Journal of physical activity & health最新文献

Background: Fundamental motor skills (FMS) are essential for children's overall development and lifelong engagement in physical activity. Limited exposure to FMS during early childhood is associated with delayed motor development, potentially hindering successful participation in sport and healthy lifestyle practices.

Methods: This study aimed to enhance the FMS of 6- to 8-year-old children through a self-designed gross motor intervention to promote future physical activity engagement. Using a quantitative research approach and a quasi-experimental design, a convenience sample of 118 children from a primary school in Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa was selected. Participants were randomly divided into an experimental group (n = 67) and a control group (n = 51). Pretesting and posttesting were conducted using the Test for Gross Motor Development, Third Edition.

Results: Following a 6-week school-based intervention, results showed that the experimental group exhibited significant improvements in locomotor skills particularly in running, galloping, hopping, skipping, jumping, and sliding compared with the control group. Enhanced object control skills were also observed, notably in 2-hand striking and overhand throwing. However, no significant changes were found in dribbling, catching, and underhand throwing.

Conclusion: The study underscores the need for ongoing research and tailored interventions to optimize FMS development in young children, encouraging lifelong participation in physical activity.

Background: Evidence linking specific types and quantities of home play equipment to preschoolers' screen time is limited, with unclear differences between weekdays and weekends and scarce data from Asian contexts. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the quantity of play equipment at home in various categories and screen time on both weekdays and weekends, as well as to assess potential differences based on sex.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 610 preschoolers and their parents participated. Parents reported the availability of play equipment at home using questionnaires, which were then categorized by physical and functional characteristics. Additionally, parents provided information on their children's screen time using the Children's Leisure Activities Study Survey questionnaire-Chinese version, along with demographic details. Generalized linear models with a gamma distribution and log link were utilized to examine the relationship between play equipment at home and screen time.

Results: A total of 610 preschoolers (5.3 [1.0] y; 55.9% boys) were included in the analysis. A greater availability of equipment that fosters multiple movement skills was linked to reduced screen time on weekdays (B = -0.04; 95% confidence interval, -0.06 to -0.01). Additionally, a higher quantity of equipment with specific physical (eg, medium, portability, outdoor suitability) and functional features (eg, team-based use, recreational purpose, moderate to vigorous intensity, and multiskill development) was correlated with lower weekend screen time. These associations varied between boys and girls.

Conclusions: Our findings demonstrated a connection between the presence of play equipment at home and screen time, especially during weekends. An increased amount of equipment with certain physical and functional traits was associated with reduced screen time. These insights highlight the importance of focusing on specific equipment features to promote healthier lifestyles for preschoolers.

Background: Stress shapes parents' decision making around risk-taking, yet little is understood about how this relates to the risks they allow their children to take. This study investigates the association between parental psychological distress and attitudes toward and tolerance of risky play in British parents of 2- to 11-year-olds.

Methods: Data from 2 cross-sectional, nationally representative samples, the British Preschool Children's Play Survey and the British Children's Play Survey, were used. Survey respondents were parents and caregivers of preschoolers aged 2-4 years and school-aged children aged 5-11 years in Britain, respectively. Surveys used comparable methods and validated scales. Parental psychological distress was assessed using the Kessler Psychological Distress (K6) scale. Parental attitudes toward and tolerance of risky play were assessed by the Risk Engagement and Protection Survey (REPS) and the Tolerance of Risk in Play Scale (TRiPS). Linear regression investigated the association between K6 (exposure) and REPS and TRiPS (outcomes). Gender differences were tested with interactions and stratified analyses.

Results: Among 1009 preschool parents, mothers experiencing greater distress were more protective (B = 0.10, P = .038). Among 1272 parents of school-aged children, higher distress was associated with more protective attitudes (B = 0.08, P = .006) and less supportive attitudes for risk engagement (B = -0.07, P = .019).

Conclusions: Parents who experience greater psychological distress have more risk-averse attitudes toward risky play in 2- to 11-year-olds than less distressed parents. Parental mental health is an important factor to consider when designing interventions to promote opportunities for child movement and risky play.

