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Older Latinxs engage in lower levels of leisure-time physical activity (PA) compared with non-Latinx Whites. Latin dance is a culturally relevant type of leisure-time PA that may engage older Latinx populations, particularly when coupled with mobile health technologies (mHealth). This single group pre-post feasibility study described the PA and health outcomes of middle-aged and older Latinxs participating in BAILA TECH--an intervention that combines the BAILAMOS Latin dance program with mHealth (Fitbit Charge 2, Fitbit app, and motivational text messages). Participants (n = 20, M[subscript age] = 67 ± 7.1, female n = 15, 75%) were enrolled in the 16-week BAILA TECH intervention held twice a week. Participants received a Fitbit Charge 2 to assess PA at baseline, during the intervention, and postintervention. An mHealth platform (iCardia) collected Fitbit data and staff delivered weekly motivational and informational text messages. Participants completed questionnaires about PA, sedentary behavior, cardiorespiratory fitness, social support, quality of life, and cognitive function at baseline and postintervention. Paired t tests evaluated change in pre-post measures. There was a significant increase in device-assessed moderate-to-vigorous PA (d = 0.69), self-reported light-leisure (d = 1.91) and moderate-to-vigorous PA (d = 1.05), moderate-to-vigorous leisure PA (d = 1.55), predicted cardiorespiratory fitness (d = 1.10), and PA social support (d = 0.81 [family]; d = 0.95 [friends]) from baseline to postintervention. Although nonsignificant, there was a small effect on physical health--related quality of life (d = 0.32) and executive function (d = 0.29). These data describe an increase in PA levels and health-related outcomes of middle-aged and older Latinxs from participation in an mHealth-infused Latin dance intervention. An adequately powered trial is necessary to establish efficacy.

Older Latinos have low rates of physical activity (PA) and poor health outcomes. Focus groups and a single group, pre-post 3-month pilot of a culturally appropriate Latin dance program (BAILAMOS©) were conducted among older, inactive Latinos with a self-identified mobility limitation. Nine themes emerged from focus groups, including cultural influences of dance and barriers to dancing. In the pilot intervention, 9 of 13 older Latinos completed the program and attended 85% of the sessions. Self-reported PA significantly increased (p < 0.05; d = 1.39), but daily accelerometer-assessed PA decreased for moderate-intensity PA (p = 0.18; d = 0.29). Participants reported significantly greater enjoyment of PA (p < 0.05; d = 0.61) and improved physical quality of life (p = 0.23; d = 0.31). Improvements in mobility (p = 0.15; d = 0.56) and aspects of cognition were demonstrated. The BAILAMOS program appears to be feasible, culturally appropriate, and has the potential to improve psychosocial determinants of PA, self-reported PA, and aspects of health.

Purpose: To examine effects of a 10-week after-school physical activity (PA) program on academic performance of 6- to 12-year-old African American children with behavior problems. Methods: Participants were randomized to PA (n = 19) or sedentary attention control (n = 16) programs. Academic records, curriculum-based measures, and classroom observations were obtained at baseline, postintervention, and/or follow-up. Mixed models tested group × time interactions on academic records and curriculum-based measures. One-way analysis of variance or Kruskal–Wallis tested for differences in postintervention classroom observations. Results: Intent-to-treat analyses demonstrated a moderate effect within groups from baseline to postintervention on disciplinary referrals (PA: d = −0.47; attention control: d = −0.36) and a null moderate effect on academic assessments (PA: d = 0.11 to 0.36; attention control: d = 0.05 to 0.40). No significant group × time interactions emerged on direct academic assessments (all Ps ≥.05, d = −0.23 to 0.26) or academic records (all Ps ≥.05, d = −0.28 to 0.16). Classroom observations revealed that intervention participants were off-task due to moving at twice the rate of comparative classmates (F = 15.74, P <.001) and were off-task due to talking 33% more often (F = 1.39, P =.257). Conclusion: Academic outcome improvements were small within and between groups and did not sustain at follow-up. Academic benefits of after-school PA programs for children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and/or disruptive behavior disorders were smaller than neurobiological, behavioral, and cognitive outcomes as previously reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigate the associations between self-reported physical activity (PA) engagement and white matter (WM) health (i.e. volume, integrity, and hyperintensities) in