Search Results (32)

Background/Objectives: Dysfunctional breathing interacts with common impairments in patients with non-specific chronic neck pain. This study aimed to assess the effect of combining manual therapy with breathing re-education. Methods: A randomized controlled trial with concealed allocation and intention-to-treat analysis, including ninety patients with non-specific chronic neck pain, was employed. Participants were allocated to undertake 10 sessions of either cervical spine and diaphragmatic MT (specifically, Mulligan concept techniques and diaphragmatic doming/release) combined with breathing re-education (experimental group 1, EG1) or cervical spine MT alongside sham diaphragmatic MT (experimental group 2, EG2) or conventional physiotherapy (control group—CG). Interventions lasted 1 month. Primary outcomes were the pain intensity assessed on a 0-to-10 numeric rating scale and the Neck Disability Index percentage. Data were collected at baseline, 1 month, and 4 months post randomization. Results: Pain intensity improved more in the EG1 compared to the CG (mean difference −2.15, 95% CI −2.50 to −1.79) and to a lesser extent relative to the EG2 (mean difference −0.42, 95% CI −0.78 to −0.07) at 1 month. Neck disability equally improved in the EG1 (mean difference −14.72, 95% CI −17.55 to −11.89) and the EG2 (mean difference −13.06, 95% CI −15.93 to −10.19) compared to the CG at 1 month. All significant differences for pain and disability noted at one month remained significant at 4 months. EG1 significantly improved in all respiratory-related secondary outcomes compared to EG2 and the CG, both at 1 and 4 months. Conclusions: Combining diaphragm manual therapy with breathing re-education led to superior improvements in pain and dysfunctional breathing-related outcomes. Trial Registration: NCT05229393. Full article

Background/Objectives: Intentional inhibition reflects voluntary control abilities and is assumed to be an indicator of overweight. The medial frontal cortex is an important brain region associated with intentional inhibition. Nevertheless, it is uncertain whether being overweight is connected to impaired food-related intentional inhibition (FII), and if so, what its underlying neural correlates are. The present study therefore aims to provide increased support for overweight due to impairment of FII. Methods: Firstly, 55 overweight and 45 normal-weight college students (Sample 1) were instructed to perform a go/no-go/choose task, which included a resting-state fMRI. Neural correlates of FII were examined using regional homogeneity (ReHo) analyses. Subsequently, an additional 180 undergraduates (87 overweight and 93 normal-weight; Sample 2) were examined to ascertain the differences in resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) between overweight and normal-weight participants. The study also investigated whether restrained eating mediated the effect of rsFCs on one-year body index changes. Results: FII demonstrated a positive correlation with the cerebellum, inferior temporal gyrus, orbitofrontal cortex, inferior frontal gyrus, and cingulate gyrus. Additionally, in comparison with participants with normal weight, overweight participants demonstrated diminished rsFC between the FII-related areas and the postcentral gyrus, while heightened rsFC strengths were found between these areas and the middle temporal gyrus and precuneus. Furthermore, mediation analyses demonstrated that cingulate–precuneus connectivity is linked to fat mass index change a year later through restrained eating. Conclusions: FII was associated with connectivity between brain regions involved in inhibitory control and maladaptive eating. Furthermore, we investigated how these connectivity patterns could potentially affect future body fat loss through restrained eating. Full article

