scholarly journals Impact on physical fitness of exercise promotion service utilizing social media

2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matti Santtila ◽  
Kalle Grönqvist ◽  
Jussi Räisänen ◽  
Heikki Kyröläinen
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Sitting Time ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Fitness And Health ◽  
The Impact

Summary Study aim: the purpose of the present study was to survey the impact of a social media platform on physical fitness, physical activity levels and daily sitting time. Material and methods: a total of 2039 users (1445 women and 594 men) of the social media service (HeiaHeia, Helsinki, Finland) voluntarily participated in the study by answering an online questionnaire provided by a survey. Results: about 63.8% of the participants reported that the service has advanced their perceived level of physical fitness, while 36.2% reported no impact on their fitness. Most participants (71.3%) with BMI over 25 reported that the service had helped them to improve their physical fitness. Participants with BMI over 35 reported a more positive impact than in any other weight range groups. One-third of the participants (32.3%) sat for more than seven hours a day; 23.5% sat less than five hours a day. More than half of the participants (56.8%) were encouraged to be physical active during the day and aimed to reduce sitting time at their jobs during the workday. Conclusions: there seems to be a positive impact of web services that promote physical activity on the physical fitness among social media users. Although the present service is not merely well suited for physically active and physical fit users, it motivates users of all fitness levels to exercise. However, more studies are needed to clarify effects of social media on physical activity, fitness and health.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity practice of people with disabilities

2021 ◽  
pp. 240-251
Author(s):  
Márcia Greguol ◽  
Cristiana Conti ◽  
Bruno Marson Malagodi ◽  
Bruna Barboza Seron ◽  
Elaine Cappellazzo Souto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Eating Habits ◽  
People With Disabilities ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
World Population ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Healthy Habits ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
The Impact

The global pandemic caused by the COVID-19 has profoundly changed the daily life of most of the world population. People with disabilities have been particularly affected by these changes, which often have accentuated their isolation and marginalization also due to greater difficulties in accessing healthcare services. People with disabilities have also been impacted in relation to their ability to participate in physical activity with even more adverse consequences for their quality of life and health. The aim of this study was to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity practice of people with disabilities and to understand the changes that caregivers have perceived for the participation in physical activity of this specific population. It emerged that, regardless of the type of disability, people with this condition experienced drastic reductions in their physical activity levels during the pandemic and in most cases did not have access to any type of remote guidance. Furthermore, a higher prevalence of sedentary behavior and negative changes in eating habits have been reported by the caregivers, highlighting the need for specific strategies and initiatives for people with disabilities to maintain healthy habits and a physically active lifestyle.

scholarly journals Home Confinement in Previously Active Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Physical Fitness and Physical Activity Behavior and Their Relationship With Depressive Symptoms

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joana Carvalho ◽  
Flávia Borges-Machado ◽  
Andreia N. Pizarro ◽  
Lucimere Bohn ◽  
Duarte Barros
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Sitting Time ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Depressed Group ◽  
Physical Activity Levels

AimThe aim of our study was to analyze physical activity levels, sitting time, physical fitness, and their relationship with depressive symptoms after home confinement in previously active older adults.MethodsThis cross-sectional study sample comprised 68 older adults (74.24 ± 5.67 years) from a community-based exercise program conducted in Porto, Portugal. After home confinement, participants were assessed in person for lower-body strength (30-s chair stand test), cardiorespiratory fitness (6-min walking test), agility/dynamic balance (8-ft up-and-go test), handgrip strength, and anthropometry. Telephone interviews were performed to evaluate depressive symptoms with the Geriatric Depression Scale – 15 items (GDS-15) and physical activity levels through the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-SV). Individuals were also asked to self-report changes in their physical activity levels and time spent sitting.ResultsNinety percent of older adults self-reported a decrease in overall physical activity levels, and nearly 65% increased daily sitting time during the home confinement. However, previously active older adults still presented high levels of physical fitness (scores above 50th compared with Portuguese normative values) after 11 weeks of home confinement. Overall, 52.9% of participants scored 5 or more points on GDS-15, which is suggestive of depression. Higher levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and cardiorespiratory fitness were found in the non-depressed group compared with the depressed group. Finally, results from multiple regression analysis revealed that MVPA was negatively associated with depression. This model explained 16.4% of the variability seen in depression score, controlled for age, gender, and education.ConclusionEven reporting a decline in physical activity, older adults who previously participated in a formal exercise program, still presented high levels of physical fitness after 11 weeks of home confinement. However, MVPA, but not physical fitness, seems to be an associated depression score in previously active older adults. These results reinforce the importance of older adults to remain physically active, since higher levels of MVPA may have a protective effect on depressive symptoms and, therefore, mitigate the negative impact of home confinement on mental health. Future longitudinal research studies are needed to ascertain these results.

