The Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences
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Isometric, dynamic, and manual muscle strength measures and their association with cycling performance in elite para-cyclists.
No full textOBJECTIVE: Para-cycling classification aims to generate fair competition by discriminating between levels of activity limitation. This study investigated the relationship between lower limb Manual Muscle Tests (MMT) with ratio-scaled measures of isometric and dynamic strength, and of the ratio-scaled measures with cycling performance. DESIGN: Fifty-six para-cyclists (44 males, 12 females) with leg impairments performed isometric and dynamic strength tests: leg push and pull, and an all-out 20 s sprint. MMT results were obtained from the classification database (n = 21) and race speeds from time trials (n = 54). RESULTS: Regression analyses showed significant associations of MMT with isometric push (R2 = .49), dynamic push (R2 = .35), and dynamic pull (R2 = .28). Isometric strength was significantly correlated with dynamic push (ρ = .63) and pull (ρ = .54). The isometric and dynamic tests were significantly associated with sprint power and race speed (R2 = .16-.50). CONCLUSION: The modified MMT and ratio-scaled measures were significantly associated. The significant relation of isometric and dynamic strength with sprint power and race speed maps the impact of lower limb impairments on para-cycling performance. MMT and the isometric and dynamic measures show potential for use in para-cycling classification
Finns det någon skillnad i fysisk aktivitetsnivå för vuxna individer som är bosatta i Bromma (Höglandet) jämfört med Rinkeby? : En tvärsnittsstudie som belyser bostadsområde, utbildningsnivå och inkomst
No full textSyfte och frågeställningar Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka eventuella skillnader hos individer bosatta i Bromma (Höglandet) respektive Rinkeby gällande fysisk aktivitetsnivå. Vi undersökte också samband mellan fysisk aktivitet, utbildningsnivå och inkomst. Studiens frågeställningar: • Finns det någon skillnad i fysisk aktivitetsnivå mellan vuxna bosatta i Bromma (Höglandet) respektive Rinkeby? • Finns det något samband mellan fysisk aktivitetsnivå och socioekonomisk status (enligt utbildningsnivå och inkomst)? Metod I denna studie används en kvantitativ ansats i form av en tvärsnittsstudie. Datainsamlingen genomfördes med hjälp av enkäter som skickades ut eller frågades på plats respektive område. Utifrån svaren kunde vi sammanställa fysisk aktivitetsnivå i METs min/vecka. Urvalet gjordes av ett bekvämlighets- och självselekterat urval. Antalet deltagare var n=82 som innefattade både män (n= 36) och kvinnor (n= 46). Data analyserades i SPSS (Mann-Whitney U-test för skillnader och Spearmankorrelation för samband). Resultat Vår studie visade inte att de finns någon skillnad (P=0.26) i fysisk aktivitetsnivå mellan vuxna bosatta i Höglandet (3053 METs min/vecka) respektive Rinkeby (2446 METs min/vecka). Signifikant samband mellan utbildningsnivå och fysisk aktivitet kunde påvisas (r = 0.23; p=0.004). Inkomst visade sig inte ha samband med fysisk aktivitetsnivå (r=0.07; P=0.54) dock var sambandet mellan inkomst och utbildning var signifikant (r=0.74; P<0.001). Slutsats Det fanns inga skillnader i fysisk aktivitetsnivå mellan Bromma och Rinkeby. Utbildningsnivå var den socioekonomiska variabel som hade ett tydligt samband med fysisk aktivitet. Därför anser vi att jämt fördelade förutsättningar för utbildning är grundläggande för att förebygga samhällsklyftor
Hur samvarierar fysisk aktivitet med upplevd livskvalité bland fyra individer med psykisk ohälsa : ”Livet är en dans, ibland”
No full textAim: The aim of this study is to investigate the significance of physical activity as a treatment for four individuals with mental illness. Can physical activity as a form of treatment coexist with an individual´s physical and mental health, quality of life and other components of life? - Primary research question: “How does physical activity coexist with perceived quality of life in four individuals with mental illness?” - Secondary research question: How does physical activity coexist with physical health?” - Secondary research question: “How does physical activity coexist with mental health?” - Secondary research question: “What impact does physical activity as a form of treatment have on the individual´s other aspects of life?” (Unemployment, home sitters, social exclusion, socioeconomic vulnerability, body perception). - Secondary research question: “How does the individual experience the immediate and long-term effects of physical activity?” Method: The study included three women and one man between the ages of 23-55. The participants live with conditions and diagnoses that primarily affect their mental health and all have undergone treatment with physical activity as a single form or in combination with therapy and medication. Physical activity on prescription was offered through primary care or respective psychiatric clinics, with primary activities being dance, strength, and conditioning training. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to gain an in-depth understanding of the participants' experiences with physical activity as a treatment and whether it affected their quality of life as well as their physical and mental health. Results: Physical activity had a positive effect on quality of life, as the activity itself created meaning, structure, and zest for life, thus having a positive effect on respondents' daily lives. Physical activity was a leading factor in increased motivation, reduced social exclusion, and reduced disease symptoms that were described as challenges before treatment began. Leader-led activity was considered a crucial factor for compliance. Conclusion: When designing treatment plans for individuals with mental illness, physical activity should be considered as a primary or complementary component. One possible effect of this can be improved quality of life, relief of illness conditions, and improved general health. A structured leader-led group training is considered advantageous for compliance and implementation of physical activity, and furthermore, the sense of community in group training was seen to create meaning, structure, and value for these four respondents who participated in the study.Syfte och frågeställningar: Studiens syfte är att undersöka betydelsen av behandling med fysisk aktivitet hos fyra individer med psykisk ohälsa. Kan fysisk aktivitet som behandlingsform samvariera på individens fysiska och psykiska hälsa, livskvalité och övriga komponenter i livet. - Primär frågeställning: ”Hur samvarierar fysisk aktivitet med upplevd livskvalité hosfyra individer med psykisk ohälsa”. - Sekundär frågeställning: “Hur samvarierar fysisk aktivitet med den fysiska hälsan.” - Sekundär frågeställning: “Hur samvarierar fysisk aktivitet med den psykiska hälsan.” - Sekundär frågeställning: “Vad har fysisk aktivitet i behandlingsform inverkat på individens övriga liv?” (Arbetslöshet, hemmasittare, utanförskap, socioekonomisk utsatthet, kroppsuppfattning.) - Sekundär frågeställning: ”Hur upplever individen effekten av fysisk aktivitet direkt och långsiktig?” Metod: I studien ingick det tre kvinnor och en man som var mellan 23–55 år. Deltagarna lever med tillstånd och diagnoser som främst drabbar deras psykiska hälsa och samtliga haringått i en behandling med fysisk aktivitet som enskild form eller i kombination med terapi och medicin. Fysisk aktivitet på recept erbjöds via primärvården eller av respektive psykiatriska mottagning, primära aktiviteter var dans, styrke- och konditionsträning. Semistrukturerade intervjuer utfördes för att få en djupgående förståelse av deltagarnas erfarenhet med fysisk aktivitet som behandling och huruvida det påverkat deras livskvalité såväl som deras fysiska och psykiska hälsa. Resultat: Fysisk aktivitet åstadkom en positiv effekt på livskvalitén, då aktiviteten i sig skapade meningsfullhet, struktur och livslust, och gav därmed en positiv effekt på respondenternas vardag. Den fysiska aktiviteten var en ledande faktor till förhöjd motivation, minskat utanförskap och reducerade sjukdomssymtom som beskrivits som utmaningar innan behandlingsstart. Ledarledd aktivitet ansågs vara en avgörande faktor för följsamhet. Slutsats: Vid utformning av behandlingsplan för individer med psykisk ohälsa bör fysisk aktivitet tas i beaktning, som en primär eller kompletterande del. En möjlig effekt av detta kan ge förhöjd livskvalité, lindring av sjukdomstillstånd och förbättrat allmäntillstånd. En strukturerad ledarledd gruppträning anses vara fördelaktig för följsamhet och genomförande av fysisk aktivitet, och vidare sågs gemenskap i gruppträningen skapa meningsfullhet, struktur och värde hos dessa fyra respondenter som deltog i studien
Effects of Yoga and Aerobic Exercise on Verbal Fluency in Physically Inactive Older Adults : Randomized Controlled Trial (FitForAge).
