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To identify the sex-specific prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) risk factors and their physiological, psychosocial, and behavioral correlates in a college-aged population. Participants and met...

Objective: Mothers have lower moderate-to-vigorous physical activity than non-mothers and this negatively impacts health. Group dynamics interventions have been successful for increasing physical a...

Objective: To investigate the physical activity levels and experiences of students enrolled in a service-learning dog walking class. Participants: College students (N = 10) from a rural university ...

BACKGROUND Pedometer-based worksite interventions have been found to be successful in increasing physical activity (PA) but adherence is challenging. OBJECTIVE To examine the use of Implementation Intentions (II), a self-regulatory skill, with self-monitoring with a pedometer to initiate behavior change as well as post-intervention adherence in a worksite wellness intervention. METHODS University employees (N = 54) participated in an 8-week pedometer-based intervention. A 2-arm randomized trial was used to compare the effectiveness of 1) only pedometers (PED) (n = 28) and 2) pedometers and II (PED+II) (n = 26) on PA. RESULTS Significant differences were observed between time points (p

Background Workplace walking interventions can lead to positive physical and psychological outcomes for employees. For optimal success, however, innovative approaches that appeal to employees are needed. Objective The purpose of this study was to assess the physical activity levels and experiences of university staff members who walked shelter dogs during their lunch breaks. Method Participants walked with a dog and a partner for 30 minutes during their lunch break one day a week for four weeks. Accelerometer data was collected during participant walks and interviews conducted post-intervention. Results Quantitative results indicated that participants averaged 24.9±7.4 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (range 12- 37 min) during the walk. Qualitative findings suggested that the incorporation of shelter dogs into a walking intervention encouraged participants to take part in the study and continue each week. Conclusions Both the quantitative and qualitative data from this pilot study support the notion that including shelter dogs into a university-based walking program encouraged physical activity engagement and adherence.

Increased sedentary behavior and reduced physical activity are risk factors for morbidity and mortality. As adults spend a significant portion of their time at work where the default is to spend the majority of the day sitting, shifting workplace norms to decrease sedentary time and increase active time could have a public health impact. Workplaces offer a unique setting for multi-level interventions that can reach diverse populations. Traditional worksite wellness initiatives have produced equivocal results in terms of increasing physical activity. One reason for this may be the focus on corporate-fitness type programs and health education with little change in workplace culture. More innovative approaches combining theory-based worksite wellness components with behavioral economics approaches promoting incidental physical activity at the workplace to make activity the default may be necessary. This article discusses strategies to shift the workplace paradigm from being sedentary to more active using a range of approaches.

Many higher education institutions incorporate service-learning programs because of the positive outcomes they produce for students. However, limited research has assessed the outcomes of service-learning for students working with older adults in a sport setting. Using a discourse analysis approach, this study examined the outcomes of volunteering with the Greenville-Pitt County Senior Games for 55 students enrolled in a physical activity and aging course. The results revealed that students’ perceptions about older adults’ Physical Abilities and Competitiveness and their view of Sport as a Social Event changed as a result of the service-learning experience. Students also cited Humanizing the Older Adult Experience and Learning by Doing as positive outcomes of the experience. The research findings suggest that service-learning with older adults in a sport setting can help better prepare students to serve the aging population. The implications and opportunities for Sport Management instructors are highlighted.

In an effort to determine how sport could be better positioned on the public health agenda, three community physical activity programs aimed at combating obesity were examined to determine the benefits residents seek through their participation. Using a case study approach and critical framework, assumptions and presumed knowledge of these public health programs were drawn out through site visits and interviews. A total of 42 interviews with community leaders, program organizers, and residents in each community were conducted. The results reveal that new approaches need to be considered for promoting greater levels of participation in U.S. community sport and other leisure-time physical activity programs. Instead of the commonly emphasized benefits of physical health or appearance, the results demonstrate that hedonic rewards and opportunities for social interaction are two overlooked, yet primary benefits sought by participants. This research suggests that concerted efforts to focus on the hedonic feelings and social aspects can potentially lead to increased sport participation and holistic health. Such an approach may help better address vital public health policy issues while demonstrating the distinctiveness and utility of sport.

