Factors that influence mental health and well-being of high-performance athletes from Olympic or Paralympic sport who have transitioned out of national-level or international-level sport: a mixed methods approach.

Transitioning out of elite sports can be a challenging time for athletes. To illuminate the gaps and opportunities in existing support systems and better understand which initiatives may have the greatest benefit in supporting athletes to transition out of elite sport, this study examined the lived experience of retired elite Australian athletes. Using a sequential mixed-methods approach, quantitative data were collected via a self-report online survey, while qualitative data were collected via semistructured interviews. In total 102 retired high-performance athletes (M=27.35, SD=7.25 years) who competed in an Olympic or Paralympic recognised sport at the national and/or international-level participated in the online survey, providing data across domains of well-being and athletic retirement. Eleven survey respondents opted in for the semistructured interview (M=28.9, SD=6.9 years) providing in-depth responses on their retirement experiences. Using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM), latent variables were identified from the survey data and associations between retirement support, retirement difficulties, retirement experiences, well-being and mental health were determined. Interview data were thematically analysed. The structural model had good predictive validity for all nine latent variables, describing positive and negative associations of retirement experiences, mental health and well-being. Building an identity outside of sport, planning for retirement, and having adaptive coping strategies positively impacted retirement experiences. Feeling behind in a life stage and an abrupt loss of athletic identity had a negative impact on retirement experiences. Implications for sports policymakers are discussed, including support strategies that could better assist athletes in successfully transitioning from elite sports.

Resistance training and combined resistance and aerobic training as a treatment of depression and anxiety symptoms in young people: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIM: To determine the treatment effect of resistance training in reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression in young people. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, PsychINFO, and PubMed for articles published in English from January 1980 to September 2023 for randomized controlled trials (RCT) that included at least 4 weeks of resistance training, with participants aged 26 years or younger with clinically elevated anxiety and depression symptoms. A random-effects meta-analysis was used to calculate a pooled effect size of resistance training pre-and post-intervention compared to control groups. The quality of evidence was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias 2 (RoB 2) and Grading of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) criteria. RESULTS: Ten RCTs involving 376 participants (209 females and 127 males) across educational, clinical, and community based setting were eligible for inclusion in the analysis. Resistance training was associated with a significant reduction in depressive (Hedge's g = -1.06, 95% CI -1.61 to -0.51, p < .001) and anxiety (Hedge's g = -1.02, 95% CI -1.50 to -0.54, p < .001) symptoms. Substantial heterogeneity was observed in the analysis of depression symptoms (I2 = 79%) and anxiety symptoms (I2 = 66%). Six trials had a low risk of bias, four trials showed some concerns. The GRADE analysis demonstrated a high level of certainty for depressive symptoms and a moderate level for anxiety symptoms. CONCLUSION: Resistance training is an effective intervention in reducing depression and anxiety symptoms in young people, delivered across a range of settings. Future trials exploring the effect resistance training interventions with long-term follow up are warranted to understand the outcomes.

Effect of capacity building interventions on classroom teacher and early childhood educator perceived capabilities, knowledge, and attitudes relating to physical activity and fundamental movement skills: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Capacity building may play an important role in improving classroom teachers' and early childhood educators' (ECE) capacity to implement physical activity and FMS interventions. Capacity building is the development of knowledge, skills, and structures to improve the capability of individuals and organisations to achieve effective health promotion. This review aimed to determine the efficacy of capacity building interventions on teachers' and ECEs' perceived capabilities, knowledge, and attitudes relating to physical activity and fundamental movement skills. METHODS: An exhaustive literature search of six electronic databases was conducted. Controlled, single-group pre-post studies were included if they measured the effect of a capacity building intervention on in-service or pre-service classroom teachers' (primary or secondary) or ECEs' physical activity or fundamental skills related perceived capabilities, knowledge, or attitudes. The effects of interventions were synthesised using random effects meta-analysis. Subgroup analysis and meta-regression was conducted to determine if the effects differed based on study design, type of teacher (ECE vs. primary school), or teacher level (pre-service vs. in-service). RESULTS: A total of 22 studies reporting on 25 unique samples were included in the meta-analyses. Only studies reporting on ECEs and primary school teachers were identified. Interventions most commonly included training/professional development, resources and toolkits, communities of practice, mentorships, and ongoing support. Results showed that capacity building interventions significantly improved teachers' and ECEs' perceived capabilities (g = 0.614, 95% CI = 0.442, 0.786), knowledge (g = 0.792 95% CI = 0.459, 1.125), and attitudes (g = 0.376 95% CI = 0.181, 0.571). The effects did not differ significantly as a function of any of the moderators examined. CONCLUSION: Findings from this review provide strong support that capacity building interventions are efficacious at improving teachers' and ECEs' perceived capabilities, knowledge, and attitudes related to promoting physical activity and teaching fundamental movement skills. Pre-service teachers and ECEs should be provided training in physical activity and fundamental movement skills as part of their degrees, and continual professional development and capacity building should be offered to in-service teachers and ECEs to promote physical activity and fundamental movement skills in children.

Physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep knowledge and self-efficacy among parents of young children in Canada.

Background: Engaging in healthy movement behaviours in early childhood is beneficial for children's development, and parents play a critical role in shaping movement habits during these formative years. This study aimed to explore parents' knowledge of the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for the Early Years (The Guidelines) and their perceived knowledge and self-efficacy of movement behaviour concepts in early childhood. The influence of sociodemographic characteristics on these variables was also examined. Methods: Via a cross-sectional online survey with parents/guardians (n = 576) of young children in Canada, participants' knowledge of The Guidelines (11 items), and perceived knowledge (11 items; 5-point scale) and self-efficacy (11 items; 11-point scale) of movement behaviour concepts in early childhood were examined. Descriptive statistics were calculated for independent variables and multivariate regression models were estimated to examine sociodemographic factors that were associated with participants' knowledge and self-efficacy. Results: Few participants (11.9%) reported to be familiar with The Guidelines. Parents were most knowledgeable about the screen time guideline for children under 2 years (75.0% correctly identified the guideline) and least familiar with the recommendation for toddler/preschooler total physical activity (14.7% correctly identified the guideline). Parents/guardians perceived they were the most knowledgeable about safe sleep practices (65.9% very/extremely knowledgeable) and least knowledgeable about muscle- and bone-strengthening activities (71.8% not at all/somewhat knowledgeable). Overall, parents/guardians were moderately confident in promoting healthy movement behaviours (M = 6.01; SD = 1.73). Participants with higher levels of education reported significantly higher perceived knowledge compared to those who were less educated (p = .004), and parents/guardians identifying as White reported significantly higher levels of self-efficacy compared to parents/guardians from minority ethnic groups (p = .028). Finally, parents/guardians who were more physically active reported both higher perceived knowledge (p < .001) and self-efficacy (p < .001) than those who were less active. Conclusion: These findings shed light on the need to raise awareness of The Guidelines among parents of young children and highlight specific movement behaviour concepts in need of focus in future training for this population. Targeted education for parents/guardians from lower socioeconomic groups is also needed to address equity concerns. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s44167-024-00051-x.

Corrigendum to "Parents' attitudes regarding their children's play during COVID-19: Impact of socioeconomic status and urbanicity". [SSM - Popul. Health. (24) (2023) 101-549].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2023.101549.].

Movement behaviour education for parents in prenatal, postnatal, and pediatric care in Canada: A needs assessment.

