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This review aimed to assess the efficacy of workplace physical activity interventions; compare the efficacy of those that were and were not informed by behaviour change theory, and outline the effectiveness of different intervention components. A search was undertaken in Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, Ovid Emcare (previously CINAHL) and SportDiscus. Randomised, non-randomised and cluster-controlled trials with objectively measured physical activity and/or measured or predicted maximal oxygen uptake (VO 2max ) as outcomes were included in the review (83 papers from 79 trials). Random-effects meta-analyses of mean differences were undertaken. Workplace physical activity programmes demonstrated positive overall intervention effects for daily step counts (814.01 steps/day; CI: 446.36, 1181.67; p  < 0.01; i 2  = 88%) and measured VO 2max (2.53 ml kg -1  min -1 ; CI: 1.69, 3.36; p  < 0.01; i 2 = 0%) with no sub-group differences between theory- and non-theory informed interventions. Significant sub-group differences were present for predicted VO 2max ( p  < 0.01), with a positive intervention effect for non-theory informed studies (2.11 ml.kg -1  min -1 ; CI: 1.20, 3.02; p  < 0.01; i 2  = 78%) but not theory-informed studies (-0.63 ml kg -1  min -1 ; CI: -1.55, 0.30; p  = 0.18; i 2  = 0%). Longer-term follow-ups ranged from 24 weeks to 13 years, with significant positive effects for measured VO 2max  = 0%). Effective intervention components included the combination of self-monitoring with a goal, and exercise sessions onsite or nearby. The findings of this review were limited by the number and quality of theory-informed studies presenting some outcomes, and confounding issues in complex interventions. Future researchers should consider rigorous testing of outcomes of theory-informed workplace physical activity interventions and incorporate longer follow-ups.-1  min -1 ; CI: 1.41, 4.27; p  < 0.01; i 2  = 0%). Effective intervention components included the combination of self-monitoring with a goal, and exercise sessions onsite or nearby. The findings of this review were limited by the number and quality of theory-informed studies presenting some outcomes, and confounding issues in complex interventions. Future researchers should consider rigorous testing of outcomes of theory-informed workplace physical activity interventions and incorporate longer follow-ups.

Issue Addressed: Australian women are less likely to participate in recommended levels of weekly physical activity compared with men. Physical activity participation rates decrease with geographical remoteness. Research suggests that a lack of social support mechanisms within the home environment may act as a barrier for rural women to engage in physical activity, along with discomfort experienced within exercise environments. The purpose of this study was to explore the social conditions that facilitate or inhibit physical activity participation amongst women from two rural South Australian communities., Methods: A qualitative descriptive approach underpinned by a phenomenological methodological orientation was applied. Participants were recruited using a purposive sampling strategy before semi-structured interviews (N = 16) were conducted and prepared for thematic analysis., Results: Four inter-related themes were identified: support from others, time, expectations and available opportunities. Further contextual analysis revealed interwoven notions of physical activity spaces, time and social context within the themes., Conclusions: Multiple types of regulators interact to shape the motivational pattern of an individual. The themes identified align with self-determination, transactional and structuration theory, suggesting a need to consider human behaviour both pragmatically and conceptually. SO WHAT?: Results provide insight into social barriers and facilitators for physical activity participation and concomitantly provide the initial development of a framework for local strategic planning of health-promoting activities, and individual reflection to increase physical activity participation amongst rural women., (© 2020 Australian Health Promotion Association.)

Objective: Little is known about how the physical environment impacts physical activity behaviour among rural populations, who are typically less active and at higher risk of chronic disease than urban dwellers. The lack of individual-level instruments to assess the physical environment in rural areas limits advancement of this field. Among rural adults, this study aimed to evaluate (a) the test-retest reliability of a self-reported questionnaire of individual-level perceptions of the physical activity environment, and (b) the stability of a self-reported physical activity questionnaire., Design: Cross-sectional questionnaire repeated twice, 2 weeks apart. The questionnaire included 94 items relating to the perceived physical environment (representing nine summary scores), demographic characteristics and physical activity., Setting: Rural Australia., Participants: Rurally residing adults (≥18 years) across three Australian states., Main Outcome Measures: Test-retest reliability evaluated by weighted Kappa statistics (individual items) and intra-class correlations (summary scores)., Results: A total of 292 participants (20% men) completed both questionnaires, on average 22 days apart. Test-retest reliability of individual items ranged from weighted Kappa 0.37-0.85 (median: 0.59). Internal reliability for five summary scores was good to excellent (Cronbach's alpha: 0.81-0.97). Test-retest reliability was good to excellent for six summary scores (intra-class correlations: 0.67-0.77)., Conclusions: The findings indicated good to excellent test-retest reliability for most items, particularly "fixed" constructs for this new questionnaire measuring the perceived physical environment in rural populations. This study represents an important step towards improving measurement of physical activity environments in rural populations, potentially leading to better tailored interventions to promote active and healthy living in rural areas., (© 2020 National Rural Health Alliance Ltd.)

