Association of Maximum Temperature With Sedentary Time in Older British Men

Momentary within-subject associations of affective states and physical behavior are moderated by weather conditions in real life: an ambulatory assessment study

BACKGROUND

Physical behavior (PB) is a key lifestyle factor in regulating and preventing diseases across the lifespan. Researchers identified affective, cognitive, and contextual factors like weather conditions, as significant contributors in determining if individuals are physically active. However, there is scarce empirical evidence about potential associations between PB and affective states influenced by weather conditions in daily life. Therefore, we explored if weather conditions moderated the within-subject association between momentary affective states and subsequent PB.

METHODS

Utilizing ambulatory assessment, 79 participants completed electronic diaries about their affective states (i.e., valence, energetic arousal, and calmness) up to six times a day over five days, and their PB (i.e., physical activity and sedentariness) was simultaneously recorded via accelerometers. Weather conditions (i.e., temperature and precipitation) recorded near participants' locations served as moderators in the multilevel analyses.

RESULTS

We confirmed earlier findings associating affective states with PB. Increased valence and energetic arousal were positively associated with physical activity (β = 0.007; p < .001), whereas calmness predicted lower levels of physical activity (β = -0.006; p < .001). Higher levels of calmness showed a positive association with sedentary behavior (β = 0.054; p = .003). In addition, we revealed a significant positive association between temperature, as a momentary weather condition, and physical activity (β = 0.025; p = .015). Furthermore, we showed that the association of affective states and physical activity was moderated by temperature. Higher temperatures enhanced the positive effects of valence on physical activity (β = .001, p = .023) and attenuated the negative effects of calmness on physical activity (β = .001, p = .021). Moreover, higher temperatures enhanced the positive effects of valence on reduced sedentary behavior (β = -0.011, p = .043).

CONCLUSIONS

Temperature alterations appeared to have an impact on subsequent physical activity. Furthermore, temperature alterations moderated the influence of affective states on conducted physical activity. This might offer the opportunity for just-in-time adaptive interventions to intervene in individually appropriate environmental conditions for promoting physical activity.

Association with Temperature Variability and Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, and Sleep in a Free-Living Population

The present study examines the temperature variability in physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior (SB), and sleep in a free-living population. A representative sample of 1235 adults (ages 21–70) from Iowa, U.S.A., wore a SenseWear Mini Armband (SWA) for a randomly assigned day. Koppen’s weather climate classification was used to precisely classify the temperature: cold (−13 to 32 °F), cool (32 to 50 °F), mild (50 to 64 °F), warm (64 to 73 °F), and hot (73 to 95 °F). The main effect of three-way ANOVA (age × gender × temperature) had differences for SB and sleep, with older adults having higher levels than younger adults (p < 0.05). However, moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) did not vary systematically by age or gender, and contrary to expectations, the main effect of the weather was not significant for MVPA (p > 0.05). Participants spent more time participating in PA at cold than at hot temperatures. The results clarify the impact of temperature on shaping PA and SB patterns in adults. The variable impacts and differential patterns by age suggest that weather should be considered when interpreting differences in PA patterns in research or surveillance applications.

Does surrounding greenness moderate the relationship between apparent temperature and physical activity? Findings from the PHENOTYPE project

BACKGROUND

Physical activity can be affected by both meteorological conditions and surrounding greenness, but few studies have evaluated the effects of these environmental factors on physical activity simultaneously. This multi-city comparative study aimed to assess the synergetic effects of apparent temperature and surrounding greenness on physical activity in four European cities. Specifically, we aimed to identify an interaction between surrounding greenness and apparent temperature in the effects on physical activity.

METHODS

Data were collected from 352 adult residents of Barcelona (Spain), Stoke-on-Trent (United Kingdom), Doetinchem (The Netherlands), and Kaunas (Lithuania) as part of the PHENOTYPE study. Participants wore a smartphone for seven consecutive days between May-December 2013 and provided additional sociodemographic survey data. Hourly average physical activity (Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET)) and surrounding greenness (NDVI) were derived from the Calfit mobile application collecting accelerometer and location data. Hourly apparent temperature was calculated from temperature and relative humidity, which were obtained from local meteorological stations along with other meteorological covariates (rainfall, windspeed, and sky darkness). We assessed the interaction effects of apparent temperature and surrounding greenness on hourly physical activity for each city using linear mixed models, while adjusting for meteorological, demographic, and time-related variables.

