Health disparities exist among individuals living in rural and urban contexts in terms of access ... more Health disparities exist among individuals living in rural and urban contexts in terms of access to health care and overall mortality. These disparities are typically greater for youth with disabilities living in rural areas, who face additional barriers in receiving health and support services specific to their disability. Parents are typically the ones responsible for coordinating the care needed by children with a disability; however, with numerous barriers present families are not provided adequate support to care for a child with disabilities. The purpose of this study was to examine barriers and facilitators to accessing health and support services among urban and rural families of children with disabilities. In-depth interviews were conducted with parents who provide care for an adolescent with a disability. The sample was comprised of parents from one rural county (N = 9) and one urban county (N = 10) in Georgia. Parental interviews were conducted face to face by a trained researcher. Each interview was audio-recorded. The recordings were transcribed and content analysis used to create codes and identify emerging themes. The common themes found during the analysis include accessibility of health and support resources, transitions, and social isolation. When comparing urban and rural areas, barriers to access do differ in terms of availability, but analysis revealed more similarities existed among parents from both contexts. Efforts must be made to increase opportunities for youth with disabilities to become connected with the local community in order to improve quality of life for families.
Background/Significance/Purpose: High-poverty rural school systems across the country are struggl... more Background/Significance/Purpose: High-poverty rural school systems across the country are struggling to address dual youth challenges that threaten their students' future quality of lifeobesity and academic achievement. In rural southeastern Georgia, students suffer from other poor health outcomes due to the disparities in resources available in the school and local community. Socioeconomic disparities that result in gaps in health/physical activity are also the same disparities that are linked to the gaps in academic achievement. The purpose of this study was to examine health and demographic indicators as predictors of academic achievement among a rural Georgia school district. Methods and Results: Georgia recently adopted a policy requiring schools to implement the FITNESSGRAM, an assessment battery for all components of fitness beginning fall 2011. Georgia Southern Health and Physical Education faculty partnered with a local rural school district in Screven County, Georgia t...
Background: Power training (PT) may be an effective modality to overcome muscle weakness for indi... more Background: Power training (PT) may be an effective modality to overcome muscle weakness for individuals with cerebral palsy (CP). The purpose of this project was to pilot test a PT intervention for individuals with CP. Methods: Using rolling recruitment, six participants were randomly assigned to either the control group (CG, n=3) or training group (TG, n=3). Investigators used the SkiergTM to simulate a unilateral, overhand throwing exercise, performed by the most affected arm. Following PT guidelines, training took place three times per week for 6 weeks. An isokinetic dynamometer was used to measure both passive and active strength pre- and post-training. Results: Although no statistically significant differences were found, a remarkable trend was observed. Shoulder extension torque increased 15% (13.97 to 16.09 Newton-meters [Nm]) for TG, compared to a 1% (9.77 to 9.90 Nm) increase for CG between pre- and post-tests. Similar results were observed in elbow extension (3.90 to 9.60...
Physical education teachers can champion their profession through marketing the importance of phy... more Physical education teachers can champion their profession through marketing the importance of physical activity to children and families in the communities they serve. Social marketing, a consumer-based approach to behavior change, is an excellent choice for physical education teachers who want to ‘sell’ physical activity to their ‘audiences’. This article describes how teachers can apply the concept of social marketing to advocate for what they do.
A school district received a Physical Education for Progress grant (PEP). PEP grants are part of ... more A school district received a Physical Education for Progress grant (PEP). PEP grants are part of the Carol M. White Program and are administered by the U.S. Department of Education. These grants are available to local educational agencies to initiate, expand, or improve physical education (PE) programs. The purpose of this study was to determine the perception of the impact of the PEP grant on PE programs of four elementary schools in one school district through interviews with teachers and principals. Qualitative data analysis procedures were used to explore views on how the PEP grant had impacted PE programs. Several themes emerged during the interviews, including (a) the development of an expanded and innovative curriculum, (b) the inclusion of children with ,special needs, (c) increased motivation levels in students and teachers, (d) a focus on interdisciplinary teaching, (e) increased use of technology, and (f) the PE teachers becoming leaders in the school and district.
