The Impact of an Acute Active Reading Intervention on Physical Activity Levels in Preschoolers: A Comparative Analysis.

The purpose of this study was to examine the acute effects of an active reading intervention on physical activity (PA) levels in preschoolers. Participants were recruited from the 3-5-year-old classes at two preschools. A total of six classrooms and 37 children participated in three conditions: an active reading book read by a researcher (Act_R) trained in active play techniques, an active reading book read by a preschool classroom teacher (Act_T), and a book about health behavior read by both the researcher and the teacher (Sed_H). The order in which classes received each condition was randomized. The Actigraph accelerometer assessed PA. Motor skills were assessed with the Peabody Motor Development Scale, 2nd Edition. Participants spent significantly more time in sedentary behavior during the Sed_H condition compared to Act_R (p < 0.000) and Act_T (p < 0.008). Participants spent significantly more time in MVPA during Act_R compared to Act_T (p = 0.030), Act_T compared to Sed_H (p < 0.001), and Act_R compared to Sed_H (p < 0.001). The amount of MVPA participation within the active reading sessions was not dependent upon the level of fundamental motor skill competence. Active reading books may provide a feasible method to incorporate physical activity and active play into the preschool day.

Validity and Reliability of a Telehealth Physical Fitness and Functional Assessment Battery for Ambulatory Youth With and Without Mobility Disabilities: Observational Measurement Study.

BACKGROUND: Youth (age 15-24 years) with and without disability are not adequately represented enough in exercise research due to a lack of time and transportation. These barriers can be overcome by including accessible web-based assessments that eliminate the need for on-site visitations. There is no simple, low-cost, and psychometrically sound compilation of measures for physical fitness and function that can be applied to youth with and without mobility disabilities. OBJECTIVE: The first purpose was to determine the statistical level of agreement of 4 web-modified clinical assessments with how they are typically conducted in person at a laboratory (convergent validity). The second purpose was to determine the level of agreement between a novice and an expert rater (interrater reliability). The third purpose was to explore the feasibility of implementing the assessments via 2 metrics: safety and duration. METHODS: The study enrolled 19 ambulatory youth: 9 (47%) with cerebral palsy with various mobility disabilities from a children's hospital and 10 (53%) without disabilities from a university student population. Participants performed a battery of tests via videoconferencing and in person. The test condition (teleassessment and in person) order was randomized. The battery consisted of the hand grip strength test with a dynamometer, the five times sit-to-stand test (FTST), the timed up-and-go (TUG) test, and the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) either around a standard circular track (in person) or around a smaller home-modified track (teleassessment version, home-modified 6-minute walk test [HM6MWT]). Statistical analyses included descriptive data, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), and Bland-Altman plots. RESULTS: The mean time to complete the in-person assessment was 16.9 (SD 4.8) minutes and the teleassessment was 21.1 (SD 5.9) minutes. No falls, injuries, or adverse events occurred. Excellent convergent validity was shown for telemeasured hand grip strength (right ICC=0.96, left ICC=0.98, P<.001) and the TUG test (ICC=0.92, P=.01). The FTST demonstrated good agreement (ICC=0.95, 95% CI 0.79-0.98; P=.01). The HM6MWT demonstrated poor absolute agreement with the 6MWT. However, further exploratory analysis revealed a strong positive correlation between the tests (r=0.83, P<.001). The interrater reliability was excellent for all tests (all ICCs>0.9, P<.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that videoconference assessments are convenient and useful measures of fitness and function among youth with and without disabilities. This paper presents operationalized teleassessment procedures that can be replicated by health professionals to produce valid and reliable measurements. This study is a first step toward developing teleassessments that can bypass the need for on-site data collection visitations for this age group. Further research is needed to identify psychometrically sound teleassessment procedures, particularly for measures of cardiorespiratory endurance or walking ability.

Motivational interviewing for weight management among college students during COVID-19: An exploratory randomized controlled trial.

