Is weight cycling associated with adverse health outcomes? A cohort study

Evidence about the health effects of weight cycling is not consistent, with some studies suggesting it is harmful for health. Here we investigated whether weight cycling was associated with weight change and mental health outcomes in 10,428 participants in the mid-age cohort of The Australian Longitudinal Study of Women's Health (ALSWH) over 12 years. In 1998 the women were asked how many times they had ever intentionally lost at least 5 kg and how many times had they regained this amount. Women were categorised into four weight pattern groups: frequent weight cyclers (FWC, three or more weight cycles), low frequency weight cyclers (LFWC, one or two weight cycles), non-weight cyclers (NWC), and weight loss only (WL). We used generalised linear modelling to investigate relationships between weight pattern group, weight change and mental health outcomes. In 1998, 15% of the women were FWC, 24% LFWC, 46% NWC and 15% were WL. Weight change was similar across weight pattern groups in women with obesity, however healthy weight and overweight FWC gained more weight than women who did not weight cycle. We found no difference in overall mental health scores between groups, but both LFWC and FWC had higher odds of depressive symptoms (adjusted OR 1.5, 95%CI: 1.1 to 1.9 and 1.7, 95%CI: 1.1 to 2.4, respectively) than NWC. Our results suggest that, although weight cycling is not associated with greater weight gain in women with obesity, it may increase depressive symptoms

Evidence that heat acclimation training may alter sleep and incidental activity

This randomized cross-over study tested the hypothesis that heat acclimation training would detrimentally affect sleep variables and alter incidental physical activity compared to a thermoneutral training control condition. Eight recreationally trained males (V̇ O2peak 49±4.9 mL. kg-1.min-1) completed two separate interventions separated by at least 31 days: 5 consecutive day training blocks of moderate-intensity cycling (60 min·day-1 at 50% peak power output) in a hot (34.9±0.7 °C and 53±4 % relative humidity) and a temperate (22.2±2.6 °C; 65±8 % relative humidity) environment. Wrist-mounted accelerometers were worn continuously for the length of the training blocks and recorded physical activity, sleep quality and quantity. Data were analysed in a Bayesian framework, with the results presented as the posterior probability that a coefficient was greater or less than zero. Compared to the temperate training environment, heat acclimation impaired sleep efficiency (Pr β0 = .917). Daily sedentary time was, on average, 35 min longer (Pr β>0 = .973) and light physical activity time 18 min shorter (Pr β>0 = .960) during the heat acclimation period. No differences were observed between conditions in sleep duration, subjective sleep quality, or moderate or vigorous physical activity. These findings may suggest that athletes and coaches need to be cognisant that heat acclimation training may alter sleep quality and increase sedentary behaviour

A hard day’s night: time use in shift workers

Background Differences in how shift workers accumulate physical activity (PA) while at work and in leisure time, on days when they are working at night, during the day, or on non-work days, are largely unexplored. The aim of this study was to improve understanding of physical activity patterns in two groups of shift workers, and to measure variations according to their shift schedules. Methods This pragmatic pilot study was conducted in two workplaces. Employees in Workplace 1 (n = 10) were required to drive for most of their shift. Workplace 2 was a manufacturing company where most of the employees’ (n = 30) occupational tasks were completed while standing. Use of time was assessed using the adult version of the Multimedia Activity Recall for Children and Adults (MARCA) administered by telephone interview. Three MARCA interviews were conducted with each participant, in order to capture a typical profile of a day-shift day, a night-shift day and a non-work day, using a two-day recall for each interview. Participants were asked to wear the activPAL3™ activity monitor, for 7 consecutive days. Paired and independent t-tests were used to compute significant differences between day-shift, night-shift and non-work days within and between workplaces. Results The total number of days quantified for the MARCA data was 192 days (64 day-shift, 60 night-shift and 68 non-work days). Workplace 2 participants reported more physical activity and less sedentary behaviour on day-shift and night shift days than on non-work days. Time spent in sedentary behaviour was similar on day-shift, night-shift and non-work days in Workplace 1. Workplace 1 participants were more sedentary (p = 0.003) and engaged in more light intensity PA (p = 0.031) on day-shift and night-shift workdays, than those from Workplace 2. Sleep times were lowest on day-shift days. Conclusion As the occupational tasks for participants in Workplace 2 involved physical activities, the findings do not support the conventional view that shift workers are more sedentary than those who only work during the day. Rather occupational tasks appear to be a more important determinant of physical activity patterns both on work and non-work days than varying shift patterns

