Reliability, Validity, and Gender Invariance of the Exercise Benefits/Barriers Scale: An Emerging Evidence for a More Concise Research Tool.

The Exercise Benefits/Barriers Scale (EBBS) research instrument has been extensively used to investigate the perceived benefits and barriers of exercise in a range of settings. In order to examine theoretical contentions and translate the findings, it is imperative to implement measurement tools that operationalize the constructs in an accurate and reliable way. The original validation of the EBBS proposed a nine-factor structure for the research tool, examined the EBBS factor structure, and suggested that various factors are important for the testing of the perception of exercise benefits and barriers, whereas a few items and factors may not be vital. The current study conducted a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) using hierarchical testing in 565 participants from the northwest region of the United Kingdom, the results of which provided evidence for a four-factor structure of the benefits measure, with the Comparative Fit Index (CFI) = 0.943, Tucker-Lewis Index (TLI) = 0.933, and root means square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.051, namely life enhancement, physical performance, psychological outlook, and social interaction, as well as a two-factor structure of the barrier measures, with the CFI = 0.953, TLI = 0.931, and RMSEA = 0.063, including exercise milieu and time expenditure. Our findings showed that for a six-factor correlated model, the CFI = 0.930, TLI = 0.919, and RMSEA = 0.046. The multi-group CFA provided support for gender invariance. The results indicated that after three decades of the original validation of the EBBS, many of the core factors and items are still relevant for the assessment of higher-order factors; however, the 26-item concise tool proposed in the current study displays a better parsimony in comparison with the original 43-item questionnaire. Overall, the current study provides support for a reliable, cross-culturally valid EBBS within the UK adult population, however, it proposes a shorter and more concise version compared with the original tool, and gives direction for future research to focus on the content validity for assessing the perception of the barriers to physical activity.

The Musculoskeletal Health Benefits of Tennis.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions is increasing, and although current guidelines for physical activity attempt to combat this, many fail to achieve the recommended targets. The present study sought to investigate whether regular tennis participation is more effective at enhancing MSK function than meeting the current international physical activity guidelines. HYPOTHESIS: Tennis players will display significantly enhanced MSK function when compared with age-matched healthy active nonplayers. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3. METHODS: Ninety participants (age range, 18-65 years) took part in this study; there were 43 tennis players (18 men, 25 women) and 47 nonplayers (26 men, 21 women). MSK function was assessed by cluster analysis of 3 factors: (1) electromyographic fatigability of prime movers during handgrip, knee extension, and knee flexion; (2) isometric strength in the aforementioned movements; and (3) body composition measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Maximal oxygen uptake was also assessed to characterize cardiorespiratory fitness. RESULTS: Tennis players displayed significantly greater upper body MSK function than nonplayers when cluster scores of body fat percentage, handgrip strength, and flexor carpi radialis fatigue were compared by analysis of covariance, using age as a covariate (tennis players, 0.33 ± 1.93 vs nonplayers, -0.26 ± 1.66; P < 0.05). Similarly, tennis players also demonstrated greater lower extremity function in a cluster of body fat percentage, knee extension strength, and rectus femoris fatigue (tennis players, 0.17 ± 1.76 vs nonplayers, -0.16 ± 1.70; P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The present study offers support for improved MSK functionality in tennis players when compared with age-matched healthy active nonplayers. This may be due to the hybrid high-intensity interval training nature of tennis. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The findings suggest tennis is an excellent activity mode to promote MSK health and should therefore be more frequently recommended as a viable alternative to existing physical activity guidelines.

Relationships Between Flow, Mental Toughness, and Subjective Performance Perception in Various Triathletes.

This study examined the relationship between mental toughness (MT), subjectively perceived performance, and dispositional flow in a sample of 114 high-performing ironmen and standard distance triathletes ( Mage = 28.81 years, SD = 3.45) recruited from triathlon clubs. Participants completed the Mental Toughness Questionnaire, Dispositional Flow Scale, and self-rated subjectively perceived performance. Pearson's correlations between these measures revealed a significant, positive relationship between global MT and subjective performance ratings ( r = .62, p < .01) and between global MT and all Dispositional Flow subscales ( r = .67-.81, p < .05). Linear regression analyses found that MT subscales accounted for 64% of the variance in dispositional flow. Subjective performance ratings did not add significantly to the regression model. Overall, these findings suggest that MT may contribute positively to ironman competitors' and triathletes' exertion of the cognitive and emotional control necessary to experience flow and perform better. We discuss these results in the context of ironman and triathlon competitions.

Absorption in Sport: A Cross-Validation Study.

