It is a common belief that most sports clubs and organisations are primarily focused on elite sports while placing less emphasis on the promotion of health-enhancing physical activity (HEPA). ...However, there is a lack of evidence on this topic in the scientific literature. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the level and correlates of the commitment of sports organisations in Europe to HEPA promotion.
Representatives of 536 sports organisations from 36 European countries responded to our survey. A multiple regression analysis was conducted with the commitment of sports organisation to HEPA promotion (0 "not at all" - 10 "most highly") as the outcome variable and organisation type ("national sport association" reference group ref, "European sports federation", "national umbrella sports organisation", "national Olympic committee", "national sport-for-all organisation"), headquarters in a European Union member state ("no" ref, "yes"), region of Europe ("Western" ref, "Central and Eastern", "Northern", "Southern"), commitment to elite sports ("low" ref, "medium", "high"), and awareness of Sports Club for Health (SCforH) guidelines ("no" ref, "yes") as explanatory variables.
Approximately 75.2% (95% confidence interval CI: 71.5, 78.8) of sports organisations were highly committed to elite sports. Only 28.2% (95% CI: 24.4, 32.0) of sports organisations reported a high commitment to HEPA promotion. A higher commitment to HEPA promotion was associated with the national Olympic committees (β = 1.48 95% CI: 0.41, 2.55, p = 0.007), national sport-for-all organisations (β = 1.68 95% CI: 0.74, 2.62, p < 0.001), location in Central and Eastern Europe (β = 0.56 95% CI: 0.01, 1.12, p = 0.047), and awareness of SCforH guidelines (β = 0.86 95% CI: 0.35, 1.37, p < 0.001).
From our findings, it seems that most sports organisations are primarily focused on elite sports. Coordinated actions at the European Union and national levels are needed to improve the promotion of HEPA through sports organisations. In this endeavour, it may be useful to consider national Olympic committees, national sport-for-all organisations, and relevant sports organisations in Central and Eastern Europe as role models and to raise the awareness of SCforH guidelines.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Periodization is an important component of resistance training programs. It is meant to improve adherence to the training regimen, allow for constant progression, help in avoiding plateaus, and ...reduce occurrence and severity of injuries. Previous findings regarding the effects of different periodization models on measures of muscle hypertrophy are equivocal. To provide a more in-depth look at the topic, we undertook a systematic review of the literature and a meta-analysis of intervention trials comparing the effects of linear periodization (LP) and daily undulating periodization (DUP) resistance training programs on muscle hypertrophy.
A comprehensive literature search was conducted through PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (NDLTD) and Open Access Theses and Dissertations (OATD).
The pooled standardized mean difference (Cohen's d) from 13 eligible studies for the difference between the periodization models on muscle hypertrophy was -0.02 (95% confidence interval -0.25, 0.21,
= 0.848).
The meta-analysis comparing LP and DUP indicated that the effects of the two periodization models on muscle hypertrophy are likely to be similar. However, more research is needed in this area, particularly among trained individuals and clinical populations. Future studies may benefit from using instruments that are more sensitive for detecting changes in muscle mass, such as ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging.
The main purpose of the present study was to determine the associations between sleep duration and sleep quality with respect to dietary habits. In this cross-sectional study, 810 free-living older ...adults aged ≥85 years were recruited from six neighborhoods from the city of Zagreb. Diet, sleep duration and sleep quality were assessed using self-reported questionnaires. The associations between sleep duration and sleep quality with respect to dietary habits were examined using generalized estimating equations with Poisson regression analyses. After adjusting for body-mass index, self-rated health, psychological distress, physical activity, socioeconomic status, chronic disease/s, sex and age, we revealed that 'short' (<7 h; Rate Ratio (RR) = 0.43; 95% CI(confident interval) 0.30 to 0.64) and 'long' (>8 h; RR = 0.26; 95% CI 0.11 to 0.48) sleep durations and 'good' sleep quality (RR = 1.13; 95% CI 1.06 to 1.20) were associated with a 'moderate-to-high' healthy diet. When sleep duration and sleep quality were entered simultaneously into Model 3, 'short' (RR = 0.28; 95% CI 0.16 to 0.44 and 'long' (RR = 0.27; 95% CI 0.15 to 0.52) sleep duration and 'good' sleep quality (RR = 1.14; 95% CI 1.05 to 1.25) remained associated with a 'moderate-to-high' healthy diet. Our study shows that both 'short' and 'long' sleep duration and 'good' sleep quality are associated with 'moderate-to-high' healthy diets.
