Health Related Physical Fitness Measures: Reference Values and Predictive Equations for Saudi Female College Students

Health related-physical fitness (HRPF) is critical for maintaining and enhancing health and quality of life. Purposes: To estimate the reference values and predictive equations for frequently used clinical field HRPF measures in a sample of Saudi female college students aged 18 - 24 years. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, body fat percentage (BF %) was estimated. Curl-up test (CUT) and sit and reach test (SRT) were applied in 216 students. The Queen’s College Step Test (QCST) was used to predict maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max). Physical activity (PA) level was also measured using International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Results: The mean of BF %, SRT, CUT, and predicted VO2 max were 23.98% ± 6.13%, 17.10 ± 7.50 cm, 28.17 ± 7.72 number/min, and 39.58 ± 4.01 ml/kg/min respectively. There was no significant effect of age on all HRPF measures except for BF % (F (6,215) = 3.25, p (6,215) = 4.01, p strated that BMI was the predictor for BF % and SRT and explained 65% and 4% of total variance respectively. IPAQ score, age, and height were the predictors of CUT counting 17% of total variance. While, BMI and IPAQ score were the predictors for VO2 max and explained 13% of the total variance. Conclusion: Reference values can be used clinically in the evaluation of HRPF, in the rehabilitation process as well as in designing a program to improve the HRPF for female college students with consideration of age, height, BMI, and PA level for a particular population.

Effects of a school-based karate intervention on academic achievement,psychosocial functioning,and physical fitness:A multi-country cluster randomized controlled trial

Purpose:To examine the effects of a school-based karate intervention on academic achievement,psychosocial functioning,and physical fitness in children aged 7-8 years.Methods:Twenty schools in 5 different European countries(2 second-grade classrooms per school)participated in a cluster randomized controlled trial(Sport at School trial).Participants were assigned to either a control group,which continued with their habitual physical education lessons,or to an intervention group,which replaced these lessons with a 1-year karate intervention(Karate Mind and Movement program).A total of 721 children(344 girls and 377 boys,7.4±0.5 years old,mean±SD)completed the study,of which 333 and 388 were assigned to the control group and intervention group,respectively.Outcomes included academic performance(average grade),psychosocial functioning(Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire for parents),and different markers of physical fitness(cardiorespiratory fitness,balance,and flexibility).Results:The intervention provided small but significant benefits compared to the control group for academic achievement(d=0.16;p=0.003),conduct problems(d=-0.28;p=0.003),cardiorespiratory fitness(d=0.36;p<0.001),and balance(d=0.24;p=0.015).There was a trend towards significant benefits for flexibility(d=0.24;p=0.056).No significant benefits were observed for other variables,including psychosocial difficulties,emotional symptoms,hyperactivity/inattention,peer problems,or prosocial behaviour(all p>0.05).Conclusion:A 1-year school-based karate intervention was effective in improving academic achievement,conduct problems,and physical fitness in primary school children.The results support the inclusion of karate during physical education lessons.

Using ChatGPT to promote college students’participation in physical activities and its effect on mental health

As one of the most famous large language models,ChatGPT has great potential for application in physical education.It can provide personalized exercise plans,a variety of exercise options,and interactive support.The integration of ChatGPT into the teaching process can promote college students’participation in physical activities and improve their mental health while expanding the traditional teaching environment and promoting the reform of traditional teaching methods.However,the application of ChatGPT faces challenges and obstacles in physical education.To make full use of ChatGPT in physical education,it can be combined with wearable devices and sports equipment to enhance the efficiency of interactions with users.Relevant policies are urgently needed to avoid the improper use of users’data.

Relationship between physical activity and specific working memory indicators of depressive symptoms in university students

BACKGROUND The detection rate of depression among university students has been increasing in recent years,becoming one of the main psychological diseases that endangers their physical and mental health.According to statistics,self-harm and suicide,for which there is no effective intervention,are the second leading causes of death.AIM To explore the relationship between different elements and levels of physical activity and college students’depression-symptom-specific working memory indicators.METHODS Of 143 college students were analyzed using the Beck Depression Self-Rating Scale,the Physical Activity Rating Scale,and the Working Memory Task.RESULTS There was a significant difference between college students with depressive symptoms and healthy college students in completing verbal and spatial working memory(SWM)tasks correctly(all P<0.01).Physical Activity Scale-3 scores were significantly and positively correlated with the correct rate of the verbal working memory task(r=0.166)and the correct rate of the SWM task(r=0.210)(all P<0.05).There were significant differences in the correct rates of verbal and SWM tasks according to different exercise intensities(all P<0.05)and different exercise durations(all P<0.05),and no significant differences in the correct rates of verbal and SWM tasks by exercise frequency(all P>0.05).CONCLUSION An increase in physical exercise among college students,particularly medium-and high-intensity exercise and exercise of 30 min or more,can improve the correct rate of completing working memory tasks.

