Lithuanian Sports University e-Journals
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Only Light Physical Activity is Associated With Good Perceived Health and Fitness in Terms of Both Absolute and Relative Intensity
Get PDFPurpose: Physical activity (PA) is associated with perceived health and fitness, but associations of broader concept of physical behaviour and relative intensities of PA have been studied less. This study analysed how daily physical behaviour – in terms of lying, reclining, sitting, and standing, both absolute and relative individual intensities of PA, number of steps, and peak 1-min metabolic equivalents (MET) – is associated with perceived health and fitness.
Methods: The study is based on combined data from two cross-sectional population-based FINFIT studies that measured physical behaviour by a triaxial hip-worn accelerometer (UKK RM42) among 20–69-year-old adults. Lying, reclining, sitting, and standing during waking hours were analysed by the APE-algorithm and PA by the MAD-algorithm. The range for absolute light PA (LPA) was 1.5–2.9 METs. The cut point for absolute moderate PA (MPA) was ≥3 METs and for vigorous PA (VPA) ≥6 METs. The cut point for relative LPA was <40% of oxygen consumption reserve (V̇O2R), for relative MPA ≥40% and <60% of V̇O2R, and for relative VPA ≥60% of V̇O2R. Multivariate multiple regression and receiver operator characteristics (ROC) analysis were used as statistical methods.
Results: Participants (n = 3,915, mean age 50.5, standard deviation 13.1 years, 62% women) used the accelerometer for at least four days, 24 h/day. Most participants perceived their health (87%) and fitness (92%) as at least good. Less lying and reclining were associated with better health while less standing, absolute and relative LPA and VPA, absolute MPA, and fewer steps and lower peak 1-min MET were related to poorer health. The highest area under the ROC curve (AUC) values for good perceived health were found to peak 1-min MET (AUC = 0.676) and absolute VPA (AUC = 0.650). The associations with perceived fitness were similar, but stronger. The AUC values for good fitness were highest for steps (AUC = 0.716) and peak 1-min MET (AUC = 0.715). Relative MPA and VPA indicated low AUC values for both health and fitness.
Conclusion: Higher volume of daily PA, regardless of absolute intensity and higher relative LPA, was associated with good perceived health and fitness. Lying and reclining had the opposite association compared to those of PA
Outdoor Physical Activity and Self-Reported Infections in Midlife – A Population-Based Northen Finland Birth Cohort 1966 Study
Get PDFPurpose: Regular physical activity has been associated with better immunity and lower risk of infections, and frequent nature contact has been linked with better immune functioning. However, population-based studies, considering the associations of nature contact by outdoor physical activity with infections, are lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate how regular physical activity outdoors is associated with the occurrence of self-reported severe lifetime infections among urban and rural middle-aged residents. We hypothesised that the frequency of infections would be lower among those reporting regular outdoor physical activity and especially among those residing in urban areas.
Methods: Cross-sectional associations between regular outdoor physical activity (at least 12 times/month) and self-reported lifetime severe infections were analysed with binary logistic regression analysis among participants from the population based Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 living in urban and rural areas in midlife (n = 4,474). Sex, marital status, household income, self-reported sleep, alcohol consumption, smoking, body mass index, accelerometer-measured moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, and diet quality were adjusted for.
Results: In urban areas 85.4% and in rural areas 89.0% of the participants reported outdoor physical activities at least 12 times per month. A little over a fourth of the respondents in both areas reported any severe lifetime infections. Participants living in urban areas who regularly engaged in physical activities outdoors had lower odds of reporting infections than those who engaged in outdoor physical activities less often (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 0.75; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.60–0.95).
Conclusion: Living in urban areas and regular outdoor physical activity was associated with lower risk of severe infections. Participation in outdoor activities should be encouraged especially among urban residents to enhance nature contact and related health benefits. Provision of natural areas and nature elements should be emphasised in urban planning for providing health promoting environments to all urban residents.
