Health and Physical Education Commons^™

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 …

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 …

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 …

Efficacy Of An Online, Concepts-Based Fitness And Wellness Course, David Townsend Mann

Theses and Dissertations

With the sudden growth of distance education at the turn of the century, online offerings of fitness and wellness courses spread quickly across college curriculums. However, the emergence of rigorously designed research regarding the ability of online, concepts-based fitness and wellness classes to significantly improve student health has progressed at a more leisurely pace, leaving stakeholders within higher education unsure of its effectiveness. The purpose of this study was to examine changes of levels health-related fitness among 28 undergraduate students enrolled in an online, 15-week fitness and wellness course. The study centered around the concept of health-related fitness having five …

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 …

The Benefit Of Using Peer Buddies In Adaptive Physical Education, Julie Anne Cairone

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to observe the participation levels of students with disabilities in an adaptive physical education class with the addition of typically developing students in the class as Peer Buddies. The goal was to observe the students' participation levels prior to the introduction of the Peer Buddies then again after the introduction of the Peer Buddies. There were thirteen typically developing students who were the peer buddies and fourteen students with disabilities in the adaptive physical education class. The thirteen peer buddies took a survey before being introduced to the adaptive physical education class and a …

Intramural Sports Leadership: Exploring The Impact Of Being An Intramural Sports Official On Leadership Skills, Shan Yu Paracka

Theses and Dissertations

This study focuses on the leadership development of intramural sports student officials at a med-sized public institution in the northeastern United States. Twenty-six total intramural student officials participated in the study that were evenly mixed between veteran officials and first time officials. The data shows that while there is a change in the scores from the pre-test and the post-test, there is a high probability of this being a random occurrence.

The Effect Of Classwide Peer Tutoring On The Skill Performance And Fitness Levels Of Students With Disabilities In An Elementary Physical Education Inclusion Class, Christopher Farrell

Theses and Dissertations

This single subject study used an ABAB research design to investigate the effect of classwide peer tutoring (CWPT) on the skill performance and fitness levels of students with disabilities. Data was collected from nine students with disabilities who are members of a fourth grade physical education inclusion class. During the baseline phases of this study, students received instruction through whole-class direct instruction provided by the physical education teacher. During the intervention phases of this study, students participated in CWPT sessions. Skill performance in this study was determined through students demonstrating skill cues while shooting towards a target. Fitness levels were …

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 …

Older Adult Caregivers’ Lived Experiences With Debilitated Chronically Ill Relatives In A Rural Southern County, Nancy J. Dameron

Theses and Dissertations

By 2030, the last of the baby boomer generation will reach the age of 65, which will expand the older adult population to more than 70 million in the United States. Based on the inflated numbers of the older adult population and the noted decreased birth rate in the younger population, fewer health-care providers will be available to teach, prepare, train, and assist caregivers in the ongoing care of their ill relatives.

The problem investigated in the study involved the present upsurge of the older adult population living longer and contributing to a shortage of health-care providers for older adults. …

Grado De Satisfacción De Estudiantes Con El Uso De Simulaciones Clínicas Y Su Percepción Sobre El Aprendizaje Logrado En Una Universidad Al Norte De Puerto Rico, Mónica Cerejido Ruiz

Theses and Dissertations

Esta investigación fue diseñada para medir el grado de satisfacción de estudiantes con el uso de simulaciones clínicas en una universidad al norte de Puerto Rico. Esta universidad adquirió dos tipos de simulaciones para los programas que ofrece de Sonografía Médica y Tecnología Radiológica. Sin embargo, hasta el momento que se hizo la investigación, no se conocía la opinión de los estudiantes usuarios sobre la utilización de estas tecnologías de enseñanza. El marco teórico de esta investigación fue la Teoría del aprendizaje experiencial de Kolb (1984) y la teoría de la Difusión de Innovaciones de Rogers (1983). Se plantearon tres …

High School Age Students With Disabilities And Social Interaction In A General Education Physical Education Setting, Kelsey B. Hannan

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study focused on the social interaction of high school age students with disabilities in a general physical education setting. The study included two students in tenth grade in an adaptive physical education class. The students attend a high school in a suburban northern New Jersey school district. The two students chosen for this study have a documented diagnosis of autism and are placed in the adaptive physical education class at the high school. The adaptive physical education class is separate from the general physical education classes. All students in this adaptive physical education program have either …

Student Leaders' Involvement And The Impact On Their Eating Habits, Carly Jill Samuels

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the eating habits of undergraduate student leaders at Rowan University. This study also sought to find a connection between the involvement of student leaders and its effect on the food intake for student leaders. The Student Athletes and Involvement Theory instrument helped to quantify student leader involvement. This survey was distributed to undergraduate student leaders at the Student Government Association senate meetings.