No full textPURPOSE: To compare the effects on verbal fluency of a supported yoga-based exercise intervention to an aerobic exercise intervention and a wait-list control group. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: Eighty-two physically-inactive but otherwise healthy adults (mean age 72.5 years, range 65-85, 77% female) were recruited into a 12-week, three-group, parallel randomized controlled trial. Participants were supported to complete ≥3 Hatha yoga classes per/week or ≥3 structured aerobic exercise sessions/week. A wait-list control group continued usual daily activities only. Verbal fluency, including total-FAS, animals, and verbs, was assessed before and after interventions. Group effects were assessed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). RESULTS: Twenty-seven participants were randomized to yoga, 29 to aerobic exercise and 26 to a waitlist. At 12-week follow-up, compared to baseline, there were increases in mean total-FAS in the yoga (+5.0 words, p=0.002) and aerobic exercise groups (+6.6 words, p=0.004). Mean total-FAS in the wait-list control group remained stable (-0.5 words, p=0.838). There were medium-magnitude estimated treatment effects on total-FAS for yoga versus wait-list control and aerobic exercise versus wait-list control: Hedges' g=0.51 (p=0.213) and 0.57 (p=0.098) respectively. In addition, small-to-medium magnitude estimated treatment effects were seen on animals and verbs for yoga versus wait-list control and aerobic exercise versus wait-list control: g=0.28 (p=0.155), 0.19 (p=0.766) and 0.50 (p=0.085), 0.59 (p=0.233) respectively. CONCLUSION: Participation in yoga or aerobic exercise was associated with estimated improvements in verbal fluency compared to a non-active control group. Yoga and aerobic exercise may be promising approaches by which to promote cognitive function among older adults. TRIAL REGISTRATION: DRKS00015093, U1111-1217-4248
Unexcused absence from physical education in elementary school. On the role of autonomous motivation and body image factors.
No full textPhysical education (PE) is an essential school subject due to its potential to promote well-being and health in all children. Yet, PE stands out among other subjects in terms of truancy. This study is one of the first to examine if unexcused absence from PE is associated with early adolescents' body image and autonomous motivation towards PE. A total of 526 Swedish 6th graders (Mage = 12.28, SD = 0.31) reported the frequency of unexcused absence from PE and answered questions about aesthetic and functional body image, social physique anxiety, and autonomous motivation. Findings showed that unexcused absence from PE was associated with less autonomous motivation and higher social physique anxiety. Participants who had never been absent reported higher functional body image investment and satisfaction. Analyses showed that whereas the aesthetic aspects of body image were associated with decreased autonomous motivation toward PE, functional aspects predicted higher autonomous motivation. The study sheds novel light on the links between absence from PE, body image, and autonomous motivation. As absence may have real-life practical effects for school achievement, health, and well-being, the findings demonstrate the importance of mitigating social physique anxiety and promoting an inclusive and body positive PE context early on
Parents' experiences of participating in the Healthy School Start Plus programme - a qualitative study.
No full textBACKGROUND: The rise in overweight and obesity among children is a global problem and effective prevention interventions are urgently required. Parents play an important role in children's lifestyle behaviours and body weight development and therefore there is a great need to investigate how to involve parents effectively in health promotion and prevention programmes. The aim of the study was to describe parents' experiences of barriers and facilitators of participating in the Healthy School Start Plus (HSSP) intervention study. METHODS: HSSP is a parental support programme, conducted in Sweden, with the aim to promote a healthy diet, physical activity and preventing obesity in 5-7-year-old children starting school. In total 20 parents from 7 schools participated in semi-structured telephone-based interviews. The data was analysed using qualitative content analysis, with a deductive approach based on the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). RESULTS: Parental experiences of barriers and facilitators informing the implementation of the HSSP intervention were identified within all five domains of the CFIR. Two additional constructs, not included in the CFIR were identified: Social factors and Cooperation. The findings of parental experiences of barriers and facilitators related to the importance of (1) adaptation of the intervention to fit the abilities of the parents with different social and cultural backgrounds; (2) the need for continuous delivery of information related to healthy behaviours; (3) the commitment and efforts of the deliverers of the intervention; (4) the need for repetition of information related to healthy behaviours given by the deliverers of the intervention; (5) encouragement and facilitation of the involvement of the family and key people around them through the intervention activities and by the deliverers of the intervention; (6) awareness of unexpected impacts and social and cultural conditions complicating the execution of the intervention and; (7) cooperation and a well-functioning interaction between parents and school staff. CONCLUSIONS: Barriers and facilitators indicated by the parents highlighted that interventions like the HSSP need to be adapted to fit the parents' abilities, with reminders, follow-ups and delivery of relevant information. Variations in social and cultural conditions need to be taken into consideration. The commitment of the school and the interaction between the school staff and the family as well as key people around them appears to be important. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The Healthy School Start Plus trial was retrospectively registered in the International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number Registry on January 4, 2018 and available online at ClinicalTrials.gov: No. NCT03390725
Intra-individual stability of longitudinal urinary steroid profiles in Swedish athletes.
