Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

The Effect Of Fetal Programming On Physical Activity Behaviors, Jessica Garay Redmond

Dissertations - ALL

Appropriate fetal growth and development largely depends on the health and nutritional status of the mother. Exposure to a stressful intra-uterine environment leads to a series of adjustments, known as fetal programming, which have both short- and long-term implications. Immediately, the growth and development of the fetus is altered, resulting in intra-uterine growth restriction and a small size at birth. Long-term, individuals who experience fetal programming are at higher risk of developing certain chronic diseases.

In the current study, we examined the relationship between size at birth (an indicator of intra-uterine growth restriction and thus, fetal programming) and two main …

Understanding Adolescent Physical Activity In The Early Nutrition Transitioning Country Of Haiti, Haley V. Becker

Arts & Sciences Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The nutrition transition is underway in Haiti, giving rise to the dual burden of malnutrition. Physical activity (PA) plays an important role in mitigating the negative health consequences of nutrition transition and the dual burden, but heretofore this data has been unavailable for Haiti. This dissertation undertook an exploratory needs assessment providing baseline PA data for Haitian adolescents. It evaluated two different PA data collection methodologies: a cross-sectional survey adapted from the IPAQ long-form and objectively measured PA via Actigraph GT1M accelerometers. Next, it identified initial covariates of self-reported and objectively-assessed PA behaviors; data was operationalized as meeting the World …

Increasing Physical Activity To Improve Health Through Primary Care Clinics In Rural Nebraska, Jill Reed

Theses & Dissertations

Addressing the lack of physical activity (PA) in rural adults is vital because of the role it plays in the risk for many chronic diseases. The purpose of the study was to explore the feasibility of conducting a 12-week intervention to increase PA behavior in inactive rural adults recruited from a primary care clinic. Subjects were randomized to the intervention (n=30) or control (n=29) group and wore a Fitbit to track PA. The intervention group completed action plans and received weekly motivational text messages to improve PA behaviors. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with study participants (n=10) and a focus group …

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 …

Physical Activity During Pregnancy And Birth Outcomes In South Carolina 2009-2015, Andrew Tyler Broadway

Theses and Dissertations

Physical activity is known to be beneficial to adults in general, including pregnant women, but the literature on physical activity and neonatal outcomes has been inconsistent. Few studies have differentiated between physical activity prior to pregnancy and during pregnancy to see whether the typical beneficial effect is not due to having a more active lifestyle in general. The Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) is a national cross-sectional surveillance system. Our data from SC PRAMS included 6391 respondents and was weighted to be representative of population of pregnant women that delivered in the state. We excluded births that were not …

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 …

Examining The Relationships Between School Engagement, Physical Activity, And Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder In Children Using The Ecological Model, Minh Nguyen

Theses & Dissertations

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with onset usually occurring in childhood and adolescence. During these developmental stages, social interactions and external environments can have significant impact on children’s growth and development. Few studies previously used a theoretical model to examine the effects of social and external environments on ADHD. The goal of this dissertation is to apply an ecological perspective to examine the roles of school and community in the development of childhood ADHD through school engagement and physical activity. Three studies were implemented to carry out this goal. Study 1 examined the associations of neighborhood, school, and …

Active And Safe Routes To School: Evaluating School Travel Planning To Support Children's Active Travel, Adrian Nicholas Buttazzoni

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Most Canadian children are not achieving their daily recommended physical activity (PA) levels despite the many emotional, psychological, and physical benefits of PA. Walking or wheeling to/from school, or active school travel (AST), is a viable method for improving children’s daily participation in PA. In Canada, the Active and Safe Routes to School initiative promotes AST through its comprehensive School Travel Planning (STP) program. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, broadly, this thesis investigates the i) implementation and ii) effectiveness of a regional, two-year STP program supporting AST. This thesis includes a systematic review of AST intervention models implemented in North America, …

Examining Geographic Variation In Children's Perceived Barriers To Physical Activity And The Implications On Behaviour, Leah Gabrielle Taylor

