@article{Ramírez2018,
title = {Thirty loci identified for heart rate response to exercise and recovery implicate autonomic nervous system},
author = {Julia Ramírez and Stefan van Duijvenboden and Ioanna Ntalla and Borbala Mifsud and Helen R Warren and Evan Tzanis and Michele Orini and Andrew Tinker and Pier D. Lambiase and Patricia B. Munroe},
url = {https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-018-04148-1},
year = {2018},
date = {2018-05-16},
journal = {Nature Communications},
abstract = {Impaired capacity to increase heart rate (HR) during exercise (ΔHRex), and a reduced rate of recovery post-exercise (ΔHRrec) are associated with higher cardiovascular mortality rates. Currently, the genetic basis of both phenotypes remains to be elucidated. We conduct genome-wide association studies (GWASs) for ΔHRex and ΔHRrec in ~40,000 individuals, followed by replication in ~27,000 independent samples, all from UK Biobank. Six and seven single-nucleotide polymorphisms for ΔHRex and ΔHRrec, respectively, formally replicate. In a full data set GWAS, eight further loci for ΔHRex and nine for ΔHRrec are genome-wide significant (P ≤ 5 × 10−8). In total, 30 loci are discovered, 8 being common across traits. Processes of neural development and modulation of adrenergic activity by the autonomic nervous system are enriched in these results. Our findings reinforce current understanding of HR response to exercise and recovery and could guide future studies evaluating its contribution to cardiovascular risk prediction.},
keywords = {exercise, genetics, heart rate},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}

@article{Mason2017,
title = {Associations between fast food and physical activity environments and adiposity in mid-life: cross-sectional, observational evidence from UK Biobank},
author = {Kate E Mason and Prof Neil Pearce and Prof Steven Cummins},
url = {http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpub/article/PIIS2468-2667(17)30212-8/fulltext?elsca1=tlpr},
year = {2017},
date = {2017-12-12},
journal = {The Lancet Public Health},
abstract = {Background

The built environment might be associated with development of obesity and related disorders. We examined whether neighbourhood exposure to fast-food outlets and physical activity facilities were associated with adiposity in UK adults.

Methods

We used cross-sectional observational data from UK Biobank. Participants were aged 40–70 years and attended 21 assessment centres between 2006 and 2010. Using linked data on environments around each participant's residential address, we examined whether density of physical activity facilities and proximity to fast-food outlets were associated with waist circumference, body-mass index (BMI), and body fat percentage. We used multilevel linear regression models adjusted for potential confounders, and conducted several sensitivity analyses.

Findings

Complete case sample sizes were 401 917 (waist circumference models), 401 435 (BMI), and 395 640 (body fat percentage). Greater density of physical activity facilities within 1000 m of home was independently associated with smaller waist circumference and lower BMI and body fat percentage. Compared with people with no nearby facilities, those with at least six facilities close to home had 1·22 cm smaller waist circumference (95% CI −1·64 to −0·80), 0·57 kg/m2 lower BMI (−0·74 to −0·39), and 0·81 percentage points lower body fat (−1·03 to −0·59). Living further from a fast-food outlet was weakly associated with waist circumference and BMI, mostly among women. Compared with people living fewer than 500 m from a fast-food outlet, those living at least 2000 m away had 0·26 cm smaller waist circumference (−0·52 to 0·01).

Interpretation

This study shows strong associations between high densities of physical activity facilities and lower adiposity for adults in mid-life. We observed weaker associations for access to fast food, but these are likely to be underestimated owing to limitations of the food environment measure. Policy makers should consider interventions aimed at tackling the obesogenic built environment.

Funding

Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, Wellcome Trust Institutional Strategic Support Fund.},
keywords = {17380, exercise, featured, obesity},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}

@article{Firth2017,
title = {The Validity and Value of Self-reported Physical Activity and Accelerometry in People With Schizophrenia: A Population-Scale Study of the UK Biobank},
author = { Joseph Firth and Brendon Stubbs and Davy Vancampfort and Felipe B Schuch and Simon Rosenbaum and Philip B Ward and Josh A Firth and Jerome Sarris and Alison R Yung},
url = {https://academic.oup.com/schizophreniabulletin/article/4563831/The-Validity-and-Value-of-Self-reported-Physical},
year = {2017},
date = {2017-10-24},
journal = {Schizophrenia Bulletin},
abstract = {Previous physical activity (PA) research in schizophrenia has relied largely upon self-report measures. However, the accuracy of this method is questionable. Obtaining accurate measurements, and determining what may influence PA levels in schizophrenia, is essential to understand physical inactivity in this population. This study examined differences in self-reported and objectively measured PA in people with schizophrenia and the general population using a large, population-based dataset from the UK Biobank.
Methods

Baseline data from the UK Biobank (2007–2010) were analyzed; including 1078 people with schizophrenia (54.19 ± 8.39 years; 55% male) and 450549 without (56.44 ± 8.11; 46% male). We compared self-reported PA with objectively measured accelerometry data in schizophrenia and comparison samples. We also examined correlations between self-report and objective measures.
Results

People with schizophrenia reported the same PA levels as those without, with no differences in low, moderate, or vigorous intensity activity. However, accelerometry data showed a large and statistically significant reduction of PA in schizophrenia; as people with schizophrenia, on average, engaged in less PA than 80% of the general population. Nonetheless, within the schizophrenia sample, total self-reported PA still held significant correlations with objective measures.
Conclusions

People with schizophrenia are significantly less active than the general population. However, self-report measures in epidemiological studies fail to capture the reduced activity levels in schizophrenia. This also has implications for self-report measures of other lifestyle factors which may contribute toward the poor health outcomes observed in schizophrenia. Nonetheless, self-report measures may still be useful for identifying how active individuals with schizophrenia relative to other patients.},
keywords = {22125, exercise, featured, schizophrenia},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}