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The purposes of this study were to examine (a) physical activity participation levels, (b) exercise stages of change levels and (c) physical activity preferences of the Middle East Technical University undergraduate students with respect to gender, residence and faculty. Participants were 953 students from 5 different faculties (496 male, and 547 female). For the data collection, International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), Physical Activity Stages of Change Questionnaire, and Physical Activity Preferences Questionnaire were used. Descriptive statistics (frequency, mean, median, percentage), and nonparametric statistical methods (Mann Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis test, Pearson chi-square test) were used for the data analysis. According to the IPAQ, male students were more physically active than female counterparts. Students who were living in campus had higher physical activity levels, and faculty of architecture students were more sedentary compared to other faculty students (p &lt / 0.05). In general, 24.8% of the students were physically active, 59.9% of the students were moderately active, and 15.3% of them were inactive. The results on exercise stages of change revealed that male students were at upper stages as compared to the female students. Faculty of architecture students were at lower stages compared to the other faculty students (p &lt / 0.05). There was no significant differences on the stages of students who were living in and out of the campus (p &gt / 0.05). In general, students at pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, action and maintenance stages were 15.2%, 31.4%, 25.3%, 7.5%, and 20.6% respectively. Swimming (59.2%), walking (56.7%), cycling (36.2%) and football (30.4%) were the most frequently preferred physical activities. Dancing and tennis were preferred more with the female students while football and basketball preferred more with the male students. Physical activity preferences of students living in and out of campus were similar. In conclusion, female students, students living out of the campus and students of faculty of architecture were more at risk. Approximately 75% of the METU undergraduate students&rsquo / physical activity levels were not satisfactory for a healthy life. University physical activity facilities, extracurricular programs and the courses should be reconsidered based on the findings of this study.

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.

v anglickém jazyce Management of physical activities in multiple sclerosis patients The thesis introduces how is possible to organise physical activities in groups of multiple sclerosis patients. First theoretical part of thesis describes the multiple sclerosis as one of the most frequent neurological disease with its typical symptoms and possible farmacologic treatment. There are also few comments about patients attittude to physical activity, their adherence to regular physical activity and how to motivate them for better compliance. Lastly this theoretical part contains international recommendation concerning type, intensity and duration of exercise in multiple sclerosis patients. The second part of thesis is about practical experiences with group exercise management in our organization (MS Center, 1st Faculty of Medicine and General University Hospital in Prague). The experiences from group exercise are analysed from three diffrent points of view: objective measurement of gait parametres, exercise attendance and data gained from patient questionnaire. Final part summarises knowledge from theoretical and practical part. In this part I tried to make some recommendation for management of group exercise in multiple sclerosis patients. Key words: multiple sclerosis - exercise - physical activity -...

Chronic pain is common in western countries and entails considerable consequences for the afflicted individuals as well as for the society. Furthermore, chronic pain is complex including an advanced interplay between biological-, psychological- and social aspects. Treatment of chronic pain attempts to decrease pain intensity and increase physical-, psychological- and social functioning. However, the treatment of chronic pain is still not optimized. Different types of physical activity and exercise (PA&E) are commonly applied as non-pharmacological treatment strategies for chronic pain, but the most efficient type and dose of PA&E are unclear. In addition, adherence to prescribed PA&E is often troublesome, which further complicates the application of PA&E as treatment for chronic pain. The aim of this thesis is to increase the knowledge about PA&E as treatment for chronic pain regarding pain intensity, biochemical substances, adherence and attitudes. The findings of this thesis were that a long-term, home-based PA&E intervention comprising strength exercises as well as stretch exercises decreased pain intensity and increased function in women with chronic neck- and shoulder pain. Using microdialysis technique, differences in pain modulatory biochemical substances were found, before the intervention, in painful trapezius muscle compared to pain-free trapezius muscle. In addition, alterations in pain modulatory substances in painful trapezius muscle after the intervention were found, which possibly could imply peripheral physiological effects of PA&E. Furthermore, psychological factors could be associated to the effects of and adherence to the PA&E intervention. An intention to be physically active were expressed by patients with chronic pain, but a discordance between the intention and PA&E-behaviour were evident, even though the PA&E were experienced as valuable. In conclusion, this thesis strengthens the importance of PA&E as treatment for chronic pain. Especially, this thesis increases the knowledge about; possible peripheral pain inhibitory effects after long-term exercise; how psychological factors might affect the results of PA&E; and also about important behavioural aspects that might affect adherence to prescribed PA&E. This thesis highlights the need of more research on physiological pain inhibitory effects of long-term PA&E in chronic pain. Furthermore, improved methods for ensured adherence to prescribed PA&E are necessary in order to optimize the effect of PA&E as treatment for chronic pain.