Background: College students encounter challenges in managing their weight. The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic exacerbated the problem. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a motivational interviewing (MI) intervention compared to online education (control) on body composition and self-determination theory constructs among college students with overweight. Methods: This was a randomized clinical trial of 40 college students comparing an MI versus a control group. The MI group received monthly interviews: three face-to-face interviews before the pandemic, and three video chat interviews after the outbreak of COVID-19 spanning a total of six months. The control group received six, monthly education modules. Body composition was measured by the iDexa and self-determination theory (SDT) variables were assessed with surveys. Results: Mixed ANOVAs from pre-post revealed significant changes in fat mass (p = .03, η2 = 0.22), lean mass (p < .05, η2 = 0.18), body fat percentage (p < .01, η2 = 0.37), autonomy (p < .01, η2 = 0.38), relatedness (p < .01, η2 = 0.41), amotivation (p = .01, η2 = 0.29), external regulation (p = .02, η2 = 0.23), identified regulation (p = .02, η2 = 0.25), integrated regulation (p < .00, η2 = 0.49), and intrinsic regulation (p = .01, η2 = 0.27). Conclusions: In this exploratory analysis, MI demonstrated a positive trend in body composition maintenance when compared to online education among overweight college students during a national pandemic. Future studies utilizing MI would enhance the literature by further investigating the relationship between MI and SDT and measuring body composition.Clinicaltrials.gov. identifier: NCT04130386.

The relationship in early childhood body composition and physical activity levels regarding fundamental motor skill development.

BACKGROUND: Fundamental motor skills (FMS) are considered essential for sport participation and might be deficit in obese children. While evidence indicates that physical activity (PA) levels impact motor skill development, the relationship between body composition, PA, and motor competence, particularly in early childhood, is not thoroughly understood. We aimed to determine if PA, fat mass (FM), and fat-free mass (FFM) are predictors of FMS. METHODS: Preschoolers (n = 47) from two preschools were assessed for FMS, PA, and body composition. Peabody Developmental Motor Scales (PDMS-2) subscale scores were used to assess FMS. PA was assessed with a wrist-worn accelerometer for five days during school. FM and FFM were measured with foot-to-foot bioelectrical impedance. RESULTS: Linear regressions indicate significant models for stationary skills (SS) (F = 4.57, p = .004) and object manipulation skills (OMS) (F = 4.66, p = .003). FFM was the only significant predictor of SS (t = 3.98, p < .001) and OMS (t = 3.50, p = .001). FM and all intensities of PA were nonsignificant predictors in all models. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that interventions that target improving or maintaining FFM may improve FMS.

Towards Identifying a Dosage Effect for Improving Fundamental Motor Skills of Preschool Children with a Mastery Motivational Climate Intervention.

Previous mastery motivational climate (MMC) movement interventions have enhanced fundamental motor skill (FMS) competence across diverse groups of preschool-age children. Yet, an adequate intervention length has not been established. Our purposes in this study were to (i) compare FMS competence in preschool children across two doses of MMC interventions, and (ii) describe changes in children's FMS 'mastery' across doses. We used secondary data analysis from a larger MMC intervention study in which 32 children (Mage = 4.4) received FMS testing (TGMD-3) at the mid-point of intervention and at post-intervention. A two-way mixed ANOVA with Group as the independent variable and FMS competence across three Time points as the repeated measure was significant for both Group and Time main effects for locomotor and ball skill competences separately. There was a statistically significant interaction between Group and Time on locomotor (p = .02) and ball skills (p < .001). Both groups showed significant improvements in their locomotor skills at each time point, but the intervention group improved faster than the comparison group. For ball skills, only the MMC group significantly improved by mid-intervention, and the comparison group showed significant improvements from pre-to post-intervention only. Children in this study were most likely to show mastery in running first, followed by sliding at mid-intervention. Few children mastered skipping, galloping, and hopping across the study. For ball skills, overhand and underhand throwing were more likely to be mastered, and few children mastered one and two-hand striking across the study. Collectively, these findings suggest that duration of instructional minutes may not be the most effective proxy for identifying a dose-response relationship of MMC intervention. Moreover, focusing on the patterns of skill mastery can help inform researchers and practitioners as to how to allocate instructional time during MMC interventions to optimize FMS competence for young children.

The Effects of Virtual Zumba ® on Functional Outcomes in Adults with Developmental Disabilities.

