BSc (Hons) Physical Activity, Health and Wellbeing
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://eresearch.qmu.ac.uk/handle/20.500.12289/10873
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Item A mixed methods approach to investigate weightbased reactions and discriminative incidents within a gym environment. Specifically targeted to people with overweight or obesity: A proposed study(2021)Stigmatising incidents – specifically towards a person’s weight - are apparent worldwide including the workplace, healthcare settings and in fitness environments. To date, there is a vast amount of evidence investigating the impact weight stigma has towards exercise adherence of overweight and obese participants. However, there is little research regarding what procedures could be implemented to alleviate inactivity in this population. The proposed study intends to use a mixed methods approach using analysis from quantitative surveys to determine the presence of stigma within a gym environment. It will also analyse information gathered from qualitative semi-structured interviews about what could be implemented within fitness facilities to allow for a more comfortable experience. Participants will be selected from a funded NHS weight management programme which is run within fitness centres across Edinburgh. The criterion for the study is that the participants have a Body Mass Index of 25> and have attended a gym at least once in their lifetime. The hypothesis of theproposed study is that the findings will align with previous research highlighting the need for additional measures to be put in place to reduce stigmatic experiences. The need for extra resources to allow for higher numbers of physical activity attendance in overweight and obese individuals may also emerge.Item “Sink or Swim? A study to understand the relationship between personality traits, mental health and the effects of social media use in university students”(2021)Over the past two decades, adolescents’ engagement with Social Media has substantially increased. While a relationship between social media and mental health has been established, research must investigate why some adolescents are affected by social media more than others. The present study is designed to examine the relationship between social media and the well-being of adolescents at university. Specifically, this study attempted to examine to what extent certain personality traits, when using social media, can leave one more predisposed to effects on wellbeing. Statistical analysis for the proposed study will use a point-biserial correlation, that is assessed on the relationship between the five personality traits and daily stress on the one hand, with use of social media on the other. Using 3 different questionnaires to obtain information on daily stress, social media use and personality traits. This study is based on previous work by (Brailovskaia et al. 2020). Participants for this cohort will be recruited at Queen Margret University with advertisement being placed around the university campus. The hypothesis of this study is that certain levels of social media use can have a detrimental effect on individuals daily stress when specific personality traits are also displayed.Item The Benefits and Implications of an Eight Week Anabolic/Androgenic Steroid Intervention at a Supratherapeutic Dose When paired with Resistance Exercise In Older Adults(2021)Anabolic and androgenic steroids (AAS) have for quite some time been considered a taboo topic and one which has rarely been researched further since the Anabolic Steroid Act of 1990 deemed them to be a controlled substance. Since that time research within this area has slowed down dramatically and the potential benefits as well as implications are rarely discussed. Contrarily, stroke rehabilitation is an area for great interest and research. It is the aim of the researcher to deem the safety and research the potential benefits of a supratherapeutic dose (higher than would be used to treat a medical condition) of AAS administered to an elderly research participant. AAS are widely recognised by literature to be some of the safest drugs when used safely and correctly. They are also acknowledged to have positive effects on individual health and wellbeing however it is also clear there is risk for organ stress, particularly in relation to the cardiac system. Inorder to establish safety and effectiveness of the interventions for use with stroke survivors, we will assess the responses of age matched otherwise healthy individuals. This pilot study will recruit 20 healthy, male, older adults (65+) to participate in an 8-week AAS cycle paired with an 8 week resistance training program to assess physical function, mental and emotional wellbeing. Upon completion of the trial, the researcher shall conclude whether or not it can be deemed proof of concept to administer the drug in a follow up study, to those who have suffered from stroke, based on its safety and overall effectiveness.Item The impact of change in health behaviours on mental wellbeing in students during lockdown.(2021)Background: COVID-19 reached the United Kingdom in the early months of 2020, causing the country to go into lockdown. The lockdown restricted the population to interacting with others, meaning all non-essential businesses had to close in order to combat the virus. Due to these restrictions, there has been an impact in health behaviours including physical activity, diet, sleep and alcohol consumption. It is still unsure whether these impacts have been positive or negative. Through the use of quantitative data this study will investigate the health behaviour changes that undergraduate students experienced and its impact on mental wellbeing during lockdown. Methods: A quantitative research method was used through the use of the Healthand Behaviour Survey. This method assessed the main health behaviours of physical activity, diet, sleep and alcohol consumption. Hypothesis: Due to the recent findings on the impacts that lockdown has had on the adult population it appears more likely that the results will show a negative change in health behaviours on mental wellbeing. However, due to the previous studies not focusing on the student population a hypothesis has been made that there will be a more spread variety of positive impacts that impact had on student in lockdown. Discussion: This study will help provide details on the impact that lockdown really has had on students and whether it was positive or negative. The findings of the study will help plan interventions in the future if any form of lockdown was to happen again, regarding different health behaviours and the impacts they have on mental wellbeing.Item Investigating the impact surf therapy has on the mental wellbeing of vulnerable young people.(2021)This study is to determine if surf therapy has an impact on the mental health and wellbeing of vulnerable young people. It will explore surf therapy programmes and mental health within the young people population. The introduction will overview a broad understanding of how young people can be deemed as ‘vulnerable’ and mental health as a whole. This section will go on to an extended literature review where it looks into mental health and wellbeing within the young people population, physical activity and surf therapy, green space and blue space, and analyses if there are any gaps in the topic area. The aim, objectives and hypothesis are stated at the end of this section. Participants will be recruited through The Wave Project Scotland, using Qualitative research through a questionnaire to determine the impact on mental health. Participants will partake in a 6-week surf therapy programme and fill out a questionnaire pre and post the programme. The results will be analysed to see what impact surf therapy has on the participants mental wellbeing. In conclusion, potential barriers and future research are established in the discussion at the end of the study.Item Using Self-Evaluation to Advance Continuing Professional Development in Gymnastics Coaches: A Proposed Study.