International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

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18 pages, 512 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Physical Activity, Public Policy, Health Promotion, Sociability and Leisure: A Study on Gymnastics Groups in a Brazilian City Hall

by Caroline Giolo-Melo and Reinaldo Tadeu Boscolo Pacheco

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(8), 5516; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20085516 - 14 Apr 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1561

Abstract

Background: The present study analyzed a gymnastics program offered by the Department of Sports and Leisure at a Brazilian city hall, representing an example of an effective and consolidated public policy. Main objective: The objective of this study was to understand the reasons [...] Read more.

Background: The present study analyzed a gymnastics program offered by the Department of Sports and Leisure at a Brazilian city hall, representing an example of an effective and consolidated public policy. Main objective: The objective of this study was to understand the reasons for enrollment/joining (adhesion) and permanence (adherence) among female students in gymnastics groups in order to understand why this public policy has been taking place uninterruptedly for over thirty years and to characterize the quality of life of female gymnastics students. Methods: This is a case study that used mixed methods. As a quantitative method, the Portuguese version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life—Abbreviated Version (WHOQOL-bref) questionnaire was used. As a qualitative method, the focus group technique was used. Thus, 239 women aged between thirty-five and seventy-four years old, who were students of the gymnastics program, participated in this research by answering the WHOQOL-bref questionnaire. Two classes were selected using the socioeconomic criterion of social classes in inverse situations to carry out one focus group session; then, twenty students belonging to the two classes were randomly selected. Results: It was verified that the public policy studied has led to an improvement in the quality of life of the students, with the benefits extending beyond physical health, and that in both groups adhesion occurred mainly due to the indication of students who already practiced, or due to medical indications. It was also found that, in both groups, the main reason for long-term adherence was the understanding of the gymnastics class as a space for sociability and a moment of leisure. Conclusion: Physical activity is an important health promotion strategy. In addition to its biological benefits, which are necessary for the prevention of chronic non-communicable diseases, it also improves health and quality of life through social and psychological benefits, characterizing it as an effective health care strategy from a biopsychosocial perspective. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Movement Behaviors (Sleep, Sedentary Behavior and Physical Activity), Sports and Health)

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11 pages, 717 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparison of the Portuguese Version of the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire (PPAQ) with Accelerometry for Classifying Physical Activity among Pregnant Women with Obesity

by Diana Bernardo, Carlos Carvalho, Raquel Leirós-Rodríguez, Jorge Mota and Paula Clara Santos

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(2), 929; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20020929 - 4 Jan 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1530

Abstract

In recent years, the number of pregnant women with obesity has increased exponentially; thus, it is important to evaluate and characterize the physical activity levels of this specific group. The aim of this study is to evaluate the reliability and validity of the [...] Read more.

In recent years, the number of pregnant women with obesity has increased exponentially; thus, it is important to evaluate and characterize the physical activity levels of this specific group. The aim of this study is to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Portuguese version of the Physical Activity and Pregnancy Questionnaire and Pregnancy Questionnaire in pregnant women with obesity and to classify physical activity using the Physical Activity and Pregnancy Questionnaire and accelerometry. An analytical observational study was carried out between May and August of 2019 at the University Hospital Center of São João, with a sample of 31 pregnant women with obesity (30.9 ± 4.6 years 36.5 ± 4.6 kg/m² of BMI and 21.5 ± 9 gestational weeks). The physical activity of participants was evaluated using an accelerometer and Physical Activity and Pregnancy Questionnaire at two time points (the first visit at the moment of consultation and the second seven days after, with accelerometer retest), the interclass correlation coefficient was used to test reliability between the Physical Activity and Pregnancy Questionnaire filled out at visit1 and the Physical Activity and Pregnancy Questionnaire filled out at visit2, and Pearson’s correlation was used to determine validity between the Physical Activity and Pregnancy Questionnaire and accelerometry. The interclass correlation coefficient values for total activity were 0.95, 0.97 for moderate and 0.58 for vigorous intensities. It ranged from 0.74 for sports/exercise to 0.96 for domestic activities. The Pearson’s correlations showed that the Physical Activity and Pregnancy Questionnaire is moderately valid for moderate intensity (r = 0.435). A total of 67.7% of the pregnant women complied with international physical activity recommendations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Movement Behaviors (Sleep, Sedentary Behavior and Physical Activity), Sports and Health)

