scholarly journals Effects of a Web-Based Parent–Child Physical Activity Program on Mental Health in Parents of Children with ASD

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (24) ◽  
pp. 12913
Author(s):  
Mengxian Zhao ◽  
Yonghao You ◽  
Shihui Chen ◽  
Linlin Li ◽  
Xiru Du ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Physical Activity Program ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Child Physical Activity ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Activity Program ◽  
Parent Child

Parents of children with ASD experience a higher incidence of mental health difficulties, including stress, depression, and anxiety, than parents of children without ASD. According to studies related to ASD, parent–child physical activity programs are an effective approach to encourage both parents and their children with ASD to exercise together, thus improving the mental health of parents due to this interactive family activity. The purpose of the present study was to explore the effects of this web-based parent–child physical activity program on the mental health of parents of children with ASD. A total of 94 parent–child pairs consented to participate in this study, and 75 parent–child pairs completed the study. Three instruments—DASS-21, PSI-4-SF, and WHOQOL-26—were used to measure mental health, parental stress, and quality of life, respectively. A randomized controlled trial design was implemented to examine the effectiveness of the 10-week web-based parent–child physical activity program on improving the mental health of parents of children with ASD. The results showed that after the 10-week parent–child physical activity program, there were significant differences in overall DASS-21 and PSI-4-SF for the experimental group, compared with control group (p < 0.05), which indicated that the parent–child physical activity program has a positive influence on mental health in parents of children with ASD. One sub-area of WHOQOL-26 between the experimental and control groups across pre-/post-testing intervals also showed greater reductions in the item of psychological health (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the findings demonstrated the efficacy of the web-based parent–child physical activity program for improving mental health in parents of children with ASD.

scholarly journals The Effects of Structured Physical Activity Program on Social Interaction and Communication for Children with Autism

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mengxian Zhao ◽  
Shihui Chen
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Social Skills ◽  
Social Interaction ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Physical Activity Program ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Activity Program ◽  
Experimental Group

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of structured physical activity program on social interaction and communication of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Fifty children with ASD from a special school were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. 25 children with ASD were placed in the experimental group, and the other 25 children as the control group participated in regular physical activity. A total of forty-one participants completed the study. A 12-week structured physical activity program was implemented with a total of 24 exercise sessions targeting social interaction and communication of children with ASD, and a quasi-experimental design was used for this study. Data were collected using quantitative and qualitative instruments. SSIS and ABLLS-R results showed that an overall improvement in social skills and social interaction for the experimental group across interim and posttests, F=8.425, p=0.001 (p<0.005), and significant improvements appeared in communication, cooperation, social interaction, and self-control subdomains (p<0.005). Conversely, no statistically significant differences were found in the control group (p>0.005). The study concluded that the special structured physical activity program positively influenced social interaction and communication skills of children with ASD, especially in social skills, communication, prompt response, and frequency of expression.

Aggie Play: A Gender-Relevant Physical Activity Program for Girls

2019 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 194-205
Author(s):  
Phillip Post ◽  
Rebecca Palacios
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Role Models ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Control Site ◽  
Free Play ◽  
Physical Activity Program ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Activity Program ◽  
Physical Activity Programming

A majority of U.S. children age 6–17 years do not meet the recommended 60 min of moderate to vigorous physical activity per day. Girls are less likely to meet these daily physical activity guidelines than boys. Following a call for greater gender-relevant physical activity programming, Aggie Play, an after-school physical activity program, engaged female student athletes to serve as active role models who lead girls through high-energy activities twice a week over a school year. The purpose of this study was to explore how Aggie Play affected girls’ self-efficacy and expected enjoyment for physical activity, time spent in various physical activity intensities during free play, and fitness, relative to a control group. Results revealed that the girls participating in Aggie Play increased ratings of physical activity self-efficacy and enjoyment compared with girls at a control site. Aggie Play girls also demonstrated greater improvements on the muscle-endurance test than girls at a control site. Results are consistent with prior gender-relevant physical activity and physical education research. This study extends prior results by documenting the benefits of gender-relevant physical activity programming when led by active female role models.

