Popular Activity Research Articles

Navigating complexities: gaming addiction, anger expression and social interaction among adolescent boys in Pakistan

Purpose Video gaming has become a popular leisure-time activity with two to three billion users worldwide (Newzoo, 2017; Vuong et al., 2021). Although existing knowledge shows its relationship with anger and aggression, the present study aims to extend this focus by assessing whether anger expression mediates the association of gaming addition with social interaction among Pakistani adolescent boys. Design/methodology/approach A sample of 300 adolescent boys (M age = 14.6, SD = 1.2) from private schools was selected. The participants were assessed on Anger Expression Scale (Shafaqat, 2016), Social Interaction and Technology Use Questionnaire (Henderson et al., 1999) and Game Addiction Scale (Lemmens et al., 2009) to assess their levels of anger expression, social interaction and gaming addiction. Findings Analysis revealed that gaming addiction and anger expression were significantly and negatively related to social interaction. Gaming addiction was positively correlated with anger expression. Mediation analyses showed that anger expression significantly explained the negative link between gaming addiction and social interaction. Originality/value The study highlights anger and lack of social interaction as important consequences of gaming addiction in adolescent boys.

Exploring Motivations for Cannabis Use in Casual Leisure: a German Perspective

AbstractCannabis is a popular leisure activity in many cultures, especially in North America and Europe, where it is commonly used for socializing and entertainment. A recent German study employed the Marijuana Motives Measure to survey young adults, analyzing four motivational factors in the context of casual leisure. The research aimed to understand the reasons behind adults’ daily cannabis use, its link to consumption frequency, and situations. The findings highlight cannabis use for hedonic pleasure, relaxation, and enhancing social experiences. Individuals driven by self-focused motives, seeking relaxation and hedonic pleasure, tend to use it more frequently, while other-focused motives, such as sociable conversation, are associated with less frequent and occasional consumption. The study further revealed that people who consume cannabis for self-focused motives typically do so alone or with someone at home, whereas those who use it for other-focused motives, such as sociable conversation, tend to do so in social settings.

Supporting physical activity for health: What activities would people with transtibial amputation like to perform?

Participation in physical activity (PA) for health by people with transtibial amputation (PTTA) may moderate comorbidities experienced by this population. It is more likely that interventions which aim to increase participation by PTTA in PA for health will increase participation if the type of PA used is tailored to the preferences of the PTTA. This study aimed to identify the types of PA performed by PTTA, the types of PA PTTA who performed no physical activities would like to adopt, and if these outcomes were influenced by the cause of amputation. The cross-sectional survey was accessible through an online survey tool and in paper format. It was distributed primarily at sports events and relevant locations, which support people with limb differences. A total of 115 PTTA adults (both active and those who did not perform any physical activities) completed the survey, consisting of 65 people with amputation due to traumatic causes and 50 people with amputation due to nontraumatic causes. From all PTTA respondents, the most popular current activities were walking (N = 42), going to the gym (N = 39), swimming (N = 35), and cycling (N = 32). For PTTA who did not perform any physical activity, the most popular PA they would like to participate in were walking (N = 10), going to the gym (N = 8), swimming (N = 7), and cycling (N = 6). While there are differences in the hierarchy of popularity of different types of PA depending on the cause of amputation, these results indicate some consistencies. Walking, going to the gym, swimming, and cycling appear throughout the results, indicating a potential to encourage PTTA participation in PA for health through these activities.

Normative versus transformative coaching approaches: Profiling the social justice activism and allyship of Canadian high school sport coaches

In Canada, high school sport is a popular activity used to foster the physical and psychosocial development of student-athletes. Despite the popularity of high school sport, social justice inequities (e.g., racism, ableism) continue to shape student-athletes’ experiences. Given that the mission of School Sport Canada (i.e., the national governing body of school sport) is to facilitate the “total development of student athletes through interscholastic sport”, there is a need to study the way coaches think about and act for social justice. Thus, the purpose of the study was to profile the social justice activism and allyship of Canadian high school coaches. Semi-structured interviews were conducted virtually (i.e., via Zoom) with 28 Canadian high school sport coaches. Interview data were subjected to reflexive thematic analysis, which led to the development of two coach profiles based on the two continua model for life skills teaching (Camiré, 2023). The two coaching profiles – the normative coaching approach (i.e., general disinterest in social justice) and the transformative coaching approach (i.e., proactive social justice activism through a developed critical consciousness) – are contrasted across four overarching themes (a) I’m (Not) Confident, I (Don’t) Understand; (b) (Un)intentionally (Re)acting; (c) You See Excuses, I See Obstacles to be Toppled; and (d) (Dis)engaged and (Non)autonomous Education. Findings have practical implications for centering social justice in coach education, for developing critical praxis related to activism and allyship, and for instigating systemic policy changes that can make the Canadian school sport system safer, more equitable, and more inclusive for all participants.