Physical education teachers are faced with a decision when teaching physical activities in school... more Physical education teachers are faced with a decision when teaching physical activities in schools. What type of instructional model should be used, and should classes be coeducational or single gender? The current study had two purposes. The first purpose investigated the effectiveness of the sport education tactical model (SETM) during game play in middle school physical education. The second purpose investigated game performance of male and female students in coeducational and single gender physical education classes. The SETM combined the characteristics of the sport education model and the tactical games model (Pritchard & McCollum, 2009). Two sixth grade periods and two seventh grade periods were selected to be either coeducational or single gender during a basketball season. Pre- and posttests consisted of 15-min, three-versus-three basketball games that were videotaped. Participants participated in an 18-day basketball unit using the SETM. Game performance was measured using...
With school-aged youth spending less time in physical education, school–community–university part... more With school-aged youth spending less time in physical education, school–community–university partnerships offer potential to promote physical activity among school-aged youth. The VERB™ Summer Scorecard (VSS) program was designed in Lexington, Kentucky, to promote physical activity among "tweens" (8- to 13-year-olds). VSS since has been implemented in over 22 communities in suburban, urban, and rural areas, with disproportionate levels of white participants. A community-based prevention marketing (CBPM) approach was taken to adapt the VSS to meet the needs of a rural, diverse population in the southeastern United States. Formative research was conducted with the target audience. Focus group interviews were conducted with parents and their children. Content analysis showed significant changes were needed for the program. Previous versions of the Scorecard did not test well with the target audience, who suggested the use of smaller Scorecards and fobs as a secondary reinforc...
Effective instruction in a university physical activity program is essential if the program desir... more Effective instruction in a university physical activity program is essential if the program desires to meet the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE, 1998) guidelines for an appropriate college/university physical activity instructional program. To meet these guidelines, an instructor can use the Personalized System of Instruction (PSI) model. The purpose of this study was to measure the effectiveness of using the PSI model in a university physical activity weight training course. Participants (n = 22) enrolled in a beginner weight training course were administered the FITNESSGRAM fitness test and a 50-question knowledge test before and after the 15-week PSI weight training course. Paired-samples t tests with Bonferroni correction revealed no significant difference in the Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run (PACER) test, back saver sit and reach test, and trunk lift test, but did reveal a significant difference for curl-up test, t(21) = -4.335, p...
BACKGROUND: Defining quality of life (QOL) for individuals with disabilities is difficult, in par... more BACKGROUND: Defining quality of life (QOL) for individuals with disabilities is difficult, in part, because the construct of QOL is evolving and often misconceptualized by a focus on traditional outcome measurements (e.g., Short Form-36). In populations without disabilities, QOL is often narrowly defined in terms of function. The purpose of the study was to examine the complex relationships among functionality and QOL among youth with disabilities. METHODS: An exploratory survey design using the Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument (PODCI), and Child Health and Illness Profile (CHIPs) was used to examine function and quality of life. The National Center for Health Statistics Urban-Rural Classification Scheme for Counties was used to recruit, parents (N = 66) in one urban and one rural school district in Georgia. Means for subscales on the PODCI and CHIPs were calculated and relationships among functional and QOL variables were examined via multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Re...
Purpose: Healthy People 2020 recommends that the health of individuals with disability be improve... more Purpose: Healthy People 2020 recommends that the health of individuals with disability be improved by improving life conditions and addressing the lack of resources for individuals with disabilities. HP 2020 further recommends the use of community-based interventions to improve quality of life of those living with a disability. Effective community partnerships offer the potential for such interventions to move beyond data driven initiatives to ignite a greater commitment to a community's quality of life. Community partnerships also increase the likelihood public health programming will be community-based, instead of placed'. The purpose of this presentation will highlight a partnership forged between Georgia Southern University (GSU) and a rural community in Southeast Georgia to address health equity of individuals with disabilities. Methods and Results: In spring of 2012, key stakeholders in the community-the local school district and a non-profit organization that serves i...
