Adaptation to spindle assembly checkpoint inhibition through the selection of specific aneuploidies.

Both the presence of an abnormal complement of chromosomes (aneuploidy) and an increased frequency of chromosome missegregation (chromosomal instability) are hallmarks of cancer. Analyses of cancer genome data have identified certain aneuploidy patterns in tumors; however, the bases behind their selection are largely unexplored. By establishing time-resolved long-term adaptation protocols, we found that human cells adapt to persistent spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) inhibition by acquiring specific chromosome arm gains and losses. Independently adapted populations converge on complex karyotypes, which over time are refined to contain ever smaller chromosomal changes. Of note, the frequencies of chromosome arm gains in adapted cells correlate with those detected in cancers, suggesting that our cellular adaptation approach recapitulates selective traits that dictate the selection of aneuploidies frequently observed across many cancer types. We further engineered specific aneuploidies to determine the genetic basis behind the observed karyotype patterns. These experiments demonstrated that the adapted and engineered aneuploid cell lines limit CIN by extending mitotic duration. Heterozygous deletions of key SAC and APC/C genes recapitulated the rescue phenotypes of the monosomic chromosomes. We conclude that aneuploidy-induced gene dosage imbalances of individual mitotic regulators are sufficient for altering mitotic timing to reduce CIN.

Fostering physical activity-related health competence after bariatric surgery with a multimodal exercise programme: A randomised controlled trial.

Regular physical activity (PA) supports the long-term success of bariatric surgery. However, integrating health-enhancing physical activity in daily life requires specific competences. In this study, we evaluated a multimodal exercise programme to build these competences.Forty adults who underwent bariatric surgery were randomised to a multimodal exercise programme or control group. Primary outcomes were the facets of PA-related health competences, namely the control competence for physical training, PA-specific affect regulation, motivational competence and PA-specific self-control. Secondary outcomes were PA behaviour and subjective vitality. Outcomes were assessed before, directly after the intervention and at 3 months follow-up.Significant treatment effects were found for control competence for physical training and PA-specific self-control but not for PA-specific affect regulation and motivational competence. Significant treatment effects were further observed for self-reported exercise and subjective vitality, all in favour of the intervention group. In contrast, no treatment effect was found for device-based PA. Overall, this study provides a foundation for future research to optimise long-term post bariatric surgery outcomes.

Stability of context in sport and exercise across educational transitions in adolescence: hello work, goodbye sport club?

BACKGROUND: The present study firstly aimed to identify context patterns in sport and exercise among adolescents at lower and upper secondary education. The organisational, social and competitive contexts of leisure-time sport and exercise were included as pattern indicators. The second aim was to examine the stability of these patterns across educational transition. The last aim was to investigate whether a subjective evaluation of the transition influences whether people stay in the same pattern across time. METHODS: One-year longitudinal data of 392 adolescents were analysed. RESULTS: Both before and after the educational transition, four context patterns were identified: the traditional competitive club athletes with friends, the self-organised individualists, the non-club-organised sportspersons and the mostly inactives. More than half of the individuals stayed in the same pattern across time. When individuals changed pattern, their change was most often from the self-organised individualists and the non-club-organised to the mostly inactives. A subjective evaluation of the transition influenced the stability of only the traditional competitive club athletes with friends. The chance of these people staying in the same pattern decreased with increased transitional stress. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge about the stability and change of context patterns can be used to make recommendations for policy strategies and to develop more individually-tailored promotion programs.

What do adolescents and young adults strive for in sport and exercise? An explorative study on goal profiles in sport and exercise.

