scholarly journals The Role of Local Leaders in the Implementation of Adult-Initiated Motor Skill Development and Physical Activity in Preschool—A Case Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (24) ◽  
pp. 13119
Author(s):  
Trine Top Klein-Wengel ◽  
Jonas Vestergaard Nielsen ◽  
Søren Smedegaard ◽  
Thomas Skovgaard
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Motor Skills ◽  
Current Practice ◽  
Daily Practice ◽  
Shared Responsibility ◽  
Course Of Action ◽  
Motor Skill Development ◽  
Local Leaders

Good motor skills (MS) and physical activity (PA) are considered important for children’s physical, social, and psychological development. The Motor skills in PreSchool (MiPS) study-Denmark aimed to optimize children’s MS through weekly PA sessions. The aim of this paper is to explore the role of local preschool leaders and their strategies in influencing the implementation of MiPS into daily practice. Leaders from all seven preschools in the project were interviewed. The results show that preschool leaders used communication (setting an agenda and dedicating speaking time to address the program at staff meetings) and reflective questioning about the pedagogic staff’s current practice in relation to the program (adding focus on MS and PA) as their main course of action. Through this form of communication and reflective questioning, the preschool leaders aimed to involve the staff and heighten their sensemaking in the existing practice while also ensuring that the implementation of the program was kept in progress. In sum, future implementation of an MS and PA initiative in preschools should put emphasis on a shared responsibility between leaders and staff combined with an adaptive approach in which the existing practice is reshaped rather than just increasing the workload of the pedagogic staff.

scholarly journals Twin-To-Twin Transfusion Syndrome Donor and Recipient and Their Subsequent Cognitive Functioning in Late Childhood as Juvenile Athletes—A Case Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 2545
Author(s):  
Ilona Bidzan-Bluma
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Motor Skills ◽  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Late Childhood ◽  
Semantic Fluency ◽  
Motor Functioning ◽  
Gross Motor Skills ◽  
History Of

Objective: It is estimated that twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) occurs in 10–15% of monochorionic twin pregnancies. One of the fetuses takes on the role of donor and the other of recipient. The treatment administered involves serial amnioreduction and laser photocoagulation of the communicating blood vessels. After TTTS, children may have deficiencies in psychomotor functioning, in particular in cognitive functions, expressive language, and motor skills. Few scientific reports indicate that twins after TTTS do not demonstrate significant differences in tests which measure intellectual functioning. Methods: The cognitive functioning of twins in the late childhood period was compared using the following tools: an analysis of their medical history, an interview with their parents, and neuropsychological tests allowing the evaluation of their whole profile of cognitive functions. Case Study: Cognitive functioning in the late childhood period was analyzed in a pair of 11-year-old male twins (juvenile athletes), a donor and a recipient, who had developed TTTS syndrome in the prenatal period. Results: Comparison of the cognitive functioning profile of the donor and recipient revealed that children with a history of TTTS develop normally in terms of cognitive and motor functioning in late childhood. A comparative analysis of the donor and recipient was more favorable for the recipient, who had a higher level of general intelligence, visual–motor memory, and semantic fluency. Conclusions: The fact that both the donor and the recipient chose to pursue athletics suggests that gross motor skills are their strongest suit. Playing sports as a method of rehabilitation of cognitive function of children born prematurely after TTTS could contribute to the improvement of cognitive functioning.

scholarly journals Intervention to Improve Preschool Children’s Fundamental Motor Skills: Protocol for a Parent-Focused, Mobile App–Based Comparative Effectiveness Trial (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
E Kipling Webster ◽  
Chelsea L. Kracht ◽  
Robert L. Newton Jr ◽  
Robbie A. Beyl ◽  
Amanda E. Staiano
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Motor Skills ◽  
Motor Skill ◽  
Comparative Effectiveness ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Preschool Age ◽  
Effectiveness Trial ◽  
Fundamental Motor Skills ◽  
Motor Skill Development

