Frequency of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) is a greater predictor of systemic inflammation than total weekly volume of MVPA: Implications for physical activity promotion

Adolescents who engage in regular physical activity experience increased academic performance and grades, improved academic behavior, such as time on task, as well as an increase in other factors that influence academic achievement. Despite physical activity recommendations, regular engagement in physical activity is still an issue among American adolescents. Furthermore, physically inactive lifestyles are highest among minority populations, lower socioeconomic groups, and women. Self Determination Theory provides a basis for investigating the cognitive, affective and motivational processes of physical activity. At present time, there is a dearth of research exploring motivation of physical activity among minority female college students. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the type of motivation that is most strongly related to moderate physical activity, vigorous physical activity, strength training and stretching among college-aged African American females in an effort to consider ways to improve physical activity promotion efforts on a college campus. Students enrolled in a required basic studies physical education and wellness course at a southeastern state university were invited to participate in data collection activities. Participants were invited to complete the modified Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire (BREQ-2), a 19-item questionnaire designed to measure motivation for physical activity. Of the 1422 college students that agreed to participate, 54 identified themselves as a non-Caucasian female. Results offered limited support for the hypothesis that those who are extrinsically motivated would engage in more physical activity. Nevertheless, a required physical activity class for college students could potentially provide an opportunity for those who would otherwise be amotivated for physical activity to engage in regular physical activities.

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Day of the Week is Associated With Meeting Physical Activity Recommendations and Engaging in Excessive Sedentary Time in Youth

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2012-0190 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. 971-976 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Justin B. Moore ◽

Michael W. Beets ◽

Sara F. Morris ◽

Mary Bea Kolbe

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Physical Activity Promotion ◽

Self Report ◽

Survival Models ◽

Sedentary Behaviors ◽

Activity Promotion ◽

Modifiable Factors ◽

Repeated Events ◽

Barriers To Physical Activity

Background:Most youth fail to achieve 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) daily while engaging in excessive amounts of sedentary behaviors. The objective of this investigation was to identify modifiable factors associated with meeting MVPA recommendations or engaging in greater than 55% of observed time sedentary.Methods:Youth (N = 1005, 10.5 yrs, 52% girls) wore accelerometers with daily minutes of MVPA (≥ 2296 counts·min−1) classified as ≥ 60mins/d vs. < 60min/d of MVPA. Sedentary behavior (< 100 counts·min−1) was classified as < 55% or ≥ 55% of total wear-time. Two-level random effects logit survival models for repeated events (days of monitoring) examined the association of psychosocial self-report measures and demographic characteristics to meeting the MVPA recommendation and spending ≥ 55% of time sedentary.Results:Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays were associated with a decreased likelihood of meeting MVPA recommendations relative to Mondays. Wednesday thru Sunday were associated with a decreased likelihood of spending ≥ 55% of time sedentary. Being a boy, receiving transportation, and fewer reported barriers to physical activity were associated with meeting MVPA recommendations.Conclusions:Relatively few youth are engaging in recommended levels of physical activity. Provision of transportation and reduction of barriers to physical activity are relevant targets for physical activity promotion.

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Toward a Better Understanding of the Link Between Parent and Child Physical Activity Levels: The Moderating Role of Parental Encouragement

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2014-0126 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 12 (9) ◽

pp. 1238-1244 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Eleanor B. Tate ◽

Anuja Shah ◽

Malia Jones ◽

Mary Ann Pentz ◽

Yue Liao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Physical Activity Promotion ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Linear Regression Models ◽

Parental Encouragement ◽

Activity Promotion ◽

Objectively Measured ◽

Moderating Role

Background:Research on adolescent physical activity is mixed regarding the role of parent activity. This study tested parent encouragement, direct modeling, and perceived influence as moderators of objectively-measured (accelerometer) parent and child moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) associations.Methods:Parent-child dyads (n = 423; mean child age = 11.33 yrs.) wore accelerometers for 7 days; parents completed surveys. Hierarchical linear regression models tested moderation using a product of constituent terms interaction.Results:Parent-reported encouragement moderated the association between parent and child MVPA (β = –.15, P = .01, ΔR2 = .02, P < .01). Among parents with lower MVPA, child MVPA was higher for children receiving high encouragement (mean = 3.06, SE = .17) vs. low (mean = 3.03, SE = .15, P = .02) and moderate encouragement (mean = 3.40, SE = .09) vs. low (P = .04).Conclusions:Physical activity promotion programs may use parent encouragement as a tool to boost child activity, but must consider other child and parent characteristics that could attenuate effects.

