PERCEIVED BARRIERS TO PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Many studies which were published in other countries identified certain benefits and barriers to physical activity among young people. But there is no data about the subject pertaining to Turkish adolescents. This study tries to rectify this with a study of Turkish university students. Undergraduate university students (n = 303) were recruited to the study. Current exercise habits and perceived barriers to physical activity were assessed in the sample. Using a Likert Type scale, participants responded an instrument with 12 items representing barriers to physical activity. Mean scores were computed. External barriers were more important than internal barriers. "Lack of time due to busy lesson schedule", "My parents give academic success priority over exercise." and "lack of time due to responsibilities related to the family and social environment" were most cited items for physical activity barriers. There is a need for future research, which will be carried out with larger sample groups to develop national standardized instrument. It will be helpful for accurately identify perceived barriers and then recommend changes to enhance physical activity among young people

Physical fitness, physical activity, psychosocial status and quality of life of adolescent siblings of neurologically disabled children

WOS: 000454454100003Background: This study aims to compare physical fitness, physical activity, the psychosocial state and the quality of life of adolescents who have disabled siblings with the adolescents who have healthy siblings. Material and methods: 100 adolescents were involved. The Body Mass Index, flexibility, muscular strength and endurance were measured to determine physical fitness. The FELS Physical Activity Questionnaire, the Depression Scale(CES-DC) and the 87-item Child Health Questionnaire(CHQ) were used to determine the level of their physical activity, depression status and the level of quality of life. Results: Only Vertical Jumping level among physical fitness parameters was found to be different between the groups (p 0.05). Conclusions: A physically disabled child negatively affects the physical activity level and psychology of healthy siblings rather than their physical fitness

Effects of two different quadriceps strengthening exercise approaches on cardiovascular fitness in healthy female subjects: A single blind randomized study

WOS: 000304912300002PubMed: 22684198Objective: There are limited number of documents showing the relations between cardiovascular fitness and muscle strength. This study aimed to determine the effects of two different quadriceps strengthening exercise approaches on cardiovascular fitness in healthy female subjects. Methods: Forty female university students participated in this study on a voluntary basis. The participants were randomly assigned to do either isokinetic exercise (IE) or progressive resistive exercise (PRE) in two different groups. Both training schemes were performed three times a week for a period of two weeks. The subjects were given a maximum symptom limited exercise test on a treadmill before and after (each) training period. Results: Total exercise duration increased and Borg scale level decreased significantly after training in the two groups (p < 0.05). Maximal systolic blood pressure, recovery heart rate, and recovery diastolic blood pressure decreased significantly in the IE Group (p < 0.05). Resting and recovery systolic blood pressure decreased significantly in the PRE Group (p < 0.05). Compared to PRE group, improvement for Borg Scale level, recovery heart rate and recovery diastolic blood pressure were more obvious in IE Group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: This study demonstrated that both quadriceps strengthening methods have displayed improvements in cardiovascular fitness. Further research with larger sample groups may need to be carried out

Differences in Physical Activity and Physical Fitness Level in Patients with Fibromyalgia Syndrome and Healthy Individuals

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the physical activity and physical fitness levels in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and to compare the data with those in healthy individuals. Methods: The study included 82 patients with FMS and 110 healthy individuals. In order to compare physical activity levels, all the subjects responded to the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, Long Form (IPAQ). The health-related physical fitness of the subjects was evaluated by body composition, muscle endurance, cardiorespiratory endurance, flexibility, and balance. Body mass index (BMI), sit-up test, 6-min walk test, sit and reach test, body lateral flexion, and Kinesthetic Ability Trainer 3000 (KAT 3000) were used to determine body composition, muscle endurance, cardiorespiratory endurance, flexibility, and balance, respectively. Results: Of the patients with FMS, 36.6% were inactive, 45.1% were insufficiently active, and 18.3% were active. Of the healthy individuals, 40.9% were active, 36.4% were insufficiently active, and 22.7% were inactive. Significant differences were found (p<0.05) in IPAQ walking and total scores between the groups. The sit-up test scores (p<0.001) and right and left body lateral flexion scores (p<0.001) were significantly different between the FMS patient and control groups. Conclusion: Our results showed that the physical activity and physical fitness levels of patients with FMS were lower than those of healthy individuals

Evaluation of the functional capacity, respiratory functions and musculoskeletal systems of the children with chest pain for non-cardiac reasons

WOS: 000422968000010PubMed: 29376575Chronic chest pain in healthy children and adolescents generally arises from non-cardiac factors. The purpose of our study was to compare the evaluation results of effort test, respiratory function and musculoskeletal system in children and adolescents with chest pain for non-cardiac reasons with healthy children and adolescents. Physical activity level was determined by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. The respiratory function test was performed using a spirometer. The posture analysis was performed to determine the upper body deformities. The effort test was performed on a treadmill. The two groups were similar in terms of the physical activity levels, respiratory function and effort test results (p>0.05). The rate of the rounded shoulder, kyphosis was significantly higher in the patient group with chest pain (p<0.005). Consequently, the musculoskeletal system findings including the pectoralis minor shortness, rounded shoulder, and thoracic kyphosis could have a role in non-cardiac chest pain

