Standing is a solution to reduce or break-up sedentary time (sitting/reclining/lying while awake); however, the measurable health benefits of standing are conflicting. A recent article in the Journal for the Measurement of Physical Behaviour has demonstrated that the thigh-worn activPAL inclinometer can distinguish between passive (no movement) and active (structured micromovements) standing using a machine learning model in lab-based and free-living environments. The predictive model extends beyond previous research by considering three-dimensional aspects of movement into the decision tree model. The ability to characterize these distinct postures is increasingly important to understand the physiological difference between passive and active standing. Notably, active standing, when stepping is not feasible, may be superior to passive standing for improving metabolic activity, reducing fatigue, and enhancing blood flow. Applied to free-living settings, active standing could help mitigate or attenuate some adverse cardiometabolic effects of stationary activity, thereby yielding positive cardiovascular outcomes. As standing gains recognition as a potentially important health behavior, distinguishing between passive and active standing offers a unique opportunity to clarify the health impacts of standing time, contributing to the evidence base. This evidence may contribute to more detailed activity guidelines and support public health initiatives to promote active standing. These advancements have the potential to enhance our understanding of standing behaviors’ health impacts and the possible divergent physiological effects of active versus passive standing.
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Standing Still or Standing Out: Distinguishing Passive and Active Standing Is a Step in the Right Direction
Madeline E. Shivgulam, Emily E. MacDonald, Jocelyn Waghorn, and Myles W. O’Brien
The Effect of the Mamanet Cachibol League on Psychosomatic Symptoms, Healthy Eating, and Social Support Among Arab Women: A Mixed-Methods Study
Karin Eines, Inbal Halevi Hochwald, Gizell Green, Avivit Dolev, Shiran Bord, Yuval Paldi, Liora Shmueli, Sharon Levi, and Riki Tesler
Background: The Mamanet Cachibol League (MCL), a community-based model developed in Israel, promotes physical activity and amateur team sports among women. Women in the Arab society have traditionally played few sports, especially team sports. Aims: The study aimed to assess the differences in health indicators and well-being, including psychosomatic symptoms, self-reported health, healthy eating habits, and social support, by comparing Arab women MCL participants and nonparticipants and examines benefits and motivations of community-based team sports for participants. Methods: An explanatory sequential mixed-methods approach included a cross-sectional study with intervention and control groups of Israeli Arab women aged 25–59 years. Two-way analyses of covariance and multiple regression models evaluated demographics, well-being, healthy eating, and social support. Quality in-depth interviews with 30 MCL participants further explained the quantitative findings. Results : MCL participants reported higher self-assessed health (P < .001) and decreased psychosomatic symptoms (P < .001) than nonparticipants. Healthier eating and well-being were also linked to MCL participation. The women sense of belonging improved social interactions, personal and professional happiness, and group dedication. MCL attendees felt empowered because the group advocated equality and valued women. Women said their involvement helped their families. Conclusions: Findings on the MCL community-based model suggest that team sports may serve as an effective tool for promoting health and well-being of Arab women and foster positive community relationships. The sense of belonging and personal empowerment derived from being part of a sports team may also contribute to positive mental health outcomes.
Physical Activity and Motor Skills in Parent–Child Dyads: Associations With Indoor and Outdoor Home Space
Stephanie A. Palmer, Katherine Q. Scott-Andrews, Nancy G. Ramirez, Alec McKheen, and Leah E. Robinson
Indoor and outdoor home space may support physical activity (PA) and enhance motor skills (MS). However, there is limited knowledge about how indoor and outdoor home space affect PA and MS parent–child dyads. This cross-sectional study examined whether indoor and outdoor home spaces affect PA and MS in children and their parents. MS was measured with the Test of Gross Motor Development-3, and moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) was assessed using accelerometry in 43 and 48 parent–child dyads, respectively. Indoor and outdoor home spaces were self-reported through an online questionnaire. Multiple regression models were fit to determine the relationship between indoor and outdoor home space and MS and MVPA in children and parents separately. Controlling for theory-based covariates, outdoor home space was positively associated with children’s MVPA (p < .05) and parents’ MS (p < .05) but negatively associated with parents’ MVPA (p < .05). Indoor home space was negatively associated with parents’ MS (p < .05). No other significant findings emerged. Findings suggest indoor and outdoor home spaces may play unique roles in supporting PA and MS among parent–child dyads and should be investigated in more rigorous studies.
