Physical Activity Participation Research Articles

Association between early retirement and risk of frailty in later life: A population-based longitudinal study.

Early retirement is prevalent and can alter daily habits, potentially impacting health. This study aims to explore the association between early retirement and frailty and to examine the modifying effect of sociodemographic characteristics. We conducted a population-based matched cohort study that included 1 779 628 early retirees aged 45-64 years and an equal number of employed individuals from Taiwan's National Health Insurance (2010-2021). Early retirement was defined as unemployment before age 65 years without reemployment. Frailty was assessed using the multimorbidity Frailty Index (mFI) based on the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Clinical Modification codes. Covariates such as demographics, socioeconomic status, and medical conditions were adjusted using propensity score weighting. Generalized estimating equations determined the association between early retirement and frailty. Subgroup analyses were conducted by age, sex, income and occupation. The results showed that early retirees exhibited a significant increase in mFI score changes compared to their employed counterparts, with a coefficient rise of 0.372 (95% CI, 0.303-0.441). Early retirement was associated with higher mFI scores among younger individuals (aged 45-54 years); men; those with lower incomes; and individuals working as employers, private-sector employees, freelancers, farmers and fishers. Conversely, early retirement was linked to lower mFI scores among civil servants. These findings support the development of targeted retirement policies and occupational health programs. Further research on frailty mediators, such as physical activity, diet and social participation is crucial for improving clinical care and informing health policies to mitigate the negative impacts of early retirement on high-risk populations. Geriatr Gerontol Int ••; ••: ••-•• Geriatr Gerontol Int 2025; ••: ••-••.

Associations between caregivers’ health behaviours and overweight/obesity among children aged 2–6 years in Beijing, China: a cross-sectional study

ObjectiveTo investigate the correlation between caregivers’ health-related behaviours and the prevalence of overweight/obesity among children aged 2–6 years in Beijing city in China.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingTwo kindergartens and two community health service...

Validation of the Italian version of the intuitive exercise scale: a four-factor structure in the general population

PurposeIntuitive exercise may foster healthier engagement in physical activity, leading to enhanced well-being and more intuitive eating habits. The Intuitive Exercise Scale (IEXS) was originally developed to assess this construct in English speakers. The IEXS is composed of four scales addressing distinct facets of intuitive exercise: emotional exercise, body trust, exercise rigidity, mindful exercise. The present study aimed to validate an Italian translation of the IEXS, exploring its factorial structure, invariance, internal consistency, and convergent validity.MethodsA sample of 1140 women and men (age: M = 45.25, SD = 11.64, range 22–76 years) was recruited from the Italian general population; 61.8% were physically active. Inclusion criteria were being an Italian native speaker and being at least 18 years. The sample was randomly split in two equal halves for the Exploratory Factor Analysis (n = 570; women: 50%; physically active: 61.8%) and the Confirmatory Factor Analysis (n = 570; women: 50%; physically active: 61.8%). Multi-group confirmatory factor analyses were performed to assess invariance among women and men and physically and non-physically active individuals. McDonald’s omega was used to assess internal consistency. Pearson’s correlations were utilized to assess convergent validity.ResultsThe Italian IEXS replicated a four-factor structure and showed good invariance among women and men. Invariance among physically and non-physically active individuals was only partially supported. Excellent internal consistency and adequate convergent validity were achieved.ConclusionsThe IEXS demonstrated to be a valid measure to examine intuitive exercise in the Italian population, replicating and expanding the findings of the English version.Level of evidence Level V, Cross-sectional, Psychometric study.