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8 pages, 920 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cardiorespiratory Fitness, Obesity and Physical Activity in Schoolchildren: The Effect of Mediation

by Noelia González-Gálvez, Jose Carlos Ribeiro and Jorge Mota

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(23), 16262; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192316262 - 5 Dec 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1449

Abstract

There are only a few studies that have examined the interaction between physical activity (PA), cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), and overweightness/obesity in adolescents, and these studies have shown some limitations. The objective of this study was to examine whether the association between PA (moderate–vigorous [...] Read more.

There are only a few studies that have examined the interaction between physical activity (PA), cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), and overweightness/obesity in adolescents, and these studies have shown some limitations. The objective of this study was to examine whether the association between PA (moderate–vigorous PA [MVPA], moderate PA [MPA], and vigorous PA [VPA]) and obesity is mediated by CRF. This cross-sectional study was conducted in six middle and high-schools in the Porto district (Portugal), comprising 632 children and adolescents. Fat mass (FM), CRF, MVPA, MPA, and VPA were assessed. The Process macro for SPSS was used. CRF was significantly associated with PA for both children and adolescents. Likewise, FM was negatively and significantly associated with CRF for both children (β = −0.337) and adolescents (β = −0.255). FM was associated with PA in children (MVPA: β = −0.102; MPA: β = −0.118; VPA: β = −0.305) and adolescents (MVPA: β: −0.103; MPA: β = −0.082; VPA: β = −0.204). The mediation analysis showed that the association between PA (MVPA//MPA/VPA) and obesity was mediated by CRF, in both children and adolescents, with a significant value in the Sobel test. Obesity is associated with CRF and MVPA, MPA, and VPA. However, CRF acted as a complete mediator between the association of obesity and PA. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Movement Behaviors (Sleep, Sedentary Behavior and Physical Activity), Sports and Health)

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11 pages, 378 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Atherosclerosis Prevention in Adolescents with Obesity: The Role of Moderate–Vigorous Physical Activity

by Antonio Videira-Silva, Luis B. Sardinha and Helena Fonseca

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(23), 15537; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192315537 - 23 Nov 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1419

Abstract

Carotid intima–media thickness (cIMT) is a subclinical marker of atherosclerotic development, which is impaired in adolescents with obesity. This study aimed to analyze the impact of physical activity (PA), cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), body mass index (BMI), and body composition changes on the cIMT [...] Read more.

Carotid intima–media thickness (cIMT) is a subclinical marker of atherosclerotic development, which is impaired in adolescents with obesity. This study aimed to analyze the impact of physical activity (PA), cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), body mass index (BMI), and body composition changes on the cIMT of adolescents with obesity. Longitudinal data (6 months) from adolescents aged 12–18 years, with a BMI ≥97th percentile, previously recruited for the non-randomized controlled trial PAC-MAnO (Clinicaltrials.gov-NCT02941770) were analyzed using partial correlations controlling for sex and pubertal status and multiple regressions. A total of 105 adolescents (51.4% girls, 86.7% Caucasian), 14.8 ± 1.8 years old, with a BMI z-score of 3.09 ± 0.74 were included. Total body fat mass (TBFM) (F(1,91) = 23.11, p < 0.001), moderate–vigorous PA (MVPA) (F(1,91) = 7.93, p = 0.0006), and CRF (mL/kg/min) (F(1,90) = 19.18, p < 0.001) predicted cIMT variance with an R² of 0.24, 0.09, and 0.23, respectively. MVPA changes showed a high correlation with CRF variation (r(91) = 0.0661, p < 0.001). This study suggests that although cIMT is impaired in overweight adolescents, improvements in TBFM, MVPA, and CRF are associated with cIMT improvement. Although both energy intake and MVPA may influence TBFM, MVPA plays the most relevant role in cIMT development due to its direct association with CRF. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Movement Behaviors (Sleep, Sedentary Behavior and Physical Activity), Sports and Health)

