Education Commons^™

Evaluation Of The Feasibility Of A Two-Method Measurement Design For The Assessment Of Healthy Physical Activity Behavior In Youth, Amelia A. Miramonti

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Purpose: Assess the reliability and validity of self- and parent-report survey responses regarding physical activity (PA), sedentary behaviors, and PA self-efficacy and determine if these data can be combined with objective physical activity monitor data to model the latent construct healthy physical activity behavior (HPAB).

Methods: 126 underserved 4^th-5^th grade students participated in a 12-week after-school nutrition, cooking, and physical activity program (WeCook: Fun with Food and Fitness). Participants and parents (n=103) completed surveys pre- and post-program and participants wore PA monitors for one week at PRE and POST. Unidimensionality and internal consistency reliability were …

Social Interactions In College Physical Activity Classes: “Something Else Is Taking Place Here”, David C. Barney

Faculty Publications

Physical activity has been found to benefit a person in many ways. One of the benefits of being physically active is the social component. This deals with interacting with someone before, during or after the activity. The purpose of this study was to investigate social interactions effects on college-aged students during their physical activity class. For this study 408 college-aged students (272 males & 136 females) participated in this study. College-aged students were surveyed regarding their interactions during their physical activity class. The survey contained Likert scale questions and open-ended questions, requiring the students to respond with written answers. Briefly, …

Positive Deviance As A Framework For Understanding Motivations And Barriers To Exercise For University Students At Campus Recreation, René Dario Herrera

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis was to use qualitative research methodologies to better understand motivations and barriers to exercise for university students at campus recreation. The secondary purpose was to identify any correlations between physical activity habits and academic success. Ethnographic data obtained from a positive deviance sample and critically analyzed with feminist and postmodern theory could provide additional validation for campus recreation's value in positively contributing to the academic success of university students.

Participant observation, questionnaire, cultural domain analysis, interview, and focus group provided qualitative data.

Results indicate university students who frequent campus recreation to exercise are highly motivated …

Does A Step Back Approach To The Implementation Of Project Spraoi Affect The Health And Fundamental Movement Skill Proficiency Of Irish Children?, Conor Hemmersley

Masters

Title: Does a step back approach to the implementation of Project Spraoi affect the health and fundamental movement skill proficiency of Irish children? Background: Project Spraoi is an intervention which attempts to positively influence the overall health of Irish primary school children. Previous iterations of Project Spraoi have been labour intensive with an Energiser working with a maximum of two schools to deliver the intervention. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention on fundamental movement skills (FMS), and markers of health of Irish primary school children using a step back approach. The step back …

A Study Of The Purpose And Value Of Recess In Elementary Schools As Perceived By Teachers And Administrators, Vickie Beard

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Children spend at least seven and a half hours or 46.9% of their waking hours in the school setting, which brings a unique responsibility to schools (Beighle, Erwin, Morgan, & Alderman, 2012). School systems are expected to educate children according to adopted state standards and encourage a healthy, active lifestyle. The concept then is to increase knowledge by putting focus on academic achievement as well as promoting good citizenship by developing children’s social, emotional, and physical development, which happens during recess. Yet, recess and free play opportunities are on the decline in school systems across our nation. This reduction or …

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 7^th period. A multivariate test did not show a statistical significance of participating in Minds in Motion-MAZE and improved balance and motor skills. …

Making A Case For Cardiorespiratory Fitness Surveillance Among Children And Youth, Justin J. Lang, Grant Tomkinson, Ian Janssen, Jonatan R. Ruiz, Francisco B. Ortega, Luc Léger, Mark S. Tremblay

Education, Health & Behavior Studies Faculty Publications

We review the evidence that supports cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) as an important indicator of current and future health among school-aged children and youth, independent of physical activity levels. We discuss the merit of CRF measurement for population health surveillance and propose the development of CRF guidelines to help support regional, national, and international surveillance efforts.