older Latinos. Cross-sectional study with community-dwelling older adults from predominantly Latino neighborhoods. Participants: Thirty-four cognitively healthy older Latinos from two different cohorts. Measurements: Participants self-reported demographic information, PA engagement [Community Healthy Activities Model Program for Seniors (CHAMPS) Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Adults] and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We used high-resolution three-dimensional T1- and T2-FLAIR weighted images and diffusion tensor imaging acquired via 3 T MRI. We performed a series of hierarchical linear regression models with the addition of relevant covariates to examine the associations between self-reported PA levels and WM volume, integrity, and hyperintensities (separately). We adjusted p-values with the use of the Benjamini-Hochberg's false discovery rate procedure. Higher reported levels of leisure-time moderate-to-vigorous PA were significantly associated with higher WM volume of the posterior cingulate (β = 0.220, SE = 0.125, 95% CI 0.009-0.431, p = 0.047) and isthmus cingulate (β = 0.212, SE = 0.110, 95% CI 0.001-0.443, p = 0.044) after controlling for intracranial volume. Higher levels of total PA were significantly associated with higher overall WM volume of these same regions (posterior cingulate: β = 0.220, SE = 0.125, CI 0.024-0.421, p = 0.046; isthmus cingulate: β = 0.220, SE = 0.125, 95% CI 0.003-0.393; p = 0.040). Significant p-values did not withstand Benjamini-Hochberg's adjustment. PA was not significantly associated with WM integrity or WM hyperintensities. Higher levels of PA, particularly higher leisure-time moderate-to-vigorous PA, might be associated with greater WM volume in select white matter regions key to brain network integration for physical and cognitive functioning in older Latinos. More research is needed to further confirm these associations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exercise during pregnancy has been associated with reduced risk of gestational diabetes mellitus, however, twice as many women are sedentary during pregnancy as compared to when they are not pregnant. We conducted 3 focus groups among 20 pregnant Latina and non-Latina white women to identify barriers and facilitators to exercise in pregnancy to inform a gestational diabetes mellitus intervention study. Quantitative analyses of demographic data, and qualitative analyses of focus groups were conducted. Women identified physical limitations and restrictions, lack of resources, energy, and time as powerful exercise barriers. Social support, access to resources, information, proper diet, scheduling, and the weather were identified as powerful facilitators. Intervention programs designed for pregnant women should facilitate social support, provide information and resources, as well as promote short-term and long-term benefits. KEYWORDS pregnancy, exercise, Latino/Hispanic DOI: 10.1080/03630240903427114

Objective: To investigate the effects of the BAILAMOSTM dance program on physical activity (PA), cardiorespiratory, and cognitive health. Methods: A parallel, two-armed pilot study was conducted with 57 older Latinos randomized to the BAILAMOSTM dance program (n = 28) or health education (HE) (n = 29). We conducted two- and three-way repeated-measures ANOVAs. Results: BAILAMOSTM participants increased participation in leisure moderate-to-vigorous PA (LMVPA) (F [1,53] = 3.17, p =.048, η 2 G =.01) and performance in global cognition relative to HE participants (F [1,52] = 4.19, p =.045, η 2 G =.01). Attendance moderated increases in moderate PA, MVPA, LMVPA, and total PA (p <.05). Participants of both groups with ≥75% attendance increased participation in PA. Among participants with <75% attendance, BAILAMOSTM participants increased PA relative to HE. Discussion: BAILAMOSTM positively impacted self-reported PA and global cognition in older Latinos. Even smaller doses of dance appear to impact self-reported PA levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study tested whether participation in organized physical activity (active vs. inactive) or weight status (normal weight vs. overweight or obese) independently relate to children's cognition, using a matched-pairs design. Design and Methods: Normal weight, active children (8-11 yrs, 5th-75th percentile BMI) were recruited from extracurricular physical activity programs while normal weight inactive (5th-75th percentile BMI) and overweight inactive children (BMI ≥85th percentile) were recruited from local Augusta, Georgia area schools. Measures included the Cognitive Assessment System, anthropometrics, and parent- and self-report of physical activity. Paired t tests compared cognition scores between matched groups of normal weight active vs. normal weight inactive (N= 24 pairs), normal weight inactive