INSTITUTE OF HUMAN PERFORMANCE
| Researcher : Abernethy AB |
| Project Title: | The relationship between expert perception, task constraints and selective information pick-up |
| Investigator(s): | Abernethy AB, Wright M |
| Department: | Institute of Human Performance |
| Source(s) of Funding: | General Research Fund (GRF) |
| Start Date: | 01/2006 |
| Completion Date: | 12/2009 |
| Abstract: |
| To enhance understanding of some fundamental aspects of expert perception. More specifically, the experiments to be undertaken aim to : (1) test the efficacy and generality of the constraints-attunement hypothesis of expertise, developed by Vicente and Wang (1998) to explain expertise in memory tasks, and assess its applicability to another set of tasks in which robust expertise effects have been observed - tasks involving dynamic, predictive behaviour; (2) search for, and identify, specific invariants for the perception and prediction of human movement to which only experts are attuned; (3) to examine, using fMRI techniques, in conjunction with behavioural and biomechanical data, the brain activity underpinning expert perception in a natural task environment so that a process-based account of perceptual expertise can be built; (4) differentiate, as best as is possible, expertise effects from those due to experience. |
| Project Title: | North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity (NASPSPA) Conference 2010 The perception of deception: The role of kinematic and other information in detecting deceptive intent within movements. |
| Investigator(s): | Abernethy AB |
| Department: | Institute of Human Performance |
| Source(s) of Funding: | URC/CRCG - Conference Grants for Teaching Staff |
| Start Date: | 06/2010 |
| Completion Date: | 06/2010 |
| Abstract: |
| N/A |
| List of Research Outputs |
| Abernethy A.B., 4th Australian Association for Exercise and Sports Science Conference. Gold Coast, Australia., Invited Frank Cotton Memorial Lecture, "Observations on integration and application in exercise and sports science".. 2010. |
| Abernethy A.B., Editorial Advisory Board Member, Journal of Sports Sciences 2009-2010. 2010. |
| Abernethy A.B., Invited keynote lecture presented at the annual conference of the Japanese Society for Sport Psychology. Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo, Japan., Perception, action and expert sports performance: How the study of expert-novice differences can inform the design of practice.. 2009. |
| Abernethy A.B., Jackson R.C. and Wang C., Paper presented at the annual Australian Conference of Science and Medicine in Sport, Brisbane, Australia. [Abstract published in Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, Dec 2009, 12(6), S19.], The role of kinematic information in movement prediction and deception.. 2009. |
| Abernethy A.B., Jackson R.C. and Wang C., Paper presented at the annual Conference of the North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity, Tucson, AZ, USA. [Abstract published in Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 2010, 32 (Suppl.), S56.], The perception of deception: The role of kinematic and other information in detecting deceptive intent within movements”. . 2010. |
| Berry J... and Abernethy A.B., International Journal of Sport Psychology, Developmental influences on the acquisition of tactical decision-making expertise.. 2009, 40: 525-545. |
| Capio C.M., Sit H.P. and Abernethy A.B., Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation., Physical activity measurement using MTI (Actigraph) among children with Cerebral Palsy.. 2010, 91: 1283-1290. |
| Capio C.M., Sit H.P. and Abernethy A.B., Paper presented at the 3rd International Conference of Physical Education and Sports Science. Singapore. , Process-oriented evaluation of fundamental movement skills in children with cerebral palsy.. 2010. |
| Capio C.M., Sit H.P. and Abernethy A.B., Paper presented at the European Congress of Adapted Physical Activity 2010. Jyväskylä, Finland. , Physical activity measurement using MTI (Actigraph) among children with cerebral palsy. . 2010. |
| Capio C.M., Sit H.P. and Abernethy A.B., Physical activity measurement using MTI (Actigraph) among children with cerebral palsy, European Congress of Adapted Physical Activity, Finland. 2010. |
| Capio C.M., Sit H.P. and Abernethy A.B., Poster presented at the annual Conference of the Society of Chinese Scholars on Exercise Physiology and Fitness. Hong Kong, Preliminary study on the calibration of the Actigraph for children with Cerebral Palsy.. 2009. |
| Capio C.M., Sit H.P. and Abernethy A.B., Preliminary study on the calibration of the actigraph for children with cerebral palsy, 8th Annual Conference for the 8th Annual Conference for Society of Chinese Scholars on Exercise Physiology and Fitness. 2009. |
| Capio C.M., Sit H.P. and Abernethy A.B., Process-oriented evaluation of fundamental movement skills in children with cerebral palsy, ICPESS, Singapore. 2010. |
| Gabbett T., Jenkins D. and Abernethy A.B., Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport., Physical collisions and injury during professional rugby league skills training.. 2010, doi:10.1016/j/jsams.2010.03.007. |
| Jackson R.C., Abernethy A.B. and Wernhart S., International Journal of Sport Psychology., Sensitivity to fine-grained and coarse visual information: The effect of blurring on anticipation skill.. 2009, 40: 461-475. |
| MacDonald D.J., King J., Côté J. and Abernethy A.B., Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport., Birthplace effects on the development of female athletic talent.. 2009, 12: 234-237. |
| Mann D., Abernethy A.B. and Farrow D., In Proceedings of the Conference of Science, Medicine & Coaching in Cricket 2010 (pp. 32-34). Brisbane: Cricket Australia. , A novel training tool for batters to 'watch the ball'.. 2010. |
| Mann D., Abernethy A.B. and Farrow D., Paper presented at the annual Conference of the North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity, Tucson, AZ. USA. [Abstract published in Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 2010, 32 (Suppl.), S107.], A visual manipulation used to examine the neural processing underpinning skilled interceptive movements.. 2010. |
| Mann D.L., Abernethy A.B. and Farrow D., Acta Psychologica., Action specificity increases anticipatory performance and the expert advantage in natural interceptive tasks.. 2010, 135: 17-23. |
| Mann D.L., Abernethy A.B. and Farrow D., Attention, Perception, & Psychophysics., Visual information underpinning skilled anticipation: The effect of blur on a coupled and uncoupled in-situ anticipatory response.. 2010, 75: 1317-1326. |
| Mann D.L., Abernethy A.B., Farrow D., Davis M. and Spratford W., Behavior Research Methods., An event-related visual occlusion method for examining anticipation in natural interceptive tasks.. 2010, 42: 556-562. |
| Mann D.L., Abernethy A.B. and Farrow D., Human Movement Science., The resilience of natural interceptive actions to refractive blur.. 2010, 29: 386-400. |
| Müller S., Abernethy A.B., Farrow D. and Tor E., Paper presented at the annual Australian Conference of Science and Medicine in Sport, Brisbane, Australia. [Abstract published in Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, Dec 2009, 12(6), S19-20.], Training anticipatory skill in a natural setting of cricket batting through selective visual occlusion: A preliminary investigation.. 2009. |
| Müller S., Abernethy A.B., Anderson T., Eid M., McBean R. and Rose M., Perception., Expertise and the spatio-temporal characteristics of anticipatory visual information pick-up from complex movement patterns.. 2010, 39: 745-760. |
| Weissensteiner J., Abernethy A.B. and Farrow D., Paper presented at the 7th Australasian Biomechanics Conference, Gold Coast, Australia., Examining the development of technical skill in cricket batting.. 2009. |
| Wong T.W.L., Masters R.S.W., Maxwell J.P. and Abernethy A.B., Movement specific reinvestment, falls and walking in community-dwelling older adults, XIXth IAGG World Congress of Gerontology and Geriatrics. Paris, France, 2009. |
| Wright M.J., Bishop D., Jackson R.C. and Abernethy A.B., NeuroReport, Functional MRI reveals expert-novice differences during sport-related anticipation.. 2010, 21: 94-98. |
| Yan J.H., Abernethy A.B. and Li H., Applied Cognitive Psychology., The effects of aging and cognitive impairment on on- and off-line motor learning.. 2010, 24: 1-13. |
| Researcher : Barnett A |
| List of Research Outputs |
| Cerin E. and Barnett A., Mechanisms linking affective reactions to competition-related and competition-extraneous concerns in male martial artists, Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports. 2010, doi: 10.111/j.1600-0838.2009.01072.x. |
| Cerin E. and Barnett A., Predictors of pre- and post-competition affective states in male martial artistis: A multilevel interactional approach, Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports. 2009, doi:10.111/j.1600-0838.2009.01006.x. |
| Cerin E., Barnett A. and Baranowski T., Testing theories of dietary behavior change in youth using the mediating variable model with intervention programs, Journal of Nutrition Education & Behavior. 2009, 41: 309-18. |
| Researcher : Capio CM |
| List of Research Outputs |
| Capio C.M., Sit H.P. and Abernethy A.B., Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation., Physical activity measurement using MTI (Actigraph) among children with Cerebral Palsy.. 2010, 91: 1283-1290. |
| Capio C.M., Sit H.P. and Abernethy A.B., Paper presented at the 3rd International Conference of Physical Education and Sports Science. Singapore. , Process-oriented evaluation of fundamental movement skills in children with cerebral palsy.. 2010. |
| Capio C.M., Sit H.P. and Abernethy A.B., Paper presented at the European Congress of Adapted Physical Activity 2010. Jyväskylä, Finland. , Physical activity measurement using MTI (Actigraph) among children with cerebral palsy. . 2010. |
| Capio C.M., Sit H.P. and Abernethy A.B., Physical activity measurement using MTI (Actigraph) among children with cerebral palsy, European Congress of Adapted Physical Activity, Finland. 2010. |
| Capio C.M., Sit H.P. and Abernethy A.B., Poster presented at the annual Conference of the Society of Chinese Scholars on Exercise Physiology and Fitness. Hong Kong, Preliminary study on the calibration of the Actigraph for children with Cerebral Palsy.. 2009. |
| Capio C.M., Sit H.P. and Abernethy A.B., Preliminary study on the calibration of the actigraph for children with cerebral palsy, 8th Annual Conference for the 8th Annual Conference for Society of Chinese Scholars on Exercise Physiology and Fitness. 2009. |
| Capio C.M., Sit H.P. and Abernethy A.B., Process-oriented evaluation of fundamental movement skills in children with cerebral palsy, ICPESS, Singapore. 2010. |
| Researcher : Cerin E |
| Project Title: | Development and validation of measures to study the relationships between the built environment and physical activity behaviour in Hong Kong residents |
| Investigator(s): | Cerin E, Lai PC, Macfarlane DJ, Sallis JF, Sit HP |
| Department: | Institute of Human Performance |
| Source(s) of Funding: | General Research Fund (GRF) |
| Start Date: | 07/2007 |
| Abstract: |
| To develop/adapt and validate self-report measures for a Chinese-speaking adult population of walking and leisure-time PA within and outside the neighbourhood; perceived neighbourhood characteristics; self-efficacy for walking and other PA; perceived barriers to walking and other PA; social support for walking and other PA; reasons for moving to the neighbourhood of residence. To develop/adapt and validate an audit tool and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) based indices of environmental friendliness to PA for the assessment of qualitative and quantitative features of Hong Kong neighbourhoods (e.g., quality of open spaces, types of destinations) hypothesised to be associated with walking and other PA. To estimate the strengths of associations between self-report and objective measures of the built environment with self-report measures of walking for transport, walking for recreation and other types of leisure-time PA (outside and within the neighbourhood) To estimate the strengths of associations between self-report and objective measures of the built environment with objective measures of PA . To examine the moderating effects of socio-demographic and psychosocial variables (self-efficacy, social support and reasons for moving to a neighbourhood) on relationships between the built environment and measures of PA. |
| Project Title: | Development of measures for the study of environmental neighbourhood and family determinants of physical activity in Hong Kong preschoolers |
| Investigator(s): | Cerin E, Sit HP, Lee JLC, Lee KY, Macfarlane DJ |
| Department: | Institute of Human Performance |
| Source(s) of Funding: | Seed Funding Programme for Basic Research |
| Start Date: | 04/2010 |
| Abstract: |
