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PubMed1989

Physical fitness, body image, and locus of control in college freshman men and women.

This study examined the relations among physical fitness, body image, and locus of control. The Hall-Physical Fitness Test Profile, the Winstead and Cash Body Self-relations Questionnaire (BSRQ) and the Nowicki-Strickland Locus of Control Scale were administered to 243 freshmen. Women were significantly more positive about their physical appearance than men. Men were more positive about their physical fitness than women. Men were more physically fit than women. Men and women scoring in the internal direction viewed the physical fitness domain of their body image positively. Unlike men, internally oriented women had more positive perceptions of the health aspect of their body image. Physically fit men and women had positive attitudes toward the physical fitness component of their body image. Physically fit men differed from physically fit women in that men were more internal and held more positive attitudes toward the physical health dimension of their body images.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Physical therapy and health-related outcomes for patients with common orthopaedic diagnoses.

Assessing both physical and mental health is necessary in clinical settings to quantify the scope of disability and to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment programs. Changes in health-related quality of life following physical therapy treatment for many patients with orthopaedic-related diagnoses is not known. The purposes of this study were to describe changes in health-related quality of life between the initial assessment and the time of discharge from physical therapy for the most common orthopaedic diagnoses and to compare the patterns of deficit among diagnostic categories. Patient outcomes in this study were evaluated from a large database generated by the Focus on Therapeutic Outcomes (FOTO) network. Health-related and employment outcomes were described for adult patients who were classified using ICD-9-CM codes. The most common orthopaedic diagnostic categories were sacroiliac sprain, back sprain, low back pain (radiating and nonradiating), neck sprain, neck pain (radiating and nonradiating), adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder, rotator cuff injury, shoulder sprain, knee dislocation, knee sprain, and knee derangement. The primary outcome measure was a 17-item questionnaire (the MOS-17) derived from the RAND 36-Item Health Survey (SF-36) and the 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12). The comparison of each cohort to population norms was made by calculating a standard score on patient data adjusted for age and gender. An effect size was calculated to measure the change in health or employment status between the initial assessment and discharge from physical therapy. For all diagnostic categories, health-related quality of life with respect to norms and employment status showed a consistent pattern of improvement at the time of discharge compared with the initial assessment. There were only small changes in physical function for neck and shoulder diagnostic categories. Nearly all of the diagnostic categories had large reductions in bodily pain. The amount of clinical change in the physical components of health-related quality of life--especially the physical function and role physical domains--differed substantially across specific diagnostic categories. The largest improvements in the physical function occurred for patients with knee dislocation and knee sprain. Patients with knee dislocation also had the largest improvement in role limitations due to physical problems. The design of this study does not permit conclusions about the efficacy of physical therapy. Further study is needed to determine if the finding of different levels of health status improvement across diagnostic categories was due to the nature of the outcome measure, the type of treatments given to each patient, or other confounding variables, like depression or preinjury functional level.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Practice analysis: defining the clinical practice of primary contact physical therapy.

STUDY DESIGN: Nonexperimental descriptive research design. OBJECTIVE: To describe the frequency of use and perceived level of importance of professional responsibilities, procedures, and knowledge areas by physical therapists practicing in primary contact care settings and to compare these data to similar data from physical therapists practicing in nonprimary contact care settings. BACKGROUND: Physical therapy services have moved toward a primary contact model of practice in response to changes in the health care delivery system. Several studies have reported the effectiveness of primary contact physical therapy. However, a practice analysis has not been performed to define the clinical practice of primary contact physical therapy. METHODS AND MEASURES: A sample of 212 physical therapists practicing as primary contact providers in the military and civilian sectors, and a comparison group of 250 physical therapists not practicing as primary contact providers were surveyed. A Delphi technique was used to develop the survey instrument, which was pretested by a pilot group. The final survey instrument consisted of 171 items. Chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis tests were conducted to examine significant differences among the 3 groups (P<.001). RESULTS: Of the 212 surveys mailed to the primary contact group, 119 (56.1%) responses were received (82 military physical therapists and 37 civilian physical therapists). Of the 250 surveys mailed to the comparison group, 103 (41.2%) responses were received. There were numerous significant differences among the 3 groups in professional responsibilities, procedures, and knowledge areas, most notably in the areas of selecting and ordering of imaging procedures, identifying signs and symptoms of nonmusculoskeletal conditions, establishing physical therapy diagnoses, and prescribing over-the-counter medications. CONCLUSION: The study describes the clinical practice of physical therapists functioning in the role of primary contact providers or as members of a diverse team of health care professionals in primary care, which may provide curricular direction to professional, postprofessional, and clinical residency or fellowship-based educational settings.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Physical medicine in the diagnosis and treatment of functional disorders of the spinal column].

