Sport Physical Activity Research Articles

The Effects of Adapted Physical Education and Sports Activities on Mental Adjustment Levels and Determination of Communication Skills of Trainable Mentally Handicapped Individuals

This study aimed to determine the effect of exercise training on mental adaptation levels and communication skills in mentally handicapped individuals who were at an educable level. Based on this purpose, the Performance Determination Form for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities, which was created in 2018 within the scope of the Ministry of National Education, General Directorate of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services, and Hacettepe Spiritual Adaptation Scale developed by Gökler and Öktem (1985) were given to the families of 11 mentally disabled individuals, (3 girls and 8 boys), with a mean age of 11.90. Afterward, 130 hours of adapted physical education and sports activities were applied to 11 trainable mentally retarded individuals, 90 minutes a day, 2 days a week for 12 weeks. After this activity, the same measurements were performed by the families again and the differences were examined. As a result of SPSS, although there was no statistical significance in the behavioural and neurotic results, which were the sub-dimensions of the psychological adjustment variable, a decrease was observed in the post-test mean scores after the exercise program was applied. This result proves that physical education and sports activities have positive effects on the mental adjustment of individuals with educable mental disabilities. Findings on receptive language skills and expressive language skills, which were sub-dimensions of the participants’ communication skills, were examined. While the mean receptive language skills pre-test score was 31.72±3.00, the post-test mean score was 127.09±6.18, the expressive language skills pre-test mean score was 13.27±2.37, and the post-test mean score was 54.63±1.56. The observed difference was statistically significant. As can be seen, it was determined that physical education and sports activities applied have positive effects on individuals with educable mental disabilities, both in terms of psychological adaptation and communication skills. As a result, it has been determined in this research that physical education activities, which are an integral part of education, are very beneficial in terms of mental adaptation and communication skills, which are vital for individuals with mental disabilities.

Testing Psychometric Properties and Measurement Invariance of Basic Psychological Needs in the Digital Version of the Sport Scale

Motivation is an important field in sport because it is related to the satisfaction, psychological well-being, or adherence to sport. The Psychological Need Satisfaction in Exercise Scale (PNSE) is one of the questionnaires that assess motivation from the Self-Determination Theory. Online tools are growing because of the advantages that they offer. The PNSE has been validated in different populations but never in its digital version. The aim of the present study was to analyze the psychometric properties of the digital version of the PNSE hosted on the MenPas platform. The current study included 1050 platform users aged 18 to 58 who engage in regular physical-sports activity. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of the 18-item model was conducted, and invariance was performed according to gender and type of sport. The results indicated that the measurement model displayed a good fit to the data: (CFI = 0.93, TLI = 0.92, RMSEA = 0.08, SRMR = 0.06; df = 132; B-S p = 0.02–0.07): general sample (χ2 = 934.86, χ2/df = 7.08), female (χ2 = 699.94, χ2/df = 5.30), male (χ2 = 442.42, χ2/df = 3.35) individual sports (χ2 = 753.17, χ2/df = 5.71), and team sports (χ2 = 390.44, χ2/df = 2.96). Appropriate values of invariance, convergent validity, discriminant validity, and composite reliability were obtained. The digital version of the PNSE shows adequate psychometric properties and it could improve the data collection process in future investigations.

Cadaveric and Ultrasound Validation of Percutaneous Electrolysis Approach at the Achilles Tendon as a Potential Treatment for Achilles Tendinopathy: A Pilot Study.

