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Activity Participation (activity + participation)

Distribution by Scientific Domains
Medical Sciences75%
Humanities and Social Sciences25%

Kinds of Activity Participation

  • physical activity participation
    		•

    Selected Abstracts

    Dealing with Timing and Synchronization in Opportunities for Joint Activity Participation

    GEOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS, Issue 3 2010
    Tijs Neutens
    The ability of people to access opportunities offered by the built environment is circumscribed by various sets of space,time constraints, including the requirements to meet other persons at particular times and places to undertake activities together. While models of space,time accessibility recognize that joint activities may constrain the performance of activities in space and time, their specifications do not explicitly acknowledge the opportunities that individuals of a group have for joint activity participation. Therefore, this article focuses on joint activity participation and argues that collective activity decisions are the outcome of a complex process involving various aspects of timing, synchronization, and social hierarchy. The utility-theoretic model proposed here quantifies the extent to which opportunities can be jointly accessed by a particular group of people within a specific time period. Central to the approach are three key variables: the attractiveness of an opportunity, the time available for activity participation, and the travel time to an activity location. Because of the multiperson character of joint activities, the determination of these variables is subject to individual preferences, privileges, and power differentials within a group. Specific attention is given to how time-of-day and synchronization effects influence the opportunities accessible to a group of individuals. The impact of these factors on joint accessibility is illustrated by a real-world example of an everyday rendezvous scenario. The outcomes of a simulation exercise suggest that time-of-day and synchronization effects significantly affect the benefits that can be gained from opportunities for joint activities. La capacidad de acceso a las oportunidades que los entornos construidos (como las ciudades) ofrecen a las personas, está limitada por un conjunto diverso de restricciones espacio-temporales. Entre ellas se incluyen los requisitos para coincidir y encontrarse con otras personas en determinados momentos y lugares con el fin de realizar actividades conjuntas. Los modelos de accesibilidad comunes reconocen que las actividades conjuntas pueden limitar el ejercicio de actividades en el espacio y el tiempo. Sin embargo, sus especificaciones no reconocen explícitamente las oportunidades disponibles a todos los individuos de un grupo para participar de una actividad conjunta. Es en este contexto y dadas las limitaciones descritas que este artículo se centra en la participación de individuos en actividades conjuntas y propone el argumento que la toma de decisiones relacionadas con dichas actividades son el resultado de un proceso complejo que involucra varios aspectos de temporización (programación temporal), sincronización, y jerarquía social. El modelo teórico de utilidad que se propone aquí cuantifica el grado en que las oportunidades pueden ser evaluadas en forma conjunta por un grupo de personas particular dentro de un período de tiempo específico. El marco general propuesto por los autores se basa en tres variables fundamentales: el atractivo de una oportunidad, el tiempo disponible para la participación de la actividad, y el tiempo de desplazamiento al lugar donde se lleva a cabo actividad. Debido al carácter particular de estas actividades (que involucran múltiples participantes), la determinación de estas variables está sujeta a preferencias individuales, a privilegios y a diferencias de poder dentro de un grupo. El presente estudio además presta atención especial a la forma en la que la hora del día y los efectos de sincronización pueden influenciar la disponibilidad de oportunidades para un grupo determinado de individuos. El impacto de estos factores sobre la accesibilidad agregada de actividades conjuntas es ejemplificado por los autores mediante un caso del mundo real que utiliza escenarios de encuentros diarios entre personas. Los resultados de este ejercicio de simulación sugieren que los efectos de la hora del día y la sincronización afectan significativamente los beneficios que se pueden obtener a partir las oportunidades disponibles para acceder a y realizar actividades conjuntas. [source]

    Fitness versus fatness: Moving beyond weight loss in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease,,

    HEPATOLOGY, Issue 1 2010
    Nathan A. Johnson
    The rapid emergence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) as a cause of both liver-related morbidity and mortality and cardiometabolic risk has led to the search for effective lifestyle strategies to reduce liver fat. Lifestyle intervention comprising dietary restriction in conjunction with increased physical activity has shown clear hepatic benefits when weight loss approximating 3%-10% of body weight is achieved. Yet, the poor sustainability of weight loss challenges the current therapeutic focus on body weight and highlights the need for alternative strategies for NAFLD management. Epidemiologic data show an independent relationship between liver fat, physical activity, and fitness, and a growing body of longitudinal research demonstrates that increased physical activity participation per se significantly reduces hepatic steatosis and serum aminotransferases in individuals with NAFLD, independent of weight loss. Mechanistic insights to explain this interaction are outlined, and recommendations for the implementation of lifestyle intervention involving physical activity are discussed. In light of the often poor sustainability of weight loss strategies, and the viability of physical activity therapy, clinicians should assess physical fitness and physical activity habits, educate patients on the benefits of fitness outside of weight loss, and focus on behavior change which promotes physical activity adoption. (HEPATOLOGY 2010) [source]

