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PubMed1994

[Effect of habitual physical activity on physical fitness and serum cholesterol in middle-aged male workers].

The effects of habitual physical activity on physical fitness parameters and serum cholesterol profile were studied in middle-aged male workers. The subjects were 3376 middle-aged men (age: 30-59 yrs) who worked at two enterprises in HIROSHIMA Prefecture. As for physical fitness parameters, grip strength, vertical jump, side step, and step test scores were measured. Atherogenic index was calculated as (total Chol-HDL Chol)/(HDL Chol). Because daily physical activity mainly consists of physical activities during leisure time and working time, by using a questionnaire, physical activity during leisure time was assessed and categorized by frequency into three categories: 'frequently', 'sometimes', and 'seldom': and physical activity during work was categorized as 'high' or 'low' according to the average walking time per day during work. The effect of these physical activities on physical fitness parameters and serum cholesterol profile was evaluated by analysis of covariance (PC-SAS: GLM procedure) adjusting for several confounding factors such as age, body mass index, type of job, smoking and drinking habits. The main results are summarized as follows: 1) Physical activity during leisure time was positively related to vertical jump, side step, and step test score, independent of physical activity during working time, and 2) physical activity during leisure time was negatively associated to LDL-C and AI in the group with 'low' physical activity during work. These results show that in middle-aged male workers, even moderate or light physical activity during leisure time has some beneficial health promoting effects through changes in physical fitness and serum cholesterol profile.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Prevention of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus with physical activity.

Physical activity has been recommended by physicians in managing patients with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM); however, it is unclear whether physical activity can prevent this disease. Several prospective studies have suggested that increased physical activity may lead to the prevention of NIDDM. In the University of Pennsylvania Alumni Health Study, 5990 men were surveyed to determine the relationship between physical activity and the development of NIDDM. A total of 202 men developed NIDDM from 1962 to 1976. Leisure-time physical activity, expressed in kilocalories (kcal) was inversely related to the development of NIDDM. Incidence rates declined as energy expenditure increased. For each 2000-kcal increment in energy expenditure, the risk of NIDDM was reduced by 24% [relative risk (RR) 0.76, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.63-0.92]. This association remained when adjusting for obesity, hypertension, and parental history of diabetes. The protective effect of physical activity was strongest in individuals at highest risk for NIDDM. Based on the review of data from several large prospective studies, it is quite likely that increased levels of physical activity are effective in preventing NIDDM, and the protective benefit is especially pronounced in those individuals who have the highest risk of disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Surrogate measures of physical activity and physical fitness. Evidence for sedentary traits of resting tachycardia, obesity, and low vital capacity.

Studies on physical activity, physical fitness, and health have been hampered because of invalid, unreliable, or impractical measures of physical activity. This report examines the validity of sedentary traits (resting tachycardia, obesity, and low vital capacity) as predictors of physical fitness as assessed by a maximal treadmill exercise test. Study participants were women (n = 3,943) and men (n = 15,627) with at least one visit to the Cooper Clinic in Dallas, Texas. Association of the sedentary traits with physical fitness was examined by multiple regression analyses. Sedentary traits were associated with physical fitness in all age and sex groups, accounting for 12-40% of the variance in treadmill time. When smoking, a simple physical activity index, and sedentary traits were included in a model to predict physical fitness, R2 values ranged from 0.20 to 0.53 in women and 0.45 to 0.61 in men and were significant at p less than 0.0001. These models account for approximately twice as much variance in physical fitness as has been reported previously. The addition of sedentary traits measurements to a simple physical activity index provides a valid estimate of physical fitness in epidemiologic studies.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Evidence and theory based promotion of health-enhancing physical activity.

