scholarly journals The Praise and Price of Pok�mon GO: A Qualitative Study of Children�s and Parents� Experiences (Preprint)

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna-Karin Lindqvist ◽  
Darla Castelli ◽  
Josef Hallberg ◽  
Stina Rutberg

BACKGROUND Physical activity has multiple health benefits; however, the majority of children around the world do not attain the recommended levels of daily physical activity. Research has shown that the game Poké mon GO has increased the amount of physical activity of players and that the game has the potential to reach populations that traditionally have low levels of physical activity. Therefore, there is a need to understand which game components can promote initial and sustained physical activity. By using a qualitative research approach, it is possible to achieve rich descriptions and enhance a deep understanding of the components promoting physical activity among children in a game such as Poké mon GO. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to explore children’s and parents’ experiences playing Poké mon GO. METHODS Eight families comprising 13 children (aged 7-12 years) and 9 parents were selected using purposeful sampling. Data collected using focus groups were analyzed using qualitative latent content analysis. RESULTS The following three themes were revealed: (1) exciting and enjoyable exploration; (2) dangers and disadvantages; and (3) cooperation conquers competition. The first centers around the present and possible future aspects of Poké mon GO that promote physical activity. The second focuses on unwanted aspects and specific threats to safety when playing the game. The third shows that cooperation and togetherness are highly valued by the participants and that competition is fun but less important. CONCLUSIONS Components from Poké mon GO could enhance the efficacy of physical activity interventions. Cooperation and exploration are aspects of the game that preferably could be transferred into interventions aimed at promoting children’s physical activity.

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 108-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer B Scally ◽  
Rhiannon Lord

Children with a visual impairment are less active than their sighted peers. Yet, they are born with the potential to match their sighted peers’ motor skill competency and levels of physical fitness. Environmental barriers are one of the main causes of inequities. This article provides insight on these issues, drawing upon a physical activity intervention called ‘First Steps’, a British Blind Sport initiative that aimed to get more children with a visual impairment more active. Physical activity packs were delivered to 53 children, aged 5–15 years, with a visual impairment. Of these participants, 62% had additional impairments or medical conditions. A mixed-methods approach was used to gather participants’ experiences of physical activity prior to receiving this pack and canvas opinion on how the pack changed their activity levels. The findings revealed inequitable experiences of physical activity. The First Steps pack made considerable progress in developing children’s physical activity levels. Participants’ motor skills, social interactions, and confidence improved. Organisations working with this population might look to adopt a similar concept. Recommendations for those wishing to do so are provided.


2012 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danielle Hagarty ◽  
Janet Currie

Research reveals that approximately 40% of Year 12 HSC students and 25% of Year 11 HSC students experience symptoms of depression, anxiety and or stress exceeding the normal or expected values. Numerous studies show that female students report higher levels of psychological distress than their male counterparts. Female secondary school students also report poor lifestyle behaviours such as low levels of physical activity participation. This is despite research demonstrating physical activity interventions as an effective means of promoting wellbeing. However, it has not been well documented whether physical activity interventions are considered beneficial by HSC students at this stressful time of their lives. Therefore, the current study explores the experiences among a group of female HSC students (n=6) (mean age = 17 years) regarding their involvement in a once per week, 8 week exercise class program. Each participant reported at least one perceived benefit relating to their involvement in the 8-week exercise class program. A perceived increased level of access to physical activity was identified by the participant group. After taking part in the program, reductions in individual subjective stress, increased social interaction, improved self esteem and improved mood states were all identified by the participants as perceived benefits of exercise class participation. It is recommended that secondary schools in Australia focus on providing supportive environments for health by offering HSC students the chance to take part in conveniently located, free of charge exercise classes.


2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (13) ◽  
pp. 1678-1690 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louise Larkin ◽  
Norelee Kennedy ◽  
Alexander Fraser ◽  
Stephen Gallagher

Many people who have rheumatoid arthritis report low levels of physical activity. We conducted 17 interviews with people who have rheumatoid arthritis to gain insight into how they view physical activity and to explore how their levels of activity may be increased. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis. Four main themes were generated: being active, barriers and facilitators, information and advice, and supporting physical activity. A lack of information about being active fostered negative emotions limiting physical activity participation. Improved provision of physical activity advice is warranted to promote physical activity in people who have rheumatoid arthritis.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
André Pombo ◽  
Carlos Luz ◽  
Luis Paulo Rodrigues ◽  
Rita Cordovil

