Frontiers in Sports and Active Living最新文献

{"title":"Exploring the impact of sleep on emotional and physical well-being in professional cricketers: a cohort study over an in-season training period","authors":"S. Grewal, R. T. Theijse, G. Dunlop, D. F. P. van Deurzen, M. V. D. van den Bekerom, R. J. M. Klautz, R. P. Lefebvre, D. Munsami, N. Grewal","doi":"10.3389/fspor.2024.1389565","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2024.1389565","url":null,"abstract":"Professional athletes navigate a multitude of unique challenges associated to sport-specific factors (e.g., training, travel and competition) and non-sport factors (e.g., performance pressure, stress and anxiety) that can interfere with healthy sleep behaviors. Sleep plays a key role in proper biopsychosocial development as well as short- and long-term biological, physical, psychological, and cognitive health. As poor sleep quality is known to impair proper brain function, this study aimed to investigate the effect of sleep quality on a professional athlete's ability to train, recover, and perform, as well as their overall emotional and physical well-being.A cohort study was performed in 40 professional male cricket athletes from the Dutch national cricket team (mean age 26.5 ± 5.1 years). The athletes were monitored across a 22 weeks in-season training period. Sleep quality and overall emotional and physical well-being were assessed using daily sleep diaries and questionnaires which scored the readiness to train, stress levels, fatigue, muscle soreness and flu symptoms respectively. Quality of sleep and subsequent association with the consecutive elements of the well-being questionnaire were assessed through statistical using the student t-test and clinical differences with the methodology of Osoba and colleagues: <5% “no change”, 5%–10% “little change”; 10%–20% “moderate change”; and >20% “very much change”.The results demonstrated that the professional athletes assessed their sleep quality as average with a mean score of 3.4 out of 5. Lower perceived quality of sleep (<75th percentile) was correlated with a decreased readiness to train (mean score 3.2 [IQR: 3.0–4.0] vs. 3.5 [IQR: 3.0–5.0]; P < 0.001) and increased extent of muscle soreness (2.7 [IQR: 2.0–3.0] vs. 2.3 [IQR: 2–3]; P < 0.001), stress level (mean score 2.3 [IQR: 2.0–3.0] vs. 1.9 [IQR: 1.0–2.0]; P < 0.001) and perceived fatigue (mean score 2.9 [IQR: 2.0–3.0] vs. 2.3 [IQR: 2.0–3.0]; P < 0.001). Likewise, in patients with lower perceived quality of sleep, the proportion of players presenting with flu symptoms increased over 4-fold (4.1% vs. 17%; P < 0.001).This study highlights that good sleep quality positively influences the overall emotional and physical well-being of professional athletes. Our results emphasize the importance of targeted sleep interventions to improve sleep quality and subsequently optimize psychological and physiological wellness.","PeriodicalId":509602,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Sports and Active Living","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141376859","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Social value framing of physical activity in European Member State policies: a content analysis","authors":"I. Ritchie, I. Nieto, M. Brunn, X. Mayo, A. Jimenez","doi":"10.3389/fspor.2024.1415007","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2024.1415007","url":null,"abstract":"Engagement in physical activity (PA) benefits physical and mental health as well as many other areas of society. In Europe however, 1/3 adults do not meet minimum PA recommendations. Social value, and its quantification through social return on investment (SROI) evidence, may be a useful framing to enhance PA promotion. This study aimed to assess the current use of social value framing of PA in European Union (EU) policies.Content analysis of 45 EU member state policies which contain reference to PA was conducted to evaluate the presence of five social value domains and SROI evidence. Data was analysed using manual inductive coding, supported by DeepL translation and NVivo tools.Social value framing was present to a certain extent in existing policies, with improved health being the most commonly referenced benefit of PA, followed by reference to social and community and then environmental benefits. Acknowledgement of the positive impacts of PA on wellbeing and education was the least present. Reference to SROI evidence was also limited. Generally, policies lacked holistic recognition of the social value of PA. Policies from the health sector were particularly limited in recognising the wider benefits of PA, whilst those from the environmental sector acknowledged the widest range of co-benefits.Adopting social value framing could be a useful approach for enhancing PA promotion. Whilst it is present to a certain extent in existing policy, this could be increased in terms of comprehensiveness to increase issue salience and multisectoral policy action.","PeriodicalId":509602,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Sports and Active