| Overweight and obesity among Hong Kong children have increased dramatically over the past three decades (Chan, 2008). Overweight and obesity in early life is predictive of coronary heart disease, hypertension and diabetes in adulthood (Guo et al., 2002). Consequently, it is important to prevent the onset of overweight and obesity in early childhood. For obesity prevention, it is currently recommended that young children (preschoolers) engage in 60 minutes of structured and 60 minutes of unstructured moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) daily (NASPE, 2002). Evidence suggests that young children spend on average only 20-25 minutes per day in MVPA and more than 25% of their waking time in sedentary activities (NASPE, 2002; Reilly et al., 2003). In Hong Kong, Macfarlane found that less than 4% of young children maintained a single 20-minute period of low-to-medium physical activity (PA) per day (Macfarlane, 1999). To address the current problem of overweight and obesity in Hong Kong young children, it is important to identify key modifiable factors associated with PA behaviour. PA behaviour has multi-factorial etiologies. Using Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) and Social Ecologic Theory (SET), children’s obesity-related behaviour may be described as developing within an ecological niche with the immediate neighbourhood environments playing a major role in this developmental process (Bandura, 1986; Stokols, 1996). Figure 1 depicts a conceptual model of neighbourhood physical and social environmental determinants of PA behaviour in preschoolers that will serve as a framework for this study. The model is based on SCT and SET’s assumptions that behaviour is a function of personal as well as social and physical environmental factors. It is grounded on findings from recent international studies on environmental effects on children’s PA. Specifically, studies have found availability of active-play equipment to be positively associated with young children’s PA behaviour (Farley et al., 2008). Provision of places for PA was related to PA in preschoolers (Sallis et al., 1993). Four studies using direct observation reported being outdoors as the strongest correlate of preschoolers’ PA (Baranowski et al., 1993; Dowda et al., 2004; Klesges et al., 1990; Sallis et al., 1993). In a time-use diary study preschool children spent a median of 71% of their time in active pursuits when outdoors compared to 3% when indoors (Tey et al., 2007). Small parks and playgrounds were the outdoor places most often used by younger children for PA, especially if they were accessible within 10-min walking distance from home (Grow et al., 2008). The level of activity in playgrounds was related to the amount of active-play equipment installed (Farley et al., 2008). Aspects of neighbourhood safety were positively associated with parental readiness to encourage (Miles, 2009), and restrictions of (Gielen et al., 2004), children’s use of local outdoor places for PA. Traffic safety and potential harm from strangers (‘stranger danger’) were identified as key concerns related to children’s time spent outdoors (Carver et al., 2008). Another potential concern is perceived risk of unintentional injury (Bruce et al., 2004). It is postulated that perceived stranger danger may be partly a function of community cohesion (i.e., extent of connectedness and solidarity among neighbours) and informal social control (i.e., willingness of neighbours to intervene on behalf of the common good) (Carver et al., 2004; Haney, 2007). Perceived risk of unintentional injury is likely associated with signs of physical and social disorder, including the poor maintenance of places for PA and active-play equipment (Glik et al., 1991). These three aspects of perceived neighbourhood safety likely determine some primary caregivers’/parental practices related to PA such as monitoring and rules/restrictions about the amount, setting and type of PA. Socio-demographic factors (i.e., presence of siblings, caregivers’ income and education, child’s gender and BMI) are also likely to impact on the PA behaviour of Hong Kong preschoolers (Arredondo et al., 2006; Bagley et al., 2006). Socio-economic status (SES) is usually associated with primary caregivers’ provision of encouragement for PA and other forms of social support, a consistent correlate of PA (Cerin & Leslie, 2008; Trost et al., 2003). Family and parental/primary caregivers’ characteristics that may affect children’s PA behaviour, directly or through parental/caregivers’ practices, are family cohesion, role modelling and enjoyment of PA. Parents’ participation in PA was positively related to physical activity in preschoolers, with children of two active parents being 5.8 times more likely to be active than children of two sedentary parents (Hood et al., 2000). This influence is thought to be due to direct modeling, and provision of encouragement (Arredondo et al., 2006) and other forms of social support for PA, a consistent correlate of children’s PA (Trost, 2003). Parental role modelling and enjoyment of PA was related to Hong Kong primary-school children (Lau et al., 2007). Family cohesion, marital and parental roles, extended family and kinship ties are aspects of familism, defined as a cultural value that involves individuals’ strong identification with and attachment to their nuclear and extended families, and strong feelings of loyalty, reciprocity and solidarity among members of the same family (Bardis, 1959). Familism has been related to better health-related outcomes and behaviours in various cultures (Romero et al., 2004), including the Chinese culture (Chen & Li, 2008). Families with a higher degree of familism exhibit high social support and cohesion, interdependence in the completion of daily activities, including child rearing (Romero et al., 2004). Familism has also been found to be related to higher levels of social support and self-esteem in Chinese youth (Chen & Li, 2008). The majority of research on the relationships between neighbourhood and family environments and PA behaviour in young children has been conducted in Western countries. An understanding of these relationships in the Chinese urban population would aid the development of culturally specific community- and family-level obesity prevention programs. Hence, the main objective of this proposal is to develop and validate culturally and linguistically appropriate measures of some key constructs of a model of neighbourhood environmental factors of PA behaviour in Hong Kong preschool children (see underlined constructs in Figure 1; measures for non-underlined constructs are already available). This will involve the conduct of structured focus group sessions and intensive cognitive interviews that will assist the identification of attributes of the neighbourhood environment, parental/primary caregivers’ perceptions of these attributes, and resulting parental/primary caregivers’ practices potentially relevant to PA of Hong Kong preschoolers. A quantitative component of the project will be devoted to the validation of the newly-developed measures. |
| Project Title: | III International Conference of Physical Education and Sports Science 2010 Towards a better understanding of obesity prevention in children: Exploring mechanisms and conditions for behaviour change |
| Investigator(s): | Cerin E |
| Department: | Institute of Human Performance |
| Source(s) of Funding: | URC/CRCG - Conference Grants for Teaching Staff |
| Start Date: | 05/2010 |
| Completion Date: | 05/2010 |
| Abstract: |
| N/A |
| List of Research Outputs |
| Cerin E. and MacKinnon D.P., A commentary on current practice in mediating variable analyses (MVA) in behavioral nutrition and physical activity, Public Health Nutrition. 2009, 12: 1182-1188. |
| Cerin E., Macfarlane D.J., Sit H.P., Lee L.C.J., Chow L.Y. and Lee K.Y., Age and gender differences in associations of perceived environmental attributes with walking for transport in an Asian densely-populated setting , 3rd International Congress on Physical Activity and Public Health, Toronto, Canada. 2010. |
| Cerin E., Leslie E., Sugiyama T. and Owen N., Associations of multiple physical activity domains with mental well-being, Mental Health and Physical Activity. 2009, 2: 55-64. |
| Cerin E., Macfarlane D.J., Sit H.P., Tang C.K., Chow L.Y. and Lee K.Y., Associations of perceived neighborhood attributes with self-report and objective measures of walking in Hong Kong adults, Asia Conference on Emerging Issues in Public Health, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR. 2009. |
| Cerin E., Conway T.L., Saelens B.E., Frank L.D. and Sallis J.F., Cross-validation of the factorial structure of the Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale (NEWS) and its abbreviated form (NEWS-A), International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. 2009, 6: 32. |
| Cerin E. and Barnett A., Mechanisms linking affective reactions to competition-related and competition-extraneous concerns in male martial artists, Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports. 2010, doi: 10.111/j.1600-0838.2009.01072.x. |
| Cerin E., Member of Editorial Board, Encyclopaedia of Quality of Life. 2009. |
| Cerin E., Leslie E., Sugiyama T. and Owen N., Perceived barriers to leisure-time physical activity in adults: An ecological perspective, Journal of Physical Activity and Health. 2010, 7: 451-459. |
| Cerin E. and Barnett A., Predictors of pre- and post-competition affective states in male martial artistis: A multilevel interactional approach, Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports. 2009, doi:10.111/j.1600-0838.2009.01006.x. |
| Cerin E., Statistical modeling for the IPEN, 3rd International Congress on Physical Activity and Public Health, IPEN Interest Group, Toronto, Canada. 2010. |
| Cerin E., Barnett A. and Baranowski T., Testing theories of dietary behavior change in youth using the mediating variable model with intervention programs, Journal of Nutrition Education & Behavior. 2009, 41: 309-18. |
| Cerin E., Towards a better understanding of obesity prevention in children: exploring mechanisms and conditions for behavior change, III International Conference of Physical Education and Sports Science. 2010. |
| Chow L.Y., Macfarlane D.J. and Cerin E., Validity of a questionnaire on the health benefits of dog ownership (Chinese version), III International Conference of Physical Education and Sports Science, Singapore. 2010. |
| Duncan M., Sugiyama T., Winkler E., Cerin E., Leslie E. and Owen N., Associations of land-use diversity with walking for transport, Seventh National Physical Activity Conference, Brisbane, Australia. 2009, 12: 135. |
| Lam W.K., Sit H.P. and Cerin E., Physical activity and sedentary behaviours in Hong Kong primary school children: Prevalence and gender differences, Preventive Medicine. 2010, 51: 96-97. |
| Lee K.Y., Macfarlane D.J. and Cerin E., Associations between the perceived neighbourhood environment and objectively-measured physical activity of adult residents of Hong Kong, 3rdHKASMSS Student Conference on Sport Medicine, Rehabilitation and Exercise Science, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. 2010. |
| Lee K.Y., Macfarlane D.J. and Cerin E., Do Three Different Generations Of The Actigraph Accelerometer Provide The Same Output? , American College of Sports Medicine 57th Annual meeting, Baltimore MD. 2010. |
| Lee K.Y., Macfarlane D.J. and Cerin E., Perceived enabling features and barriers to regular use of neighbourhood recreational facilities, Annual Conference of the Society of Chinese Scholars on Exercise Physiology and Fitness, Hong Kong, China. 2009. |
| Macfarlane D.J., Chan K.C.A., Cerin E., Ho D.C.W., Li L.H. and Lam C.L.K., Key Determinants (Ecological/Environmental Model) Associated With Being Highly or Moderately Active in Hong Kong Residents. , American College of Sports Medicine 57th Annual meeting, Baltimore MD. 2010. |
| Macfarlane D.J., Lee K.Y. and Cerin E., Reliability of a Recreational Facility Audit in Hong Kong, International Congress on Physical Activity and Public Health, 5-8th May, Toronto, Canada.. 2010. |
| Merom D., Bauman A., Phongsavan P., Cerin E., Kassis M., Brown W., Smith B.J. and Rissel C., Can a motivational intervention overcome an unsupportive environment for walking - findings from the Step-by-Step Study, Annals of Behavioral Medicine. 2009, 38: 137-146. |
| Owen N., De Bourdeaudhuij I., Sugiyama T., Leslie E., Cerin E., Van Dyck D. and Bauman A., Bicycle use for transport in an Australian and a Belgian city: Associations with built-environment attributes, Journal of Urban Health. 2010, 87(2): 189-98. |
| Salmon J., Hume C., Arundell L., Brown H., Hesketh K., Daly R., Dunstan D., Cerin E., Ball K. and Crawford D., Reducing children's sedentary time at school and at home, Seventh National Physical Activity Conference. Brisbane, Australia. 2009, 12. |
| Sit H.P., McKenzie T.L., Cerin E. and McManus A.M., Contribution of school environments to physical activity in children with special needs, 26th ACHPER International Conference. 2009. |
| Sit H.P., McKenzie T.L., Cerin E. and McManus A.M., Physical activity of children in special school environment, European Congress of Adapted Physical Activity, Finland. 2010. |
| Van Dyck D., Cerin E., Cardon G., Deforche B., Sallis J.F., Owen N. and De Bourdeaudhuij I., Physical activity as a mediator of the associations between neighborhood walkability and adiposity in Belgian adults, Health and Place. 2010, 16 (5): 952-960. |
