scholarly journals Participation in Organized Sports and Self-Organized Physical Activity: Associations with Developmental Factors

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 585 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nora Wiium ◽  
Reidar Säfvenbom
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Free Play ◽  
Organized Activities ◽  
Organized Sports ◽  
Developmental Factors ◽  
Self Organized ◽  
Healthy Growth

Engagement in organized sports is associated with developmental factors, such as, healthy growth, cognitive abilities, psychological well-being and lower substance use. Research also suggest that the spontaneous free play that characterises self-organized physical activity (PA) provides young people with opportunities to learn social skills, such as self-regulation and conflict-resolution skills. We assessed associations between participation in the two activity types and several demographics along with developmental factors (e.g., body mass index (BMI)). Data was from a representative sample of 2060 students attending 38 schools in Norway (mean age (Mage) = 15.29, standard deviation (SD) = 1.51; 52% females). Results indicated that while engagement in organized sports was more related to developmental factors, relative to self-organized PA, engaging concurrently in both activities for at least an hour a week was more developmentally beneficial than engaging only in one for the same amount of time. Thus, PA programmes for students will enhance their effectiveness if they focus on structured activities but also self-organized activities where students can coordinate themselves.

Conceptualizing Obesity as a Chronic Disease: An Interview With Dr. Arya Sharma

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 285-292 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arya M. Sharma ◽  
Donna L. Goodwin ◽  
Janice Causgrove Dunn
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Chronic Disease ◽  
Behavioral Interventions ◽  
Energy Levels ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Adapted Physical Activity ◽  
Medical Interventions ◽  
The North ◽  
Interdisciplinary Approaches

Dr. Arya M. Sharma challenges the conventional wisdom of relying simply on “lifestyle” approaches involving exercise, diet, and behavioral interventions for managing obesity, suggesting that people living with obesity should receive comprehensive medical interventions similar to the approach taken for other chronic diseases such as Type 2 diabetes or hypertension. He purports that the stigma-inducing focus on self-failing (e.g., coping through food, laziness, lack of self-regulation) does not address biological processes that make obesity a lifelong problem for which there is no easy solution. Interdisciplinary approaches to obesity are advocated, including that of adapted physical activity. Physical activity has multifaceted impacts beyond increasing caloric expenditure, including improved sleep, better mood, increased energy levels, enhanced self-esteem, reduced stress, and an enhanced sense of well-being. The interview with Dr. Sharma, transcribed from a keynote address delivered at the North American Adapted Physical Activity Symposium on September 22, 2016, in Edmonton, AB, Canada, outlines his rationale for approaching obesity as a chronic disease.

scholarly journals Changes in Physical Activity Are Associated with Corresponding Changes in Psychological Well-Being: A Pandemic Case Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (20) ◽  
pp. 10680
Author(s):  
Micael Dahlen ◽  
Helge Thorbjørnsen ◽  
Hallgeir Sjåstad ◽  
Petra von Heideken Wågert ◽  
Charlotta Hellström ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Daily Activity ◽  
Good Reason ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Organized Activities ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Cross Sectional Design

Societal crises and personal challenges are often followed by substantial changes in physical activity. Is there a link between such changes and psychological well-being? Seeking to answer this question, we conducted a correlational study on a representative sample in Sweden during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic (N = 1035). About 49% of the sample had decreased their physical activity compared to their self-reported activity level prior to the pandemic, whereas 32% had increased it. The results showed a positive and robust association between changes in daily activity level and corresponding changes in psychological well-being. Specifically, individuals who had reduced their physical activity over the last year reported lower life satisfaction than before, and individuals who had increased their physical activity reported higher life satisfaction than before. The amount of complete physical inactivity (sitting) showed a similar pattern as the exercise data, meaning that individuals who reported increasing inactivity per day also reported a greater decline in life satisfaction. Additional analyses showed that the association between daily activity level and life satisfaction was somewhat stronger for men than for women, but there was no difference when comparing individual versus organized activities. The current study was based on a cross-sectional design, measuring self-reported change over time. Recent work from other research teams have used longitudinal data and experience-sampling in different settings, finding similar results. We conclude that there is good reason to recommend physical exercise as a coping strategy in difficult times.

scholarly journals The Role of Organized Sports Participation during Adolescence in Adult Physical Activity Patterns

2011 ◽  
Vol 20 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 37-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorena de Montes ◽  
Jose Arruza ◽  
Silvia Arribas ◽  
Susana Irazusta ◽  
Saioa Telletxea
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Sports Participation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Organized Sport ◽  
Physical Activity Patterns ◽  
Organized Sports ◽  
The North ◽  
Sports Club

The Role of Organized Sports Participation during Adolescence in Adult Physical Activity Patterns An active adult lifestyle is related to higher quality of life regarding physical and psychological well-being. This study investigates the influence of organized sports participation during adolescence in adult physical activity in a retrospective way. A sample of participants living in the north of Spain was asked to report the minutes invested in vigorous, moderate and walking activities during the last seven days. Results showed that those who had been sports club members or had participated in competition prior to the age of 16 had spent a longer time on vigorous activities and a lesser amount of minutes on walking during the last seven days. Implications of adolescent organized sport for continuity of physical activity in adulthood are discussed.

