Australian sport and physical activity behaviours pre, during and post-COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Globally, COVID-19 and associated restrictions impacted negatively on recreational physical activity (RPA). Participation in community sport was significantly impacted with cancelled training and competitions. Whilst team and club-based sport participation declined during COVID-19 restrictions, participation in some physical activities actually increased, particularly individual and online activities and outdoor activities not requiring facilities. AIM: The aim of this study is to investigate changes in the patterns of participation in club-based sport, informal sport and other RPA in Australia from pre, during and post-COVID-19 restrictions. Further, these participation patterns are broken down by gender, age and region of residence. METHODS: Two longitudinal waves of an online survey were conducted in mid-2020 and mid-2021. The first wave also captured retrospective pre-COVID19 (2019) data. Two sections of the survey dealt respectively with two 'settings' of RPA: organised club sport, and less structured sport and recreational physical activity (designated 'other RPA'). For each year 2019-2021 each individual was categorized as participating (Yes/No) in each of club sport and other RPA. For each setting, the proportions of each pattern of participation were tabulated, and the results for the demographic cohorts were compared. RESULTS: A total of 1,138 Australians aged 13 years and above completed both waves of the survey. Overall, there were considerable differences between the patterns of club sport and other RPA. Most individuals who participated in other RPA (69%) were able to and did participate continuously throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. However, and not surprisingly, the club-sport participants were forced to drop out in 2020 during COVID-19 restrictions, and less than half reported returning to play post-COVID-19 restrictions. Less than a quarter of sports club participants were able to continue to play throughout COVID-19 and beyond. Significantly more males returned to playing sport 51% than females 44%. CONCLUSION: Participation in community club-based sport has been significantly negatively impacted by COVID-19, more so than participation in some other recreational sport and physical activities. Further, fewer females than males returned to playing community sport, and priority and specific attention should be given to understanding why women and girls have not returned to playing community club-based sport.

Examining Single Session Peer-Teaching Instructional Approaches on Pre-Service Physical Education Teachers' Throwing Techniques.

An important role of a Physical Education (PE) teacher is to assist students to develop the fundamental motor skills (FMS) that will allow them to participate in physical activities with competence and confidence. Thus, PE teachers require the knowledge and skills to carry out this crucial task. In the crowded curricula of Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) programs, there are limited opportunities for pre-service PE teachers to learn how to analyze and perform a large list of motor skills. Our purposes in this study were to determine whether a single session peer-teaching intervention could improve pre-service PE teachers' short-term non-dominant hand overarm throwing performances and to examine these students' perceptions of the interventions. We allocated 47 pre-service PE teaching students (24 males; 23 females) to one of three experimental groups: a Video Analysis Group (VAG; n = 17), a Verbal Group (VG; n = 19), and a Control Group (CG; n = 11), based on the class in which they were enrolled. VAG and VG participants worked with a partner of their choice in reciprocal peer-teaching to improve each other's non-dominant hand throwing technique. VAG and VG interventions were identical except that VAG participants accessed video analysis technology. CG participants completed unrelated course work that involved no overarm throwing activities. A single 20-minute session of peer teaching with video analysis feedback during practice led to rapid enhancements in non-dominant hand overarm throwing skills. While all three groups improved their performance by retention testing, participants in the VAG group improved most quickly. Participants in both the VAG and VG groups reported that their respective interventions improved their throwing and Qualitative Movement Diagnosis (QMD) skills. Based on these results, we suggest that PETE programs integrate peer-teaching and video analysis sessions into fundamental movement courses to accelerate students' motor skill acquisitions.

Does an Increase in Supraspinatus Tendon Thickness After Swimming Increase the Likelihood of Future Shoulder Pain?

