Lithuanian Sports University e-Journals
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A Personal Recovery Approach to Physical Activity for Community Mental Health Service-Users
Full text linkPurpose: Traditionally, mental health services and policy are guided by a clinical recovery approach, but there is an increasing appreciation of adopting person-centred approaches to support positive mental health, often known as personal recovery. Physical activity (PA) is one approach suggested to contribute to personal recovery in community mental health services. However, PA remains scarcely adopted as routine practice and engagement levels remain low. Research is limited in understanding precise mechanisms underlying processes of PA engagement, and how, why, and who can benefit from PA. To address these issues, this realist study evaluated a PA project for service-users within two community mental health teams.
Methods: Data were collected using repertory grids and semi-structured interviews, involving 24 service-users and 12 staff members. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was used to analyse the data within the broader realist evaluation framework.
Results: Findings are best understood as four stages of the participants’ journey through the project. Firstly, it was found that mental health professionals were vital gatekeepers to the PA sessions, either enabling or prohibiting service-user involvement. Secondly, service-users required their priority needs to be met before they could be interested and involved in PA sessions. Thirdly, service-users needed to be both physically and mentally able to access sessions, including considerations of practicalities, emotional support, culture of the sessions, and expectations being managed and met. Finally, once participants were able to access sessions, it was found that PA was beneficial in facilitating service-users’ personal recovery in a positive manner.
Conclusion: Exploring and valuing the lived experiences of the service-users was vital to understand underlying mechanisms that contributed to the accessibility and outcomes of PA for personal recovery. Key recommendations include considering how PA is offered within services, especially in terms of facilitating access and support before, during, and after sessions for service-users to participate and aid their personal recovery.
Support/Funding Source: Study was funded by Comic Relief (UK Ahead of the Game Fund £424,500, Grant Number 4335581)
A Quantitative Analysis of the Association Between Problematic Internet Use, Cognitive Ability, and Movement Proficiency Among Adolescents in Pakistan
Full text linkPurpose: This study aimed to explore a comprehensive analysis of the association between problematic internet use (PIU), cognitive ability (CA), and movement proficiency (MP) among adolescents aged 10 to 18 years. This is the first study in Pakistan to simultaneously examine the association between problematic internet use, cognitive ability, and movement proficiency.
Methods: The study included 150 adolescents (mean age = 12.27 years, standard deviation (SD) = 1.85). Of these, 70 (46.7%) were girls and 80 (53.3%) were boys from Pakistan. To assess the association, MP was assessed using the Bruiniks–Oseretsky test (BOT-2). To assess PIU, the Problematic and Risky Internet Use Screening Scale (PRIUS) was used. Raven Standard Progressive Matrices were used to measure CA. The HBSC questionnaire was used to assess lifestyle, behaviour, intensity and duration of physical activity.
Results: The study outcomes showed a mean PIU score of 24.60 (SD = 11.54), a mean CA score of 5.18 (SD = 2.73), and a mean MP score of 136.95 (SD = 9.83), with r = 0.111 and p = 0.175. Boys scored slightly higher in movement proficiency and cognitive ability, while girls scored better in PIU. Boys showed more problematic internet use, with an average of 26.19, indicating higher internet usage.
Conclusion: There was a positive and significant correlation between problematic internet use and movement proficiency in the at-risk girls group (r = 0.424, p = 0.018). Also, there was a strong and positive correlation between movement proficiency and cognitive ability in the not-at-risk boys group (r = 0.355, p = 0.042). There was no statistically significant correlation in the not-at-risk boys group. Given this research, parents, educational institutions, and policymakers may develop designs that not only promote digital health but also promote physical activity interventio
Addressing Health, Social, and Economic Inequalities Through Sport and Social Care Partnership
Full text linkCommunity Integrated Care delivers 8 million hours of care and support for people with learning disabilities, autism, mental health concerns, and age-related needs across the United Kingdom.