Abstract Objective To know how confinement affects children’s routines, more specifically their physical activity (PA) and sedentary time.MethodsAn online survey was launched to assess how Portuguese children under 13 years of age are adjusting their daily routines to confinement. Parents reported the daily time each child was engaged in different activities, which were used to calculate overall sedentary time and overall physical activity time.Results: Data from 2159 children, indicated that during confinement: i) there was a decrease in children’s physical activity time (72.3%); and an increase in screen time (71.3%) and family activities (83.9%); ii) the only sex differences were found on Playful Screen Time (boys > girls) and in Play without PA (girls > boys); iii) along age groups, there was a trend for the increase of the overall sedentary time and a complementary decrease of overall physical activity time (both F(3,2097) =97.951, p < .001).Conclusion: Overall, PA of confined children showed low levels and a clear decreasing trend along childhood. Conjoint family and societal strategies to target specific age groups should be organized in the future.


Author(s):  
Khan ◽  
Bell

Combined diet and physical activity school-based interventions (rather than only diet or physical activity interventions) are more likely to help prevent children from becoming overweight in the long term. However, such interventions are less prevalent, and therefore, this pilot study aimed to assess the feasibility of a gardening intervention coupled with awareness about plant-based meals among 9−10 year old children in a London primary school. We recruited 60 children from two Year 5 classes, one class participated as an intervention group, and results were compared against another class who acted as the control group. Children’s physical activity (PA) was measured using GENEActiv wrist-worn accelerometers. Their fruit and vegetable intake and attitudes to and preferences in eating fruits and vegetables were measured using a self-report questionnaire. Furthermore, three focus groups were held with children in the intervention group to understand the reasons behind any change as a result of the intervention. Results are inconclusive; however, they indicate some impact on reduction of sedentary behaviour, increase of moderate to vigorous PA, knowledge of nutrition and some level of acceptance in trying new vegetables. School-based interventions involving gardening show some promise to increase children’s PA and improve their attitudes to eating fruits and vegetables.


Author(s):  
David X Marquez ◽  
Susan Aguiñaga ◽  
Amparo Castillo ◽  
Susan L Hughes ◽  
Cheryl Der Ananian ◽  
...  

Abstract Older Latinos are the fastest growing cohort among older adults in the USA, and their lives are often fraught with comorbidities, such as diabetes and obesity. Strong evidence has demonstrated health benefits of regular physical activity for older adults. In spite of this, older Latinos participate in low levels of physical activity. Interventions designed to increase the physical activity of older Latinos are lacking, yet more are emerging as the number of older Latinos grows. Unfortunately, older Latinos face many impediments to participating in physical activity interventions that researchers are unaware of. The purpose of the current article was to identify barriers that researchers are likely to face in conducting physical activity interventions for older Latinos, highlighting recently identified barriers, and providing barriers we encountered specifically with older Latino adults; and strategies to overcome these barriers to implementation.


Author(s):  
Javier Zaragoza Casterad ◽  
Javier Sevil-Serrano ◽  
Julien E. Bois ◽  
Eduardo Generelo ◽  
Léna Lhuisset ◽  
...  

This study describes a Pyrenean cross-cultural structure called Centre for the Promotion of Physical Activity and Health (CAPAS-City) that was created to promote physical activity (PA) in Huesca (Spain) and Tarbes (France). The main aim of this centre is to lead the way in the design, implementation, and evaluation of multilevel PA interventions to improve their efficacy and sustainability inside the city. CAPAS-City responds to the main challenges related to multilevel PA interventions, through six guiding principles: (1) promoting sustainability, (2) playing a leadership role, (3) promoting multisectoral partnerships, (4) using evidence-based strategies, (5) promoting integrated knowledge translation, and (6) using a participatory research approach. Five multilevel PA interventions were designed in both cities by CAPAS-City with these principles in mind. Through the example of the Annual MOT Test adapted to bikes, we also illustrate one practical application of the use of these principles, following the Social-Ecological approach, in which the main agents of influence are involved at different levels to encourage cycling. According to the promising results found in this study, CAPAS-City appears to be a structure that is able to respond to the main needs and challenges of multilevel interventions to increase PA levels in the whole population of both cities.


2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kerry Vander Ploeg ◽  
Katerina Maximova ◽  
Stefan Kuhle ◽  
Aline Simen-Kapeu ◽  
Paul Veugelers

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