Nature relatedness, flow experience, and environmental behaviors in nature-based leisure activities.

Introduction: Through nature-based leisure activities, spending time in nature offers opportunities to reduce stress, relax the mind, and enhance feelings of well-being. Being aware of the benefits provided by these activities increases the nature relatedness, and during the time spent in nature, it enables experiencing positive and satisfying moments by entering into a state of flow. The concepts of nature-relatedness and flow experience represent psychological experiences and characteristics that play an important role in enhancing psychological well-being and life quality. Methods: Based on structural equation models, the relationships among nature-relatedness, flow experience, and environmental behaviors were investigated. Data were collected from 379 individuals (212 male, 167 female) who regularly engage in nature-based leisure activities such as cycling, hiking, and fishing. The participants were predominantly male (55.9%) and aged 45 years and over (53.3%). Results: The nature-relatedness significantly influences flow experience (R 2 = 0.505, p < 0.01), environmental behavior (R 2 = 0.108, p < 0.01), environmental sensitivity (R 2 = 0.137, p < 0.01), and communication with nature (R 2 = 0.200, p < 0.01). Specifically, nature-relatedness directly enhanced environmental sensitivity (0.494 total effect), environmental behavior (0.604 total effect), and communication with nature (0.599 total effect) and did so both directly and indirectly through the mediation of flow experience. Discussion: A higher level of nature-relatedness can lead to a stronger flow experience, which in turn can increase positive. environmental behavior, environmental sensitivity, and communication with nature.

Effects of 8-week alkaline diet and aerobic exercise on body composition, aerobic performance, and lipid profiles in sedentary women.

Background: Diet composition can affect systemic pH and acid-base regulation, which may in turn influence exercise performance. Purpose: It was aimed to determine the effects of the alkaline diet and 8 weeks of aerobic exercises on body composition, aerobic performance, and blood lipid profiles in sedentary women. Methods: Thirty-two sedentary women participated in the study voluntarily. The research was designed with a true-experimental design and the participants were divided into four different groups as the control group, aerobic exercise group, alkaline diet group, and alkaline diet + aerobic exercise group. The body compositions, aerobic exercise performances, and lipid profiles of sedentary women were measured as pre-test and post-test. In the analysis of the obtained data, One-Way ANOVA with Bonferroni post hoc test was used. Results: It was observed that the alkaline diet consumed with 8 weeks of aerobic exercises caused a 5.17% decrease in BMI and an increase of 42.07 and 37.62% in VO2max and aerobic test durations, respectively (p < 0.05). In addition, when lipid profiles were examined, it was determined that there was no statistically significant difference in HDL-C levels (p > 0.05). Despite that, there were statistically significant differences in TG and LDL-C levels (p < 0.05). According to this result, it was determined that there was a decrease in TG and LDL-C levels by 37.61 and 20.24%, respectively. Conclusion: An alkaline diet consumed with 8 weeks of aerobic exercises in sedentary women has positive effects on improving body composition, aerobic exercise performances, and TG and LDL-C levels.

The relationship between physical activity attitude and life satisfaction: A sample of university students in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity is very important for a healthy life in the human existence, and regular physical activity and high attitudes towards physical activity can contribute to higher levels of life satisfaction of individuals. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between university students' attitudes towards physical activity and their life satisfaction levels. METHODS: In the study, the Cognitive Behavioral Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to measure the participants' attitudes towards physical activity. In order to measure the participants' life satisfaction levels, The Satisfaction with Life Scale was used. Descriptive statistics, independent sample t-test, one-way ANOVA, pearson correlation analysis, and regression analysis were used in the analysis of the obtained data. RESULTS: According to gender, it was determined that there was a statistically significant difference both in the result expectation and self-regulation sub-dimensions of physical activity attitude and the total score of physical activity attitude. When the correlation analysis results were analyzed, the statistically significant positive relationship between life satisfaction and outcome expectation, self-regulation sub-dimensions of physical activity attitude, and the total score of physical activity attitude was determined. Also, it was found that the attitude towards physical activity explained approximately 6%of life satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: It was determined that as the attitudes of the participants towards physical activity increased, their life satisfaction increased.

