Meeting physical activity guidelines and its association with health-related quality of life throughout pregnancy: the PregnActive project.

Pregnancy is a unique period in women life, characterized by anatomical and metabolic variation that may affect health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Physical activity has the potential to positively influence HRQoL. The aim of this study is to analyze the association between the fulfillment of physical activity guidelines and HRQoL throughout pregnancy. Seventy-eight pregnant women were assessed at two time point through their pregnancy: at mid- and at later-pregnancy. Physical activity was objectively assessed by a multi-sensor monitor and pregnant women were categorized by the fulfillment of the minimum physical activity recommendations: at least 30 minutes/day on at least 5 days/week. Perceived mental health was evaluated by health-related quality of life and by psychological pregnancy symptoms, using the SF-36 and the Pregnancy Symptoms Inventory, respectively. T-Student Test and hierarchical multiple linear regressions analysis was developed. Pregnant women who fulfilled physical activity recommendations reported better mental HRQoL both at mid-pregnancy (p = 0.148) and later-pregnancy (p = 0.007). The number of days meeting minimum physical activity recommendations contributes to better mental HRQoL and together with depression and anxiety symptoms the model explain the 65% of the mental HRQoL at later pregnancy. Meeting the minimum physical activity recommendations is associated with better perceived health at both midpregnancy and later pregnancy. While mental HRQoL is explained by physical activity, physical HRQoL is explained by others factors such as age or pregnancy-related symptoms, but not by meeting the minimum physical activity recommendations.

Training volume and amateur cyclists' health: a six-month follow-up from coinciding with a high-demand cycling event.

This study aimed to analyse the longitudinal association of amateur cycling training volume with health by comparing the proximity of participation in a high-demand cycling event. Variations in cycling training volume, behavioural cardiometabolic risk factors, and physical and psychosocial health were examined. Cyclists decreased their training volume by approximately 40% and their total physical activity volumes by approximately 20%, while controls maintained (~5%). A time*group interaction was found for men's physical conditioning, body mass index and anxiety and, independent of gender, for behavioural cardiometabolic risk factors. Variation in cycling training volume was positively correlated with variation in physical conditioning and total physical activity and negatively correlated with variation in body mass index. The high level of cycling training volume developed at the time coinciding with a high demand cycling event predisposes to better physical health and behavioural cardiometabolic risk factors, without negatively affect psychosocial health, compared with six month later.

Associations of 24-hours activity composition with adiposity and cardiorespiratory fitness: The PregnActive project.

AIM: This study examined the associations of activity behaviors composition (sleep, sedentary time, light and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity) with adiposity and cardiorespiratory fitness, and how isotemporal reallocations of time between activity behaviors are associated with differences in adiposity and cardiorespiratory fitness. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 130 women during midpregnancy. Activity behaviors, conceptualized as a 24-hours composition, were objectively assessed by multi-sensor monitors. Skinfold thickness, fat mass index, and body mass index were calculated as indicators of adiposity. Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed using a 6-minute walk test. Log-ratio multiple linear regression models and compositional isotemporal substitutions were used to analyze the associations and estimated differences in outcomes. RESULTS: The activity composition was significantly associated with adiposity indicators (all P < .001) and cardiorespiratory fitness (P values from .025 to <.001) during midpregnancy. The isotemporal substitutions were asymmetrical, showing the highest estimated differences in adiposity (8.7%, 0.80 kg/m2 , for fat mass index; 6.0%, 2.65 mm, for the sum of skinfold thickness; and 3.8%, 1.02 kg/m2 , for body mass index) and cardiorespiratory fitness (3.0%, 1.00 mL/kg min) when 30 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was reallocated by sedentary time. CONCLUSION: The activity composition was associated with adiposity and the cardiorespiratory fitness levels during midpregnancy, with moderate-to-vigorous physical activity being the leading activity behavior. The most unfavorable differences in adiposity and cardiorespiratory fitness were found when moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was replaced by another behavior, mainly sedentary time, reinforcing the importance of at least maintaining moderate-to-vigorous physical activity during pregnancy.

