Implementation of a bicycle-sharing program: An effective way of introducing cycling as mode of transport

School Neighbourhood Built Environment Assessment for Adolescents’ Active Transport to School: Modification of an Environmental Audit Tool and Protocol (MAPS Global-SN)

School neighbourhood built environments (SN-BE) can influence adolescents&rsquo

Effects of Minimalist Footwear and Foot Strike Patterns on Plantar Pressure during a Prolonged Running

The use of minimalist shoes (MS) in running involves changes in running mechanics compared to conventional shoes (CS), but there is still little research analysing the effects of this footwear on plantar pressure, which could help to understand some risk injury factors. Moreover, there are no studies examining the effects of a prolonged running and foot strike patterns on baropodometric variables in MS. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyse the changes produced using MS on plantar pressure during a prolonged running, as well as its interaction with the time and foot strike pattern. Twenty-one experienced minimalist runners (age 38 ± 10 years, MS running experience 2 ± 1 years) ran…

Intra and intersession repeatability and reliability of the S-Plate® pressure platform.

Abstract Aim The aim of this study was to assess the repeatability and reliability of the S-Plate® pressure platform in a group of healthy subjects. Material and methods Forty subjects, free from physical conditions that would affect normal gait, walked along a five-meter corridor while data were recorded from the pressure platform. A total of 10 steps (five each side) were obtained as well as five static trials; the same measurements were repeated one week later. Peak and mean plantar pressures and contact area were recorded for both dynamic and static trials. Additionally, weight supported on each limb was documented during static trials. To assess intrasession and intersession repeatabil…

Physical exercise prescription by primary care nurses

Preparedness for landing after a self-initiated fall.

A startling auditory stimulus (SAS) causes a faster execution of voluntary actions when applied together with the imperative signal in reaction time tasks (the StartReact effect). However, speeding up reaction time may not be the best strategy in all tasks. After a self-initiated fall, the program for landing has to be time-locked to foot contact to avoid damage, and therefore advanced execution of the program would not be convenient. We examined the effects of SAS on the landing motor program in 8 healthy subjects that were requested to let themselves fall from platforms either 50 or 80 cm high at the perception of a visual imperative signal and land on specific targets. In trials at rand…

Ecological correlates of Spanish preschoolers’ physical activity and sedentary behaviours during structured movement sessions

From an ecological perspective that understands health behaviours to be the result of interactions between personal, psychosocial and environmental factors, different authors have described patterns and correlations between physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviours (SB) in physical education (PE). However, to our knowledge there have been no systematic evaluations of the PA levels and patterns during structured movement sessions in preschool children in Spain. Therefore, the aims of this study were: (a) to identify the individual, social and environmental factors that influence PA levels and patterns during structured movement sessions; (b) to assess PA and SB levels during these ses…

Development and reliability of a streetscape observation instrument for international use: MAPS-global

Background: Relationships between several built environment factors and physical activity and walking behavior are well established, but internationally-comparable built environment measures are lacking. The Microscale Audit of Pedestrian Streetscapes (MAPS)-Global is an observational measure of detailed streetscape features relevant to physical activity that was developed for international use. This study examined the inter-observer reliability of the instrument in five countries. Methods: MAPS-Global was developed by compiling concepts and items from eight environmental measures relevant to walking and bicycling. Inter-rater reliability data were collected in neighborhoods selected to var…

Changes in physical activity domains during the transition out of high school: Psychosocial and environmental correlates

Background:This study examined changes in multiple physical activity domains during the transition out of high school and psychosocial and environmental determinants of these changes.Methods:A 1-year prospective study was designed. The baseline sample was composed of 244 last-year high school students (58.6% female) from Valencia, Spain. Follow-up rate was 46%. Physical activity and potential determinants were measured by the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire and other evaluated scales in 2 waves.Results:Total physical activity and active commuting (AC) decreased, respectively, by 21% and 36%, only in males. At time 1, access to car/motorbike (inverse), planning/psychosocial barriers (…

Lipid Profile Results after Cardiovascular Prevention Programme: Euroaction Model in Spain

Background: Cardiovascular prevention and rehabilitation programmes (CVPRP) are an established model of care designed to improve risk factor management. They have been successfully implemented in a variety of settings, in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). Objective: To assess the long term impact of a nurse-coordinated, multidisciplinary, CVPRP in patients with CHD in the reduction of lipid profile and medication prescription in clinical practice. Methods: The study used an analytical, experimental, population based, prospective and longitudinal design. In Spain, the study was conducted in the Valencian Community, including two randomized hospitals. Coronary patients were prospec…

Different neighborhood walkability indexes for active commuting to school are necessary for urban and rural children and adolescents

This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness and the European Regional Development Fund [grant no. DEP2016-75598-R, MINECO/FEDER, UE]. Additionally, this study takes place thanks to the funding from the University of Granada Plan Propio de Investigacion 2016 -Excellence actions: Unit of Excellence on Exercise and Health (UCEES) -and the Junta de Andalucia, Consejeria de Conocimiento, Investigacion y Universidades, European Regional Development Fund [grant no. SOMM17/6107/UGR]. The funding body had no role in the study design or collection, analysis, or interpretation of the data or in writing the manuscript.

