Cross-sectional association of physical activity levels with risks of sarcopenia among older Taiwanese adults.

OBJECTIVES: The updated World Health Organization 2020 guidelines strongly recommend an optimal physical activity level of 150-300 min/week for older adults. However, few studies have examined the relationship between different levels of physical activity and sarcopenia. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the cross-sectional associations between overall physical activity levels, gender, intensity, and the risk of sarcopenia among older Taiwanese adults. METHODS: A nationwide cross-sectional telephone survey of older adults (≥ 65 years) was conducted in Taiwan from October 2019 to January 2020. Participants were interviewed to collect self-reported data on their level of physical activity (measured by the Taiwanese version of the IPAQ-SF), sarcopenia risk (measured by the SARC-F questionnaire), and sociodemographics. RESULTS: A total of 1068 older adults were surveyed. Compared with the optimal physical activity level recommendations in the WHO guidelines and after adjusting for potential confounders and proposing an association independent of sedentary behavior, older adults with insufficient physical activity levels (< 150 min/week) were more likely to have a higher risk of sarcopenia (OR: 3.24; CI: 1.67-6.27), whereas older adults who exceeded physical activity guidelines (> 300 min/week) were more likely to have a lower risk of sarcopenia (OR: 0.39; CI: 0.20-0.78). Maintaining moderate-intensity physical activity is essential for older adults, as physical activity that exceeds the guidelines can significantly lower the risk of sarcopenia; meanwhile, insufficient physical activity can greatly increase it. Also, there seems to be a similar association between sarcopenia risk across different physical activity levels in vigorous-intensity physical activities in older adults. However, due to the small number of sarcopenia-risk participants who met or exceeded vigorous-intensity physical activity levels, further comparisons between different vigorous-intensity physical activity levels did not show significant differences in sarcopenia risk. Additionally, insufficient physical activity was found to be an important risk factor for sarcopenia in both genders, while physical activity that exceeded the guidelines prevented sarcopenia in females. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study highlight the potential dose-response relationship related to physical activity. The 2020 WHO guidelines provide the public with minimum recommendations for physical activity. However, exceeding these recommended levels appears to be more effective in preventing sarcopenia in older adults and may offer even greater health benefits. Future research should further explore whether exceeding these guidelines could result in additional health benefits.

Self-reported walking pace: A simple screening tool with lowest risk of all-cause mortality in those that 'walk the talk'.

To determine whether the association between self-reported walking pace and all-cause mortality (ACM) persists across categories of accelerometer-assessed physical activity status. Data from 93,709 UK Biobank participants were included. Physical activity was assessed using wrist-worn accelerometers for 7-days. Participants accumulating <150 min/week moderate-to-vigorous- activity were classed as "inactive", ≥150 min/week moderate (≥3 METs) activity as "somewhat active" excluding those with ≥150 min/week upper-moderate-to-vigorous activity (≥4.3 METs), who were classed as "high-active". Over a 6.3 y (median) follow-up, 2,173 deaths occurred. More than half of slow walkers were "inactive", but only 26% of steady and 12% of brisk walkers. Associations between walking pace and ACM were consistent with those for activity. "High active" brisk walkers had the lowest risk of ACM (Hazard Ratio (HR) 0.22; 95% CI: 0.17,0.28), relative to "inactive" slow walkers. Within those classed as "inactive", steady (HR 0.54; 0.46,0.64) and brisk walkers (HR 0.42; 0.34,0.52) had lower risk than slow walkers. In conclusion, self-reported walking pace was associated with accelerometer-assessed physical activity with both exposures having similar associations with ACM. "inactive", steady, and brisk walkers had lower ACM risk than slow walkers. The pattern was similar for "High active" participants. Overall, "High active" brisk walkers had lowest risk.

Delivering Physical Activity Recommendations in Daily Clinical Cancer Care: An Observational Interview Study in Prostate Cancer Out-Patient Clinics Using an Empirical Ethics of Care Approach.

Physical activity (PA) has shown to mitigate many of the common side effects of cancer treatments. The promotion of PA by health care professionals (HCPs) can facilitate the adoption of PA by patients with cancer. Drawing on an empirical ethics of care approach, this article explores how the delivery of PA recommendations is done within clinical cancer care. Based on 175 observations of consultations between doctors, nurses and patients and interviews with 27 doctors and nurses, we show how delivering PA recommendations was related to four care practices: "adjusting information to match the patient's needs and situation," "managing current and anticipated treatment-induced side effects," "using visual aids and quantifiable data," and "maintaining a good relationship between the patient and the HCP." Drawing on these findings, we discuss strategies to strengthen the delivery of PA recommendations in clinical cancer care.

