Search Results (3,211)

Physical activity (PA) is recommended in pregnancy and postpartum to support mental and physical well-being. However, little is known about the association between pregnancy and postpartum PA and interrelated factors in PA engagement. The objectives of this study were to (a) measure and understand PA engagement in pregnancy and postpartum and how related variables (i.e., work status, number of children, time since birth, PA during pregnancy) are associated with postpartum PA and (b) to examine two self-reported methods for assessing PA postpartum: self-reported PA volume and intensity through questionnaire vs. asking whether women met PA guidelines of 150 min of moderate-to-vigorous PA per week. A total of 526 women who had given birth within the past 18 months completed an online questionnaire (majority were Canadian or American). Descriptive statistics were used to assess PA during pregnancy and postpartum, and chi-square analyses were run to assess the association between related variables and to evaluate self-report methods. During pregnancy, 27.4% of women reported meeting PA guidelines and 25.3% reported meeting PA guidelines postpartum. No significant relationship between return-to-work status or number of children and meeting PA guidelines was found. Participants ≤12 weeks postpartum were less likely to meet PA guidelines compared to those >12 weeks postpartum. There was a significant relationship between meeting PA guidelines during pregnancy and engagement in PA postpartum. Lastly, there was a significant relationship between a binary measure of meeting PA guidelines (i.e., yes or no) and calculated PA volume and intensity when provided through type, frequency, and duration. This study provides insights into PA patterns of women during pregnancy and postpartum. Findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to support maternal health and well-being, emphasizing the importance of establishing PA habits during pregnancy to assist in maintenance postpartum. Results also suggest that simplified assessment methods may be effective for monitoring women’s PA, potentially making it easier for healthcare providers to track and promote healthy behaviors among new mothers. Full article

This study compared velocity-based training (VBT) with percentage-based training (PBT) on acceleration (30-m sprint) and explosive power in high school triple jump athletes. Twelve male national-level athletes were randomized (1:1, concealed allocation; blinded assessors) to VBT (n = 6) or PBT (n = 6). Both groups completed identical lower-body resistance training three times per week for eight weeks; the VBT group additionally received real-time barbell-velocity feedback with velocity-loss (VL) based set termination (15–20%). Performance was assessed using 30-m sprint, standing long jump (SLJ), standing triple jump (STJ), and vertical jump (VJ) at pre- and post-test. Statistical analysis included baseline-adjusted ANCOVA and effect sizes (Hedges’ g). VBT improved 30-m sprint (−1.08%, d = 0.89), SLJ (+2.07%, d = 1.02), STJ (+1.64%, d = 0.63), and VJ (+6.01%, d = 1.39; all p < 0.001). PBT also improved SLJ (+1.03%, d = 0.69; p < 0.001) and showed a moderate, statistically significant within-group gain in STJ (+0.56%, d = 0.72; p = 0.001), while improvements in 30-m sprint and VJ were modest. Between-group effects favored VBT across all outcomes. These preliminary findings suggest that VBT may provide more targeted neuromuscular adaptations than PBT, particularly in explosive movements relevant to triple jump performance. However, due to the modest sample size and limited precision, the results should be interpreted with caution and confirmed in larger, adequately powered randomized trials. Nevertheless, this study offers practical insight into load prescription for youth jump athletes and represents one of the first randomized trials to directly compare VBT and PBT in this population. Full article

Studying the response of urban functions to residents’ spatiotemporal activity patterns is essential for understanding urban functions and guiding resource allocation. Unlike previous studies constrained by fixed intervals and static functional spaces, this study has developed an analytical framework to examine urban functional responses to residents’ activity patterns under dynamic spatiotemporal combinations. Tensor decomposition was employed to identify key temporal activity patterns of residents and dynamic urban functional patterns, while a Random Forest model was used to evaluate the contributions of five POI (Points of Interest) groups—Transportation, Organizations, Leisure, Habitation, and Basic Facilities—derived from a reclassification of 17 original POI categories, and the Elasticity Index (EI) quantifies functional responsiveness to activity changes. Results indicated that (1) four temporal patterns (sleeping, commuting, daytime, and leisure) and four spatial function types (the basic living area, the residential areas with mixed functions, residential areas with commercial functions and bustling business districts) characterized Beijing’s urban dynamics; (2) the five types of urban function varied with spatiotemporal context, with basic living POIs dominating daytime activities in residential zones and transportation POIs prevailing during commuting in mixed-use areas; (3) EI revealed significant spatial heterogeneity in adaptive capacities to activity transitions, which helped to accurately identify the key areas for improving urban functions. These findings provide new methodological insights and scientific evidence for resilient urban planning and resource optimization, supporting data-driven decision-making for spatial planning, infrastructure allocation, and emergency response management. Full article

