No abstract

Background: The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to investigate whether bio-behavioural factors are associated with blood pressure and body composition in rural black South African women. Methods: Data were collected on 200 African women living in the Tshino Nesengani (Mukondeleli) village, Limpopo Province using simple anthropometry, blood pressure, and validated self-reported questionnaires for sleep, physical activity, and sugar sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption. Results: Six patterns of SSB consumption were determined by principal component analysis. Regression analysis showed that longer sleep duration (?9 hours/night) was associated with lower systolic and diastolic blood pressures; whilst principal component 2 (beer, wine, and sweetened tea) was associated with higher body mass index. Conclusions: These findings highlight novel bio-behavioural contributors of blood pressure and body anthropometry in rural African women.

Background: Data from empirical investigations on the feasibility and acceptability of using sit-stand desks in an office-based setting in low- and middle-income settings are limited. Objectives: To explore the perceptions of South African office workers towards using height-adjustable sit-stand desks to reduce sitting time during vocational hours. Methods: Self-reported sedentary behaviour and in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted in December 2020. Thematic content analysis approach was used to develop themes. Results: Eleven office workers with a work-time sitting time of 8 (6-8) hours were interviewed (age 40.5 ± 12.6 years), most (91%) were female. The main themes emerged and included: overall impressions of the height-adjustable sit-stand desks; enablers versus barriers to using the desk and readiness to continue using sit-stand desks. Conclusion: The findings of this research add to the evidence on environmental workstation modifications for reducing sedentary behaviour. Further investigations on the efficacy of sit-stand desks are recommended in South African university office workers.

Background: Sedentary behaviour is associated with cardiometabolic diseases amongst office-bound workers, mostly through extended sitting and engaging in low-energy-demanding activities during work hours. The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of standing desks and healthy messages on cardiovascular parameters in a cohort of office-based workers and to explore the perceptions of these workers about the suitability of this intervention to lower occupation-related sedentariness.Methods/design: The protocol will use a mixed-methods study design. Phase 1 of this study is a 12-month, single blinded, randomised controlled trial, which will include baseline, 3-month, 6-month and 12-month post-intervention assessments of plausible cardiometabolic risk biomarkers in office-bound workers at a South African credit and information management company. These biomarkers include anthropometry, sedentary behaviour and physical activity, sleep duration, blood pressure, glucose, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), lipid profile and cardiorespiratory fitness. Participants will be randomised into an intervention or control group. The intervention group will be provided with an adjustable sit–stand desk and receive weekly health-promoting messages for the intervention period. Phase 2 will use focus group discussions conducted post-intervention to explore the study participants’ perceptions of the effectiveness of the intervention. Cardiometabolic risk biomarkers and changes in these variables will be compared between the intervention group and the control group at the four time points using descriptive and inferential statistics.Discussion: Regression analysis will be undertaken to determine the association of cardiometabolic risk biomarkers with cardiometabolic diseases. A thematic content analysis approach will be used to explore emerging themes from focus group discussions.Protocol identification: Pan African Clinical Trial Registry, PACTR201911656014962.

INTRODUCTION:Approximately 33% of undergraduates do not meet physical activity (PA) guidelines and thus may not experience the benefits of PA. Research shows higher levels of intrinsic motivation, addressed within the framework of Self-Determination Theory (SDT), predicts greater levels of adherence to PA. Course-based PA interventions using SDT may facilitate intrinsic motivation among undergraduates. Global health events have led to increased use of online, distance education (DE), courses. DE courses are also a tool for non-traditional students, over 30 years, to earn a degree. DE course-based interventions have shown to effectively promote PA. Research on the need to modify DE PA course-based interventions based on student ages is limited. The aim of the analysis was to assess motivational differences between non-traditional and traditional DE students in a PA course-based intervention. METHODS: Students in a 16-week DE PA course-based intervention completed an online survey as part of ongoing research. Measurements included the BREQ-3 and MPAM-R. BREQ-3 scores range 0 to 4, MPAM-R scores range 1 to 7; higher scores indicate higher levels of motivation. SUMMARY OF RESULTS: Participants' (N=11; 63.6% White) ages ranged from 20 to 47 (30.8±9.7) years, 54.5% were employed full-time. Non-traditional students (n=6) were 37.9±6.9 years, traditional students (n=5) were 22.2±2.2 years. Traditional and non-traditional students scored highest on appearance for the MPAM-R (6.3±.5,3.9±1.2, respectively). Identified Regulation scored highest among traditional and non-traditional students (3.5±.6,2.5±.9, respectively). No significant differences were observed at p-value of 0.05; to examine any potential differences, the p-value was expanded to 0.10. A significant difference was observed (p=0.08) for Identified Regulation. Introjected Regulation was close to significance (p=0.11). No additional differences were observed. CONCLUSION: Results indicate there may not be a difference between traditional and non-traditional DE students' reasons for engaging in PA. It may not be necessary to modify DE coursebased PA intervention based on participant ages. Further research, with a larger sample, on the motivation behind PA behaviors of traditional and non-traditional DE students is warranted. 922Effects Of 6-weeks Of Rpe-based, High-intensity Interval Training On Fitness And Walking In Older Adults.