Subjective Vitality Research Articles

Relationship Between Training Frequency and Training Session Duration on Vitality in Recreational Runners: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Running can improve health status from a biopsychosocial perspective. However, isolation strategies, like the COVID-19 pandemic-induced lockdown, produce deleterious effects on both health status and sport performance. The aim of our study was to investigate recreational runners’ sporting habits, subjective vitality (SV), and well-being after the COVID-19 pandemic-induced lockdown. Methods: After data filtration, 5542 recreational runners (74.5% men and 25.5% women, >18 years) were selected for further analyses. The participants answered preliminary questions regarding sporting habits and completed the validated Spanish version of the Subjective Vitality as a Dynamic Reflection of Well-Being questionnaire for assessing their SV after lockdown. Results: Subjective vitality scores did not differ between men and women, nor between age groups (p = 0.41 and p = 0.11, respectively). Subjective vitality was greater with weekly training frequency up to 5 days/week, where this enhancement plateaued, while average training session duration was positively related to SV, stabilizing at 91–120 min/session (p < 0.001 for both). Conclusions: There is a dose–response relationship between both weekly training frequency and training session duration, and mental health benefits in recreational runners. Further longitudinal studies are needed in order to determine the optimal dose–response relationship for simultaneously enhancing mental health outcomes and running performance in recreational runners, especially regarding weekly training frequency, training session duration, and exercise intensity.

Spiritual Intelligence and Subjective Vitality Among Young Adults and Old Ages

The presented study examined the difference between spiritual intelligence and subjective vitality among young adults and old ages. The sample for the present study consisted of 60 young adults and 60 old ages (including males and females) using descriptive sampling method. The tools used for the study are spiritual intelligence scale, subjective vitality scale and socio-demographic questionnaire. The collected data were analysed using appropriate statistical techniques and frequencies. The findings showed that there is a significant relationship between spiritual intelligence and subjective vitality and a significant difference between both variables among young adults and old ages.

Improving struggling medical and nursing students’ subjective vitality, school engagement and academic performance through a peer mentorship intervention programme: an intervention protocol

BackgroundThe undergraduate medical training programme is demanding and rigorous. This underlines the importance of a peer mentorship strategy to improve the well-being, self-determination, school connectedness, and performance of struggling medical and nursing students. This study is aimed at identifying struggling medical and nursing students using two cumulative continuous assessment test (CAT) scores, assess their subjective vitality and school engagement and evaluate the impact of the peer mentorship intervention on them.MethodsThe study will adopt a mixed-methods approach and will be conducted in the medical colleges of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria, and the University of Rwanda. Three instruments will be used: The subjective Vitality Scale (SVS), the University Student Engagement Inventory (USEI), and the academic records of the students before and after the commencement of the intervention programme. The consenting least-performing medical and nursing students identified by their low CAT scores (below 45%) in basic medical sciences will be selected for study in each institution. The outcome measures will include students’ CAT scores, subjective vitality, and school engagement scores. The data will be analysed both quantitatively and qualitatively. Thematic content analysis will be adopted in the analysis of the responses generated from the focus group discussion. The mean ± standard deviation or median and interquartile range statistic will be adopted for the quantitative data.DiscussionGiven the paucity of data on struggling medical and nursing students in Nigeria and Rwanda, this research was designed to help in exploring evidence-based interventions to improve and prevent poor subjective well-being of struggling students. The study is expected to fill these knowledge gaps. Trial registration: Pan African Clinical Trial registry, PACTR202405546896613, registration date: 27th May, 2024. This proposal has been supported by grant 1R25TW011217 from the US National Institutes of Health (NIH)/Fogarty International Center (FIC) which also includes co-funds from the U.S. Department of State’s Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator and Health Diplomacy (S/GAC) and the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) to the African Forum for Research and Education in Health (AFREhealth). The Grant Principal Investigators are Profs. Nelson K.Sewankambo (contact PI), Prisca Adejumo, Jean Bisimwa Nachega, Fatima Suleman.

Subjective Well-Being of Students with Disabilities in Kazakhstan: An Exploration of Practice

This study aims to examine the factors that mediate the impact of physical disabilities on the subjective well-being of learners with disabilities in Kazakhstan. Classified as descriptive research, the study sample consists of students from four to eight Kazakh language classes in Almaty, Kazakhstan, totaling 76 male and female students. Subjective vitality is considered one of the indicators of subjective well-being. The data show that the meaningfulness of life has the strongest correlation with the Vt-d scale. The study findings also reveal that personal efforts, an active role in one's own situation, and a desire for self-development serve as the foundation for harmonious personal development and subjective well-being. An analysis of variance reveals a statistically significant effect of disability on life satisfaction; however, the vast y majority of differences appear at the trend level and/or are caused by the combined impact of gender and disability factors. The study's findings enable the development of recommendations for educational policymakers and specialists working in the disability assistance system.