Altered Skeletal Muscle Mitochondrial Phenotype In Copd: Disease Vs. Disuse, Jayson R. Gifford, Joel D. Trinity, Oh-Sung Kwon, Gwenael Layec, Ryan S. Garten, Song-Young Park, Ashley D. Nelson, Russell S. Richardson

Health and Kinesiology Faculty Publications

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exhibit an altered skeletal muscle mitochondrial phenotype, which often includes reduced mitochondrial density, altered respiratory function, and elevated oxidative stress. As this phenotype may be explained by the sedentary lifestyle that commonly accompanies this disease, the aim of this study was to determine whether such alterations are still evident when patients with COPD are compared to control subjects matched for objectively measured physical activity (PA; accelerometry). Indexes of mitochondrial density [citrate synthase (CS) activity], respiratory function (respirometry in permeabilized fibers), and muscle oxidative stress [4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) content] were assessed in muscle fibers biopsied …

The Effect Of Dance And Team Sports On Mental Health, Kayla Hulburt

Honors Senior Capstone Projects

This study uses the World Health Organization model of physical, social, and mental health to examine the effect of participating in dance and team sports during childhood on mental health in adulthood. Prior research has suggested that physical activity is strongly integrated with mental and social health and therefore is a protective factor among mental illness. However, there is not sufficient research comparing the differences among dance and team sports on mental health. This study hypothesized that dancers would experience more positive mental health in adulthood than team sports due to the basis of physical activity in dance, but the …

Acute Exercise-Induced Response Of Platelet-Monocyte Complexes In Obese, Postmenopausal Women, Michael M. Levitt, Maria A. Cardenas, Bryan Richie, Carmen A. Cook, Shaohan Lu, Kara L. Steck, Jay Haynes, Andreas Kreutzer, Joel B. Mitchell, Melody D. Phillips

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Inactivity-related diseases such as cardiovascular disease (CVD) are linked to chronic low-grade, systemic inflammation. Platelet-monocyte complexes (PMCs) are markers of in vivo platelet activation and atherosclerosis, and may be early indicators of subclinical inflammation. PURPOSE: To examine the effects of an exercise bout on PMCs in those at risk for CVD. METHODS: Twenty-five overweight-obese (BMI 32.7 ± 5.2 kg×m^-2, 55-75 yr) women were randomly assigned to either the exercise (EX, n=13) or non-exercise control (CON, n=12) group. EX performed 2 sets of 8 resistance exercises and a 25-min treadmill walk at 70-80% HRR. Blood was obtained pre-exercise (PR), …

A Preschool Obesity Prevention Program Is Associated With Improvements On Physical Activity Quality, Fernando Juarez Jr., Azeem A. Hussain, Shiyu Li, Vanessa Estrada, Jill Johnstone, Zenong Yin, Erica Sosa

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

The Míranos! Look at Us We Are Healthy (Míranos!) is an eight-week pilot intervention to promote healthy weight gain in low-income preschool Latino children aged 3-5 years. A major focus is to increase time spent in physical activity level, especially moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) during play time and improve class instruction quality. According to one published study, preschool children spent only 14% of play session time in MVPA and 73% in sedentary activity (Tandon, 2015). PURPOSE: To assess the effectiveness of the Míranos! pilot intervention on the quality (lesson context, and health promotion interactions) and level of …

Effects Of A Head Start Obesity Prevention Pilot On Preschoolers’ Physical Activity, Shiyu Li, Azeem A. Hussain, Fernando Juarez, Vanessa Estrada, Erica Sosa, Derek P. Hales, Zenong Yin

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Regular participation in physical activity (PA) is important for the healthy growth and development of preschoolers. The Míranos! Look at Us We Are Healthy (Míranos!) is an obesity prevention intervention with age-appropriate structured and unstructured outdoor/indoor play and classroom activities led by teacher. As an objective instrument to provide information on human movements, accelerometer can accurately identify the levels of physical activity and assess the effects of physical activity intervention. PURPOSE: to evaluate the effects of an 8-week Míranos! pilot intervention on increasing physical activity levels during school time in preschoolers. METHODS: Study participants were children aged 3-5 years enrolled …

