Developing normative values and predictive models for the 6-minute walk test across diverse adolescent developmental stages.

The six-minute walking test (6MWT) is commonly used to measure functional capacity in field settings, primarily through the distance covered. This study aims to establish reference curves for the six-minute walking distance (6MWD) and peak heart rate (PHR) and develop a predictive equation for cardiovascular capacity in Tunisian children and adolescents. A total of 1501 participants (706 boys and 795 girls), aged 10-18 years, were recruited from schools in Tunisia. The Lambda (L), Mu (M), and Sigma (S) methods (LMS method) were employed to develop smoothed percentile curves for 6MWD and PHR. Multivariate linear regression was utilized to formulate a prediction equation for 6MWD. Smoothed percentiles (3rd, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th, and 97th) for 6MWD and PHR were presented with age. All variables showed a strong positive correlation (p < 0.001) with a six-minute walking distance (r ranged from 0.227 to 0.558 for girls and from 0.309 to 0.610 for boys), except resting heart rate, which showed a strong negative correlation (girls: r = -0.136; boys: r = -0.201; p < 0.001). Additionally, PHR showed a weak correlation (p > 0.05). The prediction equations, based on age as the primary variable, were established for both genders. For boys: 6MWD = 66.181 + 38.142 × Age (years) (R2 = 0.372; Standard Error of Estimate (SEE) = 122.13), and for girls: 6MWD = 105.535 + 28.390 × Age (years) (R2 = 0.312; SEE = 103.66). The study provides normative values and predictive equations for 6MWD and PHR in Tunisian children and adolescents. These findings offer essential tools for identifying, monitoring, and interpreting cardiovascular functional deficits in clinical and research settings.

Exploring the impact of verbal encouragement on strength, endurance, and psychophysiological responses: enhancing teaching strategies in sports science education.

Introduction: This study investigates the effects of teacher verbal encouragement (VE) on strength, endurance, and psychophysiological responses, aiming to enhance teaching strategies in sports science education. Methods: Forty-eight sports science students, aged 21.3 ± 0.5 years, participated in this study. The sample was randomly divided into two groups, and a counterbalancing procedure was implemented. Participants completed strength and endurance testing sessions under normal conditions in the first week and repeated similar sessions in the second week with teacher VE. Strength was assessed using the 1RM bench press, squat, and deadlift tests, while endurance was evaluated through 8-minute time trials (8MTT: burpees, box jumps, hand-release push-ups, and sit-ups). Perceived exertion and physical activity enjoyment were investigated using self-reporting instruments. Results: The key findings showed that participants lifted greater weights in the 1RM bench press (p < 0.01; r = 0.45, medium to large effect), squat (p < 0.001; Hedges' g = 1.36, large effect), and deadlift tests (p < 0.001; r = 0.79, large effect) and completed a greater number of repetitions in the 8MTT (p < 0.001; r = 0.87, large effect) under VE. Perceived exertion was found to be lower under normal conditions (p < 0.05; r = 0.29, small effect), yet physical activity enjoyment significantly increased under VE (p < 0.05; r = 0.81, large effect). Discussion: In conclusion, implementing teacher VE in sports science education can contribute to improved strength and endurance training outcomes and student psychophysiological response.

Examining the interplay between physical activity, problematic internet use and the negative emotional state of depression, anxiety and stress: insights from a moderated mediation path model in university students.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between Problematic Internet Use (PIU), emotional states of stress, anxiety and depression, and the practice of physical activity among Tunisian students. METHODS: Cross-sectional data were collected from 976 university students aged 20.76 ± 1.63 years (46.8% female). They filled out an online survey comprised of a socio-demographic questionnaire, the depression, anxiety and stress scale- 21 items (DASS-21), the international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ) and the compulsive internet use scale (CIUS). Students were divided, based on their economic levels, into three groups: low (n = 256, 26.23%), medium (n = 523, 53.59%) and high (n = 197, 20.18%). RESULTS: Mediation analysis: Indirect effects of IPAQ and gender on DASS-21 were highlighted: ß= -0.18 (p < 0.01) and ß= -0.04, P < 0.01) respectively. In addition, a significant and negative effect of IPAQ on CIUS was demonstrated (ß = -0.45, P < 0.01). In addition, the effect of CIUS on DASS-21 was significant (ß = 0.39, P < 0.01). Also, the effect of gender on CIUS was significant (ß=-0.10, P < 0.01) However, its effect on DASS-21 was not significant (ß = 0.05, p = 0.078). The total effect of IPAQ on DASS21 was significant (ß= -0.52, p < 0.01) but the effect of Gender on DASS-21 was not significant (ß = 0.01, p = 0.817). Moderation analysis: the results showed a significant moderation effect of the interaction between IPAQ and Gender on CIUS (ß = 0.07, p < 0.01). However, it was not significant between Gender and CIUS on DASS-21 (ß = 0.09, p = 0.390) and between IPAQ and Gender on DASS21 (ß = 0.01, p = 0.736) Also, the interaction between IPAQ and CIUS did not have a significant moderation effect on DASS-21 (ß = 0.15, p = 0.115). CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that relationships between PIU and negative emotional state of depression, anxiety and stress are mediated via physical exercise. These results underscore the importance of the physical activity factor in the studies analyzing longitudinal effects of PIU on mental health outcomes.