| Wong Y.M.B., Cerin E., Ho D.S.Y., Mak K.K., Lo W.S. and Lam T.H., Adolescents' physical activity: Competition between perceived neighborhood sport facilities and home media resources, International Journal of Pediatric Obesity. 2010, 5: 169-176. |
| Researcher : Chan KCA |
| List of Research Outputs |
| Macfarlane D.J., Chan K.C.A., Cerin E., Ho D.C.W., Li L.H. and Lam C.L.K., Key Determinants (Ecological/Environmental Model) Associated With Being Highly or Moderately Active in Hong Kong Residents. , American College of Sports Medicine 57th Annual meeting, Baltimore MD. 2010. |
| Researcher : Chow LY |
| List of Research Outputs |
| Cerin E., Macfarlane D.J., Sit H.P., Lee L.C.J., Chow L.Y. and Lee K.Y., Age and gender differences in associations of perceived environmental attributes with walking for transport in an Asian densely-populated setting , 3rd International Congress on Physical Activity and Public Health, Toronto, Canada. 2010. |
| Cerin E., Macfarlane D.J., Sit H.P., Tang C.K., Chow L.Y. and Lee K.Y., Associations of perceived neighborhood attributes with self-report and objective measures of walking in Hong Kong adults, Asia Conference on Emerging Issues in Public Health, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR. 2009. |
| Chow L.Y., Macfarlane D.J. and Cerin E., Validity of a questionnaire on the health benefits of dog ownership (Chinese version), III International Conference of Physical Education and Sports Science, Singapore. 2010. |
| Researcher : Fan CKY |
| List of Research Outputs |
| Fan C.K.Y., Sit H.P. and Wong L.C.Y., Motivational styles in relation to physical activity in Hong Kong youth, Hong Kong Recreation Review. 2010, 22: 42-48. |
| Researcher : Jackson RC |
| Project Title: | ISSP 11th World Congress of Sport Psychology Selling the Dummy: Anticipation and Deception in Rugby Union Dispositional Reinvestment, Attentional Focus and Performance Under Pressure |
| Investigator(s): | Jackson RC |
| Department: | Institute of Human Performance |
| Source(s) of Funding: | URC/CRCG - Conference Grants for Teaching Staff |
| Start Date: | 08/2005 |
| Abstract: |
| N/A |
| Project Title: | North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity (NASPSPA) 2008 Conference Experts do, experts see? Common coding versus perceptual experience in anticipation skill. |
| Investigator(s): | Jackson RC |
| Department: | Institute of Human Performance |
| Source(s) of Funding: | URC/CRCG - Conference Grants for Teaching Staff |
| Start Date: | 06/2008 |
| Abstract: |
| N/A |
| List of Research Outputs |
| Abernethy A.B., Jackson R.C. and Wang C., Paper presented at the annual Australian Conference of Science and Medicine in Sport, Brisbane, Australia. [Abstract published in Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, Dec 2009, 12(6), S19.], The role of kinematic information in movement prediction and deception.. 2009. |
| Abernethy A.B., Jackson R.C. and Wang C., Paper presented at the annual Conference of the North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity, Tucson, AZ, USA. [Abstract published in Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 2010, 32 (Suppl.), S56.], The perception of deception: The role of kinematic and other information in detecting deceptive intent within movements”. . 2010. |
| Jackson R.C., Abernethy A.B. and Wernhart S., International Journal of Sport Psychology., Sensitivity to fine-grained and coarse visual information: The effect of blurring on anticipation skill.. 2009, 40: 461-475. |
| Wright M.J., Bishop D., Jackson R.C. and Abernethy A.B., NeuroReport, Functional MRI reveals expert-novice differences during sport-related anticipation.. 2010, 21: 94-98. |
| Researcher : Lam WK |
| List of Research Outputs |
| Lam W.K., Sit H.P. and Cerin E., Physical activity and sedentary behaviours in Hong Kong primary school children: Prevalence and gender differences, Preventive Medicine. 2010, 51: 96-97. |
| Sit H.P., Lam W.K. and McKenzie T.L., Direct observation of children’s preferences and activity levels during interactive and on-line electronic games, 7th National Physical Activity Conference, Brisbane, Australia. 2009. |
| Sit H.P., Lam W.K. and McKenzie T.L., Direct observation of children’s preferences and activity levels during interactive and on-line electronic games, Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. 2009, 12: S279. |
| Zhu F., Maxwell J.P., Hu Y., Zhang Z...G., Lam W.K., Poolton J.M. and Masters R.S.W., EEG activity during the verbal-cognitive stage of motor skill acquisition.. Biological Psychology, 2010, 84(2): pp.221-227. |
| Zhu F., Maxwell J.P., Hu Y., Zhang Z., Lam W.K., Poolton J.M. and Masters R.S.W., EEG activity during the verbal-cognitive stage of motor skill acquisition. , Biological Psychology . Elsevier, 2010, 84: 221-227. |
| Researcher : Lam WK |
| List of Research Outputs |
| Lam W.K., Sit H.P. and Cerin E., Physical activity and sedentary behaviours in Hong Kong primary school children: Prevalence and gender differences, Preventive Medicine. 2010, 51: 96-97. |
| Sit H.P., Lam W.K. and McKenzie T.L., Direct observation of children’s preferences and activity levels during interactive and on-line electronic games, 7th National Physical Activity Conference, Brisbane, Australia. 2009. |
| Sit H.P., Lam W.K. and McKenzie T.L., Direct observation of children’s preferences and activity levels during interactive and on-line electronic games, Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. 2009, 12: S279. |
| Zhu F., Maxwell J.P., Hu Y., Zhang Z...G., Lam W.K., Poolton J.M. and Masters R.S.W., EEG activity during the verbal-cognitive stage of motor skill acquisition.. Biological Psychology, 2010, 84(2): pp.221-227. |
| Zhu F., Maxwell J.P., Hu Y., Zhang Z., Lam W.K., Poolton J.M. and Masters R.S.W., EEG activity during the verbal-cognitive stage of motor skill acquisition. , Biological Psychology . Elsevier, 2010, 84: 221-227. |
| Researcher : Lee KY |
| List of Research Outputs |
| Cerin E., Macfarlane D.J., Sit H.P., Lee L.C.J., Chow L.Y. and Lee K.Y., Age and gender differences in associations of perceived environmental attributes with walking for transport in an Asian densely-populated setting , 3rd International Congress on Physical Activity and Public Health, Toronto, Canada. 2010. |
| Cerin E., Macfarlane D.J., Sit H.P., Tang C.K., Chow L.Y. and Lee K.Y., Associations of perceived neighborhood attributes with self-report and objective measures of walking in Hong Kong adults, Asia Conference on Emerging Issues in Public Health, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR. 2009. |
| Lee K.Y., Macfarlane D.J. and Cerin E., Associations between the perceived neighbourhood environment and objectively-measured physical activity of adult residents of Hong Kong, 3rdHKASMSS Student Conference on Sport Medicine, Rehabilitation and Exercise Science, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. 2010. |
| Lee K.Y., Macfarlane D.J. and Cerin E., Do Three Different Generations Of The Actigraph Accelerometer Provide The Same Output? , American College of Sports Medicine 57th Annual meeting, Baltimore MD. 2010. |
| Lee K.Y., Macfarlane D.J. and Cerin E., Perceived enabling features and barriers to regular use of neighbourhood recreational facilities, Annual Conference of the Society of Chinese Scholars on Exercise Physiology and Fitness, Hong Kong, China. 2009. |
| Macfarlane D.J., Lee K.Y. and Cerin E., Reliability of a Recreational Facility Audit in Hong Kong, International Congress on Physical Activity and Public Health, 5-8th May, Toronto, Canada.. 2010. |
| Researcher : Lee LCJ |
| List of Research Outputs |
| Cerin E., Macfarlane D.J., Sit H.P., Lee L.C.J., Chow L.Y. and Lee K.Y., Age and gender differences in associations of perceived environmental attributes with walking for transport in an Asian densely-populated setting , 3rd International Congress on Physical Activity and Public Health, Toronto, Canada. 2010. |
| Researcher : Ling CM |
| List of Research Outputs |
| Ling C.M., Maxwell J.P., Masters R.S.W. and McManus A.M., Development and validation of the Chinese rehearsal scale for preadolescent Chinese children. , Journal of Clinical Psychology. New Jersey, USA, Wiley-Blackwell, 2009, 66: pp.355-364. |
| Ling C.M., McManus A.M. and Masters R.S.W., Pedometer reactivity and rehearsal in children., The 3rd HKASMSS Student Conference on Sport Medicine, Rehabilitation and Exercise Science. Hong Kong, China, 2009. |
| McManus A.M., Ling C.M., Eves F.F., Yu C.W., Sit H.P. and Hill J.O., Moving Hong Kong: An uphill struggle, XXVth Pediatric Work Physiology Congress. Le Touquet, France.. 2009. |
| Researcher : Macfarlane DJ |
| Project Title: | Enhancing elite performance by development of a biofeedback instrumentation system |
| Investigator(s): | Macfarlane DJ |
| Department: | Institute of Human Performance |
| Source(s) of Funding: | Small Project Funding |
| Start Date: | 01/2006 |
| Abstract: |
| In order for an any athlete to try to maximize his/her performance it is essential that the athlete receives appropriate and meaningful feedback. Often this feedback is based purely on the coach’s subjective assessment of the athlete’s performance during visual observations in training or competition (Shakespear, 1980). Such feedback is temporally limited and relies heavily on both the recall ability of the coach and athlete, although it can be aided by video-recording, which itself has the limitation of being time-consuming and somewhat cumbersome for the coach to operate in an active coaching environment. A more ideal coaching tool is to develop an instrumented data-acquisition system based around an ergometer that accurately simulates the athletic event, which not only incorporates on-line data recording as well as providing instantaneous “biofeedback” to the coach/athlete, but can also provide detailed post-hoc analysis. This type of objective assessment using empirically acquired data has the potential to substantially aid the development of sub-elite athletes as well as to fine-tuning the peak performances of elite athletes, but requires the development of specialist hardware and software. This proposal is to extend the development of an existing data-acquisition system (very early development work funded by a HKU new staff member grant in 1994, which was then substantially revised with new hardware/software using an externally funded grant in 2003). In the sport of rowing it is commonly regarded that the leg-drive phase of the rowing stroke is critical to the development of power since it contributes the largest component towards boat velocity (Lamb, 1989). However, certain issues on the leg-drive still remain unanswered within the international community, with a recent expert review of the area (Soper & Hume, 2004) concluding that future research should focus on “the influence of foot-stretcher positions on rowing performance” and “can coaches or selectors use force application profiles to reliably or validly predict a rowers performance”. These are clearly two key research questions that need to be investigated by the international research community in relation to expert rowing performance. From these critical comments we propose to investigate (i) what is the most ideal position of the feet during this leg-drive phase, and (ii) whether the force applied to the seat (owing to the lifting-action of the leg-drive) would serve as a simple and reliable proxy of an efficient rowing technique (coaches often refer to this as the rowers ability to “hang”). This current proposal is to incorporate the addition of specialist hardware and software to an existing ergometer to allow for detailed investigations on the effects of how the position of the foot-stretcher can influence power development, and to determine if the force applied to the seat was an acceptable proxy for effective leg drive and power development using an instrumented ergometer system designed to provide real-time biofeedback to the coach and athlete. |
| Project Title: | The influence of neighbourhood recreational facilities on levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. |
| Investigator(s): | Macfarlane DJ, Cerin E |
| Department: | Institute of Human Performance |
| Source(s) of Funding: | General Research Fund (GRF) |
| Start Date: | 01/2008 |
| Abstract: |
| To estimate the proportion of MVPA that occurs within the local neighbourhood and examine whether the proximity to a recreational facility is positively associated with total time spent in MVPA. Hypotheses 1: Proximity to available recreational facilities will be moderately correlated with levels of MVPA (r ~ 0.3-0.4). To determine the level of correspondence between the perceived awareness of recreational facilities in the local neighbourhood and the objective evidence determined from an independent audit process/site visit. Hypotheses 2: There will be a significant and strong association between perceived awareness and objectively determined presence of neighbourhood recreational facilities. To determine what characteristics of recreation venues facilitate or hinder the engagement of its neighbourhood residents in levels of MVPA. Hypothesis 3: Leading perceived factors that encourage facility use will include cost, proximity, booking availability, cleanliness, safety, and family orientation. To determine if neighbourhood socioeconomic status is related to the distribution of recreational facilities and whether if SES is associated with levels of MVPA. Hypothesis 4: Areas of higher SES have closer proximity to recreational venues, but no difference exists in levels of accrued MVPA from areas of high and low SES. |
