Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Physics”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,045 records · Page 58Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Effects of physical training and its cessation on the hemostatic system of obese children.

BACKGROUND: Physical training can improve hemostatic function in adults, thereby reducing heart disease risk, but no information is available in children on whether physical training can enhance hemostatic function. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effects of a physical training program on hemostatic variables in a biethnic group of obese children. DESIGN: Children were randomly assigned to 2 groups. Group 1 participated in physical training for 4 mo and then ceased physical training for 4 mo, whereas group 2 did no physical training for the first 4 mo and then participated in physical training for 4 mo. Plasma hemostatic variables [fibrinogen, plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1), and D-dimer) were measured at months 0, 4, and 8. RESULTS: Analyses of variance revealed no significant group-by-time interactions for the hemostatic variables. When data from both groups were combined there was a significant decrease in D-dimer after 4 mo of physical training (P < 0.05). Factors explaining individual differences in responsiveness to the physical training revealed that individuals with greater percentage fat before physical training showed greater reductions in fibrinogen and D-dimer, and that blacks showed greater reductions in D-dimer than whites (P < 0.05). Stepwise multiple linear regression showed that only higher prephysical training concentrations of fibrinogen, PAI-1, and D-dimer explained significant proportions of the variation in changes in these variables. CONCLUSIONS: In obese children, 4-mo periods of physical training did not lead to significant changes in hemostatic variables. Children with greater adiposity and concentrations of hemostatic factors before physical training showed greater reductions in hemostatic variables after physical training than did children with lesser values.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1999

Determinants of physical functioning in coronary patients: response to cardiac rehabilitation.

BACKGROUND: Coronary heart disease is a major cause of disability. There has been little study of the effect of cardiac rehabilitation on measures of self-reported physical functioning. METHODS: Physical functioning was measured using the Medical Outcomes Study-Short-Form Questionnaire. Determinants of physical function were analyzed in 303 patients with coronary heart disease. Response of physical function to a 3-month exercise rehabilitation program was then determined. RESULTS: At baseline, women had lower physical function scores than men, despite similar age and diagnostic distribution. Older patients had lower physical function than younger patients. Aerobic exercise capacity, leg and arm strength, and comorbidity and depression scores were all significant predictors of baseline physical function (r range, 0.46 to -0.22). Physical function score increased significantly after exercise conditioning, with a mean (+/- SD) overall score increase from 66 +/- 23 to 80 +/- 20 on a scale of 0 to 100. The best baseline determinant of a favorable physical function improvement after rehabilitation was a low baseline physical function score. The best training-related correlate of improved physical function score was a decrease in mental depression score. CONCLUSIONS: Self-reported physical function in coronary patients is related to age, sex, fitness, and mood state. Physical functioning improves after cardiac rehabilitation in all age, sex, and diagnostic groups, but particularly in patients with low baseline values. These data support the concept that cardiac rehabilitation effectively prevents and treats cardiac disability.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Physical activity patterns in American high school students. Results from the 1990 Youth Risk Behavior Survey.

OBJECTIVE: To assess by self-reported participation in vigorous physical activity, the quantity and quality of school physical education, team sports, and television watching among 11,631 American high school students. RESULTS: Of all students in grades 9 through 12, 37% reported engaging in 20 minutes of vigorous physical activity three or more times per week. Participation in vigorous physical activity was higher among boys than girls (P < .01) and higher among white students than among those of other races and ethnic groups (P < .01). Overall, 43.7% of boys and 52% of girls reported that they were not enrolled in physical education classes. Of the students who reported attending physical education class during the past 2 weeks, 33.2% reported exercising 20 minutes or more in physical education class three to five times per week. In contrast, rates of participation in varsity and junior varsity sports remained constant across grade levels, but participation in recreational physical activity programs showed a lesser magnitude and also decreased with advancing grade. More than 70% of students reported spending at least 1 hour watching television each school day, and more than 35% reported watching television 3 hours or more each school day. CONCLUSIONS: Participation in vigorous physical activity and physical education class time devoted to physical activity are substantially below the goals set in Healthy People 2000. As students move toward graduation, we observed disturbing declines in participation in community recreation programs and overall vigorous activity. Students appear to spend considerably more time watching television than participating in physical activity. Public health efforts should focus on increasing the physical activity levels of our youth to enhance their current well-being and to reduce the risks of future chronic disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Physical training for asthma.