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Low levels of physical activity among Canadian children has become a national public health issue. Recent research has suggested that children’s physical activity levels are associated with their perceptions of their everyday environments. A better understanding of the formation of these perceptions within different contexts is needed to explain the extent of the relationship. Using a multi-tool quantitative protocol, this thesis examines geographic variation in socio-ecological factors influencing children’s perceptions of barriers to PA, and the extent to which perceptions mediate the relationship of the environment and PA. Results indicate that perceptions form within contexts, and have an influence on …

Exploring The Influence Of Childcare Type On Physical Activity And Sedentary Time Of A Nationally Representative Sample Of Canadian Preschoolers, Julie Statler

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

A large number of Canadian children are enrolled in childcare, and they spend substantial time there. Capturing a national picture of the relationship between childcare type and physical activity (PA; i.e., light, moderate- to-vigorous, and total) and sedentary time (ST) in young children is needed. Using a nationally representative sample of preschoolers (aged 3-5 years), this cross-sectional study used cycles 3 and 4 of the Canadian Health Measures Survey. Childcare type (e.g., centre-, home-based childcare, home with parent, kindergarten) was reported by parents. Preschoolers wore an accelerometer for 7 consecutive days. Device and population-specific cut-points were applied to delineate PA …

Exploring The Physical Activity And Screen Viewing-Related Knowledge, Training, And Self-Efficacy Of Early Childhood Education Candidates, Brianne Bruijns

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Early childhood educators (ECEs) greatly influence young children’s physical activity (PA) and screen viewing (SV) behaviours. This study explored the PA and SV-related knowledge (i.e., of important PA/SV concepts), training (i.e., PA/SV courses/content received), and self-efficacy (i.e., to facilitate PA and limit SV in childcare) of early childhood education students. A sample of 1,292 students from 61 Canadian colleges/universities completed the online survey. In general, students exhibited the least amount of knowledge regarding the link between SV and health. Further, 67.8% and 73.3% of students had not completed PA or SV courses during their post-secondary training, respectively, and students who …

The Moderation Effect Of Bdnf Genotype And Self-Reported Habitual Physical Activity Levels On Age Of Onset, Disease Progression, And Postural Instability In Parkinson's, Kyle Johnson, Danielle Salgo, Jessica Zorn

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Background and Purpose: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels have been reported to play an important role in driving neuroprotection in people with neurologic disorders, and levels of BDNF are known to increase in response to physical activity. Moreover, the level of BDNF produced is also affected by BDNF genotype. It is not known, however, whether one’s BDNF genotype interacts with physical activity throughout life to affect a neuroprotective response in people with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine if BDNF genotype interacts with lifetime self-reported physical activity levels to affect disease severity and progression …

Factors Influencing Physical Activity Among Immigrants From South India: A Qualitative Descriptive Study, Jaya Abraham

Dissertations & Theses (Open Access)

Background: In the United States (U.S), the percentage of diabetes and coronary artery diseases is higher among Asian Indian immigrants compared to other ethnic groups. Although research has been useful in describing patterns of physical activity among South Asian groups, very little is known about the factors influencing physical activity among Asian South Indian (ASI) immigrants. There is very limited research performed on the individual, social, cultural and environmental factors influencing physical activity among ASI immigrants.

Purpose: The study purpose was to explore the factors influencing physical activity with the following primary and secondary aims: The primary aim …

Impact Of Prolonged Sitting On Cognitive Function: Implications For Cardio-Metabolic Risk, Sabina Miller

Master's Theses

Purpose: To determine if prolonged sitting negatively impacts cognitive function, cerebral perfusion, and central cardiovascular hemodynamics; and secondly, to test whether weight or physical activity status alters this response. Methods: Participants (N=20, age=26±7; BMI=30±7 kg/m²; 7 female) were taken through 3 hrs of sitting followed by a 10-min walk (treadmill). Cognitive function was assessed during sitting (10, 60, 120, and 180 mins) and following the walk using a color/word Stroop test. Cerebral perfusion was measured via near infrared spectroscopy (total hemoglobin—tHb). Central cardiovascular hemodynamics and aortic stiffness (pulse wave velocity—PWV) were measured using the SphygmoCor XCEL device before, …

