bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
79 Developmental Patterns of Objectively Measured Motor Competence and Musculoskeletal Fitness among Finnish Adolescents
Authors: Jaakkola Timo
Published: September 2024

Purpose

This study aims to examine the developmental patterns (rate of change) between motor competence (locomotor, object control, stability skills) and musculoskeletal fitness (upper body and abdominal) in a large sample of Finnish adolescents over four years. The previous evidence does not explicitly explore developmental patterns between musculoskeletal fitness and motor competence. Additionally, most previous studies have not examined specific aspects of musculoskeletal fitness (i.e., muscle groups), rather a focus on overall muscular fitness has been reported.

Methods

Data was collected annually at five time points during scheduled physical education lessons. At baseline, 1147 (582 males, 565 females) Finnish adolescents aged 11.27 (0.33) years participated in data collection. Throwing-catching combination (object control), 5-leaps (locomotion) and side-to-side jumping (stability) tests were used to measure students’ motor competence. Curl-up (abdominal muscles) and push-up (upper body muscles) tests were used to analyze their musculoskeletal fitness. To answer the research question, a parallel latent growth curve model was implemented. The latent variables (Level, Slope) based on the observed variables with residuals (ε) were estimated.

Results

Developmental changes (improvements) in push-ups were positively associated with improvements in all motor competency variables, demonstrating greater increases in upper body musculoskeletal fitness was related to greater increases for versatile motor skills (locomotor, object control, stability). Similarly, developmental changes in curl-ups were positively associated with improvements in 5-leaps and side-to-side jumping scores, demonstrating greater increases in abdominal musculoskeletal fitness was associated with greater improvements for locomotor and stability skills, but not for object control.

Conclusions

It is likely that the relationship between individual motor skills and separate fitness variables is more complex given the multi-joint nature of motor skills and the inherent neuromuscular demand to perform with high effort in various physical activities and sports. For instance, at a neuromuscular level high levels of intra- and inter-muscular control and co-ordination are needed to effectively perform a range of fundamental movement skills. Thus, the development of musculoskeletal fitness and motor competence appear to be fundamentally linked, directly via neuromuscular function, and indirectly via psychosocial and behavioral mechanisms.

Funding source

The Finnish ministry of education and culture funded this study.
125 Financial and prosocial incentives promote bike choices in a consequential laboratory task
Authors: Kroker Valentina , Lange Florian
Published: September 2024

Purpose

Incentives are a popular tool for fostering pro-environmental behavior. However, it is still largely unknown which types of incentives are most effective and whether their effectiveness persists beyond incentive discontinuation. To address this gap in literature, we designed an experiment, where we tested the comparative effectiveness of two different incentive structures in encouraging active and sustainable mobility in the laboratory. We expected that both financial and prosocial incentives would increase the number of bike choices in a consequential laboratory task compared to a no-incentive control group. To our knowledge, this has not been done in the pro-environmental behavior and active mobility literature.

Methods

In a preregistered experiment, N = 238 participants were repeatedly given the choice to save actual energy at a real waiting-time cost in the Pro-Environmental Behavior Task. This was done by giving them the choice between the car option, which included shorter waiting periods but led to actual more CO2 emission, and the bike option, which always had a longer waiting time but did not emit extra CO2. We performed planned contrasts to estimate the effectiveness of the incentives compared to the control group.

Results

Incentivizing participants with a 5-cent bonus payment (financial incentive) led to a significant increase in bike choices compared to a control group (d = 0.68). Similarly, incentivizing the energy-saving option with a 5-cent donation to charity (prosocial incentive) had a significant effect (d = 0.28). It therefore led to more bike choices in this incentive group compared to the control group. The difference between the incentive conditions was also significant (d = 0.41). In the second session, where we discontinued the incentives, the effect disappeared.

Conclusion

These data illustrate the (temporally) effectiveness of financial and prosocial incentives. We show that incentives can encourage bike choices over car choices when incentives are employed. As a next step, we aim to test this in the field. A possible collaboration within the “Active Cities” project is being discussed at this moment.

Support/Funding Source

This research was supported by a FWO postdoctoral fellowship (No 12U1221N) awarded to Florian Lange.
233 Flexibility matters. Psychological flexibility fully mediates the effect of regular physical activity on life satisfaction
Authors: Krzywoszanski Lukasz , Potoczny Wiktor , Herzog-Krzywoszanska Radoslawa
Published: September 2024

Purpose

Regular physical activity is essential for maintaining quality of life, good health and managing chronic diseases. It has positive effects on physical, mental and social well-being. However, the mechanisms responsible for this effect are still not fully understood. Psychological flexibility is the ability to adapt to fluctuating situational demands and to reframe mental perspectives in ways that facilitate the pursuit of meaningful life goals. Cognitive defusion (as opposed to cognitive fusion) and willingness to engage in committed action are important aspects of psychological flexibility. Current research aims to explore the possible mediating role of cognitive defusion and committed action in the relationship between regular exercise and mental well-being.

