Lithuanian Sports University e-Journals
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The SchoolWell Study Project to Contribute Students’ Comprehensive Wellbeing in the Finnish School
Full text linkPurpose: Future School of Comprehensive Wellbeing (SchoolWell) is a multidisciplinary consortium funded by the Finnish Strategic Research Council. Our essential goal is to influence on the heart of the Finnish comprehensive school, the everyday pedagogical action, and to create solutions to support comprehensive wellbeing and learning, together with the children, youth, and the adults working with them. Expanding opportunities for physical activity throughout the school day is a central element of the SchoolWell intervention.
Project Description: Prior to the SchoolWell intervention, 10 systematic literature reviews were conducted to gather insights on effective strategies for promoting students’ comprehensive wellbeing within the school context. This information, along with a co-design process involving teachers and students, was used to develop the SchoolWell intervention programme. Our intervention design is a cluster-randomised, hybrid Type 2 trial, in which we simultaneously evaluate both the effectiveness and implementation outcomes of the SchoolWell intervention. The SchoolWell intervention is targeted at Grade 5 and 8 students (n = 1,800) in the Finnish teacher training schools. Schools assigned to the intervention group will implement weekly SchoolWell activities throughout the entire school year as part of the regular curriculum. These activities encompass socio-pedagogical approaches – methods of teaching, learning, and studying – that support students’ mental, social, and physical wellbeing, while remaining aligned with standard curriculum goals. In addition to standard training, intervention schools will receive six implementation support strategies designed to enhance the knowledge and skills required for effective delivery. We will promote physical activity during the school day through quality physical education, active classroom practices, and by encouraging active recess. Upon completion of the SchoolWell intervention, we will disseminate best practices to all Finnish schools via the Finnish National Agency for Education.
Conclusion: We will contribute to the next Finnish core curriculum by developing socio-pedagogical practices that enhance students’ comprehensive wellbeing in schools. All Finnish schools will have the opportunity to adopt SchoolWell practices to promote physical activity during the school day
Urban Environment and Health Consciousness: A Comparative Study of Physical Activity, Lifestyle, and Obesity Among Reproductive Age Women in Amman and Budapest
Full text linkThis comparative cross-sectional study examines the relationships between urban environmental factors, physical activity (PA), and obesity among reproductive-age women (18–45 years) in Amman, Jordan (n = 399) and Budapest, Hungary (n = 401). Using a bilingual (Arabic/Hungarian–English) survey, we assessed PA levels (vigorous, moderate, walking), built/social environmental influences, and BMI. Key findings revealed that Hungarian women had significantly higher PA levels (t(798) = 7.97, p < .001, d = 0.56) and lower obesity rates (t(693.61) = –10.32, p < .001, d = 0.73) than Jordanians. Built environment features (sidewalks, recreational access) positively predicted PA (β = 0.203 and 0.158, respectively; p ≤ .001), while social factors (crime, traffic) showed no significant effects. Mediation analysis confirmed PA partially mediated the environment–BMI relationship (indirect effect: b = –0.101, 95% confidence interval (CI) = –0.218, –0.009). Correlations between PA domains and BMI were strongest for vigorous (r = –0.178) and moderate PA (r = –0.177). Despite non-significant city–environment interactions (p = .544), results underscore how urban design disparities contribute to health inequalities among adult females. These findings highlight the need for context-specific interventions to enhance activity-supportive environments, particularly in cities with limited infrastructure
Walking, Cycling, and Mental Health: An Umbrella Review
Full text linkPurpose: Physical inactivity is a public health challenge. Almost half of its associated health costs are related to mental health problems, for which walking and cycling are often more feasible forms of physical activity than sports. This study presents the first umbrella review to date on walking, cycling, and mental health.