Amateur endurance cycling practice and adult's physical and psychosocial health: a cross-sectional study of the influence of training volume.

This study aimed to analyse the association between amateur cycling training volume and physical and psychosocial health. A cross-sectional study was developed, via self-reported survey, among 1669 cyclists and 1039 controls, where analysis of variance and hierarchical multiple linear regression test were developed. Independent of gender, high volumes of amateur endurance cycling practice benefited cyclists' body mass index and male cyclists' physical conditioning, while psychosocial health did not differ among the training volume groups. Hierarchical multiple linear regression analysis highlighted the contribution of training volume to lower cyclists' body mass index and better male cyclists' physical conditioning. All cyclist groups presented better physical and psychosocial health than controls. High volumes of amateur endurance cycling training were associated with better physical health without jeopardizing psychosocial health. The practice of amateur endurance cycling, both in low and high volumes, was associated with better physical and psychosocial health compared with inactivity.

Feasibility and effects of an exercise-based intervention in prison inmates with psychiatric disorders: the PsychiActive project randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility and effects of a 12-week intervention combining aerobic and strength exercises in prison inmates with psychiatric disorders. DESIGN: Two parallel-group, randomized controlled trials. SETTING: A psychiatric prison hospital. SUBJECTS: Forty-one men prison inmates (mean age ± SD = 38.2 ± 9.2 years, mean prison duration ± SD = 2.6 ± 2.5 years) with psychiatric disorders (primarily personality disorder, n = 27; mean illness duration ± SD = 12.0 ± 10.5 years). INTERVENTIONS: Participants were randomly allocated to intervention group consisted of exercise plus usual care (n = 21) or control group which received usual care (n = 20) for 12 weeks. The exercise programme included three weekly sessions of group-based moderate-to-high intensity combined exercises designed and supervised by exercise professionals. MAIN MEASURES: Fitness and anthropometric measures were assessed using field-based tests (6-minute walk, Incremental Shuttle Walk, Arm-Curl, and Chair-Stand), handgrip dynamometry, bioelectrical impedance, and waist and hip circumferences. RESULTS: There were no adverse events, and 10 intervention participants withdrew. The remaining 11 participants attended a mean of 28 sessions, of which nine met the compliance criteria. Between-group change differences substantially favoured the compliance intervention group for the 6-minute walk (+21.2%), Incremental Shuttle Walk (+33.9%), Arm-Curl (+13.8%), waist (-3.5%), waist/height0.5 (-1.7%) (-2.7%), waist/hip (-3.4%), and Body Shape Index (-3.3%) (-3.5%). Additional analysis showed beneficial effects of exercise participation on handgrip strength. CONCLUSION: The intervention was safe, had a high dropout rate, and seemed to be effective for improving fitness and anthropometric measures in men prison inmates with psychiatric disorders who attended and participated in the exercise sessions.

Measuring Sedentary Behavior During Pregnancy: Comparison Between Self-reported and Objective Measures.

Objectives To quantify and compare the sedentary time estimated by the Sedentary Behavior Questionnaire (SBQ) and the sedentary time objectively measured by a multi-sensor monitor (SWA) in pregnant women. Methods One hundred eighty-six participants answered the SBQ and wore the SWA at least 7 valid days. The concordance, correlation, agreement and relative activity levels between both measures of sedentary time were examined. Differences of sedentary time between weekday and weekend and between groups stratified by sociodemographic and clinical characteristic were evaluated by one-way analysis of variance. Results Pregnant women were sedentary the 64% of their waking hours. Television viewing is the most prevalent sedentary behavior. The concordance, correlation, and agreement between SBQ and SWA were weak, yet a significant correlation in weekday and average day sedentary time (r = 0.23 and 0.20, P = 0.001 and 0.008, respectively) was observed. A significant linear trend was found for increasing sedentary time between both methods using a relative activity levels analysis. Conclusions for Practice Pregnant women experience high amount of sedentary time, for approximately half of the day. The SBQ shows a low validity and agreement, but strong ability to rank individuals compared with SWA in pregnant women.

