Purpose: Generic health literacy (GHL) entails knowledge, motivation and competencies to find, understand, assess or apply health information and is considered as a determinant of health. Data on adolescents’ GHL are still lacking. The study examines to what extent different dimensions of GHL are associated with health behavior-related outcomes in adolescence. This was feasible as the novel “Measurement of Health Literacy Among Adolescents-Questionnaire” (MOHLAA-Q) had recently been developed.

Methods: We conducted a representative nationwide cross-sectional online survey among 14–17-year-olds living in Germany (GeKoJu). Self-reported GHL was measured with the MOHLAA-Q, which addresses cognitive, behavioral and motivational dimensions of GHL. We collected data on relevant health behaviors during adolescence: sports, consumption of fruit and vegetables, smoking, and alcohol consumption. Bivariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were used with a sample size of n=1,190. The associations were adjusted for socio-demographic factors (age, sex, educational level, migration background, family affluence) and generic self-efficacy.

Results: Adolescents with low levels in the cognitive-behavioral dimension of GHL report less often to do sport (74.8% vs. 83.8%) or to consume fruit and vegetables daily (15.7% vs. 27.0%). Even after adjustment for other factors, these lower health literacy levels are associated with a higher chance of not eating fruit and vegetables daily (OR=1.58; 95%-CI=1.10-2.27). Poor levels in the motivational dimension of GHL are associated more strongly with health behavior-related outcomes (e.g. OR=3.06; 95%-CI=2.23-4.20 for not eating fruit and vegetable) than the cognitive-behavioral dimension. With regard to risky alcohol consumption, however, no associations with any dimensions of GHL were observed. Considering self-efficacy in the models attenuates the strength of associations between GHL and the examined health behavior.

Conclusions: GHL is associated with daily fruit and vegetable consumption and physical activity by sports. Supporting motivational and cognitive-behavioral dimensions of GHL and strengthening self-efficacy could therefore be a starting point for promoting a balanced diet and sufficient physical activity in adolescence.

Background: Unhealthy eating habits and lack of physical activity are major problems in adolescents and young adults. These unhealthy behaviours may lead to a higher risk of noncommunicable diseases and sick leave in later life. In order to develop effective healthy lifestyle intervention programmes, more research is needed to identify factors that predict the engagement in health behaviours among this population. In the present study the Self-Determination Theory (SDT) is used to examine the association between type of motivation and dietary and physical activity behaviours in secondary vocational students.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 809 students (mean age 17.8 ± 1.9 years) attending secondary vocational education in a metropolitan area of the Netherlands. The self-administered online questionnaire included questions on socio-demographic factors, dietary behaviours, physical activity behaviours, and self-regulation for regular exercise and eating a healthy diet (by means of the Treatment Self-Regulation Questionnaire (TSRQ)). TSRQ scores were used to distinguish different types of motivation: amotivation, controlled motivation, and autonomous motivation. Linear multilevel regression analyses, adjusting for age, gender, weight status and educational training level, were used to investigate the association between type of motivation and dietary and physical activity behaviours.

Results: For dietary behaviours, a negative association between autonomous motivation and portions of high-calorie snacks can be seen. Autonomous motivation showed a positive association with the amount of fruit and water intake per day and breakfast frequency. Controlled motivation showed no significant associations with any of the dietary variables. Amotivation showed a positive associations with portions of high-calorie snacks per week and with diet soda consumption, while a negative association was found with breakfast frequency. For physical activity behaviours, autonomous motivation was positively associated with moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. No other significant associations between type of motivation and physical activity behaviours were found.

Conclusion: In general, dietary and physical activity behaviours of secondary vocational students are poor. Type of motivation according to SDT seems to partly explain dietary and physical activity behaviours in secondary vocational education students. Autonomous motivation in particular was shown to be associated with healthy behaviours and could therefore be a valuable intervention target.

Purpose: Experimental results have suggested that exergames involving inter-team competition may elicit greater psychosocial and physiological benefits than single-player exergames (Moss et al., 2018). However, few exergames allow two teams of players to compete against each other in the same session (Mackintosh et al., 2016). Furthermore, no study has compared an exergame session and a control condition using both an inter-team competition mode. As a new exergame platform, Play Lü (Lü Interactive Playground, Québec, Canada) is primarily centred on a multiplayer mode allowing up to six players simultaneously engaged in a same session. This study estimated the effects of an inter-team competition exergame condition (Play Lü) on adolescents’ moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and situational interest (SI) compared to an inter-team competition control condition. 

Methods: One hundred and twenty-eight adolescents (69 girls; M_age = 13.9; SD = 1.2) completed two 15-min inter-team competition sessions (two teams of three players) using a counterbalanced measures design. They practiced a Play Lü session including Dojo, Pila and Scala games, and a control session using a tic-tac-toe throwing game. Their PA was assessed by ActiGraph accelerometers and their SI via a validated scale immediately after each session.

Results: Repeated measures MANOVA revealed higher scores for adolescents’ MVPA (67.19% vs. 48.62%, p < .01), triggering-SI (3.88 vs. 2.99, p < .01), maintained-SI feeling (3.67 vs. 2.59, p < .01) and maintained-SI value (3.62 vs. 2.18, p < .01) during the Play Lü session compared to the tic-tac-toe control session.    

Conclusions: This study showed that an inter-team competition exergame using Play Lü might be a good option to enhance adolescents’ PA and SI. The Play Lü platform offers opportunities for exergame researchers to design and test multiplayer sessions manipulating the cooperation and competition elements.

Mackintosh, K.A., Standage, M., Staiano, A.E., Lester, L., & McNarry, M.A. (2016). Investigating the physiological and psychosocial responses of single- and dual-player exergaming in young adults. Games for Health Journal, 5(6), 375-381.