BACKGROUND: Increase in supraspinatus tendon thickness (STT) resulting from swimming practice has been observed in those with a history of shoulder pain. The magnitude of change in STT after a swimming session and its rate of recovery may be an indicator of future shoulder pain incidence. HYPOTHESIS: The supraspinatus tendons that demonstrate a greater increase in thickness as a result of swimming practice will have an increased likelihood of future shoulder pain in a cohort of competitive swimmers over a period of 6 months. DESIGN: Descriptive epidemiology study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 2b, individual cohort studies. METHODS: A cohort of 50 nationally qualified swimmers aged between 14 and 22 years, from 3 open National Swimming Programs in Victoria, Australia, were recruited for this study. Ultrasonographic measurements of swimmers' STT was obtained of both shoulders, before, immediately after, and 6 hours after a single swimming practice session. Data were recorded of any significant interfering shoulder pain at 3 and 6 months after the initial testing session. RESULTS: Stepwise logistic regression models indicated that significant predictors of the likelihood of experiencing significant interfering pain were sex [significant at 6 months; odds ratio (OR) 4.2] and the extent of change in STT immediately (OR 2.3 and 1.3 per mm at 3 and 6 months, respectively) and 6 hours postpractice (OR 1.9 and 1.5 per mm at 3 and 6 months, respectively). CONCLUSION: The current data suggest larger increases in tendon thickness after training are associated with an increased likelihood of future shoulder pain. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These data may be valuable for monitoring training load and identifying athletes who may have an increased likelihood of shoulder pain.

Cemented total knee arthroplasty provides greater knee range of motion at 2 years than cementless technique.

INTRODUCTION: Optimal fixation method between cemented, cementless, and hybrid techniques for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is still debated. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical outcomes of patients undergoing cemented versus cementless TKA. METHODS: We reviewed 168 patients who underwent a primary TKA at a single academic institution between January 2015 and June 2017. Patients were categorized into cemented (n = 80) or cementless (n = 88) groups. Only patients with greater than or equal to 2-year follow-up were included in the study. Multivariate regressions were performed to analyze the relationship between the surgical fixation technique and the clinical outcomes. RESULTS: There were no differences in demographics or baseline operative characteristics between the two groups. The cemented group had fewer manipulations under anesthesia (MUA) (4 vs. 15, p = 0.01), longer intraoperative tourniquet times (101.30 vs. 93.55 min, p = 0.02), and increased knee range of motion (ROM) at final follow-up (111.48 vs. 103.75°, p = 0.02) compared to the cementless group. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Both cemented and cementless component fixation are viable options for (TKA). This study found that patients who underwent a cemented TKA required fewer MUA's and had greater final ROM compared to patients undergoing cementless TKA. Additional research is required regarding cementless and cemented fixation. We believe that the choice of which fixation technique to use ultimately comes down to patient characteristics and surgeon preference.

Understanding volunteer motivations and concerns in coaching and officiating basketball: implications for sport policy.

Sport participation and volunteering can make important contributions to good health. Sporting organisations need volunteers to deliver their participation opportunities and for many years the sector has faced challenges to volunteer recruitment and retention, especially due to the increased bureaucratic and compliance demands in operating community sports clubs. As sporting organisations pivot to adapt to COVID-safe sport we can learn about their experiences to inform volunteer recruitment and retention policies and practices. This research examined volunteer intentions and motivations in coaching and officiating in basketball and explored factors influencing their decision to return to COVID-safe basketball. Data was collected via an online survey that drew on theoretical frameworks of volunteer motivations (i.e. modified Volunteer Functions Inventory VFI) in sport as well as sport policies related to COVID-safe guidelines for return to sport. Data was collected in Victoria Australia during July 2020 before basketball had the chance to return from the first Australian-wide COVID-19 lockdown. Volunteers had positive intentions to return to basketball following COVID-19 restrictions because it was fun, to help others, or because friends/family were involved. Volunteers were most concerned that others will not comply with COVID-safe policies particularly around isolating when feeling unwell (95%), but also reported concerns about the inconveniences of some COVID-safe policies introduced to return to organised sport (e.g. social distancing, density limits, and enforcing rule changes). Understanding these volunteer intentions, motivations and factors influencing the decision to return to COVID-safe basketball can help inform recruitment and retention strategies to support volunteers in sport. Practical implications for sport policy and practice are discussed.

Psychological, Physical, and Sexual Violence Against Children in Australian Community Sport: Frequency, Perpetrator, and Victim Characteristics.

