Active Intervention Research Articles

A Comprehensive Review on Physical Activity Interventions for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder

This review synthesizes current research on the impact of physical activity interventions for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). ASD is characterized by deficits in social communication and repetitive behaviours, often accompanied by challenges in motor skills and physical fitness. Physical activity is increasingly recognized as a potential therapeutic tool for addressing these challenges, but the variability in interventions and outcomes warrants a comprehensive review. The review analysed studies published over the past two decades, focusing on various types of physical activity interventions, including aerobic exercises, strength training, and motor skill development programs. The studies were evaluated based on their methodology, sample size, duration, and reported outcomes, with a particular emphasis on physical, social, and behavioural improvements. Findings indicate that physical activity interventions generally lead to significant improvements in motor skills, physical fitness, and social interactions among individuals with ASD. Additionally, several studies reported reductions in stereotypical behaviours and anxiety levels, suggesting a broader psychosocial benefit. However, the effectiveness of these interventions varies depending on factors such as the type of activity, the intensity of the program, and individual differences within the ASD population. The review concludes that while physical activity interventions hold promise as a complementary approach to traditional therapies for ASD, further research is needed to establish standardized protocols and identify the most effective intervention strategies. Future studies should focus on long-term effects, the sustainability of benefits, and the development of tailored programs that address the diverse needs of individuals with ASD.

Assessing parental stress and self-efficacy: A multisite feasibility study of parent-mediated physical activity interventions for children with developmental disabilities

Background: Children with developmental disabilities often face barriers to engaging in physical activity (PA), impacting their health and quality of life. Parent-mediated interventions (PMIs) have shown promise to reduce these barriers, but little research explores online PMIs for parents of children with developmental disabilities. Thus, the purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and impact of a multi-site collaborative online parent-mediated PA intervention on stress levels and self-efficacy among parents of children with developmental disabilities over a 12-week period. Methods: Participants (n=55) were parents of children with developmental disabilities, randomly assigned to intervention (n=27) or control (n=28) groups. Results: Recruitment rate was 58%, with an 80% retention rate. The feasibility of online delivery was demonstrated, allowing participation from various locations. An analyses of covariance (ANCOVA) with parental sex and education level as covariates revealed no significant interaction effect between group and time for parenting self-efficacy score (PSE), F(1, 104)=0.118, P=0.732, or PSI, F(1, 104)=0.196, P=0.659. The mean PSI difference (pre-post) was -0.38 (CI: -10.57 to 9.80) for the experimental group and 2.64 (CI: -9.61 to 14.91) for the control group, while the mean PSE difference was -4.41 (CI: -29.33 to 20.49) and 4.75 (CI: -23.22 to 32.73), respectively. Conclusion: Future research should explore the integration of hybrid PMIs in conjunction with qualitative measures to facilitate a deeper understanding of the multifaceted factors influencing parental engagement in PA interventions for children with developmental disabilities.

MAPPING RESEARCH TRENDS IN MOTIVATION AND SELF-CONFIDENCE FOR OBESE PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS: A BIBLIOMETRIC PERSPECTIVE

Research on motivation, self-confidence, and physical well-being among obese primary school students in physical education has grown substantially over the past two decades, reflecting heightened concern over childhood obesity and its impact on students’ physical and psychological health. Analysis of publication trends from 2004 to 2024 reveals that the topic gained traction in 2012, reaching a peak between 2016 and 2018, with research contributions largely from the United States, followed by countries like Australia and the United Kingdom. A total of 1,041 documents were analyzed, with key contributors and highly cited works identified, showcasing influential studies focused on physical education interventions and psychosocial well-being. Using Scopus Analyzer and VOSviewer software, the study mapped co-authorship networks, identifying the top 10 authors and revealing collaborative trends that support an interdisciplinary approach to obesity research in educational contexts. Keywords such as "obesity," "physical activity," "self-confidence," and "motivation" emerged as prevalent, reflecting central themes in understanding and addressing obesity through school-based physical education. Numerical findings indicate strong co-authorship connections among authors and high citation counts for works emphasizing active interventions and mental health support in physical education curricula. These findings suggest a sustained need for evidence-based strategies to foster both physical and psychological resilience in obese primary school students, highlighting the importance of continued global collaboration in this field. The results provide valuable insights for future research directions, emphasizing comprehensive approaches to improve the well-being of students through targeted, interdisciplinary physical education initiatives.

