Reliability of streetscape audits comparing on-street and online observations: MAPS-Global in 5 countries.

BACKGROUND: Microscale environmental features are usually evaluated using direct on-street observations. This study assessed inter-rater reliability of the Microscale Audit of Pedestrian Streetscapes, Global version (MAPS-Global), in an international context, comparing on-street with more efficient online observation methods in five countries with varying levels of walkability. METHODS: Data were collected along likely walking routes of study participants, from residential starting points toward commercial clusters in Melbourne (Australia), Ghent (Belgium), Curitiba (Brazil), Hong Kong (China), and Valencia (Spain). In-person on the street and online using Google Street View audits were carried out by two independent trained raters in each city. The final sample included 349 routes, 1228 street segments, 799 crossings, and 16 cul-de-sacs. Inter-rater reliability analyses were performed using Kappa statistics or Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICC). RESULTS: Overall mean assessment times were the same for on-street and online evaluations (22 ± 12 min). Only a few subscales had Kappa or ICC values < 0.70, with aesthetic and social environment variables having the lowest overall reliability values, though still in the "good to excellent" category. Overall scores for each section (route, segment, crossing) showed good to excellent reliability (ICCs: 0.813, 0.929 and 0.885, respectively), and the MAPS-Global grand score had excellent reliability (ICC: 0.861) between the two methods. CONCLUSIONS: MAPS-Global is a feasible and reliable instrument that can be used both on-street and online to analyze microscale environmental characteristics in diverse international urban settings.

International Physical Activity and Built Environment Study of adolescents: IPEN Adolescent design, protocol and measures.

INTRODUCTION: Only international studies can provide the full variability of built environments and accurately estimate effect sizes of relations between contrasting environments and health-related outcomes. The aims of the International Physical Activity and Environment Study of Adolescents (IPEN Adolescent) are to estimate the strength, shape and generalisability of associations of the community environment (geographic information systems (GIS)-based and self-reported) with physical activity and sedentary behaviour (accelerometer-measured and self-reported) and weight status (normal/overweight/obese). METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The IPEN Adolescent observational, cross-sectional, multicountry study involves recruiting adolescent participants (ages 11-19 years) and one parent/guardian from neighbourhoods selected to ensure wide variations in walkability and socioeconomic status using common protocols and measures. Fifteen geographically, economically and culturally diverse countries, from six continents, participated: Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Czech Republic, Denmark, Hong Kong SAR, India, Israel, Malaysia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Portugal, Spain and USA. Countries provided survey and accelerometer data (15 countries), GIS data (11), global positioning system data (10), and pedestrian environment audit data (8). A sample of n=6950 (52.6% female; mean age=14.5, SD=1.7) adolescents provided survey data, n=4852 had 4 or more 8+ hours valid days of accelerometer data, and n=5473 had GIS measures. Physical activity and sedentary behaviour were measured by waist-worn ActiGraph accelerometers and self-reports, and body mass index was used to categorise weight status. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval was received from each study site's Institutional Review Board for their in-country studies. Informed assent by adolescents and consent by parents was obtained for all participants. No personally identifiable information was transferred to the IPEN coordinating centre for pooled datasets. Results will be communicated through standard scientific channels and findings used to advance the science of environmental correlates of physical activity, sedentary behaviour and weight status, with the ultimate goal to stimulate and guide actions to create more activity-supportive environments internationally.

Development and reliability of a streetscape observation instrument for international use: MAPS-global.

