Parental and familial factors influencing physical activity levels in early adolescence: a prospective study

Parental/familial factors are important determinants of the physical activity level (PAL) in children and adolescents, but studies rarely prospectively evaluate their relationships. This study aimed to evaluate the changes in physical activity levels among adolescents from Bosnia and Herzegovina over a two-year period and to determine parental/familial predictors of PAL in early adolescence. A total of 651 participants (50.3% females) were tested at baseline (beginning of high school education; 14 years old on average) and at follow-up (approximately 20 months later). The predictors included sociodemographic characteristics (age, gender) and parental/familial factors (socioeconomic status of the family, maternal and paternal education, conflict with parents, parental absence from home, parental questioning, and parental monitoring). Physical activity levels were evidenced by the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A; criterion). Boys were more active than girls, both at baseline (t-test = 3.09, p < 0.001) and at follow-up (t-test = 3.4, p < 0.001). Physical activity level decreased over the observed two-year period (t-test = 16.89, p < 0.001), especially in boys, which is probably a consequence of drop-out from the sport in this period. Logistic regression evidenced parental education as a positive predictor of physical activity level at baseline (OR [95% CI]; 1.38 [1.15–170], 1.35 [1.10–1.65]), and at follow-up (1.35 [1.11–1.69], 1.29 [1.09–1.59], for maternal and paternal education, respectively). Parents with a higher level of education are probably more informed about the importance of physical activity on health status, and thus transfer this information to their children as well. The age from 14 to 16 years is likely a critical period for maintaining physical activity levels in boys, while further studies of a younger age are necessary to evaluate the dynamics of changes in physical activity levels for girls. For maintaining physical activity levels in adolescence, special attention should be paid to children whose parents are less educated, and to inform them of the benefits of an appropriate physical activity level and its necessity for maintaining proper health and growth

An Investigation Of The Association Between Physical Self Perceptions, Autonomous Motivation, And Fitness Education Strategies

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between relative autonomy (autonomous versus controlled motivation), engagement in physical activity in a physical education class, and health-related fitness test scores. Participants were a total of 300 students drawn from grades 9, 10, 11 and 12 from a local Midwestern high school. Motivation, perceived competence, and self-reported physical activity levels were assessed using appropriate questionnaires. Heart rate monitors were used to record adolescent\u27s heart rate taken during technology enhanced physical education classes to obtain a quantifiable measure of physical activity. The use of Fitnessgram assessment included a variety of health-related physical fitness tests that assessed aerobic capacity; muscular strength, muscular endurance, and flexibility; and body composition. Scores from these assessments were compared to Healthy Fitness Zone® standards to determine students\u27 overall physical fitness and suggest areas for improvement when appropriate. Support was shown for the conceptual links between competence feedback (fitness test scores), subsequent competence perceptions (CY-PSPP scores) and more autonomous exercise motivation (RAI scores). To some extent, these results represent support for the physical education program\u27s curricular approach and long-term aims. Future research should try to evaluate how such approaches affect motivation over the students subsequent adult lives

The Relationship Between Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Bmi, Depressive Symptoms, and School Absences Among a Racial/ethnically Diverse Sample of Early Adolescents

The current study examined the relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness on differences by sex, race/ethnicity, and SES on BMI, depressive symptoms, and school absences among adolescents. a cross-sectional study was conducted in a north Texas school district, which included 609 Caucasian/Whites, 293 Hispanic/Latinos, and 113 African-American/Black adolescents (10-14 years). Main results of the study showed that that cardiorespiratory fitness was the largest predictor of BMI, followed by race/ethnicity, and then sex. Cardiorespiratory fitness among adolescents was inversely associated with BMI. the relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness on BMI appeared to be more salient for non-Hispanic white females and non-Hispanic black females in that the former group had lower BMI scores than the latter group when cardiorespiratory fitness was taken into account; however, results showed that non-Hispanic white females and non-Hispanic black females had similar cardiorespiratory fitness level. Other results showed that SES and sex predicted depressive symptoms in that low SES females endorsed more depressive symptoms relative to high SES males; however, this relationship was non-existent when cardiorespiratory fitness was entered into the model. Additionally, findings indicated that BMI and depressive symptoms equally predicted school absences in that adolescents who had a higher BMI and endorsed more depressive symptoms had more school absences

THE EFFECTS OF AN ACUTE BOUT OF EXERCISE UPON BEHAVIORAL RESPONSES TO AND NEUROPHYSIOLOGICAL INDICES OF ATTENTION ALLOCATION IN CHILDREN AND ADULTS

