Zan Gao
Biographic Data
| ID | 6685535 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Zan Gao |
| GIVEN NAMES | Zan |
| FAMILY NAME | Gao |
| SIGNATURE | GAO Z |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of Minnesota |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-6037-0439 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 19 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 2 |
| WORKS AS AUTHOR | 19 |
| WORKS AS EDITOR | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2014 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2025 |
| H-INDEX | 1 |
Effects of different game-based physical activity programs on body composition in Chinese preschool children
Background Childhood obesity is a growing public health concern, with preschool obesity rates in China reaching 10.4%. Physical activity (PA) is crucial for childhood obesity prevention, yet many children fail to meet recommended PA levels. Existing research primarily examines BMI rather than a detailed analysis of body composition, with sex differences remaining uncertain. This study explores the effects of different 8-week PA interventions (LPA…
Geographic disparities in physical activity, sedentary behavior, sleep time, and gross motor skills in Nigerian preschoolers
Background Adherence to physical activity guidelines is crucial for children’s physical, social, and cognitive well-being. While previous research shows that about 77% of preschoolers meet the World Health Organization (WHO) physical activity guidelines, differences in outcomes based on geographic locations are unclear. This study examines disparities in physical activity, sedentary behavior, sleep, and gross motor skills between rural and urban …
Examining the associations among adults’ physical activity, serum cotinine, and the risk of metabolic syndrome
This study indicates a positive relationship between SC concentration and MetS risk, whereas higher PA energy expenditure was inversely associated with MetS risk. Moreover, the findings indicate a potential compensatory association between PA and SC levels in relation to MetS risk. These estimates are based on statistical modeling and should be viewed as illustrative approximations rather than definitive causal or prescriptive thresholds. Future …
Associations between adhering to 24-hour movement guidelines and anxiety among adolescents across intersectional identities
Adherence to sleep guidelines was linked to reduced anxiety, highlighting the crucial role of sleep duration in anxiety management. This underscores the need to consider adolescents' diverse backgrounds when recommending movement behaviors, warranting further investigation in implementation studies
Isotemporal substitution effect of 24-hour movement behavior on the mental health of Chinese preschool children
The 24-h movement behavior of preschoolers comprises a spectrum of activities, including moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA), light-intensity physical activity (LPA), screen-based sedentary behavior (SCSB), non-screen-based sedentary behavior (NSCSB), and sleep. While previous research has shed light on the link between movement behaviors and children’s mental health, the specific impacts on the unique demographic of Chinese p…
Comparative effectiveness of school-based obesity prevention programs for children and adolescents
Effects of Long-Term Endurance Exercise on Cardiac Morphology, Function, and Injury Indicators among Amateur Marathon Runners
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of long-term endurance exercise on cardiac morphology and function, as well as injury indicators, among amateur marathon runners. We recruited 33 amateur runners who participated in a marathon. Participants were divided into experimental and control groups according to their National Athletic Grade. The experimental group included participants with a National Athletic Grade of 2 or better, …
Relationships between College Students’ Sedentary Behavior, Sleep Quality, and Body Mass Index
Prolonged SB (e.g., screen viewing, smartphone use, and computer playing) and higher BMI may link to shorter sleep duration and lower sleep efficiency in Chinese young adults. Future randomized controlled trials are needed to further confirm these findings. Given that increased BMI status and SB may relate to adverse health outcomes, more population-based intervention strategies seeking to lower BMI and reduce SB (e.g., nutrition education and ph…
Effects of the iPad and mobile application-integrated physical education on children’s physical activity and psychosocial beliefs
Background: Quality physical education (PE) lessons tap on the four focal areas: curriculum, instruction, policies and environment (National Association for Sport and Physical Education 2013 National Association for Sport and Physical Education. 2013. Quality Physical Education NASPE Resource Brief.. Reston, VA: American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. [Google Scholar]. Quality Physical Education NASPE Resource Brie…
