Comparative effects of three different physical education teaching modes on college students' physical fitness during the COVID-19 pandemic: A longitudinal study.

Background: An appropriate teaching mode in physical education is crucial for ensuring effective education outcomes. Given the dynamic nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, teaching modes are often adjusted. However, there is a lack of in-depth research on the impact of different teaching modes on the outcomes of physical education. Our study aims to address this gap by conducting a comparative analysis of the teaching effectiveness of three different physical education modes among Chinese college students, with a focus on evaluating their impact on physical fitness. Method: This study adopted a longitudinal retrospective observational design. We systematically examined the three stages of the COVID-19 pandemic (stage 1: September 2020 to January 2021; stage 2: September 2021 to January 2022 and stage 3: February 2022 to July 2022), along with the three corresponding physical education teaching modes (classroom teaching, online teaching and blended teaching) and administered three physical fitness tests (T1, T2 and T3). The physical fitness test included 7 indicators: body mass index, vital capacity, 50-m run, standing long jump, sit-and-reach, pull-ups (male), 1000-m run (male), sit-ups (female) and 800-m run (female). A mixed ANOVA model was used to analyse the physical fitness test indicators across the three different teaching modes. Results: A total of 3363 college students (1616 males and 1747 females) enrolled in 2020 completed the three physical fitness tests. Most students were aged between 17 and 20 years old, and the BMI criteria indicated a normal distribution. The results indicated that there were significant differences in the overall training effectiveness for all students across vital capacity (p < 0.001, η2 = 0.077), sit-and-reach (p < 0.001, η2 = 0.027), and middle and long-distance running (p < 0.001, η2 = 0.031). Post-hoc multiple comparison analyses further revealed that the blended teaching was the most effective in improving these fitness indicators, whereas the online teaching performed poorly on the training effects of middle and long-distance running. Significant training effects were also shown for sit-ups (p < 0.001, η2 = 0.192) for females and pull-ups (p < 0.001, η2 = 0.020) for males in gender-specific physical fitness indicators. Similarly, blended teaching showed superior results to other teaching modes. Conclusion: These findings emphasize the importance of conducting online physical education during unforeseen public health events and highlight the comprehensive effects of blended physical education in the post-pandemic era. Future initiatives should prioritize targeted interventions to address the observed variations in various physical fitness indicators under different physical education teaching models.

Dose-response relationship between 15 weeks of running and aerobic fitness: a retrospective analysis based on the fun running program.

BACKGROUND: Students' physical fitness, particularly aerobic fitness, has seriously declined during the COVID-19 epidemic. However, in the post-epidemic era, there are few studies on the methods of improving aerobic fitness. Understanding the dose-response relationship between physical activity and aerobic fitness is crucial for developing effective exercise prescriptions. METHOD: This retrospective study reviewed the Fun Running program at Wannan Medical College in China. We conducted a pre-post study design to analyze the impact of 15 weeks of Fun Running training on aerobic fitness. Middle and long-distance running pace (MLDR-P) was used as the primary indicator of aerobic fitness. A paired sample T-test was used to analyze the differences between the two MLDR-Ps. Pearson's correlation was used to examine the correlation between variables. Multiple linear regression was used to determine the extent to which Fun Running components explain the variance in MLDR-P. RESULTS: A total of 3244 college students participated in this study. 15 weeks of Fun Running training can significantly improve the MLDR-P in both females (P < 0.001, ES = 0.68) and males (P < 0.001, ES = 0.72). The MLDR-P was significantly correlated with Fun Running (R2 = 0.95, p < 0.05, for females; R2 = 0.96, p < 0.05, for males). The component that had the greatest impact on MLDR-P was pace (ß = 1.39, for females; ß = 1.09, for males), followed by distance (ß = 0.49, for females; ß = 0.15, for males), and last frequency (ß = -0.03, for all). CONCLUSION: This study fills the gap in research on the dose-response relationship between running and aerobic fitness among college students in the post-epidemic era. The results show that 15 weeks of Fun Running training can significantly improve aerobic fitness. Examination of the dose-response relationship between Fun Running and MLDR-P provides practitioners with valuable insights into prescribing aerobic fitness training, allowing them to develop more effective training programs. Future research should focus on how to implement a hierarchical Fun Running program effectively.