Background
A large number of wearable activity monitor models are released and used each year by consumers and researchers. As more studies are being carried out on children and adolescents in terms ...of sedentary behavior (SB) assessment, knowledge about accurate and precise monitoring devices becomes increasingly important.
Objective
The main aim of this systematic review was to investigate and communicate findings on the accuracy and precision of consumer-grade physical activity monitors in assessing the time spent in SB in children and adolescents.
Methods
Searches of PubMed (MEDLINE), Scopus, SPORTDiscus (full text), ProQuest, Open Access Theses and Dissertations, DART Europe E-theses Portal, and Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations electronic databases were performed. All relevant studies that compared different types of consumer-grade monitors using a comparison method in the assessment of SB, published in European languages from 2015 onward were considered for inclusion. The risk of bias was estimated using Consensus-Based Standards for the Selection of Health Status Measurement Instruments. For enabling comparisons of accuracy measures within the studied outcome domain, measurement accuracy interpretation was based on group mean or percentage error values and 90% CI. Acceptable limits were predefined as –10% to +10% error in controlled and free-living settings. For determining the number of studies with group error percentages that fall within or outside one of the sides from previously defined acceptable limits, two 1-sided tests of equivalence were carried out, and the direction of measurement error was examined.
Results
A total of 8 studies complied with the predefined inclusion criteria, and 3 studies provided acceptable data for quantitative analyses. In terms of the presented accuracy comparisons, 14 were subsequently identified, with 6 of these comparisons being acceptable in terms of quantitative analysis. The results of the Cochran Q test indicated that the included studies did not share a common effect size (Q5=82.86; P<.001). I2, which represents the percentage of total variation across studies due to heterogeneity, amounted to 94%. The summary effect size based on the random effects model was not statistically significant (effect size=14.36, SE 12.04, 90% CI −5.45 to 34.17; P=.23). According to the equivalence test results, consumer-grade physical activity monitors did not generate equivalent estimates of SB in relation to the comparison methods. Majority of the studies (3/7, 43%) that reported the mean absolute percentage errors have reported values of <30%.
Conclusions
This is the first study that has attempted to synthesize available evidence on the accuracy and precision of consumer-grade physical activity monitors in measuring SB in children and adolescents. We found very few studies on the accuracy and almost no evidence on the precision of wearable activity monitors. The presented results highlight the large heterogeneity in this area of research.
Trial Registration
PROSPERO CRD42021251922; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=251922
Background
Several reviews have examined the health benefits of participation in specific sports, such as baseball, cricket, cross-country skiing, cycling, downhill skiing, football, golf, judo, ...rugby, running and swimming. However, new primary studies on the topic have recently been published, and the respective meta-analytic evidence needs to be updated.
Objectives
To systematically review, summarise and appraise evidence on physical health benefits of participation in different recreational sports.
Methods
Searches for journal articles were conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, SpoLit, SPORTDiscus, Sports Medicine & Education Index and Web of Science. We included longitudinal and intervention studies investigating physical health outcomes associated with participation in a given sport among generally healthy adults without disability.
