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Physical Activity and Health-Related Quality of Life
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Physical Activity and Health-Related Quality of Life

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Exercise and Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 August 2023) | Viewed by 29100

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Marco Guicciardi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Education, Psychology, Philosophy, University of Cagliari, 9128 Cagliari, Italy
Interests: test construction; physical activity; non-communicable diseases; health-related quality of life; active ageing; ICT; m-health
Prof. Dr. Santo Di Nuovo

E-Mail Website
Co-Guest Editor
Department of Education, Università degli Studi di Catania, 2, 95124 Catania, Italy
Interests: psychology research; methodology; assessment; forensic psychology; artificial intelligence
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Mauro Murgia

E-Mail Website
Co-Guest Editor
Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34122 Trieste, Italy
Interests: perception; action; movement; physical activity; motor rehabilitation

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Regular physical activity significantly affects the health, well-being, and quality of life of individuals throughout their entire life span. Only a small percentage of individuals practices regular physical activity with sufficient intensity, frequency, and duration to obtain or preserve its expected benefits. Moreover, physical activity can delay cognitive impairment in the elderly and can improve the quality of life of people suffering from chronic diseases such as cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic, neurodegenerative, and cancer disorders. Research has often questioned how to stimulate participation in and how to support adherence to physical activity. Randomized controlled trials, observational and intervention studies, and meta-analysis were conducted, but the obtained results were not easily reproducible in everyday life. New technologies might help to deal with these issues: (a) accelerometers have extended physical activity monitoring throughout daily life; (b) smartphones can support data collection in real time and in a real-world environment.

More longitudinal studies are required to assess physical activity in everyday life.

Papers addressing these topics are invited for this Special Issue, especially those combining a high academic standard with a practical focus on how to support everyday physical activities to enhance the health-related quality of life of individuals and communities.

Dr. Marco Guicciardi
Prof. Dr. Santo Di Nuovo
Dr. Mauro Murgia
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • physical activity
  • health-related quality of life (HRQoL)
  • well-being
  • mental and physical health
  • non-communicable diseases (NCDs)
  • active ageing
  • accelerometers
  • ecological momentary assessment
  • wearable devices.