    Participation of Children with and without Disabilities in Social, Recreational and Leisure Activities

    JOURNAL OF APPLIED RESEARCH IN INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES, Issue 3 2010
    Abbie Solish
    Background, One method of promoting children's friendship development is through activity participation with peers. However, children with disabilities seem to engage in fewer of these activities, and when they do participate often do so primarily with adults. Materials and Methods, This study compared activity participation and friendship in typically developing (TD) children (n = 90), children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD; n = 65), and children with an intellectual disability (n = 30) between the ages of 5 and 17 years. Parents completed a questionnaire about their child's participation in social, recreational and leisure activities. Results, The TD children participated in significantly more social and recreational activities and had more friends than the children with disabilities. Notable differences emerged among groups in the percentage of activities the children participated in with peers, parents and/or other adults. Some significant differences were noted between the ASD and intellectual disability groups. Conclusions, Research concerning activity participation should continue to take into account not only whether children are engaging in activities, but explore more precisely ,with whom' these activities are occurring. [source]

    Gender differences in physical activity and its determinants in rural adults in Korea

    JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 5-6 2010
    Hyun Kyung Kim
    Aim., This study aimed to examine gender differences in physical activity and its determinants among rural adults in Korea. Background., Only limited studies exist that examined gender differences in physical activity in Korean adults. Major determinants for physical activity such as self-efficacy, benefits and barriers have been studied, but little is known about their gender differences. Nurses promoting and teaching adults to increase physical activity need data for evidence-based practice. Design., A cross-sectional descriptive design was used. Method., Participants were 481 adults living in a rural area of Korea. The physical activity status, exercise self-efficacy, benefits, barriers and sociodemographics were compared between men and women. Descriptive statistics, t -test and binary logistic regression were used for data analysis. Results., The physical activity status, perceived self-efficacy and benefits of physical activity in women were significantly lower than those of men. For men, only self-efficacy was statistically significant in explaining recommended physical activity as well as physical activity participation. However, for women, benefits and barriers as well as self-efficacy significantly explained their participation of physical activity, but not the recommended physical activity. Unlike men, women's physical activity was significantly associated with sociodemographic factors. Conclusion., Gender differences found in this study should be the basis for evidence-based nursing practice. Tailored nursing interventions based on gender would improve physical activity of rural adults in Korea and beyond. Relevance to clinical practice., Nurses providing care for rural adults should know the gender differences in the determinants of physical activity and provide gender-specific interventions to improve their physical activity. [source]

    LIMITED EXPOSURE: CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES AND NEIGHBORHOOD EFFECTS IN THE GAUTREAUX TWO HOUSING MOBILITY PROGRAM

    JOURNAL OF URBAN AFFAIRS, Issue 4 2010
    ANITA ZUBERI
    ABSTRACT:,Housing mobility programs intend to improve the well-being of low-income families by changing the neighborhood environment in which they live, and thereby creating access to a new set of opportunities and resources. Using data collected in a study of the Gautreaux Two (G2) Housing Mobility program, which offered housing vouchers to public housing residents in Chicago to move to lower-poverty and less segregated "opportunity" neighborhoods, this article explores families' access to programs and services for their children in the neighborhoods where they move. The analysis is based on a sample of 46 families who moved through the G2 program. Qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with mothers in four waves, which started when the family still lived in public housing. The results show that almost three-quarters of the families utilized activities for their children in the baseline neighborhoods, but mothers also expressed concerns about the safety and lack of program variety available in these disadvantaged neighborhoods. After moving through the G2 program, only one-third of the children in these families are using activities. The decline in activity participation is especially steep for children in families that move to areas outside of the city. Although few mothers are concerned with safety or the variety of programs available, several report barriers to activities for children in the new neighborhood, including fewer programs for low-income children, high cost, transportation difficulties, and issues finding daycare or preschool for younger children. Some children continue to use activities in the old neighborhood and some families end up making subsequent moves to nonqualifying neighborhoods. These findings suggest that activity participation is important for many low-income families, and losing access to these activities upon moving through the G2 program may limit children's exposure to the new neighborhood and contribute to subsequent moves. [source]

