scholarly journals Physical Activity, Physical Fitness and the Sense of Coherence—Their Role in Body Acceptance among Polish Adolescents

Author(s):  
Ida Laudańska-Krzemińska ◽  
Jana Krzysztoszek ◽  
Mariusz Naczk ◽  
Ewa Gajewska

The aim of the study was to investigate the protective role of physical activity (PA) and other health-related bio-psycho components (physical fitness, body composition, body perception and the sense of coherence (SOC)) in body acceptance. We searched for gender differences in those relationships. We investigated 231 adolescents aged 13–16 years from an urban area in Poland. We conducted objective measurements of height, weight, fat% and relative value of minute oxygen consumption. Questionnaires for PA, SOC Body Figure Perception and body acceptance were applied. Linear regression was used for analyzing determinants of body acceptance. We found that more physically active girls reported a less slim ideal vision of their figure (p < 0.05). Physical fitness is a better predictor of body acceptance than physical activity. In the final model, the sense of coherence, body mass index (BMI), and gender (being a boy) were also predictors of body acceptance (F(6,92) = 13.084, p < 0.0001). Gender differences were discussed in the present study. Fitness enhancing physical activity should be recommended for adolescents to achieve the protective psychosocial effect especially among girls. Physical activity on a daily basis brings positive results in a more adequate and reasonable body assessment and it can play a protective role in terms of mental wellbeing. Body satisfaction varies between genders and it is a more sensitive issue among girls than boys during adolescence.

2001 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-30
Author(s):  
Michael CHIA ◽  
Jin Jong QUEK

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。


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rune Johansen ◽  
Mari Nicholls Espetvedt ◽  
Heidi Lyshol ◽  
Jocelyne Clench-Aas ◽  
Ingri Myklestad

Abstract Background The aim of the present study was to examine to what extent observed gender differences in mental health are associated with the protective factors social support, sense of coherence and participation in regular physical activity and more generally, engagement in organized or unorganized activity with other people. Methods This study was based upon a cross-sectional regional health survey in Norway, conducted during the winter of 2015–2016, in three southern counties; Aust-Agder, Vest-Agder and Vestfold. The study focused on young adults, comparing three age groups; 18–24 years old (n = 624), 25–31 (n = 582), and 32–38 years old (n = 795). Results Sense of coherence was strongly associated with low mental distress in all age groups and for both genders, while the association between low social support and mental distress was significant for young women only. Regular physical activity was not positively associated with low mental distress when sense of coherence and social support were included in the analysis. Conclusion Social support appears to have a stronger role as a protective factor for mental distress among young women, compared to young men and older persons. This has implications for health promoting activities that target young women. Sense of coherence showed a strong association with low mental distress scores for all ages studied.


2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 982-992 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noe C. Crespo ◽  
Kirsten Corder ◽  
Simon Marshall ◽  
Gregory J. Norman ◽  
Kevin Patrick ◽  
...  

Background:Girls are less physically active than boys, yet no single study has examined the factors that may explain gender differences in children’s physical activity (PA).Methods:This study was a cross-sectional analysis of data from 116 caregivers and their children aged 5–8 years who participated in the MOVE study. Caregivers reported various factors that may relate to children’s PA (eg, encouragement for child PA and PA equipment at home). Child PA was measured by 7-day accelerometry. Linear regression tested for the variance in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) explained by gender and several variables. Gender and ethnicity interactions were examined.Results:Caregivers were mostly female (97%), mean age 38 ± 6 years, mean BMI 28 ± 6 (kg/m2). Child’s mean age was 8.1 ± 0.7, 54% were female and 40% were overweight/obese. Girls were less physically active than boys (54.1 ± 19.7 vs. 65.2 ± 28.0 daily minutes of MVPA, respectively). Among girls, more days of PE/week was associated with greater MVPA. Among boys, greater parent support for PA, greater parent modeling for PA, and greater number of PA equipment in the home were associated with greater MVPA.Conclusions:This study supports that boys and girls have different correlates for MVPA, which may partly explain gender differences in PA.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kiley Tyler ◽  
Megan MacDonald ◽  
Kristi Menear

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by impairments in social communication deficits and the presence of restricted and repetitive behaviors, interests, or activities. Literature comparing the physical activity and fitness of children with ASD to typically developing peers is in need of attention. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the physical activity and fitness of school-aged children with ASD (N=17) in comparison to typically developing peers (N=12). Participants with ASD completed diagnostic and developmental assessments and a series of physical fitness assessments: 20-meter multistage shuttle, sit-and-reach test, handgrip strength, and body mass index. Physical activity was measured using accelerometry and preestablished cut-points of physical activity (Freedson et al., 2005). MANCOVA revealed significant between-group effects in strength (P=.03), while ANCOVA revealed significant between-group effects in sedentary (P=.00), light (P=.00), moderate (P=.00), and total moderate-to-vigorous (P=.01) physical activity. Children with ASD are less physically active and fit than typically developing peers. Adapted physical activity programs are one avenue with intervention potential to combat these lower levels of physical activity and fitness found in children with ASD.


