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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 26884

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Ukadike Chris Ugbolue

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School of Health and Life Sciences, University of the West of Scotland, South Lanarkshire, Scotland G72 0LH, UK
Interests: biomechanics; biomedical engineering; kinesiology; physical activity; sports science
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The psychological impact of inactivity has been deleterious, especially during the lockdowns as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Indeed, the lack of physical activity affected individuals physically and emotionally in terms of their mental health. This Special Issue, entitled “Physical Activity for Public Health”, will cover children and adult physical activity related research topics aligned with improving and promoting public health from the grassroots right through to the local level, regional level, national level, and/or international level. Although physical activity is recognised to have a significant global impact on the health and lifestyle of individuals, it does play a role in the prevention and treatment of common metabolic diseases and disorders. This Special Issue will discuss some of the psychological consequences of the lack of physical activity, as well as physiological and biomechanical physical activity indicators designed as assessment tools to improve our understanding of what constitutes a reasonable evaluation of one’s physical activity level and health status. Original research studies on topics that are qualitatively and quantitatively driven in subject areas, such as sport and exercise science, human movement science, biomechanics, coaching science, and sport development, are encouraged.

Dr. Ukadike Chris Ugbolue
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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

accelerometers
body mass index
exercise
gait
physical education and training
gender
nutrition and supplements
health promotion
primary school
secondary school

Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

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10 pages, 1728 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparing the activPAL CREA and GHLA Algorithms for the Classification of Postures and Activity in Free-Living Children

by Duncan S. Buchan and Ukadike C. Ugbolue

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(23), 15962; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192315962 - 30 Nov 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1141

Abstract

The activPAL accelerometer has been used extensively in research to assess sedentary behaviour (SB) and physical activity (PA) outcomes. The aim of this study was to assess the comparability of PA and SB outcomes from two automated algorithms (CREA and GHLA) applied to the activPAL accelerometer. One hundred and twenty participants aged 8–12 years wore an activPAL accelerometer on their right thigh continuously for seven days on two occasions, providing valid data from 1058 days. The PALbatch software downloaded the data after applying the CREA and GHLA (latest) algorithms. The comparability of the algorithms were assessed using the mean absolute percent error (MAPE), intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC), and equivalence testing. Comparisons for daily wear time, primary lying, sitting and standing time, sedentary and stepping time, upright time, total number of steps, sit–stand transitions and stepping time ≤ 1 min revealed mainly small MAPE (≤2%), excellent ICCs (lower bound 95% CI ≥ 0.97), and equivalent outcomes. Time spent in sitting bouts > 60 min and stepping bouts > 5 min were not equivalent with the absolute zone needed to reach equivalence (≥7%). Comparable outcomes were provided for wear time and postural outcomes using the CREA or GHLA algorithms, but not for time spent in sitting bouts > 60 min and stepping bouts > 5 min. Full article

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

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18 pages, 1472 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Perceived Constraints on Active Recreational Sport Participation among Residents in Urban China

by Lan Lin, Qun Liu, Xiao Xiao and Qin Luo

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(22), 14884; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192214884 - 12 Nov 2022

Viewed by 1973

Abstract

Recreational sport participation is an important pathway to improving the quality of life. While facilities for recreational sports are provided in many urban areas in China, how urban residents might be aware of or use these facilities for recreational sport participation is still a vague notion in the literature. This study explored the linkages between perceived leisure constraints and active participation in recreational sports among urban residents. We collected data samples from 2901 urban residents in China to identify their perceived constraints and the effects of the perceived constraints on active recreational sport participation by structural equation models. Five perceived constraints of active recreational sport participation were identified: intrapersonal, interpersonal, environmental condition, facility-service management, and leisure opportunity constraints. More specifically, leisure opportunity, intrapersonal, facility-service management, and interpersonal constraints were the four most important constraints limiting active recreational sport participation of urban residents. Theoretical and practical implications to facilitate the active recreational sport participation of Chinese urban residents were discussed. Full article

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

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18 pages, 402 KiB

Open AccessArticle

How Can Physical Inactivity in Girls Be Explained? A Socioecological Study in Public, Subsidized, and Private Schools

by Rodrigo Soto-Lagos, Carolina Cortes-Varas, Solange Freire-Arancibia, María-Alejandra Energici and Brent McDonald

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(15), 9304; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19159304 - 29 Jul 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2038

Abstract

In the last few years, the World Health Organization has highlighted that physical inactivity is a global issue affecting women to a greater extent than men. Faced with this, different nation states have developed public policies to reduce physical inactivity at school; however, the biomedical and individualistic models used have generated widespread criticism, as figures remain the same. In the context of failed interventions on increasing levels of physical activity, this study utilizes a socioecological model to analyze and understand how physical inactivity is reproduced in girls in the Chilean education system. A qualitative study was implemented, as it allows a focus on the entailed meanings, context, and processes. Active semi-structured interviews were conducted with 40 groups comprising headmasters, teachers, non-teachers, students, and families. The results show that physical inactivity is linked to factors that go beyond the individualistic model; that is, consideration must include intrapersonal, interpersonal, organizational, community, and public policy dimensions. Furthermore, gender stereotypes gain relevance in physical education classes, in addition to friendships and family, teaching, and administrative work, access to safe play areas, use of spaces, and widespread cultural factors associated with men and women. This study concludes that the assessed gender differences should be approached from a pedagogical perspective beyond common sense, further reporting that the individualized explanation for physical inactivity is irrelevant to answer why women are more inactive than men. Full article