Do Older Brazilian Women Who Participate in a Regular Physical Exercise Program Have Higher Habitual Physical Activity Levels? A Cross-Sectional Study Based on Accelerometer Data.

A cross-sectional study was conducted to compare the habitual physical activity level, measured by accelerometry, gait performance, assessed by the GAITRite® system, handgrip strength, and static balance between older Brazilian women who participate (n = 50; 70.7 ± 5.5 years) and do not participate (n = 50; 70.1 ± 5.6 years) in a regular physical exercise program, and to investigate whether participation in a regular exercise program ensures compliance with physical activity recommendations. Older women who participated in a regular physical exercise program had significantly shorter sedentary activity time (effect size [ES] = 0.54), longer moderate activity time (ES = 0.85), and higher energy expenditure (ES = 0.64), number of steps (ES = 0.82), gait speed (ES = 0.49), and step length (ES = 0.45). However, regular participation in an exercise program did not guarantee compliance with physical activity recommendations. Behavioral changes to increase physical activity levels among older women who do and do not participate in a regular exercise program are necessary.

Are Wrist-Worn Activity Trackers and Mobile Applications Valid for Assessing Physical Activity in High School Students? Wearfit Study.

The purpose was to examine the validity of three wrist-worn commercial activity trackers (Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2, Apple Watch Series 5, and Xiaomi Mi Band 5) and six mobile apps (Pedometer and Pacer for android and iPhone mobiles, Google Fit for android, and Apple Health for iPhone mobiles) for estimating high school students' steps and physical activity (PA) under free-living conditions. A sample of 56 (27 females; mean age = 14.7 years) and 51 (25 females; mean age = 14.0 years) high school students participated in Study 1 and 2, respectively. Study 1: Students performed a 200-meter course in four different conditions while wearing the wearables. Step counting through a video record was used as the golden standard. Study 2: Students wore the three wrist-worn commercial activity trackers during the waking time of one day, considering ActiGraph model wGT3X-BT accelerometers as a standard of reference. Afterward, the agreement between the PA scores measured by the commercial activity trackers and the video (study 1) or accelerometers (study 2) were calculated as follows: Equivalence test, Limits of Agreement (LOA); Mean Absolute Error (MAE); Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE); and Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC). Results showed that all the wearables presented excellent validity for assessing steps in structured free-living conditions (study 1; MAPE < 5%), although their validity was between poor-excellent based on ICC (95% confidence interval) values (ICC = 0.56-1.00). Regarding Study 2, the Xiaomi wristband and the Samsung Watch presented acceptable-excellent (MAPE = 9.4-11.4%; ICC = 0.91-0.97) validity for assessing steps under unstructured free-living conditions (study 2). However, the Apple Watch presented questionable-excellent validity (MAPE = 18.0%; ICC = 0.69-0.95). Regarding moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) and total PA, only the Apple Watch showed low-acceptable validity for MAPE value and questionable-excellent validity for the ICC values for MVPA assessment (MAPE = 22.6; ICC = 0.67-0.93). All wearables checked in this study have shown adequate validity results in order to assess steps in both structured and unstructured free-living conditions for both continuous and dichotomous variables. Moreover, for assessing MVPA, only the Apple Watch reported valid results for compliance or non-compliance with the daily PA recommendations. However, the results showed low validity for total PA and MVPA as continuous variables. In conclusion, depending on the user's/researcher's aim and context, one or another wearable activity tracker could be more adequate, mainly because of its valid measurements and its costs.

Trajectories of objectively measured physical activity and childhood overweight: longitudinal analysis of the IDEFICS/I.Family cohort.

