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Prior research documents deleterious consequences of the annual clock change to daylight saving time in many contexts, but little is known about the effect the policy has on consumer behavior. While policy debates around ending seasonal clock changes continue, millions of consumers worldwide are potentially adversely affected by the time change. Drawing on the notions of sleepiness and self-control, the authors propose a framework of how the onset of daylight saving time increases unhealthy behavior. The hypotheses are tested via two studies cast in the difference-in-differences modeling framework capturing consumption before and after the time change and across consumers who experience the transition versus those who do not. Results of the first study suggest that the onset of daylight saving time increases calorie consumption from packaged snacks that are largely unhealthy, specifically in the evening and on cloudy days. The effect of the end of daylight saving time is not significant, suggesting an overall asymmetric effect of the time change on unhealthy behavior. Study 2 reveals that the onset of daylight saving time decreases fitness center visits, particularly for consumers without healthy consumption habits and with high transaction costs. Analysis of social media data suggests that consumers find the time change disruptive. Overall, the findings imply that public policy makers and businesses should find ways to support consumers around the onset of daylight saving time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the effects of a combined virtual-reality- and gym-based physical activity (PA) program on PA levels, motor skills, and social skills of children with a developmental disability (DD). Twenty-five children with DD were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The intervention was conducted for 60 min, two times a week, for 12 weeks. Pre- and postintervention assessments encompassing PA levels measured via Gravity Estimator of Normal Everyday Activity, motor skills evaluated using the Test of Gross Motor Development-Third Edition, and social skills gauged via the Social Skills Rating System-Parent were conducted. Additionally, a follow-up assessment was administered to the experimental group 12 weeks postintervention. The findings unequivocally demonstrate that the combined virtual-reality- and gym-based PA program yielded significant enhancements in PA levels, motor skills, and social skills among children with DD in the experimental group. Notably, these improvements were sustained 12 weeks after the intervention. These findings may help professionals develop and implement better PA programs for children with DD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among the few interventions that exist to decrease weight stigma in exercise settings, none include a long-term follow-up to assess if changes are sustained. The aim of this study was to assess if a weight stigma intervention that showed success in improving fat attitudes among university recreation center professionals had sustained effects after three months, compared to a control group. Participants were 46 university recreation center professionals who took the Fat Attitudes Assessment Toolkit before completing a two-hour self-paced online intervention or control course, after course completion, and at a three-month follow-up. At follow-up, participants in the intervention group showed significant improvement in total fat attitudes, F (2, 88) = 7.94, p <.001, η2p = 0.15 and in fat acceptance, F (2, 88) = 4.25, p =.017, η2p = 0.09. Future studies should further develop interventions and assess results in larger samples and after longer periods of time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent decades, the interest in having an ideal body in men has caused a pathological tendency to be muscular, followed by a tendency to use anabolic-androgenic steroids (AASs). This study was designed to evaluate the mediating role of muscle dysmorphia in the relationship between early maladaptive schemas and body image-related cognitive fusion with the tendency to use AAS in male athletes. Out of the total number of men referring to fitness clubs in Isfahan, Iran, 474 men were evaluated using a multistage random cluster sampling method. The questionnaires used in this research included the Muscle Dysmorphic Disorder Inventory, Cognitive Fusion Questionnaire—Body Image, Young Schema Questionnaire—Short Form, and Prototype Willingness Model Questionnaire. The results demonstrated that the relationship of AAS use with body image-related cognitive fusion and the three maladaptive schemas with the mediation of muscle dysmorphia is significant. The present study provides significant implications in the discussion of prevention and treatment of AAS addiction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To reduce the spread of COVID-19, in March of 2020, the state of Virginia issued a stay-at-home order requiring fitness center closures for 2.4 months. The purpose of this study was to explore how the fitness center closures influenced physical activity (PA) in older adults who previously participated in the centers' exercise classes. Eleven older adults (69.0 ± 6.6 years) completed semistructured interviews, which were transcribed and analyzed to identify emergent themes. Ten participants reported engaging in PA during the stay-at-home order; four participants maintained/increased PA compared to prepandemic levels. Four themes emerged regarding PA are as follows: recognition of the value of PA, high self-efficacy in regard to PA, adaptation to circumstances, and functional limitations. Findings suggest that prior exercise class participation positively influenced PA. While most participants did not maintain prepandemic PA levels, they remained active because they recognized the benefits of PA, had high self-efficacy for exercise, and adapted to their circumstances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Every organization ought to not only be working toward achieving a high level of customer satisfaction, but they should also be actively working toward achieving that level. Studies correlating influencing factors on the relationship between the quality service and customer satisfaction is scare at the local level. This quantitative research made use of the descriptive, correlational research design to assess influencing factors on the relationship between the quality service and customer satisfaction in Nanning Fitness Centers in China. Findings of this study served as basis for a proposed intervention plan. 200 respondents were recruited and statistical treatments used were frequency distribution, simple percentage, mean score and standard deviation, and Pearson r. Findings of the study revealed that physical environment, customer value, supporting service, switching cost, and purchasing decision were considered to be very important to the respondents. Overall, the influencing factors were considered to be very important in influencing the relationship between the quality service of Nanning Fitness Centers and customer satisfaction. Respondents were very satisfied with the service of the fitness center. Physical environment, customer value, supporting values, switching cost, purchasing decision, and overall factors influencing the relationship between service quality and customer satisfaction were significantly correlated with extent of the clients' satisfaction with the service. The more important the physical environment, customer value, supporting values, switching cost, purchasing decision, and overall factors influencing the relationship between service quality and customer satisfaction, the higher the extent of satisfaction on the service. To address the findings of the study an in-intervention plan was proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Witnessing that the appearance of female trainers has been regarded as a potential cause of appearance-based discrimination and a source of bodily capital, this study examined the influence of female trainers' appearance on the process of occupational socialization. We invited eight research participants for in-depth interviews, including