Methods: A systematic literature search was carried out in Scopus and PubMed, complemented by Semantic Scholar and Research Rabbit. Systematic, narrative, or scoping reviews, and selected studies in age groups with scarce evidence, were included if they specifically addressed mental health aspects and cycling or walking. Through a deductive and inductive iterative process, mental health outcomes were grouped. Data is being charted and summarised, distinguishing active mobility/cycling/walking, age groups, interventions, and nature-based approaches.
Results: Titles of 1,277 and abstracts of 219 publications were screened, and 53 were included for inspection. Of those, 27 did not meet inclusion criteria. Eleven reviews on adults, one review and two cross-country cross-sectional studies on children and young people, one review on older adults, two on interventions and nine on nature-based approaches were included. Active travel, cycling and walking, are positively associated with mental health. Walking is beneficial for depressive symptoms, and those already depressed could benefit more. In RCTs, walking interventions significantly reduce depressive symptoms, and ≥0.25 miles (0.4 km) of walking per day seems protective against developing depressive symptoms. Walking also reduces anxiety symptoms in adults in RCTs. However, in both cases, for real-life active mobility, current evidence is insufficient to draw conclusions. Emerging evidence from low-and middle-income countries shows adolescents who actively travel to school have 12% lower odds for depressive symptoms than their peers. Walking is associated with lower psychological stress in adults. In people with disabilities, adaptive cycling is associated with increased wellbeing. Initial evidence suggests nature-based walking provides additional mental health benefits.
Conclusion: The results support investments to promote safe active mobility as feasible, low-cost options to enhance mental health across large parts of the population.
Support/Funding Source: Under the coordination of WHO European Centre for Environment and Health and supported by the Swiss Office of Public Health
Enhancing Enjoyment and Inclusion in Physical Activity for Older Adults by Co-Creation of the JOIN4JOY Approach: A Qualitative Study Across Five European Countries
Full text linkPurpose: This study aimed to co-create an innovative approach to increase physical activity (PA) and reduce sedentary behaviour (SB) among older adults living in community and nursing homes.
Methods: This qualitative study followed COREQ guidelines and is part of a registered mixed-methods project (NCT06100835). Thirteen face-to-face focus groups and three online interviews were conducted with 98 participants (51 older adults, 5 caregivers, 29 professionals, 3 students, and 10 policymakers) in Spain, Denmark, Germany, France, and Italy. We explored diverse perspectives of participants to understand their barriers and motivators for PA, and design features for the programme that enhance enjoyment and social inclusion. The Octalysis framework served as a practical tool for exploring behavioural motivators, guiding the co-creation of programme elements that enhance enjoyment and adherence. Data were collected using semi-structured guides, then transcribed, translated, and analysed following Braun and Clarke’s method for reflexive thematic analysis to identify key themes.
Results: Five main topics were identified: 1) Varied experiences and meanings of PA, often extending beyond structured exercise to daily movement; 2) Personal motivators (enjoyment, social interaction, and maintaining function) and individual barriers (pain, fear of injury, and bad surrounding conditions) to engage in PA; 3) Systemic and environmental barriers, such as staffing limitations and inadequate facilities; 4) Strategies for enjoyable programmes, emphasising skilled and adaptive facilitators, personalisation, and group dynamics; 5) Approaches to social inclusion, highlighting the need for cultural sensitivity and support for cognitive impairment. These findings informed the design of the JOIN4JOY intervention for pilot testing.
Conclusion: This study shows the potential of co-design and gamification to create PA programmes that are both engaging and inclusive for older adults. By tailoring interventions to personal preferences and local contexts, this approach enhances participation and helps overcome structural and social challenges. The findings have implications for future practice and development of effective, context-sensitive programmes for active and healthy ageing across Europe.
Support/Funding Source: This research is part of the JOIN4JOY project, co-funded by the European Commission under the Erasmus+ Sport programme (Grant Number 101050505)
Exploring the Effectiveness, Feasibility, and Acceptability of Integrating Functional Exercise Into Daily Life of Older Adults: A Mixed-Method Systematic Review
Full text linkPurpose: This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and acceptability of the lifestyle integrating functional exercise (LiFE) programme and its modified versions for older adults as a fall prevention intervention. This programme integrates evidence-based balance and strength exercises into daily routines (e.g. doing one-leg stands while brushing teeth) for falls prevention.
