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Population levels of sport participation : Implications for sport policy

- Eime, Rochelle, Harvey, Jack, Charity, Melanie, Payne, Warren

  • Authors: Eime, Rochelle , Harvey, Jack , Charity, Melanie , Payne, Warren
  • Date: 2016
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: BMC Public Health Vol. 16, no. 1 (2016), p. 1-8
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  • Description: Background: Participation in sport can contribute to health-enhancing levels of leisure-time physical activity. There are recent reports that participation in sport in Australia is decreasing. However, these studies are limited to ages 15 years and over. Methods: This study integrates sports club membership data from five popular team sports and investigates sport participation across the lifespan (4-100 years) by sex and region (metropolitan/non-metropolitan). Results: Overall participant numbers per annum increased from 414,167 in 2010 to 465,403 in 2012 corresponding to a rise in the proportion of Victorian's participating in these sports from 7.5 % in 2010 to 8.3 % in 2012. The highest proportion of participants was in the 10-14 year age range, with participation rates of 36 % in 2010 and 40 % in 2012. There was a considerably lower participation rate in the 15-19 year age group compared to the 10-14 age group, in all three years studied, and the decline continued progressively with increasing age. Male and female age profiles of participation were generally similar in shape, but the female peak at age 10-14 was sharper than for the males, and conversely there were very few 4 year old female participants. Participation rates were generally higher in non-metropolitan than metropolitan areas; the difference increased with increasing age from 4 to 34 years, then steadily declined, reaching parity at around 60 years of age. Conclusions: It is a positive sign that participation in these popular sports increased by over 50,000 participants from 2010 to 2012. Large proportions of the population aged 5-14 participate in club based sport. Participation rates decline sharply in late adolescence, particularly for females, and while this may not be a concern from a broad health perspective so long as they transition into other forms of physical activity, it is certainly a matter of concern for the sport sector. It is recommended that sport policy places a higher priority on grass-roots participation and that sporting organisations are supported to prioritise the retention issues occurring during adolescence, particularly for females so as to maximise the potential for sport to maintain its positive contribution to population wellbeing. © 2016 The Author(s).

Pumping iron in Australia : Prevalence, trends and sociodemographic correlates of muscle strengthening activity participation from a national sample of 195,926 adults

- Bennie, Jason, Pedisic, Zeljko, van Uffelen, Jannique, Charity, Melanie, Harvey, Jack, Banting, Lauren, Vergeer, Ineke, Biddle, Stuart, Eime, Rochelle

  • Authors: Bennie, Jason , Pedisic, Zeljko , van Uffelen, Jannique , Charity, Melanie , Harvey, Jack , Banting, Lauren , Vergeer, Ineke , Biddle, Stuart , Eime, Rochelle
  • Date: 2016
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: PLoS ONE Vol. 11, no. 4 (2016), p. 1-15
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  • Description: Objective: The current Australian Physical Activity Guidelines recommend that adults engage in regular muscle-strengthening activity (e.g. strength or resistance training). However, public health surveillance studies describing the patterns and trends of population-level muscle-strengthening activity participation are sparse. The aim of this study is to examine the prevalence, trends and sociodemographic correlates of muscle-strengthening activity participation in a national-representative sample of Australians aged 15 years and over. Methods: Between 2001 and 2010, quarterly cross-sectional national telephone surveys were conducted as part of the Australian Sports Commission's 'Exercise, Recreation and Sport Survey'. Pooled population-weighted proportions were calculated for reporting: [i] no muscle-strengthening activity; [ii] insufficient muscle-strengthening activity, and [iii] sufficient muscle-strengthening activity. Associations with sociodemographic variables were assessed using multiple logistic regression analyses. Results: Out of 195,926 participants, aged 15-98 years, only 10.4% (95% CI: 10.1-10.7) and 9.3% (95% CI: 9.1-9.5) met the muscle-strengthening activity recommendations in the past two weeks and in the past year, respectively. Older adults (50+ years), and those living in socioeconomically disadvantaged, outer regional/remote areas and with lower education were less likely to report sufficient muscle-strengthening activity (p<0.001). Over the 10-year monitoring period, there was a significant increase in the prevalence of sufficient muscle-strengthening activity (6.4% to 12.0%, p-value for linear trend <0.001). Conclusions: A vast majority of Australian adults did not engage in sufficient muscle-strengthening activity. There is a need for public health strategies to support participation in muscle-strengthening activity in this population. Such strategies should target older and lower educated adults, and those living in socioeconomically disadvantaged, outer regional/remote and areas. © 2016 Bennie et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Selection and management of sports grounds : Does surface heat matter?