Methods

186 adults from the general population took part in the online survey and reported how much physical activity they do on a regular basis. They also completed Satisfaction with Life Scale, Cognitive Fuzion Questionnaire and Committed Action Questionnaire. Participants’ self-reports of their average weekly physical activity over the previous year were used to classify them into four levels of physical activity, as defined by the World Health Organisation’s guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour. The direct and indirect effects of physical activity levels on life satisfaction, with scores on the Cognitive Fuzion Questionnaire and the Committed Action Questionnaire as mediating variables, were assessed in a parallel mediation model.

Results

The parameter estimates for both indirect paths were significant, whereas for the direct path it was not significantly different from zero. This indicates that cognitive fusion and willingness to engage in committed action fully mediated the relationship between the levels of physical activity and life satisfaction. Parameter estimates for both components of the indirect pathway leading through scores on the Committed Action Questionnaire were positive, and for both components of the indirect pathway leading through scores on the Cognitive Fuzion Questionnaire were negative.

Conclusions

The results suggest that involvement in regular physical activity may contribute to more flexible psychological functioning, which in turn leads to greater life satisfaction. They shed new light on the mechanisms responsible for the beneficial effects of regular physical activity on psychological well-being and mental health.
73 Green2Gold: Creating and testing ‘Team GB Family Activity Trails’ for improving wellbeing and outdoor physical activity engagement in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England
Authors: Carter Esther , Saxton John , Douglas Caroline
Published: September 2024

Purpose

Systematic review evidence suggests that undertaking green exercise (GE; Coventry et al., 2021) including walking (Hanson & Jones, 2015) can positively impact health and wellbeing. The ‘Green2Gold’ project collaborated with The British Olympic Association to co-create ‘Team GB Family Activity Trails’, a novel GE intervention, in two locations. Signposts were installed along the walking routes containing co-designed activities linked to Olympic sports, physical activity (PA), and nature. Each signpost contained a unique QR code to provide users with additional activities on the project’s website. The study aimed to assess the impact of trail engagement on health, wellbeing, and physical activity.

Methods

In total, 37 participants age 5+ were recruited to test the trails three times within a six-week period. Pre- and post-intervention changes in perceived health, mental wellbeing, and PA and nature engagement were collected and analysed using paired-samples T-tests. Additional post-intervention feedback on enjoyment, motivators, and barriers were collected, with frequencies and crosstabulations calculated. In-the-moment changes in perceived health, mental wellbeing, and enjoyment were measured before and after each walk and compared using two-way repeated measures ANOVAs. Analyses were conducted using JASP v18.1.

Results

Single item scores for general health (p < .001), multiple measures of mental health (p = .002-.043), and number of days engaging in nature (p = .002) significantly improved for both adults and children. Furthermore, significant pre-to-post intervention improvements in perceived value of exercise and being outdoors (p = .015-.031) and the number of days walking per week (p = .034) were reported for adults, with children demonstrating significantly improved future PA intention (p = .043). Overall, a significant effect of ‘Time’ was present for measures of perceived physical and mental health, fitness, nature connection, and inspiration (p < .05) when assessed from pre-to-post walk on three occasions. No significant effect for ‘Walk*Time’ was present.

Conclusions

The study provides preliminary evidence to support ‘Activity Trails’ endorsed by a well-recognised sporting body, such as an Olympic Association, as a free self-directed activity to elicit positive perceived health, mental wellbeing, and nature engagement outcomes at a community level.

Funding

No funding was received for the study.
56 Implementing sensor-based physical activity surveillance to improve public health policy in The Netherlands: a protocol
Authors: Snoeker Barbara , van der Ploeg Hidde , Kompier Maaike , Wendel-Vos Wanda
Published: September 2024

Purpose

Subjective measurement with questionnaires to monitor physical behaviour often leads to recall and social desirability bias. Also, questionnaires are less able to measure relevant aspects of physical activity (PA), such as PA patterns, light intensity PA, and sedentary time. Several Dutch studies have examined the possibility to implement sensor-based monitoring as part of the existing national surveillance infrastructure for PA. These pilots have provided valuable knowledge, but there are still questions about recruitment, implementation logistics, and achieving representativeness of the entire Dutch population. These topics are crucial for feasibility of implementation of monitoring with accelerometers. Therefore, we investigate how accelerometers could best be implemented in future national surveillance systems.