Methods: A systematic search of multiple databases was conducted. Falls, balance, and strength are primary outcomes. Data from quantitative studies were analysed to evaluate the effectiveness of LiFE and its modified versions in preventing falls. Qualitative and quantitative data relevant to acceptability were extracted for thematic synthesis. A synthesis matrix was developed to evaluate how effectively quantitative interventions aligned with themes identified in the qualitative analysis. The Cochrane risk-of-bias (RoB-2) tool was used to assess risk of bias in RCTs, and Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Tools for other study designs. Three independent researchers selected studies, extracted data, and assessed quality.
Results: This review included 14 papers. Quantitative findings indicate a 41.7% reduction in the number of falls, improvement in balance and strength in the LiFE programme and its modified format. Qualitative findings demonstrated high acceptability as a falls prevention intervention among participants and partners. Preliminary themes identified included programme and content, behavioural change, reviewing the programme, and challenges with implementation.
Conclusion: Preliminary outcomes have shown that the LiFE programme and its modified versions are effective and highly accepted as fall prevention interventions.
Support/Funding Source: This study is self-funded by the main researcher.
This review has been registered in PROSEPRO CRD42023453730
How to Improve the Evaluation of Mental Wellbeing as an Outcome of Youth Sports Interventions? A Critical Examination of Self-Report Instruments and Biomarkers
Full text linkPurpose: Sports and physical activity interventions are often used to improve the mental wellbeing of socially disadvantaged youth. While evaluation of these interventions is important to understanding their success, valid and feasible evaluation methods are lacking. This research aimed to identify promising self-report instruments and biomarkers that could improve the quality of the evaluation.
Methods: First, a scoping review was conducted to retrieve the most promising self-report instruments and biomarkers. The search in three databases resulted in 12 reviews on self-report instruments and 10 reviews on biomarkers. Characteristics regarding the validity and feasibility of the instruments and biomarkers described in these reviews were extracted and compared. Hereafter, individual semi-structured interviews with two sport coaches and one coordinator of a youth sports intervention were conducted to discuss the results with relevant stakeholders.
Results: Self-report instruments should meet the following conditions: under 20 items, a short time frame, comprehensible language, sensitive to change, and available for proxy-reporting. The KIDSCREEN questionnaires and WEMWBS (Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scales) met most of these conditions. Hair cortisol appeared to be the most promising biomarker of chronic stress. However, solid evidence for an association between biomarkers and mental wellbeing in youth is lacking. Moreover, giving away bodily material (blood, saliva, hair) may be a major obstacle, according to the stakeholders. Physiological parameters (e.g. heart rate, blood pressure) were considered more feasible.
Conclusion: This research resulted in recommendations for practice to improve the implementation of self-report instruments for the evaluation of mental wellbeing in youth participants of sports interventions. Biomarkers cannot yet be conclusive about mental wellbeing. Given practitioners’ need for valid evaluation measures, more research in this field is recommended.
Support/Funding Source: This research was part of an unfunded master’s thesis project
Investigating the Relationship Between Exercise Urgency and Adherence Among Patients With Musculoskeletal Conditions: A Cross-Sectional Study
Full text linkBackground: Adherence to therapeutic exercises is essential for effectively managing musculoskeletal conditions, yet the factors influencing adherence to therapeutic exercise routines remain insufficiently investigated. A variety of psychological phenomena suggest that the urgency, or how early exercises are completed in the day, can influence adherence. Understanding potential antecedents (i.e. chronotype; one’s preference for morning or evening activity) and mediators (i.e. perceived mental effort and barriers) of urgency can explain adherence and help develop strategies to improve adherence to exercise programmes and patient outcomes.
