Mental toughness and health-related lifestyle factors

Mental toughness (MT) originated within elite sport and was identified as an attribute of success. MT has emerged as being important for enhancing health-related lifestyle factors (HRLF; e.g., physical activity). Investigating the healthiness of one’s lifestyle appears a timely area to research given the current health status of the population. Therefore, the aim of this thesis was to investigate MT in relation to HRLF and weight loss. Study One investigated MT and HRLF in university students (n = 167). Self-reported MT, physical activity, exercise barriers, dietary behaviour, and psychological wellbeing were recorded. MT was significantly different between regular exercisers (M = 3.43 ± .42) and non-regular exercisers (M = 3.24 ± .54, p < .05). Components of eating identity, exercise barriers, and psychological wellbeing, were significantly correlated with MT. Study Two longitudinally investigated weight loss progress, and adherence to a weight loss support group, in slimming club members who were pursuing a weight loss goal (n = 132). MT and eating identity were assessed at baseline, three-months, and six-months, and weight was recorded at weekly meetings. Overall MT was not significantly related to weight loss (r = -.15, p > 0.05) or adherence to the service (r = .03, p > 0.05). Study Three sampled individuals who held a weight loss goal, but were not attending a weight loss support club (n = 78). Overall MT was not significantly related to weight loss (r = -.21, p > 0.05). MT was not significantly different between weight loss goal achievers (M = 3.62 ± .49) and non-goal achievers (M =3.42 ± .38, p > 0.05). Thus, irrespective of whether structured support is received, overall MT was not related to weight loss progress. II Study Four investigated the experiences of high (n = 9) and low (n = 7) mentally tough individuals pursing a weight loss goal. High and low MT individuals, identified using the MTQ48, were interviewed. Thematic analysis revealed that amongst the high mentally tough individuals, those who prioritised leading a healthy lifestyle reported weight loss success compared to those who prioritised other goals. Strategies to overcome low levels of MT (e.g., control), as well as receive additional support, appeared crucial for successful weight loss in low MT individuals. Study Five further investigated the low MT individuals’ (n = 7) perceptions, experiences, and attitudes, towards weight loss. Low MT individuals were sampled based on their MT score assessed via the MTQ48. Vignette based interviews extended the findings in Study Four. Thematic analysis revealed key findings, including the potential to change low MT individuals’ perceptions to enhance behaviour change. Overall, this thesis expanded the understanding of MT; the processes that one experiences when trying to lose weight appears to differentiate between high and low MT individuals, which offers an explanation as to why MT did not appear to play a significant role in weight loss outcomes. These findings challenged the predominant contemporary understanding of MT and demonstrated that MT was not associated with behaviour change to achieve weight loss

Advancing a health-model linked smart control framework to improve occupant health and comfort in residences

Evidence for the impact on health of interventions that improve the indoor environment can take years or even decades to be identified and actionable. However, health impact modelling can be used to estimate changes in rates of morbidity and mortality due to changes to the environment, which can be simulated using physics-based models. In the past, these tools have not been used in combination to assist in real-time building controls. The work described here builds upon previous work that proposed a smart control framework that combined portable air purifiers and automatic window control systems to reduce indoor PM2.5 concentrations in residences whilst maintaining thermal comfort. The modelled changes can inform health models for better estimations of the impacts to population health due to the implementation of controls that use both thermal conditions and contaminant concentrations\ud as control targets. The IAQ modelling, which uses EnergyPlus to simulate both indoor contaminants and thermal conditions, includes different ambient pollution levels, and, importantly, different occupant behaviour profiles (e.g., cigarette smoking). The approach to quantitative health impact assessment in this work is through life-table models that predict survival patterns based on age-specific mortality figures and hazard ratios. The simulation results showed that dual control of portable home air purifiers and window openings has the potential to not only maintain thermal comfort but also achieve effective PM2.5 removal even in cases of high indoor sources which, consequently, can lead to considerable health benefits at a relatively low energy cost

Relationships between mental toughness, barriers to exercise, and exercise behaviour in undergraduate students

The present study explored relationships between mental toughness (MT), barriers to exercise, and self-reported exercise behaviour in university students. Perceived barriers to exercise are important since previous work has identified barriers as strong predictors of exercise behaviour. MT was hypothesised to predict exercise barriers and self-reported exercise behaviour. Participants were 173 undergraduate students (45 men, 128 women) from 10 United Kingdom universities. Questionnaires were used to assess MT, exercise levels, and exercise barriers. Path analysis identified that MT predicted barriers to exercise, with higher MT associated with weaker perceived barriers. Regular exercisers were found to have significantly higher MT than non-regular exercisers, with commitment identified as a key difference. These findings support the proposed hypotheses and provide further evidence of the importance of MT in exercise / physical activity contexts. Future research that adopts longitudinal designs and tests targeted interventions to reduce perceptions of barriers and enhance exercise participation are encouraged