Support/Funding Source: Study was funded by the Strategic Research Council (SRC) established within the Academy of Finland (Grant Numbers: 345220 and 345222), and the Ministry of Education and Culture (Grant Numbers: OKM/28/626/2023, OKM/78/626/2023, and OKM/19/626/2024)
Physical Activity and Psychological Wellbeing: The Mediating Role of Sleep Quality
Get PDFPurpose: Sleep disturbances are a significant public health concern due to their negative impact on psychological wellbeing. At the same time, physical activity can improve sleep quality and promote mental health. Since both sleep quality and physical activity are independently related to psychological wellbeing and physical activity may influence sleep, it is plausible that sleep quality mediates the relationship between physical activity and mental health. However, this hypothesis has not yet been examined. This study investigated whether sleep quality mediates the relationship between physical activity levels and psychological wellbeing.
Methods: An anonymous online survey was completed by 160 volunteers from the general population aged 18–65. Sleep quality was assessed using the Sleep Quality Scale (SQS), with higher scores indicating poorer sleep. Psychological wellbeing was measured with the Mental Health Continuum–Short Form (MHC-SF). Physical activity levels were classified as insufficient (1), moderate (2), or high (3), based on the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Mediation analysis, based on linear regression with bootstrapped confidence interval (CI), was conducted to estimate direct and indirect effects. Repeated contrasts were applied to IPAQ categories to compare adjacent levels (2 vs 1, 3 vs 2).
Results: A significant indirect effect was observed for moderate versus insufficient physical activity (estimate = 1.78; 95% CI = 0.24, 4.24; β = 0.055), indicating that moderate activity was associated with greater psychological wellbeing through improved sleep quality. Higher physical activity was generally linked to better sleep, which in turn predicted enhanced wellbeing. In contrast, no significant indirect or direct effects were found for the comparison between high and moderate activity levels (estimate = –0.06; 95% CI = –1.87, 1.50; β = –0.002). Thus, moderate activity appeared more beneficial than insufficient levels, while increasing activity beyond moderate levels did not confer additional psychological benefits via sleep quality.
Conclusion: These findings highlight sleep quality as a key mediator linking physical activity and psychological wellbeing. Interventions that promote even moderate levels of physical activity may enhance sleep and, consequently, mental health. Future studies should explore these associations longitudinally to determine causality and consider demographic or individual differences. Personalised lifestyle interventions, particularly for individuals with limited access to physical activity, warrant further investigation
Physical Fitness Improvements and Achievement of Recommended Physical Activity Levels One Year After Total Hip Arthroplasty
Get PDFPurpose: To evaluate test-retest reliability of physical fitness measures in hip osteoarthritis (OA) patients and assess longitudinal changes in these parameters following total hip arthroplasty (THA). This study incorporates previously unexamined parameters like V̇O2peak and trunk endurance, alongside physical activity monitoring through accelerometry and self-reported outcomes in 1-year follow-up.
Methods: Seventy-eight patients (mean age 74 ± 4.5 years, 81% women) scheduled for THA performed physical fitness tests and accelerometry-measured physical activity. The test battery included muscle strength, motor fitness, and cardiorespiratory fitness. Assessments were conducted at two pre-operative timepoints and at 4-month and 1-year post-operative follow-up. Physical activity was objectively measured using hip-worn triaxial accelerometers. Results were compared with healthy older adults. Statistical analyses included test-retest reliability assessment, between-group comparisons, and longitudinal change analysis using repeated measures ANOVA.
Results: Good to excellent test-retest reliability was demonstrated for most fitness parameters. Pre-operatively, hip OA patients showed significant deficits compared to healthy controls in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (18.7 vs 44.7 min/day) and multiple physical fitness parameters. At 1-year post-op, significant improvements were observed in 23 of 45 measured parameters, including functional mobility (Timed Up and Go: –29%), walking distance (Six-Minute Walk Test: +16%), trunk endurance-strength (+71–82%), shoulder-press (+33%), various leg strength tests (+13–42%), and 4 m max walking-speed (+42%). Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity increased by 63% and daily step count improved from 6,004 to 7,558 steps/day (+26%). Notably, ipsilateral-to-contralateral step height asymmetry decreased from 27% pre-operatively to 8% at 1-year. V̇O2peak demonstrated modest but significant improvement from 22.7 to 23.6 mL/kg/min 1-year postoperatively (+4%).
