Parent Motivational Climate, Sport Enrollment Motives, and Young Athlete Commitment and Enjoyment in Year-Round Swimming

International Journal of Exercise Science 15(5): 358-372, 2022. Parents are known to influence the athlete sport experience through motivational climates. Athletes’ perception of motivational climates and their own motives for sport participation influence enjoyment and long-term sport commitment. It is unknown, however, the extent parent motives for initially enrolling their child in a year-round sports program associate with children’s sport participation enjoyment and commitment. The purposes of this study were to (a) determine parent motives for enrolling their child (5-8 years) in year-round swimming and (b) explore the relationships of parent motives and motivational climates with child enjoyment and commitment. Parents (n = 40) completed questionnaires on enrollment motives and motivational climate, while children (n = 40) answered questions on enjoyment and commitment. Of the seven motives measured, parents enrolled children in swimming primarily for fitness benefits (M = 4.5, SD = .45) followed by skill mastery (M = 4.31, SD = .48) and fun (M = 4.10, SD = .51) reasons. Findings revealed the fitness motive was moderately, negatively correlated with the success-without-effort facet of a performance climate (r = -.50, p \u3c .01). The fun motive was moderately, positively associated with commitment (r = .43, p \u3c .01). Parent motives for enrolling their child in sport may impact the young child sport experience and long-term sport continuation via motivational climates, enjoyment, and commitment

“We’re just stuck in a daily routine”:Implications of the temporal dimensions, demands and dispositions of mothering for leisure time physical activity

The reduced physical activity of women when they become mothers is a public health priority. Existing studies show that mothers have little time for leisure, or time that is fragmented and requiring negotiation with others. However, the temporal features of mothering are undertheorised and qualitative studies tend to focus on how mothers can skilfully construct physically active identities and balance societal expectations about being a "good mother". In line with other research that focuses on the configuration of everyday practices that condition the "possibilities" for health-related practices like physical activity, we shift our focus away from the resisting capacities of mothers to the temporal features of mothering practices. We interrogate the lived experiences of 15 mothers of preschool children in deprived urban areas and illuminate the inherent temporal dimensions, demands and dispositions of mothering practices that condition the possibility of leisure time physical activity being undertaken. Together, these temporal features mean mothering practices can readily work against leisure time physical activity. The focus on the mothering practices rather than mothers brings a novel perspective for developing public health policy designed to support mothers into regular leisure time physical activity

Accuracy of StepWatch™ and ActiGraph accelerometers for measuring steps taken among persons with multiple sclerosis

Introduction There has been increased interest in the objective monitoring of free-living walking behavior using accelerometers in clinical research involving persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). The current investigation examined and compared the accuracy of the StepWatch activity monitor and ActiGraph model GT3X+ accelerometer for capturing steps taken during various speeds of prolonged, over-ground ambulation in persons with MS who had mild, moderate, and severe disability. Methods Sixty-three persons with MS underwent a neurological examination for generation of an EDSS score and undertook two trials of walking on the GAITRite electronic walkway. Participants were fitted with accelerometers, and undertook three modified six-minute walk (6MW) tests that were interspersed with 10–15 minutes of rest. The first 6MW was undertaken at a comfortable walking speed (CWS), and the two remaining 6MW tests were undertaken above (faster walking speed; FWS) or below (slower walking speed; SWS) the participant's CWS. The actual number of steps taken was counted through direct observation using hand-tally counters. Results The StepWatch activity monitor (99.8%–99.9%) and ActiGraph model GT3X+ accelerometer (95.6%–97.4%) both demonstrated highly accurate measurement of steps taken under CWS and FWS conditions. The StepWatch had better accuracy (99.0%) than the ActiGraph (95.5%) in the overall sample under the SWS condition, and this was particularly apparent in those with severe disability (StepWatch: 95.7%; ActiGraph: 87.3%). The inaccuracy in measurement for the ActiGraph was associated with alterations of gait (e.g., slower gait velocity, shorter step length, wider base of support). Conclusions This research will help inform the choice of accelerometer to be adopted in clinical trials of MS wherein the monitoring of free-living walking behavior is of particular value

Validity of minimal clinically important difference values for the Multiple Sclerosis walking Scale-12?

