Leisure Activities Research Articles

The reflection of generation Z of leisure practices in Chinese audiovisual media: An analysis based on the YouTube platform

This study explores the reflection of Generation Z leisure culture in Chinese audiovisual media, with a focus on the YouTube platform. As China’s Generation Z becomes a key demographic in shaping digital and media consumption patterns, their leisure practices reflect a unique fusion of local and global influences. Through an analysis of content on YouTube, this research examines how audiovisual media portrays the leisure activities of Chinese Generation Z, including entertainment, social interaction, and self-expression. By investigating the cultural narratives and visual strategies used to engage this generation, the study reveals how YouTube serves as a platform for identity formation, a strong sense of national identity, and pride in Chinese traditional culture among Chinese Gen Z audiences. The findings contribute to understanding the broader impact of digital platforms on leisure habits and media discourse in contemporary China, highlighting the transformative role of audiovisual media in shaping youth culture. It also plays a significant cultural education function, enhancing the positive perception of Chinese culture on the international stage and elevating China's image.

The funnel effect of reserves prompted by leisure activities across the Alzheimer's disease continuum.

Reserves' mechanisms explain inconsistencies between accumulation of neuropathological damage and clinical manifestations. Leisure activities are believed to promote reserves. This study evaluates whether cognitive, social, and physical leisure activities performed over life-span predict current cognitive functioning in normal aging and Alzheimer's disease (AD) continuum. 35 AD, 24 amnestic-Mild Cognitive Impairment (a-MCI) patients, 21 individuals with subjective cognitive complaint (SCD), and 25 controls underwent a questionnaire developed to quantify leisure activities in different life periods, the Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination-Revised (ACE-R), and T1-weighted 3T-MRI scans for brain volumetrics and cortical thickness quantification. Partial/total leisure activities' scores and demographic and brain variables were entered as predictors, while ACE-R scores as dependent variables in linear regression analyses. Current level of cognition was predicted by (i) social and physical activities performed in middle age and current cognitive activity in AD; (ii) cognitive and social activities performed in middle age, current age and cortical thickness in a-MCI; (iii) recreational activities the set of lifetime, current age, and brain features in SCD; (iv) education and the set of lifetime leisure activities over lifespan in controls. This study shows a funnel effect due to gradual reduction of stimulatory activities in the transition from healthy aging to AD. Reserve indices taking into account different types of stimulatory activities allow to capture even smallest residual effects of reserves accumulated over lifespan, until their complete depletion at advanced AD stages. These results may help target tailored interventions during normal and pathological aging.

Identification of sport talents through leisure activity: a pathway for achieving football commercialization

ABSTRACT The study identifies how the sport talents of young people are identified through leisure activity, which supports them to achieve professional status. Through recreational specialization and network support, we understand how amateur athletes’ leisure participation evolved through realizing their professional sports dreams. Leisure and recreational specialization studies contribute to explaining players’ progression from their street football activity in communities. Semi-structured interviews and interactions with 19 former African professional players reveal that they relied mostly on networks of recreational intermediaries (e.g. agents, scouts) to reach their recreational specialization, offering them professional sports careers abroad. Former players experienced some challenges through their involvement in leisure behaviour as they sought to commercialize their leisure activity of football for socioeconomic benefit. This paper presents valued evidence for recreational managers or recreational intermediaries to support children’s leisure pursuits in identifying their talents and prospects for development to enhance their livelihood and well-being in the future.

Sports Spectatorship As a Leisure Activity: The Role of Leisure Literacy in Predicting Motives

Sports Spectatorship As a Leisure Activity: The Role of Leisure Literacy in Predicting Motives

Übersichtsarbeiten / Review Articles. Neue Medien und Sucht im Kindes- und Jugendalter / New Media and Addiction in Youth

New Media and Addiction in Youth New media, such as digital games, social media, and video streaming services, have emerged as fundamental channels for socialization and leisure activities among young people. Platforms such as TikTok, Fortnite, and YouTube do not only provide entertainment, enjoyment, and opportunities for social connection, but also carry the risk of excessive use. Particularly vulnerable youth, who turn to media to escape real-world problems and conflicts, can quickly become trapped in a vicious cycle, resulting in problematic usage habits with significant psychosocial consequences. This review presents the current state of research on Digital Media Use Disorders (DMUD) in youth. It outlines diagnostic criteria, presents recent data on epidemiology, etiology, and treatment approaches, and discusses implications for prevention. DMUD in youth remains a serious health issue in the aftermath of the pandemic. Parents and schools play a crucial role in guiding children and adolescents towards media literacy and self-regulated use of digital media. But also game and platform providers, who often employ manipulative mechanisms that prevent a self-regulated use, need to be held accountable. The introduction of the European Digital Services Act represents a crucial step in this direction.