Factors contributing to non-compliance with active physiotherapy guidelines among chronic low back pain patients in India.

Physiotherapists exhibit different degrees of adherence to clinical guidelines for low back pain (LBP). The preferences and expectations of their patients significantly influence physiotherapists' adherence to these guidelines. Therefore, it is crucial to have a comprehensive analysis of the patients' perspectives, which can identify the factors that prevent the implementation of an active approach. We conducted semi-structured interviews with patients suffering from non-specific chronic LBP (CLBP). We transcribed the semi-structured interviews verbatim and conducted an inductive thematic analysis to uncover themes related to the participants' expectations and experiences of consultations with physiotherapists for CLBP. In total, we interviewed thirty-three individuals, with 14 women and 19 men (mean age 53 + 12 years). Our thematic analysis discovered six overarching themes that are relevant to patients' expectations and experiences. We identified several sub-themes under the "physiotherapist-related factors" and "patient-related factors" themes. Additional themes recognized were guideline-related factors, institution-related factors, healthcare-related factors, and health information. A significant number of participants expressed dissatisfaction with the short timeframe allocated by the physiotherapist. Multiple participants expressed dissatisfaction with their experience, particularly about the quality of explanations and the nature of the exercises provided. This emphasizes the importance of patient education, and physiotherapists should consider suggesting active interventions that the family, society, and culture can more easily accept. Accordingly, the formulation of future guidelines for nations like India should take into account these patient expectations and perspectives.

Von Meyerberg Complexes: An Underrecognized Predisposing Factor for Focal Nodular Hyperplasia–Like Lesions

AbstractVon Meyerberg complexes (VMCs), also termed as biliary hamartomas, are common ductal plate malformations and are considered as benign incidental findings. These are occasionally discovered in histopathological examination or on imaging in individuals being investigated for an unrelated issue and do not warrant any active intervention. However, it is important to recognize that sometimes VMCs can predispose to malignant masses or rarely to hypervascular benign masses as in present case, causing diagnostic dilemma.

Efforts to Improve Mental Health of the Elderly Through Healthy Elderly Gymnastics

Introduction: Elderly people are people with an age group at risk of experiencing mental health problems. In general, after people enter old age, they experience decreased memory and activity. With the decline in these two functions, the elderly also experience changes in psychosocial aspects related to the personality of the elderly. Given the large number of elderly people, it is necessary to have maintenance, especially mental health maintenance. Community-based mental health services as an effort to improve the quality of mental health services in the community by maximizing all the potential that exists in the community. Various activities for the elderly or elderly have been proven to help improve their health physically and mentally. Of the various types of activities for the elderly, gymnastics is one of the choices. Objective: To screen for mental health problems in the elderly: depression and to improve the mental health of the elderly through healthy elderly exercise. Design/method/approach: The method used is screening and physical activity intervention: Elderly Gymnastics. Findings/results: Based on the screening results, the majority of respondents did not experience depression with a total of 23 respondents (76.67%), mild depression 6 respondents (20%) and moderate depression 1 respondent (3.33%). Based on the results of the elderly gymnastics intervention, it was found that 30 respondents (100%) chose the answer that they were happy with the gymnastics activities that had been carried out. Conclusion: Physical activity intervention: elderly gymnastics can be an effort to improve the mental health of the elderly.

From Bystander-to-Upstander: A Novel Intervention Framework to Address Microaggressions in a Pediatric Academic Medical Center.

