Search Results (1,173)

University students often intend to exercise regularly but fail to translate intention into action. The present study tested which post-intentional processes distinguish successful from unsuccessful intenders in self-reported regular leisure-time moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) enactment. Chinese undergraduates from 10 universities completed a three-wave survey administered at roughly two-week intervals. Habit automaticity was assessed at Wave 1, intention together with action planning and coping planning at Wave 2, and self-reported regular-exercise status at Wave 3. Because the dependent variable was assessed using a single stage-based self-report item, the findings should be interpreted as explaining self-reported regular-exercise status rather than objectively measured MVPA volume, frequency, or intensity. Primary analyses focused on students classified as intenders under the prespecified threshold (n = 1119 of N = 1670) and used hierarchical logistic regression to predict Wave 3 active versus inactive status. Under the primary threshold, 43.23% of participants were successful intenders and 23.77% were unsuccessful intenders, yielding an intention-behavior gap of 35.48% among intenders. Confirmatory factor analyses supported treating action planning and coping planning as distinct constructs. Among intenders, stronger action planning, stronger habit automaticity, and stronger intention strength independently predicted greater odds of meeting the regular-exercise criterion at follow-up. Coping planning did not show unique predictive value once action planning, habit automaticity, and intention strength were considered simultaneously, and no planning × habit interaction was supported. The pattern was robust across three alternative intention thresholds. These findings suggest that, among already motivated university students, successful exercise enactment depends less on coping planning alone than on a combination of commitment, concrete scheduling, and emerging behavioral automaticity. Interventions for student physical activity may therefore benefit from emphasizing detailed action planning and repeated performance in stable contexts. Full article

Background: The relationship between physical exercise and human longevity constitutes one of the most consequential intersections in contemporary preventive medicine. Although international guidelines recommend 150 min of moderate-intensity exercise weekly, growing evidence suggests that the architecture of optimal exercise is far more complex, encompassing dose, modality, timing across the lifespan, and the paradox risks imposed by extreme endurance. Methods: We included in this narrative review landmark cohort studies, randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and expert physiological frameworks published in high-impact cardiovascular, sports medicine, and longevity journals from 1966 to 2024. Results: Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), indexed by maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂ max), demonstrates the strongest and most linear dose–response relationship with all-cause mortality identified in preventive medicine, with every 1 metabolic equivalent of task (MET) increment associated with a 12–15% reduction in mortality risk. The optimal dose of vigorous-intensity exercise follows a J-shaped dose–response curve: 3–5 sessions per week generating 1–2.4 h of vigorous activity is associated with the lowest all-cause mortality risk in large prospective cohorts, whereas chronic extreme endurance exercise incurs measurable atrial remodeling, patchy myocardial fibrosis, and a 5.3-fold increase in the risk of atrial fibrillation. The importance of exercise types shifts profoundly across the lifespan, transitioning from aerobic capacity effort in the third decade to resistance training in the seventh decade and neuromuscular stability in the eighth. Based on our interpretation of the available evidence, we propose a structured, personalized four-step exercise pathway integrating CRF assessment, lifespan-adapted prescription, lifestyle co-interventions, and periodic reassessment. Conclusions: Among currently available lifestyle interventions, regular exercise is consistently associated with some of the largest and most reproducible reductions in all-cause and cardiovascular mortality observed in prospective cohort data, while remaining accessible and cost-effective. Full article

Background: The factors contributing to physical inactivity in patients with asthma remain unclear. We aimed to explore the pulmonary and extra-pulmonary factors associated with physical activity (PA) in these patients, with stratification by activity intensity. Methods: Patient demographics, Charlson Comorbidity Index, lung function, bronchial and alveolar nitric oxide (NO) levels, six-minute walk test (6 MWT), and PA were cross-sectionally evaluated in healthy participants (n = 14) and patients with asthma (n = 29). The desaturation–distance ratio (DDR) was measured as an index derived from travel distance and desaturation levels during the 6 MWT. Results: Patients with asthma had significantly lower PA than healthy participants, regardless of activity intensity (≥2 metabolic equivalents [METs]: 198 min vs. 240 min, p < 0.05; ≥3 METs: 54 min vs. 86 min, p < 0.05; ≥4 METs: 10 min vs. 26 min, p < 0.01). Extra-pulmonary factors (age, comorbidities, and 6 MW distance) showed higher correlation coefficients with PA as activity intensity increased. Contrastingly, pulmonary factors (asthma severity, airflow limitation, and alveolar exhaled NO) showed lower correlation coefficients with PA as activity intensity increased. The DDR was negatively associated with active time across all activity intensities. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that aging and comorbidities are potential limiting factors for moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, whereas asthma severity and airway dysfunction restrict daily life in patients with asthma. Moreover, the DDR could facilitate detection of real-life physical inactivity in patients with asthma. Full article

