Biomedical subjects

Nancy C Gyurcsik

Publications and source records attributed to Nancy C Gyurcsik.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

An ecologically based examination of barriers to physical activity in students from grade seven through first-year university.

PURPOSE: The first purpose was to identify barriers to physical activity that students in grade seven through first-year university experienced. A second purpose was to classify barriers using an ecological framework and to examine the pattern of barrier categories (i.e., intrapersonal, interpersonal, institutional, community, public policy, and physical environmental) and specific barrier types as grade increased. The use of an ecological model addressed limitations in prior research revolving around the identification of salient barriers in a manner that makes the design of effective interventions difficult. METHODS: Participants in grades 7-8 (n = 35), 9-10 (n = 67), 11-12 (n = 80), and the freshmen year of university (n = 109) listed barriers to physical activity on an open-ended measure. RESULTS: Findings revealed a trend for the average number of barriers reported per student to increase as grade in school increased. First-year university students reported significantly more barriers than all other grade groupings. The frequency of barriers reported within the ecological categories was dependent on the specific grade groupings. Further, within each ecological category, distinct barriers were reported across the different grade groupings. CONCLUSIONS: Findings highlight the utility of using an ecological model to categorize barriers, rather than simply classifying barriers as internal or external to an individual, as done in prior research. Understanding the pattern of ecologically based barrier categories and specific types of barriers will help to inform the content of future research and interventions designed to alleviate salient barriers to physical activity.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Barriers to moderate physical activity in adult lesbians.

Adult lesbians are not sufficiently physically active to achieve physical and psychological health benefits. Lesbians are one of the least understood minority groups. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to use an ecological framework to identify factors internal to individuals and present in their social environments that may impede participation in regular physical activity. Twenty-one self-identified lesbians aged 22 to 61 years participated in one of four focus groups. The lesbian participants reported many general barriers (i.e., obstacles to participation regardless of sexual orientation) similar to previous research with other populations of women, not stratified by sexual orientation, such as being too tired and the lack of a physical activity partner. A number of lesbian-specific barriers (i.e., obstacles unique to being a lesbian) were also identified, such as the lack of lesbian-focused physical activity groups and the lack of same-sex family memberships to fitness facilities. In conclusion, for many of the general barriers, some of the proven and effective traditional intervention strategies are likely to be effective in increasing physical activity participation rates in the lesbian population. However, barriers related to sexual orientation are likely deeply entrenched in the socio-cultural system of American society and require a societal rethinking of attitudes towards lesbians, a cultural change that is not as easily amenable to traditional health promotion interventions.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Leadership in physical activity groups for older adults: a qualitative analysis.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether a theory-based framework could be used to deductively identify and understand the characteristics of motivational leaders of physical activity groups for older adults. Participants were 23 older adults (mean age = 78.5 +/- 8.0 years, 65% women). An interview-guide approach was employed to elicit older adults' thoughts on important characteristics of physical activity group leaders. The data suggested that effective leaders are those whom the participants feel are properly qualified, are able to develop a personal bond with participants, and can use their knowledge and the group to demonstrate collective accomplishments. It was concluded that the findings could be used to extend the leadership activities beyond the traditional technical performance and individual feedback to include activities of social integration. Furthermore, the conceptual framework identified can serve as a valuable tool in guiding future researchers in their examination of leadership in physical activity groups for older adults.

Aged↗

PubMed2003

Exercise-related goals and self-efficacy as correlates of aquatic exercise in individuals with arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether aquatic exercise-related goals, task self-efficacy, and scheduling self-efficacy are predictive of aquatic exercise attendance in individuals with arthritis. A secondary objective was to determine whether high attendees differed from low attendees on goals and self-efficacy. METHODS: The sample comprised 216 adults with arthritis (mean age 69.21 years). Measures included exercise-related goal difficulty and specificity, task and scheduling self-efficacy, and 8-week aquatic exercise attendance. RESULTS: Results of a multiple hierarchical regression analysis were significant (P < 0.01). Goal difficulty, specificity, and task self-efficacy were independent predictors of attendance (P < 0.05). A significant multivariate analysis of variance (P < 0.01) indicated that high attendees had higher task and scheduling self-efficacy and lower goal difficulty than did low attendees (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Support for the importance of exercise-related goal setting and self-efficacy was demonstrated. Implications pertain to the design of interventions to impact aquatic exercise.