Background: Physical activity has numerous associated benefits for cancer survivors. Compared with their urban counterparts, rural Australians experience a health disadvantage, including poorer survival rate after diagnosis of cancer., Objective: The aims of this study were to test the effectiveness of an online 12-week walking intervention designed for cancer survivors and explore region-specific psychological predictors of behavior change., Methods: This was a quasi-randomized controlled trial of an online resource designed according to Social Cognitive Theory and Self-determination Theory, based on individualized goal setting. Measures of habitual walking, motivation, and self-efficacy were taken at baseline, postintervention, and 3-month follow-up in an intervention group (n = 46) and active control group (n = 45). The control group was provided a pedometer but did not have access to the online program., Results: An increase in steps/day at 12 weeks was observed in both groups, with a larger increase in the intervention group; these increases were not sustained at the 3-month follow-up. Psychological predictors of maintained change in steps per day (motivation, barrier self-efficacy, and relapse self-efficacy) did not differ between metropolitan and rural participants. Changes in steps per day among intervention participants were predicted by changes in relapse self-efficacy and barrier self-efficacy., Conclusions: The intervention was successful in increasing physical activity postintervention; however, changes were not maintained at follow-up. There were no region-specific predictors of engagement in the intervention., Implications for Practice: Nurses are seamlessly positioned to promote health interventions like walking. Nurses should reframe physical activity with patients so that relapse is seen as common and possibly inevitable when adopting a regular physical activity habit.

Few studies have investigated physical activity changes over the transition from primary to secondary school. This study assessed change in physical activity and the psychosocial correlates across 12 months in two cohorts of adolescent girls, who were either in primary school in year 1, moving to secondary school in year 2 (Transition cohort) or an older cohort (Secondary cohort) who remained in early secondary school. Female adolescents ( n = 191; 38% response rate) in South Australia self-reported physical activity and psychosocial correlates of physical activity. Changes between baseline and 12-month follow-up were assessed using paired t-tests. Multiple regression modelling identified psychosocial predictors of physical activity change. Physical activity declined in the transition but not the secondary cohort. The decline was most pronounced during school break times. Independent predictors of physical activity change were: change in enjoyment in the transition cohort; and changes in enjoyment, perceived outcomes, and friend encouragement in the secondary cohort. Transitioning from primary to secondary school is a critical period during which physical activity typically declines, particularly among females. Effective physical activity promotion in this vulnerable group will depend on a deeper understanding of the sociocultural, curricular and environmental influences on physical activity that are unique to each school context.

The study aimed to develop and evaluate a multicomponent school and home based physical activity (PA) intervention in children in grades 3-7 (aged 8-13 years) and determine the psychological variables that influence PA; 10 × 1 h school-based training sessions, a home-based activity program and 4 × 1 h lifestyle workshops for parents. PA was assessed at an intervention and nearby control school using accelerometers and self-report at 3-time points: baseline, post intervention and 10-week follow-up. Self-efficacy, self-management strategies, enjoyment, perceived barriers to PA, outcome-expectancy and social support were evaluated. The study showed 73% of the children with complete data sets at the intervention school (n = 27) did not increase device measured moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) in the after-school period (3 p.m. to 6 p.m.) or over the whole day or during school break time immediately following the intervention or at follow-up, as compared to 70% of children with complete data sets at the control school (n = 35; p > 0.05 for all). Overall, 59% of boys attained more than double the recommended 120 min of MVPA each day compared to 42% of girls ( p = 0.013). At the baseline, children's self-reported PA in the intervention school positively correlated with: outcome expectancy (R = 0.240, p = 0.015), enjoyment (R = 0.339, p < 0.001), self-efficacy (R = 0.399, p < 0.001), self-management (R = 0.617, p < 0.001), social support at home (R = 0.406, p < 0.001), and social support at school (R = 0.407, p < 0.001). Similar relationships were observed after the intervention and at follow-up. Focus groups with the children, parents and interviews with teachers identified areas for improvement of the intervention. In conclusion, while the multifaceted approach to improve PA was ineffective over the time span of the study, important predictors of PA in this sample of disadvantaged children were identified.