In sport and exercise promotion, it is important to consider goals because achieving these goals leads to a sense of well-being and behaviour adherence. Individuals often pursue multiple goals simultaneously. Therefore, it is also important to not only consider each individual's combination of goals but also to identify so-called "goal profiles". Taking a developmental-psychological perspective, the goal profiles of adolescents may differ from those of young adults. Furthermore, goal profiles might differ concerning the self-determined motivation, sport and exercise behaviour, and gender. Therefore, both age groups, 966 adolescents and 636 young adults, were questioned by self-report on their goals in sport and exercise, self-determined motivation, sport and exercise behaviour, and gender. A multiple-group-analysis for latent-profile-solutions was conducted resulting in six goal profiles for both age groups. As expected, the shape of these profiles differed qualitatively for the majority of adolescents and young adults: In adolescents, goals such as contact and the perception of challenge were more prominent, whereas in young adults, health, figure/appearance, and distraction/catharsis were dominant. Validation analyses support the profiles identified as they differ in self-determined motivation, sport and exercise behaviour, and gender. To more efficiently tailor interventions, an age-specific focus on goal profiles seems promising.

Effectiveness of Individual Exercise and Sport Counseling Based on Motives and Goals: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

This study tested the effectiveness of individual exercise and sport counseling in a nonclinical setting. The COunseling based on Motives and goals in Exercise and sporT (COMET) approach focuses on individual motives and goals and aims to identify suitable activities. Participants experience different exercise and sport activities and reflect on them with a counselor, who applies motivational interviewing. A stratified randomized controlled design with 129 people was used. The intervention group took part in a counseling event, which included feedback on motives and goals, trial exercise and sport sessions, and structured reflection. Four weeks later, members of the group got a telephone booster. The control group received minimal intervention as written information. Results show that the counseling promoted motivational competence (η2 = .16), physical activity-specific self-control (η2 = .08), and the weekly volume of exercise and sport (η2 = .15), whereas it did not influence self-concordance. Further studies can investigate whether the COMET approach is also effective in other settings.

The interaction of behavioral context and motivational-volitional factors for exercise and sport in adolescence: patterns matter.

BACKGROUND: In order to generate more effective interventions to promote exercise and sport in adolescence, a better understanding of the interaction of influencing factors across different levels is needed. In particular, motivation and volition for exercise and sport, as well as the context in which adolescents are doing exercise and sport, have been identified as important factors. Behavioral context refers to both the organizational setting, e.g., doing exercise and sport in a club, and the social setting, e.g., doing exercise and sport with friends. Extending previous research, the present study applies a person-oriented approach and aims to identify typical behavioral context patterns and motivational-volitional patterns. To validate the patterns, it was examined whether they differ concerning the exercise and sport activity level. Furthermore, the study investigated how behavioral context patterns and motivational-volitional patterns interact. METHOD: A cross-sectional design with 1155 adolescents (Mage = 15.29; 53% female) was applied. A latent profile analysis was used twice to identify typical patterns: once with eight organizational and social setting factors to examine behavioral context patterns, and once with five motivational-volitional factors to examine motivational-volitional patterns. To validate the patterns identified, the exercise and sport activity level were compared across the patterns using Wald-tests. Finally, transition probabilities and odds ratios were calculated in order to investigate the interaction of the behavioral context and motivational-volitional patterns. RESULTS: Four behavioral context patterns - differing in activity level - were identified: Mostly inactive, non-club-organized individualists, self-organized individualists and family sportspersons, and traditional competitive club athletes with friends. Furthermore, five motivational-volitional patterns emerged with differing activity levels: three level patterns with overall low, moderate or high motivation and volition, and two shape patterns called the intention- and plan-less and the plan-less motivated. Regarding interaction, the results indicate that one behavioral context pattern is not solely responsible for moderate to high motivation and volition in adolescents. CONCLUSION: Applying a person-oriented approach allows a more differentiated view of how behavioral context and motivational-volitional factors interact within homogenous subgroups. This, in turn, provides a basis to design tailored multilevel interventions which account for the interaction of influencing factors across different levels.

Progression of transthyretin (TTR) amyloidosis in donors and recipients after domino liver transplantation-a prospective single-center cohort study.

