Activity In Women Research Articles

Physical Activity, Self-Care, and Menopausal Symptoms among Women in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia: Adherence to Postmenopausal Guidelines (PMGs).

Menopause is a physiological change in which the menstrual period permanently ends. Every woman experiences this transition in different ways between the ages of 40 and 55. Women may have menopausal symptoms as a result of low estrogen levels. Self-care is a practice which women can use to maintain their wellness. This study aimed to assess physical activity, self-care, and menopausal symptoms and their associations with selected variables. The results showed that women should adhere to postmenopausal guidelines (PMGs). A cross-sectional study was conducted among 212 menopausal women randomly selected from health centers in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. The international physical activity tool, a self-care questionnaire, and the Kupperman menopausal index scale were used to assess women's physical activity, self-care, and menopausal symptoms, respectively. The chi-square and Pearson correlation tests were used for analysis. The women were 55.01 ± 6.87 years old, and 40.6% reached menopause between the ages of 46 and 50 years; 57.1% of the women had low physical activity, which was associated with menopausal symptoms (p < 0.022). The highest mean score (29.63 ± 5.83) was obtained for physical health, while the lowest (11.92 ± 3.58) was found in self-care screening tests. Regarding menopausal symptoms, 25.9% had mild, 69.8% had moderate, and 4.3% had severe symptoms. A significant association was found between menopausal symptoms and age, menopausal age, education, body mass index, and PMGs awareness at p < 0.001. Self-care positively correlated with menopausal symptoms (p < 0.001). Therefore, attention should be given to women's adherence to PMGs so that they can enjoy healthier lives after menopause.

Regulation of body temperature and blood pressure in women: Mechanisms and implications for heat illness risk.

Increasing global temperatures due to ongoing climate change phenomena have resulted in increased risk of exertional heat illness in otherwise healthy, young individuals who work or play in the heat. With increasing participation of women in athletic, military and industrial activities that involve exertion in the heat, there is a growing need to study female physiology in this context. Mechanisms controlling blood pressure and body temperature have substantial overlap in humans, largely due to autonomic mechanisms which contribute to both. Similarly, illnesses that result from excessive heat exposure can often be traced back to imbalances in one or more of these autonomic mechanisms. In recent years, there has been increased recognition of the importance of sex as a biological variable for basic and applied research in these areas. The goal of this paper is to present an update on the integrative physiology and pathophysiology of responses to heat stress in women (thermoregulation and blood pressure regulation). In this context, it is often the case that differences between sexes are presented as 'advantages' and 'disadvantages' of one sex over the other. In our opinion, this is an over-simplification of the physiology which ignores the nuances and complexities of the integrative physiology of responses to heat exposure and exercise, and their relevance for practical outcomes.

Convicted Women in the Republic of Kosovo 2003-2019: The Volume, Dynamics, and Structure of Criminal Acts in Comparative Aspect

The participation of women in criminal activity in Kosovo has not received ample attention in research, despite existing studies focusing on women as victims. This paper aims to address this gap and lay the groundwork for further investigation. The study examines the phenomenon of women convicted with final verdicts, covering the period from 2003 to 2009 regarding volume and dynamics, and from 2010 to 2019 regarding the structure of criminal acts. It delves into the etiology of these crimes, analyzing the factors contributing to the increasing dynamics and the types of offenses committed during these years. Special attention is given to electricity theft, offenses against public transport safety, and offenses against life and bodily integrity. The paper uses the quantitative method, statistical analysis, and comparative analysis with other countries, such as Slovenia, Croatia, the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, and Serbia in the same period.

Rural women's activities related to electronic marketing in Qalyubia Governorate Case study

Rural women's activities related to electronic marketing in Qalyubia Governorate Case study

Dynamics and role of hill farm women in agricultural production activities in Mid Hills, Sub Humid Agro Climatic Zone of Himachal Pradesh

Dynamics and role of hill farm women in agricultural production activities in Mid Hills, Sub Humid Agro Climatic Zone of Himachal Pradesh

Socio-Economic Factors Affecting Women’s Participation in Sports Activities in Lahore

