Short Breaks Research Articles

Оценка потенциальной опасности влияния риск-индуцирующих факторов образовательного процесса и среды обитания на соматическое здоровье учащихся школ различного типа

Contemporary school should create favorable conditions for schoolchildren. The aim of the study was to comparatively analyze risk factors related to the educational process in different schools and to develop a new approach to objective assessment of combined exposure to environmental factors and factors related to the educational process and its influence on schoolchildren’s health. The study focused on the following research objects: 1) five different secondary schools, the test ones providing profound educational programs and the reference ones being ordinary secondary schools with the same or lower levels of pollution in environmental objects; 2) quality of components in the school environment (organization of the educational process, quality of meals provided by school, quality of ambient air on a school territory and inside a school, quality of drinking water, socioeconomic conditions); 3) health of 756 schoolchildren. The study was conducted by using sanitary-epidemiological, sanitary-hygienic and sociological methods; clinical and laboratory examinations; chemical analytical tests. Fuzzy logic was applied to estimate combined influence exerted by factors related to the educational process and environmental factors. We established several determinants of negative effects produced by the educational process on schoolchildren’s health. They included elevated intensity and monotony of educational and intellectual loads, shorter breaks between classes and recovery index deficiency. Diet-related factors included excess consumption of fats and carbohydrates, overall caloric contents being too high, protein and micronutrient deficiency. Chemical factors were elevated levels of metals, aromatic hydrocarbons, aldehydes, and chlorinated organic compounds in biological media. Risk-inducing factors of schoolchildren, regardless of a school and age, include organization of the educational process (Ipj = 0.45–0.58) and school meals (Ipj = 0.41–0.54); the group potential hazard index for these factors reached its peak values in primary school (Ipj = 0.49–0.58 and Ipj = 0.46–0.54). The maximum value of the integral potential hazard index (Ipdk = 0.41–0.46) caused by combined exposure to factors related to the educational process and environmental factors, regardless of a school type, was detected in senior schoolchildren in school with profound studies of natural sciences (Ipdk = 0.41); the minimum value was detected in a military school (Ipdk = 0.33).

Assessment of potential hazards posed by influence of risk-inducing environmental factors and factors related to the educational process on somatic health of schoolchildren in different schools

Contemporary school should create favorable conditions for schoolchildren. The aim of the study was to comparatively analyze risk factors related to the educational process in different schools and to develop a new approach to objective assessment of combined exposure to environmental factors and factors related to the educational process and its influence on schoolchildren’s health. The study focused on the following research objects: 1) five different secondary schools, the test ones providing profound educational programs and the reference ones being ordinary secondary schools with the same or lower levels of pollution in environmental objects; 2) quality of components in the school environment (organization of the educational process, quality of meals provided by school, quality of ambient air on a school territory and inside a school, quality of drinking water, socioeconomic conditions); 3) health of 756 schoolchildren. The study was conducted by using sanitary-epidemiological, sanitary-hygienic and sociological methods; clinical and laboratory examinations; chemical analytical tests. Fuzzy logic was applied to estimate combined influence exerted by factors related to the educational process and environmental factors. We established several determinants of negative effects produced by the educational process on schoolchildren’s health. They included elevated intensity and monotony of educational and intellectual loads, shorter breaks between classes and recovery index deficiency. Diet-related factors included excess consumption of fats and carbohydrates, overall caloric contents being too high, protein and micronutrient deficiency. Chemical factors were elevated levels of metals, aromatic hydrocarbons, aldehydes, and chlorinated organic compounds in biological media. Risk-inducing factors of schoolchildren, regardless of a school and age, include organization of the educational process (Ipj = 0.45–0.58) and school meals (Ipj = 0.41–0.54); the group potential hazard index for these factors reached its peak values in primary school (Ipj = 0.49–0.58 and Ipj = 0.46–0.54). The maximum value of the integral potential hazard index (Ipdk = 0.41–0.46) caused by combined exposure to factors related to the educational process and environmental factors, regardless of a school type, was detected in senior schoolchildren in school with profound studies of natural sciences (Ipdk = 0.41); the minimum value was detected in a military school (Ipdk = 0.33).