Liver transplantation (LT) is the first-line therapy in patients with transthyretin (TTR) amyloidosis and progressive familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP). Explanted organs from these patients can be used for domino liver transplantation (DLT). After DLT, de novo amyloidosis may develop in domino recipients (DR). Data were collected prospectively in a transplant database. Electroneurography by nerve conduction velocity (NCV), quantitative sensory testing, heart rate variability (HRV), sympathetic skin response, orthostatic reaction (tilt table test), transthoracic echocardiography, cardiac MRI and organ biopsy results were evaluated. The cohort included 24 FAP- (11 Val30Met, 13 nonVal30Met) and 23 DR-patients. DR symptoms referred to post-DLT only, while those of FAP patients were both pre- and post-transplantation. Symptoms of TTR-amyloidosis in Val30Met and Non-Val30Met patients pre- and post-LT were similarly distributed. Biopsy-proven de novo amyloidosis occurred in 4/23 DR after a mean observation of 10 years. Analysis for manifestations of amyloidosis only included patients with available 5-year follow-up data (n = 13 FAP, n = 12 DR). Compared to Val30Met FAP patients pre-LT, Val30Met DR patients had better NCV (P = 0.04) and HRV (P = 0.015). In the Non-Val30Met group no differences were found between DR and FAP patients pre-LT. TTR-amyloidosis symptoms showed no differences in FAP patients pre- and 5 years post-LT, irrespective of Val30Met status. In DR patients, de novo amyloidosis occurred earlier than expected. Therefore, recipients for DLT need to be carefully selected and followed.

miR-148a promotes plasma cell differentiation and targets the germinal center transcription factors Mitf and Bach2.

B cells undergo affinity maturation and class switch recombination of their immunoglobulin receptors during a germinal center (GC) reaction, before they differentiate into long-lived antibody-secreting plasma cells (PCs). Transcription factors such as Bach2 and Mitf are essential during this process, as they delay premature differentiation of GC B cells by repressing Blimp-1 and IRF4, two transcription factors required for terminal PC differentiation. Therefore, Bach2 and Mitf expression must be attenuated in activated B cells to allow terminal PC differentiation, but the precise mechanism remains enigmatic. Here, we provide evidence that miR-148a, a small noncoding microRNA, fosters PC differentiation and survival. Next-generation sequencing revealed that miR-148a is the most abundant microRNA in primary human and murine PCs, and its expression is upregulated in activated murine B cells and coincides with Blimp-1 synthesis. miR-148a targets Bach2, Mitf and proapoptotic factors such as PTEN and Bim. When prematurely expressed, miR-148a promotes the differentiation and survival of plasmablasts and reduces frequencies of IgG1(+) cells in primary B-cell cultures. In summary, we propose that miR-148a is a new player in the regulatory network controlling terminal PC differentiation and could, therefore, be a therapeutic target for interfering with PC differentiation and survival.

Placebo analgesia in patients with functional and organic abdominal pain: a fMRI study in IBS, UC and healthy volunteers.

OBJECTIVE: Understanding the neural circuitry of placebo analgesia in the context of visceral pain is increasingly important given evidence of clinical benefit of placebo treatment in IBS. This functional MRI study addressed placebo analgesia in IBS, UC and healthy control (HC) volunteers. DESIGN: Painful rectal distensions were delivered in N=17 patients with IBS , N=15 patients with UC in remission, and sex-matched and age-matched HCs in an adaptation phase followed by intravenous application of saline combined with either positive instructions of pain relief (placebo) or neutral instructions (control). Neural activation during cued-pain anticipation and pain was analysed along with ratings of expected and perceived pain and measures of negative affectivity and salivary cortisol concentrations. Correlational analyses between placebo analgesia responses and negative affect were accomplished. RESULTS: HC and UC revealed significant pain inhibition during placebo analgesia, as evidenced by reduced neural activation in pain-related brain areas. In contrast, patients with IBS failed to effectively engage neural downregulation of pain, as evidenced by the absence of placebo-induced changes in distension-induced brain activation, resulting in a significant group difference in the cingulate cortex compared with HC. Depression scores correlated with weaker placebo analgesia, whereas state and trait anxiety were not associated. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with IBS failed to effectively engage neural downregulation of rectal distension-induced pain during placebo analgesia, indicating a specific deficit in cognitive pain inhibition, which may in part be mediated by depression.

