Nicola D Ridgers
Biographic Data
| ID | 2749099 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Nicola D Ridgers |
| GIVEN NAMES | Nicola D |
| FAMILY NAME | Ridgers |
| SIGNATURE | RIDGERS N D |
| AFFILIATIONS | Deakin University |
| ORCID | 0000-0001-5713-3515 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 30 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 19 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 30 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2007 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 2 |
Exploring LGBTQ+ people’s perception of belonging in sport and leisure
Influence of park visitation on physical activity, well-being and social connectedness among Australians during Covid-19
This cross-sectional study examined associations of park visitation with physical activity (PA), well-being, and social connectedness among 1089 participants during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. In August 2020, adolescents and adults in Australia self-reported demographics, usual park visitation, frequency and duration of park visits, PA, well-being and social connectedness. Multilevel linear regression models examined associations of pa…
The association between device-measured sitting time and cardiometabolic health risk factors in children
Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12609000715279
Everything kind of revolves around technology”: A qualitative exploration of families’ screen use experiences, and intervention suggestions
Families are experiencing challenges in managing the complex balance between the increased need for screens and the impact it has on the family. These findings provide valuable parent and child insights to assist in developing screen time management programs that are created with an understanding of the needs and challenges of families
When You Move You Have Fun: Perceived Barriers, and Facilitators of Physical Activity From a Child's Perspective
In Northern Ireland (NI), many children do not meet the recommended levels of physical activity (PA). To reduce the prevalence of physical inactivity and associated health conditions, it is important to understand the influences on children's PA, which in turn has the potential to inform future intervention design. The purpose of this formative study was to examine the current views, barriers, facilitators, experiences, and perceptions of childre…
Foundational Movement Skills and Play Behaviors during Recess among Preschool Children: A Compositional Analysis
This study aimed to examine the associations between play behaviors during preschool recess and foundational movement skills (FMS) in typically developing preschool children. One hundred and thirty-three children (55% male; mean age 4.7 ± 0.5 years) from twelve preschools were video-assessed for six locomotor and six object-control FMS using the Champs Motor Skill Protocol. A modified System for Observing Children's Activity and Relationships dur…
Changes in Families’ Leisure, Educational/Work and Social Screen Time Behaviours before and during Covid-19 in Australia: Findings from the Our Life at Home Study
This study aimed to understand differences in leisure, educational/work and social screen time behaviours experienced by parents and children due to COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, which may inform behaviour change strategies and policy in the transition to a COVID-normal life. Participants in the "Our Life at Home" study ( n = 218 parents from Australia, 43.4 ± 6.8 years, 88% female) completed a cross-sectional online survey in April/May 2020. P…
Validity of Items Assessing Self-Reported Number of Breaks in Sitting Time among Children and Adolescents
Background : Sedentary behaviour guidelines recommend that individuals should regularly break up sitting time. Accurately monitoring such breaks is needed to inform guidelines concerning how regularly to break up sitting time and to evaluate intervention effects. We investigated the concurrent validity of three "UP4FUN child questionnaire" items assessing the number of breaks in sitting time among children and adolescents. Methods : Fifty-seven c…
Impacts of a Standing Desk Intervention within an English Primary School Classroom: A Pilot Controlled Trial
Traditional classroom furniture dictates that children predominantly sit during class time. This study evaluated the impact of providing standing desks within a deprived UK primary school setting over 8 months using mixed-method approaches. All children within a Year 5 class (9-10-year-olds, n = 30) received an adjustable sit-stand desk, while another Year 5 class ( n = 30) in a nearby school retained traditional furniture as a control classroom.…
Cross-Sectional Associations of Total Daily Volume and Activity Patterns across the Activity Spectrum with Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Children and Adolescents
Sedentary and physical activity patterns (bouts/breaks) may be important for cardiometabolic health in early life. This study aimed to examine cross-sectional associations of total daily volume and patterns across the activity spectrum with cardiometabolic risk factors in youth aged 7-13 years. Objectively measured accelerometer and cardiometabolic risk factor data were pooled from two studies ( n = 1219; 69% valid accelerometry). Total daily vol…
