The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a child-focused, school-delivered physical activity program on daily steps of children and their paternal parent, and to evaluate the acceptability to teachers of the 'Walk your Dad' program. A pre-test, post-test experimental/control groups design was used. The sample, recruited from Eltham College of Education, consisted of 60 children aged 10- to 13-years and 48 paternal parents aged 35- to 64-years. Physical activity levels were assessed over a 6-day period using New Lifestyles pedometers, 1-week prior to and 1-week after the intervention. The 12-week intervention consisted of two cross curriculum homework activities per week delivered to children by their classroom teacher, focusing on increasing physical activity behaviours of children and their paternal parent. Following cleaning and imputation, data were analysed using descriptive statistics and repeated measures ANOVA. Teachers (n=2) of intervention group participants independently completed a survey on the acceptability of the program in the week following its completion. Mean weekend steps for children in the intervention group increased from 15,436 +/- 7,680 at pre-test to 19,575 +/- 10,537 at post-test, while among control group children steps decreased from 17,981 +/- 6,552 to 17,278 +/- 6,769. On weekdays (4-days), mean steps for children in the intervention group increased from 46,090 +/- 16,001 to 48,760 +/- 13,648, while among control group children, steps decreased from 46,907 +/- 9,912 to 43,717 +/- 10,255. Mean weekend steps for paternal parents in the intervention group increased from 15,116 +/- 5,640 to 17,473 +/- 6,836, while among control group paternal parents steps decreased from 18,239 +/- 8,345 to 17,836 +/- 6,855. On weekdays (four days) mean steps for paternal parents in the intervention group increased from 31,141 +/- 13,246 to 31,507 +/- 13,132 while among control group paternal parents steps decreased from 34,942 +/- 11,109 to 32,502 +/- 12,602. Repeated measures ANOVA analyses revealed that on weekends for children there were significant differenc es between pre- and post-test (p less than.000), between pre- and post-test for boys and girls (p less than.000), and between boys, girls, intervention and control class (p =.01) at post-test. On weekdays for children there was a significant difference between intervention and control class at post-test (p =.01). Results for paternal parents indicated that there was a significant difference on weekends between pre- and post-test (p less than.000) and on weekdays there was a significant difference between intervention and control class at post-test (p =.05). Both intervention class teachers had consistent views about the program. The findings suggest that during the period of research and among this group, the intervention had a positive effect on weekend step behaviour of girls and weekday step behaviour of girls, boys and their paternal parents. The process evaluation revealed some aspects of the program may require modification.

Thesis (M.Sc. (Menslike Bewegingskunde))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.

The Healthy Start Summer Program (HSSP) is a seven-week summer program that strives to provide health and wellness education in a manner that is applicable to everyday living. The primary goal of the HSSP is to improve physical fitness levels and the psychosocial variables associated with exercise in a minority adolescent population, while providing the tools necessary for students to maintain these changes for four months after the program. Participants and control subjects were evaluated at the beginning and end of their respective summer programs, then followed up four months post-program to evaluate the maintenance of these changes. The students who participated in both the HSSP and the control summer programs were primarily of Hispanic, African-American, or Haitian descent and were recruited from high schools that serve low socioeconomic areas. Participation in the HSSP was associated with improved physical fitness levels that remained elevated at the follow-up evaluation; however, physical fitness improvement during the program was negatively associated with maintenance after the program. In general, the expected associations between physical fitness and psychosocial variables were not found in our population, nor did psychosocial variables change significantly during or following the program. Findings indicate that the expected associations between physical and psychosocial variables are either not present or that the tools used to measure them were not sufficiently sensitive in this minority population. However, the fact that cardiovascular fitness remained elevated above baseline four months after the program represents an improvement from interventions previously reported in the literature. Future research should be conducted to more fully understand the factors related to the maintenance of physical fitness.