scholarly journals Relationships Between Physical Activity Levels, Self-Identity, Body Dissatisfaction and Motivation Among Spanish High School Students

2017 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pedro Antonio Sánchez-Miguel ◽  
Francisco Miguel Leo ◽  
Diana Amado ◽  
Juan José Pulido ◽  
David Sánchez-Oliva
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
High School ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Body Dissatisfaction ◽  
Sitting Time ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
School Students ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Self Identity ◽  
Physical Activity Levels

AbstractThe aim of this study was to examine the relationships between gender and the educational grade on the one hand, and physical activity levels, motivation, self-identity, body dissatisfaction, the intention to be physically active and daily sitting time on the other, in a sample of Spanish high school adolescents. The sample consisted of 2087 Spanish students from the 3rd (n = 1141) and 4th grade (n = 946), both male (n = 1046) and female (n = 1041), ranging in age from 15 to 17 years old (M = 15.42; SD = .86). Students completed questionnaires to assess their levels of physical activity, self-identity, motivation, intention to be physically active and daily sitting time. The students’ perceptions of their body height and mass were also tested. With the exception of walking MET values, the results showed gender differences in the variables tested. Male participants showed higher intrinsic motivation and lower amotivation than female participants. Furthermore, male students revealed higher levels of physical activity than female students. Finally, the research concluded with the importance of promoting intrinsic reasons for physical activity in order to encourage positive consequences in high school students.

scholarly journals Impact of a social media exercise service on individuals and employees

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-71
Author(s):  
Matti Santtila ◽  
Kalle Grönqvist ◽  
Jussi Räisänen ◽  
Heikki Kyröläinen
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Fitness Level ◽  
The Social ◽  
Social Media Service ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Activity Information

SummaryStudy aim: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the impact of a social media exercise platform (HeiaHeia, Helsinki, Finland) on the level of physical activity, physical fitness, wellbeing and body weight of the service users. Material and methods: The subject group consisted of 2862 individuals who voluntarily participated in a web survey. Their age, gender, body mass index, physical fitness level and activity information were self-reported. Results: Most of the service users (78.1%) exercised more than three times a week. About 75% of the users reported that they were in good or excellent physical fitness, while about 50% were overweight. More than half (64.6%) of the service users reported that they had perceived an increase in their level of physical activity; and 46.4% of them reported that they had perceived an advance in their physical fitness after using the social media service. In addition, 54.0% of the users perceived an increase in their wellbeing. Every fifth (21.3%) user reported a decreased body weight after using the service. Those users with lower levels of physical fitness, lower physical activity and who were overweight were more likely to report that the use of the present service was beneficial. In total, about 75% of the service users reported at least one benefit after using the service. Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that the use of the social media exercise service can lead to an enhanced perceived level of physical activity, fitness and wellbeing. It also impacts positively on the users’ body weight. Thus, the present social media service can be recommended for use, especially for overweight, unfit and sedentary customers.

scholarly journals Physical activity and sitting time prior to and during COVID-19 lockdown in Austrian high-school students

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 531-540
Author(s):  
Klaus Greier ◽  
◽  
Clemens Drenowatz ◽  
Theresa Bischofer ◽  
Gloria Petrasch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
High School ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Sitting Time ◽  
School Students ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Active Lifestyle ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Walking Time ◽  
Activity Questionnaire

