title: Assessing the effectiveness of an exercise app: An examination from the health action process approach

authors: Jenkins, Rebecca

abstract: Exercise is beneficial for both physical and psychological wellbeing. Mobile software applications are a promising mode for initiation and maintenance of exercise but are under-studied.
This study examined the effectiveness of the Couch to 5k exercise app for initiating exercise for 17 participants with a mixed method design. Participants were examined using the app over a three month period. Scales from the Health Action Process Approach were utilised to explore relationships among constructs such as self-efficacy, planning and action control in relation to exercise initiation and behaviour. The DASS and SF-8 were used to examine mood and well-being, respectively. Amount of exercise completed over time was also recorded.
Overall, exercise increased within the sample. However, the researcher regarded the app as a starting point, as only one participant used the app for the entire usage period. For most participants, using the app prompted them to do exercise without the app and discover other options for exercise.
To improve the Couch to 5k app it was recommended that the guide to achieve running 5 kilometres extend to a period of 10-12 weeks instead of 8, consider combining the Couch to 5k app with the adjunct Couch to 10k app and use techniques to aid self-regulation and monitoring that smartphones are capable of such as accelerometry, GPS tracking and alerts and reminders.

text: Assessing the effectiveness of an exercise app: An examination from the health action process approach Exercise is beneficial for both physical and psychological wellbeing. Mobile software applications are a promising mode for initiation and maintenance of exercise but are under-studied.
This study examined the effectiveness of the Couch to 5k exercise app for initiating exercise for 17 participants with a mixed method design. Participants were examined using the app over a three month period. Scales from the Health Action Process Approach were utilised to explore relationships among constructs such as self-efficacy, planning and action control in relation to exercise initiation and behaviour. The DASS and SF-8 were used to examine mood and well-being, respectively. Amount of exercise completed over time was also recorded.
Overall, exercise increased within the sample. However, the researcher regarded the app as a starting point, as only one participant used the app for the entire usage period. For most participants, using the app prompted them to do exercise without the app and discover other options for exercise.
To improve the Couch to 5k app it was recommended that the guide to achieve running 5 kilometres extend to a period of 10-12 weeks instead of 8, consider combining the Couch to 5k app with the adjunct Couch to 10k app and use techniques to aid self-regulation and monitoring that smartphones are capable of such as accelerometry, GPS tracking and alerts and reminders.

year: 2016

title: Protected cycle lanes and cyclists’ behaviour and perceptions of safety

authors: Knight, Alexandra Rose

subjects: Bicycle infrastructure

abstract: Due to the climate crisis, and many other benefits associated with cycling, governments worldwide have been advised to increase their country’s cycling mode share. However, in many places, including New Zealand, cycling rates are still low. Research has determined that a central barrier to cycling in countries with low cycling rates is the perception cycling is unsafe. Unfortunately, this perception is accurate in many places, including New Zealand. Protected cycle lanes (PCLs) are a possible solution to both problems; research shows that people tend to feel safer in them, and, in many places, they improve crash rates for cyclists. However, some studies have found conflicting results regarding PCLs’ safety benefits. A possible reason crash rates increase in some places is that cyclists travel faster in them due to either a decreased mental workload or from feeling safer. The theories underpinning the hypothesis were Fuller’s Task-Capability Interface model of driving behaviour and Summala’s Zero-Risk Theory. Two studies were performed to see if PCLs improve measures related to use (like perceptions of safety) in New Zealand and if bicyclists’ speeds increase relative to painted cycle lanes. These studies were an online questionnaire and an on-road experiment with a post-ride questionnaire.  The studies found that cyclists in New Zealand felt safer on PCLs, were more willing to allow their children to bike on them, showed less concern towards hazards, and believed they would experience less dread in coming up to them than on painted bike lanes. Additionally, a relationship between physical separation and increased speed was not found. In terms of theory, a consistent relationship between feeling safe or having a lower mental workload and speed was not observed either. Further research is required to reassess the latter two findings as this study was the first of its kind, and environmental factors may have affected the results. However, so far, the findings are promising that PCLs are a good (and safe) intervention to increase cycling rates in New Zealand.

text: Protected cycle lanes and cyclists’ behaviour and perceptions of safety Due to the climate crisis, and many other benefits associated with cycling, governments worldwide have been advised to increase their country’s cycling mode share. However, in many places, including New Zealand, cycling rates are still low. Research has determined that a central barrier to cycling in countries with low cycling rates is the perception cycling is unsafe. Unfortunately, this perception is accurate in many places, including New Zealand. Protected cycle lanes (PCLs) are a possible solution to both problems; research shows that people tend to feel safer in them, and, in many places, they improve crash rates for cyclists. However, some studies have found conflicting results regarding PCLs’ safety benefits. A possible reason crash rates increase in some places is that cyclists travel faster in them due to either a decreased mental workload or from feeling safer. The theories underpinning the hypothesis were Fuller’s Task-Capability Interface model of driving behaviour and Summala’s Zero-Risk Theory. Two studies were performed to see if PCLs improve measures related to use (like perceptions of safety) in New Zealand and if bicyclists’ speeds increase relative to painted cycle lanes. These studies were an online questionnaire and an on-road experiment with a post-ride questionnaire.  The studies found that cyclists in New Zealand felt safer on PCLs, were more willing to allow their children to bike on them, showed less concern towards hazards, and believed they would experience less dread in coming up to them than on painted bike lanes. Additionally, a relationship between physical separation and increased speed was not found. In terms of theory, a consistent relationship between feeling safe or having a lower mental workload and speed was not observed either. Further research is required to reassess the latter two findings as this study was the first of its kind, and environmental factors may have affected the results. However, so far, the findings are promising that PCLs are a good (and safe) intervention to increase cycling rates in New Zealand.

