Submit to Special Issue Submit Abstract to Special Issue Review for JFMK Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Special Issue "Health Promotion in Children and Adolescents through Sport and Physical Activities—4th Edition"

Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Published Papers

A special issue of Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology (ISSN 2411-5142). This special issue belongs to the section "Physical Exercise for Health Promotion".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2023 | Viewed by 4767

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Antonino Bianco

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Department of Psychological, Pedagogical, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, 90144 Palermo, Italy
Interests: physical activity; training; strength and conditioning; health promotion; COVID-19 pandemic
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

After the first, second and third editions' success, we are proposing the Special Issue “Health Promotion in Children and Adolescents through Sport and Physical Activities during the COVID-19 pandemic — 3rd Edition” to continue investing in this topic of particular interest. In line with the previous editions, the idea is to collect studies investigating the role of physical activity and sport in physical and mental well-being, with a particular focus on practical implications, innovation, tools, and technique development during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

This Special Issue will address pediatric exercise science as a key scientific discipline that can help future generations live longer and better.

It is already clear that sedentariness and a low level of muscular strength significantly affect cognitive functions and daily relations.

Still, I think it can be of interest to understand the key determinants of health promotion in youngsters by physical activity and how we can help professionals better manage related concerns.

Authors are invited to submit letters, original research papers, case studies, meta-analyses, scoping and systematic reviews.

Dr. Antonino Bianco
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

physical activity
training
conditioning
health promotion
pediatric exercise science
sport
COVID-19 pandemic
sedentary lifestyle
SARS-CoV-2

Published Papers (6 papers)

Download All Papers

Order results

Result details

Show export options Show export options

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Open AccessArticle

Mediating Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Associations between Physical Activity and Physical Fitness; Cross-Sectional Study among High School Adolescents

Mirela Sunda

Barbara Gilic

Petra Rajkovic Vuletic

Vladimir Pavlinovic

and

Natasa Zenic

J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2023, 8(3), 131; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk8030131 - 06 Sep 2023

Viewed by 352

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic and the imposed social distancing measures caused negative changes in physical activity levels (PALs) and physical fitness (PF) among adolescents, but the potential mediating effect of the pandemic on the association between PAL and PF is unknown. This study aimed to evaluate gender-specific associations between objectively measured PAL and indices of PF among high school adolescents during the period of the COVID-19 pandemic. The participants were 150 adolescents (101 females) aged 14–18 years; their anthropometrics were evaluated, and they were tested on PF (cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF; beep test), power (broad jump), flexibility (sit-and-reach test), and abdominal strength (sit-ups)) and PAL (using a pedometer for 7 days) during the pandemic period. A T-test was calculated to determine differences between genders. Associations between variables were evaluated using Pearson correlations. Additionally, multivariate taxonomic classification was used to sort participants into homogenous groups (clusters) according to their PF, and then analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to differentiate them according to PAL. For the total sample, PAL was correlated with CRF only (R = 0.25, p < 0.05), while gender-stratified correlations showed that PAL was significantly associated with CRF among girls only (R = 0.29, p < 0.05), which was additionally confirmed with multivariate cluster analysis and subsequent ANOVA. No association between PAL and PF was found for boys. The relatively low association between PAL and PF is most likely related to the mediating effect of the change in life circumstances during the COVID-19 pandemic, and limited applicability of pedometers in evaluating high-intensity PAL. Further studies in other age groups and environments are warranted. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Promotion in Children and Adolescents through Sport and Physical Activities—4th Edition)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Open AccessArticle

Can 16 Minutes of HIIT Improve Attentional Resources in Young Students?