Conclusion: This study highlights significant pre-operative functional deficits in patients with hip osteoarthritis, with substantial improvements observed across multiple performance domains 1-year post-surgery. Notably, patients failed to meet the recommended physical activity guidelines prior to surgery but achieved them post-operatively. The demonstrated reliability of the test battery reinforces its value for both research and clinical applications
Swedish Model for Physical Activity on Prescription (PAP-S)
Get PDFPurpose: The Swedish model for Physical Activity on Prescription (PAP-S) is an established Swedish method and a valuable tool for prescribing physical activity. It has been used within the Swedish healthcare system for 20 years. As part of national efforts to reverse the negative trend of physical inactivity in the population, the Swedish government assigned the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare together with the Public Health Agency of Sweden to enhance the work with PAP-S. The overarching aim was to ensure that PAP-S is applied more equitably across the country and is offered to all patients in primary health care in need, to help increase their level of physical activity and promote good health. The aim was also to support and develop monitoring for PAP-S as well as to strengthen the conditions for a long-term follow-up of the work at the regional level.
Project Description: The assignment involved allocating funds to the regions to work on initiatives to increase the prescription of physical activity, promoting adherence to prescribed physical activity, supporting implementation, developing follow-up procedures for PAP-S and revision of national guidelines for unhealthy lifestyle habits, including insufficient physical activity. The authorities will submit a final report to the government before the summer, after more than two years of implementation and monitoring. The report will include how the regions have used the government grants, how the use of PAP-S has been monitored and developed, as well as follow-up on the regions’ long-term efforts related to PAP. This includes national coordination, dissemination of knowledge, development of tools, and support for regional implementation.
Conclusion: The assignment has been implemented over a two-year period. A final report will be submitted to the government in May 2025. Some of the main findings are that the government grant has contributed to a significant increase in usage of PAP-S in the Swedish primary health care. The follow-up has shown that the regions are making many efforts to develop the work through education, coordination, and collaboration. We will present the main results from the report in more detail and the lessons learned from the work
The Co-Development of Guiding Principles to Support Physical Activity Among the Least Active Children
Get PDFPurpose: Physical inactivity in children remains a significant public health issue, with nearly 40% of United Kingdom children aged 8–10 not meeting recommended activity levels. While many interventions exist, a persistent gap remains – those children who remain inactive despite these efforts. This study aimed to co-develop a set of evidence-informed design principles specifically for interventions targeting the least active 8–10-year-olds. By using a stakeholder-led process, the goal was to generate practical, context-sensitive strategies that can be applied in both school and community settings.
Methods: This qualitative research followed the Double Diamond Design Approach (DDDA) through a structured co-development workshop using participatory methods. Stakeholders (n = 29), including researchers (n = 12), public health professionals (n = 7), and community practitioners (n = 10), were recruited to ensure varied perspectives. Written and verbal data were collected through audio-recorded group discussions and workshops.
Results: Preliminary insights included key themes relating to whole-family engagement, early years inclusion, and reframing physical activity as ‘movement’ to enhance accessibility and reduce stigma. Stakeholders prioritised culturally sensitive, inclusive designs and emphasised the importance of unstructured, fun-based play. Hyper-local delivery, safe environments, and adaptable programming were also highlighted as essential. Creative and multisport options, workforce diversity, and peer leadership also featured strongly. A modified Delphi process will be used for stakeholders to review and provide feedback on the draft principles. The final principles and statements will be presented at the HEPA conference.
Conclusion: This study highlights the value of structured co-development in generating context-specific, practical strategies to increase physical activity among the least active children. By integrating stakeholder expertise with child- and parent-centred insights, the guiding principles developed are grounded in lived experience and designed for implementation in both school and community settings. The findings offer actionable, scalable solutions for educators, practitioners, and policymakers aiming to address persistent physical activity inequalities. Ongoing refinement further strengthens these principles, with future phases focused on real-world piloting to assess feasibility, sustainability, and long-term impact.