Investigating the association between the lunar cycle and sleep, physiological, cognitive, and physical performance in children with Down syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Children with Down syndrome (DS) offer a compelling context within the fieldof human biology for examining potential lunar influences. While the exact mechanisms governing lunar effects are still under investigation, a growing body of scientific inquiry suggests possible connections between lunar phases and physiological, physical, and cognitive parameters. This investigation holds promise for uncovering the intricate interplay between lunar cycles (LCs) and the unique biology of children with DS. This study investigated the potential influence of the LC on physiological, physical, and cognitive parameters in children with DS, focusing on sleep patterns, physical performance, and cognitive abilities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventeen children with DS participated in this study. Sleep data, physical performance metrics, and cognitive test results were collected throughout the LC, including the new moon (NM), first quarter, full moon (FM), and third quarter. Statistical analyses were conducted to assess the differences in these parameters across lunar phases. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed in sleep patterns, with reduced total sleep time (P < 0.01) and sleep efficiency (P < 0.001) during the FM phase. Heart rates (HRs) before (P < 0.001) and after (P < 0.01) exercise also displayed pronounced changes during LC. Additionally, the reaction time (RT) exhibited a significant difference (P < 0.01) across the lunar phases. However, physical performance metrics, including squat jump (SJ), sprint, and 6-minute walk distance (6MWD), did not show significant variations. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that LC may have a moderating effect on sleep patterns, HR, and cognitive performance in children with DS. These findings have practical implications for caregivers and educators and highlight the importance of considering lunar-associated variations in planning schedules and interventions for children with DS.

The variability of physical enjoyment, physiological responses, and technical-tactical performance according to the bout duration of small-sided games: a comparative study between female and male soccer players.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to compare various factors, namely perceived enjoyment (PE), percentage of peak heart rate (%HRpeak), blood lactate (La), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and technical-tactical performance among soccer players across different bout durations (CB: continuous bout, MIB: medium intermittent bouts, and SIB: short intermittent bouts) and between male and female players during four-a-side (4vs4) small-sided games (SSGs) including goalkeepers. METHODS: sixteen female soccer players (age: 20.1 ± 0.5 years old) and sixteen professional male adults (age: 20.7 ± 0.7 years old) participated in the study. SSGs (4vs4) were performed in a CB: (1 × 12 min), and in an interval format: MIB: (2 × 6 min), and SIB: (3 × 4 min) with 2 min of passive recovery. PE was collected after each SSGs. The players' heart rate (HR) was continuously measured, whereas ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and, blood lactate concentration ([La]) were determined at the end of each SSGs. Technical-tactical performance were analyzed during each session of SSGs. Pitch dimensions were (length x width) (25 × 32 m), and relative space per players was 100 m2. RESULTS: For female soccer players, medium intermittent bouts (MIB) elicited significantly higher perceived enjoyment (PE) compared to continuous bouts (CB) (p < 0.001) and short intermittent bouts (SIB) (p < 0.01). Conversely, for male soccer players, CB resulted in higher PE compared to MIB (p < 0.001) and SIB (p < 0.001). During CB and MIB, peak heart rate (PeakHR) and percentage of peak heart rate (%HRpeak) were significantly higher in female players compared to SIB (PeakHR: CB: p < 0.001; PeakHR: MIB: p < 0.01; %HRpeak: CB: p < 0.001; %HRpeak: MIB: p < 0.01). Blood lactate (La) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were significantly greater in CB compared to MIB (La: p < 0.001; RPE: p < 0.01) and SIB (La: p < 0.001; RPE: p < 0.001) for female players only. For male players, CB resulted in significantly higher PeakHR, %HRpeak, La, and RPE compared to MIB (peak HR: p < 0.01, dunb = 1.35; %HR: p < 0.01; La: p < 0.01; RPE: p < 0.01) and SIB (peak HR: p < 0,01; %HR: p < 0.01; RPE: md = 0.87, p < 0.05). Regarding technical-tactical performance, in female players, the % of successful passes, successful tackles, and successful duels were higher during SIB compared to CB (p < 0.01; p < 0.001; p < 0.001) and MIB compared to CB (p < 0.01; p < 0.001; p < 0.001), while ball loss was lower during SIB compared to CB (p < 0.001) and MIB compared to CB (p < 0.001). In male players, % of successful passes and tackles were higher during CB compared to MIB (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05) and SIB (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05), while CB had a lower % of ball loss compared to MIB (p < 0.01) and SIB (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the % of successful duels between the bouts for either gender. CONCLUSION: This study showed a difference in physical enjoyment between male and female soccer players depending on the bout duration of SSGs. For that, trainers should consider intermittent bouts for female soccer players and continuous bouts for male soccer players when designing SSGs-based training in order to significantly improve PE, training load, and technical-tactical performance.