Methods

For this pilot, we use the existing infrastructure from the GGD Health Monitor (GEMON), which is a probability sample from the Dutch population and contains the SQUASH PA questionnaire. At the end of the GEMON, either conducted with a web-based or personal approach, we ask respondents whether they are also willing to participate in our accelerometer pilot. Statistics Netherlands (CBS) selects a random sample of willing respondents (n = 1,000), divided over three socio-economic groups (low, middle, high). Participants wear the activity tracker (ActivPal) for 7 consecutive days. ActivPal data will be linked to the questionnaire data. The primary goal is to recruit a representative sample, and to maximise measurement logistics, data handling and storage. Our secondary goal is to estimate differences in the effectiveness of the approach strategies on response bias and PA behaviour between three socio-economic groups.

Results

For our primary goal, a roadmap will be created in which the web-based as well as the personal approach will be included. For our secondary goal, we determine the most representative recruitment strategy with regard to socio-demographic characteristics and PA behaviour.

Conclusions

Based on the results of the pilot, we advise the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sports of the Netherlands how to best implement sensor-based PA measurement in the existing national surveillance infrastructure.

Support/Funding Source

This research was funded by the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, and the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sports of the Netherlands.
213 Maintaining physical activity through the use of digital tools for people with a long-term condition/s: A systematic review
Authors: Donough Suzanne Mc , Stephenson Aoife , Grimmett Chloe , Khan Ameera , Lait Emily , McDonough Leah Rose , Tanner Georgia , Argent Rob , Howes Sarah
Published: September 2024

Purpose

People with long-term conditions (LTCs) are less active than the general population. The clinical and economic benefits of increasing physical activity (PA) in this population depend strongly on how long the effects can be maintained.1 It is vital we find effective, sustainable and scalable solutions to support people with LTCs to maintain PA long-term. This review aims to investigate the effectiveness of digital interventions for PA maintenance among adults with one or more LTC.

Methods

A protocol was registered on Prospero (CRD42022299967). Searches were conducted in seven electronic databases, for randomised controlled trials (RTCs) including adults with ≥1 long-term conditions. Screening, data extraction and quality assessment was undertaken by two independent reviewers. Study methods, participant characteristics, intervention characteristics (digital/non-digital elements) and PA outcomes were extracted at intervention end and maintenance time points; data pooling and meta-analyses were planned.

Results

Twenty three RCTs were included. The majority of digital interventions were web-based; around half included a sensing device (wearable/phone). All interventions, except two, included non-digital elements (supervised exercise classes, education/advice/health care practitioner support). Interventions frequently advised independent PA through a digital system or in daily life. None included all design features considered key in PA maintenance such as theory, habit formation, use of sensors for goal-setting/self-monitoring/feedback, and health coaching. Meta-analysis did not identify a significant effect on PA in favour of digital interventions for device-based outcomes (14 studies, n = 2210 participants, SMD=0.11, 95% CI -0.01, 0.24, I2=24.35, p = 0.08] and showed only a small effect for subjective outcomes (9 studies, 1592 participants, SMD=0.13, 95% CI 0.02, 0.23, I2=8.43, p = 0.02).

Conclusions

We did not show that digital tools supported the maintenance of PA. However, there was a great deal of heterogeneity across trials with respect to digital/non-digital approaches/control comparisons making it challenging to pool our data. Our confidence in these findings is very low as only two RCTs were at low risk of bias. We therefore expect that findings may change as more robustly designed studies are published. We recommend that future digital interventions consider all key digital and non digital design features to support PA maintenance.

Funding

HRCI-HRB-2022-010 and ARC Wessex ARC005.
42 Motives and Barriers of Active Transportation as a Sustainable Physical Activity among Young Lithuanian Adults
Authors: Mieziene Brigita , Gasiuniene Laima
Published: September 2024

Purpose

Active transportation (AT) as a sustainable form of physical activity that contributes to both personal health and the environment is of the utmost importance. However, the prevalence of AT and its related predictors are still understudied. So, this study aims to identify motives and barriers for AT among the Lithuanian adult population. The study seeks to answer what drives people to use AT and what prevents them from using it.

Methods

The cross-sectional study was conducted that included 250 Lithuanian young adults aged 18-39 years, the mean age was 20.38 years. Among them 80% were women. AT was measured using the Stages of Change model-based questionnaire. Mean comparison and logistic regressions were performed to identify significant predictors of AT. Motives were measeured following Kim & Hall (2022). Barriers assessed with questions developed by Hoj et al. (2018).

