The effects of acute exercise on stress reactivity assessed via a multidimensional approach: a systematic review.

Psychological stress is associated with numerous deleterious health effects. Accumulating evidence suggests acute exercise reduces stress reactivity. As stressors activate a wide array of psychological and physiological systems it is imperative stress responses are examined through a multidimensional lens. Moreover, it seems prudent to consider whether stress responses are influenced by exercise intervention characteristics such as modality, duration, intensity, timing, as well as participant fitness/physical activity levels. The current review therefore examined the role of acute exercise on stress reactivity through a multidimensional approach, as well as whether exercise intervention characteristics and participant fitness/physical activity levels may moderate these effects. Stress reactivity was assessed via heart rate, blood pressure, cortisol, catecholamines, and self-report. A systematic search following PRISMA guidelines of five databases was updated in November 2022. Reviewed studies met the following criteria: English language, participants aged ≥ 18, use of acute exercise, use of a validated stress-inducing task, and assessment(s) of stress reactivity. Thirty-one studies (1386 participants) were included. Acute exercise resulted in reliable reductions to blood pressure and cortisol. Acute exercise yielded mostly negligible effects on heart rate reactivity and negligible effects on self-report measures. As for exercise intervention characteristics, intensity-dependent effects were present, such that higher intensities yielded larger reductions to reactivity measures, while limited evidence was present for duration, modality, and timing-dependent effects. Regarding participant fitness/physical activity levels, the effects on stress reactivity were mixed. Future work should standardize the definitions and assessment time points of stress reactivity, as well as investigate the interaction between physiological and psychological stress responses in real-world contexts.

Family-based physical activity interventions and family functioning: A systematic review.

Family physical activity (PA) can confer multiple health benefits, yet whether PA interventions affect general family functioning has not been appraised. The purpose of this review was to evaluate studies that have examined the effect of family PA interventions, where child PA was the focus of the intervention, on constructs of family functioning. Literature searches were concluded on January 11, 2022 using seven common databases. Eligible studies were in English, utilized a family PA intervention, and assessed a measure of family functioning as a study outcome. The initial search yielded 8413 hits, which was reduced to 20 independent PA interventions of mixed quality after screening for eligibility criteria. There was mixed evidence for whether family PA interventions affected overall family functioning; however, analyses of subdomains indicated that family cohesion is improved by PA interventions when children are in the early school years (aged 5-12). High-quality studies also showed an impact of family PA interventions on family organization. Targeted interventions at specific family subsystems (e.g., father-son, mother-daughter), characteristics (low-income, clinical populations, girls), and broad multibehavioral interventions may have the most reliable effects. Overall, the findings show that family PA interventions can promote family cohesion and organization, particularly among families with children in the early school years. Higher quality research, employing randomized trial designs and targeting specific intervention and sample characteristics (e.g., different clinical conditions, specific parent-child dyads), is recommended in order to better ascertain the effectiveness of these approaches.

Determinants of recreational screen time behavior following the COVID-19 pandemic among Canadian adults.

The objectives of our study were to examine recreational screen time behavior before and 2 years following the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, and explore whether components of the capability-opportunity-motivation-behavior (COM-B) model would predict changes in this recreational screen time behavior profile over the 2-year period. This cross-sectional, retrospective study was conducted in March 2022. Canadian adults (n = 977) completed an online survey that collected demographic information, current screen time behavior, screen time behavior prior to the pandemic, and beliefs about capability, opportunities, and motivation for limiting screen time based on the COM-B model. We found that post-pandemic recreational screen time (3.91 ± 2.85 h/day) was significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels (3.47 ± 2.50 h/day, p < 0.01). Three recreational screen time behavior profiles were identified based on the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines: (1) always met screen time guidelines (≤3 h/day) (47.8%; n = 454); (2) increased screen time (10.1%; n = 96); and (3) never met screen time guidelines (42%; n = 399). The overall discriminant function was found to be significant among the groups (Wilks' λ = 0.90; canonical r = 0.31, χ2 = (14) = 95.81, p < 0.001). The group that always met screen time guidelines had the highest levels of automatic motivation, reflective motivation, social opportunity, and psychological capabilities to limit screen time compared to other screen time profile groups. In conclusion, recreational screen time remains elevated post-pandemic. Addressing motivation (automatic and reflective), psychological capabilities, and social opportunities may be critical for future interventions aiming to limit recreational screen time.