Living","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141383004","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The association between parameters of physical activity and olfactory function—the importance of frequency and moderate intensity","authors":"Khoosheh Namiranian, A. Gauthier, Jo‐Anne Gilbert, Marie-Eve Mathieu","doi":"10.3389/fspor.2024.1394858","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2024.1394858","url":null,"abstract":"Overall physical activity (PA) has been linked to decreased olfactory dysfunction and could improve olfactory function. Additionally, decreased olfactory function can contribute to reduced overall PA levels, given its association with neurodegenerative disorders. This study aims to examine the relationship between specific PA parameters (duration, frequency, intensity) and olfactory function in adults.A total of 3,527 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2013–2014 underwent assessments for weekly PA duration, frequency, and intensity, alongside a smell test (including odors such as chocolate, strawberry, grape, onion, smoke, natural gas, leather, and soap). Correlation analyses and binary logistic regressions using SPSS were used to evaluate associations.The total smell score exhibited small yet significant positive correlations with the duration, frequency, and volume of moderate PA (correlation coefficients ranging between 0.05 and 0.08; all p ≤ 0.05) and frequency of vigorous PA (correlation coefficient of 0.05; p < 0.05). For moderate PA, the duration, frequency, and volume were significantly and positively associated with the ability to correctly detect the smell of grapes while the frequency was significantly and positively associated with the ability to identify smoke and leather odors (odds ratios ranging from 1.01 to 1.07; p < 0.05). For vigorous PA, the frequency of PA was positively associated with the detection of grape smell (odds ratio of 1.05; p < 0.05).Some parameters of an active lifestyle are associated with improved odds of accurately identifying odors by up to 7.4%. Moderate PA duration, frequency, and volume were linked to better olfactory scores, while high-intensity PA had limited associations.","PeriodicalId":509602,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Sports and Active Living","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141386807","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The impact of intermittent fasting during Ramadan on psychomotor and cognitive skills in adolescent athletes","authors":"Houda Bougrine, N. Chalghaf, Chiraz Azaiez, Ayat S Hammad, Ghada Boussayala, Moez Dhahri, Hamdi Henchiri, Ali Ibrahim Abd Ulwahid Al-Saedi, Mazin Dawood Ahmed Al-Hayali, Ahmed Wateed Mazyed Shdr AL-Rubaiawi, Ahmed Farooq Tawfeeq Ezzi, Nabee Muttlak Nasser AL-Sadoon, Nizar Souissi, F. Azaiez, Ismail Dergaa, Maha Al-Asmakh","doi":"10.3389/fspor.2024.1362066","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2024.1362066","url":null,"abstract":"Intermittent fasting (IF) represents a dietary intervention similar to caloric restriction, characterized by the strategic limitation of food consumption. Among the diverse array of practices for IF, Ramadan IF (RIF), a religious observance in Islam, mandates that healthy adult Muslims abstain from both food and drinks during daylight hours. In sports, researchers have extensively studied IF effects on health, including sleep and physical performance, but its impact on cognitive functions during RIF remains understudied. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the influence of RIF on psychomotor and cognitive performance among young female athletes.To achieve this purpose, a cohort of 23 female handball players, aged 17.2 ± 0.5 years, participated in a series of six testing sessions: one conducted prior to Ramadan (R0), and others during the first (R1), second (R2), third (R3), and fourth (R4) weeks of Ramadan, followed by a session in the week after Ramadan (R5). Each session involved assessments using a Simple Reaction Time Test (SRT), Choice Reaction Time Test (CRT), Vigilance Test (VT), and Mental Rotation Test (MRT). Additionally, dietary intake, body composition, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores were evaluated during these periods.The obtained data illustrated that there was a decrease in SRT, CRT, VT, and MRT performances during R1 in comparison to R0 (all p < .001). This reduction was also observed in R2, R3, R4, and R5. Notably, during the fourth week of Ramadan (R4), these cognitive and psychomotor parameters were significantly lower than during the earlier weeks (R1, R2, R3; all p < .001). Furthermore, a gradual decrease in total PSQI scores, sleep quality, and sleep duration was observed throughout the Ramadan period, reaching the lowest levels during R4. These findings illustrate that RIF has a significantly detrimental impact on neuromuscular and cognitive abilities as well as sleep quality in young female athletes. The study also highlights a fluctuating pattern in cognitive function across the four weeks of Ramadan, with the most pronounced decline observed during the final week of fasting