Support/Funding Source: PhD funded through White Rose Doctoral Training Partnership
Updating Ireland’s Physical Activity Guidelines: An Evidence-Based Approach Shaped by Professional and Public Input
Get PDFPurpose: This study aimed to update Ireland’s National Physical Activity (PA) Guidelines, last published in 2009. This involved adapting the World Health Organization’s (WHO) 2020 Guidelines on PA and Sedentary Behaviour to align with the Irish context. A key innovation of this research was the development of tailored PA messages for both public and professional audiences.
Methods: The project followed a three-stage process. First, a review of literature published since the evidence review for the WHO 2020 guidelines was conducted to identify any new evidence. Second, draft guidelines and accompanying messages were developed. Third, public and professional perceptions were gathered through online surveys (n = 215 public; n = 187 professionals) and a national consensus meeting with stakeholders involved in PA promotion. The surveys assessed clarity, relevance, and motivational appeal of the guidelines and messages on a 5-point Likert scale.
Results: The evidence review found no substantial updates that would warrant changes to the WHO 2020 recommendations, except for children with disabilities where it was recognised that for certain disabilities a reduced level of PA may be adequate for health benefits. Survey responses indicated strong agreement among the public that the lay guidelines were clear (>3.3 on 5-point scale) for all subgroups except children aged 1–4 years and children living with disability. There was consensus that the lay guidelines were relevant (>3.0) for all groups except children living with disability. Professionals reported frequent use of such guidelines in their work (43%) and affirmed their clarity and importance (90%). The consensus meeting provided critical feedback on message framing, intensity descriptors, and content for specific subgroups, particularly children with disabilities. This collaborative process informed the finalisation of the guidelines and messages.
Conclusion: The updated Irish guidelines are an adapted version of the WHO 2020 recommendations, enhanced with lay-friendly formats and persuasive messages tailored to diverse audiences. This work contributes to public health practice by providing accessible, evidence-informed guidance and public-facing messages to support PA promotion across the lifespan. Future efforts should focus on implementing a comprehensive dissemination strategy to maximise the reach and impact of these guidelines throughout Ireland.
Support/Funding Source: Health Service Executive, Ireland
Walking as a Foundation for Community Asset Building: Evaluating Social Cohesion and Wellbeing Through ABCD
Get PDFWalking is a fundamental yet underutilised lever for improving public health and social cohesion. While infrastructure often dominates policy discourse, walking can be a vehicle for strengthening community connections, particularly when embedded within asset-based approaches.
This study evaluates how Beat the Street (BTS), a gamified walking intervention, fosters community development through the Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) model, offering a replicable framework for place-based health promotion.
The study included six United Kingdom locations where BTS took place, engaging residents through RFID-enabled ‘Beat Boxes’ placed across local areas. The intervention promotes inclusive participation, especially in deprived communities. A total of 1,503 matched participants completed pre- and post-surveys measuring ABCD Maturity – encompassing trust, social capital, engagement with public spaces, and cultural storytelling – and the Health Creation Index (HCI), a composite wellbeing metric.
Post-intervention, physical activity levels rose by 10.2 percentage points (to 66.0%). Gains in social cohesion included increased trust in local institutions (+7.45 pp) and feeling part of a local network (+5.85 pp). Cultural belonging improved markedly, with a (7.77) pp increase in participants affirming they had stories reflecting their community’s heritage. Deprived groups showed the largest gains in network belonging (+7.85 pp) and cultural storytelling (+9.13 pp). Those with higher HCI scores also reported stronger ABCD Maturity, especially those who previously lacked a sense of belonging (+11.9 pp increase in network connection).
These results highlight the power of walking to catalyse social and cultural engagement. Community-led walking initiatives can generate meaningful public health gains beyond individual behaviour change by nurturing inclusive, resilient environments. Embedding ABCD frameworks into walking policy can support equity-focused investment in areas with untapped community potential
Active School Commuting and Sports Participation: Friends or Foes for the WHO Guidelines in Children Aged Between 3 and 7 Years
Get PDFPurpose: Active school commuting (ASC) and sports participation (SP) are recognised as contributing factors in meeting WHO guidelines for physical activity (PA); however, studies in children report a consistent shortfall in meeting the recommendations. Therefore, this study aims to determine whether ASC and SP act as complementary or competing behaviours in achieving these guidelines.
