The promotion of an active lifestyle has become a priority in Western societies and school plays a dominant role. The primary objectives of this thesis were i) to examine the lifestyle and physical activity (PA) patterns of a sample of Greek children and ii) to examine the applicability of a school based intervention programme in promoting PA and sport participation. For the purposes of this study the Physical Activity and Lifestyle Questionnaire (PALQ) was developed and examined for its validity and reliability to assess habitual PA of Greek students. Afterwards, a need analysis was carried out in a) a cross sectional sample of 911 students from an urban area (11, 14 and 17 years olds, b) 103 elementary and secondary PE teachers, and c) 17 schools. The students answered the PALQ in order to depict a profile of their lifestyle and PA patterns. The teachers answered a questionnaire in order to evaluate their knowledge, attitudes and self-efficacy towards teaching health related exercise (HRE). A checklist has been used in order to establish the nature and extent of PA promotion in a sample of elementary and secondary schools. The results showed that: a) a large proportion of students adopted a sedentary lifestyle and were inadequately active to obtain health benefits, b) teachers' had limited ability in promoting effectively HR issues, and c) schools provided limited sport programmes and facilities. The overall finding of the need analysis justified the need for intervention and advocated the adoption of an ecological approach to promote PA Based on the Active School initiative (Almond & McGeorge, 1995), a school based intervention programme has been set up in order to a) promote students' participation in physical activity and sport and to enhance their knowledge on health related (HR) issues, b) increase teachers' knowledge and effectiveness on teaching HR exercise. The decisions about the intervention contents and priorities were based on the findings of the need analysis taking into consideration the cost and the resources. The intervention strategy and the implementation process focused on: a) the teachers' training, b) the creation and the provision of the necessary resources (PE curriculum, a handbook and a CD-Rom for the teachers and two books for the students), c) the creation of a positive and enjoyable learning PE environment, and d) the co-operation between school and out of school health and sport alliances. The intervention programme was applied in 9 elementary and 5 secondary schools for a period of six months and involved 15 PE teachers. A quasi-experimental design with a control group was applied (experimental group N1=699 and control group N2=213). A number of different parameters were estimated at the beginning, during and at the end of the program. The intervention process was monitored on a weekly basis by the author and the school teachers. The effectiveness of the intervention was evaluated in terms of: a) students' behaviour, fitness, self-efficacy, intrinsic motivation, intentions, and attitudes related to PA, b) teachers' knowledge, attitudes and self-efficacy on teaching HR issues, and c) the broader impact of the programme on the school ethos. The intervention implementation and effectiveness was also assessed by an external evaluator. The overall purpose of the intervention was to examine the applicability of promoting PA throughout school environment by creating an innovative and realistic framework for school physical education lesson. The findings of this thesis were very encouraging. Significant differences have been observed in most of the evaluated variables both, for students (fitness, attitudes, self-efficacy, PA level), for teachers (knowledge) and schools' ethos. However, this pioneer study revealed a number of key considerations and issues in designing intervention programmes to promote PA throughout schools in urban areas.

Title: Habitual physical activity of Portuguese university students in the period of summer holidays Aim of the study: The aim of study is to evaluate habitual physical activity of Portuguese university students and to find out if they are meeting physical activity recommendations and could be seen as a sample of active population. Methods: Sample of the study was made of Portuguese university students, exactly students of physical education and sport sciences faculty. Sample size was 125 respondents, 81males and 44females. The sample refers to young adult age group from 18 years old, both genders. Instrument used was International physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ), long version. Data were collected electronically by Google Docs and then analyzed in Microsoft Excel 2007 and IBM SPSS Statistics 20. Results: Physical activity and sport scientist's students can be seen as a sample of active population. 122 (97.6%) respondents are meeting physical activity recommendations from which 87 (69.6%) are over-meeting these recommendations. PAL of the sample was high in 69,6%, moderate in 28% and low in 6,8% of the cases. No statistical significance was found between total physical activity score and academic year. The habitual physical activity of the sample is not influenced by their study curriculum....

