Adilson Marques

Associations between organized sports participation and objectively measured physical activity, sedentary time and weight status in youth

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to examine whether participation in organized sports is related to achieving physical activity recommendations, body mass index (BMI), objectively measured PA intensity and time spent sedentary. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. METHODS The sample comprised 973 children and adolescents (427 boys, 546 girls) aged 10-18 years (Mage=14.1±2.4). Organized sport was self-reported. Physical activity and time spent in moderate and vigorous intensity PA (MVPA) and sedentary time was assessed with accelerometers. RESULTS More boys (51.3%) than girls (28.3%) reported to be involved in organized sports participation (p<0.001). Those who were engaged in organized sports were more likely to achieve physical activity guidelines (OR=1.64, 95% CI: 1.14-2.35, p<0.01), spent more time in MPA (OR=1.01, 95% CI: 1.01-1.02, p<0.01), VPA (OR=1.09, 95% CI: 1.05-1.13, p<0.001), and MVPA (OR=1.01, 95% CI: 1.01-1.02, p<0.001) than those who did not participate in organized sports. No associations between organised sport participation and time spent sedentary or BMI was observed. CONCLUSIONS Engagement in organized sports is related to higher levels of objectively measured MPA, VPA and achieving the recommended levels of MVPA in youth; however participation in sports appears unrelated to time spent sedentary and BMI. Our results suggest that promoting organised sport may increase physical activity of at least moderate intensity in young people.

Prevalence of physical activity in European adults — Compliance with the World Health Organization's physical activity guidelines

BACKGROUND Adults are recommended to engage in at least 150 min/week of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (PA). PURPOSE This study aimed to examine the level of compliance with PA recommendations among European adults. METHODS Using data from European Social Survey round 6, PA self-report data was collected from 52,936 European adults from 29 countries in 2012. Meeting PA guidelines was assessed using World Health Organization criteria. RESULTS 61.47% (60.77% male, 62.05% female) of European adults reported to be engaged in moderate to vigorous PA at least 30 min on 5 or more days per week. The likelihood of achieving the PA recommended levels was higher among respondents older than 18-24. For those aged 45-64 years the likelihood increased 65% (OR=1.65, 95% CI: 1.51-1.82, p<0.001) and 112% (OR=2.12, 95% CI: 1.94-2.32, p<0.001) for males and females, respectively. Those who were high school graduates were more likely to report achieving the recommended PA levels than those with less than high school education (males: OR=1.19, 95% CI: 1.12-1.27, p<0.001; females: OR=1.13, 95% CI: 1.06-1.20, p<0.001). CONCLUSION Although about 60% of European adults reported achieving the recommended levels of PA, there is much room for improvement among European adults, particularly among relatively inactive subgroups.

Cross-sectional and prospective associations between moderate to vigorous physical activity and sedentary time with adiposity in children.

Background:Physical activity (PA) and sedentary time (SED) have both been suggested as potential risk factors for adiposity in children. However, there is paucity of data examining the temporal associations between these variables.Objective:This study aimed to analyze the cross-sectional and prospective associations between PA, SED and body composition in children.Methods:A total of 510 children (age at baseline 10.1±0.8, age at follow-up 11.8±0.9) from six Portuguese schools from the Oeiras Municipality participated in this study. PA and SED were measured by accelerometry and trunk fat mass (TFM) and body fat mass (BFM) were measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Fat mass index (FMI) was calculated as BFM divided by height squared. Several regression models adjusted for age, sex, maturity status, follow-up duration, baseline levels of the outcome variable and SED or moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) were performed.Results:MVPA (min per day) was cross-sectionally inversely associated with adiposity indexes (FMI, TFM and BFM). Adiposity indexes were inversely associated with time in MVPA. In prospective analyses, MVPA was associated with a lower levels of FMI (β=−0.37, 95% confidence interval (CI): −0.49 to −0.26, P<0.001), TFM (β=−0.20, 95% CI: −0.29 to −0.10, P<0.001) and BFM (β=−0.37, 95% CI: −0.49 to −0.26, P<0.001). When the model was adjusted for age, sex, maturity status and for baseline levels of the outcome variables MVPA remained a significant predictor of lower adiposity indexes (FMI: β=−0.09, 95% CI: −0.16 to −0.01, P<0.05; TFM: β=−0.08, 95% CI: −0.15 to −0.01, P<0.05; BFM: β=−0.07, 95% CI: −0.15 to 0.00, P<0.05). Adiposity was not associated with MVPA when modeled as the exposure in prospective analyses. SED was not related with adiposity indexes, except for the relationship with FMI.Conclusions:In cross-sectional and prospective analyses, MVPA is associated with lower adiposity independent of covariates and SED. Results suggest that promoting MVPA is important for preventing gain in adiposity in healthy children.

