Health and Physical Education Commons^™

Benefits, Challenges, And Strategies For Increasing Women Coaches In Elite Sport: The Trail To Gold (T2g) Initiative In U.S. Cross-Country Skiing, Anika Anna Angriman, Lynda B. Ransdell, Shelley Lucas, Nicole Lavoi

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Despite tremendous growth in sport participation of girls and women following Title IX in 1972, women’s participation as sport coaches did not follow the same trajectory. In fact, women remain significantly underrepresented in sport coaching. Research highlights ongoing barriers within the sport industry's patriarchal structure, and although strategies have been proposed to improve women’s representation, the lack of progress over the past two decades indicates limited effectiveness. A better approach is essential to address this issue across individual, interpersonal, organizational, and societal levels. The purpose of this study is to interview participants within the U.S. cross-country skiing program, Trail to …

Improper Fitting Personal Protective Clothing And Subsequent Countermeasures For Physical Conditioning In Female Firefighters: A Narrative Review, Katie Sell, Mark Abel, J. Jay Dawes, Megan Thompson, Annette Zapp, Ofra Pottorf, Lilly Bernardi, James Prendergast

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

The purpose of this paper was to 1) use an explorative literature overview to identify issues related to ill-fitting clothing and occupational gear for female firefighters, and 2) use an inductive approach to develop generalizable recommendations for exercise professionals to utilize by identifying significant themes in published peer reviewed articles related to movement and injury risk. Research, including both qualitative and quantitative approaches, has shown that the majority of current personal protective clothing (PPC) and operational gear was developed to fit a limited array of male physiques. Consequently, the improper fit of PPC and gear has presented numerous concerns that, …

Impact Of A Light Volleyball Intervention Among Older Chinese Adult Women, Ka-Man Carman Leung, Paul Lee, Wing Sze Alice Lai, Yanan Zhao, Lynda Ransdell

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Modified sports offer a strategic approach to promoting health in older adults. Light volleyball, which uses a larger, lighter ball than traditional volleyball, is more accessible for this population. This study investigated the effects of a 16-week light volleyball program on the functional fitness of older adults in Hong Kong. A total of 275 participants aged 60 years or older were recruited and randomly assigned to three groups: a light volleyball intervention group, a Tai Chi group, and a control group. Functional fitness was assessed at the pretest, posttest, and 6-month follow-up. Results revealed that the light volleyball group exhibited …

The Functional Fitness Of The Community Dwelling Older Adults In Shan Dong Of Mainland China In Comparison With The Population In Hong Kong, Zongtao Li, Yu Teng, Huigang Wang, Hao Liu, Lei Zhao

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Purpose: To compare the functional fitness (FF) of the community dwelling older adults in Shan Dong (SD) of mainland China with their peers in Hong Kong (HK). Methods: 1887 older adults living in SD were measured with Senior Fitness Test (SFT) One sample T test was used to determine the age grooup difference in each FF component between the population of SD and HK. Results: Compared with their HK peers, SD older adults showed higher performance in the task of 30s arm curl, but lower abilities in 30s chair stand, back scratch, chair sit & reach, and 8 ft …

Students' Perceived Value And Emotions In Turkish Physical Education: Testing Moderation By Gender And Sports Involvement, Mehmet Ceylan, Kelly L. Simonton

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Physical Education (PE) has been recognized as a key element in developing student enjoyment for physical activity and healthy lifestyle habits. Student emotions may dictate learning and motivation, but less is known regarding the perceptions of value and control that shape these emotions. Specifically, within certain K-12 PE national curriculums and cultures, the goals and objectives of PE, along with its emphasis on physical activity and sport, may influence the emotional response of students and their perceived value of PE. If students feel a lack of value, negative emotions, and marginalized by the content then it is unlikely their experiences …

Awareness Of The Physiological Changes Occurring In Older Adults Can Reduce Dehydration And Electrolyte Imbalances, Lisa Isley

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background: Individuals over 65 years are at an increased risk of dehydration. The physiological changes that occur with age and medication consumption can cause fluid and electrolyte imbalances that can physically and mentally impair individuals over 65 years old. Objective: By providing education to individuals 65 years and older regarding the significance of drinking water and consuming electrolytes daily, older adults can reduce their dehydration symptoms and improve their quality of life. Method: The proposed research is a quasi experimental study geared towards individuals 65 years and older. The quasi-experimental study will include two pre-surveys and then two post-surveys. The …

