A Person-Centered Perspective on Physical Activity-Related Barriers Perceived by Male Fluctuators 50 Plus: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Men aged 50 or older (50 plus) represent a hard-to-reach target group for health-enhancing physical activity (PA) interventions. However, a considerable percentage of men 50 plus do not entirely fail to achieve the PA milestones set by the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. They show fluctuating PA behavior, influenced by various barriers hindering or preventing regular PA participation. As "one-size-fits-all" behavioral change interventions are only partially effective in specific subgroups, it is essential to tailor PA promotion measures to the particular needs of male fluctuators 50 plus. The standardized questionnaire included validated instruments measuring participants' current stage of behavioral change, their perceived barriers to PA, questions on selected psychosocial correlates of PA, and sociodemographic variables. Out of 1,013 participants, 133 men (13.1%) classified themselves as fluctuators. Using a person-centered approach, we formed groups with similar intra-individual relevant barrier profiles using hierarchical cluster analysis (Ward method) followed by k-means clustering. We identified four clusters. Cluster 1 (n = 31) involves men predominantly perceiving physical constraints. Cluster 2 (n = 33) represents men lacking self-motivation and struggling with their weaker selves. Men in Cluster 3 (n = 51) primarily indicate professional and private obligations that prevent them from being physically active. Finally, men in Cluster 4 (n = 18) miss appropriate sports courses that meet their individual needs. Our findings support identifying individually tailored strategies designed to promote regular PA in male fluctuators 50 plus. Further research is required to determine the effectiveness of this approach in improving adherence to PA guidelines and corresponding health-enhancing effects for men 50 plus.

[Changes in Children's Physical Fitness during Corona-Related Restrictions in Spring/Summer 2020]. / Entwicklung der körperlichen Leistungsfähigkeit bei Kindern während der coronabedingten Einschränkungen im Frühjahr/Sommer 2020.

AIM OF THE STUDY: Due to the increasing spread of the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and the accompanying containment measures, physical activity opportunities for children in the context of school and sport clubs were severely restricted in the spring/summer of 2020. The present study focuses on changes in children's physical fitness during this period. METHODS: We conducted an almost full census of 131 primary school children in the 2nd grade in Bad Dürkheim, assessing their physical fitness immediately before the school closures on 16 March 2020 and after the end of the summer holidays (end of August) in Rhine-land-Palatinate, Germany. The standardised German motor skills test with nationally representative, gender- and age-specific reference values was used. For evaluation, we used repeated measures analysis of variance to detect significant changes in physical fitness within the observation period. RESULTS: We took into account changes to be expected due to pandemics containment measures, and found a significant increase in physical fitness and BMI for the total sample during the observation period. Only in the dimensions of speed and endurance did the children show less development than would have been expected for their age. The proportion of overweight children increased from 17.7 to 23.8%. CONCLUSION: The results show that the frequently formulated fear that the Corona-related restrictions in spring/summer 2020 could have negative effects on children's physical development is not completely justified. However, in the view of the authors, the developments in BMI and endurance diagnosed in the short observation period should definitely be understood as a warning signal in the case of further restricted physical activity offers due to school closures, suspended sport clubs and especially wintry weather conditions.

Factors influencing the effectiveness of a Cooperative Planning approach in the school setting.

The purpose of the Health.edu project was to develop, implement and evaluate effective and feasible measures addressing students' health-related knowledge and understanding (HKU) in physical education (PE) with a specific focus on a co-creation approach (Cooperative Planning). The general procedure was identical in the four intervention schools involved; however, effectiveness (i.e. an increase in HKU) differed. Therefore, the present study investigated how different contextual factors supported or hindered the Cooperative Planning approach (evaluation of program implementation). To consider different perspectives in the analysis, we used data triangulation. On the one hand, written protocols (N = 19) document relevant statements and decisions in each planning group meeting (scientific perspective). On the other hand, we captured the participating PE teachers' (N = 8) individual attitudes after the Cooperative Planning process through semi-structured interviews (teachers' perspective). Data were analysed via qualitative content analysis. We identified three relevant factors with influence on the Cooperative Planning approach. First, the Cooperative Planning intervention worked if teachers saw a benefit in providing evidence-based knowledge, reflected their teaching practices and made an effort to implement new teaching strategies. Second, it was beneficial to have students represented as partners in the decision-making process. Third, support from the principal appeared to be helpful but not mandatory for implementing progressive pedagogical concepts. Continuous monitoring and reflection on those factors by the leading project team might help facilitate subsequent interventions using Cooperative Planning.

[The Person Who Plays Handball Needs the Ball, the Contact and the Community - Changes in Sport Club Activities Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and its Significance for Sports Clubs]. / "Der Mensch, der Handball spielt, braucht den Ball, den Kontakt und die Gemeinschaft" ­ Veränderungen im Sportangebot durch die COVID-19 Pandemie und deren Bedeutung für Sportvereine.