| Project Title: | Examining the associations between the built environment and levels of weekly physical activity and body fat in Hong Kong adolescents |
| Investigator(s): | Macfarlane DJ, Cerin E |
| Department: | Institute of Human Performance |
| Source(s) of Funding: | General Research Fund (GRF) |
| Start Date: | 09/2009 |
| Abstract: |
| 1) To determine what factors in the indoor and outdoor residential neighbourhood, as well as the school environment, contribute most strongly to physical activity behaviours (using self-report and objective accelerometery/GPS) plus eating behaviours (using self-report). 2) To determine the relative contribution of physical activity and nutritional behaviours in contributing to levels of overweight and obesity in HK adolescents and the environmental correlates. 3) To identify objectively, via personal GPS data-loggers (combined with accelerometry, or heart rate) key school/residential locations that contribute significantly to appropriate activity habits. 4) By understanding which environmental and behavioural factors are more strongly associated with positive lifestyles, we are likely to be able to design and test more specific interventions that in theory should be effective in this group of adolescents 5) It is hoped that that outcomes from this study will be of interest to policy decision makers (town planning, urban renewal etc), and thereby inform and influence these future policies to enhance more “activity-friendly” communities in Hong Kong |
| Project Title: | IPEN: International Study of Built Environment, Physical Activity, and Obesity |
| Investigator(s): | Macfarlane DJ, Cerin E |
| Department: | Institute of Human Performance |
| Source(s) of Funding: | National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services - General Award |
| Start Date: | 09/2009 |
| Abstract: |
| To examine the relationship between walkability, the environment and public health in Hong Kong |
| Project Title: | Inaugural World Congress on Exercise is Medicine and 57th ACSM Annual Meeting Key Determinants (Ecological/Environmental Model) Associated With Being Highly or Moderately Active in Hong Kong Residents. |
| Investigator(s): | Macfarlane DJ |
| Department: | Institute of Human Performance |
| Source(s) of Funding: | URC/CRCG - Conference Grants for Teaching Staff |
| Start Date: | 06/2010 |
| Completion Date: | 06/2010 |
| Abstract: |
| N/A |
| List of Research Outputs |
| Cerin E., Macfarlane D.J., Sit H.P., Lee L.C.J., Chow L.Y. and Lee K.Y., Age and gender differences in associations of perceived environmental attributes with walking for transport in an Asian densely-populated setting , 3rd International Congress on Physical Activity and Public Health, Toronto, Canada. 2010. |
| Cerin E., Macfarlane D.J., Sit H.P., Tang C.K., Chow L.Y. and Lee K.Y., Associations of perceived neighborhood attributes with self-report and objective measures of walking in Hong Kong adults, Asia Conference on Emerging Issues in Public Health, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR. 2009. |
| Chou K.L. and Macfarlane D.J., Relationship between Performance-based and Self-Reported Measures of Lower Extremity Function in Chinese Older Women, Topics in Geriatric Rehabilitation. 2009, 25: 181-190. |
| Chow L.Y., Macfarlane D.J. and Cerin E., Validity of a questionnaire on the health benefits of dog ownership (Chinese version), III International Conference of Physical Education and Sports Science, Singapore. 2010. |
| Lee K.Y., Macfarlane D.J. and Cerin E., Associations between the perceived neighbourhood environment and objectively-measured physical activity of adult residents of Hong Kong, 3rdHKASMSS Student Conference on Sport Medicine, Rehabilitation and Exercise Science, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. 2010. |
| Lee K.Y., Macfarlane D.J. and Cerin E., Do Three Different Generations Of The Actigraph Accelerometer Provide The Same Output? , American College of Sports Medicine 57th Annual meeting, Baltimore MD. 2010. |
| Lee K.Y., Macfarlane D.J. and Cerin E., Perceived enabling features and barriers to regular use of neighbourhood recreational facilities, Annual Conference of the Society of Chinese Scholars on Exercise Physiology and Fitness, Hong Kong, China. 2009. |
| Macfarlane D.J., Chan K.C.A., Cerin E., Ho D.C.W., Li L.H. and Lam C.L.K., Key Determinants (Ecological/Environmental Model) Associated With Being Highly or Moderately Active in Hong Kong Residents. , American College of Sports Medicine 57th Annual meeting, Baltimore MD. 2010. |
| Macfarlane D.J., Moderator: Hong Kong Public Health Forum. Hong Kong Medical Faculty , Hong Kong University. 2009. |
| Macfarlane D.J., Recent developments in Strength and Conditioning, Hong Kong Polytechnic University. 2009. |
| Macfarlane D.J., Lee K.Y. and Cerin E., Reliability of a Recreational Facility Audit in Hong Kong, International Congress on Physical Activity and Public Health, 5-8th May, Toronto, Canada.. 2010. |
| Researcher : Masters RSW |
| Project Title: | Enhancing motor skills through instructional manipulations: is the learner paying attention? |
| Investigator(s): | Masters RSW, Maxwell JP |
| Department: | Institute of Human Performance |
| Source(s) of Funding: | Seed Funding Programme for Basic Research |
| Start Date: | 02/2004 |
| Abstract: |
| To conduct a test of the competing theories; to ascertain the validity of external/internal feedback; to establish the process that leads to enhanced performance. |
| Project Title: | DEVELOPMENT OF A CHINESE-LANGUAGE VERSION OF THE MOVEMENT SPECIFIC REINVESTMENT SCALE. |
| Investigator(s): | Masters RSW |
| Department: | Institute of Human Performance |
| Source(s) of Funding: | Small Project Funding |
| Start Date: | 03/2009 |
| Completion Date: | 02/2010 |
| Abstract: |
| The way in which we allocate our attention during movement has a profound effect on our ability to move efficiently and effectively. Conscious deployment of attention to the explicit (declarative) components of a movement can disrupt the smooth flow of motor output (automaticity) and has been described as ‘reinvestment’ (Masters, 1992; Masters, Polmand, & Hammond, 1993). The propensity for reinvestment is a disposition of personality that has been examined in both movement ordered and disordered populations, using the Reinvestment Scale (Chell et al, 2003; Maxwell, Masters, & Poolton, 2006; Orrell, Eves, & Masters, 2002; Orrell, Masters, & Eves, in press; Masters et al, 2007). People with a high propensity to allocate conscious attention to their movements (high reinvesters) consistently have been shown to be more likely to exhibit disrupted movements (e.g., Chell et al, 2003; Maxwell & Masters, 2004; Jackson et al, 2006; Maxwell, Masters, & Poolton, 2006). The Theory of Reinvestment has been conceptually advanced since the early work of Masters (1992, et al 1993). Masters & Maxwell (2004) upgraded the definition of reinvestment to reflect “a propensity for manipulation of conscious, explicit, rule based knowledge, by working memory, to control the mechanics of one’s movements during motor output” (p. 208) and Masters, Eves, and Maxwell (2005) improved the face validity of the original scale by adapting the questions to directly specify movement. For example, the original scale asked participants to indicate whether “I reflect about myself a lot”, whereas the ‘Movement Specific Reinvestment Scale’ asks participants to indicate the extent to which “I reflect about my movement a lot”. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis of separate samples from non-movement disordered populations (e.g., 595 British Royal Air Force recruits and 369 university students), revealed two separate factors on the modified movement specific version of the Reinvestment Scale. These two factors (representing the dimensions of reinvestment) reflect (i) self-consciousness about one’s movements (Movement Self-consciousness; Cronbach's alphas = 0.77 & 0.78) and (ii) the propensity for manipulation of conscious, explicit, rule based knowledge, by working memory, to control the mechanics of one’s movements during motor output (Conscious Motor Processing; Cronbach's alphas = 0.71 & 0.71). Test-retest reliability (n = 132 of original RAF sample) was high for both factors also (Movement Self-consciousness, r = 0.67, p< .01; Conscious Motor Processing, r = 0.76, p < .01). The Movement Specific Reinvestment Scale has now been validated in a number of different movement disordered settings related to stroke and Parkinson disease. For example, Masters, Pall, MacMahon, and Eves (2006) examined the discriminant validity of the Scale in Parkinson disease patients (PD) compared to age-matched controls. Parkinson patients had higher scores than age-matched controls on both subscales of the Movement Specific Reinvestment Scale (Movement Self-consciousness, Conscious Motor Processing). Furthermore, multiple regression revealed that duration of Parkinson disease was significantly associated with conscious motor processing, implying that for people with PD, the propensity to consciously monitor and control their wayward movements, increases over time. Masters et al concluded that it is likely, given that physical therapy in PD encourages individuals to initiate and sustain their movements via cortical control mechanisms that patients learn to purposefully employ reinvestment as an attention strategy because conscious, online control of their movements is the better way to cope. In other work, similar findings have supported the discriminant validity of the Movement Specific Reinvestment Scale for people with strokes (e.g., Orrell, Masters, & Eves, in press). To date, the study of reinvestment has been limited primarily to Western, English speaking populations. The primary objectives of the proposed research are thus to: (1) translate the English version of the Movement Specific Reinvestment Scale into Chinese with appropriate modifications so that it can be comprehended by, and is relevant to, Chinese people, (2) validate the psychometric properties of the modified scale in a Chinese population. |
| Project Title: | Gaze strategies of laparoscopy surgeons: Observational learning, implicit knowledge and performance in demanding conditions |
| Investigator(s): | Masters RSW, Patil NG, Abernethy AB |
| Department: | Institute of Human Performance |
| Source(s) of Funding: | ESRC/RGC JRS |
| Start Date: | 06/2009 |
| Abstract: |
| 1) To advance understanding about the perceptual (information pick-up) processes that underlie skilled surgical performance. 2) To advance understanding about the perceptual (information pick-up) processes that underlie surgical performance in time pressured environments or when multi-tasking is required. 3. To further extend the growing literature base that claims advantages for implicit motor learning over explicit motor learning, and to generalize these claims to the acquisition of information pick-up (gaze) strategies during laparoscopic skills learning. |
| Project Title: | DEVELOPMENT OF A CHINESE VERSION OF THE MOVEMENT SPECIFIC REINVESTMENT SCALE TO ASSESS THE PROPENSITY FOR CONSCIOUS MOTOR PROCESSING IN ELDERLY PEOPLE AT RISK OF FALLING IN HONG KONG. |
| Investigator(s): | Masters RSW |
| Department: | Institute of Human Performance |
| Source(s) of Funding: | General Research Fund (GRF) |
| Start Date: | 01/2010 |
| Abstract: |
| 1) Translate the Movement Specific Reinvestemnt Scale into Chinese and modify the scale to be culturally relevant to and useable by elderly Hong Kong Chinese people. 2) Establish the validity and reliability of the Chinese version of the Movement Specific Reinvestment Scale. 3) Test whether the Chinese version of the Movement Specific Reinvestment Scale discriminates those elderly people in Hong Kong who have fallen from those who have not fallen. 4) Assess prospectively whether the Chinese version of the Movement Specific Reinvestment Scale predicts those elderly people in Hong Kong who will fall in the future. |
| List of Research Outputs |
| Ling C.M., Maxwell J.P., Masters R.S.W. and McManus A.M., Development and validation of the Chinese rehearsal scale for preadolescent Chinese children. , Journal of Clinical Psychology. New Jersey, USA, Wiley-Blackwell, 2009, 66: pp.355-364. |
| Ling C.M., McManus A.M. and Masters R.S.W., Pedometer reactivity and rehearsal in children., The 3rd HKASMSS Student Conference on Sport Medicine, Rehabilitation and Exercise Science. Hong Kong, China, 2009. |
| Masters R.S.W., Maxwell J.P. and Eves F.F., Marginally perceptible outcome feedback, motor learning and implicit processes, Consciousness and Cognition. Elsevier, 2009, 18: 639-645. |
| Poolton J.M., Fan J.K.M., Masters R.S.W., Patil N.G. and Law W.L., The impact of verbal guidance on laparoscopic skills training and multi-tasking performance, 12th World Congress of Endoscopic Surgery, Washington DC. 2010. |
| Raab M., Masters R.S.W., Maxwell J.P., Arnold A., Tielemann N. and Poolton J.M., Discovery learning in sports – Implicit or explicit processes? , International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology. West Virginia University, Fitness Information Technology Publishers, 2009, 7: 413-430. |