12 pages, 531 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome among Early Adolescents in Khartoum State, Sudan

by Fatima A. Elfaki, Aziza I. G. Mukhayer, Mohamed E. Moukhyer, Rama M. Chandika and Stef P. J. Kremers

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(22), 14876; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192214876 - 11 Nov 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1468

Abstract

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is rapidly increasing in prevalence with rising childhood obesity and sedentary lifestyles worldwide. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of MetS and its components among Sudanese early adolescents in Khartoum State. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional [...] Read more.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is rapidly increasing in prevalence with rising childhood obesity and sedentary lifestyles worldwide. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of MetS and its components among Sudanese early adolescents in Khartoum State. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at primary schools in Khartoum State. A questionnaire was administered to assess the sociodemographic characteristics of the participants. Anthropometric, blood pressure, and biochemical measurements were taken. Results: In total, 921 students, boys and girls aged 10–15 years old, participated in the study. The mean age of the participants was 12.59 ± 1.21 years. The overall prevalence rate of MetS was 2.3% using International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria. MetS was significantly more prevalent among boys than girls (3.4% vs. 1.5%). Obese adolescents had higher MetS prevalence than those who were overweight (14.9 vs. 2.8, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Boys had a significantly higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome than girls. Early adolescents from Sudan who are obese had more risk factors for MetS than those who are normal weight or overweight. It is important to address the causes of increased risk for MetS early in life to prevent the development of the disease in adult life. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Movement Behaviors (Sleep, Sedentary Behavior and Physical Activity), Sports and Health)

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9 pages, 502 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Can Sports Practice in Childhood and Adolescence Be Associated with Higher Intensities of Physical Activity in Adult Life? A Retrospective Study in Community-Dwelling Adults

by Gabriela C. Silva, William R. Tebar, Italo R. Lemes, Jeffer E. Sasaki, Jorge Mota, Raphael M. Ritti-Dias, Luiz Carlos M. Vanderlei and Diego G. D. Christofaro

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(22), 14753; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192214753 - 10 Nov 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1276

Abstract

Introduction: Investigating the determinants of physical activity (PA) is an important strategy for the promotion of healthy lifestyles, mainly with PA of a moderate-to-vigorous intensity, which provides several health benefits in adulthood. In this sense, it is not clear whether early sports practice [...] Read more.

Introduction: Investigating the determinants of physical activity (PA) is an important strategy for the promotion of healthy lifestyles, mainly with PA of a moderate-to-vigorous intensity, which provides several health benefits in adulthood. In this sense, it is not clear whether early sports practice (ESP) during childhood and adolescence could be associated with the habitual practice of PA of higher intensities in adulthood. Objective: This study aimed to analyze the association of ESP in childhood and adolescence with different intensities of habitual PA in adulthood. Methods: A sample of 264 community-dwelling adults were randomly selected (42.2 ± 17.0 years, 57.5% of women). ESP during childhood and adolescence was evaluated using retrospective questions. Weekly minutes of PA were assessed using accelerometry and classified according to intensity as light, moderate, moderate-to-vigorous, vigorous and very vigorous. The association of ESP with a high level of PA (above median) in each intensity was analyzed using binary regression models. Results: The prevalence of ESP was 42.8% in childhood and 49.2% in adolescence. ESP in childhood was associated with a high level of very vigorous (OR: 2.48, p < 0.001) and vigorous PA (OR: 2.91, p < 0.001) in adulthood, but lost significance after adjustments by sex and age. ESP in adolescence was associated with a high level of very vigorous PA (OR: 1.99, p = 0.013) in the crude model and vigorous PA (OR: 2.21, p = 0.006), even after adjustments by age, sex and socioeconomic status. Conclusions: Engagement in sports practice during adolescence was associated with high levels of vigorous PA in adulthood and is an important period for healthy lifestyle promotion. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Movement Behaviors (Sleep, Sedentary Behavior and Physical Activity), Sports and Health)

