This study examined the effects of social-ecological intervention on physical
activity (PA) knowledge level and behaviors of rural middle school students. A
pre-test post-test control group design was constructed. In addition, qualitative
data was collected by focus group discussions after the post-test in experimental
group. Two schools from similar rural settings were identified as experimental
and control schools. In total 62 students from 6, 7, 8 grades of these schools
participated in this study. Experimental school PA environment was changed
based on the social-ecological model (SEM) with a focus on intrapersonal,
interpersonal, community level, organizational factors, and public policies
related with PA. Turkish version of health related fitness (HRF) knowledge test,
v
pedometer, exercise stages of change, PA self-efficacy, social support, and PA
enjoyment questionnaires were used to gather information for the dependent
variables for the present study. A focus group discussion was implemented in
experimental school. Repeated Measures ANOVA was used for the numerical
data analysis. Focus group transcriptions were analyzed by content analysis
method. According to HRF knowledge and PA analysis, experimental school
students significantly improved their HRF knowledge scores, PA levels, social
support compared to the control group students (p< / 0.05). Focus groups results
supported the quantitative findings. In conclusion, this study indicated the value
of SEM in improving the health related fitness knowledge, PA level and social
support of students in rural context. Improving the rural school context for PA
promotion by SEM is strongly recommended.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:METU/oai:etd.lib.metu.edu.tr:http://etd.lib.metu.edu.tr/upload/12613371/index.pdf |
| Date | 01 June 2011 |
| Creators | Cengiz, Cevdet |
| Contributors | Ince, Mustafa Levent |
| Publisher | METU |
| Source Sets | Middle East Technical Univ. |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Ph.D. Thesis |
| Format | text/pdf |
| Rights | To liberate the content for public access |
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