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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".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2023) | Viewed by 9930

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Dr. Federico Quinzi

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Guest Editor

Department of Human Movement and Health Science, University of Rome “Foro Italico”, 00135 Rome, Italy
Interests: motor control; neuromuscular control; motor competence; sport science; exercise science; biomechanics; adapted physical activity

Dr. Sbriccoli Paola

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Guest Editor

Department of Human Movement and Health Science, University of Rome Foro Italico, 00135 Rome, Italy
Interests: neuromuscular changes due to overload in low back pain individuals; neuromechanics in top level athletes; adapted physical activity; exercise physiology
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Dear Colleagues,

Special populations are exposed to a higher risk of being excluded from social participation and, in particular, from regular physical activity (PA) opportunities. It is noteworthy to mention that PA represents an outstanding occasion, both for social inclusion and for the promotion of health and well-being, which can prevent and control non-communicable diseases and, to a broader extent, reduce all-cause mortality. However, barriers to participation in PA may threaten the possibility of special populations to meet the current PA recommendations and prevent them from benefitting from positive health-related outcomes. Therefore, the promotion of PA in special populations is of utmost importance considering the economic burden of non-communicable diseases on national health-care systems.

This Special Issue of the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health focuses on PA in special populations and, in particular, welcomes original research and reviews which offer insight into the amount and quality of PA, as well as novel interventions to increase the amount of PA or the quality of life in this population.

Dr. Federico Quinzi
Dr. Sbriccoli Paola
Guest Editors

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Keywords

intellectual disability
physical disability
neurological disorders
well-being
physical interventions
exercise training
adapted sports

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 873 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Capabilities, Opportunities, and Motivation: Exploring Fitness Program Experiences of Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

by Melissa N. Savage and Andrew M. Colombo-Dougovito

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(10), 5771; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20105771 - 9 May 2023

Viewed by 1773

Abstract

Although there are many benefits to regular engagement in physical activity, adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities often do not engage in or near the recommended amount of physical activity. Barriers, such as lack of perceived capability, accessible environments, transportation, social support, and or knowledgeable support staff, may limit participation in physical activity. The present study used qualitative methods to explore the experiences of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities enrolled in a fitness program. We used field observations and photo-elicited semi-structured interviews to explore what capabilities, opportunities, and motivations facilitate or hinder engagement in fitness classes and their experiences in the program. We used the COM-B model to deductively interpret and analyze the data through thematic analysis. Major themes were identified around types of support and preferences for physical over sedentary activities. Instructor, client, and family support were identified as important in facilitating interest, engagement, and skill. Dependency on others for financial and transportation support was also reported as important for participants to access the fitness program. This study provides valuable insight into the interactions and experiences of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including what keeps them engaged in a fitness program as it relates to capabilities, opportunities, and motivation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical Activity for Special Populations)

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13 pages, 379 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of the Barriers and Motives for Practicing Physical Activity and Sport for People with a Disability: Differences According to Gender and Type of Disability

by Josu Ascondo, Andrea Martín-López, Aitor Iturricastillo, Cristina Granados, Iker Garate, Estibaliz Romaratezabala, Inmaculada Martínez-Aldama, Sheila Romero and Javier Yanci

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(2), 1320; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20021320 - 11 Jan 2023

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2616

Abstract

The aim of the study was to analyse the perception of the barriers and motives for the practice of physical activity (PA) in people with a disability, according to gender and type of disability. The participants in this investigation were 103 people with a disability (33.25 ± 11.86 years) who were habitual users of PA or sports programmes. They completed the questionnaire Motives and Barriers for Physical Activity and Sport (MBAFD). The results showed that personal barriers were more important than environmental ones and that the most outstanding motives were those related to leisure, enjoyment or social aspects. Regarding gender, women perceived more barriers than men. For the people with physical (PD) and intellectual (ID) disabilities, the most common barriers were of an intrinsic nature, and for those with a visual disability (VD), barriers of an environmental nature. With respect to the motives, people with PD gave higher scores to the items related to aspects of physical improvement and rehabilitation. In contrast, people with ID and VD placed more importance on reasons of leisure, enjoyment and social relations. Knowledge of these findings can be a tool to help increase the provision of PA for people with a disability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical Activity for Special Populations)

11 pages, 726 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Associations between Muscle-Tendon Morphology and Functional Movements Capacity, Flexibility, and Balance in Older Women

by Pornpimol Muanjai, Juntip Namsawang, Danguole Satkunskienė and Sigitas Kamandulis

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(23), 16099; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192316099 - 1 Dec 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1359