Purpose: Young people with disabilities are faced with many restrictions for participation in the... more Purpose: Young people with disabilities are faced with many restrictions for participation in the school and community, particularly in rural schools. These converging barriers create the need to examine the effect of context on students with disabilities. The purpose of this study was to compare health-related quality of life, health status, and access to health services of students with disabilities in a rural versus urban area. Methods and Results: The study methodology will involve a descriptive, comparative mixed-methods design. Using the National Center for Health Statistics Urban-Rural Classification Scheme for Counties, one urban and one rural school district in Georgia were solicited for participation. Data were collected via survey instruments and in-depth interviews. Versions of the Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument (PODCI), and Child Health and Illness Profile (CHIPs) were used to examine self- and parent-reported levels health and self- and parent-reported h...
Background: Children with disabilities and their families face a variety of barriers in accessing... more Background: Children with disabilities and their families face a variety of barriers in accessing services throughout their lifespan. The purpose of this study was to explore rural/urban differences in barriers and facilitators of services for youth with disabilities and their families in southeast Georgia. Methods: Twenty in-depth interviews (N=11 urban; N=9 rural) were conducted with organizational representatives who provide disability services. Two researchers coded the data until 100% consensus was reached. Convergence and divergence across rural and urban perspectives were examined. Major themes were identified and illustrative quotes selected. Results: Multiple barriers cutting across both communities (e.g., lack of health insurance, high out of pocket expenses) emerged. Access to public transportation and a range of services were major barriers in rural communities but not urban. Key services (e.g., dentists) are absent in rural areas or have long waiting lists. Socio-econom...
Background: Schools are required to provide students with disabilities a free and appropriate edu... more Background: Schools are required to provide students with disabilities a free and appropriate education. At the age of 22, youth with disabilities must transition out of the school system into their community. The purpose of this study was to explore service provider’s perspectives of transition in rural and urban communities in Georgia. Methods: Twenty in-depth interviews (N=11 urban; N=9 rural) were conducted with organizational representatives who provide disability services. Two researchers coded the data until 100% consensus was reached. Convergence and divergence across rural and urban perspectives were examined. Major themes were identified, and illustrative quotes selected. Results: Whereas transition into the school system is easy, transition out is challenging. Service providers suggested schools begin the process too late, resulting in youth being faced with “nothing to do” and “nowhere to go,” especially those who live in rural communities. Many youth with disabilities a...
We assessed changes in the frequency of self-reported physical activity (PA) among tween girls ex... more We assessed changes in the frequency of self-reported physical activity (PA) among tween girls exposed and not exposed to the VERB™ Summer Scorecard (VSS) intervention in Lexington, Kentucky, during 2004, 2006, and 2007. Girls who reported 0-1 day per week of PA were classified as having little or no PA. Girls who reported 2-3 days of PA were classified as low PA performers; 4-5 days of PA were labeled as moderate performers; and 6-7 days of PA were identified as high performers. Logit regression analysis of survey data from girls identified trends in PA frequency across time. In 2004, participant girls were more likely than girls unfamiliar with VSS (reference group girls) to report high frequency of PA (OR = 1.44, CI = 1.18, 1.70). In 2006, participants were statistically less likely than reference group girls to report low frequency of PA (OR = 1.75, CI = 1.33, 2.21). In 2007, VSS participants were consistently more likely to report moderate frequency (OR = 1.56, CI = 1.35, 1.77) and high frequency of PA (OR = 1.44, CI = 1.24, 1.64) than reference group girls. An innovative, community-driven intervention demonstrated promise for increasing PA among tween girls. VSS may have transportability to other communities to help reverse the secular trend of declining PA for this population segment.
