Evidence-Informed Recommendations for Community-Based Organizations Developing Physical Activity Information Targeting Families of Children and Youth With Disabilities

Parents of children and youth with disabilities (CYD) have expressed unique physical activity (PA) information needs. Community-based organizations (CBOs) require assistance to meet these needs. Guided by the Appraisal of Guidelines, Research and Evaluation II, this project established evidence-informed recommendations for developing PA information targeting families of CYD. This process involved a systematic scoping review to inform draft recommendations (k = 23), which were revised via a consensus meeting with researchers, knowledge users from CBOs, and families of CYD. Broader consultation with CBO knowledge users informed the final recommendations (k = 5) that fit within the following categories: (a) language and definitions, (b) program information, (c) benefits of PA, (d) barriers to PA, and (e) PA ideas and self-regulation tools. CBOs are encouraged to consider these recommendations when developing PA information for families of CYD. Future research will focus on the development of knowledge products to disseminate the recommendations to CBOs and support implementation.

Examining Theoretical Factors That Influence Teachers' Intentions to Implement Inclusive Physical Education

Purpose: The purpose of the current study was to apply the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) and Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, and Behavior model (COM-B) to examine theoretical predictors of teachers' intentions to implement inclusive physical education. Methods: Ontario primary and secondary teachers (n = 383) completed an online questionnaire which assessed potential factors associated with intentions toward implementation of inclusive physical education. Results: The final statistical model explained 72% of variance in intentions to implement inclusive physical education with the following theoretical domains identified as significant (p<.05) predictors: knowledge (β .09), professional role and identity (β .22), memory, attention, and decision making (β .14), social influence (β .37), and emotion (β -.20). Regarding the COM-B, the component Motivation explained the greatest amount of variance in intentions to implement inclusive physical education. Conclusions: The application of the TDF and COM-B model in this study work to extend current literature through advancing understanding regarding cognitive, affective, and social factors related to teachers' intentions to implement inclusive physical education. Teacher training strategies should take into consideration multidimensional approaches to support teachers' motivations to implement inclusive physical education. Future research and intervention should seek to target and foster factors such as social influences, social/professional role and identity, and knowledge. These factors, in turn, may improve teachers' intentions to implement inclusive physical education.

Physical activity among young children with disabilities: a systematic review protocol

INTRODUCTION

Physical activity in the early years is necessary for setting the foundation for healthy growth and development in later childhood and adolescence. While most published evidence to date focuses on typically developing children, prevalence rates of physical activity among children with disabilities have been less studied. This protocol paper documents the plan of a systematic review, which aims to synthesise the evidence regarding physical activity levels among young children with disabilities.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

Searches are anticipated to commence in May 2022. Empirical quantitative studies will be considered for inclusion if they present intervention or observational data on non-therapeutic (ie, leisure time) physical activity among children <5.99 years with physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments. Data sources will be retrieved via electronic database searches (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), EBSCO Sports Medicine Database (SPORTDiscus), Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE), Elsevier Bibliographic Database (Scopus), Psychological Abstracts (PsycINFO), Education Resources Information Centre (ERIC) and Excerpta Medica Database (EMBASE)). Additional strategies to identify relevant studies will include manual searching and citation tracking of included articles. Titles and abstracts of identified studies will be screened for inclusion, followed by full-text reviews. Three independent reviewers will conduct quality appraisal using the Downs and Black checklist. A summary of included studies will describe the study designs, participant and activity characteristics, and outcomes.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This systematic review involves a secondary analysis of previously published data; therefore, this review does not require ethical approval. The proposed paper will summarise the current evidence base on physical activity levels among young children with a diagnosed disability. The findings from this systematic review will identify gaps to be explored by future research studies and inform future investigations among the paediatric disability population.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42021266585.

The Physical Activity Messaging Framework (PAMF) and Checklist (PAMC): International consensus statement and user guide

Effective physical activity messaging plays an important role in the pathway towards changing physical activity behaviour at a population level. The Physical Activity Messaging Framework (PAMF) and Checklist (PAMC) are outputs from a recent modified Delphi study. This sought consensus from an international expert panel on how to aid the creation and evaluation of physical activity messages. In this paper, we (1) present an overview of the various concepts within the PAMF and PAMC, (2) discuss in detail how the PAMF and PAMC can be used to create physical activity messages, plan evaluation of messages, and aid understanding and categorisation of existing messages, and (3) highlight areas for future development and research. If adopted, we propose that the PAMF and PAMC could improve physical activity messaging practice by encouraging evidence-based and target population-focused messages with clearly stated aims and consideration of potential working pathways. They could also enhance the physical activity messaging research base by harmonising key messaging terminologies, improving quality of reporting, and aiding collation and synthesis of the evidence.