Undergraduate Nursing Students' Perceptions Of A Screen-Based Virtual Simulation And Self-Debriefing: A Qualitative Study., Fatima Zahra Mahou, Guillaume Decormeille, Asmae Khattabi

Health Sciences

The integration of virtual simulation and self-debriefing in nursing education offers promising approaches for enhancing students' competency in medication administration and dosage calculation. This study aims to explore undergraduate nursing students' perceptions and experiences with virtual simulation and self-debriefing, building on findings from a previously published RCT that demonstrated improved learning outcomes through these approaches. In the first phase (self-debriefing), 153 students answered five open-ended questions, followed by a focus group with six students in the second phase.The data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis by two independent coders to ensure consistency and credibility. The study highlights the benefits of …

Applied Research Division Research At A Glance: 2025, Shellie R. Hubbard Ma

Institute of Child Nutrition, Applied Research Division

The Institute of Child Nutrition Applied Research Division (ICN ARD) conducts applied research to address operational issues affecting child nutrition programs and support continuous program improvement. During the 2024–2025 reporting year, the division completed research focused on workforce development, training needs, culinary competencies, school food trends, and operational challenges in child nutrition settings.

Major projects included studies examining training needs and delivery preferences of child nutrition professionals, challenges affecting Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) operations, and the development of a Competencies, Knowledge, and Skills (CKS) resource for chefs working in school nutrition programs. Findings informed the creation of …

Bundled Approach To Improve Colorectal Cancer In Primary Care, Elizabeth Reddiar

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects - Archive

Abstract

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, despite being preventable through timely screening. National guidelines recommend regular screening for adults aged 45 to 75; (American cancer Society (ACS), 2025) however, screening rates remain suboptimal, particularly in primary care settings serving diverse and high-volume populations. Local Problem: At the project site, a community-oriented primary care clinic in North Texas, baseline data revealed CRC screening completion rates were below benchmarks set by the organization. Barriers included limited patient awareness, inconsistent provider reminders, and workflow challenges in distributing and tracking fecal immunochemical test …

Proximity And Density Of Tobacco Retail Locations To Kentucky Schools And The Relationship To Youth Perceptions Of Harm And Susceptibility To E-Cigarette Use, Hannah Cardona

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

Purpose: To explore the potential relationship between tobacco retailer proximity/density around Kentucky elementary, middle, and high schools, and students’ perceptions, perceived norms, susceptibility to, and use of e-cigarettes. Design: A mixed-methods analysis of youth’s self-reported survey results and geographical data. Setting: 106 Kentucky elementary, middle, and high schools which participated in #iCANendthetrend’s tobacco education program between September 2023 and May 2024. Subjects: Convenience sample of students from Ky schools (N = 7,823) Measures: Items assessing e-cigarette use, susceptibility, perceptions, and perceived norms. Analysis: ANOVA tests used to compare responses of elementary, middle, and high school students. Chi-squared tests were used …

Does The Frequency And Number Of Eswt Sessions In Patients With Heel Spurs Affect The Final Result Of The Therapy?, Anna Karafová, Daria Budnicka, Barbara Duda-Biernacka, Wioletta Mikuľáková, Marian Karafa

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Introduction: In the literature, the effectiveness of the extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) in patients with heel spur was confirmed, but the therapy protocol has not been established when used as monotherapy. The aim of the study was to verify whether the frequency of ESWT and the number of sessions used as monotherapy in patients with heel spur have an impact on the final result of the therapy. Methods: 85 patients were divided into three subgroups. All patients were treated 5 times with different intervals between ESWT sessions, in the group I, ESWT was administered every day, in group II …

Coph Professors Advocate For First-Gen Students, Dustin Roberto

HSC Newsroom

More than half of U.S. undergraduates are first-generation college students. University of New Mexico College of Population Health professors Claudia Pratesi, PhD, and Tammy Thomas, PhD, held focus groups to learn about first-generation students' experiences. Many students in the groups balance school with caring for family and find systems like financial aid difficult to navigate. The professors are developing recommendations, including peer mentoring and connections to scholarships, and will share findings with university leadership.

