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Abstracts / Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport 12S (2009) S1–S83
complete secondary school to enable a better understanding to be gained of the influence of educational priorities upon sport and physical activity participation. In doing so, practical strategies for both the school and community organisations need to be established and implemented. doi:10.1016/j.jsams.2008.12.085
86 Family and social influences on children’s physical activity and participation in a community sporting event W. Herman 1 , G. Naughton 2 , D. Morton 1,∗ , P. Morey 1 1 Avondale
College, Australia Catholic University, Australia
2 Australian
85 A review of mediators of behaviour in interventions to promote physical activity among children and adolescents D. Lu bans 1,∗ , C. Foster 2 , S. Biddle 3 1 University
of Newcastle, Australia of Oxford, United Kingdom 3 Loughborough University, United Kingdom 2 University
Background: The effectiveness of interventions to promote physical activity in youth is still developing. In order to develop a better understanding “what works”, researchers and educators are now focusing on constructing an evidence base for mediators of behaviour change. Methods: We reviewed studies that examined the direct effect of interventions on hypothesized mediators and the relationship between mediators and physical activity in young people (aged 5–18 years). Studies were identified via electronic database searches, hand searching selected scientific journals and scanning references against predetermined quality criteria. Results: We found seven studies that evaluated three mediator groups: cognitive, behavioural and interpersonal mediators (15 different mediators). Self-efficacy was the most commonly assessed mediator in youth interventions and there was strong support for its role in mediating the relationship between theory-based interventions and physical activity. There was some support for the importance of behavioural processes of change as mediators of behaviour, but no support for the mediating influence of interpersonal (social) factors. Conclusions: Despite recognition of the importance of mediation studies, few interventions have assessed potential mediators of physical activity behaviour in youth interventions. The small number of studies examining potential mediators of behaviour and the variability in study design and quality prevent us from forming strong conclusions regarding the most effective mediators of behaviour. doi:10.1016/j.jsams.2008.12.086
Purpose: The primary purpose of this study was to assess the influence of family and other social factors predictive of children’s participation in regular physical activity (PA). A second aim of the study was to explore the barriers to children’s participation in a community sporting event—the Sanitarium TRYathlon. Methods: A survey instrument was administered to 210 students in years 4, 5, and 6 and their parents. The students answered questions relating to their participation in PA, self-efficacy for PA, and barriers to participation in PA. Parents completed a survey that elucidated supportive behaviours towards their child’s PA and profiled their child’s typical weekly PA. Factors influencing the child’s participation in the school-promoted Sanitarium TRYathlon were explored. Results: Using path analysis, results showed there was a strong positive correlation between parental encouragement and the students involvement in both organised (r = 0.44, p < 0.01) and unorganised (r = 0.27, p < 0.01) PA. Parental encouragement was characterised by parents who verbally encouraged their child to be active, watched them participate in PA and provided transport to sporting events. Correspondingly, the major barriers to participation in the TRYathlon were alternative family plans (52%) and lack of transport to the event (32%). Overall, the children reported high levels of self-esteem and self-efficacy towards PA, but this had no influence on their involvement in organised or unorganised physical activity. Conclusion: These findings provide further evidence that the parent remains among one of the greatest influences on children’s PA habits. doi:10.1016/j.jsams.2008.12.087 87 HABITAT: Are area-level neighbourhood characteristics associated with physical activity in mid-aged men and women? N. Burton 1,∗ , G. Turrell 2 , L. Wilson 2 , K. Giskes 2 1 The
University of Queensland, Australia University of Technology, Australia
2 Queensland
Introduction: This study is part of the HABITAT project and examined the association between selected area-level characteristics and physical activity done by mid-aged adults. Method: Census Collectors Districts (CCDs) in Brisbane were ranked by an Index of Relative Socioeconomic Disadvantage and 200 CCDs selected. A Geographic Information System (GIS) database was used to compile information on