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126 Relationships between physical activity and fundamental motor skill proficiency in Victorian children
Relationships between physical activity and fundamental motor skill proficiency in Victorian children L. Brown*, J. Walkley &B. Holland RMIT UNIVERSITY DIVISION OF EXERCISE SCIENCES
The lack of development of adequate motor skills in early years can lead to a disinterest in leisure time physical activity influencing sport participation, lack of fitness and health problems, as children get older. Research was carried out using a stratified random sample of 26 primary & secondary schools drawn from the population of all Victorian schools. Test items used were the Self-Administered Physical Activity Checklist (SAPAC), eleven fundamental motor skills were qualitatively analysed using video recording, multistage fitness test (MSFT) used to test cardiovascular fitness and the Feelings about Physical Education (FAPE) questionnaire was administered to determine attitudes towards Physical Education. Pearson correlation (1-tailed) was used to determine significance between items tested. The results indicated that there was a significant correlation between the MSFT and SAPAC (p<. 000); Locomotor fundamental motor skills and SAPAC (p<. 014); Object control fundamental motor skills and SAPAC (p<. 029) and total fundamental motor skills and SAPAC (p<. 036). Results from the Feelings about Physical Education questionnaire and the test items revealed the following: Asignificant correlation between FAPE and SAPAC (p<. 000); FAPE and MSFT (p<. 000) and FAPE and Fundamental motor skills total (p<. 011). Conclusions from this study were that Fundamental Motor Skills competency is significantly related to physical activity and cardiovascular fitness among children. Physical education programs that develop a positive attitude towards physical education are vital in providing students with the skills required to participate in sport and physical activity during and after school.
Up4it: a comprehensive approach to increasing physical activity among young people in Geraldton, Western Australia B. McGougan1, T. Shilton 1*, J. Blayney1, T. Quinlan 2, N. Edwards 3& K. Robertson 1 Heart Foundation (WA) 2Midwest Murchison Population Health 3Combined Universities Centre for Rural Health 1National
The Up4it Project commenced in April 2004 and is a multi-component physical activity intervention, targeting 12-15 year olds in the rural Western Australian city of Geraldton. Up4it seeks to address both the individual and their environment. The aim of this intervention project is to increase physical activity levels of adolescents in Geraldton and develop evidence-based and sustainable methods that could have applicability across Western Australia and in rural Australia. The Project is an initiative of a coalition of leading health agencies, including the National Heart Foundation, The Midwest Murchison Population Health Unit, Combined Universities Centre for Rural Health and other local agencies. It is funded by Healthway. Key strategies include media communication, enhanced active environments and places, active schools policy, school-community links, active transport and stakeholder consultation and participation with emphasis on youth, Aboriginal youth and parents. The project's objectives and strategies were informed by findings from a Healthway Research Starter Grant completed in 2001 titled "The promotion of Physical Activity Amongst Children and Adolescents in the Midwest". To date, few programs have addressed physical activity with young people, in rural areas, or in a comprehensive manner. The Up4it Project is an excellent example of a collaboratively designed intervention that provides an excellent opportunity to trial strategies that address physical inactivity amongst young people. This paper will provide an overview of the Up4it Project model and the research that informed it - including formative/qualitative research and data from pre-test evaluation results taken in 2004.
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The lack of development of adequate motor skills in early years can lead to a disinterest in leisure time physical activity influencing sport participation, lack of fitness and health problems, as children get older. Research was carried out using a stratified random sample of 26 primary & secondary schools drawn from the population of all Victorian schools. Test items used were the Self-Administered Physical Activity Checklist (SAPAC), eleven fundamental motor skills were qualitatively analysed using video recording, multistage fitness test (MSFT) used to test cardiovascular fitness and the Feelings about Physical Education (FAPE) questionnaire was administered to determine attitudes towards Physical Education. Pearson correlation (1-tailed) was used to determine significance between items tested. The results indicated that there was a significant correlation between the MSFT and SAPAC (p<. 000); Locomotor fundamental motor skills and SAPAC (p<. 014); Object control fundamental motor skills and SAPAC (p<. 029) and total fundamental motor skills and SAPAC (p<. 036). Results from the Feelings about Physical Education questionnaire and the test items revealed the following: Asignificant correlation between FAPE and SAPAC (p<. 000); FAPE and MSFT (p<. 000) and FAPE and Fundamental motor skills total (p<. 011). Conclusions from this study were that Fundamental Motor Skills competency is significantly related to physical activity and cardiovascular fitness among children. Physical education programs that develop a positive attitude towards physical education are vital in providing students with the skills required to participate in sport and physical activity during and after school.
Up4it: a comprehensive approach to increasing physical activity among young people in Geraldton, Western Australia B. McGougan1, T. Shilton 1*, J. Blayney1, T. Quinlan 2, N. Edwards 3& K. Robertson 1 Heart Foundation (WA) 2Midwest Murchison Population Health 3Combined Universities Centre for Rural Health 1National
The Up4it Project commenced in April 2004 and is a multi-component physical activity intervention, targeting 12-15 year olds in the rural Western Australian city of Geraldton. Up4it seeks to address both the individual and their environment. The aim of this intervention project is to increase physical activity levels of adolescents in Geraldton and develop evidence-based and sustainable methods that could have applicability across Western Australia and in rural Australia. The Project is an initiative of a coalition of leading health agencies, including the National Heart Foundation, The Midwest Murchison Population Health Unit, Combined Universities Centre for Rural Health and other local agencies. It is funded by Healthway. Key strategies include media communication, enhanced active environments and places, active schools policy, school-community links, active transport and stakeholder consultation and participation with emphasis on youth, Aboriginal youth and parents. The project's objectives and strategies were informed by findings from a Healthway Research Starter Grant completed in 2001 titled "The promotion of Physical Activity Amongst Children and Adolescents in the Midwest". To date, few programs have addressed physical activity with young people, in rural areas, or in a comprehensive manner. The Up4it Project is an excellent example of a collaboratively designed intervention that provides an excellent opportunity to trial strategies that address physical inactivity amongst young people. This paper will provide an overview of the Up4it Project model and the research that informed it - including formative/qualitative research and data from pre-test evaluation results taken in 2004.
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