ORCID Profile
0000-0003-0425-5345
Current Organisation
University of South Australia
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Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 06-03-2022
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 03-07-2020
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 12-11-2022
DOI: 10.1186/S12877-022-03567-6
Abstract: Although the health benefits of physical activity are well documented, most older adults are not sufficiently active. There is a need to explore approaches to physical activity promotion amongst older adults that meet the personal preferences and needs of participants, and that can be implemented on a large scale in community-based settings. The current study evaluates Daily Moves, a community-based physical activity program for older adults living in Adelaide, Australia. The Daily Moves program, which ran almost entirely during the COVID-19 pandemic, provided participants with personalized plans and information about suitable physical activity promoting activities available in their local area. This study used an explanatory sequential mixed-methods approach to evaluate associations between participation in the Daily Moves program and physical activity engagement, physical function and psychosocial wellbeing, and to explore the experiences of Daily Moves participants through qualitative interviews, with a particular focus on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on program participation and enjoyment. The research evaluation included 69 older adults (mean age at baseline = 73.9 ± 5.6 years 19 male). Following Daily Moves , participants reported an increase in self-report physical activity levels (mean increase = 1.8 days, p 0.001), improvements on several measures of physical function (left grip strength (mean increase = 1.8 kg, p 0.001) right grip strength (mean increase = 1.3 kg, p = 0.03) Timed Up and Go (mean decrease = 1.3 s, p 0.001)), and no significant changes in measures of psychosocial wellbeing. Qualitative interviews revealed that participants valued the supportive and flexible nature of Daily Moves, and that they felt connected with staff and other participants despite the onset of the pandemic. This evaluation demonstrates that physical activity programs embedded within the community can provide flexible and tailored recommendations to participants, and that this approach can promote positive change in important indicators of health in older adults.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 20-09-2014
DOI: 10.1002/AJHB.22627
Abstract: Digit ratio (2D:4D), a measure of prenatal testosterone exposure, is weakly-to-moderately associated with increased physical performance, although the evidence is far stronger for males than females. To examine the relationship between 2D:4D and measured on-water rowing performance in young females competing at the Australian Rowing Ch ionships. Using an observational, cross-sectional design, female rowers (n = 69, aged 12-30 years) who competed in single sculls events at the Australian Rowing Ch ionships in 2007 and 2008 had numerous physical and digital anthropometric measurements taken, including 2D:4D measurements. Relationships between 2D:4Ds and race times were examined using Pearson's correlations, partial correlations and multiple regression. Partial Least Squares regression analysis determined the strength of the 2D:4D as a predictor of race time relative to 78 body dimensions plus age. Overall, weak to strong positive correlations between 2D:4D and race time were found that is, females with smaller 2D:4Ds had faster race times than females with larger 2D:4Ds. Relationships were weak to moderate for all females (r = 0.29-0.32), moderate-to-strong for senior rowers (aged ≥20 years r = 0.42-0.55), and weak for junior rowers (aged <20 years r = 0.13-0.18), with all relationships persisting following adjustment for age. Partial Least Squares regression analysis showed that 2D:4Ds had high predictive importance relative to other body dimensions. Females with smaller 2D:4Ds rowed substantially faster than females with larger 2D:4Ds, with the 2D:4D possibly linked to underlying characteristics that have been optimized over time resulting in better rowing performance.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 21-05-2023
DOI: 10.1111/JRH.12768
Abstract: The aim of this research was to develop a contextually and culturally appropriate scale to assess farmers’ barriers to health‐related help‐seeking. An initial pool of items was developed from the academic literature and input from an expert panel of farmers, rural academics, and rural clinicians. A draft 32‐item questionnaire was then developed and sent to farmers registered with FARMbase, which is an Australian national farmer database. Two hundred and seventy‐four farmers completed the draft questionnaire (93.7% male, 73.7% aged 56‐75 years). An exploratory factor analysis identified 6 factors “Health Issues are a Low Priority,” “Concerns about Stigma,” “Structural Health System Barriers,” “Minimization and Normalization,” “Communication Barriers,” and “Continuity of Care.”. Test‐retest reliability was examined with a further 10 farmers (90% male, Mean age = 57, SD = 5.91), who completed the questionnaire twice (at 2‐ to 3‐week intervals). Results indicated moderate‐good test‐retest reliability. The resulting 24‐item Farmer Help‐Seeking Scale provides a measure of help‐seeking that is specifically designed to capture the unique context, culture, and attitudes that can interfere with farmers’ help‐seeking, and inform the development of strategies to increase health‐service utilization in this at‐risk group.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 08-04-2021