| Rendell M., Masters R.S.W. and Farrow D., The paradoxical role of cognitive effort in contextual interference and implicit motor learning. , In: K Davids, International Journal of Sport Psychology. Rome Italy, Edizioni Luigi Pozzi, 2009, 40: 636-648. |
| Savelsbergh G., Versloot O., Masters R.S.W. and van der Kamp G.J., Saving penalties, scoring penalties. , In: I. Renshaw, K. Davids, & G.j.P. Savelsbergh, Motor learning in practice: A constraints-led approach . London, UK, Taylor & Francis Ltd, 2010, 57-68. |
| Steenbergen B., van der Kamp G.J., Verneau M., Jongbloed-Pereboom M. and Masters R.S.W., Implicit and explicit learning: Applications from basic research to sports for individuals with impairments, Disability and Rehabilitation. London, Informa UK, 2010, 32: 1509-1516. |
| Tse A...C...Y., Masters R.S.W., Whitehill T.L. and Ma E.P.M., Investigating the use of analogy in speech motor learning (Best poster presentation award), The 3rd Hong Kong Association of Sports Medicine and Sports Science Student Conference, Hong Kong, 19 June 2010. |
| Wilson R.M., McGrath J., Vine S., Brewer J., Defriend D. and Masters R.S.W., Psychomotor control in a virtual laparoscopic surgery training environment: Gaze control parameters differentiate novices from experts, Surgical Endoscopy. Springer, 2010, 24: 2458-2464. |
| Wong T.W.L., Masters R.S.W., Maxwell J.P. and Abernethy A.B., Movement specific reinvestment, falls and walking in community-dwelling older adults, XIXth IAGG World Congress of Gerontology and Geriatrics. Paris, France, 2009. |
| Zhu F., Maxwell J.P., Hu Y., Zhang Z...G., Lam W.K., Poolton J.M. and Masters R.S.W., EEG activity during the verbal-cognitive stage of motor skill acquisition.. Biological Psychology, 2010, 84(2): pp.221-227. |
| Zhu F., Maxwell J.P., Hu Y., Zhang Z., Lam W.K., Poolton J.M. and Masters R.S.W., EEG activity during the verbal-cognitive stage of motor skill acquisition. , Biological Psychology . Elsevier, 2010, 84: 221-227. |
| Zhu F., Poolton J.M. and Masters R.S.W., Paper presented at the North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity annual conference. , EEG coherence between the verbal-analytical region (T3) and the motor-planning region (Fz) increases under stress in explicit motor learners but not implicit motor learners.. 2010. |
| van der Kamp G.J., van Doorn H. and Masters R.S.W., A Judd illusion in far-aiming: Evidence of a contribution to action by vision for perception , Experimental Brain Research. Springer, 2009, 197: 199-204. |
| Researcher : Maxwell JP |
| List of Research Outputs |
| Ling C.M., Maxwell J.P., Masters R.S.W. and McManus A.M., Development and validation of the Chinese rehearsal scale for preadolescent Chinese children. , Journal of Clinical Psychology. New Jersey, USA, Wiley-Blackwell, 2009, 66: pp.355-364. |
| Masters R.S.W., Maxwell J.P. and Eves F.F., Marginally perceptible outcome feedback, motor learning and implicit processes, Consciousness and Cognition. Elsevier, 2009, 18: 639-645. |
| Raab M., Masters R.S.W., Maxwell J.P., Arnold A., Tielemann N. and Poolton J.M., Discovery learning in sports – Implicit or explicit processes? , International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology. West Virginia University, Fitness Information Technology Publishers, 2009, 7: 413-430. |
| Wong T.W.L., Masters R.S.W., Maxwell J.P. and Abernethy A.B., Movement specific reinvestment, falls and walking in community-dwelling older adults, XIXth IAGG World Congress of Gerontology and Geriatrics. Paris, France, 2009. |
| Zhu F., Maxwell J.P., Hu Y., Zhang Z...G., Lam W.K., Poolton J.M. and Masters R.S.W., EEG activity during the verbal-cognitive stage of motor skill acquisition.. Biological Psychology, 2010, 84(2): pp.221-227. |
| Zhu F., Maxwell J.P., Hu Y., Zhang Z., Lam W.K., Poolton J.M. and Masters R.S.W., EEG activity during the verbal-cognitive stage of motor skill acquisition. , Biological Psychology . Elsevier, 2010, 84: 221-227. |
| Researcher : McKenzie TL |
| List of Research Outputs |
| Sit H.P., McKenzie T.L., Cerin E. and McManus A.M., Contribution of school environments to physical activity in children with special needs, 26th ACHPER International Conference. 2009. |
| Sit H.P., Lam W.K. and McKenzie T.L., Direct observation of children’s preferences and activity levels during interactive and on-line electronic games, 7th National Physical Activity Conference, Brisbane, Australia. 2009. |
| Sit H.P., Lam W.K. and McKenzie T.L., Direct observation of children’s preferences and activity levels during interactive and on-line electronic games, Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. 2009, 12: S279. |
| Sit H.P. and McKenzie T.L., Physical activity levels during physical education and recess in special schools for children in Hong Kong, 8th Annual Conference for the 8th Annual Conference for Society of Chinese Scholars on Exercise Physiology and Fitness. 2009. |
| Sit H.P., McKenzie T.L., Cerin E. and McManus A.M., Physical activity of children in special school environment, European Congress of Adapted Physical Activity, Finland. 2010. |
| Researcher : McManus AM |
| Project Title: | Exercise testing in normal children and children with congenital heart disease |
| Investigator(s): | McManus AM, Yung TC |
| Department: | Phy Edu & Sports Sc Unit |
| Source(s) of Funding: | Children's Heart Foundation - General Award |
| Start Date: | 09/2000 |
| Abstract: |
| To establish norm values for C-P fitness; to establish normative values for C-V function during exercise in children; to assess the impact of PA and inactivity on C-P / C-V function. |
| Project Title: | 7th Annual Conference of European College of Sport Science Cardiorespiratory Adjustment to Training in 9-11 Year Old Chinese Boys |
| Investigator(s): | McManus AM |
| Department: | Institute of Human Performance |
| Source(s) of Funding: | URC/CRCG - Conference Grants for Teaching Staff |
| Start Date: | 07/2002 |
| Abstract: |
| N/A |
| Project Title: | Heart rate monitors as a motivational tool in physical education in Hong Kong |
| Investigator(s): | McManus AM, Masters RSW |
| Department: | Institute of Human Performance |
| Source(s) of Funding: | Polar Electro Qy - General Award |
| Start Date: | 01/2004 |
| Abstract: |
| The aim of this project is to use heart-rate monitors as a motivational tool to encourage in children the activity they need for a lifetime of health and well being. The first goal will be to establish whether heart-rate monitors, when used in conjunction with an educational heart health programme, i) have an immediate, short-term effect on markers of motivation of children to be active and ii) whether this results in increased physical activity. A second goal will be to establish whether points i) and ii) above are maintained in the long-term and whether this maintenance is dependent on continued use of the heart-rate monitors. A third goal will be to establish whether increased physical activity, if sustained in the long-term, is sufficient to accrue change in health-related outcomes, such as body composition and aerobic fitness. |
| Project Title: | The role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor δ in regulating spontaneous physical activity |
| Investigator(s): | McManus AM, Leung FCC |
| Department: | Institute of Human Performance |
| Source(s) of Funding: | Seed Funding Programme for Basic Research |
| Start Date: | 02/2005 |
| Abstract: |
| The study is designed to address the hypothesis that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor δ (PPAR-δ) inherently modulates spontaneous physical activity in the up-regulation of lipid catabolism and thermogenesis. Spontaneous non-exercise activity has been found to be an important compensatory mechanism against fat gain in humans who have been over-fed (1), however, how increases in non-exercise activity are regulated is unclear. Levine et al. (1) observed spontaneous movements in adults and evaluated what they termed the non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT). Their work demonstrated that individuals with high levels of NEAT engendered more energy expenditure and had decreased susceptibility to adiposity when compared with those individuals with lower levels, even when both groups were overfed. More recent evidence has demonstrated thyroid hormone plays a role in the alteration of NEAT (2), and tentative molecular pathways underpinning this relationship, including uncoupling proteins, have been suggested. PPAR-δ participates in the up-regulation of energy metabolism (3) and appears to induce pleiotropic responses in skeletal muscle which result in an improved metabolic profile and improved athletic performance (4,5). Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors have been substantially implicated in relation to growth and obesity since synthetic PPAR-δ agonists revealed PPAR-δ's regulation proficiency on fatty acid oxidation and energy homeostasis (6). Alterations were subsequently detected in adipose tissue after targeted disruption of PPAR-δ in mouse (4). Transgenic over-expression of PPAR-δ in adipose tissue produces obese-resistant mice, even when fed with a high-fat diet. Recent findings showed that PPAR-δ mediated with transcriptional cofactor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma co-activator 1α (PGC-1α) can regulate muscle fiber specification. Muscle fiber type I was increased and mitochondrial biogenesis occurred after activation (4). The oxidatively optimised muscle improves endurance capacity, however, whether it results in increases in spontaneous activity is unknown. References 1. Levine JA, Eberhardt NL, Jensen MD. (1999) Role of nonexercise activity thermogenesis in resistance to fat gain in humans. Science, 283: 212-214. 2. Levine JA, Nygren J, Short KR, Sreekumaran Nair K. (2003) Effect of hyperthyroidism on spontaneous physical activity and energy expenditure in rates. Journal of Applied Physiology, 94: 165-170. 3. Wang YX, Lee CH, Tieo S, Yu RT, Ham J, Kang H, Evans RM. (2003) Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor δ activates fat metabolism to prevent obesity. Cell, 113: 159-170. 4. Luquet S, Lopez-Soriano J, Holst D, Fredenrich A, Melki J, Rassoulzadegan M, Grimaldi PA. (2003) Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor δ controls muscle development and oxidative capability. The FASEB Journal, 10.1096/fi.03-0269fje. 5. Wang TX, Zhang CL, Yu RT, Cho HK, Nelson MC, Bayuga-Ocampo CR, Ham J, Kang H, Evans RM. (2004) Regulation of muscle fibre type and running endurance by PPARδ. PLOS Biology, 2: e294 6. Peters JM. Lee SS. Li W. Ward JM. Gavrilova O. Everett C. Reitman ML. Hudson LD. Gonzalez FJ. (2000) Growth, adipose, brain, and skin alterations resulting from targeted disruption of the mouse peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor beta(delta). Molecular & Cellular Biology, 20: 5119-28. |
| Project Title: | NEAT in children |
| Investigator(s): | McManus AM, Yu CW |
| Department: | Institute of Human Performance |
| Source(s) of Funding: | Seed Funding Programme for Basic Research |
| Start Date: | 04/2007 |
| Abstract: |
| Hong Kong has not evaded the obesity epidemic. Over the last decade the prevalence of childhood obesity has increased by 60% [1,2]. Our recent work [3] confirms that the rate of obesity amongst Hong Kong children is continuing to rise, and that this is a significant health threat. Low levels of physical activity and high levels of screen-time have been shown to relate to the obesity epidemic in childhood [4]. Strategies targeting the prevention or reversal of childhood obesity have focused largely upon adding purposeful exercise or upon removal of screen entertainment and have not been particularly successful [5]. The low efficacy of purposeful exercise is perhaps not surprising because of the small contribution structured exercise makes to the variation in total daily energy expenditure [6]. Removal of screen entertainment has been shown to have short-term effectiveness, but long-term sustainability is doubtful [5]. In adults, Levine and Lanningham-Foster have demonstrated that increases in non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT) predict resistance to fat gain in non-obese individuals [7]. The key to NEAT is that it is unstructured and constitutes all the lifestyle movement patterns and postural adjustments we engage in as a matter of course, rather than the energy expended through purposeful or structured exercise. The role of NEAT in pediatric obesity has not been evaluated, but may prove to also play a key role in modulating weight gain in children. Finding innovative and creative ways to work NEAT into the otherwise sedentary lives of many children may provide the key to the future management of childhood obesity. In this application, we intend to investigate the NEAT component of physical activity in children using a unique instrument, the Physical Activity Monitoring System (PAMS), developed by our Mayo Clinic co-investigators [8,9]. Furthermore, we propose to refine and evaluate the acceptability of an activity-contingent gaming station, the ‘Walk and Game Station’ (WAGS), as a tool for increasing NEAT in children. Preliminary