The Usage of Digital Health Technology Among Older Adults in Hong Kong and the Role of Technology Readiness and eHealth Literacy: Path Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Although digital health technologies (DHTs) help many people maintain a healthy life, including those of advanced age, these technologies are of little use to older adult populations if they are not being adopted in daily life. Thus, it is critical to identify ways to help older adults recognize and try new technologies and maintain their use of them to maximize the benefits of these technologies in a digital-based society. OBJECTIVE: Our study aimed (1) to assess the current usage of DHT among older adults in Hong Kong and (2) to examine how high and low levels of eHealth literacy in this group affects the relationship between the Technology Readiness and Acceptance Model (TRAM) and attitudes and intention toward DHT. METHODS: A total of 306 adults over 60 years of age in Hong Kong participated in this study. After conducting confirmatory factor analysis to validate the measurement model, the hypothesized model was tested using structural equation modeling. RESULTS: Optimism was significantly related to perceived usefulness, while optimism, innovativeness, and discomfort were significantly associated with perceived ease of use. Both perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use were significantly linked to attitude toward the use of DHTs. Meanwhile, attitude significantly predicted usage intention. Additionally, the results revealed the differences in the relationships of the TRAM between participants with high and low levels of eHealth literacy. The influence of optimism and innovativeness on perceived ease of use was stronger for the higher-level group than for the lower-level group, and the influence of discomfort for the higher-level group was much weaker. CONCLUSIONS: The findings provided partial support for the impact of eHealth literacy on encouraging older adults to use DHT and obtain health benefits from it. This study also suggests providing assistance and guidelines for older adults to narrow the aging-related technology gap and to further explore the associations of eHealth literacy, the TRAM, and actual behaviors.

Study protocol for 'the effects of multimodal training of cognitive and/or physical functions on cognition and physical fitness of older adults: a cluster randomized controlled trial'.

BACKGROUND: The elderly population worldwide is increasing exponentially which will be associated with more people suffering from cognition and fitness declines. The well-established benefits of exercise training for the elderly's cognitive and physical functioning have been observed. However, the amalgamated effect of combining cognitive and physical exercises on the older adults' cognitive functions, physical fitness, or psycho-related health remains unclear. Thus, this study protocol was planned to conduct different combinations of cognitive and/or physical training interventions to community-dwelling older adults and expected to see the multifaceted effects of the varied combination of training on their health. METHODS: This study is a cluster randomized controlled trial (CRCT). A total of 285 older adults (age ≥ 60) from twenty elderly centres as clusters will be randomly selected and assigned to intervention groups (IGs, n = 16) or control groups (CGs, n = 4). Each IG will be randomly assigned to one of the four combinations of three training modes that include cognitive (A), physical (B), and combined cognitive and physical training (CCPT, i.e. C), namely Mixed ABC, A + B, C + A, B + C. The intervention will last for 4 months in which the training is conducted for 16 sessions, 2 sessions per week, and 60 min per session. Four repeated assessments (pre-test, two post-training tests after 2 months and 4 months, and a follow-up test) will be conducted. The CG will only receive the four repeated assessments but no intervention. The outcome measures include cognitive tests (tests of execution, memory, and psych-social status), physical fitness, and dynamic balance tests. DISCUSSION: This study will provide substantial evidence that the integrated format of cognitive and physical exercises training will have higher cognition and fitness impact than the single training modes, and all these mixed modalities will have greater positive outcomes than the control condition. If the effectiveness is proven, the intervention can be further explored and extended to the nation so that many more elderly would be benefited. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial has been registered in the ClinicalTrials.gov in U.S. NIH (ID: NCT04727450 , date: January 27, 2021).

eHealth usage among Chinese college students: qualitative findings.

