Dose-response associations between physical activity and sedentary time with functional disability in older adults with or without frailty: a prospective cohort study.

Purpose: Evidence regarding the dose-response curve shapes of physical activity (PA) and sedentary time (ST) in older adults with functional disability (FD) is extremely limited. Moreover, these associations may differ depending on with/without frailty. We examined the dose-response associations between moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) and ST with FD among older adults with/without frailty. Methods: We included 7,480 initially nondisabled adults (3,795 men and 3,685 women) aged 65-84 years in Ota City, Tokyo, Japan. MVPA and ST were evaluated using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form. FD was prospectively identified using a nationally unified database of the long-term care insurance system. Frailty was determined using Check-List 15, validated against Fried's frailty criteria. Multivariate-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of MVPA and ST for FD were calculated, and dose-response curves were examined using restricted cubic splines. Results: During 3.6 years of follow-up, 1,001 (13.4%) participants had FD. Among all participants, compared with no MVPA, the HRs for FD reduced linearly up to approximately 2000 metabolic equivalents (METs)■min/week of MVPA, and the lowest HR (HR: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.51-0.74) was reached at around 3,000-4,000 METs■min/week. Although the shape of this association was consistent regardless of with/without frailty, the magnitude of the association tended to be stronger in frail older adults than in non-frail older adults. Compared with those for the median (300 min/day) of ST, the HRs for FD increased linearly as ST reached approximately 600 min/day or more, independent of MVPA, with a maximum HR of 1.31 (95% CI: 1.01-1.71) for 1,080 min/day among all participants. This association was more pronounced among non-frail older adults but not statistically significant among frail older adults. Conclusion: Higher MVPA levels consistently reduced the incidence of FD regardless of frailty in a significant inverse nonlinear dose-response manner. A significant positive nonlinear dose-response association between ST and FD risk was identified among non-frail older adults but not among frail older adults. Increasing MVPA and reducing prolonged ST are important for preventing FD among non-frail older adults. However, reducing ST alone may be insufficient; increasing MVPA, even if by only small increments, is highly recommended for frail older adults.

An Assessment of Physical Activity and Risk Factors in People Living with Dementia: Findings from a Cross-Sectional Study in a Long-Term Care Facility in Vietnam.

BACKGROUND: People living with dementia (PLWD) may experience substantial cognitive decline as the disease progresses, which interferes with their daily activities. This study aimed to assess physical activity (PA) performance and care dependency (CD) and identify factors related to PA among PLWD. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study in 63 PLWD from National Geriatrics Hospital, Vietnam, from 2021 to 2023. We used the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and Care Dependency Scale (CDS) to assess the nutritional status and the levels of PA and CD, respectively. We used the Mann-Whitney test to compare the differences in the PA types and CD levels between dementia levels and a multivariable logistics regression model to analyze factors related to PA. RESULTS: More than half of the subjects had mild dementia. In total, 35% of the PLWD had a low level of PA, and 46.3% were completely independent of care. The mean score in each CDS aspect of the subjects with moderate/severe dementia was statistically significantly lower than that of those with mild dementia (p ≤ 0.05). Lower dependency (OR = 0.9; 95% CI = 0.88-0.99) and malnutrition (OR = 15.4; 95% CI = 1.18-20.21) were associated with insufficient PA in the PLWD. CONCLUSION: Formal caregivers and healthcare workers should encourage PLWD to perform physical activities at any level and personalize the development of tailored and nutritional care strategies for each individual.

Sagittal spinal curvatures of young adults in the context of their self-reported physical activity and somatic parameters.

The objective of this study was to assess the thoracic kyphosis (ThKA) and lumbar lordosis (LLA) in healthy young adults and to investigate potential relationships between spinal curvatures, self-reported physical activity (PA), and somatic parameters. The study included 380 female students and 211 male students aged 20.7 ± 1.5 years. The ThKA and LLA were measured using a Plurimeter-V gravity inclinometer. The level of PA was estimated using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. ThKA was lower in women compared to men, while LLA was higher in women than in men (p < 0.0001). Female students reported lower PA than male students (p < 0.001). Female students with ThKA within normal values reported a significantly higher amount of low-intensity PA compared to those with ThKA below or above the norm. A correlation was found between ThKA and body mass index (BMI), body adiposity index (BAI), WC, and fat percentage (rho < 0.2), whereas LLA showed correlations with BMI, BAI, waist circumference, and fat percentage (rho < 0.2). Among male students, a correlation was found between LLA and BMI as well as WC (rho < 0.2). Maintaining a healthy body composition may be instrumental in mitigating the risk of developing spinal curvature abnormalities.