Absorption has been identified as readiness for experiences of deep involvement in the task. Conceptually, absorption is a key psychological construct, incorporating experiential, cognitive, and motivational components. Although, no operationalization of the construct has been provided to facilitate research in this area, the purpose of this research was the development and examination of the psychometric properties of a sport-specific measure of absorption that evolved from the use of the modified Tellegen Absorption Scale (MODTAS; Jamieson, 2005) in mainstream psychology. The study aimed to provide evidence of the psychometric properties, reliability, and validity of the Measure of Absorption in Sport Contexts (MASCs). The psychometric examination included a calibration sample from Scotland and a cross-validation sample from Australia using a cross-sectional design. The item pool was developed based on existing items from the modified Tellegen Absorption Scale (Jamieson, 2005). The MODTAS items were reworded and translated into a sport context. The Scottish sample consisted of 292 participants and the Australian sample of 314 participants. Congeneric model testing and confirmatory factor analysis for both samples and multi-group invariance testing across samples was used. In the cross-validation sample the MASC subscales showed acceptable internal consistency and construct reliability (≥0.70). Excellent fit indices were found for the final 18-item, six-factor measure in the cross-validation sample, [Formula: see text] = 197.486, p < 0.001; CFI = 0.957; TLI = 0.945; RMSEA = 0.045; SRMR = 0.044. Multi-group invariance testing revealed no differences in item meaning, except for two items. The MASC and the Dispositional Flow Scale-2 showed moderate-to-strong positive correlations in both samples, r = 0.38, p < 0.001 and r = 0.42, p < 0.001, supporting the external validity of the MASC. This article provides initial evidence in support of the psychometric properties, reliability, and validity of the sport-specific measure of absorption. The MASC provides rich research opportunities in sport psychology that can enhance the theoretical understanding between absorption and related constructs and facilitate future intervention studies.

Life transitions and relevance of healthy living in late adolescence.

Using a cross-sectional qualitative design involving focus groups and interviews, we sought to gain a more detailed understanding of adolescents' physical activity, eating habits and health perceptions during the transition from secondary school (or high school) to work. Based on thematic analyses, three themes were extracted: (1) perceptions of lifestyle and health, (2) changes in priorities and (3) passive acceptance of internal and external influences on physical activity and diet. Poor diet and physical inactivity appeared to reflect participants' amotivation towards health behaviours, reluctance to divert from perceived peer norms and efforts to assert independence from parents.

The effect of performance context and skill level on the frequency of flow experiences.

The main purpose of this study was to examine interaction effects between skill level and performance contexts on the experience of flow in adolescent tennis players. The study employed a factorial design to examine differences in flow frequency between competition and training settings and the independent groups factor of ranking list and club players. Junior tennis players (55 males, 29 females) completed the Dispositional Flow Scale-2 in training and competition settings. A repeated-measure ANCOVA, with years of tennis experience and training hours per week as covariates, showed a significant main effect for skill level, F(1, 82) = 6.67, p<0.05, η2 p = 0.08, a significant main effect for performance contexts, F(1, 82) = 7.69, p < 0.01, η2 p = 0.09, and a significant disordinal interaction, F(1, 82) = 9.93, p < 0.01, η2 p = 0.11. Lower skilled athletes experienced flow with similar frequency across performance contexts, whereas advanced players experienced flow more often during training than competition. Qualitative results showed that club players' involvement in both performance contexts was mainly based on intrinsic reasons, whereas ranking list players reported intrinsic reasons for training, but a high number of extrinsic reasons for competition. Future studies should take propositions of the flow model into account in order to advance theoretical developments on interaction effects and shed more light into the complex processes underlying flow in sport.

The integrated model of sport confidence: a canonical correlation and mediational analysis.

The main purpose of the study was to examine crucial parts of Vealey's (2001) integrated framework hypothesizing that sport confidence is a mediating variable between sources of sport confidence (including achievement, self-regulation, and social climate) and athletes' affect in competition. The sample consisted of 386 athletes, who completed the Sources of Sport Confidence Questionnaire, Trait Sport Confidence Inventory, and Dispositional Flow Scale-2. Canonical correlation analysis revealed a confidence-achievement dimension underlying flow. Bias-corrected bootstrap confidence intervals in AMOS 20.0 were used in examining mediation effects between source domains and dispositional flow. Results showed that sport confidence partially mediated the relationship between achievement and self-regulation domains and flow, whereas no significant mediation was found for social climate. On a subscale level, full mediation models emerged for achievement and flow dimensions of challenge-skills balance, clear goals, and concentration on the task at hand.

Effects of confidence and anxiety on flow state in competition.

