1
|
Lyu L, Abidin NEZ, Zulnaidi H. How to Encourage Continuous Use of Fitness Apps among Female Users? Healthcare (Basel) 2024; 12:1347. [PMID: 38998881 PMCID: PMC11241510 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12131347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2024] [Revised: 06/30/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The proportion of women engaging in insufficient physical activity is higher than that of men, and they may face greater barriers. Fitness apps, as effective tools for behavior change, can significantly promote active physical activity among women. Notably, women constitute over 60% of fitness app users. However, few studies have focused on the reasons behind the continuous use of fitness apps by female users. This study investigates the impact of different perceived values on the satisfaction and continuance intention of female fitness app users. A total of 395 female fitness app users from Guangzhou, China, participated in this study. The results indicate that hedonic value (β = 0.190, p < 0.001), utilitarian value (β = 0.171, p = 0.007), and health value (β = 0.440, p < 0.001) significantly and positively influence the satisfaction of female fitness app users. However, only utilitarian value (β = 0.135, p = 0.018) and health value (β = 0.436, p < 0.001) have a significant positive impact on the continuance intention, while hedonic value (β = 0.028, p = 0.547) does not. Additionally, satisfaction mediates the relationship between utilitarian and health values and continuance intention. Therefore, the design of fitness apps should prioritize helping female users achieve utilitarian and health values rather than overemphasizing hedonic-value-related content.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Le Lyu
- Faculty of Sports and Exercise Science, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
| | | | - Hutkemri Zulnaidi
- Department of Mathematics and Science Education, Faculty of Education, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zaccagni L, Rosa L, Toselli S, Gualdi-Russo E. Sports Practice, Body Image Perception, and Factors Involved in Sporting Activity in Italian Schoolchildren. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 10:1850. [PMID: 38136052 PMCID: PMC10742091 DOI: 10.3390/children10121850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
Regular physical activity is generally deemed to positively affect health, but studies on children are scarce. Among the kinds of physical activity, sports practice is the most common and easiest to quantify and report by children. This cross-sectional study aimed to compare the two genders and evaluate the association between organized sports practice and body dissatisfaction in a sample of 214 Italian schoolchildren (55.6% males) aged 5 to 12. Body image perception and data on sports practice expectations and facilitators were collected in individual face-to-face interviews; weight and stature were directly measured. Girls tended to be sportier than boys (91.6% of girls vs. 86.3% of boys practiced sports), with an earlier start in sports (5.48 ± 1.47 vs. 5.72 ± 1.38 years) and a greater amount of weekly sports (3.41 ± 2.95 vs. 3.01 ± 2.11 h/week). In both genders, the ideal silhouette was more slender than the feel silhouette, and in girls more than in boys. According to the outcomes of multiple regression models, years of organized sports participation were a significant predictor of the weekly amount of sports in both genders, in addition to the feel weight status minus actual weight status inconsistency score, fun in sports, and parental support only in boys and teacher support only in girls. Children's needs and interests and sports facilitators should be considered to promote an early active lifestyle.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luciana Zaccagni
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Prevention, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (L.Z.); (L.R.)
- Center for Exercise Science and Sports, University of Ferrara, 44123 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Luca Rosa
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Prevention, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (L.Z.); (L.R.)
