Can the Easter break induce a long-term break of exercise routines? An analysis of Danish gym data using a regression discontinuity design

Impact of symptoms, experiences, and perceptions of the menstrual cycle on recreational physical activity of cyclically menstruating individuals: A systematic review

OBJECTIVE

The menstrual cycle often presents barriers to participation in daily life activities, including physical activity (PA), which is a cornerstone of health and well-being. The purpose of this systematic review was to explore and summarize the impact of symptoms, experiences, and perceptions of the menstrual cycle on recreational PA (RPA), including sports, exercise and active recreation, in the general population.

METHODS

Six databases were searched for studies that investigated the impact of the menstrual cycle on PA among individuals who were cyclically menstruating, healthy, and not involved in professional sports training.

RESULTS

The search yielded 3025 studies that were screened for relevance and eligibility, resulting in 25 eligible studies, which were found to be of moderate-to-high quality following a quality and risk-of-bias assessment. Thematic synthesis of qualitative and quantitative data from the selected studies, constituting 16,557 adults and 3715 adolescents, identified the impact of menstrual symptoms on the physical and psychological capability to participate in RPA, social opportunity barriers to RPA (e.g., social pressure due to the sociocultural taboo against menstruation), as well reflective (knowledge) and automatic (habit) motivation on RPA behaviours.

CONCLUSION

The variability in menstrual symptoms and corresponding experiences suggested the need for an individualized approach to RPA promotion. Furthermore, this review highlighted the need to address the sociocultural taboo against menstruation, as well as improve the provision of knowledge and resources related to the menstrual cycle and RPA, in order to promote and facilitate RPA for cyclically menstruating individuals throughout the menstrual cycle.

Barriers to, and Facilitators of, Exercising in Fitness Centres among Adults with and without Physical Disabilities: A Scoping Review

Fitness centres are an obvious arena for performing physical activity for the general population but representation of adults with physical disabilities (AwPD) is lacking. To increase possibilities for AwPD to exercise in fitness centres together with adults without physical disabilities (AwoPD), the aim of this study was to identify, synthesise, and compare barriers to, and facilitators of, exercising in fitness centres for each group. A scoping review was conducted and data extraction of the barriers and facilitators was performed independently by two researchers on six categories of contextual factors based on the framework of Di Blasi: (1) The fitness centre setting; (2) The fitness centre user characteristics; (3) The fitness instructor/staff characteristics; (4) The fitness centre user–instructor/management relationship; and (5) The fitness/exercise characteristics. An extra category, (6) Other relationships, was added. The PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews was used for reporting. Of the 102 included papers, only 26 (25%) of the papers were on AwPD, which focused mainly on physical barriers (category 1: inaccessible settings). In contrast, the remaining 76 papers involving AwoPD focused primarily on facilitators (category 2: motivational factors and exercising effects). In categories 3–6, the two groups had similar results, as both groups preferred skilled instructors, a welcoming and comfortable fitness centre environment, an ability to exercise at their preferred type and level, and good social connections. Since most data were based on AwoPD, more studies on actual experiences from AwPD are needed, to reveal the facilitators/motivational factors for fitness centre use.

Evolution of physical activity habits after a context change: The case of COVID-19 lockdown

Objective

Habits, defined as well‐learned associations between cues and behaviours, are essential for health‐related behaviours, including physical activity (PA). Despite the sensitivity of habits to context changes, little remains known about the influence of a context change on the interplay between PA habits and behaviours. We investigated the evolution of PA habits amidst the spring COVID‐19 lockdown, a major context change. Moreover, we examined the association of PA behaviours and autonomous motivation with this evolution.

Design

Three‐wave observational longitudinal design.

Methods

PA habits, behaviours, and autonomous motivation were collected through online surveys in 283 French and Swiss participants. Variables were self‐reported with reference to three time‐points: before‐, mid‐, and end‐lockdown.

Results

Mixed effect modelling revealed a decrease in PA habits from before‐ to mid‐lockdown, especially among individuals with strong before‐lockdown habits. Path analysis showed that before‐lockdown PA habits were not associated with mid‐lockdown PA behaviours (β = −.02, p = .837), while mid‐lockdown PA habits were positively related to end‐lockdown PA behaviours (β = .23, p = .021). Autonomous motivation was directly associated with PA habits (ps < .001) and withto before‐ and mid‐lockdown PA behaviours (ps < .001) (but not with end‐lockdown PA behaviours) and did not moderate the relations between PA behaviours and habits (ps > .072).

Conclusion

PA habits were altered, and their influence on PA behaviours was impeded during the COVID‐19 lockdown. Engagement in PA behaviours and autonomous motivation helped in counteracting PA habits disruption.

Dropout predictors at gyms: a retrospective study

ABSTRACT This study aimed to verify the risk factors associated with gym regulars’ dropout over 12 months. This is an observational, retrospective, cohort study. The sample consisted of two gyms (Gym 1: n=2027, age=39.1 ±13.1 years; Gym 2: n=1775, age=36.8 ±11.6 years). Each participant was followed up for 12 months, or until dropout, by controlling the biometric entry system using a turnstile. The adherence rate was of 11% at Gym 1 and 19% at Gym 2. At both gyms, training frequency ≤3x/month and 4-6x/month was associated with dropout. At gym 1, being a female, aged ≥43 years, and enrollment between October and December were dropout predictors. At Gym 2, dropout was associated with contract length ≤31 days and 32-186 days and enrollment between April and December.