year: 2021

title: When Two Worlds Collide: Mātauranga Māori, Science and Health of the Toreparu Wetland

authors: Robb, Mahuru Joyce Gordon

subjects: Mātauranga Māori

abstract: Much of our understanding of wetland health and function comes from scientific-based monitoring and methodologies. However, there is a wealth of knowledge to be gained from Māori-value based assessment methods for monitoring wetlands in New Zealand. I used the Wetland Cultural Health Index (WCHI) and a variety of scientific wetland survey methods to examine how these two approaches complement each other. For this research, I worked with the people from Mōtakotako marae at the Toreparu wetland (Waikato), developing a set of site specific cultural indicators. 
Comparative analysis revealed a range of similarities and differences between the WCHI indices and scientific parameters. We found that as Wetland Cultural Health Measure (WCHM) scores increased, there was also an increase in dissolved oxygen concentration, SQMCI-sb values, and total nitrogen concentrations. Cultural indices provided an overall indication of site health. It was apparent, however, that scores of contributing indicators could vary markedly at any one site. As such, high scores for some indicators (e.g., vegetation values) may obscure low values for other variables (e.g., water quality), providing an index that depicts site health as being of average condition. 
Capacity and resourcing issues were also highlighted as being an issue for Māori to be able to successfully carry out wetland monitoring, but also for staff in councils and other research and environmental governing bodies to build and maintain relationships with tangata whenua. Other challenges around site access provided a unique opportunity to develop and trial new WCHI assessment techniques. The use of video assessment to carry out WCHI monitoring was of varying success. Indicators that could be scored by visual assessment were useful, but indicators that relied on sound or felt sensation were difficult to assess. The use of mauri (life force) as an indicator had benefits when applied to the whole catchment, but the volunteer participants challenged its validity when used at the smaller site scale. Volunteers found assigning a numerical value to mauri very difficult, and felt that reducing mauri to a single number may diminish the significance of this holistic and metaphysical concept.  Mauri has been used successfully as a measure of environmental health but it is important to communicate and understand what mauri is and why it is measured.
Overall, the WCHI provided a wealth of information that could not be captured through scientific sampling, such as the presence of dye source, loss of bird/fish species and baseline information on the past condition of the Toreparu before the surrounding land was converted for agricultural use. This confirms that our understanding of wetland health is enhanced through the inclusion of cultural values.
As the New Zealand government and Māori move towards a future of collaborative research and management of freshwater ecosystems, there is a need for greater understanding around cultural values and priorities. By using both scientific and Māori-value based wetland monitoring methods, Māori can articulate a range of values, goals and priorities to help inform environmental decision makers and empower iwi and hapū to have a meaningful and sustainable role in the management of wetlands.  There needs to be a foundation of mutual understanding and relationships built between environmental governing bodies and Māori for the future success of collaborative research and management of New Zealand's wetlands.

text: When Two Worlds Collide: Mātauranga Māori, Science and Health of the Toreparu Wetland Much of our understanding of wetland health and function comes from scientific-based monitoring and methodologies. However, there is a wealth of knowledge to be gained from Māori-value based assessment methods for monitoring wetlands in New Zealand. I used the Wetland Cultural Health Index (WCHI) and a variety of scientific wetland survey methods to examine how these two approaches complement each other. For this research, I worked with the people from Mōtakotako marae at the Toreparu wetland (Waikato), developing a set of site specific cultural indicators. 
Comparative analysis revealed a range of similarities and differences between the WCHI indices and scientific parameters. We found that as Wetland Cultural Health Measure (WCHM) scores increased, there was also an increase in dissolved oxygen concentration, SQMCI-sb values, and total nitrogen concentrations. Cultural indices provided an overall indication of site health. It was apparent, however, that scores of contributing indicators could vary markedly at any one site. As such, high scores for some indicators (e.g., vegetation values) may obscure low values for other variables (e.g., water quality), providing an index that depicts site health as being of average condition. 
Capacity and resourcing issues were also highlighted as being an issue for Māori to be able to successfully carry out wetland monitoring, but also for staff in councils and other research and environmental governing bodies to build and maintain relationships with tangata whenua. Other challenges around site access provided a unique opportunity to develop and trial new WCHI assessment techniques. The use of video assessment to carry out WCHI monitoring was of varying success. Indicators that could be scored by visual assessment were useful, but indicators that relied on sound or felt sensation were difficult to assess. The use of mauri (life force) as an indicator had benefits when applied to the whole catchment, but the volunteer participants challenged its validity when used at the smaller site scale. Volunteers found assigning a numerical value to mauri very difficult, and felt that reducing mauri to a single number may diminish the significance of this holistic and metaphysical concept.  Mauri has been used successfully as a measure of environmental health but it is important to communicate and understand what mauri is and why it is measured.
Overall, the WCHI provided a wealth of information that could not be captured through scientific sampling, such as the presence of dye source, loss of bird/fish species and baseline information on the past condition of the Toreparu before the surrounding land was converted for agricultural use. This confirms that our understanding of wetland health is enhanced through the inclusion of cultural values.
As the New Zealand government and Māori move towards a future of collaborative research and management of freshwater ecosystems, there is a need for greater understanding around cultural values and priorities. By using both scientific and Māori-value based wetland monitoring methods, Māori can articulate a range of values, goals and priorities to help inform environmental decision makers and empower iwi and hapū to have a meaningful and sustainable role in the management of wetlands.  There needs to be a foundation of mutual understanding and relationships built between environmental governing bodies and Māori for the future success of collaborative research and management of New Zealand's wetlands.

year: 2014