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New Challenges and Trends in Physical Activity and Leisure
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New Challenges and Trends in Physical Activity and Leisure

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Exercise and Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (4 August 2023) | Viewed by 6744

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Paula Clara Ribeiro Santos

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Physiotherapy, School of Health Technology of Porto, Polytechnic Institute of Porto, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
Interests: physical activity throughout the life cycle; health promotion; health literacy; women's health; occupational health; community health; public health

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Physical activity should be seen as a protective factor for health and should be promoted as early as possible. In this sense, nowadays physical activity is understood as one of the main modifiable factors protecting chronic non-communicable diseases and, at the same time, promoting health and well-being.

New challenges and strategies arise for the practice of physical activity such as telehealth, and the new environments in constant change. This can be targeted globally or to specific target groups throughout the life cycle, such as pregnancy, postpartum, childhood, aging, or persons with conditions. This activity, which leads to metabolic expenses, can be done in different contexts, such as school, work, or leisure environment.

The level of physical activity is directly proportional to the gains obtained, and the higher the level of physical activity, the greater the gains obtained, and it may be possible to view health as an investment.

Some strategies and tools such as telerehabilitation, Apps, and monitoring allow an assessment and monitoring of physical activity performed, which promotes greater literacy and health responsibility for each individual. However, it is still possible to face some challenges such as the definition of policies that promote physical activity and leisure, and their monitoring and evaluation. 

Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

  • Physical activity throughout the life cycle (pregnancy, postpartum, children, adults, and seniors
  • Different contexts of physical activity
  • Physical activity literacy
  • Promotion of physical activity
  • Future perspectives of approach to the practice of physical activity
  • Gamification, apps, and telerehabilitation to promote physical activity

Dr. Paula Clara Ribeiro Santos
Guest Editor

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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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 2500 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

  • physical activity
  • gamification
  • apps
  • telerehabilitation
  • literacy
  • life cycle