BACKGROUND: Parents/guardians can greatly influence their child's movement behaviours (i.e., physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep). Yet, they have reported to lack sufficient background knowledge to foster healthy movement habits, and little is known about specific educational gaps. The aim of this study was to explore the educational background and needs regarding promoting healthy movement behaviours in early childhood among parents/guardians living in Canada. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with parents/guardians living in Canada who had at least one child under the age of 5 years. Participants completed an online survey capturing their demographics, information they received about movement behaviours in early childhood during their prenatal/postnatal care or child's pediatrician appointments, where they sourced information about these topics, content areas they would like more information on, and preferred format for delivery. Descriptive statistics and frequencies were calculated for all outcome variables and logistic regression was used to explore if sociodemographic variables were associated with receiving movement behaviour-related education across care types. RESULTS: Among the 576 parents/guardians who completed the survey, many reported no mention of any movement behaviour in their prenatal (49.4%), postnatal (29.6%), and pediatric care (37.2%). Physical activity was the most cited movement behaviour across care types, with 42.4%, 57.9%, and 54.8% of participants indicating this was discussed in their prenatal, postnatal, and pediatric care, respectively. Only 41.7% of parents/guardians reported asking their child's pediatrician about movement behaviours, while most relied on social media (70.9%), internet websites/news articles (68.7%), and family/friends (67.6%). The most sought-after movement behaviour topics included incorporating movement into traditionally sedentary activities (68.8%) and activity ideas to break up sitting time (65.0%), and participants expressed preference to receive more information via social media (63.2%), an online resource package (47.8%), or email (46.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Given the noted inconsistencies in education relating to movement behaviours in maternal and pediatric care, this study highlights the opportunity for greater integration of this type of education across care types. Ensuring all parents/guardians receive evidence-based and consistent guidance on their child's movement behaviours will help ensure young children receive the best start to a healthy active life.

Association Between Children's and Parents' Physical Activity During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Lagged Analysis.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 caused closures of movement supporting environments such as gyms and schools in Canada. This study evaluated the association between Ontario parents' and children's physical activity levels across time during COVID-19, controlling for variables that were identified as significant predictors of children's and parents' physical activity (e.g., children's age, parents' employment status). METHODS: Parents (n = 243; mean age = 38.8 y) of children aged 12 and under (n = 408; mean age = 6.3 y) living in Ontario, Canada completed 2 online surveys, the first between August and December 2020 and the second between August and December 2021. At baseline, parents were asked to recall prepandemic physical activity levels. To determine the association between parent and child physical activity during COVID-19, a cross-lagged model was estimated to determine the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between parents' and children's physical activity across time. RESULTS: Bivariate associations revealed that parents' and children's physical activity levels were significantly related during lockdown and postlockdown but not prelockdown. The autoregressive paths from prelockdown to during lockdown were significant for children (ß = 0.53, P < .001) and parents (ß = 1.058, P < .001) as were the autoregressive paths from during lockdown to postlockdown for children (ß = 0.61, P < .001) and parents (ß = 0.48, P < .001). In fully adjusted models, the cross-lagged association between parents' physical activity prelockdowns was significantly positively associated with their children's physical activity during lockdowns (ß = 0.19, P = .013). CONCLUSIONS: Resources are needed to ensure that children and parents are obtaining sufficient levels of physical activity, particularly during a pandemic.

Parents' attitudes regarding their children's play during COVID-19: Impact of socioeconomic status and urbanicity.

Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the daily routines of parents and children. This study explored the influence of socioeconomic status (SES) and urbanicity on parents' attitudes toward their children's active play opportunities 6 months and 1.5 years into COVID-19. Methods: A sample of 239 Ontario parents of children aged 12 and younger completed two online surveys (August-December 2020; 2021) to assess parents' intentions, beliefs, and comforts concerning their child's eventual return to play, in addition to various sociodemographic and physical activity variables. Descriptive analyses were run as well as an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted to group the 14 attitude items into subscales for analysis, to ensure reliability and validity of attitude measures. Results: In general, parents in communities with more urban features (e.g., densely populated areas), single-parents, full-time employed parents, and parents with lower-incomes were more hesitant to return their children to active play during the pandemic. Conclusion: Findings from this work highlight SES and urbanicity disparities that continue to exist during COVID-19.