Long-Term Impact Of Lifelong Fitness: Examining Longitudinal Exercise Behavior In College Students, Garrett Drake

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Over time, the United States population has gradually shifted to an increasingly inactive lifestyle, and there has been a decline in health behavior. Only 50% of the population meet the recommended guidelines for weekly physical activity. With this glaring increase of inactive lifestyles, programs designed to increase health behavior change have become crucial. One solution to this problem has been a required Lifelong Fitness class at George Fox University where new college students learn knowledge and skills to implement for healthier lifestyles during this transformative time. A multiple regression model predicting long-term exercise by pre-minutes of exercise, post-minutes of exercise, …

The Effect Of The Ehealth Intervention ‘Myplan 1.0’ On Physical Activity In Adults Who Visit General Practice: A Quasi-Experimental Trial, Laurent Degroote, Jolien Plaete, Ilse De Bourdeaudhuij, Maïté Verloigne, Vicky Van Stappen, An V. De Meester, Louise Poppe, Celien Van Der Mispel, Geert Crombez

Faculty Publications

Physical inactivity is one of the major risk factors for poor health in the world. Therefore, effective interventions that promote physical activity are needed. Hence, we developed an eHealth intervention for adults, i.e., ‘MyPlan 1.0’, which includes self-regulation techniques for behaviour change. This study examined the effect of ‘MyPlan 1.0’ on physical activity (PA) levels in general practice. 615 adults (≥18 years) were recruited in 19 Flemish general practices, for the intervention group (n = 328) or for the wait-list control group (n = 183). Participants in the intervention group received the web-based intervention ‘MyPlan 1.0’ and were prompted to …

Child Care Teachers’ Knowledge Of Fun Physical Activities And Healthy Food Choices For Pre-School Children, Elizabeth Gwyn

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

The focus of this project was to explore child-care teachers’ knowledge of fun physical activities and healthy food choice activities for preschool children. A four-week educational session was implemented in a rural child-care center. The intervention provided education in relationship to the implementation of fun physical activities and healthy food choice activities for child-care teachers during preschoolers structured playtime. The Child Care Teachers’ Knowledge Evaluation (CCTKE) tool developed by the doctoral student was used to collect responses from participants before and after the intervention. The participants’ data was analyzed using a t-test. There were no statistically significant differences between the …

Physical Activity And Academic Achievement In Students With Disabilities, Kirsten M. Olson

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This literature review examines studies that investigated and evaluated the relationship between physical activity and academic achievement in students with disabilities. Research was found and reviewed that used school-aged participants, exercise or physically movement interventions, and standardized tests to measure academic achievement. Several brain regions are involved in both cognitive and motor tasks, which has sparked interest in this area of study. The studies reviewed showed that there is a positive relationship between being more physically active and having improved cognitive abilities. Student participants of the studies showed increased scores on standardized academic tests after participating in a physical exercise …

A Stealth Intervention: The Glama (Girls! Lead! Achieve! Mentor! Activate!) And Blast (Boys! Lead! Activate! Succeed Together!) School Connectedness, Peer Leadership And Physical Activity Transition Program, Kate A. Jenkinson, Geraldine Naughton, Amanda C. Benson

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

This study investigated the effects of the GLAMA (Girls! Lead! Achieve! Mentor! Activate!) and BLAST (Boys! Lead! Activate! Succeed Together!) controlled 8-week peer-led stealth intervention on school connectedness and physical activity self-efficacy(PASE). The GLAMA and BLAST sessions were conducted during curriculum time in an Australian state secondary school by 49 Year 10 student leaders and 206 Year 7 students. Year 7 school connectedness decreased in both the control and intervention schools (p

