Joanna Nicholas

Edith Cowan University

Author Statistics

Papers

Citation

H-Index

i-10 index

Research Trends

Author Order

Document Type

Co-Authors

Jacqueline Alderson

University of Western Australia

Ben Jackson

University of Western Australia

James A. Dimmock

James Cook University

Cyril J. Donnelly

University of Western Australia

Luke Hopper

Edith Cowan University

Cecilie Thøgersen‐Ntoumani

Curtin University

Peter Peeling

University of Western Australia

Nikos Ntoumanis

University of Birmingham

Emmanuel Stamatakis

University of Sydney

Rogier M. van Rijn

Codarts Rotterdam

Cooperative Institutions

University of Western Australia

Curtin University

Edith Cowan University

Lenox Hill Hospital

Center for Health, Exercise and Sport Sciences

Bridge University

The Kids Research Institute Australia

Speech Pathology Australia

Australian Sports Commission

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Author Statistics

Papers

Citation

H-Index

i-10 index

Research Field

Development and feasibility of a mobile phone application designed to support physically inactive employees to increase walking

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making (2021)

Joanna Nicholas Nikos Ntoumanis Brendan J. Smith Eleanor Quested Emmanuel Stamatakis

Abstract Background Physical inactivity is a global health concern. mHealth interventions have become increasingly popular, but to date, principles of effective communication from Self-Determination Theory have not been integrated with behavior change techniques to optimize app effectiveness. We outline the development of the START app, an app combining SDT principles and 17 purposefully chosen BCTs to support inactive office employees to increase their walking during a 16-week randomized controlled trial. We also explored acceptability, engagement with, associations between app usage and behavioral engagement, and perceived impact of the app in supporting behavior change. Methods Following development, fifty insufficiently physically active employees ( M age = 44.21 ± 10.95 years; BMI = 29.02 ± 5.65) were provided access and instructions on use of the app. A mixed methods design was used to examine feasibility of the app, including the User Mobile App Rating Scale, app engagement data, step counts, and individual interviews. Linear mixed modeling and inductive thematic analysis were used to analyze quantitative and qualitative data, respectively. Results Walkers rated the app quality favorably ( M = 3.68 out of 5). Frequency of entering step counts (i.e., frequency of self-monitoring) on a weekly basis positively predicted weekly step counts measured via Fitbits at both the between-and within-individual levels. App features (entering daily step counts, reminders, and motivational messages) were perceived to assist walkers in fostering goal achievement by building competence and via self-monitoring. Conclusions The START app may be a useful component of walking interventions designed to increase walking in the workplace. Apps designed to promote walking behavior may be effective if they target users’ competence and integrate BCTs. Trial Registration : This study was part of a pilot larger randomized controlled trial, in which a component of the intervention involved the use of the mobile app. The trial was retrospectively registered with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12618000807257) on 11 May 2018 https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=375049&isReview=true .

mHealth

Smartphone app

Thematic Analysis

Behavior change methods

Mobile phone

Self-Monitoring

eHealth

Mobile apps

10.1186/s12911-021-01391-3

Cite

Citations (15)

‘They deserve a treat’: the nature and antecedents of parental licensing surrounding children’s physical activity

Public Health Nutrition (2020)

Kwok Hong Law James A. Dimmock Ashleigh Thornton Joanna Nicholas Gordon Ho

Abstract Objective: Little is known about parents’ compensatory health beliefs (CHB) surrounding their children’s engagement in physical activity (PA). Our aim was to provide evidence regarding the nature of, and factors underpinning, parents’ PA-related compensatory beliefs for their children. Design: A qualitative descriptive approach and thematic content analysis were employed. Setting: Parents were recruited from community sport and PA programmes. Participants: Eighteen parents aged 32–52 years (mean age = 40·8 ( sd 5·4) years; six males; twelve females). Results: Analyses indicated that parents compensate through ‘passive’ or ‘active’ means. Among parents who compensated, most described their provision of ‘treat’ foods/drinks and a minority described allowing extended sedentary time to their children. Parents’ reasons underpinning these beliefs related to their child’s general physical/health status and psychological characteristics, and their own motivation and mood state. Conclusions: These findings provide the first evidence of unhealthy dietary and sedentary behaviour CHB that parents may hold regarding their children’s involvement in PA.