development of the WAGS has already begun and details of this pilot work are provided below. Using a commercially manufactured treadmill (Kettler XF-0082N) suitable for children and small enough for home use (W550 x L1260 x H1240mm), we devised an adaptation which allows screen-time, i.e., television and gaming media, to be conducted whilst walking. The adaptations we devised include: (i) Attachment of an LCD monitor (ii) Platform for mouse / media controls (iii) Re-positioning of the control panel (iv) Attachment pole for platform and control panel. We chose a non-tilt lightweight (40kg) motorized, foldable treadmill with a small (0.75HP) motor. Speed ranged from 0.8 to 8.0 km/hr. There are left and right hand support rails and a safety switch attached to the control panel. The height of the LCD monitor and platform were made adjustable to suit children of differing heights. This design was built by the University Technology Support Centre. We tested the prototype design, as well as habituation to the device during walking and when gaming during walking in 8 to 12 year olds. Twelve children volunteered to attend the laboratory with the written informed consent of parents. They completed a 12-minute habituation protocol, plus gaming session. The results of the trial showed that all children took less than one minute to achieve a steady gait walking at 1 km/hr. This speed is very slow and extremely easy for this age group to habituate to. Once they had completed 3 minutes at 1 km/hr, none had any difficulty walking steadily at either 1.2 or 1.8 km/hr. All the children could let go of the handrails during the second 3 minute bout. Only 2 of the children had to re-adjust their balance. When game score was compared between seated and walking play modes, we found no significant difference. This would indicate that the child’s gaming ability was unaffected by walking slowly. This preliminary work demonstrates the ease of habituation to the WAGS device in 8-12 year old children. However, we found a number of design features that need to be refined prior to further research. These are: (i) The screen height needs to have finer adjustment to ensure ergonomically safe posture (currently only two settings, and too low for most 10-12 year olds). Solution– make the side rails of the TM adjustable with pin or screw fittings (ii) The speed control needs to be restricted to a maximum speed of 2 km.h-1 (currently up to 8 km/hr). Solution - adjust control panel electronics. (iii) The control panel needs to brought to the front and placed at hand height (currently controlled only by getting off TM). Solution - make platform larger to accommodate control panel (iv) The platform for the mouse/ keyboard needs to be larger (too small for a keyboard). Solution - make platform larger to accommodate keyboard (v) The wires need to be tidied and out of sight (currently hanging from control panel). Solution - keep wires inside rails In summary, in this application we are proposing first to examine the components of NEAT in children. Our hypothesis in this first specific aim is that the EE associated with walking is the primary predictor of NEAT. Alternatively, other components of NEAT (fidgeting) may contribute more to EE than walking in children as compared to adults. Second, we will evaluate the acceptability of an innovative device, WAGS, that converts inactive screen habits (TV and gaming) into physical activity in lean and overweight children. Our first hypothesis for this second specific aim is that the game experience and enjoyment is the same on the WAGS compared to conventional seated gaming. Our second hypothesis is that overweight children will, when given a choice, spend less time utilizing the WAGS compared to lean children. References 1. Leung et al. Growth and nutrition in Hong Kong children. Sing. Paediatr. J, 38: 61-66, 1996. 2. Hong Kong Department of Health, Student Health Service, 1998-2005, personal communication. 3. Sung et al. Waist circumference and body mass index in Chinese children: cutoff values for predicting cardiovascular risk factors. Int J Obes. 2006 Sep 5. Epub ahead of print. 4. Reilly et al. Physical activity interventions in the prevention and treatment of paediatric obesity: systematic review and critical appraisal. Proceedings Nutr Soc, 62: 611-619, 2003. 5. Lobstein et al. Obesity in children and young people: a crisis in public health. Obes. Revs, 5 (Supp. 1): 4-85, 2004. 6. Donahoo et al. Variability in energy expenditure and its components. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab, 7: 599-605, 2004. 7. Levine et al. Inter-individual variation in Posture Allocation: Possible role in human obesity. Science. 28:584-586, 2005. 8. Levine et al. Tracmor system for measuring walking energy expenditure. Eur J Clin Nutr, 57: 1176-1180, 2003. 9. Levine et al. Validation of the tracmor triaxial accelerometer system for walking. Med Sci Sports Exerc, 33: 1593-1597, 2001. |
| Project Title: | Hong Kong on the move: an intervention for increasing physical activity in children |
| Investigator(s): | McManus AM, Yu CW, Sit HP |
| Department: | Institute of Human Performance |
| Source(s) of Funding: | Health and Health Services Research Fund - Full Grants |
| Start Date: | 09/2007 |
| Abstract: |
| To test the utility of an prompted walking intervention to increase lifestyle physical activity in Hong Kong children. |
| Project Title: | HKU Overseas Fellowship Awards 2009-10 |
| Investigator(s): | McManus AM |
| Department: | Institute of Human Performance |
| Source(s) of Funding: | HKU Overseas Fellowship Awards |
| Start Date: | 09/2009 |
| Abstract: |
| To visit the School of Human Kinetics in the University of British Columbia, Canada to conduct data collection, documentary analysis and comparison of medical and health writings around childhood physical activity, exercise and weight control in Chinese and Western cultures, to receive training in the qualitative techniques utilized by the Vancouver group, and to develop a research grant proposal for an international comparative project. |
| Project Title: | XXVth Pediatric Work Physiology Congress Moving Hong Kong: An uphill struggle |
| Investigator(s): | McManus AM |
| Department: | Institute of Human Performance |
| Source(s) of Funding: | URC/CRCG - Conference Grants for Teaching Staff |
| Start Date: | 09/2009 |
| Completion Date: | 10/2009 |
| Abstract: |
| N/A |
| Project Title: | Research Output Prize |
| Investigator(s): | McManus AM |
| Department: | Institute of Human Performance |
| Source(s) of Funding: | Research Output Prize (in Faculty) |
| Start Date: | 12/2009 |
| Abstract: |
| To identify and recognize the best research outputs in different faculties. |
| List of Research Outputs |
| Ling C.M., Maxwell J.P., Masters R.S.W. and McManus A.M., Development and validation of the Chinese rehearsal scale for preadolescent Chinese children. , Journal of Clinical Psychology. New Jersey, USA, Wiley-Blackwell, 2009, 66: pp.355-364. |
| Ling C.M., McManus A.M. and Masters R.S.W., Pedometer reactivity and rehearsal in children., The 3rd HKASMSS Student Conference on Sport Medicine, Rehabilitation and Exercise Science. Hong Kong, China, 2009. |
| Mak K.K., Ho D.S.Y., Lo W.S., Thomas G.N., McManus A.M., Day J.R. and Lam T.H., Health-related physical fitness and weight status in Hong Kong adolescents, BMC Public Health. 2010, 10: 88. |
| McManus A.M., Ling C.M., Eves F.F., Yu C.W., Sit H.P. and Hill J.O., Moving Hong Kong: An uphill struggle, XXVth Pediatric Work Physiology Congress. Le Touquet, France.. 2009. |
| McManus A.M., Physical activity intervention in childhood obesity. , Third International Conference on Physical Education and Sport Science: “Youth in Physical Education and Sport". May 25-28th, Singapore. 2010. |
| McManus A.M. and Mellecker R.R., University of Hong Kong Faculty Research Output Prize, Faculty of Education, The University of Hong Kong. 2009. |
| Mellecker R.R. and McManus A.M., Measurement of resting energy expenditure in healthy children, Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition. 2009, 33: 640-645. |
| Sit H.P., McKenzie T.L., Cerin E. and McManus A.M., Contribution of school environments to physical activity in children with special needs, 26th ACHPER International Conference. 2009. |
| Sit H.P., McKenzie T.L., Cerin E. and McManus A.M., Physical activity of children in special school environment, European Congress of Adapted Physical Activity, Finland. 2010. |
| Yu C.W., McManus A.M., Li A.M., Sung R.Y.T. and Armstrong N., Cardiopulmonary exercise testing in children., Hong Kong Journal of Paediatrics . 2009, 15: 35-47. |
| Researcher : Mellecker RR |
| List of Research Outputs |
| McManus A.M. and Mellecker R.R., University of Hong Kong Faculty Research Output Prize, Faculty of Education, The University of Hong Kong. 2009. |
| Mellecker R.R. and McManus A.M., Measurement of resting energy expenditure in healthy children, Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition. 2009, 33: 640-645. |
| Researcher : Poolton JM |
| List of Research Outputs |
| Poolton J.M., Fan J.K.M., Masters R.S.W., Patil N.G. and Law W.L., The impact of verbal guidance on laparoscopic skills training and multi-tasking performance, 12th World Congress of Endoscopic Surgery, Washington DC. 2010. |
| Raab M., Masters R.S.W., Maxwell J.P., Arnold A., Tielemann N. and Poolton J.M., Discovery learning in sports – Implicit or explicit processes? , International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology. West Virginia University, Fitness Information Technology Publishers, 2009, 7: 413-430. |
| Zhu F., Maxwell J.P., Hu Y., Zhang Z...G., Lam W.K., Poolton J.M. and Masters R.S.W., EEG activity during the verbal-cognitive stage of motor skill acquisition.. Biological Psychology, 2010, 84(2): pp.221-227. |
| Zhu F., Maxwell J.P., Hu Y., Zhang Z., Lam W.K., Poolton J.M. and Masters R.S.W., EEG activity during the verbal-cognitive stage of motor skill acquisition. , Biological Psychology . Elsevier, 2010, 84: 221-227. |
| Zhu F., Poolton J.M. and Masters R.S.W., Paper presented at the North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity annual conference. , EEG coherence between the verbal-analytical region (T3) and the motor-planning region (Fz) increases under stress in explicit motor learners but not implicit motor learners.. 2010. |
| Researcher : Sit HP |
| Project Title: | Phsycial activity for children in special school environments |
| Investigator(s): | Sit HP, McManus AM, Cerin E, Lian JM |
| Department: | Institute of Human Performance |
| Source(s) of Funding: | Health and Health Services Research Fund - Full Grants |
| Start Date: | 12/2007 |
| Abstract: |
| To objectively measure children's PA throughout the school day in structured (physical education) and unstructured (recess, lunch, and before and after school) settings; to determine the associations between contextual characteristics of school environments (area accessibility and usability, and presence of equipment, supervision, and organized activities) and children's activity levels; to assess the effects of innovative game equipment on children's activity levels. |
| Project Title: | Physical Activity of Children and Youth with Intellectual Disabilities in Special Schools |
| Investigator(s): | Sit HP |
| Department: | Institute of Human Performance |
| Source(s) of Funding: | Seed Funding Programme for Basic Research |
| Start Date: | 04/2008 |
| Abstract: |
| Physical activity (PA) is important for the health and well being of persons of all ages and abilities (Biddle, Fox, & Boutcher, 2000). PA, in particular, is associated with reduced risk for secondary conditions attributable to a primary disability among individuals with disabilities (Rimmer & Braddock, 2002). Healthy People 2010 suggested that the goal of developing an active lifestyle is one of ten leading health indicator areas and that individuals with disabilities are the target population (United States Department of Health and Human Service, 2000). Current data indicates children and youth with intellectual disabilities (ID) are insufficiently active for health purposes (Longmuir & Bar-Or, 2000; Sit, Lindner, & Sherrill, 2002; Sit, McManus, McKenzie, & Lian, 2007) and have higher obesity rates (Frey & Chow, 2006). To minimize health risks associated with sedentary living among children with ID, there is a pressing need for health professionals to promote children’s PA (Hutzler, & Sherrill, 1999), but more needs to be known about their current activity levels using reliable and valid measures of PA. Objective measures of PA such as pedometers are commonly used within the exercise science and public health field (Chow, 2003; McKee, Boreham, Murphy, & Nevill, 2005). Pedometers offer a simple, inexpensive, and accurate method for gathering PA data in individuals with ID (Stanish, 2004; Stanish & Draheim, 2005). They have strong convergent validity with accelerometers (r = 0.86) and direct observation (r = 0.82) (Tudor-Locke, Williams, Reis, & Pluto, 2002). Using the 10,000 steps/day guideline (Tudor-Locke & Bassett, 2004), previous studies demonstrate that only 21% of individuals with ID achieve this target, and that they are more active during weekdays than during weekends (Stanish & Draheim, 2005, 2007). It was also reported that adults with ID exhibited less healthy body composition (Rimmer & Yamaki, 2006). There has been a paucity of research examining the PA levels of children with ID using pedometers despite its well-established validity among individuals with ID (Stanish, 2004). To yield more accurate PA data among children with ID, a combination of pedometers and self-report measure is recommended (Chow, 2003). For example, recent efforts have been made to examine the PA levels of children in clinical setting by developing the parent self-report measure such as the Habitual Activity Estimation Scale (HAES; Hay, 1997). The adoption of the HAES has been proven to be useful for gathering valid data in pediatric population who might have difficulty recalling or recording activity levels in the past weeks (Hay & Cairney, 2006; Klentrou, Hay, & Plyley, 2003). No research to date has been conducted to examine the PA levels of children with ID using a combination of both pedometers and parent self-report measure, and to take personal or biological variables such as sex, levels of ID, and body composition into consideration. The main aim of this work is to examine the PA levels and patterns among children and youth with ID using a combination of the PA measures. The secondary aim is to determine if children’s PA varies as a function of sex, levels of ID, and body composition. |