The paths to subjective and eudaimonic well-being: which aspects of leisure matter?

ABSTRACT Despite the increased recognition of leisure’s significance, there remains a general lack of understanding about which aspects or types of leisure contribute to higher levels of subjective and eudaimonic wellbeing. The purpose of this study was to examine how diverse aspects of leisure, such as free time availability, leisure activity participation, and subjective experiences, are associated with both subjective wellbeing (SWB; e.g. positive affect, negative affect, happiness, and life satisfaction) and eudaimonic wellbeing (EWB; ikigai). Ikigai is a Japanese concept that approximates ‘life worth living’, whereupon we explored leisure’s relevance to a non-Western well-being concept. We analyzed online survey data from 674 Japanese university students through hierarchical regressions to investigate the potential influence of leisure-related variables on SWB and EWB. The outcomes revealed that SWB was associated with free time availability, leisure activity participation, and subjective experiences, whereas EWB was primarily linked to leisure activity participation and subjective experiences.

Übersichtsarbeiten / Review Articles. Die Computerspielstörung in der ICD-11: Hintergründe, Kriterien und mögliche Implikationen / Gaming Disorder According to the ICD-11: Background, Criteria and Possible Implications

Gaming Disorder According to the ICD-11: Background, Criteria and Possible Implications Within 60 years, playing computer games - online or offline, with a computer, games console or smartphone - has developed from a niche activity for mostly young males into a global industry worth billions. Studies show that children and adolescents in particular tend to play digital games for several hours a day, making gaming one of the most common leisure activities for young people. A small proportion of young gamers may develop addictive behaviour with harmful effects on their psychosocial functioning. Following an intense discussion process lasting several years, the World Health Organisation (WHO) responded by introducing the new disorder category, "gaming disorder", which was placed as a second disorder alongside "gambling disorder" in the chapter on behavioural addictions. As with substance-related addiction disorders, computer game addiction is conceptualized within an "addiction triangle" framework, which considers a combination of individual risk factors, environmental factors and factors intrinsic to the game itself. This article presents a discussion of the recently proposed diagnosis of gaming disorder in the context of its diagnostic criteria and aetiological factors and concludes by discussing possible implications for clinical practice.

Influence of sedentary behavior and physical activity in leisure and work on sleep duration: data from NHANES 2017–2018

ObjectiveTo evaluate the association between sedentary behavior (SB), moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and sleep duration.MethodsData from the 2017–2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) was analyzed. SB was assessed based on the average daily sitting time, while MVPA was estimated by the frequency and duration of leisure and work-related activities. The ratio of time spent in MVPA to time in SB was analyzed, and a thresholds of ≥ 1.0, 2.5 and 10 min of MVPA per sedentary hour was used to determine sufficiency for mitigating the effects of a sedentary lifestyle. Sleep duration was measured by the average hours slept on weekdays and weekends, classified according to National Sleep Foundation guidelines. The measures of SB, MVPA, and sleep were self-reported. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the sample, and multivariate logistic regression was applied to assess the associations between movement behaviors and sleep duration.ResultsThe study included 5,533 participants, with 51.8% women, predominantly aged 26–64 years (66.1%). Insufficient physical activity was reported by 59.6% at work and 62.5% during leisure time. Recommended sleep duration was observed in 84.4% of the sample. Adjusted multivariate analysis revealed that individuals engaging in ≥ 2.5 min of MVPA during leisure-time for each sedentary hour were 38.9% less likely to experience short-term sleep (OR:0.72;95%CI:0.53–0.97). Conversely, those who performed the same amount of MVPA at work were 57.0% more likely to have short-term sleep (OR:1.57;95%CI:1.16–2.12).ConclusionMeeting the MVPA threshold during leisure-time reduces the likelihood of short-term sleep, while higher MVPA levels at work increase the likelihood of short-term sleep.

