Chelsea Joyner

Multimorbidity, mortality, and physical activity.

Objectives Multimorbidity and physical inactivity are individually associated with increased mortality risk, but the possibility for physical activity to moderate the multimorbidity–mortality relationship has yet to be investigated. Methods Data from the 1999–2006 NHANES were employed, with 16,091 participants constituting the analytic sample. Participants were followed through 2011, including a median follow-up of 99 months. Physical activity was assessed via self-report with multimorbidity assessed from physician diagnosis. Results After adjustment, for every 1 morbidity increase, participants had a 23% increased risk of all-cause mortality (HR = 1.23; 95% CI: 1.19–1.28; p < 0.001). Multimorbidity mostly remained associated with all-cause mortality across all levels of physical activity, with the exception of those achieving four times the dose of the government guidelines. Discussion With the exception of those who engaged in high levels of self-reported physical activity, physical activity had a minimal effect on the multimorbidity–mortality relationship.

Meeting Sleep Guidelines Is Associated With Better Health-Related Quality of Life and Reduced Premature All-Cause Mortality Risk

Purpose: To examine whether meeting sleep guidelines (7-9 hours/night) is associated with better health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and reduced all-cause mortality risk. Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting: 2005 to 2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Participants: A total of 13 423 adults. Measures: Sleep duration and HRQOL were assessed from self-report; covariates assessed via survey, examination, and laboratory data; and mortality assessed through 2011 via matching from the National Death Index. Analysis: Cox proportional hazard regression and ordinal logistic regression. Results: After adjusting for age, gender, race–ethnicity, body mass index, education, smoking, white blood cell level, iron level, red blood cell distribution width, mean platelet volume, blood pressure, diabetes, coronary artery disease, physical activity, and depression, those meeting sleep guidelines had an 19% reduced risk of premature all-cause mortality (hazard ratio = 0.81; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.67-0.99; P = .04). After adjustments, those meeting sleep guidelines had better HRQOL (β = −0.30; 95% CI: −0.38 to −0.21; P < .001). Results for the ordinal regression and Cox proportional analyses were similar in unadjusted and minimally adjusted models. Conclusion: Obtaining optimal levels of sleep is associated with better HRQOL and reduced premature mortality risk, independent of demographic, behavioral, and biological conditions. These findings underscore the importance of achieving optimal levels of sleep.

Cardiovascular disease biomarkers on cognitive function in older adults: Joint effects of cardiovascular disease biomarkers and cognitive function on mortality risk

Previous research demonstrates an inverse association between age and cardiovascular disease (CVD) biomarkers with cognitive function; however, little is known about the combined associations of CVD risk factors and cognitive function with all-cause mortality in an older adult population, which was the purpose of this study. Data from the 1999-2002 NHANES were used (N=2,097; 60+yrs), with mortality follow-up through 2011. Evaluated individual biomarkers included mean arterial pressure (MAP), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP), HDL-C, total cholesterol (TC), A1C, and measured body mass index (BMI). Cognitive function was assessed using the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST). Further, 4 groups were created based on CVD risk and cognitive function. Group 1: high cognitive function and low CVD risk; Group 2: high cognitive function and high CVD risk; Group 3: low cognitive function and low CVD risk; Group 4: low cognitive function and high CVD risk. An inverse relationship was observed where those with more CVD risk factors had a lower (worse) cognitive function score. Compared to those in Group 1, only those in Group 3 and 4 had an increase mortality risk.

Source and Size of Emotional and Financial-Related Social Support Network on Physical Activity Behavior Among Older Adults

OBJECTIVE To examine the association of source of emotional- and financial-related social support and size of social support network on physical activity behavior among older adults. METHODS Data from the 1999-2006 NHANES were used (N = 5616; 60 to 85 yrs). Physical activity and emotional- and financial-related social support were assessed via self-report. RESULTS Older adults with perceived having emotional social support had a 41% increased odds of meeting physical activity guidelines (OR = 1.41; 95% CI: 1.01-1.97). The only specific sources of social support that were associated with meeting physical activity guidelines was friend emotional support (OR = 1.19; 95% CI: 1.01-1.41) and financial support (OR = 1.28; 95% CI: 1.09-1.49). With regard to size of social support network, a dose-response relationship was observed. Compared with those with 0 close friends, those with 1 to 2, 3 to 4, 5, and 6+ close friends, respectively, had a 1.70-, 2.38-, 2.57-, and 2.71-fold increased odds of meeting physical activity guidelines. There was some evidence of gender- and age-specific associations between social support and physical activity. CONCLUSIONS Emotional- and financial-related social support and size of social support network are associated with higher odds of meeting physical activity guidelines among older adults.

Accelerometer-determined physical activity and mortality in a national prospective cohort study: Considerations by visual acuity.

