Agata Glapa

Do They Need Goals or Support? A Report from a Goal-Setting Intervention Using Physical Activity Monitors in Youth

The objective of this study was to investigate the association between physical activity (PA) and different goal setting and strategies in youth. The study took into consideration different sources of support as well as gender variations. Classmate and Teacher Support scales were used to evaluate support in physical education (PE) classes, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was reported. Garmin Vivofit® activity trackers were used during an 8 week-long intervention to count daily steps. Data was collected from 65 adolescents (mean age 17.2 ± 0.2), 74 young adolescents (mean age 15.3 ± 0.2) and 57 children (mean age 11.5 ± 0.4). An experimental design was employed, with “goal” and “do your best” groups given different step goal strategies. The results show that both groups achieved a comparable number of steps. Two-way ANOVA showed interactional effects between gender and teacher support. There were no such effects for MVPA and number of steps. Although classmate support in PE was reported to be reasonably high, the findings show that it does not play a significant role in increasing MVPA behaviors in youths. However, the problem of significantly lower support given to adolescent girls by PE teachers should be embedded into the teaching context of PE students and counteracted in school setting realities.

Positive Impact on Physical Activity and Health Behaviour Changes of a 15-Week Family Focused Intervention Program: "Juniors for Seniors".

The promotion of physical activity (PA) in children and their parents requires effective planning and sometimes even interventions. This study shows the effect of PA during a 15-week intervention program “Junior for Seniors” by applying a socioecological model to the interpretation of the data. This comprehensive approach emphasizes the fact that health promotion should focus not only on intrapersonal factors but also on the multilevel factors that might be determinants and modulators of increased PA. In 2015, 24 children (“juniors,” 14 girls and 10 boys, aged M = 7.96 ± 0.69) and 22 parents (“seniors,” 14 mothers aged M = 38.86 ± 2.96 and 8 fathers aged M = 37.38 ± 2.97) were voluntarily enrolled in a study spread across three primary schools in the city of Poznań, Poland. The effectiveness of the intervention was determined according to postintervention behavioural changes in PA in comparison to preintervention levels, as reported by the parents and children. Overall, the study found increases in PA levels and reductions in sedentary time. Although the changes are modest, there are some unrecognized benefits of the intervention which may have occurred, such as improved sport and motor skills, more frequent family social behaviours (walks, meals, and visiting relatives), or simply improved quality of “do-together” leisure time PA.

The Impact of Brain Breaks Classroom-Based Physical Activities on Attitudes toward Physical Activity in Polish School Children in Third to Fifth Grade

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of the Brain Breaks® Physical Activity Solutions in changing attitudes toward physical activity of school children in a community in Poland. In 2015, a sample of 326 pupils aged 9–11 years old from 19 classes at three selected primary schools were randomly assigned to control and experimental groups within the study. During the classes, children in the experimental group performed physical activities two times per day in three to five minutes using Brain Breaks® videos for four months, while the control group did not use the videos during the test period. Students’ attitudes toward physical activities were assessed before and after the intervention using the “Attitudes toward Physical Activity Scale”. Repeated measures of ANOVA were used to examine the change from pre- to post-intervention. Overall, a repeated measures ANOVA indicated time-by-group interaction effects in ‘Self-efficacy on learning with video exercises’, F(1.32) = 75.28, p = 0.00, η2 = 0.19. Although the changes are minor, there were benefits of the intervention. It may be concluded that HOPSports Brain Breaks® Physical Activity Program contributes to better self-efficacy on learning while using video exercise of primary school children.

Relationship between body composition and selected motor components in 17-year-old adolescents residing in the city of Poznań in Poland

Summary Study aim: The objective of this study was to determine differences in body composition status and levels of selected motor components and assess the relationship between selected motor components and body composition in adolescent girls and boys. Material and methods: The study participants were 42 girls and 49 boys from a secondary school in the city of Poznan in Poland who were participating in the “Active not only online” project. The percentage of body components was evaluated using a bio-impedance method. The modified Eurofit battery of tests was used to assess selected motor components. Results: The prevalence of overweight was higher (12.3%) in boys than girls (2.4%), and girls were more frequently underweight (16.7%) than boys (6.1%). The results of the study show higher selected motor component levels in girls than in boys when compared to standardized population norms. BMI correlated positively with 20-m shuttle run (r = 0.45, p < 0.05) in girls and with sit and reach (r = 0.30, p < 0.05) in boys, with ‘hand grip’ strength both in girls (r = 0.35, p < 0.05) and boys (r = 0.29, p < 0.05), and was related to percentage of body fat in girls (r = 0.33, p < 0.05) and boys (r = 0.42, p > 0.05). Conclusions: The findings showed that sex and body composition are important factors influencing physical fitness in adolescents. We suggest that these factors be considered when designing physical activity interventions.

Body Image of Highly Trained Female Athletes Engaged in Different Types of Sport

Background The aim of the study was to evaluate differences in body image across different types of sports in highly trained female athletes. Methods 242 female individuals, aged 13–30 years (M = 20.0, SD = 4.5), representing aesthetic sports (n = 56) and nonaesthetic sports (n = 186), were recruited from different sports clubs in Poland. Body image, BMI, age, the level of competition attained, and the training background of participants were recorded. Results One-way ANOVA showed differences in the body image of athletes engaged in different types of sport (F(11,230) = 4.10, p < 0.001, and η2 = 0.16). The model predicting the body image of female athletes was significant (F(5,236) = 10.40, p < 0.001); the adjusted R2 = 0.163. Type of sport explained 7.1% (β = –0.263, p < 0.001), age explained 4.5% (β = 0.341, p < 0.001), BMI explained 3.6% (β = –0.230, p < 0.001), and level of competition explained 0.9% (β = 0.153, p < 0.05) of variance in body image. Conclusions The findings provide vital new knowledge which can be used by researchers and practitioners in designing educational programs on weight-related behaviors in female athletes. Such programs should be implemented especially in young female athletes participating in high-level sporting activities at an early stage.

Can traditional games be an option in increasing the physical activity of women following mastectomy

Summary Study aim: the purpose of the present study was to investigate the potential of traditional games as a method of increasing the physical activity (PA) of women following mastectomy. A cross-sectional survey during the 20th ONCO Games was conducted and the sample included data from women divided into two groups: up to 50 years old (n = 26) and over 50 years old (n = 86). Material and methods: PA was assessed using a questionnaire, and the number of steps taking during 30-minute periods was measured using pedometers during each of the games. Exertion was evaluated using Borg’s Scale. Results: there was no difference in levels of coherence between the age groups. The group of younger women were statistically more active (M = 3.34 days/week) than the older group (M = 2.77 days/week). All the games were evaluated to be of light intensity, with ringo perceived as being statistically more fatiguing in the over 50 age group. The highest number of steps was performed during the game of ring-net-ball (M = 1903 steps/30 min) in both age groups, with older women performing statistically more steps. Similar situations were observed in the cases of pétanque and speedminton. In ringo, the situation was reversed. The lowest number of steps was recorded in pétanque in the younger age group (M = 296 steps/30 min). Conclusion: this study indicates that in the rehabilitation and recovery process after mastectomy, traditional games could be a bridging link between exercising and sports as they provide not just activity but also a unique and valuable social context.

Physical activity of female children and adolescents based on step counts: meeting the recommendation and relation to BMI

Summary Study aim: the aim of this study was to assess the step counts of children and adolescents with different BMIs and to present the results in relation to the step count recommendation. Material and methods: the study included data from 175 girls, aged 12–18 (45 participants from primary school, 69 participants from junior high school and 61 participants from high school). Voluntary participants were recruited from public schools in Poland. Step counts were measured using pedometers (Yamax Digi-Walker SW 701) over seven consecutive days. Results: the recommended level of 12000 steps per day was achieved by only 14.9% of participants. The step counts performed by girls, especially at the primary school age, are currently insufficient. Participants’ achievement of the recommended step count level correlated with a lower BMI. Conclusions: few female children and adolescents are meeting daily step recommendations, which highlights the importance of school and community-based programmes designed to increase daily activity patterns.