INTRODUCTION: Few studies have examined the comprehensive impact of adaptive exercise interventions across multiple functional domains (i.e., physical and cognitive health) in adults with developmental disabilities (DD). METHODS: The present study examined the effects of a 10-wk (2 sessions per week, 1 h per session) adapted Zumba ® intervention on the Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), Timed Up and Go (TUG), Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Balance, body composition, and executive function in 44 adults with DD age 20.8-69.2 yr. In addition to examining overall differences between control and intervention conditions, the effects of different Zumba ® tempos (normal/low) were examined. A crossover design with a 3-month wash-out period was used such that participants in the intervention also served as controls. The participants were quasi-randomized into one of two Zumba ® conditions: low-tempo Zumba ® (0.75 normal speed; n = 23) and normal-tempo Zumba ® ( n = 21). RESULTS: A significant condition-time interaction was observed for the 6MWT and TUG; participants in the low and normal-tempo Zumba ® conditions significantly increased the distance walked for the 6MWT and reduced the total time for the TUG. No improvement was observed during the control condition for these measures. There were no significant condition-time interactions for the other outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: These findings have implications on the efficacy and implementation of virtual Zumba ® programs to increase abilities related to independent performance of activities of daily living in adults with disabilities.

How Teacher Verbal Prompting and Demonstrated Modeling Correlate to Preschooler's Physical Activity Levels.

BACKGROUND: Teacher-led strategies targeting verbal prompting and demonstrated modeling can increase preschoolers' physical activity levels; however, it is unknown which strategy promotes higher levels. The purpose of this study was to explore whether teacher verbal prompting or demonstrated modeling elicits higher levels of physical activity among preschoolers. METHODS: Participants included 117 (56 females and 61 males; mean = 3.77 y) preschoolers who were observed for 3 days during regular preschool instructions. The System for Observing Student Movement in Academic Routines and Transitions observation system assessed verbal prompting and demonstrated modeling of the teachers, and preschoolers wore an ActiGraph accelerometer to measure physical activity. RESULTS: The multivariate analysis of variance results showed a significant difference for verbal prompting (P < .001), demonstrated modeling (P = .032), light physical activity (P < .001), and moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA; P < .001) between segments of the preschool day. A stepwise linear regression showed that preschooler's MVPA (P = .005) and light physical activity and MVPA (P = .036) were significantly related to demonstrated modeling, but not verbal prompting. During indoor time, light physical activity and MVPA were highest during large group, work time, and morning group, where teacher demonstrated modeling occurred the most. CONCLUSIONS: Teacher demonstrated modeling had a significant relationship to preschoolers' MVPA and light physical activity levels, while teacher verbal prompting did not.

Impact of Seated Movement Incorporation on Middle School Classroom Physical Activity Levels and Academic Engagement.

Purpose: Physical inactivity is linked with several chronic diseases and poor academic outcomes. This study aimed to examine the effect an under-the-desk band would have on middle school students' physical activity level, and academic engagement. Methods: Two local middle school classrooms (n = 42, M = 20, F = 22) participated in the study, which was conducted over 14 weeks. Physical activity was measured with accelerometry, and academic engagement was assessed using momentary time sampling. Enrolled participants were provided an accelerometer to wear upon entering the classroom. The baseline period lasted for 36 days. During the intervention period, which lasted for the next 30 days, an under-the-desk band was provided to students to freely fidget at their desks. After the study, 13 participants (M = 5, F = 8) in Class A were included in final physical activity analysis, and the 6 participants (M = 3, F = 3) in Class B were included in the academic engagement analysis. Results: Class A had significant increases in percentage of sedentary time (MD = -12.91%, ES = .88) in addition to significant decreases in the percentage of light (MD = 8.82%, ES = .67), moderate (MD = 3.08%, ES = .84), and vigorous (MD = -.04%, ES = .63) physical activity time during the intervention period compared to the baseline period. No significant or meaningful changes occurred in academic engagement with the use of the under-the-desk band. Conclusions: This study high- lights the importance of finding appropriate methods to increase physical activity for adolescents.

SKIPping With PALS: Exploring Parental Engagement in a Motor Intervention for Their Preschool Children.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore how parent involvement influenced the effectiveness of a movement intervention targeting gross motor skills and physical activity behavior in preschool-aged boys and girls. Methods: Parents received training at monthly school-based sessions and online to implement the movement intervention once per month at school and once per week at home across 6 months (N = 104; Mage = 48.30 months, SD = 6.90). Children completed the Test of Gross Motor Development-3 at baseline and wore physical activity trackers 24/7 for six weeks during the intervention. COVID-19 disrupted the intervention and prevented immediate post testing. Children (N = 60; Mage = 60.86 months, SD = 6.57) who returned to the center one year later completed gross motor skill retention testing. Results: For each additional school-based session attended by the parents (up to six), children's locomotor and manipulative skills were 1.87 and 1.95 points higher, respectively, at the start of the following academic year. For physical activity, each session increase in attendance at the school-based component of the intervention resulted in an additional 1455 steps in average weekly step count. Conclusion: Increased parent engagement demonstrated greater change in gross motor skills and larger acute physical activity responses. Understanding barriers that impact the level of parental intervention engagement (i.e., dose) also provides insight into why some children learn and others do not within a parent-led intervention. Although the implementation and results of this study were impacted by COVID, these data can help researchers optimize future intervention strategies.