Health disparities exist among individuals living in rural and urban contexts in terms of access ... more Health disparities exist among individuals living in rural and urban contexts in terms of access to health care and overall mortality. These disparities are typically greater for youth with disabilities living in rural areas, who face additional barriers in receiving health and support services specific to their disability. Parents are typically the ones responsible for coordinating the care needed by children with a disability; however, with numerous barriers present families are not provided adequate support to care for a child with disabilities. The purpose of this study was to examine barriers and facilitators to accessing health and support services among urban and rural families of children with disabilities. In-depth interviews were conducted with parents who provide care for an adolescent with a disability. The sample was comprised of parents from one rural county (N = 9) and one urban county (N = 10) in Georgia. Parental interviews were conducted face to face by a trained researcher. Each interview was audio-recorded. The recordings were transcribed and content analysis used to create codes and identify emerging themes. The common themes found during the analysis include accessibility of health and support resources, transitions, and social isolation. When comparing urban and rural areas, barriers to access do differ in terms of availability, but analysis revealed more similarities existed among parents from both contexts. Efforts must be made to increase opportunities for youth with disabilities to become connected with the local community in order to improve quality of life for families.
Background/Significance/Purpose: High-poverty rural school systems across the country are struggl... more Background/Significance/Purpose: High-poverty rural school systems across the country are struggling to address dual youth challenges that threaten their students' future quality of lifeobesity and academic achievement. In rural southeastern Georgia, students suffer from other poor health outcomes due to the disparities in resources available in the school and local community. Socioeconomic disparities that result in gaps in health/physical activity are also the same disparities that are linked to the gaps in academic achievement. The purpose of this study was to examine health and demographic indicators as predictors of academic achievement among a rural Georgia school district. Methods and Results: Georgia recently adopted a policy requiring schools to implement the FITNESSGRAM, an assessment battery for all components of fitness beginning fall 2011. Georgia Southern Health and Physical Education faculty partnered with a local rural school district in Screven County, Georgia t...
Background: Power training (PT) may be an effective modality to overcome muscle weakness for indi... more Background: Power training (PT) may be an effective modality to overcome muscle weakness for individuals with cerebral palsy (CP). The purpose of this project was to pilot test a PT intervention for individuals with CP. Methods: Using rolling recruitment, six participants were randomly assigned to either the control group (CG, n=3) or training group (TG, n=3). Investigators used the SkiergTM to simulate a unilateral, overhand throwing exercise, performed by the most affected arm. Following PT guidelines, training took place three times per week for 6 weeks. An isokinetic dynamometer was used to measure both passive and active strength pre- and post-training. Results: Although no statistically significant differences were found, a remarkable trend was observed. Shoulder extension torque increased 15% (13.97 to 16.09 Newton-meters [Nm]) for TG, compared to a 1% (9.77 to 9.90 Nm) increase for CG between pre- and post-tests. Similar results were observed in elbow extension (3.90 to 9.60...
Physical education teachers can champion their profession through marketing the importance of phy... more Physical education teachers can champion their profession through marketing the importance of physical activity to children and families in the communities they serve. Social marketing, a consumer-based approach to behavior change, is an excellent choice for physical education teachers who want to ‘sell’ physical activity to their ‘audiences’. This article describes how teachers can apply the concept of social marketing to advocate for what they do.
A school district received a Physical Education for Progress grant (PEP). PEP grants are part of ... more A school district received a Physical Education for Progress grant (PEP). PEP grants are part of the Carol M. White Program and are administered by the U.S. Department of Education. These grants are available to local educational agencies to initiate, expand, or improve physical education (PE) programs. The purpose of this study was to determine the perception of the impact of the PEP grant on PE programs of four elementary schools in one school district through interviews with teachers and principals. Qualitative data analysis procedures were used to explore views on how the PEP grant had impacted PE programs. Several themes emerged during the interviews, including (a) the development of an expanded and innovative curriculum, (b) the inclusion of children with ,special needs, (c) increased motivation levels in students and teachers, (d) a focus on interdisciplinary teaching, (e) increased use of technology, and (f) the PE teachers becoming leaders in the school and district.
