Are Malaysians Exercising? A Psychometric Analysis of Their Physical Activity Habits, Physical Literacy and Exercise Participation Rates among Adults with and without Disability.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity levels of adults worldwide have reported a rising trend in sedentarism. This study's main objective is to analyze and understand the current tendency in this field and in physical literacy among Malaysian adults in order to improve physical performance. METHODS: The sample from which the data were collected corresponded to 352 Malaysian participants (N = 176 non-disabled, N = 176 physical disability) using The Physical Activity Scale for Individuals with Physical Disabilities questionnaire. RESULTS: Four factors were extracted, consisting of leisure activities, home maintenance, household chores, and career. The group with physical disability reported higher physical activity levels (14.30 MET h/day) compared to non-disabled (12.77 MET h/day), performing higher in leisure activities and light exercise. The compliance rate to health-beneficial exercise was 12.8% and was significantly higher among those with physical disability. Self-reported physical activity level correlated moderately well to overall MET performed p < 0.000, (r = 0.57). Only 2.8% of the respondents were aware of the recommendations outlined by health guidelines. CONCLUSION: The results indicated that the population surveyed was moderately active but had low compliance to exercise habits as recommended by international health guidelines. Non-participation in prescribed exercises was linked to higher education, urban dwellers, and higher income. The study also highlighted very low physical literacy among respondents in health recommended exercise guidelines.

How does mitochondrial function relate to thermogenic capacity and basal metabolic rate in small birds?

We investigated the role of mitochondrial function in the avian thermoregulatory response to a cold environment. Using black-capped chickadees (Poecile atricapillus) acclimated to cold (-10°C) and thermoneutral (27°C) temperatures, we expected to observe an upregulation of pectoralis muscle and liver respiratory capacity that would be visible in mitochondrial adjustments in cold-acclimated birds. We also predicted that these adjustments would correlate with thermogenic capacity (Msum) and basal metabolic rate (BMR). Using tissue high-resolution respirometry, mitochondrial performance was measured as respiration rate triggered by proton leak and the activity of complex I (OXPHOSCI) and complex I+II (OXPHOSCI+CII) in the liver and pectoralis muscle. The activity of citrate synthase (CS) and cytochrome c oxidase (CCO) was also used as a marker of mitochondrial density. We found 20% higher total CS activity in the whole pectoralis muscle and 39% higher total CCO activity in the whole liver of cold-acclimated chickadees relative to that of birds kept at thermoneutrality. This indicates that cold acclimation increased overall aerobic capacity of these tissues. Msum correlated positively with mitochondrial proton leak in the muscle of cold-acclimated birds while BMR correlated with OXPHOSCI in the liver with a pattern that differed between treatments. Consequently, this study revealed a divergence in mitochondrial metabolism between thermal acclimation states in birds. Some functions of the mitochondria covary with thermogenic capacity and basal maintenance costs in patterns that are dependent on temperature and body mass.

The impact of metabolic plasticity on winter energy use models.

Understanding the energetic consequences of climate change is critical to identifying organismal vulnerabilities, particularly for dormant organisms relying on finite energy budgets. Ecophysiological energy use models predict long-term energy use from metabolic rate, but we do not know the degree to which plasticity in metabolism impacts estimates. We quantified metabolic rate-temperature relationships of dormant willow leaf beetles (Chrysomela aeneicollis) monthly from February to May under constant and variable acclimation treatments. Metabolic rate increased as diapause progressed, and acclimation to variable conditions altered both metabolic intensity and thermal sensitivity. However, incorporating these two types of metabolic plasticity into energy use models did not improve energy use estimates, validated by empirical measurements of energy stores. While metabolic rate-temperature relationships are plastic during winter, the magnitude of inter-individual variability in energy stores overshadows the effects of incorporating plasticity into energy use models, highlighting the importance of within-population variation in energy reserves.

Exergaming for Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury: A Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVE: Commercially available exergames that are for wheelchair-bound individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) are scarce. This study sought to identify exergames for individuals with SCI that are "dose-potent" for health benefits. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six participants with SCI were recruited for a pilot study to investigate the exercise intensity of selected exergames (Move Tennis, Move Boxing, and Move Gladiator Duel) for the potential to improve health. Issues relating to exergaming for individuals with SCI were identified, and a Move Kayaking exergame was conceived using relevant design processes in an iterative manner. These processes included the following: participant needs and requirements, system requirements (hardware), system architecture (physical and operational views), and integration and verification of the finished system. Emphasis was given to operational and physical designs of the Move Kayaking exergame. RESULTS: Move Boxing, Move Gladiator Duel, and Move Kayaking achieved moderate intensity exercise, while Move Tennis only achieved exercise of low intensity based on participants' metabolic equivalent. However, all four exergames achieved at least moderate intensity based on individuals' ratings of perceived exertion (RPE). CONCLUSION: The intensity classification while playing Move Boxing, Move Tennis, Move Gladiator Duel, and Move Kayaking, using RPE, reported adequate exercise intensities prescribed by exercise guidelines.