Lithuanian Sports University e-Journals
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Long-Term Follow-Up of the DAGIS Intervention – Parental Perceptions and Screen Time Norms by Degree of Implementation
Get PDFPurpose: The study examines whether parents recall a preschool-based family-involving multicomponent intervention promoting children’s health behaviours six years after the intervention. Additionally, the study examines long-term intervention effects on parental norms for appropriate screen time for children by intervention status and the degree of implementation (DOI).
Methods: In 2017–2018, 637 parents of children aged three to six (participation rate 47%) took part in a five-month randomised controlled study, the DAGIS intervention, aiming to promote children’s health behaviours. The long-term follow-up was conducted in 2023–2024, when participants were 9–12 years old, and 207 children from the initial intervention participated (31% of eligible participants). Parents reported appropriate screen time for children on weekdays and weekends at baseline and follow-up. In 2018 they also reported on the implementation of the intervention activities. Intervention families were, based on the median of implementation points, divided into low and high DOI groups. Chi-Square Test was used to test whether there were differences in recalling the DAGIS study. Regression analyses were used in examining whether intervention status or DOI predicted parental screen time norms six years later. Models were adjusted for baseline values and highest educational level in the family.
Results: In the high DOI group, a higher proportion of parents recalled the DAGIS intervention study (84%) compared to the low DOI (55%) and the control (14%) (n = 122, p < .001). Being in the intervention group (p = .079) or in the high DOI group (p = .055), compared to low DOI or control groups, did not predict a lower screen time norm, in minutes, for weekdays in 2023–2024. When adjusting for the highest educational level in the family, the association strengthened for the high DOI group (unstandardised beta –10.78, p-value 0.049). Intervention status (p = .105) or DOI group (p = .083) did not predict screen time norm for weekends.
Conclusion: This six-year follow-up study showed that families who implemented the intervention activities more also remembered the study better than others. Moreover, the results suggest that influencing parental screen time norms during the early childhood may have a lasting effect, with lower norms persisting for six years. However, the impact was seen only in norms for weekdays
The Brain on the Run: Preliminary Longitudinal Findings on Benefits of Mood and Brain After Regular Running
Get PDFPurpose: Physical activity has consistently shown positive effects on psychological functioning and brain structure – particularly within the hippocampus, a region implicated in both exercise and mood regulation. Clinical findings suggest reduced hippocampal volume in individuals with depression compared to healthy controls. However, longitudinal intervention studies on young, healthy populations remain scarce. This preregistered study aimed to investigate the biological and social mechanisms driving structural brain, affective, and fitness-related changes during a running intervention, with a novel comparison between individual and group-based running formats.
Methods: A four-week longitudinal intervention included 129 participants aged 18–35 who engaged in less than the WHO-recommended 150 minutes/week of aerobic activity. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: (1) individual running, (2) small group running, or (3) waiting control. The running route, frequency, and duration were identical across intervention groups. Assessments were conducted at three timepoints and included magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), psychometric evaluations, electrocardiography (ECG), and estimated V̇O₂max via the UKK Walking Test.
Preliminary Results: Previous intervention studies conducted in our laboratory have demonstrated significant volumetric changes in subfields of the hippocampus, which were associated with a reduction in depressive symptoms. In this study, we will follow up on these results by not only examining intervention-related volumetric changes in the hippocampus subfields but also by taking into account a broad range of psychometric measures and cardiac responses to gain insights into various facets of wellbeing induced by physical activity. It is anticipated that the study presented here, with a larger sample and a more rigorous methodological design, will more specifically bolster the results from previous research.
Conclusion: Taken together, the findings of our laboratory suggest that regular running induces beneficial changes in brain and mood in previously rather inactive young adults. This work highlights the holistic benefits of running and supports its promotion as a tool for maintaining mental and brain health.
Support/Funding Source: This research was funded by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF)
The Role of Mindfulness and Positive Body Image in Predicting Physical Activity Among Sports-Involved University Students
Get PDFPurpose: Previous research suggests that negative body image may decrease physical activity (PA), whereas positive body image may increase participation in PA. Mindfulness during PA (mindful monitoring and acceptance of body and mind) is associated with more positive body image. This study examined how mindfulness during PA and body appreciation are related to PA in a sample of students.
