Girls' transition from participation in a modified sport program to club sport competition - A study of longitudinal patterns and correlates
- Authors: Eime, Rochelle , Harvey, Jack , Charity, Melanie
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: BMC Public Health Vol. 18, no. 1 (2018), p. 1-7
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- Description: Background: Participation in sport is very popular for young children. Many children participate in entry-level modified sports programs. These programs are modified to match the developmental capacity of children and are aimed at development of fundamental motor skills and sport-specific skills, rather than competition. There is limited research on the longitudinal tracking of children in these programs and into club-based competition. Research suggests that most children drop-out of the sport and do not transition into club-based competition. Furthermore, more females than males drop-out of sport. The aim of this study is to investigate longitudinally, the patterns and demographic predictors of children's transition from modified sport programs to club sport competition for females. Methods: This study analysed sport participation for females in a popular Australian, predominantly female, sport. Players of the modified sports program were followed over 4 years to determine their pattern of transition: transition to junior player status, withdraw from the sport, or continue in the modified program. Pattern of transition was compared across age (4-10), geographical region (metropolitan/non-metropolitan) and socio-economic status (SES). Logistic regression was used to model the effect of the three factors on the likelihood of transition. Results: A total of 13,760 female children (aged 4-10) participated in the modified sport in the first year. The majority (59%) transitioned from the modified sport program and into club competition. However the rate of transition varied with age, residential location and socio-economic status, and there was an interaction between region and SES, with SES having a significant influence on transition in the metropolitan region. The peak sport entry age with the highest rates of transition was 7-9 years. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that whilst the majority of female participants continued participantion and tranisitioned from the modified sport program and into club competition, the strongest correlate of transition was age of entry, with transition rate peaking among those who commenced at age 7-9 years. It is recommended that, in order to maximise continued participation, sport policy and strategic developments should consider the possibility that targeting the very young is not the optimum recruitment strategy for fostering continued sport participation. © 2018 The Author(s).
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.
Effectiveness of a school-community linked program on physical activity levels and health-related quality of life for adolescent girls
- Authors: Casey, Meghan , Harvey, Jack , Telford, Amanda , Eime, Rochelle , Mooney, Amanda , Payne, Warren
- Date: 2014
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Bmc Public Health Vol. 14, no. (2014), p. 1-15
- Relation: http://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/LP0990206
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- Description: Background: This study evaluated the effectiveness of a school-community program on Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL; the primary outcome), physical activity (PA), and potential mediators of PA among adolescent girls living in low-socioeconomic rural/regional settings. Method: The study was a cluster-randomized controlled trial. Twelve communities with the requisite sports clubs and facilities were paired according to relevant criteria; one of each pair was randomly assigned to the intervention or control condition. Eight schools per condition were randomly selected from these communities and the intervention was conducted over one school year (2011). Female students in grades 7-9 in intervention schools participated in two 6-session PA units - a sport unit (football or tennis) and a recreational unit (leisure centre-based). These were incorporated into physical education (PE) curriculum and linked to PA opportunities for participation outside school. Students were surveyed at baseline and endpoint, self-reporting impact on primary and secondary outcome measures (HRQoL, PA) and PA mediators (e.g. self-efficacy). Linear mixed models for two-group (intervention, control) and three-group (completers, non-completers, control) analyses were conducted with baseline value, age and BMI as covariates, group as a fixed effect and school as random cluster effect. Results: Participants completing baseline and endpoint measures included: 358 intervention (baseline response rate 33.7%, retention rate 61.3%) and 256 control (14.1% and 84.0%). Adjustment for age and BMI made no substantive difference to outcomes, and there were no cluster effects. For HRQoL, after adjustment for baseline scores, the intervention group showed significantly higher scores on all three PedsQL scores (physical functioning: M +/- SE = 83.9 +/- 0.7, p = .005; psychosocial: 79.9 +/- 0.8, p = .001; total score: 81.3 +/- 0.7, p = .001) than the control group (80.9 +/- 0.8; 76.1 +/- 0.9 and 77.8 +/- 0.8). The three-group analysis found intervention non-completers had significantly higher PedsQL scores (84.0 +/- 0.8, p = .021; 80.4 +/- 0.9, p = .003; 81.7 +/- 0.8, p = .002;) than controls (80.9 +/- 0.8, 76.1 +/- 0.9 and 77.8 +/- 0.8). There were no significant differences for any PA measure. Intervention completers had significantly higher scores than non-completers and controls for some mediator variables (e.g. self-efficacy, behavioural control). Conclusion: Positive outcomes were achieved from a modest school-community linked intervention. The school component contributed to maintaining HRQoL; students who completed the community component derived a range of intra-personal and inter-personal benefits.
