High Levels Of Enjoyment Research Articles

Parent-Child Mindfulness-Based Training: A Feasibility and Acceptability Study.

Stress in young children can interfere with academic achievement. To help address stress and aid in developing beneficial lifelong coping skills, educational systems are more widely incorporating programs that teach social and emotional regulation, such as mindfulness-based programs. The effects of these programs may be strengthened through parental support in the home environment. This study examined the feasibility and acceptability of a new Parent-Child Mindfulness-Based Training (PC-MBT) program, which delivered mindfulness-based training to parents and children simultaneously in the home environment. This study also implemented a working memory training after PC-MBT to assess the feasibility of completing two trainings sequentially. Healthy children, ages 8-10 (n = 14), and their parents participated in the PC-MBT program. They met with an instructor at home and online each week for 6 weeks and were provided resources including books, worksheets, audio recordings, and daily practices to reinforce mindfulness skills. A control group (n = 8) participated in the working memory training only. All PC-MBT and control children, except one, participated in the working memory training. All PC-MBT assigned families completed the PC-MBT program, and a majority utilized all types of the mindfulness training materials. A majority of participants also reported high levels of enjoyment and understanding of the PC-MBT program. This study establishes the feasibility and acceptability of the PC-MBT program and lays the foundation for future studies to assess program efficacy in healthy and clinical populations as well as the utility of PC-MBT to improve engagement and outcomes of other cognitive training programs.

“The girl who wants to fly”: Exploring the role of digital technology in enhancing dialogic reading

Research suggests that dialogic reading and wordless picture books may improve narrative production and comprehension leading to better school readiness. We aim to understand children’s experiences using a wordless picture book scaffolded by audio prompts. We designed, implemented and assessed the Spring-a-story web app with 35 children aged 3 to 6 in a socio-economically-disadvantaged area in the UK. We sought to comprehend to what extent the application supports children in creating a narrative, and which type of prompts (basic dialogic reading and theory of mind prompts) better support their meaningful responses. Initial findings suggest how children were able to respond meaningfully to prompts and reported high levels of enjoyment of the activity. Furthermore, theory of mind prompts resulted in a marginally higher percentage of meaningful responses and theory of mind language compared to basic dialogic reading prompts. Study outcomes helped to delineate the design space that we shaped into six design challenges that aim to inform the community and guide the future design of tools to support children in independent dialogic reading of wordless picture e-books.

Cardiorespiratory Fitness Is Associated With Drop Out From Sport in Norwegian Adolescents. A Longitudinal Study.

Several studies indicate that participation in organized sport may result in higher physical activity levels among youth which are associated with high levels of cardiorespiratory fitness. However, no study has examined whether cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2peak) is associated with drop out from sport. The study was a 5-year longitudinal study which followed a sample of adolescents, with measures of cardiorespiratory fitness, weight and height between the age of 14 and 19 yrs. Self-reported data about participation in sport, active commuting and physical activity level were also included. Through logistic regression analyses we found a positive association between cardiorespiratory fitness at the age of 14 years and participation in organized sport at the age of 19. However, no significant associations were found between physical activity (PA) level, overweight, gender and active commuting to school at the age of 14, and participation in organized sport at the age of 19. We argue that a high level of cardiorespiratory fitness may increase the probability for experiencing high levels of enjoyment, competence and performance in sport, because sport participation requires a certain level of cardiorespiratory fitness. The findings indicates the importance of removing barriers, and to increase access and design of sport programs of interest to youth in the contexts in which they live, attract adolescents with different levels of ambition and abilities in sport. Further studies should include longitudinal studies among young children, and their drop out patterns from sport during adolescence.

