1,721,091 research outputs found
Effects of a combined aerobic and resistance exercise program in people with multiple sclerosis: a pilot study
No full textPurpose
Exercise training and social support have been reported to counteract the disabling symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS). The purpose of this study was to pilot test a combined aerobic and resistance exercise program, performed in pairs, on functional abilities, fatigue, and health-related quality-of-life (HRQOL) in people with MS.
Methods
Eight patients with MS aged between 35 and 59 years were involved in a pre–post-pilot study. The intervention consisted of 20 combined aerobic and strength training sessions carried out by two participants simultaneously over a 7-week period. The Functional Independence Measure was used to assess activity limitation, and the Short Form-36 to evaluate the HRQOL. Fatigue perceptions were assessed by the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) and Fatigue Descriptive Scale (FDS). Overall, peak oxygen consumption test, 6-Minute Waking Test, T25-Foot Walk, and 9-Hole Peg Test were administered to evaluate functional abilities.
Results
Role-physical and Vitality HRQOL subscales significantly increased by 120 % (p = 0.026) and by 33.85 % (p = 0.012), respectively, over the training. Fatigue perception significantly decreased in both the scales: FDS changed by −12.20 % (p = 0.049) and FSS by −12.85 % (p = 0.034). No changes were reported for functional measures over the training period.
Conclusions
The full adherence of participants and the absence of detrimental effects sustain the feasibility of the training program. Findings suggest possible beneficial effects of a combined exercise program with social support on HRQOL and fatigue
Muoversi per star bene. Una guida introduttiva all'attività fisica
No full textMai come oggi l’attività fisica gioca un ruolo fondamentale per il benessere e la salute delle persone di tutte le età: è indispensabile nello sviluppo fisico e psicologico del bambino, rappresenta uno dei principali agenti di socializzazione nei giovani, esercita un’importante funzione nella prevenzione di molte malattie croniche, è un elemento chiave per garantire una buona qualità di vita alle persone anziane. Tuttavia, nei paesi industrializzati – in Italia in particolare – il numero di coloro che sono sufficientemente attivi e che svolgono regolarmente programmi di esercizio o praticano attività sportive è basso. Diverse ragioni (individuali, sociali e ambientali) concorrono a questo fenomeno; in primo luogo, un’educazione al movimento spesso insufficiente e una scarsa conoscenza dei benefici dell’attività motoria e dei rischi connessi alla sedentarietà. Il volume offre un’introduzione all’attività fisica – intesa come strumento di promozione della salute – e alle strategie per ridurre la sedentarietà
Correlates of physical activity in school-aged children: parents' role in active living. A comparative study between Italy and Germany
Full text linkThe knowledge that inactivity during childhood predisposes youngsters to a variety of negative outcomes (e.g. lack of socialization, poor emotional aspects, worsening psychological well-being and cognitive abilities, health risks, etc.), in combination with research indicating that many children are not enough physically active, has stimulated interest in better understanding children's physical activity determinants. It is necessary to identify the social, psychological, biological, and developmental factors that contribute to the differences in children's behaviours.
A complex arrangement of determinants seems to be involved, and several social, educational and cultural factors clearly impact childrenâs physical activity and sport involvement. Demographic/biological, psychological, behavioural, social/cultural and environmental variables have been reported as associated with childrenâs physical activity. The family represent an all-encompassing ecology for development. As a starting point, the family constitutes an important initial element of socialization influence for children because they spend, prior to adolescence, the majority of their free-time within the context of the family. Parents have also been found to influence physical activity behaviours of their offspring. Several forms of parental influence have been suggested in the literature: direct modelling, encouragement, support, involvement, restriction or facilitation of physical activity and beliefs on physical activity. The factors most frequently investigated are related to parental role modeling, social support and parental belief systems. In particular, parental support has been found to be positively related to physical activity level of children, and active parents (especially fathers) were more likely to have active children.
Generally, interventions to promote childrenâs physical activity mostly focused directly on children than on parents (e.g. one more hour of physical education per week). To design effective strategies to increase childrenâs physical activity, a clear understanding of how parents influence their children's behaviours is required.