Physical activity and health related quality of life

Copyright @ 2012 Anokye et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.This article has been made available through the Brunel Open Access Publishing Fund.BACKGROUND: Research on the relationship between Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) and physical activity (PA), to date, have rarely investigated how this relationship differ across objective and subjective measures of PA. The aim of this paper is to explore the relationship between HRQoL and PA, and examine how this relationship differs across objective and subjective measures of PA, within the context of a large representative national survey from England. METHODS: Using a sample of 5,537 adults (40–60 years) from a representative national survey in England (Health Survey for England 2008), Tobit regressions with upper censoring was employed to model the association between HRQoL and objective, and subjective measures of PA controlling for potential confounders. We tested the robustness of this relationship across specific types of PA. HRQoL was assessed using the summary measure of health state utility value derived from the EuroQol-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) whilst PA was assessed via subjective measure (questionnaire) and objective measure (accelerometer- actigraph model GT1M). The actigraph was worn (at the waist) for 7 days (during waking hours) by a randomly selected sub-sample of the HSE 2008 respondents (4,507 adults – 16 plus years), with a valid day constituting 10 hours. Analysis was conducted in 2010. RESULTS: Findings suggest that higher levels of PA are associated with better HRQoL (regression coefficient: 0.026 to 0.072). This relationship is consistent across different measures and types of PA although differences in the magnitude of HRQoL benefit associated with objective and subjective (regression coefficient: 0.047) measures of PA are noticeable, with the former measure being associated with a relatively better HRQoL (regression coefficient: 0.072). CONCLUSION: Higher levels of PA are associated with better HRQoL. Using an objective measure of PA compared with subjective shows a relatively better HRQoL.This project was funded by the NIHR Health Technology Assessment programme (project number 08/72/01)

Controversies in the Science of Sedentary Behaviour and Health: Insights, Perspectives and Future Directions from the 2018 Queensland Sedentary Behaviour Think Tank

The development in research concerning sedentary behaviour has been rapid over the past two decades. This has led to the development of evidence and views that have become more advanced, diverse and, possibly, contentious. These include the effects of standing, the breaking up of prolonged sitting and the role of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in the association between sedentary behaviour and health outcomes. The present aim is to report the views of experts (n = 21) brought together (one-day face-to-face meeting in 2018) to consider these issues and provide conclusions and recommendations for future work. Each topic was reviewed and presented by one expert followed by full group discussion, which was recorded, transcribed and analysed. The experts concluded that (a). standing may bring benefits that accrue from postural shifts. Prolonged (mainly static) standing and prolonged sitting are both bad for health; (b). ‘the best posture is the next posture’. Regularly breaking up of sitting with postural shifts and movement is vital; (c). health effects of prolonged sitting are evident even after controlling for MVPA, but high levels of MVPA can attenuate the deleterious effects of prolonged sitting depending on the health outcome of interest. Expert discussion addressed measurement, messaging and future directions

