Psychosocial mediators of group cohesion on physical activity intention of older adults

Considerable evidence has indicated that group-based physical activity may be a promising approach to reducing and preventing age-related illness. However, this research has not examined the mechanisms by which cohesion may impact on behaviour. The purpose of the present research was to utilize the theory of planned behaviour to investigate the mechanism by which group cohesion may affect physical activity intention. Participants were recruited from an existing physical activity intervention studying the effects of group cohesion on physical activity behaviour. The outcomes of this intervention are reported elsewhere. This paper presents data from a sub-sample of the intervention population (N=74) that examined the mediating relationships between the theory of planned behaviour and group cohesion on physical activity intention. Analyses showed that attitude and perceived behavioural control mediated the relationship between specific group cohesion concepts and physical activity intention. The direct measure of subjective norm failed to display a mediating relationship. The mediating relationships displayed between attitude and perceived behavioural control and physical activity intention provide insight into potential mechanisms by which group cohesion may affect behaviour

The social ideology of hegemonic masculinity : a content analysis of Inside Sport magazine

Masculinity has become a fundamental element of hegemony. The masculine norms of courage, aggression, and toughness have formulated a social ideology referred to as hegemonic masculinity. This ideology reinforces the normality of male norms by creating a hierarchical structure where courage, aggression, and toughness are valued as the dominant norms. Furthermore, this dominance is associated with white, heterosexual men, resulting in an oppression of women. Within the institution of sport, researchers have found a common link between hegemonic masculinity and a masculine model of sport. This model represents an alienating ideology of women, an ideology that lacks an authentic meaning in women’s lives. More specifically, hegemonic masculinity is the culturally idealized form of the masculine character that emphasizes the connection between masculinity, toughness, and orientation towards competition and subservience of women. A detailed content analysis of popular sporting magazines supports the ideology of hegemonic masculinity by rendering an atmosphere that tramples over women and other under-represented groups. Furthermore, this analysis confirms that sport is clearly defined and shaped by men’s values, men’s understandings of the world, and men’s sport experiences. As a result, sport does not represent the liberation of women, but their continued oppression through the sexualization of physical activity

The utilisation of group process strategies as an intervention tool for the promotion of health related physical activity in older adults

This study contrasted the effects of an enhanced group intervention program against a standard group intervention, with specific reference to the influences of group cohesion on changes in health-related physical activity of older adults. Older adults (N = 122) took part in a 12-week intervention with repeated post-intervention follow-up (6 & 12 months) assessing physical activity behaviour and perceptions of group cohesion. Results indicated significant positive change (p < 0.05) across time, but a non-significant difference between groups, for physical activity behaviour. For group cohesion, results indicated a significant negative (p < 0.05) change across time and similar to physical activity behaviour, a nonsignificant difference between the intervention groups. Further research is needed to understand the mechanism that fosters group cohesion in order to develop future interventions aimed at increasing physical activity behaviour and adherence in older adults

The WellingTONNE Challenge toolkit : using the RE-AIM framework to evaluate a community resource promoting healthy lifestyle behaviours

Objective: The RE-AIM framework has been recognized as a tool to evaluate the adoption, delivery, and sustainability of an intervention, and estimate its potential public health impact. In this study four dimensions of the RE-AIM framework (adoption, implementation, effectiveness, and maintenance) were used to evaluatethe WellingTONNE Challenge Toolkit, a step-by-step resource explaining how to develop, implement and disseminate a healthy lifestyle community intervention. Design: Process evaluation. Methods: In association with the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing (DHA), a self-report questionnaire was distributed to individuals from health care organizations, local councils and community organizations throughout Australia who had received and/or requested the WellingTONNE Challenge Toolkit from the DHA. Results: The RE-AIM dimensions revealed a high adoption rate and confirmed that the toolkit was being implemented for what it was intended to be implemented for and was an effective resource for initiating, maintaining and encouraging a healthy lifestyle. Lastly, the evaluation highlighted that most participants would maintain use of the toolkit in future projects. Conclusion: The RE-AIM framework provided valuable information concerning the uptake, implementation and usability of the WellingTONNE Challenge Toolkit, however, future research should address the behavioural outcomes associated with using the toolkit in order to provide a clearer understanding of how research can be translated into public health practice

Addressing the challenges, barriers, and enablers to physical activity participation in prioity women's groups

Background: The Women’s Active Living Kits (WALK) Pilot Program was an Australian federal government initiative designed to identify an effective model for extending physical activity participation in government identified priority women’s groups. The purpose of this study is to address the barriers and challenges to physical activity participation in selected priority women’s groups and present possible strategies to assist with engaging these groups in physical activity. Methods: Ten focus group evaluation sessions were undertaken with priority women’s groups who took part in the WALK program. Participants were encouraged to share their opinions, perceptions and beliefs regarding their physical activity behaviours, in a semi-structured, open table discussion. Results: Participants reported a number of psychological and cognitive, socio-cultural, and environmental factors which restricted their participation in physical activity. Participants also highlighted strategies they felt would enable physical activity participation. These included; increased use of health professionals to deliver health education to the general community, the use of a leader to facilitate the program, encouraging group activity, being culturally sensitive to the specific needs of other cultures, and developing a partnership with other community social service centres. Conclusions: These findings are valuable and should be used as a platform to inform the design and implementation of future physical activity interventions for priority women’s groups

Investigating the relationship between leader behaviours and group cohesion within women’s walking groups