Investigating the Associations among Drug Dependents’ Family Function and Exercise Attitudes
This paper examines: (1) The demographic characteristics of different marital statuses of drug dependents; (2) differences in exercise attitudes and family function by marital status; and (3) if family function factors correlated with exercise attitudes and if exercise attitude factors correlated with family function. Multivariate analyses of variance (MANOVAs) revealed significant differences in drug dependents' exercise attitudes between marrie…
A Longitudinal Study of a Multicomponent Exercise Intervention with Remote Guidance among Breast Cancer Patients
Purpose : Breast cancer patients in treatment suffer from long-term side effects that seriously influence their physical and mental health. The aim of this study was to examine effectiveness of a 12-week multicomponent exercise (ME) with remote guidance intervention on health-related outcomes after one year among breast cancer patients. Methods : In phases I-III, 60 patients (51.2 ± 7.9 years) with breast cancer (BC) who completed chemotherapy/po…
Bidirectional Influence of the Covid-19 Pandemic Lockdowns on Health Behaviors and Quality of Life among Chinese Adults
The two-to-three-month home-isolation has had mixed effects on adult health behaviors in China. The participants were found to have focused more on their eating quality and patterns, which had a positive influence on their QoL. However, people should be encouraged to exercise at home with limited space to maintain a generally healthy lifestyle during a prolonged quarantine
Developmental sequences for observing and assessing forceful kicking
While football/soccer is the most influential sport in the world, it is surprising that developmental sequences of forceful kicking have not been adequately described and validated in the literature. The purpose of this study was to explore potential developmental sequences for forceful kicking using a prelongitudinal screening method. Data were derived from videotapes of 255 children (girls n = 138, boys: n = 117), ages 4–11 years. Seven potenti…
Use of Wearable Technology and Social Media to Improve Physical Activity and Dietary Behaviors among College Students
College students demonstrate poor physical activity (PA) and dietary behaviors. We evaluated the feasibility of a combined smartwatch and theoretically based, social media-delivered health education intervention versus a comparison on improving college students' health behaviors/outcomes. Thirty-eight students (28 female; X age = 21.5 ± 3.4 years) participated in this two-arm, randomized 12-week pilot trial (2017-2018). Participants were randomiz…
Associations between Self-Determined Motivation, Accelerometer-Determined Physical Activity, and Quality of Life in Chinese College Students
Purpose : To better promote college students' physical activity (PA) and quality of life (QoL), it is imperative to understand this population's PA correlates, such as self-determined motivation and perceived competence. However, few studies existed in this area of inquiry among Chinese college students. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among Chinese college students' self-determined motivation, PA, and QoL. Method…
Effects of School-Based Exergaming on Urban Children’s Physical Activity and Cardiorespiratory Fitness
Observations suggested that school-based exergaming implementation may be effective in increasing children's MVPA and decreasing their SB over the course an academic year (i.e., ~eight months). More research is needed, however, to discern how modifications to school-based exergaming might also promote improved CRF in children
Acculturation and Adherence to Physical Activity Recommendations Among Chinese American and Non-Hispanic White Breast Cancer Survivors
Effects of Physical Activity on Motor Skills and Cognitive Development in Early Childhood
Objective . This study synthesized literature concerning casual evidence of effects of various physical activity programs on motor skills and cognitive development in typically developed preschool children. Methods . Electronic databases were searched through July 2017. Peer-reviewed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining the effectiveness of physical activity on motor skills and cognitive development in healthy young children (4–6 years) …
The contributing role of physical education in youth’s daily physical activity and sedentary behavior
PE displayed a positive contribution to increasing daily MVPA and decreasing daily sedentary time among youth. Active participation in PE classes increases the chance to be more active and less sedentary beyond PE among youth
Developmental sequences for observing and assessing forceful kicking
