Experimental longitudinal test of the influence of autonomy-supportive teaching on motivation for participation in elementary school physical education

The present study examined the efficacy of autonomy-supportive teaching during elementary school physical education (PE) in influencing pupils’ enjoyment, fear of failure, boredom and effort. A sample of 54 pupils attending fifth and sixth grades comprised the control group (typical instruction; n = 27) and the experimental group (autonomy-supportive instruction; n = 27). Pupils’ responses were provided four times during a school trimester on perceived autonomy-support provided by the PE teacher, fulfilment of psychological needs for autonomy, competence and relatedness, behavioural regulations for PE participation, enjoyment, fear of failure, boredom and effort. In the autonomy-support condition, levels of the positive motivational indexes remained relatively stable during the trimester. Motivational deterioration was evident for the control group, and especially during the middle and the end of the trimester. Autonomy-supportive teaching leads to enhanced levels of motivation compared to non-autonomy-supportive teaching that may lead to gradual decline of motivation for PE participation. © 2014 Taylor & Francis

Effects of an Aerobic and Resistance Exercise Intervention on Health-Related Quality of Life in Women with Obesity

The efficacy of a combined aerobic and resistance exercise intervention was examined in improving health-related quality of life in women with obesity. An experimental design was used with a 1-year follow-up. After randomization into a control and an exercise group, women with obesity (n = 72) participated in a structured exercise program for 12 weeks. Health-related quality of life variables were measured using the Short Form-36v2 Health Survey instrument. Exercise effects were revealed for physical functioning, vitality, bodily pain, mental health, and role emotional, but not social functioning, general health, role physical, and reported health transition. Exercise intervention effects lasted between nine and 12 months. A 12-week aerobic and resistance exercise program may improve health-related quality of life in women with obesity. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc

Associations of autonomy, competence, and relatedness with enjoyment and effort in elementary school physical education: The mediating role of self-determined motivation

The extent to which self-determined motivation mediates the association of fulfillment of pupils' psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness with self-reported enjoyment and effort in elementary school Physical Education (PE) was examined. Self-report data were provided by 213 Greek fifth and sixth graders on the aforementioned variables. Using Preacher and Hayes (2008) mediation analysis, it was found that all three needs directly and positively predicted pupils' enjoyment and effort. Indirect effects emerged for autonomy and relatedness in regard to effort but not enjoyment. The findings support to a large extent the validity of self-determination theory motivational dynamics in elementary school PE

Impact of aerobic and resistance exercise combination on physical self-perceptions and self-esteem in women with obesity with one-year follow-up

The effectiveness of an exercise intervention including both aerobics and resistance training components in improving physical self-perceptions and global self-esteem (GSE) in women with obesity was examined. An experimental design with a one-year follow-up was used. Women with obesity (n = 72) participated in a structured exercise programme for 12 weeks after being randomised into a control and an exercise group. Exercise self-efficacy, body attractiveness, physical strength, sport competence, physical condition, physical self-worth, and GSE were measured at pre-intervention, early intervention, mid-intervention, immediately after the intervention, and five times following programme termination at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months, respectively. Analyses of covariance revealed exercise effects for all of the dependent variables except for body attractiveness. Generally, exercise effects lasted between 6 and 12 months. A 12-week physical exercise programme including aerobic and resistance training components has the potential to improve physical self-perceptions and self-esteem in women with obesity. © 2015 International Society of Sport Psychology

Effects of Pilates and trunk strengthening exercises on health-related quality of life in women with chronic low back pain

BACKGROUND: Pilates programs are widely used as a form of regular exercise in a broad range of populations investigating their effectiveness for chronic low back pain (CLBP) treatment. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of a Pilates program and a trunk strengthening exercise program on functional disability and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in women with nonspecific CLBP. METHODS: A total of 101 volunteer women with CLBP provided data with a 3-month follow-up. They were randomized to either a Pilates (n = 37), trunk strengthening exercise (n = 36) or a control group (n = 28), exercising for a period of 8 weeks, three times a week. Data were collected on HRQOL using the Short-Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36v2), and functional disability using the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire prior to program initiation, mid-intervention, immediately after program termination, and three months post-intervention. RESULTS: The Pilates participants reported greater improvements on self-reported functional disability and HRQOL compared with participants in the trunk strengthening exercise and control groups (p < 0.05). The effects were retained for a period of three months after program termination for the Pilates group and to a lesser extent for the trunk strengthening exercise group. CONCLUSIONS: An 8-week Pilates program improved HRQOL and reduced functional disability more than either a trunk strengthening exercise program or controls among women with CLBP. © 2016 - IOS Press and the authors. All rights reserved