Microaggressions undermine health professionals' performance in patient care, research, and education. This study aimed to develop and evaluate an intervention addressing microaggressions in healthcare settings by empowering bystanders to act as upstanders across an academic medical center (AMC). This was achieved through an educational intervention that included a novel framework, didactics, video demonstrations, and practice with realistic scenarios. Methods Participants were faculty, trainees, education experts, clinical and administrative staff from a large, urban pediatric AMC. Participants were recruited from 3 training sessions, and taught the "Be Aware" and "ACT" framework, a novel tool for bystanders to use when witnessing microaggressions. Pre-training, retrospective pre-post, and 10-week follow-up surveys evaluated changes in awareness, confidence, and intervention rates. Quantitative analyses were conducted using generalized linear mixed effects models across the 3 surveys to assess participants' changes in confidence. Qualitative analysis used inductive content analysis. Results Among the 205 attendees, 134 (65.4%) completed the pre-training survey. The study cohort (n=108) included those who completed the pre-training survey with either the retrospective pre-post (n=24), 10-week follow-up (n=26), or both (n=58). Participants reported increased confidence in intervening during microaggressions, with confidence rising from 7.5% pre-training to 24.2% at 10-week follow-up (p=0.004). Qualitative analysis revealed a shift from passive response to active intervention, with participants applying the "Be Aware" and "ACT" framework during actual incidents. Conclusions The "Be Aware" and "ACT" framework increased and sustained awareness and confidence in addressing microaggressions. This AMC-wide intervention successfully equipped participants to move from passive bystanders to active upstanders.

The Influence of Socio-Affective Relationships Between Adolescents in Educational Experiences of Cooperation-Opposition: A Systematic Review.

Socio-affective relationships have garnered increasing attention in recent years as a means to enhance coexistence and well-being. Within this context, educational institutions play a pivotal role in shaping peaceful coexistence and promoting well-being among future generations. Physical Education (PE) is particularly significant, because it integrates cooperative-opposition activities, which blend collaboration and competition, fostering socio-emotional development. This systematic review aimed to investigate how PE contributes to coexistence and socio-affective well-being in adolescents aged 12 to 18. Using the PRISMA 2020 framework, 15 empirical studies were analyzed from seven databases. Studies were selected based on PICOS criteria: secondary education students (Population), cooperative-opposition activities (Intervention), control groups or pre-post designs (Comparison), relational and emotional dimensions (Outcomes), and quantitative methodologies (Study design). Interventions grounded in the Motor Conduct Education and Sports Education Model significantly reduced interpersonal conflicts and improved social skills and emotional well-being. Positive emotions predominated in these activities, fostering stronger peer relationships within classroom groups. Approaches emphasizing task-oriented pedagogies were less effective than those centered on peer support in eliciting positive emotional responses. This review underscores the transformative potential of innovative educational strategies in PE to enhance coexistence and socio-affective well-being. Future research should explore the comparative efficacy of various pedagogical models and their long-term impact. These findings provide valuable guidance for educators and policymakers seeking to promote holistic development in adolescents through PE.

Effectiveness and feasibility of a theory-informed intervention to improve Mediterranean diet adherence, physical activity and cognition in older adults at risk of dementia: the MedEx-UK randomised controlled trial.