Methods: A sample of 279 children (5.01 ± 1.04 years) was recruited. A questionnaire was applied to their parents, in which SP and ASC were assessed as dichotomous variables (yes or no). Age-specific WHO guidelines were assessed using moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and total physical activity (TPA), retrieved via tri-axial accelerometer data collected for at least two weekdays and one weekend day. A binary logistic regression model was used to examine the odds ratio (OR) between the ASC and SP and the likelihood of meeting WHO guidelines, controlling for confounders (e.g. both behaviours and children’s age). A linear regression was conducted to assess the relationship between time spent in these activities. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
Results: Of the 279 children, more than half (n = 170, 60.9%) did not meet the guidelines. When analysing the crude OR to meet the guidelines, neither SP (β = 0.46, p = 0.082) nor ASC (β = 0.45, p = 0.155) reached statistical significance. Nonetheless, when computed together, the co-adjusted OR of meeting WHO guidelines was 1.75 times higher for those with SP than without (p = 0.042; 95% confidence interval 1.020 to 3.00). This change in OR may be explained by the inverse linear relationship observed between ASC and SP (β = –40.74, p < 0.001), suggesting a possible competing effect or behavioural compensation. This is corroborated by the low prevalence (3.9%; n = 11) of children who met the guidelines through a combination of SP and ASC. This association disappears when adjusting for categorical age (<5 years or ≥5 years), indicating age as a strong predictor of guideline compliance. As children age from pre-schooler to school age, the prevalence of meeting the guidelines increases from 4.2% to 57.1%.
Conclusion: Overall, age-specific strategies should be developed to allow ASC and SP to function as complementary rather than competing behaviours, thereby improving compliance with WHO PA guidelines
Exploring Physical Activity Patterns in Children With ADHD: The Impact of Sex, Symptom Presentation, and Shared Genetics
Get PDFBackground: Individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have a higher risk of negative health outcomes. This is partially due to unhealthy lifestyle factors such as low physical activity (PA); however, there is mixed evidence about the nature of the association between ADHD and PA. Furthermore, evidence is limited regarding sensor-based measurements of PA, sex differences, and ADHD symptom presentations.
Purpose: This study aimed to increase the understanding of the association between ADHD symptoms and PA patterns measured through accelerometry and to determine whether sex and type of symptoms modify this association. Previous evidence suggests that children with ADHD tend to engage more in unstructured PA. Hence, accelerometry-measured PA could add valuable insight into the association. In addition, this study applies a unique twin design, which allows to control shared genetic and environmental factors. This could aid the design of targeted preventive and therapeutic interventions.
Methods: This cross-sectional register-based twin study included children from the Swedish Twin Registry (STR). ADHD symptoms were assessed at age nine through a questionnaire based on the DSM-V criteria. Triaxial accelerometry measured PA patterns, including daily average time in sedentary behaviour (SED), light physical activity (LPA), and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Linear GEE regression models were used to assess the association in the full cohort and stratified by sex. Hyperactivity and inattention were analysed together and as separate exposures. The analysis was repeated separately for dizygotic (DZ) and monozygotic (MZ) twins. Regression coefficients and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated.
Results: A total of 1,514 children (52.64% girls) were included. ADHD symptoms were significantly associated with higher MVPA (β = 0.26; 95% CI = 0.05–0.46) in the full cohort. Hyperactivity symptoms were significantly associated with higher MVPA, and lower SED in girls. The associations became non-significant among MZ twins.
Conclusion: Our findings suggest that children with ADHD symptoms might have different PA patterns depending on sex and type of symptoms. However, the associations seemed to be explained by shared genetic and environmental factors. Further longitudinal studies are needed to corroborate these results.
Support/Funding Source: This work was supported by the Knowledge Foundation (Grant No. 20210002). We acknowledge The STR for access to data