Background: Highly effective CFTR modulation with Elexacaftor/Tezacaftor/Ivacaftor (ETI) markedly improves clinical outcomes in people with cystic fibrosis (CF). Data on its effects on physical activity, sleep, sinonasal symptoms, and parent-perceived outcomes in preschool-aged children are limited. Methods: In this prospective, observational, single-center cohort study, ten children with cystic fibrosis (aged 2–6 years) and at least one CFTR variant eligible for ETI were included. Data were collected using wrist-worn Garmin vívofit Junior 2 activity trackers and standardized questionnaires one month before ETI initiation and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after start of ETI. Outcomes included step count, minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, sleep parameters, sinonasal symptoms, and parental perceptions. Results: ETI was well tolerated. Sweat chloride levels decreased significantly. Physical activity improved at 3 and 6 months (step count and active minutes/day; p < 0.05) but declined to near-baseline levels at 12 months. Parental assessments of physical and sporting performance showed sustained improvement. Sleep duration remained stable, with no changes in deep or light sleep phases or nighttime awakenings. Sinonasal symptoms remained low. Discussion & Conclusions: Preliminary findings of this exploratory pilot study show that improvement in physical activity after three and six months of ETI therapy might be attributable to seasonality, as therapy was started in winter months. No changes in sleep duration or sleep patterns are reassuring in this small cohort of young children with CF. ETI therapy was safe and well tolerated. Parental appraisal of their children’s physical performance improved after start of ETI. Longitudinal, controlled studies involving larger cohorts are required to validate these findings and to account for potential confounding factors, such as age-dependent changes and individual and environmental factors such as seasonal variation. Full article

Background/Objectives: Insufficient physical activity remains a major public health concern among adult women, highlighting the need to identify structured activity contexts that can contribute meaningfully to recommended weekly physical activity levels. Official masters basketball may represent one such context; however, the amount of physical activity accumulated during female masters basketball match play remains insufficiently quantified. This study quantified the physical activity profile of official tournament match play among female masters basketball athletes and described the associated external physical demands. Methods: This observational study included 52 female master basketball athletes aged 37–63 years who competed in a three-day national masters tournament. Match demands were monitored using tri-axial microsensors. Physical activity was classified from processed raw tri-axial acceleration data into intensity zones, and differences in time spent across zones were examined using one-way repeated-measures ANOVA. External load during active play was quantified using total distance, distance across speed zones, accumulated acceleration load (AAL), mechanical load (ML), jump load (JL), and Physio Load. Results: Significant differences were observed across physical-activity intensity zones, with more time accumulated in light physical activity (LPA) and vigorous physical activity (VPA) than in moderate physical activity (MPA), whereas MPA accounted for the least time overall [F (1.98, 101.16) = 47.57, p < 0.001, ηp² = 0.48]. Descriptively, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) amounted to 42.78 min, calculated as the sum of MPA (9.41 ± 3.82 min) and VPA (33.37 ± 14.49 min). During active play, athletes covered 59.19 ± 17.26 m·min⁻¹, with most distance accumulated in the low- and medium-speed zones and limited very-high-speed running; AAL, ML, and JL averaged 8.32 ± 2.31 AU·min⁻¹, 22.35 ± 5.53 AU·min⁻¹, and 31.26 ± 28.35 J·min⁻¹, respectively. Conclusions: Official female masters basketball appears to provide a meaningful intermittent physical-activity stimulus within a single monitored match exposure and may contribute substantially to weekly aerobic physical-activity accumulation in adult women. Full article

