Effect of Regular Resistance Training on Motivation, Self-Perceived Health, and Quality of Life in Previously Inactive Overweight Women: A Randomized, Controlled Trial

Investigating the impact of exercise type combined with caloric restriction on quality of life-The PRONAF study

The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of endurance training (E), strength training (S), or combined training (SE), along with caloric restriction diet, compared to only diet and physical activity recommendations (C, control), on the quality of life in individuals with obesity. One hundred and twenty obese participants (61 males), aged 18-50 years, were randomly assigned to the different experimental groups, with ninety-six completing the study. The intervention period spanned 22 weeks (3 times per week). All subjects followed a hypocaloric diet, and quality of life was assessed using the SF36 questionnaire before and after the training program. A significant improvement was observed in emotional role following the S (Baseline: 85.06 ± 30.32; Post: 96.00 ± 11.06; p = 0.030) and SE (Baseline: 76.67 ± 35.18; Post: 91.30 ± 22.96; p = 0.010) programs, but not after E (Baseline: 83.33 ± 29.40; Post: 78.26 ± 35.69; p = 0.318) and C (Baseline: 77.01 ± 34.62; Post: 79.37 ± 37.23; p = 0.516). No significant main effect was observed in any other outcome measured. Overall, all groups demonstrated improvements in quality-of-life outcomes. In conclusion, any physical exercise intervention combined with caloric restriction, physical activity recommendations, and nutritional habits resulted in an enhancement of quality of life.

Why don't women engage in muscle strength exercise? An integrative review

ISSUE ADDRESSED

Women are 'at-risk' population for failing to meet muscle strengthening guidelines. Health benefits specific to this exercise mode include maintenance of muscle mass, which is associated with reduced risk of chronic disease and falls. Of significance is the progressive decline in muscle strength exercise participation in women aged 35-54 in Australia. This period is critical for maintaining muscle strength as it establishes foundations for older women's engagement. This integrative review examined available evidence regarding factors influencing muscle strength exercise participation, specifically in women aged 35-54.

METHODS

Seven databases were searched. Study inclusion criteria were: (1) peer reviewed, (2) English language, (3) sample populations of healthy female adults or general adult sample population differentiating females from males, (4) mean age between 35 and 54 years, (5) focused on muscle strength exercise and measured as the primary outcome factors of participation in muscle strength exercise.

FINDINGS

Five of 1895 studies met inclusion criteria. Five key factors were associated with participation in muscle strength exercise of women aged 35-54 years: perceived time constraints; knowledge and education; modality and intensity; social support and behavioural strategies.

CONCLUSIONS

Focused education on strength exercise and guidelines, plus initiatives and strategies that suit the needs of this cohort, are necessary to achieve health and wellbeing benefits. Responsive approaches by health professionals to these women's circumstances can potentially address current low participation levels. SO WHAT?: Creating conditions where health professionals respect a woman's exercise preferences can positively impact these women's musculoskeletal health into older age.

Effect of exercise training on psychological outcomes in adults with overweight or obesity: A systematic review and meta-analysis

This study systematically identified the effects of exercise on multiple psychological outcomes among adults with overweight/obesity, also assessing whether these effects differed across exercise types, genders, age, and body mass index (BMI) categories. Pubmed, Web of Science, PsychInfo, and SportDiscus were searched up to October 2019 for peer-reviewed papers assessing exercise training effects on psychosocial outcomes in adults with overweight/obesity. Thirty-six articles, 32 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), were included in this review. Most interventions were supervised (65%), ranging between 6 and 76 weeks (median = 12). Sixteen psychological outcomes were studied. Exercise induced positive changes in quality of life but did not reduce depression. Large effect sizes were observed on quality of life's physical component, but exercise was also able to improve vitality and mental health. Most psychological outcomes (e.g., body image, anxiety, and perceived stress) are poorly studied, evidencing either conflicting or null exercise effects. Exercise self-efficacy and autonomous motivations were also consistently improved. Exercise types and gender seem to moderate exercise psychological effects. Exercise training programs might lead to positive changes in some psychological outcomes, especially in quality of life, in adults with overweight and obesity, but more studies, with greater systematization in program characteristics, and longer follow-ups are still required to allow more solid conclusions.

