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At least 1,513 records · Page 84Linked to original sources
PubMed2006

Potentially modifiable resident characteristics that are associated with physical or verbal aggression among nursing home residents with dementia.

BACKGROUND: Physical aggression by nursing home residents is a burden to residents and staff. The identification of modifiable correlates would facilitate developing preventive strategies. The objectives of the study were to determine potentially modifiable resident characteristics that are associated with physical aggression and to correlate these characteristics with verbal aggression. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of nursing home residents in 5 states who had at least 1 annual Minimum Data Set assessment completed during 2002. Case subjects were defined as nursing home residents 60 years and older with dementia who were reported to have been physically aggressive in the week before their assessment. Control subjects were all other residents 60 years and older with dementia. The main outcome measure was being physically aggressive during the past week. RESULTS: A total of 103 344 residents met study criteria, of whom 7120 (6.9%) had been physically aggressive in the week before their annual Minimum Data Set assessment. After adjustment for potential confounders, including age, sex, severity of cognitive impairment, and dependence in activities of daily living, physical aggression was associated with depressive symptoms (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 3.3; 99% confidence interval [CI], 3.0-3.6), delusions (AOR, 2.0; 99% CI, 1.7-2.4), hallucinations (AOR, 1.4; 99% CI, 1.1-1.8), and constipation (AOR, 1.3; 99% CI, 1.2-1.5). Urinary tract infections, respiratory tract infections, fevers, reported pain, and participation in recreational activities were not significantly associated with physical aggression in multivariate analyses (P >.01 for all). Except for constipation, the correlates of verbal aggression were similar to those of physical aggression. CONCLUSION: If the associations we have estimated are causal, then treatment of depression, delusions, hallucinations, and constipation may reduce physical aggression among nursing home residents.

Aged, 80 and over↗
PubMed2005

Personal fulfillment motivates adolescents to be physically active.

OBJECTIVES: To identify factors that motivate adolescents to be physically active; to assess differences in motivators for groups at risk for physical inactivity, including girls vs boys, overweight vs nonoverweight youth, and youth with low vs high perceived sport competence; and to assess links between activity motivation and physical activity. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: A middle school in rural central Pennsylvania. PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred two girls (n = 92) and boys (n = 110). MAIN EXPOSURE: Motivations to be physically active were assessed using the Activity Motivation Scale. Perceived sport competence was measured by the Physical Self Description Questionnaire. Participants' height and weight were measured and used to classify their overweight status. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Three self-reported measures were used to assess adolescents' physical activity. RESULTS: Adolescents were most likely to report personal fulfillment as the strongest motivating factor for physical activity (mean [SD], 3.49 [0.56]), followed by weight-based motivation (mean [SD], 2.39 [0.93]), peer motivation (mean [SD], 2.09 [0.67]), and parent motivation (mean [SD], 1.72 [0.73]; F = 680.74; P<.001). Overweight adolescents reported significantly higher weight-based motivation (mean [SD], 2.84 [0.79]) compared with nonoverweight adolescents (mean [SD], 2.06 [0.89]; F = 40.52; P<.001), and adolescents with low perceived sport competence reported significantly lower personal fulfillment motivation (mean [SD], 3.20 [0.68]) compared with adolescents with higher perceived sport competence (mean [SD], 3.69 [0.32]; F = 52.31; P<.001). Personal fulfillment was the only motivating factor that showed a consistent moderate to strong association with physical activity across all regression models. CONCLUSION: Personal fulfillment motivation should be considered when designing physical activity promotion programs for adolescents.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Individual and group-based parenting programmes for the treatment of physical child abuse and neglect.