- Twomey, Dara, Petrass, Lauren, Harvey, Jack, Otago, Leonie, Rossignol, Peter

  • Authors: Twomey, Dara , Petrass, Lauren , Harvey, Jack , Otago, Leonie , Rossignol, Peter
  • Date: 2016
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Journal of Facility Planning, Design, and Management Vol. 4, no. 1 (2016), p. 33-47
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  • Description: Little evidence exists on the surface temperatures experienced on third generation (3G) artificial turf sports surfaces. Without this fundamental information, it is difficult for local government organizations, governing bodies of sport, or facility managers to determine whether these surfaces are the most appropriate option for their venues and whether different management strategies need to be applied if these surfaces are installed in hot climates. Ambient and surface temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and cloud cover were measured on two natural grass and two adjacent artificial turf surfaces. The highest temperatures were recorded on 3G artificial turf (M = 46.3°C, maximum = 86.6°C) and the lowest on irrigated natural grass (M = 24.1°C, maximum = 49.4°C). Overall, surface temperature was significantly associated with ambient temperature, wind speed , and cloud cover and with the interaction between ambient termperature and surface type. The current findings have implications for sport surface selection and management, particularly in hot climates.

Trends in body image of adolescent females in metropolitan and non-metropolitan regions: a longitudinal study

- Craike, Melinda, Young, Janet, Symons, Caroline, Pain, Michelle, Harvey, Jack, Eime, Rochelle, Payne, Warren

  • Authors: Craike, Melinda , Young, Janet , Symons, Caroline , Pain, Michelle , Harvey, Jack , Eime, Rochelle , Payne, Warren
  • Date: 2016
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: BMC Public Health Vol. 16, no. 1 (2016), p. 1-9
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  • Description: Background: Body dissatisfaction is associated with a range of adverse outcomes, including impaired psychological health, low physical activity and disordered eating. This longitudinal study used the Factors Influencing Transitions in Girls' Active Leisure and Sport (FITGALS) dataset to examine trends in body image of adolescent females. Specifically, the study examined satisfaction with body size, physical appearance and dieting behaviour for two cohorts at transitional life phases in two geographic regions longitudinally over a 3-year period. Methods: A sample of 732 adolescent females in Grade 7 (n = 489, 66.8 %) and Grade 11 (n = 243, 33.2 %) at randomly selected Australian metropolitan and non-metropolitan secondary schools responded to a questionnaire in three successive years from 2008 to 2010. Participants reported perceptions about their body size and physical appearance and whether they were, or ought to be, on a diet. The data were analysed using a series of longitudinal logistic regression models. Results: Dieting and dissatisfaction with body size significantly increased over time and more so for older than younger girls. Region significantly moderated the effect of grade level regarding dissatisfaction with body size but not dieting. In non-metropolitan regions, those in the younger cohort were significantly more likely to be dissatisfied with their body size than the older cohort; whereas in metropolitan regions, those in the older cohort were significantly more likely to be dissatisfied with their body size than the younger cohort. Adolescent female's perceptions of their appearance were unchanged over time, region and grade level. Conclusions: Differences across time, region and grade level were found among adolescent females on body size and dieting behaviour, but not physical appearance. Adolescent females experience early and increasing body size dissatisfaction and dieting as they age, but stable perceptions of physical appearance. Age and geographic region are important considerations for the timing and targeting of interventions to address body image concerns. Further investigation of regional differences in body image perceptions and factors that affect these is warranted. The findings of this study highlight the ongoing need for strategies during adolescence to promote a healthy appreciation of body size and appearance. © 2016 The Author(s).

