Using pedometers as motivational tools : are goals set in steps more effective than goals set in minutes for increasing walking?

Background Pedometers are popular devices that measure walking steps. There has been a recent surge in promoting the pedometer as a motivational tool to increase walking. However, little empirical evidence exists to support this suggestion. This study examined the effectiveness of a pedometer as a motivational tool to increase walking. 50 participants (7 men and 43 women, mean age (SD) 40.16 (8.81) years, range 25-61 years) were randomly assigned to either an intervention group who followed a four-week walking programme with goals set in steps (using an open pedometer for feedback) or a comparison group who followed an equivalent four-week walking programme with goals set in minutes. Participants had step-counts recorded at baseline, weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, and at weeks 16 and 52 for follow-up. Both groups significantly increased step-counts from baseline to week 4 with no significant difference between groups. However, a significantly greater number of participants in the intervention group (77%) compared with the comparison group (54%) achieved their week 4 goals (p=0.03). There was no significant change in step-counts from week 4 to week 16. There was a significant decrease from week 16 to week 52. In the short term, both goals set in minutes and goals set in steps using a pedometer may be effective at promoting walking. In the long term, additional support may be required to sustain increases in walking

Analysis of one hundred families residing in Community Camp, Oklahoma City, 1941

Thesis (M. Soc. Wk.)--University of Oklahoma, 1945.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 110-113

Older adults’ satisfaction of wearing consumer-level activity monitors

There is a growing body of evidence to suggest that consumer-level activity monitors are a valid means of measuring physical activity in older adults. Understanding whether older adults are satisfied with wearing these activity monitors is an important step to ensuring that devices can be successfully implemented in clinical and research settings. Twenty-five older adults (Mean age = 72.5, Standard deviation = 4.9) wore two consumer-level activity monitors (Misfit Shine and Fitbit Charge HR) for seven consecutive days. After the week participants were asked for their views and satisfaction of wearing each device, measured in part by the Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with assistive Technology (QUEST). Participants were generally satisfied with most aspects of the devices, though were significantly more satisfied with the Misfit Shine. Participants were critical about their ability to adjust both the Misfit Shine and Fitbit Charge HR. Interestingly, the perceived satisfaction with the device was not associated with participants’ consideration of wearing the device again. Future research needs to consider whether the design of consumer-level activity monitor is best suited for older adults

The Evolution of Massive Star-forming Galaxies: Energetics and the Interstellar Medium

Over the last ~20 years, the importance of dusty star-forming galaxies in contributing approximately half the energy density of the Universe has been realised. Much research in this field has focused on the subset of submillimetre bright galaxies (SMGs). Submillimetre Astronomy has recently seen major advances due largely to huge developments in the available instrumentation. In this thesis I present the first spectroscopic redshift distribution of unambiguously-identified SMGs, targeted with ALMA. The redshift distribution is shown to peak at z~2.4. The next step to understanding the SMG population is to use their redshifts to facilitate high-resolution follow-up observations, probing the conditions and physical structure within the interstellar medium (ISM) of these systems. I present the detailed observations of the ISM within the gravitationally lensed SMG, SMMJ2135. In particular, the spectral line energy distributions of 12CO, 13CO and C18O are measured and used to infer the temperature, densities and chemical abundances within this intrinsically representative SMG, with strong variation found between the multiple kinematic components in the galaxy. Furthermore, an unusually high abundance of C18O is measured, implying the presence of preferentially massive stars, perhaps highlighting some differences between star formation locally and at high-redshift. The cosmic star-formation rate density has rapidly declined since z~2 and there is much evidence to suggest that massive star-forming galaxies at z~2 may evolve into massive passive elliptical galaxies at z=0. I investigate the potential influence of active galactic nuclei (AGN) on the suppression of star formation within massive elliptical galaxies over z=0.1-1.2. I determine that the hot gas within these evolved systems does not cool as rapidly as expected and demonstrate that heating due to mechanical feedback from radio AGN is more than sufficient to balance the X-ray cooling of hot gas, thus suppressing further star formation

The validity of consumer-level activity monitors in healthy older adults in free-living conditions

Consumer-level activity monitors, such as Fitbit and Misfit devices, are a popular and low-cost means of measuring physical activity. This study aims to compare the accuracy of step counts from two consumer-level activity monitors against two reference devices in healthy, community dwelling older adults in free-living conditions. Twenty-five older adults (aged 65-84) simultaneously wore 5 devices (e.g. Misfit Shine and Fitbit Charge HR) over 7 consecutive days. All consumer-level activity monitors positively correlated with reference devices (p<0.001). There was also substantial to near perfect agreement between all consumer-level activity monitors and reference devices. Compared to the Actigraph GT3X+, the waist worn Misfit Shine displayed the highest agreement amongst the devices worn (ICC=0.96, 95% 0.91 to 0.99). The wrist worn devices showed poorer agreement to reference devices. Future research needs to consider that not all consumer-level activity monitors are equal in terms of accuracy, design and function

Enhancing physical activity knowledge exchange strategies for Canadian long-haul truck drivers

