This article aims at exploring whether the same factors that make Social Network Games (SNG’s) functional, and thus increases the usage, can form the basis of guidelines for exercise applications with the purpose of generating a continued use. I present the results of a survey that together with the important characteristics that makes SNG’s successful and theories of persuasive design form the basis of a set of elements and guidelines when creating exercise applications.

Submitted by Irene Nascimento (irene.kessia@ufpe.br) on 2017-07-17T16:55:24Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 811 bytes, checksum: e39d27027a6cc9cb039ad269a5db8e34 (MD5) Comparação entre Corrida em Esteira e Hiperventilação Isocápnica no Diagnóstico do Broncoespasmo Induzido por Exercício e~1.pdf: 3080338 bytes, checksum: f032c38bc2ef2e09e4f9c47bf7556fd5 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-17T16:55:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 811 bytes, checksum: e39d27027a6cc9cb039ad269a5db8e34 (MD5) Comparação entre Corrida em Esteira e Hiperventilação Isocápnica no Diagnóstico do Broncoespasmo Induzido por Exercício e~1.pdf: 3080338 bytes, checksum: f032c38bc2ef2e09e4f9c47bf7556fd5 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-08-27 / CNPQ / O broncoespasmo induzido por exercício (BIE) é definido como o estreitamento agudo dos brônquios após exercícios físicos vigorosos. É um evento comum em pacientes asmáticos e ocorre em 50% a 90% deles, especialmente em crianças e adolescentes. As queixas respiratórias durante ou após atividades físicas (AF) também são muito comuns nestes indivíduos, mas nem sempre estão associados ao BIE, sendo necessária a comprovação através de testes objetivos. A corrida em esteira (CE) é o método de desencadeamento mais utilizado. Entretanto, a hiperventilação isocápnica (HIso) é sugerida como alternativa ao exercício, embora a utilidade dela na clínica diária para o diagnóstico de BIE em crianças e adolescentes ainda não esteja bem estabelecida. Assim, o objetivo principal deste estudo foi comparar as duas técnicas de broncoprovocação no diagnóstico do BIE em crianças e adolescentes asmáticos. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo analítico, inferencial, transversal, de comparação de métodos diagnósticos realizado com crianças e adolescentes, entre 08 e 18 anos de idade, com asma intermitente e persistente. Inicialmente, o volume expiratório forçado no primeiro segundo (VEF1) basal dos pacientes foi determinado. Em seguida, as crianças e os adolescentes foram submetidos à CE ou à HIso em dias consecutivos e no mesmo horário, com a definição da ordem do primeiro exame realizada aleatoriamente. A CE foi realizada durante 8 minutos, sendo que nos últimos 6 minutos a velocidade foi o suficiente para manter a frequência cardíaca entre 80% e 90% da FC prevista. Na HIso, os pacientes foram estimulados a hiperventilar de modo a alcançar uma ventilação minuto 21 vezes o VEF1 basal. Novas medidas de VEF1 foram realizadas 3, 5, 7, 10, 15 e 30 minutos após as provocações. O diagnóstico do BIE foi definido como a redução do VEF1 ≥ 10% do basal em, pelo menos, dois momentos consecutivos de avaliação. Resultados: Em nosso estudo participaram 34 crianças e adolescentes com média de idade de 11,9 anos, sendo excluídos 5 deles. Dezenove indivíduos apresentaram BIE após CE (E+) e 17 após HIso (HIso+); em 6 houve redução no VEF1 apenas após o exercício e em 4 apenas após a HIso. Responderam a ambos os estímulos 13 asmáticos (κ = 0,41, p <0.05). Com relação a intensidade da redução do VEF1, não houve diferenças significativas entre as duas técnicas dentro de um mesmo intervalo de tempo. Na análise da taxa de ventilação/minuto, a média calculada durante a CE foi maior do que a medida na HIso (44,0 L.min-1 versus 36.9 L/min-1, p<0,001), mas não entre os pacientes HIso+ e HIso- (35,2L.min-1 Versus 38,6L.min-1, p=0,09). Conclusão: A hiperventilação isocápnica pode ser utilizada como alternativa ao exercício em esteira, entretanto mais estudos necessitam ser realizados, sobretudo para avaliar a repetibilidade da técnica de HIso e comparar