Physical Body Research Articles

Physical activity and sedentary behavior of the adult population in the light of some sociodemographic variables and nutritional status based on a study in Hungary

Abstract Purpose The aim of this study is to explore the level of physical activity, sitting time, and body mass index and their associates with sociodemographic variables in the Southern Great Plain of Hungary. Methods 3665 participants (1349 men; 2316 women) participated in our study. Their average age was 45.08 (SD = 15.68). Physical activity and sitting time were measuring the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-SF). The participants were also asked about their sociodemographic (e.g., residence, income, etc.) and body mass index. Results Our result showed that men had higher total, vigorous, and moderate physical activity levels. Younger adults (18–29) had higher total, vigorous and moderate activity than older adults (65+). Residents of large cities and graduates showed higher levels of physical activity. Higher activity was not linked to higher income, while moderate activity was slightly associated with lower income. Normal BMI was associated with the engaging in high levels of physical activity. Sitting time was higher among young adults, village residents, university graduates, those with moderate incomes, normal BMI, and lower physical activity levels. Conclusion Our study demonstrated the impact of sociodemographics on physical activity, BMI, and sitting time. The findings were consistent with other Hungarian samples, suggesting that the Southern Great Plain aligns with the national average.

The body as a medium in the medium

This paper explores how socio-political discourses are constructed and developed transmedially in Bernardine Evaristo’s authorship, using the discourse of Black hair politics (Craig 2006; Davis 1994; Hooks 1989, 1995, 2015; Robinson 2011) as an example. Special attention will be paid on the ways in which the body can function as a medium in the development of these discourses. Firstly, it will be explored how the discourse is constructed through the body in the novel Girl, Woman, Other (2019) and, secondly, how the same discourse is continued and developed transmedially in other forms of media – in this case, in the Sunday Times UK special issue “BEAM” (2020) edited by Evaristo. To that end, both, Girl, Woman, Other and “BEAM”, will be examined through the lens of Evaristo’s method of ‘showing and informing’– a combination of illustration/portrayal and historical, socio-political contextualization – to build a discourse throughout the explored media units. In the course of exploring the processes in the construction of Evaristo’s transmedial discourses, the different functions that the body assumes in constructing and transmedially developing Evaristo’s Black hair discourse, will be identified through the lens of phenomenology/feminist embodiment (Ahmed 2007; Fanon 1952; Lehtinen 2014) as well as Situated Knowledges (Haraway 1988) and Black feminist standpoint theory (Hill Collins 2000, 2002, 2010). Three identified versions of ‘the body’ will eventually be explored in the context of transmediality and Evaristo’s authorship: the physical body, the body of the community, and the authorial body. Through these three versions of body in their interplay across various forms of media as well as in the course of Evaristo’s ‘showing and informing’, the embodied, situated, frequently contradictory, perspectives on Black hair politics are revealed, thus presenting the discourse in its complexity and Evaristo’s authorial figure as central aspect in the development of these discourses.

Lok Purush Siddhant: Exploring the Reflection of the Universe in the Human Body

The Lok Purush Siddhant is a foundational concept in Ayurveda that elucidates the intrinsic connection between the individual (microcosm) and the universe (macrocosm). This ancient Ayurvedic philosophy underscores the principle that the human body mirrors the cosmos, with both governed by similar laws and elements. In the Ayurvedic worldview, the physical body, mind, and soul are seen as a reflection of the larger universe, consisting of the five elements (Panchamahabhutas) - earth, water, fire, air, and ether. By understanding the balance and interaction of these elements within the human body, one can achieve optimal health, mirroring the harmony of the cosmos. This exploration of the Lok Purush Siddhant aims to highlight its relevance in modern health practices, particularly in holistic and integrative medicine. The paper discusses the parallels between Ayurvedic principles and contemporary scientific theories of biology, ecology, and quantum mechanics. It also delves into how this ancient wisdom informs various Ayurvedic therapeutic approaches such as diet, lifestyle, and treatment protocols, which seek to align the microcosm with the macrocosm to achieve balance and healing. Ultimately, this concept emphasizes that true well-being is achieved when the individual harmonizes with the greater cosmic order, making it a timeless and essential aspect of Ayurvedic philosophy.

