Studies on students’ perceptions and expectations during physical education (PE) online learning remain scarce. Centered on self-determination theory, the present cross-sectional study aims to identify gender differences and predictors affecting motivation, psychological needs satisfaction (PNS), and academic achievement during PE online learning. Data were collected from Saudi students’ (N = 308, 161 females and 147 males) responses to the PE autonomy, relatedness, competence, and motivation questionnaires. Welch’s t-test for unequal sample sizes, multiple linear regression, and binary logistic regression were used to compare means and to predict the relationships between the independent and dependent variables. The results showed higher autonomy and competence perceptions in female than in male students, but no differences were observed in relatedness. Female students presented higher intrinsic motivations, lower amotivation perceptions than males. However, no gender differences were recorded in extrinsic motivation. Students with less experience in online learning and weak grade point averages (GPAs) are more susceptible to having a high level of amotivation. Gender, GPA, and prior experience with online learning are the common predictors for all PNS and amotivation, while GPA and prior experience with online learning are the determinants of intrinsic motivation. GPA is affected by prior experience with online learning, autonomy, competence, intrinsic motivation, and amotivation. Therefore, teachers are encouraged to adapt their didactic-pedagogical behaviors during PE online learning according to students’ motivation and autonomy perceptions. Structuring teaching activities with more individualized support for autonomy, competence, intrinsic motivation, and students’ online skills/competencies ensures better learning efficiency and academic achievements.

Introduction: A neighbourhood’s environmental characteristics can positively or negatively influence health and well-being. To date, no studies have examined this concept in the context of Saudi Arabian youth. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the association between a neighbourhood’s environmental characteristics and health risk factors among Saudi Arabian youth. Methods: A total of 335 secondary-school students (175 males, 160 females), aged 15–19 years old, participated. Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference measurements were taken, and physical activity (steps) was measured via pedometer. The perceived neighbourhood environment was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Environment Module (IPAQ-E). Results: Significant differences were found between the youths from urban, rural farm, and rural desert locations in terms of BMI, waist circumference, daily steps, accessibility, infrastructure, social environment, household vehicles, safety, and access to facilities (p < 0.001). Rural desert youths were less active, and males (26.43 + 8.13) and females (24.68 + 5.03) had higher BMIs compared to the youths from other areas. Chi-square analysis revealed a significant difference (χ²₁ = 12.664, p < 0.001) between the genders as to social-environment perceptions. Males perceived their neighbourhood as a social environment more than was reported by females (68.39% and 50.28%, respectively). Pearson’s correlation revealed negative significant relationships between steps and both safety of neighbourhood (r = −0.235, p < 0.001) and crime rate (r = −0.281, p < 0.001). Discussion: Geographical location, cultural attitudes, lack of facilities, and accessibility impact youth physical-activity engagement and weight status; this includes environmental variables such as residential density, neighbourhood safety, household motor vehicles, and social environment. Conclusions: This is the first study examining associations with neighbourhood environments in the youths of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Significant associations and geographical differences were found. More research and policy interventions to address neighbourhoods’ environmental characteristics and health risk factors relative to Saudi Arabian youth are warranted.

ObjectivesTo determine the prevalence of hypogonadism in male patients with Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD), and to study its impact on skeletal muscle dysfunction and assess the effect of systemic markers of inflammation on testosterone level and muscle function. The study included 50 stable male COPD patients and 30 controls.MethodsBoth groups were subjected to the following measurements; inflammatory markers levels (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and interleukin – 6 (IL-6)), sex hormones including; serum total (T) and free testosterone (FT), sex hormone binding globulins (SHBG), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and 17β estradiol levels (E2), the exercise capacity (6-minute walk distance (6MWT)) and quadriceps muscle force (One repetition maximum (1RM) and EMG). COPD patients underwent spirometry.ResultsThere was a higher prevalence of hypogonadism in COPD patients than the controls (62% versus 17%). There was a significant negative correlation between serum testosterone levels (T and FT) and the severity of airway obstruction. Quadriceps muscle force and the exercise capacity were significantly lower in COPD patients than controls but they showed no correlation with the testosterone level. Inflammatory markers were significantly higher in COPD patients compared to controls and showed a significant correlation with the severity of airflow obstruction. The higher inflammatory markers levels were related to more muscle weakness as hs-CRP was inversely correlated with the quadriceps strength and exercise capacity, while IL-6 was inversely correlated to quadriceps strength only.ConclusionHypogonadism is highly prevalent in clinically stable COPD patients and is particularly related to the severity of the airway obstruction. Systemic inflammation is present in stable COPD patients and its intensity is related to the severity of the underlying disease and it predisposes to skeletal muscle weakness and exercise intolerance. However, we failed to find a significant association between hypogonadism and muscle weakness or systemic inflammation

Aim To study clinical, electrophysiological, and laboratory properties of peripheral neuropathy (PN) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and their association with disease activity. Patients and methods A total of 30 patients who met the American College of Rheumatology case definition criteria for SLE-PN and 30 age-matched and sex-matched patients with SLE without PN were selected from the Main Alexandria University Hospital Physical Medicine, Rheumatology and Rehabilitation clinic. Demographic data, SLE-related clinical, laboratory data, Systemic Lupus Activity Measure (SLAM) index, and nerve conduction studies were done. This case–control study compared clinical and SLE-related features, laboratory, and SLAM index in patients with SLE with PN versus those without neuropathy. Results The results showed that the most common PN subtype was sensorimotor polyneuropathy which occurred in 18 (60%) patients; the most common PN pathology was axonal degeneration, which occurred 19 (63.3%) patients; and the most common associated nerve entrapment was carpal tunnel syndrome in 10 (33.3%) patients. In comparison between group I (SLE with PN) and group II (SLE without PN), there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding demographic data, disease duration, and lupus clinical features, except malar rash and lupus nephritis, which showed significant increase in patients with SLE with PN compared with patients with SLE without PN (P=0.003 and P<0.001, respectively). There was no statistically significant difference among PN subtype groups regarding sex, age, and immunological markers. Regarding diseases activity, SLAM index showed a significant increase in patients with SLE with PN compared with patients with SLE without PN (P=0.006). Conclusion The pattern of neuropathy in SLE is mainly axonal. Moreover, the most common PN subtype is sensorimotor polyneuropathy. The study suggests significant association of PN in patients with SLE with nephritis, malar rash, and SLAM index.

Background and Aim of the Work Acetaminophen is considered the most popular used over-the-counter (OTC) pain killer taken during pregnancy. Because of the scanty information regarding the safety profile of this drug during pregnancy This study was conducted to estimate the effect of acetaminophen on the ovary of adult pregnant albino rats and its effect on the offspring. Materials and Methods forty adult female rats twenty mothers weighing (180-220 gm) and twenty female offspring weighing (5-10 gm), divided into four groups; the 1st Group (control mothers), 2nd Group (acetaminophen treated mothers), 3rd Group (offspring of the control mothers) and 4th Group (treated mothers’ offspring). After 75 days of delivery, blood samples and ovarian sections were taken for assessment of ovarian structure. Results The control mother and their offspring group compared to treated mothers group and their offspring showed a decrease in the serum level estradiol, an increased FSH serum level with considerable structural changes, including multiple atretic follicles with a degeneration in its oocytes also there was increased collagen fibers deposition in the medulla and ovarian stroma with a defective carbohydrate metabolism. Conclusion acetaminophen affect female fertility by disturbing ovarian architecture, increase collagen deposition and affect carbohydrate metabolism in the ovary.