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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-Related Quality of Life".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2024) | Viewed by 24512

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Dr. Yufei Cui

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Guest Editor

1. Department of Physical Education, Institute of Exercise Epidemiology, Huaiyin Institute of Technology, Huaian 223003, China
2. Department of Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
Interests: physical activity; exercise habit; physical fitness; mental health; nutrition; eating behavior; chronic diseases; lifestyle

Dr. Dariusz Mosler

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Co-Guest Editor

Institute of Physical Culture Sciences, Jan Dlugosz University in Częstochowa, 42-200 Częstochowa, Poland
Interests: physiotherapy; assistive technology; disability; sport sciences; biomechanics; martial arts
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Dear Colleagues,

Numerous studies have shown that physical activity is negatively correlated with several diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and mental illness. Thus, maintaining a certain level of daily physical activity can be beneficial for human health. Nevertheless, as society has developed in recent years, peoples’ lifestyles have changed to become more sedentary. For example, the development of transport and the popularity of intelligent communication devices have caused a significant decline in daily physical activity, which has directly and indirectly led to a general decline in physical fitness and the occurrence of chronic diseases. Increasing the average level of physical activity is crucial to improve fitness and prevent diseases. However, some studies have suggested that the same exercise can have different effects for different age groups and sexes. For example, the elderly can significantly improve their physical fitness by performing a low-intensity exercise such as walking, while teenagers cannot. Physical activity is measured as a factor of multiple components, including frequency, duration, intensity, and duration, different combinations of which have different impacts on fitness. In this context, the research on physical activity is diverse. Although all these components have been investigated, the research is not comprehensive and requires further work. For this Special Issue, the “Effect of Physical Activity on Human Fitness”, we invite submissions related to this topic, particularly those combining innovative ideas, research designs, and approaches.

Dr. Yufei Cui
Dr. Dariusz Mosler
Guest Editors

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Keywords

physical activity
physical fitness
athlete health
mental health
motor learning
motor skill acquisition
lifestyle
sedentary behavior
nutrition
chronic diseases

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Research

12 pages, 300 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Empowering Personal Trainers to Work with Individuals with Disabilities to Improve Their Fitness

by Cassandra Beattie, Aspen E. Streetman and Katie M. Heinrich

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(8), 999; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21080999 - 30 Jul 2024

Viewed by 922

Abstract

The benefits of regular physical activity for individuals with disabilities (IWDs) are well recognized. Nonetheless, IWDs report several barriers to physical activity participation, including limited access to qualified and experienced personal trainers. Limited research exists from personal trainers’ perspective. This qualitative study aimed to examine the experiences of personal trainers who successfully improve the fitness of IWDs. Individual interviews were conducted with ten personal trainers, focusing on educational and occupational background, experiences training IWDs, and experiences training IWDs within gyms. Thematic analysis produced five themes: (1) personal trainers working with IWDs need specialized education and extensive, often multidisciplinary, experience; (2) personal trainers are most successful when they have the opportunity to work with IWDs who have a diverse range of disabilities and differing expressions of each; (3) a robust network between personal trainers and allied healthcare providers is necessary to support IWDs; (4) access to physical activity is enhanced when trainers manage resources appropriately; and (5) personal trainers can empower IWDs to be advocates for their physical activity needs. Future research could examine the effects of an adaptive hands-on educational intervention among personal trainers to enhance IWDs’ health and fitness. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effect of Physical Activity on Human Fitness)

11 pages, 5547 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluating the Agreement between Oral, Armpit, and Ear Temperature Readings during Physical Activities in an Outdoor Setting

by Yuanzhe Zhao, Leonardo de Almeida e Bueno, David A. Holdsworth and Jeroen H. M. Bergmann

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(5), 595; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21050595 - 4 May 2024

