Investigating academic performance and perceptions of human physiology and exercise physiology courses among undergraduate students of physical education at a Brazilian public university.

PURPOSE: To compare the academic performance of undergraduate students in physical education who studied exercise physiology before and after studying human physiology and investigate students' perceptions of human physiology and exercise physiology courses. METHODS: This study included 311 undergraduate students pursuing a bachelor's degree in physical education. Participants were divided into two groups: those who had previously attended and completed the human physiology course (group 1, n = 212, 68.2%) and those who had not previously attended or had attended but failed the human physiology course (group 2, n = 99, 31.8%). The prevalence ratio (PR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were calculated using a Poisson regression model with a robust variance estimator. The second aim comprised 67 students with bachelor's degrees in physical education who completed an electronic questionnaire about their perceptions of human physiology and exercise physiology curriculum. RESULTS: Compared with those who attended human physiology and passed, those who had not previously attended or had attended but failed the human physiology course have a higher PR of 2.37 (95% CI, 1.68-3.34) for failing exercise physiology. Regarding the students' perceptions of human physiology and exercise physiology courses, most students reported that they were challenging (58.2% and 64.2%, respectively), but they also recognized the importance of these courses for professional practice (59.7% and 85.1%, respectively). CONCLUSION: Human physiology should be considered a prerequisite for an undergraduate course leading to a bachelor's degree in physical education. Furthermore, students considered human physiology and exercise physiology courses important yet challenging. Therefore, continuous student assessment is vital for improving the teaching-learning process.

Habitual physical activity and sedentary behavior as predictors of dynapenia in older adults: a cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Dynapenia is a risk factor of mortality. Therefore, the development of low-cost and easy-to-apply tools is essential to optimize the health surveillance actions of older people. OBJECTIVES: To compare the time spent on habitual physical activity (HPA) and sedentary behavior (SB) among dynapenic and non-dynapenic older adults and ascertain the predictive ability of these behaviors on outcome. DESIGN AND SETTING: A cross-sectional population epidemiological survey was conducted involving 208 older adults. METHODS: HPA and SB were quantified using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and dynapenia was identified by handgrip strength (women: 18.37 kgf; men: 26.75 kgf). RESULTS: The prevalence was 24.50%. In both sexes, dynapenic individuals reported a HPA median time of 70.00 minutes/week (min/wk), while non-dynapenic women and men reported HPA median times of 240.00 and 280.00 min/wk, respectively (P < 0.05). For SB among dynapenic individuals, a median of 388.75 min/day was observed in women and 428.57 min/d in men. In contrast, non-dynapenic women and men had 291.42 and 274.28 min/day in SB (P < 0.05), respectively. The best cutoff HPA to discriminate the outcome was 150.00 min/wk in women (sensitivity: 73.30%; specificity: 60.67%) and 140.00 min/wk in men (sensitivity, 71.43%; specificity, 61.54%). The best cutoff SB was 381.43 min/day in women (sensitivity, 53.30%; specificity, 84.80%) and 351.43 min/day in men (sensitivity, 71.43%; specificity, 73.85%). CONCLUSION: Older individuals with dynapenia spent less time on HPA and more time in SB. Furthermore, HPA was found to be a better discriminator of dynapenic individuals, and SB better discriminated non-dynapenic individuals.

Habitual physical activity and sedentary behavior as predictors of dynapenia in older adults: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Dynapenia is a risk factor of mortality. Therefore, the development of low-cost and easy-to-apply tools is essential to optimize the health surveillance actions of older people. OBJECTIVES: To compare the time spent on habitual physical activity (HPA) and sedentary behavior (SB) among dynapenic and non-dynapenic older adults and ascertain the predictive ability of these behaviors on outcome. DESIGN AND SETTING: A cross-sectional population epidemiological survey was conducted involving 208 older adults. METHODS: HPA and SB were quantified using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and dynapenia was identified by handgrip strength (women: 18.37 kgf; men: 26.75 kgf). RESULTS: The prevalence was 24.50%. In both sexes, dynapenic individuals reported a HPA median time of 70.00 minutes/week (min/wk), while non-dynapenic women and men reported HPA median times of 240.00 and 280.00 min/wk, respectively (P < 0.05). For SB among dynapenic individuals, a median of 388.75 min/day was observed in women and 428.57 min/d in men. In contrast, non-dynapenic women and men had 291.42 and 274.28 min/day in SB (P < 0.05), respectively. The best cutoff HPA to discriminate the outcome was 150.00 min/wk in women (sensitivity: 73.30%; specificity: 60.67%) and 140.00 min/wk in men (sensitivity, 71.43%; specificity, 61.54%). The best cutoff SB was 381.43 min/day in women (sensitivity, 53.30%; specificity, 84.80%) and 351.43 min/day in men (sensitivity, 71.43%; specificity, 73.85%). CONCLUSION: Older individuals with dynapenia spent less time on HPA and more time in SB. Furthermore, HPA was found to be a better discriminator of dynapenic individuals, and SB better discriminated non-dynapenic individuals.