Physical inactivity is a modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and other chronic diseases of life. In countries undergoing economic transition from underdeveloped to being developed, there is an increasing rate of physical inactivity. Accurate assessment of physical activity behaviours is important for determining the presence of physical inactivity, for setting goals for physical therapy interventions to increase physical activity and to utilize physical activity as an outcome measure for physical therapy interventions. There are different techniques used to measure physical activity, namely questionnaires, motion sensors (pedometers and accelerometers) and doubly labelled water. The most used method in large epidemiological research is questionnaires because of their affordability and feasibility. Limitations of physical activity questionnaires include the exclusion of house-hold activities, intensity of work done, bicycling, duration and frequency of leisure time activities. Motion sensors have been mostly used in developed and westernized countries. In the North West Province (NWP) of South Africa the only method that has been used to determine physical activity among the Tswana speaking people was the Transition of Health during urbanization physical activity questionnaire (THUSA-PAQ). The application of other methods such as the motion sensors has never been done. Objectives: The study comprised two major objectives: The first objective was to determine the physical activity levels of the rural and urban Tswana speaking people of the NWP using the THUS A questionnaire and pedometers. The second objective was to determine whether there is a relationship in physical activity determined by the THUSA-PAQ, promotional pedometer and an accelerometer determined activity. Methods The participants recruited for this study form part of the larger prospective urban and rural epidemiology (PURE) longitudinal study running over 12 years which started in 2005. A subsample of 200 was randomly selected of which hundred and eighty signed the informed consent (90 urban and 90 rural) to participate in the study. The participants completed the THUSA-PAQ with the assistance help of the fieldworkers in their native language and wore pedometers for seven consecutive days. The number of steps taken per day distance travelled and energy expenditure were recorded in a logbook. Another thirty eight participants from a co-hort in the same geographical area were issued with accelerometers to wear simultaneously with pedometers for a period of twenty four hours and also completed the THUSA-PAQ. Results The rural male and female participants reported higher average physical activity index (PAT) with the THUSA questionnaire (9.49 ± 3.67 and 8.10 ± 1.26) than urban male and female participants (8.13 ± 2.47 and 7.51 ± 1.65) respectively. The same trend was observed with the objectively determined physical activity with the pedometers. A partial correlation adjusted for age and gender showed no statistical significance between the subjectively determined physical activity index (PAT) and the objectively determined activity (average steps per day). Results from the co-hort participants indicated that both male and female participants spent a larger percentage of their time on sedentary activities (66.45 ± 15.84% and 70.13 ± 8.39%) respectively. Most of the participants, 64.7% females and 52.1% males, recorded fewer than 5000 steps per day with a pedometer and reported high PAI (9.61 ± 1.83 males and 7.79 ± 1.26 females) with the THUSA-PAQ. On this population partial correlation analyses that was adjusted for age and body mass index (BMT) showed a statistical significant relationship between (p<0.05) time spent on vigorous activities and commute index between male and female participants. There was no statistical significant relationship between the PAI (THUSA-PAQ), activity energy expenditure (AEE) determined with an accelerometer and the number of steps per day determined with a pedometer. Conclusion The major conclusion that can be drawn from this study is that the participants did not meet the recommended physical activity levels (30 min moderate physical activity or 10 000 pedometer determined steps per day). The participants reported high subjective physical activity index (PAI) with the THXJSA-PAQ which did not correlate with the low objectively determined number of steps per day using the pedometer and AEE. Possible reasons for this include the influence of perception toward physical activity, social desrrabiUty, seasonal changes, reactivity and time of the year. Motion sensors gave a better indication of habitual physical activity among the Tswana speaking people of the NWP and should be considered for further research. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Human Movement Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