Temporal And Intensity Relationships Between Physical Activity And Drunkorexia Behaviors Among First-Year College Students, Robert E. Booker Jr

MSU Graduate Theses

The purpose of this research was to examine the temporal element of physical activity (PA) in relation to drunkorexia occurrences and how PA intensities predict severity of drunkorexia behaviors. No research, to our knowledge, has explored if students are proactively or reactively engaging in PA to reduce the effects of calories consumed from alcohol nor if there exists a dose relationship among PA intensities (sedentary, moderate, vigorous) and severity of drunkorexia behaviors. A convenience sample of first-year college students living in residence halls was selected to participate in the current study. Participants completed an online survey including The Drunkorexia Motives …

The Association Between Fruit And Vegetable Consumption And Physical Activity With The Risk Of Glaucoma: A Retrospective Cohort Study, Ramanpreet Brar

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Objectives: This study aimed to examine whether physical activity and consumption of fruits and vegetables were associated with the risk of developing glaucoma.

Methods: The Household, Longitudinal component of the Canadian National Population Health Survey database was used. Weighted crude and adjusted Cox proportional hazards models were fitted with time-dependent covariates. The adjusted models were controlled for age, sex, BMI, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, heart disease, education, and income.

Results: A total of 9,950 respondents were included, of which 190 developed glaucoma within the 10-year follow-up period. The adjusted hazards ratios for physical activity …

Perceptions’ On The Impact Of Families For Health After-School Program, Kathryn Lane

Health Sciences Student Work

Introduction Studies show that parents send their children to afterschool programs as a form of supervision while they are at work, but studies also stress the importance in the parental role in a child’s ability to retain the skills and concepts that are learning within these programs. So what if there was an afterschool program where parents attended and participated with the children, would this have an effect on the impact of the program? Families for Health is an afterschool program designed to bring Families together while teaching key concepts that lead to a healthy lifestyle, focusing on physical activity …

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 …

Feasibility Trial Intervention “Let’S Move Away From Screen”, Oksana K. Lidke

Doctoral Projects

“Let’s Move Away From Screen” was a six-week quality improvement project implemented in one of West Michigan’s after school programs among students attending 6th and 7th grades. The purpose was to implement physical activity and health education (nutrition, physical activity, and recreational screen time) with major intentions to (a) establish healthy lifestyles and decrease recreational screen time in the after school program and (b) evaluate the project’s acceptability and sustainability by students, parents, volunteers, and the organization. The project’s need was driven by the health needs assessment conducted in February 2016 by the school’s health center. One of the biggest …

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 …

Is Physical Activity Effective In Reducing The Gastrointestinal Symptoms Associated With Irritable Bowel Syndrome?, Lindsay K. Chandler

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not physical activity is effective in reducing the gastrointestinal symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome in adults 18 years of age and older.

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three English language primary randomized controlled trials from peer reviewed journals published between 2008-2015.

DATA SOURCES: Three randomized controlled trials were found using PubMed and Cochrane.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: All three studies measured irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) gastrointestinal symptom severity using self-reported questionnaires including the irritable bowel syndrome severity scoring system (IBS-SSS) and the Birmingham IBS Symptom Questionnaire.

RESULTS: Kavuri et …

Aerobic Exercise Exposure Targeting Anxiety Sensitivity: Effects On Associated Health Behaviors In Young Adults, Autumn Lanoye

Theses and Dissertations

Anxiety sensitivity (AS) is associated with health behaviors such as low rates of physical activity, overeating, alcohol use, and poor sleep; however, interventions targeting AS via exercise-based interoceptive exposure have not assessed these as outcomes. In addition, previous studies are limited by brief follow-up periods. This study aimed to replicate previous aerobic exercise interoceptive exposures with an extended (6-week) follow-up and measurement of health behaviors.