Karina E. Andrade-Lara

Pedro Ángel Latorre Román

Juan Antonio Párraga Montilla

and

José Carlos Cabrera Linares

J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2023, 8(3), 116; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk8030116 - 11 Aug 2023

Viewed by 415

Abstract

Attentional resources are a cornerstone of both cognitive and academic performance. The purpose of this study was to analyse the effect of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) sessions on selective attention and visuoperceptual ability in young students. A total of 134 students (12.83 ± 1.23 years) joined this study. They were randomly assigned to a control group (CG) (n = 67), which watched a documentary, or an experimental group (EG) (n = 67), which performed 16 min of HIIT. Attention and visuoperceptual ability were assessed through the Perception of Similarities and Differences test (Caras-R test). A repeated-measures two-way ANOVA analysis was conducted. The CG showed an increased number of errors compared to the EG (p < 0.001) and showed a lower Impulsivity Control Index (p < 0.001) after the investigation. The EG, meanwhile, showed an increased number of hits (p < 0.001), Impulsivity Control Index (p < 0.001), and attentional efficacy (p < 0.001). In addition, the EG showed a decreased number of errors (p < 0.001) and omissions (p < 0.01). In conclusion, 16 min of HIIT was time-effective in improving selective attention and visuoperceptual ability in young students. These results show the importance of physical exercise and the promotion of physical activity breaks during the academic day to improve learning processes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Promotion in Children and Adolescents through Sport and Physical Activities—4th Edition)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Open AccessArticle

Asynchronous Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback Protocol Effects on Adolescent Athletes’ Cognitive Appraisals and Recovery-Stress States

and

J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2023, 8(3), 94; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk8030094 - 30 Jun 2023

Viewed by 712

Abstract

This study examined the effect of an asynchronous heart rate variability biofeedback (HRV-BFBasync) protocol on national-level adolescent swimmers’ cognitive appraisals and recovery-stress states during a six-week ecological training period. A polynomial mixed-effects multilevel regression analysis approach was used with 27 adolescent national-level swimmers randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 14) and a control group (n = 13). Six waves of assessments of cognitive appraisals and recovery-stress states were completed during six weeks of training preparation in ecological conditions. The results revealed that the HRV-BFBasync protocol significantly predicts lower levels of biopsychosocial stress states and cognitive stress. However, no significant effects were found for biopsychosocial recovery scales and cognitive perceived control. The results suggested that total stress states, sport-specific stress, and cognitive perceived stress evolutions are a function of polynomial time third-degree interactions with HRV-BFB protocol. Overall, this study suggested that the HRV-BFBasync protocol leads adolescent athletes to experience lower biopsychosocial and cognitive stress levels during training periodization. Our results also suggest that HRV-BFB induces complex evolutions over time for stress and recovery states but does not have a predictive function for the recovery states and perceived control. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Promotion in Children and Adolescents through Sport and Physical Activities—4th Edition)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Open AccessArticle

Unilaterally Induced Quadriceps Fatigue during Sustained Submaximal Isometric Exercise Does Not Alter Contralateral Leg Extensor Performance

and

J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2023, 8(2), 85; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk8020085 - 19 Jun 2023

Viewed by 597

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of fatiguing unilateral exercise on the ipsilateral, exercised, and contralateral, non-exercised limb’s post-exercise performance in males and females. Ten males and ten females performed a fatiguing, unilateral isometric leg extension at 50% maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) force. Prior to and immediately after the fatiguing tasks, MVICs were performed for the exercised and non-exercised limb, with surface electromyographic (sEMG) and mechanomyography (sMMG) amplitude (AMP) and mean power frequency (MPF) recorded from each limb’s vastus lateralis. There were no fatigue-induced, sex-dependent, differences in time to task failure (p = 0.265) or ipsilateral performance fatigability (p = 0.437). However, there was a limb by time interaction (p < 0.001) which indicated decreases in MVIC force of the ipsilateral, exercised (p < 0.001), but not the contralateral, non-exercised limb (p = 0.962). There were no sex-dependent, fatigue-induced differences in neurophysiological outcomes between the limbs (p > 0.05), but there was a fatigue-induced difference in sEMG MPF (p = 0.005). To summarize, there were no differences in fatigability between males and females. Moreover, there was insufficient evidence to support the presence of a general crossover effect following submaximal unilateral isometric exercise. However, independent of sex, the neurophysiological outcomes suggested that competing inputs from the nervous system may influence the performance of both limbs following unilateral fatigue. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Promotion in Children and Adolescents through Sport and Physical Activities—4th Edition)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Open AccessArticle