Results

Results indicated that 27.6% of young people use active transportation. AT was predicted by higher scores on the Motives scale (Expβ=1.41 [1.10-1.81], p = 0.007) and lower on the Barriers scale (Expβ=0.76 [0.68-3.58], p = 0.018). Among particular motives, there were significant differences between using and not using AT of the following: physical health, emotional health, relaxation, and opportunity to be in nature with higher scores of those using AT. Also, practical motives to get to the destination, avoid traffic jams, and not own a car. However, saving the environment was not significantly related to using AT. Among barriers, time restrictions, several destinations to reach, inconvenient landscapes, and troubles with outfits were more prominent among those not using AT.

Conclusions

Young people engage in AT mostly because of their motives and avoid engaging because of practical barriers. Awareness of the importance of individual AT for the welfare of the environment should be promoted and further studied in experimental studies.
134 Patients’ perspectives on determinants of physical activity promotion for chronic disease in primary care: A COM-B analysis
Authors: McGrath Aisling , Lambe Barry , Matthews Evan , McDonnell Karolyn , Harrison Michael , Kehoe Bróna
Published: September 2024

Purpose

Chronic disease (CD) accounts for more than half of the overall global disease burden and physical activity (PA) is an established evidence-based strategy for the prevention and management of CD. Global policy emphasises the value of embedding PA into primary healthcare, highlighting the positive effects on PA behaviour. Despite this, there is limited implementation of healthcare protocols for the management of PA in primary care, and further research is needed to guide its integration into routine practice. At an individual level, the voice of the patient living with CD is underrepresented in the literature, resulting in the absence of critical insights into determinants of PA promotion in primary care. The purpose of the research was to identify the patient perspectives on the determinants of PA promotion in primary care and to map these determinants across the six COM-B constructs.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews (n = 22), guided by the COM-B model were conducted with people aged 35-60 years, at risk of or living with CD and not meeting the PA guidelines. A hybrid analytic approach of thematic inductive and deductive analysis was applied to the participant transcripts guided by a COM-B informed coding framework.

Results

In total, 37 determinants across constructs related to capability, opportunity and motivation were prominent such as; physical capability constraints, the conflation of exercise with weight management, credibility of the health services in PA advice, communication styles in PA promotion, expectations of tailored support for PA, social support, accessibility, and integration of PA into routine habits.

Conclusions

Exploring the determinants of PA promotion through the lens of the COM-B model facilitated a systematic approach to understanding the patient perspective of the healthcare professional broaching the topic of PA. Findings emphasise the value of HCPs being supported to broach the issue of PA in a therapeutic and patient-centred manner using diverse and flexible approaches, while highlighting the importance of tailored, accessible PA opportunities that build self-efficacy and foster social support. The research provides valuable learnings to support PA promotion and the development of strategies in primary care through encompassing the patient’s perspective.

Funding Source

Health Service Executive Ireland.
44 Predictors of physical activity level among community-dwelling older adults in a suburban Nigerian population
Authors: Maruf Fatai , Akosile Christopher , Ihegihu Yvonne , Ajiboye Olufunke
Published: September 2024

Purpose

This study explored and determined predictors of PA level among a population of Nigerian community-dwelling older adults

Methods

This cross-sectional study involved 386 community-dwelling older adults (247 females and 139 males) who were recruited at the outreach primary healthcare centre of a teaching hospital. Socio-demographics, Health-related quality of life (HRQoL), fall incidence, fear of falling (FoF), balance, depression, cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) level, frequency of social visit, number of chronic diseases, number of informal carers, PA level and activities of daily living of participants were assessed using standardised procedures. Multivariate Binary Logistic Regression, using forward likelihood ratio and simple contrast, was used to determine predictors of PA level.

Results

there were lower odds for low PA level among older adults who had ≤2 chronic diseases [odd ratio (OR) 0.17, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.09-0.32], had low FoF [OR: 0.19, 95% CI 0.05-0.72], had high CRF level [OR 0.12, 95% CI 0.06-0.22], engaged in > 1 social visit per week, [OR: 0.37, 95% CI 0.19-0.70], and had at least secondary education [OR:0.43, 95% 0.19-0.97]. However, those who reported high mental component of HRQoL [OR: 2.98, 95% CI 1.41-6.29] had a higher odd for low PA level.

