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Purdue University College of Liberal Arts Department of Health and Kinesiology

HK 490: Youth Physical Activity Behavior


Fall 2011, Tuesday/Thursday 9:00a 10:15p Instructor Information Dr. Alan L. Smith 118 Lambert (Main Office Complex) Phone: 496-6002 E-mail: alsmith7@purdue.edu Office hours: open door or by appointment Teaching Assistant Information Mr. J.D. DeFreese 315A Lambert (Sport Psych Lab) Phone: 496-2231 E-mail: jdefrees@purdue.edu Office hours: Tues/Thurs 10:30a-Noon or by appointment

Course Description This course addresses developmental, psychological, social, and contextual factors associated with physical activity behavior and sedentary behavior of young people. Students will consider fundamental questions and assumptions that frame the study of youth physical activity behavior, be exposed to a breadth of empirical literature on youth physical activity and sedentary behavior, and learn how the existing knowledge base has been translated into physical activity promotion efforts. Course topics will include: historical views on youth physical activity, youth health outcomes, motivation, the physical self, the family, peers, school settings, organized sport, living environments, and the ethics of promoting physical activity behavior. Prerequisites Permission of instructor is required. It is recommended that students be an upper-level movement and sport science major and/or have extensive exposure to psychology coursework. It is recommended that students take HK 372 before taking this course. History of and My Approach to Teaching HK 490 The study of physical activity behavior has expanded rapidly because of the startling increase over recent years in the incidence of conditions such as obesity and type II diabetes. These conditions have increased in prevalence not only among adults, but also in children and adolescents. Though dissenting voices exist, many scholars cite reduced involvement in physically active pursuits over the same time frame, and increased availability of sedentary pursuits, as contributing to this trend. Physical activity is clearly important to study from a public health standpoint. Beyond this, and close to my heart given my scholarly interests, physical activity is an effortful behavior that requires long-term involvement in order to attain any consistent health benefits. Therefore, physical activity is an interesting context for understanding processes of human motivation. It was my interest in the public health and motivational features of physical activity that led me to pursue close study of the topic, lead an edited book project bringing together internationally known experts on youth physical activity and sedentary behavior, and develop this course. I will challenge you to critically evaluate dominant claims and existing research, translate conceptual knowledge to practice, and be an active player in not only your own scholarly development, but also that of your peers and your professor. I am pleased to have you in the course!

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Course Objectives The student will 1. Obtain an understanding of youth physical activity and sedentary behavior that draws from a breadth of academic disciplines and perspectives. 2. Read and critically evaluate literature that allows for informed discussion of current perspectives on youth physical activity and sedentary behavior. 3. Learn about the research process and how knowledge obtained from research is translated into efficacious physical activity promotion efforts. Instructional Procedures and Course Experiences Lectures, readings, discussions, videos, exams, writing and other experiences will help students meet the stated course objectives. Course Outline I. Conceptualization of Youth Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior A. Sociohistorical Analysis B. Young Peoples Health C. Definitions and Measurement D. Ethical Issues

II. Individual Factors A. Developmental Issues B. Youth Attitudes C. Motivational Characteristics D. The Physical Self E. Movement Difficulties F. Obesity III. Social and Contextual Factors A. The Family B. Peers C. Economics D. Living Environments IV. Physical Activity Promotion Settings A. School B. Organized Sport C. Community Out-of-School Programs D. Culturally Appropriate Interventions

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Course Requirements I. Readings and Participation

The required text, Youth Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior: Challenges and Solutions, is available at the bookstore (and through the publisher, online booksellers, etc.). Other required readings associated with Discussion Days will be made available within the Blackboard web site for this course. You are expected to be an active class participant, meaning that you will complete assigned readings in advance of class, regularly participate in group discussions and raise questions/comments, and submit advance questions to the instructor when asked to. You are also expected to attend class, every time. If you must miss a class meeting, please inform me in advance. Excused or not, your final course grade will be lowered 10% (i.e., one full letter) upon missing three class meetings, and an additional 10% every absence thereafter. II. Exams