Explanatory factors and levels of health-related quality of life among healthy pregnant women at midpregnancy: A cross-sectional study of The PregnActive Project.

AIMS: To identify potential explanatory factors and establish health-related quality of life (HRQoL) levels of healthy pregnant women at midpregnancy. BACKGROUND: The HRQoL levels perceived by pregnant women are lower than those perceived by women of similar age and decline during the course of pregnancy. DESIGN: An exploratory cross-sectional design was used. METHODS: One hundred thirty-four healthy women from antenatal clinics completed questionnaires were administered a cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) test and wore a multisensor body monitor for 7 days at midpregnancy. Data were collected from September 2015-December 2016. RESULTS: Cardiorespiratory fitness, musculoskeletal symptoms, and age were identified as explanatory factors of the physical component summary of HRQoL. Explanatory factors of the mental component summary included musculoskeletal and psychological symptoms and light activity. Significant differences in HRQoL levels were identified among groups of pregnant women stratified by age, occupational status, pregnancy symptoms, and CRF. CONCLUSIONS: Modifiable factors of HRQoL, such as CRF and active lifestyle may be important areas to target in interventions aimed at promoting HRQoL in healthy women at midpregnancy. The identification of the groups of pregnant women with lower levels of HRQoL may help midwives and health professional to focus their advice and conduct interventions on these groups of pregnant women. These modifiable factors should be considered in future longitudinal studies to determine causal effects, will likely help improve multidisciplinary treatments.

A randomized controlled mHealth trial that evaluates social comparison-oriented gamification to improve physical activity, sleep quantity, and quality of life in young adults.

INTRODUCTION: The integration of gamification in mHealth interventions presents a novel approach to enhance user engagement and health outcomes. This study aims to evaluate whether comparison-oriented gamification can effectively improve various aspects of health and well-being, including physical activity, sedentary behavior, sleep, and overall quality of life among young adults. METHODS: Potential 107 young adults (from 19 to 28 years old) participated in an 8-week trial. Participants were assigned to either a gamified mHealth intervention (LevantApp) with daily leaderboards and progress bars (n = 53, 26 % dropped-out), or a control condition without gamification (n = 52, 29 % dropped-out). Physical activity (number of steps, moderate and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity -MVPA-) and sleep quantity were measured objectively via accelerometry and subjectively using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire(IPAQ), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI), Sedentary Behavior Questionnaire(SBQ), and Short Form Health Survey(SF-36). RESULTS: This mHealth intervention with social comparison-oriented gamification significantly improved moderate physical activity to a greater extent than the control group. Additionally, the intervention group showed improvements in the number of steps, moderate physical activity, sedentary time, emotional wellbeing, and social functioning. However, no significant group by time interaction was observed. No significant differences were observed in sleep quality or quantity. CONCLUSION: s: The LevantApp gamified mHealth intervention was effective in improving moderate physical activity, physical functioning, and role-emotional in young adults. No significant effects were found on step counts, MVPA or sleep, suggesting that while gamification can enhance specific aspects of physical activity and quality of life, its impact may vary across different outcomes.

The associations of pregnancy-related symptoms with health-related quality of life at midpregnancy: the PregnActive project.

