Social and Educational Sustainability of the Physical Education of Romanian Students and the Impact on Their Physical Activity Level

Nowadays, a descending trend concerning physical activity levels among youth has been recorded, as well as differences between males and females; more than half recorded a low level of the physical activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the social and educational sustainability of physical education and to determine the level of physical activity by using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) short form for Romanian undergraduate and graduate students. In our study, we included students and applied the IPAQ short form anonymously. They gave their consent to use these personal data only for scientific purposes. Overall, two thirds of the subjects (according to the IPAQ scoring protocol) and more than half (according to the World Health Organization recommendation for physical activity) consider themselves to be active. The present study showed that there is a prevalence of insufficient physical activity among Romanian University students (around 40%). The situation seems to be better than in other countries, but in self-evaluation, many people tend to overestimate their potential. To avoid this aspect and gain some objectivity, it is better to use a gadget in order to measure the level of their physical activity.

Download Full-text

Immediate Impact of the COVID-19 Confinement on Physical Activity Levels in Spanish Adults

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su12145708 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (14) ◽

pp. 5708 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Rubén López-Bueno ◽

Joaquín Calatayud ◽

Lars L. Andersen ◽

Carlos Balsalobre-Fernández ◽

José Casaña ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Online Survey ◽

Short Form ◽

Spanish Population ◽

World Health ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Paired Samples ◽

Chi Squared ◽

Health Organization ◽

University Degree

Enacted measures to control the spread of COVID-19 disease such as compulsory confinement may influence health behaviors. The present study investigated changes in physical activity (PA) levels during the first days of confinement. Using an online survey, the Spanish population (n = 2042, 54% women, age 35.9 (SD 13.6) years) replied to questions concerning sociodemographic characteristics as well as PA behavior before and during the first week of enacted isolation. Physical activity vital sign (PAVS) short form was used to estimate weekly minutes of PA before and during the isolation period. Statistical analysis used the following tests: Mc Nemar Chi-squared tests, independent and paired samples t-test, and effect size (Cohen’s d). During the first week of confinement, participants reduced their weekly PA levels by 20% (~45.2 weekly minutes (95% CI: 37.4−53.0)). This led to a decrease from 60.6% to 48.9% (difference: 11.7%) (p < 0.0001) in the number of participants meeting the recommended World Health Organization (WHO) PA levels. Subgroups including men, participants aged 43 or over, and those not holding a university degree had the greatest reductions in both weekly minutes of PA and adherence to guidelines. The PA levels of the Spanish population generally declined during the first days of COVID-19 confinement.

Download Full-text

How to be physically active while social distancing? You need to exercise!

Revista de Educação Física / Journal of Physical Education ◽

10.37310/ref.v90i2.2766 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 90 (2) ◽

pp. 157-162

Author(s):

Leonardo Gomes de Oliveira Luz ◽

Marcos de Sá Rego Fortes ◽

Geraldo de Albuquerque Maranhão Neto

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Physical Exercise ◽

Activity Level ◽

World Health ◽

Moderate Physical Activity ◽

Physically Active ◽

Social Distancing ◽

Insufficient Physical Activity ◽

Health Organization ◽

The Impact

Introduction: A coronavirus epidemic began in November 2019 (COVID-19) in the Chinese city of Wuhan. However, the current scenario shows the coexistence of other pandemics, the insufficient physical activity level and obesity, the effect of this combination tends to enhance the complications attributed to coronavirus infection. In this scenario, among other strategies to combat COVID-19, social distancing, and active lifestyle compatible with a healthy immune function are recommended. Objective: The aim of this study was to analyse the impact of COVID-19 pandemic over the populational habitual physical activity and recommend the inclusion of a physical exercise routine in your daily life. Conclusion: Moderate physical activity is indicated in order to meet the recent recommendations of the World Health Organization and to optimize the immune response. Therefore, the daily physical exercise should be included, especially at home in longer periods of social distancing.

