Coaching Unlimited: Empowering Generations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leaders: A Research Report Commissioned by Netball Australia and Netball New South Wales

Background: The Coaching Unlimited program aspires to empower coaches with tangible coaching, employment, and health promotion skills to build individual and community capacity. This report discusses the delivery and evaluation of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ netball coaching workshop delivered on August 6, 2017 at Genea Netball Centre, Sydney Olympic Park. Methods: To ensure the success of the first Coaching Unlimited, we conducted a mixed method study to evaluate the netball-coaching workshop. Key Results: Based on the survey and interview results, the workshop was enjoyable and well delivered; included useful information, skills, and resources; and provided coaches with practical ideas for future coaching and leadership roles within their communities. In sum, all coaches either agreed or strongly agreed that the Coaching Unlimited workshop: • Included useful resources • Increased their interest in, and understanding of, the workshop topics • Enhanced their ability to implement strategies relating to the workshop Recommendations • This model of delivering health promotion education alongside coaching accreditation was perceived as highly useful and enjoyable • Penrith, Mt Druitt, and Blacktown have been suggested as potential areas for future workshops, as has Bathurst and Orange as ideal regional locations. • Holding workshops earlier in the netball season were recommended so that coaches could implement their new knowledge immediately. • Moving forward, Coaching Unlimited will conduct a series of similar workshops across different sports in order to continue to provide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with opportunities to both gain coaching accreditation, and become leaders and mentors within their community

Work-related physical activity and psychological distress among women in different occupations : a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: Recent evidence suggests that work-related physical activity may not have the same mental health benefits as leisure-time physical activity. Further, work-related physical activity is likely to include a variety of different behaviours for people with different occupations. As such, the aim of this study was to determine if occupation type moderated the association between work-related physical activity and psychological distress. METHODS: A randomly selected sample of 1080 women from Melbourne, Australia completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-30), and reported their current occupation. RESULTS: Linear regression analyses indicated that occupation significantly moderated the association between work-related walking and psychological distress (F [8, 55] = 2.26, p = .036). Given evidence of moderation, we fitted linear regression models to test the associations between work-related physical activity and psychological distress for three separate groups; professionals, sales and services workers, and tradespersons. Female tradespersons who engaged in a low (B = - 3.81, p = .006) or high amount of work-related walking (B = - 3.23, p = .029), had significantly lower psychological distress symptoms than those who engaged in no work-related walking. There were no significant associations between work-related physical activity of any intensity and psychological distress for professionals, or sales and service workers. CONCLUSIONS: Given the relationship does not exist across all occupations, work-related physical activity should not be promoted above and beyond leisure-time physical activity. However, walking at work may be important in reducing psychological distress for some people and should therefore, not be discounted

Does physical activity mediate the associations between blue space and mental health? : a cross-sectional study in Australia

Background Research has begun to examine whether blue space is beneficial to mental health. While results are promising, it is difficult to know which aspects of mental health or mental ill-health may benefit most. Physical activity has been proposed as one potential mechanism via which blue space may be associated with better mental health. However, very few studies have examined mechanisms. We examined associations between blue space proximity and a range of mental health outcomes and examined which of these associations were mediated by physical activity. Methods 350 participants (M=38.74, SD=14.92, 70% female) self-reported their weekly physical activity and completed measures of depression, anxiety, and psychological wellbeing. We then used GIS software to calculate blue space proximity (i.e., coastal and inland), and structural equation modelling with mediation paths to determine the role of physical activity in the associations between bluespace and mental health. Results Physical activity partially mediated the associations between coastal proximity and depression (β=0.02, 95% CI=0.001, 0.05), anxiety (β=0.03, 95% CI=0.01, 0.06), and wellbeing (β = −0.03, 95% CI=−0.08, −0.01), and fully mediated the associations between inland water proximity and depression (β=0.02, 95% CI=0.003, 0.05), anxiety (β=0.03, 95% CI=0.01, 0.07), and wellbeing (β = −0.03, 95% CI=−0.07, −0.01). Conclusion While physical activity appears to explain associations between inland blue space and mental health outcomes, it only partially explains the association between coastal blue space and mental health, suggesting other mechanisms may play a role and even inactive exposure may be beneficial