Concurrent Exercise Training: Long-Term Changes in Body Composition and Motives for Continued Participation in Women with Obesity.

The purpose of this project was to examine the effect of a concurrent exercise program (sprint interval training and resistance exercise) on body composition in women with obesity and factors associated with continued exercise participation following the program. Twenty women (37.1 ± 7.4 y, height = 1.63 ± 0.09 m, weight = 98.22 ± 0.22 kg, BMI = 34.2 ± 2.50 kg/m2) participated in a 10-week exercise intervention consisting of a sprint interval treadmill protocol and resistance training three times a week totaling 30 sessions. Body composition was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (iDXA) at pretest, 12 weeks, and six months post-intervention. Semi-structured interviews assessed participants' perception of the program at both 12 weeks and six months. Participants significantly reduced fat mass (p < 0.001), gynoid fat mass (p < 0.010), android fat mass (p = 0.003), and visceral fat mass (p = 0.003) at 12 weeks post-test. At six months, participants maintained their reductions in fat mass (p = 0.015), visceral fat (p = 0.040) and gynoid fat mass (p = 0.032). There were no significant main time effects in lean mass (p = 0.099) or caloric intake (p = 0.053) at 12 weeks or six months. Themes that emerged from the semi-structured interviews at 12 weeks reflected enjoyment in the training, increases in competence and knowledge, as well as apprehension of continuing training on their own. At six months, themes that emerged reflected overcoming barriers, competence regarding high-intensity training, and a lack of competence to engage in resistance training. Sprint interval training coupled with resistance training is a feasible exercise protocol for women with obesity and results in reduced fat mass over six months. Improving women's competence for training is imperative for continued participation.

Adaptations to a Concurrent Exercise Training Program in Inactive Aging Women.

ABSTRACT: Wadsworth, DD, Rodriguez-Hernandez, M, Huffman, LS, McDonald, JR, Spring, KE, and Pascoe, DD. Adaptations to a concurrent exercise training program in inactive aging women. J Strength Cond Res 36(11): 3217-3223, 2022-This study assessed the effect of a 10-week, sprint interval concurrent exercise training program on body composition and muscular strength in aging women. Sixty-five inactive women (age, 40-64 years) were randomized into 2 sprint interval exercise programs, 0% incline and 6% incline. Sprint interval training was performed to achieve 95% of each subject's age-predicted maximal heart rate for a series of 40 seconds of work followed by 20 seconds of passive recovery. An undulating resistance training protocol, composed of 30 sessions, was performed by each group throughout the study. Dual-energy X-ray absorption scans were assessed body composition, and 1 repetition maximum was performed to assess muscular strength. Subjects in both groups significantly reduced fat mass by approximately 0.35 kg ( p = 0.002), and visceral adipose tissue by 0.05 kg ( p = 0.032). There were significant increases in lean body mass by approximately 0.50 kg ( p = 0.005), lower-body muscular strength by approximately 46.83 kg ( p < 0.001), and upper-body muscular strength by approximately 11.68 kg ( p < 0.001). No significant between-groups interactions were observed. A sprint interval training concurrent exercise training program is an effective strategy to improve body composition and muscular strength in inactive, aging women. Muscular strength improvements resulting from this intervention are particularly important because muscular strength losses are strong predictors of morbidity and mortality.

Does Skill Performance Influence Young Children's Perceived Physical Competence?

