Matthew R. Bice

Technology and physical activity motivation

Technological devices have evolved into a popular social trend becoming a part of many peoples daily life. As a result, technology devices are becoming more commonly used for different tasks and activities. The current study examined if wearing a Nike Fuelband (FB) SE increased physical activity (PA) motivation for an adult population. The research design included an 8-week, pre-/post-test intervention. The inclusion of the FB SE served as the research intervention. Participants (n = 42) included two convenient samples located in Colorado and Nebraska. Prior to study investigation, participants were trained how to use all the functions of the device, associated Nike+ Connect program, and given additional resources for reference. Participants completed the Exercise Motivation Inventory-2 before device training and post 8 weeks. Pre- and post-data were analysed using a paired t-test. The current study reports that significant differences were present among the measured constructs of affiliation, enjoyment, challenge, and positive health motivation. Participants who used the FB reported a significant increase in the motivation constructs of affiliation, enjoyment, challenge, and positive health motivation over an 8-week intervention. This study suggests that electronic activity-tracking devices can be valuable tools for behaviour change, aiding efforts to increase adult PA levels and decrease trends of obesity.

Online Quizzes Promote Inconsistent Improvements on In-Class Test Performance in Introductory Anatomy and Physiology.

Review quizzes can provide students with feedback and assist in the preparation for in-class tests, but students often do not voluntarily use self-testing resources. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate if taking a mandatory online review quiz alters performance on subsequent in-class tests. During two semesters of a single-semester introductory anatomy and physiology course, students were required to complete brief online quizzes after each textbook chapter had been covered during lecture as well as the day before an in-class test. During the next two semesters, students were not required to take the online review quizzes. Overall scores on chapter specific in-class tests were higher (P < 0.05) during the semesters in which students took online review quizzes (82.9 ± 14.3%) compared with when they did not (78.7 ± 15.5%), but all in-class tests were not improved. Scores on comprehensive midterm examinations were higher (83.0 ± 12.9% vs. 78.9 ± 13.7%, P < 0.05) but not on final examinations (72.4 ± 13.8% vs. 71.8 ± 14.0%) between those with online review quizzes and those without, respectively. Overall scores on in-class tests and comprehensive examinations were higher (P < 0.05) during the semesters in which students took online review quizzes (83.4 ± 16.8%) compared with when they did not (80.3 ± 17.6%). These data suggest that an online review quiz taken the day before an in-class test increases performance on some in-class tests. However, online review quizzes taken after completion of each chapter do not consistently enhance performance on comprehensive examinations.

Retrospective Evaluation of Factors That Influence the Implementation of CATCH in Southern Illinois Schools

Background. Coordinated Approach to Child Health (CATCH) is a school health program implemented in southern Illinois that focuses on physical activity and nutrition and consists of a classroom curriculum, physical education framework, and cafeteria guidelines. Though many schools agreed to implement CATCH, some schools implemented it better than others. This study examined implementation practices of classroom and physical education teachers and cafeteria supervisors. Method. We surveyed 284 school employees at 36 elementary schools located in southern Illinois. Attention focused on organizational readiness, commitment to change, school leadership, implementation barriers, and innovation perceptions concerning degree of implementation of CATCH. Results. Organizational readiness and implementation barriers were significant predictors of degree of implementation for school employees. Additionally, organizational readiness was reported a significant predictor of classroom teacher degree of implementation whereas leadership was a significant predictor of degree of implementation by physical education teachers. Conclusion. Data from this study can be used to enhance implementation of CATCH as well as other school health programs. This study provides educators evidence of why school employees have different implementation practices, evidence of what constructs influence degree of implementation most, and some explanation of school employee degree of implementation.

Adult BMI and physical activity: retrospective evaluation of high school sport and recreation participation.

Research reports children and adolescents who are physically active (PA) are more likely to be active as adults. Physical Activity (PA) levels and BMI status were examined among adults who participated in sport and recreational activities while attending high school. The current study consists of 1363 adults who completed the questionnaire. Correlations were used to assess associations among variables and a regression analysis was used to describe the combined effect of BMI status on the outcome of interest (PA). The current study revealed participates who participated in sports or recreational activities while in high school reported to have more individuals in the normal (healthy) BMI category and met the American PA recommendations for the number of day and minutes engaged in moderate and vigorous physical activity. Data suggests participation in sport and recreational activities while in high school positively influences levels of adult PA and healthier BMIs.

Relations between mindfulness and mental health outcomes: need fulfillment as a mediator

Links between mindfulness and mental health outcomes have been established, but the explanatory mechanisms responsible for these associations are far less understood. This study examined relationships between mindfulness, need fulfillment and mental health outcomes (negative affect and depressive symptoms). The primary purpose of this paper was to, first, verify the link between mindfulness and mental health outcomes, and second, to better understand and explain why mindfulness is important for mental health outcomes. Specifically, this study sought to examine the potential mediating influence of need fulfillment in the relationship between mindfulness and mental health outcomes. A sample of 399 university students and employees responded to an online survey. Data were collected on personal ratings of trait mindfulness, need fulfillment, negative affect and depressive symptoms. Results indicated a significant positive relationship between mindfulness and need fulfillment, and these variables were negatively associated with poor mental health outcomes (negative affect and depressive symptoms). Further, it was found that need fulfillment partially mediated the relationship between mindfulness and both mental health outcomes. Specific facets of need fulfillment (i.e., belongingness, self-esteem, control, meaningful existence) were also explored individually as potential mediators to determine which facet accounted for the greatest variance in the relationship between mindfulness and mental health outcomes. In doing so, this study helps clarify the relations between mindfulness and mental health outcomes. Results from this study extend the current literature of mindfulness and further inform the implementation of clinical mindfulness techniques and strategies.