INTRODUCTION: Manual (Physical) Medicine is concerned with physiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis and therapy of the musculoskeletal system functional disorders. Functional disorders are caused by direct or indirect injury (muscular spasm), inflammation, sudden movements etc. Functional disorders in regard to decreased joint volume are also called segmental or peripheral joint dysfunction, somatic dysfunction and function blocking. Blocking means: reversible disorder with decreased functional joint movement; muscular spasms caused by neurophysiological changes including decreased movement; pain and functional disorder of internal organs and tissues being part of the joint. Intervertebral joints, intervertebral discs, muscles and their nerve control belong to such control circles which are integrated within an organism. The basic principles of Manual (Physical) Medicine are good knowledge of functional anatomy and three-dimensional imaging of biochemical functions of the spine. The most important functions of the spinal column are as follows: it is an organ of axis with a protective and supportive function and it enables normal walk and balance. The basic functional unit in the architecture of the vertebral column is the dynamic spinal segment. Its basic function is movement, posture maintenance and protection of spinal nerve roots. The functional disorder of one part of the dynamic segment cannot be isolated from other parts. Thus functional blocks within the fascial joints, abnormalities within intervertebral discs, changes within the ligament apparatus, and muscular disorders may be both causes and consequences at the same time. The dynamic segment is thus included into a mechanical functional circle. Its mechanical function is tightly connected with the statics of the whole body. Different leg length, severe abnormalities of great leg joints may cause blocks within the fascial joints. The vertebral dynamic segment is also a part of the nervous, functional reflex circle. Clinical symptoms associated with functional disorders within intervertebral joints are as follows: restricted joint mobility and nervous reflex disorders (local segmental and peripheral segmental injuries). MANUAL (PHYSICAL) DIAGNOSIS: In order to make physical diagnosis it is necessary to have good knowledge of anatomy, functional anatomy, kinesiology and neurology. History taking is of great importance for the physician who establishes physical therapy. It is also necessary to note various abnormalities, muscle atrophy and to analyze patient's walk. Palpation at rest reveals changes, skin disorders, subcutaneous and fatty tissues and muscles and it assesses the status of soft tissues. By physical examination of the spine it is possible to diagnose intervertebral joint blocks. Thus examination of joint mobility is performed. It is important to differ physiological, anatomic and pathologic ranges of mobility and to determine the greatest mobility and joint play. Joint play represents the property of the joint to achieve some additional mobility. This examination requires knowledge of a special technique. Palpation of local segmental irritation is performed on all spinal segments after a special technique examining bone-transversal joints as well as sacroiliac joints. Local irritation points, muscle spasms and tendomyosis are being detected. The diagnosis of blocks is also the therapeutic diagnosis at the same time. Physicians using physical medicine must apply x-ray of the spinal column, whereas the aim of physical therapy is to eliminate functional blocks, which occur in the form of reduced reversible mobility in one or more directions. Only physical examination can establish this, while apparatuses cannot objectivize it. Manipulative techniques on the spine should be performed only by specialists. MANUAL (PHYSICAL) THERAPY: Manual (Physical) therapy comprises numerous techniques and is used in various indications. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED)

Contraindications↗
PubMed2000

[Physical activity and respiratory tract diseases asthma and allergy].