Neural underpinnings of nocebo hyperalgesia in visceral pain: A fMRI study in healthy volunteers.

Despite the clinical relevance of nocebo effects, few studies have addressed their underlying neural mechanisms in clinically-relevant pain models. We aimed to address the contribution of nocebo effects and their underlying neural circuitry to central pain amplification in visceral pain, as it may develop over repeated painful experiences due to negative pain-related expectations. Healthy volunteers received verbal suggestions of pain sensitization (nocebo group, N=28) or neutral instructions (control group, N=16). fMRI was used to investigate changes in neural responses during cued pain anticipation and painful rectal distensions delivered in successive fMRI sessions. Pain intensity was rated trial-by-trial, and expected pain intensity, state anxiety and tension were assessed prior to each session. Behavioral analyses demonstrated significantly greater increases in both expected and perceived pain in the nocebo group. The fMRI analysis performed on nocebo-responders only (N=14) revealed that these behavioral changes were associated with increased activation within the secondary somatosensory cortex and amygdala during pain anticipation and within the thalamus, insula and amygdala during painful stimulation when compared to controls. A subsequent psycho-physiological interaction analysis of the pain phase showed increased functional connectivity between the anterior insula, which was set-up as seed region based on group results, and midcingulate cortex as a function of negative expectations. These findings support that negative pain-related expectations can play a crucial role in pain amplification of visceral pain, which is mediated, at least in part, by a neural up-regulation of pain-associated areas and their connectivity. These findings may have implications for the pathophysiology and treatment of chronic abdominal pain.

(+)-Catechin attenuates activation of hepatic stellate cells.

(+)-Catechin is a type of catechin present in large amounts in açaí fruits and cocoa seeds. Besides its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, little is known about its effects in the liver, especially during hepatic fibrosis. We report here the effects of (+)-catechin on hepatic stellate cells. (+)-Catechin induced quiescent phenotype in GRX cells, along with an increase in lipid droplets. Proliferator-activated receptor γ mRNA expression was upregulated, whereas type I collagen mRNA expression was downregulated. Pro-inflammatory cytokines were not influenced by (+)-catechin, whereas the levels of interleukin 10 were significantly increased. The data provide evidence that (+)-catechin can reduce hepatic stellate cell activation.

Rapid translocation of NGR proteins driving polarization of PIN-activating D6 protein kinase during root gravitropism.

Root gravitropic bending represents a fundamental aspect of terrestrial plant physiology. Gravity is perceived by sedimentation of starch-rich plastids (statoliths) to the bottom of the central root cap cells. Following gravity perception, intercellular auxin transport is redirected downwards leading to an asymmetric auxin accumulation at the lower root side causing inhibition of cell expansion, ultimately resulting in downwards bending. How gravity-induced statoliths repositioning is translated into asymmetric auxin distribution remains unclear despite PIN auxin efflux carriers and the Negative Gravitropic Response of roots (NGR) proteins polarize along statolith sedimentation, thus providing a plausible mechanism for auxin flow redirection. In this study, using a functional NGR1-GFP construct, we visualized the NGR1 localization on the statolith surface and plasma membrane (PM) domains in close proximity to the statoliths, correlating with their movements. We determined that NGR1 binding to these PM domains is indispensable for NGR1 functionality and relies on cysteine acylation and adjacent polybasic regions as well as on lipid and sterol PM composition. Detailed timing of the early events following graviperception suggested that both NGR1 repolarization and initial auxin asymmetry precede the visible PIN3 polarization. This discrepancy motivated us to unveil a rapid, NGR-dependent translocation of PIN-activating AGCVIII kinase D6PK towards lower PMs of gravity-perceiving cells, thus providing an attractive model for rapid redirection of auxin fluxes following gravistimulation.

The role of leisure-time physical activity in youth for lifelong activity-a latent profile analysis with retrospective life course data.

