IMPROVING PHYSICAL FITNESS THROUGH METHODS OF MASS COMMUNICATION Voinea Andreea Special School No. 5 andreea_voinea1981@yahoo.com tel:000762610637 Iacobini Adrian School Sports Club no. 4 adrian.iacobini@gmail.com 000731766979 Iacobini Paul School Sports Club no. 4 iacobinipaul@yahoo.com 000722743071 Abstract The experiment that we developed is based on the hypothesis that thought simple mass-media means you can influence a human adult to become more physically active thus improving his health and lowering body fat. Thus in a period of 6 months we made two groups: one experimental and one control group, each of 25 individuals and measured their initial body fat. The experimental group received in 6 months 180 emails, s.m.s, m.m.s which persuade them to become more physically active just by walking instead of using public transport or personal car, climbing stairs instead of escalators or elevators etc. At the end of the experiment the experimental group reduced their body fat considerably lower than the control group. Keywords: physical activity, mass-media, body-fat, motivation. JEL classification: I. Health, Education, and Welfare, I. 10, I. 20 1. Introduction We distinguish the more common deficiencies muscle tone accompanied by increases in the percentage of body fat. Lack of exercise, sedentary lifestyle is one of the defining characteristics of our century. The purpose of this research is to optimize the health of individuals by decreasing body fat percentage. The aim is to increase, through motivational messages sent through various media channels, their daily physical exercise. If an individual receives daily motivational messages supporting the beneficial effects of physical activity through various media channels, he/she will be influenced to follow up, with result in the reduction of body fat percentage. 2. The research methods Research methods used were determined according to the purpose, tasks and objectives of the research. The literature survey documentation is a vital activity and the greatest significance for scientific research, as they peruse through the social experience gained in various fields of social reality." (Epuran M, 2005, p 131). In order to fund basic scientific knowledge of which the theme and new data in dynamic content which it provides specialty literature we consulted a number of papers that have presented interest in terms of the theme.
The observation method: observation represents systematic follow well-defined purpose of acts, actions, activities, persons. "(Dragnea, 2000, p 108). In the research we used the following types of observation: systematic, direct, experimental, longitudinal, participatory, army - observation. It preceded and accompanied the entire experimental approach. The ascertaining experimental method is the most important research method by which experts may provide and they can handle the conduct of an own activity phenomena.,, Conducting experiment involves changing conditions and the possibilities of the reaction of a phenomenon in order to verify stimulus response. "(Dragnea, 2000, p 108). One of the problems of the experiment is to determine the variables, thus handling them to establish the causal relationship formulated by hypothesis. The dependent variable is changed by the action of the independent variable factor - factor manipulated by researcher. Among the experimental forms of research methodology known, we use verification experiment structured on organizing, directing and conducting the experimental activity so that in the end we were able to verify the hypothesis. The experiment used was ascertaining, compared and longitudinal type. The method of processing and interpretation of statistical and mathematical procedures - allow an objective description and characterization of the various data that represent measurable indicators. The statistical method is the main method of interpreting the results and verifying the hypotheses. Measurement and assessment measurement is the process of assignment of property numbers, objects, people, phenomena, following certain rules, so that the numerical relationships to represent the relations between objects. This should make it possible to characterize the different properties (or attributes) in quantifiable terms, thus we will interpret meaningful comparison of the numerical measurements of two such properties. (Epuran, 2005, p. 165) 3. The content of the experiment We established two groups of 25 subjects, one experimental group and one control group with ages between 22 and 46 years, and during 6 months from April 2, 2012 until September 30, 2012, they received motivational messages (text and photos) for physical activity, on the mobile phone and e-mail. As a means of transmission can use techniques which allow instant transmission of information as SMS, What s App application and E-mail directly to the subject, without interference from outside and without have a chance to ignore the message or not to see it from careless, as might be the case of the TV. The information's transmission costs were free of charge. Messages used were made in the form of short messages were synthesized in maximum 2 sentences, placing them on pictures with images that created an emotional filter that helps to transmit subliminal message. It was divided into 3 categories (30% tips, motivations 40%, and statistics 30%) for the 180 days of the campaign. The methods of influencing eligible for use were represented: persuasive appeals, appeal to credibility, appeal to emotion, appeal to reason, the method of proof We have considered that in the first part of the day people in general have a limited time because they have to get to work or school there for the that can be allocated during physical activity or exercise is limited, so we decided to SMS messages be transmitted around 17:00, when people get out of to work and can devote some time for a physical activity. In vain we want to motivate a person to walk 30 minutes away, when he also would have available just 15 minutes to reach a certain place.
