Julian A. Reed

Perceptions of the Availability of Recreational Physical Activity Facilities on a University Campus

Objective: The authors purpose in this study was to assess perceptions of recreational physical activity (PA) facilities on a university campus. Participants: Four-hundred and sixtyseven undergraduate students participated in this study (women = 293; men = 174). Results: The author found a significant percentage difference between women and men concerning the availability of racquetball courts on campus, 47% vs 63%, t(465) = -3.274. The author similarly found a significant percentage difference between women and mens perceptions concerning the availability of tennis courts. Twenty-seven percent of women were unaware or did not know tennis courts were available for PA, in comparison with 19% of men t(465) = -2.413. Awareness of recreational facilities revealed significant differences (Pillais Trace = .189, p < .05) between freshmen and upperclassmen. Freshmen perceived themselves to have access to fewer recreational facilities on campus. Conclusion: More efforts to increase awareness of PA facilities are needed on university campuses.

Relationships between physical activity and motor skills in middle school children

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between physical activity measured as pedometer steps and performance on three motor skill tests. A secondary purpose was to determine if middle school children are meeting the recommendation for the number of daily steps. A sample (n = 217) of 6th, 7th and 8th grade students participated. Each subject wore a Digi-Walker pedometer for three consecutive days. Subjects additionally recorded their pedometer steps in two 45 min.-physical education classes. There were strong significant correlations between daily steps taken by boys and girls, pedometer steps during physical education class and the AAHPERD Passing Test and the Bass Stick Balance. Similar correlations were weaker for the Side-Step Agility Test. Multivariate analysis of variance was utilized to examine variability of the three skills test by sex and year in school. Differences between students in Grades 7 and 8 on the AAHPERD Passing Test were significant. In addition, significant differences between daily pedometer steps and steps during physical education between Grades 6 and 7 were observed. Boys and girls had similar means on the AAHPERD Passing Test and Bass Stick Balance Test, but not on the Side-Step Agility Test. Scores on the three movement skills tested in this study were not strongly related to physical activity of the entire sample. Steps taken by middle school children appear not to be related to these measures of motor skills.

Perceptions of Neighborhood Sidewalks on Walking and Physical Activity Patterns in a Southeastern Community in the US

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between perceptions of neighborhood sidewalks and race, and walking and physical activity (PA) patterns in a southeastern US community. METHODS A telephone survey was administered to a stratified sample of adults (N = 1148). Physical activity was categorized according to the CDC/ACSM recommendations. Respondents were also asked if they walked for at least 10 min at a time for recreation, exercise, transportation, or while at work. RESULTS A greater proportion (44%) of respondents who reported having neighborhood sidewalks were irregular walkers (OR = 1.88; 95% CI = 1.13, 3.11). For whites, (but not for non-whites) the perceived presence of sidewalks increased the odds for meeting recommended PA levels (P < 0.05; OR = 3.59, 95% CI = 1.05, 12.24). CONCLUSIONS Presence of neighborhood sidewalks was related to irregular walking levels of respondents. Sidewalk presence was related to PA in whites, but was not related to activity patterns of non-whites.

Where Are Youth Physically Active? A Descriptive Examination of 45 Parks in a Southeastern Community

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to identify the activity settings used and physical activity (PA) intensity achieved by boys and girls in 45 parks in a southeastern community. METHODS PA and sedentary behaviors were assessed at all activity settings by gender, race, and PA intensity. Eight activity settings were identified in 45 parks. The System for Observing Play and Recreation in Communities (SOPARC) instrument was used to assess PA during the summers of 2004 through 2008. RESULTS More boys (n = 1,668; 58%) were observed at the 45 parks than girls (n = 1,184, 42%). Playgrounds were the most frequently used activity setting by both boys and girls. The vast majority of PA observed on the playgrounds was vigorous PA (n = 584; 41%). Playing fields were the second most frequently used activity setting by male and female youth, and 292 (10.3%) of all boys and girls were observed using this activity setting. However, only 18 of the 45 parks (40%) had a playing field. More males (n = 164; 56%) used the playing fields for PA than girls (n = 128; 44%). Most boys and girls were observed participating in vigorous PA (n = 254; 87%) at this activity setting. Observations of seven of the eight activity settings in the 45 parks indicated a greater frequency and percentage of white youth observed in comparison to minorities. CONCLUSIONS Identifying the patterns of children and teens in community parks will provide investigators with specific objective data to develop user profiles that can perhaps lead to effective PA interventions in these environmental settings.

Using “Point of Decision” Messages to Intervene on College Students' Eating Behaviors

Purpose. Examine the impact of “point of decision” messages on fruit selection in a single dining hall setting. Setting. Competitive undergraduate liberal arts college in the southeastern United States. Intervention. “Point of decision” messages were compiled into a 35-slide multimedia PowerPoint presentation. Messages were displayed on a computer screen at a “point of decision” between the cookie and fruit stations during lunch for a total of 9 days. Measures. Baseline cookie and fruit consumption was measured 9 days prebaseline and 9 days postbaseline. A random sample of students completed surveys 1 week after the intervention. Analysis. t-tests were used to examine differences between prelevels of fruit consumption and levels measured simultaneously during “point of decision” messages. Descriptive statistics were used to examine perceptions of survey items 1 week postintervention. Results. A significant mean difference in daily fruit consumption was found following the slide presentation (df-8, t = − 2.800; p = .023). Average daily fruit consumption at baseline was 408 (SD = 73.43). Postbaseline average daily fruit consumption significantly increased (533; SD = 102). No significant prebaseline and postbaseline cookie differences were found (p = .226). Approximately 71% of women and 68% of men noticed the “point of decision” messages. Nineteen percent of women and 10% of males reported modifying their food selection as a result of viewing the messages. Conclusion. The “point of decision” messaging significantly influenced fruit selection in a single dining hall setting. (Am J Health Promot 2011;25[5]:298-300.)