Conclusions

These findings confirm that having no or fewer diseased conditions, not having FoF, having enough capacity to move around, and having higher educational attainment are predictive of having higher PA level. However, it is counter-intuitive to find that those with higher mental component score of HRQoL are likely to be less physically active. This finding may be explained in light of the possibility that those who are economically advantaged may tend to have to move around less, especially to look for means of livelihood in the rural African context, leading to them being less physically active and yet reporting high mental component of quality of life. Thus, policy to address low PA behavior should be targeted at these groups of individuals in order to rescue them from the tendencies to live sedentary lives.

Support/Funding source

None.
130 Promoting health enhancing physical activity through social prescribing in Wales: A delivery and recommendations framework for nature-based wellbeing support programmes
Authors: Sellars Paul , Crone Diane , Mercer Jenny , Clayton Debbie
Published: September 2024

Purpose

In 2024 the Welsh Government published the National Framework for Social Prescribing, which sets out their plan for social prescription throughout Wales. Generally, social prescribing is a means of connecting people to non-clinical services in their community to improve health and wellbeing (WHO, 2022). ‘Wild Skills, Wild Spaces’ (WSWS) is an ecotherapy based social prescribing project run by Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust. WSWS provides nature-based physical activity aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of people with mental health problems, as well as supporting the management and conservation of the sites where it is delivered. The Centre for Health, Activity and Wellbeing Research (CAWR), commissioned by the Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust, conducted a two-year mixed-methods evaluation resulting in findings that confirmed the role WSWS has for both health and wellbeing benefits through being active. Informed by the findings and in alignment with the Welsh National Framework for Social Prescribing, the current project sought to develop a transferable delivery and recommendations framework for programmes in nature, aimed at enhancing physical, mental, and social wellbeing for people with mental health problems.

Methods

The ‘Delivery and Recommendations Framework for Nature-based Wellbeing Support Programmes’ was developed through a collaborative and iterative process incorporating four aspects: (i) WSWS evaluation findings, (ii) relevant peer reviewed journal articles, (iii) collaborative discussions with the WSWS staff, and (iv) the context of the Welsh National Framework for Social Prescribing.

Results

Following the iterative process, a delivery and recommendations framework for nature-based wellbeing support programmes was developed, encompassing a diagram and six tables. The diagram reflects the Welsh National Framework for Social Prescribing and locates where nature-based activities fit within the framework. The six tables include recommendations/guidelines for nature-based conservation programmes pertaining to:

• Social prescribing services

• People

• Activities

• Facilities

• Setting/environment

• Continued engagement and sustainability.

Conclusion

Overall, the delivery and recommendations framework provide recommendations/guidelines for people designing and delivering programmes in nature, aimed at promoting health enhancing physical activity, and mental and social wellbeing. The recommendations/guidelines encompass six delivery areas, and are transferable to other setting across Europe.

Support

WSWS was funded by the Welsh Government.
188 Recovery after a sports-related concussion: a longitudinal study of adolescent rugby union players in Northern Ireland
Authors: McKee Connor , Matthews Mark , Rankin Alan , Bleakley Chris
Published: September 2024

Purpose

Adolescent athletes who sustain a sports-related concussion may experience a prolonged recovery period. Evidence suggests female athletes and those with a history of previous concussion may have an extended recovery period, spanning multiple weeks to months. The purpose of this study was to track recovery from a concussion across patient-reported measures and determine the time taken to return to pre-injury levels in adolescent rugby union players.

Study design

A longitudinal study was utilised across a single rugby union playing season (2022-23). Ethical approval was granted from Ulster University Research Ethics Committee

Methods

Male and female rugby union players were recruited from nine school and club rugby teams across Northern Ireland. To be eligible, participants had to be 16-18years of age, injury free and currently playing at First XV level. Participants completed demographic and established questionnaires including Post-Concussion Symptom Scale (PCSS), Concussion Clinical Profiling (CP), Paediatric Fear Avoidance Behaviour after Traumatic Brain Injury (PFAB-TBI), General Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ). Those who sustained a concussion were re-assessed at 3, 7, 14, 23, 90 and 180days post-event. Recovery was defined as questionnaire score at pre-injury level. The primary outcome measure was Post-Concussion Symptom Scale.

Results

Of the 149 participants (113M (76%); 36F (24%)), 11 (7%) sustained a concussion during the season (9M: 2F), of which four had a previous history of concussion (2M: 2F). PCSS and PFAB-TBI took the longest time to return to baseline scores. Statistically significant differences in survival distribution (Chi-square 9.27 (df = 4) p < 0.05) across self-reported outcomes; pairwise comparisons show the largest differences in survival distribution were seen between PCSS and GAD (p = 0.02) and PCSS and PHQ (p < 0.04).

Conclusions

Adolescent male and female rugby union players experienced prolonged post-concussive symptoms based on self-reported measures. Further research on male and female adolescent athletes is needed to track recovery across various clinical measures.