Designing Activating Schoolyards: Seen from the Girls’ Viewpoint
Girls are typically less active in the schoolyard during recess than boys. It is therefore necessary to understand influences on girls' recess activity in schoolyards. The aim of this qualitative study was to investigate girls' perceptions of physical environmental factors influencing recess physical activity in re-designed schoolyards and to compare the perceptions of girls from different age groups. In 2018, 50 girls from five Danish schools we…
From Surveillance to Intervention: Overview and Baseline Findings for the Active City of Liverpool Active Schools and SportsLinx (A-CLASS) Project
This paper outlines the implementation of a programme of work that started with the development of a population-level children's health, fitness and lifestyle study in 1996 (SportsLinx) leading to selected interventions one of which is described in detail: the Active City of Liverpool, Active Schools and SportsLinx (A-CLASS) Project. The A-CLASS Project aimed to quantify the effectiveness of structured and unstructured physical activity (PA) prog…
The Impact of Heat Exposure and Sleep Restriction on Firefighters’ Work Performance and Physiology during Simulated Wildfire Suppression
This study was designed to examine the effects of ambient heat on firefighters' physical task performance, and physiological and perceptual responses when sleep restricted during simulated wildfire conditions. Thirty firefighters were randomly allocated to the sleep restricted ( n = 17, SR; 19 °C, 4-h sleep opportunity) or hot and sleep restricted ( n = 13, HOT + SR; 33 °C, 4-h sleep opportunity) condition. Firefighters performed two days of simu…
A cluster-randomised controlled trial to promote physical activity in adolescents: The Raising Awareness of Physical Activity (RAW-PA) Study
Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry No: ACTRN12616000899448 . Date of registration: July 7, 2016
Correlates of Gross Motor Competence in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Impact of an 8-Month Trial Using Height-Adjustable Desks on Children’s Classroom Sitting Patterns and Markers of Cardio-Metabolic and Musculoskeletal Health
During school hours, children can sit for prolonged and unbroken periods of time. This study investigated the impact of an 8-month classroom-based intervention focusing on reducing and breaking-up sitting time on children's cardio-metabolic risk factors (i.e., body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure) and perceptions of musculoskeletal discomfort. Two Year-6 classes (24 students per class) in one primary school were assigned to either…
Firefighters’ Physical Activity across Multiple Shifts of Planned Burn Work
Little is currently known about the physical activity patterns of workers in physically demanding populations. The aims of this study were to (a) quantify firefighters' physical activity and sedentary time within (2-h periods) and across planned burn shifts; and (b) examine whether firefighters' activity levels during one shift or 2-h period was associated with their activity levels in the following shift or 2-h period. Thirty-four salaried firef…
Origins of perceived physical education ability and worth among English adolescents
Predisposing factors of perceived physical education (PE) ability and perceived PE worth within the Youth Physical Activity Promotion Model are positively associated with young people’s daily physical activity. The aim of this study was to qualitatively investigate the origins of students’ perceived PE ability (perceived competence and self-esteem) and perceived PE worth (attitude and enjoyment). Fifty-three PE students, aged 12–14 years (mean = …
Physical activity guidelines and cardiovascular risk in children: A cross sectional analysis to determine whether 60 minutes is enough
Achievement of current guidelines has positive effects on body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness, but not CCVR. Vigorous physical activity appears to have beneficial effects on CVD risk, independent of moderate PA, implying a more prescriptive approach may be needed for future VPA guidelines
Tracking of maternal self-efficacy for limiting young children’s television viewing and associations with children’s television viewing time: A longitudinal analysis over 15-months
Interventions to increase and maintain maternal self-efficacy for limiting children's television viewing time may result in lower rates of this behaviour amongst toddlers. Maternal and child characteristics may need to be considered when tailoring interventions
Within- and between-day associations between children’s sitting and physical activity time
The direction of the results suggest that children appeared to compensate for increased sitting, standing, and stepping time both within- and between-days. The implications of such associations for the design and delivery of interventions require consideration
Parents’ and children’s views on whether active video games are a substitute for the ‘real thing’
