As social media evolves, educators and other professionals have taken advantage of it as a teaching resource. This research focused on exploring the role of Instagram as a learning technology on health and fitness. In this research, there are references to literature that document the impact of social media on health and fitness. This study also highlights several features found on Instagram, Facebook, Twitch, YouTube, and other similar platforms to deliver learning content in real time. Several articles in this dissertation mentioned how social media content can influence the audience and their thoughts on health and fitness. Social media presents the opportunity to access information, impart knowledge as well as other forms of interaction.

Research has shown that social correlates of physical activity play an important role in individual participation in physical activity or sport, hence their link with associated health benefits. However, in spite of the health benefits associated with physical activity, many children do not meet the daily guidelines of being active for at least 30 minutes a day. This study investigated physical activity, health-related fitness and social correlates among 284 adolescents (111 boys and 173 girls) who are part of the on-going Physical Activity and Health Longitudinal Study (PAHLS). Height, weight, skinfold thickness (triceps, subscapular and calf skinfolds), waist and hip circumferences were measured through the standard procedures described by the International Standards of Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK). Body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and percentage body fat (%BF) were used as measures of body composition. Health-related physical fitness (HRPF) was determined by measuring cardiorespiratory endurance, muscle strength and endurance, and flexibility using standardised tests according to the EUROFIT (1988) test protocol. The standardised International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-Short form) and Social Support for Physical Activity questionnaire were used to gather information on participation in physical activity and social correlates for physical activity respectively. The results show that 29.6% of the adolescents were underweight and 26.4% overweight. Girls were significantly (p<0.05) fatter (%BF and BMI) and shorter than the boys. A significant gender difference (p<0.05) was also observed in WHR. Thirty four percent (34%) participated in low PA with 35% in high PA. Boys were significantly (z-4.52; p=0.000) more highly active compared to the girls. Boys measured significantly higher than girls (p<0.05) in SBJ, BAH, SUP, predicted 2max • V O . Adolescents’ participation in physical activity was affected by ‘lack of support by friends’, ‘encouragement by friends or family members’ and ‘lack of support during engagement in physical activity’. A significant difference (p<0.05) was found between boys and girls regarding ‘friends’ encouragement to do physical activity or sports’, ‘participation in physical activity or sports with friends’ and ‘friends’ confirmation that the participant is doing a good job at physical activity’. Positive correlations were found between Total Physical Activity (TPA) and all social correlates of PA, with a significant relationship between total physical activity (TPA) and ‘how often do your friends tell you that you are doing a good job at physical activity?’, and ‘has someone told you that you are doing well in physical activity?’ percentage body fat was negatively associated with social correlates of physical activity with a significant relationship in contrast with ‘friends’ encouragement that one is doing a good job at physical activity’. A significant positive correlation was observed between WC, WHR, SBJ, SUP, predicted 2max • V O and ‘friends’ encouragement in a typical week to do physical activity or sports’. Further significant positive correlations were found with WC for ‘encouragement by someone in a typical week to do physical activity or sports’; WHR, SBJ, BAH, SUP, predicted 2max • V O for ‘participation in physical activity or sports with friends’; SBJ, SUP, predicted 2max • V O for ‘friends’ encouragement that one is doing a good job at physical activity’; SBJ, SUP, predicted 2max • V O for ‘someone’s encouragement that one is doing a good job at physical activity’; BAH, SUP, predicted 2max • VO for ‘someone’s participation in sport with one’; SUP, predicted 2max • VO for ‘one’s encouragement to friends to participate in physical activity or sport’; SUP for ‘provision of transportation to physical activity or sport’; and predicted 2max • V O for ‘someone watching one participate in physical activity or sport’. SAR, on the other hand, was negatively associated with all social correlates for physical activity. It can be concluded that the adolescent boys in the study were underweight and significantly more active when compared to the relatively overweight and inactive girls. Boys also have higher health-related fitness and higher social correlates compared to the girls. Social correlates for physical activity were positively associated with participation in physical activity and healthrelated physical fitness variables. Thirty six percent (36%) of the participants indicated lack of transport as a negative factor for their participation in physical activity and sport. Based on these findings, urgent strategic public health intervention by all stakeholders dealing with adolescents, as well as more research studies in the area, is required. / PhD (Human Movement Science), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Research has shown that social correlates of physical