Alexandra Makai

Dr. Alexandra Makai

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Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

12Years (2015-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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17 August 2020 in BMC Public Health
Verified
Journal Article
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ÁPÁcs Pongrác
Ács Pongrác
JBJózsef Betlehem
József Betlehem
AOAndrás Oláh
András Oláh
JBJózef Bergier
Józef Bergier
CMCsaba Melczer
Csaba Melczer
AMAlexandra Makai
Alexandra Makai
Background: To ensure accurate measurement of the health benefits of habitual physical activity in large sample epidemiological studies, physical activity questionnaires (PAQs) are the most feasible methods. Therefore, the purpose of this study was the validation and cultural adaptation to the Hungarian population of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-HL). Methods: A cross-sectional study among Hungarian healthy adults (age 21.375 ± 1.940 years, n = 120) was performed comparing measures of last 7 days IPAQ-HL self- administered questionnaire and obtained accelerometer (Actigraph GT3X) data for concurrent validity, reassessed by a random subsample (n = 33) to measure reliability. Results: Our results indicate acceptable criterion validity for total physical activity, moderate to vigorous physical activity (R = 0.387, p < 0.001; R = 0.331 p < 0.001 respectively) and moderate physical activity (R = 0.193, p = 0.034). The ICC scores revealed moderate to good correlations (ICC = 0.744–0.942, p < 0.001). Moderate Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin measure (0.531, p < 0.001) and good reproducibility for vigorous, moderate to vigorous and moderate activities was found for IPAQ-HL in the studied population. Nevertheless, like analogous self-reports in other languages, it overestimates the time spent on physical activity. Conclusions: IPAQ-HL proved to be a reasonably valid measure for population prevalence epidemiological studies and is suggested for use to develop public health policy recommendations or to optimize public health interventions. However, the results on vigorous activity should be interpreted with caution, the questionnaire showed moderate validity for this particular intensity.

23 April 2021 in BMC Public Health
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MJMelinda Járomi
Melinda Járomi
BSBrigitta Szilágyi
Brigitta Szilágyi
AVAnita Velényi
Anita Velényi
ELEleonóra Leidecker
Eleonóra Leidecker
Bence RaposaBence Raposa
Bence Raposa
AMAlexandra Makai
Alexandra Makai
Background: Chronic non-specific low back pain syndrome (cnsLBP) is a severe health problem in developed countries, which has an important effect on patients’ quality of life and is highly determined by socio-demographic factors and low back pain specific knowledge. We examined patients’ health-related quality of life according to the results of the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), low back pain knowledge (LBPKQ) and the social determinants of the participants. Methods: We carried out our research in the first half of 2015 in Southern Transdanubia, Hungary. The examination included 1155 respondents living with chronic non-specific low back pain. The confidence interval of 95% was used, and the level of. significance was p < 0.05 using SPSS 22.0 software. Results: The SF-36 questionnaire is suitable for the examination of patients’ health-related quality of life (Cronbach’s Alpha> 0.76), as the LBPKQ’s Cronbach’s Alpha was 0.726 also, which showed good validity. Longer-term disease meant a lower health-related quality of life (p < 0.05). A greater decrease of function (Roland Morris scores (RM)) accounts for a lower HRQoL and higher knowledge level. We found significant differences in LBPKQ scores according to sociodemographic parameters. The general health status was positively correlated with LBPKQ (p = 0.024) adjusted for demographic and pain and functional status. Conclusion: The negative effect of the symptoms on patients’ quality of life is proved, which is determined by different socio-demographic parameters furthermore by knowledge. Above all could be useful information for professionals to adopt the right interventions.