Purpose: To assess trends in South Australian children's physical activity between 1985 and 2003 and 2013 in the contexts of school active transport, organized sport, physical education, and school break times., Method: The 1985 Australian Health and Fitness Survey was administered in South Australian schools in 2004 (8 schools) and 2013 (9 schools) and was demographically matched to the 10 South Australian schools in the Australian Health and Fitness Survey. Ordinal logistic modeling was used to identify trends, stratified by older children (10-12 y) and early adolescent (13-15 y) subgroups., Results: School active transport generally declined for males and older female children (19 and 20 percentage points per decade, respectively), whereas early adolescent females increased in walking to school (11 percentage points per decade). School sport participation declined for early adolescents, and club sport participation declined in early adolescent females (23 percentage points per decade). Moderate to vigorous physical activity participation during school break times (particularly lunchtime) generally declined (16-26 percentage points per decade). Observed changes in most contexts occurred between 2004 and 2013., Conclusion: There was evidence of context-specific declines in children's physical activity participation over this time span. Early adolescent females were the subgroup of most concern, experiencing declines in most contexts.

Objectives: Rural Australian adults are consistently identified as insufficiently active, likely due to challenges implementing community-based physical activity programs in rural settings. On-line strategies to promote physical activity may be particularly effective in rural settings where isolation and scarcity of qualified support are potential barriers. The Rural Environments and Community Health (REACH) study evaluated the effectiveness of an online-delivered walking intervention among South Australian rural adults., Design: Randomised controlled study design., Methods: A twelve-week intervention, with six- and twelve-month follow-up, was conducted. Participants (n=171; 50.6±12.5years), recruited through flyers, local newspapers and radio, were randomised to comparison or intervention groups and received a pedometer. The intervention group received access to the REACH website and personalised step goals based on ratings of perceived exertion and daily affect. The comparison group received a paper diary and generic step goals. Outcome measures were accelerometry-assessed sedentary, light (LPA) and moderate-to-vigorous (MVPA) physical activity. Linear mixed models assessed changes over the intervention and follow-ups., Results: Sedentary time decreased, and LPA and MVPA increased in both groups across the intervention (p<0.05). The intervention group demonstrated a larger increase in LPA at six-month follow-up relative to comparison (p<0.05). Both groups decreased sedentary time, overall and in bouts ≥30min, between baseline and twelve-month follow-up (p<0.05). From baseline to twelve-month follow-up, MVPA (total min and bouts ≥10min) declined more in the comparison group than the intervention group (p<0.05)., Conclusion: While increased physical activity and decreased sedentary time were observed in both groups during the intervention period, maintenance was only observed for LPA at six-month follow-up in the intervention group. By twelve-month follow-up, post-intervention improvements had largely disappeared, suggesting that additional research is needed to identify ways to improve long-term adherence., (Copyright © 2018 Sports Medicine Australia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Associations between objectively measured sedentary behaviour, physical activity (PA) and metabolic syndrome (MetS)-classified using three different definitions were investigated in an inactive sample of rural Australian adults., Design: Quantitative, cross-sectional., Methods: 171 adults (50.7±12.4years) from two rural South Australian regions underwent seven-day accelerometer activity monitoring and MetS classification using the National Cholesterol Education Program, the International Diabetes Federation and the Harmonized definitions. Associations between sedentary and activity variables and MetS (adjusted for age, sex, diet and smoking status) were modelled using logistic regression. In secondary modelling, associations of sedentary and activity outcomes for each MetS definition were assessed, adjusting for other activity and sedentary variables. Prediction differences across the definitions of MetS were directly compared using Akaike's Information Criterion., Results: Sedentary behaviour increased MetS risk, whereas light physical activity (LPA) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) reduced MetS risk, irrespective of definition. In secondary models, LPA predicted MetS independently of MVPA and total sedentary time. Time spent in sedentary bouts (>30min) predicted MetS independently of MVPA and the number of sedentary bouts predicted MetS independently of LPA and MVPA. Prediction differences for MetS definitions failed to reach the critical threshold for difference (>10)., Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of sedentary behaviour and LPA on the prevalence of MetS in an inactive sample of rural Australian adults. Studies assessing the efficacy of increasing LPA on MetS in this population are needed. Minimal predictive differences across the three MetS definitions suggest evidence from previous studies can be considered cumulative., (Copyright © 2018 Sports Medicine Australia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Purpose/objective: Cardiac rehabilitation aims to reduce the likelihood of recurrent cardiac events through physical activity (PA) and education. There is limited understanding about the predictors of physical activity behavior in rural adults beyond rehabilitation. This study explored predictors of regular physical activity in rural adults, 6-12 months post cardiac rehabilitation. Research Method/Design: A self-report questionnaire (quantitative cross-sectional design) was mailed to a simple random sample of rural South Australians who previously participated in cardiac rehabilitation (n = 315). Regression modeling was adjusted for physical activity history and gender to examine psychological, social, and environmental predictors of (a) current leisure-time physical activity, self-reported through the Godin Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire expressed as the Leisure Score Index (LSI) and the weekly frequency of physical activity bouts that cause sweating ("sweat frequency"), and (b) stage of physical activity behavior change according to the Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change ("Stage of PA change")., Results: All measures of self-efficacy (barriers, task, and relapse), social assimilation, and self-regulation predicted LSI, whereas all measures of self-efficacy and self-regulation predicted both "Stage of PA change" and "sweat frequency." Self-regulation explained the highest percentage of explained variance in LSI (31.6%) and "sweat frequency" (12.5%). Home social support additionally predicted "Stage of PA change"; there were no environmental predictors of any of the outcome measures., Conclusion: Similar to urban populations, the predictors of post-cardiac-rehab physical activity among rural adults predominantly emanate from the psychological domain. Findings support the need to strengthen the focus of cardiac rehabilitation program design on self-management skills and behaviors. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).

