The Analysis of Self-Report Measures in Comparing the Physical Activity Patterns of English and Greek Children Educators and health professionals have expressed concern that the physical activity patterns of children have declined during the past decades and many researchers believe that the levels of activity have declined to such an extent to be detrimental to health. However, the research evidence is contradictory. This represents the starting point for the design of a self-report measure of physical activity (interview based questionnaire) comprising two fonns - a week-day and week-end fonnat - for use with English children but modified for use with children in Greece. The evaluation of the self-report measure involved a number of studies to establish its validity and reliability. The interview-based questionnaire involved estimates of children's time commitment to activity therefore to establish its reliability a number of studies were undertaken to ascertain the accuracy of their estimates. A scoring procedure based on intensity, frequency and accumulation of activity during a whole day was developed to establish an activity score to distinguish levels of activity. The study paralleled a similar investigation by Cale (1993) This was followed by investigation of a sample of Greek children aged 11 to 14 to establish their physical activity patterns. The data from this investigation was used to compare Greek children (n= 113) with a sample of English children (n = 199) from the East Midlands region (Cale, 1993). The findings of the Greek investigation revealed that the majority (58%) of the children were inactive and girls were less active than boys and activity levels declined with age. A similar pattern emerged when the results were compared with an English sample. The implications of the study have far reaching consequences for the health of young people in both countries and other international studies. The implications of these results are discussed and proposals for future research highlight the need for much larger scale studies in different popUlation and cultural groups using questionnaires to avoid the time consuming method of interviews. The research also highlights the need for more qualitative analysis to explore the reasons why some young people are less active than others.

Magister Scientiae (Biodiversity and Conservation Biology) / Human-wildlife conflict is an ongoing issue worldwide. Within South Africa, human-carnivore conflict (HCC) as a result of carnivore depredation on small-livestock causes large-scale losses, and promotes the use of predator management tools by farmers. Despite being one of the major offenders involved in HCC, caracals, and their ecology in particular, are understudied. This is mainly due to high levels of persecution, coupled with their elusive nature. Within the Karoo region of South Africa, pastoralists make use of large-scale lethal predator controls in an attempt to remove the offenders, or non-lethal predator controls to protect livestock and deter predators. However, the effects of these various predator control techniques on caracal ecology have not been widely tested. Therefore, the aims of this thesis were, firstly, to assess caracal diet on lethal and non-lethal treatment farms in the Karoo; secondly, to investigate the drivers of caracal habitat selection on a non-lethal farm in the Karoo; and finally, to evaluate caracal activity patterns on the non-lethal farm.