Isotemporal Substitution Effect of 24-Hour Movement Behaviors on Well-Being, Cognition, and BMI Among Older Adults

Background: This study investigated the interdependent relationships among older adults’ daily engagement in physical activity (PA), sedentary time (ST), sleep, and their well-being, cognition, and body mass index (BMI). Method: Forty healthy older adults (31 females; Mean [age] = 70.8 ± 5.58) were included in the analysis. Participants wore a Fitbit tracker for an average of 23 h a day, five days a week, over six months. The Fitbit device tracked lightly active time, active time, ST, and sleep durations. Quality of life and cognitive flexibility were assessed using validated instruments. BMI was calculated using participants’ self-reported height and weight. A compositional analysis (CODA) investigated the codependent associations among these variables and model time reallocation between behaviors. Results: Regression models utilizing CODA indicated significant associations between the outcomes of BMI (p = 0.05; Adj. R2 = 0.20), while cognitive flexibility and quality of life revealed no association (p > 0.05). Shifting 10 min from ST to active time is associated with a theoretical decrease of −0.76 (95% CI, −1.49 to −0.04) units in BMI. Similarly, reallocating 10 min from active time to ST is associated with a theoretical increase of 1.17 (95% CI, 0.03 to 2.3) units in BMI. Reallocating 10 min between other movement behaviors yielded no statistical significance. Conclusions: Our study highlights the importance of promoting active time to improve BMI in this population. Encouraging 10 min bouts of PA among older adults, in place of ST, is vital for improving national PA guideline adherence.

Re-Engagement in Physical Activity Slows the Decline in Older Adults' Well-Being - A Longitudinal Study.

Physical activity is recommended for older adults; however, the benefits of previous active engagement in physical activity that can be sustained after one becomes inactive remain to be determined. This study investigated the longitudinal associations between physical activity engagement patterns and older adults' well-being. This population-based cohort study used data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study between 2015 and 2020. People aged 60 years and above were included, and they were categorized as active engagers if they reported engaging in at least 10 min of moderate and/or vigorous exercise consecutively per week in each survey year. Older adults' well-being was evaluated using the healthy aging score, and geographical variations were visualized. The generalized estimating equations model was adopted to examine the differences between various physical activity engagement patterns and older adults' well-being. Among the 3300 older adults (50.5% men; age 66.9 ± 5.7 years) during the five years of follow-up, engagement in physical activity increased from 31.7% to 59.6%. However, their well-being decreased gradually, especially among those who were inactive engagers (beta = -0.20 to -0.21). Physical activity engagement patterns appeared to slow decline in well-being. Geographical variations were noted, with more favorable healthy aging scores observed in northern China than in southern China. As older adults age, well-being deteriorates, and disengagement of physical activity accelerates the rate of decline. Re-engagement in physical activity can slow the rate of decline in well-being. Early identification of and intervention in inactive engagement in physical activity reduce the detrimental effects on older adult's well-being. A national health initiative is an effective strategy to create a supportive environment for older adults to continue and engage in physical activity. The participation of healthcare professionals and community parties is important to encourage and engage older adults in physical activity.

Barriers and Facilitators to Physical Activity Participation Among Colorectal Cancer Survivors: A Mixed-Method Systematic Review.

Physical activity (PA) is essential in cancer rehabilitation. Worryingly, PA compliance among colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors is relatively poor, and the barriers and facilitators of PA participation in this population are poorly understood. This review aimed to identify the barriers and facilitators of PA participation among CRC survivors and apply the Capability-Opportunity-Motivation-Behavior (COM-B) model to analyze and categorize these factors. A mixed-method systematic review was conducted using six electronic databases (Embase, Medline, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure) to conduct literature search. The searches were conducted from the inception of databases till May 2024, and eligible studies were limited to English or Chinese. The mixed methods appraisal tool (MMAT) was utilized to perform quality assessment, and the convergent integrated approach and descriptive analysis were used for data synthesis and analysis. This review included 32 studies (seven qualitative, 24 quantitative, and one mixed-method), and no studies were eliminated due to quality. According to the COM-B model, cancer-related symptoms, time constraints, and lack of motivation or interest were the main barriers to PA participation among CRC survivors. The main facilitators of PA participation for CRC survivors included improvement in cancer-related symptoms, enough social support from family and friends, and perceived benefits of PA. This review comprehensively identified the unique barriers and facilitators to PA participation among CRC survivors based on the COM-B model. Future research should consider these barriers and facilitators and develop effective PA interventions to increase PA compliance among CRC survivors.

