Health and Physical Education Commons^™

Elucidating The Interdependence Of Motor-Cognitive Development And Performance, Thomas Cade Abrams

Theses and Dissertations

As the development of complex coordination and control (i.e., motor development) involves the integration of neuromotor, psychological, social, and cognitive processes (i.e., executive functions), a better understanding of how these processes are embedded and manifest across stages of development throughout the lifespan is needed. The long-term processes associated with the acquisition and development of motor competence (MC), specifically, effortful practice and performance of various locomotor and object control skills, provide direct mechanisms for contributing to executive function (EF) development via different learning-related (e.g., synaptogenesis, hippocampal neurogenesis) as well as exercise-related (e.g., exercise-mediated neurogenesis, angiogenesis) mechanisms. However, traditional MC assessments use …

Evaluation Of The Throw-Catch Assessment, Bryan Terlizzi

Theses and Dissertations

Motor competence assessment has been characterized by the evaluation of motor skill performance in closed performance contexts that lack task and environmental constraints reflective of real-world contexts. In contrast, the throw-catch (TC) assessment employs a dynamic task environment that allows performers to adapt over multiple trials to evaluate the degree of skilled performance via demonstration of a flexible and adaptable repertoire of both throwing and catching actions. The purpose of this dissertation was to investigate the developmental validity of the TC, as well as the content validity of the TC in terms of assessing throwing skillfulness.

Performance of the TC …

Develop Or Diminish? An Exploration Of Adolescent Athlete Flow Experiences, Hayes Mayfield Bennett

Theses and Dissertations

The concept of flow was birthed from positive psychology specifically to uncover individuals’ most positive experiences and “understand the roots of happiness” (Csikszentmihalyi, 2004). Because of the nature of flow experiences, individuals continually seek out opportunities to have more of these experiences (Seifert & Hedderson, 2010; Swann et al., 2018), however, little is known regarding how adolescents experience flow. For early-adolescents (11-14 years old: Holt, 2007), sports represent an environment that often produces physical, psychological, and social benefits (Crane & Temple, 2015), and combats negative factors (Pluhar et al., 2019). Unfortunately, adolescent athletes are particularly vulnerable to burnout and sports …

Three Studies Investigating Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program-Aligned Opportunities To Enhance Students’ Physical Education Learning, Jongho Moon

Theses and Dissertations

Schools have been identified as key venues that have a positive impact on students’ development through physical activity (PA) and physical education (PE) programming. A comprehensive school physical activity program (CSPAP) is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s [CDC] national framework for school-based PA (CDC, 2019). A CSPAP was conceptualized as a strategic approach to leverage the full range of resources needed to meet two broad goals: (a) provide school-aged youth with the opportunity to meet the nationally recommended 60 minutes of daily PA, and (b) achieve Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE) America’s National Standards for K-12 …

Relationship Of General Athletic Performance Markers To Intra-Team Ranking Of Sport Performance, Steven Keith Scruggs Ii

Theses and Dissertations

A foundational principle in sport science involves applying an evidence-based approach to training and development of athletes. The primary objective is to provide an effective training program, while monitoring general athletic performance (GAP) development (i.e., athlete-monitoring), ensuring intended adaptations are occurring. Much of the literature has focused on GAP markers (e.g., physical qualities related to strength, speed, power, agility, and endurance) which are only suggested to influence competitive sport performance (SP) outcomes (e.g., yards per carry, batting average, hitting percentage, rank or placement, etc.; B. Alejo, personal communication, July 13, 2019). This gap in the literature should be filled via …

Functional Motor Competence And Physical Military Readiness, Kyle Silvey

Theses and Dissertations

Decreased physical fitness in military age recruiting populations is problematic for the development of physical military readiness (PMR) in soldiers and presents a threat to national security. Low fitness levels, demonstrated by increased Army fitness test failures, and national data of children and adolescents, may be an indicator of a foundational problem in the physical development of potential military recruits. An adequate foundation in FMC will serve as a barrier for achieving sufficient and sustained PMR in the U.S. Military. Associations between individual, raw APFT and ACFT tests demonstrated weak ( r = .26) to strong ( r = .87) …

Two Studies Of Inclusive And Augmented Physical Education, Matthew Patey

Theses and Dissertations

Students with disabilities participate in inclusive education, to some degree. Unfortunately, students with disabilities often feel feelings of marginalization, social isolation, failure, and othering. Students without disabilities graduating high school today are less empathic than students who graduated in the 1970’s. This dissertation delves into the empirical literature on how school-age students perceive inclusive physical education, through a systematic literature (Study 1), as well as how a students and adults in a high school perceive and experience an augmented physical education program, through an exploratory case study (Study 2).

