Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Barbara Grant, James Charles, Brendan Geraghty, James Gardiner, Kristiaan D'Aout, Peter L. Falkingham, Karl T. Bates
Summary: This study reveals that the mechanisms contributing to increased energy expenditure on compliant substrates during walking are more complex than previously thought. By analyzing a large dataset and conducting mechanical testing, the researchers propose that increased activity and mechanical work of muscles crossing the hip and knee joints are required to support the changes in joint and spatio-temporal kinematics on compliant substrates.
JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY INTERFACE
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Daniel S. Williams, Anne E. Martin
Summary: This study presents a refined biped model with a finite-time, adaptive double support controller to improve disturbance rejection capabilities. It was found that in approximately half of the cases, the finite-time double support controller increased walking stability of the biped, but did not automatically increase disturbance rejection capabilities. Additionally, the timing and magnitude of perturbations can affect whether a finite-time double support period enhances stability.
JOURNAL OF MECHANISMS AND ROBOTICS-TRANSACTIONS OF THE ASME
(2021)
Article
Geography
Daniel Normark
Summary: This paper explores the significance and characteristics of recreational mobility in a busy street in Stockholm, Sweden. By studying the practice of 'doing-jogging/dog-walking-in-the-city', the authors argue that recreational mobility goes beyond simple walking. It is regarded as the 'othered' in the context of a condensed city, but it also presents an opportunity to better understand mobility in general and poses methodological challenges for studying on-street level mobility.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Y. Cui, M. Russell, M. Davern, H. Christian
Summary: The study found that there was little evidence of significant effects of dog ownership and dog walking on mental health, with a small and non-significant association between weekly minutes of dog walking and stress observed. Further research is needed to confirm longitudinal relationships and investigate other dog-related factors affecting mental health.
JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Hao-Yu Shih, Mandy B. A. Paterson, Fillipe Georgiou, Leander Mitchell, Nancy A. Pachana, Clive J. C. Phillips
Summary: The study found that volunteers' personalities have a significant impact on their interactions with shelter dogs. Neurotic volunteers tended to use more body language and pulled the leash harder, extroverted volunteers praised dogs in a high-pitched voice and had stronger leash tension, while open volunteers were less likely to verbally communicate with dogs.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ross H. Miller, Elizabeth Russell Esposito
Summary: Through computer modeling, it has been found that transtibial limb loss does not directly lead to an increase in metabolic cost of walking. Even when deviations from able-bodied walking mechanics are minimized, the metabolic cost remains the same.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Hyung-Sook Lee, Jin-Gyeoung Song, Jeong-Yeon Lee
Summary: This study examined the relationship between dog attachment, dog walking, and loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic in Korean dog owners. The findings suggest that while dog walking may not directly reduce loneliness, it may indirectly influence loneliness through the mediating factor of dog attachment.
Article
Urban Studies
Xintong Ma, Chi Kwan Chau, Joseph Hung Kit Lai
Summary: Walking has been actively advocated to boost individuals' physical activity levels. Comfort is a major objective for many street design guidelines and walking audit tools. This study aimed to identify the major micro- and built environmental factors influencing pedestrian comfort for recreational walking. The results showed that pedestrian comfort is directly evaluated by satisfaction of built environment, thermal sensation, perceived air quality, and loudness.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Aupal Mondal, Chandra R. Bhat, Meagan C. Costey, Aarti C. Bhat, Teagan Webb, Tassio B. Magassy, Ram M. Pendyala, William H. K. Lam
Summary: This study examines the emotional differences between utilitarian and recreational walking episodes, finding that utilitarian walking episodes evoke fewer positive emotions compared to recreational ones, which are typically conducted in more pleasant environments. Therefore, investments in recreational walking infrastructure and green spaces may encourage higher levels of walking.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zhiyong Wang, Dick Ettema, Marco Helbich
Summary: This study examined how recreational and transportation walking are associated with the environmental characteristics of the living environment in the Netherlands, finding that built and natural environments have different impacts on people's walking habits. Differences in walking-environment associations between weekdays and weekends were also identified, suggesting that place-based policies for designing walking-friendly neighborhoods may need to consider variations in different types of walking activities.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Sarah A. Shull, Sarah K. Rich, Robert L. Gillette, Jane M. Manfredi