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

9 pages, 951 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Gender and Age Differences in Performance of Over 70,000 Chinese Finishers in the Half- and Full-Marathon Events

by San-Jun Yang, Fan Yang, Yuan Gao, Yan-Feng Su, Wei Sun, Sheng-Wei Jia, Yu Wang and Wing-Kai Lam

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(13), 7802; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19137802 - 25 Jun 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1576

Abstract

(1) Background: The aim of the present study was to examine the characteristics of over 70,000 long-distance finishers over the last four years in Chinese half- and full-marathon events; (2) Methods: The available data of all finishers (n = 73,485; women, n = 17,134; men, n = 56,351) who performed half- and full-marathon events in Hangzhou from 2016 to 2019 were further analyzed for the characteristics of gender, age and average running speed; (3) Results: The total men-to-women ratio was the lowest in the half-marathon event (1.86) and the highest in the full-marathon event (17.42). Faster running performance in males than in females and faster average running speed in short-distance runners were shown. Gender and race distance were observed to have the most significant effects on average running speed (p < 0.01). For both male and female finishers, the slowest running speed was shown in older age groups (p < 0.01) during the full marathon. Our results indicated that the gender difference in performance was attenuated in the longer race distances and older age groups; (4) Conclusions: Understanding the participation and performances across different running distances would provide insights into physiological and biomechanical characteristics for training protocols and sports gear development in different groups. Full article

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

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16 pages, 1074 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Pilot Dance Intervention to Encourage Physical Activity Engagement for Adolescent Girls with Intellectual Disabilities

by Aviva Must, Linda G. Bandini, Carol Curtin, Katherine M. Rancaño, Misha Eliasziw, DJ Tybor and Heidi Stanish

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(8), 4661; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19084661 - 12 Apr 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2373

Abstract

Adolescent girls with intellectual disabilities (ID) are at risk for low physical activity (PA) participation due to their limited opportunities. Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a 12-week dance intervention to promote engagement in moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) and increase cardiorespiratory fitness. Methods: The 12-week intervention included two 75-min weekly dance sessions. Continuous heart-rate (HR) monitoring assessed time spent below/at/above each girl’s target HR zone. Cardiorespiratory fitness was measured by the 6-min walk test (6MWT). Survey items assessed participant enjoyment and participant and parent satisfaction. Results: The mean (SD) age of 18 adolescent girls was 17.3 (2.7) years. Overall, girls attended 88% of sessions and spent 52.3% of each session in MVPA. Mean MVPA was unchanged across the 12 weeks, but the pattern differed across the three sites. We observed a non-significant pre-post increase of 74.6 feet on the 6MWT. Post-intervention surveys indicated that most girls liked the program, perceived improved fitness, and wished to continue dancing. The majority also reported a preference for a girls-only dance program exclusively for those with ID. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that dance is viable for promoting PA for girls with ID. More frequent exercise training is likely needed to improve cardiorespiratory fitness. Full article

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

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Review

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29 pages, 808 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Systematic Review of the Influence of Overweight and Obesity across the Lifespan on Obstacle Crossing during Walking

by Matthias Chardon, Fabio A. Barbieri, Tiago Penedo, Paulo C. R. Santos and Nicolas Vuillerme

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(11), 5931; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20115931 - 23 May 2023

Viewed by 1647

Abstract

This study aimed to systematically review and summarize the available data regarding the influence of overweight and obesity across the lifespan on obstacle crossing during walking. Four databases were systematically searched with no limitation on publication date following the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews and PRISMA guidelines. Only full-text English-language articles published in a peer-reviewed journal were eligible. They had to compare obstacle crossing during walking by overweight or obese individuals with individuals of normal body weight. Five studies were considered eligible. All the studies assessed kinematics; only one assessed kinetics, but none investigated muscle activity or obstacle contact. Compared to normal individuals crossing obstacles, overweight or obese individuals exhibited lower velocity, shorter step length, lower cadence, and less time spent in single-limb support. They also exhibited increased step width, more time spent in double support, and greater trailing leg ground force reaction and centre of mass acceleration. Overall, the small number of included studies did not allow us to draw any conclusions. However, being overweight or obese seems to have a potentially negative influence on the kinematics of gait parameters due to a tendency to trip, fall, and suffer severe fall-related injuries when negotiating obstacles on foot in real-life environments. Full article

