An Observational Assessment of Physical Activity Levels and Social Behavior During Residential Summer Camp Unstructured Time

Purpose: To evaluate children’s physical activity (PA) levels, social play behavior, activity time, and social interactions during unstructured time. Approach: Systematic observation tool to record child’s PA level, social group size, activity type, and social interaction during play. Setting: Northeast US residential summer camp, pseudonym Forest Hills Camp. Participants: Fifty-nine third-grade campers (27 males and 32 females). Method: Observational data were obtained using the System for Observing Children’s Activity and Relationships during Play (SOCARP). Data were analyzed using independent samples t tests (with Bonferroni adjustment) to assess statistical differences between boys and girls SOCARP categories. Results: Both boys and girls spend over 50% of their time in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Statistically significant differences between genders were observed: activity level—(a) girls sat more than boys, and (2) boys engaged in more vigorous activity; activity type—(1) boys engaged in more sport activity, girls engaged in more locomotion activity, and girls were more sedentary; and social interactions—(1) boys had more physical conflict, and (2) boys had more verbal conflict. Conclusion: Contrary to previous research suggesting that summer campers have increased sedentary behavior during unstructured time, our results indicate that third-grade campers engaged in MVPA over 50% of their unstructured time. This suggests that unstructured time in outdoor camp settings may provide valuable opportunities for adolescent children to choose PA.

Download Full-text

Exploring the coach’s and athletes’ behaviour in martial arts

Kinesiology ◽

10.26582/k.52.2.5 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 52 (2) ◽

pp. 196-207

Author(s):

Jan-Erik Romar ◽

Markus Ranta-Aho ◽

Emyr Williams

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Martial Arts ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Activity Level ◽

Observation Data ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Systematic Observation ◽

Practice Activity ◽

Context Specific ◽

Practice Time

This descriptive study examined the processes of coaching and participation in Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) for both experienced (n=3) and novice (n=3) adult participant, members of a martial arts club in Finland. Over a period of six weeks, five practice sessions were videotaped with a mean duration of 84.35 minutes. Systematic observation data were used to describe the practice structure and participants’ engagement. Additionally, a modified version of the Coach Analysis and Intervention System was used to evaluate coaching behaviour. The heart rate data were also collected to evaluate the participants’ physical activity levels. Results indicated that practice time allocated to training and playing were 75% and 25%, respectively, which differs from team sport research. The coaching emphasis observed in this study highlighted competition and technique perfection. The participants’ practice activity level was high with most participants spending more than half of practice time at a moderate-to-vigorous physical activity level. These findings show that both the structure and content of coaching practice is context specific and that the coach need to identify and react to the needs of individual athletes.

Download Full-text

Association between 6-minute walk test and moderate to vigorous physical activity level in older adults

Korean Journal of Sports Science ◽

10.35159/kjss.2017.10.26.5.911 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 26 (5) ◽

pp. 911-919

Author(s):

Soon-Chang Sung ◽

Jin-Wook Chung ◽

Seung-Sam Jung ◽

Hyun-Soo Kim

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Physical Activity Level ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Activity Level ◽

Walk Test ◽

6 Minute Walk Test ◽

Minute Walk

Download Full-text

Real-Time Video Scan Method for Community Partner Use to Inform Play Streets Implementation

Health Promotion Practice ◽

10.1177/15248399211009789 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 152483992110097

Author(s):

Tyler Prochnow ◽

M. Renée Umstattd Meyer ◽

Christina N. Bridges Hamilton ◽

Emily Wilkins ◽

Keshia M. Pollack Porter

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Research Training ◽

Community Organizations ◽

Activity Level ◽

Systematic Observation ◽

Community Partner ◽

Concordance Correlation ◽

Perfect Agreement ◽

Video Recordings ◽

Panoramic Video

System for Observing Play and Recreation in Communities (SOPARC) can provide accurate assessment of physical activity; however, the skills, time, and human resources necessary to collect/interpret SOPARC data can be challenging for community organizations. This article describes a more accessible adaptation of SOPARC using video recordings for community organizations to obtain physical activity feedback at Play Streets. Narrated panoramic video scans occurred every 30 minutes at each Play Street using an iPad. Videographers narrated: (1) sex, (2) age group (child, teen, adult, senior), and (3) activity level (sedentary, walking, vigorous) for everyone recorded. SOPARC video scans, in-person iSOPARC observations, and interviews were conducted with Play Streets implementors to determine validity and feasibility. Validity was examined using Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient (CCC). In-person and video scans showed near perfect agreement for sedentary individuals (CCC = .95) and substantial agreement for active individuals (CCC = .72). Overall, community partners felt that they “could see how [the scans] could be useful” and “help[ed] see a bit more clearly what’s happening.” The method described here is a more accessible systematic observation approach to measure physical activity for communities implementing Play Streets. Further, this method can be used without research training while still providing valuable activity feedback.