Early research has shown that leadership behaviour is viewed as a crucial factor in successfully developing team cohesion, effectively resulting in greater team satisfaction and more positive team outcomes. However, little is understood if these same factors have an impact on physical activity groups. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between leader behaviours and group cohesiveness within women's physical activity groups. Design: Participants (N=95) included a sub-sample of adult women who were previously involved in a women's physical activity/walking program. Methods: Participants assessed their groups' leader behaviour using items pertaining to enthusiasm, motivation, instruction and availability, and their groups' cohesiveness using the Physical Activity Group Environment Questionnaire (PAGEQ). Canonical correlation analysis was used to determine the strength of association between the four concepts of group cohesion (ATG-T, ATG-S, GI-T & GI-S) and the four items pertaining to leadership behaviour. Results: A significant multivariate relationship was revealed between group cohesion and leadership behaviour, Wilks' lambda=0.43, F(16,170)=5.16, p<0.001. The canonical correlation for this function was RC=0.74, indicating a strong relationship. Simply stated, group leaders who were perceived as being highly enthusiastic, who have a high ability to motivate, who have a high ability to provide personal instruction and who are available outside of the group's regular activities were associated with higher levels of group cohesion. Conclusions: Although a cause-effect relationship can not be determined, the current study can serve as a valuable template in guiding future research in examining potential mechanisms that may assist with physical activity sustainability

Physical activity in culturally and linguistically diverse migrant groups to Western society : a review of barriers, enablers, and experiences

Close examination of epidemiological data reveals burdens of disease particular to culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) migrants as these individuals adjust to both culture and modernisation gaps. Despite the increased risk of hypertension, diabetes, overweight/obesity, and CVD, individuals from CALD groups are less likely to be proactive in accessing health care or undertaking preventative measures to ensure optimal health outcomes. The purpose of this paper is to review literature which outlines the barriers, challenges, and enablers of physical activity in CALD groups who have recently migrated to Western society, and to identify key strategies to increase physical activity participation for these individuals. Electronic and manual literature searches were used to identify 57 publications which met the inclusion criteria. Findings from the review indicate that migration to western societies has a detrimental effect on the health status and health behaviours of CALD groups as they assimilate to their new surroundings, explore different cultures and customs, and embrace a new way of life. In particular, there is evidence that physical inactivity is common in migrant CALD groups, and is a key contributing risk factor to chronic disease for these individuals. Challenges and barriers that limit physical activity participation in CALD groups include; cultural and religious beliefs, issues with social relationships, socio-economic challenges, environmental barriers, and perceptions of health and injury. Strategies that may assist with overcoming these challenges and barriers consist of the need for cultural sensitivity, the provision of education sessions addressing health behaviours, encouraging participation of individuals from the same culture, exploration of employment situational variables, and the implementation of ‘Health Action Zones’ in CALD communities. This information will inform and support the development of culturally appropriate programs designed to positively influence the physical activity behaviours of individuals from CALD populations

WALK Community Grants Scheme : lessons learned in developing and administering a health promotion microgrants program

The WALK Community Grant Scheme was a key component of a federally funded Australian initiative aimed at increasing local capacity to promote and engage priority women’s groups in health-related physical activity. Under the scheme, community groups and organisations were provided with the opportunity to apply and receive small grant funds to support the development of women’s walking groups with the aim of increasing physical activity participation levels in women, and/or to support innovative community ideas for increasing women’s physical activity by improving social structures and environments. This paper describes the development and administration of the WALK Community Grant Scheme, outlines challenges and barriers encountered throughout the grant scheme process, and provides practical insights for replicating this initiative

Physical activity dose-response effects on mental health status in older adults

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the dose-response relationship between physical activity and mental health, comparing two recommended levels of physical activity involvement. The two current physical activity recommendadtions used to study the dose-response relationships in a sample of older adults were 150 minutes per week and 420 minutes per week. Method: Data were collected on a sample (n=337) of independant living older adults ranging from 55 to 89 years of age (mean age 65.2 years) using a computer-assisted telephone interview (CATI) survey. Activity status was assessed using the Active Australian questionnaire, whereas health status was assessed using the SF-12 health survey questionnaire. Results: Participants classed as moderately active (150-420 minutes per week) and highly active (420 minutes per week) displayed significantly higher mental health status than those who were classified as inactive, (150 minutes per week) when controlling for physical health status. Further analysis failed to reveal any significant difference in mental health status between moderately and highly active participants. Conclusion: When controlling for the variability in mental health status relating to physical health, individuals meeting current guidelines of 150 minutes of physical activity per week displayed higher mental health than those who did not. Increased levels of activity showed no reliable increase in health status. Implications: The benifits of moderate levels of physical activity were supported for older adults. In terms of mental health, recent recommendations for increased amounts of daily activity were not supported

A comparison of health behaviours in lonely and non-lonely populations

Loneliness can be defined as perceived social isolation and appears to be a relatively common experience in adults. It carries a significant health risk and has been associated with heart disease, depression and poor recovery after coronary heart surgery. The mechanisms that link loneliness and morbidity are unclear but one of the mechanisms may be through poor health beliefs and behaviours. The aims of this cross-sectional survey of 1289 adults were to investigate differences in health behaviours (smoking, overweight, BMI, sedentary, attitudes towards physical activity) in lonely and non-lonely groups. Lonely individuals were more likely to be smokers and more likely to be overweight - obese. The lonely group had higher body mass index scores controlling for age, annual income, gender, employment and marital status. Logistic regression revealed no differences in sedentary lifestyles. Lonely individuals were significantly less likely to believe it was desirable for them to lose weight by walking for recreation, leisure or transportation. The findings provide support for an association between health behaviours, loneliness and excess morbidity reported in previous studies