Exploring Diet, Physical Activity, And Self-Reported Health Status Among Individuals In The Medically Underserved Population, Kelley R. Devoe

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The primary purpose of this study is to determine if certain lifestyle and health behaviors (e.g. smoking, physical activity, diet) in the medically underserved population have any influence on particular health statuses. This study also looked to determine if these health behaviors resulted in particular medical aliments being more prevalent or specific to this community. The secondary purpose of this study aims to gain information that may help health care providers practicing in this community to earlier identify risk factors in patients before a medical problem becomes more severe, difficult and expensive to treat. A survey, adapted from the CDC's …

Lifelong Female Engagement In Sport: A Framework For Advancing Girls’ And Women’S Participation, Norm O'Reilly, Michelle Brunette, Cheri Bradish

Journal of Applied Sport Management

In a collaborative and nationwide project, the authors examined the status and challenges of girls’ and women’s participation in sport in Canada through a comprehensive literature review, extensive secondary research, a representative survey with Canadian females, and a survey and consultations with leading female sport experts. This multi-level analysis led to the development of a framework for advancing girls’ and women’s participation in sport to guide stakeholders’ actions at the system, organization, and individual levels to improve the state of girls’ and women’s lifelong engagement in sport. Subscribe to JASM

Effects Of Work Physical Activity Culture And Basic Needs On Physical Activity Outcomes, Erica Marie Thomas

Wayne State University Dissertations

Background: Physical activity (PA) levels of adults are low, and workplaces have been identified as an ideal place to promote PA. Participation in workplace programs continues to be low. Self Determination Theory (SDT) has been used to guide both PA and workplace research, but not both together. Culture has been linked to workplace behaviors, but not PA behavior. The purpose of this study was to test SDT and examine if employee perceptions of the workplace PA culture have statistically significant effects on PA behavior and PA attitudes, as mediated by the three basic psychological needs. Methods: Both salaried (N= 237) …

Factors Assocaited With Sedentary Lifestyle In Women Participants In Calm (Counseling And Lifestyle Management) Study, Amber Watts

All ETDs from UAB

Significant evidence has identified the importance of physical activity to the overall health and reduction in disease among humans. The World Health Organization (WHO) has implemented physical activity recommendations as guidelines to increase physical activity among the world population. However, evidence continues to show high levels of self-reported physical inactivity and growing prevalence of related chronic diseases (i.e. type 2 diabetes, stroke, and obesity), particularly among women. To increase participants߀™ knowledge of the benefits of physical activity and reduction of barriers continues to be focal point of interventions. However, studies indicate including more social, theory and cognitive aspects to these …

Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (Adhd) In A Physical Education/Physical Activity Environment: Meta Analysis, Jessica Giesige

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Researchers have reported a limited number of studies on best-practices to improve performances in the physical education setting for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD; Verret, 2010). The purpose of this study was to provide an analysis of literature on the current teaching practices to improve student performance in the physical education environment for children with ADHD. The following databases SportsDiscus, PsychINFO, PsychARTICLES, PubMed/Medline, ProQuest, Child Development and Adolescent Studies, and ERIC from 1970 to 2017 were used for this literature search. Results from this investigation demonstrated no significant results in behavioral outcomes in aggression, anxiety/depression, attention, externalized/internalized problems, …

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 …

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) …

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 …

Implications Of Physical Activity On Academic Outcomes, Laura Elizabeth Priebe

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the implications physical activity has on academic outcomes for students. Current research is reviewed to provide an overview of what movement opportunities are already being implemented in schools. Reviewed research discusses the need and impact movement has on the brain and the body. The research also explores limitations and barriers schools, teachers, and students are encountering that makes having physical education programs difficult as well as why the provision of physical activity through interventions in the classroom is challenging. Physical education programming, interventions, play, and increasing the intensity of movement are reviewed in this thesis. Additional research …