    Paediatric obesity, physical activity and the musculoskeletal system

    OBESITY REVIEWS, Issue 5 2009
    S. P. Shultz
    Summary The current epidemic of paediatric obesity is consistent with a myriad of health-related comorbid conditions. Despite the higher prevalence of orthopaedic conditions in overweight children, a paucity of published research has considered the influence of these conditions on the ability to undertake physical activity. As physical activity participation is directly related to improvements in physical fitness, skeletal health and metabolic conditions, higher levels of physical activity are encouraged, and exercise is commonly prescribed in the treatment and management of childhood obesity. However, research has not correlated orthopaedic conditions, including the increased joint pain and discomfort that is commonly reported by overweight children, with decreases in physical activity. Research has confirmed that overweight children typically display a slower, more tentative walking pattern with increased forces to the hip, knee and ankle during ,normal' gait. This research, combined with anthropometric data indicating a higher prevalence of musculoskeletal malalignment in overweight children, suggests that such individuals are poorly equipped to undertake certain forms of physical activity. Concomitant increases in obesity and decreases in physical activity level strongly support the need to better understand the musculoskeletal factors associated with the performance of motor tasks by overweight and obese children. [source]

    Necessary and Discretionary Activities in Knee Osteoarthritis: Do They Mediate the Pain,Depression Relationship?

    PAIN MEDICINE, Issue 5 2007
    Patricia A. Parmelee PhD
    ABSTRACT Objective., This study examined direct vs indirect associations of pain and physical function with depression in 369 older adults with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. A key focus was the distinction of functional disability in necessary tasks (basic and instrumental activities of daily living) from discretionary, leisure activities. Design., A naturalistic longitudinal study examined effects of demographic variables, indicators of arthritis status, general health, pain, and several measures of functional disability upon depressive symptoms at baseline and 1 year later. Setting and Patients., Participants with diagnosed knee OA were recruited from rheumatological and general geriatric outpatient clinics, as well as public service announcements. Outcome Measure., Depressive symptoms, measured with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale. Results., At baseline, the relationships of depression with functional disability and activity limitation were wholly mediated by pain. In contrast, activity participation was independently linked with depression, even controlling health and demographic variables. A 1-year follow-up revealed that depressive symptoms increased with increasing health problems, and with reduction in activity participation over time. Having and retaining favorite pastimes were also associated with reduced depressive symptomatology at baseline and follow-up, respectively. Conclusions., These data highlight the disease-specific nature of paths among depression, pain, and disability, and the importance of considering discretionary as well as necessary activities in evaluating effects of pain upon quality of life. [source]

    Suicidal ideation and associated factors among community-dwelling elders in Taiwan

    PSYCHIATRY AND CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCES, Issue 4 2005
    YUNG-CHIEH YEN md
    Abstract, The purpose of the present study was to explore the suicidal ideation of community-dwelling elderly and the factors associated with their intention to commit suicide. Using a multilevel stratified sampling strategy, 1000 elderly subjects were recruited (aged 65,74 years old) in Taiwan during the year 2001. The degree of depression and its correlates were assessed. Suicidal ideation was measured by asking respondents if they had had any suicidal thoughts in the previous week. In all, 16.7% of respondents reported suicidal ideation within the past week; its occurrence was related to sex, religious belief, employment status, marital status, average family monthly income, physical health status, depressive symptoms, and community activity participation. Further multivariate logistic regression revealed that, aside from depressive symptoms and a lower level of education, no community participation in the past 6 months was significantly associated with the appearance of suicidal ideation. The prevalence of suicidal ideation among the elderly in Taiwan is higher than in Western countries. Participation in social activities is negatively associated with elderly suicidal ideation. The dimension of social participation deserves further exploration and should be considered in community mental health promotion interventions for elderly people. [source]

    Barriers to physical activity participation in older Tongan adults living in New Zealand

    AUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL ON AGEING, Issue 3 2006
    Gregory S Kolt
    Objectives:,To identify perceived barriers to physical activity participation in older Tongan adults living in New Zealand. Methods:,Focus groups with 24 sedentary older Tongans to examine the role of physical activity in Tongan culture, perceived barriers to and benefits of physical activity participation, and how to encourage physical activity participation. Data were analysed using a descriptive qualitative methodology. Results:,The perceived role of physical activity centred on traditional ways of living, recreational and outdoor pursuits, and house chores and activities of daily living. Physical activity barriers included education and motivation, physical environment, family environment, physical and health issues and cultural expectations. Social, psychological, cognitive and health benefits of physical activity were identified, and it was suggested that the government, medical/health practitioners and church leaders were all important in encouraging increased participation. Conclusions:,Community-based programmes may be one way of encouraging physical activity in this population. [source]

    The validation of a self-report measure and physical activity of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous rural children

    AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, Issue 2010
    Josephine D. Gwynn
    Abstract Purpose: To validate a self-report measure of physical activity for both Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous rural children, and to describe their physical activity participation. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 84 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and 146 non-Indigenous children aged 10,12 years old completed the Many Rivers Physical Activity Recall Questionnaire (MRPARQ), a modified version of the Adolescent Physical Activity Recall Questionnaire (APARQ). A sub-group (n=86) wore an accelerometer for seven consecutive days in order to validate the instrument. Results: Pearson and Intra Class Correlation coefficients between the survey and acceleromtery for weekdays only are 0.31 and 0.16, respectively, for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, and 0.38 and 0.31, respectively, for non-Indigenous children, and demonstrate a modest (p<0.05) correlation. Self-reported MVPA for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children is between 162 and 172 minutes/day, and is 125 minutes by accelerometer; for non-Indigenous children MVPA is between 123 and 149 minutes (survey) and 107 minutes (accelerometer). Conclusion: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children's self-report of physical activity is at least as valid as non-Indigenous children, given culturally appropriate support; they tend to be more active than non-Indigenous children. Implications: The MRPARQ can be administered with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous children. [source]

    Methods: Measuring physical activity in public open space , an electronic device versus direct observation

    AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, Issue 1 2002
    Andrew J. Milat
    Objective: To evaluate the practicality and validity of using infra-red beam counters (IRBCs) to measure walking path use and overall park use. Method: Direct observation was carried out simultaneously with IRBC data collection in five parks on seven non-consecutive days during February-March in 1998 and on matched days in 1999. A second validation study was undertaken in one park in October 1999. Results: The IRBC over-estimated the observed number of people using walking paths by 14% to 78%. When assessed by path volume, the difference between the IRBC and observer ranged from 10% under-estimation to 16% over-estimation. In a more rigorous evaluation of path volume the IRBC under-estimated the observed count by 20%. The extent to which the IRBC equated with the number of observed park users varied from 69% underestimation to no difference. Conclusion: IRBCs are not appropriate for measuring the number of people engaging in physical activity in parks. Implications: IRBCs cannot replace direct observation for the collection of valid data on physical activity participation in parks. Further research is needed to determine settings in which electronic devices such as IRBCs may provide valid data on physical activity participation. [source]

    Movement skills proficiency and physical activity: A case for Engaging and Coaching for Health (EACH),Child

    AUSTRALIAN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY JOURNAL, Issue 4 2009
    Jenny Ziviani
    Background/aim:,Supporting children's participation in health-enhancing physical activities is an important occupational goal for therapists. Fundamental movement skills (FMS) are thought to underpin and enable many activity options. This study had two goals: first, to examine the relationship between fundamental movement skills (FMS) and physical activity, and second, to use this and existing evidence to inform strategies whereby children's motivation for and engagement in physical activity can be supported. Methods:,A cross-sectional investigation of 124 children, aged 6,12 years, was undertaken. FMS were assessed using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (M-ABC) and physical activity by pedometer step counts. Results:,A weak but significant association was found between weekend physical activity and balance skills for girls. Correlations between physical activity and ball skills or manual dexterity were not significant for either gender, however, having age appropriate ball skills did result in greater but not significant levels of physical activity for all children when grouped together. Conclusions:,Findings from this study question the magnitude of the relationship between children's FMS and physical activity as measured by pedometers. If the goal of health enhancement through physical activity engagement is to be realised, it is proposed that community, occupation-based approaches may offer more potential than skills-based interventions at increasing activity participation. The concept of Engaging and Coaching for Health (EACH)-Child is introduced to this end. Occupational therapists are encouraged to work collaboratively with school and community organisations to assist children to find the physical activities that best accommodate their interests, abilities and offer opportunities for lifelong engagement. [source]

    Objective measures of health-related quality of life over 24 months post-liver transplantation

    CLINICAL TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 1 2005
    Joanne B. Krasnoff
    Abstract:, Many studies have reported improved health-related quality of life (HRQoL) from pre- to immediate post-orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). However, few studies have evaluated longitudinal changes over the first 2 yr post-OLT and none have simultaneously examined objective measures of health-related fitness. A total of 50 OLT recipients (32 males,18 females; 51.4 ± 11.8 yr) completed testing at 2, 6, 12, and 24 months post-OLT. Testing included assessment of exercise capacity (peak VO2), quadriceps muscle strength, body composition, physical activity participation, and self-reported functioning (SF-36). Repeated measures of analysis of variance (ANOVA) with post hoc contrasts was performed to determine differences over time and a second ANOVA assessed differences over time between genders. All patients increased peak VO2, quadriceps muscle strength, and percent body fat (p < 0.0001) from 2 to 24 months. Men and women differed in their changes of peak VO2 and percent body fat (p < 0.05). At 24 months, only 50% of the patients reported participating in regular physical activity. All SF-36 physical measures except general health, improved from 2 to 24 months (p < 0.0001). Measures of health-related fitness and QoL improve over the first 2 yr post-OLT with the greatest gains occurring in the first 6 months and all measures remain lower than recommended for cardiovascular and overall health. A randomized clinical trial of lifestyle modifications such as diet and exercise intervention is warranted to determine the impact of such modifications on HRQoL and fitness post-OLT. [source]