BACKGROUND: Child physical abuse and neglect are important public health problems and recent estimates of their prevalence suggest that they are considerably more common than had hitherto been realised. Many of the risk factors for child abuse and neglect are not amenable to change in the short term. Intervening to change parenting practices may, however, be important in its treatment. Parenting programmes are focused, short-term interventions aimed at improving parenting practices in addition to other outcomes (many of which are risk factors for child abuse e.g. parental psychopathology, and parenting attitudes and practices), and may therefore be useful in the treatment of physically abusive or neglectful parents. OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy of group-based or one-to-one parenting programmes in addressing child physical abuse or neglect. SEARCH STRATEGY: A range of biomedical and social science databases were searched including MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsychINFO, Sociofile, Social Science Citation Index, ASSIA, the Cochrane Library, Campbell Library (including SPECTR and CENTRAL), National Research Register (NRR) and ERIC, from inception to May 2005. SELECTION CRITERIA: Only randomised controlled trials or randomised studies that compared two treatments were included. Studies had to include at least one standardised instrument measuring some aspect of abusive or neglectful parenting. In the absence of studies using objective assessments of child abuse, studies reporting proxy measures of abusive parenting were included. Only studies evaluating the effectiveness of standardised group-based or one-to-one parenting programmes aimed at the treatment of physical child abuse or neglect were included. Studies were also only eligible for inclusion if they had targeted parents of children aged 0-19 years who had been investigated for physical abuse or neglect. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: The treatment effect for each outcome in each study was standardised by dividing the mean difference in post-intervention scores for the intervention and treatment group by the pooled standard deviation, to obtain an effect size. The results for each outcome in each study have been presented, with 95% confidence intervals. It was not possible to combine any results in a meta-analysis. MAIN RESULTS: A total of seven studies of variable quality were included in this review. Only two studies assessed the effectiveness of parenting programmes on the incidence of child abuse or number of injuries. One study showed that there were no reports of abuse in the intervention group compared with one report of abuse in the control group. In the second study the small number of injuries sustained precluded the possibility of statistical analysis. Data were also extracted on over fifty outcomes that are used as proxy measures of abusive parenting. These were on the whole diverse and measured a range of aspects of parenting (e.g. parental child management, discipline practices, child abuse potential and mental health), child health (e.g. emotional and behavioural adjustment) and family functioning, thereby precluding the possibility of undertaking a meta-analysis for most outcomes for which data were extracted. While none of the programmes were effective across all of the outcomes measured, many appeared to have improved some outcomes for some of the participating parents, although many failed to achieve statistical significance. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: There is insufficient evidence to support the use of parenting programmes to treat physical abuse or neglect (i.e. such as the incidence of child abuse using reports of child abuse/linjuries or children on the children protection register). There is, however, limited evidence to show that some parenting programmes may be effective in improving some outcomes that are associated with physically abusive parenting. There is an urgent need for further rigorous evaluation of the effectiveness of parenting programmes that are specifically designed to treat physical abuse and neglect, either independently or as part of broader packages of care. Such evaluation should include the use of objective measures of outcome such as independent assessments of parenting and the number of instances of physical abuse. In order to do this, future studies need to include long-term follow-up.

Child↗
PubMed1998

Modeling physical dependence in arthritis: the relative contribution of specific disabilities and environmental factors.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the relationship between disability and physical dependence handicap, and the mediating effect of personal (demographic) and environmental factors as modeled by the International Classification of Impairments, Disability, and Handicaps. METHODS: Data on people with arthritis-associated disabilities were abstracted from a national population survey (n = 16,017). A hierarchical physical dependence variable was formulated. Nominal logistical regression was used to determine predictors of physical dependence related to specific disability, personal characteristics, and environmental adaptation variables. RESULTS: The risk of physical dependence only increased substantially at age > or = 75 years. Specific types of physical disability differentially predicted different levels of physical dependence. The major predictor of physical dependence was disability alone and in conjunction with environmental factors. CONCLUSIONS: There appears to be a specific and ordered relationship between the level of physical dependence and various types of physical disabilities. The findings could have implications for therapeutic intervention and health status measures.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2005

Are health care professionals advising adults with arthritis to become more physically active?

OBJECTIVE: To describe the proportion and characteristics of adults with self-reported, doctor-diagnosed arthritis who report ever having been advised by a health professional to become more physically active and to assess whether the advice was associated with recent physical activity. METHODS: Using population-based data from the 2003 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey, respondents were classified according to their arthritis status, whether or not they were ever advised by a health professional to increase their physical activity to help them better manage their arthritis, and whether they engaged in exercise or physical activity within the past month. RESULTS: Overall, 42% of respondents with arthritis reported ever being advised to increase their physical activity to help their arthritis. Respondents who were more likely to have ever received the advice were female, middle-aged or older, African American, Hispanic, overweight or obese, sedentary or insufficiently physically active, and had higher levels of education. Persons who reported ever receiving the advice were less likely to report that they had exercised within the past month. A higher level of education was the only variable associated with recent exercise or physical activity among those advised to be more active. CONCLUSION: Less than 50% of adults with arthritis report ever being advised by a health professional to become more physically active. Advice alone appears insufficient to promote increased physical activity in adults with arthritis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

The relationship between anxiety disorders and physical disorders in the U.S. National Comorbidity Survey.