Comparison between three different delivery technologies of virtual nature on psychological state related to general stress recovery: An experimental study

Visiting nature has been shown to have several benefits for psychological state related to general stress recovery. However, for many people, access to nature is limited. Technological development has made it possible to deliver nature environments virtually. The present study examines the benefits of a same virtual nature (forest) environment delivered through different technologies on psychological state related to general stress recovery, more precisely, on restoration, current stress, subjective vitality, and affective response. The main focus is on comparing three different delivery technologies of virtual nature: TV (75″), VR headset (Meta Quest 2), and virtual nature room (30m2). The study applies a three-condition randomized trial with pre-post assessments and a crossover design, where 62 participants visited once in each condition for a 15-minute exposure of virtual nature (360-degree video with congruent soundscape). The participants responded to psychological measures before and after each condition. Overall, participants’ restoration increased, while current stress and negative affect decreased during the exposure. In comparison to the TV (control) condition, both the VR headset condition and the virtual nature room condition had a better impact on psychological state related to general stress recovery, as restoration and subjective vitality increased more. There were no statistically significant differences between the VR headset and virtual nature room conditions in any of the measures.

Effect of Exposure to 2D Video of Forest Environment with Natural Forest Sound on Psychological Well-Being of Healthy Young Adults

Background and Objectives: In recent years, there has been a significant increase in interest in the health benefits of contact with nature. The theoretical and practical aspects of this issue are constantly being investigated. It is worth noting, however, that there is a large group of people for whom the only available form of contact with nature can only be through images (the view outside the window, photos and films about nature), recorded sounds of nature or descriptions of nature. Research indicating how much exposure to nature in the dimension of virtual reality achieves improvements in well-being, mood and vitality is therefore urgently needed. Material and Methods: The main goal of the experiment was to examine whether watching a 20-min 2D video of forest environment or reading a textbook on forest knowledge for 20 min would bring any psychological benefits. The order of both exposures was intentionally changed (reversed) for every second participant in this study to reduce the order effect. A group of 16 volunteers, students of Warsaw University of Life Sciences, took part in the experiment. The psychological tests before and after each of the two parts of the experiment (viewing a picture with sound and reading a book) were established using five questionnaires: Profile of Mood State (POMS); Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS); Restorative Outcome Scale (ROS); Subjective Vitality Scale (SVS) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Results: As a result of the analyses, a 20-min viewing of a 2D video of a forest with natural sounds of nature was shown to have a positive effect on the psychological relaxation of the subjects in the form of an increase in restorativeness and vitality in the participants of the experiment, as well as a greater decrease in negative feelings, tension and anger than when reading a forest-themed book. Watching a video of a landscape can reduce tension and anger levels significantly, which can be an important guideline in relation to the interior design of public spaces and the protection of employees from the adverse effects of psychosocial working conditions, as well as the desire to stabilize anger and maintain emotional stability in everyday life.

Impact of Interactions with a Puppy and Handler Versus a Handler Alone on Stress and Vitality in a University Setting: A Crossover Study.

Brief interactions with a well-behaved dog can enhance wellbeing, but most campus-based dog visitation programs employ adult, trained dogs. There is little research about the impact of puppies on wellbeing or stress in this context. The aim of this study was to examine changes in perceived stress and vitality after interacting with a puppy. Staff and students (N = 32) at an Australian university attended the campus on two occasions, one week apart, as part of a crossover design. Participants were pseudo-randomly allocated to a group whereby they spent 20 min interacting with a handler alone at Visit 1 and interacted with a puppy and handler at Visit 2, or another group which reversed the interaction order. Perceived stress and subjective vitality were measured before and after each interaction. The increase in vitality was greater in the group experiencing the puppy and handler interaction first (significant main effect, F(1,49) = 646.89, p = 0.024, η2p = 1.00), regardless of the visit, possibly due to a social lubricating effect by the puppy, which carried over to the 'handler alone' second visit. Reductions in perceived stress were greater after the interaction with the puppy, for both groups (significant interaction effect, F(1,49) = 5.13, p = 0.029, η2p = 0.11), indicating that the puppy's presence can reduce stress more than the handler alone. This extends the evidence for university-based dog-facilitated wellbeing programs, by showing that interactions with puppies can also be effective. This is important as it may mean that puppies already on campus as part of a socialization/training program can be incorporated into wellbeing programs for staff and students.

