29th Jan 2024

Introduction: Physical activity has many health benefits and is broken down into habitual physical activity and exercise (e.g., sport). The effects of (de)selection from adolescent sport is likely to influence sports participation and long-term physical activity. In 2014, a cohort of adolescent athletes taking part in team tryouts from a variety of youth sports (soccer, basketball, hockey, baseball, volleyball) was initiated. Initial findings indicated that growth and development influenced (de)selection but not short-term (36-months) sports participation. The aim of the present study was to determine if (de)selection effected sports participation in emerging adulthood. Methods: Between 2014 and 2015, 870 participants were recruited across three different age categories (U14, U16, U18). In 2023, all original participants were contacted via email. Those who responded were asked to complete a Sports Participation and Activities questionnaire. Chi-square goodness of fit test was used to analyze the data. Results: 140 participants (56 females and 84 males) respond to the follow-up survey, 16% of the initial sample. It was found that the percentage of participants, by sport, sex and (de)selection at 84-month follow-up were similar to study initiation, and no differences in baseline growth and maturational indices (p>0.05) were found. Of the females, 38% who had been selected at tryouts and 32% who had been deselected, were still participating in sport. A similar result was found in males, 35% who were selected were still participating compared to 37% who were deselected. Deselection did affect long-term sports participation in the same sport (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results suggest that (de)selection effected 30% of the athlete’s sports participation in emerging adulthood. Deselection effected long-term sports participation in the same sport. Overall, adolescence (de)selection did not appear to be a major influence of sport/physical activity in emerging adulthood.

28th Jan 2024

Introdução: Para obter benefícios ótimos para a saúde, as diretrizes canadenses de movimento de 24 horas para crianças e jovens (de 5 a 17 anos) recomendam alcançar altos níveis de atividade física (≥60 minutos de atividade física moderada a vigorosa), reduzir o comportamento sedentário (≤2 horas de tempo de tela recreativa) e garantir sono adequado (9-11 horas para crianças ou 8-10 horas para adolescentes) todos os dias. Objetivo: Examinar como as combinações de atividade física, tempo sedentário e duração do sono estão relacionadas aos parâmetros cognitivos e desempenho acadêmico em escolares. Metodologia: Foi realizada uma revisão sistemática seguindo as diretrizes PRISMA, utilizando as bases de dados PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, ScienceDirect, SPORTDiscus, Embase e Bireme. A pesquisa foi restrita a estudos transversais ou observacionais que avaliaram a associação entre o cumprimento das recomendações de movimento de 24 horas e os parâmetros cognitivos e desempenho acadêmico em escolares. Resultados: A estratégia de pesquisa resultou em um total de 1225 artigos. Além disso, uma busca manual adicional foi realizada, adicionando 9 artigos, resultando em um total de 1234 estudos. Posteriormente, critérios rigorosos de inclusão e exclusão previamente estabelecidos foram aplicados e, finalmente, 10 artigos científicos que atendiam a esses critérios foram selecionados para inclusão na revisão sistemática.
Conclusão: Os resultados dos estudos incluídos sugerem que cumprir os três componentes das recomendações de movimento de 24 horas está positivamente associado a parâmetros cognitivos e desempenho acadêmico. No entanto, a heterogeneidade das medidas utilizadas, principalmente autorrelato, pode dificultar a interpretação adequada dos resultados. Portanto, é necessário apoiar essas descobertas com futuras pesquisas que utilizem métodos de avaliação direta, principalmente para níveis de atividade física, duração do sono e parâmetros cognitivos.