A011: Effects Of Aerobic Exercise On Microbiota: Gut-Brain Axis And Hippocampal Neurotransmitters In Aging Mice, Yuqian Liu, Wenqian Yang, Haitao Wang

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Background/Objective: Gut flora plays an important role in host stress response, anxiety, depression and cognitive function through the gut-brain axis. Microbial diversity decreases with age, which in turn affects the function of the nervous system. The role of exercise in the prevention and treatment of age-related diseases and neurodegenerative diseases has received increasing attention. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the regulatory role of intestinal flora, gut-brain axis and nervous system function in the prevention of nervous system function decline in the elderly.

Methods: The sample consisted of 16, 52-week-old SPF C57BL/6 male mice that were randomly divided …

A067: Latent Profile Analysis Of The Development Characteristics Of Fundamental Motor Skills In Children, Qinping Xu, Xiaozan Wang

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Focusing on the sensitive period of motor development, the current study used TGMD-3 to assess the development level of fundamental motor skills in 4833 children aged 3-6 years in Shanghai. The potential categories of children's fundamental motor skill development characteristics and their interrelationship with demographic variables were analyzed using potential profile analysis and Chi-squared test, aiming to provide references for the construction of motor development interventions for children with different motor development levels. The results revealed that: 1) The developmental level of fundamental motor skills in 3-6-year-old children in Shanghai can be categorized into five latent categories, from low to …

Opioid Knowledge And Experiences In Nebraska College Students, Natalie Holding

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

This study investigated opioid-related knowledge and experiences among 83 Nebraska college students, with an emphasis on awareness, perceived risks, and educational needs regarding opioids and the overdose-reversing drug, naloxone. For participants who have used opioids outside of a doctor’s orders, questions were asked regarding motivations, comorbidities, coping mechanisms, and treatment experiences. Data were collected via an anonymous survey featuring closed- and open-ended questions. Results showed that 41% of participants reported feeling moderately knowledgeable about opioid risks, while 34% felt only slightly knowledgeable. Although 80.7% of participants were aware of naloxone, most were uncertain either about (22.9%) or did not know …

A031: Design And Practice Of Ai-Powered Precision Teaching Model For Public Physical Education Courses In Universities, Dongxiao Liu, Xuankun Sun, Aowei Zhang

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Background/Purpose: Five major teaching pain points often occur in the teaching of public physical education courses in universities: (1) First pain point is easy to have deviations in movement cognition and self-practice. (2) It is difficult to accurately grasp the intensity and density of exercise. (3) Lack of process and phased teaching evaluations can inhibit the cultivation of autonomous exercise drive. (4) Unhealthy aesthetics have a negative impact, leading to a deviation in aesthetic perception among students. (5) Students lack autonomous learning ability and have difficulty cultivating post-class exercise habits. How to resolve these "pain points" are now the key …

A040: The Effect Of Blended Online And Offline Physical Education On The Health-Related Indexes Of Undergraduates, Shijun Gong, Aowei Zhang, Dongxiao Liu, Yanxin Liu

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Background/Purpose: With the explosive development of artificial intelligence, many scholars have carried out research around the combination of online and offline physical education courses. Current research has focused on developing the application of information technology in the classroom teaching of physical education. The main purpose addressed in this study was to investigate the possible effects of implementing such a blended online and offline physical education at home on the health-related indices of students.

Method: Totally 14,708 college students participated, including 6,125 males and 8,583 females. In the analysis approach, research was adopted using SPSS 26.0, specifically the paired-samples T test …

A046: Recreational Skiing Injury Rate: A Case Study Of A Ski Resort In Central New York, Hongwei Guan, David Guan, Xiaoran Li

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Background/Purpose: More people in China are participating in snow sports, especially after the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. Despite health benefits, skiing and snowboarding are associated with injury risk. Ski safety and injury prevention are essential for sustainable operation of ski resorts with the rapid development of snow sports in China. The purpose of this study was to examine the injury rate at a popular medium-sized ski resort in Central New York and compare it with that of similar ski resorts in Northeastern China.

