An examination of key variables influencing physical activity behaviour in adolescent girls during the transition from primary to secondary school

Research has suggested that the decline in physical activity (PA) levels for adolescent girls is most marked during the transition from primary school to secondary school. However, this decline in PA for adolescent girls is also coincident with the onset of maturation and as such, maturation and the physical changes associated with maturation (e.g., increased body fat and development of secondary sexual characteristics) may have a direct influence on PA. In addition, these physical changes may indirectly influence perceptions of competence and body attractiveness and subsequently influence PA behaviour. Therefore the aim of this thesis was to further explore this decline in PA during this transitional period. Study one involved a longitudinal examination of the relationship between maturation, physical self-perceptions and PA in adolescent girls over 12 months during the transition from primary to secondary school. At Phase 1 (primary school) 208 adolescent girls participated (mean age = 11.83 ± 0.39 years) and were tracked into secondary school (Phase 2) where 156 girls participated (mean age = 12.79 ± 0.31 years). PA was assessed using the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children; maturation was assessed using the self-report Pubertal Development Scale; physical characteristics of body mass, waist circumference and sum of skinfolds were measured and physical self perceptions were assessed using the Children and Youth‟s Physical Self-Perception Profile. Cross-sectional findings at both Phase 1 and Phase 2 highlighted that maturation and physical characteristics were not significantly related to PA and there were no significant differences in PA between maturation stages. Results also indicated that physical self-perceptions were all significant moderate positive correlates of PA at both primary and secondary school. Longitudinal findings examining the change in variables over the 12 months highlighted a significant decrease in PA from primary to secondary school. Furthermore, this decrease was evident during break-times, lunch-times and after-school yet PA significantly increased in PE lessons between schools. Maturation had a limited influence on PA behaviour; however the increase in body mass was related to perceptions of body attractiveness and physical self-worth becoming less positive. In addition, decreases in physical self perceptions partially accounted for the decrease in PA over the 12 months. It was apparent from the quantitative findings of study one that further research was needed to explore the influence of additional variables on PA. The aim of study two was to explore the decrease in PA evident during the school transition using a narrative approach. A purposive sampling technique was used and one-to-one narrative interviews were conducted (n = 14; age 13.6 ± 0.3 years). Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to identify the „whats‟ (i.e. content) of the girls‟ PA stories and structural analysis was used to identify „how‟ the girls told their PA stories. Findings suggest that the PA environment had an impact on their sense of self with regards to levels of enjoyment, perceived competence, confidence and self-presentation issues. These findings support the current research trend towards a focus on the environment the individual is experiencing rather on the individual. Overall the findings suggested that the decrease in PA behaviour in early adolescent girls may depend more on perceptions of competence and ability in a particular environment rather than the possible influence of the physical changes accompanying maturation

A case study of an athlete’s experience of multiple change-events moving between team and individual sports

The purpose of this case study was to understand the personal experience of a female athlete (aged 24 years) undergoing a significant change-event from a team sport (rugby) to an individual sport (weightlifting) at an elite level. Two in-depth informal interviews were conducted. A number of change-events were experienced in several contexts, including a change of sports, a change in academic status, and a reoccurring injury. The findings provided empirical support for the use of the scheme of change for sport psychology practice (Samuel & Tenenbaum, 2011a) for understanding the change process and the associated coping strategies athletes may adopt

A longitudinal examination of the influence of maturation on physical self-perceptions and the relationship with physical activity in early adolescent girls

This longitudinal study investigated the influence of maturation on physical self-perceptions and the relationship with physical activity in early adolescent girls (N = 150; mean age = 12.79 0.31). Physical characteristics were measured and participants completed the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children, the Children and Youth Physical Self-Perception Profile and the Pubertal Development Scale on two occasions 12 months apart. The results demonstrated a decrease in overall physical activity levels over 12 months which was not influenced by maturational status or physical characteristics. Additional analysis indicated that physical self-perceptions partially accounted for the explained variance in physical activity change, with physical condition being an important individual predictor of physical activity. Further analysis indicated that body mass was an important individual predictor of changes in perceptions of body attractiveness and physical self-worth. At this age maturation has a limited influence on the physical activity behaviours of early adolescent girls and although the variance in physical activity was partly accounted for by physical self-perceptions, this was a relatively small contribution and other factors related to this drop in physical activity need to be considered longitudinally

Maturational differences in physical self-perceptions and the relationship with physical activity in early adolescent girls

This cross-sectional study examined the effect of physical self-perceptions and maturation on physical activity, and considered the influence of maturation and age on physical self-perceptions in early adolescent girls (n = 208; mean age = 11.83 ± 0.39 years). Participants completed the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children, the Children’s Physical Self-Perception Profile and the Pubertal Development Scale. Results indicated that the girls were relatively active and physical self-perceptions were significantly and moderately correlated with physical activity. There were no differences in physical activity between maturation stages. There was evidence of an inverse relationship between aspects of physical self-perceptions and maturation, but not with chronological age. This study has identified preliminary evidence for an interaction between maturation, physical self-perceptions and physical activity, but longitudinal research is required to examine this in more detail

Physiological and psychological health effects of Nordic walking on sedentary adults

To investigate the effects of an eight week Nordic Walking programme on health outcomes in sedentary yet healthy adults. Thirty-nine participants (mean age = 54.6 ± 9.3 years) were randomised to a Nordic (N=20) or standard walking group (N=19) and completed three 55-minute supervised walking sessions per week. Blood pressure, aerobic capacity, lipid profile and anthropometry were assessed and participants completed measures of health-related quality of life, self-esteem, depression and mood pre- and post intervention. There was a significant group interaction for diastolic blood pressure with a trend for lower values in the Nordic Walking group post intervention. There was a significant decrease in waist, hip and upper arm circumference and a significant increase in total distance and averaging exercising heart rate in both walking groups post intervention. There were no significant differences within or between groups for total cholesterol, high and low density lipoprotein however a significant intervention effect was observed for triglycerides. The findings point towards a non-significant improvement in health-related quality of life, selfesteem, depression and mood in both walking groups over time. In line with previous research, an eight-week walking intervention significantly improved aspects of physical and mental health in a sedentary population, although Nordic Walking did not enhance these health benefits compared to standard walking. Further research needs to focus on increasing intervention duration, ensuring mastery of correct technique and monitoring intensity during the intervention period

A qualitative study exploring perceived environmental determinants of physical activity behaviour in children

In this article, we consider children’s perceptions of their social and physical outdoor environment in relation to their physical activity (PA) behaviour in Scotland, United Kingdom. Drawing from a pilot study, participants included three groups of children aged between ten and twelve of mixed gender (n=15). Visual and verbal representations of their perceived environment were analysed to assess environmental determinants of PA. Results found an absence of suitable play affordances, safety, parental restriction, and environmental aesthetics was a key factor to children spending time outdoors. Strengths and limitations of the study are discussed, as are implications for policy and practice

Parental perceptions and key determinants of sedentary behaviour in children aged 2-11 years old

This poster discusses parental perceptions and key determinants of sedentary behaviour in children aged 2-11 years old

Systematic review and evidence appraisal of objectively assessed longitudinal changes in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity among children and adolescents (2-18 years old)

The aim of this study was to systematically review accelerometer based longitudinal studies which have quantified year to year changes in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) among the general paediatric population in the absence of any intervention

The effect of a home-based strength training program on type 2 diabetes risk in obese Latino boys

This paper is designed to determine the effects of a home-based strength training (HBST) intervention on insulin sensitivity (SI), compensatory acute insulin response and β-cell function, body composition measures, and maximum strength in obese Latino boys. A total of 26 obese Latino males aged between 14 and 18 years were randomized to either a twice-weekly (n=15) or a control group (C; n=15) for 16 weeks. HBST for 16 weeks, composed of two 1-h sessions per week. Outcome measures were assessed pre-and post-intervention/control condition and included SI, acute insulin response to glucose (AIR) and disposition index (DI), fasting glucose, 2-h glucose, body composition using waist-hip circumferences, body mass index (BMI), dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan, blood pressure, and strength by 1-repetition maximum. A repeated measures GLM was used to assess differences in changes in outcome measures, between the C and the HBST groups. There were no significant overall intervention effects on any of the outcome variables (p<0.05). These results suggest that an HBST does not improve SI, maximal strength or decrease adiposity in obese Latino boys

ActiveChat : Development of an 8 week school-based intervention to increase motivation for physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviour in secondary school pupils

This poster discusses the development of an 8 week school-based intervention to increase motivation for physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviour in secondary school pupils