Five-year changes in community-level sport participation, and the role of gender strategies
- Authors: Eime, Rochelle , Charity, Melanie , Harvey, Jack , Westerbeek, Hans
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Frontiers in Sports and Active Living Vol. 3, no. (2021), p.
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- Description: Background: The rate of participation in community-based sport by boys and men has been double that of girls and women. Contributing to this is the fact that some sports have been traditionally male-only or at least very male-dominated. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate changes in participation in sport by sex and age across 10 major sports in Australia over a 5-year period. In conjunction with the analysis of participation trends, the gender strategies that were developed and implemented during this time are reviewed. Methods: This study encompassed all sport participants registered with one of 10 State Sporting Associations in Victoria, Australia in 2015 and in 2019. Participation rates by region, age and sex were calculated. State sport and health policies relating to female participation in sport were reviewed. Results: There were 749,037 registrations in 2015 and 868,266 in 2019. A comparison between 2015 and 2019 shows increases in participation for women and girls across all age groups (4–84 years), and highest increases for those aged 4 (6.6%) and 5–9 (4.7%). For boys there was a considerable decrease in participation for those aged 5–9 years (−3.8%). Discussion: This study provides evidence that whilst participation in sport is still dominated by males, the gap might be gradually closing and this is in line with recent strategies and investments into sport and wider cultural developments in society. The implications of these findings are discussed. Copyright © 2021 Eime, Charity, Harvey and Westerbeek. Corrigendum: Five-Year Changes in Community-Level Sport Participation, and the Role of Gender Strategies (Front. Sports Act. Living., (2021), 3, (710666), https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2021.798271
Gender inclusive sporting environments : the proportion of women in non-player roles over recent years
- Authors: Eime, Rochelle , Charity, Melanie , Foley, B. C. , Fowlie, J. , Reece, L.
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation Vol. 13, no. 1 (2021), p.
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- Description: Background: Throughout the ecosystem of sport, women have been and continue to be underrepresented at all levels compared to men. The capacity of community-level sport is heavily reliant on the many non-player roles including governance, as well as administration, coaching and officiating. Recently there has been increased attention to improving the gender balance in sport. The aim of this study is to investigate the proportions of women engaged in non-playing roles in sport (2016–2018). Methods: This study involved secondary analysis of the AusPlay survey, a national population survey, funded by Sport Australia. This study utilised data from people aged 15-years or older about their involvement in non-playing roles in sport, and their demographic data. Survey respondents were asked “During the last 12 months, have you been involved with any sports in a nonplaying role, such as official, coach, referee, administrator, etc?” Analysis of non-player role responses focussed specifically on the top four non-player role categories; coach, official, administrator and manager. Frequency analysis concentrated on the distribution of men and women involvement in a non-player capacity for the three years, with detailed analysis of the most recent year (2018). Results: In this study of 61,578 Australians there was a higher proportion of men in non-player roles in sport compared to women, across each of the three years (2018: men 55 %, women 46 %). Involvement of women in coaching increased significantly from 38 % to 2016 to 44 % in 2018 (p < 0.001). The proportion of women involved in administration roles significantly decreased from a peak of 51 % in 2017 to 46 % in 2018 (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Aligned with strategic policy and investment strategies, there are gradual increased representation of women in non-playing sport, coaching roles. Women are still underrepresented in terms of coaches, officials and administrators, but are more likely to be managers. It is recommended that there is continued mentoring, identification and emphasising of female role models, and further strategies to increase female presence in non-playing roles. We recommend that future research, in line with appropriate gender and cultural-change theories, investigates and discusses the progress of gender equality throughout playing and non-playing role in sport. © 2021, The Author(s).
The physical activity and sport participation framework—a policy model toward being physically active across the lifespan
- Authors: Westerbeek, Hans , Eime, Rochelle
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Frontiers in Sports and Active Living Vol. 3, no. (2021), p.
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- Description: The changing social and policy context in which sport is produced, delivered, and consumed is considered as a foundation for proposing a new integrated framework that incorporates participation in sport with participation in leisure-time physical activity (PA) more broadly. In order to position sport in the broader context of leisure-time PA, the concept of physical literacy is reviewed and integrated into the theoretical foundations of a new lifespan framework. It is argued that historically, sport policy largely focused on competitive club-based sport and elite performance and that in line with this, talent development pathway models were developed and implemented. However, with increasing physical inactivity globally, these models do not apply to the general population. This is why we propose a population-based “whole of sport ecosystem” lifespan model—the Physical Activity and Sport Participation (PASP) framework. We conclude that this framework may serve as a holistic policy and implementation guide for all in the sport ecosystem. This includes governmental PA and sport policy makers, sport governing bodies and clubs, and the ever-increasing range of private PA and sport providers and also health agencies. In recognition of the changing patterns of participation in PA and sport across the lifespan, the PASP framework can contribute to coordinated and integrated PA and sport policy development, which, in turn, can lead to strategies that tackle the global physical inactivity crisis. © 2021 Westerbeek and Eime.
