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Time-restricted feeding (TRF) and aerobic exercise are lifestyle interventions to prevent or manage different metabolic diseases. How these interventions interact, including the impact of meal timing, is not well understood. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of TRF on fat oxidation during exercise, whereby participants performed an 8-week fat max -training program either in the fasted state or after a carbohydrate-based snack. 36 participants were randomized into three groups. (1) Training sessions were performed in the fasted state; (2) Training sessions were performed after consuming a standardized carbohydrate-based snack; (3) Exercise training with an ad libitum diet as a control group. Pre- and post-tests included anthropometric measurements and a fat max -cycle-ergometry protocol to measure substrate oxidation. Data were analyzed as workload-matched and maximal fat oxidation using a series of mixed ANOVAs. Workload-matched (p = 0.038) and maximal (p < 0.001) fat oxidation improved in all groups. No significant group × time interactions were found in substrate utilization. Time had a significant effect on body weight (p = 0.011), fat mass (p < 0.001), and muscle mass (p < 0.001). Results suggest that fat max exercise training leads to improvements in fat oxidative capacity independent of fed or fasted state., (© 2025 The Author(s). Physiological Reports published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of The Physiological Society and the American Physiological Society.)

Brief exercise bouts can have positive effects on the affective state, which in turn could affect the intention for future exercise. Such benefits may be enhanced by manipulating expectations. The aim of this study was to examine whether the affective state after physical activity or the intention for future exercise can be influenced by manipulating expectations. Furthermore, the relationship between affect and intention was investigated. In an online experiment, 121 persons completed either a 10-minute workout (PA), a workout after manipulation of expectations (PA + EM), or a control intervention (CG) after randomized group allocation. Data on affective state, expectations, and intention were collected before and after the intervention using questionnaires. After intervention, PA groups showed significantly more positive values than CG in several affective parameters, in other affective parameters, only PA + EM differed from CG. Affect was positively associated with intention alongside outcome expectations. No difference was found in intention. Although no significant effects of expectation manipulation on affective state or intention were found, latent effects cannot be ruled out. Further exploration of the importance of word choice in describing physical activity in the context of interventions to increase physical activity is necessary. Here, affect should be considered., (© 2024 The Author(s). Applied Psychology: Health and Well‐Being published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Association of Applied Psychology.)

Background: Physical activity in individuals diagnosed with psychiatric conditions (patients) has antidepressant and anxiolytic effects, but levels of physical activity are still low in this population. This study aimed to identify physical activity preferences, motives, and perceived barriers in patients compared to individuals without a diagnosed psychiatric condition (controls)., Methods: A total of 230 patients (age = 39.5 ± 14.0 years, 80% female) with major depression (34%), anxiety disorders (38%), or post-traumatic stress disorder (28%) completed a cross-sectional online survey to assess preferences, motives, and perceived barriers to physical activity (measured by the EMI-2). This group consisted of 100 patients with a clinical diagnosis (clinical subset) and 130 with self-reported psychiatric conditions (confirmed by the PHQ-4) from online help forums (online subset). Comparisons between patients of the clinical and the online subsets were performed and are referenced whenever significant. The patients group was compared to a healthy control group matched by sex and age (n = 230, age = 39.4 ± 14.9 years, 80% female)., Results: More patients reported insufficient physical activity levels and more daily sitting hours (measured by the IPAQ) compared to controls. Patients reported lower preference in more ambitious types of physical activity, such as hiking, cycling, and running. The commonly most preferred type of physical activity in both groups was walking and yoga. Patients had fewer motives and more perceived barriers to physical activity in comparison to the control group. Some differences in motives and perceived barriers to physical activity were also found between patients of the clinical and the online subset., Conclusions: Findings of low physical activity levels in patients are consistent with the literature. Due to the patients' lack of motivation and perception of barriers, health care providers should consider offering different and individualized forms of physical activity. Easier types of physical activity, such as walking and yoga, appear to be the most feasible and provide a good starting point to overcome perceived barriers to physical activity., (Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Low physical fitness (PF) has been associated with higher risk of suffering from different diseases. The importance of PF is evident already in early ages, as children's PF appears to be a key factor of their future PF and physical activity level. Among the variables that may have an influence on children's PF, the importance of parent's socioeconomic status and active/inactive behaviors has been stressed in several previous studies. However, previous literature has mostly reported this association through cross-sectional studies. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of parental education and self-reported parental physical activity (PA) on their children's development of PF during the 4-year duration of primary education. Using German Motor Test 6-18, the major components of PF (sprint velocity, coordination, flexibility, strength endurance, power, and endurance) were measured on a total of 371 children (46.9% girls, 30.6% migration background, 19.6% overweight/obese at the fourth test time point, compliance 70.1%) from 20 primary schools in Tyrol, Austria. Results showed that children with at least one parent with upper secondary education or above obtained significantly higher PF scores at all time points compared to children with both parents with lower secondary education and below. However, PF in both groups developed over time in a comparable manner irrespective of parental education. From the age of 9 years old, children with regularly physically active parents showed a stronger development of PF over the time compared to their peers with parents reporting irregular/no PA. Our results suggest that low-educated parents' children might be considered a special target group for interventions aiming at increasing PF. More research is needed in order to delve into the potential underdevelopment of PF in 9-year-old children whose parents have low PA levels.

