scholarly journals A Process Evaluation of A UK Classroom-Based Physical Activity Intervention—‘Busy Brain Breaks’

Children ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 63
Author(s):  
Alice Cline ◽  
Gareth Knox ◽  
Luciana De Martin Silva ◽  
Stephen Draper
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Process Evaluation ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Evaluation Study ◽  
Teaching Staff ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Physical Activity Interventions ◽  
Brain Breaks ◽  
Children’S Behaviour ◽  
Fundamental Movement Patterns

The gap between development of effective physical activity interventions and the wide-scale adoption of these interventions in real-world settings has been reported since the early 2000s. Evaluations have been criticised for failing to report details of context, implementation, adoption and maintenance. ‘Busy Brain Breaks’ was an intervention designed to improve fundamental movement patterns whilst increasing physical activity within the classroom. This evaluation study used a mixed-methods approach including questionnaires, observations, semi-structured interviews and quantification of class-level dose. Findings suggest that giving teachers flexibility and autonomy over the way in which they implement physical activity interventions may increase the likelihood of adoption. Time was frequently perceived as a significant barrier to the intervention, giving the teachers flexibility to implement the intervention when they thought most suitable allowed teaching staff to retain their autonomy and make the intervention work with their schedule. Children’s behaviour appeared to be both a facilitator and barrier to implementing physical activity interventions within the classroom. Whilst misbehaviour can pose as a barrier, children’s enjoyment acts as a key facilitator to implementation for teaching practitioners. Teachers interviewed (n = 17) observed that movement ability had developed as a result of the intervention and recognised co-ordination, balance and stability as areas that had noticeably improved. Conducting an in-depth process evaluation has allowed for greater insight and understanding as to how, and to what extent, the intervention was implemented within the school-based setting.

Adding family digital supports to classroom-based physical activity interventions to target in- and out-of-school activity: An evaluation of the Stay Active intervention during the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 214-228
Author(s):  
Bethany Forseth ◽  
Adrian Ortega ◽  
Paul Hibbing ◽  
Mallory Moon ◽  
Chelsea Steel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Evaluation Study ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Physical Activity Interventions ◽  
High Satisfaction ◽  
Family Based

Introduction: Interventions targeting multiple levels of influence and settings may have a greater impact on children’s total daily physical activity than those targeting a single setting. This study evaluated the addition of family supports to a classroom-based physical activity intervention. Methods: 6 schools were randomized to a remotely delivered classroom-based physical activity only (CBPA) or classroom-based physical activity plus family (CBPA+) arm. The latter added behavior change tools (e.g., self-regulation) delivered via text messages and newsletters to caregiver/child dyads. The intervention lasted for 7 weeks with a 1-week baseline and 1-week post-intervention assessment (9 weeks total). Children who enrolled in the evaluation study received a Garmin activity monitor, which was used to tailor the text messages and evaluate changes in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Caregivers completed surveys evaluating intervention acceptability. Results: The 53 child participants (CBPA n=35; CBPA+ n=18) were 9.7±0.7 years old, 64% were female, 59% were Black, and 23% were Hispanic/Latinx. Almost 90% of caregivers reported high satisfaction with the added family-based intervention content. Adherence to wearing the Garmin was higher in the CBPA+ arm. MVPA was low at baseline and during the first 3 weeks of the intervention (CBPA 7.5±3.1 minutes/day; CBPA+ 7.9±2.7 minutes/day) and increased by ~45 min/day by weeks 6-8 (CBPA 56.8±34.2 minutes/day; CBPA+ 49.2±18.7minutes/day). Changes in MVPA were similar between arms. Conclusion: The high acceptability and intervention engagement in the CBPA+ arm show promise for integrating mHealth tools to provide additional family support in multilevel multiapproach interventions targeting children’s physical activity.

scholarly journals Sensory Profile of Adults with Reduced Food Intake and the Potential Roles of Nutrition and Physical Activity Interventions

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 1120-1125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie-Eve Mathieu ◽  
Ryan E R Reid ◽  
Neil A King
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Food Intake ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Sensory Profile ◽  
Sensory Response ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Physical Activity Interventions ◽  
Nutrition And Physical Activity ◽  
Sensory Training

