Education Commons^™

Does Retirement Mean More Physical Activity? A Longitudinal Study, Xiaoqi Feng, Karen Croteau, Gregory Kolt, Thomas E. Astell-Burt

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Background Evidence on physical activity (PA) and transitions out of full-time employment in middle-to-older age is mainly cross-sectional and focused upon retirement. The purpose was to examine trajectories in PA before and after transitions out of full-time employment. Methods Data were obtained for 5,754 people in full-time employment aged 50-75 from the US Health and Retirement Survey. Logistic regression was used to examine trajectories in twice-weekly participation in light, moderate and vigorous PA among those transitioning to part-time work, semi-retirement, full retirement, or economic inactivity due to disability, in comparison to those remaining in full-time employment. Results Twice weekly participation …

The (Possibly Negative) Effects Of Physical Activity On Executive Functions: Implications Of The Changing Metabolic Costs Of Brain Development, Steven J. Howard, Caylee J. Cook, Rihlat Said-Mohamed, Shane A. Norris, Catherine E. Draper

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Background: An area of growth in physical activity research has involved investigating effects of physical activity on children's executive functions. Many of these efforts seek to increase the energy expenditure of young children as a healthy and low-cost way to affect physical, health, and cognitive outcomes. Methods: We review theory and research from neuroscience and evolutionary biology, which suggest that interventions seeking to increase the energy expenditure of young children must also consider the energetic trade-offs that occur to accommodate changing metabolic costs of brain development. Results: According to Life History Theory, and supported by recent evidence, the high relative …

Increasing Physical Activity Among Young Children From Disadvantaged Communities: Study Protocol Of A Group Randomised Controlled Effectiveness Trial, Rebecca M. Stanley, Rachel A. Jones, Dylan P. Cliff, Stewart Trost, Donna Berthelsen, Jo Salmon, Marijka Batterham, Simon Eckermann, John J. Reilly, Ngiare J. Brown, Karen J. Mickle, Steven J. Howard, Trina Hinkley, Xanne Janssen, Paul A. Chandler, Penny L. Cross, Fay L. Gowers, Anthony D. Okely

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Background Participation in regular physical activity (PA) during the early years helps children achieve healthy body weight and can substantially improve motor development, bone health, psychosocial health and cognitive development. Despite common assumptions that young children are naturally active, evidence shows that they are insufficiently active for health and developmental benefits. Exploring strategies to increase physical activity in young children is a public health and research priority. Methods Jump Start is a multi-component, multi-setting PA and gross motor skill intervention for young children aged 3-5 years in disadvantaged areas of New South Wales, Australia. The intervention will be evaluated using …

“Just Because You’Re Pregnant, Doesn’T Mean You’Re Sick!” A Qualitative Study Of Beliefs Regarding Physical Activity In Black South African Women, Estelle D. Watson, Shane A. Norris, Catherine E. Draper, Rachel A. Jones, Mireille N. M Van Poppel, Lisa K. Micklesfield

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Background Despite the benefits of physical activity during pregnancy, the physiological and psychological changes that occur during this unique period may put women at greater risk of being sedentary. Lifestyle and environmental transitions have left black South African women at increased risk of physical inactivity and associated health risks. Therefore, the aim of this qualitative study was to describe the beliefs regarding physical activity during pregnancy in an urban African population. Methods Semi-structured interviews (n = 13) were conducted with pregnant black African women during their third trimester. Deductive thematic analysis was completed based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour. …

An Internet-Supported Physical Activity Intervention Delivered In Secondary Schools Located In Low Socio-Economic Status Communities: Study Protocol For The Activity And Motivation In Physical Education (Amped) Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial, Chris Lonsdale, Aidan Lester, Katherine B. Owen, Rhiannon L. White, Ian Moyes, Louisa Peralta, Morwenna Kirwan, Anthony Maeder, Andrew Bennie, Freya Macmillan, Gregory Kolt, Nikos Ntoumanis, Jennifer M. Gore, Ester Cerin, Thierno M.O Diallo, Dylan P. Cliff, David R. Lubans