A mixed-methods case study exploring the impact of participation in community activity groups for older adults on physical activity, health and wellbeing
- Authors: Lindsay-Smith, Gabrielle , Eime, Rochelle , O'Sullivan, Grant , Harvey, Jack , van Uffelen, Jannique
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Bmc Geriatrics Vol. 19, no. 1 (2019), p. 1-15
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- Description: Background Regular physical activity (PA) has many health benefits but declines with age. Community multi-activity groups offering volunteer-led socially-oriented activity programs could provide an opportunity for older people to maintain or increase PA levels and promote their health. The aim of this study was to examine the potential effect of becoming a member of an existing community activity group on PA levels, physical and mental health-related quality of life (HR QoL), comparing any impacts associated with participation in physical activity or social activity programs. Methods This mixed-methods case study, combining a longitudinal quantitative-survey with qualitative focus groups to contextualise the survey results, focused on an Australian community organisation called Life Activities Clubs (LACs). LACs provide various physical activities (e.g. walking, cycling, dancing) and social activities (e.g. book groups, dine-outs, craft). Data were collected using a self-report survey administered at baseline, six and twelve-months after joining and group differences between participants of PA programs (PA group) and social programs (social group) were analysed using linear mixed-models. Two focus groups with LAC members were held, one representing each activity type and analysed using content and thematic analysis. Results 35 people (mean age 67) completed the surveys and 11 people participated in the focus groups. PA levels and physical health-related QoL were maintained over 1 year in the PA group, and declined between baseline and 12-months in the social group. Focus groups suggested social aspects of PA programs increased motivation to maintain regular attendance and do more PA than participants would on their own and that physical activities provided health benefits. Mental HR QoL did not change in either group, focus groups suggested this was because the social aspects of both types of program provide benefits relating to mental health including stress relief, enjoyment and adapting to major life events, to prevent a decline in QoL. Conclusions Community PA programs appear to maintain PA levels and physical HR QoL in older adults, and both social and PA programs may maintain mental HR QoL. Incorporating both types of program into one organisation may also encourage less physically active members to try physical activities.
A mixed methods case study exploring the impact of membership of a multi-activity, multicentre community group on social wellbeing of older adults
- Authors: Lindsay-Smith, Gabrielle , O'Sullivan, Grant , Eime, Rochelle , Harvey, Jack , van Uffelen, Jannique
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: BMC Geriatrics Vol. 18, no. 1 (2018), p. 1-14
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- Description: Background: Social wellbeing factors such as loneliness and social support have a major impact on the health of older adults and can contribute to physical and mental wellbeing. However, with increasing age, social contacts and social support typically decrease and levels of loneliness increase. Group social engagement appears to have additional benefits for the health of older adults compared to socialising individually with friends and family, but further research is required to confirm whether group activities can be beneficial for the social wellbeing of older adults. Methods: This one-year longitudinal mixed methods study investigated the effect of joining a community group, offering a range of social and physical activities, on social wellbeing of adults with a mean age of 70. The study combined a quantitative survey assessing loneliness and social support (n = 28; three time-points, analysed using linear mixed models) and a qualitative focus group study (n = 11, analysed using thematic analysis) of members from Life Activities Clubs Victoria, Australia. Results: There was a significant reduction in loneliness (p = 0.023) and a trend toward an increase in social support (p = 0.056) in the first year after joining. The focus group confirmed these observations and suggested that social support may take longer than 1 year to develop. Focus groups also identified that group membership provided important opportunities for developing new and diverse social connections through shared interest and experience. These connections were key in improving the social wellbeing of members, especially in their sense of feeling supported or connected and less lonely. Participants agreed that increasing connections was especially beneficial following significant life events such as retirement, moving to a new house or partners becoming unwell. Conclusions: Becoming a member of a community group offering social and physical activities may improve social wellbeing in older adults, especially following significant life events such as retirement or moving-house, where social network changes. These results indicate that ageing policy and strategies would benefit from encouraging long-term participation in social groups to assist in adapting to changes that occur in later life and optimise healthy ageing.