Although depression has clearly been shown to be associated with physical disorders, few studies have examined whether anxiety disorders are independently associated with medical conditions after adjusting for comorbid mental disorders. We examined the relationship between anxiety disorders and a wide range of physical disorders in a nationally representative sample. Data came from the National Comorbidity Survey (N=5,877, range=age 15-54 years, response rate=82.4%). The Composite International Diagnostic Interview [Kessler et al., 1998] was used to make DSM-III-R [American Psychiatric Association, 1987] mental disorder diagnoses. Physical disorders were assessed based on a list of several conditions shown to respondents. All analyses utilized multiple logistic regression to examine the relationship between past-year anxiety disorder diagnosis and past-year chronic physical disorder. Anxiety disorders were positively associated with physical disorders even after adjusting for mood disorders, substance-use disorders, and sociodemographics. Among respondents with one or more physical disorders, a comorbid anxiety disorder diagnosis was associated with an increased likelihood of disability even after adjusting for severity of pain, comorbid mood, and substance use disorders. Among specific anxiety disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder, panic attacks, and agoraphobia were more likely to be associated with specific physical disorders than generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia, or simple phobia. There is a strong and unique association between anxiety disorders and physical disorders. Clinically, the presence of an anxiety disorder among patients with physical disorders may confer a greater level of disability.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Determinants of physical activity among Taiwanese adolescents: an application of the health promotion model.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among interpersonal influences (i.e., social support, norms, modeling), behavior-specific cognitions (i.e., self-efficacy, perceived benefits/barriers), competing demands, and physical activity among Taiwanese adolescents (N = 832). The results from structural equation modeling indicated that perceived self-efficacy was the most important predictor of physical activity. Interpersonal influences, when considered in total, had a weak and nonsignificant direct effect on physical activity but had indirect effects on physical activity thorough perceived benefits and perceived self-efficacy. When sources of interpersonal influences were considered separately, parental influences did not have direct effects on physical activity. In contrast, peers did have a significant direct effect on physical activity and also indirect influences on physical activity through perceived self-efficacy. All variables accounted for 30% of the variance in physical activity. Results of this study identify important influences useful to health professionals for promoting physical activity in this population.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Training physicians to conduct physical activity counseling.

BACKGROUND: In accordance with the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendations, the current pilot study tests the feasibility and efficacy of a physician-delivered physical activity counseling intervention. METHODS: A sequential comparison group design was used to examine change in self-reported physical activity between experimental (counseling and self-help materials) and control (usual care) patients at base-line and 6 weeks after the initial office visit. Patients in both groups were contacted by telephone 2 weeks after their office visit and asked about the physical activity counseling at their most recent physician visit. Experimental patients also received a follow-up appointment to discuss physical activity with their physician 4 weeks after their initial visit. RESULTS: Counseling was feasible for physicians to do and produced short-term increases in physical activity levels. Both groups increased their physical activity, but the increase in physical activity was greater for patients who reported receiving a greater number of counseling messages. CONCLUSIONS: Physician-delivered physical activity interventions may be an effective way to achieve wide-spread improvements in the physical activity of middle-aged and older adults.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Changes in intensity of physical exercise as predictors of depressive symptoms among older adults: an eight-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological research suggests that regular physical activity may be associated with reduced depressive symptoms. The present study examines the predictive value of physical exercise in relation to depressive symptoms among samples of adults aged 65+ during an 8-year period. METHODS: The subjects (N = 663) who participated both at the baseline (1988) and the follow-up (1996) interviews were selected for the analyses. The dependent variable depressive symptoms was assessed by the Finnish modified version of Beck's 13-item depression scale. The independent variable was the intensity of physical exercise. RESULTS: The intensity of physical exercise decreased among the older men and women. Those who had reduced their intensity of physical exercise during the 8 years reported more depressive symptoms at the follow-up than those who had remained active or increased their physical activity. Depressive symptoms were predicted by the intensity of baseline physical exercise, earlier depressive symptoms, older age, gender, having three or more chronic somatic conditions, and difficulties in performing ADL activities. CONCLUSIONS: Age-related decrease in the intensity of physical exercise increases the risk of depressive symptoms among older adults. This calls for effective measures in maintaining and supporting an adequate level of physical exercise among the aging population.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2000

Quality and correlates of physical activity counseling by health care providers in Israel.

