- Health Sciences Department
Institute of Sport Science
University of Bern
Bremgartenstrasse 145
3012 Bern - +41 (0)79 768 61 02
Claudio Nigg
University of Bern, Sport Science, Faculty Member
- University of Hawaii at Manoa, Public Health Sciences, Faculty Memberadd
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1. Changing lifelong unhealthy habits can have a positive effect on health for older adults. 2. The Transtheoretical Model of behavior change proposes people move through a series of five stages and use a variety of processes as they... more
1. Changing lifelong unhealthy habits can have a positive effect on health for older adults. 2. The Transtheoretical Model of behavior change proposes people move through a series of five stages and use a variety of processes as they attempt to change a behavior. 3. Research has shown that tailoring interventions to a individual's stage of change is most effective in promoting behavior change. 4. Specific stage-based strategies are recommended for nurses to use with both individuals and groups of older adults.
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Purpose Accelometry is a very important tool to measure physical activity (PA) in preschoolers, as it can measure 24-hour PA and detect activity which cannot be captured by other methods. However, accelerometer validation for preschoolers... more
Purpose Accelometry is a very important tool to measure physical activity (PA) in preschoolers, as it can measure 24-hour PA and detect activity which cannot be captured by other methods. However, accelerometer validation for preschoolers is lacking (Altenburg et al. 2022). Specifically, for the ActiGraph wGT3X-BT and Move 4 (ActiGraph LLC; Move4 activity sensor, movisens GmbH) only a few, respectively no preschooler validation studies, were found. Thus, the purpose was to validate these two accelerometers in Swiss preschoolers with the System for Observing Children’s Activity and Relationships during Play (SOCARP; Ridgers et al., 2010). Methods and Design Preschoolers (2-5 years old) from two Swiss Sunday activity programs (MiniMove & Ä Halle wo’s fägt) were randomly selected as part of a larger program evaluation. PA was assessed SOCARP for a duration of 12 minutes per child. During the observation, the children wore both an ActiGraph and a Move4 device taped to their right hip to record steps. Step-counts from the ActiGraph and Move4 were correlated with each other and with moderate-to-vigorous (MV)PA from SOCARP (as SOCARP does not count steps). Results Valid PA data was available for 45/58 (77.6%) children (49% girls) for SOCARP and for 47/58 (81%) children (51% girls) for accelometry. Step count correlations between the accelerometers (Actigraph and Move4) and %MVPA (SOCARP) was medium and positive (r(43) = .34, p = .03 and r(43) = .37, p = .02; respectively). There was a strong step count correlation between the two devices (r(45) = .90, p < .001), although ActiGraph measured significantly more steps than Move4 (m = 557.74, SD = 255.77 versus m = 397.81, SD = 164.10); t(46)=8.47, p < .001). Discussion PA measurement in preschool children can be challenging. However, the correlation between step counts and observed %MVPA indicates criterion validity for both devices. The step-counts of Actigraph and Move4 validate each other, but there is a difference in the absolute number of measured steps. Due to different outcome parameters, calculation algorithms, and inaccessibility to raw acceleration the comparison of the two devices on movement intensity was not possible. Although promising preliminary indications of validity of device-based measurement of PA in Swiss preschool children, further investigations into the methodological approaches of comparing measurements of movement intensity are warranted. References Altenburg, T. M., de Vries, L., op den Buijsch, R., Eyre, E., Dobell, A., Duncan, M., & Chinapaw, M. J. M. (2022). Cross-validation of cut-points in preschool children using different accelerometer placements and data axes. Journal of Sports Sciences, 40(4), 379-385. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2021.1994726 Ridgers, N. D., Stratton, G., & McKenzie, T. L. (2010). Reliability and validity of the system for observing children’s activity and relationships during play (SOCARP). Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 7(1), 17–25. https://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.7.1.17
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Effective interprofessional collaboration (IPC) has great potential to improve healthcare delivery. Therefore, students and trainees in healthcare professions should be prepared for a collaborative workforce through interprofessional... more
Effective interprofessional collaboration (IPC) has great potential to improve healthcare delivery. Therefore, students and trainees in healthcare professions should be prepared for a collaborative workforce through interprofessional education (IPE) settings. However, IPC and IPE are rarely addressed in sport and exercise medicine (SEM), although the field significantly impacts the healthcare system. Hence, we conducted a webinar to promote IPC and IPE in the Swiss SEM community. The lessons resulting from the webinar were: (1) professions involved in SEM should have opportunities to learn, with, from and about other professions in healthcare to achieve mutual respect and understanding; (2) IPC and IPE in SEM may raise awareness, value and recognition of the contributions by exercise scientists in healthcare; (3) IPC and IPE may consider collaborating with a variety of professions not traditionally integrated into healthcare but involved in broader public health and physical activit...