Background: Most individuals develop smoking habits in adolescence, highlighting the need for a smoking prevention program targeted at this age group. The use of “Implementation Intentions” (If-Then plans) about how to refuse a cigarette combined with anti-smoking messages has been shown to be effective in the UK. However, there is a scarcity of data regarding school-based smoking prevention interventions among adolescents available to countries with high tobacco consumption rates, like Greece. Objectives: To describe the cultural adaptation procedure and the evaluation protocol for the school-based “Implementation Intentions” program aimed at reducing tobacco use susceptibility among Greek adolescents aged 13–16 in school settings. Methods: The present study is part of the EU-funded FRESHAIR4Life Program. We will use a mixed-methods approach with a pre- and post-intervention design in six conveniently selected secondary schools in Heraklion, Crete, Greece, to measure the intervention’s Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance using the RE-AIM framework. The study plans to involve three Master Trainers (MTs), 20–25 school teachers (to be trained by the MTs), and approximately 480 students. Participating schools will receive the “Implementation Intentions” intervention, which is based on a goal-setting technique where individuals commit to perform a particular behavior when a specific context arises. The study will consist of five sequential phases: Phase I involves training three Master Trainers (MTs) using the International Primary Care Respiratory Group (IPCRG’s) Teach-the-Teacher (TtT) curriculum, specifically focused on the implementation of our intervention. In Phase II, workshops will be held to co-create and culturally adapt the intervention. Phase III will involve teachers trained by MTs on delivering the intervention. In Phase IV, teachers will deliver the intervention among students in their schools. Data will be collected pre- and post-intervention through surveys, session logs, fidelity observations, feedback forms, and follow-up interviews or focus groups (Phase V). Quantitative data will be analyzed descriptively and by using paired t-tests and multiple linear regression analyses, while qualitative data will undergo thematic analysis. Discussion: The study protocol’s potential benefits extend beyond educating Greek adolescents on the risks associated with smoking. Active participation will empower and motivate young people to make informed, healthy choices. We expect the results could help create more effective, context-specific interventions, support policy changes aimed at decreasing the prevalence of adolescent smoking in Crete, Greece, and potentially be used by other countries as well. Full article

This paper presents Macalla, a practice-based research project investigating how architectural spaces function as co-creative instruments in Ambisonic choral composition. Comprising four original compositions, Macalla employed Nelson’s praxis model, integrating creative practice with critical reflection through iterative cycles of composition, anechoic vocal recording, and site-specific re-recording. The project explored six contrasting architecturally significant spaces including a gaol, churches, and civic offices. Using a stop-motion stem playback methodology, studio-recorded vocals were reintroduced to architectural spaces, revealing emergent sonic properties that challenged compositional intentions and generated new musical possibilities. The resulting Ambisonic works were disseminated through multiple formats including VR/360 video via YouTube, Octophonic concert performance, and immersive headphone experiences to maximize accessibility. Analysis of listener behaviours identified distinct engagement patterns, seekers actively hunting optimal positions and dwellers settling into meditative reception, suggesting spatial compositions contain multiple potential works activated through listener choice. The project contributes empirical evidence of acoustic agency, with documented sonic transformations demonstrating that architectural spaces actively participate in composition rather than passively containing it. This research offers methodological frameworks for site-specific spatial audio creation while advancing understanding of how Ambisonic technology can transform the composer-performer-listener relationship in contemporary musical practice. Full article

Museums play a significant role in a destination’s cultural and tourist offer, influencing the overall tourist experience. Based on survey conducted among visitors to the Museum of Apoxyomenos of the town of Mali Lošinj and the Cres Museum of the City of Cres, located on the islands of Cres and Lošinj in Croatia, the views of visitors on the museum experience, its role in shaping the overall tourist experience and its connection with the level of consumption, satisfaction with the destination and intention of re-visiting were analysed. The findings of this research suggest that satisfaction with the museum experience can significantly contribute to a positive perception of the destination, encouraging recommendations and increasing the intention to revisit. The results confirm that satisfaction with museum experience strongly contributes to the positive assessment of the destination, encourages recommendations, and increases the intention to return. Although only a weak positive correlation has been established between total visitor consumption and consumption within museums, museums are recognised as important revenue generators and economic factors in the destination. Socio-demographic factors had no significant impact on satisfaction, indicating the universality of the museum’s offer. The findings of this research point to the importance of museum content, promotion, and integration of museums into tourism strategies as potential key elements in the development of tourist destinations. Based on the results obtained, the importance of museum contents, promotion, and integration of museums in tourist strategies is confirmed as key elements of the development of destinations. This research contributes to understanding museums as active participants in the cultural and economic development of tourist destinations. Full article