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 1186 KiB  
Article
Active and Happy? Physical Activity and Life Satisfaction among Young Educated Women
by Agata Wypych-Ślusarska, Natalia Majer, Karolina Krupa-Kotara and Ewa Niewiadomska
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(4), 3145; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20043145 - 10 Feb 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2269
Abstract
Background: Physical activity belongs to the group of health-promoting behaviors. It also affects emotional well-being, which is linked to a higher quality of life. Individuals who participate in physical activity practice regardless of age reap several positive health benefits that affect both body [...] Read more.
Background: Physical activity belongs to the group of health-promoting behaviors. It also affects emotional well-being, which is linked to a higher quality of life. Individuals who participate in physical activity practice regardless of age reap several positive health benefits that affect both body and mind. The aim of this study was to assess the life satisfaction of young adults in the context of physical activity undertaken. Material and methods: Study material was collected via anonymous questionnaire surveys among 328 young women (between the ages of 18 and 30 with secondary or higher education) in Poland. Satisfaction with life was assessed using The Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). Statistical calculations were performed using the STATISTICA 13.3 program, Stat Soft Poland. Interdependence of unmeasured characteristics was assessed using the X2 test. Multivariate analysis for the direct effect of physical activity on life satisfaction (LS) and the influence of frequency of physical fitness on life satisfaction was performed based on regular OLS multiple regression. Results: The majority of respondents (74.7%) reported engaging in physical exercise. The mean level of life satisfaction was 4.5 ± 1.1 (on a scale of 1 to 7). Multivariate analysis showed no statistically significant relationship with life satisfaction in the physically active and inactive groups. It was observed that significantly higher levels of life satisfaction were found among respondents: married 5.1 ± 1.1, median = 5.2 (4.5–5.9) compared to single 4.4 ± 1.2, median = 4.6 (3.6–5.2) and in informal relationships 4.5 ± 1.0, median = 4.4 (3.8–5.2); p = 0.02; declaring rather good 4.5 ± 1.0, median = 4.6 (3.8–5.2) or very good health 4.8 ± 1.1, median = 5.0 (4.2–5.6) compared to rather poor 4.1 ± 1.0, median = 4.1 (3.4–4.8) and poor health 3.6 ± 1.4, median = 3.1 (2.6–4.4); p = 0.0006; rating their physical condition moderately 4.7 ± 1.1, median = 4.8 (4.0–5.6) or highly 4.9 ± 1.0, median = 5.0 (4.3–5.4) compared to rating their fitness low 4.2 ± 0.9, median = 4.2 (3.6–4.8); p < 0.0001. Multivariate analyses confirmed a significant effect of marital status and subjective assessment of physical condition on the average level of life satisfaction. Conclusions: Physical activity does not differentiate the level of life satisfaction in the studied group of young women. Marital status and the subjective assessment of physical condition are factors that have a significant impact on the level of satisfaction with the life of young women. Given the beneficial effect of physical activity on the sense of satisfaction with life, which can lead to an increase in its quality, physical activity should be promoted, not only among children but also in the group of young adults. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Challenges and Trends in Physical Activity and Leisure)
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13 pages, 1301 KiB  
Article
Being Physically Active Leads to Better Recovery Prognosis for People Diagnosed with COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study
by Euripedes Barsanulfo Gonçalves Gomide, Lisa Fernanda Mazzonetto, Jéssica Fernanda Corrêa Cordeiro, Daniella Corrêa Cordeiro, Alcivandro de Sousa Oliveira, Evandro Marianetti Fioco, Ana Claudia Rossini Venturini, Pedro Pugliesi Abdalla, Leonardo Santos Lopes Da Silva, Márcio Fernando Tasinafo Júnior, Denise De Andrade, Lucimere Bohn, Dalmo Roberto Lopes Machado and André Pereira Dos Santos
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(22), 14908; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192214908 - 12 Nov 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1692
Abstract
The regular practice of physical activity helps in the prevention and control of several non-communicable diseases. However, evidence on the role of physical activity in mitigating worsening clinical outcomes in people with COVID-19 is still unclear. The aim of this study was to [...] Read more.
The regular practice of physical activity helps in the prevention and control of several non-communicable diseases. However, evidence on the role of physical activity in mitigating worsening clinical outcomes in people with COVID-19 is still unclear. The aim of this study was to verify whether different levels of physical activity provide protection for clinical outcomes caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 509 adults (43.8 ± 15.71 years; 61.1% female) with a positive diagnosis of COVID-19 residing in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil. Participants were interviewed by telephone to determine the severity of the infection and the physical activity performed. Binary logistic regression was used to indicate the odds ratio (OR) of active people reporting less harmful clinical outcomes from COVID-19. Active people had a lower chance of hospitalization, fewer hospitalization days, less respiratory difficulty and needed less oxygen support. The results suggest that active people, compared to sedentary people, have a lower frequency of hospitalization, length of stay, breathing difficulty and need for oxygen support. These results corroborate the importance of public policies to promote the practice of physical activity, in order to mitigate the severity of the clinical outcomes of COVID-19. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Challenges and Trends in Physical Activity and Leisure)
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Review

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13 pages, 734 KiB  
Review
Task-Shifting: Can Community Health Workers Be Part of the Solution to an Inactive Nation?
by Estelle D. Watson, Shabir Moosa, Dina C. Janse Van Rensburg, Martin Schwellnus, Estelle V. Lambert and Mark Stoutenberg
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(17), 6675; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20176675 - 29 Aug 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2185
Abstract
Background: In low-to-middle income countries (LMICs), there is a growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) placing strain on the facilities and human resources of healthcare systems. Prevention strategies that include lifestyle behavior counseling have become increasingly important. We propose a potential solution to [...] Read more.
Background: In low-to-middle income countries (LMICs), there is a growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) placing strain on the facilities and human resources of healthcare systems. Prevention strategies that include lifestyle behavior counseling have become increasingly important. We propose a potential solution to the growing burden of NCDs through an expansion of the role for community health workers (CHWs) in prescribing and promoting physical activity in public health settings. This discussion paper provides a theoretical model for task-shifting of assessment, screening, counseling, and prescription of physical activity to CHWs. Five proposed tasks are presented within a larger model of service delivery and provide a platform for a structured, standardized, physical activity prevention strategy aimed at NCDs using CHWs as an integral part of reducing the burden of NCDs in LMICs. However, for effective implementation as part of national NCD plans, it is essential that CHWs received standardized, ongoing training and supervision on physical activity and other lifestyle behaviors to optimally impact community health in low resource settings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Challenges and Trends in Physical Activity and Leisure)
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