activity play an important role in individual participation in physical activity or sport, hence their link with associated health benefits. However, in spite of the health benefits associated with physical activity, many children do not meet the daily guidelines of being active for at least 30 minutes a day. This study investigated physical activity, health-related fitness and social correlates among 284 adolescents (111 boys and 173 girls) who are part of the on-going Physical Activity and Health Longitudinal Study (PAHLS). Height, weight, skinfold thickness (triceps, subscapular and calf skinfolds), waist and hip circumferences were measured through the standard procedures described by the International Standards of Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK). Body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and percentage body fat (%BF) were used as measures of body composition. Health-related physical fitness (HRPF) was determined by measuring cardiorespiratory endurance, muscle strength and endurance, and flexibility using standardised tests according to the EUROFIT (1988) test protocol. The standardised International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-Short form) and Social Support for Physical Activity questionnaire were used to gather information on participation in physical activity and social correlates for physical activity respectively. The results show that 29.6% of the adolescents were underweight and 26.4% overweight. Girls were significantly (p<0.05) fatter (%BF and BMI) and shorter than the boys. A significant gender difference (p<0.05) was also observed in WHR. Thirty four percent (34%) participated in low PA with 35% in high PA. Boys were significantly (z-4.52; p=0.000) more highly active compared to the girls. Boys measured significantly higher than girls (p<0.05) in SBJ, BAH, SUP, predicted 2max • V O . Adolescents’ participation in physical activity was affected by ‘lack of support by friends’, ‘encouragement by friends or family members’ and ‘lack of support during engagement in physical activity’. A significant difference (p<0.05) was found between boys and girls regarding ‘friends’ encouragement to do physical activity or sports’, ‘participation in physical activity or sports with friends’ and ‘friends’ confirmation that the participant is doing a good job at physical activity’. Positive correlations were found between Total Physical Activity (TPA) and all social correlates of PA, with a significant relationship between total physical activity (TPA) and ‘how often do your friends tell you that you are doing a good job at physical activity?’, and ‘has someone told you that you are doing well in physical activity?’ percentage body fat was negatively associated with social correlates of physical activity with a significant relationship in contrast with ‘friends’ encouragement that one is doing a good job at physical activity’. A significant positive correlation was observed between WC, WHR, SBJ, SUP, predicted 2max • V O and ‘friends’ encouragement in a typical week to do physical activity or sports’. Further significant positive correlations were found with WC for ‘encouragement by someone in a typical week to do physical activity or sports’; WHR, SBJ, BAH, SUP, predicted 2max • V O for ‘participation in physical activity or sports with friends’; SBJ, SUP, predicted 2max • V O for ‘friends’ encouragement that one is doing a good job at physical activity’; SBJ, SUP, predicted 2max • V O for ‘someone’s encouragement that one is doing a good job at physical activity’; BAH, SUP, predicted 2max • VO for ‘someone’s participation in sport with one’; SUP, predicted 2max • VO for ‘one’s encouragement to friends to participate in physical activity or sport’; SUP for ‘provision of transportation to physical activity or sport’; and predicted 2max • V O for ‘someone watching one participate in physical activity or sport’. SAR, on the other hand, was negatively associated with all social correlates for physical activity. It can be concluded that the adolescent boys in the study were underweight and significantly more active when compared to the relatively overweight and inactive girls. Boys also have higher health-related fitness and higher social correlates compared to the girls. Social correlates for physical activity were positively associated with participation in physical activity and healthrelated physical fitness variables. Thirty six percent (36%) of the participants indicated lack of transport as a negative factor for their participation in physical activity and sport. Based on these findings, urgent strategic public health intervention by all stakeholders dealing with adolescents, as well as more research studies in the area, is required. / PhD (Human Movement Science), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Thesis advisor: Celeste Wells / This study examined the influence of a popular Youtuber in creating social discourse surrounding concepts of health, fitness, and beauty, employing a case study approach of the popular Youtube channel, Blogilates. Both visual and rhetorical analyses were conducted on the titles and thumbnail images of the top 50 most viewed Blogilates videos, and 10 videos were studied in depth. The findings established the concept of a unique power relationship between Youtubers and their viewers, which also explains the marked dissonance between the discourse posited by the channel’s marketing and the discourse posited in the actual video content. / Thesis (BA) — Boston College, 2017. / Submitted to: Boston College. College of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Departmental Honors. / Discipline: Communication.