BACKGROUND Preschool age is an important time to master fundamental motor skills (FMS) through structured physical activity, yet many young children lag behind in motor skill development. OBJECTIVE The Promoting Lifelong Activity in Youth (PLAY) study is a pilot comparative effectiveness trial to test the acceptability, feasibility, and preliminary effectiveness of a mobile app delivered to parents to promote FMS development in their preschool children (aged 3-5 years). METHODS We conducted a 2-arm, parallel-design, randomized comparative effectiveness trial in 72 parent-child dyads from the southeastern United States. Experts in motor development and developmental psychology developed an app designed to deliver a 12-week program to parents of preschoolers using 1 of 2 curricula: an FMS program (intervention) that involved peer modeling, parent engagement, and structured skills-based activities and an unstructured physical activity (comparator) curriculum that provided suggestions for child-led physical activity (ie, free play). Primary outcomes are feasibility and acceptability of the app and child’s FMS measured at end of intervention (week 12). Exploratory outcomes are child’s objective physical activity, perceived movement competence, and parent report of self-regulation at the end of treatment (week 12) and sustained outcomes at follow-up (week 24). RESULTS This project was funded in September 2018, with institutional review board approval in August 2018. Data collection took place from May 2019 through February 2020. To date, the project team has completed data collection on 69 preschool-age children, and results are expected to be published by 2021. CONCLUSIONS The PLAY study examines the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of a mobile app, parent-led curricula to promote FMS proficiency for preschool children. If found to be effective, the app has the potential for wide-scale dissemination to parents of preschoolers and to provide a model for the utilization of mobile apps to promote young children’s motor skill development. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03901300; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03901300 INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT DERR1-10.2196/19943

scholarly journals Intervention to Improve Preschool Children’s Fundamental Motor Skills: Protocol for a Parent-Focused, Mobile App–Based Comparative Effectiveness Trial

10.2196/19943 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. e19943
Author(s):  
E Kipling Webster ◽  
Chelsea L Kracht ◽  
Robert L Newton Jr ◽  
Robbie A Beyl ◽  
Amanda E Staiano
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Motor Skills ◽  
Motor Skill ◽  
Comparative Effectiveness ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Preschool Age ◽  
Effectiveness Trial ◽  
Fundamental Motor Skills ◽  
Motor Skill Development

Background Preschool age is an important time to master fundamental motor skills (FMS) through structured physical activity, yet many young children lag behind in motor skill development. Objective The Promoting Lifelong Activity in Youth (PLAY) study is a pilot comparative effectiveness trial to test the acceptability, feasibility, and preliminary effectiveness of a mobile app delivered to parents to promote FMS development in their preschool children (aged 3-5 years). Methods We conducted a 2-arm, parallel-design, randomized comparative effectiveness trial in 72 parent-child dyads from the southeastern United States. Experts in motor development and developmental psychology developed an app designed to deliver a 12-week program to parents of preschoolers using 1 of 2 curricula: an FMS program (intervention) that involved peer modeling, parent engagement, and structured skills-based activities and an unstructured physical activity (comparator) curriculum that provided suggestions for child-led physical activity (ie, free play). Primary outcomes are feasibility and acceptability of the app and child’s FMS measured at end of intervention (week 12). Exploratory outcomes are child’s objective physical activity, perceived movement competence, and parent report of self-regulation at the end of treatment (week 12) and sustained outcomes at follow-up (week 24). Results This project was funded in September 2018, with institutional review board approval in August 2018. Data collection took place from May 2019 through February 2020. To date, the project team has completed data collection on 69 preschool-age children, and results are expected to be published by 2021. Conclusions The PLAY study examines the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of a mobile app, parent-led curricula to promote FMS proficiency for preschool children. If found to be effective, the app has the potential for wide-scale dissemination to parents of preschoolers and to provide a model for the utilization of mobile apps to promote young children’s motor skill development. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03901300; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03901300 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/19943

The Peacebuilding Process in Postwar Liberia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alžběta Šváblová
Keyword(s):  
Current Practice ◽  
Qualitative Case Study ◽  
Reform Process ◽  
Political Landscape ◽  
Post Conflict ◽  
Post War ◽  
Ultimate Fate ◽  
Academic Debate

Who are the most important actors in the peacebuilding process in post-war Liberia? How do they interact in specific institutions on the ground and what are the factors behind the slow pace of the post-war reform process? This book, designed as a qualitative case study with a strong descriptive component, provides answers to these questions. It highlights the importance of the domestic political landscape for the ultimate fate of the reforms and the role of influential individuals in the process. Its findings indicate that despite a rich, critical academic debate, the current practice of peacebuilding remains shaped by the neo-liberal paradigm, and remains rather disconnected from the post-conflict realities and individuals on the ground.