Demographics shaping memorable wellness tourism experiences: A comparative analysis

This study addresses gaps in literature and empirical research by investigating international wellness tourists in Sri Lanka, segmenting them by memorable wellness tourism experiences (MWTE), and analyzing differences in demographics, travel patterns, and preferred wellness activities among these segments. Data were collected from November 2023 to April 2024 using non-probability convenience sampling, yielding 622 valid responses. SPSS software was employed for data analysis, utilizing factor-cluster methods. The findings revealed three distinct clusters: Professional Authentic Value Wellness Seekers, Holistic Enrichment Wellness Seekers, and Serene Aesthetics Wellness Seekers, each characterized by unique preferences and demographic profiles. Majority of respondents were middle-aged, educated, and employed, predominantly female, and primarily from Europe. Popular wellness activities included Ayurveda, spa treatments, and yoga. Substantial differences in demographics, travel patterns, and wellness activity preferences were identified among the clusters. The study’s originality lies in segmenting Sri Lanka’s international wellness tourists by memorable experiences, revealing new insights into demographics, travel patterns, and preferences. It offers profound insights into an underexplored destination, aiding targeted marketing and strategic development in wellness tourism. Additionally, it advances segmentation theory by integrating memorable experiential dimensions and guiding strategic marketing and product development aligned with these identified segments.

11. THE STATUS OF SOCIAL WORK ACTIVITIES AT SOME HOSPITALS IN HANOI 2024

Objectives: Describe the status of social work activities at some hospitals in Hanoi 2024. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study on medical staff working at several hospitals in Hanoi. Data were collected through a toolkit developed based on Circular No. 43/2015/ TT-BYT dated November 26, 2015 of the Minister of Health, regulated the tasks and forms of organization of social work in hospitals. Result: Health workers performed the most activities such as reception (63.6%), communication guidance (44.6%), and hospitalization (43.8%), while home treatment consultation had the lowest rate (22.3%). Service connection was highest for diagnosis and financial support (47.1%), while emergency support had the lowest rate (13.2%). Popular activities included support for discharge procedures (43.8%) and follow-up visits (43%), while the reception rate was lowest (23.1%). At the three hospitals National Cancer, Bach Mai, and National Children's Hospital, the rate of staff who had participated in social work training programs was 39.7%, while 60.3% had not participated. In addition, 64.5% of staff wanted to continue further education, and 35.5% had no need for further education. Conclusion: Medical facilities need to strengthen the organization of intensive and long-term training programs, with special attention to monitoring and counseling for patients after discharge to improve the quality of care. At the same time, it is necessary to add social work graduates to departments and rooms and develop a post-discharge support system to improve the effectiveness of social work in hospitals.

Promoting safer gambling through social norms and goal setting: A qualitative process analysis of participants' experiences in the EROGamb 2.0 feasibility trial

Gambling, though a popular social activity, can lead to addiction and cause significant harm. This study aimed to explore the experiences of 36 low-to-moderate risk gamblers (PGSI score 0–7; 31 male, 5 female; 10 per each intervention arm, 6 per control group) in the ‘EROGamb 2.0’ feasibility trial (n = 168). The trial used social norm messages and goal setting feedback to promote safer gambling behaviour. Participants took part in semi-structured interviews via telephone or audio calls using Zoom or Wire, a secure messaging app. The interviews were analysed using Framework Analysis. Most participants found the interventions interesting and useful, though some reported no change in their gambling behaviour. Motivations for joining the trial included interest in the topic, altruism, and financial incentives. Participants appreciated the study's clear information, efficient processes, and helpful notifications, despite some technical issues. Reactions to social norm messages were mixed, with some expressing scepticism about the statistics. However, the goal setting intervention was well-received, with participants valuing the clarity and usefulness of the information. External factors, such as promotional offers from gambling companies, influenced gambling behaviour. The findings support the feasibility and acceptability of social norm and goal setting interventions to reduce gambling behaviour, highlighting the need for personalised approaches in future research.