Introduction Physical inactivity is a major cause of reduced quality of life, as well as many common diseases and even premature death. Most people, globally, are scarcely or rarely physically active. Consequently, physical inactivity influences the burden of disease, and increases its societal costs. In view of this, it is necessary to ask how health care should respond when the population and the patients are either inactive or rarely physically active. Cost-effectiveness analyses of the promotion of physical activity in health care can contribute substantially to health care policy. Aims The overall aim of this thesis was to investigate the cost-effectiveness of physical activity promotion in the health care system. The specific aims were: (I) to provide a model for analyzing cost-effectiveness and equity in health for community-promoted physical activity, (II) to review current knowledge about the cost-effectiveness of health care based interventions aimed at improving physical activity, (III) to evaluate the cost effectiveness of physical activity promotion as a treatment method in primary health care, (IV) to illustrate the importance of enjoyment of exercise in interventions aimed at promoting physical activity, and (V) to describe a method of valuing the time spent on exercise. Methods Standard methods for economic evaluation were studied and adapted to create a model for the evaluation of physical activity promotion (I). Relevant databases were searched for published articles, and the articles found were analyzed using this economic evaluation model (II). A trial in primary health care was evaluated in a cost-utility analysis based on the model (III). In the same trial, the association between time spent on exercise and enjoyment of exercise was analyzed (IV). A model for valuing the time spent on exercise was developed based on existing approaches to the valuation of time, and used in two different groups of exercisers; experienced and inexperienced (V). Results An economic evaluation model was developed, as was a model to calculate an intervention’s effect on equity in health (I). In total, 26 articles were found regarding the cost-effectiveness of physical activity promotion in health care, and 20 of these described interventions, which the authors considered to be cost-effective (II). The treatment of patients in primary health care by the promotion of physical activity was shown to be cost-effective (III). For the same group of patients, time spent on exercise was associated with enjoyment of exercise (IV). A model for valuing the time spent on exercise was developed and used. Time costs were significantly higher among inexperienced exercisers (V). Conclusions There are many examples of interventions promoting physical activity that may be regarded as cost-effective. In general, it seems to be cost effective to promote physical activity among patients with increased risk, or who manifest poor health associated with physical inactivity. Unfortunately, there is still little evidence of when physical activity should be used, or what the best design of such an intervention might be. Although there is still a need for stronger evidence, the Swedish health care system should use the promotion of physical activity as a standard method among the following patients: • those who manifest increased risk (such as high blood pressure) of ill health due to a physically inactive lifestyle; • frail older people, especially those with increased risk of fall injuries; • those requiring rehabilitation after heart failure.

The objective of this research was to study relationship(s) of ethnicity, physical activity and diet with adiposity development in Aboriginal youth. To meet this objective, three separate, yet inter-related studies were undertaken: 1) to comprehensively assess adiposity in Aboriginal youth and their age, sex and maturity matched Caucasian peers; 2) to assess the role of ethnicity and sex on physical activity (PA) levels and identify the proportion of Aboriginal youth meeting international recommendations; and 3) to explore relationships of ethnicity, physical activity and diet with adiposity. In study one, it was hypothesized that Aboriginal youth would have greater adiposity than their Caucasian peers. While much of the research to date has focused on body mass index, this investigation used DXA and waist circumference to show that Aboriginal youth had greater total and central adiposity in comparison to their Caucasian counterparts.<p> Study two examined physical activity behaviors of Canadian Aboriginal youth in relation to ethnicity and sex. It was hypothesized that the physical activity levels of Aboriginal youth would be lower than their Caucasian peers; that the majority of Aboriginal youth would not meet PA and T.V. viewing recommendations; and that Aboriginal boys would have higher adjusted physical activity energy expenditures than girls. Findings indicated that physical activity levels of the two ethnic groups were generally comparable, that Aboriginal boys had greater activity energy expenditures than girls, and that a greater percentage of boys were meeting the international recommendations for physical activity and T.V. viewing. Study three built upon the first two investigations, to explore relationships of physical activity and diet with adiposity in Aboriginal youth. It was hypothesized that when age, size and maturity, and their interactions were accounted for, diet and physical activity variables would be related to adiposity (waist circumference, total body and trunk fatness). Results indicated physical activity was inversely related to adiposity level, independent of biological factors. Although energy intake was the sole dietary variable related to the adiposity measures, descriptives showed the eating behaviors (i.e., consumption of fruits and vegetables, sugar sweetened beverages and other foods) of the Aboriginal youth were sub-optimal when compared to current recommendations. This research project is unique because it comprehensively assessed adiposity, diet and physical activity, and the relationships between these variables, in a relatively large sample of Aboriginal boys and girls. Furthermore, these relationships were established using a variety of measures (i.e., DXA, waist circumference, height and weight) while controlling for biological confounders. Overall, the results highlight the urgent need to promote physical activity and healthy eating in Aboriginal youth and set the stage for future research.