Lessons from zoom-university: Post-secondary student consequences and coping during the COVID-19 pandemic-A focus group study.

The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically altered the model of university education. However, the most salient challenges associated with online learning, how university students are coping with these challenges, and the impact these changes have had on students' communities of learning remain relatively unexplored. Changes to the learning environment have also disrupted existing communities of learning for both lower and upper-year students. Hence, the purpose of our study was to explore how: (1) academic and personal/interpersonal challenges as a result of COVID-19; (2) formal and informal strategies used to cope with these academic and non-academic challenges; (3) and services or resources provided by the institution, if any, affected students' communities of learning. Six focus groups of 5-6 students were conducted, with two focus groups specifically dedicated to upper and lower year students. Questions related to academic and interpersonal challenges, formal and informal coping strategies, and access to/use of university services/resources were posed. Common challenges included poor accommodation from professors and administrators; burnout from little separation school and personal life; lack of support for students transitioning out of university; and difficulties forming and maintaining social networks. These findings suggest the importance of fostering communities of learning informally and formally at universities beyond the pandemic context.

Motivational Profiles and Associations With Physical Activity Before, During, and After the COVID-19 Pandemic: Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the worldwide COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic, triggering many countries, including Canada, to issue stay-at-home orders to their citizens. Research indicates that these stay-at-home orders are associated with a decline in physical activity (PA), a behavior that can reduce disease risk and improve the quality of life. Many behavioral change theories, such as the self-determination theory (SDT) of motivation, state that PA engagement is mediated by psychological constructs, such as motivation. According to the SDT, motivation exists on a continuum from more controlled (external or coerced) to more autonomous (volitional) regulatory forms. Individuals move along the continuum from more controlled to more autonomous forms through the fulfillment of 3 psychological needs: autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Research indicates that moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) is positively associated with the autonomous regulatory form of motivation. Recently, researchers have speculated that a better method to describe motivation than movement along the continuum is to generate motivational profiles, which represent combinations of differing levels of controlled and autonomous regulation existing simultaneously. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to identify distinct motivational profiles and determine their association with MVPA before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Using a cross-sectional, retrospective design, we surveyed 977 Canadian adults. We assessed motivation for PA using the Behavioral Regulations in Exercise Questionnaire-3 (BREQ-3). We assessed PA pre-, during, and post-COVID-19 stay-at-home orders in Canada using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). We derived motivational profiles using latent profile analysis (LPA). Using motivational profiles as an independent variable, we assessed their effect on PA at all 3 time points with multilevel models that included the participant ID as a random variable. RESULTS: We identified 4 profiles: high controlled and high autonomous (HCHA), low overall motivation (LOM), high autonomous and introjected (HAI), and high amotivation and external (HAE). The HCHA profile had the highest levels of weekly MVPA minutes at all 3 time points, followed by the HAI profile. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that a combination of both autonomous and controlled regulatory forms may be more effective in influencing MVPA than the controlled or autonomous forms alone, particularly during times of high stress, such as a worldwide pandemic. Although the odds of another global pandemic are low, these results may also be applied to other times of stress, such as job transitions, relationship changes (eg, change in marital status), or the death of a loved one. We suggest that clinicians and practitioners consider developing PA interventions that seek to increase both controlled and autonomous regulatory forms instead of aiming to reduce controlled forms.

Ethical considerations for the use of consumer wearables in health research.