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7 pages, 1647 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Five-Compressions Protocol as a Valid Myotonometric Method to Assess the Stiffness of the Lower Limbs: A Brief Report

by Alfredo Bravo-Sánchez, Pablo Abián, Jorge Sánchez-Infante, María Ramírez-delaCruz, Paula Esteban-García, Fernando Jiménez and Javier Abián-Vicén

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(21), 14425; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192114425 - 3 Nov 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1463

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the validity of a short assessment MyotonPRO protocol to measure the stiffness of the superficial muscles and tendons of the lower limbs. The stiffness of the dominant lower limb vastus lateralis (VL), rectus femoris (RF) [...] Read more.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the validity of a short assessment MyotonPRO protocol to measure the stiffness of the superficial muscles and tendons of the lower limbs. The stiffness of the dominant lower limb vastus lateralis (VL), rectus femoris (RF) and patellar tendon (PT) was evaluated in 52 healthy participants (26.9 ± 3.4 years) with two MyotonPRO protocols: the standard protocol (10 mechanical taps) and the short protocol (five mechanical taps). The myotonometry was performed at the midpoint of the length from the upper pole of the patella to the greater trochanter for the VL, and to the anterior superior iliac spine for the RF. The PT was evaluated 1 cm caudal from the inferior pole of the patella. Pearson’s correlation coefficients were calculated to determine the relationships between protocols. The validity of the short protocol was evaluated with Student’s t-test. High positive correlations were observed between the short and standard protocols in the stiffness of the VL (r = 0.959; p < 0.001), the RF (r = 0.967; p < 0.001) and the PT (r = 0.953; p < 0.001) and no differences were found between both protocols in the stiffness assessment of the VL, RF and PT (p > 0.05). Therefore, the five-compressions protocol is a valid protocol for the assessment of lower limb mechanical properties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Movement Behaviors (Sleep, Sedentary Behavior and Physical Activity), Sports and Health)

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10 pages, 3434 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Motor Control and Regularity of Menstrual Cycle in Ankle and Knee Injuries of Female Basketball Players: A Cohort Study

by Elena Vico-Moreno, Andreu Sastre-Munar, Juan Carlos Fernández-Domínguez and Natalia Romero-Franco

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(21), 14357; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192114357 - 2 Nov 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1920

Abstract

Inadequate motor control facilitates ankle and knee injuries in female basketball. Although biomechanical analysis could help to detect it, aspects such as irregular menstruation make these associations controversial. We aimed to evaluate associations between 2D biomechanics during landing and proprioception with ankle and [...] Read more.

Inadequate motor control facilitates ankle and knee injuries in female basketball. Although biomechanical analysis could help to detect it, aspects such as irregular menstruation make these associations controversial. We aimed to evaluate associations between 2D biomechanics during landing and proprioception with ankle and knee injuries of female basketball players, considering their menstruation regularity. Seventy-one players participated in this study. In the preseason, participants performed a drop-jump to obtain biomechanics during landing and a weight-bearing proprioception test. During the competitive season, all the non-contact ankle and knee injuries were registered. Data showed that 16% of players sustained an ankle or knee injury, being more frequent in players with irregular menstruation compared to regulars (22% vs. 13%, χ² = 6.009, p = 0.050, d = 0.6). Players who sustained a left-side injury displayed higher left-side dynamic valgus during landing than uninjured players (χ² = 25.88, p = 0.006, d = 1.5). The rest of the variables did not show any significant difference (p > 0.05). Monitoring 2D dynamic valgus from a drop-jump could help to detect inadequate motor control that may facilitate ankle or knee injuries of female basketball players, mainly for those with irregular menstruation. Proprioception seems not to be related to injuries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Movement Behaviors (Sleep, Sedentary Behavior and Physical Activity), Sports and Health)