Understanding influences on consumers’ dietary stress in healthy food buying

PurposeThis study aims to investigate relationships among body mass index (BMI), socioeconomic variables, dietary self-efficacy and consumer dietary stress in healthy food buying and explore whether different levels of personal values influence these relationships.Design/methodology/approachThe study is based on an online representative cross-sectional study with 380 food consumers. Structural equation modeling served to estimate direct, mediating and moderating effects between the studied constructs and variables.FindingsExamples of moderating and moderated mediating effects include a negative impact of BMI on dietary stress for consumers with low levels of enjoyment value but no significant effect for consumers with high levels of enjoyment. BMI also had a greater negative impact on dietary self-efficacy when the level of respect/achievement was high (vs low), and respect/achievement positively moderated the mediating effect of BMI on dietary stress through dietary self-efficacy.Research limitations/implicationsThis study focuses on analyzing healthy food buying in a particular cultural setting and may suffer from a lack of generalizability to other cultures. The results suggest that research should take into account personal values when investigating stress.Practical implicationsFood managers and health authorities can improve their ability to reduce dietary stress when addressing consumers by understanding the role of personal values in healthy food choice and the impact on mental well-being.Originality/valueThis study offers a novel, more fine-grained conceptual model of how consumers develop dietary stress when buying healthy food.

The Power to Improve: Effects of Multilingualism and Perceived Proficiency on Enjoyment and Anxiety in Foreign Language Learning

AbstractThe study examines whether already knowing several languages and feeling proficient in a new foreign language (FL) has an effect on positive and negative emotions during the learning. The emergence of positive psychology in language acquisition studies has led to the examination of positive emotions in the FL learning process, such as Foreign Language Enjoyment (FLE). FLE is a positive emotional state where psychological needs are met and was introduced as the positive emotion counterpart to the oft studied negative emotion, Foreign Language Anxiety (FLA). A international sample of 1622 FL learners were analysed utilising multivariate tests of variance, examining the level of multilingualism and the level of self-perceived FL proficiency as independent variables, with FLE and FLA as dependent variables. Results indicated a very small, but statistically significant interaction effect between the level of multilingualism and self-perceived FL proficiency on the FLA of the language learner, but not on FLE. In addition, higher levels of multilingualism were associated with higher levels of enjoyment and lower levels of anxiety in FL learners. In turn, more self-perceived proficient FL learners indicated higher levels of enjoyment and lower levels of anxiety. Although effect sizes were in some cases very small, the results do indicate the benefits multilinguals and higher proficiency FL learners have when learning a FL.

Pre-university informal engagement with mathematical activities and the decision to study mathematics at university

A survey was created to investigate the experiences of mathematics undergraduates with informal mathematical activity prior to starting university, and links these with the decision to study mathematics. A questionnaire was completed by a small sample of first-year undergraduates at two UK universities. Generally, incoming undergraduates are shown to have a high level of enjoyment of mathematics and engagement with informal mathematical activity. Popular activities included mathematical puzzles and games, and online videos about maths. Students were often engaged with family or via social media, playing computer, tablet or phone games, watching TV game shows with mathematical aspects and participating in organised competitions. Only around half engaged via talks or workshops organised through school and watching more structured documentaries or videos of lectures. Few participated in organised clubs. It seems there was greater engagement with ‘fun’ aspects of mathematics than with activities which demonstrate mathematics linked to career choice. The link to goals of outreach and similar initiatives is discussed, with further research indicated.

Psychological Responses To Intermittent Physical Activity In Children With And Without Asthma