In both child and adult populations, engagement in frequent physical activity results in a myriad of cognitive benefits, including improved executive functioning. However, the relationship between engagement in acute bouts of physical activity and cognitive processes, such as attention allocation, are less well understood. Methods: This study sought to: 1) Investigate the effects of an acute bout of exercise on behavioral responses; 2) Investigate the effects of an acute bout of exercise on neurophysiological measures; and, 3) Investigate age-related differential effects. EEG was recorded from 32 male participants (n=16 adults, n=16 children 9-11 years of age) who completed a 3-stimulus auditory oddball behavioral task, pre- and post-exercise intervention. Results: Contrary to expectations, this study found that, regardless of age, engagement in an acute bout of exercise did not have a significant effect upon some behavioral and all neurophysiological indices of attention, as measured by response accuracy, reaction time percent difference, and P3a and P3b amplitude, respectively. Moreover, the findings indicate no age-related differential effects of acute exercise on these same indices of attention. However, absolute reaction time results indicate a significant main effect for group (F (1, 21) =4.48, p<0.05) in the block immediately following the acute exercise intervention. Discussion: The relative ease with which both adult and child participants completed the behavioral task indicates that the task may have been simple, rather than executive in nature. Therefore, only some of the behavioral benefits and none of the typical neurophysiological benefits associated with acute exercise bouts were seen in this study, nor were age-related differential effects of acute exercise observed. However, the significant difference in reaction time between intervention and control groups immediately following the intervention, does provide the behavioral results typical of this intervention. Future studies should explore similar acute exercise interventions in combination with a varied behavioral task (e.g., a modified 3-stimulus auditory oddball) that strongly activates the executive functioning network

Effects Of Parental Support On Physical Activity Levels In Children

Introduction: The literature is mixed regarding behavioral methods that may effectively motivate children to increase physical activity levels. Because some research has shown parental influence can affect children\u27s behavior, it is hypothesized that trained parental support may increase children\u27s physical activity. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of parental support on children\u27s physical activity. Pender\u27s Health Promotion Model (HPM) served as a guide. The theoretical underpinnings of this model are based on the assumption that individuals are influenced by interpersonal factors such as parental support. Design and Sample: For this pre-test/post-test interventional study, 30 children ages 8 to 12 years were recruited from a rural Midwestern Boys and Girls Club. Determined physical activity levels, perceived support, and perceived motivation were determined before and after implementation of a parental support intervention. Methods: Physical activity levels were objectively measured by accelerometers. Perceived levels of physical activity, motivation, and support were measured using the Perceived Activity Questionnaire-Child, Social Support and Exercise Scale, Physical Activity Motivation Scale, and Amherst Health and Activity Adult Survey. Intervention parental support strategies included encouragement, praise, transportation, and participation with the child in physical activities. Parent and child survey scores, accelerometer scores, demographics, and anthropometric measures were analyzed using paired t-tests. Results: Results showed that after the intervention, both children (paired t= 7.43, p= 0.001) and their parents (paired t= 3.04, p= 0.001) perceived significantly greater parental support and motivation (paired t= 9.65, p= 0.001) to be physically active. Children were also significantly more physically active following the parental support intervention (paired t= 2.60, p= 0.01). Parental support may affect children\u27s physical activity levels, but other confounding factors need to be studied in the future. Implications: Results of this study has implications for improving the health and fitness of children through increased physical activity levels. Nurses are in a key position to influence parental behaviors through education, research, and policy as a means of improving children\u27s physical activity levels

Parental factors contributing to childhood obesity

This study evaluated the contribution of parental factors related to eating behavior and physical activity level on the development of childhood obesity. The survey instrument was designed to assess parent and child eating behavior and physical activity, parental control of child eating behavior and physical activity, and parental attitudes toward their own and their child\u27s weight status, eating behavior and physical activity. [This is an excerpt from the abstract. For the complete abstract, please see the document.

