How do the year's seasons and specific weather indices affect physical activity and the patterns of use of public open spaces in the Brazilian context?

BACKGROUND: Public open spaces (POS) can offer various resources to promote visitation and engagement in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). However, the influence of seasonal variations and specific meteorological conditions on this relationship remains unclear. Thus, this study aims to investigate the effect of seasonal variations and specific meteorological elements on different days of the week and times of day on POS use and POS-based MVPA in the Brazilian context. METHODS: In 2018, repeated measurements carried out in Southern Brazil used a systematic observation to identify the presence of users in the POS and their engagement in MVPA. The meteorological elements (temperature, thermal sensation, and relative humidity), as well as seasonality (summer, autumn, winter, and spring), were aggregated into the observations. RESULTS: A total of 19,712 systematic observations were conducted across nine POS. During these observations, a total of 59,354 users were identified. Out of theses, 39,153 (66.0%) were engaged in POS-based MVPA. The presence of users was found to be more frequent during the spring season (38.7%) and on weekends (ranging from 37.6 to 50.1% across seasons). Additionally, user presence was higher in the late afternoon (ranging from 36.4 to 58.2% across seasons) and at higher temperatures with lower relative humidity (p-value < 0.001). Regarding POS-based MVPA, it was more frequent during the winter season (36.4%) and on weekdays (ranging from 73.2 to 79.9% across seasons). Similarly, MVPA was higher in the late afternoon (ranging from 58.3 to 67.5% across seasons) and at lower temperatures and thermal sensations (p-value < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Higher presence of users in POS, as well as their visiting, to practice POS-based MVPA, depending on the seasons and specific meteorological elements. By creating infrastructure and conducive conditions, cities can encourage individuals to adopt more active and healthy behaviors. These findings emphasize the importance of designing urban spaces that promote physical activity and contribute to overall well-being.

Geospatial indicators of bikeability index as cycle-friendly city design: a systematic review / Indicadores geoespaciais do índice de bikeability como projeto de cidade amiga da bicicleta: uma revisão sistemática

The aim was to identify the main geospatial indicators used in bikeability index through constructive methodological studies. The study protocol was registered in PROSPERO under the registration number CRD42020166795, following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guide. Original studies indexed in the electronic databases Lilacs, Pu-bMed, Science Direct, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, Trid, and Web of Science were selected. The review also included grey literature through Google Scholar, OpenGrey, ProQuest, and a list of references and documents pointed out by experts. After removing duplicates and analyzing titles and abstracts, the review considered only 11 out of the 703 initial papers, which provided 100 environment in-dicators with varied definitions and metrics for estimating the Bikeability index. The census tract was the most used unit of the analysis found in the papers, which used GIS (Geographic Informa-tion System) data besides self-reported information on environmental characteristics. The results indicate that the most usual indicators relate to infrastructure ­ existence and width of bike lanes ­ destination, slope, speed limit, and connectivity and intersections. The creation and maintenance of bicycle-friendly environments could consider the implementation of more infrastructure on flat and connected streets with changes in speed limits in neighborhoods, especially in regions with low density of intersections, to decrease accidents and increase cyclists' perception of safety.

Identificar os principais indicadores geoespaciais sobre a construção do índice de bikeability. O protocolo do estudo foi registrado no PROSPERO, sob o número de registro CRD42020166795, seguiu o guia (PRIS-MA). Foram selecionados estudos originais indexados nas bases de dados eletrônicas Lilacs, PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, Trid, Web of Science. A revisão também incluiu literatura cinza, além da lista de referências e documentos identificados por especialistas. A busca inicial identificou 703 artigos, após a retirada das duplicatas e análise de títulos, resumos e texto completo, 11 artigos foram incluídos na revisão. Um total de 100 indicadores geoespaciais do ambiente construído foram identificados com diferentes defini-ções e métricas para estimar o índice de bikeability. O setor censitário foi a unidade de análise mais utilizada nos artigos, que utilizaram dados de SIG (Sistema de Informações Geográficas) além de informações autorre-feridas sobre características ambientais. Os resultados indicam que os indicadores mais usuais dizem respeito à infraestrutura ­ existência e largura das ciclovias ­ destino, inclinação, limite de velocidade, conectividade e interseções. A criação e manutenção de ambientes amigos da bicicleta poderia contemplar a implantação de mais infraestrutura em vias planas e conectadas com mudanças nos limites de velocidade nos bairros, principalmente em regiões com baixa densidade de cruzamentos, para diminuir os acidentes e aumentar a percepção de segurança dos ciclistas.