It has formed a unique ‘Social Care Partner’ (SDG17) model with leading sports, including Rugby League and British Cycling, and major tournaments, to create radical physical-activity and support solutions that address health, social, and economic inequalities in care (SDG1, 4, 8, 10).
The charity fights inequalities faced by people with complex needs – including a 20+ year gap in life-expectancy for people who have learning disabilities, a 96% unemployment rate, face rising disability hate crime and a disabling society.
The charity’s specialist Sports Inclusion function applies its specialist infrastructure and experience to empower major sports and tournaments to address these inequalities. Through co-production with the sports and the excluded community, mapping assets and aligning missions, they have delivered transformational solutions, including:
• Variants of major sports for people with learning disabilities: These twin physical activity with specialist personal development and support. Their learning disability variant of rugby league’s ‘Super League’ is assessed by Manchester Met Uni as generating 1.39 m EUR of social value annually through transforming physical activity levels whilst empowering mental health, skill, and inclusion.
• Developing social enterprise models and its Inclusive Volunteering Model with events such as UEFA Euro 2022 and World Para Swimming Championships. These support people facing profound health, social, and economic exclusion to become active, learn, and create a pathway to work. This has radically transformed health, life skills, and opportunities (Prof Sam Hook, Substance, 2023: 97% report greater skills and confidence).
The partnership model is an unprecedented methodology, leveraging the strengths of both sectors to create sustainable, impactful interventions that transform health. The United Kingdom government’s Skills for Care agency named it as the “Best New Model of Integrated Care”.
This approach is inherently sustainable and scalable across borders. The combination of sport and social care drives the commercial and strategic goals of sports and tournaments (awareness, reach, and impact), whilst also relieving financial pressures on stretched care systems through leveraging community assets and taking preventative health approaches
Changes in Sports Club Participation are Related to Changes in Types of Leisure-Time Physical Activity in Early Adulthood
Full text linkAdolescent sports club (SC) participants are more physically active compared to non-participants, yet adolescents are known to drop out from SCs with increasing age. Also, leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) is known to decrease with age. However, literature on the longitudinal changes in participation in types of LTPA from age 15 to 23 is scarce, especially related to none, interrupted, or continuous SC participation.
This longitudinal cohort study used self-reported data from 383 young adults in the Health Promoting Sports Club study in Finland. Seven patterns of SC participation at age 15, 19, and 23 were created. Changes in types of LTPA in the five patterns, named ‘Never SC participant’, ‘Dropout at age 15’, ‘Dropout at age 19’, ‘Dropout at age 19 but participant at age 23’, and ‘Continuous SC participant’, were analysed by descriptive statistics, McNemar’s, Chi-Square, and Fisher’s tests.
A large proportion of the young adults in the patterns ‘Dropout at age 19 but participant at age 23’ and ‘Continuous SC participant’ participated weekly in ball sports (56% and 75%). In all other patterns, the types of LTPA with the highest proportions of weekly participation are endurance type (61%–73%), strength training (44%–60%), and walking (73%–80%). Walking and strength training increased in all patterns from age 15 to 23. In the patterns ‘Dropout at age 15’ or ‘Never SC participant’, the proportions participating weekly in endurance type decreased significantly from age 15 to 23 (81%–>61% and 87%–>70%). A significantly larger proportion of SC participants at age 23 participated weekly in endurance type (76% and 88%) compared to the other patterns at age 23 (61%–73%).
To conclude, changes in types of LTPA vary with none, interrupted, or continuous SC participation. Results suggest ball sports are highly associated with SC participation. Participation in endurance type LTPA appears linear, from none to continuous SC participation, suggesting preventing dropout may have positive effects on participation in endurance type LTPA in early adulthood
How Should Movement-Based Therapists Promote Physical Activity? A Delphi Study
Full text linkPurpose: The aim of the study is to develop a consensus among international experts on how movement-based therapists should promote physical activity. The action-based statements provide guidance on key methods, content, and principles to support movement-based therapists to increase physical activity in their patients in the long-term.