Citywalk, a recently emerging form of leisure-oriented mobility, reflects increasing public interest in healthier lifestyles and more immersive urban experiences in Chinese metropolises. This study develops an integrative assessment framework combining Importance–Performance Analysis (IPA) and the Kano model to examine both functional and affective dimensions of pedestrian satisfaction. Based on a multidimensional assessment model that integrates 25 factors of pedestrian perception, large-scale surveys were conducted in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, focusing on perceptions of spatial form, sensory atmosphere, accessibility, safety, and supporting facilities. A Satisfaction Scale (SS) and an Importance Scale (IS) were used to quantify responses, and the Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin (KMO) statistic indicated adequate sampling reliability. Results show that in Beijing and Shanghai, Biodiversity Visibility and Ecological Connection (LE5 = 3.706) and Street Furniture and Urban Amenity Integration (IN2 = 3.255) respectively rank first in terms of satisfaction, while Guangzhou showed highest satisfaction ratings with Pedestrian Infrastructure and Circulation Systems (IN3 = 3.206). It concludes that accessibility, safety, and route signage represent basic expectations whose absence substantially lowers satisfaction, and integration of cultural narratives were identified as effective design features associated with improved comfort and engagement. The framework and findings provide an empirical basis for analyzing pedestrian experience and identifying priorities for improving citywalk environments under different urban conditions. Full article

Countries encounter significant challenges in the context of the climate crisis, prompting the implementation of environmentally sustainable measures in vulnerable sectors such as tourism. Nevertheless, inadequate levels of public awareness often delay or—in certain cases—hinder the adoption of such measures. This study focuses on the tourism sector in Greece, which is particularly resource-intensive in terms of energy and water consumption, especially in regions frequently affected by extreme weather events. The study’s objective is to evaluate the level of environmental awareness and behavioral profiles of tourists. Firstly, our study provides a literature review addressing the tourism vulnerabilities related to climate change, the nexus between tourism and environmental pressures, the role of public awareness in shaping policy obstacles, and finally issues related to environmental social and individual responsibility and attitudes. Subsequently, a relevant survey was conducted using a structured questionnaire to outline the profile and preferences of home domestic tourists in Greece. Our results indicate a generally moderate to low level of awareness: approximately 80% of respondents believe tourism has minimal or no impact on climate change, while only about 15% endorsed the need for stricter regulatory measures. Moreover, our findings underscore a significant knowledge gap regarding ongoing challenges related to water resource management. Notably, respondents with higher levels of awareness exhibited more positive attitudes towards sustainability-oriented measures. Overall, our study indicates that enhancing environmental awareness through targeted campaigns and effective communication strategies is crucial. In this respect, cultivating the notion of the “responsible tourist” emerges as a key prerequisite for ensuring the long-term sustainability of the tourism sector in Greece, as a responsible tourist contributes to the long-term sustainability and the tourist profile of a destination for both visitors and residents. Full article

Background: Adolescents spend much of their leisure time using technological devices, especially mobile phones and video games, making their use susceptible to becoming problematic. Objectives: This study aims to examine the relationship between social anxiety and risk perception in problematic mobile phone use (PMU) and problematic video game use (PVGU) among adolescents aged 10 to 16, considering potential gender differences. Methods: A total of 757 participants completed the Spanish version of the Cuestionario de uso problemático de nuevas tecnologías (UPNT), the Mobile Phone Problem Use Scale for Adolescents (MPPUSA), and the Social Anxiety Scale for Children-Revised (SASC-R). Results: Boys reported higher PVGU scores, and significant differences were observed between genders in perceptions of risks associated with both PMU and PVGU. No differences emerged in overall social anxiety or its subfactors. Within each gender, positive associations were observed between PMU, PVGU, and social anxiety. Predictive models explained up to 63% of the variance, identifying different risk and protective factors for boys and girls. Conclusions: Both PMU and PVGU should be analyzed from a gender perspective. Although there are similarities between genders, relevant differences highlight the need for tailored preventive strategies. Full article