BACKGROUND Previous research demonstrates that visual impairment (VI) is associated with increased all-cause mortality risk and is also associated with reduced physical activity participation. Although physical activity is reduced among those with VI, no studies have examined the relationship between physical activity and all-cause mortality across different visual function statuses, which is noteworthy of investigation as physical activity is linked with greater survival. METHODS Data from the 2003-2006 NHANES were employed, with physical activity assessed via accelerometry and visual function assessed using the ARK-760 autorefractor. RESULTS For those with normal vision, and after adjustments, for every 60min increase in physical activity, normal-sighted adults had an 18% (HR=0.82; 95% CI: 0.72-0.93) reduced risk of all-cause mortality. Similarly, after adjustments and for every 60min increase in physical activity for those with uncorrected refractive error and VI, respectively, there was a 15% (HR=0.85; 95% CI: 0.72-1.00) and 35% (HR=0.65; 95% CI: 0.43-0.98) reduced risk of all-cause mortality. Among all three visual status groups, sedentary behavior was not associated with mortality status. CONCLUSION Among those with varying degrees of visual loss, sedentary behavior was not associated with mortality, but physical activity demonstrated survival benefits.

Longitudinal Effects of Personality on Physical Activity Among College Students: Examining Executive Function as a Potential Moderator:

Objective The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between personality and physical activity, with a specific focus on whether executive function moderates this relationship. Methods One hundred twenty-six young adults provided complete data at baseline and the five-month follow-up assessment. Executive function was assessed via the parametric Go/No-Go computer task; outcome measures of parametric Go/No-Go were mean reaction time and percent of correct target detection across executive function tasks (simple rule and repeating rule). Personality and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity were assessed via validated questionnaires; one-week test–retest was established on a random sample of the participants, with pedometry employed in the subsample. Results Individuals with a higher baseline conscientiousness personality type had greater five-month follow-up moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (β = 18.5; 95% confidence interval: 5.3, 31.7; p = .006). There was no evidence of an interaction effect for personality trait and executive function on five-month follow-up moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Conclusion The personality trait conscientiousness was associated with greater moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. However, there was no evidence to suggest that executive function moderates the role between personality and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Thus, if confirmed by future work, personality may exert its effects on moderate-to-vigorous physical activity independent of executive function level.

Interrelationships Between Personality, Executive Function and Physical Activity -

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the interrelationships between personality, executive function (EF) and physical activity. Methods: Multivariable regression analyses examined the association between personality, executive function, and physical activity. Results: The personality trait agreeableness was positively associated with the percent of correct target detection for the Repeating Rule (β = 0.57; 95% CI: 0.09-1.04; P=0.01) and Stop Sign Rule (β = 0.57; 95% CI: 0.10-1.05; P=0.01) from an EF assessment. Mean reaction time for the Repeating Rule was inversely associated with moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (β = -1.90; 95% CI: -3.3, -0.4; P=0.01). Conclusion: The personality trait agreeableness was associated with greater EF, and greater EF, in turn, was associated with more MVPA.

The Association of Personality on Anxiety: Moderation Considerations of Physical Activity

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to examine the potential moderating effects of physical activity on the association between personality and anxiety. Methods: Data were collected from 200 University students from October 2015 through June 2016. In order to assess personality, the Neuroticism-Extraversion-Openness Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) questionnaire was utilized. Anxiety was assessed utilizing the 5-item OASIS questionnaire. Physical activity was assessed using the validated International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). A multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between the personality and anxiety. Interaction analyses were computed to see if there was an interaction effect of personality and physical activity on anxiety. Results: Personality traits neuroticism (β= -0.222, 95% CI= 0.176 to 0.269, P=0.0) and openness to experience (β= 0.069, 95% CI= 0.020 to 0.119, P=0.006) were associated with higher levels of anxiety. With regard to our main objective, which was whether MVPA moderated the effects of personality on anxiety, there was no evidence of an interaction effect. Conclusion: Higher MVPA could not counter affect the negative association of neuroticism and openness on anxiety. It is plausible to suggest that personality plays a stronger role in influencing anxiety when compared to physical activity. Targeted anxiety-reducing interventions are needed among certain personality traits.

Relationship Between Objectively Measured Physical Activity, Cardiovascular Disease Biomarkers, and Hearing Sensitivity Using Data From the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003–2006

Purpose Limited research has examined the interrelationships among cardiometabolic parameters, physical activity, and hearing function, which was this studys purpose. Method Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003-2006 were used in the path analyses. Physical activity and hearing function were both objectively measured. Various cardiometabolic parameters were assessed from a blood sample. Adults 30-85 years (N = 1,070) constituted the analytic sample. Results Physical activity was negatively associated with triglycerides (β = -0.11, p < .05) and insulin (β = -0.27, p < .05); triglycerides (β = 0.01, p < .05), and insulin (β = 0.05, p < .05) were positively associated with high-frequency pure-tone average (HPTA). The direct path from physical activity to HPTA was nonsignificant (β = 0.01, p = .99). Conclusion Physical activity was associated with select cardiovascular disease risk factors. Several cardiovascular disease risk factors were associated with hearing function.