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.

The associations between cognitive function and depressive symptoms among older Chinese population: A cohort study.

With the rapid development of society, population aging has emerged as a significant global challenge. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of baseline cognitive performance, current cognitive function, and cognitive decline on subsequent depressive symptoms. Data were obtained from participants aged 65 years and older in the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS), Wave 2014-2018. Of the 7,192 participants in Wave 2014, 1,627 were included in the analysis. Multivariate regressions were conducted to estimate the associations between cognitive measures and depressive symptoms. Our results indicated that baseline cognitive function was not associated with subsequent depressive symptoms, but current cognitive function was. Furthermore, participants who experienced significant cognitive decline were more likely to develop depressive symptoms. Covariates, including marital status, economic status, physical activity, and recreational activity, were also associated with subsequent depressive symptoms. These findings suggest that slowing cognitive decline is an effective strategy for preventing depressive symptoms in older adults, promoting their health and wellbeing.

The Secrets to Aging Well: Animal Interactions, Social Connections, Volunteerism, and More

This editorial synthesizes the findings of eight studies in the latest issue of Activities, Adaptation & Aging: Dignified and Purposeful Living for Older Adults. The findings encapsulate the factors that contribute to aging well and improving the quality of life for older adults, including active leisure participation, adopting leisure activities, animal interactions, community center involvement, individualized information, mental and physical well-being strategies, social resources and support, and volunteering. These factors not only inform practitioners working with older adults but also provide insights for individuals seeking to age well. The resilience of older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic is also discussed, emphasizing the importance of speaking positively about aging. [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Activities, Adaptation & Aging is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)

Distancing from the present: Nostalgia and leisure in lockdown

This paper considers the role of nostalgia-based leisure in the present COVID-19 pandemic. Enforced lockdowns and social distancing initiatives have been met with various media channels replaying famous sport matches, classic films and memorable concerts from the past. Furthermore, social media is full of families interacting more;playing traditional board games and numerous other leisure-related activities such as baking bread and making fresh pasta. Nostalgia may well end up being one of the primary coping mechanisms (for all generations) of enduring isolation, fear-and a general loss of freedom. It is also worth considering whether we are now creating our own future nostalgia where, when the crisis is through, we will long for the social bonds and sense of community the pandemic created. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

The relationship between leisure activities and the mental health of college students during the COVID-19 pandemic

Despite the benefits of leisure activities for mental health, very little is known about the link between leisure activities and mental health of college students during the COVID-19 pandemic. To fill this knowledge gap, this study sought to examine the relationship between leisure activities and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown. A cross-sectional online survey of 30 Chinese provinces was conducted from March 9 to 25. The Zung's Self-Rating Anxiety Scale and Self-Rating Depression Scale were conducted to measure mental health, while the duration of leisure activities was used to evaluate leisure. Results of logistic regression showed the impact of leisure activities on self-rated mental health depends on types of leisure activities. Reading and calligraphy are beneficial to self-rated mental health while online activities are not. Self-rated mental health is associated with leisure activities. More college students with self-reported anxiety symptoms like to participate in hobbies and outdoor physical activities, while college students who reported depression are reluctant to participate in most leisure activities. Females, postgraduates incline to participate in more types of leisure activities, and students living in urban areas are reluctant to join outdoor physical activities. Besides, these groups are more likely to have self-reported mental illness symptoms.

Queer isolation or queering isolation? Reflecting upon the ramifications of COVID-19 on the future of queer leisure spaces

The introduction of "social distancing" and quarantine orders in response to the COVID-19 pandemic have temporarily limited the ability for queer communities to engage in physical forms of social leisure. This pandemic also serves as a reminder of the importance of leisure spaces for queer communities and their unique leisure experiences. Given this opportunity to (re)examine the importance of queer leisure spaces, this paper will take a critical look at the impact this pandemic has had on queer leisure provision and the ramifications for queer leisure and queering leisure in a post-pandemic world. This paper will examine the current absence of queer leisure outlets, portrayal of public queer spaces, how the response to the sudden elimination of queer leisure spaces can inform our current understanding of leisure, and potential lessons about the connection between physical social engagement and queer leisure spaces. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Target Settings and Types of Cultural, Leisure Activities of the Population in Stavropol Krai