Numerous studies have investigated the relationship between physical activity and physiological health (e.g., Burke et al., 2006; Irwin, 2004). Less attention has been paid to the contribution of physical activity on psychological well-being (Fox et al., 2000), and more specifically eudaimonic well-being, which reflects optimal psychological functioning and development at ones maximum potential (Ryff, 1989, 1995). This study investigated the role that health-enhancing physical activity (HEPA; any form of physical activity that benefits health and functional capacity; Miilunpalo et al., 2000) plays in eudaimonic well-being, which Ryff conceptualizes in terms of six dimensions: (1) Autonomy (i.e., being self-determined and independent); (2) Environmental Mastery (i.e., having a sense of mastery and competence in managing the environment); (3) Personal Growth (i.e., having a feeling of continued development); (4) Positive Relations with Others (i.e., having warm, satisfying, and trusting relationships with others); (5) Purpose in Life (i.e., having goals and a sense of direction in life); and, (6) Self-acceptance (i.e., possessing a positive attitude toward the self).<p> Employing Ryffs (1989, 1995) perspective of eudaimonic well-being, this study explored whether or not experiencing eudaimonia during HEPA moderates the relationship between HEPA and eudaimonic well-being. Additionally, it explored whether or not the relationship between experiencing eudaimonia during HEPA and eudaimonic well-being is mediated by basic need satisfaction. Undergraduate university students (N = 524; Mage = 20.7 years) completed an online survey including the Scales of Psychological Well-Being (Ryff & Keyes, 1995), the Short Questionnaire to Assess Health-enhancing Physical Activity (Wendel-Vos et al., 2003), the Hedonic and Eudaimonic Motives for Activity scale (Huta & Ryan, 2008), and the Psychological Need Satisfaction in Exercise Scale (Wilson, Rogers, et al., 2006). While level of HEPA was not significantly related to eudaimonic well-being (r = .05, p = .24), experiencing hedonia during HEPA (i.e., enjoying oneself, experiencing pleasure; r = .40, p < .01), experiencing eudaimonia during HEPA (r = .37, p < .01), and basic need satisfaction (r = .46, p < .01) were significantly related to eudaimonic well-being. Although experiencing eudaimonia during HEPA did not moderate the relationship between HEPA and eudaimonic well-being, experiencing eudaimonia during HEPA accounted for a significant 2.2% unique variance in eudaimonic well-being beyond HEPA and experiencing hedonia during HEPA (the full model accounted for a significant 18.2% of the variance in eudaimonic well-being).<p> Furthermore, the data were consistent with a model of partial mediation in that basic need satisfaction partially accounted for the relationship between experiencing eudaimonia during HEPA and eudaimonic well-being, supporting the proposition put forth by Ryan et al. (2008) that positive psychological well-being is a result of eudaimonic living that facilitates the satisfaction of our basic psychological needs. Findings from this study suggest that what appears to be significant in the relationship between HEPA and eudaimonic well-being is not the level of activity, but rather what is experienced during the activity. Future research may explore the directionality of the relationship by examining the extent to which eudaimonic well-being influences what is experienced during activity.

