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Background: Goal setting is commonly used for promoting physical activity (PA) among insufficiently active individuals. Previous reviews have analyzed the effects of goal setting on PA, but the purpose of this systematic review was to examine the concurrent effects of goal setting on PA and psychological outcomes in insufficiently active individuals to support interventions aiming to produce sustained PA behavior change. Methods: In this review (PROSPERO: CRD42021243970), we identified 13 studies with 1208 insufficiently active adults that reported the effects of goal-setting interventions (range 3–24 wk) on both PA and psychological outcomes (eg, self-efficacy, motivation, and affect). We used meta-analysis and narrative synthesis to analyze these effects. Results: All goals used in the included studies were specific goals. Setting specific goals had a large, positive effect on PA (g [standard mean difference] = 1.11 [P <.001]; 95% confidence interval, 0.74–1.47), but only a small, positive effect on the combined psychological outcomes (g [standard mean difference] = 0.25 [P <.001]; 95% CI, 0.10–0.40). Moderator analyses revealed that interventions that did not reward participants had a significantly greater effect on PA than interventions that did provide rewards (g = 1.30 vs 0.60, respectively, P ≤.003). No other significant moderators were found. Conclusion: Our review offers initial insight into the long-term effects of specific goals on PA and psychological outcomes in insufficiently active adults. Further research that examines the PA and psychological effects of goal-setting interventions and investigates a wider range of goal types could develop a stronger evidence base to inform intervention for insufficiently active individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scaling, to remove the effects of body size, is an important methodological approach for enabling an equitable comparison of performance differences between individuals who vary in anthropometric characteristics. Many previous studies using scaling in sport have done so based on only one or two anthropometric characteristics, with only one study to date adopting a three‐dimensional approach. To apply a three‐dimensional allometric model to rowing ergometer performance (REP) in adolescents, and to detect whether key 'scaling' parameters remain stable when scaling REP both before and after a 6‐week training intervention. Novel three‐dimensional allometric models were used, incorporating body mass, stature and waist circumference (WC) to detect the most appropriate body size dimension(s) and scaling parameters associated with REP before and after a 6‐week training intervention. Using this more flexible and sensitive three‐dimensional allometry demonstrated that, following 6‐weeks of training, there was a change in the ideal body shape associated with REP. Before training, taller, but not heavier, adolescents performed better. After 6‐weeks of training, older participants with a greater body mass but smaller WC performed better. Scaling approaches are important for evaluating performance differences between individuals of differing body size. The findings from the current study (using a novel three‐dimensional allometry approach) emphasise that relatively subtle changes in individuals' behavioural characteristics, such as changes in their training/fitness status, can result in quite dramatic changes in the body dimension characteristics and scaling parameters deemed to be key for performance in activities such as REP. Highlights: This study examined three‐dimensional allometric models of rowing ergometer performance (REP) before and after a 6‐week rowing training intervention.At baseline, stature was the most important determinant of REP.Following a 6‐week training intervention, the three‐dimensional allometric model revealed a positive effect of body mass and negative effect of waist circumference on REP.These findings highlight that allometric models are sensitive to changes over time, even in response to a relatively modest 6‐week training intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study investigated the associations between physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior, and executive function in preadolescents. Methods: One hundred and twenty preadolescents were recruited from 2 Hong Kong primary schools. PA and sedentary behavior were recorded for 7 consecutive days by accelerometer. Executive function performance, including inhibition (Stroop task and Flanker task) and working memory (Sternberg paradigm task), were measured. Body mass index and cardiorespiratory fitness (multistage fitness test) were tested. Latent profile analysis explored the profiles of PA and sedentary behavior in preadolescents. Results: Three distinct profiles were identified: low activity, average activity, and high activity. Participants in low activity performed worse in the accuracy of Stroop task (vs average activity, P =.03; vs high activity, P <.01), Flanker task (vs average activity, P =.02; vs high activity, P <.001), and Sternberg paradigm task (vs average activity, P <.01; vs high activity, P <.01). No significant difference was observed between participants with average and high activities. No significant association was observed for profiles on body