Profiling the patient with inflammatory bowel disease in the relationship between physical activity and partner/social network status: A post hoc patient-tailored analysis of the "BE-FIT-IBD" study.

INTRODUCTION: Normal quality of life is an ultimate target in the therapeutic approach to inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), encompassing Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) in the context of which regular physical activity (PA) is often a chimeric parameter that is not standardized in terms of quality/quantity. The study aimed to profile a sample of IBD patients about the relationship between PA-partner status and social network support. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A post hoc analysis of the "BE-FIT-IBD" study was set up by stratifying the data of PA with that of partner status and the support that the patient's social network (i.e., relatives, friends) provided in inciting the patient to practice regular PA. RESULTS: In the 219 patients included, there was a greater tendency for patients with stable partners to view the risk of reactivation/worsening of IBD as a barrier to conducting regular PA (p<0.0001). Single patients considered PA more as a protective factor (p=0.045). Patients without a PA-supporting social network retained IBD-related treatment as a PA barrier (p=0.016) and PA as a risk for IBD complications (p=0.01), with less confidence that PA could improve the course of IBD (p<0.001). Rectal syndrome was an IBD-related barrier more represented in patients with PA-deterring social network (p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: These factors are potential targets for recovering the IBD patient's adherence to regular PA.

EPIDEMIOLOGICAL CONNECTIONS BETWEEN SCREENS AND MOVEMENT, SEDENTARY BEHAVIOR, PHYSICAL (IN)ACTIVITY AND HEALTH HABITS / CONEXIONES EPIDEMIOLÓGICAS ENTRE PANTALLAS Y MOVIMIENTO, COMPORTAMIENTO SEDENTARIO, (IN)ACTIVIDAD FÍSICA Y HÁBITOS DE SALUD / CONEXÕES EPIDEMIOLÓGICAS ENTRE TELAS E MOVIMENTO, COMPORTAMENTO SEDENTÁRIO, (IN)ATIVIDADE FÍSICA E HÁBITOS DE SAÚDE

This study analyzed physical activity patterns, sedentary behaviors and exposure to screens in students from four school units in Rio de Janeiro. The objective was to provide insights for the development of health promotion strategies through physical activities and sports (AFES). Using the IPAQ questionnaire, data were collected from 1668 students, with an average age of approximately 13.8 years from all grades of primary and secondary education. Statistical tests were used for analysis. The results indicated that students walked, on average, more than 10 minutes per day on 4 days (male) and 3 days (female), with 75 minutes (male) and 69 minutes (female) of daily walking, respectively. The average of moderate activities was 91 minutes per day, while vigorous activities totaled, on average, 126 minutes (male) and 71 minutes (female). Significant sex differences were observed in daily walking, moderate and vigorous activities, and weekly inactivity time. Variations were also identified between school units, indicating differences in the application of AFES. The positive and significant correlation between the total number of days and the time of vigorous activities (ρ = 0.65; p ≤ 0.05) highlights the importance of different strategies. With regard to inactivity and exposure to screens, the average time during the week was 574 minutes, while on weekends it was 510 minutes. These results contribute to direct health promotion policies, emphasizing the need for personalized approaches for students in Rio de Janeiro.

Este estudio analizó patrones de actividad física, conductas sedentarias y exposición a pantallas en estudiantes de cuatro unidades escolares de Río de Janeiro. El objetivo fue proporcionar conocimientos para el desarrollo de estrategias de promoción de la salud a través de actividades físicas y deportivas (AFES). Utilizando el cuestionario IPAQ, se recogieron datos de 1668 estudiantes, con una edad promedio de aproximadamente 13,8 años, de todos los grados de educación primaria y secundaria. Se utilizaron pruebas estadísticas para el análisis. Los resultados indicaron que los estudiantes caminaron, en promedio, más de 10 minutos por día durante 4 días (hombres) y 3 días (mujeres), con 75 minutos (hombres) y 69 minutos (mujeres) de caminata diaria, respectivamente. El promedio de actividades moderadas fue de 91 minutos por día, mientras que las actividades vigorosas sumaron, en promedio, 126 minutos (hombres) y 71 minutos (mujeres). Se observaron diferencias de sexo significativas en la caminata diaria, las actividades moderadas y vigorosas y el tiempo de inactividad semanal. También se identificaron variaciones entre unidades escolares, lo que indica diferencias en la aplicación de AFES. La correlación positiva y significativa entre el número total de días y el tiempo de actividades vigorosas (ρ = 0,65; p ≤ 0,05) resalta la importancia de diferentes estrategias. En cuanto a la inactividad y exposición a pantallas, el tiempo medio entre semana fue de 574 minutos, mientras que los fines de semana fue de 510 minutos. Estos resultados contribuyen a políticas directas de promoción de la salud, enfatizando la necesidad de enfoques personalizados para los estudiantes de Río de Janeiro.

