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We draw upon transformational leadership theory to develop an instrument to measure transformational parenting for use with adolescents. First, potential items were generated that were developmentally appropriate and evidence for content validity was provided through the use of focus groups with parents and adolescents. We subsequently provide evidence for several aspects of construct validity of measures derived from the Transformational Parenting Questionnaire (TPQ). Data were collected from 857 adolescents (M(age) = 14.70 years), who rated the behaviors of their mothers and fathers. The results provided support for a second-order measurement model of transformational parenting. In addition, positive relationships between mothers' and fathers' transformational parenting behaviors, adolescents' self-regulatory efficacy for physical activity and healthy eating, and life satisfaction were found. The results of this research support the application of transformational leadership theory to parenting behaviors, as well as the construct validity of measures derived from the TPQ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To investigate content of the psychology of physical activity research over the past 20years. METHOD: Volumes of 10 journals, identified by impact factor and relevance to physical activity were audited every other year, during the period of 1990-2008. Inclusion criteria were studies that measured a physical activity outcome, and/or a psychological outcome as a result of physical activity. Data were extracted and coded based on 15 factors. RESULTS: The review yielded 889 studies for analysis. Total volume of studies (from 127 in the 1990s to 762 in the 2000s), and the proportionate content space allotted to journals has increased significantly across 20years (effect size w=0.24) (Cohen, 1992). Many study characteristics (assessment of minority/high-risk groups, self-report measurement, cross-sectional designs) have not changed. There was evidence, however, of less growth in research among older adults and young children (effect size w=0.15) compared to other age groups (effect size w=0.24), a move from pure measurement studies (effect size w=0.21) to descriptive research (effect size w=0.27), and considerable growth in environmental correlates research across time (effect size w=0.41) in the 10 journals sampled. CONCLUSION: The behavioral science of physical activity has clearly increased in prominence and volume among the 10 journals sampled, but methodological characteristics of research could be improved in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical activity interventions among youth have resulted in modest outcomes; thus, there is a need to increase the theoretical fidelity of interventions and hone pilot work before embarking on large scale trials. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a planning intervention in comparison to a standard condition on intergenerational physical activity in families with young children. Inactive families ( N = 85) were randomized to either a standard condition (received physical activity guidelines and a local municipal healthy active living guide) or the intervention (physical activity guidelines, local municipal healthy active living guide + planning material) after completing a baseline questionnaire package. Sixty-five families (standard condition n = 34; intervention condition n = 31) completed the 4 week follow-up questionnaire package. Complete cases and intention to treat analyses showed that the planning intervention resulted in higher self-reported family physical activity compared to the standard condition and this was due to an increase in unstructured family activities over the 4 weeks. The results are promising and suggest that theoretical fidelity targeting parent regulation of family activity may be a helpful approach to increasing weekly energy expenditure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to examine the Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) to predict physical activity (PA) behaviour in a large, population-based sample of adults. One thousand six hundred and two randomly selected individuals completed two telephone interviews over two consecutive six-month periods assessing PMT constructs. PMT explained 35 per cent and 20 per cent of the variance in intention and behaviour respectively. Coping cognitions as moderators of threat explained 1 per cent of the variance in intention and behaviour. Age and gender as moderators of threat did not provide additional variance in the models. We conclude that salient PMT predictors (e.g. self-efficacy) may guide the development of effective PA interventions in the general population. Copyright © 2009 SAGE Publications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prescription characteristics and guidelines of recommended physical activity have been suggested as factors that may affect behavioural adherence; however, no review has critically appraised the current evidence. Thus, the purpose of this article was to review the effect of frequency, intensity, duration and mode on physical activity adherence and provide meta-analytical summaries of the findings. A total of 27 peer-reviewed studies met inclusion criteria and random-effects meta-analytical procedures, correcting for sampling bias, were employed where possible. Overall, results showed that the effect of physical activity guideline characteristics on behavioural adherence is not particularly robust as evidenced by a lack of unified findings and almost no evidence for the interaction among these factors (e.g. volume of activity and energy expenditure). Frequency (d = 0.08), intensity (d = 0.02), duration (d = 0.05) and mode of activity (ds = 0.03-0.10) showed generally null/trivial effects. Factors unrelated to the recommended guidelines may be of greater importance when considering behavioural adherence issues. Social cognitive, personality, and environmental or socioeconomic factors have amassed considerable evidence as correlates or determinants of physical activity, and health promoters may wish to consider these variables before basic physical activity characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite growing evidence for an inverse relationship of motherhood and physical activity, studies of the possible correlates for behavior change are scant. