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ABSTRACT SHAPE America – Society of Health and Physical Educators has targeted youth physical activity (PA) as 1 of its 4 goals within the 50 Million StrongTM campaign. Only 27.1% of youth met the target of all students (preK–12)... more
ABSTRACT SHAPE America – Society of Health and Physical Educators has targeted youth physical activity (PA) as 1 of its 4 goals within the 50 Million StrongTM campaign. Only 27.1% of youth met the target of all students (preK–12) participating in at least 60 min of PA that increases their heart rate enough to breathe hard at least some of the time for 7 days/week. Thus, improvements for child and adolescent engagement in PA need to be made now through 2029 and beyond. The need for these improvements warrants research related to PA and youth. We present a plethora of research questions within 3 general areas: PA and school PA programs, PA and sedentary behavior measurement, and PA and social justice imperatives. Each question is framed within the social-ecological framework levels of learning, opportunity, policy, and population health.
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The purpose of this study was to describe the meaning doctoral candidates ascribed to their persistence in doctoral programs despite challenges they experienced impeding a timely completion of their dissertations. Participants were six... more
The purpose of this study was to describe the meaning doctoral candidates ascribed to their persistence in doctoral programs despite challenges they experienced impeding a timely completion of their dissertations. Participants were six doctoral candidates (four women, two men) who had not yet completed a dissertation research proposal. This phenomenological study was situated in the theoretical framework of legitimate peripheral participation (Herzig, 2002) and a model of doctoral persistence (Tinto, 1993). The data sources were a demographic questionnaire and interviews (Seidman, 1998). Using thematic content analysis (Boyatzis, 1998) the following recurrent themes emerged: (a) community lacking, which exposes a lack of perceived sense of community in the candidates' academic programs; (b) inert relationships, which exposes a lack of meaningful relationships with academic advisors; and (c) loss of momentum in completing their dissertations. The findings highlight the need for programmatic initiatives that enhance future doctoral preparation.
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Background:There is limited evidence on physical activity patterns among Hispanic adolescents in Puerto Rico. This restricts opportunities to implement effective interventions and policies to increase physical activity in schools. The... more
Background:There is limited evidence on physical activity patterns among Hispanic adolescents in Puerto Rico. This restricts opportunities to implement effective interventions and policies to increase physical activity in schools. The purpose of this study was to examine the physical activity behaviors of adolescents attending middle and high schools in Puerto Rico based on a compendium of moderate to vigorous physical activities including walking, jogging or running, bicycling, sports and more. A secondary purpose was to examine group differences as a function of gender and school level.Method:A cross-sectional survey research design was used. Students (N = 637) attending public middle and high schools completed a Visual 7-Day Physical Activity Recall survey. Both descriptive and inferential analyses were conducted to describe the sample and to determine group differences.Results:Puerto Rican adolescents’ levels of physical activity decreased throughout the week. Only a small proportion of them reached at least 60 minutes everyday of the week. Differences were found between middle and high school students’ daily and weekly participation in physical activities.Conclusions:Most adolescents do not engage in sufficient physical activity.Implications:Implications of the results are discussed and recommendations are articulated for policy makers, educators, and other professionals.
Research Interests: Psychology, Physical Activity, Puerto Rico, Adolescent, Medicine, and 14 moreSchools, Cross-Cultural Comparison, Humans, Exercise and physical activity for health, Female, Male, Psychological Intervention, Sex Factors, Curriculum and Pedagogy, Health surveys, Compendium, Cross Sectional Studies, Puerto Rican, and Motor activity
The purpose of this study was to identify and analyze physical activity, sedentary activity, and dietary behaviors of preadolescents in Puerto Rico. A secondary purpose was to examine perceived stress and the weight status of the Puerto... more
The purpose of this study was to identify and analyze physical activity, sedentary activity, and dietary behaviors of preadolescents in Puerto Rico. A secondary purpose was to examine perceived stress and the weight status of the Puerto Rican preadolescents. Participants were 107 pre-teenagers (ages 6 to 11 years old) attending public elementary schools in Puerto Rico. Using a descriptive cross-sectional survey study design, we collected data on participants’ physical activity, sedentary activity, dietary behaviors, and perceived stress. We also measured participants’ height and weight, and calculated body mass indices. MINITAB descriptive and inferential statistical tests were used in analyzing the data. Results indicate that, on average, the participants partook in physical activities for less than 10 minutes each day, but regularly participated in sedentary activities. Their food behaviors varied. ANOVA tests revealed they were not significantly different in height and weight as ...
