Tri-axial accelerometry allows to determine parental food provisioning behaviour in a marine bird

The study of parental food provisioning is essential for understanding the breeding ecology of birds.We conducted the first study using accelerometry to detect food provisioning in birds,using Support Vector Machine(SVM)models to identify when adults feed chicks of three different age classes.Accelerometers were attached to the head of adult female Imperial Shags(Leucocarbo atriceps),and various attributes derived from the acceleration signals were used to train SVM models for each chick age class.Model performance improved with chick age class,with SVM models achieving high overall accuracy(>88%)and highest sensitivity in older chick categories(>91%).However,precision values,especially for younger chicks,remained relatively low(between 26%and 45%).The application of a time filter based on the minimum duration of the observed food provisioning behaviours for each chick age category,improved model performance by reducing false provisioning behaviours,particularly in the model for older chicks,which showed the highest precision(72.4%).This study highlights the effectiveness of accelerometry and machine learning in studying parental food provisioning in birds,providing a rapid and accurate data collection method to complement traditional techniques.The described methodology can be applied to any bird species that exhibits distinctive movements while feeding its offspring and has suitable characteristics for attaching an accelerometer to the body part that best captures this movement.Finally,it is hoped that the results of this study will contribute to future research on key questions in parental investment theory and reproductive strategies in birds.

Assessing the Intensity of Dog Walking and Impact on Overall Physical Activity: A Pilot Study Using Accelerometry

Introduction: Despite a growing body of research indicating that dog walking contributes to meeting physical activity (PA) guidelines, this literature is limited by the use of self-report measures of dog walking and overall PA. The objectives of this pilot study were to objectively assess dog walking with accelerometry, characterize the frequency, duration, and intensity of dog walking, and determine the contribution of dog walking to overall moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Methods: Sixty-five dog owners wore an Actigraph GT3X accelerometer for up to 7 consecutive days and recorded start/end times for dog walks with daily log sheets. Each minute with an activity count ≥ 760 was classified as MVPA. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize all variables. Logistic regression was used to examine associations between dog walking MVPA bouts and meeting PA guidelines, controlling for age, education, income, and gender. Results: Participants walked their dog an average of 1.2 ± 1.1 times/day, averaged 28.0 ± 15.6 minutes/walk, and accumulated 22.9 ± 17.5 minutes of MVPA/day during dog walks, of which 21.7 ± 17.9 minutes were accumulated in bouts ≥10 minutes. Seventy-eight percent of dog walking was classified as moderate-intensity and 3.5% was vigorous. Dog walking MVPA had a statistically significant positive association with meeting PA guidelines (OR = 2.32;95% CI = 1.06, 5.08). Conclusions: The majority of dog walking minutes were moderate-intensity and most minutes of MVPA during dog walking occurred in bouts. These findings suggest that dog walking is consistent with current PA guidelines for adults and should receive more consideration as a PA promotion strategy.

Moving fast, thinking fast:The relations of physical activity levels and bouts to neuroelectric indices of inhibitory control in preadolescents

