Life events and change in leisure time physical activity: a systematic review.

The global epidemic of chronic non-communicable diseases is closely related to changes in lifestyle, including decreasing leisure time physical activity (PA). Physical inactivity is a major public health challenge. To respond to that challenge, it is essential to know which personal and environmental factors affect PA behaviour.

Twenty-five-year trends in lifestyle and socioeconomic characteristics in Eastern Finland.

Aims: Little is known about changes in lifestyle and socioeconomic characteristics among physical activity subgroups over time. This study aimed at assessing whether the lifestyle and the socioeconomic profile of people with either low total physical activity (TPA) or high TPA changed during 1972-97.

Methods: Six independent cross-sectional surveys were carried out among a middle-aged population at five-year intervals in Eastern Finland, 1972-97.

Low physical activity as a predictor for antihypertensive drug treatment in 25-64-year-old populations in eastern and south-western Finland.

Objective: To determine whether low leisure-time physical activity, occupational physical activity and commuting activity independently increase the risk of hypertension when adjusted for most risk factors for hypertension and for different forms of physical activity.

Design: Population-based prospective cohort study.

Setting: Eastern and south-western Finland.

Low physical activity as a predictor for total and cardiovascular disease mortality in middle-aged men and women in Finland.

Aims: To investigate separately for men and women whether moderate or high leisure time physical activity, occupational physical activity, and commuting activity are associated with a reduced cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality, independent of CVD risk factors and other forms of physical activity.

Methods And Results: Prospective follow-up of 15,853 men and 16,824 women aged 30-59 years living in eastern and south-western Finland (median follow-up time 20 years). CVD and all-cause mortality were lower (9-21%) in men and women (2-17%) who were moderately or highly physically active during leisure time.

Physical activity during leisure and commuting in Tianjin, China.

Objective: To investigate physical activity during leisure time and commuting among persons aged 15-69 years in the urban population of Tianjin, China, and to assess its associations with demographic and health-related characteristics.

Methods: In 1996 a cross-sectional survey of 2002 males and 1974 females provided information on physical activity during leisure time and commuting and on demographics and health behaviours.

Findings: No leisure-time physical activity was engaged in by 67% of females and 61% of males.

Twenty-five-year trends in physical activity of 30- to 59-year-old populations in eastern Finland.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the 25-yr trends in leisure-time physical activity (LTPA), occupational activity (OPA), and commuting activity (CA) in the middle-aged population.

Methods: Six independent cross-sectional surveys were carried out at 5-yr intervals in the population living in eastern Finland (1972-1997). The common age range of the surveys was 30-59 yr, and the participation rates varied between 70 and 96%.

Comparison of dietary and non-dietary risk factors in overweight and normal-weight Chinese adults.

The aim of the present study was to compare the differences in dietary and non-dietary factors contributing to normal weight and overweight among urban Chinese adults. Two cross-sectional population surveys were carried out in Tianjin, one of the largest cities in China. A total of 2631 subjects aged 25-64 years were selected by random stratified cluster sampling; 398 men and 490 women were overweight, and 886 men and 857 women were of normal weight.

Taichiquan acutely increases heart rate variability.

A group of 15 elderly men and 14 young male students of physical education made twice a series of Taichiquan (TCQ) practices. Their electrocardiograms were recorded on tape-recorder and heart rates and heart rate variability (HRV) were calculated from digitized data. Here we report the results of recordings in supine positions before and after the first and second series of TCQ.

Commuting, leisure-time physical activity, and cardiovascular risk factors in China.

Purpose: The relationship between both commuting and leisure-time physical activity and selected cardiovascular risk factors was analyzed.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out in 1996 in urban Tianjin, China. A total of 2002 male and 1974 female subjects aged 15-69 yr completed the survey.