BACKGROUND: Since only few longitudinal studies with appropriate study designs investigated the relationship between objectively measured physical activity (PA) and overweight, the degree PA can prevent excess weight gain in children, remains unclear. Moreover, evidence is limited on how childhood overweight determines PA during childhood. Therefore, we analyzed longitudinal trajectories of objectively measured PA and their bi-directional association with weight trajectories of children at 2- and 6-year follow-ups. METHODS: Longitudinal data of three subsequent measurements from the IDEFICS/I.Family cohort study were used to analyze the bi-directional association between moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) and weight status by means of multilevel regression models. Analyses comprised 3393 (2-year follow-up) and 1899 (6-year follow-up) children aged 2-15.9 years from eight European countries with valid accelerometer data and body mass index (BMI) measurements. For categorized analyses, children's weight status was categorized as normal weight or overweight (cutoff: 90th percentile of BMI) and children's PA as (in-) sufficiently active (cutoffs: 30, 45 and 60 min of MVPA per day). RESULTS: Children engaging in at least 60 min MVPA daily at baseline and follow-ups had a lower odds of becoming overweight (odds ratio [OR] at 2-year follow-up: 0.546, 95% CI: 0.378, 0.789 and 6-year follow-up: 0.393, 95% CI: 0.242, 0.638), compared to less active children. Similar associations were found for 45 min MVPA daily. On the other side, children who became overweight had the lowest odds to achieve 45 or 60 min MVPA daily (ORs: 0.459 to 0.634), compared to normal weight children. CONCLUSIONS: Bi-directional associations between MVPA and weight status were observed. In summary, at least 60 min MVPA are still recommended for the prevention of childhood overweight. To prevent excess weight gain, 45 min MVPA per day also showed preventive effects.

How to disseminate national recommendations for physical activity: a qualitative analysis of critical change agents in Germany.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity recommendations are reached by only a small part of the population. A common problem is that research findings on public health-related topics such as physical activity promotion are oftentimes not translated into practice. The involvement of relevant stakeholders, such as change agents (role models, decision-makers, and/or knowledge mediators), is a common strategy to implement physical activity recommendations in specific settings, as they have the necessary knowledge of contextual factors. However, dissemination and implementation of physical activity recommendations are often prevented by focusing exclusively on the health sector and by underestimating the individual perceptions and needs of change agents. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to address the problem of how physical activity recommendations can be translated into practice through comprehensive consideration of the situation and context of change agents from various sectors of society at different administrative levels. This allows for deriving recommendations for action on how a national dissemination strategy of physical activity recommendations should be designed. METHODS: Qualitative expert interviews were conducted with change agents from different sectors of society and administrative levels in Germany (N = 21). Case selection took place via a sampling plan. The interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed by two trained researchers using qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: The change agents' perceived relevance of physical activity and physical activity promotion and their knowledge of physical activity recommendations varied across different sectors. Nine themes were identified covering the change agents' needs for the implementation of physical activity recommendations: strengthening of political will and cooperation, availability of public space for physical activity, change in awareness and health education, professional qualification, financial incentives, development of physical activity-promoting programmes and structures, provision of resources, bridging the theory-practice gap, and knowledge of physical activity recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: This exploratory study contributes to the development of an evidence-based dissemination strategy of physical activity recommendations involving change agents from various sectors. Cross-sectoral needs and obstacles were identified indicating gaps that have to be addressed. Future research should choose practice-oriented approaches to develop dissemination strategies that are adapted to the needs of local contexts.

Prevalence of accelerometer-measured physical activity in adolescents in Fit Futures - part of the Tromsø Study.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies show large variations in physical activity (PA) levels among adolescents. However, the number of studies is limited and even fewer studies have assessed PA in adolescents by accelerometer devices. This study aimed to describe accelerometer-measured PA levels in adolescents in a population-based cohort in Northern Norway. METHODS: In 611 students aged 16-17 years attending the Fit Futures Study, PA was measured by Actigraph GT3X for seven consecutive days. PA was expressed as total PA volume (counts per minute, CPM), time spent in intensity zones, steps per day, and fulfilment of WHO recommendation (i.e. accumulation of 60 min or more of at least moderate intensity PA per day). Potential correlates of PA such as sex, socioeconomic status, study program, self-perceived health, and PA variations by weekday versus weekend were also examined. RESULTS: 16% of the girls and 25% of the boys fulfilled current WHO-recommendations. Total PA volume (CPM) was higher in boys than in girls (353 (SD 130) versus 326 (SD 114) CPM, p < 0.05). PA levels differed with study program and increased with better self-perceived health, but were not associated with socioeconomic status. Both boys and girls were more active on weekdays than weekends (altogether; 350 (SD 124) versus 299 (SD 178) CPM, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort of adolescents, less than 25% of 16-17-year-old boys and girls fulfilled the WHO recommendations. The levels of physical activity in 16-17-year-old adolescents are similar to previous data reported in adults.

