39 research outputs found
Impact of a brief intervention on physical activity and social cognitive determinants among working mothers: A randomized trial.
No full textWorking mothers exhibit high levels of inactivity, and theory-based interventions to bolster physical activity within this population are needed. This study examined the effectiveness of a brief social cognitive theory-based intervention designed to increase physical activity among working mothers. Participants (N = 141) were randomly assigned to an intervention only, intervention plus follow-up support, or waitlist control condition. The intervention consisted of two group-based workshop sessions designed to teach behavior modification strategies using social cognitive theory. Data were collected at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and 6-month follow-up. Results showed intervention participants exhibited short-term increases in physical activity, which were partially maintained 6 months later. Improvements in physical activity were mediated by increases in self-regulation and self-efficacy. This study provides some support for the effectiveness of a brief intervention to increase physical activity among working mothers. Future programs should explore alternative support mechanisms which may lead to more effective maintenance of initial behavior changes
Physical activity intervention effects on perceived stress in working mothers: the role of self-efficacy
No full textWorking mothers often report elevated stress, and efforts to improve their coping resources are needed to buffer the detrimental effects of stress on health. This study examined the impact of changes in physical activity, self-efficacy, and self-regulation across the course of a brief intervention on subsequent levels of stress in working mothers. Participants (N=141) were randomly assigned to an intervention or control condition (2:1 ratio). The intervention was conducted in Illinois between March 2011-January 2012 and consisted of two group-mediated workshop sessions with content based on Social Cognitive Theory. Participants completed measures of physical activity, self-efficacy, self-regulation, and perceived stress at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and 6-month follow-up. Stress levels declined across the 6-month period in both groups. Changes in stress were negatively associated with changes in self-efficacy and self-regulation among intervention participants only. Regression analyses revealed the intervention elicited short-term increases in physical activity, self-efficacy, and self-regulation, but only changes in self-efficacy predicted perceived stress at 6-month follow-up. These results suggest that enhancing self-efficacy is likely to improve working mothers’ perceived capabilities to cope with stressors in their lives. Future interventions should continue to focus on increasing self-efficacy to promote improvements in physical activity and psychological well-being in this population
Physical activity barriers and facilitators among working mothers and fathers
No full textabstract: Background
The transition to parenthood is consistently associated with declines in physical activity. In particular, working parents are at risk for inactivity, but research exploring physical activity barriers and facilitators in this population has been scarce. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively examine perceptions of physical activity among working parents.
Methods
Working mothers (n = 13) and fathers (n = 12) were recruited to participate in one of four focus group sessions and discuss physical activity barriers and facilitators. Data were analyzed using immersion/crystallization in NVivo 10.
Results
Major themes for barriers included family responsibilities, guilt, lack of support, scheduling constraints, and work. Major themes for facilitators included being active with children or during children’s activities, being a role model for children, making time/prioritizing, benefits to health and family, and having support available. Several gender differences emerged within each theme, but overall both mothers and fathers reported their priorities had shifted to focus on family after becoming parents, and those who were fitting in physical activity had developed strategies that allowed them to balance their household and occupational responsibilities.