Methods: The study employed a cross-sectional design with 539 university and college students from Lithuania involved in organised, recreational sports or home exercise with a mean age of 23.3 ± 7.2 years (49.7% were women). Participants completed an online survey assessing sociodemographic data, PA levels (Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire), mindfulness during PA (State Mindfulness Scale for Physical Activity 2, SMS-PA-2, consisting of four subscales: Monitoring and Accepting Body and Mind), and body appreciation (Body Appreciation Scale 2, BAS-2). Statistical analyses included Pearson correlations and linear regression modelling. The study was approved by the Social Research Ethics Committee (Protocol No. SMTEK-131, LSU), and participants provided informed consent.
Results: Small but significant correlations between SMS-PA-2 subscales, BAS-2, and PA were observed in male and female students. In the multivariate linear regression model of female students, accepting mind (β = 0.14, p = 0.033) and monitoring body (β = 0.16, p = 0.030) during PA positively predicted PA, while body appreciation had no significant effect. In males, body appreciation (β = 0.17 and β = 0.22, p < 0.05) but not mindfulness during exercise was positively associated with PA. Both models were controlled for body mass index.
Conclusion: This study highlights the role of mindfulness and body appreciation in predicting PA among higher-education students. For females, mindful awareness during exercise positively predicts PA, while for males, body appreciation plays a key role. These findings suggest that integrating mindfulness practices and fostering body appreciation in sports programmes may enhance engagement in PA across genders.
Support/Funding Source: This study was funded by the Research Council of Lithuanian (Grant No. S-MIP-22-25)
Adolescents’ Digital Health Literacy and Its Associations With Physical Activity and Health-Risk Behaviours Factors
Get PDFPurpose: Adolescents live in an era where digital media permeates every aspect of their everyday lives, including entertainment, learning, and information acquisition. It influences their physical activity and other lifestyle factors. We aimed to investigate the relationship between adolescents’ digital health literacy, physical activity, and health-risk behaviours using the WHO Action Network on Measuring Population and Organizational Health Literacy (M-POHL) instrument HLS19-DIGI.
Methods: The current cross-sectional study includes survey data from 796 adolescents (boys: n = 339, girls: n = 466; 15–19 years of age). Digital health literacy (DHL), as a predictor variable, was measured using two HLS19-DIGI scales. One scale consisted of eight items, while the other comprised six items. DHL scores range from 0 to 100. Health risk behaviours include smoking and alcohol consumption. Reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s α. Regression analyses were conducted to measure associations between digital health literacy, physical activity and health-risk behaviours variables, controlling for social demographics.
Results: Digital health literacy mean score was 78.28 (SD = 24.24). One third of the participants (29.8%) demonstrated inadequate or problematic DHL, while more than half (55.8%) exhibited excellent and 14.4% adequate levels of DHL. Participants who were more physically active demonstrated higher DHL scores (F = 3.36, p = 0.04). Regression analysis showed that DHL has a significant positive impact on physical activity (β = 0.08, p < 0.05) and a significant negative impact on lifetime smoking (β = 0.09, p < 0.01), indicating that higher instances of DHL relate to higher exercising and lower smoking.
Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that by using HLS19-DIGI, a meaningful relationship between digital health literacy and adolescents’ physical activity and health-risk behaviours was found. Among adolescents with higher digital health literacy, there is a lower prevalence of smoking and higher levels of physical activity
Evaluating the Risk of Hypertension, Fatigue, Sleeping Disorders, and Back or Neck Symptoms in 41,277 Low-Fit Workers With Varying Occupational Physical Activity
Get PDFPurpose: To study whether the risk of hypertension and perceived health symptoms increases with increased occupational physical activity (OPA) among low-fit individuals in low-skilled occupations.
