scholarly journals Roles of Physical Activity Type in Exercise Motivational Profiles and Behavioral Frequencies Among College Freshmen

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tsz Lun (Alan) Chu ◽  
Tao Zhang ◽  
Hongxin Li
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
College Freshmen ◽  
Sport Participation ◽  
Exercise Motivation ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Discriminant Analyses ◽  
Fitness Training ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Behavioral Frequencies

This study examined the relationships among gender, race/ethnicity, physical activity (PA) type, exercise motivation, and frequencies of various exercise intensities.College freshmen (N = 170; 68 male, 102 female) in the southwestern U.S. completed an online survey on exercise motivation and behavior. Chi-square tests indicated that males generally performed more fitness training and less aerobic exercise than females, whereas no differences were foundamong racial/ethnic groups. Descriptive discriminant analyses revealed that sport participation contributed to the most adaptive motivational profileand highest behavioral frequencies, suggesting that sport participation is the most effective PA type for college freshmen to maintain exercise.

STUDY OF PARENTS 'ATTITUDES ON FITNESS CHILDREN'S VISITS

2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (7) ◽  
pp. 2567-2572
Author(s):  
Ivan Nedelchev
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Young People ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Adult Obesity ◽  
Compulsory Schooling ◽  
Strict Diet ◽  
Fitness Training ◽  
First Time ◽  
Active Training ◽  
The Eu

The European report "Bulgaria - Health Profile for the Country 2017" reflects statistics on the obesity and immobilization of young people in the country. Although adult obesity levels are below the EU average, they have increased by 25% since 2008, with statistics showing that among young people they have risen by two-thirds in the 2005-2006 and 2013- 2014 and have reached 20%. Also, more than half of Bulgarian pupils in 1-12 grades (51%) are extremely immobilized, one of the reasons being rare visits to physical education classes and lack of interest in additional sport outside compulsory schooling. Separately, every third grader in Bulgaria has a problem with extra pounds, although in most cases it is the parents who refuse to accept that their child needs change and help, not to mention a strict diet and encouragement to exercise sports. More than 50% of the children who crossed the classrooms for the first time this year in Bulgaria are already having vertebral distortion. Only 3% of Bulgarian teenagers say they sometimes go to the gym because they want to look good and build up muscle mass.However, a positive aspect is that a higher percentage of girls and boys at 15 years of age in Bulgaria report regular physical activity than in other EU countries, although less than 25% report moderate exercise intensive physical activity on a daily basis.This study aims to analyze, on the basis of an authoritative survey, the opinions and the vision of active training parents as to whether their children should be attending fitness training. The survey was conducted within 2 months through an online survey of 21 questions, with a total of 187 active sporting parents. Questions concern both the sporting aspects, the healthy diet and the overall condition of the child, through the eyes of his/her parents.

scholarly journals Features of Physical Activity of Russian and Foreign Students: Motivators, Barriers, Self-Esteem

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 843-865
Author(s):  
Evgeni L. Nikolaev ◽  
Igor E. Poverinov
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Foreign Students ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Leisure Time Physical Activity ◽  
Young Men ◽  
Good Health ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Optimal Level ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Regional University

Introduction. Intense physical activity is associated with good health and wellbeing of an individual, and its manifestations in students can have gender and socio-cultural features. The purpose of the study is to identify the features of physical activity of Russian and foreign students of a regional university through the assessment of its motivators, barriers and interrelation with self-esteem indicators, the knowledge of which can be used as the basis for creating personalized preventive health promotion programs. Materials and Methods. An online survey among 423 Russian and foreign students of a regional university was conducted using the Godin-Shephard Leisure-Time Physical Activity Questionnaire using the Ashton Motivators and Barriers Scale and the modified method of Dembo – Rubinstein. The data obtained were statistically processed with the calculation of Student’s t-test, chi-square, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Results. It has been revealed that two-thirds of the respondents have an optimal level of physical activity, and its motivators (the desire to improve health, physical shape, and body) and barriers (lack of time) are universal. Russian female university students surpass foreign ones in terms of the duration of physical activities, and foreign girls are inferior to foreign young men in terms of the frequency of classes. Barriers specific to Russian girls have been identified: Inappropriate weather and the belief that physical activity is not a right occupation for women. Russian young men have mentioned the lack of conditions for training as a barrier. The difference between Russian young men and foreign ones is that foreigners find positive correlation between physical activity, confidence, and physical attractiveness. Discussion and Conclusion. The results obtained may be useful for teaching personnel of university departments of physical education, medical and psychological services, and student self-government organizations. It is recommended that university prevention programs be gender-specific, culturally oriented, aimed at neutralizing the system of internal and social barriers to attending classes, and based on the student's self-esteem potential.