Despite an urgent need for multi-domain lifestyle interventions to reduce dementia risk, there is a lack of interventions which are informed by theory- and evidence-based behaviour change strategies, and no interventions in this domain have investigated the feasibility or effectiveness of behaviour change maintenance. We tested the feasibility, acceptability and cognitive effects of a personalised theory-based 24-week intervention to improve Mediterranean diet (MD) adherence alone, or in combination with physical activity (PA), in older-adults at risk of dementia, defined using a cardiovascular risk score. Participants (n = 104, 74% female, 57-76 years) were randomised to three parallel intervention arms: (1) control, (2) MD, or (3) MD + PA for 24weeks and invited to an optional 24-week follow-up period with no active intervention. Behaviour change was supported using personalised targets, a web-based intervention, group sessions and food provision. The primary outcome was behaviour change (MD adherence and PA levels), and the secondary outcomes included feasibility and acceptability, cognitive function, cardiometabolic health (BMI and 24-h ambulatory blood pressure) and process measures. The intervention was feasible and acceptable with the intended number of participants completing the study. Participant engagement with group sessions and food provision components was high. There was improved MD adherence in the two MD groups compared with control at 24weeks (3.7 points on a 14-point scale (95% CI 2.9, 4.5) and 48 weeks (2.7 points (95% CI 1.6, 3.7)). The intervention did not significantly change objectively measured PA. Improvements in general cognition (0.22 (95% CI 0.05, 0.35), memory (0.31 (95% CI 0.10, 0.51) and select cardiovascular outcomes captured as underpinning physiological mechanisms were observed in the MD groups at 24 weeks. The intervention was successful in initiating and maintaining dietary behaviour change for up to 12months which resulted in cognitive benefits. It provides a framework for future complexbehaviour change interventions with a range of health and well-being endpoints. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03673722.

Music medicine and music therapy in neonatal care: a scoping review of passive music listening research applications and findings on infant development and medical practice

BackgroundIn recent years, the use of music as a therapeutic and developmental tool for infants, especially within neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), has seen a surge in interest. Despite a growing body of research underscoring the potential benefits of music therapy and music medicine in enhancing infant development and aiding medical practices, the specific characteristics of music that maximize these benefits remain poorly understood.ObjectivesThis scoping review aims to provide a comprehensive foundation by mapping the existing literature on passive music listening and identifying gaps, trends, and patterns that are crucial precursors to the development of best practices.MethodsFollowing the PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive literature search was conducted, covering studies published up until December 2022. The focus was on passive music listening, with a deliberate exclusion of active music interventions. Out of the initial pool of studies, 56 met the inclusion criteria, determined by the PICO framework, focusing on passive music exposure among full-term and preterm infants. Starting with a descriptive analysis approach, the study employed Non-negative Matrix Factorization (NMF) and Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) to identify key themes, including the physiological impacts of music, its role in pain management, effects on sleep and stress, and influences on feeding and weight gain.ResultsThe review revealed a predominance of quantitative research methods, a significant concentration of studies from the United States, suggesting potential geographical bias, and a notable clinical setting bias. These findings indicate a critical need for methodological diversity and a more culturally inclusive and interdisciplinary approach to research. They also point to the necessity for standardized music intervention protocols to optimize therapeutic and developmental outcomes for this vulnerable population. Future research should aim to bridge the methodological gaps identified, integrating both qualitative and quantitative approaches to provide a comprehensive understanding of music’s impact on infant development and medical practices in a global, culturally nuanced context.

Behavior-change lifestyle interventions for the treatment of obesity in children and adolescents: A scoping review.

Behavior-change lifestyle interventions are fundamental in children and adolescent obesity management. This scoping review discusses optimal behavior-change lifestyle interventions in the treatment of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents. A literature search on diet, physical activity, and behavioral intervention for obesity treatment in children and adolescents aged 0-19 years was conducted in the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE (OVID), EMBASE, and ClinicalTrials.gov. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses with randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in English from June 2016 to November 2022 were retrieved to identify recent advancements. Obesity outcomes included body weight, body mass index (BMI), BMI z-score, and fat percentage, among others. The 28 located reviews included: four studies on diet therapy; five on physical activity (exercise training); one on sedentary activities; 18 on multicomponent behavior-change lifestyle interventions, including three that incorporated gaming; three with eHealth, mobile health (mHealth), or telehealth, with one in each category; and two on motivational interviewing. Behavior-change lifestyle interventions to reduce obesity in children and adolescents were associated with moderate effects, with low-quality evidence for diet therapy and high-quality evidence for exercise training, both for weight or BMI reduction. Long-term intensive multicomponent behavioral interventions with parental involvement demonstrated better effects.

