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Publisher: Human Kinetics
Date: 11-2021
Abstract: The Australasian Society for Physical Activity aims to advance the science and practice of physical activity in Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific Islands, East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Oceania. Fun, enjoyment, and cross-disciplinary discourse are important to ensure the network of physical activity professionals and our collective voice continues to grow. In May 2021, Australasian Society for Physical Activity’s Early Career Network curated an engaging online Physical Activity Debate attended by 206 professionals. This commentary provides a synopsis of the debate and the central arguments presented by the affirmative and negatives teams. The authors describe the debate format and interactive design of the online Physical Activity Debate to provide insights for future online events that aim to boost interaction among physical activity professionals from various disciplines.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 07-01-2020
DOI: 10.1186/S12889-019-8049-6
Abstract: Participation in organised sport and physical activity contributes to health-enhancing levels of leisure time physical activity. In Australia, 58% of children aged 0–14 years participated at least once a week in October 2015 – December 2017. To overcome the frequently cited cost barrier, sports voucher incentives have been widely implemented across Australia. The financial value of jurisdictional vouchers and the National median financial value were used to calculate the proportion of total annual expenditure on children’s participation in sport supported by sports vouchers. Participation rates using AusPlay data were estimated by age, sex and socio-economic index (SEIFA) at state and national level for children aged 0–14 years. Five States and Territories implemented sports vouchers from 2011 to 2018, with a median value of AU$150. Nationally, median annual expenditure for children’s sport participation was AU$447 (IQR $194.2–936), with 27% reported expenditure supported by a sports voucher. The proportion of financial support from sports vouchers increased considerably with social disadvantage, rising to over 60% of total expenditure in the most disadvantaged populations. Socio-economic status was associated with sports-related expenditure and sports participation amongst children. Sport vouchers should target children in the most disadvantaged areas to promote participation in organised sport and physical activity.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2021
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 28-09-2023
DOI: 10.1002/HPJA.812
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2020
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2020
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 17-11-2020
DOI: 10.1002/HPJA.436
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 09-06-2021
DOI: 10.1186/S13102-021-00286-0
Abstract: Sports should endeavour to provide inclusive opportunities for all people to participate. More evidence is required to understand who joins sports clubs and what keeps participants engaged throughout their lifetime. Little is known about who plays netball or what drives participation and retention of players in netball. This study aimed to identify the sociodemographic characteristics of Netball New South Wales (NSW) members, their odds of re-registering in the sport, and explore their motivations to play, experiences during participation and the perceived benefits of playing netball. We used longitudinal sport registration data from all Netball NSW members in 2018 and 2019. A cross-sectional online survey was sent to all players registered during the two-year study period ( n = 157,152). We used logistic regression to determine the odds of in iduals returning to netball in 2019 after playing in 2018 and linked the sports registration data with the survey responses, calculating frequencies and proportions. Netball NSW members were mostly female (98 %) and aged less than 18 years old (69 %). Netball NSW retained 68 % of members in 2019 who played the previous year. Members who were male, aged 18–44 years old, lived in low SES areas, lived in regional/remote locations, identified as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, spoke a language other than English at home or were born outside Australia had lower odds of returning to play from 2018 to 2019. Survey participants ( n = 10,795) rated their experience playing netball highly and reported that playing netball improved their health and wellbeing. The main reason to play netball reported was ‘fun and enjoyment’ while the main reason to consider quitting was the ‘skill/experience of umpires and officials’. This study highlights the strengths of netball in engaging and retaining females, who often participate in less sport than males. The positive experiences reported by netball participants should be fostered to retain current participants throughout the lifecourse. The data provided by members should be inform strategic actions to enhance netball participation for sociodemographic groups who had greatest odds of dropout. Routine surveillance using linked registration and player feedback should be utilised by sports to enhance sport delivery and increase participation.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 09-07-2020
