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Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Physical activity'

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Published: 4 June 2021
Last updated: 31 October 2024

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1

Clarke, Kerry. "Physical activity referral schemes : adherence and physical activity behaviour change." Thesis, University of Northampton, 2013. http://nectar.northampton.ac.uk/7483/.

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It is well known that engaging in physical activity (PA) reduces the risk of developing non-communicable diseases and improves general health. However, at the time of this research, less than half of the UK population met the recommended levels of PA (DH, 2010). Physical activity referral schemes (PARS) are one of the interventions available in primary care (NICE, 2006a) for disease prevention and health improvement, despite a high dropout rate (Gidlow, 2005) and unknown long-term effectiveness (Pavey et al., 2011). The main aim of the four studies presented in this thesis was to explore the adherence and behaviour change towards PARS in Northamptonshire. The first study measured the long-term change in PA levels after participation in Activity on Referral (AOR). The key outcome was a significant increase in self-reported long-term PA levels (mean difference 1000 MET minutes/week) for 105 adhering participants from a total of 2228 participants. One in every 21 referred individuals self-reported an increase in PA at 12 months. To explore the high levels of non-adherence, an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA; Smith, 1996) was conducted with seven non-adhering AOR participants. The findings showed that being listened to at the point of referral, a range of positive experiences during the induction, alternative opportunities to increase activity, and potential to re-engage in PARS were some of the factors that enhanced adherence. Even though currently the key behaviour change measure for a PA intervention is an increase in PA, there is no gold standard self-reporting PA measure. Therefore, the third study was a comparison that tested the applicability of the new General Practice Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPPAQ) and the internationally validated International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). The GPPAQ is recommended to be used as a screening tool by health professionals for the latest PARS called Let‟s Get Moving (LGM). There was a significantly weak association between IPAQ and GPPAQ. Hence, the GPPAQ is only recommended to be used as a PA screening tool and not for evaluating PA levels for PARS research studies. The final study was based on the new LGM physical activity care pathway which included a brief intervention using Motivational Interviewing (MI), a communication style that elicits the individuals‟ ambivalence regarding PA. Eight out of 21 participants self-reported a PA increase at 6 months and the MI used during the PARS was coded at beginner level. The two PARS included in this thesis were compared for adherence; LGM adherence was 65% compared to 23% AOR adherence at 3 months. In conclusion, this research has demonstrated that PA levels do increase for PARS participants in the long term, but the dropout rate can be concerning. By using a mixed-methods approach, the lived experience of participants enhances the understanding of reasons behind non-adherence. The comparative study involving LGM and AOR samples showed that interventions with elements of MI might be a better investment of commissioned resources.
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2

Spurkland, Kristin. "Framing Physical Activity| Weight Control Frames and Physical Activity Motivation." Thesis, Portland State University, 2018. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=10824567.

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Public health institutions and popular media frequently frame weight loss and weight control as primary benefits of physical activity. This exploratory, descriptive study examined how respondents rated statements exemplifying three physical activity frames: a weight control frame, a medical frame, and an active embodiment frame. An anonymous, online survey was conducted in March 2018; respondents rated frame statements in terms of inspiring motivation to engage in physical activity, and in terms of perceived credibility. They also provided anthropometric data and physical activity data. Data were analyzed for the entire sample as well as stratified by multiple variables, including body mass index, waist circumference, age, and physical activity levels.

Overall, the weight control frame was rated the lowest in terms of motivation, and rated moderately in terms of credibility. The active embodiment frame was highly rated in terms of motivation, but did not rate highly in terms of credibility. The medical frame was rated most credible overall, while achieving moderate motivation ratings. A “credibility/motivation gap” was identified when frames were rated highly on one scale (credibility or motivation), but not the other. These findings have implications for how physical activity is framed in public health messaging, and suggest that, as no single frame dominated both the motivation and credibility ratings, a multi-frame approach may have greater success in motivating people to engage physical activity than does the current, weight-control dominant approach.

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Greene, Amanda E. "Youth Physical Activity." Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University, 2012. https://dc.etsu.edu/etsu-works/4958.

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4

Phillips, Daniel J. "Physical activity in the mental health context| Addressing physical activity with clients." Thesis, Northern Arizona University, 2017. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=10189737.

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Research over many decades has considered how physical activity affects mental health and how physical activity is perceived and utilized by mental health professionals in the treatment of clients. Findings suggest that physical activity is useful for decreasing symptoms of some disorders, improving mood, and improving cognitive functioning. Further, mental health professionals generally endorse the topic of physical activity as relevant and useful in the mental health context. However, mental health professionals do not generally address client physical activity. Among other concerns, mental health professionals believe that addressing physical activity with clients could have a negative impact on the client?s perception of the counseling process. This study investigated whether addressing client physical activity with college students participating in an intake counseling session influenced client ratings of the session or client ratings of the counseling relationship. There were no significant differences found in client ratings of the counseling session or counseling relationship when physical activity was addressed. The results of this study can be used in making decisions about addressing the topic of physical activity in the mental health context.

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5

Culver, Katherine. "Relationship Between Parental Role-Modeling of Physical Activity and Child's Physical Activity." VCU Scholars Compass, 2009. http://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd/1727.

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Trends in childhood obesity have lead to a generation that has a shortened lifespan, where excessive weight may decrease life expectancy by as much as five years. Physical inactivity is a major risk factor for childhood obesity as well as cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and cancer. Addressing inactivity in children could help keep the obesity epidemic from continuing to grow as well as help address other health concerns. The specific aims of this study are 1) To examine the effect of parental role-modeling of exercise on children’s activity level by specifically looking at the role of the mother and the father, 2) To determine what variables affect the relationship between parental role-modeling of physical activity and child’s physical activity, and 3) To assess what other variables are associated with children’s physical activity. This cross-sectional study uses data from the National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH) 2003. The results of this survey are weighted to represent the population of non-institutionalized children ages 0-17 nationally and in each state. This study focused on Virginia as approximately 13.8% of children ages 0-17 in Virginia are overweight and only 23.7% exercise vigorously everyday (26% nationally). The study sample was n=949 children. The sample was predominantly White (76.2%) with approximately equal numbers of males and females. The exposure of interest was parent’s regular exercise (yes/no) and the outcome of interest was child’s regular exercise (0-3 days a week/ 4+ days a week). Potential confounding variables included age, gender, race, BMI, the mother’s and father’s health, and smoking. The crude results of the study show that children with mothers who did not exercise regularly were more likely to exercise than children with mothers who did exercise regularly (OR= 1.19, 95% CI [0.83, 1.72]). Children with fathers who did not exercise regularly were less likely to exercise than children with fathers that did exercise regularly (OR=0.86, 95% CI [0.57, 1.28]). However, after adjustment, children with mothers who did not exercise regularly were less likely to exercise than children with mothers who did exercise regularly (OR=0.99, 95%CI [0.71, 1.32]). The same was true for fathers (OR=0.77, 95%CI [0.49, 1.22]). The results of this study could have possible policy implications. Interventions and programs that are implemented in schools and in communities need to have a family component as this study, as well as others, have shown that parents can influence their child’s exercise behaviors purely by being active themselves. Encouraging and facilitating exercise by parents could be a cost-effective way of implementing obesity prevention efforts with children as well as helping to improve the health of the adult population. Further research needs to be undertaken where all current known risk factors for childhood obesity are included so that the relative importance of these factors can be investigated.
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6

Raste, Yogini. "Physical activity in COPD." Thesis, Imperial College London, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/10044/1/55133.

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Reduced physical activity is an important feature of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). This thesis explores the importance of technical, environmental and patient factors in physical activity in COPD. Activity monitors are integral in accurately measuring physical activity in COPD but, to date, commercially available monitors had not been validated in this patient group. The first study (Chapter 3) was a multicentre validation study of 6 physical activity monitors in a laboratory setting in 40 COPD patients, against a gold standard of indirect calorimetry from a portable metabolic kit. Three triaxial accelerometers were found to be the most accurate activity monitors Chapter 4 describes a validation study of 4 activity monitors in a domestic setting in 20 UK-based patients. The gold standard of indirect calorimetry from the doubly labelled water method was used. Chapter 5 describes a multicentre longitudinal study of 236 COPD patients. Physical activity was measured at 3 different time points over 12 months with 2 triaxial monitors to assess the effect of time, geographic location and climatic conditions on physical activity. There was a significant effect of time with a decline in physical activity over time. There was also a significant effect of temperature and day length with lower levels of activity associated with lower temperatures and shorter day length. This has implications for future studies in COPD using physical activity as an outcome measure. A decline in physical activity over time across several European centres supports the importance of physical activity in the course of COPD and early intervention to attenuate its decline. The breathing response to the initiation of exercise in COPD and its association with daily physical activity levels was investigated (Chapter 6). A rapid shallow pattern of breathing on exertion is commonly found in COPD, which worsens with disease severity. However, the hypothesis that this breathing pattern would be associated with lower levels of daily physical activity was not proven.
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7

McFadden, Taylor. "Mental Health, Physical Activity Participation and Physical Activity Recommendation Habits of Medical Students." Thesis, Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa, 2021. http://hdl.handle.net/10393/41854.

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The purpose of this doctoral dissertation was to investigate the relationships between mental health and physical activity participation of medical students, as well as their confidence, motivation and frequency in recommending physical activity in future medical practice. Moreover, this thesis involved the implementation and evaluation of a peer support walking intervention aimed at improving the mental health and physical activity participation of medical students. Two separate studies were conducted, including a cross-sectional correlational survey administered to medical students in all four years at three Canadian Universities (Study One; Articles One, Two and Three) and a single-subject study testing the impact of a two-month peer support walking intervention delivered to first and second year medical students at two Canadian universities (Study Two; Articles Four and Five). Article One examined relationships between physical activity, including mild and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and mental health profiles in a sample of Canadian medical students using latent profile analysis. Three distinct mental health profiles emerged (low, moderate and high ratings of mental health) and individuals in the high mental health profile reported engaging in more mild physical activity than MVPA. Article Two investigated the underlying mechanism(s) contributing to frequency in recommending physical activity, to provide insight into how we can increase physical activity recommendations in future practice as physicians. Findings showed positive relationships between medical students’ physical activity levels and their frequency recommending physical activity to patients. Results also revealed that medical students are significantly more motivated than they are confident to recommend physical activity to patients and only 52% of student participants were aware of and accurately able to recall the Canadian physical activity guidelines. Article Three examined demographic differences in medical students’ motivation and confidence to recommend physical activity to future patients. Results revealed differences according to gender, year of study and academic background. For instance, second year students were more motivated to assess a patients’ level of physical activity compared to third and fourth year students. Article Four evaluated the impact of a two-month peer support walking intervention aimed at improving the mental health and physical activity participation of first and second year medical students using the RE-AIM framework. Findings showed that the peer support walking intervention was delivered as intended and may be an important proactive strategy for maintaining mental health and physical activity levels of medical students during stressful situations, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Finally, Article Five offered evidence-based strategies for conducting mental health research in medical professionals to optimize recruitment, engagement and retention. Ten strategies were provided to help inform the planning of future research aiming to support the mental health of medical professionals, including students. Taken altogether, findings from this dissertation show that peer support and incorporating mild physical activity may be an effective strategy to offer within medical student wellness programs. Additionally, results highlight the need to expand the medical curriculum to include physical activity education in order to prepare students to recommend physical activity to patients in future medical practice as an important preventive and therapeutic strategy for several chronic illnesses.
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8

Dotterweich, Andy R., Amy E. Greene, Jason T. Davis, Gary Lhotsky, and Joseph T. Walker. "Comparison of 4th Graders' Physical Activity Intensities in Various School Physical Activity Settings." Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University, 2016. https://dc.etsu.edu/etsu-works/3793.

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Objective: Our objective was to measure fourth grade elementary students' levels of physical activity (PA) during school hours in multiple settings/activities. Methods: Fourth grade students' PA levels were measured in physical education (PE) classes, playground free play, and playground-based cross-curricular instruction using accelerometers, pedometers, and SOFIT observation methods. Results: PE provided the highest levels of moderate-to-vigorous PA (accelerometers [F(2, 32) = 7.84, p < .01], pedometers [F(2, 198) = 49.6, p < .01], and the SOFIT observational method [F(2, 121) = 22.37, p < .01]). Conclusions: Whereas PE yielded the highest levels of PA, it fell short of the recommended daily guidelines. Free play and cross-curricular activity may supplement PE to reach the overall daily PA guideline levels.
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9

Ortiz-Castillo, Esther María. "Physical Activity Patterns and Factors Influencing Physical Activity Participation among Adolescents with Physical Disabilities in Urban Communities." The Ohio State University, 2011. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1313424343.

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10

Fein, Allan Jay. "Physical environments and the physical activity of youth." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 2000. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk1/tape3/PQDD_0002/MQ59802.pdf.

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11

Tjepkema, Travis T. "Relationship between physical activity and physical fitness attributes." Virtual Press, 1994. http://liblink.bsu.edu/uhtbin/catkey/902485.

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The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between self-report physical activity as quantified by the Ball State University Adult Physical Fitness Program (BSU-APFP) Physical Activity Code (PAC) and measured physical fitness attributes of participants tested through the Ball State University Adult Physical Fitness Program. For the analysis, subjects were separated into three physical activity groups based on their self-reported PAC. The activity groups were sedentary, moderately active, and active. Comparisons were made among the groups for the following measured physical fitness attributes: age, resting blood pressure and heart rate, body weight, body mass index (BMI), percent body fat, total serum cholesterol, serum triglycerides, and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max). The subject pool for this study consisted of 2152 participants tested through the BSU-APFP between 1972-1992. A subset analysis was performed comparing serum lipids among the physical activity groups using 1432 participants from the original subject pool. Gender-specific univariate ANOVA's were used to assess differences among the physical activity groups for the physical fitness attributes. Significant differences (p<0.05) were observed between the sedentary and active men for all the physical fitness attributes. Significant differences (p<0.05) were observed between the moderately active and active men for all the physical fitness attributes except age and systolic blood pressure. In addition, significant differences (p<0.05) were observed between the sedentary and moderately active men for body weight, BMI, percent body fat, serum triglycerides and V02max. Significant differences (p<0.05) were observed between the sedentary and active women for all the physical fitness attributes except for age and total cholesterol. Significant differences (p<0.05) were observed between the moderately active and active women for all the physical fitness attributes except age, systolic/diastolic blood pressure and the serum lipids. In addition, significant differences (p<0.05) were observed between the sedentary and moderately active women for BMI, percent body fat, the serum lipids and V02max. The observed differences among the PAC groups were in the expected direction meaning that active men and women had more favorable physical fitness profiles as compared to their less active counterparts.
School of Physical Education
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12

Ляшенко, Ірина Володимирівна, Ирина Владимировна Ляшенко, Iryna Volodymyrivna Liashenko, and A. O. Zubchenko. "The Importance of Physical Activity and Physical Education." Thesis, Сумський державний університет, 2019. http://essuir.sumdu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/72547.

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Sport is the perfect school for life. The skills acquired as a result of the game, physical education and sports are the basis for the development of the oligism of youth. Skills such as cooperation and trust are necessary for social cohesion and are realized in adulthood.
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13

Figaji, Tamara Ann. "Impact of a lifestyle physical activity intervention on school going children's physical activity participation." Thesis, University of the Western Cape, 2009. http://etd.uwc.ac.za/index.php?module=etd&action=viewtitle&id=gen8Srv25Nme4_6968_1297753030.

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Associated with physical inactivity and obesity are numerous other health risks which have become a major health concern. A steady decrease in the levels of physical activity during childhood and adolescents have been noted in various parts of the world. The picture of low physical activity levels in developed countries is no different in developing countries. Children spend the majority of their day at school therefore a school setting is ideal to conduct physical activity intervention studies The primary aim of this study was to measure the effect of an intervention programme on the physical activity participation levels among school going children and adolescents. The study was carried out at an urban independent Catholic school. The sample, which was conveniently selected, which included 100 learners from grade 5 to 7 with parental consent. A quantitative approach using a quasi-experimental design was used in this study. Baseline data included levels of physical activity participation, Body Mass Index (BMI), hip-waist ratio, and socio-demographic variables. Physical activity was assessed with the Modifiable Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents. The Promoting Lifestyle activity for Youth (PLAY) programme was implemented at the school. This process-oriented programme shifts the focus from fitness toward regular participation in daily physical activity, and it is not intended to replace a comprehensive physical education programme.

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14

Gunnell, Katie Elizabeth. "Psychological need satisfaction in physical activity : Implications for well-being and physical activity behaviour." Thesis, University of British Columbia, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/2429/45108.

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Within Self-Determination Theory (Deci & Ryan, 2002) the satisfaction of competence, autonomy, and relatedness needs are thought to directly predict psychological well-being and behavioural outcomes (Deci & Ryan, 2000). The purpose of this program of research was to examine the role of psychological need satisfaction in association with psychological well-being and physical activity in participants drawn from the general population. Study 1 examined aspects of score validity and reliability for an instrument modified to assess psychological need satisfaction in physical activity contexts. Results of this investigation supported the merit of the modified instrument for use in the general population. Study 2 supported a sequence based on 3 mini-theories within SDT wherein changes in relative intrinsic goals → changes in motivation → psychological need satisfaction → changes in well-being and physical activity behaviour over 6 months. Examination of the indirect effects highlighted the role of psychological need satisfaction as potential mediators within this sequence of SDT. Next, a randomized controlled trial was conducted to examine the effect of a best possible physical activity self writing intervention on outcomes such as psychological need satisfaction, exercise self-schema, well-being, and physical activity behaviour. Study 3 was conducted using baseline data from the intervention to examine the indirect effect of psychological need satisfaction in the relationship between exercise self-schema and well-being/physical activity. Results from study 3 suggested that satisfaction of all 3 psychological needs mediated the link between descriptive exercise self-schema and well-being and that competence produced an indirect effect between descriptive exercise self-schema and physical activity. Results from the intervention investigation (study 4) revealed that a once a week writing intervention over 4 weeks increased participants’ positive affect at post-test relative to the control group; however, the intervention was largely unsuccessful at increasing psychological need satisfaction, exercise self-schema, well-being and physical activity across post-test and 1-month follow-up. Taken together, the results from the four studies in this program of research highlight the salience of psychological need satisfaction in physical activity contexts and their potential mediational role between antecedents such as goals, motivation, and self-schema and consequences such as well-being and physical activity.
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Kain, Lorie L. "Physical activity levels and perceived benefits and barriers to physical activity among honors students." Virtual Press, 1997. http://liblink.bsu.edu/uhtbin/catkey/1061876.

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The problem_ of the study was to compare honors college students with non-honors students on physical activity levels, perceived benefits of physical activity, and perceived barriers to physical activity. Two measures were selected to test the hypotheses and were combined into one questionnaire. A purposive sample of 500 students from Honors College classes and Health Science classes were given the questionnaire to complete during class. Multiple Analysis of variance (MANOVA), univariate f-tests following significant MANOVA's, and a t-test analysis were used to test the hypotheses.Results of this study indicated that honors students and non-honors students perform similar amounts of physical activity. Time is a more important perceived barrier to physical activity for honors students than for non-honors students. No significant differences exist for honors students and non-honors students regarding perceived benefits. It is suggested that additional research involving physical activity and time factors be conducted on college students enrolled in both honors programs and non-honors programs.
Department of Physiology and Health Science
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Nordström, Anna. "Bone mass and physical activity." Doctoral thesis, Umeå universitet, Medicin, 2004. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-224.

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Abstract Weak and osteoporotic bones in old age are an increasing cause of mortality and painful physical impairment of the elderly, especially in the western world. Bone mineral accrual during childhood and adolescence is thought to play a vital role in preventing osteoporosis. Identifying and optimizing the factors influencing peak bone mass is thus important for the prevention of osteoporosis and related fractures. A main aim of this thesis was to investigate the potential effects of various types of weight-bearing physical activity on bone accretion in young males just out of puberty. The results from our subgroups of athletes consisting of badminton, ice hockey, and soccer players suggest that weight-bearing physical activity gives rise to regional specific bone response that is determined by the degree of impact of the activity in areas subject to mechanical loading (papers I–IV). In summary, the bone is sensitive to loading after puberty in males, and important bone mass gains can be achieved by proper amount and type of exercise. Another aim of this thesis was to studythe effect of detraining on weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing bone in a cohort of adolescent males who participated in ice hockey and soccer training. Our results indicate that exercise-induced bone mineral density benefits decline, predominantly in weight-bearing bones, after retirement from an active sports career (papers II–IV). High bone density stemming from physical loading might be at least partly preserved even by reduced physical activity at nonweight-bearing sites after about three years of reduced activity (III, IV). A final aim was to follow prospectively the development of BMD during years of reduced activity in former male athletes, and evaluate whether exercise during adolescence could be associated with fewer fractures in old age. We found fewer fragility fractures in a cohort of 400 former athletes compared to in 800 age-matched controls. Thus, high bone density stemming from previous weight-bearing physical activity may reduce the risk of sustaining fragility fractures in the elderly. Key words: physical activity, peak bone mineral density, males.
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Eurenius, Eva. "Physical activity in rheumatoid arthritis /." Stockholm, 2006. http://diss.kib.ki.se/2006/91-7140-697-2/.

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Nordström, Anna. "Bone mass and physical activity /." Umeå : Univ, 2004. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-224.

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19

Ratzlaff, Charles R. "Lifetime physical activity and osteoarthritis." Thesis, University of British Columbia, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/2429/36735.

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Introduction: The overall goal of this thesis is to improve understanding of physical activity (PA), one of the most important, modifiable but controversial risk factors in osteoarthritis (OA). OA is the major public health problem in musculoskeletal medicine and leading cause of physical disability in older adults. The ultimate purpose is to provide evidence to inform OA prevention strategies, something not currently available. Objectives: 1) To construct and describe lifetime trajectories of hip and knee joint force from physical activity in a large Canadian sample; 2) To validate self-report measures of medically-diagnosed OA and novel measures of joint vulnerability against clinical criteria; 3) To evaluate the relationship of lifetime joint force and hip and knee OA. Methods: PA data were collected online from 4,269 subjects via a validated PA survey in a national population-based cohort from 2005 to 2007 and subjects ranked and lifetime trajectories plotted in terms of the ‘cumulative peak force index’, a novel joint force measure. Validation studies were conducted in a sub-sample. Population-based multivariable studies examining the relationship between joint force and incident hip and prevalent knee OA were conducted. Results: 1) Overall women had slightly higher lifetime PA-related force then men. Six percent of subjects developed hip OA and seven percent knee OA during follow up. There was no risk from sport/recreational activity. Very high levels of total lifetime force (hip and knee), occupational force in men (knee) and household-related force in women (knee) were associated with an approximate 2-fold increase in risk of OA, as was previous joint injury (5-fold increase hip, 3-fold knee). At the knee, lower limb malalignment but not joint hypermobility, was associated with knee OA. Higher coordination was protective. Conclusions: Taken collectively, the results show that lifelong physical activity-related joint force is generally safe for the hip and knee, and the promotion of exercise as a major public health initiative should continue without concern for increased rates of OA. Very high levels of occupational force in men and household force in women were risk factors for knee OA. Joint injury, lower limb malalignment and lower coordination were associated with OA.
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Papakonstantinou, Lida. "Physical activity, exercise and ageing." Thesis, University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, 2011. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.556012.

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Ageing refers to a multidimensional process of physical, psychological, and social change of an organism over time. As life expectancy increases the prevalence of ageing related diseases raises. Thus, it becomes essential to distinguish the contributions to health and disease of ageing per se and lifestyle. It is well established that increased physical activity can protect against metabolic diseases and reduce mortality. However, methods of inducing a durable increase in daily physical activity are not well established and there are particular difficulties in bringing about long term changes in behaviour. The interaction of physical activity with ageing is complex. It remains to be shown how much physical activity can modify age related sarcopenia. The work described in this thesis aimed to answer basic questions about motivation to exercise, effects of exercise and the interaction of physical activity and maintenance of muscle mass. The first study was conducted in order to determine the effect of physical activity and ageing upon body composition and mediators of glucose control. Liver lipid, skeletal muscle mitochondrial function, body composition, and metabolism were studied in different ages and physical activity levels. The main research questions were: 1. Does maintaining a physically active vs. sedentary lifestyle produce a different ageing phenotype? 2. Can these differences be characterised using non-invasive biomarkers? This cross sectional study raised awareness on the body composition changes with age which are affected by physical activity level. Additionally, metabolic consequences of ageing were examined and distinguished from those of deconditioning. Magnetic resonance analysis showed a decrease in mitochondrial function with ageing and an increase in liver fat, which was accompanied by insulin resistance. The second study evaluated whether goal orientated exercise advice held benefits for adherence, physical fitness and metabolic flexibility over non-Goal orientated advice in sedentary people. The data demonstrated the critically important factor of sustainability in an exercise program. Maintenance of the exercise regime was enhanced by a goal orientated exercise programme. Exercise alone did not produce a reduction in mean body mass even though compliance was good and physical fitness improved. This holds implications for patients and clinicians. Goal Orientated exercise focussed on mass participation exercise also produced greater metabolic adaptations than standard exercise advice alone. A sub analysis of the data aimed to assess whether increased physical activity had a beneficial effect on all people irrespectively of their ability to lose weight during an exercise intervention. Participants were divided into two groups according to their ability to lose body fat with exercise (Responders group and non-Responders group). The data showed that increased physical activity regardless of weight or fat loss can increase aerobic fitness at all ages with potential beneficial effect on quality of life, disease risk and reduction in mortality. Overall, this thesis describes new information on bringing about change in physical activity and the relationships between age, physical activity and sarcopenia.
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Andersen, Kasper. "Physical Activity and Cardiovascular Disease." Doctoral thesis, Uppsala universitet, Institutionen för medicinska vetenskaper, 2014. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-217309.

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The aim was to investigate associations of fitness and types and levels of physical activity with subsequent risk of cardiovascular disease. Four large-scale longitudinal cohort studies were used. The exposures were different measures related to physical activity and the outcomes were obtained through linkage to the Swedish In-Patient Register. In a cohort of 466 elderly men without pre-existing cardiovascular disease, we found that skeletal muscle morphology was associated with risk of cardiovascular events. A high amount of type I (slow-twitch, oxidative) skeletal muscle fibres was associated with lower risk of cardiovascular events and high amount of type IIx was associated with higher risk of cardiovascular events. This association was only seen among physically active men. Among 39,805 participants in a fundraising event, higher levels of both total and leisure time physical activity were associated with lower risk of heart failure. The associations were strongest for leisure time physical activity. In a cohort of 53,755 participants in the 90 km skiing event Vasaloppet, a higher number of completed races was associated with higher risk of atrial fibrillation and a higher risk of bradyarrhythmias. Further, better relative performance was associated with a higher risk of bradyarrhythmias. Among 1,26 million Swedish 18-year-old men, exercise capacity and muscle strength were independently associated with lower risk of vascular disease. The associations were seen across a range of major vascular disease events (ischemic heart disease, heart failure, stroke and cardiovascular death). Further, high exercise capacity was associated with higher risk of atrial fibrillation and a U-shaped association with bradyarrhythmias was found. Higher muscle strength was associated with lower risk of bradyarrhythmias and lower risk of ventricular arrhythmias. These findings suggest a higher rate of atrial fibrillation with higher levels of physical activity. The higher risk of atrial fibrillation does not appear to lead to a higher risk of stroke. In contrast, we found a strong inverse association of higher exercise capacity and muscle strength with vascular disease. Further, high exercise capacity and muscle strength are related to lower risk of cardiovascular death, including arrhythmia deaths. From a population perspective, the total impact of physical activity on cardiovascular disease is positive.
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Cale, Lorraine. "Monitoring physical activity in children." Thesis, Loughborough University, 1993. https://dspace.lboro.ac.uk/2134/7062.

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Two main research problems were addressed within this thesis. Firstly, the construction of a selfreport measure of physical activity (questionnaire) designed specifically for use with children and secondly, the use of the measure to provide information on the activity levels of a sample of British children. Every effort was made in designing the self-report, to address as many of the problems associated with the current measures as possible, and thereby to design an instrument which may improve upon existing measures. The process involved a detailed review of the literature, implementation of a number of recommendations from the literature, and a series of preliminary and pilot studies to determine the content and feasibility of the questionnaire forms and the feasibility of the administration procedures. Following the preliminary studies, the scoring procedure for the selfreport measure was developed and the final format of the questionnaire established. The final version was an interviewer administered questionnaire comprising two forms, a school day and a weekend form. Once designed, the measure was evaluated. The evaluation of the questionnaire involved studies of the validity and reliability of the measure as well as the reliability of interviewers trained to administer the questionnaire. The results of these studies proved favourable throughout and it was declared that the measure was a valid and reliable measure of physical activity. The use of the self-report measure to gather the activity information on a sample of British children in part two of the research was thus well justified. Part two of the research involved the administration of the self-report measure to gather activity information on a final sample of 199 pupils. The questionnaire was administered according to the method and protocols established in part one of the study. The findings of the study revealed the majority of the pupils to be inactive. Low activity levels were reflected in the pupils' activity scores and in the amount of time they spent in hard/very hard activity in particular. It was declared that the health of many pupils in this study may be at risk and if these findings reflect the activity levels of British children generally, then we may expect there to be serious consequences for the future health of our young population.
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Lahart, I. M. "Physical activity and breast cancer." Thesis, University of Wolverhampton, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/2436/332113.

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Background: Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer and a leading cause of cancer death among females, both worldwide and in the UK. Although, UK incidence of breast cancer is rising, breast cancer mortality rates are falling, due largely to early detection and improved treatment. As a result there are more women living with a diagnosis of breast cancer than ever before. Due mainly to side-effects of adjuvant therapy, breast cancer patients may require diagnostic, therapeutic, supportive or palliative services many years post-diagnosis, which poses a major challenge to already stretched healthcare services. Accordingly, effective and inexpensive interventions that can alleviate treatment side-effects, improve health, quality of life and potentially reduce risk of early mortality are required for breast cancer patients. Awareness of the positive influence that physical activity can have on breast cancer development and outcome is an important determinant of physical activity levels. A higher level of physical activity before and after breast cancer diagnosis is related to a lower risk of all-cause and breast cancer-related mortality. Randomised controlled trials have reported beneficial effects of physical activity interventions on outcomes relating to health, quality of life and mortality risk among breast cancer survivors. Aims: The present project aimed to: 1) assess awareness of the role of physical activity on breast cancer risk and the sufficiency of physical activity undertaken in women attending the NHS breast screening programme (NHSBSP), 2) compare physical activity levels of women at different stages of breast cancer pathway, 3) investigate the effects of a low-cost six-month home-based physical activity intervention on physical activity, body mass, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), insulin resistance and blood lipid profiles of breast cancer survivors and 4) assess the effects of our home-based intervention on cardiorespiratory fitness in a subset of breast cancer survivors. Methods: A total of 309 volunteers (188 NHSBSP attendees, 41 breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and 80 post-treatment breast cancer survivors) participated in the current project. Physical activity was assessed via the International Physical activity Questionnaires (IPAQ). In studies one and two, Body mass and body mass index (BMI) were assessed directly in chemotherapy patients and breast cancer survivors, and indirectly from self-reported values in NHSBSP attendees. While in study three, body fat percentage was measured via bioelectrical impedance analysis, HRQoL was assessed using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast (FACT-B) questionnaire and fasting blood samples were taken to measure lipid, glucose and insulin concentrations at baseline and post-six month home-based physical activity intervention. In study four, a random subsample of 32 breast cancer survivors undertook an exercise tolerance test to establish peak oxygen uptake values. Results: A high proportion (70%) of NHSBSP attendees engaged in low-moderate levels of physical activity and performed low amounts of recreational physical activity. Attendees demonstrated high awareness (75%) of the role of physical activity in reducing breast cancer risk but those categorised as “low activity” were significantly unaware of insufficiency of activity (p<0.05). Chemotherapy patients and breast cancer survivors had significantly lower levels of total physical activity than NHSBSP attendees (p<0.001 and p<0.05, respectively). The randomised controlled trial revealed significant improvements in total physical activity, body mass (p<0.05), BMI (p<0.05) HRQoL (breast cancer subscale, p<0.01; trial outcome index, p<0.05) and total (p<0.01) and low-density lipoprotein (p<0.05) cholesterol concentrations in the intervention group compared to usual care, and significant improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness (p<0.05) in a subsample of breast cancer survivors allocated to intervention. Conclusions: Physical activity interventions that incorporate strategies aimed at increasing awareness of recommended physical activity guidelines may be required in populations at risk of breast cancer. A relatively large proportion of women at risk of breast cancer may not be sufficiently exposed to the potential benefits of physical activity on breast cancer outcomes. Post-treatment breast cancer patients may be more receptive to physical activity interventions as the negative effects of chemotherapy begin to resolve, and therefore, may benefit from physical activity interventions. Results suggest that a low-cost home-based physical activity intervention with counselling and telephone support can improve the health and HRQoL of breast cancer survivors, which may in turn potentially reduce risk of breast cancer and cardiovascular disease-related mortality. Given the encouraging results and its highly portable and feasible nature, our intervention represents a promising tool for use in health and community settings to benefit large numbers of breast cancer survivors. The current project supports the inclusion of physical activity promotion as an integral component for the management and care of breast cancer survivors.
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Bell, Edith M. "Physical activity and mental health." Thesis, California State University, Long Beach, 2016. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=10195658.

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The study investigated the relationship of physical activity (domain, frequency, amount, and intensity) on mental health (depression, stress, and anxiety) in the general population. Two hundred and fifty-three individuals eighteen or older completed either an online or paper survey for the study. Pearson Correlation, T-tests, and multiple regression were used in the data analysis. Results indicated vigorous activity correlated negatively with stress (r = -.16 p < .01) and anxiety, ( r = -.15 p < .01). Amount of activity correlated negatively with anxiety, r = -.15 p < .05. Leisure time activity, frequency of activity, and amount of activity were significant predictors of stress among females, R2 = .07, p < .05 and anxiety among males, R2 = .09, p < .05 (vigorous for men and moderate for female). Males were found to participate in significantly more vigorous leisure activity than females, t = 2.50, p < .01. Given the limited research on factors of physical activity, results of the study offer useful information for future research into the complexities of physical activity and its effects on mental health.

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Harrison, Jeff. "'Stealth Health' Promotes Physical Activity." College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ), 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/622092.

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Rusnak, I. T. "Cardiovascular risk factors. Physical activity." Thesis, БДМУ, 2022. http://dspace.bsmu.edu.ua:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/19579.

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Обухова, Ольга Анатоліївна, Ольга Анатольевна Обухова, Olha Anatoliivna Obukhova, and K. M. Sheikh. "Ace gene and physical activity." Thesis, Publisher SumDU, 2010. http://essuir.sumdu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/6754.

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TERGERSON, JENNIFER L. "ADOLESCENT PERCEPTIONS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY." University of Cincinnati / OhioLINK, 2001. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1005313123.

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Hardee, Angelica M. "Physical Activity among College Students." University of Cincinnati / OhioLINK, 2014. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1409065705.

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Shirley, Debra Karen. "Physical activity promotion by physiotherapists." Thesis, The University of Sydney, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/2123/12746.

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Physical inactivity is a major public health problem worldwide and is the second highest risk factor for chronic disease. Physiotherapists are primary care providers who have the knowledge and skills to provide physical activity advice and tailor programs to individual needs. The primary aim of this thesis is to investigate the feasibility of physiotherapists providing “non treatment-related” physical activity intervention for better health, as an adjunct to their clinical treatment roles. A second aim is to establish the current level of evidence of the effectiveness of physiotherapists in providing non treatment physical activity intervention for better health. A survey of practices and perceptions of physiotherapists and physiotherapy students indicated that some physiotherapists were already incorporating physical activity advice into their usual practice. Physiotherapists and physiotherapy students identified few barriers to incorporating physical activity advice into usual practice. A systematic review to determine whether physiotherapists are effective in increasing physical activity behaviour demonstrated that there is limited evidence suggesting that physiotherapists may be effective in promoting physical activity to improve health. Physiotherapists are primary care providers with a relatively untapped potential to contribute to public health strategies to increase physical activity for the prevention of chronic disease.
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Hardman, Charlotte Alice. "Increasing physical activity in children." Thesis, Bangor University, 2005. https://research.bangor.ac.uk/portal/en/theses/increasing-physical-activity-in-children(d90cb6fb-304e-4b39-98a1-fe44f851f539).html.

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Edwardson, Charlotte L. "Activity-related parenting practices and young people's physical activity." Thesis, Loughborough University, 2010. https://dspace.lboro.ac.uk/2134/6372.

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Despite the health benefits associated with regular physical activity only a small percentage of young people are meeting the physical activity recommendations. There is a need to further understanding of the factors that influence physical activity behaviour in young people to inform intervention programmes. This thesis provides six studies focusing on the objective measurement of young people's physical activity as well as social support for physical activity. Chapter 2.1 describes a systematic review of quantitative research examining parental influences on different types and intensities of physical activity in young people. Chapter 2.2 describes a systematic review of qualitative research examining the role of parents in young people s physical activity. Both reviews were conducted to examine the state of the current literature focused on parental influences on young people s physical activity and were used to inform the direction of the research in later chapters. Chapter 3 describes two cross-sectional studies examining the effects of key decisions researchers must make when using accelerometers on accelerometer ouput in children and adolescents. Chapter 3.1 describes a study examining the effect of epoch length on physical activity intensity in children and adolescents. Chapter 3.2 describes a study examining the impact of accelerometer processing decision rules, such as cut-points and non-wear period, on children s and adolescents physical activity. The purpose of these studies was to systematically explore the pre- and post-data collection decisions associated with accelerometer use on accelerometer output in young people and inform accelerometer use in chapters 4 and 5. Chapter 4 was designed to explore activity-related parenting practices and children s (7-10 years) objectively measured physical activity. Chapter 5 describes a study examining five sources of social support and adolescent s physical activity measured two ways. This thesis demonstrated that parents play in key role in their child's physical activity through a variety of support avenues and in adolescence support for physical activity provided by peers appears to be important in shaping physical activity behaviour. Targeting such facets of the social environment offers a potentially useful avenue for interventions designed to increase physical activity. Finally, this thesis also demonstrated that there are a number of challenges with accelerometer use particularly in the area of processing data. The rich information provided by accelerometers makes them an invaluable tool to understand the complex nature of young people's physical activity behaviour but further work needs to be conducted on standardising methods for cleaning, analysing and reporting accelerometer data.
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Fairclough, Stuart John. "Health-enhancing physical activity during secondary school physical education." Thesis, Liverpool John Moores University, 2005. http://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/5792/.

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Grabowski, Catherine A. "The measurement of daily physical activity with the addition of moderate physical activity using pedometers." Virtual Press, 2005. http://www.oregonpdf.org.

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Cameron, Gabrielle. "The relationship between older women's attitudes towards physical activity and their present physical activity patterns." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 1997. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk2/ftp04/mq23782.pdf.

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Barnett, Tracie. "Determinants of children's physical activity behavior : influence of opportunities for physical activity in elementary schools." Thesis, McGill University, 2004. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=84467.

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With dramatic increases in obesity in North America and declining levels of physical activity (PA), identification of the determinants of PA in children that are amenable to improvement, is a public health priority.
The purpose of this thesis is fourfold: to identify factors that predict decline in PA among school children; to investigate if selected (school-level) opportunities for PA at school are associated with overall (student-level) PA behaviour; to describe school-based opportunities for PA; and finally, to identify environmental correlates of 'high opportunity' schools.
Not participating in school-based team sports predicted decline to an inactive status after one year in boys and after two years in girls. Other one-year predictors of decline among boys included moderate (Vs high) baseline PA (odds ratio (OR) = 1.66, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.91, 3.05, low self-efficacy (OR = 2.13, 95% CI: 1.03, 2.71)), born outside Canada (OR = 2.13, 95% CI: 1.31, 3.46) and Asian origin (OR = 1.81, 95% CI: 0.93, 3.55) in boys and moderate PA (OR = 1.91, 95% CI: 1.10, 3.32), low self-efficacy (OR = 1.70, 95% CI: 1.15, 2.49), watching ≥4 TV programs per day (OR = 1.40, 95% CI: 0.97, 2.02), mother unemployed (OR = 1.54, 95% CI: 1.07, 2.23), and grade 5 (Vs. grade 4) (OR = 1.35, 95% CI: 0.94, 1.93) in girls. Two-year predictors included moderate baseline PA (OR = 2.52, 95% CI: 0.84, 7.53, and born outside Canada (OR = 1.96, 95% CI: 0.91, 4.20) in boys and moderate baseline PA (OR = 2.75, 95% CI: 1.01, 7.49), watching 4 or more TV programs per day (OR = 1.93, 95% CI: 0.99, 3.74), and born outside Canada (OR = 1.85, 95% CI: 0.96, 3.55) in girls. In the second analysis, 8% of the variance in children's PA behaviour was at the between-school level. MLM analyses did not identify significant main effects of either 'high PE' or 'sports playing fields' for physical activity outcomes. However, significant cross-level interactions were identified, such that overweight boys who attended high PE schools and/or schools equipped with sports playing fields reported higher levels of PA and were less likely to be inactive than overweight boys attending schools that did not offer these opportunities. In the third analysis, there was substantial variation in PA opportunities between schools. Higher opportunity for PA at school was associated with role modeling of PA by school principals (OR = 2.40, 95% CI: 1.23, 3.46); high interest in links to the municipality (OR = 1.95, 95% CI: 1.18, 3,21); fewer barriers related to cost and human r
These findings illustrate the central role of the school environment in influencing children's activity levels, and provide direction to program and policy makers interested in enhancing opportunities for PA available to children at school, and in helping children maintain active lifestyles. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)
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Chan, Yuen-kee Karen, and 陳婉琪. "The enhancement of physical activity in primary school students through an individualized physical activity programme." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2002. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B31962816.

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Klamm, Emily L. "Impact of a physical activity program on at-risk female adolescents' enjoyment of physical activity." Virtual Press, 2007. http://liblink.bsu.edu/uhtbin/catkey/1371847.

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As obesity and related diseases become increasingly prevalent, there is a great need for programs for at-risk female adolescents that will encourage physical activity and other healthy behaviors. Enjoyment is one factor that has been associated with exercise participation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of a physical activity program on at-risk female adolescents' enjoyment of physical activity. Participants (n= 50) from a residential treatment facility participated in a non-competitive, non-threatening physical activity program for ten weeks. Fifteen of the participants comprised a control group and did not participate in the structured program. Participants completed the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES) at the beginning and end of the program. In addition, their exercise heart rates were obtained at each session. A repeated-measures ANOVA was used to analyze the PACES scores. Results indicated a significant group by time interaction between the three cottages (p= .002). Further analysis revealed PACES scores increased for one treatment cottage, but decreased for the other treatment cottage and the control group. The mean percent of time participants spent in their target heart rate zone (>140 bpm) was 53.5%.
School of Physical Education, Sport, and Exercise Science
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39

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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Ng, Ip Kit-wan Judy. "The use of pedometer and physical activity log in assessing physical activity of school children." HKBU Institutional Repository, 1997. http://repository.hkbu.edu.hk/etd_ra/157.

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Chan, Yuen-kee Karen. "The enhancement of physical activity in primary school students through an individualized physical activity programme." Hong Kong : University of Hong Kong, 2002. http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkuto/record.jsp?B25751979.

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42

Speranzini, Nicolas. "Do Changes In Affective Responses During Physical Activity Predict Future Physical Activity Behavior In Older Adults?" Thesis, Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10393/34074.

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Background: Gaining insight into factors related to moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) behavior may assist development of behavior change interventions targeting older adults. Purpose: To explore direct and indirect associations between older adults’ affective responses during MVPA and future MVPA behavior via self-efficacy beliefs and self-determined motivation. Methods: Data were collected from 82 older adults before, during, and after a walking bout; MVPA behavior was measured 1 month later via telephone. Results: Increases in tranquility during MVPA were indirectly correlated with future MVPA behavior via self-determined motivation (p < .05), but not self-efficacy beliefs (p > .05). Decreases in positive engagement and tranquility during MVPA were directly and positively linked with future MVPA behavior, whereas increases in revitalization during MVPA and self-determined motivation were directly and positively linked with future MVPA behavior (p < .05). Conclusions: Changes in older adults’ affective responses during MVPA may be important correlates of future MVPA behavior.
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Hommel, Katherine E. "The impact of a physical activity intervention on the physical activity self-efficacy of preadolescent females." Connect to this title online, 2007. http://etd.lib.clemson.edu/documents/1181252226/.

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44

Gummelt, Dominique. "The impact of gameful design on sedentary adults' motivation for physical activity and physical activity levels." Thesis, University of Bath, 2017. https://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.707595.

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Background: Gameful design has been shown to have the potential to increase motivation for and engagement with physical activity (PA). However, at present, there is a significant lack of well-designed frameworks identifying effective pathways to increase PA behaviour. Purpose: To design a rigorous, methodologically sound, theory-grounded framework for developing gamefully designed PA interventions. Methods: Intervention Mapping (IM) was used to develop the study protocol, consisting of three studies. Study 1 encompassed the design of a novel theoretical framework leading to the selection of a gamefully designed PA intervention application. Study 2 entailed the intervention implementation. Participants (n = 83; mean age = 33.56; females = 48) were randomised to a six-week intervention. Data collection over a six-month period included biometric data, objective measurement of moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) and a detailed PA motivation inventory. Study 3 presented a process evaluation focused on usefulness, effectiveness and feasibility via a systematic mixed-methods approach. Results: Study 1 led to the creation of a new Taxonomy of Situated Motivational Affordances (SMAs) for Gameful Design, the establishment of selection criteria for gamefully designed PA applications and the selection of a commercial application (Fitocracy) for the example case pilot intervention. Study 2 showed no statistically significant change observations in relation to MVPA; however, at six weeks the intervention group showed significant increased levels of identified regulation (internalised motivation) for PA. A significant correlation (p=0.031) between intrinsic regulation and MVPA was verified. Study 3 determined the usefulness of a systematic methodological study design, a low adoption rate of the intervention application and the appreciation of the complex nature of human motivation in relation to PA. Conclusions: Gamefully designed applications grounded in theories such as SDT, BCTs and the newly developed Taxonomy of SMAs for Gameful Design have the potential to be effective in impacting motivation for PA and PA levels.
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DiCello, Victoria L. "WILL USING THE WALKSTATION TO INCREASE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AT THE WORKPLACE DECREASE LEISURE TIME PHYSICAL ACTIVITY?" Miami University / OhioLINK, 2010. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1281024868.

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Grim, Melissa L. "CONSTRUCT VALIDATION OF A PHYSICAL ACTIVITY INTERVENTION TO INCREASE SELF-REGULATION FOR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN ADOLESCENTS." The Ohio State University, 2002. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1024858820.

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Lombard, Tamara Neubauer. "Improving physical activity adherence : the effects of self-control strategies, telephone prompting using lifestyle physical activity /." Diss., This resource online, 1994. http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-06062008-164730/.

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48

Dalton, Amy L. "Physical Activity Motivational Factors of Activity Trackers for Young Adults." BYU ScholarsArchive, 2020. https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/8618.

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BACKGROUND: Physical activity for the majority of individuals is below recommended levels despite strong evidence of its significant health benefits. Activity tracker devices present as a promising and affordable tool to help promote physical activity and active choices. Additionally, young adults present as an ideal age group to implement behavior change interventions. OBJECTIVE: To determine what features of activity tracker hardware and software are helpful in motivating active choices. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 149 participants ranging in age from 18-29 years old who wore an ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometer for one week. They then continued to wear the accelerometer in addition to a randomly assigned activity tracker (Apple Watch, Fitbit Surge, Basis Peak, or Microsoft Band 2) for an additional week. They also used the corresponding app for their activity tracker. Participants filled out a survey about their experience at the end of the study RESULTS: Overall hardware rating (p = 0.162) and overall software rating (p = 0.125) did not differ between the four devices. Degree of motivation of the hardware (p = 0.177) and software (p = 0.120) was also similar for all the activity trackers. There were 625 positive comments made about tracker hardware with the majority of these comments concerning mode options (n = 149), other (n = 94), and battery (n = 79). There were 287 positive software comments with the majority in the categories of other (n = 78) and information (n = 68). CONCLUSIONS: The analyses of our data did not show a significant difference between devices in any category. Furthermore, results indicated a high number of positive comments for both hardware and software overall. Users also reported device hardware and software to be personally motivating.
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Zaheer, Farah. "Adaptations in motor unit activity with age and physical activity." Thesis, Boston University, 2012. https://hdl.handle.net/2144/12693.

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Thesis (Sc.D.)--Boston University PLEASE NOTE: Boston University Libraries did not receive an Authorization To Manage form for this thesis or dissertation. It is therefore not openly accessible, though it may be available by request. If you are the author or principal advisor of this work and would like to request open access for it, please contact us at open-help@bu.edu. Thank you.
The hypothesis that age-related alterations to the morphological properties of a motor unit (MU) are accompanied by modifications in their control properties has been supported by data that compared young (24-37 y.o.) and elderly (65-88 y.o.) adults (Erim et al. J. Neurophys., 1999). The objective of the present dissertation was to characterize whether such modifications in MU control properties are progressive across a continuum of ages from childhood to senescence, and whether such adaptations are muscle and usage dependent. Multiple concurrently active MUs were assayed from the first dorsal interosseous (FDI) and vastus lateralis (VL) muscles in healthy subjects from 8-86 years of age. Surface EMG (sEMG) signals were acquired while the participants isometrically tracked a trapezoidal force trajectory at 20%, 50% and 80% of their maximal voluntary force capacity. Data were decomposed into MU trains using a recently developed sEMG decomposition procedure (De Luca et al. J. Neurophys., 2006; Nawab et al. J Clin. Neurophys., 2010) that provides a much greater yield (typically 3- 6 X) than that of prev1ous needle sensor based technologies. Results from n=65 subjects (representing approximately 5307 analyzed MUs) indicate that the average firing rates of the earliest recruited MU trains were significantly reduced with increasing age (p<0.05)) for both muscles and the three normalized force levels tested. Characteristics of MU behavior in young children were reported for the first time, and demonstrated unique properties compared to findings in adults and the elderly. Additionally, those elderly adults who scored at the high end of a physical activity scale deviated least in their firing rate properties from young adults, demonstrating that habitual physical activity can modify the effects of ageing. These findings indicate an age and usage-dependency to MU control properties that is progressive.
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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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