Download Full-text

Evaluation of the Physical Activity Levels of the Students in a Physical Education and Sports Science Department Before and During the Coronavirus Pandemic

International Education Studies ◽

10.5539/ies.v13n10p148 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (10) ◽

pp. 148

Author(s):

Sercan Öncen ◽

Levent Tanyeri

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Physical Education ◽

Leisure Time ◽

Activity Level ◽

World Health ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Glucose Levels ◽

Sports Science ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Physical Activity Levels

The COVID-19 has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). Since Covid-19 is highly contagious, people were asked to go into quarantine, and the education system was interrupted as a result. In our study, we aimed to evaluate changes in the physical activity levels of the students attending the Department of Physical Education and Sport Science (PESF) Before the Coronavirus Pandemic (BCP) and During Coronavirus Pandemic (DCP). 131 students attending PESF were included in the study. The long form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used to determine physical activity levels. The IPAQ data was obtained at two separate times–as BCP and DCP. The IBM SPSS software package was used in the statistical analysis of the data obtained, and the Mann-Whitney U and two-way analysis of variance tests were conducted. There was a decrease in the physical activity levels of PESF students related to work, transportation, housework and leisure time at the rates of 35.40%, 21.66%, 7.43%, and 31.66%, respectively, in terms of BCP and DCP. However, it was observed that the highest decline level was 46.69% in intense physical activity. In the evaluation of BCP and DCP, a significant difference was found in transportation (p: 0.001; d: 0.440), leisure time (p: 0.001; d: 447), time spent sitting in a weekday (p: 0.026; d: 0.291), walking (p: 0.006; d: 0.362), and total physical activity levels (p: 0.005; d: 0.368). There a significant difference in the activity level related to time spent sitting in a weekend according to gender differences (p < 0.005). According to the IPAQ assessment conducted as BCP and DCP, a significant decrease in the physical activity levels of PESF students was observed during the pandemic caused by the COVID-19 infection. These results should not be ignored because a significant decrease in physical activity may cause negative effects on blood glucose levels and body composition, increase the risk of depression and anxiety disorders, and decrease the quality of life and immune system.

Download Full-text

A Pandemic within the Pandemic? Physical Activity Levels Substantially Decreased in Countries Affected by COVID-19

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18052235 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (5) ◽

pp. 2235

Author(s):

Jan Wilke ◽

Lisa Mohr ◽

Adam S. Tenforde ◽

Pascal Edouard ◽

Chiara Fossati ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Short Form ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

World Health ◽

Sports Facilities ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Total N ◽

Key Stakeholders ◽

Health Organization ◽

Activity Questionnaire

Governments have restricted public life during the COVID-19 pandemic, inter alia closing sports facilities and gyms. As regular exercise is essential for health, this study examined the effect of pandemic-related confinements on physical activity (PA) levels. A multinational survey was performed in 14 countries. Times spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) as well as in vigorous physical activity only (VPA) were assessed using the Nordic Physical Activity Questionnaire (short form). Data were obtained for leisure and occupational PA pre- and during restrictions. Compliance with PA guidelines was calculated based on the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO). In total, n = 13,503 respondents (39 ± 15 years, 59% females) were surveyed. Compared to pre-restrictions, overall self-reported PA declined by 41% (MVPA) and 42.2% (VPA). Reductions were higher for occupational vs. leisure time, young and old vs. middle-aged persons, previously more active vs. less active individuals, but similar between men and women. Compared to pre-pandemic, compliance with WHO guidelines decreased from 80.9% (95% CI: 80.3–81.7) to 62.5% (95% CI: 61.6–63.3). Results suggest PA levels have substantially decreased globally during the COVID-19 pandemic. Key stakeholders should consider strategies to mitigate loss in PA in order to preserve health during the pandemic.

Download Full-text

Is the impact of adiposity on taste perceptions moderated by chronic physical activity? An overview of the data from NHANES 2013-2014.