female trainers, Pilates instructors, and male fitness center owners with training experience. We followed the grounded theory analysis method to derive meaningful insights from the collected data. The results indicate that the physical appearance of female trainers had various effects on their perceived value as bodily capital during the preparatory and adaptation periods. However, it became a constraining factor during the conflict period as they experienced bodily changes in their late 20s. Eventually, their physical appearance hindered female trainers from maintaining their careers and decreased the percentage of female trainers who reached maturity period. Ultimately, the culture of lookism had a mixed impact on women's occupational socialization, revealing its discriminatory undertones. Although some women profited from the culture, lookism disadvantaged others. Finally, we suggested that a possible solution would be the enactment of the anti-discrimination law for better protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: With a growing body of evidence highlighting the positive impact of regular physical activity or exercise on achieving healthy aging, it is important to gain insight into the factors influencing daily exercises uptake. However, to the best of our knowledge, no study has been focused on factors predicting daily exercises uptake among pensioners, who form a substantial portion of Ghana's aging population. The goal of this preliminary study was to estimate the factors associated with daily exercises uptake among Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) pensioners in Ghana. Methods: Data for this study came from a cross-sectional study on survival strategies and quality of life among SSNIT pensioners in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. Cluster and stratified sampling techniques were used to recruit the study participants. The analytic sample was 410 participants. Multivariable binary logistic regressions were used to estimate factors associated with daily exercises uptake among the participants. The significance of the test was pegged at a p-value of 0.05 or less. Results: The results showed that 62% of the participants self-identified as male, 47.6% were aged between 60 and 64 years, 52.7% were employed in the public sector and 44.4% performed daily exercises. The results showed that those who were aged 60–64 years (AOR: 1.197, 95% CI: 1.019–1.405), aged 65–69 years (AOR:1.254, 95% CI: 1.071–1.468), who do not incur expenditure on their household in a month (AOR: 1.519, 95% CI: 1.127–2.046), earned less than GH¢260 (AOR: 1.221, 95% CI: 1.018–1.465), accessed/utilized herbalist medical services (AOR: 1.252, 95% CI: 1.129–1.388), very dissatisfied (AOR: 1.637, 95% CI: 1.242–2.157) and dissatisfied (AOR: 1.516, 95% CI: 1.212–1.896) with their sex life were more likely to undertake daily exercises and this was statistically significant. The results again demonstrated that participants who joined fitness club (AOR: 0.685, 95% CI: 0.614-0.764) and those who were very dissatisfied with their health services access/use (AOR: 0.598, 95% CI: 0.363-0.984) were less likely to undertake daily exercises and this was statistically significant. Conclusion: Findings of this study have provided important insights for policy makers and thus constitute a useful framework to help plan and shape future policies and programs on daily exercises uptake among pensioners in Ghana and other geographical contexts with similar cultural, demographic, and socio-economic characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Quantifying the risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission in indoor settings is crucial for developing effective non-vaccine prevention strategies and policies. However, summary evidence on the transmission risks in settings other than households, schools, elderly care, and health care facilities is limited. We conducted a systematic review to estimate the secondary attack rates (SARs) of SARS-CoV-2 and the factors modifying transmission risk in community indoor settings. Methods We searched Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, WHO COVID-19 Research Database, MedrXiv, and BiorXiv from 1 January 2020 to 20 February 2023. We included articles with original data for estimating SARS-CoV-2 SARs. We estimated the overall and setting-specific SARs using the inverse variance method for random-effects meta-analyses. Results We included 34 studies with data on 577 index cases, 898 secondary cases, and 9173 contacts. The pooled SAR for community indoor settings was 20.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 12.0%–32.5%). The setting-specific SARs were highest for singing events (SAR, 44.9%; 95% CI, 14.5%–79.7%), indoor meetings and entertainment venues (SAR, 31.9%; 95% CI, 10.4%–65.3%), and fitness centers (SAR, 28.9%; 95% CI, 9.9%–60.1%). We found no difference in SARs by index case, viral, and setting-specific characteristics. Conclusions The risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission was highest in indoor settings where singing and exercising occurred. Effective mitigation measures such as assessing and improving ventilation should be considered to reduce the risk of transmission in high-risk settings. Future studies should systematically assess and report the host, viral, and setting-specific characteristics that may modify the transmission risks of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses in indoor environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biocatalysis is an attractive approach for the synthesis of chiral pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals, but assessing and/or improving the enantioselectivity of biocatalyst towards target substrates is often time and resource intensive. Although machine learning has been used to reveal the underlying relationship between protein sequences and biocatalytic enantioselectivity, the establishment of substrate fitness space is usually disregarded by chemists and is still a challenge. Using 240 datasets collected in our previous works, we adopt chemistry and geometry descriptors and build random forest classification models for predicting the enantioselectivity of amidase towards new substrates. We further propose a heuristic strategy based on these models, by which the rational protein engineering can be efficiently performed to synthesize chiral compounds with higher ee values, and the optimized variant results in a 53-fold higher E-value comparing to the wild-type amidase. This data-driven methodology is expected to broaden the application of machine learning in biocatalysis research. Machine learning has been used to reveal the relationship between protein sequences and biocatalytic enantioselectivity, but the establishment of substrate fitness space is challenging. Herein, the authors build random forest classification models for predicting the enantioselectivity of amidase toward different substrates, adopting chemistry and geometry descriptors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic pushed the European Union (EU) to centralize several public health functions. With the European Health Union (EHU) initiative, four reforms have been adopted to strengthen the EU's health security framework: the extension of the European Medicines Agency and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control's mandates, the creation of the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority, and the upgrading of the Decision on serious cross-border threats to health. This article analyses the reconfiguration of authority patterns resulting from these reforms. It argues that the EHU exemplifies a distinct mode of integration (expansive unification) in which national sovereignty is not transferred to the center but is jointly exercised at the center. This mode of integration is suitable for capacity building in core state domains when functional needs confront reluctance from constituent units to surrender control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several theoretical frameworks have been used to understand exercise adherence. Basic psychological needs (BPN), grounded on self‐determination theory, have received large attention