The Effectiveness of Physical Activity Policies in Center-Based Childcare: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Purpose: Many young children spend a significant portion of time in center-based childcare settings; however, these children are often not sufficiently active during care. Promoting physical activity through policy implementation is one mechanism which has the potential to increase physical activity. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to provide an overview of physical activity policies implemented in childcare centers and determine their effect on children's physical activity. Methods: Electronic searches were conducted in CINAHL, Medline, PsycINFO, EMBASE, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and Sports Medicine and Education Database. Two reviewers independently examined 3,286 articles to find peer-reviewed, original studies that assessed the impact of physical activity policies on children's physical activity. Random effects meta-analyses were used to determine the impact of policies. Results: A total of 13 articles met the inclusion criteria; in which 12 unique policies were implemented. Results of the meta-analyses suggest that introducing new physical activity policies did not increase children's moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA); however, compared to centers without a formalized physical activity policy, children in centers with a formalized policy engaged in significantly more MVPA and total physical activity. Conclusions: Introducing new physical activity policies alone may not be sufficient to increase children's engagement in physical activity, and it may be important to combine with capacity-building initiatives for childcare staff and early childhood educators. Results reinforce the value of childcare centers implementing their own formalized physical activity policies to support children's physical activity, which highlights the importance of regulating physical activity practices in childcare. Registration: CRD42022326037.

Longitudinal affective response to high-intensity interval training and moderate-intensity continuous training in overweight women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A randomised trial.

BACKGROUND: Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) experience general and PCOS-specific barriers that limit their engagement with exercise and contribute to high attrition from exercise programs, hindering the potential benefits of exercise to address their increased cardio-metabolic risk. A positive remembered affective response can predict future intentions and adherence to exercise prescription. OBJECTIVES: To compare the longitudinal changes in remembered affect to high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) in women with PCOS and to determine whether longitudinal changes in remembered affect are correlated with changes in fitness, body mass index, adherence and exercise enjoyment. METHODS: Physically inactive, overweight women with PCOS were randomly assigned to 12 weeks of either HIIT (n = 15) or MICT (n = 14) (3 sessions per week). Remembered affective valence (Feeling Scale) was collected after each exercise session. Cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2peak) was assessed at baseline and post-intervention. Exercise enjoyment was assessed post-intervention. RESULTS: The longitudinal changes in the remembered affect were more positive in the HIIT group compared to MICT (ß = 0.017, p = 0.047). HIIT was also considered more enjoyable than MICT (p = 0.002). Adherence was high in both groups (>90%). We found a moderate correlation with longitudinal changes between the remembered affect and change in fitness (rs = 0.398) and exercise enjoyment (rs = 0.376) using the combined group, however, these were not statistically significant (p = 0.054 and p = 0.064, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: HIIT demonstrated a more positive longitudinal remembered affective response and greater exercise enjoyment compared to MICT in overweight women with PCOS.

Body-related emotions and subsequent physical activity behaviour: An ecological momentary assessment.

Body-related shame and guilt are theorized to be time-varying affective determinants of physical activity, yet research has predominantly relied on self-report measures of physical activity and between-person associations. To address these limitations, the present study used ecological momentary assessment to examine within- and between-person associations between body-related shame and guilt, and subsequent time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) measured by continuously worn accelerometers. University students (n = 98; 79.6% female; mage = 19.45) were prompted 49 times over seven days to report body-related shame and guilt, and wore activPAL accelerometers to monitor movement behaviours. Higher levels of within-person body-related guilt, but not shame, were associated with increased subsequent time spent in MVPA. Contrary to existing literature, neither body-related shame nor guilt demonstrated a significant association with average levels of MVPA between individuals. These findings support theoretical propositions that body-related guilt may impact engagement in physical activity in daily life.