Moss, T., Feltz, D.L., Kerr, N.L., Smith, A.L., Winn, B., & Spencer, B. (2018). Intergoup competition in exergames: Further tests of the Köhler effect. Games for Health Journal, 7(4), 240-245.

Aim: Use 2019 Irish Sports Monitor (ISM) data on determinants of Physical Activity behaviours to develop theories that explain the rise and fall of participation levels across different sports during COVID-19.

Methods: In 2019, Sport Ireland used a flexi module of the ISM to undertake research with approximately 1,400 people to better understand PA behaviours in Ireland as they relate to the COM-B model of Behaviour Change. 12 questions were asked on the module- 4 each on capability, opportunity and, motivation.

In 2020, a survey of over 7,400 respondents was undertaken between February and September to provide insights into sports participation and recreational walking trends throughout Covid-19.

Results: The 2020 Covid-19 research reported a significant increase in physical activity levels. At the peak of the pandemic restrictions in Ireland, 7% of the population, approximately 255,000 people, who were previously inactive, started walking or taking part in sport.

COVID-19 and the associated restrictions had limited impact on population capability levels. Capability takes time to build or diminish and some of the behavioural changes we found occurred almost instantly and at scale, indicating that levels of physical and psychological capability were not primary factors in reducing population inactivity. 

The impact COVID-19 has had on opportunity could largely explain the fall in participation levels of facility based and team based sports. This is off set by the stay at home phase which resulted in large parts of the population having more free time, a dimension of physical opportunity. However, something additional must have inspired 255,000 previously inactive people to use this free time to start walking or taking part in sport- motivation.

The 2019 ISM study found that motivation is the COM-B domain most predictive of physical activity levels. Having a routine and setting a goal that supported physical activity showed the most significant correlation to people’s physical activity levels. This may indicate that high levels of reflective motivation were triggered within the population as the pandemic hit. The changes in reflective motivation combined with increased time can explain the significant reductions in population inactivity.

Conclusion:These findings suggest that we need to improve our understanding of the dimensions of reflective and automatic motivation, beginning with the promotion and establishment of sport and physical activity goals and routines at population levels to drive up sports participation. 

Purpose: During the Covid-19 lockdown, Santé publique France launched a behavioural surveillance system (CoviPrev survey) to assess the impact of lockdown on the health behaviours of the population. One wave of this survey, conducted from May 4 to 6, 2020, studied the levels of physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) of French adults and the change in these behaviours compared to before lockdown.

Methods: An independent sample of 2,000 adults, living in metropolitan France, was interviewed online. Representativeness was ensured by quota sampling and data were adjusted according to the 2016 population census. The prevalence of insufficient PA (<30 min/day), noteworthy SB (sitting time >7 hours/day) and the frequency of sitting time breaks were assessed and analysed, as well as their associations with sociodemographic and mental health variables. Reported changes in PA and sitting time compared to before lockdown were analysed using multivariate models.

Results: During the lockdown, half of the population had insufficient PA and one-third reported a high level of SB. The majority (55%) did not break their sitting time at the recommended frequencies. Compared to before lockdown, 47% of adults reported that they decreased their PA and 61% they increased their daily sitting time. Insufficient PA concerned more people in lower socio-professional categories or with no professional activity, as well as women with fewer qualifications, work stoppage or partially unemployment. A reported decrease in PA was associated with high social status and, among men, teleworking. The reported increase in sitting time was associated with teleworking and short-time working. Insufficient PA, noteworthy SB, decreased PA and increased sitting time compared to before lockdown were associated, differently by gender, with anxiety, depression or sleep disorders.

Conclusions: This study shows a decline of PA and an increase of SB in French adults during the COVID-19 lockdown. It highlights the importance of promoting an active lifestyle in such a situation, in order to maintain the physical and mental health of the population. Preventive measures to limit sedentary behaviours also appear particularly important in the context of telework, which is likely to develop beyond the Covid-19 pandemic.

Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly altered people’s daily lives, in particular, their physical activity patterns. Lockdowns precluded access to gym facilities with potential severe consequences for the fitness context and its workers. 

This work sought to examine the impact of first COVID-19 lockdown (March->May, 2020) on fitness professionals work-related motivation, motivational strategies used, levels of engagement and burnout signs motivational, and their perceptions concerning their professional future.

Methods: A qualitative study, using the framework of Self-Determination Theory (looking at work-related motivation, motivational strategies used, levels of engagement and burnout signs,) was carried out through a focus group approach. Transcripts were analyzed using inductive content analysis (MAXQDA). Data was collected from 24 Portuguese fitness club managers, personal trainers and group trainers ( three focus Groups). 

Results: Several main categories emerged from transcripts content analysis :1) the need to comply with social confinement rules, driven by the desire to overcome the pandemic risks and return to professional daily routines; 2) autonomous motivation, driven by passion, challenge and the need to inspire; 3) internal and external pressures had a negative impact on work-related motivation; 4) burnout symptoms were expressed related to uncertainty regarding the future and constrains on their practice (e.g digital classes); 5) motivational strategies included increased levels of choice, opportunities to innovate and adapt,  aiming at providing appropriate prescription and interaction, using, for example, online tools. Furthermore, the professionals referred to how these topics would negatively affect their work with clients and the promotion of their exercise behaviors.

Conclusion: This study identified constraints in motivation to work and strategies used in fitness professionals in response to the first COVID-19 related social confinement. Despite the experienced pressures, there was an effort to provide adequate need-supportive strategies to their clients during digital classes. Nonetheless, burnout signs warrant further attention as they can compromise not only mental health and professional practices of the professionals itself, but also the much-needed exercise promotion with their clients.