10.1101/2021.09.30.21264372 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Alexandre-Charles Gauthier ◽

Marie-Eve Mathieu

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Body Fat ◽

Activity Level ◽

Body Fat Percentage ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Fat Percentage ◽

Active Lifestyle ◽

Physical Activity Levels ◽

Tip Test ◽

The Impact

Introduction Taste is a key sensory modulator of eating behaviour and thus energy intake. The effects of acute exercise has recently been confirmed especially regarding sweet and salty tastes. Physical activity is a safe and effective countermeasure to certain types of chemosensory losses, especially in older populations. Knowing that taste can be impaired with increased adiposity, it is unknown if the adoption of an active lifestyle on a regular basis can mitigate such impairments. Methods Data were extracted from NHANES 2013-2014 database. Perception of salt and bitter tastes for Tongue Tip Test and Whole Mouth Test, physical activity levels over an 8-9-day period and adiposity were analyzed. Moderation analyses were used to study the impact of adiposity on taste perceptions, with physical activity level as the moderator. Results The 197 participants (130 males) included in this project had a mean+/-standard deviation age of 49.1+/-5.2 years, a mean body fat percentage of 31.7+/-7.6% and mean daily physical activity levels of 11 084+/-3531 Monitor-Independent Movement Summary unit (MIMS). The positive association between adiposity and both bitter Tongue Tip Test and overall result (salt+bitter) of Tongue Tip Test were moderated by the adoption of an active lifestyle, with better taste scores observed in individuals achieving higher physical activity levels. When moderation analysis were stratified by gender, the effect of physical activity was no longer significant. Perspectives This study is the first to evaluate the influence of an active lifestyle on the preservation of some taste perceptions across a wide range of adiposity levels. While differences in taste can be observed regarding body fat percentage, physical activity moderates that relation only when men and women are analysed together.

Download Full-text

Aprendo Moviéndome: programa de descansos activos para educación primaria

SPORT TK-Revista EuroAmericana de Ciencias del Deporte ◽

10.6018/sportk.440761 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 107-135

Author(s):

Virtudes Peláez-Flor ◽

Alejandro Prieto-Ayuso

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Primary Education ◽

World Health ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Sedentary Behaviors ◽

Royal Decree ◽

Warm Up ◽

Health Organization ◽

Educación Primaria ◽

Active Breaks

El ámbito educativo es uno de los pilares fundamentales a través del cual el sedentarismo puede ser combatido. En este sentido, la asignatura de Educación Física es considerada como pieza clave para aumentar los niveles de actividad física en los alumnos. Sin embargo, debido a que las propias clases de Educación Física resultan insuficientes para aumentar los niveles de actividad física recomendados por la Organización Mundial de la Salud, surgen los descansos activos, cuyo objetivo principal es reducir las conductas sedentarias y la obesidad en los alumnos, por medio de AF estructurada en las aulas. Así pues, el objetivo principal del presente trabajo es presentar un programa de descansos activos para Educación Primaria, titulado Aprendo Moviéndome. Con este programa, se pretende ofrecer un nuevo recurso al profesorado de Educación Primaria a través del cual poder aplicar breves sesiones de actividad física con los alumnos para poder lograr beneficios como la mejora de salud, la atención, el comportamiento o el rendimiento académico, entre otros. El programa Aprendo Moviéndome está compuesto por ocho sesiones de descansos activos de una duración de entre 10 y 12 minutos, diseñados para trabajar en clase o en el patio del colegio durante el horario lectivo por el maestro. Las sesiones han sido diseñadas para trabajar contenidos curriculares pertenecientes al Real Decreto 126/2014 de Educación Primaria. Cada descanso activo está dividido en tres partes: calentamiento, desarrollo y vuelta a la calma. Como prospectiva de investigación se recomienda la aplicación del programa a un contexto real, con el propósito de conocer fortalezas y debilidades del mismo. The educational context is one of the fundamental pillars through which sedentary lifestyle can be reduced. In that sense, Physical Education is considered a key element to increase physical activity levels in children. However, due to the fact that only the PE subject is insufficient to increase the PA levels recommended by the World Health Organization, active breaks emerged. The main objective of active breaks is to reduce sedentary behaviors and obesity in students, through structured physical activity in classrooms. Thus, the main objective of this work is to present an active break program for Primary Education, entitled Aprendo Moviéndome. With this program, it is intended to offer a new resource to primary teachers through which they can apply short physical activity sessions with students, with the purpose to achieve benefits related to health, attention, behavior or academic performance, among others. The Aprendo Moviéndome program is made up of eight sessions between ten and 12 minutes. It has been designed to be conducted in class or in the schoolyard during school hours by the teacher. The sessions have been designed to work on curricular content belonging to Royal Decree 126/2014 of Primary Education. Each session is divided into three parts: warm-up, development, and cool down. As prospective investigation, the application of the program to a real context is recommended, with the purpose of knowing its strengths and weaknesses.

