The effect of the combined self-talk and mental imagery program on the badminton motor skills and self-confidence of youth beginner student-athletes.

BACKGROUND: The psychological strategies of self-talk (S.T.) and mental imagery (MI) have an essential role in training and sports performance, but their implementation, particularly in combination, is still limited. This study aimed to examine badminton motor skills (BMS) and self-confidence (S.C.) mastery after a psychological strategy intervention of S.T. and MI, which were integrated into the BMS training process in both independent and interactive functions. The S.T. strategy consisted of instructional (I-S.T.) and motivational (M-S.T.) functions, while the MI consisted of cognitive (C-MI) and motivational (M-MI) aspects. METHODS: Eighty youth beginner badminton student-athletes aged 10-12 years (male = 40, female = 40) were divided through a disproportional stratified sampling into four experimental groups (EG: 2-function S.T. × 2-function MI) and one control group (CG). The intervention program lasted eight weeks (three meetings a week for a total of 24 meetings). The participants completed a fidelity check at each session. At the end of the intervention, they took a BMS test and completed a self-confidence scale. RESULTS: The S.T. and MI strategies had a significant effect on BMS and S.C. mastery (independent and interaction functions) in multivariate and univariate ways; however, independently, they had no significant effect on S.C. The effect of I-S.T. > M-S.T. and the effect of C-MI > M-MI on BMS, but there was no difference in S.C. In the I-S.T. condition, the C-MI and M-MI strategies did not have a different interaction effect on BMS mastery, but the effect of M-MI > C-MI on S.C. In the M-S.T. condition, the effect of C-MI > M-MI on the BMS and S.C. mastery. In the C-MI condition, the I-S.T. and M-S.T. strategies did not have a different interaction effect on BMS mastery, but the effect of M-S.T. > I-ST on S.C. In the M-MI condition, the effect of I-S.T. > M-S.T. on the BMS and S.C. mastery. CONCLUSION: The results of this study contribute to the existing evidence on the effectiveness of S.T. and MI strategies in the motor skill mastery and psychological skill development of beginner student-athletes. Thus, S.T. and MI strategies can be adapted as psychological strategies that coaches and physical educators can use to improve beginner student-athlete learning, sports performance, and psychological skills.

Using a design-based research approach to develop a technology-supported physical education course to increase the physical activity levels of university students: Study protocol paper.

BACKGROUND: Promoting physical activity (PA) for university students is essential as PA levels decrease during the transition from secondary to higher education. Providing technology-supported university courses targeting students' PA levels may be a viable option to combat the problem. However, it is still unclear how and what technologies should be implemented in university courses to promote PA. This study aims to create a series of design principles for technology-supported physical education courses that aim to increase university students' PA knowledge, motivation and levels. METHOD: The proposed methodology underpinning the research program is a seven-phase design-based research (DBR) approach, with the seven phases encompassed in four sequential studies. These four studies are a systematic review, a qualitative focus group study, a pilot study, and a randomised controlled trial (RCT) study. The protocol paper aims to detail the plan for conducting the four studies in a comprehensive and transparent manner, thus contributing to the methodological evidence base in this field. DISCUSSION: Design principles generated from this project will contribute to the growing evidence focusing on effective design and implementation features. Future practitioners can also use these to develop physical education courses that aim to promote university students' physical activity levels, knowledge, and motivation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The RCT registry number: ACTRN12622000712707, 18/05/2022.

Technology-Supported University Courses for Increasing University Students' Physical Activity Levels: A Systematic Review and Set of Design Principles for Future Practice.

Physical activity levels tend to decrease as adolescents' transition to adulthood. University course-based interventions utilising technology are a promising idea to combat this decrease. This review aims to systematically identify, critically appraise, and summarise the best available evidence regarding technology-supported university courses that aim to increase student's physical activity levels. The second aim is to create initial design principles that will inform future practice in the area. DATA SOURCES: CINAHL, ERIC, MEDLINE, ProQuest, PsycINFO, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science. Search dates from January 2010 to December 2020. Study Inclusion: RCT or non-RCT or quasi-experimental studies describing university course-based interventions using technology that aim to increase the physical activity levels of university students. DATA EXTRACTION: Source (country), methods, participants, interventions, theoretical frameworks and type of technologies, outcome and measurement instrument, and results. DATA SYNTHESIS: Systematic review. RESULT: A total of 1939 articles were identified through databases. Six studies met the inclusion criteria. CONCLUSION: Four of the six included studies reported significant increases in university students' physical activity levels. An analysis of the six included studies identified four design principles that future course designers could utilise as they develop technology-supported university courses that aim to increase the physical activity levels of university students. Further work is required to test the effectiveness of these four design principles.

Global effect of COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep among 3- to 5-year-old children: a longitudinal study of 14 countries.

BACKGROUND: The restrictions associated with the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in changes to young children's daily routines and habits. The impact on their participation in movement behaviours (physical activity, sedentary screen time and sleep) is unknown. This international longitudinal study compared young children's movement behaviours before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Parents of children aged 3-5 years, from 14 countries (8 low- and middle-income countries, LMICs) completed surveys to assess changes in movement behaviours and how these changes were associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Surveys were completed in the 12 months up to March 2020 and again between May and June 2020 (at the height of restrictions). Physical activity (PA), sedentary screen time (SST) and sleep were assessed via parent survey. At Time 2, COVID-19 factors including level of restriction, environmental conditions, and parental stress were measured. Compliance with the World Health Organizations (WHO) Global guidelines for PA (180 min/day [≥60 min moderate- vigorous PA]), SST (≤1 h/day) and sleep (10-13 h/day) for children under 5 years of age, was determined. RESULTS: Nine hundred- forty-eight parents completed the survey at both time points. Children from LMICs were more likely to meet the PA (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AdjOR] = 2.0, 95%Confidence Interval [CI] 1.0,3.8) and SST (AdjOR = 2.2, 95%CI 1.2,3.9) guidelines than their high-income country (HIC) counterparts. Children who could go outside during COVID-19 were more likely to meet all WHO Global guidelines (AdjOR = 3.3, 95%CI 1.1,9.8) than those who were not. Children of parents with higher compared to lower stress were less likely to meet all three guidelines (AdjOR = 0.5, 95%CI 0.3,0.9). CONCLUSION: PA and SST levels of children from LMICs have been less impacted by COVID-19 than in HICs. Ensuring children can access an outdoor space, and supporting parents' mental health are important prerequisites for enabling pre-schoolers to practice healthy movement behaviours and meet the Global guidelines.