Transition in participation in sport and physical activity for rural adolescent girls

Abstracts / Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport 12S (2009) S1–S83

82 Patterns of physical activity in Australian children from age 8 to 10 years—The LOOK study R. Telford 1,∗ , R. Cunningham 2 , R. Telford 1,3 1 Commonwealth

Institute (Australia), Australia for Environment and Resource studies, Australian National University, Australia 3 Medical Faculty, Australian National University, Australia 2 Centre

Introduction: Understanding patterns of physical activity in children is important for intervention strategies and health promotion. The purpose of this study was to describe patterns of pedometer-determined physical activity over a 3-year period in children participating in the LOOK longitudinal study. Methodology: Eight hundred and fifty-four children (436 boys and 418 girls) initially 8 years old (SD 0.3) were involved in the study. Participants wore pedometers for a period of 7 days once a year for 3 years. Data from the first day was discarded and missing data was accounted for using the ‘shrunken mean’ or BLUPS statistical procedure. We applied an analysis of variance model, the response variable being the square root of steps and explanatory variables were year, day of the week and gender. Results and discussion: Expressing our data as means of number of steps per day with 95% confidence intervals, weekday physical activity levels were lowest on Mondays, being 10,575 (10,138–11,018) for boys and 9080 (8691–9477) for girls. Physical activity gradually increased through the week, values on Friday being 11,734 (11,253–12,224) for boys and 10,164 (9746–10,593) for girls. Activity levels dropped at the weekend, Sunday values being 7529 (7152–7916) for boys and 7180 (6832–7538) for girls. All of these means, as well as those of boys and girls were significantly different (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our data show a consistent pattern of physical activity over 3 years whereby young children’s activity increases during a school week and is reduced on a weekend, boys being more active than girls. doi:10.1016/j.jsams.2008.12.083 83 Participation in sport and physical activity for rural adolescent girls: A socio-ecological approach M. Casey 1,∗ , R. Eime 1 , W. Bellamy 2 , S. Maher 3

Payne 1 , J.

Harvey 1 , M.

1 University

of Ballarat, Australia and Recreation Division of the Department of Planning and Community Development, Australia 3 The Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth), Australia 2 Sport

Adolescence is a critical time for developing lifelong healthy behaviours including regular participation in sport and physical activity. Participation in sport and physical activ-

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ity, however, declines during adolescence and few studies have comprehensively identified why; particularly amongst rural girls. This study identifies a range of independent and interacting factors that influence sport and physical activity participation in rural adolescent girls. Methodology: The socio-ecological model of health was used to conduct four focus group discussions with Grade 7 girls (n = 34). Four secondary schools were randomly selected and checked for remoteness using SEIFA and ARIA+ Indexes. Results: Adolescent girls were positively influenced when sport or physical activities were fun, they involved being with friends, and were supported by families and teachers through role modelling and positive feedback. A range of intrapersonal and organisational factors affected perceived self-competence; particularly the co-educational nature of school physical education classes and peer teasing which supported social comparisons of skill level. Conclusions: In the promotion of sport and physical activity to rural adolescent girls, focus must be directed upon developmentally appropriate activities that are fun, opportunities for singlesex classes, and generating cultural changes that encourage non-competitive, and self-referencing activities. doi:10.1016/j.jsams.2008.12.084 84 Transition in participation in sport and physical activity for rural adolescent girls R. Eime 1,∗ , W. Payne 1 , M. Bellamy 2 , S. Maher 3

Casey 1 , J.

Harvey 1 , M.

1 University

of Ballarat, Australia and Recreation Division of the Department of Planning and Community Development, Australia 3 Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth), Australia 2 Sport

Physical activity is important for lifelong health; however participation declines during adolescence, particularly for girls. During this phase of life there are many life transitions that affect participation in sport and physical activity. This qualitative study examined the views of active rural girls regarding the factors affecting their sport and physical activity participation using the socio-ecological model. Twenty-seven girls aged 16–17 from four rural schools participated in semi-structured focus group discussions. Content and thematic analysis was conducted from verbatim transcripts using NVivo. The girls enjoyed involvement in community club sport with friends. The girls reported living in communities where participation in sport was the major form of social interaction. The desire to succeed educationally was a critical factor affecting their participation in sport and physical activity, and was reflected in a movement from structured club sport to individual activities. It is recommended that future longitudinal research track rural adolescent females as they

