The Frustration of Novelty and Basic Psychological Needs as Predictors of Maladaptive Outcomes in Physical Education

Background The need for novelty has been recently proposed as a candidate need within basic psychological needs theory (BPNT). In physical education (PE), research has shown that meeting students’ need for novelty is often positively associated with enhanced (and negatively associated with impaired) pupils’ well-being. Frustrating students’ novelty has also been negatively related to achieving multiple positive outcomes in PE. However, no research has explored whether frustration of novelty is positively associated with maladaptive consequences for pupils in this educational context, which is a necessary criterion to be included within BPNT. Purpose In this correlational study, we aimed to determine whether frustration of novelty was associated with up to 10 maladaptive outcomes in a similar way as the frustration of the three basic psychological needs (autonomy, competence, and relatedness). The maladaptive outcomes analyzed were amotivation, boredom, negative affect, entity beliefs, fear of failure, worry, concentration disruption, somatic and social physique anxiety, and oppositional defiance. Research design Cross-sectional study. Methods A total of 533 students (Mage = 14.47, SD = 1.34; 56.66% female) from eight secondary schools completed online questionnaires assessing their basic psychological needs frustration, novelty frustration and diverse maladaptive outcomes in PE. Pearson's correlations and hierarchical regression analyses controlling by sex, age, and race, were calculated to test the associations among these variables. Findings The correlation coefficients for novelty frustration were like those found for the three basic psychological needs concerning maladaptive outcomes in PE students. Particularly, hierarchical regression analyses showed that frustrating novelty in PE predicted amotivation (β = .11, p = .039), boredom (β = .23, p < .001), entity beliefs (β = .12, p = .039), and concentration disruption (β = .12, p = .049). Conclusions Results showed that novelty frustration was positively related to experiencing some negative consequences in PE, which is an important criterion within BPNT. Future training programs aimed at promoting optimal (and preventing detrimental) motivational styles in PE teachers could use these results to optimize students’ PE experiences

Changes in bariatric patients’ physical activity levels and health-related quality of life following a postoperative motivational physical activity intervention

Purpose: Self-determination theory (SDT) has been widely used as a useful motivational framework for improving long-term adherence to physical activity (PA) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The aim of this study was to examine the effects of a 6-month motivational PA intervention (MPAI) on bariatric patients’ PA levels and HRQoL from pre-surgery to the end of the MPAI (7 months post-surgery). Additionally, a re-test was performed 13 months post-surgery. Methods: 40 participants undergoing sleeve gastrectomy were assigned to a 6-month MPAI or to a control group. The MPAI was based on techniques and messages from SDT. At baseline and post-intervention measures, both groups wore accelerometers for one week and completed the SF-36 questionnaire. Results: 32 participants (78.1% female) completed all measures and were included in the final analyses. PA levels did not significantly differ between groups as a consequence of the intervention. Clinically significant differences (d ≥ 0.5) favoring the MPAI group were found for SF-36 domains of bodily pain (at pre-surgery, increasing at 7- and 13-months post-surgery), general health and vitality (7 months post-surgery), and physical functioning and the physical component score (both 7- and 13-months post-surgery). Social functioning also showed clinically significant differences favoring the MPAI group at pre-surgery, increasing at 7 months post-surgery. These differences disappeared at 13 months post-surgery. Conclusions: SDT-based PA interventions could enhance several dimensions of bariatric patients’ HRQoL after surgery. Further research is needed to understand what motivational processes are key aspects to promote PA participation in these patients

A self-determined exploration of adolescents’ and parents’ experiences derived from a multidimensional school-based physical activity intervention

Purpose: Adolescents’ and parents’ experiences within a multidimensional schoolbased physical activity intervention grounded on self-determination theory were explored. Method: Qualitative data from 29 adolescents (aged 15-17 years) and three parents on behalf of the total students' families were collected via participant observation (research diary), semistructured interviews, and focus groups. Results: Adolescents perceived that the application of motivational strategies, based on selfdetermination theory, satisfied their basic psychological needs for autonomy, competence and relatedness, favored self-determined motivation, and gave rise to adaptive consequences (improved physical activity knowledge, creation of affective bonds, and increased leisure-time physical activity). These results were supported by the information reported by the students' parents. Discussion/Conclusions: The findings support the implementation of self-determination theory-based multidimensional interventions to promote adolescents’ physical activity participation. This study also presents several motivational strategies which could be useful for the design and implementation of future school-based physical activity intervention

“To be myself again”: Perceived benefits of group-based exercise for colorectal cancer patients.