Methods: Data from a total of 41,277 individuals (mean age 46, standard deviation ±11, years; 55% women) who underwent occupational health profile assessments in Sweden between 1988 and 2020 were included. Individuals were selected from nine occupational groups (according to SSYK/ISCO classification) with generally low educational requirements, containing ‘office assistants’, ‘mobile plant operators and vehicle drivers’, ‘shop staff’, ‘heavy truck and lorry drivers’, ‘assemblers, machine operators, and related’, ‘assistant nurses and home care’, ‘cleaners’, ‘construction craftsmen and related trades’, and ‘construction workers’ (presented with increased OPA, defined in PMID:38129646). Fitness (V̇O₂max) was estimated by a submaximal cycle test, and low-fit was defined as <35 ml·min−¹·kg−¹. Hypertension was defined as ≥140/90 mmHg, and perceived symptoms of fatigue, sleeping disorder, and back/neck symptoms were dichotomised into ‘very often/often’ or ‘sometimes/rarely/never’. Logistic regression, adjusted for age and sex (and in hypertension analyses additionally for use of blood pressure medication), provided odds ratio (OR) across occupations using office assistants as reference.
Results: No consistent gradient was found linking higher OPA to increased risk. However, some notable variations emerged. Compared to reference, hypertension was significantly more common among most occupations with higher OPA, e.g. mobile plant operators and vehicle drivers and cleaners, adjusted OR (95% confidence interval): 1.18 (1.05–1.33) and 1.27 (1.16–1.40). Lower odds of fatigue were seen in construction craftsmen and related trades and construction workers, OR: 0.82 (0.73–0.93) and 0.84 (0.73–0.97). Sleeping disorders were less common among cleaners, OR: 0.83 (0.71–0.97), but more common among assemblers, machine operators, and related, OR: 1.15 (1.01–1.32). Back/neck symptoms were prevalent in most groups, e.g. mobile plant operators and vehicle drivers and construction workers, OR: 1.47 (1.29–1.68) and 1.52 (1.33–1.73).
Conclusion: Hypertension and perceived back/neck symptoms were more prevalent in most groups with higher OPA, compared to office assistants with low OPA. However, future research needs to address longitudinal analyses with objective measures of OPA to better understand the causal influence of OPA on health.
Support/Funding Source: None
Health Literacy and Physical Activity Among Lithuanian Professional Soldiers
Get PDFPurpose: This study aimed to explore the relationship between soldiers’ health literacy, their participation in organised sports, and their engagement in leisure-time physical activity.
Methods: This cross-sectional study included 603 professional soldiers (494 males and 109 females; mean age = 39.08, standard deviation (SD) = 8.89) with service experience ranging from one to 33 years. Participants represented various branches of the armed forces. General health literacy was assessed using the short-form version of the Health Literacy Survey (HLS19-Q12). Leisure-time physical activity was measured by asking how many times per week participants engaged in vigorous physical activity for at least 30 minutes that increased their breathing and heart rate. Participation in organised sports activities was also recorded.
Results: The average health literacy score was 80.10 (SD = 19.17), with 45.0% and 29.6% of participants exhibiting excellent and sufficient levels of health literacy, respectively. A total of 37.3% of soldiers reported participating in organised sports activities, with male soldiers participating significantly more than females (p < .01). On average, soldiers engaged in vigorous physical activity 3.65 days per week (SD = 1.75), with 50.4% reporting activity levels of four to seven days per week. Regression analysis showed that higher health literacy was significantly and positively associated with leisure-time physical activity (β = 0.21, p < .001; R² = 0.05, F = 7.49, p < .001). Conversely, health literacy was negatively associated with participation in organised sports (β = –0.13, p < .001; R² = 0.04, F = 5.44, p < .001).
Conclusion: Overall, the findings suggest that soldiers generally possess high levels of health literacy and that many are physically active. Notably, health literacy was positively associated with leisure-time physical activity but negatively associated with participation in organised sports, indicating that these forms of physical activity may be influenced by different motivational or contextual factors
The Effect of Dynamic and Constant Fast-Precise Movement Learning on the Psycho-Emotional State, Motor and Cognitive Functions of Patients With Parkinson’s Disease
Get PDFPurpose: This study aimed to compare the effects of dynamic and constant learning of fast and precise arm movements on cognitive, motor, and psycho-emotional functions in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Dynamic learning, characterised by constantly changing conditions and the need for adaptation, is considered an advanced motor learning strategy, though its effectiveness in Parkinson’s disease remains debated. We hypothesised that dynamic learning would enhance cognitive functions without negatively affecting motor performance or emotional state.