OSTEOPOROSIS KNOWLEDGE LEVEL OF THE WOMEN LIVING IN THE CITY OF KIRIKKALE

WOS: 000371475400005Purpose: Osteoporosis is an important common public health problem among postmenopausal women. Purpose of this study is to research osteoporosis awareness level of the women living in the city of Kirikkale and releationship between awareness level and age and level of education. Methods: 263 women participated to the study. Osteoporosis related risk factors of the participants, such as; socio-demographic data, marital status, occupational status, education level, physical exercise and smoking level were recorded. In accordance with the literature, participants were divided into two groups as young adults (under 45 years) and middle aged (45-64 years). They were also divided according to education levels as; primary education (8 years of education or less) and secondary and higher education (more than 8 years of education). Osteoporosis knowledge level was evaluated by Osteoporosis Self-efficacy Scale Turkish Version and Osteoporosis General Knowledge Score Scale (KOS). Results: Mean age of the participants is 38.98 +/- 13.81 year, body mass index (BMI) 27.26 +/- 0.39 kg/m(2), education level is 8.65 +/- 5.16 years. There was positive correlation between Osteoporosis Exercise Self Sufficiency (a subscale of Osteoporosis Self-efficacy Scale), education level (p = 0.001; r = 0.326), Osteoporosis Exercise Self Sufficiency score and regular exercise (p = 0.001). Similarly, There was positive correlation between Osteoporosis Self Sufficiency Scale total score and education level (p = 0.001; r = 0.293), Osteoporosis Self Sufficiency Scale total score and regular exercise (p = 0.001). There was positive correlation between Osteoporosis Calcium Self Sufficiency Subscale (a subscale of Osteoporosis Self-efficacy Scale) score and education level (p = 0.006; r = 0.170). There was no significant correlation between Osteoporosis Calcium Self Sufficiency Subscale score and regular exercise (p = 0.816). Discussion: Our study shows that osteoporosis knowledge level of the women living in Kirikkale increases in parallel to their education level and osteoporosis knowledge levels of younger women are higher

Comparison of Mini-squats and Straight Leg Raises in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

WOS: 000317807500004Objectives: In this study, we aimed to compare the effects of the straight leg raise exercise (SLRE) and mini squat exercise (MSE) on pain intensity, performance, muscle strength, physical function and balance in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Patients and methods: Forty female patients (mean age 59.93 +/- 10.61 years; range 30-65 years) who were admitted to Baskent University Hospital between February 2009 and February 2010 with bilateral knee OA were included in this randomized controlled double-blind clinical trial. The patients were assigned into two groups, including SLRE and MSE. Both exercise groups were scheduled for a three-week program of five sessions per week. Both groups also received an electrotherapy program in each session. Knee pain using the visual analog scale (VAS), physical performance using Timed Up and Go (TUG) Test, isokinetic quadriceps and hamstring muscle strengths using Cybex II, static balance using SportKAT 3000, physical function using Knee Injury and Osteoarhtritis Outcome Score-Physical Function Short Form (KOOS-PS) were assessed at baseline, at treatment end, and one month after treatment end. Results: No significant difference was found in static balance testing parameters after exercise program (EP) (p=0.659) and during follow-up period (p=0.327) between the groups. There was no significant difference in KOOS-PS scores after EP (p=0.398) and during follow-up (p=0.201) between SLRE and MSE groups. There was no significant difference in VAS scores after EP (p=0.149), however significant difference was found during follow-up (p=0.030) between SLRE and MSE groups. Mini squat exercise group had significantly higher TUG scores and higher right knee extensor torque at 60 degrees/sec (p=0.024), 90 degrees/sec (p=0.003), 120 degrees/sec (p=0.005) and 180 degrees/sec (p=0.017) compared to the SLRE group at the end of EP. Conclusion: Further studies are required including long-term follow-up and the evaluation criteria of the effectiveness of SLRE and MSE after this period

The Runner's Journey: Identifying Design Opportunities for Running Motivation Technology

Running is a popular recreational sport, yet for many amateur runners it remains challenging to turn intentions into sustainable running behavior. Although the market offers a myriad of running-related devices that aim to motivate runners, these often focus on the training itself and not on overcoming the barriers experienced prior to the run. A better understanding of these barriers to running is essential to identify design opportunities for technologies supporting amateur runners. We conducted two complementary studies among participants of a women-only running event. Combining an online survey (N = 114) and a journey mapping activity (N = 13), we investigated the influence of motivational barriers and enablers in runners' rituals. Based on our findings, we created the Runner's Journey, a visual narrative highlighting actionable design opportunities for running motivation technology. We propose five design recommendations to overcome barriers among amateur runners. © 2020 ACM