Longitudinal Variations of Body Characteristics in Italian Elite Adolescent Football Players: An Observational Study

(1) Background: Body characteristics and physical skills affect field performance, and longitudinal improvements of these features allow one to join elite teams. This pilot study aims to investigate longitudinal changes (30 months) in 24 adolescent football players of an elite Italian club. (2) Methods: Participants were clustered according to their age (U10 = 8, U11 = 11, U12 = 5). Anthropometry and body composition assessments were performed following standardized methods. Countermovement jump (CMJ), maximal speed (15 m), and change of direction (RSA) were tested. The repeated-measures ANOVA was assessed for the interaction effect between time and category. The Pearson correlation product–moment was used to correlate the changes (∆) in physical performance and body characteristics. Also, each delta of performance skill was used as the dependent variable in a multiple linear regression model. (3) Results: Stature, body mass, fat-free mass (FFM), total upper area (TUA), total calf area (TCA), and CMJ improved in all categories (p < 0.05). The lower limb power variability was better explained by humeral diameter and the supraspinal skinfold thickness variation (adj-R2 = 0.621 p < 0.001), while both maximal speed and RSA were negatively affected by the calf fat index (p < 0.01). (4) Conclusions: To face the complexity of human physiology and ameliorate the monitoring process in youth, football technicians need deeper insight into how body shapes and performance can vary over growth.

Bertrand Russell’s Philosophy and the Problem of Object: Logical Analysis versus Linguistic Analysis.

Objectives: This study discusses the content, the form, and the independence of the external objects. It also examines the object’s relationship to other linguistic and scientific issues. Perceiving the object is what the words means. While what words refer to is the logical object, material objects are what constitute a fact. The role of the concepts of subject, object, logical form, universals, particulars, and relations in the solution of the problem of scientific knowledge are identified for the purpose of justifying the scientific knowledge. Methods: A linguistic logical analysis method is used to examine sentence structure and word meaning, order and their role in concepts construction. Syntax is used to understand the linguistic and logical constructions by reducing them to symbols and logical forms and reconstruction process starting from empirical meaning to formal level exemplified in a proposition . Results: Our findings show that the difficulty of distinguishing the form of the object from its empirical content leads to call objects facts. for the same reason, the object, which becomes a sense datum, also turns out to be a sensible percept. Therefore, the logical form is favored since it is is presented as the basis of certainty. Conclusions: The study shows that the logical objects became fused with Russell’s objective in reconstructing mathematics by justifying its logical basis on one side, and renders the scientific philosophy to mathematical philosophy on the other side. Yet, metaphysics is used for justification, and every thing becomes an object; in the most general sense, it is an object-based metaphysics.

Examining associations between body appreciation and positive well-being among young adults: A cross-sectional analysis.

Interest in positive body image stems from its contrast with negative body image. Research shows self-compassion and physical activity enhance body appreciation and positive well-being, yet their interaction in young adults is not well understood. This study examined connections between self-compassion, planned physical activity and intrinsic exercise motivations in 386 adults aged 18-39 (Mage = 27.54; SD = 5.58). Path analysis and serial mediation analysis revealed positive associations between self-compassion, planned physical activity, body appreciation and positive well-being, with notable sex differences. In men, self-compassion was linked to planned physical activity through intrinsic exercise motivations, which improved positive well-being via body appreciation. For women, planned physical activity indirectly influenced positive well-being through body appreciation. These findings underscore the importance of integrating sex-specific factors into health psychology interventions aimed at promoting positive body image. They also suggest avenues for future research to enhance well-being through targeted self-compassion and physical activity strategies.