Download Full-text

Questionnaire-Based Prevalence of Physical Activity Level on Adults According to Different International Guidelines: Impact on Surveillance and Policies

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2018-0601 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (11) ◽

pp. 1014-1021

Author(s):

Edgard Melo Keene von Koenig Soares ◽

Guilherme E. Molina ◽

Daniel Saint Martin ◽

João Luís A. E. Sadat P. Leitão ◽

Keila E. Fontana ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

World Health Organization ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Activity Level ◽

World Health ◽

Prevalence Estimates ◽

Health Organization ◽

State 1 ◽

Weekly Frequency

Background: The World Health Organization recommends 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity (PA) throughout the week. However, the weekly frequency of PA and how to combine moderate and vigorous PA to define who reaches the recommended PA are controversial. PA level might be highly different based on the recommendation and/or the criteria employed. Methods: Demographic data and PA level evaluated by International Physical Activity Questionnaire from 3 random and representative samples from 1 state, 1 city, and 1 local organization in Brazil were analyzed (n = 2961). Nine criteria from different recommendations were used to define PA level. Prevalence estimates and 95% confidence intervals of sufficient PA were calculated for each criterion and compared with the referent (World Health Organization guideline). Total agreement, sensitivity, and specificity were also calculated with 95% confidence interval. Results: When a weekly frequency of PA was required, the prevalence of sufficient PA decreased by 11% (P < .05). For all criteria, doubling the vigorous PA minutes was similar to simply adding them to moderate PA. These findings are consistent regardless of sex, age, and educational level. Conclusion: Prevalence estimates and agreement between different PA recommendations were significantly affected when a minimum frequency was required but did not change when vigorous PA minutes were doubled.

Download Full-text

The active living gender’s gap challenge: 2013–2017 Eurobarometers physical inactivity data show constant higher prevalence in women with no progress towards global reduction goals

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-019-8039-8 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

X. Mayo ◽

G. Liguori ◽

E. Iglesias-Soler ◽

R. J. Copeland ◽

I. Clavel San Emeterio ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Physical Inactivity ◽

International Physical Activity Questionnaire ◽

World Health ◽

Activity Levels ◽

The World ◽

Health Organization ◽

Global Reduction ◽

Activity Questionnaire ◽

The Eu

Abstract Background The World Health Organization (WHO) considers physical inactivity (PIA) as a critical noncommunicable factor for disease and mortality, affecting more women than men. In 2013, the WHO set a 10% reduction of the PIA prevalence, with the goal to be reached by 2025. Changes in the 2013–2017 period of physical inactivity prevalence in the 28 European Union (EU) countries were evaluated to track the progress in achieving WHO 2025 target. Methods In 2013 and 2017 EU Special Eurobarometers, the physical activity levels reported by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire of 53,607 adults were analyzed. Data were considered as a whole sample and country-by-country. A χ2 test was used to analyze the physical inactivity prevalence (%) between countries, analyzing women and men together and separately. Additionally, PIA prevalence was analyzed between years (2013–2017) for the overall EU sample and within-country using a Z-Score for two population proportions. Results The PIA prevalence increased between 2013 and 2017 for the overall EU sample (p < 0.001), and for women (p = 0.04) and men (p < 0.001) separately. Data showed a higher PIA prevalence in women versus men during both years (p < 0.001). When separately considering changes in PIA by gender, only Belgium’s women and Luxembourg’s men showed a reduction in PIA prevalence. Increases in PIA prevalence over time were observed in women from Austria, Croatia, Germany, Lithuania, Malta, Portugal, Romania, and Slovakia and in men from Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, and Spain. Conclusions PIA prevalence showed an overall increase across the EU and for both women and men between 2013 and 2017, with higher rates of PIA reported for women versus men during both years. PIA prevalence was reduced in only Belgium’s women and Luxembourg’s men. Our data indicate a limited gender-sensible approach while tacking PIA prevalence with no progress reaching global voluntary reductions of PIA for 2025.

