scholarly journals Motivating students for physical activity: What can we learn from student perspectives?

2020 ◽  
pp. 1356336X2097021
Author(s):  
Gwendolijn MM Boonekamp ◽  
John AJ Dierx ◽  
Erik Jansen
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
School Setting ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Student Perspectives ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
School Based ◽  
The Social ◽  
Unique Method ◽  
Health Promoting

Regular physical activity (PA) contributes to lifelong health and well-being. Adolescents in the Netherlands do not engage in sufficient PA, leading to serious health risks. The purpose of this study is to inform PA-enhancing strategies. This paper offers a unique method for analysing students’ perspectives about opportunities for PA in their school environments. The research method combines two approaches: a Health Promoting Schools (HPS) approach, which supports children’s development by using the school setting to promote PA, and a salutogenic approach, which engages all students in dialogue and reflection to identify factors or ‘assets’ that enhance their PA. Ninety-three students aged 12–14 from four secondary pre-vocational education schools participated in two group sessions in which the structured interview matrix and photovoice methods were employed. In these sessions, the students interacted with each other about four asset categories: talents, passions, the social environment and the physical environment. Thematic analyses of their dialogues led to three main insights: (a) students must perceive the activities as meaningful, appealing, contextually possible and manageable; (b) they use a wide variety of reasoning processes when deciding whether to engage in PA; and (c) it is valuable to invite students to share their individual perspectives on assets related to PA. All these aspects connect to the goals of both HPS and salutogenesis. We conclude that shifting the focus towards developing school-based interventions that build on student perspectives and active participation provides students with realistic opportunities for shaping PA and motivates them to be more physically active.

Promoting physical activity

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Chalkley ◽  
Lauren Sherar
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Activity Promotion ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Role Modelling ◽  
School Based ◽  
Marginalized Groups ◽  
Activity Promotion ◽  
The Social ◽  
Health And Well Being

Physical activity is beneficial to children’s health and well-being. Evidence suggests that physical activity declines with age from childhood through adolescence and into adulthood, with boys being more active than girls at all ages. Physical activity participation in childhood is affected by the social support and role modelling provided by family, peers, friends, and teachers. Marginalized groups are disadvantaged in terms of access to opportunities to be physically active. From a population perspective, the greatest gains in public health will be achieved by helping those who are most inactive to become moderately active. Physical activity promotion efforts for children have predominantly focused on school-based programmes, but multisectoral approaches are needed with transformative and enlightened public policy regarding many facets of children’s lives such as school curricula, active travel, safe play areas, and enhanced sports opportunities for all.

scholarly journals Untapped Resources: 10- to 13-Year-Old Primary Schoolchildren’s Views on Additional Physical Activity in the School Setting: A Focus Group Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (12) ◽  
pp. 2713 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vera van den Berg ◽  
Eline Vos ◽  
Renate de Groot ◽  
Amika Singh ◽  
Mai Chinapaw
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
School Setting ◽  
Field Trips ◽  
Focus Group Study ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
School Based ◽  
Teachers And Students ◽  
School Day

Schools are considered ideal venues to promote physical activity (PA) in children. However, a knowledge gap exists on how to adequately integrate PA into the school day and in particular, on the preferences of children regarding additional PA in school. Therefore, the aim of our qualitative study was to gain comprehensive insight into 10–13-year-old primary schoolchildren’s perspectives on how to increase PA in the school setting. We conducted nine focus groups (32 girls and 20 boys) with children attending the final two grades of primary school in the Netherlands. We used inductive thematic analysis to analyze the data. The results showed that children were enthusiastic about additional PA in school. Children suggested various ways to increase PA, including more time for PA in the existing curriculum, e.g., physical education (PE), recess, and occasional activities, such as field trips or sports days; school playground adaptation; improving the content of PE; and implementing short PA breaks and physically active academic lessons. Children emphasized variation and being given a voice in their PA participation as a prerequisite to keep PA enjoyable and interesting in the long term. Finally, children mentioned the role of the teacher and making efforts to accommodate all children and their different preferences as important. Children have concrete ideas, acknowledging the challenges that accompany integrating additional PA in school. We therefore recommend actively involving children in efforts to increase school-based PA and to make “additional PA in school” a shared project of teachers and students.

scholarly journals Developing Interventions for Children’s Exercise (DICE): A Pilot Evaluation of School-Based Exercise Interventions for Primary School Children Aged 7 to 8 Years

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 699-704 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Hind ◽  
David Torgerson ◽  
Jim McKenna ◽  
Rebecca Ashby ◽  
Andy Daly-Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
School Setting ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Primary School Children ◽  
School Environments ◽  
Exercise Interventions ◽  
Full Support ◽  
School Based