Childhood sport participation is associated with physical, social, and mental health benefits, which are more likely to be realized if the sport environment is safe. However, our understanding of children's experience of psychological, physical, and sexual violence in community sport in Australia is limited. The aims of this study were to provide preliminary evidence on the extent of experiences of violence during childhood participation in Australian community sport and to identify common perpetrators of and risk factors for violence. The Violence Towards Athletes Questionnaire (VTAQ) was administered online to a convenience sample of Australian adults (>18 years), retrospectively reporting experiences of violence during childhood community sport. Frequencies of experience of violence were calculated and Chi-square tests were conducted to determine differences between genders. In total, there were 886 respondents included in the analysis. Most survey respondents were women (63%) and about a third were men (35%). About 82% of respondents experienced violence in sport as a child. Psychological violence was most prevalent (76%), followed by physical (66%) and sexual (38%) violence. Peers perpetrated the highest rates of psychological violence (69%), and the rates of physical and psychological violence by coaches (both >50%) were also high. Age, sexual orientation, disability, and hours of weekly sport participation as a child were all associated with childhood experience of violence in sport. The rates of interpersonal violence against children in sport were high. This novel data on perpetrators of the violence and the risk factors for experiencing violence provides further context to inform safeguarding strategies in sport. A national prevalence study is recommended to advance our understanding of the childhood experiences of violence in Australian sport.

The Impact of COVID-19 Restrictions on Perceived Health and Well-Being of Active Australian Older Adults.

The aim of this study was to determine the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on older adults' perceived health and well-being according to different types of participation in sport and physical activity by gender and region. A survey was implemented during the first COVID-19 lockdown in Australia (June 2020) and information collected on demographics, sport and physical activity patterns pre-COVID-19, and health and well-being outcomes during lockdown and compared to 1 year earlier. During COVID-19 lockdown, older adults who participated in both club sport and informal activities had significantly better general health, physical health, and resilience than those who participated solely in a single setting. Those participating in both team and individual activities reported better general well-being. Older adults who were active in a range of settings and modes had improved health and well-being. Social support is especially important for older adults to become and remain active.

The use of intra-articular platelet rich plasma for the symptomatic management of osteoarthritis of the knee: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis of the knee is a chronic inflammatory condition resulting in significant patient disability, with intra-articular platelet rich plasma (PRP) injections having shown potential to improve symptomatic outcomes. This retrospective cohort pilot study aimed to observe whether PRP injections were beneficial in the symptomatic management of knee osteoarthritis in an Australian population, based on patient reported outcomes. An additional aim was to observe for an association between the number of injections and patient characteristics, such as body mass index, age, sex and radiologically determined severity of the disease. METHODS: The cohort was drawn from those who attended Ballarat Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine for PRP injections and who had completed the appropriate pre- and post-injection Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) questionnaire. WOMAC scores were analysed to observe for any difference following a course of PRP injections. RESULTS: The data suggest that the use of PRP improved patient reported WOMAC scores. Additionally, it was shown that two injections had a greater effect than one injection, with a third injection providing no further benefit. Finally, there was an association with lower WOMAC scores post PRP therapy amongst male participants compared to female participants. CONCLUSION: These results suggest two PRP injections are optimal for the symptomatic management of knee osteoarthritis, identifying a need for further prospective research in this Australian population.

The impact of COVID-19 restrictions on Australians' frequency and duration of participation in different types of sport and physical activity.

BACKGROUND: Sports management and public health physical activity stakeholders need to understand changing patterns of participation to inform the development of sport and physical activity opportunities and strategies. This study investigated changes in the frequency and duration of participation in sport and physical activity in Australia from pre-COVID-19 to during-COVID-19, broken down by the specific type of activity and by gender, age and region. METHODS: During the first pandemic restrictions and lockdowns in Australia in May-June 2020, 6140 survey respondents provided information about the types, frequency and duration of the sport and physical activity they participated in prior to and during COVID-19 restrictions. Differences between mean values were analyzed. RESULTS: The greatest decline in participation during COVID-19 was in team sports, and the decline was greater for men than for women. CONCLUSION: How will sport respond to getting these men back in the game, and women back from home-based yoga and Pilates?

Corrigendum: Five-Year Changes in Community-Level Sport Participation, and the Role of Gender Strategies.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2021.710666.].