Sport for adults aged 50+years : Participation benefits and barriers
- Authors: Jenkin, Claire , Eime, Rochelle , Westerbeek, Hans , van Uffelen, Jannique
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Aging and Physical Activity Vol. 26, no. 3 (2018), p. 363-371
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- Description: Despite the health benefits of sport, the proportion of people participating in sport decreases with age. This qualitative study explored the benefits and barriers regarding older adult community sport participation, from the perspective of national sporting organizations, in addition to older adult sport club and nonsport club members, across eight focus group interviews (n = 49). Seven benefits were discussed, primarily social and physical health and intergenerational opportunities. Ten barriers were also discussed, including physical health, time constraints, and lack of appropriate playing opportunities. Ensuring access to activities that can benefit social health is of great importance to older adults. As sport can provide participation opportunities across generations, it can be an ideal physical activity option for this age group. However, a major barrier is that sport policy often prioritizes the participation for younger age groups. Policymakers should include a focus on older adults, to derive social health benefits.
Patterns of time use among regional and rural adolescent girls : Associations with correlates of physical activity and health-related quality of life
- Authors: Casey, Meghan , Harvey, Jack , Telford, Amanda , Eime, Rochelle , Mooney, Amanda , Payne, Warren
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport Vol. 19, no. 11 (2016), p. 931-935
- Relation: http://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/LP0990206
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- Description: Objectives: To describe patterns of time use among regional and rural adolescent girls and compare identified clusters with respect to correlates of physical activity (PA) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Methods: Data were from Year 7-9 adolescent girls (aged 12-15 years) from 16 schools involved in a cluster-randomised trial in regional and rural Victoria, Australia (n = 494). Time use data were collected using 24-h Previous Day Physical Activity Recall (PDPAR-24) questionnaire, collapsed into 17 categories of time use. Differences between time use clusters with regard to demographics, correlates of PA and HRQoL measured using PedsQL 4.0 Generic Core Scales, were investigated. Results: Two time use clusters were identified and were associated with correlates of PA and HRQoL. Girls who spent significantly more time in teams sports, non-team sports, school classes, watching TV and sleeping had higher levels of positively aligned PA correlates (e.g. self-efficacy, perceived sports competence) and HRQoL than girls characterised with high levels of computer use and video gaming. Conclusions: These findings highlight how different activity patterns of regional and rural girls affect HRQoL and can inform future intervention strategies to improve PA levels and HRQoL. Clusters characterised by low levels of PA and high computer use and video gaming require targeted interventions to address barriers to their participation. (C) 2016 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of Sports Medicine Australia.
Role models of Australian female adolescents: A longitudinal study to inform programmes designed to increase physical activity and sport participation
- 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
- 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.
Associations between behavior regulation, competence, physical activity, and health for adolescent females
- Authors: Craike, Melinda , Polman, Remco , Eime, Rochelle , Symons, Caroline , Harvey, Jack , Payne, Warren
- Date: 2014
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Physical Activity and Health Vol. 11, no. 2 (2014), p. 410-418
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Dose-response of women's health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and life satisfaction to physical activity
- 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
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- 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.
Understanding the contexts of adolescent female participation in sport and physical activity
- Authors: Eime, Rochelle , Harvey, Jack , Sawyer, Neroli , Craike, Melinda , Symons, Caroline , Polman, Remco , Payne, Warren
- Date: 2013
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Research quarterly for exercise and sport Vol. 84, no. 2 (2013), p. 157-166
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- Description: Purpose: Participation in physical activity (PA) is reported to decline in adolescence, particularly for girls. However, we do not know if this decline in PA is consistent across modes and settings or whether there are transfers of participation between modes and settings. Nor do we understand the changes in specific types of PA or the interaction between types of participation and different modes/settings. This study investigated contexts of PA participation for female adolescents at two life transition points. Method: A survey of 489 Year 7 and 243 Year 11 adolescent girls was conducted, incorporating a measure of overall PA level and participation rates in seven modes/settings and in specific types of sport and PA. Results: Less than half of the respondents met or exceeded the recommended level of moderate or vigorous PA-60 min or more-on the previous day, and there was no statistically significant difference in the proportions in Years 7 and 11 (39.5% vs. 45.9%; p > .05). However, older adolescents shifted their participation away from organized, competitive modes and settings toward nonorganized and noncompetitive modes and settings and individual types of PA. Conclusions: An understanding of the changes in PA modes and settings identified here can inform the planning of policies and implementation of programs for the promotion of PA by adolescent girls.
