Physical Activity Experiences Research Articles

Subjective experiences of physical activity and forecasting bias during behavioral weight loss.

IntroductionEngagement in physical activity (PA) is a critical component of behavioral weight loss (BWL) treatment. Subjective experiences surrounding PA may shape exercise decisions and need to be further understood within a BWL sample.MethodsParticipants in this study were adults with overweight/obesity enrolled in an 18‐month BWL program. At baseline, six, and 18 months, participants (N = 320) predicted how they would feel during a lab‐based walking task and rated their experiences mid‐walk and post‐walk. They also completed self‐report questionnaires assessing depressive symptoms and discomfort intolerance.Results and DiscussionResults indicated that exercise experience and expectations were more positive at later treatment points than at baseline. At each assessment point, post‐walk ratings were more positive than mid‐walk ratings, but pre‐walk ratings did not differ from mid‐walk ratings, suggesting BWL participants were relatively accurate in predicting their PA experience. These results suggest treatment‐seeking adults with overweight/obesity feel most positive upon completion of PA, may not experience a forecasting bias as hypothesized and seem to have increasingly positive PA expectations and experiences as they proceed through treatment and lose weight. Lower discomfort intolerance and depressive symptoms were associated with more positive PA expectations and experiences. Understanding these individual differences in PA experience can inform intervention strategies.

Health Behavior, Emotional Intelligence, and Stress of Elementary School Students in Korea.

Background:We aimed to provide the baseline data of nursing intervention for promoting the health promotion and promotion of growth and development for elementary students.Methods:By subjecting the 887 elementary students from 20 elementary schools located in the northern area of Gyeonggi-do Province, South Korea, data were gathered from April 10–May 30, 2017. The SPSS was used for analysis of data.Results:Some elements of emotional intelligence were found to differ depending on the gender and family type of lower-grade children, and depending on gender, sleep time, family type, and physical activity experience of higher-grade children. Some factors of stress were found to have differences according to sleeping time of the lower grades, and according to gender, sleeping time, family type, and whether they have experience in physical activity of higher-graders.Conclusion:It is possible to improve emotional intelligence and solve the stress of elementary students. This study will be the baseline data on developing the Health Promotion Education Arbitration Program for elementary students.

Unique behavioral strategies in visuomotor learning: Hope for the non-learner

The existence of individual differences in motor learning capability is well known but the behaviors or strategies that contribute to this variability have been vastly understudied. What performance characteristics distinguish an expert level performer from individuals who experience little to no success, those labeled non-learners? We designed a rule-based visuomotor task which requires identification (discovery) and then exploitation of specific explicit and implicit task components that requires a specific movement pattern, the task rule, for goal achievement. When participants first attempt the task, they are informed about the goal, but are naïve to the task rule. Therefore, the purpose of this experiment is to determine how acquisition of both implicit and explicit task components, the inherent elements of the task rule, reveals differing strategies associated with performance and task success. We test the hypothesis that an examination of performance will reveal sub-groups with varying levels of success. Further, for each subgroup, we expect to find a unique relationship between visual Time-in-Target feedback (a measure of success) and subsequent updating of each task component. Out of 32 non-disabled adults, we identified three distinct sub-groups: (Low Performer/Non-Learner (LP, N=9), Moderate Performer (MP, N=12) and High Performer (HP, N=11)). A quantitative analysis of behavioral patterns reveals three findings: First, the LP sub-group demonstrated significantly lower task success which was associated with difficulty identifying the explicit component of the task. Second, the HP sub-group acquired the two task components in parallel over practice. Third, when both explicit and implicit component performance is plotted across sub-groups, a task component continuum emerges that seamlessly progresses from low to moderate to high performer groups. An exploratory analysis reveals that self-reported level of prior lifetime accumulation of video game and physical activity experience is a significant predictor of individual task performance (R2=0.50). In summary, what appears to be a key distinction between varying levels of human rule-based motor learning is the process by which feedback is used to update performance of inherent elements of the task rule. Evidence of a performance continuum and limited prior experience suggests that Low Performer/Non-Learners are generally inexperienced with these kinds of tasks, although the role of genetics and other innate learning capabilities in visuomotor learning is still largely unknown. These findings provoke new research directions toward probing the differential performance strategies associated with expertise and the development of interventions aimed to convert non-learners into learners.

