Social-ecological, motivational and volitional factors for initiating and maintaining physical activity in the context of HIV

Sport and exercise can have several health benefits for people living with HIV. These benefits can be achieved through different types of physical activity, adapting to disease progression, motivation and social-ecological options. However, physical activity levels and adherence to exercise are generally low in people living with HIV. At the same time, high drop-out rates in intervention studies are prevalent; even though they often entail more favourable conditions than interventions in the natural settings. Thus, in the framework of an intervention study, the present study aims to explore social-ecological, motivational and volitional correlates of South African women living with HIV with regard to physical activity and participation in a sport and exercise health promotion programme. The qualitative data was produced in the framework of a non-randomised pre-post intervention study that evaluated structure, processes and outcomes of a 10-week sport and exercise programme. All 25 participants of the programme were included in this analysis, independent of compliance. Data was produced through questionnaires, participatory group discussions, body image pictures, research diaries and individual semi-structured interviews. All participants lived in a low socioeconomic, disadvantaged setting. Hence, the psychological correlates are contextualised and social-ecological influences on perception and behaviour are discussed. The results show the importance of considering social-cultural and environmental influences on individual motives, perceptions and expectancies, the fear of disclosure and stigmatisation, sport and exercise-specific group dynamics and self-supporting processes. Opportunities and strategies to augment physical activity and participation in sport and exercise programmes in the context of HIV are discussed.Scopu

A bio-psycho-social exercise program (RÜCKGEWINN) for chronic low back pain in rehabilitation aftercare - Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>There is strong, internationally confirmed evidence for the short-term effectiveness of multimodal interdisciplinary specific treatment programs for chronic back pain. However, the verification of long-term sustainability of achieved effects is missing so far. For long-term improvement of pain and functional ability high intervention intensity or high volume seems to be necessary (> 100 therapy hours). Especially in chronic back pain rehabilitation, purposefully refined aftercare treatments offer the possibility to intensify positive effects or to increase their sustainability. However, quality assured goal-conscious specific aftercare programs for the rehabilitation of chronic back pain are absent.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>This study aims to examine the efficacy of a specially developed bio-psycho-social chronic back pain specific aftercare intervention (RÜCKGEWINN) in comparison to the current usual aftercare (IRENA) and a control group that is given an educational booklet addressing pain-conditioned functional ability and back pain episodes. Overall rehabilitation effects as well as predictors for compliance to the aftercare programs are analysed. Therefore, a multicenter prospective 3-armed randomised controlled trial is conducted. 456 participants will be consecutively enrolled in inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation and assigned to either one of the three study arms. Outcomes are measured before and after rehabilitation. Aftercare programs are assessed at ten month follow up after dismissal form rehabilitation.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>Special methodological and logistic challenges are to be mastered in this trial, which accrue from the interconnection of aftercare interventions to their residential district and the fact that the proportion of patients who take part in aftercare programs is low. The usability of the aftercare program is based on the transference into the routine care and is also reinforced by developed manuals with structured contents, media and material for organisation assistance as well as training manuals for therapists in the aftercare.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p>Trial Registration number: NCT01070849</p

Selbststeuerung im Sportspiel mittels interaktiver Sonifikation

Höner O, Hermann T. Selbststeuerung im Sportspiel mittels interaktiver Sonifikation. In: Seelig H, Göhner W, Fuchs R, eds. Selbststeuerung im Sport. Schriften der Deutschen Vereinigung für Sportwissenschaft. Vol 147. Hamburg: Czwalina; 2005: 55.Die visuelle Informationsaufnahme im Sportspiel kann ohne Zweifel als die bedeutendste Informationsquelle für die Selbststeuerung der Akteure angesehen werden. Ohne die Bedeutung anderer Afferenzsysteme zu leugnen, konzentrieren sich demzufolge die meisten Studien zum Antizipations- und Entscheidungshandeln in der Sportspielforschung auf die Analyse der visuellen Informationsaufnahme und -verarbeitung (vgl. Höner, i.D.). Als weitere Konsequenz führt die Dominanz visuell-basierter Selbststeuerungsprozesse in der Praxis dazu, dass Menschen mit Sehschädigung einen erschwerten Zugang zu Sportspielen haben. In einem interdisziplinären Forschungsprojekt sollen die adaptierbaren Stärken des auditiven Wahrnehmungssystems zum Anlass genommen werden, neue Spielformen zu entwickeln, die vor allem auf Basis non-visueller, auditiver Information gespielt werden können und damit insbesondere eine Alternative für den Sehgeschädigten-Sport darstellen. Hierzu wird mit der Anwendung der Methode der interaktiven Sonifikation (vgl. Hermann & Hunt, 2004) ein neuer Weg beschritten, der die mittlerweile vorhandenen technischen Möglichkeiten akustischer Datenpräsentation für die Entwicklung auditiver Sportspiele nutzbar macht. Als Zielspiel wird mit dem Badminton ein traditionelles Rückschlagspiel anvisiert, das mit dem Arbeitstitel ,,Blindminton'' bezeichnet wird

Changes in self-regulatory cognitions as predictors of changes in smoking and nutrition behaviour

Most longitudinal, correlational studies on health-behaviour change examine effects of Time1 social-cognitive predictors on subsequent behaviour. In contrast, our research focusses on associations between changes in predictors with change in behaviour. The Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) distinguishes between motivational predictors for intention formation and volitional predictors for behavioural change and served as theoretical basis. Two online-studies were launched targeting different behaviours (low-fat diet, smoking), different samples (Study 1: N¼469; Study 2: N¼441) and different time spans (Study 1: 3 months, Study 2: 4 weeks). Data were analysed by means of structural equation modelling with latent difference scores. Both studies resulted in almost parallel prediction patterns. Change in risk awareness and change in outcome expectancies did not result in change in intentions, whereas change in self-efficacy was of crucial importance. Change in behaviour was associated with change in action planning and action control over and above the effects of intentions. In one study, increases in self-efficacy yielded increases in behaviour change. Results demonstrate that change in action planning and especially action control was of great importance for behaviour change across two different behaviours. Analysing change in social-cognitive predictors allows drawing precise conclusions for interventions