Physical activity appears to improve health-related quality of life by enhancing psychological well being and by improving physical functioning, particularly in persons compromised by poor health. Health enhancing physical activity (HEPA) can in addition to, and instead of, structured and planned exercise and sports comprise other forms of physical activity, such as occupational activities, lifestyle activities and recreational activities. However, wide-range and long-term population strategies are needed for the promotion of physical activity in each of the categories of HEPA. It is necessary to create realistic opportunities for different population groups and individuals. The theoretical knowledge of the determinants of the target behaviour has to be translated to a practical form. On the basis of available empirical studies, the Predisposing, Enabling and Reinforcing factors in the PRECEDE-PROCEED model for health promotion, are all relevant and important for the adoption and maintenance of physical activity. In the end, promotional activities are needed where people live and work, i.e. at local level.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1999

Effects of tailored, personalized and general health messages on physical activity.

Physical inactivity is a major public health problem. Patient education programs and materials that are customized to address the unique needs and concerns of specific patients have shown promise in changing a range of health related behavior, although findings to date for physical activity have been equivocal. In this study a randomized controlled trial was conducted among 272 adult primary care patients to compare the effectiveness of tailored, personalized and general health messages, and usual medical care in promoting leisure time physical activity (LTA) and physical activities of daily living (PADLs). Patients in the tailored group were more likely to increase PADLs than were patients in the personalized, general and control groups (65% vs. 46% vs. 56% vs. 54%) and less likely to being doing fewer PADLs at follow-up (18% vs. 38% vs. 38% vs. 38%; chi 2 = 12.2, df = 6, p = 0.056). There were no significant differences for LTAs. To help maximize the effectiveness of future tailored interventions on physical activity, studies should seek to identify the social, psychological and environmental variables that are most important to include in tailored materials.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1995

[Effect of physical activity on physical fitness among workers].

We conducted a cross-sectional study to clarify the effects of physical activity on physical fitness. Physical fitness tests were offered to workers of companies manufacturing automobile parts from December, 1992 to December, 1993. The subjects were 1,217 male and 600 female workers who participated in the physical fitness test. From this group, we analyzed 1,048 male and 522 female workers who answered a physical activity questionnaire. The questionnaire included age, sex, working posture, physical activity during working time and physical activity during leisure time. The physical fitness tests were composed of grip strength, standing trunk flexion, foot balance with closed eyes, jumping reaction time and step tests. We classified the subjects into low performance group and high performance group for each test. In addition, we classified the subjects into different groups by age (16-29 years old, 30-49 years old old and 50-69 years old), by working posture (standing and sitting), as well as by activity levels during working time and leisure time physical activities (inactive and active). Thus, we examined potential risk factors for the physical fitness by a multiple logistic regression model. The results were as follows: 1. Standing work was a significant risk factor for grip strength, foot balance with closed eyes and jumping reaction time in male workers, and standing trunk flexion, foot balance with closed eyes, jumping reaction time and the step test in female workers. 2. Physical activity during working time was not related to physical fitness in male and female workers. 3. Inactivity during leisure time was a significant risk factor for standing trunk flexion, foot balance with closed eyes, jumping reaction time and the step test in male workers, and grip strength and foot balance with closed eyes in female workers. 4. Young age (16-29 years old) was a significant risk factor for grip strength, standing trunk flexion, foot balance with closed eyes, jumping reaction time and the step test in male and female workers. Middle age (30-49 years old) was a significant risk factor for foot balance with closed eyes and jumping reaction time in male workers, and standing trunk flexion, foot balance with closed eyes, jumping reaction time and the step test in female workers.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Daily physical activity and physical fitness from adolescence to adulthood: A longitudinal study.

The stability of physical fitness and physical activity in Flemish males from 18 to 40 years of age was investigated. In addition, effects of a consistently low-activity or high-activity level during the same age period on physical fitness were studied. The sample consisted of males who were followed longitudinally from age 13 to age 18 years, and were remeasured at the ages of 30, 35, and 40 years. Complete data about physical fitness and physical activity between 13 and 40 years were available for 130 subjects. Stability was measured using Pearson autocorrelations and simplex models. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) for repeated measurements was used to look for the effects of activity level on physical fitness. Simplex models showed higher stability coefficients than Pearson correlations, and stability of physical fitness was higher than stability of physical activity. Physical fitness showed the highest stability in flexibility (r = 0.91 between 18 and 30 years, r = 0.96 for both the 30-35 and 35-40 ages intervals), while physical activity showed the highest stability during work (r between 0.70 and 0.98 for the 5-year intervals). Results from MANOVA indicated that for some fitness characteristics the high-active subjects were more fit than their low-active peers. Stability of physical activity was higher than assumed and, therefore, it is a useful and independent indicator for further research. Although possible confounding factors are present (e.g., heredity), a higher level of physical activity during work and leisure time on a regular basis benefits physical fitness considerably. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 12:487-497, 2000. Copyright 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1982

An attempt to intervene combined risk score by increased physical activity.