BACKGROUND: This article presents a review of the relationship between physical training and airways diseases: the relationship between physical activity and the development of airways diseases, and the effect of physical training in rehabilitation after airways diseases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The article is a systematic review of exercise-induced asthma (EIA), the effect of physical training upon bronchial hyperresponsiveness and the development of asthma; how chronic lung diseases affect the ability to participate in physical activity; and the use of physical training in rehabilitation after airways diseases. RESULTS AND INTERPRETATION: Physical training may provoke EIA in asthmatic patients. Furthermore, heavy regular training over long periods of time may contribute to the development of asthma. Mastering EIA is an important goal in the management of asthma, especially in children and adolescents, in order to foster normal physical and mental development. Physical training improves fitness and the mastering of asthma, but not of bronchial hyperresponsiveness and asthma activity. In other airways disorders like cystic fibrosis or chronic obstructive lung disease, a reduced lung function may limit the ability to participate in physical activity. Training is an important tool in the rehabilitation of patients with pulmonary disorders as it improves physical fitness and quality of life.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Physical activity and cardiovascular disease risk factors in children and adolescents: an overview.

Currently, there is considerable interest in the physical activity and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors of youth in North America and other developed countries. The central question to this paper is, what is the role of physical activity in the primary prevention of CVD? Three subquestions are explored: what are the current levels and prevalence of physical activity and CVD risk factors in North American youth?; what is the association between physical activity and CVD risk factors in children and adolescents?; and what is the influence of childhood physical activity on subsequent adult cardiovascular health? The number of youth meeting physical activity recommendations varies by measurement procedures, age and sex. In general, physical activity levels decline during adolescence. Aerobic fitness remains stable in boys and gradually declines during adolescence in girls. The prevalence of overweight and the emergence of type 2 diabetes in children and adolescents have increased over the past few decades. Although the association is weak and causal inference cannot be drawn, physical activity explains a small amount of the variance in CVD risk factors during childhood and adolescence, particularly at the extremes. Childhood overweight increases the risk of adult overweight, the clustering of other CVD risk factors, coronary artery calcification in adulthood, and all-cause and CVD mortality. Future studies should consider the measurement of physical activity, physical activity-genotype interactions, biobehavioral approaches to the prevention and treatment of obesity and comorbidities, and emerging risk factors. Prospective cohort studies are also warranted to further examine the influence of childhood physical activity on subsequent health outcomes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

[Leisure time physical activity and subjective health state in adults].

BACKGROUND: Leisure time physical activity improves health. AIM: The aim of this study was to analyze association between leisure time physical activity level and subjective health state in adults. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We have analyzed level of recreational physical activity and subjective health state in representative sample of 1029 adult people in Lodz including 488 men and 541 women. Physical activity assessment was carried out by the interviewer-administrated Seven-Day Physical Activity Recall (SDPAR). Indeed physical activity, subjective health state and physical fitness determined by maximal oxygen output (VO(2max)) was assessed in 271 objectively healthy people. Subjective health state was determined by visual analogue score taken from standardized questionnaire EuroQol 5D. RESULTS. More than half of subjects (60.8%) did not participate in leisure time sport activities. The number of those who had from 1 to 999 kcal/week, on sport was 23.4%. Only 15.,8% participants spent on leisure time physical activity more than 1000 kcal/week. In both groups (total n = 1029 and healthy people n = 271) subjects with 0.0 kcal/week energy expenditure on leisure time sport activities reported significantly lover subjective health state scores comparing to people with higher especially 1000-1999 kcal/week energy expenditure. In this study significant correlation was found for energy expenditure on leisure time physical activity and subjective health state (in group n = 1029 r = 0.03, p < 0.0001 and in group n = 271 r = 0.4, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that 80.4% of subjects did not achieve the level of physical activity recommended by experts in health promotion and prevention of cardiovascular and other chronic diseases. Level of leisure time physical activity influence subjective health state in adults.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Operational health physics.

A review of the operational health physics papers published in Health Physics and Operational Radiation Safety over the past fifteen years indicated seventeen general categories or areas into which the topics could be readily separated. These areas include academic research programs, use of computers in operational health physics, decontamination and decommissioning, dosimetry, emergency response, environmental health physics, industrial operations, medical health physics, new procedure development, non-ionizing radiation, radiation measurements, radioactive waste disposal, radon measurement and control, risk communication, shielding evaluation and specification, staffing levels for health physics programs, and unwanted or orphan sources. That is not to say that there are no operational papers dealing with specific areas of health physics, such as power reactor health physics, accelerator health physics, or governmental health physics. On the contrary, there have been a number of excellent operational papers from individuals in these specialty areas and they are included in the broader topics listed above. A listing and review of all the operational papers that have been published is beyond the scope of this discussion. However, a sampling of the excellent operational papers that have appeared in Health Physics and Operational Radiation Safety is presented to give the reader the flavor of the wide variety of concerns to the operational health physicist and the current areas of interest where procedures are being refined and solutions to problems are being developed.

