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ALI, HASHIM. "Subject-dependent physical activity recognition using single sensor accelerometer." Doctoral thesis, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10281/75865.
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Rapid advancement in the field of Artificial Intelligence, to be more specific in Machine Learning and Nanotechnology, strengthens hopes to better understand human mind. Ubiquitous Computing helped in the creation of intelligent environments pervaded by these visible and invisible devices, which are affecting and improving all aspects of human life. So, as a consequence, smart environments work on the behalf of humans for ease of comfort. The ultimate goal is to monitor humans without any awareness by them of computer interaction. The understanding of how humans will interact and make use of such systems is however largely unresolved and often not addressed collectively from both scientific and medical aspects in current research. A key to understanding such systems and their use is the observation that humans implicitly interact with their environment. The task of making this context information available to components in computer systems has become a prerequisite to move forward in human- computer interaction. Context awareness or more specifically how to create applications that are context aware is a central issue to Ubiquitous Computing research. Such research raises questions on context acquisition, context representation, distribution and abstraction, as well as programming paradigms, development support, and implications on human-computer interaction in general.
The aim of this thesis is to develop part of a ubiquitous care system to monitor elderly basic daily life activities; stand, sit, walk, lay and transitional activities. This thesis investigates the use of a wearable sensor (tri-axial accelerometer) to develop and evaluate the activity classification scheme with reliable accuracy in the real-world situations. The recognition of these activities is challenging because activities with similar posture are hard to discriminate (e.g. stand and sit). Moreover, this high similarity among activities is not uniform throughout the whole dataset which raises the question of how much training data would be required. Furthermore, the activity classification schemes proposed in literature are typically subject-independent; however there is lack of evidence that such subject-independent schemes have been successfully validated with elderly in uncontrolled situations.
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Laplante, Marie-Claude. "The effects of stage-matched, stage-mismatched, and standard care interventions on physical activity behavior, stage transition, and hypothesized mediators of change: Test of a stage model." Thesis, University of Ottawa (Canada), 2003. http://hdl.handle.net/10393/29025.
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The present study tested (1) the validity of the transtheoretical model [TTM] and its prediction that stage-matched interventions are more effective than stage-mismatched interventions at promoting stage transition, and (2) the hypothesized theoretical mediators of regular physical activity and adjacent stage progression. Sedentary or insufficiently active adults (N = 190) recruited through corporate email newsletters were randomized to receive either a stage-matched, stage-mismatched, or standard care intervention. Stage-matched interventions were designed to alter hypothesized theoretical mediators of adjacent stage progression for regular moderate-intensity physical activity through print-based materials. This experimental study focused on two stage transitions, from contemplation to preparation and from preparation to action. Physical activity behavior, stage transition, and hypothesized theoretical mediators of physical activity participation and forward transition between adjacent stages were assessed at baseline and 8-week follow-up (83% retention rate). Based on results from a preliminary cross-sectional study (N = 1,172) that examined patterns of differences between adjacent stages (discontinuity patterns) on theoretical constructs hypothesized by the TTM to differ across stages, it was hypothesized that an increase in the perceived benefits and a decrease in the perceived costs of regular physical activity mediated progression from contemplation to preparation whereas an increase in self-efficacy and behavioral processes of change were hypothesized to mediate progression from preparation to action. Results revealed significant increase in physical activity behavior and stage progression across all conditions. Stage-matched, stage-mismatched, and standard care interventions produced equivalent results in terms of adjacent stage progression, physical activity participation, and proportion of individuals meeting CDC/ACSM guidelines at post-intervention follow-up. Behavioral processes of change were the only theoretical constructs to consistently predict progression to the next stage in the sequence for individuals in the preparation stage and increase in physical activity behavior for individuals in the contemplation and preparation stage. None of the theoretical constructs predicted adjacent stage progression for individuals in the contemplation stage. Preliminary evidence does not support the matching of interventions to stage in the context of regular physical activity and challenges the notion that stages of change, or at least a subset of them, are qualitatively distinct.
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Cappe, Shauna. "Social Barriers to Physical Activity for Individuals with Physical Disabilities." Thèse, Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10393/23339.
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The purpose of this thesis was to explore socially constructed discursive barriers to physical activity for people with physical disabilities. This research was informed by a critical disability studies framework. Eight interviews were conducted, split between end-users and stakeholders. The end-user article discusses their perspectives with regard to their own PA participation, their use of PA resources, and their views of how disability is constructed. The stakeholder article deals with their views with regard to Canada’s progress in creating inclusive PA guidelines, the research process as it effects people with physical disabilities, and how disability is constructed. The results showed awareness among both groups of the social model of disability, but that the medical model is still firmly rooted. Work is needed to create inclusive promotional materials and disseminate them effectively. An effective advocacy and lobbying effort was suggested as one avenue towards a possible solution to this issue.
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Edwards, Kerri Anne. "A model of older adult physical activity participation." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 1998. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk2/ftp01/MQ28890.pdf.
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Roberts, Amy B. "Physical activity prediction using transtheoretical model and personality /." Available to subscribers only, 2005. http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=1095437441&sid=8&Fmt=2&clientId=1509&RQT=309&VName=PQD.
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Jonsson, Linus, and Ulf Lidén. "MOTIVATION, PERCIEVED BARRIERS AND SELF-EFFICACY TOWARDS PHYSICAL ACTIVITY - A STUDY OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS PHYSICAL ACTIVITY BEHAVIORS." Thesis, Högskolan i Halmstad, Sektionen för hälsa och samhälle (HOS), 2012. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:hh:diva-17328.
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The purpose of this study was to investigate to what extent university students are regularly physically active, what motives and barriers they perceive towards exercise and the relationship between motivational profile, self-efficacy and exercise behaviors. A questionnaire including the instruments Physical Activity Stages of Change, BARSE, BREQ-2 and Exercise Adherence Questionnaire was distributed at a university in southern Sweden. The respondents (n = 251) were Men (n = 104) and Women (n = 147). For analysis and processing of the gathered data SPSS was used with One-Way ANOVA, Pearson's r and Regression Analysis. The study showed that 70 percent of the students were regularly physically active. The most common motives for exercise were to improve health and increase physical strength whilst the most frequent barriers were lack of motivation and lack of energy/fatigue. The results also revealed positive correlations between identified regulation, intrinsic regulation, barrier self-efficacy and physical activity.
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Parnell, Samantha Helen Sylvia. "Social marketing for physical activity and health : encouraging patterns of physical activity in school children." Thesis, University of Exeter, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/10871/29540.
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Physical inactivity is one of the major public health problems of the 21st Century. In England it is reported that two thirds of adults ( > 16 yr) and one third of children ( < 16 yr) do not do sufficient physical activity to gain the health benefits that leading a physically active lifestyle has to offer. The benefits of physical activity and dangers of a sedentary lifestyle to health outcomes are well documented and numerous studies have investigated physical activity participation. Indeed, many interventions have been trialled to increase engagement in physical activity; however results are weak and generally do not correlate to sustained physical activity participation. Furthermore, much debate exists on how best to encourage both children and adults alike to engage in sufficient physical activity to maintain a healthy lifestyle. The purpose of this research was to address this important research gap and to assess the physical activity levels and other factors for promoting engagement in physical activity of school aged children in Devon aged 7-15 years in order to assess the feasibility of using social marketing within the school setting to increase sustained physical activity participation. A mixed methods approach was adopted to gather data and consisted of both quantitative and qualitative methods, in two phases. The initial phase was quantitative in nature and utilised a self-report survey based on the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) (Azjen, 1991) and social cognitive theory (SCT) (Bandura, 1977) to measure the participants’ physical activity levels; it also measured their beliefs and attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control and self-efficacy pertaining to physical activity participation. The second phase utilised qualitative methods adopting the socio-ecological model (McLeroy et al., 1988) to identify opportunities to promote participation in physical activity in recognising the multiple factors (individual, social environment, physical environment and policy) that influence an individual’s behaviour. This phase consisted of a series of interviews with the students, teachers and head-teachers to enable the researcher to gain in depth information into physical activity patterns and beliefs. During phase two, ethnographic research was also conducted across a number of schools in Devon to complement and enhance the data collected in the survey. The results revealed that of the 1124 participants (‘students’) surveyed, 48% were not sufficiently active to meet the government guidelines. Males were 30% more active than females. Physical activity decreased with age (e.g. 15 yr olds on average taking part in 3 hours less activity than 7 yr olds). Lifestyle/recreational activities were the most regularly participated activities (e.g. walking – 52%, running – 31%, football – 29%, outdoor play – 28%). Moreover, attitudes, subjective norms and perceptions of behavioural control affected physical activity participation both in and out of the school setting. Self-efficacy also played a role in physical activity participation. The results of the thesis show that interview and ethnographic data produced a rich source of evidence. Physical activity provision within schools played a major role in students’ physical activity. Overwhelmingly the qualitative data revealed that students want greater choice in the physical activities they participate in and suggest that the focus of PE lessons should be on having fun and enjoyment rather than skills and rules. Transition from primary to secondary school affected physical activity participation and therefore experiences in schools, may affect children’s general views on physical activity which it is suggested may impact on physical activity participation beyond the school gates and also in adulthood. This thesis provides substantial evidence to support the link between the school environment and participation in physical activity in children and adolescents. More specifically it highlights a need to incorporate a ‘whole school approach’ to physical activity participation. This research has demonstrated that there is an urgent need to combine theory based physical activity research in schools with that of social marketing. Physical activity researchers and social marketers should combine their knowledge to bring together social marketing campaigns within schools to enhance the health and wellbeing of the whole school environment for both staff and students. An innovative school based social marketing campaign should encourage physical activity both within and outside the school environment and lead to sustained levels of physical activity participation across the life stages.
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Findlay-King, Lindsay Joanne. "Understanding sport and physical activity participation in the transition into early mid-life." Thesis, Northumbria University, 2008. http://nrl.northumbria.ac.uk/105/.
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In my thesis I explain patterns and developments of current participation in sport and physical activity among a group of men and women in the transition to early mid-life (38-43 years of age). I examine their perceptions of the activity and sense of sporting identity over their lives. There is limited research on mid-life experiences of sport and physical activity and more often this takes a social survey approach. The interpretive research on mid-life is still an emerging field, previous research has often focused on a single sport sub-culture, those who are heavily involved in sport, or women only. In depth, topical life history interviews and written timelines were completed with a group of sixteen individuals in this life stage, with varied experiences of sport and physical activity. The data was analysed using Brown and Gilligan's (1992, 1993) `voice centred relational method' of analysis, followed by 'constant comparison' (Glaser and Strauss, 1967) and coding (Strauss and Corbin, 1998). The major theme identified in this study was the complex construction of sport and participation, understood as it relates to the participants lives as a whole and its impact on their participation decision making. Sub-themes included; the different meaning and value of sport and self definition in relation to this, and changes in these across the life course (particularly the transition to midlife) and in relation to the ageing process and relationships. The research demonstrates the relationship between sport and the needs at this life stage, highlighting identity management, and values placed on the ethic of care and sport and physical activity as leisure. Conflicting feelings are experienced in relation to sport and physical activity due to constraints on and into participation. Further to this the thesis provides a grounded theory model of the construction of these activities in the transition to early midlife. The findings were interpreted with theoretical perspectives from: structuration (Giddens, 1979, 1984), dramaturgical (Goffman, 1971, 1972a), relational (Gilligan, 1993), role (Kelly, 1983; Turner, 1956, 1978; Zurcher, 1970, 1979), life cycle (Levinson et al, 1978, 1996), family life cycle (Rapoport & Rapoport, 1975), and role transition (Kelly, 1983) theories.
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Barnett, Inka. "Physical activity and the transition to retirement : combining quantitative and qualitative research methods." Thesis, University of Cambridge, 2013. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.648141.
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Spartali, Ioanna. "Facilitators to integration in Greek physical activity settings." Thesis, University of Exeter, 2001. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.367959.
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Yoo, Soojeong. "Modelling Physical Activity in Virtual Reality Games." Thesis, The University of Sydney, 2019. https://hdl.handle.net/2123/21742.
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This thesis was inspired by the possibility that virtual reality (VR) games, which are designed primarily to be fun, could also provide exercise. It aimed to gain insights about this by exploring whether people can gain beneficial levels of exercise while playing VR games and how they might use VR games for exercise over several weeks. Furthermore, this work also focuses on how the level of physical activity that can be captured during gameplay and how a long-term user model can be created for individual players, as a foundation for supporting the user in gaining personal informatics insights about their exertion as well as being used for personalisation and external recommendation for VR games. The key contributions of this research are: • The first study of a diverse set of commercial VR games to gain insights about the level of actual and perceived exertion players have. • The first long-term study of VR games in a sedentary workplace to gain insights about the ways people utilise it and the levels of exertion they gain. • Based on reflections on the above studies, this thesis presents a framework and guidelines for designing physical activity VR games. • The systematic creation of a user model for representing a person’s long-term fitness and their VR gameplay, exertion and preferences. • A study of the ways that people can scrutinise their long-term personal informatics user model of exertion from VR game play and incidental walking. These contributions provide a foundation for future researchers and industry practitioners to design VR games that provide beneficial levels of exertion and allow people to gain insights into the relative contribution of the exercise from gameplay.
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Zuniga-Teran, Adriana, Barron Orr, Randy Gimblett, Nader Chalfoun, David Guertin, and Stuart Marsh. "Neighborhood Design, Physical Activity, and Wellbeing: Applying the Walkability Model." MDPI AG, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/622749.
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Neighborhood design affects lifestyle physical activity, and ultimately human wellbeing. There are, however, a limited number of studies that examine neighborhood design types. In this research, we examine four types of neighborhood designs: traditional development, suburban development, enclosed community, and cluster housing development, and assess their level of walkability and their effects on physical activity and wellbeing. We examine significant associations through a questionnaire (n = 486) distributed in Tucson, Arizona using the Walkability Model. Among the tested neighborhood design types, traditional development showed significant associations and the highest value for walkability, as well as for each of the two types of walking (recreation and transportation) representing physical activity. Suburban development showed significant associations and the highest mean values for mental health and wellbeing. Cluster housing showed significant associations and the highest mean value for social interactions with neighbors and for perceived safety from crime. Enclosed community did not obtain the highest means for any wellbeing benefit. The Walkability Model proved useful in identifying the walkability categories associated with physical activity and perceived crime. For example, the experience category was strongly and inversely associated with perceived crime. This study provides empirical evidence of the importance of including vegetation, particularly trees, throughout neighborhoods in order to increase physical activity and wellbeing. Likewise, the results suggest that regular maintenance is an important strategy to improve mental health and overall wellbeing in cities.
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McArthur, Deanne M. "Evaluation of Factors Influencing Engagement in Physical Activity in Women during the Transition to Menopause." Thesis, Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10393/20632.
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Objective: To explore the informational and behavioural factors, that affect women’s participation in physical activity (PA) and body weight changes during perimenopause.
Methods: An environmental scan of online health websites to determine availability and quality of information for women about body weight changes during transition to menopause. An interpretive descriptive qualitative study of women age 40 – 60 to explore factors influencing their PA. Descriptive and inductive qualitative analysis were used.
Results: Six of 52 websites (11.5%) contained information specific to perimenopausal women, with one site citing evidence. For 26 women interviewed, the most common enabling factors were daily structure, positive feelings, and accountability; while common barriers were disruptions in daily structure, competing demands, and self - sacrifice.
Conclusions: There is a lack of information regarding body weight changes for perimenopausal women. Perimenopausal women attribute their PA participation to psychosocial factors, and not the physiology of menopause.
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Sumpowthong, Kaysorn. "Physical activity assessment and determinants of active living : the development of a model for promoting physical activity among older Thais." Title page, contents and abstract only, 2002. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09PH/09phs9564.pdf.
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Bibliography: leaves 272-293. While physical activity has been recognized as an important component for promoting health, few physical activity studies and programs have explicitly involved elderly people in Thailand. This thesis aimed to explore physical activity levels and determinants of active living in addition to development of a model designed to maximise physical activity levels for older Thais living in Bangkok.
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Erickson, Jennifer. "Public Service Announcements to Promote Physical Activity." ScholarWorks, 2018. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/5621.
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The World Health Organization (WHO) promotes physical activity as a primary way to maintain health, but many individuals do not participate in this health-promoting behavior. Despite the potential for public service announcements (PSAs) to communicate health information and promote behavioral change, no prior research on developing video PSAs to promote physical activity was found. The purpose of this quasi-experimental study was to examine how affective and information video PSAs for a public health campaign affect future levels of intention to engage in physical activity. The PSAs were developed and filmed specific for this study using the model of goal directed behavior (MGDB) as the foundation for PSA development. Participants were recruited to view PSAs with the message foci of empathy, fear, information, and combination messages to determine which focus area is perceived to be most persuasive for promoting physical activity. This research examined moderating effects of current physical activity habits related to the duration of physical activity and the covariance with stage of change readiness. Differences in perceived effectiveness between the different message foci were found with participants perceiving the empathy video as most effective, followed by combination, with fear and information being perceived as least effective. For participants who meet WHO recommendations for exercise activity, the PSA based on fear was most effective, with fear also being most effective for those participants right below that level of physical activity. Many participants (61%) had a positive affect while watching the four PSA videos. Social implications related to improving public health communication through video PSAs that effectively promote health behavior change.
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McDonald, Suzanne. "Understanding changes in physical activity and sedentary behaviour during the retirement transition : an individualised approach." Thesis, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/10443/3238.
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In general, older adults do not engage in sufficient levels of physical activity (PA) and have high levels of sedentary behaviour (SB). The retirement transition may represent an opportunity to encourage older adults to increase their PA levels and reduce SB. Previous research has shown inter-individual differences in the direction and degree of changes in PA and SB during the retirement transition. However, PA and SB trajectories, and the determinants thereof, are likely to differ considerably between individuals and vary over time. This research aimed to understand changes in these behaviours during the retirement transition. Specifically, it aimed to: (1) identify individual perceptions of theory-based determinants of PA change; (2) synthesise evidence about research methods which can describe and evaluate health behaviour change within individuals; (3) examine individual objectively-measured PA and SB trajectories during the retirement transition. Method Three studies were conducted. In the first, theory-based qualitative interviews investigating perceptions about PA change were conducted with 28 individuals who were within 24 months pre- or post-retirement. The second study provided an overview of the design, behavioural assessment and evaluation of N-of-1 research using illustrative examples from a systematic review of studies using N-of-1 methods to study health behaviours. The findings informed the third study, a series of seven N-of-1 natural experiments examining individual PA and SB trajectories during the retirement transition. Results (1) Several factors were perceived to influence PA behaviour after retirement and the importance of these factors differed substantially between individuals and within individuals over time. This suggested that methods which focus on individuals would be useful for further research. (2) Previous studies have utilized a variety of N-of-1 designs and methods of analysis that can be applied to the study of PA and SB change ii during the retirement transition. (3) PA and SB trajectories differed considerably between participants; a significant increase or decrease in PA and SB after retirement was shown in some participants whilst there was no significant change in these behaviours for others. Furthermore, the predictors of daily PA and SB differed between participants and, in some cases, changed pre- to post-retirement. Conclusions The findings provide important implications for understanding PA and SB behaviour during the retirement transition within individuals. N-of-1 methods can be used to inform personalised health-related behaviour change interventions targeting the unique predictors of behaviour in older adults.
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Suntivich, Jin. "Interplay between electronic structure and catalytic activity in transition metal oxide model system." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/76134.
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Thesis (Sc. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering, 2012.Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 109-125).
The efficiency of many energy storage and conversion technologies, such as hydrogen fuel cells, rechargeable metal-air batteries, and hydrogen production from water splitting, is limited by the slow kinetics of the oxygen electrochemical reactions. Transition-metal oxides can exhibit high catalytic activity for oxygen electrochemical reactions, which can be used to improve efficiency and cost of these devices. Identifying a catalyst "design principle" that links material properties to the catalytic activity can accelerate the development of highly active, abundant transition metal oxide catalysts fore more efficient, cost-effective energy storage and conversion system. In this thesis, we demonstrate that the oxygen electrocatalytic activity for perovskite transition metal oxide catalysts primarily correlates to the a* orbital ("eg") occupation. We further find that the extent of B-site transition metal-oxygen covalency can serve as a secondary activity descriptor. We hypothesize that this correlation reflects the critical influences of the a* orbital and transition metal-oxygen covalency on the ability of the surface to displace and stabilize oxygen-species on surface transition metals. We further propose that this ability to stabilize oxygen-species reflect as the rate-limiting steps of the oxygen electrochemical reactions on the perovskite oxide surfaces, and thus highlight the importance of electronic structure in controlling the oxide catalytic activity.
by Jin Suntivich.
Sc.D.
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Abdulnour, Joseph. "The Effect of Menopausal Transition on Body Composition, Cardiometabolic Risk Factors, Physical Activity and Cardiorespiratory Fitness." Thesis, Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/10393/34174.
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Menopause transition is a natural process in a woman’s life associated with altered body fat distribution, increased cardiometabolic risk, and the presentation of vasomotor symptoms including hot flashes and night sweats. A 5-year observational, longitudinal study (MONET: Montreal Ottawa New Emerging Team), was performed to document the effect of menopause transition on body composition and cardiometabolic risk factors. Initially, the study included 102 healthy non-obese premenopausal women between the age of 47 and 55 years. By the end of year 5, 91 women completed the study, 4% were still premenopausal, 29% were perimenopausal and 67% became postmenopausal. The major finding of the first study was that the increases in body fat mass and visceral fat in our cohort of non-obese women followed through the menopause transition were independent of the increase in body weight. Furthermore, these changes in body composition and body fat distribution were not associated with cardiometabolic deteriorations. We further examined whether specific factors such as reporting vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes and/or night sweats), exaggerated exercise systolic blood pressure, physical activity levels and cardiorespiratory fitness, may be associated with adiposity, body fat distribution and cardiometabolic profile. Overall, women that experienced vasomotor symptoms (paper 2) or presented an exaggerated exercise systolic blood pressure (paper 3), did not present any alterations in their body composition, body fat distribution and cardiometabolic profile compared to asymptomatic women and participants with normal blood pressure response to exercise, respectively. Furthermore, exaggerated exercise systolic blood pressure was not predictive of future hypertension after a 5-year follow-up throughout menopause transition. On the other hand, total volume of physical activity was not linked with measures of a cardiometabolic profile, cardiorespiratory fitness appeared to have the greatest cardioprotective effect (paper 4). Therefore, in generally healthy physically active non-obese premenopausal women, the menopause transition does not generally alter cardiometabolic risk factors, and suggests that cardiorespiratory fitness may have greater cardiometabolic protective effects in this cohort.
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Clark, Sheryl. "Girlhood, sport and physical activity : the construction of young femininities in the transition to secondary school." Thesis, Goldsmiths College (University of London), 2010. http://research.gold.ac.uk/6404/.
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This thesis deals with issues of sport, gender and identity within schooling. It focuses on six physically active girls as they made the transition to secondary schools in London and considers the social and educational contexts that framed their involvement in physical activity and sport over this period. The research involved in-depth interviews with the girls, and their parents, teachers and friends, over a period of four years, beginning when the girls were in Year 5 and finishing when the girls were aged 13 and in Year 8. Over this period I also carried out ongoing observations at physical education lessons, after-school sports activities and a local youth running group. The analysis explores the social and emotional processes and identifications that made girls’ participation more or less sustainable over this period of time. It considers how girls who had once found immense pleasure and joy from physical activities came to feel disinvested in the PE curriculum, unsure of their physical abilities and unable to see sport as relevant in their bids towards academic or social success. I look in particular at the girls’ schooling contexts, their relationships with friends and peers, their parental and class aspirations and their access to outdoor space. The findings suggest that social class and privilege were particularly implicated in girls’ involvement in sport and that decisions around their participation were often made within the overriding context of an achievement-oriented education system. I draw attention to the broader context of girls’ participation in sport and to the particular ways in which the girls’ gendered, classed and racialised identities mediated their participation. I suggest that girls’ contradictory positioning within dominant discourses of health, ability, sexuality and academic success held particular connotations for their participation, often making sport and physical activity difficult to access at the secondary school level.
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Owens, Christopher Stephen. "Sport and physical activity participation and sedentary behaviour among adolescents : exploring the transition from compulsory education." Thesis, University of Gloucestershire, 2012. http://eprints.glos.ac.uk/5297/.
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The move out of compulsory education is a key transition period in adolescents' lives. The aim of the present study was to investigate physical activity and sedentary behaviour (using 'screen time' as the proxy measure) among adolescents during the transition from completing compulsory education to entering further education, training or (un)employment. A prospective population-based longitudinal design was adopted, using a large cohort of adolescents in Gloucestershire. A questionnaire was administered to participants at two time points (baseline and follow-up). At baseline, 2204 Year 11 pupils (aged 14 to 17 years) and at follow-up, 886 participants from the baseline sample (aged 15 to 17 years) completed the questionnaire. ( For all statistical analyses performed, two sets of analysis were conducted. Analysis one included the final sample of participants (n = 663) who had an associated output area (OA) code to include in statistical analyses and analysis two included the final sample of participants (n = 834) who did not have an associated OA code included in statistical analyses. Since the overall findings for each analysis were similar, only findings from analysis one are presented. For physical activity, there was a significant change in the number of participants meeting guidelines at baseline but not meeting guidelines at follow-up. For screen time status, there was no significant change between baseline and follow-up. Binary logistic regression (BLR) revealed that for gender, in comparison to males, females were 52.4% less likely to meet guidelines for physical activity at follow-up. Meanwhile, BLR revealed that there were no significant associations with screen time status at follow-up. Further BLR for the decline in physical activity through the transition, revealed that for gender, in comparison to males, females were 42.4% less likely to move from meeting guidelines at baseline to not meeting guidelines at follow-up (i.e., physical activity decline was associated with being male). The findings of the present study have demonstrated: i) a decline in physical activity through the transition; ii) the high proportion of adolescents not meeting guidelines for screen time at either baseline or follow-up; and iii) associations between gender and physical activity during this transitional period. There is a need for future research to longitudinally examine adolescents' physical activity and sedentary behaviour during this transitional period.
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Koehn, Peter M. "Physical activity and depression in adolescents : an extention [sic] of the biopsychosocial model /." free to MU campus, to others for purchase, 2000. http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/mo/fullcit?p9988680.
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Mackenzie, Jason. "Relation entre la proximité à des infrastructures récréatives et le maintien des pratiques d’activités physiques organisées et non-organisées lors de la transition entre l’enfance et l’adolescence." Mémoire, Université de Sherbrooke, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/11143/7519.
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Résumé : Introduction : Les infrastructures récréatives telles que les parcs et les pistes cyclables peuvent fournir des opportunités pour pratiquer l’activité physique (AP). Comme les déterminants de l’AP organisée et non-organisée (APO et APNO) pourraient différer, nous avons investigués si la proximité à des infrastructures récréatives est associée avec le maintien de la participation à l’APO et à l’APNO sur une durée de trois ans lors de la transition entre l’enfance et l’adolescence. Méthodes : 187 jeunes, initialement âgées de 10 à 12 ans, ont rapporté leur participation à l’APO et l’APNO trois fois par an pendant trois ans pour un total de neuf cycles d’observations. Les données sur la proximité des infrastructures récréatives ont été obtenues par le biais de questionnaires téléphoniques auprès des parents. Les scores de proximité ont été divisés en tertiles. Des analyses Kaplan-Meier et des modèles de risques proportionnels de Cox ont été utilisés pour estimer les associations univariées et multivariées entre la proximité aux infrastructures récréatives et le nombre de cycles moyen dans lequel l’APO et l’APNO a été maintenu. Résultats : Aucune différence, brute ou ajustée, de la durée moyenne du maintien de la participation à l’APO [nombre de cycles d’observation moyen (intervalle de confiance 95%) était 6.6 (5.7, 7.5), 6.3 (5.5, 7.1), et 5.8 (5.1, 6.6)] et à l’APNO [6.8 (6.2, 7.4), 5.9 (5.3, 6.5), 6.6 (5.9, 7.3)] a été observée entre les tertiles de proximités bas, moyen et haut, respectivement. Conclusion : Les résultats suggèrent que la proximité aux infrastructures récréatives n’influence pas le maintien de l’APO et de l’APNO lors de la transition entre l’enfance et l’adolescence. D’autres aspects de l’environnement physique pourraient avoir un effet sur le maintien de l’APO et de l’APNO.Abstract : Background: Physical activity (PA) infrastructures such as parks and cycle lanes can provide youth opportunities to engage in physical activity. As the determinants of organized and unorganized PA (OPA and UPA) are likely to differ, we investigated if proximity to PA infrastructure was associated with maintenance of participation in OPA and UPA over 3 years during the transition from childhood to adolescence. Methods: Youth (n=187) initially 10-12 years self-reported participation in OPA and UPA at 4 month intervals over 3 years for a total of nine survey cycles. Data on proximity to PA infrastructures was obtained from parents through phone-based questionnaires. Proximity scores were divided into tertiles. Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess univariate and multivariate associations between proximity to PA infrastructure and number of cycles in which OPA and UPA were maintained. Results: There were no crude or adjusted differences in average duration of maintenance of participation in OPA [mean number of survey cycle participation (95% confidence interval) was 6.6 (5.7, 7.5), 6.3 (5.5, 7.1), and 5.8 (5.1, 6.6)] and UPA [6.8 (6.2, 7.4), 5.9 (5.3, 6.5), 6.6 (5.9, 7.3)] across low, moderate and high tertiles of proximity to PA infrastructure scores, respectively. Conclusion: Findings are suggestive that proximity to PA infrastructure alone does not affect maintenance of participation in OPA or UPA during adolescence. Other aspects of the environment may have a greater effect. Thus, further research is needed on these aspects before firm conclusions can be drawn.
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Kinney, Sarah. "The effect of indomethacin on physical activity in a mouse model of cancer cachexia." Connect to resource, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/1811/37109.
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Gorman, Erin Melissa Patton. "Sedentary time in the workplace : a natural experiment of the transition to an activity-permissive workplace physical environment." Thesis, University of British Columbia, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/2429/42531.
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Objective: To describe the change in objectively measured sitting, standing and stepping time for officebased workers as they transitioned from a conventional to an activity-permissive workplace physical environment. Methods: This pre-post study observed 17 office-based working adults [mean age 33 (SD 7) years] from an academic research centre as they transitioned from a conventional to a purpose-built, innovative activity-permissive workplace physical environment with flexible layouts, workspaces, and working conditions. Participants wore an activity monitor (activPAL3, PAL Technologies Limited, Glasgow, UK) for
seven consecutive days at both the conventional and innovative workplaces to determine time spent sitting, standing, stepping, the number of sit to stand transitions and the length and number of sitting bouts ≥ 30 minutes. They also completed a self-reported log of workplace time and monitor wear time. Participants’ height, weight, descriptive characteristics, body composition (measured by DXA) and moderate-to-vigorous
physical activity (measured by ActiGraph GT3X+; LLC, Fort Walton Beach, FL) were recorded. I
standardized results to an 8-hour workday and compared outcomes between the conventional and
innovative workplaces using Hodges-Lehmann median point estimate (90% CI). Results: The transition to the innovative workplace resulted in a non-significant decrease in workplace sitting time (-24 minutes/ 8-hour workday; 90% CI = -55 to 9 minutes/ 8-hour workday) and a corresponding
increase in workplace standing (12 minutes/ 8- hour workday; 90% CI = -42 to 61 minutes/ 8-hour
workday). There were no differences in the number of sit to stand transitions or sitting bouts ≥ 30 minutes in the workplace. Participants spent more time sitting in bouts ≥ 30 minutes at the innovative workplace (increase of 16 minutes/ 8-hour workday; 90% CI = -7 to 44 minutes/ 8-hour workday). None of these changes were statistically significant. Conclusions: This group of office workers did not significantly change their total workplace sitting time or how it was accumulated with the transition to the innovative workplace physical environment. The results of this preliminary investigation suggest that interventions include a multifaceted approach to complement physical environment changes in order to reduce prolonged sitting time.
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Cowley, Joseph G. "Mind the gap : exploring the decline in physical activity at the transition stage of adolescence in Glasgow youth." Thesis, University of Central Lancashire, 2017. http://clok.uclan.ac.uk/25383/.
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This thesis aimed to investigate physical education, physical activity and sport (PEPAS) participation and the adoption of health behaviours in Scottish adolescents. To address this topic, I start with a general reflection on the current state of Scottish health, through the lens of the Scottish and nested Glasgow effects. Subsequently, building on this conceptual base, I outline a series of three studies to further investigate the linkages between PEPAS and accumulating life stress and health behaviours. Accordingly, the thesis narrative consists of 4 distinct research outputs (1 desktop study, followed by 3 studies involving the collection of primary data). These studies were arranged as follows: In Chapter 4 (research study 1), I suggest that a confluence of social, environmental, attitudinal and cultural stressors may combine to negatively influence biological health. The core conclusion of this conceptual paper was that PA may provide a highly efficient, and cost-effective means to remediating some of the issues underpinning the Scottish effect. Chapter 5 (research study 2) presents data comparing patterns of PA uptake in adolescents of low socioeconomic status (SES) backgrounds with more affluent age-matched peers. SES is a significant biopsychosocial stress-elevating consideration. These findings add to mounting evidence suggesting excessively accumulating life stress, not only diminishes health, but simultaneously reduces PA uptake in vulnerable populations. The outcomes of this study thus emphasise the negative relationship between excessive life stress and PA, and highlight that there may be a bidirectional relationship between these factors. Chapter 7 (research study 3) qualitatively investigates the barriers and facilitators of PEPAS and exercise in the broad general education (BGE) phase of CfE in Scotland. Focus groups were conducted with 39 secondary school pupils (S1-S2). This study adds context-specific information highlighting the role of self-image, perceived competence and social influence on PEPAS participation. Subsequent findings indicated that the delivery of traditional PE lessons, which prioritise sporting ability, act as a participation barrier to pupils who consider themselves 'non-sporty'. Chapter 8 (research study 4) builds on Chapter 7 by qualitatively investigating why young people in the post 16 phase of CfE discontinue participation in exercise, sport and PA, whilst analysing reasons for this post compulsory education decline in PA. Previous negative PE experiences were perceived as a major barrier to continued PA. Furthermore, this young cohort perceived that PE teachers focused primarily on physically capable students. Respondents also perceived that access to contemporary fitness activities would be a positive option both during PE lessons, and as a tool to promote lifelong PA. Key conclusions emanating from this thesis included: PA levels were significantly lower in those who had experienced greater accumulated life stress. Thereby suggesting that excessively accumulating life stress not only exerts a negative effect on health, but simultaneously reduces PA uptake in vulnerable populations. Activities where individuals felt singled out, such as fitness testing, present significant barriers to PEPAS. Similarly, an overly competitive, performance-based curriculum acted as a barrier for those who self-identified as 'non-sporty'. Many 16-18-year- olds see current cultural fitness trends as preferable to the range of activities traditionally promoted within PE. It was perceived that previous negative PE experiences acted as a barrier to continued PA into adulthood. A core finding arising from this thesis is the recommendation that promoting lifelong PA habits, particularly in those at risk of elevated life stress, should be a fundamental objective of educators. Furthermore, evidence uncovered during this thesis suggests that PE should be structured around pedagogical models promoting self-efficacy and intrinsic motivation. Also, it is suggested that, during the senior phase, PE should be repackaged into an attractive compulsory brand. Finally, the implementation of current fitness and exercise trends, may prove an effective strategy in promoting lifelong activity and health and wellbeing.
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Kazi, A. "Promoting physical activity in the workplace : a stage of change approach." Thesis, Loughborough University, 2013. https://dspace.lboro.ac.uk/2134/13404.
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Regular physical activity is associated with improved physiological and psychological wellbeing, by reducing the risk of chronic illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, obesity, diabetes, osteoporosis and depression. There is a common perception that physical activity levels in the population are declining, and one of the biggest changes affecting this is occupational based activity. Since adults spend on average over 50% of their waking hours at work, work sites have the potential to be an important setting for health promotion initiatives. Cognitions and behaviours are key causal factors behind many of today s most widespread health problems and illnesses. The stage of change model has been highlighted as having intuitive appeal because it considers the dynamic nature of attitudes and behaviour change. This thesis is concerned with the application of the stage of change model to an occupational health intervention promoting physical activity. Several research studies were undertaken to explore the experiences of employees with workplace health initiatives and investigate the strategies and practices used by occupational health to promote healthy behaviours. These research studies highlighted the barriers and facilitators to successful health interventions and contributed towards the design, development and implementation of an activity promotion intervention. Additional research was also conducted to develop information materials based on the stage of change model. The stage approach was simplified and intervention materials were classified based on whether employees were thinking about making a change or not thinking about making a change to their activity levels. In order to test the materials, a twelve month intervention was implemented in ten work sites across the UK that were allocated to one of three groups. Two groups received information materials and one group received no information during the intervention period (control group). The difference between the two groups who received information was that one group received standard activity promotion information (standard group) and the second group received tailored information based on their stage of change construct (staged group). Participants in the staged intervention group demonstrated significant decreases in body mass index, fat percentage, waist circumference, blood pressure and resting heart rate following the twelve month intervention. In contrast, reductions were identified for the standard intervention group for waist circumference and diastolic blood pressure. Finally, there were no long-term significant improvements identified for the control group. However, group comparisons revealed there were no significant differences between the intervention conditions. The intervention also recorded self-reported psychological outcomes, which demonstrated variations throughout the intervention period for all groups. The potential reasons for these inconsistent outcomes are discussed. A process evaluation following the intervention demonstrated employees valued the health screenings and identified issues relating to knowledge, behaviour change and health implications that were important outputs of the intervention. Based on these findings, the research concludes there is scope to make physical activity interventions in the workplace more effective by applying the stage of change approach. Using the process of simplifying the stages and focusing on whether employees want to change their behaviours or not allows occupational health to deliver information that could be more meaningful and have a significant impact on behaviour change. By understanding employees readiness to change their activity behaviours and targeting information based on their beliefs, attitudes and intentions to change may produce significant improvements in health outcome measures compared to standard information. The results also suggest there is potential for this type of tailored intervention to be extended to other occupational health issues.
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Zuniga-Teran, Adriana A., Barron J. Orr, Randy H. Gimblett, Nader V. Chalfoun, Stuart E. Marsh, David P. Guertin, and Scott B. Going. "Designing healthy communities: Testing the walkability model." ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/623869.
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Research from multiple domains has provided insights into how neighborhood design can be improved to have a more favorable effect on physical activity, a concept known as walkability. The relevant research findings/hypotheses have been integrated into a Walkability Framework, which organizes the design elements into nine walkability categories. The purpose of this study was to test whether this conceptual framework can be used as a model to measure the interactions between the built environment and physical activity. We explored correlations between the walkability categories and physical activity reported through a survey of residents of Tucson, Arizona (n=486). The results include significant correlations between the walkability categories and physical activity as well as between the walkability categories and the two motivations for walking (recreation and transportation). To our knowledge, this is the first study that reports links between walkability and walking for recreation. Additionally, the use of the Walkability Framework allowed us to identify the walkability categories most strongly correlated with the two motivations for walking. The results of this study support the use of the Walkability Framework as a model to measure the built environment in relation to its ability to promote physical activity. (C) 2017 The Authors.
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Reed, Katharine. "Effects of a school-based physical activity model on cardiovascular disease risk factors in children." Thesis, University of British Columbia, 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/2429/31051.
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Background: The prevalence of CVD risk factors in children is high. Physical activity is linked with
cardiovascular health but 50% of children are not considered active enough to maintain good health.
Objectives: The primary objectives were to; i) evaluate the prevalence of established and novel CVD risk
factors in elementary school children, and ii) assess the effect of a school-based physical activity model on
selected GVD risk factors.
Research design: A 16-month cluster-randomized controlled school-based intervention with the research
questions addressed in 6 sub-studies. Sub-studies 1- 4 are cross sectional analyses of baseline data. Substudies
5 and 6 are results from 1-school year of the randomized controlled trial.
Methods: Ten schools were randomized to intervention (INT) or control (CON) groups. Children (n=268,
aged 9-11 years) from 8 schools took part in Healthy Hearts measurements. The trial aimed to provide
children with 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per week. Anthropometry, physical
activity, cardiovascular fitness, blood pressure, arterial compliance, heart rate variability and serum factors
were assessed at baseline and final.
Results: Study 1:1 developed a Healthy Heart Score to assess potential CVD risk. Girls had a more
favourable Healthy Heart Score than boys. 47% of girls and 68% of boys had at least one CVD risk factor.
Study 2: Fitness level of Canadian children at the 50t h percentile in 2004 was equivalent to the fitness of
Canadian children at the 19th percentile in 1981. Study 3: A significant relationship exists between
cardiovascular fitness and arterial compliance in boys and girls. Study 4: Racial differences in heart rate
variability exist between Asian- and Caucasian-Canadian children. Sub-study 5: INT children had a 20%
greater increase in fitness compared with CON children. Children deemed at higher risk for CVD showed
large improvements in blood pressure and serum factors. Sub-study 6: INT boys demonstrated a 25%
greater improvement in large artery compliance than CON boys.
Conclusions: There was a relatively high prevalence of CVD risk factors in this cohort of children. Action
Schools! BC offers promise as a simple, inexpensive strategy for enhancing cardiovascular health in similar
children.Education, Faculty of
Kinesiology, School of
Graduate
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Rovniak, Liza Sharon. "A Prospective Investigation of Social-Cognitive Predictors of Physical Activity: Development of a Causal Model." Thesis, Virginia Tech, 1999. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/40541.
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This study tested a model of the relationship between social-cognitive variables and physical activity in a sample of 277 university students using a prospective design. Results of structural equation modeling indicated a good fit of the social-cognitive model to the data. Self-efficacy had the greatest significant total effect on physical activity, largely through its significant association with self-regulation, which directly predicted physical activity. Social support indirectly predicted physical activity through its significant association with self-efficacy. Outcome expectations had the smallest total effect on physical activity. Overall, the social-cognitive model explained 51 percent of the variance observed in physical activity.Master of Science
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Hartman, Sheri A. "Development of "Teachers Integrating Physical Activity into the Curriculum" (TIPAC) Using a Systems Model Approach." University of Akron / OhioLINK, 2017. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1492422535370981.
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Rose, Melanie. "Soul Line Dancing Among African American Women in the Church: an Expectancy-value Model Approach." Thesis, University of North Texas, 2012. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc149658/.
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Guided by the expectancy value model of achievement choice, this study examined the relationships among expectancy value constructs (expectancy related beliefs and subjective task values), effort and intention for future participation in a culturally specific dance, soul line, among African American adult women in the church setting. Participants were 100 African American women who were members of the women’s ministries from four predominantly African American churches in the Dallas/Ft. Worth metropolitan area. Participants completed a 20-minute soul line session and responded to survey questions, validated in previous research, assessing their expectancy-related beliefs, subjective task values, effort, intention for future participation and physical activity. This was the first study to use the expectancy value model as a guide to determine motivations attached to physical activities among African American adult women. Usefulness, a component of subjective task values, emerged as a predictor of intention for future participation. Eighty-one percent of the women did not meet physical activity guidelines for aerobic activity. Of those inactive women 60% indicated an interest in doing soul line dancing often at their church after one short exposure to the activity as indicated by the strongest possible response to both intention questions. A slightly smaller percent of the active women provided with a strong positive response for future intention. These findings suggest that soul line dancing is a practical avenue to increase physical activity among African American women in the church. Future research should test this theoretical model on a wider variety of individuals who are sedentary to physically active, measure actual participation, and directly measure BMI and physical activity.
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Skaal, Linda. "The Predictive validity and effects of using transtheoretical model to increase physical activity of health workers at Dr. George Mukhari Hospital, South Africa." Thesis, University of Limpopo (Medunsa Campus), 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/10386/535.
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Thesis (MPH) -- University of Limpopo (Medunsa Campus), 2010.Background: Evidence exists that supports the physiological and psychological benefits associated with regular physical activity. The Transtheoretical model (TTM) of the stages and processes of change has been used worldwide to understand how people change problem behaviour, such as Physical Inactivity, and correctly categorize people according to their readiness to change from being physically inactive to being active. This model (TTM) helps Health Promoters to implement awareness campaigns according to individual’s stage of exercise change. The overall aim of this study is to determine the predictive validity and effects of using Transtheoretical model to increase physical activity of health workers at Dr. George Mukhari Hospital in South Africa. Methods: Research design: A quasi-experimental design was used. A total of 200 subjects (both medical and non-medical staff) were randomly selected from the hospital staff. The following parameters were measured at baseline: TTM Stage (Questionnaire), fitness levels (step test), BMI (Electronic scale), attitude and knowledge (Questionnaire). Phase 11: impact evaluation; exposure levels; Phase 111: Knowledge; Attitude; TTM post intervention. The results were analyzed using SPSS 17.0 version and excel programs. Chi square test was used to analyse and calculate the p-value scores. Paired Sample t-test was used to compare means and binomial and multiple logistic regressions were used to calculate predictive validity of TTM. Results: Two hundred staff members with mean age of 43.12 and standard deviation of 10.75 were investigated. Baseline results showed that the majority of the participants were at Pre-Action stage (76%) and only 24% were at Action stage; with only 27% who had Normal weight and 73% Overweight and Obese. NCDs are common in many participants, with obese ones being more affected than normal staff. Nonmedical staff had poor knowledge compared to medical staff (p<.05). Majority of staff generally had positive attitude towards PA. There was a significant difference (p<.050) between males and females in each TTM stage, with more adult males being in Action/maintenance stages compared to adult females who were mainly at pre-action stages. Majority of older patients were obese (p<.05), had a good perception about their weight and at pre-action stages. Post intervention, Mean scores of TTM (3.699) and Knowledge (3.651) were significantly (p<.05) higher at post test. Both medical and nonmedical staff mainly used Environmental re-evaluation and Self re-evaluation as processes of behaviour change. Precontemplators only used 2 processes to change behaviour. Post intervention: high levels of exposure; Processes of Change, knowledge and attitude resulted in increased TTM stages of staff (p=.000). TTM, knowledge, attitude, process of change and level of exposure were used as predictors of behaviour change and significantly predicted success post test. Overall accuracies of TTM at pre-test could be classified correctly of TTM at post test by average 66.9 % for overall participants; 78.3% for medical staff and only 65% for non-medical staff. Thus the predictor (TTM1) had significant contribution to the outcome (TTM2). Conclusion: Obesity is a common problem and is predisposed by physical inactivity because the majority of staff is old, and this puts them at risk of inactivity-related chronic diseases of lifestyle. Level of physical activity was significantly associated with BMI and may be one of the most important risk factors associated with obesity among hospital staff. The use of TTM to identify the stage of PA of healthcare workers (HCW) has enabled the researcher to design intervention programs specific to the stage of exercise behaviour of staff. Thus the predictors (TTM1), exposure levels, knowledge, attitude and Processes of change have significant contribution to the outcome (TTM2).
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Chen, Chun-Ming. "Understanding and changing physical activity behaviour in university students : an ecological perspective." Thesis, Loughborough University, 2008. https://dspace.lboro.ac.uk/2134/8112.
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Studies have highlighted the prevalence of sedentary behaviours in the university student population and have noted the significant potential for the promotion of physical activity in educational settings for young adults. Following the epidemiological procedure and ecological approach, the main purpose of this thesis focused on the university student population to review the previous research results by a systematic review method (first study), to compare the differences between UK and Taiwanese participants' and relevant effective variables by using a quantitative study method (second study), to have a deeper understanding of the Taiwanese university students' physical activity behaviours by using a qualitative study method (third study), then to evaluate the efficiency of designed interventions in university settings (fourth study). The whole thesis applied the ecological approach to classify the survey variables' effect to university students' physical activity behaviours. A total of 55 published papers were reviewed and majority of studies were conducted in the US using a cross-sectional design. Finding variables consistently related to university students physical activity level were female gender(-), attitude self-efficacy perceived barrier (-), family support (+), physical activity and sport history (+). These survey variables were more consistent in the literature and corresponded to previous adults' study. Some survey variables linked to university student were also found in the literature but still need more studies for this target population to come to a robust conclusion. Seven days recall design measurement and stage of changes survey for physical activity levels were more identified and have been more frequent using in the reviewed papers. Also, more studies on different ethnicity, environmental variables and intervention with different methodology such as qualitative study method are needed to enrich the knowledge of university's students' physical activity behaviours.
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Nichols, Melanie. "Self-Efficacy, Outcome Expectancy, and Fear of Failure as Predictors of Physical Activity." OpenSIUC, 2012. https://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/dissertations/638.
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Though the benefits of physical activity are well-studied and accepted, researchers have struggled to identify models of health behavior that accurately predict exercise. This dissertation utilized two components of Bandura's Social-Cognitive Model (self-efficacy and outcome expectancies) and added the construct of fear of failure in order to evaluate what factors influence an individual's decision to exercise or avoid physical activity. Self-report data assessing fear or failure, self-efficacy, outcome expectancies, and physical activity were collected from 248 university students and were analyzed using structural equation modeling techniques in order to evaluate the proposed structural model, which hypothesized that fear of failure would negatively relate to the two Social-Cognitive variables, which were expected to positively predict physical activity engagement. Results revealed that although fear of failure did not add significantly to the Social-Cognitive model, a large portion of the variance in physical activity (i.e., 49%) could be accounted for by the model. Additionally, results indicated that outcome expectancies were a much stronger predictor of physical activity than self-efficacy beliefs. This finding is discussed in relation to how individual differences and genetics may influence how rewarding or aversive individuals find exercising. Implications for intervention and directions for future study, including alternate ways of adding affect to the model are discussed.
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Skår, Silje. "Extending the theory of planned behaviour : a proposed integrated theoretical model using motivational and volitional variables, including interventions, to predict physical activity and physical activity change in a student population." Thesis, University of Aberdeen, 2011. http://digitool.abdn.ac.uk:80/webclient/DeliveryManager?pid=165796.
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Physical activity is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Levels of physical activity decrease across the lifespan, and findings suggest only between 13-32% of University students are physically active at the recommended level. Research has found that ca. 50% of motivated individuals fail to enact on their intentions to be physically active. The theory of planned behaviour (TPB) was described, limitations and additions identified and its use outlined in three areas of investigation predicting physical activity: motivation, volition and intervention. Method: Student Activity and Lifestyle Study at Aberdeen (SALSA), a web-based survey, invited all students at the University of Aberdeen to respond to three questionnaires across the 2005/06 and 2006/07 academic years. SALSA received responses from 1418 and 1273 participants at the start of each academic year, respectively. Social cognitions (e.g. intention, perceived control), self-reported physical activity levels and attendance to the University’s sport facilities were measured. A double-blind randomised controlled trial investigated the efficacy two planning interventions, delivered via the internet, aiming to increase PA. Results and Summary: Findings suggest that students who are motivated benefit from making plans when, where and how to take part in physical activity, and plan how to cope with potential barriers and obstacles. Participants who are more certain of their intentions, aware of effort, the standards required and monitor themselves are more likely to be physically active, even though they are equally motivated and perceive themselves to be in control. Participant who were active in the past were more likely to attend the University’s sport facilities. However, the planning interventions did not increase students’ activity levels or attendance to the University’s sport facilities. Adherence to intervention protocol was low (between 58.8% to 76.7%) and participants dropping out of SALSA were large across both academic years.
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Dunn, Jacqueline. "Ecological Analysis of Physical Activity and Health-related Quality of Life in Female College Students." Thesis, University of North Texas, 2011. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc103310/.
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Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is a comprehensive construct including physical and psychosocial health functioning. Despite significant health benefits of regular physical activity (PA), over 40% of female college students do not meet recommended PA guidelines to improve their health. This study investigated the influences of individual, social, and physical environmental factors on students’ PA and HRQOL. Participants were 235 female university students who completed validated surveys assessing their perceptions of PA, HRQOL, and social ecological factors. Three hierarchical regressions revealed individual and physical environmental factors as predictors of PA and HRQOL. These findings indicated health professionals need to consider students’ individual factors and physical environmental factors to promote female students’ PA and HRQOL.
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Abdul-Rahman, Mohd Fahzy. "The demand for physical activity an application of Grossman's health demand model to the elderly population /." Columbus, Ohio : Ohio State University, 2008. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc%5Fnum=osu1199127215.
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Knowles, Ann-Marie. "An examination of key variables influencing physical activity behaviour in adolescent girls during the transition from primary to secondary school." Thesis, Heriot-Watt University, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10399/2339.
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Research has suggested that the decline in physical activity (PA) levels for adolescent girls is most marked during the transition from primary school to secondary school. However, this decline in PA for adolescent girls is also coincident with the onset of maturation and as such, maturation and the physical changes associated with maturation (e.g., increased body fat and development of secondary sexual characteristics) may have a direct influence on PA. In addition, these physical changes may indirectly influence perceptions of competence and body attractiveness and subsequently influence PA behaviour. Therefore the aim of this thesis was to further explore this decline in PA during this transitional period. Study one involved a longitudinal examination of the relationship between maturation, physical self-perceptions and PA in adolescent girls over 12 months during the transition from primary to secondary school. At Phase 1 (primary school) 208 adolescent girls participated (mean age = 11.83 ± 0.39 years) and were tracked into secondary school (Phase 2) where 156 girls participated (mean age = 12.79 ± 0.31 years). PA was assessed using the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children; maturation was assessed using the self-report Pubertal Development Scale; physical characteristics of body mass, waist circumference and sum of skinfolds were measured and physical self perceptions were assessed using the Children and Youth‟s Physical Self-Perception Profile. Cross-sectional findings at both Phase 1 and Phase 2 highlighted that maturation and physical characteristics were not significantly related to PA and there were no significant differences in PA between maturation stages. Results also indicated that physical self-perceptions were all significant moderate positive correlates of PA at both primary and secondary school. Longitudinal findings examining the change in variables over the 12 months highlighted a significant decrease in PA from primary to secondary school. Furthermore, this decrease was evident during break-times, lunch-times and after-school yet PA significantly increased in PE lessons between schools. Maturation had a limited influence on PA behaviour; however the increase in body mass was related to perceptions of body attractiveness and physical self-worth becoming less positive. In addition, decreases in physical self perceptions partially accounted for the decrease in PA over the 12 months. It was apparent from the quantitative findings of study one that further research was needed to explore the influence of additional variables on PA. The aim of study two was to explore the decrease in PA evident during the school transition using a narrative approach. A purposive sampling technique was used and one-to-one narrative interviews were conducted (n = 14; age 13.6 ± 0.3 years). Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to identify the „whats‟ (i.e. content) of the girls‟ PA stories and structural analysis was used to identify „how‟ the girls told their PA stories. Findings suggest that the PA environment had an impact on their sense of self with regards to levels of enjoyment, perceived competence, confidence and self-presentation issues. These findings support the current research trend towards a focus on the environment the individual is experiencing rather on the individual. Overall the findings suggested that the decrease in PA behaviour in early adolescent girls may depend more on perceptions of competence and ability in a particular environment rather than the possible influence of the physical changes accompanying maturation.
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Razmjou, Sahar. "Menopause Transition and Postmenopausal Period: Relationship with Inflammatory Markers, Physical Activity Energy Expenditure and Bone Mineral Density in Healthy Women." Thesis, Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/10393/36751.
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Menopause transition is usually associated with changes in body composition and a decrease in physical activity energy expenditure. Adipose tissue, especially visceral fat, is an important source of inflammatory markers, which contributes to the development of a pro-inflammatory state. Conversely, high levels of physical activity and exercise have an anti-inflammatory effect. One-hundred and two healthy premenopausal women participated in a 5-year longitudinal observational study (MONET: Montreal Ottawa New Emerging Team). The present secondary analyses were performed on 58 participants between the ages of 47 and 54 years with a full set of data.The aim of study was to investigate the impact of menopause transition and physical activity on inflammatory makers. The major finding of the first of 3 studies was that menopausal transition is accompanied by an increase in inflammatory markers, namely ferritin, IL-8, and sTNFR 1 and 2. The increase in IL-8 and sTNFR2 with menopause could be explained, in part, by changes in fat mass and peripheral fat, respectively.
During and after menopause, significant bone loss occurs in women due to reduced estrogen production. Estrogen reduction favors bone resorption by regulating the production and activity of inflammatory markers. Therefore we further investigated the association between inflammatory markers and bone mineral density in premenopausal women transitioning to menopause (paper 2). Our results showed no significant association between change in inflammatory markers and change in bone mineral density in women transitioning to menopause. However, in premenopausal women hs-CRP was negatively associated with total, lumbar spine and femoral neck bone mineral density and along with weight and cardiorespiratory fitness may play a role in bone mineral density variation. Baseline level of hs-CRP, Hp, IL-6 and femoral neck bone mineral density along with percent change in physical activity energy expenditure and menopausal status partly explained the individual variation of bone mineral density losses in women transitioning to menopause. Finally, we investigated time spent in the postmenopausal years and the influence of the duration of the postmenopause status on body composition and cardiometabolic risk factors. We indicated that postmenopausal years and years since menopause is associated with decrease in blood glucose and increase in waist circumference, percent fat mass, total cholesterol, and high density lipoprotein. Inflammatory markers including ApoB, ferritin, adiponectin, sCD14 were higher during years after final menstrual period while sTNFR1 and sTNFR2 were higher during the menopause transition and early postmenopausal years.
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Park, Sin-Ae. "Gardening as a physical activity for health in older adults." Diss., Manhattan, Kan. : Kansas State University, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/2097/459.
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Abella, Daniel. "Towards promoting the well-being of wheelchair users by measuring physical activity." Thesis, Malmö universitet, Fakulteten för teknik och samhälle (TS), 2020. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:mau:diva-20737.
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To measure physical activity in a wheelchair user is important. Disabled people have been found to be less active and it has negative health implications. By relating to ones own physical activity in concrete form it is easier to reinforce a positive attitude towards being physically active. The aim of this thesis is to show how a system can be built, that is able to collect measurements from sensors, with usability in mind. The system consists of software that integrates an iPhone, Apple Watch and a Tacx rotation sensor mounted on a wheelchair. With the help of a physics model these measurements can estimate energy expenditure of a wheelchair user. The system was tested with four participants performing subjectively decided low, moderate and vigorous physical activity while the system collected data. In terms of absolute energy expenditure the system was inaccurate. On the other hand, correlations were found between the calculated energy expenditures and physical activity. Using measurements from the rotations sensor a correlation of 0.7315 was found between the calculated energy expenditure and physical activity, a correlation of 0.5385 using measurements from the GPS and a correlation of 0.6452 using measurements from Apples own proprietary algorithm. The created system is a promising prototype towards objective measurement of physical activity in wheelchair users.
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Karaca, Koray. "A Physical Model For Dimensional Reduction And Its Effects On The Observable Parameters Of The Universe." Phd thesis, METU, 2005. http://etd.lib.metu.edu.tr/upload/12606125/index.pdf.
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In this thesis, assuming that higher spatial dimensions existed only during the inflationary prematter phases of the universe, we construct a (1+D)-dimensional (D>3), nonsingular, homogeneous and isotropic Friedmann model for dimensional reduction. In this model, dimensional reduction occurs in the form of a phase transition that follows from a purely thermodynamical consideration that the universe heats up during the inflationary prematter phases. When the temperature reaches its Planck value Tpl,D, which is taken as the maximum attainable physical temperature, the phase of the universe changes from one prematter era with D space dimensions to another prematter era with ( D-1) space dimensions where T_pl,D is higher. In this way, inflation gets another chance to continue in the lower dimension and the reduction process stops when we reach D=3 ordinary space dimensions. As a specific model, we investigate the evolution of a (1+4)-dimensional universe and see that dimensional reduction occurs when a critical length parameter l_4,3 reaches the Planck length of the lower dimension. Although the predictions of our model for the cosmological parameters are beyond the ranges accepted by recent measurements for closed geometry, for a broad range of initial conditions they are within the acceptable ranges for open geometry
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Haag, Gerald Gunnar. "Predictors and consequences of involvement in physical activity : a causal model of the 1981 Canada Fitness Survey." Thesis, University of British Columbia, 1989. http://hdl.handle.net/2429/28141.
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Involvement in physical activity (IPA) represents a complex lifestyle behavior. In order to gain a better understanding of the concept of IPA and the relationships with other factors, two comprehensive theoretical models of predictors and consequences of IPA were tested. The 1981 Canada Fitness Survey (CFS) provided an extensive database including physical activity measures. A subsample of 3055 20- to 40-year old Canadian males was chosen for all analyses. Forty-six observed variables were initially selected from the CFS to measure the abstract concepts of past experience, attitude, motivation, social status, barriers, modifiers, IPA, physical fitness, and psychological fitness. Causal modeling techniques were applied to test the conceptual model of fitness, presented in the CFS manual (model I), and a model of IPA developed by the author from a review of the literature (model II). The measurement model and structural equation model were tested for each model with the LISREL computer program. Both models revealed a good fit to the data (GFI=.95 and GFI=.93, respectively). Model I was not based on strong theory and required a large number of modifications. The test of model II was much less difficult and produced larger structural path coefficients. Results from model II indicate that motivation is the strongest predictor of IPA, followed by barriers and social status. Past experience and IPA improve physical fitness. Attitudes and past experience could not predict IPA and neither IPA nor physical fitness affected psychological well-being. Causal modeling appears to be a very powerful and promising statistical method for testing hypothetical models with observational data. However, its mathematical complexity and novelty create various problems with applications. A flowchart of suggested procedures is given.Education, Faculty of
Curriculum and Pedagogy (EDCP), Department of
Graduate
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McDonnell, Lisa A. "Using a social ecological model to identify physical activity correlates in breast cancer survivors: A quantitative study." Thesis, University of Ottawa (Canada), 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/10393/27271.
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In the breast cancer population to date, theoretical approaches and intervention strategies used to promote physical activity (PA) have relied upon intrapersonal (e.g., attitudes) and interpersonal (e.g., subjective norms) variables to understand PA behaviors. Unfortunately, these studies were limited by not looking at variables beyond the individual and their social support networks. Using a social ecological framework, this study examined correlates of PA among breast cancer survivors (BCS') from a multilevel perspective that assessed correlates at the intrapersonal (task and barrier self-efficacy---SE), interspersonal (social support), institutional (health care climate) and community (accessibility to home exercise equipment and neighborhood facilities) levels of influence. Fifty BCS' were recruited and assessed over a period of one month. Assessments included self-report questionnaires to assess the social ecological correlates for PA, a resting energy expenditure test to obtain basal metabolic rate, a DEXA san to obtain percentage of total body fat and accelcrometry to objectively assess total and average daily energy expenditure (EE). Quantitative findings revealed that barrier self-efficacy was a significant correlate of total EE (r = .290, p = .043) and daily EE (r = .315, p = .029) among BCS'. Specifically, do not feel like it, was a significant correlate for total energy expenditure (r = .316, p = .027), and no time (r = .345, p = .018), feeling under the weather (r = .364, p = .011) and do not feel like it (r = .315, p = .029) were significant correlates of average energy expenditure per day. A non-significant relationship between PA and the other levels of the social ecological model was found. Based on these preliminary findings, further investigation into the use of different variables at the social ecological levels of influence is warranted. The findings at the intrapersonal level have practical implications in that a barrier self-efficacy scale specific to breast cancer should be developed to include the specific side effects that breast cancer treatments cause. Such a scale can assist in identifying the targets for PA program development by highlighting the issues that are of greater importance to breast cancer patients. In terms of a PA intervention, SE as it relates to time constraints, not feeling well and a lack of will power should be addressed. For example, behavioral counseling that targets the specific issues of the BCS could be incorporated into the PA intervention, whereby the counselor assists the BCS with the identification of coping strategies to overcome various barriers specific to PA.
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Haji, Mahmud Mardiah. "Understanding Bruneian adults' perception of factors influencing physical activity and sedentary behaviours using the integrated behavioural model." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2016. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/101495/1/Mardiah_Haji%20Mahmud_Thesis.pdf.