Method: Direct ski patrol observation and injury incident reports of three seasons from 2020-21 to 2022-23 were …

A049: Associations Between 24-Hour Accelerometer-Derived Novel Metrics With Health-Related Physical Fitness In Chinese Adolescents, Yanping Qiu, Lijuan Wang, Huan Chen, Xiaoqing Li

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Background/Purpose: Time-use estimates are commonly utilized for describing 24-hour movement behaviors. Nonetheless, the average acceleration (AvAcc), intensity gradient (IG) and the most active X minutes (MX metrics) have been proposed as 24-hour movement behaviors novel metrics describing the volume of activity, the intensity distribution and the most active time periods of the 24-h cycle. This cross-sectional study aimed to examine associations between 24-h accelerometer-derived metrics and health-related physical fitness in Chinese adolescents.

Methods: This study recruited 240 students aged 12-18 (143 males, 97 females) from a middle school in Haizhu District, Guangzhou City. The data collection period was from March …

A052: Construction Of Ski Instructors' Competency Evaluation Index System Based On O*Net Working Analysis, Juan Ran, Hongyan Wang

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Background/Purpose: Skiing has emerged as a preeminent activity in ice and snow tourism, with ski resorts significantly bolstering the winter tourism economy. However, the burgeoning demand for instructors, coupled with the increasing number of enthusiasts, poses critical challenges for the sport's development. To address these issues, we have undertaken a comprehensive competency assessment to inform the training and retraining of instructors. This evaluation is also pertinent for selecting unlicensed instructors.

Method: The study involved 12 experts and 250 ski instructors from Jilin Province. Research was conducted using keywords such as 'competency model' and 'instructor quality'. The O*NET questionnaire and a …

A055: The Relationship Between Grip Strength And Quality Of Life In The Elderly Based, Fanhao Meng

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched the "Decade of Healthy Ageing" from 2021 to 2030 to address the challenges of a rapidly ageing global population. The extension of human lifespan is a manifestation of social progress, but aging and increased longevity may be accompanied by problems such as reduced physical and mental abilities and increased risk of diseases, which affects quality of life (QOL). Grip as an indicator of strength and is associated with physical activity in older adults. It is readily applicable in clinical and community settings, and there is an association between grip strength and health-related …

A058: The Impact Of Multi-Directional Training On Change-Of-Direction Speed And Short-Distance Sprint Ability In Tennis Student-Athletes, Ke Zhang, Yue Zhao, Zhihui Zhou, Haijun Wu

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Objective: Tennis, characterized by rapid multi-directional sprints, involves lateral movements along the baseline constituting approximately 70% of gameplay, with each single movement covering around 3 meters. On average, there are 2-4 direction changes per point, and each stroke requires 0.4 seconds. Recognizing the imperative need for tennis players to rapidly change direction and execute short-distance sprints, influenced by factors like the ball's trajectory, opponent's movements or disguise movements, this study aimed to investigate the impact of three weeks of multi-directional sprint training on the change-of-direction speed and short-distance sprint ability of tennis student-athletes.

Methods: Nineteen male tennis athletes with an …

A062: Experimental Research Of Impact Of Large-Unit Soccer Teaching On Elementary School Students' Physical Health, Yin Zhao, Ziming Shao

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Objective: The "Compulsory Education Curriculum Standards: Physical Education and Health(2022 Edition) in China" explicitly proposes that from grades 3-6, at least one sport from six major specialized sports skills should be chosen for at least 18 class periods of relatively systematic and complete teaching, enabling students to not only master the sports skills of the chosen project but also deepen their comprehensive experience and understanding of the sport. Long-standing issues in elementary school football teaching include superficial teaching depth, isolated and incoherent content, and disconnection between educational stages. There is an urgent need for physical education teachers to organize systematic …

A059: Multidimensional Interpretation And Development Strategies For The International Communication Of Dragon And Lion Dancing, Weiyan Wang, Li Zhou, Cuili Zhai

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

The dragon and lion dance, as the bright treasure of Chinese traditional sports culture, demonstrates Chinese cultural confidence and distinct national characteristics, serving as an important showcase for China's image. However, the international communication of dragon and lion dance faces numerous challenges, including understanding barriers caused by cultural differences, limitations in promotion scope, uneven overall development levels, and balancing cultural impact with cultural identity. These issues are pertinent to the future development of dragon and lion dance.

