Inactivity, Physical

Exercise can reduce the risk of several chronic diseases. However, recent studies have suggested sitting for too long before exercising can decrease exercise benefits. This study will help determine why this may occur.

In this study, the investigators are exploring how a mindfulness-based physical activity program can help improve exercise habits and overall health among 258 inactive Latina women aged 18 to 65. The study will be conducted entirely remotely over and 18 month period. During the first 6 months, all participants will receive an exercise program that has previously been tested by our research team. After 6 months, the investigators will check if participants are meeting the recommended exercise guidelines of at least 150 minutes/week of at least moderate intensity activity. Participants who meet the guidelines will continue with the successful exercise program for another 6 months. For participants who do not meet the guidelines (are exercising less than 150 minutes/week), they will receive one of two enhanced programs, which will be randomly assigned. One program offers additional physical activity support, and the other incorporates stress management through mindfulness techniques. For all participants, over 18 months, the investigators will track physical activity levels, stress, and heart health indicators.

The purpose of this study is to determine how anabolic sensitivity, in response to the ingestion of a liquid protein meal, differs across the lifespan, between biological sexes, and with varying physical activity levels.

Background. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of premature mortality and disability accounting for one third of all deaths worldwide with considerable impacts on economics and on quality of life. Recent studies suggest that a lifestyle intervention might have a role in the reduction of CDV risk. Lifestyle intervention programs typically combine physical activity, diet and behavior modification components. Poor sleep health is highly prevalent in the general population and contributes to increased risk of several noncommunicable diseases. However, sleep is rarely addressed in lifestyle intervention programs in primary prevention. Given the high prevalence of poor sleep health in people without a diagnosed sleep disorder, and the associated health consequences, there is a clear need for broad-reaching, effective interventions to improve sleep quality in subclinical populations. Aims. The main objective of this study is to compare a lifestyle intervention program including a sleep intervention compared to a lifestyle intervention program alone on the health-related quality of life (measured by the EQ-5D-5L) and physical activity levels of non-exercising adults. Methods. Non-exercising adults (n=201) will be recruited in the community via advertisement or their primary care doctor and then randomized to one of the following 3 groups : lifestyle intervention, lifestyle and sleep intervention or standard care. The lifestyle intervention includes a physical activity component (physical activity initiation visit and 6 months of supervised physical activity, once weekly), a diet component (consultation with a dietician and 3 group sessions). The sleep intervention includes individualized face-to-face sessions aimed at improving and optimizing sleep hygiene. At baseline and after 6 and 12 months, quality of life, physical activity levels, cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors will be evaluated. Perspectives. This study should determine whether adding a sleep intervention dimension to a lifestyle intervention program provides significant benefits in terms of quality of life and physical activity levels. Based on this study, the modalities of real-life lifestyle intervention programs could be reconsidered in order to provide optimal primary prevention.