RESULTS

We found significant interactions between apparent temperature and surrounding greenness on hourly physical activity in three of four cities, aside from the coastal city of Barcelona. Significant quadratic effects of apparent temperature were found in the highest level of surrounding greenness for Stoke-on-Trent and Doetinchem, with 4% decrease in median MET observed for a 10°C departure from optimal temperature (15.2°C and 14.6°C, respectively). Significant linear effects were found for higher levels of surrounding greenness in Kaunas, whereby an increase of 10°C was associated with ∼4% increase in median MET.

CONCLUSION

Apparent temperature and surrounding greenness interacted in the effect on hourly physical activity across three of four European cities, with varying effect between cities. While quadratic effects of temperature suggest diminishing levels of physical activity in the highest greenness levels in cities of temperate climates, the variation in surrounding greenness between cities could be further explored, particularly by looking at indoor-outdoor locations. The study findings support the need for evidence-based physical activity promotion and urban design.

Seasons, weather, and device-measured movement behaviors: a scoping review from 2006 to 2020

BACKGROUND

This scoping review summarized research on (a) seasonal differences in physical activity and sedentary behavior, and (b) specific weather indices associated with those behaviors.

METHODS

PubMed, CINAHL, and SPORTDiscus were searched to identify relevant studies. After identifying and screening 1459 articles, data were extracted from 110 articles with 118,189 participants from 30 countries (almost exclusively high-income countries) on five continents.

RESULTS

Both physical activity volume and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) were greater in summer than winter. Sedentary behavior was greater in winter than either spring or summer, and insufficient evidence existed to draw conclusions about seasonal differences in light physical activity. Physical activity volume and MVPA duration were positively associated with both the photoperiod and temperature, and negatively associated with precipitation. Sedentary behavior was negatively associated with photoperiod and positively associated with precipitation. Insufficient evidence existed to draw conclusions about light physical activity and specific weather indices. Many weather indices have been neglected in this literature (e.g., air quality, barometric pressure, cloud coverage, humidity, snow, visibility, windchill).

CONCLUSIONS

The natural environment can influence health by facilitating or inhibiting physical activity. Behavioral interventions should be sensitive to potential weather impacts. Extreme weather conditions brought about by climate change may compromise health-enhancing physical activity in the short term and, over longer periods of time, stimulate human migration in search of more suitable environmental niches.

Test-Retest Reliability of activPAL in Measuring Sedentary Behavior and Physical Activity in People With Type 2 Diabetes

BACKGROUND

To investigate how changes in sedentary behavior relate to health outcomes, it is important to establish the test-retest reliability of activity monitors in measuring habitual sedentary behavior in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) as a prerequisite for interpreting this information. Thus, the authors' objective was to examine the test-retest reliability of a common activity monitor (activPAL™) in measuring sedentary behavior and physical activity in people with T2D.

METHODS

Sedentary-time, standing-time, stepping-time, step-count, and sit-to-stand transitions were obtained from two 7-day assessment periods separated by at least 1 week. Test-retest reliability was determined with the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) to compare sedentary and activity measures between the 2 time points.

RESULTS

A total of 30 participants with self-reported T2D completed the study (age 65 [6] y, 63% women, body mass index 33.3 [5] kg/m2). High test-retest reliability was found for sedentary-time (ICC = .79; 95% confidence interval [CI], .61-.89) and standing-time (ICC = .74; 95% CI, .53-.87). Very high test-retest reliability was found for stepping-time (ICC = .90; 95% CI, .81-.95), step-count (ICC = .91; 95% CI, .83-.96), and sit-to-stand transitions (ICC = .90; 95% CI, .79-.95).

CONCLUSION

The activPAL™ device showed high to very high test-retest reliability in measuring all tested activity categories in people with T2D.

Seasonal Changes in Continuous Sedentary Behavior in Community-Dwelling Japanese Adults: A Pilot Study

Background: Sedentary behavior (SB) is associated with adverse health outcomes. The aim of this study was to clarify seasonal changes in SB including continuous SB (CSB) in community-dwelling Japanese adults. Methods: In this secondary analysis, a total of 65 community-dwelling Japanese adults (7 men and 58 women, 69 (50-78) years) were enrolled. SB (%), including CSB (≥30 min) as well as physical activity, were evaluated using a tri-accelerometer. The differences in these parameters between baseline (summer) and follow-up (winter) were examined. Results: %CSB and %SB at baseline were 20.5 (4.0-60.9) and 54.0 ± 11.5, respectively. CSB was significantly increased (6.6%), and SB was also increased (5.1%) at follow-up compared with baseline. In addition, there were positive relationships between changes in CSB and SB, and body weight and body mass index. Conclusions: These results suggest that there were significant seasonal changes in CSB and SB in community-dwelling Japanese adults.