Women in Pakistan have been subjected to gender discrimination in different aspects of their lives, including their participation in sports. The main purpose of this study is to assess the socio-economic barriers hindering participation of women in sports activities. To this end, we adopted the survey design method. The idea behind this study is feminism in sports theory. The feminist approach to women’s participation in sports is focused on empowering women both inside and outside of the sports world, advancing gender equity, and arguing for equitable chances in sports. SMART-PLS 4, SPSS, and RStudio are used for data analysis. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) is used within structural equation model (SEM) to evaluate the hypotheses. The results revealed that women’s participation in sports is highly influenced by family influence, socio-cultural support, economic barriers, personal interest and motivation, and sexual harassment, while media coverage and wage inequality is insignificant. Sexual harassment and economic barriers negatively affects participation of women in sports. The results suggest that policy makers, sports governing bodies, universities, and society should work together to increase female sports participation by raising awareness, reducing economic barriers, and improving physical health and fitness. There is gap in understanding the socio-economic barriers that contribute to the low participation of women in sports activities in Lahore, Pakistan. This research include factors socio-cultural support, family influence, wage inequality, sexual harassment, media coverage, personal interest and motivation and economic barriers that hindering women’s sport participation in Lahore.

Determinants of engagement of rural women in non-farm economic activities in rural Ethiopia

Determinants of engagement of rural women in non-farm economic activities in rural Ethiopia

Effect of low level laser therapy versus pulsed ultrasound on postpartum carpal tunnel syndrome

Background. Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a major health issue that can impede postpartum women's activities and skills in both their personal and professional lives. Purpose. To compare the effectiveness of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and pulsed ultrasound (US) in relieving postpartum CTS. Methods. Forty-eight women with mild to moderate CTS were divided into three groups. In addition to wrist exercises, Group (A) (n = 16) received LLLT, Group (B) (n = 16) received pulsed US, and Group (C) (n = 16) performed wrist exercises alone. For all groups, the treatment sessions were applied to the affected hand, 3 sessions weekly for four weeks. All postpartum women were evaluated pre- and post-treatment via a visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain intensity, the Boston Questionnaire of CTS (BCTS) for diagnosing CTS symptoms, electromyography for measuring motor conduction velocity (MCV), sensory conduction velocity (SCV), motor distal latency (MDL), and sensory peak latency (SPL), and a hand grip dynamometer for assessing hand grip strength. Results. All measured variables were significantly improved in the three groups post-treatment compared to pre-treatment. Between-groups comparison showed a highly significant decrease in the VAS, BCTS, and SPL and a significant increase of SCV and hand grip strength between groups A and C in favor of group A and between groups B and C in favor of group B, while the significant change in MDL and MCV was found between groups A and C only in favor of group A (p &lt; 0.05), with no significant change in all outcome measures between groups A and B (P &gt; 0.05). Conclusion. Either LLLT or pulsed US are useful modalities that can be used as an effective conservative therapy for alleviating postpartum CTS.

Presenting a Model of Structural Equations Between Psychological Well-being, Religious Beliefs, and Adherence to Recreational Sports Activities

Background: This study aimed to present a model of structural equations between psychological well-being, religious beliefs, and adherence to recreational sports activities. Methods: The research method is descriptive-correlation, and the statistical population included all women participating in parks and recreation-sports centers in 2021 - 2022. Based on the population volume and using the Krejcie and Morgan table, a sample size of 348 individuals within the age range of 20 - 40 years was selected. Data collection tools were 3 questionnaires: Allport Religious Orientation, Reef Short Form of Psychological Welfare, and Exercise Adherence Questionnaire. The Pearson correlation coefficient and stepwise regression findings showed that psychological well-being and internal religious orientation could predict adherence to sports. Results: The coefficient of explanation of prediction of adherence to sports based on psychological well-being indicators (0.511) is about 6 times higher than the coefficient of explanation of prediction of adherence to sports from internal religious orientation (0.084). These findings indicate that personal growth and positive communication with others can significantly impact women's religious orientation more than internal religious orientation. Conclusions: However, in examining the results, if the culture and religious beliefs in a country or region are opposed to women's sports and even consider women's sports impaired, psychological well-being will no longer affect women's commitment, so cultural and religious factors can be both a threatening factor in non-compliance and an encouraging factor in adhering to women's recreational sports activities.

Techniques for Registration of Myoelectric Activity of Women's Pelvic Floor Muscles: A Scoping Review.

