scholarly journals “I Wasn’t Sure What It Meant to Be Honest”—Formative Research Towards a Physical Literacy Intervention for Preschoolers

Children ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (7) ◽  
pp. 76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan D. Foulkes ◽  
Lawrence Foweather ◽  
Stuart J. Fairclough ◽  
Zoe Knowles
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Perceived Barriers ◽  
Literacy Intervention ◽  
Funding Policy ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Physical Literacy ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Key Stakeholders ◽  
Children’S Centres

Physical literacy (PL) as a concept is important in developing lifelong physical activity; however, there is little research exploring how PL can be developed during the preschool years. This two-phase qualitative study sought the insights of academics/expert practitioners and preschool staff towards PL in order to inform the design of future preschool PL interventions. Phase One comprised of nine semi-structured interviews with experts in the field of children’s physical activity and/or PL. Interview topics included perspectives on the concept of PL and recommendations for interventions targeted at improving preschool PL. Phase Two consisted of focus groups with practitioners from four local children’s centres. Focus groups explored perspectives on the feasibility and acceptability of proposed PL interventions. Interviews and focus groups were analysed by thematic analysis and means of representation, respectively. Findings revealed that whilst there was limited understanding about the concept of PL among preschool educators, knowledge of child development was evident and that all participants agreed that there was a need for further training for practitioners. Perceived barriers to promoting PL noted by practitioners included funding, policy, curricular priorities, parental opinions, and the preschool environment. It was recommended that interventions should be: (i) designed using a participatory approach including all key stakeholders, (ii) conducted over the long term, and (iii) incorporate opportunities for children to engage in free and outdoor play. Furthermore, any intervention should be flexible to allow for variation between children’s centres, aligned to current policy/children’s centre targets and provide training and resources in order to overcome perceived barriers.

Formative Research to Develop the IDEFICS Physical Activity Intervention Component: Findings from Focus Groups with Children and Parents

2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 246-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leen Haerens ◽  
Ilse De Bourdeaudhuij ◽  
Gabriele Eiben ◽  
Fabio Lauria ◽  
Silvia Bel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Perceived Barriers ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Personal Factors ◽  
Intervention Component ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Children And Parents

Background:The current study aimed at describing influencing factors for physical activity among young children to determine the best approaches for developing the IDEFICS community based intervention.Methods:In 8 European sites a trained moderator conducted a minimum of 4 focus groups using standardized questioning guides. A total of 56 focus groups were conducted including 36 focus groups with parents and 20 focus groups with children, of which 74 were boys and 81 girls. Key findings were identified through independent reviews of focus group summary reports using content analysis methods.Findings:Findings were generally consistent across countries. The greatest emphasis was on environmental physical (eg, seasonal influences, availability of facilities and safety), institutional (eg, length of breaks at school), and social factors (eg, role modeling of parents). Most cited personal factors by parents were age, social economical status, and perceived barriers. Both children and parents mentioned the importance of children’s preferences.Conclusions:To increase physical activity levels of young children the intervention should aim at creating an environment (physical, institutional, social) supportive of physical activity. On the other hand strategies should take into account personal factors like age and social economical status and should consider personal barriers too.

scholarly journals BARRIERS, FACILITATORS, BENEFITS, AND ENJOYMENT OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN MIDDLE-AGED HISPANIC MEN

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S201-S202
Author(s):  
Ferdinand Delgado ◽  
Cheryl DerAnanian ◽  
Sonia Vega-Lopez ◽  
Shandel Vega-Soto ◽  
Hector Valdez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Grounded Theory ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Family Member ◽  
Perceived Barriers ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Hispanic Men ◽  
Grounded Theory Approach