While football/soccer is the most influential sport in the world, it is surprising that developmental sequences of forceful kicking have not been adequately described and validated in the literature. The purpose of this study was to explore potential developmental sequences for forceful kicking using a prelongitudinal screening method. Data were derived from videotapes of 255 children (girls n = 138, boys: n = 117), ages 4–11 years. Seven potenti…
The contributing role of physical education in youth’s daily physical activity and sedentary behavior
PE displayed a positive contribution to increasing daily MVPA and decreasing daily sedentary time among youth. Active participation in PE classes increases the chance to be more active and less sedentary beyond PE among youth
Effects of Physical Activity on Motor Skills and Cognitive Development in Early Childhood
Objective . This study synthesized literature concerning casual evidence of effects of various physical activity programs on motor skills and cognitive development in typically developed preschool children. Methods . Electronic databases were searched through July 2017. Peer-reviewed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining the effectiveness of physical activity on motor skills and cognitive development in healthy young children (4–6 years) …
Acculturation and Adherence to Physical Activity Recommendations Among Chinese American and Non-Hispanic White Breast Cancer Survivors
Use of Wearable Technology and Social Media to Improve Physical Activity and Dietary Behaviors among College Students
College students demonstrate poor physical activity (PA) and dietary behaviors. We evaluated the feasibility of a combined smartwatch and theoretically based, social media-delivered health education intervention versus a comparison on improving college students' health behaviors/outcomes. Thirty-eight students (28 female; X age = 21.5 ± 3.4 years) participated in this two-arm, randomized 12-week pilot trial (2017-2018). Participants were randomiz…
Associations between Self-Determined Motivation, Accelerometer-Determined Physical Activity, and Quality of Life in Chinese College Students
Purpose : To better promote college students' physical activity (PA) and quality of life (QoL), it is imperative to understand this population's PA correlates, such as self-determined motivation and perceived competence. However, few studies existed in this area of inquiry among Chinese college students. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among Chinese college students' self-determined motivation, PA, and QoL. Method…
Effects of School-Based Exergaming on Urban Children’s Physical Activity and Cardiorespiratory Fitness
Observations suggested that school-based exergaming implementation may be effective in increasing children's MVPA and decreasing their SB over the course an academic year (i.e., ~eight months). More research is needed, however, to discern how modifications to school-based exergaming might also promote improved CRF in children
Effects of the iPad and mobile application-integrated physical education on children’s physical activity and psychosocial beliefs
Background: Quality physical education (PE) lessons tap on the four focal areas: curriculum, instruction, policies and environment (National Association for Sport and Physical Education 2013 National Association for Sport and Physical Education. 2013. Quality Physical Education NASPE Resource Brief.. Reston, VA: American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. [Google Scholar]. Quality Physical Education NASPE Resource Brie…
Investigating the Associations among Drug Dependents’ Family Function and Exercise Attitudes
This paper examines: (1) The demographic characteristics of different marital statuses of drug dependents; (2) differences in exercise attitudes and family function by marital status; and (3) if family function factors correlated with exercise attitudes and if exercise attitude factors correlated with family function. Multivariate analyses of variance (MANOVAs) revealed significant differences in drug dependents' exercise attitudes between marrie…
A Longitudinal Study of a Multicomponent Exercise Intervention with Remote Guidance among Breast Cancer Patients
Purpose : Breast cancer patients in treatment suffer from long-term side effects that seriously influence their physical and mental health. The aim of this study was to examine effectiveness of a 12-week multicomponent exercise (ME) with remote guidance intervention on health-related outcomes after one year among breast cancer patients. Methods : In phases I-III, 60 patients (51.2 ± 7.9 years) with breast cancer (BC) who completed chemotherapy/po…
Bidirectional Influence of the Covid-19 Pandemic Lockdowns on Health Behaviors and Quality of Life among Chinese Adults