Short virtual nature breaks in the office environment can restore stress: An experimental study

Knowledge workers need short breaks during their office hours to relieve stress. We examined the benefits of virtually produced nature environments during afternoon breaks. Knowledge workers (n = 39) visited the Virtual Nature Room a total of nine times. During their 15-min break, the volunteers 1) watched a video (of a forest or water environment) on a TV monitor with related nature sounds, 2) listened to nature sounds (without a video), or 3) as a control condition, sat in the quiet room without audio-visual material. The volunteers responded to the psychological measures, and we measured the heart rate variability during the experiment. All breaks indicated stress reduction in some measures. The video with audio sessions increased the felt restoration more than the audio and the control conditions. The mean heart rate was sensitive to detect slight decrease during video conditions over the control. Some unexpected results such as the decrease of positive emotions and energy level during breaks are discussed.

The Brave study: promoting active breaks in secondary school from students’ point of view

Abstract Background According to the WHO recommendations, children and adolescents should perform at least 60 minutes per day of moderate to vigorous physical activity (PA). Active Breaks (ABs) interventions, short physical activity breaks of 5-15 minutes during school hours, have been examined in primary school children as a potential strategy to counteract a sedentary lifestyle, with minimal disruption to school learning activities. The aim of the BRAVE STUDY is to investigate the feasibility of ABs in a secondary school setting from the students’ point of view. Methods In December 2020, 10 students (age 12-13, 6 females and 4 males) attending the second and third grade of secondary schools located in Bologna province (Italy) were involved in a focus group (FG). The FG was conducted online because of COVID-19 and the answers transcribed for a later analysis. Students’ opinions were probed on the role of PA in school and possible facilitators/barriers to implementation of ABs in the school. Results Students reported they wanted to be more active as a consequence of time spent in class sitting at a desk. Students also reported that an organized activity like ABs conducted in the classroom setting provides an excellent opportunity to improve social relations with classmates. Students also highlighted the possible psycho-physical well-being benefits arising from PA. Among the potentially negative aspects reported, students underlined the possible confusion that would be created in classroom and the time subtracted from academic learning activities. Conclusions The FG represents an ideal mean to obtain in-depth information on how people feel about a pending program or a change in their routine. The current FG reinforces positive outcomes from exposure to a PA program that can be intertwined with their daily classroom activities. ABs programs can help to reconcile the needs of students that arise during the day with the PA objectives recommended by the WHO. Key messages • ABs can be a zero-cost intervention strategy to achieve WHO recommendations and would create conditions for a greater psycho-physical benefits in classrooms. • A qualitative approach, such as FGs, provides a mean to collect information not obtainable with quantitative methods, that could be useful to co-design interventions for children and adolescents.

The association of schedule characteristics of heavy vehicle drivers with continuous eye-blink parameters of drowsiness

Study objectivesWhile drowsiness contributes to 20% of heavy vehicle crashes, the impact of work schedules on heavy vehicle driver (HVD) drowsiness is unclear. This study explored the impact of work schedules on drowsiness (measured by infrared oculography) in HVDs. MethodWork and drowsiness monitoring (Optalert, Australia) of ten HVDs, aged 37–62 years collected nearly 2430 h of work and 1068 h of oculography data during four weeks of naturalistic drives. Drowsiness events were defined as a John's Drowsiness Scores ≥ 2.6. Nine HVDs slept for 5.82 ± 1.37 h during five weeks of actigraphy. Association of driving schedule characteristics and drivers’ continuous eye-blink parameters were observed using logistic and mixed linear regression analyses. ResultsCombination of time of day (10 pm- 2 am), shift start time (2 pm-3 pm), hours into the shift (16–21 h), break duration (7–9 h), and sleep time (<6 h) increased the likelihood of drowsiness events when controlling for other covariates. A combination of night times (6 pm to 2 am), 18 to 21 h into the shift, shift start times (6 am to 7 am), shifts lengths (8 to15 h) and break times (<7 to 9 h) increased the hourly rate of drowsiness significantly when adjusting for other covariates. ConclusionsThe combination of prolonged work hours, night-time drives, early-morning shift starts and short breaks increase drowsiness rates in HVDs. Large datasets are needed to examine the interplay between sleep time, consecutive shifts and shift order and type with this combination.

