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The Groningen Overweight and Lifestyle (GOAL) intervention effectively prevents weight gain. The present study describes a process evaluation in which 214 participants in the intervention group received a structured questionnaire within 7 months (a median of 5 months) after the end of the intervention. The authors investigated the content of the intervention (on basis of the participants' recall), the participants' satisfaction of the intervention, the participants' satisfaction with the nurse practitioners (NPs), and the determinants of the participants' satisfaction. In general, the results show that the content corresponded well with the protocol for the intervention, except for the number of telephone calls and the percentage of participants with individualized goals for a healthy lifestyle. The overall satisfaction of the participants was high, and success and perceived success and a low educational level were important determinants for a higher overall satisfaction grade. Furthermore, the NP was considered to be an expert and motivational to learning and keeping up a healthy lifestyle. The authors therefore conclude that the GOAL study is feasible and indicates that the NP is well equipped to treat these patients. However, it is recommended to reinforce the advice given and the lifestyle goals after the first contact sessions. (Contains 5 tables.)

The current study investigates perceived effects of fatigue on different aspects of soccer performance and - in various ways - tested the potential role of task motivation in these effects. Soccer players (N=433) from the highest four divisions in the Netherlands completed a questionnaire. Results showed that players perceive fatigue to negatively affect both general and aspect-specific soccer performance (i.e. perception, tactical decision making, execution, and pacing). However, negative effects of fatigue were perceived to be smaller when task motivation was high. That is, effort investment was reported to be higher during close match scores and the negative impact of fatigue on soccer performance was generally smaller for primary actions than for secondary actions. In conclusion, fatigue is suggested to have widespread effects on different aspects of soccer performance. However, motivational factors may play a central role in detemining the magnitude of these effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this review is to give an overview of the available evidence on the effects of financial incentives to stimulate physical activity. Therefore, a systematic literature search was performed for randomized trials that investigate the effects of physical–activity–related financial incentives for individuals. Twelve studies with unconditional incentives (eg, free membership sport facility) and conditional incentives (ie, rewards for reaching physical–activity goals) related to physical activity were selected. Selected outcomes were physical activity, sedentary behavior, fitness, and weight. Results show that unconditional incentives do not affect physical activity or the other selected outcomes. For rewards, some positive effects were found and especially for rewards provided for physical-activity behavior instead of attendance. In conclusion, rewards seem to have positive effects on physical activity, while unconditional incentives seem to have no effect. However, it should be kept in mind that the long-term effects of financial incentives are still unclear. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Recent theories suggest that negative effects of fatigue on performance are determined by perception of effort and motivation rather than being directly caused by reaching physiological limits. In the current experiment, the influence of motivation on fatigue-induced decrements in soccer performance was experimentally investigated. Sixty amateur soccer players performed a validated soccer-passing test before and after a fatigue protocol. Results showed that players' motivation and performance decreased after the fatigue protocol for players in the control group. In contrast, players in the motivation group (i.e., with motivation experimentally induced after the fatigue protocol) were able to uphold their motivation and increase their performance. These results indicate that motivation plays a crucial role in performance under fatigue, as fatigue-induced decrements in soccer passing performance can be counteracted by high levels of motivation. Future research may explore the limits of this counteracting effect and extend findings to other relevant performance aspects.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the three-year effect of lifestyle counseling by a nurse practitioner (NP) on physical activity (PA) and dietary intake compared with usual care by a general practitioner (GP)., Methods: At baseline, subjects were randomly allocated to the NP group (n = 225) or to the GP group (n = 232). The NP group received a low-intensive lifestyle intervention for three years by the NP and the GP group received one consultation by the GP and thereafter usual care. PA and dietary intake were assessed with questionnaires at baseline, 1 year follow-up and 3 year follow-up., Results: After three years, leisure-time activity increased and favorable improvements towards a healthy diet were made for both groups. These three-year changes in PA and diet did not differ significantly between groups. Changes in PA and dietary habits after one year were practically maintained after 3 years, because only small relapses were found., Conclusion: After three years, subjects were more physically active and had a healthier diet compared to baseline. Lifestyle counseling by NP resulted in similar lifestyle changes compared to GP consultation., Practice Implications: NPs could also advice patients at cardiovascular risk by lifestyle counseling, to possibly reduce GP barriers., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)