Health and Physical Education Commons^™

The Impact Of A Classroom-Based Physical Activity Program On Teachers' Perceptions Of Student Engagement, Courtney Lynn Doussett

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to apply a mixed-methods approach using an exploratory case study design to identify the impacts of a physical activity intervention program on student engagement in an elementary school setting. This exploratory case study research examined teachers’ perceptions of student engagement prior to and following implementation of a classroom-based physical activity intervention program, ABC for Fitness. Participants completed the Teacher Assessment of Student Engagement survey of student engagement and behavior, participated in an ABC for Fitness workshop, semi-structured interviews, a question and answer session, a mid-point check-in, and completed daily written behavior incident logs. Results …

Preliminary Efficacy And Feasibility Of Embedding High Intensity Interval Training Into The School Day: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial, S. A. Costigan, N. Eather, R. C. Plotnikoff, Dennis Taaffe, E. Pollock, S. G. Kennedy, D. R. Lubans

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Current physical activity and fitness levels among adolescents are low, increasing the risk of chronic disease. Although the efficacy of high intensity interval training (HIIT) for improving metabolic health is now well established, it is not known if this type of activity can be effective to improve adolescent health. The primary aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness and feasibility of embedding HIIT into the school day. A 3-arm pilot randomized controlled trial was conducted in one secondary school in Newcastle, Australia. Participants (n = 65; mean age = 15.8(0.6) years) were randomized into one of three conditions: …

Health Hub Program Evaluation, Natalie Macias

Master's Projects and Capstones

This paper examines and evaluates the work of LIFT-Levántate a non-profit organization in San Rafael, California on their school-based nutritional education “health hub,” through health promotion interventions with adolescents. The James B. Davidson Middle School health hub educates students on topics related to nutrition and physical activity with the goal of providing access and increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables while lowering students’ intake of high-fat and sugary processed foods. Through research and observations of the students and families in this community, the data seems to indicate apparent disparities which vary by ethnicity, socioeconomic status and access. Underserved populations, including …

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 …

Sparc – A Community-Based Participatory Research Project With Youth With Autism Spectrum Disorders, Richard Fleming

Office of Community Partnerships Posters

SPARC (Supporting Physical Activity and Recreation in the Community) aims to meet a community-identified need for more physical activity programming for youth with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). SPARC’s collaborative approach addresses the unique social, cognitive, behavioral, and physical needs of this growing population of children by infusing diverse perspectives into its model. This project incorporated a CBPR conceptual and methodological model, a strong community partnership, and an evidenced-based instructional approach, to develop and evaluate a community-based walking program for adolescents with ASD.

Sport-Based Youth Development: An Examination Of The Best Practices Of Three Programs Designed For Adolescent Girls, Hayley De Carolis

Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Administration

Sports-based youth development programs have used sports to teach essential life skills to participants. Programs designed for adolescent girls have an additional ambition of closing the gender gap that still exists in physical activity levels. The purpose of this study was to determine the best practices of sports-based youth development programs worldwide that are designed specifically for adolescent females. The researcher compared program elements, lesson elements, and evaluation methods of each program with recommendations from the literature. The main instruments used for these comparisons were the published curricula of each organization. Results showed minimal variance in program elements but substantial …

Project Spraoi: A Strategy To Improve Nutrition And Increase Physical Activity In Primary School Children, Lisa Delaney

Masters

Introduction: Paediatric obesity has become a global epidemic with many countries developing strategies to help tackle its prevalence. School based physical activity (PA) and nutrition interventions have proven to play a promising role in tackling childhood obesity.

Background: Project Spraoi is an Irish primary school based intervention. The intervention was delivered to an intervention school to help enhance PA and nutritional behaviour amongst pupils. The intervention school was assigned an ‘Energizer’; a trained PA and nutrition change agent who worked with the school to achieve the objectives. For evaluation purposes a control school was recruited.

Methodology: Pupils from the intervention …

Physical Activity Recognition Based On Rotated Acceleration Data Using Orientation Filter, Woohyuk Choi, Youngeun Shin, Jung-Min Lee, Taemin Shin

Research Presentations

The purpose of the study was to examine the accuracy of physical activity (PA) classification algorithms using a rotational analysis.

The Relationship Between Opportunity For Physical Activity And Classroom Behavior In School Aged Children., Kortney Lee Aeikens

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between physical activity and students' classroom behavior. This descriptive study explored student classroom behavior. This study is to find answers to the following research question: What is the relationship between negative classroom behavior and the amount of time spent in daily physical activity?

