Modeling of Physical Activity Behavioral Interventions Relying on MPC Strategy

Physical inactivity is becoming an important threat to public health in today's society. The COVID-19 pandemic has also reduced physical activity (PA) levels given all the restrictions imposed worldwide. In this work, physical activity interventions supported by mobile devices and relying on control engineering principles were proposed. The model was constructed relying on previous studies that consider a fluid analogy of Social Cognitive Theory (SCT), which is a psychological theory that describes how people acquire and maintain certain behaviors, including health-promoting behaviors, through the interplay of personal, environmental, and behavioral factors. The obtained model was validated using secondary data (collected earlier) from a real intervention with a group of male subjects in Great Britain. The present model was extended with new technology for a better understanding of behavior change interventions. This involved the use of applications, such as phone-based ecological momentary assessments, to collect behavioral data and the inclusion of simulations with logical reward conditions for reaching the behavioral threshold. A goal of 10,000 steps per day is recommended due to the significant link observed between higher daily step counts and lower mortality risk. The intervention was designed using a Model Predictive Control (MPC) algorithm configured to obtain a desired performance. The system was tested and validated using simulation scenarios that resemble different situations that may occur in a real setting.

Unfolding Outbreak Scenarios Can Be a Bite-Size Treat and Other Lessons From New Zealand's First Online Environmental Health Conference

The New Zealand Institute of Environmental Health (NZIEH) is a nongovernmental institute for all environmental health professionals in New Zealand. In 2021, NZIEH held its annual conference as an online virtual event for the first time. One inclusion to the program was an evolving outbreak scenario delivered in installments including "injects" of information (i.e., inserts of information relevant to the scenario) that mimic the evolution of a real-life epidemiological outbreak investigation. Questions were posed to attendees related to each added information inject. The scenario also included discussion in virtual breakout rooms that allowed attendees to network and reach consensus before responding to questions;discussions were also initiated by the scenario facilitators. Details of the scenario, its aims, evaluation of success, and limitations of this approach are discussed.

The Relationships between University Students' Physical Activity Needs, Involvement, Flow Experience and Sustainable Well-Being in the Post-Pandemic Era

As the global sustainable development agenda advances, having a healthy lifestyle has become an important part of the common pursuit. Physical activity needs and experiences are becoming increasingly diverse, yet there is a paucity of research on issues associated with university students' physical activity needs, and their perceptions of their physical activity needs and sustainable well-being are not yet fully understood. Therefore, this study combines Self-Determination Theory with the existence, relatedness, and growth (ERG) Theory of Needs to explore the mediating effects of different variables on the relationship between university students' physical activity needs and sustainable well-being. A total of 900 Chinese university students were invited through an online survey to participate in this study, and the collected data were validated with a structural equation model. According to the results of the study, it was found that the level of involvement and flow experience in university students' sports activities have a mediating effect on the relationship between needs and sustainable well-being. Therefore, educators can enhance the level of sustainable well-being by stimulating university students' physical activity needs and improving their level of involvement and participation experience.

What is being uploaded on YouTube?: Analysis of fitness-related TouTube video titles pre- and post-COVID-19 in Korea. (Special issue on 2023 Asia Pacific sport and social science.)

Opportunities to participate in physical activities (PA) and fitness exercises in public and private facilities have been reduced or banned due to social distancing regulations during the height of the global pandemic. Though Korea has not experienced lockdown, several venues have been restricted to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Despite the limitations of PA engagement, people have found alternative activities by using online platforms to keep active and fit. Thus, this study focuses on analyzing fitness-related video titles from YouTube. By collecting data through text mining and conducting network analysis, it provides basic knowledge of the fitness trends from pre- and post-Covid-19. As a result, 'exercise' was found to have the highest tendency and had strong connections to keywords that indicated specific methods of working out to become fit, but it also had connections to trendy keywords such as 'hip-up' and 'body-profile' which reflect the fitness culture in Korea.

Lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic: implications for semiprofessional soccer clubs after the crisis- a team study

In 2019-2020 and 2020-2021, the COVID-19 pandemic led to unexpected behavioral restrictions, allowing only the individual training of the athletes. The purpose of the present study was to record the effects of a home-based training program on physical performance at a semi-professional level, after the Covid-19 confinement, in terms of external load. Twenty soccer players from one semi-professional team participated in this study. The data was collected by GPS devices, with an accelerometer and gyroscope, and a sampling rate 10Hz. The external load is evaluated by the total distance, the high-intensity runs, the sprint distance as well as the number of accelerations and decelerations. Three matches before and twelve games after the lockdown were analyzed and compared. During the confinement period, the players performed 5-6 training sessions per week. This period lasted over 4 four months. The training sessions were monitored by a free smartphone application. Similarly, the players communicated with the technical staff with a free internet application. The results showed significant increases (p < 0.05) in the total distance covered during the matches after the intervention. No significant increase in high-intensity runs and the number of accelerations were found (p > 0.05). The present data suggest that an intervention monitored by a free application could improve athletic performance at the semi-professional level, even after long-term abstinence from team training such as quarantine or off-season periods. These data might provide affordable solutions to the semi-professional soccer teams, which could be used during the off-season period leading to reduce detraining effects and higher performance in the forthcoming championship.

Burnout syndrome and remote learning strategies during the pandemic of COVID-19: a longitudinal study of Agrarian Sciences students

Purpose:We aimed to evaluate the levels of Burnout Syndrome (BS) in Agricultural Sciences students, both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic period.Design/methodology/approach:We accessed 77 students for Burnout Syndrome using the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey (MBI-SS) on two occasions, the first in February and the second in October 2020. Sixty-three students completed both phases. The data were analyzed in a mixed factorial scheme (Three-way ANOVA;p < 0.05).Findings:Academic efficacy improved over time without interference of sex or physical activity frequency (p < 0.001). The emotional exhaustion domain significantly reduced over time in women who declared to practice physical activity (p = 0.037). A similar effect was observed in both men and women for the cynicism domain (p < 0.001). Online teaching strategies and the regular practice of exercise were associated to reduced levels of BS during the pandemic.Practical implications:The adoption of the emergency remote education system (ERE) associated with the practice of exercise can mitigate the harmful effects of the COVID-19 quarantine on the mental health of students.Theoretical implications:The ERE can be an effective strategy to mitigate BS levels in Agricultural Science students in the post-pandemic period.Originality/Value:This is the first study that presents results of BS in students of Agricultural Sciences, comparing before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Effect of Telerehabilitation on Physical Fitness and Depression/Anxiety in Post-COVID-19 Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Aim: The aim of this research was to evaluate the impact of a telerehabilitation program on physical fitness, muscle strength, and levels of depression and anxiety in post-COVID-19 patients. Methods: Thirty-two individuals recovered from COVID-19 (48.20±12.82 years) were allocated into either a telerehabilitation (TG n=16) or control (CG n=16) group. Physical fitness, handgrip strength, depression and anxiety levels were assessed before and after an 8-week intervention. Results: There was a significant improvement in muscle strength in both groups. Physical fitness significantly increased compared to the CG at the end of the intervention. Levels of anxiety and depression significantly decreased after the intervention when compared to the CG. Conclusion: Eight weeks of functional telerehabilitation training is a viable and efficient way to rehabilitate patients affected by COVID-19, as it improved physical conditioning and mental health. © 2023, University Library System, University of Pittsburgh. All rights reserved.

Research on changes in physical measurement data of ordinary high school students during the COVID-19 based on big data analysis technology

The multiple comparison method refers to the hypothesis test of whether there is a significant difference between the means of each sample after the analysis of variance is performed on the samples of each group to be tested. In data analysis, the multiple comparison method can perform a more precise difference analysis based on the analysis of variance. Therefore, this study will select the LSD (Least significant difference) test method in the multiple comparison method to analyze the physical fitness test scores of males and females in the three grades from 2019 to 2021 in the investigated schools. In this way, we can understand the substantial impact of students' home-based learning on students' physical health during the new crown epidemic, so as to make targeted development plans for students' physical health in the current special period, and minimize the adverse impact of the new crown epidemic on students' physical health. © 2023 SPIE.