Does Forest Contemplation Provide Greater Psychological Benefits than Passive Exposure to the Urban Forest? A Pilot Study

Human contact with the natural environment effectively counteracts negative symptoms of stress and has many positive psychological effects. For this reason, forests within city limits are increasingly seen as part of public health promotion. Being in an urban forest can take many forms, but there is still little known about whether being in a forest alone, without engaging one’s senses, is as effective for human renewal as an experience that involves greater, more conscious activation of the senses of sight, hearing, smell. A study measuring the effect of the forest (spring aspect) on human mental relaxation during passive exposure was conducted on a sample of 19 Polish young adults. The experiment consisted of two series. In the first, participants read an academic textbook in a tree stand for 20 min, while in the next session—conducted at the same location—they contemplated the landscape. Before the experiment and after each of the two series of tests, four psychological questionnaires were administered: the Profile of Mood State (POMS), Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), the Restorative Outcome Scale (ROS) and the Subjective Vitality Scale (SVS). Analyses showed that being in a forest environment positively influenced the subjects’ mental relaxation, while the level of benefit from the activation of the senses, especially vision (looking at the forest) was significantly higher compared to the passive activity of reading a text. The research indicates that forest bathing is the best form of relaxation that can be obtained through contact with the forest.

Physical Activity and Subjective Vitality in Female University Students: The Mediating Role of Decisional Balance and Enjoyment of the Activity.

Regular physical activity (PA) improves the psychological well-being of those who practice it. However, female university students are a risk group due to their low level of PA. Based on the transtheoretical model of behavioural change, the main aim of this study was to examine whether the relationship between PA and subjective vitality was mediated by cognitive-emotional variables such as decisional balance (perceived benefits and barriers) and enjoyment associated with PA in a group of female university students. Participants were asked to complete self-administered questionnaires, which were available for one month via a Google Form. The results showed the existence of a statistically significant, relative, and indirect effect between the stage of change and subjective vitality via both mediating variables. Compared to females in the pre-contemplation stage, those in the action and maintenance stages achieved higher subjective vitality scores as a result of the effect of being in a more advanced stage on decisional balance and enjoyment of PA. It is concluded that female university students who reported regular PA found the activity to be more revitalising, stimulating, and exciting; all positive feelings and cognitions that translated into a more energetic and vital perception of themselves.

Tennis Coaches' Self-Determined Motivation and Achievement Goals: Links between Coach-Created Motivational Climate, Work Engagement, and Well-Being.

Tennis coaches display significant influence, catalyzing changes in athlete performance, motivation, and overall well-being. Research on coaches' motivations and their impact on coaching style, work, and well-being is limited, especially in individual sports like tennis. Based on self-determination (SDT) and achievement goal (AGT) theories, the aim of the present study was to examine the relationships of coaches' self-determined motivation (intrinsic, extrinsic, and amotivation), basic psychological needs satisfaction (autonomy, relatedness, and competence), and achievement goals (self-improvement-SI, self-enhancement-SE, self-transcendence-ST) with their coach-created empowering-disempowering motivational climate, work engagement, and well-being (subjective vitality). Participants were 106 tennis coaches from Greece (66 males and 40 females), with an average age of 41.30 ± 12.54 years and coaching experience ranging from six months to 40 years. Data was collected through online questionnaires. Correlation analysis revealed that intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, satisfaction of the three basic psychological needs, and achievement goals were found to be positively related to an empowering climate, work engagement, and subjective vitality. Coaches' amotivation was positively related to a disempowering climate. Multiple regression analyses showed that autonomy and ST achievement goals significantly predicted tennis coaches' empowering motivational climate, while none of the independent variables were significant predictors of the disempowering motivational climate. Additionally, intrinsic motivation and ST goal significantly predicted tennis coaches' work engagement, while autonomy and ST goal significantly predicted their subjective vitality. It is advisable for forthcoming coach education initiatives to consider these findings as an additional justification for tennis coaches to incorporate multiple perspectives into their coaching methodologies.

Effects of mindfulness and movement on affect and vitality.