scholarly journals The Role of Gender and Age in the Emotional Well-Being Outcomes of Young Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 522
Author(s):  
Claudia López-Madrigal ◽  
Jesús de la Fuente ◽  
Javier García-Manglano ◽  
José Manuel Martínez-Vicente ◽  
Francisco Javier Peralta-Sánchez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Transition To College ◽  
Developmental Factors ◽  
Gender And Age ◽  
And Gender ◽  
As Stress

Young adults face different stressors in their transition to college. Negative emotions such as stress can emerge from the demands they face. This study aimed at gaining an improved understanding of the role that gender and age play in the well-being of young adults. Coping strategies, resilience, self-regulation, and positivity were selected as indicators of well-being. Descriptive and inferential analysis have been conducted. Results show that well-being varies significantly with age and gender. Gender was predominantly involved in the acquisition of the well-being outcomes, highly predicting problem-focused coping strategies. No interaction effects were found between gender and age. An improved understanding of the developmental factors involved in well-being outcomes will enlighten future interventions aimed at improving young people’s resources to face adversity.

scholarly journals Modern methodological and organizational fundamentals of health and recreational motor activity in the elderly

2020 ◽  
pp. 40-44
Author(s):  
S. Duditska ◽  
A. Hakman ◽  
A. Medvid
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Theoretical Analysis ◽  
Motor Activity ◽  
Synthesis Method ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
The Body ◽  
Organized Activities ◽  
Recreational Physical Activity ◽  
The Impact

The research examines the problem of the impact of health and recreational physical activity on the body of the elderly by means of fitness. It is established that regular physical activity, clearly dosed and carefully selected by means, methods and interests, increases the level of efficiency, motor training, morphofunctional state of the elderly. The purpose of the study - based on the analysis of scientific and methodological literature to substantiate the theoretical and methodological support of health and recreational motor activity and to identify its impact on the body of the elderly. Research methods: theoretical analysis of special scientific and methodical literature, documentary materials, abstraction, logical-theoretical analysis, method of synthesis, method of systematization. Results. It is determined that physical activity is the first factor of longevity, prolongation of life expectancy. Health and recreational motor activity improve well-being, delay the aging of the body due to organized activities, improve the functional and psychophysiological state of the body. During the scientific research the peculiarities of the influence of health and recreational physical activity on the body of the elderly were singled out. The positive effect of dosed classes of health and recreational motor activity can be traced to all the main functions of the aging organism. The main tasks of using the means of health and recreational physical activity in old age are identified. In the course of the research, the basic rules that should be followed during health fitness training with the elderly are highlighted.

scholarly journals Animal-Assisted Play: A Strategy for Promoting Children’s Physical Activity Play

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Boisvert ◽  
W. Andrew Harrell
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Companion Animals ◽  
Life Quality ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Free Play ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Therapeutic Benefits ◽  
Agency Risk ◽  
Health And Well Being

This article explores how animal-assisted play might be used as a strategy in playwork to support children’s right to play, enrich their play experiences, encourage their physical activity play and better their health and life quality. Children’s interactions with pets or companion animals in free play or animal-assisted activities (AAA) can yield therapeutic benefits by increasing physical and mental health and well-being and also offer possibilities for more outdoor play, agency, risk-taking, fun and enjoyment, as well as high-quality play experiences. We invite playwork practitioners to consider the important role of animals in children’s lives and the potential value of animal-assisted play in creating opportunities for enriching children’s play and life quality.

scholarly journals Engagement Features in Physical Activity Smartphone Apps: Focus Group Study With Sedentary People (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco D'Addario ◽  
Dario Baretta ◽  
Francesco Zanatta ◽  
Andrea Greco ◽  
Patrizia Steca
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Physical Activity Participation ◽  
Activity Participation ◽  
Behavior Change Interventions ◽  
Participation Motives

BACKGROUND Engagement with physical activity mobile apps has been reported to be a core precondition for their effectiveness in digital behavior change interventions. However, to date, little attention has been paid to understanding the perspectives, needs, expectations, and experiences of potential users with physical activity mobile apps. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the features that are judged to be important for engagement with a physical activity mobile app and the reasons for their importance. METHODS A qualitative focus-group methodology with elements of co-design was adopted in this study. Participants reporting sedentary lifestyles and willingness to improve their physical activity behavior through mobile technology were recruited. The focus group sessions consisted of 13 participants (8 men and 5 women, mean [SD] age 41.9 [7.1] years). Two researchers conducted the data analysis independently by using the inductive thematic approach. RESULTS Four main themes emerged in relation to the research question and were named as follows: “physical activity participation motives,” “autonomy and self-regulation,” “need for relatedness,” and “smart.” Additionally, 2 subthemes originated from “physical activity participation motives” (ie, “medical guidance” and “weight loss and fitness for health”) and “smart” (ie, “action planning” and “adaptable and tailored”). CONCLUSIONS Features enhancing autonomy and self-regulation and positively affecting health and physical well-being as well as the need for relatedness, adaptability, and flexibility should be considered as core elements in the engagement of potential users with physical activity mobile apps. The emerged findings may orient future research and interventions aiming to foster engagement of potential users with physical activity apps.