Purpose: Although the "weekend warrior (WW)" physical activity (PA) pattern has known health benefits, its association with sarcopenia is unclear. This study examined whether the WW PA pattern is associated with a lower likelihood of sarcopenia compared with the inactive and regularly active (RA) PA patterns.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 28,918 participants. Individuals reporting ≥150 minutes per week of moderate PA, ≥75 minutes per week of vigorous PA, or ≥ 150 minutes per week of moderate to vigorous leisure-time PA were classified as "active." Within the active group, those exercising 1 to 2 days per week were categorized as WWs, and those exercising on ≥3 days per week were categorized as RA. Sarcopenia was defined as a sarcopenia index >2 SD below the sex-specific reference.

Results: In a logistic regression adjusted for all covariates, WWs had significantly lower odds of sarcopenia compared with both inactive (OR 0.16; 95% CI, 0.07-0.35) and RA individuals (OR 0.25; 95% CI, 0.11-0.56). RA participants also showed reduced odds compared with the inactive group (OR 0.64; 95% CI, 0.52-0.79). Regarding PA volume, the Kruskal-Wallis test indicated that RA participants participate in more moderate-intensity PA (RA 159.3 vs WW 125.3 min/wk), whereas WWs engaged in more vigorous-intensity PA (RA 32.4 vs WW 47.1 min/wk).

Conclusions: The WW PA pattern was associated with a lower prevalence of sarcopenia compared with both inactive and RA individuals, suggesting that concentrated, infrequent but high-intensity activity may help reduce sarcopenia risk-particularly for those with limited time.

Background: Outdoor recess during school is a prominent source of children's physical activity; however, children's movement is likely affected when recess is moved indoors due to inclement weather. This study assessed the amount and intensity of children's physical activity during school recess when it took place inside gyms or classrooms compared with traditional outdoor recess during periods of high heat.

Methods: This cross-sectional observational study included assessments of movement intensity levels during recess (sedentary, light, and moderate to vigorous physical activity [MVPA]) among fifth-grade children (N = 251; ages = 10-12 y) at 5 schools in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area (Arizona, United States) between August and September 2024. School personnel determined the locations for recess (in classrooms, gyms, or outdoors). Physical activity levels were assessed using the System for Observing Play and Leisure Activity in Youth during 91 observations across 15 recess periods. Differences in mean physical activity intensities were compared between recess locations for the entire sample and by child sex using 1-way analyses of variance.

Results: Outdoor temperatures ranged from 91 to 109 °F (33-43 °C). Most recess was held outside (60%), with 20% in classrooms and 20% in gyms. All physical activity intensities differed between locations, with the greatest difference in time occurring in MVPA in gyms (51%) and outdoors (28%) compared with classrooms (11%), where children were mainly sedentary (71%). Boys spent more time in MVPA and less time sedentary than girls across all settings.

Conclusions: Having indoor facilities to support movement such as gyms provides more MVPA and less time sitting compared with classrooms or outdoors on high-heat days.

Background: Public open spaces (POS) can promote physical activity (PA) in children, but evidence of their role in vulnerable contexts remains limited. This study examines how POS characteristics (distance, quality, and parental perception) influence PA among preschoolers in low-income neighborhoods.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in public preschools in peripheral neighborhoods of a capital city in Northeastern Brazil. Moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) and total PA (TPA) of 128 preschoolers aged 3-5 (56.9% male) were measured using accelerometry. POS accessibility and quality were assessed using the Physical Activity Resource Assessment and Geographic Information Systems. Parental perceptions of the neighborhood and sociodemographic data were collected through interviews. Binary (for MVPA) and ordinal (for TPA) logistic regressions tested associations, adjusting for sex, age, maternal education, and income (P < .05).

Results: Preschoolers' mean MVPA time was 67.6 (20.0) and TPA time was 296.6 (52.4). A greater Euclidean distance from home to the POS was associated with greater odds of meeting MVPA recommendations (odds ratio [OR] = 6.34; P < .01). Greater walking distance (OR = 2.23; P = .02), higher POS quality (OR = 1.05; P < .01), and nighttime safety (OR = 0.39; P = .02) significantly predicted TPA levels.

