Search Results (659)

Background: The relationship of objectively measured levels of physical activity (PA) to quality of life (QoL) in young adults with intellectual disabilities (IDs) needs to be further researched. This study compares PA levels and self-perceived QoL in young adults with ID compared to those with no intellectual disability and examines whether higher levels of PA are related to better self-perceived QoL in the domains of physical, psychological, social and environmental well-being. Methods: A hundred young adults participated (GID: n = 50; GNID: n = 50). Demographic data were collected through questionnaires, and PA levels were measured using ActiGraph GT3X-BT accelerometers over a 7-day period. QoL was assessed using the World Health Organization Quality of Life short questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF). An independent samples t-test was used to examine differences between groups (GID and GNID), and correlations between PA variables and QoL variables were calculated intra-group. The statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. Results: The GID scored significantly lower in social (p = 0.001, d = 0.67), environmental (p = 0.007, d = 0.56) and total QoL (p = 0.015, d = 0.51) domains, and showed lower light PA (p = 0.042, d = 0.45). No significant PA–QoL correlations were found in the GID, while vigorous PA correlated positively with physical QoL in the GNID (rho = 0.35; p = 0.028). Conclusions: Self-perceived QoL values, as well as PA levels, are lower in young people with ID, with significant differences observed in the social and environmental domains, and in light PA. No associations were found between PA and QoL variables in the group of young people with IDs. Vigorous PA was significantly associated with the physical domain of QoL in the GNID. Full article

Arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO) is associated with impaired walking function and claudication. However, the effects of information and communication technology (ICT)-based wearable interventions on objectively measured gait outcomes in this population have not been determined. In this 12-week intervention, 52 patients with ASO were randomly assigned to an ICT-based wearable-assisted exercise intervention (n = 30) or a control (n = 22) group. All participants wore a triaxial accelerometer–based device on the non-dominant wrist to monitor moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), expressed as average min/day. The intervention group received structured exercise guidance, including walking and lower-limb strengthening exercises, and weekly feedback based on device data; the control group received no exercise instruction or feedback. Primary outcomes were gait speed and 6 min walk test (6MWT) distance; secondary outcomes included MVPA and cognitive function. The intervention group showed significant improvements in gait speed and 6MWT distance compared with those in the control group (p < 0.05), indicating enhanced ambulatory function. An exploratory machine learning analysis suggested that gait speed and 6MWT distance are informative variables for functional-status characterization. ICT-based wearable interventions may serve as scalable approaches for functional rehabilitation in ASO; larger, longer-term studies should confirm these effects and clarify the underlying mechanisms. Full article

Background/Objectives: There are limited data on the dynamic changes in daily composition of movement behaviors (sleep; moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, MVPA; light physical activity, LPA; and sedentary time, SED) and their associations with body weight in postpartum women. The purpose of this study was to examine associations of reallocating time in one behavior to another with body weight, at different times in the first year postpartum. Methods: The study included 86 women who delivered a singleton infant at ≥37 weeks gestation. Physical activity and sleep were measured via actigraphy in early, mid-, and late postpartum. Body weight was measured at each timepoint. Isotemporal substitution models were used to examine the association of reallocating ten minutes of one behavior (MVPA, LPA, SED, or sleep) to another, with body weight. Results: Participants spent most of their day in SED (~52–53%), followed by sleep (~30%), LPA (~12–13%), and then MVPA (~2%) throughout the first year postpartum. In early and mid-postpartum, but not late postpartum, reallocating 10 min of MVPA to LPA, SED, or sleep was associated with lower body weight (range: 3.07–4.03 kg lower). In early and late postpartum, reallocating 10 min of SED to LPA was associated with a lower body weight (4.03 kg and 1.04 kg, respectively). In participants who slept ≥7 h per day, reallocating sleep to LPA in early postpartum, and MVPA time to LPA in mid-postpartum was associated with lower body weight. In those who slept <7 h, no significant associations with body weight were found when reallocating time from one behavior to another. Conclusions: Encouraging LPA throughout the postpartum period may be beneficial for weight loss, and having enough sleep may be especially important for early to mid-postpartum. Future research examining the impact of changes in LPA on body weight in the postpartum period are needed, along with postpartum specific 24 h movement guidelines. Full article