BACKGROUND: The information technology has developed rapidly with the evolution of internet environment transformed from requiring computer skills for information searching to self-managing health data and applying information. Therefore, a more diverse range of eHealth skills is required and these skills are referred as eHealth literacy. However, most eHealth literacy studies focused mainly on information searching skills. Little is known about eHealth usage behaviors of college students in this day and age. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate how Chinese college students engage with eHealth tools and to determine the elements of their eHealth literacy. METHODS: A purposive sample of 18 Chinese college students was recruited for in-depth interviews. Interviewees included three males and three females of each city (Beijing, Wuhan and Putian) from sports, medical, and non-health-related majors. Conventional content analysis was applied for data analysis. RESULTS: The eHealth usage of different-major-students were compared and profiled by three themes of Expectance, Usage pattern and Perception. In Expectances, non-health major students applied eHealth only for urgent health need, sport major students used it to monitor health while medical major students, as frequent users for searching health database. In Usage pattern, purposes of eHealth for personal, practical and theoretical were identified for non-health major, sport major and medical major groups, respectively. In Perceptions, sport students felt more curious about eHealth than the other groups who perceived either fear (non-health students) or skeptical (medical students). By compiling those themes, the whole picture of eHealth usage was emerged. Based on that, the current study identified the related skills using the trilogy of Web 1.0 to 3.0, and derived a conceptual framework for eHealth literacy in the present day. CONCLUSIONS: The current study obtained a comprehensive understanding of eHealth usage and a framework of eHealth literacy required for Chinese college students. And it gives a clearer look at web 3.0 related eHealth behaviors.

High-intensity interval training elicits more enjoyment and positive affective valence than moderate-intensity training over a 12-week intervention in overweight young women.

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare the differences in enjoyment and affect in response to four weight control intervention protocols over 12 weeks. Methods: Sixty overweight young females were randomised into four intervention groups: repeated sprint training (RST, 6-sec all-out sprint interspersed with 9-sec rest), high-intensity interval training (HIIT) with short interval (HIIT120, 1-min effort at 120% V̇O2peak) and long interval (HIIT90, 4-min effort at 90% V̇O2peak), and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT, 60% V̇O2peak) by cycling over 12 weeks. The total workload in each training session in HIIT120, HIIT90, and MICT was confined to 200 kJ, while it was lower in RST with 57 ± 4 kJ. Enjoyment (Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale, PACES) and affective valence (Feeling Scale, FS) were measured throughout the intervention. Results: The score of the PACES on average over 12 weeks showed a significant between-group effect that was lower in MICT (80.8 ± 11.8) compared with HIIT120 (92.5 ± 11.4) and HIIT90 (96.8 ± 13.9) (p < 0.05). In the 8th week, enjoyment was scored higher in two HIITs compared with MICT. In the 12th week, HIITs and RST were more enjoyable than MICT, where two HIITs were better than RST. The score of FS showed a significant between-group effect that was higher in HIIT90 (1.5 ± 1.4) compared with HIIT120 (0.2 ± 1.2) (p < 0.05), but a non-significant time or group-by-time interaction effect. A significant weight loss occurred in three interval training protocols (p < 0.05), but not in MICT. The V̇O2peak significantly increased in four groups without between-group difference. Conclusion: Interval training, especially the long-interval type, is an enjoyable and pleasant long-term exercise intervention for overweight young women. RST could be an alternative for weight control considering its time efficiency with comparable enjoyment and overall pleasure.

Does obesity persist from childhood to adolescence? A 4-year prospective cohort study of chinese students in Hong Kong.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the progression of obesity from childhood to adolescence. This study aimed to longitudinally examine the obesity status in a cohort of children across their childhood and adolescence, and to identify the factors associated with persistent obesity. METHODS: The study used data from School Physical Fitness Award Scheme (SPFAS), a population-based programme in Hong Kong primary and secondary schools. Students were included if they participated in the SPFAS in both 2014 (Primary 1 and 2) and 2018 (Primary 5 and 6). Their anthropometric and physical fitness parameters were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 18,863 students were included. The baseline prevalence of obesity was 5.7 %. After 4 years, the prevalence increased to 6.7 %. Among those with obesity at baseline, 35.3 % remained obese after 4 years. The addition of baseline physical fitness level did not improve the prediction for persistent obesity. CONCLUSIONS: One-third of obese students in junior primary school remained to be obese into adolescence. Their baseline physical fitness level did not improve the predictive value for future obesity. Further studies should investigate the prognostic factors that may influence the natural course of childhood obesity.

Measuring a Broad Spectrum of eHealth Skills in the Web 3.0 Context Using an eHealth Literacy Scale: Development and Validation Study.