Achilles tendon tendinopathy (AT) is a musculoskeletal condition characterized by pain in the Achilles tendon and impaired physical performance or sport activities. AT is difficult to treat, and the results are variable. Preliminary evidence suggests a positive effect for pain of percutaneous electrolysis in patients with tendinopathy. Our aim was to determine the validity and safety of a percutaneous electrolysis approach targeting the interphase between the Achilles tendon and the Kager’s fat with ultrasound imaging in both healthy individuals and on a fresh cadaver model (not ultrasound guiding). A needle was inserted from the medial to the lateral side under the body of the Achilles tendon, just between the tendon and the Kager’s triangle, about 5 cm from the insertion of tendon in the calcaneus in 10 healthy volunteers (ultrasound study) and 10 fresh cadaver legs. An accurate needle penetration of the interphase was observed in 100% of the approaches, in both human and cadaveric models. No neurovascular bundle of the sural nerve was pierced in any insertion. The distance from the tip of the needle to the sural nerve was 5.28 ± 0.7 mms in the cadavers and 4.95 ± 0.68 mms in the volunteer subjects, measured in both cases at a distance of 5 cm from the insertion of the Achilles tendon. The results of the current study support that percutaneous electrolysis can be safely performed at the Kager’s fat–Achilles tendon interphase if it is US guided. In fact, penetration of the sural nerve was not observed in any needle approach when percutaneous needling electrolysis was performed by an experienced clinician. Future studies investigating the clinical effectiveness of the proposed intervention are needed.

Analysis of the Problem of Creating Physical Culture and Sports Activities in a Modern High School (Taken FEFU University School as an Example)

Gives the summary of literary sources on the problem of diagnosis and creating of the environment related to physical training and sports activities in a modern high school taken FEFU University School as an example. It formulates the relevance and methodological features of the research and organizational aspects of our upcoming research. It also gives the most significant strategies for creating the pedagogical environment of the school related to physical training and sports activities.

COVID-19 Pandemic: Impediment or Opportunity? Considerations Regarding the Physical-Health Impact and Well-Being among Romanian University Students

The global COVID-19 pandemic that is ongoing because of the Coronavirus II (SARS-CoV-2) has had until now a great impact on physical education and sports, especially due to the closure of training facilities and people’s lack of motivation. In Romania, physical activity (PA) and physical education (PE) have also been highly affected, especially among university students. To our knowledge, this is the first study conducted in Romania regarding the influence of the lockdown on the physical health and well-being of university students. This study aims to determine if and how the pandemic affected the university students’ mental and physical health in Romania, but also to highlight new strategies and approaches suggested by them through a questionnaire to enhance and motivate their participation in physical activities. Based on a cross-sectional design, a survey designed in two languages—Romanian and English—was completed by the students from the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca and foreign students that were on a mobility study visit through the Erasmus+ program in Romania. The questionnaire was filled out by 836 university students (age = 18–24 years; males: 57.73%). The findings showed that quarantine in Romania led to a significant increase in sedentarism among students and a reduction in energy for physical activity, which also affected their psychological well-being. The absence of social interactions and onsite classes led to a sedentary lifestyle among students and increased their fear and stress levels. The cancellation of all sports events and PA also led to fewer students remaining physically active. Time off training and leisure time activities caused by the ongoing restrictions might be used for new purposes, such as goal setting, overcoming injury, improving mobility, psychological development, and emphasizing strength sports for health. During the COVID-19 lockdown, sedentarism increased dramatically, especially among young people.

Pediatric Musculoskeletal Injuries.

Musculoskeletal injuries are a common reason for emergency department and primary care visits in the pediatric population. The prevalence of these injuries is likely related to children and adolescents participating in sports activities, physical activity, and exercise that can lead to these injuries. It is important for health care professionals and practitioners to understand the assessment, evaluation, and treatment of musculoskeletal injuries, but also to understand when to refer for expert consultation. [Pediatr Ann. 2022;51(9):e330-337.].

