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Purpose: To examine the associations between the composition of movement-related behaviours (sedentary behaviour, sleep, standing, and stepping) and functional outcomes post-stroke. Methods: This study included 34 adults with stroke (mean age: 64.6 ± 12.5 years; time since stroke: 3.5 ± 1.1 months) who underwent an 8-week sedentary behaviour intervention. Functional outcomes were assessed using the timed up and go (TUG) and gait speed tests. Compositional data analysis was used to investigate the relationships between movement-related behaviours and functional outcomes. Results: The baseline composition of movement-related behaviours showed significant associations with changes in TUG (F = 4.28, p = 0.01) and gait speed (F = 4.63, p = 0.01) after the 8-week reducing sedentary behaviour intervention. Reallocating ≥ 30 min/day to stepping, while proportionally decreasing other movement-related behaviours, was associated with a significant change in TUG. Similarly, a relative reallocation of ≥ 40 min/day to stepping was associated with a clinically meaningful change in gait speed. Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of considering movement-related behaviours in relation to functional outcomes post-stroke. Reallocating at least 30 min per day to stepping, relative to a reduction in other movement-related behaviours, is associated with significant and meaningful change in functional outcomes. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION: Reallocating at least 30 minutes/day to stepping, relative to a decrease in other movement-related behaviours, is associated with a positive change in functional mobility after an 8-week post-stroke sedentary behaviour intervention. Relative to a decrease in other movement-behaviours, reallocating ≥ 40 minutes/day to stepping is associated with a meaningful change in gait speed. Reallocating time to standing or sleep at the expense of other movement behaviours is not associated with better functional mobility or gait speed. Finding the optimal balance in movement-related behaviours that favours more stepping may lead to improvements in both functional mobility and gait speed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Movement behaviors (physical activity, sedentary time, and sleep) established in early childhood track into adulthood and interact to influence health outcomes. This study examined the associations between neighborhood characteristics and weather with movement behaviors in preschoolers. Methods: A subset of Canadian Healthy Infant Longitudinal Development birth cohort (n = 385, 50.6% boys) with valid movement behaviors data were enrolled at age 3 years and followed through to age 5 years. Objective measures of neighborhood characteristics were derived by ArcGIS software, and weather variables were derived from the Government of Canada weather website. Random forest and linear mixed models were used to examine predictors of movement behaviors. Cross-sectional analyses were stratified by age and season (winter and nonwinter). Results: Neighborhood safety, temperature, green space, and roads were important neighborhood characteristics for movement behaviors in 3- and 5-year-olds. An increase in temperature was associated with greater light physical activity longitudinally from age 3 to 5 years and also in the winter at age 5 years in stratified analysis. A higher percentage of expressways was associated with less nonwinter moderate to vigorous physical activity at age 3 years. Conclusions: Future initiatives to promote healthy movement behaviors in the early years should consider age differences, neighborhood characteristics, and season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prolonged sedentary behavior is a problem immediately following a stroke and it persists from the acute to chronic phases of recovery. Frequently interrupting sedentary time might help to mitigate the associated detrimental health consequences. The purpose of this article was to describe the process followed in the systematic development and implementation of a theory- and home-based sedentary behavior change intervention for people with stroke. The Intervention Mapping protocol was used to design, develop and implement a ST and U p F requently F rom S troke (STUFFS) program aimed at reducing prolonged sedentary behavior after stroke. A qualitative inquiry with people with stroke (n = 13) informed the development of the intervention. The systematic approach followed in the development process including the theoretical basis, content development, and evaluation planning were described. Program reception was assessed using thematic content analysis of exit-interview data (n = 25). The 8-weeks STUFFS intervention is a home-based sedentary behavior change program that provides education about the risks of prolonged sedentary behavior and facilitates behavior change, including the use of motivational tools to empower people with stroke to reduce sedentary behavior. The program was well-received and acceptable to people with stroke (89% satisfaction). This article provides information that furthers knowledge about theory-based strategies to reduce sedentary behavior in the home environment after stroke and facilitates implementation of this type of intervention. Trial registration: This study is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov (No. NCT02980744). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Multiple sclerosis is a chronic neurological disease with the highest prevalence in Canada. Replacing sedentary behavior with light activities may be a feasible approach to manage multiple sclerosis symptoms. This study explored the perspectives of adults with multiple sclerosis about sedentary behavior, physical activity and ways to change behavior. Methods: Fifteen adults with multiple sclerosis (age 43 ± 13 years; mean ± standard deviation), recruited through the multiple sclerosis Clinic at the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada, participated in semi-structured interviews. Interview audios were transcribed verbatim and coded. NVivo software was used to facilitate the inductive process of thematic analysis. Results: Balancing competing priorities between sitting and moving was the primary theme. Participants were aware of the benefits of physical activity to their overall health, and in the management of fatigue and muscle stiffness. Due to fatigue, they often chose sitting to get their energy back. Further, some barriers included perceived fear of losing balance or embarrassment while walking. Activity monitoring, accountability, educational and individualized programs were suggested strategies to motivate more movement. Conclusions: Adults with multiple sclerosis were open to the idea of replacing sitting with light activities. Motivational and educational programs are required to help them to change sedentary behavior to moving more. One of the most challenging and common difficulties of multiple sclerosis is walking impairment that worsens because of multiple sclerosis progression, and is a common goal in the rehabilitation of people with multiple sclerosis. The deterioration in walking abilities is related to lower levels of physical activity and more sedentary behavior, such that adults with multiple sclerosis spend 8 to 10.5 h per day sitting. Replacing prolonged sedentary behavior with light physical activities, and incorporating education, encouragement, and self-monitoring strategies are feasible approaches to manage the symptoms of multiple sclerosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Understanding the determinants of sedentary behaviour (sitting or lying with low energy expenditure) in stroke survivors can enhance the development of successful behaviour change strategies. This qualitative study explored the perceptions of stroke survivors about sedentary behaviour and ways in which it can be changed. Methods: An interpretative qualitative inquiry was used with thematic analysis of interview data. Interviews were conducted using a semi-structured guide with 13 stroke survivors. Interview transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis. Self-reported sedentary time was assessed during interviews. Results: Four main themes emerged from the data: meaning of sedentary behaviour, reasons for sedentary behaviour, barriers and facilitators to reducing sedentary behaviour, and strategies to sit less and move more. Only 6 participants knew about sedentary behaviour, and 2 were aware of the associated health risks. Participants encountered barriers in their daily lives that affect engagement in activity including motor impairments, fatigue, cognitive problems, and lack of motivation. Using wearable technologies and action planning to reduce sedentary behaviour hold promise as behaviour change strategies. Conclusions: There is limited awareness of health risks of sedentary behaviour among stroke survivors. Strategies involving self-monitoring and movement throughout the day are potential ways to reduce sedentary behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]