Using artificial intelligence for exercise prescription in personalised health promotion: A critical evaluation of OpenAI's GPT-4 model.

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) applications in healthcare provides new possibilities for personalized health management. AI-based fitness applications are becoming more common, facilitating the opportunity for individualised exercise prescription. However, the use of AI carries the risk of inadequate expert supervision, and the efficacy and validity of such applications have not been thoroughly investigated, particularly in the context of diverse health conditions. The aim of the study was to critically assess the efficacy of exercise prescriptions generated by OpenAI's Generative Pre-Trained Transformer 4 (GPT-4) model for five example patient profiles with diverse health conditions and fitness goals. Our focus was to assess the model's ability to generate exercise prescriptions based on a singular, initial interaction, akin to a typical user experience. The evaluation was conducted by leading experts in the field of exercise prescription. Five distinct scenarios were formulated, each representing a hypothetical individual with a specific health condition and fitness objective. Upon receiving details of each individual, the GPT-4 model was tasked with generating a 30-day exercise program. These AI-derived exercise programs were subsequently subjected to a thorough evaluation by experts in exercise prescription. The evaluation encompassed adherence to established principles of frequency, intensity, time, and exercise type; integration of perceived exertion levels; consideration for medication intake and the respective medical condition; and the extent of program individualization tailored to each hypothetical profile. The AI model could create general safety-conscious exercise programs for various scenarios. However, the AI-generated exercise prescriptions lacked precision in addressing individual health conditions and goals, often prioritizing excessive safety over the effectiveness of training. The AI-based approach aimed to ensure patient improvement through gradual increases in training load and intensity, but the model's potential to fine-tune its recommendations through ongoing interaction was not fully satisfying. AI technologies, in their current state, can serve as supplemental tools in exercise prescription, particularly in enhancing accessibility for individuals unable to access, often costly, professional advice. However, AI technologies are not yet recommended as a substitute for personalized, progressive, and health condition-specific prescriptions provided by healthcare and fitness professionals. Further research is needed to explore more interactive use of AI models and integration of real-time physiological feedback.

Large-scale sporting events during the COVID-19 pandemic: insights from the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar with an analysis of patterns of COVID-19 metrics.

The 2022 FIFA World Cup (FIFA-WC) held in Qatar presented unique challenges, given the potential for rapid transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among over 1.4 million international fans attending the event. This study aimed to investigate the impact of the FIFA-WC 2022 on COVID-19 cases, deaths, and reproduction rate (R0) in Qatar. Additionally, it sought to understand the implications of hosting large-scale events during a pandemic without COVID-19 restrictive measures, providing critical insights for future decision-making. Data from "Our World in Data" were analysed for three distinct periods: one week before the FIFA-WC (week-preWC), the four weeks of the event (week-1WC to week-4WC), and one week after (week-postWC). The results revealed a significant increase in COVID-19 cases during week-3WC and week-4WC (compared to week-preWC) in Qatar, followed by a subsequent decrease during the week-postWC. Notably, Qatar experienced a more pronounced surge in positive cases than the global trend. Regarding COVID-19-related deaths, Qatar's peak occurred during week-2WC, while globally deaths peaked from week-3WC to week-postWC. Nevertheless, Qatar's death toll remained relatively low compared to the global trend throughout the event. The findings highlight that the FIFA-WC 2022 in Qatar demonstrated the feasibility of organizing large-scale sporting events during a pandemic with appropriate measures in place. They emphasize the importance of high vaccination coverage, continuous monitoring, and effective collaboration between event organizers, healthcare authorities, and governments. As such, the event serves as a valuable model for future gatherings, underlining the significance of evidence-based decision-making and comprehensive public health preparedness.