<abstract> <p>The COVID-19 pandemic has led in many countries to the implementation of policies that mandate social distancing and movement restrictions. While these measures are warranted in order to minimize the spread of the virus they may have detrimental effects on various behaviors, including physical activity (PA). The present study examined PA and sitting time in 14 to18-year-old Austrian high school students prior to and during the second COVID-19 lockdown in Austria. Data was collected via an online questionnaire during fall/winter 2020/21. Questions were based on the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, which examined frequency and duration of PA and sitting time. A total of 221 high school students provided valid data. Participants reported significantly lower moderate and vigorous PA during the lockdown while sitting time increased (p &lt; 0.01). The frequency of walking (days/week) also decreased during COVID-19 lockdown, which also contributed to a significant decline in total walking time (p &lt; 0.01). Further, the decline in PA was more pronounced in boys, while girls reported a greater decline in walking. These differences were due to higher PA and walking in boys and girls, respectively, prior to the lockdown. During the lockdown sex differences in PA and sitting time were limited. Taken together, these results highlight the impact of COVID-19 policies on PA in adolescents and emphasize the importance to promote an active lifestyle even in times of home confinement.</p> </abstract>

Childhood Physical Fitness Tests: Predictor of Adult Physical Activity Levels?

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1988 ◽  
Vol 82 (3) ◽  
pp. 324-330
Author(s):  
Barbara A. Dennison ◽  
John H. Straus ◽  
E. David Mellits ◽  
Evan Charney
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Test Scores ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Physical Fitness Test ◽  
Fitness Test ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
Education Participation

Regular physical activity has both short- and long-term health benefits in adults. No study has investigated childhood determinants of adult physical activity patterns, however. In a nonconcurrent prospective study, the physical activity levels of 453 young men, 23 to 25 years of age, were compared with their physical fitness test scores as children (10 to 11 years of age and 15 to 18 years of age). The physically active adults had significantly better childhood physical fitness test scores than did the inactive adults. In 224 children, 2 years of fitness test results were available. The risk of physical inactivity in young adulthood was linearly related to the number of low scores on the 548.6-m (600-yd) run and sit-ups tests as children (P &lt; .001). In stepwise multivariate discriminant analysis, the childhood 548.6-m run score was the best discriminator between currently physically active and inactive adults. Reported parental encouragement of exercise, level of education, participation in organized sports after high school, and reported spousal encouragement of exercise also contributed significantly to the discriminant function. These results demonstrate that physical fitness testing in boys facilitates the identification of those at increased risk of becoming physically inactive young adults.

Physical Activity, Fitness, and Health in Children: A Close Look

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 93 (4) ◽  
pp. 669-672
Author(s):  
Thomas W. Rowland ◽  
Patty S. Freedson
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Education ◽  
Critical Threshold ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Research Information ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Lifestyle Pattern ◽  
Carry Over ◽  
Fitness And Health

The available research information suggests, then, that the best primary strategy for improving the longterm health of children and adolescents through exercise may be creating a lifestyle pattern of regular physical activity that will carry over to the adult years rather than promoting childhood physical fitness.26 This implies that it is of primary importance to discover behavioral approaches that will be effective in increasing activity levels of children. It is an approach that raises critical questions in future research efforts: What are the factors that make exercise enjoyable for children? What settings (family, school physical education, physicians, community programs) are most effective in "turning children on" to physical activity? How can interest in exercise be sustained as children grow into adulthood? Furthermore, this conclusion bears implications for the design of physical education curricula, the role of families in the early molding of exercise habits, and the important function of physicians in identifying sedentary patients and introducing them to the fun of physical activity. This viewpoint does not assume the importance for children of a critical threshold of activity or fitness. Instead, it emphasizes the significance of establishing a physically active lifestyle during the pediatric years; this is best achieved by exposing children to the enjoyment of physical exercise early. This strategy is based on the concept that health outcomes may relate more to the persistence of exercise throughout life rather than its quantity during the pediatric years.

scholarly journals The impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on university students’ dietary intake, physical activity, and sedentary behaviour

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leandy Bertrand ◽  
Keely A. Shaw ◽  
Jongbum Ko ◽  
Dalton Deprez ◽  
Philip D. Chilibeck ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
University Students ◽  
Dietary Intake ◽  
Sedentary Behaviour ◽  
Alcohol Intake ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Sedentary Activity ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
The Impact

