Does Participating in a Variety of Activities at a Variety of Locations or With Different People Predict Physical Activity Behavior Among Adolescents? The Mediating Role of Perceived Variety.

We examine whether adolescents' participating in a variety of physical activities, locations, and/or with a variety of people relates to physical activity 16 months later and whether perceptions of variety mediate these relationships. Adolescents (N = 369) completed measures indicating various physical activities they participated in, where they primarily participated, and with whom they primarily participated, at three time points over a year (averaged for baseline measures). Perceptions of variety was measured 8 months later. Physical activity was measured 16 months after baseline. Mediation analyses tested perceptions of variety as a mediator of variety support and physical activity. Results indicated that variety of activities and variety of locations were indirectly associated with physical activity through perceptions of variety. Participating in a breadth of physical activities in a variety of locations during adolescence is positively associated with perceptions of variety, which relates to physical activity 16 months later.

The Provision and Experience of Variety in Physical Activity Settings: A Systematic Review of Quantitative and Qualitative Studies.

BACKGROUND: Emerging evidence indicates that the provision or experience of "variety" may be an important determinant of physical activity behavior. Variety refers to diverse endeavors, opportunities, or tasks and, in the context of physical activity, has been examined as a feature of an activity or environment (i.e., variety support) and an experience (i.e., one's felt experience or perceived variety). OBJECTIVE: The primary aim of our review was to synthesize studies investigating the provision or experience of variety in physical activity settings on health and well-being, behaviors, and motivation. Our secondary aim was to examine quantitative data reporting on different facets of variety in physical activity settings. METHODS: We conducted a systematic search of five electronic databases (Scopus, SPORTDiscus, Science Direct, MEDLINE, and the Human Kinetics Library) to identify studies providing a quantitative or qualitative assessment of variety in physical activity settings. RESULTS: We identified 5,576 potentially relevant articles to examine. After title and abstract screening (and removal of duplicates), 74 articles remained for full-text screening, from which 28 studies were deemed eligible. Our findings from qualitative and quantitative (experimental and cross-sectional) studies demonstrate that the provision and experience of variety relates to participation and engagement in physical activity, motivation for exercise and physical activity, and well-being outcomes. Our results also indicate that the provision of variety can increase enjoyment, interest (i.e., motivation), and adherence to a physical activity program. CONCLUSION: Our findings support the assertion that variety should be considered during planning, implementation, and evaluation of physical activity programs. Additional experimental studies are needed to gain a better understanding of how elements of physical activity and exercise programs, delivery, and environment can be manipulated to increase variety and foster participation in physical activity.

Mechanisms underpinning the association between physical activity and mental health in adolescence: a 6-year study.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity (PA) can promote mental health, but the mechanisms underpinning this association are not well-established. This study examined if perceptions of three basic psychological needs (autonomy, competence, relatedness) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) mediate the association between number of years participating in PA and mental health in adolescence. METHODS: Participants included 937 children (55% female) age 10-11 at inception of the longitudinal MATCH study, who provided data every 4 months over 6 years. Mediation analyses were used to assess the natural direct effect of number of years of PA participation (cycles 1-15) during late childhood and adolescence on later mental health (cycle 16), measured with the Mental Health Continuum-Short Form (MHC-SF), and the natural indirect effect through each of self-perceived autonomy, competence and relatedness, and self-report MVPA (cycle 15). RESULTS: In single mediator models, indirect effects of autonomy, competence, relatedness and self-report MVPA were statistically significant. In joint mediation models (each of three models including one basic psychological need and MVPA), autonomy, competence and relatedness mediated 71, 27, and 51% of the association respectively; MVPA mediated 27-31% of the association. In the mediation model including all four mediators, relatedness mediated the largest proportion of the association, followed by autonomy and MVPA. CONCLUSION: Results support developing strategies to encourage adolescents to engage and remain involved in PA. This could foster perceptions of autonomy, competence, and relatedness as well as MVPA, which in turn may enhance mental health.

Changes in physical activity behavior and C-reactive protein in breast cancer patients.