Surface electromyography is commonly applied to measure the electrophysiological activity of the neuromuscular system. However, there is no consensus regarding the best protocol to assess pelvic floor muscles. A scoping literature review was carried out in six databases, using MeSH descriptors. It included studies with electromyographic assessment in adult women presenting or not with pelvic floor dysfunction. The results were presented in categories to contribute to the development of a protocol considering the most used parameters for non-invasive assessment of myoelectric activity of pelvic floor muscles. A total of 1,074 articles were identified, and 146 studies were selected for analysis. The intravaginal probe was used in 80.8% of the studies, the bipolar sensor with metallic plates placed on both sides of the vagina was the most frequent (71.3%), with a reference electrode positioned on the anterior superior iliac spine (33.5%). The supine position with hip and knee flexed (45.2%) was the most frequent position used. Of the studies, 44.5% normalized the data by maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) whereas 44.5% performed an average of 3 MVCs. The most frequently used protocol for the pelvic floor is the bipolar intracavitary probe with metal plates positioned at 3-9 o'clock and introduced distally to the vaginal introitus with the volunteer in the supine position and the hip and knee flexed with the reference placed on the anterior-superior iliac spine.

Effect of home care activities on labor participation in a developing country

This article analyzes the differences in labor participation due to home care activities in Colombia. Indirect and direct care activities can be inside or outside the market sphere. For example, a domestic service worker provides indirect and, sometimes, direct care services. A high percentage of care activities are delegated to women because these tasks are supposedly proper for their gender and are a natural part of their daily lives. To understand the disadvantaged position of women in the labor market, their participation in unpaid work must be considered. Our results show that gender stereotypes continue to overburden Colombian women in unpaid activities. Variables such as age, schooling, sex, and household headship are relevant when direct and indirect caregiving activities are included in the analysis of labor participation.

Maternal physical activity and sitting time and its association with placental morphology and blood flow during gestation: Findings from the Queensland Family Cohort study

ObjectivesAntenatal exercise is associated with placental morphological alterations, however research in this area is limited. Given the emphasis on the beneficial effects of antenatal exercise, it is important to understand its effect on placental function and the relationship to foetal development. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between physical activity, sitting time, and placental outcomes measured during gestation. DesignProspective cohort study. MethodsPregnant women in the Queensland Family Cohort study self-reported physical activity at 24 and 36 weeks of gestation (n = 203) and were categorised into physical activity volume groups of nil–low (0–<500 metabolic equivalent of task·minutes/week), moderate (500–<1000 metabolic equivalent of task·minutes/week), or high-volume activity (≥1000 metabolic equivalent of task·minutes/week). Participants reported average daily sitting time, whereby excessive sitting time was considered as ≥8h/day. Placental stiffness, thickness, and uteroplacental blood flow resistance were measured by ultrasound imaging at each timepoint. ResultsPhysical activity volume was not associated with changes to placental morphometrics or uteroplacental blood flow resistance at 24 or 36 weeks of gestation. Excessive sitting time at 36 weeks was associated with greater placental stiffness (p = 0.046), and a lower umbilical artery pulsatility index (p = 0.001). ConclusionsPlacental tissue stiffness and umbilical artery resistance were altered in late gestation with higher maternal sitting time but not with physical activity volume. Overall, excessive sitting time may be a risk for suboptimal placental function and could be an important focus for antenatal care.

Costs and benefits of scaling psychosocial interventions during the perinatal period in England: A simulation modelling study

BackgroundGlobally, guidance recommends the integration of mental health into maternal and child healthcare to address common maternal mental health problems during the perinatal period. However, implementing this in the real-world requires substantial resource allocations. ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to estimate the likely costs and consequences linked to scaling the delivery of treatment (in the form of psychosocial interventions) during the perinatal period. DesignSimulation modelling. Setting(s)England. MethodsCosts and consequences were modelled for three scenarios of assumed provision of services, whereby one referred to the projected provision under current government plans, with no additional scaling up of treatment. The other two scenarios referred to additional scaling of treatment: in one scenario, this referred to the provision of treatment by midwives and health visitors trained in the routine enquiry about mental health and delivery of psychosocial interventions; in the other scenario this referred to an expanded provision by primary mental health services. For each scenario and in yearly intervals (covering a ten-year period, 2015 to 2024), unit cots and outcomes were assigned to the activities women were assumed to receive (routine enquiry, assessment, treatment, care coordination). All costs were in 2020 pounds sterling. Data sources for the modelling included: published findings from randomised controlled trials; national unit cost source; national statistics; and expert consultation. ResultsIf the projected treatment gap was to be addressed, an estimated additional 111,154 (50,031) women would be accessing treatment in 2015 (2024). Estimated total costs (including cost offsets) in the scenario of projected provision under current government plans would be £73.5 million in 2015 and £95.2 million in 2024, whilst quality-adjusted life years gained would be 901 and 928 respectively. Addressing the treatment gap through provision by trained midwives and health visitors could mean additional costs of £7.3 million in 2015 but lower costs of £18.4 million in 2024. The additional quality-adjusted life years gained are estimated at 2096 in 2015 and 1418 in 2024. A scenario in which the treatment gap would be met by primary mental health services was likely to be more costly and delivered less health gains. ConclusionsFindings from this modelling study suggest that scaling the integration of mental health care into routinely delivered care for women during the perinatal period might be economically viable. RegistrationN/A. Tweetable abstractIntegrating mental health into maternal and child healthcare might generate economic benefits new study by @a_annettemaria and @knappem @CPEC_LSE finds #increasing access to treatment for women with perinatal mental health problems