No full textThe steroid module of the athlete biological passport (ABP) aims to detect doping with endogenous steroids by longitudinally monitoring epitestosterone (E), testosterone (T), and four metabolically related steroids and their ratios. There are large variations in the urinary levels of the androgen metabolites due to genetic polymorphisms, drug use, menstrual cycle, and other factors. In this study, we aimed to increase our understanding of the natural, within-individual variations of the established ABP markers in males and females over time, looking at samples collected both in and out-of-competition (IC/OOC). Urinary steroid profiles from 323 Swedish athletes, with at least five samples per athlete, were extracted from ADAMS together with information on type of sport, IC/OOC, and time of day. Data were analyzed using coefficient of variation (CV%) to examine within-subject variability and linear mixed effects models to estimate within-subject change in the metabolites over time. The metabolites and ratios expressed higher individual CV% in females (23-56) than in males (18-39). Samples taken OOC showed larger intra-individual variations than samples collected IC for most of the ABP metabolites in both sexes. The median concentrations were higher IC for some metabolites, particularly testosterone being 52% higher among females. Time of day influenced the intra-individual variation of the urinary steroid profile with decreases in androgen metabolites over time, if measured in evening versus daytime. These findings can aid in the testing strategies and interpretation of the steroidal module of ABP
Acute effects of nitrate and breakfast on working memory, cerebral blood flow, arterial stiffness, and psychological factors in adolescents : Study protocol for a randomised crossover trial.
No full textBACKGROUND: Inorganic nitrate has been shown to acutely improve working memory in adults, potentially by altering cerebral and peripheral vasculature. However, this remains unknown in adolescents. Furthermore, breakfast is important for overall health and psychological well-being. Therefore, this study will investigate the acute effects of nitrate and breakfast on working memory performance, task-related cerebral blood flow (CBF), arterial stiffness, and psychological outcomes in Swedish adolescents. METHODS: This randomised crossover trial will recruit at least 43 adolescents (13-15 years old). There will be three experimental breakfast conditions: (1) none, (2) low-nitrate (normal breakfast), and (3) high-nitrate (concentrated beetroot juice with normal breakfast). Working memory (n-back tests), CBF (task-related changes in oxygenated and deoxygenated haemoglobin in the prefrontal cortex), and arterial stiffness (pulse wave velocity and augmentation index) will be measured twice, immediately after breakfast and 130 min later. Measures of psychological factors and salivary nitrate/nitrite will be assessed once before the conditions and at two-time points after the conditions. DISCUSSION: This study will provide insight into the acute effects of nitrate and breakfast on working memory in adolescents and to what extent any such effects can be explained by changes in CBF. This study will also shed light upon whether oral intake of nitrate may acutely improve arterial stiffness and psychological well-being, in adolescents. Consequently, results will indicate if nitrate intake from beetroot juice or if breakfast itself could acutely improve cognitive, vascular, and psychological health in adolescents, which can affect academic performance and have implications for policies regarding school meals. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial has been prospectively registered on 21/02/2022 at https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN16596056. Trial number: ISRCTN16596056.This project is supported by The Knowledge Foundation https://www.kks.se/ (20180040; ÖE, GN), and the following companies: COOP Sverige, IKEA, Skandia, Skanska, Generation Pep, and Konsumentföreningen Stockholm.</p
Does students in upper secondary school experience stress and how are they coping with it? : A study about stress and coping strategies amongst students in upper secondary school
No full textSyftet med den föreliggande studien var att undersöka om elever i årskurs 1–3 på gymnasiet upplever stress, vilka copingstrategier de använder sig av för att hantera/förebygga stress samt om det fanns skillnader mellan män och kvinnor i upplevd stress och val av copingstrategier. Metoden som användes var av kvantitativ ansats. Enkäter användes som datainsamlingsmetod för studien. Enkäterna som användes var PSS-10 för att mäta stress samt Brief- COPE 28 för att mäta copingstrategier. Dessa enkäter är använda i tidigare forskning inom samma område. Urvalet bestod av gymnasielever från årskurs 1–3 hemmahörande i Gävle och Stockholm. Resultatet visade att det fanns en korrelation mellan upplevd stress och val av copingstrategi. Det fanns en positiv korrelation mellan stress och copingstrategierna ”undvikande” och ”distraktion”. Det vill säga att dessa två