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Abstract This chapter is structured for teaching young learners with other health impairments in special education. Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA, 2004), other health impairments represent chronic... more
Abstract This chapter is structured for teaching young learners with other health impairments in special education. Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA, 2004), other health impairments represent chronic or acute health problems such as asthma, attention deficit disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), diabetes, epilepsy, a heart condition, hemophilia, lead poisoning, leukemia, nephritis, rheumatic fever, and sickle cell anemia and adversely affect a child’s educational performance. The chapter is organized around definitions, prevalence, etiologies, intervention strategies, and teaching considerations for selected disabling conditions in this disability category.
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Attitude change of physical education majors was studied in relation to number of weeks in an introductory adapted physical education (APE) course and type of practicum location (on- or off-campus). Data were collected using the Physical... more
Attitude change of physical education majors was studied in relation to number of weeks in an introductory adapted physical education (APE) course and type of practicum location (on- or off-campus). Data were collected using the Physical Educators’ Attitude Toward Teaching Individuals with Disabilities-III (PEATID-III) (Rizzo, 1993b) and a practicum information questionnaire (PIQ). Participants completing the PEATID-III during Weeks 1, 10, and 15 of their course were 292 males and 182 females in 22 institutions of higher education (IHEs) representing 17 states. Participants completing the PIQ were 17 faculty members. A nonequivalent comparison group, pretest-posttest experimental design was used with factorial ANOVA, post-hoc measures, ANCOVA, and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Findings indicated that off- and on-campus practicum both promoted positive attitude change between Weeks 1 and 10 and Weeks 1 and 15. On-campus practicum experiences improved attitudes significantly more than off-cam...
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This article is divided into two major sections. First, the authors provided interpretations and conclusions about enhancing diversity in kinesiology based on the collection of articles for this Special Theme of the Kinesiology Review.... more
This article is divided into two major sections. First, the authors provided interpretations and conclusions about enhancing diversity in kinesiology based on the collection of articles for this Special Theme of the Kinesiology Review. There are six informative articles for this Special Theme on Diversity in Kinesiology that include Why We Should Care about Diversity in Kinesiology by Brooks, Harrison Jr., Norris, and Norwood; Diversity in Kinesiology: Theoretical and Contemporary Considerations by Hodge and Corbett; Creating an Inclusive Culture and Climate that Supports Excellence in Kinesiology by Lowrie and Robinson; Undergraduate Preparedness and Partnerships to Enhance Diversity in Kinesiology by Gregory-Bass, Williams, Blount, and Peters; Creating a Climate of Organizational Diversity—Models of Best Practice by Keith and Russell; and this final article. Second, we identify strategies and provided recommendations to increase the presence and improve the experiences of Black an...
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The authors identify and discuss current issues and concerns of Asian international graduate students about their academic and social experiences in American higher education. International graduate students from countries outside of the... more
The authors identify and discuss current issues and concerns of Asian international graduate students about their academic and social experiences in American higher education. International graduate students from countries outside of the U.S. are an important constituency for research institutions in America due to the added cultural richness they bring to the academy. However, many Asian international graduate students in U.S. encounter difficulty when attempting to acculturate and may have difficulty adjusting to their environment. This chapter includes discourse on academic and social challenges, time management difficulties, dueling agendas, and socioeconomic struggles. Important also, this chapter offers recommendations for Asian international students on American college and university campuses. Lastly to better support Asian international doctoral students, this chapter encourages academic departments, administrators, faculty, and all graduate students to learn to view themse...