The benefits of physical literacy for human flourishing: A machine learning-based exploration of adolescents.

Physical literacy is a multidimensional concept considered fundamental for lifelong participation in physical activity. Although theories on the relationship between physical literacy and human flourishing have been proposed, no comprehensive study of this relationship in adolescents has been found. This study aimed to predict human flourishing variables (physical activity, physical health, mental health, and academic performance) that correlate highly with adolescents' physical literacy. A sample of 1004 primary and middle school students was recruited and six machine learning algorithms (decision tree, random forest, AdaBoost, CatBoost, LightGBM, and k-nearest neighbours) were used. Random forest predicted physical activity, physical health, and mental health in the overall sample, with an accuracy of 53 percent, 86 per cent, and 91.7 percent, respectively; AdaBoost predicted academic performance with an accuracy of 98 per cent. Overall sample and sex subgroup predictions were generally consistent, with "sense of self and self-control" and "self-expression and communication with others" as the most significant variables. Family-type subgroup analysis results varied greatly, suggesting that one-child families should focus on "knowledge and understanding," whereas multi-child families should focus on "self-expression and communication with others." Awareness of adolescents' underlying characteristics may yield greater benefits when intervening through physical literacy.

The Impact of Physical Activity on the Disability-Related Stress of Individuals With Physical Disabilities: A Five-Year Longitudinal Study.

People with physical disabilities report a higher prevalence of psychological distress and chronic stress than those without disabilities. Participation in physical activity (PA) has been considered an effective coping strategy to deal with stressors and improve the mental health of people with disabilities. However, very little research has been conducted to explore the relationship between disability-related stress and PA participation by people with physical disabilities longitudinally on an international scale. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of different levels of PA participation on disability-related stress among people with physical disabilities longitudinally. This study used data from the second wave of the Korean Panel Survey of Employment for the Disabled (PSED) from 2016 to 2022. The results of generalised estimated equation modelling indicated that higher levels of PA participation were associated with lower disability-related stress levels over time in the Koreans with physical disabilities who participated in our study. Our findings suggest that participating in 130-150min of PA per week is the optimal range for reducing disability-related stress. The practical implications of improving the mental health of people with physical disabilities and future research directions were discussed.

Unlocking Millennial Engagement: Innovative Managerial Strategies to Boost Participation in Physical Activity and Sports

Unlocking Millennial Engagement: Innovative Managerial Strategies to Boost Participation in Physical Activity and Sports

How Does the Way Physical Activity Is Measured Affect the Conclusions About Its Correlates?

The definition of physical activity in the literature on sports practice is highly heterogeneous. This article provides evidence of the extent to which the inclusion of walking, which is one of the most frequent types of physical activity, and the minimum frequency used to consider a person a practitioner affect the conclusions about the correlates of physical activity practice and frequency. To this end, we compared participation and frequency models by applying different measures of physical activity. We found that the activities included under the definition of physical activity play a relevant role in terms of the effects of the covariates in both the participation and frequency models. However, the minimum frequency used to define a person as a practitioner is not associated with significant changes in the effects of the correlates. These conclusions may have relevant policy implications in terms of designing measures to promote participation in physical activity.

Development of Colleges Basketball Skills and Refereeing Curriculum to Enhance Student’s Learning Outcome