Background:Developing Interventions for Children’s Exercise (DICE) is an initiative aimed at determining effective schoolbased exercise programs. To assess feasibility, we conducted a pilot study of exercise sessions which varied in duration and frequency.Methods:Exercise interventions were delivered to Year 3 pupils (age 7–8 years; n = 73) in primary schools within Yorkshire, UK. Evaluations were conducted using focus group sessions, questionnaires and observations.Results:The study revealed positive aspects of all interventions, including favorable effects on children’s concentration during lessons and identified the value of incorporation of the DICE concept into curriculum lessons. Children appeared enthused and reported well-being and enjoyment. Areas requiring attention were the need for appropriate timetabling of sessions and ensuring the availability of space.Conclusion:The concept and sessions were well-accepted by teachers who confirmed their full support of any future implementation There appears to be potential for the encouragement and empowerment of teachers to support physical activity and healthy school environments, and to take an interest in the health of their pupils. Ultimately, these findings should assist in the design of successful exercise interventions in the school setting.

scholarly journals “Mummy, Can I Join a Sports Club?” A Qualitative Study on the Impact of Health-Promoting Schools on Health Behaviours in the Home Setting

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (22) ◽  
pp. 12219
Author(s):  
Marla T. H. Hahnraths ◽  
Maartje Willeboordse ◽  
Annick D. H. M. Jungbauer ◽  
Corina de Gier ◽  
Carlien Schouten ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Behavioural Change ◽  
Health Behaviours ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Home Setting ◽  
School Based ◽  
Health Promoting ◽  
The Impact ◽  
At Home

Information regarding school-based health-promoting interventions’ potential effects in the home environment is scarce. Gaining more insight into this is vital to optimise interventions’ potential. The Healthy Primary School of the Future (HPSF) is a Dutch initiative aiming to improve children’s health and well-being by providing daily physical activity sessions and healthy school lunches. This qualitative study examines if and how HPSF influenced children’s and parents’ physical activity and dietary behaviours at home. In 2018–2019, 27 semi-structured interviews were conducted with parents from two HPSFs. Interviews were recorded and transcribed, and data were coded and interpreted through thematic analysis. HPSF resulted in various behavioural changes at home, initiated by both children and parents. Parents reported improvements in healthy behaviours, as well as compensatory, unhealthy behaviours. Reasons for behavioural change included increased awareness, perceived support to adopt healthy behaviours, and children asking for the same healthy products at home. Barriers to change included no perceived necessity for change, lack of HPSF-related information provision, and time and financial constraints. Both child-to-adult intergenerational learning and parent-initiated changes play an important role in the transfer of health behaviours from school to home and are therefore key mechanisms to maximise school-based health-promoting interventions’ impact.

scholarly journals “The Social Side Is as Important as the Physical Side”: Older Men’s Experiences of Physical Activity

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 2173-2182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanie Sims-Gould ◽  
Rei Ahn ◽  
Neville Li ◽  
Callista Anne Ottoni ◽  
Dawn C. Mackey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Socially Constructed ◽  
The Social ◽  
Health Promoting ◽  
Social Side ◽  
Relational Behaviors ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Insight Into

North American “hegemonic masculinity” values strength, autonomy, independence, and resilience among its ideals. As men age, their capacity is increasingly challenged and demands that they adapt to new physical and social realities. Although some reports on effective health-promoting programs for men are emerging, there is a need to better understand older men’s experiences with their mobility and physical activity. This is a photovoice study with men ( N = 14) who were enrolled in a choice-based activity program for low active men. Based on in-depth interviews and analysis of over 800 photographs, three key themes emerged: the importance of social connectedness, supportive environments, and positive attitude toward the future. Findings are presented via a theoretical view of masculinities as socially constructed through relational behaviors and norms. Analyses provide insight into older men’s motivation to be physically active and highlight the need for programs and policies customized to promote physical activity of older men.

Green Star is not a physical activity star

Facilities ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robyn Creagh ◽  
Sarah McGann ◽  
Marian Tye ◽  
Jonine Jancey ◽  
Courtney Babb
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Spatial Configuration ◽  
Building Design ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Social ◽  
Designed Environment ◽  
Personal Context

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to report on research investigating the relationship between physical activity and workplace design. In particular, the paper explores the social–ecological context of a new workplace building. This paper seeks to understand why better physical activity outcomes for the staff were not observed in the new building despite influence from a staff wellness committee during design; achieving success against existing best-practice indicators; and staff reporting increased feelings of wellness, energy and satisfaction with the new building. Design/methodology/approach Three design aspects are taken as a focus from within an opportunistic pre-/post-physical activity study of an organisation as they move from a building they occupied for 30 years into a new purpose-designed building. This study was conducted through mixed methods, incorporating ethnographic, architectural and quantitative means. Findings The social, spatial and personal context is important for understanding participant workplace-based physical activity. Despite the health and well-being goals and 5 Star Green Star outcomes of the new building, participants were sedentary for a substantive part of their workday in both buildings. Practical implications A well-designed environment can support staff feeling healthier, but the 5 Star Green Star rating does not implicitly ensure a healthier, activity-promoting environment. Facilities managers and designers can act to provide physically active paths as the most straightforward circulation option in workplaces. Originality/value The originality of this study lies in the opportunity to conduct a pre-/post-study of physical activity where the organisation, workforce and type of work are constant and where the variable is the building design, spatial configuration and location. The methods used in this study draw from both health promotion and architectural research practices.