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14 pages, 347 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of the DRD2 Polymorphisms on the Effectiveness of the Training Program

by Katarzyna Świtała, Aleksandra Bojarczuk, Jacek Hajto, Marcin Piechota, Maciej Buryta and Agata Leońska-Duniec

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(9), 4942; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19094942 - 19 Apr 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1837

Abstract

Dopamine receptor D2 gene (DRD2) polymorphisms have been associated with cognitive abilities, obesity, addictions, and physical-activity-related behaviors, which may underlie differences in the effectiveness of training programs. What is not yet clear is the impact of DRD2 polymorphisms on the effectiveness [...] Read more.

Dopamine receptor D2 gene (DRD2) polymorphisms have been associated with cognitive abilities, obesity, addictions, and physical-activity-related behaviors, which may underlie differences in the effectiveness of training programs. What is not yet clear is the impact of DRD2 polymorphisms on the effectiveness of exercise programs. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the association between the DRD2 polymorphic sites (rs1076560, rs12364283, rs1799732, rs1800497, and rs1800498) and the body’s response to regular physical activity. We studied genotypes and haplotypes distribution in a group of 165 females measured for body mass and body composition measurements, lipid profile, and glucose levels before and after realization of a 12-week training program. When tested individually, statistical analyses revealed one significant genotype by training interaction under the general model (for the basal metabolic rate, BMR, p = 0.033). Carriers of the rs1076560 CC genotype exhibited a decrease in BMR in response to training (p = 0.006). Haplotype analyses also showed that (i) the CACCC and CACTT haplotypes were associated with a post-training decrease in glucose level (β = −4.11, p = 0.032; β = −6.86, p = 0.020, respectively); (ii) the CGCCT with an increase in BMR (β = 0.65, p = 0.003) and fat free mass (FFM, β = 1.20, p = 0.009); (iii) the CA-CT with a decrease in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL, β = −17.26, p = 0.046). These results provide some evidence that the DRD2 polymorphisms may play a role in post-training changes in lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, and, as a consequence, in the effectiveness of training programs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Movement Behaviors (Sleep, Sedentary Behavior and Physical Activity), Sports and Health)

Review

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16 pages, 1280 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Systematic Review of Factors Associated with Sport Participation among Adolescent Females

by Casey S. Hopkins, Chris Hopkins, Samantha Kanny and Amanda Watson

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(6), 3353; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19063353 - 12 Mar 2022

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 6029

Abstract

Sport participation provides a direct means to attain health-enhancing physical activity; however, sport participation declines during adolescence, and over 85% of adolescent females fail to meet the recommended 60 min of moderate-vigorous physical activity daily. Given the importance of overcoming barriers to sport [...] Read more.

Sport participation provides a direct means to attain health-enhancing physical activity; however, sport participation declines during adolescence, and over 85% of adolescent females fail to meet the recommended 60 min of moderate-vigorous physical activity daily. Given the importance of overcoming barriers to sport and increasing equity in women’s sports, the purpose of this systematic review was to identify factors associated with sport participation among adolescent girls and operationalize those factors into theoretical constructs to guide future research. Six databases were systematically searched, and 36 records were included for review. Factors impacting girls’ sport participation were categorized as personal, peer, family, socioeconomic, environmental, or other factors. Of these categories, personal factors, including self perceptions and desirable personal outcomes related to sport, were most frequently associated with sport participation. Most research on girls’ sport participation lacks theoretical framework, so to aid future studies, this review categorized important participatory factors into the constructs of the theory of planned behavior. Future research would benefit from theory-driven prospective approaches to make clear and consistent predictions about factors impacting sport participation, as well as mixed-method approaches aimed to provide more robust understanding of girls’ experiences with and perceptions of factors impacting their participation in sports. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Movement Behaviors (Sleep, Sedentary Behavior and Physical Activity), Sports and Health)

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