Meghan Casey

Federation University Australia, School of Health Sciences, Faculty Member

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Papers by Meghan Casey

Developing sport for girls and adolescents

according to many factors, including gender, age and residential location of participants; they a... more according to many factors, including gender, age and residential location of participants; they also vary in terms of the types of sport programmes and other sport and non-sport activities that are available. Women and girls are consistently reported to participate in sport at lower rates than men and boys across the lifespan (Eime, et al., 2016a; Eime, et al., 2018c; Somerset & Hoare, 2018). Girls are also less likely than boys to start participating in sport at a very early age (Eime, et al., 2016b), with a higher proportion of boys than girls participating among children aged 4-7 (Eime, et al., 2016a). Recent research suggests that there are optimum ages of entry into sport that facilitate continued sport participation. In a four-year study of 13,760 girls, the optimal age of entry into junior modified sport programmes for continued participation and transition into club competition was found to be 7-9 years (Eime, et al., 2018b). Another study, which included boys and girls participating in modified sport programmes, reported that the majority of children withdrew from participation in the sport during the four-year period, rather than transitioning from the modified sport programme to club competition (Eime, et al., 2015a). Across the ages 4-12, 24.5% of girls and 13.6% of boys transitioned to club sport competition within the four-year period. Furthermore, two-thirds of children (67.4%) withdrew from participation in their sport after the first year/season of the study (Eime, et al., 2015a). Beyond childhood, many changes occur in participation in sport throughout the lifespan, beginning with a sharp decline during adolescence (Crane & Temple, 2015; Eime, et al., 2016a). While participation in sport is popular amongst young girls, particularly those aged 5-14, after this age, girls often drop out of competitive sport and choose to be physically active in non-competitive forms of leisure-time physical activity, such as going for a run or to the gym, or they become inactive (Eime, et al., 2016c). Girls' participation rates in sport peak at ages 10-14 and then drop by half in the ages of 15-19 years and drop by half again during the ages of 20-24 years (Eime, et al., 2016b). Internationally, girls and boys are more likely to play team sports, whereas adolescents are more likely to participate in non-sport activities such as walking, running and athletics (Hulteen, et al., 2017). Several factors contribute to this drop-off in sport participation. The competitive nature of sport is not attractive to many adolescent girls and some indicate a preference for more social options (Rowe, et al., 2018). Furthermore, some feel that they do not have the necessary sport skills to gain a position in a team (Casey, et al., 2009; Eime, et al., 2015b). The increasing importance of other life priorities may also decrease the capacity or inclination of some to fit in with the organised structures and time commitments imposed by many sports (Eime, et al., 2010). Girls report that increasing levels of school education pressure, socialising with peers, part time work, as well as body image concerns, make engaging in sport more difficult (Rowe, et al., 2018). Some recommendations for retaining adolescent girls in sport include the provision of social sport options, having female-only sessions, keeping friendship groups together, devising strategies to develop sport specific skills, and identifying and promoting women role models (Rowe, et al., 2018). There are also regional differences in participation in sport, with higher rates of participation observed in regional and rural areas compared to metropolitan areas, 20 R. Eime, et al.

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137 Skill based modified sports programs for younger participants: the risk of boredom and drop out

Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 2005

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317 Physically active Koori communities: the results of a partnership approach

Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 2005

A comparative study of physical activity participation by Maori (15% of the population) with the ... more A comparative study of physical activity participation by Maori (15% of the population) with the general population of New Zealand, other indigenous peoples and ethnic minorities was undertaken. Data came from national surveys, reports in the literature and a heart rate monitoring study. Maori adults are as active (670/0 active [2.5 hrs/week threshold]) as the general population of New Zealand (69%). Maori 5-17 year olds are at least as active as the general New Zealander population of 5-17 year olds (Maori 71 %active, general population 68%). This finding was supported by a physiological study of children using heart rate monitoring. There was no significant difference in the minutes/day with heart rate >139 beats/min for 5-11 year old Maori (64 min/day) compared to European (56 mins/ day) children. Maori adults report low levels of sedentary behaviour (12% reporting no leisure-time physical activity) compared to Asian, native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islander Americans (24%), indigenous Australians (400/0), Mexican American women and men (460/0 and 33% respectively) and non-Hispanic black women (40%). Differences in the reported levels of physical inactivity between the different indigenous populations and ethnic minority groups could be accounted for by differences in survey design. The disparities could also be due to cultural differences in Maori and environmental and cultural differences in New Zealand compared to other countries. Conclusions are that Maori, an indigenous population, are at least as active as the general population and exhibit lower levels of sedentary behaviour compared to other indigenous populations and ethnic minorities.

