Early Movement Matters: Interplay of Physical Activity and Motor Skill Development in Infants With Down Syndrome.

PURPOSE: The interrelationships among changes in habitual physical activity (PA) and changes in insulin, leptin, cortisol and growth hormone (GH) are complex, particularly in youth, and studies have not considered the influence of change in weight status on these relationships. This investigation determined the association between changes in these hormones and PA over two years in youth who were normal weight and became overweight, were overweight and normalized their weight, or simply maintained their weight status. METHODS: Data were collected from 120 youth at baseline (mean age 9.8 years) and two years later. Participants were selected from a larger cohort to represent the following: normal weight (>5th and <85th BMI percentile) or overweight (≥ 85th BMI percentile) at both time points, normal weight that became overweight and overweight that became normal weight. Fasting, morning plasma leptin, cortisol, GH and insulin were measured via radioimmunoassay. Habitual physical activity (PA) was assessed via questionnaire. Partial correlations and multiple regression analyses were used to determine the relationship between changes in insulin and changes in leptin, cortisol, GH, PA and BMI percentile, while controlling for race and sex. Additionally, correlations were computed between change in PA and changes in leptin, cortisol and GH. RESULTS: Change in insulin was related to change in BMI percentile (r=0.25, p<0.05) and change in leptin (r=0.29, p<0.05), but was not related to changes in cortisol (r=-0.08) or GH (r=0.16) (p>0.05). Likewise, change in PA over the two year period was not related to changes in any of the hormones (p>0.05). Multiple regression analyses revealed that change in leptin accounted for 9% of the variance in insulin change, while change in BMI percentile accounted for 4% of the variance (p<0.05); no other variables were significant. CONCLUSIONS: In this sample of youth, changes in or maintenance of weight status over a two year period appears to only impact the association between hormonal changes in insulin and leptin. Thus, weight status has a stronger association with the insulin-leptin relationship than does habitual physical activity. Supported by NINR #NR01-1837.

A societal “lockdown” began in early 2020 in response to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic to slow the rate of transmission. Many states adopted social distancing and social isolation practices. Loneliness has been shown to be a significant burden on society during the COVID-19 pandemic and has been associated with poor mental health outcomes. Loneliness and poor mental health have been shown to increase behaviors that promote sedentary behavior and decrease physical activity. PURPOSE: To examine changes in psychological health and physical activity over 8 weeks during “lockdown” in response to COVID-19. METHODS: 90 individuals answered questions regarding their loneliness, depression, mood state, and physical activity over four time points each lasting two weeks. RESULTS: Time point (TP) 2, approximately 1 month into “lockdown”, showed the most significant effects on depression (26.33 ± 3.86) compared to TP 1 (17.31 ± 10.53, p < 0.001), TP 3 (16.11 ± 11.94, p < 0.001), and TP 4 (14.27 ± 10.86, p < 0.001), and TP 4 had the lowest total mood disturbance (35.92 ± 19.8) compared to TP 1 (41.05 ± 18.24, p < 0.05), TP 2 (43.26 ± 18.31, p < 0.01), and TP 3 (39.70 ± 19.71, p < 0.05). Self-reported symptoms of depression were seen in 100% of the sample population during TP 2. There were no significant changes in physical activity over 8 weeks (p > 0.05). Loneliness, depression, and mood state were negatively associated with participation in physical activity. Total mood disturbance was negatively associated with total physical activity at TP 1 (r = -0.24, p < 0.05), TP 2 (r = -0.28, p < 0.05) and TP 3 (r = -0.25, p < 0.05). Depression was negatively associated with total physical activity during TP 3 (r = -0.25, p < 0.05), TP 4 (r = -0.24, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Social isolation and social distancing practices had a negative effect on depression, and mood. Depressive symptoms were much higher than average compared to previous epidemiological data. Depression and total mood disturbance were highest during TP two possibly due to ambiguity and loneliness from social distancing. While physical activity was unchanged throughout the study, less people participated in the recommended physical activity guidelines. This study supports the connection between mental health and physical activity.