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the change in leisure-time physical activity behaviors of 139 urban women during the transition to motherhood in retrospective analysis and evaluate their physical activity changes using the theory of planned behavior during motherhood. Perceptions of control based on time, fatigue, social support, and childcare were the critical correlates that distinguished between those who continued with physical activity and those who declined. These results provide evidence for targeted PA interventions during the transition to motherhood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Most of the population have positive intentions to engage in physical activity (PA) but fail to act; thus, the need to understand successful translation of intention into behavior is warranted in order to focus intervention efforts.Purpose: The objective of the study is to examine constructs of the transtheoretical model, theory of planned behavior, and protection motivation theory as predictors of physical activity intention-behavior profiles across 6 months in a Canadian workplace sample.Methods: Employees from three large organizations in the province of Alberta (n = 887) completed a baseline survey relating to their demographic and medical background, PA, and social-cognitive constructs. A total of 611 participants completed a second assessment 6 months later.Results: Participants were grouped by five profiles: nonintenders, unsuccessful adopters, successful adopters, unsuccessful maintainers, and successful maintainers. Perceived importance and concern for PA (cognitive processes, instrumental attitude, perceived severity) distinguished nonintenders from the other four profiles, self-management and self-regulation of the behavior (behavioral processes, self-efficacy) distinguished successful adopters from unsuccessful adopters, while control over constraints (cons, perceived control, self-efficacy) were the key discriminators of successful maintainers from unsuccessful maintainers.Conclusion: The results provide useful information for intervention campaigns and demonstrate a need to consider adoption and maintenance profiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Promoting maintenance of regular physical activity (PA) is a public health priority; however, to the authors' knowledge, no researchers to date have examined whether the expectancies of proximal PA enactment are similar to the expectancies of longer maintenance. Thus, the authors' purpose in this study was to evaluate whether PA expectancies, measured with constructs of the theory of planned behavior (TPB), varied as a function of time frame (no time frame, next week, next month, next 6 months). Undergraduate students (N = 409) completed randomly distributed self-report measures of the TPB; the authors then compared results across the 4 groups (formed on the basis of time frame). Analysis of variance tests showed that 13 of 37 constructs were significantly (p <.05) different, and post hoc follow-up tests identified that the proximal time frame (ie, next week) had the significantly lowest mean value. Chi-square tests of independent correlations, however, revealed few differences in TPB-intention correlations by time frame. The results suggest that social cognitive correlates of PA intention are robust to timeframe deviations but that time frame may affect the absolute values of some constructs. Overall, this is a positive finding because it suggests that PA promotion efforts focused on increasing expectancies do not have to be tailored to proximal or more distal maintenance applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PurposE: Previous research suggests that there is limited evidence to support a negative association between physical activity (PA) behaviors and television (TV) viewing time in children. The purpose of this study was to extend the research involving PA-TV viewing relationships and to explore potential moderators, including gender, ethnicity, weekday/ weekend behaviors, structured/unstructured activities, and seasonal variability. DESIGN: A 9-month longitudinal design, across one school year, with assessments every 3 months. SettinG: Elementary schools in the Vancouver and Richmond districts of British Columbia, Canada. Subjects. Subjects (N = 344; 47% female) were 9- to 11-year-old children who participated in a school-based PA initiative from September 2003 to June 2004. INTERVENTION: Not applicable. MEASURES: Assessments of PA were measured using the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children. TV viewing time and structured PA were measured using a self-report questionnaire. ANALYSIS: Basic descriptives, Pearson r bivariate correlations and moderated multiple regressions with mean centered variables. RESULTS: No significant interaction effects were found for any of the proposed moderators. Null bivariate correlations are supportive of findings in previous literature. CONCLUSIONS: Our results did not find support for PA-TV viewing relations, regardless of gender, ethnicity, structured PA, and seasonal variability. PA interventions aimed at modifying sedentary behaviors, such as TV viewing, may not be warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on why older adults change their driving behavior has typically neglected the psychological processes involved in this change. The purpose of this pilot study is to examine relations among difficulties with driving behaviors, motives toward driving, and intent to change driving behavior. A random sample of 224 drivers aged 60 and older reported on their driving-related motives and intentions within the framework of the theory of planned behavior and reported on their driving difficulties. Structural equation modeling was used to assess the relationship between motives toward driving and intention to change driving behavior. The model had a borderline acceptable fit. Instrumental attitude and subjective norm were predictive of 30% of the variance in intentions to change driving. Perceived social pressures and perceived benefits of driving appear to influence older drivers' intentions to change driving behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Limited measurement variability may reduce the ability of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) to predict desirable health behaviors. The primary purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of five different measurement scales on the variability and predictive validity of the TPB in the exercise domain. A secondary purpose was to test the utility of the 'two-component' TPB model (i.e., affective and instrumental attitudes, injunctive and descriptive norms, and perceived control and self-efficacy). We randomly assigned 422 undergraduate students to complete one of the five measurement scales. Results showed that the four experimental scales significantly increased the variability in most TPB measures but did not improve the model's predictive validity. Moreover, support was found for the 'two-component' model for attitude and subjective norm but not for perceived behavioral control. It was concluded that the standard 7-point scale is still the optimal measurement scale for the TPB and that the 'two-component' model is superior to the traditional model in the exercise domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The theory of planned behavior (TPB) is a popular framework for under-standing the informational and motivational influences of exercise behavior. One tenet of this model that has not been examined is the belief that direct measures of TPB component constructs are organized through higher order constructs. The authors' purpose of this article was to test this higher order conceptualization in comparison with a multidimensional TPB model using structural equation modeling. Participants (N = 268) completed direct measures of the TPB and a 2-week follow-up of exercise behavior. The results generally supported multidimensional TPB constructs over higher order structures. Direct measures of attitude (ie, affective and instrumental) and subjective norm (ie, injunctive and descriptive) had better psychometric properties when considered multidimensionally. Perceived behavioral control (ie, self-efficacy, controllability), however, had estimation problems for both the multidimensional and the higher order model. Aggregation of TPB' components is not warranted, and the perceived behavioral control components may possess a structure more complex than simple multidimensionality or a super-ordinate higher order construct. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many older adults self-regulate driving behavior, but little is known about the process underlying this behavior change. We adapted a decisional balance instrument assessing the cognitive and motivational aspects of decision-making for use in the context of driving restriction by older adults. In this exploratory study of forty drivers aged 57 to 90, it was shown that the four subscales assessing positive and negative aspects of driving in relation to self and others yielded generally adequate internal consistency reliabilities and that influences, both internal to the individual (e.g., awareness of declining abilities) and external (e.g., environmental demands), affected driving decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intention measures often assess behavioral expectation more than behavioral intention. Warshaw and Davis (1985) theorize that expectation takes anticipated fluctuations in the commitment to the intention and perceived behavioral control (PBC) interactions into consideration over intention. Some researches have provided indirect evidence for this theorizing, but no study had directly tested this proposition. Therefore, the purpose of our study was to examine potential moderators of intention and expectation relations in the exercise domain. The participants were 241 undergraduate students who completed measures of intention, expectation, commitment to their intentions, the theory of planned behavior (affective attitude, instrumental attitude, subjective norm, PBC) and a two-week follow-up of behavior. The results showed that commitment to the intention and PBC moderated the relationship between intention and expectation (p<0.01). Specifically, those individuals with low intention commitment and low PBC had lower exercise expectations than intentions (d > 0.19) and larger expectation--behavior correlations than intention--behavior correlations (q > 0.09). In contrast, those individuals with medium and high levels of intention commitment and PBC had expectations equal to their intentions and no difference between the expectation-behavior and intention-behavior correlations. Based on these results and the results of previous studies, we recommend that differences between intention and expectation items be taken into account in the future, particularly in those individuals with low intention commitment and PBC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to examine postprogram exercise motivation and adherence in cancer survivors who participated in the Group Psychotherapy and Home-Based Physical Exercise (GROUP-HOPE; Courneya, Friedenreich, Sela, Quinney, & Rhodes, 2002) trial. At the completion of the GROUP-HOPE trial, 46 of 51 (90%) participants in the exercise group completed measures of attribution theory constructs. A 5-week follow-up self-report of exercise was then completed by 30 (65%) participants. Correlational analyses indicated that program exercise, perceived success, expected success, and affective reactions were strong predictors of postprogram exercise. In multivariate stepwise regression analyses, program exercise and perceived success were the strongest predictors of postprogram exercise. Additionally, perceived success was more important than objective success in understanding the attribution process, and it interacted with personal control to influence expected success and negative affect. Finally, postprogram quality of life and changes in physical fitness were correlates of perceived success. We concluded that attribution theory may have utility for understanding postprogram exercise motivation and adherence in cancer survivors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To examine the moderating influence of ethnicity on the theory of planned behavior (TPB) in the exercise domain and to generate common and ethnic-specific underlying accessible beliefs. METHODS: 90 Caucasian and 94 African American undergraduate students completed a TPB questionnaire. RESULTS: Multilevel modeling analyses indicated that ethnicity and gender interacted by moderating the relationships between exercise intention and effective (beta = -0.44) and instrumental (betaeta = 0.39) attitudes. Furthermore, common and ethnic-specific underlying accessible beliefs were identified. CONCLUSION: When exercise interventions are developed, ethnicity and gender may need to be considered when dealing with affective and instrumental attitudes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effects of 5 different numerical response scales--continuous-open, dichotomous-yes/no, and continuous-closed numerical (CCN) with 3 different ranges of response frequencies (low, medium, high)--on the proportion of respondents defined as regular exercisers. METHODS: We randomly assigned 500 undergraduate students to complete 1 of the 5 numerical response scales. RESULTS: The percentage of participants defined as regular exercisers ranged from 14% in the CCN low-frequency group to 45% in the CCN high-frequency group [chi2 (4, 500) = 28.90; P<.001]. CONCLUSIONS: The different numerical response scales have a significant impact on the estimated percentage of regular exercisers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Empirical research has identified two distinct item clusters used to measure perceived behavioral control (PBC) labeled self-efficacy and controllability. Self-efficacy has been reported as the superior predictor of intention in all research efforts with these PBC factors. However, we argue that the conception of these item clusters originates from backward theorizing and hypothesize that controllability items are better indicators of the originally conceived PBC construct, while self-efficacy taps the measurement domains of both PBC and intention. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate factor distinction with PBC and intention items across disparate samples of 302 undergraduate students and 267 cancer survivors in the exercise domain. Results found the only model with acceptable fit across populations was that of controllability and intention chi2(8) = 6.91, p = 0.55; RMSEA = 0.00; CFI = 1.00 for undergraduates and chi2(8) = 26.51, p<0.01; RMSEA = 0.09; CFI = 0.97 for cancer survivors) supporting our hypothesis that the controllability concept, but not the self-efficacy factor, has a clean measurement distinction from intention. Further, self-efficacy items showed factor complexity between PBC and intention across both samples, suggesting that self-efficacy may have been reported as superior to controllability in predicting intention due to measurement redundancy rather than meaningful causal influence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study examined the relationship between a general personality framework (the five-factor model) and subjective well-being in patients with colorectal cancer. Participants were 56 postsurgical patients with colorectal cancer who completed a mailed, selfadministered questionnaire that assessed demographic characteristics, personality, and subjective well-being (life satisfaction, positive affect, negative affect, and affect balance). Pearson correlations indicated that neuroticism had the highest correlation with life satisfaction (r = -.61), affect balance (r = - .61), and negative affect (r = .48), whereas extroversion had the highest correlation with positive affect (r = .57). Moreover, hierarchical multiple regression analyses indicated that personality explained an additional 20% to 29% of the variance in subjective well-being after important demographic and medical variables were controlled for. The authors concluded that personality, particularly neuroticism, is strongly related to subjective well-being in patients with colorectal cancer and that clinicians should be aware of its implications for patients' functioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Parents with children in the home may benefit considerably from sport participation, given the high levels of physical inactivity and psychosocial distress among this group. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of team sport participation on mental health (primary outcome) as well as other secondary psychosocial outcomes compared to an individual physical activity condition and a "date night" control condition among parents with young children (under the age of 13)., Methods: A three-arm parallel design single blinded randomized controlled trial compared the team sport (n = 58), individual physical activity (n = 60), and control condition (n = 66) over three months. Well-being variables (short-form-12, satisfaction with life scale, parental stress scale, relationship assessment scale, family inventory version II) were assessed at baseline and post-randomization at 6 weeks and 3 months. Rolling recruitment began in winter 2016 until spring 2023. Analyses were conducted using generalized linear mixed models., Results: Team sport participation resulted in improvements in mental health and increased relationship satisfaction compared to the other conditions. Team sport participation also showed improvements in lowering parental stress and increasing family emotional expressiveness compared to the control condition. All conditions improved satisfaction with life, lowered stress, increased relationship satisfaction, benefited family health/competence and lowered family conflict over time., Discussion: The findings extend prior observational research by demonstrating team sport participation may be a viable activity to recommend for parents of young children, who are typically challenged by lower well-being, stress, and social isolation from other adults., Registered Trial: The clinical trial is registered with the National Library of Medicine at the National Institutes of Health registration ID is NCT02898285., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society of Behavioral Medicine.)

Objective: Examine the feasibility and acceptability of a social identity-informed, online delivered, running and walking group program to support low-active post-secondary students' exercise behavior and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic., Methods: A two-arm, non-blinded, parallel pilot randomized controlled trial was conducted whereby low-active post-secondary students at a Canadian university were equally randomized to an online delivered running/walking group program or an attention control condition. Primary feasibility and acceptability outcomes included program interest, study enrolment and retention, questionnaire completion, program attendance, program satisfaction, and affective exercise attitudes. Post-program interviews were conducted to ascertain participants' experiences with the program. Secondary outcomes included well-being, exercise behavior, social identity, social support, and exercise identity., Results: Ninety-two individuals were screened for eligibility, and 72 were equally randomized to the online group program or attention control condition. Recruitment exceeded the target sample size (60), study adherence and questionnaire completion were above 90%, program attendance was moderate (M = 5.03/8), self-report program satisfaction was moderate-to-high (M = 4.13/5), and there was no condition effect for affective attitudes. During interviews, participants expressed satisfaction with the program. They also discussed challenges with developing a shared sense of identity and social connection with group members via online platforms. There were small condition effects for exercise-related well-being and exercise identity and no condition effects for the remaining secondary outcomes. Social identity scores were moderate (M = 4.63/7)., Conclusions: The STRIDE program was feasible and acceptable but should be delivered and piloted in-person before a full-scale efficacy trial is conducted., Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04857918; 2021-04-20., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Despite rapid theoretical expansion in conceptualising individual and environmental processes, the examination of social processes associated with health behaviours has a less cohesive theoretical landscape. The purpose of this mapping review and content analysis was to develop a taxonomy of social dimensions applicable to health behaviours. Michie et al . (2014) 'ABC of Theories of Behaviour Change' text, which includes 83 behaviour change theories, was used as the data-set, whereby an iterative concurrent content analysis was undertaken with respect to all relational/interpersonal psychological dimensions. The analysis resulted in a social dimensions of health behaviour (SDHB) framework of 10 dimensions, including seven sub-types of social appraisal dimensions and three-sub-types of social identification dimensions. The SDHB revealed that specific dimensions, such as descriptive norm, are prevalent in behavioural theories, while other dimensions have seen less attention. Further, while most social constructs in behavioural theories are represented by only one social dimension in the SDHB, other constructs have complex representation. This version 1.0 of the SDHB framework should assist in specifying the core social dimensions in health behaviour, provide a common lexicon to discuss relational constructs in psychological theories, amalgamate the disparate social constructs literature and identify opportunities for further research to advance theory development and interventions.