This research aims to determine the learning effectiveness of offering basketball skills and a referee curriculum for college students. Studying basketball rules helps students practice standardized technical movements and understand the characteristics of basketball technology. While also assisting in the improvement of referee ability. Through purposeful sampling, reference materials, interviews, data collection, experimental design, on-site teaching, and result analysis, the research subjects are students of the 2022 basketball curriculum at Xinxiang Medical University in China. A total of 60 students were selected from 2 classes. The results are: (1) Fundamental data and information were investigated to develop a curriculum aimed at improving students’ basketball skills and refereeing abilities. (2) The basketball skills and refereeing curriculum was effectively promoted, enriching students’ opportunities to acquire advanced knowledge and practical skills in basketball. This curriculum served as an innovative approach to enhancing the construction of college education and teaching systems. (3) The learning outcomes of students’ basketball skills and refereeing abilities were systematically evaluated after the implementation of the curriculum, demonstrating its effectiveness in achieving the desired educational objectives. This research is significant in advancing physical literacy by developing a comprehensive basketball skills and referee curriculum that enhances students’ technical competence, understanding of standardized movements, and referee skills. This will ultimately foster a lifelong engagement in physical activity and sportsmanship among college students.

Does habit strength moderate affective responses to movement-related behaviors among older adults?

Physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) are associated with affective feeling states in older adults, though the strength and direction of associations vary. This study used the Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) to determine how habit strength affects affective responses to movement behaviors. Older adults completed a 4-day EMA protocol with 10 randomly delivered, smartphone assessments per day while simultaneously wearing two activity monitors recording PA and SB. Multilevel models assessed whether habit strength moderated positive and negative activated and deactivated affective responses following movement behaviors. Older adults with stronger PA habits had a more positive within-person association between steps in the 30 minutes before the prompt and positive deactivated affect at the prompt compared to older adults with weaker PA habits (B = 0.001, p < 0.05). Older adults with stronger SB habits had a more positive within-person association between time spent sitting in the 30 and 60 minutes before the prompt and negative activated affect at the prompt compared to older adults with weaker SB habits (30 min: B = 0.001, p < 0.05; 60 min: B = 0.001, p < 0.05). PA habits may enhance positive affective responses to PA further encouraging engagement in PA, while SB habits exacerbate negative affective responses to SB in older adults.

Intensified dietetic care during and up to three months after hospital admission in older patients at risk of malnutrition, a randomised controlled trial.

Inadequate protein intake is associated with poor physical functioning and suboptimal recovery in hospitalised older adults. Despite standard dietetic care, dietary protein intakes falls well below the recommended levels. To address this problem, we developed an intensified trans-sectorial dietetic intervention that targets hospitalised older adults. This study aims to evaluate its impact on physical functioning and dietary protein intake during and post hospitalisation. This multicentre individually randomised controlled trial was conducted in five hospitals from January 2021 until December 2022. Hospitalised older adults, aged ≥55 years and at risk of malnutrition were randomised to receive regular care (CON) or intensive dietetic intervention (INT). The intervention consisted of personalized, intensive care, including trans-sectorial guidance by trained dietitians, increased consultations, and supportive materials focused on protein intake. Additionally, the intervention emphasized engagement in dietary behaviour and physical activity during hospitalisation and continued for three months post-discharge. The primary outcome was change in physical functioning measured by the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) from admission to three months post-discharge, analysed with linear mixed models for repeated measures. Secondary outcomes included protein intake, body composition, muscle strength, physical activity, activities of daily living, fear of falling, pain, fatigue, appetite and quality of life. A total of 76 hospitalised older adults were included in the study of which 38 were in CON and 38 received INT. The overall drop-out was 30% (CON 26%; INT 34%). The participants had a median age 73y (Inter Quartile Range: 62-78y) with 50% females. Overall, Physical functioning improved from 6 points (IQR: 1-9 points) at baseline to 9 points (IQR: 7-11) at three months post-discharge (p<0.0001). Likewise, protein intake increased from 0.8g/kg bodyweight (IQR: 0.6-1.0) to 1.0g/kg bodyweight (IQR: 0.8-1.2) (p<0.0001). There were no significant differences between intervention and control group. All secondary outcomes improved over time, except for fear of falling, leg extension strength, and body composition, with no significant differences between intervention and control group. Hospitalised older patients improved their physical functioning and protein intake after three months post-discharge, although the majority not to recommended levels. No effects of the intensive dietetic treatment could be detected due to low intervention adherence and a small sample size. Future research should be conducted with an intervention consisting of a strong combination of nutritional support and exercise with a successful implementation and a flexible study design catered to the needs of the older patient. Landelijk Trial Register (NL8041; NL72069.029.19) www.onderzoekmetmensen.nl; registered 2019-09-23; covering all WHO Trial Registration Data Set items.