There will be three examinations (closed-book, open brain), two during the semester and the other during the final examination period. Study guides will be provided to assist in exam preparation. Exam questions predominantly will be of multiple-choice or short-answer format. The exams cover their respective third of the course (i.e., there is not a cumulative exam). III. Laboratory Experiences You will collaborate with other classmates to complete two laboratory experiences. These experiences entail collecting information, processing/summarizing that information, and discussing findings relative to the existing knowledge base. Write-ups are to be turned in on the due date indicated on the course calendar (no late labs accepted). On the due date, class will be devoted to discussion of the laboratory experience. You should be prepared to share your findings and conclusions with the group. You must attend this session, as well as the in-class laboratory work session, to receive lab points. Most of the points for a given lab (i.e., 25 pts.) will be awarded to the entire group based on the final lab product. The remaining 10 points for a given lab will be awarded according to your individual contributions. Details on each laboratory project will be provided about one month before the due date.

IV. Course Grading Active Class Participation .......... 50 pts. Exam 1 ....................................... 60 pts. Exam 2 ....................................... 60 pts. Exam 3 ....................................... 60 pts. Lab 1 .......................................... 35 pts. Lab 2 .......................................... 35 pts.

Final Course Grade


A = 277-300 pts. A = 270-276 pts. B+ = 261-269 pts. B = 247-260 pts. B = 240-246 pts. C+ = 231-239 pts. C = 217-230 pts. C = 210-216 pts. D = 195-209 pts. F < 195 pts.

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V. Academic Honesty At all times students are expected to be in compliance with the Campus Code of Conduct. Please complete your work independently, unless otherwise indicated by me. You are expected to properly reference writings and ideas of others, using APA guidelines/format in any written documents. Instances of cheating, plagiarism, or other forms of dishonesty that I discover will result in at least a failing grade on the given assignment/exam for all involved students. More severe cases will result in a failing grade for the course. Furthermore, cases of academic dishonesty will be referred to the Dean of Students. Please see me if you have any questions pertaining to academic honesty. Also, you are encouraged to examine the Dean of Students website for more information on academic honesty and integrity. http://www.purdue.edu/univregs/studentconduct/regulations.html http://www.purdue.edu/odos/osrr/academicintegritybrochure.php In Case of Campus Emergency In the event of a major campus emergency, updates and emergency information will be posted on Purdues home page. You are encouraged to sign up for emergency text alerts. Text message sign-up procedures can be found on the Emergency Preparedness website at: http://www.purdue.edu/emergency_preparedness/ Moreover, in the event of a major campus emergency the HK 490 course requirements, deadlines and grading percentages are subject to changes that may be necessitated by a revised semester calendar or other circumstances. Here are ways to get information about changes in this course that are necessitated by such an emergency: check your email for a message from me to the class, email me directly (alsmith7@purdue.edu), call my office phone (496-6002), or check the class Blackboard web site.

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Course Calendar (subject to modification)


Date 8/23 8/25 8/30 9/1 9/6 9/8 9/13 9/15 9/20 9/22 9/27 9/29 10/4 10/6 10/11 10/13 10/18 10/20 10/25 10/27 11/1 11/3 11/8 11/10 11/15 11/17 11/22 11/24 11/29 12/1 12/6 12/8 TBA Topic Course Introduction Sociohistorical Analysis Physical Activity and Young Peoples Health Defining and Measuring Youth Physical Activity Critiquing Youth Physical Activity Research Ethics of Youth Physical Activity Research & Promotion Laboratory 1 Work Session Developmental Issues Developmental Issues Exam 1 Youth Attitudes Motivational Characteristics Laboratory 1 Discussion Motivational Characteristics NO CLASS MEETING Fall Break The Physical Self The Physical Self Movement Difficulties/Obesity The Family Peers Exam 2 Family and Peers Economics Laboratory 2 Work Session Living Environments School School NO CLASS MEETING Thanksgiving Break Organized Sport Laboratory 2 Discussion Community Out-of-School Programs Culturally Appropriate Interventions Community Interventions EXAM 3 Finals Week Readings/Assignments Chapter 3 Chapter 2 Chapter 1 Discussion Day Chapter 5

Chapter 6 Discussion Day Active Studying Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Lab Due, Prep for Discussion Discussion Day Chapter 9 Discussion Day Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Active Studying Discussion Day Chapter 17 Chapter 16 Chapter 13 Discussion Day Chapter 14 Lab Due, Prep for Discussion Chapters 15 & 18 Discussion Day Active Studying

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