Type of Exercise Training and Training Methods.

There is general agreement that exercise training leads to functional, morphological, and metabolic adaptations of different biological systems, thereby increasing overall physical performance and promoting good health. Thus, an active lifestyle is propagated in all age groups. However, not every exercise routine or workout is suitable for everyone. Inappropriate training can also pose risks, and too low or too high training intensity or volume often does not lead to the expected success. To ensure significant benefits, specific principles and strategies need to be considered and accustomed to the individual.This chapter summarizes the key exercise variables and training principles to consider when developing a training program to improve or maintain performance and health. In addition, the various steps for creating an individual training program are described, and an overview of the different training methods and training strategies is given.

Objective Assessment of Adherence to Global Recommendations on Physical Activity for Health in Relation to Spirometric Values in Nonsmoker Women Aged 60-75 Years.

The purpose of this study was to determine the strength of the relationship between forced expiratory spirometric tests and physical activity levels in older women divided into two groups based on whether they met or did not meet guidelines for weekly physical activity according to the Global Recommendations on Physical Activity for Health (WHO, 2011). Research included 61 healthy, nonsmoker female seniors (Mage = 66 years, SDage = 4.4 years). Weekly physical activity was assessed using an ActiGraph GT3X triaxial accelerometer. To evaluate pulmonary function, forced spirometry tests were performed. The women who met criteria of physical activity for health achieved significantly higher values for forced vital capacity (FVC), t(59) = -1.58, p < .001, and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), t(59) = -3.33, p = .002. Meeting criteria of Global Recommendations on Physical Activity for Health is associated with better FVC and FEV1 parameters in healthy older women.

Feedback from physical activity monitors is not compatible with current recommendations: A recalibration study.

Wearable devices to self-monitor physical activity have become popular with individuals and healthcare practitioners as a route to the prevention of chronic disease. It is not currently possible to reconcile feedback from these devices with activity recommendations because the guidelines refer to the amount of activity required on top of normal lifestyle activities (e.g., 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous intensity activity per week over-and-above normal moderate-to-vigorous lifestyle activities). The aim of this study was to recalibrate the feedback from self-monitoring. We pooled data from four studies conducted between 2006 and 2014 in patients and volunteers from the community that included both sophisticated measures of physical activity and 10-year risk for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes (n=305). We determined the amount of moderate-to-vigorous intensity activity that corresponded to FAO/WHO/UNU guidance for a required PAL of 1.75 (Total Energy Expenditure/Basal Metabolic Rate). Our results show that, at the UK median PAL, total moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity will be around 735 minutes per week (~11% of waking time). We estimate that a 4% increase in moderate-to-vigorous intensity activity will achieve standardised guidance from FAO/WHO/UNU and will require ~1000 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous intensity activity per week. This study demonstrates that feedback from sophisticated wearable devices is incompatible with current physical activity recommendations. Without adjustment, people will erroneously form the view that they are exceeding recommendations by several fold. A more appropriate target from self-monitoring that accounts for normal moderate-to-vigorous lifestyle activities is ~1000 minutes per week, which represents ~15% of waking time.

Do Oncologists Recommend the "Pill" of Physical Activity in Their Practice? Answers from the Oncologist and Patients' Perspectives.

OBJECTIVES: The purposes of this current questionnaire-based study were to analyse whether oncologists prescribed PA to their patients in Spain, as well as the type of exercise recommended, the variables that influence whether or not to recommend it and to compare these recommendations with the values reported by their patients. METHODS: Two online questionnaires were designed for this study. The first one, filled in by the oncologists (n = 93), contained aspects such as the attitude or barriers to promoting PA. The second was designed for patients with cancer (n = 149), which assessed PA levels and counselling received from oncologists, among other facets. RESULTS: The majority of oncologists (97%) recommend PA during their consultations. Instead, only 62% of patients reported participating in exercise within the last 7 days. Walking was the most common form of exercise, reported by 50% of participants. Patients who received exercise recommendations from their oncologist walked for more days (p = 0.004; ES = 0.442) and more minutes per day (p = 0.022; ES = 0.410). The barriers most highlighted by patients were lack of time and not knowing how to perform PA. CONCLUSION: Oncologists and patients seem to be interested and able to participate in PA counselling and programmes. However, there was a discrepancy between what was reported by oncologists and expressed by patients in terms of recommendations for PA and the modality itself.