Physical activity is pivotal for children's health and well-being, yet participation declines across teenage years. Efforts to increase physical activity need to be strengthened to combat this, however, evidence for the design and planning of physical activity promotion in children is lacking. The aim was to identify predictors of physical activity that were relatively consistent across three different measures of physical activity, in pre- and early adolescent South Australians. This is the first study to compare correlates of physical activity across three measures of physical activity in a single sample, in this age group. Children ( n = 324) aged 9-13 years and their parents were surveyed on personal, interpersonal and environmental correlates of physical activity. Child physical activity was objectively measured using pedometers (7 days). Self-reported physical activity was determined from organised sport participation and the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents. Regression models were used to identify consistent predictors of three physical activity measures. Consistent predictors across multiple physical activity measures were: parent support for physical activity, having appropriate clothing for sport, enjoyment of physical activity and perceived availability of sporting clubs. These predictors identify potential avenues for directing intervention efforts to increase physical activity in early adolescents., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Purpose: Brief classroom-based episodes of physical activity (active lesson breaks, ALBs) have improved schoolchildren's classroom behaviors in some studies, and may also increase the likelihood of children meeting the recommended daily minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). However, there is emerging evidence that increases in physical activity at particular times of the day may lead to compensatory declines at other times. This study explored evidence for compensatory declines in response to a 10 min ALB during the school day., Method: Thirty-eight 12-year-old boys from a single elementary school completed intervention and control conditions in a cross-over design, with each phase lasting one week. The intervention consisted of a single 10-min active lesson break delivered on each of three days in the intervention week. Twenty-four hour accelerometry was used to quantify moderate and vigorous physical activity., Results: ALBs increased in-school MVPA by 5.8 min (p < .0001), but overall daily MVPA was similar between intervention and control conditions (77.2 vs 77.4 min/d, p > .05), However, vigorous physical activity increased significantly over the whole day (11.2 vs 8.9 min, p = .0006)., Conclusion: A brief episode of classroom-based play led to a modest increase in vigorous physical activity in elementary school students, but did not increase MVPA across the day.

