Aqua Walking as an Appropriate and Healthy Winter and Summer Physical Practice? An Exploratory Study

International audience(1) Background: Aqua-walking in a natural environment is a health promoting physical activity that is gaining popularity and appropriate for a variety of populations, however, to date, there is little scientific evidence supporting the efficacy and safety of this activity for older adults. The objective was to propose a preliminary exploration of psychometric and metabolic responses to an acute Aqua walking session either during winter or summer in older adults Aqua walking exercisers. (2) Methods: Heart rate, body temperature, glycemia, and blood pressure were monitored in 37 (30 women, 7 men) participants aged 52 to 83 years old in two Aqua walking sessions (water at 13 °C and 18.5 °C, respectively). Anthropometry (body weight, waist, and hip circumferences), body composition, physical activity level, sedentary time, sleep quality, quality of life, physical self-perception, and perceived health and feelings on various parameters were also assessed. (3) Results: Present results revealed a greater quality of life, physical self-perception, and perceived health in aging Aqua walking exercisers compared to those found in the literature in younger populations. None of the metabolic or psychometric measurements were found to be different between classically calibrated Aqua walking sessions performed in winter compared to summer. By contrast, there was a time effect during the sessions for body temperature (p < 0.001), SBP (p = 0.17), perceived mental and physical well-being (p = 0.006 and p < 0.001, respectively), and anxiety (p < 0.001). Leg discomfort also showed a time effect (p = 0.0009) and interaction effect (p = 0.025). (4) Conclusion: Aqua walking appears here to be an accessible practice that can be performed all year long with a range of physical and mental benefits for older adults. Future studies should investigate the metabolic responses of Aqua walking in different populations

Adverse Collateral Effects of COVID-19 Public Health Restrictions on Physical Fitness and Cognitive Performance in Primary School Children

International audienceThe aim of the present study was to evaluate whether the COVID-19-related confinement and social restrictions affected the levels of physical fitness and academic achievement in primary school French children. A total of 206 primary school children (106 before confinements and 100 after restrictions) completed a test battery evaluating their anthropometric characteristics, body compositions, activity preferences, cognitive performances and physical fitness. The performance of the Standing Long Jump was better at T0 (169.9 ± 142.5 cm) compared to T1 (135.2 ± 31.4 cm) (p = 0.0367), and the Medicine Ball Throw performance declined from T0 to T1 (297.3 ± 81.1 cm vs. 249 ± 52 cm; p < 0.0001). Motor skills (26.9 ± 6.2 s vs. 30.9 ± 5.4 s; p < 0.0001), the shuttle-run test (stages completed), Maximal Aerobic Speed, and the estimated VO2max were lower at T1 compared to T0 (p < 0.0001). Executive functioning was found to be greater at T0 compared to T1 (p < 0.0001). Explicit liking or wanting for sedentary or physical activities did not change between T0 and T1. Both overall physical fitness and cognitive performance drastically declined among primary school French children with the COVID-19-related public health restrictions, which reinforces the need to urgently develop preventive strategies in anticipation of further mitigation measures

The effects of using a cycling desk at school on executive functions, physical fitness and body composition in primary school children: a pilot within-subject study (BICLASS)

Physical inactivity and sedentary behaviors are associated with adverse health outcomes in both adults and children. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a 9 weeks program using a Cycle Desk during school time in primary school French children from high or low socio economic status (SES) on body composition, physical fitness (PF) and executive functions. Methods: Seventy-five children completed a test battery before (T0) and after 9 weeks of use of Cycle Desk (T1) evaluating their anthropometric characteristics, body composition, PF and executive functions. Results: Body mass index increased significantly, while body fat decreased after the use of Cycle Desks. Specifically, lean mass increased in the high-SES group while it decreased in the low-SES group. Performances on PF and executive functions tests increased significantly after 9 weeks of use of Cycle Desk. More specifically, the low-SES group had a greater improvement in PF between T0 and T1, compared to the high-SES group. Regarding executive functions, the high-SES group had a greater improvement in performance at T1 compared to the low-SES group. Conclusion: The promotion of low-intensity PA with the use of Cycle Desk at school, seems to be an interesting strategy in the fight against adverse effects of sedentary behaviour among children. Moreover, this strategy appears to be particularly effective in children of low SES

Effets délétères des restrictions liées au COVID-19 sur les capacités physiques et cognitives des élèves de primaire

International audienceThe aim of the present study was to evaluate whether the COVID-19-related confinement and social restrictions affected the levels of physical fitness and academic achievement in primary school French children. A total of 206 primary school children (106 before confinements and 100 after restrictions) completed a test battery evaluating their anthropometric characteristics, body compositions, activity preferences, cognitive performances and physical fitness. The performance of the Standing Long Jump was better at T0 (169.9 142.5 cm) compared to T1 (135.2 31.4 cm) (p = 0.0367), and the Medicine Ball Throw performance declined from T0 to T1 (297.3 81.1 cm vs. 249 52 cm; p < 0.0001). Motor skills (26.9 6.2 s vs. 30.9 5.4 s; p < 0.0001), the shuttle-run test (stages completed), Maximal Aerobic Speed, and the estimated VO2max were lower at T1 compared to T0 (p < 0.0001). Executive functioning was found to be greater at T0 compared to T1 (p < 0.0001). Explicit liking or wanting for sedentary or physical activities did not change between T0 and T1. Both overall physical fitness and cognitive performance drastically declined among primary school French children with the COVID-19-related public health restrictions, which reinforces the need to urgently develop preventive strategies in anticipation of further mitigation measures

Non-invasive biomarkers of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in patients with Metabolic Syndrome: insights from the RESOLVE study

International audienceBACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to evaluate i) the presence of liver steatosis using Fatty Liver Index (FLI), Hepatic Steatosis Index (HSI) and Liver Fat Score (LFS) in patients suffering from MS and ii) the association of FLI, HSI and LFS with the cardiometabolic risks.METHODS: A total of 91 patients with MS (MS; 39 men, 52 women) and 44 age matched healthy subjects (Control; 23 men and 21 women) were enrolled in the study. A continuous cardiometabolic score (MetsScore) and the noninvasive tests of hepatic steatosis were calculated for comparison and association analysis.RESULTS: Liver steatosis was detected in 86%, 84% and 80% of people diagnosed with MS using FLI, HSI and LFS respectively and MetsScore increases with FLI severity (p<0,05). Also, FLI and LFS were positively associated with MetsScore (p<0.01 and p<0.05 respectively) but not HSI. Multivariate linear regression models revealed that FLI has a stronger association with MetsScore compared with HSI and LFS (p<0,001).CONCLUSIONS: FLI is associated with the severity of MS and represent a good indicator to assess the relation between liver steatosis and a cardiometabolic disorders in clinical routine