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An improved understanding of psychosocial factors and their dynamic changes and interrelations is required to increase comprehension of the effects of exercise on weight loss. Women (N = 99) participating in a theory-based, community-administered obesity program focused on self-regulation of weight-loss behaviors were assessed. Analyses of a theory- and causal chain-driven sequential multiple mediation model affirmed the hypothesized path from moderate exercise[right arrow]decreased negative mood[right arrow]increased self-regulation[right arrow]increased self-efficacy[right arrow]improved weight-loss behaviors[right arrow]weight loss over 6 months. Alternate significant paths within the model reinforced an expected relationship between exercise-associated decrease in negative mood and increased self-regulation. Although completion/non-completion of the equivalent of 3 moderate bouts of exercise/week was significantly related to weight loss in bivariate analyses, it was no longer significant when the above mediators were sequentially entered. The mean observed loss of weight was -7.6%. Findings lent direction to more extensive and controlled research that could inform improvements in behavioral obesity treatments., Author(s): James J. Annesi [sup.1] [sup.2] [sup.3] , Sara M. Powell [sup.2] Author Affiliations: (1) Central Coast YMCA, , Monterey, CA, USA (2) grid.253562.5, 0000 0004 0385 7165, California State [...]

Outdoor Recreation (OR) provides the benefits of physical activity (PA) and traditional leisure placed in an outdoor environment. Motivation, self-efficacy, and autonomy can increase depending on the physical and social environment. This study explored the relationship between self-efficacy and autonomy on OR behaviors and identified barriers and supporters to OR during the COVID-19 pandemic. Survey information was collected from 995 U.S. adults (93.6% white, 64.0% female) regarding OR behaviors, changes in OR during COVID-19, and OR self-perceptions. Significant positive correlations existed between autonomy and self-efficacy (r = 0.138, p < 0.01), and self-efficacy and pre/post pandemic OR behaviors 2020 (r = 0.158, p < 0.01), (r = 0.129, p < 0.01) respectively. Qualitative data implied barriers and supporters to OR as: social, psychological health, and increased or changed OR/PA. Implications from this research are beneficial to OR and health professionals to promote overall physical and psychological well-being for OR participants.

The COVID-19 pandemic presents many concerns, including stress. Physical activity (PA) can help decrease stress. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on stress and PA levels of U.S. adults. Mixed-methods data were collected from adults (N = 464, 73.3% female, 87.5% white) examining levels of stress and PA, as well as changes in PA and various factors that impacted PA. A decrease in PA habits was reported by 55.3% during the lockdown period and by 48.6% currently when compared to pre-pandemic. Nearly half of participants (41.8%) met recommended PA guidelines, and experienced moderate levels of perceived stress. Significant differences in stress were found for those who indicated the pandemic altered current exercise compared to pre-pandemic (F(2,362) = 3.67, p = 0.026, [eta-squared] = 0.020), and among stress levels for those who met both, one, or neither cardio or muscular strength PA guidelines (F(2,456) = 4.97, p = .007, [eta-squared] = 0.021). Additionally, 225 participants provided open-ended responses; qualitative themes identified include change of exercise environment, increased or decreased frequency of PA, psychological changes, and change in PA intensity or type. During the pandemic, most respondents experienced changes in PA; decreases in PA were associated with loss of access to PA spaces during lockdown or psychological changes such as negative mood state or lack of motivation.

Research suggests that the position of a collegiate sport coach is a performance position. It has been documented that an immense amount of stress comes with coaching, and common stressors reported relate to team performance and work-life balance, however a gap in the literature exists in understanding the factors that cause stress when considering coaching as a high-stress profession. This study aimed to understand the job-related stressors experienced by NCAA Division I head and assistant coaches. Twenty-two participants, including 12 head and 10 assistant coaches at three mid-major NCAA Division I universities, participated in semi-structured interviews. Four main themes emerged: coaching responsibilities, performance expectations, uncontrollable situations in and out of competition, and coping strategies. Sources of stress reported by the majority of coaches related to feeling pressed for time and maintaining work-life balance, providing leadership and motivation to athletes, and producing successful outcomes of competitive seasons to maintain job security. Coping strategies were identified as methods to improve psychological and physical health as well as spending time with loved ones. This information may be used to develop psychological skills interventions to reduce the amount of stress experienced by both head and assistant coaches at the Division I collegiate level. Keywords: coaching; stress; coping strategies; collegiate athletics; NCAA Division I, The job of a collegiate National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I (DI) coach consists of recruiting athletes, monitoring team and athlete performance, providing leadership to athletes and coaching staff, [...]

