This study examined acute effects of interrupting prolonged sitting with short activity breaks on postprandial glucose/insulin responses and estimations of insulin sensitivity in adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D). In a randomized crossover trial, eight adults (age = 46 ± 14 years [mean ± SD], body mass index [BMI] = 27.2 ± 3.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) is an efficacious treatment for hematologic malignancies but can be complicated by cardiac dysfunction and exercise intolerance impacting quality of life and longevity. We conducted a randomized controlled trial testing whether a multicomponent activity intervention could attenuate reductions in cardiorespiratory fitness and exercise cardiac function (co-primary end points) in adults undergoing allo-SCT.
Methods: Sixty-two adults scheduled for allo-SCT were randomized to a 4-month activity program (n=30) or usual care (UC; n=32).
Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act
September 2024
Background: The online BeUpstanding™ program is an eight-week workplace-delivered intervention for desk-based workers to raise awareness of the benefits of sitting less and moving more and build a supportive culture for change. A workplace representative (the "champion") delivers the program, which includes a workshop where teams collectively choose their sit less/move more strategies. A toolkit provides the champion with a step-by-step guide and associated resources to support program uptake, delivery, and evaluation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Wrist-worn data from commercially available devices has potential to characterize sedentary time for research and for clinical and public health applications. We propose a model that utilizes heart rate in addition to step count data to estimate the proportion of time spent being sedentary and the usual length of sedentary bouts.
Methods: We developed and trained two Hidden semi-Markov models, STEPHEN (STEP and Heart ENcoder) and STEPCODE (STEP enCODEr; a steps-only based model) using consumer-grade Fitbit device data from participants under free living conditions, and validated model performance using two external datasets.
Introduction: Muscle activation during interruptions to prolonged sedentary time is a hypothesized mechanism underlying observed cardiometabolic benefits. We examined associations of quadriceps and hamstring muscle activity patterns with cardiometabolic risk markers and how these patterns varied between different sitting-interruption countermeasures.
Methods: Electromyographic (EMG) data (shorts) were gathered for 1 to 2 d from healthy adults in a free-living study ( n = 172, age 40.
Introduction: Achieving a healthier balance of more time spent in physical activity (PA) and less time in sedentary behavior is now widely advocated for achieving multiple health benefits. This study introduces a Physical Activity and Sitting Time Balance Index (PASTBI), a potential risk identification tool addressing the interplay between PA and sedentary behavior; and aims to explore its association with the risk of all-cause mortality in Australian adults.
Methods: This prospective cohort study analyzed the Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle Study (AusDiab) data on 5,836 Australian adults.
Thanks to their intrinsic properties, multifunctionality and unique geometrical features, two-dimensional nanomaterials have been used widely as reinforcements in polymer nanocomposites. The effective mechanical reinforcement of polymers is, however, a multifaceted problem as it depends not only on the intrinsic properties of the fillers and the matrix, but also upon a number of other important parameters. These parameters include the processing method, the interfacial properties, the aspect ratio, defects, orientation, agglomeration and volume fraction of the fillers.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: Theoretical frameworks are essential for understanding behaviour change, yet their current use is inadequate to capture the complexity of human behaviour such as physical activity. Real-time and big data analytics can assist in the development of more testable and dynamic models of current theories. To transform current behavioural theories into more dynamic models, it is recommended that researchers adopt principles such as control systems engineering.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Physical activity (PA) is increasingly used as an adjunct treatment for alcohol use disorder (AUD). Previous studies have relied on self-report measures of PA, which are prone to measurement error. In the context of a randomized controlled trial of PA for AUD, we examined: (1) associations between device-measured and self-reported PA, (2) associations between PA measurements and alcohol use, and (3) the feasibility of obtaining device-measured PA data in this population.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAims/hypothesis: The associations of sitting, standing, physical activity and sleep with cardiometabolic health and glycaemic control markers are interrelated. We aimed to identify 24 h time-use compositions associated with optimal metabolic and glycaemic control and determine whether these varied by diabetes status.
Methods: Thigh-worn activPAL data from 2388 participants aged 40-75 years (48.
Background: There is limited evidence of the associations between postural-derived sitting time, waist-worn derived sedentary time and children's health and the moderation effect of physical activity (PA). This study examined associations of children's device-measured sitting time with cardiometabolic health risk factors, including moderation by physical activity.
Methods: Cross-sectional baseline data from children (mean-age 8.
Background: Cardiometabolic disease risk factors are disproportionately prevalent in bipolar disorder (BD) and are associated with cognitive impairment. It is, however, unknown which health risk factors for cardiometabolic disease are relevant to cognition in BD. This study aimed to identify the cardiometabolic disease risk factors that are the most important correlates of cognitive impairment in BD; and to examine whether the nature of the relationships vary between mid and later life.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFImportance: Practical health promotion strategies for improving cardiometabolic health in older adults are needed.