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate heart rate changes in dogs during treadmill exercise and compare three collection techniques. The results showed an increase in heart rate during exercise but not significantly reflected post-exercise, with moderate to strong correlations among monitoring options at different timepoints.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Ilaria Baiardini, Salvatore Fasola, Chiara Lorenzi, Nicole Colombo, Matteo Bruno, Stefania La Grutta, Carla Scognamillo, Fulvio Braido
Summary: Low levels of physical activity contribute to worsened physical condition and multimorbidity in Chronic Obstructive Respiratory Disease (COPD). Non-supervised physical activity related to dog ownership can help reduce sedentary behavior. This study investigated the relationship between dog walking, patient-reported outcomes (PROs), and exacerbations in COPD, and found that dog walking can improve health status and quality of life in COPD patients.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Nebojsa Cokorilo, Pedro Jesus Ruiz-Montero, Francisco Tomas Gonzalez-Fernandez, Ricardo Martin-Moya
Summary: The study examined the effects of a 12-week intervention on anthropometric measurements, heart rate variables, fitness index, and VO(2)max in older women. The results showed that Nordic-walking group training resulted in slightly greater benefits compared to recreational-walking group training.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Lars Breum Christiansen, Trine Top Klein-Wengel, Sofie Koch, Jens Hoyer-Kruse, Jasper Schipperijn
Summary: The aim of this study was to explore the diversity in recreational walking motives across different sociodemographic groups and assess recreational walking behavior and preferences for place quality. The results showed that mental and physical well-being were the most prevalent motives for walking, and education level and income were associated with different walking behaviors. Recreational walking often starts away from home and the most frequently reported place qualities were greenery, water, wildlife, good views, and tranquility.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH GEOGRAPHICS
(2023)
Article
Business
Xinyue Hao, Fanglin Chen, Zhongfei Chen
Summary: The study reveals a positive relationship between green innovation and enterprise value, especially in young non-state-owned enterprises, heavy pollution industries, and non-high-tech industries. The improvement of profitability may serve as a key mechanism through which green innovation influences enterprise value.
BUSINESS STRATEGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Andrea Nathan, Emma Adams, Stewart Trost, Donna Cross, Jasper Schipperijn, Matthew McLaughlin, Ashleigh Thornton, Georgina Trapp, Leanne Lester, Phoebe George, Elizabeth Wenden, Hayley Christian
Summary: Early childhood education and care services play a crucial role in promoting daily physical activity for children. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a physical activity policy intervention with implementation support in improving educators' practices and behaviors related to physical activity in ECEC settings.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Melanie Lum, Luke Wolfenden, Jannah Jones, Alice Grady, Hayley Christian, Kathryn Reilly, Sze Lin Yoong
Summary: According to the review, interventions in early childhood education and care settings can improve the physical activity levels of children aged 0-6. However, more systematic review evidence is needed to support the existing recommendations for physical activity practices in these services.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Geography
Pulan Bai, Jasper Schipperijn, Michael Rosenberg, Hayley Christian
Summary: This study used a novel method to investigate the activity levels of preschool children in outdoor play areas in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) centers. The findings showed that children in large-very large ECEC centers were more physically active compared to those in small-medium sized centers. Physical activity hot spots were frequently found in open areas and sometimes in adjacent outdoor play areas. The amount of running space and its location in relation to open areas were important for facilitating physical activity in preschool children.
CHILDRENS GEOGRAPHIES
(2023)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Jacinta Francis, Natalie Strobel, Gina Trapp, Natasha Pearce, Sharmila Vaz, Hayley Christian, Kevin Runions, Karen Martin, Donna Cross
Summary: This systematic scoping review explored the impact of the school built environment on bullying behavior in students. The study identified common bullying locations and features of the built environment associated with bullying. The findings have important implications for anti-bullying policy and practice.
SOCIAL SCIENCE & MEDICINE
(2022)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Alexia Bivoltsis, Hayley Christian, Gina L. Ambrosini, Paula Hooper, Claire E. Pulker, Lukar Thornton, Gina S. A. Trapp
Summary: This study systematically reviewed Australian literature to examine the association between geospatial exposure to food outlets and diet, health, or weight status. The majority of the included articles were from Victoria and used cross-sectional design. The results showed that overall, associations were mainly null for diet, weight status, and health outcomes. The study recommends addressing current knowledge gaps and limitations, improving research quality, and incorporating theoretical models into study design and data analysis. Improving the quality and consistency of research is critical for informing policy and planning aimed at improving the community food environment.