Children's self-perceived competence is critical for their engagement in fundamental motor skills (FMS), although these perceptions are highly inaccurate until around age seven (grade 2). Moreover, FMS competence is highly correlated with physical activity engagement in childhood. In this study we examined: (a) if children's perceptions of their FMS competence differed after they were allowed to perform the skill or observe their performance, and (b) if the accuracy of children's perceived competence changed under those conditions. Child participants (N = 76; K-second grade) judged their own competence for three physical skills (running, skipping and dribble or hopping) on the Harter and Pike Pictorial Scale of Perceived Competence and Social Acceptance under three conditions: (a) a no-performance baseline, (b) after performing each skill, and (c) after observing themselves performing the skill. A repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated that their perceived competence differed across these conditions for running but not for skipping/hopping (p = .556) or for dribbling (p = .368). Spearman's rho correlations showed that their perceived running competence scores better predicted their actual competence after observing their performance (rs = .25, p = .029) than after other conditions. Both performing and observing their performance were associated with changes in perceptions of running competence. Future research should focus on how and when children's perceived competence is assessed and how perceptions relate to FMS and physical activity engagement.

Impact of motivational interviewing as a follow-up to an exercise intervention among women with or at risk for metabolic syndrome: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: Women have a higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome than their male counterparts, and interventions should target women with or at risk for metabolic syndrome. The objective of this study was to compare two intervention strategies on long-term outcomes following the completion of an exercise intervention. METHODS: Twenty-six women (M age = 43.35 ± 9.03) with at least one risk factor for metabolic syndrome were randomized into either a motivational interviewing group (n = 10) or self-regulation-based mobile messaging control group (n = 16) as a 12-week follow-up to a 10-week, 30-session exercise intervention. Outcomes of interest were body fat percentage, bone mineral density, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides, high-density cholesterol, and fasting blood glucose. RESULTS: Mixed ANOVAs revealed a significant effect for group × time for body fat percentage F(1, 24) = 8.30, p = 0.01, η p 2 = 0.26, bone mineral density F(1, 24) = 6.68, p = 0.02, η p 2 = 0.22, waist circumference F(1, 24) = 10.35, p = 0.01, η p 2 = 0.30, triglycerides F(1, 24) = 5.06, p = 0.03, η p 2 = 0.17, and systolic blood pressure F(1, 24) = 5.39, p = 0.03, η p 2 = 0.18 all in favor of the motivational interviewing group after 12 weeks when compared to the self-regulation-based mobile messaging group. No significant effect for group × time was noted for diastolic blood pressure p = 0.36, η p 2 = 0.04, high-density cholesterol p = 0.08, η p 2 = 0.12, or fasting blood glucose p = 0.85, η p 2 = 0.01 when comparing the motivational interviewing and self-regulation-based mobile messaging groups. CONCLUSIONS: Motivational interviewing may be a more impactful solution to extend the effects of exercise intervention studies compared to a self-regulation-based mobile messaging control group. Future interventions should focus on increasing sample size, utilizing more objective measures of body composition, utilizing booster sessions, and increasing the length of follow-up periods.

Motivational Interviewing for Weight Management Among Women: a Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review of RCTs.

BACKGROUND: Motivational interviewing (MI) is a communication skill set used by clinicians to help facilitate adherence to numerous health behaviors. Currently, MI's evidence supports its use among adults in various realms; however, clarity is needed regarding weight management among females. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to synthesize the literature examining the use of MI and its impact on anthropometric measures among adult females. METHOD: The authors conducted a modified Cochrane method of systematic search and review in several relevant databases to explore and report evidence and gaps in the literature for MI in weight management among females in addition to meta-analyses for weight and BMI. Criteria for retention included randomized controlled trials with open inclusion of studies with varied settings, methods, interventionists, target behaviors, and outcomes. RESULTS: Of the 3289 references initially identified, 10 intervention arms met the criteria across review tiers. Seven of 10 intervention groups reported significant anthropometric changes compared with a control group, as well as significant changes in non-anthropometric outcomes related to weight management. Using a random-effects model, the effect size of MI on reduction in body weight (kg) was 0.19 (95% CI - 0.13, 0.26; p < 0.01), and the effect size of MI on reduction in BMI was 0.35 (95% CI 0.12, 0.58; p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that MI interventions are useful for weight management among females. Future studies would enhance the current base of literature by utilizing advanced anthropometric outcomes, including sex-specific results, and including more diverse and larger sample sizes.