Understanding the effects of physical activity on student classroom behavior can help school teachers and administrators in their creation of school scheduling and policy. A sample of students from grades kindergarten thru second grade was used from Pine Island Public Schools. The data was analyzed using aggregate …

An Assessment Of A 13-Week Teaching Gardens Intervention On Healthy Behavior Outcomes In 4th And 5th Grade Students At Crestwood Elementary School In Las Vegas, Nevada, Miranda Corgiat

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Nearly 13 million children and adolescents are considered to be obese in the United States, with children enrolled in Clark County School District showing elevated overweight and obese weight statuses compared to national averages. Carrying an excessive amount of weight can lead children to experience a multitude of complications with their physical and mental health as well as increase their risk of developing various chronic diseases. The American Heart Association's Las Vegas Teaching Gardens program implemented a school-based garden pilot study to target environmental causes of obesity in 4th and 5th grade students at Crestwood Elementary School. The objective of …

Comprehensive School Physical Activity Programs: Characteristics Of Trained Teachers, Erin E. Centeio, Heather Erwin, Darla M. Castelli

Kinesiology, Health and Sport Studies

As public health concerns about physical inactivity and childhood obesity continue to rise, researchers are calling for interventions that comprehensively lead to more opportunities to participate in physical activity (PA). The purpose of this study was to examine the characteristics and attitudes of trained physical education teachers during the implementation of a Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program at the elementary level. Using a collective case study design, interviews, observations, field notes, open-ended survey questions, and an online forum monitoring guided the interpretation of teacher perceptions and development of emergent themes. Qualitative data analysis was conducted for each individual teacher and …

Self-Determination Theory As A Pedagogical Foundation For Collegiate Physical Activity Courses, Scot Edward Long

Dissertations

Inactivity, obesity and associated medical, social and economic problems are pervasive in contemporary society. Modern science is aware of the preventative role physical activity offers in deterrence of these problems and the benefits physical education offers. Traditionally, physical education has focused primarily on physiological variables; however, physical activity begins with a behavioral change. Motivation is the necessary factor to initiate physical activity and self-determination theory (SDT) can be used to explain learner motivation in the world of collegiate physical education. Institutionalized schooling is typically performed in a controlling nature, which creates a poor environment for learning and motivation. The purpose …

Evaluation Of Gogirlgo!; A Practitioner Based Program To Improve Physical Activity, Jennifer L. Huberty, Danae M. Dinkel, Michael W. Beets

Health and Kinesiology Faculty Publications

Background:
GoGirlGo! (GGG) is designed to increase girls’ physical activity (PA) using a health behavior and PA-based curriculum and is widely available for free to afterschool programs across the nation. However, GGG has not been formally evaluated. The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the GGG curricula to improve PA, and self-efficacy for and enjoyment of PA in elementary aged girls (i.e., 5-13 years).

Methods:
Nine afterschool programs were recruited to participate in the pilot (within subjects repeated measures design). GGG is a 12-week program, with a once a week, one-hour lesson with 30 minutes …

A Qualitative Study Exploring Women’S Beliefs About Physical Activity After Stillbirth, Jennifer Huberty, Jason Coleman, Katherine Rolfsmeyer, Serena Wu

Health and Kinesiology Faculty Publications

Background: Research provides strong evidence for improvements in depressive symptoms as a result of physical activity participation in many populations including pregnant and post-partum women. Little is known about how women who have experienced stillbirth (defined as fetal death at 20 or more weeks of gestation) feel about physical activity or use physical activity following this experience. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively explore women’s beliefs about physical activity following a stillbirth.

Methods: This was an exploratory qualitative research study. Participants were English-speaking women between the ages of 19 and 44 years who experienced a stillbirth …

Physical Activity Barriers And Facilitators Among Working Mothers And Fathers, Emily L. Mailey, Jennifer Huberty, Danae M. Dinkel, Edward Mcauley

Health and Kinesiology Faculty Publications

Background: The transition to parenthood is consistently associated with declines in physical activity. In particular, working parents are at risk for inactivity, but research exploring physical activity barriers and facilitators in this population has been scarce. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively examine perceptions of physical activity among working parents.

Methods: Working mothers (n = 13) and fathers (n = 12) were recruited to participate in one of four focus group sessions and discuss physical activity barriers and facilitators. Data were analyzed using immersion/crystallization in NVivo 10.