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Background: School-based physical education is an important public health initiative as it has the potential to provide students with regular opportunities to participate in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Unfortunately, in many physical education lessons students do not engage in sufficient MVPA to achieve health benefits. In this trial we will test the efficacy of a teacher professional development intervention, delivered partially via the Internet, on secondary school students' MVPA during physical education lessons. Teaching strategies covered in this training are designed to (i) maximize opportunities for students to be physically active during lessons and (ii) enhance students' autonomous motivation towards …

Association Between Serum Adiponectin Levels And Muscular Fitness In Portuguese Adolescents: Labmed Physical Activity Study, C Agostinis-Sobrinho, Rute Santos, Carla Moreira, Sandra Abreu, Luis Lopes, J Oliveira-Santos, R Rosario, Susana Povoas, Jorge Mota

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Background and aim: Paradoxically, recent investigations have showed that adiponectin levels are inversely associated with muscle strength. However, to date, there is a lack of knowledge on the relationship between muscular fitness (MF) and adiponectin levels in adolescents. We aimed to examine the independent associations between MF and adiponectin levels in adolescents, controlling for several potential confounders. Methods and results: This is a cross-sectional analysis with 529 Portuguese adolescents aged 12-18 years. A MF score was computed as the mean of the handgrip strength and standing long jump standardized values by age and gender. We measured fasting glucose, insulin, HDL-cholesterol, …

Physical Activity Patterns During Pregnancy In A Sample Of Portuguese Women: A Longitudinal Prospective Study, Paula Clara-Santos, Sandra Abreu, Carla Moreira, Rute Santos, Margarida Ferreira, Odete Alves, Pedro Moreira, Jorge Mota

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Background: Physical activity (PA) patterns during pregnancy have not been explored in depth and most previous studies lack assessment of variables such as type, frequency, duration and intensity of activity. Objectives: This study had two goals: 1) to analyze PA patterns during pregnancy according to weekly time spent on different types of activity; and 2) to determine women's perception about health care providers regarding PA advisement during pregnancy. Patients and Methods: A longitudinal prospective study was carried out with a 118-pregnant women cohort. Participants were evaluated during all trimesters. Self-reported questionnaires were used to collect personal and obstetric data. Type, …

Physical Activity And Fitness Outcomes Of A Lifestyle Intervention For Primary Care Patients With Depression And Anxiety: A Randomised Controlled Trial, Adrienne Forsyth, Frank P. Deane, Peter G. Williams

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Patients currently being treated for depression and/or anxiety were referred by their GP and randomised to a 12-week individually tailored diet and exercise lifestyle intervention or an attention control group. Assessments at baseline and 12 weeks included the Active Australia Survey for self-reported physical activity, chair stands, arm curls and a 3-min step test to measure physical fitness. Intent-to-treat analyses using linear mixed modelling showed both groups significantly improved participation in physical activity and muscular endurance. There were no significant differences in improvement between groups. The only group by time interaction was found for body mass index and indicated greater …

Sedentary Time, Physical Activity And Compliance With Iom Recommendations In Young Children At Childcare, Yvonne Ellis, Dylan P. Cliff, Xanne Janssen, Rachel A. Jones, John J. Reilly, Anthony D. Okely

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

The aim of this study was to report patterns of sitting, standing and physical activity (PA) and compliance with Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommendations for sedentary behavior (SB) and PA among children aged 1 to 5 years at childcare, and examine sociodemographic variations. Sitting, standing and PA time was assessed using an activPAL inclinometer over a period of 1 to 5 days in 301 children (49% boys; mean age = 3.7 ± 1.0 years) across 11 childcare services in Illawarra, NSW, Australia. Breaks and bouts of sitting and standing were calculated and categorized. Height and weight were assessed and parents …

Identifying Correlates And Determinants Of Physical Activity In Youth: How Can We Advance The Field?, Andrew J. Atkin, Esther M. F Van Sluijs, James Dollman, Wendell C. Taylor, Rebecca M. Stanley

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

This commentary provides a critical discussion of current research investigating the correlates and determinants of physical activity in young people, with specific focus on conceptual, theoretical and methodological issues. We draw on current child and adolescent literature and our own collective expertise to illustrate our discussion. We conclude with recommendations that will strengthen future research and help to advance the field.

Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines For Children And Youth: An Integration Of Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour, And Sleep, Mark S. Tremblay, Valerie Carson, Jean-Phillipe Chaput, Sarah Connor Gorber, Thy Dinh, Mary Duggan, Guy Faulkner, Casey E. Gray, Reut Gruber, Katherine Janson, Ian Janssen, Peter Katzmarzyk, Michelle E. Kho, Amy E. Latimer-Cheung, Claire Leblanc, Anthony D. Okely, Timothy Olds, Russell R. Pate, Andrea Phillips, Veronica Poitras, Sophie Rodenburg, Margaret Sampson, Travis J. Saunders, James A. Stone, Gareth Stratton, Shelly K. Weiss, Lori Zehr

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Leaders from the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology convened representatives of national organizations, content experts, methodologists, stakeholders, and end-users who followed rigorous and transparent guideline development procedures to create the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for Children and Youth: An Integration of Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour, and Sleep. These novel guidelines for children and youth aged 5-17 years respect the natural and intuitive integration of movement behaviours across the whole day (24-h period). The development process was guided by the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research Evaluation (AGREE) II instrument and systematic reviews of evidence informing the guidelines were assessed using the …

Large-Scale Investment In Green Space As An Intervention For Physical Activity, Mental And Cardiometabolic Health: Study Protocol For A Quasi-Experimental Evaluation Of A Natural Experiment, Thomas E. Astell-Burt, Xiaoqi Feng, Gregory Kolt

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Introduction 'Green spaces' such as public parks are regarded as determinants of health, but evidence from tends to be based on cross-sectional designs. This protocol describes a study that will evaluate a large-scale investment in approximately 5280 hectares of green space stretching 27 km north to south in Western Sydney, Australia. Methods and analysis A Geographic Information System was used to identify 7272 participants in the 45 and Up Study baseline data (2006-2008) living within 5 km of the Western Sydney Parklands and some of the features that have been constructed since 2009, such as public access points, advertising billboards, …

1.0.C Hands-On Temperature Sensation, Chris F. Bauer

Day 01 Jan 20 Introduction to inquiry. Temperature perception.

WELCOME to WINDOWS on the INQUIRY CLASSROOM!

You have landed on a piece of a National Science Foundation Project (DUE 1245730) directed by Professor Chris Bauer, Chemistry Department, University of New Hampshire. This is one part of a completely documented inquiry-based university science course called “Fire & Ice” which explores the nature of heat and temperature. There are multiple video perspectives and commentary from instructors and students, and documents of all course materials (agenda, instructions, student work). It’s too complicated to explain here. Take a look at the user orientation document at this link.

Introducing Pbl Into Civil And Structural Engineering, Niall Holmes, Una Beagon

Teaching Fellowships

The benefits of problem based learning for students are a deeper understanding of lecture material, and the development of problem solving and collaboration skills which will greatly enhance their educational experience. This approach has been successful in other programmes as it departs from the traditional ‘what I am told I need to know’ to ‘what I need to know to solve the problem’ promoting self-directed learning. Lecturers in turn transition from the giver of information to the facilitator of learning through support, guidance and monitoring. This project introduced an active learning element into two concrete technology modules by replacing traditional …

Longitudinal Associations Between Sports Participation, Body Composition And Physical Activity From Childhood To Adolescence, Laura Basterfield, Jessica K. Reilly, Mark S. Pearce, Kathryn N. Parkinson, Ashley J. Adamson, John J. Reilly, Stewart A. Vella

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Objectives: Several important research questions have been addressed: (1) What are the cross-sectional associations between sports club participation, objectively measured physical activity, and adiposity? (2) Do measures of physical activity and adiposity predict subsequent sports club participation? (3) Does sports club participation predict subsequent measures of physical activity and adiposity? and (4) Do changes in sports club participation predict changes in objective measures of physical activity and adiposity? Design: Longitudinal and cross-sectional. Methods: Data from the Gateshead Millennium Study birth cohort (. n=. 609 at age 7 years) were analysed for associations between adiposity, sports club participation and accelerometer-measured physical …

Modelling The Contribution Of Walking Between Home And School To Daily Physical Activity In Primary Age Children, Rebecca M. Stanley, Carol Maher, James Dollman

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Background

The purpose of this study was to identify the independent association of frequency of walking trips between home and school with daily physical activity in a sample of school-aged children.