More-than-human centred reflection: Addressing the fiction of reflective practice in teacher education

This paper seeks to extend the debate around the contested concept of the ‘reflective practitioner.’ This concept has influenced practice-based learning across a range of disciplines, including social work, nursing and teaching and although assumptions are commonly made about its value to the developing practitioner, it has also been subject to critique. From the perspective of Scottish teacher-education, we propose moving beyond commonly accepted reflective practices to arrive at a reframing of it as a ‘more than human’ (Strom and Viesca, 2021) endeavour, in a way that decentres the practitioner from the process of reflection. We firstly consider some benefits and limitations of commonly used, human-centric models of reflection in teacher education; both in practice and in regulation. We then use two familiar classroom scenarios to demonstrate how these models of reflection can constrain the reflective process, and student-teachers’ agentic possibilities. We explore how a theoretical reframing of the problem through connectivism (Downes, 2007; Siemens, 2005), offers a fresh perspective that challenges the practitioner to reflect in multiple dimensions; on their means of connecting with others and the ‘matter’ of their practices – the material, physical and conceptual objects that are drawn into the orbit of the day-to-day work of teaching and learning. The proposed approach invites student-teachers to decentre themselves from their reality and consider a range of realities, allowing their reflections to more genuinely, critically and authentically reflect the realities of their experiences in the classroom. Although situated in the context of Scottish teacher education, this provocation offers fresh consideration of a problem that is currently of relevance to student-teachers and those involved in teacher education in both a UK-wide and international context.

Deriving birth timing of roe deer fawns from body measurements to limit mowing mortality

Every spring, hiding roe deer fawns Capreolus capreolus in meadows are injured or killed by mowing activities. To assess the temporal overlap between mowing activities and the fawning period, and thus help reduce the risk of mowing death, we have determined the average parturition date in three regions of Bavaria, southern Germany.Data on physical body parameters were collected from 1387 fawns over four consecutive springs (2020–2024). Across all of the years studied, data collection started at the end of April, independent of spring mowing activities. We searched for fawns mainly using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and recorded the status of the umbilical cord, body mass, hind foot length, total body length, head length, crown–rump length, and presence of siblings of each detected fawn. A total of 118 of the 1387 fawns were found and measured multiple times. To estimate age, we fitted a generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) as a function of multiple physical parameters and subsequently determined the age and birth date of all fawns based on this predictive model. Body mass, head length, crown–rump length, and the presence of siblings were the most important predictors of fawn age (R2 = 0.74). The estimated ages were used to calculate the mean parturition dates for the region. The results show that the first fawns were born as early as April. Across years the mean parturition date was the 135th day of the year (DOY).Our results confirmed that fawn birth dates and the hiding phase highly overlapped with spring mowing events. However, based on the derived knowledge of the exact birth times, our study can contribute to reducing mowing‐related mortality rates. Our predictive model may also provide researchers in other regions with an approach to accurately determine the ages of roe deer fawns.

Association of Physical Activity Levels and Body Mass Index among School Age Public School Pupils in a Selected Community in Nigeria

Association of Physical Activity Levels and Body Mass Index among School Age Public School Pupils in a Selected Community in Nigeria

Automating alloy design and discovery with physics-aware multimodal multiagent AI

The design of new alloys is a multiscale problem that requires a holistic approach that involves retrieving relevant knowledge, applying advanced computational methods, conducting experimental validations, and analyzing the results, a process that is typically slow and reserved for human experts. Machine learning can help accelerate this process, for instance, through the use of deep surrogate models that connect structural and chemical features to material properties, or vice versa. However, existing data-driven models often target specific material objectives, offering limited flexibility to integrate out-of-domain knowledge and cannot adapt to new, unforeseen challenges. Here, we overcome these limitations by leveraging the distinct capabilities of multiple AI agents that collaborate autonomously within a dynamic environment to solve complex materials design tasks. The proposed physics-aware generative AI platform, AtomAgents, synergizes the intelligence of large language models (LLMs) and the dynamic collaboration among AI agents with expertise in various domains, including knowledge retrieval, multimodal data integration, physics-based simulations, and comprehensive results analysis across modalities. The concerted effort of the multiagent system allows for addressing complex materials design problems, as demonstrated by examples that include autonomously designing metallic alloys with enhanced properties compared to their pure counterparts. Our results enable accurate prediction of key characteristics across alloys and highlight the crucial role of solid solution alloying to steer the development of advanced metallic alloys. Our framework enhances the efficiency of complex multiobjective design tasks and opens avenues in fields such as biomedical materials engineering, renewable energy, and environmental sustainability.