BACKGROUND: Relationships between several built environment factors and physical activity and walking behavior are well established, but internationally-comparable built environment measures are lacking. The Microscale Audit of Pedestrian Streetscapes (MAPS)-Global is an observational measure of detailed streetscape features relevant to physical activity that was developed for international use. This study examined the inter-observer reliability of the instrument in five countries. METHODS: MAPS-Global was developed by compiling concepts and items from eight environmental measures relevant to walking and bicycling. Inter-rater reliability data were collected in neighborhoods selected to vary on geographic information system (GIS)-derived macro-level walkability in five countries (Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Hong Kong-China, and Spain). MAPS-Global assessments (n = 325) were completed in person along a ≥ 0.25 mile route from a residence toward a non-residential destination, and a commercial block was also rated for each residence (n = 82). Two raters in each country rated each route independently. A tiered scoring system was created that summarized items at multiple levels of aggregation, and positive and negative valence scores were created based on the expected effect on physical activity. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was computed for scales and selected items using one-way random models. RESULTS: Overall, 86.6% of individual items and single item indicators showed excellent agreement (ICC ≥ 0.75), and 13.4% showed good agreement (ICC = 0.60-0.74). All subscales and overall summary scores showed excellent agreement. Six of 123 items were too rare to compute the ICC. The median ICC for items and scales was 0.92 with a range of 0.50-1.0. Aesthetics and social characteristics showed lower ICCs than other sub-scales, but reliabilities were still in the excellent range (ICC ≥ 0.75). CONCLUSION: Evaluation of inter-observer reliability of MAPS-Global across five countries indicated all items and scales had "good" or "excellent" reliability. The results demonstrate that trained observers from multiple countries were able to reliably conduct observations of both residential and commercial areas with the new MAPS-Global instrument. Next steps are to evaluate construct validity in relation to physical activity in multiple countries and gain experience with using MAPS-Global for research and practice applications.

Resultados de un programa de ejercicio físico acuático sobre el bienestar psicológico en mujeres sedentarias / Effects of a program of aquatic exercises on the psychological wellbeing of sedentary women

Analizar los efectos de un programa de ejercicio físico acuático sobre diversos indicadores de bienestar psicológico en mujeres sedentarias. Asimismo, se aborda la influencia del contexto social en el bienestar psicológico de las participantes. Material y métodos: Se seleccionaron 36 mujeres que fueron asignadas al grupo control (n = 12) o al grupo experimental (n = 24). La intervención se realizó durante 16 semanas con 2 sesiones semanales de 60 minutos cada una. Resultados: Las mujeres que participaron en el programa de ejercicio físico informaron mayor bienestar psicológico. Asimismo, la percepción de un clima de apoyo a la autonomía generado por el técnico deportivo y la satisfacción de las necesidades psicológicas básicas (autonomía, competencia y relación) se mostraron como antecedentes psicosociales del bienestar psicológico. Conclusiones: Los datos apoyan el valor del ejercicio físico en la promoción de la salud mental en mujeres al influir beneficiosamente sobre su bienestar psicológico. Asimismo, se desprende la importancia que pueden tener aquellos climas motivacionales donde se fomente el sentimiento de competencia física, de autonomía y de relación social de los participantes ya que ello también contribuye a favorecer la salud mental...

Importancia de la percepción de competencia y de la motivación en la salud mental de deportistas universitarios / Importance of perceived competition and motivation to the mental health of college athletes

OBJETIVO. Analizar las relaciones directas e indirectas entre la competencia deportiva, la motivación autónoma y el bienestar/malestar psicológico en universitarios. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS. Se recogieron datos de 491 universitarios españoles (299 hombres y 192 mujeres) practicantes de actividad deportiva, que se usaron en un diseño de estudio transversal. Se utilizó la técnica estadística de ecuaciones estructurales. RESULTADOS. La percepción de competencia deportiva favoreció el bienestar psicológico directamente, e indirectamente a través de la motivación autónoma. Además, la percepción de competencia se asoció negativamente con el malestar psicológico. CONCLUSIONES. Se destaca la importancia de la percepción de competencia deportiva y de la motivación autónoma como favorecedores del bienestar y evitación del malestar psicológico en universitarios.

OBJECTIVE. This research analyzes the direct and indirect relationships among self-motivation, perceived competition and psychological well-being and ill-being. MATERIAL AND METHODS. Data from 491 Spanish college students (299 men and 192 women) who practice sports were collected using a cross-sectional design. Statistical analyses were carried out using structural equation modeling. RESULTS. Psychological well-being was directly fostered by perceived competition and indirectly by self- motivation. Furthermore, perceived competition was negatively associated with psychological ill-being. CONCLUSIONS. Perceived competition and self-motivation are important to the psychological well-being of college students and to avoiding ill-being.