Determinants of nutrition practice and food choice in UK construction workers.

The workplace is considered an effective setting for health and wellbeing interventions, including programmes focusing on nutrition, and provides opportunities to tailor programmes to meet the specific needs of industry and employees. This study explored nutrition practices amongst construction workers and managers to inform the design of a nutrition intervention. Five focus groups were conducted on three construction sites: two with managers (n = 11) and three with workers (n = 27). Construction workers and managers identified several unhealthy nutrition-related behaviours, including high consumption of convenient and fast foods, excessive coffee, alcohol, energy drinks and low fruit and vegetable intake. These behaviours were often attributed to high workloads, long working hours and physically demanding jobs. Snacking and skipping meals were repeatedly reported, attributed to short breaks and poor accessibility to food outlets. The nutritional quality of meals differed between individuals (homemade vs fast food), depending on the type of sites (temporary vs permanent) and site location. Nutrition knowledge, establishing routines, meal planning and preparation were recognized as important in sustaining healthy nutrition habits. However, meal preparation depended on the facilities available, which differed between managers and workers, highlighting the complex relationship between the workplace context and eating behaviours. Construction workers were interested in learning about nutrition and improving their eating habits through nutrition intervention. However, they highlighted that better cooking and storage facilities on site, together with fewer job demands and longer break times, would enhance the sustainability of the intervention and their ability to make healthier food choices.

Understanding Break Needs, Break Experiences and Break Outcomes over the Care-giving Career: A Narrative Approach

Abstract UK social care policy recognises the importance of short breaks for sustaining care-giving relationships; however, there is limited understanding of how unpaid carers’ break needs evolve in response to the degenerative course of dementia and how these are supported. Using narrative analysis, the stories of thirteen spousal carers for people living with dementia were used to construct an experiential description of the care-giving career, in which spousal carers evolving break needs, experience of accessing breaks and desired break outcomes were explored. The care-giving career was marked by the continual adaptation and acceptance of acute and gradual changes to the care-giving relationship which influenced breaks needs. Irrespective of when in the care-giving career, the process of deciding upon a meaningful break was relational and emotive, emphasising the relevance of relational support to aid transitions to breaks of mutual value. With the deepening cognitive impairment of the person living with dementia, spousal carers encountered difficulties in achieving breaks due to relational and service factors. The conceptualisation of care-giving as a series of shifting configurations underlines the necessity for ongoing and skilful practitioner engagement to help unpaid carers consider ‘what matters’ to them, and proactively respond to changes in ‘what matters’.

Physical Activity and Sedentary Time Among Mothers of School-Aged Children: Differences in Accelerometer-Derived Pattern Metrics by Demographic, Employment, and Household Factors.

Dynamic patterns of how physical activity and sedentary time are accumulated across the day are associated with health outcomes, independent of total activity levels. Individual factors may influence activity patterns in mothers, but these associations are unknown. This study examined multivariable associations between demographic, employment, and household factors and day-level pattern metrics. Mothers (N=200) of school-aged children (ages 8-12years) participated in 6 semi-annual 7-day assessments. Waist-worn Actigraph GT3X accelerometers assessed daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA; minutes, number of short bouts [<10minutes], proportion of long bouts [≥20minutes]) and sedentary time (minutes, number of breaks, proportion of long bouts [≥60minutes], temporal dispersion). Multilevel models examined associations between individual characteristics and activity metrics. There were 4,930 day-level observations. Having a college degree was associated with fewer short MVPA bouts (B=-2.67), more sedentary minutes (B=21.66), greater long sedentary bouts (odds ratio=1.50), and having sedentary time less evenly distributed across the day (B=0.01). Working full-time was associated with more short MVPA bouts (B=1.39) and breaks in sedentary time (B=2.08). Having at least 1 infant (<6months old) in the same household was associated with fewer MVPA minutes (B=-0.11) and short MVPA bouts (B=-4.46), whereas having at least 1 young child (6 months-5 years old) in the same household was associated with fewer sedentary minutes (B=-11.85) and fewer long sedentary bouts (odds ratio=0.70). Day-level pattern metrics show differences not captured when examining total volume alone. Results provide more nuanced information as to how activity is accumulated in terms of bouts and breaks, which can inform programs to increase MVPA and reduce sedentary time by elucidating subpopulations that should be targeted by health behavior interventions.