Adolescents’ Out-of-School Physical Activity Levels and Well-Being during the COVID-19 Restrictions in Greece: A Longitudinal Study

Alexandros Lazaridis

Ioannis Syrmpas

Themistoklis Tsatalas

Charalampos Krommidas

and

Nikolaos Digelidis

J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2023, 8(2), 55; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk8020055 - 04 May 2023

Viewed by 982

Abstract

The present study aimed to identify the impact of social distancing measures on adolescents’ physical activity (PA) levels and well-being during the implementation of COVID-19 restrictive measures. There were 438 participants (207 boys and 231 girls), aged 12 to 15 years old (M = 13.5, SD = 0.55). They completed online questionnaires on well-being and PA in three waves (December 2020, February 2021, and June 2021). Correlation analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between well-being and PA variables in the three measurements. Additionally, separate three-way repeated-measures ANOVAs were conducted to capture possible differences in students’ moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) levels, life satisfaction, and subjective vitality among the three measurements due to gender, age, and interaction between gender and age. A significant relation emerged between the MVPA variables and well-being. In all measurements, adolescents’ PA levels did not meet the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations of at least 60 min per day in MVPA. Students’ MVPA levels, life satisfaction, and subjective vitality were significantly higher in the third measurement compared to the first and second ones. Moreover, significant differences emerged in life satisfaction and subjective vitality between boys and girls in the first and third measurements, respectively. The COVID-19 restrictions appeared to negatively influence adolescents’ PA and well-being. Policymakers aimed at facilitating adolescents’ well-being in a similar situation in the future should not adopt measures restricting the participation of adolescents in PA. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Promotion in Children and Adolescents through Sport and Physical Activities—4th Edition)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Open AccessArticle

Association between Stress and Physical Fitness of University Students Post-COVID-19 Pandemic

and

J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2023, 8(1), 33; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk8010033 - 02 Mar 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1306

Abstract

Post-COVID-19 pandemic, most universities changed their educational model from online courses to onsite learning, allowing students to attend regular face-to-face classes. These changes can cause stress in students, which affects physical fitness. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between stress levels and physical fitness in female university students. The participants were 101 female university students, 18–23 years of age. All participants completed the Suan Prung Stress Test-60 (SPST-60). The physical fitness test included body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness, as well as musculoskeletal fitness. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine the associations between SPST-60 scores and physical fitness. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. We found a negative correlation between the sources of stress scores, here environment, and maximal oxygen consumption (β = −0.291; 95% CI, −0.551, −0.031). We also found that symptoms of stress scores in the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems were positively associated with waist-hip circumference ratio (WHR) (β = 0.010; 95% CI, 0.002, 0.017 and β = 0.006; 95% CI, 0.000, 0.012, respectively). Moreover, the symptoms of stress, here emotion, were positively associated with the WHR (β = 0.005; 95 %CI, 0.001, 0.009) and negatively associated with upper extremity muscle strength (β = −0.005; 95% CI, −0.009, 0.000). The results of this study confirmed the associations between stress levels in the post-COVID-19 pandemic era and WHR, maximal oxygen consumption, and upper extremity muscle strength. As a result, stress reduction or prevention alternatives should be considered in order to maintain physical fitness and prevent stress disorders. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Promotion in Children and Adolescents through Sport and Physical Activities—4th Edition)

Show export options Show export options

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

Displaying articles 1-6

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Special Issue "Health Promotion in Children and Adolescents through Sport and Physical Activities—4th Edition"

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editor

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Published Papers (6 papers)

Research

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI