EDF2615 - Community physical activity and wellness

Leader(s): Dr J O'Connor

Offered

Peninsula First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

In this unit, students are introduced to the concepts of community physical activity promotion as it relates to health/wellness. The unit builds upon work in EDF1605 and uses a theoretical framework about the 'upstream' contexts of physical activity including those of policy, engagement, community action and advocacy. Several physical activity promotion theories will be examined, however much of the content of this unit will be developed using a social-ecological framework. This framework will be applied to schools, local shires, youth groups, hospitals, parks and in built, social, community and natural environments. Field day experiences are used to consolidate learning in this unit.

Objectives

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

• Apply knowledge of lifespan physical activity and wellness in community wide approaches to physical activity promotion.
• List and describe the determinants and conceptual approaches in intra- & inter-personal environments, micro-, meso- and macro- environments.
• Understand the differences between down stream (choice-driven) and upstream (choice-enabling) physical activity promotion policies.
• Define the terms: physical activity, epidemiology, inequality, inequity, risk factors, ecological fallacy and other related terms.
• Develop quantitative and qualitative understandings of research design and approaches in community physical activity and wellness studies.
• Engage with the professional literature on community physical activity promotion.
• Develop appropriate strategies for the promotion of physical activity in community settings.
• Critically reflect on community programs engaged to promote physical activity in the population.
• Evaluate community settings using appropriate fieldwork measuring and interpretive devices.
• Participate effectively in a community fieldwork setting.

Assessment

Assessment Task 1 (1600 words): 40%
Assessment Task 2 (2400 words): 60%
attendance is required at practicals/tutorials and/or fieldwork
Note: Field day experiences will be used to introduce and to extend the learning in lectures, tutorials and readings (3-5 days).

Contact hours

3 contact hours per week or equivalent for the semester where field trip days are required, 9 hours private study including readings, completions of set tasks and self-directed learning.

Prerequisites

EDF1605 or EDF1616 or approved equivalent