The role of women in enhancing economic standards in rural areas through the implementation of waste reform in Desa Cemagi

Cemagi Village faces challenges in its human resources sector, which are not yet prepared to compete in the tourism industry, and waste management, which is deemed highly risky. In response to waste management issues, the Cemagi Village Perbekel has initiated the establishment of the Sarwa Metu Wangi TPS3R to oversee waste management and has appointed cadres to manage waste banks in each Banjar neighborhood. To address these issues, a pilot project was launched for women's empowerment activities in Cemagi Village, specifically in Banjar Sangiangan. These service activities aim to empower women in Cemagi Village by encouraging women's groups to actively sort waste, generate additional income from the sale of segregated waste, increase public awareness of the importance of proper waste management for environmental cleanliness and public health, and support tourism village development through the application of the Sapta Pesona principles. The method of implementing these activities involves conducting waste management awareness campaigns and providing assistance in waste sorting at residents' homes. The results of these activities indicate that the community has begun to actively sort waste in accordance with guidance provided by the implementation team during assistance. This is evident from the initial condition of waste deposits at the onset of waste bank activities, which were predominantly mixed or improperly sorted. However, after providing assistance at residents' homes, the waste brought to the waste bank has begun to be properly sorted. Changes in people's waste sorting behavior serve as an indicator of the success of awareness campaigns and mentoring efforts, reflecting an increase in public awareness regarding the importance of proper waste sorting for environmental protection.

Optimalisasi Kelas Ibu Hamil Sebagai Upaya Peningkatan Pengetahuan Ibu Hamil Dan Keluarga Di Wilayah Kerja Puskesmas Sungai Turak

Pregnant women's class activities aim to increase knowledge, change mothers' attitudes and behavior so that they understand about pregnancy checks, childbirth, postpartum and newborn care for optimal growth and development. The class for pregnant women coordinated by the Sungai Turak village health center was felt to be less than optimal, where the level of attendance and motivation of mothers in attending the class for pregnant women was felt to be lacking. In January 2024, community service was carried out, in the form of optimizing classes for pregnant women as an effort to increase knowledge of pregnant women and families in the working area of the Sungai Turak Community Health Center. Health cadres should approach pregnant women in their area, to discuss when they can take part in pregnant women's class activities, to then coordinate with the facilitator team. The effort made was to create educational posters about the benefits of attending classes for pregnant women. It is hoped that with attractive posters, pregnant women's interest in taking part in classes for pregnant women will increase. Coinciding with the class schedule for pregnant women, more intensive outreach was carried out, accompanied by posters displayed at the Community Health Center and Posyandu. Thanks to these efforts, the number of pregnant women who attended increased to 24 pregnant women.

Influence of the Fear of Movement and Fatigue on Self-Efficacy for Physical Activity in Women with Fibromyalgia

Introduction and purpose: Self-efficacy is considered an antecedent for physical activity levels in fibromyalgia patients. However, the influence of the fear of movement and fatigue on the self-efficacy to reduce physical inactivity is still not clear and could be critical in improving the biopsychosocial benefits of therapeutic exercise. In this way, the present study aims to assess the relationship between self-efficacy, fatigue, fibromyalgia impact, the fear of movement, and physical activity. Additionally, it aims to explore differences among patients based on self-reported physical activity levels. Material and methods: A sample of 115 women diagnosed with fibromyalgia were evaluated in this prospective study. The variables were the impact of fibromyalgia, the fear of movement, fatigue, self-efficacy, and physical activity levels. Results: Patients with high and moderate physical activity levels had higher self-efficacy for physical function (p &lt; 0.05), which is in line with the previously known model. Furthermore, a model was developed where the significant relationship between the fear of movement and self-efficacy for physical activity was significantly mediated by general fatigue and the impact of fibromyalgia on physical function. Conclusions: The fear of movement may influence self-efficacy, affecting physical activity levels; therapeutic exercises targeting the fear of movement can enhance self-efficacy and activity levels, while fatigue and fibromyalgia may mediate this relationship.

