Publications by authors named "T J Devonport"

Outdoor swimming for both leisure and physical exercise is a fast-growing activity in the United Kingdom. However, research into the perceived effects of outdoor open water swimming on psychological well-being is limited. Considering the inherent combination of physical activity, leisure, and nature immersion, the notion of outdoor swimming as a potential activity in the social prescribing initiative to enhance psychological well-being was investigated.

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Purpose: The aim of the proposed randomized controlled study is to compare the effects and efficacy of a dance, a Tai Chi and a waiting list control group intervention over an 8-week period on physical functions and mental benefits among non-clinical adults aged between 18 and 60.

Method: A double-blind, randomized controlled trial will be adopted to evaluate the effects and efficacy of an 8-week dance intervention compared with Tai Chi and a control group on physical and mental benefits. Participants will be randomly assigned to 3 groups, dance, Tai Chi, and Control group, using stratified random sampling based on sex.

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Article Synopsis
  • A systematic review was conducted to investigate the impact of strength and conditioning on physical abilities and aesthetic skills in dancers aged 16 and older, analyzing studies found in three key databases.
  • The review included 36 studies and found that strength and conditioning significantly improved lower body power, upper and lower body strength, and flexibility in dancers, indicating that these interventions can enhance their overall fitness and dance performance.
  • Future research should focus on sample size calculations and include dancers from specific genres and skill levels to better understand the effects of strength and conditioning on dance performance.
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It is widely acknowledged that adolescent females are particularly at risk of low body esteem. Low body esteem is associated with poor mental health and other negative outcomes. Interventions to help raise body esteem could have a considerable impact, especially if the intervention is low cost, easy to implement, and scalable.

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Receiving digital healthcare consultations for weight management, in place of in-person appointments, has proliferated in recent years, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective of the present study was to investigate patients' experiences of digital weight management services (DWMS) provided by the National Health Service (NHS). Particular emphasis was placed on examining the perceived benefits and limitations of DWMS so as to identify potential means of improving provision.

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