Tabel no.1 Percentage of body fat BODY FAT Control Group Experimental Group Crt. percentage percentage percentage percentage The The of body of body fat of body of body difference difference fat Initial Final fat Initial fat Finală 1 22.2 23.3 1.1 25.2 22.1 25.2 2 17.8 16.8-1 35.1 30.2 35.1 3 21.4 22.6 1.2 26.6 24.2 26.6 4 18.7 22.3 3.6 16.1 15.2 16.1 5 29.2 28.1-1.1 31.1 26.3 31.1 6 25.1 26.3 1.2 31.1 28.2 31.1 7 23.8 23.9 0.1 31.1 28.2 31.1 8 33.5 34.2 0.7 29.7 26.6 29.7 9 24.1 26.1 2 18.2 17.5 18.2 10 27.4 27.4 0 27.9 27.3 27.9 11 26.8 26.2 0.4 20.2 18.8 20.2 12 21.1 24.5 3.4 26.6 24.3 26.6 13 28.6 27.4-1.2 33.1 30.8 33.1 14 28.7 28.9 0.2 14.3 14.2 14.3 15 27.2 25.7-1.5 28.8 29.2 28.8 16 32.4 32.6 0.2 28.6 25.8 28.6 17 24.2 27.2 3 34.4 31.8 34.4 18 25.5 26.1 0.6 28.8 30.3 28.8 19 19.2 20.8 1.6 25.1 22.2 25.1 20 18.8 19.3 0.5 22.1 20.7 22.1 21 25.3 24.4-0.9 19 19.2 19 22 24.1 26.3 2.2 24.3 23.2 24.3 23 32.8 34.5 1.7 26.7 22.5 26.7 24 22 22.3 0.3 26.2 22.5 26.2 25 24.2 24.6 0.4 22.4 21.2 22.4
Tabel no. 2 Descriptive statistics for control and experimental group Control Experimental percentage of body fat Initial percentage of body fat Final Mean 24.96 X 25.71 St Error 0.87 St Error 0.83 Mod 24.10 Mod 22.30 St. deviation 4.37 S 4.16 Low 17.80 Li 16.80 High 33.50 Ls 34.50 Sum 624.10 Sum 642.80 percentage of percentage of body fat Initial body fat Final Mean 26.11 X 24.10 St Error 1.11 St Error 0.97 Mod 31.10 Mod 28.20 St. deviation 5.53 S 4.87 Low 14.30 Li 14.20 High 35.10 Ls 31.80 Sum 652.70 Sum 602.50 In the checking of body fat percentage, the coefficient of variation is initial for the control group, 17.51% moderate spreading, average sufficiently representative, and in final the coefficient of variation is 16.18%, moderate spreading, sufficiently representative average. In the statistical analysis of body fat percentage, the coefficient of variation is initially for the experimental group, 21.18% spreading moderate, average sufficiently representative, and finally 20.21%, moderate spreading, sufficiently representative average. Table no. 3 T statistic Test for paired samples Control group Initial Final Average 24.96 25.71 Variation 19.14 17.29 Number 25.00 25.00 Person correlation 0.95 Difference mean 0.00 d. f 24.00 t Statistic -2.69 P(T<=t) one-tail 0.01 t Critical one-tail 1.71 P(T<=t) two-tail 0.01 t Critical two-tail 2.06 The results of the control group between baseline and ending (Xi = Xj = 24.96 and 25.71) were statistically significant for the poverty of significance p <0.05 and df = 24 with a TST=2.69 > TCR = 1.71. In conclusion we can admit that without motivational messages are effects on the percentage body fat, but comparing averages we can affirm that these effects are negative.
Table no. 4 T statistic Test for paired samples Experimental group Initial Final Average 26.11 24.10 Variation 30.56 23.75 Number 25.00 25.00 Person correlation 0.96 Difference mean 0.00 d. f 24.00 t Statistic 6.16 P(T<=t) one-tail 0.00 t Critical one-tail 1.71 P(T<=t) two-tail 0.00 t Critical two-tail 2.0 The results of the control group between baseline and ending (Xi = X f = 26.11 and 24.10) were statistically significant for the poverty of significance p <0.05 and d. f = 24 with a t Statistic =6.16 > t critical = 1.71. In conclusion we can admit that without motivational messages are optimal effects on the percentage body fat. Table no. 4 T statistic Test for independent samples Difference mean Initial Final Average 0.75-2.01 Variation 1.93 2.65 Number 25.00 25.00 Person correlation 2.29 Difference mean 0.00 d. f 48.00 t Statistic 6.44 P(T<=t) one-tail 0.00 t Critical one-tail 1.68 P(T<=t) two-tail 0.00 t Critical two-tail 2.01 Checking the mean difference between the experimental and control group obtain that hypothesis is statistically validated for a t Statistic = 6.44> t Critical = 1.68, for the a significant threshold of p = 0.05 and d. f = 48 degrees. In conclusion, the null hypothesis is rejected with a probability of 95%, the research hypothesis is accepted. 4. Conclusions The goal of influencing the subjects in the experimental groups to make physical activity was reached confirming the assumption that if an individual receives daily motivational messages for physical activity through various media channels; he will be influenced to follow up it, improving his health and to reduce the percentage of body fat.
The objective of aimed proving the effectiveness of such a campaign was reached, subjects in the experimental group recorded 84% positive physical changes compared to control group which showed only 48% positive bodily changes for much lower development costs than a normal campaign, confirming the assumption that if an individual receives an e-mail or mobile phone, ignore the probability is less than if it would get through television, radio or outdoor media. 5. Proposals It is necessary to create a partnership with mobile operators, offering good opportunities for a customer to opt of receiving daily free motivational messages to exercise, so in the future it will help to increase the sports culture of the population and a website dedicated to this campaign, transmitting e-mail daily motivational messages to a user that subscribes to it. REFERENCES Coman, M. (2007), Introducere in sistemul mass-media, Editura Polirom, Bucuresti Dragnea, A., (coord.), (2000), Teoria educatiei fizice şi sportului. Editura Cartea Şcolii, Bucureşti. Epuran, M., (2005), Metodologia cercetării activităţilor corporale - Exerciţii fizice, sport, fitness (Ediţia a 2a). Ed. Fest, Bucureşti. Hayes, N., Orrell, S. (2010), Introducere in psihologie, Editura All Kawasaki, G. (2012), Incantare. Arta de a influenta sentimentele, gandurile si actiunile celorlalti, Editura Publica.