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Quarantine periods change routines and behaviors with potential impact on different health outcomes. To determine the association between changes in physical activity and sedentary behaviors with changes in back pain during the COVID-19 pandemic quarantine among Brazilian adults. This was a nationwide survey through online questionnaires using data from 43,062 adults (≥ 18 years of age). Information on back pain was assessed using questions about episodes of back pain and worsening symptoms during the quarantine. The pattern of movement behaviors adopted before and during the pandemic were considered for physical inactivity (< 150 min/week of activity), high TV-viewing (≥ 4 h/d), and high computer/tablet use (≥ 4 h/d). Covariates included sex, age group, academic achievement, skin color, working status during the quarantine, and adherence to the quarantine. Logistic regression models were used for statistical analyses (weighted for national representativity). Becoming inactive (OR=1.76, 95% CI: 1.32, 2.37), with high TV-viewing (OR=1.35, 95% CI: 1.14, 1.61) and high computer/tablet use (OR=1.39, 95% CI: 1.11, 1.73) during the pandemic were associated with a higher incidence of back pain. The incidence of physical inactivity was also associated with increased back pain (OR=2.71, 95%CI: 1.64, 4.48). We conclude that increased physical inactivity and sedentary behaviors due to the COVID-19 pandemic quarantine are associated with the incidence and worsening symptoms of back pain among Brazilian adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the mediating role of social network size and perceived quality in the associations of physical activity with quality of life and depressive symptoms in middle-aged and older adults. We analyzed information of 10,569 middle-aged and older adults from waves 2 (2006–2007), 4 (2011–2012), and 6 (2015) of the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe study (SHARE). Data on physical activity (moderate and vigorous intensities), social network (size and quality), depressive symptoms (EURO-D scale), and quality of life (CASP) were self-reported. Sex, age, country of residency, schooling, occupational status, mobility, and baseline values of the outcome were used as covariates. We created mediation models to test the mediating effect of social network size and quality in the association between physical activity and depressive symptoms. Social network size partly mediated the association between vigorous physical activity and depressive symptoms (7.1%; 95%CI: 1.7–12.6) as well as the association between moderate (9.9%; 1.6–19.7) and vigorous (8.1%; 0.7–15.4) physical activity and quality of life. Social network quality did not mediate any of the associations tested. We conclude that social network's size, but not satisfaction, mediates part of the association of physical activity with depressive symptoms and quality of life in middle-aged and older adults. Future physical activity interventions among middle-aged and older adults should consider increasing social interactions to facilitate benefits for mental health-related outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Our aim was to analyze the association of self-reported mentally-passive and mentally-active sedentary behaviors with different patterns (bouts and breaks) of device-measured sedentary time in adolescents. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 375 adolescents (177 boys) aged 1015 years. Total time, bouts and breaks of sedentary time were measured through accelerometers. Self-reported sedentary behavior in different activities was summed and divided into mentally-active (playing electronic games, studying and reading) and mentally-passive (watching TV, watching DVD, and using computer for leisure). Bayesian linear regression models were used for association analyses. Results: Only mentally-passive sedentary behaviors were positively associated with longer bouts [1-4 minutes: mean posterior distribution: -0.431 (95% credible interval: -0.745 to -0.114); =15 minutes: 0.641 (0.122 to 1.222)] and lower number of breaks [-0.138 (-0.228 to -0.044)] of device-measured sedentary time. Conclusion: Self-reported mentally-passive sedentary behaviors are associated with longer bouts and lower breaks of device-measured sedentary time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hip muscle weakness and altered hip biomechanics during walking are often observed in people with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome, although little is known about biomechanics during higher impact tasks. The aim of our study was to explore relationships between hip muscle strength and hip biomechanics during running in people with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome, including exploring sex as an effect-modifier of this relationship. Forty-two adults with unilateral femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (20 females; age 18-50 years; alpha angle ≥60°) completed assessments of hip muscle strength and hip biomechanics during running. Strength was assessed using a hand-held dynamometer for the hip flexors, extensors, abductors, adductors, internal rotators, and external rotators. Hip biomechanics were assessed during overground running (3–3.5 m/s) using three-dimensional motion capture and a force plate. Linear models assessed the relationships between hip strength and hip biomechanics of the symptomatic limb, controlling for body mass and running velocity along with an interaction term (strength*sex). A significant negative relationship was observed between hip external rotator strength and hip frontal plane range of motion (i.e., excursion), independent of sex (estimate = −0.039, 95%CI −0.071 to −0.008, P = 0.02). Four sex-specific interactions were observed, with a significant positive relationship between hip external rotator strength and peak hip extension moment in women (estimate = −0.413, 95%CI −0.713 to −0.114, P = 0.01) but not in men. We found significant relationships between hip external rotator strength and stance phase running biomechanics, providing further understanding on two impaired physical measures that may inform exercise-based management strategies in femoroacetabular impingement syndrome. • Hip weakness and altered movement exist with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome. • Associations between muscle strength and running biomechanics were explored. • Stronger hip external rotators were associated with less hip frontal plane motion. • Significant sex-specific interactions were observed in some associations. • Our results may help to inform exercise-based management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Physical inactivity and sedentary behavior are major concerns for public health. Although global initiatives have been successful in monitoring physical activity (PA) worldwide, there is no systematic action for the monitoring of correlates of these behaviors, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Here we describe the prevalence and distribution of PA domains and sitting time in population sub-groups of six south American countries. Methods: Data from the South American Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior Network (SAPASEN) were used, which includes representative data from Argentina (n = 26,932), Brazil (n = 52,490), Chile (n = 3719), Ecuador (n = 19,851), Peru (n = 8820), and Suriname (n = 5170). Self-reported leisure time (≥150 min/week), (≥150 min/week), transport (≥10 min/week), and occupational PA total (≥10 min/week), as well as sitting time (≥4 h/day) were captured in each national survey. Sex, age, income, and educational status were exposures. Descriptive statistics and harmonized random effect meta-analyses were conducted. Results: The prevalence of PA during leisure (Argentina: 29.2% to Peru: 8.6%), transport (Peru: 69.7% to Ecuador: 8.8%), and occupation (Chile: 60.4 to Brazil 18.3%), and ≥4 h/day of sitting time (Peru: 78.8% to Brazil: 14.8%) differed widely between countries. Moreover, total PA ranged between 60.4% (Brazil) and 82.9% (Chile) among men, and between 49.4% (Ecuador) and 74.9% (Chile) among women. Women (low leisure and occupational PA) and those with a higher educational level (low transportation and occupational PA as well as high sitting time) were less active. Concerning total PA, men, young and middle-aged adults of high educational status (college or more) were, respectively, 47% [OR = 0.53 (95% CI = 0.36–0.78), I2 = 76.6%], 25% [OR = 0.75 (95% CI = 0.61-0.93), I2 = 30.4%] and 32% [OR = 0.68 (95% CI = 0.47-1.00), I2 = 80.3%] less likely to be active. Conclusions: PA and sitting time present great ranges and tend to vary across sex and educational status in South American countries. Country-specific exploration of trends and population-specific interventions may be warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]