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In light of the global physical inactivity pandemic, the increasing prevalence of non-committable diseases, and mounting healthcare costs, effective and feasible prevention and treatment approaches are urgently needed [...]
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High-intensity interval training and energy management education, compared with moderate continuous training and progressive muscle relaxation, for improving health-related quality of life in persons with multiple sclerosis: study protocol of a randomized controlled superiority trial with six mon...more
Background Persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) often have reduced aerobic capacity and report fatigue as the most disabling symptom impacting their health-related quality of life (HRQoL). A multidisciplinary rehabilitation approach is... more
Background Persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) often have reduced aerobic capacity and report fatigue as the most disabling symptom impacting their health-related quality of life (HRQoL). A multidisciplinary rehabilitation approach is recommended for successful management of symptoms, although there is little supporting evidence. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of a multimodal therapy approach, including endurance training and patient education, during a three-week inpatient rehabilitation stay, on HRQoL in PwMS at six months follow-up. Inpatient energy management education (IEME) + high-intensity interval training (HIIT) will be compared with progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) + moderate continuous training (MCT). Methods This study has a two-armed single-blind randomized controlled superiority trial design. One hundred six PwMS-related fatigue (relapsing-remitting or chronic progressive phenotypes; Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) ≤ 6.5) will be recruite...
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This study investigated the corresponding change between psycho-social predictors and physical activity (PA) behavior and if these relationships were dependent on the stages of change from the Transtheoretical Model in Minority American... more
This study investigated the corresponding change between psycho-social predictors and physical activity (PA) behavior and if these relationships were dependent on the stages of change from the Transtheoretical Model in Minority American adolescents. We conducted a longitudinal field study with N = 357 students aged 13–18 years (M = 14.24 years, SD = 0.88); predominantly Filipino (61.2%) using a test–retest design assessing psycho-social PA predictors (enjoyment, self-efficacy, family support, friends’ support, knowledge, stage of change) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) at two time points over six months. Hierarchical regression results indicated that a positive change of enjoyment, knowledge about PA and family support predicted a change of MVPA, independently of stage. The time-varying covariation showed the importance of the current stage of change for enjoyment, self-efficacy and support of friends for a change of MVPA. Overall, our findings suggest that an indi...
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Due to long periods of sedentary behavior, and unhealthy diets gamers and esports players are at risk for numerous chronic diseases and all-cause mortality. Health research has started addressing the public health implications of the... more
Due to long periods of sedentary behavior, and unhealthy diets gamers and esports players are at risk for numerous chronic diseases and all-cause mortality. Health research has started addressing the public health implications of the esports phenomenon, drawing a bleak picture of this megatrend. However, instead of just highlighting adverse public health implications of this trend, it is recommended to become involved in this phenomenon and positively influence it. Esports has an enormous potential for physical activity and health-promoting efforts, provides a context for broadly disseminating interventions, and offers new ways of gaining access to an often-neglected population. This paper presents: the potential of the esports phenomenon to promote physical activity, health, and well-being in gamers and esports players; the strategic and preventive solutions to ameliorate esports possible adverse health impacts; and the utilization of esports technology (streams, media platforms, e...
