Barriers to initiating and maintaining participation in parkrun

AbstractInterventions that increase population physical activity are required to promote health and wellbeing. parkrun delivers community-based, 5 km events worldwide yet 43% who register never participate in a parkrun event. This research had two objectives; i) explore the demographics of people who register for parkrun in United Kingdom, Australia, Ireland, and don’t initiate or maintain participation ii) understand the barriers to participating in parkrun amongst these people. Mandatory data at parkrun registration provided demographic characteristics of parkrun registrants. A bespoke online survey distributed across the three countries captured the reasons for not participating or only participating once. Of 680,255 parkrun registrants between 2017 and 19, 293,542 (43%) did not participate in any parkrun events and 147,148 (22%) only participated in one parkrun event. Females, 16–34 years and physically inactive were more likely to not participate or not return to parkrun. Inconvenient start time was the most frequently reported barrier to participating, with females more likely than males to report the psychological barrier of feeling too unfit to participate. Co-creating strategies with and for people living with a chronic disease, women, young adults, and physically inactive people, could increase physical activity participation within parkrun.

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Physical activity and mental well-being under COVID-19 lockdown: a cross-sectional multination study

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-021-10931-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Costas I. Karageorghis ◽

Jonathan M. Bird ◽

Jasmin C. Hutchinson ◽

Mark Hamer ◽

Yvonne N. Delevoye-Turrell ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Young Adults ◽

Sedentary Behavior ◽

Online Survey ◽

Electronic Device ◽

Well Being ◽

Middle Aged ◽

Steps Per Day ◽

Western Nations

Abstract Background COVID-19 lockdowns have reduced opportunities for physical activity (PA) and encouraged more sedentary lifestyles. A concomitant of sedentariness is compromised mental health. We investigated the effects of COVID-19 lockdown on PA, sedentary behavior, and mental health across four Western nations (USA, UK, France, and Australia). Methods An online survey was administered in the second quarter of 2020 (N = 2541). We measured planned and unplanned dimensions of PA using the Brunel Lifestyle Physical Activity Questionnaire and mental health using the 12-item General Health Questionnaire. Steps per day were recorded only from participants who used an electronic device for this purpose, and sedentary behavior was reported in hours per day (sitting and screen time). Results In the USA and Australia samples, there was a significant decline in planned PA from pre- to during lockdown. Among young adults, Australians exhibited the lowest planned PA scores, while in middle-aged groups, the UK recorded the highest. Young adults exhibited the largest reduction in unplanned PA. Across nations, there was a reduction of ~ 2000 steps per day. Large increases in sedentary behavior emerged during lockdown, which were most acute in young adults. Lockdown was associated with a decline in mental health that was more pronounced in women. Conclusions The findings illustrate the deleterious effects of lockdown on PA, sedentary behavior, and mental health across four Western nations. Australian young and lower middle-aged adults appeared to fare particularly badly in terms of planned PA. The reduction in steps per day is equivalent to the non-expenditure of ~ 100 kcal. Declines in mental health show how harmful lockdowns can be for women in particular.

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Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic Led Lockdown on the Lifestyle of Adolescents and Young Adults

Indian Journal of Youth and Adolescent Health ◽

10.24321/2349.2880.202008 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 07 (02) ◽

pp. 12-15

Author(s):

Shubhajeet Roy ◽

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Young Adults ◽

Screen Time ◽

Online Survey ◽

Healthy Lifestyle ◽

Activity Level ◽

Age Group ◽

Self Monitoring ◽

Deep Impact ◽

Diet Pattern

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic led lockdown-an unprecedented event wherein people globally have been hit hard. This lockdown has caused a deep impact on lifestyle-related parameters like sleep pattern, diet pattern, stress level, physical activity level and circadian rhythms. Objective: This study was designed to study effect of COVID-19 pandemic on lifestyle of young adults and adolescents. Method: Online survey was conducted in 1065 respondents in the age group of 13 to 25 years. Result: Questionnaire-based survey showed mean sleep duration changing from 6.85 hours to 8.17 hours, average screen time increased to 5.12 hours from 3.5 hours, 51.9% subjects experienced higher stress levels, 76.4% subjects experienced more food intake and 38.6% subjects had decreased levels of physical activity as per self-monitoring. Conclusion: These changes might have long lasting effects on their physical, mental and social health and need counteractive measures to help young people lead a healthy lifestyle during the epidemic and beyond.