Background: Wushu, a traditional Chinese exercise, has been demonstrated to be effective in promoting lower-limb strength in children. However, studies comparing the effects of different intervention durations on preschool children remain limited. Objectives: The present study examined the short- and long-term effects of Wushu exercise programs on lower-limb explosive power in preschool children aged 5–6 years. Methods: This study was conducted across two experiments, with separate cohorts of children. The children were randomly assigned to either an intervention (INT) or a control (CON) group based on their Kindergarten classes. In Experiment 1, the INT-1 group (n = 55) completed a 4-week ‘Twelve Zodiac’ Wushu exercise program, which comprised three 30-minute sessions per week, while the CON-1 group (n = 49) participated in construction and carrying-based unstructured free play, which was designed to provide a comparable amount of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. In Experiment 2, the INT-2 group (n = 57) undertook a 10-week Wushu program, and the CON-2 group (n = 38) engaged in similar activities as CON-1 for a 10-week period. The standing long jump (SLJ) was the primary outcome measure in both experiments. Secondary outcomes included the double-leg continuous jump, 15 m zigzag run, grip strength, sit-and-reach, and anthropometric measurements. In Experiment 2, countermovement jump (CMJ) and squat jump (SJ) heights were also measured using a force plate as additional secondary outcomes. A linear mixed-effects model (LMM) was used to analyze the data. Results: At baseline, no significant outcome measures were observed between CON-1 and INT-1, nor between CON-2 and INT-2. In Experiment 1, SLJ exhibited a significant enhancement in INT-1 in comparison to CON-1 (p = 0.007). The INT-2 in Experiment 2 showed significant improvements compared with CON-2 in the SLJ (p = 0.048), double-leg continuous jump (p = 0.005), and 15 m zigzag run (p = 0.043). A strong correlation was observed between SLJ and 15 m zigzag run time (r = −0.53, p < 0.001), and between double-leg continuous jump time and 15 m zigzag run time (r = 0.56, p < 0.001). Conclusions: The findings of this study indicate that 4-week and 10-week Wushu exercise programs enhance explosive power in the lower limbs of children aged 5–6 years. The 10-week Wushu program improves lower limb coordination and jumping agility. These task-specific adaptations support the value of Wushu interventions for fostering comprehensive lower-limb motor competence in preschoolers. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study examined the association between parental physical activity and preschool children’s physical activity and social behavior. Methods: Participants were 151 preschool children (70 girls, 81 boys; Mage = 52.51 months, SD = 3.38) attending public and private kindergartens in Thessaloniki (Greece) and Nicosia (Cyprus). Children’s psychosocial development was assessed by kindergarten teachers using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, while parents reported their own and their children’s physical activity through the Preschool-age Children’s Physical Activity Questionnaire (home version). Descriptive statistics and Pearson correlations were computed, and the main hypotheses were tested using multiple linear regression analyses. Results: Results indicated a consistent positive association between parental physical activity and children’s physical activity across intensity levels. Parental physical activity frequency and duration during both weekdays and weekends was significantly associated with children’s low-, moderate-, and vigorous-intensity physical activity, while parental beliefs about physical activity were negatively associated with children’s sedentary behavior. In contrast, parental physical activity showed no significant association with all indicators of social behavior at school, including emotional symptoms, conduct problems, hyperactivity/inattention, and prosocial behavior. Conclusions: Overall, the findings support the role of parental physical activity as an important correlate of preschool children’s physical activity behavior, while its direct association with broader psychosocial development appears small. These results highlight the importance of parental role modeling and attitudes toward physical activity, particularly in shaping children’s movement behaviors. Full article