Abstract Little is known about middle-aged Hispanic men’s perceptions of physical activity (PA). Purpose: To examine perceived barriers, facilitators, and benefits of PA and what types of PA are enjoyable. Methods: Seven focus groups (FGs) were conducted with middle-aged Hispanic men (mean age 51.6±6.1 years; n=32) who primarily self-identified as Mexican (78.1%). All FGs were audio-recorded, transcribed, and translated into English. A grounded theory approach was used to identify themes. Results: Competing responsibilities (N=7 FGs), laziness/apathy (N=6 FGs), and a lack of habit/routine (N=5 FGs) were identified as the primary barriers to PA. Jobs were perceived as a PA barrier because of physical labor involved, long hours, having multiple jobs, and/or an inconsistent schedule. Laziness/apathy involved the notion that people have time to exercise, but choose not to. Not having a routine resulted in procrastination and not achieving exercise goals. Social support was the primary facilitator to PA, which included having a friend (N=5 FGs), family member (N=5 FGs), or spouse/partner (N=6 FGs) with whom they could participate in PA. Sports were mentioned in all FGs as enjoyable, including soccer (N=5 FGs), basketball (N=5 FGs), tennis/racquetball/handball (N=3 FGs), and baseball (N=2 FGs). Walking/running (N=6 FGs) and hiking (N=5 FGs) were also considered enjoyable. The primary perceived benefits of PA included increased energy after exercising (N=6 FGs) and improved overall health (N=6 FGs). Conclusion: Hispanic men realize the importance of PA and what may be hindrances or facilitators to increasing PA. Funded by the National Institute on Aging (R21 AG050084-01A1).

Latino grandparents’ perception of disagreements with parents in children’s leisure time physical activity

2019 ◽  
Vol 79 (5) ◽  
pp. 543-555
Author(s):  
Hui Xie ◽  
Linda L Caldwell ◽  
Steven Loy
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Los Angeles ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Los Angeles County ◽  
Leisure Time ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Sedentary Lifestyle ◽  
Leisure Time Physical Activity ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Permissive Parenting

Background: Latino grandparents are often involved in the care and rearing of grandchildren and may help parents in promoting children’s leisure time physical activity (LTPA). However, potential disagreements between grandparents and parents may undermine their collaboration and subsequently their support for children’s LTPA. Aim: The purpose of this study was to explore Latino grandparents’ perception of disagreements with parents in children’s (age 2–12) LTPA. Methods: Qualitative data were collected from 53 Latino grandparents in Los Angeles County, USA, using four semi-structured focus groups and 26 semi-structured interviews. Transcribed data were systematically and iteratively coded and analysed. Results: Many Latino grandparents disagreed with parents’ sedentary lifestyle, permissive parenting and lack of support for children’s LTPA. In addition, Latino grandparents described disagreement with parents in specific issues such as children’s LTPA options and safety during LTPA. Conclusion: There were disagreements between Latino grandparents and parents concerning children’s LTPA. Health researchers and practitioners should be aware of those disagreements and consider using education/intervention programmes to reduce the tension between Latino grandparents and parents and increase their collaborative support for children’s LTPA.

Evaluation of a rural community’s approaches to promoting physical activity

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristi M. King ◽  
Jason A. Rice ◽  
Ian Maki
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Health Disparities ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Rural Community ◽  
Funding Agency ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Non Profit ◽  
Healthy Community ◽  
Physical Activity Programming

To address the lack of physical activity opportunities in their rural community, a non-profit coali-tion formed to address health disparities. This evaluation investigated the coalition’s effectiveness in movingtoward sustainable physical activity programming for all community members. Participants engaged insemi-structured interviews or focus groups, and observations and informal conversations were conductedat approximately 30 meetings (e.g., town hall), programs (e.g., funding agency meetings), and events(e.g., two fundraising galas). A commitment to partnerships, the diversity of coalition member’s expertise,a focus on equity, and the recognition that a healthy community is economically attractive positioned thecoalition for success.

scholarly journals Older Adults’ Perceptions of the Usefulness of Technologies for Engaging in Physical Activity: Using Focus Groups to Explore Physical Literacy

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 1144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandre Monte Campelo ◽  
Larry Katz
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Cognitive Skills ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Training Group ◽  
Physical Literacy ◽  
Exercise Programs ◽  
Age Related