Considering the positive health effects of leisure-time physical activity (LTPA), youth is an important life stage to promote lifelong LTPA. However, the stability of LTPA over the life course is low, and specific predictors of LTPA in youth for lifelong activity have some shortcomings, e.g. neglecting the interacting factors of LTPA within individuals. Therefore, from a person-oriented approach, patterns of LTPA behaviour in youth considering time- and context-related aspects and their relationships with lifelong LTPA were investigated. Life course data from n = 1519 Swiss inhabitants aged between 25 and 76 years were recorded retrospectively using a validated questionnaire (CATI method). Latent profile analyses were used to find the optimal profile solution and for the association with lifelong LTPA auxiliary conditional effect models (controlled for age) were applied. Six distinct patterns emerged. Overall, mostly inactive youth are also the least active in adulthood, whereas several other patterns are associated with a mainly continuous LTPA throughout adulthood. More precisely, multiple constellations in youth occurred to be physically active in at least 80% of the years in adulthood: (1) early starters regarding LTPA in a rather self-organised setting but not with many different LTPAs; (2) late entrants with a variety of different activities and organisational settings; or (3) a high expression in every variable investigated. Consequently, there is not just one type of LTPA behaviour in youth linked to lifelong activity, which indicates that certain aspects of LTPA in youth can be compensated by each other. Implications for LTPA promotion can be derived. Supplementary Information: The online version of this article (10.1007/s12662-023-00884-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Overcoming adversity during the COVID-19 pandemic: Longitudinal stability of psychosocial resource profiles of elite athletes and their association with perceived stress.

Previous research has demonstrated that psychosocial resources are associated with elite athletes' perceived stress. However, these resources have mainly been studied separately. Using a person-oriented approach, this study aimed to identify meaningful profiles of athletes' psychosocial resources, their stability over time, and their relationship with perceived stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. To identify such patterns, separate latent profile analyses (LPA) at two measurement points T1 (June 2020) and T2 (March 2021) and a subsequent latent transition analysis (LTA) were conducted with athletic identity, resilience, perceived social support, and self-esteem for a sample of 373 Swiss elite athletes. Perceived stress was analyzed at and between T1 and T2 with a mixed-design ANOVA. For LPA, theoretical considerations and statistical criteria led to a solution of four profiles: (1) Athletic Identifiers With Above-Average Resources (nT1 = 235; nT2 = 240), (2) Below-Average Athletic Identifiers With Below-Average Resources (nT1 = 84; nT2 = 90), (3) Variable Athletic Identifiers With Below-Average Internal and Clearly Below-Average External Resources (nT1 = 14; nT2 = 7), and (4) Athletic Identifiers With Below-Average Internal and Above-Average External Resources (nT1 = 40; nT2 = 36). For LTA, both structural and individual stability was demonstrated. A large and significant main effect of perceived stress was observed for resource profiles, while there was no significant main effect for measurement point nor interaction effect. Direct comparisons revealed that Athletic Identifiers With Above-Average Resources perceived significantly less stress than the other profiles at both time points. In conclusion, regardless of psychosocial resource profile, the perceived stress of elite athletes was stable during the COVID-19 pandemic, but exhibiting a pattern with high psychosocial resources seems to buffer against stress compared to a lack of specific resources. Therefore, sport federations and practitioners should provide tailored support programs to help athletes build all these resources.

A life span perspective on competencies for a healthy, physically active lifestyle: Findings of a data pooling initiative with over 7000 individuals.

Individuals are recommended to lead active lifestyles throughout the life course. The model of physical activity-related health competence (PAHCO) adopts a competence approach by integrating physical, cognitive, and motivational determinants for health-enhancing PA (movement competence, control competence, self-regulation competence). Drawing on a comprehensive dataset pooling, the goal of the present study was to model the idiosyncratic courses of 10 PAHCO indicators over the life span. We identified studies that empirically operationalized PAHCO, combining data of 7134 individuals (age range: 15-97 years; 61% female) from 18 different populations (prevention and rehabilitation sectors). We applied a stepwise multilevel analysis approach with disjunct sub-samples (n = 48) to examine linear and quadratic associations between age and PAHCO. Indicators of movement competence (i.e., manageability of endurance, strength, and balance demands; task-specific self-efficacy) congruently showed negative associations with age (0.054 ≤  R marg 2 ${R}_{\text{marg}}^{2}$  ≤ 0.211). However, parameters of control competence remained stable across the life span (-0.066 ≤ ß ≤ 0.028). The three indicators of self-regulation competence revealed an inconsistent relationship with age, though uncovering positive associations for self-control (ß = 0.106) and emotional attitude toward PA (ß = 0.088). The associations of some indicators varied significantly across sub-samples. The results suggest differential analyses for associations between PAHCO and age. While the physically determined PAHCO indicators (movement competence) probably decline across the life span, the ability to ensure regularity of PA (self-regulation competence) or align PAs with an individual's health (control competence) appear to remain constant or improve with increasing age. The findings reinforce a de-stigmatizing approach for PA promotion practices with considerable space for aligning activities with health also in the elderly.