Background:Structured vigorous physical activity(VPA)can improve cognitive control in children,but studies relating daily physical activity(PA)to cognitive control have yielded conflicting findings.While objectively measured daily PA summarizes all occurrences of PA within a registered period,a minimum duration of continuous PA is required for registration of a PA bout.Because brief bouts of high-intensity PA can account for a large proportion of children’s daily activity-related energy expenditure,this study assessed whether daily and bouted VPA were selectively related to cognitive control in preadolescents relative to other PA intensities.Methods:A total of 75 children between the ages of 8 and 10 years(49%girls)wore an ActiGraph wGT 3 X+on the hip for 7 days.The acceleration signal from the vertical axis was summarized over 1 s,5 s,and 15 s epochs.Daily and boutecd modercate PA,moderate-to-vigorous PA,and VPA were measured.PA bouts were expressed as the frequency and time spent in 2 different continuous PA bouts,one lasting≥10 s and the other lasting≥30 s at a given intensity.Inhibitory control was assessed using behavioral responses to a modified flanker task(mean reaction time(RTmean)and accuracy).Attentional resource allocation and co gnitive processing speed were measured using the amplitude and latency of the P3 component of event-related brain potentials,respectively.Associations between PA,behavioral indices of inhibitory control,P3 amplitude,and latency were assessed using hierarchical regression models.Results:Daily VPA was not related to RTmean or accuracy on either congruent or incongruent trials.In contrast,more time spent in VPA bouts lasting≥30 s predicted shorter P3 latency across epochs and flanker congruencies(allβ≤-0.24,all p≤0.04).The associations between shorter P3 latency and the time spent in moderate-to-vigorous PA bouts lasting≥30 s were less consistent and largely limited to congruent trials(congruent:β(-0.3 1,-0.34)).No significant associations were observed upon correction for false discovery rate.Conclusion:The pattern of uncorrected associations aligns with the dose-response literature and suggests that brief VPA bouts may yield the greatest benefits to cognitive processing speed in preadolescents.Future studies using measures of brain structure and function are needed to understand the mechanisms linking bouted VPA to neurocognitive function during childhood.

Cardiometabolic risk through an integrative classification combining physical activity and sedentary behavior in European adolescents:HELENA study

Purpose: This study aims to compare adolescents' cardiometabolic risk score through an integrative classification of physical activity(PA),which involves the combination of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity(MVPA) and sedentary behavior(SB).Methods: A cross-sectional study derived from the Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence Cross-Sectional Study database(2006-2008) was conducted in adolescents(n = 548; boys, 47.3%; 14.7 ± 1.2 years) from 10 European cities. MVPA and SB were objectively measured using accelerometry. Adolescents were divided into 4 categories according to MVPA(meeting or not meeting the international recommendations) and the median of SB time(above or below sex-and age-specific median) as follows: High-SB & Inactive, Low-SB & Inactive,High-SB & Active, and Low-SB & Active. A clustered cardiometabolic risk score was computed using the homeostatic model assessment, systolic blood pressure, triglycerides, total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, sum 4 skinfolds, and cardiorespiratory fitness(CRF).Analyses of covariance were performed to discern differences on cardiometabolic risk scores among PA categories and each health component.Results: The cardiometabolic risk score was lower in adolescents meeting the MVPA recommendation and with less time spent in SB in comparison to the high-SB & Inactive group(p < 0.05). However, no difference in cardiometabolic risk score was established between High-SB or Low-SB groups in inactive adolescents. It is important to note that CRF was the only variable that showed a significant modification(higher)when children were compared from the category of physically inactive with "active" but not from high-to low-SB.Conclusion: Being physically active is the most significant and protective outcome in adolescents to reduce cardiometabolic risk. Lower SB does not exhibit a significant and extra beneficial difference.

Correlates of subjectively and objectively measured physical activity in young adolescents

Background： Many studies examining individual-level correlates in youth utilize self-report rather than objective measures of physical activity （PA）. This utilization of self-report may result in associations that are not present when examining objectively measured PA. The present study investigates the relationship between hypothesized correlates of PA with objectively and subjectively measured PA. Methods： Participating children （n 232, 101 males, mean age - 12.3 years） provided a minimum of four monitored days of PA （via accelerometer） and completed a survey assessing moderate-to-vigorous physical activity （MVPA）, sport competence, appearance, enjoyment, and self-efficacy. Height and weight were measured and body mass index （BMI） was calculated. Results： Hierarchical regression models controlling for sex, race, and BMI Z-score showed that only sex and BMI Z-score were significant correlates of objective MVPA while only sex was a significant correlate of objective total PA. However, in a separate model examining the relationship with subjective MVPA, enjoyment of PA and self-efficacy for PA were the only significant correlates of self-reported PA. Conclusion： Measuring MVPA via self-report versus accelerometry produces considerably different results in a sample of young adolescents. Future studies should use caution when selecting outcome measures if the intent is to identify modifiable correlates of MVPA in youth.

