Cut-off values for estimated cardiorespiratory fitness in terms of physical functioning among middle-aged to older adults.

Background: Cardiorespiratory fitness is linked to various health outcomes. This study aimed to establish cut-off values for estimated cardiorespiratory fitness associated with poor physical functioning in middle-aged to older adults.

Methods: A total of 2638 participants (1083 males), aged 40-69 years, performed a 6-min walking test (6MWT) to estimate cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max) and completed a health-related questionnaire.

Effect of 10-Week Whole-Body Vibration Training on Falls and Physical Performance in Older Adults: A Blinded, Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial with 1-Year Follow-Up.

Whole-body vibration training (WBV) training has shown positive effects on bone strength, muscle strength, and balance, but the evidence on fall prevention is not yet persuasive. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of WBV training in preventing falls and improving physical performance among older adults at fall risk. The study was an assessor- and participant-blinded, randomized, and controlled 10-week training trial with a 10-month follow-up.

Reliability and Validity of Self-Reported Questionnaires Assessing Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in Finland.

Reliable and valid data on physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) are needed for implementing evidence-based interventions and policies. Monitoring of these behaviors is based on PA questionnaires (PAQs) and device-based measurements, but their comparability is challenging. The present study aimed to investigate the test-retest reliability and concurrent validity of Finnish versions of the widely used PAQs (IPAQ-SF, EHIS-PAQ, GPAQ, Eurobarometer) and to compare their data with accelerometer data.

Physical activity has decreased in Finnish children and adolescents from 2016 to 2022.

Background: Varying trends in children's and adolescents' physical activity (PA) have been reported during the last 10-20 years. Trends in sedentary behavior (SB) have been studied only rarely. The purpose of the present study was to describe population-based trends in accelerometer-measured PA, standing and SB, among Finnish 7-15-year-old children and adolescents, and to evaluate the potential influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on these behaviors.

Hip and core exercise programme prevents running-related overuse injuries in adult novice recreational runners: a three-arm randomised controlled trial (Run RCT).

Objective: This study aims to investigate the efficacy of two exercise interventions in reducing lower extremity (LE) injuries in novice recreational runners.

Methods: Novice runners (245 female, 80 male) were randomised into hip and core (n=108), ankle and foot (n=111) or control (n=106) groups. Interventions were completed before running and included exercise programmes focusing on either (1) hip and core or (2) ankle and foot muscles.

Elective Cardiac Procedure Patients Have Low Preoperative Cardiorespiratory Fitness.

Preoperative cardiorespiratory fitness may influence the recovery after cardiac procedure. The aim of this study was to investigate the cardiorespiratory fitness of patients scheduled for elective cardiac procedures, using a six-minute walk test, and compare the results with a population-based sample of Finnish adults. Patients (n=234) awaiting percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary angiography, coronary artery bypass grafting, aortic valve replacement or mitral valve surgery performed the six-minute walk test.

Neuromuscular exercise and counseling for treating recurrent low back pain in female healthcare workers-Findings from a 24-month follow-up study of a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Female healthcare workers have a high prevalence of low back pain (LBP)-related sickness absence. Here, we report findings of a 24-month follow-up of a previously published 6-month randomized controlled trial (RCT).

Methods: By adopting an RCT with 6 months of intervention and follow-up at 6, 12, and 24 months, we assessed the maintenance of changes in the effectiveness (LBP and fear of pain) of the interventions (neuromuscular exercise [NME], back-care counseling, both combined) using a generalized linear mixed model adjusted for baseline covariates.

Neck-Shoulder Region Training for Chronic Headache in Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objectives: We investigated whether a specific exercise program for the neck-shoulder region reduces headache intensity, frequency, and duration, and how it influences neck disability among women with chronic headache compared to a control group.

Design: Two-center randomized controlled trial.

Subjects: 116 working-age women.

