Ann-Marie Knowles

A longitudinal examination of the influence of maturation on physical self-perceptions and the relationship with physical activity in early adolescent girls

This longitudinal study investigated the influence of maturation on physical self-perceptions and the relationship with physical activity in early adolescent girls (N=150; mean age=12.79+/-0.31). Physical characteristics were measured and participants completed the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children, the Children and Youth Physical Self-Perception Profile and the Pubertal Development Scale on two occasions 12 months apart. The results demonstrated a decrease in overall physical activity levels over 12 months which was not influenced by maturational status or physical characteristics. Additional analysis indicated that physical self-perceptions partially accounted for the explained variance in physical activity change, with physical condition being an important individual predictor of physical activity. Further analysis indicated that body mass was an important individual predictor of changes in perceptions of body attractiveness and physical self-worth. At this age maturation has a limited influence on the physical activity behaviours of early adolescent girls and although the variance in physical activity was partly accounted for by physical self-perceptions, this was a relatively small contribution and other factors related to this drop in physical activity need to be considered longitudinally.

Social physique anxiety and physical activity in early adolescent girls: The influence of maturation and physical activity motives

Abstract In this study, we examined the influence of maturation on social physique anxiety, the relationship between social physique anxiety and current and future physical activity levels, and the influence of motives for physical activity on this relationship in early adolescent girls (n = 162; mean age = 11.8 ± 0.3 years). Participants completed the Pubertal Development Scale, the modified Social Physique Anxiety Scale, and the Motives for Physical Activity Scale at baseline and the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children at baseline and 6 months later. The girls became less active across the 6 months and girls in the early stages of maturation had significantly lower social physique anxiety than the girls in the middle and late stages of maturation. Social physique anxiety was not related to current or future physical activity in the sample as a whole. Cluster analysis identified four groups with different motive profiles and the High Appearance and Fitness group demonstrated a moderate negative relationship between social physique anxiety and physical activity at phase 1, whereas the other groups did not. These findings indicate that social physique anxiety may increase with maturation and the relationship between social physique anxiety and physical activity is dependent on reasons for being active. For girls who are motivated to be active primarily by body-related reasons, social physique anxiety is likely to lead to lower levels of physical activity.

‘Once upon a time I used to be active’. Adopting a narrative approach to understanding physical activity behaviour in adolescent girls

In this article, we adopted a narrative approach to understand the decrease in physical activity (PA) behaviour in adolescent girls during the transition from primary to secondary school in relation to their socio-cultural and embodied/physical experiences. Fourteen adolescent girls were asked to tell their PA stories from their past whilst at primary school through to the present day whilst in secondary school. We adopted the analytical standpoint of a story analyst where the girls’ stories were used to examine the psychological processes that occur within the socio-cultural transition of their school environment and the embodiment transition from a child into a young woman. Our findings emphasised that the arena of physical education lessons provide a backdrop for a different identity (active identity) to be developed which contradicted with the socially acceptable stereotypical feminine identity. These competing identities for adolescent girls created narrative tension and enhanced psychological processes such as perceived competence and self-presentation. These were further shaped by the embodiment transition experienced. Important acknowledgement of the body as more than in its physical form needs to be understood as for many of these adolescent girls, the body held more meaning in their stories and influenced PA choices and behaviour.

A Case Study of an Athlete's Experience of Multiple Change-Events Moving Between Team and Individual Sports

The purpose of this case study was to understand the personal experience of a female athlete (aged 24 years) undergoing a significant change-event from a team sport (rugby) to an individual sport (weightlifting) at an elite level. Two in-depth informal interviews were conducted. A number of change-events were experienced in several contexts, including a change of sports, a change in academic status, and a reoccurring injury. The findings provided empirical support for the use of the scheme of change for sport psychology practice (Samuel & Tenenbaum, 2011a) for understanding the change process and the associated coping strategies athletes may adopt.

Parents’ perceptions of their children’s sedentary behaviour

Sedentary behaviour is complex, occurring in different contexts and influenced by numerous factors. One such context is the home environment where the family setting can determine the type and amount of sedentary behaviour that occurs. There is limited evidence examining sedentary behaviours within a family setting, specifically in children aged 2–11 years, and qualitative studies are particularly absent. The purpose of this study was to explore parents’ understanding of sedentary behaviour and parent’s perceived influence on their children’s sedentary behaviours at home using Granich and colleagues’ conceptual model as an analytical schema. Nineteen parents (4 M, 15F; mean age = 37.3 ± 4.4 years) and their children (15 M, 4F; mean age = 6.6 ± 3.7 years) participated in either face-to-face or telephone interviews. Concurrent deductive and inductive content analysis was used to identify overall themes and the researchers employed several methods of trustworthiness during the data analysis process. Two overall themes and seven second-order themes emerged from the interviews in relation to sedentary behaviours within the family setting. Findings indicated that parents, particularly mothers, are the gatekeepers to the amount and types of sedentary behaviours that children engage in at home. Role modelling, reinforcement, rules and restrictions influence the type of sedentary activities of children, particularly electronic media use, within the home. Interventions to reduce sedentary behaviour in children should adopt a whole-family approach to modify the existing strategies already enforced by parents to ensure effectiveness.