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Abstracts / Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport 12S (2009) S1–S83

complete secondary school to enable a better understanding to be gained of the influence of educational priorities upon sport and physical activity participation. In doing so, practical strategies for both the school and community organisations need to be established and implemented. doi:10.1016/j.jsams.2008.12.085

86 Family and social influences on children’s physical activity and participation in a community sporting event W. Herman 1 , G. Naughton 2 , D. Morton 1,∗ , P. Morey 1 1 Avondale

College, Australia Catholic University, Australia

2 Australian

85 A review of mediators of behaviour in interventions to promote physical activity among children and adolescents D. Lu bans 1,∗ , C. Foster 2 , S. Biddle 3 1 University

of Newcastle, Australia of Oxford, United Kingdom 3 Loughborough University, United Kingdom 2 University

Background: The effectiveness of interventions to promote physical activity in youth is still developing. In order to develop a better understanding “what works”, researchers and educators are now focusing on constructing an evidence base for mediators of behaviour change. Methods: We reviewed studies that examined the direct effect of interventions on hypothesized mediators and the relationship between mediators and physical activity in young people (aged 5–18 years). Studies were identified via electronic database searches, hand searching selected scientific journals and scanning references against predetermined quality criteria. Results: We found seven studies that evaluated three mediator groups: cognitive, behavioural and interpersonal mediators (15 different mediators). Self-efficacy was the most commonly assessed mediator in youth interventions and there was strong support for its role in mediating the relationship between theory-based interventions and physical activity. There was some support for the importance of behavioural processes of change as mediators of behaviour, but no support for the mediating influence of interpersonal (social) factors. Conclusions: Despite recognition of the importance of mediation studies, few interventions have assessed potential mediators of physical activity behaviour in youth interventions. The small number of studies examining potential mediators of behaviour and the variability in study design and quality prevent us from forming strong conclusions regarding the most effective mediators of behaviour. doi:10.1016/j.jsams.2008.12.086

Purpose: The primary purpose of this study was to assess the influence of family and other social factors predictive of children’s participation in regular physical activity (PA). A second aim of the study was to explore the barriers to children’s participation in a community sporting event—the Sanitarium TRYathlon. Methods: A survey instrument was administered to 210 students in years 4, 5, and 6 and their parents. The students answered questions relating to their participation in PA, self-efficacy for PA, and barriers to participation in PA. Parents completed a survey that elucidated supportive behaviours towards their child’s PA and profiled their child’s typical weekly PA. Factors influencing the child’s participation in the school-promoted Sanitarium TRYathlon were explored. Results: Using path analysis, results showed there was a strong positive correlation between parental encouragement and the students involvement in both organised (r = 0.44, p < 0.01) and unorganised (r = 0.27, p < 0.01) PA. Parental encouragement was characterised by parents who verbally encouraged their child to be active, watched them participate in PA and provided transport to sporting events. Correspondingly, the major barriers to participation in the TRYathlon were alternative family plans (52%) and lack of transport to the event (32%). Overall, the children reported high levels of self-esteem and self-efficacy towards PA, but this had no influence on their involvement in organised or unorganised physical activity. Conclusion: These findings provide further evidence that the parent remains among one of the greatest influences on children’s PA habits. doi:10.1016/j.jsams.2008.12.087 87 HABITAT: Are area-level neighbourhood characteristics associated with physical activity in mid-aged men and women? N. Burton 1,∗ , G. Turrell 2 , L. Wilson 2 , K. Giskes 2 1 The

University of Queensland, Australia University of Technology, Australia

2 Queensland

Introduction: This study is part of the HABITAT project and examined the association between selected area-level characteristics and physical activity done by mid-aged adults. Method: Census Collectors Districts (CCDs) in Brisbane were ranked by an Index of Relative Socioeconomic Disadvantage and 200 CCDs selected. A Geographic Information System (GIS) database was used to compile information on