League-FIT: The qualitative data

League-FIT: the qualitative dataIntroduction: Recent studies demonstrate that suburban sport clubs are a compelling draw card for engaging men in weight-loss programs. The value of identifying supportive environments for weight loss programs cannot be understated as the prevalence of Australian men living with overweight or obesity is 1.27 times higher than women. This statistic is compounded by the facts that there are fewer weight-loss programs that cater specifically for men and men are less likely to engage with weight-loss programs. The Aim of this study was to garner perceptions of participants who completed League-FIT: 12-week weight-loss program delivered through suburban rugby league clubs.Methods: 36 men with a mean age of 47.7 (SD=8.2) (age range 35-65), a Body Mass Index of >27 kg/m2 completed the League-FIT program. The League-FIT program was delivered in semi-professional suburban rugby league clubs. Each club boasts a history of >100 years and enjoys substantial provincial support. League-FIT involves twelve weekly meetings, each meeting is delivered in the same facilities used by the current senior playing squads (playing fields, gyms, change rooms). Weekly meeting consisted of 45 minutes of nutrition education and 45 minutes of physical activity. The physical activity involved rugby league skills training. Both components of the program were delivered by individuals with strong connections to the club: former high-profile players/coaches. Qualitative data were collected at the commencement and conclusion of the 12-week program and 4 months after the completion of the program. Participants were not contacted by the researchers or the program convenors for the duration of the four months between completion of the program and post intervention data collection. The qualitative data that this study refers was draw from three Focus Group meetings using semi-structured questions. Each participant completed one focus group meeting and each meeting was conducted by the program convenor. Participant responses were recorded manually, and records were reviewed and approved by participants. Thematic Content Analysis was used to identify dominant themes and connections between themes.Results: Focus Group meetings generated themes pertaining to motivation, engagement, support, knowledge, and achievements. As is the case with thematic content analysis, interplay and transference between themes was evident. A deeper and more meaningful understanding of the themes is established by categorizing and defining this conveyance between themes. This step in the analysis of data produces connectors. Each connector drawn from this study aligns with one the three forms of social capital: Bonding Capital, Bridging Capital, and Linking Capital.Discussion: Overweight and obesity are linked with increased risk of coronary heart disease, hypertension, stroke, diabetes and represents a significant liability to cardiovascular health. Moreover, men are more likely to experience overweight and/or obesity through their middle years. Understanding why men engage and/or disengage with weight-loss programs is crucial to creating and delivering effective weight-loss programs in the future.Impact: This study provides insights concerning procedures that underpin an effective weight-loss program.Conflict of interest: My co-authors and I acknowledge that we have no conflict of interest of relevance to the submission of this abstract.<br/

Physical activity in mid-age and older women: Lessons from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health

The Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health (ALSWH) commenced in Australia in 1996 when researchers recruited approximately 40,000 women in three birth cohorts: 1973–1978, 1946–1951, and 1921–1926. Since then participants have completed surveys on a wide range of health issues, at approximately three-year intervals. This overview describes changes in physical activity (PA) over time in the mid-age and older ALSWH cohorts, and summarizes the findings of studies published to date on the determinants of PA, and its associated health outcomes in Australian women. The ALSWH data show a significant increase in PA during mid-age, and a rapid decline in activity levels when women are in their 80s. The study has demonstrated the importance of life stages and key life events as determinants of activity, the additional benefits of vigorous activity for mid-age women, and the health benefits of ‘only walking’ for older women. ALSWH researchers have also drawn attention to the benefits of activity in terms of a wide range of physical and mental health outcomes, as well as overall vitality and well-being. The data indicate that maintaining a high level of PA throughout mid and older age will not only reduce the risk of premature death, but also significantly extend the number of years of healthy life

Connect and Play: Promoting healthy communities through social inclusion and sport

Utilising the information and outcomes across all programs the below prominent and key themes identify and encompass a broad spectrum of community engagement, well-being, empowerment, and support, related to social inclusion and sport.1. Social Inclusion and Community Engagement: This theme encompasses efforts to integrate marginalised groups, particularly indigenous communities, into broader social structures through sports activities and community involvement. 2. Health and Physical Well-being: Emphasising the importance of physical health benefits derived from sports participation, including promoting active lifestyles and overall well-being among participants. 3. Empowerment and Talent Development: Focusing on providing opportunities for personal growth, talent discovery, and empowerment, particularly among marginalised groups such as indigenous youth and women. 4. Youth Development and Behavioral Change: Utilising sports as a platform for teaching valuable social skills, promoting positive behavioural changes, and fostering personal development among youth. 5. Community Challenges and Solutions: Addressing community issues constructively, such as vandalism and substance abuse, by involving youths in positive activities and providing support services, showcasing a proactive approach to problem-solving within the community. 6. Cultural Awareness and Pride: Promoting cultural awareness, pride, and respect for Indigenous heritage while fostering a sense of identity and belonging within the community