AIM: Sports clubs play an important role in the promotion of physical activity and health in Germany. Against the background of restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the present study explores the changes in sport activities and their significance for sports clubs. METHODS: We conducted 15 expert interviews with representatives of Bavarian sports clubs. The data were transcribed and evaluated inductively by means of thematic analysis. RESULTS: The clubs developed extensive activities to provide members with opportunities for sport and exercise even under the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic. In general, the club members were understanding and positive towards the changes in the clubs. The participation in the newly created digital offers by the members seemed to differ from those in real courses. Nevertheless, the interviewees were skeptical about the long-term potential of digital sports offerings. Participants could miss the personal contact, the collective experience and team spirit when meeting only virtually. CONCLUSIONS: The efforts of the sports clubs to provide regular opportunities for sport and exercise during the COVID-19-pandemic underlines their importance for prevention and health promotion. From a public health perspective, changes in the offered activities may outlast the pandemic. However, further research is necessary.

Effects of a Participatory School-Based Intervention on Students' Health-Related Knowledge and Understanding.

Introduction: The development of knowledge and understanding in relation to movement and health is a basic requirement to facilitate lifelong engagement in physical activity with its accompanying possible health benefits. To train teachers in applying adequate strategies, implementation studies have often shown little acceptance of traditional top-down approaches. Thus, the purpose of the Health.edu project was to develop, implement and evaluate effective and feasible measures addressing students' health-related knowledge and understanding (HKU) in physical education (PE) via a participatory approach. Materials and Methods: For evaluation, a controlled pre-post-test study with 233 students from eight different secondary schools in Germany was carried out. Four schools (with two PE teachers at each school) comprised the intervention group and they participated in a 1-year participatory planning process to conceptualize and implement evidence-based PE lessons addressing students' HKU. Control schools carried out their regular PE lessons. Evaluation followed a mixed-methods research design, assessing program implementation via written documentary technique as well as program effectiveness using a standardized questionnaire. Results: Results show a significant intervention effect on students' HKU with a medium effect size. However, due to the participatory process, there were considerable differences between the intervention schools that were involved. Student's HKU improved most in schools where program implementation corresponded to relevant principles of fostering HKU. Discussion: The present study purposefully dispensed with any structured intervention programs for PE teachers to follow. The results show the potential effects of this participatory approach to strengthen student's HKU. However, the participatory planning does not always work in the intended manner, emphasizing that numerous contextual factors influence the implementation process.

Capacity Building in Community Stakeholder Groups for Increasing Physical Activity: Results of a Qualitative Study in Two German Communities.

Community capacity building is an essential approach for health promotion, combining a participatory approach with the view to community ownership. Little research focuses on practical capacity building strategies and monitoring. Our paper looks into involving stakeholders in facilitated group discussions as a specific strategy for fostering capacity building processes. These processes focused on physical activity (PA) promotion in two German communities (ACTION4men). Along the dimensions of capacity building suggested in literature (e.g., problem solving, resource mobilization, leadership), we implemented two participatory stakeholder groups (1/community). These groups were motivated to develop and implement PA interventions for men >50 years. For measuring capacity building processes, a semi-standardized monitoring instrument was used to document all group meetings. Additionally, we conducted semi-standardized interviews with group participants and drop-outs to capture their perspectives on capacity building. All documents were analyzed using thematic analysis. We successfully established stakeholder groups that planned and implemented a range of local measures meant to increase PA among older men. In one community, the process was sustainable, whereby the group continued to meet regularly over years. Capacity building was successful to a certain degree (e.g., regarding participation, problem assessment, and resource mobilization), but stalled after first meetings. Capacity building processes differed between the two communities in terms of leadership and sustainability. The developed interventions mainly addressed the access to organized sport courses, rather than tackling walkability or active transport. The theoretical capacity building approach was successful to develop and implement programs aimed at promoting PA. The actual capacity building processes depend upon the composition of stakeholder groups and inherent power relations.

ACTION for Men: Study Protocol of a Community Capacity Building Intervention to Develop and Implement Gender-Sensitive Physical Activity Programs for Men 50 Plus.

Introduction: Capacity building for health promotion is a relevant precondition for sustainable, health-related changes in community settings. So far, there are few evidence-based recommendations about how to implement and evaluate community capacity building approaches. ACTION for men (A4M) is a project designed to build and evaluate capacities for health promotion in three rural communities in Bavaria, Germany, via a participatory approach including multiple community stakeholders. The project specifically aims at improving physical activity (PA) in men over 50 years of age (50 plus). Methods and Analysis: As a strategy to build the communities' capacities, we set up stakeholder groups in so far two communities. Those stakeholder groups will be facilitated over a period of 1-3 years. In regular meetings, the group members will be motivated to actively participate in planning and implementing PA programs for men 50 plus. The facilitation will systematically address key domains of community capacity (e.g., critical awareness, problem assessment, resource mobilization). The evaluation of the capacity building processes will be carried out using a mixed-methods design. Evaluation instruments consist of structured documentations and face-to-face interviews with stakeholder group participants (and drop-outs) as well as a pre-post-test using a standardized questionnaire in order to detect activity-related changes in men 50 plus from the involved communities. In community three, we will conduct the same procedure with a delay of 6 months. Discussion: Building community capacity for health promotion programs is the primary aim in A4M, and thus differs from previous research in which capacity is mostly a means to an end or an "incidental" result of a health promotion program. Therefore, A4M is expected to deliver important findings about how to implement and evaluate capacity building processes for health promotion, as well as how to address physical activity in community settings.