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Physical Activity and Leisure Engagement amongst Populations with Long-Term Health Conditions

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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Health Behavior, Chronic Disease and Health Promotion".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (29 April 2023) | Viewed by 10851

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Matthew J. Reeves

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Guest Editor

School of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston PR1 2HE, UK
Interests: pediatric physical activity; motor competence; stroke; mental health

Dr. Jonathan Sinclair

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Guest Editor

School of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston PR1 2HE, UK
Interests: biomechanics; finite element analysis; statistical analyses; randomized controlled trials
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The benefits of physical activity for people living with long-term conditions (LTCs) are well-established, though the risks of physical activity for those individuals are less well understood. There are understandable fears of exacerbating symptoms or causing an adverse event and this remains a pervasive barrier. However, a recent consensus statement reported that the benefits of engaging in physical activity outweigh the potential risks in people with long-term health conditions (Reid et al., 2022). Efforts to increase engagement in physical activity amongst populations with LTCs have adopted a range of broad and specific intervention approaches. This special issue calls for papers that conceptually and/or empirically examine important issues of physical activity engagement in populations with LTCs, particularly through multi- and/or inter-disciplinary perspectives and with clear outcomes and/or recommendations for healthcare practitioners. Due to the breadth and complexity of this issue recommended topics may include, but are not limited to the following:

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses specific to one or more LTC;
Psychology;
New technology applications;
Interdisciplinary theoretical integration for physical activity in populations with LTCs;
Community-based (i.e., social prescribing) involvement and interventions;
Marketing and messaging of physical activity intervention/engagement for LTC populations;
Case studies.

Dr. Matthew J. Reeves
Dr. Jonathan Sinclair
Guest Editors

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

physical activity
long-term condition(s)
interventions
co-morbidities
public health
multi- and inter-disciplinary
marketing and messaging
social prescribing

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 747 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Particle Exposure Hazards of Visiting Outdoor Smoking Areas for Patients with Asthma or COPD Even in EU Countries with Comprehensive Smokefree Laws

by Sheila Keogan, Tamara Alonso, Salome Sunday, Joan Hanafin, Olena Tigova, Esteve Fernandez, Maria Jose Lopez, Silvano Gallus, Sean Semple, Anna Tzortzi, Roberto Boffi, Giuseppe Gorini, Angel Lopez-Nicolas, D. K. Arvind, Cornel Radu-Loghin, Joan B. Soriano and Luke Clancy

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(11), 5978; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20115978 - 28 May 2023

Viewed by 2489

Abstract

Smokefree laws are intended to protect against second-hand smoke (SHS) in outdoor areas. We examined if exposure to PM2.5 particles in outdoor smoking areas changed breathing rates in 60 patients with asthma (n = 30) or with COPD (n = 30), in an open, non-randomised, interventional study model in Czechia, Ireland and Spain. The patients wore a PM2.5 particle monitor (AirSpeck) and a breath monitor (RESpeck) for 24 h to determine changes in breathing rates (Br) at rest and during a visit to an outside smoking area. Spirometry and breath CO were measured before and the day after visiting an outdoor smoking area. The PM2.5 levels at the 60 venues were highly variable, ranging from ≥2000 µg/m³ (in 4 premises) to ≤10 µg/m³ (in 3 premises, which had only a single wall in the structure). At 39 venues, the mean PM 2.5 levels were ≥25 µg/m³. The breathing rate changed significantly in 57 of the 60 patients, resulting in an increase in some patients and a decrease in others. Comprehensive smokefree laws were ineffective in protecting asthma and COPD patients from exposure to high levels of SHS in outside areas of pubs and terraces, which should be avoided by these patients. These findings also support the extension of smokefree laws to outside areas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical Activity and Leisure Engagement amongst Populations with Long-Term Health Conditions)

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10 pages, 706 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Research on the Relationship between Physical Literacy, Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior

by Wenjing Yan, Yihan Meng, Lina Wang, Ting Zhang, Leqin Chen and Hongjuan Li

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(24), 16455; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192416455 - 8 Dec 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2513

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, college students’ health-related physical activity and physical literacy aroused widespread concern. This study evaluated the relationship among physical literacy (PL), sedentary behavior (SB), light physical activity (LPA), and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA); we further explored whether LAP and SB mediated the association between PL and MVPA. Methods: This study was based on a cross-sectional survey of Chinese college students. The Perceived Physical Literacy Instrument Scale (PPLI-SC) and International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF) were used to investigate the PL, MVPA, LPA, and SB. Results: There were 2996 valid questionnaires with 829 boys and 2167 girls. The MVPA, LPA, and PL of boys were significantly higher than girls, while the SB values were significantly lower in girls (p < 0.01). The correlation analysis showed that there was a significant correlation between the two indexes except for SB and LPA. Path analysis shows that PL directly, significantly, and positively affects MVPA. PL reduces SB (β = −0.085, p < 0.001) and increases LPA (β = 0.097, p < 0.001). The total mediation effect accounted for 14.014%, and the mediation effects of SB and LPA accounted for 4.417% and 9.597%, respectively. Conclusions: LPA and SB partially mediated the relation between PL and MVPA. SB and LPA partially explain the impact of PL on MVPA. The findings suggest that managing SB and improving LPA could play a significant indirect role in increasing the positive effect of PL on MVPA and that increasing the opportunities for LPA increased the MVPA for Chinese college students. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical Activity and Leisure Engagement amongst Populations with Long-Term Health Conditions)

