Demographic characteristics and type/frequency of physical activity participation in a large sample of 21,603 Australian people

The association between marijuana and e-cigarette use and exercise behavior among adults

Background

As the prevalence of marijuana and e-cigarette use among American adults rises and the perceived risk decreases, more information is needed on the potential costs and benefits of marijuana and e-cigarette use, including patterns of exercise. Prior studies have found mixed results, lacked data on types of exercise, and involved only adolescents and young adults. Thus, the current study explored whether marijuana and e-cigarette use are associated with strength training, walking for exercise, or general physical activity among adults in the United States.

Method

2,591 adults from Wave V of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (2016-2018) comprised the sample. Separate one-way analyses of variance (ANOVAs) and post hoc tests examined whether participants' marijuana and e-cigarette use predicted their exercise, while follow-up analyses of covariance (ANCOVAs) probed significant effects.

Results

Results indicated that participants' marijuana and e-cigarette use predicted their walking for exercise, with marijuana users walking the highest number of times per week, followed by non-users, e-cigarette users, and dual users. However, this effect only approached significance after controlling for covariates. There were no significant differences in strength training or general exercise between groups.

Conclusion

These findings challenge the stereotype that marijuana and e-cigarette users are less active than non-users, and future research should examine the potential mechanisms of these findings.

Using sport-based interventions for people with severe mental disorders: results from the European EASMH study

People with severe mental disorders report significantly poorer physical health and a higher mortality rate compared with the general population. Several interventions have been proposed in order to challenge this mortality gap, the promotion of physical activities represents one of the most important strategies. In fact, in people with severe mental disorders, physical activity can improve body composition, quality of life, personal functioning, self-esteem, cognition, and cardiorespiratory fitness, as well as reducing affective, psychotic and anxiety symptoms, cardiometabolic burden and increase the global recovery. While sport-based programs are consistently being proposed as an integral part of effective personalized treatment approaches for people with severe mental disorders, their routine implementation is hampered by poor working task integration among different professionals and the lack of training programmes for sport professionals focused on people with severe mental disorders. In this paper, we will: (a) review the efficacy of exercise/sport-based interventions for people with severe mental disorders; (b) describe the main difficulties in engaging patients with severe mental disorders in these interventions; and (c) report the results of the first study on the best practices available in Europe in the field of sport and mental health carried out in the context of the European Alliance for Sport and Mental Health (EASMH) project. According to the EASMH survey, sport-based psychosocial interventions are not frequently available in mental health services, with significant differences at the European level. In the near future, it would be advisable to promote the integration and collaboration between mental health professionals and sport professionals, in order to improve the dissemination and availability of sport-based interventions in routine clinical practice. The EASMH project aims to fill this gap by creating a network of collaborators, researchers and stakeholders with different backgrounds in order to improve the dissemination of sport-based rehabilitation interventions and by developing an innovative training programme for sport coaches in order to improve their skills in interacting and building an effective relationship with people with severe mental disorders.

Stuck between medals and participation: an institutional theory perspective on why sport federations struggle to reach Sport-for-All goals

BACKGROUND

Sport-for-All emphasizes that every individual has the right to participate in sport. Despite all efforts to deliver Sport-for-All during the past decades, studies indicate that sport participation rates have been stagnating, whereas social inequalities in sport continue to exist. By applying an institutional theory lens, this study sheds light on how the dual mission of sport federations, i.e., providing Sport-for-All and high performance sport, affects the Sport-for-All projects of Flemish sport federations (e.g., amount of projects and target groups). In particular, Sport-for-All projects have to reduce barriers to engage in the sport system and be supported by a sport federation. Furthermore, this study seeks to better understand the impact of the underlying institutional logic on the institutional pressure and legitimacy of the sport federations.

METHOD

This study implemented a cross-sectional field study in sport federations. In particular, the sport federations selected for our study are the 47 Flemish sport federations. Both qualitative (i.e., document analysis) and quantitative research methods (i.e., a new questionnaire was developed based on institutional theory) were applied in the study.

RESULTS

Results indicated that sport federations are important partners in support of Sport-for-All projects, but also suggested that there is a discrepancy between the projects of the high performance-oriented and the Sport-for-All-oriented federations. Specifically, the high performance-oriented federations were targeting youth participants, whereas Sport-for-all-oriented federations aimed to reach disadvantaged groups. Furthermore, the results indicated that high performance-oriented federations endured more institutional pressure than Sport-for-All-oriented federations.

