Influence of Ageism on Physical Activity Prescription for Prediabetes Management.

This study used a randomized online survey design to examine the potential influence of ageism on physical activity (PA) prescription for hypothetical patients with prediabetes of different chronological ages. Participants included 356 kinesiology students who were randomly assigned to one of four conditions. Each condition presented a clinical case study of a hypothetical patient with prediabetes referred to the participant as a qualified exercise professional for a PA intervention. Case studies were identical except for the reported patient's chronological age. Participants provided recommendations for PA support, frequency, duration, and intensity. Significant main effects were observed for PA duration, F(3, 352) = 8.62; p < .001, and intensity, F(3, 352) = 16.20; p < .001. The older patient was prescribed significantly lower PA duration and intensity compared to younger patients and no-age control. This study provides evidence for the presence and independent influence of ageism against older patients in PA prescription for prediabetes management.

Evaluation of the Structure and Health Impacts of Exercise-Based Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation and Prehabilitation for Individuals With Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Exercise-based, multimodal rehabilitation programming similar to that used in the existing models of cardiac or pulmonary rehabilitation or prehabilitation is a holistic potential solution to address the range of physical, psychological, and existential (e.g., as their diagnosis relates to potential death) stressors associated with a cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment. The purpose of this study was to systematically evaluate the structure and format of any type of exercise-based, multimodal rehabilitation programs used in individuals with cancer and the evidence base for their real-world effectiveness on metrics of physical (e.g., cardiorespiratory fitness, blood pressure) and psychological (e.g., health-related quality of life) health. Very few of the 33 included exercise-based, multimodal rehabilitation programs employed intervention components, education topics, and program support staff that were multi-disciplinary or cancer-specific. In particular, a greater emphasis on nutrition care, and the evaluation and management of psychosocial distress and CVD risk factors, with cancer-specific adaptations, would broaden and maximize the holistic health benefits of exercise-based rehabilitation. Despite these opportunities for improvement, exercise-based, multimodal rehabilitation programs utilized under real-world settings in individuals with cancer produced clinically meaningful and large effect sizes for cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2peak, ±2.9 mL/kg/min, 95% CI = 2.6 to 3.3) and 6-minute walk distance (+47 meters, 95% CI = 23 to 71), and medium effect sizes for various measures of cancer-specific, health-related quality of life. However, there were no changes to blood pressure, body mass index, or lung function. Overall, these findings suggest that exercise-based, multimodal rehabilitation is a real-world therapy that improves physical and psychological health among individuals with cancer, but the holistic health benefits of this intervention would likely be enhanced by addressing nutrition, psychosocial concerns, and risk factor management through education and counselling with consideration of the needs of an individual with cancer.

Extend an Embrace: The Availability of Hugs Is an Associate of Higher Self-Rated Health in Later Life.

This study examined the relationship between the "availability of hugs" and self-rated health (SRH) in later life. Data of 20,258 older adults, aged 65 years and greater, were analyzed from the Canadian Community Health Survey. Logistic regression techniques were used to estimate the association between the availability of hugs and reporting higher SRH. Results demonstrated that participants who had hugs available to them "all," "most," and "some" of the time had significantly greater odds of reporting higher SRH than those who reported hugs available to them "none of the time" (ORrange = 1.31-1.46, 95% CIrange = [1.10-1.74], prange = .01-.001). The availability of hugs was a stronger or more reliable associate of SRH than other established associates. As such, the potential health promoting role of hugs can be supported. Future research should examine the appropriate contexts, settings, and implementation practices for hugging interventions among consenting older adults.