Motivation-Based Segmentation of Hiking Tourists in Taiwan

Hiking is one of the most popular and significant recreational activities in natural settings, yet hiking tourists are often not distinguished from the broader population of nature-based tourists. This study aimed to identify distinct segments of hiking tourists based on their motivations and to explore the relationship between segmentation, motivations, and their satisfaction with the hiking experience. Using a questionnaire survey of 262 hiking tourists in Taiwan and multivariate statistical techniques, four hiking motives—“relaxation”, “social interaction”, “competence and exploration”, and “mental refreshment”—were identified, and four segments of hiking tourists—“mental refreshment seekers”, “social hikers”, “challenge seekers”, and “general purpose hikers”—were classified, respectively. While all segments reported high levels of satisfaction, their satisfaction was influenced by different motives. This study enhances the theoretical understanding of hiking motives and provides practical recommendations for enhancing hiking experiences and nature conservation.

Unification of popular artificial neural network activation functions

Unification of popular artificial neural network activation functions

The involved and responsible outsiders: Norwegian gamer-parents expanding and reinforcing contemporary norms of parenthood

ABSTRACT Gaming is a popular activity among both children and adults. However, research on gaming in a family context often frames gaming as the interest of the child that parents must manage. Because gaming is becoming a more mainstream pastime for parents as well, we need knowledge about the ways gamer-parents position themselves as gamers and parents. Drawing on interviews with 29 Norwegian gamer-parents, we explore how they position themselves and how they assemble parenting. Contemporary parenting norms means engaging in risk-management, and public discourse has framed gaming and screen time as risks that need to be managed. How do gamer-parents position and assemble good parenthood to include gaming? Existing research on families and gaming has given insights into family struggles, dynamics, and mediation within the family. We add to this work by studying how gamer parents position themselves in relationships outside the family to other parents, relevant institutions, and to norms of good parenthood.

Adverse Events in Competitive Freediving – Clinical Presentation, Management, and Prevention

Freediving (synonyms: breath-hold diving, apnea diving) has become a popular leisure activity and continues to gain popularity and recognition as both a competitive and recreational sport. Formal freediving competitions are sanctioned by the international Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques (CMAS) or the Association Internationale pour le Développement de l’Apnée (AIDA). Both organizations have set up rules and guidelines for competitive pool disciplines where athletes compete for maximum submerged breath-hold time or underwater swimming distance with or without fins. In freshwater disciplines athletes strive for maximum depth using different freediving techniques. These aquatic breath-holding activities carry unique medical risks that are related to environmental factors eliciting extreme physiological challenges. Pool disciplines carry an increased risk of hypoxemia and, consequently, loss of consciousness, particularly in untrained individuals. Hypoxic complications are reported to occur in up to 10% of dives during freediving competitions. Shallow water blackout following hyperventilation to extend breath-hold capability is a serious risk applying to all aquatic breath-hold activities, however, is more common during recreational freediving. Deep freediving poses the athlete to further risks such as barotrauma of ear drums or lungs, immersion pulmonary edema, nitrogen narcosis, and decompression sickness when reaching great depths. While serious complications in competitive freediving are rare, however, the risk clearly rises with increasing depth. Special breathing techniques to increase lung volumes such as glossopharyngeal insufflation carry additional risks. This article reviews possible complications and injury that may occur in competitive freedivers and discusses strategies for management and prevention of possible injury.

Natural Course and Predictors of Sustained Exergaming in Young Adults.

Objective: To describe the natural course of exergaming among young adults and identify predictors of sustained exergaming. Methods: To describe the natural course, we retained 592 participants from an ongoing longitudinal study with complete data on exergaming at four time points over 12-13 years between 2010-12 and 2023 (i.e., T1-T4 at mean ages 24.0, 30.6, 33.6, and 35.2, respectively). To identify predictors of sustained exergaming, we retained 228 participants with data on 27 potential predictors at T2 and data on exergaming at T2 and T3. The association between each potential predictor and sustained exergaming was examined as an independent study using multivariable logistic regression controlling for age, sex, and educational attainment. Results: Of 592 participants, 41.3%, 34.1%, and 38.5% sustained exergaming from T1 to T2, from T2 to T3, and from T3 to T4, respectively. Only 3% of participants sustained exergaming from T1 to T4. Most participants reported light- or moderate-intensity exergaming at all time points. Higher levels of external pressure to engage in physical activity, encouragement from close friends to exercise, and taking breaks from sitting during a typical workday were each associated with lower odds of sustained exergaming. Conclusion: Although exergaming is a popular activity among young adults, long-term sustained exergaming was rare. This may link to time constraints related to life transitions, evolving interests, changes in social circles, and shifting fitness goals among young adults. Research is needed to inform strategies that promote sustained exergaming and maximize its potential for positive impact among young adults.

Facilitators and barriers to perform physical activity in patients post-heart transplantation: a qualitative study.