Relationship between motivation for physical exercise and women's quality of life

Objective: To identify motivational factors for the practice of physical exercises and their relationship with the quality of life (QoL)of women. Methods: A cross-sectional study, conducted with 48 women practicing exercise in gyms aged between 19 and 59 years and with a mean age of 39.4 ± 11.7 years. Exercise Motivations Inventory (EMI-2) and WHOQOL-Bref were used as instruments. The data were analyzed using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov tests, homogeneity of Levene's variances, independent t-test, and Pearson's correlation (p < 0.05). Results: Older women are more motivated to exercise for health rehabilitation. The youngest had a higher score in the physical domain of quality of life. There was a significant, positive, and weak correlation of the physical domain with weight control (r = 0.24), appearance (r = 0.33), a weak and negative correlation of the physical domain with health rehabilitation (r = -0,33), a positive and weak correlation of the social domain with physical conditioning (r = 0.23), and a positive and weak correlation of the general QoL score with weight control (r = 0.23). Conclusion: The main motivational factor for the practice of physical exercise was preventing diseases, especially in the group of older women. Younger women had a better perception of the physical QoL domain, and correlations between some domains of QoL and motivation were observed.

Effect of three fitness programs on strength, speed, flexibility and muscle power on sedentary subjects

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to research and compare the effect of Crossfit® (CF), LesMills® (LM) and traditional resistance (TRAD) training program on short performances.

METHODS

Participants were assigned randomly into 3 groups and followed the training sessions allocated at the rate of 5 sessions/week for 16 weeks. A battery of tests including anthropometric and performance measures were carried out over three sessions: before training (T0), after eight weeks (T1) and sixteen weeks of training (T2).

RESULTS

Findings indicated that strength tests demonstrated a significant time effect (p<0.001, ηp 2=0.6), the results showed that CF and TRAD groups improved strength every 8 weeks while LM group only at T2, The speed test demonstrated also a significant time effect (p<0.001 , ηp 2=0.5) the results showed an improvement in speed every 8 weeks for LM, at T2 for CF and no change for TRAD, for flexibility, all tests demonstrated a main time effect (p<0.001 , ηp 2=0.46 - 0.7) CF was the best in shoulder range of motion and LM in trunk and lower limb flexibility, all power tests also demonstrated a significant time effect (p<0.001 , ηp 2=0.76 - 0.9) the improvement for all groups was every 8 weeks.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on these findings, we recommend TRAD and CF as valuable trainings for strength development, LM for flexibility and all three trainings for power improvement.

Quality of Life with Respect to Physical Activity Level in the Unemployed

Sustainable development is related to the quality of life of individuals and societies. The unemployed have limited opportunities for sustainable individual development. Their life quality conditions remain unclear. The study aim was to assess the relationship between life quality and physical activity level of the unemployed. The research was performed in 2014 and 2015 in Wrocław, Poland, among 403 unemployed persons. The participants’ quality of life was evaluated with the World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire. Physical activity was assessed with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Most respondents evaluated their general life quality as ≤3 points in the scale of 1–5. The assessments were highest in the social and psychological domains and lowest in the physical and environmental domains. Significant relationships were observed between general life quality and physical activity level. Subjects with the minimum physical activity level recommended by WHO presented higher life quality assessments in the psychological and social domains. Unemployed people with physical activity levels optimal for health benefit evaluated their life quality in the psychological domain worse than people with physical activity below WHO recommendations. Comprehensive health programs should be addressed to the unemployed, including systematic physical activities as health training, which would improve their life quality and promote sustainable individual development.

Holistic physical exercise training improves physical literacy among physically inactive adults: a pilot intervention study

BACKGROUND

Physical literacy (PL), given as a multidimensional construct, is considered a person's capacity and commitment to a physically active lifestyle. We investigated the effect of a holistic physical exercise training on PL among physically inactive adults.

METHODS

A non-randomised controlled study was conducted. Thirty-one physically inactive adults in the intervention group (IG; 81% females, 44 ± 16 years) participated in a holistic physical exercise training intervention once weekly for 15 weeks. A matched, non-exercising control group (CG) consisted of 30 physically inactive adults (80% female, 45 ± 11 years). PL, compliance and sociodemographic parameters were measured. PL was evaluated by a questionnaire, covering five domains: physical activity behaviour, attitude towards a physically active lifestyle, exercise motivation, knowledge and self-confidence/self-efficacy. Data were analysed using ANCOVA models, adjusted for age, gender and BMI at baseline.

RESULTS

At post-training intervention, the IG showed significant improvements in PL (p = 0.001) and in the domains physical activity behaviour (p = 0.02) and exercise self-confidence/self-efficacy (p = 0.001), with no changes overserved for the CG regarding PL and those domains. No intervention effect were found for the other three domains, i.e. attitude, knowledge and motivation. Additionally, for the IG baseline BMI was identified to be positively correlated with physical exercise-induced improvements in PL (β = 0.51, p = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The results from this study are very useful for further public health activities, which aim at helping physically inactive adults to adopt a physically active lifestyle as well as for the development of further PL intervention strategies. This pilot-study was a first attempt to measure PL in inactive adults. Yet, a validated measurement tool is still not available. Further research is necessary to determine the psychometric properties for this PL questionnaire.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS), DRKS00013991 , date of registration: 09.02.2018, retrospectively registered.

