Providing Access to Physical Activity: The Intersection of Teaching, Outreach, and Scholarship

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 409-415
Author(s):  
Danielle D. Wadsworth ◽  
Mary E. Rudisill ◽  
Jared A. Russell ◽  
James R. McDonald ◽  
David D. Pascoe
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Graduate Students ◽  
Service Learning ◽  
Social Ties ◽  
The United States ◽  
Learning Opportunities ◽  
Training Center ◽  
Research Projects ◽  
Team Handball

The School of Kinesiology at Auburn University unites teaching, research, and outreach efforts to provide access to physical activity for local, statewide, and global communities. This paper provides a brief overview of the programs as well as strategies to mobilize efforts for physical activity outreach within an academic setting. School-wide efforts include youth initiatives, physical activity assessments offered through our TigerFit program, and the United States Olympic Team Handball training center. All programs provide service-learning opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students as well as outreach outcomes. Furthermore, the programs provide a platform for scholarship in the form of publications, partnerships for grant submissions, and student research projects. Merging teaching, outreach, and scholarship has provided longevity for the programs, thereby establishing long-term social ties to the community and providing continued access to physical activity to promote public health.

Utilization of Collaborations to Engage Children in Physical Activity: A Community-Based Research Approach

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 323-328
Author(s):  
Sheri J. Brock ◽  
Danielle Wadsworth ◽  
Shelby Foote ◽  
Mary E. Rudisill
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
The United States ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Collaborative Partnerships ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Community Partners ◽  
Community Based Research ◽  
Quality Product ◽  
Long Term Impact

Institutions of higher education have a responsibility to prioritize the needs of society and local communities. One essential need prevalent in all communities is to address the rise of obesity and health risks due to lack of participation in physical activity. In the United States, children spend a small percentage of time engaged in physical activity, and engagement decreases further in adolescence and adulthood. Collaborative partnerships between kinesiology faculty at universities and community organizations are one avenue for engaging children in physical activity. Partnerships must be multilevel and community wide to evoke change and have long-term impact and sustainability. Within the context of community-based research, we propose a three-step framework for establishing collaborative partnerships: (1) determining the needs of partners; (2) discussing expertise, services, and philosophy; and (3) providing a quality product. In addition, we outline and illustrate our experiences when collaborating with community partners to promote physical activity.

Determining the Long-Term Effectiveness of a Group-Based Physical Activity Program

2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 401-408
Author(s):  
Anamica Batra ◽  
Richard C. Palmer ◽  
Elena Bastida ◽  
H. Virginia McCoy ◽  
Hafiz M. R. Khan
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Population Level ◽  
The United States ◽  
South Florida ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Evidence Based Programs ◽  
The Impact

Objective. In 2015, only half (48%) of older adults in the United States (≥60 years) reported engaging in any kind of physical activity. Few studies examine the impact of evidence-based programs when adopted in community-based settings. The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of EnhanceFitness (EF) upto 12-months. Method. EF was offered to older adults in South Florida. A total of 222 EF classes were offered between October 2008 and December 2014. Program consisted of a 1-hour session held three times a week. Even though participation was required for 4 months, 1,295 participants continued the program for at least 1 year. Results. All participants showed significant improvement in outcome measures. A mean change of 1.5, 1.7, and 1.9 was seen in number of chair stands at 4, 8, and 12 months (p < .001), respectively. The number of arm curls performed improved from 16.8 at baseline to 18.8, 18.8, and 19.2 at 4-, 8-, and 12-months, respectively. Participants improved their up-and-go time by decreasing from 9.1 (baseline) to 8.7 (4 months) to 8.6 (12 months; p = .001). Discussion. Randomized controlled trials are commonly used to determine the efficacy of an intervention. These interventions when disseminated at the population level have the potential to benefit large masses. EF is currently offered at more than 700 locations. This tremendous success of EF brings attention to an important question of continuous monitoring of these programs to ensure program consistency and intended outcomes. The model used by the Healthy Aging Regional Collaborative could be replicated by other communities.