The purposes of this study were to examine (a) health promoting behaviors, (b) physical activity levels, (c) exercise stages of change levels, and (d) exercise preferences of students who had just entered the university by gender and residence. Participants were 438 students from Middle East Technical University (METU) English Preparatory school. Adolescent Health Promotion Scale (AHPS), International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), Physical Activity Stages of Change Questionnaire (PASCQ), and Physical Activity Preferences Check-list were used for the data collection. Descriptive statistics, nonparametric statistical methods (Mann Whitney U test, Pearson chi-square test), and a one-way MANOVA were used for the data analysis. According to AHPS results, female students&amp / #8217 / health promoting behaviors were better than those of male students except exercise behavior. Students living at home had higher scores on nutrition behavior and students living in dormitory had higher scores on stress management behavior (p &lt / .05). According to the IPAQ results, male students were more physically active than female counterparts. Students who were living in dormitory had higher physical activity levels than students living at home (p &lt / .05). PASCQ findings indicated no significant differences on the exercise stages of change levels by gender and residence (p &gt / .05). In general, students were at pre-contemplation 9.2%, contemplation 39.3%, preparation 27.8%, action 14.5%, and maintenance 9.2% stages. Swimming, walking, and table tennis were the three most frequently preferred physical activities. In conclusion, female students had better health promoting behaviors than those of male students except exercise behavior. Female students and students living at home were more at risk of inactivity. Approximately 80% of the METU English Preparatory school students&amp / #8217 / physical activity levels were not satisfactory for a healthy life. University physical activity facilities, extracurricular programs and the courses should be reconsidered to support the health promoting behaviors of these students.

This study examined the effects of social-ecological intervention on physical activity (PA) knowledge level and behaviors of rural middle school students. A pre-test post-test control group design was constructed. In addition, qualitative data was collected by focus group discussions after the post-test in experimental group. Two schools from similar rural settings were identified as experimental and control schools. In total 62 students from 6, 7, 8 grades of these schools participated in this study. Experimental school PA environment was changed based on the social-ecological model (SEM) with a focus on intrapersonal, interpersonal, community level, organizational factors, and public policies related with PA. Turkish version of health related fitness (HRF) knowledge test, v pedometer, exercise stages of change, PA self-efficacy, social support, and PA enjoyment questionnaires were used to gather information for the dependent variables for the present study. A focus group discussion was implemented in experimental school. Repeated Measures ANOVA was used for the numerical data analysis. Focus group transcriptions were analyzed by content analysis method. According to HRF knowledge and PA analysis, experimental school students significantly improved their HRF knowledge scores, PA levels, social support compared to the control group students (p&lt / 0.05). Focus groups results supported the quantitative findings. In conclusion, this study indicated the value of SEM in improving the health related fitness knowledge, PA level and social support of students in rural context. Improving the rural school context for PA promotion by SEM is strongly recommended.

In last several years the amount of physical activities during our day time seriously decreased. That phenomenon was caused by reduction of physically demanding works in our jobs and sitting way of spending free time. The result of the previous fact is population fitness worsening and consequently worsening of the labour productivity and health condition. The fitness is tightly connected with the relationship between a man and a movement and sporting activities. It should become the important part of the healthy life style and influence the formation of proper manners of every single man. The fitness is one of the markers of the cardiovascular system condition. And it is considered to be the certain sum of preconditions for optimal reaction on the stress of whatever cause. The regular training, the physical activity and the daily reasonable energetic income are the safest and the least economically demanding ways how to prevent civilisation diseases. The first task of the theses was to assess the fitness of women students of The University of South Bohemia. The fitness was assessed on the base of Ruffier?s test. The second task was to compare the fitness of several groups of students which represented every single faculty of The University of South Bohemia. The both tasks were completed. Two hypotheses were settled and confirmed in purpose to reach the goal of the theses. H1: The numerological value of the Rufier?s test of women students of the Faculty of Education is lower than the result of women from the other faculties. H2: Women students whose result of Ruffier?s test is 0-5 are spending more time by performing physical activity than other students. In this theses, Ruffier?s test as a non-direct way of assessing the fitness has been chosen to confirm the both hypotheses. Ruffier?s test is a simple test to asses the fitness which uses changes of the hearth rate before and after exercising. The test is based on the general premise that the hard body exercising which last for a longer period of time is connected with the rising of heart rate. The heart rate was recorded by sport tester. Heart rate values were set into the pattern for counting the index of Ruffier?s test and consequently classified. Averages of the Ruffier?s index of each faculty were measured and compared. The questionnaire was ad to the Ruffier?s index for better assessing the fitness of students. The questionnaire was composed by thirteen questions. Some of questions were of open and some of close type. The questionnaires were anonymous. Hypothesis H1 was confirmed. The average value of the Ruffier?s index for women students of the pedagogical faculty was 10,7. And the average value of the Ruffier?s index for women students of other faculties was 13. It means the average fitness of women students of pedagogical faculty is better than the average fitness of women students of other faculties. Hypothesis H2 confirmed the correlation between the time spending by physical exercising and the better fitness. The more times weekly women students exercise for more than 30 minutes a day the lower value of the Ruffier?s index they have. The assumption of the average values of the Ruffier?s index of those women from 0 to 5 was overstated. Women student in this project had the average values from 10 to 15 which mean worse values of fitness. Despite the worse values of Ruffier?s index, the correlation between the spending time by exercising and better fitness was confirmed. To sum up, there is a recommendation to compensate the simple monotone physical activity by wide spectrum of physical activities. The sport should be introduced into the life style. The person with a good fitness has less problems with movement, can work for a longer time without break, is strong and capable to fulfil everyday tasks with reserves. The process of improving the fitness is a run for a long distance but it should be the goal of all people no matter of how old they are.