Publisher: Rural and Remote Health
Date: 15-02-2018
DOI: 10.22605/RRH4155
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 08-01-2016
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 06-11-2016
DOI: 10.1002/AJHB.22937
Abstract: To investigate relationships between the digit ratio (2D:4D) and competitive basketball performance in Australian men. Using an observational cross-sectional design a total of 221 Australian basketball players who competed in the Olympic Games, International Basketball Federation World Ch ionships/Cup, Australian National Basketball League, Central Australian Basketball League or socially had their 2D:4Ds measured. Analysis of variance was used to assess differences in mean 2D:4Ds between men playing at different competitive standards, with relationships between 2D:4Ds and basketball game-related statistics assessed using Pearson's product moment correlations in men playing at a single competitive standard. There were significant differences between competitive standards for the left 2D:4D following Bonferroni correction, but not for the right 2D:4D, with basketballers who achieved higher competitive standards tending to have lower left 2D:4Ds. No important correlations between 2D:4D and basketball game-related statistics were found, with correlations typically negligible. This study indicated that the 2D:4D can discriminate between basketballers competing at different standards, but not between basketballers within a single competitive standard using objective game-related statistics.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 15-06-2017
DOI: 10.1111/AJR.12352
Abstract: To assess the differences between farming and non-farming rural adults in perceived barriers to mental health service use. A cross-sectional survey, modified from the Barriers to Help-Seeking Scale (BHSS), was conducted using a computer-assisted telephone interview. Respondents (age 52.6 ± 11.6 years) were recruited from three rural regions of South Australia. Approximately, 78 non-farmers and 45 farmers were included in analyses. 78 retired and two unemployed participants were excluded from the analyses. Farmers and non-farmers were compared on domain scores and in idual item responses from the adapted BHSS that represent 'agrarian' attitudes to support-seeking for mental health: stoicism, self-reliance, minimisation of the problem, stigma and distrust of health professionals. In the analysis of domain scores, 'Need for Control and Self-Reliance' was a stronger barrier for farmers than non-farmers (P = 0.009) with a trend (P = 0.07) towards stronger barriers among farmers in the 'Minimising Problem and Resignation' domain. In the analysis of item-level responses, there was a difference (P = 0.03) between farmers and non-farmers in responses to 'I find it difficult to understand my doctor/health professional', with 24.4% of the farmers agreeing that this is a barrier compared with 15.3% of the non-farmers. Long-held stereotypes of stoicism and self-reliance among farmers were somewhat supported, in the context of mental health. Mental health services and professionals in rural Australia might need to adapt their practices to successfully engage this population.
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 09-2020
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 30-09-2019
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 03-07-2022
DOI: 10.1080/00207144.2022.2105147
Abstract: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a debilitating and burdensome condition, and new treatment strategies are needed. This study aimed to evaluate (1) the feasibility of undertaking a controlled clinical trial investigating a novel intervention for people with CLBP: hypnotically reinforced pain science education, and (2) the acceptability of the intervention as rated by participants.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 04-09-2022
Abstract: This study aimed to explore barriers and facilitators that impact on farmers’ help-seeking behaviours for health and mental health concerns. Fifteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with farmers (12 male age 51.7 ± 12.6 years) from three rural regions in South Australia. Interviews explored demographic and farm-related characteristics, perceptions of in idual (and where relevant family) health and mental health concerns and experiences, and perceived barriers of health support-seeking. Thematic analysis was used to identify key themes. Four key themes were identified relating to help-seeking personal attitudes and beliefs, farm-related barriers, health system barriers and the provision of support from family and friends. Dominant personal attitudes included valuing independence, strength and privacy. Farm related barriers included the ‘farm comes first’ and the fact that ‘farm work is never done’. Health system barriers included issues relating to availability of choice and access, professionals (lack of) understanding of farm life, and time and financial costs of accessing care. Provision of support from family and friends involved informal help and advice, including facilitating access to professional support. Multiple attitudinal, structural, and farm-related issues affect farmers’ help-seeking. Professionals who understand farm work practices and routines are valued by farmers and this is likely to facilitate access to care. Workforce development programs and community programs that involve farmers’ perspectives as consumers and co-designers, using evidence-based strategies, may assist in strengthening these relationships.
No related grants have been discovered for Melissa Hull.