AIM: To analyze the associations between the wide range of pregnancy-related symptoms and health-related quality of life. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was developed among 155 healthy low-risk pregnant women, aged 18-45 years, participated in the study at midpregnancy. Health-related quality of life and pregnancy symptoms were assessed using the Medical Outcome Study 36-item short form questionnaire and the Pregnancy Symptoms Inventory, respectively. Simple correlations, hierarchical linear regressions and standard multiple regressions were performed. RESULTS: Significant correlations, after adjusting for sociodemographic and anthropometric characteristics, were found between five pregnancy-related symptoms and physical component of health-related quality of life and between thirteen pregnancy-related symptoms and mental component. However, when all pregnancy symptoms were entered simultaneously into a multiple regression model, back pain and shortness of breath on the physical components, and feeling depressed and anxiety on the mental component were the main explanatory factors of health-related quality of life. CONCLUSION: Among the wide range of pregnancy-related symptoms, back pain, hip or pelvic pain, shortness of breath, and feeling depressed and anxiety are the main symptoms affecting the physical and the mental components of health-related quality of life, respectively. An early detection of the pregnancy-related symptoms that may affect health-related quality of life enables early interventions aimed at ameliorating their negative impact on health-related quality of life and daily living activities at midpregnancy.

Can we hit prenatal depression and anxiety through HIIT? The effectiveness of online high intensity interval training in pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: In recent years high intensity interval training (HIIT) has grown in popularity. However, it rarely represents training interventions in experimental studies in pregnant populations. Therefore, in this study we aimed to assess changes in depressive symptoms, fear of childbirth, fear of Covid-19 and quality of life after an 8-week supervised online HIIT program, compared to an educational (self-performed physical activity) program. METHODS: We conducted a randomized control trial among 54 Caucasian women in uncomplicated, singleton pregnancy (age 32 ± 4 years, 22 ± 4 week of gestation; mean ± SD). There were 34 women in the experimental group, who participated in an 8-week high intensity interval training program (HIIT group). The comparative group was constituted of 20 pregnant women who attended 8-week educational program (EDU group). RESULTS: The most important finding was that mental health improved somewhat in both groups after the intervention, but only the HIIT group improved statistically significantly. The positive trends in lowering the severity of depressive symptoms, fear of childbirth, and fear of Covid-19 were observed in both groups. However, the positive response to the intervention was stronger in the EDU group. As a secondary outcome, there was a significant decrease in cardiorespiratory fitness level in the EDU group, while the HIIT group maintained unchanged level of maximal oxygen uptake. CONCLUSIONS: HIIT seems to be beneficial for women with uncomplicated pregnancies to maintain adequate quality of life and mental health. However, more research is needed to determine the effectiveness of prenatal HIIT in pregnant women in various psychological conditions. TRIAL REGISTRATION: We conducted this study in Poland, in 2021. It was approved by the Bioethics Commission at the District Medical Chamber in Gdansk (KB-8/21). The full study protocol was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05009433).

Exercise Addiction and Its Relationship with Health Outcomes in Indoor Cycling Practitioners in Fitness Centers.

We studied the prevalence and possible association between exercise addiction and health in indoor cycling practitioners. In 1014 (492 women) adult indoor cyclists and 926 (597 women) controls with low levels of physical activity according to the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, we examined the risk of exercise addiction according to the Exercise Addiction Inventory and several health outcomes through a web-based experiment. The prevalence of a high risk of exercise addiction in cyclists was 13.3%, and it was higher in men than in women (16.5% vs. 10.0%, p = 0.002). Women cyclists with a high risk of exercise addiction had higher levels of physical activity (p < 0.001; effect size = -0.62, 95% CI: (-0.91, -0.32)) and anxiety symptom severity (p = 0.001; Effect Size (ES) = -0.59 (-0.89, -0.30)) than those with a low risk. For both sexes, cyclists with a low risk of exercise addiction had better social function, emotional role, and anxiety symptom severity compared with the controls (all p < 0.002; ES ranged from 0.25 to 0.47). Higher anxiety symptom severity and cardiorespiratory fitness were the main determinants of exercise addiction in cyclists (both p < 0.001). Our data suggest the importance of considering exercise addiction in indoor cyclists.

Transcultural adaptation and psychometric properties of Spanish version of Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire: the PregnActive project.

