Many studies have examined the relationship between youth physical activity and their built environment. However, most of them used subjective measurement tools to measure built environment because of their low cost and convenience. The application of geographic information system (GIS) in this study greatly supported the research in this field because it can provide more detailed objectively measured data of built environment. Three hundred and thirty-eight Hispanic low-income youth enrolled in a local San Antonio Youth Center program participated in the study. The first study examined the association between youth's household income, and the availability and accessibility of recreational and utilitarian facilities. Results indicated that youth from low income families had longer distances to and less available number of recreational and utilitarian facilities within their neighborhoods. The second study focused on nutrition environmental features, such as, availability and accessibility of fast food outlets and supermarkets. Findings suggested that the average distance to supermarkets was almost two times that of fast food restaurants. These results indicated that participants need to walk more to access a supermarket compared to the closest fast food restaurant. On the whole, supermarkets were less accessible compared to fast food restaurants for the participants in the study area. The third study provided some important supplements to the first two studies by examining both features related to physical activity and dietary behavior with youth's BMI. Results indicated that the available number (availability) of physical activity- and food-related facilities contributed significantly to youth BMI. Lower BMI was related to more available utilitarian (e.g., shopping malls), recreational facilities (e.g., parks) and some food stores (e.g., supermarkets). This study indicated that youth's individual features (e.g., age and SES) had some associations with their health conditions (e.g., BMI) and built environments (e.g., accessibility and availability of facilities and food outlets). These results may provide some evidence to improve the understanding of the relationship between individual, environmental, and social characteristics, which may be useful to promote children and adolescent health behaviors (e.g., physical activity and eating behavior) in public health.

As a tool for public health, sport and physical activity programs are challenged with sustainability after the initial resources and impetus that created them have subsided. Financial stability is important, but social and political support and consistent effort toward an agreed vision will also factor into whether a program will be sustainable. Program sustainability can be better understood when it is integrated with the phases of the program process, including formulation, implementation, and evaluation. Starting in 2008, the Texas Governor’s Advisory Council on Physical Fitness (GACPF) offered grants to local mayor’s fitness councils to tailor their own physical activity programs as a tool to combat obesity. In this work, I examine three community programs in Texas to illustrate what elements of sustainability were realized, and what achievements and challenges were experienced in the program process. This case study also serves as an opportunity to understand how sport and other physical activities are perceived in public health settings. Using a critical framework to draw out the assumptions and taken-for-granted knowledge of these public health programs, I employ a mixture of qualitative methods to determine what issues stood out in each community and what were common across all cases. I made site visits to each community and interviewed 42 people for this study, including members of the GACPF, members of the local mayor’s fitness councils, and residents in each community. The results reveal a significant drop-off in stakeholder involvement beyond program formulation. This drop-off largely explains why these programs were constrained in what could be implemented, went unevaluated, and had limited prospects for sustainability. The data also indicate that new approaches are needed for promoting greater levels of participation in sport and physical activity. Instead of emphasizing benefits of physical health or appearance, program leaders in public health should focus on the hedonic feeling and sense of community that can lead to more holistic health. The results reveal that it is unrealistic to contend that the challenges of sustaining a public health program can be completely eliminated. Nonetheless, an appreciation for those difficulties increases the possibility that they can be mitigated, and the public health program can be carried out as intended and sustained. / text

This report addresses three important issues around active living and how planning, health and governmental agencies are addressing active living in their spheres of influence. Initially the report uses a literature review to determine if research shows that characteristics of the physical environment influence active lifestyle choices and behaviors. This review also includes whether state and local governments and non-profit agencies are incorporating active lifestyle goals in important planning and policy decisions affecting the local physical and natural environment. The literature review supports links between the physical environment and active living but does not establish a causal link. Regarding the question of whether state and local governments and non-profit agencies are incorporating active lifestyle goals in important planning and policy decisions, the research reveals that there is a low level of inclusion of health goals within planning efforts. The body of work in this report is focused on understanding the level of knowledge and the degree of cooperation among local actors around active living issues in Texas. The report explores this question through a survey targeted at public and non-profit organizations that have the potential to influence conditions supporting active lifestyles in Texas communities. While this survey and results focus on Texas communities, given the breadth of the responses, the results are likely applicable outside Texas. The research found collaboration around active living in Texas was widespread among the departments and organizations represented by the survey. Many communities have implemented active living programs or projects, however, most communities have not completed active living assessments to prioritize active living needs. Funding was the most important factor in addressing barriers to active living. Other important factors in addressing these barriers included education, sample policies and programs, best practices and case studies, and access to local experts and community groups. Strong community support and local government leadership were the most important factors in creating an environment that supports active learning. / text

The Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program (CSPAP) model is one way to organize physical activity (PA) opportunities around specific target populations and points of intervention. It is recommended that physical education teachers serve as Directors of Physical Activity (DPA), given their expertise and experiences in the school setting. PURPOSE: This study examined the current role of physical education teachers in providing PA opportunities for students by implementing the CSPAP. The effects of professional development (PD) on teacher efficacy (TE) toward the implementation of the CSPAP were also investigated. METHODS: Using a collective case study approach, 30 physical teachers (Male=9; Experience 17.47) completed a survey on PA opportunities and self-efficacy. Twelve of the physical education teachers then participated in the DPA certification process, which consisted of a one-day workshop with 12-months of online support and follow-up to track their implementation of the CSPAP. Participants who engaged in the DPA certification participated in a series of in-depth interviews, as well as observations and site visits. Over twelve months the researcher inductively reflected on the data with the intent of forming concepts, hypotheses, and theories through organizing themes and teacher vignettes. Descriptive statistics and a MANCOVA were calculated to determine group differences while a series of RM-MANCOVA's were used to determine pre/post differences. Regression analyses were employed to determine the predictors of change in PA. RESULTS: Qualitative results revealed six themes and three teacher vignettes. RM MANCOVA's revealed no significant difference between pre/post experience, however, regression analyses revealed significant predictors of offering PA opportunities. It was identified that group, TE and PD were both significant predictors when providing PA opportunities: (a) before and after school (F(8, 21) = 2.65, p < .05, R² adj. = .31), (b) with family and community members (F(8, 21) = 2.62, p < .05, R² adj. = .31), and (c) for staff wellness (F(8, 21) = 3.80, p<.01, R² adj = .44). CONCLUSION: Physical education teachers are capable and willing to provide PA opportunities, beyond those offered during physical education, by assuming the role of a DPA. The frequency of these opportunities is influenced by TE and PD.

No description available.

The purpose of this intense case study was to explore the factors that affect implementation of quality physical activity (PA) and healthy snacks that are provided to school-aged children (kindergarten to grade 8) attending after-school child care in British Columbia. Using an orientational approach that was guided by the implementation literature, 16 staff (n = 9 managers; n = 7 frontline staff) completed surveys and participated in semi-structured interviews. The majority of the data contributed to the emergence of the primary theme “Being confined” which contains three sub-themes: “It’s a moving target”; “We have to make do”; and “Centre rules and routines dictate practice”. This theme contextualizes two related but distinct primary themes: “Working together to pull it off” and “It takes skill”. The study contributes to our understanding of what facilitates or impedes implementation, according to staff working in typical after-school child care programs. This information can contribute to the refinement of guidelines and development of resources to help meet staff needs. Further, it will ensure that future research efforts are directed appropriately. / Graduate / 0573 / 0680 / kmmacfar@uvic.ca

