The effect of adolescents' sports clubs participation on self-reported mental and physical conditions and future expectations

Abstract

Sports clubs create conditions for people of all ages to pursue a healthy lifestyle through exercise in sports and attend to constructive pedagogical work which creates much value for society. This study investigates the relationship between adolescents' sports clubs participation and self-reported mental and physical conditions and future expectations. The participants were 10,987 pupils in the final three years of their compulsory education in Iceland (aged 14–16 years). The participants completed questionnaires administered to students in the classroom relating to health and behaviour. The results indicate that participation in sports clubs influences adolescents positively; adolescents who work hard at sport not only believe they are in better mental and physical condition, they also believe they can succeed in other areas such as their studies. Sports clubs promote positive influence on adolescents' mental and physical conditions and their future expectations toward work and happiness. It can be concluded that participation in organised sports clubs affects the participants in a positive way.     

A Reply to Chromiak and Stone

Abstract

Influence from parents and friends on adolescents' self-reported level of leisure-time physical activity was examined through measures of (a) perceived leisure-time physical activity of parents and best friend, (b) perceived direct support for physical activity from parents and friends, (c) direct help from parents in exercising vigorously, and (d) perceived value of physical activity of parents and friends. The present analysis included 904 students in western Norway (M age 13.3 years, SD 0.3) who took part in a health behavior survey, which included questions regarding physical activity. Students completed a confidential questionnaire at school All four measures of influence were positively related to students' activity levels. None of the examined measures was clearly stronger than the other. Parental and peer physical activity level and parental and peer support for physical activity seem to influence the reported physical activity level of the respondents. The findings indicate that, by serving as models and supporters, significant others have an important impact in promoting physical activity in young adolescents.     

Influence of vitamin D mushroom powder supplementation on exercise-induced muscle damage in vitamin D insufficient high school athletes

Abstract

Incidence of vitamin D deficiency is increasing worldwide. The purpose of this study was to determine if supplementation with vitamin D₂ from Portobello mushroom powder would enhance skeletal muscle function and attenuate exercise-induced muscle damage in low vitamin D status high school athletes. Participants were randomised to Portobello mushroom powder (600 IU/d vitamin D₂) or placebo for 6 weeks. Participants then completed a 1.5-h exercise session designed to induce skeletal muscle damage. Blood samples and measures of skeletal muscle function were taken pre-supplementation, post-supplementation/pre-exercise and post-exercise. Six weeks supplementation with vitamin D₂ increased serum 25(OH)D₂ by 9.9-fold and decreased serum 25(OH)D₃ by 28%. Changes in skeletal muscle function and circulating markers of skeletal muscle damage did not differ between groups. In conclusion, 600 IU/d vitamin D₂ increased 25(OH)D₂ with a concomitant decrease in 25(OD)D₃, with no effect on muscular function or exercise-induced muscle damage in high school athletes.     

网络文化与青少年思想品德发展

网络社会的到来是全人类的一件大事,它赋予了青少年道德教育以崭新的内涵：网络社会的实质是网络化,青少年作为网络社会的拓荒,在创造网络化的同时也在受到化的改造。网络化对青少年思想品德发展既有积极影响,也有消极影响,并给我们的教育提出了新课题。     

Vocational Interests and Career Efficacy Expectations in Relation to Occupational Sex-Typing Beliefs for Eighth Grade Students

Following the recommendations of Lent, Brown and Hackett's Social Cognitive Career Theory (2000), we measured eighth grade boys' and girls' perception of the proportion of men and women employed in occupations and their level of interest and self-efficacy for those occupations. Results indicated that eighth grade boys and girls expressed stronger career interest in and higher self-efficacy for those occupations that they rated as employing more of their own gender. The study highlights how career practitioners can work with adolescents to widen their perceived range of occupational choices.     

澳门青少年的网络依赖与社会性发展研究

采用问卷法考查澳门1208名年龄由10岁至21岁在校中小学生的网络依赖程度，及其与对他人信赖感、主观幸福感、社会疏离感、内外向四个方面社会性发展的关系。结果发现：（1）网络依赖程度存在性别及年级差异，男性的网络依赖程度显著高于女性，初一学生的严重与轻度网络依赖比例最高。（2）网络依赖组在网络聊天、打游戏、影视音乐、下载及浏览成人网站这五项网络使用行为上所花的时间显著高于无依赖组。（3）网络依赖组与无网络依赖组在对他人信赖感、生活满意度、积极情感、消极情感及社会疏离感上存在显著差异。     

青少年网络成瘾研究综述

网络是一把“双刃剑”,它给青少年的学习生活带来快捷、便利的同时,也对青少年的思想观念、价值准则、行为方式产生了一定的负面影响和冲击.通过对网络成瘾概念界定、网络成瘾表现类型以及网络成瘾的成因与对策进行综述,以期为未来的研究提供更多的理论支持.     

Negotiating diversity: an empirical investigation into family,school and student factors influencing New Zealand adolescents’ science literacy

The purpose of this study was to examine a factor triad consisting of family, school and student variables contributing to New Zealand adolescents’ science literacy performance on Programme for International Student Assessment 2006. Results indicated that the selected variables in our study explained 25% of total differences in New Zealand students’ science achievement. Family socio-economic status (SES) as well as adolescents’ motivation to learn science and general value of science were influential factors in students’ science achievement. Findings also revealed a statistically significant interaction effect between SES and first-generation immigrant students but not between SES and second-generation immigrant students. Although parents’ perception of general value of science showed a positive effect on adolescents’ scientific performance, its predictive power was relatively weak.