Physical Activity Messages for Youth with Disabilities: An Evaluation of Attitudes, Intentions, and Preferences

There is no known research examining the use of strategic messages to motivate youth with physical disabilities (YWPD), or how to create effective messages for them. Guided by the Social Issue Advertising Believability Model (SIABM), the study aimed to: (i) examine the effectiveness of physical activity (PA) messages on YWPD's attitudes and intentions to participate in PA, and (ii) consider factors related to message effectiveness. YWPD (N = 60) were randomized to view one of three PA messages: (a) no youth, (b) non-inclusive, and (c) targeted. Attitudes and intentions to participate in PA were assessed at baseline and immediately following viewing one of the three messages. Participants also evaluated the messages in terms of relevance, believability, attention, and attitudes. Repeated measures ANOVA and median split analyses indicated that attitudes toward PA increased after message viewing for participants with low baseline attitudes, but decreased for participants with high baseline attitudes. No significant changes in intentions emerged. The targeted message was most preferred and evaluated as most believable. Attention paid to the message was the only significant predictor of intention to participate in PA post-viewing (p = .001). PA campaigns should consider being inclusive of YWPD with low attitudes and intentions to engage in PA when developing messages.

Using a think-aloud methodology to understand online physical activity information search experiences and preferences of parents of children and youth with disabilities

BACKGROUND

The Internet is a preferred source of physical activity (PA) information. However, limited research exists regarding the experiences of parents of children and youth with disabilities (CYWD) in searching for PA programme information online. This research examined the experiences and preferences of parents of CYWD in searching for PA programme information online.

METHOD

Parents of CYWD (n = 10) participated in a think-aloud exercise while searching for PA programme information online. Following the think-aloud exercise, semi-structured interviews were used to further understand parents' experiences and preferences in searching for PA programme information online.

RESULTS

Parents identified key features that contributed to a positive online search experience. Additionally, parents noted challenges and resulting negative affect that was experienced.

CONCLUSIONS

This research can inform the development and dissemination of online PA programme information that is accessible and relevant to the preferences of parents of CYWD and can facilitate positive search experiences.

A systematic scoping review: Resources targeting the training and education of health and recreation practitioners to support physical activity among people with physical disabilities

BACKGROUND

Health and recreation practitioners play an important role in promoting and supporting leisure time physical activity (LTPA) among persons with physical disabilities (PWPD), yet many practitioners lack training and education to provide the basic knowledge, skills, and resources necessary.¹ Little is known about existing LTPA information and training resources for health and recreation practitioners and there has been no known systematic effort to identify existing resources.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of the current study was to engage systematic scoping methodologies to identify resources that target the training and education of health and recreation practitioners to promote and support LTPA among PWPD. To further analyze the identified resources, an assessment of quality was conducted.

METHODS

Systematic scoping review methodologies were employed, which included searches of academic and grey literature, online materials (i.e., Google search) and expert consultation.

RESULTS

Several (N = 46) resources were identified from academic, government and non-government, and professional organizations. Most resources were targeted to a specific PWPD population. The resources were of high technical quality.

CONCLUSION

The paper serves as a listing of existing resources for practitioners working with PWPD in LTPA settings. The review provides a catalyst for action in further research and practice regarding the analysis, design, development, implementation and evaluation of optimally effective resources targeting practitioners to promote and support LTPA among PWPD.

RESULTS

Several (N = 46) resources were identified from academic, government and non-government, and professional organizations. Most resources were targeted to a specific PWPD population. The resources were of high technical quality.

CONCLUSION

The paper serves as a listing of existing resources for practitioners working with PWPD in LTPA settings. The review provides a catalyst for action in further research and practice regarding the analysis, design, development, implementation and evaluation of optimally effective resources targeting practitioners to promote and support LTPA among PWPD.