Background: Physical activity (PA) can impact chronic pain positively but it can be affected by both facilitating and hindering, e.g. motivation and self-efficacy (S-E).  Aim: Through self-rated causal networks the study explored which factors adults with chronic pain rated as facilitating for PA, their PA level and which types of physical activities they engaged in. Relationships were investigated between S-E and PA and whether the causal networks differed between participants who met the recommendations for PA or not.   Method: A comparative, correlating and descriptive pilot-study with a cross-sectional design was used and conducted via online questionnaires using Perceived Causal Networks. Results: There were two common items, Conditions and Thoughts about pain, that significantly facilitated the engagement in both intended exercise and everyday exercise. As everyday exercise the respondents mostly engaged in walks, household- and gardening chores and stair climbing. For intended exercise they mostly did walks, home exercise and swimming/water gymnastics. The majority of respondents (52%) had a self-rated PA-level that corresponded to a “higher level”. No difference emerged when comparing facilitating factors between those who met the recommendations for PA and those who didn´t. There were moderate correlations between S-E and activity minutes (r=0.443, p=0.002) as well as S-E and intended exercise (r=0.418, p=0.003). There was no statistically significant correlation between S-E and everyday PA (r=0.257, p=0.078).  Conclusion: Although there was a correlation between S-E and activity minutes and physical exercise, further research is required on the subject in order to increase knowledge about facilitating factors for PA in people with chronic pain. / Bakgrund: Träning kan ha en positiv påverkan på långvarig smärta. Att utföra fysisk aktivitet (FA)påverkas av både underlättande och försvårande faktorer där bland annat motivation och tilltro till den egna förmågan avseende fysisk aktivitet kan ha en viktig roll. Syfte: Genom självskattade orsaksnätverk utforskade studien vilka faktorer vuxna personer medlångvarig smärta skattade som underlättande för att utöva FA, deras aktivitetsnivå samt vilkatyper av fysiska aktiviteter de ägnade sig åt. Eventuella samband mellan tilltro till den egnaförmågan att vara fysiskt aktiv och FA samt om orsaksnätverken skiljde sig åt beroende påom en uppfyllde respektive inte uppfyllde rekommendationerna för FA utforskades. Metod: En jämförande, korrelerande och deskriptiv pilotstudie med tvärsnittsdesign användes ochgenomfördes via strukturerade frågeformulär online med hjälp av Perceived CausalNetworks. Resultat: Enligt genomsnittsnätverket förekom två gemensamma faktorer, Förutsättningar och Tankeom träning, som var betydligt underlättade för såväl utförandet av planerad FA somvardagsmotion. Som Vardagsmotion ägnade sig deltagarna framför allt åt; promenader,hushålls- och trädgårdssysslor samt trappgång. Som Planerad FA utfördes främst;promenader, hemträning och simning/vattengymnastik. Majoriteten av respondenterna (52%)hade en självskattad fysisk aktivitetsnivå som motsvarade en “högre nivå”. Det framkomingen statistiskt säkerställd skillnad avseende skattningen av underlättande faktorer mellan desom uppnådde respektive inte uppnådde rekommendationerna för FA. Sambandet var måttligtstarkt mellan tilltro till den egna förmågan avseende fysisk aktivitet och aktivitetsminuter(r=0.443, p=0.002) och mellan tilltro till den egna förmågan avseende fysisk aktivitet ochfysisk träning (r=0.418, p=0.003). Mellan tilltro till den egna förmågan avseende fysiskaktivitet och vardagsmotion fanns inget statistiskt samband (r=0.257, p=0.078). Slutsats: Trots att det verkar finnas ett samband mellan tilltro till den egna förmågan avseende fysiskaktivitet och aktivitetsminuter respektive fysisk träning krävs vidare forskning kring ämnetför att öka kunskapen om vad som kan underlätta utförandet av FA hos personer medlångvarig smärta.

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