for this purpose. More recently, the hedonic theory and the assumptions related to the exercise characteristics (e.g., intensity) that can bolster positive affective responses have been revitalized. This study aimed to explore the associations between the agreement of current exercise intensity and the one individually preferred, BPN satisfaction/frustration, enjoyment, the intention to continue exercise, and exercise frequency. Additionally, an exploration of the direct and indirect effects while testing sex as a moderator was performed. A sample of 369 exercisers (Mage = 43.6, standard deviation = 12.96; 214 females) enrolled in 26 health clubs participated in this study voluntarily. Data were received in a first‐approach descriptive and correlational analyses. Next, a moderated mediation was performed using model 15 (PROCESS v.4.2). As a result, agreement in preference for exercise intensity was positively associated with enjoyment (r = 0.35), intention (r = 0.43), and all needs satisfaction (ranging from r = 0.12 to r = 0.45) and negatively associated with all needs frustration (ranging from r = −0.15 to r = −0.31). In the moderated mediation analysis, the same pattern of results emerged in direct effects. Indirect effects were significant for autonomy in the enjoyment and frequency models. Findings suggest that promoting an individually adjusted training intensity may foster BPN satisfaction. It appears to be present an independent (of needs) and positive association with exercise enjoyment and intention to continue exercising. Highlights: An agreement between exercise intensity and the one individually preferred can be seen as a need‐supportive toolExercise intensity agreement presents an independent effect on exercise enjoyment and intentionThe way autonomy promotes enjoyment may be different between sexes, a relation that seems to favor menFemales appear to be more dependent on preference agreement to support enjoyment and intention, while in men, this relation appears to be valid only for intention [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of a low-carbon economy, it is crucial to integrate environmentally friendly and intelligent designs into fitness facilities to ensure sustainable economic, environmental, and energy development. However, traditional fitness facilities face challenges in effectively monitoring user movements, conserving energy, and optimizing efficiency. The need to conserve energy and reduce resource costs in a low-carbon economy calls for the development of efficient algorithms that can maintain accuracy while minimizing computation and energy consumption. This study proposes a method that combines machine learning and computer vision techniques to enhance monitoring accuracy while minimizing computation and energy consumption. The ResNet-50 model is utilized to extract image features associated with human movements, while real-time object detection and tracking are performed using the YOLOv5 model. Experimental evaluations are conducted on a dataset comprising multiple action categories, and the results demonstrate the excellent performance and model efficiency of the proposed method. Specifically, on the KU-HAR dataset, the proposed algorithm achieves a reduction of over 46.8% in inference time and more than 45.9% in FLOPs, while improving the MAPE by more than 42.8%. These advancements significantly enhance the accuracy and robustness of human motion recognition, highlighting the importance of this approach in the green transformation and intelligent design of fitness facilities. • The proposed approach combines various deep learning algorithms, for better recognition of action. • Focuses on effectively monitoring user movements, conserving energy, and improving equipment efficiency. • Experimental evaluations demonstrate the exceptional performance and model efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A favorable thermal environment in fitness centers is important to attract more members and is beneficial to the health of exercising people. The purpose of this study was to research the actual thermal environment of a typical fitness center in different seasons and the thermal requirement of exercising people. A field investigation covering winter, spring, and summer was conducted. The environmental parameters were measured. Subjective questionnaires involving individual information, clothing insulation, thermal sensation, etc., were collected. Participants' heart rates were tested to estimate their metabolic rate (MR). A total of 740 valid questionnaires were collected. The results showed that a scissors gap existed between the predictive mean vote (PMV) and the thermal sensation vote (TSV) for the exercising people. For the higher MR group, there was a separation between the TSV and thermal preference vote, e.g., most participants would not prefer to cooler or warmer thermal environment when they felt hot or cold. The CO2 concentration changed greatly among seasons and the distribution in the fitness center was not uniform. With mechanical ventilation, the CO2 concentration in summer was the lowest. In other seasons it became much higher due to limited natural ventilation. However, subjective response to indoor air quality showed no significant difference among seasons. The participants felt more satisfied to the overall thermal environment in the transition season. The results can be referenced in the thermal environment management in fitness centers during seasonal changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study develops a framework for the impact mechanism based on the "homo urbanicus" theoretical perspective, linking indoor and outdoor fitness environmental elements to residents' subjective perceptions and their activity intensity. An empirical investigation is conducted using structural equation modeling (SEM) with data from 286 valid questionnaires (N = 421). The results demonstrate that both indoor and outdoor fitness environmental elements—specifically spatial, facility, and environmental factors—significantly positively influence residents' fitness activity intensity, with this relationship mediated by perceptions of safety, convenience, comfort, and aesthetics. Furthermore, the study uncovers variations in the types and degrees of influence across indoor and outdoor settings. Based on these findings, the author proposes several planning and design strategies: "In indoor environments, it is essential to ensure that fitness spaces feature bright lighting and thoughtful design to enhance aesthetic appeal; additionally, optimizing spatial layouts and integrating information services can foster greater social interaction. For outdoor environments, prioritizing locations near aesthetically pleasing architecture, adjacent to blue landscapes, and within open areas, as well as sites that are close to community amenities and abundant surrounding facilities, will enhance residents' fitness activity intensity". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Gym instructors within the fitness industry play a pivotal role in guiding individuals towards achieving a range of health and fitness goals. In addition to muscular and skeletal health, gym instructors are instrumental in boosting the immune system. Even though they help in maintaining the body gym trainers have a limited knowledge of mechanism of injury, neglecting and repetitive movements of the joint leads to worsening of injury and increase in the pain. Musculoskeletal pain can stem from various sources, including uncommon or repetitive activities that strain muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Additionally, it may result from sudden, jerky movements, falls, fractures, or underlying musculoskeletal conditions. The result of repetitive activities that strain the muscles, tendons and sprain the ligaments. Insufficient recovery time, rapid pace work, repetitive motion patterns, heavy weight lifting, forceful manual exertions, mechanical pressure concentrations or whole body vibrations can lead to development of other musculoskeletal disorders. The impact of a musculoskeletal condition on an individual's quality of life is substantial, extending beyond mere physical discomfort. Such conditions not only