BACKGROUND: The quantity and quality of physical activity counseling by the health care provider can have a profound impact on improving the physical activity of the older population. This study presents an estimate of the quality and quantity of physical activity counseling and tests the associations of different variables with physical activity. METHODS: A random telephone survey of 793 Israeli residents between the ages of 45 and 75 was conducted. Counseling by a health care provider was evaluated using a three-stage approach--assess, advise, and assist. RESULTS: Of those visiting a doctor in the last 3 months 22, 16, and 7% were assessed, advised, and assisted, respectively, regarding physical activity by a health care provider. At all three stages, receiving weight reduction counseling was a main variable correlated with receiving physical activity counseling (OR 3.38-2.43). Having a chronic disease was associated with being assessed; smoking and being a recent immigrant were associated with getting assistance on physical activity. Visiting a health care provider in the last 3 months, and being physically active were also associated with counseling. The dietitians and the physicians had the highest quality and rates of counseling in all three stages. CONCLUSION: It seems that a sedentary lifestyle is not regarded as an independent risk factor during counseling, but more as an important part of weight reduction. An evaluation of physical activity counseling by the three stages can be used to assess the quality of the counseling.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Occupation, hours worked, and leisure-time physical activity.

BACKGROUND: International research indicates that blue-collar employees typically exhibit lower rates of leisure-time physical activity. While "lack of time" and "work demands" are commonly reported barriers to activity, the extent to which time-at-work mediates the relationship between occupation and leisure-time physical activity is unclear. This study investigated the association between occupation, time spent in paid employment, and participation in leisure-time physical activity. METHODS: This was a secondary analysis of cross-sectional data from the 1995 Australian Health Survey, focusing on employed persons ages 18-64 years (n = 24, 454). Occupation was coded as per the Australian Standard Classification of Occupations and collapsed into three categories (professional, white-collar, blue-collar). Hours worked was categorized into eight levels, ranging from 1-14 to more than 50 h per week. Participation in leisure-time physical activity was categorized as either insufficient or sufficient for health, consistent with recommended levels of energy expenditure (1600 METS-min/fortnight). The relationship between occupation, hours worked, and leisure-time physical activity was examined using logistic regression. Analyses were conducted separately for male and female, and the results are presented as a series of models that successively adjust for a range of potential covariates: age, living arrangement, smoking status, body mass index, and self-reported health. RESULTS: Individuals in blue-collar occupations were approximately 50% more likely to be classified as insufficiently active. This occupational variability in leisure-time physical activity was not explained by hours worked. There was a suggested relationship between hours worked and leisure-time physical activity; however, this differed between men and women, and was difficult to interpret. CONCLUSIONS: Occupational variability in leisure-time physical activity cannot be explained by hours worked. Therefore, reports that work constitutes a barrier to participation should be explored further. Identification of the factors contributing to occupational variability in leisure-time physical activity will add to our understanding of why population subgroups differ in their health risk profiles, and assist in the development of health promotion strategies to reduce rates of sedentariness and health inequalities.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Trends in overweight and physical activity among U.S. military personnel, 1995-1998.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to deter mine whether changes in physical activity patterns account for the increasing prevalence of obesity, utilizing a large, representative sample of male and female U.S. military personnel. METHODS: Data from the 1995 and 1998 waves of the Department of Defense Survey of Health Related Behaviors among Military Personnel were utilized. Overweight was defined as body mass index > or =25. Respondents were classified as physically active if they reported > or =3 days/week of vigorous activity. Three sequential multivariate logistic regression models were analyzed separately for males and females with overweight regressed on year of study (1995 or 1998), demographic characteristics, and physical activity. RESULTS: Some 50% of military personnel in 1995 and 54% in 1998 were classified as overweight, representing a significant increase in overweight over the 3-year period for both males and females. Overweight military personnel were more likely to be male, older, African American or Hispanic, married, and enlisted personnel. Physical activity levels were high, with around 67% of the sample engaging in regular, vigorous physical activity. Although physical activity levels increased among male personnel between 1995 and 1998, there was not an independent association between physical activity and overweight, and changing physical activity patterns did not account for the increase in over weight from 1995 to 1998. CONCLUSIONS: The U.S. military is experiencing a trend toward increasing overweight that mirrors the pattern among the general population. The results of this study suggest that the rise in overweight among the military is not explained by a decrease in physical activity.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Reduced mobility and physical activity as predictors of depressive symptoms among community-dwelling older adults: an eight-year follow-up study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Epidemiological research suggests that reduced physical activity and mobility may be associated with depressive symptoms. The present study examines the relative roles of mobility status and physical activity as predictors of depressive symptoms among community-dwelling older adults. METHODS: The subjects comprised randomly selected, non-institutionalized residents of the city of Jyväskylä, central Finland, born in 1904-1923. At baseline, 80% (N = 1224) and after the 8-year follow-up period (1996) 88% (N = 663) of eligible persons were interviewed. All non-institutionalized men and women (N = 384) who participated in both baseline and follow-up interviews, who supplied data on the main questions of interest and who had no depressive symptoms at baseline, were selected for analysis. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Finnish modified version of Beck's 13-item depression scale (RBDI). Physical activity was assessed on a seven-point scale. Mobility status was defined as the ability to walk two kilometers and climb one flight of stairs. RESULTS: Subjects who were mobility-disabled and had a sedentary life-style had a higher risk (OR = 2.44) for depressive symptoms at follow-up than those who had good mobility and were physically active. The risk was also higher (OR = 1.99) in those who were mobility-disabled and had a physically active life-style, compared with physically active individuals with intact mobility. Those with good mobility had fewer depressive symptoms than those who had mobility problems, irrespective of the level of physical activity. No significant interaction was observed between physical activity and mobility in predicting the development of depressive symptoms. Older age significantly increased, and the number of chronic illnesses tended to increase the risk of developing depressive symptoms during the follow-up period. Gender and length of education were not significant predictors of depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Mobility problems and older age seem to increase the risk for developing depressive symptoms in elderly people. The risk is not associated with the level of physical activity.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Evaluation of continuous summary physical performance scores (CSPPS) in an elderly cohort.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Physical performance is an important predictor of quality of life among the elderly. A valid and sensitive measure of physical performance is needed in order to evaluate possible interventions. The aim of this study was to examine the validity and reliability of the Continuous Summary Physical Performance Score (CSPPS) and its relationship to the Quartile Summary Physical Performance Score (QSPPS). METHODS: This cross-sectional study of an elderly cohort from 5 centers in the US and Europe included men and women (> age 65) reporting at least two domains of disability. Subjects completed assessments of mobility and ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs), the physical component of the SF-36, and a self-rating of physical performance. Timed physical performance tests were used to calculate the CSPPS and QSPPS. RESULTS: 216 subjects took part (mean age = 81 years). The distribution of CSPPS scores was similar for men and women, with a mean of 59.2 (SD 17.8), median of 64.3, and range from 1.3 to 91. Subjects with older age, higher degree of disability, and lower self-rated physical performance had lower CSPPS scores. The CSPPS had good test-retest reliability (r = 0.92), and CSPPS and QSPPS are highly correlated (r = 0.94, p < 0.001). However, the QSPPS appears to lack the linearity, and the ranges of the CSPPS for each score of the QSPPS overlap substantially. CONCLUSIONS: In a cohort with moderate to severe disability, the CSPPS appears to be a valid, reproducible measure that can discriminate smaller yet clinically meaningful differences in physical function, as compared with the QSPPS.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2004