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

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19 pages, 1467 KiB

Open AccessReview

Adherence to eHealth-Delivered Exercise in Adults with no Specific Health Conditions: A Scoping Review on a Conceptual Challenge

by Andrea Fuente-Vidal, Myriam Guerra-Balic, Oriol Roda-Noguera, Javier Jerez-Roig and Joel Montane

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(16), 10214; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191610214 - 17 Aug 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1843

Abstract

Adherence has emerged as a focal point and critical determinant of success for physical activity interventions. The term is used for both traditional and digital interventions, and for prescribed and nonprescribed activities. Many other terms for adherence are being used interchangeably, as there is no consensus on its precise conceptualization. This scoping review aimed to advance the definition of adherence to eHealth programs, specifically for the adult population with no specific health conditions. A total of 2983 papers, published between 1 January 2016 and 13 March 2022, were retrieved from different databases (including grey literature). Of those, 13 studies met the eligibility criteria and were included for review. The selected studies used a wide array of technologies and consisted mainly of exercise interventions. Most of the reviewed publications contemplated exercise adherence as a percentage of expected dose. Most (8 out of 13) studies neither assessed nor specified an expected use of the involved technology. Results suggest a need for homogeneity in the conceptualization of adherence to physical activity and exercise, including those interventions delivered digitally. Full article

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

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10 pages, 901 KiB

Open AccessReview

Biomechanical Risks Associated with Foot and Ankle Injuries in Ballet Dancers: A Systematic Review

by Fengfeng Li, Ntwali Adrien and Yuhuan He

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(8), 4916; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19084916 - 18 Apr 2022

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 9396

Abstract

Professional ballet dancers can be classified as dance artists and sports performers. This systematic review aims to consider the biomechanical risk factors for foot and ankle injuries in ballet dancers, as this could potentially reduce the impact that ‘cost of injury’ may have on ballet companies. An additional outcome was to examine the effects of injury on the career of ballet dancers. This study searched articles in four electronic databases for information in peer-reviewed journals. The included articles examined the relationships between biomechanical factors and the relationship between ballet shoes and foot performance. There were 9 articles included in this review. Among these articles, two focused on the peak force of the foot using two types of pointe shoes, three focused on overuse injuries of the ballet dancer’s foot, one article focused on the loading of the foot of a dancer, and three articles focused on the function and biomechanics of the foot in dancers. This review also found that the pointe shoe condition was the most important factor contributing to a foot injury; overuse injury related to high-intensity training and affected both the ankle and the foot; and metatarsophalangeal joint injury related to the function and structure of the foot. Finally, strengthening the lower extremity muscle is also a recommendation to improve muscle coordination and reduce injuries. Full article

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

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12 pages, 739 KiB

Open AccessReview

Computation of Fetal Kicking in Various Fetal Health Examinations: A Systematic Review

by Yuwei Liu, Rongrong Xuan, Yuhuan He, Feng Ren and Yaodong Gu

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(7), 4366; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19074366 - 5 Apr 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2201

Abstract

Fetal movement has always been considered an essential indicator to evaluate the health of the unborn fetus. Many factors affect fetal movement. The frequency of fetal kicking is an important measurement of whether fetal development is progressing and healthy. Various instruments and methods of detecting fetal movement have been used and each method has its advantages and disadvantages. Although limited by the fetal environment in utero, the finite element method and musculoskeletal model can be used to calculate fetal lower limb movement. This review aims to summarize the current detection techniques for fetal movement, especially in the lower limbs. These will be outlined by describing the different measurements of fetal movement, and the related biomechanical analyses of fetal lower limb skeletogenesis and the associated muscular development to better evaluate and calculate the movements of the fetus in the womb. Full article

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

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Other

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29 pages, 4629 KiB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Full-Day Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Levels of Typically Developing Children and Adolescents in the Middle East: A Systematic Review

by Esraa Burahmah, Sivaramkumar Shanmugam and Ben Stansfield

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(20), 6940; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20206940 - 19 Oct 2023

Viewed by 1786

Abstract

Physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) are important components of physical behaviour associated with long-term health outcomes. Environmental and cultural factors may influence physical behaviour. To explore full day PA and SB in children and adolescents (2–18 years old) in the Middle East, a systematic literature review was performed including 183 journal articles. A wide range of PA and SB outcomes were reported, in some cases making synthesis of results difficult. As a consequence, results were generally reported narratively (MVPA time, total PA, SB time). Meta-regression of daily step count revealed females took 4600 fewer steps than males, with 3000 fewer steps on weekdays than weekends, and overweight individuals taking 2800 fewer steps/day. Steps decreased with age. Meta-regression for TV viewing time demonstrated an increase by 0.04 h per year of age. Even though environmental and cultural conditions may be different, PA and SB of children and adolescents in the Middle East were largely comparable to those of Europeans and North Americans. The wide range of data collection instruments used (both self-report questionnaire and body-worn devices) and heterogeneity of data made synthesis of reported data across studies very difficult, suggesting a need for greater standardisation of data collection methods. Full article

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

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