Methods: We are conducting a Delphi study according to Hasson et al. (2000). An international Steering Group is responsible for study design, sample selection, as well as data collection and analysis. International experts in the field of physical activity promotion in healthcare have been recruited through purposive sampling. In the first Delphi round, qualitative data on suitable methods, content, and principles of physical activity promotion were collected to formulate initial statements. The data has been analysed using inductive category formation. In three further rounds, the statements will be refined, assessed in terms of their importance, and finally adopted by consensus. The threshold for consensus is at least 80% of agreement.
Results: Results are currently available for the first Delphi round. Sixteen experts from ten countries participated. A total of 493 individual items were consolidated into 84 statements, which were categorised into 26 overarching themes. The derived statements relate to fundamental principles and concrete actions. Central themes include a person-centred approach and a focus on empowering patients.
Conclusion: The study develops action-oriented statements based on expert consensus to promote physical activity in movement-based therapies. The results of the first round provide comprehensive insights into current approaches for promoting physical activity, which will be specified and prioritised in further Delphi rounds.
Support/Funding Source: No funding was provided
Physical Activity, BMI, and Fundamental Movement Skills in an Underserved Irish Cohort of Primary School Aged Children
Full text linkBackground: Children attending paediatric therapy services present unique challenges related to physical activity (PA), fundamental movement skills (FMS), and body mass, but insufficient data is available on this cohort globally. Persistent motor impairments extending into adolescence/adulthood, negatively impact children’s independent living skills, PA levels, physical/mental health, and overall wellbeing. This study examined the PA levels, motor proficiency, body mass index (BMI), and any relationships between these variables, in primary school children attending, or awaiting, paediatric therapy services in Cork, Ireland.
Methods: Primary school children (n = 23, age range: 7–12 years, mean age: 9.99 ± 1.26 years) from second (7–8-year-olds) to sixth (11–12-year-olds) class participated in the study. Participating children were referred from primary care services including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and dietetics. PA was assessed via a self-reported PA Diary and PA Questionnaire, BMI was calculated using standard growth charts, and motor proficiency was measured using the Test of Gross Motor Development-2 (TGMD-2). Descriptive statistics, group comparisons, and correlation analyses were conducted.
Results: Overweight/obesity prevalence was high (n = 23, 73.9%), with older children recording significantly higher body mass than younger children (p < .05). Only 4.3% (n = 1) met PA guidelines (≥60 min/day moderate-to-vigorous PA), with older children (10–12-year-olds) engaging in significantly more PA (p < .05) than their younger counterparts (7–9-year-olds). Significant FMS deficits were observed, with children performing 3–4 years below their chronological age when compared with United States normative data. Bivariate correlations showed a negative association between BMI and locomotor skills (e.g. run: r = –.66, n = 13, p < .05; leap: r = –.87, n = 8, p = .005) and a positive association with object-control skills (e.g. catch: r = .89, n = 8, p < .05; roll: r = .73, n = 8, p < .05). PA was positively correlated with the catch and jump skills, reinforcing the link between movement competence and activity participation.
Conclusion: Findings highlight the need for targeted interventions that support children attending paediatric therapy to improve motor proficiency and PA participation. Early structured and appropriate PA programmes may enhance children’s movement competence, PA levels, and overall health
Pre-Implementation Priorities in School-Based Health Programmes: A CFIR-Informed Study of School Leadership Perspectives
Full text linkPurpose: Pre-implementation – referring to the planning, preparation, and organisational alignment that occurs before an intervention is delivered – is a critical but often overlooked determinant of implementation success. This study investigates key factors shaping the pre-implementation of the “Generation Healthy Kids” (GHK) programme in Danish primary schools, using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). Focus is on how different levels of school leadership perceive what conditions must be in place to support future readiness and staff engagement.