Objectives: Despite widespread media campaigns to encourage physical activity (PA), participation is poor among Australian adults. This study aimed to explore the prevalence of and relationships between awareness of PA recommendations and PA participation., Design: Cross-sectional study of n=2402 South Australian adults (aged≥18 years) via a computer-assisted telephone interview., Methods: PA recommendation awareness was determined by asking for the number of minutes of PA recommended for health benefits and whether PA is needed to make you 'puff and pant' to confer a health benefit. Respondents were defined as sufficiently active if they reported ≥150min/week of PA as measured by the Active Australia Survey., Results: A total of 43.0% correctly identified that 30min of PA is recommended per day (Recommendation 1) and 43.3% correctly disagreed/strongly disagreed that PA is needed to make you 'puff and pant' (Recommendation 2). Overall, 60.6% of respondents were sufficiently active. Of those who correctly identified Recommendation 1, 53.2% reported participating in sufficient PA, significantly fewer than those who did not know Recommendation 1 (69.6%) (χ(2)=64.74 (4), p<0.001). There was no difference in levels of sufficient PA between those who correctly identified Recommendation 2 and those who did not., Conclusions: There was relatively low awareness of PA recommendations among South Australian adults. More research is needed in how recommendations are promoted and how they impact PA behaviours. PA recommendations are based on the best available epidemiological evidence but largely fail to guide the choices people currently make about PA., (Copyright © 2016 Sports Medicine Australia. All rights reserved.)

This commentary provides a critical discussion of current research investigating the correlates and determinants of physical activity in young people, with specific focus on conceptual, theoretical and methodological issues. We draw on current child and adolescent literature and our own collective expertise to illustrate our discussion. We conclude with recommendations that will strengthen future research and help to advance the field., (Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Aim: The aim was to evaluate the impact of a brief activity bout outside the classroom on boys' attention and on-task behaviour in the classroom setting., Methods: Fifty-eight boys (mean age 11.2 ± 0.6 years) were recruited from a boys' elementary school in Adelaide, South Australia. Two year 5 and, similarly, two year 6 classes were assigned using a crossover design to either four weeks of a 10 minute Active Lesson Break followed by four weeks of a 10 minute Passive Lesson Break (reading) or visa versa. Attention was quantified using a computerised psychomotor vigilance task, and on-task behaviour by direct observation., Results: Neither the Active Lesson nor the Passive Lesson condition significantly affected sustained attention or on-task behaviour, and there were no significant differences between conditions., Conclusion: There was no impact on participants' sustained attention or on-task behaviour after a short activity break between lessons. Brief activity breaks outside the classroom do not compromise participants' on-task behaviour or attention levels upon returning to the classroom, although improvement in these variables is not seen either. However, the results suggest that active breaks are effective for accruing moderate-to-vigorous physical activity without compromising classroom behaviours., (©2015 Foundation Acta Paediatrica. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Objective: To identify subgroups of Australian adults likely to receive physical activity advice from their general practitioner and to evaluate the content of the advice provided., Methods: Participants (n=1,799), recruited from the Australian Health and Social Science panel, completed an online survey. Signal Detection Analysis was used to identify subgroups that were more/less likely to have received physical activity recommendations., Results: Overall, 18% of participants received a physical activity recommendation from their general practitioner in the past 12 months and eight unique subgroups were identified. The subgroup with the highest proportion (54%) of participants reporting that they received a physical activity recommendation was those with poor physical and mental health-related quality of life and an average daily sitting time of <11 hours. Other subgroups with high proportions of individuals receiving recommendations were characterised by higher weight and/or the presence of co-morbidities. The most commonly prescribed physical activity type was aerobic activity. Few participants received specific physical activity advice., Conclusions: General practitioners are incorporating physical activity promotion into their practice, but primarily as a disease management tool and with limited specificity., Implications: Strategies to assist Australian general practitioners to effectively promote physical activity are needed., (© 2015 Public Health Association of Australia.)

Background: Cancer survivorship rates have increased in developed countries largely due to population ageing and improvements in cancer care. Survivorship is a neglected phase of cancer treatment and is often associated with adverse physical and psychological effects. There is a need for broadly accessible, non-pharmacological measures that may prolong disease-free survival, reduce or alleviate co-morbidities and enhance quality of life. The aim of the Steps TowaRd Improving Diet and Exercise (STRIDE) study is to evaluate the effectiveness of an online-delivered physical activity intervention for increasing walking in cancer survivors living in metropolitan and rural areas of South Australia., Methods/design: This is a quasi-randomised controlled trial. The intervention period is 12-weeks with 3-month follow-up. The trial will be conducted at a university setting and community health services in South Australia. Participants will be insufficiently active and aged 18 years or older. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the intervention or control group. All participants will receive a pedometer but only the intervention group will have access to the STRIDE website where they will report steps, affect and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) during exercise daily. Researchers will use these variables to individualise weekly step goals to increase walking.The primary outcome measure is steps per day. The secondary outcomes are a) health measures (anthropometric and physiological), b) dietary habits (consumption of core foods and non-core foods) and c) quality of life (QOL) including physical, psychological and social wellbeing. Measures will be collected at baseline, post-intervention and 3-month follow-up., Discussion: This protocol describes the implementation of a trial using an online resource to assist cancer survivors to become more physically active. It is an innovative tool that uses ratings of perceived exertion and daily affect to create individualised step goals for cancer survivors. The research findings may be of relevance to public health policy makers as an efficacious and inexpensive online-delivered intervention can have widespread application and may improve physical and psychological outcomes among this vulnerable population. Findings may indicate directions for the implementation of future physical activity interventions with this population., Trial Registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12613000473763.

