scholarly journals Health Educator Participation in Virtual Micro-Credentialing Increases Physical Activity in Public Health Competencies

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Dysart ◽  
Laura E. Balis ◽  
Bryce T. Daniels ◽  
Samantha M. Harden
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Training Program ◽  
Program Implementation ◽  
Cooperative Extension ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
Extension Agents ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Cooperative Extension Agents

Background: Physical activity is an important component of leading a healthy life. Public health is one of the nine major sectors for disseminating information about physical activity and increasing the physical activity of the general public.Purpose: Increase competency among Cooperative Extension agents (i.e., public health workers) on selecting, delivering, and evaluating physical activity programs through a theory-based online training program.Methods: Cooperative Extension agents from two states were invited to participate via statewide listservs. Participants were invited to attend sessions, complete competency checks, and between-session assignments each week. The study was conducted using a video conferencing platform. The intervention was 9 weeks from June to July 2020 and had 130 participants. Pre- and post-program surveys included physical activity competencies and validated scales for flourishing and physical activity status. Data for competencies pre and post were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test, p < 0.01. Physical activity and flourishing pre and post were compared using t-tests, p < 0.05.Results: Physical activity in public health competency increased significantly (p < 0.00) as did agents' personal physical activity levels (p < 0.05). Changes in flourishing were not significant (p < 0.09) but trended in the hypothesized direction.Conclusions: The online competency-based training program significantly improved Cooperative Extension agents' knowledge of physical activity guidelines and physical activity program implementation. Future work is needed related to the scalability of the training program.

scholarly journals Baby Steps: Using Intervention Mapping to Develop a Sustainable Perinatal Physical Activity Healthcare Intervention

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (11) ◽  
pp. 5869
Author(s):  
Anna M. Dieberger ◽  
Mireille N. M. van Poppel ◽  
Estelle D. Watson
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Behavior Change ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Community Health Workers ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Intervention Mapping ◽  
Healthcare Intervention ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Major Barrier ◽  
Practical Applications

While the benefits of physical activity (PA) during and after pregnancy have been established, many women do not reach the recommended PA levels during this time. A major barrier found in the literature is a lack of counselling by healthcare providers (HCPs), which is partly caused by the limited knowledge on the topic. The aim of this study was to develop an intervention to improve the promotion of PA by HCPs. We used Intervention Mapping (IM), a theory-based framework to develop an intervention, called “Baby steps”, in a high-income (Austria) and a low-to-middle-income country (South Africa). We applied the following IM steps: (1) A needs assessment to determine the barriers and enablers of PA promotion by HCPs, including a scoping literature review and community needs assessments (qualitative interviews, questionnaires, and focus groups with midwives, obstetricians, and community health workers) to determine the desired outcomes of the intervention. (2) Performance and change objectives were formulated, describing the behaviors that need to change for the intervention to succeed. (3) Based on these objectives, theory-based behavior change techniques were selected, and practical applications were developed. (4) The applications were combined into two evidence-based interventions tailored to each country’s needs. Step (5) and (6) consist of an implementation and evaluation plan, respectively. The intervention is aimed at HCPs, such as midwives and community health workers, consisting of a two-day training course, including practical resources. Combining didactic and interactive education, it addresses both PA knowledge and the skills needed to transfer knowledge and facilitate behavior change. In the future, the intervention’s effect on women’s activity levels during and after pregnancy needs to be studied.

scholarly journals Parents’ and Early Childhood Educators’ Perceptions on Movement and Learning Program Implementation

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (22) ◽  
pp. 11913
Author(s):  
Myrto F. Mavilidi ◽  
Sue Bennett ◽  
Fred Paas ◽  
Anthony D. Okely ◽  
Spyridoula Vazou
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Early Childhood ◽  
Program Implementation ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Early Childhood Educators ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Learning Program ◽  
Home Based ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Program Components

There is currently limited evidence on parents’ and early childhood educators’ perspectives on implementing programs that combine cognitive and motor tasks in early childhood. An online survey was distributed across Australia through social network platforms and emails at preschool centres, asking 65 parents of preschool children and early childhood educators about their preferences on program delivery, duration, and mode. Responses from the survey were evaluated in order to develop and pilot a 4 week home-based (n = 5 parents) and a 6 week school-based program (n = 5 educators) including cognitively engaging physical activity, requesting parents’ and educators’ perspectives, respectively, about the program components. Results from the online survey showed a preference for programs with online (e.g., video-based) compared to traditional delivery (e.g., books), emphasising the potential benefits on children’s physical activity levels, sleep, and cognitive function. However, after piloting the program, educators preferred to use the book version instead of the video. This program has the potential to become part of daily regular practice. Barriers reported include logistics issues (i.e., book size), connectivity issues with internet, and the need for varying activities.