The article presents modern approaches to understanding and classifying the target settings of the population regarding the choice of types of cultural, leisure activities. We highlighted the features of the pandemic period that affect this process. We developed research tools, taking into account the conclusions of the theoretical analysis of publications;also we conducted a survey of the population of Stavropol Krai (one of the southern regions of Russia) in October-November 2021 using the GoogleForms. The study was carried out on a regional sample in 9 territories of Stavropol Krai with the representation of the regional capital, MineralnyeVody, central, eastern and northwestern zones. In total, 1020 people from among those living in Stavropol city, Kislovodsk city, Shpakovsky, Petrovsky, Novoaleksandrovsky, Apanasenkovsky, Sovetsky, Georgievsky districts took part in the electronic survey procedure. The sample corresponds to the gender and age structure of the population of Stavropol Krai. Statistical analysis of the data was carried out using the SPSS program (version 21). Conclusions are drawn showing the typology of target settings and types of cultural and leisure activities of the population of the south of Russia. The information obtained shows the need for a wider involvement of representatives of older age groups in cultural and leisure practices and the organization of leisure activities, taking into account the needs and goals of this category of consumers. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

Activities Carried Out during the First COVID-19 Lockdown by Italian Citizens.

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has altered how citizens engage in activities. This study describes the new activities citizens engaged in during the first lockdown, factors that helped them cope with the confinement, the supports they used the most, and which supports they would have liked to receive. This cross-sectional study consists of an online survey made of 49 questions that was completed by the citizens of the province of Reggio Emilia (Italy) from 4 May until 15 June 2020. The outcomes of this study were explored by focusing on four of the survey questions. Of the 1826 citizens who responded, 84.2% had started new leisure activities. Males, participants who lived in the plain or foothills, and those who experienced nervousness engaged less in new activities, while those whose employment status changed, whose lifestyle worsened, or whose use of alcohol increased engaged in more activities. The support of family and friends, leisure activities, continuing to work, and an optimistic attitude were perceived to be of help. Grocery delivery and hotlines providing any type of information and mental health support were used frequently; a lack of health and social care services and of support in reconciling work with childcare was perceived. Findings may help institutions and policy makers to better support citizens in any future circumstances requiring prolonged confinement.

Exploring the effects of COVID-19 on motorcycle riding patterns and its importance.

A motorcycle refers to a two-wheeled, personal mobility vehicle used for daily transportation and leisure activities. Leisure enables social interaction, and motorcycle riding could be an activity that facilitates social interactions and distancing. Therefore, grasping the importance of riding motorcycles during the pandemic-which involved social distancing and limited leisure activities-can be valuable. However, researchers have yet to examine its potential importance during the pandemic. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the importance of personal space and time spent with others in the context of motorcycle riding during the COVID-19 pandemic. We specifically explored the effects of COVID-19 on riding patterns and importance of riding motorcycle by examining whether these factors differed regarding changes in the frequency of motorcycle riding before and during the pandemic in daily and leisure-oriented transportation. Data were collected from 1,800 motorcycle users in Japan using a web-based survey conducted in November 2021. Respondents replied to questions concerning the importance of personal space and time spent with others attributed to motorcycle riding before and during the pandemic. Following the survey, we conducted a two-way repeated measures analysis of variance (two-factor ANOVA) and performed a simple main effect analysis using the SPSS syntax editor in case of interactions. The valid samples for motorcyclists with leisure motive (leisure-oriented users) and daily transportation motive (daily users) numbered n = 890 and n = 870, respectively (total n = 1,760, 95.5%). Each valid sample was divided into three groups based on the differences in motorcycle riding frequency before and during the pandemic: unchanged, increased frequency, and decreased frequency. The two-factor ANOVA results showed significant differences in the interaction effects for leisure-oriented and daily users regarding personal space and time spent with others. The mean value of the "increased frequency" group during the pandemic indicated significantly higher importance of personal space and time spent with others than the other groups. Motorcycle riding could enable daily transportation and leisure-oriented users to practice social distancing while simultaneously spending time with companions and alleviating loneliness and isolation during the pandemic.

Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends for 2023

The annual ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal® worldwide survey to determine industry trends by health and fitness professionals is now in its 17th consecutive year. The COVID-19 pandemic certainly made an impact on the 2021 survey and continued for 2022, but for 2023, some current trends are emerging whereas others are weakening because of the world's recovery from the isolation caused by COVID-19. The #1 trend for 2023, as it was for 2022, is wearable technology. Home exercise gyms was #2 for 2022 but has dropped to #13 for 2023. Fitness programs for older adults will make a comeback in 2023, breaking the top 10 at #4. Functional fitness training, a popular form of exercise for the older adult, is the #5 trend for 2023. Apply It!: From this article, the reader should understand the following concepts: • Explain the differences between a fitness fad and a fitness trend • Use the worldwide fitness trends in the commercial, corporate, clinical (including medical fitness), and community health and fitness industry to further promote physical activity • Study expert opinions about identified fitness trends for 2023

The relationship between leisure activities and mental health: The impact of resilience and COVID-19.