Download Full-text

How Much Observation Is Enough? Refining the Administration of SOPARC

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.8.8.1117 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 8 (8) ◽

pp. 1117-1123 ◽

Cited By ~ 80

Author(s):

Deborah A. Cohen ◽

Claude Setodji ◽

Kelly R. Evenson ◽

Phillip Ward ◽

Sandra Lapham ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Los Angeles ◽

Interobserver Reliability ◽

Intraclass Correlation ◽

Activity Level ◽

Activity Levels ◽

User Characteristics ◽

Systematic Observation ◽

Robust Estimate ◽

Neighborhood Parks

Background:The Systematic Observation of Play and Recreation in Communities (SOPARC) was designed to estimate the number and characteristics of people using neighborhood parks by assessing them 4 times/day, 7 days/week. We tested whether this schedule was adequate and determined the minimum number of observations necessary to provide a robust estimate of park user characteristics and their physical activity levels.Methods:We conducted observations every hour for 14 hours per day during 1 summer and 1 autumn week in 10 urban neighborhood parks: 2 each in Los Angeles, CA; Albuquerque, NM; Columbus, OH; Durham, NC; and Philadelphia, PA. We counted park users by gender, age group, apparent race/ethnicity, and activity level. We used a standardized Cronbach’s alpha and intraclass correlation coefficients to test the reliability of using fewer observations.Results:We observed 76,632 individuals, an average of 547/park/day (range 155−786). Interobserver reliability ranged from 0.80 to 0.99. Obtaining a robust estimate of park user characteristics and their physical activity required a schedule of 4 days/week, 4 times/day.Conclusion:An abbreviated schedule of SOPARC was sufficient for estimating park use, park user characteristics, and physical activity. Applying these observation methods can augment physical activity surveillance.

Download Full-text

The Relations Between Physical Activity Level, Executive Function, and White Matter Microstructure in Older Adults

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2021-0012 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-13

Author(s):

Marissa A. Gogniat ◽

Catherine M. Mewborn ◽

Talia L. Robinson ◽

Kharine R. Jean ◽

L. Stephen Miller

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Executive Function ◽

White Matter ◽

Diffusion Tensor ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Neuropsychological Testing ◽

Activity Level ◽

Average Intensity ◽

Age Related

The population of older adults is increasing, indicating a need to examine factors that may prevent or mitigate age-related cognitive decline. The current study examined whether microstructural white matter characteristics mediated the relation between physical activity and executive function in older adults without any self-reported psychiatric and neurological disorders or cognitive impairment (N = 43, mean age = 73 y). Physical activity was measured by average intensity and number of steps via accelerometry. Diffusion tensor imaging was used to examine microstructural white matter characteristics, and neuropsychological testing was used to examine executive functioning. Parallel mediation models were analyzed using microstructural white matter regions of interest as mediators of the association between physical activity and executive function. Results indicated that average steps was significantly related to executive function (β = 0.0003, t = 2.829, P = .007), while moderate to vigorous physical activity was not (β = 0.0007, t = 1.772, P = .08). White matter metrics did not mediate any associations. This suggests that microstructural white matter characteristics alone may not be the mechanism by which physical activity impacts executive function in aging.

Download Full-text

Evaluation of a Walking-Track Intervention to Increase Children’s Physical Activity during Primary School Break Times

Children ◽

10.3390/children5100135 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 5 (10) ◽

pp. 135

Author(s):

Emma Powell ◽

Lorayne Woodfield ◽

Alexander Powell ◽

Alan Nevill ◽

Tony Myers

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Structured Interview ◽

Systematic Observation ◽

Daily Routines ◽

Mixed Method Design ◽

School Playgrounds ◽

Recommended Guidelines ◽

Children’S Physical Activity

Despite the known benefits of engaging in daily moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), only 22% of children in England are meeting the recommended guidelines. School break times have been advocated as a key part of children’s daily routines in which their MVPA can be increased. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of installing a walking-track on children’s MVPA during school break times. A mixed method design was employed which allowed for the quantitative measurement of children’s PA at three time points (baseline, mid-intervention (1–5 weeks) and follow-up (6–9 weeks)), using pedometers (n = 81, 5–9 years) and systematic observation (n = 23, 7–9 years). A semi-structured interview (n = 1) was also conducted at 10 weeks’ follow-up. The installation of the walking-track was grounded in a unique set of theoretical constructs to aid the behaviour change of the teachers. Short term positive increases in girls’ and boys’ MVPA and longer term increases in boys’ vigorous PA (VPA) were found. Qualitative data highlighted that boys dominated the walking-track and the inconsistent behaviour of school staff negatively impacted upon children’s MVPA. A set of principles to guide the installment of walking-tracks in school playgrounds are recommended.