Effects of relocation of sedentary time and physical activity in older adults with diabetes mellitus.

Objective: To estimate the hypothetical effects of substituting time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and time spent in sedentary behavior (SB) and their associations with diabetes. Methods: A cross-sectional study using exploratory survey methods was performed in Alcobaça city in the state of Bahia, Brazil in the year 2015. A total of 473 older adults (aged ≥60 years) participated in the study. Diabetes mellitus, time MVPA, and SB were assessed in a self-reported manner. The Poisson regression was used to verify the hypothetical effects of the substitution of MVPA with SB on diabetes. Results: The substitution of the time in MVPA with time in SB showed higher prevalence ratios of diabetes. Conversely, the substitution of the time in SB proved to be a protective factor, with risks reduced by between 4% and 19%. Discussion: The substitution of the time spent in MVPA with the same amount of time spent on SB can lead to an increase in the probability of diabetes, and a longer reallocation time corresponded to a greater risk.

Associations of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior With Survival Time in Older Adults: Path Analysis.

This study investigated the direct and indirect associations of physical activity and sedentary behavior with survival time in older adults. Prospective population-based cohort study used exploratory survey-type methods and physical performance tests in 319 adults aged ≥60 years. Trajectory diagrams were used to represent the initial hypothetical and final models with the relationships of independent, mediating, and dependent variables. Physical activity was indirectly associated with survival time and was mediated by instrumental activities of daily living and functional performance. In contrast, instrumental activities of daily living, functional performance, the number of hospitalizations, and medications mediated the association between duration of sedentary behavior and survival time. The explanatory power of the final model was 19%. Future efforts should focus on increasing the participation and adherence of older adults to exercise programs to improve their physical functions and general health, which may increase their health period and, consequently, their survival time.

Prevalence of fear of COVID-19, depression, and anxiety among undergraduate students during remote classes.

BACKGROUND: During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, undergraduate students were exposed to symptoms of psychological suffering during remote classes. Therefore, it is important to investigate the factors that may be generated and be related to such outcomes. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between fear of COVID-19, depression, anxiety, and related factors in undergraduate students during remote classes. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 218 undergraduate students (60.6% women and 39.4% men). Students answered a self-administered online questionnaire designed to gather personal information, pandemic exposure, physical activity level, fear of COVID-19 using the 'Fear of COVID-19 Scale', symptoms of depression using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and anxiety using General Anxiety Disorder-7. RESULTS: Undergraduate students had a high prevalence of depression and anxiety (83.0% and 76.1%, respectively) but a low prevalence of fear of COVID-19 (28.9%) during remote classes. Multivariate analysis revealed that women who reported health status as neither good nor bad and who had lost a family member from COVID-19 had the highest levels of fear. For depression and anxiety, the main related factors found were female gender, bad health status, insufficiently active, and complete adherence to the restriction measures. CONCLUSION: These findings may be used to develop actions to manage symptoms of anxiety and depression among students, with interventions through physical activity programmes to improve mental health.

