Abstract
An increasing number of physical activity (PA) interventions have been implemented to tackle the child obesity epidemic, yet many have shown limited effectiveness. This is possibly due to a lack of in-depth understanding of the intrinsic motivators and demotivators to PA for children.
PURPOSE: A main aim of this study was to explore the intrinsic facilitators and barriers to PA participation through the lived experience of UK children (Study 1). Utilising the latter findings, our second aim was to develop and validate the PA-specific Rumination Scale for Children (PARSC) to assess children’s tendencies to engage in repeated negative thoughts about PA, which may hinder participation (Study 2).
METHODS: For Study 1, 21 focus groups were formed based on participants’ year group (aged 6-10 years), sex and pedometry-assessed PA. Focus group discussions were thematically analysed. For Study 2, the themes identified for the intrinsic barriers were used to develop PARSC, which were completed twice by 382 children (aged 6-11 years).
RESULTS: For Study 1, four overarching themes were identified for the intrinsic facilitators - sense of competence/accomplishments, cognitive motivator, sensations and socialisation/social facilitation. Four main themes for the intrinsic barriers were lack of competence, fear of negative experiences, external constraints and lacking a sense of purpose. For Study 2, results from Rasch analysis demonstrated that PARSC possessed sound internal validity and consistency, and test-retest reliability. Self-perceived PA (p = 0.004) and avoidant coping (p = 0.01) were predictive of PA-specific rumination tendencies with 15% of variance explained.
CONCLUSION: The themes identified from the current study can inform future PA interventions and PE curriculum for UK children. Also, PARSC can be a useful tool to assess children’s PA-specific rumination tendencies and to advance our understanding of the role of rumination in PA behaviour.
PURPOSE: A main aim of this study was to explore the intrinsic facilitators and barriers to PA participation through the lived experience of UK children (Study 1). Utilising the latter findings, our second aim was to develop and validate the PA-specific Rumination Scale for Children (PARSC) to assess children’s tendencies to engage in repeated negative thoughts about PA, which may hinder participation (Study 2).
METHODS: For Study 1, 21 focus groups were formed based on participants’ year group (aged 6-10 years), sex and pedometry-assessed PA. Focus group discussions were thematically analysed. For Study 2, the themes identified for the intrinsic barriers were used to develop PARSC, which were completed twice by 382 children (aged 6-11 years).
RESULTS: For Study 1, four overarching themes were identified for the intrinsic facilitators - sense of competence/accomplishments, cognitive motivator, sensations and socialisation/social facilitation. Four main themes for the intrinsic barriers were lack of competence, fear of negative experiences, external constraints and lacking a sense of purpose. For Study 2, results from Rasch analysis demonstrated that PARSC possessed sound internal validity and consistency, and test-retest reliability. Self-perceived PA (p = 0.004) and avoidant coping (p = 0.01) were predictive of PA-specific rumination tendencies with 15% of variance explained.
CONCLUSION: The themes identified from the current study can inform future PA interventions and PE curriculum for UK children. Also, PARSC can be a useful tool to assess children’s PA-specific rumination tendencies and to advance our understanding of the role of rumination in PA behaviour.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages | 1-1 |
| Number of pages | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Jul 2020 |
| Event | 67th American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting - San Francisco, United States Duration: 1 Jul 2020 → … |
Conference
| Conference | 67th American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | United States |
| City | San Francisco |
| Period | 1/07/20 → … |