Physical activity promotion and participation for people living with and beyond head and neck cancer: A mixed methods study

PurposeHead and neck cancer (HaNC) can be debilitating, resulting in high symptom burden. Physical activity (PA) can improve quality of life; however, less than 9% of HaNC patients are physically active. This study explored barriers to, and facilitators of, PA promotion and participation for HaNC patients.MethodsSemi-structured interviews with patients, family members and healthcare professionals were conducted. A questionnaire was used to measure patients’ self-reported self-efficacy (The General Self-Efficacy Scale) and patients’ and healthcare professionals’ self-reported PA (The International PA Questionnaire — Short Form). Qualitative data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis and quantitative data were analysed descriptively. Data were synthesised drawing on the Capability-Opportunity-Motivation-Behaviour model and the Theoretical Domains Framework.ResultsTwenty-eight patients, 10 family members and 18 healthcare professionals participated. Most patients self-reported moderate-to-high levels of PA and self-efficacy. Professionals self-reported high levels of PA. Patients were unaware of the benefits of PA for managing side effects and improving quality of life. Family members and professionals were fearful of patients causing themselves harm by being physically active (reflective motivation and beliefs about consequences). Some professionals did not consider it within their role to promote PA to HaNC patients. Many professionals stated they required training in PA promotion, and patients and family members stated they required information and guidance (psychological capability and knowledge).ConclusionThe responsibility of PA promotion is multidisciplinary and educating patients on the benefits and safety of PA may mitigate treatment-related side effects and improve quality of life. Future research should explore if barriers to, and facilitators of, PA behaviour change over a patient’s treatment trajectory.

Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Content Validation of the Yonsei Lifestyle Profile for Older Adults in the United States.

As the global population ages, there is a growing need for tools to assess lifestyle factors that impact the health and quality of life of older adults. The Yonsei Lifestyle Profile (YLP), originally developed in SouthKorea, is a comprehensive tool for evaluating key lifestyle domains. However, cultural and linguistic differences between countries necessitate the adaptation of such tools for use in diverse populations. This study addresses the gap by developing an English version of the YLP (YLP-E) for older adults in the United States. As the global population continues to age, maintaining and improving the health and quality of life of older adults has become increasingly important. This study aimed to develop a YLP-E, a cross-cultural adaptation of the Korean version of the YLP, that can be used for older American adults. The Delphi method was used to consult expert panels regarding the cultural and linguistic appropriateness of the translation. The translation process involved a two-way translation-back-translation procedure and iterative revisions based on expert feedback. The final YLP-E tool, which incorporated feedback on linguistic and cultural adequacy, consisted of 3 lifestyle domains (physical activity, activity participation and nutrition) with 62 items. The second round improved the content validity, with the linguistic content validity ratio (CVR) and cultural CVR reaching 0.86 and 0.94, respectively. The YLP-E is a valuable tool for comprehensively assessing and monitoring the lifestyle of older American adults and holds promise for further refinement and validation across diverse demographic settings. Future research needs to focus on utilizing the YLP-E to develop personalized interventions aimed at improving the health and quality of life of older adults and evaluating the tool's efficacy in promoting healthy aging.