illustrating the importance of conducting similar studies on normal individuals from both genders with larger sample size.","PeriodicalId":509602,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Sports and Active Living","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141382755","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Athletic identity affects prevalence and disclosure of emotional abuse in Finnish athletes","authors":"Jatta Muhonen, Ashley Stirling, Marja Kokkonen","doi":"10.3389/fspor.2024.1406949","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2024.1406949","url":null,"abstract":"The present study offers novel insight into the topic of experienced and observed emotional abuse by researching factors that affect athletes' responses to emotional abuse by coaches. The research aimed to explore three main questions: (1) whether athletic identity was associated with the prevalence of emotionally abusive coaching practices, and (2) disclosure of emotional abuse, and (3) whether demographic variations existed in the frequency of emotional abuse, athletic identity, and disclosure of the abuse. Study participants who filled in an anonymous digital survey consisted of athletes from elite to leisure levels living in Finland (N = 3687, aged 12–80, gender 61% female, 37.7% male, 0.8% other genders). The research findings highlighted three key insights. Firstly, Pearson correlations revealed that a salient athletic identity was related to a higher prevalence of emotional abuse. Secondly, ANOVA/Kruskal-Wallis tests between-groups indicated that particularly children were susceptible to the abuse. Thirdly, a mediation analysis showed that self-identity (aspect of athletic identity) influenced the relationship between experienced emotional abuse and disclosure, by reducing disclosure. As a result, holistic identity development is recommended for athletes and particularly children in sports.","PeriodicalId":509602,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Sports and Active Living","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141384640","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Is device-measured physical activity associated with musculoskeletal disorders among young adult Finnish men?","authors":"Lumi Sipilä, Harri Sievänen, Jani Raitanen, H. Kyröläinen, T. Vasankari, J. Vaara, T. Honkanen","doi":"10.3389/fspor.2024.1346118","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2024.1346118","url":null,"abstract":"Musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders represent a significant burden to society and can be unpleasant for the affected individuals. Physical activity (PA) can prevent MSK disorders while conferring other health benefits. The present study aimed to investigate associations between device-measured PA and perceived MSK disorders among young adult men.PA at different intensity levels, standing, and sedentary behavior were measured with a hip-worn accelerometer in a cohort of 422 young adult Finnish men aged 26 years on average. The incidences of three common MSK disorders (viz., knee pain, lumbar radicular pain, and lumbago pain) during the last month were inquired by a questionnaire. Binary logistic regression was used to examine the associations between the MSK outcomes and explanatory PA variables (PA times at different intensity levels, standing, and sedentary times). The models were controlled for age, education, smoking, BMI, and maximal oxygen uptake.PA, standing, and sedentary times were not significantly associated with the incidence of perceived MSK pain during the last month, except for lumbago pain. Lumbago pain was slightly more probable if the time spent in light PA increased, even after controlling for potential confounding factors, including moderate-to-vigorous PA, with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.07 (95% CI: 1.02–1.14). Sedentary time showed an opposite association, with an OR of 0.98 (95% CI: 0.96–1.00).There were neither positive nor negative clinically meaningful associations between PA and recent MSK disorders among young adult men. The result is surprising and requires further confirmation.","PeriodicalId":509602,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Sports and Active Living","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141267953","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Headgear use in girls’ lacrosse—stakeholders not ready for change","authors":"Robyn Recker, Alison Myers, Nikhil Desai, Jaclyn B. Caccese, Laura Boucher, James Onate, Jingzhen Yang","doi":"10.3389/fspor.2024.1363007","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2024.1363007","url":null,"abstract":"Mandating headgear for field players in girls’ lacrosse to reduce head injuries, including concussion, has been heavily debated. However, research regarding the need and effectiveness of mandated headgear use in girls’ lacrosse is still developing. Therefore, this qualitative study aimed to identify the need for and barriers to the development of mandated headgear use policies in girls’ lacrosse in Ohio.We conducted six virtual focus