Confidence and anxiety are important variables that underlie the experience of flow in sport. Specifically, research has indicated that confidence displays a positive relationship and anxiety a negative relationship with flow. The aim of this study was to assess potential direct and indirect effects of confidence and anxiety dimensions on flow state in tennis competition. A sample of 59 junior tennis players completed measures of Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2d and Flow State Scale-2. Following predictive analysis, results showed significant positive correlations between confidence (intensity and direction) and anxiety symptoms (only directional perceptions) with flow state. Standard multiple regression analysis indicated confidence as the only significant predictor of flow. The results confirmed a protective function of confidence against debilitating anxiety interpretations, but there were no significant interaction effects between confidence and anxiety on flow state.

Scratching beneath the surface: influencing factors on nurses' attitudes toward the use of seclusion.

Reducing the use of seclusion is now widely identified as a quality issue for mental health services and reflects recognition of the detrimental impact of seclusion on consumers of services. Despite this, the research evidence suggests that nurses continue to support the use of seclusion in order to maintain a safe environment. The aim of this study was to consider how factors such as Therapeutic Optimism, Job Satisfaction, and Burnout might relate to nurses' attitudes toward seclusion. The Heyman Attitudes to Seclusion Survey, Elsom Therapeutic Optimism Scale, Maslach's Burnout Inventory, and Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaires were completed by 123 nurses employed in one of eight participating mental health services. Data analysis included Spearman's rho and independent-samples t-tests statistics. The findings suggested several significant relationships between attitudes toward seclusion and therapeutic optimism, job satisfaction, and burnout. Participants with higher optimism scores, high intrinsic motivation, low emotional exhaustion, and high personal accomplishment were more likely to respond negatively to the use of seclusion. This research enhances our understanding of attitudes toward seclusion and may assist in the development of interventions to influence more positive attitudes.

Effect of aging on the perceptions of physical and mental health in an Australian population.

The aim of this study was to examine the impact of age on the perceptions of mental and physical health in an Australian population. A cross-sectional study of the Queensland population was conducted via telephone interviews (n = 1165). The Short Form-12 Health Survey was used to measure the population's perceived physical and mental health and additional demographic information was collected. Groups with participants who were aged 18-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-54, 55-64, and > 65 years were compared. The results suggested that the participants' perceptions of mental health gradually increased with age, as the 55-64 and > 65 years old age groups scored significantly higher than did the younger age groups. Conversely, the older participants scored significantly lower than the younger participants on the physical health scale. Further research is warranted to consider the factors that might influence the perceptions of mental health across the life span.

Impacts of seclusion and the seclusion room: exploring the perceptions of mental health nurses in Australia.

The practice of seclusion does not sit comfortably with contemporary Australian mental health policy that emphasizes the provision of mental health services in the least restrictive environment. The negative impact of seclusion on patients and nurses is increasingly being acknowledged. On the other hand, seclusion receives wide support from nurses as a necessary behavior management strategy. The aim of this study was to examine nurses' perceptions of the impact of seclusion and the seclusion room on patients and the changes they would consider to the seclusion room in relation to characteristics of the nurses, including therapeutic optimism, job satisfaction, and burnout. One hundred twenty-three nurses employed in mental health services from Queensland, Australia, participated in this study by completing four self-report scales to measure these attitudes and characteristics. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson's product-moment correlation coefficients. The findings indicate some relationship between the three scales and attitudes to seclusion; however, therapeutic optimism had the strongest link. Participants with higher scores for optimism were more likely to acknowledge the detrimental effects of seclusion and the seclusion room and were more likely to support positive changes to the seclusion room.

Seclusion as a necessary intervention: the relationship between burnout, job satisfaction and therapeutic optimism and justification for the use of seclusion.

AIMS: This paper is a report of the study of nurses' attitudes to the use of seclusion. More specifically, the aim was to address the relationship between burnout, job satisfaction and therapeutic optimism and justification of the use of seclusion. BACKGROUND: Research findings demonstrate that nurses continue to view seclusion as a necessary intervention. Factors that might be associated with attitudes have not been examined. METHODS: Questionnaires were distributed to nurses employed in inpatient units across eight mental health services in Queensland in 2008. Heyman Attitudes to Seclusion Survey, Elsom Therapeutic Optimism Scale, Maslach's Burnout Inventory and Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaires were completed (N = 123). Data analysis involved descriptive statistics and Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients. RESULTS: Most participants considered certain behaviours particularly those involving harm to self, others or to property as appropriate reasons for the use of seclusion and were consistent with their perceptions of the likely practice on their unit. An association was found between therapeutic optimism and emotional exhaustion (burnout) and justifications for the use of seclusion. Participants with higher optimism scores and lower scores for emotional exhaustion were significantly less likely to support the use of seclusion in specific situations. CONCLUSIONS: The relationship between therapeutic optimism and emotional exhaustion gives new information that might influence strategies and approaches taken with the aim of reducing seclusion use. Further research is warranted to explore these relationships and their implications.

Attitudes to the use of seclusion: has contemporary mental health policy made a difference?

