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PubMedDate not supplied

Self-reported physical activity validated by pedometer: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to validate self-reported physical activity based on a daily activity record (DAR) with concurrent pedometer and 7-day physical activity-recall questionnaire data. DESIGN: The design was a one-group descriptive correlational study. SAMPLE: The sample consisted of 25 working women with a mean age of 39.8 years, 92% Caucasian, and 63% with a combined family income of 60,000 dollars or greater. MEASUREMENTS: Three instruments: (a) DAR, a self-reported record of moderate or higher intensity physical activities including household, exercise, leisure, and occupational. Metabolic equivalent unit (MET) scores were calculated from the self-report data, (b) 7-day physical activity recall, and (3) Yamax pedometers (SW-701) measured number of steps. RESULTS: MET scores based on the DAR (n=22) were strongly associated with both pedometer data (Spearman's rho=0.607, p=0.003) and 7-day physical activity-recall data (Spearman's rho=0.542, p=0.009). CONCLUSION: The results of this validation study indicated a statistically significant correlation of self-reported physical activity (DAR) with pedometer values and 7-day physical activity-recall data. The DAR may be useful for measuring physical activity in community health programs and in community-based research.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Protective effect of physical activity independent of obesity on metabolic risk factors.

The purpose of this prospective study was to examine the effect of physical activity independent of obesity on metabolic risk factors. A total of 358 participants were recruited from the Department of Health Management of Chang Gung Medical Center. Physical activity was assessed using a 3-d activity record. Body-mass index (BMI) and metabolic risk factors were also assessed. Our findings demonstrate that an effect of obesity that was statistically independent of the levels of physical activity is associated with metabolic risk factors. Moreover, physical activity displayed inverse associations with triglycerides, and fasting plasma glucose and a positive association with HDL cholesterol. Those participants with time spent in moderate activity more than 0.5 h each day had significantly less risk of high fasting glucose. Significantly, these associations were independent of BMI.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

A multivariate approach to feeling of fatigue in relation to individual workers' working and living conditions.

In an attempt to understand fatigue of industrial workers in an integrated framework of their daily life behavior, the occurrence of fatigue feeling during a one-month period was related to working and living conditions of individual workers. The data were collected using a questionnaire from every day for one month from 32 workers engaged in four different types of jobs in a chemical factory in Tokyo. Six kinds of daily behavior reported on via the questionnaire were taken as explanatory variables for occurrence of fatigue feeling, together with age, job type, and number of days from the last off-day. The statistical analyses including multi-discriminant analysis by Hayashi's Quantification II method disclosed that the workers' fatigue feeling was influenced by various factors, and that such behavioral variables as liquor intake and physical exercise on the previous day played decisive roles to the extent similar to age or job type variables.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Tetrahedral structure or chains for liquid water.

It has been suggested, based on x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) experiments on liquid water [Wernet, Ph., et al. (2004) Science 304, 995-999], that a condensed-phase water molecule's asymmetric electron density results in only two hydrogen bonds per water molecule on average. The larger implication of the XAS interpretation is that the conventional view of liquid water being a tetrahedrally coordinated random network is now replaced by a structural organization that instead strongly favors hydrogen-bonded water chains or large rings embedded in a weakly hydrogen-bonded disordered network. This work reports that the asymmetry of the hydrogen density exhibited in the XAS experiments agrees with reported x-ray scattering structure factors and intensities for Q > 6.5 A(-1). However, the assumption that the asymmetry in the hydrogen electron density does not fluctuate and is persistent in all local molecular liquid water environments is inconsistent with longer-ranged tetrahedral network signatures present in experimental x-ray scattering intensity and structure factor data for Q < 6.5 A(-1).

Absorption↗
PubMed2003

Intra-individual variability of self-esteem in adolescents with spina bifida.