“Something You Do with Your Body”: The Experience and Meaning of Physical Activity from the Perspective of Transnational Youth

“Something You Do with Your Body”: The Experience and Meaning of Physical Activity from the Perspective of Transnational Youth

Parental Influence on Urban Adolescents’ Physical Activity Experience

As important socializing agents of adolescents, parents may substantially influence adolescents’ physical activity but their roles in adolescents’ physical activity experience have not been sufficiently studied. Furthermore, there is a dearth of research on potential mechanisms through which parents may promote adolescents’ positive physical activity experience. Using a longitudinal sample of 464 urban and primarily Hispanic and African American adolescents, this study examined the impact of parental support on adolescents’ physical activity experience. Results of structural equation modeling showed that after controlling for adolescents’ gender, body mass index, and perceived overall health, parental support positively affected adolescents’ restructuring ability (i.e., ability to construct meaningful and satisfying activities during unpleasant experiences) and intrinsic motivation (i.e., activity participation driven by inherent interest and enjoyment) in physical activity, which in turn positively affected adolescents’ physical activity experience. No significant gender differences were found in these relationships. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Standing time and daily proportion of sedentary time are associated with pain-related disability in a onemonth accelerometer measurement in adults with overweight or obesity.

The association between the subjective experience of pain-related disability (PRD) and device-measured physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) in overweight and obese adults is not well known. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations of pain markers with accelerometer-measured SB duration and different intensities of PA among physically inactive middle-aged adults with overweight or obesity. This cross-sectional analysis included 72 subjects (27 men) with mean age of 57.9(SD 6.7)years and mean BMI of 31.6 (SD 4.1)kg/m2. SB and standing time (ST), breaks in sedentary time, light physical activity (LPA) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) were measured for four consecutive weeks (mean 25days, SD 4) with a hip-worn triaxial accelerometer. Headache, musculoskeletal pain, back pain, and PRD were assessed by visual analog scales (VAS) and using the Oswestry disability index (ODI). RAND-36 questionnaire was applied to assess health-related quality of life. The associations were studied by linear models. ST was positively and SB proportion was negatively associated with PRD when adjusted for age, sex, BMI, accelerometry duration, MVPA, pain medication use, and general health perceptions assessed by RAND-36. No associations were found between ST and back pain. SB or different PA intensities were not associated with pain experience at specific sites. Longer daily ST, but not LPA or MVPA is associated with higher level of PRD. Correspondingly, higher proportion of SB is associated with lower level of PRD. This suggests that individuals with PRD prefer to stand, possibly to cope with pain. These results may highlight the importance of habitual standing behaviors in coping with experienced PRD in adults with overweight or obesity.

When Movement Moves: Study Protocol for a Multi-Method Pre/Post Evaluation Study of Two Programmes; the Danish Team Twin and Cycling Without Age.

Physical activity (PA) can improve physical, mental, and social health, leading to quality of life (QoL). However, some are unable to participate independently due to age-related impairments or disabilities. This study protocol presents the design, methods, outcomes, strengths and limitations of the study “When Movement Moves” (WMM). WMM investigates whether indirect PA in a social context, where persons are unable to participate independently, can result in outcomes similar to those of independent PA, by evaluating the effects of disabled’s, elderly, volunteers’, relatives’ and nursing staff’s participation in either the running programme (Team Twin) or cycling programme (Cycling Without Age). Both programmes seek to enhance QoL through indirect PA in a social context, making PA possible for elderly and disabled persons through PA conducted by abled-bodied volunteers. WMM is a multi-method 12–16-week pre/post evaluation with quality of life, physical, mental and social health as main outcomes. Pre/post measurements consist of questionnaires, clinical examinations, and physical and cognitive appraisal. Throughout, interviews and participant observations will be conducted. Combined results will provide essential knowledge on the effects and experiences of indirect PA. Explorative data will pave the way for further research. Findings may inform policies, guidelines and health promotion among the elderly and disabled.