BACKGROUND: The use of seclusion in mental health services is controversial, and recent Government policy has identified the reduction and, if possible, elimination of seclusion as a national safety priority. As the professional group most likely to initiate seclusion, the attitudes of nurses will influence the extent to which policy translates to practice. DESIGN: The Survey of Nurses' Attitudes to Seclusion Survey was completed by nurses (n = 123) from eight mental health services from Queensland, Australia. METHODS: Data were analysed using SPSS to provide descriptive statistics for nurses' attitudes according to the scale. Correlation analysis was used to examine associations between demographic variables and attitudes towards seclusion. RESULTS: Participants recognised the negative impact of seclusion on consumers; however, they continue to support its use, particularly in cases of threatened or actual violence to staff and other consumers. The impact of seclusion room on consumers was viewed as significant and yet most participants did not recommend changes other than painting the room for a calming effect. Demographic factors had limited impact on attitudes. CONCLUSIONS: The continued support of the use of seclusion despite acknowledgement of its detrimental effects appears to reflect a lack of alternative approaches to the management of consumer behaviours such as violence and aggression. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: While nurses continue to view seclusion as a necessary intervention, the success of strategies aimed at reducing its use will be limited. The implementation and evaluation of alternative approaches to the care of consumers is necessary to reduce reliance and seclusion and introduce changes to practice.

Implications of excess weight on mental wellbeing.

OBJECTIVE: To assess differences in perceived health-related quality of life among individuals who are normal weight, overweight and obese in the general population, with particular emphasis on mental health. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted among the general adult population in Queensland, Australia. Participants (n = 1212) were selected randomly for computer-assisted telephone interview in July 2007. The sample ranged between 18 and 93 years, with a mean age of 51.10 years (s.d. = 15.92). Demographic and physical and mental health (SF-12) data were collected. Self-reported height and weight were used to classify participants into three groups based on their body mass index: normal weight; overweight; obese. The associations between body mass index categories and SF-12 scores were investigated. RESULTS: In this population sample, excess weight was associated with poorer physical health. In addition, significant associations were observed between excess weight and poor mental health for particular age groups. Obesity had a significant association with poor mental wellbeing for individuals who are aged 45 to 54 years. No sex differences were observed. CONCLUSION: The results provide additional evidence of the relationship between excess weight and mental wellbeing and highlight the need for health professionals to be cognisant of the potential for individuals who are obese to have a higher risk of experiencing mental health problems.

From numbers to understanding: the impact of demographic factors on seclusion rates.

The reduction and, where possible, elimination of seclusion has been recognized as a national safety priority for mental health services in Australia, with significant attention devoted to strategies to achieve this goal. The aim of this study was to compare specific demographic characteristics between consumers who have been secluded to those who have not. Patient data (n = 3244) collected by 11 mental health services across Australia for six months over a 12 month period were analysed using demographic statistics. A comparison was undertaken between those who were secluded one or more times (n = 271) and those who were not secluded (n = 2973). Differences were measured with the use of independent samples t-tests and chi-square statistics. Age, gender, diagnosis, indigenous status and Health of the National Outcomes Scores (HoNOS) were found to be significant factors in relation to seclusion. Men, younger people, and indigenous people were found to be more likely to be secluded. In addition, consumers who scored higher on the behaviour,impairment and social subscales of HoNOS were more likely to be secluded. Comparative analysis of demographic characteristics of secluded and non-secluded patients can provide vital information for consideration when planning and evaluating seclusion reduction strategies.

Performance and anthropometric characteristics of prospective elite junior Australian footballers: a case study in one junior team.

The aim of the study was to compare anthropometric and physical performance data of players who were selected for a Victorian elite junior U18 Australian rules football squad. Prior to the selection of the final training squad, 54 players were assessed using a battery of standard anthropometric and physical performance tests. Multivariate analysis (MANOVA) showed significant (p<0.05) differences between selected and non-selected players when height, mass, 20-m sprint, agility and vertical jump height were considered collectively. Univariate analysis revealed that the vertical jump was the only significant (p<0.05) individual test and a near significant trend (p=0.07) for height differentiating between selected and non-selected players with medium effect sizes for all other tests except endurance. In this elite junior football squad, physical characteristics can be observed that discriminate between players selected and non-selected, and demonstrates the value of physical fitness testing within the talent identification process of junior (16-18 years) players for squad and/or team selection. Based on MANOVA results, the findings from this study suggest team selection appeared to be related to a generally higher performance across the range of tests. Further, age was not a confounding variable as players selected tended to be younger than those non-selected. These findings reflect the general consensus that, in state-based junior competition, there is evidence of promoting overall player development, selecting those who are generally able to fulfil a range of positions and selecting players on their potential.