More Than “Just” Walking: An Observational Study of Dog-Related Physical Activities

Dog ownership has been shown to correlate with physical activity (PA). However, knowledge about the intensities of dog-related PA (drPA) is still lacking. To investigate the duration and intensity of drPA in consideration of PA guidelines, an observational study of dog owners (DO) was conducted. For this purpose, DO were recruited in metropolitan and nonmetropolitan regions of Cologne, Germany. A total of 44 male and female DO (18–64 years) without cardiovascular or cardiopulmonary diseases participated in the study. Validated questionnaires were used to determine the PA profile and relationship of DO to their dog. Participants reported their drPA in an activity diary. Steps were determined by a pedometer. A heart rate (HR) monitor was used to analyze HR and percentage of maximum HR (HRmax) during all drPA. Overall, drPA makes up a large part of the duration of the overall PA recorded. HR and percentage of HRmax were significantly lower during dog walking (DW) than during other drPA. Nearly 90% of DW time was performed at light or very light intensity. No correlation between objectively measured PA and attachment to the dog was found. Two single case analyses show that other drPA reach high intensity levels and thus can be rated as moderate to vigorous intensity activities. The current investigation demonstrates that DW alone is insufficient to reach PA guidelines. Consequently, other drPA might have more beneficial effects than DW. In future investigations, the role of other types of drPA on PA levels needs to be taken into consideration to improve PA status in healthy populations

The perception of the neighborhood environment changes after participation in a pedometer based community intervention

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The aim of this study was to investigate whether the perception of the neighbourhood environment alters when changing the physical activity behaviour through a pedometer intervention.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>The intervention was implemented for 15 weeks in a small village in Germany, and was based on the individual baseline activity level. Eighty-two inhabitants participated in the study and completed an environmental questionnaire before and after the intervention. Results showed that after the intervention the participants perceived a lower distance to local facilities, a higher availability of bike lanes and infrastructures, a better maintenance of infrastructure, a better network and a safer traffic situation.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This suggests that a change in the levels of physical activity merges the levels of exposure to the environment which results in different environmental perceptions.</p

Who uses height-adjustable desks? - Sociodemographic, health-related, and psycho-social variables of regular users

Wallmann-Sperlich B, Bipp T, Bucksch J, Froboese I. Who uses height-adjustable desks? - Sociodemographic, health-related, and psycho-social variables of regular users. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. 2017;14(1): 26

Addressing the pain-points of single-use intensified multi-product downstream and liquid processing in a dancefloor production room layout

The sales of biologics will reach over $300 billion in 2020 and the market continues to have accelerated double-digit growth under the COVID-19 burden, thus biopharmaceutical companies continue to pipeline biologics for a mounting global patient base. Nevertheless, biologics are changing and the needs of their manufacturing are changing with them. Emerging biologics (e.g., antibody–drug conjugates, viral vectors, mRNA, bi/multi-specifics) are coming with complex or lean manufacturing requirements. Additionally, the global market is searching for more affordable & sustainable biologics and biosimilars, creating an increasingly competitive space within the emerging countries who seek to manufacture locally. The BioPhorum Operations Group (BPOG), a cross-industry organization of biopharmaceutical end users and suppliers collected biopharmaceutical industry drivers stating; - 90% reduction in capital expenditure (CAPEX) and manufacturing costs in the next decade. - reduce product changeover times by 90% to improve responses to variability in demand - drive down new facility build times by 70% The question is, how does this translate to actionable and prioritized points of improvement for a biological implementer & supplier to work on? With this general need in mind, combining Design Thinking methodology and insights from single-use biological manufacturing users were gathered through an extended survey with key biopharma industry companies and institutes representing the various user groups. All interviewee responses were populated, to enable the categorization and sorting of distinct user perceptions of likes, pain-points, and benefits. The outcome of the survey was thestarting point to define what are the critical components for a sustainable technology roadmap to address the needs for the rapidly intensifying biologics manufacturing market. In the presented work will be an overview of these validated pain-points, an explanation of the corresponding technology characteristic which address the underlying user need and a journey along the downstream purification steps. The format will be interactive with feedback questions and presentation of anonymous answers from the audience. The presentation will finish with concluding remarks on how sustainable single use processing could benefit the manufacturing of biologics

Socio-demographic, behavioural and cognitive correlates of work-related sitting time in German men and women

Background: Sitting time is ubiquitous for most adults in developed countries and is most prevalent in three domains: in the workplace, during transport and during leisure time. The correlates of prolonged sitting time in workplace settings are not well understood. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the gender-specific associations between the socio-demographic, behavioural and cognitive correlates of work-related sitting time. Methods: A cross-sectional sample of working German adults (n = 1515; 747 men; 43.5 ± 11.0 years) completed questionnaires regarding domain-specific sitting times and physical activity (PA) and answered statements concerning beliefs about sitting. To identify gender-specific correlates of work-related sitting time, we used a series of linear regressions. Results The overall median was 2 hours of work-related sitting time/day. Regression analyses showed for men (β = -.43) and for women (β = -.32) that work-related PA was negatively associated with work-related sitting time, but leisure-related PA was not a significant correlate. For women only, transport-related PA (β = -.07) was a negative correlate of work-related sitting time, suggesting increased sitting times during work with decreased PA in transport. Education and income levels were positively associated, and in women only, age (β = -.14) had a negative correlation with work-related sitting time. For both genders, TV-related sitting time was negatively associated with work-related sitting time. The only association with cognitive correlates was found in men for the belief ‘Sitting for long periods does not matter to me’ (β = .10) expressing a more positive attitude towards sitting with increasing sitting durations. Conclusions: The present findings show that in particular, higher educated men and women as well as young women are high-risk groups to target for reducing prolonged work-related sitting time. In addition, our findings propose considering increasing transport-related PA, especially in women, as well as promoting recreation-related PA in conjunction with efforts to reduce long work-related sitting times