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Evaluation of a rural community pharmacy-based Waist Management Project: bringing the program to the people

Australian Journal of Primary Health ◽

10.1071/py10030 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

pp. 16 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Nicole Kellow

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Young Adults ◽

Body Weight ◽

Chronic Disease ◽

Waist Circumference ◽

Community Pharmacy ◽

Disease Risk ◽

Disease Development ◽

Chronic Disease Risk

Time constraints and lack of awareness of risk factors for future chronic disease development prevent many young adults from accessing lifestyle programs offered by local health services. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of a rural pharmacy-based multidisciplinary healthy lifestyle pilot program on reducing risk factors for chronic disease development among young adults. Individuals under the age of 50 with chronic disease risk factors were referred to the program. All subjects were provided with free after-hours nutritional counselling from a dietitian at the local community pharmacy, a comprehensive medication review conducted by the pharmacist, gym membership and access to cooking classes and supermarket tours. Selected participants also received bulk-billed GP appointments and assistance with establishing a home vegetable garden. Body weight, waist circumference, fruit and vegetable consumption and physical activity were assessed at baseline and after program conclusion. Forty participants regularly attended the program between March 2009 and March 2010. At program conclusion, mean body weight was reduced by 3.8 ± 6.7 kg (P < 0.001) and waist circumference reduced by 3.9 ± 6.5 cm (P < 0.001). Fruit consumption increased by 1.2 ± 0.2 serves/day (P < 0.001) and vegetable intake increased by 1.6 ± 1.0 serves/day (P < 0.001). Participants also spent an average of 88.0 ± 47.7 more min/week (P < 0.001) engaged in physical activity on completion of the program. The community pharmacy provided an accessible location for the delivery of a successful chronic disease risk reduction program targeting young adults in a rural area.

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Exploring the Benefits of Participation in Community-Based Running and Walking Events: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Parkrun Participants

10.21203/rs.3.rs-122515/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Helen Quirk ◽

Alice Bullas ◽

Steve Haake ◽

Elizabeth Goyder ◽

Mike Graney ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Life Satisfaction ◽

Health Status ◽

Physical Health ◽

Online Survey ◽

Activity Level ◽

Perceived Benefits ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Health And Wellbeing ◽

Deprived Areas

Abstract Background: Whilst the benefits of physical activity for health and wellbeing are recognised, population levels of activity remain low. Significant inequalities exist, with socioeconomically disadvantaged populations being less physically active and less likely to participate in community events. We investigated the perceived benefits from participation in a weekly running/walking event by those living in the most socioeconomically deprived areas and doing the least physical activity.Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was emailed to 2,318,135 parkrun participants in the UK. Demographic and self-reported data was collected on life satisfaction, happiness, health status, physical activity, motives, and the perceived benefits of parkrun. Motivation, health status and benefits were compared for groups defined by level of physical activity at parkrun registration and residential Index of Multiple Deprivation.Results: 60,000 completed surveys were received (2.7% of those contacted). Respondents were more recently registered with parkrun (3.1 v. 3.5 years) and had a higher frequency of participation than non-respondents (14.5 v. 3.7 parkruns per year). Those who were inactive at registration and from socioeconomically deprived areas reported lower happiness, lower life satisfaction and poorer health than the full sample. They were more likely to want to improve their physical health, rather than get fit or lose weight. Of those reporting less than one bout of activity a week at registration, 88% (87% in the most socioeconomically deprived areas) increased their physical activity level and 52% (65% in the most socioeconomically deprived areas) reported improvements to overall health behaviours. Previously inactive respondents from the most socioeconomically deprived areas reported greater improvements to fitness (93% v. 89%), physical health (90% v. 85%), happiness (83% v. 79%) and mental health (76% v. 69%).Conclusion: The least active respondents from the most socioeconomically deprived areas reported changes to their activity levels and benefits to their health and wellbeing since participating in parkrun. Whilst the challenge of identifying how community initiatives like parkrun can better engage with the least active and most socioeconomically deprived remains, if this can be achieved, then such interventions can have a critical public health role in addressing inequalities in benefits associated with recreational physical activity.