In Study 1, the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and …

The Tripartite Model Of Efficacy Beliefs For Youth With Visual Impairments, Alexandra Stribing

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation consists of three studies which explored self-perceptions, parents’ perceptions, and metaperceptions in youth with a visual impairments (VI) using the tripartite model of efficacy beliefs. These studies have the potential to practitioners and parents providing novel understandings of perception influences in youth with a VI. Thus, the purpose of this dissertation was to explore self-perceptions, parents’ perceptions, and metaperceptions in youth with a VI.

The purpose of Study 1 was to determine the content/face validity of the selfperceptions, parents’ perceptions, and metaperception questionnaires for youth with VI. Participants (N = 13, males = 2; females = 11) included …

Elementary Physical Education Teacher Perceptions Of Motor Skill Assessment, Jenna Fisher

Theses and Dissertations

Though a critical aspect of the teaching-learning process in physical education, the assessment of student learning in physical education has received little investigative attention. In line with the primary focus on motor competence in the United States National K-12 Physical Education Standards, the purpose of this dissertation is to explore elementary physical education teachers’ assessment behaviors with respect to assessing students’ motor skills. This dissertation consists of three studies. In the first study, a survey was developed using the major themes from existing physical education assessment literature and then tested for content validity via the modified Delphi method. The second …

Motor Competence And Quality Of Life In Youth With Cancer And Visual Impairments, Emily N. Gilbert

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation is comprised of a systematic review of the literature and two descriptive analytic studies, for a total of three studies. The overall purpose of this dissertation was to examine the motor competence of youth with pediatric cancers, a visual impairment (VI), and VI sequela of cancer (VISC), and to explore if motor competence and other variables in the physical domain predict overall health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

The purpose of Study 1 systematic review of literature was to explore and describe the motor competence of pediatric cancer patients and survivors in comparison to peers without cancer and to …

Two Studies Conceptualizing Physical Literacy For Assessment Of High School Students In The United States, Chelsee Shortt

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: Toward the advancement of physical literacy (PL) in the United States, the purpose of this dissertation was to operationalize the construct and work toward a foundational framework to which PL can be assessed. The purpose of Study 1 was to develop an operational conceptualization of PL via a modified Delphi approach. The purpose of Study 2 was to expand upon the findings from Study 1 by exploring adolescents' perceptions of PL using repertory grid analysis (RGA).

Methods: Study 1 used a sequential, mixed methods design. Participants (N=22) were national and international PL academics with peer-reviewed publications on PL or …

United States Principals’ Involvement In Comprehensive School Physical Activity Programs: A Social-Ecological Perspective, Karie Lee Orendorff

Theses and Dissertations

Principal involvement is essential to the successful uptake of new school programs and initiatives. Recommendations and research underscore the key role of principals in supporting a comprehensive school physical activity program (CSPAP), which is a coordinated and synergistic approach to ensuring school-age accumulate the nationally recommended amounts of daily physical activity (PA), as well as develop the knowledge, skills and confidence for lifetime participation in PA. Little is known about the extent to which principals in the United States are involved in CSPAPs or about the factors that are associated with such involvement. The purpose of this dissertation was to …

Multidimenstional Balance In Youth With Visual Impairments, Adam Pennell

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation consists of three studies which examined multidimensional balance in youth (≤ 21 years; Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 2004) with visual impairments (VIs) using the Brief-Balance Evaluation Systems Test (Brief- BESTest). These studies have the potential to inform (adapted) physical education curricula and therapeutic/rehabilitative practices by providing novel understandings of balance performance in youth with VIs. If identified as a meaningful mechanism of action, the assessment and development of multidimensional balance in youth with VIs should be given elevated status by practitioners. Thus, the purpose of this dissertation was to investigate multidimensional balance in youth with VIs.

The …

The Effects Of An Integrative Universally Designed Motor Skill Intervention Across General, Inclusion, And Self-Contained Early Childhood Center Classrooms, Sally A. Taunton

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation consists of two studies that examine the effects of a school-based universally designed integrative intervention on the gross motor, fine motor, and health-related fitness skills of preschool and kindergarten with and without disabilities. Both studies focused on the effects of a school-based universally designed integrative intervention across general, inclusion and self-contained early childhood classroom settings. Study 1 examined the effects of the universally designed integrative intervention in general and inclusion classrooms in children without disabilities, and children with mild to moderate disabilities. Study 2 examined the effects of the universally designed integrative intervention in self-contained classrooms for children …

Three Studies Concerning Movement Integration In Low Socioeconomic Elementary School Classrooms, Gregory L. Stewart

