Development and Psychometric Testing of the Dogs and WalkinG Survey (DAWGS)

Purpose

Dog owners represent 40% of the population, a promising audience to increase population levels of physical activity. The purpose of this study was to develop and test the psychometric properties of a new instrument to assess social-cognitive theory constructs related to dog walking.

Method

Dog owners (N = 431) completed the Dogs and WalkinG Survey (DAWGS). Survey items assessed dog-walking behaviors and self-efficacy, social support, outcome expectations, and outcome expectancies for dog walking. Test–retest reliability was assessed among 252 (58%) survey respondents who completed the survey twice. Factorial validity and factorial invariance by age and walking level were tested using confirmatory factor analysis.

Results

DAWGS items demonstrated moderate test–retest reliability (ρ = .39–.79; k = .41–.89). Acceptable model fit was found for all subscales. All subscales were invariant by age and walking level, except self-efficacy, which showed mixed evidence of invariance.

Conclusions

The DAWGS is a psychometrically sound instrument for examining individual and interpersonal correlates of dog walking.     

The Social,Political and Economic Contexts to the Evolution of Spanish Physical Educationalists (1874–1992)

This article studies the history of physical education teacher training centres in Spain from the end of the nineteenth century to the end of the twentieth century. It focuses on analysing the studies offered at these centres, which reflect how the training received by the teachers responsible for running physical education lessons in schools has evolved. The content of the different syllabuses has been influenced by the social, political and economic context of each historical era, and the courses have gradually raised their requirements, becoming equivalent to higher university studies.     

A real-time biomechanical feedback system for training rowers

A system was developed that quantifies rowing mechanics while an athlete trains on a rowing ergometer. The system consists of a Concept II rowing ergometer instrumented with a load cell and a series of potentiometers, a data acquisition computer and custom software. Kinematic and kinetic rowing data are displayed in the form of a two-dimensional stick figure animation, overlaid with kinematic and kinetic profiles. The software allows data to be saved and later replayed. Static and dynamic error analyses were performed to determine the accuracy and limitations of the system. Static measurements compared joint locations predicted by the RowTrainer system with values measured directly. Average static joint position errors ranged from 2 mm to −25 mm, with a typical joint location error being 10 mm. Using three-dimensional motion analysis, both dynamic and static error analyses were conducted. Average dynamic joint errors ranged from ±1 mm to −44 mm, with typical errors on the order of ±10 mm. Errors in joint positions resulted in average knee and hip joint angle errors of 9.6° and 5.8°, respectively. Additionally, the average handle horizontal velocity error during the drive phase was −1.8%.     

Bilingual-bicultural education in Mexico: Recent research

Public bilingual education for non-Spanish-speaking Indian children has been in existence in Mexico for some 33 years, longer than in the United States. Since a review of research on bilingual education in Mexico, published in 1978, both the quantity and quality of the studies has increased notably. Basic studies have prevailed, especially those related to the myriad Indian languages of the country. Action research, incidental to the preparation of curriculum materials, has also been more fruitful than in the past. The few objective evaluations conducted during the period under consideration, all government sponsored, have been notable for the publication of a wide range of results, including those critical of official programs. Equally notable has been the alacrity with which the results have been applied to planning and programs, if not yet at the school house level.