Reallocation of time spent on sedentary behavior by time spent on physical activity reduces dynapenia in older adults: a prospective cohort study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Dynapenia is characterized by mobility limitations in the older population when combined with aggravating behavioral factors that can increase the risk of morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the hypothetical effects of reallocation of time spent on sedentary behavior (SB), moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and sleep on dynapenia in older adults. DESIGN AND SETTING: A prospective cohort study using exploratory surveys in Alcobaça City, Bahia State, Brazil. METHODS: In total, 176 older adults (≥ 60 years) of both sexes participated in this study. Dynapenia was assessed using the handgrip strength test with cutoff points of < 27 kg for men and < 16 kg for women. MVPA and SB were assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and sleep was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. RESULTS: Effects on reallocation were found for the shortest times, such as 10 minutes (odds ratio (OR) 0.92; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.85-0.99); substituting MVPA with SB increased the chances of dynapenia by 58.0% (95% CI: 1.01-2.49). Analyzing the substitution of 60 minutes/day of SB with 60 minutes/day of MVPA revealed a protective effect, with a lower OR for dynapenia of 37.0% (OR 0.63; 95% CI: 0.40-0.99). The reallocation of sleep time did not significantly reduce dynapenia. CONCLUSIONS: Substituting the time spent sitting with the same amount of time spent on MVPA can reduce dynapenia, and a longer reallocation time confers greater health benefits in older adults.

Anthropometric indicators of adiposity as predictors of systemic arterial hypertension in older people: a cross-sectional analysis / Indicadores antropométricos de adiposidade como preditores de hipertensão arterial sistêmica em pessoas idosas: uma análise transversal

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the association of anthropometric indicators of adiposity in older people, according to sex, with hypertension; to compare the scores of these variables between participants with and without hypertension; and to identify among them those with better predictive ability for screening the outcome. Methods: Epidemiological, population-based, cross-sectional study conducted with 210 older people. The anthropometric indicators analyzed were: body mass index, waist circumference, abdominal circumference, body adiposity index, triceps skinfold, waist-to-hip ratio, waist-to-height ratio, and conicity index. Hypertension diagnosis was self-reported. Results: The indicators of adiposity increased the probability of hypertension. Additionally, hypertensive older people of both sexes showed higher scores on adiposity indicators than non-hypertensive subjects (p < 0.05). For men, the most sensitive indicator for the outcome was conicity index (81.82%; cut-off point: 1.30) and the most specific was body mass index (69.77%; cut-off point: 25.05 kg/m2). For women, the most sensitive indicator for the outcome was the body adiposity index (86.08%; cut-off point: 31.03%), and the most specific was the abdominal circumference (82.82%; cut-off point: 98.70 cm). Conclusion: In both sexes, the indicators of adiposity were positively associated with hypertension; hypertensive participants showed higher values in the scores of the indicators. Additionally, the body adiposity index (women) and conicity index (men) demonstrated greater ability to screen for hypertension, while the abdominal circumference and body mass index demonstrated greater ability to screen for non-hypertensive women and men, respectively.

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar a associação de indicadores antropométricos de adiposidade com a hipertensão, em pessoas idosas, de acordo com o sexo; comparar os escores dessas variáveis entre os participantes com e sem hipertensão; e identificar os indicadores com melhor capacidade preditiva à triagem do desfecho. Métodos: Estudo epidemiológico, populacional, transversal, realizado com 210 pessoas idosas. Os indicadores antropométricos analisados foram: índice de massa corporal, circunferência da cintura, circunferência abdominal, índice de adiposidade corporal, dobra cutânea tricipital, relação cintura/quadril, relação cintura/altura e índice de conicidade. O diagnóstico de hipertensão arterial foi autorreferido. Resultados: Observou-se que os indicadores de adiposidade aumentaram a probabilidade à hipertensão. Além disso, as pessoas idosas hipertensas, de ambos os sexos, apresentaram maiores escores nos indicadores de adiposidade quando comparadas às não hipertensas (p < 0,05). Para os homens, o indicador mais sensível ao desfecho foi o índice de conicidade (81,82%; ponto de corte: 1,30) e o mais específico foi o índice de massa corporal (69,77%; ponto de corte: 25,05 kg/m2). Nas mulheres, o indicador mais sensível ao desfecho foi o índice de adiposidade corporal (86,08%; ponto de corte: 31,03%) e o mais específico foi a circunferência abdominal (82,82%; ponto de corte: 98,70 cm). Conclusão: Em ambos os sexos, os indicadores de adiposidade mostraram-se positivamente associados à hipertensão; os participantes hipertensos apresentaram valores mais elevados nos escores dos indicadores. Ademais, identificou-se para os sexos, feminino e masculino, que os indicadores com melhor capacidade de rastrear a hipertensão, foram, respectivamente, o índice de adiposidade corporal e índice de conicidade. Enquanto a circunferência abdominal e o índice de massa corporal mostraram maior capacidade de rastrear, respectivamente, as mulheres e os homens não hipertensos.

