Factors Related to Rural Young Adolescents' Participation in Outdoor,Noncompetitive Physical Activity

Purpose: Young adolescents who have little interest in participating in competitive team sports are at an increased risk for physical inactivity. Noncompetitive outdoor physical activity can provide young adolescents with increased opportunities to participate in physical activities that appeal to them and have positive health effects. The purpose of this study was to examine factors related to rural young adolescents' participation in noncompetitive outdoor physical activity to inform intervention design. Method: Young adolescents aged 10 to 14 years old (N = 1,032) from 1 rural county completed a self-administered questionnaire assessing constructs from self-determination theory (SDT) and the theory of planned behavior (TPB) related to noncompetitive outdoor physical activity. Structural equation modeling was used to examine an integrated conceptual model of hypothesized relationships among constructs. Results: The hypothesized conceptual model provided a good fit to the data with greater perceptions of autonomy support and self-determined motivation having statistically significant positive indirect effects on participation in noncompetitive outdoor physical activity mediated by the constructs of the TPB. All direct paths in the model were statistically significant; however, the direct effect of attitudes on intention was weak (.08) and self-determined motivation had no indirect effect on intention through attitudes (.03). Conclusions: Constructs of SDT and TPB should be accounted for by interventions targeting noncompetitive outdoor physical activity among young adolescents. More research is needed to determine young adolescents' preferences for noncompetitive and competitive physical activity and the potential influence that noncompetitive outdoor physical activity may have on total daily physical activity.     

More than basketball: Determining the sport components that lead to long-term benefits for African-American girls

Sport participation has the capacity to enhance the athletic and academic performance of adolescents. However, African-American participants have not enjoyed the positive academic benefits that are common among other populations. Sport is a popular developmental intervention for African-American youth, yet sport programs do not always render the intended benefits (Coalter, 2007). The purpose of this study was to determine the components of school-based sport programs that create long-term benefits for African-American girls. A high school basketball program based on positive youth development served as the program site. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with current and former players and program stakeholders. Four key values underpin the success of the program: family, education, discipline, and civic engagement. The results indicate that successful programs need flexible—not standard—design commitment to program values, and consistency in mission and implementation. Implications for the design and implementation of sport programs to improve the athletic and academic performance of African-American girls are discussed.     

Repeat participation as a function of program attractiveness,socializing opportunities,loyalty and the sportscape across three sport facility contexts

Effects of sport facility services of program attractiveness, socializing opportunities customer loyalty, and the sportscape on frequency of participation at three different types of sport facilities; special purpose – health and fitness centers, single-purpose – tennis, golf or swim pool amenities, and multi-use – gymnasia were examined. The purpose of the study was to identify differences between, and effects on, participation at different types of participant sport facilities due to service quality. Data were collected on a sample of 1199 participants from a mid-sized east coast Australian city. Linear restrictions testing determined that the three sport facility types were significantly different in the ways in which the constructs affect repeat participation. The sportscape has the most impact on participation frequency at fitness facilities, and minimal impact on participation at multi-sport facilities. Implications for retaining customers at each facility type are discussed.     

Anthropometrics and electromyography as predictors for maximal voluntary isometric arm strength

BackgroundMuscular strength can be conceptually determined by two components: muscle activation and size. Muscle activation by the central nervous system can be measured by surface electromyography (sEMG). Muscular size reflects the amount of contractile protein within a skeletal muscle and can be estimated by anthropometric measurements. The purpose of this study was to determine the relative contributions of size parameters and muscle activation to the prediction of maximal voluntary isometric elbow flexion strength.MethodsA series of anthropometric measurements were taken from 96 participants. Torque and root-mean-square (RMS) of the sEMG from the biceps brachii were averaged across three maximal voluntary isometric contractions. A multiple linear regression analysis was performed based on a Pearson's correlation matrix.ResultsBody weight (BW) accounted for 39.1% and 27.3% in males and females, respectively, and was the strongest predictor of strength for males. Forearm length (L3) was the strongest predictor of strength in females (partial R² = 0.391). Elbow circumference (ELB) accounted for a significant (p < 0.05) amount of variance in males but not females. The addition of sEMG RMS as a third variable accounted for an average of 10.1% of the variance excluding the equation of BW and L3 in females. The strongest prediction equation included BW, L3, and ELB accounting for 55.6% and 58.5% of the variance in males and females, respectively.ConclusionAnthropometrics provide a strong prediction equation for the estimation of isometric elbow flexion strength. Muscle activation, as measured by sEMG activity, accounted for a significant (p < 0.05) amount of variance in most prediction equations, however, its contribution was comparable to an additional anthropometric variable.