The conclusions revealed in the study include involvement patterns being consistent with previous research, more nutritional education needed for undergraduate student leaders, more research needed to determine the relationships of …

Rowan Unified Sports: Impact On Student Volunteers Through The Lens Of Transformative Learning, Mariah Francisco

Theses and Dissertations

The primary purpose of this study was to explore the impact of participation with Rowan Unified Sports on student volunteers through the lens of transformative learning. Data were collected from 14 participants who were individually interviewed, answering items on demographics as well as their experience and learning through their participation with Rowan Unified Sports. Data analysis suggested evidence of transformative learning as a result of participating with Unified Sports. Participants shared changing perspectives in areas such as intellectual, social, and athletic capabilities of individuals with intellectual disabilities. Participants also articulated application of this understanding to their everyday life. In other …

Use Of Peer Buddies In Adaptive Physical Education, Jessica Lynn Kotelnicki

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to observe the participation levels of students with disabilities in an adaptive physical education class when typically developing students are included in the class as Peer Buddies. The goal was to observe if students' performance levels increased while performing with fellow peers. This study was undertaken to see the relationship between students with disabilities participation levels in an adaptive physical education class when peer buddies were integrated. A baseline test was completed in the beginning of the study and participation was observed through class activities as well as abdominal crunches. Data was observed and …

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 …

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 …

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: …

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 = …

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 …

Academics And The Student Athlete: A Mixed Methods Study On The Role Of Athletics In The High School Educational Setting, Meredith Mcgee

Theses and Dissertations

Athletics are a strong component in the educational experiences of students. Without the proper social support, student athletes are presenting academically through a deficit lens (Cohen & Wills, 1985; Comeaux & Harrison, 2011; House, Umberson, & Landis, 1988; Sarason, Sarason,& Pierce, 1990). Coaches, teachers, and administrators must work collaboratively to enhance the education of student athletes. As a result, high schools can better prepare their student athletes for post-secondary life specifically through the significant relationships formed between athletic personnel and their athletes.

The purpose of this mixed methods study was to explore athletic administrators' and coaches' practices related to fostering …

Exploring The Policymaking Process Of School-Based Physical Education: A Congressional Perspective, Edward B. Olsen

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this exploratory case study design was to investigate and analyze the policymaking process of physical education at the national level. The participants used to explore this phenomenon were senators and representatives from the 114th-115th Congress who sat on the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee (n = 21), and the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education (n = 14). Additional participants were national policymakers (n = 3), staffers (n = 6), and legislative liaisons (n = 2). Data was collected from semi-structured interviews (n = 8), policy artifacts (n = 87), and the researcher's journal …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Promoting Behavior Change In Rowan University Students Through Fitness And Wellness Programming, Megan E. Mchugh

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of participation in the Rowan University Recreation Center’s 2015 RU Heart Strong incentive program, and to explore behavior change in college students as a result of fitness and wellness programming at Rowan University. Data were collected from 59 subjects who participated in a survey that assessed subjects’ physical activity levels and various psychosocial constructs such as social support, self-efficacy, and expectations in relation to the 2015 RU Heart Strong incentive program. Data analysis suggested that students who participated in the RU Heart Strong incentive program practiced behaviors to maintain a …

The Role Of Physical Fitness And Physical Activity On Academic Achievement Among Eighth Grade Students In Alabama, Jessica Baker O'Neal

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this correlational study was to determine the extent of the relationship between physical fitness, body composition, physical activity, and academic achievement. School leaders have justified the reduced time for physical activity and physical education as they take away from classroom instruction time; yet, national assessment outcomes have indicated the condition of education in America has failed to measurably improve student achievement. An additional public health concern, increased sedentary lifestyles and unhealthy-weight conditions have significantly increased in the past 30 years among American children and adolescents.

The researcher incorporated a quantitative design to examine these relationships in an …