Cognitive behaviour therapy for older adults experiencing insomnia and depression in a community mental health setting: Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

- Sadler, Paul, McLaren, Suzanne, Klein, Britt, Jenkins, Megan, Harvey, Jack

  • Authors: Sadler, Paul , McLaren, Suzanne , Klein, Britt , Jenkins, Megan , Harvey, Jack
  • Date: 2015
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Trials Vol. 16, no. 1 (2015), p.1-12
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  • Description: Background: Cognitive behaviour therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is a well-established treatment; however, the evidence is largely limited to homogenous samples. Although emerging research has indicated that CBT-I is also effective for comorbid insomnia, CBT-I has not been tested among a complex sample of older adults with comorbid insomnia and depression. Furthermore, no study has explored whether modifying CBT-I to target associated depressive symptoms could potentially enhance sleep and mood outcomes. Therefore, this study aims to report a protocol designed to test whether an advanced form of CBT for insomnia and depression (CBT-I-D) is more effective at reducing insomnia and depressive symptoms compared to a standard CBT-I and psychoeducation control group (PCG) for older adults in a community mental health setting. Methods/Design: We aim to recruit 150 older adults with comorbid insomnia who have presented to community mental health services for depression. Eligible participants will be randomly allocated via block/cluster randomisation to one of three group therapy conditions: CBT-I, CBT-I-D, or PCG. Participants who receive CBT-I will only practice strategies designed to improve their sleep, whereas participants who receive CBT-I-D will practice additional strategies designed to also improve their mood. This trial will implement a mixed-methods design involving quantitative outcome measures and qualitative focus groups. The primary outcome measures are insomnia and depression severity, and secondary outcomes are anxiety, hopelessness, beliefs about sleep, comorbid sleep conditions, and health. Outcomes will be assessed at pre-intervention (week 0), post-intervention (week 8), and 3-month follow-up (week 20). Discussion: This CBT study protocol has been designed to address comorbid insomnia and depression for older adults receiving community mental health services. The proposed trial will determine whether CBT-I is more effective for older adults with comorbid insomnia and depression compared to a PCG. It will also establish whether an advanced form of CBT-I-D generates greater reductions in insomnia and depression severity compared to standard CBT-I. The results from the proposed trial are anticipated to have important clinical implications for older adults, researchers, therapists, and community mental health services. Trial registration: Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR): ACTRN: 12615000067572 , Date Registered 12 December 2014. © 2015 Sadler et al.

Comparison of surface temperatures of different synthetic turf systems and natural grass: Have advances in synthetic turf technology made a difference

- Petrass, Lauren, Twomey, Dara, Harvey, Jack, Otago, Leonie, Lerossignol, Peter

  • Authors: Petrass, Lauren , Twomey, Dara , Harvey, Jack , Otago, Leonie , Lerossignol, Peter
  • Date: 2015
  • Type: Text , Conference paper
  • Relation: Vol. 229
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  • Description: Few studies have considered surface temperatures on the most recent synthetic turf products, and no empirical evidence is available on the more technologically advanced cool climate synthetic products which claim to reduce surface temperature. This article compared surface temperatures of typical third-generation synthetic turf with a cool climate product and also compared the synthetic turf products to natural grass to determine whether synthetic turf reacts differently to environmental factors and hence may increase heat-related health risks for participants. Surface temperatures were significantly associated with ambient temperature (F3,376 = 116.02, p < 0.001), relative humidity (F1,376 = 10.15, p = 0.028), and wind (F1,376 = 1.45, p = 0.004) having smaller effects. After adjustment for covariates, mean surface temperatures were significantly lower (40.79 °C) on a cool climate field compared to a typical third-generation field (44.91 °C), although both synthetic fields were considerably warmer than natural grass at the same venue (by 12.46 °C at the metropolitan venue and 22.15 °C at the regional venue). These findings provide initial insight into the potential value of cool climate products and will aid both design and development of synthetic turf products for the future. © IMechE 2014.