Abstract: To determine the impact of a peer-led, school-based programme (Students As LifeStyle Activists SALSA) on energy balance–related behaviours (EBRBs) in Grade 8 students, and the cost of implementing the programme. Pre–post test High schools in New South Wales, Australia. Grade 10 students (15- to 16-year-olds) were trained by university students to deliver four lessons on healthy eating and physical activity to Grade 8 students (13- to 14-year-olds). Students completed an online questionnaire pre–post lessons on EBRBs and intentions to change EBRBs over the next month. Items included fruit, vegetable and sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) intake, frequency of eating breakfast, participation in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and school-day recreational screen-time. Pre–post changes were analysed using generalised estimating equations, adjusted for clustering. Standard methods were used to estimate implementation costs. In total, 2,056 Grade 8 students from 23 high schools participated. Significant changes included 5.2% increase in eating fruit serves/day ( p .001), 2.5% increase in eating vegetable serves/day ( p .05), a 4.3% increase in drinking cup/day of SSB ( p .001) but limiting screen-time hours/day decreased by 4.4% ( p .001). There were significant improvements in students’ intentions to change EBRBs over the next month, with the exception of MVPA. The average actual cost of implementing the SALSA programme in 2014–2015 was AU$1,388 (US$958) per school and AU$9.97 (US$6.88) per student. The SALSA peer education programme had a positive impact on most of the dietary EBRBs examined. The cost evaluation showed that it is a relatively low-cost programme to implement.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 26-07-2019
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 24-02-2023
Abstract: Vouchers that reduce the cost of sport and active recreation participation have been shown to increase children’s and adolescent’s physical activity levels. Yet, the influence of government-led voucher programs on the capacity of sport and active recreation organisations is unclear. This qualitative study explored the experiences of stakeholders in the sport and recreation sector that were engaged in implementing the New South Wales (NSW) Government’s Active Kids voucher program in Australia. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 29 sport and active recreation providers. Interview transcriptions were analysed by a multidisciplinary team using the Framework method. Overall, participants reported that the Active Kids voucher program was an acceptable intervention to address the cost barrier to participation for children and adolescents. Three main steps influenced the capacity of organisations to deliver their sport and recreation programs and the voucher program: (1) Implementation priming—alignment of the intervention aims with stakeholder priorities and early information sharing, (2) Administrative ease—enhanced technology use and establishment of simple procedures, and (3) Innovation impacts—enablement of staff and volunteers to address barriers to participation for their participants. Future voucher programs should include strategies to enhance the capacity of sport and active recreation organisations to meet program guidelines and increase innovation.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 11-01-2021
DOI: 10.1186/S12889-020-10060-5
Abstract: There is an urgent need for scaled-up effective interventions which overcome barriers to health-enhancing physical activity for children and adolescents. In New South Wales (NSW), Australia, the state government implemented a universal voucher program, ‘Active Kids’ to support the cost of structured physical activity registration for school-enrolled children aged 4.5–18 years old. The objective of this study was to understand the effects a financial incentive intervention delivered in a real-world setting has on children and adolescent’s physical activity participation. In 2018, all children and adolescents registered for an Active Kids voucher provided sociodemographic characteristics, physical activity and research consent. This prospective cohort study used an online survey with validated items to measure physical activity and other personal and social factors in children and adolescents who used an Active Kids voucher. Generalized linear mixed models were used to examine changes from registration to after voucher use at ≤8 weeks, 9–26 weeks and ≥ 6 months. Study participants reported increasing their days achieving physical activity guidelines from 4.0 days per week (95%CI 3.8, 4.2) at registration ( n = 37,626 children) to 4.9 days per week (95%CI 4.7, 5.1) after 6 months ( n = 14,118 children). Increased physical activity was observed for all sociodemographic population groups. The voucher-specific activity contributed 42.4% (95%CI 39.3, 45.5) to the total time children participated in structured physical activities outside of school. Children and adolescents who increased to, or maintained, high levels of activity were socially supported to be active, had active parent/caregivers, had better concentration and were overall happier than their low-active counterparts. The Active Kids program significantly increased children’s physical activity levels and these increases continued over a six-month period. The Active Kids voucher program shows promise as a scaled-up intervention to increase children and adolescents’ physical activity participation. Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry ACTRN12618000897268 , approved May 29th, 2018 - Retrospectively registered.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 06-08-2020