Insufficient physical activity (PA) levels observed among older adults remain extremely high and pose a danger to developing and maintaining their physical literacy (PL). Each person’s level of PL partly depends on their physical and cognitive skills, confidence level, and degree of motivation to practice PA daily. New technologies, such as exergames and wearable fitness trackers, may enable older adults to increase their PL, stimulating uptake and ongoing PA participation. Objective: This focus group study aims to describe older adults’ perceptions of the use of technologies to engage in physical exercise programs. Methods: Fifteen participants were randomly selected from a sample of 40 older adults who completed a randomized controlled trial that investigated the benefits of using technology in the context of group-based exercise programs. Separate post-intervention focus groups were performed with an exergaming group, a conventional physical training group, and a no training group (control). Data were mapped onto constructs from the four domains of PL: affective, physical, cognitive, and behavioral. Results: Generally, participants expressed positive perceptions about the benefits of using technology to engage in PA. These positive feelings outweighed the costs and the lack of familiarization with technology. Common themes for the three groups emerged from the discussions and included familiarization with technology, using fitness tracker to monitor PA, previous exposure to technology, and interaction with peers, staff members, and relatives. In particular, participants from the exergaming group explored the ideas of training their cognitive skills while using the exergame accessories, exercising in an alternative way, competitive versus cooperative play, changes in sense of humor, skill transferability from game to real environment, progressions of the exercise intensities, and the potential use of exergames for rehabilitation. Conclusions: Participants in this study reported positive perceptions about implementing technology into exercise. Emphasizing the benefits of using technology in group-based exercise programs may increase older adults’ PL levels and their future technology adoption. The potential implementation of technology into conventional exercise programs should focus on older adults’ lifelong values, biopsychosocial conditions, and the possibility of reducing age-related risk of injuries and chronic diseases.

The Perception of Key Stakeholders Regarding the Impact of Economic Hardship on Dietary and Physical Activity Behaviors of Sudanese Adolescents in the School and Home Context.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fahmi Ezaldin Awad Osman ◽  
Aziza Mukhayer ◽  
Stef P.J. Kremers
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Economic Hardship ◽  
Community School ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Double Burden ◽  
School Directors ◽  
Key Stakeholders ◽  
Home Context ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Economic hardship is one of the factors that contributes to the double burden of weight-related health. Sudan is one of the countries that suffer from obesity and malnutrition problems. For a further understanding of the impact of economic hardship in Sudan, this study aimed to explore the perceptions of key stakeholders regarding its impact on dietary and physical activity behaviors of Sudanese adolescents.Methods A qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews during the period January-March 2019, a period of political and economic instability in Sudan. The interviews were conducted with 17 participants, including officials from the Ministries of Health and Education, school directors and parents. The interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, translated to English, and then coded and analyzed manually.Results The participants confirmed an impact of economic hardship on the dietary and physical activity behaviors of adolescents in Khartoum state. The impact appeared to sort into three domains: community, school and home settings. Factors that were identified as contributing to the double burden of weight-related health and nutritional disorders in times of economic hardship include: migration from rural areas to big cities, increased accessibility of junk food, a decline in Physical Education classes in schools, discontinued funding of school meals and less interest of parents to establish a healthy food environment at home.Conclusion Our findings indicate that financial hardship has an influence on nutrition and physical activity behaviors among adolescents, and its effect occurs in different settings (community, school and home), and appears to affect malnutrition, underweight and obesity among adolescents.

scholarly journals Developing a Primary Care–Focused Intervention to Engage Patients With Osteoarthritis in Physical Activity: A Stakeholder Engagement Qualitative Study

2020 ◽  
pp. 152483992094769
Author(s):  
Ida Griesemer ◽  
Maihan B. Vu ◽  
Leigh F. Callahan ◽  
Rebecca Cleveland ◽  
Yvonne M. Golightly ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Stakeholder Engagement ◽  
Care Pathway ◽  
Clinical Settings ◽  
Individual Interviews ◽  
Engagement Strategies ◽  
Clinical Encounters ◽  
Key Stakeholders ◽  
Potential Use

Physical activity (PA) is important for managing osteoarthritis (OA), but many patients are inactive. Research is needed on strategies to leverage clinical encounters to engage patients in PA. Guided by the socioecological model of health behavior, this study aimed to engage stakeholders in the process of refining an Osteoarthritis Physical Activity Care Pathway (OA-PCP). Six focus groups and seven individual interviews were conducted with key stakeholders. Focus groups were specific to stakeholder roles and included patients with OA, support partners, and clinic personnel ( n = 6 focus groups). Interview participants were local and national PA program representatives ( n = 7 interviews). Data were analyzed by thematic analysis. Themes identified in the data included ways the OA-PCP can help patients with OA address challenges to PA engagement, strategies for connecting patients with PA resources, methods for implementing OA-PCP into clinical settings and potential use of PA trackers in the OA-PCP program. Stakeholders’ comments were summarized into key recommendations for OA-PCP. Some recommendations reinforced and led to refinements in planned aspects of OA-PCP, including tailoring to individual patients, involvement of a support partner, and addressing pain with PA. Other recommendations resulted in larger changes for OA-PCP, including the addition of three email- or mail-based contacts and not requiring use of a PA tracker. The refined OA-PCP program is being evaluated in an exploratory trial, with the ultimate goal of establishing a PA program for OA that can be successfully implemented in clinical settings.