Most patients experience barriers for becoming physical active post-heart transplantation. Therefore, identifying barriers and facilitators can help healthcare professionals in developing physical activity programs. This study aimed to explore the physical activity experiences, perceived barriers, and facilitators to perform physical activity of patients' post-heart transplantation. A qualitative study was carried out using in-depth semi-structured interviews on 24 patients post-heart transplantation from October to December 2022. The data were analyzed using an inductive strategy for finding emerging themes. NVivo 12.0 software was used to analyze the data. The physical activity experiences included that (1) patients felt that they had to adapt to a new situation after the heart transplantation, (2) walking was a popular physical activity preferably outdoors, (3) participants preferred to perform physical activity regularly with others, and (4) they felt better since they perform physical activity. The facilitators were: (1) Desire to live; (2) Experiencing physical benefits; (3) Being physically active with others; (4) Use of mobility assistive devices resources. The barriers were: (1) Feeling not being able to perform former physical activity; (2) Complications and experiencing symptoms post-heart transplantation; (3) Unfavourable climate. Patients post-heart transplantation have various facilitators influencing their post-transplant experience to perform physical activity. Key facilitators include the desire to live, physical benefits, social activity, and external support. Yet, they also face barriers like lost abilities, post-transplant complications, and environmental challenges.

Runners injuries - main types of injuries of the musculoskeletal system of the lower limb and their treatment and prevention

Introduction and purposeRunning is currently one of the most popular physical activities practiced by people around the world, and the number of runners has been growing significantly for many years. The incidence of running-related lower limb injuries in runners ranges between 19.4% and 79.3% [1].The paper presents research results on the main types of injuries of the musculoskeletal system of the lower limb in runners, their risk factors, methods of treatment and prevention. The results indicate a significant relationship between regular training and the occurrence of injuries, and also emphasize the importance of prevention through rest, appropriate running technique and the selection of footwear. The work provides practical tips for runners and coaches that can help reduce the risk of injuries and improve the quality of training. Materials and methods The review was conducted by searching PubMed and other scientific databases focusing on currently available publications. The literature available in the PubMed database was reviewed using the following keywords: “running”, “running injuries”, “tendinopathy”, "running related injuries”, “running biomechanics”, “musculoskeletal injuries”. The analysis of 38 articles published between 2014-2024 was used to write the paper. Conclusions Running has many health benefits, but unfortunately it can also have a negative effect. The development of medical literature regarding appropriate prevention, knowledge of risk factors and treatment methods improves the prognosis of injuries in runners. Evolving diagnostic imaging, body monitoring, prevention, and adequate rest between activities are essential to long-term success in preventing running-related injuries.

Research on The Trend of Vietnamese Women’s Participation in Online Religious Activities with The Rise of Social Media

In the context of globalization and social media, religions in Vietnam are undergoing significant transformation; this research focuses on examining the trends of Vietnamese Women’s Participation in Online religious activities. The collaboration between traditional religiosity and digital technologies has given rise to Online Religious Activities, enabling people to practice their beliefs in a new way. By applying desk research and sociological surveys, the aim is to examine the trend of Vietnamese Women’s engagement with religious content on social media. Results show that Vietnamese women prefer Facebook as the main platform; popular activities include watching and listening to sermons with a frequency of 1 to 3 times a week. Their main purpose is to strengthen religious knowledge. Based on these findings, the research group suggests three ways to assist Vietnamese religious organizations in adapting to digital development, maintaining harmony, and enhancing their status within the community. These solutions include (i) Solutions for managing Online religious practices, (ii) Solutions for organizing Online religious practices, and (iii) Solutions for the content of Online religious practices.

Shaping the Bilingualism of Game-Addicted Players

In today's world, many people who spend more and more time in front of their computer and treat it as something more than a popular pass-time activity are often referred to being game addicted. At the same time, however, many of them, because of being exposed to different forms of dialogic English may be observed to excel the language and react to quite many situations they are exposed to both during the play and out of it. This study is meant to show how gaming addicts shape their bilingualism. Due to our research, it was found that such people who are truly addicted to games often reach a higher level of English much faster when contrasted to average L2 users. The research was based on the surveys filled by 54 carefully selected Internet respondents that fit the definition of a game addicted person (APA, 2022) and a standardized CEFR test they were requested to complete; the same test was also requested to be completed by the people who attend standardized blended L2 classes and who play similar games sporadically for pleasure. Consequently, a correlation between addicted and non-addicted people, and their CEFR test results was carried out. What followed was an analysis of the research results and the their detailed description.

Survey on the Current Status of Elderly Health Services in 1,305 Medical Institutions in Guangxi.