Abstract: Active Kids is a government-led, universal voucher program that aims to reduce the cost of participation in structured physical activity for all school-enrolled children in New South Wales (NSW), Australia. As part of the Active Kids program evaluation, this cross-sectional study examined the Active Kids’ program’s reach to children in NSW and their physical activity behaviors, before voucher use. Demographic registration data from all children (4.5–18 years old) who registered for an Active Kids voucher in 2018 (n = 671,375) were compared with Census data. Binary and multinomial regression models assessed which correlates were associated with meeting physical activity guidelines and participation in the sessions of structured physical activity. The Active Kids program attracted more than half (53%) of all eligible children in NSW. Children who spoke a primary language other than English at home, were aged 15–18 years old, lived in the most disadvantaged areas, and girls, were less likely to register. Of the registered children, 70% had attended structured physical activity sessions at least once a week during the previous 12 months, whilst 19% achieved physical activity guidelines. Active Kids achieved substantial population reach and has the potential to improve children’s physical activity behaviors.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 07-09-2017
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 31-07-2019
Abstract: This study aimed to identify barriers, facilitators and potential intervention strategies for adolescents to use within the home to promote healthy eating and active living. Cross-sectional design using semi-structured discussion groups. Peer leaders (aged 15–16 years) from five secondary schools in Sydney, Australia, were invited to participate. In groups of four to nine, peer leaders completed a worksheet focused on three priority behaviours: eating breakfast daily, avoiding sugary drinks and being physically active. Each group discussed, identified and recorded barriers, facilitators and opportunities where they could act as agents of healthy lifestyle change in their homes. The worksheets and field notes were reviewed, analysed and coded into emergent themes. All peer leaders ( n = 77 51% girls) attending school on the day of the discussion groups participated in this study. They identified a variety of barriers and facilitators for each of the priority behaviours. From the adolescent-generated strategies, such as not having sugary drinks in the fridge, making a routine and cooking or being active with the whole family, three main themes emerged: ‘improving time management’, ‘using social activities to engage family members’ and ‘changing access and availability’. The strategies suggested by peer leaders in this study add to the limited literature of potential low-intensity interventions which young people can use to enable healthy lifestyle change in their home environment.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 10-07-2018
DOI: 10.1111/JOSH.12647
Abstract: School-level socioeconomic status (SES) influences on adolescents' lifestyle behaviors is understudied. We examined how school-level SES and sex influence adolescents' health-related lifestyle behaviors and intentions. Grade 8 students aged 13-14 years completed an online questionnaire regarding their sociodemographic characteristics, dietary behaviors, physical activity participation and recreational screen-time, and intentions regarding these behaviors. School-level SES, based on an Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (ICSEA), was categorized as low or high. Generalized estimating equations estimated in idual-level summary statistics, adjusted for clustering. Students (N = 2538 response rate = 79%) from 23 high schools (low ICSEA = 16) participated. Compared with low ICSEA students, high ICSEA students were more likely to report eating breakfast daily (OR 1.9 [95% CI 1.5, 2.4]), not drinking sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) daily (2.9 [1.9, 4.3]), and were more likely to have intentions to eat breakfast (1.8 [1.3, 2.3]) and ≥ 5 vegetable serves (1.2 [1.0, 1.5]) daily. Boys were more likely than girls to meet recommendations for breakfast eating, vegetable intake, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and screen-time, but boys were less likely to meet recommendations regarding SSB intake. Students from low ICSEA schools would benefit from additional support to improve dietary-related behaviors and intentions. More research is required to identify what targeted approaches will address sex differences in adolescents' lifestyle behaviors.