Self-reported quality of life and depressive symptoms in children, adolescents, and adults with Duchenne muscular dystrophy: a cross-sectional survey study.

AIM: We aimed to address the impact of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) on self-reported health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and depressive symptoms in different age groups of patients to discern a possible need for improved psychosocial support or counseling. METHODS: In a German clinic for pediatric neurology, we performed a cross-sectional questionnaire survey in a total of 50 patients with DMD (i.e., n = 15 children aged 8 to 12 years; n = 11 adolescents aged 13 to 16 years; n = 24 young adults aged 17 to 23 years). We assessed self-reported HRQOL and symptoms of depression using validated, age-appropriate instruments. RESULTS: In children with DMD, virtually all aspects of HRQOL were significantly impaired when compared with published normative data for boys with other chronic illnesses. On the contrary, adolescents and adults with DMD did not differ from published normative data in psychosocial areas of HRQOL, despite significant reductions in physical aspects of HRQOL. Clinically relevant depressive symptoms were not observed in either age group. INTERPRETATION: DMD may not always be associated with impaired psychosocial HRQOL and clinical depression, although progressive physical impairment leads to reduced physical aspects of HRQOL. Only children with DMD demonstrated marked impairments in psychosocial aspects of HRQOL calling for psychosocial interventions tailored to this age group.

Resilience and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder in the Swiss Alpine Rescue Association.

Objective: The present study aimed to assess the frequency of trauma exposure, the prevalence of possible post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the extent of resilience, and sense of coherence among personnel of the Swiss alpine rescue association (ARS). Methods: Using a trilingual online survey approach, 465 mountain rescuers of the ARS were surveyed using the Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale (PDS), the PTSD Checklist 5 (PCL-5), the Resilience Scale 13 and 14 (RS-13/-14), the Perceived Stress Scale 10 (PSS-10), the General Health Questionnaire 12 (GHQ-12), the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Sense of Coherence Scale 13 (SOC-13), and the Berlin Social Support Scales (BSSS). Results: Although the rate of mountain rescuers having witnessed or experienced a traumatic event was high (71%), the prevalence of possible PTSD was low (0.9%). The sample showed high resilience and high sense of coherence. Resilience was positively correlated with work experience. Low perceived stress and high sense of coherence predicted resilience. The severity of PTSD symptoms was mainly predicted by low sense of coherence. Sense of coherence mediated the interaction between resilience and severity of PTSD symptoms. Conclusion: The findings suggest that resilience and sense of coherence are indicative for the low prevalence of possible PTSD among mountain rescuers, and may therefore represent valuable screening and training parameters for mountain rescue personnel.

Qualitative analysis of facilitators and barriers to centre- and home-based exercise training in breast cancer patients - a Swiss tertiary centre experience.