‘At least you got to see people when you went out for a walk’: older adults’ lived, embodied experiences during COVID-19 times in the United Kingdom

The COVID-19 pandemic presented myriad global challenges, placing unprecedented pressure on health services. Currently, there is limited qualitative research exploring the ‘felt’ impact of the pandemic on older adults’ health experiences and wider social life. Here, we report on the embodied experiences of older adults (65 and above), before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns in the UK, to chart the physical, social, and mental-health challenges. A figurational sociological lens was adopted to examine data from semi-structured interviews with 18 older adults, face-to-face or via telephone/video call. Notes from follow-up conversations were also recorded. Combined data were analysed thematically. Salient themes cohered around: physical activity engagement; health experiences; the role of family, friends, and community; and the role of modern technology. Our results highlight how older adults reported the felt benefits of increased PA during lockdowns, but also the negative impacts of treatment delays on experiences of hospital services. Participants also recounted how new social community connections were forged during lockdowns. Saliently, we identified a need to support older adults with modern technology so as to capture its potential to modernise, expand, and personalise healthcare within UK health services

Modelling the impact on mortality of using portable air purifiers to reduce PM2.5 in UK homes

This work assessed the potential impact on mortality and life expectancy that would occur due to reductions of indoor PM2.5 in dwellings in the UK using portable air purifiers. Reductions in indoor PM2.5 concentrations from air purifier use were modelled using findings from the literature for mean air purifier efficiency, mean indoor PM2.5 concentrations associated with air purifier use, and the relative risks associated with exposure. Life-table models were used to estimate changes to mortality from the following PM2.5-associated diseases: lung cancer, lower respiratory infection (LRI), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), ischemic heart disease (IHD), and stroke. Different scenarios were modelled to represent a range of daily use patterns, the starting age of use and the duration of the intervention. The overall impact of the central scenario, in which air purifiers were used during all hours whilst at home (15.6 h) for the entirety of the modelled period (birth to 97 years), was to increase life expectancy in the birth cohort by, on average, 138 and 120 days for males and females, respectively, and to add more than 23 million years of life (YLG) to the UK population. When used at home, air purifiers reduced indoor PM2.5 concentrations and prolonged life expectancy, but questions regarding feasibility of the intervention, occupant behaviour and social inequities remain. The estimation of the impact of use by the whole population is, however, important for informing policy and designing interventions

Evaluating the impact of air purifiers and window operation upon indoor air quality - UK nurseries during Covid-19

Many indoor air pollutants have been demonstrated to have a negative impact on occupants and due to physiological and behavioural differences, young children are more vulnerable to these effects than adults. Millions of children in the UK spend large parts of the day in nurseries, where occupant density is high, and indoor air quality can be poor. Therefore, it is imperative to understand the quality of indoor air in nurseries and how to improve it. The aims of the research presented here were to explore the indoor air quality (IAQ) in nurseries and the impact of both the use of air purifiers and window operations on IAQ. Three nurseries in London were selected and monitored via both continuous air quality sensors and passive sampling covering a total of 21 pollutants. Key findings include that mean reduction rate of PM2.5 by using air purifier was 63% with window closed, and 46% with window open. The results also highlight the impacts of operational changes implemented during the Covid-19 pandemic. Windows were operated more frequently for ventilation needs rather than being driven by temperature alone. The increased ventilation in the monitored nurseries in London led to low levels of VOCs and aldehydes (except for formaldehyde and 2-ethylhexanol) but could bring thermal discomfort to occupants. Both temperature and noise levels were shown to be relevant factors impacting the operation of air purifiers. Air purifiers can be effective at reducing PM2.5 when combined with proper window operation and have potential to bring substantial health benefits