ABSTRACT The sensory profile, referring to sight, smell, taste, hearing, and touch, plays an essential role in optimizing the habitual intake of energy and macronutrients. However, specific populations, such as older adults, are known to have impaired energy intake. In this paper, the relevance of sensory impairments in this older population is described, and the extent to which nutritional and physical activity interventions can modulate these sensory responses when food intake is insufficient is explored. With aging, all senses deteriorate, and in most cases, such deteriorations diminish the nutritional response. The only exception is sight, for which both positive and negative impacts on nutritional response have been reported. From a prevention perspective, nutritional interventions have been understudied, and to date, only hearing is known to be positively affected by a good nutritional profile. In comparison, physical activity has been more frequently studied in this context, and is linked to an improved preservation of 4 senses. Regarding treatment, very few studies have directly targeted sensory training, and the focus of research has tended to be on nutrition and physical activity intervention. Sensory training, and nutritional and physical activity treatments all have beneficial effects on the senses. In the future, researchers should focus on exploring gaps in the literature specifically concerning prevention, treatment, and sensory response to understand how to improve the efficacy of current approaches. In order to maintain sensory acuity and recover from sensory impairment, the current state of knowledge supports the importance of improving nutritional habits as well as physical activity early on in life. A combined approach, linking a detailed lifestyle profile with the assessment of numerous senses and one or more interventional approaches (nutrition, physical activity, sensory training, etc.), would be required to identify effective strategies to improve the nutritional state of older individuals.

scholarly journals Feasibility and acceptability of a culturally tailored physical activity intervention for Arab-Australian women

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aymen El Masri ◽  
Gregory S. Kolt ◽  
Emma S. George
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Trial Registration ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Physical Activity Interventions ◽  
Culturally Tailored ◽  
Session Attendance ◽  
Australian Community

Abstract Background Despite being one of the largest migrant groups in Australia, few physical activity interventions exist for Arab-Australians. The primary aim of this study was to test the feasibility and acceptability of a 12-week culturally tailored physical activity intervention for Arab-Australian women. Methods This study used a single-group pretest–posttest design, and was informed by extensive formative research and consultation involving the Arab-Australian community. Participants were insufficiently active Arab-Australian women aged 35–64 with no current illness or injury that would limit physical activity participation. The intervention comprised 6 face-to-face physical activity and education sessions over 12 weeks. The intervention was conducted at 2 separate intervention sites in Western Sydney, Australia. Feasibility outcomes included recruitment, session attendance, and retention. The acceptability of the intervention was assessed through a process evaluation questionnaire completed post-intervention. Accelerometers and the short-form International Physical Activity Questionnaire were used to measure physical activity at baseline and post-intervention. Descriptive statistics were used for feasibility and acceptability outcomes, and changes in physical activity were examined using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. Results Of the 53 women who were contacted or expressed interest, 22 were eligible and enrolled in the study. Participants were primarily recruited through direct contact by Arab-Australian community workers and by word-of-mouth. Average session attendance was 63% and the retention rate post-intervention was 68%. The culturally-related intervention components, such as the appropriateness of content, and women-only setting, were rated highly favourably (4.33 to 4.87/5). General intervention elements, such as the face-to-face delivery, knowledge and approachability of facilitators, and session structure, were also rated favourably (4.33 to 4.93/5), and the lowest scored item was the intervention session frequency (3.2/5). There were no statistically significant changes in physical activity post-intervention. Conclusions The findings from this study highlighted factors related to recruitment and delivery that need to be considered when developing physical activity interventions for Arab-Australian women. Further research is required using a larger sample and a randomised controlled trial design to examine the longer-term impact on physical activity, and to also examine ways of increasing intervention engagement and retention among Arab-Australian women. Trial Registration: ANZCTR, ACTRN12618001392257. Registered 20 August 2018, https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=375636.

scholarly journals What Happened in ‘The HERizon Project’?—Process Evaluation of a Multi-Arm Remote Physical Activity Intervention for Adolescent Girls

2022 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 966
Author(s):  
Emma S. Cowley ◽  
Lawrence Foweather ◽  
Paula M. Watson ◽  
Sarahjane Belton ◽  
Andrew Thompson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Process Evaluation ◽  
Adolescent Girls ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Group Facilitation ◽  
Online Social Media ◽  
Group Data ◽  
Group A ◽  
Combined Intervention

This mixed-methods process evaluation examines the reach, recruitment, fidelity, adherence, acceptability, mechanisms of impact, and context of remote 12-week physical activity (PA) interventions for adolescent girls named The HERizon Project. The study was comprised of four arms—a PA programme group, a behaviour change support group, a combined group, and a comparison group. Data sources included intervention deliverer and participant logbooks (100 and 71% respective response rates, respectively), exit surveys (72% response rate), and semi-structured focus groups/interviews conducted with a random subsample of participants from each of the intervention arms (n = 34). All intervention deliverers received standardised training and successfully completed pre-intervention competency tasks. Based on self-report logs, 99% of mentors adhered to the call guide, and 100% of calls and live workouts were offered. Participant adherence and intervention receipt were also high for all intervention arms. Participants were generally satisfied with the intervention components; however, improvements were recommended for the online social media community within the PA programme and combined intervention arms. Autonomy, sense of accomplishment, accountability, and routine were identified as factors facilitating participant willingness to adhere to the intervention across all intervention arms. Future remote interventions should consider structured group facilitation to encourage a genuine sense of community among participants.