Background: Physical inactivity and sedentary behaviour are major public health concerns associated with an increased risk of non-communicable diseases, reduced quality of life, and substantial healthcare burden. In recent years, technology-based interventions, including wearable devices, mobile health applications, artificial intelligence-driven systems, and adaptive digital platforms, have been increasingly adopted to promote physical activity and reduce sedentary time in adult populations. However, the evidence remains fragmented across intervention types, behavioural targets, and population groups. The aim of this scoping review was to map the recent literature on digital interventions designed to promote active lifestyles in adults, with a specific focus on their reported impact on physical activity promotion and sedentary behaviour reduction. Methods: This scoping review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A literature search was performed in PubMed and Scopus using a predefined search strategy combining terms related to digital technologies, physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and adult populations. Studies published in English between 2022 and 2026 were considered. After removal of duplicates and screening of titles and abstracts, full texts were assessed according to predefined eligibility criteria. Data were charted descriptively and synthesised narratively to identify the main intervention models and emerging research trends. Results: The search identified 887 records, of which 35 studies were included in the final synthesis. The literature included was grouped into four broad categories: wearable devices and mHealth tools for monitoring and goal-setting; adaptive interventions based on Just-In-Time Adaptive Interventions, artificial intelligence, and gamification; advanced technologies such as Internet of Things systems and exoskeleton-based approaches; and hybrid interventions combining digital tools with human support or environmental modifications. Overall, technology-based interventions were generally associated with increases in step count, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, and adherence to movement-related behaviours. In contrast, their effectiveness in reducing sedentary behaviour was less consistent and appeared to depend more strongly on context-sensitive prompting, posture-focused strategies, and multicomponent or hybrid intervention models. Conclusions: Digital health interventions represent a promising strategy for promoting physical activity in adults, but their impact on sedentary behaviour reduction remains more limited and heterogeneous. The findings suggest that simply increasing exercise is not sufficient to address prolonged sitting and that more tailored, adaptive, and context-aware approaches are needed. Future research should prioritise methodological standardisation, longer follow-up periods, and interventions specifically designed to interrupt sedentary time across different adult populations. Full article

Background: University students often face significant psychological challenges and lifestyle disruptions that may compromise their mental resources and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Although associations between physical activity (PA) and mental health have been widely reported, few studies have integrated different PA intensities, sedentary behavior, and psychological resources jointly related in one analytical model. Objective: This study investigated the relationships among vigorous (VPA), moderate (MPA), and light (LPA) physical activity, sedentary behavior (SB), resilience (RES), self-esteem (SE), and HRQoL in a sample of Chinese university students. Methods: A cross-sectional survey included 1560 university students from six universities in China, with a mean age of 19.43 ± 1.15 years; the sample comprised 434 males (27.8%) and 1126 females (72.2%). Relationships among the variables were tested using path analysis within a structural equation modeling framework. Results: Greater PA engagement was related to higher RES, SE, and HRQoL, whereas SB was not significantly associated with RES. All three PA intensities were positively associated with RES, although the magnitude of these associations varied. In addition, RES was also related to higher SE and HRQoL, and SE was related to higher HRQoL. Conclusions: These findings suggest that PA is associated with psychological resources and HRQoL among university students. Longitudinal and intervention studies are needed to determine the directionality and mechanisms underlying these relationships. Full article

Evidence remains limited on the interconnections between developmental coordination disorder (DCD), health-related physical fitness—including body composition, flexibility, strength of lower body, and cardiorespiratory fitness—and objectively measured physical activity (PA) in school-aged children. This study aimed to (1) examine differences in physical fitness and PA between children with and without DCD and (2) investigate whether physical fitness functions as a mediator in the association between DCD and PA in school-aged children. Sixty-three children aged 6.5–8 years (12 DCD, 19.05%) who provided valid data were enrolled. Mediation analysis was conducted using the PROCESS macro for SPSS. Flexibility significantly mediates the relationship of DCD to vigorous PA (VPA) (effect = 3.202, bootstrap SE = 1.682, 95% bootstrap CI = 0.463, 7.078), as well as DCD to moderate-to-vigorous (MVPA) (effect = 5.194, bootstrap SE = 2.903, 95% bootstrap CI = 0.434, 11.778). Additionally, there was a significant mediating effect of lower muscle strength on the relationship between DCD and VPA (effect = −1.943, bootstrap SE = 1.297, 95% bootstrap CI = −5.112, −0.021), and DCD and counts per minute (CPM) in axis 2 (effect = −34.388, bootstrap SE = 20.212, 95% bootstrap CI = −80.819, −1.353). The findings highlight flexibility and lower-body strength as potential mechanisms underlying the association between DCD and PA participation. These factors may represent candidate intervention targets; however, their roles require confirmation in larger samples and longitudinal designs. Full article