The health and fitness status of Canadian children has been declining over the past several decades. Children’s health and fitness impacts future health status as many health and fitness indicators track from youth into adulthood and are associated with serious illnesses such as cardiovascular disease (CVD). One potential determining factor of health and fitness may be the level of proficiency exhibited in performing fundamental movement skills (FMS). Failure to master FMS in childhood may decrease the physical activity options available in adulthood because FMS provide a foundation for all forms of physical activity pursuits necessary for health and fitness benefits. Todate, the relationship between health, fitness and proficiency of FMS has not been examined in Canadian children. Therefore, the purpose of the present investigation was to examine the current state of movement skill proficiency in relation to health and fitness in Canadian elementary-aged children. Boys (n = 71) and girls (n = 91 girls) ages 8 to 11 years were recruited from schools participating in the evaluation component of the Action Schools! BC program. Measures of fundamental movement skill proficiency (i.e., running, horizontal jumping, vertical jumping, jumping from a height, hopping, and skipping) and indicators of health and fitness (i.e., blood pressure, arterial compliance, weight status, musculoskeletal and cardiovascular fitness) were assessed. Results indicated low levels of FMS proficiency for both boys and girls. Analysis also revealed significant relationships between EMS and indicators of health and fitness. Correlation analyses found running and hopping to be significantly (p < .01) related to musculoskeletal and cardiorespiratory fitness tests. Significant (p < .01) relationships between vertical jumping and weight status, musculoskeletal and cardiorespiratory fitness were also found by the correlation analyses. Regression analyses were performed to determine the independent relationship between health and fitness indicators. Vertical jump was significantly (p < .01) related to blood pressure (BP) independent of confounding health and fitness variables. Finding significant relationships between FMS proficiencies and health and fitness indicators coupled with the low proficiencies demonstrated by our sample of children suggest the need for a greater emphasis on the development of FMS.

The health and fitness status of Canadian children has been declining over the past several decades. Children’s health and fitness impacts future health status as many health and fitness indicators track from youth into adulthood and are associated with serious illnesses such as cardiovascular disease (CVD). One potential determining factor of health and fitness may be the level of proficiency exhibited in performing fundamental movement skills (FMS). Failure to master FMS in childhood may decrease the physical activity options available in adulthood because FMS provide a foundation for all forms of physical activity pursuits necessary for health and fitness benefits. Todate, the relationship between health, fitness and proficiency of FMS has not been examined in Canadian children. Therefore, the purpose of the present investigation was to examine the current state of movement skill proficiency in relation to health and fitness in Canadian elementary-aged children. Boys (n = 71) and girls (n = 91 girls) ages 8 to 11 years were recruited from schools participating in the evaluation component of the Action Schools! BC program. Measures of fundamental movement skill proficiency (i.e., running, horizontal jumping, vertical jumping, jumping from a height, hopping, and skipping) and indicators of health and fitness (i.e., blood pressure, arterial compliance, weight status, musculoskeletal and cardiovascular fitness) were assessed. Results indicated low levels of FMS proficiency for both boys and girls. Analysis also revealed significant relationships between EMS and indicators of health and fitness. Correlation analyses found running and hopping to be significantly (p < .01) related to musculoskeletal and cardiorespiratory fitness tests. Significant (p < .01) relationships between vertical jumping and weight status, musculoskeletal and cardiorespiratory fitness were also found by the correlation analyses. Regression analyses were performed to determine the independent relationship between health and fitness indicators. Vertical jump was significantly (p < .01) related to blood pressure (BP) independent of confounding health and fitness variables. Finding significant relationships between FMS proficiencies and health and fitness indicators coupled with the low proficiencies demonstrated by our sample of children suggest the need for a greater emphasis on the development of FMS.