Applying Theory Of Planned Behavior To Examine Adolescent Female Athletes’ Intentions Of Continued Sport Participation

Organized sports provide a valuable means for adolescents to achieve physical activity, develop physical literacy, and establish social connections with peers. Unfortunately, female adolescents discontinue sports more often and achieve less physical activity than their male peers. Considering this problem, it is important to examine factors that inform female adolescents’ intentions to continue participating in sports and remain physically active. The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) provides a framework to study a person’s intentions through their attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. PURPOSE: Apply constructs of the Theory of Planned Behavior to examine female adolescents’ intentions to continue participating in sports and remain physically active. METHODS: Two-hundred and seventy-one adolescent females completed a questionnaire aiming to capture their attitude and perceptions regarding sports participation. Confirmatory factor analyses were used to develop latent variables for attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. Structural equation modeling was used to test TPB’s ability to predict participants’ intentions of future sports participation and physical activity. The two outcomes of interest were participants’ intentions to participate in sports and be physically active in one year. RESULTS: Overall, the findings align with the constructs of TPB. A modified TPB model controlling for participant age and socioeconomic status provided acceptable fit for each of the outcomes. Participants’ intention of participating in sports next year was predicted by attitude (β: 86.7, 95% CI: 60.2 to 113, p<0.01), subjective norm (β: 30.2, 95% CI: 6.50 to 53.9, p=0.01), and age (β: -4.80, 95% CI: -6.63 to -2.98, p<0.01). Intention to engage in regular physical activity in one year was predicted by attitude (β: 30.4, 95% CI: 7.55 to 53.2, p<0.01), subjective norm (β: 26.4, 95% CI: 5.88 to 46.9, p=0.01), and perceived behavioral control (β: 27.4, 95% CI: 11.6 to 43.2, p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Female adolescents’ sports participation and physical activity can be partially predicted by constructs of TPB. Specifically, their enjoyment of sports, family support, and peer acceptance are important factors influencing their intentions of continued sports participation.

Organization, substantive and methodical provision of intramural (intramural) sports in the USA

Today, a comparative rethinking of the historical-pedagogical experience of forming the values of student youth through physical culture and sports in the theory and practice of the developed countries of the world, in particular the USA, is of particular importance. The article provides a comprehensive analysis of intramural sports in the USA as an important integral component of the physical education system, which contributes to the involvement of students with different levels of motor skills and qualities in active physical activity outside of school hours within the general secondary education institution. The study of positive experience in the USA on the mentioned problem is useful, taking into account the need to improve the domestic system of physical education and sports. The purpose of our research is to find out the characteristic features of the organizational, substantive and methodical support for the functioning of the system of intramural sports in the USA based on the analysis of literary sources of scientists. During the study, the following research methods were used: methods of theoretical, retrospective analysis, generalization of data from scientific and methodical literature and official documents. In the process of the conducted research, we established the peculiarities of the organization, content and methodical support of intramural sports programs in the USA. In particular, the system-logical process is described in detail, starting with the definition of the type (character) and scope of the program, types of physical (sports) activity, planning, buildings, equipment and inventory, rules of admission, determination of the winner and awards, accounting, use of modern information technology, medical review and concluding with funding, program support and promotion, arbitration, program administration and evaluation. The participation of schoolchildren in intramural sports programs is based on voluntary principles, and its numerous types are usually recreational or competitive in nature. However, these two important functions of intramural sports can be combined.

O8-6 Participation in physical education, extra-curricular activities, and community sports among Irish adolescents with and without functional difficulties