The increasing evidence of associations between physical activity, sedentary behaviour, sleep duration and diet and both immediate and long term health implications is of public health concern. There is a need to further our understanding of the patterns of these behaviours and how they affect poor health indicators individually and simultaneously. This thesis aims to advance the current literature by investigating associations between multiple lifestyle behaviours and indicators for poor health and identifying patterns of physical activity, sedentary behaviour, sleep duration and dietary intake. Anthropometric measurements and bioelectrical impedance analysis were collected from 72 UK adults. These participants were asked to wear an ActiGraph GT1M accelerometer to objectively measure their physical activity and sedentary behaviour across 7 consecutive days. Over these 7 days, participants also completed a self-report daily sleep diary and a food frequency questionnaire. Participants were asked to complete these measurements at 4 different time points across the year in order to capture these behaviours over each season; 46 participants completed all 4 seasons. Using the data collected from the 72 participants who completed at least 1 season, regression analyses were conducted to identify associations between lifestyle behaviours and indicators for poor health. Repeated measures ANOVAs were conducted on data from 52 participants who provided the full 7 days of data during their initial measurement period to assess day of the week variations in physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep patterns. Repeated measures ANOVAs were also conducted on physical activity, sedentary behaviour, sleep and dietary intake data provided by the 46 participants who provided 4 seasons of data to assess seasonal variation. This thesis demonstrated that in a sample of relatively active, UK adults, time spent in moderate-vigorous physical activity and sedentary behaviour had a negative association with BMI and body fat percentage, increased time spent in moderate-vigorous physical activity was also associated with decreases in waist circumference. Light intensity physical activity had a positive association with BMI, body fat percentage and diastolic blood pressure. There were significant day of the week variations in light intensity physical activity, sedentary behaviour and time spent in bed, with light intensity physical activity and time in bed being significantly higher on a Sunday, whilst sedentary behaviour was significantly lower on a Sunday in this sample of UK adults. In addition to day of the week variations, there were seasonal variations in light intensity physical activity, sedentary behaviour and time spent in bed and sleep durations (weekdays only). Over the winter months, light intensity physical activity was significantly lower, whilst sedentary behaviour, time in bed and total sleep time was significantly higher. No seasonal variations in time spent in moderate-vigorous intensity physical activity or diet were observed in the present sample. This thesis demonstrates that lifestyle behaviours that have been found to affect health do vary over the week and across different seasons. This research has implications for surveillance studies which estimate these behaviours at one time point throughout the year, and also for interventions aimed at improving these behaviours which are implemented at just one time period of the year. Strategies for overcoming barriers to PA under unfavourable environmental conditions will be needed for this to be achieved, in addition to interventions reducing SB, even in the winter months.

Aim The purpose of this study is to compare the level of activity between playing wii Sports Tennis and wii Sports boxing, and the usual sports, and to see how the two variants are perceived.Issues:- How much strain ratio and energy consumption it gives to exercise wii sports compared with the playing of sport for real?- How do the test participants experience the different tests?- How are the two wii sports games against each other in terms of activity and fitness in the school environment? Method This is an experimental study in which 10 test participants (5 men and 5 women) have carried out four different physical tests. The tests consisted of either playing an exergame or playing a sport for 25 minutes. Physical activity was measured during the test using a heart rate monitor. All test participants completed all tests in the same order. After each test, all test participants filled out a questionnaire concerning their immediate subjective experiences of the test. The results from the questionnaire where later compiled with the results from the physical tests. Results The results showed that the physical activity of the tennis and wii tennis differed. Tennis generated in 30% higher average heart rate and 88% higher average energy expenditure. The comparison between boxing and wii boxing, gave no significant results. Wii boxing generated 32% higher average heart rate and 81% higher average energy expenditure compared to wii tennis. Test Study participants also considered wii boxing to be more suitable in physical education than wii tennis. They also felt that both wii boxing and tennis was more enjoyable than wii tennis. Conclusion Wii tennis generated the lowest physical activity as compared to the three other forms of exercise. The real sports were most suitable for school sports, however, wii boxing was more suitable than wii tennis. Test participants also considered the wii boxing as more enjoyable than wii tennis and tennis / Syfte och frågeställningar Syftet med denna studie är att jämföra aktivitetsgraden mellan att spela wii sports tennis och wii sports boxning och, de vanliga idrotterna, samt att se hur de båda varianterna upplevs. Frågeställningar: - Hur stor ansträngsningsgrad och energiförbrukning innebär utövande av wii sports jämfört med att utöva idrotterna på riktigt? - Hur upplever testdeltagarna de olika testerna? - Hur skiljer sig de två wii sportspelen beträffande aktivitet och lämplighet i skolmiljö? Metod Detta är en experimentell studie där 10 testdeltagare (5 män och 5 kvinnor) har genomfört 4 olika fysiska tester. Testerna bestod av att antingen spela ett träningsspel eller utöva en idrott i 25 minuter. Den fysiska aktiviteten mättes under testet med hjälp av pulsklocka. Alla testdeltagare genomförde alla tester i samma ordning. Efter varje avslutat test fick alla testdeltagare fylla i en enkät om deras omedelbara subjektiva upplevelser kring testet. Dessa sammanställdes sedan tillsammans med de fysiska resultaten. Resultat Resultaten visade att tennis och wii tennis skiljde sig åt. Tennis genererade 30% högre genomsnittlig arbetspuls och 88% högre genomsnittlig energiförbrukning. I jämförelsen mellan boxning och wii boxning fanns inga signifikanta resultat. Wii boxning genererade 32% högre genomsnittlig arbetspuls och 81% högre genomsnittlig energiförbrukning jämfört med wii tennis. Testdeltagarna i studien ansåg även att wii boxning passar bättre i skolidrotten jämfört med wii tennis. De upplevde även att både wii boxning och tennis var roligare än wii tennis. Slutsats Wii tennis genererade lägst fysisk aktivitet jämfört med de övriga tre motionsformer. De riktiga idrotterna ansågs mest appliceringsbara till skolidrotten, dock ansågs wii boxning lättare att applicera än wii tennis. Testdeltagarna ansåg också wii boxning som roligare än wii tennis och tennis.