Is device-measured vigorous physical activity associated with health-related outcomes in children and adolescents? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective:This study sought to analyze the prospective association between vigorous-intensity physical activity(VPA)and health-related outcomes in children and adolescents.Methods:Studies reporting associations between device-measured VPA and health-related factors in children and adolescents aged 318 years were identified through database searches(MEDLINE,EMBASE,and SPORTDiscus).Correlation coefficients were pooled if outcomes were reported by at least 3 studies,using DerSimonian-Laird random effects models.Results:Data from 23 studies including 13,674 participants were pooled using random effects models.Significant associations were found between VPA at baseline and overall adiposity(r=0.09,95%confidence interval(95%CI):0.15 to0.03;p=0.002;I^(2)=89.8%),cardiometabolic risk score(r=0.13,95%CI:0.24 to0.02,p=0.020;I^(2)=69.6%),cardiorespiratory fitness(r=0.25,95%CI:0.150.35;p<0.001;I^(2)=57.2%),and total body bone mineral density(r=0.16,95%CI:0.06 to 0.25;p=0.001;I^(2)=0%).Conclusion:VPA seems to be negatively related to adiposity and cardiometabolic risk score and positively related to cardiorespiratory fitness and total body bone mineral density among children and adolescents at follow-up.Therefore,our findings support the need to strengthen physical activity recommendations regarding VPA due to its health benefits in children and adolescents.

Associations between cardiorespiratory fitness,physical activity, intraindividual variability in behavior, and cingulate cortex in younger adults

Background.Higher levels of cardiorespiratory fitness(CRF)and greater amounts of physical activity have been associated with lower intraindividual variability(IIV)in executive function in children and older adults.In the present study,we examined whether CRF,measured as maximal oxygen uptake(VO2max),and daily volume of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity(MVPA)were associated with IIV of reaction time during performance of the incongruent condition of the Stroop task in younger adults.Further,we examined whether the thickness of the cingulate cortex was associated with regulating variability in reaction time performance in the context of CRF or physical activity.Methods:CRF(measured as VO2max),accelerometry-measured MVPA,Stroop performance,and thickness of the rostral anterior cingulate cortex(rACC)derived from magnetic resonance imaging data were collected in 48 younger adults(age=24.58±4.95 years,mean±SD).Multiple regression was used to test associations between IIV during the Stroop task and CRF,MVPA,and rACC thickness.Mediation was tested using maximum likelihood estimation with bootstrapping.Results:Consistent with our predictions,higher VO2max was associated with greater rACC thickness for the right hemisphere and greater daily amounts of MVPA were associated with greater rACC thickness for both the left and right hemispheres.Greater thickness of the right rACC was associated with lower IIV for the incongruent condition of the Stroop task.CRF and MVPA were not directly associated with IIV.However,we did find that IIV and both CRF and MVPA were indirectly associated via the thickness of the right rACC.Conclusion:These results indicate that higher CRF and greater daily volume of MVPA may be associated with lower IIV during the Stroop task via structural integrity of the rACC.Randomized controlled trials of MVPA would provide crucial information about the causal relations between these variables.

Validity of long-term and short-term recall of occupational sitting time in Finnish and Chinese office workers

Background:As sedentary behavior is a global health issue,there is a need for methods of self-reported sitting assessment.The accuracy and reliability of these methods should also be tested in various populations and different cultural contexts.This study examined the validity of longterm and short-term recall of occupational sitting time in Finnish and Chinese subgroups.Methods:Two cohort groups of office-based workers(58.6%female,age range 22
67 years)participated:a Finnish group(FIN,n=34)and a Chinese group(CHI,n=36).Long-term(past 3-month sitting)and short-term(daily sitting assessed on 5 consecutive days)single-item measures were used to assess self-reported occupational sitting time.Values from each participant were compared to objectively measured occupational sitting time assessed via thigh-mounted accelerometers,with Spearman’s rho(r)used to assess validity and the Bland-Altman method used to evaluate agreement.Coefficients of variation depicted day-to-day variability of time spent on sitting at work.Results:In the total study sample,the results showed that both long-term and short-term recall correlated with accelerometer-derived sitting time(r=0.532,95%confidence intervals(CI):0.336
0.684,p<0.001;r=0.533,95%CI:0.449
0.607,p<0.001,respectively).Compared to objectively measured sitting time,self-reported occupational sitting time was 2.4%(95%CI:
0.5%to 5.3%,p=0.091)and 2.2%(95%CI:0.7%
3.6%,p=0.005)greater for long-term and short-term recall,respectively.The agreement level was within the range
21.2%to 25.9%for long-term recall,and
24.2%to 28.5%for short-term recall.During a 5-day work week,day-to-day variation of sitting time was 9.4%§11.4%according to short-term recall and 10.4%§8.4%according to accelerometry-derived occupational sitting time.Conclusion:Overall,both long-term and short-term self-reported instruments provide acceptable measures of occupational sitting time in an office-based workplace,but their utility at the individual level is limited due to large variability.