Are Changes in Walking for Transportation in Brazilian Older Adults Associated With Attributes of the Neighborhood Environment?

This study aims to examine the association between neighborhood environment attributes and changes in walking for transportation among older adults. Longitudinal analysis was performed considering a population-based study (EpiFloripa Idoso), carried out in 2009-2010 with follow-up in 2013-2014. Changes in walking, obtained with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire during both waves were associated with data from the environment perception, evaluated using individual items from the Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale (baseline only) performing multinomial logistic regression. A total of 1,162 older adults (65.2% women, mean age = 73.7 years) participated. Those who reported the presence of parks and squares (OR = 2.44, 95% confidence interval [CI; 1.70, 3.51]), sidewalks (OR = 1.66, 95% CI [1.03, 2.70]), crosswalks (OR = 1.69, 95% CI [1.05, 2.72]), illuminated streets (OR = 2.80, 95% CI [1.24, 6.33]), and safety for day walks (OR = 1.93, 95% CI [1.14, 3.24]) were more likely to remain active or become active when commuting (≥150 min/week). Older adults are more active in neighborhoods that present more favorable attributes regarding walking for transportation.

Association of objectively measured sedentary behavior and physical activity with cardiometabolic risk markers in older adults.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the associations between sedentary behavior and different intensities of physical activity with cardiometabolic risk, and to analyze the simultaneous effect of excess sedentary behavior and recommended levels of physical activity on cardiometabolic risk markers in older adults. METHODS: We conducted a population-based cross-sectional study on a sample of older adults (60+) living in Florianopolis, Brazil. The objectively measured predictors were sedentary time, light physical activity and moderate to vigorous physical activity, and the outcomes were markers of cardiometabolic risk. Data were considered valid when the participant had used the accelerometer for at least four days per week. RESULTS: The sample included 425 older adults (59.8% women), with a mean age of 73.9 years (95%CI: 73.5-74.4). Sedentary behavior was associated with lower systolic blood pressure levels (ß = -0.03; 95%CI: -0.05; -0.01) and lower HDL cholesterol (ß = -0.02; 95%CI: -0.02; -0.01). Light physical activity was not associated with any cardiovascular risk markers after adjustment. Each minute spent in moderate to vigorous physical activity was associated with lower waist circumference (ß = -0.15; 95%CI: -0.24; -0.05), systolic blood pressure (ß = -0.18; 95%CI: -0.32; -0.04) and plasma glucose (ß = -0.18; 95%CI: -0.33;-0.02), and with higher HDL cholesterol (ß = 0.10; 95%CI: 0.01; 0.18). Moreover, physically inactive and sedentary individuals had a greater mean waist circumference and lower HDL cholesterol than physically active and non-sedentary subjects. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that moderate to vigorous physical activity have a positive impact on cardiometabolic risk markers in older adults. Light physical activity does not appear to have a beneficial effect on the cardiometabolic markers, and despite the benefits provided by the different intensities of physical activity, the simultaneous presence of sedentary behavior and low physical activity level was associated with poor cardiometabolic risk markers.