Background: Wearable activity trackers are commonly used in mHealth weight loss interventions, but evidence linking adherence to moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) goals with changes in body composition is limited. We examined associations between adherence to study-prescribed MVPA goals and changes in percent body fat and sex-specific waist circumference (WC) over 12 months in the SMARTER trial. Methods: Participants (N = 502, 79.5% female; mean age 45 years; mean BMI 33.7 kg/m²) were randomized to self-monitoring of diet, PA, and weight (SM) or SM plus daily tailored feedback messages (SM + FB). Weekly adherence to ≥300 min/week of MVPA was quantified using Fitbit-derived equivalents. Associations between MVPA adherence and changes in percent body fat and sex-specific WC over 12 months were examined using linear mixed models. Results: Among the full sample, greater MVPA adherence was associated with reductions in body fat (b = −0.01; 95% CI: −0.02, −0.005), but not in WC (women: b = −0.01; −0.03, 0.01; men: b = −0.03; −0.05, 0.0002). Among the completers, higher adherence was associated with decreases in body fat (b = −0.01; −0.02, −0.004) and WC (women: b = −0.02; −0.04, −0.004; men: b = −0.04; −0.08, −0.003). Conclusions: Higher MVPA adherence was associated with favorable changes in adiposity over 12 months, supporting the use of wearable-derived PA measures in long-term mHealth behavioral interventions. Full article

This study investigated the effects of a 12-week structured aquatic exercise program incorporating multiple immersion depths on muscle strength, postural alignment, and static balance in middle-aged women. Eighteen women in their 40s were randomly allocated to an aquatic exercise group (AG, n = 9) or a control group (CG, n = 9). The AG participated in a 12-week aquatic exercise program twice weekly in an indoor rehabilitation pool with progressively increased intensity (RPE 11–13 for weeks 1–6 and 14–16 for weeks 7–12) and multiple immersion depths (knee, waist, and xiphoid process levels). The CG was instructed to refrain from moderate-to-vigorous physical activity for 12 weeks. Outcomes included dominant handgrip strength, a 60-s abdominal curl-up test, postural alignment (3D posture analysis), and static balance (single-leg stance test). Data were analyzed using two-way mixed ANOVA. Significant group × time interactions were found for handgrip strength (p = 0.003), 60-s abdominal curl-up performance (p < 0.001), pelvic tilt alignment (p = 0.017), and single-leg stance time (p < 0.001). The AG improved handgrip strength (25.62 ± 2.81 to 27.57 ± 2.13 kg), 60-s abdominal curl-up performance (26.89 ± 2.93 to 41.56 ± 3.05 repetitions), pelvic tilt alignment (10.94 ± 3.46 to 7.63 ± 0.17), and single-leg stance time (29.49 ± 2.81 to 34.65 ± 2.60 s), whereas the CG showed no meaningful changes. No significant interaction effects were observed for head displacement, shoulder asymmetry, hip alignment, or knee alignment (all p > 0.05). These preliminary findings suggest that a structured aquatic exercise program incorporating multiple immersion depths may improve muscle strength, trunk muscular endurance, pelvic tilt alignment, and static balance in middle-aged women compared with a non-exercise control group. However, because this study did not include a fixed-depth aquatic exercise comparator, the findings should not be interpreted as evidence that exercise incorporating multiple immersion depths is superior to fixed-depth aquatic exercise. Full article