scholarly journals Physical Activity Levels After Functional Resistance Training Program In Subjects With Low-back Pain

2009 ◽  
Vol 41 ◽  
pp. 130-131
Author(s):  
José A. Pérez-Turpin ◽  
Juan M. Cortell-Tormo ◽  
Pablo Tercedor-Sánchez ◽  
Alfonso Jiménez ◽  
Juan J. Chinchilla-Mira
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Resistance Training ◽  
Training Program ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Resistance Training Program ◽  
Physical Activity Levels

scholarly journals Soft drink intake is associated with weight gain, regardless of physical activity levels: the health workers cohort study

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Romina González-Morales ◽  
Francisco Canto-Osorio ◽  
Dalia Stern ◽  
Luz María Sánchez-Romero ◽  
Leticia Torres-Ibarra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Soft Drink ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
Health Workers Cohort Study

Policy Prescriptions for Healthier Communities

2003 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 109-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Trip Pollard
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Built Environment ◽  
Physical Inactivity ◽  
Motor Vehicle ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Health Impacts ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Vehicle Pollution ◽  
Laws And Policies

Evidence of the health impacts of the built environment has increased rapidly. Studies have linked physical inactivity and motor-vehicle pollution to a range of health problems and have shown that activity levels and air quality are influenced by community design, land use, and transportation patterns. There is comparatively little awareness, however, of the role that laws and policies play in spurring sprawl and driving and of the opportunities to reorient current provisions to promote public health. This article summarizes the findings connecting the built environment to a variety of health problems. It then describes how current policies present barriers to physical activity and increase pollution by encouraging sprawl development and by offering few transportation choices. Finally, the article suggests ways to overcome these barriers by examining policies that can promote public health by making it easier to incorporate greater physical activity into our everyday lives and to reduce driving. Multidisciplinary partnerships are needed to pursue these policy prescriptions for healthier communities.

The Lifestyles of Affluent Young People Ages 9 to 15 Years: A Case Study

2007 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 460-469 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mike Sleap ◽  
Barbara Elliott ◽  
Martha Paisi ◽  
Helen Reed
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Young People ◽  
Physical Activities ◽  
Moderate Intensity ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Future Health ◽  
Lifestyle Activity ◽  
Physical Activity Levels

Background:There are concerns about the future health of young people due to inactive lifestyles. However, evidence about their physical activity levels is not extensive, especially with regard to affluent young people. This study aimed to investigate whether young people from affluent backgrounds met public health recommendations for physical activity.Methods:Diary accounts of lifestyle activity were collected from 219 students ages 9 to 15 y attending a fee-paying school in England.Results:Pupils spent an average of 121 min per day participating in physical activities of at least moderate intensity, considerably more than public health recommendations of 60 min per day. However, almost a quarter of these young people engaged in less than 60 min of physical activity per day of at least moderate intensity.Conclusions:The picture to emerge was one of a balance between sedentary pursuits like television and homework and physical activities such as sport and active play.

Physical activity guidelines for children and youthThis article is part of a supplement entitled Advancing physical activity measurement and guidelines in Canada: a scientific review and evidence-based foundation for the future of Canadian physical activity guidelines co-published by Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism and the Canadian Journal of Public Health. It may be cited as Appl. Physiol. Nutr. Metab. 32(Suppl. 2E) or as Can. J. Public Health 98(Suppl. 2).

2007 ◽  
Vol 32 (S2E) ◽  
pp. S109-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian Janssen
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Children And Youth ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Activity Measurement ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Scientific Review ◽  
Physical Activity Guidelines ◽  
School Aged Children

The aim of this review is to provide a scientific update on evidence related to the biological and psycho-social health benefits of physical activity in school-aged children and youth. To accomplish this aim, the first part of the paper reviews existing physical activity guidelines for school-aged children and youth, with an emphasis placed on how Canada’s guidelines compare and contrast with those of other countries and organizations. The paper then provides an overview of physical activity levels of Canadian children and youth, which indicates that few Canadian youngsters meet current physical activity recommendations. The next section of the paper summarizes the literature that informs how much physical activity is required to promote health and well-being in children and youth. The paper then provides suggestions on modifications that could be made to Canada’s physical activity guidelines for children and youth. Specifically, consideration should be given to setting both minimal (≥60 min/d) and optimal (up to several hours per day) physical activity targets. The final section identifies future research needs. In this section, a need is noted for comprehensive dose–response studies of physical activity and health in the paediatric age group.

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