Computers↗
PubMed2005

Operational health physics.

A review of the operational health physics papers published in Health Physics and Operational Radiation Safety over the past fifteen years indicated seventeen general categories or areas into which the topics could be readily separated. These areas include academic research programs, use of computers in operational health physics, decontamination and decommissioning, dosimetry, emergency response, environmental health physics, industrial operations, medical health physics, new procedure development, non-ionizing radiation, radiation measurements, radioactive waste disposal, radon measurement and control, risk communication, shielding evaluation and specification, staffing levels for health physics programs, and unwanted or orphan sources. That is not to say that there are no operational papers dealing with specific areas of health physics, such as power reactor health physics, accelerator health physics, or governmental health physics. On the contrary, there have been a number of excellent operational papers from individuals in these specialty areas and they are included in the broader topics listed above. A listing and review of all the operational papers that have been published is beyond the scope of this discussion. However, a sampling of the excellent operational papers that have appeared in Health Physics and Operational Radiation Safety is presented to give the reader the flavor of the wide variety of concerns to the operational health physicist and the current areas of interest where procedures are being refined and solutions to problems are being developed.

Computers↗
PubMed1987

Physical fitness for the mature woman.

The ability to perform physical activity, whether at work or as recreation, is an important aspect of human experience for men and women of all ages. The extension of the range of physical power output that characterizes improvement in "physical fitness" is a desirable goal for all. It helps to make physical activity more enjoyable and less fatiguing, it can facilitate the learning of new skills and may actually improve cognitive functions, and it decreases the likelihood of physical injury and helps to speed recovery from injury. A sound mind in a sound body has been a medical ideal since Greek and Roman times. For a continuing state of good health, all systems--physical, mental, and spiritual--should be exercised in harmony. At the beginning of the twentieth century, the average life span for women was barely 5 years beyond the menopause. Menopause heralded the twilight years of life and enhanced susceptibility to disease and deterioration of health. Today, women look forward to 25 additional years, a full one third of a lifetime; menopause now heralds potential promise, adventure, and exploration, an exciting new phase of the life cycle. Exercise represents a vital part of a prescription to maximize quality of life throughout this period. Physical conditioning cannot be expected to complete reverse the unrelenting effects of passing time, but it appears that it can substantially modify this process. Functional losses that in the past have been attributed only to age may, in fact, represent a combined effect of biologic aging and physical inactivity. Exercise helps to maintain the physiologic adaptations that support an enhanced biologic reserve in body systems that tend to lose reserve capacity with advancing age. "If you don't use it, you lose it!," and its positive corollary, "If you use it, you enthuse it!," may be maxims that imply a natural law of deep consequence. An optimal diet and suitably vigorous activity are advisable for all women as they enter the postmenopausal phase of life. Every mature woman ought to carefully consider choosing to pursue an appropriate goal: active participation in a specific exercise program under medical supervision. The health care system should be fully responsive to the special needs of the mature woman, and the importance of providing programs of physical activity designed to address these needs should be recognized. For the postmenopausal woman, the advantages of achieving a state of physical fitness are many.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed2000

Effects of sex composition by class and instructor's sex on physical self-efficacy of college men.

The relationship of sex composition of class and instructor's sex to Physical Self-efficacy has yielded conflicting results in several studies. This study examined the relationship of sex composition of class and instructor's sex to scores on Physical Self-efficacy, Perceived Physical Ability, and Physical Self-presentation Confidence of 80 male students enrolled in one of four sections of a strength training class. Analysis indicated no significant difference on Physical Self-efficacy between male students who were enrolled in all male classes or in coeducational classes; improvements in scores on Physical Self-efficacy were not specific to the sex composition of the class or sex of the instructor and no significant difference on Perceived Physical Ability and Physical Self-presentation Confidence between male students who joined an all male class or a coeducational class. Perceived Physical Ability improved from the pretest to the posttest in all classes; and no improvement in scores for Physical Self-presentation Confidence was found in all classes. In conclusion, the analysis showed sex composition of the class and sex of the instructor were not significantly related to scores for self-efficacy.

