Analysis of different domains of physical activity with health-related quality of life in adults: 2-year cohort

BACKGROUND

It is estimated that, worldwide, 9% of deaths occur as a result of insufficient physical activity (PA) practice. Practicing PA can prevent and/or reduce the deleterious effects of different types of diseases and can improve general health aspects related to health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

PURPOSE

To analyze the relationship of different PA domains with different HRQoL domains over a two-year period.

METHODS

This is an observational study with a two-year longitudinal design. The sample, composed of adults, was selected from a randomization of the streets of the different regions (north, south, east, west and center) covering individuals from all areas of the city. To assess the practice of PA, the Baecke questionnaire was used. The instrument Medical Outcomes Study SF-36-Item Short Form Health Survey was used to assess the HRQoL domains. Linear regression models were used to analyzed the association of different PA domains with changes in HRQoL. Multivariate statistical models were adjusted for gender, age, socioeconomic status, marital status, the respective PA score at baseline, smoking, body mass index, and morbidity.

RESULTS

331 adults were evaluated. There was a decrease in the practice of PA in the occupational domain and an increase in the leisure/locomotion domain. Regarding HRQoL, there was an increase in the scores of body pain and mental health, and a decrease in scores of general health, vitality, social aspects and emotional aspects. The PA practice in the occupational domain was inversely related to functional capacity (β = - 7.2 [CI 95% - 13.0; - 1.4]). The practice of PA through sports in leisure time was positively associated with vitality (β = 5.5 [CI 95% 0.2; 10.7]) and mental health (β = 15.2 [CI 95% 6.8; 23.7]). PA practice during leisure and locomotion was inversely associated with functional capacity (β = - 5.68 [CI 95% - 10.7; - 0.6]) and positively associated with vitality β = 4.8 [CI 95% 0.8; 8.7]) and mental health (β = 8.4 [CI 95% 2.0; 14.9]). The total PA practice was inversely associated with functional capacity (β = - 3.8 [CI 95% - 6.5; - 1.2]) and positively associated with pain in the body (β = 4.9 [CI 95% 0.3; 9.4]), vitality (β = 2.9 [CI 95% 0.7; 5.0]) and mental health (β = 5.7 [CI 95% 2.2; 9.2]).

CONCLUSIONS

It is suggested that practicing PA continuously within a period of two years can positively affect some physical aspects and some mental aspects related to HRQoL, but not all of them. A strategy for public policy actions is to explore these variables by domain and thus detect the real needs and improvements that can be made for the population.

Association of parents’ physical activity and weight status with obesity and metabolic risk of their offspring

Abstract Our aim was to analyze the joint association of parental characteristics and offspring obesity indicators with metabolic risk in adolescents. A cross-sectional study was carried out with 972 adolescents and their parents. We observed that overweight adolescents who have a normal weight mother show lower metabolic risk in comparison with their counterparts with overweight mothers. In conclusion, mother’s weight status moderates the relationship between offspring’ obesity indicators and metabolic risk in adolescents.

Exercise Duration Affects Session Ratings of Perceived Exertion as a Function of Exercise Intensity

Session ratings of perceived exertion (sRPE) are considered a practical marker of whole session exercise intensity, but its relationship to exercise volume has remained unclear. We analyzed the effects of exercise duration at different intensities on overall and differentiated sRPE. Sixteen males (M_age = 22.6, SD = 2.2 years; M_height = 176.4, SD = 5.8 cm; M_weight = 74.0, SD = 5.9 kg; and M_{body fat} = 9.4, SD = 2.2%) performed 15 and 30 minute runs at speeds associated with RPE levels of two (weak), three (moderate) and five (strong) on Borg's CR-10 scale during a previous graded exercise test. We used Foster's scale to access sRPE 30 minutes after each trial. Significant increases in sRPE were found with increases in running speed (p < 0.01, η_G² = 0.48) and duration (p < 0.01, η_G² = 0.16), with a significant speed X duration interaction (p < 0.01, η_G² = 0.10). In addition, there was a significant effect for sRPE type (p = 0.01, η_G² = 0.05) in that overall sRPE was slightly lower than sRPE differentiated to legs and higher than sRPE differentiated to breathing through the trials. Changes in sRPE from 15 to 30-minute trials were minimal for the slow speed and weak sRPE (Cohen´s dz = 0.04 - 0.25) but got higher at the moderate (Cohen´s dz = 0.88 - 1.06) and strong (Cohen´s dz = 1.94 - 2.50) speeds and sRPEs. Thus, exercise duration affects sRPE in an intensity dependent manner. This finding has practical relevance for prescribing exercise, suggesting a need to target specific training loads or aims to optimize trainees' retrospective perceptions of the exercise experience.