Results
A total of 136 papers from 76 studies conducted among 2.6 million participants were included in the review. Our meta-analyses of available evidence found that: (1) cycling reduces the risk of coronary heart disease by 16% (pooled hazard ratio HR = 0.84; 95% confidence interval CI: 0.80, 0.89), all-cause mortality by 21% (HR = 0.79; 95% CI: 0.73, 0.84), cancer mortality by 10% (HR = 0.90; 95% CI: 0.85, 0.96) and cardiovascular mortality by 20% (HR = 0.80; 95% CI: 0.74, 0.86); (2) football has favourable effects on body composition, blood lipids, fasting blood glucose, blood pressure, cardiovascular function at rest, cardiorespiratory fitness and bone strength (
p
< 0.050); (3) handball has favourable effects on body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness (
p
< 0.050); (4) running reduces the risk of all-cause mortality by 23% (HR = 0.77; 95% CI: 0.70, 0.85), cancer mortality by 20% (HR = 0.80; 95% CI: 0.72, 0.89) and cardiovascular mortality by 27% (HR = 0.73; 95% CI: 0.57, 0.94) and improves body composition, cardiovascular function at rest and cardiorespiratory fitness (
p
< 0.010); and (5) swimming reduces the risk of all-cause mortality by 24% (HR = 0.76; 95% CI: 0.63, 0.92) and improves body composition and blood lipids (
p
< 0.010).
Conclusions
A range of physical health benefits are associated with participation in recreational cycling, football, handball, running and swimming. More studies are needed to enable meta-analyses of health benefits of participation in other sports.
PROSPERO registration number
CRD42021234839.
Key Points
We found a reduced risk of all-cause mortality associated with cycling (–21%), running (–23%) and swimming (–24%).
Running also improves body composition, cardiovascular function at rest and cardiorespiratory fitness, while swimming also improves body composition and blood lipids.
Football improves body composition, blood lipids, fasting blood glucose, blood pressure, cardiovascular function at rest, cardiorespiratory fitness and bone strength, while handball improves body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness.
The aim of this study was to determine and compare the level of individual anthropological characteristics of children in Croatia and Lithuania. The study examined height, weight, BMI and ...flexibility, explosive power and muscle endurance. The study included a total of 11,258 participants from two different countries. Of the total sample, 8,289 participants were from Croatia between ages 11 and 14 (mean age 12,5±1.5), of which 4,032 were male and 4,157 were female students. The other 2,969 participants were from Lithuania, also in the age range of 11-14 years (mean age 12,4±1.6), of which 1,504 participants were male and 1,456 females. During the 2009-10 school year, reserachers conducted measurements on students at different schools across Croatia. The same battery of tests was conducted in Lithuania during the same year. The results showed that the Croatian students have a higher body-mass, have higher BMI values and score better on tests of flexibility. Lithuanian students achieved better results in the repetitive strength test. Boys are taller, heavier and had higher BMI values as well as achieved better results in tests of explosive power and muscle endurance, while girls were more flexibile. Boys from Lithuania scored highest in all tests except in flexibility compared to boys in Croatia. Girls from Lithuania are thinner, have lower BMI and achieve better results in repetitive test of strength than girls in Croatia. Age was shown as a significant factor in the increase in all tested variables.
Abstract
Background
Sports associations may play an important role in the promotion of health-enhancing physical activity (HEPA) in Europe. However, no recent findings on their commitment to HEPA ...promotion are available. Therefore, we aimed to determine the level and correlates of the commitment of European sports associations to HEPA promotion.
Methods
Representatives of 1717 sports associations from 36 countries were invited to take part in a survey conducted within the Sports Club for Health (SCforH) 2015-17 project, and 536 (31%) agreed to participate. The participants were asked about their organisation's awareness of SCforH guidelines and its commitment (0-10) to the promotion of: elite sports; health-enhancing sports; health-enhancing exercise, and other types of HEPA. An overall HEPA promotion score was calculated as the arithmetic mean of the latter three. A multiple regression analysis was conducted with the overall HEPA promotion score as the outcome variable and organisation type (“national association of a specific sport” as the reference group ref, “European sports federation”, “national umbrella sports organisation”, “national Olympic committee”, “national sport-for-all organisation”), headquarters in an EU member state (“no” ref, “yes”), region of Europe (“Western” ref, “Central-Eastern”, “Northern”, “Southern”), commitment to elite sports (“low” ref, “medium”, “high”), and awareness of SCforH guidelines (“no” ref, “yes”) as explanatory variables.
