Domain specific association between physical activity and affect in adolescents' daily lives: an ecological momentary assessment study.

OBJECTIVE: Little is known about the domain specific associations between moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and affect. This study aimed to determine whether the association between MVPA and affect differed by domain in adolescents. DESIGN: Overall, 119 adolescents (mean age = 14.7 years) provided information about their affective states multiple times a day over a four-day period using ecological momentary assessment (EMA). Additionally, minutes of MVPA were measured using accelerometers and participants self-reported whether they were participating in recreational physical activity, active travel, or household physical activity at the time of an EMA prompt. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcomes that were measured were affective valence, energetic arousal and tense arousal. RESULTS: Participants who engaged in more recreational MVPA on average reported more positive valence, more energetic arousal, and less tense arousal. Additionally, participants reported more energetic arousal when they participated in greater levels of recreational MVPA than usual, but also more tense arousal. Active travel and household physical activity were not associated with valence, energetic arousal or tense arousal. CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the importance of encouraging participation in recreational physical activities to promote positive affective outcomes.

Within-Person Associations Between Physical and Social Contexts With Movement Behavior Compositions in Adolescents: An Ecological Momentary Assessment Study Using a Compositional Data Analysis Approach.

BACKGROUND: External contexts, including the social and physical contexts, are independent predictors of momentary physical activity and sedentary behaviors. However, no studies to date have examined how external contexts are related to overall momentary movement behavior compositions using compositional data analysis. Therefore, this study aimed to determine differences in momentary movement behavior compositions between different social and physical contexts in adolescents. METHODS: Overall, 119 adolescents (mean age 14.7 y, SD = 1.44) provided details about their momentary physical and social contexts over 4 days using ecological momentary assessment. Sedentary behaviors, light-intensity physical activity, and moderate to vigorous physical activity were assessed using ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometers. Compositional multivariate multilevel models were estimated to determine if movement behavior compositions differed between contexts. RESULTS: Participants engaged in significantly less sedentary behaviors when outdoors compared with indoors and replaced it with moderate to vigorous physical activity. Participants also engaged in significantly less sedentary behaviors when with friends or friends and family and replaced it with light-intensity physical activity. CONCLUSION: These results highlight the potential of targeting external contexts to increase physical activity and to reduce sedentary behavior in adolescents' daily lives. These factors could be targeted in mobile health and just-in-time adaptive interventions to improve young people's movement behavior compositions.

Contextual influences on the within-person association between physical activity and affect in adolescents: an ecological momentary assessment study.

There is limited research on how the context in which moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) occurs influences the relationship between physical activity and affect. This study aimed to investigate how the social context and physical environment enhance the relationship between MVPA and affect in daily life. Overall, 119 adolescents (mean age = 14.7 years) provided information about their core affect, physical environment and social context on multiple occasions over a 4-day period using ecological momentary assessment. Additionally, participants' level of MVPA was objectively measured using accelerometers. Level of MVPA was positively associated with energetic arousal, being outdoors was positively associated with valence and energetic arousal, and being with someone else was also positively associated with energetic arousal. Additionally, being outdoors moderated the association between MVPA and tense arousal so that MVPA was only inversely related to tense arousal when outdoors. These findings showed that young people experience more positive valence, greater levels of energetic arousal and less tense arousal when physically active outdoors compared to when indoors and highlight the importance of encouraging young people to participate in physical activity outdoors. Further research is warranted to understand how social contexts may influence the association between MVPA and affect in young people.

Correlates of walking among disadvantaged groups: A systematic review.

