Physical Activity Summer Slide Begins Early with COVID-19 School Closures: A Research Brief

Applying the FRAME for Systematic Adaptation of a State Health Curriculum to Enhance Physical Activity and Family Engagement

BACKGROUND

A systematic adaptation of an evidence-based state health curriculum (Michigan Model for Health™, MMH) was created to enhance physical activity and family engagement materials but retain the core functional elements of the curriculum.

METHODS

The Framework for Reporting Adaptations and Modifications-Enhanced (FRAME) was used to document the adaptation, which used materials from an evidence-informed physical activity program (Interrupting Prolonged sitting with ACTivity, InPACT). Acceptability, appropriateness, feasibility, and perceived value of the adaptation were assessed by key stakeholders, regional school health coordinators (HCs).

RESULTS

A planned, fidelity-consistent adaptation was created in which InPACT resources were integrated into the MMH curriculum, with recommended integrations packaged in a supplemental guide. Training was modified as appropriate. The guide had high acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility among HCs (n = 17), and 71% of HCs (n = 24) indicated that it had really strong value.

CONCLUSIONS

Next steps involve implementing the adapted curriculum and evaluating its effects on family engagement, youth physical activity levels, and overall curriculum effectiveness.

Randomized controlled trial of a multiple technology-based physical activity intervention for Latina adolescents: Recruitment strategies and baseline data from the Chicas Fuertes trial

BACKGROUND

Latina adolescents report low levels of physical activity (PA) and high lifetime risk of lifestyle-related diseases. They also have high rates of using technology, suggesting interventions delivered through mobile devices may be effective for this population. The current paper describes recruitment methods and baseline study characteristics for Chicas Fuertes, a fully powered randomized trial of a mobile technology PA intervention.

METHODS

Underactive Latina adolescents (aged 13-18) were recruited using social media and presentations at local schools and community organizations in San Diego, California. Participants were randomly assigned 1:1 to either the intervention (Fitbit, tailored texting, social media, and website) or control group. Baseline measures included demographics, psychosocial variables, and PA measured by the 7-Day Physical Activity Recall (PAR), ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometers, and Fitbits. Baseline data were collected from 2020 to 2023.

RESULTS

Social media yielded the most contacts (465), but had the lowest chance of enrollment (14 %, vs. 52 % from school presentations). Participants (N = 160) were mostly second generation (68.8 %), and low income (61.8 %), but technology access was high (>99 %). Median self-reported moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) using the 7-Day PAR was 120 min/week (range 0-720), and median daily steps were 5222 (IQR 359). Median MVPA measured by ActiGraphs, however, was 0 min per week. There was no correlation between the 7-day PAR and ActiGraphs (ρ=.13,p=.12). However, ActiGraph MVPA was correlated with total steps recorded by the Fitbit (ρ=.38,p<.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Both remote and in-person approaches were successful in recruiting a sample that was underactive and low income, but had high technology use.

Changes in physical activity and sleep following the COVID-19 pandemic on a university campus: Perception versus reality

It has been hypothesized that key lifestyle behaviors of physical activity and sleep worsened in response to the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. However, there have been inconsistencies in findings of changes in these key lifestyle behaviors across populations likely due to the wide variety of assessment methods. The purpose of the study was to compare physical activity and sleep before and after the COVID-19 pandemic using accelerometers and self-reported behaviors. A longitudinal follow-up was conducted on students, faculty, and staff at a university campus in the United States. In the periods before March 2020 (covering the academic years of 2018-2019 or 2019-2020) and again in April-June 2021, participants completed surveys to evaluate their physical activity and sleep behaviors and wore an accelerometer. A total of 44 participants completed the survey at both timepoints and 32 completed accelerometer assessment at both timepoints. Fifty-seven percent of participants reported a perceived decline in physical activity, while 30% reported a worsening in sleep. From self-reported data, overall physical activity did not change, but there was a decrease in active transport (p ​< ​0.001) and increase in domestic physical activity (p ​= ​0.012). Sleep quality decreased as evidenced by an increase in Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores (p ​= ​0.045). There were no changes in accelerometer measured physical activity or sleep. There were no changes in physical or mental health. While perceptions of physical activity declined from prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, there were no changes in device-measured physical activity, and changes in self-reported physical activity differed by domain.

What explains adolescents' physical activity and sports participation during the COVID-19 pandemic? - an interpretable machine learning approach

Adolescents' physical activity (PA) and sports participation declined due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to determine the critical socio-ecological factors for PA and sports participation using a machine learning approach. We did a cross-sectional secondary data analysis utilising the 2021 National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH) dataset (N=16,166; 49.0% female). We applied an interpretable machine learning approach (e.g. decision tree-based models) that examined the critical factors associated with PA and sports participation. The factors related to the intrapersonal, interpersonal, organisational, and community levels of the socio-ecological model. Out of the 25 factors examined, our findings unveiled the 11 critical factors associated with PA and the 10 critical factors associated with sports participation. Factors at the intrapersonal levels (e.g. age, screen time, and race) held greater importance to PA than those at the other three levels. While interpersonal factors (e.g. parent participation in children's events/activities, family's highest educational level, and family income level) were most important for sports participation. This study identified that the common critical factors of physical activity and sports participation during the COVID-19 pandemic mainly relied on intrapersonal and interpersonal levels. Unique factors were discussed.