The Health Of Us Adolescent Athletes During Covid-19 Related School Closures And Sport Cancellations

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy A. McGuine ◽  
Kevin M Biese ◽  
Labina Petrovska ◽  
Scott J Hetzel ◽  
Claudia Reardon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Sport Participation ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Poverty Level ◽  
Adolescent Athletes ◽  
School Closures ◽  
Cross Sectional

Abstract Context: In the spring of 2020, US schools closed to in-person teaching and sports were cancelled to control the transmission of COVID-19. It is critical to understand the mental and physical health of adolescent athletes during this time. Objective: Describe the health of athletes during COVID-19 related school closures and sport cancellations. Design: Cross sectional. Setting: A national sample recruited via social media. Patients or Other Participants: 13,002 US adolescent athletes (age=16.3+1.2 yrs., female=53.1%) completed an anonymous online survey. Main Outcome Measure(s): Demographic information included: sex, grade, sports played and zip code. Assessments included the: General Anxiety Disorder-7 Item (GAD-7) for anxiety, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 Item (PHQ-9) for depression, the Pediatric Functional Activity Brief Scale (PFABS) for physical activity, and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0 (PedsQL) for quality of life. Mental health, physical activity and quality of life variables were compared between sex, grade, sports played and poverty level using means and 95%CI from the survey weighted ANOVA. Results: Females reported a higher prevalence of moderate to severe anxiety symptoms (females=43.7% vs. males=28.2%). The PFABS score (mean [95%CI] was highest (best) for grade 9 (14.5 [14.0,15.0]) and lowest for grade 11 (10.9 [10.5,11.3]. The prevalence of depression symptoms was highest in team sport (74.1%) and lowest for individual sport participants (64.9%). The total PedsQL score was lowest (worst) for athletes from counties with the highest poverty levels (high=74.5[73.7,75.3], middle=78.9[78.0,79.8], low=78.3 [77.4,79.1]). Conclusions: The health of US adolescents during the COVID-19 related school closures and sport cancellations varied to differing degrees depending on sex, grade level, type of sport participation and level of poverty. Health policy experts should consider these findings when creating and implementing policies to improve the health of adolescents in the US in the future.

scholarly journals Motivators and Barriers to Engaging in Healthy Eating and Physical Activity

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 330-343 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lee M. Ashton ◽  
Melinda J. Hutchesson ◽  
Megan E. Rollo ◽  
Philip J. Morgan ◽  
Clare E. Collins
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Body Image ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Young Men ◽  
Behavioral Factors ◽  
Healthy Foods ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Cross Sectional

Many Australian young men (18-25 years) fail to meet recommendations in national dietary or physical activity (PA) guidelines. However, there is a lack of understanding of their perspectives on PA and diet to inform intervention design. This study examined young men’s motivators and barriers to healthy eating and PA, along with differences by demographic and behavioral factors. A cross-sectional online survey was completed by 282 men aged 18 to 25 years in Australia. Results identified the most common motivators for healthy eating included improving health (63.5%), body image (52.3%), and increasing energy (32.1%). Motivators for PA included improving body image (44.6%), fitness (44.2%), and health (41.0%). Common barriers to healthy eating were access to unhealthy foods (61.1%), time to cook/prepare healthy foods (55.0%), and motivation to cook healthy foods (50.7%). Barriers for PA included motivation (66.3%), time (57.8%), and cost of equipment/facilities (33.3%). Significant differences ( p < .01) in motivators to healthy eating and/or PA were identified for BMI category, marital status, PA level, alcohol intake, and stress levels. Significant differences were identified for barriers to healthy eating and/or PA by BMI, PA level, stress, and fruit and vegetable intake, assessed using Pearson’s chi-square test. Findings suggest that promotion of benefits related to health, appearance/body image, increased energy and fitness, and addressing key barriers including motivation, time, financial restraints, and accessibility of unhealthy foods, could engage young men in improving lifestyle behaviors. Differences by demographic and behavioral factors suggest development of tailored programs to address diversity among young men may be required.