Methods: Thirty-six Parkinson’s disease patients (Hoehn and Yahr stages 1–3, aged 55–85) were randomly assigned to control (CG, n = 10), dynamic learning (DL, n = 11), or constant learning (CL, n = 15) groups. The study included: (1) baseline assessment, (2) ten motor learning sessions (DL and CL only), and (3) post-intervention assessment. DL trained with variable targets, CL with a fixed one. Each session involved three sets of 20 dominant-arm movements. Motor, cognitive, and psycho-emotional functions were assessed pre/post intervention. Motor control with a fixed target and movement parameters – reaction time, time to target, average/max speed, and trajectory length – were recorded via DPA-1. Cognitive function was tested using ANAM-4; mood via Brunel Mood Scale (BRUMS). Data analysis included Shapiro–Wilk for normality, paired samples t-test for within-group changes, and one-way ANOVA with post hoc tests (p < 0.05).
Results: Only the DL group showed significant cognitive improvements, with reduced reaction times (RT) in multiple tasks (Simple RT, Go/No-Go, Two-Choice RT, Matching Grids, Memory Search) (p < 0.05). Motor performance improved only in the CL group, including faster RT and higher movement speed (p < 0.05). In the DL group, longer path length in the complex task suggested reduced movement efficiency (p < 0.001). No changes were observed in the CG. In the CL group, vigour increased and anger decreased (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Dynamic learning may support cognitive improvement, however, these benefits do not appear to transfer to motor performance, particularly under constant conditions. In contrast, constant learning more effectively enhances motor function and improves emotional state. These findings highlight the importance of tailoring motor learning strategies in Parkinson’s disease by considering individual cognitive, motor, and emotional profiles
S09-2: Global Almanac for Physical Activity: Launching the GoPA! Third Edition
Get PDFPurpose: To present the Third Edition of the Global Observatory for Physical Activity (GoPA!) Almanac.
Methods: A standardised methodology was used to collect data on country and demographic characteristics, PA participation by domain (overall, active leisure, active transport), surveillance periodicity, surveys and instruments used to assess PA, existing PA and PA-related policies and guidelines, research indicators, and capacity for PA promotion. This information was summarised into one-page Country Cards and compiled into the GoPA! Third Edition Almanac. Between 2024–2025, country representatives reviewed the Country Cards to ensure accuracy and relevance and approved the content. Also, they were encouraged to translate their Country Cards into their countries’ native language.
Results: GoPA! collected data from 218 countries, with confirmed data from country representatives in 163 countries (74.8%). Preliminary results, based on these 163 countries and disaggregated by World Health Organization regions, show the following:
Coverage (countries with a representative): Africa (AFRO) (66.0%), Eastern-Mediterranean (EMRO) (72.7%), Europe (EURO) (80.6%), The Americas (PAHO) (68.2%), South-East Asia (SEARO) (72.7%), and Western Pacific (WPRO) (87.5%).
PA participation (countries with adult data): AFRO (66.0%), EMRO (72.7%), EURO (79.0%), PAHO (68.2%), SEARO (72.7%), and WPRO (87.5%).
Surveillance (countries with periodic PA-related surveys): AFRO (4.3%), EMRO (13.6%), EURO (46.8%), PAHO (20.5%), SEARO (27.3%), and WPRO (46.9%).
Policy (countries with standalone PA policies): AFRO (10.6%), EMRO (22.7%), EURO (58.1%), PAHO (36.4%), SEARO (27.3%), and WPRO (15.6%).
Research (countries contributing to PA research): AFRO (53.2%), EMRO (68.2%), EURO (74.2%), PAHO (63.6%), SEARO (72.7%), and WPRO (81.3%).
Conclusions: All Country Cards are available in English with translations provided in up to 30 additional languages, enhancing accessibility for diverse stakeholders. GoPA! is committed to maintaining ongoing PA monitoring and will update the indicators every four years to reflect the most current data. The Almanac is anticipated to serve as a powerful advocacy tool for Country Contacts, researchers, and policymakers, ultimately strengthening global efforts to promote PA and improve public health outcomes.
Support/Funding Source: Global Observatory for Physical Activity (GoPA!