BACKGROUND: Knowing how children feel during physical activity and what type of activities they enjoy can provide insight regarding their motivation to participate in future activity. These factors may be especially important for children with asthma who experience many barriers to maintaining an active lifestyle. PURPOSE: To compare psychological responses (physical activity enjoyment and mood) during intermittent activities of varying intensity and durations in children with and without asthma. METHODS: Thirty-one children (asthma: n=11, 45% male, mean age: 11.1±0.7 years, BMI%ile: 53.4±9.8; non-asthma: n=20, 50% male; mean age: 11.1±0.6 years; BMI%ile: 60.3±6.2) participated in the Exercises for a Healthy Asthma Lifestyle and Enjoyment (ExHALE) Study. Participants completed 5 conditions in the following order: 1) Six-minute moderate-intensity walk test, 2) 5-minute moderate-intensity resistance circuit, 3) 5-minute moderate-intensity activity video, 4) 5-minute high-intensity gamified obstacle course, and 5) the YMCA three-minute high-intensity step test. Enjoyment was assessed via the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale following each condition. Mood was assessed via the Feeling Scale at the midpoint of each condition. RESULTS: There was a significant effect of condition on mood across activities (p<0.02) with lower mood reported during the step test compared to the walk test, resistance circuit, and activity video (step test: 2.1±0.3 vs. walk test: 3.6±0.3, resistance circuit: 3.2±0.3, activity video: 3.4±0.3, all p’s<0.01). There was no effect of condition on enjoyment with children reporting high levels of enjoyment across activities (walk test: 3.6±0.1, resistance circuit: 3.9±0.1, activity video: 3.9±0.1, obstacle course: 3.9±0.1, step test: 3.7±0.2; p>0.05). There were no differences by asthma status on mood or enjoyment across activity conditions (all p’s≥0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Participants reported lower mood during the higher intensity tempo-paced activity, but similar levels of enjoyment for all activities. These findings suggest intermittent activity of varying intensities and durations is an enjoyable form of exercise for both children with and without asthma.

Incorporating Sport Education within a physical education sports club in China

ABSTRACT The goal of China’s new guidelines for physical education within universities is to promote greater levels of active engagement and an emphasis on the development and cultivation of students’ individual abilities. This study follows an engagement perspective to examine the responses of stakeholders to the incorporation of the essential elements of Sport Education within an elective physical education basketball sports club. Participants were 152 students who after five weeks of term could elect to participate in a Sport Education season or continue to practice individually. Dependent measures included club attendance, students’ perceptions of competence, knowledge/understanding and enjoyment of basketball. In addition, the teacher kept a reflective log across the season and participated in a formal interview at season’s end. The students who participated in the Sport Education option had significantly greater attendance than their skill practice classmates. Further, they reported significant improvements in competence, as well as a higher level of enjoyment over their previous college physical education experience. These results demonstrate that highly autonomous format of the basketball club is conducive in supporting students’ engagement in physical education.

30 minutos de vídeo game ativo a uma intensidade moderada promovem alterações glicêmicas e cardiovasculares?

Objetivo: Analisar glicemia aguda, variáveis cardiovasculares e nível de satisfação à prática (LE) de adultos saudáveis em resposta aos videogames ativos (AVG).Métodos: Quatorze adultos realizaram uma sessão de AVG de 30 minutos. Frequência cardíaca (FC), pressão arterial sistólica (PAS) e diastólica (PAD), duplo produto (DP) e glicemia foram registrados em repouso, imediatamente após e 30 minutos após sessão de AVG. Ao final, os participantes relataram percepção subjetiva de esforço (PSE, escala 6-20) e LE (escala 0-10).Resultados: Os participantes alcançaram 55,5% da reserva da FC e PSE elevada (Média=15). A glicemia reduziu (−10,3 mg·dL−1) e FC (+85 bpm), PAS (+23,8 mm Hg) e DP (+12852 mm Hg × bpm) aumentaram imediatamente após a sessão e retornaram aos valores de repouso após 30 minutos. A PAD não apresentou alterações significantes ao longo do tempo. Níveis elevados de LE foram encontrados (Média=8,6).Conclusão: Uma sessão de 30 minutos de AVG em intensidade moderada reduziu a glicose sanguínea e promoveu alterações hemodinâmicas seguras e alto nível de satisfação em adultos.

Player Experience of Needs Satisfaction (PENS) in an Immersive Virtual Reality Exercise Platform Describes Motivation and Enjoyment

ABSTRACT Recent research suggests that virtual reality (VR) games can engage players in physical activity with high levels of enjoyment. Understanding users’ motivation to engage and enjoy immersive VR exercise platforms is thus important to designers. We designed a VR exercise platform and conducted an experiment with two conditions, one with a static user interface (UI) and the other with an open world environment. Across participants there was significantly (p = 0.03*) greater enjoyment reported in an open world compared to static UI. Enjoyment in both static UI and open world conditions was positively correlated wih user’s psychological needs and experience; autonomy and immersion. Participants’ future play intention was also predicted by autonomy and immersion, but only within the open world condition. Our findings also suggest players can be classified into entertainment-focused and exercise-focused with different expectations and therefore different engagement behaviors with each VR exercise environment. The study highlights the value of informing VR design with measures of psychological need satisfaction.