"Give me a break!" A systematic review and meta-analysis on the efficacy of micro-breaks for increasing well-being and performance.

Recovery activities during short breaks taken between work tasks are solutions for preventing the impairing effects of accumulated strain. No wonder then that a growing body of scientific literature from various perspectives emerged on this topic. The present meta-analysis is aimed at estimating the efficacy of micro-breaks in enhancing well-being (vigor and fatigue) and performance, as well as in which conditions and for whom are the micro-breaks most effective. We searched the existent literature on this topic and aggregated the existing data from experimental and quasi-experimental studies. The systematic search revealed 19 records, which resulted in 22 independent study samples (N = 2335). Random-effects meta-analyses shown statistically significant but small effects of micro-breaks in boosting vigor (d = .36, p < .001; k = 9, n = 913), reducing fatigue (d = .35, p < .001; k = 9, n = 803), and a non-significant effect on increasing overall performance (d = .16, p = .116; k = 15, n = 1132). Sub-groups analyses on performance types revealed significant effects only for tasks with less cognitive demands. A meta-regression showed that the longer the break, the greater the boost was on performance. Overall, the data support the role of micro-breaks for well-being, while for performance, recovering from highly depleting tasks may need more than 10-minute breaks. Therefore, future studies should focus on this issue.

Do breaks from surgery improve the performance of orthopaedic surgeons?

This paper explores whether breaks from surgical practice impact surgeons’ performance. Using a large panel of orthopaedic surgeons in England, I estimate the effect of surgeons’ breaks, measured by the number of days since their last surgery, on the health outcomes of emergency patients admitted after a hip fracture. To identify a causal effect, I implement a surgeon fixed effects model and exploit the quasi-exogenous variation in breaks from unanticipated emergency hip fracture admissions. Results show that short breaks of four to six days reduce 30-day mortality rates by around six percent relative to no breaks. Notably, short breaks also affect the type of surgery carried out, holding patient characteristics fixed. Overall, these findings show that the organisation of surgeons’ activity is a possible determinant of the quality of care provided.

Digesting Tensions and Change

Digesting Tensions and Change

Short Breaks Are for Hot Chocolate, Long Breaks Are for Salads, Weekends Are for Baking

Short Breaks Are for Hot Chocolate, Long Breaks Are for Salads, Weekends Are for Baking

School-level factors associated with the sustainment of weekly physical activity scheduled in Australian elementary schools: an observational study

BackgroundWe aimed to: (1) identify school-level factors associated with the sustainment of weekly physical activity (PA) scheduled in elementary schools following withdrawal of effective implementation support; and (2) determine teacher’s perceived usefulness of suggested strategies for sustaining the scheduling of weekly PA.MethodsA secondary exploratory analysis was employed of data from the intervention arm (n = 31 schools) of a randomised controlled trial. Self-report survey data from 134 classroom teachers in New South Wales, Australia, collected following withdrawal of initial implementation support (follow-up T1) and six-months following completion of support (follow-up T2) were used. The outcomes of sustainment of weekly overall PA and energisers (short classroom PA breaks) scheduled were measured via teachers’ completion of a daily activity logbook, with results presented as the difference in mean minutes of PA and energisers scheduled at T1 and T2. An adapted version of the Program Sustainability Assessment Tool (PSAT) was used to measure capacity for program sustainability across seven key domains at follow-up T2. Linear mixed regressions were conducted to evaluate associations between school-level sociodemographic characteristics (e.g., school size, remoteness, and type), teacher-reported school factors (i.e., seven adapted PSAT domains) and the sustainment of PA and energisers scheduled across the school week. Perceived usefulness of 14 proposed sustainability strategies was measured via the teacher survey at follow-up T2 and reported descriptively.ResultsNo school-level factor was statistically associated with the sustainment of overall weekly PA or energisers scheduled. Teacher-reported factors in two PSAT domains – ‘strategic planning’ and ‘program evaluation’ were statistically negatively associated with the sustainment of weekly energisers scheduled (− 6.74, 95% CI: − 13.02; − 0.47, p = 0.036 and − 6.65, 95% CI: − 12.17; − 1.12, p = 0.019 respectively). The proposed support sustainability strategy – ‘provision of PA equipment packs that enable energisers or integrated lessons’ was perceived useful by the most teachers (85%).ConclusionsFurther research is required to explore additional contextual-specific, and end-user appropriate factors associated with schools’ sustainment of weekly PA scheduled. This will help accurately inform the development of strategies to address these determinants and support the sustainment and long-term benefits of school-based health interventions more broadly.