| Project Title: | Be active ‘09 conference Direct Observation of Children's Preferences and Activity Levels during Interactive and On-line Electronic Games |
| Investigator(s): | Sit HP |
| Department: | Institute of Human Performance |
| Source(s) of Funding: | URC/CRCG - Conference Grants for Teaching Staff |
| Start Date: | 10/2009 |
| Completion Date: | 10/2009 |
| Abstract: |
| N/A |
| Project Title: | Reliability and validity of the observational tool (BEACHES) to measure eating and active behaviours in home and school settings among children with physical disabilities |
| Investigator(s): | Sit HP, Cerin E |
| Department: | Institute of Human Performance |
| Source(s) of Funding: | Seed Funding Programme for Basic Research |
| Start Date: | 03/2010 |
| Abstract: |
| Physical activity (PA) is important for the health and well being of persons of all ages and abilities [1]. Persons with disabilities tend to be more sedentary and they incur nearly fivefold greater health care costs than those without disabilities [2].Childhood is a critical period to intervene for both prevention and remediation, and PA should be a top priority for children with disabilities. Current data suggest that children with physical disabilities are insufficiently active for health purposes [3,4]. To maximize opportunities for empowerment and to minimize health risks associated with sedentary living among children with disabilities, there is a pressing need for health professionals to promote PA [5], but more needs to be known about the environmental settings in which children with disabilities accrue PA. Recent extensive reviews on environmental correlates of PA in children indicate that the characteristics of home (e.g., prompts from parents) and school (e.g., time spent outdoors, adult supervision) environments are closely associated with PA [6]. While a variety of PA measures such as motion sensors and self-reports exist, direct observation methods are more suitable for assessing children’s PA because they allow for the study of associated contextual variables while simultaneously reducing the response burden on a child in a specific setting [7]. Direct observational studies using the Behaviors of Eating and Activity for Child Health: Evaluation System (BEACHES) [8], for example, have shown that children are less active at home than during recess at school [8], and that time spent outdoors and prompts to be active at home are correlated strongly with PA [9]. Johns and Ha [10] examined PA of Hong Kong children at home and recess and found that both home-based and school-based activities were limited by the physical and social environments. Little research has examined the environmental correlates of PA in children with physical disabilities in either home and/or school settings. A recent review on environmental factors suggests that variables such as physical location and its size and prompts for PA from significant others are associated with the degree of their activity participation [11]. In particular, child functional ability and family factors are significant predictors of the recreation participation in children with physical disabilities [12]. Special schools, rather than the mainstream schools, are the tradition in Hong Kong [13]. Findings from previous direct observational studies have demonstrated that Hong Kong children with physical disabilities are least physically active at school compared to students with other disability types [14]; and that children accrue higher levels of PA during school hours in schools that provided more support for PA [15,16]. Our data suggest that more PA opportunities during different school time periods and collaborations with families at home are needed for children to meet PA recommendations. Research on environmental correlates of PA in children, however, has mainly been conducted on those WITHOUT disabilities and those residing in WESTERN countries. Hong Kong is intensely urbanized and densely populated, contributing to major environmental constraints within both housing units and schools settings that greatly influence children’s PA. To aid effective interventions, there is a need for improved understanding of the current activity levels of Hong Kong children with physical disabilities and their associated contextual characteristics in different settings. The aim of the study is to validate the chosen observational tool (BEACHES) against an activity monitor (IDEEA), which has been proved to be useful for assessing PA levels of children with physical disabilities such as cerebral palsy. |
| Project Title: | European Congress of Adapted Physical Activity (EUCAPA) Physical Activity of Children in Special School Environment Physical Activity Measurement Using MTI (Actigraph) among Children with Cerebral Palsy |
| Investigator(s): | Sit HP |
| Department: | Institute of Human Performance |
| Source(s) of Funding: | URC/CRCG - Conference Grants for Teaching Staff |
| Start Date: | 05/2010 |
| Completion Date: | 05/2010 |
| Abstract: |
| N/A |
| List of Research Outputs |
| Capio C.M., Sit H.P. and Abernethy A.B., Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation., Physical activity measurement using MTI (Actigraph) among children with Cerebral Palsy.. 2010, 91: 1283-1290. |
| Capio C.M., Sit H.P. and Abernethy A.B., Paper presented at the 3rd International Conference of Physical Education and Sports Science. Singapore. , Process-oriented evaluation of fundamental movement skills in children with cerebral palsy.. 2010. |
| Capio C.M., Sit H.P. and Abernethy A.B., Paper presented at the European Congress of Adapted Physical Activity 2010. Jyväskylä, Finland. , Physical activity measurement using MTI (Actigraph) among children with cerebral palsy. . 2010. |
| Capio C.M., Sit H.P. and Abernethy A.B., Physical activity measurement using MTI (Actigraph) among children with cerebral palsy, European Congress of Adapted Physical Activity, Finland. 2010. |
| Capio C.M., Sit H.P. and Abernethy A.B., Poster presented at the annual Conference of the Society of Chinese Scholars on Exercise Physiology and Fitness. Hong Kong, Preliminary study on the calibration of the Actigraph for children with Cerebral Palsy.. 2009. |
| Capio C.M., Sit H.P. and Abernethy A.B., Preliminary study on the calibration of the actigraph for children with cerebral palsy, 8th Annual Conference for the 8th Annual Conference for Society of Chinese Scholars on Exercise Physiology and Fitness. 2009. |
| Capio C.M., Sit H.P. and Abernethy A.B., Process-oriented evaluation of fundamental movement skills in children with cerebral palsy, ICPESS, Singapore. 2010. |
| Cerin E., Macfarlane D.J., Sit H.P., Lee L.C.J., Chow L.Y. and Lee K.Y., Age and gender differences in associations of perceived environmental attributes with walking for transport in an Asian densely-populated setting , 3rd International Congress on Physical Activity and Public Health, Toronto, Canada. 2010. |
| Cerin E., Macfarlane D.J., Sit H.P., Tang C.K., Chow L.Y. and Lee K.Y., Associations of perceived neighborhood attributes with self-report and objective measures of walking in Hong Kong adults, Asia Conference on Emerging Issues in Public Health, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR. 2009. |
| Fan C.K.Y., Sit H.P. and Wong L.C.Y., Motivational styles in relation to physical activity in Hong Kong youth, Hong Kong Recreation Review. 2010, 22: 42-48. |
| Lam W.K., Sit H.P. and Cerin E., Physical activity and sedentary behaviours in Hong Kong primary school children: Prevalence and gender differences, Preventive Medicine. 2010, 51: 96-97. |
| McManus A.M., Ling C.M., Eves F.F., Yu C.W., Sit H.P. and Hill J.O., Moving Hong Kong: An uphill struggle, XXVth Pediatric Work Physiology Congress. Le Touquet, France.. 2009. |
| Sit H.P., Board Member, International Federation of Adapted Physical Activity. 2009. |
| Sit H.P., Commission Member, Hong Kong Association of Sports Medicine and Sports Science (HKASMSS), 2010. |
| Sit H.P., McKenzie T.L., Cerin E. and McManus A.M., Contribution of school environments to physical activity in children with special needs, 26th ACHPER International Conference. 2009. |
| Sit H.P., Lam W.K. and McKenzie T.L., Direct observation of children’s preferences and activity levels during interactive and on-line electronic games, 7th National Physical Activity Conference, Brisbane, Australia. 2009. |
| Sit H.P., Lam W.K. and McKenzie T.L., Direct observation of children’s preferences and activity levels during interactive and on-line electronic games, Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. 2009, 12: S279. |
| Sit H.P., Disability sports and adapted physical activity in Hong Kong, Symposium on Adapted Physical Activity and Exercise, Korea. 2009. |
| Sit H.P., Member, Scientific Committee, International Symposium for Adapted Physical Activity 2011, Christchurch, New Zealand, 2010. |
| Sit H.P., Member, Curriculum Development Council Committee on Physical Education, Education Bureau, Hong Kong SAR Government. 2009. |
| Sit H.P. and McKenzie T.L., Physical activity levels during physical education and recess in special schools for children in Hong Kong, 8th Annual Conference for the 8th Annual Conference for Society of Chinese Scholars on Exercise Physiology and Fitness. 2009. |
| Sit H.P., McKenzie T.L., Cerin E. and McManus A.M., Physical activity of children in special school environment, European Congress of Adapted Physical Activity, Finland. 2010. |
| Sit H.P., Sport studies opportunities in HKU, Hong Kong Association of Sports Medicine and Sports Science Newsletter. 2009, 4: 10. |
| Sit H.P., Lindner K.J., Apter M.J., Michel G. and Mallows R., The development of the motivational style profiles for children, Current Psychology. 2010, 29: 71-87. |
| Sit H.P., Values and attitudes in key learning areas of physical education: From the perspective of adapted physical education. East Asia Game Learning and Teaching Package, Curriculum Development Council, Education Bureau, Hong Kong SAR Government. 2009, 58. |
| Sit H.P., What is adapted physical activity?, Hong Kong Association of Sports Medicine and Sports Science Newsletter. 2010, 6: 1. |
| Researcher : Tang CK |
| List of Research Outputs |
| Cerin E., Macfarlane D.J., Sit H.P., Tang C.K., Chow L.Y. and Lee K.Y., Associations of perceived neighborhood attributes with self-report and objective measures of walking in Hong Kong adults, Asia Conference on Emerging Issues in Public Health, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR. 2009. |
| Researcher : Tse MA |
| List of Research Outputs |
| Leung A.Y.M., Tse M.A., Shum W.C., Lam C.L.K. and Lancaster B.J., Health Enhancement and Pedometer-determined ambulatory (HEPA) programme for older adults: A feasibility study, The 4th Hong Kong Nursing Forum, Jun 4-5, 2010.. 2010. |
| Tse M.A., Leung A.Y.M., Shum W.C., Lancaster B.J. and Lam C.L.K., Health enhancement and pedometer-determined (HEPA) programme pilot study. , The 5th International Symposium on Healthy Aging - Is aging a disease? (Young investigator award presentation), 6-7 March 2010, Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel and Towers. Hong Kong, 2010, 45. |
| Researcher : Wilson RM |
| List of Research Outputs |
| Wilson R.M., McGrath J., Vine S., Brewer J., Defriend D. and Masters R.S.W., Psychomotor control in a virtual laparoscopic surgery training environment: Gaze control parameters differentiate novices from experts, Surgical Endoscopy. Springer, 2010, 24: 2458-2464. |
| Researcher : Wong TWL |
| List of Research Outputs |
| Wong T.W.L., Masters R.S.W., Maxwell J.P. and Abernethy A.B., Movement specific reinvestment, falls and walking in community-dwelling older adults, XIXth IAGG World Congress of Gerontology and Geriatrics. Paris, France, 2009. |
| Researcher : Yu CW |
| Project Title: | Development and validation of annual physical fitness assessment for all fire and ambulance personnel in the Fire Services Department |
