Losing out to improve group fitness

A mathematical model provides clues as to why members of a group divide tasks between them even when specialisation reduces the performance of individuals.

Occupant noise exposure in a fitness classroom setting

Fitness facilities characteristically place an emphasis on the health and wellness of their occupants. Very loud amplified speech and music in group fitness rooms creates energetic spaces at the expense of the health and wellness of participants' hearing. The authors measured spectral sound pressure levels from fitness programs and occupants in over 20 group fitness classes (cycling, dance, strength training, and yoga) at facilities throughout the United States. Measurements occurred over durations varying from 10 minutes to a full hour. Variables considered include class type and the athletic club where the classroom is located. This paper discusses the overall findings from these noise surveys with an emphasis on noise exposure and statistical levels. This paper also includes a discussion of noise management and recommendations for best management practices to help achieve energetic spaces that are protective of hearing health and wellness.

Being a Group Fitness Instructor during the COVID-19 Crisis: Navigating Professional Identity, Social Distancing, and Community

Research question and purpose: Les Mills is a New Zealand-based fitness distributor with a community consisting of approximately 140.000 instructors worldwide who teach standardized workout routines. This paper aims to explore how the COVID-19 pandemic and related measurements, such as social distancing affect the everyday lives and professions of Les Mills International (LMI) group fitness instructors. The aim was met with the following research questions: RQ1: How are social distancing and social connectedness understood, and how do they condition LMI instructors’ understanding of their profession? RQ2: What do LMI instructors think about the #LesMillsUnited campaign to maintain a strong trainer community in the midst of the pandemic? RQ3: How do LMI instructors think that group fitness will change long term due to social distancing? Research methods: Using qualitative measures and a case-study-based approach, data were gathered through interviews with LMI-certified group fitness instructors. Seven semi-structured focused group discussions with fifteen group fitness instructors from different countries were conducted and audio recorded. The first round of virtual discussions took place in April 2020, and the follow-up talks in September 2020. A thematic analysis was employed to analyze the material. Results and findings: According to the participants, online classes as a means of upholding group fitness in times of social distancing is an insufficient substitute to face-to-face instructing, lacking social connectedness that is normally maintained through successful rituals or social scripts. Navigating “instructorhood” during the pandemic includes emotional labor where not only relationships to clients are challenged, but instructors also experience societal pressure to reinvent themselves as instructors. Implications: With no way of telling how long social distancing needs to be practiced, the group fitness industry is facing unprecedented challenges. Making sense of the group fitness profession currently preoccupies instructors who may now have to redefine to themselves how they can teach, and who for.

Study of the influence of group fitness training on the physical health of women aged 35-40

The main goal of the work was to study the influence of group fitness training on the physical health of women aged 35-40 years. In the experimental method, functional training, additional equipment, as well as step platforms, exercise bikes and training devices were used. In the course of our work, we studied the dynamics of women’s physical health, determined changes in the main stereotypes of lifestyle, nutrition and motor mode. The experimental technique is an effective tool for correcting body weight, contributing to changes in the indicators of total body weight and girth values, influenced the change in the skin and fat folds in the anatomical areas of women. The desire of a person to strengthen his health is his natural need, as a result of physical exercises, there is an increase in the efficiency of the cardiorespiratory system, blood pressure is normalized, the functional state of the musculoskeletal and bone systems improves, efficiency increases, the digestive system improves, and resistance to stress increases. The results of the study allow us to recommend this theoretical and practical material for instructors of group fitness training in clubs of various physical culture and sports orientation.

Personalised yoga for burnout and traumatic stress in junior doctors

ObjectivesJunior doctors are frequently exposed to occupational and traumatic stress, sometimes with tragic consequences. Mindfulness-based and fitness interventions are increasingly used to mitigate this, but have not been compared.We conducted a randomised, controlled pilot trial to assess the feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness of these interventions in junior doctors.MethodsWe randomised participants (n=21) to weekly 1-hour sessions of personalised, trauma-informed yoga (n=10), with a 4-hour workshop, and eHealth homework; or group-format fitness (n=8) in an existing wellness programme, MDOK. Burnout, traumatic stress and suicidality were measured at baseline and 8 weeks.ResultsBoth interventions reduced burnout, and yoga increased compassion satisfaction within group on the Professional Quality of Life scale, without difference between groups on this measure.Personalised yoga significantly reduced depersonalisation (z=−1.99, p=0.05) compared with group fitness on the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI-HSS (MP)) and showed greater flexibility changes. Both interventions increased MBI Personal Accomplishment, with no changes in other self-report psychological or physiological metrics, including breath-counting.Participants doing one-to-one yoga rated it more highly overall (p=0.02) than group fitness, and reported it comparatively more beneficial for mental (p=0.01) and physical health (p=0.05). Face-to-face weekly sessions were 100% attended in yoga, but only 45% in fitness.ConclusionIn this pilot trial, both yoga and fitness improved burnout, but trauma-informed yoga reduced depersonalisation in junior doctors more than group-format fitness. One-to-one yoga was better adhered than fitness, but was more resource intensive. Junior doctors need larger-scale comparative research of the effectiveness and implementation of individual, organisational and systemic mental health interventions.Trial registration numberANZCTR 12618001467224.

The changes in proportion and body composition of a woman practicing group fitness training for three months.

Background: Physical activity is an excellent form of prevention of modern diseases. The most popular form of physical activity chosen by women is group fitness activities. Women are most likely to focus on exercises for the lower parts of the body (thighs, buttocks, abdomen). In recent years, dance classes (e.g. Zumba) or exercises on mini trampolines have become very popular. Regular fitness training contributes to positive changes in the proportions and body composition. Aim of the study: The aim of the study was to assess the proportions and body composition of a woman via a 3-month group fitness training program. Case report: The study involved a woman aged 26, participating in fitness classes three times a week for a period of three months. The woman participated in the following training cycle: twice a week (Monday and Wednesday) in the Jumping Frog interval training on a trampoline; twice a week (Monday and Friday) in ZUMBA® classes; and once a week (Wednesday) in ABT classes (abdomen, buttocks, thighs). Her height and weight, waist and hips circumference, and the thickness of three skinfolds (subscapular, triceps, abdominal) were measured. Body mass index (BMI) and waist to hip ratio (WHR) were calculated and body composition analysis (% of body fat, lean body mass) was performed. Two measurements were made: the first at the beginning of the training cycle, the second on completion. After three months of training, there were a decrease in body weight (2.2 kg), BMI (0.77 kg/m2), waist circumference (4 cm), hip circumference (2 cm), WHR (0.03), subscapular, abdominal and triceps skinfold (1 mm, 3 mm, 3 mm), body fat (2.6%) and perimeters, and an increase in lean body mass (1 kg). Conclusions: This study shows a positive effect of fitness training on body proportions and body composition.