5-Year Changes in Afterschool Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior

Investigating the effects of behavioral change, social support, and self-efficacy in physical activity in a collectivistic culture: Application of Stages of Motivational Readiness for Change in Korean young adults

Aim:To describe changes in leisure time and occupational physical activity status in an urban Mediterranean population-based cohort, and to evaluate sociodemographic, health-related and lifestyle correlates of such changes.Methods:Data for this...

Patterns and Determinants of Physical Activity in U.S. Adolescents

Background/aim Although health impact of climate change (CC) has been studied, only limited research studies are available to understand related health behaviours. Extreme temperatures and rainfall variation could pose barriers to physical activity (PA), a protective factor for well-being and non-communicable diseases. This study aims to explore the relationships and identify predictors between weather and PA. Methods A literature review was conducted to review the current published knowledge on effects of weather on PA. An exploratory cross-sectional telephone survey was conducted in an Asian sub-tropical city, two weeks after a 2017 heatwave. Ethics approval and participant’s verbal consent were sought. Self-reported changes in outdoor PA, health outcomes and protective behaviours, knowledge of heat-related information, and sociodemographic variables were collected from 436 respondents. Descriptive analyses, Chi-square test, and multivariable logistic regression were conducted to assess predictors of changes in outdoor PA in a heatwave. Results The literature review identified 33 studies on the effects of weather on PA between 2004–2017. The studies focused largely on overall or leisure PA, and varied in study design and methodology. Overall, PA had mixed findings with temperature, negative association with precipitation, wind speed and humidity, and positive association with day length. In the exploratory study, 35.2% of respondents reported a decrease in outdoor PA in the two weeks after a heatwave warning was announced, while 55.6% reported no change, and 9.2% reported an increase. Socio-demographic and behavioural predictors associated with changes in PA were identified by multivariable logistic regression. Conclusion Weather has a demonstrated effect on outdoor PA, which may have implications for health with the more frequent occurrence of extreme weather events. This review and exploratory study provide preliminary evidence of the current state of knowledge on weather and PA. Further studies are needed to quantify the extent of this relationship and investigate adaptation measures to enhance sustainable PA.

The strength and development of the relationship between mathematical and motor skills is explored across three age groups of normally developing children. The presence of this relationship is postulated in classical accounts of human development. In contemporary research, the existence of a relationship between motor development and the development of abstract concepts may inform theories of embodied cognition. Existing work supports a link between fine motor skills and various numerical and mathematical tasks in young children; however, few attempts have been made to investigate this relationship across different ages. We use a cross-sectional design to investigate the link between fine motor and mathematical skills in samples of 81–96 Kindergarten, 2nd-grade, and 4th-grade children. Bayesian correlations were performed to explore the relationship between fine motor skills and mathematical skills at different time points. The results show that correlational patterns vary across the three ages: in Kindergarten, manual dexterity of the dominant hand is related to math skills, in 2nd grade, the manual dexterity of the nondominant hand is related to math skills; and finally in 4th grade no such correlations are observable. These findings contribute to understanding the developmental trajectory of the relationship between motor skills and mathematical abilities and the internalization of numerical embodiment. Further investigation is needed to determine if fine motor skills can serve as an early indicator of mathematical skill development risk. Future work could also explore whether incorporating spatial and motor elements into mathematical tasks through whole-body or finger movement training supports the development of mathematical skills.

Evidence-based online behavioral weight loss (BWL) treatment targets a combination of diet, physical activity, and behavioral skills training. While weight loss outcomes are well documented, little is known about changes in physical activity. This study examined changes in objectively measured physical activity across the energy expenditure spectrum during a fully automated, online BWL program. Adults with overweight or obesity (n = 63) completed a 12-week, online BWL program. Participants wore an accelerometer for 7days and body weight was measured in-clinic at pre- and post-treatment. At post-treatment, mean daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity increased by about 4min (SE = 1.59, p = 0.01). There were no statistically significant changes in light physical activity or time spent sedentary (p's > 0.05). Despite only minimal changes in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity overall, larger increases correlated with greater weight loss (r = - 0.28, p = 0.02), which averaged 6.1% of baseline weight at post-treatment. Though achieving important weight loss outcomes, online programs may fail to produce clinically relevant improvements in physical activity, which can put weight loss maintenance at risk.

