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Healthcare
Special Issues
Promoting Health and Well-Being Through Lifestyle and Physical Activity
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Promoting Health and Well-Being Through Lifestyle and Physical Activity

A special issue of Healthcare (ISSN 2227-9032). This special issue belongs to the section "Public Health and Preventive Medicine".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 July 2026 | Viewed by 4852

Editors

Dr. Olga Kouli

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Democritus University of Thrace, 69100 Komotini, Greece
Interests: health promotion; physical activity and health lifestyle; pedagogy; physical education; crosscultural education; multicultural classes environment; preschool education; preschool children
Dr. Ioannis Trigonis

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor Assistant
Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Democritus University of Thrace, 69100 Komotini, Greece
Interests: health promotion; corporate fitness; wellbeing and life satisfaction; wellness programs; leisure and sport activities; physical activity; quality of life

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue, titled "Promoting Health and Well-Being Through Lifestyle and Physical Activity", aims to advance scientific understanding of how physical activity and healthy lifestyle behaviors contribute to health and well-being across all stages of life. It seeks to provide a platform for original research that explores the determinants, consequences, and benefits of an active lifestyle, thereby addressing the widespread problem of physical inactivity that increases health risks globally.

The scope of this Special Issue includes studies on diverse forms of physical activity in various contexts—leisure, workplace, school, and transportation—and their relationships with health outcomes, quality of life, and well-being. We encourage the submission of studies that employ multiple methodologies, including longitudinal, cross-sectional, qualitative, and intervention studies. This Special Issue also welcomes investigations into sedentary behavior, barriers to activity, and effective strategies for promoting physical activity and healthy lifestyles across different populations and cultural settings.

The relevant literature demonstrates a positive correlation between physical activity and a healthy, active lifestyle with health promotion and quality of life. However, further investigation is needed regarding the ways in which an active lifestyle can be enhanced in order to bring about positive changes in people's health across all age groups.

Moreover, this Special Issue emphasizes the importance of evidence-based interventions and policy implications in supporting public health actions that foster sustainable active lifestyles. It also highlights the need to understand social determinants, health inequalities, and the political and community contexts influencing physical activity promotion. Overall, this Special Issue aims to contribute to reducing inactivity-related health burdens and improving population health through lifestyle and physical activity research.

In this Special Issue, we are pleased to invite contributions that address a wide range of topics, including, but not limited to, the following: health promotion programs; leisure and recreational activities; life satisfaction and well-being; and physical activity studies in clinical and educational settings with children and adolescent subjects. We welcome empirical studies, reviews, and theoretical papers that offer innovative insights into how to support and improve physical condition and quality of life across all ages, ensuring satisfactory well-being and quality of life.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Olga Kouli
Guest Editor

Dr. Ioannis Trigonis
Guest Editor Assistant

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Healthcare is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • health promotion
  • corporate fitness
  • well-being and life satisfaction
  • wellness programs
  • leisure and recreation
  • physical activity
  • quality of life
  • health risk
  • sports for all

