‘The world is a happier place’: Celebration in a whole-of-school physical activity initiative

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 337-352
Author(s):  
Déirdre Ní Chróinín ◽  
Jaimie McMullen
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Physical Activity Participation ◽  
Activity Participation ◽  
Individual Interviews ◽  
School Based ◽  
School Initiatives ◽  
The World ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Children’S Physical Activity

Understanding factors that influence children’s participation in sport and physical activity is critical to designing more appealing youth opportunities and programmes. Whole-of-school initiatives offer one way to promote children’s physical activity, but little is understood about how celebration within these initiatives influences children’s physical activity behaviours. Through this study we aimed to answer the question: what are participants’ experiences of physical activity-related celebration within a whole-of-school physical activity initiative? Answering this question helped us to explore the relationship between celebration and school-based physical activity participation. This study was situated within Irish primary schools ( N = 14) who were working towards the award of an ‘Active School Flag’. Data for analysis included each school’s Active School Flag application ( N = 14), individual interviews with Active School Flag coordinator teachers ( N = 14) and focus groups ( N = 13) with children ( N = 62). An inductive approach to analysis using open, axial and selective coding was employed. Celebration was an important part of the Active School Flag process, and the messages children associated with celebration were influential in shaping their understanding of what was important in relation to their physical activity participation. Acknowledgement of the merits of competitive sport beyond the focus on winning led to more inclusive physical activity approaches. Messages indicating that effort and participation were valued alongside excellence and winning were an important source for children to consider when making judgements about physical activity participation. Findings indicate the merit of including physical activity-related celebration within whole-of-school physical activity initiatives.

Attaining the Active School Flag: How physical activity provision can be enhanced in Irish primary schools

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 76-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Bowles ◽  
Déirdre Ní Chróinín ◽  
Elaine Murtagh
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Primary School ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Positive Health ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
School Communities ◽  
Physical Activity Interventions ◽  
School Based ◽  
School Initiatives

The provision of regular physical activity opportunities has the potential to have positive health benefits for children. This study used qualitative interviews and focus groups to examine the experiences of two Irish primary school communities as they worked to attain an Active School Flag. The data suggest that engagement in this formal physical activity initiative impacts positively on children’s engagement in physical activity. Schools were encouraged to embark on innovative activities that attracted widespread participation within schools and in the wider community. The establishment of links with community groups fostered collaborations that were empowering and inclusive. This research supports the contention that primary school initiatives can provide enhanced physical activity opportunities for children, and may provide guidance to national and international policy-makers as they devise school-based physical activity interventions.

Effects of Exergaming Based Exercise on Urban Children’s Physical Activity Participation and Body Composition

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 992-998 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zan Gao ◽  
Ping Xiang
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Body Composition ◽  
Body Fat ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Physical Activity Participation ◽  
Activity Participation ◽  
Percent Body Fat ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Children’S Physical Activity

Background:Exergaming has been considered a fun solution to promoting a physically active lifestyle. This study examined the impact of an exergaming-based program on urban children’s physical activity participation, body composition and perceptions of the program.Methods:A sample of 185 children’s physical activity was measured in August 2009 (pretest), and percent body fat was used as index of body composition. Fourth graders were assigned to intervention group engaging in 30 minutes exergaming-based activities 3 times per week, while third and fifth graders were in comparison group. Measurements were repeated 9 months later (posttest). Interviews were conducted among 12 intervention children.Results:ANCOVA with repeated measures revealed a significant main effect for intervention, F(1, 179) = 10.69, P < .01. Specifically, intervention children had significantly greater increased physical activity levels than comparison children. Logistic regression for body composition indicated intervention children did not differ significantly in percent body fat change from comparison children, Chi square = 5.42, P = .14. Children interviewed reported positive attitudes toward the intervention.Conclusions:The implementation of exergaming-based program could have a significantly positive effect on children’s physical activity participation and attitudes. Meanwhile, long-term effect of the program on children’s body composition deserves further investigation.

scholarly journals The Relationship Between Social Capital and Physical Activity Participation Motivation in the Elderly

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 185-194
Author(s):  
Mohammad Reza Baladastian ◽  
◽  
Sara Janmohammadi ◽  
Shima Haghani ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Capital ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Physical Activity Participation ◽  
Activity Participation ◽  
The West ◽  
Participation Motivation ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Relationship

Background: In recent years, social capital, and especially its importance among the elderly has attracted the attention of researchers. Moreover, it was suggested that older adults lack sufficient physical activity that may be due to the lack of motivation. Accordingly, this study was conducted to determine the relationship between social capital and physical activity participation motivation among the elderly living in the west of Tehran City, Iran, in 2020. Methods: This was a descriptive correlational study. The research population consisted of aged individuals present in the public areas of the west of Tehran City, Iran (districts 5, 9, 21, & 22 of Tehran Municipality), such as sidewalks and passages, shopping centers, parks, mosques, and so on. In total, 400 subjects were recruited by the multistage sampling method. The Abbreviated Mental Test (AMT), Participation Motivation Questionnaire for Older Adults (PMQOA), and Onyx and Bullen social capital scale were used to gather the required data. The obtained data were analyzed by Pearson’s correlation coefficient, Independent Samples t-test, and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) in SPSS at the significance level of P<0.05. Results: The Mean±SD social capital of the study subjects was equal to 86.27±23.3. The fitness and social factors of activity participation motives had the highest (49.72±19.34) and lowest (18.97±15.96) Mean±SD values (based on an index of 0-100). Social capital was significantly associated with physical activity participation motivators (except fitness & medical subscales) (P<0.05). Social capital was also associated with occupational status, the number of children, house size, and the economic status of the research subjects (P<0.05). Conclusion: According to the obtained results, the social capital of the elderly participating in this study was pretty low. Furthermore, there was a significant relationship between social capital and the motivators of physical activity participation (apart from fitness & medical); this result signifies the necessity of attention to the social capital of the elderly.

Development of a Conceptual Model to Predict Physical Activity Participation in Adults with Brain Injuries

2008 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 289-307 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Driver
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Brain Injuries ◽  
Physical Activity Participation ◽  
Activity Participation ◽  
Psychosocial Variable ◽  
Fit Indices ◽  
Chi Squared ◽  
Self Worth ◽  
The Relationship

The purpose was to examine psychosocial factors that influence the physical activity behaviors of adults with brain injuries. Two differing models, based on Harter’s model of self-worth, were proposed to examine the relationship between perceived competence, social support, physical self-worth, affect, and motivation. Adults numbering 384 with brain injuries completed a series of questionnaires measuring each psychosocial variable. The structural analysis indicated a nonsignificant chi squared value and good fit indices for model two which included affect as the mediating variable. Findings indicate that affect is critical in shaping the physical activity cognitions and behaviors of adults with brain injuries. Suggestions are made on practical ways to enhance affect and subsequently physical activity participation.

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