Este estudo analisou os padrões de atividade física, comportamentos sedentários e exposição a telas em estudantes de quatro unidades escolares no Rio de Janeiro. O objetivo foi fornecer insights para o desenvolvimento de estratégias de promoção da saúde através de atividades físicas e esportes (AFES). Utilizando o questionário IPAQ, foram coletados dados de 1668 estudantes, com idade média de aproximadamente 13.8 anos de todas as séries do ensino fundamental e médio. Testes estatísticos foram empregados para análise. Os resultados indicaram que os estudantes caminharam, em média, mais de 10 minutos por dia em 4 dias (masculino) e 3 dias (feminino), com 75 minutos (masculino) e 69 minutos (feminino) de caminhada diária, respectivamente. A média de atividades moderadas foi de 91 minutos por dia, enquanto as atividades vigorosas totalizaram, em média, 126 minutos (masculino) e 71 minutos (feminino). Diferenças significativas entre sexos foram observadas na caminhada diária, atividades moderadas e vigorosas, além do tempo de inatividade semanal. Variações também foram identificadas entre as unidades escolares, indicando diferenças na aplicação das AFES. A correlação positiva e significativa entre o total de dias e o tempo de atividades vigorosas (ρ = 0.65; p ≤ 0.05) destaca a importância de estratégias diferenciadas. No que diz respeito à inatividade e exposição a telas, a média de tempo durante a semana foi de 574 minutos, enquanto nos finais de semana foi de 510 minutos. Esses resultados contribuem para direcionar políticas de promoção da saúde, enfatizando a necessidade de abordagens personalizadas para estudantes no Rio de Janeiro.

Epidemiological Connections between Screens and Movement: Navigating Sedentary Behavior, Physical (In)Activity and Health Habits in Schoolchildren in Rio de Janeiro / Conexiones epidemiológicas entre pantallas y movimiento: Navegando por el comportamiento sedentario, la (in)actividad física y los hábitos de salud en escolares de Río de Janeiro / Conexões Epidemiológicas entre Telas e Movimento: Navegando por Comportamento Sedentário, (In)Atividade Física e Hábitos de Saúde em Escolares do Rio de Janeiro

The study investigated physical activity habits, sedentary behaviors and exposure to screens in students from four school units in Rio de Janeiro, from a private educational institution, considering WHO guidelines. The research arises in response to the existing gap in understanding these patterns, given the lack of specific studies on schoolchildren in the region. Amid global concern about sedentary lifestyle, understanding specific patterns among students becomes crucial to developing effective strategies. The observational and exploratory study used the IPAQ questionnaire to collect data on physical activity and sports (AFES), as well as sedentary behaviors in 1668 students from four private school units. Statistical analysis, including Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis, sought to understand differences between sexes and school units. The results revealed an average of 4 days of walking of more than 10 minutes for males and 3 days for females. The average number of days performing moderate activities was 3, with males dedicating, on average, 100 minutes, and females 84 minutes. As for vigorous activities, both sexes had an average of 3 days, with males reporting 126 minutes and females 71 minutes. The total time of weekly physical activity was 260 minutes on average, with small variations between genders.With regard to inactivity and exposure to screens, the average time during the week was 574 minutes, while on weekends it was 510 minutes. Significant differences between sexes were evident in daily walking, moderate and vigorous activities, and sitting time during the week. Furthermore, there were variations between school units. The positive and significant correlation between the total number of days and the time of vigorous activities highlights the importance of differentiated strategies. These results provide valuable insights to guide health promotion policies, highlighting the need for personalized and contextualized approaches for this specific population.