P046 MINDFULNESS-BASED VIRTUAL REALITY: A PROMISING MIND-BODY INTERVENTION FOR YOUTH WITH INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE

Abstract Background Living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) has been associated with increased psychosocial stress among pediatric IBD populations. Elevated psychological stress can exacerbate disease activity and IBD symptoms like abdominal pain, which in turn can negatively impact children’s mental health. There is an increasing need for mind-body interventions that can improve biopsychosocial processes among youth with IBD. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have been shown to be efficacious in improving emotional distress, pain, and inflammation in a range of pediatric and adult chronic illness/pain populations. Few studies have explored MBIs in pediatric IBD. Using virtual reality (VR) as the medium for an MBI in pediatric IBD has great potential given the increasing prevalence of VR in children’s hospitals, the immersive nature of the technology, and the high acceptability of VR among youth. Aims 1) Assess the feasibility and acceptability of mindfulness-based virtual reality (MBVR) among youth with IBD; 2) Assess the preliminary efficacy of MBVR on anxiety and pain. Methods Youth at an outpatient IBD clinic were offered MBVR. Our team developed a 6-minute MBVR experience, “MediMindfulness-Transitions” (Stanford University &amp; Weightless Studios), that focused participants’ awareness on a natural environment (e.g., waterfall in meadow, northern lights) and their breath. Participants rated their level of anxiety and pain on VAS scales (0-100mm) immediately before and after the MBVR experience. Paired t-tests were used to assess changes in patient reported outcomes (SPSS 26). Patients also completed a satisfaction survey and provided qualitative feedback. Results The sample included 52 participants with IBD (M=15 yrs; 69% Crohn’s disease; 58% Male; 62% White). MBVR was easily integrated into clinic flow (offered before or after MD visit) and there was 100% treatment compliance. There were high levels of enjoyment (M=4.4, range 1–5) and relaxation (M=4.3, range 1–5) post-intervention; 50% of the sample reported MBVR was an ideal length and were extremely interested in using MBRV at home. Qualitative data revealed areas of enjoyment and suggestions for future use (Table 1). Exploratory efficacy analyses revealed MBVR decreased anxiety (16.54 ± 20.56 vs 7.10 ± 13.27, p &amp;lt; 0.001) and pain (9.5 ± 16.19 vs 3.04 ± 6.22, p &amp;lt; 0.01). One patient experienced worsening of their anxiety symptoms. Conclusion MBVR was shown to be feasible and have high acceptability among youth with IBD. The results demonstrated preliminary support for MBVR reducing acute anxiety and pain. This study suggests MBVR could be a promising mind-body therapy for youth with IBD. Future studies should explore the efficacy of MBVR during IBD procedures and treatments (e.g., blood draws, MRIs, infusions) and whether longer-term use of MBVR improves biopsychosocial outcomes.

Health-Promoting Effects of a Concurrent Workplace Training Program in Inactive Office Workers (HealPWorkers): A Randomized Controlled Study.

