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Obeidat MS, Saaydeh D. Optimizing learning comfort: ergonomic influences on children's transition to online education. ERGONOMICS 2024:1-13. [PMID: 38881442 DOI: 10.1080/00140139.2024.2367160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated the implementation of lockdown measures, resulting in children attending classes from their homes through online platforms. This study aimed to examine the impact of studying at home on children by investigating various aspects related to their study environment. Data were gathered through two questionnaires administered in Jordan: One targeted children aged 8-15 year through interviews, while the other targeted parents with at least one school-aged child through an online survey. The interview-based survey (N = 152) identified significant factors such as the study location, excessive use of computer peripherals, and physical discomforts like back, hand, and ear pain. Similarly, the parent survey (N = 1,152) revealed various significant factors including parents' monthly income, educational level, occupation, living area, sources of COVID-19 information, fear of the virus, TV time, eating and reading habits, smartphone usage, difficulty in concentrating while studying, engagement with social media, internet usage, elbow position, and eye protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Said Obeidat
- Department of Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Dalia Saaydeh
- Department of Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
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Singh K, Armstrong SC, Wagner BE, Counts J, Skinner A, Kay M, Li JS, Shah S, Zucker N, Neshteruk C, Story M, Suarez L, Kraus WE, Zizzi AR, Dunn J. Physical activity and sleep changes among children during the COVID-19 pandemic. NPJ Digit Med 2024; 7:70. [PMID: 38493216 PMCID: PMC10944532 DOI: 10.1038/s41746-024-01041-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Daily routines, including in-person school and extracurricular activities, are important for maintaining healthy physical activity and sleep habits in children. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted daily routines as in-person school and activities closed to prevent spread of SARS-CoV-2. We aimed to examine and assess differences in objectively measured physical activity levels and sleep patterns from wearable sensors in children with obesity before, during, and after a period of school and extracurricular activity closures associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. We compared average step count and sleep patterns (using the Mann-Whitney U Test) before and during the pandemic-associated school closures by using data from activity tracker wristbands (Garmin VivoFit 3). Data were collected from 94 children (aged 5-17) with obesity, who were enrolled in a randomized controlled trial testing a community-based lifestyle intervention for a duration of 12-months. During the period that in-person school and extracurricular activities were closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, children with obesity experienced objectively-measured decreases in physical activity, and sleep duration. From March 15, 2020 to March 31, 2021, corresponding with local school closures, average daily step count decreased by 1655 steps. Sleep onset and wake time were delayed by about an hour and 45 min, respectively, while sleep duration decreased by over 12 min as compared with the pre-closure period. Step counts increased with the resumption of in-person activities. These findings provide objective evidence for parents, clinicians, and public health professionals on the importance of in-person daily activities and routines on health behaviors, particularly for children with pre-existing obesity. Trial Registration: Clinical trial registration: NCT03339440.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karnika Singh
- Duke University Department of Biomedical Engineering, Durham, NC, USA
- Duke Center for Childhood Obesity Research, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Sarah C Armstrong
- Duke Center for Childhood Obesity Research, Durham, NC, USA
- Duke University Department of Pediatrics, Durham, NC, USA
- Duke University Department of Population Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA
- Duke Global Health Institute, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Brooke E Wagner
- Duke Center for Childhood Obesity Research, Durham, NC, USA
- Duke University Department of Pediatrics, Durham, NC, USA
- Duke University Department of Population Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Julie Counts
- Duke Center for Childhood Obesity Research, Durham, NC, USA
- Duke University Molecular Physiology Institute, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Asheley Skinner
- Duke Center for Childhood Obesity Research, Durham, NC, USA
- Duke University Department of Population Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Melissa Kay
- Duke Center for Childhood Obesity Research, Durham, NC, USA
- Duke University Department of Pediatrics, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Jennifer S Li
- Duke Center for Childhood Obesity Research, Durham, NC, USA
- Duke University Department of Pediatrics, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Svati Shah
- Duke Center for Childhood Obesity Research, Durham, NC, USA
- Duke University Molecular Physiology Institute, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Nancy Zucker
- Duke Center for Childhood Obesity Research, Durham, NC, USA
- Duke University Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Cody Neshteruk
- Duke Center for Childhood Obesity Research, Durham, NC, USA
- Duke University Department of Population Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Mary Story
- Duke Center for Childhood Obesity Research, Durham, NC, USA
- Duke Global Health Institute, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Lilianna Suarez
- Duke Center for Childhood Obesity Research, Durham, NC, USA
- Duke University Department of Pediatrics, Durham, NC, USA
| | - William E Kraus
- Duke Center for Childhood Obesity Research, Durham, NC, USA
- Duke University Molecular Physiology Institute, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Alexandra R Zizzi
- Duke Center for Childhood Obesity Research, Durham, NC, USA
- Duke University Department of Pediatrics, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Jessilyn Dunn
- Duke University Department of Biomedical Engineering, Durham, NC, USA.