Objectives The purpose of this study is to examine the trend of changes in adolescents' physical activity using data on adolescents' physical activity over the past five years from the first year of middle school to the second year of high school. In addition, it is intended to provide basic data for improving healthy physical activity by checking how the participation time of adolescent survey participants who experienced the COVID-19 epidemic has changed. Methods This is a secondary analysis study using data from the ‘Korean Children and Youth Panel Survey 2018’. Analyses were conducted using descriptive statistics, frequency analysis, correlation analysis, and latent growth model analysis with the SPSS/AMOS 25 program. Results First, The average physical activity time of adolescents decreased each year from middle school to high school, but remained at similar levels during the first and second years of high school. Second, The physical activity during the first and second years of middle school showed the highest positive correlation, while the correlation between the first year of middle school and the second year of high school was the lowest. Third, the latent growth model analysis showed that a nonlinear change model was more appropriate than a linear change model for the trends in adolescent physical activity. Specifically, the decrease in average physical activity time was pronounced during the middle school years and became more gradual during the high school years. Lastly, the changes in physical activity before and after the COVID-19 pandemic were significant, and the reduced levels of physical activity persisted thereafter. Conclusions Changes in adolescent physical activity were related to transitions between school levels, with particularly rapid changes observed before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This highlights the need for appropriate encouragement of physical activity tailored to the growth stages of adolescents and active measures to enhance physical activity levels that declined after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Numerous intervention studies have shown increased physical activity (PA) among insufficiently active adults over the short term. Few reports document the impact of increased PA on other daily activities or what happens following the intervention. PURPOSE: To investigate the changes in both PA and sedentary behaviors with two types of intensive PA interventions. METHODS: A 40-day intervention study was designed to increase PA in 438 insufficiently active (<150 min/wk PA) subjects randomly assigned to a pedometer (n=251) or group (n=187) intervention arm who exercised daily. An active control group was also included (n=135). Subjects completed the Active Australia Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Questionnaire pre and post intervention, and at 3 and 6-months follow-up. RESULTS: During the intervention phase there were significant increases in PA for both arms (pre mean (SE) 70 (3) min/wk and 303 (22) and 550 (30) min/wk postintervention in the pedometer and group arms, respectively). Sedentary time decreased significantly in both groups during the intervention (1528 (65) to 1352 (74) min/wk for group and 1494 (57) to 1373 (53) min/wk for pedometer subjects). Within sedentary time there were significant decreases in screen-based leisure time and no changes in reading or driving time. A significant group x intervention decrease in screen time (group > pedometer, p = 0.02) was found. PA patterns decreased and sedentary time gradually increased over the next 6 months. Across the entire study there were significant inverse correlations between changes in PA and changes in screen time (within groups and when combined), but not for other sedentary time (p<0.0001). PA and sedentary behavior patterns for the controls were unchanged across the study. CONCLUSION: Changes in PA mirror changes in screen-based leisure time. Strategies to reduce screen time should be included as part of PA interventions. Supported by the South Australian Department of Health and Australian Research Council.

Our goal was to examine 12-week covariability in diet and physical activity changes among 8- to 10-year-old African-American girls and if these changes predicted percent change in BMI. Covariability among percent changes [(post - pre)/pre x 100] in nutrients, food groups, and physical activity was assessed among 127 8- to 10-year-old African-American girls. Pearson correlation and hierarchical linear regression analyses were performed. Percent change in percentage kilocalories from carbohydrate was negatively correlated with percent change in both percentage kilocalories from fat (r = -0.85; p < or = 0.01) and protein (r = -0.51; p < or = 0.01). No statistically significant relationships were observed in percent changes among food group variables. Negative relationships were observed between percent changes in fruit/100% juice and percentage kilocalories from fat (r = -0.20; p < or = 0.05) and between percent changes in minutes of moderate-to-vigorous and sedentary activity (r = -0.60; p < or = 0.01). No significant associations were observed between percent change in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and diet variables or percent change in BMI or waist circumference and percent change in diet or physical activity. No relationships were observed between percent changes in physical activity and dietary variables. Percent change in diet and/or physical activity did not predict percent change in BMI. This may have been due to the small sample size, the small changes in diet or physical activity, the short duration of the intervention, or because data from different interventions were combined. Understanding these relationships could have significant implications for addressing the obesity epidemic.