고등학생의 디지털 리터러시 태도 양상 및 학생역량과의 관계 분석

Objectives The purposes of this tudy was conducted to identify the aspects of digital literacy attitudes according to various student variables of high school students in Gyeonggi Province and to explore the relationship between digital literacy attitude factors and student competency. Methods A t-test and F-test were conducted to examine the differences in digital literacy attitudes according to gender, reading amount, academic performance, study time, and electronic device usage time (for academic and career development, leisure, and social activities) among 4,981 high school students who participated in the Gyeonggi Province School Education Survey in 2022. In addition, a stepwise regression analysis was conducted to examine the influence between the sub-factors of digital literacy attitude and cognitive, social, autonomous, and core competencies. Results The results of the mean analysis showed that female students had more positive digital literacy attitudes than male students, and the higher their academic performance and the more time they spent studying, the more positive they were. In addition, when electronic devices were used for academic and career development, the more positive the digital literacy attitudes were as the usage time increased, but when they were used for leisure and social activities, the digital literacy attitudes of the group that used electronic devices were more positive than those of the group that did not use electronic devices. The results of the stepwise regression analysis showed that cognitive and autonomous competencies had a positive effect on digital literacy attitudes in the order of ‘self-effi-cacy > self-regulation > ethics’, while social competencies and core competencies had a positive effect on digital literacy attitudes in the order of ‘self-efficacy > ethics > self-regulation’. Conclusions This study is meaningful in that it is an empirical study that can contribute to deriving educational plans for forming positive digital literacy attitudes in high school students, but follow-up studies are needed to generalize the results.

Mothers’ Parenting Behaviours, Strain, Enjoyment and Subsequent Childbearing

Modern parenting is both emotionally costly and rewarding. It is also more intensive than before and requires significant time and effort, particularly from mothers. Emotional costs and benefits of children are important to fertility decisions, and they may be linked with a mother’s parenting behaviours. Using a sample of 4402 partnered first-time mothers from the UK Household Longitudinal Study waves 1 to 9 (2009–2018), this study investigated the association between mothers’ parenting behaviours, changes in the levels of reported strain or enjoyment of everyday activities and second-birth transition. A decline in enjoyment formed a negative association with second-birth risk. The frequency of participation in dinner with the child and in leisure activities with the child formed significant associations with second-birth risk but only for selected segments of the population. We discuss the possible underlying mechanisms of these associations and the socioeconomic differences within them.

Multi-Sensor Photoelectric Fire Alarm Device Implementation for Early Fire Detection in Campsites

With the growing popularity of leisure activities such as camping and glamping, the incidence of fires at camping sites has increased. This study focuses on improving the effectiveness of photoelectric fire alarm devices by incorporating temperature and humidity data for early fire detection in confined spaces, such as campsites. This study proposes a novel multi-sensor fire alarm system that dynamically adjusts fire detection threshold values based on temperature and humidity data collected by unmanned automatic weather observation systems. The prototype, which was implemented using Raspberry Pi and multiple sensors, demonstrated approximately 20% faster fire detection speed than existing photoelectric fire alarm systems, as verified through experiments in a simulated camping environment. The proposed approach is expected to advance fire alarm systems, enabling faster and more accurate fire detection in diverse environments, particularly at campsites.

Work-Family Conflict and Work-Family Balance: Mediating Role of Psychological Capital and Moderating Role of Leisure Activity

Work-Family Conflict and Work-Family Balance: Mediating Role of Psychological Capital and Moderating Role of Leisure Activity

3D 패션 시뮬레이션을 활용한 섹슈얼리티 기반의 리조트웨어 샘플 개발

According to changing fashion trends, this study organized people’s perception for not only understanding of sexuality but also features of leisure activities in modern society that most people want to express themselves these days. In this study, 2 resort wear was designed and manufactured by using Z-WEAVE, a 3D fashion simulation program. The study recognized advantages of 3D fashion simulation program and actively used it. The study can supplement sexuality in the resort wear genre through analysis of people's perceptions of expressing themselves, and it is expected that the 3D fashion simulation program will be a workflow for fashion product development based on its advancements. As the digital industry environment continues to develop and expand, it is considered necessary to study the production of clothes using various digital technologies in addition to 3D simulation programs.

