Perceived Social Support and Sustained Physical Activity During the COVID-19 Pandemic

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 lockdown introduced substantial barriers to physical activity, providing a unique 'natural experiment' to understand the social factors associated with sustained physical activity. The objectives of this study were to identify the proportion of people who successfully sustained physical activity during lockdown and to explore whether social support, loneliness and social isolation were associated with maintenance of physical activity during COVID-19 lockdown. METHOD: Longitudinal data from 16,980 participants, mean age 51.3 years (SD = 14.3) from the COVID-19 Social Study was used to identify a sample of participants who maintained their physical activity despite lockdown. RESULTS: Seventeen percent were consistently active whilst 42% were completely inactive. After adjustment for multiple confounders, high social support was associated with a 64% (95% CI 50-80%) increased odds of sustaining physical activity and medium social support was associated with 32% (95% CI 20-44%) increased odds. Associations between physical activity and loneliness and social isolation were not found. CONCLUSION: This study supports previous research showing the importance of social support for the long-term maintenance of physical activity behaviour but shows that such effects extend to contexts of social restrictions

Younger adolescents’ perceptions of physical activity, exergaming, and virtual reality:qualitative intervention development study

Background. Novel strategies to promote physical activity (PA) in adolescence are required. The vEngage study aims to test whether a virtual reality (VR) exergaming intervention can engage younger adolescents (13-15 year old) with physical activity. Objective: This study aimed to gather adolescents’ views of using VR to encourage PA and identify the key features they would like to see in a VR exergaming intervention via interviews. Methods: Participants were recruited through two schools in London, UK. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with adolescents about their views on PA and what might work to increase PA, technology, knowledge and experience of VR, and desired features in a VR exergaming intervention. Data were analysed using Framework Analysis. Results: 31 13-15 year olds (58% female, 62% from non-white ethnicities) participated in this interview study. The vast majority had no awareness of government PA recommendations, but felt they should be more thoroughly informed. All participants were positive about the use of VR in PA promotion. Rewards, increasing challenges and a social/multiplayer aspect were identified by participants as crucial aspects to include in a VR exercise game. Barriers were related to cost of high-end systems. Being able to exercise at home was very appealing. VR exergaming was viewed as a way to overcome multiple perceived social and cultural barriers to PA, particularly for girls. Conclusions: Key elements that should be incorporated into a VR for health intervention were identified and described. These also included the use of rewards, novelty and enjoyment in immersive game play, multi-player options, real-world elements, as well as continual updates and new challenge levels. The use of VR to promote PA in adolescents is promising, but some barriers were raised

Did the COVID-19 pandemic impact the dietary intake of individuals living with and beyond breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer and who were most likely to experience change?

Purpose: The present work investigated dietary changes amongst individuals living with and beyond cancer (LWBC) from before to during the pandemic. To identify those at greatest risk of unhealthy changes, it was further examined whether patterns varied by sociodemographic, health-related, and COVID-19-related characteristics. // Methods: This longitudinal cohort study analysed data from 716 individuals LWBC participating in the Advancing Survivorship Cancer Outcomes Trial (ASCOT). Using data provided before and during the pandemic, changes in fruit and vegetable, snack, and alcohol intake were tested using mixed-effect regression models. // Results: Fruit and vegetable (95%CI: − 0.30; − 0.04) and alcohol consumption (95%CI: − 1.25; − 0.31) decreased, whilst snacking increased (95%CI: 0.19; 0.53). Women and individuals with limited social contact were more likely to reduce fruit and vegetable intake during the pandemic. Women and individuals with poorer sleep quality, limited social contact, and shielding requirements and without higher education were more likely to increase snacking during the pandemic. Individuals with poorer sleep quality, poorer mental health, and regular social contact were more likely to decrease alcohol consumption during the pandemic. // Conclusions: Findings suggest decreased intake for fruit, vegetable, and alcohol consumption and increased snack intake in response to the pandemic amongst individuals LWBC. These changes appear to differ across various characteristics, suggesting the pandemic has not equally impacted everyone in this population. Findings highlight the need for targeted post-COVID strategies to support individuals LWBC most adversely affected by the pandemic, including women and socially isolated individuals. This encourages resources to be prioritised amongst these groups to prevent further negative impact of the pandemic. Whilst the findings are statistically significant, practically they appear less important. This is necessary to acknowledge when considering interventions and next steps