scholarly journals Pilot Studies to Evaluate Feasibility of a Physical Activity Intervention in Persons with Depression

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kendall Sharp ◽  
Charles South ◽  
Cherise Chin Fatt ◽  
Madhukar Trivedi ◽  
Chad Rethorst
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Depressive Disorders ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Pilot Studies ◽  
Exercise Interventions ◽  
Physical Health Outcomes ◽  
Physical Activity Interventions ◽  
Efficacious Treatment

Depressive disorders are associated with high disease burden and high rates of medical comorbidities. Exercise interventions have been shown to reduce depressive symptoms and help improve physical health outcomes in persons with depression. However, the interventions used in studies demonstrating exercise as an efficacious treatment for depression are unlikely to be adopted into clinical practice due to the significant resources (personnel, facilities, equipment) required to deliver these interventions. This suggests the need for more efficient interventions for increasing physical activity in persons with depression. Two pilot studies were conducted to determine the feasibility of a multi-component physical activity intervention in persons with depression. Components of the intervention included group educational sessions about increasing physical activity, a Fitbit, and access to on-site exer-cise facility. The results from these pilot studies show significant decreases in depressive symptoms post intervention (PA: t(13)= 3.51, p = .004; BC: t(13) = 3.05, p = .009). 100% of participants in the PA pilot and 85.7% of participants in the BC pilot responded that they benefited overall from the study. These results indicate that implementing a multi-component physical activity intervention is feasible and can reduce depressive symptoms and other psychosocial outcomes. Limitations and future directions for physical activity interventions are discussed.

scholarly journals Impact of Baseline BMI upon the Success of Latina Participants Enrolled in a 6-Month Physical Activity Intervention

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheri J. Hartman ◽  
Shira I. Dunsiger ◽  
Dori W. Pekmezi ◽  
Brooke Barbera ◽  
Charles J. Neighbors ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Cognitive Processes ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
The Body ◽  
Physical Activity Interventions ◽  
Family Social Support ◽  
Longitudinal Regression ◽  
Baseline Bmi ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Over Time

High rates of obesity in Latinas highlight the need to determine if physical activity interventions are equally effective across the body mass index (BMI) range. Thus, this study assessed how BMI impacts success of Spanish-speaking Latinas in a culturally and linguistically adapted theory-based physical activity intervention (). Longitudinal regression models tested the relationship between baseline BMI and outcomes. Overall, a trend for a negative association was found between baseline BMI and self-reported physical activity and theoretical constructs targeted by the intervention over time. For example, someone with a 25 kg/m2BMI would report, on average, 27.5 more minutes/week of activity compared to someone with a 30 kg/m2BMI at followup. Furthermore, higher baseline BMI was significantly associated with lower self-efficacy, behavioral and cognitive processes of change, and family social support over time. These findings suggest that participants with higher BMI may need additional intervention to promote physical activity.

An Ecological Exploration of Facilitators to Participation in a Mosque-Based Physical Activity Program for South Asian Muslim Women

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (9) ◽  
pp. 671-678 ◽  
Author(s):  
Munira Abdulwasi ◽  
Meena Bhardwaj ◽  
Yuka Nakamura ◽  
Maha Zawi ◽  
Jennifer Price ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
South Asian ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Community Setting ◽  
Muslim Women ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Physical Activity Interventions ◽  
Semistructured Interviews

Background: This descriptive qualitative study informed by an ecological framework explored factors influencing South Asian Muslim women’s decisions to participate in a mosque-based physical activity intervention.Methods: Individual, face-to-face, semistructured interviews were conducted in English, Hindi, or Urdu with 12 South Asian Muslim women at their home or mosque in Ontario, Canada. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and managed, sorted, and analyzed for themes through a process of descriptive analysis.Results: The participants described as follows: (1) intrapersonal facilitators, which included their feelings, beliefs, and motivations to continue with this intervention; (2) interpersonal facilitators detailing the support that they had received from others during the intervention; and (3) environmental facilitators, which highlighted convenience and access to physical activity opportunities in a local community setting.Conclusion: This intervention displayed how South Asian Muslim women were motivated to continue with the mosque-based physical activity intervention due to interpersonal, intrapersonal, and environmental facilitators. The findings can be used to increase further understanding of how mosques may provide culturally and religiously sensitive contexts for physical activity interventions for South Asian Muslim women.

scholarly journals A process evaluation of the PLAN-A intervention (Peer-Led physical Activity iNtervention for Adolescent girls)

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon J. Sebire ◽  
Kathryn Banfield ◽  
Russell Jago ◽  
Mark J. Edwards ◽  
Rona Campbell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Process Evaluation ◽  
Adolescent Girls ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention
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