Enhancing clinical and public health interpretation of accelerometer-assessed physical activity with age-referenced values based on UK Biobank data.

BACKGROUND: Higher accelerometer-assessed volume and intensity of physical activity (PA) have been associated with a longer life expectancy but can be difficult to translate into recommended doses of PA. We aimed to: (a) improve interpretability by producing UK Biobank age-referenced centiles for PA volume and intensity; (b) inform public-health messaging by examining how adding recommended quantities of moderate and vigorous PA affect PA volume and intensity. METHODS: 92,480 UK Biobank participants aged 43-80 years with wrist-worn accelerometer data were included. Average acceleration and intensity gradient were derived as proxies for PA volume and intensity. We generated sex-specific centile curves using Generalized Additive Models for Location Scale and Shape (GAMLSS) and modeled the effect of adding moderate (walking) or vigorous (running) activity on the combined change in the volume and intensity centiles (change in PA profile). RESULTS: In men, volume was lower as age increased while intensity was lower after age 55; in women, both volume and intensity were lower as age increased. Adding 150 min of moderate PA weekly (5×30 min walking) increased the PA profile by 4 percentage points. Defining moderate PA as brisk walking approximately doubled the increase (9 percentage points) while 75 min of vigorous PA weekly (5×15 min running) trebled the increase (13 percentage points). CONCLUSION: These UK Biobank reference centiles provide a benchmark for interpretation of accelerometer data. Application of our translational methods demonstrate that meeting PA guidelines through shorter duration vigorous activity is more beneficial to the PA profile (volume and intensity) than longer duration moderate activity.

Why should the Next Generation of Youth Guidelines Prioritize Vigorous Physical Activity?

The health benefits of regular physical activity (PA) in youth are well-documented. Yet the adherence rate to PA guidelines among youth worldwide is alarmingly deficient with only 19% of youth worldwide adhering to the World Health Organization guidelines. This is reflective of a global proliferation of a physical inactivity pandemic among youth. The negative consequences of physical inactivity on health are profound, as they threaten to persist into adulthood, exacerbating the burden of preventable health issues. There is persuasive evidence that vigorous PA generates physical fitness and health benefits surpassing those of low- or moderate-intensity activity in youth. In addition, indications show that the adherence rate to vigorous PA among youth exceeds that relative to for low- or moderate-intensity activity. As a result, promoting vigorous PA can help mitigate the global issue of low adherence to PA in youth. Therefore, in this Current Opinion paper, we argue that vigorous PA, compared to low or moderate-intensity activity, holds greater significance for youth's health and physical fitness. Additionally, the potential implications derived from the existing evidence regarding vigorous PA on the current guidelines for youth are discussed.

Do childhood cancer survivors with physical performance limitations reach healthy activity levels?

BACKGROUND: The extent to which physical performance limitations affect the ability of childhood cancer survivors to reach healthy activity levels is unknown. Therefore this study aims to describe the effect of different types of limitations on activity levels in survivors. PROCEDURE: Within the Swiss Childhood Cancer Survivor Study we sent a questionnaire to all survivors (≥16 years) registered in the Swiss Childhood Cancer Registry, who survived >5 years and were diagnosed 1976-2005 aged <16 years. We measured healthy activity levels using international guidelines and assessed different kinds of performance limitations (visual impairment, weight and endurance problems, cardiorespiratory, musculoskeletal, and neurological problems, pain and fatigue syndromes). RESULTS: The sample included 1,560 survivors (75% response rate), of whom 209 (13.5%) reported they have performance limitations. Forty-two percent of survivors with limitations reached healthy activity levels, compared to 57% of survivors without limitations. Least active were survivors with vision impairments (25% active), weight and endurance problems (27.3%), cardiorespiratory problems (36.4%), and musculoskeletal problems (43.1%). After adjusting for socio-demographic variables and type of cancer, we found that survivors with limitations were 1.4 (95%CI 1.0-2.0; P = 0.047) times more likely to be inactive. CONCLUSIONS: Although many survivors with physical performance limitations maintain healthy activity levels, there is room for improvement. Adapted and targeted physical activity counseling for survivors with performance limitations might help them to raise level of activity and pursue a healthy lifestyle.