scholarly journals Formal Service Learning Opportunities: Engineering Internships in Social Entrepreneurship Organizations

2012 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-52
Author(s):  
Camilla M. Saviz ◽  
Abel A. Fernandez ◽  
Elizabeth A. Basha
Keyword(s):  
Service Learning ◽  
Social Entrepreneurship ◽  
The United States ◽  
Learning Opportunities ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Strategic Partnerships ◽  
Problem Solving Skills ◽  
Formal Service ◽  
Entrepreneurial Organization ◽  
The University

Over the past three years, a collaboration between the School of Engineering  and the ABC Center for DEF at the University of the XYZ has provided students with internship opportunities at five different social entrepreneurship organizations distributed among six countries.  The summer internship program administered by the ABC Center seeks to provide an enriching experience for participants, to raise awareness of the broad application of social entrepreneurship across different disciplines, and provide qualified student assistance to organizations seeking specific help.  Working with the socially entrepreneurial organization, students were required to apply problem-solving skills in environments where language, culture, technical support, and supervision were very different from levels experienced during their more ‘traditional’ internships in the United States. These internships in social entrepreneurship allowed students to learn first-hand that successfully implementing projects in other countries requires strong technical skills and a fundamental understanding of local cultural, political, and contextual factors.  At the institutional level, lessons learned included the importance of forming strategic partnerships to increase opportunities and capitalize on limited resources, and the need to use existing frameworks to facilitate student involvement in such service-learning opportunities.

scholarly journals Behavioral Economics and Obesity: An Analysis of Fitness-Based Tax Incentives

2016 ◽  
Vol 23 ◽  
pp. 76
Author(s):  
Nicholas Wallace
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Government Intervention ◽  
Hyperbolic Discounting ◽  
Tax Incentives ◽  
The United States ◽  
Tax Credits ◽  
State Governments ◽  
Time Inconsistent ◽  
The Impact

B oth federal and state governments have experimented with policy proposals aimed at decreasing obesity rates, mostly through the regulation of unhealthy foods. There has been little research, however, on the impact of fitness-based policy initiatives on obesity rates. To address these issues, this paper first outlines previous policies aimed at preventing obesity and provides justification in favor of government intervention. In particular, this paper argues that hyperbolic discounting, a specific type of time-inconsistent preference where individuals make decisions that favor instant gratification rather than long-term benefits, provides economic justification for government intervention to combat obesity. It then uses Canada as a case study to demonstrate the effect that fitness-based tax credits have on physical activity, obesity, and long-term healthcare costs, and highlights a current pending piece of legislation in the 114th US Congress that would bring a similar program to the United States. More research is needed to confirm the effectiveness of fitness tax incentives on increasing physical activity among currently sedentary individuals. Nonetheless, this paper concludes by suggesting that fitness-based tax incentives are more politically viable than food regulations.

scholarly journals Measuring the Effects of Social Isolation and Dissatisfaction on Depressive Symptoms during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Moderating Role of Sleep and Physical Activity

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 1449
Author(s):  
Ivan Vargas ◽  
Erin Kaye Howie ◽  
Alexandria Muench ◽  
Michael L. Perlis
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
The United States ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Moderating Role

Social distancing was universally implemented to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Long-term social distancing can lead to increased feelings of social isolation or dissatisfaction with one’s daily interpersonal interactions, which can subsequently result in reduced psychological health (e.g., greater depression). The present study quantified this association, and the extent to which it was moderated by measures of sleep and physical activity, by surveying 3658 adults (mean age = 46.0 years) from across the United States. Participants answered questions related to their social experiences, sleep, physical activity, and depressive symptoms during the early stages of the pandemic (March–June 2020). Results showed that social isolation and social dissatisfaction were associated with greater depressive symptoms. As predicted, self-reported sleep quality and physical activity moderated these associations, such that lower sleep quality and physical activity exacerbated their effect on depressive symptoms.