Background: Social climate refers to the general feelings, norms, and opinions in a society and may be affected by experiences of discrimination. This study examined whether experiences of discrimination are associated with the social climate of physical (in)activity and support for policies addressing dual benefits of physical activity (PA) and climate change., Methods: Data from the 2023 Social Climate Survey were used (n = 1950; ≥18 y). Adherence to PA guidelines, perceived importance of PA, social norms, and support for 8 policy actions addressing dual benefits were each regressed on experiences of discrimination., Results: Experiencing discrimination was not associated with the importance of PA, causal attribution of physical inactivity (individual vs external), adherence to PA guidelines, or policy support addressing PA and climate change. However, experiencing discrimination was associated with social norms that are favorable to PA: seeing children playing actively outdoors (odds ratio [OR]: 1.04; 95% CI, 1.02-1.06), perceiving that half of people their age meeting PA guidelines (OR: 1.04; 95% CI, 1.02-1.06), agreeing with societal disapproval of physical inactivity (OR: 1.03; 95% CI, 1.01-1.06), and having important people (eg, family/friends) meeting PA guidelines (OR: 1.10; 95% CI, 1.08-1.12)., Conclusions: Unlike structural discrimination, interpersonal experiences of discrimination may not shape the perceived importance of and engagement in PA. However, experiencing discrimination may be associated with an individual's perceptions of their social environment, including how they observe and interpret the behaviors of others within their community. Generally strong support for policies addressing dual benefits, regardless of experiences with discrimination, aligns well with the planetary health agenda.

Objective: A promising strategy to increase population physical activity is through promotion of dog walking. Informed by multi-process action control and nascent dog-walking theory, we examined the effectiveness of a 3-month technology-based (dog tracker) 2-arm randomised controlled dog-walking intervention to increase dog-owner daily physical activity in the general community in Sydney, Australia., Results: 37 participants were allocated to the intervention group (mean age = 43.2 [SD 11.9]) and 40 to the control group (mean age = 42.3 [SD 11.9]). Both groups averaged more than 10,500 steps/day at baseline. There was no evidence of within- or between-group physical activity differences across timepoints. The results remained consistent after exclusion of participants who had data collected during COVID-19 lockdowns. Compared with baseline, both groups had significant increases in sedentary time during the post-intervention, and 6 month follow-up. The absence of significant differences between-group physical activity differences may be attributable to the ceiling effect of both groups already being sufficiently active. These results provide useful guidance to future studies intended to assess the efficacy of technology-based dog-walking interventions. Future dog-walking interventions should specifically target physically inactive dog owners., Trial Registration: ACTRN12619001391167 (10/10/2019); Retrospectively registered., Competing Interests: Declarations Ethics approval and consent to participate Ethical approval was obtained from the University of Sydney Human Research Ethics Committee (2016/921) and the Animal Ethics Committee (2017/1134). The study was registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (https://www.anzctr.org.au/). All participants provided informed written consent. Consent for publication Not applicable. Competing interests The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: The social environment is important to consider for effective promotion of movement behaviors like increased physical activity (PA) and reduced sedentary behavior (SB); yet, it is less often considered than individual and built environments. One way to advance social environment research is to develop system maps, an innovative, participatory, action-oriented research process that actively engages stakeholders to visualize system structures and explore how systems "work." The purpose of this research was to develop PA and SB system maps of the social environment embedded within the core/nuclear family system., Methods: The development process began with a 2-day multicountry, 16-researcher, in-person participatory workshop in August 2023, followed by multiple online follow-up consultations. Attendees contributed to the creation of the maps through shared development of critical determinants and their causal pathways. The structure of the final maps was analyzed using network analysis methods to identify indicators of centrality, and key feedback loops and areas for potential intervention were explored., Results: Key central determinants that were likely critical targets for systems intervention to produce changes in PA and SB and featured prominently in most of the reinforcing and balancing feedback loops included shared family interests, values and priorities, family logistical support, family cohesion/organization, and shared experiences. The maps also highlighted key determinants of the broader social environment external to the family., Conclusions: These system maps support current evidence on movement behaviors in family systems and socioecological theories and have the utility to galvanize future research and policy to promote PA and reduce SB.

Physical activity identity represents an important determinant of sustained physical activity behavior. The purpose of this investigation was to examine whether intention, behavioral regulation, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) behavior explain significant variation in physical activity identity across time. Using a repeated measures observational design, lower-active adults new or returning to physical activity participation ( N = 66) completed measures of study variables every three weeks over the course of a nine-week period (four assessments total). Based on the results of mixed-effects regression modelling, there was a small, non-significant increase in physical activity identity across time ( b = 0.07, p = 0.13). Intention, MVPA, and behavioral regulation mostly had significant ( p s < 0.05) bivariate correlations with physical activity identity at the same time point of assessment. Behavioral regulation explained significant variation in physical activity identity across time ( b = 0.26, p < 0.0001), but intention and MVPA were non-significant ( p s > 0.05) after including a random intercept and controlling for behavioral regulation. Identity was resistant to change among new physical activity initiates in this study and longer time frames of assessment are needed (e.g., six months). Behavioral regulation should be examined as a determinant of physical activity identity in future investigations.