(Non-)Diversity and cultural (re)production in physical education teacher education: a Swedish example

ABSTRACT Research about physical education teacher education (PETE) indicates that the education program attracts homogeneous groups of students, consisting mainly of young men originating from the country in question and who have academic backgrounds. The purpose of this article is, through a case study of one Swedish PETE institution, to explore a cohort of 60 students regarding background characteristics (gender, social and migration background) and secondary characteristics (school success, experience of sport and physical activity cultures, and perceived physical ability). The case study indicated that the students have slightly more diverse backgrounds than is found in previous PETE research, but at the same time, they remain fairly homogeneous regarding, e.g. such as school success, the experience of sport and physical activity, and perceived physical ability. Attracting a more diverse group of students does not mean necessarily that the students are equally diverse when it comes to experiences of movement culture, and the abilities and knowledge that they have gained from participation in this culture.

“Sick but active, tired but healthy”. Narratives of body and self living with HIV

ABSTRACT Although studies have suggested that physical activity may diminish HIV-related fatigue, little is known about the physical experience or meanings attributed to either. We considered chronic fatigue and physical activity in terms of how they were experienced, interpreted and interrelated within narratives about living with HIV. Thematic analysis of 35 semi-structured interviews with people living with HIV in France led to the creation of four ideal-type narratives. The ideal types illustrated relations between diverse physical and social experiences of fatigue and physical activity. These dimensions of the HIV experience were part of larger identity narratives about the body and self, revealing tensions between the latter as healthy or ill, tired or active, vulnerable or robust, needing or heeding expected health behaviours. Illness narratives – and the meanings attributed to body and self – emerged as faceted by both physical experiences of the body and social experiences, and as situated within larger socio-political contexts and biopedagogies.

Physical Activity during the Retirement Transition of Men and Women: A Qualitative Longitudinal Study.

The retirement transition is a major life change affecting people's lifestyles and behaviors, including those in relation to physical activity (PA), which is a key component of active ageing. Previous research analyzing the effect of retirement on PA levels has shown mixed results, and few studies investigated this issue in a gender perspective, thus, highlighting a need of knowledge in this respect. Aims of this study focused on the experience of PA during the retirement transition were to understand typologies of PA and possible changes in these typologies, to identify behavioural types relative to PA practice and levels, and to distinguish the main drivers and barriers for practicing PA associated with the different behavioural types. A further goal of the study was to investigate the abovementioned aims considering differences between women and men. Analyses were carried out within a three-year qualitative longitudinal study (2014-2016), which explored the individual experience of PA during the transition from work to retirement of 24 women and 16 men in Italy, with interviews carried out one year before and one and two years after retirement. Results show that preferred PA for both women and men was walking, along the transition to retirement. Over time, several participants replaced physically demanding activities with lighter ones. Six behavioural types were identified, describing individuals who incremented, started, or maintained the same level of PA, people who decreased PA levels or stopped it, and individuals who had a fluctuant behavior towards PA, or who had never practiced it. In general, poor health represented the main barrier to PA. For men, the main driver to PA was its effects on body shape, while for women, socialization/networking. In order to stimulate a more effective promotion of PA during the retirement transition, policy implications were discussed in light of the results obtained.

