Effect of yoga-based physical activity on perceived stress, anxiety, and quality of life in young adults

Effectiveness of physical activity interventions on undergraduate students' mental health: systematic review and meta-analysis

This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the effectiveness of physical activity interventions on undergraduate students' mental health. Seven databases were searched and a total of 59 studies were included. Studies with a comparable control group were meta-analysed, and remaining studies were narratively synthesized. The included studies scored very low GRADE and had a high risk of bias. Meta-analyses indicated physical activity interventions are effective in reducing symptoms of anxiety (n = 20, standardized mean difference (SMD) = -0.88, 95% CI [-1.23, -0.52]), depression (n = 14, SMD = -0.73, 95% CI [-1.00, -0.47]) and stress (n = 10, SMD = -0.61, 95% CI [-0.94, -0.28]); however, there was considerable heterogeneity (anxiety, I2 = 90.29%; depression I2 = 49.66%; stress I2 = 86.97%). The narrative synthesis had mixed findings. Only five studies reported being informed by a behavioural change theory and only 30 reported intervention fidelity. Our review provides evidence supporting the potential of physical activity interventions in enhancing the mental health of undergraduate students. More robust intervention design and implementation are required to better understand the effectiveness of PA interventions on mental health outcomes.

Development of an Online Mind-Body Physical Activity Intervention for Young Adults during COVID-19: A Pilot Study

The purpose of this study was to examine the association between the implementation of an online mind-body physical activity (MBPA) intervention and physical activity (PA), stress, and well-being in young adults during COVID-19. The participants were a sample of college students (N = 21; 81% female). The MBPA intervention was organized in four online modules that were administered asynchronously for 8 weeks with three separate 10 min sessions per week. The intervention components consisted of traditional deep breathing, diaphragm mindful breathing, yoga poses, and walking meditation. Objective PA behaviors were assessed using wrist-worn ActiGraph accelerometers, and stress and well-being data were collected using validated self-report instruments. A 2 (sex) × 3 (time) doubly multivariate analysis of variance test with a univariate follow-up showed that the % of wear time in light (LPA) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was significantly higher at the end of the intervention compared to baseline (LPA mean difference = 11.3%, p = 0.003, d = 0.70; MVPA mean difference = 2.9%, p < 0.001, d = 0.56). No significant differences were observed for perceived stress and well-being, and there was no moderating effect of sex. The MBPA intervention showed promise, as it was associated with higher PA in young adults during COVID-19. No improvements were observed for stress and well-being. These results warrant further testing of the intervention's effectiveness using larger samples.

An Explanatory Model of Violent Behavior, Self-Concept, and Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Consumption in Secondary Education Students

Background

Current scientific evidence establishes that regular physical activity engagement provides numerous physical and mental benefits. Thus, the present research aims at examining the relationships between violent behavior, self-concept, and consumption of alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis. Specifically, two objectives were defined: (a) analyze and establish the relationships between violent behaviors, the different dimensions of self-concept, and the consumption of alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis as a function of physical activity engagement, (b) define and examine a proposed explanatory model, and (c) analyze the effect of self-concept on alcohol and tobacco consumption and physical activity engagement based on the explanatory model developed.

Methods

For this purpose, a nonexperimental (ex post facto), descriptive, and cross-sectional study was conducted. For data collection, a sociodemographic questionnaire was administered alongside the Self-Concept Form 5 and the School Victimization Scale.

Results

It was shown that individuals engaging in more than three hours of physical exercise per week scored more highly on the social, family, physical, and emotional aspects of self-concept, whilst those who do not meet this criterion scored more highly on the academic aspect and on physical and verbal victimization.

Conclusions

The present research concludes that engagement in more than 3 hours of physical activity per week led to benefits in a number of domains of self-concept whilst, at the same time, increasing levels of violence.

Acoustic Description of Bhramari Pranayama

The study's aim was (1) To describe the acoustic characteristics of Bhramari pranayama, and (2) to compare the acoustic features of nasal consonant /m/ and the sound of Bhramari pranayama produced by yoga trainers. Cross-sectional study design. Thirty-three adult male yoga trainers performed five repeats of nasal consonant /m/ and Bhramari pranayama. These samples were recorded into Computerized Speech Lab, Kay Pentax model 4500b using a microphone (SM48). Formant frequencies (f F1, f F2, f F3, & f F4), formant bandwidths (BF1, BF2, BF3, & BF4), anti-formant, alpha and beta ratio were analyzed. Nasal consonant /m/ had higher f F2 and anti-formant compared to Bhramari pranayama. Statistical significant differences were noted in f F2, BF3, and anti-formants. Bhramari pranayama revealed a low alpha ratio and a higher beta ratio than /m/. However, these differences were not statistically significant. Findings are discussed from acoustic and physiological perspectives. Bhramari pranayama was assumed to be produced with a larger pharyngeal cavity and narrower velar passage when compared to nasal consonant /m/. Verification at the level of the glottis and with aerodynamic parameters may ascertain the above propositions.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12070-021-03054-1.