BACKGROUND: Physical training programmes have been designed for asthmatic subjects with the aim of improving physical fitness, neuromuscular coordination and self-confidence. Habitual physical activity increases physical fitness and lowers ventilation during mild and moderate exercise thereby reducing the likelihood of provoking exercise induced asthma. Exercise training may also reduce the perception of breathlessness through a number of mechanisms including strengthening respiratory muscles. Subjectively, many asthmatics report that they are symptomatically better when fit, but results from trials have varied and have been difficult to compare because of different designs and training protocols. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this review was to assess evidence for the efficacy and effectiveness of physical training in asthma. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Airways Group Specialised Register, SportDiscus and the Science Citation Index up to May 2005. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised trials in asthmatic subjects undertaking physical training. Subjects had to be eight years and older. Physical training had to be undertaken for at least 20 to 30 minutes, two to three times a week, over a minimum of four weeks. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Eligibility for inclusion and quality of trials were assessed independently by two reviewers. MAIN RESULTS: Thirteen studies (455 participants) were included in this review. Physical training had no effect on resting lung function or the number of days of wheeze. The results of this review have shown that lung function and wheeze is not worsened by physical training in patients with asthma. Physical training improved cardiopulmonary fitness as measured by an increase in maximum oxygen uptake of 5.4 ml/kg/min (95% confidence interval 4.2 to 6.6) and maximum expiratory ventilation 6.0 L/min (95% confidence interval 1.5 to 10.4). There were no data concerning quality of life measurements. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: In people with asthma, physical training can improve cardiopulmonary fitness without changing lung function. It is not known whether improved fitness is translated into improved quality of life. It is comforting to know that physical training does not have an adverse effect on lung function and wheeze in patients with asthma. Therefore, there is no reason why patients with asthma should not participate in regular physical activity.

Asthma↗
PubMed1999

Physical fitness and sport activity of children and adolescents: methodological aspects of a regional survey.

Measurement of physical fitness and physical activity in children and adolescents raise a lot of methodological issues, explaining the scarcity of surveys in European countries and in Switzerland. This article exposes the design and the methods used in a survey on physical fitness, physical activity and health conducted in a region of Switzerland, and discuss the choice of the instruments and the quality control procedure selected to measure physical activity and physical fitness. The survey was conducted in a sample of 3540 students 9-19 years-old and included a battery of physical fitness tests, anthropometrics measurements and a self-report questionnaire on physical activity, sports activity and life styles. An ancillary study in a sub sample assessed daily physical activity with a pedometer, dietary intake with a 3-day dietary record, serum lipids and nutritional status. Some results are displayed as example. Quality control techniques are exposed and the choice of the instrument to assess physical fitness, physical activity, sports, and dietary intake are discussed. Local reference tables are now available for fitness tests and the practicability of fitness testing has been demonstrated in physical education. The research process has induced the sensitisation of schools toward health promotion through physical activity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Physical modalities in chronic pain management.

The following conclusions can be made based on review of the evidence: There is limited but positive evidence that select physical modalities are effective in managing chronic pain associated with specific conditions experienced by adults and older individuals. Overall, studies have provided the most support for the modality of therapeutic exercise. Different physical modalities have similar magnitudes of effects on chronic pain. Therefore, selection of the most appropriate physical modality may depend on the desired functional outcome for the patient, the underlying impairment, and the patient's preference or prior experience with the modality. Certain patient characteristics may decrease the effectiveness of physical modalities, as has been seen with TENS. These characteristics include depression, high trait anxiety, a powerful others locus of control, obesity, narcotic use, and neuroticism. The effect on pain by various modalities is generally strongest in the short-term period immediately after the intervention series, but effects can last as long as 1 year after treatment (e.g., with massage). Most research has tested the effect of physical modalities on chronic low back pain and knee OA. The effectiveness of physical modalities for other chronic pain conditions needs to be evaluated more completely. Older and younger adults often experience similar effects on their perception of pain from treatment with physical modalities. Therefore, use of these modalities for chronic pain in older adults is appropriate, but special precautions need to be taken. Practitioners applying physical modalities need formal training that includes the risks and precautions for these modalities. If practitioners lack formal training in the use of physical modalities, or if modality use is not within their scope of practice, it is important to consult with and refer patients to members of the team who have this specialized training. Use of a multidisciplinary approach to chronic pain management is of value for all adults and older individuals in particular [79-81]. Historically, physical therapists have been trained to evaluate and treat patients with the range of physical modalities discussed in this article. Although members of the nursing staff traditionally have used some of these modalities (e.g. some forms of heat or cold and massage), increasing numbers of nurses now are being trained to apply more specialized procedures (e.g., TENS). Healthcare professionals must be knowledgeable about the strength of evidence underlying the use of physical modalities for the management of chronic pain. Based on the limited research evidence available (especially related to assistive devices, orthotics, and thermal modalities), it often is difficult to accept or exclude select modalities as having a potential role in chronic pain management for adults and older individuals. Improved research methodologies are needed to address physical modality effectiveness better.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Educational differences in leisure-time physical inactivity: a descriptive and explanatory study.