Physical fitness and dynamics of cardiovascular adaptation to the physical load were evaluated in research workers aged 40-55 years. After a special conditioning program for 19 months. The improvements concerned particularly the economy of hemodynamics and reduction of CHD risk score according to Hall. Three years after the termination of regular exercise program some volunteers were retested and the actual state of physical activity level, fitness and CHD risk score were evaluated again. 50% of the group recently examined, still performed regular sport activity, although at a lower intensity. In the group with a physical activity higher level of physical fitness, lower CHD risk score and lower incidence of coronary insufficiency symptoms was found. According to EPI a higher level of stability and middle level of extraversion was characteristic for their personality profile. Physical activity adequate to the actual health state may be supposed as important primary prevention of coronary heart disease.

Cardiac Complexes, Premature↗
PubMed1982

The endocrine response to physical activity.

Physical activity is characterized metabolically by a relatively greater demand for combustion of carbohydrate and in addition by increased strain on several other physiological processes. Training tends to reduce the impact of physical activity on most organ systems. Physical activity, when it is not exhaustive, usually leads to elevated blood levels of "hormones of stress and activity" (catecholamines, cortisol, growth hormone), while thyroid and gonadal secretions are less involved. Following a period of training the endocrine response seems to abate, whether due to increased peripheral hormone sensitivity or to reduced need.

Adrenal Cortex↗
PubMed2002

Physical activity intervention: a transtheoretical model-based intervention designed to help sedentary young adults become active.

Physical activity levels in young adults are low. Research supports the use of the Transtheoretical Model of behaviour change (TM) in designing physical activity interventions. This study used a pre-post randomized control design to investigate the effectiveness of a self-instructional intervention for helping sedentary young adults to initiate physical activity. Post-intervention, significantly more of the experimental group (80%), in comparison to the control group (68%), improved their exercise stage of change (SOC) from baseline (P < 0.05). Discriminant analyses revealed that discrimination between stage improvement/non-improvement was possible using the processes of change data. Stage improvers scored significantly higher on all of the behavioral and four out of five of the cognitive processes of change. For stage improvers, the processes of self-re-evaluation and self-liberation were most frequently used, whilst social liberation was used significantly more by the experimental than the control group. This inexpensive, self-instructional intervention, based on the TM and the 'active living message', is an effective method of assisting sedentary young adults to progress through the exercise SOC.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[Principles of general and specialized physical activity].

Physical activity plays an important role in the maintenance of functions and the milieu interieur. There are many types and intensities of physical activity and their impact on the organism and its parts is varied. However, exercise must always be consistent with the state of the organism at a given moment. Inadequacy of the form and type of physical activity becomes always manifest after different time intervals, as a process of maladaptation and finally as a pathological adaptation. It is important for every age group and every health status but differs markedly as regards quality and quantity. Objective evaluation of the load and state of the organism and capacity of a physiological response is one of the basic principles of prevention as well as therapy.

Exercise↗
PubMed1997

Physical activity and physical fitness in African-American girls with and without obesity.