Socioeconomically disadvantaged groups are less likely to be physically active. Walking is important to public health, therefore understanding correlates of walking will inform the development of targeted interventions. The aim of this systematic review was to examine the correlates of walking among socioeconomically disadvantaged adults. PubMed/MEDLINE and Scopus were searched up to February 2020 and titles/abstracts and full-texts were screened against eligibility criteria. Methodological quality was assessed. Correlates were synthesized when two or more comparisons were available. 35 studies were selected for synthesis. 21 examined overall walking, 16 examined leisure-time walking and 9 examined walking for transport (8 examined two or more types of walking). Employment status, home ownership, self-rated health, density or number of social ties, perceived neighborhood aesthetics, perceived walkability and perceived individual safety were positively associated with overall walking. Social support for physical activity from friends and family and perceived individual safety were positively associated with leisure-time walking. Objective walkability, perceived walkability and perceived individual safety were positively associated with walking for transport. Most studies were cross-sectional, did not report response rates and used a validated measure of physical activity. Strategies to improve self-rated health, social ties, neighborhood aesthetics, walkability and perceptions of individual safety should be the focus of interventions that aim to improve walking among socioeconomically disadvantaged groups. Recommendations for future studies include the need to focus on leisure-time walking and walking for transport; the correlates of walking in males; prospective longitudinal designs; psychological, cognitive and emotional variables; and social, behavioral attributes and skills.

Factors associated with the institutionalization of a physical activity program in Australian elementary schools.

The health benefits of classroom-based physical activity programs may only be sustained if programs are continually implemented over time. Despite the importance of instituting physical activity programs to ensure their continued implementation, little is known about factors associated with institutionalization of programs at a school level. The purpose of this study is to examine how school context, principal characteristics, and program attributes are associated with the institutionalization of Bluearth Foundation's Active Schools program in Australian elementary schools. Current principals from schools who participated in the Active Schools program between 2015 and 2017 reported the level of institutionalization of the program, school context, principal characteristics, and perceived attributes of the program. Univariate associations were calculated using Pearson's correlation coefficient, independent sample t-tests and one-way ANOVA. Linear regression using backward deletion was used to calculate significant or marginally significant (p < .1) multivariate associations. Thirty of the 211 eligible principals participated in the study. School capacity (r = .617, p < .001); perceived student behavioral (r = .577, p < .001), health (r = .499, p < .001), and enjoyment benefits (r = .529, p < .001), relative advantage (r = .417, p = .022), observability (r = .385, p = .036), and having the program delivered by a Bluearth coach at the time of the study (η 2 = .426, p < .001) all had a significant positive univariate association with institutionalization. School capacity (ß = 1.802, p = .001), observability (ß = 0.902, p = .061), and having the program delivered by a Bluearth coach at the time of the study (ß = 2.580, p = .003) remained significant in the final multivariate model. Results suggest that schools that have someone who can provide support implementing a program are more likely to institute the program into policies and practices. It is also important that school administrators have the tools to evaluate the benefits of physical activity programs and to perceive them as being beneficial for their students. However, schools may struggle to institutionalize physical activity programs after formal program delivery has concluded.

Correlates of Physical Activity Among Disadvantaged Groups: A Systematic Review.

CONTEXT: Socioeconomically disadvantaged adults have lower engagement in leisure-time physical activity than those who are more affluent. Identification of correlates of physical activity can inform the design of effective interventions. The aim of this systematic review was to identify consistent correlates of unspecified physical activity and leisure-time physical activity among socioeconomically disadvantaged adults. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: PubMed and Scopus were searched up to May 2018, and titles/abstracts and full texts were screened against eligibility criteria. Methodologic quality was assessed, and correlates were synthesized from July to September 2018. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Seventy-three studies were selected for synthesis; 48 examined unspecified physical activity and 31 examined leisure-time physical activity (6 examined both). Self-rated health, functional capacity, and physical activity self-efficacy were consistently, positively associated with unspecified physical activity. Mental health status and perceived benefits and enjoyment of physical activity were consistently, positively associated with leisure-time physical activity. Most studies were cross-sectional and used validated self-report measures of physical activity; few reported response rates >50%. CONCLUSIONS: Few factors were consistently associated with either unspecified physical activity or leisure-time physical activity. Based on available evidence, strategies to increase physical activity should consider the needs of, and focus on, those with poor self-rated health and functional capacity and should use strategies to improve physical activity self-efficacy. Strategies to increase leisure-time physical activity should focus on simultaneously addressing leisure-time physical activity and mental health concerns and improving perceptions of physical activity benefits and enjoyment. It is recommended that future studies focus on leisure-time physical activity, focus on men, use longitudinal design, examine variables related to behavioral attributes and skills, and carefully consider and plan recruitment strategies.