Oxidative status alteration during aerobic-dominant mixed and anaerobic-dominant mixed effort in judokas.

This study aimed to depict the oxidative status variation in judokas during aerobic-dominant mixed effort (AeDME) and anaerobic-dominant mixed effort (AnDME). It is to be expected that the sporting commitment of Judo is a stimulus of oxidative stress leading to the recruitment of antioxidant responses. Blood samples were collected from 17 athletes at rest, immediately after a training session (AeDME) and after a 5-min bout (AnDME). AeDME and AnDME caused significant increases in malondialdehyde (MDA) (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001 respectively) and glutathione (GSH) (p = 0.018 and p < 0.001 respectively). Blood thiol concentrations decreased following AeDME and AnDME (p < 0.001) whilst catalase decreased significantly after AnDME (p = 0.026) only. Uric acid increased significantly after AnDME than after AeDME (p = 0.047) while, conversely, total bilirubin was higher after AnDME than after AeDME (p = 0.02). We may ultimately summarize that AeDME and AnDME caused oxidative stress, higher in AnDME, and some antioxidant response slightly higher in AnDME compared to AeDME. In sports, monitoring of oxidative stress status is recommended as part of the training regimen.

Normative reference and cut-offs values of maximal aerobic speed-20 m shuttle run test and maximal oxygen uptake for Tunisian adolescent (elite) soccer players.

This study aimed to develop reference curves of aerobic parameters of 20 m shuttle run test for Tunisian soccer players. The study was conducted in the 2022/2023 pre-season. The reference curves of the maximal aerobic speed (MAS) and the maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) were developed according to the Lambda, Mu and Sigma (LMS) method, using data from 742 Tunisian premier league soccer players aged 11-18 years. Measured variables included: weight, height, body mass index and maximal heart rate (HRmax). HRmax was measured when the participants completed the maximal aerobic speed. VO2max was estimated using the 20 m shuttle run test protocol (speed increment every minute). Our results presented the smoothed percentiles (3rd, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th and 97th) of MAS (km/h) and VO2max (ml/kg•min⁻1) according to age. In addition, raw data showed that VO2 max was positively correlated with age (r = 0.333; P < 0.001), height (cm) (r = 0.279; P < 0.001), weight (kg) (r = 0.266; P < 0.001), practice period (years) (r = 0.324; P < 0.001) and BMI (kg/m2) (r = 0.10; P < 0.05). However, it was negatively correlated to HRmax (bpm) (r = -0.247; P < 0.001). Only the measurements within the age group [12-12.99] are significantly higher (p < 0.001; ES = 0.63) compared with the previous age group [11-11.99]. Finally, regarding prevalence, our findings showed that 15.5 % of the players in our sample had VO2max values above the 87.7th percentile cut-off, while only 0.3 % exceeded the 99.18th percentile. The development of normative curves could help coaches and physical trainers to more accurately detect weaknesses in the aerobic performance of their players in order to sustain high-intensity repetitive actions during a soccer match.

Normative data in resting and maximum heart rates and a prediction equation for young Tunisian soccer players: a cross-sectional study.