Physical inactivity is a modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and other chronic diseases of life. In countries undergoing economic transition from underdeveloped to being developed, there is an increasing rate of physical inactivity. Accurate assessment of physical activity behaviours is important for determining the presence of physical inactivity, for setting goals for physical therapy interventions to increase physical activity and to utilize physical activity as an outcome measure for physical therapy interventions. There are different techniques used to measure physical activity, namely questionnaires, motion sensors (pedometers and accelerometers) and doubly labelled water. The most used method in large epidemiological research is questionnaires because of their affordability and feasibility. Limitations of physical activity questionnaires include the exclusion of house-hold activities, intensity of work done, bicycling, duration and frequency of leisure time activities. Motion sensors have been mostly used in developed and westernized countries. In the North West Province (NWP) of South Africa the only method that has been used to determine physical activity among the Tswana speaking people was the Transition of Health during urbanization physical activity questionnaire (THUSA-PAQ). The application of other methods such as the motion sensors has never been done. Objectives: The study comprised two major objectives: The first objective was to determine the physical activity levels of the rural and urban Tswana speaking people of the NWP using the THUS A questionnaire and pedometers. The second objective was to determine whether there is a relationship in physical activity determined by the THUSA-PAQ, promotional pedometer and an accelerometer determined activity. Methods The participants recruited for this study form part of the larger prospective urban and rural epidemiology (PURE) longitudinal study running over 12 years which started in 2005. A subsample of 200 was randomly selected of which hundred and eighty signed the informed consent (90 urban and 90 rural) to participate in the study. The participants completed the THUSA-PAQ with the assistance help of the fieldworkers in their native language and wore pedometers for seven consecutive days. The number of steps taken per day distance travelled and energy expenditure were recorded in a logbook. Another thirty eight participants from a co-hort in the same geographical area were issued with accelerometers to wear simultaneously with pedometers for a period of twenty four hours and also completed the THUSA-PAQ. Results The rural male and female participants reported higher average physical activity index (PAT) with the THUSA questionnaire (9.49 ± 3.67 and 8.10 ± 1.26) than urban male and female participants (8.13 ± 2.47 and 7.51 ± 1.65) respectively. The same trend was observed with the objectively determined physical activity with the pedometers. A partial correlation adjusted for age and gender showed no statistical significance between the subjectively determined physical activity index (PAT) and the objectively determined activity (average steps per day). Results from the co-hort participants indicated that both male and female participants spent a larger percentage of their time on sedentary activities (66.45 ± 15.84% and 70.13 ± 8.39%) respectively. Most of the participants, 64.7% females and 52.1% males, recorded fewer than 5000 steps per day with a pedometer and reported high PAI (9.61 ± 1.83 males and 7.79 ± 1.26 females) with the THUSA-PAQ. On this population partial correlation analyses that was adjusted for age and body mass index (BMT) showed a statistical significant relationship between (p<0.05) time spent on vigorous activities and commute index between male and female participants. There was no statistical significant relationship between the PAI (THUSA-PAQ), activity energy expenditure (AEE) determined with an accelerometer and the number of steps per day determined with a pedometer. Conclusion The major conclusion that can be drawn from this study is that the participants did not meet the recommended physical activity levels (30 min moderate physical activity or 10 000 pedometer determined steps per day). The participants reported high subjective physical activity index (PAI) with the THXJSA-PAQ which did not correlate with the low objectively determined number of steps per day using the pedometer and AEE. Possible reasons for this include the influence of perception toward physical activity, social desrrabiUty, seasonal changes, reactivity and time of the year. Motion sensors gave a better indication of habitual physical activity among the Tswana speaking people of the NWP and should be considered for further research. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Human Movement Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