Different methods of training load quantification and their relationship to injury and illness in elite Australian football

- Veugelers, Kristopher, Young, Warren, Fahrner, Brendan, Harvey, Jack

  • Authors: Veugelers, Kristopher , Young, Warren , Fahrner, Brendan , Harvey, Jack
  • Date: 2015
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport Vol. , no. (2015), p.
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  • Description: Objectives: To compare different methods of training load (TL) quantification and their relationship to injury and illness in elite Australian footballers. Design: Prospective cohort study. Methods: Forty-five elite Australian footballers (mean ± standard deviation: age = 23.4 ± 3.8 years) from one elite club participated in this 15 week pre-season study. TL was quantified every session for each individual using four different methods involving rating of perceived exertion (RPE). Two of these methods enabled the quantification of TL for all exercise modalities whilsttwo were applicable only to outdoor field activities. One- and two-weekly cumulative TL was investigated against injury and illness data using a logistic regression model where the low TL group was considered as the reference group. Results: A general trend existed across all TL methods which suggested lower odds of injury and illness in high TL groups. The one-week RPE (all) and one-week RPE x Duration (all) methods detected reduced odds ofinjury inhighTL groups comparedto low TL groups (p < 0.05, OR = 0.199–0.202). Similarly,the one-week RPE (field) method identified lower illness odds in the high TL groups (p < 0.05, OR = 0.083–0.182). Conclusions: Higher TL appeared to provide a protective effect against both injury and illness. The inclusion of duration in the quantification of TL via RPE did not improve the ability of RPE to predict change in odds of injury or illness. © 2015 Sports Medicine Australia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Genome-wide sperm DNA methylation changes after 3 months of exercise training in humans

- Denham, Joshua, O'Brien, Brendan, Harvey, Jack, Charchar, Fadi

  • Authors: Denham, Joshua , O'Brien, Brendan , Harvey, Jack , Charchar, Fadi
  • Date: 2015
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Epigenomics Vol. 7, no. 5 (2015), p. 717-731
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  • Description: Aim: DNA methylation programs gene expression and is involved in numerous biological processes. Accumulating evidence supports transgenerational inheritance of DNA methylation changes in mammals via germ cells. Our aim was to determine the effect of exercise on sperm DNA methylation. Materials & methods: Twenty-four men were recruited and assigned to an exercise intervention or control group. Clinical parameters were measured and sperm samples were donated by subjects before and after the 3-month time-period. Mature sperm global and genome-wide DNA methylation was assessed using an ELISA assay and the 450K BeadChip (Illumina). Results: Global and genome-wide sperm DNA methylation was altered after 3 months of exercise training. DNA methylation changes occurred in genes related to numerous diseases such as schizophrenia and Parkinson's disease. Conclusions: Our study provides the first evidence showing exercise training reprograms the sperm methylome. Whether these DNA methylation changes are inherited to future generations warrants attention.

GPS variables most related to match performance in an elite Australian football team

- Bauer, Alexandra, Young, Warren, Fahrner, Brendan, Harvey, Jack

  • Authors: Bauer, Alexandra , Young, Warren , Fahrner, Brendan , Harvey, Jack
  • Date: 2015
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport Vol. 15, no. 1 (2015), p. 187-202
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  • Description: Player Rank (PR) and coaches' ratings (CR). Variables were sampled at 10Hz and partial correlations adjusted for game time were calculated between all variables and both performance measures, by position. Variables that displayed the highest partial correlations with both performance measures were used in a stepwise regression to identify the most relevant to performance. For the nomadic group, a negative relationship (P<0.05) was found between walking (distance and # entries) and PR. For the fixed players, a negative relationship (P<0.05) was evident between sprinting (# entries) and PR. However, a positive relationship (P<0.05) was found between CR and HSR (% time) and sprinting (distance). This indicates that the GPS variables that most relate to performance depend on the performance measure employed by coaches. The purpose of this study is to identify which GPS variables are most related to Australian football (AF) physical performance. Data was collected from thirty-five professional AF players over 11 games early in the 2013 Australian Football League (AFL) season. Match performance was measured by the Champion Data © 2015 International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport.

How healthy is Australian sport?