Lack of physical activity and low levels of physical fitness are thought to be contributing factors to the high prevalence of obesity in African-American girls. To examine this hypothesis, we compared habitual physical activity and physical fitness in 54 African-American girls with obesity and 96 African-American girls without obesity residing in rural South Carolina. Participation in vigorous (> or = 6 METs) (VPA) or moderate and vigorous physical activity (> or = 4 METs) (MVPA) was assessed on three consecutive days using the Previous Day Physical Activity Recall. Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed using the PWC 170 cycle ergometer test. Upper body strength was determined at two sites via isometric cable tensiometer tests. Relative to their counterparts without obesity, girls with obesity reported significantly fewer 30-minute blocks of VPA (0.90 +/- 0.14 vs. 1.3 +/- 0.14) and MVPA (1.2 +/- 0.18 vs. 1.7 +/- 0.16) (p < 0.01). Within the entire sample, VPA and MVPA were inversely associated with body mass index (r = -0.17 and r = -0.19) and triceps skinfold thickness (r = -0.19 and r = -0.22) (p < 0.05). In the PWC 170 test and isometric strength tests, girls with obesity demonstrated absolute scores that were similar to, or greater than, those of girls without obesity; however, when scores were expressed relative to bodyweight, girls with obesity demonstrated significantly lower values (p < 0.05). The results support the hypothesis that lack of physical activity and low physical fitness are important contributing factors in the development and/or maintenance of obesity in African-American girls.

Black People↗
PubMed2005

Physical activity, global physical self-concept, and adolescent smoking.

BACKGROUND: Previous research supports a possible protective effect for physical activity against adolescent smoking. However, it is not clear whether the effect of physical activity on smoking is direct (e.g., time spent in physical activity) or indirect through another variable. One such variable is global physical self-concept (GPSC). Briefly, GPSC is a general perception of one's physical self, including appearance and physical activity competence. PURPOSE: This study tested a structural equation model of the relationship between physical activity and smoking, with direct effects from physical activity to smoking and an indirect effect through GPSC. METHODS: Participants were 983 12th graders taking part in a study of the biobehavioral predictors of adolescent smoking adoption. RESULTS: Controlling for covariates of adolescent smoking (e.g., peer smoking, alcohol use) and GPSC (e.g., body mass index, perceived physical appearance), physical activity had an indirect effect on smoking through its effects on GPSC, suggesting that the potential beneficial effects of physical activity on adolescent smoking may depend, in part, on GPSC. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that an adolescent's perception of the physical self may be one important factor to consider in youth smoking interventions. Further research is necessary to evaluate the longitudinal relationship between physical activity, GPSC, and smoking.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Comparison of energy expenditure estimates from doubly labeled water, a physical activity questionnaire, and physical activity records.

BACKGROUND: Various methods are used by epidemiologists to estimate the energy cost of physical activity; these include physical activity records and recalls. However, there is limited validation of these methods against the doubly labeled water technique for determining energy expenditure (EE). OBJECTIVE: We compared EE as estimated by indirect methods (physical activity records and recall questionnaires) used in epidemiologic studies with EE obtained from doubly labeled water (EE(DLW)) in free-living men. DESIGN: We determined EE(DLW), energy intake at weight maintenance, and EE from 7-d physical activity records (EE(Record)) and a 7-d physical activity recall questionnaire (EE(Recall)) in 24 men aged 41 plus minus 2.0 y ( plus minus SEM) with a body mass index (in kg/m(2)) of 25.1 plus minus 0.5. RESULTS: There was excellent agreement between EE(DLW) (13.27 plus minus 0.35 MJ/d) and energy intake (13.19 plus minus 0.36 MJ/d), with a difference of 0.5 plus minus 1.0% ( plus minus SE). The indirect measures of physical activity and EE were 14.17 plus minus 0.37 MJ/d for EE(Record) (difference from EE(DLW): 7.9 plus minus 3.2%) and 17.40 plus minus 1.45 MJ/d for EE(Recall) (difference from EE(DLW): 30.6 plus minus 9.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Seven-day physical activity records provide an acceptable estimate of EE in free-living adults compared with EE(DLW), but 7-d physical activity recalls have limited application to estimate daily EE. For optimal validity, the 7-d physical activity records require good subject compliance and the provision of careful instructions for their use.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Children's physical activity and physical self-perceptions.