The two-to-three-month home-isolation has had mixed effects on adult health behaviors in China. The participants were found to have focused more on their eating quality and patterns, which had a positive influence on their QoL. However, people should be encouraged to exercise at home with limited space to maintain a generally healthy lifestyle during a prolonged quarantine
Developmental sequences for observing and assessing forceful kicking
While football/soccer is the most influential sport in the world, it is surprising that developmental sequences of forceful kicking have not been adequately described and validated in the literature. The purpose of this study was to explore potential developmental sequences for forceful kicking using a prelongitudinal screening method. Data were derived from videotapes of 255 children (girls n = 138, boys: n = 117), ages 4–11 years. Seven potenti…
Relationships between College Students’ Sedentary Behavior, Sleep Quality, and Body Mass Index
Prolonged SB (e.g., screen viewing, smartphone use, and computer playing) and higher BMI may link to shorter sleep duration and lower sleep efficiency in Chinese young adults. Future randomized controlled trials are needed to further confirm these findings. Given that increased BMI status and SB may relate to adverse health outcomes, more population-based intervention strategies seeking to lower BMI and reduce SB (e.g., nutrition education and ph…
Effects of Long-Term Endurance Exercise on Cardiac Morphology, Function, and Injury Indicators among Amateur Marathon Runners
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of long-term endurance exercise on cardiac morphology and function, as well as injury indicators, among amateur marathon runners. We recruited 33 amateur runners who participated in a marathon. Participants were divided into experimental and control groups according to their National Athletic Grade. The experimental group included participants with a National Athletic Grade of 2 or better, …
Isotemporal substitution effect of 24-hour movement behavior on the mental health of Chinese preschool children
The 24-h movement behavior of preschoolers comprises a spectrum of activities, including moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA), light-intensity physical activity (LPA), screen-based sedentary behavior (SCSB), non-screen-based sedentary behavior (NSCSB), and sleep. While previous research has shed light on the link between movement behaviors and children’s mental health, the specific impacts on the unique demographic of Chinese p…
Comparative effectiveness of school-based obesity prevention programs for children and adolescents
Effects of different game-based physical activity programs on body composition in Chinese preschool children
Background Childhood obesity is a growing public health concern, with preschool obesity rates in China reaching 10.4%. Physical activity (PA) is crucial for childhood obesity prevention, yet many children fail to meet recommended PA levels. Existing research primarily examines BMI rather than a detailed analysis of body composition, with sex differences remaining uncertain. This study explores the effects of different 8-week PA interventions (LPA…
Geographic disparities in physical activity, sedentary behavior, sleep time, and gross motor skills in Nigerian preschoolers
Background Adherence to physical activity guidelines is crucial for children’s physical, social, and cognitive well-being. While previous research shows that about 77% of preschoolers meet the World Health Organization (WHO) physical activity guidelines, differences in outcomes based on geographic locations are unclear. This study examines disparities in physical activity, sedentary behavior, sleep, and gross motor skills between rural and urban …
Examining the associations among adults’ physical activity, serum cotinine, and the risk of metabolic syndrome
This study indicates a positive relationship between SC concentration and MetS risk, whereas higher PA energy expenditure was inversely associated with MetS risk. Moreover, the findings indicate a potential compensatory association between PA and SC levels in relation to MetS risk. These estimates are based on statistical modeling and should be viewed as illustrative approximations rather than definitive causal or prescriptive thresholds. Future …
Associations between adhering to 24-hour movement guidelines and anxiety among adolescents across intersectional identities
Adherence to sleep guidelines was linked to reduced anxiety, highlighting the crucial role of sleep duration in anxiety management. This underscores the need to consider adolescents' diverse backgrounds when recommending movement behaviors, warranting further investigation in implementation studies
Medicine (14 works) · Physical therapy (10 works) · Psychology (10 works) · Gerontology (9 works) · Physical activity (9 works) · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet (8 works) · Children's Physical and Motor Development (7 works) · Physical Activity and Health (7 works) · Internal Medicine (6 works) · Public health (5 works)