Abstract Two purposes guided this study. First, the researcher explored in-service teachers’ perceptions of the benefits and barriers physical activity had on students with exceptionalities in school-based activities. Second, the researcher explored in-service teachers’ perceptions of physical activity and how their attitudes affected student’s learning. One hundred and fifty eight in-service, postgraduate (teachers taking courses in Education) and graduate teachers (teachers taking graduate level courses) volunteered to participate in this study. In-service teachers teaching in Kindergarten to grade 12 classrooms were either employed with a rural school division in Central Saskatchewan or a rural school division in the West Kootenay region of British Columbia. Data was collected using adapted versions the Physical Educators’ Attitude Toward Teaching Individual with Disabilities-III (PEATID-III) (Rizzo, 1993) and the Physical Educators’ Judgement about Inclusion (PEJI) (Hodge, Murata, & Kozub, 2002) in this study. Volunteered participants completed the amalgamated adapted survey titled, Physical Educators’ Judgments and Attitude Towards Teaching Individuals with Exceptionalities. Pearson correlation analysis was used to determine the relationship between teacher characteristics (e.g., gender, age, whether participants had taught physical education, participants ratings of fitness) and the six survey subscales (e.g., outcomes of teaching students with exceptionalities, effects on student learning, need for more academic preparation, judgement about inclusion, judgement about acceptance of students with exceptionalities, and judgement about perceived training needs) to investigate if there were any statistically significant relationships. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was also used to examine potential differences between teachers’ attitudes toward instructing students with exceptionalities and the teacher characteristics (number of special education courses taken, years of teaching experience with exceptionalities, and number of adapted PE courses taken). All six subscales were examined compared with teacher characteristics to find potential differences between teachers’ attitudes toward instructing students with exceptionalities and varying levels of experience and pre-service training. Results showed years of teaching experience and academic preparation influenced teachers’ attitudes towards instructing students with exceptionalities. Physical education teachers who had more additional training had higher self-reported ratings of their ability to teach physical education to all students than physical education teachers with less additional training. Results also indicated the older teachers were, the more negative attitudes they had toward wanting students with exceptionalities in their classrooms. These results support the body of evidence that shows there is a need to promote positive attitudes in the schools toward teaching individuals with exceptionalities physical activity.

Objective: The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effect of implementation intentions on physical activity in older adults with stronger and weaker executive control resources (ECRs). Methods: One hundred and ten community dwelling older adults (Mage=74.42) were randomly assigned to receive either a physical activity implementation intention intervention, a control intervention, or no-treatment. Three ECR facets (inhibition, task-switching, working memory), baseline behaviour and baseline intentions were assessed during the initial laboratory session. During 4 weekly follow-up telephone interviews, participants reported physical activity behaviour for the previous week, and refreshed implementation intentions for each upcoming week. Results: A main effect of treatment condition on 1-month self-reported physical activity was observed, with those in the experimental group reporting significantly higher physical activity than those in the control or no-treatment conditions. In addition, a significant 2-way (intention strength by treatment condition) interaction emerged, with the experimental group showing higher intention-behaviour correspondence than the control and no-treatment groups. A marginal 2-way interaction of intention and behavioural inhibition was also detected; those with stronger behavioural inhibition had higher intention-behaviour correspondence relative to those with weaker behavioural inhibition across all three treatment conditions. Conclusions: Implementation intentions are effective in facilitating physical activity in healthy older adults. The findings also indicate that behavioural inhibition may be important for the moderation of intention-behaviour relationships in the context of physical activity, regardless of goal setting strategy.

