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Physical Activity, Physical Education, Exercise and Public Health

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Corporal Expression, University of Zaragoza, 22003 Huesca, Spain
Interests: physical activity; sports performance; racket sports; exercise physiology and training
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Priština-Kosovska Mitrovica, Dositeja Obradovića bb, 38218 Leposavić, Serbia
Interests: sports diagnostics; physical activity assessment; sports biomechanics; swimming

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Guest Editor
Department of Corporal Expression, Faculty of Education, University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
Interests: physical fitness; training interventions; physical activity; sports performance; team sports; exercise physiology and training
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Physical activity and exercise have been recognized as being essential for promoting, maintaining, and restoring physical and mental health. In recent years, research has increasingly focused on understanding the mechanisms whereby structured exercise programs can influence various health outcomes. This Special Issue aims to compile high-quality research that examines the effects of physical activity and physical education interventions not only in the general population, but also in sport and educational contexts. Special attention will be given to studies that analyze the impact of exercise on mental health parameters such as motivation, self-esteem, and psychological resilience, as well as on physical parameters such as performance optimization, injury prevention, and recovery or return-to-play processes, in addition to sports research in educational environments. The incorporation of advanced technologies such as wearable sensors, digital applications, and biomechanical analysis tools alongside traditional assessment methodologies is of particular interest to improve the accuracy and personalization of health assessments. Contributions may involve experimental designs, longitudinal studies, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and methodological innovations that deepen our understanding of the role of physical activity and physical education in public health. Multidisciplinary approaches that integrate sport science, physical education, epidemiology, psychology, physiology, and biomedical engineering are particularly welcome. The aim of this Special Issue is to provide an up-to-date overview of the evidence supporting exercise as a key strategy for improving population health in a variety of sport and educational contexts.

Prof. Dr. Francisco Pradas de la Fuente
Dr. Lazar Toskić
Dr. Alejandro Moreno-Azze
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • physical activity
  • physical education
  • exercise interventions
  • public health
  • mental health
  • performance enhancement
  • injury prevention
  • wearable technology
  • health assessment
  • sports science
  • multidisciplinary approaches

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

24 pages, 1580 KB  
Article
Co-Creating Strategies and Recommendations to Enhance the Physical Activities of Undergraduate Students at a South African University: A Social Ecological Approach
by Chanté Johannes, Nicolette V. Roman, Sunday O. Onagbiye, Simone Titus and Lloyd Leach
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(12), 1803; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22121803 - 28 Nov 2025
Viewed by 135
Abstract
Engagement in physical activity (PA) has been considered to be influenced by multiple psychosocial factors (such as mental health, motivation and social support). However, current interventions often neglect these complex interactions. The Social Ecological Model (SEM) highlights the need for context-specific strategies addressing [...] Read more.
Engagement in physical activity (PA) has been considered to be influenced by multiple psychosocial factors (such as mental health, motivation and social support). However, current interventions often neglect these complex interactions. The Social Ecological Model (SEM) highlights the need for context-specific strategies addressing individual, social, environmental, and public engagement domains to enhance student PA. Therefore, this study aimed to develop strategies and recommendations to enhance the PA levels of undergraduate university students by using a SEM Approach. A co-creative consensus workshop, held between July and August 2024, was employed. The stakeholder group (n = 25) comprised undergraduate university students, professors and academic doctors specialising in PA and health-related disciplines. Data generated from the workshop were uploaded into Atlas Ti. V8 and thematically analysed. The co-created strategies underscore the importance of a multi-level approach to enhancing PA participation among undergraduate students. A total of 32 strategies were developed, reflecting the interconnected influence of psychosocial factors across the levels of the SEM. These include strategies related to PA (9), mental health (7), motivation (9), and social support (7). By developing context-specific strategies and recommendations that address individual, social, physical, and public engagement levels, the research offers practical, student-centred solutions to enhance PA participation. The co-created strategies hold the potential to foster long-term behavioural change and promote active, healthier lifestyles within the South African university context. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical Activity, Physical Education, Exercise and Public Health)
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