- Duke Center for Childhood Obesity Research, Durham, NC, USA.
- Duke University Department of Biostatistics, Durham, NC, USA.
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Cortés-Albornoz MC, Ramírez-Guerrero S, García-Guáqueta DP, Vélez-Van-Meerbeke A, Talero-Gutiérrez C. Effects of remote learning during COVID-19 lockdown on children's learning abilities and school performance: A systematic review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT 2023; 101:102835. [PMID: 37361921 PMCID: PMC10266495 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2023.102835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
This systematic review describes the effects of COVID-19 lockdowns on children's learning and school performance. A systematic search was conducted using three databases. A total of 1787 articles were found, and 24 articles were included. Overall, academic performance was negatively affected by COVID-19 lockdowns, with lower scores in standardized tests in the main domains compared to previous years. Academic, motivational, and socio-emotional factors contributed to lower performance. Educators, parents, and students reported disorganization, increased academic demands, and motivational and behavioral changes. Teachers and policymakers should consider these results in developing future education strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- María C Cortés-Albornoz
- Grupo de Investigación en Neurociencia (NeURos), Centro NeURovitae, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá 111711, Colombia
| | - Sofía Ramírez-Guerrero
- Grupo de Investigación en Neurociencia (NeURos), Centro NeURovitae, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá 111711, Colombia
| | - Danna P García-Guáqueta
- Grupo de Investigación en Neurociencia (NeURos), Centro NeURovitae, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá 111711, Colombia
| | - Alberto Vélez-Van-Meerbeke
- Grupo de Investigación en Neurociencia (NeURos), Centro NeURovitae, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá 111711, Colombia
| | - Claudia Talero-Gutiérrez
- Grupo de Investigación en Neurociencia (NeURos), Centro NeURovitae, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá 111711, Colombia
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Nigg C, Petersen E, MacIntyre T. Natural environments, psychosocial health, and health behaviors in a crisis - A scoping review of the literature in the COVID-19 context. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY 2023; 88:102009. [PMID: 37065613 PMCID: PMC10082968 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvp.2023.102009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 outbreak led to major restrictions globally, affecting people's psychosocial health and their health behaviors. Thus, the purpose of this scoping review was to summarize the available research regarding nature and health in the COVID-19 context. Keywords relating to natural environments and COVID-19 were combined to conduct a systematic online search in six major databases. Eligibility criteria were a) published since 2020 with data collected in the COVID-19 context b) peer-reviewed, c) original empirical data collected on human participants, d) investigated the association between natural environments and psychosocial health or health behaviors, and e) English, German, or Scandinavian languages. Out of 9126 articles being screened, we identified 188 relevant articles, representing 187 distinct studies. Most research focused on adults in the general population and was predominantly conducted in the USA, Europe, and China. Overall, the findings indicate that nature may mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on psychological health and physical activity. Through a systematic thematic analysis of the extracted data, three primary themes were identified: 1) type of nature assessed, 2) psychosocial health and health behaviors investigated, and 3) heterogeneity in the nature-health relationship. Research gaps in the COVID-19 context were identified regarding I) nature characteristics that promote psychosocial health and health behaviors, II) investigations of digital and virtual nature, III) psychological constructs relating to mental health promotion, IV) health-promoting behaviors other than physical activity, V) underlying mechanisms regarding heterogeneity in the nature-health relationship based on human, nature, and geographic characteristics, and VI) research focusing on vulnerable groups. Overall, natural environments demonstrate considerable potential in buffering the impact of stressful events on a population level on mental health. However, future research is warranted to fill the mentioned research gaps and to examine the long-term effects of nature exposure during COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carina Nigg
- Institute of Sport Science, University of Bern, Bremgartenstrasse 145, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
- Institute of Sports and Sports Science, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Engler-Bunte-Ring 15, 76131, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Evi Petersen
- Department of Sports, Physical Education and Outdoor Life, University of South-Eastern Norway, 3800, Bø i, Telemark, Norway