1999 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 126-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas L. McKenzie ◽  
Kathryn J. LaMaster ◽  
James F. Sallis ◽  
Simon J. Marshall

The relationship of classroom teachers’ leisure time physical activity and their conduct of physical education classes was investigated. Eighteen 4th- and 5th-grade teachers reported on their leisure physical activity and had their physical education classes observed systematically during 4 consecutive semesters. Correlational analyses confirmed that more active teachers taught physical education differently from those that were less active. Teachers who were more active provided students with increased physical fitness activities, and the teachers themselves spent more time promoting physical fitness during lessons. The study provides some support for the hypothesis that physically active teachers provide higher quality physical education.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rune Johansen ◽  
Mari Nicholls Espetvedt ◽  
Heidi Lyshol ◽  
Jocelyne Clench-Aas ◽  
Ingri Myklestad

Abstract Background: The aim of the present study was to examine to what extent observed gender differences in mental health are associated with the protective factors social support, sense of coherence and participation in regular physical activity and more generally, engagement in organized or unorganized activity with other people.Methods: This study was based upon a cross-sectional regional health survey in Norway, conducted during the winter 2015-2016, in three southern counties; Aust-Agder, Vest-Agder and Vestfold. The study focused on young adults, comparing three age groups; 18-24 years old (n=624), 25-31 (n=582), and 32-38 years old (n=795).Results: Sense of coherence was strongly associated with low mental distress in all age groups and for both genders, while the association with social support was highly significant for young women only. Regular physical activity was not positively associated with low mental distress when sense of coherence and social support were included in the analysis.Conclusion: Social support appears to have a stronger role as a protective factor for mental distress among young women, compared to young men and older persons. This has implications for health promoting activities that target young women. Sense of coherence showed a strong association with low mental distress scores for all ages studied.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (7) ◽  
pp. 2099-2102
Author(s):  
Ahmet Naci Dilek ◽  
Zeki Taş

Aim: In this study, it was aimed to investigate the reasons that motivate undergraduate students to physical activity according to the stages of behavior change. Method: A total of 598 students, including 328 male and 270 female students, voluntarily participated in the research conducted with the screening model. Independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance and LSD tests were used for statistical operations. Results: The difference between interest and physical fitness dimension scores between male and female students was statistically significant (p<.05). In the dimension of interest and physical fitness, female's scores are higher than male's. In the study, statistically significant differences were found in interest, ability, appearance, physical fitness and social dimensions according to age category (p<.05). Statistically significant differences were found in all sub-dimensions when comparing the sub-dimensions of the reasons that motivate to participate in physical/sports activity according to the behavioral change steps (p<.01). Conclusion: It has been determined that while the factors that motivate undergraduate students to physical activity are different in terms of interest and physical fitness, they are similar in terms of ability, appearance and social dimension. It has been observed that physically active people are better in interest, physical fitness, ability, appearance and social dimensions than those who are not physically active. It is recommended to direct undergraduate students to be more physically active. Keywords: Behavior, Physical activity, Motivation


2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 176-183 ◽  
Author(s):  
John C. Spence ◽  
Chris M. Blanchard ◽  
Marianne Clark ◽  
Ronald C. Plotnikoff ◽  
Kate E. Storey ◽  
...  

Background:The purposes of this study were to determine if a) gender moderated the relationship between self-efficacy and physical activity (PA) among youth in Alberta, Canada, and, alternatively b) if self-efficacy mediated the relationship between gender and PA.Methods:A novel web-based tool was used to survey a regionally diverse sample of 4779 students (boys = 2222, girls = 2557) from 117 schools in grades 7 to 10 (mean age = 13.64 yrs.). Among other variables, students were asked about their PA and self-efficacy for participating in PA.Results:Based upon a series of multilevel analyses, self-efficacy was found to be a significantly stronger correlate of PA for girls. But, boys had significantly higher self-efficacy compared with girls, which resulted in significantly more PA.Conclusions:Findings suggest self-efficacy is an important correlate of PA among adolescent girls but that boys are more physically active because they have more self-efficacy for PA.


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