Work ability self-assessment and its correlations with health related fitness and physical activity level of security guards

Osnovni ciljevi ovog istraživanja bili su utvrditi povezanost samoprocjene radne sposobnosti procijenjene Upitnikom za određivanje indeksa radne sposobnosti sa sastavnicama zdravstvenog fitnesa, sa samoprocjenom razine tjelesne aktivnosti procijenjenom Međunarodnim upitnikom o tjelesnoj aktivnosti, te istražiti povezanost radne sposobnosti s pokazateljima rizika metaboličkog sindroma. Također, pokušala se utvrditi povezanost metaboličke sastavnice zdravstvenog fitnesa s ostalim sastavnicama (morfološkom, mišićno-koštanom i srčano-dišnom). Svrha ovog istraživanja bila je procijeniti razinu radne sposobnosti, tjelesne aktivnosti te stanje zdravstvenog fitnesa zaštitara. Jednako tako, pokušali su se utvrditi čimbenici koji pozitivno ili negativno utječu na razinu radne sposobnosti. Uzorak ispitanika činilo je 120 zaštitara, dobi od 25 do 45 godina, zaposlenih u jednoj privatnoj zaštitarskoj tvrtki iz Zagreba. Prije samog testiranja svi su ispitanici potpisali izjavu o dobrovoljnom pristanku na testiranje. Istraživanje je uključivalo samo zaštitare koji, uvidom u njihov medicinski karton kod izabranog specijaliste obiteljske medicine, nisu bolovali od nikakvih težih kroničnih bolesti, te nisu imali nikakva tjelesna ograničenja za pristup ispitivanju. Sva ispitivanja su se provodila u sklopu periodičnog preventivnog liječničkog pregleda zaštitara u ordinaciji medicine rada i sporta Ustanove za zdravstvenu skrb „Profozić„ u Zagrebu, te po potrebi na Kineziološkom fakultetu Sveučilišta u Zagrebu. Svi ispitanici su bili ocijenjeni sposobnima za radno mjesto zaštitar u privatnoj zaštiti. Samoprocjena radne sposobnosti provodila se putem Upitnika za određivanje indeksa radne sposobnosti (WAI-upitnik), a samoprocjena razine tjelesne aktivnosti putem kratke verzije Međunarodnog upitnika o tjelesnoj aktivnosti (IPAQ). Mjerenje zdravstvenog fitnesa provodilo se putem mjerenja njegovih pojedinih sastavnica. Procjenjivanje morfološke sastavnice fitnesa uključivalo je mjerenje tjelesne visine i težine, opsega struka, opsega bokova, te potom izračunavanje indeksa tjelesne mase, omjera opsega struka i opsega bokova te omjera opsega struka i tjelesne visine. Procjenjivanje mišićno-koštane sastavnice fitnesa uključivalo je mjerenje jakosti šake, mjerenje visine vertikalnog skoka, mjerenje broja dinamičkih pretklona u 60 sekundi, te mjerenje fleksibilnosti u ramenom zglobu, fleksibilnosti lumbalnog dijela leđa i istezljivosti stražnje lože mišića natkoljenice. Procjenjivanje srčano-dišne sastavnice fitnesa uključivalo je mjerenje aerobnog kapaciteta submaksimalnim testom opterećenja te mjerenje arterijskog krvnog tlaka i frekvencije srca. Procjenjivanje metaboličke sastavnice fitnesa uključivalo je mjerenje razine glukoze, lipida i lipoproteina, kao i jetrenih enzima u krvi ispitanika natašte. Za sve statističke analize korištena je programska podrška IBM SPSS Statistics verzija 24. Izračunati su Pearsonovi koeficijenti korelacije kako bi se uvidjela povezanost pojedinih sastavnica metaboličkog sindroma i zdravstvenog fitnesa s indeksom radne sposobnosti, maksimalnim primitkom kisika te razinom tjelesne aktivnosti. Načinjen je multivarijatni linearni regresijski model predikcije indeksa radne sposobnosti u kojem su se kao prediktorske varijable koristile one koje su na univarijatnoj razini bile značajne. Temeljem dobivenih rezultata zaključuje se da je razina radne sposobnosti zaštitara samoprocijenjena putem indeksa radne sposobnosti vrlo dobra i izvrsna, a razina tjelesne aktivnosti samoprocijenjena putem IPAQ–a je visoka, no s dugim periodom dnevnog sjedenja. Ispitanici su pokazali povišene vrijednosti u pokazateljima rizika metaboličkog sindroma: povišenu tjelesnu masu, povišene indekse abdominalne pretilosti (WC, WHR, WHtR), povišeni krvni tlak, te prisutnost nekog od oblika dislipidemije. Ispitanici su pokazali prosječne i ispod prosječne rezultate u testovima snage i fleksibilnosti te vrlo slabe rezultate u testu maksimalnog primitka kisika. Indeks radne sposobnosti značajno je pozitivno korelirao s razinom tjelesne aktivnosti te dohvatom u sjedu, a negativno s omjerom opsega struka i opsega bokova, omjerom opsega struka i tjelesne visine, dijastoličkim tlakom, te dnevnim sjedenjem. Od svih prediktorskih varijabli, samo dohvat u sjedu značajno predviđa bolji indeks radne sposobnosti. Razina tjelesne aktivnosti značajno je pozitivno korelirala s HDL-kolesterolom, VO2 max, a negativno s omjerom opsega struka i tjelesne visine, dobi, te dnevnim sjedenjem. Maksimalni primitak kisika kao mjera aerobnog kapaciteta značajno je negativno korelirao sa svim sastavnicama metaboličkog sindroma (ITM-om, opsegom struka, opsegom bokova, omjerom opsega struka i opsega bokova, omjerom opsega struka i tjelesne visine, arterijskim krvnim tlakom, lipidima, GUK-om, ALT-om, GGT-om, frekvencijom srca u mirovanju), a pozitivno s HDL-kolesterolom, visinom vertikalnog skoka i dinamičkim pretklonima u 60 s. Prilikom usporedbe čimbenika metaboličkog fitnesa (GUK, ukupni serumski kolesterol, LDL-kolesterol, HDL-kolesterol, trigliceridi) s ostalim sastavnicama zdravstvenog fitnesa pronađene su značajno pozitivne korelacije svih čimbenika metaboličkog fitnesa s ITM-om, opsegom struka, opsegom bokova, omjerom opsega struka i opsega bokova, omjerom opsega struka i tjelesne visine, dijastoličkim tlakom, osim HDL-kolesterola koji je značajno negativno korelirao s istima. Pronađene su značajno pozitivne korelacije jetrenih transaminaza (biljega nealkoholne masne bolesti jetre) sa sastavnicama zdravstvenog fitnesa (ITM-om, opsegom struka, opsegom bokova, omjerom opsega struka i opsega bokova, omjerom opsega struka i tjelesne visine, dijastoličkim tlakom, fleksibilnosti u ramenu i jakosti šake). Kroz ovo istraživanje pokušalo se utvrditi koji su to tjelesni čimbenici koji utječu na radnu sposobnost muškaraca u životnoj dobi (25 – 45 godina) u kojoj bi radna sposobnost trebala biti na najvišoj razini. Kombinacija dvaju upitnika (WAI-upitnika i IPAQ-a), kao i kombinacija WAI-upitnika i mjerenja sastavnica zdravstvenog fitnesa (morfološke, mišićno-koštane, srčano-dišne, metaboličke) može