In this study we aim to explain educational differences in leisure-time physical inactivity in terms of psychosocial and material factors. Cross-sectional data were obtained from the baseline of the Dutch GLOBE study in 1991, including 2598 men and women, aged 15-74 years. Physical inactivity during leisure time was defined as not participating in any activity, such as sports, gardening, walking or cycling. Psychosocial factors included in the study were coping resources, personality, and stressors. Material factors were financial situation, employment status, and living conditions. Logistic regression models were used to calculate educational differences in physical inactivity. Physical inactivity was more prevalent in lower educational groups. Psychosocial factors related to physical inactivity were locus of control, parochialism, neuroticism, emotional social support, active problem focussing, optimistic and palliative coping styles. Material factors associated with physical inactivity were income, employment status and financial problems. All correlates of physical inactivity were unequally distributed over educational groups, except optimistic and palliative coping. Personality and coping style were the main contributors to the observed educational differences in physical inactivity. That is to say, parochialism, locus of control, neuroticism and active problem focussing explained about half of elevated odds ratios of physical inactivity in the lower educational groups. The material factors, equivalent income and employment status explained about 40% of the elevated odds ratios. Psychosocial and material correlates together reduced the odds ratios of lower educational groups by on average 75%. These results have practical consequences for the design of more effective interventions to promote physical activity. In particular, personality and coping style of risk groups, such as lower educational groups, should be taken into consideration at the future development of these interventions, as well as inequalities in material restrictions related to engaging in physical activity. Supplementary interventions focussing on childhood conditions which, partly, influence both personality and physical inactivity may also contribute to a reduction of socio-economic differences in physical inactivity.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1997

Correlates of physical activity behavior in rural youth.

The purpose of this study was to identify correlates of physical activity behavior in a sample of rural, predominantly African American youth. Three hundred sixty-one fifth-grade students from two rural counties in South Carolina (69% African American, median age = 11 years) completed a questionnaire designed to measure beliefs and social influences regarding physical activity, physical activity self-efficacy, perceived physical activity habits of family members and friends, and access to exercise and fitness equipment at home. After school physical activity and television watching were assessed using the Previous Day Physical Activity Recall (PDPAR). Students were classified as physically active according to a moderate physical activity standard: two or more 30-min blocks at an intensity of 3 METs (metabolic equivalents) or greater, and a vigorous physical activity standard: one or more 30-min blocks at an intensity of 6 METs or greater. According to the moderate physical activity standard, 34.9% of students were classified as low-active. Multivariate analysis revealed age, gender, television watching, and exercise equipment at home to be significant correlates of low activity status. According to the vigorous physical activity standard, 32.1% of the students were classified as low-active. Multivariate analysis revealed age, gender, television watching, and self-efficacy with respect to seeking support for physical activity to be significant correlates of low activity status. In summary, gender and the amount of television watching were found to be the most important correlates of physical activity in rural, predominantly African American youth.