Comparative research on the development of college students' physical fitness based on online physical education during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: There are few studies that focus on the impact of online physical education teaching on college students during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This research focuses on the impact of online physical education among medical school students in China by comparing physical fitness test results for three consecutive years from 2019 to 2021. METHOD: This study is a longitudinal survey. The subjects of the experiments were students enrolled in a medical school who completed a physical fitness test for three consecutive years from 2019 to 2021. The student subjects were divided into two groups, namely, male and female. The test indices included body mass index (BMI), vital capacity (VC), 50-metre run, sit-and-reach, standing long jump, pull-up (male), 1000-metre run (male), sit-ups (female) and 800-metre run (female). Repeated measures ANOVA method was used in physical fitness test indices at three consecutive time points ranging from 2019 to 2021. The Greenhouse-Geisser correction was applied when Mauchly's hypothesis test did not meet the assumption of sphericity, and the Bonferroni method was used for pairwise comparisons. RESULTS: A total of 3360 students (1490 males and 1870 females) completed physical fitness tests in three consecutive years from 2019 to 2021. The proportion of overweight and obesity in male students was significantly higher than that in female students (28.0% vs. 12.7%). For all subjects, in 2020, the BMI and VC indexes improved, while the 800-/1000-metre running indexes declined. In 2021, all indexes except sit-and-reach increased. CONCLUSION: The pairwise comparisons of physical fitness test results from 2019 to 2021 show that online physical education is effective in improving all items except long-distance running. Future research needs to involve a larger and geographically more dispersed sample to further analyse the effectiveness of online physical education.

Willingness and Influencing Factors to Receive COVID-19 Vaccination Among Chinese Medical Students.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the desire of medical students in China to get vaccinated or not get vaccinated and the reasons for either decision. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from 11 March and 12 March 2021, by administering an online questionnaire to the Chinese medical students. Data entry and analysis were conducted using IBM SPSS ver. 26.0. Results: Of 3,047 students who completed the survey, 37.9% (1,154) of participants indicated that they would be vaccinated against COVID-19, while 62.1% (1,893) declared that they would not. Attitudes to the COVID-19 vaccine (p = 0.000), levels of eHealth Literacy (p = 0.000), the impact of COVID19 (p = 0.000), concerns about the COVID-19 vaccine (p = 0.000) and gender (p = 0.000) strong associations with willingness to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Conclusion: The willingness to receive COVID-19 vaccination was sub-optimal among medical students in China. Educational interventions to improve medical students' perceptions and acceptance toward the COVID-19 vaccine are needed.

Smartphone addiction and its associated factors among freshmen medical students in China: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: With smartphone use widespread worldwide, smartphone addiction is an emerging epidemic. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of smartphone addiction among freshmen medical students and to explore its association with personal factors, mental health, and professional identity. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted from October 10th to November 10th, 2020 and included 2,182 first-year college students at Wannan Medical College, China. The smartphone addiction test, professional identity, and a 12-item general health questionnaire were used for this cross-sectional survey. Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) was employed to examine the correlations between smartphone addiction and mental health and professional identity. Binary logistic regression analysis was carried out to assess the factors influencing smartphone addiction. Of the 2,182 students, 866 (39.7%) were identified as having smartphone addiction. The logistic regression analysis shows that four factors (professional identity scale, poor mental health, smartphone use before sleep, and perceived study pressure) were significantly associated with smartphone addiction. CONCLUSIONS: This cross-sectional study suggests that smartphone addiction is common among Chinese freshmen medical students. Smartphone addiction was common among the freshmen medical students surveyed. The findings imply that promotional programs, aimed at enhancing mental health and professional identity among freshmen medical students, help to reduce smartphone addiction in this population.