Conclusions
The results of this study suggest working mothers and fathers report similar physical activity barriers and facilitators and would benefit from interventions that teach strategies for overcoming barriers and prioritizing physical activity amidst the demands of parenthood. Future interventions might consider targeting mothers and fathers in tandem to create an optimally supportive environment in the home.The electronic version of this article is the complete one and can be found online at: http://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-2458-14-65
Does dietary intake change during an intervention to reduce sedentary behavior and cardiovascular disease risk? A randomized comparative effectiveness trial
No full textCitation: Casey, K., Mailey, E. L., Rosenkranz, R. R., Swank, A., Ablah, E., & Rosenkranz, S. K. (2018). Does dietary intake change during an intervention to reduce sedentary behavior and cardiovascular disease risk? A randomized comparative effectiveness trial. BMC Nutrition, 4(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40795-018-0223-1Background: Evidence from physical activity interventions suggests that women, in particular, may overcompensate for exercise energy expenditure by increasing caloric intake. Sedentary behavior and poor dietary quality are independent risk factors for many major chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease (CVD). The primary purpose of this study was to determine whether insufficiently active women, accumulating less than 60 min per week of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, alter caloric intake or dietary quality when participating in an 8-week intervention to reduce sedentary behavior and CVD risk. A secondary aim was to determine whether the two treatment groups differed from one another in dietary intake while participating in the intervention. Methods: Insufficiently active women (n = 49) working full-time sedentary jobs were randomized to one of two treatment groups to reduce sedentary behavior during the workweek: short-break (1–2 min breaks from sitting every half hour, SB), or long-break (15 min breaks from sitting twice daily, LB). Three-day food records were collected at baseline, week 4 and week 8. Dietary quality was assessed using the Alternative Healthy Eating Index 2010 (AHEI-2010). Risk factors for CVD were assessed at baseline and week 8. Results: For all participants, average caloric intake decreased significantly from baseline to week 8 by approximately 12% (Δ = − 216.0 kcals, p = 0.003). Average caloric intake decreased significantly over time for the SB group (Δ = − 369.6 kcals, p = 0.004), but not the LB group (Δ = − 179.5 kcals, p = 0.17). There was no significant difference between SB and LB groups with regard to calories from baseline to week 8 (F = 0.51, p = 0.48). Total AHEI-2010 scores did not decrease significantly for all participants (Δ = − 4.0, p = 0.14), SB (Δ = − 5.2, p = 0.16), or LB groups (Δ = − 4.5, p = 0.67). Conclusions: Following an 8-week intervention to reduce sedentary time, insufficiently active women decreased caloric intake over time, however there were no differences between SB and LB groups. In all participants, dietary quality was not altered over time. Future studies should explore sedentary reduction interventions compared to physical activity interventions as a means to create negative energy balance, as frequent sedentary breaks may be effective for improving health outcomes in women. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov registration number NCT02609438, retrospectively registered November 20, 2015
Comparing the effects of two different break strategies on occupational sedentary behavior in a real world setting: A randomized trial
No full textAbstractDeveloping interventions to reduce sedentary behavior in the workplace is an important public health priority. Furthermore, research is needed to determine whether different approaches to breaking up prolonged sitting during the workday are equally feasible and effective. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine whether varying the frequency and duration of activity breaks during the workday would differentially impact sedentary behavior and health outcomes. Inactive females (N=49) working full-time sedentary jobs were recruited for this parallel-group randomized trial. Participants were randomly assigned to take short, frequent breaks from sitting (1–2min every half hour; SB) or longer, planned breaks from sitting (two 15-minute breaks per workday; LB) during each workday across an 8-week intervention. Sedentary time and health outcomes were assessed at baseline and post-intervention. The study ran from March 2014–June 2015. Results showed sedentary time during the workday decreased significantly in the SB group (−35.6min; d=−0.75; p=0.03), but did not change in the LB group (+4.5min; d=0.12). Participants in the SB group also demonstrated small-to-moderate declines in total cholesterol (d=−0.33; p=0.10), triglycerides (d=−0.38; p=0.06) and fasting blood glucose (d=−0.29; p=0.01) from pre to post-intervention. Health outcomes did not change in the LB group. This study demonstrated that taking short, frequent breaks from sitting during the workday is a feasible and effective approach for reducing sedentary time at work. These results have implications for the development of public health messages addressing sedentary behavior, and inform future interventions to reduce sedentary time in the workplace.Trial registrationThis study is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02609438
“Everything else comes first”: a mixed-methods analysis of barriers to health behaviors among military spouses