BACKGROUND: eHealth literacy (EHL) refers to a variety of capabilities that enable individuals to obtain health information from electronic resources and apply it to solve health problems. With the digitization of health care and the wide availability of health apps, a more diverse range of eHealth skills is required to properly use such health facilities. Existing EHL measurements focus mainly on the skill of obtaining health information (Web 1.0), whereas skills for web-based interactions (Web 2.0) and self-managing health data and applying information (Web 3.0) have not been well measured. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to develop an EHL scale (eHLS) termed eHLS-Web3.0 comprising a comprehensive spectrum of Web 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 skills to measure EHL, and evaluate its validity and reliability along with the measurement invariance among college students. METHODS: In study 1, 421 Chinese college students (mean age 20.5, SD 1.4 years; 51.8% female) and 8 health experts (mean age 38.3, SD 5.9 years; 87.5% female) were involved to develop the eHLS-Web3.0. The scale development included three steps: item pool generation, content validation, and exploratory factor analysis. In study 2, 741 college students (mean age 21.3, SD 1.4 years; 52.2% female) were recruited from 4 Chinese cities to validate the newly developed eHLS-Web3.0. The construct validity, convergent validity, concurrent validity, internal consistency reliability, test-retest reliability, and measurement invariance across genders, majors, and regions were examined by a series of statistical analyses, including confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and multigroup CFAs using SPSS and Mplus software packages. RESULTS: Based on the item pool of 374 statements collected during the conceptual development, 24 items (4-10 items per subscale) were generated and adjusted after cognitive testing and content validity examination. Through exploratory factor analysis, a 3-factor eHLS-Web3.0 was finally developed, and it included acquisition (8 items), verification (6 items), and application (10 items). In study 2, CFAs supported the construct validity of the 24-item 3D eHLS-Web3.0 (χ2244=903.076, χ2244=3.701, comparative fit index=0.924, Tucker-Lewis index=0.914, root mean square error of approximation [RMSEA]=0.06, and standardized root mean residual [SRMR]=0.051). The average variance extracted (AVE) value of 0.58 and high correlation between eHLS-Web3.0 subscales and the eHealth Literacy Scale (r=0.725-0.880, P<.001) indicated the convergent validity and concurrent validity of the eHLS-Web3.0. The results also indicated satisfactory internal consistency reliability (α=.976, ρ=0.934-0.956) and test-retest reliability (r=0.858, P<.001) of the scale. Multigroup CFA demonstrated the 24-item eHLS-Web3.0 to be invariant at all configural, metric, strength, and structural levels across genders (female and male), majors (sport-related, medical, and general), and regions (Yinchuan, Kunming, Xiamen, and Beijing). CONCLUSIONS: The 24-item 3D eHLS-Web3.0 proved to be a reliable and valid measurement tool for EHL in the Web 3.0 context among Chinese college students.

Interval training causes the same exercise enjoyment as moderate-intensity training to improve cardiorespiratory fitness and body composition in young Chinese women with elevated BMI.

This study examined the effects of 12 weeks of sprint interval training (SIT), high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) on cardiorespiratory fitness (peak oxygen uptake, VO2peak), body composition and physical activity enjoyment in overweight young women. Sixty-six participants (age 21.2 ± 1.4 years, body mass index (BMI) 26.0 ± 3.0 kg·m-2, body fat percentage 39.0 ± 2.8%) were randomly assigned to non-exercise control (CON), thrice-weekly SIT (80 × 6 s "all-out" cycling interspersed with 9 s rest), and HIIT (4 min cycling at 90% VO2peak followed with 3 min recovery for ~ 60 min) or MICT (~ 65 min continuous cycling at 60% VO2peak) with equivalent mechanical work (200/300 KJ). Compared to the CON group, all three training groups had significant and similar improvements in VO2peak (~ +20%, d = 2.5-3.4), fat mass (~ -10%, d = 1.3-2.1) and body fat percentage (~ -5%, d = 1.0-1.1) after a 12-week intervention. Similar high levels of enjoyment were observed among groups for most (~70%) of the training sessions. The findings suggest that the three training regimes are equally enjoyable and could result in similar improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness and body composition in overweight/obese young women, but SIT is a more time-efficient strategy.

Effects of descending or ascending stair exercise on body composition, insulin sensitivity, and inflammatory markers in young Chinese women with obesity: A randomized controlled trial.