Background: The UN's High Commissioner's request for a moratorium on the use and adoption of specific Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems that pose serious risk to human rights, this commentary explores the current environment and future implications of using third-party wearable technologies in research for participants' data privacy and data security. While wearables have been identified as tools for improving users' physical and mental health and wellbeing by providing users with more personalized data and tailored interventions, the use of this technology does not come without concern. Objective: Primarily, as researchers, we are concerned with enmeshment of corporate and research interests and what this can mean for participant data. Methods: By drawing on specific sections of the UN Report 'The right to privacy in the digital age', we discuss the conflicts between corporate and research agendas and point out the current and future implications of the involvement of third-party companies for participant data privacy, data security and data usage. Finally, we offer suggestions for researchers and third-party wearable developers for conducting ethical and transparent research with wearable tech. Conclusion: We propose that this commentary be used as a foothold for further discussions about the ethical implications of using third-party wearable tech in research.

The importance of collaboration between medical and exercise professionals in addressing patient physical inactivity.

Physical activity has declined further during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Physicians are at the front lines of proactively educating and promoting physical activity to patients; however, physicians do not feel confident and face numerous barriers in prescribing exercise to patients. Exercise referral schemes, comprising collaborations with qualified exercise professionals, represent a fruitful option for supporting physicians hoping to promote physical activity to more patients. Herein, we provide practical suggestions for establishing and creating a successful referral scheme. Ultimately, exercise referral schemes offer an alternative to help physician burnout and mitigate patient physical inactivity during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

Reflecting on physical activity across 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic: Predictors of intention-behavior profiles.

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected how many people engage in regular moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA). The purpose of this study was to predict current and dynamic (across 2 years of the pandemic) intention and MVPA profiles using the multi-process action control (M-PAC) framework. A representative sample of 977 English-speaking Canadians (18 + years) completed measures of reflective (instrumental attitude, affective attitude, perceived capability, and opportunity), regulatory (planning and self-monitoring), and reflexive (habit and identity) processes, intention, and MVPA. These measures included current assessments and reflections prior to the COVID-19 restrictions. Three current intention-behavior profiles (nonintenders, unsuccessful intenders, and successful intenders) and five dynamic intention-MVPA by prepandemic MVPA profiles (consistent nonintenders, relapsed nonintenders, consistent unsuccessful intenders, relapsed unsuccessful intenders, and consistent successful intenders) emerged from these data, showing few increased MVPA across the pandemic. The current and dynamic profiles were subsequently predicted by changes in specific reflective, regulatory, and reflexive processes across the pandemic; however, only change in identity was the critical predictor of successful MVPA engagement in the dynamic 2-year MVPA profiles. Collectively, the findings support the joint promotion of reflective, regulatory, and reflexive processes in the choice of behavior change techniques to promote postpandemic MVPA intention and behavior.

Exercise behaviors and resource use among graduate students at a Canadian university: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: Participation in regular exercise among post-secondary students is often low. Our cross-sectional study aimed to assess exercise levels, perceived barriers/motivators to exercise, and knowledge and use of exercise resources in graduate students. PARTICIPANTS: We recruited graduate students across various disciplines at a large Canadian university. METHODS: Participants (n = 540) completed an anonymous mixed methods online survey. RESULTS: Approximately 11% of participants reported not participating in any form of weekly exercise, and only 9.4% met the Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines. The most common barrier and motivator to exercise was time commitment and improving physical health, respectively. Some participants were aware of available exercise services but most did not use them. Suggestions for improving services included having graduate-dedicated exercise space and resources. CONCLUSIONS: Low exercise participation among graduate students may be due to a lack of education of available resources or a lack of existing resources that meet their specific needs.

What to watch: Practical considerations and strategies for using YouTube for research.