Placing Migration: Towards More‐Than‐Relational Geographical Migration Studies

ABSTRACTThis paper critically engages with the spatial assumptions that underpin migration studies, highlighting a shift from an absolute view of space to a relational spatial perspective, influenced by transnational and translocal migration studies. While the latter emphasises the interconnectedness of migrants across borders and the fleeting translocal links involved in the production of places, this paper argues that a timeplace perspective, which sees places as products of temporally entangled, partially inertial and plastic connectivities, material objects, and discursive practices, can contribute to overcome dichotomies between process and product in migration studies. Using the case of Åsele municipality in northern Sweden, the paper illustrates how a timeplace perspective can enrich the understanding of migration dynamics, and potentially reconcile tensions between essentialist and fluid worldviews in migration scholarship. Ultimately, it suggests that a plastic and contextual understanding of space might be the next logical step for migration studies.

Psychological-Emotional Aspect and Lifestyle in Professional Males Rugby Athletes.

Recent research emphasizes the importance of integrating psychological-emotional factors with nutrition and body composition in athletes. This study investigates the correlations between these aspects in 36 professional rugby players, aiming to identify relationships that could optimize sports performance and overall well-being. The study sample included 36 male athletes (mean age: 24.4 ± 2.1 years, weight: 86.5 ± 7.1 kg, and height: 181.8 ± 5.7 cm). Four assessment tools were used: the Short Form Health Survey Questionnaire (SF-36) to evaluate quality of life, the Mediterranean diet adherence (MEDI-LITE), the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and body composition measurements (stadiometer and BIVA). Statistical analyses, including the Shapiro-Wilk test, Pearson, and Spearman correlations, were conducted to explore relationships between the variables. The athletes' mental and physical health was comparable to the general population (mean MCS = 50.5 ± 7.4, PCS = 49.6 ± 9.6). Mediterranean diet adherence was low (mean MEDI-LITE = 8.6 ± 2.6), while physical activity levels were high (mean IPAQ = 2560.5 ± 950.1). Body composition indicated overweight status (mean BMI = 26.15 ± 1.62 kg/m2, body fat = 22 ± 4.3%). Positive correlations were observed between mental health, diet adherence, and physical activity, with a stronger link between physical activity and body composition. This study confirms a relationship between psychological-emotional factors, nutrition, and body composition in athletes, suggesting an integrated approach to optimize performance. However, causality remains unconfirmed, and the small sample size limits generalizability. Future research should include larger, more diverse samples to expand these findings.

The Role of Mountain Climate in the Formation of Kinesic Metaphors and Polysemes in Russian, English, and Kyrgyz Languages.

The article explores how mountainous environments influence the linguistic and cultural expression of kinesic phenomena and polysemes, such as "head/баш." The study examines the interplay between physical environment, body language, and metaphorical language, analyzing how mountain climates shape the conceptualization and verbalization of movements and polysemous terms in these three languages. Through comparative analysis, the article highlights both universal and culture-specific ways that mountainous climates impact linguistic structures, offering insights into the broader relationship between environment, language, and cognition.

Double Consciousness of Virtual Realm and Real World in Porter Robinson and Madeon’s Shelter

This article examines the portrayal of virtual existence in Porter Robinson and Madeon's short film Shelter. This paper is focusing on the character Rin and her life within a virtual dimension while her physical body remains in outer space as unbeknownst to her. Drawing upon W. E. B. Du Bois' theory of double consciousness, the analysis explores Rin's dual identity and the interplay between her virtual and physical realities. Through qualitative method and explorative approach, this writing investigates the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in shaping Rin's virtual environment and influencing her perceptions of reality regarding her journey within the framework of double consciousness of digital and real realms. In the conclusion, this article gives insights into the complexities of identity, agency, and the human experience in virtual realms especially in the short film of Shelter.Keywords: Artificial Intelligence; Double Consciousness; Shelter.

Effects of Physical Activity Level, Strength, Balance, and Body Composition on Perceived Health in Healthy Adults.