copingstrategier var kopplade till högre nivåer av rapporterad stress. Det fanns också en negativ korrelation mellan stress och problemlösande coping. Detta betyder att problemlösande coping var kopplat till lägre nivåer av rapporterad stress. Resultatet visade också att de fanns en signifikant skillnad mellan könen i upplevd stress. Männen hade en signifikant lägre PSS-10 poäng än kvinnorna och är då enligt det resultatet mindre stressade än kvinnor. Resultatet visade även att det fanns en signifikant skillnad mellan män och kvinnor när det kom till användandet av copingstrategierna ”undvikande” och ”distraktion”. Båda dessa strategier användes i större utsträckning av kvinnorna i studien. De slutsatser som kan dras utifrån studiens resultat är att bland de deltagande gymnasieeleverna är kvinnorna mer stressade än männen. Det fanns också skillnader mellan männen och kvinnorna när det kom till tillämpade av copingstrategierna ”undvikande” och ”distraktion”. Vidare finns det också en skillnad mellan copingstrategier och stress, vissa strategier genererar mer stress, alternativt att graden av stress gjorde att en viss copingstrategi valdes i högre utsträckning.The aim of this study was to examine if Swedish students in upper secondary school felt stress, what coping strategies they use to cope with/prevent stress and if there is a difference between men and women. The method used for this study was quantitative approach, using surveys for the collection of data. The surveys used are SPSS-10 for measuring stress and Brief-COPE 28 for measuring level of use of coping strategies. Both surveys have been used in research purpose before and in similar studies. Students from upper secondary level classes in Gävle and Stockholm was given the surveys. The results of this study show a correlation between stress and what coping strategies students use. There was a positive correlation between stress and the use of avoiding and distraction as coping strategies. This means that avoiding and distraction was linked with higher levels of reported stress. There was a negative correlation between stress and problem-solving coping. This means that problem-solving as a coping strategy was linked with lower levels of reported stress. The results also showed a significant difference in stress levels between men and women. Men had a significant lower score on the SPSS-10 survey than the women, which indicates lower levels of stress. Results also showed a significant difference between men and women when it comes to using the coping strategies “avoid” and “distraction” with both being used more frequently by women. The conclusions we can draw from the results are that in upper secondary school women are more stressed than men in this specific study. There is also a difference between men and women when it comes to applying the coping strategies “avoid” and “distraction”. Lastly there is also a difference in stress and the use of coping strategies. However, we do not know if stress affect the choice of coping strategy or if the coping strategy affects the level of stress within individuals. Uppsatsen tilldelades stipendiemedel ur Överste och Fru Adolf Johnssons fond 2023.</p
Acute hypoxia attenuates resistance exercise-induced ribosome signaling but does not impact satellite cell pool expansion in human skeletal muscle.
No full textCumulative evidence supports the hypothesis that hypoxia acts as a regulator of muscle mass. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain incompletely understood, particularly in human muscle. Here we examined the effect of hypoxia on signaling pathways related to ribosome biogenesis and myogenic activity following an acute bout of resistance exercise. We also investigated whether hypoxia influenced the satellite cell response to resistance exercise. Employing a randomized, crossover design, eight men performed resistance exercise in normoxia (FiO2 21%) or normobaric hypoxia (FiO2 12%). Muscle biopsies were collected in a time-course manner (before, 0, 90, 180 min and 24 h after exercise) and were analyzed with respect to cell signaling, gene expression and satellite cell content using immunoblotting, RT-qPCR and immunofluorescence, respectively. In normoxia, resistance exercise increased the phosphorylation of RPS6, TIF-1A and UBF above resting levels. Hypoxia reduced the phosphorylation of these targets by ~37%, ~43% and ~ 67% throughout the recovery period, respectively (p < .05 vs. normoxia). Resistance exercise also increased 45 S pre-rRNA expression and mRNA expression of c-Myc, Pol I and TAF-1A above resting levels, but no differences were observed between conditions. Similarly, resistance exercise increased mRNA expression of myogenic regulatory factors throughout the recovery period and Pax7+ cells were elevated 24 h following exercise in mixed and type II muscle fibers, with no differences observed between normoxia and hypoxia. In conclusion, acute hypoxia attenuates ribosome signaling, but does not impact satellite cell pool expansion and myogenic gene expression following a bout of resistance exercise in human skeletal muscle