BackgroundThis study examined if family and friend support predicted adolescent physical activity (PA) across a five-year time span.MethodsThe Iowa Bone Development Study collected objective measures of physical activity and self-report of physical activity psychosocial factors at ages 13 (n = 306), 15 (n = 356), and 17 yr (n = 317). Total moderate and vigorous-intensity PA (MVPA) and MVPA after 3 pm on weekdays (MVPA-PM Weekday) were measured using ActiGraph accelerometers. Family Support for PA and Friend Support for PA scales were measured using the Choices questionnaire. Models were adjusted for SES (mother’s education) and somatic maturity (Mirwald predictive equations for maturity offset). Spearman correlation coefficients examined tracking of scales at ages 13, 15 and 17. Logistic regression estimated the odds ratio for being in the lowest tertile of each scale at age 17 if in the lowest tertile at age 13. Linear mixed regression models investigated associations between these scales and MVPA outcomes over time.ResultsTwo- and five-year intra-variable tracking associations for Family Support and Friend Support scales were moderate (r = 0.32–0.58), except for the comparison between age 13 and age 17 Friend Support for girls, which resulted in a low association (r = 0.26). Boys and girls in the lowest tertile for support at age 13 were more likely to remain in the lowest tertile at age 17 compared to those in the middle and upper tertiles. The regression models indicated that when all other factors were held constant, an increase in family and/or friend support resulted in an increase in both MVPA outcomesConclusionsFrom early to late adolescence, support for PA from the family and/or support from friends results in higher levels of total and discretionary MVPA. However, the importance of support in predicting MVPA decreased with age.

Purpose To examine tracking of physical activity (PA) over a ten-year period and investigate whether sex differences in PA trajectories are altered after aligning by maturity instead of age. Methods The Iowa Bone Development Study collected accelerometer data on a cohort of 140 girls and 128 boys at ages 5, 9, 11, 13, and 15 yr. Logistic regression determined the odds ratio of being in lowest PA tertile at 15 yr if in lowest tertile at age 5. Spearman correlation coefficients examined PA tracking from age 5 to 15. Using additional Iowa Bone Development participants at ages 9, 11, 13, and 15 (N=482, 457, 416, and 316, respectively), we examined the stability of PA for chronological and biological age in two-year intervals surrounding peak height velocity (PHV) age. Year from PHV was estimated using Mirwald prediction equation. Results Girls had significant ten-year correlations (r=0.27); boys did not. Girls, not boys, were more likely to be in the lowest tertile for PA at age 15 if in the lowest tertile at age 5 (OR=3.1 MVPA; 95% CI=1.4, 6.9; OR=2.8 Vigorous PA; 95% CI=1.2, 6.1). Girls’ two-year intervals for PA showed moderate associations (r=0.31–0.56) when aligned chronologically, but were moderate to high (r=0.41–0.63) when aligned biologically. Boys’ associations were low to moderate (r=0.26–0.56) chronologically. When aligned biologically, the associations were low for the −1 to 1 yr interval (1 yr prior to 1 yr post-PHV), but moderate to high for the −2 to 0 yr and 0 to 2 yr intervals (r=0.50–0.61). Conclusion Physical activity tracking from childhood to adolescence is stronger in girls than boys. Intervention programs targeting boys should focus on time surrounding puberty in boys where activity patterns change.

In a sample of 291 adolescents (mean age 13 yr), seven psychosocial factors, including family support, were examined in relation to accelerometry-derived physical activity (PA) measured after school and during the weekend. Gender-specific stepwise linear regression analyses determined which combinations of factors explained the variance in non-school moderate to vigorous PA and non-school total PA after adjusting for % BF, age, and maturity (p ≤ 0.05). Being praised by a family member and % BF explained 13% of the variance in female non-school MVPA, while being praised and maturity explained 13% of the variance in non-school total PA. Having a family member watch him participate, % BF, and age explained 11.5% of the variance in male non-school MVPA, while having a family member participate with him explained 6.4% of the variance in non-school total PA. Despite adolescents’ growing independence, family support continues to influence PA levels.

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Many universities have limited resources yet aim to provide worthy learning opportunities to their students. This goal can be met through the offering of alternative delivery methods and service learning. Alternative delivery methods have evolved as technology has advanced. This paper addresses the benefits of blended learning for students, faculty, and universities. Through an institutional grant emphasizing innovative teaching strategies, the authors explain how a kinesiology course that includes service learning was transformed from a face-to-face class to a blended learning environment. Two flagship assignments are explained and comments from students are shared.