Knowledge towards Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation among Training Doctors and Medical Students at the Mohammed VI University Hospital of Marrakech

The aim of our study is to evaluate the knowledge regarding physical medicine and rehabilitation among physicians in training and medical students at the Mohammed VI University Hospital in Marrakech, to approach the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of doctors regarding physical medicine and rehabilitation and evaluate the knowledge in theoretical training related to PRM among the students. We conducted a monocentric cross-sectional analytical study, using a web-based anonymous survey, carried out among 558 undergraduate student and training doctors, randomly selected in the form of a survey on the knowledge towards Physical Medicine and rehabilitation. We received 558 survey duly completed by students of the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Marrakech (62.4%) and training doctors (37.6%). The mean age of the participants was 24.53 ± 3.9 years, with extremes ranging from 17 to 39 years. 52.7% of the participants were from the former educational reform, The predominance of participation was remarkable among pediatricians 23%, The population who knew PRM was the majority (79.3%), 40.7% of the participants were unaware of the availability of a PRM department at Mohamed VI University Hospital, 0.5% of all training doctors and medical students questioned strongly agreed with the sufficiency of their training in disability management were belonging to the new reform, 84.1% of participants had never attended or referred a patient to the PRM department. 23.2% of training doctors affirmed the referral of patients to PRM for further management. Despite the essential role of PRM in the management of diseases, it remains little known by training doctors and medical students. This lack of knowledge of PRM reflects the lack of the undergraduate and postgraduate of the medical education in the field of rehabilitation.

Research on the Deep Integration Mechanism of National Fitness Campaign and College Physical Education Teaching:Taking Guangdong University of Science and Technology as an Example

By using the methods of literature review,questionnaire survey,and expert interview,this paper discusses and analyzes the deep integration mechanism of national fitness campaign and college physical education teaching,in order to promote the development of college physical education teaching reform,expand ideas,explore new fields,and provide novel development directions.The purpose is to enhance the national physical quality,improve the public service system,enhance the health awareness of the citizens,and provide guidelines for promoting the development of sports.

Study on the Influence of New Media on College Students’ Physical Exercise Behavior

New media is becoming an important method to promote physical exercise,and it is also an essential factor affecting the physical exercise behavior of college students.This study takes the influence of new media sports information on college students’physical exercise behavior as the research objective.By using a questionnaire survey and mathematical statistics,545 college students in Shandong Province of China are selected as research samples.Based on the theory of new media exposure,fitness behavior theory,and self-efficacy theory,this study systematically discusses the influence and mechanism of new media exposure on the physical exercise behavior of college students in Shandong Province,so as to help college students improve their physical exercise behavior.

Influence of exercise habits and physical fitness level on subjective fatigue symptoms in adolescent students

This study aimed to examine the influence of exercise habits and physical fitness level on subjective fatigue symptoms (SFS) in adolescent students. Four hundred and one healthy young male adults (age: 16.5 +/- 1.2 yr) participated in the physical fitness test of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in Japan and responded to the questionnaire on exercise habits and SFS. SFS questionnaire was conducted 6 times with a week interval during the physical fitness test. SFS was compared among groups with different physical fitness levels and exercise habit. Significant differences were found in difficulty with concentrated thinking, languor and low vigor, with the high physical fitness group having lower values of the three fatigue factors than the low physical fitness group regardless of affiliation with sports club and gyms, exercise frequency and time. SFS is largely affected by physical fitness level but very little by exercise habits.

