The definition of physical literacy (PL) needs to be explored by researchers from educational, public health, and sports organisations in Chinese culture; an adequate definition and theoretical framework of PL can then be embraced within different contexts and according to cultural influences. This meta-narrative synthesis of literature in this area included a series of planning, search, mapping, appraisal, synthesis, and recommendation phases. The literature was translated into English and circulated among international experts to seek suggestions. A total of 74 articles were included in the PL definition synthesis and 28 were included for philosophical synthesis in this study. Based on three rounds of discussions, the final agreement was reached among panel members regarding the defining statements and practical and theoretical models of PL in Chinese culture. According to consensus, PL is the integration of physical, perceptual, cognitive, psychological, and behavioural capabilities, echoing with the need for an active, healthy, and fulfilling lifestyle, which involves continuous positive interactions with the environment and embodied engagement in physical activities for life. The framework addressed five domains (physical, sensory-perceptual, cognitive, psychological, and behavioural) and one important overlapping factor (dynamic environment). A further explanation was provided in the defining statement to assist in understanding the concept. It is suggested that the cultural interpretation and historical background of PL in Chinese discourse should be addressed and respected. The development of a specific cultural definition statement of PL in one country could provide implications for PL researchers worldwide.

Background: Assessing the correlates of practicing physical activity during leisure time is important with regard to planning and designing public health strategies to increase beneficial behaviors among adult populations. Although the importance of leisure time physical activity (LTPA) is highlighted in many Western countries, there are not many publications on physical activity patterns, and even less on their correlates, in non-Western societies. The goal of this study was thus to explore the determinants influencing adults' leisure time physical activity (LTPA) in a city in southern Taiwan.Methods: A cross-sectional population-based study was conducted in 2007, using a standardized questionnaire. Energy expenditure was dichotomized into two groups based on the recommended levels of moderate physical activity from LTPA: ≥10 or < 10 MET·hr·wk^-1. Logistic regression analyses were applied to the results.Results: A total of 762 subjects with valid data took part in the study (mean age 53.8 ± 13.8 years). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, we found the following results: Age was positively associated with LTPA. Adults with stronger perceived convenience of exercise facilities (OR = 2.04; 95%CI = 1.28-3.24) and past exercise experience in school (OR = 1.86; 95%CI= 1.19-2.91) participated in more LTPA. Subjects with more general social support (OR = 1.66;95%CI = 1.13-2.44), greater knowledge about the health benefits of exercise (OR = 1.85;95%CI = 1.25-2.74), more sports media consumption (OR = 1.94;95%CI = 1.26-2.98), and higher self-efficacy (OR = 3.99;95%CI = 2.67-5.97) were more likely to engage in LTPA. Further analysis comparing different sources of social support showed only social support from friends had a significant positive association (OR = 1.73;95%CI = 1.14-2.63) with increased LTPA.Conclusions: LTPA in southern city of Taiwan showed some unique associations with age, socioeconomic status and media consumption that are not commonly reported in the Western World and similar associations with regards to psychosocial correlates of LTPA participation. Further studies from developing countries are warranted to highlight culture-specific differences in physical activity participation.

Aim: To validate the Senior Perceived Physical Literacy Instrument (SPPLI). Methods: In the pilot study, we refined the Perceived Physical Literacy Instrument (PPLI, Cronbach’s α = 0.94, initially designed for adults) into SPPLI using internal reliability, content validity, and construct validity results. A total of 341 older adults recruited from community centers in Southern Taiwan participated in the study. A principle component analysis (PCA) identified three components of SPPLI. Results: Eleven items were captured from the 18-item PPLI as the SPPLI (Cronbach’s α = 0.90). SPPLI exhibits three components: attitude toward physical activity, physical activity ability, and sociality around physical activity. Significant differences were discovered in physical activity ability by educational attainment (p < 0.05) and in all three components by stage of exercise (maintenance vs. non-maintenance) (p < 0.05). The SPPLI possesses proper reliability and validity to assess physical literacy among older adults. Conclusions: This instrument is suggested for physical literacy assessments in physical activity programs to assess the needs of older adults and/or the effectiveness of an intervention program that aims to improve the attitude, ability, and sociality of physical activity.