affect personal well-being but also impose a considerable financial strain, manifested through compensation payments and lost wages. Instances of sick leave, absenteeism, and even job abandonment contribute to diminished job efficiency, further exacerbating the socioeconomic repercussions of these disorders. Methodology: A total of 147 participants were selected on the basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria. A consent form was filled by them and the study and questionnaire was explained to them. Self-made Questionnaire was explained to each gym instructors according to language understood by that person as well as google forms were also made available for their convenience. Each gym instructor completed a self administered questionnaire which included information regarding complaints of current shoulder pain. The total data was collected and was statistically analyzed. Conclusion: The Prevalence of shoulder pain in gym instructors is high (78%). The presence of shoulder pain causes a gym instructors to avoid certain activities due to pain which causes a hindrance in their work related activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Obesity, which is characterized by excessive body fat, increases the risk of chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and certain cancers. Sarcopenia, a decline in muscle mass, is also associated with many chronic disorders and is therefore a major concern in aging populations. Body composition analysis is important in the evaluation of obesity and sarcopenia because it provides information about the distribution of body fat and muscle mass. It is also useful for monitoring nutritional status, disease severity, and the effectiveness of interventions, such as exercise, diet, and drugs, and thus helps assess overall health and longevity. Computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry are commonly used for this purpose. However, they have limitations, such as high cost, long measurement time, and radiation exposure. Instead, bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), which was introduced several decades ago and has undergone significant technological advancements, can be used. It is easily accessible, affordable, and importantly, poses no radiation risk, making it suitable for use in hospitals, fitness centers, and even at home. Herein, we review the recent technological developments and clinical applications of BIA to provide an updated understanding of BIA technology and its strengths and limitations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This qualitative study investigates job satisfaction and its impact on the performance of human talent in fitness club franchises in Mexico, based on six semi-structured in-depth interviews conducted in October 2023. The research highlights that internal communication is the primary factor influencing job satisfaction, followed by interpersonal relationships and organisational climate. These findings imply that enhancing internal communication and fostering healthy interpersonal relationships can significantly improve employee well-being and job performance. The study aims to understand job satisfaction from the human talent perspective, focusing on the factors that affect their satisfaction and performance. The insights gained can inform strategies to improve work life quality and industry efficiency in Mexico, serving as a benchmark for future research and a strategic tool for human resource management in similar organisations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: People with mobility limitations have a disproportionately higher rate of acquiring secondary conditions such as obesity, cardiovascular comorbidity, pain, fatigue, depression, deconditioning, and type 2 diabetes. These conditions often result from poor access to home and community-based health promotion/wellness programs. The aim of this project was to determine the feasibility of delivering an online community membership-based fitness program for individuals with mobility impairments. Methods: For this prospective single-arm study, participants were recruited from members of a community fitness facility that serves people with physical disabilities and chronic health conditions. While all members had access to the online platform, individuals had to opt-in to participate in the research component. Activity options included 16 pre-recorded videos and 9 live exercise classes. During the 8-week program, participants had an opportunity to earn three exercise incentives for reaching certain activity milestones. Enrollment percentage, attendance, and attrition were tracked to assess program feasibility and acceptability. Changes in participant-reported outcomes including self-reported physical activity, psychosocial outcomes, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) were examined using non-parametric analyses. Results: A total of 146 eligible individuals were screened of which 33 enrolled (22.6%). Two participants withdrew from the study, so a total of 31 were used for analyses. Participants included 29 women and 12 Black people with an average age of 60 (± 15.9) years. Health conditions included stroke, post-polio, arthritis, neuropathy, cerebral palsy, and obesity. Ten participants used an assistive device to get around inside the home. Twenty-six participants (78.8%) completed the online program, and 5 participants earned all 3 participation incentives. The mean number of live Zoom exercise classes attended by the participants was 12.8 (range = 0–43) over 8 weeks; 3 of 31 participants did not attend any classes. On average, participants watched 128 min (range = 0–704 min) of pre-recorded videos; 6 of 31 participants did not view any pre-recorded videos. Self-reported physical activity showed the largest improvement (11.15 units; 95% CI, 3.08, 19.56) with an effect size of 0.51 (Cohen's d). Conclusions: This pilot study of an online membership-based fitness program for people with mobility impairments demonstrated preliminary effectiveness in increasing physical activity and was found to be feasible and acceptable. Feasibility endpoints do indicate potential to improve retention. These results suggest that online delivery of exercise programs can broaden the reach of specialized community fitness programs and is a promising direction for future work and fully powered trials are warranted to assess intervention efficacy. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05138809. Registered September 2, 2021, ClinicalTrials.gov PRS: Record Summary NCT05138809. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite extensive research on the relationship between psychological factors and aerobic training, there remains a gap in understanding these relationships within resistance training (RT), particularly barbell-based RT. This study aimed to examine the associations between basic psychological needs, behavioral regulation, self-efficacy, and a longitudinal barbell-based RT program for adults. Methods: Forty-three adults (M age = 45.09 ± 10.72) were recruited from the Competitive Edge resistance training program at a medical fitness center in Northwest Montana. The study followed an 18-week schedule: 8 weeks of training, 1 week of active recovery, and 8 additional weeks of training. Results: The results reveal several significant findings. First, the basic psychological need for competence significantly increased from baseline (M = 5.06) to post-program (M = 5.30), (p = 0.017). Second, the composite score of the BREQ-3 significantly predicting muscular strength improvements in the deadlift (β = 3.64, p = 0.039). Third, both mastery (p = 0.021) and resilience (p = 0.007) self-efficacy subscales increased from baseline to post-program. Fourth, exploratory analyses indicated that the reasons to exercise scale predicted increases in muscular endurance with the weight management (β = 10.016, p = 0.046) and solitude (β = 6.792, p = 0.037) subscales. Conclusion: These findings highlight the importance of psychological factors in predicting strength outcomes and muscular endurance, suggesting that psychological interventions may complement physical training to maximize benefits. This research contributes valuable insights into