Purpose: Because obesity has not responded well to instructing affected adults in healthier eating behaviors and increased physical activity/exercise, enhanced research on psychosocial determinants of those behavioral changes is needed. Intervention foci on self-regulation have been suggested, but targeted research is required. Method: Women with obesity participated in community-based treatments that were either self-regulation-focused (self-regulation emphasis group; n = 52) or typical instruction-based (education [treatment-as-usual] group; n = 54). Results: There were overall significant increases in exercise-related self-regulation, physical activity/exercise, exercise-related self-efficacy, and eating-related self-regulation that were each significantly more pronounced in the self-regulation emphasis group. Increase in exercise-related self-regulation over 3 months predicted eating-related self-regulation over 6 months; however, sequential entry of changes in physical activity and exercise-related self-efficacy significantly mediated that relationship. However, only the path from changes in exercise-related self-regulation to exercise self-efficacy to eating-related self-regulation was significant. In a revised model where change in exercise self-efficacy was the sole mediator, treatment group did not significantly moderate the exercise self-regulation to eating self-regulation change relationship, but full mediation of that relationship occurred. Conclusion: Findings indicated salience for perceived ability/self-efficacy for physical activity, over actual physical activity progress, and its role in the transfer of self-regulatory skills from an exercise to eating context. Increased eating self-regulation significantly predicted weight loss over 6, 12, and 24 months. In the self-regulation emphasis group that translated to meaningful weight loss/weight-loss maintenance of greater than 5% of initial weight. Findings contributed to an increased understanding of psychosocial-change processes within obesity treatment research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transition out of college sports can impact the health and well-being of former student-athletes who may face challenges with maintaining a physically active lifestyle beyond the structured environment of competitive athletics. Moving On! is an evidence-based, theory-driven transition program designed to help student-athletes plan for lifetime physical activity after college. The program incorporates tenets of identity theory and self-determination theory and includes group discussion activities along with introductory experiences in varied lifetime physical activities. To investigate the perspectives of program participants, senior student-athletes provided feedback on their experiences in the program through focus group interviews. Findings suggested that participants viewed the program as a valuable and positive experience, anchored by a change in consciousness that reflected expanded understandings of identity and its impact on physical activity. Participants cited helpful program elements including hands-on physical activity experiences, a program workbook, and goal-setting strategies for integrating physical activity into their future lives. Results from this study may inform other kinesiology and higher education professionals interested in implementing health-promoting college transition programs.

Issue Addressed Methods Results Conclusions So What? Obesity is an increasing worldwide health issue. In affluent English‐speaking countries, obesity ranges from ~28% (Australia) to ~42% (United States) of the adult population. Enabling weight loss beyond an initial 6 months is an unresolved challenge.Women with obesity participated in community‐based obesity treatments incorporating either cognitive‐behavioural methods emphasizing self‐regulatory skills development (n = 106) or typical information/education processes (n = 47). Psychosocial, behavioural, and weight changes were measured.Significant overall improvements in exercise‐related self‐regulation and self‐efficacy, mood, physical activity/exercise (PA/exercise), diet, and weight were found from baseline–month 6 (weight‐loss phase) and baseline–month 12, but not from months 6–12 (weight‐loss maintenance phase). Significantly greater improvements were found in the cognitive‐behavioural group. Within the weight‐loss phase, changes in both PA/exercise and diet significantly contributed to the explained variance in weight loss, whereas within the weight‐loss maintenance phase, only change in PA/exercise was a significant predictor. There was no significant relationship of weight loss across phases. Months 6–12 change in PA/exercise significantly mediated relationships of changes in self‐regulation→weight, mood→weight, and self‐efficacy→weight. Earlier scores and score changes in mood and self‐efficacy significantly impacted the subsequent parallel relationships.Cognitive‐behavioural methods affect psychosocial changes leading to initial changes in diet, PA/exercise, and weight. Those changes then impact subsequent changes in PA/exercise—a primary malleable correlate of maintained weight loss.This research extended previous findings to better‐inform behavioural obesity‐treatment foci to address the pervasive public health problem of attaining and sustaining weight loss. Findings related to PA/exercise will help impact health‐promotion outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity in the United States has risen to 42 percent of its adult population and is similarly problematic in many other countries. Although the U.S. government has provided education on healthy eating and the need to exercise regularly, behavioral obesity treatments have largely failed to sustain reductions in weight. Self-regulation, and the incorporation of exercise for its psychological impacts on eating, has sometimes been targeted. While there has been sporadic investigation into the