El estudio investigó hábitos de actividad física, conductas sedentarias y exposición a pantallas en estudiantes de cuatro unidades escolares de Río de Janeiro, de una institución educativa privada, considerando directrices de la OMS. La investigación surge como respuesta al vacío existente en la comprensión de estos patrones, ante la falta de estudios específicos en escolares de la región. En medio de la preocupación mundial por el estilo de vida sedentario, comprender patrones específicos entre los estudiantes se vuelve crucial para desarrollar estrategias efectivas. El estudio observacional y exploratorio utilizó el cuestionario IPAQ para recolectar datos sobre actividad física y deporte (AFES), así como sobre conductas sedentarias en 1668 estudiantes de cuatro unidades escolares privadas. Los análisis estadísticos, incluidos Mann-Whitney y Kruskal-Wallis, buscaron comprender las diferencias entre sexos y unidades escolares. Los resultados revelaron una media de 4 días de caminata de más de 10 minutos para los hombres y de 3 días para las mujeres. La media de días realizando actividades moderadas fue de 3, dedicando los hombres una media de 100 minutos y las mujeres 84 minutos. En cuanto a las actividades vigorosas, ambos sexos tuvieron un promedio de 3 días, siendo los hombres 126 minutos y las mujeres 71 minutos. El tiempo total de actividad física semanal fue de 260 minutos en promedio, con pequeñas variaciones entre géneros. En cuanto a la inactividad y exposición a pantallas, el tiempo medio entre semana fue de 574 minutos, mientras que los fines de semana fue de 510 minutos. Se evidenciaron diferencias significativas entre sexos en la caminata diaria, las actividades moderadas y vigorosas y el tiempo sentado durante la semana. Además, hubo variaciones entre las unidades escolares. La correlación positiva y significativa entre el número total de días y el tiempo de actividades vigorosas resalta laimportancia de las estrategias diferenciadas. Estos resultados proporcionan información valiosa para orientar las políticas de promoción de la salud, destacando la necesidad de enfoques personalizados y contextualizados para esta población específica.

O estudo investigou os hábitos de atividade física, comportamentos sedentários e exposição a telas em estudantes de quatro unidades escolares no Rio de Janeiro, de uma instituição de ensino privada, considerando as diretrizes da OMS. A pesquisa surge em resposta à lacuna existente na compreensão desses padrões, dada a falta de estudos específicos sobre escolares na região. Em meio à preocupação global com o sedentarismo, a compreensão dos padrões específicos entre estudantes torna-se crucial para desenvolver estratégias eficazes. O estudo, observacional e exploratório, utilizou o questionário IPAQ para coletar dados sobre atividade física e esportivas (AFES), bem como comportamentos sedentários em 1668 estudantes de quatro unidades escolares privadas. A análise estatística, incluindo Mann-Whitney e Kruskal-Wallis, buscou entender as diferenças entre sexos e unidades escolares. Os resultados revelaram uma média de 4 dias de caminhada de mais de 10 minutos para o sexo masculino e 3 dias para o feminino. A média de dias realizando atividades moderadas foi de 3, com o sexo masculino dedicando, em média, 100 minutos, e o feminino 84 minutos. Quanto às atividades vigorosas, ambos os sexos tiveram média de 3 dias, com o sexo masculino relatando 126 minutos e o feminino 71 minutos. O tempo total de atividade física semanal foi de 260 minutos em média, com pequenas variações entre sexos. No que diz respeito à inatividade e exposição a telas, a média de tempo durante a semana foi de 574 minutos, enquanto nos finais de semana foi de 510 minutos. As diferenças significativas entre sexos foram evidenciadas na caminhada diária, atividades moderadas e vigorosas, e tempo sentado durante a semana. Além disso, houve variações entre as unidades escolares. A correlação positiva e significativa entre o total de dias e o tempo de atividades vigorosas destaca a importância de estratégias diferenciadas. Esses resultados proporcionam insights valiosos para orientar políticas de promoção da saúde, destacando a necessidade de abordagens personalizadas e contextualizadas para essa população específica. 

The association between physical activity and quality of life among people aged 60-89 living in own homes and nursing homes.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to obtain a response to the question of whether and how physical activity (PA) among people aged 60-89 years impacts quality of life and other sociodemographic characteristics (sex, age and place of living). METHODS: Among 341 respondents aged 60 to 89, including 273 women (80%) and 68 men (20%) successfully completed IPAQ and WHOQOL AGE questionnaires. In the study were used International Physical Activity Questionnaire - IPAQ and World Health Organization Quality Of Life - Age - WHOQOL-AGE in Polish version. RESULTS: The average total physical activity, including vigorous-intensity physical effort, moderate-intensity physical effort and walking amounts to 1381.87 ± 1978.60 MET-min/week. The average quality of life for the whole group of older people as evaluated with WHOQOL AGE scale was 64.79 (SD = 14.76; min:18.77-max: 98.07). Statistical analysis between physical activity and life quality proved significant dependence for the global life quality rating (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our research has shown that PA improves quality of life among older people. Higher scores of quality of life were obtained in the F1 subscale (satisfaction) than in the F2 subscale (meeting expectations) in both age groups. Age significantly affects quality of life for older people.