Viewed by 1563

Abstract

Accurate body temperature measurement is essential for monitoring and managing safety during outdoor activities. Physical activities are an essential consideration for public health, with sports taking up an important proportion of these. Athletes’ performances can be directly affected by body temperature fluctuations, with overheating or hypothermia posing serious health risks. Monitoring these temperatures allows coaches and medical staff to make decisions that enhance performance and safety. Traditional methods, like oral, axillary, and tympanic readings, are widely used, but face challenges during intense physical activities in real-world environments. This study evaluated the agreement, correlation, and interchangeability of oral, axillary, and tympanic temperature measurements in outdoor exercise conditions. Systems developed for specific placements might generate different sensor readouts. Conducted as an observational field study, it involved 21 adult participants (11 males and 10 females, average age 25.14 ± 5.80 years) that underwent the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test protocol on an outdoor court. The main outcomes measured were the agreement and correlation between temperature readings from the three methods, both before and after exercise. The results indicate poor agreement between the measurement sites, with significant deviations observed post-exercise. Although the Spearman correlation coefficients showed consistent temperature changes post-exercise across all methods, the standard deviations in the pairwise comparisons exceeded 0.67 °C. This study concluded that widely used temperature measurement methods are challenging to use during outdoor exercises and should not be considered interchangeable. This variability, especially after exercise, underscores the need for further research using gold standard temperature measurement methods to determine the most suitable site for accurate readings. Care should thus be taken when temperature screening is done at scale using traditional methods, as each measurement site should be considered within its own right. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effect of Physical Activity on Human Fitness)

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12 pages, 2093 KiB

Open AccessArticle

What Can One Minute of the Day Tell about Physical Activity?

by Henri Vähä-Ypyä, Pauliina Husu, Harri Sievänen and Tommi Vasankari

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(19), 6852; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20196852 - 28 Sep 2023

Viewed by 1832

Abstract

High cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) allows individuals to perform daily activities and operate at a higher intensity level. This study investigates the connection between the CRF and peak intensity of physical activity (PA) in absolute and relative terms. A total of 3587 participants (1447 men, 51.9 ± 13.0 years; 2140 women, 50.0 ± 13.0 years) provided substantial accelerometer wear time, and their CRF was estimated via the 6 min walking test. Participants were divided into CRF thirds by age group and sex. Daily one-minute peak intensities were captured in both absolute terms and relative to individual CRF levels. In absolute terms, the highest CRF third had the highest intensity value for men (6.4 ± 1.7 MET; 5.9 ± 1.4 MET; 5.3 ± 1.0 MET) and for women (6.4 ± 1.6 MET; 5.9 ± 1.3 MET; 5.4 ± 1.1 MET). In relative terms, the highest CRF third utilized the least aerobic capacity for men (49 ± 14%; 51 ± 13%; 56 ± 14%) and for women (52 ± 13%; 54 ± 12%; 62 ± 15%). One minute of daily activity offers valuable insights into an individual’s CRF and the effort demanded during PA. Fitter individuals can sustain higher PA intensity levels in absolute terms, whereas individuals with lower CRF utilize a greater fraction of their aerobic capacity. Consequently, heightened CRF not only allows for enhanced intensity levels but also safeguards against strenuous PA during daily routines. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effect of Physical Activity on Human Fitness)

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11 pages, 385 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of Progressive Muscle Relaxation on Psychophysiological Variables in Basketball Athletes

by Marina Pavão Battaglini, Dalton Müller Pessôa Filho, Sandra Leal Calais, Maria Cristina Oliveira Santos Miyazaki, Cassiano Merussi Neiva, Mário C. Espada, Mayra Grava de Moraes and Carlos Eduardo Lopes Verardi

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(24), 17065; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192417065 - 19 Dec 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 4274