Download Full-text

The conceptual framework for estimating food energy requirement

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1079/phn2005789 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 8 (7a) ◽

pp. 940-952 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Anna Ferro-Luzzi

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Energy Expenditure ◽

Energy Requirement ◽

Historical Review ◽

Activity Level ◽

World Health ◽

Future Research ◽

Expert Consultation ◽

Protein Requirements ◽

Health Organization

AbstractObjectiveIn anticipation of the revision of the 1985 Food and Agricultural Organization/World Health Organization/United Nations University (FAO/ WHO/UNU) Expert Consultation Report on ‘Energy and Protein Requirements’, recent scientific knowledge on the principles underlying the estimation of energy requirement is reviewed.DesignThis paper carries out a historical review of the scientific rationale adopted by previous FAO/WHO technical reports on energy requirement, discusses the concepts used in assessing basal metabolic rate (BMR), energy expenditure, physical activity level (PAL), and examines current controversial areas. Recommendations and areas of future research are presented.ConclusionsThe database of the BMR predictive equations developed by the 1985 FAO/WHO/UNU Expert Consultation Report on Energy and Protein Requirements needs updating and expansion, applying strict and transparent selection criteria. The existence of an ethnic/tropical factor capable of affecting BMR is not supported by the available evidence. The factorial approach for the calculation of energy requirement, as set out in the 1985 report, should be retained. The estimate should have a normative rather than a prescriptive nature, except for the allowance provided for extra physical activity for sedentary populations, and for the prevention of non-communicable chronic diseases. The estimate of energy requirement of children below the age of 10 years should be made on the basis of energy expenditure rather than energy intake. The evidence of the existence of an ethnic/tropical factor is conflicting and no plausible mechanism has as yet been put forward.

Download Full-text

Physical Activity Levels and Mood State during COVID-19 Quarantine among the Kermanshah Population: A Cross-Sectional Online Survey Study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-397992/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Mohammad Azizi ◽

Alireza Aghababa ◽

Rastegar Hoseini ◽

Hadi Rohani ◽

Maghsoud Nabilpoor

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Physical Activity Level ◽

Mood State ◽

Short Form ◽

Regular Physical Activity ◽

Activity Level ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Physical Activity Levels

Abstract Background One of the most important consequences of COVID-19 pandemic is anxiety and stress in the general population that can be reduced by regular physical activity. The aim of this study was to estimate the physical activity levels and mood state during covid-19 quarantine among the Kermanshah population. Methods In this cross-sectional study, using the purposeful random sampling method, a total of 2471 subjects ((male (n = 1256) and female (n = 1215)) were selected. To assess the physical activity level from physical activity questionnaire short form (IPAQ-SF) and mood state was measured by the abbreviated form of the Iranian version of the standard POMS questionnaire (Bill Morgan 1979). The descriptive statistic method (mean, standard deviation, and percent), deductive (Chi- square and Spearman's correlation) were used for analyzing the data. Results The results showed that a significant difference was observed between the number of sessions (P = 0.001), intensity (P = 0.001), and duration of exercise (P = 0.001) before and during coronavirus. There are significant positive relationships between low (r = 0.93; P = 0.001) and high (r = 0.673; P = 0.034) levels of physical activity and negative mood state, and a positive relationship between moderate physical activity level (r = 0.82; P = 0.001) and positive mood state. Conclusions It could be determined that the current quarantine has negatively affected the mood state. In general, to prevent COVID-19, regular physical activity is recommended under the health and safety protocols.

Download Full-text