Adolescent Gender and Ethnicity Differences in Physical Activity Perceptions and Behavior

2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 770-775 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soojin Yoo ◽  
Monica A.F. Lounsbery ◽  
Tim J. Bungum ◽  
Julie Gast
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Caucasian Students ◽  
Ethnicity Differences ◽  
Gender Groups ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Ethnic Orientation ◽  
Chi Square Tests

Objectives:To examine gender and ethnicity differences in adolescents’ physical activity (PA) behavior and perceptions.Methods:Surveys designed to measure PA behavior and perception were completed by 175 adolescents. Gender and ethnicity differences in PA behavior were examined using chi-square tests. A two-way between groups MANOVA was used to examine perception.Results:No significant differences were found between gender groups for PA. Caucasian students were more likely to be active and to perceive that PA makes their health better. Hispanics were more likely to perceive that PA requires more time than Caucasians.Conclusions:Findings suggest greater consideration be given to the ethnic orientation of PA behavior antecedents when promoting PA to adolescents.

scholarly journals University Students' Perceptions of their Distance Education Experience during the Covid-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gökhan Savaş
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Distance Education ◽  
University Students ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Psychological Effects ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Education Experience ◽  
Student Views ◽  
The Family

The aim of this study is to reveal university students' views of distance education delivered during the Covid-19 pandemic. This quantitative study designed as an online survey research collected data from 3861 university students from different universities in each geographical region of Turkey between April 26, 2020 and May 6, 2020. Student views of distance education are presented with descriptive analyses. Next, cross tables containing chi-square tests of the variables that affect the difficulty of focusing on distance education along with the regression analysis of the factors influencing the evaluation of the effectiveness of distance education are presented. It was found that the majority of the students have difficulty focusing on distance education, which is related to gender, frequency of physical activity at home, university type, and their majors. The factors that affect students' perceptions of the effectiveness of distance education include age, socio-economic status of their family, staying with the family during the pandemic, difficulties in focusing, frequency of physical activity, and negative psychological effects of Covid-19.

scholarly journals High School Sports During the CoVID-19 Pandemic: The Impact of Sport Participation on the Health of Adolescents

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy A. McGuine ◽  
Kevin Biese ◽  
Scott J. Hetzel ◽  
Alison Schwarz ◽  
Stephanie Kliethermes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
High School ◽  
High Schools ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Sport Participation ◽  
Outcome Measure ◽  
Teaching Method ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACT Context: During the fall of 2020, some high schools across the US allowed their students to participate in interscholastic sports while others cancelled or postponed their sport programs due to concerns regarding COVID-19 transmission. It is unknown what effect this has had on the physical and mental health of adolescents. Objective: Identify the impact of playing a sport during the COVID-19 pandemic on the health of student athletes. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Sample recruited via email. Patients or Other Participants: 559 STATE-XXX high school athletes (age=15.7±1.2 yrs., female=44%) from 44 high schools completed an online survey in October 2020. A total of 171 (31%) athletes played (PLY) a fall sport, while 388 (69%) did not play (DNP). Main Outcome Measure(s): Demographics included: sex, grade and sports played. Assessments included the General Anxiety Disorder-7 Item (GAD-7) for anxiety, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 Item (PHQ-9) for depression, the Pediatric Functional Activity Brief Scale (PFABS) for physical activity, and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0 (PedsQL) for quality of life. Univariable comparisons between the two groups were made via t-tests or chi-square tests. Means for each continuous outcome measure were compared between the groups by ANOVA models that controlled for Age, Sex, Teaching method (Virtual, Hybrid, or In-person), and the % of students eligible for free lunch. RESULTS: PLY group participants were less likely to report moderate to severe symptoms of anxiety (PLY=6.6%, DNP=44.1%, p&lt;0.001) and depression (PLY=18.2%, DNP=40.4%, p&lt;0.001). PLY athletes reported higher (better) PFABS scores (mean: [95%CI]), (PLY=23.2[22.0,24.5], DNP=16.4[15.0,17.8], p &lt;0.001) and higher (better) PedsQL total scores (PLY=88.4[85.9,90.9], DNP=79.6[76.8,82.4], p &lt;0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents who played a sport during the COVID-19 pandemic reported fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression, as well as higher physical activity and quality of life scores compared to adolescent athletes who did not play a sport.