Chiropractic Observation and Analysis Study (COAST): Providing an understanding of current chiropractic practice
- Authors: French, Simon , Charity, Melanie , Forsdike, Kirsty , Gunn, Jane , Polus, Barbara , Walker, Bruce , Chondros, Patty , Britt, Helena
- Date: 2013
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Medical Journal of Australia Vol. 199, no. 10 (2013), p. 687-691
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- Description: Objectives: COAST (Chiropractic Observation and Analysis Study) aimed to describe the clinical practices of chiropractors in Victoria, Australia. Design: Cross-sectional study using the BEACH (Bettering the Evaluation and Care of Health) methods for general practice. Setting and participants: 180 chiropractors in active clinical practice in Victoria were randomly selected from the list of 1298 chiropractors registered on Chiropractors Registration Board of Victoria. Twenty-four chiropractors were ineligible, 72 agreed to participate, and 52 completed the study. Main outcome measures: Each participating chiropractor documented encounters with up to 100 consecutive patients. For each chiropractor-patient encounter, information collected included patient health profile, patient reasons for encounter, problems and diagnoses, and chiropractic care. Results: Data were collected on 4464 chiropractor-patient encounters from 52 chiropractors between 11 December 2010 and 28 September 2012. In most (71%) encounters, patients were aged 25-64 years; 1% of encounters were with infants (age < 1 year; 95% CI, 0.3%-3.2%). Musculoskeletal reasons for encounter were described by patients at a rate of 60 per 100 encounters (95% CI, 54-67 encounters) and maintenance and wellness or check-up reasons were described at a rate of 39 per 100 encounters (95% CI, 33-47 encounters). Back problems were managed at a rate of 62 per 100 encounters (95% CI, 55-71 encounters). The most frequent care provided by the chiropractors was spinal manipulative therapy and massage. Conclusions: A range of conditions are managed by chiropractors in Victoria, Australia, but most commonly these conditions are musculoskeletal-related. These results can be used by stakeholders of the chiropractic profession in workforce development, education and health care policy.
Greater understanding of normal hip physical function may guide clinicians in providing targeted rehabilitation programmes
- Authors: Kemp, Joanne , Schache, Anthony , Makdissi, Michael , Sims, Kevin , Crossley, Kay
- Date: 2013
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport Vol. 16, no. 4 (2013), p. 292-296
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- Description: Objectives: This study investigated tests of hip muscle strength and functional performance. The specific objectives were to: (i) establish intra- and inter-rater reliability; (ii) compare differences between dominant and non-dominant limbs; (iii) compare agonist and antagonist muscle strength ratios; (iv) compare differences between genders; and (v) examine relationships between hip muscle strength, baseline measures and functional performance. Design: Reliability study and cross-sectional analysis of hip strength and functional performance. Methods: In healthy adults aged 18-50. years, normalised hip muscle peak torque and functional performance were evaluated to: (i) establish intra-rater and inter-rater reliability; (ii) analyse differences between limbs, between antagonistic muscle groups and genders; and (iii) associations between strength and functional performance. Results: Excellent reliability (intra-rater ICC = 0.77-0.96; inter-rater ICC = 0.82-0.95) was observed. No difference existed between dominant and non-dominant limbs. Differences in strength existed between antagonistic pairs of muscles: hip abduction was greater than adduction (p < 0.001) and hip ER was greater than IR (p < 0.001). Men had greater ER strength (p = 0.006) and hop for distance (p < 0.001) than women. Strong associations were observed between measures of hip muscle strength (except hip flexion) and age, height, and functional performance. Conclusions: Deficits in hip muscle strength or functional performance may influence hip pain. In order to provide targeted rehabilitation programmes to address patient-specific impairments, and determine when individuals are ready to return to physical activity, clinicians are increasingly utilising tests of hip strength and functional performance. This study provides a battery of reliable, clinically applicable tests which can be used for these purposes. © 2012 Sports Medicine Australia.
A prospective study of coping and adjustment in adolescents with craniofacial conditions
- Authors: Roberts, Rachel , Shute, Rosalyn
- Date: 2012
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Children's Health Care Vol. 41, no. 2 (2012), p. 111-128
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- Description: This study aimed to examine the role of coping strategy use in concurrent and later adjustment in adolescents with craniofacial anomalies (CFAs). It was expected that better adjustment at both baseline and 12 months would be related to greater baseline perceived coping efficacy, greater use of active coping and social support seeking, and less use of avoidance strategies. Eighty adolescents with CFAs and their parents completed measures of adjustment, coping strategy use, and efficacy in response to CFA-related stressful situations. Fifty-five families completed these measures again 12 months later. Overall, the predicted pattern of correlations between coping and adjustment was found. However, coping and efficacy at baseline did not explain a significant proportion of the variance in adjustment measures 1 year later, after controlling for baseline adjustment. Such prospective findings are beginning to bring into question the assumed importance of coping in pediatric adjustment. © 2012 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.
