Over the past three decades, instances of childhood obesity have tripled in the United States and are recognized as a serious public concern that requires action. Environmental factors have been identified as potential influences on the physical activity behavior of children; availability of equipment is one of these factors. The overall purpose of this dissertation was to examine availability of equipment as an environmental influence on a child’s physical activity behavior. The two environments where children spend the major of time, home and school, were evaluated for equipment availability and increased physical activity. Three studies were conducted to complete this purpose. In Manuscript 1, a systematic literature review was conducted, which included electronic databases as well as reference lists and author’s works as relevant. Only studies which measured home and school environments as factors in physical activity of children ages 5-12 were included. The review was conducted to determine the theoretical framework most used. Of the thirty-one studies reviewed, 67% showed little or no theoretical framework driving the study. Theoretical framework and models based on theory is needed to advance the field and this body of literature. In Manuscript 2, a systematic literature review was conducted which included electronic databases as well as reference lists and author’s works as relevant. Only studies which measured home and school environments and highlighted the availability of equipment as a factor in physical activity of children ages 5-12 were included. Of the twenty-one studies reviewed, only 14% clearly defined “equipment” and how it was measured for the particular study. With multiple definitions and confusion when comparing studies, standardization in this area is desperately needed. Manuscript 3, analyzed data from a larger study, NIH, Student Wellness Assessment and Advocacy Project (SWAAP), conducted in Waller county Texas, 2010. The results demonstrated which pieces of equipment in the home environment were available and the percentage of use. School environments were measured for availability of equipment and facilities. A linear regression analysis determined that being of Hispanic race was significant in less physical activity in an average seven day period. Given that children spend up to 80% of their day at home or school, influences in these two environments are extremely important to the development of physical activity behaviors. Future studies involving the availability and use of equipment should clearly define the type of equipment used or observed. In cases of intervention studies type and amount need to be clearly defined as well as assessment of its effect on physical activity in children. Several studies have been conducted for the specific age group of 6-12 year olds and their physical activity and multiple factors involved availability of opportunities for physical activity. Of those factors equipment availability has been shown to influence physical activity as well as not influence these opportunities. Standardization of the term equipment and how it is measured will allow researchers to have a clearer picture of the role that equipment plays in opportunities for children to be physically active.

Children with complex heart defects lead sedentary lives that limit involvement in peer activities, impact their growth and development, and jeopardize their long-term health. The goal of this research was to better understand the factors that influence daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), which is associated with physical and psychological health. The physical activity levels of 64 children (25 female, 5 to 11 years of age) with a single pumping chamber in the heart were measured by accelerometry. Fitness and gross motor skill measures and medical history information were analyzed to identify factors associated with MVPA participation. Increased activity was related to the use of antithrombotic medication, spring season of the year, better motor skill and male sex. Group and individual discussions further explored psychosocial influences on the children’s level of MVPA. The children indicated physical activity was primarily motivated by having fun and being with their friends, while other children being more skilled discouraged participation. Parents of children with complex heart defects had dramatically different perceptions. They believe their child’s activity is primarily influenced by the heart condition and report often feeling uncertain about which activities are appropriate for their child. Finally, sources of parental uncertainty were examined by comparing the physical activity advice provided by the cardiologist to parent reports of the child’s activity restrictions, a content analysis of published activity guidelines and interviews with paediatric cardiologists. Parent uncertainty about activity was supported by the lack of agreement between parent and cardiologist reports of medically necessary activity restrictions. Parent reports of vague or variable activity advice were reflected in the published literature and cardiologist perspectives on activity counselling. These results suggest enabling children with complex heart defects to achieve an active lifestyle may rest on ensuring that the child and parents have appropriate physical activity beliefs and expectations.

No description available.

The purpose of this study was to explore the lifelong physical activity (PA) stories of Latinas to determine motives that contribute to exercise adherence behaviors. Using an interview process, life histories were collected from six self-identified PA adherents of Hispanic descent. Three narrative analysis techniques were used to analyze the interviews and the transcript of a follow-up focus group meeting. In the first technique, the Holistic-Content perspective and Labovian transcription were used to identify major themes common in the interviews. Adherence themes that emerged were: 1) culture and family, 2) being pushed, 3) health, 4) role models, and 5) competence. A review of these themes resulted in several suggestions for teaching practitioners: 1) including enjoyment as a criteria for planning activities, 2) focusing on positive reinforcement from teachers and families, 3) providing early opportunities for success, and 4) interacting with strong female role models. A second analysis technique, Lakoff and Johnson's linguistic studies using metaphor to understand one idea in terms of another, yielded the concept of love as health. Study participants frequently used the terms love and addiction in connection with PA. Participants suggested the following as characteristics of healthy love relationships: loyalty, community, positive results, and variety. The term addiction, while not specifically a metaphor, emerged during this process as a powerful exercise adherence motivator. Euphoria and "not feeling right unless I exercise" were cited as primary reasons for adherence behavior. The third technique used was Borman's Symbolic Convergence Theory in which a rhetorical community is formed around a fantasy theme. The theme "perfect body" was identified in the stories as common to four of the participants. Via the media and pop culture, the rhetorical community communicates that a "perfect body" can be achieved with PA and diet. The oppressive gendered message here is that a woman's worth is largely determined by the look of her body, and having the perfect body is the way to success. Facilitating the shift from solely external motivators to a more balanced internal/external set of motivators and from solely negative motivators to positive reasons for exercise adherence is the recommended goal for teaching practitioners.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was threefold: 1) to explore the physical activity (PA) levels of gynaecologic cancer survivors; 2) to explore the associations between PA and quality of life (QOL); 3) to examine the level of agreement between self-reported and objectively measured PA; and 4) to identify PA preferences. Methods: In Phase I, 900 gynaecologic cancer survivors were mailed a questionnaire measuring PA, QOL, and various PA preferences. In Phase II, 20 survivors wore an accelerometer for nine consecutive days, completed a questionnaire, and participated in a 20 minute semi-structured interview. Results: Approximately 30% of participants met the public health PA guidelines, with survivors meeting the PA guidelines reporting higher scores on physical well-being. Over 66% of participants were/may be interested in a PA program. The level of agreement between self-reported and objectively measured PA was poor. Conclusions: This research demonstrates the importance of PA for cancer survivors. / N/A