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The relationship of sport participation to provision of sports facilities and socioeconomic status: a geographical analysis

Australian and New Zealand journal of public health, Jan 22, 2017

Ecological models have been applied to investigate multiple domains influencing physical activity... more Ecological models have been applied to investigate multiple domains influencing physical activity behaviour, including individual, social, organisational, community, environmental and policy factors. With regard to the built environment, research to date has been limited to small geographical areas and/or small samples of participants. This study examined the geographical association between provision of sport facilities and participation in sport across an entire Australian state, using objective total enumerations of both, for a group of sports, with adjustment for the effect of socioeconomic status (SES). De-identified membership registration data were obtained from state sport governing bodies of four popular team sports. Associations between participation rate, facility provision rate and SES were investigated using correlation and regression methods. Participation rate was positively associated with provision of facilities, although this was complicated by SES and region effec...

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‘Power, regulation and physically active identities’: the experiences of rural and regional living adolescent girls

Gender and Education, 2015

Drawing on interpretations of Foucault's techniques of power, we explored the discourses and powe... more Drawing on interpretations of Foucault's techniques of power, we explored the discourses and power relations operative between groups of girls that appeared to influence their participation in Physical Education (PE) and outside of school in sport and physical activity (PA) in rural and regional communities. Interviews and focus groups were conducted in eight secondary schools with Year 9 (n=22) and 10 girls (n=116). Dominant gendered and performance discourses were active in shaping girls' construction of what it means to be active or 'sporty', and these identity positions were normalised and valued. The perceived and real threat of their peer's gaze as a form of surveillance acted to further perpetuate the power of performance discourses; whereby girls measured and (self) regulated their participation. Community settings were normalised as being exclusively for skilled performers and girls self-regulated their non-participation according to judgements made about their own physical abilities. These findings raise questions about the ways in which power relations, as forged in broader sociocultural and institutional discourse-power relations, can infiltrate the level of the PE classroom to regulate and normalise practices in relation to theirs, and others, PA participation.

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Linking secondary school physical education with community sport and recreation for girls: a process evaluation

BMC Public Health, 2014

Background: The purpose of this study was to undertake a process evaluation to examine the reach,... more Background: The purpose of this study was to undertake a process evaluation to examine the reach, adoption and implementation of a school-community linked physical activity (PA) program for girls aged 12-15 years (School Years 7-9) using the RE-AIM framework. Methods: Various approaches were used to assess 'reach', 'adoption' and implementation: (a) a school environment survey of intervention schools (n = 6); (b) teacher feedback regarding the professional development component (91.1% response rate) and lesson implementation (60.8% response rate); and (c) post-intervention focus group interviews with physical education (PE) teachers (n = 29), students (n = 125), coaches (n = 13) and instructors (n = 8) regarding program experiences. Results: Reach and Adoption: Seven schools (n = 1491 Year 7-9 female student enrolment; 70% adoption rate), five tennis clubs, eight football clubs and five leisure centres participated in the program during 2011. Implementation: Program design and professional development opportunities (training, resource manual and opportunities to work with coaches and instructors during PE classes) supported implementation and student engagement in PA. However, there was a lack of individual and organisational readiness to adopt program principles. For some deliverers there were deeply embedded ideologies that were not aligned with the Game Sense teaching approach upon which the program was based. Further, cognitive components of the program such as self-management were not widely adopted as other components of the program tended to be prioritised. Conclusion: The program design and resources supported the success of the program, however, some aspects were not implemented as intended, which may have affected the likelihood of achieving further positive outcomes. Barriers to program implementation were identified and should be considered when designing school-community linked interventions. In particular, future programs should seek to assess and adjust for organizational readiness within the study design. For example, shared commitment and abilities of program deliverers to implement the program needs to be determined to support program implementation.

