HEPA Research Digest: September 2014

Each month I will review a range of journals, articles and research papers from the previous month. I will include those that I think are relevant to students and professionals interested in the area of Health, Exercise and Physical Activity (HEPA). Content is largely based on peer-reviewed findings but will also include links to blogs and videos that have come to my attention in the previous month. If you think you have seen something that might be of interest then please let me know at bjane@marjon.ac.uk or @benjanefitness.

Physical Activity and Health

Westgarth, C., Christley, R. M., & Christian, H. E. (2014). How might we increase physical activity through dog walking?: A comprehensive review of dog walking correlates. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 11(1), 83. http://www.ijbnpa.org/content/pdf/1479-5868-11-83.pdf

“There is good evidence that the strength of the dog-owner relationship, through a sense of obligation to walk the dog, and the perceived support and motivation a dog provides for walking, is strongly associated with increased walking. The perceived exercise requirements of the dog may also be a modifiable point for intervention. In addition, access to suitable walking areas with dog supportive features that fulfil dog needs such as off-leash exercise, and that also encourage human social interaction, may be incentivising.”

Flint, E., Cummins, S., & Sacker, A. (2014). Associations between active commuting, body fat, and body mass index: population based, cross sectional study in the United Kingdom. BMJ, 349, g4887.[fulltext]

“Results from multivariate linear regression analyses suggest that, compared with using private transport, commuting by public or active transport modes was significantly and independently predictive of lower BMI for both men and women. In fully adjusted models, men who commuted via public or active modes had BMI scores 1.10 (95% CI 0.53 to 1.67) and 0.97 (0.40 to 1.55) points lower, respectively, than those who used private transport. Women who commuted via public or active modes had BMI scores 0.72 (0.06 to 1.37) and 0.87 (0.36 to 0.87) points lower, respectively, than those using private transport. Results for percentage body fat were similar in terms of magnitude, significance, and direction of effects.

Men and women who commuted to work by active and public modes of transport had significantly lower BMI and percentage body fat than their counterparts who used private transport. These associations were not attenuated by adjustment for a range of hypothesised confounding factors”

BHFNC physical activity and health update [aug 2014]

British Medical Journal a link to the latest edition can be found here

The Lancet a link to the latest edition can be found here

JAMA a link to the latest edition can be found here

Health Education Research a link to the latest edition can be found here

International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition & Physical Activity a link to the latest edition can be found here

BMC Public Health a link to the latest edition can be found here

Health Psychology

Health Psychology Review a link to the latest edition can be found here

Psycho-oncology a link to the latest edition can be found here

Cancer and Physical Activity

Kampshoff, C. S., Jansen, F., van Mechelen, W., May, A. M., Brug, J., Chinapaw, M. J., & Buffart, L. M. (2014). Determinants of exercise adherence and maintenance among cancer survivors: a systematic review. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 11(1), 80. [full text]

“18 studies were included. There was moderate evidence for a positive association between exercise history and exercise adherence. Inconsistent findings were found for age, gender and education as well as for psychological factors such as stage of change, perceived behavioral control, self-efficacy, extraversion, attitude, intention, fatigue, and quality of life, and physical factors including cardiovascular fitness, body mass index, and baseline physical activity.

Exercise history is positively associated with exercise adherence. Future trials should further study the influence of social and environmental determinants on exercise adherence and maintenance in addition to demographic, psychological and physical determinants.”