Roumeliotou Artemis: Physical activity and symptoms of depression and anxiety in sleep apnea patients
(Under the supervision of Dr Hatzigeorgiadis Antonios)

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a sleeping disorder, which is characterized, among others, by daytime sleepiness and it has been linked to various physical and mental problems, like depression and anxiety. Although there is a range of possible treatments for OSA, research on the association of physical activity (PA) based on Self-determination Theory (SDT) with sleepiness, depression and anxiety is scarce. This study aimed to explore the interactions of SDT tenets and specifically the basic psychological needs of competence, autonomy and relatedness for exercise with depression, anxiety and daytime sleepiness. Additionally, whether PA, as measured in Metabolic Equivalents (METs), contributes to the improvement of daytime sleepiness among OSA patients and whether SDT contributes to the adoption of PA were examined. A total of 51 adult patients diagnosed with OSA (males = 38 females = 13) and a mean age of approximately 51 years participated in the study. During a private meeting, participants filled questionnaires that measured PA, depression, anxiety and the psychological needs for exercise of competence, autonomy and relatedness. Results revealed several significant relationships between the variables. Also, exercisers showed lower depression and more competence satisfaction. Stepwise regression analyses yield a significant prediction of daytime sleepiness from moderate METs and a significant prediction of METs total from competence satisfaction. Present findings suggest that PA may have a beneficial effect on lowering depression and that especially physical activity of moderate intensity may reduce daytime sleepiness in OSA patients. Likewise, satisfaction of basic need of competence may lead to higher physical activity participation among OSA patients. However, more research is needed to support these findings.

Keywords: Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA); daytime sleepiness; physical activity; depression; Metabolic Equivalents (METS); Self-determination Theory (SDT); need satisfaction.

Sereli Sevasti: The relationship between basic psychological needs and achievement goals with physical activity and quality of life in a sample of Greek students.

(Under the supervision of Dr Papaioannou Athanasios)

  The main aim of the present study was to examine the relationships between basic psychological needs and achievement goals with physical activity and quality of life of Greek pupils. The sample was convenient and included 323 students (Mage = 14.81±.60 years old) that were selected from Greek elementary schools (n=86) and high-schools (n=237). Participants completed a questionnaire that included measures of out-of-school physical activity (frequency and quantity of PA), basic psychological needs, motivation for participation, achievement goals, intention for participation and subjective vitality. Results showed that PA variables (frequency and quantity of PA) and subjective vitality were positively related with autonomy, competence, relatedness, intention for participation in PA, mastery approach, performance approach and task orientation. Hierarchical regression showed that competence and mastery were the most significant predictors in all the examined variables (frequency of PA, quantity of PA, intention for PA, subjective vitality). Findings suggest that the motivational climate created by PE teacher plays an important role in pupils’ PA levels, intention to participate in PA and quality of life.