27th Jan 2024

The global population of adults aged 60+ has increased rapidly over the past decades. This calls for more research concerning non-pharmacological and therapeutic interventions designed to forestall cognitive and functional declines, as well as enhance rehabilitation strategies. As individuals age, changes occur in the brain and body, impacting motor coordination, memory, and planning; often linked to functional impairments, and decline in independence and quality of life.
Aims: We piloted two aquatic programs Aquafast and Aquamentia©— tailored for the elderly population with the overarching goal of enhancing functional, physical, and cognitive capabilities. Additionally, both programs strive to increase levels of participants’ satisfaction. Methods: Programs’ implementation took place in an indoor-heated swimming pool. Participants were from the Évora region, led by researchers from the University of Évora and ethical approval was granted (Aquafast – GD/40835/2021; Aquamentia© – GD50000/2022). Aquafast employs high-intensity interval training (HIIT) methods alternating 30-second bursts of activity and 30-seconds of rest in 40-minute sessions. Aquamentia© comprises 12-weekly sessions of 45 minutes each (10-minute general activation, 20 minutes of aquatic cognitive and physical challenges, and 15-minute relaxation). Participants in Aquafast were 32 females and 7 males (70.1 ± 5.6 years), while Aquamentia© involved 8 females (70.6 ± 4.6 years) from the community and 3 institutionalized participants (2 females, 1 male) with an average age of 84.0 ± 6.6 years. Results: Preliminary findings indicate lower levels of satisfaction among Aquafast participants. Aquamentia© participants exhibited modest improvements in functional independence and aquatic competence. However, the sample sizes are too small to draw statistically significant inferences. Both programs demonstrate promising potential in preventing functional and cognitive motor decline among participants.

26th Jan 2024

Introduction: Physical inactivity is prevalent in childhood. Given that children spend a significant amount of time at school, this environment provides an ideal context to promote physical activity. In this sense, an emerging and current trend is active breaks (ABs) at school. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of the ABs program “Activa-Mente”, on physical activity level (PAL), aerobic capacity (AC) and working memory (WM) in schoolchildren. Method: Experimental study, 53 participants (11-12 years old) were randomly divided into experimental group (EG, n=25) and control group (CG, n=28). For 6 weeks, the EG performed 6 daily ABs during the school day while CG did not performed ABs. The PAL was measured with accelerometers (Actigraph WGT3X-BT), AC with 6 Minute Test, and WM with Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-V. Statistical analysis was carried out with ANOVA for PAL and ANOVA repeated-measure 2 × 2 (pre and post-test) by AC and WM. The effect size (ES) was calculated using Cohen’s d test. Jamovi 2.3 Software. Results: PAL showed significant differences in sedentary time (minutes) (EG= 230.117.2; CG= 253.611.3; p= .001; d= -1.58), low (EG= 36.611.6; CG= 26.37.7; p= .002; d= 1.04), moderate (GE= 8.72.9; CG= 6.22, 1; p= .002; d=1.05), vigorous (EG= 14.84.8; CG= 4.82.3; p= .001; d=2.64). Regarding AC, a significant time x group interaction is observed with a large effect size (F = 34.27, p= .001, d=1.24). The results regarding WM do not indicate a significant interaction of time x group (F = 1.056, p = 0.309). Conclusion: The “Activa-Mente” program demonstrated a significant enhancement in both PAL and AC among the EG, in contrast to the CG. Nevertheless, it did not yield significant effects on WM. These findings suggest that the program could as a viable alternative for implementation in a school setting, regarding PAL and AC.

Introduction: Several studies have reported significant improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in children with high-intensity exercise. However, most research protocols focus on cycling and running. These protocols are not applicable for practical purposes in children. The aim of the study was assess the effect of an 11-week intervention using games protocols of two different intensities (high-intensity games and moderate-intensity games) on CRF in children. Method: Quasi-experimental design, participated 48 schoolchildren aged between 9 to 10 years (9.48 ± 0.5 years). Children were randomized into two groups: high-intensity games (HIG) and moderate-intensity games (MIG). HIG group used relays race and small- sided games; >75% of maximum heart rate (HRmax). MIG group used cooperative and dynamics continued games; 60% – 74% HRmax. Both groups had two sessions per week for 11 weeks during physical education (PE) classes. Before and after the interventions, participants measured with the CRF test (20-meter shuttle run test). Repeated-measure analysis 2 × 2 was used to determine the main effects and the interaction effects between groups over time (pre and post-test) and the effect size (ES) was calculated using Cohen’s d test. Results: Significant time × group interaction was observed for CRF with a moderate ES (F = 4.879, P = 0.032; ES = 0.6), between HIG and MIG, therefore, the HIG protocol significantly increased the CRF. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that an 11-week HIG program, applied during PE classes, is more effective than MIG in the improvement of the CRF in children.