Objective: Aging and deficits related to decreased physical activity can lead to higher risks of autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of 24 weeks of resistance training (RT) at various intensities on hemodynamics as well as heart rate variability (HRV) at rest and in response to orthostatic tests in middle-aged and older adults. Methods: Forty adults were randomized into three groups: high-intensity (HEX) (80% 1-RM) (11 female, 4 male; 60 ± 4 years); low–moderate-intensity (LEX) (50% 1-RM) (nine female, four male; 61 ± 5 years); and a control group (CON) (eight female, four male; 60 ± 4 years). The RT program consisted of nine exercises, with two sets performed of each exercise two times per week for 24 weeks. Data collected included 1-RM, heart rate, and blood pressure and HRV at rest and in response to orthostasis. Results: Both the HEX (42–94%) and LEX (31.3–51.7%) groups showed increases in 1-RM (p < 0.01). The HEX group showed decreases in resting heart rate (−4.0%), diastolic blood pressure (−3.2 mmHg (−4.2%)), and low frequency/high frequency (LF/HF) (Ln ratio) (p < 0.05). Post-study, the HEX group had higher HF (Ln ms²) than the CON, adjusted for pre-study value and age (p < 0.05). Post-study, the supine–standing ratio (SSR) of LFn (normalized unit) in the HEX group was greater than that in the LEX and CON groups, while the SSR of LF/HF in the HEX group was greater than the CON (p < 0.05). In conclusion, high-intensity RT can improve resting heart rate and HRV by enhancing cardiac vagal control. High-intensity RT might also improve the orthostatic response in terms of HRV. High intensity RT might assist ANS modification and could perhaps decrease the risks of cardiovascular disease and orthostatic intolerance.

Purpose: Trunk function is not only related to physical fitness performance, but also important for the balance, and stability of the whole body. This study aimed to investigate the effects of 2 training methods on trunk stability and athletic performance in adolescent female basketball players. Methods: Fifty-one healthy elite female basketball players (age: 14.76 [1.84] y, body mass index: 21.41 [1.96] kg/m²) were assigned to TRX training (n = 17), Swiss ball training (n = 17), or control groups (n = 17). Participants performed a progressive program of unstable core muscle training consisting of 8 different exercises, with each exercise performed in 3 sets, twice a week for 8 weeks. The outcome measures were a plank test, the modified double leg lowering task, and athletic performance including jumping, speed, agility, cardiopulmonary endurance, and the ankle proprioception. Results: Significant group and time interaction were identified in the modified double leg lowering task (P = .032, η² = .134), with post hoc comparisons revealing improvements in the TRX group (P = .014). The TRX group (8.6%) improved significantly more than the Swiss ball group (2.9%) when it comes to the modified double leg lowering average change percentage. The plank test also exhibited a significant group and time interaction (P = .033, partial η² = .133), with notable improvements in both the Swiss ball (P = .001) and the TRX groups (P = .001). Athletic performance measures showed no significant differences among groups. Conclusions: The results indicate that both TRX and Swiss ball training can increase core muscle strength and stability without compromising athletic performance after 8 weeks of training. Furthermore, incorporating core muscle training enhances power transmission capabilities. Nevertheless, considering the goal was to improve speed and ankle proprioception during preseason training, careful consideration must be given to the timing and intensity of any intervention involving unstable core muscle training.

Monitoring the subject’s physical activity intensity (PAI) is key to preventing sports injury and enhancing conditioning performance. Existing monitoring equipment can be cumbersome and is not always accessible in daily situations due to cost or usability. For ease of usage, we propose a motion robust remote photoplethysmography (rPPG) measurement during exercise for contactless PAI detection. To account for vigorous motion during physical exercise, we leverage signal holding with motion analysis to maintain the consistency of the signal source. We then obtain robust rPPG signals via a convolutional neural network (CNN) based rPPG constructor module composed of a dual feature extractor with signal-based targets, a bases span module, and a noise elimination module. In terms of the PAI detection application, as changes in heart rate are a dominant biomarker during exercise, this is applied to estimate the training level for PAI detection. In this study, training status is classified into three levels and is estimated via a residual-learning-based architecture with sequential heart rate input. In terms of heart rate measurements, the proposed method outperforms state-of-the-art approaches in motion scenarios on both ECG-Fitness and our own exercise datasets. The mean absolute error (MAE) is reduced to about one-third of the comparison methods in real-world treadmill running scenarios, and the error level goes down by about 30% in ECG-Fitness dataset under a cross-dataset evaluation. In addition, for follow-up PAI detection applications, the heart rate values estimated with the proposed method approximate the heart rate ground truth. It is capable to represent the trend between training load and PAI changes. We propose a novel framework for the motion robust rPPG measurement during exercise applied to PAI detection, with which overall athlete assessment can be accomplished as a convenient alternative to existing athlete monitoring equipment.