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 342 KB  
Article
Strategic Negotiation Factors Influencing Recreational Sport Participation and Urban Wellbeing
by Georgia Yfantidou, Alexia Noutsou, Eleni Spyridopoulou and Panagiota Balaska
Healthcare 2026, 14(11), 1553; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14111553 - 2 Jun 2026
Viewed by 852
Abstract
Background: Physical activity in urban green environments contributes to both physical and psychological well-being. Although negotiation strategies help individuals overcome barriers to participation in recreational sport, their interaction with environmental factors such as urban green spaces remains underexplored. This study examines the relationship [...] Read more.
Background: Physical activity in urban green environments contributes to both physical and psychological well-being. Although negotiation strategies help individuals overcome barriers to participation in recreational sport, their interaction with environmental factors such as urban green spaces remains underexplored. This study examines the relationship between negotiation strategies and well-being among urban residents and introduces “Green Commitment” to capture engagement with green exercise environments. Methods: The sample consisted of 233 adults (28.8% men, 71.2% women) aged 19–77 years living in Athens. Data was collected using the Negotiation Strategies Scale (33 items across eleven dimensions) and an adapted PERMA Profiler, which assesses well-being across five dimensions: positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, and achievement. Six additional items measured engagement with urban green environments. Exploratory factor analysis, reliability analysis, descriptive statistics, ANOVA, MANOVA, and Pearson correlations were conducted using SPSS v.29. Results: The analysis confirmed satisfactory reliability and a five-factor structure of well-being, including Green Commitment, explaining 64.97% of total variance. Self-motivation recorded the highest mean value (M = 6.2). Significant positive correlations were found between most negotiation strategy dimensions and well-being, particularly for physical health and engagement–achievement (e.g., r = 0.469). Demographic differences were also observed. Conclusions: Negotiation strategies facilitate participation in recreational sport and enhance well-being in urban populations. Engagement with urban green environments, reflected in Green Commitment, further supports these outcomes. The study offers an integrated framework linking behavioral strategies, environmental context, and well-being. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Promoting Health and Well-Being Through Lifestyle and Physical Activity)
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17 pages, 1195 KB  
Article
Effects of Commercial Exergames vs. Traditional Indoor Exercise on Mood in Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial
by Yingying Zhu, Xuanjia Ren, Jinho Yim and Yunxue Guan
Healthcare 2026, 14(11), 1450; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14111450 - 24 May 2026
Viewed by 387
Abstract
Background/Objectives: With the development of the silver economy, older adults have shown increasing interest in digital technologies, such as electronic fitness games (Exergames). This study explores the impact of commercial exergames on the emotional experience of older adults in order to provide novel [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: With the development of the silver economy, older adults have shown increasing interest in digital technologies, such as electronic fitness games (Exergames). This study explores the impact of commercial exergames on the emotional experience of older adults in order to provide novel ideas and applications for healthy aging. Methods: This was a prospective, single-center, unblinded, repeated-measures randomized controlled trial comparing an exergame intervention with traditional indoor exercise. This study included 30 older adults (aged 60–89 years) who were able to move independently. The intervention group performed exergame training using Ring Fit Adventure, whereas the comparison group performed traditional indoor exercise. The intervention lasted four weeks, with two sessions per week (eight sessions). Mood states were assessed using the Brunel Mood Scale, and data were analyzed using a linear mixed-effects model to examine group, time, and interaction effects. Results: Significant group × time interaction effects were observed for confusion, depression, fatigue, tension, and vigor (p < 0.05). No significant interaction effect was found for anger (p = 0.942). Conclusions: This study examined commercial exergames from the perspectives of emotional experience and mental health. Both commercial exergames and traditional indoor exercise were associated with improvements in immediate mood states. The exergame-based training approach was associated with lower levels of confusion, depression, and fatigue, as well as higher vigor scores. The results provide preliminary evidence regarding the role of digital exercise in mood regulation among older adults. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Promoting Health and Well-Being Through Lifestyle and Physical Activity)
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11 pages, 231 KB  
Article
Pre–Post Changes in Mood States Following a Single Hatha Yoga Session in Adult Women: A Community-Based Study
by Eleftheria Morela, Evgenia Kouli, Evangelos Galanis, Nerantzoula Koufou and Konstantinos Astrapellos
Healthcare 2026, 14(9), 1122; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14091122 - 22 Apr 2026
Viewed by 485
Abstract
Background: Hatha yoga has gained increasing popularity worldwide and has been associated with benefits for mental health and short-term emotional functioning. Objective: The present study examined pre–post changes in mood states following a single Hatha yoga session in adult women participating in community-based [...] Read more.
