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BackgroundInformation and communication technologies (ICTs) are becoming increasingly popular in supporting the fight against low physical activity (PA) levels among adolescents. However, several ICT solutions lack evidence-based content. Therefore, there is a need to identify important features that have the potential to efficiently and consistently support the PA of adolescents using ICT solutions. ObjectiveThis study aims to create evidence-based models of requirements for ICT solutions supporting PA by combining scientific evidence from literature and health experts. In addition, we test the suitability of agent-oriented goal models in this type of modeling process. MethodsA literature search of PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases was conducted to identify evidence-based functional, quality, and emotional goals that have previously been proven to be relevant in supporting PAs among youth using ICT solutions. The identified goals were presented in the form of goal models. These models were used to collaborate with health experts to receive their input on the topic and suggestions for improvement. The initial goal models were improved based on the feedback from the experts. ResultsThe results indicated that agent-oriented goal modeling is a suitable method for merging information from the literature and experts. One strength of agent-oriented goal models is that they present emotional requirements together with quality and functional requirements. Another strength is the possibility of presenting results from a literature review in a systematic manner and using them thereafter in the communication process with stakeholders. Agent-oriented goal models that were created were easy to understand for health experts without previous experience in requirements engineering, which facilitates and supports collaboration with nontechnical stakeholders. ConclusionsThe proposed agent-oriented goal models effectively merged information from scientific literature and experts in the field and presented early functional, quality, and emotional requirements in a holistic and coherent manner. We believe that the created models have high potential to help requirements engineers and developers to provide more efficient ICT solutions that support PA among adolescents in the future.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in metabolic responses between the track and the treadmill (1% inclination) running. The latter is recommended for use in laboratory settings to mimic outdoor running. Method: Seventeen male endurance athletes (mean 25.8, s = 3.8 years) performed 4-min running bouts on an indoor track and the treadmill. Results: At all speeds (11, 13, and 15 km·h[superscript-1]) athletes showed better economy on the track running compared to the treadmill expressed as oxygen (7.9%, 5.2%, and 2.8%) and caloric (7.0%, 5.3%, and 2.6%) unit cost. Rating of perceived exertion was evaluated substantially higher at all speeds on the treadmill (F(1,16) = 31.45, p < 0.001, eta-squared[subscript p] = 0.663) compared to running on the track. Participants presented lower heart rate (F(1,16) = 13.74, p= 0.002, eta-squared[subscript p] = 0.462) on the track at the speed of 11 and 13 km·h[superscript -1] compared to the treadmill, but not at 15 km·h[superscript -1] (p = 0.021). Conclusions: We conclude that constant inclination (i.e. 1%) during the treadmill test might not be suitable to reproduce comparable effort to running on the track; rather, there is an optimal treadmill inclination for different intensities to reproduce similar effort compared to the track running.

Background: Physical activity (PA) is important to mental and physical health. Physical education (PE) lessons have the potential to increase daily moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) and reduce sedentary time (SED). We measured MVPA and SED in primary school PE, determined the contribution of PE to daily MVPA and SED, and compared PA on days with and without PE. Methods: PA was measured in 504 first (ages 7-9) and second (ages 10-12) school level children for 1 school week, with inclusion criteria of at least 10 hours of valid data. Linear mixed methods were used for data analysis. Results: In PE, students spent 28.6 ± 16.5% in MVPA and 29.3 ± 19.8% in SED. Each additional MVPA minute in PE was associated with 1.4 more daily MVPA minutes. On days with PE, students had 12.8 (95% CI 10.5; 15.0) minutes more MVPA and 9.7 (95% CI 16.3; 3.1) minutes less SED compared with days without PE. Conclusions: Although MVPA in PE was relatively low and SED high, PE significantly increased daily MVPA and reduced SED, confirming the important role of PE in supporting the healthy development of children.

Background: The 2016 Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth, the first of its kind, aims to set baseline physical activity (PA) indicators using the Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance grading system. Methods: A research work group analyzed and selected data for the grade assignment meeting (GAM). During the GAM, 17 leading researchers and policy experts from Estonia assessed the data and assigned grades for each of the 9 PA indicators. In addition, recommendations were provided for further actions to improve the grades. Results: Grades from A (highest) to F (lowest) were assigned as follows: 1) Overall PA (F); 2) Organized Sport (C); 3) Active Play [incomplete data (INC)]; 4) Active Transportation (INC); 5) Sedentary Behaviors (F); 6) Family and Peers (C); 7) School (C); 8) Community and the Built Environment (B); and 9) Government (C). An indicator was marked as incomplete (INC) when there was a lack of representative quality data. Conclusion: Evidence suggests that PA levels of Estonian children remain very low, despite moderately supportive social, environmental, and regulatory factors. There are many challenges to overcome in supporting and promoting PA of children and youth (eg, cross-sectional cooperation, implementing interventions, changing social norms, empowerment of parents and educational institutions). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents results from Estonia’s 2018 Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth. It mentions indicators on the basis of which grades are assigned including organized sport participation, active transportation, and sedentary behavior. The report card reflects on the need of stronger cooperation between governmental and nongovernmental organizations to develop greater intervention strategies and programs at different levels.

