The CLEFT Student Section: Engaging the future of cleft through fundraising; Structure of the section and results from inaugural year.

BACKGROUND: There is a disparity in access, quality, and sustainability of cleft care in low and middle income countries, where burden of disease is greatest. CLEFT-Bridging the Gap (registered charity number: 1194581) is a UK-based charity that aims is to solve this through teaching, empowerment and development of sustainable cleft services. A Student Section, composed of medical, dental and speech and language therapy students, was established to support these endeavours through fundraising. AIMS: 1) examine effectiveness of the Student Section, 2) explore students' perception of cleft care, 3) provide a framework for similar groups. METHODS: Cross-sectional survey study design. Likert-Scale responses to questions regarding organisation and experience of the section were collected. Data was analysed using Chi statistical test, ordinal data assessed using Wilcoxon-Signed Rank test. RESULTS: 40/64 ambassadors responded to the survey. 90% had a positive perception on the organisation of the section, this correlated with group size (p = 0.012) and number of fundraising events organised (p = 0.032). 85% had an overall positive experience, scores for consideration of a career in cleft significantly improved from 2.25 (95%CI: 1.95-2.55) to 3.30 (95%CI: 3.03-3.57) (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This study presents the first example of a nationwide student group involved with a charitable cleft organisation.

A comparison of undergraduate students' physical activity levels in a standard fitness walking class vs. a service-learning dog walking class.

Objective: To investigate the physical activity levels of students enrolled in a standard fitness walking class versus a service-learning dog walking class. Participants: College students (N = 65) from a university in the Southeastern United States (71% female; 85% White; 72% seniors). Methods: Students wore NL-1000 pedometers twice a week for 50 minutes for a full academic year. Service-learning students also completed reflection papers. Pedometer data was analyzed using SPSS and papers were analyzed through inductive coding. Results: Significant differences were found in each quantitative measure collected between classes. Students in the service-learning fitness walking class took more steps, walked further, and obtained more minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity than the students in the standard fitness walking class. Results from student reflections provided insight into why these differences occurred as well as additional student experiences. Conclusions: Incorporating a service component into a physical activity course can be beneficial.

Undergraduate students' physical activity levels and experiences in a service-learning dog walking class: an exploratory pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the physical activity levels and experiences of students enrolled in a service-learning dog walking class. Participants: College students (N = 10) from a rural university in the Eastern United States (age = 20.8 years ±1.2; 80% female; 90% White). Method: Students wore NL-1000 pedometers twice a week for 50 minutes for ten weeks. They also completed reflection papers at the end of the class. Pedometer data was analyzed using Microsoft Excel and the papers were analyzed through inductive coding. Results: Students obtained approximately 40% of their recommended daily physical activity requirements during class time. Reflection papers revealed that student beliefs about shelter dogs were challenged and that their primary motivations for attending class involved the physical activity needs of the dogs. Conclusions: Incorporating a service component into a physical activity course whereby the physical activity needs of others are the focus can be beneficial for all involved.

Shelter dogs, university employees, and lunchtime walks: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Workplace walking interventions can lead to positive physical and psychological outcomes for employees. For optimal success, however, innovative approaches that appeal to employees are needed. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the physical activity levels and experiences of university staff members who walked shelter dogs during their lunch breaks. METHOD: Participants walked with a dog and a partner for 30 minutes during their lunch break one day a week for four weeks. Accelerometer data was collected during participant walks and interviews conducted post-intervention. RESULTS: Quantitative results indicated that participants averaged 24.9±7.4 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (range 12- 37 min) during the walk. Qualitative findings suggested that the incorporation of shelter dogs into a walking intervention encouraged participants to take part in the study and continue each week. CONCLUSIONS: Both the quantitative and qualitative data from this pilot study support the notion that including shelter dogs into a university-based walking program encouraged physical activity engagement and adherence.

Dogs as Support and Motivation for Physical Activity.

Physical activity behavior change theorists are actively shifting the field to better align with the science of motivation and decision making. With this shift has come increasing interest in the role of affective judgments, habit, and identity in long-term physical activity maintenance, as well as the importance of framing physical activity in ways that protect autonomy and support personal values. This special communication makes the case for dog walking as a physical activity modality that fits well with the field's new focus. The authors provide an overview of dog walking research performed to date and discuss unanswered research questions. Given the large percentage of U.S. households that own a dog and the mainstream animal welfare movement to rehome adoptable shelter pets, there are innumerable opportunities to leverage the human-dog bond to increase physical activity levels.Dog walking interventions may be a highly practical approach to population-level physical activity promotion.

Development of a logic model for a service learning, dog walking course for college students.

Despite overwhelming evidence of the importance of physical activity, only 20% of US adults meet physical activity recommendations. A subsector of the population vulnerable to inactivity is college students. There is a disconnect between evidence-based physical activity programming and dissemination into college communities, which may be overcome through logic model development and evaluation. The purpose of this paper is to discuss logic model development for a service-learning, dog walking program for undergraduates. Participants were undergraduates (18-25 years). Process evaluations and observational data were used in a content analysis to determine major themes to create the logic model. A set of resources were needed to complete program activities, which led to short- and long-term outcomes. The overarching goal of the program is to improve the overall health status of college students and companion animals. This logic model may have significant public health impact as it can serve as a framework for universities wanting to develop, implement, and evaluate a service-learning, dog walking program for students.

The Invisible Employee: University Housekeeping Employees' Perceptions of Physical Activity.

BACKGROUND: A significant literature links race and socioeconomic status with physical inactivity and negative health outcomes. The aim of this study was to explore physical activity (PA) perceptions of an underserved, lower socioeconomic minority sector of the workforce. METHODS: Two focus groups were conducted to examine university housekeepers' perceptions of physical activity. Demographic and anthropometric data were also obtained. RESULTS: Participants (N = 12; 100% female, 100% African-American) overwhelmingly associated PA with traditional exercise (eg, going to a gym). The most important barrier to PA was the perception of being active on the job, thus not needing to do leisure time PA. The most important perceived benefit to PA was improvement of physical and mental health. Employees perceived that a university investment in employees' health might improve morale, especially within low-pay employee sectors where low levels of job satisfaction may be present. CONCLUSIONS: Although perceived benefits to PA in this population are consistent with other employee sectors, perceived barriers to PA may be unique to this sector of the workforce. PA promotion programs should focus on providing resources as well as guidelines that demonstrate the need for PA outside of the workplace setting. Such programs may improve employee health, morale, and productivity.

The professional experiences and work-related outcomes of male and female division I strength and conditioning coaches.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the professional experiences and work-related outcomes of male and female Division I strength and conditioning coaches (SCCs). Data were collected using multiple methods, first using an online questionnaire and second using semistructured telephone interviews. It was found that although SCCs generally felt supported, satisfied, and committed, several issues surrounding these constructs were present. Integrating the discussion of gender allowed for the implications of another salient social category within male-dominated professional field to be explored. Several implications and future directions are offered.