Effect of life skills training on physical activity patterns amongst school adolescents in Delhi: a non-randomized interventional study

2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 575-583 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanu Anand ◽  
Gopal Krishna Ingle ◽  
Gajendra Singh Meena ◽  
Jugal Kishore ◽  
Sangita Yadav

Abstract Background: Effect of life skills on physical activity behavior of adolescents is little explored. Objective: To assess impact of life-skills training on the level of physical activity amongst adolescents. Methods: A nonrandomized interventional study with a control group. All students studying in Class IX and XI of two schools in Delhi were included. Data was collected at baseline, 15 days and 3 months after the life-skills training. Two life-skills training sessions were conducted for each standard following collection of baseline data. Results: There were 180 students in the intervention and 183 students in the control group. A significant increase was noted in the level of light-moderate, vigorous physical activity, and stretching and strengthening exercises (p<0.001) in an intervention group over the period of 3 months following the training. The number of students enrolled in physical education classes also increased. Conclusions: A skills-based approach helped to improve the level of physical activity amongst the school adolescents.

Author(s):  
Joonyoung Lee ◽  
Tao Zhang ◽  
Tsz Lun (Alan) Chu ◽  
Xiangli Gu ◽  
Ping Zhu

Globally, more than half of school-aged children do not engage in the recommended 60 minutes of daily moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Given that developing sufficient fundamental motor skills (FMS) competence during early elementary school years is important for a child’s physical and cognitive development, the purpose of this study was to examine the effects of an 8-week FMS-based afterschool program on physical and cognitive health outcomes among elementary children. Participants were 31 K–2 students (19 girls, 12 boys; Mage = 6.65 ± 0.98) from three public elementary schools in the southwestern United States who were assigned to the intervention group (FMS-based afterschool program; n = 20) or the control group (traditional afterschool program; n = 11). A 2 × 2 repeated measures MANOVA showed significant changes in FMS competence and MVPA between the intervention and the control group over time. However, no significant changes were found in cognitive functioning. The 8-week FMS-based afterschool program showed significant improvements in FMS competence and MVPA, compared to a traditional afterschool program. This finding suggests that structured FMS-focused strategies (e.g., fun games and goal setting) can be a critical component when implementing a physical activity program to enhance children’s motor skills and physical activity behavior.


2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
C. R. Hita ◽  
G. Venkatesh Kumar

Adolescence is considered as a crucial stage for emotional development. It is also seen as a time of hyper-emotionality, emotional conflict, and volatile mood states. Given that adolescents lack skills for emotional management, emotional distress during these years can hamper their immediate growth and adversely affect their transition to the next stage of life. Interventions that promote positive emotional development during adolescence are the need of the hour. Keeping this in focus, the present study investigated the Effect of Life Skills Training on Adolescent boys and girls with high Emotional Distress. The study used pre- and post-test experimental design with a control group to examine the stated objectives. 160 adolescent boys and girls (n=80), with a mean age of 16.44 years, were selected for the study using Positive and Negative Affect Schedule. Of these, 80 in the experimental group (boys=40, girls=40) were trained in life skills. Descriptive statistics, independent sample t-test and repeated measures of ANOVA were used to analyze obtained results. Major findings of the study indicate that Life Skills training has significant effect in reducing emotional distress and improving emotional health in adolescents. And the significance of it was found to be higher in girls compared to boys.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1.SP) ◽  
pp. 20
Author(s):  
Parviz DABAGHI ◽  
Seyyed-Javad HOSSEINI-SHOKOUH ◽  
Reza SHAHRABADI