postaviti temelje za stvaranje dobrog instrumenta za određivanje čimbenika koji utječu na indeks radne sposobnosti odnosno radnu sposobnost u cjelini.The basic objectives of this thesis were to determine the correlation of self-assessed work ability estimated by the Work Ability Index Questionnaire with health-related fitness components, with self-assessed level of physical activity estimated by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, as well as with metabolic syndrome risk factors. Also, this research aimed to determine a correlation of the metabolic component of health related fitness with other components (body composition, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility and cardiorespiratory endurance). The purpose of this thesis was to evaluate the level of work ability, physical activity and health related fitness of security guards, and to determine which particular factors have a positive or negative impact on the level of work ability. The sample consisted of 120 security guards, aged 25 – 45 years old, employed in one private security company based in Zagreb. All of the participants were volunteers, as evidenced from their written consent. The research involved only security guards who, upon evaluating medical documentation from their general practitioner, did not have any chronic illness or any physical restrictions that would compromise their ability for participating. All tests were conducted as part of the periodic preventive medical examination for security guards at the Occupational Health and Sports Medicine Unit, Health Care Institution “Profozic” in Zagreb, and (if it was necessary) at the Faculty of Kinesiology of the University of Zagreb. All participants were assessed fit for duty of private security guard. Work Ability Index (WAI) Questionnaire was used for self - assessment of work ability and a short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used for self-assessment of physical activity level. The level of health related fitness was evaluated by measuring its individual components. The assessment of morphological fitness component (i.e. body composition) included height/weight measurement, waist and hip circumference measurement, as well as body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio and waist-to-height ratio calculations. Muscular strength/endurance and flexibility assessment included hand grip strength measurement, vertical jump height measurement, 60-seconds sit up test, shoulder joint flexibility measurement, lumbar back flexibility and hamstring extension measurement. Cardiorespiratory endurance assessment included aerobic capacity measurement with submaximal aerobic fitness test, and also the measurement of arterial blood pressure and heart rate at rest. Metabolic fitness component assessment included blood glucose level, lipids, lipoprotein and liver enzymes level measurement from blood when fasting. For all of the statistical analyses IBM SPSS Statistics version 24 was used. Pearsons’ coefficients of correlation were calculated to correlate certain metabolic risk factors and health related fitness components with work ability index, maximum oxygen uptake level and physical activity level. Multivariate linear regression model for prediction of work ability index was made by using predictor variables that were significant on univariate level. According to results of this research, we can conclude that self-assessed level of work ability (WAI) of the respondents is very good and excellent, and self-assessed level of physical activity (IPAQ) is high, albeit with long periods of daily sedentary time. Results have shown higher values in metabolic risk factors, increased body mass index, elevated visceral obesity index (WC, WHR, WHtR), mild hypertension, and the presence of some kind of dyslipidaemia. Respondent have shown average and below average results in muscular strength/endurance and flexibility tests, and poor results in maximum oxygen uptake level test. Work ability index has shown a significant positive correlation with physical activity level and sit-and-reach test results, while negative correlation was observed with waist-to-hip ratio, waist-to-height ratio, diastolic blood pressure and daily sitting period. Only results in sit-and-reach test significantly predicted better work ability index. Physical activity level was significantly positively correlated with HDL-cholesterol level and maximum oxygen uptake level, whereas it correlated negatively with waist-to-height ratio, age and periods of daily sedentary time. Maximum oxygen uptake level, as measure of aerobic capacity, has significantly negatively correlated with all of the metabolic risk factors (BMI, waist and hip circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, waist-to-height ratio, arterial blood pressure, blood lipids level, blood glucose level, ALT and GGT level and heart rate at rest) and positively with HDL–cholesterol level, vertical jump height and 60 -second sit ups. All the metabolic fitness components (blood glucose level, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglyceride level), except for HDL-cholesterol levels (negative correlation) have shown significant positive correlation with BMI, waist and hip circumference, waist–to-hip ratio, waist-to-height ratio and diastolic blood pressure. Liver transaminases level (NAFLD markers) significantly positively correlated with BMI, waist and hip circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, waist-to-height ratio, diastolic blood pressure, shoulder joint flexibility and hand grip strength). The end-goal of this thesis research was to determine physical factors that have a significant impact on the work ability of men aged from 25 to 45 years, which is an age span when general work ability should be peaking. The combination of two questionnaires (WAI-questionnaire and IPAQ), as well as a combination of WAI-questionnaire with the components of health related fitness measures (i.e. body composition, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, cardiorespiratory endurance, metabolic component) may set the foundation for developing a good instrument for determining physical factors that have the major effect on the work ability

