Search Results (1,326)

(1) Background: Rapid population aging in China intensifies physical and mental health challenges, including negative emotions and social barriers. Physical activity (PA) fosters resilience, adaptability, and successful aging through emotional and social benefits. This study examines the relationship between square-dancing exercise and psychological capital (PsyCap) in middle-aged and elderly individuals using cross-validation, subgroup analysis, and a cross-sequential design. (2) Methods: A cross-sectional study with 5714 participants employed a serial mediation model. Online questionnaires assessed square-dancing exercise, cognitive reappraisal, prosocial behavior tendencies, PsyCap, and interpersonal relationships. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS 27.0 and Mplus 8.3, incorporating correlation analysis, structural equation modeling, and subgroup comparisons. (3) Results: (a) Cognitive reappraisal and prosocial behavior mediated the link between square-dancing and PsyCap through three pathways; (b) model stability was confirmed across two random subsamples; (c) cross-group differences emerged in age and interpersonal relationships. Compared with secondary data, this study further validated PsyCap’s stability over six months post-pandemic. (4) Conclusions: The study, based on China’s largest square-dancing sample, establishes a robust serial mediation model. The findings strengthen theoretical foundations for PA-based interventions promoting psychological resilience in aging populations, highlighting structured exercise’s role in mental and social well-being. Full article

During the coronavirus 2019 pandemic, sports activities were restricted, raising concerns about their impact on the physical condition of adolescent athletes, which remained largely unquantified. This study was designed with two primary objectives: first, to precisely quantify and elucidate the differences in the physical condition of adolescent athletes before and after activity restrictions due to the pandemic; and second, to innovatively develop and validate a non-contact medical checkup application. Medical checks were conducted on 563 athletes designated for sports enhancement. Participants were junior high school students aged 13 to 15, and the sample consisted of 315 boys and 248 girls. Furthermore, we developed a smartphone application and compared self-checks using the application with in-person checks by orthopedic surgeons to determine the challenges associated with self-checks. Statistical tests were conducted to determine whether there were statistically significant differences in range of motion and flexibility parameters before and after the pandemic. Additionally, items with discrepancies between values self-entered by athletes using the smartphone application and values measured by specialists were detected, and application updates were performed. Student’s t-test was used for continuous variables, whereas the chi-square test was used for other variables. Following the coronavirus 2019 pandemic, athletes were stiffer than during the pre-pandemic period in terms of hip and shoulder joint rotation range of motion and heel–buttock distance. The dominant hip external rotation decreased from 53.8° to 46.8° (p = 0.0062); the non-dominant hip external rotation decreased from 53.5° to 48.0° (p = 0.0252); the dominant shoulder internal rotation decreased from 62.5° to 54.7° (p = 0.0042); external rotation decreased from 97.6° to 93.5° (p = 0.0282), and the heel–buttock distance increased from 4.0 cm to 10.4 cm (p < 0.0001). The heel–buttock distance and straight leg raising angle measurements differed between the self-check and face-to-face check. Although there are items that cannot be accurately evaluated by self-check, physical condition can be improved with less contact by first conducting a face-to-face evaluation under appropriate guidance and then conducting a self-check. These findings successfully address our primary objectives. Specifically, we demonstrated a significant decline in the physical condition of adolescent athletes following pandemic-related activity restrictions, thereby quantifying their impact. Furthermore, our developed non-contact medical checkup application proved to be a viable tool for monitoring physical condition with reduced contact, although careful consideration of measurable parameters is crucial. This study provides critical insights into the long-term effects of activity restrictions on young athletes and offers a practical solution for health monitoring during infectious disease outbreaks, highlighting the potential for hybrid checkup approaches. Full article

Background and Objectives: Preterm birth and stillbirth are primary adverse pregnancy outcomes. Research during the COVID-19 pandemic revealed reductions in preterm birth in some countries, while stillbirth rates increased or remained unchanged. These findings suggest the presence of preventable risk factors associated with changes in physical activity and lower exposure to community-acquired infections due to lockdown measures, altered social interaction patterns or reduced access to antenatal care. Assessing seasonal variation may offer insights into whether lifestyle changes during the COVID-19 lockdown period influenced preterm birth rates. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cohort study used data from the electronic medical records of Bihor and Sibiu counties. Preterm deliveries (<37 weeks) and stillbirths during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020 and 2021) were compared with the corresponding pre-pandemic (2018 and 2019) and post-pandemic (2022 and 2023) period. Preterm birth rates during summer and winter in the pre-pandemic, pandemic, and post-pandemic years were analyzed. A comparison with rates during strict lockdown was made. Results: Out of 52,021 newborn infants, 4473 were born preterm. Preterm birth rates remained stable across all three periods (p = 0.13), and no significant seasonal pattern was identified (p = 0.65). In contrast, stillbirth rates increased notably during the strict lockdown period, with the median incidence almost doubling compared to other periods (0.87%, p = 0.05), while remaining unchanged during the rest of the pandemic (p = 0.52). Conclusions: Our study found that preterm birth rates remained unaffected by the pandemic and lockdown periods, while stillbirths increased significantly during the strict lockdown. These findings highlight the importance of maintaining access to timely antenatal care during public health emergencies to prevent adverse perinatal outcomes. Full article