[Importance of perceived competition and motivation to the mental health of college athletes]. / Importancia de la percepción de competencia y de la motivación en la salud mental de deportistas universitarios.

OBJECTIVE: This research analyzes the direct and indirect relationships among self-motivation, perceived competition and psychological well-being and ill-being. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data from 491 Spanish college students (299 men and 192 women) who practice sports were collected using a cross-sectional design. Statistical analyses were carried out using structural equation modeling. RESULTS: Psychological well-being was directly fostered by perceived competition and indirectly by self- motivation. Furthermore, perceived competition was negatively associated with psychological ill-being. CONCLUSIONS: Perceived competition and self-motivation are important to the psychological well-being of college students and to avoiding ill-being.

Adiposidad corporal y bienestar psicológico: efectos de la actividad física en universitarios de Valencia, España / Adiposity and psychological well-being: effects of physical activity on university students in Valencia, Spain

OBJETIVO: Determinar mediante un modelo de ecuaciones estructurales la relación que existe entre la actividad física, la adiposidad corporal, la competencia física percibida y tres indicadores del bienestar psicológico en una muestra de estudiantes universitarios españoles. MÉTODOS: Estudio transversal descriptivo en 639 estudiantes de 18 a 29 años representativos de las universidades de Valencia, España, en el curso 2005-2006. La práctica de actividad física se evaluó mediante el inventario de conductas de salud en escolares. Se aplicaron las escalas de competencia física percibida, autoestima, satisfacción con la vida y vitalidad subjetiva. La adiposidad corporal se expresó mediante el porcentaje de masa grasa (PMG). Se elaboró un modelo teórico con las seis variables medidas. RESULTADOS: El nivel de actividad física de los participantes era moderado, se percibían físicamente competentes, tenían una alta autoestima, se encontraban satisfechos con su vida y se sentían con alta vitalidad. La actividad física se relacionó negativamente con el PMG tanto en los varones como en las mujeres; el PMG se asoció negativamente con la percepción de competencia física; y la competencia física percibida se asoció positivamente con la autoestima, la satisfacción con la vida y la vitalidad subjetiva. El efecto de la práctica de actividad física sobre la competencia percibida estaba mediado parcialmente por el PMG en los varones; en las mujeres, la práctica de actividad física se relacionó directamente tanto con el PMG como con la percepción de competencia, sin la mediación del PMG. CONCLUSIONES: El aumento de la actividad física tiene un gran valor para la salud pública, ya que además de contribuir a tener menos grasa corporal, aumenta el bienestar psicológico y mejora la autopercepción.

OBJECTIVE: To determine, through the use of a structural equation model, the relationships that exist between physical activity, body fat, perceived physical ability, and three indicators of psychological well-being, in a sample of Spanish university students. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study of 639 students 18-29 years of age representative of the universities of Valencia, Spain, during the 2005-2006 term. Physical exercise was rated by taking an inventory of healthy behaviors among students. The following scales were applied: self-perceived physical ability, self-esteem, satisfaction with life, and subjective vitality. Body fat was expressed as the percentage of fat mass (PFM). A theoretical model was devised using six measured variables. RESULTS: The participants' level of physical activity was moderate; they perceived themselves to be physically competent; had high self-esteem; were satisfied with life; and had high vitality. Physical activity was negatively correlated with PFM in men and women alike; and negatively associated with perceived physical ability; while perceived physical ability was positively associated with self-esteem, life satisfaction, and subjective vitality. The effect of physical activity on perceived competence was mediated in part by PFM in men. In women, exercise was directly correlated to PFM, as well as perceived ability, without PFM mediation. CONCLUSIONS: Increased physical activity is of great value to public health because, in addition to helping to reduce body fat, it improves psychological well-being and self-image.