The transportation industry faces a myriad of health problems, including obesity, physical inactivity, poor nutrition, and high stress levels compared to individuals in other sectors of the workforce. The study's purpose was to examine the impact of active living every day (ALED) as a way to promote and increase mass transit workers' physical activity participation by creating changes in physical activity affect and enjoyment. This study condensed the traditional 12-week ALED program into a 6-week format and delivered it in two phases. The first phase received a 6-week version of the program with its original content. The second phase received a 6-week version of the program, tailored to meet the particular needs of the mass transit workforce. Affect was measured using the Feeling Scale and physical activity enjoyment was measured using the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale. For physical activity affect and enjoyment, there were significant increases (p = .001, p = .001 respectively) in the tailored inter...

Introduction: Physical inactivity is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Worksites provide an ideal environment for physical activity (PA) interventions. The aim was to use the Nominal Group Technique (NGT) to examine university employees’ perceptions of worksite PA barriers and benefits. Methods: A focus group using the NGT and the Health Belief Model was conducted to assess employees’ perceived susceptibility of physical inactivity, perceptions of barriers and benefits to PA, and cues to action. Results: Findings showed university employees experienced similar barriers to PA as employees in other sectors, including lack of time and knowledge. Participants reported unique benefits to being physical active, notably being physically active allowed them to maintain demanding professional and personal lifestyles. Discussion: Results imply university employees experienced benefits to PA consistent with other worksite populations; the surprising benefits of PA for this population are strong motivators and would provide an excellent basis for interventions. Results also indicate although university employees face similar barriers to PA as other worksites, the unique barriers for this worksite should be the focus for worksite programs for this population. Similarly to the benefits, the unique barriers of this population should influence development of interventions to promote PA on campuses.

Oral contraceptives (OCs) are the most frequently used type of birth control among young women. OC-users have higher C-reactive protein (CRP) values, an indicator of systemic inflammation, than do non-OC-users. In addition, adiposity (percent fat) is positively associated with CRP, and physical activity (PA) is inversely associated with CRP. The present study determined the interactive associations of PA, percent fat, and OC-use with CRP. Data were collected during 2012-2015 at the University of Georgia. Objective PA was measured via pedometers. Percent fat was measured via dual X-ray absorptiometry. The current OC-use was self-reported. High-sensitivity (hs) CRP was determined using venipuncture. Multivariate linear regression determined the interactive associations of percent fat, OC-use, and PA with hs-CRP. Participants (n = 247; mean age 18.9 ± 1.4 years, 60.7 percent white) accumulated a mean of 10,075.7 ± 3,593.4 steps/day. One-third of participants were categorized as overweight/obese by BMI (mean = 24.5 ± 4.8 kg/m

AB Commonly reported relationships of the broad personality traits of extraversion and neuroticism with self-reports of physical activity (PA) have not been elaborated within motivational theory that posits how functioning of the behavioral inhibition (BIS) and activation (BAS) systems can explain or modify the influence of personality on PA. Whether personality predicts physical activity when it is measured objectively has not been established. Purpose: The study was aimed to test direct, indirect, and interactive relations between extraversion, neuroticism, BIS and BAS, and PA measured by validated self-report and accelerometry. Methods: Two samples of female undergraduates completed personality questionnaires. Sample 2 also completed three PA self-reports and wore an accelerometer for 7 d. Factor structure and measurement equivalence of personality measures, structural equivalence of relationships between personality factors, and multivariate prediction of self-reported and objectively measured PA by personality were tested using structural equation modeling. Results: Equivalence between samples for personality models was confirmed. Behavioral activation system predicted self-reported PA. Neuroticism and BIS predicted objectively measured PA. Conclusions: The relationship between personality and PA may differ according to method used to measure PA. Behavioral inhibition system seems to protect against inactivity among young women high in neuroticism.