Objective: To examine the efficacy of a sedentary behavior reduction intervention for reducing sitting time and improving blood pressure in older adults.
Design, Setting, And Participants: This parallel-group randomized clinical trial was conducted in adults aged 60 to 89 years with high sitting time and body mass index of 30 to 50 from January 1, 2019, to November 31, 2022, at a health care system in Washington State.
Higher levels of physical activity are known to benefit aspects of brain health across the lifespan. However, the role of sedentary behavior (SB) is less well understood. In this review we summarize and discuss evidence on the role of SB on brain health (including cognitive performance, structural or functional brain measures, and dementia risk) for different age groups, critically compare assessment approaches to capture SB, and offer insights into emerging opportunities to assess SB via digital technologies.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAnalysis of the extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) can yield local structural information in magic size clusters even when other structural methods (such as X-ray diffraction) fail, but typically requires an initial guess - an atomistic model. Model comparison is thus one of the most crucial steps in establishing atomic structure of nanoscale systems and relies critically on the corresponding figures of merit (delivered by the data analysis) to make a decision on the most suitable model of atomic arrangements. However, none of the currently used statistical figures of merit take into account the significant factor of parameter correlations.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Improving physical activity and reducing sedentary behavior represent important areas for intervention in childhood in order to reduce the burden of chronic disease related to obesity and physical inactivity in later life. This paper aims to determine the cost-effectiveness of a multi-arm primary school-based intervention to increase physical activity and/or reduce sedentary time in 8-9 year old children (Transform-Us!).
Methods: Modelled cost-utility analysis, using costs and effects from a cluster randomized controlled trial of a 30-month intervention that used pedagogical and environmental strategies to reduce and break up sedentary behaviour (SB-I), promote physical activity (PA-I), or a combined approach (PA + SB-I), compared to current practice.
We herein describe the development and application of a modular technology platform which incorporates recent advances in plate-based microscale chemistry, automated purification, in situ quantification, and robotic liquid handling to enable rapid access to high-quality chemical matter already formatted for assays. In using microscale chemistry and thus consuming minimal chemical matter, the platform is not only efficient but also follows green chemistry principles. By reorienting existing high-throughput assay technology, the platform can generate a full package of relevant data on each set of compounds in every learning cycle.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: This study assesses the accuracy of a Bluetooth-enabled prototype activity tracker called the Sedentary behaviOR Detector (SORD) device in identifying sedentary, standing, and walking behaviors in a group of adult participants.
Objective: The primary objective of this study was to determine the criterion and convergent validity of SORD against direct observation and activPAL.
Methods: A total of 15 healthy adults wore SORD and activPAL devices on their thighs while engaging in activities (lying, reclining, sitting, standing, and walking).
Background: To enhance the impact of interventions, it is important to understand how intervention engagement relates to study outcomes. We report on the level of implementation and engagement with the SMART Work & Life (SWAL) programme (delivered with (SWAL plus desk) and without a height-adjustable desk (SWAL)) and explore the effects of different levels of this on change in daily sitting time in comparison to the control group.
Methods: The extent of intervention delivery by workplace champions and the extent of engagement by champions and participants (staff) with each intervention activity was assessed by training attendance logs, workplace champion withdrawal dates, intervention activities logs and questionnaires.
Background: Studies have suggested that sitting time at work may lead to underperformance but they may underestimate the benefits to desk workers' performance of reducing occupational sitting time without considering the relative effects of the specific activities replaced.
Aims: To estimate differences in work performance (presenteeism, absenteeism and engagement) when occupational sitting time is reallocated to standing/stepping in desk workers.
Methods: Data for middle-aged desk workers were from a Japan-wide online survey (n = 2228).
Background: A cluster randomised controlled trial demonstrated the effectiveness of the SMART Work & Life (SWAL) behaviour change intervention, with and without a height-adjustable desk, for reducing sitting time in desk-based workers. Staff within organisations volunteered to be trained to facilitate delivery of the SWAL intervention and act as workplace champions. This paper presents the experiences of these champions on the training and intervention delivery, and from participants on their intervention participation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: Physical activity can improve health in people living with and beyond breast cancer; however, how to best support physical activity participation in this population is unclear. This qualitative study sought to identify important physical activity program components for breast cancer.
Methods: Women with previous breast cancer (n = 11) and allied health professionals (n = 7) participated in one-on-one semi-structured interviews (n = 15) or focus groups (n = 1).
Background: Office workers spend 70-85% of their time at work sitting. High levels of sitting have been linked to poor physiological and psychological health. Evidence shows the need for fully powered randomised controlled trials, with long-term follow-up, to test the effectiveness of interventions to reduce sitting time.
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