Occupation, Physical Fitness and Adiposity Markers among Security Guards and Students of Delhi University

Physical fitness and health are reciprocal to each other and examining adiposity is an important parameter to assess physical fitness. The present study examines the relationship between different adiposity markers and physical fitness based on occupation. A cross sectional sample of 82 security guards (mean age: 36.86 ± 8.72) and 43 students (mean age: 23.4 ± 3.86) of Delhi University were studied. Anthropometric measurements (height, body weight, waist and hip circumference) and socio-demographic characteristics were ascertained. Body composition parameters (body fat percentage, fat mass, fat free mass, muscle mass, total body water, bone mass and visceral fat) were assessed by bioelectric-impedance method using Tanita Body Composition Analyzer (BCA). Harvard step test was performed to test the physical fitness using Rapid Fitness Index. Student’s t test was used to compare the physical fitness and adiposity markers between the security guards and the students. ANOVA was used to categorize the level of physical fitness with adiposity markers amongst the two groups. As RFI scores decreased, mean value of body weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, MUAC, fat mass, visceral fat and BMI increased among the security guards showing a trend which indicates that with an increase in adiposity, the tendency to perform physical work decreases. However, no consistent trend as such was observed amongst the students between the RFI categories. Nevertheless, Delhi University students were found to be more physically fit than the security guards that may be attributable to the differences in their leisure time physical activity preferences and occupational workloads besides the underlying genetic, metabolic or dietary influences. Workplace interventions to reduce occupational sitting among the university security guards may boost cardiorespiratory fitness in the long run.

Scoping review on health-related physical fitness in patients with inflammatory bowel disease:Assessment,interventions,and future directions

BACKGROUND Reaching the Selecting Therapeutic Targets in Inflammatory Bowel Disease-II(STRIDE-II)therapeutic targets for inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)requires an interdisciplinary approach.Lifestyle interventions focusing on enhancing and preserving health-related physical fitness(HRPF)may aid in improving subjective health,decreasing disability,or even controlling inflammation.However,ambiguity remains about the status and impact of HRPF(i.e.body composition,cardiorespiratory fitness,muscular strength,muscular endurance,and flexibility)in IBD patients,hindering the development of physical activity and physical exercise training guidelines.AIM To review HRPF components in IBD patients and the impact of physical activity and physical exercise training interventions on HRPF.METHODS A systematic search in multiple databases was conducted for original studies that included patients with IBD,assessed one or more HRPF components,and/or evaluated physical activity or physical exercise training interventions.RESULTS Sixty-eight articles were included.No study examined the complete concept of HRPF,and considerable heterogeneity existed in assessment methods,with frequent use of non-validated tests.According to studies that used gold standard tests,cardiorespiratory fitness seemed to be reduced,but findings on muscular strength and endurance were inconsistent.A limited number of studies that evaluated physical activity or physical exercise training interventions reported effects on HRPF,overall showing a positive impact.CONCLUSION We performed a scoping review using a systematic and iterative approach to identify and synthesize an emerging body of literature on health-related physical fitness in patients with IBD,highlighting several research gaps and opportunities for future research.Findings of this review revealed a gap in the literature regarding the accurate assessment of HRPF in patients with IBD and highlighted important methodological limitations of studies that evaluated physical activity or physical exercise training interventions.This scoping review is a step towards performing studies and systematic reviews in the future,which was not possible at present given the heterogeneity in endpoints and designs of the available studies on this topic.Future well-designed studies are required to determine the optimal training paradigm for improving HRPF in patients with IBD before guidelines can be developed and integrated into the therapeutic strategy.

Investigating College Students’ Diet and Physical Activity Behaviors Regarding Non-Communicable Diseases Prevention in China

We aimed to investigate if college students’ dietary and physical activity adhered to the Chinese Dietary Guidelines, the Composing Editorial Board of Physical Activity Guidelines, and WHO recommendation for NCDs prevention. Methods: A 3-day (2 weekdays and 1 weekend day) 24-hour (24-HRs) dietary recall was conducted to record details of participants’ food consumption. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied to examine the influence of the identified demographic variables (including BMI, gender, major, family monthly income, and place of household registration) on the 8 food groups’ consumption. We analyzed the effect of the various demographic variables on sodium intake by the student’s t-test. The questionnaire, International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ)-Short Form, was utilized to assess participants’ physical activity (PA) level. The Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney was applied to analyze participants’ physical activity. Results: Our research indicated participants consumed much fewer fruits and vegetables and excessive meats on average for both males and females regarding NCDs prevention. Conclusion: Participants’ dietary intake did not comply with the Chinese Dietary Guide-lines recommendation for chronic diseases prevention. Nutrition knowledge and health education are needed for college students. .