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Partnerships for active elementary schools: Physical education outcomes after 4 months of a 2-year pilot study

Health Education Journal ◽

10.1177/0017896917713530 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 76 (7) ◽

pp. 763-774 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

R. Glenn Weaver ◽

Collin Webster ◽

Catherine Egan ◽

Carolina Campos ◽

Robert D Michael ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Elementary Schools ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Physical Education ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Community Based Participatory Research ◽

Physical Activity Promotion ◽

Activity Promotion ◽

Promotion Strategies ◽

The Impact

Objective: This study assessed the impact of Partnerships for Active Children in Elementary Schools (PACES) on children’s moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) during physical education (PE) and teachers’ incorporation of physical activity promotion strategies after one academic semester (i.e. 4 months) of the intervention. Design: Single group pre–post pilot study. Setting: Three elementary schools in one southeastern metropolitan city in the USA. Methods: Using principles of community-based participatory-research, researchers worked with teachers to identify contextually appropriate physical activity promotion strategies aligned with prevailing recommendations, principles and theories. Outcome measures included accelerometer-derived percent of time children ( N = 150) engaged in MVPA. The System for Observing Fitness Instruction Time+ assessed changes in teachers’ incorporation of physical activity promotion strategies. Multi-level mixed-effects linear regression estimated differences over time. Results: MVPA increased for girls (22.7%–26.6%) and boys (33.2%–39.0%). Small-sided games (1.0%–9.0%) and teachers’ verbal promotion of physical activity (6.4%–13.5%) increased while student’s off-task behaviour (6.0%–2.0%) decreased. Lines (20.2%–8.4%) and elimination games (21.6%–13.3%) decreased, but these changes were not statistically significant. Conclusion: PACES shows promise for increasing the percent of time children spend in MVPA during PE but requires further evaluation.

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Initial Outcomes of a Participatory-Based, Competency-Building Approach to Increasing Physical Education Teachers’ Physical Activity Promotion and Students’ Physical Activity: A Pilot Study

Health Education & Behavior ◽

10.1177/1090198117731600 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 45 (3) ◽

pp. 359-370 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

R. Glenn Weaver ◽

Collin A. Webster ◽

Michael W. Beets ◽

Keith Brazendale ◽

Jessica Chandler ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Physical Education ◽

Confidence Interval ◽

Mixed Model ◽

Teacher Practices ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Physical Activity Promotion ◽

Outcome Data ◽

Activity Promotion ◽

School Day

This study examined the initial effects of a participatory-based, competency-/skill-building professional development workshop for physical education (PE) teachers on the use of physical activity (PA) promotion practices (e.g., eliminating lines, small-sided games) and students’ moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). A total of 823 students (52.8% boys) wore accelerometers at baseline (fall 2015) and outcome (spring 2016) on PE and non-PE days. The System for Observing Fitness Instruction Time+ measured changes in PA promotion practices. Teachers ( n = 9) attended a 90-minute workshop prior to outcome data collection. Mixed-model linear regressions estimated changes in teacher practices and students’ MVPA. Three of the nine targeted PA promotion practices changed in the desired direction (i.e., p < .05; increased motor content and lessons taught outdoors, reduced activities with lines), with three more teacher practices trending in the desired direction (i.e., reduced management time and activities with elimination, increased small-sided games). During PE, boys and girls increased MVPA by 2.0 (95% confidence interval [1.1, 3.0]), and 1.3 (95% confidence interval [0.5-2.0]) minutes, respectively. However, there were no statistically significant changes in boys’ or girls’ MVPA during the school day. Greater implementation of promotion practices by the PE teachers was associated with boys’, but not girls’, MVPA during PE. Girls in high- and low-implementing teachers’ lessons experienced increases in MVPA, suggesting that even small changes in PA promotion practices can increase girls’ MVPA during PE. Overall, the workshops were effective at increasing teachers’ PA promotion and students’ MVPA in PE. Other school-based strategies that complement and extend efforts targeting PE are recommended to increase children’s total daily PA.

