Developmental relations between motivation types and physical activity in elementary school children (1)

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to observe the developmental trajectories of motivation types among young children from 8 to 12 years using a more comprehensive scale of physical education motivation. We also tested the relations between these trajectories and objective physical activity during this period.

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The role of physical activity in primary stroke ­prevention

Physical inactivity is a known risk factor for stroke. The interaction between exercise and risk of stroke is complex. Physical activity has a beneficial effect on most risk factors for stroke, which may show reciprocal potentiation (e.g. obesity, sleep apnea, atrial fibrillation). Advice on physical activity is of importance in primary prevention of stroke. Hereby, type, amount and intensity of physical activity may be distinguished and adjusted according to comorbidities (e.g. in case of heart failure).

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Physical Activity and Sports in Dementia

There is a continuous increase in dementia partly due to increasing life-expectance. Currently there are no causal therapies for dementia, neither for dementias with vascular etiology nor for neurodegenerative dementias such as Alzheimer’s disease. Main risk factors for the development of dementia are low physical activity, hypertonia and diabetes mellitus. Physical activity has shown to exert beneficial effects on cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors und is closely connected with cognitive disturbance and the development and the course of dementia. Therefore, the implementation of physical activity in preventive and therapeutic strategies of dementia is recom­mended.

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From sedentary and physical inactive behaviors to the Race Across America (RAAM): a case report

This case report presents the evolution of physiological and psychological health parameters of a former sedentary and physically inactive nursing student during an 18 months period (three academic semesters), during which she first took part to a one-semester institutional physical activity (PA) program offered by her University, before being selected to participate in relay to the Race Across America (RAAM) with a team of the University. The four months before the RAAM, she followed a cycling specific training program. After the RAAM, she was followed-up the next eight months.

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Physical activity in secondary stroke prevention

After having a stroke the main challenges are reducing the risk of recurrent stroke, improving impaired brain function, quality of life, independence in activities of daily living and reintegration into the community. [1] Lesion-induced impairment of brain function also has, besides its effects on e.g. motor, sensory, visual and speech function, an influence on e.g. cognition and mood, all of which are determinants of post-stroke physical activity. The evidence for a benefit of physical activity in secondary stroke prevention is increasing and treatment strategies aimed at factors which are limiting physical activity are more and more recognized.

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«We do not stop exercising because we grow old – we grow old because we stop exercising.» Editorial 4-2019

Aerobics In 1968, Air Force Colonel Cooper wrote his first bestselling book, Aerobics, and sparked a fitness revolution. The general public got an idea of the multiple benefits of physical…

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Differential coordination behaviour between concentric and eccentric contractions – many questions remain unanswered

Concentric and eccentric muscle work is characterized through different biochemical activating cascades. Concentric contraction is characterized by an ATP O2 coupling dependent interaction of the myofibril proteins Aktin and Myosin. In eccentric contraction, according to the Wind­ing-filament hypothesis, a rotation movement around the thin filament is caused which is ATP independent. In addition, the processes of motor anticipation vary greatly between the two. This leads to the aim of the study: What are the differences in concentric versus eccentric muscle work concerning anticipation, perception and execution.

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The fight against doping from the perspective of Swiss athletes and coaches

The fight against doping is not primarily a fight against fallible athletes and coaches but rather a fight for clean athletes and coaches. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate how Swiss athletes and coaches perceive the doping problem and the current anti-doping policy. Two online surveys of 1040 Swiss squad coaches and 588 Swiss athletes of various sports were conducted in 2016 and 2017. 41.5% of athletes and 31.5% of coaches identified a serious doping problem in their sport. This perception varied significantly by sport (p≤0.001). 94.2% of athletes and 91.7% of coaches argued in support of a strict prohibition of doping.

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