Physical activity and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic in Tanzania: insights for public health policy in low-income contexts

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic heightened anxiety levels globally, disproportionately affecting low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). Physical activity (PA) has shown potential to alleviate mental health challenges, including anxiety. This study explores the relationship between PA and anxiety among Tanzanian adults during the pandemic, examining whether self-reported health status moderates this relationship and identifying demographic variations.MethodsData from 213 adults were collected using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) scale. Self-reported health was also reported.ResultsVigorous physical activity was significantly associated with lower anxiety, while moderate physical activity showed weaker effects. Walking and sedentary behavior were not significantly associated with anxiety. Health status did not moderate these relationships, but subgroup analyses indicated stronger effects of vigorous physical activity among men and younger adults.ConclusionThese findings highlight the relevance of PA, particularly vigorous and moderate physical activity, in supporting mental health in LMIC contexts such as Tanzania. The findings further underscore the importance of targeted, culturally relevant physical activity interventions in LMICs to mitigate anxiety and enhance mental health resilience.

Physical activity for children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a protocol of a systematic review and meta-analysis

IntroductionAttention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder among children and adolescents. The disorder negatively influences their academic performance and social relations, and their quality of life (QoL)...

Effects of Physical Activity and Exercise Interventions on Health Outcomes in Occupational Drivers: A Systematic Review.

Occupational drivers are exposed to a wide range of risk factors, including sedentary behavior and physical inactivity, which can contribute to various chronic diseases. However, exercise interventions are likely to alleviate the negative associations and reduce chronic disease risks. This systematic review aimed to inventorize research studies investigating the effects of physical activity and exercise interventions on health outcomes in occupational drivers, and to assess interventions that have demonstrated effectiveness on health outcomes in occupational drivers. The electronic databases "Web of Science," "Scopus," and "PubMed" were searched using keywords related to "occupational drivers," "exercise," and "health outcomes." Studies were included if they examined the effects of physical activity and exercise among occupational drivers on the following health outcomes: pain, disability, lifestyle factors (sleep, weight, physical activity, nutrition), fatigue, stress, and cardiometabolic risk factors. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed by the Cochrane Risk of Bias tools for randomized and non-randomized studies. Fourteen articles were included (three randomized and 11 non-randomized controlled trials). All studies were judged to have an overall risk of bias as "some concerns, low, moderate or serious." Evidence suggests that stretching and isometric exercises have significantly improved pain, disability, and fatigue. In contrast, multicomponent lifestyle interventions have enhanced physical activity levels, cardiometabolic risk factors, anthropometrics (body mass index, weight, waist circumference), sleep, and dietary intake among occupational drivers. The available evidence indicates the potential benefits of exercise interventions and physical activity for health outcomes in occupational drivers. However, high-quality studies are needed in the future to establish stronger evidence supporting the effect of the exercise intervention.

Effects of the active break intervention on nonspecific low back pain among young people: a randomized controlled trial

IntroductionEvery end-range position maintained for a prolonged time causes a static load on the spine and may lead to musculoskeletal discomfort. Prolonged flexed sitting is a strong predictor of low back pain (LBP). The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the Active Break program, implemented among young people, in reducing perceived low back pain and discomfort, as well as associated disability level resulting from prolonged sitting.MethodsA randomized controlled trial was conducted among young people with non-specific LBP. Participants were randomized into groups: an experimental group participating in the tested Active Break intervention (AB-group, n = 25), and a control group (C-group, n = 25) with self-administered care recommendations. The program took 12 weeks. The outcomes were average pain intensity (Visual Analogue Scale, VAS), disability (Oswestry Disability Index, ODI), perceived low back discomfort (LBD) during prolonged sitting (Borg scale), and global perceived improvement (Global Perceived Effect, GPE).ResultsVAS, ODI, and LBD scores after the 12-week intervention were significantly lower than those at baseline in the AB-group. In the C-group, differences were not statistically significant. Post-intervention inter-group VAS, LBD, and GPE differences were significant.ConclusionsThe 12-week study of the Active Break intervention for young people with non-specific low back pain demonstrated significant improvement. Our research offers valuable evidence-based practices for managing and preventing low back pain, benefiting individuals, educators, healthcare professionals, personal trainers, and family physicians.Trial registrationThe study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov [NCT05810519], registration date: 31/03/2023.

