Studies the effects of playroom deprivation on self-motion play, or peragration, for rhesus monkeys of ages 24 to 36 weeks. (Author/SS)

Examined the relationship of physical activity level and length of time of adherence to physical activity with physical activity identity (PAI) and physical activity self-efficacy (PASE). Surveys of 409 adult university employees indicated that vigorous activity related to higher PAI and PASE scores, and activity level contributed significantly…

Evaluated the advertising content contained in physical activity print materials. Analysis of print materials obtained from 80 sources (e.g., physicians' offices and fitness events) indicated that most materials contained some form of advertising. Materials coming from commercial product vendors generally contained more advertising than materials…

Proposes religion/religiosity as an alternative determinant for understanding physical activity patterns, using the religion of Judaism as a vehicle for understanding such a relationship. The paper reviews previously investigated determinants, argues for religion as a determinant, and offers a limited agenda for beginning the study of religion and…

Examined types and frequencies of musculoskeletal injuries among adults with above average activity levels enrolled in the Dallas Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study. Participant surveys and examinations indicated that one-quarter of all respondents reported musculoskeletal injuries (most of which were activity- related). Sport participants had the…

Surveyed adolescents at single-sex high schools to examine whether perceptions of physical activity differed by gender. The most helpful cue to physical activity for males and females was having a friend to exercise with. Parental encouragement and having a parent who exercised were also helpful. Wanting to do other things was a common barrier to…

Explores the literature on the status of women's health behavior and the benefits of physical activity, using Self- Determination Theory (SDT) as an organizing framework and including the Health Belief Model and Transtheoretical Model in the framework. Women's physical activity behaviors are examined through the lens of SDT with the intention of…

Prospectively examined caloric intake, resting metabolic rate (RMR), leisure time physical activity, and sensitivity and preference for sweet taste in seven female smokers during normal smoking, complete cessation, and resumption of smoking. Findings suggest that smoking cessation may cause rapid change in energy balance which is quickly reversed…

Examines the need for exercise intensity to become physically fit, concluding that intensity is not important for improving health, only for improving performance. What is important is routinely performing some sort of exercise. (GLR)

Examined the influence of spouse participation on adults' adherence to a 12-month fitness program. Comparisons of mood state and self-motivation among married participants enrolled alone versus those enrolled with spouses indicated that at the end of the study, 6.3 percent of the pairs had dropped out versus 43 percent of the singles.…

The authors investigated vigorous physical activity and psychological well-being during transition from high school to first-year university in a sample of 145 Canadian undergraduates. Participants completed retrospective measures assessing vigorous physical activity during their first 2 months at university and their last 2 months at high school…

Summer break is almost here for most elementary teachers and students. Warmer weather and additional free time to make choices create more opportunities to be physically active, whether home alone or out with friends and family. This article describes ways by which physical education specialists can encourage students' physical activity by…

The elimination of recess in schools across the country is becoming a normal occurrence in many communities, large and small. In each study presented in this content analysis, we find that free time and unstructured play is indeed essential to a child's healthy cognitive development. Article 31 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of…

The present study examined undergraduate students' physical activity during transition from high school to first-year university. Students' (N = 127) self-efficacy for coping with barriers to physical activity was investigated both as a predictor of physical activity and mediator of the relationship between pretransition and first-year physical…