Background: The lunchtime and after-school contexts are critical windows in a school day for children to be physically active. While numerous studies have investigated correlates of children's habitual physical activity, few have explored correlates of physical activity occurring at lunchtime and after-school from a social-ecological perspective. Exploring correlates that influence physical activity occurring in specific contexts can potentially improve the prediction and understanding of physical activity. Using a context-specific approach, this study investigated correlates of children's lunchtime and after-school physical activity., Methods: Cross-sectional data were collected from 423 South Australian children aged 10.0-13.9 years (200 boys; 223 girls) attending 10 different schools. Lunchtime and after-school physical activity was assessed using accelerometers. Correlates were assessed using purposely developed context-specific questionnaires. Correlated Component Regression analysis was conducted to derive correlates of context-specific physical activity and determine the variance explained by prediction equations., Results: The model of boys' lunchtime physical activity contained 6 correlates and explained 25% of the variance. For girls, the model explained 17% variance from 9 correlates. Enjoyment of walking during lunchtime was the strongest correlate for both boys and girls. Boys' and girls' after-school physical activity models explained 20% variance from 14 correlates and 7% variance from the single item correlate, "I do an organised sport or activity after-school because it gets you fit", respectively., Conclusions: Increasing specificity of correlate research has enabled the identification of unique features of, and a more in-depth interpretation of, lunchtime and after-school physical activity behaviour and is a potential strategy for advancing the physical activity correlate research field. The findings of this study could be used to inform and tailor gender-specific public health messages and interventions for promoting lunchtime and after-school physical activity in children.

Background: To frame interventions, it is useful to understand context- and time-specific correlates of children's physical activity. To do this, we need accurate assessment of these correlates. There are currently no measures that assess correlates at all levels of the social ecological model, contain items that are specifically worded for the lunchtime and/or after-school time periods, and assess correlates that have been conceptualised and defined by children. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate the psychometric properties of the lunchtime and after-school Youth Physical Activity Survey for Specific Settings (Y-PASS) questionnaires., Methods: The Y-PASS questionnaire was administered to 264 South Australian children (146 boys, 118 girls; mean age = 11.7 ± 0.93 years). Factorial structure and internal consistency of the intrapersonal, sociocultural and physical environmental/policy lunchtime and after-school subscales were examined through an exploratory factor analysis. The test-retest reliability of the Y-PASS subscales was assessed over a one-week period on a subsample of children (lunchtime Y-PASS: n = 12 boys, 12 girls, mean age of 11.6 ± 0.8 years; after-school Y-PASS: n = 9 boys, 13 girls; mean age = 11.4 ± 0.9 years)., Results: For the lunchtime Y-PASS, three factors were identified under each of the intrapersonal, sociocultural and physical environmental/policy subscales. For the after-school Y-PASS, six factors were identified in the intrapersonal subscale, four factors in the sociocultural subscale and seven factors in the physical environmental/policy subscale. Following item reduction, all subscales demonstrated acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach alpha = 0.78-0.85), except for the lunchtime sociocultural subscale (Cronbach alpha = 0.55). The factors and items demonstrated fair to very high test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.26-0.93)., Conclusion: The preliminary reliability and factorial structure evidence suggests the Y-PASS correlate questionnaires are robust tools for measuring correlates of context-specific physical activity in children. The multi-dimensional factor structure provides justification for exploring physical activity correlates from a social ecological perspective and demonstrates the importance of developing items that are context specific. Further development and refinement of the Y-PASS questionnaires is recommended, including a confirmatory factor analysis and exploring the inclusion of additional items.