Temporal patterns in Cape fur seal (Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus) mother and pup attraction calls

Vocal recognition is widespread in the animal kingdom, and a necessary tool for offspring survival in some groups. Temporal patterns of animal vocalisations can facilitate communication and convey information such as identity, emotional state, or motivation of the caller. While pinniped (i.e., walrus, eared and true seals) vocalisations are generally well studied, and captive pinnipeds show strong timing abilities, little is known about the temporal structure of their calls in the wild. Here, we followed Cape fur seals (Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus) during spontaneous search efforts at the Cape Cross Seal Reserve in Namibia. To investigate the temporal and rhythmic patterning of Cape fur seal attraction calls, we analysed call bouts of 80 mothers and 148 pups. We assessed the relative vocal efforts undertaken by mothers and pups by calculating calling rates, inter-call intervals (periods of silence between vocalisations), and the total time spent calling per bout. To explore the rhythmic structure of the calls, we visualised their temporal patterns by plotting the calling events and frequency histograms of the inter-onset-intervals between each two consecutive vocalisations in a bout. A normalized Pairwise Variability Index was calculated for each individual to investigate underlying patterns and compared between mothers and pups. Pups produced more calls per search, vocalised at higher rates, and took shorter breaks between consecutive vocalisations than females. Even though female vocalisations were much longer, there was no significant difference in the total time females and pups spent vocalising per bout. All animals vocalised at seemingly random intervals, with no distinguishable rhythmic pattern, suggesting that these do not encode identity information during mother-pup reunions. However, numerical analysis showed a potential asynchronous patterning within the age classes, possibly used in anti-masking. Our results indicate that Cape fur seal females and pups invest their energy differently during a search, and while their total calling effort is comparable, reunions seem to be driven mostly by the young.

‘It was just – everything was normal’: outcomes for people living with dementia, their unpaid carers, and paid carers in a Shared Lives day support service

Objectives Short breaks support the wellbeing of people living with dementia (PLWD) and their unpaid carers. However, little is known about the benefits of community-based short breaks. The objective of this study was to conduct interviews with stakeholders of a Shared Lives (SL) day support service to explore mechanisms and outcomes for the service. The aim of the study was to refine a logic model for a SL day support service for PLWD, their unpaid carers, and paid carers. This logic model shall form the basis for a Social Return on Investment evaluation to identify the social value contributed by the service. Methods Thirteen interviews were conducted with service stakeholders including PLWD, unpaid carers and paid carers. Framework analysis assisted in the synthesis of the findings into a logic model. Results The logic model refined through the interviews, detailed service mechanisms (inputs, activities, outputs) and outcomes. An overarching theme from the interviews concerned the importance of triadic caring relationships, which conferred benefits for those involved in the service. Conclusion SL day support fosters triadic caring relationships, and interview data suggests that these relationships are associated with meaningful outcomes for PLWD, their unpaid carers, and paid carers. We highlight the implications for policy, practice, and future research.