The Relationship between Fundamental Motor Skills and Outside-School Physical Activity of Elementary School Children

2006 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 426-435 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lennart Raudsepp ◽  
Peep Päll
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Motor Skills ◽  
General Level ◽  
Developmental Level ◽  
Fundamental Motor Skills ◽  
Developmental Sequences ◽  
Motor Skill Development ◽  
Overhand Throwing ◽  
Total Body ◽  
The Relationship

The purpose of the present study was to examine the association between fundamental motor skill development and various types of outside-school physical activity. Outside-school physical activity of 133 elementary schoolchildren was measured using a modified observational method validated by O’Hara et al. (18) and Caltrac accelerometers (Hemokinetics, Madison, Wisconsin). Developmental level of overhand throwing and jumping was assessed using total-body developmental sequences. The results revealed that developmental levels of both overhand throwing and jumping were significantly correlated with the skill-specific physical activity (r = .44 and .55 for overhand throwing and jumping, respectively). Caltrac score was not significantly related to jumping and overhand throwing skills. Skill-specific physical activities accounted for 20% of the variance (adjusted R2) in overhand throwing and 17% of the variance in jumping performance. Findings supported the hypothesis that developmental level of fundamental motor skills would be related with skill-specific outside-school physical activity but not with general level of physical activity of elementary schoolchildren.

scholarly journals Happiness and Physical Activity in the Elderly

2013 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-30
Author(s):  
Alfonso J. García ◽  
M. Rocío Bohórquez ◽  
Macarena Lorenzo
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Current Practice ◽  
Sedentary Lifestyle ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Protective Role ◽  
Positive Aging ◽  
Activity Scale ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Physical Activity Scale

The overall objective of this study was to explore past and present happiness from people over 65 years old, and the relationship that physical activity may have with it. Participants voluntarily completed a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Physical Activity Scale Battery STEPS 2.1 (WHO, 2012) and the Scale of Happiness (Godoy and Godoy-Izquierdo, 2006). The results show that present happiness is lower than last. Furthermore, it is shown that the current practice of physical activity affects the happiness of the greatest, being happiest those most active at this stage of his life. Finally, having been involved in physical activity at some point in the life cycle (past, present or continuously) is related to a higher level of happiness than that related to a sedentary lifestyle; the mechanisms involved in this protective role of happiness must be determined. This protective role of physical activity has to be taken into account in the design of programs and intervention promoting active and positive aging population.

scholarly journals The Role of Relations with Suppliers in the Creation of Sustainable Supply Chain – Practical Examples

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (335) ◽  
pp. 75-85
Author(s):  
Agata Rudnicka Reichel
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Shared Responsibility ◽  
Sustainable Supply Chain ◽  
Business Organisation ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
The Creation ◽  
Development Objectives

There are many factors that may have an influence on the method by which a supply chain is managed and the way the relationships among all its links are developed. Sustainability, as a complex and challenging concept, affects the approach to establishing and maintaining relations, extending their scope and scale. Next to the traditional understanding of relations in a supply chain, additional goals emerge, resulting in both positive effects and challenges which its different links need to face. The concept of sustainability means that a business organisation takes on shared responsibility for the whole supply chain to achieve its long‑term goals. Relationships are an important factor affecting the ability to create and manage a sustainable supply chain. Relationship Management seems to be the basis for the creation of a stable and continuous chain which presents characteristics of maturity. The aim of the article is to introduce the issue of maturity which determines the degree of achievement of sustainable development objectives in a supply chain. A case study based on the author’s own research will be presented.

scholarly journals The Role of Technology in Promoting Physical Activity: A Case-Study of parkrun

Proceedings ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 80
Author(s):  
Steve Haake ◽  
Helen Quirk ◽  
Alice Bullas
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Behaviour Change ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Saturday Morning ◽  
Behaviour Change Interventions ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Physically Inactive

Around a third of people worldwide are physically inactive, causing 3.2 million deaths each year. People often use wearables and smartphone trackers to motivate them to be active, but there is evidence to show that use of these trackers declines quickly, often within weeks. One intervention that appears to successfully motivate people to be active is parkrun, a free, weekly timed 5 km run or walk every Saturday morning. The system used by parkrun is surprisingly low-tech: it uses printable barcodes, stopwatches and scanners, and the internet. A survey of 60,694 parkrun participants showed that levels of self-reported physical activity increased following participation in parkrun, especially for those with previously low levels of activity. Nine out of ten reported feeling a sense of personal achievement and improvements to fitness and physical health since starting parkrun. Based on a taxonomy of behaviour change interventions, the technology used by parkrun was shown to incorporate at least seven techniques that inform and encourage parkrunners. It is concluded that physical activity technologies should not be central to an intervention, rather, they should enhance interventions where behaviour change takes precedence.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document