Influence of social and environmental variables in declining physical activity during transition to adulthood

Transformational Teaching in Physical Education and Students’ Leisure-Time Physical Activity: The Mediating Role of Learning Climate, Passion and Self-Determined Motivation

In the context of education, this study examined the relationship between perceiving a transformational physical education (PE) teacher and student&rsquo

What distance do university students walk and bike daily to class in Spain

Abstract Introduction Physical activity levels are low in the general population and these levels decrease from childhood to adolescence, as well as from adolescence to adulthood. Active commuting (AC) is an opportunity to increase the physical activity levels. The distance between home and destinations is a main correlate of AC; however, the distance that university students walk or cycle to university is unknown. Methods Participants self-reported their modes and time of commuting to and from university in a questionnaire, and the main mode of commuting was identified. Moreover, they reported their home address, and the Spanish version of Mapquest software was used to measure street-netwo…

Barreras percibidas en el desplazamiento activo al centro educativo: fiabilidad y validez de una escala

Resumen: Objetivo: Examinar la fiabilidad y la validez de una escala para evaluar las barreras percibidas en el desplazamiento activo al centro escolar en jóvenes españoles. Método: La validez de la escala fue evaluada en una muestra de 465 adolescentes (14-18 años de edad) mediante un análisis factorial confirmatorio y a través de la asociación con el transporte activo autorreportado. Una submuestra completó la escala dos veces, con una separación de una semana, a fin de evaluar su fiabilidad. Resultados: Los resultados mostraron que la escala tenía índices de ajuste satisfactorios con dos factores. Un factor incluyó los ítems relativos a ambiente y seguridad (α = 0,72), y otro los ítems s…

Neighborhood Built Environment and Socioeconomic Status are Associated with Active Commuting and Sedentary Behavior, but not with Leisure-Time Physical Activity, in University Students

The role of neighborhood characteristics in promoting physical activity and sedentary behaviors (SB) has not been extensively studied in university students. The study purpose was to analyze the associations of neighborhood built environment and neighborhood socioeconomic status (SES) with active commuting, leisure-time physical activity (LTPA), and SB among university students. This is a cross-sectional study of 308 undergraduate students from two urban universities in Valencia, Spain. Participants&rsquo

Ecological correlates of Spanish adolescents’ physical activity during physical education classes

The public health benefit of school physical education (PE) depends in large part on physical activity (PA) provided during class. According to the literature, PE has a valuable role in public health, and PA levels during PE classes depend on a wide range of factors. The main objective of this study, based on ecological models of behaviour, was to analyse what personal, psychosocial and environmental factors were associated with moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) during PE lessons. The sample consisted of 189 adolescents (60.8% girls; M = 16.3 years, SD = 0.7) from nine high schools. PA was assessed by accelerometer. Differences in PA behaviour between the study groups were evaluated using the…

The new version of the pictorial scale of Perceived Movement Skill Competence in Spanish children: Evidence of validity and reliability. [La nueva versión de la escala pictográfica de Percepción de Competencia de Habilidades Motrices in niños y niñas españoles: Evidencias de validez y fiabilidad].

The purpose of this study was to i) examine reliability and construct validity of the pictorial scale of Perceived Movement Skill Competence (PMSC) aligned to the third version of the Test of Gross Motor Development (TGMD-3) in a sample of Spanish children; and to ii) analyse the validity of the PMSC and children’s perceived motor competence (MC) according to gender. A convenience sample of 361 children (55.7% boys) between 4 and 11 years-old participated. The pictorial scale of PMSC (19 items) was administered (a random subsample repeated the PMSC twice). Test-retest reliability using Intraclass Correlation Coefficients and construct validity using a Bayesian Structural Equation Modeling a…

Psycho-Social Factors in Patients with Cardiovascular Disease Attending a Family-Centred Prevention and Rehabilitation Programme: EUROACTION Model in Spain.