Association of physical activity combined with sedentary behavior with dynapenia in older adults / Associação da atividade física combinada ao comportamento sendentário com a dinapenia em idosos

ABSTRACT This research aimed to analyze the association of physical activity (PA) level combined with exposure to sedentary behavior (SB) with dynapenia in older people. Epidemiological, cross-sectional study, conducted with 208 older adults in Aiquara, Bahia, Brazil. Habitual PA and SB were quantified using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Based on this information, participants were divided into groups (G): G1) sufficiently active and low SB; G2) sufficiently active and high SB; G3) insufficiently active and low SB; and G4) insufficiently active and high SB. Assessment of dynapenia was performed based on the values of the handgrip strength measured in kilogram-force (kgf) (women: 18.37 kgf; men: 26.75 kgf). Descriptive analysis was conducted using absolute and relative frequencies, mean and standard deviation. For the inferential analysis, Poisson regression was used, with a robust estimator, calculation of Prevalence Ratios (PRs) and their relevant Confidence Intervals (CIs) of 95.0%. It was observed that the mean age of women and men were, respectively, 71.0 ± 6.7 and 72.3 ± 8.1 years and the prevalence of dynapenia observed was about 24.5%. Furthermore, it was found that the insufficiently active older adults with low SB (G3) (PR: 2.28; 95%CI: 1.09-4.76), and those insufficiently active with high SB (G4) (PR: 4, 14; 95%CI: 1.95-8.70), were more likely to experience the assessed outcome. Evidence showed that, among the older adults in Aiquara the prevalence of dynapenia was high in the presence of an insufficient level of PA, especially when combined with greater exposure to SB

RESUMO Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo analisar a associação do nível de atividade física (AF) combinado à exposição ao comportamento sedentário (CS) com a dinapenia em idosos. Estudo epidemiológico, transversal, conduzido com 208 idosos de Aiquara, Bahia, Brasil. A AF habitual e o CS foram quantificados pelo International Physical Activity Questionnaire. A partir destas informações, dividiu-se os participantes em grupos (G): G1) suficientemente ativos e baixo CS; G2) suficientemente ativos e elevado CS; G3) insuficientemente ativos e baixo CS; e G4) insuficientemente ativos e elevado CS. A avaliação da dinapenia foi realizada a partir dos valores, em quilograma-força (kgf), da força de preensão manual (mulheres: 18,37 kgf; homens: 26,75 kgf). A análise descritiva foi conduzida por meio de frequências absolutas e relativas, média e desvio padrão. Para a análise inferencial utilizou-se a regressão de Poisson, com estimador robusto, cálculo das Razões de Prevalência (RP) e de seus respectivos Intervalos de Confiança (IC) de 95,0%. Observou-se que as médias de idade das mulheres e dos homens, foram, respectivamente, 71,0 ± 6,7 e 72,3 ± 8,1 anos e a prevalência de dinapenia observada foi na ordem de 24,5%. Ademais, averiguou-se que os idosos insuficientemente ativos com baixo CS (G3) (RP: 2,28; IC95%: 1,09-4,76), e os insuficientemente ativos com elevado CS (G4) (RP: 4,14; IC95%: 1,95-8,70), apresentaram maior probabilidade ao desfecho analisado. As evidências verificadas mostraram que, entre os idosos de Aiquara, a prevalência de dinapenia foi elevada na presença do nível de AF insuficiente, especialmente quando combinado a uma maior exposição ao CS.