Physical education teachers are faced with a decision when teaching physical activities in school... more Physical education teachers are faced with a decision when teaching physical activities in schools. What type of instructional model should be used, and should classes be coeducational or single gender? The current study had two purposes. The first purpose investigated the effectiveness of the sport education tactical model (SETM) during game play in middle school physical education. The second purpose investigated game performance of male and female students in coeducational and single gender physical education classes. The SETM combined the characteristics of the sport education model and the tactical games model (Pritchard & McCollum, 2009). Two sixth grade periods and two seventh grade periods were selected to be either coeducational or single gender during a basketball season. Pre- and posttests consisted of 15-min, three-versus-three basketball games that were videotaped. Participants participated in an 18-day basketball unit using the SETM. Game performance was measured using...
With school-aged youth spending less time in physical education, school–community–university part... more With school-aged youth spending less time in physical education, school–community–university partnerships offer potential to promote physical activity among school-aged youth. The VERB™ Summer Scorecard (VSS) program was designed in Lexington, Kentucky, to promote physical activity among "tweens" (8- to 13-year-olds). VSS since has been implemented in over 22 communities in suburban, urban, and rural areas, with disproportionate levels of white participants. A community-based prevention marketing (CBPM) approach was taken to adapt the VSS to meet the needs of a rural, diverse population in the southeastern United States. Formative research was conducted with the target audience. Focus group interviews were conducted with parents and their children. Content analysis showed significant changes were needed for the program. Previous versions of the Scorecard did not test well with the target audience, who suggested the use of smaller Scorecards and fobs as a secondary reinforc...
Effective instruction in a university physical activity program is essential if the program desir... more Effective instruction in a university physical activity program is essential if the program desires to meet the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE, 1998) guidelines for an appropriate college/university physical activity instructional program. To meet these guidelines, an instructor can use the Personalized System of Instruction (PSI) model. The purpose of this study was to measure the effectiveness of using the PSI model in a university physical activity weight training course. Participants (n = 22) enrolled in a beginner weight training course were administered the FITNESSGRAM fitness test and a 50-question knowledge test before and after the 15-week PSI weight training course. Paired-samples t tests with Bonferroni correction revealed no significant difference in the Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run (PACER) test, back saver sit and reach test, and trunk lift test, but did reveal a significant difference for curl-up test, t(21) = -4.335, p...
BACKGROUND: Defining quality of life (QOL) for individuals with disabilities is difficult, in par... more BACKGROUND: Defining quality of life (QOL) for individuals with disabilities is difficult, in part, because the construct of QOL is evolving and often misconceptualized by a focus on traditional outcome measurements (e.g., Short Form-36). In populations without disabilities, QOL is often narrowly defined in terms of function. The purpose of the study was to examine the complex relationships among functionality and QOL among youth with disabilities. METHODS: An exploratory survey design using the Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument (PODCI), and Child Health and Illness Profile (CHIPs) was used to examine function and quality of life. The National Center for Health Statistics Urban-Rural Classification Scheme for Counties was used to recruit, parents (N = 66) in one urban and one rural school district in Georgia. Means for subscales on the PODCI and CHIPs were calculated and relationships among functional and QOL variables were examined via multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Re...
Purpose: Healthy People 2020 recommends that the health of individuals with disability be improve... more Purpose: Healthy People 2020 recommends that the health of individuals with disability be improved by improving life conditions and addressing the lack of resources for individuals with disabilities. HP 2020 further recommends the use of community-based interventions to improve quality of life of those living with a disability. Effective community partnerships offer the potential for such interventions to move beyond data driven initiatives to ignite a greater commitment to a community's quality of life. Community partnerships also increase the likelihood public health programming will be community-based, instead of placed'. The purpose of this presentation will highlight a partnership forged between Georgia Southern University (GSU) and a rural community in Southeast Georgia to address health equity of individuals with disabilities. Methods and Results: In spring of 2012, key stakeholders in the community-the local school district and a non-profit organization that serves i...
