Do active commuters feel more competent and vital? A self-organizing maps analysis in university students

University students represent a population that faces high risks regarding physical inactivity. Research suggests that a regular engagement in physical activity (PA) may be more likely established when it leads to the experience of subjective vitality. Subjective vitality, in turn, is more likely achieved through physical activities that individuals feel competent in, and that take place in natural outdoor environments. An activity that may fulfill these conditions is active commuting to and from university (ACU). To examine whether and in which form ACU can combine this promising pattern of aspects, a person-oriented analysis was conducted. The sample contained 484 university students (59.3% females). Leisure-time PA, ACU by walking, ACU by cycling, subjective vitality, PA-related competence and body mass index were included as input variables in a self-organizing maps analysis. For both female and male university students, the identified clusters indicated that students who intensively engaged in ACU did not exhibit subjective vitality levels above average. Consistently, they did not show elevated levels of PA-related competence, which suggests that ACU does not support the perception of their physical abilities. Considerations regarding urban university environments lacking sufficient natural elements finally add to the conclusion that engaging in ACU does not suffice to establish a vitality-supportive and thus sustainable PA behavior. Additionally, the identified clusters illustrate a large heterogeneity regarding the interaction between leisure-time PA, body mass index and subjective vitality

A school-based intervention based on self-determination theory to promote girls' physical activity: study protocol of the CReActivity cluster randomised controlled trial

Abstract Background Physical inactivity is deemed to be the fourth leading cause for premature death. Nevertheless, only a minority of children and adolescents in Germany fulfil the guideline of the World Health Organization of at least 60 min of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per day. Children and adolescents with a lower socioeconomic background and especially girls are regarded as a high-risk group in terms of physical inactivity. Aim of this study is to examine how a theory-based physical education intervention programme supporting students’ autonomy, competence and relatedness affects physical activity both during these lessons and in leisure time. Based on the self-determination theory and the social cognitive theory, the extent to which autonomy, competence, relatedness, social support and self-efficacy in girls mediate the effect of the intervention programme on their physical activity will be examined. Moreover, the potential moderating role of socioeconomic status, environmental factors, teacher characteristics and BMI will be tested. Methods CReActivity is a two-arm cluster randomised controlled trial with a follow-up period of three months after the end of the intervention programme. A total of 600 sixth grade girls in lower secondary schools in Bavaria, Germany will be proactively recruited. The intervention is carried out by the physical education teachers of the participating classes for five months. Primary outcome is the girls’ physical activity measured by accelerometers and systematic observations. Discussion We expect to provide an intervention programme that can contribute to the increase of physical activity levels in girls and offer insights into the mechanisms of physical activity behaviour change. Trial registration German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00015723 (date of registration: 2018/10/22 retrospectively registered)

Conceptual framework of the study based on the socio-ecological model for physical activity [6].

This modified socio-ecological model introduces subjectively-perceived environmental factors on different levels that can both hinder or facilitate an individual’s physical activity in the neighbourhood.</p

Procedure in study phase 1.

BackgroundYouth’s perceptions of a city or neighbourhood’s walkability are important for determining the physical activity (PA) friendliness of their environment. Traditional objective measures of walkability fail to incorporate children and youth’s (CY) subjective perceptions of places that they perceive as supportive for play and exercise. Internationally, the most promising subjective measure is the Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale for Youth (NEWS-Y) questionnaire. Yet, the NEWS-Y is not available for German-speaking adolescents. In the WALKI-MUC project, a combination of participatory research methods is used to identify CY’s perceptions of PA-friendly places in Munich, Germany. Based on the findings, a German version of the NEWS-Y (NEWS-Y-G) for subjective walkability measurement is developed.Methods and designCY aged six to 17 years from neighbourhoods with different objectively-measured walkability, take part in photovoice, walking interviews and mapping to gather their perceptions of PA-friendly places. The participatory study begins with an introductory workshop and concludes with a follow-up workshop, where characteristics of PA-friendly places are discussed in focus groups. In between these workshops, participants complete a photo mission with a walking interview, allowing for individual significance of PA-related places to be shared in a one-on-one setting with the researcher. The findings are used to adapt and translate the NEWS-Y for the German context. The newly developed NEWS-Y-G is then used to measure the subjective walkability perceived by a representative sample of adolescents in Munich.DiscussionThe WALKI-MUC project introduces a participatory methodology for researchers and urban planners to assess subjective walkability with CY. The combination of qualitative and quantitative walkability measurements is described in this study protocol. Findings on PA-friendly places contribute to environmental psychology and the development of the NEWS-Y-G adds a German-language instrument for subjective walkability measurement.</div

The WALKI-MUC project.