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 367 KiB  
Article
Time Spent Jogging/Running and Biological Aging in 4458 U.S. Adults: An NHANES Investigation
by Christina M. Blackmon, Larry A. Tucker, Bruce W. Bailey and Lance E. Davidson
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(19), 6872; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20196872 - 2 Oct 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 8388
Abstract
Telomere length is a good index of cellular aging. Longer telomeres are predictive of longer life, and healthy lifestyles are associated with longer telomeres. This study explored the relationship between time spent jogging or running each week and leukocyte telomere length (LTL) in [...] Read more.
Telomere length is a good index of cellular aging. Longer telomeres are predictive of longer life, and healthy lifestyles are associated with longer telomeres. This study explored the relationship between time spent jogging or running each week and leukocyte telomere length (LTL) in 4458 randomly selected U.S. adults. The association was studied using data collected by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), and a cross-sectional design. Total weekly jog/run time was calculated from survey responses. From the minute totals, three categories were formed: <10 min/week, 10–74 min/week, and ≥75 min/week. Adults in the third category met the U.S. guidelines. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA. Partial correlation was used to adjust for differences in potential mediating factors, including demographic and lifestyle/medical factors. In the total sample, after adjusting for all the potential covariates, mean LTL significantly differed across the three jog/run categories (F = 4.1, p = 0.0272). Specifically, adults who met the guidelines via jogging and/or running had significantly longer telomeres than adults who performed no jogging/running. Adults in the middle category did not differ from the other two categories. A minimum of 75 min of jogging/running weekly is predictive of longer telomeres when compared to adults who do not jog or run regularly. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical Activity and Health-Related Quality of Life)
14 pages, 802 KiB  
Article
Physical Activities and Learning Experience of Higher Education Students: Mediating Role of Quality of Life and Physical Self-Esteem
by Mohamed A. Zayed and Ibrahim A. Elshaer
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(20), 13417; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192013417 - 17 Oct 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2281
Abstract
The impacts of physical activities (PAs) on psychological and physical health consequences have been examined in both nonclinical and clinical contexts. Although PAs’ influences on physical consequences are regularly beneficial, the psychological positive impacts are less well-understood. This study investigates the effects of [...] Read more.
The impacts of physical activities (PAs) on psychological and physical health consequences have been examined in both nonclinical and clinical contexts. Although PAs’ influences on physical consequences are regularly beneficial, the psychological positive impacts are less well-understood. This study investigates the effects of PA on physical consequences (i.e., physical self-esteem) and psychological and cognitive consequences (i.e., quality of life and learning experience). PA has been found to improve quality of life (QOL), learning experience (LP), and physical self-esteem. Mixed findings from prior studies suggested that the relationship between these variables might be direct or indirect. Data were collected via a self-administrated questionnaire from 510 higher education students in different Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) universities. The collected data were analyzed by structural equation modeling (SEM) and the SmartPLS 4 program. The SEM results show that PAs directly help in enhancing the student learning experience. The results support the mediating role of student physical self-esteem and quality of life in the relationship between physical activities and learning experience. Several theoretical and practical implications were elaborated on and discussed, along with limitations and further research opportunities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical Activity and Health-Related Quality of Life)
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13 pages, 1129 KiB  
Article
Exploring the Role of Physical Activity in Mediating the Association between Educational Level and Health-Related Quality of Life in an Adult Lifespan Sample from Madeira Island
by Jesús García-Mayor, Élvio Rúbio Gouveia, Adilson Marques, Ernesto De la Cruz-Sánchez, Antonio Moreno-Llamas, Cíntia França, Bruna R. Gouveia and Andreas Ihle
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(13), 7608; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19137608 - 22 Jun 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1850
Abstract
Background: People more socioeconomically vulnerable tend to have a poorer health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Studies are trying to analyse the factors that may condition this relationship, including physical activity (PA), which may influence the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and HRQoL. This [...] Read more.
Background: People more socioeconomically vulnerable tend to have a poorer health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Studies are trying to analyse the factors that may condition this relationship, including physical activity (PA), which may influence the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and HRQoL. This study aimed to analyse the relationship between SES and HRQoL through specific domains of PA. Methods: A total of 381 adults (≥18 years) from the Autonomous Region of Madeira completed the measurements. Mediation analyses using bootstrapping methods adjusted for confounding variables were performed to relate SES and HRQoL; the latter was evaluated using the physical component score (PCS) of the SF-12, the mental component score (MCS) of the SF-12, and the total score in the SF-12 questionnaire (SF-12 score), through physical activity. Results: Educational level was positively related to PCS and SF-12 score. Leisure-time PA (not including sports PA) and PA at work, as single mediating variables, did not mediate the relationship between SES and HRQoL. The total PA suppressed the socioeconomic gradient of HRQoL by 8–10%, 39–46%, and 15–16%, respectively, for the PCS, MCS, and the SF-12 score; sports PA mediated the relationship by 13–16%, 50%, and 15–21%, respectively. Conclusions: The results suggest that sports PA contributes to reducing the socioeconomic gradient of HRQoL. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical Activity and Health-Related Quality of Life)
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14 pages, 815 KiB  
Article
Sense of Coherence Predicts Physical Activity Maintenance and Health-Related Quality of Life: A 3-Year Longitudinal Study on Cardiovascular Patients
by Roberta Adorni, Andrea Greco, Marco D’Addario, Francesco Zanatta, Francesco Fattirolli, Cristina Franzelli, Alessandro Maloberti, Cristina Giannattasio and Patrizia Steca
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(8), 4700; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19084700 - 13 Apr 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2427
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally. A physically active lifestyle can improve the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of people with CVD. Nevertheless, adherence to a physically active lifestyle is poor. This study examined the longitudinal (pre-event, [...] Read more.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally. A physically active lifestyle can improve the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of people with CVD. Nevertheless, adherence to a physically active lifestyle is poor. This study examined the longitudinal (pre-event, 6-, 12-, 24-, and 36-month follow-ups) physical activity profiles in 275 patients (mean age = 57.1 years; SD = 7.87; 84% men) after the first acute coronary event. Moreover, it investigated the associations among physical activity, sense of coherence (SOC), and HRQoL. Physical activity profiles were identified through latent class growth analysis, and linear regressions were then performed to explore the association between physical activity, SOC, and HRQoL. After the cardiovascular event, 62% of patients reached adequate physical activity levels and maintained them over time (virtuous profile). The remaining 38% could not implement (23%) or maintain (15%) a healthy behavior. A strong SOC at baseline (standardized β = 0.19, p = 0.002) predicted the probability of belonging to the virtuous profile. Moreover, a strong SOC at baseline (standardized β = 0.27, p < 0.001), together with the probability of belonging to the virtuous profile (standardized β = 0.16, p = 0.031), predicted a better HRQoL at the final follow-up. Findings showed a strong relationship between SOC, the ability to adopt a physically active lifestyle stably over time, and HRQoL in patients with CVD. They suggest the importance of tailoring physical activity interventions by promoting resilience resources such as SOC to improve patients’ quality of life after an acute coronary event. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical Activity and Health-Related Quality of Life)
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10 pages, 681 KiB  
Article
Improving Healthy Aging by Monitoring Patients’ Lifestyle through a Wearable Device: Results of a Feasibility Study
by Maria Fioranzato, Rosanna Irene Comoretto, Corrado Lanera, Lamberto Pressato, Giuseppe Palmisano, Luca Barbacane and Dario Gregori
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(18), 9806; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18189806 - 17 Sep 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2690
Abstract
Population aging is related to a huge growth in healthcare and welfare costs. Therefore, wearable devices could be strategic for minimizing years of disability in old age and monitoring patients’ lifestyles and health. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility [...] Read more.
Population aging is related to a huge growth in healthcare and welfare costs. Therefore, wearable devices could be strategic for minimizing years of disability in old age and monitoring patients’ lifestyles and health. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of using smart devices to monitor patients’ physical activity in a primary care setting. To assess the acceptance of this novel technology from the point of view of both patients and healthcare professionals, two questionnaires (one paper-based and one ex-novo developed) were administered to 11 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and a non-compliant behavior towards the therapeutic indications of their general practitioner (GP). Seven participants would continue to use a wearable activity tracker to monitor their health. We observed that 75% of patients reported a device’s characteristics satisfaction level of over 80% of the total score assigned to this dimension. No differences were observed in the questionnaire’s scores between the two professionals categories (GPs and nurses). Three dimensions (equipment characteristics, subjective norm, perceived risks, perceived ease-of-use and facilitating conditions) correlated > 0.5 with the device’s acceptability level. Some weak correlations were observed between healthcare professionals’ perception and patients’ parameters, particularly between the dimensions of collaboration and web interface ease-of-use and patients’ median number of steps and hours of sleep. In conclusion, despite the limited number of subjects involved, a good acceptance level towards these non-medical devices was observed, according to both patients’ and healthcare professionals’ impressions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical Activity and Health-Related Quality of Life)
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Review