scholarly journals An Initial Investigation of the Generalization of a School-Based Social Competence Intervention for Youth with High-Functioning Autism

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carla Schmidt ◽  
Janine P. Stichter ◽  
Kristin Lierheimer ◽  
Stephanie McGhee ◽  
Karen V. O'Connor
Keyword(s):  
Social Competence ◽  
High Functioning Autism ◽  
School Setting ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Expression Recognition ◽  
High Functioning ◽  
School Based ◽  
The Social ◽  
Future Research Directions ◽  
The Impact

This study evaluated the impact of generalization of the Social Competence Intervention-Adolescent (SCI-A) curriculum in a school setting for individuals with high-functioning autism or Asperger's Syndrome (). This study examined to what degree the generalization of the SCI-A curriculum could be measured when delivered in a school setting. Across the six participants preliminary results suggest improvement on teacher reports of social skills and executive functioning. Some improvements were also evident in direct measures of facial-expression recognition. Data collected in the nonintervention settings indicated that some generalization of social interaction skills may have occurred for all six participants. Future research directions are discussed.

scholarly journals A Study of the Understated Violence Within Social Contexts Against Adolescent Girls

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 29-41
Author(s):  
Shivangi Nigam ◽  
Niranjana Soperna
Keyword(s):  
Adolescent Girls ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Social Issues ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Social Contexts ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The Individual

Violence against women is linked to their disadvantaged position in the society. It is rooted in unequal power relationships between men and women in society and is a global problem which is not limited to a specific group of women in society. An adolescent girl’s life is often accustomed to the likelihood of violence, and acts of violence exert additional power over girls because the stigma of violence often attaches more to a girl than to the  perpetrator. The experience of violence is distressing at the individual emotional and physical level. The field of research and programmes for adolescent girls has traditionally focused on sexuality, reproductive health, and behaviour, neglecting the broader social issues that underpin adolescent girls’ human rights, overall development, health, and well-being. This paper is an endeavour to address the understated or disguised form of violence which the adolescent girls experience within the social contexts. The parameters exposed under this research had been ignored to a large extent when it comes to studying the dimension of violence under the social domain. Hence, the researchers attempted to explore this camouflaged form of violence and discovered some specific parameters such as: Diminished Self Worth and Esteem, Verbal Abuse, Menstruation Taboo and Social Rigidity, Negligence of Medical and Health Facilities and Complexion- A Prime Parameter for Judging Beauty. The study was conducted in the districts of Haryana (India) where personal interviews were taken from both urban and rural adolescent girls (aged 13 to 19 years) based on  a structured interview schedule. The results revealed that the adolescent girls, both in urban as well as rural areas were quite affected with the above mentioned issues. In urban areas, however, due to the higher literacy rate, which resulted in more rational thinking, the magnitude was comparatively smaller, but the difference was still negligible.  

scholarly journals THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL BELONGING AND CHANGES IN LIFESTYLE FOR WOMEN IN FITNESS: CASE STUDY

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 334
Author(s):  
Aleksandra Čuprika ◽  
Andra Fernāte ◽  
Leonīds Čupriks
Keyword(s):  
Structural Component ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Daily Basis ◽  
Structural Components ◽  
Promotion Programme ◽  
The Social ◽  
Social Belonging

Fitness as a healthy lifestyle implementation helps to improve the social, mental and physical well-being components. Several scientists have indicated that there is a connection between social belonging and physical activity (PA) as the structural component of a healthy lifestyle (Walseth, 2006; Walseth & Fasting, 2004; Antonsich, 2010; Yuval-Davis, 2006; Anthias, 2006; Pinquart & Sorensen, 2001; Everard et. al., 2000). That is why the goal of the research is to develop and apply a social belonging promotion programme for women in fitness programme and to determine the changes in the lifestyle structural component health promoting PA. 10 women involved in fitness classes in small groups (2-4 people) participated in the case study, where in addition to PA social belonging promotion events were organized for all women together. In order to evaluate the structural components of social belonging and PA level and type, questionnaires adapted in Latvia and a semi-structured interview was used. Applying the social belonging promotion programme for women in fitness creates statistically significant changes in such structural components as sense of commitment (p<0.01), perception of interpersonal relations (p<0.01). By additionally promoting social belonging in fitness, women perceive the group better, are willing to spend more time with it; that, in turn, positively affects the willingness to be physically and socially active on a daily basis.

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