The scientific literature related to physical activity parenting is still limited. Studies reported inconsistent, and mostly null, findings, and types of parental support have not been systematically evaluated yet.
The challenge of health education and sport pedagogy in promoting children regular physical activity is linked with the identification of multiple theory-based factors that influence physical activity behaviours. For these reasons it has been decided to carried out a research that investigates parental correlates with an ecological approach, in order to taking into account personal, cultural and environmental factors, using objective data and valid measurements.
It has been carried out a comparative study in order to investigate the phenomenon of physical activity parenting in different cultural and national policies context. Italy and Germany have been chosen because of their similarity and differences. It is possible to identify three major objectives of the research:
- To examine the roles of supportive social environments (parentsâ role) and physical environments on childrenâs active living, with an ecological approach;
- To compare Italian and German childrenâs physical activity habits;
- To investigate what variables are strongly associated with higher rates of physical activity participation.
A group of 4th grade children and both their parents participated in the research. Participants filled in a package of questionnaires and a subgroup of the total number of participants wore a tri-axial accelerometer for 7 consecutive days, in order to register physical activity quantity.
The investigated individual variables were children self-report physical activity, enjoyment during physical activity, importance of physical activity, perceived parental support, perceived parentsâ physical activity level and children self-efficacy. Parents reported answers on importance of physical activity, support, quantity of physical activity and enjoyment.
The findings confirmed scientific literature evidence and further sustain the notion that parental support is a key element in shaping physical activity levels in school-aged children. Moreover it is of relevance to compare results of different countries and cultural context.
Further research is needed to combine quantitative and qualitative data to better understand physical activity parenting. Moreover, sport pedagogy research should focus on the implementation of educational programs among parents about their role in the socialization of childrenâs physical activity behaviours
abstrakt Deutsch
Es ist bekannt, dass Inaktivität im Kindesalter zu unterschiedlichen negativen Auswirkungen, wie zum Beispiel mangelnde Sozialisation, dürftige emotionale Fähigkeiten, schlechtes psychologisches Wohlbefinden und schlechte kognitive Fähigkeiten, Gesundheitsgefährdung etc. im Jugendalter führen kann. Dieses Wissen, und Forschungsergebnisse die zeigen, dass viele Kinder nicht ausreichend körperlich aktiv sind, hat das Interesse angeregt die Faktoren von körperlicher Aktivität im Kindheitsalter besser verstehen zu wollen. Es ist daher notwendig, die sozialen, psychologischen, biologischen und entwicklungsbedingten Faktoren zu identifizieren, die zu unterschiedlichen Verhalten bei Kindern führen. Ein komplexes Arrangement von Determinanten scheint dabei beteiligt zu sein, und einige soziale, bildungsrelevante und kulturelle Faktoren beeinflussen eindeutig die körperliche Aktivität und das Sportengagement von Kindern. Es wurde gezeigt, dass demographische/biologische, psychologische, verhaltensbezogene, soziale/kulturelle und umweltbedingte Variablen mit der körperlichen Aktivität von Kindern zusammenhängen. Die Familie spielt dabei eine all-umfassende Rolle für die Entwicklung. Sie stellt einen wichtigen
Einfluss in der Sozialisation des Kindes dar, da dieses -vor der Adoleszenz – den Großteil seiner Freizeit mit der Familie verbringt. Es wurde auch herausgefunden, dass Eltern das Verhalten ihrer Kinder im Hinblick auf körperliche Aktivität beeinflussen. Verschiedene Formen elterlichen Einflusses wurden in der Literatur herausgestellt: Vorbildfunktion, Ermunterung, Unterstützung, Beteiligung, Verbot oder Förderung. Die am häufigsten untersuchten Faktoren betreffen die elterliche Vorbildfunktion, soziale Unterstützung und Überzeugung der Eltern. Die Daten zeigen, dass insbesondere die elterliche Unterstützung in positivem Zusammenhang mit dem Aktivitätslevel von Kindern steht, und dass Kinder aktiver Eltern (besonders aktiver Väter) mit einer höheren Wahrscheinlichkeit selbst aktiv sind. Im Allgemeinen bezogen sich die Interventionen zur Förderung der körperlichen Aktivität meist auf Kinder und nicht auf ihre Eltern (zum Beispiel eine
Stunde Sportunterricht pro Woche). Um effektive Strategien zur Förderung körperlicher Aktivität zu entwickeln muss ein klares Verständnis über den Einfluss von Eltern auf das Verhalten ihrer Kinder vorliegen. Die wissenschaftliche Literatur, die sich auf die körperliche Aktivität von Eltern bezieht ist jedoch begrenzt. Die Ergebnisse der durchgeführten Studien sind widersprüchlich und/oder nichtig und unterschiedliche Arten von elterlicher Unterstützung wurden bisher nicht systematisch evaluiert. Die Herausforderung für Gesundheitserziehung und Sportpädagogik Kinder regelmäßig in körperlicher Aktivität zu fördern ist mit der Identifikation von mehreren theoriegestützten Faktoren verbunden, die körperliche Aktivität beeinflussen. Aus diesen Gründen wurde entschieden eine Studie durchzuführen, die elterliche Korrelationen mit einem ökologischen Ansatz untersucht, um so persönliche, kulturelle und Umweltbedingungen zu berücksichtigen.