Physical activity participation among children diagnosed with mental health disorders: A qualitative analysis of children’s and their guardian’s perspectives

ABSTRACT Purpose: Children with mental health disorders have lower physical activity levels compared to their peers; however, minimal research has been conducted to date to understand their unique experiences of physical activity. We sought to better understand these experiences, along with contributing factors, through interviews with children with mental health disorders and their parents/guardians. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 children (6–12 years, 17 males) and 18 parents/guardians from a metropolitan mental health service, and data were analysed using a thematic analysis approach. Results and conclusions: Children predominantly participated in play-based, unstructured physical activities with their families. Aspects of social connection (or disconnection), children’s movement skill and resilience, and a desire to experience success and enjoyment, were described as influencers of children’s physical activity participation experiences (and levels). Children and parents/guardians also emphasised the importance of emotional and physical support surrounding physical activity participation, and the need for suitably tailored programmes and environments. Recommendations are offered to facilitate physical activity programming that meets the specific needs of children with mental health disorders and their families.

Self‐identified motivators for physical activity: Perspectives of older residential care facility residents

AbstractObjectivesTo inform strategies to increase physical activity amongst Older Residential Care Facility Residents (ORCFR), this research explored self‐identified motivators for, benefits of and barriers to physical activity engagement.MethodsThe research was framed within a salutogenic model of health, viewing health as a continuum shaped by one’s health resources and life stressors. This exploratory qualitative research examined the physical activity experiences of seven ORCFR in Brisbane, Australia. Semi‐structured interviews with open‐ended questions assessed basic demographics, Physical Activity (PA) levels, perceived benefits of and barriers to PA. The resulting data underwent thematic analysis.ResultsAfter seven interviews, data saturation was reached, revealing three major themes and seven subthemes. These were positive socialisation (inclusion) with subthemes of enjoying social contact and avoiding “zombieland” (loneliness). Negative socialisation (isolation) with subthemes of avoiding conflict and feeling awkward. Maintaining independence was the benefit, with subthemes of getting around to socialise, activities of daily living and preserving health to socialise.ConclusionConventional physical activity programs emphasising medical and clinical benefits are disconnected from ORCFR motivators, as residents perceive benefits in terms of mobility and socialisation. This disconnect partially explains poor acceptability and uptake of ORCFR physical activity interventions over the last 25 years.

Objectively measured physical activity and symptoms of psychopathology in general population adolescents from the SIGMA cohort

BackgroundLess physical activity (PA) has been associated with the development of psychopathology in adolescence. Few studies, however, have focused on understanding the nature of the PA – psychopathology relationship and existing research relies mostly on self-report PA measures, which are less reliable. In this study, we investigated the nature of the relationships between objectively measured light physical activity (LPA) and moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and psychopathology symptoms in adolescents. Methods934 adolescents (63% female) aged 11–19 years from the SIGMA cohort wore the Fitbit Charge 2 measuring LPA and MVPA during at least three days. Participants completed the Brief Symptom Inventory-53, assessing general symptoms of psychopathology, depression, anxiety, and psychoticism. Model selection was conducted in a subset of the dataset (n = 464) to determine the best fit. The optimal model was then fitted to the remainder of the dataset (n = 470). ResultsThe results from the selected linear model indicated a non-significant relationship between LPA, MVPA, and symptoms of general psychopathology, depression, anxiety, and psychoticism. ConclusionsThis study does not provide evidence that higher durations of LPA and MVPA alone relate to reduced symptoms of general psychopathology, depression, anxiety, and psychoticism in the general adolescent population. A more integrative approach considering the interdependency of multiple lifestyle factors, as well as the domain, context, and individual experience of PA may add value to the understanding of the PA-psychopathology relationship.