Influence of physical education on anxiety, depression, and selfesteem among college students

BACKGROUND Physical education is pivotal in our country’s education reform.Urban schools have notably enhanced the intensity of physical education in recent years.However,the effects of physical education on students'anxiety,depression,and self-esteem levels,as well as their interrelations,remain unexplored.Compared with the domestic norms,SAS and SDS scores were higher,and SES scores were lower(P<0.05).Among the participants,210(43.93%)had PARS-3 scores below 20,94(19.67%)had scores of 20-42,and 174(36.40%)had scores above 42.After adjusting for daily sleep time,gender,being an only child,major,father’s educational background,mother’s educational background,and family residence,PARS-3 scores were independent influencing factors for anxiety,depression,and low self-esteem(P<0.05).The AUC of PARS-3 scores predicting anxiety,depression,and low self-esteem were 0.805(0.760-0.849),0.799(0.755-0.843),and 0.831(0.788-0.874),respectively.The sensitivities were 0.799,0.801,and 0.748,and the specificities were 0.743,0.716,and 0.814,respectively.PARS-3 was negatively correlated with SAS and SDS scores(r=-0.566,-0.621,both P<0.001)and positively correlated with SES scores(r=-0.621,P<0.001).SES scores were negatively correlated with SAS and SDS scores(r=-0.508,r=-0.518,both P<0.001).CONCLUSION The amount of physical activity is negatively correlated with anxiety and depression degree and positively correlated with self-esteem degree.

Correlation and pathways of behavioral activation systems mediating physical activity level and depressive symptoms among college students

BACKGROUND Depression is a common mental disorder among college students.The main symptoms include being persistent low mood,sad emotional experiences,lack of pleasure,listlessness,and impaired cognitive function accompanied by tendencies of self-harm and suicide.AIM To clarify the pathways and effects of the behavioral activation system between physical activity and depressive symptoms in college students with depressive symptoms.METHODS This cross-sectional research screened 3047 college students.Of these,472 had depressive symptoms,with a depression detection rate of 15.49%.Furthermore,442 college students with depressive symptoms were analyzed.A one-way analysis of variance and Pearson’s correlation,linear regression,and structural equation modeling analyses were used to explore the correlations and pathways of the interactions between the variables.RESULTS Depressive symptoms were significantly negatively correlated with physical activity(r=-0.175,P<0.001),the behavioral activation system(r=-0.197,P<0.001),and drive(r=-0.113,P=0.017).Furthermore,it was negatively correlated with fun-seeking(FS)(r=-0.055,P=0.251);however,it was not significant.Physical activity was significantly positively correlated with reward responsiveness(RR)(r=0.141,P=0.003)and drive(r=0.124,P=0.009)and not significantly positively correlated with FS(r=0.090,P=0.058).The mediating effect of RR between physical activity and depressive symptoms was significant[B=-0.025,95%confidence interval(95%CI):-0.051 to-0.008,P=0.001].The direct and total effects of physical activity on depressive symptoms and were significant(B=-0.150,95%CI:-0.233 to-0.073,P<0.001;B=-0.175,95%CI:-0.260 to-0.099,P<0.001),respectively.CONCLUSION As physical activity levels increased,depression scores among college students decreased.The mediating effect of RR between physical activity and depressive symptoms was significant.Therefore,colleges and universities should encourage college students with depression to increase their physical activity and improve their behavioral activation system.Particular attention should be paid to RR,which may reduce the prevalence of depressive symptoms.

The Positive Effects of Physical Exercise on Mental Health Among Chinese Students Under Great Competitive Pressure

Under an environment full of competitive stress,students tend to form negative emotions,and the time for them to engage in physical exercise is greatly limited due to overwhelming academic tasks.Therefore,in this paper,we focus on acknowledging the purpose of physical exercise,and how physical exercise affects the mental health of students under stressful circumstances but not in the context of leisure.Questionnaire was distributed to participants with an average age of 20,to investigate their preference,frequency,and reason for exercising,and their attitude towards it.Our results showed that participants think that exercise can strengthen the body,relieve stress,improve fitness and interpersonal relationship regardless of their purpose such as interests,emotional necessity and even out of non-subjective ideas.In conclusion,physical exercise helped to improve students’mental health especially under great pressure and ultimately,it will enhance their academics and bring about the unity of mind and body.