In response to COVID-19 social distancing restrictions, digitally delivered health interventions present as a potential solution for maintaining or improving individuals' physical activity. This study explored the feasibility of a web-based intervention, informed by the multi-process action control (M-PAC) framework to promote PA among individuals affected by social distancing. Fifty adults self-reporting as insufficiently active were randomized to a 6-week web-intervention (n = 27) or wait-list control (n = 23). Primary feasibility outcomes included recruitment and retention rates and usability and satisfaction scores; secondary outcomes of MVPA and M-PAC constructs and tertiary outcomes of mental health and wellbeing were also assessed. Overall, feasibility of the intervention was high, with a 96% recruitment rate, 84% retention rate, high satisfaction and usability scores, and comparable website usage to similar eHealth interventions. Intervention participants trended towards improved MVPA and M-PAC constructs and outcomes of mental health and wellbeing. Findings suggest study extension to a full-scale RCT., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Introduction: Twenty-four-hour movement behaviors: moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), light physical activity (LPA), sedentary behavior (SB), and sleep are crucial factors affecting older adults' health. Using a compositional data analysis approach, this study examined the associations of time spent in these four movement behaviors with cardiometabolic health, physical fitness, and mental health among older adults. Furthermore, this study identified the estimated changes in aforementioned health outcomes by reallocating SB time to other movement behaviors., Methods: A population-based cross-sectional study of 4562 participants (67.68 ± 5.03 yr; 55.8% female) were implemented in Hubei China between July 25 and November 19, 2020. Measures included demographics, movement behaviors, cardiometabolic indicators (body mass index, waist circumference, waist-hip ratio, percentage body fat, systolic and diastolic blood pressure), physical fitness, and mental health outcomes (depressive symptoms and loneliness). Compositional data analyses were implemented in R., Results: MVPA and sleep time were associated with greater health outcomes (all P < 0.001), except blood pressure ( P = 0.13-0.83). LPA time was associated with waist circumference ( B = 0.313, P = 0.009), waist-hip ratio ( B = 0.003, P = 0.003), physical fitness ( B = 0.36, P < 0.001), and mental health indicators (both P < 0.001). Reallocating 30-min SB to MVPA and sleep was associated with predicated improvements in all health outcomes, except blood pressure, whereas reallocating 30-min SB to LPA resulted in predicted improvements in physical fitness (0.187 units), depressive symptoms (-0.264 units), and loneliness (-0.395 units). For dose-effect relationships, reallocating 5-60 min of SB to MVPA showed greatest benefits for all health outcomes., Conclusions: This study provides timely empirical evidence for future interventions and policymaking on promoting healthy aging during the post-COVID-19 era. The findings underline the importance of including 24-h movement behaviors in future health promotion among older adults., (Copyright © 2024 by the American College of Sports Medicine.)

This randomized controlled trial investigated the impact of a brief session of group-based running on feelings of energy and fatigue, comparing exercise in a local nature reserve versus an outdoor built environment, and a sedentary control condition. Sixty-six physically active university students participated, with 56 providing full data for each time point. Consistent with previous research, participants in both exercise groups reported significantly increased energy and decreased fatigue compared to those in the sedentary control group. However, the type of outdoor environment did not significantly influence the magnitude of improvements. Contrary to expectations, there was no significant difference in energy enhancement or fatigue mitigation between participants who jogged in a local nature reserve versus those who jogged on a cinder track in an urbanized area. The study discusses potential reasons for this, including seasonal variations in forest volatile organic compounds (FVOCs) concentrations, which may impact the psychological effects associated with forest environments. Further research is needed to better understand the complex relationship between exercise, environment, and feelings of energy/feelings of fatigue., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no conflict of interest regarding this study., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Background: Regular engagement in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) during childhood yields a myriad of health benefits, and contributes to sustained MVPA behaviors into adulthood. Given the influence of parents on shaping their child's MVPA behaviour, the family system represents a viable target for intervention. The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of two intervention conditions designed to increase child MVPA: (1) A standard education + planning intervention providing information about benefits, action planning, and coping planning; and (2) An augmented physical activity education + planning intervention that includes the components of the standard intervention, as well as a focus on family identity promotion and developing as an active member of the family., Methods: A two-arm parallel single-blinded randomized trial will compare the two conditions over 6 months. Eligible families have at least one child aged 6-12 years who is not meeting the physical activity recommendations within the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines (i.e.,<60 min/day of MVPA). Intervention materials targeting family identity promotion will be delivered online via zoom following baseline assessment, with booster sessions at 6-weeks and 3-months. Child MVPA will be measured by wGT3X-BT Actigraph accelerometry at baseline, 6-weeks, 3-months, and 6-months as the primary outcome. At these same time points, parent cognition (e.g., attitudes, perceived control, behavioral regulation, habit, identity) and support behaviours, and parent-child co-activity will be assessed via questionnaire as secondary outcomes. Child-health fitness measures will be also administered through fitness testing at baseline and 6-months as secondary outcomes. Finally, upon completion of the trial's 6-month measures, a follow-up end-of-trial interview will be conducted with parents to examine parents' experiences with the intervention., Results: So far, 30 families have been enrolled from the Southern Vancouver Island and Vancouver Lower Mainland area. Recruitment will be continuing through 2026 with a target of 148 families., Discussion: This study will contribute to the understanding of effective strategies to increase child physical activity by comparing two intervention approaches. Both provide parents with education on physical activity benefits, action planning, and coping planning supports. However, one intervention also incorporates components focused on promoting an active family identity and involving all family members in physical activity together. The findings from this study have the potential to inform the design and implementation of public health initiatives aimed at improving physical activity participation in children and guide the development of more effective interventions that leverage the crucial role of parents and the family system in shaping children's physical activity behaviors., Trial Registration: The clinical trial registration ID is NCT05794789. This trial was registered with clinicaltrials.gov on March 2nd, 2023, with the last updated release on September 28th, 2023., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Objective: This study was designed to investigate the effects of individual, dyadic, and collaborative planning on moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA; primary outcome) and energy-dense food intake (secondary outcome) in dyads of parents and their 9-15-year-old children. Individual planning reflects an "I-for-me" planning of one person's behavior. Collaborative ("we-for-us") planning refers to joint planning of both dyad members' behavior, whereas dyadic ("we-for-me") planning involves joint planning of only the target person's behavior., Method: N = 247 dyads participated in a randomized controlled trial with individual, dyadic, or collaborative physical activity (PA) planning and control conditions (education about PA, sedentary behavior, nutrition, energy intake-expenditure balance). MVPA was measured with ActiGraph wGT3X-BT accelerometers at baseline, 1-week, and 36-week follow-ups. Energy-dense food intake was self-reported at baseline, 9-week, and 36-week follow-ups. Linear mixed models were fit for parents and children separately., Results: At the 36-week follow-up, children in the dyadic "we-for-me" planning condition decreased their MVPA compared to the control condition. At the same time, children in the dyadic planning condition also decreased energy-dense food intake at the 36-week follow-up. No effects were found among children in individual and collaborative PA planning conditions. Parents in any experimental conditions decreased energy-dense food intake., Conclusions: Children's decrease in MVPA in dyadic PA planning condition was offset by a reduction of energy intake, which may represent a compensatory mechanism. The limited effectiveness of the dyadic "we-for-me" interventions in parent-child dyads may result from young people's needs for individuation and their reactance to parental support. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine changes and the bi-directional relationship in sleep and movement, and health and well-being among new parents and differences by sex., Methods: This secondary data analysis included both conditions from a randomized control trial to improve new parents'physical activity [PA] and recruited couples. Parents ( n  = 181, 117 couples represented 31.5 ± 4.4 years, 51.3% women, 83.3% White) completed questionnaires on regular overnight sleep duration, PA, mental health (perceived stress), physical health (physical quality of life [PQoL]), and well-being (life satisfaction) at 2-, 4-, 6-, and 8-month postpartum. Random-intercept cross-lagged panel models were stratified by sex to examine changes in sleep and PA with health and well-being across time., Results: Sleep and stress were interrelated at different times for fathers (2 months), and mothers (8 months). Sleep and PQoL improved across time, with mothers reporting less sleep than fathers at 4 and 6 months. PQoL at 4 months was related to MVPA at 6-months. Life satisfaction and PA at 2 months was related to PA at 4 months., Conclusion: Mothers and fathers experienced different sleep and stress trajectories. Mental health improved postpartum with early connections to PA. Supporting the 24-hour movement behavior cycle and mental health across the parenthood transition may benefit couples.

Objective: Psychological need satisfaction, from a self-determination theory (SDT) perspective, has been applied extensively to understand predictors of exercise behaviour. Dweck proposed a psychological needs framework that includes basic needs (optimal predictability, competence, acceptance), compound needs derived from combinations of basic needs (self-esteem/status, trust, control), and a superordinate compound need for self-coherence that includes identity and meaning. The purpose was to examine whether psychological needs operationalized within Dweck's model account for variance in exercise behaviour in ways that the SDT model does not., Methods and Measures: A community sample of 403 adults completed measures of demographics, psychological needs, and exercise motivation at Time 1, and self-reported moderate-to-vigorous minutes of exercise at both Times 1 and 2 four weeks later., Results: Two structural equation models operationalizing Dweck's needs framework and SDT (basic needs and motivation) were examined in relation to exercise behaviour. In both models, exercise identity and integrated regulation (conceptually similar) were the most salient correlates of prospectively measured exercise behaviour, and both accounted for the relationship between competence and exercise behaviour., Conclusion: The results support the importance of identity in the context of exercise behaviour. Future research should investigate factors associated with adopting and maintaining an exercise identity.