Tyrimo objektas – Vilkaviškio rajono VII – X klasių kaimo ir miesto moksleivių fizinio pajėgumas ir fizinio aktyvumas. Tyrimo tikslas – įvertinti Vilkaviškio rajono VII – X klasių kaimo ir miesto moksleivių fizinį pajėgumą bei fizinį aktyvumą. Teoriniai uždaviniai: 1. Nustatyti ir palyginti Vilkaviškio rajono VII – X klasių mokinių fizinį pajėgumą klasės, lyties ir gyvenamosios vietos (kaimo ir miesto) aspektu. 2. Nustatyti ir palyginti Vilkaviškio rajono VII – X klasių mokinių fizinį aktyvumą gyvenamosios vietos (kaimo ir miesto) aspektu. Išvados: 1. Tyrimo rezultatai parodė, kad miesto moksleivių judesių tempo ir greičio, greitumo ir vikrumo, kojų raumenų staigiosios jėgos, lankstumo rodikliai buvo geresni negu kaimo moksleivių, o kaimo moksleivių geriau išlavinta statinė rankų ir pečių lanko raumenų ištvermė. Pilvo preso raumenų jėgos ištvermė geriau išlavinta miesto berniukų ir kaimo mergaičių. Vertinant pagal Eurofito lenteles, geriausias išlavinimo lygis buvo judesių tempo ir greičio bei greitumo ir vikrumo fizinių ypatybių, prasčiausias – statinės rankų ir pečių lanko raumenų ištvermės. 2. Anketinė apklausa atskleidė, kad dauguma tiek kaimo, tiek miesto moksleivių per savaitę labai intensyviai ir vidutiniškai intensyviai fizinei veiklai mokykloje skiria 1-2 dienas o vidutinis laikas tomis dienomis skirtas tokio tipo veiklai buvo 30-60 min. Laisvalaikiu labai intensyvia ir vidutiniškai intensyvia veikla užsiima neženkliai didesnė dalis miesto mokyklų moksleivių, tam... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The object of the research is physical fitness and physical activity of VII – Xth grade schoolchildren from urban and rural areas in Vilkaviskis region. The aim of the research is to evaluate physical fitness and physical activity of VII – Xth grade schoolchildren from urban and rural areas in Vilkaviskis region. The aim is reached within the fulfilment of the following objectives: 1.To investigate and compare physical fitness of VII – Xth grade schoolchildren in Vilkaviskis region according to the grade, gender and living area (rural vs. urban). 2. To evaluate and compare physical activity of VII – Xth grade schoolchildren in Vilkaviskis region according to the area (rural vs. urban) they live in. Conclusions: 1. It was found that physical fitness tests measuring flexibility, spead, explosive power of leg muscles were better performed by VII – Xth grade schoolchildren living in urban area of Vilkaviskis region, while static strength of arms and shoulder muscles is greater of rural area schoolchildren. Stomack muscle strength endurance is better of urban boys and girls living in rural area of Vilkaviskis region. According to the Eurofit reference tables, the best results were shown when measuring spead and agility components of physical fitness, the worst – the strength endurance of arms and shoulder muscles. 2. Analysing physical activity questionnaire data it was found that most of VII – Xth grade schoolchildren, living both in urban and rural area, spend 1-2 days per week... [to full text]

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Introduction: Increasing obesity in children leads to an increase in the risk of Type 2 diabetes (T2D). Therefore, it is important to promote healthier lifestyles in youths and encourage their caregivers(s) to provide a healthy lifestyle environment. The PowerHouse program focuses on improving food choices, increasing physical activity, and adopting behavior changes for the reduction of obesity and the prevention of T2D. Method: The aim of this study was to assess the effects of implementing the PowerHouse program on both clinical and quality of life outcomes in high-risk, low-income youth and their caregivers. Primary outcomes were BMI standard deviation and BMI percentile in youths. Secondary outcomes included physical activity of youths and quality of life for both youths and their caregivers. Attendance rates were also calculated. Linear effect mixed models were used to test for time effects for all outcomes. Results: Clinical outcomes did not improve over time, except for youth HbA1c (p-value = 0.0447). Some improvements in youth quality-of-life outcomes were noted: specifically, the Sports Index score of the Fels Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children (adjusted p-value = 0.0213) and the Physical Summary (p-value = 0.0407), Psychosocial Summary (p-value = 0.0167), and Total score (p-value = 0.0094) for the youth-reported Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory. Quality of life did not change over time for caregivers. For attendance, there was an improvement after the intervention was modified to improve access to fresh produce (p-value = 0.0002). Conclusion: HbA1c and quality of life improved over time for youth; however, there was not an improvement in caregiver outcomes over time. The data suggest that more time may be needed to see the full effects of the intervention, and/or that a booster intervention may be needed.