Empowering youth sport environments: Implications for daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and adiposity

Background: Evidence suggests involvement in youth sport does not guarantee daily guidelines for moderate-to-vigorous physical activity(MVPA) are met, and participation may not mitigate the risks associated with physical inactivity. The need to promote higher habitual MVPA engagement amongst children active in the youth sport context has therefore been underlined. Framed by self-determination theory, the aim of the present study was to examine the implications of the motivational climate created in youth sport, for children's daily engagement in MVPA and associated adiposity. Specifically, we sought to test a motivational sequence in which children's perceptions of an empowering coach-created motivational climate were related to autonomous and controlled motivation, which in turn predicted sport-related enjoyment. Finally, enjoyment was assumed to predict accelerometer assessed daily MVPA and, following this, adiposity.Methods: Male and female youth sport participants aged 9–16 years(n = 112) completed multi-section questionnaires assessing their perceptions of the motivational climate created in youth sport(i.e., autonomy supportive, task involving, socially supportive), autonomous and controlled motivation, and sport-related enjoyment. Daily MVPA engagement was determined via 7 days of accelerometry. Percent body fat(BF%) was estimated using bio-electrical impedance analysis.Results: Path analysis revealed perceptions of an empowering motivational climate positively predicted players' autonomous motivation, and in turn, sport-related enjoyment. Enjoyment was also significantly negatively related to players' BF%, via a positive association with daily MVPA.Conclusion: Fostering more empowering youth sport environments may hold implications for the prevention of excess adiposity, through encouraging higher habitual MVPA engagement. Findings may inform the optimal design of youth sport settings for MVPA promotion, and contribute towards associated healthy weight maintenance amongst youth active in this context. Longitudinal and intervention studies are required to confirm these results.

Movement behaviors and their association with depressive symptoms in Brazilian adolescents:A cross-sectional study

Background:Physical activity,sleep,and sedentary behaviors compose 24-h movement behaviors and have been independently associated with depressive symptoms.However,it is not clear whether it is the movement behavior itself or other contextual factors that are related to depressive symptoms.The objective of the present study was to examine the associations between self-reported and accelerometer-measured movement behaviors and depressive symptoms in adolescents.Methods:Cross-sectional data from 610 adolescents(14-18 years old)were used.Adolescents answered questions from the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale and reported time spent watching videos,playing videogames,using social media,time spent in various physical activities,and daytime sleepiness.Wrist-worn accelerometers were used to measure sleep duration,sleep efficiency,sedentary time,and physical activity.Mixed-effects logistic regressions were used.Results:Almost half of the adolescents(48%)were classified as being at high risk for depression(score≥20).No significant associations were found between depressive symptoms and accelerometer-measured movement behaviors,self-reported non-sport physical activity,watching videos,and playing videogames.However,higher levels of self-reported total physical activity(odd ratio(OR)=0.92,95%confidence interval(95%CI):0.86-0.98)and volume of sports(OR=0.88,95%CI:0.79-0.97),in minutes,were associated with a lower risk of depression,while using social media for either 2.0-3.9 h/day(OR=1.77,95%CI:1.58-2.70)or>3.9 h/day(OR=1.67,95%CI:1.10-2.54),as well as higher levels of daytime sleepiness(OR=1.17,95%CI:1.12-1.22),were associated with a higher risk of depression.Conclusion:What adolescents do when they are active or sedentary may be more important than the time spent in the movement behaviors because it relates to depressive symptoms.Targeting daytime sleepiness,promoting sports,and limiting social media use may benefit adolescents.