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Relationships Between Young Men’s Health-Related Behaviour, Psychological Distress, Physical Education and Sports Experience

Baltic Journal of Sport and Health Sciences ◽

10.33607/bjshs.v1i120.1048 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 1 (120) ◽

pp. 13-21

Author(s):

Jovita Ambrutytė ◽

Brigita Miežienė ◽

Arūnas Emeljanovas ◽

Vida Janina Česnaitienė ◽

Daiva Vizbaraitė ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Young Adults ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Physical Education ◽

Alcohol Consumption ◽

Young People ◽

High Psychological Distress ◽

Health Related ◽

Physically Inactive

Background. Negative health-related behaviours among young adults are common worldwide. Most of young males are physically inactive, have poor diets, drink a lot of alcohol or smoke, and such behavior causes physical and mental health disorders (Aubert et al., 2018). Nowadays more mental health problems are diagnosed among young people than a decade. Researchers are trying to determine the causes of harmful behaviour in adults, but the impact of previous physical education on further health-related behaviours in adults has not been studied. Methods. Physical activity, alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking was evaluated according to the 2008 US Department of Defense Survey of Health Related Behaviours (Bray et al., 2009). Adherence to a healthy eating pattern was evaluated using the Mediterranean diet adherence screener (MEDAS). Psychological distress was assessed using the six-item Kessler scale (Kessler et al., 2003). Results. Nearly half of young adults were physically inactive, ate poorly, had harmful habits, one of ten had high psychological distress. Two thirds of the respondents participated in sports in childhood, 61% of young people liked the physical education lessons, 44% of them attended every PE lesson. Lower distress was significantly associated with better nutrition, higher physical activity, lower alcohol consumption, and smoking. Also, significant associations were found between higher alcohol consumption and more frequent smoking. Higher incomes, younger age, better perception and attendance of PE classes in the past, active lifestyle in childhood and adulthood are the predictive factors of more favourable health-related behaviours and better mental health. Conclusions. Harmful health-related behaviours are prevalent among young adults, one of tenth has high psychological distress. Although the majority of young adults were active in childhood, the percentage of active adults decreases significantly. More favourable health-related behaviours are related to less distress. Better economic status, better PE experiences in childhood, sports activities in adulthood lead to better health-related behaviours and less distress. Keywords: young adults, health-related behaviours, mental health, physical education.

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Investigating the Enduring Impact of a Community-Based Health Education Program to Promote African American Elders’ Use of Technology Designed to Support Chronic Disease Self-Management

Geriatrics ◽

10.3390/geriatrics3040070 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 3 (4) ◽

pp. 70 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Charles Senteio

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Chronic Disease ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Health Education ◽

Technology Use ◽

Self Management ◽

Education Session ◽

Community Based ◽

Health Education Session ◽

Study Team

Elders experience chronic disease disparities and barriers to access technology designed to support recommended self-management behaviors. Elders from racial minority groups are among those who experience particular disparities in chronic disease incidence, outcomes, and barriers to technology use. In order to investigate strategies to address barriers, the study team recruited elder African Americans with diabetes and young adults connected to the elders through naturally occurring familial or social networks. Participants attended a community-based health education session focused on enhancing self-efficacy for recommended self-management and using consumer-oriented technology accessible on their smartphones for self-management support. To assess enduring impact, the study team conducted a pilot study to investigate perceptions and use one month following the health education session. Both elders and young adults offered perspectives on what was effective in teaching elders how to use technology. Both age groups stressed that having patience was crucial, as is providing encouragement for the elders to try tasks on their own. Both elders and young adults also showed a statistically significant increase in aspirations to work together for additional intergenerational health and technology knowledge exchange. Several elder participants continued using technology that they first used during the session. This novel, pilot study describes how to promote self-management and technology use for individuals plagued by persistent chronic disease and technology use disparities.

