Youth exercise intention and past exercise behavior: examining the moderating influences of sex and meeting exercise recommendations

The study purposes were to examine: (a) the determinants of exercise intention and past exercise behavior (PEB) using the theories of reasoned action and planned behavior, and (b) the moderating influences of sex and exercise group (meeting or not meeting exercise guidelines). Participants (n = 676 adolescents) completed self-reported measures of their exercise attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control (PBC), intention, and PEB. We found that attitude, subjective norm, and PBC explained 55% of the variance in intention, and intention and PBC explained 51% of the variance in PEB. While we found sex and exercise group differences across the study measures, we did not find evidence of significant moderation. Thus, the theory constructs predicted intention and PEB similarly across sex and exercise groups.     

Applying systems analysis to program failure in organizations

Certain systems analysis techniques can be applied to examinations of program failure in continuing education to locate weaknesses in planning and implementing stages. Since failures can be the result of human errors and environmental conditions (and frequently a combination of both), a systems design to determine causes must include techniques that can detect both individual and nonhuman factors. Questions to guide an analysis and various procedures are recommended. Unexamined failures may lead to tossing the baby out with the bathwater, when analysis, in fact, could be the initial step toward successful future implementation.     

The Acceptability and Dissemination of Materials to Support Staff Development in Universities and Polytechnics in the United Kingdom

This article is based on work begun during the HERMES project, 'Higher Education Resource Materials: Evaluation and Service', January 1978–December 1979, a project to support the training and development of lecturers in universities and polytechnics through resource materials. Part A examines the discrepancy between availability of and demand for such materials, and comes to conclusions regarding the types and topics where the need is greatest. Part B examines factors which characterize productions used outside the authors' own institutions. In conclusion, the article describes how the findings are being implemented by a working group of the Society for Research into Higher Education.     

General Communication

PROGRESS IN COMMUNICATION SCIENCES, VOLUME V edited by Brenda Dervin and Melvin J. Voight (Norwood, N.J.: Ablex 1984---$39.50)

MACMILLAN DICTIONARY OF MARKETING & ADVERTISING edited by Michael J. Baker (New York: Nichols Publishing, 1984---$4.50)

THE FIRST FREEDOM TODAY: CRITICAL ISSUES RELATING TO CENSORSHIP AND TO INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM edited by Robert Downs and Ralph McCoy (Chicago: American Library Association, 1984---$40.00)

MEDIA POWER by David Altheide (Beverly Hills, Ca.: Sage Publications, 1985---$28.00/14.00)

CURRENT ISSUES AND RESEARCH IN ADVERTISING 1984 edited by James Leigh and Claude Martin, Jr. (Ann Arbor: University of Michigan, 1984---$15.00)

THE COPYRIGHT BOOK; A PRACTICAL GUIDE by William Strong (Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press, 1984---$13.95)     

Exploring opportunities available and perceived barriers to physical activity engagement in children and young people with Down syndrome

Primary objective: The aim of this study was to explore physical activity (PA) amongst children and young people with Down syndrome (DS). Method and procedures: The youth physical activity promotion model (YPAP) was used to inform semi-structured interviews to explore PA of children and young people with DS. Participants were three males and five females, aged between 6 and 21?years (16.38?+?5.04?years (mean?+?SD)) who had been diagnosed with the condition DS. Dyadic interviews were conducted with the participant and their parent(s). The interviews were recorded and transcribed, and inductive and deductive analyses of the data were completed. Main outcomes and results: The results were structured around the YPAP Model’s key themes included: enabling factors (seasonal variation, transport, type of activity and independence); predisposing factors (enjoyment, social interaction, dislikes of PA, following instructions, and understanding of PA); reinforcing factors (support and opportunities, parents, and care providers); and barriers to PA engagement (ear problems). Conclusion: The children and young people with DS in the study typically only engaged in fun, unstructured activities. Key facilitators for PA participation were social interactions and parental support. Increasing the level of independence for people with DS within adolescence may have beneficial effects for PA participation in later life.