Psychology of physical activity

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Psychology of physical activity

• Professor Stuart Biddle
• Head, School of Sport Exercise Sciences
• Loughborough University

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Today

• The kids of today From runner beans to couch
  potatoes?
• How do we help young people be more active? Its
  a simple question, but is there a simple answer?

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and woman!
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Engineering physical activity out of our lives .
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Physical activity in an Old Order Amish
community
Bassett et al., MSSE, 2004
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Risk factors for Coronary Heart Disease
Source USDHHS (1996). Physical activity and
health A report of the Surgeon General
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Benefits of physical activity

• Cardiovascular health
• Obesity and overweight
• Type 2 diabetes
• Musculo-skeletal health
• Mental health
• Cancer

Chief Medical Officers Report, 2004
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School Break- times
Physical Education
Sources of Youth Physical Activity
Extra -curricular Activities
Active Travel
Incidental Activity
Leisure Time
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Why walk/cycle to school?

• Active Travel
• Every child, Every day
• Low barriers
• Adequate intensity
• Associated with LTPA
• Social Activity
• Contributes to achievement of health guidelines

(References Cooper et al.2003 Frank, Engelke
Schmid., 2003 Tudor-Locke et al., 2002)
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The ecological model/framework
policy
social
physical environmental
individual
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Determinants/correlates

• Psychological

• enjoyment, intention, competence
  self-efficacy, achievement orientation, physical/
  body image
• - barriers, depression

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Determinants/correlates

• Behavioural

• Activity history
• Healthy diet
• Sensation seeking
• Community sport participation
• Sedentary behaviour after school and at weekends
  -
• Smoking -

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Determinants/correlates

• Social/cultural

• Children None
• Adolescents
• Parental support
• Peer involvement/ support

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Determinants/correlates

• Physical environmental

• Access to facilities
• Time outdoors
• Opportunities to exercise

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Perceived Environmental Determinants
(Adapted from Pikora et al. 2002, Soc Sci Med)
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Perceived Environmental Determinants
(Measurement Instruments from NEWS and SDHES)
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Prevalence of TV viewing in UK youth

excessive
acceptable
Biddle et al., Project STIL
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Temporal patterns Technology-based sedentary
behaviours and sport/exercise for boys (weekend)
Biddle et al., Project STIL
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Temporal patterns Technology-based sedentary
behaviours and sport/exercise for girls (weekend)
Biddle et al., Project STIL
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And finally .
always take your dog for a walk
even if you havent got one!
(Professor Per-Olaf Astrand)