HEALTH PROMOTION JOURNAL OF AUSTRALIA
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Xiwen Qin, Joseph Hung, Matthew W. Knuiman, Tom G. Briffa, Tiew-Hwa Katherine Teng, Frank M. Sanfilippo
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between adherence to renin-angiotensin system inhibitors (RASI) and beta-blockers and long-term outcomes in elderly heart failure patients. The results showed that higher adherence above 60% was associated with a significant reduction in the risk of all-cause death and death/HF readmission at 1 and 3 years. Therefore, improving adherence to these medications can improve long-term outcomes in hospitalized heart failure patients.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Matthew Mclaughlin, Andrea Nathan, Ashleigh Thornton, Jasper Schipperijn, Stewart G. Trost, Hayley Christian
Summary: This study described the adaptations made to the implementation support strategies of the Play Active intervention during scale-up and examined their impact on intervention effectiveness. The results showed that the adaptations primarily focused on the content and delivery mode of the implementation strategies, and most of them had a positive or neutral effect on the intervention effectiveness.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BEHAVIORAL NUTRITION AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
(2023)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Emma K. Adams, Andrea Nathan, Stewart G. Trost, Jasper Schipperijn, Trevor Shilton, Georgina Trapp, Clover Maitland, Ashleigh Thornton, Matthew Mclaughlin, Phoebe George, Elizabeth Wenden, Hayley Christian
Summary: This study examined the effectiveness, implementation, and process outcomes of Play Active, a physical activity policy intervention. The results showed that Play Active significantly improved the implementation of physical activity policies, but did not lead to significant changes in children's physical activity levels. However, Play Active showed high awareness, fidelity, reach, and acceptability among educators and directors. Future research should investigate the effectiveness of Play Active over longer implementation periods and its scalability potential.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BEHAVIORAL NUTRITION AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Andrea Nathan, Jasper Schipperijn, Trina Robinson, Phoebe George, Bryan Boruff, Stewart G. Trost, Hayley Christian
Summary: We explored how parent perceptions of the neighbourhood environment moderate the relationship between objectively measured attributes of the neighbourhood environment and physical activity levels in pre-schoolers. The presence of neighbourhood parks positively influenced energetic play in pre-schoolers when parents perceived good access to services. However, objective measurements of street connectivity were associated with lower levels of energetic play when parents perceived pedestrian and traffic safety to be poor. A better understanding of the parental role in shaping physically active environments for pre-schoolers is crucial for developing targeted interventions.
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Elizabeth J. J. Wenden, Rosa Virgara, Natasha Pearce, Charley Budgeon, Hayley E. E. Christian
Summary: This international scoping review examined the prevalence, content, development, and implementation of early childhood education and care (ECEC)-specific movement behavior policies. The study found that most policies originated in the United States, were subnational, and developed with government, non-government organizations, and ECEC end-users. However, many policies lacked evaluation tools and had not been reviewed since the publication of 24-h movement guidelines.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Phoebe George, Kevin Murray, Hayley Christian
Summary: This study examined the access, use, benefits, and potential negative effects of different types of blue spaces by families with young children. The findings showed that beaches were the most frequently used blue space by families, regardless of distance, and were perceived to promote children's health, development, and environmental awareness. However, blue spaces could also pose potential risks for families with young children.
HEALTH PROMOTION JOURNAL OF AUSTRALIA
(2023)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Anna Henry, Leanne Fried, Andrea Nathan, Gursimran Dhamrait, Bryan Boruff, Jasper Schipperijn, Donna Cross, Ben Beck, Gina Trapp, Hayley Christian
Summary: Child obesity is a serious public health challenge influenced by individual choices and societal and environmental factors. Current Australian government policies need to address the impact of the built environment on child obesity, physical activity, sedentary behavior, and diet more comprehensively, including involving children in policy development and implementing transparent evaluation plans.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ha Trong Nguyen, Hayley Christian, Huong Thu Le, Luke Connelly, Stephen R. Zubrick, Francis Mitrou
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the differential impact of weather conditions on physical activity and sleep time allocation in children and adults. The findings showed that unfavourable weather conditions, such as cold, hot, or rainy weather, led to a reduction in moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity time and an increase in sedentary time for children. However, these weather conditions had little impact on children's sleep time or the time allocation of their parents.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Pulan Bai, Jasper Schipperijn, Michael Rosenberg, Hayley Christian
Summary: This study used a novel device-based method to explore where preschool children engage in physical activity outside of home and childcare settings. By combining accelerometry with geospatial data, this study objectively identified the locations where preschool children engage in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) within and outside of their neighborhood. The findings highlight the importance of local parks and playgrounds as well as the homes of others for preschool children's physical activity.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY & HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Melissa Coci, Julie Saunders, Hayley Christian
Summary: This qualitative study explored the barriers and motivators to preschoolers playing with their dog and participating in family dog walks. Factors influencing preschoolers' involvement with their dog and dog walks included parental attachment to the dog, parental history of dog ownership, and the type of play the dog enjoys. It was found that dog-facilitated physical activity could be an effective strategy for increasing preschooler physical activity.
HEALTH PROMOTION JOURNAL OF AUSTRALIA
(2022)