Comparison of the level of physical activity after the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with limited physical activity (PA) of most of the world's population. This cross-sectional prospective study aimed to assess the levels of PA of university students in Poland, Czech Republic and Slovakia after COVID-19 using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF). METHODS: A total of 2635 students completed questionnaires regarding their PA levels using the IPAQ-SF between September and December 2022. RESULTS: PA measured by metabolic equivalent of task (MET) scores, varied between the three countries: Slovakia median MET-minutes/week score 4459.9; Czech Republic 3838.8 Poland 3567.1. The results of the post hoc analysis revealed there were significant differences in MET-minutes/week values between the Czech Republic and Poland (p < 0.035) as well as between the Czech Republic and Slovakia (p < 0.037). The analysis of energetic expenditure during walking revealed that students from the Czech Republic and Slovakia had higher median MET-min/weeks values (Czech 2284.1; Slovak 2467.1) compared to their Polish (1536.1) peers (p < 0.001). Polish cohort presented with significantly higher body mass index (BMI) (p < 0.001) than Czech and Slovak groups (BMI Czech: 22.3; Slovak 22.8; Polish 23.8). CONCLUSIONS: Significant differences in PA levels between the Czech Republic, Poland, and Slovakia university students were identified. Slovakia showed the highest median PA measured as a MET score, and Poland showed the lowest. Compared to available pre-COVID studies it seems the total level of PA in the observed cohorts has not returned to the pre-COVID levels and students remain less active.

Investigation of a practical assessment index to capture the clinical presentation of cachexia in patients with lung cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Cancer cachexia constitutes a poor prognostic factor in patients with lung cancer. However, the factors associated with cancer cachexia remain unclear. This study aimed to identify factors that influence cancer cachexia in patients with lung cancer. METHODS: In this retrospective observational study conducted at the Kansai Medical University, 76 patients with lung cancer were evaluated for physical function, nutritional status (Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form) and physical activity (International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form) at the first visit to the rehabilitation outpatient clinic. The patients were divided into cachexia and noncachexia groups. The log-rank tests and Cox proportional hazards model were used to investigate the relationship between cachexia and prognosis. To examine the factors that influence cachexia, multivariate regression analysis with significant (P < 0.05) variables in the univariate logistic regression analysis was performed. Spearman's correlation analysis was performed to investigate the association between International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form and performance status. RESULTS: Overall, 42 patients (55.2%) had cachexia associated with survival time since their first visit to the outpatient rehabilitation clinic, even after confounders adjustment (hazard ratio: 3.24, 95% confidence interval: 1.12-9.45, P = 0.031). In the multivariate analysis, Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form (odds ratio: 20.34, 95% confidence interval: 4.18-99.02, P < 0.001) and International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (odds ratio: 4.63, 95% confidence interval: 1.20-17.89, P = 0.026) were identified as independent factors for cachexia. There was no correlation between International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form and performance status (r = 0.155, P = 0.181). CONCLUSION: Malnutrition and low physical activity were associated with cachexia in patients with lung cancer. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form may be a useful indicator of physical activity in cachexia. Regularly assessing these factors and identifying suitable interventions for cachexia remain challenges to be addressed in the future.

Physical Activity and Health of Middle-Aged and Older Japanese Across the COVID-19 Pandemic: Differential Outcomes Highlight a Problematic Life Stage.

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 caused major disruptions across the super-aged nation of Japan, yet few studies explored temporal changes among middle-aged and older cohorts from baseline to the height of community transmission. Changes in physical activity and sedentary behavior during global pandemics may alter patterns of morbidity and mortality among susceptible aging populations. OBJECTIVES: This study investigated patterns of physical activity, sitting behavior, and health among representative samples of middle-aged and older adults in Tokyo before and during the pandemic. METHODS: Repeated online surveys were conducted with quota samples of 800 Tokyo residents in 2019 and 2021 using validated Japanese-language measures, including the short form-International Physical Activity Questionnaire and the Basic Ecological Health Scale-6. Statistical analyses included comparative evaluations of activity parameters by age cohort, gender, and selected covariates. Statistical tests included the Kruskal-Wallis test, Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square test for Independence and Hierarchical Regression. RESULTS: Over 34% of respondents were inactive at each data collection point, and 72% reported negative impacts of COVID-19 on their physical activities. Older adults showed no significant changes in their activity and sitting behavior and reported better health compared with those in middle age across the pandemic. Middle-aged males reported a significant decline in total activity of 33% across the pandemic period (U = 16,958, z = -2.64, p = .008, r = .13). Middle-aged females reported the lowest levels of physical activity, and health, and showed a 29% increase in sitting behavior across the pandemic (U = 16,925, z = -2.68, p = .007, r = .13). Subjective health status was consistently associated with higher overall activity and walking before and during the pandemic. CONCLUSION: Differential outcomes were identified between age and gender regarding health, physical activity, walking, and sitting across the pandemic with significantly worse impacts reported among middle-aged samples. IMPLICATIONS: These results have implications for healthy transitions to later life and the design of postpandemic interventions to address activity opportunities in Japan.