Nowadays, not only is a high, long life expectancy desired, but also longevity with quality. Quality of life in adulthood is a multidimensional construct related to the perception of one's own health, psychological and socio-emotional factors, functionality for daily activities, and body composition. This study evaluates the effects of physical activity level (PAL), strength, balance, and body composition on perceived health in healthy adults. An observational, cross-sectional study with consecutive, non-probabilistic inclusion of cases was conducted. Body fat percentage (BFP) was measured by DXA. Physical activity level was assessed using accelerometry. The strength index (S_Index) was estimated using dynamometry. Postural control was assessed through posturography. The composite equilibrium score from the Sensory Organization Test (SOT_CES) was conducted to measure postural stability under various sensory conditions using dynamic posturography. Perceived health was calculated using the SF36 questionnaire, which detects health states, both positive and negative. A linear regression model was generated between each domain of SF36 with SOT_CES, BFP, PAL, and S_Index. A total of 64 males with a mean age of 55 ± 5 years and a mean body mass index of 27 ± 4 kg/m2 were recruited. Results showed a negative correlation between physical function (ß = -0.7; t = -3.163; p = 0.003; R2 = 23.7%) and general health (ß = -0.227; t = -3.425; p = 0.001; R2 = 17.4%) with BFP. Also, it showed a negative correlation between physical function (ß = 0.047; t = -2.643; p = 0.011; R2 = 17.5%) and general health (ß = 0.016; t = -3.044; p = 0.004; R2 = 14.6%) with S_Index. On the other hand, no relation was observed between SF36 and SOT_CES. Finally, only the emotional role showed a positive correlation (ß = -0.02; t = -2.629; p = 0.011; R2 = 23.1%) with PAL. A lower BFP and higher S_Index are associated with increased physical function and general health. Also, the higher the PAL, the greater the emotional health. On the other hand, no relation was observed between SF36 and the balance detected from SOT_CES.

The lost Kashmir: Home, memory, and affect through the material in Agha Shahid Ali’s poetry

ABSTRACT This article explores the references to material markers in the poetry of Agha Shahid Ali like the Kashmiri shawl and saffron, the letter and the picture postcard, to unravel how the material becomes a complex, fraught repository of diasporic memory and affect in his work, affording a range of affective responses, involving both meaningful resonances and ruptures. Ali’s poetry articulated the angst of a conflict-torn Kashmir in the 1990s, revealing the interplay of his entangled emotions surrounding home, loss, violence, and memory. His poetry shows scattered yet sustained references to material objects, which signify a distinctive Kashmiri culture and ethos, and also encrypt narratives of violence and loss, unfolding through the avenues of colonial and global consumption and political and cultural appropriation. This article posits that, through the evocation of these Kashmiri material objects, violence in Kashmir is both historicized and mapped onto the contemporary Kashmiri everyday in Ali’s poetry.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Weight Loss in Male and Female Active-duty Service Members: A Weight Management Study.

Overweight and obesity are critical public health concerns with relevance to U.S. military personnel, as active duty service members must meet physical fitness and body composition standards. Biological sex and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosis may affect service members' weight management efforts, but it is unclear what contribution each of these factors independently or in combination have on weight loss. Addressing this gap in knowledge, the current study used multilevel models to examine the effects of sex and self-reported PTSD diagnosis on change in weight of active duty Navy service members (n = 178, 61% female, 24% PTSD) over the course of and after a behavioral weight management intervention. On average, participants' weights decreased significantly during the intervention (P < .001), and there was a significant sex-by-PTSD interaction effect such that male participants without a self-reported PTSD diagnosis and female participants with a self-reported PTSD diagnosis lost significantly more weight during the intervention than their counterparts (P = .015). The main effects of sex and self-reported PTSD diagnosis on weight change during the intervention were nonsignificant (P's ≥ .24). While weight remained stable on average during the follow-up period (P = .28), female sex marginally predicted weight loss during the follow-up period (P = .07), whereas self-reported PTSD diagnosis and the sex-by-PTSD interaction were not significant (P's ≥ .16). These results highlight the importance of considering both sex and PTSD diagnosis as factors that together may influence the efficacy of behavioral weight management programs for active duty service members. NCT01757847.

The Relationship Between Body Composition, Physical Activity, Self-Esteem, and Body Image in Female and Male Adolescents.