The long road back to physical activity: the experience of people with moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury

Purpose People with moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) are frequently inactive with increased risk of higher rates of chronic health conditions, mortality and economic burden than peers without TBI. Understanding how this population experience physical activity participation may help us develop better pathways and supports to community-based physical activity. Materials and methods Using an interpretive description approach, we conducted a secondary analysis of focus group and interview data. Themes were generated in two stages of inductive coding and refined in a workshop by the author team which comprised multidisciplinary researchers, clinicians and people with lived experience of moderate-to-severe TBI. Results Twenty-two people with moderate-to-severe TBI took part. They experienced physical activity in diverse and often changing ways, reflecting the numerous, powerful tensions that people with TBI are striving to navigate. Four themes were identified: 1. What is my new normal?, 2. Invisible injuries, hidden needs, 3. The long road back to physical activity, and 4. Expanding horizons. Conclusions People with moderate-to-severe TBI have to work hard to be physically active. Results indicate that physical activity promotion should include person-centred information and support, appropriate community-based options that go beyond rehabilitation, and insurance funding that recognises the value of life-long physical activity.

The Role of Physical Activity on Psychological Well-Being and Inclination to Ethical Values

The aim of the study is to examine the role of pre-service teachers' participation in physical activity on psychological well-being and inclination to ethical values. The sample group of the research consisted of 606 pre-service teachers of Trabzon University in the 2021-2022 academic year. Data collection tools consist of “Personal Information Form”, “Exercise Stages of Change Questionnaire”, “Psychological Well-Being Scale” and “The Scale of the inclination to Ethical Values”. In the research, which was designed with a quantitative research approach, the survey method was used. Descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, correlation tests and Kruskal Wallis test were used as statistical methods in the evaluation of the data. As a result of the research it is seen that there is a significant difference between the passive, preparation and active phases of the exercise behavior change of the prospective teachers, and "inclination to ethical values" and "psychological well-being". In addition, it was found that the prospective teachers in the active phase of exercise behavior had higher psychological well-being scores, and the prospective teachers in the passive phase had lower predisposition to ethical values. Based on these results, it is recommended that pre-service teachers participate in physical activities so that the concepts of psychological well-being and inclination to ethical values, which are necessary for them to be well-equipped teachers, can be positively affected.

It's Not Too Late: Physical and Social Activity Slow Cognitive Decline in Those Living With Mild Cognitive Impairment.

Current evidence concerning the effect of physical activity and social engagement on cognitive functioning in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is underdeveloped. Drawing upon cognitive reserve theory, we used linear mixed models to investigate the impact of physical activity and social engagement on cognitive functioning in older adults living with MCI utilizing 16 years of data from the Health and Retirement Study (n = 1462). The average cognitive score (sum of immediate and delayed word recall, serial seven subtraction test, counting backwards, range: 0-27) at baseline was 9.6, with the average score decreasing by 0.14 points each year. Controlling for covariates, each unit increase in physical activity and social engagement, respectively, reduced the effect of time on cognitive functioning by 0.01 (β = 0.007, p < .0001) and 0.03 (β = 0.029, p = .04) points, small effects that accumulate over time. Findings suggest that greater physical activity and social engagement offer cognitive protection among older adults experiencing MCI.

Proposing and refining a physical activity intervention for individuals living with COPD.

Preliminary test a two stage, self-determination theory (SDT) and participation-based physical activity and peer support intervention for individuals with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). In Stage 1, four focus groups were conducted to provide insights about individuals' needs and experiences with physical activity. In Stage 2, four individuals with COPD aged 76-90 years (50% female) participated in an eight-week online physical activity and peer support intervention. Pre-post assessments evaluated acceptability, feasibility, and functioning. Participants (n = 14; 36% female) identified that a physical activity-based program using functional task-based exercises and peer support is acceptable for adults with COPD in Stage 1. Three of the four participants improved their satisfaction with and self-reported participation in physical activity in Stage 2. Participants reported the intervention supported their psychological needs, associated with SDT. The online, peer support, participation-based physical activity intervention is feasible in its virtual delivery for physical activity promotion for individuals with COPD.

Unveiling Current and Future Trends in the Implementation of Teaching Games for Understanding in Primary School: A Bibliometric Analysis

Unveiling Current and Future Trends in the Implementation of Teaching Games for Understanding in Primary School: A Bibliometric Analysis