ECSS Paris 2023: CP-MH10
INTRODUCTION: INTRODUCTION: In Canada, a limited number of studies have examined the impact of multisport events on the local population’s intention to engage in physical activity (PA) and sports participation. Understanding such impact is especially important for adolescents as their lifelong activity habits are still being formed. This study aims to assess the potential effect of the 2025 Summer Québec Games finals on adolescents’ intentions to engage in PA and sports participation. We specifically aim to 1) assess adolescents’ baseline use of sports facilities, their intentions to engage in physical and sports activities, and their PA level and sedentary time; 2) explore longitudinal correlations among sports facility use, intentions to engage in physical and sports activities, and perceived motivators for leisure-time PA before and after the event. METHODS: METHODS: This observational longitudinal study targeted secondary school students from the region hosting the 2025 Summer Québec Games finals. Participants were adolescents who did not take part in the Games as athletes. A total of 117 students (38% boys) completed an online self-administered questionnaire at baseline (T1, spring 2025, pre-finals) and 45 of them who completed follow-up (T2, fall 2025, post-finals) were included in the longitudinal analyses. Measures included socio-demographic characteristics; use of and access to sports facilities; intentions to engage in physical and sports activities; perceived motivators for leisure-time physical activity (PA) (EQAPS 2018–2019 items); PA level (PAQ-C/PAQ-A); and sedentary time (Canadian Health Measures Survey, Cycle 6). Measures of central tendency and dispersion, Pearson or Spearman correlations, and analyses of variance were conducted (SPSS 28, IBM) for statistical analyses. RESULTS: RESULTS: At baseline, participants were 14.6 ± 3.3 years old; 78% rated their health as very good/excellent; moderate-to-vigorous physical activity averaged 1.7 ± 1.0 h/day and sedentary time 0.6 ± 0.6 h/day. Overall, 75% used municipal sports facilities and more than 90% engaged in some PA. Lack of time was the main barrier and improving fitness the primary motivator. Longitudinally, T1 facility use correlated with T2 PA/sport practice (r = .45, p<.001); T1 intention to use facilities was moderately correlated with T2 intention for PA/sport (r = .44, p<.001); T1 preference for sedentary behavior was moderately correlated with T2 intention for PA/sport (r = .53, p<.001); and T1 motivation was correlated with T2 intention for PA/sport (r = .38, p<.005). CONCLUSION: CONCLUSION: The 2025 Summer Québec Games finals showed no significant effect on adolescents’ intentions to engage in PA and sports participation. Pre-event factors (facility use and intention to use, PA motivation, preference for sedentary behavior) seem to be the main predictors of post-event intentions and practice.
Read CV Etienne RousselECSS Paris 2023: CP-MH10
INTRODUCTION: Higher body mass index (BMI) and increased adiposity are associated with impaired cardiac autonomic regulation. Individuals with overweight typically demonstrate reduced parasympathetic activity and increased sympathetic dominance. Heart rate variability (HRV) is a non-invasive and reliable measure of autonomic modulation. Exercise training, particularly high-intensity interval training (HIIT), has been shown to induce favourable autonomic adaptations. However, limited evidence exists regarding the autonomic effects of short-term home-based HIIT in young adults with overweight. This study investigated the effects of a 6-week home-based HIIT programme on HRV in young adults with overweight. METHODS: A pre–post study was conducted recruiting 30 young adults with overweight (18-30 years, BMI 25-29.9 kg/m2) using a convenience sampling method. Resting HRV was recorded under standardised conditions at baseline. Participants then completed a 6-week home-based HIIT intervention, five sessions per week, 10 minutes per session at 14-17 on the RPE scale. Post-intervention resting HRV was measured using the same protocol. Time-domain (SDNN and RMSSD) and frequency-domain (HF, LF, LF/HF ratio) parameters were analysed. Paired t-tests were used to compare pre- and post-intervention HRV measures (p<0.05). RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were observed in any HRV parameters following the intervention (p>0.05; effect size 0.1). Descriptive statistics indicated a reduction in time-domain indices (SDNN and RMSSD) and a slight increase in certain frequency-domain measures compared to baseline; however, these changes did not reach statistical significance and should therefore be interpreted cautiously. CONCLUSION: Although trends in HRV parameters may suggest alterations in autonomic modulation, the absence of significant differences precludes definitive conclusions regarding changes in parasympathetic activity or sympathovagal balance. Larger, adequately powered studies are required to confirm these observations.
Read CV Shishira K BECSS Paris 2023: CP-MH10
INTRODUCTION: Motor skill competence (MSC) is a key determinant of physical activity, fitness and psychosocial health across childhood. Evidence indicates that Australian girls demonstrate lower MSC and physical activity levels than boys; however, contemporary data specific to preadolescent girls are limited. This study examined MSC, physical activity, physical fitness and mental wellbeing in preadolescent girls and compared outcomes with available national and international reference data. Differences between girls with low and high MSC were also investigated. METHODS: Sixty-nine preadolescent girls (8 to 11 years) from Western Australia completed a single assessment session. MSC was assessed using qualitative fundamental movement skill (FMS) proficiency checklists and the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 (MABC-2). Physical wellbeing measures included body mass index, waist circumference, cardiorespiratory fitness (20 m shuttle run), muscular strength (isometric mid-thigh pull, handgrip strength), muscular power (countermovement jump), and physical activity assessed via accelerometry (daily steps, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity) and the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children (PAQ-C). Mental wellbeing was assessed using the Paediatric Quality of Life Inventory (psychosocial health) and selected Self-Description Questionnaire subscales. Participants were categorised into tertiles based on MSC z-scores, with low and high MSC groups compared using analysis of variance. RESULTS: Overall, girls demonstrated low MSC, with fewer than half achieving proficiency across most fundamental movement skills. Mean MABC-2 percentile scores were below the 50th percentile relative to international norms, with aiming and catching identified as the weakest domain. Physical fitness, physical activity and mental wellbeing outcomes were also below national and international reference values, and most girls did not meet recommended physical activity guidelines. Compared with girls with high MSC, those with low MSC exhibited significantly lower cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, self-reported physical activity, objectively measured moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, perceived physical ability and overall self-concept (all p ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSION: Preadolescent girls demonstrate concerning deficits in motor skill competence, physical fitness, physical activity and mental wellbeing. Girls with low MSC are particularly disadvantaged across multiple health-related domains. These findings highlight the need for targeted, early interventions that prioritise motor skill development and physical competence in girls before the transition to adolescence.
Read CV Jodie Cochrane WilkieECSS Paris 2023: CP-MH10