The prevalence of obesity among young children has markedly increased over the past two decades, with more than one-third of American preschoolers now overweight or obese and at risk for lifelong health problems. Physical activity is a recommended obesity prevention strategy, yet preschoolers typically fail to meet recommended daily physical activity guidelines, spending just 15 minutes engaged in moderate to vigorous physical activity, compared to six sedentary hours daily. Unstructured play in settings with varied features, such as childcare center playgrounds, potentially plays a significant role in increasing the amount of time preschoolers spend in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). The purposes of this study were first, to compare the intensity and type of preschoolers' physical activity across four distinctly different outdoor play settings; second, to identify particular features in each play setting associated with MVPA and sedentary behavior; and, third, to identify, test, and evaluate environmental modifications to increase preschoolers' MVPA in outdoor play settings. Seventeen 3-5 year-old children participated in repeated unstructured play sessions featuring 16 min of play in each of 4 novel settings: a traditional climber, a wooded natural area, a garden, and an adventure, or "loose parts" playground. Interventions to increase physical activity were introduced to the adventure playground during the first two phases, and to all four settings during the third phase. Physical activity intensity was measured using ActiGraph GT3x+ activity monitors and contextual information concerning motor skills was obtained by trained observers using the System for Observing Play and Recreation in Communities (SOPARC), adapted to the age and environment of the study. Results show that both play setting design theme and the composition of specific play features within the setting impact the type of motor skills children perform and the amount of MVPA young children accumulate during unstructured play. Findings additionally demonstrate that simple, low-cost modifications to play settings can increase MVPA for targeted subgroups and individual children; outcomes were setting-specific. Study results may be useful to public health and medical workers, parents, educators, playground designers, community planners, and policy makers who focus on increasing preschool children's daily MVPA and decreasing childhood obesity. / Kinesiology

In 2011, the United Kingdom (U.K.) physical activity (PA) guidelines were updated. The adult moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA (MVPA) recommendation changed to reflect that different frequency and intensity permutations lead to equivalent health benefits. New recommendations were added for muscle strengthening activities (MSA) and the reduction of sedentary time (ST). Those over 65 years were also recommended to undertake balance and co-ordination activities (BCA). Despite these new additions, Scottish PA policy still concentrated on MVPA, with considerable resources allocated to sport and some exercise activities. Since 2012, the Scottish Health Survey (SHeS) has collected data relating to these new recommendations annually, but few analyses have been undertaken. This thesis contains the most comprehensive analyses of the 2012-15 SHeS PA and ST data to date, and a review into whether the method produces valid and reliable estimates. The aim of this thesis was to inform Scottish PA and sedentary behaviour policy by producing research to support the incorporation of these new recommendations and the promotion of non-sport-related MVPA policies. It also aimed to inform any future developments to PA and ST surveillance in Scotland. The first three studies of this thesis are cross-sectional analyses of the updated recommendations for adults in Scotland. They present prevalence and participation data in specific domains, activities, and behaviours by age and sex. The main findings were that (1) sport was a minority contributor to the total MVPA of adults in Scotland, regardless of sex, age, or activity status (never more than 20%), (2) compliance with the MSA recommendation was approximately half that of the MVPA recommendation (31% of men and 24% of women), and compliance with the BCA recommendation amongst those over 65 years was very low (19% of older men and 12% of older women), and (3) middle-aged adults in work reported a comparable amount of weekday ST to adults over 75 years (7-8 hours per day). The fourth study was a review of the available evidence into whether the PA and ST estimates produced by the 2012-15 SHeS were valid and reliable. The SHeS was found to be fit for purpose, but recommendations were made regarding the analysis and interpretation of the data to minimise areas of concern. These were (1) analyse MVPA data with and without the domain of occupational MVPA, (2) make it clear that only sport and exercise activities can contribute to achieving the MSA and BCA recommendations under the SHeS method, and (3) focus on the comparisons between groups in relation to ST, rather than on the absolute values. The fifth study used the findings from the previous four to inform the design of a prospective cohort study that will investigate the joint effects of MVPA and total ST on all-cause mortality, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes. This thesis contains the results of the preliminary analyses. This study is designed to inform policy by providing novel information on how the combination of these behaviours affects health outcomes in a representative sample of Scottish adults. There is clear evidence that this work has already informed policy and surveillance. The work on the relative contribution of the domains of MVPA is regularly cited in evidence briefings for the Scottish Government and the Scottish Parliament. This has increased the awareness amongst key policy-makers that sport is not a major contributor to the total MVPA of adults in Scotland. The work on MSA, BCA, and ST was a catalyst for a proposal to include indicators relating to these recommendations on the national PA monitoring framework. The work on MSA and BCA has also been a key reference text in preparation for the next update to the U.K. PA guidelines, stressing the need to consider surveillance at an early stage. In summary, the novel analyses of SHeS data undertaken for this thesis have demonstrably informed PA and sedentary behaviour policy and surveillance in Scotland.