- Department of Early Childhood Education, Oslo Metropolitan University, Pilestredet 42, 0167, Oslo, Norway
| | - Tadhg MacIntyre
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Science & Engineering, Maynooth University, North Campus, W23 F2K8, Maynooth, Ireland
- Insight SFI Research Centre for Data Analytics, Maynooth University, North Campus, W23 F2k8, Maynooth, Ireland
- TechPA Research Group, Department of Public Health and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Social and Health Sciences, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Elverum, Norway
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Rawal T, Mishra VK, Sharda SG, Sharma K, Mehta R, Kulkarni MM, Goel S, Arora M. Impact of closure of educational institutions due to COVID-19 lockdown on overall subjective wellbeing of adolescents and youth: Cross-sectional survey, India. Front Psychol 2022; 13:903044. [PMID: 36033008 PMCID: PMC9415378 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.903044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BackgroundStudents were confined to their homes due to the national closure of educational institutions during the COVID 19 pandemic, thus presenting an unprecedented risk to children’s education, protection, and wellbeing.AimThis study aimed to understand the determinants of subjective wellbeing of adolescents and youth (aged 11–21 years) during the COVID-19 pandemic in India.Materials and methodsA cross-sectional web-based survey was adapted, pre-tested, and finalized to obtain the participant’s responses from schools and colleges. Participants aged 11–17 years were engaged through schools. Consent procedures were followed. The survey link was disseminated through social media for the participants aged 18–21 years. The survey was made available in English and Hindi. The data was collected from March-June, 2021.ResultsOverall, 1,596 students completed the survey. Out of 1,596 students, 1252 (78%) were below 18 years and 344 (21.5%) participants were 18 years and above. Results suggest a statistically significant (p < 0.01) difference in the level of student’s life satisfaction before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Of the students who were dissatisfied with their general life during the pandemic, nearly 63.4% felt sadness followed by other feelings, i.e., boredom (around 60.5%), loneliness (63.7%), and anxiety (62.2%).ConclusionThis study highlights the need for innovative strategies for adolescents and parents to adopt and promote overall subjective wellbeing, especially during public health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina Rawal
- Health Promotion Division, Public Health Foundation of India, New Delhi, India
- *Correspondence: Tina Rawal,
| | - Vijay Kumar Mishra
- Health Promotion Division, Public Health Foundation of India, New Delhi, India
| | | | - Kiran Sharma
- World Health Organization (WHO), New Delhi, India
| | - Rajesh Mehta
- WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia (SEARO), New Delhi, India
| | | | - Sonu Goel
- School of Public Health, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Monika Arora
- Health Promotion Division, Public Health Foundation of India, New Delhi, India
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Sanmiguel-Rodríguez A, Zagalaz-Sánchez ML, Arufe-Giráldez V, Cachón-Zagalaz J, González-Valero G. On What Tasks Did Children between the Ages of 3 and 12 Years Spend Their Time during the COVID-19 Pandemic? An International Comparative Study between Ibero-America and Europe. CHILDREN 2022; 9:children9070971. [PMID: 35883955 PMCID: PMC9320679 DOI: 10.3390/children9070971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 06/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
The pandemic caused by COVID-19 meant, in many countries, the establishment of a period of confinement in which families were forced to restrict movement and social contacts with the consequent risk of inactivity. Our objective as to analyze the degree of psychosocial well-being, sociodemographic aspects and use of technological means depending on the educational level of the parents. The sample consisted of 2316 children aged between 3 and 12 years (M = 7.70; SD = 2.86). For the analysis and treatment of the data, the statistical software SPSS 25.0 (IBM Corp, Armonk, NY, USA) was used. We found that the European participants used more video consoles (M = 0.89 ± 1.33) and tablets (M = 1.30 ± 0.95), while the Ibero-Americans obtained higher values in the use of TV (M = 2.28 ± 1.10) and levels higher in a negative state of psychosocial well-being (M = 7.29 ± 1.07) and in tiredness/fatigue (M = 4.34 ± 2.44). We concluded that, during the period of confinement in European areas, higher values were obtained in the time dedicated to Physical Activity (PA), use of tablets, school task performance, artistic activities, family games, reading, free play and hours of sleep; while in Ibero-America, there were longer times in the use of technological devices and performing domestic tasks.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mª Luisa Zagalaz-Sánchez
- Department of Didactics of Musical, Plastic and Body Expression, Faculty of Humanities and Educational Sciences, University of Jaén, 23071 Jaén, Spain; (M.L.Z.-S.); (J.C.-Z.); (G.G.-V.)