Methods

Participants were 109 children (mean age = 12.05 years [±0.71]) attending nine primary schools in Adelaide, South Australia. Physical activity was derived from accelerometers with total counts as the outcome variable. Transport patterns were self-reported for each of the previous five school days. Walking trips were summed for each day and across the school week. The relationship between the number of active transport journeys and individual school day …

Preschool Children's Foreign Language Vocabulary Learning By Embodying Words Through Physical Activity And Gesturing, Konstantina Toumpaniari, Sofie M. M Loyens, Myrto F. Mavilidi, Fred Paas

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Research has demonstrated that physical activity involving gross motor activities can lead to better cognitive functioning and higher academic achievement scores. In addition, research within the theoretical framework of embodied cognition has shown that embodying knowledge through the use of more subtle motor activities, such as task-relevant gestures, has a positive effect on learning. In this study, we investigated whether combining both physical activities and gestures could improve learning even more in a 4-week intervention program on foreign language vocabulary learning in preschool children. The main hypothesis that learning by embodying words through task-relevant enactment gestures and physical activities would …

The Influence Of Neighbourhood Green Space On Children's Physical Activity And Screen Time: Findings From The Longitudinal Study Of Australian Children, Taren Sanders, Xiaoqi Feng, Paul P. Fahey, Chris Lonsdale, Thomas Astell-Burt

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Objective: It is often hypothesised that neighbourhood green space may help prevent well-known declines in physical activity and increases in sedentary behaviour that occur across childhood. As most studies in this regard are cross-sectional, the purpose of our study was to use longitudinal data to examine whether green space promotes active lifestyles as children grow older. Methods: Data came from participants (n=4983; age=4-5) of the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children, a nationally representative study on health and child development. Physical activity and screen time were measured biennially (2004-2012) using questionnaires and time use diaries. Quantity of neighbourhood green space was …

Healthy Recovery: An Opportunity To Address Smoking, Diet And Physical Activity As Part Of Alcohol And Other Substance Abuse Treatment, Peter James Kelly

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Abstract of a workshop at the ADDICTION 2015: the Australian & New Zealand Addiction Conference, Gold Coast, Australia, 20-22 May.

The Case Studies: Chat In Use - Case Study 13.1 Designing An Effective Undergraduate Vocal Pedagogy Environment: A Case Of Cultural-Historical Activity Approach In A Singing Course, Irina Verenikina, Lotte Latukefu

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

This chapter draws on six case studies of pedagogy with technology in Higher Education. The studies are chosen because they illustrate how the use of technology impacts on pedagogy in these contexts. While the cases are drawn from different levels of higher education (undergraduate to postgraduate) they are woven together by a shared framework: namely, the use of CHAT to explore pedagogical innovation with technology. One of the significant strengths of CHAT, all studies will argue, lies in its ability to situate goal-directed action within the larger context of a motive-directed activity. That is, its explanatory power lies in situating …

Nacherzeugung, Nachverstehen: A Phenomenological Perspective On How Public Understanding Of Science Changes By Engaging With Online Media, Wolff-Michael Roth, Norm Friesen

Educational Technology Faculty Publications and Presentations

It is widely acknowledged in science education that everyday understandings and evidence are generally inconsistent with the scientific view of the matter: “heartache” has little to do with matters cardiopulmonary, and a rising or setting sun actually reflects the movements of the earth. How then does a member of the general public, which in many areas of science is characterized as “illiterate” and “non-scientific,” come to regard something scientifically? Moreover, how do traditional unscientific (e.g., Ptolemaic) views continue their lives, even many centuries after scientists have overthrown them in what are termed scientific (e.g., Copernican) revolutions? In this study, we …

Measuring Adolescent Boys' Physical Activity: Bout Length And The Influence Of Accelerometer Epoch Length, Taren Sanders, Dylan Cliff, Chris Lonsdale