Physical activity and life satisfaction among adolescents before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and distance education has significantly affected adolescents' lives. The restrictive policies negatively affected their physical and mental health and life satisfaction. It is therefore desirable to look for ways to eliminate similar negative impacts on adolescents in the future. This study aimed to identify the differences in the association between physical activity and life satisfaction in Polish adolescents before and during the pandemic. The study included 1541 participants (891 before the pandemic and 650 during the pandemic) aged 15-19 years. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Long Form questionnaire was used to assess physical activity, and the Bern Subjective Well-Being Questionnaire was used to evaluate life satisfaction. The objectivity of data collection and analysis before and during the pandemic was ensured by the web application the International Database for Research and Educational Support. During the pandemic, we found lower physical activity and life satisfaction in both boys and girls compared to before the pandemic. Girls with low and high physical activity levels showed significantly lower life satisfaction during the pandemic than they did before. Low life satisfaction was associated with lower physical activity, and high life satisfaction was associated with greater total physical activity. Both boys and girls with low and high life satisfaction achieved significantly fewer physical activity recommendations during the pandemic. High life satisfaction increased the likelihood of meeting the recommendations for physical activity before and during the pandemic. This study provides new insights into the differences and associations between life satisfaction and physical activity in adolescent boys and girls before and during the pandemic. It provides suggestions for the prevention of possible future restrictions in the school settings. Support for post-pandemic life satisfaction in adolescents should focus mainly on increasing vigorous physical activity and improving adolescent participation in organized physical activity settings.

Validity of activity wristbands for estimating daily physical activity in primary schoolchildren under free-living conditions: School-Fit study.

Introduction: The use of activity wristbands to monitor and promote schoolchildren's physical activity (PA) is increasingly widespread. However, their validity has not been sufficiently studied, especially among primary schoolchildren. Consequently, the main purpose was to examine the validity of the daily steps and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) scores estimated by the activity wristbands Fitbit Ace 2, Garmin Vivofit Jr 2, and the Xiaomi Mi Band 5 in primary schoolchildren under free-living conditions. Materials and methods: An initial sample of 67 schoolchildren (final sample = 62; 50% females), aged 9-12 years old (mean = 10.4 ± 1.0 years), participated in the present study. Each participant wore three activity wristbands (Fitbit Ace 2, Garmin Vivofit Jr 2, and Xiaomi Mi Band 5) on his/her non-dominant wrist and a research-grade accelerometer (ActiGraph wGT3X-BT) on his/her hip as the reference standard (number of steps and time in MVPA) during the waking time of one day. Results: Results showed that the validity of the daily step scores estimated by the Garmin Vivofit Jr 2 and Xiaomi Mi Band 5 were good and acceptable (e.g., MAPE = 9.6/11.3%, and lower 95% IC of ICC = 0.87/0.73), respectively, as well as correctly classified schoolchildren as meeting or not meeting the daily 10,000/12,000-step-based recommendations, obtaining excellent/good and good/acceptable results (e.g., Garmin Vivofit Jr 2, k = 0.75/0.62; Xiaomi Mi Band 5, k = 0.73/0.53), respectively. However, the Fitbit Ace 2 did not show an acceptable validity (e.g., daily steps: MAPE = 21.1%, and lower 95% IC of ICC = 0.00; step-based recommendations: k = 0.48/0.36). None of the three activity wristbands showed an adequate validity for estimating daily MVPA (e.g., MAPE = 36.6-90.3%, and lower 95% IC of ICC = 0.00-0.41) and the validity for the MVPA-based recommendation tended to be considerably lower (e.g., k = -0.03-0.54). Conclusions: The activity wristband Garmin Vivofit Jr 2 obtained the best validity for monitoring primary schoolchildren's daily steps, offering a feasible alternative to the research-grade accelerometers. Furthermore, this activity wristband could be used during PA promotion programs to provide accurate feedback to primary schoolchildren to ensure their accomplishment with the PA recommendations.

Associations between preference and participation in team sports: Physical activity promotion among adolescents.