| Investigator(s): | Yu CW, McManus AM |
| Department: | Institute of Human Performance |
| Source(s) of Funding: | Urban and Environmental Studies - General Award |
| Start Date: | 11/2007 |
| Abstract: |
| To investigate the physical stress of firemen and ambulancemen under simulated tasks and actual rescue operations; to develop and validate the levels of physical fitness standards for all firemen and ambulancemen to meet their job requirements regardless of age, gender, height, weight, race or disability condition; to review, devise, and provide a health and fitness program for those who fail to meet the newly devised fitness standards. |
| Project Title: | Development and Validation of Physical Fitness Test for recruitment of the posts of Station Officer / Ambulance Officer / Fireman / Ambulanceman in the Fire Services Department – An extension part of the project “Development and Validation of Annual Physical Fitness Assessment for all Fire and Ambulance Personnel in the Fire Services Department” |
| Investigator(s): | Yu CW, McManus AM |
| Department: | Institute of Human Performance |
| Source(s) of Funding: | Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government - General Award |
| Start Date: | 11/2009 |
| Completion Date: | 12/2010 |
| Abstract: |
| This project took advantage of the previous data to devise a new Physical Fitness Test (PFT) for the candidates who apply for the posts of Station Officer, Ambulance Officer, Fireman / Firewoman and Ambulanceman / Ambulancewoman. The development of the physical fitness standard for different posts was based on the PFA study results conducted by our team in 2008. |
| List of Research Outputs |
| Lau P.W.C., Kong Z., Choi C., Yu C.W., Chan D.F.Y., Sung R.Y.T. and Leung B.M.C., Effects of short-term resistance training on serum leptin levels in obese adolescents. , The Journal of Exercise Science and Fitness. Singapore, Elsevier (Singapore) Pte Ltd, 2010, 8: 54 - 60. |
| McManus A.M., Ling C.M., Eves F.F., Yu C.W., Sit H.P. and Hill J.O., Moving Hong Kong: An uphill struggle, XXVth Pediatric Work Physiology Congress. Le Touquet, France.. 2009. |
| Yu C.W., McManus A.M., Li A.M., Sung R.Y.T. and Armstrong N., Cardiopulmonary exercise testing in children., Hong Kong Journal of Paediatrics . 2009, 15: 35-47. |
| Researcher : Zhu F |
| List of Research Outputs |
| Zhu F., Maxwell J.P., Hu Y., Zhang Z...G., Lam W.K., Poolton J.M. and Masters R.S.W., EEG activity during the verbal-cognitive stage of motor skill acquisition.. Biological Psychology, 2010, 84(2): pp.221-227. |
| Zhu F., Maxwell J.P., Hu Y., Zhang Z., Lam W.K., Poolton J.M. and Masters R.S.W., EEG activity during the verbal-cognitive stage of motor skill acquisition. , Biological Psychology . Elsevier, 2010, 84: 221-227. |
| Zhu F., Poolton J.M. and Masters R.S.W., Paper presented at the North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity annual conference. , EEG coherence between the verbal-analytical region (T3) and the motor-planning region (Fz) increases under stress in explicit motor learners but not implicit motor learners.. 2010. |
| Researcher : Zhu F |
| List of Research Outputs |
| Zhu F., Maxwell J.P., Hu Y., Zhang Z...G., Lam W.K., Poolton J.M. and Masters R.S.W., EEG activity during the verbal-cognitive stage of motor skill acquisition.. Biological Psychology, 2010, 84(2): pp.221-227. |
| Zhu F., Maxwell J.P., Hu Y., Zhang Z., Lam W.K., Poolton J.M. and Masters R.S.W., EEG activity during the verbal-cognitive stage of motor skill acquisition. , Biological Psychology . Elsevier, 2010, 84: 221-227. |
| Zhu F., Poolton J.M. and Masters R.S.W., Paper presented at the North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity annual conference. , EEG coherence between the verbal-analytical region (T3) and the motor-planning region (Fz) increases under stress in explicit motor learners but not implicit motor learners.. 2010. |
| Researcher : van der Kamp GJ |
| Project Title: | On the development of implicit and explicit learning processes: Prism adaptation in 6- to 12- year-old children |
| Investigator(s): | van der Kamp GJ, Maxwell JP, Masters RSW |
| Department: | Institute of Human Performance |
| Source(s) of Funding: | Seed Funding Programme for Basic Research |
| Start Date: | 10/2005 |
| Abstract: |
| In recent years, the roles of explicit learning (ie. learning through the accumulation of declarative task relevant knowledge) and implicit learning processes (ie. enhancing skill through the use of non-declarative knowledge while concurrently preventing the accumulation of declarative knowledge) in the acquisition of perceptual-motor skills have been actively investigated in adult populations (see Masters, 2000; Willingham, 1998; Sun et al., 2005). However, when it comes to their roles during childhood there is a paucity of research (Van der Kamp et al., 2003). From an evolutionary perspective, it has been hypothesised that implicit learning processes are age-independent and that children must be capable of implicit learning, ‘because that is what they do’ (Reber, 1992, p. 40). It is thought that children from a very early age can learn implicitly and do so relatively independent of conscious attempts to acquire perceptual-motor skills and without much in the way of conscious knowledge of what they have, in fact, learned. However, without careful empirical research into the (changing) contributions of implicit and explicit processes in perceptual-motor learning during childhood such an argument, although perhaps intuitively appealing, is not entirely convincing. The proposed investigation will therefore examine age-differences in the roles of implicit and explicit processes in perceptual-motor skill learning in children between 5 and 12 years. In the adult literature, a primary means of demonstrating the distinction between implicit and explicit learning processing is the use of verbal protocols to assess the amount of explicit knowledge that is accumulated with improvements in perceptual-motor skill. Obviously, verbalization of explicit knowledge is problematic in children, and even not without contention in adults (Shanks & St. John, 1994). Consequently, a method is needed to assess the distinction between implicit and explicit processes that is not dependent on verbal reports on the side of the participants. In this respect, Willingham (1998) proposed that prism adaptation can serve as a vehicle for investigating the roles of implicit and explicit processes in perceptual-motor learning. He argued that the rate of adjustment in perceptual-motor behaviour during prism exposure is indicative of explicit processes, whereas, the negative-aftereffects after removal of the prisms reflect implicit, unconscious learning processes. The proposed investigation, therefore, explores the expediency of prism adaptation as a vehicle to examine implicit and explicit learning processes in primary school children. |
| Project Title: | Expertise in visual perception: Exploring the role of action |
| Investigator(s): | van der Kamp GJ, Abernethy AB, Jackson RC |
| Department: | Institute of Human Performance |
| Source(s) of Funding: | Seed Funding Programme for Basic Research |
| Start Date: | 03/2006 |
| Abstract: |
| Expertise in fast ball sports such as tennis is often characterized as a player seemingly having all the time in the world to make a return action despite the fact that the projectile travels between players in a very short time. It is the expert’s superiority to anticipate the opponent’s intentions that provides a crucial performance advantage over less skilled individuals. It is generally accepted that the expert’s skill in anticipating the opponent’s intentions is acquired through a very extensive experience of watching other players’ actions, which results in a better attunement to more proximal kinematic information produced early in the opponent’s action sequence (e.g. Abernethy & Russell, 1987; Abernethy & Zawi, 2005; Shim et al., 2005). The ‘perceptual experience hypothesis’ has proven very successful (cf. Williams & Davids, 1995). Yet, it is pertinent to note that it emphasizes one side of the coin only. That is, considerations of the role of action in perceptual anticipation have been conspicuously absent. The purpose of the proposed research is therefore to investigate the role of action in skilled perceptual anticipation. A relatively recent framework for the understanding of the relation between perception and action is the common coding hypothesis of Prinz (Prinz, 1997; Hommel et al., 2001). It holds that representations that allow one to perceive the intention of an action are the same as (or even identical to) representations that determine the actual production of an action. The core assumption is that these representations code the perceivable effects of actions. As a result, watching another individual performing an action triggers the perceiver’s representation for the production of that action. Evidence from neuroscience suggests that dedicated neurons may underlie this process. Fogassi et al. (2005), for example, showed that the same so-called ‘mirror’ neurons in the inferior parietal cortex of the monkey brain discharged when the monkeys produced an action as well as when they observed the same action done by the experimenter, but only when the action served the same goal. A similar mirror system may exist in corresponding areas of the human brain (Rizzolatti et al., 2001; Decety & Grezes, 1999). One consequence from the common coding hypothesis is that the perception of another individual’s intentions for action should be mediated by the perceiver’s capability to produce that action her- or himself. That is, the more the perceived action corresponds with the perceiver’s own action capabilities, the better the intentions of the currently perceived actions can be predicted. In recent years, several methods have been developed to test this conjecture. For example, Calvo-Merino et al. (2005) examined whether the perception of another individual’s action is mediated by the action expertise of the observer. They had non-skilled and expert dancers of different styles watch video clips of their own dance style versus the other style. fMRI-data revealed greater brain activity of the mirror system when dancers viewed video clips of the action that they had been trained in. In other words, while all the subjects saw the same actions, the mirror system responded quite differently according to whether they had acquired the actions or not (Calvo-Merino et al., 2005). Knoblich and Flach (2001) provided more direct evidence for the common coding hypothesis. They argued that the prediction of the intention of an action (or its future outcome) may be more accurate when one observes one’s own actions than when one observes another individual’s actions, because in the former case the system that produces the action is the same system that contributes to predicting the action outcome. To test this, Knoblich and Flach had participants view video clips displaying either themselves or somebody else throwing darts. Each clip started with the participant picking up the dart and terminated when the dart left the hand. The participants had to predict the future landing position of the dart. The predictions were more accurate when participants watched themselves than when they saw strangers throwing darts (see also Knoblich & Prinz, 2001; Grezes et al., 2004; Loula et al., 2005). Returning to perception in fast ball sports, we can now ask whether expert’s superiority in anticipating the opponent’s intentions is exclusively due to extensive, sometimes almost lifelong perceptual experience, or whether expertise in action production (i.e. the planning and execution of interceptive movements) in fast ball sports is an additional constraint on skilled perception. To this end, participants will watch video clips of tennis players hitting different strokes. The participants’ task will be to anticipate the action intention of the opponent hitter by initiating different types of stroke dependent on the predicted ball flight (see Shim et al., 2005). In both experiments, the degree of correspondence between the action system of the participant and the opponent hitter will be manipulated (i.e. self versus other, and left- versus right-hander). Following the common coding hypothesis, it is expected that the more the perceived action corresponds with the perceiver’s own action capabilities, the more accurate the intentions of the perceived actions will be predicted. |
| List of Research Outputs |
| Savelsbergh G., Versloot O., Masters R.S.W. and van der Kamp G.J., Saving penalties, scoring penalties. , In: I. Renshaw, K. Davids, & G.j.P. Savelsbergh, Motor learning in practice: A constraints-led approach . London, UK, Taylor & Francis Ltd, 2010, 57-68. |
| Steenbergen B., van der Kamp G.J., Verneau M., Jongbloed-Pereboom M. and Masters R.S.W., Implicit and explicit learning: Applications from basic research to sports for individuals with impairments, Disability and Rehabilitation. London, Informa UK, 2010, 32: 1509-1516. |
| van der Kamp G.J., van Doorn H. and Masters R.S.W., A Judd illusion in far-aiming: Evidence of a contribution to action by vision for perception , Experimental Brain Research. Springer, 2009, 197: 199-204. |