The purpose of this study was to explore intra-individual variability of global self-esteem and physical self-worth in adolescents with spina bifida (n = 3). Three adolescents were assessed in their schools by auto-evaluation over a period of 12 weeks (three times a week) with the Physical Self Inventory-6, a six-item questionnaire with a visual analogue scale. Statistical analyses included auto-correlation function (ACF) for studying the time series. Descriptive statistics demonstrated that in all the dimensions of physical self and global self-esteem, participants showed great variability over time. Auto-correlation function indicated 20 non-stationary and unstable time series, and four stationary time series. The non-stationary evolution of physical self, and global self-esteem in the three adolescents with spina bifida studied may explain the absence of consensus in the literature on the level of the self-perception. Future longitudinal research needs to be engaged.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Methodological and statistical considerations for exercise-related hormone evaluations.

Improvements in laboratory techniques have allowed research related to exercise endocrinology to flourish. The emerging literature, however, is often inconsistent and contradictory. The discrepancies in research findings are possibly the result of poor control of confounding variables and/or inappropriate methodologies or analyses. Environmental and pretesting behavioural conditions must be standardised to minimise the influence of variables not directly related to the investigation. Environmental temperature and relative humidity, alcohol, caffeine and nicotine intake, prandial state, sleep deprivation and previous exercise can each alter hormonal responses to exercise. Both prescription and over-the-counter medications can also modify normal hormonal secretions thereby confusing exercise-induced findings. Specimen collection and analysis procedures must be controlled carefully. Changes in plasma volume related to postural changes or tourniquet-induced stasis can confound attempts to isolate exercise-related endocrine responses. The established circadian and rhythmical variations characteristic of many hormones need to be controlled. The specimen selection (plasma, serum, urine, etc), collection, storage and analysis procedures should be carefully planned and evaluated. The magnitude of haemolysis, analytical and biological variation must also be monitored. Isolating the hormonal perturbations resulting from a particular exercise variable can be very difficult. Exercise intensity, duration, mode, frequency and volume may each have specific effects on the endocrine changes seen with exercise and training. Furthermore, hormonal responses to exercise are dependent upon initial training status and fitness level. The statistical procedures and data presentation options selected to convey experimental findings can bias experimental results. The descriptive and inferential statistics to be used for data analysis should be preplanned and consistent with the underlying assumptions of the analytical procedure. Careful consideration should be given to the biological relevance of statistically significant findings. In some cases, data transformations (e.g. absolute vs relative changes, logarithmic) should be considered for analysis or presentation. Given the individual nature of hormonal responses to exercise, emphasis should be placed presenting individual data. Other considerations, including age, sex, racial origin and disease conditions need to be controlled for when trying to examine exercise-induced hormone changes.

Behavior↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A bivariate genetic analysis of cerebral white matter hyperintensities and cognitive performance in elderly male twins.

White matter hyperintensities (WMHs) are frequently observed on MRI scans of elderly nondemented people and have been associated in the past with cognitive impairment and physical dysfunction. Individual differences in the prevalence and severity of WMHs have been documented and more recently we reported on the significant contribution of genetic influences to this variability. The objective of the present study was to further investigate, in the context of a behavioral genetic paradigm, the nature of the association between WMHs and cognitive and physical function. MRI brain scans and a battery of neuropsychological and physical function tests were given to 142 male-male twin pairs [72 monozygotic (MZ) and 70 dizygotic (DZ)], participants in the 4th exam of the NHLBI Twin Study. Biometric genetic modeling was used to estimate the genetic and/or environmental covariation between WMHs and cognitive and physical summary scores. The phenotypic association between WMHs and cognitive function in this sample of twins was modest but statistically significant. Genetic analyses of cognitive and physical function summary scores found that 55% to 70% of the observed variability was due to genetic influences. A further decomposition of the phenotypic association between WMHs and cognitive function found that 70% to 100% of the phenotypic covariation was due to common genetic effects. Similar results explained the association between WMHs and performance on two physical function tests. We conclude from these analyses that common genetic influences explain to a large extent previously observed phenotypic associations between large amounts of WMHs and poor cognitive and physical function in the elderly.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

[Quality of life after homograft aortic valve replacement and reoperation].

