An investigation of possible selves across stages of exercise involvement with middle-aged women

In order to develop effective interventions designed to encourage more middle-aged individuals to engage in regular exercise, there is a need to further understand the mechanisms involved in the decision to exercise. One appropriate conceptual framework involves future-oriented self-conceptions, or possible selves (Markus & Nurius, 1986). Possible selves, both hoped-for and feared, have been shown to vary over the lifespan in content and number (Cross & Markus, 1991), and to be predictive of future health behaviors (Hooker & Kaus, 1992,1994). The role of possible selves in the exercise context can be explored using the Stage of Change Model (Prochaska & DiClemente, 1983), which identifies participation as a process consisting of five identifiable stages. The purpose of this study was to examine the number and content of possible selves generated by individuals across stages of exercise behavior, in order to determine whether possible selves can differentiate those stages and be predictive of exercise-related behavior. Participants were 204 middle-aged women employed at a university in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. Results indicated that differences in the number and content of open-ended possible selves across stage of exercise were relatively few, although differences that did exist held potential for future interventions. Of particular interest was the significant finding of possible selves related to body image, which differed by stage for both hoped-for and feared selves. Responses to focused possible selves directly related to exercise behavior showed a number of differences between stage of exercise, providing support for previous literature as well as for the methodology employed in the present study. Individuals whose self-efficacy and outcome expectancy associated with a particular possible self related to exercise was high, were most likely to engage in exercise behavior. Finally, when the strongest predictor of exercise behavior was combined with exercise self-efficacy, the variance accounted for by the possible self was negligible. Findings support the conclusion that possible selves are worthy of future research in the exercise domain, including the role of possible selves as an antecedent to exercise self-efficacy. Results are discussed in terms of past research, practical applications, and future research directions

Associations between Community Built Environments with Early Care and Education Classroom Physical Activity Practices and Barriers

The influence of community-built environments on physical activity (PA) support in Early Childhood Education settings (ECEs) is unknown. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to determine associations between community PA environments and ECE classroom PA practices. We included licensed Oklahoma ECE directors serving 3-to-5-year-old children. Parks and playground locations were exported from Google Earth. NationalWalkability Index was derived from 2010 US Census data. ArcMap 10.6 was used to geocode ECE locations, which were within an Activity Desert if no parks/playgrounds were located within a 1-mile radius or if Walkability Index was 10.5 or below. Classroom PA practices were determined by using the Nutrition and PA Self-Assessment tool (NAP SACC). Barriers to implementing practices were reported. Most Head Starts (n = 41; 80.3%), center-based childcare settings (CBC; n = 135; 87.0%), and family childcare homes (FCCHs; n = 153; 96.4%) were in an Activity Desert. Parks/playgrounds within a 10-mile buffer were correlated with classroom PA practices in FCCHs only (p \u3c 0.001). Activity Desert status was not related to classroom PA practices for any ECE context (p \u3e 0.029). While FCCHs may be the most vulnerable to lack of park and playground access, overall findings suggest ECEs provide a healthful micro-environment protective of the typical influence of community-built environments

Author's personal copy Feasibility, Acceptability, and Effects of Gentle Hatha Yoga for Women With Major Depression: Findings From a Randomized Controlled Mixed-Methods Study

This article appeared in a journal published by Elsevier. The attached copy is furnished to the author for internal non-commercial research and education use, including for instruction at the authors institution and sharing with colleagues. Other uses, including reproduction and distribution, or selling or licensing copies, or posting to personal, institutional or third party websites are prohibited. Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common, debilitating chronic condition in the United States and worldwide. Particularly in women, depressive symptoms are often accompanied by high levels of stress and ruminations, or repetitive self-critical negative thinking. There is a research and clinical imperative to evaluate complementary therapies that are acceptable and feasible for women with depression and that target specific aspects of depression in women, such as ruminations. To begin to address this need, we conducted a randomized, controlled, mixed-methods community-based study comparing an 8-week yoga intervention with an attention-control activity in 27 women with MDD. After controlling for baseline stress, there was a decrease in depression over time in both the yoga group and the attention-control group, with the yoga group having a unique trend in decreased ruminations. Participants in the yoga group reported experiencing increased connectedness and gaining a coping strategy through yoga. The findings provide support for future large scale research to explore the effects of yoga for depressed women and the unique role of yoga in decreasing rumination. © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. One of the most common and debilitating health conditions in the United States and worldwide is major depression, considered in this paper to include major depressive disorder (MDD) and dysthymia Depression is a complex disorder that can be difficult to treat successfully. Many women with depression express frustration about the usual care, citing reasons such as inadequate symptom management, unacceptable side effects, and inadequate methods for coping Although depression is characterized by a depressed mood, many women experience a variety of psychological, cognitive, and physical symptoms beyond the depressed mood (APA, 2000). For example, up to half of all women with a diagnosis of depression may experience "anxious depression," typified by excessive rumination

