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BackgroundTherapeutic virtual reality (VR) has emerged as an effective treatment modality for cognitive and physical training in people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). However, to replace existing nonpharmaceutical treatment training protocols, VR platforms need significant improvement if they are to appeal to older people with symptoms of cognitive decline and meet their specific needs. ObjectiveThis study aims to design and test the acceptability, usability, and tolerability of an immersive VR platform that allows older people with MCI symptoms to simultaneously practice physical and cognitive skills on a dual task. MethodsOn the basis of interviews with 20 older people with MCI symptoms (15 females; mean age 76.25, SD 5.03 years) and inputs from their health care providers (formative study VR1), an interdisciplinary group of experts developed a VR system called VRADA (VR Exercise App for Dementia and Alzheimer’s Patients). Using an identical training protocol, the VRADA system was first tested with a group of 30 university students (16 females; mean age 20.86, SD 1.17 years) and then with 27 older people (19 females; mean age 73.22, SD 9.26 years) who had been diagnosed with MCI (feasibility studies VR2a and VR2b). Those in the latter group attended two Hellenic Association Day Care Centers for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders. Participants in both groups were asked to perform a dual task training protocol that combined physical and cognitive exercises in two different training conditions. In condition A, participants performed a cycling task in a lab environment while being asked by the researcher to perform oral math calculations (single-digit additions and subtractions). In condition B, participants performed a cycling task in the virtual environment while performing calculations that appeared within the VR app. Participants in both groups were assessed in the same way; this included questionnaires and semistructured interviews immediately after the experiment to capture perceptions of acceptability, usability, and tolerability, and to determine which of the two training conditions each participant preferred. ResultsParticipants in both groups showed a significant preference for the VR condition (students: mean 0.66, SD 0.41, t29=8.74, P

This study examined the effects of cognitively challenging physical activity games on students' executive functions and situational interest in physical education. Participants were 144 fourth- and fifth-grade students (75 boys, 69 girls) from four elementary schools. A four-group, repeated measures, cross-over quasi-experimental design was used in this acute experiment including a physical education session. One fourth- and one fifth-grade class from each school were randomly assigned to Group 1 with cognitively challenging physical activity games, Group 2 with a session for teaching soccer skills, Group 3 with a session for teaching track and field skills, and Group 4 (waiting-list control group) with cognitively challenging physical activity games after the post-test. Pre- and post-test measures for executive functions and a post-test measure for situational interest were included. Group 1 students, who were involved in cognitively challenging physical activity games, improved their scores in the executive functions more than students who participated in the sessions with soccer or track and field skills and waiting-list control group students. The positive effects on students' executive functions were replicated when the cognitively challenging physical activity games session was implemented in the waiting-list control group. Some improvements on executive functions for students who participated in the soccer skills session were found. Students who played the cognitively challenging physical activity games reported higher scores on novelty compared to students in the soccer or track and field groups. These results support the effectiveness of the cognitive challenging physical activity games for triggering students' executive functions in physical education.

This study compared the effects of three different types of cognitively challenging physical activity games on students' executive functions and situational interest. Participants were 140 students from four fourth-grade and four fifth-grade classes of four elementary schools. One fourth- and one fifth-grade class from each school were randomly assigned to the three experimental and the control group conditions. A group-randomized controlled trial design was used in this acute experiment including a single physical education session with pre- and post-test measures of executive functions and a post-test measure of situational interest. Students of each experimental group played physical activity games based on a different principle of mental engagement (i.e., contextual interference, mental control, or discovery). Control group students did not participate in physical education. The results showed positive effects of all types of cognitively challenging physical activity games on experimental group students' executive functions compared to control group students. No differences were found on executive functions and situational interest between the three experimental groups. These results provide supporting evidence regarding the utilization of cognitively challenging physical activity games for involving students in physical activity and triggering their executive functions.

Two studies were conducted to examine associations between undergraduate physical education students' calibration accuracy, assessed both at the local and global level, and their short and long-term achievement in two academic courses (developmental and sport psychology). Participants were 68 Greek senior and 112 first-year physical education students who completed knowledge tests and provided their judgments regarding their performance in these tests. Students' degree grade and time of graduation were also obtained in study two. Results showed that calibration accuracy could explain a small amount of variance of students' academic achievement measured both with short-term (i.e., knowledge tests in the middle and in the end of the semester) and long-term indicators (e.g., degree grade). Calibration at the local level was generally a better predictor of students' short and long-term academic achievement while results regarding differences in the accuracy of the judgments provided at the local and the global level were mixed. These finding are discussed with reference to the theoretical and practical implications for undergraduate students' academic achievement.