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Background: Formal and informal professional development has played a central role in teachers’ growth in Japan for many decades [Collinson, V., and Y. Ono. 2001. “The Professional Development of Teachers in the United States and Japan.”... more
Background: Formal and informal professional development has played a central role in teachers’ growth in Japan for many decades [Collinson, V., and Y. Ono. 2001. “The Professional Development of Teachers in the United States and Japan.” European Journal of Teacher Education 24 (2): 223–248]. This is especially true for elementary school teachers, who are not licensed in a specific subject area. In Japan, teachers are trained for each school level separately, including kindergarten, elementary, secondary schools, and special needs education [Ministry of Education, Culture, Sport, Science, and Technology [MEXT]. 2018. “Principles Guide Japan’s Educational System.” Accessed August 6, 2018. http://www.mext.go.jp/en/policy/education/overview/index.htm.]. The lack of in-depth subject-specific training is a challenge for elementary school teachers, who are responsible for teaching all subject areas. For many decades, school districts have used a lesson study approach. In Japan, lesson stu...
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The purpose of this study was to identify and analyze the views of exchange students from Asia about their academic and social experiences at an American university. The participants were eight exchange students from Japan (four men and... more
The purpose of this study was to identify and analyze the views of exchange students from Asia about their academic and social experiences at an American university. The participants were eight exchange students from Japan (four men and four women). This study was descriptive-qualitative (Patton, 2002). The data sources were a demographic survey and two semi-structured interviews conducted during the participants’ study abroad sojourn. The interview data were analyzed using the constant comparative method (Merriam, 1998). The emergent themes were (a) social distance contributes to academic struggles, (b) collectivism positioned against individualism, (c) isolation in group discussions, and (d) professors’ negativity. We include recommendations aimed at improving international students’ academic and social experiences at American universities.
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This phenomenological qualitative study explored the meaning of practicum experiences for physical education teacher education (PETE) students. Participants were 10 PETE students majoring in teaching and enrolled in an introductory... more
This phenomenological qualitative study explored the meaning of practicum experiences for physical education teacher education (PETE) students. Participants were 10 PETE students majoring in teaching and enrolled in an introductory adapted physical education course with an inclusion-based practicum requirement. Data were collected from participants’ self-reflective journals and analyzed using thematic analysis procedures (Giorgi, 1985). Eleven themes emerged that reflected the meaning of practicum experiences for these students. Our findings suggest that journaling provides a medium for PETE students to identify issues, address problems, and think critically about best practices.
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The purpose of this study was to determine what trends exist in the identification and description of participants used in data-based studies published in Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly and the Journal of Teaching in Physical... more
The purpose of this study was to determine what trends exist in the identification and description of participants used in data-based studies published in Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly and the Journal of Teaching in Physical Education. Data were analyzed using frequency counts for journals and time periods from the 1980s to 2005 with chi-square tests on gender, race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. Results indicate, for example, that across the time span both journals published articles reporting males first over females, X2 (3) = 22.16, p < .001. Trend data also reveal that even today most data-based studies in these journals fail to report race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. Findings are discussed with guiding principles for future research.
Research Interests: Critical Theory, Psychology, Publishing, Research Design, Bibliometrics, and 15 moreSex, Physical Activity, Ethnicity, Physical Education, Medicine, Gender Identity, Humans, Female, Male, Data Collection, Socioeconomic Status, Adapted Physical Activity, Ethnic Group, Interrater Reliability, and guidelines as topic
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Page 1. Journal for the Study of Sports and Athletes in Education,Volume 2, Issue 2, Summer 2008, pp. 203226. Copyright © 2008 Left Coast Press, Inc. All rights reserved. 203 Samuel R. Hodge, Joe W. Burden, Jr., Leah E. Robinson, and... more
Page 1. Journal for the Study of Sports and Athletes in Education,Volume 2, Issue 2, Summer 2008, pp. 203226. Copyright © 2008 Left Coast Press, Inc. All rights reserved. 203 Samuel R. Hodge, Joe W. Burden, Jr., Leah E. Robinson, and Robert A. Bennett III ...
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The U.S. Supreme Court's decision in the Brown v. Board of Education case was used as a point of reference to elaborate on the often divergent realities in education and sport for Black and White Americans. The impetus to integrate... more
The U.S. Supreme Court's decision in the Brown v. Board of Education case was used as a point of reference to elaborate on the often divergent realities in education and sport for Black and White Americans. The impetus to integrate sport and the movement to integrate educational institutions in America were two separate yet often paralleled phenomena. It is typically argued that efforts to integrate educational institutions were about ensuring equitable access and opportunity. Less so, due to moral principles, integration in sports was more about winning and generating revenue. Still today, race-related divergences are reflected in education and sport. The intent of this article is to reflect on America's education and sport histories (then) and highlight some present-day realities (now) as associated with the social construct of race, particularly for Black male students and athletes.
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... Samuel Hodgea*, Jonathan OA Ammahb, Kevin M. Caseboltc, Kathryn LaMasterd, Bethany Hersmane, Amaury Samalot-Riveraf, and Takahiro Satog ... separate classes or special schools with little or no chance for interaction with peers... more
... Samuel Hodgea*, Jonathan OA Ammahb, Kevin M. Caseboltc, Kathryn LaMasterd, Bethany Hersmane, Amaury Samalot-Riveraf, and Takahiro Satog ... separate classes or special schools with little or no chance for interaction with peers without disabilities (Kusano &amp; Chosokabe ...
Research Interests: Psychology, Inclusion, Puerto Rico, Professional Development, Physics Education, and 15 moreIntrinsic motivation, Physical Education, Disability, Cultural Differences, Interviews, Descriptive Statistics, Case Study, Cross cultural studies, Education Systems, Research Method, Mainstreaming, Multiple Case Study, Comparative method, Survey data, and Routledge
Este estudo teve como objetivo comparar as respostas cardiovasculares e de óxido nítrico (NO) à contração isométrica voluntária máxima (CIVM) com diferentes grupos musculares (leg press [LEP] e preensão manual isométrica [IHG]) de... more
Este estudo teve como objetivo comparar as respostas cardiovasculares e de óxido nítrico (NO) à contração isométrica voluntária máxima (CIVM) com diferentes grupos musculares (leg press [LEP] e preensão manual isométrica [IHG]) de adolescentes com e sem síndrome de Down (SD). Alem de comparar a força IHG absoluta e relativa entre os grupos. Onze adolescentes com SD (14,1 ± 1,0 anos) e dez sem SD (13,7 ± 1,25 anos) realizaram duas sessões experimentais de exercícios LEP e IHG: 1) sessão de familiarização e 2) 3 tentativas x 5 segundos de contração na CIVM com 3- intervalo mínimo de descanso. A pressão arterial (PA), a frequência cardíaca (FC) e o NO foram coletados em repouso, imediatamente após a sessão de exercício e 10 minutos após o exercício. A dosagem de NO na saliva foi realizada pelo método colorimétrico de Griess. Não houve diferenças para respostas cardiovasculares e NO entre os grupos para CIVM. No entanto, o SD teve uma resposta cardiovascular menor, mas não significativa...
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The purpose of this study was to analyze adapted physical education instructors' views about the application of the theory of planned behavior (TpB) in teaching physical education undergraduate courses. Participants (n = 17) were... more
The purpose of this study was to analyze adapted physical education instructors' views about the application of the theory of planned behavior (TpB) in teaching physical education undergraduate courses. Participants (n = 17) were instructors of adapted physical activity courses from twelve randomly selected institutions of higher education in Santa Catarina, Brazil. The research paradigm was qualitative descriptive using a multisite interview design positioned in the theoretical orientation of planned behavior. The primary data source was interviewing. Interview data were analyzed with constant comparative method. The following themes were extracted during the data analysis: (a) disability socially constructed; (b) too little and too late; and (c) skepticism. The instructors' views ranged from skeptical to encouraging toward the application of TpB in teaching physical education courses and had salient influence. The findings and recommendations are discussed.