Background: The after-school period is potentially a "critical window" for promoting physical activity in children. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively explore children's perceptions of the factors influencing their engagement in physical activity during the after-school period as the first phase in the development of a questionnaire., Methods: Fifty-four South Australian children age 10-13 years participated in same gender focus groups. Transcripts, field notes, and activity documents were analyzed using content analysis. Through an inductive thematic approach, data were coded and categorized into perceived barriers and facilitators according to a social ecological model., Results: Children identified a number of factors, including safety in the neighborhood and home settings, distance to and from places, weather, availability of time, perceived competence, enjoyment of physical activity, peer influence, and parent influence. New insights into bullying and teasing by peers and fear of dangerous animals and objects were revealed by the children., Conclusions: In this study, hearing children's voices allowed the emergence of factors which may not be exposed using existing surveys. These findings are grounded in children's perceptions and therefore serve as a valuable contribution to the existing literature, potentially leading to improved intervention and questionnaire design.

Background: Increases in chronic illness due to sedentary lifestyles and poor metabolic fitness have led to numerous intervention strategies to promote physical activity (PA). This paper describes the methodological strategies of two short-term PA interventions. Outcome measures reported are PA adherence and compliance rates during the intervention and at 3, 6 and 12-month follow-up., Methods: The 40-day interventions were: a pedometer-based walking program (n = 251) and a group-based intensive program (n = 148). There was also an active control group (n = 135). Intervention subjects were prescribed PA each day and required to record all activity sessions (pedometer steps or energy expenditure from heart rate monitors)., Results: Compliance (≥ 150 min/wk PA) was highest post-intervention (81.1% and 64.5% for the group and pedometer subjects, respectively) and then progressively decreased across the 12-month follow-up period (final compliance rates were 53.5% and 46.6%, respectively) although they remained significantly higher than pre-intervention rates (zero %). There was significantly higher adherence to 6 months (75.0% and 64.9%), and compliance to 3 months (64.9% and 51.0%), for group versus pedometer subjects. The active control group maintained the highest adherence and compliance rates across the study., Conclusions: The group-based program resulted in higher adherence and compliance rates post-intervention although both types of interventions showed long-term effectiveness to increase activity patterns.

This study examined the convergent validity of a computerized use of time diary (MARCA) relative to pedometry. Participants aged 9-16 years wore a pedometer and completed the MARCA. Comparing pedometer data and self-report data collected for the same day (n = 297 participants), the correlation (Spearman's rho) with PAL was 0.54 and with MVPA was 0.50. Comparing mean daily step counts over 6-7 days with averaged self-report data collected on different days (n = 1713 participants) Spearman's rho for PAL was 0.45 and for MVPA was 0.44. Thus, the MARCA showed validity similar or superior to most self-report instruments for young people.

Social support is a consistent correlate of youth physical activity (PA) but few studies have examined this in cultural sub-groups. Female adolescents (n=113; 13.9+/-0.6years) from a metropolitan single sex private school participated in this study. PA was estimated using the 3 Day Physical Activity Recall (3dPAR), and aspects of social support using a specifically designed questionnaire. Anglo-Australians (n=74), whose parents were both born in Australia, were compared with Vietnamese-Australians (n=39), whose parents were both born in Vietnam. There were non-significant trends towards higher engagement in all measures of PA among Anglo-Australians. Anglo-Australians perceived higher levels of social support to be physically active. In the whole sample and in cultural sub-groups, support by mothers was a consistent predictor of PA. Among Vietnamese-Australians, activities shared with the mother predicted moderate to vigorous PA. Interventions targeting PA among adolescent females should consider interactions of social support and cultural background.

Rising youth obesity is a serious public health concern. There is a widespread view that declining physical activity is contributing to this trend. A total of 929 young South Australians (age=9-15 years) were surveyed in 1985 and 2004 on usual physical activity in several contexts, including attitudes to physical activity. Eight of 10 South Australian schools participating in the 1985 Schools Health and Fitness Survey were revisited in 2004. Comparisons were made on: organised sport, active transport, physical education (PE), playground activity, vigorous physical activity (VPA), total leisure-time physical activity (LTPA), and attitudes to PE and school sport. The questionnaire and method of administration were identical in both surveys. There were no differences between surveys in club and school sport participation, walking to school, and reported enjoyment of PE and school sport. In 2004 fewer children rode to school, but PE classes were more frequent. The percentage of children who 'sit and talk' during school breaks had increased, with a decreased percentage of older girls who 'run around' during school breaks. There was a significantly higher LTPA in MET.min in 2004 for boys, which was particularly evident at higher percentiles. There were no changes in mean or distribution of LTPA for the whole sample or girls. The percentage of respondents reporting >/=3 bouts of VPA in the previous week rose from 51% (1985) to 76% (2004). There is no consistent evidence of declining physical activity among South Australian youth. It is apparent that physical activity in some contexts has declined, while in other contexts levels are the same or higher than in 1985. This underscores the complex nature of physical activity and the influences on this behaviour.