Background: Coronary heart disease (CHD) persists as the leading cause of death worldwide. Cardiovascular prevention and rehabilitation (CVPR) has an interdisciplinary focus, and includes not only in physiological components, but it also addresses psycho-social factors. Methods: The study analysed the Spanish psycho-social data collected during the EUROACTION study. In Spain, two hospitals were randomised in the Valencia community. Coronary patients were prospectively and consecutively identified in both hospitals. The intervention hospital carried out a 16-week CVPR programme, which aimed to assess illness perceptions and establish healthy behaviours in patients and their partners. Results…

Neighborhood built environment and socio-economic status in relation to multiple health outcomes in adolescents.

Abstract The study aim was to examine associations of neighborhood built environment and neighborhood socio-economic status (SES) with multiple physical activity (PA) behaviors, sedentary time, and obesity indicators among adolescents. Cross-sectional study of 325 adolescents aged 14–18 years recruited from schools in Valencia, Spain. Participants' home neighborhoods were classified according to walkability and SES levels. Walkability was defined as an index of three built environment characteristics (i.e., residential density, land use mix, and street connectivity) based on geographic information system data. Moderate-vigorous PA (MVPA) and sedentary time were assessed using accelerometers…

Leisure-Time Physical Activity and Psychological Well-Being in University Students

An analysis of psychological well-being (self-esteem and subjective vitality) of 639 Spanish university students was performed, while accounting for the amount of leisure-time physical activity. The Spanish versions of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and Subjective Vitality Scale were employed. Participants were divided into four groups (Low, Moderate, High, and Very high) depending on estimation of energy expenditure in leisure-time physical activity. Men and women having higher physical activity rated higher mean subjective vitality; however, differences in self-esteem were observed only in men, specifically between Very high and the other physical activity groups.

Impact Acceleration During Prolonged Running While Wearing Conventional Versus Minimalist Shoes.

Purpose: In recent years a sub-group of minimalist runners have emerged who aim to perform physical exercise more naturally in an attempt to reduce running-related injuries. Here we aimed to determine the effect that running with minimalist footwear in a prolonged run has on footimpact accelerations. Method: Seventeen runners ran with minimalist and conventional shoes (MS and CS, respectively) in two separate sessions; the participants had experience with both footwear types. We measured the length and frequency of each stride, as well as the tibial and head impact acceleration every 5 minutes during a prolonged run (30 minutes at 80% of each individual's maximum aerobic speed). Results: Th…

Cardiovascular risk factors in relation to leisure-time physical activity and fruit-vegetable consumption

Relation of body mass index and body fat mass for Spanish university students, taking into account leisure-time physical activity.

The objective of this cross-sectional study was to analyze the relation of Body Mass Index with body fat mass while taking into account the amount of leisure-time physical activity for 299 male university students. Body fat mass was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis. An estimation of energy expenditure in leisure-time physical activity in metabolic equivalents (METs) was obtained so participants were divided into six activity groups by percentile: no physical activity by the first group and participants physically active were divided into five groups by percentiles: <25%, 26–50%, 51–75%, 76–90%, and 91–100%. Correlations of Body Mass Index with body fat mass were strong in di…

Active commuting to school among preschool-aged children and its barriers: An exploratory study in collaboration with parents

Abstract Introduction Active commuting to school (ACS) contributes to children's overall physical activity levels, providing multiple health benefits. However, studies analyzing the modes of transport used among children of preschool age (3–5 years), as well as which factors affect ACS, are scant. Methods We performed a mixed-method study, initially taking a qualitative approach in collaboration with parents of preschool-aged children (i.e., focus groups), to identify their usual modes of commuting to school with their offspring. Following this, we asked parents, through a questionnaire, about the modes of transport to school they use with their children, as well as the weekly use-frequency…

Ecological correlates of Spanish preschoolers’ physical activity during school recess

Early childhood education (ECE) institutions may be one place for young children to obtain a significant proportion of their daily physical activity (PA). Even though young children are generally considered to be very active, and recess time is considered an important environmental factor for promoting PA, evidence suggests that young children spend most recess time participating in sedentary activities. To our knowledge there have been no systematic evaluations of the PA levels and patterns during recess time in Spanish preschool children. Therefore, the aims of this study were threefold: (a) to analyse the PA patterns and sedentary behaviour during recess time in outdoor ECE environments…

Assessing teacher leadership in physical education: the Spanish version of the transformational teaching questionnaire