- Eime, Rochelle, Harvey, Jack

  • Authors: Eime, Rochelle , Harvey, Jack
  • Date: 2015
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Australasian Epidemiologist Vol. 22, no. 1 (2015), p. 9-10
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  • Description: Behavioural epidemiology in health promotion has been defined as having five phases: establishing links between behaviours and health; developing measures of the behaviour; identifying influences on the behaviour; evaluating interventions to change the behaviour; and translating the research into practice. This article outlines some recent developments in the application of behavioural epidemiology to the issue of sport participation in Australia and its consequential health benefits.

Integrating public health and sport management : Sport participation trends 2001-2010

- Eime, Rochelle, Sawyer, Neroli, Harvey, Jack, Casey, Meghan, Westerbeek, Hans, Payne, Warren

  • Authors: Eime, Rochelle , Sawyer, Neroli , Harvey, Jack , Casey, Meghan , Westerbeek, Hans , Payne, Warren
  • Date: 2015
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Sport Management Review Vol. 18, no. 2 (2015), p. 207-217
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  • Description: In order to inform strategies to increase levels of physical activity (PA) for a healthier society, it is important to understand participation trends in leisure-time physical activity (LTPA). Little is known about the context of LTPA participation, particularly from the perspective of "sport and recreation" (S&R) categories such as organised and club-based activities. The primary aim of this study is to contribute to the sport management literature by specifically examining PA participation levels and trends in Australia over a decade, for those aged 15 years and older, through the lens of S&R. This paper also discusses the potential synergy between the public health and sport management domains with regard to LTPA/S&R. The Australian Sports Commission provided data from the Exercise, Recreation and Sport Survey (ERASS), a population survey conducted quarterly from 2001 to 2010 by computer-assisted telephone interview. Participation in LTPA was analysed by year, gender and age, in three hierarchically related categories: (1) any LTPA participation, (2) participation in an organised context, and (3) organised participation in a club. Participation rates in any LTPA increased significantly over the decade. However, this was not matched by increases in organised and/or club participation, which largely remained steady over the 10-year period. Much of the organised participation was within a club setting, and participation in this context is more likely among males than females. There is some evidence that the overall level of LTPA is increasing, which is positive for health, but there was generally no increase in club-based participation, resulting in sport contributing relatively less to overall population LTPA. However, the depth of information available from population surveys regarding club-based LTPA is insufficient to draw definitive conclusions, or make important strategic decisions about sport and health policy. There is a critical need for more comprehensive sport participation data to provide the evidence for improved programme and policy development. An avenue for this to occur may be through the integration of participation data from peak sport organisations. (C) 2014 Sport Management Association of Australia and New Zealand. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Learning and development expertise: an Australian analysis

- Hodge, Steven, Harvey, Jack

  • Authors: Hodge, Steven , Harvey, Jack
  • Date: 2015
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: International Journal of Training and Development Vol. 19, no. 4 (2015), p. 270-286
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  • Description: Learning and development (&) practitioners draw on a distinctive range of knowledge, skills and techniques in their work. Over the years, there have been attempts to capture this range and identify typical & roles. The research presented here was undertaken to identify characteristic areas of expertise () of & practice in ustralia, and to collect data about roles and organizational settings in which these are deployed. The research was commissioned by the Australian Institute of training and development. Literature relating to & was consulted, and Australian & experts were interviewed to draft a list of &. Responses to a survey by 589 Australian & practitioners were used to appraise the model. A principal components analysis of perceptions of the importance of the different types of expertise revealed that practitioners tended to rate one of three ‘clusters’ as important to their work: a strategy and analysis cluster, a learning facilitation cluster and a design and systems cluster. This analysis raises the question of contemporary & roles with implications for strategic policy and professional associations. The typology may be utilized to target professional & activities, and provides impetus for further research to investigate the internal relationships between cluster components.
  • Description: Learning and development (&) practitioners draw on a distinctive range of knowledge, skills and techniques in their work. Over the years, there have been attempts to capture this range and identify typical & roles. The research presented here was undertaken to identify characteristic areas of expertise () of & practice in ustralia, and to collect data about roles and organizational settings in which these are deployed. The research was commissioned by the ustralian nstitute of raining and evelopment. Literature relating to & was consulted, and ustralian & experts were interviewed to draft a list of &. Responses to a survey by 589 ustralian & practitioners were used to appraise the model. A principal components analysis of perceptions of the importance of the different types of expertise revealed that practitioners tended to rate one of three ‘clusters’ as important to their work: a strategy and analysis cluster, a learning facilitation cluster and a design and systems cluster. This analysis raises the question of contemporary & roles with implications for strategic policy and professional associations. The typology may be utilized to target professional & activities, and provides impetus for further research to investigate the internal relationships between cluster components.