Funding

This study was funded by the Department for the Economy (DfE) as part of a sponsorship of postgraduate students
176 Reducing travel distances in Sport – good for people and the planet
Authors: Abu-Omar Karim , Özer Dogukan , Tcymbal Antonina , Volk Tobias
Published: September 2024

Purpose

Globally, about 30% of CO2 emissions are caused by travel. In order to comply with calls of the United Nations and the European Commission, the sport sector needs to reduce its emissions caused by travel to tournaments and league games in professional and amateur sport. To this date, no clear mechanisms exists on how to do this. The presentations shows how an algorithm based solution from optimisation science can help sport federations reducing travel distances in any type of league or tournament play.

Methods

The sport federations of American Football (16 adolescent teams), Biathlon (IBU World Cup Series) and Gymnastics (64 1st and 2nd division Faustball teams) provided data on team locations, league play and tournament formats. Locations of teams and tournaments were mapped with Google Maps, and travel distances (straight-line, by car) were analysed. The algorithm Gurobi from optimisation science was used to optimise league play and tournaments to minimise total travel distances.

Results

For American Football, 16 adolescent teams travel in total 6329 km (396 km per team) for a season of league play in 2024. The IBU World Cup featuring 10 events for the 2023/24 season results in 13466 km of travel for each participant. In both instances, the optimisation algorithm can propose significant reductions in travel distances. For the IBU World Cup, changing the order of tournaments can reduce travel distances by more than 30%. The analysis of Faustball data is ongoing.

Conclusions

Travel distances in amateur and professional sport are a significant source of CO2 emissions. Algorithm based optimisation of league and tournament play to reduce travel distances has good potential to put the sport sector more in line with CO2 reduction targets agreed upon in the Paris Agreement.

Support/Funding Source

No external funds.
121 The effectiveness and acceptability of physical activity interventions amongst older adults from socioeconomically deprived groups: A mixed methods systematic review
Authors: Harris Danielle , Dlima Schenelle , Gluchowski Ashley , Hall Alex , Munford Luke
Published: September 2024

Purpose

Socioeconomically deprived older adults are less active compared to older adults who experience less socioeconomic deprivation. However, there is a paucity of evidence as to whether existing physical activity interventions are appropriate for older adults from lower socioeconomic groups. This review explores: (1) How effective are interventions aimed at increasing physical activity for older adults from socioeconomically deprived groups?; (2) What factors are associated with the acceptability of physical activity interventions amongst older adults from socioeconomically deprived groups?; (3) What are the implications for developing physical activity interventions for older adults from socioeconomically deprived groups?

Methods

Nine databases were searched up to May 2023, to identify quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods primary studies measuring the effectiveness and/or acceptability of physical activity interventions amongst older adults (aged 65 years and over) from socioeconomically deprived groups. Study authors’ definitions of socioeconomic deprivation were accepted; studies which described participants as socioeconomically deprived/disadvantaged or lower socioeconomic status were included. Included studies were assessed for quality using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. This review follows a convergent segregated data synthesis approach.

Results

Thirty studies (18 quantitative, 6 qualitative and 6 mixed methods) with 6,414 total participants were included. Mixed effects were found for effectiveness of interventions on physical activity levels amongst older adults from socioeconomically deprived groups. Effective interventions were informed by behaviour change frameworks, most commonly Social Cognitive Theory, utilised behaviour change techniques including goal-setting and self-monitoring and delivered in community settings, mainly via supervised group sessions.

Conclusions

The findings from this review will increase understanding around what makes physical activity interventions effective and acceptable to older adults from lower socioeconomic groups to inform future development of targeted, appropriate interventions.

Support/Funding Source

This presentation presents independent research funded under the Dunhill Medical Trust (PDM2202\9), National Institute for Health and Care Research Applied Research Collaboration-Greater Manchester (NIHR20017405156), National Institute for Health and Care Research Policy Research Unit in Older People and Frailty (PR-PRU-1217-21502) / Healthy Ageing (NIHR206119) and the University of Manchester. The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NIHR or Department of Health and Social Care.
94 Weekly participation and inclusion of children using wheelchairs in organized physical activity – an explorative interview study
Authors: Seemüller Selina , Beck Franziska , Bükers Frederik , Krieger Claus , Reimers Anne Kerstin
Published: September 2024

Purpose

Organized physical activity (OPA) has great impact to increase social inclusion (Vandermeerschen et al., 2015). Due to its regularity, it can make a great contribution to fulfil the physical activity (PA) recommendations. Nevertheless, less is known about OPA in children using wheelchairs. Therefore, the present study aimed to get a deeper understanding of OPA and possible influencing factors in children using wheelchairs.