Research has shown that cold air exercise causes significant respiratory dysfunction, especially in female athletes. However, how female and male athletes respond to cold air exercise is not known. Thus, we aimed to compare acute respiratory responses (function, recovery and symptoms) in males and females after high-intensity cold air exercise. Eighteen (nine female) athletes completed two environmental chamber running trials at 0 °C and -20 °C (humidity 34 ± 5%) on different days in a randomized starting order. Spirometry was performed pre, 3, 6, 10, 15 and 20 min post. Respiratory symptoms were measured posttrial and heart rate and rating of perceived exertion were assessed during each trial. No significant differences in delta change (pre to post) were found at either temperature between sexes for FEV 1 , FVC, FEF50% and FEF25-75%. At -20 °C, FEV 1 decreased similarly in both sexes (males: 7.5%, females: 6.3%) but not at 0 °C, p = 0.003. Postexertion respiratory function recovery and reported symptoms were not different between sexes at either temperature. These results indicate no sex-based differences in acute respiratory responses (function, recovery and symptoms) to cold air exercise. However, intense exercise at -20 °C is challenging to the respiratory system in both sexes and may lead to altered respiratory responses compared to mild winter conditions like 0 °C.

The aim of the present study was to compare acute effects of a climbing intervention (CI) on affective responses with a different exercise intervention (swimming, SI) and an occupational therapy intervention (OTI) in children and adolescents during in-patient treatment for mental health disorders. The following study was designed as a cross-over study. Participants completed three single 60 min interventions of CI, SI and OTI. Affective responses were assessed pre and post intervention and at 20 and 40 min during intervention. The sample consisted of 33 children and adolescents in mental-health inpatient care (ᴓage: 13.3 ± 2.2 years, ♀=39.4%). A significant time effect was seen in all interventions in increasing positive and reducing negative affect, p<.028, eta²>0.144. Repeated measures ANOVAs revealed a significant time by intervention effect for affective valence (p=.011, eta²=0.09), but not for perceived activation, favouring CI over SI and OCT between pre-test and the first 20 or 40 min, respectively. All interventions showed similar effects on affective responses pre to post interventions. CI seems to increase affective valence more strongly during intervention compared to SI and OTI. The present results may have implications for therapy adherence and acute emotion regulation in children and adolescent in-patients with mental health disorders., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Physical activity is a promising intervention to restore cognitive function after prolonged sedentary periods. However, little is known about the effect of short physical activity bouts on cognition especially among individuals that are used to physical activity. Therefore, the goal of the present study was to assess the impact of a single ten-minute physical activity bout on the cognitive domain of visual attention compared to sedentary behavior in a population of physically active sport students. Using a randomized controlled design, 51 healthy and physically active sport students [mean age: 22.3 (SD: 2.0) years, 33.3% female] were allocated to one of the following interventions in the break of a two-hour study course: physical activity group (running for ten minutes) and sedentary control group. Visual attention was measured post-intervention using a modified trail making test. Pre-, post-, and 30 min after intervention, perceived attention, and affective states were measured. Between-group comparisons were used to analyze whether visual attention and/or changes in perceived attention or affective states differed between groups. The physical activity group showed significantly higher visual attention post-intervention compared with the sedentary control group, p = 0.003, d = 0.89. Perceived attention, p = 0.006, d = 0.87, and arousal, p < 0.001, d = 1.68, showed a significantly larger pre- and post-intervention increase in the physical activity group compared with the sedentary control group, which was not evident 30 min after intervention. A single ten-minute running intervention in study breaks might help to restore the basal visual attentional domain of cognition after prolonged sedentary periods more effectively compared with common sedentary behavior in breaks between study lessons.