Tyrimo objektas: 11–12 metų mokinių fizinis aktyvumas (FA) ir fizinis pajėgumas (FP) kūno kultūros pamokose. Tyrimo problema: Teigiama, kad FA kūno kultūros pamokose dažnai neatitinka VDFA rekomendacijų (Pate et al., 2006), kai fizinė veikla joje trunka mažiau nei 50% viso pamokos laiko (McKenzie et al., 1995; Nader, 2003). Aktyvumo lygis gali skirtis priklausomai nuo fizinio lavinimo pamokų turinio (McKenzie ir kt., 1995). Aukštos kokybės kūno kultūros programos (kūno kultūros pamokos) gali prisidėti prie bendro (kasdienio) mokinių fizinio aktyvumo lygio gerinimo, bei vaikų sveikatos gerinimo (Veugelers, Fitzgerald, 2005; Bates, 2006; Ehrlich, 2008). Tikslas: Nustatyti 11–12 metų mokinių fizinį aktyvumą ir pajėgumą judriųjų žaidimų ir judesių lavinimo kūno kultūros pamokose. Tyrimo uždaviniai: 1. Nustatyti ir palyginti mokinių fizinį aktyvumą ir pasyvumą judriųjų žaidimų ir judesių lavinimo pamokose. 2. Palyginti berniukų ir mergaičių fizinio aktyvumo ir pasyvumo rodiklius judriųjų žaidimų ir judesių lavinimo pamokose. 3. Nustatyti fizinio aktyvumo ir fizinio pajėgumo rodiklių sąsajas. Tyrimo hipotezės: 1. Judriųjų žaidimų kūno kultūros pamokoje mokinių fizinis aktyvumas yra didesnis, o fizinis pasyvumas mažesnis nei judesių lavinimo pamokoje. 2. Judriųjų žaidimų ir judesių lavinimo pamokose berniukų fizinis aktyvumas yra didesnis nei mergaičių. 3. Didesnis mokinių fizinis aktyvumas siejasi su didesniu jų fiziniu pajėgumu. Tyrimo metodika: Mokinių fizinis aktyvumas per... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Object of research: 11–12 years students’ physical activity (PA) in physical education (PE) lessons. Research problem: It is argued that PA in PE classes often do not meet MVPA recommendations (Pate et al., 2006), as it takes less than 50% of the total lesson time (McKenzie et al., 1995; Nader, 2003). Activity levels vary depending on the content of physical education lessons (McKenzie et al., 1995). High-quality physical education (physical education lessons) can contribute to the total (daily) improvement in students' physical activity and health (Veugelers, Fitzgerald, 2005; Bates, 2006; Ehrlich, 2008). The aim of the current research: Evaluate physical activity and physical fitness of 11 – 12 years Lithuanian students in Game play and Motor skills practice physical education lessons. Objectives of the research: 1. Identify and compare students' physical activity and time spent passively in Game play and Motor skills practice lessons. 2. Compare physical activity and time spent passively of boys and girls in Game play and Motor skills practice lessons. 3. Evaluate the relationship between physical activity and physical fitness. The research hypothesis: 1. Physical activity is higher and time spent passively lower in Game play rather than Motor skills practice lesson. 2. Boys are more physically active than girls in both Game play and Motor skills practice lessons. 3. Increased students' physical activity is associated with better physical fitness. Research Methodology... [to full text]

Tyrimo objektas: 11–12 metų mokinių fizinis aktyvumas (FA) ir fizinis pajėgumas (FP) kūno kultūros pamokose. Tyrimo problema: Teigiama, kad FA kūno kultūros pamokose dažnai neatitinka VDFA rekomendacijų (Pate et al., 2006), kai fizinė veikla joje trunka mažiau nei 50% viso pamokos laiko (McKenzie et al., 1995; Nader, 2003). Aktyvumo lygis gali skirtis priklausomai nuo fizinio lavinimo pamokų turinio (McKenzie ir kt., 1995). Aukštos kokybės kūno kultūros programos (kūno kultūros pamokos) gali prisidėti prie bendro (kasdienio) mokinių fizinio aktyvumo lygio gerinimo, bei vaikų sveikatos gerinimo (Veugelers, Fitzgerald, 2005; Bates, 2006; Ehrlich, 2008). Tikslas: Nustatyti 11–12 metų mokinių fizinį aktyvumą ir pajėgumą judriųjų žaidimų ir judesių lavinimo kūno kultūros pamokose. Tyrimo uždaviniai: 1. Nustatyti ir palyginti mokinių fizinį aktyvumą ir pasyvumą judriųjų žaidimų ir judesių lavinimo pamokose. 2. Palyginti berniukų ir mergaičių fizinio aktyvumo ir pasyvumo rodiklius judriųjų žaidimų ir judesių lavinimo pamokose. 