Shauna M. Burke

While physical activity behaviours have been explored during the COVID-19 pandemic, little is known about the social contexts in which physical activity to

Social influences, including group dynamics, social norms and peer support, are assumed to influence physical activity (PA). A previous systematic review and meta-analysis found that ‘true groups’ (that is, those applying group dynamics principles) had advantages over individual PA interventions. Given technological advances and virtual platforms, we updated previous findings. Systematic searches of electronic databases were completed on 19 March 2024. A meta-analysis of 71 studies (523 effect sizes) compared individual and group-based PA interventions across behavioural, functional (for example, strength and flexibility), psychosocial (for example, quality of life and loneliness) and health outcomes (for example, VO ₂ max). Using a three-level random effects model, group-based conditions showed a small but non-significant advantage for PA ( n = 22,042; g = 0.086, 95% CI (−0.061, 0.233), P = 0.249), psychosocial outcomes ( n = 18,223; g = 0.292, 95% CI (−0.171, 0.755), P = 0.214) and health outcomes ( n = 31,607; g = 0.125, 95% CI (−0.023, 0.272), P = 0.096). For functional outcomes, a significant advantage for group-based interventions emerged after outlier removal ( n = 14,429; g = 0.164, 95% CI (0.032, 0.297), P = 0.015). Moderation analysis indicated that different group types produced comparable effects, except that ‘true groups’ were associated with a larger effect size for health outcomes. Both individual and group-based approaches (in-person or online) may be effective. Future research should explore mechanisms that enhance their impact across populations and settings. This review was prospectively registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021271452).

Objective: The primary purpose was to assess, quantitatively, the relationship between levels of resilience and experiences of diversity and inclusion among students, and identify demographic factors most associated with these outcomes. The secondary purpose was to explore, qualitatively, students' experiences of diversity and inclusion and their perspectives on how these experiences influenced their resilience. Participants: Undergraduates (n = 276) from 19 universities in Ontario, Canada. Methods: Mixed methods using demographic questions, three validated scales (measuring resilience, diversity, and inclusion), and interviews. Results: Significant positive correlations were found between resilience and experiences of diversity and feelings of inclusion. Significant associations were found between demographics indicative of equity-deserving group membership and these outcomes. Through interviews (n = 25), students described mostly positive experiences of diversity at university, with room for improvement regarding inclusion experiences. Conclusion: The relationship between resilience and diversity and inclusion can inform meaningful institutional practices to advance undergraduates' experiences.

The extensive physical and mental health implications of physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep are irrefutable. The COVID-19 pandemic has had drastic consequences on university students and their already poor movement behaviors. The purpose of the current study was to report the prevalence of undergraduate university students in Ontario, Canada, who were meeting the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for Adults approximately 2 and a half years into the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 508 undergraduate students registered at 19 universities across Ontario completed the online survey. A collection of validated scales and study-specific questions were administered via a single online survey to assess whether students were meeting each component of the Guidelines (i.e., physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep). Only one participant (0.2%) met all recommendations set out in the Guidelines. Effective intervention is needed to improve the movement behaviors of university students.

When COVID-19 became a global pandemic in March 2020, governments around the world implored citizens to “be resilient” for the greater good. However, very little practical information was provided about how people could mobilize resilience, which is typically presented as an individual-level resource. Our qualitative interpretive description study was designed to explore the structural factors that influenced resilience among primary caregivers of school-aged children during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario, Canada. Interviews with 22 caregivers revealed three key structural factors that impacted how they employed resilience during the pandemic: employment, community, and the broader resilience discourse. Together, these results suggest that the structures embedded within society were profoundly impacted by the pandemic, and while this adversity afforded primary caregivers an opportunity to build resilience, ultimately, they often were expected to do so without the supports they previously relied on, including employment and income stability, community supports, and supportive government messaging.

Social influences, such as group dynamics, social norms, and peer support are assumed to influence physical activity (PA). Burke et al. (2006) found that “true groups” (i.e., those using group dynamics principles) had advantages over other group conditions in terms of PA. Given technological advances and the rise of virtual exercise platforms, we aimed to update and extend these findings. We conducted a meta-analysis of 71 studies (523 effect sizes), primarily experimental (95%), comparing individual and group-based PA conditions on outcomes including PA levels, functional assessments (e.g., flexibility, strength), psychosocial measures (e.g., quality of life, loneliness), and health indices (e.g., body mass index). Using a three-level random-effects model, group-based conditions showed a small but non-significant advantage over individual conditions for PA (g = .071, p = .642), psychosocial (g = .292, p = .214), and health outcomes (g = .125, p = .096). For functional outcomes, a small but significant advantage for groups emerged after outlier removal (g = .164, p = .015). Moderation analysis showed that different types of groups resulted in similar outcomes. The only exception was for “true groups”, whose effect size predicting health outcomes was larger compared to the effect sizes for other group types. Both individual and group -based approaches (in-person or online) may be effective for PA promotion. Future research should explore the underlying mechanisms that optimise each approach for specific populations and settings. Review registration: Registered on PROSPERO (CRD42021271452)

Objective: To explore the impact of a theory-informed educational video on undergraduates': motivational readiness, self-efficacy, and decisional balance about changing sedentary time; sedentary time; and perceptions of sedentarism over time and compared to a control. Participants: Undergraduates (N = 160) from a Canadian institution. Methods: A single-blind randomized controlled trial using an intervention (sedentary video) and control (sleep video) group. Participants completed two validated questionnaires at baseline, immediate post-intervention, and one-month follow-up plus open-ended questions. Linear mixed models and content analysis were used. Results: No significant differences were observed between groups. Increases in self-efficacy (p = .016; d = 0.27) and decisional balance (p = .008; d = 0.31) were observed within intervention participants from baseline to post-intervention, and decreases in sedentary time at post-intervention (p = .032; d = -0.40) and follow-up (p = .006; d = -0.46). Conclusions: This theory-informed sedentary time video shows promise regarding undergraduates' sedentarism.