scholarly journals Engagement Features in Physical Activity Smartphone Apps: Focus Group Study With Sedentary People

10.2196/20460 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. e20460
Author(s):  
Marco D'Addario ◽  
Dario Baretta ◽  
Francesco Zanatta ◽  
Andrea Greco ◽  
Patrizia Steca
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Physical Activity Participation ◽  
Activity Participation ◽  
Behavior Change Interventions ◽  
Participation Motives

Background Engagement with physical activity mobile apps has been reported to be a core precondition for their effectiveness in digital behavior change interventions. However, to date, little attention has been paid to understanding the perspectives, needs, expectations, and experiences of potential users with physical activity mobile apps. Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the features that are judged to be important for engagement with a physical activity mobile app and the reasons for their importance. Methods A qualitative focus-group methodology with elements of co-design was adopted in this study. Participants reporting sedentary lifestyles and willingness to improve their physical activity behavior through mobile technology were recruited. The focus group sessions consisted of 13 participants (8 men and 5 women, mean [SD] age 41.9 [7.1] years). Two researchers conducted the data analysis independently by using the inductive thematic approach. Results Four main themes emerged in relation to the research question and were named as follows: “physical activity participation motives,” “autonomy and self-regulation,” “need for relatedness,” and “smart.” Additionally, 2 subthemes originated from “physical activity participation motives” (ie, “medical guidance” and “weight loss and fitness for health”) and “smart” (ie, “action planning” and “adaptable and tailored”). Conclusions Features enhancing autonomy and self-regulation and positively affecting health and physical well-being as well as the need for relatedness, adaptability, and flexibility should be considered as core elements in the engagement of potential users with physical activity mobile apps. The emerged findings may orient future research and interventions aiming to foster engagement of potential users with physical activity apps.

scholarly journals Risky Play and Children’s Well-Being, Involvement and Physical Activity

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ole Johan Sando ◽  
Rasmus Kleppe ◽  
Ellen Beate Hansen Sandseter
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Free Play ◽  
Childhood Education ◽  
Video Observations ◽  
Education And Care ◽  
Risky Play ◽  
Outcomes For Children ◽  
Children's Activities ◽  
Structured Video

AbstractChildren's activities and experiences in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) institutions are essential for children's present and future lives. Playing is a vital activity in childhood, and playing is found to be positively related to a variety of outcomes among children. In this study, we investigated how risky play – a fundamentally voluntary form of play – related to children's well-being, involvement and physical activity. Results from structured video observations (N = 928) during periods of free play in eight Norwegian ECEC institutions indicated that engagement in risky play was positively associated with children's well-being, involvement and physical activity. The findings in this study suggest that one way to support children's everyday experiences and positive outcomes for children in ECEC is to provide children with opportunities for risky play. Restrictions on children's play behaviours following safety concerns must be balanced against the joy and possible future benefits of thrilling play experiences for children.

scholarly journals Levelling the Playing Fields: A Pilot Intervention

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
S Alexander ◽  
K Frohlich
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Social Interaction ◽  
Policy Development ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Free Play ◽  
Outdoor Play ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Independent Mobility ◽  
Pilot Intervention

Abstract Despite the benefits of outdoor free-play for children (physical activity, well-being, independent mobility), access to urban spaces for play is on the decline in many cities. As such, there are increasing calls from public health officials, city planners and childhood advocates in Canada to promote outdoor play in cities. Responding to these calls, our pilot intervention will examine whether creating urban play spaces through road closures around schools and in neighbourhoods can increase children’s outdoor play, physical activity and social interaction among residents. The year-long intervention will involve road closures in four Montreal (Canada) neighbourhoods with different socio-economic profiles. After a diagnostic portrait of each site, participatory planning will engage children aged 8-12 and youth aged 13-18 to help redesign their neighbourhood streets for better access and playability. Outdoor play will be measured using a “playability index” to determine if increased outdoor play is due to intervention changes. Children’s physical activity, play and mobility patterns will be captured with GPS loggers and accelerometers, and play duration and location will be recorded through daily diaries. Questionnaires will be given to parents and children regarding changing behaviours and perceptions about outdoor play, risk/safety and independent mobility. While still in a pilot phase, this paper will present the intervention approach and outline how it promises to impact multiple components of urban life for children and adults (physical/mental health, safety, social interaction, environment/equity). The intervention is innovative by engaging children and families in its design and development, and by involving schools, municipalities and residents in its implementation and assessment. This co-creation and development promises broad impacts on local social practices and policy development, results which may be transferable to other Canadian and international cities. Key messages Access to urban outdoor play is critical for children’s well-being. Road closures can increase urban outdoor play, thereby contributing to physical and mental health and promoting social interaction. Child and youth participation in the planning and development of urban play spaces can increase their relevance and broaden their social, environmental, health and policy impacts.

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