No full textAbstract Background Military spouses are integral to the health of their families, but have demonstrated elevated levels of stress, depression, and anxiety. Participating in health behaviors such as physical activity and healthy eating may have a positive impact on spouses’ physical and mental health, but emerging evidence suggests spouses’ participation in these behaviors is scarce. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the most frequently reported barriers to health behaviors among military spouses. Methods Military spouses were recruited to complete surveys (N = 230) or participate in focus group sessions (N = 22). On the surveys, participants indicated up to 3 of their most frequent barriers to physical activity, diet, social connection, and stress management. Responses were coded and summed to identify the most commonly reported barriers to each health behavior. Subsequently, focus group sessions were conducted to gain a more in-depth understanding of the challenges military spouses face when trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Focus group transcripts were coded using thematic data analysis to identify the most frequently discussed barriers for each behavior. Results On the surveys, lack of time was the most prevalent barrier for physical activity, social connection, and stress management, and the second most prevalent barrier for diet. Financial concerns were the most prevalent barrier to maintaining a healthy diet. Barriers related to parent/family responsibilities were commonly reported across all health behaviors. During the focus group sessions, the transient military lifestyle was reported to have a significant impact on all of the health behaviors. Other military-related stressors including deployments and the necessity to “do it all” alone were frequently discussed. Many participants exhibited rigid definitions of what “counts” as exercise or health eating. Overall, participants reported sacrificing participation in health behaviors to attend to other priorities. Conclusions Military spouses reported numerous barriers to health behaviors that made it difficult for them to prioritize their own health and well-being. Although some of the barriers reported were similar to barriers reported by civilians, unique stressors associated with military life further impeded participation in health behaviors. These findings can be used to inform future health promotion interventions for military spouses
THE EFFECTS OF AN EIGHT-WEEK POWERBUILDING INTERVENTION ON WOMEN\u27S STRENGTH AND MOVEMENT COMPETENCY
No full textAspen E. Streetman1, Halle N. Brin1, Emily L. Mailey1, & Katie M. Heinrich1, FACSM
1Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas
Exercise that promotes strength, increased muscle mass, and movement competency is important for various reasons, including improved physical health, mental well-being, and quality of life. Powerbuilding (PB) is a form of exercise that blends powerlifting and bodybuilding movements to increase strength and improve movement competency. While PB is popular in gym settings, to our knowledge it has not been tested as an exercise intervention. PURPOSE: To understand how PB changes women\u27s strength and movement competency after an eight-week PB intervention. METHODS: Eighteen women, age 27.9 ± 12.6, with no PB experience, participated in an eight-week PB intervention, meeting for one hour three times weekly. All intervention workouts were structured similarly, including a standardized warm-up, workout instruction, and PB-based workout. During weeks one and eight of the intervention, strength was assessed using a three-repetition maximum (3-RM) test in the squat, bench press, and deadlift. Movement competency was assessed pre- and post-intervention using the basic human movement screener, which was scored according to standard procedures. Means ± standard deviations were calculated for all data. All data were checked for normality using the Shapiro-Wilks test. Non-normally distributed data were analyzed with the Wilcoxon signed rank test, and normally distributed data were analyzed with paired-sample t-tests. Cohen\u27s d effect sizes were interpreted as small (d = 0.2), medium (d = 0.5), and large (d = 0.8). RESULTS: Three-repetition maximums increased significantly for the squat (Z = -3.73, p \u3c 0.001), bench press (Z = -3.73, p \u3c 0.001), deadlift [t(17) = 7.31, p \u3c 0.001; d = 1.72]), and three lift 3-RM total (Z = -3.72, p \u3c 0.001). Participants’ basic human movement scores improved significantly from pre- (24.3 ± 3.5) to post-intervention (29.5 ± 2.5; [t(17) = 10.04; p \u3c 0.001; d = 2.37]). CONCLUSION: An eight-week PB intervention significantly improved women\u27s strength and movement competency. Promoting PB participation may help women maintain strength and movement competency across the lifespan improving their overall quality of life
Physical activity barriers and facilitators among working mothers and fathers
No full textBackground: The transition to parenthood is consistently associated with declines in physical activity. In particular, working parents are at risk for inactivity, but research exploring physical activity barriers and facilitators in this population has been scarce. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively examine perceptions of physical activity among working parents.
Methods: Working mothers (n = 13) and fathers (n = 12) were recruited to participate in one of four focus group sessions and discuss physical activity barriers and facilitators. Data were analyzed using immersion/crystallization in NVivo 10.
Results: Major themes for barriers included family responsibilities, guilt, lack of support, scheduling constraints, and work. Major themes for facilitators included being active with children or during children’s activities, being a role model for children, making time/prioritizing, benefits to health and family, and having support available. Several gender differences emerged within each theme, but overall both mothers and fathers reported their priorities had shifted to focus on family after becoming parents, and those who were fitting in physical activity had developed strategies that allowed them to balance their household and occupational responsibilities.
Conclusions: The results of this study suggest working mothers and fathers report similar physical activity barriers and facilitators and would benefit from interventions that teach strategies for overcoming barriers and prioritizing physical activity amidst the demands of parenthood. Future interventions might consider targeting mothers and fathers in tandem to create an optimally supportive environment in the home
