Life Sciences Commons^™

Characterizing Patterns Of Adherence To Physical Activity Goals In Behavioral Weight Control, Melissa Lee Stansbury

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Many individuals fall short of the physical activity (PA) goals provided during lifestyle programs, and there is considerable variability in weight loss response and adherence to recommendations for behavior change. Weight loss response within the early weeks of program initiation predicts future weight loss success; however, little is known about what distinguishes those who respond well to treatment from those who fail to respond. Exposing the behavioral patterns which underlie weight loss response may point towards targets for treatment optimization. The purpose of this study was to (1) characterize individuals with distinct patterns of adherence to PA goals during …

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 …

The Effects Of Group Fitness Classes On Self-Efficacy, Katherine Dalton

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Self-efficacy is one of the largest predictors of behavior, when related to exercise studies have shown that self-efficacy can predict drop-out rates within six months of being an exercise program (Middelkamp, et. al., 2016; Sallis, et. al., 1988). College students have the biggest decline in physical activity when compared to other stages of life (Buckworth, 2001; Grubbs & Carter, 2002). University recreation centers provide group fitness classes for students to promote physical activity. Minimal research has been done to show the impact that group fitness classes has on student life. This study aimed to show the impact of group fitness …

Determining The Association Between Religious Participation And Spirituality And Diet And Physical Activity Behaviors In African Americans Of Mississippi, Nidhi Shrestha

Honors Theses

According to CDC, African Americans experience higher rates of chronic diseases when compared to other ethnic groups. Focusing on religiosity and spirituality may benefit the health status of this minority group where advanced healthcare facilities are not easily assessable. The purpose of this research is to 1. Examine demographic factors related to religiosity/spirituality factors among a sample of African American Mississippians; and 2. Determine the correlation between their religiosity, spirituality, and health behaviors. The study uses the data collected by the Mississippi INBRE Telenutrition Center at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM). Participants for this study were recruited from May …

The Effect Of Curriculum- And Classroom-Based Physical Activity Breaks On Academic Performance In Elementary School Children In Southern New Mexico, Sephonnie S. Elliss

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Research has provided strong evidence for the many health benefits of exercise (e.g. decreased risk of heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, sleep apnea, falls). Despite the plethora of evidence, most Americans do not meet the Surgeon General's recommendation of achieving 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (PA) per week. Compounding the problem for children is the fact that although most American kids are enrolled in school for 30 or more hours per week, making schools a prime location to teach modes of physically active health habits, schools have instead increasingly become places that promote sedentary behavior as greater emphasis has been …

Examining Disability In The Region Of Waterloo: Physical Activity Programming And Caregiving, Nicole J. Reinders Luymes

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Physical activity (PA) is a necessary component of wellbeing for individuals with and without disabilities. Disabled young people experience many barriers to PA, resulting in inactive lifestyles that compound health issues and hinder their full participation in schools and communities. The following dissertation includes a literature review regarding the effects of PA for young people with a variety of developmental disabilities, in addition to three research studies examining community-based PA programming, and one study exploring the lived experiences of caregivers, all within the Region of Waterloo.

The first study was a needs assessment to examine PA perceptions, practices, barriers, and …

Demographics And Physical Activity Levels Of Esports Athletes At The University Of Akron, Madison Morgan, Patrick Barrett, Madeleine Stoll

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Esports is rapidly growing and gaining popularity, however there is a lack of research regarding physical activity levels of eSport athletes, especially those at the collegiate level. This study summarizes the current research and findings related to exercise, overall health, and video game performance. All varsity eSport athletes for The University of Akron varsity team were “participants” in this study. A survey tool was designed through Qualtrics (Qualtrics 2020© Provo, UT), an online survey instrument, to assess current physical activity levels, preferences and tolerance for exercise intensity, and perceptions about how physical activity affects gaming performance. This survey was distributed …

“This Is My Little World…”: Navigating The Group Exercise Experience Of Stay-Fit Members, Olivia Jones

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Objective

Cancer is the leading cause of death in Canada, with one in two Canadians expected to develop cancer over their lifetime (Canadian Cancer Society, 2019). Exercise is reportedly a safe therapy to help ease the common side effects of cancer and its treatments (Schmitz et al., 2010). Past research has shown the benefits of group exercise while in treatment for cancer, but there is a dearth of research regarding the impact of long-term group exercise programming for cancer survivors. This phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of group exercise participation for individuals who previously had cancer and were enrolled …

The Association Between The Comprehensiveness And Strength Of Written Physical Activity Wellness Policies And The Observed School Physical Activity Environment, Maggie Kringen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: To determine if there is a relationship between physical education/activity wellness policy comprehensiveness and strength and the observed physical activity (PA) environment.
Methods: The Wellness School Assessment Tool 2.0 (WellSAT 2.0) was used to evaluate the quality of written wellness policies. The School Physical Activity and Nutrition Environment Tool (SPAN-ET) was used to evaluate the school environment. Pairwise correlations and one-way ANOVAs were used to determine if written wellness policy quality affects the school PA environment. Data are presented as mean ± SD and significance was set at p ≤ 0.05.
Results: One significant relationship was found between WellSAT …

Nutrition, Body Composition And Physical Activity In Malignant Pleural Disease: Associations With Patient Outcomes And Response To An Exercise Intervention, Emily Jeffery

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Background: Patients with malignant pleural disease (MPD) have advanced cancer and high symptom burden. Goals of patient care are to optimise health-related quality-of-life (HR-QoL) and participation in daily physical activities. Supportive care interventions such as nutrition and exercise could offer benefit to patients. However, there is a lack of information on the prevalence of low muscle mass (i.e., pre-sarcopenia), malnutrition, inactivity and poor physical functioning in patients with MPD. Additionally, little is known about the factors associated with development of pre-sarcopenia and malnutrition or their associations with patient outcomes.

Purpose: The objectives were to: 1) characterise physical activity levels and …