Background: Research has examined the energy cost associated with playing seated and active video games (AVGs), but not whether AVGs may benefit fundamental movement skills (FMS) in typically developing children. Improving FMS proficiency is a priority given its association with physical activity. This study aimed to identify children’s and parents’ perceptions of: (1) AVGs as a tool for developing FMS and (2) whether any skills gained during AVG…
Objectively assessed recess physical activity in girls and boys from high and low socioeconomic backgrounds
Differences were observed in recess physical activity levels according to socioeconomic background and sex. These results indicate that recess interventions should target children in low-SES schools
Physical Activity During School Recess
Differences between 9–11 year old British Pakistani and White British girls in physical activity and behavior during school recess
British Pakistani girls were less active than White British girls during school recess. Recess has been identified as a potentially important target for the delivery of physical activity interventions; such interventions should consider ways in which the activity levels of British Pakistani girls could be increased
Encouraging play in the natural environment: A child-focused case study of Forest School
There is concern that children are becoming disengaged from the natural environment and are not being afforded the opportunities to play in such environments. To examine children's perceptions, knowledge and experiences of play in the natural environment, 17 children from one school participated in small focus groups before and after a 12-week Forest School that took place within a school woodland area. Using two qualitative approaches, we found …
When You Move You Have Fun: Perceived Barriers, and Facilitators of Physical Activity From a Child's Perspective
In Northern Ireland (NI), many children do not meet the recommended levels of physical activity (PA). To reduce the prevalence of physical inactivity and associated health conditions, it is important to understand the influences on children's PA, which in turn has the potential to inform future intervention design. The purpose of this formative study was to examine the current views, barriers, facilitators, experiences, and perceptions of childre…
Origins of perceived physical education ability and worth among English adolescents
Predisposing factors of perceived physical education (PE) ability and perceived PE worth within the Youth Physical Activity Promotion Model are positively associated with young people’s daily physical activity. The aim of this study was to qualitatively investigate the origins of students’ perceived PE ability (perceived competence and self-esteem) and perceived PE worth (attitude and enjoyment). Fifty-three PE students, aged 12–14 years (mean = …
Am I able? Is it worth it?’ Adolescent girls’ motivational predispositions to school physical education: Associations with health-enhancing physical activity
The study purpose was to investigate predictive associations between adolescent girls’ motivational predispositions to physical education (PE) and habitual physical activity. Two hundred girls (age 13.1 ± 0.6 years) completed the Physical Education Predisposition Scale and the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children. ANCOVAs revealed that girls with the highest Perceived PE Worth and Perceived PE Ability scores were the most habitually…
Perceptions of athletic competence and fear of negative evaluation during physical education
Background. Physical education (PE) aims to enhance self-esteem, develop sporting interests and to encourage a physically active life-style. However, little is known about how a fear of negative evaluation (FNE), the socially evaluative aspect of social anxiety, affects children's attitudes to PE.Aim. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationships between perceived athletic competence and FNE within PE lessons, specifically looking at …
Perceptions of athletic competence and fear of negative evaluation during physical education
Background. Physical education (PE) aims to enhance self-esteem, develop sporting interests and to encourage a physically active life-style. However, little is known about how a fear of negative evaluation (FNE), the socially evaluative aspect of social anxiety, affects children's attitudes to PE.Aim. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationships between perceived athletic competence and FNE within PE lessons, specifically looking at …
Using formative research to develop CHANGE: A curriculum-based physical activity promoting intervention
ISRCTN: ISRCTN03863885
Physical Activity During School Recess
Differences between 9–11 year old British Pakistani and White British girls in physical activity and behavior during school recess
British Pakistani girls were less active than White British girls during school recess. Recess has been identified as a potentially important target for the delivery of physical activity interventions; such interventions should consider ways in which the activity levels of British Pakistani girls could be increased
School day segmented physical activity patterns of high and low active children