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Objectives

Accurate, objective measurement is important for understanding adolescents' physical activity (PA) behaviour. When using accelerometry to objectively measure PA, a decision must be made regarding how frequently data is recorded (i.e., epoch length). The purpose of this study was to examine i) PA bout length, and ii) the effect of variations in accelerometer epoch length on PA estimates during physical education (PE) and leisure time in adolescent boys.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Methods

Year 9 boys (N=133; mean age ±SD =14.36±0.48 years) wore accelerometers during two PE lessons, and for a period of seven consecutive days. Data were reintegrated from …

Development And Psychometric Properties Of The Y-Pass Questionnaire To Assess Correlates Of Lunchtime And After-School Physical Activity In Children, Rebecca M. Stanley, Kate Ridley, Timothy Olds, James Dollman

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Background

To frame interventions, it is useful to understand context- and time-specific correlates of children’s physical activity. To do this, we need accurate assessment of these correlates. There are currently no measures that assess correlates at all levels of the social ecological model, contain items that are specifically worded for the lunchtime and/or after-school time periods, and assess correlates that have been conceptualised and defined by children. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate the psychometric properties of the lunchtime and after-school Youth Physical Activity Survey for Specific Settings (Y-PASS) questionnaires.

Methods

The Y-PASS questionnaire was administered …

Increasing Specificity Of Correlate Research: Exploring Correlates Of Children's Lunchtime And After-School Physical Activity, Rebecca M. Stanley, Kate Ridley, Timothy Olds, James Dollman

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Background The lunchtime and after-school contexts are critical windows in a school day for children to be physically active. While numerous studies have investigated correlates of children's habitual physical activity, few have explored correlates of physical activity occurring at lunchtime and after-school from a social-ecological perspective. Exploring correlates that influence physical activity occurring in specific contexts can potentially improve the prediction and understanding of physical activity. Using a context-specific approach, this study investigated correlates of children's lunchtime and after-school physical activity. Methods Cross-sectional data were collected from 423 South Australian children aged 10.0-13.9 years (200 boys; 223 girls) attending 10 …

Promoting Awareness, Knowledge Of And Compliance With The National Children's Physical Activity Guidelines, Lyn Phillipson, Danika Hall, Anthony D. Okely, Sandra C. Jones, Dylan Cliff, Jeong Kyu Lee, Stewart Vella, M Chapman, Lisa Franco, T Kirk-Downey

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Abstract presented at be active 2014, 15-18 October 2014, National Convention Centre, Australian Capital Territory, Australia

Embodying Cognition In The Classroom: A New Approach To Foster Physical Activity And Learning, Myrto F. Mavilidi, Fred Paas, Anthony D. Okely, Paul Chandler

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Abstract presented at be active 2014, Incorporating the Australian Conference of Science and Medicine in Sport, the National Sports Injury Prevention Conference, and the National Physical Activity Conference, Canberra, Australia, 15-18 October 2014.

Physical Activity And Sedentary Guidelines; What Are The Similarities And Differences Across The Globe?, Anne-Maree Parrish, Stewart Vella, Anthony D. Okely, Dylan Cliff

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Abstract presented at the 2014 Global Summit on the Physical Activity of Children, held in Toronto, May 19-22, 2014

Pace: A Group Randomised Controlled Trial To Increase Children's Break-Time Playground Physical Activity, Anne-Maree Parrish, Anthony D. Okely, Marijka Batterham, Dylan P. Cliff, Christopher A. Magee

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Abstract presented at Be Active 2014, 15-18 October 2014, Canberra, Australia.

The Impact Of Neighbourhood Crime On Physical Activity: Evidence From 203,883 Australians, Gregory Kolt, Thomas E. Astell-Burt, Xiaoqi Feng

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Abstract presented at Be Active 2014, 15-18 October 2014, Canberra, Australia

Single-Sex After-School Physical Activity Programs For Overweight And At-Risk Children: The Wollongong Sport Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial, Dylan Cliff, Jacqueline Kelly, Rachel Jones, Anthony D. Okely

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Abstract presented at the 2014 Global Summit on the Physical Activity of Children, held in Toronto, May 19-22, 2014.