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a progressive muscle relaxation program on psychological (stress levels, anxiety, and mood states) and physiological (blood pressure and heart rate) variables in basketball athletes. Fifty-nine basketball players, aged 14 to 19 years, and members of Bauru Basket team, were recruited for this study and grouped into control group (CG, n = 30) and intervention group (IG, n = 29). The participants were evaluated, before and after the intervention, by the following means: Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2), to measure the pre-competitive anxiety state, i.e., how anxious each athlete felt just before the competition; Brunel Mood Scale (BRUMS), an instrument for early detection of overtraining syndrome; Recovery-Stress Questionnaire for Athletes (RESTQ-Sport), to identify the extent to which each athlete was physically or mentally stressed and the athlete’s current capability for recovery; Athlete Burnout Questionnaire (ABQ), specifically developed for athletes. The IG athletes participated in 12 progressive muscle relaxation sessions, a practice for tensing or tightening a specific muscle until an ideal state of relaxation is reached. Each participant had blood pressure and heart rate measured before and after every session. The CG athletes were evaluated similarly to those in the IG but without relaxation. The results showed statistically significant differences in cognitive anxiety (p = 0.039) and specific stress (p = 0.016) between CG and IG before the intervention; in addition, a significant heart rate decrease (p < 0.01) between IG and CG was noted. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effect of Physical Activity on Human Fitness)

8 pages, 1078 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Feeling of Meaningfulness and Anxiety of Taekwon-Do Fighters in a Salutogenic Notion

by Dorota Ortenburger, Dariusz Mosler, Józef Langfort and Jacek Wąsik

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(23), 15658; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192315658 - 25 Nov 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1464

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the relation between the feeling of meaningfulness and also the characteristics of engaged participation (namely, the frequency of participation in voluntary groupings) and the level of anxiety among those who train a group of elite taekwon-do fighters. The research encompassed 58 people, all of whom were taekwon-do ITF (International Taekwon-do Federation) athletes at an elite level. The Questionnaire of Life Orientation (SOC-29) and the Inventory of the State and Features of Anxiety were used. The data were supplemented by the authors’ own questions referring to activities in the field of taekwon-do. The group of taekwon-do fighters chosen was internally divided with regard to the level of the state of anxiety and the feeling of meaningfulness (p < 0.01). It was found that, together with the growth in the values stipulated in the accepted model, the frequency of taekwon-do groupings (β = −0.38), as well as the feeling of meaningfulness (β = −0.31), the value of the level of intensification of the state of anxiety dropped. The data revealed that, together with age, the level of anxiety decreased and the feeling of meaningfulness increased. The difference in the levels of anxiety between women and men was statistically non-significant (p > 0.05). The research findings illustrate that the feeling of meaningfulness and participation in groupings constitute a differentiating factor in terms of the intensification of the average level of anxiety in the elite taekwon-do group. More frequent participation in training goes hand-in-hand with the greater feeling of meaningfulness; perhaps, this is associated with the specific training, which, among other factors, favours adaptation to challenges and actions under pressure. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effect of Physical Activity on Human Fitness)

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12 pages, 527 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Duration of Daytime Napping Is Related to Physical Fitness among Chinese University Students

by Lingfeng Kong, Yufei Cui and Qiang Gong

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(22), 15250; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192215250 - 18 Nov 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2060

Abstract

Reportedly, daytime napping affects the physical fitness of athletes. However, results of these studies are conflicting, and may not be generalizable to all populations. Early adulthood is an important period linking adolescents and adults, during which building good physical fitness is crucial for their remaining lives. Thus, we investigated whether daytime napping duration is associated with physical fitness among Chinese university students. This study was based on an annual physical health examination for all university students and included 11,199 participants (6690 males; 4509 females). The daytime napping duration was assessed using a self-report questionnaire. Physical fitness was measured with a 50 m sprint; 1000 m (for males) and 800 m (for females) runs; standing long jump, sit-and-reach, pull-up (for males), and sit-up (for females) tests; and vital capacity. The adjusted association was evaluated using analysis of covariance. Of the participants, 86% napped regularly. After covariate adjustment was performed, significant V-shaped associations were observed between the daytime napping duration and the 50 m sprint and 800 m run results in males and females. Inverted V-shaped associations were observed between the daytime napping duration and the sit-and-reach, standing long jump, and pull-up test performances and vital capacity in males and between the daytime napping duration and the standing long jump test performance in females. Daytime napping for <30 min may have beneficial effects on physical fitness among university students. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effect of Physical Activity on Human Fitness)