carry-over of exercise-related self-regulation to eating-related self-regulation, the present aim is to further inquiry in that area to inform future treatment content for improved effects. Women enrolled in community-based obesity treatments with either a self-regulation (n = 106) or education (n = 54) focus were assessed on changes in exercise- and eating-related self-regulation, negative mood, completed exercise, and weight. Improvements were significantly greater in the self-regulation-focused group. After controlling for initial change in eating-related self-regulation, change in that measure from Month 3 to 6 was significantly predicted by change in exercise-related self-regulation during the initial 3 treatment months. This suggested a carry-over effect. A stronger predictive relationship was associated with the self-regulation-focused treatment. In further analyses, paths from changes in exercise→negative mood→self-regulation of both exercise and eating were significant. Increase in eating-related self-regulation was significantly associated with weight loss over 6, 12, and 24 months. The self-regulation-focused group had stronger relationships, again. Findings suggested utility in targeting exercise-related self-regulation to impact later change in eating-related self-regulation, and the use of exercise-associated mood improvement to bolster participants' self-regulation capabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Intuitive eating (IE) principles present an evidence-based strategy for improving one's relationship with food while reducing the incidence of weight cycling and health risks associated with chronic dieting and weight regain. Offering online programming provides improved access to education while reducing barriers to programme enrollment but is also associated with high rates of attrition. Aim: To examine the process of programme implementation and identify barriers and facilitators of engagement for an online IE programme for employees at a large Midwestern university. Methods: The web-based programme Finding Peace with Food: An Intuitive Eating Approach consisted of an online community with discussion prompts, 10 weekly modules containing videos, activities, and counsellor interviews and was developed using recognized health behaviour theory and evidence-based practices. Participants were university employees (n = 20). Qualitative data were assessed using a phenomenological approach to discern the themes of barriers and facilitators of programme participation. Participation rates were assessed using descriptive statistics. Results: All participants were Caucasian, 85% were female, and their ages ranged from 26–64. The module-based structure was well received. The primary barriers to participation were time constraints, overwhelming amount of information, and aversion to Flipgrid platform use. The quality and usefulness of the programme information were identified as facilitators of participation. Conclusion: Program participation was influenced by the time frame available to complete the programme modules and participants' ease of use of platform applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Academically sound methods for preparing students for standardized tests include establishing tests' importance, forming preparation teams, gathering information, aligning curricular and test objectives, teaching test-wiseness skills, informing stakeholders, involving students in preparation plans, infusing curriculum with test content, and practicing for tests. A Texas preparation program is described. (MLH)

Ultramarathon running consists of race distances beyond the traditional marathon with hundreds of events worldwide. Previous literature has examined motivation, mood, and cognitive processes of ultramarathon runners. However, little is known about the influence of self-efficacy and intrinsic motivation on resilience in this population. This study explored the psychological processes of a female ultramarathon runner completing a Fastest Known Time (FKT) on the 136.8-mile Backbone Trail in Santa Monica, California. Data collection included photo journaling, social media posts, event video footage, and a post-event semi-structured interview. Themes that emerged from these data included physical preparation, mental preparation, resilience, and social support. The runner utilized psychological skills including goal setting and self-talk. This case study revealed impactful insight regarding the psychological processes of a female ultramarathon runner completing the FKT on this trail. These findings present practical implications for professionals in sport and exercise psychology and coaches working with ultra-runners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Outdoor education programs use experiential learning to positively impact intrinsic motivation and knowledge acquisition of program participants. However, few programs have done so with multi-age group populations. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of an outdoor education experiential learning program on participant self-perceptions and intrinsic motivation for learning. Fourteen adults completed a six-day outdoor experiential learning course at Yellowstone National Park in May 2019. The experiences of these individuals were documented through focus group interviews, researcher observations, and photographs taken by both the researchers and participants. Four themes emerged from all sources of data, including respect, spiritualism, sense of connection, and learning. Overall, participants indicated this program positively impacted their levels of intrinsic motivation and increased knowledge of the outdoor world. The findings of this research support the combination of outdoor education and experiential learning programs in novel environments in the field of outdoor recreation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the intellectual foundations of the Zakon bozhyi, an allegorical