To the best of our knowledge, no previous study has examined the health-promoting effects of a daily supervised concurrent workplace training program in inactive office workers. The main objective of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a 6-month workplace training program on health indices, musculoskeletal pains, functional capacity, and physical fitness in office workers. Randomized controlled study. Four workplaces in the Region of Thessaly, Greece. A total of 36 office workers (≥6 hours/d, 5 days/wk) were randomly assigned to either a training group (TG; n = 18) or a control group (CG; n = 18). The TG participated, every working day, in a 6-month supervised concurrent (flexibility, strength, balance, aerobic) training program (120 training sessions, 2 workouts/d of 15-20 minutes) that was implemented, in small groups, at the workplace during the work shift. The CG did not participate in any training. Health indices (body composition, blood pressure, respiratory function), musculoskeletal pains, functional capacity (flexibility, balance), and physical fitness (maximal strength, cardiorespiratory fitness) were measured before and after the completion of the program. After the completion of the program, participants' enjoyment was assessed. Two-way analysis of variance (group × time) with repeated measures on the "time" factor. The statistical power, for all parameters, ranged from 0.85 to 0.94. Training group significantly increased lean body mass (3.81%); respiratory function (4.20%-4.53%); cervical, handgrip, back, and leg maximal strength (8.75%-26.55%); and functional capacity (19.71%-188.20%; P < .001-.01; Cohen's effect size: 0.80-7.21), while significant reductions were observed on body fat (7.58%), blood pressure (4.99%-8.05%), heart rate (12.80%), and musculoskeletal pains (33.33%-100%; P < .001; Cohen's effect size: 0.81-6.21). In CG, all the above variables did not change. Furthermore, a great percentage of workers (94.4%) reported high levels of enjoyment. The program "HealPWorkers" is an enjoyable exercise modality that may be safely and effectively used, to work settings, for the improvement of worker's health, overall fitness, and functional capacity.

‘It’s my dream come true’: experiences and outcomes of an inclusive dance talent development programme

There are few opportunities for young disabled dancers to develop their talents, and even fewer studies investigating their experiences of such opportunities. The aim of this study was to explore the perspectives and outcomes of an inclusive talent development programme, and how these were facilitated. Semi‐structured interviews and focus groups with one teacher, four young dancers and four parents revealed that participation in the programme yielded multiple benefits for the young people involved. These included high levels of enjoyment, improved technical and creative ability, greater independence and confidence, and opportunities for socialising with like‐minded peers. A range of factors facilitated these benefits, such as the inclusive and caring ethos of the programme, its comprehensive development and teacher training, particular teaching strategies, and relationships between staff, students and parents. The study attests to the value of programmes designed for young disabled dancers who wish to develop their talents.

When and How Video Games Can Be Good: A Review of the Positive Effects of Video Games on Well-Being

Video games are a source of entertainment for a wide population and have varied effects on well-being. The purpose of this article is to comprehensively examine game-play research to identify the factors that contribute to these disparate well-being outcomes and to highlight the potential positive effects. On the basis of existing literature, we argue that the effects of gaming on well-being are moderated by other variables, such as motivations for gaming and video-game characteristics. Specifically, the inclusion of social activity can benefit prosocial behaviors and affect the relationship between violent video games and aggression that some studies have demonstrated. Moreover, the research on the relationship between violent video games and aggression depends greatly on individual and sociocontextual variables outside of game play. The inclusion of physical activity in games can provide an improvement in physical health with high levels of enjoyment, potentially increasing adherence rates. Overall, following our review, we determined that the effects of gaming on well-being are moderated by and depend on the motivation for gaming, outside variables, the presence of violence, social interaction, and physical activity. Thus, we argue that there is potential for an “optimal gaming profile” that can be used in the future for both academic- and industry-related research.

Yoga Improves Balance and Low-Back Pain, but Not Anxiety, in People with Parkinson's Disease.

Individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) experience postural instability, low-back pain (LBP), and anxiety. These symptoms increase the risk of falls and decrease quality of life. Research shows yoga improves balance and decreases LBP and anxiety in healthy adults, but its effects in PD are poorly understood. All participants were part of a larger intervention study. Participants received pretest and posttest evaluations, including the Balance Evaluation Systems Test (BESTest), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Revised Oswestry Disability Index (ROSW). Total scores for each measure, as well as individual balance system section scores from the BESTest (biomechanical constraints, stability limits/verticality, transitions/anticipatory, reactive, sensory orientation, and stability in gait) were compared within groups pre- to posttest. Participants in the yoga group (n = 13) completed a twice-weekly 12-week yoga interve n t i o n , whereas controls (n = 13) continued their usual routines for 12 weeks. Both the yoga (Z = -3.20, p = 0.001) and control (Z = -2.10, p = 0.040) groups improved on the BESTest total score. The control group showed no changes in individual balance systems, whereas the yoga group improved in stability limits/verticality (Z = -2.3, p = 0.020), transitions/ anticipatory (Z = -2.50, p = 0.010), reactive (Z = -2.70, p = 0.008), and sensory orientation (Z = -2.30, p = 0.020). ROSW decreased in the yoga group only (Z = -2.10, p = 0.030). BAI did not change in either group. Yoga is a nonpharmacological intervention that can improve balance and LBP in people with PD. This study demonstrated that yoga is feasible for people with PD, and participants reported high levels of enjoyment and intent to practice yoga after the study.