Increasing levels of distress and barriers to healthcare have coincided with increasing use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM). While mindfulness and movement interventions may improve wellbeing, little research has compared the effectiveness of these two approaches. This single intervention study aimed to (1) explore the effects of two brief, online, self-administered mindfulness and movement interventions on affect and vitality, and (2) establish whether changes in affect and vitality could be predicted by age, gender, general distress, previous CAM experience and enjoyment of the intervention. Participants (n = 62) were randomly allocated to follow a brief online mindfulness or movement intervention. Levels of affect (using PANAS) and subjective vitality (using the Subjective Vitality Scale) were measured pre and post intervention. Demographics, experience with CAM and general distress (using the DASS-21) were collected pre intervention, while level of enjoyment (using the ENJOY scale) was measured post intervention. Open-text responses gathered qualitative data on participant experience. Participants completing the mindfulness intervention reported increased vitality and decreased positive and negative affect. Those completing the movement intervention reported increased vitality and positive affect and decreased negative affect. Higher DASS-21 levels were predictive of greater reductions in negative affect. Higher levels of enjoyment were predictive of greater increases in positive affect and vitality. Differences between mindfulness and movement interventions may indicate that they could have targeted applications. While further research is necessary, these brief, online interventions may provide a sustainable, accessible self-management and wellbeing intervention.

ELEVATING ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE: THE BODY TECHNIQUE PROTOCOL'S EFFECT ON VITALITY AND RESPIRATORY WELLNESS

Engaging in regular exercise and sports can inadvertently lead to habitual movement patterns, restricting specific body parts' range of motion and diminishing joint elasticity. This decline in muscle flexibility impacts energy levels during physical activities, thus affecting overall vitality. Subjective Vitality State (SVS) captures the essence of feeling alive, reflecting an individual's energy reserves. The study involved 36 healthy young athletes aged 22.48±3.54 years, categorized into control and treatment groups. The treatment group followed a novel Body Technique exercise protocol (BT), while the control group adhered to a familiar conditioning protocol. Both protocols included five exercises targeting various muscle groups. The study focused on subjective vitality, perceived intensity load, and chest girth differences during breathing. Analysis of subjective vitality change within groups showed no significant difference for the control group before and after treatment (p=0.44), while the treatment group exhibited significantly higher subjective vitality after BT exercises (p=0.00). Significant differences were found in the "exhale-inhale" variable for the treatment group before and after treatment (p=0.00), but not for the control group (p=0.15). BT protocol demonstrated superior effects on SVS and chest girth, highlighting the significance of innovative, unconventional exercise in sports. By addressing concerns such as fatigue and injury, BT protocol may offer the prospect of better results in forthcoming training sessions. The study encourages a paradigm shift in exercise approaches, emphasizing conscious intervention to address novel movement patterns and enhance well-being in athletes.

Social support and subjective vitality among adolescents: the multiple mediation role of self-compassion and resilience

Social support and subjective vitality among adolescents: the multiple mediation role of self-compassion and resilience

Golden steps: A nursing approach for vitality, agility, and rumination in geriatric clients with depressive disorders through mindful walking

BackgroundDepression is a prevalent issue among older adults and can significantly impact their overall quality of life. While traditional treatments may not always be sufficient or suitable for all individuals, the potential of alternative interventions, such as mindful walking, offers a ray of hope. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of mindful walking on rumination, agility, vitality, and mindfulness in geriatric patients with depressive disorders. MethodA prospective quasi-experimental design was employed with a purposive sample of 35 clients in the intervention group and 33 in the control group. This study utilized the Ruminative Responses Scale – Short Form (RRS-SF) and Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) to measure the primary outcome. The Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) and State-Level Version of the Subjective Vitality Scale (SVS) were used to measure the secondary outcomes. ResultsMindful walking significantly affected vitality, mindfulness, and rumination, with effect sizes (ղ2 = 0.168, 0.137, and 0.127), respectively. On the other hand, the intervention had a less significant effect on agility, with an effect size (ղ2 = 0.047). ConclusionThis study revealed that geriatric clients with depressive disorders showed more significant improvements in vitality, followed by improvement in rumination and agility. Integrating mindful walking as a part of care plans for those clients would promote their physical activity and mental well-being.

When does perceived coach autonomy support enhances change in athletes’ subjective vitality? The multilevel moderating role of grateful climate

ABSTRACT Grounded in self-determination theory, this study explores the positive impact of perceived coach autonomy support on athletes’ subjective vitality. Additionally, we posit that a grateful climate, functioning as a socio-cultural structure, plays a crucial cross-level moderator. A total of 203 athletes from 32 sports teams were included in the analysis. Employing a time-lagged design, our results reveal a significant predictive relationship between perceived coach autonomy support and changes in subjective vitality. Moreover, a noteworthy cross-level moderating effect of the grateful climate emerged. In teams characterized by a high grateful climate, the relationship between perceived coach autonomy support and athletes’ subjective vitality is strengthened, and such an effect is not validated in teams with a low grateful climate. These findings are consistent with our expectations, affirming not only the replication of previous research but also emphasizing the importance of a grateful climate as a cultural structural factor in this context.

