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Elite sport coaches often rely on their discretion when assisting athletes struggling with mental health, with clear guidelines yet to be broadly adopted. This study aimed to explore how coaches perceive their role in athlete mental health and their role clarity. This study employed a descriptive qualitative approach with semi-structured interviews. 17 Australian elite level swimming coaches were interviewed, focusing on their perceived experiences with athlete mental health and any discrepancies between what their role is currently and what they perceive it should be. Thematic analysis was used to analyse results. Analysis revealed that coaches perceive their role to include open communication, actively observing their athletes' mood, and acknowledging their potential mental health knowledge deficits. They also indicated a lack of clarity for when to refer an athlete on to a medical professional. Athletes were perceived as responsible for maintaining self-awareness and help-seeking, whilst the organisational role included providing education and funding. Barriers for supporting athlete mental health included a lack of resources and poor mental health literacy. Coaches suggested a variety of recommendations to ameliorate these barriers including education and redesigning systems of support. Australian swimming coaches would greatly benefit from formal guidelines on how to identify, manage, and support athlete mental health. These guidelines should be established with input from coaches and key staff, in addition to clinical professionals and utilising evidence-based measures, including consideration of boundaries around coaches as non-mental health professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • A qualitative study of ED experts offering health parameters warranting consideration if including exercise in ED treatment. • The outlined parameters include aspects of mental and physical health, nutrition and exercise behaviours. • Results suggest ways to assess if and when an individual may safely and healthfully engage in exercise during ED treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical activity is an effective primary or adjunctive treatment to reduce depressive symptoms. Computer-tailored and interactive web-based physical activity interventions are potentially effective and accessible means for promoting physical activity, but little evidence exists regarding their efficacy in reducing depressive symptoms. We conducted a 2-arm randomised trial to compare the efficacy of these web-based interventions for increasing physical activity and reducing depressive symptoms. Participants (18 years or older and had no health condition limiting physical activity) were randomised to have access to a web-based physical activity intervention program with either computer-tailored advice (MyPAA) or interactive features (Walk 2.0). Only half of participants accessed the website at least once (MyPAA: allocated n = 252, accessed program n = 154, 61.1%; Walk 2.0: allocated n = 262, accessed program n = 120, 45.8%). Participants and the research team were blinded to group assignment. There were no significant between-group differences in change of self-reported physical activity or depressive symptoms. Physical activity significantly increased from baseline to one month ( g = 0.21) and three months ( g = 0.20), and depressive symptoms significantly decreased from baseline to one month ( g = 0.36) and three months ( g = 0.42). People who visited the website more and for longer had larger changes in physical activity and depressive symptoms than those who visited less. Web-based interventions with computer-tailoring and interactive features show promise as a method for increasing physical activity and reducing depressive symptoms, particularly for those who engage with the program. Trial registration Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12613001215718. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many health promotion programs hold little “manly” appeal and as a consequence fail to influence men's self-health practices. That said, the workplace can provide an important delivery point for targeted health promotion programs by supporting positive aspects of masculinity. The purpose of this article is to, a) describe the intervention design and study protocol examining the feasibility of a gender-sensitive workplace health promotion intervention focusing on physical activity and healthy eating in male-dominated rural and remote worksites, and b) report baseline findings. This study is a non-randomized quasi-experimental intervention trial examining feasibility and acceptability, and estimated intervention effectiveness. The POWERPLAY program was developed through consultations with men and key workplace personnel, and by drawing on a growing body of men's health promotion research. The program includes masculine print-based messaging, face-to-face education sessions, friendly competition, and self-monitoring concerning physical activity and healthy eating. Male participants (N = 139) were recruited from four worksites in northern British Columbia, Canada. Baseline data were collected via computer assisted telephone interview (CATI) survey which assessed physical activity, dietary behavior and workplace environment. This protocol will also be used to collect follow-up data at 6 months. A process evaluation, using semi-structured interviews, will be undertaken to assess feasibility and acceptability among participants and worksites. Study outcomes will guide intervention refinement and further testing in a sufficiently powered randomized control trial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This review revealed a lack of well-designed mental health literacy programs for youth elite athletes. • Mental health literacy programs could be enhanced by providing education to not only athletes but also their support system. • Tailored mental health literacy programs with a gendered lens are also required. Several evidence-based programs to improve mental health literacy (MHL) are available; however, few have been adapted for youth athletes and sport-club settings. This systematic review aimed to investigate the impact of MHL initiatives, inclusive of education, resources and information, on the mental