Absenteeism↗

PubMed2003

Resources for physical activity participation: does availability and accessibility differ by neighborhood socioeconomic status?

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the availability and accessibility of physical activity resources differed by neighborhood socioeconomic status (SES) in a small U.S. city (population = 133,046). U.S. census tracts (N =32) were used to represent neighborhoods and categorized into high, medium, or low SES on the basis of the percentage of unemployed individuals, per capita income, and percentage of the population below the poverty threshold. We developed a geographic information system to generate a comprehensive list of physical activity resources available within each census tract in the city. We identified 112 parks, 33 sport facilities, 15 fitness clubs, 11 community centers, and 5 walking/biking trails. The total number of physical activity resources varied by neighborhood SES (p <.05); low-SES (M =4.5-/+2.3) and medium-SES (M =4.9-/+2.6) neighborhoods had significantly fewer resources than high-SES (M =8.4-/+3.5) neighborhoods. Low-, medium-, and high-SES neighborhoods did not differ on the number of pay-for-use facilities; however, low-SES (M =3.1-/+1.5) and medium-SES (M =3.8-/+1.6) neighborhoods had significantly fewer free-for-use resources than high- (M =6.1-/+2.4) SES neighborhoods (p <.01). Data suggest that individuals from lower SES neighborhoods may have limited ability to control their physical activity in the face of inaccessible environments. Community research and promotion efforts should include assessment and targeting of available and accessible physical activity resources.

Exercise↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Coping with barriers to vigorous physical activity during transition to university.

This study examined barriers to vigorous physical activity (VPA) among 132 students transitioning from high school to the first year of a university. An ecological framework was used to classify barriers, and coping self-efficacy (CSE) and task self-efficacy (TSE) were investigated as predictors of VPA. Consistent with population data, 47% of the sample failed to meet national recommendations for VPA. Participants most often cited institutional, intrapersonal, and interpersonal barriers. CSE predicted TSE, which predicted VPA. A greater understanding of ecologically categorized barriers and the relationship of self-efficacy to VPA may aid health care practitioners in the design of targeted interventions to facilitate VPA and health among freshmen students.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Partial examination of the public health impact of the People with Arthritis Can Exercise (PACE) program: reach, adoption, and maintenance.

OBJECTIVE: To partially evaluate the public health impact (i.e., reach, adoption, maintenance) of People with Arthritis Can Exercise (PACE) programs, which were initiated as a result of two PACE instructor-training workshops. DESIGN: The study design involved a one-time only, cross-sectional assessment of reach, adoption, and maintenance, conducted 6 months after the workshops. SAMPLE: Participants were 11 adults (n(females)=10) trained to be PACE instructors at one of the workshops. MEASUREMENTS: One-on-one phone interviews, developed using the RE-AIM framework, assessed reach, adoption, and maintenance. RESULTS: Eight of the 11 individuals trained as instructors subsequently began PACE in one of 10 organizations across various communities, indicating high program adoption. However, on average, only 7 individuals with arthritis participated in each PACE program, indicating a low program reach. Within 6 months of beginning PACE, only 3 organizations continued to offer PACE, indicating low program maintenance. Two primary challenges to initiating PACE included recruiting a sufficient number of people to participate in the program and in finding a convenient time to offer it so more individuals could join. CONCLUSION: The public health impact, as assessed by reach, adoption, and maintenance, of PACE programs initiated as a result of 2 instructor-training workshops was low.

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