Background: C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations are associated with morbidity and mortality in breast cancer patients and moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) may help regulate CRP levels. Purpose: The purpose of this prospective study was to examine intraindividual and interindividual changes in MVPA on changes in CRP levels among early posttreatment breast cancer patients. Methods: During five data collections over the first year posttreatment for breast cancer, women (N = 138, Mage = 55.3, standard deviation = 11.1 years) completed a questionnaire, wore an accelerometer for seven consecutive days to measure MVPA, and provided blood samples to measure CRP concentrations. Intraindividual and interindividual associations between MVPA on CRP were tested using hierarchical linear modeling. Results: Based on the intraindividual associations, lower concentrations of CRP were evident when participants engaged in more, as compared to their average, MVPA (ß = -.02, p < .021). In addition, interindividual analyses showed that women who engaged in more MVPA across the study period had lower concentrations of CRP compared to women who engaged in less MVPA (ß = -.24, p = .006). Conclusions: MVPA in breast cancer patients is consistently associated with lower CRP concentrations over time. Interventions may target individual MVPA early after diagnosis to mitigate CRP levels in breast cancer patients.

Framework for the design and delivery of organized physical activity sessions for children and adolescents: rationale and description of the 'SAAFE' teaching principles.

The economic burden of inactivity is substantial, with conservative estimates suggesting the global cost to health care systems is more than US$50 billion. School-based programs, including physical education and school sport, have been recommended as important components of a multi-sector, multi-system approach to address physical inactivity. Additionally, community sporting clubs and after-school programs (ASPs) offer further opportunities for young people to be physically active outside of school. Despite demonstrating promise, current evidence suggests school-based physical activity programs, community sporting clubs and ASPs are not achieving their full potential. For example, physical activity levels in physical education (PE) and ASP sessions are typically much lower than recommended. For these sessions to have the strongest effects on young people's physical activity levels and their on-going physical literacy, they need to improve in quality and should be highly active and engaging. This paper presents the Supportive, Active, Autonomous, Fair, Enjoyable (SAAFE) principles, which represent an evidence-based framework designed to guide the planning, delivery and evaluation of organized physical activity sessions in school, community sport and ASPs. In this paper we provide a narrative and integrative review of the conceptual and empirical bases that underpin this framework and highlight implications for knowledge translation and application.

Changes in light-, moderate-, and vigorous-intensity physical activity and changes in depressive symptoms in breast cancer survivors: a prospective observational study.

PURPOSE: Despite the recommendations for cancer survivors to engage in either moderate or vigorous physical activity, light-intensity physical activity may also have beneficial effects on mental health. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between light, moderate, and vigorous physical activity and depressive symptoms in breast cancer survivors over 1 year post-treatment. METHODS: Participants (N = 201) were a sample of breast cancer survivors who self-reported depressive symptoms and wore an accelerometer for seven consecutive days to measure physical activity, on five occasions every 3 months post-treatment for cancer. RESULTS: Based on the results of hierarchical linear modeling, relative to others (i.e., between-person effects) and to oneself (i.e., within-person effects), higher levels of light- and moderate-intensity physical activity, but not vigorous-intensity physical activity, were associated with lower scores of depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: In the first year post-treatment, increases in light- and moderate-intensity physical activity, but not vigorous-intensity physical activity, were associated with lower scores of depressive symptoms in relation to other study participants (i.e., between-person effects) and when participants were compared to their own typical levels of physical activity (i.e., within-person effects). The findings may have implications for physical activity recommendations following treatment for breast cancer as light-intensity physical activity may play a role in mitigating depressive symptoms over the first year.

Variety support and exercise adherence behavior: experimental and mediating effects.

The purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which the provision of variety (i.e., variety support) is related to exercise behavior among physically inactive adults and the extent to which the 'experience of variety' mediates those effects. One hundred and twenty one inactive university students were randomly assigned to follow a high or low variety support exercise program for 6 weeks. Assessments were conducted at baseline, 3- and 6-weeks. Participants in the high variety support condition displayed higher levels of adherence to the exercise program than those in the low variety support condition [F(1, 116) = 5.55, p = .02, η(p)(2) = .05] and the relationship between variety support and adherence was mediated by perceived variety (ß = .16, p < .01). Exercise-related variety support holds potential to be an efficacious method for facilitating greater exercise adherence behaviors of previously inactive people by fostering perceptions of variety.