CONSIDERATIONS REGARDING THE IMPORTANCE OF PRACTICING WOMEN’S FOOTBALL AS A FREE-TIME MOTOR ACTIVITY

Background. Motor activities are actions that involve the movement of the body and the use of the locomotor apparatus in order to fulfill the proposed tasks and objectives. These are important activities for the physical development of the individual and the health of the human body in general. Lately, more and more emphasis has been placed on devoting free time to activities of relaxation, entertainment, personal development, socializing, to restore the body after the pressure exerted by work tasks or other daily responsibilities. Motor activities can lead to the recovery of the required body, movement being a tool/means of relaxation, revitalization and optimization of physical condition. For females, involvement in sports activities has been limited by historical and social contexts. Introduced in Romania only three decades ago, women's football represents one of the team sports with multiple benefits, both physically and mentally, a fact for which it can be successfully classified in the category of free-time motor activities. Purpose. The aim of the paper is to highlight the importance of playing football by women as a leisure activity. Thus, the presentation highlights the physiological and psychological benefits of this sport on the female body. These aspects are discussed through the prism of my personal experience as a player in the Representative Football Team of the University of Bucharest. Rezults. Playing football, among other things, leads to the improvement of physical and mental resistance, resilience, tolerance and collaborative character, contributes to the hormonal balance of the body and the intensification of metabolic processes. At the same time, through the intense and complex demand on the body, women's football presents benefits on the cardio-respiratory system, reducing the incidence of cardiovascular diseases. Conclusion. From my experience as a player of women's football, both in my spare time and within the Representative Football Team of the University of Bucharest, we can conclude that this sport fits very well the physical needs of anyone who wants their free time to be used for health, relaxation and socializing.

Association between excess peripheral, central and general adiposity and different contexts of physical activity among adolescents from Southern Brazil

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between excess peripheral, central and general adiposity and different contexts of physical activity (Physical Education classes, school recess, commuting, leisure time and participation in sports teams) in adolescents from Southern Brazil. Across-sectional study was developed with 1.132 adolescents (16.50 ± 1.14 years) of both sexes. Peripheral adiposity (triceps skinfold) and central adiposity (subscapular skinfold) were classified as high based on the 90th percentile of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reference distribution. For excess general adiposity, triceps and subscapular skinfold thicknesses above the 90th percentile were simultaneously considered. The different contexts of physical activity were obtained through self-reported questionnaire. Covariates were: age, economic level, eating habits measured through self-administered questionnaire and sexual maturation (self-reported, following Tanner's procedures). Binary logistic regression was used with significance level < 0.05. Male adolescents little active during leisure time were 2.25 (95%CI: 1.17; 4.50) times more likely of having excess peripheral adiposity, 3.10 (95%CI: 1.56; 6.13) times more likely of having excess central adiposity and 2.38 (95% CI: 1.08; 5.26) times more likely of having general adiposity when compared to peers active during leisure time. For female adolescents, no context of physical activity was associated with excess peripheral, central and general adiposity. Male adolescents little active during leisure time are more likely of having excess peripheral, central and general adiposity. For female adolescents, no context of physical activity was associated with excess peripheral, central and general adiposity.

Apartheid in the digital outdoors? An analysis of the Instagram content of outdoor brands in the US, UK and Scandinavia

The outdoors offers widely understood health and wellbeing benefits and provides an unparalleled resource for the realization and projection of identity, from the personal to the national. Yet access to the outdoors in the countries of the global North is manifestly unequal, with BIPOC communities typically much less likely than their white counterparts to participate in outdoor leisure activities such as hiking, trail running, cycling, climbing, etc. This study revisits the hypothesis that outdoors media plays a central role in perpetuating what Martin (2004) terms “apartheid in the Great Outdoors” by performing a content analysis of the Instagram posts of the top 10 outdoor brands in the US, Scandinavia and UK between the spring and summer seasons of 2020 – a period when the global pandemic restricted access to the outdoors at the same time as the Black Lives Matter movement raised awareness of systemic racial inequalities. The analysis reveals that whilst there is a purposeful response to calls to diversify the outdoors in the representational strategies of US outdoor brands, this is not the case in the UK and Scandinavia. In these locations the digital outdoors and its associated leisure identities remain overwhelmingly white, young, straight, and able-bodied.