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ROLE OF BODY MASS AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN AUTONOMIC FUNCTION MODULATION ON POST-COVID-19 CONDITION: AN OBSERVATIONAL SUBANALYSIS OF FIT-COVID STUDY

10.1101/2021.11.17.21266473 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ana Paula Figueira Freire ◽

Fabio Santos de Lira ◽

Ana Elisa von Ah Morano ◽

Telmo Pereira ◽

Manuel-Joao Coelho Silva ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Nervous System ◽

Young Adults ◽

Body Mass ◽

Autonomic Function ◽

Parasympathetic Activity ◽

Control Group ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Physical Activity Levels ◽

Physically Inactive

The harmful effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can reach the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and endothelial function. Therefore, the detrimental multiorgan effects of COVID-19 could be induced by deregulations in ANS that may persist after the acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. Additionally, investigating the differences in ANS response in overweight/obese, and physically inactive participants who had COVID-19 compared to those who did not have the disease is necessary. The aim of the study was to analyze the autonomic function of young adults after mild-to-moderate infection with COVID-19 and to assess whether body mass index (BMI) and levels of physical activity modulates autonomic function in participants with and without COVID-19. Patients previously infected with COVID-19 and healthy controls were recruited for this cross-sectional observational study. A general anamnesis was taken and BMI and physical activity levels were assessed. The ANS was evaluated through heart rate variability. A total of 57 subjects were evaluated. Sympathetic nervous system activity in post-COVID-19 group was increased (stress index; p=0.0273). They also presented lower values of parasympathetic activity (p<0.05). Overweight/obese subjects in the post-COVID-19 group presented significantly lower parasympathetic activity and reduced global variability compared to non-obese in control group (p<0.05). Physically inactive subjects in post-COVID-19 group presented significantly higher sympathetic activity than active subjects in control group. Parasympathetic activity was significantly increased in physically active subjects in control group compared to the physically inactive post-COVID-19 group (p<0.05). COVID-19 promotes changes in the ANS of young adults, and these changes are modulated by Overweight/obesity and physical activity levels.

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Comparison of the Level of Physical Activity in Young Adults before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic—A Longitudinal Study

Medical Sciences Forum ◽

10.3390/iecmd2021-10406 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 3

Author(s):

Ewelina Czenczek-Lewandowska ◽

Justyna Wyszyńska ◽

Justyna Leszczak ◽

Joanna Baran ◽

Aneta Weres

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Young Adults ◽

Online Survey ◽

International Physical Activity Questionnaire ◽

Sedentary Time ◽

Short Form ◽

Mental Condition ◽

Sedentary Behaviours ◽

Metabolic Equivalents ◽

Activity Questionnaire

Background and Objectives: The frequency with which people leave their homes and the time they spend in recreational places is significantly reduced at a time of pandemic, particularly during lockdown, due to which it is significantly more difficult for them to be active. The aim of the study was to assess to what extent the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has affected young adults’ physical activity (PA). Materials and Methods: A total of 506 people aged 18 to 34 (24.67 years ± 4.23 years), who filled in a retrospective-pre-post online survey, qualified for the study. The survey began 12 days after the epidemic was announced at the site of the study, i.e., between weeks two and four of obligatory lockdown, including significant restriction of movement. The levels of physical activity and sedentary time were measured using a seven-item International Physical Activity Questionnaire—Short Form (IPAQ–SF). The respondents provided two answers to each question, i.e., information relating to the last 7 days during the pandemic (lockdown), and to a period of 7 days before the pandemic. Results: During the pandemic, young adults spent significantly less time performing physical activity, shown as median (Q1–Q3): Me = 8752.5 [5403.0–11,820.0] vs. 5483.0 [2380.0–9009.0] metabolic equivalents (MET) min/week (p < 0.001) and they spent more time engaging in sedentary behaviours, Me = 240 [120.0–360.0] vs. 300 [180.0–420.0] min/day (p < 0.001). During the pandemic, respondents spent less energy engaging in vigorous PA from Me = 480.00 [0.0–1920.0] vs. 0.00 [0.0–1920.0] (MET) min/week, 100% decline, (p < 0.001); or in moderate PA from Me = 360.00 [0.0–840.0] vs. 240.00 [0.0–720.0] (MET) min/week, 33.34% decline, and they walked much less from Me = 6930.0 [3762.0–9702.0] vs. 3861.0 [1485.0–7260.0] (MET) min/week, 44.29% decline (p < 0.001). Conclusions: During the COVID-19 pandemic young adults are significantly less involved in PA, which adversely affects their health status, including their physical and mental condition. The importance of sufficient PA should be highlighted during this specific period, particularly among young people.

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