how psychological factors influence training outcomes, potentially guiding future interventions and program designs to better support strength development and endurance in resistance training contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the effectiveness of community-based exercise programs for individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) following hospital discharge. Given the rising incidence of SCI, particularly in South Korea, and the associated long-term disabilities, the necessity for comprehensive post-discharge rehabilitation is paramount. The study focuses on a pilot randomized multicenter double-blind controlled trial, targeting SCI patients who have completed inpatient rehabilitation and are living in the community. The primary aim is to evaluate the impact of structured exercise programs on physical fitness, functional capacity, and overall recovery. The research introduces the SpinalFit program, a community-based intervention designed to enhance muscle strength, cardiopulmonary endurance, and mobility through a combination of aerobic and resistance training. This program addresses the critical need for safe and effective rehabilitation options outside the hospital setting, utilizing circuit training with resistance bands and body-weight exercises tailored to each participant's capacity. The study also investigates barriers to physical activity in the community for SCI patients and the potential role of community exercise centers in bridging this gap. Preliminary findings from this pilot trial are expected to provide valuable insights into optimizing exercise regimens for SCI patients, informing future large-scale studies and contributing to improved post-discharge rehabilitation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research question: Dropping out of the club membership is a serious problem faced by low-cost fitness clubs. The previous research showed when the membership period extended, the dropping out rate was replaced by the continuance of the membership. In this context extending the duration of membership is important for low-fitness clubs. Since the sense of community creates a catalyst effect on the continuance of membership, the sense of community could be important. However, little is known about the effect of it in sports consumer literature. The present study therefore attempts to examine the theoretical relationship between sense of community, perceived value, consumer satisfaction, and future intentions in low-cost fitness clubs. Research methods: Members from four fitness clubs located in Eskişehir, Turkey (n = 384) were surveyed. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was used to test the research model. Results and Findings: The results showed that sense of community played a crucial role for enhancing the perceived value and consumer satisfaction of low-cost fitness club members. Implications: This study investigated the effect of sense of community on the sport consumer's behavior and provided empirical evidence of the effects of sense of community on post-consumption attitudes of low-cost fitness club members. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study applies a forensic examination to six distinct Android fitness applications centered around monitoring running activities. The applications are Adidas Running, MapMyWalk, Nike Run Club, Pumatrac, Runkeeper and Strava. Specifically, we perform a post mortem analysis of each application to find and document artifacts such as timelines and Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates of running workouts that could prove helpful in digital forensic investigations. First, we focused on the Nike Run Club application and used the gained knowledge to analyze the other applications, taking advantage of their similarity. We began by creating a test environment and using each application during a fixed period. This procedure allowed us to gather testing data, and, to ensure access to all data generated by the apps, we used a rooted Android smartphone. For the forensic analysis, we examined the data stored by the smartphone application and documented the forensic artifacts found. To ease forensic data processing, we created several Python modules for the well-known Android Logs Events And Protobuf Parser (ALEAPP) digital forensic framework. These modules process the data sources, creating reports with the primary digital artifacts, which include the workout activities and related GPS data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to reduced physical activity and increased sedentary behaviors, negatively impacting mental and physical health. Engaging in physical activity at home during quarantine became essential to counteracting these adverse effects. To develop appropriate physical activity programs, assessing individuals' fitness levels and the impact of inactivity is crucial. This study aims to compare motor abilities—including flexibility, balance, reaction time, cardiovascular endurance, and lower and upper limb strength—assessed both in-person and remotely, to determine the accuracy and repeatability of self-administered tests. Methods: A total of 35 young subjects (age 24.2 ± 1.97 years, BMI 22.4 ± 2.61 kg/m2) participated in this study. Each participant underwent a battery of motor ability tests designed to assess various fitness components. The tests were administered twice for each subject: once in a laboratory setting and once remotely at home. The sequence of tests was randomly assigned to ensure unbiased results. Both the in-person and remote assessments were used to evaluate the accuracy and reliability of self-administered tests. Results: The comparison of test results between the laboratory and remote settings revealed percentage differences ranging from 5% to 10%. This variation is considered an acceptable margin of error, suggesting that the tests conducted remotely were relatively accurate when compared to those performed in a controlled laboratory environment. Conclusions: The findings indicate that remote fitness testing is a promising method for evaluating motor abilities. With an acceptable margin of error, remote assessments can be effectively used to personalize training programs based on individuals' physiological characteristics. This approach may be particularly beneficial during times of limited access to fitness facilities, such as during quarantine, or for individuals seeking more flexible fitness evaluation methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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The primary objective of this study was to investigate the associations between sport participation and weight status with physical fitness among French adolescents. The secondary aim was to establish sex- and age-specific physical fitness percentiles for French adolescents. The sample comprised 8084 adolescents (4126 boys, 3958 girls), aged 10–14 years. Participants were tested on cardiorespiratory fitness and muscular strength using the following tests: 20-m shuttle run test and handgrip strength test. A questionnaire on organized sport participation was completed. Physical fitness levels were better in boys (P < 0.005). Handgrip strength increased with age whereas 20-m shuttle run performance decreased with age. Overweight and obese adolescents had significantly lower cardiorespiratory fitness levels than their normal-weight peers (P < 0.005), whereas normal-weight adolescents had lower cardiorespiratory fitness than thin adolescents (P < 0.005). Sport participation was higher for boys (57.2% boys vs. 52.8% girls) (P < 0.001). Adolescents who participated in at least one organized sport (either through a club or at school) were fitter than those who did not participate in organized sports (P < 0.005). Adolescents who engaged in organized sports were more active and physically fit than those who did not participate. The fitness benefits of club sports are greater than those provided by school-based sports, highlighting the potential of sports clubs as a key setting for promoting health. What is Known: • Physical fitness is a strong marker of health in children and adolescents. • The last French Report Card highlighted the lack of fitness data and the need