Understanding for whom, under what conditions, and how group-based physical activity interventions are successful: a realist review.

BACKGROUND: Participation in group-based physical activity (GBPA) interventions has been found to result in higher levels of exercise adherence and program compliance. However, previous reviews of GBPA programs have provided limited insight regarding 'for whom', 'under what conditions', and 'how' these interventions increase physical activity behavior. METHODS: A realist review was conducted by following the seven recommended iterative and overlapping steps (J Health Serv Res Policy 10S1:21-34, 2005). The review was limited to group dynamics-based interventions for adults (>17 years of age). The search was conducted in PubMed, PsychInfo, and Web of Science search engines associated with the Science Citation Index Expanded, Social Sciences Citation Index, Arts & Humanities Citation Index, and MEDLINE. RESULTS: Using a realist review approach, data from 52 studies were synthesized. Of those, 92% (n = 48) reported significant increases in participant physical activity. The synthesis resulted in three main observations and recommendations. DISCUSSION: GBPA interventions have worked for a variety of populations, including those who are hard to reach; however, more research is needed on moderating factors to determine for whom different GBPA programs may be effective. Second, previous interventions have varied in the duration, frequency, and number of group-based strategies used, and comparative effectiveness research may be necessary to isolate the mechanisms of effect. Third, these interventions have been conducted in a diverse range of settings, using a variety of research designs and analytical approaches. Less information is known about the costs or sustainability of these programs in their intended settings. CONCLUSION: The results of this realist review have important implications for practice, refining trial designs, and replication across diverse populations and settings.

Is variety a spice of (an active) life?: perceived variety, exercise behavior, and the mediating role of autonomous motivation.

In this study, we examined whether perceived variety in exercise prospectively predicts unique variance in exercise behavior when examined alongside satisfaction of the three basic psychological needs (for competence, relatedness, and autonomy) embedded within self-determination theory (Ryan & Deci, 2002), through the mediating role of autonomous and controlled motivation. A convenience sample of community adults (N = 363) completed online questionnaires twice over a 6-week period. The results of structural equation modeling showed perceived variety and satisfaction of the needs for competence and relatedness to be unique indirect positive predictors of exercise behavior (through autonomous motivation) 6 weeks later. In addition, satisfaction of the need for autonomy was found to negatively predict controlled motivation. Perceived variety in exercise complemented satisfaction of the needs for competence, relatedness, and autonomy in predicting motivation and (indirectly) exercise behavior, and may act as a salient mechanism in the prediction of autonomous motivation and behavior in exercise settings.

Effects of social belonging and task framing on exercise cognitions and behavior.

The objective of the studies presented in this paper was to examine whether the need to belong can be used to enhance exercise cognitions and behavior. Two studies examined the effectiveness of framing exercise as a means of boosting social skills (versus health benefits) for self-regulatory efficacy, exercise intentions, and (in Study 2) exercise behavior. In Study 1, inactive adults primed to feel a lack of social belonging revealed that this manipulation led to greater self-regulatory efficacy (but not exercise intentions). In Study 2, involving a sample of inactive lonely adults, all participants reported engaging in more exercise; however, those in the social skills condition also reported a greater sense of belonging than those in the health benefits comparison condition. These findings provide an important basis for developing physical activity interventions that might be particularly relevant for people at risk for feeling socially isolated or lonely.

Flourishing or physical activity?: Identifying temporal precedence in supporting the transition to university.

Objective: Flourishing is a mental health indicator that helps students function optimally, which may be important for first-year university students. Physical activity (PA) also contributes to optimal functioning, yet the flourishing and PA relationship has received little attention. The bidirectional relationships between flourishing and meeting moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) guidelines were assessed during the first year of university. Methods: First-year university students completed surveys (September [T1], March [T2]). Reciprocal effects were examined in a cross-lagged path model. Results: Over 40% of the sample was not meeting MVPA guidelines at T1 or T2. Controlling for sex, higher T1 flourishing was associated with higher odds of meeting T2 MVPA guidelines. T1 MVPA did not predict T2 flourishing. Conclusions: The findings provide preliminary evidence that flourishing may support meeting MVPA guidelines for first-year students. Given low rates of meeting guidelines, flourishing and PA could be targeted to foster MVPA, supporting a healthy university transition.

