Physical Activity for Health and Fitness: Past, Present and Future

The Effect of Physical Activity Levels on Cognitive Performance: Research in Portuguese Adolescents

The literature unequivocally acknowledges the numerous health benefits that physical activity (PA) provides. However, in other variables, such as cognitive performance (CP), the PA characteristics required to elicit favorable benefits remain controversial, particularly among adolescents. The aim was to investigate the evolution of CP in adolescents over the school year, as well as the role of regular PA levels. The study included 366 adolescents (boys n = 154), between 12 and 20 years old (15.46 ± 1.63), from middle school (n = 123) and high school (n = 243). CP was assessed through a face-to-face interview employing the Cognitive Telephone Screening Instrument. The variation in CP (∆CP) was determined by the difference between the value of the final assessment (end of the school year) and the initial assessment (start of the school year). PA was assessed using accelerometry (ActiGraph GT3X+). The CP score improved from the initial to the final assessment (37.80 ± 9.26 vs. 40.45 ± 10.05) (t = -6.135; p < 0.001; Glass's Delta = 0.37. Multiple linear regression revealed that age (ß = -0.332; t = -4.255; p < 0.001) and high-intensity PA (ß = 0.283; t = 3.627; p < 0.001) accounted for 17.2% of the variation in ∆CP. CP improved significantly over the school year, emphasizing the significance of age and vigorous PA in ∆CP in adolescents.

Comprehensive analysis of college students' autonomous fitness behavior-a narrative review

Although the physical health of college students is increasingly receiving attention, their autonomous fitness behavior has not been thoroughly investigated. This narrative review conducted a comprehensive literature search through databases such as PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), reviewing studies published up to December 2023. We explored the constructs of autonomy, fitness behavior, and agency, and discussed their integration within the autonomous fitness model. Our findings indicate a lack of comprehensive studies exploring the multifaceted factors influencing autonomous fitness behaviors. Future research should strive to deepen conceptual understanding and further explore the complex dynamics of the transition from autonomy to persistence, employing technological and interdisciplinary methodological perspectives to enhance understanding and promote sustainable fitness habits.

Greenway interventions effectively enhance physical activity levels-A systematic review with meta-analysis

Background

Previous studies have examined the impact of greenway interventions on physical activity (PA); however, the results have been inconclusive. In order to address this issue, our study conducted a systematic review with meta-analysis to thoroughly evaluate the evidence and determine the effectiveness of greenway interventions in promoting PA.

Methods

We conducted a comprehensive search of literature databases, such as Web of Science, EMBASE, PubMed (via Medline), Cochrane Library, and Scopus, up to June 15, 2023. To synthesize the available evidence, we performed a meta-analysis using a random effects model. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the criteria developed by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.

Results

A total of 9 publications were identified, involving 6, 589 individuals. The overall quality of most included studies was rated as moderate to high. Our study found that the greenway was effective in promoting PA among participants. Specifically, active travel (AT) showed a standard mean difference (SMD) of 0.10 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.04 to 0.17], moderate-to-vigorous PA had an SMD of 0.11 (95% CI: 0.02 to 0.20), and total PA had an SMD of 0.14 (95% CI: 0.06 to 0.21). We also observed significant differences in AT levels among participants based on greenway characteristics, exposure distance, exposure duration, and male-to-female ratio.

Discussion

Newly developed or upgraded greenways have been shown to effectively promote PA. Additionally, research suggests that the longer a greenway has been in existence, the greater the benefits it provides for PA. As a result, the construction of greenways should be recognized as an effective public health intervention.

The subject-environment interplay between runners from different Brazilian macro-regions

Purpose

Our purpose was to investigate the interplay between runners and their environment using a network approach.

Methods

This cross-sectional study sampled Brazilian runners of both sexes, from the five macro-regions of the country. An electronic questionnaire was used to obtain information regarding age, sex, training volume, socio-economic level, place of residence, and running pace. Environmental indicators (public illumination, pavement, sidewalk, and green areas) were collected from available public information. Descriptive statistics were presented in mean (SD), and frequency (%). A network analysis was performed to evaluate the association between individual and environmental characteristics. Statistical analyses were performed in the JASP, considering p < 0.05.