Background: Hatha yoga has gained increasing popularity worldwide and has been associated with benefits for mental health and short-term emotional functioning. Objective: The present study examined pre–post changes in mood states following a single Hatha yoga session in adult women participating in community-based exercise programs. Methods: A total of 253 adult women participated in the study. Participants completed the Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire immediately before and after a single 60 min Hatha yoga session. The questionnaire assesses anxiety–tension, depression, anger, fatigue, confusion, and vigor. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to examine the changes in mood states and the potential differences between the age groups. Results: Significant improvements in mood states were observed following the session. Anxiety–tension, depression, anger, fatigue, and confusion decreased, while vigor increased. No significant time × age group interaction was observed for most mood variables. However, a significant interaction was found for vigor, indicating that women aged 41 and older showed a greater increase following the session. Conclusions: Participation in a single Hatha yoga session was associated with short-term changes in mood states among adult women, suggesting that yoga may represent a potentially beneficial community-based activity for supporting short-term mood regulation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Promoting Health and Well-Being Through Lifestyle and Physical Activity)
13 pages, 271 KB  
Article
Effects of a Structured Physical Activity Program on Quality of Life in Older Adults: A Quasi-Experimental Study
by Evgenia Kouli, Evangelos Bebetsos, Maria Michalopoulou and Filippos Filippou
Healthcare 2026, 14(5), 685; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14050685 - 9 Mar 2026
Viewed by 1317
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Quality of life is conceptualized as a multidimensional construct encompassing subjective well-being, health, and social functioning. Evidence suggests that engagement in physical activity contributes to higher quality of life scores among older adults, indicating that structured exercise programs can positively influence both [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Quality of life is conceptualized as a multidimensional construct encompassing subjective well-being, health, and social functioning. Evidence suggests that engagement in physical activity contributes to higher quality of life scores among older adults, indicating that structured exercise programs can positively influence both physical and psychological domains in this population. The present study examined the impact of an 18-week structured physical exercise program on the quality of life of older adults, assessed through the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) instrument, which consists of four domains: physical health, psychological, social relationships and environment. A total of 86 participants were allocated to three groups: individual exercise (n = 31), collaborative exercise (n = 32), and a control group (n = 23). Quality of life was evaluated before and after the intervention using the WHOQOL-BREF. Results: Correlation analysis indicated strong relationships among the WHOQOL-BREF domains, both before and after the program. Repeated-measures analysis revealed no significant Group × Time interaction effects for any WHOQOL-BREF domain. A significant main effect of Time was observed for the Environment domain, indicating a small overall decrease across all groups during the study period. Conclusions: The structured exercise protocol did not lead to greater changes in quality of life compared to the control condition. Perceived environmental quality of life showed a small overall decrease over time across participants. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Promoting Health and Well-Being Through Lifestyle and Physical Activity)
13 pages, 212 KB  
Article
Enhancing Multidimensional Health Benefits Through the Use of Mobile Leisure Application
by Jae Hyung Park, Chul Won Lee and Chanwook Do
Healthcare 2026, 14(2), 246; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14020246 - 19 Jan 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 672
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Smartphone-based leisure reservation platforms increasingly shape how individuals participate in leisure, yet little is known about how such technology-mediated engagement influences users’ awareness of multidimensional health benefits. The purpose of this study is to investigate how regular users of smartphone-based leisure [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Smartphone-based leisure reservation platforms increasingly shape how individuals participate in leisure, yet little is known about how such technology-mediated engagement influences users’ awareness of multidimensional health benefits. The purpose of this study is to investigate how regular users of smartphone-based leisure reservation platforms perceive multidimensional health benefits associated with their leisure activities. Methods: Based on a constructivist/interpretivist approach, this study applied Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Ten participants with at least one year of platform use completed semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed through iterative coding and theme development, with trustworthiness ensured through member checking, peer debriefing, and triangulation. Results: Participants reported three dimensions of health awareness. (1) App-enabled accessibility as a catalyst for physical health awareness (i.e., physical health benefits) included improved vitality and increased motivation to maintain exercise routines. (2) App-based planning and anticipation in supporting mental well-being (i.e., mental health benefits) involved stress reduction, emotional recovery, enjoyment, and heightened self-care awareness. (3) Platform-mediated social encounters and the construction of social health (i.e., social health benefits) reflected expanded social networks, strengthened interpersonal relationships, and a greater sense of belonging fostered through shared leisure experiences. Conclusions: Smartphone-based leisure platforms play a meaningful role in enhancing users’ awareness of multidimensional health benefits. By improving accessibility, diversifying leisure options, and facilitating social interaction, these platforms support holistic well-being. The findings contribute to understanding technology-mediated leisure and offer practical implications for designing digital leisure services that promote physical, mental, and social health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Promoting Health and Well-Being Through Lifestyle and Physical Activity)
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