Purpose: Exercise is recommended for survivors of breast cancer to alleviate adverse reactions and reduce the psychological burden. In recent years, however, environmental factors (e.g., pandemics and climate change) have made it difficult to exercise outdoors. Therefore, this study focused on the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan and evaluated the relationship between changes in physical activity (PA) and mental and physical health in breast cancer survivors. Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted among 345 outpatient female breast cancer survivors aged between 29 and 69 years. The questionnaire was based on the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Quality of Life Questionnaire, and the Fear of COVID-19 Scale and included patient characteristics, changes in PA during pandemic restrictions, and needs for exercise support. The analysis categorized PA changes into two groups according to activity levels. The relationship between changes in PA and physical and mental health was evaluated using logistic regression analysis. Results: Patients with decreased PA accounted for 65.5% of the study population. Regardless of their activity level, these patients were aware of an increased susceptibility to COVID-19, showed a fear of the disease and a tendency for depression, and reported low life satisfaction and declined physical function. Of the patients who stopped exercising, 82.9% reported a decline in PA. Compared with those who had never exercised, those who stopped exercising saw their risk of depression increase by 15.6%. There was a high demand for personalized exercise support from healthcare professionals. Conclusions: Regardless of their activity level, decreasing PA during the pandemic decreased mental health and physical function in breast cancer survivors. There was a higher risk of depression among patients who stopped exercising. Because it is possible that similar situations may occur in the future, interventions by healthcare professionals must be considered in order to continue exercise. Full article

The mental and physical health of college students, especially in urban environments like Shanghai, is crucial given the high academic and urban stressors, which were intensified by the COVID-19 lockdown. Prior research has shown gender differences in health impacts during public health crises, with females often more vulnerable to mental health issues. Objective: This study aimed to comprehensively assess the physical and psychological health of Chinese college students post-lockdown, focusing on the relationship between stress, anxiety, depression, sleep patterns, and physical health, with a particular emphasis on gender differences. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study involving 116 students in Shanghai, utilizing psychological scales (HAMA, IPAQ, PSQI, SDS, FS 14, PSS, SF-36) and physical fitness tests (resting heart rate, blood pressure, hand grip, forced vital capacity, standing long jump, sit-and-reach, one-minute sit-up test and the one-minute squat test, single-leg stand test with eyes closed), to analyze health and behavior during the pandemic lockdown. All students have undergone the same life habits during the pandemic. Results: The HAMA scores indicated no significant levels of physical or mental anxiety. The PSS results (42.45 ± 8.93) reflected a high overall stress level. Furthermore, the PSQI scores (5.4 ± 2.91) suggested that the participants experienced mild insomnia. The IPAQ scores indicated higher levels of job-related activity (1261.49 ± 2144.58), transportation activity (1253.65 ± 987.57), walking intensity (1580.78 ± 1412.20), and moderate-intensity activity (1353.03 ± 1675.27) among college students following the lockdown. Hand grip strength (right) (p = 0.001), sit-and-reach test (p = 0.001), standing long jump (p = 0.001), and HAMA total score (p = 0.033) showed significant differences between males and females. Three principal components were identified in males: HAMA, FS14, and PSQI, explaining a total variance of 70.473%. Similarly, three principal components were extracted in females: HAMA, PSQI, and FS14, explaining a total variance of 69.100%. Conclusions: Our study underscores the complex interplay between physical activity (PA), mental health, and quality of life, emphasizing the need for gender-specific interventions. The persistent high stress, poor sleep quality, and reduced PA levels call for a reorganized teaching schedule to enhance student well-being without increasing academic pressure. Full article