Background: The level of physical activity (PA) in adolescents is highly dependent on their PA preferences. PA preferences among adolescents are dominated by team PA, mostly team sports (TS). The aim of this study is to identify (a) the status and trends in the preferences of TS among Czech and Polish boys and girls in different educational and sports environments, and (b) the impact of the agreement between the preferred and simultaneously pursued TS on the structure of weekly PA and on the meeting of PA recommendations. Methods: The research was carried out between 2009 and 2022 in the Czech Republic and Poland and included 2,939 boys and 4,427 girls aged 15-19 years. Preferences and participation in TS were identified using a PA preference questionnaire and weekly PA using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Long Form. Trends in TS preferences were analyzed over 27-year periods. The participants were divided into groups by agreement and disagreement between the preferred and pursued TS, and by agreement and disagreement between the preferences of TS and participation in organized TS. Results: Throughout the 14-year study period, boys in both countries preferred soccer, whereas girls favored volleyball. Agreement between preferences and participation in TS increased vigorous PA in Czech and Polish boys and girls. The agreement between the preferences for TS and participation in organized TS had the most significant effect on increasing vigorous PA in Czech and Polish boys and girls and on total PA in boys in both countries. Those who preferred and participated in TS were more likely to meet PA recommendations. Conclusion: Respecting the status and trends of TS preferences in supporting participation in TS increases adolescents' PA and their achievement of PA recommendations. Increasing active participation in organized TS among boys and girls may support regular PA and help eliminate the negative effects of the pandemic on adolescents' PA.

Understanding Physical Activity Patterns Across the School Day in Urban Pre-Kindergarten and Elementary Schoolchildren.

PURPOSE: Despite recommendations that children accrue ≥60 min/day of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), numerous barriers may exist. We examined school-day MVPA patterns in lower-income children (pre-K to 5th grade) to determine whether they were meeting the minimum school-day guidelines of at least 30-min/day of MVPA and to identify opportunities for intervention. METHODS: Students (N = 629, pre-K-5th grade) from 4 urban schools wore Actigraph GT3X+ accelerometers over 2 school days. Mixed effects models evaluated sex- and grade-specific differences in MVPA and sedentary time. RESULTS: Only 34.6% of elementary and 25.3% of pre-K students met the school-time MVPA recommendation. Among elementary-aged children, boys accrued more MVPA than girls (30.8 ± 13.3 vs. 23.5 ± 10.7 min/day; p < 0.0001) with similar sex differences observed among pre-K children (51.3 ± 17.1 vs 41.9 ± 17.5 min/day; p < 0.001). Sedentary time also increased significantly with grade among elementary-aged children (207.9 ± 34.7 vs. 252.0 ± 36.1 min/day for those in 1st and 5th grade, respectively; p < 0.001), with girls accruing more sedentary time than boys (242.5 ± 48.2 vs. 233.8 ± 46.8 min/day; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: MVPA declines across elementary school years, with sex disparities observed as early as pre-K. Extended sedentary bouts and clustering of activity highlight opportunities for more movement throughout the school day.

Physical activity levels and sociodemographic factors associated with meeting recommended levels among shop attendants in Mbarara municipality, Uganda.

BACKGROUND: Shop attendants are urban dwellers who may spend significant periods in sedentary lifestyles exposing them to non-communicable diseases. This study assessed the physical activity levels and sociodemographic factors associated with meeting the WHO recommended physical activity levels among shop attendants in Mbarara municipality, Uganda. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study among 301 shop attendants. We used the global physical activity questionnaire to assess participants' physical activity levels. Modified Poisson regression was used to assess the sociodemographic factors associated with meeting recommended physical activity levels. RESULTS: Of the 301 participants, 234 (77.7%) met the WHO physical activity recommendations, especially through work-related physical activity of moderate intensity 194 (64.5%). The median weekly duration of all moderate-intensity physical activity was 180 min (IQR=90 to 360). The median daily sedentary time was 300 min (IQR=300 to 360). Being male (adjusted prevalence ratio=1.33, 95% CI 1.17 to 1.51) was significantly associated with meeting recommended physical activity levels. CONCLUSION: The physical activity levels among shop attendants were high and were mostly achieved through work-related activities of moderate intensity, with males being more likely to meet recommended physical activity levels. Findings suggest a need for gender-sensitive initiatives to increase physical activity levels, especially among female shop attendants.