time and skill scores can be accurately estimated by 1 trained examiner.

Trade-driven relocation of air pollution and health impacts in China.

Recent studies show that international trade affects global distributions of air pollution and public health. Domestic interprovincial trade has similar effects within countries, but has not been comprehensively investigated previously. Here we link four models to evaluate the effects of both international exports and interprovincial trade on PM2.5 pollution and public health across China. We show that 50-60% of China's air pollutant emissions in 2007 were associated with goods and services consumed outside of the provinces where they were produced. Of an estimated 1.10 million premature deaths caused by PM2.5 pollution throughout China, nearly 19% (208,500 deaths) are attributable to international exports. In contrast, interprovincial trade leads to improved air quality in developed coastal provinces with a net effect of 78,500 avoided deaths nationwide. However, both international export and interprovincial trade exacerbate the health burdens of air pollution in China's less developed interior provinces. Our results reveal trade to be a critical but largely overlooked consideration in effective regional air quality planning for China.International and domestic interprovincial trade of China are entangled, but their health impacts have been treated separately in earlier studies. Here Wang. quantify the complex impacts of trade on public health across China within an integrative framework.

Physical activity and prolonged sedentary behavior in US working adults.

Using nationally representative data (N = 6,431) from the 2007-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, we estimated the prevalence of self-reported adherence to guidelines-recommended physical activity level and prolonged sedentary behavior among US working adults 20 years of age and above by occupation. Sex and age were used for adjustment by direct standardization to the year 2000 Census population. Participants in "computer, mathematical" (47.77%) and "business, financial operations" (54.95%) occupations had the lowest prevalence of self-reported adherence to guidelines-recommended physical activity level; participants in "computer, mathematical" (72.19%) and "legal" (62.70%) occupations had the highest prevalence of prolonged sedentary behavior in all occupations. Public physical activity campaigns and workplace wellness programs should take into account the differences in physical activity and sedentary behavior patterns across occupation groups.

Effect of Active Workstation on Energy Expenditure and Job Performance: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Recently developed active workstation could become a potential means for worksite physical activity and wellness promotion. The aim of this review was to quantitatively examine the effectiveness of active workstation in energy expenditure and job performance. METHODS: The literature search was conducted in 6 databases (PubMed, SPORTDiscuss, Web of Science, ProQuest, ScienceDirect, and Scopuse) for articles published up to February 2014, from which a systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted. RESULTS: The cumulative analysis for EE showed there was significant increase in EE using active workstation [mean effect size (MES): 1.47; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.22 to 1.72, P < .0001]. Results from job performance indicated 2 findings: (1) active workstation did not affect selective attention, processing speed, speech quality, reading comprehension, interpretation and accuracy of transcription; and (2) it could decrease the efficiency of typing speed (MES: -0.55; CI: -0.88 to -0.21, P < .001) and mouse clicking (MES: -1.10; CI: -1.29 to -0.92, P < .001). CONCLUSION: Active workstation could significantly increase daily PA and be potentially useful in reducing workplace sedentariness. Although some parts of job performance were significantly lower, others were not. As a result there was little effect on real-life work productivity if we made a good arrangement of job tasks.

Effectiveness of quality physical education in improving students' manipulative skill competency.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine the extent to which the quality physical education teaching (QPET) practices contributed to improving 4th- and 5th-grade students' manipulative skill competency. METHODS: Participants were 9 elementary physical education (PE) teachers and their 4th- and 5th-grade students (n = 2709-3420). The students' skill competency was assessed with 3 manipulative skills using PE metrics assessment rubrics. The PE teachers' levels of QPET were assessed by coding 63 videotaped lessons using the assessing quality teaching rubrics (AQTR), which consisted of 4 essential dimensions including task design, task presentation, class management, and instructional guidance. Codes were confirmed through inter-rater reliability (82.4%, 84.5%, and 94%). Data were analyzed through descriptive statistics, multiple R 2 regression models, and independent sample t tests. RESULTS: This study indicated that the 4 essential dimensions of QPET were all significant contributors to students' manipulative skill competency. These predictors were significantly higher for boys than for girls in soccer and striking skills, while they were significantly higher for girls than for boys in throwing skill competency. Of the 4 essential dimensions of QPET, task presentation played the most significant role in contributing to all 3 skill competencies for both boys and girls. Further, students who experienced high QPET were significantly more skillfully competent than those students who did not have this experience. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that the QPET practices played a significantly critical role in contributing to students' manipulative skill competency.

Long-term trend and spatial pattern of PM2.5 induced premature mortality in China.

With rapid economic growth, China has witnessed increasingly frequent and severe haze and smog episodes over the past decade, posing serious health impacts to the Chinese population, especially those in densely populated city clusters. Quantification of the spatial and temporal variation of health impacts attributable to ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) has important implications for China's policies on air pollution control. In this study, we evaluated the spatial distribution of premature deaths in China between 2000 and 2010 attributable to ambient PM2.5 in accord with the Global Burden of Disease based on a high resolution population density map of China, satellite retrieved PM2.5 concentrations, and provincial health data. Our results suggest that China's anthropogenic ambient PM2.5 led to 1,255,400 premature deaths in 2010, 42% higher than the level in 2000. Besides increased PM2.5 concentration, rapid urbanization has attracted large population migration into the more developed eastern coastal urban areas, intensifying the overall health impact. In addition, our analysis implies that health burdens were exacerbated in some developing inner provinces with high population density (e.g. Henan, Anhui, Sichuan) because of the relocation of more polluting and resource-intensive industries into these regions. In order to avoid such national level environmental inequities, China's regulations on PM2.5 should not be loosened in inner provinces. Furthermore policies should create incentive mechanisms that can promote transfer of advanced production and emissions control technologies from the coastal regions to the interior regions.