Gender and the E-bike: Exploring the Role of Electric Bikes in Increasing Women’s Access to Cycling and Physical Activity

In low-cycling countries like Aotearoa New Zealand, women are much less likely to cycle.  Previous research has identified improvements to cycling infrastructure and increasing gender equality as key ways to open up cycling to women.  The electric bicycle (or e-bike) may be another tool that could be used to lift women’s cycling rates.  In this paper we explored findings from the Electric City research project in Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand that touched on aspects of gender and e-cycling experience.  We used data from interviews with three groups, e-cyclists, e-bike retailers, and cycling planners and policy-makers, to gain insights into the gendered dimensions of the e-cycling assemblage (rider, bike, environment).  The results showed that e-bikes act as a cycling enabler for women in ways that both reinforce as well as challenge aspects of traditional gender socialisation:  E-bikes enable women to meet traditional care responsibilities, and achieve traditional feminine expectations of presentation on a bike.  However, they also increase women’s cycling confidence and assertiveness, provide less fit women with more empowering physical activity experiences, improve the quality of bikes available to women, and can create more inclusive bike retail environments.  We concluded that these benefits are less likely to be available to lower-income women, due to the high cost of e-bikes.

Socioeconomic Inequities in Youth Participation in Physical Activity and Sports.

Access to opportunities for physical activity and sports, and therefore potential benefits of participation, are distributed inequitably. The aims of this study were to describe and compare youth experiences related to sport and physical activity by socioeconomic factors. A cross-sectional survey was conducted of students in 5–12th grades in King County, Washington, USA. Students were asked about physical activity and sports experiences and about demographic factors including family affluence, which was categorized as low, medium, and high. Participants were 1038 youth (50% girls, 58% non-White, and 32% from homes where languages other than English are spoken). Children from low-affluence families reported fewer days/week of physical activity, fewer sports sampled, and lower rates of ever playing sports. Greater proportions of children from low-affluence families reported these barriers to sports: (1) don’t want to get hurt, (2) don’t feel welcome on teams, (3) too expensive, and (4) transportation. Middle school children from high-affluence families had three times higher odds of meeting physical activity recommendations, and high-affluence high schoolers had three times higher odds of ever participating in sports compared to peers from low-affluence families. Socioeconomic status was inversely associated with outcomes related to youth physical activity and sports participation. The disproportionately reported barriers to sports participation are modifiable, and cross-sector solutions can help promote play equity.

Six weeks of Pilates improved functional mobility, postural balance and spatiotemporal parameters of gait to decrease the risk of falls in healthy older adults

ObjectiveTo determine the effectiveness of Pilates exercises on falls risk factors. DesignProspective cohort, pre-test post-test study. Participants were selected using convenience and snowballing sampling. Pilates classes were held twice weekly for six weeks (1-h sessions) with a supplementary home programme. MethodsA test of cognitive function, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA), was employed to determine eligibility for inclusion. The following fall-predictor variable measures were employed: the 16 item Falls Efficacy Scale (FES), the short International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), the Functional Reach Test (FRT), the Timed Up and Go (TUG), the GAITRite® system, Platform FOOTWORKpro. Multivariate analysis ANOVA with time as within subject factor was used to test for differences between pre and post-test scores adjusted for the factor Pilates. Resultstwenty-seven participants completed the study, mean age = 70.4 (SD = 4.5). After adjusting for the effect of the factor Pilates “previous experience or no previous experience of Pilates”, statistically significant differences were identified in the following domains: The TUG (p < 0.001), FRT (p < 0.001), velocity, swing and stance time and the Mediolateral sway (p < 0.05). A significant difference was found between pre and post-test for anteroposterior sway in those with experience of Pilates (p < 0.05) and interaction between time and Pilates experience in Physical Activity (p < 0.05). ConclusionFindings suggest that functional mobility, mobility, spatiotemporal parameters of gait, postural balance and physical activity improved in healthy older adults after 6 weeks of Pilates with a supplementary home programme.