Hierzu wurden objektive Daten erhoben und valide Messinstrumente eingesetzt. Es wurde eine Vergleichsstudie durchgeführt um das Phänomen der Erziehung zu körperlicher Aktivität in unterschiedlichen Kulturkreisen und unterschiedlicher nationaler Politik zu erfassen. Italien und Deutschland wurden aufgrund ihrer Ähnlichkeit und Unterschiedlichkeit ausgesucht. Drei Hauptziele der Studie können heraus gestellt werden. Es soll(en)
-die Rolle des unterstützenden sozialen Umfelds (die Rolle der Eltern) und der physischen Umwelt auf den aktiven Lebensstil von Kindern, mit Hilfe eines ökologischen Ansatzes untersucht werden.
-die Gewohnheiten in Italien und Deutschland im Hinblick auf körperliche Aktivität verglichen werden.
-untersucht werden, welche Variablen mit einer stärkeren Beteiligung an körperlicher Aktivität zusammenhängen.
An der Studie nahmen Viertklässler und ihre beiden Elternteile teil. Alle Teilnehmer füllten Fragebögen aus und ein Teil der Gruppe trug an sieben aufeinanderfolgenden Tagen einen Akzelerometer, um das Ausmaß ihrer körperlichen Aktivität zu erfassen. Die untersuchten
individuellen Variablen waren die von den Kindern selbst eingeschätzte körperliche Aktivität, ihre Freude daran, der Stellenwert der körperlichen Aktivität für sie, die wahrgenommene Unterstützung der Eltern, die körperliche Aktivität der Eltern und das Selbstvertrauen der Kinder. Die Eltern beantworteten Fragen über die Bedeutung von körperlicher Aktivität für sie, ihre Unterstützung, ihr Ausmaß der körperlichen Aktivität und ihre Freude daran. Die Ergebnisse bestätigen bereits vorhandene wissenschaftliche Literatur und stärken die Annahme, dass elterliche Unterstützung ein entscheidender Erfolgsfaktor für die Entwicklung von körperlicher Aktivität bei Schulkindern ist.
Darüber hinaus ist es wichtig die Ergebnisse unterschiedlicher Länder und kultureller Kreise zu vergleichen. Um die Erziehung zu körperlicher Aktivität besser zu verstehen ist Forschung von Nöten, die qualitative und quantitative Ansätze vereint. Vielmehr sollte die Sportpädagogik ihre Forschung auf die Implementation von Erziehungsprogrammen für Eltern lenken, und ihre Rolle in der Sozialisation des Kindes im Hinblick auf seine körperliche Aktivität untersuche
Implicit and explicit attitudes toward obesity among univresity students
No full textIntroduction
Anti-fat prejudice has been documented in several areas of society, it’s a concern with considerable psychosocial costs. When examining explicit attitudes toward stigmatized groups it’s necessary to report personal beliefs or assign attributes. One measure to minimize response bias is the Implicit Association Test (IAT, Greenwald et al, 1998) that measures the strength of automatic associations of a target construct with particular attributes. By using this instrument it has been found that also educators, physicians and exercise specialists, who all exert a crucial role in obesity prevention and treatment, report strong negative prejudice toward obese individuals.