Female↗
PubMed2006

Disability and poor quality of life associated with comorbid anxiety disorders and physical conditions.

BACKGROUND: Evidence has been emerging that anxiety disorders are associated with several physical health conditions. We used the first community survey, which assessed physical conditions based on physician assessment and included standardized diagnostic assessment of mental disorders by trained health professionals, to examine the relationship between anxiety disorders and physical conditions. METHODS: The German Health Survey (N = 4181; response rate, 87.6%; ages 18-65 years) used the Composite International Diagnostic Interview to assess Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition mood, substance use, and anxiety disorders (panic disorder, social phobia, specific phobia, generalized anxiety disorder, agoraphobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder) and a standardized medical interview supplemented by laboratory data to assess a broad range of physical conditions. The Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) was used to measure health-related quality of life. Number of days of role impairment was used to measure past 30-day disability. RESULTS: After adjusting for sociodemographic factors and other common mental disorders, the presence of an anxiety disorder was significantly associated with thyroid disease, respiratory disease, gastrointestinal disease, arthritis, migraine headaches, and allergic conditions (adjusted odds ratios between 1.39 and 2.12; P<.05). Compared with physical disorders alone, the presence of comorbid anxiety disorder with 1 or more physical disorders was associated with poorer physical component scores on the SF-36 (adjusted mean scores for physical condition alone and physical condition with anxiety disorder, 48.50 and 45.86, respectively; P<.001) and past 30-day disability due to physical problems (adjusted odds ratio, 1.69; 95% confidence interval, 1.20-2.37). CONCLUSION: Anxiety disorders are independently associated with several physical conditions in the community, and this comorbidity is significantly associated with poor quality of life and disability.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Physical activity and body mass index among US adolescents: youth risk behavior survey, 1999.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate associations of underweight and overweight with physical activity among high school students in the United States. METHODS: A nationally representative sample of 15 349 US high school students participated in the 1999 Youth Risk Behavior Survey; 13 295 were included in these analyses. Five measures of physical activity were examined as dichotomous variables: (1) vigorous-intensity physical activity (>/=3 vs <3 sessions lasting at least 20 minutes each per week); (2) moderate-intensity physical activity (>/=5 vs <5 sessions lasting at least 30 minutes each per week); (3) strength training (>/=3 vs <3 sessions per week); (4) enrollment in physical education (yes or no); and (5) sports participation (yes or no). Using body mass indexes, students were categorized by percentiles as underweight (</=5th percentile), at risk for underweight (>5th to </=15th percentiles), normal weight (>15th to <85th percentiles), at risk for overweight (>/=85th to <95th percentiles), or overweight (>/=95th percentile). Potential associations between physical activity and body mass index were examined using logistic regression. RESULTS: On several measures, adolescent boys who were underweight or overweight were less likely to be physically active than boys of normal weight (eg, odds ratio [OR], 0.23; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.12-0.45; and OR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.61-0.93; for boys who were underweight and overweight, respectively, for strength training). Adolescent girls who were overweight or at risk for overweight were less likely (OR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.50-0.78; and OR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.46-0.85; respectively) to be involved with sports than girls of normal weight; and girls who were underweight were less likely (OR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.22-0.91) to be enrolled in physical education. CONCLUSIONS: Weight status among high school students is correlated with selected physical activity behavior, especially among adolescent boys. Interventions to increase physical activity for high school students should target adolescents of all shapes and sizes, and may best be achieved by school policies requiring physical education or after-school sports.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Comparison of lifestyle and structured interventions to increase physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness: a randomized trial.