(2021)Technically challenging to perform and coach, gymnastics is a sport which is respected by many. Despite the critical role a coach plays in the development and performance of athletes, a distinct lack of research has been conducted to improve and advance a coach’s techniques and practices. By utilising the advancement of continuing professional development, coaches can ultimately improve their athlete’s performance by improving their own skillset. Mosston and Ashworh (2002) set out a Teaching Styles Spectrum, claiming that a coach who holds and delivers all the qualities will excel. TheProposed study will aim to establish the effect self-evaluation has on advancing a gymnastics coach’s continuing professional development. Factors such as the coach’s experience in the field, attitude towards self-evaluation and adaptation to adopt new coaching techniques will be considered. A qualitative research method will be used to understand and explore the relationship between self-evaluation and continuing professional development. Five gymnastics coaches from the same club will voluntarily participate in a series of data collection interventions. To collect data, both a semi-structured and fully structured interview will take place. Additionally, the coaches will take part in a four-week reflective diary, aiming to reinforce existing understanding and awareness of self-evaluation and its effects. The interviews will be transcribed in preparation for analysis. Thematic analysis will be used to highlight key themes in the collected data. The hypothesis of the proposed research expects that self-evaluation will have a similar positive effect on both coach professional development and athlete’s technical development. The Teaching Styles Spectrum will work well in presenting as a ‘model’ coach and provide clarity and guidance for those looking to advance their practise.Item A qualitative approach to explore the impact of blue space on family’s health and wellbeing.(2021)Natural environments are progressively being examined as important settings for health promotion (Ashbullby et al. 2013). However, only some studies have looked at the health impacts of outdoor blue spaces. Evidence is emerging that blue spaces can be especially valuable for psychological wellbeing, and blue spaces commonly appear among people’s preferred areas to go to for relaxation and restoration (Ashbullby et al. 2013). Hardly any research has investigated what adults and children find fun about spending time in blue space environments or how they think spending time in these settings might influence their health outcomes. This study aims to enhance the literature on natural environments and health by employing qualitative approaches to investigate family’s experiences of holidaying in blue spaces. The proposed study will use semi-structured interviews to understand the perceived health and wellbeing impacts blue space has on parents and children. The participants will be required to have children aged between 7 to 12 years old and have purposely holidayed in localities with blue spaces. The interviews will be carried out with six families through Skype. Thematic analysis will be used to identify themes within the data. The hypothesis of the proposed study is that the findings will align with previous research highlighting the positive health effects of natural environments, however, additional effects may emerge as the focus will be on blue space and families experiences.Item Investigating the Impact of Mindful Attention Focus During Nature Walks on Mental Well-being: A Mixed Methods Randomised Control Trial(2021)Background: Poor mental well-being and sedentary lifestyles are an increasing problem, especially in the student population. Literature shows Green Exercise (GE) has a synergetic effect, resulting in increased benefits to mental well-being compared to being in nature or physical activity individually. GE has the ability to promote both mental well-being and physical activity. Previous studies have investigated the optimal dose of exercising in nature including duration, intensity, type and environmental characteristics. However, the exerciser-environment relationship, developed through affordances, seems more important to understand the mental well-being benefits that arise during GE. Methods/design: This proposed study will follow a mixed method randomised control trial design. It aims to investigate if a greater improvement in mental well-being is found after carrying out a four-week mindful nature walking programme, compared to a four-week standard practice walking programme. The mindful intervention will focus on drawing participants attention to their external environment, with participants listening to an audio recording through earphones during their walks. Approximately 20 participants will be recruited from Queen Margaret University. Mental well-being will be evaluated by the Warwick- Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS). Semi-structured interviews will gather qualitative data. Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) will be used to analyse data extracted from interviews to establish themes of participants experiences. Paired-t tests will be used to test significance (p<0.05) of WEMWBS scores pre and post intervention. Discussion: This study will contribute to existing evidence by investigating if mindful walking could be used as an accessible and cost-effective practice to improve mental well-being whilst promoting physical activity. The design of the study is rigorously based on existing evidence within GE. The methodology carefully balances strengthening internal validity by controlling for confounding effects, whilst also ensuring results are externally valid and applicable to real life practice.Item Yoga after Stroke: A Qualitative Study on how Yoga Affects Stroke Survivors’ Perceived Self(2021)Stroke affects many aspects of people’s functioning and lives, and at the deepest level, it can change individuals’ sense of self and identity (Ownsworth 2014). Individuals often describe having a negative perception of self following stroke, experiencing mind-body disconnection, and seeing their body as unknown and altered (Garrett et al. 2011). After stroke, often special attention is devoted to the body, neglecting other aspects such as one’s sense of self and identity (Pallesen and Roenn-Smidt 2015). Yoga is a holistic approach that is considered to treat the person as a whole and can be used for stroke survivors to address both psychological and physical health (Andrews et al. 2020). Yoga encourages self-acceptance, mind and body awareness and promotes mindfulness, hence yoga will be used to explore stroke survivors’ sense of self and identity. Purpose: To explore the experiences of stroke survivors on their perceived sense of self and identity after participating in a yoga program.