Regular physical activity during pregnancy provides both maternal and infant health benefits. The complexity of measuring physical activity during pregnancy hampers the determination of the optimal dose of habitual physical activity for pregnant women and has led to broad physical activity guidelines for pregnant women. Subjectively-determined physical activity levels by means of questionnaires may have contributed to these broad guidelines. However the ActiHeart®, a dual heart rate monitor and accelerometer, is an accurate and reliable measurement tool to determine physical activity levels during pregnancy. Maternal physical activity tends to decrease during pregnancy and may lead to various health risks, including excessive weight gain, risk for gestational diabetes, lower back pain and adverse foetal outcomes. Determining the influence of physical activity on foetal growth is confounded by various variables, therefore objectively-measured habitual physical activity is essential. This study aims to objectively determine habitual physical activity patterns of pregnant women and the relationship between habitual physical activity and foetal growth parameters. In a longitudinal, observational, cohort study design, 60 pregnant women were measured at four stages in their pregnancy: the first trimester (9 – 12 weeks), second trimester (20 – 22 weeks), third trimester (28 – 32 weeks) and three months postpartum. Demographic information was collected by means of a questionnaire specifically compiled for this study, followed by anthropometric measurements (height and weight). Assessment of the participants resting blood pressure, heart rate (Microlife® Semi-Automatic blood pressure and heart rate monitor) and metabolic rate (FitmateTM, Cosmed) was obtained. Thereafter, a step-test was performed for individualised calibration of the ActiHeart® device for assessment of habitual physical activity patterns over a 7-day period. Foetal growth parameters that included birth weight (kg), birth length (cm), abdominal circumference (cm) and head circumference (cm), were collected from medical records and from the mother post-partum. Habitual physical activity, presented as average Activity Energy Expenditure (AEE), physical Activity Level (PAL), activity counts and minutes spent in activity, declined from the first to the third trimester of pregnancy. The AEE during the first trimester averaged 803 ± 34 kCal/day and declined statistically significant to 592 ± 383 kCal/day in the third trimester. Minutes spent per week doing moderate activity declined from 103 ± 83 min/week in the first trimester to 55 ± 66 min/week in the third trimester. Average pregnancy AEE indicated a non-significant negative relationship with all foetal growth measurements - birth weight (r = - 0.39, p = 0.45), birth length (r = - 0.16, p = 0.77), Ponderal Index (r = - 0.34, p = 0.51) - and a non-significant positive relationship with head circumference at birth (r = 0.14, p = 0.79). In conclusion, the objectively-determined, habitual physical activity levels of the participants did not meet the stated guidelines for pregnant women. During the progression of pregnancy, the activity levels declined significantly at the third trimester. The habitual activity levels indicate no effect on the foetal growth parameters. / MSc (Biokinetics), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Regular physical activity during pregnancy provides both maternal and infant health benefits. The complexity of measuring physical activity during pregnancy hampers the determination of the optimal dose of habitual physical activity for pregnant women and has led to broad physical activity guidelines for pregnant women. Subjectively-determined physical activity levels by means of questionnaires may have contributed to these broad guidelines. However the ActiHeart®, a dual heart rate monitor and accelerometer, is an accurate and reliable measurement tool to determine physical activity levels during pregnancy. Maternal physical activity tends to decrease during pregnancy and may lead to various health risks, including excessive weight gain, risk for gestational diabetes, lower back pain and adverse foetal outcomes. Determining the influence of physical activity on foetal growth is confounded by various variables, therefore objectively-measured habitual physical activity is essential. This study aims to objectively determine habitual physical activity patterns of pregnant women and the relationship between habitual physical activity and foetal growth parameters. In a longitudinal, observational, cohort study design, 60 pregnant women were measured at four stages in their pregnancy: the first trimester (9 – 12 weeks), second trimester (20 – 22 weeks), third trimester (28 – 32 weeks) and three months postpartum. Demographic information was collected by means of a questionnaire specifically compiled for this study, followed by anthropometric measurements (height and weight). Assessment of the participants resting blood pressure, heart rate (Microlife® Semi-Automatic blood pressure and heart rate monitor) and metabolic rate (FitmateTM, Cosmed) was obtained. Thereafter, a step-test was performed for individualised calibration of the ActiHeart® device for assessment of habitual physical activity patterns over a 7-day period. Foetal growth parameters that included birth weight (kg), birth length (cm), abdominal circumference (cm) and head circumference (cm), were collected from medical records and from the mother post-partum. Habitual physical activity, presented as average Activity Energy Expenditure (AEE), physical Activity Level (PAL), activity counts and minutes spent in activity, declined from the first to the third trimester of pregnancy. The AEE during the first trimester averaged 803 ± 34 kCal/day and declined statistically significant to 592 ± 383 kCal/day in the third trimester. Minutes spent per week doing moderate activity declined from 103 ± 83 min/week in the first trimester to 55 ± 66 min/week in the third trimester. Average pregnancy AEE indicated a non-significant negative relationship with all foetal growth measurements - birth weight (r = - 0.39, p = 0.45), birth length (r = - 0.16, p = 0.77), Ponderal Index (r = - 0.34, p = 0.51) - and a non-significant positive relationship with head circumference at birth (r = 0.14, p = 0.79). In conclusion, the objectively-determined, habitual physical activity levels of the participants did not meet the stated guidelines for pregnant women. During the progression of pregnancy, the activity levels declined significantly at the third trimester. The habitual activity levels indicate no effect on the foetal growth parameters. / MSc (Biokinetics), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Between March, 1969 and July, 1970, 16 badgers (Taxidea taxus) were caught and fitted with radio transmitters in the southern part of Curlew Valley. The animals were followed telemetrically; seven animals contributed sufficient data from which home-range, movement and activity patterns could be discerned. The aver age annual home-range size of five females was 664 acres (± s.d. 99 .5 acres). Female home-range sizes were approximately the same within crested wheat-grass (Agropyron aristatum) and sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) vegetation types, with greater distances traveled each night by females in the crested wheat-grass. Both home-range size and total movement were less during winter in the one badger observed during more than one season. The average home range of two males followed between September and mid-December was 1,440 acreas, twice the average female home-range size. The necropsy of badgers in the study collection and a scat collection yielded information on the food habits and breeding biology of badgers in Curlew Valley. Many prey species were used, but mice were the most frequently eaten food item. Badgers bred between mid-July and the end of August. Delayed implantation PE sisted until approximately January 26. Pregnant females gave birth to an average of 2.2 young about April 1.

