ObjectiveIn March 2020, several countries banned unnecessary outdoor activities during COVID-19, commonly called ‘lockdowns. These lockdowns have the potential to impact associated levels of physical activity and sedentary behaviour. Given the numerous health outcomes associated with physical activity and sedentary behaviour, the aim of this review was to summarise literature that investigated differences in physical activity and sedentary behaviour before vs during the COVID-19 lockdown.Design, data sources and eligibility criteriaElectronic databases were searched from November 2019 to October 2020 using terms and synonyms relating to physical activity, sedentary behaviour and COVID-19. The coprimary outcomes were changes in physical activity and/or sedentary behaviour captured via device-based measures or self-report tools. Risk of bias was measured using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.ResultsSixty six articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review (total n=86 981). Changes in physical activity were reported in 64 studies, with the majority of studies reporting decreases in physical activity and increases in sedentary behaviours during their respective lockdowns across several populations, including children and patients with a variety of medical conditions.ConclusionGiven the numerous physical and mental benefits of increased physical activity and decreased sedentary behaviour, public health strategies should include the creation and implementation of interventions that promote safe physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviour should other lockdowns occur.

Background: Physical activity and sedentary behaviour are modifiable risk factors for noncommunicable disease and healthy ageing, however the majority of older adults remain insufficiently active. Digital behaviour change interventions have the potential to reach many older adults to promote physical activity and reduce sedentary time. Methods: A systematic review of major databases from inception to 03/2018 was undertaken. Randomised controlled trials (RCT) or pre-post interventions assessing effects of digital behaviour change interventions on physical activity and/or sedentary behaviour in older adults (≥50 years) were included. Random effects meta-analyses were carried out. Results: Twenty-two studies were included, including 1757 older adults (mean age=67 years, %male=41). Random effects model meta-analyses suggested that digital behaviour change interventions increased total physical activity among RCT studies (SMD=0.28; 95%CI 0.01, 0.56; p=0.04) and pre-post studies (SMD=0.25; 95%CI 0.09, 0.41; p=0.002), increased moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (SMD=0.47; 95%CI 0.32, 0.62, p<0.001; MD=52min/week) and reduced sedentary time (SMD=-0.45; 95%CI-0.69,-0.19; p<0.001; MD=58min/day). Reductions in systolic blood pressure (-11bpm; p=0.04) and improvements in physical functioning (p=0.03) were also observed. Conclusions: Digital behaviour change interventions may increase physical activity and physical functioning, and reduce sedentary time and systolic blood pressure in older adults.

Background: Physical activity can improve cognitive function of older adults, but the influence of sedentary behaviour on cognition is less clear. This systematic review investigated associations between sedentary behaviour and cognitive function in older adults without dementia, and possible mechanisms involved.Methods: Major databases were searched for studies in English between 01/01/1999 and 31/10/2019. The systematic review followed COSMOS-E guideline and a pre-registered protocol (CRD42019122229). Risk of bias was assessed using NICE Quality appraisal checklist. Findings were narratively synthesized and presented.Findings: Eighteen studies comprised of Thirteen cross-sectional and five longitudinal analyses (n= 40,228). Evidence suggested varied associations between varied sedentary behaviours and cognitive function in older adults. 50% of study analyses did not control for physical activity. 3/18 studies demonstrated associations between higher sedentary levels and lower levels of brain biomarkers, while 1/18 showed auto-regulatory effect in the left hippocampus. Conducting a meta-analysis was not justifiable due to considerable methodological, participant, outcome and exposure heterogeneity. Conclusion:There is a lack of clarity about the overall and independent association between sedentary behaviour and cognition in older age. Underlying mechanisms are similar to physical activity and probably multi-modal. More studies with robust designs and methodology are needed to confirm effect of sedentary behaviour on cognition.

The aim of this study was to explore associations between internet/email use in a large sample of older English adults with their social isolation and loneliness. Data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing Wave 8 were used, with complete data available for 4,492 men and women aged ⩾ 50 years (mean age = 64.3, standard deviation = 13.3; 51.7% males). Binomial logistic regression was used to analyse cross-sectional associations between internet/email use and social isolation and loneliness. The majority of older adults reported using the internet/email every day (69.3%), fewer participants reported once a week (8.5%), once a month (2.6%), once every three months (0.7%), less than every three months (1.5%) and never (17.4%). No significant associations were found between internet/email use and loneliness, however, non-linear associations were found for social isolation. Older adults using the internet/email either once a week (odds ratio (OR) = 0.60, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.49–0.72) or once a month (OR = 0.60, 95% CI = 0.45–0.80) were significantly less likely to be socially isolated than every day users; those using internet/email less than once every three months were significantly more likely to be socially isolated than every day users (OR = 2.87, 95% CI = 1.28–6.40). Once every three months and never users showed no difference in social isolation compared with every day users. Weak associations were found between different online activities and loneliness, and strong associations were found with social isolation. The study updated knowledge of older adults’ internet/email habits, devices used and activities engaged in online. Findings may be important for the design of digital behaviour change interventions in older adults, particularly in groups at risk of or interventions targeting loneliness and/or social isolation.

14Background: The objective of this study was to investigate the associations between 15 sedentary behaviour patterns and cardiometabolic risk in children using a monitor that 16 accurately distinguishes between different postures. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 17 118 children (67 girls) aged 11-12-years had adiposity, blood pressure, lipids and glucose 18 measured and then wore an activPAL device to record sitting, standing and stepping for seven 19 consecutive days. Data was analysed using multiple linear regression. Results: After 20 adjustment for potential confounders and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, the number 21 of breaks in sitting was significantly negatively associated with adiposity (standardised β≥-22 0.546; p≤0.001) and significantly positively associated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol 23 (HDL) (β=0.415; p≤0.01). Time in prolonged sitting bouts was significantly negatively 24 associated with adiposity (β≥-0.577; p≤0.001) and significantly positively associated with HDL 25 (β=0.432; p≤0.05). Standing time was significantly negatively associated with adiposity (β≥-26 0.270; p≤0.05) and significantly positively associated with HDL (=0.312; p≤0.05). Conclusions:(that permits detection of postural allocation) and cardiometabolic risk in children. The 78 objective of this study, therefore, was to investigate the associations between sedentary 79 behaviour patterns and cardiometabolic risk in children using the activPAL device that 80 accurately distinguishes between sitting and standing. It was hypothesised that higher total 81 daily sitting time and a lower number of breaks in sitting would be associated with increased 82 cardiometabolic risk marker levels. 83 84Methods 85 Study designThis was a cross-sectional study design across schools in Bedfordshire, UK. Data collection 87 took place in spring 2017 and the study was approved by the University of Bedfordshire 88Institute for Sport and Physical Activity Research Ethics Committee (approval number 89 2017ISPAR001). Other than measurement of sitting, standing and stepping, all other 90 measures took place at the children's schools. 91 92 Participants 93Participants were 11-12-year-old schoolchildren recruited on a voluntary basis. Volunteers 94were excluded from the study if they had any known blood borne disease, had clinically 95 diagnosed diabetes, were taking glucose-lowering and/or lipid-lowering medication, smoking, 96 hypertension, major illness/injury, or other health issues that could affect the associations 97 being assessed in the study. Written parental/guardian informed consent was obtained and 98 verbal assent obtained from the participants before any test procedures. 99 100 Recruitment 101Seventeen middle schools within Bedford Borough and surrounding areas were contacted by 102 telephone and email to discuss their willingness and availability to help facilitate the study. 103Four state schools with mixed gender students agreed to take part in the study. A presentation 104 during class or assembly time was gi...