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Physical Education, Physical Activity & Academic Achievement: A Longitudinal Study For 1st And 8th Grade Students, Jessica Marita

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Purpose: To examine the physical education requirement, factors that affect physical activity levels for grade-school children, and how physical activity can affect academic achievement. The purpose of the present investigation is to demonstrate a relationship between physical education, physical activity, and academic achievement in K-8th graders.

Hypothesis: Increased physical education in grade-school will be associated with higher academic achievement, higher levels of physical education will be associated with greater amounts of physical activity outside of the classroom.

Methods: Participants were children selected from secondary, publically available, de-identified data from the nationwide Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten 2011 (ECLS-K: 2011). . …

The Effectiveness Of School-Based Interventions On The Fundamental Movement Skill Proficiency Among A Cohort Of Irish Primary School Children, Lisa Bolger

PhDs

Background: Fundamental movement skills (FMS) are basic observable patterns of movement such as running and jumping. FMS facilitate participation in physical activity and sport. The ability to perform FMS correctly (i.e. FMS proficiency) is associated with numerous health benefits and is important for the holistic development of children. FMS proficiency among primary school children worldwide is low. Thus, interventions aimed at improving FMS levels among children are warranted. Therefore, this thesis aimed to assess the FMS proficiency among a cohort of Irish primary school children and examine the effectiveness of a physical activity (PA) (Year 1) and a multicomponent FMS …

An Investigation Into Te Relationship Between Fundamental Movement Skill Proficiency And Markers Of Health Among A Cohort Of Irish Primary School Children, Linda Bolger

PhDs

Background: Fundamental movement skills (FMS) are basic observable patterns of movement. Although FMS are positively associated with health, FMS levels among children worldwide are low. Interventions to improve FMS and markers of health among children are warranted. Thus, the purpose of this research was to firstly evaluate the FMS proficiency and markers of health of Irish primary school children, and to design and implement a programme of interventions to improve both.

Methods: Two interventions (1 Physical Activity [PA] and 1 FMS) were implemented and evaluated using children from 3 primary schools in Cork. Children (N=217, mean age: 7.98±2.00 years) …

Testing The Effectiveness Of A Sct-Based Peer Wellness Coaching Training Program In Enhancing Health Self-Efficacy And Outcome Expectations Among Undergraduate Peer Educators, Abigail Dubovi

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Peer health education (PHE) is a widely implemented approach to health promotion on college campuses. Based on its emphasis on vicarious learning and social persuasion, social cognitive theory (SCT; Bandura, 2000) is frequently cited to account for the proposed mechanisms of PHE. However, to date, no prior studies have developed and tested the utility of a SCT-based PHE training program in improving theoretically consistent outcomes among peer educators. Thus, the purpose of this study was to develop, implement, and test the effectiveness of a 15-week, SCT-based peer wellness coaching (PWCTP) training program in enhancing health self-efficacy (HSE) and outcome expectations …

Examination Of Energy Needs And Hormone Levels In Male Endurance Athletes, Erin Moore

Theses and Dissertations

A plethora of literature examining the physiological consequences associated with deficits in energy availability (EA) for female athletes exists, however literature examining male athletes is sparse. Purpose: To determine the effects of high exercise energy expenditure (EEE) on Male Triad symptoms (EA with or without an eating disorder [ED], reproductive hormones Testosterone [T] and Luteinizing hormone [LH], and bone mineral density [BMD]) and other metabolic markers (Insulin, Leptin, Cortisol and Interleukin-6 [IL-6]) in endurance-trained male athletes. Methods: We utilized a cross-sectional design on 14 endurance trained male athletes (age: 26.4 + 4.2 yrs.; weight: 70.6 + 6.4 kg; and height: …

Physical Educator Perceptions Of Professional Development: A Phenomenological Study, Eric T. Moore

Theses and Dissertations--Education Sciences

The objective of this study was to explore the perceptions physical educators had of a phenomenon: professional development (PD). Specifically, the study sought to understand the following question: how do physical educators perceive PD? Said in the spirit of phenomenological research, this study aimed to explore the lived experience of PD from the perspective of elementary physical education teachers. Subsequent research questions included: (a) How do physical educators perceive PD in relation to their physical education program’s role in public health?; (b) What perceptions, including potential barriers and facilitators, do physical educators have of PD?; and (c) In what ways …

Nutrition Label Accuracy And The Theory Of Triadic Influence: The Impact Of Knowledge On Healthy Food Choices In A Predominantly Hispanic Sample, Mosi Staudt Dane'el

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Unhealthy food choices and the outcomes of those choices are a significant concern in the United States. Multiple governmental agencies recommend using nutrition labels to promote healthier food choices. This study investigated this claim using the theory of triadic influence to examine the efficacious use of nutrition labels on food choices. The theory of triadic influence presents a model of variables that affect food choice, including knowledge pathways on which this study focuses. Within the model, we expected increased scores on two measures of health knowledge to predict nutrition label understanding, which predict healthy food attitudes. Next, we expected that …

The Effects Of Physical Activity On Sleep Patterns In Children With Developmental Disabilities, Rebecca Griffith

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Individuals with developmental disabilities should be engaged in 150 minutes of physical activity every week to experience health benefits including an increase in duration and quality of sleep. Individuals with developmental disabilities who get quality, regular sleep have a lower frequency of challenging behaviors. One way to increase physical activity engagement among individuals with disabilities is to engage their family in physical activity together. To analyze the effects of engaging in a family centered physical activity program on the duration and quality of sleep in a young adult with Down syndrome. Method: The participant engaged in the Humboldt State Fitfam …

The Effect Of A Summer Family Fitness Program On The Fitness Levels Of Children With Disabilities, Emily Cole

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

The purpose of this study was to test the effect a summer-long family fitness program on the physical fitness levels of children with disabilities. Obesity in children with disabilities is a major health concern. Incorporating the child’s family, teaching them ways to stay active, and associating fun with physical activity was the focus of a summer-long family fitness program; FitFam. This study assessed the physical fitness levels of the participants, children ages six through twenty-one, using the standardized Fitnessgram assessment. Pre- and post- scores were used to determine the overall outcome of the participants’ physical fitness. This study did not …

Increasing Uninterrupted Walking Distance For Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Steven R. Hinojosa

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) do not engage in an adequate amount of physical activity. Often, students with a Level 2 or Level 3 diagnosis of ASD engage in behavior that may make it increasingly difficult for practitioners to encourage the increase of physical activity. The purpose of this study was to determine if preference assessment increase Uninterrupted Walking Distance in students with ASD. Researchers have demonstrated positive outcomes on physical activity levels when students are given the opportunity to choose their most preferred physical activity as a reinforcement. Results from this study showed statistically relevant walking data when …

Collegiate Recreation Participation And Student Retention, Progression, And Graduation, Gabriela Mccollum

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between collegiate recreation participation and students’ retention, progression, and graduation (RPG) rates. This study employed a quantitative, ex post facto research design along with descriptive analyses of two research questions. Archival data were gathered for an incoming first-year cohort of 3,516 students at a research-intensive university in the Southeast United States. The present study found that participants within the cohort who were classified as high participation in collegiate recreation were more likely to be retained from the first to the second year. Evidence of this finding was presented with statistical …