Syftet med denna  studie  är  att undersöka  i vilken utsträckning barns  fysiska  aktivitet under skoltid  uppfylls  gentemot  dagens  hälsorekommendationer. Metoden  som  användes  var  av kvantitativ  ansats  genom  studie  med  stegräknare  och  observation.  Huvudinstrumentet  för studien  var  stegräknare  vilket  burits  av  eleverna  under  en  skoldag. Undersökningsgruppen utgjordes av totalt 74 elever, varav 36 stycken var pojkar och 38 stycken var flickor i klass 4 på fyra skolor i södra Sverige. Resultatet påvisar att pojkarna rör sig mellan 47- 50 % av vad de  borde  medan  flickor  uppnår  33-  36  %  fysisk  aktivitet  av  vad  de  borde  enligt rekommendationer.  Pojkarna  tog  cirka  3 000  fler  steg  än  vad  flickorna  gjorde  i  studien. Endast en pojke når upp  till  rekommendationerna men  ingen  flicka  lyckas nå mängden  steg som tillråds. Studiens slutsats är att eleverna rör sig för lite under skoltid. Det finns skillnader i  pojkars  och  flickors  fysiska  aktivitet,  både  inom  skolorna  och  mellan  skolorna. Observationsstudien  visar  på  att  fler  flickor  än  pojkar  står  stilla  under  rast  och  överlag  är flickorna mindre aktiva än pojkarna på alla fyra skolor. / The purpose of this study is to examine the extent to which children's physical activity during school  hours  are  met  in  relation  to  today’s  health  recommendations.  This  study  was  a quantitative  research  method  through  study  with  pedometers  and  observation.  The  main instrument was pedometers which the pupils wore during one day at school. The study group consisted of 74 students, made up of 36 boys and 38 girls from the 4th grade in four schools in  southern Sweden. The  results demonstrate  that  the boys were physical active 47-50 % of what  they should and  the girls 33-36 % of what  they should according  to recommendations. The boys  took about 3000 more  steps  than  the girls.  In our  study only one boy  reached  the recommended  amount  of  steps  per  day,  but  no  girl  did. The  conclusion  is  that  the  pupils  are  inactive  during  their  time  in  school.    There  are differences  in  boys'  and  girls'  physical  activity,  both  within  each  school  and  between  the schools. The observation showed that the girls stand still more than the boys during break and the girls are generally less active than the boys at all four schools.

abstract: ABSTRACT Native American populations have higher obesity and diabetes rates overall in the U.S. Percentages of obesity among Native American children were 11-25% higher than the national average. Among Navajo, cultural lifestyles changes have led to less physical activity and obesity problems with youth more disassociated from traditional Navajo living, culture, beliefs, language and religion. They were at highest risk for Type II diabetes among ethnic groups due to less physically activity, increased weight gain and obesity. This study had dual purposes: Part one of this study was to examined the perceptions of physical activity, physical education and living healthy lifestyles of Navajo adolescents, physical educators, a Navajo culture teacher, a Diné studies teacher and a community member. Part two of this study examined the physical activity patterns of Navajo adolescent students. To gain their perspectives, eight Navajo students (9-12 grades), two physical educators, two classroom teachers and one community member were recruited and interviewed individually for 60-minutes. Secondly, pedometers were used to assess the students’ physical activity levels during the school day and 24-hour increments. Results of the part one study indicated important aspects of physical activity by Navajo adolescents, physical education teachers, classroom teachers and a community member were cultural identity, family involvement, and structure of family/extended family. Navajo respondents participated in traditional form of running in the morning, a practice performed by parents and/or extended family. Physical activity was described as active involvement of the body, movement, physical fitness, and sport related interests. Stakeholders described physical activity and healthy living as culturally driven beliefs and learning based on Navajo way of life. Findings of part two study indicated that boys were significantly more physically active on weekday than girls t(32)=2.04, p=<.05. Weekday step counts for boys indicated (M=11,078, SD= 4,399) and for girls (M=7,567, SD=5,613). Girls were significantly more active on weekend t(27)=2.30,p=.03. Weekend step counts indicated boys and girls accumulated (M=6493, SD=5650) and (M=7589, SD=5614) steps. Physical education step counts showed minimal differences between boys (M=2203, SD=918) and girls (M=1939, SD=889) step counts. Overall results indicate that Navajo adolescents did not meet daily physical activity recommendations. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Physical Education 2015

This diploma thesis deals with very low birth weight children in relation to the occurrence of motor problems. The theoretical part provides an overview of knowledge about the low birth children's problems, early postnatal problems and problems from childhood to adulthood in the physical, psychological and pedagogic field. The main part of the theoretical information concerns the occurrence of motor disorders, particularly the developmental dyspraxia and motor disorders about very low birth children. The aim of the practical part of the work was to determine whether low birth weight infants have higher incidence of developmental dyspraxia in comparison with term infants. The research group consisted of 25 low birth weight children, they were examined by Movement Assessment Battery for Children 2 (MABC-2). Children were examinate for posture and postural functions compiled using our protocol. The another aim of the practical part of the work was to determine whether low birht weight children have higher incidence of physical activity in steps by week in comparison with normal birth weight infants. There was significant difference in the incidence of motor disorders between the research group and the control group of 73 normal birth weight children and standard population and the group of late...