Perceptions of environmental opportunities for physical activity in the European Union.

OBJECTIVES: This article is the last in a series of four that present data about physical activity in 15 member states of the European Union collected by the Eurobarometer 58.2. The focus of this article is on the perception of environmental opportunities for physical activity across the European Union. METHODS: Data were collected in 2002 as part of the Eurobarometer by face-to-face interviews. A total of 16,230 respondents age 15 years and older were interviewed. Sample sizes ranged about 1,000 respondents in most nations. Physical activity was assessed with the last 7-days short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). RESULTS: Results indicate relationships between the perceptions of environmental opportunities; gross household income and physical activity level (in MET-hours/per week) of respondents. Respondents who reported lower income and less physical activity had also more negative perceptions of environmental opportunities. Across nations, respondents in Denmark, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Western Germany had the highest satisfaction with environmental opportunities for physical activity. In some nations, positive correlations between the perception of environmental opportunities and physical activity levels could be observed. CONCLUSION: Results show variations in the perception of environmental opportunities across the EU. Overall, the majority of respondents rated their environmental opportunities for physical activity favourable.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Effects of a 12-month physical activity counselling intervention on glycaemic control and on the status of cardiovascular risk factors in people with Type 2 diabetes.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of physical activity counselling in promoting physical activity in people with Type 2 diabetes and to evaluate resultant physiological and biochemical effects. METHODS: A total of 70 inactive people with Type 2 diabetes were given standard exercise information and randomised to receive physical activity counselling (n=35, experimental) or not (n=35, control). Physical activity consultations were delivered at baseline and after 6 months, with follow-up phone calls after 1, 3, 6 and 9 months. Changes from baseline after 6 and 12 months were assessed for physical activity (7-day recall and accelerometer), for physiological characteristics (body mass index and blood pressure) and for biochemical variables (HbA(1)c, lipid profile, fibrinogen, tissue plasminogen activator and microalbuminuria). RESULTS: Significant differences between groups were recorded for physical activity after 6 and 12 months (p<0.01). The experimental group had increased levels of physical activity from baseline to 6 months (p<0.01), with no decrease from 6 to 12 months (p>0.05). In the control group, accelerometer counts per week decreased from baseline to 12 months (p=0.03). Between-group differences (p<0.05) were recorded for the change in HbA(1)c (experimental: 0.26% decrease; control: 0.15% increase), for systolic blood pressure (experimental: 7.7 mm Hg decrease; control: 5.6 mm Hg increase) and for fibrinogen (experimental: 0.28 mmol/l decrease; control: 1.43 mmol/l increase) from baseline to 6 months, and for total cholesterol (experimental: 0.33 mmol/l decrease; control: 0.04 mmol/l increase) from baseline to 12 months (p<0.05). No significant differences were recorded in other measured variables. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATIONS: Physical activity counselling was effective in promoting physical activity in people with Type 2 diabetes. The counselling improved glycaemic control as well as the status of cardiovascular risk factors in these patients.

