Relationship Between the Practice of Physical Activity and Physical Fitness in Physical Education Students: The Integrated Regulation As a Mediating Variable

The effects of kettlebell training versus resistance training using the own body mass on physical fitness and physiological adaptations in obese adults: a randomized controlled trial

AIM OF STUDY

This study aimed to explore the effects of different types of resistance training using kettlebells versus the own body mass, in comparison to a passive control, on key physical fitness and physiological parameters in young, obese adults.

METHODS

Data from 60 sedentary, obese male college students, aged 17-26, were used for final analyses. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: a control group (CG, n = 20, no training), a kettlebell resistance training group (KRTG, n = 20), or a bodyweight resistance training group (BWRTG, n = 20). Selected measures of physical fitness were tested using the 12-minutes run test, the push-up test, the sit-up test, and the sit-and-reach test. Physiological measures included vital capacity, resting and maximum heart rate (HRmax), mean arterial blood pressure, breath holding time, and respiratory rate. Biochemical variables were measured in the morning, in a fasted state, and comprised high and low density lipoprotein, total cholesterol, and triglycerides. The 12-weeks progressive KRTG and BWRTG were specifically tailored using sets, repetitions, and intensity levels.

RESULTS

Notable findings include significant body fat reductions in BWRTG (p < 0.001; d = 1.53) and KRTG (p < 0.001; d = 1.43), and a substantial increase in VO2max for BWRTG (p < 0.001; d = 1.32) and KRTG (p < 0.001; d = 1.34) compared to CG. KRTG also showed significant improvements in vital capacity (p < 0.001; d = 1.61) and reductions in resting heart rate (p = 0.024, d = 1.05) and respiratory rate (p = 0.001, d = 1.55), with BWRTG showing similar trends (resting heart rate: p = 0.041, d = 1.35; respiratory rate: p = 0.001, d = 1.98). Both intervention groups significantly improved breath holding time (KRTG: p = 0.001, d = 1.58; BWRTG: p < 0.001, d = 1.98) and reduced total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein levels compared to CG.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that both KRTG and BWRTG are effective in improving body composition and selected fitness and physiological measures. Thus, resistance training using kettlebells or bodyweight training are recommended if the goal is to improve body composition and fitness in obese male adults.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

OSF, September, 28th 2023. https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/Z6Y9Gosf.io/2mb98.

Physical Activity and Emotional Regulation in Physical Education in Children Aged 12-14 Years and Its Relation with Practice Motives

This study aimed to analyze the different types of emotional regulation in first and second year high school students according to sex and age. Many adolescents do not meet the minimum WHO recommendations, at a critical stage in which habits that will later be maintained are established. For this reason, physical education is an important means to promote these habits and an understanding of the reasons for their participation in physical education. For this purpose, PLOC-2 was used. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to determine the characteristics of the data, the ANOVA test to explore the differences between sexes, and the Spearman test for correlations between the type of regulation and age. The results showed significant differences in several items and emotional regulation by sex and an inverse correlation between age and demotivation. There are differences between the reasons why both sexes perform physical activity, and we have determined that boys have more intrinsic regulation than girls do.

Sex and educational level differences in physical activity and motivations to exercise among Spanish children and adolescents

Children and adolescents worldwide, especially girls, do not meet moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) guidelines, a situation which is related to obesity and other comorbidities. Sex/gender differences in the practice of MVPA and motivations to engage in physical activity have not been previously examined among Spanish students considering different educational levels. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore these differences and analyse if motivations mediate the relationship between educational levels and MVPA in a large sample of students. From different schools in the Madrid region (primary: 11,122; lower secondary: 12,379; upper secondary: 3228) 26,729 students (13,491 boys and 13,238 girls; 9-19 years old) were recruited to participate in this study. The short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and the third version of the Behavioural Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire were used to evaluate, MVPA and motivations to exercise, respectively. Two-way ANCOVA and a mediation analysis were performed. Female students were found to be less active than males (43.4±38.7 and 58.6±45.9 min of MVPA; p < 0.001; η_p² = 0.023) and showed lower intrinsic (η_p² = 0.003), and integrated (η_p² = 0.007) motivations than their male counterparts (p < 0.001). Primary school students were more active than lower and upper secondary students (53.3±44.2, 49.9±42.3 and 48.0±42.8 min of MVPA; p < 0.001; η_p² = 0.002) and also presented higher intrinsic (η_p² = 0.011) and integrated (η_p² = 0.010) motivation than secondary school students (p < 0.001).    Conclusion:   Among Spanish children and adolescents, females showed lower levels of MVPA and intrinsic and integrated motivation across all the educational levels, and among primary school students in comparison to secondary school. This suggests that inner motivation is more determinant of increased engagement in MVPA and thus, there is need to reinforce it before the transition to secondary school and with special focus on females' preferences. What is Known: •Many children and adolescents worldwide, do not meet physical activity (PA) recommendations. • Within the self-determination theory, autonomous motivation seems to be the main responsible of greater PA levels. What is New: •This study shows for the first time sex and educational level differences in PA levels in a representative sample of Spanish students (9-19 yrs). •Autonomous motivation decreased from primary school onwards and was lower in female students than in their male counterparts.