Barriers and enablers in the implementation and sustainability of toothbrushing programs in early childhood settings and primary schools: a systematic review

Background Untreated dental caries negatively impacts a child's quality of life including overall health and wellbeing, growth and development, social interaction ability, and school attendance. School-based toothbrushing programs have been recognised as an effective intervention to reduce the burden of dental caries. However, limited information is available to understand the real-world enablers and challenges in the implementation and sustainability of toothbrushing programs. This review aims to understand the barriers and enablers in the implementation and sustainability of toothbrushing programs in early childhood settings and primary schools. Methods Five electronic databases [i.e., CINAHL (EBSCO), Medline (EBSCO), EMBASE (Ovid), Web of Science, and PsycINFO] and backward citation chasing were performed. The last updated databases searches were conducted in May 2022. Studies reporting on barriers and enablers in the implementation and sustainability of toothbrushing programs in early childhood settings or primary schools were included in the review. The methodological quality of included studies was assessed by using Joanna Briggs Institute [JBI] and mixed methods appraisal tool [MMAT] critical appraisal tools and results were reported in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Results A total of six studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in the review. Toothbrushing programs in early childhood settings and primary schools were mostly implemented under the supervision of staff and teachers. A positive attitude of the staff, the flexibility of toothbrushing sessions, involvement of community volunteers and parents were a few of the identified enablers. However, the timing of the communication of the program, inadequate transfer of information among staff, frequent staffing turnover, lack of parental support, and staff feeling overburdened while acting as pseudo parents were frequently reported as barriers. Conclusion The results of this systematic review identify key enablers and barriers for toothbrushing programs in early childhood settings and primary schools which need to be considered for developing oral health promotion initiatives

Shared medical appointments and mindfulness for Type 2 diabetes : a mixed-methods feasibility study

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is a major health concern with significant personal and healthcare system costs. There is growing interest in using shared medical appointments (SMAs) for management of T2DM. We hypothesize that adding mindfulness to SMAs may be beneficial. This study aimed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of SMAs with mindfulness for T2DM within primary care in Australia. Materials and Methods: We conducted a single-blind randomized controlled feasibility study of SMAs within primary care for people with T2DM living in Western Sydney, Australia. People with T2DM, age 21 years and over, with HbA1c > 6.5% or fasting glucose >7.00 mmol/L within the past 3 months were eligible to enroll. The intervention group attended six 2-h programmed SMAs (pSMAs) which were held fortnightly. pSMAs included a structured education program and mindfulness component. The control group received usual care from their healthcare providers. We collected quantitative and qualitative data on acceptability as well as glycemic control (glycated hemoglobin and continuous glucose monitoring), lipids, anthropometric measures, blood pressure, selfreported psychological outcomes, quality of life, diet, and physical activity using an ActiGraph accelerometer. Results: Over a 2-month period, we enrolled 18 participants (10 females, 8 males) with a mean age of 58 years (standard deviation 9.8). We had 94.4% retention. All participants in the intervention group completed at least four pSMAs. Participants reported that attending pSMAs had been a positive experience that allowed them to accept their diagnosis and empowered them to make changes, which led to beneficial effects including weight loss and better glycemic control. Four pSMA participants found the mindfulness component helpful while two did not. All of the seven participants who contributed to qualitative evaluation reported improved psychosocial wellbeing and found the group setting beneficial. There was a significant difference in total cholesterol levels at 12 weeks between groups (3.86 mmol/L in intervention group vs. 4.15 mmol/L in the control group; p = 0.025) as well as pain intensity levels as measured by the PROMIS-29 (2.11 vs. 2.38; p = 0.034). Conclusion: pSMAs are feasible and acceptable to people with T2DM and may result in clinical improvement. A follow-up fully-powered randomized controlled trial is warranted. Clinical Trial Registration: Australia and New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry, identifier ACTRN12619000892112

'We were made to feel comfortable and ... safe' : co-creating, delivering, and evaluating coach education and health promotion workshops with Aboriginal Australian peoples