Body-related self-conscious emotions, self-compassion, and dietary restraint in Canadian undergraduate university students: A multilevel mediation and moderation analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Self-compassion has an inverse association with dietary restraint however, the mechanisms linking self-compassion and dietary restraint are not clear. This study aimed to determine to what extent self-compassion was inversely concurrently related to dietary restraint, indirectly through body-related self-conscious emotions, and to what extent trait self-compassion moderated the concurrent within-person association between body-related self-conscious emotions and dietary restraint. METHOD: Data was collected from 224 Canadian university students who reported on trait self-compassion at baseline and body-related shame, guilt, envy, and embarrassment, and dietary restraint biweekly between November 2020 and August 2021. RESULTS: Results from a 2-1-1 multilevel mediation model showed that trait self-compassion was indirectly concurrently related to dietary restraint through body-related shame, guilt, envy, and embarrassment. Results from the moderation model showed that there was a significant positive concurrent within-person association between body-related shame, envy, and embarrassment, but not guilt, with dietary restraint. These relationships were not moderated by trait self-compassion. DISCUSSION: This study adds to our understanding of the concurrent association between body-related self-conscious emotions and dietary restraint, and the mechanisms through which self-compassion is related to dietary restraint. Given body-related self-conscious emotions were related to dietary restraint at both the within-person and between-person level, both compassion-focused interventions that aim to improve general levels of body-related self-conscious emotions and interventions that aim to overcome spikes in these emotions compared with one's usual level are warranted. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Negative body-related self-conscious emotions were related to higher levels of dietary restraint both across individuals and within individuals over time; and may play a mechanistic role in linking self-compassion with dietary restraint. Interventions aimed at reducing negative body-related self-conscious emotions are warranted in the prevention of eating disorder psychopathology.

Adherence to the World Health Organization's physical activity recommendation in preschool-aged children: a systematic review and meta-analysis of accelerometer studies.

BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization (WHO) recommend that preschool-aged children should engage in 180 min of total physical activity (TPA) including 60 min of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) each day. No systematic reviews or meta-analyses have pooled adherence to the recommendation across multiple studies. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of preschool-aged children achieving the WHO's physical activity recommendation for young children, and determine if the prevalence differed between boys and girls. METHODS: Primary literature searches were conducted on six online databases and a machine learning assisted systematic review was used to identify relevant studies. Studies written in English reporting on the prevalence of children aged 3-5 years achieving overall WHO physical activity recommendation or the individual TPA or MVPA aspects of the recommendation measured using accelerometers were eligible for inclusion. Random effects meta-analysis was used to determine the prevalence of preschools achieving the overall WHO recommendation and the individual TPA and MVPA aspect of the recommendation, and to determine difference in prevalence between boys and girls. RESULTS: Forty-eight studies reporting on 20,078 preschool-aged children met the inclusion criteria. Based on the most commonly employed accelerometer cut-points across all aspects of the recommendation, 60% (95% Confidence Interval [CI] = 37%, 79%) of preschool-aged children adhered to the overall physical activity recommendation, 78% (95% CI = 38%, 95%) adhered to the TPA aspect of the recommendation, and 90% (95% CI = 81%, 95%) adhered to the MVPA aspect of the recommendation. There was substantial variability is prevalence estimates between different accelerometer cut-points. Girls were significantly less likely to achieve the overall recommendation and the MVPA aspect of the recommendation than boys were. CONCLUSIONS: Although there was substantial variability in estimated prevalence of preschool-aged children adhering the WHO physical activity recommendation between various accelerometer cut-points, the weight of available evidence suggests that the majority of young children are adhering to the overall recommendation and the individual TPA and MVPA aspects of the recommendation. Large-scale, intercontinental surveillance studies are needed to further strengthen the evidence regarding the prevalence of preschool-aged children achieving physical activity recommendation globally.

Parent-Reported Changes in Ontario Children's Physical Activity Levels during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in closures of physical-activity-supporting environments, including playgrounds, outdoor recreation facilities (e.g., basketball courts), and community centers, which impacted children's movement opportunities. This study evaluated changes in Ontario children's physical activity levels during the COVID-19 pandemic and explored the impact of family sociodemographic markers on children's activity. Parents (n = 243; Mage = 38.8 years) of children aged 12 and under (n = 408; Mage = 6.7 years) living in Ontario, Canada, completed two online surveys between August and December 2020 (survey 1) and August and December 2021 (survey 2). Generalized linear mixed-effects models were used to estimate changes in the proportion of children who accumulated 60 min of physical activity per day pre-lockdown, during lockdown, and post-lockdown in Ontario. Results revealed a significant non-linear trajectory whereby the proportion of children achieving 60 min of physical activity per day pre-lockdown (63%) declined during lockdown (21%) and then increased post-lockdown (54%). Changes in the proportion of children engaging in 60 min of daily physical activity were moderated by several demographic variables. Efforts are needed to provide parents of young children with a wider variety of resources to ensure children are obtaining sufficient levels of physical activity regardless of the presence of community lockdowns.