Blood Pressure↗
PubMed2002

The relationship between physical activity and self-image and problem behaviour among adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Although there are a vast array of studies which have demonstrated the psychological and physical health benefits of regular aerobic exercise for adults, few studies have focussed on children and adolescents. The current study examined associations between the extent of participation in endurance sport, and self-report data on self-image, physical and psychological health and overall lifestyle in a large representative sample of German high-school students. METHOD: Almost 1000 German adolescents (aged 14-18 years) were administered a comprehensive series of questionnaires aimed at assessing anxiety-depression, trait addiction, smoking and drinking behaviour, physical ill-health reports, and self-perception of self-image, parental acceptance and educational attainment. RESULTS: Regular practice of endurance exercise was related to a more favourable self-image. There was a strong association between participation in sports and the type of personality that tends to be resistant to drug and alcohol addiction. Physical exercise was further significantly related to scores for physical and psychological well-being. Adolescents who engaged regularly in physical activity were characterised by lower anxiety-depression scores, and displayed much less social behavioural inhibition than their less active counterparts. CONCLUSION: It is likely that discussion of recreational or exercise involvement may provide a useful point of entry for facilitating dialogue among adolescents about concerns relating to body image and self-esteem. In terms of psychotherapeutic applications, physical activity has many additional rewards for adolescents. It is probable that by promoting physical fitness, increased physical performance, lessening body mass and promoting a more favourable body shape and structure, exercise will provide more positive social feedback and recognition from peer groups, and this will subsequently lead to improvement in an individual's self-image.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Back education in elementary schoolchildren: the effects of adding a physical activity promotion program to a back care program.

Promoting a physically active lifestyle whilst optimizing the spinal load at a young age seems to be advocated within the scope of early back pain prevention efforts. The present study aimed at evaluating the effects of combining a back care program with a physical activity promotion program in elementary schoolchildren. In a pre-post design over two school years, back care knowledge, back care behavior, fear avoidance beliefs and back pain reports were evaluated in children classified into three categories--those who received a back care and a physical activity promotion program (n=190), those who received only a back care program (n=193) and those in a control group (n=172) (mean age at baseline: 9.7 years+/-0.7). Physical activity levels were evaluated in a sub-sample of 26 pupils in each group. The back care program and the physical activity promotion program were both comprehensive ones. In both intervention groups, the scores for back care related knowledge and back care behavior were significantly higher than the control group. The increase in the sum score for back care behavior was significantly higher in the back care group than in the back care plus physical activity promotion group. Significant interaction effects showed an increase in fear-avoidance beliefs between pre- and post-tests in the control group, significantly different from the better scores in both intervention groups. Interaction effects were not significant for pain reports. In the back care plus physical activity promotion group, the daily moderate to vigorous physical activity levels decreased by 8 min per day while a decrease by 31 min per day was found in the back care group and a decrease by 36 min per day in the control group. However, group differences were not significant. The present study findings favor the addition of a physical activity promotion program to a back care program in elementary schools within the scope of early back pain prevention efforts. However, the findings also emphasize the disadvantages of implementing both programs simultaneously in a school curriculum that is already full.

Back Pain↗