The impact of mental toughness on lifestyle choices in university students

Students moving to university can experience a challenging transition; potentially leading to an unhealthy lifestyle, e.g., inadequate physical activity and poor diet. Individual differences are proposed to influence adherence to healthy lifestyle choices. One individual difference relating to healthy lifestyle adherence which has not yet been explored is mental toughness. Mental toughness is a psychological determinant of how challenges and stressors are approached regardless of prevailing circumstances, and mentally tough individuals display commitment and control over stressful life events. This trait is beneficial for coping as high mentally tough individuals face challenges or new environments with confidence and as an opportunity to develop, not as a threat. Entering the unfamiliar environment of higher education has been reported to be a stressful and challenging life event. Therefore the purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between mental toughness and adherence to a healthy lifestyle in university students. Following ethical approval, undergraduate students in the United kingdom completed online questionnaires assessing mental toughness (MTQ48), psychological wellbeing (Psychological well-being questionnaire), physical activity (IPAQ-SF), barriers to exercise (EBBS), eating identity (EITI) and lifestyle changes since attending university. Participants with greater mental toughness displayed greater control and commitment towards healthy lifestyle decisions. Pearson’s bivariate correlations revealed a significant and positive relationship between mental toughness and vigorous exercise (p = 0.011). Correlations between mental toughness and healthy eating identity was found to be significant and positive (P = 0.01). A significant and negative correlation was identified between mental toughness and barriers to exercise (P < 0.001). Multiple linear regression revealed mental toughness accounts for 14% of variance in exercise barriers, possibly due to the increased tolerance to pain during exercise in those who have a higher mental toughness. Mental toughness predicts 11% of variance in healthy eating identity. This may be due those with a higher mental toughness possessing greater emotional control, thus less reliant on unhealthy fatty food to relieve stress. Mental toughness assessment can be used as a potential screening tool for identifying students at risk of adopting unhealthy lifestyles. Suitable recommendations could be offered to those students to enhance adherence to healthy lifestyle choices through developing mental toughness

Effect of mental toughness on weight loss at a national weight loss group

Adhering a to diet programme to lose weight can be challenging. Individual differences are proposed to influence adherence to healthy lifestyle behaviours. One such difference, which has not yet been explored in relation to diet adherence, is mental toughness (MT). Emerging from sport research, MT has recently been identified as important in other life domains (e.g. exercise). Associated with maintaining control over the direction of one’s life, mentally tough individuals tend to uphold commitment and confidence to strive towards reaching their goal despite prevailing circumstances, viewing challenges as an opportunity to develop rather than as a threat. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between MT, adherence, and progress in a national slimming club. Altogether, 420 members of a national slimming club completed online questionnaires to assess MT and eating identity (indicting healthiness of diet). Questionnaires were recompleted at three and six months. Attendance and body weight were recorded at weekly meetings. Data analysis involved conducting bivariate correlations. A weak significant correlation was observed between MT and attendance (r=.101; p0.05). These findings maybe due to the weight loss club compensating for lower MT through robust support systems. Therefore a ceiling effect is created, limiting the difference in weight loss between high and low mentally tough individuals. MT is significantly correlated with healthy eating (r=.307; p<0.001), and emotional eating (r= -.249; p<0.001), displaying mental toughness is a beneficial characteristic in selecting healthy dietary choices. Future research could identify the relationship between non slimming club member’s weight loss and MT, to identify if MT plays a larger role in weight loss when a structured slimming club support network is not available

Indoor air quality during lockdown: A monitoring-based simulation-assisted study in London

The Covid-19 outbreak has resulted in new patterns of home occupancy, the implications of which for indoor air quality (IAQ) and energy use are not well-known. In this context, the present study investigates 8 flats in London to uncover if during a lockdown, (a) IAQ in the monitored flats deteriorated, (b) the patterns of window operation by occupants changed, and (c) more effective ventilation patterns could enhance IAQ without significant increases in heating energy demand. To this end, one-year’s worth of monitored data on indoor and outdoor environment along with occupant use of windows has been used to analyse the impact of lockdown on IAQ. Moreover, using on-site CO2 data, monitored occupancy and operation of windows, the team has calibrated a thermal performance model of one of the flats to investigate the implications of alternative ventilation strategies. The results suggest that despite the extended occupancy during lockdown, occupants relied less on natural ventilation, which led to significantly higher CO2 and PM10 concentrations. However, simple natural ventilation patterns or use of mechanical ventilation with heat recovery proves to be very effective to maintain acceptable IA

A multilevel window state model based on outdoor environmental conditions that captures behavioural variation at room and apartment levels

Occupants’ use of windows can influence the building energy demand, thermal conditions and indoor air quality. Researchers have made substantial efforts to develop probabilistic models to predict the window open/closed state. However, the hierarchical data structure and the heterogeneity in occupant behaviour have been generally neglected in previous modelling efforts. Multilevel modelling can provide an appropriate framework to handle this type of data structure and variability, but this method has rarely been used in the field. This study investigated room- and apartment-level variations in the effects of outdoor environmental variables on the window open state in low-energy apartment buildings in the UK using a multilevel modelling approach. The results showed that the room-level, rather than apartment-level, variation was statistically significant. Meanwhile, the room type (i.e., living room or bedroom) did not significantly affect the relationship between outdoor environmental variables and the window open state. The strength of this study is that the modelling accounted for the hierarchical structure of the data by simultaneously considering room-and apartment- level behavioural variations. By quantifying the significant diversity of occupant behaviour in the natural ventilation of residences, future research can more accurately estimate the variation in building energy and indoor air quality impacts