An exploratory analysis of the interactions between social norms and the built environment on cycling for recreation and transport.

BACKGROUND: There is growing evidence of the public health benefits of promoting cycling. The ways that the built environment and perceived social norms independently influence cycling participation is well established. However, whether these factors interact to influence cycling participation has not been examined. Such research is important because understanding the effect of multiple socio-ecological factors and the interactions between them is needed to guide the development of interventions and strategies to increase cycling participation. Therefore, the aim of this study is to explore the interactive effects of the built environment and perceived social norms on transport and recreational cycling. METHODS: Data was collected using a self-administered online questionnaire from 228 office workers in Metropolitan Melbourne, Australia. Measures used in previous research were employed to assess self-reported transport and recreation cycling in the last week, perceptions of neighbourhood built environment, perceived social norms towards cycling, and objective land-use mix, residential density and street connectivity of the suburbs in which participants lived and work. Multiple binary logistic regression analyses were conducted to explore the interactive effects of the built environment and perceived social norms on transport and recreation cycling. All interactive effects were considered significant at p < 0.10. RESULTS: There was a significant interactive effect between the workplace built environment and perceived group norm on transport cycling (p = 0.06). There were no other significant interactive effects observed between components of the built environment and perceived social norms on transport or recreational cycling. CONCLUSIONS: The interactive effect found in this study provides some evidence that the workplace built environment interacts with perceived group norms to influence cycling for transport. Positive perceptions of the workplace built environment, such as showers and secure bike racks, can somewhat compensate for the negative influence of when cycling is considered less of a norm among, family, friend or colleagues. However, the findings of this study did not support that the neighbourhood built environment and perceived social norms interact to influence cycling for recreation or transport. These findings contribute to the knowledge of how multiple factors may reciprocate to influence individual's decision to cycle. More research into the interactive effects of socio-ecological factors is warranted.

Interventions to improve physical activity among socioeconomically disadvantaged groups: an umbrella review.

BACKGROUND: People from socioeconomically disadvantaged population groups are less likely to be physically active and more likely to experience adverse health outcomes than those who are less disadvantaged. In this umbrella review we examined across all age groups, (1) the effectiveness of interventions to improve physical activity among socioeconomically disadvantaged groups, (2) the characteristics of effective interventions, and (3) directions for future research. METHODS: PubMed/MEDLINE and Scopus were searched up to May 2017 to identify systematic reviews reporting physical activity interventions in socioeconomically disadvantaged populations or sub-groups. Two authors independently conducted study screening and selection, data extraction (one author, with data checked by two others) and assessment of methodological quality using the 'Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews' scale. Results were synthesized narratively. RESULTS: Seventeen reviews met our inclusion criteria, with only 5 (30%) reviews being assessed as high quality. Seven (41%) reviews focused on obesity prevention and an additional four focused on multiple behavioural outcomes. For pre school children, parent-focused, group-based interventions were effective in improving physical activity. For children, school-based interventions and policies were effective; few studies focused on adolescents and those that did were generally not effective; for adults, there was mixed evidence of effectiveness but characteristics such as group-based interventions and those that focused on physical activity only were associated with effectiveness. Few studies focused on older adults. Across all ages, interventions that were more intensive tended to be more effective. Most studies reported short-term, rather than longer-term, outcomes and common methodological limitations included high probability of selection bias, low response rates, and high attrition. CONCLUSIONS: Interventions can be successful at improving physical activity among children from socioeconomically disadvantaged groups, with evidence for other age groups weak or inconclusive. More high-quality studies in this population group are needed, which adopt strategies to increase recruitment rates and reduce attrition, report longer term outcomes, and provide adequate intervention details, to allow determination of the characteristics of effective interventions. We recommend that the benefits of physical activity be recognised more broadly than obesity prevention in future studies, as this may have implications for the design and appeal of interventions.