The literature suggests that many teachers are burning out and are stressed and unwell. Health promotion in the school setting with a focus on students is becoming more and more prevalent. However, research has not adequately investigated the effects of health promotion in the school setting focused on the teachers. This study explores the experiences of the teachers who took part in the “Step It Up” program which is a pedometer program including goal setting and teams. This is a mixed methodology as the data was collected using semi structured interviews, open ended questionnaires and a document review of the step logging records. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed according the Colaizzi procedures seeking the barriers and the benefits of the program as experienced by the teachers. Through data analysis, the benefit main themes were; motivation, awareness and social support. The barrier themes found were; step logging, time management and goal setting. In conclusion with the recommendations and modifications suggested in this study, the “Step it Up” program is feasible in the school-setting.

The literature suggests that many teachers are burning out and are stressed and unwell. Health promotion in the school setting with a focus on students is becoming more and more prevalent. However, research has not adequately investigated the effects of health promotion in the school setting focused on the teachers. This study explores the experiences of the teachers who took part in the “Step It Up” program which is a pedometer program including goal setting and teams. This is a mixed methodology as the data was collected using semi structured interviews, open ended questionnaires and a document review of the step logging records. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed according the Colaizzi procedures seeking the barriers and the benefits of the program as experienced by the teachers. Through data analysis, the benefit main themes were; motivation, awareness and social support. The barrier themes found were; step logging, time management and goal setting. In conclusion with the recommendations and modifications suggested in this study, the “Step it Up” program is feasible in the school- setting.

No description available.

Objective: Dog owners have been shown to walk more per week compared to non-dog owners; however, 60% of dog owners are still not walking their dogs at intensities sufficient to reap optimal health benefits. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of a 9-week feasibility randomized controlled trial involving a program of six weekly scheduled instructor-led group dog walks supplemented with theory-based strategies to encourage increased dog walking among dog owners in Greater Victoria, BC. Methods: This study was based on the multi-process action control (M-PAC) framework and utilized an open parallel randomized controlled trial design involving experimental and waitlist-control group participants. Quantitative data was collected using pedometers and self-report measures. A program evaluation survey was administered upon the completion of the study. Primary outcomes examined the feasibility and acceptability of the program; secondary outcomes analyzed pedometry and self-report moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) data; and tertiary outcomes observed changes in participants’ perceptions of M-PAC constructs. Percentage calculations were used to obtain primary outcomes, and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA; controlling for baseline) was performed to examine secondary and tertiary outcomes to explore the direction of effects and obtain a first estimate of expected effect sizes. Eligibility: Male and female adults aged 18+ living in Greater Victoria, BC, who owned at least one healthy and friendly dog aged six months and above, who were not meeting recommended guidelines of 150 minutes of MVPA per week, and who were medically cleared to participate. Results: Feasibility outcomes included 74 interested responses, 23% recruitment rate (n = 17), 94% retention rate (n = 16), and 94% adherence rate (n = 15). Program participants were overall (very) satisfied with the program – worksheets (62.5%), program instructor (100%), various program/group dog walks logistics (75% to 100%). Total weekly step counts and average daily step counts, MVPA dog walking, and MVPA with dog increased at the end of the program and at follow-up, resulting in large effect sizes when compared to the waitlist-control group. MVPA dog walking and total MVPA (with and without dog) exceeded recommended guidelines at follow-up. Positive changes across time were observed for dog responsibility and M-PAC constructs of affective judgments, opportunity, planning, identity, and habit, resulting in medium and large effect sizes when compared to the waitlist-control group. Conclusions: This six-week group dog walking program is overall feasible, acceptable, and efficacious in encouraging increased dog walking and MVPA among dog owners. Attendance at weekly scheduled instructor-led group dog walks and exposure to the M-PAC construct worksheets resulted in program participants’ adoption and maintenance of positive behavioral changes at the end of the program and at follow- up. Program participants reported enjoying the program and being (very) satisfied with it. It is recommended for future studies to refine/modify initial recruitment strategies and eligibility criteria, reimburse medical/veterinarian clearance costs to reduce cost-related barriers to participation, offer a variety of options for program delivery (e.g., different locations/schedules/seasons, online programs, multi-site study) to accommodate more participants, and apply the M-PAC framework to a larger sample. / Graduate