Question 1

What is a meta-analysis? Why are meta-analyses useful within the field of exercise psychology? What is one caveat to using meta-analyses?

Accepted Answer

A meta-analysis is a statistical technique used to combine the results of multiple studies on a particular topic in order to draw more reliable conclusions. It involves collecting and analyzing data from a large number of individual studies and then synthesizing the findings to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the topic.

Meta-analyses are useful within the field of exercise psychology because they allow researchers to examine the overall effectiveness of various interventions, treatments, or programs related to exercise and mental health. By pooling data from multiple studies, meta-analyses can provide a more accurate estimate of the true effect size of an intervention, as well as identify potential moderators or mediators of the relationship between exercise and psychological outcomes.

One caveat to using meta-analyses is the potential for publication bias. This occurs when studies with non-significant results are less likely to be published, leading to an overestimation of the true effect size. Researchers conducting meta-analyses must be aware of this bias and take steps to account for it, such as conducting a thorough search for all relevant studies and using statistical techniques to assess the impact of publication bias on the results.

Question 2

Which of the following is true about Geographical Information Systems (GIS)?

Accepted Answer

A)   Google Scholar is an example of a GIS.
B)   GIS can provide information on the functional and destination features of a neighborhood.
C)   GIS can provide information on the amount of litter in a park.
D)   An advantage of GIS is that it is easy to keep GIS information up to date. B

Question 3

When people display behavioral reactance, how are they behaving?

Accepted Answer

A)   In a direction opposite to the direction being advocated
B)   In the direction being advocated
C)   In response to a conditioned stimuli
D)   In a direction opposite to their level of self-efficacy A

Question 4

Which of the following is a measure of people's perceptions of the built environment?

Accepted Answer

A)   Microscale Audit of Pedestrian Streetscapes.
B)   The number of fast food restaurants in their neighbourhood.
C)   Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale.
D)   Exercise barriers self-efficacy scale.

Question 5

In general, physical activity researchers have used three different types of methods to measure features of the built environment. Briefly define each of these methods and discuss their relative strengths and weaknesses.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In general, physical activity researchers have used...

Question 6

Which of the following is a source of informational support?

Accepted Answer

A)   Advice from health care providers
B)   Advice from exercising co-workers
C)   Articles in a print magazine or online
D)   All of the above

Question 7

What is the purpose of meta-analysis?

Accepted Answer

A)   To estimate the effect of a treatment on an outcome by combining the results of individual studies.
B)   To test the quality of individual studies when they are combined with other studies.
C)   To determine if a variable is a correlate or determinant of physical activity.
D)   None of the above.

Question 8

Evaluation of the Safe Routes to School (SR2S) projects…

Accepted Answer

A)   is an example of a correlational study of the relationship between the environment and physical activity.
B)   showed that children who passed a SR2S project were more likely to increase their walking and biking activity than children who did not pass a SR2S project.
C)   showed that children significantly increased their walking and biking activity from before to after the project was completed.
D)   showed that modifications to the number of destination features can increase children's physical activity.

Question 9

The number of significant others who exercise with an individual can be considered a measure of which of the following aspects of social support?

Accepted Answer

A)   Informational support
B)   Social network size
C)   Instrumental support
D)   All of the above

Question 10

Which of the following policy changes can help increase physical education class participation and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity?

Accepted Answer

A)   Development of new PE classes that appeal to a broader number of students
B)   Increase the number of PE classes each week.
C)   Ensure PE teachers are properly trained to implement PE classes.
D)   All of the above.

Question 11

When examining the relationship between social support and physical activity, researchers can conceptualize and measure social support as the size of the social network and/or the amount and type of support received.
a. How is the size of the social network measured?
b. List and briefly describe the four main types of social support. How is the amount of each type of support typically measured?
c. Compare and contrast the quantitative and qualitative research evidence with regard to the relationship between physical activity and social support

Accepted Answer

The answer of When examining the relationship between social support...

Question 12

Socially supportive leadership styles have been associated with positive outcomes in exercise settings. List three characteristics of a socially supportive leadership style and briefly discuss four positive outcomes associated with this type of leadership style.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Socially supportive leadership styles have been associated...

Question 13

Which statement is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

A)   A small set of environmental factors reliably correlate with different types of physical activity and for both children and adults.
B)   A large set of environmental factors reliably correlate with different types of physical activity and for both children and adults.
C)   Different small sets of environmental factors reliably correlate with different types of physical activity.
D)   A large set of environmental factors correlate with children and adults' physical activity.

Question 14

When physical education teachers display transformational leadership behaviors, their students report positive outcomes.
a. Define "transformational leadership" in your own words.
b. List and briefly discuss the four related behaviors of this leadership style.
c. Provide an example of how a physical education teacher can display each of the four transformational leadership behaviors in the classroom.
d. List two positive outcomes that students report when transformational leadership behaviors are used in a physical education classroom.

Accepted Answer

The answer of When physical education teachers display transformational leadership...

Question 15

Research on the role of policies in influencing physical activity

Accepted Answer

A)   Has been conducted in low, middle, and high-income countries worldwide.
B)   Mostly consists of experimental studies.
C)   Has shown that changes to transportation and urban planning policies can influence opportunities for physical activity.
D)   All of the above.

Question 16

Which types of policies are known to be beneficial for increasing physical activity?

Accepted Answer

A)   policies that make active transit safer
B)   policies that promote mixed land-use
C)   policies that give greater access to existing recreational facilities
D)   all of the above

Question 17

What factors can influence people's perceptions of the walkability of their neighborhood?

Accepted Answer

A)   Their desires, past experiences and preferences
B)   The presence of aesthetic and destination features
C)   Neighborhood crime rates
D)   All of the above

Question 18

Which of the following factors are related to children's recreational physical activity?

Accepted Answer

A)   Aesthetics, transportation environment, access and proximity to recreational facilities
B)   Safety, transportation environment, access and proximity to recreational facilities
C)   Neighborhood design, aesthetics, transportation environment
D)   Safety, neighborhood design, access and proximity to recreational facilities

Question 19

Which of the following is a behavior exhibited by leaders using a transformational leadership style?

Accepted Answer

A)   Idealized actions
B)   Intellectual influence
C)   Inspirational motivation
D)   Individualized challenge

Question 20

A series of studies manipulated leadership style in exercise classes. These studies showed that, when compared to participants who did not experience a socially supportive leadership style, participants who did experience a socially supportive leadership style reported which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A)   Greater exercise self-efficacy
B)   Greater post-exercise fatigue
C)   Greater energy and enthusiasm
D)   A and C

Exam 4: Understanding Exercise Behavior II