Neighborhood environmental characteristics and sedentary behavior in later life: the EpiFloripa Study / Características do ambiente do bairro e comportamento sedentário em idosos: o estudo EpiFloripa

Little is known about the relationship between perceived environmental characteristics and seden-tary behavior (SB) using accelerometry in older adults. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between perceived neighborhood environmental characteristics and SB using acceler-ometry in 423 older adults from Florianopolis, Brazil. The time spent in SB was measured by an accelerometer (Actigraph-GT3X and GT3X+) for seven days and it was defined as < 100 counts per minute. Neighborhood characteristics were assessed using the 17-item of the A-NEWS scale. Lin-ear regression was used to examine the association between perceived neighborhood environmental characteristics and SB. The results showed that older adults spent about 631.9 minutes/day in SB which corresponds to 66% of their waking time/day. Men who reported "access to shops" (ß = -66.87; 95%CI: -113.80; -19.66), "access to services" (ß = -65.65; 95%CI: -118.63; -12.61), "access to food shops" (ß = -78.38; 95%CI: -123.79; -32.93) and "access to bus stop" (ß = -66.69; 95%CI: -110.32; -22.95) spent over one hour less in SB. In women, lower SB was associated to easier "access to clubs and gyms" (ß = -24.57; 95%CI: -48.13; -0.89) and "access to open spaces gyms" (ß = -31.67 95%CI: -58.80; -4.21). These findings indicate that better access and greater diversity of places in the neighborhood environment could be an important factor to reduce SB in older Brazilian adults

Pouco se conhece sobre a associação entre características do ambiente e comportamento sedentário (CS) medido por acelerometria em idosos. Esse estudo objetiva analisar a associação entre as características do ambiente percebido e CS em idosos de Florianópolis, Brasil. Participaram 423 idosos (62,1% mulheres) de Florianó-polis, selecionados entre os participantes do Projeto EpiFloripa. O tempo despendido em CS foi mensurado por acelerometria (Actigraph-GT3X e GT3X+) por sete dias, considerado como CS abaixo de 100 counts. As características da vizinhança foram medidas por 17 itens da escala A-NEWS. Análise de regressão linear foi utilizada para testar a associação entre o as características percebidas do ambiente da vizinhança e o CS. Para essa finalidade foi usado o software Stata 13.0, utilizando o comando "svy" para amostra complexas e considerando pesos amostrais. Os resultados mostram que os idosos passam em média 631,9minutos/dia em CS, o que representa cerca de 66% do tempo em que estão acordados. Para os homens que reportaram perceber a presença de "comércio de venda produtos" (ß = -66,87; IC95%: -113,80; -19,66), "comércio de serviços" (ß = -65,65; IC95%: -118,63; -12,61), "comércio de venda de alimentos" (ß = -78,38; IC95%: -123,79; -32,93) e "presença de pontos de ônibus" (ß = -66,69; IC95%: -110,32; -22,95) o CS foi de aproximadamente uma hora a menos do que os que não percebem estes atributos do ambiente. Entre as mu-lheres idosas o menor CS foi associado com a "presença de clubes e academias" (ß = -24,57; IC95%: -48,13; -0,89), "presença de academias ao ar livre" (ß = -31,67; IC95%: -58,80; -4,21). Os resultados indicam que melhores acessos e maior diversidade de lugares no ambiente da vizinhança podem ser fatores importantes para reduzir o CS em idosos

Percepção de competência de escolares em atividades cotidianas / Perception of schoolchildren ability in daily activities

O objetivo deste estudo é analisar a percepção de pais, professores e crianças no desempenho das atividades motoras realizadas por essas últimas com idades entre 7 e 12 anos no seu cotidiano, e identificar se os três segmentos investigados expressam diferenças consistentes enquanto avaliam as tarefas. O estudo foi realizado com 69 escolares de ambos os sexos (52 sexo masculino e 17 feminino), de Instituições da Grande Florianópolis. O instrumento utilizado foi o Questionário Perceived Efficacy and Goal Setting System - PEGS (Missiuna, Pollock & Law, 2004). O estudo foi realizado por meio do preenchimento do formulário pelos pais e professores e de uma entrevista com as crianças. Para análise dos resultados as questões foram categorizadas como: atividades de cuidados pessoais, atividades recreacionais e atividades em sala de aula. Os resultados mostram que os três segmentos avaliam a competência como positiva nas três categorias investigadas, principalmente nas atividades cotidianas e em sala de aula. Conclui-se que as crianças, seus pais e professores avaliam de forma congruente a competência da criança.