Summary Bioelements are related with the main functions of organism: growth, development, reproduction, metabolism, are a part of bones, are important to oxygen transportation, to muscle contraction and etc. Bioelements as structural and functional components of biosubstrats, perform regulational function of different organs. Topicality. There are many studies on different sports athletes about changes of bioelements while performing different physical activity. Physiological and biochemistry cathedral of Lithuanian academy of physical education has made a lot of studies on handball teams players, track and field athletes about changes of biolements while performing physical activity, but we still don‘t have information about fitness and aerobics exercise influence on changes of bioelements. It was interesting for us to study fitness and aerobics exercise influence on changes of bioelements (K, Na, Ca, Cl, Fe ). Novelty. We don‘t have information how fitness and aerobics exercise influence of bioelements (K, Na, Ca, Cl, Fe ).changes in literaure. Practical sense for sportsmens its very important to restore of water and saline balance . after the physical activity Hypothesis. Body looses a lot of water and mineral salts while sweating, so we thought that different mineral salts concentration will appear in the venous blood of women who perform aerobic and fitness exercises. The aim of the study is to determine the changes of bioelements (K, Na, Ca, Cl, Fe) in venous... [to full text]

Background: Levels of physical activity are significantly lower among individuals with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) compared to their healthy sedentary counterparts. Low levels of self-efficacy (SE) with respect to exercise may contribute to a sedentary lifestyle in the ESRD population. Therefore, in a pilot investigation we examined the effects of an 8-week intra-dialytic (ID) exercise program on SE and physical activity (PA) in hemodialysis (HD) patients and determined the appropriateness and sensitivity of the selected outcome measures and proposed intervention. Methods: HD patients were randomized into an Exercise group (EX, n=4) or a Control group (CON, n=4). The EX group cycled for approximately 60 min during HD, thrice weekly for 8 weeks. The CON group continued with their usual activity. At 8 weeks, participants in both groups had the option to participate in the exercise program. Physical Activity was determined using the Human Activity Profile (Maximal Activity Score, MAS; Adjusted Activity Score, AAS) and SE was evaluated using the Chronic Disease Self-Efficacy Scale (CDSES) and Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale (ESES). Measures were obtained at pre, post and 8 weeks following the intervention. Results: No significant changes in PA or SE occurred between or within groups at any time point. Limited statistical power due to the small sample size and a ceiling effect due to initial high-function levels of the participants may have contributed to the lack of significant changes. MAS and AAS were generally lower in the CON group. Age was significantly associated with the AAS, MAS, and the Perform Social/Recreational Activities sub-scale of the CDSES. Serum albumin was significantly related to the AAS and the Exercise Regularly and Do Chores sub-scales of the CDSES. Conclusions: Age and albumin should be taken into account when assessing physical activity in HD patients. Recruitment of additional participants is required to more clearly define the role of intra-dialytic exercise in enhancing exercise self-efficacy and physical activity in HD patients. / Thesis (Master, Rehabilitation Science) -- Queen's University, 2010-07-27 09:51:11.297