Background: Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) is common in athletes, being more frequent in outdoor endurance-based/long-distance sports. We followed a World-Class marathon paddler’s season with recurrent episodes of EIB, which intensified during cold exposure workouts. This unique immunophenotype profile during the season and its variations were reflected in acute and chronic inflammatory markers. Methods: A longitudinal case study was conducted with blood sampling obtained from a single paddler after overnight fasting at three timepoints: T1 (beginning of season, after 15-day rest period), T2 (post-Winter National Championship), and T3 (post-Summer National Championship). Complete blood counts and lymphocyte immunophenotyping were performed using automated hematology analysis and multiparametric flow cytometry. Results: The total numbers of leukocytes (T1: 6.3; T2: 5.0; T3: 5.5 × 10⁹/L), neutrophils (3.1; 2.5; 2.8 × 10⁹/L), and lymphocytes (2.4; 1.8; 2.2 × 10⁹/L) declined between T1 and T2, followed by a partial recovery at T3. In contrast, monocyte counts exhibited the reverse pattern (0.41; 0.62; 0.31 × 10⁹/L). The two T cell subsets (αβ and γδ) remained relatively stable, showing only minor seasonal fluctuations. CD19+ B cells, initially at very low levels, increased steadily as the season progressed (0.05; 0.07; 0.16 × 10⁹/L). During T2, the proportion of memory lymphocytes (CD45RO+) rose, while naive cells (CD45RA+) declined; this trend was subsequently inverted at M3. Although the CD4+/CD8+ ratio varied over time, it consistently stayed below the normal reference range established for healthy controls (0.50; 0.83; 0.60 for T1, T2, and T3, respectively). Conclusions: The immune assessment of the World-Class marathon paddler revealed transient immunosuppression early in the season, marked by reduced neutrophils, a low CD4+/CD8+ ratio, and diminished CD19+ lymphocytes. Over time, immune parameters showed signs of recovery, indicating a temporary imbalance that did not impair the athlete’s physical performance. Conclusions: This case study of an elite marathon kayaker revealed transient immune fluctuations across a competitive season, including early immunosuppression (low neutrophils, CD4+/CD8+ ratio 0.50, and minimal CD19+ B cells) followed by partial recovery mid- and late-season. Despite persistently inverted CD4+/CD8+ ratios suggesting chronic immune dysregulation, the athlete maintained competitive performance, highlighting the temporary nature of these changes and emphasizing that regular immune monitoring can help optimize health and performance in elite athletes. Full article

This study demonstrates that nature play meaningfully supports children’s well-being, engagement, sense of belonging, and connection to nature. Over 10 weeks, Year One students (n = 25) from a metropolitan government school in Sydney Australia, participated in a Bush School program, experiencing it as a space of joy, calm, challenge, and growth. Children came to see Bush School not as a break from learning but as a different kind of learning: active, relational, and purposeful. Using a quasi-experiment mixed-methods design, including reflective journals, self-report tools, and class assessments, the study found no negative impact on reading or mathematics outcomes, addressing concerns about lost instructional time. Instead, nature play enhanced number and algebra development, self-regulation, collaboration, and motivation to learn. The findings from this study highlight the potential of nature play to complement formal education in a developmentally appropriate way. Moreover, embedding nature play into mainstream schooling provides a timely and relevant response to current challenges facing education. The study also highlights the importance of listening to children as capable meaning-makers with valuable perspectives. In an era of growing pressure on children and schools, nature play invites a shift in mindset; to slow down, trust children, and embrace the natural world as a co-teacher. Full article

Background: Go-karting has become an increasingly popular motorsport and leisure activity among children of all ages. However, go-karting is not without risks. The main purpose of this study was to assess the number of pediatric patients presenting at the emergency department of a level-I trauma center following a go-kart-related injury event over a nine-year period. Additionally, this study aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of patient characteristics, trauma mechanisms, injury types and use of safety devices. Methods: A retrospective single-center cohort study identified all patients that presented at the emergency department from January 2015 to December 2023. Data from the Dutch Nationwide Trauma Registry and medical files were assessed, descriptive statistics were conducted, and cohorts—defined by date—were compared: the first cohort from January 2015 to December 2021, and the second from January 2022 to December 2023, with December 2021 marking the moment when Max Verstappen became the first dutchman to win the Formula One World Driver’s Championship. Results: A total of 14 patients were identified, with an incidence rate of respectively 0.86 and 4.0 per year for the cohorts. In the total study population, 86% were male and the mean age was 12 years (range 4–17). Collision was the most common trauma mechanism with velocities even exceeding 70 km/h. Reported use of a helmet and seatbelt were respectively 64% and 29%. The mean Injury Severity Score (ISS) was 8.6 (±8.6). 57% of the patients encountered minor injuries (ISS ≤ 8), encompassing mostly soft tissue injuries, whereas truncal injuries occurred most frequently in moderately (ISS 9–15) and severely (ISS ≥ 16) injured children. Conclusions: This study has found that although the number of cases was relatively low, an increase in injuries was seen after 2021 in go-karting in children. Almost half of patients were seriously injured, requiring admission at the least. Resulting from this, considerations on minimum age for participation, enforcement of the use of safety devices including additional safety measures targeting truncal protection, and more clear laws and regulations are advised. Full article