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 15-09-2016
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 28-12-2019
DOI: 10.1002/HPJA.23
Abstract: Children and adults in Australia are not eating the recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables. Our objective was to assess the effectiveness of a health promotion intervention to improve fruit and vegetable intake among primary school children and their families in NSW. The Cancer Council New South Wales Healthy Lunch Box sessions were a 25-minute session delivered to parents of primary school-aged children. The sessions provided information and resources about fruit and vegetables and healthy school lunch boxes. The evaluation is a quantitative uncontrolled pre-post design. Data were collected using three questionnaires, pre-intervention, 1 week post-intervention and 6 months post-intervention. A total of 204 parents completed all three evaluation questionnaires to 6 months. Knowledge of recommended intakes and serving sizes of fruit and vegetables improved significantly after the intervention. There was an increase in parents reporting packing vegetables (often/always) in the child's lunch box at 1 week (47%) and 6 months post-intervention (40%) compared to pre-intervention (32%). The proportion of parents reporting that they were confident in packing a healthy lunch box increased from 45% pre-intervention to 62% after the intervention. The Healthy Lunch Box sessions were effective in improving parental knowledge and practices related to fruit and vegetables and parental confidence with packing a healthy lunch box. SO WHAT?: This short intervention could be a useful component of a portfolio of interventions to support parents with knowledge and resources to pack a healthy lunch box for their children.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 28-05-2021
DOI: 10.1186/S13102-021-00290-4
Abstract: 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). 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). 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). 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.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 26-08-2022
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 16-03-2022
DOI: 10.1002/HPJA.468
Abstract: The Active Kids voucher is a universal, state-wide voucher program, provided by the New South Wales (NSW) Government, Office of Sport. All school-aged children in NSW are eligible to receive a voucher to reduce registration costs of structured physical activity programs. This study explores reasons behind lower uptake among children who are overweight or obese, from cultural and linguistically erse families and those living in low socio-economic areas. Participants were recruited through a convenience s le of parent/carers who participated in the NSW Health Go4Fun program. Qualitative data were collected using focus groups. The Framework method was adapted for the analysis, taking an interpretive phenomenological approach. Study participants (n = 54) were all parents of children who were overweight or obese from both low and high socio-economic status (SES). Most reported speaking a primary language other than English at home (65%). Parents were mostly aware of the Active Kids program (91%) and reported that the voucher had a positive impact on their children's participation in structured physical activity. A range of socio-ecological factors, in addition to activity cost, influenced whether parents were able to use an Active Kids voucher and participate in structured physical activity. The Active Kids voucher does not alleviate all barriers, particularly for families living in low socio-economic areas. Engagement of this population in structured physical activities using the Active Kids vouchers could be strengthened through the implementation of effective interventions which comprehensively address the remaining barriers, such as access and flexibility of programs with local stakeholders and activity providers.
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 18-09-2021
DOI: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000002786
Abstract: Physical activity can improve academic performance however, much less is known about the specific association between sport participation and academic performance, and this evidence has not been synthesized. Our aim was to systematically review and combine via meta-analyses evidence of the association between sport participation and academic performance in children and adolescents. We conducted searches of five electronic databases using sport and academic performance related terms. We combined evidence from eligible studies using a structural equation modeling approach to multilevel meta-analysis. From 115 eligible studies, most of which had a high risk of bias ( k = 87), we meta-analyzed 298 effect sizes. Overall, sport participation had a small positive effect on academic performance ( d = 0.26, 95% confidence interval = 0.09, 0.42). Moderator analyses indicated that sports participation was most beneficial for academic performance when it was at a moderate dose (i.e., 1–2 h·wk −1 ), compared with no sport or a high dose of sport (3+ h·wk −1 ). Sports participation during school hours was more beneficial for academic performance compared with sport participation outside school hours. Based on mostly low-quality studies, we found some evidence that sport could positively affect academic performance in children and adolescents. It appears that sport participation of a moderate dose and at school could be used to promote academic performance. However, if this field were to inform policy, high-quality studies are needed that provide insight into the effect of dose and sport characteristics on academic performance.
Publisher: The Sax Institute
Date: 03-2019
DOI: 10.17061/PHRP2911902
Abstract: Overweight and obesity in childhood and adolescence are associated with adverse health consequences throughout the lifecourse. Rates of childhood overweight and obesity have reached alarming proportions in many countries and pose an urgent and serious challenge. Policy responses across the world have been piecemeal. Evidence based policy actions and interventions are available to build a comprehensive approach to overweight and obesity but, in most countries, a narrow selection of interventions are chosen, often implemented over short time periods and typically with small-scale investment. The most cost-effective policy actions are rarely selected, or only partially adopted. Genuinely comprehensive, long-term population-wide approaches are scant. Leading-edge fiscal and regulatory strategies face aggressive, often effective, opposition from lobby groups. We outline the policy actions, governance and accountability mechanisms needed to tackle this global epidemic.