Allometric scaling of aerobic fitness outputs in school-aged pubertal girls

Background

This study aimed to determine the allometric exponents for concurrent size descriptors (stature, body mass and fat-free mass) and also to examine the contribution of chronological age and pubertal status combined with above mentioned size descriptors to explain inter-individual variability in the peak of oxygen uptake (VO_2peak) among girls during circumpubertal years.

Methods

The final sample included 51 girls (10.7–13.5 years). VO_2peak was derived from an incremental progressive maximal protocol using a motorized treadmill. Anthropometry included body mass, stature and skinfolds. Measurements were performed by a single trained observer. Sexual maturation was assessed as self-reported stage of pubic hair (PH) development. Static allometric models were explored as an alternative to physiological output per unit of size descriptors. Allometry also considered chronological age and sexual maturation as dummy variable (PH2 vs. PH3 and PH3 vs. PH4).

Results

Scaling coefficients for stature, body mass and fat-free mass were 1.463 (95%CI: 0.476 to 2.449), 0.516 (95%CI: 0.367 to 0.666) and 0.723 (95%CI: 0.494 to 0.951), respectively. The inclusion of sexual maturation increased explained variance for VO_2peak (55% for PH2 vs. PH3 and 47% for PH3 vs. PH4). Body mass was identified as the most prominent body size descriptor in the PH2 vs. PH3 while fat-free mass was the most relevant predictor combined with PH3 vs. PH4.

Conclusions

Body mass and fat-free mass seemed to establish a non-linear relationship with VO_2peak. Across puberty, inter-individual variability in VO_2peak is explained by sexual maturation combined with whole body during early puberty and by sexual maturation and fat-free mass during late puberty. Additional studies need to confirm ontogenetic allometric models during years of maximal growth.

Independent and Combined Effects of Weight Status and Maturation on Aerobic Fitness in Adolescent School-Aged Males

Batista, MB, Valente-dos-Santos, J, Duarte, JP, Sousa-e-Silva, P, Coelho-e-Silva, MJ, Werneck, AO, Ohara, D, Cyrino, ES, and Ronque, ERV. Independent and combined effects of weight status and maturation on aerobic fitness in adolescent school-aged males. J Strength Cond Res 34(9): 2663-2671, 2020-This study aimed to examine the independent and combined effects of pubertal and weight status on concurrent measurements of peak oxygen (V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak) in school-aged adolescent males. The final sample included 49 boys (12.3 ± 0.8 years). V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak was derived from an incremental progressive maximal protocol using a motorized treadmill. In addition, maximal oxygen uptake was estimated from a 20-m shuttle run test. Static allometric models were obtained as an alternative to performance output per unit of size descriptors. Weight status had a significant effect on V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak using simple ratio standards per unit of body mass (BM) with adolescents classified as overweight and obese (OWOB) attaining lower values of V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak. A similar trend was noted for the allometric models adopting body mass (ml·kgBM·min), stature (L·m·min), and fat-free mass (FFM; ml·kgFFM·min). Findings also suggest the influence and interaction of pubertal and weight status on absolute values of V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak. Considering the data obtained, linear equations to estimate V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak from the 20-m shuttle run test should not be applied to boys who are OWOB because it will produce inaccurate assessments of cardiorespiratory fitness and penalize those who are heavier. Equations for V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak prediction need to be specific for pubertal status and preferably consider FFM as a body size descriptor.

Cardiorespiratory fitness effect may be under-estimated in 'fat but fit' hypothesis studies

BACKGROUND

Both cardiorespiratory fitness and body fat have been independently related to metabolic syndrome in adolescents; however, the strength of these relationships seems to be dependent on the outcome composition.

AIM

To analyse the relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness and body fat combined with different indicators of metabolic risk in adolescents.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

The sample was composed of 957 adolescents (58.7% girls). Cardiorespiratory fitness was obtained using the 20-metre shuttle run test and skinfold thickness was collected for body fat estimation. Metabolic risk score was calculated from waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, glucose, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides measurements and an alternative outcome without the central obesity indicator was adopted. Chronological age and somatic maturity were used as covariates.

