Cara L. Sidman

Explaining Long-Term Exercise Adherence in Women Who Complete a Structured Exercise Program

The purpose of this study was to qualitatively examine factors related to physical activity adherence to understand why women continue to participate in long-term exercise after completing a structured exercise program. Data were collected from focus groups, interviews, and e-mails, and analysis used grounded theory. The central category related to physical activity adherence was self-worth. Motivation, activity enjoyment, priorities, body image, ability to access support, and self-regulation skills had an impact on the self-worth of nonadherers and adherers. Women must value themselves enough to continue to participate in physical activity once they start. Exercise and fitness professionals are encouraged to use strategies to increase self-worth and long-term adherence to physical activity. Some recommended strategies include (a) increasing motivation and enjoyment relative to activity, (b) making activity a high priority in a womans life, (c) improving or deemphasizing body image, (d) increasing a womans ability to access support, and (e) facilitating the use of self-regulation strategies. This study is the first to examine qualitative perspectives of exercise adherence among women who completed a structured exercise program. Several concepts related to adherence presented in the quantitative literature are confirmed and enhanced in this study.

Effect of a family-based intervention on electronic media use and body composition among boys aged 8—11 years: a pilot study:

This study measured the effect of a 20-week, family-centered electronic media intervention on electronic media use, body composition (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry; DXA), physical activity and dietary behaviors in boys. Twenty-two boys were assigned and 21 were analyzed in an experimental or control group. Boys in the experimental group set electronic media use goals and used TV Allowance™ device and ENUFF® software to reduce electronic media use. Data were collected at baseline, 10 weeks and 20 weeks. Interactions were found in daily electronic media use and DXA. At 10 weeks, step counts increased by 543 steps per day in the experimental group and decreased by 340 steps per day in the controls. Steps in both groups were higher at 20 weeks. Meals or snacks eaten while using electronic media decreased in the experimental group only. In conclusion, a family-centered electronic media intervention may reduce electronic media use and contribute to desirable changes in body composition.

Women Bound To Be Active: A Pilot Study to Explore the Feasibility of an Intervention to Increase Physical Activity and Self-Worth in Women

ABSTRACT Increasing physical activity (PA) has become a national health objective due to its associated health benefits, but low participation rates. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of an 8-month (September 2006–April 2007) PA book club (Women Bound to Be Active-WBA) in increasing PA and self-worth (SW) among women. Fifty-six adult women participated in an 8-month intervention consisting of weekly meetings designed to improve PA knowledge, awareness, confidence, and SW. Results indicated a significant increase in PA and SW. The WBA program represents a creative theory-based approach to empowering women to be more active.

Segmenting the College Educated Generation Y Health and Wellness Traveler

ABSTRACT Generation Y is considered to be the next largest cohort group to significantly impact the health and wellness travel industry. This study sought to create a profile of the Gen Y health and wellness traveler using push and pull motivations and perceived wellness. K-means clustering revealed five distinct traveler segments. Wellness was found to be a motivating factor as well as the other internal and external motivators used in this study. Men were found to travel more for escape and women for the nightlife. Opportunities to both seek and avoid contact with others were revealed. Suggestions for future marketing messages for the Gen Y wellness traveler are offered.

Exercise Motivation of College Students in Online, Face-to-Face, and Blended Basic Studies Physical Activity and Wellness Course Delivery Formats

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess exercise motivation among college students self-selected into 4 online (OL) and face-to-face (F2F) basic studies’ physical activity and wellness course delivery formats. Participants/Methods: Out of 1,037 enrolled students during the Spring 2009 semester, 602 responded online to demographic questions and to the Behavioural Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire, which assessed exercise motivation on 5 subscales. Results: There were no significant differences (p > .05) in exercise motivation for students across course delivery formats, but there was a significant difference in age and employment status between the completely OL and F2F course formats. Conclusions: Health and physical educators can utilize these findings to better understand that physical activity and wellness students are not necessarily trying to avoid physical activity when selecting the OL course format, but are more likely trying to balance work and school responsibilities and need greater flexibility in time and location.

The Potential of Promoting Mindfulness in a University Physical Activity and Wellness Course

Due to its well documented benefits, it has been recommended to integrate mindfulness into health promotion programming. The purpose of this study was to determine if mindfulness was impacted by demographic variables and/or the completion of a stress management unit including mindfulness and application activities focused on paying attention and living in the present. Students completed n=225 the 15-item Mindful Attention Awareness Scale MAAS at the beginning and end of a 15-week semester. Student completion of a stress management unit including mindfulness and application activities focused on paying attention and living in the present did not result in improved mindfulness. The extent that instructors covered mindfulness in the lab portion of the course, as well as potentially higher stress levels at the end of the semester, may be factors associated with lower post-course mindfulness. These results, combined with previous research showing mindfulness-based programs to be effective in stress reduction, support the need to directly educate students about mindfulness. It may be advantageous to increase the focus on mindfulness in university lifetime wellness curricula, in addition to improving instructor training and monitoring course fidelity among large multiple-section courses.

College Students' Perceived Wellness Among Online, Face-to-Face, and Hybrid Formats of a Lifetime Physical Activity and Wellness Course

Background: College students are vulnerable to risks associated with unhealthy behaviors. Considering the role that colleges play in facilitating lifelong health and wellness behaviors of college students, health-related fitness (HRF) courses are being offered using multiple delivery formats. Purpose: There is a need to better understand the relationship between course delivery format and perceived wellness; thus, the purpose of this study was to assess perceived wellness among college students who self-selected into various delivery formats of a required university HRF course. Methods: The Perceived Wellness Survey was used due to its previously established reliability and validity for college populations. Participants included 378 college students enrolled in a HRF course. Results: Students with higher perceived wellness were more likely to be enrolled in online and hybrid course formats rather than face to face. Discussion: The results of this study provide a better understanding of the perceived wellness of college students enrolled in various course delivery formats of a HRF course that go beyond that of demographic differences. Translation to Health Education Practice: With this information, those delivering HRF courses have the opportunity to capitalize on this trend by tailoring instructional activities accordingly.

Observation of Step-Count Patterns of Women Participating in a Healthy Lifestyle Book Club Intervention

This study has two purposes: (1) to observe the step-count patterns of adult women who participated in an eight-month healthy lifestyle-based book club intervention and (2) to describe step-count patterns across seasons and body mass index (BMI) categories. Sixty-two participants (mean age ± SD = 53 ± 9, 92% Caucasians) had complete pedometer data, which was used for data analysis. After weekly, hour-long, discussion-based meetings during months one through four, and bi-monthly meetings during months five through eight, women increased their step counts by 26%. Significant step-count differences were observed among seasons (p < .05), and from pre- to post-intervention (p < .05), with the lowest steps being reported in the fall and the highest in the spring. Women in the obese category continued to increase steps during the winter, while the healthy-weight group decreased steps. There was a significant correlation between the average steps taken during the intervention and changes in BMI from pre- to post-...