Prevalence of barriers for physical activity in adults according to gender and socioeconomic status

The aim of this study was to analyse the prevalence of barriers to physical activity (PA) among adults according to the gender and socioeconomic status (SES). A total of 2236 subjects (927 men, 1309 women) aged between 30 and 50 y (M = 42±5 y) participated in the study. The data was collected through a questionnaire. Qui-square tests were performed to analyse the differences between genders and SES on perceived barriers. Significance level was p <0.05. Only 31% (32% male, 31% female) achieved the current PA recommendation. The most cited barriers were lack of time (55%), costs (20%), the desire to do other things (15%), the failure to consider themselves as athletes (15%) and lack of infrastructures near where they live. All other reasons were mentioned by less than 10% of the individuals tested. Among the most cited barriers, women reported costs more than men (12% male vs 25% female, p<0.001). On the other hand, men reported more often the lack of infrastructures in the neighbourhood (14% male, 9% female, p<0.001). In all of the most cited barriers there were significant differences between subjects with low and high SES. The barriers most associated with prevalence of inactivity among those with low SES were the failure to consider themselves as athletes (p<0.001), the costs (p<0.001), no time to practise (p=0.002) and the lack of infrastructures (p=0.002). The subjects with higher SES cited more often the desire to do other things. Women reported more often the barriers for PA in general, with big prevalence in the costs. Man, who practices informal PA more easily, reported more often the lack of infrastructures in the neighbourhood. Perceived barrier for PA were more prevalent in subjects with low SES. However, lack of time was a barrier most cited by men and women with high or low SES.

The correlates of meeting physical activity recommendations: A population-based cross-sectional study

Abstract The aim of this study was to identify correlated factors which explain the recommended level of leisure time physical activity (LTPA) among Portuguese adults. Subjects aged 31–60 years (972 males, 1195 females) were categorized, based on LTPA data obtained using a questionnaire, into two groups according to the PA recommendation for PA:≥10 or <10 MET·hr·wk−1. Chi-square and logistic regression analyses were applied to the results. For men, the perception of an active lifestyle [odds ratio (OR) = 4.61, 95% CI:3.13–6.81, p <0.001], having an excellent perception of health (OR = 3.14, 95% CI:1.28–7.71, p =0.013), perception of being sufficiently active (OR = 2.16, 95% CI:1.53–3.05, p <0.001), and having a high socio-economic status (SES) (OR = 1.86, 95% CI:1.22–2.81, p =0.004) were associated with attaining the recommended level of PA. For women, the perception of an active lifestyle (OR = 3.68, 95% CI:2.63–5.15, p <0.001), and middle SES (OR = 1.50, 95% CI:1.07–2.11, p =0.018) were positive and associated with meeting PA recommendations. Unlike men, women with body mass index (BMI) 25–29.9 kg/m2 were more likely to attain the recommended level of PA than those with BMI <25 kg/m2. The incidence of adults that met the recommended amount of PA is low. Men and women had different patterns of psychological and socio-demographic correlates. An intervention designed to improve the levels of PA among Portuguese adults may take these correlates into account.

Correlates of urban children's leisure-time physical activity and sedentary behaviors during school days

Understanding correlates of physical activity and sedentary behaviors may contribute to fostering active lifestyles. This study aimed to identify correlates of physical activity and sedentary behaviors in leisure‐time among Portuguese urban children, during school days.

Patterns of Play in the Counterattack of Elite Football Teams - A Mixed Method Approach

This study aimed to detect and analyse regular patterns of play in football teams during their offensive phase, through the combination of the sequential analysis technique and semi-structured interviews of experienced first League Portuguese coaches. The sample included 36 games (12 per team) of the F.C. Barcelona, Internazionalle Milano, and Manchester United teams that were analysed through sequential analysis with the software SDIS-GSEQ. Based on the detected patterns, semi-structured interviews were carried out with 8 expert high-performance football coaches. Data were analysed through the content analysis technique using the software Nvivo 9. The detected patterns of play revealed specific characteristics of different philosophies of play. Through the performed content analysis we could observe that coaches interpreting play patterns mainly based their opinions on tactical-strategic and tactical-technical aspects, and on the characteristics of the players on their team. On the other hand, consideration was given to three of the main evolutionary trends of play/soccer practice, which focus on the development of exercises that cover: i) the connection between the four play moments (offensive/defensive organization and transitions); ii) the pre-programmed ball possession recovery; iii) the execution of set pieces.

Cross-sectional and prospective impact of reallocating sedentary time to physical activity on children's body composition.

The amount of time children spend in sedentary behaviours may have adverse health effects.

Associations between physical activity and self-rated wellbeing in European adults: A population-based, cross-sectional study.

Although self-rated wellbeing is an indicator of health status, it has been receiving little attention; its relationship with physical activity among adults remains inconclusive. The purpose of this study was to analyse the relationship between physical activity and several dimensions of self-rated wellbeing in European adults. This cross-sectional study was based on data from the European Social Survey round 6, 2012, comprising 40,600 European adults (18,418 men, 22,186 women) from 27 countries, with mean age 42.1±13.3. Meeting physical activity guidelines was assessed using World Health Organization criteria. Six dimensions of the self-rated wellbeing were assessed (evaluative wellbeing, emotional wellbeing, functioning, vitality, community wellbeing, supportive wellbeing). Men and women who attained physical activity recommended levels had better evaluative wellbeing (men, p=0.009; women, p<0.001), emotional wellbeing (men, p<0.001; women, p<0.001), functioning (men, p<0.001; women, p<0.001), vitality (men, p<0.001; women, p<0.001), supportive relationships (men, p<0.001; women, p<0.001), and wellbeing total score (men, p<0.001; women, p<0.001). Physical activity frequency was linearly associated with self-rated wellbeing in the 6 dimensions as well as the wellbeing total score (p<0.001). Attaining recommended physical activity levels is related to better self-rated wellbeing, and more frequent physical activity is linearly associated with better self-rated wellbeing in its 6 dimensions.

Trends and correlates of overweight and Obesity among adolescents from 2002 to 2010: A three-cohort study based on a representative sample of Portuguese adolescents

To report the prevalence and factors associated with overweight/obesity in a representative sample of Portuguese adolescents, from three different cohorts.