Triple G (Girls Get Going): Design of an intervention to foster and promote sport and physical activity among adolescent girls
- Authors: Casey, Meghan , Mooney, Amanda , Harvey, Jack , Eime, Rochelle , Telford, Amanda , Smyth, John , Payne, Warren
- Date: 2011
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport Vol. 14, no. Supplement 1 (December 2011 2011), p. e78
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- Description: C1
Does sports club participation contribute to health-related quality of life?
- Authors: Eime, Rochelle , Harvey, Jack , Brown, Wendy , Payne, Warren
- Date: 2010
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise Vol. 42, no. 5 (2010), p. 1022-1028
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- Description: Does Sports Club Participation Contribute to Health-Related Quality of Life? Med. Sci. Sports Exerc., Vol. 42, No. 5, pp. 1022-1028, 2010. Given the social nature of participation in sport, we hypothesized that club sports participants would have greater well-being and quality of life than participants in other forms of physical activity (PA). Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine health-related quality of life and life satisfaction in women who participate in three contrasting forms of PA: club sport, gym activities, and walking. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of the relationship between type of PA setting and measures of health-related quality of life (Short-Form Health Survey [SF-36]) and life satisfaction in 818 women living in rural Victoria, Australia, in 2007. Data were also compared with those from a normative sample of 2345 women. Results: After adjustment for potential confounders (age,! education, marital status, children aged <16 yr, perceived financial stress, and level of recreational PA), four of the eight SF-36 subscales, the SF-36 mental health component summary score, and life satisfaction were significantly higher in the club sport group than that in the other groups. Conclusion: Although cross-sectional research cannot establish causal links, the results suggest that participation in club sport may enhance the health benefits of PA.
- Description: 2003008119
Making sporting clubs healthy and welcoming environments : A strategy to increase participation
- Authors: Eime, Rochelle , Payne, Warren , Harvey, Jack
- Date: 2008
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport Vol. 11, no. 2 (2008), p. 146-154
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- Description: Sporting clubs are an ideal setting to promote community-wide participation in physical activity. Using the principles of the Ottawa Charter as a guide, this study explored the factors affecting the development of supportive environments as a mechanism to increase participation in club sport. The Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth) funds State Sporting Associations (SSAs) to develop healthy and welcoming environments (HWE) in their associated clubs. The program focus areas are: welcoming and inclusive environments, sports injury prevention, 'smoke-free' environments, responsible serving of alcohol, sun protection and healthy eating. This paper sought to determine whether or not SSA Executive Officers (EOs) believe that the creation of a supportive environment will facilitate sporting club membership and to identify the factors that affect the development of the HWEs. Forty-two (82.4%) of the 51 funded SSAs completed a general survey and 36 (70.6%) of EOs responded to questions that were specifically addressed to them. EOs from six SSAs also participated in semi-structured interviews. SSA EOs (97.2%) believed that the creation of HWE in clubs would facilitate increases in participant membership. However, the data indicate incomplete development of the HWE focus areas at the club level because of limited club capacity and limited SSA support. Reportedly, the SSAs are at the stage of raising program awareness at the club level. It is suggested that SSAs should plan a structured approach to the development of HWEs that acknowledges the diverse capacity of their clubs, and garner the support of key club volunteers in order to establish HWEs. Crown Copyright © 2007.
- Description: C1
The epidemiology of head, face and eye injuries to female lacrosse players in Australia
- Authors: Otago, Leonie , Adamcewicz, Erin , Eime, Rochelle , Maher, Shelley
- Date: 2007
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International journal of injury control and safety promotion Vol. 14, no. 4 (2007), p. 259-261
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- Description: C1
- Description: 2003005621
Linking school-based sport programs to sport club membership
- Authors: Payne, Warren , Eime, Rochelle , Harvey, Jack , Maher, Shelley , Strachan, J.
- Date: 2006
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport Vol. 9, no. Supplement 1 (2006), p. 39-40
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- Description: This research was undertaken as part of the evaluation of the VicHealth Participation for Health (PfH) Scheme. VicHealth allocate A$ 3.3 million per year to support Victorian state sporting associations (SSAs) through the PfH Scheme to increase population physical activity levels and health via increasing membership of sporting clubs. SSAs were required to allocate a portion of these funds to participation based programs. While setting for participation was not directed, many (n = 27, 44.0%) of the SSAs conducted school-based sport programs. This research sought to explore the factors affecting the linking of school-based programs with sporting club membership. SSAs reported that 50.6% of the PfH Scheme programs (n = 43) were delivered in a school setting. Focus-group discussions found that, in general, the SSAs did not see the school-based programs being a vehicle for directly recruiting club members. Rather, the programs were used to increase the visibility of the sport, train teachers in the sport and to involve children in physical activity. Barriers to linking school-based program participation to club membership included conflict in program delivery time with club activities, and limited ability of club volunteers to assist with school-based programs. A case-study will be presented which involves the introduction of yachting into schools. In general, the SSAs believed school-based engagement was a poor investment. They also felt that agencies such as VicHealth should advocate for the provision of adequate sport infrastructure within schools rather than the schools relying upon the limited resources of the sporting sector to provide school sport services.