poem produced by the Brotherhood of Saints Cyril and Methodius in the mid-nineteenth century. The work is most often understood as a product of Romanticism. This article argues that it is rather a product of synergistic Enlightenment and Romantic thought. It focuses on the depiction of religion in the Zakon and demonstrates that depiction's origin in the Enlightenment. The article argues that work demonstrates a societal view of religion. Further, it demonstrates that the ecumenical stance of the Zakon is founded in the necessity for national and international stability, rather than in personal conviction. It emphasizes the importance of culturally specific forms of the Enlightenment, and shows how the Zakon is a product of a particularly East Slavic presentation of the movement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Physical activity has numerous benefits for those with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (KOA) or knee replacement, yet many individuals engage in insufficient activity. The purpose of this study was to explore beliefs about sedentary behavior, barriers to standing, and program preferences for adults with symptomatic KOA or knee replacement. Methods: Forty‐two individuals ≥50 years with symptomatic KOA or knee replacement completed an online survey assessing current knee pain and function, sitting time, physical activity participation, beliefs about sedentary behavior, and preferences for a sedentary reduction program. Results: Participants indicated barriers to standing were pain, discomfort, or working on a computer. Most participants shared interest to participate in a program to reduce sitting time. Participants chose education, self‐monitoring, and activity tracking as most preferable components for an intervention design. Conclusion: Future interventions to reduce sedentary time may utilize these results to tailor programs for those with symptomatic KOA or knee replacement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Art therapy in the Arabian Gulf is still nascent. This article discusses the impact of COVID-19 and the development of art therapy in the region and identifies both the challenges and advantages that this global pandemic brought to a small group of art therapists practicing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar. Our approach is rooted in relational cultural theory (RCT). For art therapists in a private practice in Dubai, the pandemic provided an opportunity to widen services and accessibility. In a hospital setting in Qatar, new regulations during the pandemic required adaptations that possibly contributed to stress and anxiety for the art therapist, patients, and health workers. Unexpected perceived changes included: highlighted stigma, increased openness, increased engagement, and change in perception of the art therapy service. For these art therapists, practicing in the Arabian Gulf, the global pandemic increased awareness of cultural competence and led to the development of online art therapy services. There is a dearth of art therapy research in the region. Future research on cultural competence and the efficacy of telehealth are recommended to develop a robust evidence base for the practice of art therapy in the Arabian Gulf. Art therapy is relatively new in the Arabian Gulf, with most art therapists completing their training in the West. During the global pandemic and the changes caused by COVID-19, art therapists had the opportunity to address critical issues in their practice. This article presents two different views from two culturally similar Middle Eastern countries into what happened during the global pandemic of 2020. The first view describes how the pandemic brought about the development of online art therapy within a private practice in Dubai, UAE. The second view describes multiple adaptations to the delivery of art therapy within a hospital setting in Qatar. In the private practice, developing online art therapy became an opportunity to increase access for people residing outside of Dubai, in other emirates, and beyond. Art therapists also noticed how online art therapy may impact privacy, as clients could complete their sessions from their own homes, and stigma concerning mental health. At the hospital setting in Qatar, COVID-19 brought a new way of working focused on safety. The art therapist in Qatar discusses how these changes impacted her work and some of the perceived unexpected gains that resulted, such as more collaboration with other professionals, more engagement from the patients, and a new openness around mental health as the families could communicate about a shared concern: COVID-19. In both cases, the pandemic brought development and opportunities for growth. The article's focus is to highlight the cultural differences of working in this region and to acknowledge the need for future research. Because the field is relatively new in the region, there is limited research; the art therapists have to rely on increased cultural awareness to adapt their practice to be helpful to service users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bariatric surgery is an effective obesity treatment; however, most individuals regain weight following surgery. Following a Lifestyle of Wellness (FLOW) is a psychological skills intervention with strategies designed to increase self-efficacy and promote living a healthy lifestyle including regular physical activity. Eleven participants completed FLOW. Results indicated participants enjoyed the program and intended to continue this lifestyle upon program completion. Interviews indicated FLOW was effective for improving self-perceptions, and exercise motivation. The most effective sessions were goal setting, future planning, and stress management. Suggestions for program improvement were provided. This information can be used to improve the FLOW program and for implementation into other settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]