The design, development, implementation and evaluation of the Gaelic4Girls intervention

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dc.availability.bitstreamembargoed
dc.check.chapterOfThesisN/Aen
dc.check.date2022-09-30
dc.contributor.advisorO'Brien, Wesleyen
dc.contributor.advisorCahill, Kevinen
dc.contributor.authorFarmer, Orlagh
dc.contributor.funderIrish Research Councilen
dc.date.accessioned2021-09-15T13:22:52Z
dc.date.available2021-09-15T13:22:52Z
dc.date.issued2020-06-26
dc.date.submitted2020-05-26
dc.description.abstractBackground: It is widely reported that girls are less physically active than boys throughout childhood, and the age-related decline in physical activity (PA) participation, particularly from early adolescence onwards, is steeper for girls than for boys. Correlates of PA, such as fundamental movement skills (FMS), club-based participation in organised youth sport (OYS), psychological correlates (self-efficacy, enjoyment, PA attitudes), and social support structures (family and peer support) during childhood and adolescence contributes considerably to leisure-time PA for health-enhancing benefits in young girls. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to design, develop, implement and evaluate a multi-component community sports-based PA intervention, specifically tailored for 8- to 12- year old girls in Ladies Gaelic Football (LGF) clubs in Ireland. The existing programme, known as Gaelic4Girls (G4G), was re-designed and revised using the theoretical underpinnings of the Self-Determination Theory (SDT) and elements of the Social Ecological Model (SEM). Methodology: Data for this PhD thesis were gathered from participants (n= 568), using a mixed-methods research design. At baseline, information was gathered on participants (n = 331) levels of PA (self-report questionnaire), FMS proficiency (live assessment of motor skills), and psychological correlates of PA (self-report questionnaire), using validated and reliable protocol. A sub-sample of participants (n = 37) also participated in focus group interviews to explore their perceptions of PA and sport participation. Based on this data, and an exploration of the literature, a revised G4G intervention was developed. A quasi-experimental, non-randomised controlled trial involving three community sports clubs (group 1 - revised G4G intervention; group 2 - existing G4G programme; and group 3 - control condition) was then implemented to evaluate the revised G4G intervention’s efficacy. Participants’ data (n=120) was collected at pre and post time points on the following variables; PA levels, FMS proficiency, and psychological correlates of PA. Focus group data (n = 6) was collected at post-intervention to explore perceptions of the revised G4G intervention. Results: Following a 2 (pre to post) by 3 (group 1, 2 and 3) mixed-model ANOVA, it was highlighted over time that the revised G4G intervention group 1 significantly increased in PA (mean change = 39.7, SD = 81.66, p=.003), FMS proficiency (mean change = 1.86, SD = 4.78, p=.005) and their associated psychological correlates of PA (namely self-efficacy (p<.002), perceived self-confidence (p<.002), enjoyment (p<.003), attitudes towards PA (p<.003), and family social support (p<.002). FG findings reported positive findings for the revised G4G intervention group 1 participants, specifically the heightened psychological wellbeing for girls, and the establishment of emerging friendships between peers. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that the 10-week specifically tailored, research-informed and revised G4G intervention is a feasible and efficacious programme, leading to a positive effect on the physical and psychological wellbeing of pre-adolescent Irish girls, as relative to the traditionally delivered existing G4G comparative programme, and control group conditions. Further research involving a randomised controlled trial, with a larger sample size is warranted.en
dc.description.statusNot peer revieweden
dc.description.versionAccepted Versionen
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdfen
dc.identifier.citationFarmer, O. 2020. The design, development, implementation and evaluation of the Gaelic4Girls intervention. PhD Thesis, University College Cork.en
dc.identifier.endpage475en
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10468/11919
dc.language.isoenen
dc.publisherUniversity College Corken
dc.relation.projectIrish Research Council (Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship 2018 GOIPG/2018/2925)en
dc.rights© 2020, Orlagh Farmer.en
dc.rights.urihttps://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/en
dc.subjectPhysical activityen
dc.subjectOrganised youth sporten
dc.subjectFemale youthen
dc.subjectPhysical activity correlatesen
dc.subjectFundamental movement skillsen
dc.subjectSport participationen
dc.subjectCoach educationen
dc.titleThe design, development, implementation and evaluation of the Gaelic4Girls interventionen
dc.typeDoctoral thesisen
dc.type.qualificationlevelDoctoralen
dc.type.qualificationnamePhD - Doctor of Philosophyen
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