Can The Moblees™ Move Canadian Children? Investigating the Impact of a Television Program on Children's Physical Activity

Background: The effects of messaging about physical activity and sedentary behavior purposefully integrated into children's TV programming on children's behavior is unknown. The Moblees is a Canadian childrens' show that explicitly promotes physical activity. Two studies were conducted to (1) examine whether children were more physically active when watching a Moblees episode, and (2) explore parental perceptions of the show. Methods: Study 1 was an experimental study with 21 families randomized to watch an episode of The Moblees vs. a control condition. Movement was assessed through accelerometry and observation. A Chi-square test was used to compare the direct observation proportions of children sitting between intervention and control conditions. Independent t-tests were performed to examine the differences in total vector magnitude counts between the experimental and control groups. Study 2 was an online cross-sectional study with 104 parent/child dyads that included viewing an episode of The Moblees. To identify correlates and predictors of parent-reported child PA during viewing The Moblees compared to other TV programs, Pearson's correlations and a linear regression were calculated, respectively. Results: In study 1 there was a significant association between condition and whether or not children remained sitting χ² = 55.96, p < 0.001. There was a significant difference in counts between the two conditions, t_{(13, 61)} = 2.29, p < 0.05. Children randomized to the experimental group (i.e., Moblees) moved more compared to control. In study 2 the majority (76%) of parents reported that their child engaged in some physical activity during viewing. Parent encouragement during viewing was the strongest predictor of child physical activity while viewing (β = 0.30, p < 0.01). Conclusion: Television content that includes messaging about physical activity and sedentary behavior, and positive portrayals of physical activity may influence the physical activity of young children. Although the benefits of such modest movement are not clear without further evidence of accumulation over time and/or transfer to other settings, television programming might provide a far reaching medium for knowledge translation.

Motivating parent support for physical activity: the role of framed persuasive messages

Parent support for physical activity (PA) is a behavior unto itself that requires motivation. Persuasive messages may be one method for motivating parent support for their children's PA. Message framing is one strategy for optimizing the impact of messages. The current study examined the relative effectiveness of gain- versus loss-framed messages for encouraging parent support for children's PA. Regardless of message frame, parents had an increase in social cognitive antecedents (e.g. perceived behavioral control, intentions) and support for children's PA following message exposure.

Physical activity and body image among men and boys: A meta-analysis

Three meta-analytic reviews have concluded that physical activity is positively related to body image. Historically, research regarding physical activity and body image has been disproportionately focused on female samples. For example, the most recent meta-analysis (2009) extracted 56 effect sizes for women and only 12 for men. The current paper provides an update to the literature regarding the relationship between physical activity and body image among men and boys across 84 individual effect sizes. The analysis also provides insight regarding moderator variables including participant age, and physical activity type and intensity. Overall, physical activity was positively related to body image among men and boys with various moderator variables warranting further investigation. Pragmatic implications are discussed as well as the limitations within existing research and need for additional research to further understand moderator and mediator variables.

Patient satisfaction with cardiac rehabilitation: association with utilization, functional capacity, and heart-health behaviors

BACKGROUND

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) societies recommend assessment of patient satisfaction given its association with health care utilization and outcomes. Recently, the Patient Assessment of Chronic Illness Care (PACIC, Glasgow) was recommended as an appropriate tool for the CR setting. The objectives of this study were to 1) describe patient satisfaction with CR, 2) test the psychometric properties of the PACIC in the CR setting, and 3) assess the association of patient satisfaction with CR utilization and outcomes.

METHODS

Secondary analysis was conducted on an observational, prospective CR program evaluation cohort. A convenience sample of patients from 1 of 3 CR programs was approached at their first CR visit, and consenting participants completed a survey. Clinical data were extracted from charts pre- and post-program. Participants were e-mailed surveys again 6 months (including the PACIC) and 1 and 2 years later.

RESULTS

Of 411 consenting patients, 247 (60.2%) completed CR. The mean PACIC score was 2.8±1.1/5. Internal reliability was α=0.95. The total PACIC score varied significantly by site (F=3.12, P=0.046), indicating discriminant validity. Patient satisfaction was significantly related to greater CR adherence (r=0.22, P<0.01) and completion (t=2.63, P<0.01), greater functional status at CR discharge (r=0.17, P=0.03) and 2 years post-intake (r=0.19, P=0.03), greater physical activity at discharge (r=0.18, P=0.02), as well as lower depressive symptoms at discharge (r=-0.16, P=0.02) and 1-year follow-up (r=-0.19, P=0.03). These associations sustained adjustment for sex.

CONCLUSION

Patients were relatively satisfied with their care. The PACIC is a psychometrically validated scale, which could serve as a useful tool to assess patient satisfaction with CR.