Background/Objectives: The dose–response relationship between physical activity (PA) and cognitive indicators such as selective attention remains a subject of debate among professionals in education and neuroscience. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of an 8-week multimodal intervention program on selective attention in schoolchildren from Bogotá, Colombia, by comparing different intensities and practice contexts. Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted with 267 students aged 8–14 years, divided into four groups: control group (CG n = 69), light physical activity/active breaks (LPA; n = 64), moderate physical activity (MPA; n = 66) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA; n = 68). The intervention was delivered as follows: the control group followed usual school routines; LPA through classroom active breaks (10 min, 3×/day, 3 days/week); MPA during school recess (30 min, 2×/week), and MVPA during physical education classes (90 min, 1×/week). Selective attention was assessed using the d2-R test. Linear Mixed Models (LMMs) were applied to analyze the Group × Time interaction while accounting for the hierarchical structure of the data (students nested within eight schools). Conclusions: Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (Δ = +17.49) and light-intensity active breaks (Δ = +15.47) were effective in strengthening selective attention. These findings suggest that school-based physical activity should extend beyond physical education classes and incorporate movement-based activities within the classroom. Full article

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major global public-health problem, and physical inactivity contributes to poor disease control. In settings with limited access to health services, as in the Brazilian Amazon, interventions delivered by Community Health Workers (CHWs) within Primary Health Care (PHC) may offer a pragmatic strategy to increase physical activity (PA). We aimed to evaluate the effect of a CHW-led, theory-based intervention on PA among adults with T2DM in PHC in a cluster-randomized, community-based trial. A total of 274 participants were enrolled (intervention: n = 140, control: n = 134). CHWs in the intervention group completed a blended training (e.g., asynchronous modules, printed educational materials, and hands-on guidance). They conducted six home visits over six months to support behavior change, including increased PA. PA was measured using the International PA Questionnaire (IPAQ-LF), which assessed active commuting, walking, moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), and total PA. Group-by-time effects were examined using mixed-effects zero-inflated Gamma models. No significant intervention effects were observed for the conditional mean of minutes or the probability of participation in active commuting, walking, or total PA. However, for MVPA, the zero-inflated Gamma model revealed a significant intervention effect on the probability of engaging in activity. The intervention group showed a marked reduction in the likelihood of remaining at zero minutes of MVPA (Odds Ratio = 0.08; 95% CI = 0.01–0.79; p = 0.001) compared to the control group, indicating effective behavioral activation among previously inactive participants. These findings suggest that empowering CHWs to deliver structured, theory-driven interventions within PHC can reduce inactivity among high-risk adults with T2DM in underserved communities. Full article

Background: Reciprocity is a core mechanism of social bonding, signaling whether others are available and willing to provide support. The perception of reciprocity availability fosters trust and belonging, whereas its absence may elicit expectancy violation and negative affect. This study investigated the neural correlates of reciprocity availability (RA) and unavailability (RU) during social interaction. Methods: Thirty healthy adults underwent a social task during a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scan while viewing short vignettes depicting social exchanges differing in reciprocity cues. Univariate and multivariate (MVPA) analyses were used to identify activation and connectivity patterns associated with RA and RU. Affective responses, reaction times, and personality traits were correlated with neural activity. Results: RA engaged the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, precuneus, temporoparietal junction, and visual cortices. RU elicited greater activation of the left inferior frontal gyrus, dorsomedial prefrontal cortex, and temporal pole, along with enhanced connectivity between visual and parieto-temporal regions. In exploratory analyses, agreeableness correlated with ventromedial prefrontal activation during RA, whereas depressive temperament correlated with temporal pole activity during RU. Conclusions: Reciprocity availability versus unavailability engages distinct large-scale networks for socio-emotional integration and expectancy monitoring, defining a mechanistic framework for studying disrupted reciprocity in psychopathology. Full article