Implementing Resistance Training in Secondary Schools: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: Guidelines recommend that young people engage in muscle-strengthening activities on at least 3 d·wk. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a school-based intervention focused on resistance training (RT) for adolescents. METHODS: The "Resistance Training for Teens" intervention was evaluated using a cluster-randomized, controlled trial with 607 adolescents (50.1% girls; 14.1 ± 0.5 yr) from 16 secondary schools. Teachers were trained to deliver the intervention, which included the following: (i) an interactive student seminar; (ii) a structured physical activity program, focused on RT; (iii) lunchtime fitness sessions; and (iv) Web-based smartphone apps. The primary outcome was muscular fitness (MF) and secondary outcomes included body mass index, RT skill competency, flexibility, physical activity, self-efficacy, and motivation. Assessments were conducted at baseline, 6 months (postprogram; primary end point), and 12 months (follow-up). Outcomes were assessed using linear mixed models, with three potential moderators tested using interaction terms (and subgroup analyses where appropriate). RESULTS: For the primary outcome (MF), a group-time effect was observed at 6 months for the upper body (2.0 repetitions; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.8-3.2), but not the lower body (-1.4 cm; 95% CI, -4.7-1.9). At 6 months, there were intervention effects for RT skill competency and self-efficacy, but no other secondary outcomes. Effects for upper body MF and RT skill competency were sustained at 12 months. Despite overall no effect for body mass index, there was a group-time effect at 12 months among students who were overweight/obese at baseline (-0.55 kg·m; 95% CI, -1.01 to -0.08). CONCLUSIONS: The school-based RT intervention resulted in immediate and sustained improvements in upper body MF and RT skill competency, demonstrating an effective and scalable approach to delivering RT within secondary schools.

The physical education predisposition scale: Preliminary tests of reliability and validity in Australian students.

The main aim of this study was to psychometrically test the Physical Education Predisposition Scale (PEPS) with a cohort of Australian students, to assess secondary school students' perceived PE ability and PE worth. Secondary aims were to explore how the two variables were related and to investigate age and gender differences. Altogether, 266 Year 7, 8, 9 and 10 students (aged 12-16 years), from four schools within the South Eastern region of Melbourne, completed the PEPS at both time points. Principal components analysis revealed the presence of a simple two-factor structure explaining 66.9% of the variance. Factor 1 (labelled perceived PE worth) reflected enjoyment and attitude (α = .91), and factor 2 (labelled perceived PE ability) represented perceptions of competence and self-efficacy (α = .92). Significant positive correlations were observed between the two factors (r = .50-.82, P < .001). Boys scored significantly higher than girls on perceived PE ability (P = .01), and year 7 students scored significantly higher compared to Year 9 students (P = .002). Our results support the potential of the PEPS as a concise measurement tool for use in the PE setting, for both teachers and researchers.

A school-based intervention incorporating smartphone technology to improve health-related fitness among adolescents: rationale and study protocol for the NEAT and ATLAS 2.0 cluster randomised controlled trial and dissemination study.

INTRODUCTION: Physical inactivity has been described as a global pandemic. Interventions aimed at developing skills in lifelong physical activities may provide the foundation for an active lifestyle into adulthood. In general, school-based physical activity interventions targeting adolescents have produced modest results and few have been designed to be 'scaled-up' and disseminated. This study aims to: (1) assess the effectiveness of two physical activity promotion programmes (ie, NEAT and ATLAS) that have been modified for scalability; and (2) evaluate the dissemination of these programmes throughout government funded secondary schools. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The study will be conducted in two phases. In the first phase (cluster randomised controlled trial), 16 schools will be randomly allocated to the intervention or a usual care control condition. In the second phase, the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation and Maintenance (Re-AIM) framework will be used to guide the design and evaluation of programme dissemination throughout New South Wales (NSW), Australia. In both phases, teachers will be trained to deliver the NEAT and ATLAS programmes, which will include: (1) interactive student seminars; (2) structured physical activity programmes; (3) lunch-time fitness sessions; and (4) web-based smartphone apps. In the cluster RCT, study outcomes will be assessed at baseline, 6 months (primary end point) and 12-months. Muscular fitness will be the primary outcome and secondary outcomes will include: objectively measured body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness, flexibility, resistance training skill competency, physical activity, self-reported recreational screen-time, sleep, sugar-sweetened beverage and junk food snack consumption, self-esteem and well-being. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study has received approval from the University of Newcastle (H-2014-0312) and the NSW Department of Education (SERAP: 2012121) human research ethics committees. This study is funded by the Australian Research Council (FT140100399) and the NSW Department of Education. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ACTRN12615000360516; Pre-results.