Salsa dance and Zumba fitness: Acute responses during community-based classes

Background： Research interest in both partnered Latin dance and non-partnered Latin-themed aerobic dance has increased in recent years, likely a result of the gaining popularity of these types of instructor-led group classes among the mainstream dance and fitness audiences; however, the efficacy of these activities for the purposes of health promotion currently remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to simultaneously assess the physiological responses and psychological experiences during salsa dance and Zumba fitness in a community sample of physically inactive women. Methods： Twenty-four participants, aged 22-56 years, visited the laboratory to perform a graded exercise test for determination of maximal oxygen uptake and maximal heart rate. The participants then attended 2 partnered salsa dance and 2 non-partnered Zumba fitness classes each in a counterbalanced order over a 2-week period. The 1-h classes were taught by certified instructors in established venues in the Royal Borough of Kingston and the surrounding communities of London, UK. Physiological data were collected using a wrist-worn ActiGraph wGT3X＋ acceler- ometer with accompanying heart rate monitor and were processed using previously validated dance-specific techniques. Psychological experiences were measured via the Subjective Exercise Experiences Scale. Results： There was a significantly higher （p 〈 0.001） total time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity （51.2± 3.1 vs. 32.6 ±5.9 min）, total energy expenditure （411±66 vs. 210 ± 46 kcal）, and total step count （6773 ± 556 vs. 4108 ±781 steps） during Zumba fitness when compared to salsa dance. Significant pre- to post-class improvements in positive well-being （p 〈 0.01, partial 7/2 = 0.4l） and psychological distress （p 〈 0.001, partial 02 = 0.72） were simultaneously observed for both salsa dance and Zumba fitness. Conclusion： The acute responses to classes of partnered Latin dance and non-partnered Latin-themed aerobic dance suggest that in physically inactive women participation is indeed efficacious in terms of community-based physical activity and psychosocial health promotion.

Segmented sedentary time and physical activity patterns throughout the week from wrist-worn ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometers among children 7-12 years old

Background:This study examined the volume and patterns of physical activity(PA) and sedentary time(ST) across different segments of the week among boys and girls.Methods:A total of 188 children aged 7-12 years wore a wrist-mounted ActiGraph GT3 X+accelerometer for 7 days.Time spent in PA and ST was calculated using ActiLife software.The mean number of minutes of light PA,moderate PA,vigorous PA,moderate-to-vigorous PA(MVPA),and ST were calculated per weekday(before school,during school,and after school) and per weekend day(morning and afternoon-evening).Results:After school represented the greatest accumulation of ST compared with before school and during school segments.Boys engaged in225.4 min/day of ST(95% confidence interval(CI):216-235),and girls engaged in 222.2 min/day of ST(95%CI:213-231).During school,boys engaged in significantly more MVPA than girls(46.1 min/day(95%CI:44-48) vs.40.7 min/day(95%CI:39-43)).Across the whole weekday,boys participated in significantly more MVPA than girls(103.9 min/day(95%CI:99-109) vs.95.7 min/day(95%CI:90-101)).The weekend afternoon—evening segment represented the larger accumulation of ST,where boys were significantly more sedentary than girls(367.5 min/day(95%CI:353-382) vs.339.8 min/day(95%CI:325-355),respectively).Conclusion:Our findings suggest that children are highly sedentary and spend little of their time in school in MVPA,especially girls.Routine breaks in school elicit increases in light PA and MVPA.Future work should consider the use of more active breaks within school time to encourage PA and reduce ST.