(1) Background: Physical activity (PA) plays a crucial role in preserving and enhancing mental health, particularly in the aftermath of major health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the specific levels and domains of physical activity that have the greatest impact on alleviating symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress in the post-COVID-19 period remain unclear. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of different levels and domains of PA on mental health parameters, specifically symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress, in individuals who had recovered from COVID-19. (2) Methods: The study included initial measurements (2–4 weeks post-recovery) and final measurements (14–16 weeks post-recovery). The sample comprised 288 participants aged 20 to 60 years (M = 47.06; SD = 12.41), with 95 men and 193 women. PA was assessed using the long version of the IPAQ questionnaire, while mental health was evaluated using the long version of the DASS scale. (3) Results: Stepwise regression analysis revealed that low- (p = 0.010) and moderate-intensity (p = 0.022) PA was significantly associated with reductions in anxiety symptoms as well as lower stress levels (low PA: p = 0.014; moderate PA: p = 0.042). Total PA (p < 0.001) and vigorous-intensity PA (p = 0.008) emerged as significant predictors of reduced depression levels. Among the domains of PA, home-based activities had a statistically significant impact on all three mental health components: anxiety (p = 0.005), depression (p = 0.002), and stress (p = 0.041). Transport-related PA was significantly associated with anxiety (p = 0.011) and stress (p = 0.022), but not with depression. (4) Conclusions: The results suggest that a combined model incorporating different levels and domains of PA may represent an effective approach to improving mental health in individuals recovering from COVID-19. Further longitudinal studies are needed to establish more precise causal relationships. Full article

Background: COVID-19 led to social isolation, potentially reducing physical activity (PA), increasing sedentary time, and lowering quality of life (QoL). This study investigated the association between these factors in patients with Chagas disease (ChD) during the pandemic. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 187 patients with ChD. PA and sedentary time were assessed by the IPAQ-short and QoL by the WHOQOL-Bref. The relationship between PA levels and sedentary time with QoL were assessed using unadjusted and adjusted generalized linear models. Results: The highest tertile of total PA was positively associated with the psychological (Exp β = 1.11; 95% CI: 1.02–1.22) and environmental (Exp β = 1.12; 95% CI: 1.01–1.23) QoL domains. The intermediate (Exp β = 1.12; 95% CI: 1.01–1.25) and highest (Exp β = 1.14; 95% CI: 1.02–1.27) tertiles of moderate-to-vigorous PA were positively associated with the physical domain. Similarly, both the intermediate (Exp β = 1.11; 95% CI: 1.01–1.22) and highest (Exp β = 1.12; 95% CI: 1.01–1.21) tertiles of moderate-to-vigorous PA were positively associated with the psychological domain. The highest tertile of sedentary time was associated with a decrease in the physical domain (Exp β = 0.88; 95% CI: 0.79–0.98). Conclusions: Higher levels of total and moderate-to-vigorous PA were associated with better QoL, while greater sedentary time was associated with poorer QoL. Full article

This study aimed to longitudinally analyze changes in body mass index (BMI) among Korean middle and high school students before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were obtained from the national-level Physical Activity Promotion System (PAPS), collected between 2018 and 2024. A total of 171,705 adolescents aged 13 to 18 were included in the analysis (86,542 males and 85,163 females), with a mean age of 15.2 years (SD = 1.68). Time-series analysis and two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were conducted to examine differences in BMI by year, sex, region (capital vs. non-capital), and urban–rural classification. The results indicated a significant increase in BMI during the pandemic period (2020–2022), peaking in 2022, followed by a gradual decline thereafter. Notably, male students and those living in rural or non-capital areas consistently exhibited higher BMI levels, suggesting structural disparities in access to physical activity opportunities and health resources. This study employed the Socio-Ecological Model and the Health Equity Framework as theoretical lenses to interpret BMI changes not merely as individual behavioral outcomes but as consequences shaped by environmental and policy-level determinants. The findings underscore the need for equity-based interventions in physical education and health policy to mitigate adolescent health inequalities during future public health crises. Full article

Background: The global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly influenced elderly functionality, particularly in terms of balance, gait, and independence in daily activities. This study sought to evaluate how these aspects have changed over the course of the health crisis. Methods: We employed the Tinetti scale for assessing balance and gait, and the Barthel Index for measuring functional independence, conducting a comparative analysis of scores before and after the onset of the pandemic in a sample of elderly individuals. Results: Our findings indicated an increase in Tinetti scores, suggesting some improvement in balance and mobility, albeit with marked variability across participants. On the other hand, Barthel scores showed a significant decline, pointing to a reduction in functional independence. Conclusions: These results suggest that the impact of COVID-19 on elderly functionality is not uniform, highlighting the need for personalized rehabilitation strategies. Such strategies should not only focus on physical recovery but also consider the psychological and social repercussions of the pandemic to fully address the diverse needs of this vulnerable population. Full article