Methods

In summary, seven boys and five girls aged 7-11 (mean: 9.67 ± 1.49) years participated in the present qualitative interview study. Using a semi-structured interview guideline, participants were asked about their weekly activities. The interviews analysed OPA type, duration, setting and intensity for each activity. Further, to identify influencing factors of participants’ OPA behavior, a qualitative content analysis with an inductive approach was performed (Kuckartz, 2018).

Results

The following settings were identified across OPA: (club) sport programs, physical education and therapy. The children revealed a mean duration of 166.9 minutes (SD ± 59.7) in moderate to vigorous intensity per week across OPA. Thereby, a lack of wheelchair-sport opportunities as well as a lack of accessibility were identified as main barriers. Due to a lack of competence of teachers and coaches regarding dealing with children using wheelchairs, participants reported of moderate practiced inclusion at school as well as difficulties to participate in non-inclusive settings.

Conclusions

As conclusion, the participants cover only 39.7% of the PA recommendation with OPA. For better inclusion, coaches and teachers need more expertise in dealing with children using wheelchairs. Further, public buildings and schools have to be more accessible and offers of inclusive sports programmes for children using wheelchairs should be increased. The setting therapy is an additional source of PA which should be examined more closely in future studies.

Support/Funding Source

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

References:

Kuckartz, U. (2018). Qualitative Inhaltsanalyse. Methoden, Praxis, Computerunterstützung. 69 469 Weinheim: Beltz Verlagsgruppe.

Vandermeerschen, H., Vos, S., & Scheerder, J. (2015). Who’s joining the club? Participation of socially vulnerable children and adolescents in club-organised sports. Sport, Education and Society, 20(8), 941-958. doi:10.1080/13573322.2013.856293
231 Wishes of people with excess body weight to physical activity - a qualitative systematic review
Authors: Christensen Jeanette Reffstrup , Nielsen Rasmus Ostergaard
Published: September 2024

Purpose

The prevalence of people with obesity (Body Mass Index>30) are still rapidly increasing and 1 billion people are now suffering from obesity worldwide. This entails major health challenges for both the individuals and our society, primarily because of increased costs. It is known that physical activity is an effective method to increase health also for people with obesity. But it is also known that people with obesity find it difficult to maintain an increased level of physical activity. The purpose was therefore to identify how physical activity must be planned and organized - also regarding form and content, so it includes the wishes and needs from people with obesity so they can increase and maintain their level of physical activity.

Materials and methods

A qualitative systematic review was registered in the PROSPERO and was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A systematic literature search was carried out in the databases PubMed, CINAHL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsykINFO, and Cochrane. The data synthesis was conducted according to Thomas and Harden’s thematic analysis.

Results

The search resulted in 14260 articles after removal of duplicates. Ten articles representing ten different studies were included in the thematic analysis. The articles investigated various phenomena of interest and had been carried out in different countries and cultures. Based on the thematic analysis, two primary themes and seven subthemes emerged.

Conclusions

This qualitative systematic review identified ten articles. The studies covered different aspects and perspectives of people with obesity on how to engage in physical activity. The studies are adding knowledge on how to plan and organize the form and the content of physical activity. These perspectives were synthesised into the two primary themes coping and environment and the seven subthemes health, knowledge and skills, adaptation to everyday life, self-perception and motivation, culture and family support, peers and social aspects, and settings.

Funding Source

No funding source paid for the study except the research units where the two researchers are affiliated.
71 Enhancing physical activity through service design
Authors: Kangas Sanna , Kiviluoto-Heinonen Liisa
Published: September 2024

Purpose

The purpose of LIPA (Users as the developers of sport services) project (implementation in Päijät-Häme region, Finland) was to help companies to develop sport services that meet the customer’s needs, which helps to reach new customer groups. Finding out customers’ needs also helps the companies to find customers that they haven’t reached yet, and this way enhance leisure time physical activity of new target groups.

Project description

LIPA project produced new information, understanding and know-how about the user-oriented development of sports services for companies in the sports and well-being sector. In the project, together with 10 sports companies, existing or completely new services were developed using service design.

For the development of the services, customer understanding was collected from existing and potential customers. Based on customer understanding, customer personas were crystallized, through which new or improved services could be conceptualized. In addition to experts and entrepreneurs, customers or a possible future user group also participated in the ideation and piloting. Each development process was evaluated from the perspective of the project team and the entrepreneur utilizing the RE-AIM framework.