for nationwide programs, while showing a significant decline in cardiorespiratory fitness among youth in recent decades.. What is New: • This study reveals that adolescents participating in organized sports have better physical fitness compared to their peers who do not, emphasizing the potential advantages of club sports over school-based activities. • We highlight the need for targeted strategies, particularly for overweight or obese adolescents and girls, to increase participation in organized sports and enhance health outcomes. • The study emphasizes the need to develop policies that improve access to organized sports clubs and expand physical education in schools, aiming to improve CRF in adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple intervention strategies have been found effective for increasing physical activity among breast cancer survivors, yet most breast cancer survivors fail to meet physical activity recommendations. Optimization of interventions can facilitate real word implementation to ensure effective and efficient intervention delivery. Using a full-factorial design based on the Multiphase Optimization Strategy, 337 breast cancer survivors were randomized to receive a combination of four intervention components: (1) supervised exercise sessions, (2) facility membership, (3) Active Living Every Day (ALED), and (4) Fitbit. Moderate-to vigorous (MVPA) and light-intensity physical activity (LPA) were measured at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months with a hip-worn Actigraph GT3X+. Normal linear mixed models with separate intercepts for each subject were fit in the SAS 9.4 Mixed procedure. Participants who received supervised exercise sessions engaged in more MVPA, 153.58 min/week vs. 133.0 min/week (F = 3.97, p = 0.048) and LPA, 170.26 min/day versus 160.98 light PA minutes/day (F = 4.67, p = 0.032), compared to participants who did not receive supervised exercise. The effects of the three other intervention components on MVPA were not significant; however, those that received ALED engaged in less LPA (F = 6.6, p = 0.011). Supervised exercise sessions resulted in significant increases in MVPA and LPA in a sample of breast cancer survivors. Of note, these sessions were provided only during the first 6 weeks of the intervention and effects remained significant at 6 months. Results of this trial could inform future implementation efforts to ensure effective and efficient delivery of physical activity programs for breast cancer survivors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate whether the neighborhood social and built environment moderates response to a mobile health multiple health behavior change intervention targeting fruit/vegetable intake, sedentary behavior, and physical activity. Methods: Participants were 156 Chicago-residing adults with unhealthy lifestyle behaviors. Using linear mixed models, we evaluated whether access to food facilities (fast food restaurants and grocery stores) and recreational activity spaces (gyms and parks) moderated the difference in behavior change between the active intervention condition relative to control. Using spatial data analysis (cross K functions), we also assessed whether participants who achieved goal levels of behaviors ("responders") were more or less likely than those who did not achieve intervention goals ("non-responders") to reside near fast food restaurants, grocery stores, gyms, or parks. Results: According to linear mixed models, none of the neighborhood social and built environment factors moderated the difference in behavior change between the active intervention condition and the control condition (Likelihood Ratio (χ²[1] = 0.02–2.33, P-values > 0.05). Cross K functions showed that diet behavior change responders were more likely than non-responders to reside near fast food restaurants, but not grocery stores. The results for activity behavior change were more variable. Sedentary screen time responders were more likely to reside around recreational activity spaces than non-responders. Moderate-vigorous physical activity responders had greater and lesser clustering than non-responders around parks, dependent upon distance from the park to participant residence. Conclusions: A complex relationship was observed between residential proximity to Chicago facilities and response to multiple health behavior change intervention. Replication across diverse geographic settings and samples is necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the daily life and routines of Americans across the United States (U.S.), including those of our active-duty service members (ADSMs). Limited movement orders enacted during this time to promote social distancing prohibited access to fitness and dining facilities for ADSMs. This study aims to expand on previous work identifying changes in body mass index (BMI) among U.S. Army service members by identifying changes in body mass index (BMI) among active-duty service members from both the Navy and Marine Corps during the same time period. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of active-duty service members from the Navy and Marine Corps using data from the Military Health System Data Repository. BMI was calculated and categorized according to CDC guidelines both before (February 2019 - January 2020) and during the pandemic (September 2020 - June 2021). Women who were pregnant or delivered during and one year prior to the study periods were excluded. Statistical analyses included paired t-tests evaluating mean BMI, percent change, and the Stuart-Maxwell test for marginal homogeneity. Results: We identified 98,330 active-duty Sailors and 55,298 active-duty Marines for inclusion in this study. During the pandemic period the percentage of Sailors with Underweight decreased by 11%, Healthy weight decreased by 11.1%, Overweight increased by 2.1%, and the percentage of Sailors with Obesity increased by 16.5%. During this same time period, Marines with Underweight decreased by 1%, Healthy weight decreased by 16%, Overweight increased by 3.0%, and Marines with Obesity increased by 51%. The largest increases in service members with overweight and obesity observed among both cohorts were among female service members, service members under age 20, and service members with a Junior Enlisted rank. Conclusions: Significant increases in obesity were observed amongst active-duty United States Navy and Marine Corps service members during DoD pandemic mitigation efforts. Increased rates of obesity likely effected fitness and force readiness. Future interventions should be targeted at younger, Junior-Enlisted Marines and Sailors to promote healthy lifestyles and provide education on nutrition, appropriate exercise, sleep hygiene, and stress management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Physical inactivity is common among older adults and is associated with poor health outcomes. Medical fitness facilities provide a medically focused approach to physical fitness and can improve physical activity in their communities. This study aimed to assess the relationship between membership in the medical fitness model and all-cause mortality, health care utilization, and major adverse cardiac events in older adults. Methods: A propensity weighted retrospective cohort study linked individuals that attended medical fitness facilities to provincial health administrative databases. Older adults who had at least 1 year of health coverage from their index date between January 1st, 2005 to December 31st 2015 were included. Controls were assigned a pseudo-index date at random based on the frequency distribution of index dates in members. Members were stratified into low frequency attenders (< 1 Weekly Visits) and regular frequency attenders (> 1 Weekly Visits). Time to event models estimated the hazard ratios (HRs) for risk of all-cause mortality and major adverse cardiac event. Negative binomial models estimated the risk ratios (RRs) for risk of hospitalizations, outpatient primary care visits and emergency department visits. Results: Among 3,029 older adult members and 91,734 controls, members had a 45% lower risk of all-cause mortality (HR: 0.55, 95% CI: 0.50 – 0.61), 20% lower risk of hospitalizations (RR: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.75 – 0.84), and a 27% (HR: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.66 – 0.77), lower risk of a major adverse cardiovascular event. A dose–response effect with larger risk reductions was associated with more frequent attendance as regular frequency attenders were 4% more likely to visit a general practitioner for a routine healthcare visit (RR: 1.04, 95% CI: 1.01 – 1.07), but 23% less likely to visit the emergency department (RR: 0.87, 95% CI: 0.82 – 0.92). Conclusions: Membership at a medical fitness facility was associated with a decreased risk of mortality, health care utilization and cardiovascular events. The medical fitness model may be an alternative approach for public health strategies to promote positive health behaviors in older adult populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThe increased popularity of swinger clubs across the UK in the past two decades has not been met with commensurate public health initiatives or interventions that engage with the relationship between swinger clubs and sexual health. Consequently, the responsibility for sexual health promotion within these establishments largely depends on the discretion of club managers. Drawing on data from semi-structured interviews with 10 managers from across the UK, the study suggests that the managers’ perceptions of the club-consumer relationship shape the nature of sexual health promotion. Three distinct approaches were evident in the research: those who perceive sexual health promotion as financially detrimental; those who see it as an individual rather than a collective club concern; and those who consider it as part of a broader social community responsibility. These findings highlighted an implicit beneficence of managers towards their customers; a shared assumption that an ideal consumer was heterosexual, partnered and in their forties; and differing perceptions of manager responsibility towards the sexual health of customers. The paper concludes by suggesting that the swinger community is a blind spot in sexual health discussion in the UK and that by talking to the managers of swinger clubs we can further develop our understanding of the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Physical activity is critical for health promotion and the prevention of noncommunicable illnesses, especially among teenagers. However, teenagers' active participation in physical exercise may be hampered by perceived impediments to physical activity. Objective: This study aimed to identify the external and internal barriers to physical activities among adolescents, as well as any differences in these barriers between males and females. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 600 adolescent students (aged 11–16) from a public school in Jordan. A self-administered questionnaire with 12 items assessed barriers to physical activity. Internal and external barriers were identified, and statistical analyses were performed using SPSS. Results: Male adolescents reported more perceived hurdles to physical exercise than female adolescents, with lack of time and lack of self-confidence being the most significant impediments. External impediments were more prominent than internal barriers, particularly a lack of resources. The total score for external barriers was significantly higher than that for internal barriers. "Lack of resources" was the most important external barrier (mean = 3.49), and "lack of self-confidence" was the most significant internal barrier (mean = 3.47). Male and female teenagers differed in the obstacles of "lack of self-confidence" (p =.045) and "lack of time" (p =.040). The most significant perceived hurdles included a lack of awareness of the health benefits of exercise, concerns about appearance while exercising, limited access to fitness centers, lack of exercise equipment at home, and insufficient spare time due to a packed class schedule. Conclusion: It is critical to implement interventions that address the identified barriers to physical activity, particularly among female adolescents, such as improving opportunities for physical activity and providing social support for participation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the effects of the Nirvana Fitness (NF) program on state body appreciation (BA) and its correlates, as well as the mechanisms that could explain these changes. The study participants were allocated to NF (n = 21) and functional training (control, n = 22) groups and participated in an 8-week exercise intervention. The mean age was 24.4 ± 6.7. The participants filled out online questionnaires on state measures of BA, body surveillance (BS), functionality appreciation, body–mind connection, mindfulness in physical activity (SMS-PA), intrinsic exercise motivation (IM), satisfaction of basic psychological needs, and perceived physical fitness (PPF) immediately after the first and last sessions. The results revealed a significant improvement in state BA and its correlates in both groups, with no changes in PPF in the NF group or IM in either group. An interaction between group and time effects was revealed in a change of relatedness, indicating a stronger effect in the NF group. Positive changes in SMS-PA, BS, and satisfaction of the need for relatedness significantly predicted improvement in state BA. These findings highlight the importance of targeting mindfulness, body surveillance, and relatedness during physical activity in interventions aimed at promoting positive body image in university-aged women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite significant changes in healthcare, work practices, and leisure activity, the proposed precipitating factors for abdominal wall hernias have remained largely unchanged for almost two centuries. We aimed to investigate if there have been shifts in these factors over time by examining patients' perception of precipitating factors for abdominal wall hernia development. This study was conducted in the Royal College of Surgeons In Ireland Department of Surgery, Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, Dublin, where patients with abdominal wall hernias completed a questionnaire. Results: A total of 277 patients (mean age 55.7; 85.6% male) with abdominal wall hernia completed the questionnaire (66.1% inguinal; 10.8% umbilical; 6.9% paraumbilical; 10.5% epigastric; 3.2% incisional; 1.4% femoral, and 1.1% port-site). One hundred and twenty patients (43.3%) believed their hernia was due to lifting, 71 (25.6%) cited gym activity and 17 (6.1%) cited other sporting activities as the precipitating factor. Traditional factors – chronic cough and constipation - were cumulatively cited only by 11 patients (4.0%), while prostatic obstruction was not cited by any. Conclusion: This study suggests that fitness pursuits may be an increasing contributor to the development of abdominal wall hernia. Greater attention should be paid to the proper use of gym equipment to minimise the risk of hernia development. Key findings: Almost one quarter of patients attributed their hernia to gym activity which should be further explored in prospective studies. This potentially reflects changes in work practice and lifestyle. Traditional causes like chronic cough and constipation were rarely cited, probably reflecting improved healthcare and lifestyle practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Affective responses are increasingly recognized as potentially effective intervention targets that may facilitate exercise and physical activity behavior change. While emerging correlational evidence suggests that more pleasant affective responses are associated with higher participation and adherence, experimental evidence remains scarce. In light of this, we conducted a preregistered, pragmatic, single-blinded, superiority randomized controlled trial with two parallel groups, with the goal of determining the impact of an individualized exercise-intensity prescription targeting pleasure on exercise frequency. Methods: Forty-seven non-regular exercisers were randomized into two groups. For both groups, the intervention consisted of three exercise sessions based on the Frequency-Intensity-Time-Type (FITT) principle. However, the