AIM: To evaluate quality of life (QoL) in patients after aortic homograft implantation for aortic valve disease and in those who had undergone reoperation due to homograft dysfunction. METHODS: QoL was assessed in 354 patients (72 women and 282 men, mean age 55.1 +/- 11.5 years, range 13-69) after aortic homograft implantation. Patients were divided into two groups: I--patients after aortic homograft implantation without reoperation (291 patients) and II--patients after reoperation (68 patients). We used two questionnaires: SF 36 (Short Formulation 36) and a self-developed questionnaire for patients after cardiac operation (SDQ). SF 36 has three levels: a) 36 items; b) eight scales: physical activity, social activity, limitations in every day activity, body pain, mental health, emotional problems, vitality and health perception; c) two summary measures that aggregate scales; general physical health which constitutes of physical activity, limitations in every day activities, body pain, health perception and general mental health which constitutes the rest of four scales: social activity, mental health, emotional problems, vitality. Each scale is standardized from 1 to 100 with > 50 indicating better than general population average. SDQ is focused on social and demographic factors, clinical symptoms before and after operation, risk factors and physical and occupational activity. RESULTS: By SF 36, only health perception was below general population average. We found a statistically positive relationship between QoL and high physical and occupational activity in both groups (p<0.05). The presence of dyspnea, chest pain, palpitations, edema, faints, fear/anxiety and hypertension were related to decreased general physical and mental health in both groups (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Patients after aortic homograft implantation have high QoL. This holds also for those after reoperation for homograft dysfunction. Symptomatic patients have lower QoL. Higher QoL is associated with physical and occupational activity. There is no difference in general physical health in both groups. General mental health is decreased in reoperated patients. Since reoperated patients more often suffer from emotional problems, they may particularly benefit from the psychological support.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Efficacy of shoulder slings in shoulder subluxation of stroke patients.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of the two types of shoulder slings in reducing shoulder subluxation in acute stroke patients. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Twenty-one acute stroke patients with shoulder subluxation were assessed for the subluxation distance before and after wearing the slings by physical examination and radiological measurement. The comparison by radiological measurement was performed by two radiologists who were blinded to each other as well as to the types of sling used. RESULTS: The mean difference of subluxation distance on the affected side after wearing the slings number 1 and 2 were 0.48 mm and 1.14 mm respectively on physical examination and 2.09 mm and 1.14 mm respectively on radiological assessment. There was no statistically significant difference of subluxation distance on either physical examination or radiological assessment (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: There was no difference in efficacy of shoulder slings in reducing shoulder subluxation in acute stroke patients.

Female↗
PubMed1995

Trends in decreased hospitalization for anterior cruciate ligament surgery: double-incision versus single-incision reconstruction.

Over a 4-year period, hospital charges of 151 consecutive anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructions were retrospectively evaluated. Eighty-one patients who underwent a two-incision ACL central third autogenous patellar bone tendon bone reconstruction were compared with 72 patients who had a single-incision endoscopic reconstruction with a similar graft. Charges were adjusted for inflation. There was a statistically significant difference in hospital days (2.8 v 1.57, P = .0001), total hospital charges ($15,063 v $13,520, P = .0001), as well as operating room/hospital ward charges (P = .0001), pharmacy charges (P = .035), and physical therapy charges (P = .001). No statistical difference was observed for anesthesia or laboratory charges. A matched comparison of patients from each group who were in the hospital for 2 days showed a statistically significant reduction in operating room/hospital ward charges (P = .037), but no significant reduction in total costs. There was a trend in both groups toward shorter hospital stays in each successive year. The reduction in charges observed for the endoscopic procedure correlated with a reduction in postoperative hospital days.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament↗
PubMed1997

Survival and daily physical activity in patients treated for advanced midgut carcinoid tumors.