Physical activity and health-related quality of life in chronic low back pain patients: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to identify the relationship of physical activity (PA) and Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in patients suffering from low back pain (LBP). METHODS: The present evaluation was conducted as a cross-sectional study based on baseline data of an randomized controlled trial on the effectiveness of an intervention promoting PA. Patients answered a questionnaire on domain specific PA (GPAQ) and HRQoL (EQ-5D-5 L). Furthermore, sociodemographic and indication-specific variables as well as work-related aspects were assessed. Associations of PA and HRQoL were estimated by means of regression analysis: one regression model only included domain specific PA (model 1) and a second regression model additionally included further variables (model 2). RESULTS: 412 patients completed the questionnaire. Model 1 showed opposed effects of workplace and leisure time PA: while workplace PA showed a negative association (β = −0.064; p = 0.04), a positive association of leisure time PA could be proved (β = 0.068; p = 0.01). Model 2 showed that only the variables “current work ability” (β = −0.030; p < 0.01) and “intensity of pain” (β = 0.104; p < 0.01) significantly contributed to explain the variance in HRQoL (model 2). CONCLUSIONS: The present results indicate the necessity of a differentiation of workplace and leisure time PA in the context of assessing health-enhancing effects of PA in LBP patients. In the context of HRQoL it must be assumed that the relevance of PA might be overestimated. Further research should be performed on predictors of HRQoL and thereby particular attention should be paid on the patients’ work-related and indication-specific aspects

IMPRESSÃO 3D APLICADA À TECNOLOGIA ASSISTIVA

As características de pessoas com necessidades especiais como a paralisia cerebral, limitam movimentos que o indivíduo deveria realizar com facilidade. Devido a isso, para que estas pessoas possam tornar-se mais independentes ao realizar atividades diárias básicas como alimentação e higiene os utensílios precisam ser adaptados para suas particularidades. Porém, devido à baixa capacidade de customização, os métodos tradicionais de fabricação não favorecem estudos relacionados a estas demandas. Por outro lado, a impressão 3D fabrica peças distintas entre si com custos aceitáveis. Essa tecnologia é mais eficaz quando atua em conjunto com ferramentas computacionais como softwares de Desenho e de Engenharia Assistida por Computador (CAD) e (CAE). O objetivo deste trabalho é modelar em software CAD e fabricar por impressão 3D produtos de Tecnologia Assistiva (TA) que auxiliem na vida diária de alunos da Associação de Pais e Amigos dos Excepcionais (APAE) de Xanxerê - SC. Como resultado, tem-se expressiva melhoria na qualidade de vida dos alunos da APAE, aumentando, mantendo ou melhorando as capacidades funcionais das pessoas com deficiência, além da obtenção de parâmetros de projeto adequados, variáveis estas necessárias para a fabricação de componentes através da manufatura aditiva. Os produtos (colheres) desenvolvidos via impressão 3-D apresentam boa resistência, acabamento e melhora na estabilidade de preensão, possibilitando mais autonomia aos usuários durante o processo de alimentação

National, regional, and global trends in insufficient physical activity among adults from 2000 to 2022: a pooled analysis of 507 population-based surveys with 5·7 million participants

Background: Insufficient physical activity increases the risk of non-communicable diseases, poor physical and cognitive function, weight gain, and mental ill-health. Global prevalence of adult insufficient physical activity was last published for 2016, with limited trend data. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of insufficient physical activity for 197 countries and territories, from 2000 to 2022. Methods: We collated physical activity reported by adults (aged ≥18 years) in population-based surveys. Insufficient physical activity was defined as not doing 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity, 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity, or an equivalent combination per week. We used a Bayesian hierarchical model to compute estimates of insufficient physical activity by country or territory, year, age, and sex. We assessed whether countries or territories, regions, and the world would meet the global target of a 15% relative reduction of the prevalence of insufficient physical activity by 2030 if 2010–22 trends continue. Findings: We included 507 surveys across 163 countries and territories. The global age-standardised prevalence of insufficient physical activity was 31·3% (95% uncertainty interval 28·6–34·0) in 2022, an increase from 23·4% (21·1–26·0) in 2000 and 26·4% (24·8–27·9) in 2010. Prevalence was increasing in 103 (52%) of 197 countries and territories and six (67%) of nine regions, and was declining in the remainder. Prevalence was 5 percentage points higher among female (33·8% [29·9–37·7]) than male (28·7% [25·0–32·6]) individuals. Insufficient physical activity increased in people aged 60 years and older in all regions and both sexes, but age patterns differed for those younger than 60 years. If 2010–22 trends continue, the global target of a 15% relative reduction between 2010 and 2030 will not be met (posterior probability <0·01); however, two regions, Oceania and sub-Saharan Africa, were on track with considerable uncertainty (posterior probabilities 0·70–0·74). Interpretation: Concerted multi-sectoral efforts to reduce insufficient physical activity levels are needed to meet the 2030 target. Physical activity promotion should not exacerbate sex, age, or geographical inequalities.publishedVersio