HIGH active children achieved significantly more MPA and VPA than LOW active during four of the five segments of the school day when analyses were adjusted for potential correlates. Physical activity promotion strategies targeting low active children during discretionary physical activity segments of the day, and particularly via structured afterschool physical activity programs may be beneficial
Encouraging play in the natural environment: A child-focused case study of Forest School
There is concern that children are becoming disengaged from the natural environment and are not being afforded the opportunities to play in such environments. To examine children's perceptions, knowledge and experiences of play in the natural environment, 17 children from one school participated in small focus groups before and after a 12-week Forest School that took place within a school woodland area. Using two qualitative approaches, we found …
Am I able? Is it worth it?’ Adolescent girls’ motivational predispositions to school physical education: Associations with health-enhancing physical activity
The study purpose was to investigate predictive associations between adolescent girls’ motivational predispositions to physical education (PE) and habitual physical activity. Two hundred girls (age 13.1 ± 0.6 years) completed the Physical Education Predisposition Scale and the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children. ANCOVAs revealed that girls with the highest Perceived PE Worth and Perceived PE Ability scores were the most habitually…
Parents’ and children’s views on whether active video games are a substitute for the ‘real thing’
Background: Research has examined the energy cost associated with playing seated and active video games (AVGs), but not whether AVGs may benefit fundamental movement skills (FMS) in typically developing children. Improving FMS proficiency is a priority given its association with physical activity. This study aimed to identify children’s and parents’ perceptions of: (1) AVGs as a tool for developing FMS and (2) whether any skills gained during AVG…
Objectively assessed recess physical activity in girls and boys from high and low socioeconomic backgrounds
Differences were observed in recess physical activity levels according to socioeconomic background and sex. These results indicate that recess interventions should target children in low-SES schools
Physical activity guidelines and cardiovascular risk in children: A cross sectional analysis to determine whether 60 minutes is enough
Achievement of current guidelines has positive effects on body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness, but not CCVR. Vigorous physical activity appears to have beneficial effects on CVD risk, independent of moderate PA, implying a more prescriptive approach may be needed for future VPA guidelines
Tracking of maternal self-efficacy for limiting young children’s television viewing and associations with children’s television viewing time: A longitudinal analysis over 15-months
Interventions to increase and maintain maternal self-efficacy for limiting children's television viewing time may result in lower rates of this behaviour amongst toddlers. Maternal and child characteristics may need to be considered when tailoring interventions
Within- and between-day associations between children’s sitting and physical activity time
The direction of the results suggest that children appeared to compensate for increased sitting, standing, and stepping time both within- and between-days. The implications of such associations for the design and delivery of interventions require consideration
Correlates of Gross Motor Competence in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Impact of an 8-Month Trial Using Height-Adjustable Desks on Children’s Classroom Sitting Patterns and Markers of Cardio-Metabolic and Musculoskeletal Health
During school hours, children can sit for prolonged and unbroken periods of time. This study investigated the impact of an 8-month classroom-based intervention focusing on reducing and breaking-up sitting time on children's cardio-metabolic risk factors (i.e., body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure) and perceptions of musculoskeletal discomfort. Two Year-6 classes (24 students per class) in one primary school were assigned to either…
Firefighters’ Physical Activity across Multiple Shifts of Planned Burn Work
Little is currently known about the physical activity patterns of workers in physically demanding populations. The aims of this study were to (a) quantify firefighters' physical activity and sedentary time within (2-h periods) and across planned burn shifts; and (b) examine whether firefighters' activity levels during one shift or 2-h period was associated with their activity levels in the following shift or 2-h period. Thirty-four salaried firef…
Origins of perceived physical education ability and worth among English adolescents
Predisposing factors of perceived physical education (PE) ability and perceived PE worth within the Youth Physical Activity Promotion Model are positively associated with young people’s daily physical activity. The aim of this study was to qualitatively investigate the origins of students’ perceived PE ability (perceived competence and self-esteem) and perceived PE worth (attitude and enjoyment). Fifty-three PE students, aged 12–14 years (mean = …