Effect of Heat Exchanger on the Operation of a Directly Coupled Photovoltaic-Electrolyser

Direct coupling of photovoltaic (PV) modules to electrolyser(s) (ECs) can benefit from reduced component costs by omitting power electronics. Thermal integration of the PV to the EC could potentially enhance performance by cooling the PV and heating up the EC. However, conventional PV and EC constructions need an additional heat exchanger to make this possible. Without concentrating optics, the temperature of the PV remains comparatively low, which could be an added challenge for effective use of the waste heat. Considering this, the question is, how much thermal integration can benefit the PV-EC operation, and how complex a sufficiently efficient heat exchanger would be.To study the effect of heat exchange on the device operation, we compared the simultaneous operation of two identical sets of PV modules directly electrically coupled to EC stacks. One of the devices was also thermally coupled using a heat exchanger at the back of the PV module to heat up the electrolyte (1.0 M KOH) before it enters the EC (Figure 1.a, the thermally coupled device is on the left in Figure 1.b). The heat exchanger prevented contact between the corrosive KOH and the PV module but enabled heat transfer from the PV module to the electrolyte. The PV modules consisted of nine series-connected 6-inch wafer silicon heterojunction solar cells, and the total collection area, of each, was ca. 2600 cm2 (51 cm × 51 cm), of which ca. 2480 cm2 was active. The devices were operated outdoors in Berlin, Germany (52° 25ʹ 53.3ʺ N, 13° 31ʹ 25.9ʺ E) for a total of about 700 hours, of which the last about 500 hours were continuous, except for few short maintenance breaks. During testing, the solar to hydrogen efficiency of both devices was typically in the 8 – 12 % range, reducing with increasing irradiance. Typical peak hydrogen production rate on a sunny day (800 – 850 W/m2) was about 120 ml/min with the heat exchanger and about 110 ml/min without, the highest measured values being about 10 ml/min higher.The heat exchanger improved the performance under irradiance over about 500 W/m2, and at over 800 W/m2 irradiance, the enhancement corresponded to about 10 % increase in the hydrogen production rate. On the other hand, interestingly, the heat exchanger also reduced the hydrogen production rate at low irradiance conditions. This, together with the fact that most of our testing days were comparatively cloudy, probably explains why the total hydrogen yields over the 700-hour period were very similar for both devices, with a slight 10 litre advantage for thermal integration (ca. 770 litres vs ca. 760 litres). Nevertheless, based on our results, even a moderately efficient heat exchanger enhances the PV-EC operation in sunny conditions. Since much of the annual hydrogen yield would be produced in such conditions, the concept of transferring heat from PV to EC shows definite promise, but further development and optimization is needed to extract the full benefits of our approach.The authors acknowledge support from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research in the framework of the project CatLab (03EW0015A). The present study benefits from work started under the PECSYS project (ended December 2020) funded by the FUEL CELLS AND HYDROGEN 2 JOINT UNDERTAKING under grant agreement No. 735218. This Joint Undertaking receives support from the EUROPEAN UNION’S HORIZON 2020 RESEARCH AND INNOVATION programme and Hydrogen Europe and N.ERGHY. Figure 1

The dark side of social media in the workplace: A social comparison perspective

Social media has widely permeated the workplace because of its potential benefits. Nowadays, it is not surprising that employees browse what friends are sharing on social media (e.g., Facebook and WeChat) during working hours. But interestingly, people tend to present themselves in a positive manner and thus selectively share positive information (e.g., positive profiles, images, or living situations) on social media platforms for others to browse. This would easily cause feelings like “how successful they are” and “I am so inferior to them” when employees browse social media information. What does this mean for their job performance? Findings from our two-wave longitudinal survey suggest that employees comparing themselves with friends who are better off on social media would fall into ego-depletion, which further reduces their job performance. Moreover, employees’ preferences for online social interaction can exacerbate this process. Although short breaks obtained from using social media may help employees better engage in subsequent work tasks, the present research suggests managers be wary of the dark side of social media stemming from social comparison. This research contributes to the literature regarding employee social media use by focusing on its dark side from the lens of online social comparison.