To investigate the current status of elderly health services in medical institutions at all levels within Guangxi Province, China. Using a purposeful sampling method, a questionnaire survey was conducted from July 24, 2023 to October 24, 2023 on the general situation, human resources, rehabilitation medicine, nursing services, and the development of hospice care at 1305 medical institutions in Guangxi. Among the surveyed 1305 medical institutions in Guangxi, 172 (13.18%) had established departments of geriatrics, while 293 (22.45%) boasted departments of rehabilitation medicine. Furthermore, 909 (69.66%) of these institutions offered annual free physical examination services to individuals aged 65 and above. Notably, a total of 362 medical institutions, encompassing both comprehensive hospitals and grassroots hospitals, were recognized as elderly-friendly institutions, accounting for 31.4% of the surveyed sample.The highest demand for talents in medical institutions at all levels included specialized physicians/general practitioners (74.6%), traditional Chinese medicine practitioners (63.1%), rehabilitation therapists (56.1%), and specialized nurses for the elderly (41.7%). A total of 1038 medical institutions conducted popular science activities on elderly health, accounting for 79.5% of the total, focusing mainly on disease prevention (89.21%), nutritional diets (84.68%), rational medication use (79.77%), physical exercise (68.21%), and mental health (60.79%). Only 88 medical institutions provided hospice care services, accounting for 6.7% of the total. Guangxi medical institutions' elderly services are inadequate. Geriatrics and rehab departments are scarce, talent is lacking, and hospice care is underdeveloped. As aging accelerates, the country and society must support elderly care. Governments should introduce talent incentives, and medical institutions should enhance services, foster a positive work environment, and advance Guangxi's elderly health agenda.

EXPLORING BANDUNG CITY ON FOOT: WHAT MOTIVATES TOURISTS TO JOIN WALKING TOURS?

Walking is a practical and popular tourist activity, but it remains underexplored in the field of tourism. Although extensive literature has been published on topics related to walking and walkability driven by public health, sustainability, livability, and urban design concerns, tourism sector requires deeper exploration, particularly in urban settings. Walking tourism has been observed to possess the capability to promote sustainable tourism. Therefore, this study aims to examine the influence of motivation on the decision of tourists to engage in walking tour in urban tourism areas of Bandung City, Indonesia. Data from 220 tourists and interviews with resource persons were subsequently analysed using multiple linear regression to assess the impact of push and pull factors on walking tourism decisions. The results showed that tourist motivation significantly influences walking tourism decisions. The motivating factors include physical health, pleasure and satisfaction, knowledge gained, and local community behaviour. Physical health and relaxation were considered crucial push factors, while tourists’ attractions and social media promotions were categorized as significant pull factors. This study provides valuable input for local governments and tourism agencies seeking to develop sustainable urban tourism destinations.

Custom Smartphone Application to Guide Locomotor-Respiratory Coupling in the Field Using Step-Adaptive Breathing Sounds.

While running is amongst the most popular activities for competition and leisure, an estimated 20-40% of runners may suffer from respiratory limitations. Some of these runners may benefit from breathing techniques to improve performance or alleviate respiratory discomfort. One such technique is locomotor-respiratory coupling (LRC), a frequency and phase synchronization of breath to step. Studies have demonstrated that LRC may benefit ventilatory efficiency via "step-driven flows," and some experts have argued it could be used for pacing exercise or increasing positive emotional states. Nevertheless, it may be difficult to perform without coaching or guidance. Here we propose RunRhythm, a custom smartphone application to deliver step-synchronized sound guidance for LRC. This concept builds on previous evidence that sound guidance can be effective and integrates features to maximize adherence and individualization. Preliminary results show that this application is a promising and efficacious method suitable for research on LRC in field exercise. Recommendations for use and further development are discussed to further develop this concept for the benefit of a wider population.

Animating Performances: Prayers and African Popular Pleasures

ABSTRACT This article posits that prayer is one of the popular activities that produce pleasure and animate social life in African societies. Focusing on a genre of prayer called “spiritual warfare” (also called “violent” or “deliverance”) prayers, this article explores how the creativity infused into performing prayer enlivens both the art and the society that witnesses it. While prayer remains a spiritual activity, its social performance requires some aesthetic competence and innovations to be vivacious and pleasurable, retaining its animating quality despite its ubiquity. In a culture where leisure activities can be either lacking or entirely unaffordable, activities like prayer are ways in which society derives its pleasures. The moral authorities that package prayer, whether as commodities, spectacles, or sacred exercise, are all too aware of this aspect of its functions. As prayer is expressed in every aspect of life and does not always require a closed-off space, this article argues that, though a sacred activity, its banalization calls for it to be viewed as more than the “other” of secular performances.