com a da corrida em esteira. Crianças e adolescentes com asma e queixas de dispneia aos exercícios com teste negativo devem ser submetidos a um segundo teste. / Exercise induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) is defined as the acute and transient increase in lower airway resistance that follows vigorous exercise. It is a common event in asthmatics with estimated prevalence between 50% and 90%, especially in the young. Respiratory symptoms are frequent complaints during or after physical activities (PA) in these individuals but, as they are highly variable and nonspecific, objective methods for EIB diagnosis are required, usually by serial one second Forced Expiratory Volume (FEV1) after exercise challenge (EC). Treadmill running (TR) is the most adopted EC method. Eucapnic Voluntary Hyperventilation (EVH) is a widely recommended surrogate to TR for EIB diagnosis, especially in athletes, although its clinical utility in young asthmatic is not established. Our objective was to compare both challenge methods for EIB diagnosis in asthmatic children and adolescents. Methods: Were recruited children and adolescents diagnosed with asthma, aged between 8 and 18 years, with basal FEV1 > 60% of predicted, from the Allergy and Immunology Clinic of Hospital das Clínicas/UFPE (Recife, Brazil) between September and December 2013. After basal FEV1 determination patients were randomly assigned to TR or EVH, in consecutive days at the same time. Treadmill running was performed for 8 minutes with the last six minutes at a speed to keep heart rate at 80% of maximum or higher. At EVH patients were instructed and coached to reach 60% of calculated MVV (21 X FEV1) for six minutes. Serial FEV1 measurements were taken at 3, 5, 7, 10, 15 e 30 minutes after both challenges. EIB diagnosis was defined as a fall > 10% from basal FEV1 in at least two consecutive moments. Results: Were recruited 39 individuals, 5 were excluded (3 not willing to participate and 2 due to a FEV1 < 60% of predicted). Completed the evaluations 34 subjects (18 male, mean age 11.8 + 2.3 years). EIB was diagnosed after both challenges in 13, in 6 only after EC and in 4 only after EVH (κ = 0.412, p=0.016). Estimated minute ventilatio during the sixth minute of treadmill running was higher than that measured at EVH (44.0 L.min-1 versus 36.9 L/min-1 , p<0,001) but there was no difference between EVH positive and negative patients (35.2L.min-1 versus 38.6L.min-1, p=0,09). Conclusion: Our results show that EVH can be a surrogate for TR, but highlight the need for studies to compare the repetibility of the methods and appropriate minimum minute ventilation for EVH. Individuals with PA associated respiratory complaints but negative test should have a repeated challenge to exclude EIB.

No description available.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Linköping : Linköpings universitet, 2008. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Thesis (PhD)--University of Stellenbosch, 2008. / Bibliography. Also available via the Internet.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a prevalent neurological syndrome observed even in childhood stages. Children with autism have a certain range of deficits on social interaction, communication and coordination. Exercise program has been commonly adopted as an intervention for ASD children on developing both of their motor and social skills, as well as maintaining a certain fitness level. This project is a systematic review and meta-analysis study which summarizes the recent fifteen years (2000-2015) of control-trial exercise-based interventions for ASD children and evaluates their effectiveness from three aspects (according to the outcome measures): 1) Exercise Performance & Sport/Skill-related Fitness (EXE); 2) Physiological & Biometric Indicator (PHY); and 3) Social Cognition & Psychological Well-being (SOC). The results showed a positive effect in all three aspects: .763, .412, and .505 respectively. Further studies were recommended on investigating the mechanism explaining the psycho-social and physiological effects of exercise programs on ASD children.