Increasing evidence suggests positive associations between physical activity, social support, and quality of life in later life. However, the role of physical activity and social support in the influence on quality of life is unclear. In this viewpoint, definitions of central terms and key research findings on factors influencing quality of life in older adults are provided. We highlight the importance of both a physically active lifestyle and high social support in positively influencing quality of life. However, we question the direct effect of physical activity on quality of life and present data of a cross-sectional study to support the assumption that the effect of physical activity on quality of life might be influenced by perceived social support. In this cross-sectional study, self-reported physical activity, social support, and quality of life were assessed in a nonclinical sample of 100 adults aged between 60 and 80 years. Statistical analyses included correlation analyses and covariate-controlled mediation analyses. The results confirmed the research findings on positive correlations between all domains of quality of life and both physical activity and social support. Mediation analyses indicated that the effect of physical activity on all domains of quality of life was at least partially mediated by social support, when controlled for covariates. Based on the findings of published evidence and this cross-sectional study, a socially and physically active lifestyle is recommended for older adults to positively influence quality of life. However, the well-documented effect of physical activity on quality of might be an at least partially mediated effect by perceived social support. Practical and research-related implications of a potential indirect effect are discussed. Further prospective research is warranted to clarify the relationship between the variables., (© 2019 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Background: The age of college students is considered as crucial for developing health-related behaviors, e.g., alcohol consumption or a physically active lifestyle. Previous research reported a positive relationship between alcohol consumption and physical activity (PA) in college students. However, the main body of research was done in students from the United States who might differ from European students., Objectives: Thus the aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between alcohol consumption and PA in a sample of Austrian college students., Methods: In a cross-sectional design, 861 Austrian students from various study fields responded to a web-based questionnaire. Self-reported alcohol consumption, PA, and relevant sociodemographic variables were assessed. Multiple regression analyses were used to study the relationship between alcohol consumption and PA., Results: In none of the regression models, a significant relationship between alcohol consumption and PA was found. There was a significant influence of sex, age, relationship status, education level, and study field on alcohol consumption. Male, older, and undergraduate students studying social sciences without a relationship reported higher alcohol consumption. Conclusions/Importance: The results do not support a general relationship between alcohol consumption and PA among urban Austrian college students of various study fields. Compared to other variables (e.g., sex, relationship status), PA seems to be less important in relation to the consumption of alcohol. This study challenges a global perspective on a positive relationship between alcohol consumption and PA and highlights the need for more cross-cultural investigations.

Introduction & Purpose The prevalence of smoking among people with mental illness is two to four times higher than in the general population. Unsuccessful quit attempts, often due to low confidence in their ability to quit, suggest that smokers with mental illness may benefit from additional smoking cessation strategies (Mann-Wrobel et al., 2011). Exercise as an adjunct treatment for smoking cessation in healthy individuals is increasingly recommended in the literature (Ussher et al., 2019), but there is limited data for people with mental illness. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of an exercise program as an add-on therapy for smoking cessation in people with mental illness. Methods 66 smokers with a diagnosed mental illness or mood disorders were included in a randomized controlled trial and received a standardized group smoking cessation program. Out of these 66 smokers, 38 individuals additionally participated in an exercise group (Nordic walking) and 28 in a control group (social contact group discussing health issues). Outcome variables were assessed by questionnaires at baseline (data available for 59 participants: 32 exercise group, 27 control group), during (after 3 weeks), and at the end of the program (5 weeks). Results The study had a dropout rate of 32%. At the end of the program, the abstinence rate was 19% in the exercise group and 30% in the control group (intention-to-treat analysis). There were no significant time-by-group interaction effects for any outcome variables. Significant group differences were found after 3 weeks for internal stimuli of self-efficacy (smokers' confidence to resist smoking in certain situations; p = .026, ƞ² = .121) and