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation contains three studies that advance the knowledge base on classroom movement integration (MI), specifically within low socioeconomic (SES) schools. Study One examined the current level and types of MI being utilized in a low SES school district. Study Two and Study Three focused on one low SES school. Study Two compared movement breaks in traditional general education classrooms to other in-school PA opportunities (i.e., time in physical education, recess, and movement facilitative classrooms) regarding their associations with student off-task behavior, while Study Three evaluated an MI training delivered to classroom teachers

For Study One, classroom teachers (N = …

New Insight For Activity Intensity Relativity: Metabolic Expenditure During Object Projection Skill Performance, Ryan S. Sacko

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation consist of four studies that examine energy expenditure (EE) during object projection skill performance (OPSP). These four studies have the potential to inform physical education (PE) curricula and physical activity (PA) interventions by providing an understanding the acute EE associated with performing OPSP in developmentally appropriate activities. If OPSP is associated with high EE, then promoting their development during physical activity interventions and physical education (PE) will have both an acute and long-term health-enhancing benefit. Thus, the purposes of these four studies was to examine adult and children’s EE associated with the performance of object projection skills at …

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: …

Two Studies Of Partnership Approaches To Comprehensive School Physical Activity Programming: A Process Evaluation And A Case Study, Catherine A. Egan

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation consists of two studies that examine partnership approaches to comprehensive school physical activity programs (CSPAP). Both studies function in tandem to advance the knowledge base about school – university partnership approaches to CSPAP programming. Study 1 examined the first-year classroom component of the Partnerships for Active Children in Elementary Schools (PACES) intervention, and Study 2 examined the implementation of a Health Optimizing Physical Education (HOPE)- based CSPAP. Both studies utilized school-university partnerships in their design and implementation.

The purpose of Study 1 was to examine the effects of different PACES treatment levels on classroom movement integration promotion during …

Three Studies Of Service-Learning As An Approach To Movement Integration In Elementary Classrooms, Robert D. Michael, Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation consists of three studies that examine service-learning (SL) as an approach to incorporating movement integration (MI) in elementary classrooms as part of a comprehensive school physical activity program (CSPAP). All three studies attempt to advance the knowledge base about using partnership approaches to supporting schoolbased physical activity promotion.

The purpose of study one was to examine the perceptions of preservice classroom teachers (PCTs), classroom teachers (CTs), and course instructors who participated in a constructivist-guided university course with a focus on MI and a SL component. Focus groups with 172 PCTs and individual interviews with 7 CTs and 4 …

Functional Motor Competence, Health-Related Fitness, And Injury In Youth Sport, Craig Elliott Pfeifer

Theses and Dissertations

In the United States there millions of youth who participate in sport.1-3 Unfortunately there is also a high rate of musculoskeletal injury in sport,4,5 accompanied by millions of dollar in medical cost.6 The development of functional motor competence and health-related fitness (HRF) is important as these two constructs are related to health, performance, and injury incidence in youth sport.7,8 It is assumed that children develop their movement ability and physical fitness as they age, however recent evidence suggests that youth functional motor competence and HRF decrease across childhood.9-13 An evaluation of functional motor competence gaining popularity among health and strength …

Examing Supine-To-Stand As A Measure Of Functional Motor Competence And Health Across The Lifespan, Danielle Rene Nesbitt

Theses and Dissertations

A person’s ability to rise from the floor to a standing position is seen as a precursor for establishing and maintaining physical independence. It also is an important primer for the development of other fundamental movement skills (FMS) and is associated with functional capacity in later life. Thus, the potential importance of developing this movement capability early in life and understanding how it may relate to global function (i.e., motor competence-MC and health-related fitness-HRF) across the lifespan may be underestimated. Limited research has examined components or performance (i.e., time) of supine-to-stand (STS) in children to young adults. Further, no previous …

Breastfeeding Among Working Mothers In Saudi Arabia, Maryam Suliman Alhabas

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: To examine the relationship of not having breastfeeding support policy in workplace such as employees pumping breast milk or breastfeeding their infant while at work policy to early initiation of formula and cessation of breastfeeding. Design: Crosssectional study. Setting and Subjects: A total of 273 workingwomen, working in 12 different organizations in Riyadh, KSA. Method: An electronic questionnaire survey was administered to 340 workingwomen in 12 different organizations in Riyadh. Questions were about participants’ demographics and employment characteristics, breastfeeding support services in their workplace, knowledge about breastfeeding benefits, breastfeeding duration after return to work, and formula initiation. Results: Having …