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15 pages, 1206 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Life and Leisure Activities following Stroke or Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA): An Observational, Multi-Centre, 6-Month Follow-Up Study

by Matthew J. Reeves, Clare Thetford, Naoimh McMahon, Denise Forshaw, Chris Brown, Miland Joshi and Caroline Watkins

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(21), 13848; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192113848 - 25 Oct 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1710

Abstract

Objective: To examine changes in leisure participation following stroke/transient ischaemic attack (TIA) and explore its relationship to modifiable and non-modifiable participant characteristics. Design: An observational study design with self-report questionnaires collected at two time points (baseline and 6-months). Setting: The study was conducted across 21 hospital sites in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Participants: Participants were aged 18+ and had experienced a first or recurrent stroke or TIA and had a post-stroke/TIA modified Rankin score (mRS) of ≤3. Procedure: Research practitioners at each site approached potential participants. Individuals who agreed to participate completed a baseline questionnaire whilst an inpatient or at a first post-stroke/TIA clinic appointment. A follow-up questionnaire was posted to participants with a freepost return envelope. Two questionnaires were developed that collected demographic information, pre-stroke/TIA mRS, social circumstances (e.g., employment situation) and incorporated the shortened Nottingham Leisure Questionnaire (sNLQ). Results: The study recruited eligible participants (N = 3295); 2000 participants returned questionnaires at follow-up. Data showed three participant variables were significant predictors of engagement in leisure activities post-stroke/TIA: age, sex, and deprivation decile. There was an overall decline in the number and variety of leisure activities, with an average loss of 2.2 activities following stroke/TIA. Only one activity, “exercise/fitness” saw an increase in engagement from baseline to follow-up; watching TV remained stable, whilst participation in all other activities reduced between 10% and 40% with an average activity engagement reduction of 22%. Conclusions: Some groups experienced a greater reduction in activities than others—notably older participants, female participants, and those living in a low socioeconomic area. Registration: researchregistry4607. Strengths and limitations of this study: 1. This is the largest-ever study to survey life and leisure activity engagement following stroke/TIA. 2. Survey responses were self-reported retrospectively and, therefore, may have been misreported, or misremembered. 3. Despite the large cohort, there were few participants, and so respondents, from ethnic minority groups. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical Activity and Leisure Engagement amongst Populations with Long-Term Health Conditions)

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10 pages, 700 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Association between Physical Activity and 32 Chronic Conditions among Spanish Adults

by Guillermo F. López Sánchez, Jaime Mendiola Olivares and Alberto M. Torres Cantero

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(20), 13596; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192013596 - 20 Oct 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1646

Abstract

The objective was to analyse the association between physical activity and the risk of suffering from 32 chronic conditions using a large representative sample of Spanish adults. We utilised the dataset of the last edition of the Spanish National Health Survey, which was conducted in the year 2017. This dataset included a total of 23,089 adults between the ages of 15 and 103 years. The average age was 53.4 years (standard deviation 18.9 years). Regarding sex distribution, 54.1% of the participants were females. The instrument used to measure physical activity was the short form of the international physical activity questionnaire. The question used to evaluate if the participants suffered from chronic conditions was “Have you ever been diagnosed with chronic condition?”. This question was asked for 32 different chronic conditions. The association between low levels of physical activity (exposure) and chronic conditions (outcome) was assessed with multivariable logistic regression analyses. The highest prevalence of chronic conditions was found in the group doing less than 600 MET (metabolic equivalent of task)-min/week of physical activity (in 28 of the 32 conditions analyzed). The lowest prevalence was in the group doing at least 1200 MET-min/week (in 30 of the 32). Adjusted multivariable logistic regression analyses showed that less than 600 MET-min/week of physical activity was significantly associated with a higher risk of 19 chronic conditions. All these significant associations, except for hypertension, were also maintained in those doing less than 1200 MET-min/week. In conclusion, higher physical activity is a protective factor against the risk of suffering from chronic conditions, with the lowest prevalence of chronic conditions in people doing more than 1200 MET-min/week. International physical activity guidelines should recommend at least 1200 MET-min/week to prevent the risk of chronic conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical Activity and Leisure Engagement amongst Populations with Long-Term Health Conditions)

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11 pages, 351 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring the Relationship between Physical Activities and Health-Related Factors in the Health-Related Quality of Life among People with Disability in Korea

by Taeeung Kim, So-Youn Park and In-Hwan Oh

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(13), 7839; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19137839 - 26 Jun 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1733

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between modes (e.g., frequency and total time) of physical activity and health-related conditions of disabled people on their health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in Korea. This study is a cross-sectional research funded by the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Data was obtained from the 2017 disability survey. A total of 6549 people with disabilities (Mage = 61.92, SD = 17.36; Male = 55.98%) were analyzed in this study. The higher the frequency of physical activity for the disabled in Korea, the more positive the HRQoL (p < 0.001). Among the elderly disabled, the higher the severity of disability and educational degree, the lower the HRQoL (all p < 0.05). Disabled people who had fewer diseases and lived an independent socio-economic and cultural life had a higher HRQoL (all p < 0.001). This study revealed different dimensions of how health-related factors influence the quality of life of people with disabilities. More attention should be paid to supporting people in being independent and active, in order to help them maintain a healthy life. Especially, the barriers to physical activity faced by disabled people are multi-layered and multifaceted. Increasing the frequency of physical activity for disabled people is not only beneficial for their physical function, but also for their HRQoL. This study enables welfare promotion for disabled people through various policies and incentives. Further, this will be an opportunity to reduce the socio-economic burden on medical and health-related services related to the disabled population. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical Activity and Leisure Engagement amongst Populations with Long-Term Health Conditions)

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