Methods: The study involved 43 school management representatives – principals, vice principals, deputy heads, and department heads – from 22 of the 23 schools participating in GHK. These schools were evenly distributed across the intervention (n = 11) and control groups (n = 11). Participants completed an online questionnaire addressing pre-implementation conditions within the CFIR domains ‘Inner Setting’ and ‘Implementation Process’. The pre-implementation phase was defined as the period from each school’s formal decision to participate until notification of allocation to intervention or control group. Descriptive statistics were used to compare responses between school leadership (principals, vice principals, deputy heads) and department heads.
Results: A total of 37 representatives completed (n = 34) or partly completed (n = 3) the questionnaire. Of these, 19 responses came from intervention schools and 18 from control schools. While both groups identified management support as the most critical condition, their priorities diverged. School leaders emphasised logistical enablers – such as preparation time and facility access – during pre-implementation. Department heads highlighted staff competency development and early monitoring of staff engagement, indicating a need for time and support prior to implementation. These differences reflect the distinct responsibilities and perspectives of the two groups.
Conclusion: The findings underscore the importance of understanding leadership-specific priorities in the pre-implementation phase. A one-size-fits-all strategy is unlikely to suffice; instead, tailored approaches that reflect the roles and responsibilities of different leadership levels are needed to strengthen planning and coordination. Future studies should expand the stakeholder perspective to include teachers, students, and municipal actors to support comprehensive pre-implementation planning and improve school readiness for implementation
Support/Funding Source: This study was funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation
Selecting an Evidence-Based Physical Activity Programme to Address Population Levels of Physical Inactivity
Full text linkPurpose: The high and growing burden of physical inactivity stresses the need for effective implementation of evidence-based physical activity programmes (PAPs) across the life course. However, interventions with proven efficacy often underperform in real world settings due to insufficient adaptations and inadequate consideration of local implementation barriers. This leads to programme failure and exacerbates public health inequalities. In collaboration with Sport Ireland’s Active Cities project, the Irish Physical Activity Collaboration, which brings researchers, policymakers, and practitioners together to enable more people in Ireland to be more active (I-PARC, see https://i-parc.ie/), aims to identify and map evidence-based community PAPs across Ireland.
Methods: Within I-PARC 2.0 work package one involved the development of a national repository of community-based PAPs targeting various life stages. Search strategy included structured desk-based enquiries, exploration of national and international repositories and databases, and consultation with experts and stakeholders. PAPs of 12 weeks or less were included. Information on target-population, delivery format, core and optional PAP components, cost and evidence of efficacy were extracted and synthesised into an excel spreadsheet, circulated to experts and stakeholders for validation to assist with data completeness.
Results: A total of 123 community-based PAPs were identified, of which 21 (17%) had an evidence-base indicating their effectiveness. These comprised five older adults, seven children/adolescents, two adults (>18 years), six with no age category and one other. Programmes varied in modality (walking, resistance exercises, home-based programmes), in delivery formats (group, individual, hybrid), in programme design, in clarity on core components, in accessibility to evidence and potential for scalability, highlighting both established and underutilised approaches. Multiple gaps were also established.
Conclusion: The resulting repository offers a structured, practice-informed resource to guide stakeholder decision-making and enable context-specific selection of the PAPs that are best aligned to local need, feasible, and consider equity. The next steps for I-PARC 2.0 are to develop a systematic approach to PAP adaptation and to tailored implementation strategies to enhance their real-world reach and effectiveness
Subjective Fitness and Health as Mediators of the Relationship Between Regular Physical Activity and Life Satisfaction
Full text linkPurpose: Regular physical activity brings well-documented benefits for both physical and mental health. Nevertheless, many adults remain insufficiently active, increasing their risk of chronic illness and reduced wellbeing. While greater physical activity is often associated with higher life satisfaction, the mechanisms underlying this link are still not fully understood. This study investigated whether self-perceived physical fitness and general health mediate the relationship between physical activity and life satisfaction.
