Indoor air quality in a training centre used for sports practice.

Background: One of the measures for controlling the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was the mass closure of gyms. This measure leads us to determine the differences between indoor and outdoor air quality. That is why the objective of this study was to analyse the indoor air quality of a sports centre catering to small groups and rehabilitation. Methods: The study was conducted in a single training centre, where 26 measurements were taken in two spaces (indoors and outdoors). The air quality index, temperature, relative humidity, total volatile compounds, carbon monoxide, ozone, formaldehyde, carbon dioxide, and particulate matter were measured indoors and outdoors using the same protocol and equipment. These measurements were taken twice, once in the morning and once in the afternoon, with all measurements made at the same time, 10 am and 6 pm, respectively. Additionally, four determinations of each variable were collected during each shift, and the number of people who had trained in the room and the number of trainers were counted. Results: In the different variables analysed, the results show that CO2 and RH levels are higher indoors than outdoors in both measurement shifts. Temperatures are higher outside than inside and, in the evening, than in the morning. TVOC, AQI and PM show less variation, although they are higher outdoors in the morning. CO is highest indoors. HCHO levels are almost negligible and do not vary significantly, except for a slight increase in the afternoon outside. Ozone levels are not significant. All the variables showed practically perfect reliability in all the measurements, except for ozone measured outside in the morning. On the other hand, the variables exhibit variations between indoors and outdoors during the morning and afternoon, except for the three types of PM. Also, the data show that all the main variables measured inside the sports training centre are similar between morning and afternoon. However, outside, temperature, relative humidity and HCHO levels show significant differences between morning and afternoon while no differences are observed for the other variables. Conclusion: The indoor air quality of the training centre assessed was good and met current regulations; some of its components even exhibited better levels than fresh air. This article is the first to measure indoor air quality in a sports training centre catering to rehabilitation and small groups.

Validity and Reliability of a Wearable Fitness Technology Scale in Portugal.

Currently, the use of technological devices for monitoring physical activity and in other mobile applications is widespread among sports users and is continuously growing. The aim of this study was the validation of the reliability of the use of Wearable Fitness Technology (WFT) in the context of fitness through quantitative analysis. Data collection was conducted online during the COVID-19 pandemic period. The sample consisted of 177 members of fitness centres who used MYZONE technology in Portugal. An Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) (Factor v10) and a Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) (AMOS v22.0) were used to test the item fit. The results showed adequate fits, identifying a total of 14 items in a single factor to assess WFT in MYZONE users in fitness centres. The reliability of the scale showed adequate indices within the indicated limits. This study extends the current literature on WFT; provides information for providers, managers, and members; and aims to improve the fitness experience by developing a valid and reliable tool to assess the characteristics and incidence of WFT in fitness centres. The complexity of the WFT will affect the degree of user engagement with the fitness centre, highlighting the importance of using staff skills to generate motivational and innovative challenges to improve the service experience. Furthermore, this scale could be used to examine the influences of WFT on managers' and members' perceptions of the service experience in the Portuguese context.