The Basic Psychological Needs in Exercise Scale: Translation and Evidence for Cross-Cultural Validity

The present study reports on the psychometric evaluation and cross-cultural validity of the Basic Psychological Needs in Exercise Scale (BPNES; Vlachopoulos & Michailidou, 2006) translated from Greek into English. The data obtained from 346 British exercise participants supported the hypothesized 3-factor structure,showed satisfactory internal reliability coefficients, and offered evidence for the factor concurrent, discriminant, and nomological validity of the translated scale.Cross-cultural validity analyses across British and Greek participants supported configural invariance and partial metric, partial strong, and partial strict factorial invariance of the BPNES responses. The findings provide promising evidence for the validity and reliability of the translated BPNES and support the use of the scale in single-culture and cross-culture exercise-related motivational research within the self-determination theory framework

A comparative study on the traditional and intensive delivery of an online course: Design and facilitation recommendations

© 2019 P. Vlachopoulos et al. In this paper, we present findings from a comparative study on a fully online postgraduate course offered in traditional (i.e. 13-week academic session) and intensive (i.e. 6-week academic session) delivery formats. Keeping the course curriculum, structure and quality consistent in both delivery modes, the study investigated student participation and academic performance given different facilitation techniques applied to the discussion forums. Using data from the learning management system and students’ final marks, we conducted quantitative and qualitative analysis and found no difference in the academic performance of students in both courses; however, there was a statistically significant relationship between student participation and academic performance in the intensive delivery format but not in the traditional delivery format. We also found differences in the type of interactions in the different delivery formats. Two key takeaways emerge from our study. Firstly, intensive online courses can be as effective as traditional courses in terms of achievement of learning outcomes with variations in learning design, in this case, the facilitation approach used. Secondly, considering the level and nature of interactions, student-centred discussion forums that allow students to assume different roles work well in the intensive delivery format especially in open discussions. These are important findings for academics and practitioners who wish to offer intensive courses without compromising on course quality and student success

Using factor analysis to validate a questionnaire to explore self-regulation in learner-generated digital media (LGDM) assignments in science education

© 2019 Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education (ASCILITE). This research is a validation study of a survey instrument to assess student self-regulation which aims to fill a methodological gap by capturing self-regulation processes while completing learner-generated digital media (LGDM) assignments. For this purpose, the study developed and validated a self-regulation learning questionnaire. Data were gathered from seven science subjects (Years 1 to 3, n = 341) which used LGDM assignments during Semester 1, 2017. Students were asked to complete a 40-item online questionnaire. The questionnaire was administered at three times during the semester (Weeks 2, 6, and 10). Exploratory factor analysis was used to identify factor structures, followed by confirmatory factor analysis to test the validity of the constructs defined by exploratory factor analysis. Analysis of the data revealed a ten-factor structure - six concerning self-regulation, two concerning student attitudes towards LGDM assignments, one concerning assignment ownership, and one concerning assignment motivation. The variables empirically verified in this study have important practical implications, as they could provide educators with the direction in which to target interventions to improve learners' experiences with LDGM. The study findings also contribute to the field by providing scholars with a validated research instrument that can be used in future studies

A Systematic Approach to Designing, Implementing, and Evaluating Learner-Generated Digital Media (LGDM) Assignments and Its Effect on Self-regulation in Tertiary Science Education

© 2019, Springer Nature B.V. This study explored the self-regulation strategies and learning experiences of undergraduate science students completing Learner-Generated Digital Media (LGDM) assignments that had been implemented using a theory-driven, systematic approach. The rationale for using LGDM in science education is to facilitate student learning of complex scientific concepts through the multimodal representation of content using digital media. The study was conducted in seven science subjects from first to third year in Autumn 2017, using a sample of 348 undergraduate science students attending a university located in Sydney, Australia. All the participants were enrolled in subjects that required them to communicate complex scientific concepts using digital media. Training on LGDM was conducted online (n = 199) and in blended mode (n = 149). The study used a mixed-methods approach with a validated self-regulation questionnaire, LMS logs, assessment scores, group contribution data, open-ended questions, and interviews. Online students were more likely than blended students to report using self-regulation strategies for goal setting, time management, task strategies, and help-seeking. Data triangulation revealed that participation in LGDM assignments was perceived by students to contribute to their science content knowledge, provide them with digital media skills, and nurture their capacity for working in groups. The findings of this study have implications for how LGDM is deployed in science education

Clinical significance of erectile dysfunction developing after acute coronary event : exception to the rule or confirmation of the artery size hypothesis?

Erectile dysfunction (ED) has been found to frequently precedes the onset of coronary artery disease (CAD), representing an early marker of subclinical vascular disease, included CAD. Its recognition is, therefore, a "window opportunity" to prevent a coronary event by aggressive treatment of cardiovascular risk factors. The artery size hypothesis (ASH) has been proposed as a putative mechanism to explain the relationship between ED and CAD. Since atherosclerosis is a systemic disorder all major vascular beds should be affected to the same extent. However, symptoms at different points in the system rarely become evident at the same time. This is likely the result of smaller vessels (i.e. the penile artery) being able to less well tolerate the same amount of plaque when compared with larger ones (i.e. the coronary artery). If true, ED will develop before CAD. We present a case in which ED developed after a coronary event yet before a coronary recurrence potentially representing a late marker of vascular progression. Reasons for this unusual sequence are discussed as they might still fit the ASH