Intervención de caminata para empleados sedentarios: efecto sobre la autorregulación y la auto eficacia / A walking intervention for sedentary employees: effects on self-regulation and self-efficacy

Resumen Se diseñó una intervención de caminata de 10 semanas para examinar cómo la actividad física afecta la autorregulación y la autoeficacia en empleados sedentarios. La intervención fue realizada con 68 participantes, asignados a tres grupos al azar: caminata intermitente, caminata continua o control. La autorregulación, la autoeficacia y la actividad física se midieron al inicio, en la semana 6 y en la semana 11. La actividad de caminata aumentó significativamente (p < .05) con el grupo de caminata continua desde el inicio a la semana 6 (p = .033). El porcentaje de cambio fue mayor en comparación con el grupo control desde el inicio a la semana 11 (p = .042). Se observaron mejoras significativas en la autorregulación con el grupo de caminata continua desde el inicio a la semana 6 y a la semana 11 (p < .05). Sin embargo, la autoeficacia disminuyó desde el inicio a la semana 6 (p = .047) y a la semana 11 (p = .008) para todos los grupos. Los empleados sedentarios tendrían más ventajas si se les prescribe un programa de caminata continua, ya que puede mejorar las habilidades de autorregulación. La actividad de caminata intermitente también puede ser un enfoque factible para reducir el comportamiento sedentario; sin embargo, se necesita más investigación para evaluar si los empleados sedentarios pueden o no cumplir con las recomendaciones diarias de actividad física. También es importante revisar en futuras investigaciones el vínculo entre la actividad física y la autoeficacia.

Abstract A 10-week walking intervention was designed to examine how physical activity affects self-regulation and self-efficacy in sedentary employees. The intervention was completed by 68 participants randomly assigned to three groups: intermittent walking, continuous walking, or control. Self-regulation, self-efficacy and walking behavior were measured at baseline, week-6, and week-11. Walking activity significantly (p<.05) increased for the continuous walking group from baseline to week-6 (p=.033), the percentage of change was significantly higher compared to the control group from baseline to week-11 (p=0.042). Significant improvements on self-regulation were observed with the continuous group from baseline to week-6 and week-11 (p<0.05). However, self-efficacy decreased from baseline to week-6 (p=.047) and week-11 (p=.008) for all groups. Sedentary employees may benefit more from a continuous walking program due to enhanced self-regulatory skills. Intermittent walking activity may be also a feasible approach to reduce sedentary behavior, however more research is needed to test whether or not sedentary employees can meet daily physical activity recommendations. It is also important to review in future research, the link between physical activity and self-efficacy.

Resumo Desenhou-se uma intervenção de caminhada de 10 semanas para examinar como a atividade física afeta a autorregulação e a autoeficácia em sedentários. A intervenção foi realizada por 68 participantes designados a três grupos aleatórios: caminhada intermitente, caminhada contínua ou controle. A autorregulação, a autoeficácia e a atividade física foram medidas no início, na semana 6 e na semana 11. A atividade de caminhada aumentou significativamente (p<0,05) com o grupo de caminhada contínua do início até a semana 6 (p=0,033), a porcentagem de troca foi maior em comparação com o grupo controle do início até a semana 11 (p=0,042). Foram observadas melhoras significativas na autorregulação com o grupo de caminhada contínua do início até a semana 6 e até a semana 11 (p<0,05). Porém, a autoeficácia diminuiu do início até a semana 6 (p=0,047) e até a semana 11 (p=0,008) para todos os grupos. Os empregados sedentários teriam mais vantagens se lhes fosse prescrito um programa de caminhada contínua, pois pode melhorar as habilidades de autorregulação. A atividade de caminhada intermitente também pode ser um enfoque factível para reduzir o comportamento sedentário, no entanto, são necessárias mais pesquisas para avaliar se os empregados sedentários podem ou não cumprir as recomendações diárias de atividade física. É importante também revisar em pesquisas futuras o vínculo entre a atividade física e a autoeficácia.

Motivational Interviewing for Overweight Children: A Systematic Review.