BACKGROUND: Exercise is an effective therapy for breast cancer patients to reduce fatigue and to improve health-related quality of life and physical function. Yet breast cancer patients often do not meet the recommended physical activity guidelines. To better understand why recommendations are not met and to improve long-term physical activity maintenance, this study aimed at identifying facilitators and barriers of breast cancer survivors to supervised, centre-based exercise within a cardio-oncological rehabilitation programme and to unsupervised, home-based exercise both during and after the completion of the programme, as well as strategies used to manage these barriers. METHODS: Breast cancer patients who had previously completed a structured centre-based exercise programme at a Swiss tertiary centre were recruited by mailed invitation letter. Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with consenting patients and subsequent thematic analysis was performed to identify common themes. RESULTS: Of the 37 eligible breast cancer patients, 19 patients (51%, mean age 48.9 ± 9.7 years) responded to our invitation. Baseline characteristics did not differ from the total eligible population. General facilitators for exercise were anticipated and experienced benefits on physical and mental health and enjoyment of exercise. Facilitators specific for supervised centre-based exercise were social support, accountability and the provision of structured exercise by the programme. Centre-based exercise barriers included physical, psychological and environmental barriers, whereby psychological barriers were reported predominantly in the context of home-based exercise. Strategies to manage these barriers were diverse and included the adaptation of training circumstances, behaviour change strategies and strategies to deal with side effects. CONCLUSIONS: This first study on facilitators of and barriers to exercise in breast cancer patients in Switzerland identified more barriers, particularly psychological barriers, for unsupervised home-based exercise than for supervised centre-based exercise. These findings support the importance of providing structured supervised exercise programmes for breast cancer patients and suggest that a special focus should be directed at the transition from supervised to self-organized exercise in order to enhance and maintain long-term exercise participation.

The Natural Environment of Physical Activity and Perceived Stress: The Mediating Role of Specific Recovery Experiences.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate a potential psychological mechanism of green exercise on perceived stress. More precisely, it was analyzed whether the relationship between the natural environment of physical activity and perceived stress was mediated by recovery experiences, namely by psychological detachment and relaxation. An ecological momentary assessment approach was used, meaning that specific recovery experiences were assessed directly in real-life situations and multiple times. Materials and methods: Thirty five women and 27 men took part in the ecological momentary assessment study over seven days (M age = 32.30 years, SD = 10.23, 53% had a degree from a university or a university of applied science). If participants were involved in PA lasting at least 10 min on a given day, they had to answer questionnaires on the smartphone both prior to the activity and immediately afterwards. Perceived naturalness, psychological detachment and relaxation were assessed after physical activity events, whereas perceived stress was measured before and after each physical activity event. A two-level mediation analysis was conducted. The direct and indirect effect of perceived naturalness on perceived stress after engagement in physical activity was analyzed on the within- and between-person levels. Results and conclusion: Results showed that the relaxation as a recovery experience served as mediator between perceived naturalness and perceived stress after engagement in physical activity, but only on a within-person level. This means that the more natural a given individual appraised the physical activity environment, the more relaxed he or she felt during physical activity (ß = 0.322, p < 0.0005). Furthermore the more relaxed the individual was, the less stress he or she perceived after exercising (ß = -0.221, p < 0.0005). The psychological detachment as a recovery experience in contrast, did not serve as mediator, neither at the within- and the between-person level. Considering the indirect effect of perceived naturalness on perceived stress and the importance of relaxation experiences, current findings suggest that research should put greater emphasis on examining the specific psychological mechanisms of green exercise to make even better use of its beneficial effects in the future.

Within-Person Variation of Affective Well-Being during and after Exercise: Does the Person-Exercise Fit Matter?

Affective well-being is positively linked to regular exercise. Therefore, it is important to identify the factors that influence intra-individual variability of affective well-being. This study investigated (1) whether affective responses vary within an individual and (2) how affective responses are associated with a motive-incentive fit and a skill-task fit. A total of 107 adults (66% females, Mage = 41.79 years old, 58% doing no exercise) took part in three exercise sessions in a random order. Each session lasted 30 min with a break of 10 min between. The sessions were similarly structured but covered diverse activity incentives (e.g., figure vs. social contact vs. aesthetic movements). Intraclass correlation coefficients showed a very high within-person variation of affective valence and enjoyment across the exercise sessions. The results of multi-level regression analyses revealed that associations between perceived competence, considered to be an indicator of the skill-task fit, and affective well-being were moderate to high, whereas those between motive-incentive fit and affective well-being were low to moderate.