Abstract

Loss of functional movement capacity in older adults is related to adverse changes in musculotendinous morphology, but this relationship is poorly understood. This study examined the associations between musculotendinous morphology and functional movements, flexibility, and balance ability. Ninety-nine older women (66.6 ± 4.6 years, body mass index 23.5 ± 3.3 kg∙m^–2) were recruited from Chonburi Province, Thailand. During one 90-min visit, muscle ultrasound imaging of vastus lateralis, biceps femoris, and medial gastrocnemius muscles, and tendon ultrasonography of the Achilles tendon and patellar tendon were performed. Measures were also obtained for the straight leg raise, passive dorsiflexion, balance, and functional tests (Five Times Sit to Stand (5TSTS), Timed Up and Go (TUG), 10-Meter Fast Walk Test (10-MFWT), and 6-Minute Walk Test (6-MWT)). The results specify that functional movement performance correlates most strongly with medial gastrocnemius muscle thickness (5TSTS (r = −0.26), TUG (r = −0.44), 10-MFWT (r = 0.41), and 6-MWT (r = 0.48) all p < 0.05) and that vastus lateralis muscle thickness and medial gastrocnemius muscle thickness correlate positively with balance ability (r = 0.24, 0.34; p < 0.05) and negatively with fear of falling. It appears that muscle mass, rather than other morphological parameters, such as muscle quality or fascicle length, is the main factor affecting the susceptibility of older women to frailty. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical Activity for Special Populations)

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17 pages, 968 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Is the Combination of Aerobic Exercise with Mat Pilates Better than Mat Pilates Training Alone on Autonomic Modulation Related to Functional Outcomes in Hypertensive Women? Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial

by Isabella da Silva Almeida, Letícia de Souza Andrade, Alessandra Martins Melo de Sousa, Gerson Cipriano Junior, Aparecida Maria Catai, Yomara Lima Mota and João Luiz Quagliotti Durigan

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(17), 10577; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191710577 - 25 Aug 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2178

Abstract

Background: Although mat Pilates (MP) has become popular, the effects of MP in hypertensive women (HW) are not entirely clear. Here, we investigated the effects of 16 weeks of MP training contrasted with MP supplemented with aerobic exercise (MP+AE) and compared with a non-intervention group on autonomic modulation, cardiorespiratory fitness, strength, flexibility, performance of functional tasks, QOL, anthropometric variables, clinical BP, and heart rate. Methods: This is a three-arm, secondary analysis of an RCT. Sixty HW, aged 30 to 59 years, were allocated into: MP only (MP), MP+AE on a treadmill (MP+AE), and Control Group, without exercises. Assessments were performed before and after 16 weeks of training. Results: The ANOVA shows differences in between-group comparisons in the SDNN, rMSSD, and SD1 in the heart rate variability analysis, with increases in rMSSD, SDNN, and SD1 only in the MP, and this result was not found in the MP+AE group (p < 0.05). Differences were observed in the between-group comparisons in time in the cardiorespiratory exercise test (CPX), flexibility, and the waist-to-hip ratio, with changes in the MP+AE, differences in QOL, and increments in the MP and MP+AE (p < 0.05). Conclusions: MP increased the indices that reflect vagal and global cardiac autonomic modulation. MP+AE improved the CPX performance, flexibility, QOL, and anthropometric variables. These results suggest that MP supplemented or not with AE has promising effects in HW. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical Activity for Special Populations)

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8 pages, 320 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Accelerometer-Measured Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior of Adults with Prader-Willi Syndrome Attending and Not Attending a Small-Scale Community Workshop

by Ming-Ju Wu, Li-Ping Tsai, Ting-Fu Lai, Jeong Su Cho and Yung Liao

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(15), 9013; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19159013 - 25 Jul 2022

Viewed by 1397

Abstract

This cross-sectional study aimed to compare the accelerometer-assessed physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) of adults with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) attending or not attending a small-scale community workshop (SSCW). A total of 18 adults with PWS were recruited in this study. Of these participants, 10 regularly attended an SSCW and 8 did not. All of the participants were asked to wear accelerometers for eight continuous days for measuring their PA and SB. The independent sample t-test was used. The results showed that the adults with PWS who attended the SSCW engaged in more moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) and daily steps than those who did not. By stratifying between daytime/nighttime on weekdays, we found the participants who attended the SSCW had higher total PA, MVPA, daily steps, as well as lower total sedentary time, during the daytime on weekdays than those who did not. Policies or programs promoting PA and reducing SB among adults with PWS should thus consider providing structured programs or courses in a community center. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical Activity for Special Populations)

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