Background: Hypertension is synonymous with high blood pressure, where blood exerts a great force on the arterial walls. Smoking cigarettes is known to cause negative health outcomes, specifically increase blood pressure. Adversely, physical activity is known to provide many health benefits, including the reduction of blood pressure. This study examines the impact of physical activity on the association between smoking and hypertension. Methods: Using secondary data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007-2008, demographics of the population were described via descriptive statistics. Regressions were run using different models, controlling for various variables (age, ethnicity, sex, poverty to income ratio (PIR), body mass index (BMI), and interaction (smoking x physical activity)) to determine the association between smoking and hypertension. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were used to determine statistical significance throughout all the analyses performed. Results: In total, 10,149 cases were included in the study analysis. 10.9% of the cases were smokers, 48.1% were physically activity, and 28.6% were hypertensive. OR’s for the various models observing smoking and hypertension were 1.48 (1.29, 1.69), 1.42 (1.22, 1.65), 1.37 (1.12, 1.67), and 1.36 (1.10, 1.68). In the final model which controlled for all variables including the interaction term, the OR was 1.12 (0.47, 2.67). Conclusions: Smokers had significantly higher rates of hypertension in all the models. The final model which observed smokers who were physical active found that the relationship between smoking and hypertension was no longer significant. This study suggests physical activity as a mode of intervention to reduce blood pressure in smokers.

Numerous studies have investigated the relationship between physical activity and physiological health (e.g., Burke et al., 2006; Irwin, 2004). Less attention has been paid to the contribution of physical activity on psychological well-being (Fox et al., 2000), and more specifically eudaimonic well-being, which reflects optimal psychological functioning and development at ones maximum potential (Ryff, 1989, 1995). This study investigated the role that health-enhancing physical activity (HEPA; any form of physical activity that benefits health and functional capacity; Miilunpalo et al., 2000) plays in eudaimonic well-being, which Ryff conceptualizes in terms of six dimensions: (1) Autonomy (i.e., being self-determined and independent); (2) Environmental Mastery (i.e., having a sense of mastery and competence in managing the environment); (3) Personal Growth (i.e., having a feeling of continued development); (4) Positive Relations with Others (i.e., having warm, satisfying, and trusting relationships with others); (5) Purpose in Life (i.e., having goals and a sense of direction in life); and, (6) Self-acceptance (i.e., possessing a positive attitude toward the self).<p> Employing Ryffs (1989, 1995) perspective of eudaimonic well-being, this study explored whether or not experiencing eudaimonia during HEPA moderates the relationship between HEPA and eudaimonic well-being. Additionally, it explored whether or not the relationship between experiencing eudaimonia during HEPA and eudaimonic well-being is mediated by basic need satisfaction. Undergraduate university students (N = 524; Mage = 20.7 years) completed an online survey including the Scales of Psychological Well-Being (Ryff & Keyes, 1995), the Short Questionnaire to Assess Health-enhancing Physical Activity (Wendel-Vos et al., 2003), the Hedonic and Eudaimonic Motives for Activity scale (Huta & Ryan, 2008), and the Psychological Need Satisfaction in Exercise Scale (Wilson, Rogers, et al., 2006). While level of HEPA was not significantly related to eudaimonic well-being (r = .05, p = .24), experiencing hedonia during HEPA (i.e., enjoying oneself, experiencing pleasure; r = .40, p < .01), experiencing eudaimonia during HEPA (r = .37, p < .01), and basic need satisfaction (r = .46, p < .01) were significantly related to eudaimonic well-being. Although experiencing eudaimonia during HEPA did not moderate the relationship between HEPA and eudaimonic well-being, experiencing eudaimonia during HEPA accounted for a significant 2.2% unique variance in eudaimonic well-being beyond HEPA and experiencing hedonia during HEPA (the full model accounted for a significant 18.2% of the variance in eudaimonic well-being).<p> Furthermore, the data were consistent with a model of partial mediation in that basic need satisfaction partially accounted for the relationship between experiencing eudaimonia during HEPA and eudaimonic well-being, supporting the proposition put forth by Ryan et al. (2008) that positive psychological well-being is a result of eudaimonic living that facilitates the satisfaction of our basic psychological needs. Findings from this study suggest that what appears to be significant in the relationship between HEPA and eudaimonic well-being is not the level of activity, but rather what is experienced during the activity. Future research may explore the directionality of the relationship by examining the extent to which eudaimonic well-being influences what is experienced during activity.