Background and objective:    Drug abuse is one of the diseases that are highly dependent on individual behaviors and social interactions. This disease can be created in places like military garrisons due to their relationship with such behaviors. Therefore, soldiers and staffs are at risk of drug abuse. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of prevention training program of drug abuse on reducing risk factors in soldiers and staffs in Iran.Methods:In this quasi-experimental interventional study, 392 soldiers and staffs in two military garrisons in Khorasan Razavi (Intervention group 242 and control group 150) were randomly conducted to training program. The data collection tools were questionnaire of identifying people in risk of addiction, life skills questionnaire and demographic variables. The questionnaires were completed as self-report. Educational content was consisted of seven training sessions (60-minute) that only applied in the intervention group. 45 days after the last training session, educational software was distributed as a reminder in the intervention group. The two groups were followed up three months after the intervention. Finally, the data were analyzed using SPSS version 16.Results:  The findings showed that there was no significant difference between the two groups in demographic variables (Pvalue>0.05). The mean scores for risk factors on drug abuse after training program (Depression and feeling of inability, Positive attitude toward drug abuse and Anxiety and fearing of others) were significantly improved in the intervention group (Pvalue<0.05). Also, life skills variables except the problem solving skill (Pvalue>0.05) had a significant change after intervention in the intervention group (Pvalue<0.05).Conclusion:The findings indicated that the prevention training program of drug abuse based on life skills training could reduce the risk factors of drug abuse for soldiers and staffs in military garrisons.


2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 11-19
Author(s):  
Joseph Nyan Gono ◽  
Dora O. Akinboye

This study endeavored to establish trends in the re-enforcing factor related to the consumption of alcoholic beverages among high school students in Liberia, using an experimental research design. A sample of 440 students from two selected schools was determined using Cochran’s formula. A sixteen item questionnaire with a reliability coefficient of 0.70 was administered to the 440 students to identify those who drink alcohol. Applying G Power formula, 84 students were randomly selected out of the 170 students who drink alcohol as participants. Another validated questionnaire with a reliability coefficient of 0.76 was used to collect data from the field. Descriptive statistics and t-test were used to analyze the data. The study concludes that the use of the Alcohol and Life Skills Training Model, which was employed to the experimental group is an effective educational tool to prepare students to make responsible decision about abstaining from drinking alcoholic beverages than the HIV/ AIDS Model which was employed to the control group. It is therefore recommended that the Government of Liberia should adopt the Alcohol and Life Skills Training Model into the National High School Curriculum in order to prevent and control the consumption of alcohol by students in high schools. Secondly, researchers and the Ministry of Education in conjunction with other Ministries such as Health and Youth should conduct further research on a wider scale on alcohol consumption among the youth, including the in-school and the out of school adolescents in Liberia.


Author(s):  
Dandan Mo ◽  
Mi Xiang ◽  
Mengyun Luo ◽  
Yuanyuan Dong ◽  
Yue Fang ◽  
...  

Gamification and social incentives are promising strategies to increase the effectiveness of web-based physical activity (PA) interventions by improving engagement. In this study, we designed a PA intervention integrating gamification and social incentives based on the most popular social networking service in China, WeChat. A controlled trial involving 52 Chinese undergraduate students was implemented to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention. Subjects in the intervention group received a 7-week intervention. PA behavior and related social cognitive variables according to the theory of planned behavior were measured at the baseline and after the intervention. Daily physical activity duration was measured during the intervention. The results showed that PA-related subjective norms, perceived behavior control, and intention, as well as self-reported vigorous physical activity and moderate physical activity in the intervention group, were increased after the intervention, compared with the control group (p <0.05). During the intervention, perceived daily physical activity duration in the intervention group was on the rise, while it declined in the control group (p <0.001). The findings indicate that WeChat-based intervention integrating gamification and social incentives could effectively increase subjectively measured PA and related social cognition among Chinese undergraduate students and that it is a promising way to ameliorate the problem of insufficient PA among youths.