CONTEXT: Motivational interviewing (MI) is a communication method to help facilitate adherence to health behaviors through a series of person-centered strategies. MI's evidence base supports its use as a potential intervention strategy at the parental decision-maker level to impact young children's lifestyle behaviors to address childhood obesity; however, clarity is needed on the literature. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this systematic review is to synthesize the literature examining the use of MI at the parental level to impact young children's weight status. DATA SOURCES: A modified Cochrane method of systematic search and review was conducted in several databases (eg, PsycINFO, Academic Search Premier, Medline, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition, and SPORTDiscus). STUDY SELECTION: Criteria for retention included randomized controlled trials and studies using varied settings, methods, interventionists, target behaviors, and outcomes. DATA EXTRACTION: Extraction domains included study characteristics and risk of bias. RESULTS: Of the 352 references initially identified, 7 studies were included in the review. In most studies, authors reported significant anthropometric changes as well as significant changes in nonanthropometric outcomes related to weight management compared to usual care. LIMITATIONS: The heterogeneity of the included studies and lack of comparison with attention control groups may cloud generalizations. Studies not written in English were excluded, possibly biasing the results. CONCLUSIONS: MI, compared to usual care, revealed positive effects for parent influence on young child anthropometric measures when applied. Future research should be focused on sample diversity, using attention control groups, using exercise physiologists for MI delivery, and reporting sex-specific results.

Protocol for Minute Calisthenics: a randomized controlled study of a daily, habit-based, bodyweight resistance training program.

BACKGROUND: Resistance-training (RT) provides significant health benefits. However, roughly 3/4 of adults in the United States do not meet current Physical Activity Guidelines in this regard. There has been a call for research examining the effectiveness of interventions to increase participation in physical activity and to better understand the dose response relationship upon health outcomes. Studies are needed that assess the effectiveness of RT programs that are time-efficient and simple to perform. This fully-powered, randomized controlled study will assess a habit-based RT program consisting of one set of push-ups, angled-rows, and bodyweight-squats performed every weekday for 12-24 weeks in untrained individuals. METHODS: Forty-60 untrained osteopathic medical students and college/university employees who work in an office setting will be recruited and randomized (1:1) to an intervention or waitlist control group. After 12-week follow-up assessment, the intervention group will continue the program and the control group will initiate the program for 12 weeks. In addition to the equipment and training needed to safely perform the exercises, all participants will receive training in the Tiny Habits® Method (THM) and digital coaching for the duration of the study. Participants will complete weekly assessments regarding the program during their initial 12-week intervention phase. The primary outcome is the change from baseline to 12 weeks in the intervention group versus the control group, in the combined number of repetitions performed in one set of each of the three exercises (composite repetitions) under a standardized protocol. Secondary outcomes include adherence to and satisfaction with the program, and change from baseline to 12- and 24-week follow-up in blood pressure, fasting lipid panel, hemoglobin A1c, body mass index, anthropometry, body composition, mid-thigh muscle thickness, and habit strength. DISCUSSION: This study will evaluate a simple, habit-based RT intervention in untrained individuals. The approach is unique in that it utilizes brief but frequent bodyweight exercises and, via the THM, focuses on consistency and habit formation first, with effort being increased as participants are motivated and able. If effective, the program can be easily scaled for wider adoption. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was prospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT04207567 , on December 23rd, 2019.

A walking intervention for sedentary employees: effects on self-regulation and self-efficacy / Intervención de caminata para empleados sedentarios: efecto sobre la autorregulación y la auto eficacia

Abstract A 10-week walking intervention was designed to examine how physical activity affects self-regulation and self-efficacy in sedentary employees. The intervention was completed by 68 participants randomly assigned to three groups: intermittent walking, continuous walking, or control. Self-regulation, self-efficacy and walking behavior were measured at baseline, week-6, and week-11. Walking activity significantly (p<.05) increased for the continuous walking group from baseline to week-6 (p=.033), the percentage of change was significantly higher compared to the control group from baseline to week-11 (p=0.042). Significant improvements on self-regulation were observed with the continuous group from baseline to week-6 and week-11 (p<0.05). However, self-efficacy decreased from baseline to week-6 (p=.047) and week-11 (p=.008) for all groups. Sedentary employees may benefit more from a continuous walking program due to enhanced self-regulatory skills. Intermittent walking activity may be also a feasible approach to reduce sedentary behavior, however more research is needed to test whether or not sedentary employees can meet daily physical activity recommendations. It is also important to review in future research, the link between physical activity and self-efficacy.