| | - Stefania Toselli
- Department for Life Quality Studies, University of Bologna, 47921 Rimini, Italy;
| | - Emanuela Gualdi-Russo
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Prevention, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (L.Z.); (L.R.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Nevill AM, Duncan MJ, Gaya A, Mello JB. Secular trends in the physical fitness of Brazilian youth: Evidence that fitness is declining for the majority but not for a fit minority. Scand J Med Sci Sports 2023; 33:2079-2089. [PMID: 37403435 DOI: 10.1111/sms.14440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There has been a decline in children's physical fitness in recent decades. Such concerns are largely based on evidence from North America, Europe, and Asia. The current study describes the secular trend and variation (spread) in the physical fitness scores of young Brazilians from 2005 to 2022. METHODS This study is a repeated, cross-sectional surveillance study (1999-2022). Children and adolescents (n = 65 139; boys = 36 539) participated between 2005 and 2022. In each cohort six physical fitness tests were conducted: (1) 20-m sprint speed (m s-1 ), (2) cardio-respiratory 6-min run test (m min-1 ), (3) abdominal strength test (sit-ups per min), (4) horizontal jump test (cm), (5) the agility test (m s-1 ), and (6) the medicine ball throw test (cm). Means and distributional characteristics of the population were assessed using ANOVA, ANCOVA adopting BMI as the body-size covariate, Levene's test of equality-of-error variances, and Box and whisker plots. RESULTS ANOVAs and ANCOVA's identified significant declines in physical fitness over time/year in 5 of the 6 physical fitness variables (e.g., 20-m sprint speed slope B = -0.018 (m s-1 y-1 ); 95% CI -0.019 to -0.017; p < 0.001), the only exception being the medicine ball throw test (cm). The Levene's test of equality-of-error variances also identified a systematic increase in the variances/standard deviations over time/years. CONCLUSIONS Results provide powerful evidence that children and adolescents' physical fitness is declining, a trend that is also diverging asymmetrically, becoming more extreme in more recent years. The "fit" appear to be getting fitter, but the fitness of the "less-fit" appears to be declining further. These results have important implications for sports medicine and government policy makers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alan M Nevill
- Faculty of Education, Health and Wellbeing, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, UK
| | - Michael J Duncan
- Centre for Sport, Exercise and Life Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry, UK
| | - Adroaldo Gaya
- PROESP-Br research group, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Júlio B Mello
- eFiDac research Group, Physical Education School, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Jaf D, Wagnsson S, Skoog T, Glatz T, Özdemir M. The interplay between parental behaviors and adolescents' sports-related values in understanding adolescents' dropout of organized sports activities. PSYCHOLOGY OF SPORT AND EXERCISE 2023; 68:102448. [PMID: 37665898 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2023.102448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
Using short-term longitudinal data, the primary goal of the present study was to examine the interplay between adolescents' sports-related intrapersonal (e.g., sports values) and interpersonal factors (e.g., perceived parental involvement) in relation to sports dropout. A secondary goal was to explore the direction of effects in the association between intra- and interpersonal factors. A total of 420 adolescents (39% girls, Mage = 14.06; SDage = 0.33) responded to a set of survey questions over two consecutive years. Results from structural equation modeling suggested that parental involvement predicted adolescents' dropout one year later, via sports values. Further, the results suggested that the direction of influence is mainly from parents to adolescents. Overall, the findings indicate that adolescents whose parents attend their practices and games perceive sports activities as fun, important and useful; as a result, adolescents are less likely to dropout. The findings offer an improved understanding of how parents' behaviors may influence adolescents' dropout of organized sports.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Darun Jaf
- Center for Lifespan Developmental Research, Örebro University, Sweden.
| | | | - Therése Skoog
- Department of Psychology, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Terese Glatz
- Center for Lifespan Developmental Research, Örebro University, Sweden
| | - Metin Özdemir
- Center for Lifespan Developmental Research, Örebro University, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Homeyer D, Memaran N, Kück M, Grams L, von der Born J, Bauer E, Schwalba M, Kerling A, von Maltzahn N, Albrecht A, Haverich A, Stiesch M, Melk A, Tegtbur U. Participating in a School-Integrated Daily Exercise Program Improves Motor Performance Significantly in School-Children. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:4764. [PMID: 36981673 PMCID: PMC10048861 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20064764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Children's sedentary time has increased, while daily physical activity and motor performance have decreased. We evaluated an integrated school-based exercise program by assessing changes in motor skills after one year and comparing these changes to children who did not participate. We included 303 children from five schools in this longitudinal study and assigned them either to the exercise group (EG; n = 183 with daily exercise program) or the waiting group (WG; n = 120). Motor skills were assessed at baseline and after one year. Mixed modeling was used to analyze inter-group differences of change in motor skills and to determine the effect of sex, age group, and weight status. EG improved more strongly than WG for sprint, side jumps (both p = 0.017), stand and reach (p = 0.012), and ergometry (p ≤ 0.001) when compared to WG. Girls improved more strongly in the sit-ups than boys, second graders more than fifth graders in the backwards balance and the ergometry, and non-overweight children more in the standing long jump than overweight children. The exercise program is effective in increasing motor skills and physical fitness. Girls were not disadvantaged, and overweight children profited as much as their non-overweight peers in all categories but one.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Denise Homeyer
- Department of Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Nima Memaran
- Department of Pediatric Kidney, Liver and Metabolic Diseases, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (N.M.)