Based on the qualitative results from the first study phase, the NEWS-Y-G for quantitative measurement of subjectively-perceived walkability is developed, validated and applied in the second study phase.</p

Accelerometer-Measured Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior Levels and Patterns in Female Sixth Graders: The CReActivity Project

Regular physical activity (PA) and low levels of sedentary behavior (SB) have positive health effects on young people. Adolescent girls of low socioeconomic background represent a high-risk group with regard to physical inactivity and SB. In this study, accelerometer-measured levels of PA and SB of female sixth graders attending lower secondary schools in Germany are presented, patterns of PA and SB throughout the day are described and differences between weekdays and weekend days are analyzed. Data of 425 students of the CReActivity project were analyzed. Sampling and processing of accelerometer data followed recent recommendations, which had not been applied to data of a German-speaking sample before. The WHO recommendation of daily 60 min moderate-to-vigorous PA was fulfilled by 90.4% of the girls on weekdays and by 57.4% on weekend days. The significant weekday&ndash;weekend differences were mainly associated with active commuting to and from school. Students engaged in SB for more than 8 h on weekdays and for over 7 h on weekend days. The results suggest a strong need for interventions increasing PA and reducing SB, especially during school hours and on weekends. Furthermore, a comparison with methods and results of previous studies highlights the need to follow recent criteria in accelerometer data sampling and processing to ensure an accurate and valid differentiation between PA-related risk groups and non-risk groups

The German Multi-Dimensional Perceived Autonomy Support Scale for Physical Education: Adaption and Validation in a Sample of Lower Track Secondary School Students

Teachers&rsquo; autonomy support (AS) in physical education (PE) has positive effects on students&rsquo; affective and behavioral outcomes in PE. Even though the existence of three different dimensions of AS, namely cognitive, organizational and procedural AS has been suggested in educational settings, there is a lack of multidimensional instruments for the assessment of autonomy-supportive teaching in PE. The aim of this study was to validate the German Multi-Dimensional Perceived Autonomy Support Scale for Physical Education (MD-PASS-PE). The sample comprised 1030 students of grades 6 through 10. Internal consistency was used to test the reliability of the assumed subscales. Factorial validity and measurement invariance across gender and age were examined by confirmatory factor analyses. Structural equation modeling was used to evaluate criterion validity. The subscales exhibited acceptable to good internal consistency. The assumed three-factor structure was confirmed within a bi-factor model including a general factor and three specific group factors. Results strongly supported measurement invariance across gender while tentatively suggesting measurement invariance across age. Criterion validity was supported as the MD-PASS-PE explained 15% and 14% of the variance in the constructs of self-efficacy and intrinsic value, respectively. The German MD-PASS-PE provides PE teachers with deeper insights into their autonomy-supportive teaching behavior, helping them to support their students&rsquo; autonomy in a holistic way

Education for sustainable development in physical education : Program development by use of intervention mapping

There is little information on the development of school-based programs to change students’ sustainability behavior. The goal of this article is to describe the systematic development and the content of a program that includes education for sustainable development in regular physical education. The Intervention Mapping approach was used as a methodological framework for program design. Participatory workshops with relevant stakeholders and experts were part of the process. Considering the physical education curriculum with its multiple objectives, four main behavioral outcomes were derived: Reduction in clothes consumption, change in diet, change in dealing with trash and increased usage of bike/public transportation. Behavior change methods were specifically selected to be suitable for physical education. The developed practical applications are in line with the physical education curriculum. It is reflected on the use of intervention mapping as a methodological framework for program design in the specific field of sustainability behavior and the equally specific setting of physical education. Benefits and limitations of the developed program are discussed.publishe

The effects of dream socialization in childhood on dream recall frequency and the attitude towards dreams in adulthood: A retrospective study

A recent meta-analysis showed that there is a considerable gender effect, i.e., women tend to recall their dreams more often than men. Since this difference was not found for children below the age of ten, the question is whether “dream socialization” (being asked about dreaming, hearing dreams of another person) in childhood might affect dream recall in adolescence and adulthood. This hypothesis was tested in a retrospective study of 54 students. To validate the students’ estimates, the parents were also asked about the dream socialization of their children. According to the children's as well as the parents’ estimates, mother’s asking about the children’s dreams and hearing of the mother’s dreams have a significant positive effect on the dream recall frequency of the students in adulthood. In addition, the mother’s asking about their children’s dreams has a significant, positive effect on the children’s attitude towards dreams in adulthood. To establish a clear-cut causal relationship, one should conduct a longitudinal study with dream socialization being measured in the relevant period of time and a follow-up-test measuring dream recall frequency in adulthood

Effects of a Sports-Oriented Primary School on Students’ Physical Literacy and Cognitive Performance

As only a small group of children fulfil the guidelines for physical activity, interventions are necessary to promote active lifestyles. We examined the effects of a sports-oriented primary school (N = 79) in comparison to a regular primary school (N = 90) on students&rsquo; physical literacy and cognitive performance. To evaluate the implementation of the sports-oriented school curriculum a process evaluation was conducted, in which the school curriculum was analysed and guideline-based interviews were carried out with the schoolteachers and the school director. To measure students&rsquo; physical literacy and cognitive performance several tests were used. Small positive effects of the sports-oriented primary school on students&rsquo; physical literacy were shown in standing long jump and attitudes towards physical activity. There were no differences between the groups regarding cognitive performance. This study provides the first insights on how a sports-oriented school can promote students&rsquo; physical literacy in the future. The results are in line with previous research that shows that when children spend more time in physical education and overall physical activities at school, no negative consequences result for their cognitive performance. In future, long-term evaluations of the effects of sports-oriented schools are required to receive valid results on the effects on students