Participation in modified sports programs : A longitudinal study of children's transition to club sport competition

- Eime, Rochelle, Casey, Meghan, Harvey, Jack, Charity, Melanie, Young, Janet, Payne, Warren

  • Authors: Eime, Rochelle , Casey, Meghan , Harvey, Jack , Charity, Melanie , Young, Janet , Payne, Warren
  • Date: 2015
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: BMC Public Health Vol. 15, no. 1 (2015), p. 1-7
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  • Description: Background: Many children are not physically active enough for a health benefit. One avenue of physical activity is modified sport programs, designed as an introduction to sport for young children. This longitudinal study identified trends in participation among children aged 4-12 years. Outcomes included continuation in the modified sports program, withdrawal from the program or transition to club sport competition. Methods: De-identified data on participant membership registrations in three popular sports in the Australian state of Victoria were obtained from each sport's state governing body over a 4-year period (2009-2012 for Sport A and 2010-2013 for Sports B and C). From the membership registrations, those who were enrolled in a modified sports program in the first year were tracked over the subsequent three years and classified as one of: transition (member transitioned from a modified sport program to a club competition); continue (member continued participation in a modified sport program; or withdraw (member discontinued a modified program and did not transition to club competition). Results: Many modified sports participants were very young, especially males aged 4-6 years. More children withdrew from their modified sport program rather than transitioning. There were age differences between when boys and girls started, withdrew and transitioned from the modified sports programs. Conclusions: If we can retain children in sport it is likely to be beneficial for their health. This study highlights considerations for the development and implementation of sport policies and programming to ensure lifelong participation is encouraged for both males and females. © 2015 Eime et al.

Participation in sport and physical activity : associations with socio-economic status and geographical remoteness

- Eime, Rochelle, Charity, Melanie, Harvey, Jack, Payne, Warren

  • Authors: Eime, Rochelle , Charity, Melanie , Harvey, Jack , Payne, Warren
  • Date: 2015
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: BMC public health Vol. 15, no. (2015), p. 1-12
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  • Description: BACKGROUND: Many factors influence participation in sport and Physical Activity (PA). It is well established that socio-economic status (SES) is a critical factor. There is also growing evidence that there are differences in participation patterns according to residential location. However, little is known more specifically about the relationship of PA participation and frequency of participation in particular contexts, to SES and residential location. This study investigated the relationship of participation, and frequency and context of participation, to SES and location. METHODS: Three aspects of participation were investigated from data collected in the Exercise, Recreation and Sport Survey (ERASS) 2010 of persons aged 15+ years: any participation (yes, no), regular participation (<12 times per year, ≥ 12 times per year) and level of organisation of participation setting (non-organised, organised non-club setting, club setting). RESULTS: The rates of both any and regular PA participation increased as SES increased and decreased as remoteness increased. However, participation in PA was SES- or remoteness-prohibitive for only a few types of PA. As remoteness increased and SES decreased, participation in many team sports actually increased. For both SES and remoteness, there were more significant associations with overall participation, than with regular participation or participation in more organised contexts. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the complexity of the associations between SES and location across different contexts of participation. Nevertheless, it seems that once initial engagement in PA is established, SES and remoteness are not critical determinants of the depth of engagement.