Results: Major themes for barriers included family responsibilities, guilt, lack of …

Physical Activity And Psychosocial Adjustment Among 1st And 2nd Year Undergraduate Students, Vanessa Mikan

Health, Exercise, and Sports Sciences ETDs

The transition from adolescence into young adulthood can present many new challenges. How well and to what degree students are able to effectively meet the demands and challenges of college has been labeled as adjustment (Mattanah, Hancock, & Brand, 2004). There is a growing interest and need for effective strategies and programs that can assist students in the transition to college. The purpose of this study was to identify how participation in physical activity, as measured by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) Short Form may assist or hinder in students academic, social, personal-emotional adjustment and institutional attachment to college …

Five For Life: Evaluating The Effect Of An Activity-Based Fitness And Health Curricula Program On Physical Fitness, Physical Activity, Health-Related Knowledge, And Attitudinal Outcomes, Kimberly Grimes Baskette

STEMPS Theses & Dissertations

Currently, childhood obesity is the largest health threat facing youth in the United States. The majority of youth fail to meet the minimum recommended daily physical activity requirements set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Poor physical fitness levels and nutritional habits are also prevalent in today's youth. Schools have been identified as playing a crucial role in providing students with the knowledge and skills needed to adopt and maintain healthy behaviors and attitudes. School-based Health and Physical Education (HPE) programs, focused on promoting physical activity, fitness, and nutrition, have been shown to be an effective …

The Relationship Between Middle Childhood Body Mass Index, Stress, Physical Activity, And Academic Achievement, Johnna Kellie Fox Thompson

Education Dissertations and Projects

This study investigated the relationships between body mass index (BMI), stress, physical activity, and academic achievement among middle childhood students. The researcher used a mixed-methods research design. The general population for this study was composed of students at one of the district's intermediate schools.

The sample included 680 students from a small, suburban intermediate school (Grades 4 [N=231], 5 [N=218], and 6 [N=231], 337 males and 343 females). The school is located in a suburban area near a large city in the southeast. The students from the school described themselves as White (71%), African American (16%), Hispanic (7%), Asian/Pacific Islander …

A Tailored Wellness Intervention For College Students Using Internet-Based Technology: A Pilot Study, Alessandro Quartiroli, Sam Zizzi

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

The purpose of this study was to develop and pilot a theory-based, computer-tailored feedback system for healthy behaviors for college students at a large, public university, aiming to enhance student wellness. A total of 1300 college students were contacted. Sixty–two students completed the eight week intervention. The participants were randomly assigned into two groups and received the survey three times, consistently receiving normative or personalized feedback. The participating sample was generally healthy and mainly comprised of freshman, Caucasian, and normal weight individuals. Repeated-measure ANOVAs were run and small significant interactions were found between the type of feedback received and some …

The Relationship Between Middle School Students' Perceptions Of Physical Activity, Student Engagement, And Academic Achievement, Jeremy D. Moretti

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Physical activity is important, and many adolescents are not meeting the recommendation that youth participate in at least 60 minutes of physical activity most days of the week (CDC, 2011). Physical inactivity among middle school students is on the rise and may be a contributing factor to a decline in academic performance. Prior research has focused primarily on bodily health; however, growing evidence supports the benefits of physical activity for academic achievement (Chomitz et al., 2009). This study examined the relationship between middle school students' perceptions of physical activity and student engagement they relate to academic achievement among 179 middle …

Physical Activity : Strategies For School Communities : Based On Strategies Developed During The Be Active School & Community Project 1995-1998, K. Richards, A. Watt, K. Alexander, S. Sharp

Research outputs pre 2011

The Be Active School and Community Project (BASC) operated in approximately 30 WA primary and secondary schools each year from August 1995 until December 1998 (three years). BASC was a Healthway funded project, promoting the National Heart Foundation's Be Active Everyday message. Under the direction of a Management Committee, two project officers worked with the broad aim of increasing the physical activity rates of children at school and in the local community.

The Effect Of The Estimate Of Resting Metabolic Rate On The Correlation Between Energy Expenditure As Estimated Using Self-Reports Of Physical Activity And Food Intake Records In Older Adults, Judy Hurd

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study measured total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) in adults at least 50 years of age. The goal was to determine the effect of the estimate of resting metabolic rate (RMR) on the relationship between energy expenditure estimates made using (a) self-reports of physical activity and (b) food intake records. The objectives were to determine if (a) RMR estimates based on body composition, body weight, and the metabolic cart were strongly related to each other, and (b) TDEE estimates based on a 7-day physical activity diary and a 7-day food intake record were more strongly related to each other when …

A Measure Of Student Attitude Toward Physical Activity At Central Washington University, Timothy D. Clark

All Master's Theses

The attitudes of students who were involved in service courses offered by the Physical Education Department of Central Washington University during the Winter Quarter of 1984 were given G. S. Kenyon's Attitude Toward Physical Activity inventory. The results showed that attitudes for male and female tested were similar within the six domains of the inventory, even though a wide variation of response was obtained in the individual domains by each sex group.