Marketing Up the Wrong Tree? Organisational Perspectives on Attracting and/or Retaining Older Adults in Sport.

Community sport is seen as a suitable setting for physical activity for different population groups. Older adults (aged 50+ years) are a rapidly growing population group. Physical activity is critical for healthy ageing, however sport participation rates for older adults are very low. The aim of this study was to investigate how sporting organisations perceive sport for older adults. This cross-sectional study surveyed 171 representatives from Australian National and State Sporting Organisations. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise the results and the three sporting organisation categories' (high, medium, and low participation) responses were compared using non-parametric statistics. Contextualised in the perspective of organisational change, a framework for marketing to the ageing consumer was used to interpret the results. Older adults are not a high priority group for most sporting organisations, however the benefits of engaging older adults were recognised, particularly in context of increasing participation numbers. A lack of age-appropriate programmes was perceived to be a major barrier of engaging older adults. This lack of programmes stems from older adults being deemed as a less attractive segment than other age groups for sporting organisations. Modifications that sports felt they could make to attract and/or retain older adults included specific marketing and age appropriate opportunities. There was widespread consensus across sporting organisations, suggesting that perceptions of older adult sport participation were comparable across the sector, such as increasing participation numbers and engaging their older fan base. In the context of attracting, and retaining, older adults in sport clubs, it was concluded that most sporting organisations are not (yet) ready to build "age friendly" sporting environments. There is very limited literature on the organisational perspective of older adults and sport, meaning this study is unique in the field. Although sport policy encourages organisations to grow their participation, most organisations do not actively and strategically engage older adults. This research provides an understanding of why this untapped market is not a priority target and provides comprehensive insights for policy makers to better engage with this population group.

Five-Year Changes in Community-Level Sport Participation, and the Role of Gender Strategies.

Background: The rate of participation in community-based sport by boys and men has been double that of girls and women. Contributing to this is the fact that some sports have been traditionally male-only or at least very male-dominated. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate changes in participation in sport by sex and age across 10 major sports in Australia over a 4-year period. In conjunction with the analysis of participation trends, the gender strategies that were developed and implemented during this time are reviewed. Methods: This study encompassed all sport participants registered with one of 10 State Sporting Associations in Victoria, Australia in 2015 and in 2019. Participation rates by region, age and sex were calculated. State sport and health policies relating to female participation in sport were reviewed. Results: There were 749,037 registrations in 2015 and 868,266 in 2019. A comparison between 2015 and 2019 shows increases in participation for women and girls across all age groups (4-84 years), and highest increases for those aged 4 (6.6%) and 5-9 (4.7%). For boys there was a considerable decrease in participation for those aged 5-9 years (-3.8%). Discussion: This study provides evidence that whilst participation in sport is still dominated by males, the gap might be gradually closing and this is in line with recent strategies and investments into sport and wider cultural developments in society. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Longitudinal Trends in Sport Participation and Retention of Women and Girls.

Measurement and analysis of sport participation data is vital to understand trends, and therefore to make informed decisions relating to sport policy and strategies to get more people active through sport. This study identified patterns of club sport participation, retention and drop-out of women and girls over a 7 year period in a popular team sport in Australia. The study included registered women and girls of all ages (4-96 years at baseline) in an almost exclusively female sport, with a particular focus on the ages 4-14 years where most participation occurs. All commencing participants in the base year (2010) were tracked over the 7 year period. Participants were classified in two ways: the total number of years they played and their overall pattern of participation. Differences between age groups were analyzed using Kruskall Wallis and Mann Whitney tests. Registration records of 29,225 participants were analyzed in the study. Overall, there were considerable differences in the years participating in the sport. Almost one third (30%) of commencing 4-9 year olds played continuously for the 7 years. This proportion diminished through ages at commencement from 10 to 19, reaching a low point of 4% for ages 15-19, then rebounded slightly, reaching 7% for ages 30+. The proportion who dropped out during the 7 year period and did not return varied with age in the converse manner, as did the proportion of single-year players. The optimal age of entry to sport for retention in participation was 6-9 years. Consideration needs to be given to the age appropriateness of sports programs for very young participants. Strategies specifically relating to retention of girls and young women during adolescence should be developed.

