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

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

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

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

The mental toughness questionniare-48: A re-examination of factorial validity

The Mental Toughness Questionnaire-48 (MTQ48; Clough, Earle, & Sewell, 2002) is the most utilised instrument to measure mental toughness in sport (Gucciardi, Wanton, & Mallett, 2012). To date, preliminary research (Gucciardi et al., 2012; Perry et al., 2013) examining the factorial validity of the MTQ48 in athlete samples has yielded equivocal findings. The aim of this paper was to re-examine the factorial validity of the four- and six-factor models of the MTQ48 in moderate (n = 480) and large (n = 1184) independent student athlete samples. Using confirmatory factor analyses, findings revealed little support for the hypothesised models of the MTQ48 in both samples. The results support those found by Gucciardi et al. and suggest that, in its current form, the MTQ48 may not be a valid measure of the 4/6Cs model of mental toughness when using student athletes

Who provides physical activity support in the workplace? Implications for peer led interventions

Objective: Social support is one mechanism through which peer support physical activity (PA) interventions influence behaviour. The aim of this study was to explore the sources and characteristics of social support for PA among office-based work colleagues. Design: A sequential mixed-methods approach was used. First, social network analysis was utilised to map the sources of social support. Then interviews and focus groups were used to explore the characteristics of this support. Setting: One UK public sector employer in the south of England. Method: Using an online survey, 99 employees (40 men; Mage = 40 ± 12 years) reported their PA and named specific colleagues who provided four forms of social support for PA (emotional, informational, companionship, validation). Social network diagrams for each support network were visualised using UCINET and Netdraw. Individuals identified as most frequently providing support for PA participated in one-to-one interviews (n = 6) to discuss their perspective on social support for PA in the workplace. Three focus groups explored the characteristics of social support for PA among employees identified within the networks as support seekers or disconnected. These qualitative data were analysed thematically. Results: Different patterns of relationships between employees were demonstrated for the four forms of support with informational support provided most frequently and validation least frequently. Qualitative data illustrate how each form of support was provided and received, as well as further perceived characteristics of social support. Conclusion: These findings could help inform the future selection and training of peer PA champions in workplace settings and more widely

Motor Learning Induces Plasticity in the Resting Brain—Drumming Up a Connection

Neuroimaging methods have recently been used to investigate plasticity-induced changes in brain structure. However, little is known about the dynamic interactions between different brain regions after extensive coordinated motor learning such as drumming. In this article, we have compared the resting-state functional connectivity (rs-FC) in 15 novice healthy participants before and after a course of drumming (30-min drumming sessions, 3 days a week for 8 weeks) and 16 age-matched novice comparison participants. To identify brain regions showing significant FC differences before and after drumming, without a priori regions of interest, a multivariate pattern analysis was performed. Drum training was associated with an increased FC between the posterior part of bilateral superior temporal gyri (pSTG) and the rest of the brain (i.e., all other voxels). These regions were then used to perform seed-to-voxel analysis. The pSTG presented an increased FC with the premotor and motor regions, the right parietal lobe and a decreased FC with the cerebellum. Perspectives and the potential for rehabilitation treatments with exercise-based intervention to overcome impairments due to brain diseases are also discussed

Step By Step Project Evaluation Report

The Step-by-Step Project (SBS) was co-designed to address a common need identified by partners from four European Countries. Men are at greater risk of poor physical and mental health because of social isolation, loneliness and unemployment. SBS delivered a model of community engagement to empower men to move from poor health and/or isolation to healthy social participation or active engagement in the labour market. To achieve this, the SBS Model adapted the Men’s Sheds concept by developing a new, third-generation Men’s Sheds Delivery Model. This incorporated peer champion (health and employment focused) training and deployment within the Sheds and their communities, outreach with their communities and other organisations, and use of health technology for assessment of health status. Information videos have been created, explaining the SBS Model in English, French, and Dutch. The evaluation adopts a mixed-method (qualitative and quantitative evidence gathered), multi-discipline (physical, social, psychological and economic indicators of change) multi-level (evidence gathered from Shedders, Leaders, Trainers, Partners) approach. The objective is to provide evidence of “who” the SBS Project has engaged with (reach), “what” changes have occurred (effectiveness), document “where” diversity in SBS Shed delivery is observed (adoption), “how” change was achieved (implementation) and “if” change is likely to lead to long-term economic benefit (maintenance). This approach is based on the RE-AIM evaluation framework (Glasgow, 1999, 2019). Between September 2017 and November 2021, 101 Sheds were established with a total membership of approximately 2000 individuals from Belgium, France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Data collection for this evaluation started in May 2019 and ran until November 2021, and involved approximately 450 Shedders (Leaders, Champions and Members), 7 Champion trainers and 15 Project Partners. Economically, the SBS Model facilitated reduced expenditure on mental and physical healthcare, less public spending on welfare transfer payments and other support agencies, and up-skilling and greater self-esteem on reducing unemployment and enhanced productivity in the workplace

Step By Step Project Evaluation Report

The Step-by-Step Project (SBS) was co-designed to address a common need identified by partners from four European Countries. Men are at greater risk of poor physical and mental health because of social isolation, loneliness and unemployment. SBS delivered a model of community engagement to empower men to move from poor health and/or isolation to healthy social participation or active engagement in the labour market. To achieve this, the SBS Model adapted the Men’s Sheds concept by developing a new, third-generation Men’s Sheds Delivery Model. This incorporated peer champion (health and employment focused) training and deployment within the Sheds and their communities, outreach with their communities and other organisations, and use of health technology for assessment of health status. Information videos have been created, explaining the SBS Model in English, French, and Dutch. The evaluation adopts a mixed-method (qualitative and quantitative evidence gathered), multi-discipline (physical, social, psychological and economic indicators of change) multi-level (evidence gathered from Shedders, Leaders, Trainers, Partners) approach. The objective is to provide evidence of “who” the SBS Project has engaged with (reach), “what” changes have occurred (effectiveness), document “where” diversity in SBS Shed delivery is observed (adoption), “how” change was achieved (implementation) and “if” change is likely to lead to long-term economic benefit (maintenance). This approach is based on the RE-AIM evaluation framework (Glasgow, 1999, 2019). Between September 2017 and November 2021, 101 Sheds were established with a total membership of approximately 2000 individuals from Belgium, France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Data collection for this evaluation started in May 2019 and ran until November 2021, and involved approximately 450 Shedders (Leaders, Champions and Members), 7 Champion trainers and 15 Project Partners. Economically, the SBS Model facilitated reduced expenditure on mental and physical healthcare, less public spending on welfare transfer payments and other support agencies, and up-skilling and greater self-esteem on reducing unemployment and enhanced productivity in the workplace