17th Jan 2024

Introduction: 5-years personal qualitative research project Mira Active System. Engineer facing need to improve my vision refraction problems, health, and quality of life. Aim to understand the influence of vision’s habits.
Method: Engineering project, interdisciplinary, dealing with mechanism of vision, optics, and connection with body systems and health association. Working with optical models of ocular globe and anatomic models of the body.
Project relationship: habits with near vision, stressful cerebral activity, and direct sunlight through vision efforts and time are accumulating body stress and interfering with body systems.
Monitoring of my physical activity 2-year period, walking outdoors every day with an ‘active system vision’, accessing through vision to the active system of ANS, releasing body stress and balancing body systems. Measuring activity (20.937.955 steps) and making notes of stresses perceived.
Results: Monitoring result matches perfectly with my improvements in vision, health, and well-being. Recommending this practice to start to correct and improve our health situation and monitoring to keep track of improvements.
Helping to explain how sedentary behaviour indoors through a ‘passive system vision’ is damaging health with risk and diseases. On the other hand, how with physical activity outdoors with an ‘active system vision’ we can revert situation obtaining benefits in health and disease prevention.
Access to active system through vision allows to start to improve the quality of rest and sleep, improving night recovery of mind and body.
Conclusion: Following initiative, improvement in management of habits and light, improving ANS and body systems, accumulated body stress, mental stressful cerebral activity, weight management, and rest and sleep. To start to achieve all the health benefits.
Regarding people less active, with chronic conditions and mental health this initiative will start to fill in the gaps and make the difference.

21st Dec 2023

Introduction: Despite the importance of movement behaviours (physical activity, sedentary behaviour, sleep) to young children’s health and development, no tools with appropriate content validity currently exist that capture these three behaviours concurrently. We aimed to co-design, and assess the content validity of, a novel tool (MoveMEY) designed to capture movement behaviours of UK preschool children (aged 3-4 years). Methods: Four distinct steps were followed: (1) Pre-existing proxy measurement tools (questionnaires and diaries) were identified through extensive literature searching to inform creation of the novel tool. (2) Focus group discussions were conducted with caregivers of preschoolers (n=11), and (3) topic relevant researchers completed qualitative surveys (n=6) to co-design MoveMEY. (4) Content validity of MoveMEY was assessed through interviews with parents of preschoolers (n=12) following piloting of the tool. Qualitative data were analysed through thematic analysis. Results: The initial version of MoveMEY was based on the format of an existing questionnaire and by mapping the content of questions to the 24-hour movement behaviour guidelines. Co-design of MoveMEY resulted in changes to the format (e.g. short questionnaire to seven-day diary) and content (e.g. inclusion of ‘general information’ questions, screen time before bed). Content validity assessment demonstrated that MoveMEY was relevant and comprehensively assessed children’s movement behaviours. MoveMEY was understandable, with minor parental suggestions implemented to finalise and improve the tool. Conclusions: MoveMEY is the first co-designed measurement tool that has relevance for assessing whether preschoolers achieve movement behaviour guidelines. Caregiver and topic relevant researcher involvement throughout the development process resulted in a seven-day daily reported diary that comprehensively assesses pre-schoolers movement behaviours and is understandable to caregivers.