Physical Activity as a Victim, a Perpetrator, or Part of the Solution to the Climate Crisis?
Peter Gelius, Sven Messing, Antonina Tcymbal, Leonie Birkholz, and Karim Abu-Omar
Humanity is facing a polycrisis, including climate change, loss of biodiversity, and economic inequalities. This commentary examines the role of physical activity (PA) research in the context of climate change, highlighting 3 perspectives: PA as a victim, as a perpetrator, and as part of the solution. The first perspective conceptualizes PA as a victim of climate change, as heat waves, extreme weather events, and high ozone levels pose a threat to health-enhancing PA and sports; adaptation strategies are needed and potentially lifesaving. The second perspective describes PA as a perpetrator to climate change due to the significant carbon footprint of some forms of PA and sport. The third perspective focuses on PA as a solution to climate change, as some forms of PA—such as active transport and urban gardening—have both individual and planetary health benefits. In addition, PA provides health benefits in extreme situations by reducing stress and maintaining health in times of crisis. Each of these 3 perspectives can guide future research in the field of PA and health.
Science Communication in Kinesiology: Examples for Engaging Students
Steven J. Elmer
Scientists have a responsibility to engage with and inform the public about new challenges and discoveries that impact the health of society. However, most scientists do not have formal training in how to communicate scientific information to nonscientists. In this paper, I describe how the Department of Kinesiology and Integrative Physiology at Michigan Technological University incorporated science communication into its undergraduate and graduate curriculum. I also discuss the impact, benefits, and lessons learned from this initiative. My hope is that this paper will inspire other kinesiology programs to provide distinct opportunities for their students to develop science communication skills so that they can better connect with the public and world around them.
Social Justice in Practice—Integrating Ethical Leadership, Inclusive Excellence, and Community Engagement in the Undergraduate Kinesiology Curriculum
Jeffrey Cherubini
Creating opportunities for undergraduate students’ personal and professional development including advocacy for social justice is a relevant topic for kinesiology faculty and administrators. Utilizing a multidisciplinary approach to promote self-awareness, behavior change, and social justice in kinesiology, the purpose of this article is to share and discuss high-impact practices and strategies to infuse ethical leadership, inclusive excellence, and community engagement within the kinesiology curriculum. Principles from kinesiology, public health, sport psychology, leadership studies, pedagogy, and human resources are integrated to help kinesiology faculty facilitate and enhance students’ future professional practices. Frameworks for behavior change for social justice in kinesiology include the decolonizing kinesiology ethics, inclusive excellence, stages of change, and effective communication. Readers are encouraged to “take back to their departments” practices and strategies that can be further modified and integrated into their own kinesiology curriculum.
Sport Participation Trajectories and Loneliness: Evidence From the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children
Katherine B. Owen, Karine E. Manera, Philip J. Clare, Michelle H. Lim, Ben J. Smith, Philayrath Phongsavan, David R. Lubans, Pamela Qualter, Rochelle Eime, and Ding Ding
Background: This study aimed to identify patterns of overall, team, and individual sport participation and examine the prospective associations between these patterns and loneliness in young people. Methods: We analyzed data from 4241 young people, from waves 3 (8–9 y) to 9 (20–21 y) of the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children. We conducted latent class analyses to identify overall and team versus individual sport participation trajectories and used adjusted log-Poisson regression models to examine the associations between these trajectories and loneliness at wave 9. Results: Latent class analyses identified 4 distinct overall sport participation classes which were labeled: nonparticipants (24%), dropouts (42%), initiators (7%), and consistent participants (27%). Compared with nonparticipants, consistent participants had a lower risk of loneliness (risk ratios = 0.69; 95% CIs, 0.59–0.81). Latent class analyses also identified 4 distinct team versus individual sport participation classes: team and individual sport nonparticipants (38%), individual sport participants (14%), moderate team sport participants (14%), and high team sport participants (34%). Compared with the team and individual sport nonparticipants, the high team sports participants had a lower risk of loneliness (risk ratios = 0.70; 95% CIs, 0.53–0.92). Conclusions: Young people who continued participating in sport in general, and particularly in team sport, had a reduced risk of loneliness. Continued participation in sports should be promoted to improve a range of physical, mental, and social health benefits. Furthermore, team-based sport can provide additional health and well-being benefits, including reduced loneliness due to the group nature of participation.