Relative contributions of health behaviours versus social factors on perceived and objective weight status in Canadian adolescents.

OBJECTIVES: Public health interventions for adolescent "obesity prevention" have focused predominantly on individualistic health behaviours (e.g., diet and physical activity) at the expense of recognizing body weight diversity and the array of social factors (e.g., stigma and discrimination of marginalized identities) that may be linked to weight status. Research is needed to examine the extent to which individualistic health behaviours versus social factors contribute to weight status in adolescents. As such, the aim of this study was to investigate the relative contribution of individualistic health behaviours versus social factors to objective and perceptual indices of weight status. METHODS: Cross-sectional survey data were collected as part of the Toronto Public Health Student Survey and comprised students 12 to 19 years of age (N = 5515). Measures included perceived and objective weight status, social and demographic factors (e.g., gender, sexual orientation, school connectedness), and health behaviours (e.g., physical activity, nutritious consumption). RESULTS: Findings from latent variable regression models partially supported hypotheses, whereby social factors (i.e., age, sex, socio-economic access, sexual minority status) contribute similar amounts of variance, or relatively more variance in weight indices, compared to health behaviours (e.g., physical activity, nutritious consumption). CONCLUSION: Contrary to traditional views of adolescent weight status, physical activity (i.e., school-based, individual, active transport) and nutritious consumption (i.e., fruits, vegetables, milk) were not associated with weight status, when considering social factors. These findings challenge the utility of public health approaches that target individualistic behaviours as critical risk factors in "obesity prevention" efforts in adolescence.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIFS: En matière de « prévention de l'obésité ¼ chez les adolescents, les interventions en santé publique ont essentiellement porté leur attention sur les comportements de santé individualistes (par exemple, alimentation et activité physique), aux dépens de la valorisation de la diversité des poids corporels et de l'ensemble des facteurs sociaux (par exemple, stigmatisation et discrimination des identités marginalisées), qui sont parfois associés au statut pondéral. Des recherches sont toutefois indispensables afin de déterminer le degré de corrélation entre les comportements de santé individualistes et les facteurs sociaux susceptibles de favoriser le poids chez les adolescents. Par conséquent, il convient de se pencher sur le rôle joué par les comportements de santé individualistes face aux facteurs sociaux dans la détermination des indices objectifs et perceptifs du poids. MéTHODES: Les données recueillies lors de cette étude transversale ont été obtenues dans le cadre du Toronto Public Health Student Survey et ont été recueillies auprès d'étudiants âgés de 12 à 19 ans (N = 5 515). Les mesures prises comprenaient le statut de poids perçu et objectif, les facteurs sociaux et démographiques (par exemple, le sexe, l'orientation sexuelle, les rapports avec l'école) et les comportements liés à la santé (par exemple, l'activité physique, la consommation de substances nutritives). RéSULTATS: Les conclusions tirées des modèles de régression à variables latentes ont confirmé en partie les hypothèses selon lesquelles les facteurs sociaux (âge, sexe, accès socio-économique, statut de minorité sexuelle) apportent une variance similaire, ou relativement plus importante, aux indices de poids comparativement aux comportements liés à la santé (par exemple, l'activité physique, la consommation d'aliments nutritifs). CONCLUSION: À la différence des vues traditionnelles sur le statut pondéral des adolescents, l'activité physique (c'est-à-dire à l'école, individuellement, dans les transports actifs) et la consommation de substances nutritives (c'est-à-dire de fruits, de légumes, de lait) n'ont pas fait l'objet d'une corrélation avec le statut pondéral, compte tenu des facteurs sociaux. Ces résultats contestent l'utilité des approches de santé publique axées sur les comportements individualistes à titre de facteurs de risque déterminants dans les efforts de « prévention de l'obésité ¼ à l'adolescence.

Sampling sports during adolescence, exercise behaviour in adulthood, and the mediating role of perceived variety in exercise.