Introduction: Creative Dance, as an educational approach to physical activity emphasizing autonomous exploration and creative expression, has demonstrated significant benefits for children’s cognitive development and independent learning. This study aimed to examine the effects of Creative Dance on the development of autonomy among Chinese children aged 4 to 6 years, and to investigate the mediating role of autonomy need satisfaction in this process. Methods: A randomized, single-blind, two-arm experimental design was utilized, with classrooms serving as the unit of assignment. A total of 102 children aged 4–6 years were randomly allocated to either an experimental group (Creative Dance) or a control group (DanceSport). The children’s autonomy was measured pre- and post-intervention using parent-proxy reports. In addition, qualitative interviews and video observations were conducted to assess the degree of autonomy need satisfaction experienced by the children during the Creative Dance intervention. Results: Analysis of the pre-intervention data revealed no statistically significant differences in autonomy scores between the experimental and control groups. Post-intervention, the children in the experimental group scored significantly higher across all dimensions of autonomy compared to those in the control group. Mediation analysis indicated that autonomy need satisfaction significantly mediated the effect of Creative Dance on self-assertion, but not on self-reliance or self-control. Discussion: Creative Dance constitutes an effective intervention for supporting autonomy need satisfaction and promoting overall autonomy development in young children. Satisfaction of autonomy needs serves as a key mechanism through which Creative Dance enhances self-assertion. These findings provide empirical evidence supporting the incorporation of Creative Dance into early childhood education as a means of promoting physical and mental development. Full article

Mental health (MH) in university students is often studied through isolated variables. However, a dynamic systems perspective suggests that psychological well-being results from interactions among multiple dimensions such as personality, mood, resilience, self-esteem, and psychological distress. A total of 928 university students (M = 21.01 ± 1.95) completed validated questionnaires: Big Five Inventory (BFI-44) for personality, Profile of Mood States (POMS), Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC 25), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21). Exploratory Graph Analysis (EGA) using the EGAnet package in RStudio (v. 2025.09.01) was employed to identify latent dimensions and their interconnections. EGA revealed five stable and interconnected dimensions with good fit indices (TEFI = −9.00; ≥0.70): (a) Personality as socio-emotional regulation, (b) Mood as a generalized affective continuum, (c) Resilience as a unified coping process, (d) Self-esteem based on competence and self-worth, and (e) Psychological distress integrating depression, anxiety, and stress. MH appears as a complex and dynamic network of interrelated psychological components. This network-based approach provides a more integrative understanding of well-being in students and supports the development of interventions that target multiple dimensions simultaneously, enhancing effectiveness in academic settings. Full article

As tourism increasingly drives the revitalization of traditional villages, rural spaces are undergoing a transformation from functional living areas to spaces for cultural display and leisure. This shift has amplified the spatial usage discrepancies between multiple stakeholders, such as tourists and villagers, highlighting conflicts in spatial resource allocation and behavior path organization. Using Wulin Village, a typical example of a Minnan overseas Chinese village, as a case study, this paper introduces social network analysis to construct a “spatial–behavioral” dual network model. The model integrates both architectural and public spaces, alongside behavior path data from villagers and tourists, to analyze the spatial structure at three scales: village-level network completeness, district-level structural balance, and point-level node vulnerability. The study integrates two dimensions—architectural space and public space—along with behavioral path data from both villagers and tourists. It reveals the characteristics of spatial structure under the intervention of multiple behavioral agents from three scales: village-level network completeness, district-level structural balance, and point-level node vulnerability. The core research focus of the spatial network includes the network structure of architectural and public spaces, while the behavioral network concerns the activity paths and behavior patterns of tourists and villagers. The study finds that, at the village scale, Wulin Village’s spatial network demonstrates good connectivity and structural integrity, but the behavior paths of both tourists and villagers are highly concentrated in core areas, leading to underutilization of peripheral spaces. This creates an asymmetry characterized by “structural integrity—concentrated behavioral usage.” At the district scale, the spatial node distribution appears balanced, but tourist behavior paths are concentrated around cultural nodes, such as the ancestral hall, visitor center, and theater, while other areas remain inactive. At the point scale, both tourist and villager activities are highly dependent on a few high-degree, high-cluster nodes, improving local efficiency but exacerbating systemic vulnerability. Comparison with domestic and international studies on cultural settlements shows that tourism often leads to over-concentration of spatial paths and node overload, revealing significant discrepancies between spatial integration and behavioral usage. In response, this study proposes multi-scale spatial optimization strategies: enhancing accessibility and path redundancy in non-core areas at the village scale; guiding behavior distribution towards multifunctional nodes at the district scale; and strengthening the capacity and resilience of core nodes at the point scale. The results not only extend the application of behavioral network methods in spatial structure research but also provide theoretical insights and practical strategies for spatial governance and cultural continuity in tourism-driven cultural villages. Full article