health of youth elite athletes. Studies were included if they examined a mental health program for young athletes (10–24 years) and reported MHL outcomes in either young people or their extended support network. A systematic search of the PubMed, Scopus and SPORTDiscus databases was conducted with no language or publication restrictions from July 2020 until September 2020. Thirteen studies were included for analysis in the review. Six studies included adolescent athletes, four studies included parents of adolescent athletes, six studies included coaching staff and three studies included female athletic populations. Five of these studies were qualitative and eight quantitative. The broad study search identified a lack of well designed, intervention-based research on MHL programs for youth elite athletes despite high demand for context specific programs. No literature that met eligibility criteria addressed MHL in youth female elite athletes exclusively. These findings limit dissemination and program transferability. This study also reinforces the influence parents and coaches have on the mental wellbeing of young elite athletes. To enhance the quality of MHL initiatives, programs developers should focus on the development of tailored resources for youth athletes with a gendered focus and incorporating opportunities for coach and parent engagement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives The purpose of this study was to examine the leisure-time physical activity of South Asians living in Canada using a four-mode, bidimensional acculturation framework. Design Cross-sectional, descriptive study. Methods A random sample ( N = 204) of South Asian adults living in Calgary, Canada completed a telephone interview that assessed their leisure-time physical activity and acculturation. Interviews were conducted in either English or Punjabi, depending on participant preference. Results Cluster analysis identified four acculturation clusters: Low-Separated and High-Separated (with separation signifying different preference levels for maintaining one's heritage culture while distancing oneself from the mainstream culture); and Integrated-Heritage and Integrated-Mainstream (with integration indicating a preference for maintaining one's heritage culture and being involved in the mainstream culture—albeit with the former cluster emphasizing heritage more whereas the latter cluster emphasized the mainstream more). A MANOVA performed on light, moderate, and vigorous leisure-time physical activity using the four clusters was significant ( p < .05). Moderate leisure-time physical activity was greater for the two separated clusters than the two integrated clusters ( p < .05), with the Separated-Low cluster being greater than both the Integrated-Mainstream ( p < .05) and the Integrated-Heritage ( p < .01) clusters. Vigorous leisure-time physical activity was greater for the two integrated clusters than the two separated clusters ( p < .01), with the Integrated-Mainstream cluster being greater than both the Separated-Low ( p < .05) and Separated-High ( p < .01) clusters. Conclusions An integrative, four-mode bidimensional approach should be employed when developing messages and designing programs to promote and encourage leisure-time physical activity in South Asian communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Early research has shown that leadership behaviour is viewed as a crucial factor in successfully developing team cohesion, effectively resulting in greater team satisfaction and more positive team outcomes. However, little is understood if these same factors have an impact on physical activity groups. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between leader behaviours and group cohesiveness within women''s physical activity groups. Design: Participants (N =95) included a sub-sample of adult women who were previously involved in a women''s physical activity/walking program. Methods: Participants assessed their groups’ leader behaviour using items pertaining to enthusiasm, motivation, instruction and availability, and their groups’ cohesiveness using the Physical Activity Group Environment Questionnaire (PAGEQ). Canonical correlation analysis was used to determine the strength of association between the four concepts of group cohesion (ATG-T, ATG-S, GI-T and GI-S) and the four items pertaining to leadership behaviour. Results: A significant multivariate relationship was revealed between group cohesion and leadership behaviour, Wilks’ lambda=0.43, F(16,170)=5.16, p <0.001. The canonical correlation for this function was R C =0.74, indicating a strong relationship. Simply stated, group leaders who were perceived as being highly enthusiastic, have the ability to motivate, are able to provide personal instruction and who are available outside of the group''s regular activities were associated with higher levels of group cohesion. Conclusions: Although a cause–effect relationship cannot be determined, the current study can serve as a valuable template in guiding future research in examining potential mechanisms that may assist with physical activity sustainability. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: How social capital is related to an increasingly important disease risk—physical inactivity has not yet been investigated. In the present study the associations between social capital and physical inactivity were investigated in a sample of Queensland (Australia) adults. Data was collected from 1278 persons by means of a computer-assisted-telephone-interview survey. The association between the social capital variables and physical inactivity was studied using logistical regression. Multivariate analysis adjusted for the effects of selected socio-demographic factors in the investigation of the association between physical inactivity and quartile groupings of social capital scores. Physical inactivity was negatively associated with the measure of social capital. Individuals in the top two quartiles of social capital were significantly less likely to be physically inactive than those in the two lowest quartiles. In summary, low social capital was associated with physical inactivity. The results offer implications for health promotion programs aimed at increasing levels of physical activity at the community or population level. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: The inter-connections between educational, family and social spheres of life are integral to the experiences and outcomes of mature student participation in education. This relationship highlights the need to understand the educational experience in the context of the life of the mature student. Mature nursing students have been shown to experience many difficulties during their course. These problems include childcare, relationship and financial difficulties. What is not well documented are the problems and coping strategies of future nursing students who are undertaking Access to Nursing courses and whether these mirror those found in mature nursing students. This small scale exploratory study investigated the course-related problems and coping strategies of mature students undertaking an access to nursing in a Further Education College. This study is one part of a larger programme of research investigating mature students in nursing. In-depth interviews were conducted on mature students and data were analysed using content analysis methods. Content analysis revealed particular concerns regarding the obstacles faced by mature nursing students. In particular the findings suggested that financial difficulties and re-entry into tertiary education were the prominent concerns for these individuals. The coping mechanisms identified to overcome these problems included; support networks, prioritising and organising, and positive expectations and attitudes for the future. Understanding how students cope with their difficulties will provide the building block for future intervention strategies designed to minimise problems and increase retention rates. Further longitudinal research is required on the long term and cumulative nature of stress and coping in this group from access to post-qualification. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

To summarize the current available evidence on the use of behavior change theories to explain and change physical activity behavior in urological cancer survivors. Five electronic databases including Medline, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane, and Psych INFO and reference lists of key studies were searched between database inception and November 2020. Peer-reviewed articles on the use of behavior change theories to understand or change physical activity in urological cancer survivors were included. The theory of planned behavior and the social cognitive theory were the most used theories to explain and change physical activity behavior in urological cancers, respectively. However, the use of behavior change theories in physical activity interventions for urological cancers is still low across all urological tumor groups. Planning frameworks such as the intervention mapping approach should be used to enhance the systematic use of behavior change theories during every phase of intervention development. In addition, more research is needed to identity which behavior change techniques are most effective to change physical activity behavior in urological cancer survivors. Nurses play a key role in the urological cancer patients' clinical pathway and should be able to motivate patients to engage in sufficient physical activity levels. Therefore, it is important that nurses understand the underlying reasons why patients (do not) engage in physical activity and which behavior change techniques are most effective in changing a patients' behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Evidence related to the effects of tobacco exposure in pregnancy and on infant and child health have focused on women's smoking cessation. Less often addressed is men's smoking, which when continued in fatherhood, reduces the chances of female partners' cessation and can negatively impact children's health as well as men's health. Dads in Gear (DIG) is an innovative program designed specifically for new fathers who want to reduce and quit smoking that includes three components: smoking cessation, fathering, and physical activity. The over-arching purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of the DIG program and provide estimates of program efficacy. The purpose of this article is to describe the rationale and protocol for evaluating the DIG program's feasibility, acceptability and potential effectiveness. Methods Using a prospective, non-comparative design, the DIG program will be implemented and evaluated in six communities. The program will be offered by trained facilitators to fathers who currently smoke and want to quit. The RE-AIM framework will guide the evaluation. Open-ended questions in participant surveys, and semi-structured interviews and weekly telephone de-briefs with facilitators will provide data for a process evaluation. Estimates of effectiveness include smoking behavior, fathering and physical activity measures at baseline, end of program, and 3-month follow up. Conclusion The DIG program could support positive changes with respect to smoking cessation, physical activity and overall health for men. These effects could also promote family health. The program might also provide an effective model for engaging men in other health behavior change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study examines how physical activity and perceptions of the built environment differ by degree of urbanisation in Queensland, Australia. A statewide sample of adults (n=1208) completed a CATI survey assessing physical activity and perceptions of the environment in July–August 2005. Results indicate that residents in metropolitan areas were more likely to report the presence of shops and services, footpaths, heavy traffic and physical activity facilities than non-metropolitan residents. Although geographic location was not associated with achievement of sufficient levels of physical activity or walking, a notable interaction in the associations between both physical activity measures and the presence of footpaths in metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas was observed. This finding suggests the presence of a differential mechanism in terms of the relationships between physical activity and environmental supports by geographical location. Such effects require future investigation in terms of replication and understanding. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]