Purpose: To explore the perceived benefits of a group-based exercise program for patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) undergoing chemotherapy treatment. Methods: In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with all participants (n = 25) at the end of the exercise program (patients, relatives and healthcare professionals). The exercise instructor in charge of the exercise program with CRC patients also collected observational field notes throughout a research diary. Results: Three main themes related to exercise as a coping strategy were obtained: (a) physical recovery; (b) psychosocial well-being, and (c) reconnection with their embodied selves and normal lives. Physical recovery included a perceived increase in fitness and a reduction in physical side-effects. Psychosocial well-being included perceived benefits in self-confidence, sense of control, reduced fear, feeling of being useful, sense of achievement, positive thinking and avoiding depression. All the physical and psychosocial benefits helped patients reconnect with their embodied selves, engage in activities practised before the diagnoses, improve their body image, avoid stigma, and increase their social life beyond cancer diagnoses. In this sense, some patients held on to their past selves, trying to keep or recover normality in their lives, while others acknowledged that they might not be the same person anymore, with exercise being part of this new identity. Conclusions: This study shows that exercise is a coping strategy that benefitted CRC patients in several ways related to their physical and psychosocial quality of life

Physical education and school bullying: a systematic review

Objectives: To evaluate the associations of physical education (PE) with school violence and bullying. Design: Systematic review. Method: Using a systematic search in Medline, PsycINFO, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science, and Scopus, relevant studies with a quantitative and qualitative design were identified that met previously established eligibility criteria. Quality was assessed (bias risk analysis) and data were extracted from a previously elaborated template. Results: The systematic review finally included 16 studies, of which 10 had a quantitative design (n = 12795), 5 a qualitative design (n = 79) and 1 a mixed design (n = 86). The high heterogeneity presented by the measures used in the included studies hindered the comparison of the outcomes and prevented meta-analysis of the data. Although there is insufficient evidence about the positive impact of PE on bullying prevention, the results of this review indicate that some aspects of PE programs could improve students’ skills to cope with these situations. Conclusions: The results of this review suggest the importance of PE in the prevention of bullying. Secondly, it is emphasized that bullying situations have a negative impact on students’ enjoyment of PE, leading to detrimental consequences for their physical and psychological health. Thirdly, the figure of the PE teacher as a key element to prevent and/or encourage bullying was obvious

Propiedades psicométricas del Test Cyberbullying en una muestra de adolescentes mexicanos estudiantes de bachillerato

Due to the increasing number of cases of cyberbullying among adolescents, the need for a valid, reliable instrument to assess the prevalence of cyberbullying in Mexican adolescents has become evident. This study aimed to analyze the psychometric properties of the Cyberbullying Test (Garaigordobil, 2013) in a sample of 1155 high school students from five educational establishments in western Mexico; ages ranging from 15 to 19 years old. A confirmatory factor analysis was carried out, which resulted in asatisfactory adjustment to the three-factor model, according to the original instrument, and adequate factor loads. Moreover, the three scales that constitute the instrument showed adequate internal consistency. The results of the study are discussed in the context of contemporary literature on adolescent cyberbullying.Dado el incremento de los casos de cyberbullying entre adolescentes, se vuelve evidente la necesidad de contar con un instrumento válido y confiable para evaluar la prevalencia del cyberbullying entre adolescentes mexicanos. El presente estudio se planteó como principal objetivo analizar las propiedades psicométricas del Test Cyberbullying (Garaigordobil, 2013) en una muestra de 1155 estudiantes de bachillerato provenientes de cinco establecimientos educativos del occidente de México, de entre 15 y 19 años de edad. Para analizar los datos se llevó a cabo un análisis factorial confirmatorio, que arrojó como resultado un ajuste satisfactorio al modelo trifactorial, acorde al instrumento original, con adecuadas cargas factoriales. Además, las tres escalas que constituyen el instrumento mostraron una adecuada consistencia interna. Los resultados del estudio se discuten en el marco de la literatura contemporánea sobre cyberbullying entre adolescentes

Exploring the socio-ecological factors behind the (in)active lifestyles of Spanish post-bariatric surgery patients