Adolescents’ self-perceived health, life satisfaction and subjective vitality during the COVID-19 pan-demic: an analysis based on education level, gender and physical activity status.

Adolescents’ self-perceived health, life satisfaction and subjective vitality during the COVID-19 pan-demic: an analysis based on education level, gender and physical activity status.

The interplay of academic emotions and teacher interpersonal behaviors on psychological well-being of university students in China

This paper investigated the association between students’ perceptions of teacher autonomy-supportive and controlling interpersonal behaviours, positive and negative academic emotions, and subjective vitality and emotional exhaustion. Study 1 employed a cross-sectional survey design to collect data from 328 undergraduate students from three public universities in China. Study 2 employed an experimental design and collected data from 64 undergraduate students. The results of the structural equation modelling with latent variables indicated that teacher autonomy-supportive interpersonal behaviours did not reduce negative academic emotions, and negative emotions did not explain subjective vitality, while positive emotions did not explain emotional exhaustion. These findings suggest that positive and negative emotions are mutually exclusive in predicting subjective vitality and emotional exhaustion. The study discusses the implications of these findings for instructors’ interpersonal behaviours and the role of emotions in predicting students’ psychological well-being in the Chinese context.

A self-determination theory perspective on the relationship between emotion regulation styles, mindfulness facets, and well-being in adults with self-injury.

The relevance of emotion regulation (ER) difficulties to nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI; the deliberate destruction of one's bodily tissue without suicidal intent) has been repeatedly documented. Recently, specific mindfulness facets (i.e., awareness, nonjudging, describing) have been proposed as mechanisms that explain this relationship. The present study sought to extend this line of inquiry by exploring the mediating role of mindfulness facets in the relation between self-determination theory-based ER styles (i.e., integrative ER, suppressive ER, emotion dysregulation) and indices of positive and negative well-being (i.e., subjective vitality, NSSI difficulties), while controlling for gender, in adults with recent NSSI engagement. US adults with a history of more than one occurrence of NSSI within the last year (n = 222) completed online measures of ER styles, mindfulness facets, subjective vitality, and NSSI difficulties. A mediation model indicated that the effects of ER styles on positive and negative well-being were explained by specific mindfulness facets (i.e., awareness, nonjudging, nonreactivity, describing). The present study provides preliminary evidence that facets of dispositional mindfulness may be mechanisms through which ER styles impact positive and negative indices of well-being in adults with lived experience of NSSI.

Ego depletion and prosocial behavior: The chain mediating effects of subjective vitality and empathy

This study investigated the effect of ego depletion on prosocial behavior and the chain mediating role of subjective vitality and empathy in this relationship. We conducted a survey of 381 college students using standardized scales. The results showed that there were significant correlations among ego depletion, subjective vitality, empathy, and prosocial behavior. Further regression analysis and mediation effects tests revealed that the direct effect of ego depletion on prosocial behavior was significant, and the single mediation and chain mediation effects of subjective vitality and empathy in this relationship were also significant. The findings indicate that increasing subjective vitality helps to improve empathy and, thus, prosocial behavior.

Development and Effectiveness of an Agro-Healing Program Utilizing Rural Resources to Relieve Stress in Adults

The purpose of this study was to develop an agro-healing program using rural resources for stressed adults and to measure its effectiveness. A one-day agro-healing program was developed using the resources of a care farm located in Cheongju, South Korea. A total of 37 adults in their 20s to 50s who were experiencing mild or more severe stress participated in the agro-healing program. Analysis of stress-related psychological and emotional indicators of the agro-healing program revealed that post-treatment stress, anxiety, and depression indicators of the healing program significantly decreased (p< 0.05). Furthermore, mood state, vitality, and resilience indicators increased significantly, which demonstrated effectiveness in improving the mental health of participants with mental health issues. A Pearson correlation analysis between each psychological and emotional variable after the program found that stress had a significant correlation with all variables. Subjective vitality had a full mediating effect on the relationship between stress and resilience. Finally, the one-day agro-healing program was found to help relieve symptoms in adults with stress.