Black or African American↗
PubMed2002

Physical activity but not energy expenditure is reduced in obese adolescents: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: The influence of physical activity on body weight in children and adolescents is controversial. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to test the hypothesis that the intensity and duration of physical activity differ between obese and normal-weight adolescents, with no difference in estimated energy expenditure. DESIGN: We compared physical activity in 18 (8 males, 10 females) obese [body mass index (in kg/m(2)) > 30] adolescents (14-19 y) with that in a matched, normal-weight (BMI < 27) control group. Total energy expenditure (TEE) was measured with the doubly labeled water method, and physical activity was measured simultaneously by accelerometry. The physical activity level was determined as the ratio of TEE to the resting metabolic rate (RMR) and activity energy expenditure as 0.9 TEE minus RMR. Accelerometry data included total physical activity (counts x min(-1) x d(-1)), accumulated and continuous duration of activity, and continuous 10-min periods of physical activity of moderate intensity. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in adjusted (analysis of covariance) TEE, RMR, or AEE between groups. The physical activity level was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in the obese group. No sex x group interaction was observed. Differences in total physical activity (P < 0.001), accumulated time (P < 0.05), continuous time (P < 0.01), and continuous 10-min periods of physical activity of moderate intensity (P < 0.01) were observed between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Obese adolescents are less physically active than are normal-weight adolescents, but physical activity-related energy expenditure is not significantly different between groups. The data suggest that physical activity is not necessarily equivalent to the energy costs of activity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Variables related to meeting the CDC/ACSM physical activity guidelines.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relation between perceived importance of physical activity and demographic variables and current physical activity level with specific reference to the CDC/ACSM guidelines for sufficient physical activity for a health benefit. METHODS: Physical activity levels were assessed by a telephone survey of 2002 households throughout the continental United States and the District of Columbia to determine whether the individuals met the CDC/ACSM physical activity guidelines. RESULTS: Results indicate that 68% of the respondents are physically active below the CDC/ACSM criterion. Chi-square analysis revealed significant relationships between meeting the CDC/ACSM physical activity guidelines and 1) perceived importance of physical inactivity as a health risk (P < 0.0001), and 2) gender (P < 0.0001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that having a greater awareness of the health risks of physical inactivity improved the odds ratio (OR = 1.40, 95% CI = 1.21-1.62) of being sufficiently physically active for a health benefit by 40% (P < 0.0001) and being a male improved the odds ratio (OR = 1.45, 95% CI = 1.17-1.79) of being sufficiently physically active for a health benefit by 45% (P < 0.0006). CONCLUSIONS: Implications for health and physical fitness researchers and practitioners are that they need to improve awareness of life span fitness benefits and develop intervention programs based on individuals' current physical activity levels.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Levels of physical activity among school-age children in Taiwan: a comparison with international recommendations.

Few studies have investigated levels of physical activity among children in Taiwan. The purposes of this study were to explore levels of physical activity among children and examine their rates of compliance with various international recommendations. The sample was comprised 463 children (249 boys and 214 girls) , aged between nine and twelve from four cities in Taiwan. Three-day Physical Activity Logs (3-d PAL) were used as the instrument to measure physical activity in the previous seven days. The mean and percentile of average estimated energy expenditure (EE, kcal/kg/day), moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA, min/day) and vigorous physical activity (VPA, min/day) among boys and girls according to age group were reported. Four international physical activity recommendations were used, as the criteria with which were examined compliance rates. Results indicated no significant main effects of age or gender, and no interaction was found between EE and MVPA. VPA significantly increased between the aged nine and eleven. Girls aged 12 engaged less significantly VPA than boys. Over 90% of children met the Physical Activity Guidelines for Adolescents (PAGA) and the United States' Healthy People Objective No. 22.6; 80% met the United Kingdom Expert Consensus Group guideline; and 70% met the Healthy People Objective No. 22.7. These results indicated that physical activity among the majority of children complied with the international recommendations. The only significant difference came in participation rates for vigorous physical activity among children of different ages and gender. Our results provide important information for health policy in the field of children' s physical activity. We would recommend the setting up of national objectives for the physical activity of children and the conducting of a national surveillance study with a more precise and consistent measurement of physical activity for children to offer a comparable data in the future is suggested.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2004

Perceived environment and physical activity in youth.

The examination of physical environments to explain and promote physical activity is an important yet under-investigated area of research inquiry. This study explored relationships between the perceived availability of physical environmental resources and the perceived importance of these resources in relation to physical activity levels amongst youth. A self-report questionnaire was completed by 610 students (mean age = 15.5 years old; 62% female participants) from four high schools (grades 9-12) in rural Alberta, Canada. Perceived physical environment constructs explained 5% of the variance in physical activity, with home, neighborhood, and school as significant domains. Perceived importance constructs explained 8% of the variance in physical activity with school context showing the only significant relationship with physical activity. A hierarchical regression analysis entered sex, grade, self-efficacy, peer, family and physical education teacher relationships, as the first block and eight environmental constructs as the second block. The first block variables accounted for 22% of the variance and environmental constructs accounted for an added 4% of the variance in physical activity. Perceived importance of the school environment was the only environment variable significantly associated with physical activity (beta = .14; p < .05) after taking into account the impact of these traditional predictors. These findings reinforce the need to provide and support school physical environments related to physical activity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Examination of the hierarchical self-esteem model in adults with physical disability.

