The National Population Health Survey (CFLRI, 1998199) indicates an alarming 58% of Canadian youth are physically inactive. As well, 59% of Canadian women and 52% of Canadian men are also physically inactive (CFLRI, 1998199). Given the benefits of physical activity to health, it is essential to learn more about the nature of family influence on physical activity. This study was an exploration towards better understanding the reciprocal relationship between parents and children's physical activity behavior. Social Cognitive Theory provided a theoretical framework to investigate the nature of the family socialization process. Qualitative methods examined the relationship and influence between parents and children's choice to be physically active. Focus group discussions were conducted with children and parents to understand influences on their physical activity. Common themes were identified to gain insight into the social interaction between children and parents. A better understanding of reciprocal family influence on physical activity behavior will help foster interventions and new ideas to promote physical activity, thereby enhancing the quality of life for children and their parents.

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 87-110). Also available in print.

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of biological maturation on the pattern of fat and carbohydrate metabolism during exercise in early-pubertal (EP), mid-pubertal (MP), and late-pubertal (LP) males. Nine boys, Tanner stage I (EP) (10.3 ±0.9 years), 12 boys, Tanner stage 2/3 (MP) (12.3 ± 1.9 years), and 11 boys, Tanner stage 4/5 (LP) (15.0 ± 0.8 years) were subjects. Maximal aerobic capacity (VO2max) was assessed and, on a separate day, 5, 5-minute exercise bouts on a cycle ergometer at 30, 40, 50, 60, and 70% Of VO2max were performed in a fasted state. Fuel use was calculated at each intensity using steady-state V02 and the respiratory exchange ratio (RER). A one-way ANOVA was used to analyze physical characteristics and maximal exercise responses between groups. A two-way (group x intensity) ANOVA was used to analyze responses during submaximal exercise. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. VO2max (ml•kg-l.min 1) was not different between groups. At each intensity, % VO2ma., was similar between groups (p > 0.05). Significant interactions were found for RER, carbohydrate utilization, % fat utilization, and lactate concentration. Post hoc analyses revealed that at all intensities, % fat use and fat oxidation rates were higher and carbohydrate use and carbohydrate oxidation rates were lower in MP versus LP. In comparison, between EP and LP, % fat use was higher and % carbohydrate use was lower at 50-60% of VO2max, while fat oxidation rate was higher in EP versus LP at 40, 50, and 60% of VO2max. The only differences between EP and MP were for % fat and carbohydrate use at 30% of VO2max. Lactate concentrations were also lower in EP and MP than in LP at intensities corresponding to 50, 60, and 70% of VO2m., while no differences were observed between EP and MP at any intensity. The lack of a significant difference in substrate utilization or lactate concentrations between EP and MP at the majority of exercise intensities, suggest that the development of an adult-like metabolic profile occurs in the transition from mid-puberty to late-puberty. / School of Physical Education

Thesis (M.S.)--Eastern Illinois University, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 40-44).

Thesis (Ed. D.)--West Virginia University, 2006. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains xi, 193 p. : ill. (some col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 135-151).

Thesis (M.A.)--West Virginia University, 2007. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains iv, 69 p. : ill. (some col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 55-59).

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

To examine the potential for exercise to build bone mass during growth, objectives of this dissertation included: 1) determine the effects of 7 months of jumping followed by 7 months of detraining on hip and spine bone mass in the prepubertal children; 2) determine variables that best predict bone mineral content (BMC;g) of the hip and spine in order to develop prediction equations for healthy, Caucasian children, specific to Hologic fan-beam DXA machines; and 3) to examine the potential synergy between calcium intake and the bone response to jump training in prepubertal children. Results/Conclusions Objective 1 (Chapters 2, 3 and 4): children who performed 300 jumps/week at a load magnitude of 8 body weights had significantly greater 7-month changes for BMC at the femoral neck and lumbar spine than controls (4.5% and 3.1%, respectively), and significantly greater 7-month changes for bone area (BA; cm��) at the femoral neck than controls (2.9%). After 7- months of detraining (no box jumping exercises) the jumping group maintained 4% greater BMC and 4% greater BA at the femoral neck than controls. By contrast, at the spine, gains in BMC from the intervention were not retained after an equivalent period of detraining. These data indicate that high-impact jumping enhances growth at the hip. Results/Conclusions Objective 2 (Chapter 5): Age, height, and weight were entered as predictor variables in order to create regression models for healthy, young Caucasian boys and girls. Of these, height and weight independently predicted femoral neck and total hip BMC in both boys (femoral neck: R��=.48, total hip: R��=.63) and girls (femoral neck: R��=.49, total hip R��=.65). Height best predicted spine BMC in boys (R��=.58), but both height and weight independently predicted spine BMC in girls (R��=.54). We report that height and weight not age, best predict bone mineral content at the hip and spine. Results/Conclusions Objective 3 (Chapter 6): Children responded similarly to the jumping program regardless of calcium intake. 73% of our population had dietary intakes of calcium that met the recommended values for their age group. / Graduation date: 2002

published_or_final_version / Human Performance / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

The effects of exercise frequency on the stereotypic behaviours of four children with developmental disabilities were examined. Two exercise treatments were implemented, differentiated by frequency. The single frequency exercise treatment consisted of one daily 10 minute walk/jog session, while the multiple frequency treatment involved three 10 minute walk/jog sessions per day. Stereotypic behaviours were observed prior to the exercise sessions, as well as immediately following exercise. / The results indicated similar reductions in stereotypic behaviours with the use of both treatments. In the single frequency condition, subjects demonstrated a mean reduction of 51.6%. These data confirm the results of past research, in which a decrease in stereotypic behaviours was observed following a single bout of exercise. However, the positive results are usually short-lived. The mean reduction of 58.9% following the multiple frequency condition can be viewed as more effective than the single frequency condition because the reduction was maintained throughout different periods of the day. Inter-rater reliability of stereotypic behaviours was 86%. / The use of a multiple frequency exercise treatment informally revealed the interaction between exercise, environment, and stereotypic behaviours. Observation in the classroom suggested that as the structure of the classroom increased, stereotypic behaviours decreased. Thus, exercise combined with a structured classroom is likely to yield an optimal decrease in stereotypic behaviours.