Background and Objective: Minimal clinically important difference (MCID) values of 4 and 6 points have been proposed for interpreting meaningful change in Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale-12 (MSWS-12) scores. This study examined the validity of those MCID values based on capturing corresponding changes in other walking outcomes in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods: On 2 occasions separated by 6 months, 82 persons with MS completed the MSWS-12, timed 25-ft walk (T25FW), 6-min walk (6MW), and gait analysis, and then wore an accelerometer over a 7-day period. We generated change scores for the MSWS-12 and formed groups of stable, worsened, and improved perceived walking based on both 4- and 6-point changes. The groups were compared for corresponding changes in other walking measures over time using mixed-model ANOVAs. Results: The mixed-model ANOVAs did not identify statistically significant group-by-time interactions on the T25FW (p = 0.98 and p = 0.67), the 6MW (p = 0.89 and p = 0.72), gait (p = 0.54 and p = 0.21), or accelerometry (p = 0.40 and p = 0.68) for MCID values of 4- or 6-point changes in MSWS-12 scores. Conclusions: We did not confirm that MCID values of 4 and 6 points for the MSWS-12 correspond with changes in performance, gait, and free-living assessments of walking in MS

PARENTAL CORRELATES OF SELF-REPORTED PHYSICAL LITERACY AMONG GIRLS

Jamie Henning1, Johanna Hoch1, Rachel Kleis2, Molly Taylor1, Deirdre Dlugonski1. 1University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY. 2University of Wisconsin Eau Claire, Eau Claire, WI. Overweight and obese youth are at an increased risk of developing chronic health diseases. Physical literacy, a holistic construct, includes one\u27s knowledge, motivation, confidence, and competence to be physically active. It has been associated with positive health behaviors among children. Understanding the relationship between parent beliefs and child physical literacy may lead to more effective interventions that combat childhood obesity. The purpose of this study was to examine relationships among family obesogenic environments, parent perception of their child’s physical literacy, and child’s self-reported physical literacy. Parents (N=52) from one Kentucky elementary school completed surveys through REDCap regarding demographics, health behaviors, parent perception of child physical literacy (PLAYparent), and parent evaluation of obesogenic environments (Family Nutrition and Physical Activity Screening Tool). Children completed a physical literacy survey (PLAYself) during school hours with aid from the research team. Parent-child dyads with completed data (N=34) were included. Relationships among PLAYparent, PLAYself, and family obesogenic environments were examined using Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient. Parent participants were aged 36.9±5.5 years, while children were aged 6.4±1.0 years. Parents were primarily mothers (91.2%), married (73%), college-educated (85%), Caucasian (67%), employed (79%), with an annual household income of $75,000 or more (56%). There was a statistically significant relationship between family obesogenic environment and parent-perceived child physical literacy (r=0.35, p=0.049). There was no significant relationship between family obesogenic environments and child-perceived physical literacy (r=0.04, p=0.84) or between child- and parent-perceived physical literacy (r =-0.21, p=0.23). Findings suggest that parents\u27 perception of their child\u27s physical literacy is related to their understanding of the family\u27s overall obesogenic environment. However, the child’s self-reported physical literacy was not associated with parental perceptions of the family\u27s obesogenic environment or parent perceptions of the child’s ability, confidence, and motivation to be physically active. Children may not have an accurate impression of their own physical literacy, while parents may not understand their child’s literacy. Future research should utilize objective measures of physical literacy