The Impact of Heat Exposure and Sleep Restriction on Firefighters’ Work Performance and Physiology during Simulated Wildfire Suppression
This study was designed to examine the effects of ambient heat on firefighters' physical task performance, and physiological and perceptual responses when sleep restricted during simulated wildfire conditions. Thirty firefighters were randomly allocated to the sleep restricted ( n = 17, SR; 19 °C, 4-h sleep opportunity) or hot and sleep restricted ( n = 13, HOT + SR; 33 °C, 4-h sleep opportunity) condition. Firefighters performed two days of simu…
A cluster-randomised controlled trial to promote physical activity in adolescents: The Raising Awareness of Physical Activity (RAW-PA) Study
Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry No: ACTRN12616000899448 . Date of registration: July 7, 2016
From Surveillance to Intervention: Overview and Baseline Findings for the Active City of Liverpool Active Schools and SportsLinx (A-CLASS) Project
This paper outlines the implementation of a programme of work that started with the development of a population-level children's health, fitness and lifestyle study in 1996 (SportsLinx) leading to selected interventions one of which is described in detail: the Active City of Liverpool, Active Schools and SportsLinx (A-CLASS) Project. The A-CLASS Project aimed to quantify the effectiveness of structured and unstructured physical activity (PA) prog…
Designing Activating Schoolyards: Seen from the Girls’ Viewpoint
Girls are typically less active in the schoolyard during recess than boys. It is therefore necessary to understand influences on girls' recess activity in schoolyards. The aim of this qualitative study was to investigate girls' perceptions of physical environmental factors influencing recess physical activity in re-designed schoolyards and to compare the perceptions of girls from different age groups. In 2018, 50 girls from five Danish schools we…
Validity of Items Assessing Self-Reported Number of Breaks in Sitting Time among Children and Adolescents
Background : Sedentary behaviour guidelines recommend that individuals should regularly break up sitting time. Accurately monitoring such breaks is needed to inform guidelines concerning how regularly to break up sitting time and to evaluate intervention effects. We investigated the concurrent validity of three "UP4FUN child questionnaire" items assessing the number of breaks in sitting time among children and adolescents. Methods : Fifty-seven c…
Impacts of a Standing Desk Intervention within an English Primary School Classroom: A Pilot Controlled Trial
Traditional classroom furniture dictates that children predominantly sit during class time. This study evaluated the impact of providing standing desks within a deprived UK primary school setting over 8 months using mixed-method approaches. All children within a Year 5 class (9-10-year-olds, n = 30) received an adjustable sit-stand desk, while another Year 5 class ( n = 30) in a nearby school retained traditional furniture as a control classroom.…
Cross-Sectional Associations of Total Daily Volume and Activity Patterns across the Activity Spectrum with Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Children and Adolescents
Sedentary and physical activity patterns (bouts/breaks) may be important for cardiometabolic health in early life. This study aimed to examine cross-sectional associations of total daily volume and patterns across the activity spectrum with cardiometabolic risk factors in youth aged 7-13 years. Objectively measured accelerometer and cardiometabolic risk factor data were pooled from two studies ( n = 1219; 69% valid accelerometry). Total daily vol…
Foundational Movement Skills and Play Behaviors during Recess among Preschool Children: A Compositional Analysis
This study aimed to examine the associations between play behaviors during preschool recess and foundational movement skills (FMS) in typically developing preschool children. One hundred and thirty-three children (55% male; mean age 4.7 ± 0.5 years) from twelve preschools were video-assessed for six locomotor and six object-control FMS using the Champs Motor Skill Protocol. A modified System for Observing Children's Activity and Relationships dur…
Changes in Families’ Leisure, Educational/Work and Social Screen Time Behaviours before and during Covid-19 in Australia: Findings from the Our Life at Home Study
This study aimed to understand differences in leisure, educational/work and social screen time behaviours experienced by parents and children due to COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, which may inform behaviour change strategies and policy in the transition to a COVID-normal life. Participants in the "Our Life at Home" study ( n = 218 parents from Australia, 43.4 ± 6.8 years, 88% female) completed a cross-sectional online survey in April/May 2020. P…
Medicine (24 works) · Physical therapy (20 works) · Psychology (19 works) · Physical activity (18 works) · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet (15 works) · Children's Physical and Motor Development (13 works) · Physical Activity and Health (13 works) · Developmental psychology (10 works) · Biostatistics (9 works) · Demography (8 works)