Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Life Sciences Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Articles 1 - 21 of 21

Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences

The Effects Of Aquatic Programs On Students With Disabilities Fitness And Skill-Based Outcomes; A Meta-Analysis, Delaney Hughes Jan 2023

The Effects Of Aquatic Programs On Students With Disabilities Fitness And Skill-Based Outcomes; A Meta-Analysis, Delaney Hughes

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

The purpose of the meta-analysis was to determine the impact of aquatic-based interventions on health-related fitness and skill-based outcomes for children with disabilities. PRISMA guidelines were used to complete the procedures of the meta-analysis. Twenty-three studies met the inclusion criteria and results indicate that overall, aquatic programming likely positively affects students with disabilities and health-related fitness outcomes. Recommendations provide direction for future studies to help improve intervention results.


Market To Table: A Physical Activity And Healthful Eating Approach To Diabetes Prevention, Alison Schwartz May 2020

Market To Table: A Physical Activity And Healthful Eating Approach To Diabetes Prevention, Alison Schwartz

Masters Theses, 2020-current

According to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (2019), one out of three US adults has prediabetes and healthful eating and physical activity can help to prevent or delay the onset of Type 2 diabetes. This study examines physical activity and healthful eating behavior following a 6-week Market to Table intervention that includes an experiential workshop series among participants who have prediabetes or are at risk for prediabetes. Current participants or graduates of the Sentara RMH Medical Center Diabetes Prevention Program and James Madison University faculty or staff who had been diagnosed with prediabetes or are at risk were …


A Profile Of Physical Activity In The City Of Knoxville's Lonsdale Park, Carly Scot Eakin Dec 2019

A Profile Of Physical Activity In The City Of Knoxville's Lonsdale Park, Carly Scot Eakin

Chancellor’s Honors Program Projects

No abstract provided.


Feasibility And Efficacy Of A Recess-Based Combined Fitness Intervention On Cognition And Academic Performance In Elementary School Children, Christine St Laurent Jul 2019

Feasibility And Efficacy Of A Recess-Based Combined Fitness Intervention On Cognition And Academic Performance In Elementary School Children, Christine St Laurent

Doctoral Dissertations

Youth physical activity and fitness have been reported to influence cognition and academic related outcomes. Despite the potential benefits of muscular fitness, few intervention studies have examined the impact of an intervention that has incorporated both cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness training on cognition and academic performance in children. Previous studies have mainly been implemented either during the school day or immediately after-school. Although recess may be an ideal time to promote physical activity because it does not compete with other academic demands, it has been an understudied setting. Therefore, the purpose of this dissertation project was to examine the feasibility, …


The Effects Of A Physical Activity Program Called "Minds-In-Motion-The Maze" On Balance And Motor Skills In Middle School Aged Students., Liliana Vargas May 2018

The Effects Of A Physical Activity Program Called "Minds-In-Motion-The Maze" On Balance And Motor Skills In Middle School Aged Students., Liliana Vargas

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Competing time demands in the curriculum have left physical education as a low priority among schools. Consequently, school aged children are not meeting the recommended 150 mins/wk of physical activity. We studied the effects of Minds in Motion-MAZE on middle school aged (n=74) children’s balance and motor skills. Minds in Motion-MAZE is a low cost physical activity program designed to improve balance and motor control. Participants participated in Minds in Motion-MAZE for 15 minutes during the 7th period. A multivariate test did not show a statistical significance of participating in Minds in Motion-MAZE and improved balance and motor skills. …


Hobby Preferences And Physical Activity Participation Among Children With And Without Autism Spectrum Disorder, Scott M. Russell Jan 2018

Hobby Preferences And Physical Activity Participation Among Children With And Without Autism Spectrum Disorder, Scott M. Russell

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

BACKGROUND: Children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) exhibit low physical activity levels and are at an increased risk for health problems related to sedentary behaviors. Hobby preferences have been shown to influence physical activity participation. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to examine the hobby preferences of children with ASD and determine if there are differences depending on the children’s physical activity level and the nature of their preferred activities. A secondary purpose is to describe the hobby preferences of children with ASD. METHODS: Participants include 98 nine-year-old children (with and without ASD) from the National Growing up …


Changing Parental Perceptions Of Children With Disabilities Physical Capability In Physical Activity Through A Family Fitness Program, Katelyn R. A. Knupper Jan 2018

Changing Parental Perceptions Of Children With Disabilities Physical Capability In Physical Activity Through A Family Fitness Program, Katelyn R. A. Knupper

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Children with disabilities are not participating in enough physical activity to meet the recommendations for health benefits. Parental perceptions of their child’s physical competence has a role in influencing physical activity levels. Parental perceptions can be improved through observations of their children in successful physical situations. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to analyze change in parental perceptions of their child’s physical competence after participating in a family-centered physical activity program. Five parents with a child aged six to 21 years with a disability participated in this study. Parental perceptions were assessed with the Perceived Competence Scale for Children, …