Research on the physical health changes of college students during the new crown epidemic based on big data analysis technology

Multiple comparisons are general term for hypothesis testing of whether there is a significant difference between the means of each sample after analysis of variance. ANOVA can only determine whether there is a difference between the population means, and multiple comparisons can further test the differences between the sample means. This study will select the LSD (Least significant difference) test method in the multiple comparison method to conduct a differential test on the physical fitness test data of four different grades from 2018 to 2021 since the COVID-19 epidemic, and analyze the physical fitness of Chinese students under the background of new coronavirus epidemic. Change characteristics of health level, and summarize relevant experience, urge relevant personnel to make targeted improvements to the future work of students' physical health training, and scientifically improve the physical health level of Chinese students. © 2023 SPIE.

Exploring the relationship between physical activity and covid-19 infection in a young, non-hospitalized cohort in the united kingdom

201 Table 1Demographics of cohortVariableCategory/SummaryNegativePositiveOverallORP-value95%CI low95%CI high3043(79.7%)777(20.3%)3820AgeMean/SD21.19/6.7920.93/6.0721.12/6.640.9800.2580.9451.015Median (Q1-Q3)18(15, 27)19(16, 25)18(15, 27)Min-Max14-3614-3614-36BMIMean/SD23.34/4.8924.12/4.9023.48/4.831.068<.0011.0351.103Median (Q1-Q3)22.44(19.9, 25.9)23.39(20.5, 26.8)22.60(20.06, 26.03)Min-Max13.36-55.2514.40-45.9013.36-55.25SexWomen1107(36.3%)250(32.4%)1357 (35.5%)1Men1935 (63.5%)521(67.6%)2456 (64.3%)1.2020.0321.0161.421EthnicityWhite2789(91.65%)707(90.99%)3496(91.5%)Asian89(2.92%)23(2.96%)112 (2.93%)Black53(1.74%)11(1.42%)64 (1.68%)Other112(3.68%)36(4.63%)148 (3.87%)BAME vs. White1.0870.5550.8241.434Group Sedentary495(16.24%)112(14.53%)607 (15.89%)1typeRecreational1331(43.67%)302(39.17%)1633 (42.76%)0.7720.0030.6500.916Elite1222(40.09%)357(46.30%)1579 (41.35%)0.7620.0240.6020.965MET A (0 METs)440 (14.44%)105(13.62%)545(14.27%)1CategoryB (<500 MET-min/week)91(2.99%)12(1.56%)103 (2.70%)0.5540.0700.2921 049C (500-999 MET-min/week)128(4.20%)25(3.24%)153 (4.01%)0.8200.4170.5081.324D (1000-1499 MET-min/week)149(4.89%)37(4.80%)186 (4.87%)1.0780.7220.7121.633E (>1500MET-min/week)2240(73.49%)592(76.78%)2832 (74.16%)1.1220.3300.8901.414 201 Table 2The effects of demographics, physical activity, and symptoms on disease durationORp-value95%CI low95%CI highMen vs. Women0.561<0.0010.4180.753MET categoriesCATEGORY B vs. A1.4360.5490.4414.679CATEGORY C vs. A0.8650.7430.3642.056CATEGORY D vs. A0.5440.0890.2691.098CATEGORY E vs. A0.5320.0020.3560.795Recreational vs. Elite athlete1.698<0.0011.2602.288Sedentary vs. Elite athlete2.255<0.0011.4913.411Sedentary vs. recreational1.3280.185.8732.019Shortness of breath (YES vs. NO)3.558<0.0012.6144.842Chest pain (YES vs. NO)2.341<0.0011.5093.630Chest tightness (YES vs. NO)2.733<0.0011.9143.902Palpitations (YES vs. NO)3.1370.0011.5616.305 201 Figure 1The effect of the available variables on the duration of the disease in COVID-19 positive participants[Figure omitted. See PDF]Conflict of InterestNone

Effect of covid-19 infection and preventive public health measures on haemodynamics, activity and quality of life in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension

155 Figure 1 155 Figure 2Conflict of InterestNone

Perceptions of health status, physical fitness, and participation in physical activity among adolescents before and after COVID-19: analysis of 2019-2021 data from the Republic of Korea national sports survey

Research has examined the detrimental effects of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic on health and physical fitness in adolescents;however, studies comparing these parameters before and after the COVID-19 outbreak have been scarce. Therefore, this study investigated differences in perceived health status, perceived physical fitness, and participation in physical activity among adolescents in the Republic of Korea before and after the COVID-19 outbreak. We chose a sample of data from 2102 adolescents aged 14-19, collected as part of a national survey by the Republic of Korea Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism from 2019 to 2021. We focused on five items from the survey related to health awareness and physical activity. Although perceived health status was lower in 2021 than in 2019 or 2020, there were no differences in perceived physical fitness during the three years of the study. Regular participation in physical activity was less common in 2020 than in 2019 or 2021. The proportion of adolescents reporting sufficient rest and sleep was lower in 2021 than in 2020. In addition, fewer adolescents reported eating regular meals and engaging in nutritional supplementation in 2021 than in 2019 and 2020. Rates of abstinence from alcohol and smoking cessation were higher in 2021 than in 2019 or 2020. For all three years, adolescents reported the following as the primary reasons for engaging in regular physical activity (in order): "maintenance of mental health", "maintenance of physical health", "help in daily life", and "reduction of medical expenses". In preparation for the post-COVID-19 era, these results highlight the need to prepare measures and countermeasures to promote health and physical activity among adolescents in the Republic of Korea.Copyright ©2023 The Author(s). Published by MRE Press.

Special Issue: Diet and nutraceuticals for mental and physical performance in athletes. (Special Issue: Diet and nutraceuticals for mental and physical performance in athletes.)

This supplement containing 7 articles stresses the importance of diet and selected nutraceuticals that may impact both the physical and mental performance of athletes. The past 2.5 years living with the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic have taxed all of us mentally and possibly to a greater extent in the athletic population. While life in general has returned to some form of normalcy for many, emerging from this pandemic has alerted us to the importance of vaccines and physical-distancing measures, especially as they relate to sport. The return of organized sport at all levels has also underscored the important roles that exercise and sport play in the lives and mental health of everyone, including athletes. The goal of this supplement is to provide recent information that will help athletes achieve optimal physical and mental performance in their chosen sport.

Assessment of the Level of Physical Activity and Physical Fitness in a Sample of University Students. Comparison after the Covid-19 Pandemic

The transition from secondary education to university education has become a critical moment for the lifestyle of young people, especially for the practice of physical activity. Therefore, the main objective of the present study was to assess the levels of physical activity in university students, by correlating the results of the IPAQ-SF and the different physical fitness variables (Eurofit). The sample consisted of 194 students of the Primary Education Degree, with a mean age of 21.37 +/- 2.66 years. The main results obtained reflect the direct relationship between the practice of physical activity in general, and vigorous physical activity in particular, and optimal physical fitness of university students, linked above all to the strength component. As for the comparison between prepandemic ( 18/19) and post-pandemic (21/ 22) university students, the increase in physical activity after the pandemic did not show substantial differences in the physical fitness components. In conclusion, these results should lead us to reflect on the influence of an active lifestyle on physical fitness, which has an impact on overall health status and quality of life.

Effectiveness of exergames programme to modify body composition and health-related physical fitness in adolescents with down syndrome after COVID-19 quarantine.

AIMS: to determine the effect of a 20-week exergame program on different indicators of body composition and components of health-related physical fitness in adolescents with Down syndrome. Methods and Procedures Outcomes: 49 adolescents (19 female and 30 males; average age, 14.19 ± 2.06 years) with Down syndrome were recruited and randomized to two groups (control group vs. intervention group). Adolescents allocated in the control group carried out a physical activity program three times a week for 20 weeks meanwhile adolescents allocated in the exercise group performed an exergame program three times a week for 20 weeks. RESULTS: The exercise group had significant improvements in all health-related physical fitness variables and there is an improvement in some body composition variables (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: 20 week exergame program consisting of 3 sessions of 60 minutes is able to improve levels of body composition and health-related physical fitness in adolescents with Down syndrome.