RESULTS

Higher metabolic risk was observed in the highest fat/lowest fit adolescents (p < .05), regardless of sex and outcome. In the regression models, for full metabolic risk score, body fat presented higher coefficients compared to cardiorespiratory fitness in both sexes (boys: 0.501 vs -0.097; girls: 0.485 vs -0.087); however, in the metabolic risk without waist circumference, the coefficients became closer (boys: 0.290 vs -0.146; girls: 0.265 vs -0.120), with a concomitant decrease in body fat and increase in cardiorespiratory fitness coefficients.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that body fat is strongly related to cardiovascular risk, but, when the outcome is calculated without the central obesity indicator, cardiorespiratory fitness becomes more related to metabolic risk.

Association between risk behaviors and adiposity indicators in adolescents from Southern Brazil: A methodological approach

The aim of this study was to analyze the association between risk behaviors and adiposity indicators in adolescents and to discuss some methodological aspects related to this relationship. We evaluated 1,321 adolescents (55.2% female) aged 10-16 years. Relative body fat (%fat) by measurement of triceps and subscapular skinfold thickness and waist circumference (WC) were used as total and central adiposity indicators, respectively. Physical inactivity, time spent in front of the TV, the consumption of soda and/or chocolate, alcohol, and tobacco smoking were analyzed as risk behaviors. Information about the socioeconomic status (categorized into three levels) and nutritional status of the mother (overweight or normal weight) were used as adjustment factors in the analyses of prevalence ratio (PR) of the outcomes and their associated 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). The chi-square test and Poisson regression were used for statistical analyses. Low associations were found between risk behaviors and adiposity indicators. Tobacco smoking was the most positively correlated behavior with adiposity in girls (%fat: PR = 1.61; 95% CI = 1.04-2.47; WC: PR = 1.90; 95% CI = 1.17-3.08) and in adolescents whose mothers were normal weight (%fat: PR = 2.31; 95% CI = 1.33-4.03; WC: PR: 2.31; CI: 1.19-4.46). Additionally, as an important methodological issue, we highlighted the assessment of risk behaviors in adolescents as crucial to producing more robust evidence on the subject. Of the investigated behaviors, we concluded that tobacco smoking is the behavior most associated with adiposity indicators.

Influence of Skeletal Maturity on Size, Function and Sport-specific Technical Skills in Youth Soccer Players

This study compared variation in size, function and sport-specific technical skills of youth soccer players associated with differences in biological maturity status. 60 male soccer players of under-14 (U14) and under-17 (U17) categories were submitted to anthropometric and body composition measurements as well as motor and soccer-specific technical skill tests. Skeletal maturity was determined by skeletal age. Athletes of both categories were classified as early, on-time or late-maturing, according to the difference between chronological age and skeletal age. Body mass and height were lower in the late athletes, independent of category (P<0.01). Differences in adiposity were found only between athletes of the U14 (late<early, P<0.05). Statistically significant differences were identified on aerobic endurance in U14 (early<on time, P<0.01), upper limbs muscular strength (late<early, P<0.01) and flexibility in U17 (late<on time, P<0.05). Players in each age group of contrasting maturity status do not differ in soccer-specific skills. The results suggest that the maturational development influences body mass, height, body fat, flexibility, muscular strength of upper limbs and cardiorespiratory fitness, whereas the specific technical skills and other functional capabilities do not seem to be affected.

Correlates of sports practice, occupational and leisure-time physical activity in Brazilian adolescents

OBJECTIVES

To analyze the relationship between different physical activity (PA) domains and sociodemographic, psychological, behavioral and biological factors in Brazilian adolescents.

METHODS

1,220 adolescents (55.1% female) aged between 10 and 16 years-old participated in this study. The Baecke questionnaire was used to evaluate different PA domains, namely occupational, sports and leisure-time. Socioeconomic status, number of siblings, friendships satisfaction, mother's and father's PA level and previous experience with sports were self-reported. Cardiorespiratory fitness, waist circumference, and somatic maturity were estimated by objective indicators. Linear regression was used for the main statistical analysis.

RESULTS

The variables consistently related to all of the PA domains were gender (boys more active), friendship satisfaction (positive with sports and leisure-time PA and negative with occupational PA) and cardiorespiratory fitness (positive). There were also domain-specific relationships for occupational (number of siblings [β = 0.02] and father's PA [β = 0.13]), sport practice (previous experience with sports [β = 0.33], waist circumference [β = 0.01] and somatic maturity [β = -0.12]) and leisure-time PA (chronological age [β = -0.15], mother's PA [β = 0.47] and previous experience with sports [β = 0.17]).