Investigating alternate winter refuges for Florida manatees is increasingly important as sustained warm-water discharges from industrial and some natural sites becomes more uncertain. This study examined habitat features of possible importance to manatees by comparing a winter refuge in Charlotte Harbor, FL (the Matlacha Isles canal system) to two nearby, seemingly similar sites that are not frequented by manatees during winter. Water temperature, salinity, boat traffic, canal depth, and tidal flushing were assessed at these sites. Additionally, this study examined when and how manatees use the Matlacha Isles refuge by documenting movements, habitat use, and behaviors of manatees during the winters of 1999/2000 through 2001/2002. Water temperatures had a profound influence on manatee selection of Matlacha Isles over the two comparison canal systems. Matlacha Isles did not experience the sudden drops in water temperature following cold fronts, extreme low temperatures, or long periods of temperatures below manatees’ reported thermal tolerance of 18-20 oC that were recorded in Matlacha Pass (ambient) and the two comparison canal systems. Heat retention within Matlacha Isles may be associated with greater water depth and lower tidal flushing. Salinity and boat traffic did not seem to influence site selection by manatees. During moderately cold weather, manatees occupying Matlacha Isles forage at night in nearby Matlacha Pass and return early in the morning to Matlacha Isles, where they primarily rest all day. Neither tidal state nor boat traffic levels affected manatee travel patterns into or out of Matlacha Isles. Manatees may passively thermoregulate in the warmer waters of Matlacha Isles during the day (when they are inactive) and sustain their body temperatures at night through the heat generated during traveling to feeding sites and during ingestion (chewing) and digestion. During extreme or prolonged cold weather, Matlacha Isles provides inadequate warmth for manatees; during such times, most of them travel to a power plant on the Orange River, approximately 50 kilometers away. Findings from this study may inform resource managers as they consider attributes manatees find desirable or necessary in winter. Such information will help managers create new or enhance existing winter refuges to protect manatees.

Att kunna hantera stress, skador, förväntningar och krav är viktigt i en elitsatsande fotbollsspelares vardag. Kvinnliga fotbollsspelare har i större utsträckning en annan utmaning i att behöva kombinera sin elitsatsning med annan sysselsättning, jämfört med manliga fotbollsspelare. Syftet med detta examensarbete var att beskriva hur kvinnliga fotbollsspelare upplever att elitsatsningen påverkat deras aktivitetsbalans och välbefinnande. Det användes en kvalitativ studiedesign med semistrukturerade intervjuer. Urvalet gjordes genom ett bekvämlighetsurval och en kvalitativ innehållsanalys användes vid databearbetningen. Resultatet visade att kvinnliga elitsatsande fotbollsspelare hade en fullspäckad vardag som krävde planering och struktur för att främja aktivitetsbalans. Vardagen bestod av tydliga rutiner och vanor med arbete/studier följt av träning. Det krävdes annan sysselsättning jämsides med sin elitsatsning för att få ihop det ekonomiskt. Informanterna gjorde en medveten satsning där vila, sömn och träning prioriterades. Uppoffringar var en del av det dagliga livet där familj och vänner ofta blev bortprioriterade. Elitsatsningen innebar höga krav och förväntningar vilket påverkade välbefinnandet både positivt och negativt. Slutsatser var att det fanns faktorer i en kvinnlig elitsatsande fotbollsspelares vardag som påverkade deras aktivitetsbalans och välbefinnande. Detta examensarbete var en första inblick i problemområdet men ytterligare forskning krävs. / Being able to handle stress, injury, expectations and demands is important in the everyday life of an elite football player. Female football players have a greater challenge to combine their elite efforts with other employment, compared with male football players. The purpose of this study was to describe female football players’ experiences of how their elite efforts affect occupational balance and well-being. A qualitative study design with semi-structured interviews was used. Data selection was made by convenience sampling. Data was analysed with a qualitative content analysis. The results showed that elite female football players’ had a demanding everyday life that required planning and structure to promote occupational balance. Their everyday life consisted of clear routines and habits for work/ studies and football practice. It was necessary for the players to have another occupation in addition to their elite efforts, to manage financially. The informants made a conscious effort to prioritize rest, sleep and practice. Sacrifices were part of the daily life where family and friends often became less of a priority. The elite efforts meant high demands and expectations, which affected well-being both negatively and positively. The conclusion was that everyday life of a female elite football player consisted of factors that influenced their occupational balance and well-being. This study was an insight into this problem area but further research is required.