Aim: This study investigates the relationships among chronotype, exercise urgency, mental effort, perceived barriers, and therapeutic exercise adherence among individuals with musculoskeletal conditions.
Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 250 individuals (mean age = 44.6 years, range = 18–85; 74.4% female, 24.8% male, 0.8% non-binary) diagnosed with musculoskeletal conditions (average duration of symptoms = 7.7 years), who were following a therapeutic exercise programme prescribed by healthcare professionals. Data collection involved administering the Exercise Adherence Rating Scale, the Subjective Ease of Exercise Questionnaire, and the Morningness–Eveningness Questionnaire. Participants’ exercise urgency was assessed by measuring the interval between waking up and starting rehabilitation exercises. Data analyses were performed using structural equation modelling, employing Mplus software.
Results: The measurement model demonstrated acceptable fit with four latent factors (morningness–eveningness, mental effort, external barriers, and adherence; χ² (269) ≈ 545.21, p < .001; RMSEA ≈ 0.06; CFI ≈ 0.92; SRMR ≈ 0.07). Structural equation modelling indicated that a tendency to be a ‘morning person’, as measured by Morningness–Eveningness Questionnaire scores, was associated with shorter intervals before starting rehabilitation exercises (β = –0.22, p < .001). Exercise urgency was associated with fewer perceived barriers to exercise (β = 0.169, p = 0.009), which served as the primary predictor of adherence (β = –0.75, p < .001). The relationship between mental effort and adherence was not statistically significant (β = −0.017, p = 0.813). The model explained 59.9% of the variance in adherence.
Conclusion: The results confirm that individuals who undertake rehabilitation exercises earlier in the day (higher relative urgency) face fewer perceived external barriers and achieve more substantial adherence outcomes
Perceived Feasibility of the KABOOST-School Programme: An Exercise-Based Rehabilitation School Programme for Childhood Cancer Survivors Developed Using Design Research
Full text linkPurpose: Childhood cancer survival rates have risen to around 80% in high-income countries, resulting in a growing population of childhood cancer survivors (CCS). Many CCS face long-term health challenges, for which exercise-based rehabilitation programmes have shown benefits. However, hospital-based programmes often face barriers such as high cost and the need to return to the hospital. This study explored the potential of adapting a hospital-based rehabilitation programme, KABOOST, to a school setting.
Methods: Design thinking was applied, involving close collaboration with key stakeholders. During the Empathise phase, focus groups with CCS, parents, and school staff (SS) explored user needs and contextual challenges. In the Ideation phase, CCS and SS co-developed a school-based version of KABOOST. In the Implementation phase, physical education (PE) teachers evaluated the prototype via an online survey.
Results: During the Empathise phase, CCS and their parents (n = 10) emphasised the importance of feeling included and not being seen as ‘different’ when returning to school. Parents expressed emotional challenges in allowing their child to return to school post-treatment and stressed the need of clear communication between them and school. CCS and their parents were enthusiastic about the idea of bringing the rehabilitation programme to school. SS (n = 7) also supported this idea, provided they received clear guidance on what the child can and is allowed to do. There was also a need for practical inspiration – easy-to-implement exercises that could fit within the curriculum. In the ideation phase, three CSS and three SS members adapted the KABOOST programme. This resulted in an inspiration guide with activity types, intensity levels, and creative ways to integrate movement throughout the day – in PE lessons, during recess, and as short ‘movement snacks’. Thirteen PE teachers evaluated the prototype. The programme received a mean feasibility score of 8.3/10, and was rated as clear (8.8), logically structured (8.7), and appropriate for the target group (8.2).
Conclusion: The adapted KABOOST programme was well-received and appears feasible for use in school settings. These findings support further implementation studies to evaluate its effectiveness and scalability in real-world school settings.