The elements of body composition and their correlation with physical activity, body image, and self-esteem are aspects that require in-depth studies. This link should be seen in the context of the percentage of adipose tissue, which can be modeled via physical activity. The objective of this study is to evaluate the relationships between the parameters that define body composition, self-esteem, body image, and physical activity according to gender. This study included 100 females and 100 males with an average age of 22 years. The evaluation included anthropometric parameters, body composition, self-esteem, physical activity index, and body image perception assessment. The results show that the males exhibited a higher percentage of exceeding the upper limit of normal and average weight; in contrast, there were two times more females exhibiting normal weight than those exceeding the upper limit. Therefore, obesity was higher among males. The average fitness score values were 69.07 for females and 76.53 for males, and the mean fitness was within normal limits. Regarding body image, according to the BSQ, we observed that both groups were not satisfied with and were concerned about their body shape. With respect to the Rosenberg self-esteem scale, the average score for females was 20.27, and for males, it was 19.60; the mean self-esteem value was 66% of the maximum value. In terms of the perceived ideal body size assessed with the Silhouette scale, most of the females were placed at level 3, and the males were placed at level 4. Regarding the physical activity index, females carried out on average 1.5 days of intense physical activity over 7 days, and males were involved in intense physical activity for 2 days. Conclusions: The degree of obesity and therefore the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome were higher in males than in females. Although males have a higher degree of obesity, self-esteem is quantified at a higher level of confidence.

Effect of applying a diabetes risk score on lifestyle counselling and shared decision-making in primary care: A pragmatic cluster randomised trial.

There is a lack of studies on the impact of diabetes risk scores on diabetes prevention. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of applying a non-invasive diabetes risk score as component of routine health checks on counselling intensity and shared decision-making (SDM) in primary care. Cluster randomised trial, in which primary care physicians (n = 30) enrolled participants (n = 315) with statutory health insurance without known diabetes, ≥ 35 years of age with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 27.0 kg/m2. In the intervention group, the German Diabetes Risk Score (GDRS) was applied as add-on to the standard routine health check. Outcomes were length and intensity of the counselling interview and the process of SDM. Analysis was by intention-to-treat using mixed models. In the intervention group, higher odds were found for a more intensive counselling interview regarding physical activity, healthy diet and body weight (e.g., participants` perspective: odds ratios between 1.8 and 2.5) compared to controls. Analysis of total SDM score showed a more participative counselling interview in the intervention than in the control group. GDRS use in routine primary care improves intensity of lifestyle counselling and process of SDM already in people with moderate diabetes risk.

The Story of a Thing: A Frame-Analytic Perspective on a Biographical Approach to Materiality

The article focuses on the integration of a frame-analytic approach into the research field of the biography of material objects, whose main representatives were originally situated in classical anthropology and archaeology. The main aim of the article is the introduction of a sociological perspective to the study of the history of things. To achieve this goal, frame analysis is used as a tool of conceptual translation, based on a synthesis of key assumptions of existing approaches. The article is divided into two parts. The primary part undertakes a review of existing biographical concepts in disciplines related to sociology. Among their shortcomings is the anthropomorphizing of the biography of an object, which leads to linearity and the desire to establish the beginning and end of its ‘life’. We argue that a thing can have ‘a number of different simultaneous lives’ without specific dates. In addition, in the presented approaches, exchange appears to be the primary means of endowing an object with meaning, although it is not the only possible way. In contrast, we highlight the concept of ‘itineraries of an object’ as a preferable alternative. The first part of the work also formulates the epistemic horizon of a frame-analytical biography of the material. The unit of analyzing the history of a thing — its biographical event — is the transformation of the frame of the social situation given by the object under study. In the second part of the paper, the conceptual points are illustrated by the ‘life’ stories of several telephone booths: their transposition into a city Wi-Fi hotspot, their reframing into a work office, and their transposition into a complex facility at a scientific conference. It is argued that frame theory has a conceptual apparatus relevant for explaining changes in biography, which considers the relationality of meaning-making, the qualities of a thing per se, and the dispersed (as opposed to linear) nature of these changes.