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Gender Similarities and Differences in Factors Associated with Adolescent Moderate-Vigorous Physical Activity

Pediatric Exercise Science ◽

10.1123/pes.21.3.291 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 21 (3) ◽

pp. 291-304 ◽

Cited By ~ 32

Author(s):

Phyllis J. Wenthe ◽

Kathleen F. Janz ◽

Stephen M. Levy

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Family Support ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Physical Activity Promotion ◽

Physical Activity Behavior ◽

Adolescent Males ◽

Enabling Factors ◽

Activity Promotion ◽

Gender Similarities ◽

Males And Females

This study investigated the relationship between predisposing, reinforcing, and enabling factors conceptualized within the Youth Physical Activity Promotion Model (YPAP) and moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) of adolescent males and females. Specifically, self-efficacy to overcome barriers, enjoyment of physical activity; family support, peer support, perceived school climate, neighborhood safety and access to physical activity were examined. The Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A) and the Actigraph 7164 were used to obtain three different measures of MVPA in 205 adolescents (102 males, 103 females). Family support emerged as the most significant and consistent factor associated with the MVPA of both adolescent males and females. This relationship was noted even when different methods of measuring MVPA were employed. These findings should increase the confidence of public health officials that family support has the potential to positively alter the physical activity behavior of adolescents.

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Effects of Socioeconomic Status and Acculturation on Accelerometer-Measured Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity Among Mexican American Adolescents: Findings from NHANES 2003–2004

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.9.8.1155 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 9 (8) ◽

pp. 1155-1162 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

Hyo Lee ◽

Bradley J. Cardinal ◽

Paul D. Loprinzi

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Socioeconomic Status ◽

Mexican American ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Physical Activity Promotion ◽

Target Population ◽

Self Report ◽

Interactive Effects ◽

Activity Promotion ◽

Mexican American Adolescents

Background:Socioeconomic status (SES) and acculturation are potential contributors of adolescent physical activity disparity among ethnic groups in the U.S. However, studies relying on self-report physical activity measures have reported inconsistent findings regarding sociocultural predictors of physical activity. Therefore, the current study examined the main and interactive effects of SES and acculturation on accelerometer-measured moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) among Mexican American adolescents.Methods:The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003–2004 was analyzed. Samples of 153 and 169 Mexican American boys and girls, respectively, were analyzed. SES was indicated by poverty-to-income ratio (PIR); and acculturation was measured by 5-item English preference scales and adolescent and parental country of birth. Regression models were tested separately for boys and girls.Results:U.S.-born boys compared with immigrants did more MVPA (β = .48, P < .01). On the contrary, the effect of English preference on MVPA in boys was negative (β = –.05, P < .01) and amplified by higher SES (β = –.02, P < .01). For girls, none of the tested variables were significant.Conclusions:Higher SES was a risk factor for physical inactivity in Mexican American adolescents, by a moderating mechanism. In addition, physical activity promotion efforts need to consider English speaking and immigrant Mexican American adolescent boys as a target population.

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79 Physical Activity Promotion Using mHealth: A Systematic Review and Meta-synthesis of Adults’ Experiences

Age and Ageing ◽

10.1093/ageing/afz102.18 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 48 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. iii1-iii16

Author(s):

Daniel Carter ◽

Katie Robinson ◽

John Forbes ◽

Sara Hayes

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Physical Activity Promotion ◽