Purpose: Canadian long-haul truck drivers lead sedentary lives, but are receptive to receiving physical activity information to address health risks. This study examined how Canadian long-haul truck drivers would like to receive physical activity information in order to improve their overall health. The purpose of this study was twofold: 1) explore barriers Canadian long-haul truck drivers have to receiving and using physical activity information and 2) understand how physical activity information should be structured and delivered to these drivers to overcome these barriers. Design/methodology/approach: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 Canadian long-haul truck drivers. Drivers had, on average, 14.3 years of professional long-haul driving experience. Findings: Few drivers had received any physical activity information. Drivers discussed a culture where they perceived both employers and drivers to be lacking awareness of the importance of physical activity and its impact on health. Drivers explained they were too busy, stressed or tired to be active or to learn about physical activity. Information received by some drivers on this topic was too general to be helpful in changing physical activity behaviours. Drivers mentioned that personalized and accessible physical activity information should be provided to them through multiple methods by their employers, as an aspect of occupational health and safety. Practical implications: Future physical activity information strategies should use both passive and interactive mediums to promote physical activity to Canadian long-haul truck drivers. Originality/value: This is the first study to assess how Canadian long-haul truck drivers would like to receive trustworthy information that can lead to healthful improvements in physical activity behaviour

Use of physical activity questionnaires in people with dementia: a scoping review

Physical activity questionnaires are an important means to assess habitual physical activity. It remains unclear what questionnaires are used and whether they are appropriate for people with dementia who have impaired information recall but are also often largely sedentary. This scoping review aimed to identify and quantify the use of physical activity questionnaires within a dementia population. Eighteen studies met the inclusion criteria for this review. The majority of studies used questionnaires that were validated for use within an older adult population (e.g., Modified Baecke Questionnaire for the Elderly), though none had specifically been validated for use in people with dementia. Interestingly, just over half of studies (N= 10, 55.6%) adapted the questionnaires from the original validated version by allowing a proxy to provide input into the responses. Future research needs to robustly validate the use of proxy-report measures of physical activity in people with dementia

The influence of social status and social economic status on adolescent intrinsic motivation for physical activity

Purpose: Adopting a socio-ecological perspective, this study assessed the influence of social status and social economic status on adolescent intrinsic motivation for physical activity. A social network measure of social status was employed which permits analysis of both popularity and relatedness. It was predicted that higher social status would predict higher levels of self-determined motivation (intrinsic) for physical activity, that increasing age and social status would moderate this relationship and that boys with higher social status would show higher levels of intrinsic motivation for physical activity. Methods: One hundred and nine (59 males and 50 females) participants aged 11 years 1 month to 16 years 9 months (M=13 years 5 months) were recruited from schools across the South East of the UK. They completed measures of social economic status, self-determined motivation (BREQ-2) towards physical activity participation and ratings of school peer’s social status (generating popularity and relatedness scores). Results: Hierarchical multiple regression showed that males displayed higher self-determined motivation towards physical activity participation than females; social status was not a significant predictor. Age, gender and social economic status did not predict motivation for physical activity. Social status, specifically popularity, did however correlate with participation for the older participants aged 15 years 2 months to 16 years 9 months. Qualitative, visual interpretation of the social networks of popularity and relatedness showed a mixed influence on motivation across individuals. For example, females with higher and lower popularity and relatedness had higher and lower self-determined motivation respectively to participate in physical activity. Conclusions: In partial support of a socio-ecological framework, age related to increased participation in physical activity. The mixed individual findings regarding the influence of popularity and relatedness in relation to age and social economic status on self-determined motivation to participate in physical activity suggest the importance of assessing the interplay of multiple socio-ecological factors using inclusive social network analysis on an individual basis in relation to understanding and promoting intrinsic rather than regulated motivation towards physical activity

Rock drumming enhances motor and psychosocial skills of children with emotional and behavioral difficulties

Drumming may have therapeutic and learning benefits but there exists little causal evidence regarding the benefits for children with emotional and behavioural difficulties (EBD) such as Autistic Spectrum Disorder. Six EBD pupils (EBD Drum) and 6 peers (Peer Drum) were given 2, 30 minute rock drumming lessons per week, over 5 weeks. Six matched individuals received no drumming instruction (3=EBD Control; 3=Peer Control). An exploratory, mixed-methods analysis was used to explore quantitative changes in skills and qualitative perspectives of the teaching staff. All pupils were tested two times (pretest and posttest) on drumming ability and Motor skills (Movement Assessment Battery for Children, version 2). Teacher’s rating of social behaviour (Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire; SDQ) was tested two times (pretest and retention).Significant differences in total SDQ difficulties between the four groups (χ2(3) = 8.210, p = 0.042) and the hyperactivity subscale (χ2(3) = 10.641, p = 0.014) were observed. The EBD Drum group had greater reductions in total difficulties compared to the Peer Drum (p = 0.009) group and specifically greater reductions in hyperactivity compared to Peer Drum (p = 0.046) and the EBD Control (p = 0.006) group. In follow-up interviews, staff spoke positively about changes in pupil’s attitudes towards learning and social confidence. The positive changes to social and behavioural skills reported in this pilot study are similar to those recorded for other music modalities

Social influence on students' experiences of transition into postgraduate study

Introduction Students’ social relationships play an important role in their experiences of educational transition, with some researchers reporting that postgraduate students often feel a lack of support during their transition. The current study examined how students’ social relationships influence their experiences of transition into taught postgraduate study in the Sport and Exercise Sciences. Method A mixed methods approach was adopted to explore 12 students’ (M age 25±9.54; 4 female, 8 male) social relationships and the perceived influence of these relations on educational transition. A personal network analysis was used to structure an interview which was analysed using a thematic content analysis. Results Five sources of social influence were identified, including social support, social comparison, gate keeper, accommodation of relationships, and, coping with the network. These themes were evidenced and discussed with reference to participants’ network structural features such as tie strength and alter centrality. Discussion The combination of both network structure and function makes a novel contribution to literature by highlighting aspects of participants’ social network in context to their experiences of transition. Results are discussed in relation to social network theory and models of influence. Recommendations for coordinators of Masters programmes are also offered relating to the provision, development and maintenance of supportive relationships