Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 2005. / Title proper from title frame. Also available in printed format.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 2007. / Title proper from title frame. Also available in printed format.

Thesis (M. Psych. Sport. & Ex.)--University of Queensland, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references.

The continued surge in childhood obesity rates globally has created much impetus for researchers to develop intervention strategies effective in changing physical activity behavior during childhood. Despite such interest there has been limited success, and very rarely have cross-cultural applicability of these initiatives been considered. This thesis begins with an examination of the applicability of a Western-modeled school-based intervention, America on the Move, using pedometers and point-of-choice prompts in an attempt to change the walking behavior of Chinese Hong Kong children (Chapter 2). To achieve this, the intervention mapping protocol was followed. The process comprised three studies. First, health messages prompting walking behaviors were developed and tested for motivational properties. Second, two piezoelectric pedometers were validated for our target population, and finally, a 7-week pilot of the intervention using the validated health messages and pedometers was implemented and evaluated among 8-12 year old Chinese Hong Kong children. The second part of the thesis took the unexpected results of the pilot intervention and explored how a goal-related psychological construct, emotional rehearsal, which has been associated with dysregulated health behaviors, may contribute to these. This part commences with an overview of the conceptualization of rehearsal and presentation of a conceptual model between stress and dysregulated health behavior mediated by the propensity for rehearsal (Chapter 3). Three studies were then undertaken to examine the relationship between rehearsal and dysregulated physical activity behavior. First, a Chinese version of the Rehearsal Scale for children (RSC-C) measuring propensity of rehearsal in children was adapted and validated for use in the subsequent two studies (Chapter 4). The second study investigated the existence of pedometer reactivity and how this might interact with propensity for rehearsal (Chapter 5). Lastly, the relationship between rehearsal and child health was examined through an assessment of the propensity for rehearsal and central adiposity status. Taken together, results of these empirical studies show promise in supporting the proposition that the effectiveness of intervention strategies may be culturally bound via the propensity for rehearsal and its link with cardiovascular health. Limitations of this thesis and future research directions are explored in the final chapter. / published_or_final_version / Human Performance / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

Background: Childhood overweight and obesity has become a serious problem within both developed and developing countries. Recent reviews show alarming international trends of increasing overweight and obesity levels among children in virtually every country studied. Unfortunately, trend data on the health-related size, shape and fitness of Thai children has not been reported. / Objectives: This study investigated the physical and health-related fitness characteristics of population subsets of Thai children aged between 6 - 13 years. The study design allowed samples from different geographic locations, including representative urban and rural groups, and different socio-economic strata to be analysed. Children from the three main school types (rural public, urban public and private) were sampled and compared, The broad questions of interest were: (1) are there any differences in overweight and obesity levels, and in health-related fitness and performance measures among these different groups, (2) what differences exist in socio-demographic and behavioural characteristics across these sub-populations that might help to explain any differences in body composition and fitness, and (3) how, if at all, have these patterns changed over time? / Methods: A sample of 5,963 Thai children aged 6-13 year were randomly selected from 32 schools throughout the country. These schools included 8 private schools [located in urban districts], and 12 urban and 12 rural public schools. Each child completed fitness testing that consisted of basic anthropometry (height, weight, skinfolds, and girths), and field tests (standing broad jump, sit-ups in 30 seconds, grip strength, 50 m sprint, and 1/1.6km run and walk aerobic testing). Furthermore, students and their parents or guardians completed questionnaires probing a range of personal and behavioural/lifestyle activities. / Thesis ([PhDHumanMovement])--University of South Australia, 2005.

Thesis (PhD)--University of South Australia, 2003.

Thesis (M.A.)--Humboldt State University, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 63-64). Also available via Humboldt Digital Scholar.

Thesis (M.S.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1994. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 136-144). Also available via the Internet.

Thesis supervisor: Kathleen F. Janz. Includes bibliographic references (p. 45-54).

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a 16 week training programme on selected on-ice and laboratory variables of 9-10 year-old boys involved in a competitive ice hockey programme. Twenty-four players from two A-level representative teams were selected as subjects for this study. Players from one team served as the training group while players from the second team served as the age-matched control group. On-ice measures were calculated from a Repeat Sprint Skate (RSS) whereby subjects performed 4 repetitions of 91.45 metres, commencing each repetition every 35 seconds. Laboratory measures included a Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAnT) which was extended to 40 seconds, an Anaerobic Speed Test (AST), and strength and power measurements (30, 100, 180 deg*sec⁻¹) of the quadriceps and hamstring muscle groups. Results from this study indicate that the training group showed significant (p = .05) improvement over the control group in the following variables: (1) the AST; (2) RQ (30 deg*sec⁻¹); (3) RH (30 deg*sec⁻¹); (4) RH (100 deg*sec⁻¹) ; (5) LH (30 deg*sec⁻¹). Findings from this study indicate that intense anaerobic training will benefit prepubertal ice hockey players on selected anaerobic and strength measures. / Education, Faculty of / Curriculum and Pedagogy (EDCP), Department of / Graduate