The built environment correlates of objectively measured physical activity in Norwegian adults:A cross-sectional study

Background: Built environments that are designed to provide accessible, attractive, and convenient locales promote regular physical activity(PA).Norway has great variability in its geographic, natural, and built environment features. Urban areas have well-developed built environment features, whereas the rural areas are less walkable and this may influence the mode of transport. In general, active transport is more common in urban centers. Further, public transportation is more developed in urban areas, whereas motorized transport may be more widespread in the rural areas. Despite this, in Sogn & Fjordane, a rural county in western Norway, high PA levels are frequently observed. Thus, the aims of this study were to(1) explore perceived built environment features and characterize their associations with objectively measured PA levels in Norwegian adults and(2) explore the differences in these correlates between Sogn & Fjordane and the rest of Norway.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, participants used questionnaires to rate perceptions of their built environments, and their PA was objectively measured for 7 consecutive days using the Acti Graph GT1 M accelerometer. There were 972 Norwegian adults who were included in the study. The average age was 46.9 ± 6.5 years and 43.8% of participants were men. Data were analyzed using multiple linear regression.Results: Total PA and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity(MVPA) were both associated with perceived walkability, the community perception score, and active transport for commuting(all p ≤ 0.004). We also observed geographic-area-specific associations: the community perception score was negatively associated with total PA and MVPA in the rest of Norway(p ≤ 0.012) but not in Sogn & Fjordane. Public transport for commuting was positively associated with MVPA in Sogn & Fjordane(p = 0.03) but not in the rest of Norway.Conclusion: Total PA level and MVPA were associated with built environment factors, such as perceptions of community, perceived walkability,and engaging in active transport for commuting. Geographic differences in the PA correlates were observed, and thus, locally customized environmental population approaches aimed at increasing PA levels may be essential complements to individual behavior and lifestyle strategies.Further, objective measures of Norwegian built environments, such as geographic information system data, and validated walk-and bike-scores would advance the field.

Association of objectively measured physical activity and sedentary time with health-related quality of life in women with fibromyalgia:The al-ándalus project

Purpose: To examine the association of physical activity(PA) intensity levels and sedentary time with health-related quality of life(HRQoL) in women with fibromyalgia and whether patients meeting the current PA guidelines present better HRQoL.Methods: This cross-sectional study included 407 women with fibromyalgia aged 51.4 ± 7.6 years. The time spent(min/day) in different PA intensity levels(light, moderate, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity(MVPA) and sedentary time were measured with triaxial accelerometry. The proportion of women meeting the American PA recommendations(>150 min/week of MVPA in bouts >10 min) was also calculated.HRQoL domains(physical function, physical role, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, emotional role, and mental health), as well as physical and mental components, were assessed using the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey.Results: All PA intensity levels were positively correlated with different HRQoL dimensions(r_(partial) between 0.10 and 0.23, all p < 0.05). MVPA was independently associated with social functioning(p < 0.05). Sedentary time was independently associated with physical function, physical role, bodily pain, vitality, social functioning, and both the physical and mental component summary score(all p < 0.05). Patients meeting the PA recommendations presented better scores for bodily pain(mean = 24.2(95%CI: 21.3-27.2) vs. mean = 20.4(95%CI: 18.9-21.9), p = 0.023)and better scores for social functioning(mean = 48.7(95%CI: 43.9-44.8) vs. mean = 42.3(95%CI: 39.8-44.8), p = 0.024).Conclusion: MVPA(positively) and sedentary time(negatively) are independently associated with HRQoL in women with fibromyalgia. Meeting the current PA recommendations is significantly associated with better scores for bodily pain and social functioning. These results highlight the importance of being physically active and avoiding sedentary behaviors in this population.