Engaging in leisure activities promotes mental health. The effect is likely associated with resilience as the broaden-and-build theory suggests positive emotions elicited from leisure increase mental resources for stress coping. The present research examined whether participating in different leisure activities at a given time increases the level of resilience, which in turn reduces psychological problems. It also investigated the changes in people's leisure activities due to the COVID-19 outbreak and the impact of these changes on their mental health. Japanese participants (N = 300) responded to two online surveys conducted before (January 2020) and after the outbreak (February 2021). They selected the leisure activities they had engaged in from 100 choices and reported their levels of resilience and depressive symptoms. An analysis of covariates revealed that the total number of selected activities significantly reduced in the second survey, but the levels of resilience and depressive symptoms remained constant. Regression analysis showed that the reduction in leisure activities did not predict depressive symptoms. However, structural equation modeling established that the relationship between leisure and depression was mediated by resilience, supporting the initial hypothesis. Importantly, this relationship slightly differed by age group, likely because popular activities and their psychological impacts vary depending on age.

Meeting the Covid Challenge–Agility and Resilience of SUITS Local Authorities

The Covid-19 pandemic has created immense social, economic, and political disruption around the world. It has shown the importance of agile, functional and resilient cities. In the fight against Covid-19, public life has been reduced to a minimum, but local authorities (LAs) have had to continue to satisfy existing and emergent citizens' needs and implement, sometimes at very short notice, extreme measures to restrict movement, commerce, education and leisure activities. This poses significant challenges as they have had to not only enforce and communicate government plans but also be proactive and respond to local needs of their cities whilst learning to work in new ways and support the health and well-being of employees. The Covid-19 pandemic has forced organizational change. In many instances, this has accelerated the rate of change, proving that new ways of working are effective and has led to a (temporary) advancement of sustainable transport. This chapter focuses mainly on the experience of SUITS LAs in the final year of the project. © 2023, Transport for West Midlands.

Impact of physical activities in mental health of physical education and sports students during pandemic COVID-19

BACKGROUND: Pandemic COVID 19 that started in Wuhan, China, began to present itself in Europe rapidly in the early spring of 2020. This new situation impacted the life of students in all Europe. To measure the level impact of the situation created by COVID 19, from an active and dynamic life with many daily physical activities in the gym, to self-isolation, quarantine and social distancing, the main aim of this study was to investigate the level of mental health and its correlation with physical activity among physical education students. METHOD(S): The survey was conducted online through google forms, using the Goldberg and Hillier's 28-item scaled version of the general health questionnaire (GHQ-28). The data were gathered in the period when the teaching process were conducted through online platforms and Pandemic COVID 19 were in the process and all the participants were isolated. A total sample consist of 206 students, 40% of the students were female with the mean age M=20.8 and, 60% male with the mean age M=21.2. RESULT(S): Results show that their general health total scores, 79.6% of the participants had very low disorder, 17.0% low disorder and 3.4% moderate disorder. Results also shows that GHQ-28 scale and subscale level of Somatic symptoms, Anxiety insomnia, Social dysfunction and Severe Depression had lower values in students who did physical activity for 60 min per day, more than 4 times a week during self-isolation. CONCLUSION(S): Based on the findings general health and its subscales show statistical correlation with physical activity. Copyright © 2021 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA.

Clinical Rounds

New survey findings on healthy work environments for nurses... Blood tests predict death or severe disability for TBI... New bioengineered cornea can restore eyesight... suPAR levels and venous thromboembolism in COVID-19... Leisure activities may lower dementia risk... Dirty instruments risk surgical-site infections and reimbursement loss

Unlocking the pandemic

Lockers have always been fundamental to running an efficient leisure business - be it a fitness or aquatic centre, theme park or other attraction. Pre-COVID the focus was largely on storage, security and ease of access. With COVID-19 there has been a massive shift in focus, largely on compliance and managing the multitude of restrictions brought in by the pandemic. This article investigates some of the innovative solutions such as social distancing software and queue management developments that locker suppliers are introducing.