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16 pages, 677 KiB  
Review
Impact of the SARS-CoV-2 Coronavirus Pandemic on Physical Activity, Mental Health and Quality of Life in Professional Athletes—A Systematic Review
by Alicja Jurecka, Paulina Skucińska and Artur Gądek
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(17), 9423; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18179423 - 6 Sep 2021
Cited by 41 | Viewed by 6864
Abstract
Due to the rapid rate of spread of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, a number of restrictions have been introduced into public spaces, including those related to the operation of sports facilities, compounding the difficulty for athletes to conduct appropriate forms of training. The aim [...] Read more.
Due to the rapid rate of spread of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, a number of restrictions have been introduced into public spaces, including those related to the operation of sports facilities, compounding the difficulty for athletes to conduct appropriate forms of training. The aim of this study was to review current scientific reports assessing the impact of the pandemic on the physical activity, mental state, and quality of life of professional athletes. Popular scientific databases—PubMed, Scopus, and Embase—were systematically searched from the beginning of the pandemic until 12 July 2021. According to the adopted criteria, 14 articles were included in the review. Ten of the qualified studies determined the impact of the pandemic on the physical activity of athletes. The authors of 11 papers assessed the mental state and quality of life of athletes during the pandemic. The studies showed negative effects of the pandemic: a decrease in overall physical fitness and number of days and hours of training, as well as an increase in the occurrence of negative emotions (stress, fatigue, and depression) and a decrease in sleep quality. Changes in physical activity had an impact on overall well-being ratings, which depended on the sex of the subjects. Women were more likely to experience negative emotions compared to men. The mental state of the athletes affected the quality of sleep. This review summarises the negative effects of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic on the physical and mental health of professional athletes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical Activity and Health-Related Quality of Life)
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Other

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14 pages, 1463 KiB  
Study Protocol
Family Orchards and Health-Related Quality of Life in the Elderly. A Protocol for a Study in Las Hurdes (Spain) Based on an Ethnographic Approach
by Miguel Madruga, Jorge Carlos-Vivas, María Mendoza-Muñoz, José Carmelo Adsuar, Lorenzo Mariano-Juárez and David Conde-Caballero
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(3), 1059; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18031059 - 25 Jan 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2600
Abstract
Demographic evolution is resulting on an aged population increment in Spain. This growth has been more relevant in rural areas, where the population has traditionally lived under hard socio-economic conditions and leveraging the natural resources such as food from family orchards to survive. [...] Read more.
Demographic evolution is resulting on an aged population increment in Spain. This growth has been more relevant in rural areas, where the population has traditionally lived under hard socio-economic conditions and leveraging the natural resources such as food from family orchards to survive. Studies that have investigated the possibilities and uses of these traditional family orchards today in relation to health-related quality of life in the elderly are scarce. Based on a previous ethnography, this mixed research aims to describe a protocol that will evaluate the effects of the use of traditional family orchards as a daily resource on fitness and quality of life of the elderly population in Las Hurdes (Spain). Body composition, fitness, mental health, health-related quality of life, and activity-related behaviors of participants will be assessed. The outcomes of this study might enable us to design further tailored physical exercise-based interventions using family orchards as an adequate resource to improve the health-related quality of life and fitness of the elderly in rural areas. In addition, the study detailed here might also be applied to other similar rural areas in Spain and worldwide. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical Activity and Health-Related Quality of Life)
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