YouTube is the second-most visited webpage in the world and boasts over 2 billion users and 500 h of videos uploaded every hour. Despite this popularity, relatively few articles have discussed the practical use of searching and YouTube as a research tool and source of data. The purpose of our paper is to propose a step-by-step schematic for utilizing the YouTube platform. Our discussions include (a) when/whether to use YouTube for research; (b) selecting an appropriate research design; (c) how to search for YouTube data; (d) what data can be pulled from YouTube; and (e) the contextual limitations for interpreting YouTube data. Further, we provide practical strategies and considerations when searching, collecting, or interpreting YouTube data. These discussions are informed by our own work using the YouTube platform. Effective methods used to search for YouTube data are likely to extend beyond simply searching the platform itself; the search strategy and search results themselves should also be documented. While not exhaustive, we feel these considerations and strategies present themselves as a conceptual foothold for future research using the YouTube platform.

Exploring the prevalence of nomophobia in a Canadian university: An environmental scan.

Smartphone ownership and engagement are at an all-time high. Excessive smartphone use may impart smartphone-specific anxiety; specifically, the fear of being unable to access or use one's smartphone, or nomophobia. Young adults, in particular, are at higher risk for nomophobia, given higher ownership of and engagement with smartphones. Notably, little research has been done in a Canadian context. Objective: To conduct an environmental scan of nomophobia prevalence in a Canadian university. Participants: Full-time and part-time university students. Methods: The Nomophobia Questionnaire and demographics were collected via mass emailer of all students at the host institution (n = 1,002). Results: Findings indicate moderate-to-high levels of nomophobia among respondents, with nearly a quarter of respondents reporting severe nomophobia. Respondents who identified as women were an undergraduate, and/or owned an Apple device reported significantly higher nomophobia. Conclusions: This study provides evidence for comparable levels of nomophobia between Canadian post-secondary students and recent global research. Future research should explore nomophobia within a more nationally representative sample.

Comparing the prevalence of nomophobia and smartphone addiction among university students pre-COVID-19 and during COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to: (a) explore differences in the prevalence of nomophobia and smartphone addiction (SA) from pre- to during COVID-19; (b) identify students' self-reported changes in smartphone reliance and screen time during COVID-19; and (c) examine whether self-perceived changes in smartphone usage predicted nomophobia and SA scores. METHODS: Scores on the Nomophobia Questionnaire and Smartphone Addiction Scale between two surveys administered at two timepoints were compared: Sample 1 (September 2019-January 2020; N = 878) and Sample 2 (May-June 2020; N = 258). RESULTS: No significant differences were found between samples on nomophobia or SA. Nearly all of Sample 2 reported using some type of app more, using their smartphone a little more, and about the same perceived smartphone reliance during COVID-19. Increased screen time, smartphone reliance, and social media significantly predicted nomophobia and SA. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 does not appear to have exacerbated the prevalence of nomophobia or SA.

A feasibility randomized controlled trial of a multi-process action control web-based intervention that targets physical activity in mothers.

The onset of motherhood is associated with a decline in moderate- to vigorous-physical activity (MVPA) and this deficit can remain for years to come. This study explored the feasibility of a web-based intervention, informed by the multi-process action control (M-PAC) framework, to promote PA in mothers. Forty-one inactive mothers of children <16 were randomized to a 10-week web-intervention (n = 20) or wait-list control (n = 21). Primary outcomes of recruitment and retention were measured with frequency counts; usability and satisfaction were measured via self-report questionnaires and qualitative interviews; secondary outcomes of MVPA and M-PAC constructs were assessed via self-report. Recruitment was 41%, retention was 88%, and satisfaction and usability were high. Participants logged in 7.94 (SD = 3.87) times and spent 37.71 (SD = 20.21) minutes per week on the web-intervention. Suggestions for intervention improvement included additional content targeting mothers, reminders, and optimized navigation. Intervention participants trended toward improved MVPA and M-PAC constructs, particularly action control processes of habit, self-identity, and behavioral regulation. The high feasibility ratings of recruitment, retention, satisfaction, and usability demonstrated that the study can be extended to a full-scale RCT with minor additions to the intervention such as content targeting mothers, reminders, and optimized navigation.

Engagement With Web-Based Fitness Videos on YouTube and Instagram During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Longitudinal Study.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically changed the physical activity (PA) landscape through the closures of gymnasiums, schools, and many outdoor spaces. Physical distancing guidelines have also reduced opportunity for PA. The popularity of free web-based home fitness videos on video hosting platforms (eg, YouTube and Instagram) has spiked during the pandemic. Many web-based fitness videos offer a convenient, accessible, and cost-effective means of engaging in PA through regularly posted videos or discrete programs. Notably, traditional PA programs often suffer from poor adherence and high dropout rates, despite many advantages over web-based workout programs (eg, equipment, feedback, and in-person engagement). Thus, notwithstanding clear advantages of these web-based fitness videos, their ability to maintain long-term engagement and adherence is unknown. OBJECTIVE: We explored patterns of engagement (ie, views, likes, and comments) for channels posting daily or program-based web-based fitness videos since the declaration of COVID-19 as a pandemic, over 4 months. Our secondary objective was to examine potential moderators of engagement metrics. METHODS: An environmental scan was used to identify eligible channels. Eligible channels were (1) freely available on YouTube or Instagram and (2) posted daily or weekday series workouts or offered quarantine-specific workout programs. Searches for eligible channels were conducted on June 1 and 4, 2020. Engagement metrics of views, likes, and comments were then collected from channels' videos posted between March 11 and June 26 or 30, 2020, inclusive, on June 26 or July 8, 2020. A series of multilevel modeling analyses were conducted to examine longitudinal changes in each of the 3 outcome variables. RESULTS: Ten channels were deemed eligible and included in analyses; 6 posted regularly, while the other 4 posted discrete workout programs. Multilevel models revealed that both views and likes significantly decreased across days. Visually, channels display the sharpest drop in engagement within the first week. Linear change estimate indicates that the number of views initially declined by 24,700 per day (95% CI -44,400 to -11,300, P=.01) on average across all the channels. Channels with more subscribers declined in their views, likes, and comments at a significantly higher rate than those with fewer subscribers (P≤.04). The day of the week a video is posted, "virality," and content of a video appear to influence engagement. Integrating behavior change techniques and posting new and varied videos often may help garner further engagement with these videos. Future research should examine common elements of videos, which drive engagement. CONCLUSIONS: Despite raw engagement metrics, each channel demonstrated peak engagement with the initial video followed by decreased engagement with subsequent videos. As many countries maintain restrictions on traditional PA facilities owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, determining methods to improve engagement and adherence with web-based fitness videos becomes increasingly important.

Describing the use of behavior change techniques among the most popular home workout channels on YouTube: A quantitative content analysis.

The purpose of our study was to describe characteristics of behavior change techniques (BCTs) employed by popular YouTube fitness channels and examine relationships between BCTs used and engagement metrics (e.g. views, likes, comments). Seventy-five videos were coded according to BCT Taxonomy v1. Multi-level modeling was conducted between BCTs and engagement metrics. Fifty-four unique BCTs were used, with "Demonstration of behavior" and "Instruction on how to perform the behavior" used the most. The number of BCTs employed was 12.5 ± 6.65 and BCTs were all unrelated to engagement metrics (ps > 0.05). Application of BCTs within YouTube varies from traditional exercise interventions.

Assessing the prevalence and severity of smartphone addiction in postsecondary students: a brief report.

Objective: To explore the prevalence and severity of smartphone addiction among a sample of Canadian university students. Participants: A sample of 925 full-time university students enrolled at the host institution were recruited. Participants were primarily undergraduates (70.2%), women (77.1%), and owned an Apple smartphone (70.3%). Methods: Participants completed an online questionnaire including a modified version of the Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS) and demographics (i.e., degree pursing, gender, type of phone, faculty). Descriptive statistics for SAS sum score were calculated. Univariate ANOVAs were performed to explore differences in smartphone addiction among demographics. Results: Mean SAS sum score was 92.00 (i.e., "moderate" addiction level), 95% CI [90.52, 93.49]. Significant ANOVAs were found for degree, phone type, and faculty. Post-hoc tests revealed undergraduates and Apple users reported significantly higher smartphone addiction. Conclusions: The prevalence and severity of smartphone addiction among Canadian university students represents a budding health concern for postsecondary students.