Trail User Demographics, Physical Activity Behaviors, and Perceptions of a Newly Constructed Greenway Trail

To better understand and promote physical activity on a newly constructed trail, the present study examined the demographic characteristics and physical activity behaviors of trail users; the demographic characteristics of trail users compared to the demographic profile Greenville County, South Carolina residents; trail users’ purpose for using the trail; the distance trail users traveled to access the trail from their homes; channels through which trail users learned about the trail; and trail characteristics liked by trail users. Using a valid and reliable intercept survey, 1,148 trail users were interviewed. Trail users were mostly white (93.1%), male (59.1%) adults (84.2%) who reported using the trail for exercise (91%). Significant associations were identified between trail user demographic characteristics and how trail users learned about the trail and trail characteristics liked by trail users. The findings may contribute to the development of targeted health promotion efforts to promote physical activity on this and similar trails.

Awareness and use of a university recreational trail.

The purpose of this study was to assess awareness and use of a university recreational trail. The authors used an Internet questionnaire developed by the universitys Institutional Research Department, with questions derived from the Environmental Supports for Physical Activity Questionnaire and the National College Health Risk Behavior Survey Physical Activity Module. Four hundred and sixty-seven undergraduate college students participated. Ninety-one percent of students reported being aware of the trail, and 73% reported using the trail. Sixty-four percent of students reported seeing signage referring to the recreational trail. Sixty-seven percent of the students reported using the trail once in the past week, 7% reported using the trail twice in the past week, and only 2% of the students reported using the trail more than 3 times in the past week. Sixty-two percent reported using the trail with another individual. Students who were aware of the trail were more likely to use the trail. However, of the individuals who used the trail, the majority only used the trail 1 day a week. University programming is needed to increase trail usage among college students.

Travel to, and use of, twenty-one Michigan trails.

OBJECTIVE AND METHODS This study examined trail use among 857 trail users on 21 trails in Michigan from 2008 to 2011 using a valid and reliable intercept survey. RESULTS Most of the 857 participants traveled to the trail from their home (92.6%), lived within 15 min of the trails (74.8%), and used active transport to travel to the trails 69.7%. The odds of active transport to the trails were greater among those who had not graduated high school (OR=3.49; 95% CI=1.02, 11.99) and high school graduates (OR=7.432; 95% CI=2.02, 27.30) compared to college graduates. Whites and adults also had greater odds of active transport than non-Whites (OR=3.160, 95% CI: 1.65, 6.05), and older adults (OR=1.75; 95% CI: 1.20, 2.54). The majority of respondents (89.7%) reported using trails for recreational purposes. A significantly greater proportion of females (73.3%) compared to males (64.7%) reported using the trail with others. CONCLUSIONS The findings from this study might enable health and parks and recreation professionals to better promote physical activity on trails.

Applying Mass Media to Self-Defense Instruction in Physical Education

T he question ofwhether or not martial arts should be taught in physical education classes was recently debated in the Issues department of the November/December 2000 JOPERD. This question elicited student and professional opinions that expressed a dichotomy of viewpoints. At the time the issue was addressed, the majority ofrespondents positively supported the inclusion of self-defense and basic martial arts activities within a physical education curriculum. Since this discussion, the problem of how to implement a selfdefense instructional unit within a modern physical education setting has received minimal attention. One year later, the importance of self-defense instruction received increased media attention due to the life-altering events surrounding the September 11 terrorist attacks. Consequently, revisiting this timely and important topic seems appropriate. The unique and specialized nature ofself-defense content may intimidate some educators, keeping them from implementing a self-defense instructional unit. The purpose of this article is to encourage the inclusion of selfdefense units ofinstruction by providing novice teachers with a competent level of understanding and with resources for additional information. First, physical educators will be introduced to the various benefits that a self-defense unit of instruction can offer a well-rounded physical education program. Second, a contemporary definition of self-defense will be

Use and Nonuse of a Rail Trail Conversion for Physical Activity: Implications for Promoting Trail Use

Background There is limited research examining both use and nonuse of trails for physical activity. Purpose Such research might enable health educators to better promote physical activity on trails. Methods We used random digit dialing methods to survey 726 respondents in 2012. Results The majority (75.1%) of respondents reported not using the trail in the previous 6 months. The odds of using the trail were greater among adults compared to older adults and those with a high school degree or college degree compared to those with less than a high school degree. Fifteen percent of trail users reported using the trail regularly (i.e., at least 30 minutes, 3 days/week). Trail characteristics preferred by trail users and reasons for not using the trail among nonusers were also examined. Discussion These findings might be useful for health educators promoting physical activity on trails. Translation to Health Education Practice Persons promoting physical activity on trails should highlight those trail characteristics preferred by trail users, including the trails’ convenient location, beauty, and design. There is an opportunity to promote trail use among older adults and those with low education levels; promoting active transportation on trails might be especially useful among those with low education levels.