Analyzing the Type and Experience of Leisure Participation According to Stress Level in Korean Men during COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: With the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, Korean men are under immense stress as it has become increasingly difficult to support their families due to economic difficulties following the loss of employment, along with the absence of social activities due to lockdowns and restrictions caused by the pandemic. The experience of sociocultural leisure activities, particularly, can have a socially and psychologically positive effect as a means to overcome a difficult situation such as the pandemic scenario. Thus, this study aims to examine the extent the level of stress interferes with leisure activities during the COVID-19 pandemic and to identify how participating in leisure activities can reduce stress. Material and Methods: In this study, results were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency and mean) and inferential statistics (ANOVA and Chi-square test) using SPSS (Version 25.0, IBM, Armonk, NY, USA) on 942 Korean men. Results: When differences in leisure experiences were analyzed according to psychosocial stress, it was found that there was a significant difference in all factors: fun, information, new experience, and art. Furthermore, when the differences in the type of leisure activities and leisure experience were analyzed according to psychosocial stress, variations were found in leisure experience depending on leisure activity type in all groups including the healthy group, potential stress group, and the high-risk group. Conclusions: It seems necessary to increase accessibility for participating in leisure activities for men. Increasing accessibility to leisure activities may provide leisure that can be enjoyed throughout life beyond a one-time experience and reduce all aspects of stress and increase psychological and emotional stability during pandemic. Furthermore, the government needs to actively improve youth welfare in such a way that it becomes more future-oriented rather than present-oriented by reducing the level of psychological stress by considering the circumstances specific to Korean men.

Risk of Internet addiction among ADHD children and adolescents during the coronavirus pandemic

Background: Children and adolescents with Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are more susceptible to internet addiction. COVID-19 pandemic has forced them to carry out their schoolwork, social and leisure activities online. Prolonged use of the internet during this period would exacerbate their severity of ADHD and, at the same time, aggravates internet addiction susceptibility among these already high-risk individuals. Purpose: This literature aims to study the relationships between ADHD and internet addiction among children and adolescents with ADHD despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

Consequences of Covid-19 in older adults with dementia

The pandemic caused by Covid 19 is having a negative impact on human health, it affects the entire world population, raising mortality rates on a large scale in vulnerable groups;as in older adults with dementia. By this disease they have lost their independence being unable to take care for themselves and is related to deaths from Covid-19. Likewise, the confinement has affections at psychological and behavioral levels, increasing stress levels for fear of losing life and situations they face such as loneliness, poverty, discrimination, social isolation among others;these are determining factors for the older adults to be affected more than other populations and clearly there is a breakdown in the quality of life. On the other hand, caregivers experience work overload because there is no one else to replace them, restrictions on home visits and isolation are undoubtedly of great concern to their families, there are restrictions in medical visits, therapies and more treatments that in many cases, by not receiving them, they aggravate the health status of the elderly. Finally there are home and leisure activities that help counteract the effects of thepandemic and the dementia, among the main ones we can mention physical exercise, gardening, video calls, meditation and others. There is little research that indicates a survival plan, so that more work should be done on this group of people in order to find more alternatives than help improve the quality of life of older adults.

An assessment of COVID-19 and revival strategies for tourism: a study of Sikkim

The extremely infectious Covid-19 pandemic, which began in China in November 2019, quickly spread around the globe, causing a pandemic (Andrews, Areekal, 2020). Several nations and regions have quarantines, entrance bans, or other restrictions in place for residents or recent visitors of the most afflicted areas. Other governments and destinations have established worldwide travel restrictions that apply to all foreign countries and territories. The limitations, along with a reduced propensity to travel (C. Huang, Y. Wang, 2021), have harmed the tourism industry in those areas. Long-term effects may include less business travel and international conferencing, and more virtual, online conferencing. Travel restrictions to control COVID-19 have been questioned. The tourist and hotel business has been struck hard by the coronavirus outbreak. Sports and leisure activity providers as well as connected suppliers and service organisations had to fully cease operations. Getting back to normal won't be as quick for the enterprises who had to shut down so quickly. As a result, the industry has a particularly difficult challenge, (Khan, K., Arino, J, 2021) which is also its big opportunity: with a streamlined but well-considered offering, it can meet the required hygiene guidelines while also positioning itself as more climate-aware, therefore taking tourism to a new, sustainable level. The article explores the pandemic's effect on local tourist stakeholders and collects regulations enacted during and after the outbreak.

Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on leisure among the youth of Spain

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly transformed the lives of millions, including young people, who are in a vital stage during which leisure has had a preponderant role in their lifestyles, characterized by the search for experiences outside the family environment and forms of leisure dependent on friendships as a source for well-being (physical, cognitive, social, and emotional). This article explores how leisure becomes a form of negotiation among social needs, normative demands, and a particular crisis. It analyzes the transformations of leisure of young Spanish university students during confinement and the new normality. The sample is made up of 1066 young undergraduate university students between 17 and 25 years old residing in Spain. The quantitative findings revealed that (1) young people now value their leisure more than before the pandemic;(2) young people have transformed their leisure time and feel that their leisure has not been the same and will not be the same again;(3) the pandemic has especially affected their routines, relationships with friends, and psychological well-being;(4) they perceive that society has treated young people unfairly in relation to their leisure. The findings show the need to develop leisure policies and programs that address the short- and medium-term effects and transformations caused by COVID-19 on youth leisure.