Before Turkey starts lamentation about her residents&rsquo / poor state of health due to lack of regular physical activity, the fitness facilities should be recognized as means of exercise and recreational activities for all. Yet the lack of studies regarding the status of the health and fitness industry of Turkey such as the credentials of education and certification of the fitness professionals surges the fitness industry into the unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the status of the health and fitness industry in Turkey. In order to investigate the current status of the health and fitness industry in Turkey, a pilot study was conducted to adopt the &ldquo / Survey of the Health and Fitness Industry&rdquo / developed by Dean Mantia (2000). Participants (N=167) were queried in the areas of business operations, professional development, growth opportunities and consumer influences. Using SPSS frequency counts and percentile rankings were used to analyze and compare responses of the three sub-groups (18 % managers, 62 % instructors, 20 % consumers) that were surveyed. The findings of the study demonstrates that although the industry seems to be in a rapid growth phase, there are problems that would not allow the future success of the industry. The consumers overestimate the credentials of the fitness professionals, and at the same time quickly withdraw if their goals are not met. The industry lacks standardization, and regulations are not adequate to save it from abuse. Although the Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation emerged as the major certification body, it holds less than half (38 %) of the industry, and lacks trust and respect by the fitness professionals due to illegalities. The industry is driven by fad and fashion and the role of the media, and marketing practices seems to be underrated despite their educational value to make the consumers take responsibility of their own health and well being. Future growth of the industry requires investigation of the fitness professionals at all levels and in all provinces of Turkey. In order to develop standardization for the licencing of the health and fitness centers, and certification of the fitness professionals within the industry, it is recommended that the federation should act in a joint effort with the other federations, academia, and the leading international certifying organizations to meet the needs of the fitness industry towards a continuous development and growth.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Western Australia, 2007.

The health and fitness status of Canadian children has been declining over the past several decades. Children’s health and fitness impacts future health status as many health and fitness indicators track from youth into adulthood and are associated with serious illnesses such as cardiovascular disease (CVD). One potential determining factor of health and fitness may be the level of proficiency exhibited in performing fundamental movement skills (FMS). Failure to master FMS in childhood may decrease the physical activity options available in adulthood because FMS provide a foundation for all forms of physical activity pursuits necessary for health and fitness benefits. Todate, the relationship between health, fitness and proficiency of FMS has not been examined in Canadian children. Therefore, the purpose of the present investigation was to examine the current state of movement skill proficiency in relation to health and fitness in Canadian elementary-aged children. Boys (n = 71) and girls (n = 91 girls) ages 8 to 11 years were recruited from schools participating in the evaluation component of the Action Schools! BC program. Measures of fundamental movement skill proficiency (i.e., running, horizontal jumping, vertical jumping, jumping from a height, hopping, and skipping) and indicators of health and fitness (i.e., blood pressure, arterial compliance, weight status, musculoskeletal and cardiovascular fitness) were assessed. Results indicated low levels of FMS proficiency for both boys and girls. Analysis also revealed significant relationships between EMS and indicators of health and fitness. Correlation analyses found running and hopping to be significantly (p < .01) related to musculoskeletal and cardiorespiratory fitness tests. Significant (p < .01) relationships between vertical jumping and weight status, musculoskeletal and cardiorespiratory fitness were also found by the correlation analyses. Regression analyses were performed to determine the independent relationship between health and fitness indicators. Vertical jump was significantly (p < .01) related to blood pressure (BP) independent of confounding health and fitness variables. Finding significant relationships between FMS proficiencies and health and fitness indicators coupled with the low proficiencies demonstrated by our sample of children suggest the need for a greater emphasis on the development of FMS. / Education, Faculty of / Kinesiology, School of / Graduate

COMMUNICATION STRATEGY PURE PLATINUM FITNESS JATOMI 2014 Objectives: The main objective of this work is to design a communication strategy for the platinum club Pure Platinum Fitness Jatomi for the year 2014. This proposal is based on current applied communication strategies. It is focused on acquiring new customers and communication with existing members, also provides suggestions how to develop cooperation with existing partners. Methods: As the methods were used interview and analysis of documents. Interview method was used in the realization of several interviews with the general manager of the fitness club. Analysis of documents was applied in the preparation of advertising material obtained from the fitness club. Results: The proposal of communication strategy for platinum club Pure Platinum Fitness Jatomi for the year 2014 was based. The proposal brings new ideas, how to acquire new members and shows the possible means leading to the improvement of communication with existing members. It proposes a new modern communication channels that the company could use and invents events for members, through which it is possible to build a relationship that can strengthen loyalty of the members to the club. Keywords: marketing strategy, communication strategy, marketing mix, marketing objectives,...