Physical Activity Maintenance: A Critical Narrative Review and Directions for Future Research.

A clear rationale can be made for promoting long-term regular physical activity (PA), yet despite some attempts to operationalize "maintenance," no robust definition has been agreed upon, beyond arbitrary time frames of regular PA. This has likely impaired the advancement of theory and practice. The purpose of this critical narrative review was to first overview the conception of maintenance and co-requisite theoretical constructs in theories used in PA research. Our subsequent aims were to engage in a critical analysis of this literature to propose a working definition of PA maintenance followed by recommendations for future research. Relevant behavioral theories were parsed for references to maintenance or maintenance-specific constructs and constructs most likely associated with maintenance were overviewed from a recent systematic review. Based on this information, we suggest PA maintenance be operationalized as a process marked by a shift in the mechanisms of action determining behavioral performance, that engender greater perceived behavioral enactment efficiency. We suggest that maintenance should not be considered an absolute state of behavioral performance (e.g., a stage), as some constructs that were critical to behavioral performance during initiation will still be critical during PA continuation. Based on this definition, we propose a method of falsifiability hypothesis testing of theoretical constructs that may determine the maintenance process. Finally, the review concludes with suggestions for future research using this operationalization of maintenance including measure development, tests of latency to reach the peak maintenance process, validating constructs critical to determining maintenance, exploration of the contextual and individual moderators of maintenance formation, and the development of an omnibus dynamic model of initiation, continuation, and maintenance in PA behavior change.

The effects of sedentary behaviour interventions on work-related productivity and performance outcomes in real and simulated office work: A systematic review.

This review examined the impact of environmental, behavioral, and combined interventions to reduce occupational sedentary behaviour on work performance and productivity outcomes. Productivity outcomes were defined as variables assessing work-related tasks (e.g., typing, mouse), whereas performance outcomes were categorized as any variables assessing cognition that did not mimic work-related tasks. Nine databases were searched for articles published up to January 2018. Sixty-three studies were identified that met the inclusion criteria: 45 examined a productivity outcome (i.e., typing, mouse, work-related tasks, and absenteeism), 38 examined a performance outcome (i.e., memory, reading comprehension, mathematics, executive function, creativity, psychomotor function, and psychobiological factors), and 30 examined a self-reported productivity/performance outcome (i.e., presenteeism or other self-reported outcome). Overall, standing interventions do not appear to impact productivity/performance outcomes, whereas walking and cycling interventions demonstrate mixed null/negative associations for productivity outcomes. Hence, standing interventions to reduce occupational sedentary behaviour could be implemented without negatively impacting productivity/performance outcomes.

Standing Up for Student Health: An Application of the Health Action Process Approach for Reducing Student Sedentary Behavior-Randomised Control Pilot Trial.

BACKGROUND: Sedentary behavior (SB) has been associated with chronic diseases. University students are a high-risk population for excessive SB. The purpose of this pilot study was to determine if a Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) based intervention, specifically action and coping planning, would increase student break frequency and decrease duration. METHODS: Fifty-two university students (14 men, mean age 23.5) were randomised into an 8-week HAPA-treatment (sedentary behavior) or HAPA-control (nutrition) group. Participants completed an SB questionnaire that assessed break frequency and duration of student SB (Baseline, Weeks 1-6 Treatment, and Weeks 7-8 Follow-up), and received behavioral counselling on either dietary information or SB (Baseline and Week 3). RESULTS: An intent-to-treat analysis revealed a significant group by time interaction effect for student break frequency (p = .05, ηρ2 = 0.27), and a non-significant effect for student break duration (p = .10, ηρ2 = 0.23). For occupational (student) break frequency and duration, the large accompanying effect sizes favored the treatment group. CONCLUSIONS: The current pilot study provides preliminary evidence for the potential of a HAPA-based intervention for increasing student break frequency in full-time university students.