The primary purpose of this research was to examine the validity of the hierarchical physical self-perceptions model developed by Fox and Corbin (1989) within a population of physically disabled individuals. The secondary purpose was to compare the physical self-perceptions of those who were physically active and physically inactive. 97 adults with physical disabilities completed a self-esteem scale and the Physical Self-perception Profile, Japanese short version to assess General Physical Self-worth and its subdomains of Perceived Sports Competence, Physical Condition, Attractive Body, and Physical Strength. Path analysis showed adequate fit of the data to the hierarchical physical self-perception model. In general, physical self-perceptions were rated more favorably by physically active participants.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Leisure, home, and occupational physical activity and cardiovascular risk factors in postmenopausal women. The Postmenopausal Estrogens/Progestins Intervention (PEPI) Study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the associations between self-reported leisure, home, and occupational physical activity and selected cardiovascular risk factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from the Postmenopausal Estrogen/Progestins Intervention Trial was performed in 851 women aged 45 to 64 years. Outcomes were levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, insulin (2 hours after challenge), fibrinogen, systolic blood pressure. Race-stratified models were adjusted for age, smoking, alcohol, and previous noncontraceptive estrogen use. Models were also run with body mass index as an additional covariate. RESULTS: In white women, leisure physical activity was positively associated with levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P = .001) and inversely associated with levels of insulin (P = .04) and fibrinogen (P = .02). Compared with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in the inactive and light leisure physical activity groups, moderate (P < .001) and heavy (P = .004) leisure activities were associated with higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in the heavy leisure physical activity group were significantly higher than those in the moderate group (P = .01). Compared with lesser levels of leisure physical activity, significantly lower mean values of fibrinogen (P = .02) and insulin (P = .01) were associated with the highest-intensity leisure physical activity. Home physical activity was positively related to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level (P = .01); relative to lower levels of home physical activity, the heavy home physical activity group demonstrated significantly higher mean high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. The effects of leisure and home physical activities were independent of each other. systolic blood pressure did not vary by leisure, occupational, or home physical activity. CONCLUSION: The unique relationships between type of physical activity and cardiac risk factors underscore the necessity of including multiple domains of activity in epidemiologic studies of epidemiologic studies of physical activity in women.

Cardiovascular Diseases↗
PubMed2003

Sexual activity and substance use among adolescents by category of physical activity plus team sports participation.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether being both vigorously active and a team sports participant or being vigorously physically active but not a team member is associated with substance use and sexual risk behaviors. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, using data from the 1999 national Youth Risk Behavior Survey. PARTICIPANTS: A nationally representative sample of 15 349 US high school students. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Sexual risk behaviors and substance use among those who were both physically active and team sports participants, physically active but not on a sports team, physically nonactive but on a sports team, and physically nonactive and not on a sports team by sex and race/ethnicity. RESULTS: Nationwide, 41.9% of the students were both physically active and participants on a sports team, 22.1% were physically active but not sports team members, 12.6% were physically nonactive sports team members, and 22.3% were physically nonactive and not sports team members. More female (mean [SD], 29.3% [2.2%]) than male students (15.3% [1.9%]) were nonactive, and more male students were both physically active and participants in team sports (48.9% [3.4%]) than were female students (34.8% [3.2%]). Black students were more likely to be physically nonactive in both the team and nonteam categories than were students overall. Relative to nonactive nonteam female students, physically active female students on sports teams were less likely to be substance users or engage in sexual risk behaviors than were active nonteam and nonactive team female students. Other associations were specific to racial/ethnic subgroups. CONCLUSION: Overall, being both physically active and a team sports participant was associated with a lower prevalence of several health risk behaviors.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Leisure-time, occupational, and household physical activity among professional, skilled, and less-skilled workers and homemakers.