Association of Functional Status With Changes in Physical Activity: Insights From a Behavioral Intervention for Participants With Arthritis

PURPOSE: To analyze the prospective relationship between perceived aspects of walkability and changes in walking and physical activity. METHODS: We used three-year longitudinal data (2006/07-2009/10) of adults 45 and older living in metropolitan areas (n=24,341; 62.9±11.3 years) in New South Wales, Australia. Neighborhood environment attributes were measured using the validated Physical Activity Neighborhood Environment Survey and physical activity was measured using the validated Active Australia Survey. General linear regression was used with each individual attribute of the residential neighborhood as the exposure, change in walking and total physical activity time as the outcome, adjusted for a range of socio-demographic and health covariates and baseline physical activity levels. RESULTS: During the follow-up period (3.3±0.94 years), the average change in total walking time was an increase of 6.3 min/week (SD=1.4, 95%CI: 3.4-9.1), the average change in total physical activity (VPA weighted by 2) was +6.0 min/week (SD=3.3, 95%CI: -0.34-12.42). There were significant differences in changes in walking and physical activity by perceptions of walkability. Participants who reported having shops (+14.59 min/week, 95%CI: 11.46, 17.71, p<0.001), public transport stops (+7.60, 95%CI: 5.14, 10.06, p<0.001) and recreation facilities (+7.97, 95%CI: 5.41, 10.53, p=0.004) within walking distance, and those who perceived their neighborhood as safe from crime during the day (+7.34, 95%CI: 4.89, 9.79, p=0.017) increased their walking, compared to those with negative perceptions of these attributes who walked less over time. There were no differences in changes of walking by availability of sidewalks and safety at night. Participants who reported shops nearby (+17.6, 95%CI: 10.64, 24.65, p<0.001), and those who perceived their neighborhood as safe at night (+14.54, 95%CI: 8.15, 20.83, p<0.001) increased their overall physical activity, compared to those with negative perceptions of these attributes who decreased their activity levels. CONCLUSIONS: Having access to shops, public transport stops, and recreation facilities, and safety from crime may help with maintenance of walking and physical activity in middle-aged and older adults.

BackgroundRetirement is a key life event, which is associated with changes in physical activity, however, there is limited evidence with regard to changes in physical activity that take place in post-retirement years. The aim of this study was to examine how leisure-time physical activity changes shortly after the transition to retirement and during the post-retirement years.MethodsThe phase 1 data were collected in 2000–2002 (n = 8960, response rate 67%) among 40–60-year-old employees of the City of Helsinki, Finland. Phase 2 was carried out in 2007 (n = 7332, response rate 83%) and phase 3 in 2012 (n = 6814, response rate 79%). Disability retirees and those under the age of 50 at baseline were excluded. This yielded 2902 participants. Most of the participants (79%) were women. The mean age of the participants was 54.4 in phase 1. Negative binomial models for repeated measurements with generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used to calculate the incidence rate ratios (IRR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). These indicated the changes in time spent in self-reported leisure-time physical activity among the retired compared with the continuously employed.ResultsOf the participants, 851 retired on the grounds of old age during the first period (phases 1–2), and 948 during the second period (phases 2–3). Change in physical activity was positive among those who retired during the first (IRR = 1.10, 95% CI 1.04–1.17) and second (IRR = 1.10, 95% CI 1.04–1.16) periods compared to the continuously employed. During the second period, there was little difference between those who had retired during the first one (IRR = 0.96, 95% CI 0.91–1.02) and the continuously employed.ConclusionsThe transition to statutory retirement was associated with an immediate increase in leisure-time physical activity, which nevertheless diminished during post-retirement years.