Global Sport Science

Missed Opportunities for Middle Childhood: Less Sport Predicts Increased Risk for Shyness in Millennial Girls with Preschool Access to Bedroom Television

Béatrice Necsa — 2024-04-22

Background and Purpose: Childhood bedroom screens represent a risk factor for negative behavioral outcomes. Childhood sport participation might be a protective factor for potential negative associations with having a bedroom screen in early childhood. Methods: This study examines whether extracurricular sport participation in middle childhood reduces developmental risks associated with bedroom screens in boys and girls. We use a millennial birth cohort from the QLSCD. Children reported having a bedroom television at age 4 years. Parents reported child participation in sport from ages 6 to 10 years. We examine subsequent teacher-reported depressive symptoms and shyness outcomes by the end of sixth grade. We used linear regression to examine the interaction between child-reported bedroom television placement (age 4 years) and parent-reported childhood sport participation trajectories (ages 6 to 10 years) in predicting behavioral outcomes at age 12 years. Key Results: For girls, inconsistent extracurricular sport amplified the relationship between having a preschool bedroom television and subsequent shyness (b = 0.6212, SE = 0.3245, p < 0.05), beyond individual and family characteristics. Conclusions: Less consistent sport participation was associated with increased risk of shyness in girls having grown up with a bedroom television. These findings corroborate that extracurricular activity can be a suitable candidate for enhancing skills and social interactions.

Utilizing Social Media in a Sport Education Season to Promote Out-of-School Physical Activity

Zachary Wahl-Alexander — 2024-04-15

The purpose of this study was to examine if the inclusion of a group-based contingency involving social media would have a positive impact on a cohort of middle school students’ out-of-school physical activity. Ninety-two eighth-grade students (50 females, 42 males; average age = 12.98) from three physical education classes in a middle school in the Midwest region of the United States participated in a 22-lesson Sport Education season of disc golf (an activity selected by students). During the competitive parts of the season, students were able to earn bonus points for their teams by practicing outside of school time with family/friends, or with members of their class. For these points to be registered on the class league table, at some point while playing, students would create a Snapchat story which they then sent to their classmates and the teacher. Out-of-school activity was measured by each student wearing a Yamax DigiWalker SW 701 pedometer. Results showed significant increases in out-of-school step counts during those phases of the season in which the Snapchat contingency resulted in team points accrual. These results provide support for the utility of providing group-oriented contingencies within Sport Education, as they appear to be an effective and authentic context for promoting autonomous out-of-school time physical activity.

A Comprehensive Review of the Metabolic and Psychophysiological Effect of Regular Exercise on Healthy Life

Onur Oral — 2024-05-10

Abstract: Background: This review article aims to emphasize the psychophysiological and metabolic health effects of regular exercise on a healthy lifestyle. Materials and Methods In the search for scientific literature for this review, data from the US National Library of Medicine (PubMed), MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and SportDiscus were used, and the terms “regular exercise”, “psychophysiological health”, “healthy lifestyle”, and “overall health” were used. The relevant literature has also taken its source from the research of relevant articles from reference lists derived from data searches. Results: Physical activity is not just a regular exercise habit aimed at improving metabolic health or reaching ideal weight. It also has a very significant impact on psychological and mental health. Scientific research has shown that regular exercise habits improve psychological health, reduce stress and improve general mental health. Due to the hormonal systems and physiological mechanisms that regular physical activity activates to improve mood, the effects of regular exercise on psychophysiological and general health as part of a healthy lifestyle should be emphasized. Conclusion: The common results of scientific research show that a healthy and quality life is possible by acquiring regular exercise behavior throughout life. It’s clear that regular physical activity appears to provide a number of metabolic and psychophysiological benefits for a healthier lifestyle. These include reductions in symptoms of depression and anxiety, improvement in cognitive function, reduction in stress, and improvements in overall health and well-being.