Objective: Physical activity levels decline from adolescence to adulthood, but participation in a variety of sports during childhood and adolescence (i.e., sampling) may increase physical activity behaviour during adulthood. We examined the association between sampling sports during adolescence and moderate-vigorous exercise behaviour in adulthood, and we assessed whether this relationship is mediated by perceived variety in exercise. Design: Study 1- prospective longitudinal; Study 2- cross-sectional. Our main outcome was exercise behaviour. Results: In study 1 (n = 775), sampling more sports during adolescence (b = .25, p < .01; 95% CI [.12, .39]) predicted increased frequency of exercise behaviour in young adulthood. In study 2 (n = 108), sampling more sports in adolescence (ß = .08, p = .03; 95% CI [.03, .17]) was indirectly associated with exercise behaviour in adulthood through perceived variety in exercise. Conclusion: These findings add to the evidence that sampling sports during adolescence is positively associated with moderate-vigorous exercise during adulthood, and the experience of variety may, in part, explain this relationship. This research generates new hypotheses regarding a potential psycho-social mediator (perceived variety in exercise) of the sampling-exercise behaviour relationship.

The effectiveness of multi-component goal setting interventions for changing physical activity behaviour: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Drawing from goal setting theory (Latham & Locke, 1991; Locke & Latham, 2002; Locke et al., 1981), the purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of multi-component goal setting interventions for changing physical activity (PA) behaviour. A literature search returned 41,038 potential articles. Included studies consisted of controlled experimental trials wherein participants in the intervention conditions set PA goals and their PA behaviour was compared to participants in a control group who did not set goals. A meta-analysis was ultimately carried out across 45 articles (comprising 52 interventions, 126 effect sizes, n = 5912) that met eligibility criteria using a random-effects model. Overall, a medium, positive effect (Cohen's d(SE) = .552(.06), 95% CI = .43-.67, Z = 9.03, p < .001) of goal setting interventions in relation to PA behaviour was found. Moderator analyses across 20 variables revealed several noteworthy results with regard to features of the study, sample characteristics, PA goal content, and additional goal-related behaviour change techniques. In conclusion, multi-component goal setting interventions represent an effective method of fostering PA across a diverse range of populations and settings. Implications for effective goal setting interventions are discussed.

Effects of Variety Support on Exercise-Related Well-Being.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to experimentally examine the extent to which variety support in a resistance exercise program influences exercise-related well-being among inactive adults. METHODS: A sample of 121 inactive university students were randomly assigned and participated in either a high or low variety support 6-week exercise program. Measures of exercise-related perceived variety, positive affect, negative affect, and subjective vitality were completed at baseline, after 3 weeks, and after 6 weeks (i.e. post-test). RESULTS: Through use of structural equation modelling, the results showed that for those who completed measures at post-test (i.e. n = 55), and for all participants who received variety support (i.e. a modified intention-to-treat analysis; N = 121), exercise-related variety support indirectly explained higher levels of exercise-related positive affect, and subjective vitality, and lower levels of negative affect, through the mediating role of perceived variety. CONCLUSIONS: The provision of variety support in a resistance exercise program influences exercise-related well-being through perceptions of variety. Results are discussed in relation to the potential utility of providing variety support to promote exercise-related well-being in people who are physically inactive.

Perceived variety, psychological needs satisfaction and exercise-related well-being.

OBJECTIVE: Perceived variety represents a psychosocial experience that gives rise to, and supports the maintenance of, an individual's well-being. In this study, we developed an instrument to measure perceived variety in exercise (PVE), and examined whether ratings of PVE predict unique variance in indices of exercise-related well-being in addition to that explained by satisfaction of the three basic psychological needs (for competence, relatedness and autonomy) embedded within self-determination theory (SDT). We also examined the extent to which variance in perceived variety is empirically distinct from (or subsumed by) competence, relatedness and autonomy in the context of exercise. METHODS: A convenience sample of community adults (N = 507) completed online surveys twice over a six-week period (n = 367). RESULTS: PVE was found to prospectively predict unique variance in indices of exercise-related well-being, in addition to that explained by perceived competence, relatedness and autonomy. Using exploratory and confirmatory factor analytic procedures, perceived variety was found to be empirically distinct from perceived competence, relatedness and autonomy. CONCLUSION: Results from this work suggest that perceived variety holds potential for theoretical and applied advancements in understanding and predicting well-being in exercise settings.