Support/Funding Source: Fonds praktijkgericht onderzoek Artevelde UAS, Bijzonder Onderzoeksfonds UGent
S01: Innovative Programmes to Promote Physical Activity in Older Age: Unique Insights From Practice and Implications for Policy
Full text linkThis symposium discusses evidence-based strategies for integrating PA into health frameworks, highlighting challenges, policy implications, and future directions for a more physically active world. The contributions, including diverse and innovative PA programmes for older adults in communities, provide unique insights on development and implementation with a focus on policy aspects and a fruitful basis for deeper discussions with the audience.
The “Movement Inspired by Martial Arts” (MIMA) programme to support PA and healthy ageing in diverse and socially disadvantaged communities was developed in a co-production process by a diverse group of stakeholders in Cardiff. It targets coordination and strength and includes educational materials, group sessions, and structured social interaction. Volunteer MIMA ambassadors are trained to help sustain and disseminate the programme.
In collaboration with the Finnish Gymnastic Federation, the national Older People on the Move Programme (OPMP) has designed and conceptualised adapted artistic gymnastics for older adults. The concept includes a guide, instructional videos, and instructor training and is freely available. After completing the training, participants implement the activities locally.
Another Finnish programme targets the training of professional sport instructors. It aims to enable the professionals to locally train and support volunteers to act as peer instructors for exercise groups and outdoor friends. A survey was sent to these volunteers to examine their motivations and perceived benefits of the activities.
The Swiss contribution aims at the self-management programme “Living well with COPD” to support people with the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in managing their disease and adopting healthy lifestyle behaviours, including increasing physical activity. The evaluation of the nationwide implementation showed the significance of incorporating physical activity into patient education.
The final contribution includes a Joint Statement proposing a coordinated, forward-looking strategy to address the global crisis of physical inactivity. It presents a roadmap for a more active, healthier, and sustainable future by outlining key challenges, targeted recommendations, and the role of relevant stakeholders. It was co-created based on multidisciplinary, international collaboration and guided through existing research and policy frameworks.
Altogether, this symposium targets the sustainable development goals of ‘Good health and wellbeing (3)’ and ‘Reduced inequalities (10)’
S01-2: Older People on the Move Programme Offers New Opportunities for Sports Clubs to Promote Physical Activity in Older Adults
Full text linkPurpose: As the population ages, older adults are living longer, staying active, and increasingly seeking diverse opportunities for physical activity. This demographic change presents both challenges and opportunities: meaningful and accessible exercise options are needed for this growing group. Sports clubs offer a promising platform, but in Finland, they have so far provided limited services for older adults. Many clubs also lack the necessary knowledge and skills to initiate age-inclusive activities.
Project or Policy Description: Development. The Age Institute coordinates a national Older People on the Move Programme (OPMP), which promotes active lifestyle among older adults. As part of this work, OPMP has organised educational events for 157 sports clubs, which have expressed a clear need for support in adapting their activities for older adults. Currently, no ready-made concepts for this purpose exist in Finland.
To address this need, OPMP, in collaboration with the Finnish Gymnastics Federation, has designed and conceptualised adapted artistic gymnastics for older adults. This activity consists mainly of multi-component physical exercises, which are an essential part of the physical activity guidelines for older adults.
Implementation: The concept, which was piloted with older adults, includes a guide with three difficulty levels, instructional videos, and instructor training. Training is organised in cooperation with the Gymnastics Federation: The Federation provides content on adapted artistic gymnastics, while OPMP covers age-specific exercise principles. Implementation was started in 2024 and training is scheduled for a broader dissemination.
Evaluation: OPMP piloted the concept and its instructor training with 13 gymnastics clubs. The training was evaluated useful (mean rating points 4.4/5) and would be recommended to others (mean 9.8/10).
Dissemination: After completing the training, participants implement the activities locally. The guide and videos are freely available, and regular training sessions are scheduled to support further dissemination.
Conclusions: Sports clubs need support in organising physical activities for older adults. This concept of adapted artistic gymnastics provides an effective, scalable solution. Conceptualisation can also be adapted to other sports.
Keywords: Active ageing, adapted sports, sports club