BackgroundPhysical activity for adolescents with disabilities (AWD) are reported to have even greater health benefits than for adolescents without disabilities (AWoD). The settings for organised physical activity opportunities can include physical education, extra-curricular activities and community sport. Few studies have reported whether there are differences in participation in these settings between AWD and AWoD. The purpose of this study was to report differences in participation in organised physical activity between AWD and AWoD in Ireland.MethodsData, were disaggregated by disabilities, from the Irish children sport participation and physical activity 2018 study; a national representative self-report survey. Adolescents selected sports and physical activities they took part in the last 12 months in physical education, extra-curricular activities, and community sports. The child functioning module was completed with data coded according to the Washington group on disability statistics criteria. Data were stratified by gender and school level, with average scores of the number of activities analysed by T-Tests with Hedge's g, and no participation by Chi-square test of independence.ResultsThe weighted sample included 6646 adolescents (53% female, 68% secondary level), of which 16% reported disabilities. Specific difficulties were sensory (4%), physical (1%), cognitive (7%), and behavioural (9%). More AWD reported they did not do any organised physical activities in all three settings (physical education, p = 0.029, extra-curriculum, p = >.001, community sport p = >.001) than AWoD. Adolescents with behavioural disabilities reported fewer types of physical education activities (males primary, p = .014, g =.31; secondary, p = .008, g = .24) and community sports (male primary, p = >.001, g = .49; female secondary, p = .027, g = .14) than adolescents without behavioural disabilities.ConclusionsAdolescents with behavioural difficulties were the largest disability group and reported fewer number of organised physical activities than AWoD; reinforcing actions are needed to increase perceived choice of activities. An alarming number of AWD reported no organised physical activities in all three settings. More thorough studies are required to investigate these reasons, and to provide support across settings, whereby differences in participation between adolescents with and without disabilities are not so profound.

S11-1 The cooperative planning approach in health promotion: Theoretical foundation, theoretical classification and key elements

BackgroundImplementing effective physical activity (PA) interventions into routine practice is challenging once research funds run out, and only a minority of programs are successfully moved from research to practice settings and become embedded in a system. Participatory approaches are seen as a means to overcome this trap and sustainably implement and scale-up programs. This presentation provides methodological and methodological overview of the cooperative planning approach (CP), a participatory method increasingly used in PA promotion in the last years.MethodsWe reviewed the literature to trace the origins of the CP approach, outline its basic theoretical foundations, and summarize its central components and procedures. In addition, we compiled a structured overview of previous CP projects to highlight potential application contexts of the approach. Building on the results of a scoping review, we position the CP method within the body of existing participatory approaches based on Arnstein's ladder of participation.ResultsFrom a theoretical point of view, CP can be traced to the literature on knowledge co-creation and participatory research. It bears conceptual similarities with various organization-based planning methods. There are several distinctive characteristics that set it apart, including (a) the heterogeneity and expertise of participants, (b) a specific process sequence, (c) key success indicators, and (d) structured outputs. Variations of the approach have been successfully employed in sports development and physical activity promotion for target groups across the life-course. Positioning CP within the universe of existing approaches shows that it offers comparatively high levels of participation, is focused on later stages of the implementation process, and is well-suited to be combined with other methods of participation (e.g. citizen science).ConclusionsThe CP approach constitutes an alternative to existing knowledge co-creation and participatory approaches that may help overcome the problem of the pilot project trap. It can be easily adapted to different contexts but is especially suitable for settings where the development of specific measures for PA promotion is required. However, a successful implementation of the CP process depends on a number of prerequisites, e.g. sufficient resources and the engagement of key persons identified as ‘champions'.

Examining protective factors for substance use problems and self-harm behavior during adolescence: A longitudinal co-twin control study.

Sports participation, physical activity, and friendship quality are theorized to have protective effects on the developmental emergence of substance use and self-harm behavior in adolescence, but existing research has been mixed. This ambiguity could reflect, in part, the potential for confounding of observed associations by genetic and environmental factors, which previous research has been unable to rigorously rule out. We used data from the prospective, population-based Child and Adolescent Twin Study in Sweden (n = 18,234 born 1994-2001) and applied a co-twin control design to account for potential genetic and environmental confounding of sports participation, physical activity, and friendship quality (assessed at age 15) as presumed protective factors for adolescent substance use and self-harm behavior (assessed at age 18). While confidence intervals widened to include the null in numerous co-twin control analyses adjusting for childhood psychopathology, parent-reported sports participation and twin-reported positive friendship quality were associated with increased odds of alcohol problems and nicotine use. However, parent-reported sports participation, twin-reported physical activity, and twin-reported friendship quality were associated with decreased odds of self-harm behavior. The findings provide a more nuanced understanding of the risks and benefits of putative protective factors for risky behaviors that emerge during adolescence.