The importance of leisure in post-COVID-19 society has been underscored by the pandemic, illustrating the need to view leisure not merely as an option but as an essential component of a fulfilling life. This study investigates whether leisure attitudes, considered a novel perspective or belief regarding leisure, along with leisure activities, recreational specialization (the process of becoming proficient in particular leisure activities), and satisfaction derived from these experiences, prompt continued participation. The study surveyed 259 adults, both men and women, residing in Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Chungcheong Province who had engaged in leisure activities for over a year. Data were analyzed using the SPSS 21 program for frequency, reliability, and correlation analyses, while confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were performed with the AMOS 18.0 program. The research yielded the following findings: Firstly, the leisure attitudes of participants significantly influenced their leisure satisfaction. Secondly, their leisure attitudes did not influence recreational specialization. Thirdly, their attitudes did not affect their intention to re-participate. Fourthly, recreational specialization significantly affected both leisure satisfaction and intention to re-participate. Lastly, leisure satisfaction significantly influenced the intention to re-participate. With the evolving perceptions of leisure post-pandemic, there is a need for policies and infrastructure that support the sustainable engagement of leisure activity participants. Full article

Beyond Inclusion aims to explore and revise embedded societal norms which are reproduced throughout practice. In this paper, Queer will be utilised not only to disrupt, but to divest from the cis-normative and hetero-normative standards which are often cemented by the fields within which we work. Informed by collected narratives, ethnohistory and theoretical developments in pedagogy, Beyond Inclusion will explore the multifaceted and multidisciplinary application of Queer pedagogy in order to celebrate Queer, and use Queer to celebrate all which deviates from normalcy. With the intention of empowering youth, community and educational pedagogues to feel confident in Queering their pedagogy, this paper aims to agitate systems of oppression by unusualising the usual, and usualising the unusual, by illuminating what is considered to be normal and why, and how normalcy impacts those who reside on the outskirts of hegemonic culture. Readers will be invited to mobilise Queer, in order to re-examine, reimagine and reconstruct new and Queered ways of upholding anti-oppressive practice. This research will present pragmatic actions which have been informed by questionnaires and interviews with Queer participants, and aim to improve lived experiences for young Queer people and Othered communities. This body of work emphasises negotiated practice, in that the reader will not be provided with definitive solutions, but instead be autonomised in deducing and producing their own knowledge and actions from the information presented. Full article

Background: DNA methylation mediates the gene–environment interactions, with implications for health and disease. Studies with sampling at more than one timepoint revealed the considerable variability of the blood methylome, but comprehensive resources on genome-wide methylation stability are still lacking. We aimed to identify methylation sites that remain the most stable across two timepoints in human whole blood. Methods: Publicly available blood DNA methylation data from three cohorts were analysed, which included methylation profiles at two timepoints >1 year apart. The cohorts included pre-/post-pubertal children (Illumina 450k array), the elderly (Illumina 450k array), and middle-aged adults with obesity (Illumina EPIC array). Two metrics were used for the stability assessment: the mean absolute difference (MAD) of beta values between two measurements and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). We searched for probes demonstrating high stability (low MAD and high ICC) across the three cohorts. Data from 51 children, 86 elderly adults, and 120 middle-aged participants were re-analysed. Results: The median interquartile range (IQR) of the maximum (from three datasets) MAD was 2.1% (1.5–2.9%), and the median of the minimum ICC agreement coefficient was 0.053 (−0.077–0.304). The Pearson’s correlation coefficient for the ICC vs. maximum MAD was low (r = 0.34, p < 2.2 × 10⁻¹⁶). We found only 239 probes that were highly stable based on both the maximum MAD (<5th percentile, <0.01) and ICC criterion (>95th percentile, >0.74). Conclusions: The whole-blood DNA methylation profile, as measured using microarrays, is dynamic over >1 year, but contains a fraction of stable probes, most of which are related to genomic variation. A resource describing probe stability is made publicly available, with the intention to support biomarker studies and the investigation of early epigenetic programming. The absolute error and correlation are two complementary facets of probe stability that may be considered in further research, especially to determine the stability of probes in health and disease across different tissues and populations. Full article