Reallocation of time spent on sedentary behavior by time spent on physical activity reduces dynapenia in older adults: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Dynapenia is characterized by mobility limitations in the older population when combined with aggravating behavioral factors that can increase the risk of morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the hypothetical effects of reallocation of time spent on sedentary behavior (SB), moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and sleep on dynapenia in older adults. DESIGN AND SETTING: A prospective cohort study using exploratory surveys in Alcobaça City, Bahia State, Brazil. METHODS: In total, 176 older adults (≥ 60 years) of both sexes participated in this study. Dynapenia was assessed using the handgrip strength test with cutoff points of < 27 kg for men and < 16 kg for women. MVPA and SB were assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and sleep was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. RESULTS: Effects on reallocation were found for the shortest times, such as 10 minutes (odds ratio (OR) 0.92; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.85-0.99); substituting MVPA with SB increased the chances of dynapenia by 58.0% (95% CI: 1.01-2.49). Analyzing the substitution of 60 minutes/day of SB with 60 minutes/day of MVPA revealed a protective effect, with a lower OR for dynapenia of 37.0% (OR 0.63; 95% CI: 0.40-0.99). The reallocation of sleep time did not significantly reduce dynapenia. CONCLUSIONS: Substituting the time spent sitting with the same amount of time spent on MVPA can reduce dynapenia, and a longer reallocation time confers greater health benefits in older adults.

Dynapenia in all-cause mortality and its relationship with sedentary behavior in community-dwelling older adults.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship of dynapenia combined with sedentary behavior (SB) on the risk of mortality in older adults living in a Brazilian community. A total of 322 participants aged ≥ 60 years from the ELSIA (Longitudinal Study of Elderly Health in Alcobaça) prospective cohort were included. Dynapenia was diagnosed when the handgrip strength was < 27 â€‹kg for men and < 16 â€‹kg for women. The exposure time to SB was assessed considering the total time spent sitting during one day in the week and one day on the weekend. When combined with dynapenia, we derived the construction of four groups: best behavior (absence of dynapenia and low SB), intermediate behavior (absence of dynapenia and high SB; presence of dynapenia and low SB) and worst behavior (presence of dynapenia and high SB). Mortality was assessed by the follow-up time until death and/or censorship. During the 5-year follow-up of the study, 55 participants progressed to death. In the adjusted models, the dynapenia and the time spent exposed to SB were analyzed in a combined way, the older adults with worse behavior (high SB and dynapenia) had higher risk ratios for mortality (hazard ratio 2.46; 95% confidence interval 1.01-5.97) than the best behavior group. Older adults with dynapenia are at greater risk for all-cause mortality, which is aggravated by the addition of longer exposure to SB.

Factors associated with dynapenia in older adults in the northeast of Brazil / Fatores associados à dinapenia em idosos do nordeste brasileiro

ABSTRACT This study identified factors associated with dynapenia in older adults residing in a small town in northeastern Brazil. It is a population-based study conducted with 208 senior citizens (58.7% women) from Aiquara, BA. Sociodemographic, behavioral and health information were obtained from face-to-face interviews, and nutritional status was assessed by body mass index. To measure their level of physical activity and sedentary behavior, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used. Dynapenia was diagnosed by sex, from the 25th percentile of handgrip strength, by means of a hydraulic dynamometer. For inferential analyses, Poisson regression was used, with a robust estimator, calculation of Prevalence Ratios (PRs) and their respective 95% Confidence Intervals (CIs). The prevalence of dynapenia was higher in older adults aged 70-79 (PR: 3.21; 95%CI: 1.55-6.64) and ≥80 years (PR: 4.91; 95%CI: 2.32-10.39), in those with low weight (PR: 2.20; 95%CI: 1.26-3.82), in those who are insufficiently active (PR: 1.99; 95%CI: 1.12-3.54), and among those with high level of sedentary behavior (PR: 1.88; 95%CI: 1.19-2.98). The factors identified as being associated with dynapenia were: age between 70 and 79 and ≥80 years, insufficient level of physical activity; high level of sedentary behavior, and low weight.

RESUMO Este estudo identificou os fatores associados à dinapenia em idosos residentes em um município de pequeno porte do Nordeste brasileiro. Trata-se de um estudo populacional, conduzido com 208 idosos (58,7% mulheres) de Aiquara-BA. As informações sociodemográficas, comportamentais e de condições de saúde foram obtidas em entrevistas face a face, e o estado nutricional foi avaliado pelo índice de massa corporal. Para mensuração do nível de atividade física e do comportamento sedentário, utilizou-se o International Physical Activity Questionnaire. O diagnóstico da dinapenia foi realizado por sexo, a partir do percentil 25 da força de preensão manual, averiguada com um dinamômetro hidráulico. Para análises inferenciais foi utilizada a regressão de Poisson, com estimador robusto, cálculo das Razões de Prevalência (RP) e de seus respectivos intervalos de confiança de 95% (IC). A prevalência de dinapenia foi maior nos idosos com idade entre 70-79 (RP: 3,21; IC95%: 1,55-6,64) e ≥80 anos (RP: 4,91; IC95%: 2,32-10,39), nos com baixo peso (RP: 2,20; IC95%: 1,26-3,82), nos insuficientemente ativos (RP: 1,99; IC95%: 1,12-3,54) e entre os com elevado comportamento sedentário (RP: 1,88; IC95%: 1,19-2,98). Identificou-se que os fatores associados à dinapenia foram: idade entre 70-79 e ≥80 anos, nível de atividade física insuficiente; elevado comportamento sedentário e baixo peso.