<p>Drawing from the transformational leadership theory, this study aims to translate and analyse the psychometric properties of a Spanish version of the Transformational Teaching Questionnaire (TTQ).</p><p>A cohort sample of 2107 adolescents (997 males and 1110 females) from 82 secondary schools voluntarily participated in the research.</p><p>In Study 1 ((<em>n</em> = 1066), the exploratory factor analysis informed a one-factor solution. In Study 2  (<em>n</em> = 1041), the confirmatory factor analysis showed the single-factor and the four-factor models showed satisfactory and adequate goodness of fit indices, respectively. Confirmatory …

Perceived barriers to active commuting to school: reliability and validity of a scale

Resumen Objetivo: Examinar la fiabilidad y la validez de una escala para evaluar las barreras percibidas en el desplazamiento activo al centro escolar en jóvenes españoles. Método: La validez de la escala fue evaluada en una muestra de 465 adolescentes (14-18 años de edad) mediante un análisis factorial confirmatorio y a través de la asociación con el transporte activo autorreportado. Una submuestra completó la escala dos veces, con una separación de una semana, a fin de evaluar su fiabilidad. Resultados: Los resultados mostraron que la escala tenía índices de ajuste satisfactorios con dos factores. Un factor incluyó los ítems relativos a ambiente y seguridad (α = 0,72), y otro los ítems so…

Speeding up gait initiation and gait-pattern with a startling stimulus.

Human gait involves a repetitive leg motor pattern that emerges after gait initiation. While the automatic maintenance of the gait-pattern may be under the control of subcortical motor centres, gait initiation requires the voluntary launching of a different motor program. In this study, we sought to examine how the two motor programmes respond to an experimental manipulation of the timing of gait initiation. Subjects were instructed to start walking as soon as possible at the perception of an imperative signal (IS) that, in some interspersed trials was accompanied by a startling auditory stimulus (SAS). This method is known to shorten the latency for execution of the motor task under prepar…

Bicycling to university: Evaluation of a bicycle-sharing program in Spain

: This study examined the change in behavioral stages (e.g. contemplation, action and maintenance) of cycling to university before and after the implementation of a new public bicycle share program (PBSP) and promotion of its use. The study also determined the change in the prevalence, correlates of PBSP use and potential role in the promotion of healthy weight. An 8-month follow-up cross-sectional study (September 2010-April 2011) was carried out among undergraduate students during the first season of implementation of the PBSP in Valencia, Spain. The sample was 173 students (68.2% female) with a mean age of 21.3 years (SD 3.06) who attended a PBSP promotional session. The data were collec…

A School-Based Randomized Controlled Trial to Promote Cycling to School in Adolescents: The PACO Study

This manuscript describes the rationale and protocol of a school-based randomized controlled trial called “Cycling and Walk to School” (PACO, by its Spanish acronym) that aims to promote cycling to and from school and physical activity (PA) in adolescents. This study will examine the effects of this intervention in cycling and active commuting to and from school (ACS), PA and several ACS-related factors based on self-determination theory (SDT) and a social-ecological model (SEM). A total of 360 adolescents attending six high schools (three experimental and three control) from three Spanish cities will participate in this randomized controlled trial. The intervention (four cycling sessions; …

Multifactorial combinations predicting active vs inactive stages of change for physical activity in adolescents considering built environment and psychosocial factors: A classification tree approach.

Precursors of Body Dissatisfaction and its Implication for Psychological Well-Being in Young Adults

The authors examined leisure-time physical activity (LTPA), body mass index (BMI), and perceived physical ability as body dissatisfaction antecedents, and analyzed their relationship to well-being. The sample comprised 501 university students. Data were collected using a self-administered survey. Path analysis revealed that LTPA positively predicted perceived physical ability. BMI and perceived physical ability predicted body dissatisfaction (positively and negatively, respectively). Body dissatisfaction negatively predicted subjective vitality, whereas perceived physical ability positively predicted subjective vitality. These results support the inclusion of LTPA in intervention programs t…

Psychosocial and Environmental Correlates of Sedentary Behaviors in Spanish Children

Purpose. To evaluate children’s psychosocial and environmental factors associated with sedentary behavior (SB).Method. The study involved a total of 420 children (mean 9.2 years; 52.9% girls) from the community of Madrid, Spain. SB and physical activity (PA) were objectively measured using accelerometers. TV viewing and potential correlates were assessed by questionnaire. Mixed-model regression analysis, adjusted for clustering within school locations, evaluated the relation of each independent variable with SBs.Results. Girls showed higher levels of SB than boys, whereas boys reported more TV viewing (p<.001in all cases). Regression analysis showed that MVPA levels were negatively relat…

Active commuting to school among 36,781 Spanish children and adolescents: A temporal trend study.

