Istvan Soos

Teacher, peer and parent autonomy support in physical education and leisure-time physical activity: A trans-contextual model of motivation in four nations

An extended trans-contextual model of motivation for health-related physical activity was tested in samples from four nations. The model proposes a motivational sequence in which perceived autonomy support from teachers in a physical education (PE) context and from peers and parents in a leisure-time physical activity context predict autonomous motivation, intentions and physical activity behaviour in a leisure-time context. A three-wave prospective correlational design was employed. High-school pupils from Britain, Estonia, Finland and Hungary completed measures of perceived autonomy support from PE teachers, autonomous motivation in both contexts, perceived autonomy support from peers and parents, attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control and intentions from the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), and measures of behaviour and past behaviour in a leisure-time context. Path-analyses controlling for past behaviour supported trans-contextual model hypotheses across all samples. Effects of perceived autonomy support from peers and parents on leisure-time autonomous motivation were small and inconsistent, while effects on TPB variables were stronger. There was a unique effect of perceived autonomy support from PE teachers on leisure-time autonomous motivation. Findings support the model, which provides an explanation of the processes by which perceived autonomy support from different sources affects health-related physical activity motivation across these contexts.

Predicting Physical Activity Intentions Using Goal Perspectives and Self-Determination Theory Approaches

This study used goal orientation theory and self-determination theory (SDT) perspectives to investigate the predictors of physical activity intentions in a sample of Hungarian youth (N = 723). It was hypothesized that the four behavioral regulations stemming from SDT would be proximal predictors of intention, and that goal orientations would predict intentions indirectly through self-determined forms of behavioral regulations, directly for task orientation and indirectly through perceived competence for ego orientation. The hypothesized model was tested on a sample of 301 young people and found to fit the data satisfactorily. The model was then confirmed on a second sample (N = 422). Multi-sample analysis showed the paths to be equal across the two samples so they were combined. For the whole sample, the hypothesized model was confirmed (N = 723) with 18.8% of the variance in intentions explained. The main predictors of intention were self-determined forms of behavioral regulation. The influence of task o...

The prevalence of sedentary behaviours and physical activity in Hungarian youth

BACKGROUND The study of sedentary behaviour is becoming much more visible, alongside research on physical activity. Few published studies, however, originate from Eastern or Central Europe. METHOD Prevalence and point estimate data of key leisure time sedentary and active behaviours are reported from Hungary, a country that has been through an important political transition in the past two decades. Participants (n = 301) aged 13-18 years completed time-use diaries over 4 days for time outside of school. Sedentary and active behaviours were coded and analysed. RESULTS TV viewing reflected trends found elsewhere and was the most prevalent sedentary behaviour. Physical activity levels were low. The next most time-consuming sedentary weekday activities were homework, motorized transport, sitting and talking and playing computer/video games. Gender differences were different to some other countries, with girls reporting more computer game use and boys more sitting and talking, but these may reflect cultural and reporting differences. CONCLUSION This study provides the first comprehensive description of sedentary behavioural prevalence in Hungarian youth.

Physical activity and sedentary behaviours in youth: Data from three Central-Eastern European countries

Abstract Limited data are available on the active and sedentary behaviours of young people in Eastern Europe. Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia are relatively new members of the European Union. The socioeconomic status of the people of these countries differs from that of their Western European counterparts. These three countries are understudied in respect of physical activity and sedentary behaviour patterns in youth. Ecological momentary assessment was employed for data collection among 13- to 18-year-old students (n=623). A 3 (socioeconomic status)×3 (country)×2 (gender) multivariate analysis of variance, with physical activity, technological sedentary behaviour, and sedentary socializing behaviour as dependent variables, showed that for weekday behaviours there were significant multivariate main effects for country (P<0.001) and gender (P<0.001), but not for socioeconomic status (P>0.05). Slovakia showed greater technological sedentary behaviours than the other two countries. Romania and Slovakia had higher physical activity levels than Hungary. Boys spent more time than girls on technological sedentary behaviours, while girls spent more time than boys on socializing sedentary behaviours on weekdays and weekends (P<0.001). For weekend behaviours, the country×gender interaction was significant (P<0.046), with the highest rates of technological sedentary behaviours for males in Slovakia and Hungary, with lower figures for girls in these countries and particularly for boys and girls in Romania. There was a significant multivariate main effect for country (P<0.001), with fewer technological sedentary behaviours in Romania than the other two countries. Hungarian youth were less active than Romanian youth. These three Eastern European countries show quite high levels of sedentary behaviours but these co-exist with varying physical activity patterns. Values differ by country and gender.

The Effectiveness of Sedentary Behaviour Interventions for Reducing Body Mass Index in Children and Adolescents: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Intervention studies have been undertaken to reduce sedentary behaviour (SB) and thereby potentially ameliorate unhealthy weight gain in children and adolescents. We synthesised evidence and quantified the effects of SB interventions (single or multiple components) on body mass index (BMI) or BMI z‐score in this population. Publications up to March 2015 were located through electronic searches. Inclusion criteria were interventions targeting SB in children that had a control group and objective measures of weight and height. Mean change in BMI or BMI z‐score from baseline to post‐intervention were quantified for intervention and control groups and meta‐analyzed using a random effects model. The pooled mean reduction in BMI and BMI z‐score was significant but very small (standardized mean difference = −0.060, 95% confidence interval: −0.098 to −0.022). However, the pooled estimate was substantially greater for an overweight or obese population (standardized mean difference = −0.255, 95% confidence interval: −0.400 to −0.109). Multicomponent interventions (SB and other behaviours) delivered to children from 5 to 12 years old in a non‐educational setting appear to favour BMI reduction. In summary, SB interventions are associated with very small improvement in BMI in mixed‐weight populations. However, SB interventions should be part of multicomponent interventions for treating obese children.

Prevalence of Sedentary Behaviour in Young People in Romania and Slovakia

Sedentary behaviour is becoming a popular area of health research, but most studies report data on samples from Australia, the UK and USA, and on a narrow range of behaviours. The present study reports on the prevalence of multiple sedentary behaviours in a sample of secondary school students (n = 635; mean age 16.0 years) from Romania and Slovakia. Ecological Momentary Assessment diaries were used to record multiple behaviours across weekdays and weekend days. Results showed high levels of many sedentary behaviours, particularly for screen time at weekends. Other behaviours included homework, sedentary socializing and motorized transport. Gender, age and country differences were evident for some behaviours. Interventions may need to account for socio-demographic moderators, and studies need to assess multiple sedentary behaviours.

Short Communication Rroma Culture and Physical Culture in Hungary

Among the most persecuted peoples in the world, Rroma (Gypsies) have sometimes struggled to retain their ethnic identity, and have suffered from a lack of formal education and high rates of illiteracy. This article examines the education and sport involvement of Rroma youth in Hungary. Results suggest that while Rroma youth are from severely disadvantaged backgrounds, their educational achievements are impressive. The sports in which Rroma youth are involved are generally similar to other Hungarian youth; however, the different rates of participation appear to be related both to differences in income and education and to ethnicity. Education and sports participation may well serve as vehicles for assimilating Rroma into the dominant Magyar (Hungarian) culture, but in schools that cater predominantly for Rroma students and include instruction in Rroma language and culture, they may also serve to consolidate ethnic differences and strengthen ethnic identity.

The role of passion in exercise addiction, exercise volume, and exercise intensity in long-term exercisers

Recent studies have shown a relationship between the risk for exercise addiction (REA) and passion. This research examined whether levels of REA, volume of exercise (in weekly hours), and self-reported exercise intensities yield differences in obsessive passion and harmonious passion among individuals with long history of exercise. Respondents (n = 360) completed the Exercise Addiction Inventory, Passion Scale, and Borg Scale (assessing their usual exercise intensity), and reported their volume of exercise (hours per week). Regression analysis demonstrated that exercise intensity, obsessive passion, and harmonious passion were significant predictors (r2 = .381, p < .001) of the REA scores with obsessive passion being the strongest predictor (r2 = .318). Exercisers classified as at REA reported higher obsessive passion, harmonious passion, and exercise intensity (p ≤ .001) than those classified as symptomatic, who in turn scored higher on these measures (p ≤ .006) than asymptomatic exercisers. Participants reporting greater volumes of exercise also scored higher on obsessive passion, harmonious passion (p < .001), exercise intensity (p = .032), and REA scores (p = .042) than individuals who exercised less. Finally, women exercising between low and high intensities exhibited greater obsessive passion, as well as harmonious passion (p ≤ .005) than men reporting similar exercise intensities. These findings support the recently reported relationship between passion and REA. They also expand the current knowledge by demonstrating that obsessive passion and harmonious passion are greater in the individuals who exercise at higher volumes and with higher intensities.

Induced beliefs about a fictive energy drink influences 200-m sprint performance

Abstract Placebo and nocebo effects occur in response to subjective expectations and their subsequent neural actions. Research shows that information shapes expectations that, consequently, influence people’s behaviour. In this study, we examined the effects of a fictive and inert green colour energy drink provided for three groups (n = 20/group) with different information. The first group was led to expect that the drink augments running performance (positive information), the second group was led to expect that the drink may or may not improve performance (partial-positive information), while the third group was told that earlier research could not demonstrate that the drink improves performance (neutral/control). At baseline, the three groups did not differ in their 200-m sprint performance (p > .05). One week later, 20-min immediately after ingesting the drink, all participants again ran 200 m. The positive information group increased its performance by 2.41 s, which was statistically significant (p < .001) and also perceived its sprint-time shorter (p < .05) than the other two groups. A better performance (0.97 s) that approached but did not reach statistical significance was also noted in the partial-positive information group, and a lesser change (0.72 s) that was statistically not significant was noted in the neutral information control group. These results reveal that drinking an inert liquid, primed with positive information, changes both the actual and the self-perceived time on a 200-m sprint. The current findings also suggest that the level of certainty of the information might be linked to the magnitude of change in performance.

An investigation into the relationship between pre-competition mood states, age, gender and a national ranking in artistic gymnastics

Abstract This study investigated the relationship between pre-competition mood state factors in gymnastics by gender, age and a national ranking. Participant-gymnasts (total n=116, male n=49, female n=67) completed a Brunel Mood Scale (BRUMS) one day prior to their main competition of the year. Information was also gathered from gymnasts of gender, age and a national ranking. Consistent with theoretical predictions, results confirmed that a number of pre-competition mood states differed by age with both juniors and seniors having a higher level of anger than children (p<.05 respectively). Also, seniors demonstrated higher tension than children (p<.001). However, only anger showed significant differences by gender with male gymnasts demonstrating higher levels of anger than female gymnasts (p<.05), and with international gymnasts registering higher levels of anger compared with second class gymnasts (p<.05). Authors suggest that future research should investigate relationships between the pre-competition mood in other gymnastics-related disciplines and sports, as well as competitive performances.