Prevalence of smartphone addiction and its effects on subhealth and insomnia: a cross-sectional study among medical students.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess Chinese medical students' smartphone addiction and its effects on subhealth and insomnia. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from October 14, 2020 to November 14, 2020 by administering an online questionnaire to Wannan Medical College students. RESULTS: Of 2741 students who completed the survey, 1,447 (52.8%) had smartphone addiction. Medical specialty (p = 0.004), alcohol consumption (p = 0.001), smartphone use in bed (p = 0.000), depression (p = 0.000) and anxiety (p = 0.000) were strongly associated with smartphone addiction. The impacts of smartphone addiction on subhealth (p = 0.000) and insomnia (p = 0.000) were significant. CONCLUSION: This survey shows that the smartphone addiction detection rate among medical students was 52.8%. Students who did not like their medical specialty, consumed alcohol, used their smartphones in bed, and suffered from depression and anxiety had a higher smartphone addiction detection rate. The subhealth and insomnia of medical students are adversely associated with smartphone addiction.

Prevalence of subhealth status and its effects on mental health and smartphone addiction: a cross-sectional study among Chinese medical students.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the suboptimal health status or subhealth status and their relationship with mental health and smartphone addiction among Chinese medical students. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted at Wannan Medical College of China in Wuhu. RESULTS: A total of 2,741 students were surveyed in October 2020. Of 2,741 Chinese medical students who completed the survey, 904 (33%) participants reported to have had subhealth status. Anxiety status (p<0.001), depression status (p<0.001), and smartphone addiction status (p<0.001) have strong association with subhealth status. CONCLUSION: This survey shows that the detection rate of subhealth status in Chinese medical students was 33%. Anxiety, depression, and smartphone addiction students had a higher detection rate of subhealth status. The anxiety, depression, and smartphone addiction of Chinese medical students are associated with subhealth status.

Prevalence of subhealth status and its effects on mental health and smartphone addiction: a cross-sectional study among Chinese medical students

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the suboptimal health status or subhealth status and their relationship with mental health and smartphone addiction among Chinese medical students. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted at Wannan Medical College of China in Wuhu. RESULTS: A total of 2,741 students were surveyed in October 2020. Of 2,741 Chinese medical students who completed the survey, 904 (33%) participants reported to have had subhealth status. Anxiety status (p<0.001), depression status (p<0.001), and smartphone addiction status (p<0.001) have strong association with subhealth status. CONCLUSION: This survey shows that the detection rate of subhealth status in Chinese medical students was 33%. Anxiety, depression, and smartphone addiction students had a higher detection rate of subhealth status. The anxiety, depression, and smartphone addiction of Chinese medical students are associated with subhealth status.

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among Chinese residents under the free vaccination policy.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the attitudes of Chinese residents toward COVID-19 vaccines and explore the potential drivers for Chinese residents' vaccine hesitancy. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from February 16 to March 16, 2021, by administering an online questionnaire to the Chinese residents. RESULTS: Of 5240 residents who completed the survey, 464 (8.9%) participants reported to have had one shot, and 348 (6.6%) reported to have had 2 shots. At the time the questionnaire was administered, 2298 (43.9%) participants reported they wanted to get vaccinated, while 2255 (43.0%) declared that they still did not know, and 687 (13.1%) respondents declared vaccine refusal. Overall, 2255 (43%) participants were categorized as vaccine hesitancy. Female participants (p=0.000), <20 years old (p=0.000), have low risk of COVID-19 (p=0.000) infection and strong associations of vaccine hesitancy. eHealth literacy was a protective factor. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study show high rates of vaccine hesitancy in China. This could pose a serious threat to the preventive measures that aimed at controlling COVID-19 spread in the country. The government and different media platforms should encourage the dissemination of correct information about vaccines, the communities and medical staff to improve residents' knowledge about vaccines, and strive to improve residents' electronic health literacy.