Results
The commitment to HEPA promotion was low (score: 0-3) in 32.1% (95% confidence interval CI: 28.1, 36.0), medium (4-6) in 39.7% (95% CI: 35.6, 43.9), and high (7-10) in 28.2% (95% CI: 24.4, 32.0) of sports associations. Being a national sport-for-all organisation (β = 1.68; 95% CI: 0.74, 2.62; p > 0.001), national Olympic committee (β = 1.48; 95% CI: 0.41, 2.55; p = 0.007), located in Central-Eastern Europe (β = 0.56; 95% CI: 0.01, 1.12; p = 0.047), and aware of the SCforH guidelines (β = 0.86; 95% CI: 0.35, 1.37; p > 0.001) was associated with greater commitment to HEPA promotion.
Conclusion
Relatively low commitment of European sports associations to HEPA promotion may be increased by raising awareness of the SCforH guidelines and by considering national sport-for-all organisations, national Olympic committees, and organisations in Central-Eastern Europe as role-models in this endeavour.
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NUK, OILJ, UL, UM, UPUK, VSZLJ
The objective was to explore the effectiveness of a five-minute classroom-based physical activity (5min-Class-PA) to keep student behaviour on task while increasing PA and energy expenditure during ...school days. The multiple baselines across subjects’ design was implemented to assess on-task behaviour during academic lessons (e.g., Mathematics, Science, Language, Art). Observers were blinded to study condition. A quasi-experimental design was implemented to assess PA volume and energy expenditure using SenseWear Armband body monitor (BodyMedia Inc., Pittsburgh, PA, USA). A convenience sample of elementary school pupils (aged 6-10 years) was observed. A total of eight class departments or two class departments per grade (first to fourth) were included by random selection. All pupils from the selected class departments were asked to participate (total 149) and 126 (85%) had no health aberrations and returned parent signed informed agreement on participation. Five-minute PA daily was performed in the middle of a 45-min academic lesson by imitating video animations projected on the school board for 12 weeks. The aims were to assess on-task behaviour during academic lessons and physical activity volume and energy expenditure during a school day. When the 5min-Class-PA was implemented, initially high on-task behaviour during the first part of the lesson (91.42% and 94.8% for 6-8- and 8-10-year-olds, respectively) was not significantly changed after the 5min-Class-PA. In contrast, when the 5min-Class-PA was not implemented, on-task behaviour during the second part of the lesson decreased (by 3% and 4% for 6-8- and 8-10-year-olds, respectively). After the 5min-Class-PA was systematically introduced, on-task behaviour systematically improved. The results of the implementation of the classroom-based PA also indicated a small, non-significant increase in PA levels and energy expenditure during the school day, but also a non-significant increase in sedentary time. On-task behaviour during academic lessons and daily in-school PA levels can be improved by implementing a 5min-Class-PA programme.
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DOBA, FSPLJ, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Summary
A systematic search of the literature was performed to compare the effects of interventions that targeted sedentary behaviours or physical activity (PA) or physical fitness on primary ...prevention of obesity in 6‐ to 12‐year‐old children. The search identified 146 reports that provided relevant data for meta‐analysis. Point estimates in % body fat were higher for fitness interventions compared with PA interventions (standardized mean difference = −0.11%; 95% CI = −0.26 to 0.04, and −0.04%; 95% CI = −0.15 to 0.06, respectively). Including sedentary behaviour to a PA‐ or fitness‐oriented intervention was not accompanied by an increase in intervention effectiveness, as the point estimates were slightly smaller compared with those for PA‐ or fitness‐only interventions. Overall, the effects tended to be larger in girls than in boys, especially for PA + sedentary behaviour interventions. There was some evidence for inequality, as the effects on body mass index were seen when interventions were delivered in the general population (standardized mean difference = −0.05, 95% CI = −0.07 to −0.02), but not in groups of disadvantaged children (standardized mean difference = −0.01, 95% CI = −0.29 to 0.19). In conclusion, school‐based PA interventions appear to be an effective strategy in the primary prevention of childhood obesity among 6‐ to 12‐year‐old children, but targeting sedentary behaviour in addition to PA or fitness does not increase the effectiveness of the intervention.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK