Feasibility of a Campus-Based “Buddy System” to Promote Physical Activity: Canadian Students’ Perspectives

2006 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 323-334 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia Tucker ◽  
Jennifer D. Irwin
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
University Students ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Policies And Procedures ◽  
Buddy System ◽  
Matching Criteria ◽  
Social Components

Objective:To explore the characteristics of a university-wide buddy system that students would be receptive to using.Methods:This study targeted a heterogeneous sample of undergraduate university students age 18 to 25 y. An experienced moderator, using a semi-structured interview guide, conducted 13 focus groups (n = 65). Focus group discussions were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Inductive content analysis was conducted independently by two researchers. Measures were incorporated throughout to ensure data trustworthiness.Results:The value of this campus-based physical activity intervention was emphasized by the vast majority of participants. Five main themes exemplified students' preferences: sign-up methods; matching criteria; social components; policies and procedures; and contact methods.Conclusion:Students confirmed that a campus-based program tailored to their needs and preferences will be more effective than those to which they currently have access. Given the small number of physically active Canadian university students, a campus-based program that is appealing is important for the health of this population.

Association of Behavioral Phenotypes With Changes in Sleep During a Workplace Wellness Program

2021 ◽  
pp. 089011712110150
Author(s):  
Kimberly J. Waddell ◽  
Sujatha Changolkar ◽  
Gregory Szwartz ◽  
Sarah Godby ◽  
Mitesh S. Patel
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Sleep Duration ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
The United States ◽  
Behavioral Phenotype ◽  
Workplace Wellness ◽  
Wellness Program ◽  
Behavioral Phenotypes ◽  
Physically Active

Purpose: Examine changes in sleep duration by 3 behavioral phenotypes during a workplace wellness program with overweight and obese adults. Design: Secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial Setting: Remotely monitored intervention conducted across the United States Subjects: 553 participants with a body mass index ≥25 Intervention: Participants were randomized to 1 of 4 study arms: control, gamification with support, gamification with collaboration, and gamification with competition to increase their physical activity. All participants were issued a wrist-worn wearable device to record their daily physical activity and sleep duration. Measures: The primary outcome was change in daily sleep duration from baseline during the 24 week intervention and follow-up period by study arm within behavioral phenotype class. Analysis: Linear mixed effects regression. Results: Participants who had a phenotype of less physically active and less social at baseline, in the gamification with collaboration arm, significantly increased their sleep duration during the intervention period (30.2 minutes [95% CI 6.9, 53.5], P = 0.01), compared to the control arm. There were no changes in sleep duration among participants who were more extroverted and motivated or participants who were less motivated and at-risk. Conclusions: Changes in sleep during a physical activity intervention varied by behavioral phenotype. Behavioral phenotypes may help to precisely identify who is likely to improve sleep duration during a physical activity intervention.

scholarly journals Comparative physical activity as a global question to assess physical activity among university students

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katharina Diehl ◽  
Alessia Brassat ◽  
Jennifer Hilger-Kolb
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
University Students ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Group Level ◽  
Comparative Measurement ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Comparative Optimism ◽  
Individual Assessment ◽  
The Individual

Abstract Background To assess physical activity (PA), a comparative measurement – evaluating one’s own PA compared to others – may be an appropriate method. In previous studies, the use of comparative measurements led to an effect known as unrealistic comparative optimism (UCO) – people being unrealistically optimistic about their behavior. Our aim was to use this comparative measurement in university students to quantify the prevalence of UCO at the group level and to draw conclusions on its validity. Methods We used data from the Nutrition and Physical Activity in Adolescence Study (NuPhA), a cross-sectional online survey that included only self-reports (n = 689). To assess PA among students, they were asked to rate their PA level compared to that of their same-aged fellow students. In addition, we used the Godin-Shephard leisure-time PA questionnaire and other questions on PA for comparisons. We used bivariate and cluster-based analyses to identify potential UCO. Results We found that UCO at the group level led to an uneven distribution, with a higher proportion of students who rated themselves as being more physically active than average. However, the individual assessment of PA with a single and simple comparative question seemed to be valid. Discussion A global single comparative question seems useful for studies where PA is measured as a covariate in university students.

scholarly journals Development and evaluation of a physical activity intervention informed by participatory research- a feasibility study

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rathi Ramji ◽  
Elisabeth Carlson ◽  
Anders Kottorp ◽  
Sergey Shleev ◽  
Eman Awad ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Socially Disadvantaged ◽  
Health Parameters

Abstract Background Despite numerous interventions aiming to improve physical activity in socially disadvantaged populations, physical inactivity remains to be a rising challenge to public health globally, as well as, in Sweden. In an effort to address this challenge, a community-based participatory intervention was developed through active community engagement and implemented in a socially disadvantaged neighborhood in Sweden. The current study aims to present the development and initial evaluation of a participatory research driven physical activity intervention. Methods Fifteen participants (11 females and 4 males) aged 17–59 years volunteered to participate in the physical activity intervention program. The intervention program was evaluated using a longitudinal mixed methods design measuring health impact changes over time through focus group discussions and quality of life surveys. Further additional biomedical health parameters such as levels of glycosylated hemoglobin, blood pressure, levels of oxygen saturation and body mass index were monitored before and after the intervention. Focus group data were analyzed using content analysis with an inductive approach. The pre-and post-test scores from the survey-based quality of life domains, as well as the health parameters were compared using non-parametric and parametric statistics. Results Four themes emerged from the analysis of the focus group discussions including sense of fellowship, striving for inclusion and equity, changing the learner perspective and health beyond illness. The scores for the domains Physical Health, Psychological Health, Social Relationships and Health Satisfaction where significantly higher after participation in the physical activity intervention program compared to the pre-test scores (p < .05)s. There were however, no significant changes in the scores for the environmental domain and overall quality of life after intervention compared to that prior to intervention start. Overall, the biomedical health parameters remained stable within the normal ranges during intervention. Conclusion The focus group discussions and results from the surveys and biomedical measures reveal important findings to understand and further develop the intervention program to promote health equity among citizens in disadvantaged areas. Evaluating the feasibility of such an intervention using multiple approaches contributes to effective implementation of it for larger communities in need.

Reasons and Barriers for University Students’ Leisure-Time Physical Activity: Moderating Effect of Health Education

2019 ◽  
Vol 126 (6) ◽  
pp. 1084-1100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saulius Sukys ◽  
Vida J. Cesnaitiene ◽  
Arunas Emeljanovas ◽  
Brigita Mieziene ◽  
Irena Valantine ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Health Education ◽  
University Students ◽  
Leisure Time ◽  
Leisure Time Physical Activity ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Fitness And Health ◽  
The Relationship

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between health education and motives and barriers for university students’ engagement in leisure-time physical activity (PA). The research sample included 709 students (312 females and 397 males) in different years of study, ranging in age between 18-25 years. A questionnaire survey method revealed a significant positive relationship between fitness and health motives and students’ leisure-time PA. External barriers were negative predictors of students’ leisure-time PA, while more health education-related courses per week were positively associated with students’ leisure-time PA. Finally, we found that the number of health education-related courses per week moderated the relationship between fitness and health motives and students’ leisure-time PA. These findings suggest that university students’ fitness and health motives and external barriers to be physically active outweigh other motives and barriers in determining their leisure-time PA. In addition, health education in university studies can effectively increase students’ health-related motivation for PA.

scholarly journals Students’ Emotional Experience in Physical Education—A Qualitative Study for New Theoretical Insights

Sports ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sascha Leisterer ◽  
Darko Jekauc
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Education ◽  
Emotional Experience ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Grounded Theory Method ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Social Belonging

Physical education (PE) can be the starting point for many students to be physically active throughout their lives. Positive emotional experiences in PE are discussed as beneficial for long-term physical activity, however, triggers of students’ emotions are still unclear. The purpose of this study is to explore, from a student’s perspective, emotions and their triggers, which occur in PE classes. N = 12 students (male: six, female: six, ø-age: 15.6 ± 1.2 years) have been interviewed using a focused semi-structured interview to identify their emotions in PE and to explore the situations in which they occurred. An inductive approach with elements of the Grounded Theory Method was implemented to analyze the data. Students reported a wide range of positive and negative emotions. Furthermore, four crucial triggers were identified: (I) Attractiveness of the task, (II) social belonging, (III) competence and (IV) autonomy. Parallels to existing theories, especially the Self-Determination Theory (SDT), will be discussed. These results can be used to improve teachers’ knowledge about students’ emotions in PE in order to build a basis for lifelong physical activity.

scholarly journals Perceptions of barriers and facilitators in physical activity participation among women in Thiruvananthapuram City, India

2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 27-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elezebeth Mathews ◽  
J. K. Lakshmi ◽  
T. K. Sundari Ravindran ◽  
Michael Pratt ◽  
K. R. Thankappan
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Physical Activity Promotion ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Barriers And Facilitators ◽  
Cultural Barriers ◽  
Cultural Norms ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Activity Promotion ◽  
Social Norming

Background: Despite the known benefits of physical activity, very few people, especially women, are found to engage in regular physical activity. This study explored the perceptions, barriers and facilitators related to physical activity among women in Thiruvananthapuram City, India. Methods: Four focus group discussions were conducted among individuals between 25 and 60 years of age, in a few areas of Thiruvananthapuram City Corporation limits in Kerala, preparatory to the design of a physical activity intervention trial. An open-ended approach was used and emergent findings were analyzed and interpreted. Results: Women associated physical activity mostly with household activities. The majority of the women considered their activity level adequate, although they engaged in what the researchers concluded were quite low levels of activity. Commonly reported barriers were lack of time, motivation, and interest; stray dogs; narrow roads; and not being used to the culture of walking. Facilitators of activity were seeing others walking, walking in pairs, and pleasant walking routes. Walking was reported as the most feasible physical activity by women. Conclusion: Physical activity promotion strategies among women should address the prevailing cultural norms in the community, and involve social norming and overcoming cultural barriers. They should also target the modifiable determinants of physical activity, such as improving self-efficacy, improving knowledge on the adequacy of physical activity and its recommendations, facilitating goal-setting, and enhancing social support through peer support and group-based activities.

scholarly journals Strategies for Developing and Delivering a Parental Physical Activity Intervention: Answers to the What and How

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 152-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyra Hamilton ◽  
Katherine M. White
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Individualized Approach ◽  
Information Problem Solving ◽  
Parental Physical Activity

Background:Parents are at risk for physical inactivity; however, few studies have designed physical activity (PA) interventions specifically applied to individuals with young children. To ensure the effectiveness of interventions, it may be useful to first elicit the needs from the target population and incorporate salient strategies identified to the design and delivery of a resultant intervention. We aimed to explore strategies for what to include in and how to best deliver a program designed to increase parental PA.Methods:Twelve parents (6 mothers, 6 fathers) of children younger than 5 years participated in focus group discussions exploring strategies for an intervention program designed to increase parental PA.Results:A range of themes such as Focus on the Children and Flexible Life/Family Plans imbedded in strategies such as persuasion and information, problem-solving, skill building, and environmental approaches were identified. In addition, a range of strategies for how to best deliver a parental PA intervention evidenced in emerging themes such as Diverse and Brief and Individualized Approach was discussed.Conclusions:Future research should continue to adopt a ground up, community-based approach to the development and implementation of interventions for this at-risk group to ensure sustained involvement in regular PA.

scholarly journals Physical activity intervention program through walking routes in sedentary university students

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maite Abilleira-González ◽  
María A. Fernández-Villarino ◽  
Cristina Varela-Casal ◽  
Víctor Arufe-Giráldez ◽  
Roberto Silva-Piñeiro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
University Students ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention
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