Spanish Validation of the PALMS (Physical Activity and Leisure Motivation Scale).

Although there is abundant evidence supporting an active lifestyle, it is necessary to promote the practice of physical activity among the population. To understand this phenomenon, several studies have been conducted to describe the reasons why people participate in sports activities. The PALMS (Physical Activity and Leisure Motivation Scale) was created as a comprehensive tool to measure the reasons for practicing sports. This tool consists of 40 items related to sports and is designed for the young and adult population. Each of the subscales is formed of five items (mastery, enjoyment, psychological condition, physical condition, appearance, the expectations of others, affiliation, competition/ego) that reflect the possible reasons for practicing sports. This study sought to validate the PALMS in the cultural context of Spain, for the type of population for which it is designed. In total, 596 voluntary participants completed the study from Spain, aged 18 to 53, who regularly practice sports. The adequacy of the model obtained in the exploratory study was confirmed, since a model composed of eight factors and 40 indicators in total was obtained. The parameters were statistically significant (p < 0.05) and the factor loadings presented values greater than 0.5. Regarding internal consistency, the values of Cronbach’s alpha and those of the composite reliability were above 0.8. In conclusion, the validation of the Spanish PALMS proved to be a valid and reliable measurement instrument for the evaluation of the reasons that lead the population to perform sports physical activity.

“ACTIVE VALUES”: An Interdisciplinary Educational Programme to Promote Healthy Lifestyles and Encourage Education in Values—A Rationale and Protocol Study

Numerous investigations show the need to intervene with school children and young students in order to mitigate socio-educational difficulties such as social conflict, and public health problems such as sedentary lifestyles and childhood obesity. This study seeks to explain the rationale and protocol of an educational programme called “ACTIVE VALUES” as an intervention strategy for the reduction of sedentary lifestyles and the promotion of education in values in schools. The present research used a mixed methods approach with a quasi-experimental design of repeated measures (pre-test and post-test), with a non-randomised control group (CG) and an experimental group (EG). The sample was composed of approximately 250 students and 30 teachers from different autonomous communities in Spain, divided into EG and CG. The EG implemented a teaching methodology based on the incorporation of Active Breaks (AB) into the structure of the Teaching Personal and Social Responsibility (TPSR) model, during one academic year, while the CG used conventional teaching based on the direct instruction teaching technique. A specific two-stage professional development procedure was followed: (1) initial training and (2) continuing professional development (CPD). The fidelity of the programme was checked by observational analysis of the sessions which were analysed by two observers with expertise in educational research and active methodologies. Currently, “ACTIVE VALUES” is the first study that examines the effectiveness of an educational programme that integrates into the teaching methodology, elements that foster education in values and promote healthy lifestyle habits through physical-sports activity within the classroom.

Critical Rehabilitation for Partial and Total Knee Arthroplasty: Guidelines and Objective Testing to Allow Return to Physical Function, and Recreational and Sports Activities.

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise 54(8):p 1400, August 2022. | DOI: 10.1249/01.mss.0000854448.09805.3f

The Long-Run Effects of Sports Club Vouchers for Primary School Children

Childhood obesity is one of the most serious public health challenges of the twenty-first century. While small-scale experiments change behaviors among adults in the short run, we know little about the effectiveness of large-scale policies or the longer-run impacts. To nudge primary school children into a long-term habit of exercising, the German state of Saxony distributed sports club membership vouchers among all 33,000 third graders in 2009. In 2018, we carried out a register-based survey to evaluate the policy. Even after a decade, awareness of the voucher program was significantly higher in the treatment group. We also find that youth received and redeemed the vouchers. However, we do not find significant short- or long-term effects on sports club membership, physical activity, overweightness, or motor skills. Apparently, membership vouchers for children are not a strong enough policy tool to overcome barriers to exercise regularly. (JEL H75, I12, I18, I21, I28, J13, Z21)