groups, three with concussion experts (clinicians and researchers) and three with girls’ lacrosse stakeholders (high school players, parents, coaches, and officials). A focus group guide was developed to explore study participants’ perceptions and opinions on concussion in girls’ lacrosse, headgear use among players, and policies and policy development related to headgear use or a headgear mandate. We developed the codebook using an inductive and iterative approach based on focus group transcripts and used ATLAS.TI to code and analyze the transcript data.Concussion experts and stakeholders understood the potential consequences of concussion but did not perceive concussion as a pervasive problem in girls’ lacrosse. The prevention of head and facial injuries was regarded as a potential benefit of headgear use. However, stakeholders expressed that the myriad of arguments discussed opposing mandated headgear use including increased aggressive play and/or targeting, concerns over changes in the game, and cost strongly outweighed the benefits. Finally, both concussion experts and stakeholders identified multiple organizations, including USA Lacrosse, who could act as facilitators and/or barriers to developing, enacting, and implementing headgear policies.Concussion experts and stakeholders identified possible reasons for headgear use related to injury prevention but also identified several important barriers to the development of a headgear mandate for girls’ lacrosse in Ohio.","PeriodicalId":509602,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Sports and Active Living","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141267126","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Examination of experienced coaches and physical education teachers' teaching methods and their perceptions regarding these methods—2023","authors":"Sengul Demiral, Meltem Nazıroğlu","doi":"10.3389/fspor.2024.1383361","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2024.1383361","url":null,"abstract":"It is widely acknowledged that coaches and physical education teachers play an important role in supporting holistic development in children and ensuring optimal performance in the training processes carried out to acquire fundamental movements and sport-specific basic skills. However, there is a need for further information on how both groups utilize and value different teaching methods during the training. The present study aims to examine the perceptions of coaches and physical education teachers regarding the use and value of teaching methods.The “Coaches’ Instructional Methods Utilization Scale” for coaches and the “Physical Education Teachers’ Perception of Teaching Methods Scale” for physical education teachers were administered to 114 coaches and 115 physical education teachers voluntarily participating from three randomly selected provinces of Türkiye. The Cronbach Alpha values ranged between .89 and .93 for the “Coaches’ Instructional Methods Utilization Scale” and between .90 and .96 for the “Physical Education Teachers’ Perception of Teaching Methods Scale”. Descriptive statistics were used in research, t-tests in binary comparisons, One-Way ANOVA in multiple comparisons, and Tukey's test in determining the source of differences.Similarities were observed in the most and least used methods by coaches and physical education teachers, as well as in their perceptions of the highest and lowest values for these methods. Additionally, coaches and physical education teachers exhibited similarities in their perceptions of value in terms of entertainment, learning, and motivation. It was observed that female physical education teachers had lower value perceptions among the levels of use of teaching methods and value perceptions according to gender. Comparing the usage levels and value perceptions of teaching methods by professional experience, significant differences were found in Exercise (B), Learner-Designed Individual Program (I), and Learner-initiated (J) methods for coaches, whereas no statistically significant difference was observed in value perceptions. Moreover, considering the physical education teachers, significant differences were found in Command (A), Self-Check (D), Guided Discovery (F), Problem-Solving: Single Solution (G) methods, and in value perceptions for the Exercise (B), Guided Discovery (F), Problem-Solving: Single Solution (G), Problem-Solving: Crating Different Paths (H), and Learner-initiated (J) values.","PeriodicalId":509602,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Sports and Active Living","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141272717","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of open vs. closed kinetic chain exercises in ACL rehabilitation on knee joint pain, laxity, extensor muscles strength, and function: a systematic review with meta-analysis","authors":"George M. Pamboris, Kyriakos Pavlou, E. Paraskevopoulos, Amir A. Mohagheghi","doi":"10.3389/fspor.2024.1416690","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2024.1416690","url":null,"abstract":"Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are