Physical education (PE) has a unique opportunity in not only supporting children with disabilities but also their parents’ physical-activity knowledge and support behaviors. Therefore, the purpose of this systematic literature review was to synthesize published studies regarding parent perspectives toward physical education (PE) for their children with disabilities. A total of 19 articles met inclusion criteria. Three themes emerged: (a) parents’ understanding of adapted PE (A/PE), (b) parents’ expectations of A/PE teachers, and (c) parents’ undeveloped relationships with A/PE teachers. There exists a disconnection between parent expectations and PE teachers’ abilities to accommodate their children and develop lines of communication. Additionally, parental value toward PE was often lower compared with other areas of need for their children. Future research suggests exploring teacher perspectives in understanding the relationships with parents. Furthermore, exploring the origins of parental values for PE and its impact on their perspectives warrants further investigation.
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Perceptions of Parents of Children With Disabilities Toward Physical Education: A Systematic Review
Adam S. Forbes, Fabián Arroyo-Rojas, and Martin E. Block
Sequential Decision Making in Beach Volleyball—A Mixed-Method Approach
Sandra Ittlinger, Steffen Lang, Daniel Link, and Markus Raab
Which opponent player to sequentially serve to in beach volleyball is crucial given the advantage of the attacking team. The sequential choice theory was tested in three studies by analyzing allocation strategies based on the hot hand belief. Study 1 showed strong belief in the hot hand of national coaches. In Study 2, we analyzed Tokyo Olympics data to explore how base rates and sequential selection rates varied in an elite sample. When base rates of players differed by 0.25, low-performing players were frequently selected. In an experiment with elite athletes, Study 3A demonstrated accurate base-rate-difference recognition but low base-rate-change recognition. Study 3B found that the hot hand is believed to be important but is not often detected. We conclude that players and coaches follow predictions of the sequential choice theory and believe in the hot hand, but do not have a shared understanding of how to use it.
Two Randomized Controlled Trials to Help Teachers Develop Physical Education Students’ Course-Specific Grit-Perseverance and Mental Toughness
Sung Hyeon Cheon, Johnmarshall Reeve, Woo-Young Joo, Yong-Gwan Song, Richard M. Ryan, and Hyungshim Jang
Adopting both a self-determination theory perspective and a proactive, asset-oriented approach to coping with stressors, we propose a hypothesized model to explain physical education students’ year-long development of course-specific grit-perseverance (Study 1) and mental toughness (Study 2). In both studies, we used a randomized controlled trial research design with longitudinally assessed dependent measures (four waves) to test a hypothesized model in which teacher participation in an autonomy-supportive teaching workshop (experimental condition) would increase students’ T2 perceived autonomy-supportive teaching and T2 perceived autonomy-supportive classmates, both of which would increase T3 need satisfaction, which would then explain longitudinal gains in students’ T4 grit-perseverance (Study 1) and mental toughness (Study 2). In both Study 1 (57 teachers, 3,147 students) and Study 2 (38 teachers, 2,057 students), a multilevel structural equation modeling analysis showed that the hypothesized model fit the data very well. We conclude that the developmental roots of grit-perseverance and mental toughness can emerge proactively out of the asset-oriented experiences of interpersonal support and psychological need satisfaction that are central to self-determination theory.
Identifying Multicomponent Patterns and Correlates of Accelerometry-Assessed Physical Behaviors Among Postmenopausal Women: The Women’s Health Accelerometry Collaboration
Kelly R. Evenson, Annie Green Howard, Fang Wen, Chongzhi Di, and I-Min Lee
Understanding the simultaneous patterning of accelerometer-measured physical activity and sedentary behavior (physical behaviors) can inform targeted interventions. This cross-sectional study described multicomponent patterns and correlates of physical behaviors using accelerometry among diverse postmenopausal women. The Women’s Health Accelerometry Collaboration combined two United States-based cohorts of postmenopausal women with similar accelerometry protocols and measures. Women (n = 22,612) aged 62–97 years enrolled in the Women’s Health Study (n = 16,742) and the Women’s Health Initiative Objective Physical Activity and Cardiovascular Health Study (n = 5,870) wore an ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometer on their hip for 1 week. Awake-time accelerometry data were summarized using the accelerometer activity index into sedentary behavior, light (low, high), and moderate to vigorous physical activity. Latent class analysis was used to classify physical behavior hour-by-hour. Five unique patterns were identified with higher total volume of physical activity and lower sedentary behavior with each successively higher class number based on percentage of the day in physical activity/sedentary behavior per hour over 7 days. The percentage assignment was 16.3% Class 1, 33.9% Class 2, 20.2% Class 3, 18.0% Class 4, and 11.7% Class 5. The median posterior probabilities ranged from 0.99 to 1.00. Younger age, higher education and general health, normal weight, never smokers, weekly drinking, and faster self-reported walking speed generally had higher-class assignments compared with their counterparts. History of diabetes and cardiovascular disease generally had lower-class assignments compared with those without these conditions. These results can inform targeted interventions based on common patterns of physical behaviors by time of day among postmenopausal women.
Challenges and Future Directions for Promoting Intersectional Quantitative Studies in Physical Activity Research
Mari Sone, Teatske M. Altenburg, and Mai J.M. ChinAPaw
Understanding health inequalities is essential for improving social justice. Intersectionality refers to a theoretical framework for studying the intersection of multiple social categorizations that create unique experiences and related social inequalities. Currently, the majority of the intersectional studies in the physical activity field have a qualitative design; thus, there is a need for quantitative intersectional studies. This commentary aims to explore primary obstacles impeding intersectional quantitative research and provide recommendations for overcoming these obstacles in physical activity research. In the commentary, we discuss that the lack of accessibility of large-scale and diverse data sets, and suboptimal social categorizations and intersectionality-related questions may contribute to the scarcity of intersectional quantitative research in the field. To facilitate intersectional quantitative analyses, we advocate for making large-scale data sets accessible for intersectional secondary analyses, diverse sampling, standardizing questions and categories related to intersectionality, promoting inclusive research designs and methods, and using the appropriate questions and social categorization that reflect the distinct experiences of each subgroup. By addressing these challenges, researchers may gain new insights into health disparities, making physical activity research more inclusive and contributing to more equitable health outcomes.
A Holistic Way to Understand the Determinants of Physical Activity in Urban New South Wales, Australia: A Codesigned Systems Mapping Project
Mengyun Luo, Binh Nguyen, Tracy Nau, Simon K. Chiu, Adrian Bauman, Louise Freebairn, William Bellew, Lucie Rychetnik, David T. Burns, Elizabeth A. Calleja, Lucy Corbett, Jennifer L. Kent, David R. Lubans, Anthony D. Okely, Catherine Sherrington, Anne Tiedemann, and Ding Ding
Background: To meet the World Health Organization goal of reducing physical inactivity by 15% by 2030, a multisectoral system approach is urgently needed to promote physical activity (PA). We report the process of and findings from a codesigned systems mapping project to present determinants of PA in the context of urban New South Wales, Australia. Methods: A participatory conceptual mapping workshop was held in May 2023 with 19 participants working in education, transportation, urban planning, community, health, and sport and recreation. Initial maps were developed and refined using online feedback from the participants. Interviews were conducted with 10 additional policymakers from relevant sectors to further refine the maps. Results: Two systems maps were cocreated, identifying over 100 variables influencing PA and their interconnections. Five settings emerged from the adults’ map—social and community, policy, built environment and transportation, health care, and workplace—and 4 for the young people’s map—family, school, transportation, and community and environment. The maps share similarities, such as regarding potential drivers within the transportation, community, and built environment sectors; however, the young people’s map has a specific focus on the school setting and the adults’ map on workplace and health care settings. Interviews with policymakers provided further unique insights into understanding and intervening in the PA system. Conclusions: This codesigned participatory systems mapping process, supplemented by stakeholder interviews, provided a unique opportunity to bring together stakeholders across sectors to understand the complexity within the PA system and begin to identify leverage points for tackling physical inactivity in New South Wales.