BACKGROUND: Prospects for survival and quality of life ought to influence treatment strategies in patients with midgut carcinoids. METHODS: A total of 121 patients with midgut carcinoid received a combined medical and surgical treatment from 1980 to 1993. In all, 158 operations were undertaken for removal of mesentericointestinal lesions and occasional liver metastases or as repeat intervention for abdominal complications. Survival was analyzed together with estimates of daily physical activity during follow-up. RESULTS: Cause of death (63 patients) included carcinoid heart disease (41%) and cachexia (mesentericointestinal entrapment, 35%). Median survival was 11 years in patients with irresectable mesenteric metastases, 7 years with liver metastases, and 1 year with extraabdominal spread. Extensive liver metastases or substantial weight loss (9 kg or greater) reduced survival to a median of 4 to 5.5 years, and surgically treated intestinal ischemia reduced survival to a median of 8 years. Patients with carcinoid syndrome survived a median 7 years, those with 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid values greater than 500 mumol/24 hr or a valvular heart disease survived a median of 5 years, those with heart failure a median of 2.5 years. Most patients retained an acceptable daily physical activity; impairment occurred in cases of malnutrition, high 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid values, or heart valve fibrosis, and activity was markedly reduced in the presence of extraabdominal metastases or overt heart disease. CONCLUSIONS: Favorable survival statistics and the maintenance of daily physical activity support active medical and surgical management in patients with advanced midgut carcinoids.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2006

Long-term changes in leisure time walking, moderate and vigorous exercise: were they influenced by the National Physical Activity Guidelines?

Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics three cross-sectional National Health Surveys, conducted in 1989-1990, 1995-1996 and 2000, were used to examine long-term population responses to the 1996 physical activity (PA) recommendations. Past 2-week recall of the number of times and total minutes spent walking for recreation or sport, and doing moderate and vigorous exercise, were averaged for 1 week to create a measure of 'sufficiently active': >or=5 weekly sessions of >or=150 min/week of at least moderate-intensity activity. With the exception of adults aged>60 years, from 1989 to 2000, there were increases in the prevalence of walking (+8%) and in moderate-intensity exercise (+4%), resulting in a significant decline (-6%) in the proportion of those reporting no leisure-time exercise. Participation in vigorous exercise remained unchanged. There was a 'population shift' in median minutes and sessions of walking from 1995 to 2000, but the prevalence of regular walking (>or=5 times and >or=150 min/week) remained unchanged. A small but significant increase (+2%) in the proportion of adults who met the PA recommendations was noted mainly for men under 60 years and for women aged 45-59 years. The proportion meeting the PA recommendations declined significantly in the most socioeconomically disadvantaged area. These data provide evidence contrary to the observed declines in PA documented by the Active Australia surveillance in the late 1990s. The population may have responded to the 1996 concept of moderate-intensity exercise mainly by walking, but sustainable promotional efforts will be required to build on these gains in the forthcoming decades.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Physical activity does not mitigate G-protein-related genetic risk for obesity in individuals of African descent.

The G-protein beta3 subunit 825 TT genotype has been associated with obesity and hypertension. We examined the interaction between the G-protein TT genotype, physical activity and body mass index (BMI) in a cross-sectional study of African immigrants and African Americans. The genotype frequencies were 6.3% CC, 37.7% CT, and 56% TT. After adjusting for potential confounders, BMI was found to be significantly higher in the sedentary than in the physically active participants (p=0.045). There was no statistically significant effect for genotype (p=0.215) or the interaction between genotype and the level of physical activity (p=0.219). However, the individuals with the CC or CT genotype who were physically active had substantially lower BMIs (M+/-SE) (i.e., 25.74+/-2.02) than any of the other groups: sedentary CC + CT (30.58+/-1.03), sedentary TT (30.65+/-1.00) or active TT (29.43+/-1.65). Because of the low statistical power of this study, further research is needed to confirm these findings and to explore potential gene-environment/lifestyle interactions.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Network thermodynamics revisited.

Modeling provides a bridge between the natural sciences (physics, chemistry, biology, and the like) and the axiomatic sciences (mathematics and statistics). Inductively-derived descriptive models map observations of physical processes into mathematical descriptions that can be treated as axioms (e.g., the various laws of physics). A synthetic model combines descriptive models of several physical processes with a structural model (representing the interactions of those processes) for the purpose of deducing or predicting the consequences of interactions. When applied together with elementary thermodynamic principles, circuit theory provides an excellent framework for synthetic modeling.

