Thesis (MHSc--Health Science) -- AUT University, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references. Also held in print (ix, 152 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm.) in the Archive at the City Campus (T 613.7043 DIC)

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Wollongong, 2006. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references: p. 331-353.

Thesis (PhD)--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The positive relationship between physical activity and recreation and a reduction in risk factors for youth has extensive historical roots. The definition of youth in an at-risk context has evolved over the years and may be conceptualized on a continuum ranging from low risk to chronic deviance. Many factors predispose youth to behavioural risk factors. These predisposing factors include variables related to the individual (self), family, peers, school, and community. The current situation in Namibia suggests that there is need for concern about youth in an at-risk context, and that efforts to minimize risk factors for youth will provide diverse personal and social benefits. Strategies involving physical activity and recreation appear particularly promising in minimizing risk factors for youth. Physical activity and recreational participation can provide positive benefits related to psychological health, physical health, familial interaction, peer influence, academic performance, community development, and other lifestyle behaviours. The documentation supporting the enormous potential of physical activity and recreational programmes to positively influence youth in an at-risk context cannot be ignored. The 305 participants in the survey and the 35 participants from the Physically Active Youth (PAY) Group provided invaluable input into this research. All participants provided unique insight. Throughout the research it became increasingly apparent that there is incredible potential for physical activity initiatives to positively impact on youth in an at-risk context. Physical activity can help youth in an at-risk context by improving self-esteem, providing positive role models, teaching teamwork and social skills, promoting self-confidence, providing a sense of belonging. reducing risk factors for disease, giving youth something constructive to do, providing a means of releasing stress, promoting positive morals and values, teaching cognitive, leadership and life skills, providing a sense of community, fostering family support, and promoting the wellness of youth. At the end of the PAY pilot project all learners showed remarkable increases in their fitness levels, their attitudes changed towards being more positive and the programme showed a passing rate of 91%. Many organizations are currently providing programmes or services that directly or indirectly impact on youth in an at-risk context. There was a general consensus that these efforts is in need of government policy that will result in better coordination of such programmes. Successful programmes need to have youth spearheading the initiative. Programmes also need to be flexible, accommodating, inexpensive (or free), with good leadership and community support. Programmes directed towards youth in an at-risk context should be non-threatening, emphasizing participation, and not competition. The research evidence suggest that there is a need to empower marginalized youth, provide good leadership, establish parental support, provide increased government support, develop partnerships, create youth centres, reform current programming initiatives to reflect the needs of youth in an at-risk context, and continue research are some of the primary concerns. The need to approach youth in an at-risk context issues holistically was also a pervasive attitude. Physical activity and recreation can provide both prevention and intervention functions. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die positiewe verhouding tussen liggaamlike aktiwiteit en ontspanning en 'n afname in risikofaktore vir die jeug het 'n omvangryke geskiedenis. Die definisie van jeugdiges binne 'n risiko-konteks het oor die jare heen ontwikkel en kan gekonseptualiseer word op 'n kontinuum wat van laerisiko- tot chroniese afwyking strek. Daar is baie faktore wat die jeug vatbaar maak vir risiko ten opsigte van gedrag. Hierdie predisponerende faktore sluit veranderlikes in wat verband hou met die individu (self), die gesin, die portuurgroep, die skool en die gemeenskap. In die huidige situasie in Namibië is daar aanduidings dat daar rede vir kommer is wat betref jeugdiges binne 'n risiko-konteks, en dat pogings om risikofaktore vir die jeug te minimaliseer baie voordeel inhou, op persoonlike sowel as sosiale vlak. Dit blyk dat strategieë wat liggaamlike aktiwiteit en deelname in ontspanningsbedrywighede insluit, veel kan bydra om risikofaktore vir die jeug te minimaliseer. Liggaamlike aktiwiteit en deelname aan ontspanningsbedrywighede kan bydra tot die bevordering van die geestes- en liggaamlike gesondheid, gesinsinteraksie, invloed van die portuurgroep, akademiese prestasie, gemeenskapsontwikkeling, asook ander vorme van lewenstylgedrag van jongmense. Die dokumentasie oor die geweldige potensiaal wat liggaamlike aktiwiteit en ontspanningsprogramme het om die jeug op 'n positiewe wyse te beïnvloed, mag nie misken word nie. Die 305 deelnemers aan die ondersoek, en die 35 deelnemers van die Liggaamlikaktiewe Groep (Engels: Physically Active Youth Group oftewel PAY Group) het waardevolle insette tot hierdie navorsing gemaak. Elke deelnemer het 'n unieke insig bygedra. Namate daar met die navorsing gevorder is, het dit toenemend duidelik geword dat daar 'n ongelooflike potensiaal bestaan vir inisiatiewe vir liggaamlike aktiwiteite om 'n positiewe uitwerking te hê op jeugdiges binne 'n risiko-konteks. Liggaamlike aktiwiteit kan jeugdiges binne 'n risiko-konteks help deur hul gevoel van eiewaarde te verhoog, positiewe rolmodelle te verskaf, vir hulle spanwerk en sosiale vaardighede aan te leer, hul selfvertroue te bevorder, hulle te laat voel dat hulle êrens behoort, risikofaktore vir siekte te verminder, hulle iets opbouends te gee om hulle mee besig te hou, 'n manier te bied waarop hulle van stres ontslae kan raak, positiewe sedes en waardes te leer, kognitiewe, leierskaps- en lewensvaardighede te leer. 'n gemeenskapsbewustheid te kweek, gesinsondersteuning te bevorder, en ook hulle algemene welstand te bevorder. Aan die einde van die PAY-projek het al die leerders 'n merkwaardige verhoging in hul fiksheidsvlakke getoon, en was hulle houding baie meer positief. Die program het 'n slaagsyfer van 91% gehad. Daar is tans baie organisasies wat programme of dienste aanbied wat direk óf indirek 'n invloed het op jeugdiges binne 'n risiko-konteks. Daar was eenstemmigheid dat hierdie poging op regeringsbeleid moet kan steun wat tot beter koordinering van sodanige programme sal lei. In suksesvolle programme moet jeugdiges aan die voorpunt van die inisiatiewe wees. Programme behoort soepel en aanpasbaar te wees, hulle moet óf bekostigbaar óf gratis wees, en daar moet sterk leierskap en gemeenskapsondersteuning wees. Programme wat op jeugdiges binne 'n risiko-konteks gerig is moet deelnemers nie bedreig laat voel nie, en behoort deelname eerder as wedywering te beklemtoon. Die navorsing het bewys dat daar 'n behoefte is om gemarginaliseerde jeugdiges te bemagtig, om goeie leierskap daar te stel, om ouerondersteuning te vestig, om verhoogde regeringsondersteuning te verskaf, om vennootskappe te ontwikkel, om jeugsentrums te skep, om huidige programinisiatiewe te omskep sodat hulle die behoeftes van jeugdiges binne 'n risiko-konteks weerspieël, en om met navorsing voort te gaan. Hierdie is sommige van die primêre sake wat aandag vereis. 'n Houding wat deurgaans voorgekom het, was die noodsaaklikheid daarvan om kwessies rakende jeugdiges binne 'n risiko-konteks holisties te benader. Liggamlike aktiwiteit en ontspanning' kan beide voorkomings- en intervensiefunksies bied.

