Key result
A technology-enhanced physical activity intervention increased the odds of reducing perceived stress over 6 months compared to the original intervention among Latinas (OR 1.11; 95% CI 1.05-2.27).
Why the study?
High levels of stress and inactivity likely contribute to chronic disease disparities among Latinas in the U.S., calling for interventions informed by examining relationships among physical activity, stress, and cardiometabolic biomarkers.
Does a technology-enhanced physical activity intervention reduce perceived stress compared to an original intervention in sedentary Latinas?
RCT (n=199)
Does a technology-enhanced physical activity intervention reduce perceived stress compared to an original intervention in sedentary Latinas?
A technology-enhanced physical activity intervention significantly reduced perceived stress, which was associated with increased physical activity and improved cardiometabolic biomarkers in sedentary Latinas.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Supports technology-enhanced interventions to reduce stress in sedentary Latinas; extends evidence linking activity gains to cardiometabolic biomarker improvements.
High levels of stress and inactivity likely contribute to chronic disease disparities among Latinas in the U.S. and call for intervention. To inform such efforts, the current study examined the relationships among changes (over time) in physical activity, stress, and related cardiometabolic biomarkers among sedentary (mostly) first generation Latinas. Data are taken from a randomized controlled trial (N = 199 Latinas) of two home-based physical activity interventions (Original vs. theory- and technology- Enhanced versions). Physical activity and perceived stress were assessed at baseline and 6 and 12 months. Blood draws occurred at baseline and 6 months in a random subsample (N = 153). The participants were underactive (<60/min week of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity) Mexican American (89%) women with moderate perceived stress scores (M = 21.49, SD = 8.55, range = 0-40) and excess weight (M BMI = 30.6) at baseline. Overall, participants reported decreases in stress after 6 months enroled in the physical activity programs. The odds of a reduction in perceived stress were 11% higher among Enhanced versus Original Intervention participants (OR = 1.11, 95% CI: 1.05-2.27). Those who met physical activity guidelines were significantly more likely to report reductions in perceived stress over 6 months (OR = 1.92, 95% CI: 1.08-4.16). Furthermore, those who reported reductions in perceived stress over 6 months reported significantly more moderate-to-vigorous physical activity at 12 months (+69 min/week, SE = 27.98, p = 0.01) compared to those who did not. Greater reductions in perceived stress over 6 months were associated with greater improvements in cardiometabolic biomarkers (HbA1c, triglycerides, p's < 0.05). These results support a bidirectional relationship between improvements in stress and physical activity among Latinas. Future implications include using physical activity to address stress management and health disparities in this community.
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Pekmezi et al. (2024) conducted an RCT in Physical inactivity and stress (n=199). Theory- and technology-enhanced home-based physical activity intervention vs. Original home-based physical activity intervention was evaluated on Reduction in perceived stress over 6 months (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.05-2.27). A technology-enhanced physical activity intervention increased the odds of reducing perceived stress over 6 months compared to the original intervention among Latinas (OR 1.11; 95% CI 1.05-2.27).
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