Role models of Australian female adolescents: A longitudinal study to inform programmes designed to increase physical activity and sport participation

- Young, Janet, Symons, Caroline, Pain, Michelle, Harvey, Jack, Eime, Rochelle, Craike, Melinda, Payne, Warren

  • Authors: Young, Janet , Symons, Caroline , Pain, Michelle , Harvey, Jack , Eime, Rochelle , Craike, Melinda , Payne, Warren
  • Date: 2015
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: European Physical Education Review Vol. 21, no. 4 (2015), p. 451-466
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  • Description: In light of the importance attributed to the presence of positive role models in promoting physical activity during adolescence, this study examined role models of adolescent girls and their influence on physical activity. Seven hundred and thirty two girls in Years 7 and 11 from metropolitan and non-metropolitan regions of Victoria, Australia, were surveyed regarding whether they had a role model (in general, not limited to sport), and if they did, the gender, age, type and sporting background of that individual. Participants were also asked about the amount of physical activity they did. Descriptive statistics and a series of generalised estimating equations, one-way ANOVAs and a chi-square analysis were conducted to analyse the data. The majority of participants nominated a family member, peer or celebrity sportsperson as their role model who was female, played sport and was less than 50 years of age. Non-metropolitan-based adolescent girls, and Year 11 adolescent girls, were more likely to select a role model who they knew played sport than metropolitan-based adolescent girls and Year 7 girls respectively. In the first two years of the study girls whose role models played sport were significantly more physically active than girls whose role models did not play sport. It is recommended that family members, peers and sports people are included as role models in programmes designed to increase physical activity.

Socioecological factors potentially associated with participation in physical activity and sport : A longitudinal study of adolescent girls

- Eime, Rochelle, Casey, Meghan, Harvey, Jack, Sawyer, Neroli, Symons, Caroline, Payne, Warren

  • Authors: Eime, Rochelle , Casey, Meghan , Harvey, Jack , Sawyer, Neroli , Symons, Caroline , Payne, Warren
  • Date: 2015
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport Vol. 18, no. 6 (2015), p. 684-690
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  • Description: Objectives: Many adolescents are not physically active enough to receive associated health benefits. Furthermore, participation in physical activity generally declines during adolescence, and to a greater degree for females. Longitudinal research is required to better understand the determinants of change in physical activity by adolescent females to inform physical activity-related policy and practice. This study explored patterns of change in socioecological factors hypothesised to be associated with physical activity and sport, across the adolescent period for females. Methods: This longitudinal study employed three annual surveys of females from metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas recruited in Year 7 (n=328) and Year 11 (n=112). Self-report measures included questions regarding general barriers to participation, as well as factors relating to the socioecological domains. Results: The barriers where significant changes within or differences between cohorts were observed were mostly intrapersonal (lack of energy, lack of time due to other leisure activities). Lack of time was more prevalent in the Year 11 cohort than in the Year 7 cohort. Perceived importance of life priorities mainly related to education and study and more so for the Year 11 cohort. Perceived competence declined for the Year 7 cohort. Support from family and peers trended downwards in both cohorts, whereas access to facilities increased both within and between cohorts. Conclusions: Significant patterns of change in the determinants of physical activity participation were observed across the adolescent period. It is important to consider flexible structure and scheduling of physical activity and strategies to develop competency in childhood and early adolescence. (C) 2014 Sports Medicine Australia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The contribution of sport participation to overall health enhancing physical activity levels in Australia : A population-based study

- Eime, Rochelle, Harvey, Jack, Charity, Melanie, Casey, Meghan, van Uffelen, Jannique, Payne, Warren

  • Authors: Eime, Rochelle , Harvey, Jack , Charity, Melanie , Casey, Meghan , van Uffelen, Jannique , Payne, Warren
  • Date: 2015
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: BMC Public Health Vol. 15, no. 1 (2015), p. 1-12
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  • Description: Background: The contribution of sport to overall health-enhancing leisure-time physical activity (HELPA) in adults is not well understood. The aim was to examine this in a national sample of Australians aged 15+ years, and to extend this examination to other ostensibly sport-associated activities. Methods: The 2010 Exercise, Recreation and Sport Survey (ERASS) was conducted by telephone interview in four quarterly waves. Data from this survey were analysed to categorise leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) as HELPA or non-HELPA, and to categorise HELPA activities and sessions of HELPA activity by setting and frequency. The contribution of sport to HELPA was estimated, both directly through activities and settings classified as sport per se, and indirectly through other fitness activities ostensibly related to preparation for sport and enhancement of sport performance. Results: Of 21,602 respondents, 82 % reported some LTPA in the 12 months prior to the survey. In aggregate, respondents reported 37,020 activity types in the previous 12 months, of which 94 % were HELPA. Of HELPA activities, 71 % were non-organised, 11 % were organised but not sport club-based, and 18 % were sport club-based. Of all sport activities, 52 % were HELPA. Of sport HELPA, 33 % was sport club-based and 78 % was undertaken ≥12 times/year. Sport club members were significantly more likely to have participated in running, but significantly less likely to have participated in walking or aerobics/fitness training, than non-club members. Conclusions: Club sport participation contributes considerably to LTPA at health enhancing levels. Health promotion policies, and more specifically physical activity policies, should emphasize the role of sport in enhancing health. Sport policy should recognise the health-promoting role of community-based sport in addition to the current predominant focus on elite pathways. © 2015 Eime et al.