Background/Objectives: The prevalence of childhood obesity has recently increased, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, owing to lifestyle changes as a result of public health regulations and guidelines introduced by governments worldwide. The aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of novel e-Health applications in addressing childhood obesity prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The study was conducted as part of the four-year European project BigO (Horizon2020, No.727688). A total of 86 children and adolescents with overweight and obesity (mean age ± standard error of the mean: 11.82 ± 0.25 years; 49 males, 37 females; 31 prepubertal, 55 pubertal) were studied prospectively for 1 year prior to the pandemic (non-COVID-19 group, n = 50) and during the pandemic (COVID-19 group, n = 36). Based on the body mass index (BMI), subjects were classified as having morbid obesity (n = 40, 46,51%) obesity (n = 21, 24.42%), overweight (n = 22, 25.58%), and normal ΒΜΙ (n = 3, 3.49%) according to the International Obesity Task Force cut-off points. The data collection system utilized the BigO technology platform, which connects to a smartphone and smartwatch to objectively record each patient’s diet, sleep, and physical activity. Participants used the BigO system continuously for 4 weeks and wore the smartwatch for specific periods during the week. Subsequently, they entered a personalized, multidisciplinary lifestyle intervention program for 4 months and used the system again for 4 weeks. Results: The key finding was a significantly higher improvement rate in BMI category among children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic (58.3%) compared to before the pandemic (36%). Both groups showed significant reductions in BMI, BMI z-score, insulin resistance indices (homeostatic model assessment and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index), blood pressure, gamma-glutamyl transferase, and insulin concentrations, alongside increases in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p < 0.01). Notably, the COVID-19 group experienced a significantly greater reduction in BMI z-score at 12 months compared to the non-COVID-19 group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Our results reveal that the COVID-19 group demonstrated better compliance with lifestyle interventions and experienced more significant improvements in cardiometabolic risk factors. This suggests that the innovative e-Health applications were successful in managing childhood obesity despite the challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Full article

Background: Food insecurity and social isolation among older adults are pressing public health concerns that significantly impact physical and mental health outcomes. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these challenges while forcing innovative adaptations to traditional congregate meal programs. Objective: This study examined the effectiveness of Kūpuna U, an alternative flexible congregate meal program comprising three models (virtual, hybrid, and traditional), in addressing food insecurity, loneliness, and self-rated health among older adults in Hawaiʻi. Methods: A quasi-experimental study with non-equivalent groups analyzed secondary program evaluation data. Participants (N = 270, follow-up N = 116) self-selected into virtual (grab-and-go meals + online activities), hybrid (grab-and-go meals + virtual and in-person activities), or traditional (in-person congregate meals + in-person activities) models. Food insecurity (6-item scale), loneliness (UCLA 3-item scale), and self-rated health (5-point scale) were measured at the baseline and 6-month follow-up. Results: The Virtual group showed significant improvements in food insecurity (baseline: 1.73 to follow-up: 0.04, p < 0.001) and self-rated health (baseline: 2.92 to follow-up: 3.72, p = 0.005). The Hybrid group demonstrated a significant increase in loneliness (baseline: 4.25 to follow-up: 5.00, p = 0.024). The Traditional group showed no significant changes in any outcome measures. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed significant between-group differences for food insecurity (F = 9.047, p < 0.001) and self-rated health (F = 5.814, p = 0.004) change scores. Conclusions: The Virtual model demonstrated a superior effectiveness in improving food security and self-rated health outcomes. However, self-selection bias limits causal inferences. These findings suggest that flexible, technology-enhanced nutrition programs may effectively serve older adults with mobility or transportation barriers while maintaining program benefits. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted daily life, disrupting routines and altering lifestyle behaviors. This study aimed to investigate changes in body weight, nutritional status, and weight loss practices among adults in Türkiye during the first year of the pandemic. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted between March and April 2021, including 806 participants. Height and weight were self-reported, and weight loss practices, along with their details, were evaluated. A qualitative component explored participants’ perceptions of weight change, with 274 valid responses. The mean weight gain during the pandemic was 0.88 kg (p < 0.001). Among participants, 44.9% reported weight gain, 22.6% reported weight loss, and 14.1% experienced weight fluctuation. Among those who experienced weight fluctuations, 47.4% resulted in weight loss, 14.9% showed no change, and 37.7% experienced weight gain. The prevalence of overweight increased from 19.2% to 22.8%, and obesity rose from 8.7% to 9.4% (p = 0.005). Regarding weight loss practices, 30.1% of participants engaged in physical exercise, while 25.7% reported following weight loss diets. Qualitative analysis revealed that changes in physical activity, eating habits, and psychological factors were key determinants of weight change. These findings emphasize the diverse effects of the pandemic on weight status and management. Full article