Concordance Between Accelerometer-Measured and Self-Reported Physical Activity and Sedentary Time in Adults with Autism.

This study examined the concordance between accelerometry-measured and self-reported physical activity (PA) and sedentary time in adults with autism. Twenty-four participants wore an ActiGraph GT3X + accelerometer for seven consecutive days and completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF) on the last day of their study participation. Bland-Altman plots assessed the magnitude of agreement between the two measures. Nearly 80% of the participants accumulated the recommended ≥ 150 min of moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA)/week, but were also sedentary for over nine hours/day according to accelerometry data. Findings showed that adults with autism tended to overreport MVPA (b = 1.606, p < 0.01) and underreport sedentary time (b = 1.161, p = 0.03) via the IPAQ-SF, as compared to objective measurements.

Agreement between Accelerometer-Assessed and Self-Reported Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in Female Breast Cancer Survivors.

An accurate quantitative assessment of physical activity and sedentary lifestyles enables a better understanding of their relationship with the health records of cancer survivors. The objective of this study was to compare the subjective and objective methods of physical activity measurement in female breast cancer survivors. Materials and methods: In total, 135 female breast cancer survivors at the Holycross Cancer Center, Kielce, Poland, were included in this study. A shortened version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used to subjectively assess the participants' physical activity (PA), and an ActiGraph GT3X-BT accelerometer was used for an objective assessment. In total, 75% of the studied women did not report any vigorous PA, irrespective of the measurement method. The average values of moderate PA and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) measured with IPAQ compared with the accelerometer were sevenfold and tenfold higher, respectively. Conversely, the sedentary behavior values measured with the accelerometer were almost three times higher than those measured with IPAQ. The PA and sedentary behavior measurements were significantly different. Irrespective of PA intensity, the accelerometer-based measurements produced significantly lower results than IPAQ, while higher results were observed for sedentary behavior. The measurement differences between these two methods increased as the average differences grew. Regardless of the measurement method, a negative association was observed between moderate PA with general adiposity and adipose tissue distribution, whereas sedentary behavior demonstrated an opposite trend. This indicates the detrimental role of obesity in limiting PA.

Diabetic Polyneuropathy and Physical Activity in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to access whether a personal attitude to physical activity (PA) may influence the appearance of diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) patients with well-controlled type 1 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: Ninety patients attending the diabetes technology outpatient clinic were enrolled. DPN was investigated according to the Toronto consensus diagnostic criteria. PA was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. RESULTS: PA was low in 21.1%, moderate in 42.2% and high in 36.7% of patients. According to Toronto criteria, we defined two categories: the first one with DPN absent or possible (57 (63.3%)) and a second one with DPN certain or probable (33 (36.7%)). The χ2-test of the PA groups and the DPN categories showed a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001), with less neuropathy in patients belonging to the group of moderate/high PA. Exposure to a minimum of 600 MET minutes/week was protective factor against the onset of DPN (odd ratio 0.221, c.i. 0.068-0.720, p = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that DPN is less present in type 1 diabetic patients with good metabolic control and a good personal habit of PA. Moderate-to-vigorous PA of at least 600 MET minutes/week might be a protective factor against DPN.

Fatigue and Physical Activity in People after COVID-19 in Poland.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this research was to look at the amount of fatigue and physical activity (PA) in individuals after COVID-19 in Poland and the correlation between fatigue and PA. METHODS: The online research was carried out among adult Polish residents (122 women and 82 men) who had tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 during the previous year. The level of fatigue was measured using the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS). The PA level was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). RESULTS: A total of 46.6% of the subjects had been ill with COVID-19 for more than 6 months before the time of the survey response. The MFIS total measure is 77 of the maximum score, and the median is 17. A total of 26% of respondents reported low activity, while 41% of respondents reported high activity. A statistically significant negative relationship was found between PA level and total fatigue score. The best scores for fatigue and PA were obtained by the subjects with mild COVID-19. The time since diagnosis (as opposed to older age and female sex) was not clearly associated with most measures. CONCLUSIONS: PA may play an important role in regulating the severity of fatigue; it should be increased, especially in patients after COVID. Further studies are also needed to investigate the mechanism of differences in fatigue and PA.