Effect Of Activity Trackers And Text Messaging On Exercise, Fitness, And Physical Activity Self-Efficacy Of Middle School Students, Alison F. Pittman May 2017

Effect Of Activity Trackers And Text Messaging On Exercise, Fitness, And Physical Activity Self-Efficacy Of Middle School Students, Alison F. Pittman

Nursing Theses and Dissertations

A decrease in physical activity as children age is a contributing factor to the U.S. obesity epidemic. Middle school children are particularly vulnerable to sedentary activities. Activity trackers show promise as a means to motivate children and adults to increase physical activity (PA). This study examined the effect of a text messaging intervention and use of activity trackers with a companion social website on the body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage, physical fitness, and PA self-efficacy of middle school children. Children aged 11-14 (n=102) were randomly assigned to one of three groups for a 10-week intervention: activity tracker group; …


Evaluating The Effects Of Wearable Technologies To Improve Physical Activity Levels For College Students With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities, Kelly Nicole Kraiss May 2017

Evaluating The Effects Of Wearable Technologies To Improve Physical Activity Levels For College Students With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities, Kelly Nicole Kraiss

Doctoral Dissertations

Regular physical activity can decrease the likelihood of being overweight or obese as well as other negative health outcomes. Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) are more likely to be obese, less likely to be physically active, and at greater risk for health conditions and disease. Thus, there is a need for interventions that aim to increase the physical activity levels of adults with I/DD. However, interventions and related research in this field are limited. The purpose of this dissertation was to examine two independent single-subject design interventions that incorporated the use of wearable technology, a Fitbit, in order …


The Effects Of Including Physical Activity In Classrooms With Children With Language Disorders, Shelby E. Auer May 2017

The Effects Of Including Physical Activity In Classrooms With Children With Language Disorders, Shelby E. Auer

Honors Theses

As obesity becomes a rising concern in the United States and the importance of high test scores continues to add stress to students, physical activity opportunities are beginning to become less frequent in schools. The Center for Disease Control reports a total of 12.7 million children were classified as obese from 2011 to 2012 (CDC, 2015). While many researchers have also acknowledged this trend, the majority of studies focus on the correlation of physical activity in the classroom with increases in fitness and cognitive functioning levels among average population students, much like the research done by Webster, Russ, Vazou, Goh, …


Effect Of Physical Activity On Quality Of Life For College Students: A Comparative Gender Study, Sarah J. Boozer May 2017

Effect Of Physical Activity On Quality Of Life For College Students: A Comparative Gender Study, Sarah J. Boozer

Honors Theses

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between physical activity levels in college students and health related quality of life scores. Additional analysis was used to determine whether more of a relationship exists between female or male students’ in terms of activity versus quality of life.

Methods

Students for this study were gathered through their involvement in kinesiology based organizations on campus. Two surveys were utilized, the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire and the Health Related Quality of Life survey. Students were also asked to record their gender, which allowed for the second analysis. After scoring the …


The Facilitators And Barriers To Physical Activity: The Perspective Of Adults With Disabilities, Elizabeth K. Keener Jan 2017

The Facilitators And Barriers To Physical Activity: The Perspective Of Adults With Disabilities, Elizabeth K. Keener

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Children and adults with disabilities are at greater risk of developing higher levels of obesity, and chronic diseases associated with obesity (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2014). Physical activity is crucial to maintaining health, mobility, and slowing disease progression for all people, especially those experiencing disability. Despite this fact, physical activity levels in individuals with disabilities are very low (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2006). Lower physical activity levels in are the result of a complex interactions of personal and environmental factors that unfold across a lifespan. Research on the facilitators and barriers to physical activity …


Physical Health And Physical Self-Concept: A Comparison Of Physical Activity Electives At The Middle School Level, Lisa J. Jennings Jan 2017

Physical Health And Physical Self-Concept: A Comparison Of Physical Activity Electives At The Middle School Level, Lisa J. Jennings

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

ABSTRACT

Physical Health and Physical Self-Description: A Comparison of Physical Activity Electives at the Middle School Level

Lisa Jennings

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare traditional physical education with Zumba to determine which method is the most appropriate and beneficial to the psychological development and well-being of children and adolescents, as well as the ability to increase the activity rates and levels in the United States.