After conducting a literature analysis, the historical origins, cultural connotations, and communication processes of dragon and lion dances were systematically examined, laying a …

A063: Electroencephalogram (Eeg) Signal Analysis For College Students' Attention And Meditation Level In Yoga Courses, Zhonghui He, Fangxin Li, Xi Qi, Honglin Chen

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

PURPOSE: Yoga is associated with psychological and physiological benefits, including relaxation and increased attention. Electroencephalograms (EEG) signals reflect the electrical activity of the brain and transformed Alpha and Beta brainwaves into meditation and attention values. This study primarily aimed to measure college students’ attention and meditation level in yoga courses. The secondary aim was to explore yoga’s effect on students’ cognitive ability.

METHODS: The study selected two yoga classes in the first semester of 2023 in an academic university in China. Using convenience sampling methods, 16 college students who attended yoga courses voluntarily participated in this study. All learning phases, …

A064: An Experimental Study On Pe Teachers' Motivational Style Change On Adolescents' Physical Activity, Zhigang Xue

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Research background: Realistic demands: The decline of adolescents' physical health has been the focus of global attention. Current needs: Youth physical activity needs to be improved. Key issue: The interest and motivation of adolescents to participate in physical activity are generally low. Ways to improve: physical education can effectively promote the physical activity of teenagers in their leisure time. It is of great theoretical and practical value to study the integration of planned behavior theory and self-determination theory to explain adolescents' leisure time physical activity behavior to promote physical activity level using physical activity interventions.

Research method: Mainly through the …

A066: Differences In Body Stability During Continuous Turning In Older And Younger Adults, Yulong Bo

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Background/Purpose: The deterioration of body stability with age remains an area of interest, particularly in the context of continuous turning during walking among older adults. This study aimed to describe the characteristics of body stability during continuous turning in older and younger individuals, as well as identify potential risk factors, providing a theoretical basis for fall prevention in older adults during continuous turning.

Methods: Fifteen older adults (mean age 69.58 ± 3.84 years) and fifteen younger individuals (mean age 23.93 ± 1.14 years) were recruited from the community. Participants were asked to walk around an 8-shaped continuous turning path (diameter …

A068: A Case Study Of Hippy Family Intervention On Motor Ability In Children With Developmental Delays, Jiayu Zhou, Xiaozan Wang, Qinping Xu

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Background: The phenomenon of motor retardation caused by serious insufficient physical activity of children is increasing. Improving the family's parenting knowledge and skills can promote the family's healthy lifestyle and have a positive impact on the healthy development of children.

Method: The children with developmental delays were followed in their natural state for three months, combined with the "HIPPY family intervention model" to improve their family's parenting knowledge and skills, and to intervene in the behavioral performance and physical activity of children with motor development delays.

Results: After 3 months of HIPPY family intervention, TGMD showed an overall upward trend, …

A070: Research On The Promotion Strategy Of Sports Tourism Consumption Based On Consumer Evaluation, Wang Yan, Jinsheng Liu

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Background/Purpose: Recently, challenges coupled with constraints such as shrinking demand and weakening consumption expectations have greatly increased the complexity and vulnerability of the internal and external environment of the sports tourism consumption system. Consumer evaluation is an important way of consumption decision-making reference and information exchange, which affects consumers' purchase decision, consumption experience, habits and attitude. Sports tourism boutique project is a consumption project and key consumption content with sports tourism characteristics. The purpose of this study was to conduct an analysis of the consumption evaluation of specific Chinese sports tourism boutique projects through the user evaluation data from Ctrip …

A073: Factors Affecting Continuous Use Of Metaverse-Based Sports Products: Based On Perceived Value, Enjoyment, And Immersion, Qiao Yang, Aisha Wang

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Purpose: Metaverse technology has introduced a new era of sports interaction, offering users an extraordinary virtual environment for immersive experiences. However, there is still a lack of comprehensive understanding regarding the determinants of continuous use in metaverse-based sports products. This study aimed to delve into the factors influencing the continuous use of sports products based on the metaverse.

Methods: To collect data for this study, an online questionnaire survey was conducted among Chinese digital natives residing in major cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen) who frequently used metaverse-based sports products. A total of 634 participants were collected, of which 520 …