| | - Momme Kück
- Department of Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Lena Grams
- Department of Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Jeannine von der Born
- Department of Pediatric Kidney, Liver and Metabolic Diseases, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (N.M.)
| | - Elena Bauer
- Department of Pediatric Kidney, Liver and Metabolic Diseases, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (N.M.)
| | - Martina Schwalba
- Department of Pediatric Kidney, Liver and Metabolic Diseases, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (N.M.)
| | - Arno Kerling
- Department of Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Nadine von Maltzahn
- Department for Dental Prosthodontics and Biomedical Materials Science, Center for Dentistry and Oral Medicine, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Alexander Albrecht
- Department of Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Axel Haverich
- Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation, and Vascular Surgery, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Meike Stiesch
- Department for Dental Prosthodontics and Biomedical Materials Science, Center for Dentistry and Oral Medicine, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Anette Melk
- Department of Pediatric Kidney, Liver and Metabolic Diseases, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (N.M.)
| | - Uwe Tegtbur
- Department of Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Spruijtenburg GE, van Abswoude F, Platvoet S, de Niet M, Bekhuis H, Steenbergen B. Factors Related to Adolescents' Participation in Organized Sports. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:15872. [PMID: 36497944 PMCID: PMC9735911 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192315872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Participation in organized sports has important health benefits in adolescence, yet participation rates are concerning. A better understanding of factors influencing adolescents' participation in organized sports offers opportunities to improve participation rates. The aim of this study was to examine to what extent motives, perceived competence, encouragement and motor skills were associated with participation in organized sports in a sample of first-year secondary school students. In this cross-sectional study, data were collected from 386 Dutch adolescents (11-14 years) in October and November 2020. A series of multilevel logistic regression models estimated the likelihood of adolescents' participating in organized sports. First, we examined whether motives, perceived competence, encouragement and motor skills were independently associated with the likelihood of participation. Second, we examined whether these factors were concurrently associated with the likelihood of participation. When considered individually, motives, perceived competence, encouragement and motor skills were significantly associated with participation. When considered together, only motives were significantly associated with participation and the associations of all other factors with sport disappeared. These findings show the importance of motivation for participation in sports over other factors. These findings inform the development of interventions aimed at improving adolescents' participation rates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Femke van Abswoude
- Behavioural Science Institute (BSI), Radboud University, 6525 GD Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Sebastiaan Platvoet
- Institute for Studies in Sports and Exercise, HAN University of Applied Sciences, 6525 GD Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Mark de Niet
- Institute for Studies in Sports and Exercise, HAN University of Applied Sciences, 6525 GD Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Hidde Bekhuis
- Behavioural Science Institute (BSI), Radboud University, 6525 GD Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Bert Steenbergen