University students are a vulnerable group for poor dietary intake, insufficient physical activity and sedentary behaviour. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on university students’ dietary intake, physical activity, and sedentary behaviour. Participants were students (n = 125) from the Universities of Saskatchewan and Regina. An online questionnaire was administered retrospectively (for prepandemic) and prospectively (during the pandemic) to examine students’ dietary intake, physical activity, and sedentary behaviour. Overall, nutrient and caloric intakes were significantly reduced (p < 0.05) during the pandemic, and alcohol intake increased (p = 0.03). Before the pandemic, 16% and 54% of the participants were meeting the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for Adults (18–64 years) of 150 min of moderate−vigorous physical activity and 8 h or less of sedentary activity, respectively. Only 10% met the guidelines for physical activity while 30% met the guidelines for sedentary behaviour during the pandemic. The minutes per week spent engaging in moderate to vigorous physical activity during the pandemic decreased by approximately 20% (p < 0.001). The hours spent in sedentary activities increased by 3 h per day (p < 0.001). Our findings confirm that during the pandemic, students’ inadequate dietary intake, high alcohol consumption, low physical activity, and high sedentary behaviour were significantly compounded. Novelty: During COVID-19, the nutrient and caloric intakes of university students decreased, and alcohol intake increased significantly. University students’ physical activity levels decreased, and sedentary activity increased significantly during COVID-19. During COVID-19 students did not engage in sufficient physical activity to offset the increased sedentary behaviour.

scholarly journals Physical Activity, Physical Fitness & Health: Distilling Guidelines for Young People

2001 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-30
Author(s):  
Michael CHIA ◽  
Jin Jong QUEK
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Young People ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Physical Inactivity ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Daily Basis ◽  
Moderate Intensity ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Fitness And Health

LANGUAGE NOTE | Document text in English; abstract also in Chinese.The associations between physical activity and health; physical activity and physical fitness; and physical fitness and health in young people are complex and difficult to tease out. The complexities in the relationships are in part due to the difficulties faced in appropriately appraising physical activity in young people. Physical fitness standards tend to be based on norms that have been established within a population. These norms do not provide useful information about what are acceptable fitness standards for young people of different ages. Physically fit young people may not necessarily also be physically active young people and there are concerns that the pattern of increased physical inactivity among young people may have a negative impact on their health status in later years. Current recommendations for young people mirror the thinking that discontinuous physical activity of a moderate intensity that is repeated many times over on a daily basis.青少年中體育活動與健康，體育活動與體能以及體能與健康之間有著複雜的關係併難以理順。之所以複雜，其部分原因是因為不能正確地評估青少年的體育活動。體能的標準往往基於大眾中建立的一些準則，而這些準則併不適用于不同年齡階段的青少年。體格較好的青少年併不一定都是那些經常參加體育活動的人。但在青少年中不參加體育活動的人數增加的現象卻令人擔憂，這將在今後的幾年中對他們的健康產生不良的影響。目前對青少年所推薦的體育活動形式是間斷性的中等強度的運動，即在一天中反覆多次的短時間運動。

scholarly journals COVID-19 Impact on Adolescent 24 h Movement Behaviors

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (17) ◽  
pp. 9256
Author(s):  
Marie-Maude Dubuc ◽  
Félix Berrigan ◽  
Marylène Goudreault ◽  
Sylvie Beaudoin ◽  
Sylvain Turcotte
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Sleep Duration ◽  
Summer School ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
The Government ◽  
Restrictive Measures ◽  
The Impact

This study aimed to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the 24 h movement behaviors of adolescents. This was conducted to capture their evolution from February to December 2020, as well as to explore the use of technology for physical activity purposes by adolescents as a strategy to increase their physical activity during the pandemic. Physical activity, recreational screen time, sleep duration, and sleep quality were self-reported by 2661 adolescents using an online questionnaire. Participants also indicated, in comparison with the previous winter (regular in-class learning), how their different movement behaviors changed during the following 2020 periods: (1) spring (school closures), (2) summer (school break), and (3) autumn (hybrid learning). Finally, information about the use of technology during physical activity was collected. Results show that the 24 h movement behaviors of the participants varied across the different periods, and these variations were consistent with the restrictive measures imposed by the government. It was also observed that the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on sleep duration and quality peaked in autumn. Finally, participants’ physical activity levels were associated with the use of physical activity-related tools and applications. In conclusion, the restrictive measures due to the COVID-19 pandemic worsened the situation of the 24 h movement behaviors in adolescents, which has become critical.

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