Accelerometer-Measured Physical Behavior and Cardiorespiratory Fitness as Indicators of Work Ability.

Work ability (WA) reflects an individual's resources, work demands, and related environment. Self-reports have shown that higher physical activity (PA) is associated with better WA. This study investigated associations of accelerometer-measured (24/7) physical behavior and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) with WA.

Role of the interaction between lumbar kinematics and accelerometer-measured physical activity in bodily pain, physical functioning and work ability among health care workers with low back pain.

The aim of this study was to examine the associations of spinal kinematics and physical activity (PA) with bodily pain, physical functioning, and work ability among health care workers with low back pain (LBP). Spinal kinematics and PA were measured with a wireless Inertial Measurement Unit system (ValedoMotion®) and a waist-worn tri-axial accelerometer (Hookie AM20), respectively. Their association was assessed in relation to Work Ability Index (WAI), bodily pain and physical functioning (RAND-36) in 210 health care workers with recurrent LBP.

How adherence to the updated physical activity guidelines should be assessed with accelerometer?

Background: The aerobic part of the recently updated physical activity (PA) guidelines for adults recommends at least 150 min of moderate or at least 75 of vigorous-intensity PA or an equivalent combination of both. PA can be accumulated of any bout duration. On an absolute scale, moderate-intensity threshold is 3 metabolic equivalents (METs) and vigorous 6 METs.

Cardiorespiratory fitness is associated with sickness absence and work ability.

Background: Physical activity may sustain the physical aspect of work ability despite health problems such as musculoskeletal disorders and anxiety, which are the most prevalent work-related health problem in Europe.

Aims: To evaluate the association of Finnish municipal workers' accelerometer-measured physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness with their sickness absence levels, perceived work ability and health-related quality of life.

Methods: In connection with a randomized controlled trial recruiting 185 municipal workers, the authors performed baseline data analysis utilizing quantile regression to examine relationships between the outcome variables (all-cause sickness absence for 6 months, perceived work ability and health-related quality of life) and cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular fitness, and physical activity, and sedentary behaviour.

Physical activity measured by accelerometry among adolescents participating in sports clubs and non-participating peers.

The purpose of this descriptive cross-sectional study is to describe the amount and intensity of physical activity (PA) measured by accelerometry among adolescents participating in organized sports (SCP) and age-matched non-participating peers (NP). SCPs (332) and NPs (139) wore an accelerometer on the hip for seven days. PA was reported using the 1-min exponential moving average.

Objectively measured preoperative physical activity and sedentary behaviour among Finnish patients scheduled for elective cardiac procedures: baseline results from randomized controlled trial.

Background: We investigated preoperative physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) in patients scheduled for elective cardiac procedures and compared them with population-based sample of Finnish adults.

Methods: Cardiac patients (n = 139) undergoing cardiac operations carried a triaxial accelerometer for seven days during the month before the procedure. Patients were categorised into four groups according to the procedure: percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary angiography (PCI-CA), coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), aortic valve replacement (AVR) and mitral valve surgery (MVS).

Accelerometer-Measured Physical Activity Levels and Patterns Vary in an Age- and Sex-Dependent Fashion among Finnish Children and Adolescents.

Background: The purpose of this study was to measure physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior (SB), and hour-by-hour PA patterns with an accelerometer in a population-based sample of Finnish children and adolescents.

Methods: A total of 3274 participants (3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th graders) from 176 schools wore a hip-worn triaxial accelerometer for seven days during waking hours. Mean amplitude deviation of the acceleration data was used to assess PA intensity that was converted to metabolic equivalents and categorized into light, moderate, and vigorous PA.

Depressive Symptoms Are Associated With Decreased Quality of Life and Work Ability in Currently Working Health Care Workers With Recurrent Low Back Pain.

Objective: This study investigates the association between depressive symptoms and multisite pain and health-related quality of life and work ability in currently employed health care workers with recurrent low back pain (LBP).