Thematic Analysis

Underpinning

10.1017/s1368980020002554

Cite

Citations (5)

Estimation of Prognosis in Non Specific Low Back Pain from Biopsychosocial Perspectives

InTech eBooks (2012)

Joanna Nicholas

The significance of low back pain and associated disability across many western nations continues to be an important issue. Pain and disability associated with musculoskeletal conditions represents a significant health and economic burden in Australia, with total direct and indirect costs of musculoskeletal disorders including arthritis being in excess of 15 billion dollars per annum (AAMPG. 2003).

Biopsychosocial model

Musculoskeletal pain

Back Pain

Musculoskeletal disorder

10.5772/33799

Cite

Citations (0)

495

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise (1987)

Neil L. Coplan Gilbert W. Gleim M. Scandura Elizabeth Fisher Joanna Nicholas

10.1249/00005768-198704001-00495

Cite

Citations (2)

Psychological Flow Training: Feasibility and Preliminary Efficacy of an Educational Intervention on Flow

International Journal of Applied Positive Psychology (2023)

Cameron Norsworthy James A. Dimmock Joanna Nicholas Amanda E. Krause Ben Jackson

Despite there being an increasing number of applied flow studies across scientific disciplines, there exists no consistent or broadly applicable intervention to promote flow experiences. This study provides a detailed account of a new educational flow training program developed following recent advancements in the flow literature that have provided a more parsimonious understanding of flow experiences and antecedents. Guided by CONSORT guidelines for feasibility trials, we conducted a single-group, non-randomized feasibility trial of an educational flow training program (N = 26). We assessed participant retention, perceptions about and experiences of the program, perceptions about the flow education training, and preliminary assessments of flow as an outcome. Results broadly supported program feasibility, and participants reported positive experiences in, and perceptions of, program components. In terms of preliminary efficacy, we observed evidence of noteworthy change pre-to-post-program in flow (d = 0.84), performance (d = 0.81), competence (d = 0.96), well-being (d = 0.68), intrinsic motivation (d = 0.47), interest (d = 0.72), choice (d = 0.38), stress (d = -1.08), ability to handle stress (d = 0.74), and anxiety (d = - 0.86). These results provide preliminary evidence that it may be possible to 'train' flow in line with recent perspectives on a core three-dimensional flow experience (and antecedents). The study has developed a research foundation for flow intervention "curriculum" and quality standards, and for measuring results. It offers a foundation for the implementation of a larger-scale program.The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s41042-023-00098-2.

10.1007/s41042-023-00098-2

Cite

Citations (4)

Targeting associated mechanisms of anterior cruciate ligament injury in female community-level athletes

Sports Biomechanics (2017)

Jonathan Staynor Joanna Nicholas Gillian Weir Jacqueline Alderson Cyril J. Donnelly

This study aims to determine if biomechanically informed injury prevention training can reduce associated factors of anterior cruciate ligament injury risk among a general female athletic population. Female community-level team sport athletes, split into intervention (n = 8) and comparison groups (n = 10), completed a sidestepping movement assessment prior to and following a 9-week training period, in which kinetic, kinematic and neuromuscular data were collected. The intervention group completed a biomechanically informed training protocol, consisting of plyometric, resistance and balance exercises, adjunct to normal training, for 15–20 min twice a week. Following the 9-week intervention, total activation of the muscles crossing the knee (n = 7) decreased for both the training (∆ −15.02%, d = 0.45) and comparison (∆ −9.68%, d = 0.47) groups. This decrease was accompanied by elevated peak knee valgus (∆ +27.78%, d = −0.36) and internal rotation moments (∆ +37.50%, d = −0.56) in the comparison group, suggesting that female community athletes are at an increased risk of injury after a season of play. Peak knee valgus and internal rotation knee moments among athletes who participated in training intervention did not change over the intervention period. Results suggest participation in a biomechanically informed training intervention may mitigate the apparent deleterious effects of community-level sport participation.

