Abstract: BACKGROUND: Physical inactivity is a growing public health concern. Use of mobile applications (apps) may be a powerful tool to encourage physical activity and a healthy lifestyle. For instance, apps may be used in the preparation of a running event. However, there is little evidence for the relationship between app use and change in physical activity and health in recreational runners. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the use of apps and changes in physical activity, health and lifestyle behaviour, and self-image of short and long distance runners.
Objectives: Perceived barriers are often a reason why people do not start physical activity or relapse to inactivity. From a psychological perspective, barriers can be seen as beliefs about what is obstructing people’s behavior. To understand inactivity and relapse from physical activity, this study focused on barrier-beliefs in physical activity. We aimed to develop a barrier-beliefs survey and identify barrier-beliefs in physical activity among active and inactive people. Methods: Firstly, in order to develop a barrier-beliefs survey, a literature search, a qualitative study and expert-meetings were conducted to explore barrier-beliefs to physical activity. The intern consistency of barrier-belief survey was analysed using a Cronbach’s Alpha. A Pearson correlation (p < .05) was conducted to analyse the relation between barrier-belief scales and behavioral factors and strength of the barrier-belief scales were analysed as predictors of behavioral factors with a multiple linear regression analyses. Secondly, a cross sectional study was conducted among active and inactive people using the barrier-beliefs survey. Results: Sixty-three barrier-beliefs were found clustered by 10 barrier-belief scales and formulated in the survey. The intern consistency was relatively high and BB scales were related to behavioral determinants and PA behavior. A sample of 266 participants, 147 active and 119 inactive, aged 18 to 80, participated. Frequently endorsed barrier-beliefs within both active and inactive participants were ‘investment factors’, ‘habitual situations’ and ‘negative feelings about the new behavior’. A clear difference between inactives and actives is proven in the relation between BBs and their PA behaviour. Inactives are significantly inhibited by ‘social situations’, ‘investment factors’, ‘negative feelings of the new behavior’ and ‘identity discrepancy’.Conclusions: To increase the chance on long lasting lifestyle changes and the effectiveness of interventions, strategies to neutralize barrier-beliefs should be developed in order to apply into counseling- and educational programs or internet applications.
Lifestyle management is the cornerstone of both primary and secondary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and the importance of lifestyle management is emphasised by all major guidelines. Despite this, actual implementation of lifestyle management is poor. Lifestyle modification includes smoking cessation, weight loss, dietary change, increasing physical inactivity, and stress management. This review summarises evidence-based opportunities and challenges for healthcare professionals to promote healthy lifestyles at an individual level for the prevention of ASCVD.
it is on going project.That is an exploratory research project to identify the demographics of inactive people in three different disadvantaged areas in city of Groningen, as well as understanding the reasons of being inactive or having insufficient physical activity. The main question to answer isWhat intervention design can help those inactive people to embed physical activity into their daily life? That's important because provision of outdoor fitness in their neighbourhood was not enough to encourage them to be active. A third year student is helping in this project as his internship, collected the data, will develop the intervention, implement it and evaluate it.
Main goal of the Sport Physical Education And Coaching in Health (SPEACH) Project is to increase awareness and behavioural change in sport professionals and European citizens towards an active and healthy lifestyle.Sedentariness and physical inactivity are a cross-national problem. Therefore, the Project builds upon a strong collaborative-partnership to contribute in solving this problem on the European level and to increase sport and physical activity participation. To achieve this, the project will develop HEPA related educational modules, which will be included into existing education structures in the areas of sport coaching and physical education (PE), in order to stimulate pupils, young athletes and adults towards an active and healthy lifestyle.An innovative aspect of the project is the diversity of partners involved. The consortium consists of ten organizations and actors from seven EU countries in the field of sport, PE and health. The partners involved are national and international sports committees, sport federations and higher educational institutes in the field of sport, PE teacher education and health. Finally, the project is strongly supported by the European Network of Sport Science, Education & Employment (ENSSEE).