Evaluation of Undergraduate Students’ Responsiveness to a 4-Week University-Based Animal-Assisted Stress Prevention Program

An increase in the prevalence of stress among college students is compromising their mental health and academic success. One approach to stress prevention that has seen a surge in implementation is the use of university-based Animal Visitation Programs (AVPs). Despite their popularity and promising causal findings, program evaluations on students’ responsiveness (e.g., enjoyment, attendance, perceptions on usefulness and behavioral change) have yet to be conducted. Using a mixed methods approach, this study reports results of a program evaluation embedded in a randomized controlled trial examining the efficacy of incorporating various levels (0%, 50% or 100%) of Human Animal Interaction (HAI) into a four-week long university-based stress prevention program resulting in three conditions: (1) Evidence-based Academic Stress Management content only (0% HAI), (2) Human Animal Interaction with therapy dogs only (100% HAI) and (3) equal combinations of Academic Stress Management and HAI (50% HAI). Responsiveness (e.g., enjoyment, usefulness, recommendation and behavioral change) was assessed quantitatively and qualitatively using self-reported survey data collected immediately following the program and again six weeks later. The results suggest that combining evidence-based content presentations with HAI was associated with higher levels of enjoyment, perceived usefulness, and likelihood of recommendation compared to presenting content presentation or HAI alone, although doing so did not result in differences in perceived behavioral change by condition. Themes of students’ perceptions on the role of HAI in shaping program enjoyment, usefulness, recommendations and behavioral change were described.

Perceived Benefits of Grammar Bubbles, Compare and Falling Clouds among Grade Four Pupils

The study intended to find out and describe the perceived benefits of three selected computer games using the software application from the website www.gamestolearnenglish.com. One hundred sixty-seven pupils from all the five sections were the respondents. It used a descriptive research design combining quantitative and qualitative methodology to determine the confidence level of the respondents about computer use, comfort, and enjoyment level experienced in the course of playing the games, as well as the perceived benefits gained from engaging in the computer games. Respondents answered an adapted from Nathan T. Carrthat deals with the benefits and comfort computer games provide to thepupils. They also responded to some open-ended questions to gather further data. The results were positive and encouraging. Majority of the respondents claim adequate exposure to computer use and reported experiencing increased motivationand interest, and a high level of enjoyment and comfort in the course of playingthe computer games.There is awarrant for the conclusion that computer games make promising learning tools and should form part of language teachers’ repertoire of teaching techniques or strategies. Students are likely to wonder at the non-inclusion of new mechanisms like computers in their classroom activities or lessons. Teachers’ competence in the use of computers is imperative so that they could explore, choose, and download lessons for their pupils. Although educational computer games like the ones used in this study are time-consuming, teachers must select a particular level or topic in the games that would interest the pupilsappropriate on their age and grade level. https://doi.org/10.26803/ijhss.11.5.4

Functional Resistance Training and Affective Response in Female College-Age Students.