The aims of this research were to examine the implicit and explicit attitudes toward obesity among a sample of Italian university students and to investigate the relationships of two psychosocial constructs: the social dominance orientation (SDO) and the physical self-concept.
Method
Undergraduates of exercise sciences, medicine and primary education (N = 451) completed a series of questionnaires. The IAT was used associating “obese people” and “thin people” with two ranges of stereotypes: lazy-motivated and smart-stupid. Explicit anti-fat attitude was assessed using Crandall’s 13-item questionnaire (1994). SDO (Di Stefano & Roccato, 2005) and Physical Self-Description Questionnaire-short (Peart et al, 2006) were used to explore their relations with anti-fat bias.
Results
Undergraduates of exercise sciences reported significant anti-fat implicit and explicit attitudes in comparison with students of others careers (p < .05). Level of bias was associated with SDO (p < .05) and with more positive physical self-description (p < .05).
Discussion
Students majoring in exercise sciences displayed stronger anti-fat bias. This fact could have negative implications during their future professional career if they have to take care of obese people. Understanding and addressing situation of weight bias may be the first step to reduce negative and potentially dangerous attitudes promoting specific training
Sportunterricht in Italien ursprünge, problem, zukunftperspektiven
No full textIm vorliegenden Übersichtsartikel werden die historischen Wurzeln des Sportunterrichts in Italien dargestellt, die aktuelle Struktur des Unterrichts in den verschiedenen Schulstufen erläutert und einige aktuelle Problemlagen und Herausforderungen für das Unterrichtsfach Sport diskutiert. Hierbei wird deutlich, dass für die Legitimation des Sportunterrichts in verschiedenen historischen Epochen medizinische, militärische, ästhetische sowie pädagogische Argumente angeführt wurden. Auch wird ein knapper Blick auf die Sportlehrerbildung gerichtet, die in Italien erst seit gut einem Jahrzehnt an universitären Einrichtungen stattfindet.
In the presented overview the author refers to the historic roots of physical education in Italy, explains today’s instructional structure of different school levels and discusses some current problem areas and challenges for the subject of physical education at Italian schools. Thereby it becomes obvious that medical, military, aesthetic as well as educational arguments were used to legitimize physical education during diffe-rent historic periods. In addition, the author sketches physical educators’ university education, which just became established in Italy about a decade ago
Parental role in children's physical activity: a comparative study
No full textPurpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the phenomenon of physical activity (PA) parenting in a sample of Italian and German children with a social ecological approach.
Methods: A sample of 71 4th grade children of two primary schools in the North-east of Italy (n = 37) and two in the North-west of Germany (n = 34), and their two parents (n = 142) participated in the research.
Participants wore a tri-axial accelerometer for 7 consecutive days, and completed a battery of questionnaires to assess self report PA levels, enjoyment during PA, importance of PA, parental support and perceived parental support, children self-efficacy and perceived environment accessibility and safety.
Results/findings: ANOVA analysis showed significant differences between Italian and German children variables. Italian children scored higher on importance of sport while German children scored significantly higher on PA levels, perceived parental support, self-efficacy, equipment accessibility and perceived neighbourhood safety. Positive associations were found between children PA and children personal variables as enjoyment of PA, perceived parental support, self-efficacy in practising sport and their SES.
Conclusions: Perceived parental support seemed to be a key element in increasing children PA level. These findings further sustain the notion that to increase childhood PA levels it may be necessary to promote PA among parents. Health promotion interventions should also reinforce the importance of environment accessibility and safety
The role of health care workers in motivating users of psychiatric services to physical activity
No full textAim: regular physical activity (PA) can positively influence the treatment of psychotic disorders.
The main obstacles in adhering to regular PA programs for people with severe mental illness are the side effects of antipsychotic drugs, the lack of motivation and poor concentration abilities. All these elements reduce the exercise capacity of these persons and hinder their long-lasting participation in regular PA. Health care workers have a crucial role in the promotion of healthy behaviors and physical habits of people with psychotic disorders but, even if they are aware of the importance of PA, they have to cope with lots of barriers to sustaining patients participation in PA programs (Mo et al., 2011; Verhaeghe, 2011).
