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A lack of disability-specific knowledge among practitioners poses a significant barrier to physical activity (PA) participation for persons with physical disabilities (PWPDs). This study aimed to identify perceived training needs of health and fitness practitioners to support PA for PWPDs. Canadian health and fitness practitioners (n = 115; 81% female) completed an online survey. More specialized training and access to information about PA for PWPDs are needed. In-person training, webinars, and lived experiences of PWPDs are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the concurrent validity of a tummy time questionnaire and time-use diary against an accelerometer measure. Participants were 29 parents and their 6-month-old infants from the Early Movers project in Edmonton, Canada. Tummy time was concurrently measured using a parental questionnaire, a time-use diary, and a validated GENEActiv accelerometer. In participants with data on all measures (n = 26), relative (Spearman's rank correlations) and absolute (Wilcoxon signed-rank tests and Bland–Altman plots) concurrent validity were examined. The questionnaire (rs = 0.60) and time-use diary (rs = 0.80) tummy time measures were significantly correlated with the accelerometer measure, with large effect sizes (r > 0.50). Compared to the accelerometer measure of tummy time, a significant difference in mean rank was observed for the questionnaire measure but not for the time-use diary measure. Bland–Altman plots showed a significant mean difference in tummy time between the accelerometer and questionnaire measures (42 min/d; 95% limits of agreement: −73,157 min/d) but not between the accelerometer and time-use diary measures (2 min/d; 95% limits of agreement: −47,51 min/d). These preliminary findings indicate both subjective measures may be appropriate for infant studies examining associations with tummy time and/or comparing tummy time between samples. The time-use diary may also provide a relatively precise estimate of tummy time in prevalence studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to determine the proportion of girls who meet the recommendations for moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), screen time and sleep duration among FitSpirit participants and evaluate the associations of these recommendations with perceived health-related quality of life (QOL), perceived health, physical activity (PA), self-efficacy and body mass index. Cross-sectional analyses of FitSpirit data were performed. All variables were collected through an online questionnaire. The proportion of girls meeting all recommendations was 2.2%, while 72.5% met either one or two and 25.4% met none. A greater percentage of girls with ≥3 years in FitSpirit met MVPA and sleep recommendations combined when compared with fewer years (12.9% vs. 1.7% with 1 year; vs. 10.1% with 2 years; p  < 0.05). Meeting the combinations of MVPA and screen time (β  = 0.19, 95% CI = 0.40, 1.68), MVPA and sleep (β  = 0.20, 95% CI = 0.27, 1.04) and all three combined (β  = 0.17, 95% CI = 0.33, 1.71) was the most significant predictors of better perceived QOL. Respecting MVPA recommendations predicted a better perceived health (β  = 0.18, 95% CI = 0.18, 0.87) while girls who slept as recommended had a better PA-related self-efficacy (β  = 0.23, 95% CI = 0.51, 2.11). Not meeting any recommendation was associated with inferior PA-related self-efficacy (β  = −0.32, 95% CI = −3.03, −1.21). Lastly, meeting MVPA and sleep recommendations was significantly associated with lower body mass index z -scores (β  = −0.14, 95% CI = −1.16, −0.11). There was a small percentage of girls following all of the recommendations. Furthermore, meeting individual and combined recommendations was associated with better perceived QOL and health, PA self-efficacy as well as healthier body mass index z -score. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines for Adults with Multiple Sclerosis (PAGs) were released in 2013 but have yet to be validated. We aimed to test the effectiveness of the PAGs in improving fitness, mobility, fatigue symptoms, and quality of life (QOL) in a large cohort of adults with multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods: As part of an ongoing randomized controlled trial examining implementation of the PAGs, participants were randomized to either a direct referral group (physician referral to an exercise program following the PAGs; n = 42) or a control group (provided a print copy of the PAGs; n = 37). Physical activity behavior was assessed through weekly physical activity logs. Fitness, mobility, fatigue symptoms, and QOL were assessed at baseline and after 16 weeks. Participants were categorized as either PAG adherers (n = 30) or nonadherers (n = 49) to the PAGs based on achieving the weekly exercise recommendations at least 75% of the time. Results: Adherence to the PAGs was twice as high in the referral group compared with the control group. Adherers experienced significantly greater improvements in peak oxygen consumption (29%), strength (7%-18%), mobility (16%), fatigue symptoms (--36%), and QOL (17%-22%) compared with nonadherers (P < .05). Conclusions: Following the PAGs for at least 12 of 16 weeks results in improvements in fitness, mobility, fatigue symptoms, and QOL, confirming their effectiveness for improving health in people with