We examined the effects of descending (DSE) or ascending (ASE) stair exercise on body composition, insulin sensitivity, and inflammatory markers in young Chinese women with obesity. Thirty-six participants were randomly assigned into three groups DSE, ASE and a control group. The DSE and ASE groups performed three sessions of stair walking per week for 12 weeks with a gradual increase in repetitions. Following the exercise interventions, body composition related variables obtained by Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans significantly decreased. Abdominal fat decreased in the DSE group only. Moreover, Insulin sensitivity improved significantly 3.5-fold in the DSE group compared with ASE group (insulin: -33.2% vs. -9.8%, homoeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance: -35.6% vs. -10.8%). Pro-inflammatory factors showed significant decreases in tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) (-39.9% vs. -23.2%) for both intervention groups. The reduction in TNF-α concentrations in the DSE group was significantly different compared to the other two groups. Interleukin-6 significantly decreased in both exercise protocols. Our results show that 12-weeks induced stair walking improved body composition parameters in Chinese females with obesity. The results also demonstrate the superiority of the DSE protocol for improving insulin sensitivity. These findings may be attributable to the decreases observed in TNF- α levels.

The roles of exercise professionals in the health care system: A comparison between Australia and China.

Physical inactivity is identified by the World Health Organisation as the fourth risk factor for global mortality and has major implications on the prevalence of non-communicable diseases and general health of the populations. There has been substantial evidence indicating that adequate levels of physical activity, such as prescribed exercise, can be an effective intervention for prevention and treatment of many chronic health conditions, as well as for improvement of mental health, quality of life and well-being. Many countries in the world have developed policies and guidelines for promotion of participation in physical activity and application of prescribed exercise as a means of intervention for chronic health conditions. Subsequently, the roles of exercise professionals in the community and health care system who provide services to the general community members, individuals with various health conditions, as well as elite athletes, and their professional training, qualifications and standards need to be defined and implemented. This article provides a preliminary comparison of the exercise professionals and their current roles in the community and health care systems between Australia and China (including mainland, Taiwan and Hong Kong, as they have different health care systems), aiming to promote the recognition of exercise professionals in the health care systems, and facilitate the global development of the exercise-related professions, for a healthier world.

Three-month functional training programme improves knee joint function in athletes post-ACL reconstruction surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Rehabilitation and recovery duration following anterior cruciate ligament reconstructive surgery play a pivotal role in restoring optimal knee functionality in athletes. This study aimed to explore the impact of a 3-month functional training programme aligned with enhanced recovery after surgery on recuperation subsequent to anterior cruciate ligament reconstructive surgery. DESIGN: A quasi-experimental study. SUBJECTS: A cohort of 34 patients aged 14 to 24, who underwent anterior cruciate ligament reconstructive surgery and adhered to enhanced recovery after surgery protocols during the perioperative period, were allocated to an experimental group and a control group according to their eligibility, capacity, and willingness to engage in the functional training programme. METHODS: The participants in the experimental group underwent a 3-month regimen of functional training following anterior cruciate ligament reconstructive surgery, whereas the control group followed a conventional recovery approach. Evaluations were conducted both prior to and following the 3-month recovery interval, utilizing the Y-Balance Test, Functional Movement Screening, and Isokinetic Knee Test. RESULTS: Assessment outcomes of the Y-Balance Test, Isokinetic Knee Test, and Functional Movement Screening exhibited significant enhancement (p < 0.05) within the experimental group, as opposed to the control group. These findings underscore that those athletes who undertook the 3-month functional training regimen within the experimental group exhibited heightened dynamic balance capabilities, increased knee joint mobility, and enhanced stability compared with their counterparts in the control group. CONCLUSION: Consequently, this underscores the efficacy of the 3-month functional training protocol aligned with enhanced recovery after surgery, as a means to effectively facilitate recuperation subsequent to anterior cruciate ligament reconstructive surgery.

Prospective association of eHealth literacy and health literacy with physical activity among Chinese college students: a multiple mediation analysis.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has decreased physical activity (PA) while increasing demand for electronic health resources. eHealth literacy (EHL) is expected to aid eHealth use and health promotion. EHL was raised on the grounds of health literacy (HL). This study explored the associations among EHL, HL, and PA in Chinese college students and identified mediating mechanisms in the EHL/HL-PA relationship. Methods: An integrated social-cognitive model was proposed. A total of 947 Chinese college students (52.8% women, age = 19.87 ± 1.68 years) completed the three-wave data collection. Path analysis was performed. Results: An adequate good-to-fit model was indicated. Perceived EHL (PEHL) was significantly associated with perceived HL (PHL) and HL performance (HLP); PHL was negatively related to HLP; PEHL was significantly associated with self-efficacy (SE) and social support (SS); PHL had a significant effect on SS but not SE; HLP significantly affected SS but not SE; SS and SE positively predicted intention (INT), which then predicted PA. SS mediated PEHL/PHL-INT links; SE mediated the PEHL-INT link; SS and INT jointly mediated PEHL/PHL/HLP-PA; SE and INT jointly mediated PEHL-PA. Conclusion: Relationships among EHL, HL, and PA were explored with multiple mediating mechanisms identified. Differential SE and SS roles in EHL/HL-PA links suggest new mechanisms to inform EHL/HL intervention development.