The effect of a home-based strength training program on type 2 diabetes risk in obese Latino boys

Abstract Objective: To determine the effects of a home-based strength training (HBST) intervention on insulin sensitivity (SI), compensatory acute insulin response and β-cell function, body composition measures, and maximum strength in obese Latino boys. Methods: A total of 26 obese Latino males aged between 14 and 18 years were randomized to either a twice-weekly (n=15) or a control group (C; n=15) for 16 weeks. HBST for 16 weeks, composed of two 1-h sessions per week. Outcome measures were assessed pre-and post-intervention/control condition and included SI, acute insulin response to glucose (AIR) and disposition index (DI), fasting glucose, 2-h glucose, body composition using waist-hip circumferences, body mass index (BMI), dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan, blood pressure, and strength by 1-repetition maximum. A repeated measures GLM was used to assess differences in changes in outcome measures, between the C and the HBST groups. Results: There were no significant overall intervention effects on any of the outcome variables (p<0.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that an HBST does not improve SI, maximal strength or decrease adiposity in obese Latino boys.

The Effects Of Motivational Self-talk On Endurance Performance And Rate Of Perceived Exertion In Division III Athletes.: 219 Board #56 June 1, 9: 30 AM - 11: 00 AM.

INTRODUCTION: Self-talk is one of the most commonly used strategies to influence the intensity and duration of physical performance (Hamilton et al., 2007; Diaz-Ocejo et al., 2013). However, it has received little attention as a coping method in the study of perceived effort, particularly in National Collegiate Athletes Association (NCAA) Division III athletes. Previous research examining the use of self-talk to enhance sports performance has provided conflicting results (Van Raalte et al., 1995; Perkos et al., 2002) when tested with anaerobic performance; there is however very limited research with the use of self-talk to enhance aerobic performance (Blanchfield et al., 2014). Due to the limited research in this area, it is important to continue to add to the research that has already been published in order to understand the potential utility of self-talk for endurance athletes. The previous decade has seen a rise in novel self-talk research (Hamilton et al., 2007; Blanchfield et al., 2014) in which the findings of these studies have found motivational has had an effect on the improvement of endurance performance in recreationally trained subjects, though not to the extent that its effect on sport performance has been fully elucidated. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the effect of motivational selftalk on endurance performance and rate of perceived exertion in 16 division III athletes.

Effect of home-based strength training program on Igf-i, Igfbp-1 and Igfbp-3 in obese Latino boys participating in a 16 week randomized controlled trial: 2425 Board #6 June 3, 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM

BACKGROUND: Accumulating evidence indicates circulating concentrations of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), or IGF-1 relative to IGF binding proteins (IGFBP’s) is associated with increased risk for the development of several forms of cancers. Similarly, exercise has been linked with reduced cancer risk. PURPOSE: To assess the effects of a 16-week (2xweek) home-based strength training (HBST) program on serum IGF-1, IGFBP-1, IGFBP3, and their ratio we randomized 32 obese Latino adolescent males (aged 14-18 years) into a twice-weekly Home Based Strength Training group (HBST;n=16) or a Control group (C;n=16) for 16 weeks. METHODS: Home-based strength training for 16 weeks, composed of two one-hour sessions per week. Outcome Measures were assessed pre- and post intervention/control condition and included IGF-1, IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-3, fasting glucose, two-hour glucose, Body Mass Index (BMI), dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan, dietary intake and physical activity using the Actigraph GT1X. GLM was used to assess differences in changes in outcome measures, between the C and the HBST groups. RESULTS: Over the 16 weeks of the intervention there was a trend for a significant within-subject’s differences for IGF 1 (p=0.078), but no significant within-subject’s differences for IGFBP-1 (p=0.187), IGFBP-3 (p=0.490), fasting glucose (p=0.87), and 2-hr glucose (p=0.38). There were also no between subject differences noted in fasting glucose (p=0.36), 2-hr glucose (p=0.84), SI (p=0.34), AIR (p=0.27), and DI (p=0.73). There was a trend for a between subject differences in IGF1 (p = 0.081). There were also no between subject differences noted in IGFBP-1 (p=0.194), IGFBP-3 (p = 0.202), fasting glucose (p=0.36), and 2-hr glucose (p=0.84). CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary results suggest that a twice per week 16-week home based strength training program does not affect concentrations of IGF-1, IGFBP-1, and IGFBP-3, in obese Latino boys.

Patterns of sedentary behaviour in office workers

Aims: Physical activity is a key component in the management of diabetes. Physical activity improves metabolic control which tackles cardiovascular risk factors and other associated co-morbidities. Most people with diabetes do not engage in recommended levels of physical activity due to a range of modifiable factors. This study (i) explored the unique perspectives of adults with diabetes in terms of barriers, facilitators and explicit needs and preferences in relation to physical activity and (2) informed the development of (a) sustainable physical activity intervention(s) for adults with diabetes. Methods: A qualitative methodology incorporating focus group discussions, individual semi-structured interviews and case studies was employed. Seventy adults aged 18+ with either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes participated in the study. Results: Participation and sustained engagement in physical activity for those with diabetes is hugely variable and demands sophisticated self-management skills. Findings indicated that health status, body image, secondary complications, knowing how to balance physical activity with diabetes, fear of hypos, self-efficacy, motivation and prior physical activity experiences are all contributory factors. Adults need education focused on physical activity and diabetes and most importantly individualised support. A diabetes physical activity weekend was advocated as a means of enabling those with diabetes to learn about diabetes and physical activity, and try out different activities, in a supportive environment. Conclusion: A diabetes and physical activity weekend is currently being developed in partnership with adults with diabetes. This intervention will provide the opportunity for long-term behaviour change and subsequent improvement in health status.

An Examination of Student Health Behaviors during their First Year at University: 3390 Board #151 May 30, 8

This poster session discussed examination of student health behaviors during their first year at university.