OBJECTIVE: To transculturally adapt the Spanish version of Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire (PPAQ) analyzing its psychometric properties. METHODS: The PPAQ was transculturally adapted into Spanish. Test-retest reliability was evaluated in a subsample of 109 pregnant women. The validity was evaluated in a sample of 208 pregnant women who answered the questionnaire and wore the multi-sensor monitor for 7 valid days. The reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient), concordance (concordance correlation coefficient), correlation (Pearson correlation coefficient), agreement (Bland-Altman plots) and relative activity levels (Jonckheere-Terpstra test) between both administrations and methods were examined. RESULTS: Intraclass correlation coefficients between both administrations were good for all categories except transportation. A low but significant correlation was found for total activity (light and above) whereas no correlation was found for other intensities between both methods. Relative activity levels analysis showed a significant linear trend for increased total activity between both methods. CONCLUSIONS: Spanish version of PPAQ is a brief and easily interpretable questionnaire with good reliability and ability to rank individuals, and poor validity compared with multi-sensor monitor. The use of PPAQ provides information of pregnancy-specific activities in order to establish physical activity levels of pregnant women and adapt health promotion interventions.

Sedentary behaviour, physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness and cardiometabolic risk in psychosis: The PsychiActive project.

This study aimed to explore the possible independent associations of sedentary behaviour (SB), physical activity (PA), and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) with clustered (CCRS) and individual cardiometabolic risk (waist circumference [waist], systolic/diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and fasting blood glucose) in patients with psychosis. In 43 outpatients with psychosis (mean age±SD: 42.3±8.5years, 86% men), SB and light, moderate-to-vigorous, and total PA were measured with the SenseWear Pro3 Armband, and CRF with the 6-minute walking test. Multiple linear regression models adjusted for multiple confounders were applied. High SB, low PA and low CRF levels were associated with an unfavourable cardiometabolic risk profile (increased presence of metabolic syndrome and number of cardiometabolic abnormalities, as well as worse values and elevated presence of abnormalities for all individual cardiometabolic risk factors). SB was associated with CCRS, number of cardiometabolic abnormalities, waist, and fasting blood glucose (all p<0.05). After adjusting for PA and CRF, waist and fasting blood glucose remained significant. Light PA was associated with waist, moderate-to-vigorous PA with CCRS, and total PA with CCRS and waist (all p<0.05). These results became non-significant after adjusting for SB and CRF. CRF was associated with CCRS, waist, and systolic blood pressure (all p<0.05). The associations with CCRS and waist remained significant after adjusting for SB and PA. Together, these results suggest the importance of considering SB and CRF, regardless PA, in the prevention and treatment of cardiometabolic disorders among patients with psychosis.

Relationship between objectively measured sedentary behavior and health outcomes in schizophrenia patients: The PsychiActive project.

This study aimed to investigate possible relationships between sedentary behavior and body mass index (BMI), cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in schizophrenia patients. Variables contributing to the variability in sedentary behavior were identified. Eighty-two schizophrenia outpatients (mean age±SD: 41.0±8.7years, 87% men, mean illness duration±SD: 17.1±8.9years) wore a multisensor armband for 7 consecutive full days to objectively measure sedentary behavior. BMI, walking capacity (6-minute walking test) as a proxy for CRF estimation and HRQoL (Short Form 36-Item Health Survey questionnaire version 2) were also assessed. Correlation (Pearson or Spearman coefficients) and multiple regression analysis were used. Sedentary behavior was significantly associated with BMI, CRF, and the physical component summary score of HRQoL (r values, -0.34-0.41; all P<0.001) and remained significant after adjustments for age, illness duration, symptom severity, adherence to Mediterranean diet, smoking, and antipsychotic medication (all P<0.05). BMI, CRF and vitality were identified as determinants of sedentary behavior. Consistent relationships between sedentary behavior and BMI, CRF, and the physical component summary score of HRQoL were found in schizophrenia patients. All the identified determinants of sedentary behavior are modifiable and may be important areas for future interventions in this population.