Domain specific association between physical activity and affect in adolescents' daily lives: an ecological momentary assessment study.

OBJECTIVE: Little is known about the domain specific associations between moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and affect. This study aimed to determine whether the association between MVPA and affect differed by domain in adolescents. DESIGN: Overall, 119 adolescents (mean age = 14.7 years) provided information about their affective states multiple times a day over a four-day period using ecological momentary assessment (EMA). Additionally, minutes of MVPA were measured using accelerometers and participants self-reported whether they were participating in recreational physical activity, active travel, or household physical activity at the time of an EMA prompt. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcomes that were measured were affective valence, energetic arousal and tense arousal. RESULTS: Participants who engaged in more recreational MVPA on average reported more positive valence, more energetic arousal, and less tense arousal. Additionally, participants reported more energetic arousal when they participated in greater levels of recreational MVPA than usual, but also more tense arousal. Active travel and household physical activity were not associated with valence, energetic arousal or tense arousal. CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the importance of encouraging participation in recreational physical activities to promote positive affective outcomes.

Association between childcare movement behaviour compositions with health and development among preschoolers: Finding the optimal combinations of physical activities and sedentary time.

Little is known about how wake-time movement behaviour compositions while in childcare relate to children's health and development. This study aimed to use compositional analysis to examine how childcare movement behaviour compositions were associated with standardised body mass index (zBMI) and physical and psychosocial functioning among children in the preschool setting. A total of 405 preschoolers wore accelerometers during childcare hours to measure their moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), light intensity physical activity (LPA) and sedentary time. Compositional regression, isotemporal substitution models, and the "Goldilocks" approach was used to examine how wake-time childcare movement behaviour compositions related to each of the outcomes. Engaging in greater LPA relative to MVPA and sedentary time was associated with higher BMI z-scores, replacing sedentary time or time spent in MVPA with LPA was associated with greater physical functioning, and spending more time in sedentary behaviours relative to overall physical activity was related with greater psychosocial functioning. It is not clear what the optimal wake-time movement behaviour composition while in childcare is for health and development; however, LPA and sedentary time while in childcare may have some benefits. More research is needed to aid the development of childcare-specific guidelines for physical activity and sedentary behaviours.

Within-Person Associations Between Physical and Social Contexts With Movement Behavior Compositions in Adolescents: An Ecological Momentary Assessment Study Using a Compositional Data Analysis Approach.

BACKGROUND: External contexts, including the social and physical contexts, are independent predictors of momentary physical activity and sedentary behaviors. However, no studies to date have examined how external contexts are related to overall momentary movement behavior compositions using compositional data analysis. Therefore, this study aimed to determine differences in momentary movement behavior compositions between different social and physical contexts in adolescents. METHODS: Overall, 119 adolescents (mean age 14.7 y, SD = 1.44) provided details about their momentary physical and social contexts over 4 days using ecological momentary assessment. Sedentary behaviors, light-intensity physical activity, and moderate to vigorous physical activity were assessed using ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometers. Compositional multivariate multilevel models were estimated to determine if movement behavior compositions differed between contexts. RESULTS: Participants engaged in significantly less sedentary behaviors when outdoors compared with indoors and replaced it with moderate to vigorous physical activity. Participants also engaged in significantly less sedentary behaviors when with friends or friends and family and replaced it with light-intensity physical activity. CONCLUSION: These results highlight the potential of targeting external contexts to increase physical activity and to reduce sedentary behavior in adolescents' daily lives. These factors could be targeted in mobile health and just-in-time adaptive interventions to improve young people's movement behavior compositions.