Purpose: Young people with disabilities are faced with many restrictions for participation in the... more Purpose: Young people with disabilities are faced with many restrictions for participation in the school and community, particularly in rural schools. These converging barriers create the need to examine the effect of context on students with disabilities. The purpose of this study was to compare health-related quality of life, health status, and access to health services of students with disabilities in a rural versus urban area. Methods and Results: The study methodology will involve a descriptive, comparative mixed-methods design. Using the National Center for Health Statistics Urban-Rural Classification Scheme for Counties, one urban and one rural school district in Georgia were solicited for participation. Data were collected via survey instruments and in-depth interviews. Versions of the Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument (PODCI), and Child Health and Illness Profile (CHIPs) were used to examine self- and parent-reported levels health and self- and parent-reported h...
Background: Children with disabilities and their families face a variety of barriers in accessing... more Background: Children with disabilities and their families face a variety of barriers in accessing services throughout their lifespan. The purpose of this study was to explore rural/urban differences in barriers and facilitators of services for youth with disabilities and their families in southeast Georgia. Methods: Twenty in-depth interviews (N=11 urban; N=9 rural) were conducted with organizational representatives who provide disability services. Two researchers coded the data until 100% consensus was reached. Convergence and divergence across rural and urban perspectives were examined. Major themes were identified and illustrative quotes selected. Results: Multiple barriers cutting across both communities (e.g., lack of health insurance, high out of pocket expenses) emerged. Access to public transportation and a range of services were major barriers in rural communities but not urban. Key services (e.g., dentists) are absent in rural areas or have long waiting lists. Socio-econom...
Background: Schools are required to provide students with disabilities a free and appropriate edu... more Background: Schools are required to provide students with disabilities a free and appropriate education. At the age of 22, youth with disabilities must transition out of the school system into their community. The purpose of this study was to explore service provider’s perspectives of transition in rural and urban communities in Georgia. Methods: Twenty in-depth interviews (N=11 urban; N=9 rural) were conducted with organizational representatives who provide disability services. Two researchers coded the data until 100% consensus was reached. Convergence and divergence across rural and urban perspectives were examined. Major themes were identified, and illustrative quotes selected. Results: Whereas transition into the school system is easy, transition out is challenging. Service providers suggested schools begin the process too late, resulting in youth being faced with “nothing to do” and “nowhere to go,” especially those who live in rural communities. Many youth with disabilities a...
We assessed changes in the frequency of self-reported physical activity (PA) among tween girls ex... more We assessed changes in the frequency of self-reported physical activity (PA) among tween girls exposed and not exposed to the VERB™ Summer Scorecard (VSS) intervention in Lexington, Kentucky, during 2004, 2006, and 2007. Girls who reported 0-1 day per week of PA were classified as having little or no PA. Girls who reported 2-3 days of PA were classified as low PA performers; 4-5 days of PA were labeled as moderate performers; and 6-7 days of PA were identified as high performers. Logit regression analysis of survey data from girls identified trends in PA frequency across time. In 2004, participant girls were more likely than girls unfamiliar with VSS (reference group girls) to report high frequency of PA (OR = 1.44, CI = 1.18, 1.70). In 2006, participants were statistically less likely than reference group girls to report low frequency of PA (OR = 1.75, CI = 1.33, 2.21). In 2007, VSS participants were consistently more likely to report moderate frequency (OR = 1.56, CI = 1.35, 1.77) and high frequency of PA (OR = 1.44, CI = 1.24, 1.64) than reference group girls. An innovative, community-driven intervention demonstrated promise for increasing PA among tween girls. VSS may have transportability to other communities to help reverse the secular trend of declining PA for this population segment.
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