Search

Background: Children are expected to adhere to the recommended physical activity (PA) dose of 60 minutes per day and minimize sedentary behaviors (SB) to stray away from the cardio-metabolic disease risk. However, there is a lack of review of current evidence pointing to the negative physical health effects of the Covid-19 lockdown, with its barriers and facilitators for effective PA implementation in children aged 3 to 13. Methods: Two independent authors conducted an extensive search on five peer-reviewed journal databases for the studies examining changes in PA or SB in children and the potential barriers during Covid-19 lockdown. Results: Of 1039 studies initially screened, only 14 studies were included. Ninety-three percent of the studies were cross-sectional surveys. A 34% reduction in PA was noted while SB, including screen time, increased by 82%. Our review identified potential barriers to the effective implementation of PA behaviors in children at four levels: individual, family, school, and government policies. Conclusions: A moderate reduction in PA and high SB in children during lockdown was linked with obstacles at the individual, family, school, and political levels. Stakeholders should consider the above barriers when designing and implementing interventions to address low PA and SB practices.

Prolonged sitting is postulated to influence musculoskeletal performance (cervical flexor endurance, balance, and agility), discomfort and alter cervical spine angles during work-based computer use. Stair climbing breaks may be a great addition at typical and home offices however remain unexplored for its impact on musculoskeletal performance. In our counterbalanced pilot crossover trial, 24 adults were randomised to three interventions: (1) prolonged sitting, (2) interrupted by 2 min of self-paced, and (3) externally paced stair climbing for 2 h. Cervical spine angles were measured every 30 min while balance, agility, endurance, and discomfort were assessed before and after 120 min. Stair climbing interruptions have favourable effects on agility (F = 8.12, p = 0.009, ηp2 = 0.26) and musculoskeletal discomfort, but failed to improve other musculoskeletal outcomes associated with prolonged sitting. Brief stair climbing interruptions are effective in improving discomfort and agility while pragmatic trials are warranted for translated effects. Practitioner summary: Stair climbing interventions are known for their cardiovascular benefits, however their impact on musculoskeletal performance remains unclear. In our randomised crossover pilot study, we explored the effects of stair climbing interruptions on cervical posture, endurance, agility, and balance during 120 min of prolonged sitting. Stair climbing interruptions were favourable in reducing time to complete agility tasks and neck/shoulder discomfort score compared to prolonged sitting. However other performance measures remained unaltered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optimizing 24-hour movement behaviors (physical activity (PA), sleep and sedentary time (ST)) is crucial for the prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). However, the association of 24-hour movement behaviors with NCD risk remains largely obscured in low-middle-income countries. The present study aimed to explore the association between 24-hour movement behaviors and the occurrence of NCDs. An online survey was administered among 310 community-dwelling adults (age 18–65 years) of coastal Karnataka, enquiring sociodemographic profiles, 24-hour movement behaviors and presence of NCD. While spending 33% of daily time in sleep, the respondents spent 30% in light-intensity PA (LIPA), 19% in sedentary and 18% in moderate–vigorous PA (MVPA). Multivariate regression revealed that higher sleep time was significantly associated with higher odds of NCDs (estimate, β = 0.20, odds ratio = 0.82, p < 0.05). However, no significant associations were found for other 24-hour movement behaviors with NCD risk [ST (β = 0.12, p = 0.122), LIPA (β = −0.01, p = 0.184) and MVPA (β = −0.01, p = 0.357)]. Subgroup analyses showed that age and body mass were positively associated with NCDs, while lower socio-economic status was associated with lower sitting time (β = −3.84, p = 0.009) and lower LIPA (−318.49, p = 0.018). Higher age, body mass index and long sleep hours were associated with higher risk of NCDs. These findings may necessitate the inclusion of optimal sleep hours and body mass in health promotion guidelines to prevent chronic diseases among the regional population of coastal Karnataka. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Regular physical activity is widely acknowledged for health benefits however the uptake of PA is low due to lack of awareness. Objectives. The objectives of the present scoping review are: 1) to consolidate the evidence claiming the effectiveness of physical activity interventions on the chronic disease risk; 2) to explore the difference in clinical benefits and strategies to promote physical activity across various age groups. Methods. We searched for systematic reviews and meta-analytical studies on five databases (EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science and Ovid Medline) and pertinent literature on mapping the association between physical activity and chronic disease risk was summarized. Results. From 41 systematic reviews included for review, physical activity interventions were found to be effective in combating chronic diseases including diabetes, cancer, cardiometabolic, kidney disease, neurovascular and musculoskeletal disorders. Putative physiological underpinnings for the potential therapeutic effects of physical activity are regulation of hormones, vascular integrity, neuromotor and immune regulation. Majority of the reviews (n = 12, 29%) explored the effects of supervised exercise training and cardiometabolic risk, however long-term compliance questioned. Strategies to promote physical activity should be based on socio-ecological models (individual, interpersonal, institutional and national policy level). School and workplace based physical activity may be crucial in prevention of chronic disease risk. Conclusions. Promoting physical activity is a key preventive measure and therapeutic intervention for combating chronic disease risk across different age groups and populations. However, potential culturally adaptable strategies to promote physical activity in the community are still lacking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Byline: Kalyana. Bairapareddy, Baskaran. Chandrasekaran, Umang. Agarwal Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is proved to be best supportive management in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) individuals. The literature claims the reduction of [...]