PERCEPTIONS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY CO-PARTICIPATION IN MOTHERS WITH YOUNG CHILDREN

Katrina D. DuBose, FACSM1, Kristen Cook1, Deirdre Dlugonski2, Linda May1, Thomas D. Raedeke1. 1East Carolina University, Greenville, NC. 2University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to understand mother’s perceptions about co-participation of physical activity (Co-PA) with their young child. A secondary purpose was to explore similarities and differences of these perceptions among White and Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) mothers. METHODS: Thirty mothers (White n=14 and BIPOC n=16) with children 2-5 years of age completed a semi-structured interview focusing on their current physical activity interactions, beliefs, motivators, barriers, and desired experiences with their child. Transcribed interviews were coded and then the codes were categorized into themes and subthemes. RESULTS: Half of the mothers met physical activity recommendations, 60% had a college or graduate degree, and 63% had 1 or 2 children. All mothers mentioned the importance of Co-PA, especially given the amount of technology present in today’s society. Co-PA allowed bonding time, educational moments, and healthier lifestyles. Common facilitators included social interactions, planning time to be active together, and weather. An important theme discussed by the mothers were the social benefits of Co-PA, including: the importance of being active with other family members, improved connection and cooperation between mother and child, and engaging in Co-PA outside would encourage neighbors to be active. Common Co-PA barriers were time, needing to modify PA based on the young child’s age and mood, and lack of resources. There were more similarities than differences in Co-PA perceptions between racial groups. Some of the differences noted included White mothers expressing more concern about the increase in sedentary behaviors, whereas BIPOC mothers highlighted the importance of modeling physical activity and using physical activity to improve health and expend energy for their child. Regarding barriers, White mothers described screen time as an important barrier whereas BIPOC mothers mentioned inadequate resources/space for Co-PA. Lastly, regarding social aspects, White mothers noted Co-PA resulted in more educational moments, but BIPOC mothers highlighted the importance of Co-PA as a way to motivate neighbors to be active. CONCLUSION: All mothers valued the importance of being active with their young child but emphasized some different barriers and benefits by race. This information can be used to develop family-based interventions to improve Co-PA

Psychometric properties of the fatigue severity scale and the modified fatigue impact scale

Objective Fatigue is one of the most common, debilitating and life altering symptoms experienced by those with multiple sclerosis (MS) and has become the focus of therapeutic interventions and clinical rehabilitation. There is limited evidence regarding the psychometric properties and clinical relevance of fatigue outcomes for interpreting the effectiveness of intervention and rehabilitation strategies. This study determined the reliability, precision and clinically important change of the uni-dimensional Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) and the multi-dimensional Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS). Methods The FSS and MFIS along with physical, psychological and cognitive clinical outcomes were administered to a sample of 82 persons with MS in a clinical research setting on two time points, separated by six months. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) analyses established reliability; standard error of measurement (SEM) and coefficient of variation (CV) determined precision; minimal detectable change (MDC) defined clinically important change. Results Participants varied in type of MS and disability status, with 77% of participants classified as having substantial fatigue, based on the criteria of a mean FSS score ≥ 4. The MFIS (ICC = 0.863) and the FSS (ICC = 0.751) had acceptable reliability over six months. Precision was reasonable for both scales (based on SEM and CV estimates) but better for the FSS. MDC estimates were established and were lower for the FSS. Conclusion Reliability of the FSS and MFIS falls within acceptable ranges, and precision and clinically important change estimates provide guidelines for interpreting change in scores from these outcomes in clinical research of intervention and rehabilitation approaches for managing fatigue

Comparing two conditions of administering the Six-Minute walk test in people with Multiple Sclerosis

Objective: This quasi-experimental study was conducted to determine whether differences existed in the total distance walked and energy expended between two conditions of administering the 6-Minute Walk test (6MW) across different levels of disability in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods: The sample comprised 160 individuals with MS. One group of participants (n = 82) completed a 6MW while wearing a portable metabolic unit (K4b2, Cosmed, Italy) in a square hallway with four corridors and performing 90° turns. Another group (n = 78) completed a 6MW while wearing the same metabolic unit in a single corridor and performing 180° turns. Main outcome measures included total distance walked (in feet) and oxygen consumption (in milliliters per minute) expressed as 30-second averages for 1 minute before the 6MW and over the entire 6MW. Disability status was assessed using the Patient-Determined Disease Steps scale. Results: Participants undertaking the 6MW in a single corridor (1412 ft) walked 37 ft (2.7%) farther than those undertaking the test in a square hallway (1375 ft), but this difference was not statistically significant (F = 0.45, P = .51). Those completing the 6MW in a single corridor expended more energy than those completing the 6MW in the square hallway with four corridors (F = 3.41, P < .01). Conclusions: Either protocol is acceptable, but researchers should be aware of the additional physiological demands when administering the 6MW in a single corridor with 180° turns