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Sport participation trends: 2001–2010

Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 2014

Socioecological factors potentially associated with participation in physical activity and sport: A longitudinal study of adolescent girls

Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 2015

Objectives: Many adolescents are not physically active enough to receive associated health benefi... more Objectives: Many adolescents are not physically active enough to receive associated health benefits. Furthermore, participation in physical activity generally declines during adolescence, and to a greater degree for females. Longitudinal research is required to better understand the determinants of change in physical activity by adolescent females to inform physical activity-related policy and practice. This study explored patterns of change in socioecological factors hypothesised to be associated with physical activity and sport, across the adolescent period for females. Methods: This longitudinal study employed three annual surveys of females from metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas recruited in Year 7 (n = 328) and Year 11 (n = 112). Self-report measures included questions regarding general barriers to participation, as well as factors relating to the socioecological domains. Results: The barriers where significant changes within or differences between cohorts were observed were mostly intrapersonal (lack of energy, lack of time due to other leisure activities). Lack of time was more prevalent in the Year 11 cohort than in the Year 7 cohort. Perceived importance of life priorities mainly related to education and study and more so for the Year 11 cohort. Perceived competence declined for the Year 7 cohort. Support from family and peers trended downwards in both cohorts, whereas access to facilities increased both within and between cohorts. Conclusions: Significant patterns of change in the determinants of physical activity participation were observed across the adolescent period. It is important to consider flexible structure and scheduling of physical activity and strategies to develop competency in childhood and early adolescence.

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Triple G (Girls Get Going): Design of an intervention to foster and promote sport and physical activity among adolescent girls

Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 2011

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Effectiveness of a program for adolescent girls linking physical education with community sport and recreation

Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 2013

An evaluation of a school community-linked sport and recreation program for adolescent girls

Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 2013

Physical activity, sport and health in the City of Brimbank

Sport and Recreation Spatial (SRS) is a collaborative venture of Federation University and Victor... more

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Piecing the puzzle together: case studies of international research in health-promoting sports clubs

Global Health Promotion, 2016

This paper seeks to review the current international health-promoting sports club (HPSC) research... more This paper seeks to review the current international health-promoting sports club (HPSC) research, drawing together findings based on case studies from various countries to illustrate the status of HPSCs. In addition, future challenges for HPSC research and implementation are considered. The review includes six case studies from five countries. In summary, there are two major research themes in this area, namely ‘research into HPSC activity’ and ‘research into HPSC networks’. The first theme investigates the extent to which sports clubs and/or national sports organisations invest in health promotion (HP) – both in policy and practice. The latter theme is driven by an intention to widen the scope of HPSCs to reach novel internal actors, like parents, siblings, etc., and/or external non-sporting bodies, like communities, schools, etc. The future challenges for HPSC research require a better understanding of the motives, barriers and capacities of sports clubs and coaches. Sports organ...

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Drama based health education : schools and agencies building student resilience through partnership

Proceedings of the Australian Health Promotion Association 19th National Conference Walking the Talk Together Partnerships For Health Promotion, 2010

Examining changes in the organisational capacity and sport-related health promotion policies and practices of State Sporting Organizations

Http Dx Doi Org 10 1080 11745398 2012 719213, Oct 9, 2012

ABSTRACT http://www.tandfonline.com/eprint/rjRh9PWegKPQzRjUPg6Q/full

Triple g: girls get going in tennis, in football, and at the YMCA

Engaging community sport and recreation organisations in population health interventions: Factors affecting the formation, implementation, and institutionalisation of partnerships efforts

Annals of Leisure Research, 2009

... Meghan M. Casey, Warren R. Payne, Sue J. Brown, Rochelle M. Eime, School of Human Movement an... more

Triple G girls get going in tennis : resource manual

Age profiles of sport participants

BMC sports science, medicine and rehabilitation, 2016

Participation in sport has many health benefits, and is popular amongst children. However partici... more Participation in sport has many health benefits, and is popular amongst children. However participation decreases with age. While the membership records of peak sports organisations have improved markedly in recent years, there has been little research into sport participation trends across the lifespan. This study investigates age profiles of participation in sport and compares these trends between genders and residential locations. De-identified 2011 participant registration data for seven popular Australian sports (Australian Football, Basketball, Cricket, Hockey, Lawn Bowls, Netball and Tennis) were obtained and analysed according to age, gender and geographical location (metropolitan v non-metropolitan) within the state of Victoria, Australia. All data were integrated and sports were analysed collectively to produce broadly based participation profiles while maintaining confidentiality of membership data for individual sports. The total number of registered participants include...

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Partnership and capacity-building strategies in community sports and recreation programs

Http Dx Doi Org 10 1080 13606710902944938, Jun 16, 2009

and-conditions-of-access.pdf This article may be used for research, teaching and private study pu... more and-conditions-of-access.pdf This article may be used for research, teaching and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution , reselling , loan or sub-licensing, systematic supply or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. The publisher does not give any warranty express or implied or make any representation that the contents will be complete or accurate or up to date. The accuracy of any instructions, formulae and drug doses should be independently verified with primary sources. The publisher shall not be liable for any loss, actions, claims, proceedings, demand or costs or damages whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with or arising out of the use of this material.

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