CrossFit during lockdown. The promises and pitfalls of digitally mediated training for leisure-time physical activity

ABSTRACT The COVID-19 pandemic led to nationwide lockdowns and rigid measures of social distancing in Denmark. Such a situation provides the unique opportunity to study interruptions in training routines and scrutinise the significance of physical attendance, face-to-face interactions and collective engagement for sport and leisure-time physical activity. Drawing on Randall Collins’ micro-sociological theory of ‘Interaction Ritual Chains’, this article focuses on CrossFit – an activity, which is not only known for members’ high-intensity workouts but also for a tight-knit community. Specifically, we explored how CrossFitters in Denmark made sense of and experienced the changes of their leisure practices throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Semi-structured interviews with 20 CrossFitters recruited from different CrossFit boxes showed that not only activity levels but also emotional energy and group solidarity dropped considerably during COVID-19 as members lacked interactions within the CrossFit boxes which had been crucial for their participation before the pandemic. Notably, new training situations, specifically online workouts, could not replace the highly successful interaction rituals in the CrossFit box, which stresses the significance of face-to-face interactions for continuous leisure-time physical activity. In so doing, this article contributes to discussions about whether online workouts and digitally mediated communities can complement or replace physical training.

An Analytical Model to Predict Foot Sole Temperature: Implications to Insole Design for Physical Activity in Sport and Exercise

Foot sole temperature, besides its importance in thermal comfort, can be considered an important factor in identifying tissue injuries due to heavy activities or diseases. Hyperthermia, which is a raise in the foot temperature, increases the risk of diabetic ulcers considerably. In this study, a model is proposed to predict the foot sole temperature with acceptable accuracy. This model for the first time considers both the thermal and mechanical properties of the shoe sole, the intensity of the activity, the ambient condition, and sweating, which are involved in the thermal interaction between the sole of the foot and footwear. Furthermore, the proposed model provides the opportunity to estimate the contributions of different parameters in foot thermal regulation by describing the interaction of activity, duration, and intensity as well as sweating in influencing the foot sole temperature. In doing so it takes into account the relative importance of heat capacitance and the thermal conductivity. The results of this study revealed that sweating is not as effective in cooling the ball area of the foot while it is the principal contributor to thermal regulation in the arch area. The model also showed the importance of trapped air in keeping the foot warm, especially in cold conditions. Based on the simulation results, in selecting the shoe sole, and in addition to the conductivity, the thermal capacity of the sole of the shoe needs to be considered. The developed analytical model allowed the investigation of the contribution of all the involved parameters in foot thermal regulation and has shown that a different foot temperature can be achieved when the amount of material versus air is changed in the insole design. This can have practical implications in the insole design for a variety of conditions such as hypo and hyper-thermia in physical activities in sports and exercise settings.

Особливості зміни показників тренувального навантаження в силовому фітнесі в умовах м’язової діяльності різного характеру