Diploma thesis "Vliv řízeného tréninku na habituální pohybovou aktivitu pacientů s diabetes mellitus 2. typu" in the theoretical part deals with Type 2 diabetes (DM2T), its complications and possibilities of its therapy. Emphasis is put on physical activity as the main non-pharmacological mean influencing insulin resistance. The basic health aspects of physical activity, general recommendations and specific sport activities for DM2T patients are mentioned. We also focus on potential risks related to physical exercises. Furthermore, we examine habitual physical activity, meaning energy expenditure in daily activities. The objective of the practical part of this thesis is to determine the level of habitual physical activity of DM2T patients and to show how it is influenced by stationary bicycle exercises. The impact of regular physical activity on the health indicators, physical fitness and anthropometric parameters, is examined. The sample of patients includes 20 individuals with DM2T, who have completed insulin therapy and currently are cured with peroral antidiabetics and regime measures. Pedometer and International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) are used in order to monitor habitual physical activity. Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)

Title: Measuring of physical activity of UK FTVS and Palestra students using IPAQ Aims: - find out the range of physical activity of students from schools mentioned above - compare the results with each other and also with other researches - confirm or disconfirm hypotheses - set down conclusions Methods: questionnaire Results: - students of both schools are highly physically active (in comparison with ordinary population) - UK FTVS students are more active in all kinds of physical activity performed at school or in leisure time than Palestra students - UK FTVS students spend the most time on vigorous PA at school, while Palestra students spend the most time on vigorous PA at free time - concerning only UK FTVS, women are more active than men Key words: vigorous physical activity, moderate physical activity, International Physical Activity Questionnaire IPAQ, MET values, leisure time, young adults

Aim: The aim of this thesis "Examination of vegetative system in hereditary neuropathy" is to consider the level of physical fitness, physical actvity level and quality of autonomic function in patients with hereditary neuropathy Charcot Marie Tooth and an assessment of interactions of these parameters, especially with regard to possible influence by the presence of autonomic neuropathy and with regard to neurological symptoms. Background: Although vegetative neuropathy was mentioned in the first publication about CMT, it is not widely discussed topic as part of it. Methods: Seventeen probands underwent spiroergometry, heart rate variability test, six minute walk test, rating by the CMT Neuropathy Score and Overall neuropathy disability scale and completing the IPAQ questionnaire. Results: We found symptoms of autonomic neuropathy in group of patients with CMT, especially high-frequency part of heart rate variability spectrum has a particularly significant decrease. Patients with autonomic neuropathy have shown a low fitness and functional capacity, tendency to obesity and hypertension. The observed correlation of autonomic neuropathy and neurological impairment was very weak. Conclusions: We find a neuropathy of the autonomic nervous system in patiens with hereditary motor and sensitive neuropathy...

Introducción. El objetivo del presente estudio es determinar si existe correlación entre los conocimientos sobre las consecuencias de la obesidad y el grado de actividad física de las personas. Métodos. Se realizó un estudio transversal analítico durante los años 2013 y 2014. Participaron 215 alumnos de pregrado seleccionados por conveniencia no relacionados a carreras del campo de la salud en una universidad de Lima, Perú. Se evaluó el grado de actividad física utilizando el International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) y el nivel de conocimientos sobre consecuencias de la obesidad utilizando la escala Obesity Risk Knowledge-10 (ORK-10). También, se consignó las fuentes de información de donde obtuvieron el conocimiento para responder dicho cuestionario. Resultados. La mediana de edad fue 20 (rango intercuartílico=4) y 63% eran mujeres. De acuerdo al IPAQ, 53,9% realizaban actividad física alta, 35,4%, moderada y 10,7%, leve. Se encontró una correlación muy baja (rs=0,06) entre el puntaje del ORK-10 y la cantidad de equivalentes metabólicos/minuto consumidos por semana, pero no era significativa (p=0,38). Las personas informadas por medios de comunicación y por personal de salud obtuvieron mayores puntajes en el ORK- 10 que quienes se informaron por otras vías (p<0,05). Conclusiones. La correlación entre los conocimientos sobre consecuencias de la obesidad y el grado de actividad física es muy baja. Es necesario utilizar enfoques multidisciplinarios que incluyan todos los determinantes de la realización de actividad física para poder lograr cambios en la conducta de la población.