Discussion on the Impact of“Shift System”Teaching Model of Physical Education on Students’Mental Health

The“shift system”teaching model of physical education is an emerging education model that aims to improve students’independent choice and personalized development.However,there are also some challenges in the practical application of this model.For example,there are mental health issues for some students including difficulty in adaptation,social interaction,high psychological pressure,etc.Based on this,this article analyzes the impact of the“shift system”teaching model of physical education on students’mental health and explores the optimization path of the physical education“shift system”teaching model in order to promote students’mental health and all-round development.

Analysis of the Current Situation of the National Student Physical Fitness Test

The physical health level of adolescents is related to the future of the motherland and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.Through literature review,induction method,and logical analysis,this paper analyzes the policies related to students’physical health,explains the current situation of physical health testing of students in China,summarizes the problems that occur in the process of physical health testing,and finally puts forward suggestions for optimizing physical health testing of college students.

试析发展学生“体适能”(physical fitness)在体育教学中的地位

通过文献资料法分析了"体适能"在学校体育教学中的地位,认为发展学生体适能必将引起教学目标、教学内容、教学方式和教学评价体系的改变;有利于课内外一体化教学的进程;也有利于"学生体质健康标准"的顺利实施。

The Impact of Sports Games on the Psychological Health of Middle School Students

This study conducted a 16-week comparative experiment with 160 students from Jinan No.5 Middle School in Shandong Province as the experimental subjects.During the implementation of the experiment,the subjects were divided into two groups:an experimental group and a control group.The experimental group was subjected to physical exercise interventions using sports game teaching methods during physical education class,while the control group followed traditional physical education teaching methods.The results showed that the psychological health status of the students in the experimental group was significantly better than that of the control group after the experiment.The application of sports games helps to improve the psychological health of middle school students in the course of physical education,promoting a positive and forward direction in student psychology and is an effective means to enhance the psychological health level of middle school students.

Physical activity, physical fitness, and body mass index in the Chinese child and adolescent populations： An update from the 2016 Physical Activity and Fitness in China The Youth Study

In this special issue of the Journal of Sport and Health Science,analyses of the most recent national prevalence estimates from the 2016 Physical Activity and Fitness in China—The Youth Study(PAFCTYS)are presented.These include the prevalence of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity(MVPA)。

Prevalence of physical fitness in Chinese school-aged children： Findings from the 2016 Physical Activity and Fitness in China -The Youth Study

Purpose: This study was to present the 2016 prevalence estimates of Chinese school-aged children meeting physical fitness standards and to examine differences by sex and residence locales in children who did not meet fitness standards.Methods: We conducted cross-sectional analyses of 171,991 children and adolescents(boy: 50.0%, Grades 1–12) who participated in the 2016 Physical Activity and Fitness in China—The Youth Study. The main outcomes were fitness measures, assessed by the 2014 revised Chinese National Student Physical Fitness Standard(CNSPFS), covering areas of aerobic capacity, upper body strength, flexibility, body mass index,abdominal strength, and trunk strength. Children's overall physical fitness performance was categorized, per CNSPFS standards, as excellent,good, pass, or no pass. Data on the prevalence of physical fitness categories and not meeting fitness standards(i.e., among children who received a "no pass" mark) were analyzed, through logistic regression, by sex(boy, girl) and residence locales(urban, rural) across 3 school grades(primary,junior middle, and junior high).Results: In 2016, 5.95% of Chinese children and adolescents achieved an "excellent" mark, 25.80% received a "good" rating, 59.90% received a "pass", and 8.35% received a "no pass". Overall, boys were more likely to not pass the fitness standards compared with girls(adjusted odds ratio(a OR) = 1.710; 95% confidence interval(CI): 1.708–1.712) and children living in urban areas were more likely to not pass the standards than those living in rural areas(a OR = 1.298; 95%CI: 1.296–1.299). Consistent patterns of not meeting fitness standards were also found by sex and residence locales across all 3 school grades.Conclusion: In the Chinese school-aged population, about 3 in 10 children achieved an "excellent" or "good" fitness standard in 2016, and about8% of this population did not meet CNSPFS standards. Children living in urban areas were more likely to not meet minimum fitness performance levels, and boys in school were more likely to not meet minimum fitness performance levels than girls.