Holistic physical exercise training improves physical literacy among physically inactive adults: a pilot intervention...

Area of Science:

• Exercise Science
• Public Health
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Physical literacy (PL) is a multidimensional construct representing an individual's capacity and commitment to an active lifestyle.
• Physically inactive adults represent a key demographic for interventions aimed at improving health outcomes through increased physical activity.
• Understanding the impact of exercise interventions on PL is crucial for developing effective public health strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of a 15-week holistic physical exercise training program on physical literacy in physically inactive adults.
• To assess changes in specific domains of physical literacy, including physical activity behavior, attitude, motivation, knowledge, and self-confidence.
• To explore the relationship between baseline BMI and exercise-induced improvements in physical literacy.

Main Methods:

• A non-randomized controlled study involving 31 participants in an intervention group and 30 in a control group.
• The intervention group engaged in weekly holistic physical exercise training for 15 weeks.
• Physical literacy was assessed using a questionnaire covering five domains; data were analyzed using ANCOVA, adjusted for baseline covariates.

Main Results:

• The intervention group demonstrated significant improvements in overall physical literacy (p=0.001), physical activity behavior (p=0.02), and exercise self-confidence/self-efficacy (p=0.001).
• No significant changes in PL or its domains were observed in the control group.
• Baseline BMI was positively correlated with improvements in physical literacy following the exercise intervention (β=0.51, p=0.01).

Conclusions:

• Holistic physical exercise training can enhance physical literacy, particularly physical activity behavior and self-confidence, in physically inactive adults.
• These findings support the development of targeted public health initiatives and intervention strategies to promote active lifestyles.
• Further research is required to validate the psychometric properties of the PL questionnaire used in this pilot study.