published_or_final_version / abstract / Human Performance / Master / Master of Philosophy

This study evaluated the effects of Project PACE, a program designed to increase physical activity, on the physical activity level and selected psychosocial variables of sedentary adolescent females ages 12 to 18. Psychosocial variables included self efficacy, attitude, perception of barriers, perceived social support, and knowledge. Of the 69 participants, 40 were enrolled in the treatment group and 29 were enrolled in the control group at the start of the study. The only significant differences were found for attitudes towards physical activity at base line. Findings from this study suggest that implementation of Project PACE protocol in school settings may produce some positive effects, but no significant findings were detected.

Adolescence is a developmental period during which boys and girls are at high risk of developing major or minor depression. Increases in fitness have been associated with lower levels of depressive symptomatology and improvements in psychological well-being, yet the mechanisms that underlie this relationship have not been thoroughly examined. Three such psychosocial variables (i.e. body satisfaction, social physique anxiety, and physical activity self-efficacy) have been identified as possible mechanisms and although they have theoretical support, additional research is needed to demonstrate empirically the potential effects of these variables. Self-report measures were used to assess the psychosocial variables and the Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run (PACER) in conjunction with age, Body Mass Index [BMI], and sex was used to determine an estimate of aerobic capacity (VO2max). Path analyses were used to test the proposed model using version 6.2 EQS Multivariate Software. Results of study revealed that the boys’ and girls’ depressive scores were determined based on the extent that their fitness levels improved their satisfaction with their bodies and lowered the anxiety they experience in relation to real or imagined judgments of their physique. Although all pathways in the model were significant, with the exception of physical activity self-efficacy to depression, differences emerged between the boys and girls in terms of the strength of some of the relations amongst the variables. Limitations include restricted generalizability, self-report measures, and cross-sectional design. Results have implications for individuals in a context intended to improve physical and psychosocial well-being of adolescents.

<p>Physical inactivity together with overweight and obesity has emerged as a major health risk factor for chronic disease of lifestyle as coronary heart disease, diabetes type 2, and hypertension affecting adolescents with physical disabilities in developed countries. This has contributed to the increase of social and economic costs of healthcare and social services in these countries. Review of literature has revealed that little has been documented about the status of adolescents with physical disabilities in developing countries. This study, therefore, aimed at establishing the degree of physical inactivity among high school adolescents with physical disabilities in Kenya.</p>

<p>Physical inactivity together with overweight and obesity has emerged as a major health risk factor for chronic disease of lifestyle as coronary heart disease, diabetes type 2, and hypertension affecting adolescents with physical disabilities in developed countries. This has contributed to the increase of social and economic costs of healthcare and social services in these countries. Review of literature has revealed that little has been documented about the status of adolescents with physical disabilities in developing countries. This study, therefore, aimed at establishing the degree of physical inactivity among high school adolescents with physical disabilities in Kenya.</p>

No description available.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2007. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 311-317).