vs. overweight inactive (N = 21 pairs), and normal weight active vs. overweight inactive children (N = 16 pairs). Children in each comparison were matched for race, gender, age, and socioeconomic status. Results: Normal weight active children had higher Planning (M± SD = 109 ± 11 vs. 100 ±11,p = .011) and Attention scores (108 ± 11 vs. 100 ±11,p= .013) than overweight inactive children. Normal weight inactive children had higher Attention scores than overweight inactive children (105 ± 13 vs. 93 ±12,p = .008). When compared with normal weight inactive children, normal weight active children had higher Planning (113 ± 10 vs. 102 ± 13, p = .008) and marginally higher Attention scores (111 ± 11 vs. 104 ± 12,p = .06). Conclusion: Findings suggest independent associations of children's weight status with selective attention, and physical activity with higher-order processes of executive function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The current study examined associations among organizational social context, after-school program (ASP) quality, and children's social behavior in a large urban park district. Method: Thirty-two park-based ASPs are included in the final sample, including 141 staff and 593 children. Staff reported on organizational culture (rigidity, proficiency, resistance) and climate (engagement, functionality, stress), and children's social skills and problem behaviors. Children and their parents reported on program quality indicators (e.g., activities, routines, relationships). Parents also completed a children's mental health screener. Results: A series of Hierarchical Linear Models revealed that proficiency and stress were the only organizational predictors of program quality; associations between stress and program quality were moderated by program enrollment and aggregated children's mental health need. Higher child- and parent-perceived program quality related to fewer staff-reported problem behaviors, while overall higher enrollment and higher aggregated mental health need were associated with fewer staff-reported social skills. Conclusions: Data are informing ongoing efforts to improve organizational capacity of urban after-school programs to support children's positive social and behavior trajectories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To date, little is known about the physical activity (PA) levels and commonly reported modes of PA of older Latinos, and this information is critical to developing interventions for this population. The purpose of the current study was to examine PA assessed by self-report and accelerometer and to assess the influence of acculturation, gender, and age on the PA of urban community-dwelling older Latino adults. Methods: Participants were self-identified Latinos, primarily women (73%), and individuals aged 50 to 59 (31%), 60 to 69 (30%), and 70+ (39%). PA was measured with an accelerometer and the Community Healthy Activity Model Program for Seniors (CHAMPS) PA questionnaire. Results: Men reported engaging in, and objectively participated in, significantly more minutes of moderate/vigorous PA than women, but women reported greater light intensity household PA. Latinos aged 50 to 59 engaged in significantly more accelerometer-assessed PA than Latinos aged 60 to 69 and 70+, respectively. The majority of participants did not meet the PA Guidelines for Americans. No differences in PA were demonstrated by acculturation level. Older Latino men and women reported walking and dancing as modes of leisure PA. Conclusions: These findings suggest PA interventions should be targeted toward older Latinos, taking into account gender and age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Latinos have the lowest leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) rates. However, measurement of only LTPA might underestimate total physical activity. This study compares the objective physical activity of Latinos reporting high or low levels of LTPA and also compares gender differences. Methods: Data were obtained from 148 Latinos (n = 83 women, n = 65 men). Freedson cut points were employed to determine daily minutes of activity. Results: Latinos reporting high LTPA engaged in more daily minutes of vigorous and very vigorous activity than Latinos reporting low LTPA (P values < .05). There was no difference in daily minutes of moderate-intensity activity (P = .12), with both groups of Latinos meeting Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/American College of Sports Medicine guidelines. Men engaged in more daily minutes of moderate activity than women (P < .01). Conclusions: Many Latinos met physical activity guidelines even when reporting low levels of LTPA. Future studies should determine whether equivalent health benefits are achieved by meeting guidelines through LTPA and non-LTPA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]