The purpose of this paper is to engage the reader in a conversation about justice imperatives in education, disability, and health. As counternarrative to structured majoritarian scholarship and positioned in the expressed intent of the... more
The purpose of this paper is to engage the reader in a conversation about justice imperatives in education, disability, and health. As counternarrative to structured majoritarian scholarship and positioned in the expressed intent of the National Academy of Kinesiology’s 90th annual meeting theme of Kinesiology’s Social Justice Imperative, we express feelings about the urgency for social justice in teacher education. To start, we operationally define social justice as advocacy, agency, and action. Next, we recommend the application of critical theoretical frameworks in conceptualizing and conducting research involving historically marginalized and minoritized populations (e.g., African American students). This conversation is theoretically grounded in intersectionality to offer a nuanced understanding of social constructions, such as ethnicity (e.g., African American) and race (e.g., Black), gender, culture, disability, and sociometric positioning regarding justice imperatives in edu...
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ABSTRACT The current state of research in kinesiology scholarship is largely void of empirical research that counters deficit thinking from a social justice perspective. The purpose of this paper is to interrogate the social justice... more
ABSTRACT The current state of research in kinesiology scholarship is largely void of empirical research that counters deficit thinking from a social justice perspective. The purpose of this paper is to interrogate the social justice agenda in kinesiology, and to suggest directions for the future of social justice research in our fields. First, we offer clarification of social justice and discuss how researchers might challenge dominant (majoritarian) discourses through critical interrogation of oppression and privilege, particularly in the United States (U.S.). We further suggest the utilization of a critical theoretical framework in conducting research and in challenging the prevalent deficit orientation of research engaging historically and contemporarily marginalized U.S. populations (e.g., people of color, women, and individuals with disabilities). Even more importantly, the lens through which the research is viewed must be adjusted to fully grasp the pertinent issues.
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The purpose of this study was to analyze Black male collegiate coaches' understandings and perspectives about building a coaching career in NCAA Division I athletics and the function of the Black Coaches and Administrators (BCA) as a... more
The purpose of this study was to analyze Black male collegiate coaches' understandings and perspectives about building a coaching career in NCAA Division I athletics and the function of the Black Coaches and Administrators (BCA) as a mechanism to help facilitate more coaching opportunities. The participants were seven Black male assistant coaches from a flagship doctorate-granting university in the Midwest region of the United States. The research method was descriptive–qualitative. The primary data sources were face-to-face semistructured taped interviews and e-mail follow-ups. The data were analyzed using a descriptive coding strategy, which exposed the dominant theme of networking mechanism. The major findings in this study indicate that because they lack social capital resources, minority candidates are at a disadvantage compared to their White counterparts for attaining jobs and career advancement in NCAA Division I athletics. Implications from the findings of this study...
Background This study was designed to compare the cardiovascular and nitric oxide (NO) responses to maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) with different muscle groups (leg press [LEP] and isometric handgrip [IHG] exercise) of... more
Background This study was designed to compare the cardiovascular and nitric oxide (NO) responses to maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) with different muscle groups (leg press [LEP] and isometric handgrip [IHG] exercise) of adolescents with Down syndrome (DS) and age-matched non-DS peers. We also aimed to compare the absolute and relative IHG strength between groups. MethodsEleven adolescents with DS (14.1 ± 1.0 years) and ten without DS (13.7 ± 1.25 years)participants performed two experimental sessions of LEP and IHG exercises: 1) familiarization session and 2) 3 attempts x 5-sec contraction at MVIC with 3-min rest interval. Blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR) and NO were collected at rest, immediately post-exercise session, and 10-min post-exercise. Results There were no differences for cardiovascular and NO responses between groups for MVIC test using different muscle groups. However, DS group displayed a lower but not significantly cardiovascular response at rest an...