Maximising the potential benefit of resistance exercise (RE) programs by ensuring optimal recovery is an important aim of exercise prescription. Despite this, research surrounding recovery from RE in older adults is limited and inconsistent. The following randomised controlled trial was designed to investigate the efficacy of milk consumption for improving recovery from RE in older adults. However, the study encountered various challenges that may be applicable to similar studies. These include recruitment issues, a lack of measurable perturbations in muscle function following RE, and potential learning effects amongst participants. Various considerations for exercise research have arisen from the data which could inform the design of future studies in this area. These include (i) recruitment—consider ways in which the study design could be altered to aid recruitment or allow a longer recruitment period; (ii) learning effects and familiarisation—consider potential learning effects of outcome measures and adjust familiarisation accordingly; (iii) identify, validate and optimise protocols for outcome measures that are applicable for the specific population; (iv) adjust the exercise protocol according to the specific aims of the study (e.g., are you replicating a usual exercise bout or is the intent to cause large amounts of muscle damage?). Full article

It is clear that yachting tourists are motivated to spend their leisure time at sea. However, few studies have determined the relationship between tourists’ motivation and satisfaction with yachting, and re-yachting intention. Furthermore, the purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among yachting motivation, yachting satisfaction, and re-yachting intention. More specifically, this study sought to examine whether yachting motivation influenced yachting satisfaction, and determine if re-yachting intention was affected by yachting motivation. In order to analyze the data for this study, a total of 240 questionnaires were distributed to yachting tourists at three private yacht club operators, utilizing the convenient sampling method. A total of 219 usable questionnaires were analyzed for this study, while 21 questionnaires were discarded due to incompletion of the survey. Data were analyzed with multiple regression analysis using SPSS version 27.0. The results revealed that entertainment, stress reduction, and family/friends were positively and significantly related to yachting satisfaction. However, socializing and external ostentation did not contribute to yachting satisfaction. Secondly, the results indicated that entertainment, socializing, and stress reduction had a positive and significant effect on re-yachting intention. Conversely, external ostentation and family/friends had no significant influence on re-yachting intention. It is necessary for yacht club business operators to recognize the yachting motivation of the participants. It is also recommended that appropriate marketing strategies are implemented to increase yachting tourism, which would possibly influence yachting satisfaction and re-yachting intention. Full article

The features of open educational resources (OERs) have the potential of enhancing teaching effectiveness and student learning experiences in K-12 education. Encouraging K-12 teachers to use OERs requires an understanding of the factors that have an influence on teachers’ decisions to adopt or use OERs in their teaching. In this regard, this study explored the factors related to how teachers perceived their use of OERs, including the perceived ease of use of OERs, perceived usefulness of OERs, intention to adopt OERs, attitudes, OER self-efficacy, and so on. The relationships of several proposed factors were explored. The participants were teachers from a university in the northeastern United States. Both quantitative and qualitative approaches were applied to analyze the collected data. The results indicated that teachers’ perceptions of using OERs were positive overall. Their perceived ease of use and usefulness were two significant predictors of teachers’ adoption of OERs. Other factors that addressed teachers’ willingness and challenges with the use of OER were re-ported and discussed. Full article

Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like (NOD) receptors rely on the interface between immunity and metabolism. Dietary factors constitute critical players in the activation of innate immunity and modulation of the gut microbiota. The latter have been involved in worsening or improving the control and promotion of diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, diseases known as non-communicable metabolic diseases (NCDs), and the risk of developing cancer. Intracellular NODs play key coordinated actions with innate immune ‘Toll-like’ receptors leading to a diverse array of gene expressions that initiate inflammatory and immune responses. There has been an improvement in the understanding of the molecular and genetic implications of these receptors in, among others, such aspects as resting energy expenditure, insulin resistance, and cell proliferation. Genetic factors and polymorphisms of the receptors are determinants of the risk and severity of NCDs and cancer, and it is conceivable that dietary factors may have significant differential consequences depending on them. Host factors are difficult to influence, while environmental factors are predominant and approachable with a preventive and/or therapeutic intention in obesity, T2D, and cancer. However, beyond the recognition of the activation of NODs by peptidoglycan as its prototypical agonist, the underlying molecular response(s) and its consequences on these diseases remain ill-defined. Metabolic (re)programming is a hallmark of NCDs and cancer in which nutritional strategies might play a key role in preventing the unprecedented expansion of these diseases. A better understanding of the participation and effects of immunonutritional dietary ingredients can boost integrative knowledge fostering interdisciplinary science between nutritional precision and personalized medicine against cancer. This review summarizes the current evidence concerning the relationship(s) and consequences of NODs on immune and metabolic health. Full article