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This practical text provides the theoretical foundation of behavior change and then offers specific strategies, tools, and methods you can use to motivate and inspire your clients to be active, exercise, and stay healthy. Developed by the... more
This practical text provides the theoretical foundation of behavior change and then offers specific strategies, tools, and methods you can use to motivate and inspire your clients to be active, exercise, and stay healthy. Developed by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and written by a team of leading experts in exercise science and motivation, the book provides step-by-step instructions to help fitness/health professionals and students master client motivation techniques. You can access practical resources you can use immediately on the job with forms, checklists, charts, worksheets, etc. in each chapter's From the Practical Toolbox sections. You can stay on top of the latest research in the field with Evidence sections that support the text's recommendations. You can master a wide range of client-motivation techniques through Step-by-Step applications. You can see the text's recommendations in action in real-world settings through engaging Case Scenarios. Y...
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Positive health practices coexist across different behaviors, but it is unknown if predictors of change in one health behavior may also predict change in another behavior. This study investigates the relationship between pros/cons and... more
Positive health practices coexist across different behaviors, but it is unknown if predictors of change in one health behavior may also predict change in another behavior. This study investigates the relationship between pros/cons and fruit and vegetable (FV) intake and physical activity (PA) across two consecutive 6‐month intervals in a multiethnic adult population in Hawaii (n=434; mean age=49.3 ±16.7; BMI=26.1 ±5.9). Questionnaires assessed PA and FV pros/cons on a 5‐pt scale, PA (MET‐min/wk, Godin Leisure‐Time Exercise Questionnaire), and FV intake (servings/day, National Cancer Institute FV screener). Sample had mean FV=3.28 ±1.62; PA=3883 ±3711 MET‐min/wk; FV pro=4.1 ±0.9; FV con=1.9 ±0.9; PA pro=4.1 ±0.9; PA con=1.7 ±0.8. Regressions revealed that baseline FV pros were predictive of FV intake at 6 and 12mo follow‐up (p<0.01; p<0.05). Baseline PA pros were predictive of PA at 6mo (p<0.01) but not at 12mo. FV and PA cons were not predictive. Cross behavior predictions ...
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Background and Purpose: Dementia affects physical as well as cognitive performance. In individuals with dementia (IWD), decline in physical performance increases with disease progression and is associated with higher functional dependence... more
Background and Purpose: Dementia affects physical as well as cognitive performance. In individuals with dementia (IWD), decline in physical performance increases with disease progression and is associated with higher functional dependence and decreased quality of life. It is paramount to examine factors that potentially preserve physical performance in IWD, particularly in light of conflicting findings on the effectiveness of physical activity interventions on physical performance of IWD, mainly due to limited number of high-quality studies, large heterogeneity in methods used, or insufficient reporting of methods. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a 16-week multimodal exercise program (MEP) combining physical and cognitive tasks on physical performance in IWD, and to identify individual characteristics of MEP responders. Methods: A multicenter randomized controlled trial with assessment methods identified by an expert panel was conducted. We included 319 IWD o...
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In their Nature Communications paper, AlShebli et al. showed that women scientists face under-citation relative to men, and that this effect was compounded when multiple women co-authored manuscripts together. None of this is surprising;... more
In their Nature Communications paper, AlShebli et al. showed that women scientists face under-citation relative to men, and that this effect was compounded when multiple women co-authored manuscripts together. None of this is surprising; it is consistent with a wide body of research documenting pernicious systematic and structural gender biases. What is shocking is their conclusion that women students should avoid female mentors and vice versa so they may benefit, by proxy, from male privilege. They further suggest policy makers revisit the consequences of diversity policies and take this conclusion into account. The corrosive effects of this advice would only serve to exacerbate gender differences in science. Worse still, the study is so replete with flaws that their conclusions are as unmerited as they are offensive. Here, we discuss several of these significant flaws.