Methods: four focus groups have been conducted with health care staff members where PA programs are part of the treatment proposed to the users of psychiatric services. They were asked to highlight the benefits, barriers and facilitators of outpatients’ PA in their personal experiences.
Results: the content-analysis of the focus groups confirmed and enriched the evidences about the utility of PA programs within the rehabilitative paths for people with psychotic disorders. Moreover results highlighted the need for a specific preparation, for health care workers, especially in what concern motivational processes and the management of strategies to promote active lifestyles. Participants also affirmed the key role of exercise specialists within the health care staff and the growing need for collaboration with local institutions to support the promotion of PA.
Conclusions: results provide evidence for the increasing need of regular PA in the rehabilitative interventions of psychiatric disorders. The engagement of exercise specialist within the health care staff is desirable to facilitate the managing of PA programs and support educational interventions also for health care workers.
Reference: Mo P et al. (2011) Getting healthcare staff more active: the mediating role of self-efficacy. Brit J of H Psy 16: 690-706
Verhaeghe N et al. (2011) Perception of mental health nurses and patients about health promotion in mental health care: a literature review. J of Psy and MHNurs 18:487-49
The role of health care workers in motivating users of psychiatric services to physical activity
No full textAim: regular physical activity (PA) can positively influence the treatment of psychotic disorders.
The main obstacles in adhering to regular PA programs for people with severe mental illness are the side effects of antipsychotic drugs, the lack of motivation and poor concentration abilities. All these elements reduce the exercise capacity of these persons and hinder their long-lasting participation in regular PA. Health care workers have a crucial role in the promotion of healthy behaviors and physical habits of people with psychotic disorders but, even if they are aware of the importance of PA, they have to cope with lots of barriers to sustaining patients participation in PA programs (Mo et al., 2011; Verhaeghe, 2011).
Methods: four focus groups have been conducted with health care staff members where PA programs are part of the treatment proposed to the users of psychiatric services. They were asked to highlight the benefits, barriers and facilitators of outpatients’ PA in their personal experiences.
Results: the content-analysis of the focus groups confirmed and enriched the evidences about the utility of PA programs within the rehabilitative paths for people with psychotic disorders. Moreover results highlighted the need for a specific preparation, for health care workers, especially in what concern motivational processes and the management of strategies to promote active lifestyles. Participants also affirmed the key role of exercise specialists within the health care staff and the growing need for collaboration with local institutions to support the promotion of PA.
Conclusions: results provide evidence for the increasing need of regular PA in the rehabilitative interventions of psychiatric disorders. The engagement of exercise specialist within the health care staff is desirable to facilitate the managing of PA programs and support educational interventions also for health care workers.
Reference: Mo P et al. (2011) Getting healthcare staff more active: the mediating role of self-efficacy. Brit J of H Psy 16: 690-706
Verhaeghe N et al. (2011) Perception of mental health nurses and patients about health promotion in mental health care: a literature review. J of Psy and MHNurs 18:487-49
Physical activity practice among children and adolescents with visual impairment – influence of parental support and perceived barriers
No full textPurpose: To analyze the practice of physical activity among children and adolescents with visual impairments (VI), regarding the possible influence of parental support and perceived barriers. Methods: Twenty-two young people with VIs (10 + 2.74 years old) and one of each of their parents were evaluated. They responded to the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C), Baecke Questionnaire, the Parental Support Scale and a questionnaire about perceived barriers to physical activity. The independent samples t-test, pearson correlation test and chi-square test were performed. Results: Blind young people showed lower physical activity levels. There were significant correlations both between parents’ physical activity and the support offered to children and between the PAQ-C results and the importance given by young people to physical activity, but only for those aged between 8 and 10 years old. The main perceived barriers were lack of security, motivation, professional training and information about available physical activity programs. Conclusion: The influence of parental support seems to be an important factor in the adoption of a physically active lifestyle for young people with VI. Parents and children should have more information about the benefits and opportunities of physical activity
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