Physical activity combined with sedentary behaviour in the risk of mortality in older adults.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SB), in isolation and combination, on all-cause mortality in older adults. METHODS: Prospective, population-based cohort study. The data were collected from first wave in 2015 and the follow-up continued until 2020. The sample consisted of 332 older adult people aged ≥ 60 years-old, out of which 59 died. The level of PA and SB was assessed by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). The older adults were divided into PA categorized as sufficiently active and insufficiently active and into high and low SB. We built four combinations of PA and SB. Also, we used the Cox proportional hazards regression with a 95% confidence interval with hazard ratio estimate so as to verify the mortality risks between PA, SB, and the combinations of PA and SB. RESULTS: Insufficiently active individuals had higher risks of mortality compared to sufficiently active people. We observed no associations between SB and mortality separately; however, when evaluated in a combined way, insufficiently active individuals and with a high SB time had a higher chance of mortality compared to active individuals with a low SB time. CONCLUSION: Our isolated analyses demonstrate that complying with PA recommendations reduces the risk of mortality; however, no association was found between the time of PA exposure with the time of SB. When analysing the combination, being physically inactive and with a long time of SB showed higher mortality rates, with SB being an enhancer of this risk. The results of this study show the interdependence of SB for PA performed at moderate to vigorous intensity. The understanding of this interrelation must be considered in the formulation of public health guidelines.

Effects of Reallocating Time Spent Engaging in Sedentary Behavior and Physical Activity on Mortality in Older Adults: ELSIA Study.

BACKGROUND: The objective of the study is to investigate the effects of reallocating time spent engaging in sedentary behavior (SB) and physical activity on the risk of mortality. METHODS: In all, 332 older adult low-income and low-education populations participated in the study. At the end of the study, 273 of the participants were alive and 59 had died. Time spent undertaking moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and SB was assessed using the international physical activity questionnaire. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was used. RESULTS: The replacement of time spent engaging in SB with MVPA reduced the risk of mortality from all causes in the older adults, resulting in reductions in mortality risk of between 10% and 46%. CONCLUSION: A reduction in the risk of mortality in older adults was observed when time spent in SB was replaced with the same amount of time in MVPA for all times tested.

Smartphone e folder podem ser uma alternativa para reduzir o comportamento sedentário? Estudo piloto / Can smartphone and folder be an alternative to reduce sedentary behavior? Pilot study

O objetivo do estudo foi investigar se a exposição a informações sobre vida saudável, via aplicativo de mensagem de smartphone ou folder impresso, reduz o comportamento sedentário (CS) de universitários. Este estudo é um piloto prospectivo quase experimental, constituído por 69 participantes, randomizados por turma, em dois grupos de intervenção via mensagem de texto Whatsapp (grupo MSG)e folder impresso (grupo FOLDER). As intervenções apresentaram orientações semelhantes com foco geral de promover um perfil de vida saudável, reduzindo o CS. As mensagens foram encaminhadas às segundas-feiras por um período de quatro semanas consecutivas. O tempo exposto ao CS foi avaliado a partir do Questionário Internacional de Atividade Física na Baseline e após quatro semanas de intervenção. Para avaliar o efeito do tempo, da intervenção e a interação (tempo*intervenção) no CS, foram utilizados modelos mistos generalizados para medidas repetidas, utilizando uma matriz de covariância autorregressiva de primeira ordem (AR1) e foi utilizado o teste post hoc de Bonferroni. Foi adotado o nível de significância de 5%. Foram observados efeitos significantes das intervenções (F = 5,30; p = 0,024), FOLDER (519,71 ± 28,01) e MSG (430,37 ± 26,82), e dos tempos (F = 19,05; p < 0,001) baseline (522,07 ± 22,18) e após 4 semanas (428,00 ± 22,18) mas não foi observado interação entre o tempo e a intervenção (F = 0,430; p = 0,514). Foram observadas diferenças significantes entre os grupos no momento pós intervenção (p = 0,022). Ambas as intervenções parecem ser úteis para a redução do tempo exposto ao CS em uma população de adultos jovens durante o período de quatro semanas