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between physical self-perceptions and physical activity in Canadian school children aged 10-14 years. The sample consisted of 220 boys and 246 girls in grades 5-8. Physical activity was assessed by 7-day recall using the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children. Self-perceptions of physical conditioning, sports competence, strength, body appearance and general physical self-worth were measured by the Physical Self-Perception Profile (PSPP). We found that boys were more physically active than girls and had higher perceptions of sport competence and strength. All PSPP scales were significantly correlated with physical activity in both boys and girls. Structural equation modelling procedures found the hierarchical PSPP model provided a good fit to the observed data, with little evidence of differences between the sexes. Analysis of five alternative structural models of the relationship between the PSPP and physical activity found the most parsimonious model to have significant pathways from both physical conditioning and sport skills to physical activity. Models for the sample as a whole, for boys and for girls were similar, accounting for an R2 of 0.27-0.29 for physical activity. Our results demonstrate that physical self-perceptions, especially physical conditioning and sport skills, are significant correlates of activity in this population.

Child↗
PubMed2007

[Trends in vigorous physical activity versus physical inactivity among 11-15 year olds from 1988 to 2002].

INTRODUCTION: The increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents suggests a need to study the development in main predictors of obesity, like eating habits and physical activity. The objective was to describe self-reported vigorous physical activity versus physical inactivity among children and adolescents over a period of 14 years, 1988-2002. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study population was the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study among nationally representative samples of 11, 13 and 15 year old students in 1988, 1991, 1994, 1998, and 2002. The data collection used the standardised HBSC questionnaire which included items about vigorous physical activity (VPA) outside school hours per week. We defined physically inactivity as 0 hours of VPA per week and high activity as at least 7 hours of VPA per week. RESULTS: The prevalence of high activity was higher among boys than girls and increased by age. The prevalence of physically inactive students increased from 1988 to 2002, especially among the 15 year olds. The proportion of students with high activity decreased from 1988 to 2002, especially among the 15 year olds. CONCLUSION: A large proportion of children and adolescents do not comply with the national recommendations that children should be physically active at least 60 minutes per day. The physical activity level decreased from 1988 to 2002. There is a need for extraordinary efforts to increase physical activity among children and adolescents.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Relationships between self-reported physical activity and physical fitness in active men.

We examined relationships between self-reported physical activity and physical fitness in a group of 202 male military officers, 36 to 51 years of age. Physical activity was estimated from the Minnesota Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire and classified as heavy, moderate, or light depending on the intensity of individual activities. Directly measured components of physical fitness included aerobic capacity (treadmill walking peak VO2), body composition (densitometry), muscle strength (isokinetic mode), and flexibility (bend-and-reach test). Both total and heavy activity were significantly (P < .05) related to aerobic capacity, body fat, fat-free mass, upper body strength, and flexibility. Moderate and light activity were not related to the fitness measures. We divided subjects into quartiles of physical activity and corrected the fitness measures for age and cigarette smoking status. Subjects with more total and heavy activity had higher aerobic capacity and lower body fat; subjects with more heavy activity also had greater upper body strength. Again, moderate and low activity were not related to any fitness measure. These data indicate that heavy physical activity is related to various components of physical fitness even after correction for age and smoking status in a group of men who are healthy, generally very active, and fit.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Observed levels of elementary and middle school children's physical activity during physical education classes.

BACKGROUND: The benefits of childhood physical activity include fitness, weight control, and exercise habits that may carry over into adulthood. School physical education is the primary program responsible for training the nation's youth to be physically active and national objectives call for students to be engaged in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity at least 50% of class time. The purpose of this study was to determine through systematic observation in a regional sample of elementary and middle schools the amount of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity students obtain during physical education classes. METHODS: Twenty elementary schools and 7 middle schools were randomly sampled from the 355 elementary schools and 117 middle schools in the 20 school districts in Harris County, Texas. In addition, 9 elementary and 6 middle schools that were identified as having excellent physical education programs were sampled purposively to provide a comparison. Seven systematic observations of student's physical activity were conducted during physical education in each school. RESULTS: The average moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in the randomly selected elementary schools was 8.6%, significantly less (P < 0.05) than for the randomly selected middle schools (16.1%) or for the comparison elementary schools (20.6%) and middle schools (24.0%). CONCLUSIONS: The average amount of physical activity observed in this regional sample of schools was less than the estimated national average of 27% and far less than the national recommendation calling for a minimum of 50%.

Adolescent↗