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among Chinese residents under the free vaccination policy

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the attitudes of Chinese residents toward COVID-19 vaccines and explore the potential drivers for Chinese residents' vaccine hesitancy. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from February 16 to March 16, 2021, by administering an online questionnaire to the Chinese residents. RESULTS: Of 5240 residents who completed the survey, 464 (8.9%) participants reported to have had one shot, and 348 (6.6%) reported to have had 2 shots. At the time the questionnaire was administered, 2298 (43.9%) participants reported they wanted to get vaccinated, while 2255 (43.0%) declared that they still did not know, and 687 (13.1%) respondents declared vaccine refusal. Overall, 2255 (43%) participants were categorized as vaccine hesitancy. Female participants (p=0.000), <20 years old (p=0.000), have low risk of COVID-19 (p=0.000) infection and strong associations of vaccine hesitancy. eHealth literacy was a protective factor. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study show high rates of vaccine hesitancy in China. This could pose a serious threat to the preventive measures that aimed at controlling COVID-19 spread in the country. The government and different media platforms should encourage the dissemination of correct information about vaccines, the communities and medical staff to improve residents' knowledge about vaccines, and strive to improve residents' electronic health literacy.

The relationship between low-intensity exercise and psychological distress among college students.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of our study was to confirm the relationship between low-intensity exercise and physical and mental health status among college students in China. METHODS This was a school-based cross-sectional study. The physical and mental health status was measured using a 12-item general health questionnaire(GHQ12) and low-intensity exercise was recorded by a self-reporting questionnaire. RESULTS The results revealed that the score of the GHQ12 was inversely associated with a higher frequency of low-intensity exercise (r=-0.38,p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS Our study suggests that low-intensity exercise may be a proper mean for improving the physical and mental health status of college students. School departments should take measures to push students to take part in physical activity.

The relationship between low-intensity exercise and psychological distress among college students

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE The purpose of our study was to confirm the relationship between low-intensity exercise and physical and mental health status among college students in China. METHODS This was a school-based cross-sectional study. The physical and mental health status was measured using a 12-item general health questionnaire(GHQ12) and low-intensity exercise was recorded by a self-reporting questionnaire. RESULTS The results revealed that the score of the GHQ12 was inversely associated with a higher frequency of low-intensity exercise (r=-0.38,p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS Our study suggests that low-intensity exercise may be a proper mean for improving the physical and mental health status of college students. School departments should take measures to push students to take part in physical activity.

RESUMO OBJETIVO O objetivo do nosso estudo foi confirmar a relação entre o exercício de baixa intensidade e o estado de saúde física e mental entre estudantes universitários na China. MÉTODOS Estudo transversal com base na escola foi realizado neste estudo. O estado de saúde física e mental foi medido recorrendo-se a questionários gerais de saúde (GHQ12); exercícios de baixa intensidade foram coletados por questionários de autorrelato. RESULTADOS Os resultados revelaram que a pontuação do GHQ12 foi inversamente associada com maior frequência de exercícios de baixa intensidade (r=-0,38, p=0,001). CONCLUSÕES Nosso estudo sugeriu que o exercício de baixa intensidade pode ser um meio adequado para melhorar o estado físico e mental dos estudantes universitários. O departamento relacionado à escola deve tomar alguma medida para forçar os alunos a participar da atividade física.

Poor Physical Performance is Associated with Obesity Among University Students in China.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between physical performance and BMI (body mass index) of university students in China. MATERIAL AND METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional study evaluating the physical performance and BMI of university students. BMI was calculated based on height and weight. Overweight and obesity were defined by the Working Group on Obesity references in China. RESULTS A total of 2313 participants (978 males and 1335 females) were recruited in our study. The mean value of the 50-meter dash and standing long jump in male students was higher than in female students (P<0.05). The overall prevalences of overweight (including obesity) and obesity for male students were 17.9% and 4.2%, respectively, and 5.1% and 0.5%, respectively, for female university students. BMI was weakly positively associated with the 50-meter dash score, but was negatively associated with the score for standing long jump and pull-ups. CONCLUSIONS Our study suggested that overweight and obesity are associated with physical performance of university students, especially in male students. University students should exercise more to improve physical health.