Increasing Physical Activity at School Improves Physical Fitness of Early Adolescents

(1) Introduction: Regular physical activity (PA) is an important part of a healthy lifestyle for children and adolescents. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of an increase in organized PA at school on the physical fitness (PF) of early adolescent boys and girls. (2) Methods: A total of 294 children born in 2007 took part in the study. The sample was divided into two groups: of increased PA at school (n = 140, girls n = 66, boys n = 74) and standard PA (n = 154, girls G n = 70, boys n = 84). Increased and standard PA levels consisted of 10 and 4 h of physical education lessons (PE) per week, respectively. PE consisted of team games and fitness exercises. Three of the Eurofit tests, core strength, long jump, and running speed, were used to measure PF. Tests were conducted in May 2018 and 2019, at an average age of a participant of 11 and 12 years, respectively. Descriptive statistics and cluster analysis were applied for analyzing the results. (3) Results: After one year of observation PF of children was improved in both groups (p < 0.001). However, it was greater in the increased PA group than in the standard one. A higher percentage of very good scores and lower of poor and very poor were noted in the increased PA group than the standard one (20.36% vs. 12.90%, p = 0.003 and 18.58% vs. 24.85%, p = 0.022, respectively). Boys obtained better results than girls (p = 0.003). Children achieved the best results in the shuttle run test, and the worst in the core strength. Children with normal body mass obtained better results than those with excessive ones. (4) Conclusions: Increasing the number of PE at school beneficially affects the fitness performance of early adolescents. To improve the health status of adolescents it is advisable to increase the number of compulsory PE lessons in the school curriculum.

Physical, Psychological, and Body Composition Differences between Active and Sedentary Adolescents According to the "Fat but Fit" Paradigm

The practice of physical activity during adolescence is essential for the proper development of the population. In recent decades, the relevance of physical activity has been increasing, due to the development of the "fat but fit" paradigm. This paradigm shows that adolescents with a high level of physical fitness are healthier than adolescents with poorer physical fitness, regardless of their weight, giving importance to sports practice over other aspects. However, few previous studies have analyzed the differences in physical and body composition between active and sedentary adolescents in this paradigm. For this reason, the objectives of the present study were to establish the differences in body composition, physical performance, and adherence to the Mediterranean diet between active and sedentary adolescents; and to analyze the differences between active and sedentary adolescents according to the "fat but fit" paradigm. The sample consisted of 791 adolescent whose body composition, level of physical activity, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, and physical fitness were measured. It was found significant between active and sedentary adolescents in most of the anthropometric, AMD, and physical fitness variables, with a significant effect of the covariates gender, age, BMI, and biological maturation on the model. The binary logistic regression analysis performed shows that anthropometric variables, AMD, and VO2 max can be considered as primary outcomes to distinguish between active and sedentary groups of adolescents. Furthermore, the results showed that the active adolescents, regardless of their weight status, had lower fat mass and greater muscle mass, as well as a higher performance in the physical fitness tests, and greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet than the sedentary adolescents. To conclude, the practice of physical activity is a determinant for the improvement of body composition, physical performance, and adherence to the Mediterranean diet of the adolescent population, regardless of their gender, age, weight, or maturity status.

Differences in Physical Fitness and Body Composition Between Active and Sedentary Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Previous research analyzing the differences in physical fitness and body composition between active and sedentary adolescents aged 12-16 has not provided conclusive results. For this reason, a systematic review with meta-analysis was conducted to provide an overview of the results obtained to date. The objectives of this systematic review and meta-analysis were to investigate the differences in the physical fitness and body composition of adolescents who engaged in daily physical activity and those who were inactive. A search in PubMed, EBSCO, and Web of Sciences databases was performed. A total of 13,884 articles were reviewed and 11 were included in the meta-analysis. In the physical fitness performance, significantly higher values in cardiorespiratory fitness, hamstring and lower back flexibility, sit-ups and upper limb resistance were found in active compared to the inactive participants. In body composition, the inactive group showed significantly higher values in variables related to body fat, mainly in body fat percentage, fat mass and fat mass index compared to the active group. The results revealed that maintaining an active lifestyle through physical activity is a determining factor in improving the physical fitness and body composition of adolescents aged 12-16 years. The study design of the systematic review was previously registered in PROSPERO with code CRD42021241975. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=241975 .

Potential Predictors of Psychological Wellbeing in Elementary School Students

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to investigate the association of elementary school students' manipulative skill competency, cardiorespiratory fitness, and cognitive function with psychological wellbeing (PWB), as well as whether the association had gender differences.

METHODS

Participants were 291 fourth-grade students (166 boys vs. 125 girls; mean age = 9.770 years old; SD = 0.584) at two elementary schools from the province of Henan in China. The students' soccer skills in manipulative skill competency were assessed using the PE Metric Assessment Rubric, cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed by means of the PACER 15 m test, and cognitive function and PWB were assessed using the d2 test of attention and Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale, respectively. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression models.

RESULTS

The result of linear regression models showed that soccer skills, cardiorespiratory fitness, and cognitive function were collectively associated with PWB for the total sample (F (5, 285) = 3.097, p < 0.01), boys (F (5, 160) = 1.355, p < 0.01), and girls (F (5, 119) = 2.132, p < 0.01). Furthermore, the standardized regression coefficients (β) indicated that cardiorespiratory fitness was the only significant contributor to PWB for the total sample (β = 0.119, t = 2.021, p < 0.05), but not for boys and girls. Soccer skills and cognitive function were not individual significant contributors to PWB for the total sample, boys, and girls.

CONCLUSIONS

Cardiorespiratory fitness was significantly associated with PWB, and there were no gender differences in the relationship of manipulative skill competency, cardiorespiratory fitness, and cognitive function with PWB in elementary school students. This study provides empirical evidence that improving cardiorespiratory fitness is an important intervention strategy to promote elementary school students' PWB.