CONCLUSION

The results of our study indicated that the Sport-for-All projects of performance-oriented federations are often more superficial compared to Sport-for-All oriented federations, and that the latter federations play an important role in attaining public health targets. Moreover, policymakers should consider how they can optimize the role of the performance-oriented federations in the Sport-for-All delivery (e.g., they could function as a bridge to guide participants who prefer a less competitive setting towards Sport-for-All oriented federations).

The impact of COVID-19 restrictions on perceived health and wellbeing of adult Australian sport and physical activity participants

Individuals’ access to sport and physical activity has been hampered due to COVID-19 lockdown restrictions. In Australia participation in community sport was cancelled during lockdowns. There is limited research on the impact of sport participation restrictions on the health and wellbeing of adults.

Aim

The aim of this study was to investigate the perceived health and wellbeing of a sample of predominantly active Australian adults, both during COVID-19 and in comparison with one year earlier (pre COVID-19).

Methods

A survey was conducted during the first COVID-19 restrictions and lockdowns in Australia in May–June 2020. It was distributed by national and state sporting organisations and through researchers’ social media accounts. This particular paper focuses on adults aged 18–59 years. The survey collected information on participant demographics, the sport and physical activity patterns pre- COVID-19, and health and wellbeing outcomes during COVID-19 lockdown and compared to one year earlier. The health measures were cross-tabulated against the demographic and sport and physical activity variables, and group profiles compared with chi-square tests. Scales were derived from three wellbeing questions, and group differences were analysed by t-tests and F-tests.

Results

The survey sample included 1279 men and 868 women aged 18–59 years. Most (67%) resided in metropolitan cities. The great majority (83%) were sport participants. During COVID-19 lockdown men were significantly more likely than women to report worse or much worse general (p = 0.014), physical (p = 0.015) and mental health (p = 0.038) and lower life satisfaction (p = 0.016). The inactive adults were significantly more likely to report poorer general health (p = 0.001) and physical health (p = 0.001) compared to active adults. The younger age cohort (18–29 years) were significantly more likely to report poorer general wellbeing (p < 0.001), and lower life satisfaction (p < 0.001) compared to the older age groups.

Conclusion

It seems that the absence of playing competitive sport and training with friends, teams and within clubs has severely impacted males and younger adults in particular. Sports clubs provide an important setting for individuals’ health and wellbeing which is why clubs require the capacity to deliver sport and individuals may need to regain the motivation to return.

The Complex Interplay Between Physical Activity and Recovery Styles in Patients With Severe Mental Disorders in a Real-World Multicentric Study

Compared with the general population, people with severe mental disorders have significantly worse physical health and a higher mortality rate, which is partially due to the adoption of unhealthy lifestyle behaviors, such as heavy smoking, use of alcohol or illicit drugs, unbalanced diet, and physical inactivity. These unhealthy behaviors may also play a significant role in the personal and functional recovery of patients with severe mental disorders, although this relationship has been rarely investigated in methodologically robust studies. In this paper, we aim to: a) describe the levels of physical activity and recovery style in a sample of patients with severe mental disorders; b) identify the clinical, social, and illness-related factors that predict the likelihood of patients performing physical activity. The global sample consists of 401 patients, with a main psychiatric diagnosis of bipolar disorder (43.4%, N = 174), psychosis spectrum disorder (29.7%; N = 119), or major depression (26.9%; N = 118). 29.4% (N = 119) of patients reported performing physical activity regularly, most frequently walking (52.1%, N = 62), going to the gym (21.8%, N = 26), and running (10.9%, N = 13). Only 15 patients (3.7%) performed at least 75 min of vigorous physical activity per week. 46.8% of patients adopted sealing over as a recovery style and 37.9% used a mixed style toward integration. Recovery style is influenced by gender (p < 0.05) and age (p < 0.05). The probability to practice regular physical activity is higher in patients with metabolic syndrome (Odds Ratio - OR: 2.1; Confidence Interval - CI 95%: 1.2-3.5; p < 0.050), and significantly lower in those with higher levels of anxiety/depressive symptoms (OR: 0.877; CI 95%: 0.771-0.998; p < 0.01). Globally, patients with severe mental disorders report low levels of physical activities, which are associated with poor recovery styles. Psychoeducational interventions aimed at increasing patients' motivation to adopt healthy lifestyle behaviors and modifying recovery styles may improve the physical health of people with severe mental disorders thus reducing the mortality rates.