Detection of risk for future depression among adolescents: Stakeholder views of acceptability and feasibility in the United Kingdom

Aim: Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses globally and a leading cause of disability. It is often established by late adolescence and thus identifying which adolescents are most at risk is crucial to enable early intervention to prevent depression onset. We have previously developed a risk calculator to stratify which adolescents are at high risk of developing depression and in this study explore the views of stakeholders to ascertain the acceptability and feasibility of implementing such a tool in the UK.Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 60 UK-based stakeholders (12 healthcare workers, 12 social workers, 12 school workers, 12 policymakers, and 12 parents). Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were analysed drawing on framework analysis techniques in NVivo 12.Results: Six overarching themes were identified: facilitators of acceptability; barriers to acceptability; role of stakeholders in implementing risk screening; feasibility of delivering the risk calculator in practice; barriers to implementation; and policy and system implications of using it in the current UK health and social care climate. The implementation of a depression risk calculator in the UK was seen as largely acceptable and feasible by most respondents. There was a strong emphasis on the utility of schools to implement this risk calculator, although it was recognised that training and support would be essential.Conclusions: Stakeholders were generally positive about utilising a tool to screen for risk of future depression among adolescents in the UK but raised important concerns which should be taken into account before implementation

Research priorities about stoma-related quality of life from the perspective of people with a stoma: A pilot survey

Background: There is a recognized need to include patients in setting research priorities. Research priorities identified by people with a stoma are rarely elicited.  Objectives: To improve the quality of life of people with a stoma through use of evidence-based practice based on research priorities set by patients.  Design and Methods: Online pilot survey publicized in 2016 via United Kingdom stoma charities. People ranked nine stoma-related quality-of- life topics in order of research priority.  Participants: People 16 years of age and over who currently have or have had a stoma for treatment for any medical condition.  Analysis: Distributions of the priority scores for each of the nine research topics were examined. Group differences were explored using either the Mann–Whitney U-test or the Kruskal–Wallis test depending on the number of groups.  Results: In total, 225 people completed the survey. The most important research priority was pouch leak problems and stoma bag/appliance problems followed by hernia risk. There were statistically significant differences in ranking research priorities between males and females, age, underlying disease that led to a stoma, stoma type and length of time with a stoma.  Conclusion: People with a stoma are willing to engage in and set research priorities. The results should contribute towards future research about setting the research agenda for the study of stoma-related concerns that impact quality of life.REF Compliant by Deposit in Stirling's Repositor

Research priorities about stoma-related quality of life from the perspective of people with a stoma: A pilot survey

Background:There is a recognized need to include patients in setting research priorities. Research priorities identified by people with a stoma are rarely elicited.Objectives: To improve the quality of life of people with a stoma through use of evidence- based practice based on research priorities set by patients.Design and Methods: Online pilot survey publicized in 2016 via United Kingdom stoma charities. People ranked nine stoma- related quality of life topics in order of research priority.Participants: People 16 years of age and over who currently have or have had a stoma for treatment for any medical condition.Analysis: Distributions of the priority scores for each of the nine research topics were examined. Group differences were explored using either the Mann–Whitney U- test or the Kruskal–Wallis test depending on the number of groups.Results: In total, 225 people completed the survey. The most important research priority was pouch leak problems and stoma bag/appliance problems followed by hernia risk. There were statistically significant differences in ranking research priorities between males and females, age, underlying disease that led to a stoma, stoma type and length of time with a stoma.Conclusion: People with a stoma are willing to engage in and set research priorities. The results should contribute towards future research about setting the research agenda for the study of stoma- related concerns that impact quality of life