Viewing emotional pictures modulates electrocortical activity during the first second, with functional properties that reflect the type of processing that is being carried out. Recently, the investigation of electrocortical activity has been aided by machine learning techniques, such as multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA). Building on previous studies that used MVPA to classify between emotional and neutral stimuli, here we investigate electroencephalographic (EEG) changes while a sample of n = 15 participants viewed emotional and neutral scenes that could be presented in color or in grayscale, and for either a short (24 ms) or a long (6 s) exposure time. A linear classifier was used to classify EEG patterns as consequential to the viewing of emotional (pleasant, unpleasant) vs. neutral scenes, and to assess the extent to which scalp activation patterns are specific to the perceptual conditions under which a scene is viewed (i.e., color or greyscale, short vs. long exposure time) or generalize across viewing conditions. We observed that emotional content could be significantly decoded through MVPA, with earlier classification onset for pleasant-neutral vs. unpleasant-neutral classification. Moreover, this classification generalized across perceptual conditions, indicating that the symbolic meaning of natural scenes drives the emotional modulation of scalp activity. These results further indicate that, within the first second after the onset of natural scenes, emotional states can be decoded from the EEG signal, and that such learning can be applied to flexibly classify emotional states under perceptually different conditions. Full article

The study investigated the prevalence of students meeting moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) recommendations and factors associated with MVPA during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 4059 university students (2200 females [F]) during the lockdown using an electronic form. PA was assessed using the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-SF). Independent variables included sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge to perform PA, pre-pandemic PA, sedentary behavior (SB), and health self-reports related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, 56% of students met MVPA recommendations (males [M]: 57.7%, F: 54.3%; χ² = 4.703, p = 0.030). Knowledge to perform PA (M: OR = 3.012, 95% CI: 2.413–3.759; F: OR = 2.948, 95% CI: 2.444–3.556) and being physically active before the pandemic (M: OR = 2.651, 95% CI: 2.060–3.412; F: OR = 1.459, 95% CI: 1.079–1.974) increased the likelihood that students attained the MVPA recommendations. In contrast, longer daily exposure to SB was negatively associated with MVPA in both sexes. In this context, the present findings reinforce the relevance of universities as strategic settings for the promotion of PA in middle-income countries, where social and economic vulnerabilities may exacerbate the long-term consequences of physical inactivity. Full article

Background: Twenty-four-hour movement behaviours (physical activity, sedentary time, and sleep) may be associated with adolescent cognitive performance, but evidence from Central/Eastern Europe is limited. Methods: A total of 82 Slovak adolescents (15–19 years) completed tests of IQ, attention, and visual memory. Participants wore a wrist accelerometer 24/7 for seven consecutive days (processed in GGIR v3.0–3). Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), total sedentary time, and sleep duration were derived from accelerometry; physical activity was also self-reported using the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A). Non-parametric tests and Spearman correlations were applied; sleep × MVPA interaction models (robust HC3 standard errors) were adjusted for age and sex. Results: MVPA was low (median 32.9 min/day; 11% met ≥60 min/day), while sedentary time was high (median 652.6 min/day). Associations between movement behaviours and cognition were generally small, and no sleep × MVPA interaction effects were observed. The PAQ-A overestimated device-based MVPA (mean bias +1.68 units; 95% limits of agreement +1.10 to +2.25), with greater overestimation in girls and older adolescents. Conclusions: In this convenience sample, 24 h movement patterns were suboptimal, and their associations with cognition were modest and exploratory. Larger longitudinal studies are needed to confirm these findings. Full article

Background: Wrist-worn consumer activity trackers are widely used to promote physical activity (PA) and reduce sedentary behavior (SB). However, evidence regarding their validity for measuring PA and SB in free-living school-aged children remains limited. This study evaluated the concurrent validity and wear compliance of a wrist-worn consumer activity tracker in school-aged children under free-living conditions with protocol-defined wear requirements. Methods: A total of 102 children (mean age: 10.2 years; 44.1% girls) wore a wrist-worn device (Fitbit Ace) and a waist-worn accelerometer (Omron Active Style Pro HJA-750c, ASP-750c). Of the 1122 person-days collected over 11 days, 135 person-days meeting inclusion criteria for both devices were included (≥10 h/day wear time and an inter-device wear time difference of ≤60 min). Step count and time in SB, light (LPA), moderate (MPA), vigorous (VPA), and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) were assessed. Correlations, mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), agreement, and wear compliance between the two devices were examined. Results: Correlations were strong for step count (r = 0.86), SB (r = 0.72), and LPA (r = 0.71); however, agreement was poor, with systematic overestimation of step count, SB, VPA, and MVPA and underestimation of LPA and MPA by the Fitbit Ace, and MAPE exceeding 20% for all PA variables. Wear compliance (≥10 h/day on ≥4 days) was higher for the Fitbit Ace (97.0%) than for the ASP-750c (62.2%). Conclusions: Although the Fitbit Ace may be useful for characterizing general patterns of LPA and SB in school-aged children, caution is warranted for accurate individual-level PA assessment. Full article

