A prospective study was carried out with 130 undergraduate and graduate students. Environmental, cognitive and socio-demographic variables were evaluated at baseline by questionnaire. Two weeks later, active commuting (walking/bicycling) to get to and from work or school was self-reported by questionnaire. The results showed that cognitive variables play a more important role than environmental variables in predicting and explaining active commuting. When environmental variables were significant, they were mediated by cognitive variables. Therefore, individual cognitions should remain one of the main focuses of interventions promoting active commuting among undergraduate and graduate students.
Archive for category Physical Activity
Researchers from Maine Medical Center Research Institute examined the feasibility of a dance video game, in participants’ homes, to increase physical activity and to decrease sedentary screen time. The pilot study suggests that the Dance Dance Revolution game reduces sedentary screen time and may facilitate slight increases in vigorous PA.
The authors surveyed 1,145 residents recruited from 120 neighborhoods in Portland, Oregon. They examined neighborhood built environment characteristics (fast-food restaurant density, walkability) and individual eating-out and physical activity behaviors in relation to 1-year change in body weight among adults 50–75 years of age at baseline. Findings point to the negative influences of the availability of neighborhood fast-food outlets and individual unhealthy eating behaviors that jointly affect weight gain; however, better neighborhood walkability and increased levels of physical activity are likely to be associated with maintaining a healthy weight over time. See also: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090303161431.htm
Activating People
Mar 10
Physical activity in the general population and referral schemes among primary health care patients in a Swedish county are the topic of this Medical Dissertations.
Recess helps kids do better in school. These are some of the conclusions in a new book by Stuart Brown: Play has been scientifically proved to be good for the brain. Play teaches us to use our imaginations. Play helps us learn to be friends. Sometimes the best way to learn a complicated subject is to play with it. Kids do better academically when they have recess. Playing at work is not just useful; it’s essential.
Increased physical activity in middle age prolongs life, though it may take five to 10 years before an effect is seen, concludes a study published on bmj.com today
This important study from Belgium is based on measurements from 583 pre-school children. Some schoold had play equipment and/or markings at the pre-school playground. Accelerometer-based physical activity levels during recess were collected. Providing playground markings or play equipment is not sufficient to increase activity levels and decrease levels of sedentary activity during pre-school recess. More activating supervision and the inclusion of more structured physical activity seem needed.
Researchers at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center held focus groups with staff members at 34 area child care centers to learn more about how kids spend their time in day care and the reasons they may or may not spend time outside.
Children who watch TV for more than two hours a day or are otherwise inactive have a doubled risk for asthma, according to a U.K. study to be published in the journal Thorax.
See these new tips from former president Bill Clinton.