Assessment of decision-making performance and in-game physical exertion of Australian football umpires

- Larkin, Paul, O'Brien, Brendan, Mesagno, Christopher, Berry, Jason, Harvey, Jack, Spittle, Michael

  • Authors: Larkin, Paul , O'Brien, Brendan , Mesagno, Christopher , Berry, Jason , Harvey, Jack , Spittle, Michael
  • Date: 2014
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Journal of Sports Sciences Vol. 32, no. 15 (2014), p. 1446-1453
  • Full Text: false
  • Reviewed:
  • Description: The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of in-game physical exertion on decision-making performance of Australian football umpires. Fifteen Australian football umpires (Mage = 36, s = 13.5 years; Mgames umpired = 235.2, s = 151.3) volunteered to participate in the study. During five competitive Australian football pre-season games, measures of in-game physical exertion (blood lactate levels, global positioning system [GPS]) and decision-making performance (video-based test) were obtained. There were no significant correlations between physical exertion in a particular quarter and decision-making performance in either the same quarter or any other quarter. Video-based decision-making performance was effected by time in game χ2(3) = 24.24, P = 0.001, with Quarter 4 performance significantly better than both Quarter 2 and Quarter 3. In-game physical exertion (blood lactate) significantly decreased over the course of the game χ2(3) = 11.58, P = 0.009. Results indicate no definable link between in-game physical exertion and decision-making performance. It is, however, presumed that decision-making performance may be affected by the time or context of the game. Future research is warranted to explore the relationship between physical exertion and decision-making performance to potentially inform Australian football umpire training programmes that replicate in-game physical and decision-making demands.

Associations between behavior regulation, competence, physical activity, and health for adolescent females

- Craike, Melinda, Polman, Remco, Eime, Rochelle, Symons, Caroline, Harvey, Jack, Payne, Warren

Dose-response of women's health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and life satisfaction to physical activity

- Eime, Rochelle, Harvey, Jack, Payne, Warren

  • Authors: Eime, Rochelle , Harvey, Jack , Payne, Warren
  • Date: 2014
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Journal of Physical Activity and Health Vol. 11, no. 2 (2014), p. 330-338
  • Full Text: false
  • Reviewed:
  • Description: Background: To examine the dose-response relationship between health related quality of life (HRQoL) and life satisfaction (outcomes) and duration of recreational physical activity (exposure). Further, to explore whether these relationships depend on type of physical activity (PA). Methods: 793 Australian rural-living women self-reported on duration of recreational PA; HRQoL via SF-36 Mental Component Summary (MCS) and Physical Component Summary (PCS); and a life satisfaction scale. ANOVAs and ANCOVAs investigated differences in outcomes (MCS, PCS, and life satisfaction) between tertiles of exposure to recreational PA, and types of PA (club sport, gymnasium, walking), with adjustment for potential confounders. Results: A significant positive dose-response relationship was found between PCS and level of PA. Furthermore, this relationship depended on type of PA, with club-sport participants recording higher PCS than non-club-sport participants in all but the highest tertile of exposure. Life satisfaction and MCS were not significantly related to level of PA. Conclusion: Physical health was positively associated with level of recreational PA, with club sport participation contributing greater benefits at low to moderate exposures than participation in gymnasium or walking activities. © 2014 Human Kinetics, Inc.