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 06-2017
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 05-06-2017
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 13-07-2023
DOI: 10.1002/MHS2.30
Abstract: Parents and caregivers who participate in regular physical activity have improved physical and mental health and can influence the physical activity behaviors of children in their care. This study aimed to assess the association between psychological distress and physical activity levels of parents/caregivers in New South Wales, Australia during different COVID‐19 restriction periods. A repeat‐cross‐sectional design was adopted. Parents/caregivers involved in a government‐led children's sport and recreation voucher program were recruited to participate in an online survey as part of the program's evaluation. In response to COVID‐19, parents and caregivers' psychological distress and physical activity levels were assessed using validated items. Binary logistic regression models were used to examine the relationship between physical activity and probable mental illness, and differences across different COVID‐19 restriction periods in 2020 and 2021. In 2020, 10,990 parents/caregivers responded to survey questions and in 2021, 17,106 parents/caregivers responded. Parents/caregivers who were physically active on 7 days per week had lower odds of reporting high psychological distress (odds ratio [OR]: 0.40, 95% confidence interval [CIs]: 0.33, 0.49) than parents/caregivers physically active on fewer days per week. In 2020 9.8% of parents/caregivers ( n = 1076) reported high psychological distress, which decreased to 8% in 2021 ( n = 1366). In 2021, parents/caregivers had lower odds of reporting high psychological distress (OR: 0.79, 95% CIs: 0.72, 0.86). Socioeconomic disadvantage negatively impacted psychological distress and physical activity levels. Australian parents and caregivers who reported high psychological distress, during and after COVID‐19 restrictions, were participating in low levels of physical activity. Greater collaboration between the mental health, and sport and recreation sectors is recommended to harness the co‐benefits of physical activity throughout parenthood, particularly in low socioeconomic areas.
Publisher: The Sax Institute
Date: 2020
DOI: 10.17061/PHRP3012003
Publisher: Human Kinetics
Date: 11-2020
Abstract: Background : A combination of walking, other moderate physical activity, and vigorous physical activity is recommended for achieving good health. Vigorous activity has unique health benefits but may be less accessible to disadvantaged people. To reduce health inequity, we need to understand the differences in physical activity participation among socioeconomic subgroups and whether this is changing over time. Methods : Data from the 2002 to 2015 Adult New South Wales Population Health Surveys (164,652 responses) were analyzed to investigate trends in walking, moderate and vigorous physical activity participation by socioeconomic status as measured by educational attainment. Analysis used age- and sex-adjusted multivariable linear models that accounted for complex survey design. Results : In 2002, the highest socioeconomic group spent 18.5 (95% confidence interval, 8.2–28.8) minutes per week more than the lowest socioeconomic group being vigorously active. By 2015, this gap had steadily increased to 41.4 (95% confidence interval, 27.6–55.1) minutes per week. Inequity between groups was also found for duration of moderate activity but not for time spent walking. Conclusions : Low participation in vigorous activity in the lowest socioeconomic group is likely driving increasing inequities in physical activity and widening participation gaps over time. Barriers preventing the most disadvantaged people in New South Wales from engaging in vigorous activity should be addressed urgently.
Publisher: The Sax Institute
Date: 2021
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 09-2016
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2018
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 28-06-2022
Abstract: National strategies are needed to continue to promote the broader benefits of participating in sport and organised physical activity to reduce physical inactivity and related disease burden. This paper employs the RE-AIM framework to evaluate the impact of the federally funded $150 million Move it AUS program in engaging inactive people in sport and physical activity through the Participation (all ages) and Better Ageing (over 65 years) funding streams. A pragmatic, mixed-methods evaluation was conducted to understand the impact of the grant on both the participants, and the funded organisations. This included participant surveys, case studies, and qualitative interviews with funded program leaders. A total of 75% of participants in the Participation stream, and 65% in the Better Ageing stream, were classified as inactive. The largest changes in overall physical activity behaviour were seen among socioeconomically disadvantaged participants and culturally and linguistically erse participants. Seven key insights were gained from the qualitative interviews: Clarity of who, Partnerships, Communication, Program delivery, Environmental impacts, Governance, and that Physical inactivity must be a priority. The Move It AUS program successfully engaged physically inactive participants. Additional work is needed to better engage inactive people that identify as culturally and linguistically erse, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and those that live in disadvantaged communities in sport and physical activities. Tangible actions from the seven key insights should be adopted into workforce capability planning for the sport sector to effectively engage physically inactive communities.
No related grants have been discovered for Bridget Clare Foley.