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Introduction Research examining how adults with visual impairments experience physical activities is currently limited to specific age ranges (for example, youths or older adults) and geographic locations (such as Europe and North... more
Introduction Research examining how adults with visual impairments experience physical activities is currently limited to specific age ranges (for example, youths or older adults) and geographic locations (such as Europe and North America). In an effort to extend the current literature base, the study presented here focuses on a cohort of young or middle-aged adults with visual impairments who live in Brazil. Thus, the purpose of this exploratory study was to examine the meaning Brazilian adults with visual impairments ascribed to their physical activity experiences. Methods This study was situated in the qualitative paradigm utilizing a phenomenological design. Three male participants (aged 22 to 47 years) were purposively recruited to participate. The main source of data for this study was a focus group interview using an open-ended, guided approach that was recorded on audiotape. A three-step, line-by-line, thematic analysis, informed by the phenomenological research approach, wa...
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Abstract The purpose of this study was to analyse Brazilian physical education teachers’ beliefs about their experiences teaching students with disabilities. Participants were six physical education teachers from schools located in the... more
Abstract The purpose of this study was to analyse Brazilian physical education teachers’ beliefs about their experiences teaching students with disabilities. Participants were six physical education teachers from schools located in the city of Brasília, Brazil. The research paradigm was descriptive-qualitative situated in the theory of planned behaviour. The primary data source was a focus group interview. Interview data were analysed with constant comparative method and uncovered four major recurrent themes. The first major theme exposes the teachers’ beliefs that their class arrangements were typically integrative, not inclusive. Second, the teachers’ practices were distressed with problems and concerns beyond those of a typical physical education programme. Third, the teachers’ self-efficacy in teaching students with disabilities depended largely on several salient variables. Lastly, the teachers were mostly intrinsically motivated in teaching students with disabilities. School districts should engage teachers in professional development focused on teaching students with disabilities in physical education.
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ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to describe the experiences of Hispanic faculty involved in physical education teacher education programs at predominantly White colleges and universities in the United States. The study was... more
ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to describe the experiences of Hispanic faculty involved in physical education teacher education programs at predominantly White colleges and universities in the United States. The study was positioned in the theoretical framework of organizational socialization. Participants were Hispanic (n = 6) faculty from various kinesiology-based programs in tenure-track positions at institutions of higher education in the United States. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews and transcribed, triangulated, and analyzed with constant comparative procedures. We uncovered the following themes: (a) underrepresented, (b) socialized, and (c) cultured and determined. The study’s findings magnify the need for faculty and administrators to heighten their awareness and implement strategies to improve the organizational socialization of Hispanic faculty, particularly at predominantly White doctoral-granting colleges and universities. This means, for instance, identifying strategies to recruit, prepare, retain, and mentor Hispanic faculty at such institutions.
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The purpose of this study was to analyze high school physical education teachers’ beliefs and understandings regarding culturally relevant pedagogy and teaching Black males in urban high schools. The participants were forty Black1 and... more
The purpose of this study was to analyze high school physical education teachers’ beliefs and understandings regarding culturally relevant pedagogy and teaching Black males in urban high schools. The participants were forty Black1 and White2 physical education teachers (male = 23, 57.5 %; female = 17, 42.5 %) randomly sampled from urban high schools. The research method was descriptive survey. Data were collected with a demographic questionnaire and a multidimensional attitude scale, which was constructed in the theoretical orientation of culturally relevant pedagogy. Descriptive and inferential statistical procedures were used to analyze the data. The teachers held mostly favorable beliefs about teaching Black male students, but their beliefs tended to vary as a function of their gender and race/ethnic status. The findings and implications are discussed.
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The purpose of the study was to scrutinize and explain the academic, social, and athletic experiences of international student-athletes attending a historically Black university. Participants were six international studentathletes (five... more
The purpose of the study was to scrutinize and explain the academic, social, and athletic experiences of international student-athletes attending a historically Black university. Participants were six international studentathletes (five men and one woman). Situated in position theory, the research design was explanatory multiple case study. The primary data collection method was semi-structured interviews. The interviews were analyzed using a constant comparative approach and revealed that the participants were positioned by language differences and academic difficulties, were disengaged from some teammates, and endured athletic disadvantages in resources and training. To amply support international student-athletes, we assert that athletic departments, coaches, faculty, and students should respect and value the identities, as well as the linguistic and cultural backgrounds of international student-athletes.
