A scoping review on the implementation of Global Observatory on Physical Activity recommendations for school children in Sub-Saharan Africa

Background: Promoting physical activity (PA) is a critical first step in preventing and lowering the prevalence of non-communicable chronic diseases across all age groups. The Global Observatory on Physical Activity (GoPA) of the World Health Organization (WHO) suggested country-specific guidelines for promoting PA across all age categories to achieve this. However, despite an increase in obesity, there is no information on their compliance for pre-secondary school children in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). We mapped evidence in the literature and described the available evidence on implementing GoPA recommendations for presecondary school children in SSA. Methods: This scoping review included a search in PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Cochrane Library with the dates 2013–2020, using keywords and the terms (Physical activity OR exercise AND (GoPA recommendations OR Guidelines) AND ((presecondary school children) OR (primary school children) OR (basic school children) OR (children)). The most important data were tabulated. Results: Twenty-three studies were identified of which ten were eligible for data extraction. Of these ten studies, 2 (20%) were conducted in Nigeria, 4 (40%) in South Africa, 2 (20%) in Ghana and 1(10%) each in Kenya and Senegal were extracted. None of these nations has a national plan or strategy to promote PA and reduce sedentary behaviors (SB). Conclusion: A gap in the formulation of PA guidelines exists in SSA. Urgent action is needed for a national plan or strategy by individual country in SSA to reduce the burden of physical inactivity among school children in SSA

Effects of an eight-week stepladder exercise protocol on lower limb muscular strength of apparently healthy young adults

Purpose. backward descent of stairs is associated with improved muscle strength and reduced joint stress, but the effect of backward ascent of stairs on lower limb muscle strength has not been reported. This study compared the effects of forward and backward stair climbing on lower limb muscle strength in apparently healthy young adults. Methods. The total of 31 young volunteers were allocated to either forward or backward stair climbing group (n = 16 and 15, respectively). Dynamic quadriceps and hamstring muscle strength was assessed in addition to thigh girth at baseline and at weeks 4 and 8 with the use of the repetitive maximum method and tape measure, respectively. Results. Between baseline and week 8, muscular strength in both groups (quadriceps: 14.4 ± 3.6 to 16.4 ± 3.4 kg; 14.0 ± 2.9 to 15.3 ± 2.7 kg; hamstring: 12.2 ± 3.2 to 13.4 ± 3.2; 11.7 ± 2.5 to 12.9 ± 2.7 kg) increased significantly (p0.05). The groups were comparable in all three measures post intervention. Conclusions. Forward and backward stair climbing protocols are effective for improving the dynamic strength of the hamstring and quadriceps muscles of apparently healthy young adults. Thus, either protocol could be used for the improvement of lower limbs dynamic muscle strength

Telerehabilitation-based exercises with or without transcranial direct current stimulation for pain, motor and cognitive function in older adults with mild cognitive impairments post-stroke: A multi-arm parallel-group randomized controlled trial study protocol

Background: Cognitive impairments, pain, and motor dysfunction are daunting challenges for stroke survivors, clinicians, and caregivers during rehabilitation programmes. There is a dearth of studies investigating the effectiveness of combining neurodevelopmental technique telerehabilitation-based exercises with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) for stroke survivors with mild cognitive impairments post-stroke. Objectives: The primary aim of this study is to investigate and compare the effects of Telerehabilitation-Based Exercises with or without Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) on pain, motor and cognitive function in older adults with mild cognitive impairments post-stroke. Methods: A multi-arm parallel-group (three groups) randomized controlled trial study involving a minimum of 87 participants (29 per group) will be conducted. Participants will be randomized into either telerehabilitation programmes with tDCS, telerehabilitation programmes alone or conventional physiotherapy programmes. All participants will be treated 3 times weekly for 8 weeks (45 min of intervention per session). Discussion: The findings in this study are expected to guide the provision of effective and affordable rehabilitation for stroke survivors with mild cognitive impairment

Effectiveness of three modes of kinetic-chain exercises on quadriceps muscle strength and thigh girth among individuals with knee osteoarthritis

Abstract Background The study was designed to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of 12-week open, closed and combined kinetic-chain exercises (OKCE, CKCE and CCE) on quadriceps muscle strength and thigh girth of patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Method The randomized clinical trial involved ninety-six consecutive patients with knee OA who were randomly assigned to one of OKCE, CKCE or CCE groups. Participants’ static quadriceps muscle strength (SQS), dynamic quadriceps muscle strength (DQS) and thigh girth (TG) were assessed using cable tensiometer, one repetition method and inelastic tape measure respectively at baseline and at the end of weeks 4, 8 and 12 of study. Results The three groups were comparable regarding their demographic and dependent variables at baseline; there was significant time effect (p  0.05) for all three measures. Changes in SQS, DQS and TG between baseline and week 12 were also not significantly different (p > 0.05) among the three groups. Conclusion All three exercise regimens are effective and demonstrate similar effects on quadriceps muscle strength and muscular trophism. Trial registration NHREC/05/01/2008a . Registered 20th March, 2014 Retrospectively