No description available.

Regular physical activity is significant for overall health and can reduce the risk of chronic disease and health related conditions. Individuals with central nervous system CNS lesions experience impairments that limit their participation in physical activity and reduce quality of life; therefore it is even more important to understand the relationship between the barriers and affordances to engaging in physical activity for this cohort. The current study has uniquely identified a population (n= 11) based on the common experience of spasticity in the lower limb resulting from an CNS lesion across multiple diagnostic categories and used the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health model (ICF) (WHO, 2001) to characterize the impairments in body structure and functions, activities and contextual factors to better understand their influence on physical activity levels in this cohort. The findings showed that each individual experienced physical impairments for multiple body functions and structures comprising reduced ankle range of motion (M= 9.98 PlantarFlexion), spasticity as measured by the Ankle Plantar Flexor Tone Scale (middle ankle range resistance M= 1.56, stretch reflex M= 1.64) as well as some reports of pain on a Visual Analog Scale (Usual, M =1.10, and Worst pain, M= 1.64). On average the cohort presented with mild to moderate impairments in their mobility as measured by Timed Up and Go (M= 28.28 seconds), walking velocity (M= 74.94cm/sec Gaitrite mat) and falls (M= .91). Findings from both the Physical Survey for Individuals with Physical Disabilities (PASIPD) and semi-structured interviews suggest that participation in physical activity was low across life roles including areas of work and employment, recreation and leisure, domestic life and selfcare. The physical component summary (PCS) scores of the Short-Form 36 Version 2 Quality of life Survey were lower than average norms (M=38.12, SD=7.53), while the mental components summary (MCS) scores were on par with average ranges (M=50.61, SD=10.02); however the overall MCS score was slightly higher than the trend reflected in the mental health sub-scores which ranged from between slightly below average to average. Clearly aligning with the ICF model, the volume and intensity of physical activity was hampered by physical impairments, fear of falling, cost of activities, poor weather, a lack of transportation, and cut backs to services as reported in the semi-structured interviews. However, the quantitative relationships between the domains of the ICF were less obvious. Through qualitative interviews the participants’ positive outlook toward participating in life roles was strongly expressed. Despite barriers, individuals were finding ways to be somewhat active and were motivated to do more and overcome their functional limitations. / Graduate

Work may be a potential source of physical activity for adults with ID, and therefore may be beneficial to their health. Using a cross-sectional descriptive research design this study examined the contribution of work to the overall physical activity levels of adults with intellectual disabilities. GT3X Actigraph accelerometers were used to measure the physical activity intensity levels of six employed adults with intellectual disabilities over eight consecutive days. Intensity levels were categorized into sedentary, light, or moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). The overall physical activity levels were determined to establish whether participants met the Canadian physical activity guidelines for adults. In addition physical activity levels during work were compared to physical activity during non-work. Five out of the six participants met the Canadian physical activity guidelines of 150 minutes of MVPA per week. There were no significant differences between the amount of sedentary, light or MVPA during participant’s work and non-work. There were, however, medium and large effect sizes for physical activity levels during work versus non-work, showing that work had a substantial impact on physical activity behaviours. / Graduate / 0566

An examination of data from 21 older members of the University community aged 59 and older, including those who do and those who do not use the campus gyms, and six athletic programming staff from the two facilities to attempt to understand how older adults choose to negotiate their physical activity as they age. The study demonstrates that those respondents most comfortable in the gym spaces in the university setting are those who have occupied those spaces over many years, or those who have been habituated to gym culture through their activities outside the university setting. Using the ’mask of ageing theory’ in combination with Bourdieu’s concepts of habitus, capital and field, this study is an attempt to understand the individual and cultural practices that older adults engage in to manage their physical activities at the University, their other activities outside, as well as the performative aspects of their engagement.

An examination of data from 21 older members of the University community aged 59 and older, including those who do and those who do not use the campus gyms, and six athletic programming staff from the two facilities to attempt to understand how older adults choose to negotiate their physical activity as they age. The study demonstrates that those respondents most comfortable in the gym spaces in the university setting are those who have occupied those spaces over many years, or those who have been habituated to gym culture through their activities outside the university setting. Using the ’mask of ageing theory’ in combination with Bourdieu’s concepts of habitus, capital and field, this study is an attempt to understand the individual and cultural practices that older adults engage in to manage their physical activities at the University, their other activities outside, as well as the performative aspects of their engagement.