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Abstract Questionnaires to assess physical activity (PA) have served and continue to serve important purposes in both research and practical application as they capture the self-reported aggregation of the individual which is at times... more
Abstract Questionnaires to assess physical activity (PA) have served and continue to serve important purposes in both research and practical application as they capture the self-reported aggregation of the individual which is at times complemented with device-based measures. This paper presents an expert consensus on best practices and future directions regarding the use of PA questionnaires (PAQ). The expert panel discussions that informed this manuscript took place during the 2nd International Workshop of the Center for the Assessment of Physical Activity (CAPA), held in Karlsruhe, Germany in July of 2019. Practically, we recommend to identify already existing and published PAQs in order to address a specific research question. To facilitate this, a decision framework (decision guide aide) for selecting a PAQ, consisting of purpose, construct, measurement unit, recall period, population, setting, measurement quality, feasibility/ease of use, and resources is presented. These best practices are discussed to provide some standardization for the field. With regard to future research on PAQs, continued efforts to improve validity, reliability, and sensitivity to change; consider the recall period; incorporate information on or adapt for a specific cultural/ethnic/environmental context; and strategically combine PAQ with other PA assessment methods capitalizing on the advancement of technology, are needed. These recommended future directions are outlined in order to motivate and challenge researchers to continually improve the field of PAQ research.
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BACKGROUND Pokémon GO illuminated the potential for mobile gaming apps to engage users and promote health. However, much work is needed to fully understand mechanisms through which digitally supported behavior change intervention operate,... more
BACKGROUND Pokémon GO illuminated the potential for mobile gaming apps to engage users and promote health. However, much work is needed to fully understand mechanisms through which digitally supported behavior change intervention operate, particularly for children and families. OBJECTIVE The goal of the current study was to explore the user-experience and changes in physical activity since playing Pokémon GO from a family perspective and within the greater context of family health. Specifically, factors related to engagement, user trends over time, and health were examined from the perspective of parents, adult caregivers, and children/teen Pokémon GO players. METHODS In January-February 2017, congruent with one of the largest anticipated Pokémon GO updates “Gen 2,” a retrospective pre-post design was used to investigate changes in physical activity in parents and adult caregivers since playing Pokémon GO. Additional descriptive data was collected via a survey that incorporated both...
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Background: Few studies have examined the differences in physical activity levels between subgroups of Asian or Pacific Islanders living in the United States. This study compared levels of physical activity for three subgroups of Asian or... more
Background: Few studies have examined the differences in physical activity levels between subgroups of Asian or Pacific Islanders living in the United States. This study compared levels of physical activity for three subgroups of Asian or Pacific Islanders residing in Hawaii. Methods: Data on Native Hawaiian/Part Native Hawaiian (N=585), Filipino (N=548), Japanese (N=871), and White (N=1728) adults were obtained from the Hawaii 2001 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), which contained more detailed questions on ethnicity than are collected by most states. Six physical activity categories were compared: inactive, insufficient (some activity but less than recommended activity), moderate activity (> or = 30 minutes of moderate activity > or = 5 days a week), vigorous activity (> or = 20 minutes of vigorous activity > or = 3 days a week), recommended activity (meeting either moderate or vigorous activity requirements), and a recently suggested target of > or = 60 minutes of moderate activity 7 days a week or > or = 20 minutes of vigorous activity > or = 4 days a week. Results: Among Asians or Pacific Islanders, Native Hawaiians/Part Native Hawaiians were most active (38.9% moderate and 23.9% vigorous), followed by Japanese (32.1%, 20.4%) and Filipinos (31.8%, 18.6%). Whites were more active than any of these three subgroups (47.2%, 35.4%). Conclusions: Differences in physical activity levels between subgroups of Asians or Pacific Islanders in Hawaii suggests that aggregated data for all subgroups obscures important information about disparities in activity levels. State efforts to reduce disparities in activity levels should take into account differences between Asian or Pacific Islander subgroups.