Purpose: Physical activity (PA) is considered essential for the treatment of morbid obesity and the optimization of bariatric surgery outcomes. The objective of this article was to identify the facilitators and barriers that bariatric patients perceived to do PA one year after finishing a PA programme for the promotion of a long-term active lifestyle. This objective was addressed from a socio-ecological and qualitative perspective. Methods: Nine patients (eight women and one man), aged between 31 and 59 years, participated in semi-structured interviews directly following the PA programme and one year after it. A content analysis was carried out to analyze the qualitative data. Results: Weight loss, improvement of physical fitness, perceived competence, and enjoyment were the main facilitators of PA. Complexes related to skin folds, osteoarthritis, perceived unfavourable weather conditions, lack of social support and economic resources, long workdays, lack of specific PA programmes, and other passive leisure preferences were the main barriers to participate in PA. Conclusions: Results highlight the important interplay between personal, social environmental, and physical environmental factors to explain (in)active behaviours of bariatric patients. The findings of this article could be useful for future research and interventions aimed at promoting PA in bariatric patients

Melatonin receptors MT1 and MT2 are expressed in spermatozoa from several seasonal and nonseasonal breeder species

P. 1958-1968Melatonin is a ubiquitous and multipurpose molecule, and one of its roles is to regulate reproduction in some seasonal mammals. Our group has previously reported the variation in the melatonin levels in ram seminal plasma along the year and identified MT1 and MT2 receptors in ram spermatozoa. The objective of this study was to elucidate whether the presence of melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2) in the sperm plasma membrane, and melatonin in the seminal plasma is related to seasonal breeding. For this purpose, the presence of melatonin receptors and the levels of melatonin in seminal plasma have been examined in several species: donkey and stallion as long-day breeders; red deer as a wild, short-day, highly seasonal breeder (epididymal spermatozoa); bull as a conventional nonseasonal breeder; boar as a seasonal breeder under management techniques; and dog as possible a seasonal breeder not regulated by melatonin. We have detected measurable levels of melatonin in the seminal plasma of all ejaculated semen samples (from donkey, stallion, boar, bull, and dog). Also, and for the first time, we have demonstrated the presence of MT1 and MT2 melatonin receptors in the spermatozoa of all these species, regardless their type of reproduction or sperm source (ejaculated or epididymal), using indirect immunofluorescence techniques and Western blotting. Our findings suggest that melatonin and melatonin receptors may be universally distributed in the reproductive system of mammals and that the sperm melatonin receptors cells may not be necessarily related with seasonal reproduction. Furthermore, the presence of MT1 at the cytoplasmic droplet in immature ejaculated stallion spermatozoa found in one sample and epididymal red deer spermatozoa suggests that melatonin may be involved in specific functions during spermatogenesis and sperm maturation, like protecting spermatozoa from oxidative damage, this activity being mediated through these receptors.S

Blood Bacterial Profiles Associated With Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection and Immune Recovery

[EN] Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection impairs mucosal immunity and leads to bacterial translocation, fueling chronic inflammation and disease progression. While this is well established, questions remain about the compositional profile of the translocated bacteria, and to what extent it is influenced by antiretroviral therapy (ART). Using 16S ribosomal DNA targeted sequencing and shotgun proteomics, we showed that HIV increases bacterial translocation from the gut to the blood. HIV increased alpha diversity in the blood, which was dominated by aerobic bacteria belonging to Micrococcaceae (Actinobacteria) and Pseudomonadaceae (Proteobacteria) families, and the number of circulating bacterial proteins was also increased. Forty-eight weeks of ART attenuated this phenomenon. We found that enrichment with Lactobacillales order, and depletion of Actinobacteria class and Moraxellaceae and Corynebacteriacae families, were significantly associated with greater immune recovery and correlated with several inflammatory markers. Our findings suggest that the molecular cross talk between the host and the translocated bacterial products could influence ART-mediated immune recovery.This work was supported by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (Plan Estatal de I+D+i 2013–2016, projects PI15/00345 and PI18/00154); the Fundación Asociación Española Contra el Cáncer within the European Research Era-NET aligning national/regional translational cancer research programs and activities program (grant AC17/00019) and cofinanced by the European Development Regional Fund; and Plan Estatal de I+D+i 2013–2016 (grant PT17/0019 to the Proteomics Facility of the Spanish National Center for BIotechnology)