S10-2: Updating the German Recommendations for Physical Activity Promotion – Integration of Sector-Relatedness, Health Equity, and Planetary Health
Get PDFBackground: The German Recommendations (NEBB) for Physical Activity (PA) and PA Promotion (PAP) (Rütten & Pfeifer, 2016) have been identified by the Federal Ministry of Health as important framework for all stakeholders in the field (BMG, 2024). An update of the NEBB appears necessary, among other reasons, due to recent recommendations and action plans from the World Health Organization and the absence of guidelines for additional target groups (e.g. people with disabilities, pregnant women). Moreover, similar to other PA guidelines, the NEBB have not addressed issues related to planetary health.
Methods: To integrate sector-relatedness, health equity, and planetary health into the PAP recommendations, a three-step process will be undertaken. First, recent evidence syntheses about PAP and impacts of PA on planetary health will be compiled. Second, expert interviews with scientists and stakeholders will be conducted. The purpose of these interviews is to learn from the experiences of other research fields (e.g. diet/nutrition) about how to address the mentioned issues in PAP guidelines, and also to explore the ethical considerations of balancing individual health benefits from PA with potential planetary health drawbacks. In the third step, various stakeholders shall participate in a co-production approach to discuss and translate the findings in concrete PAP recommendations for relevant societal sectors, such as health, sport, traffic, etc.
Results: The revised German PA promotion recommendations will include guidelines for stakeholders on how to promote PA in relevant societal/political sectors, also in a sustainable manner. Regarding planetary health however, it remains unclear whether this will be achieved by emphasising the co-benefits of certain types of PA (e.g. active transport) or by more directly addressing the negative environmental impacts of certain types of PA. The presentation will outline the results of the expert interviews (step 2) and discuss different options of the recommendations, also for integrating planetary health considerations.
Conclusion: Until now, many PAP efforts have focused on target groups, adhering to the goal statement ‘every step counts’. Thus, they may have neglected sector-related factors and also avoided any mention of potential harmful environmental impacts of PA. Addressing these issues in PAP recommendations further raises practical and ethical challenges.
Keywords: Physical activity, physical activity promotion, planetary healt
S11-3: How the Strategic-Level Design and Delivery of JU:MP Influenced Its Success: Reflections and Learning From a Substantive Process Evaluation
Get PDFPurpose: There is scarce evidence related to embedding physical activity in policy and practice at the local level. It is not enough to investigate only whether whole system approaches are effective; process evaluations are required to understand how and to assess the transferability of the intervention. This study examines the strategic-level mechanisms and contextual factors underpinning the success of the JU:MP whole system intervention, including understanding how and why the JU:MP whole system intervention worked and could work better.
Methods: Participants included 86 stakeholders who contributed to the strategic-level design and delivery of JU:MP, including the core delivery and research team, the executive board, and stakeholders from organisations commissioned to lead on specific work streams. 55 focus groups, 57 interviews, and observation of 77 events (e.g. core meetings, stakeholder workshops) were conducted alongside intervention delivery periodically over five years (2019–2024). Data were analysed thematically using framework analysis.
Results: Analysis revealed key areas of learning related to strategic-level design and delivery of JU:MP that influenced its success. For example, processes to ‘connect the system’ including regular community of learning events facilitated increased synergy and reduced tension across different JU:MP workstreams. A research-practice partnership approach was instrumental to facilitating evidence-based design, and continuous reflective practice informed iterative intervention improvement. Embedding capacity building and principles of equity and inclusion into different work streams, and commissioning processes, contributed to increased local buy-in and sustainable change. Contextual factors such as support from the funder and national evaluation team, and delivery organisation and financial processes, facilitated and constrained success in different ways.
Conclusions: It is essential to evaluate the mechanisms underpinning local whole system approaches to physical activity across the United Kingdom and internationally. This study provides a blueprint that can guide these efforts, to enable more effective whole-system delivery and population-level increases in physical activity.
Support/Funding source: This study was supported by Sport England’s Local Delivery Pilot – Bradford; weblink: https://www.sportengland.org/campaigns-and-our-work/local-delivery. Sport England is a non-departmental public body under the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.
Keywords: Whole-system, partnership, capacity building, leadership, co-productio