Heart rate (HR) is an important indicator of work intensity during physical activity. Maximum heart rate (MHR) is a physiological measure that is frequently used as a benchmark for maximal exercise intensity. The aim of this study was to establish reference curves for maximum heart rate (MHR) and resting heart rate (RHR) and to develop an estimated equation for Tunisian adolescent footballers. The study involved 801 adolescent players, aged 11 to 18, who belonged to five Tunisian first-division soccer teams. The LMS method was used for smoothing the curves and the multivariate linear regression to develop a prediction equation of MHR. Our results showed that MHR and RHR reference curves decrease with age. The values of the median curves of MHR and RHR ranged from 208.64 bpm (11 years) to 196.93 (18 years) and 73.86 (11 years) to 63.64 (18 years), respectively. The prediction equation obtained from the model was MHR= 225.08 - 1.55 X Age (years) (R2 = 0.317; P < 0.001; standard error of the estimate (SEE) = 5.22). The comparisons between the estimated values and the measured values have found that our model (- 0.004 ±5.22 bpm) was to be more accurate than two other widely known models. BOX's equation underestimates the measured MHR values by -3.17 ± 5.37 bpm and TANAKA's equation overestimates by + 4.33 ±5.5 bpm. The reference curves can be used by coaches and physical trainers to classify the resting heart rate (RHR) and maximum heart rate (MHR) of each adolescent player, track their evolution over time, and design tailored training programs with specific intensities for Tunisian soccer players.

Testing the Psychometric Properties of an Arabic Version of the Brunel Mood Scale among Physical Education Students.

In our study, we translated and tested the psychometric properties of an Arabic version of the Brunel Mood Scale (BRUMS), referred to as the Arabic Mood Scale (ARAMS), among physical education university students. A total of 681 participants completed the ARAMS in exploratory and confirmatory phases. Exploratory analyses were conducted on data from 253 students between the ages of 19 and 25 years (M = 21.14 ± 1.65 years) of whom 132 were women (52.2%) and 121 were men (47.8%). Confirmatory analyses were conducted on data from 428 students between the ages of 19 and 25 years (M = 20.93 ± 1.55 years) of whom 203 were women (52.6%) and 225 were men (47.4%). The measurement model of the ARAMS was initially evaluated using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and was subsequently tested via confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). EFA identified a 24-item, 6-factor structure that aligned with the original BRUMS measurement model, and CFA demonstrated congruence between the two models. Internal consistency of the six subscales exceeded adequacy levels with good Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's Omega values respectively for anger (0.811; 0.812), confusion (0.830; 0.830), depression (0.858; 0.859), fatigue (0.823; 0.825), and tension (0.824; 0.825), and an acceptable value for vigor (0.749; 0.748). Findings support the factorial validity and internal consistency of the ARAMS, which appears to be a suitable measure for use in Arabic physical education contexts. Further validation studies are required before the ARAMS is used in other Arabic-language contexts.

Psychometric Evidence of the Arabic Version of Nomophobia Questionnaire Among Physical Education Students.

Purpose: Nomophobia refers to a psychological state in which individuals experience anxiety or fear at the thought of being disconnected from their mobile phone. The Nomophobia Questionnaire was developed to assess dimensions of nomophobia among native English-speaking populations. The purpose of this study was to adapt and validate the Nomophobia Questionnaire in the Tunisian context based on Western Arabic dialects. Methods: This cross-sectional design using a non-probability sampling method was conducted from September 05 to October 06, 2022. A total of 644 participants, with an average age of 21.04 ± 1.59 years, completed a sociodemographic questionnaire and an Arabic version of the Nomophobia Questionnaire. Participants were divided into two groups to perform exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. The first group consisted of 200 students (56% female and 44% male with an average age of 21.10 ± 1.64), with 33% (n = 66) freshmen, 41.5% second-year students (n = 83) and 25.5% (n = 51) of third-year students. The second group was collected one month later in the same establishment and was composed of 444 students (52% men and 48% female with an average age of 21.01 ± 1.57). Results: The results of the exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis showed that the 20 items and the second order four-factor structure should be retained. Confirmatory factor analysis of the Arabic version of the NMP-Q gave the following statistics: χ2/df= 1.47; Fit Index = 0.997; Adjusted goodness-of-fit index = 0.996; Tucker-Lewis index = 1.003; Comparative Fit Index = 1; Root mean square error of approximation = 0.000 (90% CI 0-0) and standardized mean residual = 0.030, indicating good model fit. McDonald's ω internal consistency indexes for the four factors, namely giving up convenience, not being able to access information, not being able to communicate, and losing connectedness were 0.821, 0.841, 0.851, and 0.897, respectively. These values demonstrated good scale consistency. Conclusion: The Arabic Version of the Nomophobia questionnaire has been found to be a reliable and valid psychometric tool, and can be effectively used to measure nomophobia in countries where western Arabic dialects are spoken.