Acute effects of physical activity patterns on plasma cortisol and brain-derived neurotrophic factor in relation to corticospinal excitability

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and cortisol are both capable of modulating synaptic plasticity, but it is unknown how physical activity-induced changes in their plasma levels relate to corticospinal plasticity in humans. Sixteen inactive middle-aged men and women participated in three separate interventions consisting of 3 h prolonged sitting (SIT); 3 h sitting interrupted every 30 min with frequent short physical activity breaks (FPA); and 2.5 h prolonged sitting followed by 25 min of moderate intensity exercise (EXE). These 3 h sessions were each followed by a 30 min period of paired associative stimulation over the primary motor cortex (PAS). Blood samples were taken and corticospinal excitability measured at baseline, pre PAS, 5 min and 30 min post PAS. Here we report levels of plasma BDNF and cortisol over three activity conditions and relate these levels to previously published changes in corticospinal excitability of a non-activated thumb muscle. There was no interaction between time and condition in BDNF, but cortisol levels were significantly higher after EXE compared to after SIT and FPA. Higher cortisol levels at pre PAS predicted larger increases in corticospinal excitability from baseline to all subsequent time points in the FPA condition only, while levels of BDNF at pre PAS did not predict such changes in any of the conditions. Neither BDNF nor cortisol modified changes from pre PAS to the subsequent time points, suggesting that the increased corticospinal excitability was not mediated though an augmented effect of the PAS protocol. The relationship between cortisol and plasticity has been suggested to be inverted U-shaped. This is possibly why the moderately high levels of cortisol seen in the FPA condition were positively associated with changes AURC, while the higher cortisol levels seen after EXE were not. A better understanding of the mechanisms for how feasible physical activity breaks affect neuroplasticity can inform the theoretical framework for how work environments and schedules should be designed.

Social Media and Online Digital Technology Use Among Muslim Young People and Parents: Qualitative Focus Group Study.

BackgroundDigital technology and social media use are common among young people in Australia and worldwide. Research suggests that young people have both positive and negative experiences online, but we know little about the experiences of Muslim communities.ObjectiveThis study aims to explore the positive and negative experiences of digital technology and social media use among young people and parents from Muslim backgrounds in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.MethodsThis study involved a partnership between researchers and a not-for-profit organization that work with culturally and linguistically diverse communities. We adopted a participatory and qualitative approach and designed the research in consultation with young people from Muslim backgrounds. Data were collected through in-person and online focus groups with 33 young people aged 16-22 years and 15 parents aged 40-57 years. Data were thematically analyzed.ResultsWe generated 3 themes: (1) maintaining local and global connections, (2) a paradoxical space: identity, belonging and discrimination, and (3) the digital divide between young Muslims and parents. Results highlighted that social media was an important extension of social and cultural connections, particularly during COVID-19, when people were unable to connect through school or places of worship. Young participants perceived social media as a space where they could establish their identity and feel a sense of belonging. However, participants were also at risk of being exposed to discrimination and unrealistic standards of beauty and success. Although parents and young people shared some similar concerns, there was a large digital divide in online experiences. Both groups implemented strategies to reduce social media use, with young people believing that having short technology-free breaks during prayer and quality family time was beneficial for their mental well-being.ConclusionsPrograms that address technology-related harms must acknowledge the benefits of social media for young Muslims across identity, belonging, representation, and social connection. Further research is required to understand how parents and young people can create environments that foster technology-free breaks to support mental well-being.

More active lessons: teachers’ perceptions of student engagement during physically active maths lessons in Finland

ABSTRACT The Moving Maths study was conducted to increase third grade pupils’ physical activity and support their learning in Finland. Altogether 397 children (mean age 9.3 years) and 22 teachers took part in an intervention with two types of physically active maths lessons for five months. One group carried out lessons in which PA was integrated into maths learning goals, while another group implemented PA as short breaks. A control group was also allocated. The aim of the current study was to qualitatively examine classroom teachers’ (n = 12) experiences and perceptions of student engagement during the intervention. The results indicated that pupils showed positive emotional and social engagement in both intervention groups. Positive cognitive engagement was indicated by concentration on seated work after the activities, but some teachers reported uncertainty about the learning results. It is concluded that in addition to reducing children’s harmful sedentary behaviour, physically active lessons can positively affect student engagement and may thus enhance learning.