Results

At North and Mid-West regions, public illumination presents the highest values for the expected influence (1.74 and 1.56), while in Northeast and Southeast, sidewalks present the highest values (2.13; 0.91). For betweenness centrality, in North, Northeast, and Mid-West regions, residency in the capital of a state presented a hub. In contrast, pavement, and training volume present higher values in the South and Southeast. Network topologies are different.

Conclusion

Public illumination (North and Mid-West) and sidewalk (Northeast, Southeast) were the most important variables for runners. Continental size countries need specific approaches to improve physical activity levels and health outcomes that consider the cultural, historical, and environmental background.

The Relative Importance of Training and Social Support for Runners' Performance: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

Running participation/performance is a complex system. Understanding the variables associated with these behaviors may help to increase population physical activity and improve performance. This study aimed to investigate social and training variables important for running performance using a network approach.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study sampled 1151 non-professional Brazilian runners of both sexes (women, 38.2%; men, 61.7%). A questionnaire was available for eligible participants using an online platform, and information regarding training (volume and running pace) and social variables (participation in a running event, participation in a running group, influence on running, runners in the family, and childhood sport) related to runners' performance was obtained. The Chi-square test and network model were estimated by sex.

RESULTS

Training characteristics tend to be clustered. For both sexes, the training volume node presented the highest expected influence in the network (1.69 for women and 2.16 for men). Centrality indicators of social variables show that sports childhood participation and the presence of runners in the family were the most important nodes of network connection for women and men, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Based on these findings, it was concluded that sports participation during childhood and the practice of running by other family members were important factors to connect variables in the network. These findings have practical applications for health policymakers, highlighting the need to develop educational programs to increase sports participation during childhood and within families.

New Advances in Metabolic Syndrome, from Prevention to Treatment: The Role of Diet and Food

The definition of metabolic syndrome (MetS) has undergone several changes over the years due to the difficulty in establishing universal criteria for it. Underlying the disorders related to MetS is almost invariably a pro-inflammatory state related to altered glucose metabolism, which could lead to elevated cardiovascular risk. Indeed, the complications closely related to MetS are cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and type 2 diabetes (T2D). It has been observed that the predisposition to metabolic syndrome is modulated by complex interactions between human microbiota, genetic factors, and diet. This review provides a summary of the last decade of literature related to three principal aspects of MetS: (i) the syndrome's definition and classification, pathophysiology, and treatment approaches; (ii) prediction and diagnosis underlying the biomarkers identified by means of advanced methodologies (NMR, LC/GC-MS, and LC, LC-MS); and (iii) the role of foods and food components in prevention and/or treatment of MetS, demonstrating a possible role of specific foods intake in the development of MetS.

Unraveling the physiologic paradoxes that underlie exercise prescription for stress fracture prevention

The effects of exercise on stress fracture risk are paradoxical. Exercise can promote both bone formation and resorption, which in turn, can reduce and increase risk of stress fractures, respectively. We review classic and current literature that suggests that the processes that underlie these responses to exercise are distinct. Bone remodeling involves osteoclastic resorption of fatigue-damaged bone, coupled with subsequent bone deposition to replace the damaged tissue. Bone modeling involves the independent action of osteoblasts and osteoclasts forming or resorbing bone, respectively, on a surface. In the formation mode, modeling results in increased bone stiffness, strength, and resistance to fatigue. Both the remodeling and modeling responses to exercise require significant time for newly deposited bone to fully mineralize. We propose that recognizing these two distinct physiologic pathways and their related time courses reveals the theoretical basis to guide exercise prescription to promote bone health during periods of heightened stress fracture risk. Such guidance may include minimizing rapid increases in the duration of repetitive exercises that may cause fatigue damage accrual, such as long-distance running and marching. Rather, limiting initial exercise characteristics to those known to stimulate bone formation, such as short-duration, moderate-to-high impact, dynamic, and multidirectional activities with rest insertion, may increase the fatigue resistance of bone and consequently minimize stress fracture risk.