The effect of web-based Hatha yoga on psychological distress and sleep quality in older adults: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: To date, there has been very limited experimental research on the impact of Yoga on older adults' mental health during the COVID-19 crisis. We aimed to explore the effect of a web-based Hatha yoga program on psychological and quality of sleep in older adults who self-isolated at home during the initial stage of the COVID-19 outbreak. METHODS: Two hundred volunteers of both sexes were split into experimental (Yoga group, YG) and control (Control group, CG) groups, in a web-based randomized controlled study. All participants were administered the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS-21) and the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI); at baseline and following an eight-week online Hatha yoga intervention. RESULTS: The YG showed significant reductions in depression (-56.1%; Z = 5.67, p < 0.01, r = 0.70) anxiety (-64.3%; Z = 5.27, p < 0.01, r = 0.65) and stress (-68.2%; Z = 5.86, r = 0.73) scores, while the CG showed a significant increase in depression. In addition, the total PSQI score of the YG was considerably lower during follow-up (3.38 ± 2.02, p < 0.05) than at baseline (4.8 ± 32, p < 0.05), which indicates an improvement of the quality of sleep. The proportion of individuals experiencing good sleep from the YG increased from 63% to 85% after the Hatha yoga intervention. CONCLUSION: The use of a web-based Hatha Yoga intervention program was associated with a beneficial effect on the mental health and quality of sleep in older adults.

Reliability and Validity of the Arabic Version of the Game Experience Questionnaire: Pilot Questionnaire Study.

BACKGROUND: Nowadays, digital gaming occupies a central position in the entertainment industry where it has developed into a cherished kind of entertainment in markets all over the world. In addition, it provides other sectors with various social and economic benefits. The Game Experience Questionnaire (GEQ) is a free, quantitative, and comprehensive self-report measure that was developed to assess the player game experience. Despite having been widely used by many research projects in the past, it has not been adapted into Arabic. Furthermore, several components of the scale proved problematic from a psychometric point of view. Therefore, a modified version of the scale is needed to measure the gaming experience of the Arab population. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to validate and examine the psychometrics of an adapted Arabic version of the GEQ in Tunisia. METHODS: A total of 771 volunteer participants completed an online survey, which included an Arabic version of the GEQ, gaming data, and a sociodemographic questionnaire. Subjects were randomized in order to complete two phases of the study: exploratory and confirmatory. The exploratory data were acquired from 360 respondents whose mean age was 23.89 (SD 2.29) years. Out of 360 respondents, 111 (30.8%) were female and 249 (69.2%) were male. Confirmatory data were obtained from the remaining 411 subjects whose mean age was 21.94 (SD 1.80) years. Out of 411 subjects, 169 (41.1%) were female and 242 (58.9%) were male. RESULTS: After the elimination of two items, the exploratory and the confirmatory factor analyses provided an adequate factor structure of the Arabic version of the GEQ. In addition, the internal consistency coefficients suggested the reliability of the instrument. Significant differences were revealed for three subcomponents: flow by age (η2=0.013, P=.002), gender (η2=0.007, P=.02), and game type (η2=0.03, P<.001). For competence (η2=0.01, P=.03) and immersion (η2=0.02, P=.01), significant differences were highlighted by the type of game. The discriminant and convergent validities of the instrument were supported by calculating the average variance extracted (AVE) and comparing the square roots of the AVE values to the correlation coefficients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The Arabic adapted version of the GEQ is valid and reliable and can be administered to measure the game experience in Arab countries.

ChatGPT is not ready yet for use in providing mental health assessment and interventions.

Background: Psychiatry is a specialized field of medicine that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental health disorders. With advancements in technology and the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), there has been a growing interest in exploring the potential of AI language models systems, such as Chat Generative Pre-training Transformer (ChatGPT), to assist in the field of psychiatry. Objective: Our study aimed to evaluates the effectiveness, reliability and safeness of ChatGPT in assisting patients with mental health problems, and to assess its potential as a collaborative tool for mental health professionals through a simulated interaction with three distinct imaginary patients. Methods: Three imaginary patient scenarios (cases A, B, and C) were created, representing different mental health problems. All three patients present with, and seek to eliminate, the same chief complaint (i.e., difficulty falling asleep and waking up frequently during the night in the last 2°weeks). ChatGPT was engaged as a virtual psychiatric assistant to provide responses and treatment recommendations. Results: In case A, the recommendations were relatively appropriate (albeit non-specific), and could potentially be beneficial for both users and clinicians. However, as complexity of clinical cases increased (cases B and C), the information and recommendations generated by ChatGPT became inappropriate, even dangerous; and the limitations of the program became more glaring. The main strengths of ChatGPT lie in its ability to provide quick responses to user queries and to simulate empathy. One notable limitation is ChatGPT inability to interact with users to collect further information relevant to the diagnosis and management of a patient's clinical condition. Another serious limitation is ChatGPT inability to use critical thinking and clinical judgment to drive patient's management. Conclusion: As for July 2023, ChatGPT failed to give the simple medical advice given certain clinical scenarios. This supports that the quality of ChatGPT-generated content is still far from being a guide for users and professionals to provide accurate mental health information. It remains, therefore, premature to conclude on the usefulness and safety of ChatGPT in mental health practice.

Job Disengagement Among Physical Education Teachers: Insights From a Cross-sectional Web-Based Survey With Path Modeling Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Physical education teachers often experience stress and job disengagement. OBJECTIVE: This study's aims were as follows: (1) to adapt in the Arabic language and test the reliability and the validity of the work-family conflict (WFC) and family-work conflict (FWC) scales, (2) to develop and assess the psychometric properties of work disengagement among physical education teachers, and (3) to evaluate an explanatory model by presenting the mediating role of perceived stress as a major influencing factor in work disengagement and job satisfaction. METHODS: A total of 303 primary and secondary school physical education teachers, comprising 165 (54.5%) men and 138 (45.5%) women participated voluntarily in our study. The measuring instruments are the Work Disengagement Scale, the Perceived Stress Scale, the WFC scale, the FWC scale, and the 9-item Teacher of Physical Education Job Satisfaction Inventory. RESULTS: The Arabic language versions of the WFC and FWC scales had reasonably adequate psychometric properties, which were justified by confirmatory factor analyses and by the measurement of reliability, convergent, and discriminant validity through the measurement model using SmartPLS software. Similarly, the structural model established with SmartPLS confirmed strong links of the concepts of FWC, WFC, the job satisfaction questionnaire, and perceived stress with work disengagement among teachers of physical education. CONCLUSIONS: There is a growing interest in helping teachers cope with the daily pressures of work and family. A positive organizational context is a context with clear values regarding work priorities, which constitutes the basis of a feeling of shared responsibility and professional support. Good conditions can act as protective factors reducing work stress and positively influencing personal well-being, work attitudes, work commitment, and professional efficiency. Additional research on teachers is needed to examine the relationship between perceived work stress and the role of families, along with the extent to which this association can have a significant impact on teachers' commitment to work.

Reliability and Validity of the Arabic Version of Attitudes Towards Intellectual Disability Questionnaire-Short Form (A-ATTID-S).

Purpose: Positive attitudes toward intellectual disability contribute to the effective inclusion of people with intellectual disability (PWID) in society, thereby enhancing their quality of life. The literature on tools for measuring attitudes towards PWID in Arabic is limited. The aim of this study was to adapt and validate the Attitudes towards Intellectual Disability Questionnaire-Short Form (ATTID-S) using an Arab population to assess its factor structure and reliability. Materials and Methods: A total of 812 Arabic native speakers who lived in Tunisia were recruited. The exploratory sample consisted of 223 subjects divided into male (n = 121, 54.26%) and female (n = 102, 45.74%) with an age range of between 18 and 64 (mean = 32.7 ±9.2 years). The confirmatory sample comprised 589 participants, male (n = 357, 60.61%) and female (n = 232, 39.38%), with a mean age of 31.61 (SD = 12.43). A cross-cultural translation of ATTID-S was carried. The Arab attitudes towards intellectual disability scale (A-ATTID-S) was tested using exploratory factor analysis, followed by confirmatory factor analysis. Results: Exploratory factor analysis revealed a five-factor solution explaining up to 68.74 of the total variation, with items having lambda factor loadings ranging from 0.53 to 0.9. Subsequently, confirmatory factor analysis, which used a wide range of goodness-of-fit indices that met the recommended standards, confirmed the measure's robustness. The internal consistency reliability of each of the subscales was investigated using reliability analysis. Cronbach's alpha scores for the subscales and total score were satisfactory. Moreover, differences in the A-ATTID-S scores between male and female with age as covariate were demonstrated. Conclusion: The A-ATTID-S is a good psychometric scale that can be used to assess the attitude of a general population towards intellectual disability in the Arabic-speaking world.