3. Nustatyti fizinio aktyvumo ir fizinio pajėgumo rodiklių sąsajas. Tyrimo hipotezės: 1. Judriųjų žaidimų kūno kultūros pamokoje mokinių fizinis aktyvumas yra didesnis, o fizinis pasyvumas mažesnis nei judesių lavinimo pamokoje. 2. Judriųjų žaidimų ir judesių lavinimo pamokose berniukų fizinis aktyvumas yra didesnis nei mergaičių. 3. Didesnis mokinių fizinis aktyvumas siejasi su didesniu jų fiziniu pajėgumu. Tyrimo metodika: Mokinių fizinis aktyvumas per kūno... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Object of research: 11–12 years students’ physical activity (PA) in physical education (PE) lessons. Research problem: It is argued that PA in PE classes often do not meet MVPA recommendations (Pate et al., 2006), as it takes less than 50% of the total lesson time (McKenzie et al., 1995; Nader, 2003). Activity levels vary depending on the content of physical education lessons (McKenzie et al., 1995). High-quality physical education (physical education lessons) can contribute to the total (daily) improvement in students' physical activity and health (Veugelers, Fitzgerald, 2005; Bates, 2006; Ehrlich, 2008). The aim of the current research: Evaluate physical activity and physical fitness of 11 – 12 years Lithuanian students in Game play and Motor skills practice physical education lessons. Objectives of the research: 1. Identify and compare students' physical activity and time spent passively in Game play and Motor skills practice lessons. 2. Compare physical activity and time spent passively of boys and girls in Game play and Motor skills practice lessons. 3. Evaluate the relationship between physical activity and physical fitness. The research hypothesis: 1. Physical activity is higher and time spent passively lower in Game play rather than Motor skills practice lesson. 2. Boys are more physically active than girls in both Game play and Motor skills practice lessons. 3. Increased students' physical activity is associated with better physical fitness. Research Methodology:... [to full text]

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Background: Regular physical activity (PA) is critical for children’s health and wellbeing. Despite the numerous health benefits, most Canadian children do not meet the Canadian PA guidelines. The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic and social restrictions added new challenges to meeting the PA guidelines. Mobile health (mHealth) technology can be leveraged to promote PA among children. Combining gamification with mHealth interventions has the potential to further improve program effectiveness. Thus, “Draco” was developed as a virtual pet smartphone app to increase PA in children using self-determination theory as a framework to promote intrinsic motivation for PA. Objective: The primary objective is to evaluate the satisfaction and acceptability of the Draco app after four weeks. Secondary objectives include evaluating the preliminary effectiveness of the Draco app to improve average daily steps, average daily MVPA, perceived autonomy for PA, perceived competence for PA, and perceived relatedness to the app. Methods: 43 Canadian children, aged 8-14 years old, not meeting the Canadian PA guidelines of 60min of MVPA per day were randomly allocated to an intervention or control group. Participants in the control group used a step-tracking app for four weeks. Intervention participants were instructed to use the Draco app. Participants completed a baseline and follow-up questionnaire. PA outcomes were tracked using a Fitbit provided to each participant. Intrinsic PA motivation was assessed using an adapted version of the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI). Intrinsic motivation was assessed using the satisfaction subscale. Exit interviews were completed to determine app acceptability. Results: Participants demonstrated high levels of satisfaction and acceptability with the Draco app 2.83 (1.29). Intervention participants increased their average daily steps by 909 (1701). The control group increased their steps by 46 (1507). The Draco app had a small effect on promoting steps, MVPA, relatedness and small effects at increasing autonomy and competence. Conclusion: Participants demonstrated high levels of satisfaction and acceptability with the app. Participants in the intervention group showed greater increases in PA with small effect sizes. Preliminary evidence highlights the importance of tailoring game design to the users. Technical limitations impacted recruitment and user experiences. Additional development time should be taken to stabilize the app and add new game features for a definitive RCT. / Graduate