- Behavioural Science Institute (BSI), Radboud University, 6525 GD Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Psychosocial aspects of sports medicine in pediatric athletes: Current concepts in the 21 st century. Dis Mon 2022:101482. [PMID: 36100481 DOI: 10.1016/j.disamonth.2022.101482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Behavioral aspects of organized sports activity for pediatric athletes are considered in a world consumed with winning at all costs. In the first part of this treatise, we deal with a number of themes faced by our children in their sports play. These concepts include the lure of sports, sports attrition, the mental health of pediatric athletes (i.e., effects of stress, anxiety, depression, suicide in athletes, ADHD and stimulants, coping with injuries, drug use, and eating disorders), violence in sports (i.e., concepts of the abused athlete including sexual abuse), dealing with supervisors (i.e., coaches, parents), peers, the talented athlete, early sports specialization and sports clubs. In the second part of this discussion, we cover ergolytic agents consumed by young athletes in attempts to win at all costs. Sports doping agents covered include anabolic steroids (anabolic-androgenic steroids or AAS), androstenedione, dehydroepiandrostenedione (DHEA), human growth hormone (hGH; also its human recombinant homologue: rhGH), clenbuterol, creatine, gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB), amphetamines, caffeine and ephedrine. Also considered are blood doping that includes erythropoietin (EPO) and concepts of gene doping. In the last section of this discussion, we look at disabled pediatric athletes that include such concepts as athletes with spinal cord injuries (SCIs), myelomeningocele, cerebral palsy, wheelchair athletes, and amputee athletes; also covered are pediatric athletes with visual impairment, deafness, and those with intellectual disability including Down syndrome. In addition, concepts of autonomic dysreflexia, boosting and atlantoaxial instability are emphasized. We conclude that clinicians and society should protect our precious pediatric athletes who face many challenges in their involvement with organized sports in a world obsessed with winning. There is much we can do to help our young athletes find benefit from sports play while avoiding or blunting negative consequences of organized sport activities.
Collapse
|
8
|
Ren T, Yan J, Sun Q. Sociodemographic Correlates of Organized Sports Participation in a Sample of Middle School Students in China. Front Public Health 2021; 9:730555. [PMID: 34869148 PMCID: PMC8636987 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.730555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Organized sport participation (OSP) is considered as one method with the potential to increase overall physical activity (PA) levels in young people. It is essential to understand the correlates of OSP to inform future PA interventions. Purpose: This study aimed to explore the sociodemographic correlates of OSP among middle school students from the Nanjing City of China. Methods: A total of 7,097 adolescents (50.1% girls) aged 12–15 years from Nanjing, China, were recruited in this survey. Self-reported data on sex, grade, race, residence areas, proficient sport skills, and parental highest education were obtained. OSP was assessed by the question asked in the questionnaire on whether participants were involved in any “sports club or team” with the binary answer options of “yes” and “no,” for statistical analysis purposes. Generalized linear models were used to determine the correlates of OSP. Results: Only 16.6% reported participating in any organized sport over the past whole year, while boys (OR = 1.34, 95% CI: 1.18–1.53) and 7th graders (OR = 1.40, 95% CI: 1.18–1.65) were more likely to participate in organized sport. Adolescents being Han ethnicity were less likely to either participate in organized sport (OR = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.40–0.92), or masterless (one or two) proficient sport skills [OR (one) = 0.27, 95%CI: 0.20–0.37; OR (two) = 0.43, 95% CI: 0.36–0.50]. Besides, both residence area and parental highest education were not significantly associated with OSP among the participating adolescents. Conclusion: The current study confirmed that only one-sixth of adolescents participate in the organized sport over the past year. At-risk population subgroups include girls, older adolescents, being Han ethnicity, and those proficient in fewer sport skills. Sex, grades, race, and proficient sport skills were significant correlates of OSP. School, community, and families need to provide more resources and support for disadvantaged populations in OSP.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tao Ren
- Centre for Science and Experiment, Nanjing Sport Institute, Nanjing, China
| | - Jin Yan
- Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Education, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Qiang Sun
- Centre for Science and Experiment, Nanjing Sport Institute, Nanjing, China.,Key Laboratory of Sports Training and Rehabilitation of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing, China
| |
Collapse
|