Changes to Secondary School Physical Activity Programs and Policy after Emerging from COVID-19 Lockdowns

The purpose of this study was to explore the adaptations that schools made to physical activity programs and facilities, and disparities by area urbanicity and income, during the first school year after the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. In a convenience sample of 132 secondary schools in Canada, school contacts responded to an annual survey in the 2020-2021 school year on changes to physical activity programs and facilities, and related staff training. Content analysis categorized open-ended text responses, and schools were compared based on area urbanicity and median income. Most schools canceled all interschool sports (88.9%) and intramurals (65.9%). New programs were added by 12.6% of schools, and about half (49%) of schools reported some continuing programs, most of which were sports programs, followed by facility and equipment access. Physical activity facilities were closed in 18.1% of schools, while 15.7% had new facilities added, and 11% temporarily converted facilities into learning spaces. Large/medium urban schools were at greater odds of having made any change to their facilities compared to schools in rural/small urban areas (odds ratio (95% confidence interval): 2.3 (1.1, 4.8)). The results demonstrate the considerable scale and nature of the restrictions in school provisions of physical activity opportunities during this period, as well as the resourcefulness of some schools in adding new programs and facilities.

Australian sport and physical activity behaviours pre, during and post-COVID-19

BACKGROUND

Globally, COVID-19 and associated restrictions impacted negatively on recreational physical activity (RPA). Participation in community sport was significantly impacted with cancelled training and competitions. Whilst team and club-based sport participation declined during COVID-19 restrictions, participation in some physical activities actually increased, particularly individual and online activities and outdoor activities not requiring facilities.

AIM

The aim of this study is to investigate changes in the patterns of participation in club-based sport, informal sport and other RPA in Australia from pre, during and post-COVID-19 restrictions. Further, these participation patterns are broken down by gender, age and region of residence.

METHODS

Two longitudinal waves of an online survey were conducted in mid-2020 and mid-2021. The first wave also captured retrospective pre-COVID19 (2019) data. Two sections of the survey dealt respectively with two 'settings' of RPA: organised club sport, and less structured sport and recreational physical activity (designated 'other RPA'). For each year 2019-2021 each individual was categorized as participating (Yes/No) in each of club sport and other RPA. For each setting, the proportions of each pattern of participation were tabulated, and the results for the demographic cohorts were compared.

RESULTS

A total of 1,138 Australians aged 13 years and above completed both waves of the survey. Overall, there were considerable differences between the patterns of club sport and other RPA. Most individuals who participated in other RPA (69%) were able to and did participate continuously throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. However, and not surprisingly, the club-sport participants were forced to drop out in 2020 during COVID-19 restrictions, and less than half reported returning to play post-COVID-19 restrictions. Less than a quarter of sports club participants were able to continue to play throughout COVID-19 and beyond. Significantly more males returned to playing sport 51% than females 44%.

CONCLUSION

Participation in community club-based sport has been significantly negatively impacted by COVID-19, more so than participation in some other recreational sport and physical activities. Further, fewer females than males returned to playing community sport, and priority and specific attention should be given to understanding why women and girls have not returned to playing community club-based sport.

Middle school cycling program is associated with improved mental health and wellbeing in adolescents during COVID-19

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated mental health issues among adolescents. Exercise is well-regarded for boosting mental health. Riding for Focus (R4F) is a 6-8 week cycling education program designed to equip middle school adolescents with basic cycling skills and introduce students to lifetime physical activity. A secondary goal of the R4F program is to improve adolescent mental health and psychosocial well-being. This study aimed to quantify the change in adolescent psychosocial well-being associated with the R4F program during the COVID-19 pandemic. Program evaluation also examined associations between participating in the R4F and mental health outcomes in the context of established risk factors, including gender, race, socioeconomic status, involvement in IEP programs, participation in after-school clubs, screen time, hours of sleep, and physical activity levels.

Methods

Anonymous surveys were collected before and after the program in 20 schools in North America, with psychosocial well-being quantified using WHO-5 and PSC-17-Y. 1,148 middle school students, aged 11-14, completed pre intervention surveys. 815 students also completed post intervention surveys.

Results

There was a general increase in psychosocial well-being after the R4F program and positive psychosocial well-being changes in students that identified as female, non-white, physically active, part of an IEP program, meeting screentime recommendations, and engaged in school programs, though effect sizes were small. Despite mental health improvements among underrepresented groups, relative risk assessments still indicated that males, white students, those from high socioeconomic status families still had reduced relative risk of developing psychosocial disorders post intervention.

Discussion

These analyses illustrate the feasibility of cycling as a viable PE elective and the need for further, more robust studies to better assess the positive impacts of the R4F scholastic cycling program on the psychological health and well-being of middle school age children.