Methods: An online survey was completed by 282 adults aged 18–72. Participants rated their fitness and general health and completed the Satisfaction with Life Scale. Based on weekly physical activity levels, respondents were classified into four categories according to World Health Organization guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour. A serial mediation model was used to assess the direct and indirect effects of physical activity on life satisfaction via self-perceived fitness and health.
Results: The direct effect of physical activity on life satisfaction was not significant (estimate = −0.017; 95% confidence interval (CI) = −0.161, 0.139; β = −0.014). However, a significant indirect effect emerged for the sequential path via fitness and health (estimate = 0.083; 95% CI = 0.044, 0.146; β = 0.066). Higher physical activity predicted better self-perceived fitness (estimate = 0.475; 95% CI = 0.365, 0.588; β = 0.446), which was linked to better-perceived health (estimate = 0.422; 95% CI = 0.325, 0.523; β = 0.531). Better perceived health, in turn, predicted higher life satisfaction (estimate = 0.415; 95% CI = 0.213, 0.623; β = 0.278). The indirect effects of fitness alone (estimate = 0.042; 95% CI = −0.044, 0.123; β = 0.033) and health alone (estimate = 0.012; 95% CI = −0.030, 0.061; β = 0.009) were not significant, which highlights the importance of the sequential pathway involving both mediators.
Conclusion: Self-perceived fitness and health were confirmed to fully mediate the relationship between physical activity level and life satisfaction. The results suggest that the psychological benefits of an active lifestyle may depend less on objective activity levels and more on how individuals perceive their physical competence and general health. These findings underscore the potential value of addressing subjective perceptions of fitness and health in interventions that aim to promote psychological wellbeing through physical activity
The Association Between Sleep Characteristics and Energy Balance-Related Behaviour in Parents of 4- to 6-Month Old Infants
Full text linkIntroduction: The postpartum period involves substantial lifestyle changes for both parents, often leading to disruptions in energy balance-related behaviours (EBRB) (i.e. sleep, diet, physical activity (PA), and sedentary behaviour (SB)). Given that sleep loss is an inherent challenge during the postpartum period and that EBRB are closely interconnected, this study aimed to investigate the associations between sleep characteristics and EBRB in parents of infants aged four to six months.
Methods: Twenty-four couples (31.5 ± 3.7 years) with a 4 to 6-month old biological child were recruited via convenience sampling. Body height and weight were measured at baseline. Sleep quality and dietary intake were assessed over one week using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the Food Frequency Questionnaire, respectively. Simultaneously, participants wore a wrist-worn GT3X ActiGraph to objectively measure sleep quantity, PA (moderate-to-vigorous physical activity [MVPA] and light-intensity physical activity [LIPA]), and SB. Multiple linear regression models examined associations between sleep and EBRB, controlling for BMI, age, and sex.
Results: Sleep characteristics were not significantly associated with dietary intake (p = 0.167–0.898). While sleep quality did not predict MVPA, LIPA, and SB (p = 0.332–0.906), sleep quantity was a significant negative predictor for MVPA (β = –0.900, t = –2.944, p = 0.005) and LIPA (β = –0.288, t = –2.045, p = 0.047), and a significant positive predictor for SB (β = 1.395, t = 3.992, p < 0.001).
Conclusion: Shorter sleep duration was associated with more MVPA and LIPA, as well as with less SB. These counterintuitive findings may partly be explained by the increased light physical demands of caring for an infant while maintaining daily routines – possibly requiring parents to stay more active despite getting less sleep. Alternatively, it may be that parents who prioritise time for PA may do so at the expense of sleep or SB. Overall, these results suggest that the chronic sleep loss often experienced during the postpartum period does not necessarily have an adverse effect on EBRB. This may reassure parents and health professionals that occasional short sleep in early parenthood is not necessarily harmful for PA or SB