POSITIVE RELATIONS OF PHYSICAL FITNESS AND EXERCISE INTERVENTION PROGRAMS WITH MOTOR COMPETENCE AND HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE IN DEVELOPMENTAL COORDINATION DISORDER: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is an impairment in the development of motor coordination creating varied problems and difficulties in children’s and adolescent’s daily life activities. As a result, the avoidance of participating in physical activity leads in low levels of fitness and also in secondary social and emotional problems. Fitness levels in children and adolescents with DCD have been recognized as an important factor which influences their performance in daily activities and has a positive impact on their health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Surveys showed that every domain in HRQOL (motor, cognitive, emotional, social) is significantly lower in children with DCD compared to their peers. These data showed that intervention is very important for improving motor skill performance and HRQOL, too, in children and adolescents with DCD. The present study aimed to systematically review the literature published in peer reviewed journals and to summarize information about possible relationships between intervention approaches focused on physical fitness and exercise, participation in physical activity and HRQOL, in children and adolescents with DCD. Studies which examined the effect of fitness and exercise intervention programs on motor competence and HRQOL in children and adolescents with DCD were also, included. The review of the literature has shown that several intervention programs developed for DCD population, focusing to improve motor ability, derived from occupational therapy, physiotherapy, medicine, dietetics and education scientific areas. Generally, the present review focused on two basic approaches in clinical practice regarding intervention programs for DCD individuals: task-oriented and process-oriented approach. The task-oriented approach aims to improve the performance of a specific skill and on the other hand the process-oriented approach aims to identify the underlying processes or dysfunctions which the individual has not developed adequately according to his/her age, although they are considered to be necessary for successful performance and acquisition of motor skills. Children and adolescents with DCD seemed to report poorer ΗRQOL than their typically developing peers. However, HRQOL in children and adolescents with DCD needs further investigation. In addition, there is a need of research in interventions focused on fitness and exercise programs with an ultimate goal to improve motor ability and HRQOL too; through participation in such interventions children and adolescents with DCD, may be possible to break the negative cycle of physical activity avoidance, reversing it to a positive one. It is concluded that, there are possible positive relationships between fitness and exercise intervention programs, motor competence and HRQOL in children and adolescents with DCD. Future research should focus on examining whether and how such interventions may eliminate functional constraints leading to an engagement in the positive cycle of physical activity, with a further improvement in HRQOL in DCD population.  Article visualizations

Classification des potentiels évoqués par corrélation de Pearson dans une interface cerveau-ordinateur

National audienceDans cette communication, nous décrivons et évaluons les performances d'une technique d'apprentissage des coefficients d'un classifieur linéaire utilisé dans une interface cerveau-ordinateur. Les signaux de l'électroencéphalogramme d'un individu sont analysés au moyen de cette technique afin de mettre en évidence les réponses de ce dernier à des stimuli visuels. Le traitement et la classification des signaux sont utilisés afin d'implanter un système de communication palliative permettant à l'individu d'épeler des mots. Les performances de la méthode de classification ont été évaluées par une expérimentation sur huit personnes

Football for promotion of bone health across lifespan.

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Routledge via the DOI in this record.The prevalence of osteoporosis and fragility fractures is expected to increase due to the increasing life expectancy of the population worldwide. Determinants of osteoporosis include the genetic predisposition and environmental factors, such as exercise and diet that can affect peak bone mass attainment. Peak bone mass is achieved between the second and third decade of life, with 80-90 % acquired by late adolescence followed by a decrease of approximately 1% annually from the fifth decade of life. Weight-bearing exercise has an important role on bone development and maintenance of skeletal bone mass due to the mechanical loads produced and the repetetive forces applied on the skeleton. Football includes a wide variety of intermittent high-intensity movements, which produce large ground reaction forces that can stimulate bone formation and skeletal adaptations. Cross-sectional, longitudinal and randomised controlled trials have been conducted to investigate the impact of football participation on skeletal bone health during developmental growth and in adulthood. Evidence indicates that football exercise can have positive effects on bone development and structure in both male and female children and adolescents. During adulthood football participation can maintain and improve bone health in untrained, healthy as well as middle-aged and older men and women including various clinical patient groups with evidence indicating structural, cellular and clinical relevant bone adaptations. The skeletal benefits are site-specific and adaptations are observed particularly at the skeletal regions stimulated by mechanical loads. Concluding this chapter is a focus on the scientific evidence indicating that football participation is an effective strategy to promote bone health during childhood, adolescence and in adulthood

Soft tissues, areal bone mineral density and hip geometry estimates in active young boys: The PRO-BONE study

This is the final version of the article. Available from Springer Verlag via the DOI in this record.Purpose: Soft tissues, such as fat mass (FM) and lean mass (LM), play an important role in bone development but this is poorly understood in highly active youths. The objective of this study was to determine whether FM or LM is a stronger predictor of areal bone mineral density (aBMD) and hip geometry estimates in a group of physically active boys after adjusting for height, chronological age, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), FM, and LM. Methods: Participants included 121 boys (13.1±1.0 years) from the PRO-BONE study. Bone mineral content (BMC) and aBMD measured at total body, femoral neck and lumbar spine using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and hip structural analysis was used to estimate bone geometry at the femoral neck. Body composition was assessed using DXA. The relationships of FM and LM with bone outcomes were analysed using simple and multiple linear regression analyses. Results: Pearson correlation coefficients showed that total body (less head) aBMD was significantly correlated with LM but not FM. Multiple linear regression analyses showed that FM, after accounting for height, age, MVPA and LM had no significant relationship with aBMD or hip geometry estimates, except for arms aBMD. By contrast, there were positive associations between LM and most aBMD and hip geometry estimates, after accounting height, age, MVPA and FM. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that LM, and not FM, is the stronger predictor of aBMD and hip geometry estimates in physically active boys.The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union Seventh Framework Programme ([FP7/2007–2013] under grant agreement no. PCIG13-GA-2013-618496