Introduction: Inconsistencies in estimated levels of physical activity (PA) and sedentary time (ST) in young children have partly been attributed to the measurement of the behaviours, including the various cut-points applied when processing accelerometer data. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to compare estimated levels of PA and ST of young children (3-5 years) based on various age-specific accelerometer cut-points. Methods: A systematic review was conducted to identify studies assessing accelerometer estimated levels of PA (light PA [LPA], moderate-to-vigorous PA [MVPA]) or ST using multiple accelerometer cut-points in a sample of preschool-aged children. Data were extracted and risk of bias assessed for all included studies. Random effects meta-analysis was used to estimate pooled effects for unique combinations of accelerometer cut-points for each movement behaviour outcome. Results: Twenty-four studies, reporting on 18 unique samples, were included. Results demonstrated substantial variability in estimates of PA and ST across different cut-points. Of the 17 assessed cut-points, few showed similarity on estimates of the behaviours; Evenson (2008) and Pate (2006) were most similar for the assessment of ST and LPA. Pate (2006) cut-points consistently demonstrated the highest levels of MVPA. Conclusions: This review illustrates the limitations of having numerous accelerometer cut-points to determine PA and ST of young children, highlighting the substantial differences in estimates produced. Whilst similar estimates were identified based on a few cut-points; accelerometer cut-points were generally not comparable. This has implications for movement behaviour research, which impacts policy and recommendations. Research identifying an optimal approach to estimating movement behaviour outcomes in young children is required, while considering congruence with past and future research.

17th Dec 2023

Introduction: During childhood cancer treatment, physical activity (PA) levels of the child and their family can decline. Maintaining PA during treatment has treatment-specific benefits for the child and can improve the physical and mental health of all family members. During treatment, PA is not prioritised, and the barriers are difficult to overcome. Whole family engagement in PA could facilitate behaviour change. This study aimed to use the Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW) to design an intervention to improve the PA levels of the whole family during childhood cancer treatment using evidence from families of childhood cancer survivors. Methods: Development followed three stages. First, to understand the behaviour, qualitative research methods were utilised to explore barriers, facilitators, and experiences of PA during treatment for the family. Transcripts of three family focus groups and 18 semi-structured interviews with parents were analysed and coded using the Capabilities, Opportunities and Motivation Behaviours (COM-B) model. Second, intervention options were identified using the BCW. Third, implementation options via suitable behaviour change techniques (BCT) and modes of delivery were identified.
Results: The Active Living for Families intervention (ALFIE) was developed to target PA for the whole family of childhood cancer patients during treatment. This flexible, family-based intervention is comprised of eight components including education sessions, goal setting and prompts. Using the BCW framework, this multi-component intervention targets six intervention functions including education,
training, and environmental restructuring, and 19 BCTs including goal setting and adding objects to the environment. Conclusions: The application of the BCW allowed for systematic, theory-driven development and design of the intervention to target physical activity for families during a child’s treatment for cancer. The feasibility of this intervention will be examined.

Introduction: During childhood cancer treatment, there are many pressures on the family unit detrimentally impacting the time spent together. Free (leisure)-time physical activities are fun, non-competitive, increase physical ability self-efficacy, and, during a child’s cancer treatment, are more accessible for all. The aim of this study was to engage the whole family to hear their experiences of family free-time activities, pre and post their child’s cancer diagnosis, whilst on treatment.
Methods: Individual focus groups with three families of childhood cancer survivors were conducted using participatory methods, including a write-draw-show-tell activity and vignettes, to explore experiences of and suggestions for family-based activities pre and post-diagnosis. Focus groups were recorded, transcribed, and analysed inductively using reflexive thematic analysis.
Results: At all times, key barriers for family-based, free-time activities were weather, emotions, and illness. Enabling factors were play, involving others (friends, family, and animals), and visiting new places especially on holidays. During treatment, themes for family activities were disruptions to family life, the importance of family time, and the centrality of hospital in their now, medicalised lives. Sub-themes that flow though these themes are nature, modifying activities, maintaining ‘normality’, isolation and enforced separation.
Conclusions: The themes highlighted two contrasting experiences for families which represented: a) isolation and enforced separation, b) enhancing family connections during time together when the child is well enough, or the activity was modified. Hearing children’s voices alongside those of their parents through inclusive child-centred methodologies has facilitated the deeper exploration of family-based, leisure-time activities during treatment to inform intervention development to meet the needs of the whole family.