BACKGROUND: Adults in lower status occupations are at higher risk of premature cardiovascular disease, for which physical inactivity is a major risk factor. While lower rates of leisure-time physical activity have been found to be associated consistently with lower income and education levels, the association between occupational and home-based physical activity with membership of different occupational categories is not well understood. METHODS: An urban-representative population data set derived from a self-completion questionnaire was used to examine both self-reported leisure-time physical activity and a combined measure of occupational/home-based physical activity of adult less-skilled, skilled, and professional workers and homemakers (3795 males; 4140 females). chi(2) analyses, ANOVA, and logistic regressions were used to examine the associations between occupational group membership and physical activity. RESULTS: After adjustment for age, body mass index, education, country of birth, marital status, and smoking, less-skilled workers were less likely to report any form of leisure-time physical activity. However, occupational category was not a strong predictor of participation in combined vigorous occupational/home physical activity. Homemakers and those in lower status occupations were less likely to report participation in vigorous leisure-time physical activity sufficient for cardiorespiratory fitness. With the inclusion of time spent in combined vigorous occupational/home physical activity, there was no longer an association of activity with occupational status for males. However, for females the association remained. CONCLUSIONS: The assessment of occupational and household physical activity in addition to leisure-time activity may be important for understanding associations between occupational categories, physical activity, and increased levels of health risk and for the development of physical activity promotion strategies.

Adult↗
PubMed2007

The reduction of physical activity reflects on the bone mass among young females: a follow-up study of 142 adolescent girls.

UNLABELLED: Maintenance of positive effects of physical activity on growing bone is unknown. Physical activity was associated with increased BMC and BMD in a 7-year follow-up with 142 adolescent girls. Marked reduction in physical activity had an unfavorable effect on bone measurements, which is an important finding when the prevention of osteoporosis is considered. INTRODUCTION: Environmental factors influence quality and durability of bone. Physical activity, with high-impact weight bearing activity during puberty in particular, has been shown to have a beneficial effect on growing bone. Only few studies have been published on the maintenance of these effects. METHODS: At baseline, 142 girls aged 9-15 years participated in the present 7-year follow-up study. Growth and development, physical activity, and intakes of calcium and vitamin-D were recorded at intervals. BMC and BMD measurements were repeated using DXA. Based on the recording of physical activity during the follow-up measurements, the effect of the reduction in physical activity was examined with the bone measurements, and the measurements in the tertiles based on the amount of physical activity during the whole follow-up period were compared. RESULTS: Physical activity was positively associated with the development of BMC and BMD during the follow-up. The mean BMC of the lumbar spine increased 1.69 g (3%) (p = 0.021) more among those girls who maintained the physical activity level as compared with those who reduced it during last 4 years. In the femoral neck, the corresponding difference was 0.14 g (4.6%) (p = 0.015) between the same two groups of girls. The mean increases in BMC at lumbar spine and femoral neck were more substantial among those girls having the highest physical activity levels during the 7-year follow-up (46.7% and 22.6%) as compared with those having the lowest physical activity levels (43.3% and 17.4%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the present study show that regular physical activity is valuable in preserving the peak bone mass acquired at puberty in particular. Many of the girls who markedly reduced their activity levels lost bone in their femoral neck prior to their 25th birthday.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed2003

Personal, social, and environmental correlates of physical activity in rural Midwestern white women.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity is a promising component of cardiovascular disease prevention among women. Research in this area is expanding, but much needs to be done to assess subgroups of the population (e.g., people living in rural environments). The study goal was to determine personal, social environmental, and physical environmental correlates of physical activity among rural white women aged 20 to 50 years. METHODS: A survey was conducted by using randomly selected numbers in rural areas in Missouri and Illinois. The Women and Physical Activity Survey was administered to assess physical activity status and personal, social environmental, and physical environmental factors. Physical activity status was the dependent variable in analyses comparing inactive women with women who performed any activity and comparing women who met current recommendations for moderate or vigorous physical activity with those women did not meet recommendations. RESULTS: Of the 1000 women in the study, 52% met recommendations for physical activity, 40.1% were insufficiently active, and 7.9% were inactive. Younger women (20-29 years) were more likely than the oldest age (40-50 years) category to perform some activity than to be inactive. Women in excellent or very good general health were much more likely to perform some physical activity than to be inactive. Higher income and employment were factors in meeting the recommendations. Attending religious services and a higher social roles score were significant factors. Having street lighting was the only physical environmental factor that emerged as statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: More research is needed on the assessment of important issues regarding physical activity in women. Interventions should use assessment information to tailor programs and to address personal, social environmental, and physical environmental components.

Adult↗