Methods: Multisite pain, depressive symptoms, quality of life, and work ability were assessed by validated questionnaires. A generalized linear model was used for statistical analysis.

Players with high physical fitness are at greater risk of injury in youth football.

The aim of this study was to investigate physical fitness, football-specific skills, and their association with injury risk in youth football. Altogether 447 male and female players aged 9-14 years (median 12 years) participated in performance tests and prospective follow-up. The physical fitness tests included five-jump test for distance, 30-m sprint, football-specific figure of eight agility, countermovement jump, and Yo-Yo intermittent endurance test level 1.

Economic burden of low physical activity and high sedentary behaviour in Finland.

Background: Low physical activity and high sedentary behaviour are unquestionably relevant for public health while also increasing direct and indirect costs.

Methods: The authors examined the direct and indirect costs attributable to low physical activity and high sedentary behaviour in Finland in 2017. Costs related to major non-communicable diseases drawn from Finnish registries covered direct costs (outpatient visits, days of inpatient care, medication and institutional eldercare) and indirect costs (sickness-related absences, disability pensions, unemployment benefits, all-cause mortality and losses of income tax revenue).

Measurement of Physical Fitness and 24/7 Physical Activity, Standing, Sedentary Behavior, and Time in Bed in Working-Age Finns: Study Protocol for FINFIT 2021.

Background: Population studies gathering measured data on fitness and physical behavior, covering physical activity, standing, sedentary behavior, and time in bed, are scarce. This article describes the protocol of the FINFIT 2021 study that measures fitness and physical behavior in a population-based sample of adults and analyzes their associations and dose-response relationships with several health indicators.

Methods: The study comprises a stratified random sample of 20-69-year-old men and women ( = 16,500) from seven city-centered regions in Finland.

Intensity Paradox-Low-Fit People Are Physically Most Active in Terms of Their Fitness.

Depending on their cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), people may perceive the exertion of incident physical activity (PA) differently. Therefore, the use of relative intensity thresholds based on individual fitness have been proposed to evaluate the accumulation of PA at different intensity levels. A subsample of the FinFit2017-study, 1952 adults (803 men and 1149 women) aged 20-69 years, participated in this study.

Reliability and construct validity of the modified Finnish version of the 9-item patient health questionnaire and its associations within the biopsychosocial framework among female health-care workers with sub-acute or recurrent low back pain.

Background: Health-care workers have an increased risk for chronic low back pain (LBP) leading to reduced workability. Depression, a highly prevalent, costly and disabling condition, is commonly seen in patients with sub-acute LBP. This study investigated the psychometric properties and construct-validity of a modified 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9-mFIN) in female health-care workers with sub-acute LBP.

Changes in physical fitness and anthropometrics differ between female and male recruits during the Finnish military service.

Introduction: Military training programmes are often similar for male and female recruits despite sex differences in physical performance that may influence training adaptations during military service. The present study aimed to compare changes in physical fitness and anthropometrics between Finnish female and male recruits during military service.

Methods: A total of 234 690 male and 3549 female recruits participated in fitness tests at the beginning and end of military service between 2005 and 2015.

Five-year follow-up results of aerobic and impact training on bone mineral density in early breast cancer patients.

Unlabelled: A 12-month exercise program reversibly prevented hip bone loss in premenopausal women with early breast cancer. The bone-protective effect was maintained for 2 years after the end of the program but was lost thereafter.

Purpose: Breast cancer survivors are at an increased risk for osteoporosis and fracture.

Fear-avoidance beliefs are associated with exercise adherence: secondary analysis of a randomised controlled trial (RCT) among female healthcare workers with recurrent low back pain.

Background: Exercise is recommended for the treatment and management of low back pain (LBP) and the prevention of chronicity. Exercise adherence has been only modest in intervention studies among people with musculoskeletal pain. Fear-avoidance beliefs (FABs) are known to affect exercise adherence.