Can Interpersonal Behavior Influence the Persistence and Adherence to Physical Exercise Practice in Adults? A Systematic Review

Objective: Motivation seems to be a fundamental indicator of long-term physical exercise adherence. Self-Determination Theory (SDT) argues that social environment plays a central role in the satisfaction of basic psychological needs, which might directly affect the quality of one's motivation. Individuals who appear to be more self-determined tend to persist longer at certain behaviors. Therefore, this body of work intends to analyze the relationship between motivational variables and behavioral outcomes in the exercise context, having as theoretical background the Self-Determination Theory. Methods: This systematic review was conducted through an electronic search on Web of Science, PubMed, SPORTDiscus, and PsycINFO. Data such as instruments, main predictors and results were collected from studies published between 1985 and 2018. A total of 35 empirical studies were considered for a detailed analysis. Results: Results showed the relevance of autonomy support performed by exercise professionals, as well as the major contribution that these behaviors have toward the satisfaction of basic psychological needs, besides the inherent benefits of developing more autonomous regulations. According to the literature, few studies have analyzed interpersonal thwarting behavior and the way this relates to basic psychological needs' frustration. Nether less, there seems to be a negative relationship between less self-determined regulations and exercise practice. Conclusion: Despite the existence of numerous cross-sectional studies that demonstrate positive correlations between SDT and behavioral outcomes in the exercise context, longitudinal research that analyzes all six dimensions of interpersonal behaviors and their relationship with persistence and adherence to exercise proves to be crucial. However, according to this review, interventions based on SDT appear to be fundamental when it comes to promote the maintenance of a long-term exercise practice.

Physical Activity of Working-Age People in View of Their Income Status

Objective

The study examines relationships between physical activity levels and income status of working-age city residents.

Methods

The study was carried out in the years 2014 and 2015 in Wrocław, Poland. The study sample comprised 4332 participants (2276 women; 2056 men) aged 18 to 64 years. Respondents' habitual physical activity levels were measured with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF), while their income status was assessed with author's own Socio-Economic Status of Working-Age People Questionnaire (S-ESQ).

Results

The results revealed positive correlations between the level of physical activity and income status of male and female working-age residents of Wrocław. The highest physical activity levels were noted among respondents with a steady income, as well as among respondents with the highest income and savings and with no debts. The odds for respondents' above average physical activity levels were the greatest in women with the highest income and with savings and in debt-free men and women.

Conclusion

Effective actions should be developed aimed at improvement of physical activity levels of people in an adverse financial situation.

Motivational characteristics and resistance training in older adults: A randomized controlled trial and 1-year follow-up

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a 9-month supervised resistance training intervention on motivational and volitional characteristics related to exercise, and whether the absolute level and/or intervention-induced change in these characteristics predict self-directed continuation of resistance training 1 year after the intervention. Community dwelling older adults aged 65-75, who did not fulfill physical activity recommendations, were randomized into resistance training intervention groups: training once- (n = 26), twice- (n = 27), three-times-a-week (n = 28) or non-training control group (n = 25). Training groups participated in supervised resistance training for 9 months: during months 1-3 all groups trained twice-a-week and then with allocated frequencies during months 4-9. Exercise-related motivation, self-efficacy, and planning were measured with questionnaires at baseline, month-3 and month-9. The continuance of resistance training was determined by interviews 6 and 12 months after the end of the intervention. The intervention improved action and coping planning as well as intrinsic motivation (group × time P < .05). During 1-year follow-up, 54% of participants did not continue self-directed regular resistance training, 22% continued regular resistance training once-a-week, and 24% twice-a-week. Increases in exercise self-efficacy and intrinsic motivation related to training during the intervention predicted continuation of resistance training twice-a-week. Resistance training improved exercise-related motivational and volitional characteristics in older adults. These improvements were linked to continuing resistance training 1 year after the supervised intervention. The role of these characteristics should be taken into account when promoting long-term resistance training participation among older adults.

Physical Activity as a Determinant of Quality of Life in Working-Age People in Wrocław, Poland

Regular physical activity can greatly contribute to the improvement of physical fitness and performance, reduction of the incidence risk of some occupational diseases, and as a consequence, to a general improvement of quality of life in terms of health status. The aim of the article was to assess relationships between the quality of life and physical activity of a working-age population. The study material comprised 4460 residents of the city of Wrocław, Poland (2129 men, 2331 women) aged 18-64 years. The study was a questionnaire survey using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF) and The World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaires. The highest levels of overall quality of life and its four particular domains (physical, psychological, social, and environmental), as well as perceived health conditions were found among the most physically active respondents. Furthermore, the odds of high assessment of perceived overall quality of life were shown to increase with the increasing levels of physical activity. Activities aimed at the improvement of the quality of life of working-age people should involve programs enhancing the development of physical activity.