Fear of judgement and women's physical (in)activity experiences

There is a significant body of research that examines the antecedents and consequences of population-level disparities in physical activity engagement. However, there are still vast gendered inequalities with women missing out on the associated health benefits of physical activity compared to men. The purpose of this study is to foster a deep understanding of the ‘fear of judgement’ experienced by physically inactive women to develop policy and practice that can attend to this issue. The theory of reflexive embodiment, rooted in the interactionist tradition, provides the theoretical underpinning for the work as it highlights how women's bodies are influenced by the gaze of others. Results demonstrate that women feel judged for the way their bodies look and move during exercise, for prioritising physical activity over family duties, and that these sensations are influenced by the networks of people in activity spaces. The impact of judgement affects women's mental and physical wellbeing. It leads to the cessation of physical activity, creates worries about restarting various forms of activity and shapes how and where women undertake exercise.

The need for adolescents' agency in salutogenic approaches shaping physical activity in schools.

SummaryPhysical activity (PA) contributes to health throughout life. In particular, young people can benefit from this. Schools can play a key role in providing learning conditions to experience meaningful PAs aimed at inspiring students to lifelong PA. In this article, we argue the need for a salutogenic approach in schools focussing on respecting and enhancing adolescents’ agency with regard to their PA. This approach entails listening to adolescents’ perspectives and inviting them to participate in actively designing and carrying out PA as a prerequisite for their inclusive engagement. We unpack the concept of agency by drawing on insights from the Capability Approach. This provides input for the integration of agency in health promoting schools and salutogenic approaches, to enhance PA-related agency. Finally, we outline a research agenda to, eventually, create opportunities for students in schools to expand their PA-related agency. Lay Summary Physical activity (PA) contributes to health throughout life. Schools can play a key role in fostering meaningful PA experiences to inspire students to lifelong PA. This requires schools to focus on students’ personal aspirations, providing them with the space to develop their autonomy and find opportunities to decide and act upon expanding their agency with respect to the physically active lifestyles they deem meaningful.

Digital Support to Multimodal Community-Based Prehabilitation: Looking for Optimization of Health Value Generation.

Prehabilitation has shown its potential for most intra-cavity surgery patients on enhancing preoperative functional capacity and postoperative outcomes. However, its large-scale implementation is limited by several constrictions, such as: i) unsolved practicalities of the service workflow, ii) challenges associated to change management in collaborative care; iii) insufficient access to prehabilitation; iv) relevant percentage of program drop-outs; v) need for program personalization; and, vi) economical sustainability. Transferability of prehabilitation programs from the hospital setting to the community would potentially provide a new scenario with greater accessibility, as well as offer an opportunity to effectively address the aforementioned issues and, thus, optimize healthcare value generation. A core aspect to take into account for an optimal management of prehabilitation programs is to use proper technological tools enabling: i) customizable and interoperable integrated care pathways facilitating personalization of the service and effective engagement among stakeholders; ii) remote monitoring (i.e. physical activity, physiological signs and patient-reported outcomes and experience measures) to support patient adherence to the program and empowerment for self-management; and, iii) use of health risk assessment supporting decision making for personalized service selection. The current manuscript details a proposal to bring digital innovation to community-based prehabilitation programs. Moreover, this approach has the potential to be adopted by programs supporting long-term management of cancer patients, chronic patients and prevention of multimorbidity in subjects at risk.

Exploring physical activity changes and experiences of older adults living in retirement villages during a pandemic.

ObjectiveTo explore physical activity changes and participation among physically active older adults living in retirement villages during the coronavirus (COVID‐19) pandemic.MethodsSemi‐structured interviews were conducted over the telephone. The interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Reflexive thematic analysis was conducted.ResultsSeventeen older adults were interviewed, and they engaged in many types of physical activity before the COVID‐19 lockdown. During the COVID‐19 lockdown, the most common physical activity that older adults participated in was walking. Mental well‐being and socialisation were affected during the lockdown, with older adults employing several strategies to help them cope.ConclusionsDuring the COVID‐19 pandemic, physically active residents of retirement villages maintained their physical activity, but with reduced intensity and variety. In some cases, this impacted their mental and physical health. Physical activity resources aimed at facilitating diverse and sufficiently intense physical activity may benefit this group, and others.