The aim of this study was to study the effect of leisure identity, flow, satisfaction, and re-participation intention among outdoor leisure participants in South Korea. Due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a tendency to more frequently participate in outdoor leisure as opposed to indoor leisure. Leisure activities bestow various benefits. Therefore, this study was used to analyze the relationships amongst leisure identity, leisure flow, leisure satisfaction, and re-participation intention among various theories about leisure. The participants in this study were collected from 369 people who were frequent participants in outdoor leisure. For the data analysis, the researchers used frequency, confirmatory analysis, reliability, correlation, and SEM. The findings were as follows: First, leisure identity had wielded an influence on leisure flow. Second, leisure identity had an influence on leisure satisfaction. Third, leisure identity had an influence on re-participation intention. Fourth, leisure flow did not have any significant influence on leisure satisfaction. Fifth, leisure flow did not have any significant influence on leisure satisfaction. And finally, leisure satisfaction had an influence on re-participation intention. In the era of the COVID-19 pandemic, a new leisure identity has been formed, and it is believed to be a new study on leisure flow, leisure satisfaction, and re-participation intention. This study aims to provide basic data for constructing infrastructure to enable continued participation in outdoor leisure in Korea. Full article

As teacher education, coach education is also a continuous and unfinished path by nature. This study explored how the head-coach (HC) of a world champion futsal team worked as a coach developer of their assistant-coaches (AC). Specifically, the main pedagogical strategies used, how they were applied, and impacted on the perceived professional development of their staff members were investigated. An interpretative case-study was adopted since it enables an in-depth investigation of the complexity and uniqueness of this particular technical staff in educational context. Participants included four experienced coaches, one HC and three ACs. Data was gathered through semi-structured interview method and analyzed by thematic analysis. Findings highlighted an intentional structuration of sequence and timings of the pedagogical tasks and activities assigned by the HC to ACs. Evidence emphasized the (i) vision of mistakes as learning opportunities, (ii) fostering commitment of ACs to enhance team performance, and (iii) space to plan and lead in practical contexts as the main strategies adopted by the HC, who also considered reflective skills as a paramount competency and pedagogical strategy in coach education. From ACs’ perspective, these strategies largely impacted their personal and professional growth. Findings could guide the re-design of future coach education programs. Full article

Previous research on rowing has mostly focused on sports physiology and sports psychology, while the preparation of the competition environment and the participatory behavior of rowers have been less frequently discussed. Therefore, this study intended to discuss the flow experience and revisit the intention of students participating in water-based sports from the perspective of recreational environment fit. Taking the students participating in the Sun Moon Lake Rowing Championships as research subjects, this study conducted a questionnaire survey. A total of 380 questionnaires were sent out and 350 were collected, with a return rate of 92.1%. After excluding 38 invalid questionnaires, 312 valid questionnaires were obtained, and the effective recovery rate was 89.1%. Based on the SPSS and AMOS statistical analyses, the following results were obtained: (1) The needs–supplies fit had a significant impact on flow experience. The path value was 0.60, with a p-value of <0.05; (2) the needs–supplies fit had a significant impact on revisit intention. The path value was 0.38, with a p-value of <0.05; (3) flow experience had no significant impact on revisit intention. The path value was 0.40, with a p-value of >0.05; (4) flow experience had a significant impact on the sense of happiness. The path value was 0.93, with a p-value of <0.05; (5) the demands–abilities fit had a significant impact on flow experience. The path value was 0.56, with a p-value of <0.05; (6) the demands–abilities fit had a significant impact on revisit intention. The path value was 0.29, with a p-value of <0.05; and (7) sense of happiness had no significant impact on revisit intention. The path value was −0.01, with a p-value of >0.05. It is suggested that future related studies could focus on the total amount of recreational activities in the water area of Sun Moon Lake. Finally, relevant practical suggestions were made according to the results of this study. Full article