This study examines trends in the rates of active commuting to school (ACS) in Spanish children (n = 18 343; 8.93 ± 1.68) and adolescents (n = 18 438; 14.11 ± 1.58) aged 6‐18 years from 2010 to 2017. Given the study period included the economic crisis in Spain (2008‐2013), the second aim of this study was to compare ACS rates during and after the economic crisis. Data were obtained from 28 studies conducted across Spain. The overall trends in ACS were evaluated using multilevel logistic regression analysis. Among Spanish children and adolescents, the rates of ACS to school ranged around 60% between 2010 and 2017. The rates of ACS in Spanish youth did not change significantly during the 2010…

The Impact of Mandatory Helmet-Use Legislation on the Frequency of Cycling to School and Helmet Use Among Adolescents

Background:This paper analyzes changes in the frequency of cycling to school and helmet wearing after the introduction of a mandatory helmet law, and attempts to identify factors associated with the acceptance of helmet use.Methods:A mixed-method study was designed with a 7-month follow-up period (April 2014 to November 2014). The initial sample included 262 students (aged 12 to 16 years) from Valencia, Spain. The data were collected by questionnaire and 2 focus-group interviews were conducted.Results:No significant changes in cyclingto-school behavior were found during the study period. Cycle helmet use improved, especially among boys, those who used their own bike, and among adolescents w…

Are postural responses to backward and forward perturbations processed by different neural circuits?

Item does not contain fulltext Startle pathways may contribute to rapid accomplishment of postural stability. Here we investigate the possible influence of a startling auditory stimulus (SAS) on postural responses. We formulated four specific questions: (1) can a concurrent SAS shorten the onset of automatic postural responses?; and if so (2) is this effect different for forward versus backward perturbations?; (3) does this effect depend on prior knowledge of the perturbation direction?; and (4) is this effect different for low- and high-magnitude perturbations? Balance was perturbed in 11 healthy participants by a movable platform that suddenly translated forward or backward. Each particip…

The Role of Preschool Hours in Achieving Physical Activity Recommendations for Preschoolers

Research on physical activity (PA) in different educational settings could elucidate which interventions promote a healthy school lifestyle in early childhood education (ECE). The aims of this study were: (a) to analyse the PA levels of preschoolers during school hours, as well as the rate of compliance with specific recommendations on total PA (TPA) and moderate-vigorous PA (MVPA)

Biking to School: The Role of Bicycle-Sharing Programs in Adolescents

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to: (1) describe modes of transport to school, with a specific focus on the use of public bicycle share programs (PBSP); and (2) assess sociodemographic, psychosocial, and environmental correlates of bike and PBSP use to go to school. METHODS A group of 465 adolescents from the International Physical Activity and the Environment Network (IPEN) Adolescent Study (Valencia, Spain) participated in the research. Mixed regression analyses were conducted on the data obtained. RESULTS Not having bicycle access, a PBSP card, or a public bike lane close to the school is negatively associated with bicycle use. PBSP is positively associated with physical self-ef…

Would New Zealand adolescents cycle to school more if allowed to cycle without a helmet?

Abstract Introduction The effectiveness of bicycle helmet use in preventing head injuries has been well documented. Mandatory helmet-use legislation is present in multiple countries including New Zealand. However, studies examining the correlates of adolescents' perception that they would cycle to school more often if helmet legislation was repealed are scant. This study examined these correlates in a sample of New Zealand adolescents. Methods Adolescents (n = 774; age: 13–18 years) from all 12 secondary schools in Dunedin, New Zealand, completed an online questionnaire about their cycling to school and cycling in general behaviours and perceptions and opinions about bicycle helmet use as a…

Built Environment, Psychosocial Factors and Active Commuting to School in Adolescents: Clustering a Self-Organizing Map Analysis

Although the built environment and certain psychosocial factors are related to adolescents&rsquo

The physical activity patterns of adolescents with intellectual disabilities: A descriptive study

Abstract Background Emerging data suggest that adolescents with intellectual disabilities (IDs) have lower physical activity (PA) levels and have a higher incidence of obesity than their peers without IDs. Objective To examine daily PA patterns (weekdays vs. weekend days) of adolescents with IDs among boys and girls. The contributions of PA at school, including school recesses and physical education time, and PA outside of school were also analyzed. Methods Participants included forty-nine adolescents with mild to moderate IDs (mean 15.3 years) from the Valencia region (Spain). Adolescents wore a pedometer for seven consecutive days to measure PA objectively and filled in a daily activity l…