Football-FIT: The Qualitative Data

Recent studies demonstrate that suburban sport clubs are a compelling drawcard for engaging men in weight-loss programs. The value of identifying supportive environments for weight loss programs cannot be understated as the prevalence of Australian men living with overweight or obesity is 1.27 times higher than women. This statistic is compounded by the facts that there are fewer weight-loss programs that cater specifically for men and men are less likely to engage with weight-loss programs. The Aim of this study was to garner perceptions of participants who completed Football-FIT: 12-week weight-loss program delivered through suburban rugby league clubs.36 men with a mean age of 47.7 (SD=8.2) (age range 35-65), a Body Mass Index of >27 kg/m2 completed the Football-FIT program. The Football-FIT program was delivered in semi-professional suburban Football clubs. Each club boasts a history of >100 years and enjoys substantial provincial support. Football-FIT involves twelve weekly meetings, each meeting is delivered in the same facilities used by the current senior playing squads (playing fields, gyms, change rooms). Weekly meeting consisted of 45 minutes of nutrition education and 45 minutes of physical activity. The physical activity involved rugby league skills training. Both components of the program were delivered by individuals with strong connections to the club: former high-profile players/coaches. Qualitative data were collected at the commencement and conclusion of the 12-week program and 4 months after the completion of the program. Participants were not contacted by the researchers or the program convenors for the duration of the four months between completion of the program and post intervention data collection.The qualitative data that this presentation refers was draw from three Focus Group meetings using semi-structured questions. Participant’s responses were recorded manually, and records were reviewed and approved by participants. Thematic Content Analysis was used to identify dominant themes and connections between themes. Focus Group meetings generated themes pertaining to motivation, engagement, support, knowledge, and achievements. As is the case with thematic content analysis, interplay and transference between themes was evident. A deeper and more meaningful understanding of the themes is established by categorizing and defining this conveyance between themes. This step in the analysis of data produces connectors. Each connector drawn from this study aligns with one the three forms of social capital: Bonding Capital, Bridging Capital, and Linking Capital.<br/

Impact of the constraints-led approach on students’ motor performance

To optimise motor skill acquisition, physical education learning design should beinformed by up-to-date motor learning theory. The Constraints-led Approach (CLA) is therefore a viable physical education teaching approach as its learning design and delivery of instruction is informed by the contemporary motor learning theory of ecological dynamics. Problem Statement:Critics have argued that more applied research studies are required to provide empirical evidence to support the efficacy of the CLA on motor performance. Purpose:The purpose of this study was tobuild on the current body of empirical evidence by investigating the impact of a constraints-led physical education lesson on the hurdling performance of university students. Approach:A total of 42 undergraduate university students voluntarily submitted the video recordings of their hurdling performance, before and after participation in a 40-minute, constraints-led hurdling lesson. To evidence any improvement in students’ performance, three hurdling coaching experts were recruited to qualitatively assess the hurdling technique in each of the 84 randomly ordered video recordings. Results:Students’ hurdling technique was presented as both averages across all three experts and for each individual expert. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated to assess the interrater reliability across the three experts, based on a mean rating (k=3), two-way mixed model and absolute agreement. Intra-rater reliability was assessed by ICC and 95% confidence intervals, using a random sample of 15 video recordings rated a second time.The ICC for inter-rater reliability indicated good to excellent reliability or agreement among the expert coaches’ ratings. The ICCs for intra-rater reliability indicating excellent reliability or consistency of each experts’ individual ratings. Mean scores across all experts revealed that there was a significant difference in hurdling performance from pre to post intervention. Conclusion:The results from this study provide additional empirical evidence of the efficacy of the CLA in improving motor performance of students in a technically complex athletic event, strengthening its validity as a viable alternative pedagogy within the discipline of physical education.</p