Resumen Se diseñó una intervención de caminata de 10 semanas para examinar cómo la actividad física afecta la autorregulación y la autoeficacia en empleados sedentarios. La intervención fue realizada por 68 participantes asignados a tres grupos al azar: caminata intermitente, caminata continua o control. La autorregulación, la autoeficacia y la actividad física se midieron al inicio, a la semana 6 y la semana 11. La actividad de caminata aumentó significativamente (p<.05) con el grupo de caminata continua desde el inicio a la semana 6 (p=.033), el porcentaje de cambio fue mayor en comparación con el grupo control desde el inicio a la semana 11 (p=0,042). Se observaron mejoras significativas en la autorregulación con el grupo de caminata continua desde el inicio a la semana 6 y a la semana 11 (p<0.05). Sin embargo, la autoeficacia disminuyó desde el inicio a la semana 6 (p=.047) y a la semana 11 (p=.008) para todos los grupos. Los empleados sedentarios tendrían más ventajas si se les prescribe un programa de caminata continua, ya que puede mejorar las habilidades de autorregulación. La actividad de caminata intermitente también puede ser un enfoque factible para reducir el comportamiento sedentario, sin embargo, se necesita más investigación para evaluar si los empleados sedentarios pueden o no cumplir con las recomendaciones diarias de actividad física. También es importante revisar en futuras investigaciones el vínculo entre la actividad física y la autoeficacia.

Resumen Desenhou-se uma intervenção de caminhada de 10 semanas para examinar como a atividade física afeta a autorregulação e a autoeficácia em sedentários. A intervenção foi realizada por 68 participantes designados a três grupos aleatórios: caminhada intermitente, caminhada contínua ou controle. A autorregulação, a autoeficácia e a atividade física foram medidas no início, na semana 6 e na semana 11. A atividade de caminhada aumentou significativamente (p<0,05) com o grupo de caminhada contínua do início até a semana 6 (p=0,033), a porcentagem de troca foi maior em comparação com o grupo controle do início até a semana 11 (p=0,042). Foram observadas melhoras significativas na autorregulação com o grupo de caminhada contínua do início até a semana 6 e até a semana 11 (p<0,05). Porém, a autoeficácia diminuiu do início até a semana 6 (p=0,047) e até a semana 11 (p=0,008) para todos os grupos. Os empregados sedentários teriam mais vantagens se lhes fosse prescrito um programa de caminhada contínua, pois pode melhorar as habilidades de autorregulação. A atividade de caminhada intermitente também pode ser um enfoque factível para reduzir o comportamento sedentário, no entanto, são necessárias mais pesquisas para avaliar se os empregados sedentários podem ou não cumprir as recomendações diárias de atividade física. É importante também revisar em pesquisas futuras o vínculo entre a atividade física e a autoeficácia.

The Effects of Vitamin D on Metabolic Profiles in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Systematic Review.

This systematic review aims to evaluate all epidemiological evidence in the literature linking the effect of vitamin D supplementation to metabolic and hormonal functions in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. The literature search was performed with two databases, namely Medline/PubMed and Web of Science, until 20 May 2019 for both observational and experimental studies concerning relationships between vitamin D and polycystic ovary syndrome. A total of ten studies with randomized, double-blinded, and placebo-controlled trial design from 2008 to 2019 were selected for this review. The inclusion criteria were women 18-45 years of age with polycystic ovary syndrome and comparing the metabolic or endocrine parameters between placebo and vitamin D supplementation groups. A total of ten studies were selected for this review. We found that vitamin D supplementation had a significant effect on insulin metabolism, total serum testosterone, hirsutism, C-reactive protein, and total antioxidant capacity in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Evidence from available randomized controlled trials suggests that patients with polycystic ovary syndrome should take vitamin D supplementation for the beneficial effect of metabolic profiles. However, future research is needed regarding the beneficial effects in women who are non-obese with polycystic ovary syndrome, as well as more studies with larger sample sizes.

My Quest, a Community-Based mHealth Intervention to Increase Physical Activity and Promote Weight Loss in Predominantly Rural-Dwelling, Low-Income, Alabama Women.

Rural-dwelling, overweight/obese, limited-resource individuals and women have the lowest leisure-time physical activity rates among Americans. This community-based, single-group pre- posttest study sought to increase physical activity, step counts, and promote weight loss in 104 low-income women (84% rural). Analyses included nonparametric and repeated-measures analyses of variance to determine physical activity behaviors, step counts, and weight loss. Results show, from pre- to postintervention, participants improved self-reported step counts, physical activity goal setting and behaviors, and body weight. This study adds support that text message programs can reach a high-risk, limited-resource, predominantly rural population to promote physical activity and weight loss.