Associations between pre-COVID-19 physical activity profiles and mental wellbeing and quality of life during COVID-19 lockdown among adults.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been detrimental to the physical and mental health and wellbeing of people across the globe. Regular physical activity has consistently demonstrated an array of health benefits, but the impact of regular physical activity habits pre-pandemic on health and wellbeing during the pandemic is largely unknown. The purpose of this study was to identify distinct pre-COVID-19 lockdown physical activity profiles [i.e., walking, leisure-time moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), domestic MVPA and muscle strengthening exercise] and assess whether these profiles were associated with mental wellbeing and quality of life during COVID-19 lockdown. A total of 442 adults (Mage = 43.97 ± 13.85; 75.6% female) from Melbourne, Australia completed an online questionnaire measuring pre-COVID-19 physical activity, including walking habits, leisure-time MVPA, domestic MVPA, and muscle strengthening exercise - and completed measures of mental wellbeing and health related quality of life. Latent profile analysis identified five distinct profiles that differed in terms of levels of walking, leisure-time MVPA, domestic MVPA and muscle strengthening exercise. Based on the observed pre-COVID-19 lockdown profiles, it appears that high levels of MVPA and muscle strengthening exercise may serve as a protective factor against the potential negative impact of a global pandemic lockdown on mental wellbeing and quality of life.

The acute affective response to physical activity in people with depression: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the acute affective response to physical activity in people with depression, which may have implications for acute symptom management and may also be a mechanism that explains the antidepressant effects of physical activity. This study aimed to quantitatively synthesize existing research on the acute affective response to physical activity in people with depression. METHODS: Five online databases were searched to July 2021 to identify studies that examined pre-post changes in affective states following a bout of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in people with depression. The affective response to physical activity was synthesized using a random-effects meta-analysis with a robust variance estimator. RESULTS: A total of 18 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Results showed that people with depression experienced a favourable affective response following an acute bout of physical activity (SMD = 0.585, 95% confidence interval = [0.456, 0.714], 95% prediction interval = [-0.079, 1.249]). Moderator analysis indicated this effect was consistent across different types of affective states, exercise conditions, and participant characteristics. Additionally, results were robust to changes in the study protocol and publication bias. LIMITATIONS: Only within-person pre-post changes in affective responses were examined. No comparisons were made with control conditions. CONCLUSION: Acute bouts of physical activity can significantly improve affective states in people with depression. Future research should examine the effect of physical activity on affective states in non-experimental settings and examine whether the affective response to physical activity is a predictor of the long-term antidepressant effects of physical activity interventions.

Lifestyle behaviours and mental health and wellbeing of tertiary students during COVID-19 lockdown in Australia: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Australia experienced significant COVID-19 lockdown restrictions throughout 2020 that had an impact on mental health and disrupted health-promoting lifestyle behaviours. Lockdowns may have exacerbated existing mental health concerns among tertiary students, who experience higher levels of mental health concerns compared to the wider community. This study aimed to investigate the association between modifiable lifestyle factors and wellbeing of students at a Melbourne-based tertiary education institution during COVID-19 lockdown. METHODS: This quantitative, cross-sectional study was conducted across campuses in Melbourne and Sydney. Data was collected via online questionnaire during the 7th week of a second-wave lockdown. Descriptive statistics were calculated for demographic variables (n = 239). Linear regression models were estimated to determine multivariate associations between lifestyle variables and psychological distress. RESULTS: Participants were on average 30.98 years old (SD = 9.78), predominantly female, domestic students, undergraduate, not the first member of their family to attend university and living out of family home. Mindfulness, diet quality, sleep quality and moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) were all inversely correlated with psychological distress. Unadjusted and adjusted models show that mindfulness, sleep quality, and MVPA were all independently inversely related to psychological distress. Greater mindfulness, sleep quality and engagement in MVPA were associated with lower psychological distress during COVID-19 lockdowns. LIMITATIONS: As this study is cross-sectional and we cannot rule out reverse causality. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the potential for lifestyle focused mental-health promotion delivered through tertiary education institutions to support students in times of crisis as well as more generally.