ACL injury

Plyometrics

10.1080/14763141.2016.1246597

Cite

Citations (19)

Development and evaluation of a mobile phone application designed to support physically inactive employees to increase walking (Preprint)

Joanna Nicholas Cecilie Thøgersen‐Ntoumani Brendan J. Smith Eleanor Quested Nikos Ntoumanis

BACKGROUND Physical inactivity is a global health concern. mHealth interventions have become increasingly popular, but to date, principles of effective communication from Self-Determination Theory have not been integrated with behavior change techniques to optimize app effectiveness. OBJECTIVE We evaluated the usability of the START app, an app combining SDT principles and 17 purposefully chosen BCTs to support inactive office employees to increase their walking during a 16-week randomized controlled trial. We aimed to explore acceptability, engagement with, and effectiveness of the app in supporting behavior change. METHODS Insufficiently physically active employees (M age =44.21 ± 10.95 years; BMI = 29.02 ± 5.65) were provided access and instructions on use of the app. A mixed methods design was used to evaluate the app, including the User Mobile App Rating Scale, app engagement data, step counts, and individual interviews. Linear mixed modeling and inductive thematic analysis were used to analyze quantitative and qualitative data, respectively. RESULTS Walkers rated the app quality favorably (M=3.68 out of 5). Frequency of entering step counts (i.e., frequency of self-monitoring) on a weekly basis positively predicted weekly step counts measured via Fitbits at both the between-and within-individual levels. App features (entering daily step counts, reminders, and motivational messages) were perceived to assist walkers in fostering goal achievement by building competence and via self-monitoring. CONCLUSIONS The START app may be a useful component of walking interventions designed to increase walking in the workplace. Apps designed to promote walking behavior may be more effective if they target users’ self-determined motivation for behavior change and integrate BCTs. CLINICALTRIAL Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR). Trial registration number: ACTRN12618000807257 http://www.ANZCTR.org.au/ACTRN12618000807257.aspx

mHealth

Thematic Analysis

Smartphone app

Preprint

Behavior change methods

Mobile phone

Self-Monitoring

10.2196/preprints.16041

Cite

Citations (0)

Exploring the psychological and physiological outcomes of recreational pole dancing: a non-randomised pilot study

Circus Arts Life and Sciences (2023)

