Influence of evidence-based physical activity instruction on interpersonal and institutional ecological structures of post adjudicated youth

Date

2010-12

Authors

Jackson, Dallas J.

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of evidence-based physical activity (EBPA) on postadjudicated youths personal and social responsibility perception, physical fitness levels, and the attitude of juvenile correctional officers (JCOs). Two hypotheses and a guiding question were used in this investigation: (a) postadjudicated youth involved in a 6-week Taking Personal and Social Responsibility (TPSR; Hellison, 2003) physical activity instructional approach will have personal and social responsibility perception scores significantly higher than their postadjudicated peers involved in the traditional physical training-based physical activity instructional approach; and (b) postadjudicated youth involved in a 6-week TPSR physical activity instructional approach will not significantly differ in physical fitness levels from their postadjudicated peers involved in the traditional physical training-based physical activity instructional approach. The guiding question was: What influence does implementing EBPA instruction for postadjudicated youth have on the attitude of JCOs toward EBPA implementation within a post adjudication secure juvenile correctional facility?

An embedded mixed-method design involved the use of a pretest-posttest control group design to examine the influence of EBPA instruction on personal and social responsibility perception, and health-related fitness levels of postadjudicated youth. A descriptive case study approach was also used to investigate JCOs' attitudes. Data sources were a personal and social responsibility perception questionnaire, specific items from the FITNESSGRAM physical fitness test, a self-report questionnaire, and semi-structured face-to-face interviews using an open-ended interview guide.

Based on the findings, EBPA instruction had no effect on residents' personal and social responsibility perception. However, findings also suggested EBPA did not negatively affect health-related physical fitness levels. Moreover, findings revealed that EBPA can influence JCOs' attitudes toward physical activity provision. JCOs believed EBPA is more conducive to the rehabilitation program because of the positive changes in residents' social behaviors that generalized outside of the physical activity environment. JCOs were in favor of changing their traditional program to an EBPA program. However, they believed physical activity program change would require an outside professional. This influence was triangulated by the self-report data which revealed a positive influence on group personal and social responsibility perception.

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Keywords

Health and environmental sciences, Juvenile correctional officers, Physical activity instruction, Post adjudicated youth, Social responsibility, Talking personal

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