Body-Worn Versus Bell-and-Pad Alarm Device for the Management of Monosymptomatic Nocturnal Enuresis in Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of bell-and-pad alarm therapy to body-worn alarm therapy for the management of monosymptomatic enuresis in children 6 to 16 years of age. DESIGN: A prospective, randomized, adaptive clinical control trial. SUBJECTS AND SETTING: The sample comprised 86 children who attended a continence clinic for treatment of monosymptomatic enuresis and met the criteria for enuresis alarm therapy as per International Children's Continence Society (ICCS) guidelines. Subjects were randomly allocated to an experimental group (body-worn alarm, n = 41) or a control group (bell-and-pad alarm, n = 45). The study setting was a single-site specialist continence service in regional Victoria, Australia. Treatment was administered in the child's home. METHODS: Alarm therapy was administered by the child and/or parent for an initial period of 8 weeks at which time the child underwent a review with the continence nurse specialist. If the child had achieved 14 consecutive dry nights, the therapy was deemed successful and ceased. Children who had not become dry continued therapy for a further 8 weeks up to a maximum of 16 weeks, with a final review was instituted. Each child kept a diary for the duration of alarm therapy to report on frequency of wet/dry nights, times of alarm, response to alarm, and response to sensation to void (without alarm). The 2 types of alarm devices were compared with respect to categorical variables using dichotomous cross-tabulations and χ tests of independence based on the most positive outcome versus the other outcomes. RESULTS: Dryness in accordance with the criteria outlined by the ICCS guidelines was achieved in 18 children (43.9%) in the body-worn alarm group versus 29 children (64.4%) in the routine (bell-and-pad) group (P = .056). The bell-and-pad alarm performed better on 7 out of the 9 indicators, including the primary outcome measure of the child attained dryness for 14 nights or more, nightly alarm use, alarm woke child, alarm woke parent (P = .022), false (positive) alarms (P = .039), child turned alarm off and went back to sleep (P = .003), and child was compliant with alarm use. The body-worn device produced higher proportions of the most positive outcomes for 2 of the 9 indicators: relapse (P = .076) and false (negative) nonalarms (P = .066). CONCLUSIONS: Study findings suggests that the bell-and-pad alarm is preferable to the body-worn alarm. Additional research is recommended using other body-worn alarm devices across a larger population in order to establish the more definitive findings needed for clinical decision-making.

A mixed-methods case study exploring the impact of participation in community activity groups for older adults on physical activity, health and wellbeing.

BACKGROUND: Regular physical activity (PA) has many health benefits but declines with age. Community multi-activity groups offering volunteer-led socially-oriented activity programs could provide an opportunity for older people to maintain or increase PA levels and promote their health. The aim of this study was to examine the potential effect of becoming a member of an existing community activity group on PA levels, physical and mental health-related quality of life (HR QoL), comparing any impacts associated with participation in physical activity or social activity programs. METHODS: This mixed-methods case study, combining a longitudinal quantitative-survey with qualitative focus groups to contextualise the survey results, focused on an Australian community organisation called Life Activities Clubs (LACs). LACs provide various physical activities (e.g. walking, cycling, dancing) and social activities (e.g. book groups, dine-outs, craft). Data were collected using a self-report survey administered at baseline, six and twelve-months after joining and group differences between participants of PA programs (PA group) and social programs (social group) were analysed using linear mixed-models. Two focus groups with LAC members were held, one representing each activity type and analysed using content and thematic analysis. RESULTS: 35 people (mean age 67) completed the surveys and 11 people participated in the focus groups. PA levels and physical health-related QoL were maintained over 1 year in the PA group, and declined between baseline and 12-months in the social group. Focus groups suggested social aspects of PA programs increased motivation to maintain regular attendance and do more PA than participants would on their own and that physical activities provided health benefits. Mental HR QoL did not change in either group, focus groups suggested this was because the social aspects of both types of program provide benefits relating to mental health including stress relief, enjoyment and adapting to major life events, to prevent a decline in QoL. CONCLUSIONS: Community PA programs appear to maintain PA levels and physical HR QoL in older adults, and both social and PA programs may maintain mental HR QoL. Incorporating both types of program into one organisation may also encourage less physically active members to try physical activities.