General self-efficacy is identified as a modifiable determinant of adolescent mental health and well-being. This study sought to better understand how conditions in different environments of adolescents’ lives and socio-demographic factors are associated with adolescents’ general self-efficacy. We conducted a hierarchical multi-variable linear regression analysis based on survey data from 2021 of a large population-based sample of Norwegian adolescents (n = 15,040). We found that better Relation to peers (β = 0.20, 95% CI [0.18; 0.22]) and Academic/social relation to teachers (β = 0.13, 95% CI [0.11; 0.14]), Perceived neighbourhood safety (β = 0.08, 95% CI [0.06; 0.10]), and Participation in physical activities (β = 0.07, 95% CI [0.06; 0.09]) had medium to small positive associations with adolescents’ general self-efficacy, whilst Parental involvement, Participation in organized music/cultural leisure activities, and Perceived access to neighbourhood leisure arenas had negligible associations with general self-efficacy. Boys reported a stronger general self-efficacy than girls (β = −0.17, 95% CI [−0.19; −0.16]) and Age and Socio-economic status had small positive associations with general self-efficacy (β = 0.08, 95% CI [0.07; 0.10] and 0.04, 95% CI [0.02; 0.06], respectively). We found some small moderation effects by socio-demographic factors in the associations between environmental factors and general self-efficacy. Our findings suggest that general self-efficacy-promoting initiatives that target adolescents apply a multi-sectorial and multi-level approach and pay particular attention to gender differences. A focus on facilitating adolescents’ experiences of mastery and access to relevant successful role models and supportive behaviour by adults and peers in the various contexts seems to be of particular importance. Full article

Background: Neurofeedback training has emerged as a promising tool for enhancing performance by targeting specific brain activity patterns linked to motor skills, decision-making, and concentration. This study aimed to explore the associations between neurofeedback outcomes and football-specific performance metrics, including anthropometric, physical, technical, and tactical dimensions. Methods: A quasi-experimental design was used to examine the effects of a six-week neurofeedback training program on motor skills, tactical decision-making, and physical performance in young women’s football players (n = 8, aged 14–18). Participants underwent 30-min sessions three times a week targeting sensorimotor rhythms (SMRs) in the 12–15 Hz range within virtual football scenarios. Pre- and post-intervention assessments included anthropometric measures, neurophysiological evaluations, Loughborough Soccer Shooting Test (LSST), and Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 (YYIR1). Tactical decision-making was evaluated with a FUT-SAT-based instrument, and biological maturity was estimated using the Mirwald equations. Results: Statistical analyses using Pearson’s correlations revealed significant associations between neurofeedback outcomes, motor efficiency indices (MEIs), decision-making (DM), and football performance metrics. Correlation coefficients ranged from 0.504 to 0.998, with p-values from 0.010 to <0.001, indicating significant associations across physical, technical, and tactical dimensions. Conclusions: This study highlights the beneficial impact of neurofeedback on football performance in young female athletes. Full article

Urban pedestrian-only spaces face challenges like inadequate leisure experiences and user discomfort. To enhance spatial conditions, it is crucial to evaluate various influencing factors. Many studies focus on individual elements, missing the benefits of a comprehensive approach. This study aims to propose a pedestrian behavior prediction model that establishes the relationship between multiple spatial factors and pedestrian distribution. We introduce a two-layer simulation framework for pedestrian dynamics, comprising a tactic layer responsible for path planning and an operational layer for velocity prediction based on the social force model. This framework enhances prediction accuracy, achieving a 46.3% improvement over the conventional model. Moreover, it underscores the importance of a holistic approach, emphasizing the need to consider group dynamics and random behaviors in pedestrian modeling. Full article