CONTEXT: Even though the strong association between physical inactivity and ill health is well documented, 60% of the population is inadequately active or completely inactive. Traditional methods of prescribing exercise have not proven effective for increasing and maintaining a program of regular physical activity. OBJECTIVE: To compare the 24-month intervention effects of a lifestyle physical activity program with traditional structured exercise on improving physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness, and cardiovascular disease risk factors. DESIGN: Randomized clinical trial conducted from August 1, 1993, through July 31, 1997. PARTICIPANTS: Sedentary men (n = 116) and women (n = 119) with self-reported physical activity of less than 36 and 34 kcal/kg per day, respectively. INTERVENTIONS: Six months of intensive and 18 months of maintenance intervention on either a lifestyle physical activity or a traditional structured exercise program. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcomes were physical activity assessed by the 7-Day Physical Activity Recall and peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak) by a maximal exercise treadmill test. Secondary outcomes were plasma lipid and lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations, blood pressure, and body composition. All measures were obtained at baseline and at 6 and 24 months. RESULTS: Both the lifestyle and structured activity groups had significant and comparable improvements in physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness from baseline to 24 months. Adjusted mean changes (95% confidence intervals [CIs]) were 0.84 (95% CI, 0.42-1.25 kcal/kg per day; P<.001) and 0.69 (95% CI, 0.25-1.12 kcal/kg day; P = .002) for activity, and 0.77 (95% CI, 0.18-1.36 mL/kg per minute; P = .01) and 1.34 (95% CI, 0.72-1.96 mL/kg per minute; P<.001) for VO2peak for the lifestyle and structured activity groups, respectively. There were significant and comparable reductions in systolic blood pressure (-3.63 [95% CI, -5.54 to -1.72 mm Hg; P<.001] and -3.26 [95% CI, -5.26 to -1.25 mm Hg; P = .002]) and diastolic blood pressure (-5.38 [95% CI, -6.90 to -3.86 mm Hg; P<.001] and -5.14 [95% CI, -6.73 to -3.54 mm Hg; P<.001) for the lifestyle and structured activity groups, respectively. Neither group significantly changed their weight (-0.05 [95% CI, -1.05 to 0.96 kg; P = .93] and 0.69 [95% CI, -0.37 to 1.74 kg; P = .20]), but each group significantly reduced their percentage of body fat (-2.39% [95% CI, -2.92% to -1.85%; P<.001] and -1.85% [95% CI, -2.41 % to -1.28%; P<.001]) in the lifestyle and structured activity groups, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In previously sedentary healthy adults, a lifestyle physical activity intervention is as effective as a structured exercise program in improving physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness, and blood pressure.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Physical workload and the aging worker: a review of the literature.

In the coming decades, demographic, economic and social changes will result in an increased proportion of elderly persons in the workforce in most industrialized countries. This trend is causing growing interest in the problems of the aging worker in current employment. The objective of this particular paper is to provide more insight into the impact of aging on the balance between physical work capacity and physical workload. To this end, the scientific literature in the field is reviewed and ordered by means of a specific conceptual model of "aging and physical workload". A progressive decline in physical work capacity, characterized by diminished aerobic capacity and muscular capacity, has consistently been reported. However, inter-individual differences appear to be considerable. The question of whether there are systematic differences in physical work demands between younger and older workers within occupations has been answered vaguely. Conflicting results in this matter bring into discussion the role of the actual working method as one of the determinants of the physical workload. An age-related imbalance between physical workload and physical work capacity is suggested to result in a chronic overload, increasing the risk of long-term health effects such as musculoskeletal complaints and disorders. For many aging workers in physically demanding occupations, extreme physical workloads, increasing the risk of disease or disablement, are still reported. The multiconceptual study of aging and physical workload in the present paper reveals several possibilities for preventive measures. However, as information is still lacking, additional research is needed, in particular on the onset and development of long-term effects on health in relation to age and work demands.

Adult↗
PubMed2007

Peripheral bone mineral density and different intensities of physical activity in children 6-8 years old: the Copenhagen School Child Intervention study.

This study aimed to evaluate the association between objectively measured habitual physical activity and calcaneal and forearm bone mineral density (BMD, g/cm(2)), one mechanically more loaded and one less loaded skeletal region, in children aged 6-8 years. BMD was measured in 297 boys and 265 girls by peripheral dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in the forearm and calcaneus. An accelerometer registered the level of physical activity during 4 days (2 weekdays and the weekend). Weight, height, and skinfold thickness were measured. In order to establish thresholds (count . min(-1)) for bone-stimulating physical activity, we evaluated different definitions of vigorous physical activity. The boys had 3.2% higher distal forearm bone mineral content (BMC, P < 0.001) and 4.5% higher distal forearm BMD (P < 0.001) than the girls. They also carried out 9.7% more daily physical activity and spent 14.6-19.0% more time in vigorous physical activity (all P < 0.05) compared to the girls. In contrast, the girls had 3.8% higher calcaneal BMC (P < 0.01) and 2.5% higher calcaneal BMD (P < 0.05) than the boys. Both calcaneal and forearm BMD were significantly related to total time of daily physical activity as well as with intense physical activity above all the chosen cut-off points (all P < 0.05). The beta value for mean count . min(-1) physical activity was significantly lower than that for all the chosen cut-off points of vigorous activity both for calcaneal and distal forearm BMD. This study suggests that both habitual daily physical activity and amount of vigorous physical activity in children aged 6-8 years are associated with appendicular BMD.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed2003