The Effectiveness of an After-school Sport Sampling Intervention on Urban Middle School Youth in the Midwest: Posttest-Only Study

BACKGROUND

Effective and scalable interventions are needed to combat chronic low levels of youth physical activity. After-school sport sampling programs may be vital interventions for teaching sports and increasing physical literacy and physical activity, which result in healthy lifelong habits that are maintained into adulthood.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to test the effectiveness of an after-school sport sampling intervention among underserved youth in the Midwest.

METHODS

Youth (n=81) in 3 middle schools within a large Midwest city participated in an 8-month, after-school physical activity intervention that aimed to increase moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity, improve physical literacy, and decrease BMI. Difference scores for this 2-group, posttest-only design were calculated. A series of 2-tailed t tests were conducted to assess between-group differences.

RESULTS

The intervention group had significantly better physical literacy (t₁₁₅=7.57; P=.004) and engaged in more moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity minutes per week (t₁₁₅=4.28; P=.04) and steps per day (t₁₁₅=4.29; P=.03).

CONCLUSIONS

An after-school sport sampling program may be an effective solution for combating youth physical inactivity. Future research should assess the scalability of this intervention with larger populations and in different areas.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID)

RR2-10.2196/37126.

Physical activity, balance, and bicycling in older adults

Falls are a critical public health issue among older adults. One notable factor contributing to falls in older adults is a deterioration of the structures supporting balance and overall balance control. Preliminary evidence suggests older adults who ride a bicycle have better balance than those who do not. Cycling may be an effective intervention to prevent falls among older adults. This study aims to objectively measure the relationship between bicycling, physical activity, and balance for older adults. Older adult cyclists (n = 19) and non-cyclists (n = 27) were recruited to (1) complete a survey that assessed demographics; (2) wear an accelerometer for 3 weeks to objectively assess physical activity; and (3) complete balance-related tasks on force platforms. Mann-Whitney U-tests were performed to detect differences in balance and physical activity metrics between cyclists and non-cyclists. Cyclists were significantly more physically active than non-cyclists. Cyclists, compared to non-cyclists, exhibited differences in balance-related temporospatial metrics and long-range temporal correlations that suggest a more tightly regulated postural control strategy that may relate to higher stability. Cycling was observed to correlate more strongly with balance outcomes than other physical activity. Taken together, these results demonstrate the possible implications for cycling as an effective intervention to improve balance and reduce fall risk.

Early effects of COVID-19 on physical activity and screen time use among elementary school students in Columbus, New Mexico

Adherence to national physical activity guidelines among youth ages 6-11 in the United States is low. The emergence of COVID-19 and the public health measures implemented in response may have decreased children's physical activity even further. We conducted an online survey among parents of students attending Columbus Elementary School in Columbus, New Mexico, a rural community on the US-Mexico border, to assess changes in children's physical activity and screen time use from summer 2019 to summer 2020. We also sought to identify important covariates. All parents (N = 55) and children (N = 87) identified as Hispanic; most parents were born in Mexico, while most children were born in the United States. Most parents (79.3%) reported a decrease in their children's physical activity from 2019 to 2020, and the vast majority of these parents reported that the changes were due to COVID-19 home confinement. The mean number of days children were physically active for >60 minutes significantly decreased, while daily screen time use increased. Having parents born in Mexico, infrequent family meals (<3/week), and not having community spaces for physical activity close by protected children from decreases in their level of physical activity from 2019 to 2020. Home-based exercise may serve as a suitable method of physical activity when public health responses to COVID-19 restrict community spaces. Future interventions should also be mindful of the role that parental nativity and related cultural factors may play in children's physical activity levels.

Physical Activity and Nutrition Intervention for Middle Schoolers (Move More, Get More): Protocol for a Quasi-Experimental Study

BACKGROUND

Physical activity and nutrition behaviors are important to reducing the prevalence of childhood obesity. Previous research has identified school-based interventions as effective strategies to improve physical activity and nutrition. However, the results are often mixed, and middle schoolers are an under-studied population.

OBJECTIVE

Our study aims to fill this gap by developing an after-school intervention to increase physical activity and fruit and vegetable consumption that is influenced by national guidelines and formative research.

METHODS

This study was an after-school, quasi-experimental study spanning 9 months. Enrollment began in September 2021 and continued on a rolling basis through February 2022. Weekly, middle schoolers were offered 2-3 physical activity sessions and 1 produce kit. Physical activity was measured using accelerometers and questionnaires. Nutrition behaviors were assessed using questionnaires, and physical literacy was assessed using researcher observations. Follow-up data collection occurred in December 2021 and in April 2022. Difference scores will be calculated and analyzed for each outcome variable.

RESULTS

The intervention started in September 2021 and will conclude in May 2022. Published study results are expected in late 2022.

CONCLUSIONS

An increase in physical literacy, physical activity, and fruit and vegetable consumption is expected. If successful, future studies will focus on reach and sustainability. Lastly, this study may serve as a model for improving health outcomes in middle schools.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/37126.