Research Interests: Psychology and Students
ABSTRACT SHAPE America – Society of Health and Physical Educators has targeted youth physical activity (PA) as 1 of its 4 goals within the 50 Million StrongTM campaign. Only 27.1% of youth met the target of all students (preK–12)... more
ABSTRACT SHAPE America – Society of Health and Physical Educators has targeted youth physical activity (PA) as 1 of its 4 goals within the 50 Million StrongTM campaign. Only 27.1% of youth met the target of all students (preK–12) participating in at least 60 min of PA that increases their heart rate enough to breathe hard at least some of the time for 7 days/week. Thus, improvements for child and adolescent engagement in PA need to be made now through 2029 and beyond. The need for these improvements warrants research related to PA and youth. We present a plethora of research questions within 3 general areas: PA and school PA programs, PA and sedentary behavior measurement, and PA and social justice imperatives. Each question is framed within the social-ecological framework levels of learning, opportunity, policy, and population health.
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Despite having the desire to become physically active as a family, parents of children with visual impairments often lack the skills and resources needed to provide appropriate physical activities (PAs) for their children. The purpose of... more
Despite having the desire to become physically active as a family, parents of children with visual impairments often lack the skills and resources needed to provide appropriate physical activities (PAs) for their children. The purpose of this study was to explore the intentions of parents of children with visual impairments toward including their children in PAs after participating in a PA program. In this descriptive qualitative study, the participants were 10 parents of children with visual impairments. A series of workshops were designed to provide parents with the skills and resources needed to promote PA for their family. Upon completion of the workshops, parents took part in one-on-one semistructured interviews that were subsequently transcribed and analyzed using a thematic line-by-line process. Two interdependent themes emerged from the data analyses: (a) eye-opening experiences and (b) transformed, more hopeful, and optimistic outlook. The results revealed that through the ...
Research Interests: Psychology and Medicine
Physical activity (PA) provides multiple benefits to children with visual impairments (VI) and their families. However, the empirical literature base is underdeveloped on how family PA experiences impact participation for children with... more
Physical activity (PA) provides multiple benefits to children with visual impairments (VI) and their families. However, the empirical literature base is underdeveloped on how family PA experiences impact participation for children with VI. The purpose of this study was two-fold; that is: (a) to explore why families with children with VI seek out and participate in PA, and (b) to describe the strategies and supports needed by families of children with VI to improve PA participation. The research method was descriptive-qualitative positioned in the theoretical framework of the theory of planned behavior. Participants were parents of children with VI (n = 10) who took part in one-on-one semi-structured telephone interviews. Interview recordings were transcribed and analyzed using a thematic line-by-line analysis. Three salient, recurrent, and interrelated themes emerged from the data analyses. These themes were: (a) committed, (b) challenged, and (c) access. Findings revealed that pare...
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ABSTRACT The purpose of the study was to investigate and explain the academic, social, and athletic experiences of Black1 student-athletes attending a predominantly White degree-granting2 institution of higher education. Participants were... more
ABSTRACT The purpose of the study was to investigate and explain the academic, social, and athletic experiences of Black1 student-athletes attending a predominantly White degree-granting2 institution of higher education. Participants were six Black student-athletes (two women, four men). Situated in positioning theory, the research design was explanatory multiple case study. The primary data collection method was semi-structured interviews. The interviews were analyzed using a constant comparative approach and exposed that the participants had experienced academic challenges and negative social dynamics, but had athletic advantages in resources and training. To better support Black student-athletes, we encourage athletic departments, coaches, faculty, and all students to respect and value the identities, socio-economic backgrounds, and cultures of student-athletes of diversity.
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The purpose of this study was to analyze the attitudes of physical education teachers about inclusion and teaching students with disabilities in Brazil before and after they participated in a professional development workshop focused on... more
The purpose of this study was to analyze the attitudes of physical education teachers about inclusion and teaching students with disabilities in Brazil before and after they participated in a professional development workshop focused on inclusive ideology and strategies. The participants were Brazilian physical education teachers (pretest sample, n = 90, and posttest sample, n = 90, respectively) sampled randomly from a two-day workshop held in Brasília, Brazil. The research method was pretest–posttest group design. The primary data source was the Physical Educators’ Judgments about Inclusion survey, a three-dimensional attitude survey scale with an accompanying demographic questionnaire. Data were analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics. Results indicate the Brazilian physical education teachers: (a) were undecided about inclusion; (b) were accepting of students with disabilities in their classes; and (c) perceived a need for additional professional development trainin...