Background: Adults benefit from participating in physical activity (PA) for chronic disease prevention and treatment. Postnatal women are encouraged to commence a gradual return to PA 4-6 weeks after giving birth, with participation in line with PA guidelines. The potential benefits of postnatal PA include weight management, improvements in cardiovascular fitness and psychological wellbeing. There has been limited high-quality information about the efficacy, feasibility and acceptability of PA interventions in postnatal women and few studies in the UK. Behavioural counselling interventions informed by behaviour change theory have been shown to successfully increase PA in low-active adults. Physical activity consultations (PACs) use structured and individualised behavioural counselling to enhance individuals’ motivation for change, and improve self-management skills. This approach may support adoption of PA in low-active postnatal women with research demonstrating that modifiable socio-cognitive factors influence PA behaviour. This thesis reports on the efficacy of a postnatal PA intervention, the More Active MuMs in Stirling (MAMMiS) study on change in PA behaviour. Efficacy of the intervention was tested in a randomised controlled trial. The effect on secondary health and wellbeing outcomes and PA cognitions targeted by the intervention and feasibility results are also reported. Methods: The intervention comprised a face-to-face PAC of around 35-45 minutes and 10-week group pramwalking programme. Non-attenders to the pramwalking group received a support telephone call. A follow-up PAC (15-20 minutes) was delivered after three month assessments. The first PAC involved raising awareness about benefits of PA, developing self-efficacy for change, setting goals and action planning PA, developing strategies for overcoming barriers, encouraging self-monitoring, prompting social support and selecting/changing the environment to support PA. The second PAC involved feedback about changes and preventing a return to sedentary habits. The pramwalking group met weekly for 6 walks of 30-55 minutes at a brisk pace, providing opportunities to demonstrate moderate-intensity walking and to encourage and support PA behaviour change. The control group received an NHS leaflet, which encouraged PA after childbirth. Postnatal women (six weeks to 12 months after childbirth) were identified through a variety of NHS-based and community-based strategies plus local advertisements and word-of-mouth. The primary outcome measure was evaluation of PA behaviour change using the Actigraph GT3X/GT3X+ accelerometer, an objective measure of PA behaviour; self-reported moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was measured using a recall questionnaire (Seven-Day Physical Activity Recall) and cardiovascular fitness using a submaximal step-test (Chester step-test). Secondary health and wellbeing measures were; anthropometric (i.e. weight and body mass index (BMI)) and body composition (measured using a bioelectrical impedance), psychological wellbeing (measured using the Adapted General Wellbeing Index) and fatigue (measured on a 100-point visual analogue scale). PA cognitions were measured via a questionnaire with constructs adapted from previous studies. All were taken at baseline (prior to randomisation), three and six months follow-up from baseline. Process measures were used to investigate intervention fidelity and feasibility. Acceptability was investigated in a post-trial interviews, conducted by a researcher not involved in the trial. RESULTS: Sixty-five postnatal women (average 33 years old with an infant 24 weeks old) were recruited (77% of those eligible). There was a 91% rate of retention at six months; participants who missed a follow-up assessment were younger (30 versus 34 years old) and had younger infants (21 versus 34 weeks old). Participants were less deprived and older compared with postnatal women in Scotland. Objectively measured PA behaviour did not change in response to the intervention. There was no between-groups difference in change in mean counts/minute from baseline to three months (p=0.35, 95% CI -73.50, 26.17, d=0.22) or three to six months (p=0.57, 95% CI -39.46, 71.18, d=0.13). There was no change in MVPA 7 minutes/day in either group from baseline to three (intervention =-0.70, IQR -9.86, 8.36; control =1.65, IQR -4.79, 8.21) or three to six months (intervention =0, IQR -1.13, 1.10; control =0, IQR -9.86, 8.23), with no between-groups difference baseline to three (p=0.43; r=0.10) or three to six months (p=0.75, r=0.09). Results for relative MVPA were similar. Median steps/day from baseline to three months did not change in the intervention group (0, IQR –1619.44, 1047.94) and increased by 195.95 (IQR -1519.55, 1691.03) among controls. The between-groups difference was non-significant (p=0.37, r=0.18). From three to six month follow-up steps/day increased in the intervention group and not in controls (0, IQR -1147.50, 1303.52), this between-groups difference was also non-significant (p=0.35, r=0.16). From baseline to three months self-reported MVPA declined in the intervention group (15 minutes/week; IQR -111, 15) and increased in the control group (30 minutes/week; IQR –68, 75): a non-significant between-groups difference, with a small effect size (p=0.71, r=0.22). From three to six months a decline in self-reported MVPA was found in controls (53 minutes/week; IQR -41,-101) and no change among the intervention group (0, IQ range -26, 71); a significant between-groups difference with a small effect size (p=0.04, r=0.26). There were no differences between the groups for the change in aerobic capacity from baseline to three months or three to six months with no evidence for change over time in aerobic capacity or fitness category in either group. Change in secondary outcomes did not differ between the groups from baseline to three or three to six months (although fatigue did improve in the intervention group relative to controls from baseline to three months). Considering PA cognitions, outcome expectancies declined in both groups from baseline to three months and continued to decline only in the intervention group from three to six months, a between-groups difference with a small effect size (p=0.03, r=0.26). Self-efficacy increased in the intervention group from baseline to three months and declined in the control group with a small effect size for the between-groups difference (p=0.03, r=-0.27). An increase in action 8 planning was seen among the intervention group but not controls from baseline to three months (p<0.01, r=-0.34). Both groups showed an increase in coping planning and action control; the change was larger among the intervention group relative to controls (i.e. p<0.01, r=0.44, r=0.43, respectively). Increased self-efficacy and action control were maintained from three to six months in the intervention group. Coping planning increased relative to controls (p<0.01, r=0.41) and action planning increased among controls from three to six months (p<0.01, r=0.39). Intervention fidelity and feasibility was good. All intervention participants received the initial PAC and adoption of self-management strategies was high for ‘thinking about the benefits of PA’, ‘action planning’ and ‘self-monitoring’, between baseline and three months. Most participants attended at least one walk (61% attended five or more), 89% of planned walks were conducted with no evidence of poor attendance due to season. Walks were conducted at a brisk pace and met moderate-intensity thresholds. DISCUSSION: MAMMiS aimed to recruit low-active healthy postnatal women to test the efficacy of a PAC and group pramwalking intervention. There was no evidence for an intervention effect on PA or on secondary health and wellbeing outcomes.

