The effect of temperature on physical activity: an aggregated timeseries analysis of smartphone users in five major Chinese cities
Abstract Background Physical activity is an important factor in premature mortality reduction, non-communicable disease prevention, and well-being protection. Climate change will alter temperatures globally, with impacts already found on mortality and morbidity. While uncomfortable temperature is of...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2022-06-01
|
| Series: | International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-022-01285-1 |
| _version_ | 1811342488631246848 |
|---|---|
| author | Janice Y. Ho William B. Goggins Phoenix K. H. Mo Emily Y. Y. Chan |
| author_facet | Janice Y. Ho William B. Goggins Phoenix K. H. Mo Emily Y. Y. Chan |
| author_sort | Janice Y. Ho |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Physical activity is an important factor in premature mortality reduction, non-communicable disease prevention, and well-being protection. Climate change will alter temperatures globally, with impacts already found on mortality and morbidity. While uncomfortable temperature is often perceived as a barrier to physical activity, the actual impact of temperature on physical activity has been less well studied, particularly in China. This study examined the associations between temperature and objectively measured physical activity among adult populations in five major Chinese cities. Methods Aggregated anonymized step count data was obtained between December 2017-2018 for five major Chinese cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong. The associations of temperature with daily aggregated mean step count were assessed using Generalized Additive Models (GAMs), adjusted for meteorological, air pollution, and time-related variables. Results Significant decreases in step counts during periods of high temperatures were found for cold or temperate climate cities (Beijing, Shanghai, and Chongqing), with maximum physical activity occurring between 16 and 19.3 °C. High temperatures were associated with decreases of 800-1500 daily steps compared to optimal temperatures. For cities in subtropical climates (Shenzhen and Hong Kong), non-significant declines were found with high temperatures. Overall, females and the elderly demonstrated lower optimal temperatures for physical activity and larger decreases of step count in warmer temperatures. Conclusions As minor reductions in physical activity could consequentially affect health, an increased awareness of temperature’s impact on physical activity is necessary. City-wide adaptations and physical activity interventions should seek ways to sustain physical activity levels in the face of shifting temperatures from climate change. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T19:12:01Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-024027251d0940b7a5cc1866c5b8a68a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1479-5868 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T19:12:01Z |
| publishDate | 2022-06-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity |
| spelling | doaj.art-024027251d0940b7a5cc1866c5b8a68a2022-12-22T02:33:48ZengBMCInternational Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity1479-58682022-06-0119111510.1186/s12966-022-01285-1The effect of temperature on physical activity: an aggregated timeseries analysis of smartphone users in five major Chinese citiesJanice Y. Ho0William B. Goggins1Phoenix K. H. Mo2Emily Y. Y. Chan3The Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong KongThe Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong KongThe Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong KongThe Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong KongAbstract Background Physical activity is an important factor in premature mortality reduction, non-communicable disease prevention, and well-being protection. Climate change will alter temperatures globally, with impacts already found on mortality and morbidity. While uncomfortable temperature is often perceived as a barrier to physical activity, the actual impact of temperature on physical activity has been less well studied, particularly in China. This study examined the associations between temperature and objectively measured physical activity among adult populations in five major Chinese cities. Methods Aggregated anonymized step count data was obtained between December 2017-2018 for five major Chinese cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong. The associations of temperature with daily aggregated mean step count were assessed using Generalized Additive Models (GAMs), adjusted for meteorological, air pollution, and time-related variables. Results Significant decreases in step counts during periods of high temperatures were found for cold or temperate climate cities (Beijing, Shanghai, and Chongqing), with maximum physical activity occurring between 16 and 19.3 °C. High temperatures were associated with decreases of 800-1500 daily steps compared to optimal temperatures. For cities in subtropical climates (Shenzhen and Hong Kong), non-significant declines were found with high temperatures. Overall, females and the elderly demonstrated lower optimal temperatures for physical activity and larger decreases of step count in warmer temperatures. Conclusions As minor reductions in physical activity could consequentially affect health, an increased awareness of temperature’s impact on physical activity is necessary. City-wide adaptations and physical activity interventions should seek ways to sustain physical activity levels in the face of shifting temperatures from climate change.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-022-01285-1TemperaturePhysical activityStep countChinaUrban |
| spellingShingle | Janice Y. Ho William B. Goggins Phoenix K. H. Mo Emily Y. Y. Chan The effect of temperature on physical activity: an aggregated timeseries analysis of smartphone users in five major Chinese cities International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity Temperature Physical activity Step count China Urban |
| title | The effect of temperature on physical activity: an aggregated timeseries analysis of smartphone users in five major Chinese cities |
| title_full | The effect of temperature on physical activity: an aggregated timeseries analysis of smartphone users in five major Chinese cities |
| title_fullStr | The effect of temperature on physical activity: an aggregated timeseries analysis of smartphone users in five major Chinese cities |
| title_full_unstemmed | The effect of temperature on physical activity: an aggregated timeseries analysis of smartphone users in five major Chinese cities |
| title_short | The effect of temperature on physical activity: an aggregated timeseries analysis of smartphone users in five major Chinese cities |
| title_sort | effect of temperature on physical activity an aggregated timeseries analysis of smartphone users in five major chinese cities |
| topic | Temperature Physical activity Step count China Urban |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-022-01285-1 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT janiceyho theeffectoftemperatureonphysicalactivityanaggregatedtimeseriesanalysisofsmartphoneusersinfivemajorchinesecities AT williambgoggins theeffectoftemperatureonphysicalactivityanaggregatedtimeseriesanalysisofsmartphoneusersinfivemajorchinesecities AT phoenixkhmo theeffectoftemperatureonphysicalactivityanaggregatedtimeseriesanalysisofsmartphoneusersinfivemajorchinesecities AT emilyyychan theeffectoftemperatureonphysicalactivityanaggregatedtimeseriesanalysisofsmartphoneusersinfivemajorchinesecities AT janiceyho effectoftemperatureonphysicalactivityanaggregatedtimeseriesanalysisofsmartphoneusersinfivemajorchinesecities AT williambgoggins effectoftemperatureonphysicalactivityanaggregatedtimeseriesanalysisofsmartphoneusersinfivemajorchinesecities AT phoenixkhmo effectoftemperatureonphysicalactivityanaggregatedtimeseriesanalysisofsmartphoneusersinfivemajorchinesecities AT emilyyychan effectoftemperatureonphysicalactivityanaggregatedtimeseriesanalysisofsmartphoneusersinfivemajorchinesecities |