Electronics↗
PubMed2004

Evaluation of healing by gentle touch in 35 clients with cancer.

An uncontrolled, preliminary evaluation of healing by gentle touch in clients with cancer was carried out at The Centre for Complementary Care in Eskdale, Cumbria. All clients attending The Centre between 1995 and 2001 were invited to participate. Data were collected from 35 clients with cancer. Outcome measures included pre- to post-treatment changes in physical and psychological functioning. Assessments were made using a questionnaire with visual analogue scales for subjective rating of symptoms and the EuroQoL (EQ-5D), a generic state of health measure. Wilcoxon Signed Ranks tests showed statistically significant improvements in psychological and physical functioning, with positive effects on quality of life. The most pronounced improvements were seen in ratings for stress and relaxation, severe pain/discomfort, and depression/anxiety, particularly in those with the most severe symptoms on entry. The study found no adverse effects resulting from the treatment. These findings indicate that healing is a safe and effective adjunct to conventional medical treatment with the potential to ameliorate some of the more stressful aspects of cancer, including those inherent in current cancer treatment strategies. Rigorous evaluation of this modality by prospective, randomised, controlled trial is strongly warranted, as are investigations into its potential for use in palliative care.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Long-term predictors of outcome in fatigued employees on sick leave: a 4-year follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Persistent fatigue is strongly associated with functional status and can lead to absenteeism and work disability. Despite several prognostic studies on chronic fatigue, little attention has been paid to occupational outcomes. METHOD: A total of 127 fatigued employees on sick leave were followed-up after 4 years to determine long-term predictors of work disability, fatigue caseness and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)-like caseness. Measures included fatigue, physical functioning, illness attributions, psychological problems and emotional exhaustion. RESULTS: Thirty-three participants (26%) were receiving work disability benefits at the 4-year follow-up. Older age and lower levels of physical functioning predicted work disability. Weaker psychological attributions and lower levels of physical functioning were predictors of fatigue caseness. CFS-like caseness was predicted by female gender and lower levels of physical functioning. Self-reported physical functioning remained a strong and statistically significant determinant of work disability [odds ratio (OR) 0.45, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.24-0.87] and CFS-like caseness (OR 0.20, 95% CI 0.09-0.43) after controlling for confounders. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that physical functioning plays an important role in the persistence of fatigue complaints and work disability in employees on sick leave. The course of fatigue is a complex process, and exploring temporal relationships between fatigue, functional status and work status in future research could provide valuable information for the improvement of fatigue management.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Domestic violence and sexually transmitted diseases: the experience of prenatal care patients.

OBJECTIVES: The authors analyzed interview responses of patients at a prenatal care clinic to explore whether women who had been victims of sexual and physical abuse were more likely than non-victimized women to have experienced a sexually transmitted disease (STD). METHODS: A consecutive sample of 774 prenatal patients of a large health department in North Carolina were interviewed concerning a variety of health issues, including violence and STDs. Logistic regression analysis was used to model the women's STD status as a function of their experiences of sexual and physical abuse, controlling for several potentially confounding factors. RESULTS: Thirty percent of the women reported having experienced at least one STD, with the most common infections being chlamydia and gonorrhea. Twenty-eight percent of the women reported having been victims of abuse; 16% reported physical abuse only, while 12% reported both physical and sexual abuse. The majority of violence was domestic in nature, perpetrated by the victims' husbands, boyfriends, male friends, and relatives. After controlling for confounding variables, the authors found that women who reported both physical and sexual abuse were significantly more likely to have experienced STDs than non-victims (odds ratio [OR] = 2.25; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.37, 3.69). The logistic regression analysis also showed a relationship of borderline statistical significance between non-sexual physical abuse and STDs. CONCLUSIONS: Health care providers should routinely screen patients for both abuse and STDs, and they should assist identified women in accessing appropriate health, social, and legal services.

Adult↗