| | - Víctor Arufe-Giráldez
- Specific Didactics Department, Research and Diagnostic Methods in Education, Education Faculty, University of a Coruña, 15001 Coruña, Spain;
| | - Javier Cachón-Zagalaz
- Department of Didactics of Musical, Plastic and Body Expression, Faculty of Humanities and Educational Sciences, University of Jaén, 23071 Jaén, Spain; (M.L.Z.-S.); (J.C.-Z.); (G.G.-V.)
| | - Gabriel González-Valero
- Department of Didactics of Musical, Plastic and Body Expression, Faculty of Humanities and Educational Sciences, University of Jaén, 23071 Jaén, Spain; (M.L.Z.-S.); (J.C.-Z.); (G.G.-V.)
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Li H, Cheong JPG. The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Physical Fitness of Primary School Students in China Based on the Bronfenbrenner Ecological Theory. Front Psychol 2022; 13:896046. [PMID: 35846611 PMCID: PMC9278268 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.896046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
After the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, nation lockdown became an effective way to isolate the spread of the virus. Schools were postponed, students had to stay at home and opportunities for physical activity amongst school children were severely affected. This research sought to determine the impact of the pandemic on the physical fitness of primary school students. In total, 1,235 students from grades one to five in a primary school in Beijing took part in this research. Using the Chinese National Student Physical Fitness Standard as a guide, the students were subjected to BMI, vital capacity, 50 m sprint, sit and reach, timed rope-skipping, timed sit-ups, and 50m × 8 shuttle run measurements. These tests were administered once before and once after the lockdown period. The results showed that the overall physical fitness of the participants was better after the lockdown [p = 0.000, r = -0.14, 95% CI (-0.219, -0.061)]. Specifically, vital capacity, sit and reach, timed rope-skipping and timed sit-ups had improved after the lockdown. Meanwhile, 50m × 8 shuttle run dropped slightly but not significantly whereas 50 m sprint dropped sharply after the lockdown. The proportion of overweight and obese students increased, but the difference before and after the lockdown was small. It appeared that during the pandemic, through the intervention of many comprehensive factors, home-based fitness was normalized and promoted the healthy development of students.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hailing Li
- Centre for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Jadeera Phaik Geok Cheong
- Centre for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- UM STEM Centre, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Pusat Kajian Kecemerlangan Melayu, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Jarnig G, Jaunig J, Kerbl R, Strenger V, Haeusler G, van Poppel MNM. Acceleration in BMI gain following COVID-19 restrictions. A longitudinal study with 7- to 10-year-old primary school children. Pediatr Obes 2022; 17:e12890. [PMID: 35083879 PMCID: PMC9286467 DOI: 10.1111/ijpo.12890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The ramifications of COVID-19 restrictions might accelerate the already rising proportion of children with overweight or obesity. OBJECTIVES To assess the association between COVID-19 restrictions and changes in body mass index (BMI) and the proportion of children with overweight or obesity. METHODS Cohort study with baseline measurements in September 2019 (prior to COVID-19 restrictions) and follow-up in June 2020, September 2020, and March 2021 at 12 primary schools in Austria. The height and weight of 738 children aged 7 to 10 years were measured and age- and sex-specific national and international standardized values were calculated. Changes over time were analysed by analysis of variance. RESULTS Mean BMIIOTF standard deviation scores (SDS) increased by 0.24 (95% CI, 0.21-0.28) between September 2019 and March 2021. The proportion of children with overweight or obesity increased from 20.7% to 26.2% during this period (p < 0.001) using national reference values-EQUI BMIAUT -comparable results were observed. Simultaneously, the heightAUT SDS increased by 0.06 (95% CI, 0.05-0.08) with a larger increase in girls (+0.11; p < 0.001) than in boys (+0.03; p = 0.19). CONCLUSIONS COVID-19 restrictions were associated with accelerated increases in mean BMI and the proportion of children with overweight or obesity. The increase in height SDS in girls calls for further investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerald Jarnig
- Institute of Human Movement Science, Sport and HealthUniversity of GrazGrazAustria
| | - Johannes Jaunig
- Institute of Human Movement Science, Sport and HealthUniversity of GrazGrazAustria
| | - Reinhold Kerbl
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent MedicineLKH Hochsteiermark/LeobenAustria
| | - Volker Strenger
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Division of Paediatric Pulmonology and AllergologyMedical University of GrazGrazAustria,Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Division of General PaediatricsMedical University of GrazGrazAustria
| | - Gabriele Haeusler
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Division of Pulmonology, Allergology and Endocrinology‐ Vienna Bone and Growth CenterMedical University of ViennaAustria
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Chmielewski A. Critical Rationalism and Trust in Science. SCIENCE & EDUCATION 2021; 31:1671-1690. [PMID: 34955607 PMCID: PMC8685496 DOI: 10.1007/s11191-021-00317-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
In this paper, I consider whether the critical rationalist philosophy of science may provide a rationale for trusting scientific knowledge. In the first part, I refer to several insights of Karl Popper's social and political philosophy in order to see whether they may be of help in offsetting the distrust of science spawned by the COVID-19 pandemic. In the second part, I address the more general issue of whether the theoretical principles of the critical rationalist philosophy of science may afford a foundation for building trust in science. Both parts of the discussion, confined for the sake of the argument largely to the repudiation of the concept of good reasons for considering a theory to be true, imply that this question would have to be answered negatively. Against this, I argue that such a conclusion is based on a misconception of the nature of scientific knowledge: critical rationalism views science as a cognitive regime which calls for bold theories and at the same time demands a rigorous and continuous distrust towards them, and it is precisely this attitude that should be adopted as a compelling argument for trusting science.