The purpose of this study was to investigate students' perceptions of responsibility in the context of physical education. 17 6th-grade students (7 boys and 10 girls) from 9 Greek elementary schools were interviewed. Theory and data driven thematic analysis was conducted. The Teaching Personal and Social Responsibility (TPSR) model provided a conceptual framework to guide data analysis. Most of the students' values, motives, attitudes, intentions, and experiences reflected the foundational responsibility goals included in the TPSR model; however, students' awareness of more advanced manifestations of responsibility in physical education was weaker. Findings shed light on Greek students' perceptions of responsibility in physical education (PE) classes and other settings. The TPSR model provided a relevant framework for describing and interpreting students' perceptions of responsibility. However, there was a marked discrepancy between students' perceived values of responsibility and their reported experiences. Implications for promoting responsibility in physical education are discussed.

This study examined the effects of a self-regulated learning teaching unit on students' performance calibration, goal attainment, and attributions in physical education. Participants were 101 fifth- and sixth-grade students who were randomly assigned to an experimental (57 students) and a control group (44 students). Calibration indexes were calculated based on students' estimated and actual performance in a basketball shooting test. The intervention included four sessions based on Zimmerman's four-level model of self-regulated learning. Experimental group students estimated more accurately their performance after the intervention compared to control group students while associations between calibration, goal attainment, and attributions were found. Results are discussed with reference to calibration and self-regulated learning in physical education. Practical implications and directions for future research are also provided.

In this pilot study, we assessed the effectiveness and acceptability of an educational program designed to prevent alcohol-related behaviors among high school students. The program was rooted in the Theory of Planned Behavior principles (TPB) and supplemented with life-skills teaching. A total of 352 participants were involved, representing 10 secondary schools in central Greece. Among these, 257 students (Mage: 14.51 ± 1.34 years) constituted the experimental group, while 95 were assigned to the control group. The experimental group received a 10-session program, one per week. The results revealed that the experimental group had a significant improvement on knowledge about alcohol, perceived behavioral control (PBC), and alcohol-related behavior between pre- and post-intervention measurements. Additionally, students expressed high levels of satisfaction with the program. These findings offer substantial evidence for the practicality and effectiveness of an alcohol prevention initiative that is rooted in theory and supported by life-skills education when implemented within a school environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The role of exercise programs during substance use disorder (SUD) treatment is considered particularly supportive in fostering positive psychological and behavioral changes. The treatment of SUD is a challenging and demanding process. Therefore, it is crucial to discover innovative methods to enhance and facilitate it. Integrating exercise into a virtual environment is an innovative approach for drug rehabilitation, offering multiple benefits to individuals undergoing treatment. The aim of this feasibility study was to explore the acute effects of cycling exercise in an immersive virtual reality (VR) environment on attentional control and self-efficacy expectations of individuals undergoing SUD treatment. Methods: A total of 20 individuals (mean age of 37.75 years) enrolled in a SUD treatment program participated in the study. They were instructed to complete a single session of cycling with a self-selected duration within the VR system. Results: Following the cycling session, pre-post measures indicated a statistically significant improvement in self-efficacy expectations and attentional control measured with the Stroop test. The results revealed that participants expressed high levels of intention for future use, interest/enjoyment, and positive attitudes toward the VR exercise system. Qualitative data indicated that participants found the VR exercise system enjoyable, expressed a strong intention to use it, and did not encounter technical difficulties or negative emotions. Conclusions: In conclusion, it seems that engaging in a brief period of self-selected exercise within a virtual environment can result in temporary activation of cognitive changes, heightened self-efficacy expectations, and a motivating approach to increasing physical activity participation among individuals with SUD, thus suggesting the feasibility of this approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to examine students' performance calibration in physical education. One hundred fifth and sixth grade students provided estimations regarding their performance in a dribbling test after practicing dribbling for 16 minutes under different self-regulatory conditions (i.e., receiving feedback, setting goals, self-recording). Two calibration indices, calibration bias and calibration accuracy, were calculated. The results showed that students who practiced dribbling under different self-regulatory conditions (i.e., receiving feedback, setting goals) did not differ in calibration bias and accuracy. Regardless of the group, students were overconfident. Moreover, sixth grade students were more accurate compared to fifth grade students. These results were discussed with reference to the development of performance calibration and self-regulated learning in physical education.