Introduction: Resilience is an important trait and mechanism for older adults facing adversity in their later life. Physical activity has been established as an important determinant of mental health among older adults, in which relationship of resilience may play a mediating role. In order to examine the relationships among resilience, physical activity, and mental health in older adults, the current project is designed to conduct three studies. Study-1 aims to use qualitative method to identify the characteristics that contribute to resilience in a group of community-dwelling older adults in Hong Kong. Study-2 aims to develop and validate an age-specific resilience scale, named as "Resilience Scale for Chinese Older Adults (RSCOA)". Study-3 aims to test a model in which physical activity is hypothesized to influence mental health in path mediated by resilience. Methods: Twenty-five Chinese older adults (2 males, 23 females) aged 69 to 100 years (M=80.00, SD=39.08) were included in Study-1. Interviews were conducted to collect information about the adverse events in their lives, as well as their attitudes towards adversity and the beliefs underlying their approaches to overcoming adversity. The transcripts were analysed using qualitative content analysis. In Study-2, a sequential approach was used to develop the RSCOA in three stages. In stage 1, scale candidate items were generated and initial content validity of the RSCOA were explored. In stage 2, the factorial structure of the RSCOA was extracted using exploratory factor analysis. In stage 3, exploratory structural equation modeling was conducted to test the structure. The reliability and validity of the RSCOA were also examined. In Study-3, cross-sectional data was collected from a sample of 293 Chinese older adults [60 males, 233 females; age from 65 to 95 years old (M=76.58, SD=7.02)] from eight community senior centres located in three districts in Hong Kong. Correlation analyses were performed and path analysis was employed to assess the associations among physical activity, resilience and mental health variables. Results: In Study-1, 7 themes were emerged from the interviews: 1). Equanimity- the realisation that life has both joys and sorrows. 2). Positive attitudes towards life. 3). Meaningfulness- the realisation that life has a purpose and is full of hope. 4). Self-reliance- a belief in one's capabilities and the realisation that each person's life path is unique. 5). Social support- which comes from family and friends, health care professionals, staff in the senior centres and others' appraisal. 6). Environmental support- which includes the support from neighbours, community senior centres and government. 7). Spirituality and faith- which can take the form of a belief in destiny, gratitude or religious faith. For the scale development and validation, a pool of 70 candidate items for RSCOA was established with good content validity in stage 1. In stage 2, seven factors, namely perseverance, self-reliance, spirituality, social support, living in the moment, environmental support, and meaningfulness, reflecting internal, external and existential dimensions, were identified and reflected in 27 items in the construct of resilience. In stage 3, the 27-item RSCOA was further examined, by which 3 items were deleted to achieve acceptable internal consistency (α= 0.87) and good concurrent as well as construct validities, and finally a 24-item RSCOA was confirmed. The measurement model displayed satisfactory model fit and proven invariant across gender. Building on the three path models, it was found that significant mediation effects of resilience on the relations from physical activity to depression (β =-.54, p=.002), from physical activity to loneliness (β=-.25, p=.005), as well as from physical activity to psychological well-being (β=.37, p=.008). In sum, the results confirmed that resilience mediates relationship from physical activity to mental health among the older adults. Conclusion: The qualitative analysis found that resilience of the Hong Kong older adults is characterised by internal, external and existential factors. A reliable and valid age-specific instrument for measurement of resilience in Chinese older people was developed. Older adults who are more physically active reported greater psychological well-being and less mental health problems, and the effects were mediated by resilience. The results may be useful for developing interventions that aim at assisting older adults to enhance the positive experiences and mental health in their lives.