Potential association between working memory and physical fitness status: the BRAVE study

Abstract Introduction The World Health Organization launched a global action plan targeted to obtain a 15% relative reduction in the global prevalence of physical inactivity in adolescents by 2030 also promoting school-based PA interventions and programs in school. Active Breaks (ABs) are a school-based intervention consisting of short bursts (5-15 minutes) of Pa led by teachers or peer. Many researches investigated the implementation of ABs into primary school setting as a strategy to reduce sedentary behaviour, improve cognitive and physical function. However, this kind of intervention has not extended to secondary school, especially in Italian context. For this reason we started the BRAVE study to evaluate the potential effect of implementing ABs in secondary school. The study is currently in the administration phase of ABs to adolescents The preliminary analysis aims to underline a potential association between working memory performance (WM) and physical fitness status among secondary school students at baseline. Methods In March 2022 we conducted baseline assessment in a secondary school in Valsamoggia (Bologna, Italy). Working memory was evaluated using backward digit span while physical fitness status was assessed using three different fitness test: standing long-jump (SLJ), six minute Cooper Test (6MCT) and Shuttle run test (SR). Results A total of n = 125 adolescent, mean age 12.79±0.89, were enrolled in the study. After performing a regression analysis we found that WM is significantly associated only with age of student (b = 0.2, 95%CI 0.25, 0.11 p = 0.02). A trend also emerged between WM performance and SLJ but with no statistically significant differences (b = 0.160, 95%CI 0.03, 0.02, p = 0.09). The 6MCT and HT have no relevant associations with WM score. Conclusions These preliminary results suggest that age is associated with cognitive performance but no positive association were found between WM score and physical fitness status excepted for a small trend with SLJ test. Key messages • Age is related to WM in adolescent students. • ABs interventions could represent a valid strategy to encourage movement, improve cognitive and physical fitness performance.


Background:
Regular practice of physical activity (PA) during pregnancy has benefits for maternal and fetal health.Therefore, pregnant women (PW) should practice at least 150 minutes of moderate PA per week following the WHO guidelines.The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of an adapted physical activity (APA) intervention for PW, to be included in childbirth preparation classes (CPCs) in terms of levels of PA, quality of life, physical performance, self-efficacy, sleep quality and anxious-depressive states.

Methods:
The WELL-DONE!Study is a quasi-experimental study conducted with pregnant women at St. Orsola hospital, Bologna.We compared an experimental group (EG) with a control group (CG).EG attended 1hour/week session of APA during the usual CPCs for a 6 weeks period, while the CG received a one hour lesson about PA recommendation in pregnancy.The pre-post evaluation was carried out through questionnaires and motor tests, to which PW were subjected at baseline (T0), after the intervention (T1) and 3 months after delivery (T2).We used the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire (PPAQ) to collect data regarding PA levels and sedentary behavior.

Conclusions:
Preliminary results of the study show a reduced sedentary time in PW, highlighting a positive trend in the EG.This data underlines that incorporating APA in the CPCs can be an effective and safe strategy.Nevertheless, further analysis must be needed to find out if this trend can be observed in light PA, in the moderate and vigorous one.

Key messages:
Physical activity during pregnancy is a valuable tool for improving both mother and child well-being.

Background:
The type of maternal caregiving impacts children's growth and can lead to heritable changes in gene expression.When women become mothers, they adopt parents' behaviours similar to those received in the family of origin.The study investigates if a birth's social and cultural content can be seen as heredity transmitted from mother to daughter.

Materials and methods:
A retrospective study was conducted on a group of mothers recruited across Italy through the social network Facebook.
The study was carried out using a questionnaire administered from July to September 2021.The survey consisted of 21 questions.The analysis was carried out using STATA 14.

Results:
Our sample consisted of 6051 mothers; the mean age was 37.7 years.Womens born by spontaneous birth has 2.1 times higher risk of having a spontaneous birth for their first child.Those born by operative labour have 2.7 times higher risk of having an operative delivery for their first child.Finally, those born by caesarean section are 2.3 times more likely to have a caesarean section for their first child.On the other hand, those born by preterm labour have 1.8 times higher risk of delivering their first child preterm.Those who were breastfed have 2 times higher risk of breastfeeding their first child.Women who have been told their birth is an extraordinary event are 2 times more likely to consider the birth of their first child as a problematic but still extraordinary event.Those who received a description of childbirth from their mother as a problematic event are twice as likely to consider the birth of their first child as a traumatic event overall.

Conclusions:
The results show that transmission, written in the psyche, in preverbal and in internalisations derived from the relationship with one's mother, is true and strongly present.Also, the ways of one's own birth are so strong as to have repercussions on the daughter's own and subsequently also on her children.

Key messages:
The unconscious objects, which are projected onto the children, can also take the form of both physical and psychic somatisations, which are repeated cyclically between generations.
The way in which birth is cared for and the quality of care provided at this unique time in a woman's life will leave an imprint not only on the woman herself, but also on future generations.
Abstract citation ID: ckac131.452Enablers and barriers to effective parenting within the first 1000 days of life

Background:
The first 1000 days is the period between conception and a child's second birthday.Globally, research on parenting is in an advanced stage, but parenting research focusing specifically on parenting in this developmental phase is limited in South Africa.Therefore, this study explores the enablers and barriers to effective parenting within the first 1000 days through the lens of parents and caregivers in low socio-economic communities.

Methods:
This study was conducted in low socio-economic communities of South Africa.An exploratory qualitative research design explored the enablers and barriers to effective parenting within the first 1000 days of life.Thirty participants were purposively selected and interviewed in this study.A semi-structured interview schedule was used for all interviews.The data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis.

Results:
Two main categories emerged (effective parenting enablers and effective parenting barriers) during the data analysis.The main enablers of effective parenting within the first 1000 days of life include a support system, healthy behaviours/environment, job opportunities, religion, information/knowledge, and professional assistance.On the other hand, the main barriers to effective parenting were low socio-economic circumstances, environmental circumstances, lack of partner's support, the negative impact of technology, and lack of access to services.

Conclusions:
Enablers that need to be promoted for effective parenting range from support systems to professional assistance for parents.Also, barriers that need to be removed for effective parenting range from low socio-economic circumstances to a lack of partner's support for parents.This is because effective parenting is vital in improving developmental outcomes for children within the first 1000 days of life.Therefore, there is a need to develop policies and interventions to promote effective parenting within the first 1000 days in the communities.
15th European Public Health Conference 2022 Active Breaks (ABs) are a school-based intervention consisting of short bursts (5-15 minutes) of Pa led by teachers or peer.Many researches investigated the implementation of ABs into primary school setting as a strategy to reduce sedentary behaviour, improve cognitive and physical function.However, this kind of intervention has not extended to secondary school, especially in Italian context.For this reason we started the BRAVE study to evaluate the potential effect of implementing ABs in secondary school.The study is currently in the administration phase of ABs to adolescents The preliminary analysis aims to underline a potential association between working memory performance (WM) and physical fitness status among secondary school students at baseline.