A case-control study on physical activity preferences, motives, and barriers in patients with psychiatric conditions

BACKGROUND

Physical activity in individuals diagnosed with psychiatric conditions (patients) has antidepressant and anxiolytic effects, but levels of physical activity are still low in this population. This study aimed to identify physical activity preferences, motives, and perceived barriers in patients compared to individuals without a diagnosed psychiatric condition (controls).

METHODS

A total of 230 patients (age = 39.5 ± 14.0 years, 80% female) with major depression (34%), anxiety disorders (38%), or post-traumatic stress disorder (28%) completed a cross-sectional online survey to assess preferences, motives, and perceived barriers to physical activity (measured by the EMI-2). This group consisted of 100 patients with a clinical diagnosis (clinical subset) and 130 with self-reported psychiatric conditions (confirmed by the PHQ-4) from online help forums (online subset). Comparisons between patients of the clinical and the online subsets were performed and are referenced whenever significant. The patients group was compared to a healthy control group matched by sex and age (n = 230, age = 39.4 ± 14.9 years, 80% female).

RESULTS

More patients reported insufficient physical activity levels and more daily sitting hours (measured by the IPAQ) compared to controls. Patients reported lower preference in more ambitious types of physical activity, such as hiking, cycling, and running. The commonly most preferred type of physical activity in both groups was walking and yoga. Patients had fewer motives and more perceived barriers to physical activity in comparison to the control group. Some differences in motives and perceived barriers to physical activity were also found between patients of the clinical and the online subset.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings of low physical activity levels in patients are consistent with the literature. Due to the patients' lack of motivation and perception of barriers, health care providers should consider offering different and individualized forms of physical activity. Easier types of physical activity, such as walking and yoga, appear to be the most feasible and provide a good starting point to overcome perceived barriers to physical activity.

School environment and physical activity in adolescents from São Paulo city

We examined the association of physical activity (PA) facilities and access to school with total PA and domain-specific PA in adolescents. We enrolled 2610 adolescents (mean: 14.9 years) from Sao Paulo city. The number and presence of sports courts, swimming pools, locker rooms, running/athletics tracks, entrance accessible for student cyclists, bike racks, speed limit signal around the school, and pedestrian crossing were assessed in each school. All participants responded to a questionnaire about frequency and duration of physical education classes, leisure time, and active commuting. Total PA was obtained by adding up all PA domains. Presence of three or more (OR: 1.62; 95% CI: 1.15 to 2.30) sports courts, swimming pool available in usable conditions (OR: 1.45; 95% CI: 1.01 to 2.10), running/athletics tracks (OR: 2.35; 95% CI: 1.07 to 5.18), and bike racks (OR: 1.38; 95% CI: 1.07 to 1.78) were positively associated with total PA. Number of sports courts, swimming pool available in usable conditions, speed limit signals around the school, and pedestrian crossings were positively associated with physical education classes. The bike racks, speed limit signs around the school, and pedestrian crossings were positively associated with active commuting. School environment was associated with increased PA. Our findings should be considered in future epidemiologic studies and for educational and health policy makers.

A Critical Review on New Approaches for Chronic Disease Prevention in Brazil and Canada: From Wholistic Dietary Guidelines to Physical Activity Security

In light of new evidence on the prevention of chronic diseases and the elevated rates of overweight and obesity in Brazil and Canada, this critical review aims to interpret and synthesize current aspects regarding dietary and physical activity initiatives in both countries and make future recommendations. The pioneering work presented in the last Brazilian dietary guidelines has been called a model that can be applied globally, given its conceptualization of healthy eating that translates easily to practical guidance. The new Canadian Food Guide has incorporated similar aspects, also putting the country as a leader in dietary guidance. With these new recommendations, citizens in both Brazil and Canada have access to impactful evidence-informed nutritional guidelines. Both documents propose eating patterns that focus not only on health benefits, such as chronic disease prevention, but also incorporate well-being concerning cultural, economic, sociodemographic, biological, and ecological dimensions. A similar approach is required for physical activity to allow individuals to have attainable health and life goals and thereby fully enjoy their lives, regardless of geographical location, health status, and socioeconomic condition, a concept recently described as physical activity security. The wholistic dietary guidelines from both countries represent a change in paradigm in public health. Likewise, national evidence-based policies are warranted to reduce disparities in physical activity, allowing healthier and more active lifestyles for everyone.