Obesity, Nutrition, and Physical Activity

2010 ◽  
pp. 127-137
Author(s):  
Donald D. Hensrud
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Health Benefits ◽  
The United States ◽  
Dietary Factors ◽  
Long Term Results ◽  
Childhood And Adolescence ◽  
Prevalence Of Obesity ◽  
Treatment Of Obesity

The prevalence of obesity has increased markedly over the past few decades in the United States. This increase has occurred across all ethnic groups and all ages, including childhood and adolescence. After obesity has developed, long-term results from the treatment of obesity are generally poor. The importance of diet and nutrition in the prevention of the disease has been widely reported. An estimated 365,000 deaths occur each year because of suboptimal diet and activity habits. Dietary factors play a prominent role in 5 of the 10 leading causes of death for Americans: heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes mellitus, and cerebrovascular disease. The health benefits of physical activity and exercise are broad, strong, and well-documented. Health benefits appear to increase linearly with the total amount of physical activity.

scholarly journals A Review of the National Physical Activity Plans of Six Countries

2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (s2) ◽  
pp. S245-S264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Benjamin Bornstein ◽  
Russell R. Pate ◽  
Michael Pratt
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
United States ◽  
Northern Ireland ◽  
The United States ◽  
National Plan ◽  
Short And Long Term ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
National Physical Activity ◽  
The U.S

Background:Architects of the United States national physical activity plan can benefit from a thorough understanding of national physical activity plans from other nations. The purpose of this paper was to search for and analyze comprehensive national physical activity plan documents that can best inform the development of the U.S. plan.Methods:Electronic databases were searched for national physical activity plan documents, yielding 252 documents from 56 countries. After eliminating documents that were not written in English, did not address physical activity primarily, and did not meet our definition of a national physical activity plan, we were left with physical activity plans from 6 countries—Australia, United Kingdom, Scotland, Sweden, Northern Ireland, and Norway.Key recommendations:Architects of the U.S. plan can learn as much from what was present in many documents as from what was absent. Examples of recommended components of national plans have been identified and highlighted for each of the 6 countries. Missing from all but 1 national plan document was a detailed process for accountability. Providing a clear path and detailed process of accountability will assist greatly in measuring short- and long-term success of the U.S. plan.

Adults Want to Play Too: Feasibility of an Adult Physical Activity Program Designed to Maximize Enjoyment

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 230-235
Author(s):  
Kent Upham ◽  
Brandon J. Auer ◽  
Christopher N. Sciamanna ◽  
Andrew J. Mowen ◽  
Joshua M. Smyth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
The United States ◽  
Vigorous Activity ◽  
Point Scale ◽  
Team Handball ◽  
Activity Program ◽  
Central Pennsylvania ◽  
Sports Programs ◽  
The Us ◽  
Ultimate Frisbee

Background: Few adults in the United States obtain sufficient physical activity (PA) despite knowledge of the associated health benefits. The current feasibility study examined the feasibility of a novel modified sports intervention designed to promote enjoyment and sustained PA in sedentary adults. Methods: The US adults (N = 22, mean age 39.2 y, male/female percentage 54.5/45.5) in Central Pennsylvania participated in the PlayFit sports program for 60-minute sessions, 2 to 3 times per week, over the course of 10 weeks and 24 game sessions; completing 198 person sessions collectively. Primary outcomes were PA (accelerometry) and intervention satisfaction. Results: Percentage of time in moderate to vigorous activity ranged from 35.0% (volleyball) to 91.2% (ultimate frisbee). Percentage of time spent in vigorous activity ranged from 0.0% (volleyball) to 29.5% (team handball). Satisfaction, based on a 10-point scale with 10 being the most satisfied, ranged from 7.7 (kickball) to 8.7 (floor hockey and soccer). On average, all sports were rated highly, with the majority rated >8.5 and one rated <8.0. Percentage of time spent in the moderate to vigorous range was lower in men than in women (73.2% vs 80.0%, P = .01), but did not differ by age or body mass index. Conclusions: PlayFit is a promising first step in exploring the potential of modified sports programs to enhance population PA levels.