Background: Physical literacy is a multidimensional construct that may be relevant for promoting active lifestyles and healthy development during adolescence. However, the association between perceived physical literacy (PPL) and body composition assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) remains underexplored. Objective: To examine the association between PPL and DXA-derived body composition parameters in Spanish adolescents. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 56 adolescents (13.2 ± 1.27 years, 28.6% girls). PPL was assessed using the validated Spanish version of the Perceived Physical Literacy Instrument (S-PPLI). Body composition was measured by DXA. Associations between PPL and body composition outcomes were examined using general linear models, adjusting for sex, age, and device-measured moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary time. Results: Higher PPL was significantly associated with greater lean body mass (β = 0.81; p = 0.02), lean mass index (β = 0.22; p = 0.01), and fat-free mass (β = 0.85; p = 0.01), as well as with higher body mass index (BMI) (β = 0.24; p = 0.03). Conclusions: Higher PPL is associated with more favorable lean-related body composition outcomes in Spanish adolescents, whereas no associations were found with adiposity or bone parameters. These findings highlight PPL as a relevant correlation of lean body composition during adolescence. Given the cross-sectional design, causal inferences cannot be drawn, and future longitudinal and interventional studies are warranted. Full article

This study aimed to analyze the relationship between moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and dimensions of emotional intelligence (EI) in Spanish adolescents aged 12 to 16 years, controlling for variables such as gender, age, and body mass index (BMI). A total of 171 students (92 boys; mean age = 13.73 ± 1.34 years) were analyzed, measuring MVPA using the PACE + Adolescent PA Measure and EI using the TEIQue-SF, which includes well-being, self-control, emotionality, and sociability. Physically active adolescents (>4 days/week with ≥60 min of MVPA) showed significantly higher scores in well-being and sociability compared to their inactive peers (p < 0.05), with no differences in emotionality or self-control. Regression analyses confirmed that weekly MVPA was positively associated with well-being and sociability, independent of gender, age, and BMI. These findings suggest that regular MVPA is associated with emotional balance and social competence in adolescents, highlighting the importance of integrating structured PA programs in and out of school. Furthermore, the study underscores the potential of digital and gamified interventions, such as exergames and mobile apps, as promising tools to support the emotional and social correlates of PA by promoting motivation, social interaction, and emotional regulation, offering innovative approaches to support adolescents’ social-emotional development. Full article

Background/Objectives: Evidence links children’s health-related quality of life (HRQoL) to overall diet, but data on specific, actionable habits are limited. We tested whether vegetable intake ≥2 portions/day and fish intake ≥2–3 times/week were associated with risk of low HRQoL (KIDSCREEN-10 Index score <40) and assessed their joint effect and robustness to overall diet quality. Methods: In three waves (2020–2023) in Madrid (Spain), 1127 observations from 771 children (8–12 years) were analysed. Logistic Generalised Estimating Equations (GEE) adjusted for age, sex, socioeconomic status (four levels), moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), screen time, body mass index (BMI) z-score, wave and school ownership. Marginal predicted probabilities were computed for four exposure combinations (neither, vegetables only, fish only, both). Sensitivity models added school area and the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index (KIDMED; KIDMED_wo_FV and total); hybrid within–between GEE and a linear mixed model for continuous KIDSCREEN-10 were also fitted. Results: Vegetables ≥2/day and fish ≥2–3/week were inversely associated with low HRQoL (odds ratio (OR) 0.49 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.30–0.82) and 0.61 (0.43–0.87)). The interaction was positive (OR 2.50 (1.39–4.53)). Adjusted probabilities were 40.1% (neither), 25.8% (vegetables only; −14.3 percentage points (p.p.)), 29.7% (fish only; −10.5 p.p.), and 34.0% (both; −6.1 p.p.). Findings persisted with KIDMED_wo_FV and attenuated with total KIDMED. MVPA related inversely and screen time directly to risk. Conclusions: Vegetables ≥2/day and fish ≥2–3/week were associated with lower odds of low HRQoL, with non-additive combined effects. These simple targets may complement physical-activity promotion and reduced screen time; longitudinal/experimental studies should test causality and dose–response. Full article