Navigating Virtual Collisions: Insights Into Perception–Action Differences in Children and Young Adults Using a Head-On Avoidance Task
Megan Hammill, Victoria Rapos, and Michael Cinelli
Children tend to make more last-minute locomotor adjustments than adults when avoiding stationary obstacles. The purpose of this study was to compare avoidance behaviors of middle-aged children (10–12 years old) with young adults during a head-on collision course with an approaching virtual pedestrian. Participants were immersed in a virtual environment and completed a perceptual decision-making task in which they had to respond to the future direction of an approaching virtual pedestrian once they disappeared. Following the perceptual task, participants walked along an 8-m pathway toward a goal, while avoiding a collision with a virtual pedestrian who approached along the midline than veered toward the left, right, or continued walking straight. Results revealed that children were able to correctly predict the future directions of the virtual pedestrian similar to adults, albeit at a slower response time (0.55 s vs. 0.33 s). During the action task, children initiated a deviation in their travel path later (i.e., closer to the virtual pedestrian) compared to adults (1.65 s vs. 1.52 s). Children were also more variable in their onset of deviation and time-to-contact. Although children appear to have developed adult-like perceptual abilities and can avoid an approaching virtual pedestrian, children employ riskier avoidance strategies and are highly variable, suggesting middle-aged children are still fine-tuning their perception-action system.
Community-Based Physical Activity Programs for Blood Pressure Management in African Americans: A Scoping Review
Dennis Miezah, Julie A. Wright, and Laura L. Hayman
Background: Hypertension is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease, with a higher prevalence among African Americans (AA) than other racial groups. The impact of community-based interventions on managing blood pressure (BP) in AA communities is not fully understood. The purpose of this review was to synthesize literature on community-based physical activity (PA) programs designed to manage BP in AA populations. Methods: We conducted a scoping review by searching 4 databases (PubMed, CINAHL, MEDLINE, and APA PsycInfo) and reference lists of studies. Search terms included community PA, community-based, hypertension, high BP, AA, Black Americans, PA, and exercise. Inclusion criteria were studies (1) conducted in the United States and (2) published in English language from January 2013 to September 2023, with community-based interventions that included PA for BP management among AA aged ≥18 years. Results: Search results yielded 260 studies, of which 11 met the inclusion criteria. BP decreased over time in studies that incorporated PA, faith-based therapeutic lifestyle changes with nutritional education. The duration of the PA interventions varied, with moderate to vigorous PAs implemented for 12 weeks or longer having a greater impact on BP management. Conclusions: Evidence suggests that community-based PA programs can potentially reduce BP among AA. PA programs incorporating faith-based therapeutic lifestyle change with nutritional education appear to reduce BP. Practitioners should consider multicomponent community-based PA initiatives to improve BP outcomes in AA communities.
Content Validation and Pilot Testing of the Promoting Active Lifestyle Among Children With Disability Questionnaire in Filipino and English
Mary-Grace Kang, Gabriella Isabel Tablante, Kristofferson Mendoza, Aila Nica Bandong, Roselle Guisihan, Audrey Anne Lim, Frances Rom Lunar, Carlos Dominic Olegario, Esmerita Rotor, and Yves Palad
Background: Primary carers, school teachers, and administrators are key influencers in promoting active lifestyle among children with disabilities (CWD). Guided by the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, Behavior Model, the Promoting Active Lifestyle among CWD (PALS) Questionnaire aims to determine these influencers’ perceptions, capabilities, opportunities, and motivations in active healthy lifestyle promotion. This study evaluated the content validity and feasibility of the PALS Questionnaire in Filipino and English. Methods: Six experts rated the relevance of the items in the Filipino and English versions of the PALS Questionnaire. Item and scale content validity indices and agreement among raters (modified kappa k*) were computed. The questionnaires were revised and pilot tested among 11 participants comprising primary carers, and special education teachers and administrators using 3 methods of administration: online survey, phone interview, and pen-and-paper survey. Results: Scale-level content validity index indicated excellent content validity (0.96–0.97). Item-level content validity index ranged between 0.67 and 1.00. Interrater agreement on the relevance of all items was excellent (k* = .82–1.00), except for the item on teaching assistants (k* = .56). Most participants found the items easy to understand. The average time needed to complete a questionnaire was 30 minutes. The online version of the questionnaire was identified as the most feasible mode of administration. Conclusion: The PALS Questionnaire is a useful instrument for understanding Filipino primary carers’ and educators’ perceptions on promoting CWD’s active healthy lifestyle. Information from the PALS Questionnaire could inform initiatives toward better CWD health and quality of life.