Individuals who use wheelchairs or who have other mobility challenges often are unable to access modern mobility systems "“ including application-based ride hailing and on-demand microtransit. Even designing a system targeted at these users is challenging, given the limited prior analysis of their travel behavior and activity patterns. Simulation tools are used by cities around the world to understand novel and complex transportation systems, yet few are including the needs of users with disabilities in these simulation studies. This thesis examines the travel patterns of wheelchair users from the 2017 National Household Travel Survey and presents a model of daily activity pattern choice of respondents who self-identify as using a wheelchair. This thesis discusses the application of a wheelchair status variable in the activity-based travel demand model ActivitySim and measures its effect on individual and household daily activity pattern choice. Wheelchair use is estimated to reduce the utility of a work daily activity pattern by 1.9 points relative to a home pattern for full time workers and 3.4 for part time workers. Including the effect of wheelchair use in a regional daily activity pattern model resulted in 21.9 percent of wheelchair users changing to a home activity pattern relative to a base scenario not including wheelchair use. Lastly, the thesis evaluates the performance of an on-demand, accessible mode for users with wheelchairs in the agent-based microsimulation BEAM. This simulation showed that demand for such a service increases linearly with fleet size and wait time remains constant, though further scenario refinement and research is necessary.

Using the concept of bone functional adaptation, this study analyzes femoral and humeral cross-sectional properties of human skeletal materials from Morton Shell Mound on the Louisiana coast. This work helps fill a gap in such analyses in the southern U.S. and contributes to an understanding of the functional adaptation of the human skeleton. Properties were compared to those of other prehistoric Southeastern fisher-hunter-gatherers from Gold Mine, Plash Island, and several Georgia coast sites to assess mobility and activity patterns among inland and coastal groups. Less sexual dimorphism of femoral midshaft shape among coastal Morton and Plash, compared to inland Gold Mine, indicates lower terrestrial logistic mobility. Greater robusticity (not significant) in coastal samples is linked to an expanded subpersiosteum, rather than terrestrial logistic mobility. Both coastal and inland samples exhibit round humeral shape, typical of fisher-hunter-gatherers.

Att leva med samhälleliga förväntningar och attityder relaterat till barns diagnos kan vara en utmaning för föräldrar till barn med autism och/eller ADHD. Höga krav ställs på föräldrar att prestera för att få en fungerande vardag. Syftet var att beskriva hur mammor till barn med Autism och/eller ADHD upplever aktivitetsbalans i vardagen. Studiens design var beskrivande med induktiv ansats. Metoden var kvalitativ innehållsanalys av åtta bloggar. Urvalsmetoden var strategiskt urval och snöbollsurval. Resultatet visade att vardagen innebar att barnens behov prioriterades före mammornas egna behov. Arbetet anpassades utefter barnen vilket resulterade i avbrutna arbetspass. Det innebar en obalans och mindre tillfredsställelse, mellan arbete samt måsten i hemmet. Strategier användes för att få egen tid och återhämtning vilket förknippades med större möjlighet till tillfredsställelse i spenderad tid samt upplevd hälsa och välbefinnande. De fick balans mellan energitagande och energigivande aktiviteter. Slutsats var att det var en utmaning att få ihop barnens och mammornas vardag. Studien skulle kunna ge ökad förståelse och medvetenhet av målgruppens vardag förknippat till aktivitetsbalansen. Vidare studier om aktivitetsbalans förknippat till målgruppers upplevelser anses vara väsentligt. / Living with societal expectations and attitudes can be a challenge for parents of children with autism and/or ADHD. High demands are placed on parents to perform to have a functioning everyday life. The purpose was to describe how mothers of children with Autism and/or ADHD experience activity balance in everyday life. The study design was descriptive with an inductive approach. The method was qualitative analysis of eight blogs. The selection method was strategic and snowball sampling. The results showed that the children's needs were prioritized before the mothers' own needs. The work was adapted to the children, resulting in interrupted work shifts, imbalance and less satisfaction in the time spent between work and household chores. Strategies used to get own time and recovery, were associated with a greater chance of satisfaction in time spent and perceived health and well-being. They got a balance between energy-taking/energy-giving activities. Inconclusion, it was a challenge to bring the children's and mothers' everyday lives together. The study is providing increased understanding and awareness of the target group's everyday life associated with the activity balance. Further studies on occupational balance associated with the experiences of target groups are considered essential.