Young women's leisure time physical activity determinants: a mixed methods approach.

The aim of the study was to analyze the habits, motives and barriers related to Leisure Time Physical Activity (LTPA) among young women of Gipuzkoa, from a mixed approach. A total of 526 women aged 18-29 (24.60 ± 3.30 years) responded to the Gipuzkoa Women's Physical Activity Questionnaire (GWPAQ), seven of which were later interviewed. The main motives for LTPA were intrapersonal - related to health and enjoyment - and to interpersonal networks. However, the main barriers facing LTPA were mostly intrapersonal, such as lack of time, tiredness, and laziness. Contextual factors such as the availability of safe spaces, previous negative experiences, or negative self-perception of motor competence also emerged as conditioning factors in young women's LTPA habits. This study may help to promote policies aimed at incentivizing LTPA for young women based on their needs and interests, by addressing the diversity of factors.

Representasi Perempuan dalam Pariwisata di Pantai Toronipa Desa Toronipa Kecamatan Soropia Kabupaten Konawe Sulawesi Tenggara

Gender inequality can often hinder the development of tourism, especially in Toronipa Beach, Konawe Regency, Southeast Sulawesi Province. The objective of research is to be an alternative to reduce gender inequality in tourism development that has not been intended to women. The theory used in this research is tourism theory with ethnographic method proposed by Spradley (2006) that the analysis of women's representation must be in accordance with field data. The results shows that women's participation in tourism activities at Toronipa Beach has several impacts: positive impacts including land utilization, increasing income, and making business run more easily, and negative impacts including less time for children, and competition between traders, and social conflict. The representation of women in tourism activities is expected to increase the vocabularies of tourism science.

Triple jeopardy: The impact of race, class, and gender on girls and women in sport and physical activity.

Thirty-six million youth athletes participate in and benefit from sport each year in the United States. Along with developing sport skills, the lifelong benefits of physical activity for girls and women are significant and include improved dietary habits and quality sleep, decreased risk for breast cancer and osteoporosis, among other benefits (Erickson et al., 2019; Zarrett et al., 2018). In addition, girls and women that engage in sport are more likely to experience additional professional benefits with 94% of women business executives reporting they played sport in their youth (Kotschwar, 2014). However, as in many performance domains, the benefits are not experienced equally by all would-be participants. Research indicates that girls and women of color do not have the same access to quality sport and physical activity opportunities (National Collegiate Athletic Association [NCAA], 2021; Smith-Evans et al., 2014). In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic and the eruption of racial unrest have widened the participation gaps and the resulting psychosocial and health benefit gap for girls of color and those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The purpose of this article is to signify the important role sport and physical activity play in socioemotional development, physical fitness, and health of girls and women. By centering the experiences of girls and women who are currently not equitably served by the existing youth sport environment (e.g., girls and women of color and girls from working-class backgrounds), the authors will identify barriers that prevent access to physical activity opportunities for everyone. In addition, strategies for change will be offered. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Prospects of equitable and sustainable seaweed aquaculture: a case study of changing gender and socio-economic relations in Maullín, Chile

This article examines the development of marine tenure in the Maullín River, Chile. It starts with the emergence of artisanal red algae (Gracilaria chilensis) gathering and the changes resulting from the governmental ad hoc allocation of small-scale aquaculture concessions. We aim to track this transition, its drivers, effects on the work organization, gender relations, market relations and the sustainability/equity challenges currently confronting the community. We use a feminist political ecology approach to direct our multi-method data collection strategy and to analyse the empirical material. The State by enabling local tenure for the development of marine aquaculture concessions played an influential role in Maullín community attaining de facto territorial tenure. This led to the establishment of residential aquaculture communities while facilitating the integration of women in aquaculture activities. We see both steps as positive economic and social development opportunities in Maullín. While marine tenure has provided livelihood chances, low prices caused by the producers’ disadvantaged market position and the lack of supportive alliance building pose ongoing problems. We conclude that these factors are serious challenges to the sustainability of aquacultural livelihoods at Maullín River. While the case depicts aspects of women’s empowerment such as their engagement in developing potential post-production innovation ideas, entrepreneurial abilities to conduct market transactions as well as their better competence in literacy, math and financial expertise, there is still a long way to reach gender equality in the male-dominated aquacultural sector.