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Fijalkowska ◽  
J Mazur ◽  
A Dzielska ◽  
H Nalecz ◽  
W Ostrega ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Healthy Me (HM) interventional study was oriented on improvement of physical activity (PA) in 15-year old girls but also included component of eating habits, smoking prevention and personal competencies. Innovative elements of the project involved usage of fitness-band with continuous monitoring of PA and special dedicated smartphone apps. Purpose To assess the effectiveness of 1-year prophylactic intervention with the use of mobile technology in girls between 14 and 15 year of age, in relation to the level of their satisfaction with the program. Methods 1198 girls 14–15 years old from 48 randomly selected schools from all over Poland participated in the HM during 2017/2018 school year. Schools were randomized to full or partial intervention and control group, respectively 636, 277 and 285 girls. Questionnaire data from the beginning and the end of the HM regarding four factors (low PA, eating sweets, smoking and stress level) were analyzed. Mean changes (MC) calculated according to the definition given in table 1 were applied as outcome measure. Satisfaction with the program was assessed after 1 year of participation in the HM as low, average and high. General linear models with main effects were estimated and adjusted for initial level of each factor. Results At the beginning of the study 87% participants did not fulfill criteria for recommended PA, 9% smoked during last 30 days and 67% ate sweets more than ones per week. Mean stress level was 6.92±2.92 points. For the entire study group, the only significant change after 1 year intervention was lower frequency of eating sweets (p=0,007). However, the higher satisfaction with the study resulted in the significantly higher effectiveness of HM intervention (table 1). Mean changes in the analyzed factors Analyzed factor Range Mean change in entire group (SE) Mean change by level of satisfaction p1 p2 low (SE) average (SE) high (SE) Physical activity (MVPA) 0–7 days −0.076 (0.063) −0.396 (0.137) −0.147 (0.068) 0.261 (0.119) 0.001 0.068 Smoking-past 0 – never 0.039 (0.028) 0.270 (0.066) 0.034 (0.033) −0.004 (0.057) 0.002 0.067 6–30 days or more Eating sweets 0 – never −0.296 (0.045) −0.047 (0.101) −0.285 (0.050) −0.313 (0.086) 0.069 0.016 6 – every day more than once Stress Cohen scale 0–16 points 0.105 (0.090) 0.498 (0.211) 0.138 (0.105) −0.424 (0.183) 0.003 0.823 SE: standard error; MVPA: moderate to vigorous physical activity; p1: main effect of the level of satisfaction; p2: main effect of the intervention group. Conclusion Program that was dedicated for improvement of PA in teenage girls could also profitably influence other factors related to health behaviours and stress level in this group but intervention must be perceived by participants as rewarding. It seems, that attractiveness of interventional program design, increased by mobile technologies, is key for its effectiveness for teens. Acknowledgement/Funding National Health Program, Ministry of Health


2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 135-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Ramezani ◽  
S. Mazraeh

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is one of the most debilitating diseases that affects all aspects of person’s life. Researches have indicated that life satisfaction in these patients is lower than that of others. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of life skills training on life satisfaction in patient with spinal cord injury. This study, having a quasi-experimental design, was performed with pre-test, post-test, and control group. The statistical population of this study consisted of patients with spinal cord injury (only men) that is covered by the home health care team of the Kahrizak Charity Foundation of Tehran. To do research, 30 patients of the center were selected by availability sampling and were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. In the experimental group, 10 sections of life skills training were performed, while no intervention was used for the control group. The research tool used in this study was a Self-Life Satisfaction Questionnaire and a univariate analysis of covariance was used to test results. Findings from the analysis of covariance showed that there was a significant difference between experimental and control groups (p&lt; 0,05). This indicated that life skills training improved the life satisfaction in patients with spinal cord injury.