A mixed methods case study exploring the impact of membership of a multi-activity, multicentre community group on social wellbeing of older adults.

BACKGROUND: Social wellbeing factors such as loneliness and social support have a major impact on the health of older adults and can contribute to physical and mental wellbeing. However, with increasing age, social contacts and social support typically decrease and levels of loneliness increase. Group social engagement appears to have additional benefits for the health of older adults compared to socialising individually with friends and family, but further research is required to confirm whether group activities can be beneficial for the social wellbeing of older adults. METHODS: This one-year longitudinal mixed methods study investigated the effect of joining a community group, offering a range of social and physical activities, on social wellbeing of adults with a mean age of 70. The study combined a quantitative survey assessing loneliness and social support (n = 28; three time-points, analysed using linear mixed models) and a qualitative focus group study (n = 11, analysed using thematic analysis) of members from Life Activities Clubs Victoria, Australia. RESULTS: There was a significant reduction in loneliness (p = 0.023) and a trend toward an increase in social support (p = 0.056) in the first year after joining. The focus group confirmed these observations and suggested that social support may take longer than 1 year to develop. Focus groups also identified that group membership provided important opportunities for developing new and diverse social connections through shared interest and experience. These connections were key in improving the social wellbeing of members, especially in their sense of feeling supported or connected and less lonely. Participants agreed that increasing connections was especially beneficial following significant life events such as retirement, moving to a new house or partners becoming unwell. CONCLUSIONS: Becoming a member of a community group offering social and physical activities may improve social wellbeing in older adults, especially following significant life events such as retirement or moving-house, where social network changes. These results indicate that ageing policy and strategies would benefit from encouraging long-term participation in social groups to assist in adapting to changes that occur in later life and optimise healthy ageing.

Demographic characteristics and type/frequency of physical activity participation in a large sample of 21,603 Australian people.

BACKGROUND: Regular physical activity (PA) is imperative for good health and there are many different ways that people can be active. There are a range of health, PA and sport policies aiming to get more people active more often. Much research has been directed towards understanding the determinants of inactivity and PA. However, it is important to understand the differences not only between inactive and active people, but also between activity contexts (for example participation in sport compared to non-sport activities), in order to align policies and strategies to engage market segments who have different participation preferences and accessibility. The aim of this study was to investigate demographic correlates of the propensity to be physically inactive or active within different contexts, and at different levels of frequency of participation. METHODS: Data from the Australian Exercise, Recreation and Sport Survey was used for this analysis. This included information on the type, frequency and duration of leisure-time PA for Australians aged 15 years and over. Reported PA participation in the two-week period prior to the survey was used to allocate respondents into three categories: no PA, non-sport PA only, and sport. Subsequently, sport participants were further categorised according to frequency of participation. Potential demographic correlates included sex, age, education, employment, marital status, language spoken, having a condition that restricts life, children, and socio-economic status. RESULTS: The survey included 21,603 people. Bivariate chi-squared analysis showed that there were significant differences between the profiles of leisure-time PA participation across all demographic variables, except the variable languages spoken at home. Ordinal regression analysis showed that the same demographic variables were also correlated with the propensity to engage in more organised and competitive PA contexts, and to participate more frequently. CONCLUSIONS: People who were female, older, married or had a disability were less likely to participate in sport. Therefore when designing PA opportunities to engage those who are inactive, particularly those that are organised by a club or group, we need to ensure that appropriate strategies are developed, and tailored sport products offered, to ensure greater opportunities for increased diversity of participation in sport.

Girls' transition from participation in a modified sport program to club sport competition - a study of longitudinal patterns and correlates.