CONCLUSIONS

The different domains of PA are related to specific variables in adolescence. This information may be helpful in formulating strategies for physical activity promotion, particularly in adolescents from low-to-middle income countries.

Validity of equations for estimating V[combining dot above]O2peak from the 20-m shuttle run test in adolescents aged 11-13 years

The aim of this study was to analyze the validity of 4 regression equations to estimate the peak oxygen consumption (V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak) from the 20-m shuttle run test in adolescents aged 11-13 years. One hundred and fifteen adolescents, 61 boys (mean ± SD: age = 12.3 ± 0.9 years) and 54 girls (age = 12.1 ± 0.7 years) performed the 20-m shuttle run test and an incremental progressive maximal test for direct V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak analysis. Four linear regression equations were used to estimate the V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak: Barnett et al. (equation 1), Léger et al. (equation 2), Mahar et al. (equation 3), and Matsuzaka et al. (equation 4). For boys, only the V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak estimated by EQ3 did not differ from the value directly measured (p > 0.05). The EQ1, EQ2, and EQ4 underestimated the V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak, whereas the EQ3 overestimated, particularly in girls (p < 0.05). Large limits of agreement were found between the reference method and the 4 equations, with higher estimated values by EQ2 for boys (8.36 ± 15.24 mL·kg·min) and girls (2.45 ± 12.63 mL·kg·min). The highest correlation values were observed by EQ4 for boys (r = 0.80), EQ1 for girls (r = 0.72), and EQ3 for total sample (r = 0.80). The equations analyzed were not precise for individual V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak prediction; however, the EQ3 revealed better agreement, particularly for boys. Considering the data obtained in the boys and total sample, our results suggest that the EQ3 may provide the best predictive measure of V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak from the 20-m shuttle run test in adolescents aged 11-13 years.

Pressão arterial elevada e obesidade abdominal em adolescentes

OBJETIVO: Analisar a associação entre obesidade abdominal e pressão arterial elevada em adolescentes da rede pública de ensino da região metropolitana da cidade de Londrina (PR). MÉTODOS: Constituiu-se uma amostra de 656 adolescentes com idades entre dez e 13 anos. Foram realizadas análises antropométricas de massa corporal, estatura e circunferência de cintura, além da aferição da pressão arterial de repouso. Para análise e comparação dos dados, foram aplicados Mann-Whitney e o teste t de Student. Também foram analisadas as possíveis associações entre pressão arterial e circunferência de cintura por meio do teste do qui-quadrado. RESULTADOS: Foram identificadas associações entre obesidade abdominal e pressão arterial elevada em ambos os sexos (RP 2,7; IC95% 1,8-4,2). Além disso, verificou-se que, independentemente do grupo etário, a obesidade abdominal associa-se com valores mais elevados de pressão arterial. CONCLUSÕES: A obesidade abdominal está associada à ocorrência de aumento da pressão arterial em adolescentes.

Prevalência de fatores de risco para doenças cardiovasculares entre escolares em Londrina - PR: diferenças entre classes econômicas

OBJETIVO: Avaliar e comparar a prevalência de fatores de riscos cardiovasculares em adolescentes escolares de diferentes classes econômicas. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados 1.021 adolescentes. Os indivíduos foram pesados e tiveram sua altura e circunferência abdominal medidos, além da sua pressão arterial aferida. A prática de atividade física e condição socioeconômica foram relatadas. Os resultados foram avaliados pela utilização da frequência das variáveis e pelo teste do qui-quadrado. RESULTADOS: Observou-se menor prevalência de sedentarismo (p < 0,001) e maiores prevalências de obesidade abdominal (p = 0,038) e de sobrepeso (p = 0,010) entre adolescentes da classe econômica alta. Não houve diferença de prevalência de pressão arterial elevada entre adolescentes da classe econômica baixa e alta. Quando os fatores de risco cardiovasculares foram agregados, a prevalência também foi maior na classe econômica alta para um ou dois fatores de risco. CONCLUSÃO: Com exceção do sedentarismo e da pressão arterial elevada, a prevalência de fatores de risco para doenças cardiovasculares foi maior na classe econômica alta.