The purpose of this study was to determine the contributing role of organised sport participation to daily physical activity (PA) and to describe the PA during training. Children aged 7–12 wore the accelerometer for 1 week. Children with activity data for a minimum of 5 days were included in the analysis (n = 492). Evenson cut-points were used to extract PA data for whole day and training sessions. Compliance with PA recommendations was assessed with two methods – weekly average and daily data. More than half (52.5%) of the children participated in an organised sport at least once a week. Participation in organised sport three or more times a week increased the odds of meeting PA recommendations (average method: OR = 4.02, 95% CI: 1.98–8.19, p < 0.001, days method: OR = 2.82, 95% CI: 1.35–5.88, p = 0.006). On average, children acquired 23.3 ± 15.3 min of moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) during trainings, while boys accrued more MVPA minutes compared to girls (β = 5.2, 95% CI: 2.4–8.0) and the training time MVPA decreased with age (β = −1.0, 95% CI: −1.9 to −0.1), respectively. Each additional MVPA minute during training increased daily MVPA by 1.3 min (95% CI: 1.1–1.5). On days with training children accumulated 24.9 (95% CI: 21.8–28.0) more MVPA minutes compared to days without training. In conclusion, these findings highlight the importance of organised sport in supporting the PA levels of children. However, participation in the organised sport only is not sufficient to meet PA recommendations, and therefore, PA should be supported throughout the day. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to describe the changes in leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) levels among the Estonian adult population in the years 2013-2015 in order to examine the relationships between LTPA level and socioeconomic status (SES) and health indicators, and also to explore perceived barriers to LTPA. Data from the National Physical Activity Survey were used. The sample consisted of 1009 participants aged 15-69 in 2013 and 1004 respondents in 2015. The proportion of Estonian adults exercising regularly at least four times per week increased from 39% in 2013 to 45% in 2015. Being in the older age groups increased the odds for physical inactivity 2.07-4.74 times compared to the youngest age group (15-24) (p<0.01). Having primary, basic, or secondary education increased the odds of being inactive 2.33-3.14 times compared to respondents with higher education (p < 0.01). The most prevalent barriers to physical activity reported by inactive adults were: 1) the absence of interest or unwillingness to make an effort, 2) tiredness at work, and 3) lack of time. In conclusion, despite a slight positive trend, LTPA levels are low. As the perceived barriers depend on age, public health strategies should involve age-specific solutions, especially for older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to examine the physical activity (PA) and functional motor skills in 7-9-year-old children, and to find out whether participation in organized sport enhances their motor skills and fulfils the requirements for PA. To assess PA, all 38 participants (18 boys, 20 girls; mean age 8.1±0.7 years) used accelerometer and accelerometer diary during one week. Average time per day spent in sedentary, light and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was calculated. To measure motor skills, MABC-2 was used. Also, parental PA and educational level were recorded with questionnaire. PA of children was not associated with their motor skills (p>0.05). Recommendations for daily PA were fulfilled by two children (5.3%), seven children (18.4%) did not meet the recommendations in any of the measured days. Both, boys and girls spent significantly more time in sedentary on schooldays than on weekend-days (F=23.122, p<0.001). Organized sport participation was not associated (p>0.05) with PA or motor skills. Also, parent and child PA were not significantly correlated. Average PA of children is lower than recommended. However, PA was not correlated with motor skills. The higher was parental educational level, the higher were motor skills of their child. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between running economy (RE) and performance in a homogenous group of competitive Kenyan distance runners. Maximal aerobic capacity (VO2max) (68.8 ± 3.8 ml∙kg−1∙min−1) was determined on a motorised treadmill in 32 Kenyan (25.3 ± 5.0 years; IAAF performance score: 993 ± 77 p) distance runners. Leg anthropometry was assessed and moment arm of the Achilles tendon determined. While Achilles moment arm was associated with better RE (r2 = 0.30,P = 0.003) and upper leg length, total leg length and total leg length to body height ratio were correlated with running performance (r = 0.42,P = 0.025;r = 0.40,P = 0.030 andr = 0.38,P = 0.043, respectively), RE and maximal time on treadmill (tmax) were not associated with running performance (r = −0.01,P = 0.965;r = 0.27;P = 0.189, respectively) in competitive Kenyan distance runners. The dissociation between RE and running performance in this homogenous group of runners would suggest that RE can be compensated by other factors to maintain high performance levels and is in line with the idea that RE is only one of many factors explaining elite running performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Santos-Concejero and Tucker argued in their letter to the editor that in our study the running economy in achieving superior performance was overlooked due to some methodological aspects. Having given the remarks of Santos-Concejero and Tucker appropriate consideration, in this letter to the editor, we argue that our paper does not downplay the influence of running economy on the determinants of the East African running phenomenon, but rather adds novel insights into the interaction between running economy, maximal oxygen uptake and performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]