Conclusion: In socially vulnerable environments, POS distance and quality play differentiated roles in preschoolers' PA. Although a greater distance may encourage active travel, the quality and safety of POS remain critical to PA. Therefore, equitable urban planning is necessary to optimize POS resources for preschoolers in vulnerable communities.

Background: Investment in recreational physical activity and sports participation (PAS) needs to be justified. The Social Return on Investment (SROI) is a framework that aims to quantify social value, but there is no standard on how to apply it to the PAS sector. This study uses the Delphi method to reach international consensus on (1) the definition of social value of PAS, (2) the social outcomes that should be measured, and (3) the tools to measure and value them.

Methods: The preparing phase included a systematic review, initial interviews, and 2 creative workshops. During the conducting phase, a pilot was followed by 3 iterative rounds of communication with experts. Participants indicated their level of agreement with different statements. Consensus was reached if ≥70% of the panel agreed or disagreed. Small expert meetings were used as an additional step.

Results: Fifty-nine experts completed the first round and consensus was reached in all statements. There was 100% of agreement that Health, Education, Subjective Well-being, and Social Capital should be outcomes of a Social Return on Investment model of PAS and 85.7% for Crime. However, the results from the small expert meetings led to the removal of Social Capital and Crime from the final model. Stability of consensus (≤10% variability) was reached.

Conclusions: This study provides the initial phase for a standardized international PAS Social Return on Investment model to guide policymakers, industry, and any stakeholder interested in the evaluation of the social value generated by their activity.

Background: Latino persons with chronic spine pain (CSP) face distinct challenges to engaging in physical activity (PA) that may be explained by factors at multiple levels of the socioecological model and by intersecting oppressions. The objective of this study was to use the socioecological model and intersectionality framework to explore multilevel and intersecting determinants of PA among Latino persons with CSP using a qualitative approach.

Methods: A purposive sample of Latino persons with CSP living in the United States near the US-Mexican border completed a demographic survey and participated in semistructured interviews. Interview questions related to PA experiences were based on the socioecological model and intersectionality framework. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and coded deductively using rapid qualitative analysis in the original language (English or Spanish).

Results: Participants (N = 25, 65% women, 72% Spanish speakers) identified factors at the intrapersonal (eg, pain severity, mobility limitations, activity pacing, negative mental, and emotional states), interpersonal (eg, social support and competing social priorities), and environmental (eg, physical residence, neighborhood walkability, and neighborhood safety) levels. Individual PA experiences differed at varying intersections of culture with gender, geography, socioeconomic status, and employment status among Latino persons with CSP.

Conclusions: Latino persons with CSP face multilevel barriers to PA engagement that vary across social identities and impact the support, safety, and resources needed to engage in PA. Study findings can inform future PA interventions that tailor strategies to the unique needs of this population, with the goal of improving PA levels and pain management.

Background: The relationship between changes in physical function and quality of life in pancreatic cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy is not yet fully understood. This study aimed to examine the physical function trajectories and their relationship with the quality of life in these patients.

Methods: A total of 273 patients with pancreatic cancer were recruited for this study. Three physical functional tests (maximum grip strength, 2-minute step test [2-MST], and timed up and go) were performed at baseline (before chemotherapy) and at 2, 4, 6, 9, and 12 months of chemotherapy. Quality of life was measured using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire. A linear mixed-effects model was used to detect changes in physical function over time and to assess associations among the primary outcomes.

Results: The grip strength significantly decreased (P = .005), whereas the number of 2-MST repetitions significantly increased (P < .001) at 12 months of chemotherapy. Both outcomes were significantly correlated with the physical functioning domain (grip strength: P < .001, 2-MST: P < .001). However, only the 2-MST outcome was associated with the global health status domain (P < .001).

Conclusions: Patients with pancreatic cancer showed reduced grip strength and improved 2-MST performance at 12 months of chemotherapy. Both outcomes correlated with health-related quality of life. These findings highlight the importance of monitoring functional performance in pancreatic cancer patients using both tests, particularly during the early phases of chemotherapy, and offer valuable insights for the development of rehabilitation and supportive care strategies.