Internet Addiction and Physical Activity among Polish and Portuguese Students in the Final Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to analyze the level of Internet addiction and physical activity, as well as the relationship between internet addiction and physical activity, among Polish and Portuguese students in the final year of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A web-based online survey was conducted among students in Poland and Portugal (398 respondents) aged between 17 and 26 in October 2022. The level of internet addiction was assessed by the Kimberly Young questionnaire in Polish and in Portuguese. The level of physical activity was measured by the international physical activity questionnaire in Polish and in Portuguese. RESULTS: In the study population, the majority of the respondents were mildly addicted to the internet. The average level of addiction was reported by 9.3-23.5% of the respondents. The average level of internet addiction was higher among Portuguese students and among men. Those who had suffered from COVID-19 (especially more than once) and were more physically active showed a higher tendency towards internet addiction. CONCLUSIONS: Internet addiction is a problem that has to be monitored and given more attention, particularly among male students. The results presented provide the first statistical insight into the problem of internet addiction among students in both countries and form the basis for further studies. They also highlight the severity of the problem and point to the need for early preventive and protective interventions against problematic internet use. It appears that effective strategies should include promoting the benefits of physical activity.

Do Surgeons Accurately Predict Level of Activity in Patients With Distal Radius Fractures?

PURPOSE: One factor influencing the management of distal radius fractures is the functional status of the patient. The purpose of this study was to assess the agreement between patient and surgeon assessments of patient activity level in patients sustaining a distal radius fracture. METHODS: Ninety-seven patients were included, with a mean age of 58.5 years (range, 18-92 years). Patients completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, a validated survey that provides a score of low, moderate, or high activity levels. Treating surgeons provided an independent assessment using the same scale. Agreement between patient and surgeon assessments was evaluated using a weighted kappa-statistic, with a secondary analysis using logistic regression models to assess odds of surgical treatment. RESULTS: Interrater agreement between surgeons and patients demonstrated only "fair" agreement, with a kappa-statistic of 0.33. Predictive models showed that surgeons accurately identified 73% of "high activity" patients but failed to correctly identify more than 41% of patients rated as "moderate activity" or "low activity." There was a correlation between surgical intervention and increasing physical activity status as assessed by the surgeon; however, the magnitude of this effect was unclear (odds ratio, 2.14; 95% confidence interval, 1.07-4.30). This relationship was no longer significant after adjusting for age, Charlson comorbidity index, and fracture class. There was no association between surgical intervention and physical activity status when using the status provided by the patient. CONCLUSIONS: Surgeon assessment of patient activity level does not have strong agreement with patients' independent assessment. Surgeons are most accurate at identifying "high activity level" patients but lack the ability to identify "moderate activity level" or "low activity level" patients. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Recognition of surgeon assessment of patient activity level as flawed can stimulate improved dialog between patients and physicians, ultimately improving the shared decision-making process.

Differences in physical activity behaviors between university women from metropolitan, micropolitan, and rural areas.

Objective: Rural and emerging adult women report low physical activity (PA) levels. This study identified differences in current self-reported PA levels and perceived resources among US university women from metropolitan, micropolitan, and rural areas. Participants: Women were ages 18-24 y, full-time students who attended in-person university classes before COVID-19. Methods: They completed an online cross-sectional survey between July-September 2020 collecting demographic, university PA (via IPAQ), and perceived PA resource data. Results: Most participants reported metropolitan area high school (70.4%) and university (92.3%) attendance. Metropolitan participants did less job-related moderate PA during university (0.0 (0.0-360.0) MET-min) than rural (160.0 (0.0-1320.0) MET-min) participants. Metropolitan and micropolitan participants identified more high school community and natural resources than rural participants. Rural participants identified more university campus and community resources than metropolitan participants. Conclusions: University women reported similar levels of PA regardless of the rurality of their high school community.

The Epidemiology of Domain-Specific Physical Activity in New Zealand Adults: A Nationally Representative Cross-Sectional Survey.