Objective: Dog owners have been shown to walk more per week compared to non-dog owners; however, 60% of dog owners are still not walking their dogs at intensities sufficient to reap optimal health benefits. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of a 9-week feasibility randomized controlled trial involving a program of six weekly scheduled instructor-led group dog walks supplemented with theory-based strategies to encourage increased dog walking among dog owners in Greater Victoria, BC. Methods: This study was based on the multi-process action control (M-PAC) framework and utilized an open parallel randomized controlled trial design involving experimental and waitlist-control group participants. Quantitative data was collected using pedometers and self-report measures. A program evaluation survey was administered upon the completion of the study. Primary outcomes examined the feasibility and acceptability of the program; secondary outcomes analyzed pedometry and self-report moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) data; and tertiary outcomes observed changes in participants’ perceptions of M-PAC constructs. Percentage calculations were used to obtain primary outcomes, and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA; controlling for baseline) was performed to examine secondary and tertiary outcomes to explore the direction of effects and obtain a first estimate of expected effect sizes. Eligibility: Male and female adults aged 18+ living in Greater Victoria, BC, who owned at least one healthy and friendly dog aged six months and above, who were not meeting recommended guidelines of 150 minutes of MVPA per week, and who were medically cleared to participate. Results: Feasibility outcomes included 74 interested responses, 23% recruitment rate (n = 17), 94% retention rate (n = 16), and 94% adherence rate (n = 15). Program participants were overall (very) satisfied with the program – worksheets (62.5%), program instructor (100%), various program/group dog walks logistics (75% to 100%). Total weekly step counts and average daily step counts, MVPA dog walking, and MVPA with dog increased at the end of the program and at follow-up, resulting in large effect sizes when compared to the waitlist-control group. MVPA dog walking and total MVPA (with and without dog) exceeded recommended guidelines at follow-up. Positive changes across time were observed for dog responsibility and M-PAC constructs of affective judgments, opportunity, planning, identity, and habit, resulting in medium and large effect sizes when compared to the waitlist-control group. Conclusions: This six-week group dog walking program is overall feasible, acceptable, and efficacious in encouraging increased dog walking and MVPA among dog owners. Attendance at weekly scheduled instructor-led group dog walks and exposure to the M-PAC construct worksheets resulted in program participants’ adoption and maintenance of positive behavioral changes at the end of the program and at follow- up. Program participants reported enjoying the program and being (very) satisfied with it. It is recommended for future studies to refine/modify initial recruitment strategies and eligibility criteria, reimburse medical/veterinarian clearance costs to reduce cost-related barriers to participation, offer a variety of options for program delivery (e.g., different locations/schedules/seasons, online programs, multi-site study) to accommodate more participants, and apply the M-PAC framework to a larger sample. / Graduate