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Cosma A, Pavelka J, Badura P. Leisure Time Use and Adolescent Mental Well-Being: Insights from the COVID-19 Czech Spring Lockdown. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:12812. [PMID: 34886538 PMCID: PMC8657078 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182312812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND As leisure-one of the crucial life domains-was completely disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, our study aimed to investigate how adolescents spent their leisure time during the Spring 2020 lockdown. Secondly, we aimed to investigate the associations between the perceived changes in leisure time use, the leisure activities adolescents engaged in, and the associations with well-being during the Spring 2020 lockdown in Czechia. METHODS Data from 3438 participants were included in this study (54.2% girls; mean age = 13.45, SD = 1.62). First, the initial number of items measuring leisure, electronic media use, and sports was reduced through Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Multivariate linear regression models tested the associations between leisure domains and mental well-being Results: The amount of leisure time, together with socially active leisure and sports and physical activity, formed the strongest positive predictors of mental well-being, whereas idle activities and time spent on electronic media acted as negative predictors. The amount of time spent doing schoolwork was unrelated to mental well-being. CONCLUSIONS Overall, our results support the idea that leisure as a promoting factor for well-being is not just a matter of its amount but rather of engagement in meaningful and fulfilling activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alina Cosma
- Sts Cyril and Methodius Faculty of Theology, Olomouc University Social Health Institute, Palacký University Olomouc, 779 00 Olomouc, Czech Republic;
| | - Jan Pavelka
- Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies, Faculty of Physical Culture, Palacký University Olomouc, 771 11 Olomouc, Czech Republic;
| | - Petr Badura
- Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies, Faculty of Physical Culture, Palacký University Olomouc, 771 11 Olomouc, Czech Republic;
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Rahman A M, Chandrasekaran B. Estimating the Impact of the Pandemic on Children's Physical Health: A Scoping Review. THE JOURNAL OF SCHOOL HEALTH 2021; 91:936-947. [PMID: 34494270 PMCID: PMC8662234 DOI: 10.1111/josh.13079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Children are expected to adhere to the recommended physical activity (PA) dose of 60 minutes per day and minimize sedentary behaviors (SB) to stray away from the cardio-metabolic disease risk. However, there is a lack of review of current evidence pointing to the negative physical health effects of the Covid-19 lockdown, with its barriers and facilitators for effective PA implementation in children aged 3 to 13. METHODS Two independent authors conducted an extensive search on five peer-reviewed journal databases for the studies examining changes in PA or SB in children and the potential barriers during Covid-19 lockdown. RESULTS Of 1039 studies initially screened, only 14 studies were included. Ninety-three percent of the studies were cross-sectional surveys. A 34% reduction in PA was noted while SB, including screen time, increased by 82%. Our review identified potential barriers to the effective implementation of PA behaviors in children at four levels: individual, family, school, and government policies. CONCLUSIONS A moderate reduction in PA and high SB in children during lockdown was linked with obstacles at the individual, family, school, and political levels. Stakeholders should consider the above barriers when designing and implementing interventions to address low PA and SB practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mansoor Rahman A
- Department of Movement Sciences, JSS College of PhysiotherapyMysuruKarnataka570004India
| | - Baskaran Chandrasekaran
- Department of Exercise and Sports Sciences, Manipal College of Health ProfessionsManipal Academy of Higher EducationManipalKarnataka576104India
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