Participants were 44 sedentary young adults with elevated AS randomized to intervention (6 20-minute sessions of moderate-intensity treadmill walking) or assessment-only control. Assessments took place at baseline, week 2 (post-treatment), week 4, and week 8 …

Implementation Of A Physical Activity Group At A Community Mental Health Center: A Pilot Quality Improvement Project To Reduce Depressive Symptoms In Adolescents With Major Depressive Disorder, Nancy Gallagher

DNP Scholarly Projects

Major Depressive Disorder is a debilitating illness that affects millions of Americans, including adolescents. The majority of adolescents with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) do not receive treatment. There may be a variety of reasons for this including stigma, access to care, and potential adverse reactions. People suffering from MDD are known to be at high risk for suicide. Lack of treatments adds the risk of suicide for adolescents with MDD. Identifying and implementing treatment options that are more acceptable and accessible are of the utmost importance. Although there is limited research regarding exercise/physical activity, depressive symptoms, and adolescents with MDD, …

Leisure Time Physical Activities Of Older Adults In Senior Housing, Tamiera S. Harris

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Increasing physical activity levels of older adults is a public health priority given the associated risks with sedentary lifestyles. Exercise such as walking may positively affect older adults as they age decreasing the risk of heart disease, stroke, or death. The purpose of this study was to examine physical activities of older adults in senior housing and to determine if age correlates with the amount of physical activity. Physical activity studies on older adults are limited due to time and resources. The health belief model and transtheoretical model frames this study theorizing that older adults will take positive steps towards …

Interleukin-6 And Exercise; Early Evidence Of A Novel Myokine, Brendan Hogg Mr.

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) was first identified as a pleiotropic cytokine, with a host of body-wide functions. Cytokine functions are characterized by chronically elevated levels within various inflammatory states. In this regard, IL-6 is largely associated with the acute phase response to many stimuli and performs specific actions when produced from certain cell types. Accrued evidence indicates IL-6 release from skeletal muscle often includes myokine functions. Novel myokine functions are adaptive in nature, and as compared to inflammatory/cytokine roles, exhibit a transient time course. Following exercise plasma IL-6 peaks and returns to resting levels within 1-2 hours. In contrast, IL-6 is observed …

Physical Activity And Veteran Status In Obesity And Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Erin Mcguire Kren

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There are few data available regarding the relationship between physical activity and veteran status in those with combined chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and obesity. COPD is a common illness and a leading cause of death in the United States. Veterans represent a distinct subpopulation in the United States and are more likely to have COPD, which is a disease with a high rate of comorbidities such as obesity. Physical activity can improve outcomes for those with COPD and obesity. However, recommendations for physical activity for those with COPD and obesity are vague. This study, based on the self-determination theory, …

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) …

Validation Of Activity Trackers In A Laboratory Setting With Young Adults, Brandon Leslie Lewis

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Objectively tracking sedentary behavior (SB) and physical activity (PA) is becoming increasingly important as research continues to show the negative effects with increasing SB and decreasing PA. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate three commercial activity trackers with young adults regarding how they accurately measure SB and PA behaviors in a laboratory setting. Methods: 50 college-aged participants wore three wrist-based activity trackers (Fitbit Surge, Apple Watch, and Basis Peak) and two ActiGraph accelerometer devices during a series of SB and PA behaviors for five-minute intervals in a laboratory setting. The activity trackers were evaluated against direct …

The Role Of Exercise For Postpartum Depression And Well-Being, Maria Gaz

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Postpartum depression is a prevalent condition (American Psychological Association, 2018). Untreated postpartum depression can have serious consequences for the mother and baby (McCurdy, Boule, Sivak, & Davenport, 2017). Traditional treatment options may not be feasible. Exercise is an effective treatment for adults with depression (McCurdy et al., 2017). Less is known about treating postpartum depression with exercise. This review of the literature sought to understand in postpartum mothers, how a regimen of regular exercise, compared to no regular exercise, impacted the perception of wellbeing and/or postpartum depression scores. The Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) Plus with …