Although resistance training (RT) can lead to acute improvements in psychological, physiological and psychosocial outcomes, prevalence rates remain low in college-age females likely due to perceived barriers. This study compared the effects of an acute bout of both a functional RT (FRT) and traditional RT (TRT) session on affect, state anxiety enjoyment and physiological measures. Females (n = 34, mean age = 27 ± 4.5 yr) not currently meeting American College of Sports Medicine RT guidelines completed four sessions (2 FRT, 2 TRT) within 4 wk in a randomized crossover design. Session 1 familiarized participants to the RT exercises. Session 2 consisted of 2 × 10 moderate intensity repetitions. Outcome measures included affect and state anxiety (preexercise, postexercise, and 15 min postexercise); enjoyment (post), and manipulation measures of session RPE and HR). Between-condition comparisons indicate change scores in state anxiety pre- to post-15 (P = 0.028) and enjoyment levels post- (P = 0.02) were significantly greater in FRT than TRT. Within-condition analyses revealed pre- to post-15 changes in affect were positive and greater in FRT (d = 0.79) than TRT (d = 0.53, P = 0.47), and greater in decreases in state anxiety (FRT, d = -0.58; TRT, d = -0.37, P = 0.028). Mean session RPE was not significantly different between conditions (FRT 6 ± 1.2 units; TRT 6.3 ± 1.1 units; P = 0.11), though average percent of age-predicted maximum HR (FRT 68.7 ± 7.6; TRT 57.1 ± 8.4) was significantly different (P < 0.01). Findings suggest that compared with TRT, FRT is associated with higher acute positive psychological states, higher levels of enjoyment, and greater energy expenditure. Future studies are recommended to examine additional measures of affect and in-task timepoints to determine how these responses relate to maintenance and adherence, thereby potentially increasing the proportion of college females meeting American College of Sports Medicine RT and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity guidelines.

Effects of winter skiing on stress, heart rate, apprehension, and enjoyment in collegiate students: a single randomized controlled trial

This study investigated the effect of winter skiing on stress levels in collegiate students and also observed psychological factors related to heart rate, apprehension, and enjoyment. Two hundred thirty-eight male students were randomly classified into the control group (n=117) or the ski group (n=121). The control group received lectures on skiing; however, the ski group received practical ski training. Psychological measures included stress, apprehension, and enjoyment; physical measures included heart rate at pre- and postday. There were significant correlations between stress and apprehension (r=0.366) and stress and enjoyment (r=−0.441). Specifically, apprehension negatively correlated with enjoyment (r=−0.599). Between both groups, a significant interaction effect was found among stress, apprehension, and enjoyment. Moreover, compared with the control group, the ski group’s stress and apprehension were significantly reduced, whereas the enjoyment was significantly enhanced. This study suggests that winter skiing is a suitable sport for reducing stress and providing a high level of enjoyment for collegiate students.

Simulation-Based Education for Urgent Medical Complications Common to the Rehabilitation Setting: An Educational Program for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residents.

Simulation technology is being increasingly adopted into medical education and is consistently associated with positive effects on knowledge, skills, and patient-related outcomes. There is little evidence on the use of simulation technology for the instruction of urgent medical complications to physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) residents. To examine whether a simulation-based educational program can improve PM&R resident confidence and knowledge in the assessment and management of urgent medical complications. Pretest-posttest design. Academic freestanding acute inpatient rehabilitation hospital. Twelve Post-Graduate Year (PGY)-2 PM&R residents at the start of the academic year. Residents completed an integrated didactic and simulation-based curriculum on the assessment and management of five urgent medical complications: seizures, agitation, ventricular assist device (VAD)-associated complications, sympathetic storming, and autonomic dysreflexia. Simulations were conducted using a high-fidelity manikin. Surveys and knowledge assessments were completed at baseline and immediately following training. Survey responses were recorded on a Likert scale ranging from 1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree. Multiple-choice knowledge assessments were scored out of 100%. Within-group differences from baseline to postintervention were analyzed. There was a positive correlation between baseline experience and baseline confidence scores (r = 0.877). Improved confidence was demonstrated in the assessment and management of all five topics (P < .05). Knowledge assessment scores significantly improved from 57.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] 50.6% to 65.4%) at baseline to 85.0% (95% CI 81.6% to 88.4%) following the course (P < .001). The education program was rated highly by both learners (mean satisfaction score, Likert score [LS] = 4.6) and instructors (mean satisfaction score, LS = 4.5). Application of a simulation-based educational model to the instruction of urgent medical complications to PM&R residents resulted in increased knowledge with added benefits of confidence building and high levels of enjoyment. II.