Prevalence of Low Physical Fitness and Its Related Factors Among Primary School Learners in Lagos State, Nigeria

Background and Purpose: Current evidence shows that physical fitness (PF) is declining among children and adolescents in Africa and worldwide, and this trend is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to evaluate the baseline PF data of primary school children in Lagos State, Nigeria, and to determine the predictors of low PF within the cohort. Materials and Methods: A total of 733 primary school children aged 6-12 years in Lagos, Nigeria, were included in this cross-sectional quantitative study. PF measures were assessed using the Eurofit battery test including sit and reach (S&R), standing long jump (SLJ), sit-ups (SU), 5 m shuttle run test (5 m-SRT), and cricket ball throw (CBT). A structured questionnaire was used to determine the socio-demographic factors. Anthropometric and cardiovascular measurements were performed using standardized protocols. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics of frequencies, percentages, median, and quartiles, and inferential statistics of the Mann-Whitney U test, Quade analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) correlation matrix, and multiple linear regression model. Results: Boys showed significantly higher SU counts (P<0.001), higher CBT (P<0.001), lower 5 m SRT (P=0.003), and the same SLJ (P=0.008) than girls, while S&R scores were statistically comparable (P=0.135). Also, the results showed that sex (B=-0.647, P=0.015), height (B=0.831, P=0.0001), weight (B=-0.641, P=0.007), and hip circumference (HC) (B=0.955, P=0.009) were significantly associated with total PF (measured using S&R, SLJ, SU,5 m SRT, and CBT). Conclusion: Increased weight and gender were the main predictors of low PF among primary school children in Lagos, Nigeria

Effects of an Eight-Week Stepladder Exercise Protocol on Lower Limb Muscular Strength of Apparently Healthy Young Adults

Purpose. Backward descent of stairs is associated with improved muscle strength and reduced joint stress, but the effect of backward ascent of stairs on lower limb muscle strength has not been reported. This study compared the effects of forward and backward stair climbing on lower limb muscle strength in apparently healthy young adults. Methods. The total of 31 young volunteers were allocated to either forward or backward stair climbing group (n = 16 and 15, respectively). Dynamic quadriceps and hamstring muscle strength was assessed in addition to thigh girth at baseline and at weeks 4 and 8 with the use of the repetitive maximum method and tape measure, respectively. Results. Between baseline and week 8, muscular strength in both groups (quadriceps: 14.4 ± 3.6 to 16.4 ± 3.4 kg; 14.0 ± 2.9 to 15.3 ± 2.7 kg; hamstring: 12.2 ± 3.2 to 13.4 ± 3.2; 11.7 ± 2.5 to 12.9 ± 2.7 kg) increased significantly (p 0.05). The groups were comparable in all three measures post intervention. Conclusions. Forward and backward stair climbing protocols are effective for improving the dynamic strength of the hamstring and quadriceps muscles of apparently healthy young adults. Thus, either protocol could be used for the improvement of lower limbs dynamic muscle strength

Sobrecarga e qualidade de vida de cuidadores informais de crianças com paralisia cerebral

Objective: to analyze the caregiver burden and the quality of life of informal caregivers of children with cerebral palsy. Methods: the cross-sectional survey involved 109 caregivers of children with cerebral palsy recruited from physiotherapy clinic at a tertiary hospital. The quality of life and caregiver burden were assessed using the Personal Wellbeing Index Scale and the Modified Caregivers’ Strain Index, respectively. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: the mean strain index and quality of life scores of the participants were 11.85 ± 5.72 and 64.68 ± 8.03 respectively. The majority (67.9%) of the caregivers had fair personal well-being, while about one-third (33.0%) had high caregiver’s strain. Child’s age (B=2.454; p<0.005) and caregivers’ occupation (B= -2.547; p=0.001) were predictors of caregiver strain. Conclusion: caring for children with cerebral palsy imposed a substantial burden on the caregivers and child’s age and caregivers’ occupation were predictor variables.Objetivo: analisar a sobrecarga e qualidade de vida de cuidadores informais de crianças com paralisia cerebral. Métodos: o estudo transversal envolveu 109 cuidadores recrutados em uma clínica de fisioterapia em um hospital terciário. A qualidade de vida e a sobrecarga foram avaliadas por meio do Personal Wellbeing Index e do Modified Caregivers’ Strain Index, respectivamente. Os dados foram analisados de forma descritiva e inferencial. Resultados: as médias do índice de sobrecarga e dos escores de qualidade de vida foram 11,85 ± 5,72 e 64,68 ± 8,03, respectivamente. A maioria (67,9%) dos cuidadores apresentou bem-estar pessoal razoável, enquanto cerca de um terço (33,0%) apresentou alta sobrecarga. Idade da criança (B=2,454; p<0,005) e ocupação dos cuidadores (B= -2,547; p=0,001) foram preditores de tensão do cuidador. Conclusão: cuidar de crianças com paralisia cerebral impôs uma sobrecarga substancial aos cuidadores e a idade da criança e a ocupação dos cuidadores foram variáveis preditoras