Retos ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 403-401
Author(s):  
Fernando Rodríguez-Rodríguez ◽  
Sebastián Molina Roblero ◽  
Gerson Luis De Moraes Ferrari

  El propósito del estudio fue identificar los efectos de una intervención durante recreos escolares sobre la condición física y actividad física en una muestra de adolescentes chilenos. Participaron 50 escolares voluntarios (27 chicas), con un promedio de 14,2 ± 1,3 años. Grupo control (n=21) y grupo intervención (n=29). Se realizaron actividades dirigidas en el patio del colegio durante los dos recreos de las mañanas por 12 semanas. Se evaluó el test de 20m ida-vuelta, dinamometría manual, composición corporal, cuestionario PAQ-A y acelerometría. El grupo intervención (GI), tuvo mejor nivel de actividad física que el grupo control (GC), durante los recreos, clase de Educación Física, hora de almuerzo y más pasos/día (p<0,05). En conclusión, la participación activa durante los recreos puede aumentar los minutos de actividad física moderada-vigorosa y mejorar la condición física cardiorrespiratoria. Abstract. The purpose of this project was to identify the effects of an intervention during school recesses on physical condition and physical activity in Chilean adolescents. Fifty volunteer students (27 girls) participated, with an average of 14.2 ± 1.3 years. Control group (n=21) and intervention group (n=29). Targeted activities were carried out in the schoolyard during the two recesses in the morning, for 12 weeks. Pre and post test, the 20m shuttle run test, manual dynamometry, body composition, PAQ-A questionnaire and accelerometry were evaluated. The intervention group (GI), had better levels of physical activity than the control group (GC), during recess, physical education class, lunch time and steps/day (p <0.05). In conclusion, the active participation during recesses can increase minutes of moderate-vigorous physical activity and improve cardiorespiratory fitness.


Author(s):  
Peter Holler ◽  
Johannes Jaunig ◽  
Othmar Moser ◽  
Silvia Tuttner ◽  
Helmut Simi ◽  
...  

The multidimensional concept of physical literacy is fundamental for lifelong physical activity engagement. However, physical literacy-based interventions are in their infancy, especially among adults. Therefore, the purpose of this pilot study was to assess the association of a physical literacy-based intervention with changes in self-reported physical literacy among inactive adults. A non-randomized controlled study (2 × 2 design) was conducted, comparing pre- vs. postintervention. Twenty-eight inactive healthy participants in the intervention group (89% female, 53 ± 10 years) entered a physical literacy-based intervention once weekly for 14 weeks. The non-treated control group consisted of 22 inactive adults (96% female, 50 ± 11 years). Physical literacy was evaluated with a questionnaire encompassing five domains: physical activity behavior, attitude/understanding, motivation, knowledge, and self-efficacy/confidence. ANOVA models were applied to evaluate changes by time and condition. Following the intervention, significant improvements were seen for overall physical literacy and in four out of five physical literacy domains, including physical activity behavior, attitude/understanding, knowledge, and self-efficacy/confidence (all p < 0.01, Cohen’s d = 0.38–0.83). No changes by time x condition were found for motivation. The physical literacy-based intervention applied in this study may be a promising approach to help inactive adults to adopt an active lifestyle.


Author(s):  
Cristina Corella ◽  
Javier Zaragoza ◽  
José Antonio Julián ◽  
Víctor Hugo Rodríguez-Ontiveros ◽  
Carlos Tomás Medrano ◽  
...  

This study aimed to investigate the effects of a physical activity intervention, based on self-determination theory and the transtheoretical model, on university students in the contemplation stage. Participants: 42 students, in the contemplation stage at baseline, were randomly assigned to an experimental group (16 women, 2 men; M age = 19.1 ± 1.15) and a control group (18 women, 2 men; M age = 20.1 ± 5.7). Methods: Physical activity was measured at different moments by accelerometry. Other cognitive variables were measured by self-reported scales. Results: We did not find any significant increases in students’ physical activity in favor of the intervention group. Intragroup analyses indicate that the intervention has an effect on physical activity (moderate-to-vigorous physical activity), basic psychological needs, and intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. Conclusions: Results partially demonstrate that applying social cognitive theories seems to be effective in improving physical activity and cognitive variables in university students in the contemplation stage


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