East Carolina University : Research and Creative Achievement Week 2011
Regular physical activity can reduce the risk of obesity and can help people live longer, healthier lives. One mechanism to increase physical activity and reduce the risk of obesity is to facilitate active living. Greenways can be used for active living purposes and can be seen as a strategy for physical activity promotion in a community. More research is needed to quantify the value of greenway development and the ability of greenways to increase physical activity levels in those living proximate to a greenway. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between physical activity levels and residential proximity to a greenway. Proximate was defined as one half mile or less and non-proximate was defined as one half to two miles to a greenway. In addition, the relationship between greenway proximity, overall physical activity levels, and social support were examined. Questionnaires were distributed to adults living within two miles of a greenway located in Greenville, North Carolina using mail and door to door administration. T-test analysis indicated that site-specific physical activity such as walking and vigorous physical activity (VPA) were related to greenway proximity. Correlation analysis indicated a relationship between social support and site-specific physical activity on the greenway. However, overall physical activity levels did not increase in respondents living proximate or non-proximate to a greenway. In conclusion, people who live proximate to a greenway potentially alter their physical activity with greenway usage instead of using other recreational amenities.
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Evaluating Group Climate and Interaction in an Intern Task Group, Melissa ValentineBarrow, Tracy Carpenter-Aeby,Victor Aeby,Jaqueline Coleman-Carmon,Tori Aeby Group work is a routinely utilized in social work practice and intervention due to its economic value and evidence-based outcomes. Two practical considerations arise: (1) Some social work programs combine group skill development with family and community classes whereas other programs do not teach group work until the field education internships; and (2) group evaluations and outcomes are often omitted due to time and evaluation skill constraints. Thus, the dilemma is that almost one fourth of social work practice involves groups but little emphasis in education and training are devoted to it. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate group evaluation for a field education task group. Further, this study evaluates group dynamics, interactions, and climate for group development by examining the Group Process Recording form, Corey Group Members Evaluation of Group form, the MacKenzie Group Climate Scale Short Form, and sociograms with an intern group (N=8) composed of three BSWs, three MSWs, and two professors. The results indicated that group members assumed a more professional role, became more aware of their role within the group and appeared to become more aware of the attributes each contributes to the group as a whole. Moreover, group members who had previously worked primarily as individuals began functioning as a team following the task group, which was vital for this internship, a leadership and life skills academy for middle school utilizing group work.
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