BACKGROUND: Surveillance of domain-specific physical activity (PA) helps to target interventions to promote PA. We examined the sociodemographic correlates of domain-specific PA in New Zealand adults. METHODS: A nationally representative sample of 13,887 adults completed the International PA Questionnaire-long form in 2019/20. Three measures of total and domain-specific (leisure, travel, home, and work) PA were calculated: (1) weekly participation, (2) mean weekly metabolic energy equivalent minutes (MET-min), and (3) median weekly MET-min among those who undertook PA. Results were weighted to the New Zealand adult population. RESULTS: The average contribution of domain-specific activity to total PA was 37.5% for work activities (participation = 43.6%; median participating MET-min = 2790), 31.9% for home activities (participation = 82.2%; median participating MET-min = 1185), 19.4% for leisure activities (participation = 64.7%; median participating MET-min = 933), and 11.2% for travel activities (participation = 64.0%; median MET-min among participants = 495). Women accumulated more home PA and less work PA than men. Total PA was higher in middle-aged adults, with diverse patterns by age within domains. Maori accumulated less leisure PA than New Zealand Europeans but higher total PA. Asian groups reported lower PA across all domains. Higher area deprivation was negatively associated with leisure PA. Sociodemographic patterns varied by measure. For example, gender was not associated with total PA participation, but men accumulated higher MET-min when taking part in PA than women. CONCLUSIONS: Inequalities in PA varied by domain and sociodemographic group. These results should be used to inform interventions to improve PA.

Physical Activity Modifies the Severity of COVID-19 in Hospitalized Patients-Observational Study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Physical activity (PA) can modulate the immune response, but its impact on infectious disease severity is unknown. We assess if the PA level impacts the severity of COVID-19. METHODS: Prospective, cohort study for adults hospitalized due to COVID-19, who filled out the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Disease severity was expressed as death, transfer to intensive care unit (ICU), oxygen therapy (OxTh), hospitalization length, complications, C-reactive protein, and procalcitonin level. RESULTS: Out of 326 individuals, 131 (57; 43.51% women) were analyzed: age: median-70; range: 20-95; BMI: mean-27.18 kg/m²; and SD: ±4.77. During hospitalization: 117 (83.31%) individuals recovered, nine (6.87%) were transferred to ICU, five (3.82%) died, and 83 (63.36%) needed OxTh. The median for the hospital stay was 11 (range: 3-49) for discharged patients, and mean hospitalization length was 14 (SD: ±5.8312) for deaths and 14.22 days (SD: ±6.92) for ICU-transferred patients. The median for MET-min/week was 660 (range: 0-19,200). Sufficient or high PA was found in recovered patients but insufficient PA was observed in dead or ICU-transferred patients (p = 0.03). The individuals with poor PA had a higher risk of death (HR = 2.63; ±95%CI 0.58-11.93; p = 0.037). OxTh was used more often in the less active individuals (p = 0.03). The principal component analysis confirmed a relationship between insufficient PA and an unfavorable course of the disease. CONCLUSION: A higher level of PA is associated with a milder course of COVID-19.

Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in Adults from Penafiel, Portugal: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The aim of this study was to compare the physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) levels of young and middle-aged adults living in and around the municipality of Penafiel and to determine whether they meet PA recommendations. The researchers used the "International Physical Activity Questionnaire" (IPAQ) to measure moderate to vigorous PA and time spent on sedentary behavior (high vs. low). A prospective observational cross-sectional sample of 1105 adults aged 18-63 years, living in the municipality of Penafiel and its surroundings (45% women, 55% men), was used. The results indicated that more than half of the population was inactive (53.8%) and sedentary (54.0%). Men were more likely to be sedentary (59.2%) and inactive (55.6%) than women (inactive: 51.7%, high SB: 47.7%). Regarding daily PA and SB levels, women had higher levels of walks (3.8 ± 2.3; p = 0.034) and vigorous PA (2.2 ± 1.8 min; p = 0.005) per days/week, as well as vigorous PA per minutes/week (75.4 ± 82.1 min; p = 0.034). The time spent on vigorous PA per day was also higher in women (26.2 ± 22.8 min; p = 0.030). However, men had higher values in walking minutes per day (26.3 ± 17.1 min; p = 0.030), SB for weekdays (429.2 ± 141.2 min; p = 0.001), SB for weekends (324.7 ± 163.7 min; p = 0.033) and time spent on SB per minutes/week (2795.6 ± 882.0 min; p = 0.001). The results also showed that the older the adults, the lower the frequency and total time of vigorous PA per week. Young adults (18-28 years) had higher levels of vigorous PA (p = 0.005) than the other age groups (29-39; 40-50 and 51-63 years). Finally, the study found no significant correlation between individual level factors, such as number of children, marital status and monthly income, and PA or SB. Conversely, a significant and negative correlation between SB and levels of PA was found, indicating that the higher the level of PA practice, the lower the SB level. The authors suggest that promoting new PA habits and healthy lifestyles is an important future challenge for sustainability and improving the quality of life in public health.