Hourly Five Minute Movements Counteract Lockdown Inactivity

Study finds lockdown restrictions reduced light activity significantly.

The study assessed how the pandemic affected activity levels in people with muscular dystrophy and other inheritable myopathies. Participants were individuals with a wide range of physical abilities - from highly independent to assisted mobility.The sample also included 41 wheelchair users, who are often underrepresented in research.

The researchers state that since the lockdowns have affected the daily routine of many people, the findings could be relevant to adults of various abilities and backgrounds.

Physical Inactivity Increases Risk of Dementia In Those With Genetic Risk Factors
Carriers of a variant of the apolipoprotein E genotype are more likely to develop dementia, but inactivity increases the risk for non-carriers.

‘During lockdown, an extra hour per day of inactivity was detected in disabled and independent adults with neuromuscular diseases’
Read More..

The study used accelerometers to measure physical activity before and during lockdown, which measured intensity of activity, frequency and time in vigorous, moderate, light and inactive categories.

Findings revealed a substantial reduction in intensity of daily activity during lockdown. Participants performed 84.5 minutes per day of light activity on average with a low hourly movement frequency before lockdown. While, during lockdown, light activity decreased by an average of 25 minutes per day and hourly movement frequency reduced by 11% on median.

However, there were no significant changes in moderate and vigorous activity levels during lockdown, which could be explained by low baseline levels in this group.

Physical Inactivity Patterns in Indigenous Xavante Population of Brazil
Physical inactivity is one of the leading contributors of death worldwide as it can aggravate the risk of many chronic diseases.

During lockdown, restrictions on going to work, leisure pursuits and socializing explains the reduction in light activity time and movement frequency. Regular movement and light activity throughout the day have been linked to improved health outcomes, regardless of health conditions. But, since light activity within a daily routine is not exercise-focused, it can be difficult to detect subtle activity losses.

Sarah Roberts-Lewis, study lead, said, "Even people who don't do much exercise have been impacted by lockdown inactivity. During COVID-19 lockdown, our study detected an extra hour per day of inactivity in disabled and independent adults with neuromuscular diseases.”

Fatness is the Cause but Not the Effect of Physical Inactivity
The results of a study indicate that fatness results in physical inactivity, and not the other way around.

She notes that moving less is detrimental to health and reduced activity can be especially harmful for those with neuromuscular conditions, disabilities or advanced age.

The authors suggest people to move their bodies for 5 minutes each hour during the day and spend 30 minutes every day doing some extra light activity, like yoga or chair exercises.

Muscular Dystrophy Givinostat Drug can Help Treat Heart Failure
Givinostat, a drug used for muscular dystrophy ( muscle disorder disease) can also treat diastolic dysfunction (heart relaxation) associated heart failure finds a new study.

Source-Medindia