Daily physical activity and the use of a walking aid in relation to falls in elderly people in a residential care setting.

Physical activity is usually considered as an important component of a healthy lifestyle, including a preventive effect on the risk of falls in the elderly. The relationship between physical activity and falls is complex: physical activity is a prerequisite to maintain neuromuscular functioning, necessary to keep balance and to react to a fall, but a higher level of physical activity also implies a greater exposure to environmental threats, possibly leading to a fall. Related to this greater exposure to threats, the use of a walking aid may protect against falls in those who have impaired mobility. In this cross-sectional study we investigated the relationship between daily physical activity and falls and the use of a walking aid in elderly subjects. Participants were 131 men and 563 women, aged 70 years and over (mean age and standard deviation: 82+/-6 years), living in homes for the elderly (n=335) and apartment houses for elderly (n=359). Data on baseline characteristics and falls in the previous year were obtained using a questionnaire. The level of daily physical activity in the previous year was obtained by means of a questionnaire regarding household and leisure activities. Subjects with a lower extremity fracture in the previous year were excluded from the analyses. Data were analysed using multiple logistic regression, adjusted for age, gender, and residence. In the past year, 40% of the participants fell at least one time, and 19% of the participants fell two times or more. Since falls and recurrent falls were nonlinearly related to the level of daily physical activity, the physical activity score was grouped into quartiles: the highest quartile corresponding to the highest activity level. Odds ratios (and 95% confidence intervals) for falls and recurrent falls for subjects in the highest quartile contrasted with those in the lowest quartile were 0.5 (0.3-0.9) and 0.3 (0.2-0.6), respectively. The risk of falls and recurrent falls was not lower for those with intermediate levels of daily physical activity. The use of a walking aid protected against falls in those with intermediate high activity levels (third quartile). It was suggested that the exposure to environmental hazards, due to some degree of physical activity may have been responsible for the nonlinear relationship between daily physical activity and falling. We conclude that a high activity level and the use of a walking aid may protect against falls.

Accidental Falls↗
PubMed1999

Effect of exercise training on total daily physical activity in elderly humans.

This study examined the effect of 12 weeks of exercise training on daily physical activity in elderly humans. Training consisted of a weekly group session and an individual session with cardio- and weight-stack machines. A group of 15 subjects served as the exercise group [EXER mean age 59 (SD 4) years], and 7 subjects as the controls [CONT mean age 57 (SD 3) years]. Physical activity and physical fitness were measured before the start of training (T), at week 6 and week 12 (T0, T6, T12 respectively) in EXER, and at T0 and T12 in CONT. Physical activity over 14 days was measured using a tri-axial accelerometer and physical fitness was measured during an incremental exercise test. At T12, mean maximal power output had significantly increased in EXER compared to CONT 8 (SD 12) vs -5 (SD 9) W; P < 0.02] and mean submaximal heart rate (at 100 W) had reduced [-10 (SD 7) vs -2 (SD 6) beats x min(-1); P < 0.05]. No differences or changes in physical activity were observed between EXER and CONT. At T6, physical activity on training days was significantly higher than on non-training days (P < 0.001). When the accelerometer output of the training session was subtracted from the accelerometer output on training days, at T12 non-training physical activity was significantly lower than on non-training days (P < 0.004). Accelerometer output of the individual training session at T12 had significantly increased compared to T6 (P < 0.05), whereas, accelerometer output of the group training session had remained unchanged. In conclusion, in elderly subjects an exercise training programme of moderate intensity resulted in an improved physical fitness but had no effect on total daily physical activity. Training activity was compensated for by a decrease in non-training physical activity.

Acceleration↗