Through the service design processes, new and improved services were created, which are aimed at new users and customer groups. As a result, the described model service design process is also created - a model for user-oriented development of sports services and the user persona of sports services in the private sector. The resulting sports service design process model will be disseminated to be used by the sports industry in cooperation with the higher education network and entrepreneurs.

Conclusions

With the means of service design, it is possible to identify the needs of target groups that were previously perceived as challenging, and it is also possible to take these needs into account when communicating and marketing services. Service design also enables the development of services in a customer-oriented manner, and newly developed or redesigned services meet the needs of users better. This could be a possibility to increase leisure time activity even for those who are less physically active.
82 Implementing the concept of 24-hour movement behaviours as a determinant of health into the Slovenian environment (GIB24): a national project presentation
Authors: Kastelic Kaja , Knific Tjaša , Šarabon Nejc
Published: September 2024

Purpose

Physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep (i.e. 24-hour movement behaviours) are important determinants of health and well-being. Given their perfect co-dependency, there has been a recent recognition that it is sound to address them in a combination. Therefore, the purpose of our ongoing (2023–2025) national project GIB24 is to implement the concept of 24-hour movement behaviours as a determinant of health into the Slovenian environment.

Project description

First, the project will develop Slovenian 24-hour movement guidelines for adults that will integrate recommendations on physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep. The development of the guidelines will follow GRADE-ADOLOPMENT approach, and will include several stakeholders, like kinesiologists, health-care providers, and policy makers. Second, in a collaboration with National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ), we will adapt the national health survey that will allow monitoring of physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep across the whole 24-hour day. The updated items will be implemented in a national survey that will be conducted in 2024. The data collected will allow us to evaluate the adherence to 24-hour movement guidelines among a nationally representative sample of Slovenian adults (n ≈ 9000). Third, a national representative sample (n = 17500) will be invited to participate in a prospective cohort study using thigh-worn activPAL accelerometers. The prospective study aims to estimate prevalence and identify corelates/determinants of device-measured 24-hour movement behaviours among Slovenian adults, and to explore cross-sectional and prospective associations with health and well-being. Fourth, the project will implement the assessment of 24-hour movement behaviours as a vital sign into preventive programmes at the primary health care level.

Conclusions

The project GIB24 will lay foundations for integrated monitoring and promotion of a healthy combination of physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep in Slovenian environment. The evidence-based findings of the project are anticipated to inform future public health policy in Slovenia. The project results will be disseminated in research articles and conferences, popular articles and social media, posters, and flyers. Project dissemination activities are anticipated to raise awareness about the importance of a healthy 24-hour movement behaviours among general, professional, and scientific public.
28 SmartCHANGE: Promoting Healthy Lifestyle in Childhood with Support of AI
Authors: Jurak Gregor
Published: September 2024

Notwithstanding major improvements in the treatment of NCDs, primary prevention strategies that target healthy individuals are a more effective solution compared to prevention of adverse outcomes at early stages of the disease or treating a fully developed disease. Additionally, even though biological risk factors usually emerge in adulthood, childhood and adolescents are the ideal period for risk-lowering strategies based on behaviour changes.

Given that 80% of parents of inactive children wrongly consider their children to be sufficiently active, that existing risk calculation tools are used on adults, and that there is very little understanding about the appropriate level of specific behaviours even among health professionals (who are forced to rely on imperfect tools such as BMI), there is a deep need for tools to fight back against NCDs more effectively.

This is where SmartCHANGE comes in: the project’s goal is to develop trustworthy, AI-based decision-support tools that will help health professionals and citizens reduce long-term risk of NCDs by accurately assessing the risk of children and teens and promoting optimised risk-lowering strategies.

By engaging users right from the start of the application’s development through the process of co-creation and by applying machine learning to ethical datasets, the project will revolutionise health monitoring and wellness encouragement for youth, as well as preventing their risks of contracting diseases later in life.

At the final stage, developed solution, including applications, real-time lifestyle data collection, behaviour and health records data, AI prediction models and risk-lowering strategies will be tested in proof of concept study through four different settings.

In Finland, the project involves school nurses collaborating with 14-year-olds, leveraging the synergy of education and health.

In the Netherlands, we integrate pediatric primary care with schools for the 11 to 14 years-olds, fostering a holistic support system.

In Portugal, the focus is on family physicians working alongside 6 to 10-year-olds, recognizing the influence of family dynamics on health.

In Slovenia, a community-based approach engages various healthcare experts in connected continuum for 6 to 10-year-olds, highlighting collective responsibility.

We look forward to presenting our work, receiving feedback, and inviting collaboration from other participants in HEPA 2024.