Design: Survey/Questionnaire and Observation Experimental

Methods: Participants included a total of 53 students, currently enrolled in one of two PA elective courses, physical education or Zumba dance class. Participants included students …


Feasibility Of A Combined Physical Activity And Sleep Education Intervention For Girls Living In A Low Socioeconomic Status Urban Community, Cory J. Greever Jul 2016

Feasibility Of A Combined Physical Activity And Sleep Education Intervention For Girls Living In A Low Socioeconomic Status Urban Community, Cory J. Greever

Doctoral Dissertations

Declining sleep duration and poor sleep quality is a public health epidemic disproportionately effecting elementary age girls living in low socioeconomic status urban communities. The Girls Dancing and Sleeping for Health (Girls DASH) program was designed to test the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of a combined physical activity and sleep education program in this population. In combination with baseline data from a previously conducted intervention in elementary age urban girls living in a low SES community in Springfield, MA, results from a cross-sectional analysis indicated that greater screen time was positively associated with parental reports of child’s sleep quality. Additionally, …


The Effectiveness Of Physical Activity Interventions On Young Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Meta-Analysis, Adam Nacario Jan 2016

The Effectiveness Of Physical Activity Interventions On Young Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Meta-Analysis, Adam Nacario

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Objective: The purpose of the study is to examine the efficacy of physical activity interventions and practices on psychomotor, cognitive, or affective outcomes on young individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Methods: Standard meta-analytical procedures determining inclusion criteria, literature searches in electronic databases, coding procedures, and statistical methods were used to identify and synthesize articles retained for analysis. Cohen’s d (1988) will be utilized in order to interpret effect sizes and quantify research findings. The impact was assessed using coding procedures that categorize independent variables.

Results: A total of 23 independent samples (N=896) were utilized in this analysis. Results …


The Association Between Sleep Quality, Physical Inactivity, And Risk Of Developing Metabolic Syndrome, Matthew Scott May 2015

The Association Between Sleep Quality, Physical Inactivity, And Risk Of Developing Metabolic Syndrome, Matthew Scott

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

Abstract

Purpose The aim of this study is to assess the independent effects of sedentary time, sleep quality, and physical activity on risk factors for Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) in college students.

Methods 40 college aged students were recruited from James Madison University. Height, weight, blood pressure, waist circumference, and body composition were assessed on visit 1. Blood pressure, blood glucose, and lipid profile were assessed on visit 2. Subjects were required to wear an Actigraph GT3x accelerometer, which measured physical activity, sedentary time, and sleep quality for 7 days and nights. Univariate Pearson correlation analyses were performed to determine the …


The Effect Of Physical Activity Levels On Hydration Markers In Non-Athletic Free-Living Individuals, Mikell Lucas Hammer May 2015

The Effect Of Physical Activity Levels On Hydration Markers In Non-Athletic Free-Living Individuals, Mikell Lucas Hammer

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Higher levels of physical activity requires increased fluid intake due to increased water losses via sweating. PURPOSE: To determine the effect of physical activity on hydration status and water intake. METHODS: This study involved 8 visits to the Human Performance Laboratory over 22 days. Body weight and urine measurements were taken every visit. Physical activity was assessed by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), water intake by the Water Frequency Questionnaire (WFQ), and hydration status by urine osmolality (UOsm), urine specific gravity (USG), and urine color (UC). From the IPAQ subjects were classified as low, moderate and high physical activity …


The Impact Of Pre-Exercise State On Self-Selected Exercise, Emily K. Cornelius May 2015

The Impact Of Pre-Exercise State On Self-Selected Exercise, Emily K. Cornelius

Chancellor’s Honors Program Projects

No abstract provided.


Outdoor Adventure Therapy To Increase Physical Activity In Young Adult Cancer Survivors, Elizabeth C. Gill, Suzanne Phelan, Marni Goldenberg, Heather Starnes Mar 2015

Outdoor Adventure Therapy To Increase Physical Activity In Young Adult Cancer Survivors, Elizabeth C. Gill, Suzanne Phelan, Marni Goldenberg, Heather Starnes

Master's Theses

Physical activity (PA) has numerous benefits for cancer survivors, but limited research exists on PA interventions in young adult cancer survivors. Outdoor adventure therapy is a potential method of increasing PA in this demographic. The primary purpose of this non-randomized parallel group study was to determine whether the outdoor adventure camp experience (vs. wait list control) would increase participants’ PA levels immediately following the 7-day camp, as well as three months later. Secondary aims examined correlates of greater PA, including pre-post camp changes in sedentary behavior, exercise self-efficacy, environmental change self-efficacy, perceived barriers to exercise, physical activity enjoyment, and physical …


Soccer Participation And Youth Obesity In The United States, Lee Schober May 2014

Soccer Participation And Youth Obesity In The United States, Lee Schober

Chancellor’s Honors Program Projects

No abstract provided.


An Exploratory Examination Of Families Engaged In An Adventure Running Kids Program, Heather Isnor Jan 2014

An Exploratory Examination Of Families Engaged In An Adventure Running Kids Program, Heather Isnor

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Academics and practitioners have only just begun to delve into the health benefits of outdoor activities in the last few years. In general, the forested settings of these activities have been documented to decrease stress levels, increase recovery rates from disease, and lessen the symptoms of mental illnesses (Kuo & Faber Taylor, 2004). It is believed that the natural environment acts as a setting where humans can engage in physical activity, aesthetic experiences, and social interactions that, in turn, release stress and lead to improved well-being (Bird, 2012). Currently, however, children are experiencing limited exposure to nature and which has …