Sedentary behaviour patterns in outpatients with severe mental illness: a cross-sectional study using objective and self-reported methods. The PsychiActive project.

This study aimed to quantify and compare sedentary behaviour patterns in patients with severe mental illness as stratified by gender, age, body mass index, distress, illness duration and antipsychotic medication using both objective and self-reported methods. Sedentary behaviour patterns were measured in 90 outpatients (mean age±SD: 41.6±9.2 years, 20% women) with severe mental illness (primarily schizophrenia, n=63) using the SenseWear Armband and the Sedentary Behaviour Questionnaire. They spent 58% of waking time sedentary, primarily watching television. Differences between methods were not significant for the overall group or for stratified groups. Both methods showed significant correlation for weekday for the overall group. According to the stratified groups, youngers showed a significant correlation for weekday and average day sedentary time, and the high illness duration and low antipsychotic medication groups for weekday. Significant differences in sedentary behaviours between stratified groups were only detected with the SenseWear. Patients with severe mental illness had high levels of sedentary behaviours, with watching television being the most prevalently reported. We found a low validity in the self-reported estimates of sedentary time by this population, being higher on weekdays for the overall group and for the younger, high illness duration and low antipsychotic medication groups.

Effects of Adolescent Sport Practice on Health Outcomes of Adult Amateur Endurance Cyclists: Adulthood Is Not Too Late to Start.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the effects of adolescent sport practice on the training, performance, and health outcomes of adult amateur endurance cyclists and compared health outcomes of 3 adult groups: amateur endurance cyclists who practiced sports during adolescence, amateur endurance cyclists who did not practice sports during adolescence, and inactive individuals. METHODS: In 859 (751 men and 108 women) adult cyclists and 718 inactive subjects (307 men and 411 women), we examined adolescent sport practice, current training status, quality of life, quality of sleep, anxiety and depression, and cardiometabolic risk: body mass index, physical activity, physical fitness, adherence to Mediterranean diet, and alcohol and tobacco consumption. RESULTS: Independent of gender, no significant differences in training, performance, or health outcomes were observed between amateur endurance cyclists who practiced sports during adolescence and those who did not. Independent of gender, cyclists reported significantly better health outcomes than inactive individuals in all variables, except depression. CONCLUSIONS: Training, performance, and health outcomes did not differ between adult amateur endurance cyclists who practiced sports during adolescence and those who did not, but their health outcomes were significantly improved compared with inactive individuals, except for depression.

[Adherence to the Mediterranean diet in inactive adults, indoor cycling practitioners and amateur cyclists]. / Adherencia a la dieta mediterránea en adultos inactivos, practicantes de ciclo indoory ciclistas aficionados.

INTRODUCTION: There is limited information referred to the relationship between adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (AMD) and sports practice. OBJECTIVE: To determinate the association of cycling practice and cycling training volume with the AMD and the influence of the participation in a high-demand cyclist event on the AMD. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A first evaluation of AMD in 785 (84 women) amateur cyclists (volume: ≥ 7 hours/week), 514 (224 women) indoor cycling practitioners (volume: 2-6 hours/week) and 718 (411 women) inactive adults was conducted in May coinciding with the participation of cyclists in a cycling event. A subsample of 359 cyclists and 148 inactive subjects agreed to be retested in November, far from the cycling event date. The MEDAS-14 questionnaire was used to assess the AMD and a self-designed questionnaire was used to assess the volume of training. RESULTS: 40% of subjects showed high AMD. In both sexes, athletes showed higher AMD than inactive subjects, with the highest indexes for groups of cyclists (p < 0.001). The relationship between AMD and training volume was weak (men: r = 0.137, women: r = 0.173; p < 0.001). The AMD of cyclists decreased from May to November (p < 0.001) with no significant changes in inactive subjects (p = 0.535). CONCLUSIONS: Cycling is associated to higher values of AMD with a limited influence of training volume and transient positive effects of participation in a cycling endurance event.