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The purpose was to develop an instrument for use in physical education teacher education (PETE) programs that would yield valid evidence of the judgments of PETE preservice teachers toward the inclusion of students with disabilities into... more
The purpose was to develop an instrument for use in physical education teacher education (PETE) programs that would yield valid evidence of the judgments of PETE preservice teachers toward the inclusion of students with disabilities into general physical education classes. Both the conceptualization that judgments represent the cognitive expressions of attitudes (Ajzen, 2001; Sherif & Hovland, 1961) and focus group discussions were used to create the Physical Educators’ Judgments About Inclusion (PEJI) instrument. Following content validation procedures, we administered PEJI to 272 PETE preservice teachers. Subsequent principal component analysis to generate construct validity evidence indicated 15 items should be retained; they collectively explained 53% of the variance using a three-component model. Dimensions of the PEJI pertained to judgments about inclusion, acceptance, and perceived training needs. Alpha coefficients for the three subscales ranged from .64 to .88.
The purpose was to compare the effects of two practicum types (off campus and on campus) on physical education teacher education (PETE) students' attitudes and perceived competence toward teaching school-aged students with physical... more
The purpose was to compare the effects of two practicum types (off campus and on campus) on physical education teacher education (PETE) students' attitudes and perceived competence toward teaching school-aged students with physical disabilities or moderate-severe mental retardation. PETE students, enrolled in a 15-week introductory adapted physical education (APE) course and involved in eight sessions of either off-campus (n = 22) or on-campus (n = 15) practicum experiences, completed Rizzo's (1993a) Physical Educators' Attitudes Toward Teaching Individuals with Disabilities-III (PEATID-III) two times. Analysis of pretest data revealed that groups were equated on gender, experience, attitude, and perceived competence. Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA revealed no significant difference between practicum types on posttest attitude and perceived competence measures. Attitude scores did not differ significantly from pretest to posttest. Perceived competence improved significantly from p...
Research Interests: Psychology and Medicine
ABSTRACT Many articles over the years have bemoaned the lack of diversity in doctorate-granting Physical Education Teacher Education (D-PETE) programs without attainable solutions towards significant increases in student and faculty... more
ABSTRACT Many articles over the years have bemoaned the lack of diversity in doctorate-granting Physical Education Teacher Education (D-PETE) programs without attainable solutions towards significant increases in student and faculty diversity. The purpose of this article is to emphasize the potential significance of implementing D-PETE programs at Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs). To that end, we discuss the impact MSIs have on the success of students of color and the impact MSI D-PETE programs would have on the diversification of PETE faculty and student bodies. In this article, we suggest ways to reframe the diversity narrative and offer solutions that are not currently utilized. The implementation of D-PETE programs at MSIs can enhance the broader PETE ecosystem, diversifying it like never before.
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The purpose was to describe the behaviors of eighth-grade students with and without physical disabilities relative to social inclusion in a general physical education program. Participants were 3 girls with physical disabilities and 19... more
The purpose was to describe the behaviors of eighth-grade students with and without physical disabilities relative to social inclusion in a general physical education program. Participants were 3 girls with physical disabilities and 19 classmates (11 females, 8 males) without disabilities. The method was case study. Data for a 6-week softball unit were collected using videotapes, live observations, and interviews. Findings indicated that students with and without disabilities infrequently engaged in social interactions. Average percentage of time that classmates gave to students with disabilities was 2% social talk and less than 1% in each category for praise, use of first name, feedback, and physical contact. Two themes emerged in this regard: segregated inclusion and social isolation. Students with disabilities interacted with each other to a greater degree than with classmates without disabilities. Analysis of use of academic learning time revealed different percentages for stude...