Do squash players accurately report use of appropriate protective eyewear?
- Authors: Eime, Rochelle , Finch, Caroline , Owen, Neville , McCarty, Catherine
- Date: 2005
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport Vol. 8, no. 3 (2005), p. 352-356
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- Description: Self-report surveys are a common method of collecting data on protective equipment use in sport. The aim of this study was to assess the validity of self-reported use of appropriate protective eyewear by squash players. Surveys of squash players' appropriate protective eyewear behaviours were conducted over two consecutive years (2002 and 2003) at randomly-selected squash venues in Melbourne, Australia. Over the two years, 1219 adult players were surveyed (response rate of 92%). Trained observers also recorded the actual oncourt appropriate protective eyewear behaviours of all players during the survey sessions. Eyewear use rates calculated from both data sources were compared. The self-reported appropriate protective eyewear use rate (9.4%; 95% CI 7.8, 11.0) was significantly higher (1.6 times more) than the observed rate (5.9%; 95%CI 4.6, 7.2). This suggests that players may over-report their use of appropriate protective equipment, though some may have incorrectly classified their eyewear as being appropriate or suitably protective. Studies that rely only on self-report data on protective equipment use need to take into account that this could lead to biased estimates.
- Description: C1
- Description: 2003001110
The effectiveness of a squash eyewear promotion strategy
- Authors: Eime, Rochelle , Finch, Caroline , Wolfe, R. , Owen, Neville , McCarty, Catherine
- Date: 2005
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Britsh Journal of Sports Medicine Vol. 39, no. (2005), p. 681-684
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- Description: Objective: To evaluate the protective eyewear promotion (PEP) project, which was a comprehensive educational strategy to increase the use of appropriate protective eyewear by squash players. Methods: An ecological study design was used. Four squash venues in one playing association were randomly chosen to receive PEP and four in another association maintained usual practice and hence formed a control group. The primary evaluation measurements were surveys of cross sectional samples of players carried out before and after the intervention. The surveys investigated players’ knowledge, behaviours, and attitudes associated with the use of protective eyewear. The survey carried out after the intervention also determined players’ exposure to PEP. Univariate and multivariate analyses were undertaken to describe differences at PEP venues from pre- to post-intervention and to compare these with the control venues. Results: The PEP players had 2.4 times the odds (95% confidence interval, 1.3 to 4.2) of wearing appropriate eyewear compared with control group players post-intervention, relative to the groups’ preintervention baselines. Components of PEP, such as stickers and posters and the availability and prominent positioning of the project eyewear, were found to contribute to players adopting favourable eyewear behaviours. Conclusions: Components of the PEP intervention were shown to be effective. The true success will be the sustainability and dissemination of the project, favourable eyewear behaviours, and evidence of the prevention of eye injuries long into the future.
- Description: C1
- Description: 2003005015
Unprotected eyes in squash : Not seeing the risk of injury
- Authors: Eime, Rochelle , McCarty, Catherine , Finch, Caroline , Owen, Neville
- Date: 2005
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport Vol. 8, no. 1 (2005), p. 92-100
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- Description: The use of appropriate eyewear in squash can protect the eyes against injury. However, few adult squash players adequately protect their eyes against potential severe injuries. We describe the characteristics of non-users of protective eyewear and examine predictors of appropriate eyewear use. Self-report surveys of adult players were conducted in metropolitan Melbourne, Australia. Information on players' knowledge, behaviours and attitudes associated with protective eyewear use was collected, in addition to player demographic data. Appropriate eyewear was defined as Standards-approved polycarbonate lens eyewear. The majority 92.2% of players did not adequately protect their eyes while playing squash. Significant predictors of reported eyewear use were: previous eye injury; playing squash on average more than 2 hr per wk; having played for more than 20 y; and having more favourable attitudes towards eye safety in squash. The significant predictors of appropriate eyewear use were: being female; previous eye injury; playing squash on average more than 2 hr per week; and having more favourable attitudes towards eye safety in squash. Understanding the characteristics of both users and non-users of appropriate eye protection in squash is essential for informing future prevention strategies.
- Description: C1
- Description: 2003001112