Integration Of Impulse-Variability Theory And The Speed-Accuracy Trade-Off In Children's Multijoint Ballistic Skill Performance, Sergio Lupe Molina

Theses and Dissertations

A major purpose of the motor learning and motor control literature is to provide principles and theories (e.g., speed-accuracy trade-off) that can inform the instruction of young learners in motor skill competence. To be optimally effective, these principles and theories must be understood and applied in relation to authentic instructional contexts, complex motor patterns, and specific developmental levels of young learners. It is insufficient, for instance, to generalize research results with adults learning simple movements in controlled laboratory settings to an understanding of how children learn from fundamental movement skills in physical education classes. Based on this premise, the work …

Addressing Disparity: One Unique School’S Efforts To Provide Holistic Education In A Low-Income, Black Community, Allison Anne Parsons

Theses and Dissertations

Schools are meant to provide an equal opportunity for achievement to all students. The reality is that school policies and practices, which govern not only child education but also child health, parenting practices, and other social issues, are based on ideologies of the dominant culture creating an environment the perpetuates current social hierarchies. By doing so, this not only limits minority populations’ access to the opportunities associated with education but also access to health, as education and health are strongly and positively linked.

This study used qualitative methods including ethnography to explore how racism was perpetuated through the dominant discourses …

Two Studies To Inform Comprehensive School Physical Activity Programming: A Systematic Review Of Program Effectiveness And The Development Of An Observational Measure For Classroom-Based Physical Activity Promotion, Laura B. Russ

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation consists of two studies pertaining to comprehensive school physical activity programs (CSPAP) that function in tandem to advance the knowledge base. The lack of an empirical basis for moving forward with CSPAP efforts and the lack of objective measures of CSPAP implementation are intertwined limitations currently stemming the potential for wide scale program adoption.

The purpose of Study 1 was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of multi-component PA interventions through schools that could be mapped onto at least two components of the CSPAP model. Electronic databases were searched to identify published studies that (1) occurred in …

Hypertension Health Behavior Change And Older Adults: The Effect Of An Appreciative Education Approach, Mary Katherine Benya

Theses and Dissertations

Making lifestyle changes has been found to be effective in controlling hypertension. Positive psychology may provide alternatives to existing health behavior change approaches. Appreciative Education (AE), a positive psychology approach, was applied to an existing hypertension control intervention, Lifestyle University (LU), and compared to the Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) approach, in a segment of the existing intervention. This study used quasi-experimental, mixed methods pre/post-test, repeated measures design. Two-groups of community-dwelling adults, aged 50+, control SCT (n= 60), and experimental AE (n=33), were compared using the LU intervention. Seven dependent variables were measured at pre-test, post-test 1 and post-test 2. Repeated …

Preservice Physical Education Teacher’S Value Orientations Across The Student Teaching Semester, Heesu Lee

Theses and Dissertations

It is of interest to physical education teacher educators to prepare pre-service teachers (PTs) to promote learning based on the five National Standards for K-12 Physical Education (NASPE, 2013). These National Standards reflect value orientations. However, limited empirical evidence exists that examines what value orientations PTs endorse and how physical education teacher education (PETE) programs influence their value orientations. The purpose of this study was to 1) examine the initial value orientations of PTs at entry into the course of student teaching, 2) describe how their value orientations change/develop and/or are maintained across the course, and 3) explore factors that …

The Subjective Warrant For Teaching Physical Education In South Carolina, Matthew Blake Lineberger

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to: (1) identify the warrant for teaching physical education held by future professionals, (2) identify the influencing attractors and facilitators for future professionals, and (3) explore for any possible influence the South Carolina Physical Education Assessment Program (SCPEAP) may have had on students’ decision to enter physical education teacher education (PETE) programs. Data were collected by questionnaire (Appendix A) which was piloted on master’s level students at the University of South Carolina. Participants were 103 undergraduate PETE students from 14 institutions in South Carolina. Simple descriptive statistics and independent ttests were used to analyze …

Building Capacity For Advocacy For Local Food Systems Change: An Ethnographic Study Documenting The Process Of Change In South Carolina Communities, Casey Denise Childers

Theses and Dissertations

The Guide to Community Preventive Services currently does not have sufficient evidence to recommend any nutrition strategies for obesity prevention. Nonetheless, food systems changes are recommended for childhood obesity prevention by the C.D.C., U.S.D.A., and many thought-leading organizations. Creating healthy food communities will require physical and social environmental changes. Community-based groups need to build their capacity to frame community health issues as physical and social environmental issues. This research partnered with community-based groups to build their capacity for advocacy by using media framing research and strategic communications training. Specifically we: 1) conducted a media content about food systems, childhood obesity …