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Instructors in organized physical activity classes can be a source of social support through their relationships with participants, influence on participants' interactions with each other, and design of activities. Grounded in interpretive description, the objective of this study was to examine older adults' experiences of and their perspectives on group physical activity instructors' supportive behaviors. Observations of 16 group physical activity classes (N = 295) and focus groups or interviews with N = 38 class participants aged ≥ 55 (n = 29 women) were conducted at four municipal recreation facilities in a Canadian city. Five themes shed light on how instructors provided social support: (a) supporting autonomous engagement, (b) developing caring connections, (c) fostering trust through expert instruction, (d) managing conflict directly and effectively, and (e) creating a climate where people want to go. Instructor training should consider older adults' social support needs and help instructors embody behaviors that support continued physical activity participation, thereby contributing to healthy aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little is known about how social participation can be facilitated among older adults in group physical activity and its psychosocial benefits that contribute to successful aging. This study aimed to understand older adults' experiences with social participation in group physical activity programs. Using interpretive description methodology, 16 observations, eight focus groups, and two interviews with participants unable to attend focus groups were conducted with adults 55 years and older attending programs across four recreation facilities. Group programs were found to influence social participation through (a) a meaningful context for connecting and (b) instructors' expectations of social interaction. Social participation in these programs addressed psychosocial needs by (c) increasing social contact and interaction, (d) fostering social relationships and belonging, and (e) promoting regular engagement. Training for instructors should include balancing the physical aspects of program delivery with the social, while also considering older adults' diverse needs and preferences for social interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While self-compassion presents as a viable resource for managing difficult events in sport, little is known about how it functions in the stress process. In 2 studies with women university athletes (N = 122 and 131), the authors examined self-compassion as a prospective predictor of appraisal, coping, goal progress, and affect in a competition. Direct and indirect effects of self-compassion on aspects of the stress process were examined by testing full, partial, and moderated mediation models. Self-compassion plays a direct and indirect role in the stress process of competitive women athletes. Self-compassion significantly predicted higher control appraisals (Studies 1 and 2) and lower threat appraisals (Study 1), which explained coping tendencies of self-compassionate athletes. Sequential pathways linking appraisals and coping accounted for why athletes with higher self-compassion are more likely to have higher goal progress, more positive affect, and less negative affect. Overall, self-compassion promotes adaptive appraisals and coping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to examine elite Canadian individual-sport athletes’ experiences with an Olympic team-selection process. Six nonselected Canadian individual-sport athletes who were attempting to qualify for the Olympics took part in 3 semistructured interviews during the Olympic team-selection process, after they gained knowledge of their selection status, and after the Olympic Games. Data were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Three major themes emerged from the interpretation of the athletes’ experiences: (a) pursuing and expressing the Olympic athlete identity; (b) navigating the Olympic team-selection process: expectations, barriers, and tensions; and (c) moving on: reactions, life-goal reinvestment, and athletic-goal adjustment. Participants’ experiences were shaped by personal motivation and social expectations, with changes shifting across the 3 interview periods. Athletes attempted to manage the discontent of nonselection through processes of positive reappraisal, athletic-goal adjustment, and accentuating other life goals and identities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined predictors of social physique anxiety (SPA) using a multidimensional model of body image. Exercising females (n=296) completed cognitive, behavioral, and affective (SPA) body image measures and descriptive questions related to their physical characteristics. The sample had a mean age of 20.53 (SD = 2.90) years and BMI of 22.56 (SD=3.23) kg/[m.sup.2]. The predictors, which included BMI, figure rating difference scores (cognitive body image), and reasons for exercise (behavioral body image), accounted for 44.9% of the variance in SPA. In an attempt for a more parsimonious model, a second regression model was examined. Significant predictors included the discrepancy score between an individual's current shape and their ideal([beta] = .232) and the exercise motives for weight/ appearance ([beta] = .516), and accounted for 43% of the variance in SPA. These results suggest that perceptions of body shape, size, and appearance are associated with social physique anxiety in a female undergraduate sample., Body image is generally defined as a multidimensional construct purporting to identify an individual's perceptions and attitudes towards her/his body and physical characteristics (Bane & McAuley, 1998; Banfield & McCabe, [...]