Examining the Relationship Between Mental Skills and Grit in Senior Olympic Athletes

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 658-667
Author(s):  
Aubrey Newland ◽  
Rich Gitelson ◽  
W. Eric Legg
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Sport Participation ◽  
Olympic Games ◽  
Mental Skills ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Validity And Reliability ◽  
Aging Adults ◽  
Skills Use ◽  
The Relationship

Given the challenge of consistent physical activity among aging adults, it is important to find ways to increase physical activity levels in this population. Participants in the Senior Olympic Games may extend their sport participation through the use of mental skills. This study examined the relationship between mental skills use by Senior Olympic Games participants and their grit, or passion and perseverance, toward a long-term goal. The participants in the Arizona Senior Olympic Games (n = 304) completed an online survey of mental skills use (Athletic Coping Skills Inventory) and grit (Grit Scale-Short). Based on the ongoing validity and reliability issues of the Grit Scale-Short, two regression models were examined, with consistency of interests (passion) and perseverance of effort (perseverance) as dependent variables. After controlling for age and sex, mental skills accounted for 15.2% of the variance in consistency of interests and 13.1% of the variability in perseverance of effort. The results are discussed in light of the findings.

scholarly journals Teachers’ Perspective on Strategies to Reduce Sedentary Behavior in Educational Institutions

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (22) ◽  
pp. 8407
Author(s):  
Nastja Podrekar ◽  
Kaja Kastelic ◽  
Nejc Šarabon
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Sedentary Behavior ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Intervention Studies ◽  
Descriptive Statistics ◽  
Educational Institutions ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Chi Square Test ◽  
Teachers Perspectives

Standing desks and physical activity breaks can counteract the negative consequences of sedentarism at school. However, the implementation of these strategies should not restrict the pedagogical process. The aim of this study was to assess teachers’ perspectives on strategies to reduce sedentary behavior (SB) of students in the classroom. An online survey was conducted, and the answers were analyzed using descriptive statistics and frequency distribution. The relationships between the variables were assessed using Spearman’s coefficient and a chi-square test. Most teachers believed that a student–furniture mismatch was present. The most common reasons given for not using standing desks were concerns about desks being uncommon and their potential to disrupt the class. However, the majority of the teachers believed it feasible to perform physical activity (PA) breaks during classes. Further intervention studies are needed to determine for which courses the use of standing desks are feasible, for what time periods standing desks should be used, and the appropriate number and layout of standing desks in classrooms.

scholarly journals Understanding Contemplators’ Knowledge and Awareness of the Physical Activity Guidelines

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 404-411 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katrina L. Piercy ◽  
Frances Bevington ◽  
Alison Vaux-Bjerke ◽  
Sandra Williams Hilfiker ◽  
Sean Arayasirikul ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Disease Prevention ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Physical Activity Guidelines ◽  
Socioeconomic Groups ◽  
Lower Socioeconomic ◽  
High Knowledge ◽  
Prevention And Health Promotion ◽  
Activity Awareness

Background: The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion completed research to understand factors that could encourage Americans to follow the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, second edition, released in 2018. This study describes survey research assessing demographic characteristics that might be related to knowledge and awareness of the guidelines. Methods: An online survey of 2050 adult physical activity contemplators assessed knowledge of physical activity, awareness of the guidelines, and knowledge of dosage recommendations. Univariate and bivariate analyses were performed, and demographic differences in knowledge and awareness were analyzed using Pearson chi-square tests and Fisher exact tests. Results: Respondents had medium to high knowledge of physical activity, although knowledge varied significantly by socioeconomic factors. Knowledge of dosage recommendations was very low, with 2% and 3% of respondents correctly identifying recommended moderate- and vigorous-intensity doses, respectively. Only 22% were aware of the guidelines; awareness was greater among those with a higher education or income and those without a disability. Conclusions: These findings guided the development of the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion’s Move Your Way campaign and reinforced the need to raise awareness of the guidelines and promote behavior change among physical activity contemplators—particularly those from lower socioeconomic groups.

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