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease of the central nervous system, characterised by high variability in both its progression and symptoms. The disease leads to progressive disability, which manifests itself as slow walking, low muscle mass and impaired manual dexterity, causing difficulties in performing everyday activities and reducing a patient’s social activity and quality of life. The aim of this study is to assess the relationships between muscle mass, physical activity and the food frequency of protein-rich products and the functional fitness of patients with MS. Methods: The study comprised 106 patients with MS (83 women and 23 men) aged 18–65 years. Measurements of their weight and body composition, motor function of the lower limbs using the Timed 25-Foot Walking Test (T25FW), and motor function of the upper limbs using the 9-Hole Peg Test (9-HPT) and the Handgrip Strength (HGS) test were performed. Daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and the consumption frequency of protein-rich products were also assessed. Results: Low muscle mass was associated with worse performance in the HGS test (non-dominant hand p = 0.001, dominant hand p = 0.001), while no significant associations were observed for manual dexterity or T25FW performance.. The second tercile of MVPA was significantly associated with reduced HGS in the dominant (p = 0.037) and non-dominant hands (p = 0.015). Conversely, the third tercile of the MVPA compared to the lower tertile was associated with better HGS of the non-dominant hand (p = 0.022) and faster completion of the 9-HPT with the non-dominant (p = 0.010) and dominant hands (p = 0.029). Furthermore, frequent consumption of protein-rich products was correlated with faster completion of the T25FW test (p = 0.033). Conclusions: Regular physical activity is associated with better functional fitness, while more frequent consumption of protein-rich foods may be associated with higher muscle mass of major muscle groups, which is important for effective locomotion. This study has a cross-sectional and exploratory design; therefore, the findings reflect associations only and do not allow casual inferences. Full article

Leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) is associated with positive self-rated health (SRH); however, evidence regarding different practice patterns and potential racial differences among university students remains limited. The objective of this study was to estimate the association between LTPA patterns and positive SRH among university students who entered higher education in 2025 at a public university in Brazil. This cross-sectional study analyzed data from 1143 first-year undergraduates. Positive SRH (defined as reporting “good” or “very good” health) was used as the outcome. LTPA (walking and activities of moderate and vigorous intensity) was classified as inactive, insufficiently active, weekend warrior, or regularly active based on the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines on physical activity. The analyses were stratified by self-reported race/skin color (White students vs. students from other racial/ethnic groups). Prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were estimated using Poisson regression. The prevalence of positive SRH was 44.6% among White students and 41.1% among other racial/ethnic group students. Among White students, positive SRH was associated with walking performed at weekend warrior (PR = 2.08; 95% CI: 1.33–3.24) and regular levels (PR = 1.51; 95% CI: 1.06–2.14), as well as with vigorous-intensity activity in a weekend warrior pattern. Among other racial/ethnic group students, positive SRH was associated with regular walking (PR = 1.34; 95% CI:1.05–1.71) and with vigorous-intensity activity at both insufficient and regular levels. LTPA was positively associated with SRH, with variations according to intensity, practice patterns, and race/skin color, indicating that benefits are not homogeneous across groups. Full article

Background: Physical activity (PA), physical fitness (PF), and motor skills (MS) play crucial roles in overall health and well-being, particularly in early childhood, when habits that affect future health are formed. Methods: This study, involving 299 children (150 boys, 149 girls, mean age 6.9 ± 0.96 years), explored the variance explained by external factors such as socioeconomic status (SES), body composition (BC), sex, and geographical location on motor-related physical fitness (MRPF) and health-related physical fitness (HRPF) in children. Using a variety of assessments, including demographics, anthropometric data, BIA, ActiGraphs, the 20 m shuttle run, 10 and 20 m speed tests, and test items from the Körperkoordinations test für Kinder (KTK) and the TGMD-2, a multiple stepwise regression analysis using SPSS (v 28.0) identified the associated factors. Results: The variables tested show modest explained variance for HRPF, MRPF, and MS, with the largest cumulative explained variance of 26.4%. The explained variances for MRPF and MS were lower (medium to small) than the significant, medium-to-large, explained variances for HRPF. Body fat percentage (BF%), moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), parental education and income, and BMI emerged as substantial contributors to HRPF, explaining 12.1% to 26.4% of the variance. Sex, BF%, and quintile status were the most influential associated factors for MRPF, and for MS, BMI and sex emerged as the strongest contributors. Conclusions: These findings underscore the importance of holistic approaches that consider individual factors, such as MVPA, body composition (BC), PA levels, sex, and broader social and economic contexts, to promote children’s well-being. The study emphasises the need for comprehensive strategies to address the multifaceted associations with children’s physical development. Full article