Background: Eighty one percent of adolescents do not meet the recommended physical activity (PA) guidelines with levels of physical activity declining steadily with age and more pronounced in girls of low socioeconomic position (SEP). Furthermore, early adolescence is a time when the rate of decline in PA is most severe amongst girls, placing them at an increased likelihood of developing negative health outcomes associated with physical inactivity. In response, the aim of this study was to explore low-SEP pre-teen girls' experiences of being physically active and to understand their perceptions of the individual, social and environmental factors that influence these experiences., Methods: Focus groups were conducted with 107 girls aged 10-12 years from four urban and three rural primary schools. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyse the data, with themes mapped to the relevant domains of the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF)., Results: Themes highlighted how skills and confidence underpin girls' self-identity for PA. Girls described how their social network (i.e., peers, family, coaches and teachers) shaped their experiences of being active. Girls recognised how being active was impacted by the challenges and opportunities in their local community (e.g., lack of facilities and anti-social behaviour)., Conclusion: This study provides insight into low-SEP pre-teen girls' experiences of being physically active in both rural and urban locations, while highlighting the complex interplay of individual, social and environmental factors. Additionally, the use of the TDF presents an in-depth behavioural diagnosis which can be used to inform future theory-based interventions to promote low-SEP pre-teen girls PA., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Background: This study aims to investigate the trends and ecological determinants of physical activity among U.S. children and adolescents during the 2019-2021 period, encompassing the COVID-19 pandemic's onset and subsequent years., Methods: Utilizing data from the National Survey of Children's Health over three years, this cohort study analyzed physical activity levels and ecological determinants among 82,068 participants aged 6-17. The sample included 36,133 children (44%) and 45,935 adolescents (56%), with variables assessed by caregiver reports., Results: The analysis revealed a significant decline in physical activity among children from 2019 to 2020, followed by a recovery in 2021, whereas adolescents showed a continued decrease without recovery. Over the study period, children were consistently more active than adolescents. Better health status, normal weight, less screen time, stronger peer relationships, higher parental involvement, better family resilience and greater school participation were consistently correlated with increased physical activity in both age groups. Sleep duration was a predictor of activity only in children, while mental health status was solely a predictor in adolescents. Neighborhood environment consistently predicted children's activity levels but was a significant factor for adolescents only in 2020., Conclusions: These findings highlight the differing impacts of the pandemic on physical activity between children and adolescents, emphasizing the need for targeted public health interventions, particularly for adolescents whose activity levels have not recovered from the pandemic period. Age-specific physical activity interventions should consider sleep duration and neighborhood environmental factors when targeting children and mental health factors when focused on adolescents., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Objective: The menstrual cycle often presents barriers to participation in daily life activities, including physical activity (PA), which is a cornerstone of health and well-being. The purpose of this systematic review was to explore and summarize the impact of symptoms, experiences, and perceptions of the menstrual cycle on recreational PA (RPA), including sports, exercise and active recreation, in the general population., Methods: Six databases were searched for studies that investigated the impact of the menstrual cycle on PA among individuals who were cyclically menstruating, healthy, and not involved in professional sports training., Results: The search yielded 3025 studies that were screened for relevance and eligibility, resulting in 25 eligible studies, which were found to be of moderate-to-high quality following a quality and risk-of-bias assessment. Thematic synthesis of qualitative and quantitative data from the selected studies, constituting 16,557 adults and 3715 adolescents, identified the impact of menstrual symptoms on the physical and psychological capability to participate in RPA, social opportunity barriers to RPA (e.g., social pressure due to the sociocultural taboo against menstruation), as well reflective (knowledge) and automatic (habit) motivation on RPA behaviours., Conclusion: The variability in menstrual symptoms and corresponding experiences suggested the need for an individualized approach to RPA promotion. Furthermore, this review highlighted the need to address the sociocultural taboo against menstruation, as well as improve the provision of knowledge and resources related to the menstrual cycle and RPA, in order to promote and facilitate RPA for cyclically menstruating individuals throughout the menstrual cycle., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: One third of college students do not achieve aerobic activity levels recommended for physical and mental health. The web-based "I Can Be Active!" intervention was designed to help college students increase their physical activity. The intervention was grounded in the Multi-Process Action Control (M-PAC) framework which emphasizes translating intention into sustainable action., Objective: The primary purpose was to evaluate the feasibility of the intervention with insufficiently active young adult college students. The secondary purposes were to describe the preliminary effects of the intervention on: (1) the M-PAC constructs and (2) physical activity., Methods: Twenty-one college students, ages 18 to 24, were enrolled in the pre-post quasi-experimental study to test the 8-week intervention during Spring 2021. Data were collected via self-report questionnaires, web-analytics, and interviews. Feasibility outcomes included recruitment, retention, acceptability, practicality, and implementation. Preliminary efficacy outcomes were self-report M-PAC constructs and physical activity. Data analyses included descriptive statistics, t tests, Wilcoxon signed rank tests, Hedge's g , and thematic analysis., Results: Recruitment and retention rates were 70% and 71%, respectively. Participants reacted positively to the program, content, and features, except the manual entry step tracker and private social media group. Positive trends and significant increases were found in the regulatory and reflexive M-PAC constructs (self-regulation, habit, and identity) and physical activity., Conclusions: Findings support the feasibility and preliminary effects of the intervention for insufficiently active college students and highlight implications for intervention refinement. Future research will test intervention effectiveness using a randomized controlled trial with a larger diverse sample of college students., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Early career professionals (ECPs) are a critical target for physical activity (PA) promotion. Affect contributes to an established PA intention-behaviour gap and is pertinent among ECPs., Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility and acceptability of a web-based intervention and explore the effects on secondary outcomes (moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), emotion regulation, multi-process action control constructs)., Methods: Adults aged 25-44 who were employed at least part-time in a desk-based job and not meeting PA guidelines (<150 min MVPA) were recruited and randomized into a 6-week online intervention integrating acceptance and commitment principles and affect regulation strategies, or a control group., Results: Forty adults were recruited and randomized to the web-based intervention ( n  = 21) and waitlist control ( n  = 19). The recruitment rate was 29%, retention was 75%, engagement was 68%, and satisfaction was high in both quantitative and qualitative assessment. Participants allocated to the intervention improved MVPA (η p 2 =0.30), emotion regulation (η p 2 =0.49), behavioural regulation (η p 2 =0.53), affective attitude (η p 2 =0.23), identity (η p 2 =0.24), and constructs of mindfulness (η p 2 =0.44), and valued living (η p 2 =0.20)., Conclusions: Primary outcomes concerning feasibility were adequate and secondary outcomes improved, suggesting a full-scale randomized controlled trial is feasible with minor modifications. A large-scale study is warranted to establish intervention effectiveness.