Evidence Base ◽

Qualitative Studies ◽

Battery Life ◽

Smartphone Applications ◽

Middle Aged ◽

Activity Promotion

Abstract Background Well-documented health benefits are associated with 150 min/week of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (PA). However, a majority of older adults do not follow this guideline and calls to address this disparity with technology have been made (1). Recommendations from the wider PA literature suggest the incorporation of mobile and wireless technology, i.e. mobile health (mHealth), into PA interventions (2). This study aims to identify and synthesise the evidence base on the experiences of adults using smartphone applications for the promotion of PA. Methods A systematic search of CINAHL, Embase, ERIC, Medline and PsycINFO was conducted in October 2017. Primary qualitative studies with extractable data on the experiences of adults using mHealth for the promotion of PA were included. Data were analysed in NVivo using a meta-ethnographic approach. Results The initial search yielded 4,420 articles. After screening, fifteen articles were included, of which three included young adults, two included young and middle-aged adults, six included middle-aged and older adults and three included young, middle-aged and older adults, while one study did not report age. Because findings were not stratified by age, data were analysed collectively. Our inductive findings included the idea that end-users value the experience of personalisation offered by smartphone applications. Furthermore, mHealth raised awareness of individuals’ PA level, supporting them to strategise ways of incorporating PA into their routines. Finally, negative experiences were not uncommon, though were largely caused by poor design and technical faults (e.g. battery life/ inaccurate data). Conclusion Our review provides evidence of the paucity of studies focused on the experiences of older adults using mHealth for the promotion of PA. Given recommendations for PA interventions to be tailored, particularly across the lifespan (2), and the positive findings noted in the current study, further primary qualitative studies exploring the perspectives of older adults are warranted.

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Education outside the classroom as upstream school health promotion: ‘adding-in’ physical activity into children’s everyday life and settings

Scandinavian Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1177/1403494821993715 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 140349482199371

Author(s):

Peter Bentsen ◽

Lærke Mygind ◽

Peter Elsborg ◽

Glen Nielsen ◽

Erik Mygind

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Empirical Evidence ◽

School Health ◽

Low Cost ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Physical Activity Promotion ◽

Teaching Activities ◽

Activity Promotion ◽

The Individual

Introduction: It is central for public health to answer questions related to how to change health and wellbeing in populations through interdisciplinarity and health in all policies and sectors. For a school physical activity promotion initiative to be acceptable and thus feasible, the buy-in of teachers is fundamental. Therefore, school physical activity promotion should be integrated into and support teaching activities. Aims: We discuss the use of education outside the classroom as a feasible pedagogical approach that integrates and promotes physical activity for school children. Methods: We present and discuss theoretical arguments and empirical evidence to argue and illustrate that education outside the classroom is a promising approach for promoting physical activity. Results: Education outside the classroom is characterised by regular curriculum-based experiential teaching activities outside the classroom with the inclusion of physical activity as a means to pedagogical ends. School subjects are taught outside the classroom drawing on problem-based learning and experiential education. Here, physical activity is integrated without compromising curriculum goals which increases teacher buy-in and thereby intervention acceptability and feasibility. Empirical evidence suggests that education outside the classroom increases boys’ moderate to vigorous physical activity and girls’ light intensity physical activity. We contend that the mechanisms are a mix of place, pedagogy and pupil motivations. Conclusions: Education outside the classroom is a feasible and acceptable approach to public health and physical activity promotion because it is integrated into children’s everyday settings through curriculum time and applied broadly to child populations at a low cost. The practice of education outside the classroom is context-dependent and culturally bound, and practices therefore need to be adapted to the individual sociocultural context.

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Active Gaming Prevalence and Correlates by Type of Day in Spanish Youth

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2018-0448 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (9) ◽

pp. 715-721

Author(s):

Alexandra Valencia-Peris ◽

Joan Úbeda-Colomer ◽

Jorge Lizandra ◽

Carmen Peiró-Velert ◽

José Devís-Devís

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Physical Activity Promotion ◽

Sleep Time ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sedentary Behaviors ◽

Chi Square ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Active Gaming ◽

Activity Promotion

Background: Active gaming has emerged as a new option to foster physical activity in youth. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of active gaming in adolescents, to determine differences between active and nonactive gamers by type of day, and to examine predictors of being an active gamer. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 3095 Spanish adolescents aged 12 to 18 years who self-reported their involvement in moderate to vigorous physical activity, sedentary behaviors, and active gaming. Those engaging in active gaming for at least 10 minutes per day were considered active gamers. Student’s 2-tailed t tests, chi-square test, and binomial logistic regression were performed. Results: About 25.9% of the adolescents were active gamers. They were younger, had higher body mass index, and spent more time on moderate to vigorous physical activity, television viewing, and sedentary video games with computer/console than nonactive gamers. There were more active gamers on weekends than on weekdays. On weekdays, more males than females were active gamers. Adolescents who did not meet sleep time guidelines were more likely to be active gamers on weekdays, whereas on weekends, being a girl, overweight/obese, and having a high socioeconomic status were predictors of being an active gamer. Conclusion: Because active gaming may contribute to meeting physical activity guidelines, the present findings could enable better targeting of physical activity promotion programs.

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