The investigation of sportsmanship behaviors of university students / La investigación de los comportamientos deportivos de los estudiantes universitarios / A investigação do comportamento esportivo de estudantes universitários

The aim of the present study was to examine the effective facors on sportsmanship behaviors of university students. With this purpose, students' attitudes for rules, injurious acts, opponent game perspective and sportsmanship behaviors were examined, and the effects of these factors were modeled via structural equation modeling. To measure the effective factors on students sportsmanship behaviors, a likert scale type questionnaire, ranging from 1 'strongly disagree' to 5 'strongly agree' was applied on a face-to-face basis. The sportsmanship questionnaire about sportsmanship was composed of 45 questions. In the statistical analysis obtained data, SPSS and LISREL software were used. The results of the analyses indicate that while "game perspective" is the most effective factor on students' sportsmanship behavior, the factors; "opponent", "rules", and "injurious acts" are also statistically significant

El objetivo del presente estudio fue examinar los factores efectivos sobre el comportamiento deportivo de los estudiantes universitarios. Con este propósito, se examinaron las actitudes de los estudiantes respecto a las reglas, los actos perjudiciales, la perspectiva del juego del oponente y los comportamientos de deportividad, y los efectos de estos factores se modelaron mediante el modelado de ecuaciones estructurales. Para medir los factores efectivos en los comportamientos de deportividad de los estudiantes, se aplicó un cuestionario tipo escala tipo Likert, que varía de 1 "totalmente en desacuerdo" a 5 "totalmente de acuerdo" en persona. El cuestionario de deportividad sobre deportividad estaba compuesto por 45 preguntas. En el análisis estadístico de los datos obtenidos, se utilizaron el software SPSS y LISREL. Los resultados de los análisis indican que si bien la "perspectiva del juego" es el factor más efectivo en el comportamiento deportivo de los estudiantes, los factores; "Oponente", "reglas" y "actos nocivos" también son estadísticamente significativos

O objetivo do presente estudo foi examinar os fatores efetivos no comportamento esportivo de universitários. Para tanto, foram examinadas as atitudes dos alunos em relação a regras, atos prejudiciais, a perspectiva de jogo do adversário e o comportamento esportivo, e os efeitos desses fatores foram modelados através da modelagem de equações estruturais. Para medir os fatores efetivos no comportamento esportivo dos alunos, foi aplicado um questionário da escala do tipo Likert, que varia de 1 "discordo totalmente" a 5 "concordo totalmente" pessoalmente. O questionário de espírito esportivo foi composto por 45 perguntas. Na análise estatística dos dados obtidos, foram utilizados os softwares SPSS e LISREL. Os resultados das análises indicam que, embora a "perspectiva do jogo" seja o fator mais eficaz no comportamento esportivo dos estudantes, os fatores; "Oponente", "regras" e "atos prejudiciais" também são estatisticamente significativos

Monitoring of pre-competition dehydration- induced skeletal muscle damage and inflammation levels among elite wrestlers.

BACKGROUND: Weight loss practice before competitions is a common method in weight sports. OBJECTIVE: The current study aimed to monitor Plasma Osmolarity (POsm), skeletal muscle damage and inflammation levels induced by pre-competition dehydration among elite wrestlers. METHODS: Twenty-four male elite wrestlers participated in the study. A survey information form that assessed pre-competition weight loss practices were administered to the wrestlers. Additionally, Total Creatine Kinase (CK), Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH), Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), C-reactive Protein (C-RP) and POsm, analyses were evaluated by a specialist at the biochemical laboratory. POsm level for euhydration is ⩽ 290 mOsm/L. But if POsm level is > 290, then dehydration occurs. The wrestlers were divided into two groups according to POsm levels as weight loss and non-weight loss group. RESULTS: There were differences in the pre and post-test POsm levels of weight loss group. Similarly; it was identified that there were also statistically significant differences in terms of ALT, LDH and CK levels of weight loss group between pre and post-test. CONCLUSIONS: It was seen that POsm and levels of all indicators of skeletal muscle damage were higher than non-weight loss group. However, it was found that there were not any differences in terms of C-RP levels.

Effects of bilateral or unilateral lower body resistance exercises on markers of skeletal muscle damage.

BACKGROUND: It is known that different intensity exercises create skeletal muscle damage at different levels. The purpose of the study was to compare effects of bilateral or unilateral lower body resistance exercise on markers of skeletal muscle damage. METHODS: The Brzycki Formula was used to calculate participants' one repetition maximum strength for each movement and limb, separately. Blood samples were obtained before exercise, immediately after exercise, and 30 min after exercise for both types of exercise. Creatine Kinase (CK), Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH), Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), and Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) levels were analyzed. Data was analyzed using two-way repeated measures ANOVA. RESULTS: When CK, AST, and ALT levels were compared according to time points, a statistical difference was found (p < 0.05). Furthermore, it was revealed that LDH levels were statistically significant according to exercise types (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Unilateral lower body resistance exercise caused higher skeletal muscle damage than the bilateral lower body resistance exercise. This result suggests that unilateral lower body resistance exercise should be preferred for short preparation period as opposed to bilateral lower body resistance exercise.