The PANAS showed acceptable fit with the data in a survey of 645 youth ages 10 to 17 at summer sports camps, though some misspecification appears in the model. In particular, the NA scale terms 'irritable,' 'distress,' and 'upset' were undermodeled, possibly due to the different (non-sport) uses for which the PANAS was initially developed. The results provide factor validation evidence for use of PANAS with youth sporting populations, though other tools developed for that use may still prove superior.

The Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES) was evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis. Results showed that PACES was not an appropriate gauge in determining the enjoyment levels of summer youth sport participants. One of the basic flaws noted in PACES is its tendency to measure both antecedents of enjoyment and the perception of enjoyment. A better measurement scale of enjoyment should treat the emotion as a simple general affective state.

The movement confidence model for athletic performance was examined by challenging novice divers to perform a modified back dive. Results showed that perceptions of confidence and enjoyment were enhanced with repeated performance of the dive, despite the high risk associated with it. There was no evidence to predict movement confidence by expected movement sensations. The potential for physical harm contributed significally to movement confidence irregardless of perceived performance. Future studies should relate emotional and behavioral factors with movement confidence.

Special Olympics programs provide competitive sport opportunities for athletes with intellectual disabilities. This study investigated athletes' perceptions of motivation in Special Olympics. Using Self-Determination Theory (SDT) as a guiding framework to explore athletes' experiences, 38 Special Olympians (21 males and 17 females) from British Columbia, Canada were interviewed. The data suggested that factors that enhanced autonomy, competence, and relatedness were linked to the participants' motivation in Special Olympics programs. These factors included positive feedback, choice, learning skills, demonstrating ability, friendships, social approval, and fun. Social support from significant others was a key factor related to participation motivation. There was also evidence for the motivating aspects of extrinsic rewards. Motivation was undermined primarily by conflicts with coaches and teammates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research examined the direction of causal flow between global and specific dimensions of self-concept. Although the multidimensionality of selfconcept has been strongly supported in the literature, the hierarchical nature of self-concept has not been established. With the use of structural equation modeling, the hierarchical nature of self-concept was tested using the Physical Self-Perception Profile (PSPP) model both with and without global selfesteem included. Adolescent girls (N = 618) completed the PSPP and Harter's global self-esteem scale during class time in Grade 9 and a year later in Grade 10. When horizontal effects were included in the self-concept models across age, there was little support for either top-down or bottom-up effects. This contrasted with the results found when the analysis was conducted within each time period separately. This research provides further evidence against the hierarchical model of self-concept and highlights the importance of examining the hierarchical nature of self-concept over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the validity of the Coping Function Questionnaire (CFQ) in assessing problem-focused, emotion-focused and avoidance coping function in adolescent athletes by confirmatory factor analysis. Gender invariance for CFQ measurement model; Correlations between CFQ and coping scales from COPE, sport-modified COPE and life situations inventory.

Assesses the feasibility of the Tritrac-R3D motion sensor over a 7-day period among children in Grades 4–8. Assessment of data downloading software problems; Correlation between Tritrac scores and Caltrac scores; Elaboration of self-report measures obtained.

The expectancy-value (EV) model is used to examine competence and value self-perception, social influences as correlates of the adolescent leisure-time physical activity. The adolescents' perceptions of competence, values and physical activity are found to be significantly influenced by peer, parents and others' role-modeled behavior, emotional support, and beliefs.

A study to analyze the help of self-determined motivation in mediating the relationship between the psychological needs and the affective and behavioral outcomes is presented. The relationship is found to be very complex.

Examines gender differences in coping behavior of competitive athletes. Patterns of coping; Relationships between coping and negative and positive affect; Lack of goal attainment as a measure of stress.