Accelerometer-assessed outdoor physical activity is associated with meteorological conditions among older adults: Cross-sectional results from the OUTDOOR ACTIVE study

Background

Meteorological conditions are potential determinants of physical activity (PA). A profound understanding of the determinants of PA behaviour is required for PA promotion. This study examined the association between accelerometer-assessed PA and meteorological conditions among older adults.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included data of 577 adults aged 65–75 years living in Bremen, Germany (52% female; 3278 days). PA was measured with accelerometers for seven consecutive days (10/15-08/16). A threshold of 240 lx was used to differentiate between outdoor physical activity (OPA) and indoor physical activity (IPA). Linear mixed models estimated the association between PA (daily accelerometer counts per minute (CPM)) and meteorological factors (temperature, cloud cover, wind, and no precipitation) derived by principal component analysis.

Results

The analyses showed associations between PA in CPM and the meteorological factors temperature (93.7; 95%-CL: 64.9, 122.5) and no precipitation (48.4; 95%-CL: 19.8, 77.0) in women and wind (-40.3; 95%-CL: -59.7, -20.8) and no precipitation (30.1; 95%-CL: 5.6, 54.6) in men. After distinguishing in OPA and IPA for a subsample of 128 participants (473 days), the sex differences were no longer present. OPA in CPM was associated with temperature (women: 174.5; 95%-CL: 81.3, 267.6; men: 183.3; 95%-CL: 81.2, 285.4), cloud cover (women: -153.0; 95%-CL: -200.3, -105.7; men: -123.2; 95%-CL: -174.7, -71.7), and wind (women: -118.6; 95%-CL: -189.6; -47.7; men: -96.9; 95%-CL: -177.0, -16.7). No association between OPA and no precipitation was found (women: 2.9; 95%-CL: -89.0, 94.8; men: -17.1; 95%-CL: -116.7, 82.4).

Conclusions

The results of this study emphasize the importance of meteorological conditions as environmental determinants of PA among older adults. Meteorological conditions should be accounted for in the unbiased assessment of habitual PA and the development of PA promotion programs. Future research should focus on the associations of OPA and IPA with meteorological conditions in different climatic regions.

Associations of weather conditions with adolescents' daily physical activity, sedentary time, and sleep duration

Weather has been recognized as an environmental factor that affects daily activities. However, the effects of a humid subtropical climate on daily activity behavior are unclear. This study investigated the associations of weather conditions with physical activity (PA), sedentary time (ST), and sleep duration in a sample of 740 Hong Kong adolescents (mean age: 14.7 ± 1.6 years). The activPAL was used to assess the time spent during moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA), ST, and sleep. Weather data (e.g., temperature, relative humidity, rainfall amount, and sunlight duration) were obtained from the Hong Kong Observatory. Linear mixed models were constructed to examine the associations of weather conditions with the durations of MVPA, ST, and sleep on weekdays and weekend days, respectively. The analysis included valid data from 561 students (51.9% male). Among Hong Kong adolescents, a higher relative humidity was associated with reduced MVPA on weekdays and weekends, more ST on weekdays, and a longer sleep duration on weekends. A longer duration of sunlight induced less MVPA on weekends, but a longer sleep duration on weekdays. On weekends, higher temperatures correlated with increases in MVPA and ST but a decrease in sleep duration. Rainfall correlated inversely with sleep duration and positively with ST on weekdays. The associations of rainfall with MVPA exhibited opposite trends on weekdays and weekends. In summary, the relationships between weather conditions and daily activities exhibited day-type patterns. The findings suggest that environment-controlled indoor PA should be recommended during weather conditions of high relative humidity and higher temperatures.

Can we identify older people most vulnerable to living in cold homes during winter?

PURPOSE

Living in a cold home increases the risk of dying in winter, especially in older people. However, it is unclear which individual factors predict whether older people are living in cold homes.

METHODS

Thousand four hundred two men aged 74-95 years from a U.K. population-based study reported difficulties in keeping warm during winter, answering four simple "yes/no" questions. Associations between individual's characteristics and each of the four self-reported measures of cold homes were estimated using logistic regression models. Next, we investigated whether measures of cold homes predict mortality over the subsequent 2.1 years.

RESULTS

Manual social class, difficulties making ends meet, and not being married were each associated (P < .05) with each of the four measures of cold homes (adjusted odds ratios ranged from 1.61 to 4.68). Social isolation, poor respiratory health, and grip strength were also associated with reports of cold homes. Hundred twenty-six men died; those who reported the presence of at least three measures cold homes had increased mortality (adjusted hazard ratios 2.85 [95% confidence interval, 1.11-7.30, P = .029]).

CONCLUSIONS

Older people who find it hard to keep warm in winter, and have an elevated mortality, could be identified using a self-report questionnaire.