Background: Childhood obesity continues to pose a major global health challenge, and schools offer a structured and scalable setting for implementing physical activity programs. However, the effectiveness of these interventions remains inconsistent. This systematic review synthesizes evidence from school-based physical activity interventions and evaluates their impact on obesity-related parameters, physical activity levels, physical fitness, and cardiorespiratory fitness among children. Methods: A comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library identified randomized controlled trials published between January 2015 and March 2025. Eligible studies included children aged 5–18 years and assessed school-based physical activity interventions. Outcomes included BMI, body fat percentage, physical activity levels (including MVPA), physical fitness, and cardiorespiratory fitness. Due to methodological heterogeneity, a narrative synthesis was conducted. Results: A total of 28 studies met inclusion criteria. Among the 16 studies reporting obesity-related outcomes, 7 demonstrated statistically significant improvements in BMI or BMI z-scores, while 6 of 16 (37.5%) showed no measurable effect. Reductions in body fat percentage were more consistently observed (5 of 6 studies). Both short-term (<6 months) and long-term (>12 months) interventions showed comparable proportions of studies with statistically significant BMI improvements (~50%). For physical activity outcomes, 5 of 11 studies reported increased MVPA, whereas others showed no significant change. Sedentary behavior outcomes were mixed, with only 2 of 6 studies demonstrating significant reductions. Improvements in physical fitness were reported in two-thirds of studies, while cardiorespiratory fitness improvements were inconsistent, with significant gains observed primarily in higher-intensity or well-structured programs. Across outcomes, several findings were statistically significant but modest in clinical magnitude. Conclusions: School-based physical activity interventions have the potential to improve select obesity-related parameters, particularly body fat percentage and BMI in a subset of studies. However, effects on MVPA, sedentary time, overall activity levels, and cardiorespiratory fitness remain variable. The effectiveness of these programs appears influenced by intervention structure, intensity, and adherence rather than duration alone. Future interventions should incorporate tailored, multi-component approaches to enhance both clinical relevance and long-term sustainability. While several effects were statistically significant, most were modest in magnitude. However, even modest improvements in BMI z-score, body fat percentage, and fitness can be meaningful at a population level, particularly when delivered through universal, scalable school platforms that reach large numbers of children. Full article

In individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD), bradykinesia severity is related to physical activity (PA) inside homes. We aimed to investigate the effectiveness of the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT)^® BIG intervention in increasing at-home PA in individuals with PD. To evaluate the effect of the intervention, we compared pre- and post-intervention scores on the Movement Disorder Society-sponsored revision of the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) Parts 3 and 2, as well as the time spent at home in three categories of PA intensity. For statistical testing, paired t-tests were used when the data met the assumptions of normality, and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test was applied otherwise. Differences were considered statistically significant at p < 0.05. This preliminary retrospective observational study included 10 eligible individuals with PD (4 males). The participants’ mean age was 71.0 ± 10.8 years, with median Hoehn and Yahr stage 3 [interquartile range: 1 to 4]. The MDS-UPDRS Part 3 score, bradykinesia score calculated from a part of that score, and the MDS-UPDRS Part 2 score significantly improved after the intervention (Wilcoxon signed-rank test, p < 0.05). The time spent in sedentary behavior (SB) significantly decreased from 516.4 ± 72.6 to 484.0 ± 70.0 min, whereas that spent in light PA (LPA) significantly increased from 137.8 ± 46.2 to 169.5 ± 32.1 min (paired t-test, p < 0.05). The time spent on moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) did not change significantly (paired t-test, p = 0.533). The results suggested that LSVT^® BIG is an effective intervention for increasing at-home PA in individuals with PD. In addition, regarding the specific details of the increase, the time spent on MVPA may not change, and the increase may be mainly attributed to increased LPA and reduced sedentary time. Full article