The Physical Activity and Sport Participation Framework-A Policy Model Toward Being Physically Active Across the Lifespan

The changing social and policy context in which sport is produced, delivered, and consumed is considered as a foundation for proposing a new integrated framework that incorporates participation in sport with participation in leisure-time physical activity (PA) more broadly. In order to position sport in the broader context of leisure-time PA, the concept of physical literacy is reviewed and integrated into the theoretical foundations of a new lifespan framework. It is argued that historically, sport policy largely focused on competitive club-based sport and elite performance and that in line with this, talent development pathway models were developed and implemented. However, with increasing physical inactivity globally, these models do not apply to the general population. This is why we propose a population-based "whole of sport ecosystem" lifespan model-the Physical Activity and Sport Participation (PASP) framework. We conclude that this framework may serve as a holistic policy and implementation guide for all in the sport ecosystem. This includes governmental PA and sport policy makers, sport governing bodies and clubs, and the ever-increasing range of private PA and sport providers and also health agencies. In recognition of the changing patterns of participation in PA and sport across the lifespan, the PASP framework can contribute to coordinated and integrated PA and sport policy development, which, in turn, can lead to strategies that tackle the global physical inactivity crisis.

Understanding of Physical Activity in Social Ecological Perspective: Application of Multilevel Model

In the social ecological model, personal characteristics are important determinants of health behaviors, however, multi-dimensional approaches that consider social and physical environments must be utilized to gain a broader picture. Accordingly, this study examines the effects of personal, social, and physical environment variables as factors affecting levels of physical activity (METs). Our findings are based on 72,916 responses from the 2015 Community Health Survey in South Korea. Individual characteristics considered included sex, education level, marital status, age, and income. The social environment variables considered were trust between neighbors and the social network with neighbors. The physical environment variables were satisfaction with living environment and satisfaction with public transportation. The analysis was conducted using a multilevel model in order to accurately consider the characteristic differences of the variables. Regarding personal characteristics, sex, education level, and age have a significant effect on physical activity. Of the social and physical environment variables, social network with neighbors and satisfaction with public transportation have a significant effect on physical activity. This study confirms that a macroscopic understanding is needed to explain individual levels of physical activity; the results of this study will be helpful for public health interventions concerning physical activity.

Sport participation settings: where and 'how' do Australians play sport?

Background

Leisure-time physical activity and sport participation trends are often reported, both in aggregate and by specific activity. Recently there has been a rise in overall leisure-time physical activity, but little change in the prevalence of organised sport. It is important that the development of sport policy, infrastructure and strategic developments meet the changing landscape of participation. However, there has been relatively little research into the settings in which people participate. The aim of this study is to investigate the settings of participation of children and adults in 12 major Australian sports.

Methods

This study utilised data about participation in sport and recreational physical activity collected in the AusPlay survey from a representative sample of adults and children in the Australian state of Victoria. For each type of physical activity, the settings of participation are identified. Respondents can report participation in a particular activity in more than one setting. Therefore we use the term “instance of participation” to refer to a person playing a particular sport in a particular setting. Participation and settings across 12 major sports were investigated for children and adults.

Results

For children, the most popular sport was swimming with a weighted estimate of 323,565 (30.3%) instances of participation in the Victorian population, followed by Australian football (n = 180,459; 16.9%), and basketball (n = 137,169; 12.9%). For adults the most popular sports were swimming (n = 703,950; 30.9%) followed by golf (n = 274,729; 12.1%), and tennis (n = 260,814; 11.4%). There were considerable differences between the profiles of settings of participation for the 12 sports. Across the 12 sports, the majority of participation by children took place within a sports club or association setting, representing 63% of all instances of sport participation. For adults, sports clubs and associations was also the most popular setting, but it represented only 37% of instances of participation.

Conclusions

Traditionally, community clubs and inter-club competitions provided the main setting for sport participation, but this is no longer the case, particularly for adults. If the community sport sector is to continue to flourish, it must consider new strategies and participation options more attractive to other segments of its potential market.