This paper outlines the processes for co-creating and delivering Coaching Unlimited, a coach education and health promotion workshops series providing specific opportunities for Aboriginal Australian coaches to develop their capacity as future leaders in leisure settings. To guide our evaluation of the first two netball workshops, we used the Ngaa-bi-nya framework–an Aboriginal health and social programme evaluation framework. Using the four domains of Ngaa-bi-nya, we were able to confirm the importance of co-creating and delivering the workshops in a culturally safe and inclusive environment. Reflecting on our own processes of doing research and working with Aboriginal communities, we learnt that hosting workshops in and with community, is central to the programme’s accessibility and success. The paper concludes by considering the utility of the framework and what researchers can learn about their own practice in the space of Aboriginal sport and health programmes

Associations of recreational and nonrecreational physical activity and body weight change on cardiovascular disease mortality during the obesogenic transition in the United States : national health and nutrition examination survey follow-up study

Background: To investigate cardiovascular disease mortality associated with longitudinal changes in body weight, and recreational and nonrecreational physical activity during the obesogenic transition in the United States since the 1970s. Methods: Data were analyzed from 4921 individuals aged 25–74 years who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 1971 and 1979 and follow-up studies to 1992. Mortality was confirmed by searching the National Death Index or proxy interview; clinical data were collected in person. Changes in self-reported recreational and nonrecreational physical activity categories over time were coded as stable, increase, or decrease. Competing risks regression was used to determine hazard ratios adjusted for covariates. A logit model in a generalization method was used to explore mediation effects of change in body weight. Results: Compared with the “moderate–vigorous stable” group (reference), individuals who remained inactive (“inactive stable”) or reduced their participation in physical activity (“active to inactive”) experienced the highest mortality, with a 50% to 176% and 22% to 222% relative increased hazard ratios for nonrecreational and recreational physical activity, respectively, across all models adjusted for covariates. This corresponded to significant loss of life (up to 3 y; all P < .05). Individuals who became active (“inactive to active”) were not at increased risk. We found weak (but nonstatistically significant) evidence of mediation effects of body weight change on mortality. Conclusions: Longitudinal changes in moderate–vigorous recreational and nonrecreational physical activity were important predictors of cardiovascular disease mortality during the obesogenic transition period in the United States and were mostly unexplained by changes in body weight

Tennis New South Wales 'Play Project' Research Report 2021

This report provides an evaluation framework, benefits, challenges and future direction on a set of pilot programs for the ‘Play Project. ‘Play Project’ is a Tennis NSW initiative funded by the ATP Cup Legacy fund to provide new participation opportunities and an ongoing pathway into tennis for culturally and Linguistic Diverse communities (CALD) and Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities. Coalter’s (2006) program logic informs the approach to the analysis of the evaluation of the ‘Play Project’

How does the context of physical activity influence perceived mood and wellbeing after exercise?

Background: Abundant research has shown that mental health benefits can be derived from physical activity participation. Further, evidence suggests that contextual factors (e.g., location, type of activity, domain, social interaction) are likely to play a role. However, these aspects of the physical activity experience have not received much attention in the literature, when compared to frequency, duration, and intensity. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine how contextual factors influence the perceived mental health benefits of physical activity. Methods: We used a semi-structured, open-ended, qualitative approach to data collection to compare a broad range of contextual factors. To do this, we recruited 234 participants in Australia, over 18 years of age (M = 34.33, 29.5% male). We then conducted reflexive thematic analysis to develop seven latent-level themes that help unpack key ideologies and conceptualisations. Results: Overall, results indicate that contextual factors influence the effect of exercise on perceived mood and wellbeing, to the extent where the same behaviour can have opposite effects depending on the context. Conclusions: While physical activity provides a platform to experience mental health benefits, the context influences the likelihood of experiencing these benefits, and often dictates which benefit (e.g., relaxation, vitality, happiness, self-esteem, detached from stress) is most likely. As such, researchers, professionals, and mental health workers, should take contextual factors into account when prescribing or recommending physical activity as a method of mental health promotion

Do we need physical activity guidelines for mental health : what does the evidence tell us?

The aims of this commentary are to (1) examine the current global physical activity recommendations for adults and its relation to mental health, based on findings from meta-analyses primarily of prospective studies, and (2) determine whether there is a need to extend the scope/focus of existing guidelines to ensure they are mental health informed