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This thesis is a qualitative study. It examines Bruneian adults’ views about physical activity and about the idea of sitting less at work, at home, during transportation, as well as during leisure time. The results have implications for the development of effective intervention strategies to increase physical activity and reduce prolonged sitting among the target population of Brunei public service employees. This thesis also evaluates whether a current questionnaire used internationally to measure physical activity is acceptable and appropriate for used with Bruneian public service employees.
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Arumí, i. Prat Ignasi. "The influence of sport and physical activity involvement on health related behaviours during the transition from late adolescence to early adulthood." Doctoral thesis, Universitat de Vic, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10803/301433.
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Introducció: Els estudis indiquen que un percentatge molt elevat dels adolescents que viuen en països industrialitzats no assoleixen els mínims recomanats d’activitat física (AF) (Hallal et al., 2012). La pràctica esportiva no sempre és eficaç alhora de promoure altres estils de vida (Lisha & Sussman, 2010). Objectius: (i) Estudiar els nivells d’AF i pràctica esportiva entre els adolescents d’Osona. (ii) Trobar associacions entre nivells d’AF i altres estils de vida. Metodologia: Els adolescents nascuts l’any 1995 a Osona varen ser omplir un qüestionari el 2011 (n=695), el 2012 (n=668), el 2013 (n=411) i el 2014 (n=180). Resultats: (i) Els nivells d’AF durant el temps de lleure disminueixen en el pas de l’adolescència a l’edat adulta; (ii) associacions positives entre el consum d’alcohol i tabac i la pràctica esportiva entre els nois; i (iii) els adolescents d’Osona es passen > 700’ al dia asseguts. Discussió: És bàsic promoure la pràctica esportiva durant l’adolescència, però també la importància dels clubs esportius alhora de promoure l’adquisició d’estils de vida saludables.Introduction: Global studies reveal that a high percentage of adolescents are physically inactive (Hallal et al., 2012). Sports participation in adolescence is not always better at promoting healthy lifestyles than regular physical activity (PA). Aims: To observe the tracking of sport participation and PA among a group of adolescents from high school to university and to observe how this affects their lifestyle behaviours. Methods: Adolescents born in 1995 from Osona completed a questionnaire in 2011 (n=695), 2012 (n=668), 2013 (n=411) and 2014 (n=180). Results: Levels of PA at leisure time drastically reduced from late adolescence to early adulthood. The higher prevalence of alcohol consumption was in team sport players compared to other groups. Adolescents spend >700’ a day in a sitting position during weekdays. Discussion: Sport clubs (including coaches, venue and management team) have to put more effort to avoid the acquisition and maintenance of unhealthy habits (alcohol and tobacco consumption) among their athletes.
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Jago, Russell. "Testing a model for the promotion of pre-pubescent children's physical activity : the effects of school based interventions." Thesis, University of Reading, 2002. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.268917.
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Pribulick, Peg. "The association of C-reactive protein with diet and physical activity using the transtheoretical model in rural women." Diss., Online access via UMI:, 2009.
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Ottersten, Henrietta. "En studie om klimakteriet : Fysiskt aktiva kvinnors upplevelse av denna period." Thesis, Umeå universitet, Pedagogiska institutionen, 2018. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-149767.
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The primary purpose of this thesis is to improve one's understanding of how physically active women whom are currently in menopause experience this transition both psychologically and physically. Henceforth the study researches women's perceptions and thoughts on what can be improved in the Swedish health-care system to better women's experience of the menopause. This study will be done through a semi-constructed interview- and data collecting method, where six women are to be answering questions regarding their experiences of the menopause, their knowledge and lack of knowledge. How they perceive the Swedish health-care system and what their current physical activity level looks like. The results of the interviews indicate that all women interviewed experiences difficulties during the menopause, but neither one wants to aid the transition using medicine. Furthermore, the interviewed women argue that the health-care sector needs to take a greater responsibility in informing and helping women with their questions and offer a wider variety of treatment methods that does not infer risk. The conclusion of this thesis states that the health-care sector as well as gym facilities could be relevant arenas where guidance and information about the menopause time and what can be done to decrease effects of the menopause. This thesis correlate positively to previous research within this field, where the common theme is lack of openness and knowledge about the menopause period for both women as well as society in general.
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Jassas, Rashid. "The promotion of physical activity within secondary boys schools in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia." Thesis, Loughborough University, 2012. https://dspace.lboro.ac.uk/2134/10252.
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Background There are concerns over the low proportion of young people in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia [KSA] who regularly participate in physical activity [PA] (Al-Hazzaa, 2004; Al-Hazzaa, et al., 2011). Schools have a unique opportunity to promote PA and provide adequate PA opportunities for young people via the formal/informal curriculum, school sports programmes, and out-of-hours PA (Dobbins et al., 2009). However, implementing effective PA promotion programmes in schools is a challenge and requires consideration of a range of factors. In Saudi Arabia context, the secondary boys school PE programme comprises two main elements: 1) the PE curriculum which is compulsory for all students and includes one 45 minute PE lesson per week; 2) the extra-curricular programme which is optional and comprises the Internal Physical Activity Programme (IPAP) and the External Physical Activity Programme (EPAP). The IPAP activities occur during breaks between lessons whilst the EPAP takes place after school. Both are delivered by PE teachers. Research Aims The aims of this study were: 1) To investigate the nature and extent of the promotion of PA in boys secondary schools in Saudi Arabia. 2) To explore physical education teachers perspectives on the promotion of PA in boys secondary schools in Saudi Arabia. 3) To identify the factors that influence the promotion of PA in boys secondary schools in Saudi Arabia. Theoretical Framework The theoretical framework for the study was based on Social Cognitive Theory (Bandura, 1997) which presumes that PA behaviour is influenced by: personal characteristics; behavioural factors; and environmental factors. In addition, the Active School model (Cale, 1997; Cale & Harrris, 2005) was utilised as a conceptual framework, guiding the investigation of PA promotion within schools and the analysis of data. Methodology In order to investigate the research questions, a two phased mixed method (Creswell, 2009) research project was carried out. Phase one involved a detailed survey questionnaire, informed by the Active School model, which was designed to gather information about PE teachers policies, practices and views with respect to the promotion of PA. The questionnaire s validity was enhanced via a number of Saudi experts who confirmed its appropriateness for use in the Saudi context. Moreover, a pilot study was undertaken to obtain valuable feedback relating to the format, content and clarity of both the survey questionnaire and interview schedule before the main study. The questionnaire was distributed to all secondary boys schools in Riyadh in KSA (N=181 schools). The response rate was 52%. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17 was employed in the analysis of the data. Phase two involved semi-structured interviews. Prior to conducting these, the interview schedule was piloted at one secondary school. Six PE teachers drawn from the survey sample were interviewed and the interview data were then transcribed and analysed using MAXQD10 software. Research Findings The survey revealed that two thirds of the secondary boys schools had a plan or policy for the promotion of PA, and almost 70% of PE teachers thought that their school significantly contributed to the promotion of PA. Games activities (e.g. football) dominated the PE curriculum, and the majority of schools also organised inter-school games competitions (e.g. league). In contrast, exercise and fitness-related activities (e.g. circuit training) were less common within the schools PE curricula. The PE curriculum was viewed by the teachers as the most important avenue to promote PA, followed by the IPAP and EPAP (95%, 91% and 73% respectively). Sports/activity facilities varied between schools, particularly in terms of indoor facilities, and over half of the PE teachers considered their indoor and outdoor facilities to be inadequate for promoting PA (54% and 57% respectively). The vast majority (90.3%) of the schools did not offer PA opportunities to parents/families. Furthermore, three quarters of the teachers expressed a need for professional development specifically in the area of PA promotion. On a positive note, headteachers and local PE supervisors were reported to be supportive of efforts to promote PA in the schools and provided support for both the IPAP and EPAP. All PE teachers, who were interviewed, considered the time allocated to PE programme to be insufficient for promoting PA amongst pupils. Further, some teachers viewed PE lessons as time off from serious school subjects and entertaining time . Most teachers reported that parents considered PE as unimportant and/or playtime . Discussion/Conclusion PE teachers views on role of schools in the promotion of PA were generally positive. The ways in which the teachers practiced the promotion of PA varied and maybe have been due to their narrow understanding of the whole school approach to PA promotion. The teachers focused on the PE curriculum and the PE extra-curricular programmes as the main avenues through which to promote PA within their schools, and gave less attention to other avenues such as the whole school environment. Almost all of the teachers had a sporting philosophy for PE leading them to privilege competitive sports. Although the teachers reported to have support from head teachers and local PE supervisors, many schools were not as conducive to PA promotion as they could be due to the narrow range of physical opportunities on offer, and the teachers lack of relevant professional development, the limited sports facilities and the insufficient maintenance of these. In addition, the status of, and time allocated to PE were found to be an issue influencing the promotion of PA in schools. It was concluded that actions could be taken to broaden PA promotion within Saudi schools. For example, policy update and development for PA promotion could be improved to address clothing and changing, traffic/transport, and playground bullying; establish links with outside sports agencies and professionals; and increase PA opportunities before or after school, or at weekends. The findings suggest that if the descriptor comprehensive which is widely used to distinguish whole school approaches from curriculum-only models of PA promotion is to be fully realised, schools need to make a clear and explicit effort to promote PA within the social/cultural environment. Further that research is needed on the social and cultural values, norms and perspectives affecting PA promotion in schools.