The purpose of the work was to study the peculiarities of the change in the indicators value of training load in power fitness under conditions of using different modes of muscular activity in terms of volume and intensity. Materials and methods. The study involved 50 untrained males aged 18-20 years. 2 research groups of 25 people each were formed: control and main. The participants of the control group used the regimen of low-intensity and large-volume loads developed by us. The representatives of the main group used a regimen of high-intensity loads with the use of time indicators of muscular activity of different parameters. Control over changes in the value of training load indicators was carried out using the following methods: determining the development of maximum muscle strength of the studied contingent in control exercises; quantitative assessment of the level of physical activity in power sports. Results and discussion. The obtained results on the dynamics of the average group indicators of the maximum mass of the projectile when performing training exercises among the surveyed contingent, allow us to conclude that under long-term use of high-intensity loads regimen, the maximum power capabilities of the body develop almost 3 times faster compared to the data fixed during the same period of time in the conditions of application of a low-intensity regimen. In turn, despite a significant (about 51.0%) increase in the parameters of the load in the working set among the representatives of the main group during 3 months of the study, due to an increase in body’s strength capabilities by 36.0%, the results found at the end of the study were 6.8% and they were lower compared to the initial data set among the representatives of the control group. It was investigated that the most pronounced increase in the parameters of the load in the working set by 59.3% (p &lt;0.05) compared to the initial data, was recorded among the representatives of the main group when performing the basic exercise "bench press" in the conditions of using the regimen of high-intensity and low-volume load. It is established that the use of the regimen of power loads developed by us in the process of training activity contributes to the accelerated growth in the parameters of the projectile working mass indicator (by more than 30%) among men of the main group in comparison with opponents. At the same time, it was among the representatives of the main group who used the regime of high-intensity and low-volume loads during training, the indicator of the volume of work in a separate set was almost 70% lower compared to the data recorded among the control group. Conclusion. Against the background of increasing intensity parameters and simultaneously reducing the volume of training work, the results obtained may allow to find one of the effective ways to solve the most relevant problem of modern sports activity, namely, to suspend the process of a constant increase of the values of training loads to provide the body of athletes with the necessary, for further pronounced adaptive changes, stress stimulus and it will help reduce the level of injuries in power sports

Effects of a Long-Term Monitored Exercise Program on Aerobic Fitness in a Small Group of Children with Cystic Fibrosis.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a monitored exercise program on aerobic fitness in children with cystic fibrosis (CF). Methods: Six children (2f/4m) with ages ranging from 6 to 14 years (11.3 ± 3.3 years.) and a mean ppFEV1 102.5 ± 13.5% pred. participated in the partially monitored 12-month exercise program. VO2peak and Wpeak were used as parameters of aerobic fitness. Incremental Cardio-Pulmonary Exercise Tests (CPETs) were performed before the program began (T1), after 6 months (T3) of monitoring, and after a further 6 months (T4) without monitoring. Habitual physical activity (HPA) was assessed with accelerometry. Results: The values of VO2peak and Wpeak improved slightly from T1 to T3 (p > 0.05), without a further increase after monitoring was stopped (T4). However, the VO2peak and Wpeak values were higher after monitoring was stopped compared to at T1. The exercise program with and without monitoring (p > 0.05) had no or only a slight effect on the FEV1 values, steps/day, and the intensity of HPA. Conclusions: Monitoring seems to facilitate the achievement of beneficial effects on physical fitness in CF children. For that reason, continuous individual exercise monitoring programs that involve close contact with an exercise therapist should be provided to maintain long-term motivation and participation in physical activities and sport activities during leisure time.

Does Relative Age Influence Organized Sport and Unorganized Physical Activity Participation in a Cohort of Adolescents?

Despite their prevalence, the longitudinal impacts of relative age effects (RAEs) on sport and other forms of physical activity (PA) are understudied. This study examined longitudinal participation patterns in organized sport (team and individual), unorganized PA, and non-participation with respect to RAEs in a prospective cohort of adolescents. Data from the first 24 cycles of the MATCH study were used for analyses. Elementary students (n = 929) were recruited from 17 schools in Atlantic Canada. Respondents self-reported PA three times/year. Mixed multilevel logistic models compared the likelihood of participating in each context across birth quarter. Chronological age and gender were considered, along with the interaction between chronological and relative age. Individuals born in Quarter 1/Quarter 2 were more likely to report participation in organized team sport but not individual sports. Relatively older participants born in Quarter 2 were more likely to report participation in unorganized PA. Increasing chronological age was associated with decreased participation in organized sport (particularly team-based) and increased non-participation. Gender was not associated with organized sport participation, but girls were under-represented in unorganized PA and more likely to report non-participation. The interaction parameters suggested that RAEs were consistent throughout adolescence in each context. Longitudinal analyses suggest RAEs are context dependent.