experimental group also received an individualized intensity prescription based on prior assessment of preference for and tolerance of exercise intensity, as well as instructions emphasizing the promotion of pleasure as a basis for self-regulating exercise intensity. The primary outcome was gymnasium attendance over an eight-week follow-up period. Secondary outcomes were affective valence and arousal, post-exercise enjoyment, core affective exercise experiences, and anticipated and remembered affect. Results: Forty-six participants were retained for analysis (Mage = 32.00; SD = 8.62 years; 56.5% female). Compared to the control group, the experimental group exhibited 77% higher session attendance (14.35 vs. 8.13 sessions) over the eight-week follow-up period (group main effect p =.018, η2p =.120; Cohen's d ranged from 0.28 to 0.91 during follow-up). Also, the experimental group reported higher levels of pleasure during the intervention sessions (for all group main effects, p <.001, η2p from.33 to.37) and higher levels of remembered pleasure (group main effect p =.021, η2p =.116) and anticipated pleasure (group main effect p =.022, η2p =.114). No harm was detected. Conclusions: These results demonstrate the practicality and effectiveness of an intervention aimed at enhancing affective responses to exercise in improving short-term session attendance. Trial registration: ClinicalTrial.gov NCT05416593. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to examine a risk model for eating disorders and exercise dependence in women who regularly attend the gym. This study explored the impact of early maladaptive schemas, parental styles, coping mechanisms, sociocultural attitudes toward appearance, and anxious-depressive symptomatology. A total of 338 women (age range 18-40 years) participated in the study. The results suggest that early maladaptive schemas of imperfection/shame and inflexible standards, generated by parental styles characterized by less affective availability and focused on devaluative criticism, overexertion and internalization of guilt when stipulated standards are not met, lead to increased anxiety for social approval. Being approved becomes the only resource of self-validation found by the individual. Specifically, the results show that women who scored at risk for eating disorders and exercise dependence had higher levels of anxiety and depression. In turn, they more frequently used desiderative thinking and escape as coping mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies the effect of e-Lifestyles on the fitness industry. The aim is to investigate the (mediating) role of e-Lifestyles in the relationship between behavioral intentions to use the fitness center app, app usage behavior, and member overall satisfaction with the fitness center, i.e., explain whether e-Lifestyles allow us to better understand fitness center satisfaction or app usage intention. Results of 1403 members revealed that the relationship between behavioral intentions to use the app and the members' overall satisfaction with the fitness center is positively mediated by e-Lifestyles. Results further demonstrate that there is a direct positive effect of behavioral usage intentions of the app-on-app usage behavior and overall member satisfaction toward the fitness center. The study adds to the literature on e-Lifestyles by demonstrating its significance in the context of fitness center management. This study helps managers conduct more thorough marketing plans and develop differentiated strategies and provides information for app designers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The anticipated pleasure of participating in physical activity (PA) is one factor that may increase the likelihood of engagement and may be particularly important for long-term engagement. However, the impact of PA characteristics (e.g., intensity, location) on anticipated pleasure of PA remain unclear. This study used a conjoint analytic approach to evaluate the impact of activity intensity, physical context, and social context on the anticipated pleasure of engaging in PA across involvement segments. In conjoint analysis, participants provide overall ratings of hypothetical options (called profiles) described using levels of the selected study factors. Eight-hundred seventy-one participants (mean 48.3, SD 16.5 years, 66.9% female) evaluated 18 PA profiles that varied based on activity intensity, physical context, and social context. Three PA involvement segments were identified (low, moderate, high). Physical context was most impactful for highly and moderately involved participants; activity intensity had the highest impact for the least involved. Light intensity, outdoor PA performed alone or with family/friends was anticipated to be most pleasant for most participants. Vigorous intensity PA, PA performed at a fitness facility, and PA performed as part of a group elicited anticipated displeasure for those with low involvement. Physical context was most important for most people. Activity intensity was most impactful for frequent targets of PA intervention. PA promotion efforts should focus on light intensity activity, performed outdoors either alone or with family or friends to maximise anticipated pleasure for those least active. Conjoint analysis and audience segmentation show promise for future pleasure-related PA research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A significant advancement in marketing studies has been the use of big data analytics to explore and derive customer experience (CX) insights. With fitness businesses' pivoting towards managing CX along the entire customer journey, this study aimed to understand CX in the commercial fitness industry. A textual corpus of three million words was extracted from a total of 24,231 Yelp reviews on 1,045 fitness clubs in the United States. Structural Topic Modeling (STM), content analysis, and topic network analysis were performed to identify CX themes and their inter-relationships. We then inductively identified topics and themes germane to CX in fitness clubs and derived a general CX model. Sixty-eight relevant topics were identified through an iterative STM and content analysis process and were subsequently interpreted using the CX paradigm and experience design framework (Funk, 2017; Voss et al., 2008). Our final model integrates experience design elements (i.e. stageware, orgware, customerware), customer journey (i.e. pre-usage, usage, post-usage) and CX (i.e. subjective and internal responses) and shows the interrelationships among them. Our model offers an integrative and coherent theoretical framework to examine CX in commercial fitness clubs. Our model and methodology allow researchers and organizations not only to capture CX and the relative salience of CX topics, but also to track CX trends over time, compare the experience design elements of an organization, measure CX performance against competitors, and link CX topics to other criterion variables (e.g. retention rate, financial performance, business survivability). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the impact that employers have on individual and community health during public health emergencies. Employers can influence health outcomes through their products, workplace policies, and services. Healthcare-oriented employers, such as hospitals and pharmacies, play a critical role in providing essential services during emergencies. Employers also have a significant impact on health insurance coverage and can provide access to medical care and mental health services. Worksite policies and procedures can protect the health and safety of employees, and employers can serve as a source of credible information for their employees and their families. Additionally, employers can contribute to community health by reducing disease transmission, providing services, and supporting response efforts. Establishing partnerships between public health agencies and employers before emergencies occur is crucial for effective collaboration and response. The article concludes with recommendations for public health and emergency planners to enhance partnerships with employers and improve health outcomes during emergencies. [Extracted from the article]