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11 pages, 362 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Effects of Aging and Fitness on Hopping Biomechanics

by Horacio Sanchez-Trigo, Jochen Zange, Wolfram Sies, Jonas Böcker, Borja Sañudo and Jörn Rittweger

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(20), 13696; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192013696 - 21 Oct 2022

Viewed by 1952

Abstract

Physical exercise promotes healthy aging and is associated with greater functionality and quality of life. Muscle strength and power are established factors in the ability to perform daily tasks and live independently. Stiffness, for mechanical reasons, is another important constituent of running performance and locomotion. This study aims to analyze the impact of age and training status on one-legged hopping biomechanics and to evaluate whether age-related power decline can be reduced with regular physical exercise. Forty-three male subjects were recruited according to their suitability for one of four groups (young athletes, senior athletes, young controls and senior controls) according to their age (young between 21 and 35, vs. older between 59 and 75) and training status (competing athletes vs. non-physically active). The impact of age and training status on one-legged hopping biomechanics were evaluated using the two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) method. Significant differences among groups were found for hopping height (p < 0.05), ground contact time (p < 0.05), peak ground reaction force (p < 0.05) and peak power (p < 0.01). No differences among groups were found in ground-phase vertical displacement and vertical stiffness (p > 0.05). Young athletes and older non-physically active people achieved the best and worst performance, respectively. Interestingly, there were not any differences found between young non-physically active people and senior athletes, suggesting that chronic training can contribute to partly offset effects that are normally associated with aging. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effect of Physical Activity on Human Fitness)

12 pages, 565 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Association between Handgrip Strength and the Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index: A Nationwide Study, NHANES 2011–2014

by Dongzhe Wu, Xiaolin Gao, Yongjin Shi, Hao Wang, Wendi Wang, Yanbin Li and Zicheng Zheng

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(20), 13616; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192013616 - 20 Oct 2022

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 4384

Abstract

(1) Background: The Systemic immune-inflammatory index (SII) has been proven to be an effective biomarker of human immune and inflammatory levels and has prognostic significance for most diseases. Handgrip strength (HGS) is a simple and low-cost strength measurement method, which is not only highly correlated with overall muscle strength but also accurately and reliably predicts the risk of multiple chronic diseases and mortality; (2) Purpose: Association between HGS and the SII is unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between HGS and the SII in American adults; (3) Methods: We used the data from the 2011–2012 and 2013–2014 cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), involving a total of 8232 American adults (aged 18–80 years). The SII was calculated as the Platelet count × Neutrophil count/Lymphocyte count; HGS was recorded as the ratio of the sum of the highest grip-strength values of each hand to body mass index taken as the relative grip strength. A weighted generalized linear regression model and analysis of restricted cubic spline regression, adjusted for confounding factors, were used in this study to assess associations between HGS and the SII in American adults; (4) Results: There was a negative correlation between the HGS and the SII of different sexes (p < 0.05), and there was a significant negative nonlinear relationship between the HGS and the SII in males (p for nonlinear = 0.0035), and the SII showed a downward trend with the increase in the HGS in males (Q2: β = −61.03, p = 0.01; Q3: β = −61.28, p = 0.04, Q4: β = −64.36, p = 0.03, p for trend = 0.04), when the HGS exceeds 3.16, with the HGS increasing, the downward trend of increasing the SII slowed down. The nonlinear relationship between the HGS and the SII in females was not significant (p for nonlinear = 0.1011), and the SII showed a linear downward trend with the increase in the HGS (Q2: β = −24.91, p = 0.25; Q3: β = −62.01, p = 0.03, Q4: β = −74.94, p = 0.03, p for trend = 0.01); (5) Conclusions: HGS is inversely and independently associated with SII levels, and although the limited cubic spline regression analysis showed gender differences, the overall trend of the HGS and the SII in different genders was consistent, with both showing that the SII decreased with increasing the HGS. In addition, HGS has high general applicability based on its ease of measurement; it is possible to understand one’s own grip-strength level through routine grip-strength tests, and to make preliminary predictions on the current level of immunity and inflammation in the body. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effect of Physical Activity on Human Fitness)