Effects of a physical activity intervention on perceived stress, fatigue, and depressive symptoms in older adults: A secondary analysis of the LIFE Study.

Engaging in physical activity is critical for maintaining well-being in older adults, particularly those at heightened risk for mobility disability. We assessed the effects of a physical activity (PA) intervention on perceived stress, fatigue, and depressive symptoms compared to a health education (HE) program in older adults with mobility challenges and evaluated differential effects of the interventions among those with the poorest self-rated mental health at baseline. Secondary data analysis of the Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders (LIFE) Study, a single-blinded, parallel randomized controlled trial conducted between February 2010 and December 2013. The PA intervention included walking, strength exercises, balance training, and flexibility activities. The HE intervention consisted of workshops on health topics for older adults. The main outcomes for our analysis included standardized scales with participants self-reporting their stress, fatigue, and depressive symptoms at baseline, 12 months, and 24 months post-randomization. Results from the 1,495 participants (Mage = 78 years; 66% female in both groups) showed no significant between-group differences in perceived stress, fatigue, or depressive symptom scores over time. However, in both intervention groups, participants with worse baseline scores showed a steady improvement in symptom scores over time compared to the remaining participants, who showed some decline (p-value for interaction<0.05). Among mobility-impaired individuals, a long-duration, group-based PA intervention had no more impact on stress, fatigue, or depressive symptoms compared to a group-based HE intervention. However, participants with higher symptoms at baseline showed improvement over time in both intervention groups.

Community-based physical and social activity for older adults with mild frailty: a rapid qualitative study of a collaborative intervention pilot

BackgroundIntervening to modify frailty trajectories may be critical to maintain health and independence in later life. The Active Ageing Programme (AAP) is a 16-week community-based intervention for older people with mild frailty that combines physical activity and social interaction. The programme aims to positively impact resilience and wellbeing, changing the physical, mental and social factors that impact on frailty trajectories. We conducted a rapid qualitative study with the first cohort to understand the acceptability and feasibility of the AAP.MethodsPurposive sampling was used to identify and recruit staff and participants involved in the AAP for semi-structured interviews. The topic guides covered experiences and perceptions of training and referral, delivery and participation in activities, and benefits and challenges. Data from 20 interviews were analysed using a reflexive thematic approach with inductive coding. The Theoretical Domains Framework prompted consideration of potential individual, social and environmental factors influencing changes in behaviour and practice.ResultsSixteen AAP staff (10) and participants (6) completed interviews. Two themes were developed: combining motivating components; addressing what matters. The AAP brought together a number of components that supported its acceptability and successful implementation by motivating older people and staff and sustaining their engagement. These included the convenient and familiar location, the opportunity to improve physical health (participants) and to gain experience of an activity intervention, training and confidence (staff), and the variety of activities on offer. The programme was perceived to have potential to improve physical and mental health and increase the personal resources (e.g. knowledge, confidence, motivation) of those taking part. Areas identified as important for the AAP’s future sustainability and success were: tailoring recruitment practices; enhancing organisational communication; and strengthening support for participants to achieve long-term increased physical and social activity and resilience.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that community-based physical and social activity interventions targeting frailty may be acceptable, feasible and useful. Further work is needed to investigate the impact of such programmes on health and service utilisation. Efforts should be targeted at improving the potential for long-term sustainability of programmes and their impacts.

Post-discharge care interventions to support patient recovery after elective degenerative spine surgery: a systematic review.