23 April 2021 in BMC Public Health
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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PÁPongrác Ács
Pongrác Ács
RVRéka Veress
Réka Veress
PRPaulo Rocha
Paulo Rocha
TDTamás Dóczi
Tamás Dóczi
BRBence László Raposa
Bence László Raposa
AMAlexandra Makai
Alexandra Makai
Background: Physical inactivity is a global phenomenon in European welfare countries. Proper monitoring is essential to measure the physical activity level of the population.Methods: In the Hungarian cohort of the European Physical Activity and Sport Monitoring System (EUPASMOS) project, our participants (N = 598) completed sociodemographic questions and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire – short form (IPAQ-SF) survey. The validity and reliability of the subjective measurement tool were examined, IPAQ-SF outcomes were contrasted against triaxial RM42 accelerometer wore for 7 consecutive days.Results: The IPAQ-SF showed moderate internal consistency (Cronbach Alpha = 0.647). The concurrent validity of the IPAQ-SF to triaxial accelerometer indicated a significant weak-to-moderate correlation (R = 0.111–0.338,p = 0.042;p < 0.001). The test-retest reliability showed a significant correlation between two measurements (R = 0.788–0.981, p < 0.001).Conclusion: The Hungarian version of the IPAQ-SF had excellent test-retest reliability, but low-to-fair concurrent validity for moderate and vigorous physical activity, walking and sitting time, as compared to the objective criterion measure among Hungarian adults.

17 August 2020 in BMC Public Health
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Journal Article
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ÁPÁcs Pongrác
Ács Pongrác
JBJózsef Betlehem
József Betlehem
AOAndrás Oláh
András Oláh
BBBarbara Bergier
Barbara Bergier
KMKata Morvay-Sey
Kata Morvay-Sey
Viktória PrémuszViktória Prémusz
Viktória Prémusz
Background: Physical activity (PA) is an important factor among the determinants of health due to it’s protective factor and preventive role. Self-reported measures such as questionnaires are most commonly used in public health studies, but may over- or underestimate actual patterns of PA. Therefore, accelerometers are widely used to assess concurrent validity. The aim of the present study was to adapt and validate the self-administered GPAQ - Hungarian version (GPAQ-H) against accelerometer data and IPAQ-Hungarian long version (IPAQ-HL) in Hungarian healthy young adults. Methods: A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted to examine the last 7 days PA by GPAQ-H, comparing with IPAQ-HL and Actigraph GT3X accelerometer to measure concurrent validity and reliability. A convenient sample of 300 young adults was recruited in January – July 2018 at the University of Pécs, in South-Hungary, 120 participants (age 21.53 ± 1.75 years, 46.66% male) were included in the validity and reliability study. Results: Significant differences between the three instruments were found (p < 0.001) in all scores, except PAQs vigorous activities (p = 0.332) and GPAQ-H and accelerometer MVPA score (p = 0.424). A moderate KMO measure was found (0.538) with a significant Barlett’s test of Sphericity (279.51; p < 0.001). The total variance was explained as 81.10%. The reliability of the GPAQ-H instrument with all domain’s scores was 0.521 (CI 0.371–0.644). We found in all intensity scores and sitting time good reliability scores (R = 0.899–987, p < 0.001) between the baseline and follow-up (N = 33 random subsample). The Bland-Altman plots were showed that GPAQ-H overestimates vigorous activities by 212.75 min/week (331.82–757.42) and MVPA by 104.93 min/week (− 1016.98–807.11). A high difference, 6336.79 min/week (CI 3638.18–9035.40) was revealed regarding sitting, as GPAQ-H largely underestimated the time spent sedentary. Conclusions: The Hungarian GPAQ self-administered form showed fair to moderate validity with correlation coefficients similar to other European studies. Based on our study’s results it could be claimed that the GPAQ-H measurement tool is a valid and reliable questionnaire to measure the healthy Hungarian population’s physical activity patterns. However, our results also proved that GPAQ-H alone is not a valid and reliable questionnaire to measure sitting time.