MS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This experimental study examined the interaction between messages conveying different levels of descriptive norms and positive outcome expectations on university students’ engagement in moderate and vigorous physical activity over an exam period. Using a pre–post design, university students entering a final examination period (N = 74) were randomly assigned to one of four message conditions, receiving a message motivating them to exercise over the exam period. Messages included both a descriptive norm (how many others reported being active during a previous exam period; high vs. low) and a positive outcome expectation (those who exercise during exams report better grades; high vs. low). The results from an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), controlling for baseline levels of daily physical activity, revealed a significant interaction. Post hoc analyses indicated that when the descriptive norm was high, those who received a high positive outcome expectation reported being more active during the exam period compared to those receiving the low positive outcome expectation. Results provide preliminary support for the idea that activity during an exam period can be positively influenced if individuals are presented with normative messages that (a) many others are being active during the exams and (b) many of those being active also are benefiting academically. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Across Canada pre-adolescent girls are not meeting the recommended 60-90 minutes of daily physical activity. As these girls grow older many will face health problems that could easily be prevented by establishing a healthy, active lifestyle early in life and maintaining it. Given the number of hours that children spend in school each year , that environment could provide opportunity for such healthy development to begin. This project's purpose was to develop a near-peer mentoring program at school, similar to the already established 'Reading Buddies', called 'Play Pals' which would promote positive attitudes towards, and increase the physical activity behaviours of, pre-adolescent girls. Ten girls aged 11 and 12 were teamed with five girls aged seven and eight. Two focus groups were held with the pre-adolescent girls to discuss the importance of healthy, active living and to provide the opportunity to learn and model new physically, active games. The pre-adolescent girls met twice with the younger girls to play these games and read about healthy, active lifestyles. Findings suggested that placing the pre-adolescents in the position of mentor caused their self-efficacy, self-esteem, and attitudes towards healthy, active living to improve. The practical implications of girls' near-peer mentoring of healthy lifestyles in elementary schools will be discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The purpose was to conduct systematic reviews of the relationship between physical activity of healthy community-dwelling older (>65 years) adults and outcomes of functional limitations, disability, or loss of independence. Methods: Prospective cohort studies with an outcome related to functional independence or to cognitive function were searched, as well as exercise training interventions that reported a functional outcome. Electronic database search strategies were used to identify citations which were screened (title and abstract) for inclusion. Included articles were reviewed to complete standardized data extraction tables, and assess study quality. An established system of assessing the level and grade of evidence for recommendations was employed. Results: Sixty-six studies met inclusion criteria for the relationship between physical activity and functional independence, and 34 were included with a cognitive function outcome. Greater physical activity of an aerobic nature (categorized by a variety of methods) was associated with higher functional status (expressed by a host of outcome measures) in older age. For functional independence, moderate (and high) levels of physical activity appeared effective in conferring a reduced risk (odds ratio ∼0.5) of functional limitations or disability. Limitation in higher level performance outcomes was reduced (odds ratio ∼0.5) with vigorous (or high) activity with an apparent dose-response of moderate through to high activity. Exercise training interventions (including aerobic and resistance) of older adults showed improvement in physiological and functional measures, and suggestion of longer-term reduction in incidence of mobility disability. A relatively high level of physical activity was related to better cognitive function and reduced risk of developing dementia; however, there were mixed results of the effects of exercise interventions on cognitive function indices. Conclusions: There is a consistency of findings across studies and a range of outcome measures related to functional independence; regular aerobic activity and short-term exercise programmes confer a reduced risk of functional limitations and disability in older age. Although a precise characterization of a minimal or effective physical activity dose to maintain functional independence is difficult, it appears moderate to higher levels of activity are effective and there may be a threshold of at least moderate activity for significant outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]