after 5 weeks for frequency (p = .003, ƞ² = .210) and intensity (p = .007, ƞ² = .174) of cigarette craving. The control group showed higher self-efficacy and lower frequency and intensity of cigarette craving compared to the exercise group. Main effects over time were observed in both groups with improvement in several outcome variables (e.g., self-efficacy, positive affect, frequency, and intensity of cigarette craving). Discussion Group differences may be explained by pre-existing differences in cigarette dependence, motivation to quit, and BMI at baseline. It is known from the literature that higher cigarette dependence can lead to less successful quitting and higher relapse rates (Gierisch et al., 2012). Participants also had difficulty integrating program content into their daily lives and had low attendance rates. According to Zhou et al. (2023), a higher adherence rate would lead to a higher quit rate. Since the study was conducted in groups, the influence of group dynamics on motivation to quit smoking needs to be considered. Conclusion An additional effect of exercise as an adjunctive therapy in smoking cessation could not be confirmed, since the control group showed better outcome scores. Due to the high dropout rate, further studies with larger samples are needed. Improving access to smoking cessation programs, developing additional strategies, integrating evidence-based treatment into existing settings, and training health care professionals to engage people with mental illness in smoking cessation remain important areas for improvement (Falcaro et al., 2021). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Exercise at temperatures below −15°C induces drying and cooling of lung airways which causes exercise‐induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) and respiratory symptoms, especially in winter sport athletes. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether a heat and moisture exchanger (HME) worn during intense cold air exercise improves lung function and reduces respiratory symptoms in healthy winter sport athletes. Methods: Seven active males and six active females (maximum oxygen uptake 61.9 ± 6.9 and 52.2 ± 5.3 mL/kg/min), all active or former winter sport athletes, completed running trials with and without HME in random order on 2 days in an environmental chamber (−20°C temperature, humidity 46.2%). Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), forced expiratory flow at 25%‐75% (FEF25%‐75%), and FEF at 50% (FEF50%) were measured pre‐ and post‐exercise (3, 6, 10, 15, and 20 minutes). Respiratory symptoms were reported after exercise. Results: Significant interaction effects were observed for FEV1 and FEF25%‐75%. Mean decrease of FVC (−5.9%, P ≤.001) and FEV1 (−4.2%, P =.003) was largest 3 minutes post‐exercise without HME. There was an increase of FEV1, FEF25%‐75%, and FEF50% post‐exercise compared to pre‐exercise with HME. More respiratory symptoms overall were reported without HME (P =.046). Conclusion: Intense cold air exercise likely causes transient acute bronchoconstriction and symptoms of cough in individuals participating in winter sports. However, this study finds that the application of an HME during intense cold air exercise improves lung function and reduces prevalence of EIB‐associated symptoms compared to unprotected intense cold air exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Affective responses during physical activity (PA) are important for engagement in PA programs and for adherence to a physically active lifestyle. Little is known about the affective responses to PA bouts lasting longer than 45 minutes. Therefore, the aims of the present study were to analyse acute effects on affective responses of a three-hour outdoor PA intervention (mountain hiking) compared to a sedentary control situation and to an indoor treadmill condition. Methods: Using a randomized crossover design, 42 healthy participants were randomly exposed to three different conditions: outdoor mountain hiking, indoor treadmill walking, and sedentary control situation (approximately three hours each). Measures included the Feeling Scale, Felt Arousal Scale and a Mood Survey Scale. Repeated measures ANOVAs were used to analyse differences between the conditions. Results: Compared to the control situation, the participants showed a significant increase in affective valence (d = 1.21, p < .001), activation (d = 0.81, p = .004), elation (d = 1.07, p < .001), and calmness (d = 0.84, p = .004), and a significant decrease in fatigue (d = -1.19, p < .001) and anxiety (d = -.79, p < .001) after mountain hiking. Outdoor mountain hiking showed significantly greater positive effects on affective valence, activation, and fatigue compared to indoor treadmill walking. Discussion: The results indicate that a three-hour PA intervention (mountain hiking) elicits higher positive and lower negative affective responses compared to a sedentary control situation and to an indoor PA condition. Outdoor mountain hiking can be recommended by health professionals as a form of PA with the potential to positively influence affective responses. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov . . Date of registration: 08/02/2016 (retrospectively registered). Date of enrolment of the first participant to the trial: 05/01/2014. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]