The objective of the study was investigate whether exposure to information about healthy living, via smart-phone message application or printed folder, reduces the sedentary behavior (SB) of university students. This study is an almost experimental prospective pilot, consisting of 69 participants, randomized by class, in two intervention groups via Whatsapp text message (MSG group) and printed folder (FOLDER group). The interventions presented similar guidelines with a general focus on promoting a healthy life profile, reducing SB. The messages were forwarded on Mondays for a period of four consecutive weeks. The time exposed to the SB was evaluated using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire on the baseline and after four weeks of intervention. To evaluate the effect of time, intervention and interaction (time * intervention) in the SB, generalized mixed models for repeated measures were used, using a first order autoregressive covariance matrix (AR1) and Bonferroni post hoc test was used. The significance level of 5% was adopted. Significant effects of the interventions (F = 5.30; p = 0.024), FOLDER (519.71 ± 28.01) and MSG (430.37 ± 26.82), and of the times (F = 19.05; p < 0.001) baseline (522.07 ± 22.18) and after 4 weeks (428.00 ± 22.18) but no interaction was observed between time and intervention (F = 0.430; p = 0.514). Significant differences were observed between the groups at the time after the intervention (p = 0.022). Both interventions appear to useful for reducing the time exposed to SC in a population of young adults over the four-week period

Physical activity combined with sedentary behaviour in the risk of mortality in older adults

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To examine the effects of physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SB), in isolation and combination, on all-cause mortality in older adults. METHODS Prospective, population-based cohort study. The data were collected from first wave in 2015 and the follow-up continued until 2020. The sample consisted of 332 older adult people aged ≥ 60 years-old, out of which 59 died. The level of PA and SB was assessed by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). The older adults were divided into PA categorized as sufficiently active and insufficiently active and into high and low SB. We built four combinations of PA and SB. Also, we used the Cox proportional hazards regression with a 95% confidence interval with hazard ratio estimate so as to verify the mortality risks between PA, SB, and the combinations of PA and SB. RESULTS Insufficiently active individuals had higher risks of mortality compared to sufficiently active people. We observed no associations between SB and mortality separately; however, when evaluated in a combined way, insufficiently active individuals and with a high SB time had a higher chance of mortality compared to active individuals with a low SB time. CONCLUSION Our isolated analyses demonstrate that complying with PA recommendations reduces the risk of mortality; however, no association was found between the time of PA exposure with the time of SB. When analysing the combination, being physically inactive and with a long time of SB showed higher mortality rates, with SB being an enhancer of this risk. The results of this study show the interdependence of SB for PA performed at moderate to vigorous intensity. The understanding of this interrelation must be considered in the formulation of public health guidelines.

Prevalence and Factors Associated with High Concentration of Prostate-Specific Antigen: ELSIA Study.

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer (PC) is the second most common cancer among men, behind only non-melanoma skin cancer, and the main method of screening for PC is the prostate-specific antigen (PSA). To analyze the prevalence and the factors associated with high concentration of PSA in the elderly is essential to understand this outcome, and building strategies to decrease their rates of morbidity and mortality. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study with 96 elderly men. A high level of PSA was defined by >4.0 ng/mL. In order to identify sociodemographic, health, functional and behavioral variables, which may be associated with high levels of PSA, we carried out a multivariate analysis using Poisson regression. RESULTS: The prevalence of high levels of PSA was 21.9% (n = 21). High levels of PSA was associated with years of study, race/ethnicity and family arrangement, health perception, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, metabolic diseases, alcohol consumption and sedentary behavior. CONCLUSIONS: The study found a high prevalence of high PSA concentrations in the elderly and several aspects are associated, which can be a worrying factor for their health, since PSA is an important marker of prostate cancer.