Background and Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic affected children’s lifestyle, due to strict lockdown restrictions. This study evaluated Romanian children’s lifestyle prior to and during the pandemic and their associated factors. Materials and Methods: A longitudinal study was performed in 7 urban schools from Romania. Data were gathered at baseline (T1), from October to November 2019, and follow-up (T2), from December 2020 to February 2021. Results: A total of 880 children were enrolled at baseline, 484 at T2, and 350 in both evaluations. Initially, 66.3% did not perform at least one hour of physical activity per day, two thirds did not sleep at least 9 h per night during the week, and more than one third used the internet more than 2 h daily. Investigating changes before and during COVID-19 among students participating at both evaluations, a statistically significant drop in physical activity and sleep time during the week was recorded, while weekend sleep and internet use increased. Several gender- and age-related differences were noted. Physical activity and sleep patterns as well as internet use behavior at T1 predicted the same behavior at T2. Reduced sleep during the week and internet overuse were positively associated at both waves as well as longitudinally. Conclusions: These findings highlight calls for combined strategies that include parents, schools, and community, aiming to enhance a healthier lifestyle among children. Full article

Objectives: This study empirically examined the effects of a digital game-based physical activity program (AI-FIT) on elementary school children’s health-related physical fitness while exploring the role of educational technology (EdTech) as a practical solution to post-pandemic physical inactivity. Methods: This study was conducted over a 12-week period, from September to December 2024, with 40 students (grades 4 to 6) from an elementary school located in a mid-sized city in South Korea. The participants had a mean age of 10.8 years (SD = 0.69). The experimental group (n = 20) participated in the AI-FIT program, while the control group (n = 20) received regular physical education classes. To ensure baseline equivalence between the groups, propensity score matching was employed. Health-related physical fitness was assessed through pre- and post-tests, including flexibility, muscular endurance, cardiorespiratory endurance, explosive power, and Physical Activity Promotion System (PAPS) grade. Analyses were conducted using both dependent (paired) and independent t-tests, along with effect size calculations (Cohen’s d), to examine within-group and between-group differences. In addition, gender-based subgroup analyses were performed to examine potential differences in responsiveness to the intervention. Intervention: Results indicated that the AI-FIT program had a large effect on flexibility (d = 0.90) and muscular endurance (d = 0.80) and a moderate-to-large effect on PAPS grade (d = 0.69). In contrast, no statistically significant improvements were observed in cardiorespiratory endurance or explosive power. Conclusions: These findings suggest that a digital program integrating AI-based personalized exercise prescriptions and gamification elements can effectively enhance the health-related fitness of elementary students. Moreover, this study supports the educational efficacy of EdTech-based interventions in physical education settings. Full article

Background/Objectives: Individuals with chronic stroke often experience various impairments, including poor balance, reduced mobility, limited physical activity, and difficulty performing daily tasks. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, telerehabilitation (TR) can overcome the barriers of geographical and physical distancing, time, costs, and travel, as well as the anxiety about contracting COVID-19. In this retrospective case-control study, we aim to evaluate the motor and cognitive effects of balance TR training carried out with a sensor-based non-immersive virtual reality system compared to conventional rehabilitation in chronic stroke patients. Methods: Twenty chronic post-stroke patients underwent evaluation for inclusion in the analysis through an electronic recovery data system. The patients included in the study were divided into two groups with similar medical characteristics and duration of rehabilitation training. However, the groups differed in the type of rehabilitation approach used. The experimental group (EG) received TR with a sensor-based VR device, called VRRS—HomeKit (n. 10). In contrast, the control group (CG) underwent conventional home-based rehabilitation (n. 10). Results: At the end of the training, we observed significant improvements in the EG in the 10-m walking test (10MWT) (p = 0.01), Timed-Up-Go Left (TUG L) (p = 0.01), and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) (p = 0.005). Conclusions: In our study, we highlighted the potential role of sensor-based virtual reality TR in chronic stroke patients for improving lower limb function, suggesting that this approach is feasible and not inferior to conventional home-based rehabilitation. Full article