Purpose: Increasing physical activity (PA) may be an important non-pharmacological approach to improve sleep quality but it is not clear how level and timing and co-current light exposure influence sleep quality. PA time outdoors may be more beneficial for sleep, but only recently has it been possible to measure sleep, ...
Purpose: This study examined associations between school commuting mode and children’s cardiovascular and metabolic health. Methods: Participants were 226 children (48% boys), aged 8.1 (SD 0.4) years from Melbourne, Australia. Mothers reported their own highest level of education, and the frequency and duration of their child’s typical active (walking or cycling; 0 trips, 1...
Purpose: Older adults in retirement communities are among the least active population segment. In a randomized controlled trial, assess whether a multi level intervention including individual, interpersonal and environmental components increased step counts in older adults living in continuing care retirement communities. Methods: Older adults (average age 83) were recruited from 11 ...
Purpose: Despite benefits associated with physical activity (PA), less than 3% of older adults meet national guidelines. Theoretical models have suggested social support (SS) as an important construct related to increased PA. The purpose of the present study was to examine the association between SS and objectively measured PA in a ...
Purpose: Environmental characteristics of home neighbourhoods are hypothesised to be associated with residents’ physical activity levels, yet many studies report only weak associations. We propose this is in part a result of inappropriate definitions of what constitutes a neighbourhood. We objectively measured the distance that adolescents roamed from home to ...
Purpose: Grounded in self-determination theory (Deci and Ryan, 2000) and achievement goal theory (Ames, 1992, Nicholls, 1989) this study tested a hypothesised model linking perceptions of the coach-created motivational climate within youth sport (i.e., empowering and disempowering dimensions; Duda, 2013), to motivation regulations and objectively measured daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary ...
Purpose: To pilot test the Bluetooth based ZONITH Indoor Positioning System (IPS) and investigate if different indoor areas in a science museum are associated with different types of behavior. Methods: 171 students (grade 6) were invited to participate in the study and were asked to wear a Bluetooth-enabled Global Positioning System (GPS) ...
Purpose: Preschoolers engage in more screen-time than recommended, yet associations with other energy-balance related behaviors (EBRB) is unknown. Methods: Data were from 181 control participants in the cluster-randomised controlled Melbourne Infant Feeding, Activity and Nutrition Trial (InFANT) Program. Daily television, computer game, and hand-held e-game use were assessed by parent-report at ...
Purpose: Environmental changes have been identified as potentially effective population-level physical activity (PA) promotion strategies. However, good quality multi-site evidence to guide international action aimed at developing activity supportive environments is lacking. We estimated pooled associations of perceived environmental attributes with objectively-measured PA outcomes; between-site differences in such associations; and, ...
Purpose: Hong Kong children have been identified as one of the most inactive populations worldwide. Attributes of the neighbourhood environment are thought to be important modifiable factors for increasing pre-schoolers’ PA. Thus, the present study aims to identify neighbourhood environmental correlates of PA in Hong Kong pre-schoolers. Methods: 116 Chinese-speaking parents/...