Self-reported physical activity (PA) is well associated with cardiorespiratory fitness and exercise capacity. The short International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-short) is a frequently used instrument for cross-national assessments of PA in adults. The purpose of this study was to validate IPAQ-short against exercise capacity in Greek young adults. One hundred and thirteen men and 105 women, aged 20-29 years, were randomly selected from a larger population of young health-science students. A Greek version of IPAQ-short (IPAQ-Gr) was administered to all participants before their exercise capacity evaluation with a maximal Bruce treadmill test. Multiple regression and correlation analyses were used to examine the associations between all IPAQ-Gr outcomes with exercise capacity based on maximal treadmill time. Spearman's correlations for total and vigorous PA against maximal treadmill time were significant in all groups examined, ranging from 0.35 to 0.43. Moderate and walking PA correlations were poor and nonsignificant, ranging from near-zero values to 0.19. In multiple linear regression analysis, only sex, smoking, and vigorous PA from all personal and log-transformed IPAQ-Gr data were significantly associated with maximal treadmill time. Partial correlation analysis for the overall population, adjusted for sex and smoking, showed that total PA (r=0.37) and vigorous PA (r=0.47) were significantly associated with exercise capacity. IPAQ-Gr was tested against exercise capacity and showed acceptable validity properties in Greek young adults. Total and vigorous weekly PA expenditure were well associated with exercise capacity, presenting significant validity correlations against maximal treadmill time.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between resting blood pressure (BP), smoking, physical activity (PA) and body mass index (BMI) in Greek young adults. Materials and Methodology: A standardised questionnaire and the Greek version of IPAQ-short were given to 1500 randomly selected health science students, in order to record smoking behaviour, PA status, BMI and resting BP. All healthy young adults aged 19-30 years old were eligible. The final size of the study cohort was 1249 students (522 men). Results: Males’ BP was 129.2/77.0 mmHg, significantly higher than the females’ values of 119.9/73.4 mmHg. Approximately 17% of the total population were classified as overweight and 3% as obese. In the overall population, smoking prevalence was 35.2%, with 15.3% being heavy smokers (≥21 cigs/d). Smoking prevalence did not differ significantly between sexes. The prevalence of health-enhancing PA (high PA_class) was only 14.0%, while 42.8% of the study population were classified as insufficiently active (low PA_class). Of the three lifestyle risk factors examined, only BMI was significantly and directly associated with systolic and diastolic BP levels. The prevalence of hypertension (≥140/90 mmHg) was significantly higher in men compared to women, and in obese and overweight participants compared to normal-weight subjects. Smoking and categorical PA (PA_class) were not correlated with BP. Continuous vigorous PA_score was significantly and directly associated with systolic BP, but only in males. Conclusion: BMI was significantly and directly associated with resting BP in both sexes. Smoking prevalence and PA status were not associated with BP in this sample of Greek young adults.

Q-angle represents the resultant force vector of the quadriceps and patellar tendons acting on the patella. An increased Q-angle has been considered a risk factor for many disorders and injuries. This literature review challenges the clinical value of static Q-angle and recommends a more dynamic movement evaluation for making clinical decisions. Although there are many articles about static Q-angle, few have assessed the value of dynamic Q-angle. We searched Scopus and PubMed (until September 2021) to identify and summarize English-language articles evaluating static and dynamic Q-angle, including articles for dynamic knee valgus (DKV) and frontal plane projection angle. We also used textbooks and articles from references to related articles. Although static Q-angle measurement is used systematically in clinical practice for critical clinical decisions, its interpretation and clinical translation present fundamental and intractable limitations. To date, it is acceptable that mechanisms that cause patellofemoral pain and athletic injuries have a stronger correlation with dynamic loading conditions. Dynamic Q-angle has the following three dynamic elements: frontal plane (hip adduction, knee abduction), transverse plane (hip internal rotation and tibia external rotation), and patella behavior. Measuring one out of three elements (frontal plane) illustrates only one-third of this concept. Static Q-angle lacks biomechanical meaning and utility for dynamic activities. Although DKV is accompanied by hip and tibia rotation, it remains a frontal plane measurement, which provides no information about the transverse plane and patella movement. However, given the acceptable reliability and the better differentiation capability, DKV assessment is recommended in clinical practice.

Background: Smoking is a major cause of cardiovascular disease and mortality. Smoking-related deaths in Greece account for 23%, whereas 41% of young Greeks are smokers, the highest percentage in Europe. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of chronic smoking on the rate-pressure product and exercise tolerance in young, healthy male smokers. Design and methods: Forty-two smokers and 51 nonsmokers were selected from a population of 543 students based on their age, sex, body mass index, physical fitness, smoking habit and health status. All participants were tested with the standard Bruce treadmill protocol. The rate-pressure product was obtained at rest and during exercise at a given submaximal workload. The evaluation of exercise tolerance was based on peak workload achieved and maximal exercise test duration. Results: The smokers had a higher rate-pressure product at rest ( P < 0.001) due to their higher resting heart rate ( P < 0.001). Resting values of blood pressure did not differ significantly between the two groups. During exercise, smokers had a greater rate-pressure product ( P < 0.001), mainly due to their significantly higher systolic blood pressure ( P = 0.008). The smokers had a higher submaximal heart rate ( P = 0.005), but the differences in heart rate between groups were reduced for smokers during exercise when compared to rest. The smokers' exercise tolerance was impaired and their maximal exercise test duration time was significantly shorter ( P < 0.001). Conclusions: Chronic smoking was found to affect young male smokers' cardiovascular fitness, impairing the economy and decreasing the capacity of their circulatory system. Eur J Cardiovasc Prev Rehabil 14:646-652 © 2007 The European Society of Cardiology