Service-Learning in Prison Facilities

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shelly Schaefer Hinck ◽  
Edward A. Hinck ◽  
Lesley A. Withers
Keyword(s):  
Service Learning ◽  
Deep Understanding ◽  
Learning Opportunities ◽  
Great Promise ◽  
Industrial Complex ◽  
Race And Class ◽  
Service Learning Projects ◽  
State And Local ◽  
Learning Projects

This chapter presents a powerful case for the transformative potential of service-learning initiatives in prisons. It shows how undergraduate and graduate service-learning projects provide important learning opportunities to imprisoned students in Michigan, and also transform the perspectives of the free students who participate in the projects. Prison activism, in conjunction with strong educational initiatives that foster deep understanding of how economics, race, and class interact to produce the prison-industrial complex (PIC), holds great promise for achieving long-term policy and institutional changes in national, state, and local communities. The chapter argues that activism, by itself, presumes the existence of an audience that is rational, compassionate, informed, and capable of developing an enlarged understanding of the systemic forces that produce and sustain the PIC.

scholarly journals Physical Activity and Exercise Outcomes in Huntington Disease (PACE-HD): Protocol for a 12-Month Trial Within Cohort Evaluation of a Physical Activity Intervention in People With Huntington Disease

2019 ◽  
Vol 99 (9) ◽  
pp. 1201-1210 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheney J G Drew ◽  
Lori Quinn ◽  
Katy Hamana ◽  
Rhys Williams-Thomas ◽  
Lucy Marsh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Observational Study ◽  
Huntington Disease ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
The United States ◽  
Exercise Participation ◽  
Cohort Design ◽  
Longitudinal Observational Study ◽  
Physical Activity And Exercise

AbstractBackgroundExercise is emerging as an important aspect in the management of disease-related symptoms and functional decline in people with Huntington disease (HD). Long-term evaluation of physical activity and exercise participation in HD has yet to be undertaken.ObjectiveThe objective is to investigate the feasibility of a nested randomized controlled trial (RCT) alongside a longitudinal observational study of physical activity and exercise outcomes in people with HD.DesignThis will be a 12-month longitudinal observational study (n = 120) with a nested evaluation of a physical activity intervention (n = 30) compared with usual activity (n = 30) using a “trial within a cohort” design.SettingThe study will take place in HD specialist clinics in Germany, Spain, and the United States, with intervention delivery in community settings.ParticipantsThe participants will have early-mid–stage HD and be participating in the Enroll-HD study.InterventionThis will be a 12-month physical activity behavioral change intervention, delivered by physical therapists in 18 sessions, targeting uptake of aerobic exercise and increased physical activity.MeasurementsAll participants (n = 120) will complete Enroll-HD assessments (motor, cognitive, behavioral, and quality of life) at baseline and at 12 months. Additional Physical ACtivity and Exercise Outcomes in Huntington Disease (PACE-HD) assessments include fitness (predicted maximal oxygen uptake [V  o2max]), self-reported and quantitative measures of physical activity, disease-specific symptoms, and walking endurance. RCT participants (n = 60) will complete an additional battery of quantitative motor assessments and a 6-month interim assessment. Enroll-HD data will be linked to PACE-HD physical activity and fitness data.LimitationsThe limitations include that the embedded RCT is open, and assessors at RCT sites are not blinded to participant allocation.ConclusionPACE-HD will enable determination of the feasibility of long-term physical activity interventions in people with HD. The novel “trial within a cohort” design and incorporation of data linkage have potential to reduce participant burden. This design could be applied to other neurological diseases and movement disorders where recruitment and retention are challenging.

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