common among physically active individuals, often requiring ACL reconstruction (ACLR) for recovery. Rehabilitating these injuries involves determining the appropriate timing for initiating open kinetic chain (OKC) exercises. Although OKC exercises are effective post-ACLR, their use in rehabilitation remains a subject of debate. Therefore, this study aims to conduct a systematic review to determine whether OKC or closed kinetic chain (CKC) exercises result in differences in laxity, strength of the knee extensor muscle group, function, and functional performance in ACL rehabilitation. Five electronic databases were searched for randomized controlled between-group trials (RCTs). Two reviewers independently evaluated the risk of bias using the PEDro scale. We performed a meta-analysis using a random-effects model or calculated mean differences (fixed-effect) where appropriate. Certainty of evidence was judged using the GRADE approach. The systematic literature search yielded 480 articles, of which 9 met the inclusion criteria. The evidence for all outcomes ranged from very low to low certainty. Across all comparisons, inconsistent results were found in outcome measures related to knee function between OKC and CKC exercises post-ACLR. A significant increase in quadriceps isokinetic strength was found in post-ACLR and ACL-deficient knees in favor of OKC exercises at 3 (p = 0.03) and 4 (p = 0.008) months, respectively. A significant decrease in knee laxity was observed in ACL-deficient knees in favor of OKC at 10 weeks (p = 0.01), although inconsistency was noted at 4 months. Finally, a significant decrease in pain was found in favor of early OKC compared to late OKC (p < 0.003). Additionally, in ACL-deficient knees, low load resistance training (LLRT) OKC showed no significant laxity difference compared to controls (p > 0.05). In contrast, high load resistance training (HLRT) OKC had less laxity than controls at 6 weeks (p = 0.02) but not at 12 weeks (p > 0.05). OKC exercises appear to be superior to CKC for improving quadriceps strength 3–4 months post-injury, whether as a part of conservative or post-surgery rehabilitation. On the other hand, OKC exercises seem to be either superior or equally effective to CKC for improving knee laxity, thus presenting their importance in being included in a rehabilitation protocol from the initial phase.\u0000PROSPERO [CRD42023475230].","PeriodicalId":509602,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Sports and Active Living","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141271562","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"UK midwives delivering physical activity advice; what are the challenges and possible solutions?","authors":"Marina Mitra, Katie Marino, D. Vishnubala, Andy Pringle, Camilla Nykjaer","doi":"10.3389/fspor.2024.1369534","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2024.1369534","url":null,"abstract":"Despite physical activity (PA) providing specific health benefits during pregnancy and the postpartum period, many women report decreased PA during this time. Provision of PA advice has been found to be lacking amongst midwives due to a range of barriers. This study aimed to evaluate United Kingdom's midwives' current role and knowledge regarding the provision of PA advice to pregnant and postpartum women and identify the barriers and potential solutions.Ten UK midwives (mean work experience ± SD: 15.5 years ± 10.2) participated in semi-structured interviews between May and July 2023. Data were analysed using a deductive thematic approach following Braun and Clarke's six steps. Demographic data were collected by Microsoft Forms then summarised using Microsoft Excel.Six themes with 25 subthemes were identified as barriers and solutions in delivering PA advice. The role of midwives in providing PA advice during pregnancy; the role of midwives in providing PA advice postpartum; intrinsic barriers that limit PA advice provision (confidence, safety concerns, knowledge, and midwife's personal body habitus); extrinsic barriers that limit PA advice provision (lack of time, education, PA not a priority in care); solutions to allow midwives to promote PA (including formal PA education, and dissemination of resources); and optimising delivery of PA advice (personalized approach, interprofessional collaboration, and linking to mental health benefits).Midwives consider themselves ideally placed to provide PA advice to pregnant women, with many aware of the benefits PA provides. Despite this, there is a lack of PA advice provision and knowledge of PA guidelines. Postpartum PA advice appeared to be considered outside the remit of midwives, due to limited contact. Further research is needed to determine the current level of PA advice provision for pregnant and postpartum women and explore the role of other healthcare professionals involved in maternity care.","PeriodicalId":509602,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Sports and Active Living","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141270052","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}