To characterize the type, content, and results of care interventions that support spine surgery patients in their early post-discharge recovery. This systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. The literature search was conducted in March 2022 (updated in May 2023) in MEDLINE (Ovid), EMBASE (Ovid), CINAHL (Ebsco), PsycINFO (Ovid), and Scopus. Given the heterogeneity of the interventions, outcome parameters, and controls, data for pooling for meta-analysis was not possible. We performed a thematic analysis to categorize the characteristics of the type, content, and results of care interventions. A total of 14 articles met the eligibility criteria. The included studies were published between 2008 and 2022 and included 1,399 unique patients with mean reported ages of 42.3 to 62.3years. The reported interventions were divided into two categories: "Early active rehabilitation" and "Telemonitoring". As for pain, function, quality of life, and activity the majority of the early active rehabilitation interventions showed no differences compared to usual care. In contrast, the telemonitoring interventions seemed mainly to be in favor of the interventions versus usual care in all of the aforementioned aspects. The included studies demonstrated diverse interventions across settings, populations, interventions, controls, follow-up times, and outcome measures. This variability suggests unclear patient needs and preferences for post-discharge care. Given the heterogeneity and overall study quality, further high-quality research is essential. Future studies should prioritize identifying these needs before intervention design.

Effects of a goal attainment theory-based intervention on physical activity, body composition, and motivation in emerging adults with physical inactivity: A randomized controlled trial.

This study aims to assess the effectiveness of an intervention based on the goal attainment theory to levels of physical activity, body composition, and motivational variables of emerging adults with physical inactivity. A randomized, controlled trial. A total of 157 emerging adults with physical inactivity were randomized into the control group (n=77) or the intervention group (n=80). The control group received routine health education for a period of 3 months, and the intervention group used a physical activity promotion intervention model based on King's attainment theory on the basis of the control group. The primary outcome was the body composition. Secondary outcomes were examined included levels of physical activity, motivation, and self-efficacy. The results indicate that the visceral fat area was significantly lower in the intervention group (Z = -6.79, P < 0.001), along with reductions in body fat mass (Z = -2.85, P < 0.05) and body fat percentage (F = -2.78, P < 0.05). The intervention group also demonstrated higher introjected motivation (Z = 2.70, P < 0.05) and self-efficacy (Z = 4.06, P < 0.001) than the control group. Physical activity levels were significantly higher in the intervention group, with increases observed in vigorous activity (Z = 60.51, P < 0.001), moderate activity (Z = 104.90, P < 0.001), walking activity (Z = 7.37, P < 0.001), and total physical activity (Z = 91.40, P < 0.001) compared to the control group. Physical activity interventions based on King's Attainment Theory can improve body composition, increase physical activity levels, improve exercise self-efficacy, and promote maintenance of healthy behaviours in emerging adults. This study was registered on ClinicalTrials (NCT05697679).

Effectiveness and Components of Health Behavior Interventions on Increasing Physical Activity Among Healthy Young and Middle-Aged Adults: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analyses.

Physical inactivity contributes to various health risks; however, approximately one-third of the global population remains insufficiently active. Many researchers have attempted to increase physical activity levels; however, the effectiveness and the specific components of these interventions remain unclear. This systematic review with meta-analyses utilized a behavior change technique taxonomy to identify and extract effective intervention components, aiming to develop more efficient programs to promote physical activity. We searched the PubMed and Ichu-shi Web databases for studies targeting healthy young and middle-aged adults with data on physical activity changes and extracted the intervention components. A random-effects model was used for the primary meta-analysis, and a meta-regression was conducted for the selected outcomes. Overall, 116 studies were included, with 102 used for the primary analysis. The interventions showed a small effect on overall physical activity promotion. Subsequent meta-regressions identified 1.5 Review behavior goal(s) as a significant positive intervention component, as well as four and three potential positive and negative components, respectively. This systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrated the effectiveness of physical activity interventions and highlighted effective and negative components. These findings may inform the design of future programs aimed at promoting physical activity.