Business analysis and investment recommendation of Nike Corp

With the development of the economy, people’s demand for their health and leisure activities is constantly increasing, which provides many opportunities for Nike’s international development. However, the fierce competition of competitors and the turbulence of the financial market have caused a certain negative impact on it. The study aims to focus on the brand’s competitiveness in the market, business model and development strategy to evaluate whether it has the potential for sustainable development in today’s market. The method mainly comes from some Nike stocks and analyses the revenue data. The data sources are mainly financial data, market data and consumer data. After this preliminary analysis and data collection, this research will write out the performance of the company, which will be reflected by brand influence, brand management and product innovation. Finally, some relevant investment suggestions will be given in the later paragraph of the article, which are generally divided into long-term, short-term and diversified investments.

Online intervention with couples during the COVID-19 pandemic based on Functional Analytic Psychotherapy

The potential implications of the COVID-19 pandemic include an increased strain on the relationships of cohabiting couples. The effects of an online intervention based on the Awareness, Courage, and Love (ACL) model from Functional Analytic Psychotherapy were compared to those of a protocol with a leisure activity (movie). The participants (28 Brazilian dyads) were randomly assigned to two groups. Group 1, 1st session—ACL protocol and 2nd session—movie protocol (one week apart). Group 2, in reverse order. The groups completed two scales (The Couple Assessment of Relationship Elements - CARE and Inclusion of Other in the Self Scale - IOS); one assessed marital relationship quality, and the other evaluated interpersonal closeness. The scales were answered three times: before and after each session and one week later (follow-up). The data presented homogeneity between groups before the intervention (Student’s t-test). The impact of the ACL and movie protocols on the quality of marital relationships and closeness of couples was tested using the General Mixed Model, which had random effects on individuals and couples. The mean scores obtained in the two scales increased significantly from the pre- to the post-test in ACL and movie protocols, with no discrepancy between the two interventions. In the follow-up, the score of both scales decreased. We concluded that the interventions with the ACL and the movie protocols efficiently approximated couples in the pandemic scenario and improved the relationship quality indicators right after the sessions.

Joint Leisure Activities of Older Vietnamese Married Couples.

Leisure activities enjoyed by older married couples play an important part in creating more meaningful married lives. The study focuses on the prevalence of joint leisure activities by older couples, the factors influencing older adults' engagement in leisure activities together, and the relationship between joint participation in leisure activities and marital satisfaction of older couples. The quantitative sample included 414 married respondents aged 55 years and above from different parts of Vietnam. The leisure activities analyzed in the paper include vacation/travel, watching movies, music, karaoke singing outside the house, walking around the house, attending cultural events and festivals, watching TV, drinking tea, and doing exercise. The study results showed that the level of joint engagement in leisure activities in places near home with less cost was higher than those engaged in elsewhere. Couples with better living standards, higher education, better health, and who lived in urban areas more actively participated in leisure activities far from home. Vietnamese couples who engage in more leisure activities together had a higher level of overall satisfaction with their marriage, and greater satisfaction in several dimensions of their marital relationship than those who did not participate in leisure activities with their partners.

Lifestyle factors associated with episodic memory in middle-aged and older adults: evidence from a 9-year longitudinal study

BackgroundEpisodic memory naturally deteriorates with age, and its deficits are widely recognized as the most significant feature and the most sensitive indicator of cognitive decline. It has been suggested that adopting a healthy lifestyle can play a protective role in preserving episodic memory. This study aimed to systematically examine the relationship between lifestyle factors (social activities, leisure activities, physical activities, internet use, smoking, alcohol drinking, and sleep quality) and episodic memory in middle-aged and older adults.MethodsThe current study included 10,392 participants from the Chinese Health and Retirement Longitudinal Survey. A linear mixed model was used to explore the associations between lifestyle factors and episodic memory performance and the age- and sex-specific effects of the association.ResultsLow-frequency alcohol drinking, higher engagement in social, leisure, and physical activities, increased internet use, and improved sleep quality were associated with better episodic memory performance in middle-aged and older adults. Stratified analyses demonstrated that internet use significantly correlated with episodic memory performance in middle-aged adults but not in older adults. On the other hand, sleep quality showed a significant association with episodic memory performance in women but not in men.ConclusionsThis study highlights the association between various lifestyle factors and episodic memory performance, with variations observed based on age and sex. Adopting healthy lifestyle factors can have positive effects on episodic memory in middle-aged adults, emphasizing the importance of adhering to healthy lifestyles from middle age onwards to counteract episodic memory decline.