The association of physical activity (PA) or sedentary behaviour (SB) with mental health in remotely working software professionals remains unclear. We administered a secondary analysis of physical health variables (PA and SB time during work and non-work days) and mental health variables (stress, anxiety, depression) from a primary study. Ninety-five per cent of the participants (n = 76) did not meet the global PA recommendations. Our study found daily PA time to be negatively associated with stress (β = −1.57; p = 0.02), anxiety (β = −1.01; p = 0.04) and depression (β = −0.68; p = 0.47). Furthermore, the average daily sitting time during the work day was found to be positively associated with stress (β = 0.28; p = 0.00), anxiety (β = 0.01; p = 0.04) and depression (β = −0.68; p = 0.03). Organizational policies should advocate the implementation of PA or SB strategies for improving mental health in remote workers. Trial registration Clinical Trials Registry India identifier CTRI/2021/03/032146. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of short-term workplace-based physical activity education on altering sitting outcomes, maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) and occupational well-being. Four office clusters (46 participants) of desk-based workers were randomized to either the move in office with education (MOWE) group or the control (CONT) group for 4 weeks. The outcomes were occupational sedentary time, VO2max and workplace well-being. Data were analysed using non-parametric tests. Our study results did not show any significant change in sitting time or VO2max. Nevertheless, workplace well-being of the MOWE group significantly improved when compared to the CONT group, especially in the domains of work satisfaction (odds ratio 11.67; p = 0.001) and employer care (odds ratio 0.167; p = 0.001). Workplace education (MOWE) improves well-being but may not alter sitting outcomes or VO2max in office workers. Workplace education without policy change may not yield positive health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to explore the short term effects of a social media‐based intervention on the physical and mental health of the software professionals working remotely during the pandemic. Sixty software professionals with poor physical and mental health were randomised to Facebook‐based intervention (FIIT) and a control (CONT) group for 2 months. Forty‐six remote workers (26.25 ± 3.49 years) completed the study (FIIT = 22; CONT = 26). All the respondents had the median sitting time (7.07 ± 2.30 h/day) during office hours on workdays. We found a significant difference in the sitting time during office hours in workday within the subjects (F1,46 = 4.66; p <.004; ηp2 =.048) and between the subjects (F1,46 = 3.81; p <.004; ηp2 =.040). Post hoc analysis revealed participants in the FIIT group reduced their sitting time by 58 min during office hours during a typical workday compared with the control group. Nevertheless, we found a significant difference in the scores of stress, anxiety and depression within and between the groups. Short‐term social media‐based physical and mental health intervention may improve physical and mental health scores in the desk‐based office workers working remotely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]