Research Interests: Demography, Health Behavior, Physical Activity, Adolescent, Medicine, and 15 moreHumans, Female, Male, Hawaii, Pacific Islanders, Prevalence, Middle Aged, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, Adult, Ethnic Group, European Continental Ancestry Group, Motor activity, Medical and Health Sciences, and Population surveillance
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The Pacific Tracker (PacTrac) is a computer program designed to analyse food intakes of individuals from the Pacific Region.... more
The Pacific Tracker (PacTrac) is a computer program designed to analyse food intakes of individuals from the Pacific Region. PacTrac&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;s original output included servings of daily intake of food groups according to the United States Food Guide Pyramid, nutrient intake recommendations, and a comparison to other national nutrition recommendations. PacTrac was made available for public use through the Hawaii Foods website (hawaiifoods.hawaii.edu). PacTrac2 is an updated and expanded version of PacTrac that uses the United States MyPyramid/MyPlate food groups in household units of daily intake, rather than servings. In addition, the PacTrac2 includes a physical activity analysis tool which quantifies minutes of physical activities and their intensities based on energy estimates from the compendium of physical activity and research on children. An Expert System (ES) - a computerised decision tree to guide behaviour change - was developed using information on self-efficacy and stage of readiness to change, and the fruit and vegetable intake and physical activity information from PacTrac2. The ES produces reports for the child, the parent/guardian, and the child&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;s physician with child-specific strategies, targeted behavioural information, and feedback tailored to the child. PacTrac2-ES was designed for the Pacific Kids DASH for Health (PacDASH) intervention study, conducted in the Kaiser Permanente health care system in Hawaii. The intervention is based on the child&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;s self-efficacy and stage of readiness to change intake of fruits and vegetables and physical activity, with a goal of maintaining body weight to prevent obesity. The intervention is complemented with stage-based mailers addressing the environment for physical activity and fruit and vegetable intake and newsletters that address related behaviours (sedentary activity and a DASH eating approach). This project is the first to expand the PacTrac to contain children&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;s foods and physical activities from the Pacific Region and to use current US MyPyramid/MyPlate food and physical activity analysis and guidance systems, and to develop and implement an Expert System for fruits, vegetables and physical activity of 5-8-year-old children. The PacTrac2-ES was used in the PacDASH study and will be used for other programs to promote healthy eating and physical activity of children in the Pacific Region.
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Research Interests: Health Promotion, Health Behavior, Research Design, Data Analysis, Preventive medicine, and 15 moreBiometry, Medicine, Humans, Intervention, Psychological Intervention, Behavior change, Impact, Risk factors, Public health systems and services research, Alcohol Abuse, Curriculum and Pedagogy, Risk Factors, Risk Behavior, Multiple Risk Behaviors, and Outcome measure
Research Interests: Psychology, Social Cognition, Structural Equation Modeling, Prediction, Physical Activity, and 14 moreTheory of Planned Behavior, Transtheoretical Model, Factor analysis, Mathematical Sciences, Goodness of Fit, Intervention, Structural equation models, Reliability, Structural Equation Model, Multiple regression analysis, The Transtheoretical Model, Structural model, Psychology and Cognitive Sciences, and Model fitting
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Research Interests: Psychology, Education, Health Promotion, Physical Activity, Sport And Exercise Psychology, and 15 morePublic Health, Transtheoretical Model, Cardiovascular disease, Medicine, Research Agenda, Self Efficacy, Chronic Disease, Psychological Intervention, Behavior change, Study design, Conceptualization, Type II Diabetes, The Transtheoretical Model, Psychology and Cognitive Sciences, and Medical and Health Sciences
The effects of a community-based physical activity intervention grounded in the Transtheoretical Model were investigated in a sample of older adults. The residents (n = 48, mean age = 78.24 ± 6.69, 90% female) of an independent living... more
The effects of a community-based physical activity intervention grounded in the Transtheoretical Model were investigated in a sample of older adults. The residents (n = 48, mean age = 78.24 ± 6.69, 90% female) of an independent living complex completed pre-and postintervention assessments, including physical, mental, and general health; nutrition; bodily pain; and stages of exercise behavior change. The intervention included posters with stage-based pamphlets (for inactive stages) and in-house exercise sessions (for active participants). The intervention resulted in high exercise maintenance and more progression than regression in exercise stage. More maintainers and progressers improved on the measured variables compared to relapsers. The stage model is a promising framework on which to base and evaluate interventions for this population. The overall impact of the intervention was positive, whether by providing the actual opportunity to exercise or by motivating other physical activity. These results also support the potential quality-of-life impact for this type of intervention in older adults.