The Lantern Vol. 72, No. 1, Fall 2004

• Jazz • Bifocal Brainfreeze • A Mug of Tea • Autumn Blend • Montana Skies • Madeleine Parenthesis • Ghosts Come Out at Night • Time • 144 Cromwell Road • Market East • Secret • Stream • What Might Have Been or What Never Was • Buried Mirth • Conversations With a Writer • Churning Through • Chum-Salmon Intentions • Cages • Lola Sang of Green Glass Landscapes • Peg\u27s Antiques • Life at 120 Decibelshttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/lantern/1165/thumbnail.jp

The Lantern Vol. 72, No. 2, Spring 2005

• Transmigration • Faces of the Moon • Euphony of the Euphonium • He Met Me in the Arcs & Ebbs of Frailty • An Adoration of Ordination • Ebony: The Essence Thereof • Curbside Statue Has No Legs Left • Triggerfinger Romance • Lost • Running Through Connecticut • Eve • The Day Lates and the Dollar Shorts • Somnambulist • That\u27s That • The Glenn Machine • Evenfall in Bad Homburg • Absence of Field • Dating Myself • Traveling Without a Map • The Non-Euclidean Way to Get Some Bagels • La Belle Epoque • Satin Boxeshttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/lantern/1166/thumbnail.jp

Physical activity referral to cardiac rehabilitation, leisure centre or telephone-delivered consultations in post-surgical people with breast cancer: a mixed methods process evaluation

Background:Physical activity (PA) programmes effective under ‘research’ conditions may not be effective under ‘real-world’ conditions. A potential solution is to refer patients to existing PA community-based PA services.Methods:A process evaluation of referral of post-surgical patients with early-stage breast cancer to cardiac rehabilitation exercise classes, leisure centre with 3-month free leisure centre membership or telephone-delivered PA consultations for 12 weeks. Quantitative data were collected about PA programme uptake and reach, patient engagement with the PA programme, delivery and fidelity and PA dose. Qualitative data were collected about patient experiences of taking part in the PA programmes. Audio-recorded qualitative interviews of participants about the programmes were analysed thematically. Quantitative data were reported descriptively using means and SD.Results:In Phase I, 30% (n = 20) of eligible patients (n = 20) consented, 85% (n = 17) chose referral to leisure centre, and 15% (n = 3) chose cardiac rehabilitation. In Phase II, 32% (n = 12) consented, 25% (n = 3) chose leisure centre and 75% (n = 9) chose telephone-delivered PA consultations. Walking at light intensity for about an hour was the most common PA. All Phase I participants received an induction by a cardiac rehabilitation physiotherapist or PA specialist from the leisure centre but only 50% of Phase II participants received an induction by a PA specialist from the leisure centre. Four themes were identified from qualitative interviews about programme choice: concerns about physical appearance, travel distance, willingness to socialise and flexibility in relation to doing PA. Four themes were identified about facilitators and barriers for engaging in PA: feeling better, feeling ill, weight management, family and friends.Conclusions:The current community-based PA intervention is not yet suitable for a definitive effectiveness randomised controlled trial. Further work is needed to optimise PR programme reach, PA dose and intervention fidelity

Indoor school environments, physical activity, sitting behaviour and pedagogy: a scoping review

Physical activity levels in children are low and sitting time high, despite the health benefits of regular physical activity and limited sitting. Children spend a large proportion of their time at school, hence school-based interventions targeting physical activity and sitting behaviour may be important. Whilst some aspects of school buildings, their layout and furniture may influence children's physical activity and sitting, these effects could be intertwined with pedagogical approaches. This scoping review aims to identify gaps in the research literature regarding the influence of the indoor school environment on pedagogical approaches and on physical activity and sitting. In primary schools, it was found that physical activity can be integrated into lessons with some benefits on academic behaviour and possibly academic performance. Overall, however, the role of the indoor built environment is poorly investigated, although a handful of studies suggest that a radical change in primary school classrooms may increase physical activity and that stand-biased desks may be promising. This study provides a contribution to the emerging research fields of ‘active design’ from the perspective of indoor school design, highlighting a dearth of research, especially on sitting and for secondary education, and a lack of relevant conceptual frameworks