BACKGROUND: Participation in sport is very popular for young children. Many children participate in entry-level modified sports programs. These programs are modified to match the developmental capacity of children and are aimed at development of fundamental motor skills and sport-specific skills, rather than competition. There is limited research on the longitudinal tracking of children in these programs and into club-based competition. Research suggests that most children drop-out of the sport and do not transition into club-based competition. Furthermore, more females than males drop-out of sport. The aim of this study is to investigate longitudinally, the patterns and demographic predictors of children's transition from modified sport programs to club sport competition for females. METHODS: This study analysed sport participation for females in a popular Australian, predominantly female, sport. Players of the modified sports program were followed over 4 years to determine their pattern of transition: transition to junior player status, withdraw from the sport, or continue in the modified program. Pattern of transition was compared across age (4-10), geographical region (metropolitan/non-metropolitan) and socio-economic status (SES). Logistic regression was used to model the effect of the three factors on the likelihood of transition. RESULTS: A total of 13,760 female children (aged 4-10) participated in the modified sport in the first year. The majority (59%) transitioned from the modified sport program and into club competition. However the rate of transition varied with age, residential location and socio-economic status, and there was an interaction between region and SES, with SES having a significant influence on transition in the metropolitan region. The peak sport entry age with the highest rates of transition was 7-9 years. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that whilst the majority of female participants continued participantion and tranisitioned from the modified sport program and into club competition, the strongest correlate of transition was age of entry, with transition rate peaking among those who commenced at age 7-9 years. It is recommended that, in order to maximise continued participation, sport policy and strategic developments should consider the possibility that targeting the very young is not the optimum recruitment strategy for fostering continued sport participation.

Cognitive behavior therapy for older adults with insomnia and depression: a randomized controlled trial in community mental health services.

Study Objectives: To investigate whether cognitive behavior therapy was effective for older adults with comorbid insomnia and depression in a community mental health setting, and explore whether an advanced form of cognitive behavior therapy for insomnia produced better outcomes compared to a standard form of cognitive behavior therapy for insomnia. Methods: An 8-week randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted within community mental health services, Victoria, Australia. Seventy-two older adults (56% female, M age 75 ± 7 years) with diagnosed comorbid insomnia and depression participated. Three conditions were tested using a group therapy format: cognitive behavior therapy for insomnia (CBT-I, standard), cognitive behavior therapy for insomnia plus positive mood strategies (CBT-I+, advanced), psychoeducation control group (PCG, control). The primary outcomes were insomnia severity (Insomnia Severity Index) and depression severity (Geriatric Depression Scale). Primary and secondary measures were collected at pre (week 0), post (week 8), and follow-up (week 20). Results: CBT-I and CBT-I+ both generated significantly greater reductions in insomnia and depression severity compared to PCG from pre to post (p < .001), which were maintained at follow-up. Although the differences between outcomes of the two treatment conditions were not statistically significant, the study was not sufficiently powered to detect either superiority of one treatment or equivalence of the two treatment conditions. Conclusion: CBT-I and CBT-I+ were both effective at reducing insomnia and depression severity for older adults. Mental health services that deliver treatment for comorbid insomnia with cognitive behavior therapy may improve recovery outcomes for older adults with depression. Trial Registration: Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR); URL: https://www.anzctr.org.au; Trial ID: ACTRN12615000067572; Date Registered: December 12, 2014.

Participant characteristics of users of holistic movement practices in Australia.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the characteristics of users of holistic movement practices in Australia to people who were physically active but not using holistic movement practices. A second aim was to compare characteristics of users of specific holistic movement practices (yoga/Pilates and t'ai chi/qigong). DESIGN: We performed a secondary data analysis on pooled data of a nationally-representative physical activity survey conducted yearly 2001-2010 (n = 195,926). SETTING: Australia-wide Exercise, Recreation, and Sport Survey (ERASS). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A range of socio-demographic and participation characteristics were documented and compared between users and non-users of holistic movement practices and between yoga/Pilates and t'ai chi/qigong users, employing descriptive statistics, chi square, and multiple logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Users of holistic movement practices (n = 6826) were significantly more likely than non-users to be female, older, have fewer children at home, and have higher levels of education, socio-economic background, and physical activity involvement (p < 0.001). Yoga/Pilates (n = 5733) and t'ai chi/qigong (n = 947) users were also found to differ on a number of characteristics, including age, sex, socioeconomic background, and marital status. CONCLUSION: As a group, Australian users of holistic movement practices differ on a range of characteristics from those Australians active in other types of physical activities. However, differences between yoga/Pilates and t'ai chi/qigong users suggest these practices attract somewhat different sub-populations. To what extent these differences are due to characteristics inherent to the practices themselves or to differences in delivery-related parameters needs to be examined in future research.