23 April 2021 in BMC Public Health
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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Viktória PrémuszViktória Prémusz
Viktória Prémusz
AMAlexandra Makai
Alexandra Makai
BPBeatrix Perjés
Beatrix Perjés
Orsolya MátéOrsolya Máté
Orsolya Máté
MHMárta Hock
Márta Hock
KLKinga Lampek
Kinga Lampek
Background: National, regional and global trends in prevalence of infertility indicate its public health importance, however it effects various life dimensions of individuals and couples as well. Lifestyle habits may counteract with these factors. The aim of the study was the multicausal analysis of psychosocial and lifestyle factors undergoing assisted reproductive therapy (ART) with special regard to pre-treatment habitual physical activity (PA).Methods: In a cross-sectional, observational cohort study on ART patients (N = 60, age 34.6 ± 5.2 years, BMI 24.2 ± 4.9 kg/m2) with follow up on outcome measures a detailed description was given on PA patterns (ActriGraph GT3X, GPAQ-H) and on general and infertility related distress (BDI-13, FPI).Results: Respondents reported normal mood state (BDI-13) but moderately high infertility-related distress (FPI) in Social- and very high distress in Sexual Concern. It was revealed that time spent with recreational PA (RPA) could counteract with infertility-related distress (Social ConcernR = -0.378,p = 0.013; Relationship ConcernR = -0.365,p = 0.019).In the presence of clinical pregnancy GPAQ-H RPA MET was significantly higher (p = 0.048), in the non-pregnant group cumulative values and work-related PA were higher. Correlations could be found between RPA time and the number of oocytes (R = 0.315,p = 0.045), matured oocytes (R = 0.339,p = 0.030) and embryos (R = 0.294,p = 0.062) by women who reached at least 150 min RPA (GPAQ-H). Multivariate linear regression revealed that the number of oocytes was positively influenced by the GPAQ-H recreation MET (R2 = 0.367; F = 10.994,p = 0.004; B = 0.005,p = 0.004, B Constant = 4.604). Regarding the number of embryos (R2 = 0.757,F = 17.692,p < 0.001, B Constant = 1.342) positive relationship was found with GPAQ-H RPA MET (B = 0.004,p < 0.001) and negative with BMI (B = -0.167,p = 0.038). It was disclosed (R2 = 0.958,F = 408.479,p < 0.001) that higher Very Vigorous Activity (ActiGraph) was accompanied with higher hCG (B = 63.703,p ≤ 0.001). However, time spent with moderate PA (GPAQ-H) (B = 0.002, SE = 0.001, Wald = 3.944,p = 0.047, OR = 1.002) was significantly associated with live births.Conclusions: Amount of PA alone did not have a positive effect on outcome of ART. Type and intensity seemed to be more significant. Existing differences in response to infertility due to recreational PA suggest the importance of the development of a specific intervention. The robust overestimation of PA in self-reports highlights the need to improve physical literacy of women undergoing ART.

17 August 2020 in BMC Public Health
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Journal Article
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ERErzsébet Rétsági
Erzsébet Rétsági
Viktória PrémuszViktória Prémusz
Viktória Prémusz
AMAlexandra Makai
Alexandra Makai
CMCsaba Melczer
Csaba Melczer
JBJózsef Betlehem
József Betlehem
MHMárta Hock
Márta Hock
Background: It is well known that physical activity (PA) has health benefits. This study aimed to examine physical activity carried out by the senior (over 50) participants and its relation to their quality of life (QoL). Methods: Surveillance of PA and QoL was measured by using questionnaires (GPAQ, WHOQoL-BREF) in this study. Descriptive data were presented as means and standard deviations (SD) for continuous variables and as percentages for categorical variables. Multivariate linear regression analysis was conducted. The significance level was set at p ≤ 0.05. Results: Overall, 250 participants were recruited, the mean age of the study population (n = 243) was 70.2 (SD 7.1) years. The results clearly showed that the Hungarian participants aged over 50 years were more likely to do PA if they had university degree and lower age (p ≤ 0.001) and used more active transportation (p = 0.035) if they had low education. The results of WHOQoL-BREF showed that the Hungarian individuals have better QoL if they have university degree (p ≤ 0.001) and lower age (p ≤ 0.001). Using multivariate linear regression analysis to examine the effect of PA patterns on QoL adjusted for demographic variables (age, education, BMI, place of living), the result showed significant correlation between WHOQoL-BREF dimensions and GPAQ (p ≤ 0.001). Conclusion: Higher amount of PA among aging population can result in better QoL in all dimensions.