Download Full-text

The “Healthy Habits, Healthy Girls” randomized controlled trial for girls: study design, protocol, and baseline results

Cadernos de Saúde Pública ◽

10.1590/0102-311x00136014 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 31 (7) ◽

pp. 1381-1394 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Ana Carolina Barco Leme ◽

Sonia Tucunduva Philippi

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Waist Circumference ◽

Study Design ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Activity Level ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Healthy Habits ◽

Design Protocol

The purpose of this article is to describe the study design, protocol, and baseline results of the “Healthy Habits, Healthy Girls” program. The intervention is being evaluated through a randomized controlled trial in 10 public schools in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. Data on the following variables were collected and assessed at baseline and will be reevaluated at 7 and 12 months: body mass index, waist circumference, dietary intake, nutrition, physical activity, social cognitive mediators, physical activity level, sedentary behaviors, self-rated physical status, and overall self-esteem. According to the baseline results, 32.4% and 23.4% of girls were overweight in the intervention and control groups, respectively, and in both groups a higher percentage failed to meet daily recommendations for moderate and vigorous physical activity and maximum screen time (TV, computer, mobile devices). There were no significant differences between the groups for most of the variables, except age (p = 0.000) and waist circumference (p = 0.014). The study showed a gap in the Brazilian literature on protocols for randomized controlled trials to prevent obesity among youth. The current study may thus be an important initial contribution to the field.

Download Full-text

Changes in Objectively Measured Lifestyle Factors During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

10.21203/rs.3.rs-847301/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Takuya Ataka ◽

Noriyuki Kimura ◽

Atsuko Eguchi ◽

Etsuro Matsubara

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Sedentary Time ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Wearable Sensors ◽

Lifestyle Factors ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Activity Level ◽

Objectively Measured ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract Background: In this manuscript, we aimed at investigating whether objectively measured lifestyle factors, including walking steps, sedentary time, amount of unforced physical activity, level of slight and energetic physical activity, conversation time, and sleep parameters altered before and during the COVID-19 pandemic among community-dwelling older adults.Methods: Data were obtained from a prospective cohort study conducted from 2015 to 2019 and a subsequent dementia prevention study undertaken in September 2020. Community-dwelling adults aged ≥65 years wore wearable sensors before and during the pandemic.Results: A total of 56 adults were enrolled in this study. The mean age was 74.2±3.9 years, and 58.9% (n=33) of the participants were female. The moderate and vigorous physical activity time significantly decreased and sedentary time significantly increased during the pandemic. Conclusions: This is the first study to demonstrate differences in objectively assessed lifestyle factors before and during the COVID-19 pandemic among community-dwelling older adults. The findings show that the pandemic has adversely affected physical activity among older adults living on their own in Japan.

Download Full-text

Physical activity types and risk of dementia in community-dwelling older people: the Three-City cohort.

10.21203/rs.2.17066/v3 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Caroline Dupré ◽

Bienvenue Bongue ◽

Catherine Helmer ◽

Jean François Dartigues ◽

David Hupin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older People ◽

Sport Activity ◽

Apoe Genotype ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Activity Level ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Dementia Risk ◽

Sport Activities ◽

Activity Types

Abstract Background Physical activity may decrease the risk of dementia; however, previous cohort studies seldom investigated the different types of physical activity and household activities. Our objective was to analyze the links between two physical activity types and dementia in older people. Methods The study used data from the prospective observational Three-city cohort and included 1550 community-dwelling individuals aged 72 to 87 without dementia at baseline. Physical activity was assessed with the Voorrips questionnaire. Two sub-scores were calculated to assess household/transportation activities and leisure/sport activities. Restricted cubic spline and proportional hazard Cox models were used to estimate the non-linear exposure-response curve for the dementia risk and the appropriate activity level thresholds. Models were adjusted for possible confounders, including socio-demographic variables, comorbidities, depressive symptoms and APOE genotype. Results The median age was 80 years, and 63.6% of participants were women. After a median follow-up of 4.6 years, dementia was diagnosed in 117 participants (7.6%). An inverse J-shaped association was found between household/transportation physical activity sub-score and dementia risk, which means that the risk is lowest for the moderately high values and then re-increases slightly for the highest values. The results remained significant when this sub-score was categorized in three classes (low, moderate, and high), with hazard ratios (95% confidence interval) of 0.55 (0.35-0.87) and 0.62 (0.38-1.01) for moderate and high activity levels, respectively. No significant effect was found for leisure/sport activities. Conclusions The 5-year risk of dementia was significantly and negatively associated with the household/transportation activity level, but not with the leisure and sport activity sub-score. This highlights the importance of considering all physical activity types in 72 years or older people.

Download Full-text