Toowoomba Healthy Towns: A Citizen Science Initiative on Active Transport in Regional South East Queensland, Australia
Tracy Kolbe-Alexander, Paul A. Gardiner, Ann Banchoff, Adam Schmidt, Melinda Covey-Hansen, and Abby C. King
Background: Engaging in active transport will enable individuals across the life course to increase their habitual levels of physical activity. The aim of this study was to engage citizen scientists (CS) to identify factors that influence active transport in their community. Methods: The Our Voice citizen science methodology developed at Stanford University was employed. CS completed a “discovery walk,” taking photos of things that help or hinder active transport. Three groups were recruited: children aged 10–12 years (n = 11), adults (n = 12), and older adults >65 years (n = 10). CS rated each photo and provided a narrative explaining their reason for taking the photo. Once all CS in a specific age group had completed the walk, they met for a group discussion. The CS worked together to analyze the data, arranging them into themes and identifying priority actions. Two CS representatives from each age group presented their findings to the local council decision makers. Results: Children highlighted the need for safer crossings, especially from their school to the local park, and suggested zebra crossings as a solution. The adults highlighted that road signs prioritized vehicles, not pedestrians, and requested that this be reversed. Older adults noted that the poor condition of the pavements made it harder for people in wheelchairs to navigate. The CS recommendations have informed the council’s walking and cycling network program. Conclusion: Engaging with citizen science provided the community with an opportunity to advocate for meaningful yet realistic improvements in the built environment that could promote neighborhood active transport and physical activity across the lifespan.
Amplifying Student Viewpoints on Inclusive Student Experiences for Inclusive Excellence in Kinesiology
DeAnne Davis Brooks, Helen Yolisa Duley, Laura M. Pipe, Carla C. Fullwood, and Christopher A. Aiken
The purpose of this paper is to share how the American Kinesiology Association’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee envisioned, planned, and created an opportunity to show how inclusive excellence can be implemented as a strategy for transformation and change. This was achieved by listening to and intentionally responding with positive outcomes to students who voice their lived experiences in an institution of higher education. The Viewpoints on Inclusive Student Experiences (VOISES) model of student/faculty engagement is explained, along with reflections from two faculty members who participated in VOISES panels—one as an audience member and the other as a panel moderator. The discussion includes suggestions for incorporating student voices generally and the VOISES model specifically as part of a comprehensive diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy.
The ESCAPE Trial for Older People With Chronic Low Back Pain: A Feasibility Study of a Clinical Trial of Group-Based Exercise in Primary Health Care
Hytalo de Jesus Silva, Júlio Pascoal de Miranda, Camila Silva de Melo, Leticia Soares Fonseca, Rodrigo de Oliveira Mascarenhas, Nathalia Soares Veloso, Whesley Tanor Silva, Alessandra de Carvalho Bastone, and Vinícius Cunha Oliveira
Low back pain is a highly disabling health condition that generates high costs for patients and healthcare systems. For this reason, it is considered a serious public health problem worldwide. This pilot study aimed to assess the feasibility of a future randomized controlled trial (RCT) by evaluating adherence to treatment, contamination between groups, satisfaction with treatment, and understanding of the exercise instructions provided by the physiotherapist. Additionally, we sought to identify and implement necessary modifications to the exercise protocol for better suitability in older people. We conducted a prospective, registered pilot RCT comparing an 8-week group-based exercise program with a waiting list in older people (≥60 years old) with chronic low back pain. Sixty participants were recruited through social media, pamphlets, and invitations at community referral centers. The study demonstrated the feasibility of a full RCT. Participants reported high satisfaction with the treatment (i.e., 100% indicated willingness to return for future services) and a high understanding of the exercise instructions (i.e., 81.8% reported “very easy” comprehension). Adherence to the exercise program exceeded the average reported for group exercise interventions in older adults (i.e., 82.58%). Dropout was associated solely with preexisting physical activity levels. The exercise protocol was successfully adapted to better suit the needs of the older adult population. This pilot RCT demonstrates the feasibility of a full-scale RCT to evaluate the effectiveness of group exercise in improving pain intensity and disability in older adults with chronic low back pain. The implemented adjustments to the exercise protocol and overall study approach strengthen the methodological foundation and expected accuracy of the future RCT.