Understanding factors that influence physical activity levels of adolescents can assist the design of more effective interventions. Social support is a consistent correlate of youth physical activity but few studies have examined this in different cultural settings. Male adolescents (n=180, age=13.58+/-0.97 years) from a metropolitan single sex private school participated in this study. Habitual physical activity was estimated using the 3-day physical activity recall (3dPAR), and aspects of social support to be physically active using a specifically designed questionnaire. Comparisons were made between Anglo-Australians (n=118), whose parents were both born in Australia, and Vietnamese-Australians (n=62), whose parents were both born in Vietnam. There was a trend towards higher physical activity among Anglo-Australians, particularly on weekends. Anglo-Australians reported significantly more parental and peer support across most items pertaining to these constructs. Among the whole sample, social support variables explained 5-12% of the total explained variance in physical activity, with items pertaining to father and best friend support emerging as the strongest and most consistent predictors in multiple regression models. Among Anglo-Australians, the prediction models were relatively weak, explaining 0-9% of the total explained variance in physical activity. Prediction models for physical activity among Vietnamese-Australians were much stronger, explaining 11-32% of the total explained variance, with father's support variables contributing consistently to these models. The strong paternal influence on physical activity among Vietnamese-Australians needs to be confirmed in more diverse population groups, but results from this study suggest that interventions promoting physical activity among adolescent boys need to take into account cultural background as a moderator of widely reported social influences.

There is accumulating evidence of worldwide declines in cardiorespiratory endurance (CRE) among children. To date, few studies have focused on trends in distributional characteristics of CRE performance. This study analyzed 1985 and 1997 samples of Australian children on the 1.6 km run/walk test, using a variety of descriptive and inferential statistics to compare distributions of average running speed among 10- to 11-year-olds. The analysis was conducted on 965 boys and 935 girls from 1985, and 661 boys and 553 girls from 1997. Among boys there was a significant increase in the coefficient of variation of average completion times, with a marked decrease in negative skew. This was largely attributable to the largest declines occurring in the middle percentiles, with relatively smaller declines at low (<5th) and high (>90th) percentiles. The bulk of the scores have shifted towards the left side of the distribution, reducing the skew. Among girls the distributional trends were different; there was little change in 'scatter' and skew of test scores, with declines in performance being relatively uniform across the distribution. These findings contrast with previous reports of greater declines among the lowest ranked performers on CRE tests. The observed declines in all percentiles other than the lowest and highest ranked boys suggest that mechanisms for declining fitness are widespread throughout the population and may reflect changes in environmental barriers and enablers of regular physical activity among Australian youth.

Approaches to weight management have traditionally focussed on caloric intake versus caloric expenditure. Despite a range of interventions based on these approaches, the proportion of overweight children and adolescents continues to rise. There are increasing indications that other factors, such as sleep duration, may be at play. This commentary on current research related to the impact of sleep duration provides an insight into the mounting evidence of its possible link to overweight in children and adolescents. Here we focus on children and adolescents as typical age cohorts in schools experiencing health and physical education programs. Children and adolescents are sleeping less than ever before, and there is now emerging evidence that sleep duration has a profound effect on weight regulating hormones leading to weight gain. It is proposed that a 24-hour view of children and adolescents be taken into account. Moreover, a reassessment of the impact of sleep deprivation may lead to extra considerations in the information and practices embodied in the HPE curricula for the growing battle against obesity. (Contains 2 tables and 3 figures.)

The article offers a study attempted to fill the unique rural‐context gap by investigating the felt needs, attitudes and perceptions of rural Australians regarding a mHealth cardiac rehabilitation (CR ) maintenance program focusing on physical activity. Topics discussed include questionnaire based on technological literacy and technological use and also explored the felt needs of the participants in relation to a mHealth physical activity maintenance CR program.