Research in body composition and health-related physical fitness of people with Down syndrome has revealed that an exergame programme increases levels of health-related physical fitness in adolescents with Down syndromeAn exergame programme can improve differences in markers of body composition between the control group and the intervention groupThe intervention group that performed the exergame programme showed increases in health-related physical fitness levels after 20 weeks of intervention.The control group that performed a based on developing motor behaviour programme did not show differences in body composition or health-related physical fitness after 20 weeks of intervention.

Inclusive Community Aquatics Programming for Children with Developmental Challenges: A Community Participatory Action Research

Background: Children who are neurodiverse have traditionally been segregated from their peers in community-based programs, despite evidence of health benefits of inclusive education. Objectives: This community-initiated project aims to explore barriers and facilitators to inclusive aquatics programming for children with developmental and/or mental health challenges. Methods: Using a participatory-action research methodology, semi-structured interviews and focus groups were conducted with 14 participants from various stakeholder groups, including parents of children who are neurodiverse, helping professionals, and community programmers. Results: Participants described unique definitions of inclusion, from integration with neurotypical peers, to individualized goal-setting and achievement. Major facilitators include adequate resources, flexibility around accommodations, and motivated staff. Major barriers include social stigma, financial limitations, and lack of communication between caregivers and service providers. Conclusions: Participants felt strongly about the need to improve inclusion practices within aquatics—and other community-based—programs. Increased collaboration between families, community programmers, and helping professionals can foster better inclusion and outcomes for children who are neurodiverse. By incorporating various perspectives into the design of future programs, program administrators can ensure more equitable access such that all children are able to participate.

Physical Activity & Life Satisfaction During COVID-19 Lockdown in Uzbekistan

The aim of this study is to explore the relationship between physical activity and life satisfaction in Uzbekistan during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown time. We sampled 438 respondents surveyed online during the lockdowns from July to August 2020. The empirical results obtained with the aid of OLS regression show that physical activity is significantly and positively correlated with life satisfaction. The results remain robust even when we introduce a rich set of control variables suggested by extant research.

Back Onside: A Qualitative Study to Understand Experiences of Involvement in a Physical Activity Programme in Adults Who are Unemployed or At-Risk of Unemployment

Unemployment or being at-risk of unemployment is a health risk factor. Back Onside is a physical activity programme run in Bradford (UK) by the Bradford Bulls Foundation. It is aimed at improving the mental and physical health and wellbeing of adults who are unemployed or at-risk of unemployment. The programme is delivered in a relaxed and sociable environment to help build a positive mindset towards physical activity. We conducted semistructured interviews with participants on the programme (n = 5) and external stakeholders (n = 6) between 24 June and 12 July, 2021. Data analysis was completed using the context-mechanism-outcome (CMO) framework of realist evaluation. Four CMOs were identified: (1) resocialisation following COVID-19 lockdown restrictions;(2) congruence between the programme and participants' goals;(3) engaging people in enjoyable activities;and (4) inclusive environments. We recommend future programmes to take an inclusive and relaxed approach to physical activity and be congruent with participants' goals and values to ensure participants' feel supported and adhere to the programmes.

Under-researched populations and topics in sport and exercise medicine (SEM)

Correspondence to Dr Sharief Hendricks, Division of Physiological Sciences and Health through Physical Activity, Lifetsyle and Sport Research Centre, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, Western Cape 7725, South Africa;sharief.hendricks01@gmail.com In this South African Sports Medicine Association (SASMA) edition of BJSM, we spotlight work on under-researched populations and topics in sport and exercise medicine (SEM). Youth sport, TGNC athletes and mental health Access to athlete mental health care, like physical care, can be considered a resource that allows athletes to function, cope with stress, perform and achieve their goals. In 2019, the IOC established the Mental Health Working Group to develop an assessment battery for the early identification of mental health symptoms and disorders in elite athletes.3 The internal consistency of the mental health assessment battery has been tested in elite athletes, but can the same internal consistency be shown for student athletes?