The Influence of Aerobic Exercise Training on the Double Product Break Point in Low-to-Moderate Risk Adults

The double product (DP) is the product of the heart rate (HR) and systolic blood pressure (SBP). The double product break point (DPBP) is a physiologic threshold that occurs at similar exercise intensities to that of the ventilatory threshold (VT). The influence of aerobic exercise training on the DPBP has not yet been examined. The purpose of this study was to examine whether aerobic exercise training (ET) increases the exercise intensity at which the DPBP occurs, and whether it increases in a similar fashion to the VT. Seven males and 11 females, all sedentary (mean ± SD: age = 29.9 ± 10.5 yr) underwent supervised cardiopulmonary exercise testing using a cycle ergometer ramp protocol at baseline and after eight weeks of vigorous ET on a cycle ergometer. The VT was determined by gas analysis and the V-slope method. Experienced observers using standardized instructions visually determined the DPBP. Following ET, VO2peak, maximal workload, and body composition variables all showed significant positive changes. The VO2 at which the DPBP and VT occurred increased significantly from baseline to follow-up (p <.001). At baseline and at follow-up, the DPBP and VT did not differ. The DPBP and VT were significantly correlated to each other at both time points. Results suggest that the DPBP responds to ET in a similar fashion to that of the VT, and may be an easier and more useful marker of the VT for exercise training purposes

Psychosocial And Friend Influences On Objective Sedentary Behavior And Screen Time: A Mixed Methods Analysis

Background: Sedentary behavior (SB) increases throughout adolescence, and is associated with adverse health outcomes. Purpose: Examine psychosocial and friend influences on SB and screen time in adolescents using a mixed-methods design. Methods: 108 middle and high school students wore accelerometers to measure objective SB, completed screen time and psychosocial questionnaires, and nominated friends to complete activity questionnaires. Focus groups centered around influences on SB behavior. Regression analyses and NVivo software analyzed quantitative and qualitative data. Results: Screen time was associated with greater screen time enjoyment, lower self-efficacy, and friends\u27 screen time (r2 = .21, P \u3c .0001). Friends influenced whether adolescents engaged in screen time behaviors, with active friends encouraging less screen time. Conclusion: Active friends influenced adolescents to engage in less SB. Interventions should place an emphasis on encouraging less screen time, and providing opportunities for adolescents and their friends to engage in activities that promote physical activity rather than SB

Development and perceived utility and impact of a skin care Internet intervention

Pressure ulcers (PrUs) in people with spinal cord injury (SCI) are a common, mostly preventable, skin complication with serious health consequences. This paper presents the development, theoretical bases, and perceived usefulness and effectiveness data for iSHIFTup.org, a skin care Internet intervention to prevent pressure ulcers in adults with SCI. Participants (n = 7) were, on average, 36 years old (SD = 10.09), tetraplegic (71%), paraplegic (29%), and caucasian (86%), with an average time since injury of 10.43 years (SD = 9.64 years). During the six weeks of program access, participants' usage of the program was tracked and analyzed. Participants subsequently completed measures focused on usability, likeability, and usefulness (the Internet Evaluation and Utility Questionnaire; IEUQ), and on their perceptions of the impact of the program on targeted behaviors (using the Internet Impact and Effectiveness Questionnaire; IIEQ). Participants generally reported positive experiences using iSHIFTup, indicating it to be useful, effective, easy to use, and understandable. All participants reported that iSHIFTup helped them to manage their skin care, improved their skin care routine, and supported healthy skin care activities. A majority of users indicated that they were able to implement program recommendations, and all users believed the Internet was a good method for delivering pressure ulcer prevention programs. This is the first paper to focus on a skin care Internet intervention for adults with SCI