Joanna Nicholas James A. Dimmock Jacqueline Alderson Cyril Donnelly Ben Jackson

In qualitative and cross-sectional studies, participation in recreational pole dancing classes has been shown to align with improvements in body image, physical fitness, satisfaction of basic psychological needs and group identity. The purpose of this feasibility study was to quantify retention and adherence rates, along with physiological and psychological changes, across eight weeks of pole dancing classes. Of the 76 participants recruited, 68 females (age range nineteen to 60 years) attended baseline testing, a typical term of pole dancing classes at eight local studios (i.e., two 60-minute classes a week for eight weeks) and a post-program testing session resulting in an 89.5% retention rate. The adherence rate was 93.8% (mean attendance of fifteen out of sixteen classes). Significant over-time improvements with small to large effect sizes were observed in body image (body appreciation r = 0.45, figure rating r = 0.38), physical self-concept (sport r = 0.30, coordination r = 0.41,  strength r = 0.50, endurance r = 0.28, global esteem r = 0.38, flexibility r = 0.18), physical fitness (flexed arm hang r = 0.49, step up test d = 0.26, sit and reach d= 0.23) and visceral fat mass (r = -0.16). No significant changes were observed in bone mineral density, leg lean mass or leg fat mass. Analyses also revealed important correlations between in-class experiences and psychological and physiological outcomes, which may provide insight into potential design elements within future intervention studies. The results from this study inform the design of future larger trials by (a) highlighting retention and adherence rates in an eight-week pole dancing program, (b) identifying effect sizes for key outcomes of pole dancing, and (c) providing insight into the potentially modifiable factors that might be suitable targets for intervention should researchers and practitioners seek to maximize outcomes from this form of training.Des études qualitatives et transversales ont montré que la participation à des cours de pole dance récréatif est associée à des améliorations de l'image corporelle, de la forme physique, de la satisfaction des besoins psychologiques fondamentaux et de l'identité de groupe. Cette étude de faisabilité visait à quantifier les taux d’adhésion et de rétention, ainsi que les évolutions physiologiques et psychologiques, durant huit semaines de pratique de pole dance. Sur les 76 participant·e·s recruté·e·s, 68 femmes (âgées entre 19 et 60 ans) ont participé à des tests de base, à un cours typique de pole dance dans huit studios locaux, (soit deux ateliers d’une heure par semaine pendant huit semaines), et à une session de tests après le programme. Il en résulte un taux de rétention de 89,5 %. Le taux d’adhésion s’élève à 93,8 % (participation moyenne de 15 cours sur un total de 16 cours). Au fil du temps, des améliorations significatives avec des effets plus ou moins importants ont pu être observées sur l’image corporelle (appréciation du corps r = 0,45, évaluation des formes r = 0,38), l’image de soi physique (sport r = 0,30, coordination r = 0,41, force r = 0,50, endurance r = 0,28, estime globale r = 0,38, souplesse r = 0,18), la forme physique (traction r = 0,49, Queens College Step Test d = 0,26, souplesse en position assise d = 0,23) et la masse de graisse viscérale (r = -0,16). L’étude ne montre aucun changement significatif sur la densité minérale osseuse, sur la masse maigre au niveau des jambes ou sur la masse grasse. Les analyses ont également révélé d’importantes corrélations entre des expériences vécues en cours et des résultats psychologiques et physiologiques. Ces découvertes pourraient être très utiles pour d’éventuels éléments de conception dans le cadre de futures études d’intervention. Les conclusions de cette étude orientent la conception de futurs essais à plus grande échelle en (a) mettant en évidence les taux d’adhésion et de rétention durant un programme de pole dance sur huit semaines, (b) identifiant les tailles d’effets pour les principaux résultats du pole dance, et (c) donnant des informations utiles sur les facteurs potentiellement modifiables qui pourraient s’appliquer au domaine expérimental si des chercheur·euse·s et praticien.nes souhaitent optimiser les résultats pour cette pratique.

Attendance

10.3998/circus.2801

Cite

Citations (0)

Dietary Iron and the Elite Dancer

Nutrients (2022)

Caitlin Attwell Cory Dugan Alannah K. A. McKay Joanna Nicholas Luke Hopper

Dancers are an athlete population at high risk of developing iron deficiency (ID). The aesthetic nature of the discipline means dancers potentially utilise dietary restriction to meet physique goals. In combination with high training demands, this means dancers are susceptible to problems related to low energy availability (LEA), which impacts nutrient intake. In the presence of LEA, ID is common because of a reduced mineral content within the low energy diet. Left untreated, ID becomes an issue that results in fatigue, reduced aerobic work capacity, and ultimately, iron deficient anaemia (IDA). Such progression can be detrimental to a dancer’s capacity given the physically demanding nature of training, rehearsal, and performances. Previous literature has focused on the manifestation and treatment of ID primarily in the context of endurance athletes; however, a dance-specific context addressing the interplay between dance training and performance, LEA and ID is essential for practitioners working in this space. By consolidating findings from identified studies of dancers and other relevant athlete groups, this review explores causal factors of ID and potential treatment strategies for dancers to optimise absorption from an oral iron supplementation regime to adequately support health and performance.

Elite

Elite Athletes

10.3390/nu14091936

Cite

Citations (3)

“It's our little secret … an in-group, where everyone's in”: Females' motives for participation in a stigmatized form of physical activity

Psychology of sport and exercise (2018)

Joanna Nicholas James A. Dimmock Cyril J. Donnelly Jacqueline Alderson Ben Jackson

Popularity

Optimal distinctiveness theory

Thematic Analysis

Stigma

10.1016/j.psychsport.2018.02.003

Cite

Citations (12)