scholarly journals Psychosocial barriers and facilitators for a successful return to work following injury within firefighters

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liam Noll ◽  
Adrian Mallows ◽  
Jason Moran
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Return To Work ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Fire Service ◽  
Perceived Barriers ◽  
Barriers And Facilitators ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Work Process ◽  
Topic Guide ◽  
Psychosocial Barriers

Abstract Objective The aim was to explore firefighter’s experiences during their recovery from injury. Focused specifically on exploring perceived psychosocial barriers and facilitators firefighters faced during recovery and return to work. Methods Semi-structured interviews were used to provide an in-depth understanding of the firefighter’s experiences. The semi-structured interviews were informed by a topic guide. The topic guide focused on five main themes, (1) overall experience of returning to operational duties following an injury, (2) perceived barriers experienced during their return to work, (3) perceived facilitators experienced during their return to work, (4) confidence in participating in physical activity following injury and (5) where they felt areas of improvement could be made with the return to work process. Thematic analysis of the data collected was undertaken using The Framework Method. Results Two main themes were sought after transcription: barriers and facilitators. From these, nine subthemes were identified (1) communication, (2) confidence in physical activity participation, (3) modified duties, (4) physiotherapy, (5) return to operational duties, (6) support, (7) inconsistency, (8) use of station gyms, (9) detachment from the watch. Conclusions Consideration should be made for the consistency of procedures followed during an individual’s return to work following an injury. Further research is needed to understand if the themes identified in this study are the same for other fire services. Further research is also needed to understand how the findings may be best implemented within the fire service.

scholarly journals How ‘The Daily Mile™’ works in practice: A process evaluation in a UK primary school

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 544-559 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Harris ◽  
Linda Jane Milnes ◽  
Gary Mountain
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Process Evaluation ◽  
Perceived Exertion ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Evaluation Phase ◽  
The Right

Over 75% children in the United Kingdom fail to achieve recommended levels of physical activity. Successful implementation of ‘The Daily Mile™’, a school-based physical activity intervention, could promote activity. We examined factors instrumental to replication and/or wider implementation of ‘The Daily Mile’ through application of a two phase multi-method process evaluation. Phase one: 75 children (mean age seven years eight months) from one East Midland primary academy trialled the intervention. Data collected were self-report logs, perceived exertion scores and structured observation. Phase two: a sub-sample of 18 stakeholders participated in focus groups which were analysed using framework method. Teachers delivered ‘The Daily Mile’ on 93.6% of school days. An average of 95.2% of students participated, 94.2% completed recommended 15 minutes, 94.3% to a moderate-to-vigorous level. Three themes emerged in focus groups; embedding ‘The Daily Mile’ into practice, creating the right physical environment and building relationships/promoting a supportive climate. With systematic organisation and planning, ‘The Daily Mile’ could emerge as an integrated means of increasing physical activity. A supportive climate and factors that promote resilience are key facilitators. Further research is needed to establish outcomes and cost-effectiveness.

scholarly journals Queering Indoor Swimming in the UK: Transgender and Non-binary wellbeing

2021 ◽  
pp. 019372352110436
Author(s):  
Jayne Caudwell
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Social Group ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Activity Participation ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Lgbt Community ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Community Projects

This paper draws from a research project that was initiated in 2017 and continued in to 2020. It followed on from previous University-LGBT + community projects (e.g., football versus homophobia 2012–2018) and involved working with a local transgender social group, specifically, their engagement with once-a-month recreational swim sessions. The research findings that are discussed come from sixty-three research participant's ‘drawings’, three focus groups including a professionally drawn illustration of two of these focus groups, and nine semi-structured interviews. The analysis of the qualitative data demonstrates the significance of play and pleasure, feeling free, and transgender and non-binary imaginations to physical activity participation, and wellbeing. These three themes are presented through the lens of queer/queering and transfeminism. As such, the paper has two aims: to document the experiences of physical activity by an often-excluded group; and to evaluate the concept of queering to an understanding of indoor recreational swimming and wellbeing.

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