Background: Research has shown that self-determination theory can be useful in the study of motivation in sport and other forms of physical activity. The Perceived Locus of Causality (PLOC) scale was originally designed to study both. Aim: The current research presents and validates the new PLOC-U scale to measure academic motivation in the university context. We tested levels of self-determination before and after academic examinations. Also, we analysed degree of internalization of extrinsic motivation in students' practical activities. Sample Two hundred and eighty-seven Spanish university students participated in the study. Method: Data were collected at two time points to check the reliability and stability of PLOC-U by a test-retest procedure. Confirmatory factor analysis was performed on the PLOC-U. Also convergent validity was tested against the Academic Motivation Scale (EME-E). Results: Confirmatory factor analysis showed optimum fit and good reliability of PLOC-U. It also presented excellent convergent validity with the EME-E and good stability over time. Our findings did not show any significant correlation between self-determination and expected results before academic examinations, but it did so afterwards, revealing greater regulation by and integration of extrinsic motivation. The high score obtained for extrinsic motivation points to a greater regulation associated with an external contingency (rewards in the practical coursework). Conclusions: PLOC-U is a good instrument for the measurement of academic motivation and provides a new tool to analyse self-determination among university students.

Three experiments examined students' calibration in physical education in relation to task characteristics. Participants in the 3 experiments were 388 students. Calibration accuracy and bias were calculated based on students' predicted and actual performance in tests including variations of a sport task (basketball shooting) and tasks from different sports (basketball and soccer). An overconfidence effect was found in all experiments, and evidence regarding the hard–easy effect emerged. High compared with low performers were more accurate, and some variations with respect to gender also emerged. The magnitude of calibration error was similar across tasks, whereas approximately half of the students were consistent in the direction of calibration (most of them were overestimators). Results are discussed with reference to theoretical and empirical evidence associated with performance calibration and self-regulated learning in physical education. Methodological issues, practical implications, and future directions are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the effectiveness of a social-cognitive training model of self-regulation on students' dribbling performance, calibration accuracy, and motivational beliefs. Participants were 120 fifth and sixth graders. Students who sequentially experienced emulative and self-control practice setting either process or performance goals at the emulation or at the self-control level improved their dribbling performance and motivational beliefs from pre- to post-test. Students overestimated their performance except for those in the process goal condition who underestimated it. These findings support the effectiveness of this training model and are discussed with reference to the self-regulation and performance calibration development in physical education.

This study examined the effects of cognitively challenging physical activity games on students' executive functions and situational interest in physical education. Participants were 144 fourth- and fifth-grade students (75 boys, 69 girls) from four elementary schools. A four-group, repeated measures, cross-over quasi-experimental design was used in this acute experiment including a physical education session. One fourth- and one fifth-grade class from each school were randomly assigned to Group 1 with cognitively challenging physical activity games, Group 2 with a session for teaching soccer skills, Group 3 with a session for teaching track and field skills, and Group 4 (waiting-list control group) with cognitively challenging physical activity games after the post-test. Pre- and post-test measures for executive functions and a post-test measure for situational interest were included. Group 1 students, who were involved in cognitively challenging physical activity games, improved their scores in the executive functions more than students who participated in the sessions with soccer or track and field skills and waiting-list control group students. The positive effects on students' executive functions were replicated when the cognitively challenging physical activity games session was implemented in the waiting-list control group. Some improvements on executive functions for students who participated in the soccer skills session were found. Students who played the cognitively challenging physical activity games reported higher scores on novelty compared to students in the soccer or track and field groups. These results support the effectiveness of the cognitive challenging physical activity games for triggering students' executive functions in physical education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to record students' recording accuracy when they practised with the reciprocal and the self-check styles in physical education and examine whether recording accuracy contributed to students' performance. Participants were 48 fifth- and sixth-grade students who were randomly assigned to 3 experimental groups (reciprocal style, self-check style, sequential use of the reciprocal and the self-check styles). The results showed that students were moderately accurate in peer- and self-recording with a tendency to overestimate their performance. No difference among the 3 experimental groups in recording accuracy was found. Students who received more accurate feedback outperformed in the chest pass test those who received less accurate feedback. The results are discussed with reference to the use of the reciprocal and the self-check styles and the development of self-regulated learning in physical education. (Contains 3 tables.)