The Impact of Enrollment in an Instructional Physical Activity Program Course on the Physical Activity Level and Enjoyment of Physical Activity of University Students

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Grant M. Hill ◽  
Bernard D. Goldfine ◽  
Kandice J. Porter ◽  
Zenong Yin
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Treatment Group ◽  
Physical Activity Level ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Physical Activity Program ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Activity Program ◽  
Training Control ◽  
The Impact

e purposes of this research were to determine whether participation in a university elective instruction-al physical activity program course (IPAP) would increase the weekly physical activity level of students and resultin a signi cantly higher score on the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES). Treatment-group participantswere enrolled in an elective IPAP course that was either sport-based (e.g., volleyball, tennis) or physical condi-tioning-based (e.g., aerobic/strength training). Control-group participants (N=180) were students from the sameuniversities who were not enrolled during that term in an IPAP course. Student responses to the Godin-ShephardLeisure-Time Physical Activity Questionnaire indicated within-group changes in pre vs. post physical activity thatwere signi cant for the treatment group, but not the control group. Results indicate participation in an IPAPcourse signi cantly increases the physical activity levels of students and also signi cantly increases the physical activ-ity enjoyment of students with the most sedentary lifestyles.

scholarly journals A Randomized Trial of Physical Activity in Children and Adolescents with Cancer

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 121
Author(s):  
Paul Saultier ◽  
Clothilde Vallet ◽  
Frédéric Sotteau ◽  
Zeinab Hamidou ◽  
Jean-Claude Gentet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Exercise Capacity ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Physical Activity Program ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Activity Program

Background: to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a physical activity program (PAP) in children and adolescents with cancer. Methods: children and adolescents with cancer were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to the six-month PAP (intervention group) or to the control group. The first evaluation was performed at the end of the PAP (T0 + 6 mo). At T0 + 6 mo, both groups received the six-month PAP with a second evaluation at T0 + 12 mo. The primary outcome was the evolution of exercise capacity measured using the six-minute walk test (6 MWT) at T0 + 6 mo. Secondary outcomes included PAP safety and changes in other physical functions, self-esteem, and quality-of-life parameters. Results: The trial involved 80 children and adolescents (age range 5.0–18.4 years), of whom 41 were assigned to the interventional group and 39 to the control group. Underlying malignancies were leukemia (39%) and a broad range of solid tumors (61%). No adverse events occurred. At T0 + 6 mo, the evolution of the 6 MWT distance (±SEM) was improved in the intervention group vs. the control group (86 ± 12 m vs. 32 ± 6 m, p < 0.001). Several other physical parameters were significantly improved in the intervention group. Global self-esteem and parent-reported quality-of-life were significantly increased in the intervention group. Analysis at T0 + 12 mo showed persistence of the benefits in the intervention group on exercise capacity evolution (115 ± 18 m vs. 49 ± 11 m, p = 0.004) and on most physical and QoL parameters. Conclusion: In children and adolescents with cancer, a physical activity program is safe, improves exercise capacity, and may have physical and psychological benefits.

scholarly journals Preferences of people with mental illness for engaging in exercise programs under COVID-19 restrictions

2020 ◽  
pp. 103985622097529
Author(s):  
Justin J Chapman ◽  
Emily Hielscher ◽  
Sue Patterson ◽  
Nicola Reavley ◽  
Wendy J Brown ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Physical Activity Program ◽  
Exercise Programs ◽  
Activity Program ◽  
People With Mental Illness ◽  
The Impact

Objectives: People with mental illness may be vulnerable to decline in mental health and reduced physical activity because of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions. The aim of this study was to inform the design of physical activity interventions for implementation under these conditions to improve/maintain well-being and physical activity in this population. Methods: People with mental illness who had participated in a physical activity program prior to the pandemic were invited to complete a survey about the impact of COVID-19 on mental health and physical activity and their preferences for engaging in a physical activity program under pandemic-related restrictions. Results: More than half the 59 respondents reported worse mental health and lower physical activity during the pandemic. The preferred format for a physical activity program was one-on-one exercise instruction in-person in a park. Program components endorsed as helpful included incentivization, provision of exercise equipment and fitness devices, and daily exercise programs. About a third of the participants reported limitations in using technology for a physical activity program. Conclusions: In-person exercise support is preferred by people with mental illnesses during pandemic-related restrictions. Enablement strategies such as providing equipment and self-monitoring devices should be utilized; assistance may be needed to incorporate the use of technology in exercise programs.

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