An overview of assessment methodology for obesity-related variables in infants at risk

Background: The first 2 years of a child’s life are a particularly critical time period for obesity prevention. Aim: An increasing amount of research across the world is aimed at understanding factors that impact early childhood obesity and developing interventions that target these factors effectively. With this growing interest, new and interdisciplinary research teams are developing to meet this research need. Due to rapid growth velocity during this phase of the lifespan, typical assessments used in older populations may not be valid or applicable in infants, and investigators need to be aware of the pros and cons of specific methodological strategies. Methods: This paper provides an overview of methodology available to assess obesity-related factors in the areas of anthropometry and body composition, nutrient intake, and energy expenditure in infants aged 0–2 years. Results: Gold standard measures for body composition, such as dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) or other imaging techniques, are costly, require highly trained personnel, and are limited for research application. Nutrient intake methodology primarily includes surveys and questionnaires completed via parent proxy report. In terms of energy expenditure, methods of calorimetry are expensive and may not differentiate between different activities. Questionnaires or physical activity sensors offer another way of energy expenditure assessment. However, questionnaires have a certain recall bias, while the sensors require further validation. Conclusions: Overall, in addition to understanding the pros and cons of each assessment tool, researchers should take into consideration the experience of the interdisciplinary team of investigators, as well as the cost and availability of measures at their institution.

Health Technology Use: Implications for Physical Activity Behaviors Among College Students

ABSTRACT College is a time of transitioning as individuals move from the teenage years to adulthood. Accompanying this transition, there is a potential to establish lifelong behaviors such as a regular physical activity (PA) and exercise regimen, or a complete lack thereof, that can impact adulthood health. The current study included a convenience sample from eight student organizations (n = 8) at a midsized Midwest university. Participants (n = 235) completed a research survey packet that included: (a) demographic information including height and weight; (b) The International Physical Activity Questionnaire short form (IPAQ-s); and (c) questions pertaining to technology use as it relates to physical activity. Significant results were present between body composition and physical activity levels. Further, the use of technology had a significant impact on physical activity behaviors among college students. Results analyzed by the researchers concluded that the type of technological device (smartphone or app) does not matter, but using some type of technology application/device presumably makes individuals more mindful of their activity and more self-aware of the time in physical activity. These findings could be helpful to health promotion professionals when implementing a program to increase PA for college students.

A comparison of scholarly productivity among current professors who obtained terminal degrees

ABSTRACT Although scholarship is important in higher education and faculty productivity expectations are continually increasing, we still do not understand the holistic view of faculty productivity. This study takes a different viewpoint on faculty productivity examining differences by university classification and by discipline. Most importantly, we sought to obtain the effects of the delivery mode of terminal degree on later faculty productivity. The mode of terminal degree via Internet delivery looks attractive to students, but this study found that this has implications for future research productivity. These three elements illustrate a different scope that has important implications for administrative leaders looking to hire future faculty as well as students thinking about becoming a future faculty member. To capture this view, 600 faculty members from 59 American universities were surveyed. From this survey, five different variables emerged to create an overall faculty scholarly productivity factor. This factor was then compared against university classification, discipline, and mode of terminal degree. Results showed surprising significant differences between university classifications and disciplines as compared to scholarly productivity. One of the most noteworthy findings was that there is a significant difference in faculty productivity based on the mode of terminal degree. Furthermore, no difference in later faculty scholarly productivity exists between that of a hybridized, online degree and a purely online degree. Again, these results indicate significant finds which have a high influence on faculty scholarly productivity, which holds important implications for the future of the university.

Enhancing Physical Education with a Supplemental Physical Activity Program.

For decades, schools have played a pivotal role in providing physical activity opportunities to children. For many students, school-time physical activity serves as the primary source of activity, via activity clubs, classroom physical activity breaks, and family health awareness nights. The purpose of this article is to describe how three schools in Midwest Nebraska developed an alternative way of offering a structured physical activity class on days that physical education was not offered. Readers will learn how such a class can provide additional time for students to work on skills learned in physical education while increasing their weekly physical activity time. Guidelines to effectively implement a physical activity class will be provided, along with sample physical education and lesson plans structured around the same fundamental movement pattern.

Physical Activity Motivation Among Sororities and Fraternities

ABSTRACT The purpose of the current study was to examine relationships between physical activity levels and motivation among active Greek affiliated college students. Thousands of college students join the Greek system upon enrollment in college; however, limited literature exists examining physical activity motivation among sororities and fraternities. This study is based on the Self Determination Theory, encompassing motivation underlying the likelihood to partake in certain behaviors, such as physical activity. Study sample included eight different sororities (n = 4) and fraternities (n = 4) at the University of Nebraska-Kearney campus. Participants (n = 235; fraternity, n = 73; sorority, n = 162) examined physical activity motivation using the revised version of the Exercise Motivation Inventory (EMI-2) and self-reported physical activity levels (International Physical Activity Questionnaire - IPAQ). The study reports a significant correlation in physical activity motivation among the constructs of stress (r = 0.420; p = 0.000), weight management (r = 0.419; p = 0.000), and appearance (r = 0.302; p = 0.000) among Greek groups. Results indicate fraternities rate stress, weight management, and appearance higher than sororities. In addition, sororities present a stronger correlation between competition and physical activity motivation (r = 0.735), while fraternities had a stronger correlation between affiliation and physical activity motivation (r = 0.326). Greek affiliation can play an important role in college students’ lives. The importance of this study could offer insight into creating an effective plan or solution to change or improve health behaviors in the Greek community.