This study examined the effect of different goals (process, performance outcome, and multiple goals) and self-recording on self-regulation of learning a dart-throwing skill. Participants were 105 fifth and sixth graders who were randomly assigned to six (3 Goal type x 2 self-recording) experimental and one control group. Results showed a positive effect of self-recording on students' performance, while no difference was found between the goal conditions. Moreover, goal group students made more technical attributions and adaptive inferences compared to the control group students. Results are discussed with reference to self-regulated learning, the pursuit of multiple goals and self-recording in physical education. (Contains 4 tables.)

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of the reciprocal and the self-check teaching styles on pupils' basketball chest pass performance and on related psychosocial variables in a single physical education session. Participants were 64 fifth and sixth grade pupils between 11 and 12 years of age who were randomly assigned to three experimental (reciprocal style, self-check style, sequential use of reciprocal and self-check style) and one control group. The results showed that the three experimental groups outperformed the control group in chest pass accuracy and form, but no differences among the experimental groups were found. Moreover, no differences among the four groups in self-efficacy, satisfaction, effort, and enjoyment were found. These results showed that the reciprocal and the self-check styles are effective in enhancing pupils' performance and are discussed with reference to self-regulated learning development in primary school physical education. (Contains 1 table and 2 figures.)

Body image is considered to be an obscure, mental representation of body shape, size and form which is influenced by a variety of factors that operate over varying time spans. Research has shown that professional female dancers may face preoccupations with their body image and weight. The present study aimed to investigate how body image was affected as a result of women dancers exercising in a professional and amateur level. The subjects were 115 female professional dance students and 85 females enrolled at amateur dance schools aged between 15 and 30 years old. The participants completed the 69 items of the Multidimentional Body Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ). According to the results, dance status was found to be significantly associated with three out of the ten MBSRQ subscales with professional dancers having higher mean scores on fitness orientation (F=10.095, p less than 0.05) and body areas dissatisfaction (F=16.455, p less than 0,05) and lower mean scores on overweight preoccupation (F=9.83, p less than 0,05). Future research on dancers could: (1) examine both the body image concerns and their relevant eating attitudes; (2) focus on body image concerns that occur as the females get older; (3) compare professional dancers with non-dancers, since this might provide for data at each end of the spectrum. (Contains 1 table.)

This study aimed at investigating the relations between students' strategic behaviour during problem solving, task performance and domain-specific self-concept. A total of 167 first- and second-graders were individually examined in tasks involving cubes assembly and in academic self-concept in mathematics. Students' cognitive, metacognitive, and Motivational/Volitional Strategic Behaviours were video-recorded and rated by two independent observers. Structural equation modelling showed that the cognitive and Metacognitive Strategic Behaviours were explained by a cognitive self-regulation factor which correlated with the Motivational/Volitional Strategic Behaviour factor. The importance of the cognitive self-regulation factor for task performance and the association of domain-specific self-concept with Motivational/Volitional Strategic Behaviour were shown. (Contains 3 tables and 3 figures.)

The present study aimed at examining the effectiveness of a team-sports-based life-skills program taught as part of physical education lessons. One hundred sixty-five sixth and eighth graders were assigned either in an experimental or in a control group and received an abbreviated version of SUPER, a team-sports-based program. The program focused on setting goals, on positive thinking, and on problem solving. Students were assessed on four sport-skills tests, knowledge about life skills, and beliefs about effective use of life skills. Results showed gains of the experimental group on two of the four sport-skills tests, knowledge and self-beliefs. (Contains 2 tables.)

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention program aimed to develop fair play behaviours in a school Olympic Education program. One hundred and twenty six, 5th-grade students from 4 elementary schools participated in this study, 66 of which were in the experimental group and 60 in the control group. The results revealed significant improvement in the reported fair play behaviours, classroom support and autonomy, orientation toward play and intrinsic motivation of the intervention group. Follow-up assessment revealed that the effects were maintained two months after the end of the program. Overall, it appears that the fair play intervention had immediate and sustained effects on students. The results suggest that programs based on sound theoretical principles can be effective in promoting students' sociomoral development. (Contains 4 tables.)

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effectiveness of a life skills training program taught as part of physical education lessons. Seventy three, seventh grade students were assigned either in an experimental or in a wait-list control replication group and received an abbreviated version of GOAL, a school-based intervention designed by Danish and colleagues to teach life skills. The program focused on setting goals, making plans for achieving goals and on positive thinking. Students were assessed on physical fitness tests, knowledge about life skills, and beliefs about effective use of life skills. Results showed gains and retention on physical fitness, knowledge and self-beliefs regarding goal setting. These results show that life skills training can be effectively implemented within a school physical education context. (Contains 2 tables.)