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10 pages, 924 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Associations between Physical Fitness Index and Body Mass Index in Tibetan Children and Adolescents in Different High-Altitude Areas: Based on a Study in Tibet, China

by Yunjie Zhang, Fan Su, Yongjing Song and Jinkui Lu

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(16), 10155; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191610155 - 16 Aug 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1900

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the relationship between physical fitness index (PFI) and body mass index (BMI) of Tibetan children and adolescents in different high-altitude areas in Tibet, China. Methods: Using the stratified cluster sampling method, 3819 Tibetan children and adolescents from three different high-altitude areas including Nyingchi, Lhasa and Nagqu in the Tibet area of China were given grip strength, standing long jump, sitting forward bend, 50 m running and endurance running tests. One-way analysis of variance was used to compare the physical fitness index in different high-altitude areas. In addition, the method of curve regression analysis was used to analyze the relationship between PFI and BMI. Results: In general, the level of PFI in Nagqu, Tibet, China was lower than that in Nyingchi and Lhasa, and the levels of girls were generally lower than those of boys. The proportions of malnourished, normal, overweight and obese Tibetan boys in high-altitude areas were 11.8%, 79.7%, and 8.5%; those of girls were 3.3%, 82.3%, and 14.4%, respectively. The curve regression analysis showed that the model fitting of male Nyingchi, Lhasa, Nagqu and female Nyingchi, Lhasa, Nagqu were all significant (F values were 29.697, 34.709, 37.500, 9.123, 9.785, 6.939, p < 0.01). The relationship between BMI and PFI generally showed an inverted “U” curve relationship. Conclusion: The negative impact of overweight and obesity on physical fitness of Tibetan boys in high-altitude areas is significantly higher than that of girls, and the negative impact of overweight and obesity on physical fitness of boys in Lhasa and Nyingchi area is more significant than that in the Nagqu area. In the future, attention should be paid to Lhasa and the occurrence of overweight and obesity among Tibetan boys in Nyingchi area in order to prevent the sharp decline of physical fitness and promote the physical and mental development of Tibetan children and adolescents in high-altitude areas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effect of Physical Activity on Human Fitness)

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10 pages, 321 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sleep Pattern Is Related to Mental Health among Chinese Collegiate Student Athletes

by Wei Wei and Weimin Liu

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(15), 8961; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19158961 - 23 Jul 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2490

Abstract

Regarding the association between sleep and napping duration and mental health in young and older adults, some studies indicated a positive association, while others indicated a negative, or no, association between them. Moreover, collegiate student athletes have different mental health stressors, such as training pressure, improving sports performance, and relationships with coaches. Therefore, sleep is important for athletes. Whether sleep duration is related to their mental health is unclear. Thus, this study aimed to examine the association between nighttime sleep duration, daytime napping duration, and mental health among collegiate student athletees. This cross-sectional study included 700 college athletes. Sleep and daytime napping durations were assessed using a self-reported questionnaire. The Zung Self-rating Depression Scale and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 assessed mental health. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the adjusted association between sleep duration and mental health. In this study, the odds ratios for depression and anxiety symptoms were significantly higher for short sleep duration (<7 h). Additionally, a significant positive association was found between daytime napping duration and the prevalence of depression. This study indicates that short nighttime sleep and long daytime napping duration may be risk factors for collegiate student athletes’ mental health, having important implications for educators and coaches. Full article

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