Monitoring physical activity in children

Two main research problems were addressed within this thesis. Firstly, the construction of a selfreport measure of physical activity (questionnaire) designed specifically for use with children and secondly, the use of the measure to provide information on the activity levels of a sample of British children. Every effort was made in designing the self-report, to address as many of the problems associated with the current measures as possible, and thereby to design an instrument which may improve upon existing measures. The process involved a detailed review of the literature, implementation of a number of recommendations from the literature, and a series of preliminary and pilot studies to determine the content and feasibility of the questionnaire forms and the feasibility of the administration procedures. Following the preliminary studies, the scoring procedure for the selfreport measure was developed and the final format of the questionnaire established. The final version was an interviewer administered questionnaire comprising two forms, a school day and a weekend form. Once designed, the measure was evaluated. The evaluation of the questionnaire involved studies of the validity and reliability of the measure as well as the reliability of interviewers trained to administer the questionnaire. The results of these studies proved favourable throughout and it was declared that the measure was a valid and reliable measure of physical activity. The use of the self-report measure to gather the activity information on a sample of British children in part two of the research was thus well justified. Part two of the research involved the administration of the self-report measure to gather activity information on a final sample of 199 pupils. The questionnaire was administered according to the method and protocols established in part one of the study. The findings of the study revealed the majority of the pupils to be inactive. Low activity levels were reflected in the pupils' activity scores and in the amount of time they spent in hard/very hard activity in particular. It was declared that the health of many pupils in this study may be at risk and if these findings reflect the activity levels of British children generally, then we may expect there to be serious consequences for the future health of our young population

The use of effort rating scales to control exercise intensity in children

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