Observations of caregiver supervision of children at beaches : Identification of factors associated with high supervision
- Authors: Petrass, Lauren , Blitvich, Jennifer , Finch, Caroline
- Date: 2011
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Injury Prevention Vol. 17, no. 4 (2011), p. 244-249
- Relation: http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/565900
- Relation: http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/565904
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- Description: Objective: To identify independent factors associated with caregiver supervision levels at beaches. Methods: Children (aged 1-14 years) engaged in beach play and their caregivers were observed at Australian beaches during September-April, 2008/09. Caregiver, child, and environmental factor data were collected and recorded on a validated observation instrument. The main outcome of interest was a continuous measure of supervision. After adjusting for potential clustering by beach/state, multivariable linear regression was used to identify independent factors associated with caregiver supervision. Results: Four independent predictors of supervision and one interaction effect (child age by the caregiver and child position on beach) were identified. Caregivers who were supervising from a different position to where the child was playing were less likely to provide high supervision, as were older caregivers (>35 years) compared to younger caregivers (≤34 years). Compared to children playing alone, children playing with one, or two or more others were less likely to receive high supervision, and children aged 1-4 years were likely to receive higher supervision than older children. Conclusion: This study provides new knowledge about underlying factors associated with the level of caregiver supervision in beach settings. Future studies should continue to explore independent predictors of supervision so that effective programmes, which focus on caregiver supervision, can be targeted to address poor supervision practices.
Statistical modelling of falls count data with excess zeros
- Authors: Khan, Asaduzzaman , Ullah, Shahid , Nitz, Jenny
- Date: 2011
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Injury Prevention Vol. 17, no. 4 (2011), p. 266-270
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- Description: Objective To examine the appropriateness of different statistical models in analysing falls count data. Methods Six count models (Poisson, negative binomial (NB), zero-inflated Poisson (ZIP), zero-inflated NB (ZINB), hurdle Poisson (HP) and hurdle NB (HNB)) were used to analyse falls count data. Empirical evaluation of the competing models was performed using model selection criteria and goodness-of-fit through simulation. Data used were from a prospective cohort study of women aged 40-80 years. Results Of the 465 women analysed, 330 (71%) did not fall at all. The analyses identified strong evidence of overdispersion in the falls data. The NB-based regression models (HNB, ZINB, NB) were better performed than the Poisson-based regression models (Poisson, ZIP, HP). Vuong tests favoured the HNB model over the NB and ZINB models and the NB model over the ZINB model. Model accuracy measures and Monte Carlo simulation of goodness-of-fit confirmed the lack of fit of the Poissonbased regression models and demonstrated the best fit for the HNB model with comparable good fit for the ZINB and NB models. Conclusions Falls count data consisting of a considerable number of zeros can be appropriately modelled by the NBbased regression models, with the HNB model offering he best fit. The evaluation procedure presented in this aper provides a defensible guideline to appropriately odel falls or similar count data with excess zeros.
An evaluation of 'Reach Out Central': An online gaming program for supporting the mental health of young people
- Authors: Shandley, Kerrie , Austin, David , Klein, Britt , Kyrios, Michael
- Date: 2010
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Health Education Research Vol. 25, no. 4 (2010), p. 563-574
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- Description: The objective of this study was to conduct an evaluation of Reach Out Central (ROC), an online gaming program designed to support the mental health of people aged 16-25. The evaluation sought to determine the benefit of playing ROC on alcohol use, use of coping strategies, psychological distress, resilience and satisfaction with life. Changes in mental health literacy, mental health stigma and willingness to seek help and program satisfaction were also investigated. A single group (N=266) quasi-experimental repeated measures (pre-, post-program, 2-month follow-up) design was employed. The results demonstrated positive improvements across all outcome measures for females; however, a non-significant worsening effect was observed for males on seeking support, avoidance and resilience. Improvements for both genders were observed on mental health literacy and help-seeking. However, literacy levels and help-seeking were significantly higher, and stigma significantly lower for females. Program satisfaction ratings were high irrespective of gender. Although some inconsistencies between genders were noted, ROC appears to enhance protective factors for the prevention or early intervention of mental health disorders. The results of this study need to be viewed with its limitations in mind, specifically, the use of an open trial methodology and the small number of male participants. © The Author 2009. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.