Weekday and weekend patterns of physical activity and sedentary time among Liverpool and Madrid youth.

Levels of physical inactivity and sedentary behaviour among English and Spanish youth are high and vary within different regions of each country. Little though is known about these during specific periods of the day. The purpose of this study was to describe physical activity (PA) and sedentary time during segments of the day and week, and compare these critical contexts between youth in the Liverpool and Madrid areas of England and Spain, respectively. PA was objectively assessed in 235 Liverpool- and 241 Madrid youth (aged 10-14 years) who wore accelerometers for seven consecutive days. Minutes of sedentary time, moderate PA, vigorous PA and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) were calculated for weekdays, weekend days, school time, non-school time and after-school. Between-country differences were analysed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Madrid youth spent significantly more time in sedentary activities than their Liverpool counterparts. Madrid youth engaged in more minutes of moderate intensity physical activity (MPA) than Liverpool youth during weekdays, school time and non-school time (P<0.01). Liverpool children recorded more time in vigorous physical activity (VPA) than Madrid peers during week days and weekend days (P<0.01) and during school time and after-school periods (P<0.01). The MVPA was significantly higher among Madrid youth during non-school time (P<0.01). Around 25% of all youth achieved recommended levels of MVPA. Low levels of MVPA and systematic differences in sedentary time, MPA and VPA exist between Liverpool and Madrid youth. Interventions targeted at the least-active children during weekends, after-school and non-school periods within the cultural contexts common to each city are required.

Associations between selected demographic, biological, school environmental and physical education based correlates, and adolescent physical activity.

The study investigated associations between selected physical activity correlates among 299 adolescents (90 boys, age 12-14 years) from 3 English schools. Physical activity was assessed by self-report and accelerometry. Correlates represented biological, predisposing, and demographic factors as described in the Youth Physical Activity Promotion Model. Boys engaged in more self-reported (p < .01) and accelerometer assessed physical activity than girls (p = .02). Positive associations between sex (male), BMI, Perceived PE Ability, Perceived PE Worth, number of enrolled students, and physical activity outcomes were evident (p < .05). School-based physical activity promotion should emphasize sex-specific enhancement of students' perceived PE competence and enjoyment.

The Physical Education Predisposition Scale: preliminary development and validation.

The main aim of this study was to develop and test psychometrically the Physical Education Predisposition Scale, to assess secondary school students' cost-benefit assessment of physical education (PE) participation (PE attitude affective and attitude cognitive) and self-perceptions (PE perceived competence and self-efficacy). Secondary aims were to explore how the two variables were related, and to investigate age and gender differences. Altogether, 315 Year 8 and 9 students (aged 12-14 years) from four North West England schools completed the Physical Education Predisposition Scale. Principal components analysis revealed the presence of a simple two-factor solution explaining 60.7% of the variance. Factor 1 (labelled Perceived PE Worth) reflected attitude affective and attitude cognitive (alpha = 0.91), and factor 2 (Perceived PE Ability) represented perceived competence and self-efficacy (alpha = 0.89). Significant positive correlations were observed between the factors (r = 0.67 to 0.71, P < 0.001). Boys scored significantly higher than girls on Perceived PE Worth (P < 0.001) and Perceived PE Ability (P = 0.02). Similarly, Year 8 students scored significantly higher than Year 9 students on Perceived PE Worth (P = 0.005) and Perceived PE Ability (P < 0.001). Our results support the potential of the Physical Education Predisposition Scale as a concise measurement tool for use in the PE setting, for both teachers and researchers.