Exercise Prescription Improve the Rehabilitation of a Child With Viral Encephalitis Sequelae: A Case Report.

This study conducted a personalized exercise prescription intervention on a child with viral encephalitis sequelae (VES). The purpose was to observe the rehabilitation process from the aspects of brain activation, and the curative effects on balance function and gait. A further aim was to explore the possible nerve biomechanical mechanisms between the extent of brain activation and the improvement in balance function and gait. A 12-week exercise prescription was used as the treatment method, and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), balance function test system, plantar pressure distribution system, and 3D gait system were used to assess the effects of the rehabilitation process pre and post the intervention. Following the exercise prescription intervention: (1) fNIRS showed that brain activation in the S1-D1, S1-D2, S1-D3, S2-D1, S3-D2, S3-D3, S4-D3, S5-D5, S5-D6, S5-D7, S7-D6, S7-D7, S8-D7, and S8-D8 increased significantly (P < 0.05). (2) The balance test showed that the area of motion ellipse and movement length of the child with eyes open decreased significantly and area of motion ellipse, back and forth swing, left and right swing and movement length of the child with eyes closed all decreased significantly (P < 0.05). (3) The static plantar pressure distribution demonstrated that the pressure center of the left and right foot decreased significantly (P < 0.05) from 5.3° dislocation in a straight line in the sagittal plane to 1°; an increment of the pressure loading was found on the forefoot of both feet compared with what was recorded in the pre-test. (4) The testing results of the 3D gait system showed that she had a shortened time of unilateral support phase and prolonged swing phase on the affected leg (P < 0.05), compared to that of the non-affected leg. Furthermore, the dual support phase had also been prolonged (P < 0.05). Conclusion: 12 weeks' individualized exercise training can enhance the activation in the motor areas and improve balance function and gait in a child with VES.

Age- and Sex-Specific Physical Fitness Reference and Association with Body Mass Index in Hong Kong Chinese Schoolchildren.

There is lacking a population-based study on the fitness level of Hong Kong schoolchildren, and it seems that increasing childhood obesity prevalence has shifted the classification of healthy fitness, with 'underfit' as normal. This cross-sectional territory study aimed to develop an age- and sex-specific physical fitness reference using a representative sample of children aged 6-17 and to determine the associations with body mass index in schoolchildren. The study analyzed Hong Kong School Physical Fitness Award Scheme data covering grade 1 to grade 12 students' physical fitness and anthropometric measurements from 2017 to 2018. This reference was established without the impact due to COVID-19. Four aspects of physical fitness tests were measured using a standardized protocol, including (i) upper limb muscle strength, (ii) one-minute sit-up, (iii) sit-and-reach, and (iv) endurance run tests. The generalized additive model for location, scale, and shape was used to construct the reference charts. A Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the mean differences in age, weight, and height, and a Pearson's chi-square test was used to examine the distributions of sex groups. A Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare the group differences in BMI status, followed by the Dunn test for pairwise comparisons. A 5% level of significance was regarded as statistically significant. Data of 119,693 students before the COVID-19 pandemic were included in the analysis. The association between physical fitness level and BMI status varied depending on the test used, and there were significant differences in fitness test scores among BMI groups. The mean test scores of the obese group were lower in most of the tests for both boys and girls, except for handgrip strength. The underweight group outperformed the obese group in push-ups, one-minute sit-ups, and endurance run tests, but not in handgrip strength. In conclusion, a sex- and age-specific physical fitness reference value for Hong Kong Chinese children aged 6 to 17 years old is established, and this study demonstrated a nonlinear relationship between BMI status and physical fitness. The reference will help to identify children with poor physical fitness to offer support and guidance on exercise training. It also serves as a baseline for assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Hong Kong students' physical fitness.