A quantification of the treadmill 6-min walk test using the My Wellness Key^(TM) accelerometer

Background： Accelerometers have been suggested to provide additional information during the 6-min walk test which may be useful in evaluating changes in functional exercise capacity. The aim of the study was to identify whether the additional information measured by the My Wellness Key^TM（MWK） accelerometer during a treadmill 6-min walk test（t-6MWT） was related to currently used outcome measures.Methods： Fifteen participants（9 males, 6 females） performed a self-paced t-6MWT. Respiratory gas analysis and walking distance were measured whilst wearing the MWK.Results： A significant correlation was established between activity counts and 6-min walk distance（6MWD）（r=-0.847, p 〈 0.001） yet not 6-min walk work（6MWW）（r=-0.337, p=0.220）. Energy expenditure estimated by the MWK was strongly correlated to 6MWW（r=0.938, p 〈 0.001）but not 6MWD（r=0.477, p=0.072）. The MWK significantly underestimated energy expenditure（36.73, CI=33.9-39.7 kcal） compared to gas analysis（54.35, CI=46.2-61.4 kcal） demonstrating poor agreement between the two analyses（Bias=-17.61 kcal, Limits of agreement=-37.4,t2.2 kcal）. Measurement of time spent undertaking light, moderate, and vigorous physical activity was not significantly different（ p 〉 0.05）between the MWK and gas analysis.Conclusion： Estimated energy expenditure provided by the MWK was strongly correlated to 6MWW; however, MWK underestimated energy expenditure as measured by gas analysis. The MWK may provide outcome data that supplement those currently provided by the 6MWD for functional capacity assessment during the t-6MWT.

What qualifies as rheumatoid arthritis?

Expansion of diagnostic criteria for rheumatoid arthritis and deletion of exceptions increases sensitivity, but at the expense of specificity.Two decades later, modification of criteria included the caveat: "absence of an alternative diagnosis that better explains the synovitis."That puts great faith in the diagnostic skills of the evaluating individual and their perspectives of disease.The major confounding factor appears to be spondyloarthropathy, which shares some characteristics with rheumatoid arthritis.Recognition of the latter on the basis of marginally distributed and symmetrical polyarticular erosions, in absence of axial(odontoid disease excepted) involvement requires modification to avoid failure to recognize a different disease, spondyloarthropathy.Skeletal distribution, pure expression of disease in natural animal models and biomechanical studies clearly rule out peripheral joint fusion(at least in the absence of corticosteroid therapy) as a manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis.Further, such studies identity predominant wrist and ankle involvement as characteristic of a different disease, spondyloarthropathy.It is important to separate the two diagnostic groups for epidemiologic study and for clinical diagnosis.They certainly differ in their pathophysiology.

Characterizing objective and self-report habitual physical activity and sedentary time in outpatients with an acquired brain injury

Outpatients with an acquired brain injury(ABI)experience physical,mental,and social deficits.ABI can be classified into two subgroups based on mechanism of injury:mild traumatic brain injury(mTBI;e.g.,concussion)and other ABI(e.g.,stroke,brain aneurysm,encephalitis).Our understanding of habitual activity levels within ABI populations is limited because they are often collected using self-report measures.The purpose of this study was to,1)describe the habitual activity levels of outpatients with ABI using objective and self-report monitoring,and 2)compare the activity levels of outpatients with mTBI vs.other ABI.Sixteen outpatients with other ABI(mean±standard deviation:[58±13]years,9 females)and 12 outpatients with mTBI([48±11]years,9 females)wore a thigh-worn activPAL 24 h/day(h/day)for 7-days.Outpatients with ABI averaged(6.0±2.3)h/day of upright time,(10.6±2.2)h/day of sedentary time,(5.6±2.7)h/day in prolonged sedentary bouts>1 h,(5960±3037)steps/day,and(11±13)minutes/day(min/day)of moderate-vigorous physical activity(MVPA).There were no differences between activPAL-derived upright,sedentary,prolonged sedentary time,and physical activity between the mTBI and other ABI groups(all,p>0.31).Outpatients with ABI overestimated their MVPA levels(t138 min/week)and underestimated sedentary time(-4.3 h/day)compared to self-report(all,p<0.001).Despite self-reporting high activity levels,outpatients with ABI objectively exhibit highly inactive and sedentary lifestyles.The habitual movement behaviours of our sample did not differ by mechanism of injury(i.e.,mTBI versus other ABI).Targeting reductions in objectively measured sedentary time are needed to progressively improve the habitual movement behaviours of outpatients with ABI.