mass index and cardiorespiratory fitness. Conclusion: Supplementing the consensus of the literature that moderate to vigorous PA benefits cognition, the authors conclude that light PA may also enhance preadolescents' executive functioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prior self-control exertion is consistently reported to cause decrements in subsequent physical performance. However, research into the explanatory mechanisms underpinning the effect is limited and has not been assessed under a meta-analytical lens. Therefore, the present study reports a meta-analysis examining the effects of self-control exertion on subsequent physical performance, as well as the mechanisms underpinning the effect. A systematic search of relevant databases was conducted to identify studies that utilized the sequential task paradigm, involving self-control manipulations lasting 30 minutes or less, and examined an aspect of physical performance. Random effects meta-analysis demonstrated that the prior exertion of self-control resulted in a statistically significant medium sized negative effect of prior self-control exertion on subsequent physical performance (g = −0.55). Further analysis revealed a small increase in initial perceptions of pain (g = 0.18) and a medium sized reduction in self-efficacy (g = −0.48), while motivation and RPE were unaffected following the exertion of self-control. The present study provides a novel insight into the mechanisms underpinning the effects of prior self-control exertion on subsequent physical performance. Initial perceptions of pain and self-efficacy appear important mechanisms and thus could be targeted in future interventions aimed at attenuating the effects of self-control exertion to enhance subsequent physical performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The associations between self-control and objective measures of physical activity, physical fitness, and adiposity are yet to be explored in young people; this is a gap in the literature that the present study aimed to address. The study employed a cross-sectional design. A total of 101 young people participated in the study. Participants completed the Brief Self-Control Scale as a measure of trait self-control. Free-living physical activity was assessed using an ActiGraph GT3X + triaxial accelerometer, which was worn for 7 days. Participants also completed the 15-meter version of the multistage fitness test as a measure of physical fitness. For the assessment of adiposity, three criterion measures were used: body mass index (BMI), sum of skinfolds, and waist circumference. Data were analyzed using the glm function in the open access software R. Higher levels of trait self-control were associated with higher levels of physical fitness (measured by distance run on the multistage fitness test) and lower adiposity (BMI, waist circumference, and sum of skinfolds) in adolescents. There was a tendency for a positive association between self-control and time spent in vigorous physical activity, although this did not reach statistical significance. In a combined model, self-control was also associated with both physical fitness and waist circumference, with these effects independent of each other. These findings suggest that self-control is associated with healthy behaviors and characteristics in adolescents and is thus potentially an attractive target for future interventions aimed at increasing physical activity and physical fitness and reducing adiposity in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The efficacy of structured physical exercise (SPE) has been examined in empirical studies to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This review aimed (i) to systematically review and quantify the effects of SPE on ADHD symptomology and executive function (primary outcomes) and on physical health, physical fitness and mental health issues (secondary outcomes) in children/adolescents with ADHD; (ii) to evaluate the study quality and explore moderation of the effects of SPE; and (iii) to summarize the design of SPE interventions. Methods: An extensive literature search in the databases of PubMed, Web of Science and EBSCOhost was conducted to identify eligible intervention studies for meta‐analysis. A descriptive account of the features of the studies is provided, including assessment of risk/quality (ROB‐2/ROBINS‐I). Standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated with random effects models to compare post‐intervention effects. Results: A total of 18 studies were included in the review. The majority of the studies examined the effects of SPE lasting for 3–12 weeks. Assessment of bias/quality indicated half of the included studies as high quality. The meta‐analysis (pooled n = 627) revealed that SPE had a positive effect on primary and secondary outcomes, that is, inattention (SMD = −1.79), executive function (SMD = 2.19), physical fitness (SMD = 1.39) and mental health issues (SMD = −0.89). Subgroup analysis showed that long‐term practice of SPE, featured/tailored SPE, non‐Chinese participants, taking methylphenidate and study with low quality had larger effects. Conclusions: There is emerging evidence that SPE is a promising option to enhance symptom management and physical/mental health in children/adolescents with ADHD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]