Dietary calcium has been shown to have a direct, positive effect on fat oxidation. Calcium (Ca) channel blockers are a class of medications used in the treatment of heart disease and its symptoms. The medication works to decrease the oxygen demand and load on the heart by inhibiting Ca ion influx across cardiac and smooth muscle cells. However, if these medications have a similar impact on skeletal muscle cells, the result could be a decrease in overall metabolism, and the corresponding non-desirable affects of that condition. PURPOSE: To compare resting energy expenditure (REE) of persons taking a Ca-channel blocking medication, amlodipine (AM), with that of a group taking a beta-blocking medication, metoprolol (MET), and with a third group of control (CON) subjects taking neither medication. METHODS: Atotal of 28 individuals (13 males, 15 females) volunteered to participate in the study. Subjects were assigned to one of thre e groups based on the medication regimen recommended by their personal physician: AM (N=7), MET (N=9), and CON (N=12). Participants ranged in age from 45–73 years (56.9 + 7.2). Persons using nicotine or illegal drugs, or having diabetes were ineligible to participate. Subjects reported to the laboratory after a 12-hr overnight fast with no caffeine and no alcohol consumption or exercise 48 hrs prior. REE was measured through indirect calorimetry (ParvoMedics, Sandy, UT). Body composition was assessed by skinfold technique and dietary Ca intake was determined through a 24-hr recall. The 24-hr REE was calculated from the last 3 min of the 15-min data collection period, then divided by lean body mass (LBM) to determine daily kcal requirements/ LBM (kcal/day/LBM). Group means and standard deviations were analyzed using t-tests and one-way ANOVA. RESULTS: No significant different was found between groups for variables of age, 24-hour kcal consumption, Ca intake, and LBM. REE for CON (11.28 ± 1.69 kcal/ day/LBM) was less (p <0.05) than that of AM (12.81 ± .27 kcal/day/LBM) and of MET (12.60 ± 1.51 kcal/day/LBM). CONCLUSIONS: There was a difference in REE between persons taking AM or MET compared to CON. However, due to the small N in this study, it is recommended that the cause of these differences be further evaluated.
Background and Purpose: Although physical activity (PA) is important for all ages including older adults, participation may be influenced by weather variation and access to programming. Our primary aim was determine if PA participation is influenced by season and place of residence. A secondary aim was to compare objective and subjective measure of PA participation. Methods: Participants included older individuals (age>65) living in a residential retirement community (RR) with access to an on-site fitness facility (n=7) and additional volunteers (n=9) who lived at home and traveled to exercise at a nonresidential community (NR) activities center Accelerometers were used to measure daily PA during the summer and again during the winter. Results: PA for the NR group was higher in the summer (268.4�73.7 min vs. RR=186.8�68.0, p=0.039), but not in the winter (NR=261.8�92.6 min, RR=182.0�72.5, p=0.082). No within-group change in PA was noted from summer to winter for either group (p>0.05). The correlation between subjective and objective measures of PA was low (r=.262). Conclusion: Access to appropriate facilities and programming serves to help older individuals maintain PA levels despite seasonal weather variations. The low correlation between objective and subjective measures suggest a need to re-evaluate methods of tracking PA participation by older adults.
While benefits of exercise after a cardiac event are well documented, participation in and adherence to cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs is often low. PURPOSE: To test the effectiveness of a self-efficacy coaching intervention (SCI): a simple theory-based behavioral intervention to increase self-efficacy for independent exercise as well as independent exercise behavior in CR patients. It was hypothesized that persons receiving the SCI treatment (T) would have higher levels of self-efficacy for exercise and greater participation in independent exercise than those in an attention control (C) group. METHODS: People referred to a hospital-based CR program by their physician were invited to participate in the study (N = 65). Participants were assigned to either T or C groups which were randomly designated by class time. The SCI was administered every two weeks by CR staff as a supplement to standard CR care. Patients in the T group received coaching about independent exercise, patients in the C group received coaching matched for time and technique but covering information about healthy eating. Self-efficacy for independent exercise was assessed at the beginning and end of the supervised CR program with an Exercise Self-Efficacy (ESE) scale and a Barriers Self-Efficacy (BARSE) scale. Participation in independent exercise was determined by self-report with activity logs. Outcome differences between and within T and C groups were analyzed through one-way ANOVA. RESULTS: Differences between groups were not statistically significant (p >.10) for any outcome variable. Significant within groups changes (p <.05) were seen for BARSE change in the T group, and for independent exercise change in both groups. Analysis of covariance suggested an independent effect of gender on change in ESE and BARSE scores, and an independent effect of previous exercise on exercise change. CONCLUSIONS: This study adds to the limited body of knowledge about theory-based interventions in CR programs and takes an important step in translating self-efficacy theory into a simple, practical application that will promote maintenance of lifestyle changes in this population. Further study is needed to see if the changes translate into maintenance of independent exercise behavior after completion of a formal CR program.
Adherence to independent exercise is an essential outcome of cardiac rehabilitation (CR), yet limited theory-based interventions to improve adherence exist. This study tested the effects of an intervention based on Bandura's conceptualization of self-efficacy. The self-efficacy coaching intervention (SCI), a supplement to standard care, was designed to increase self-efficacy for independent exercise and independent exercise behavior in CR. We examined whether the SCI vs. attention control (AC) resulted in improved exercise self-efficacy (ESE), barriers self-efficacy (BARSE), and minutes of independent exercise for CR participants (n = 65). While between-group differences did not reach significance (p > .10) for any of the outcome measures, significant within-group changes were noted in BARSE scores and independent exercise (p < .001) for the SCI group. Change in independent exercise for the AC group was also significant (p =. 006). Further study is needed to explore whether short-term changes translate into maintenance of independent exercise participation after program completion.
Millions of athletes participate in the sport of track and field annually. Coaches at all levels are interested in identifying the athletes who have the potential to become top performers. While a number of tests have been used to analyze performance potential in running events, similar tests for jumping events do not exist. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine whether standing vertical jump test results could be used to predict performance in long jump, triple jump, and high jump events in track and field. METHODS: Fifty-seven Division II student athletes (27 males, 34 females) agreed to participate. Pre-season vertical jump scores were recorded by coaches. Season-best performances in long jump, triple jump and high jump were collected from meet results. Regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between vertical jump and performance in the various jumping events and to develop prediction equations. Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval was granted for this study. RESULTS: Vertical jump was shown to account for 72% of the variability in the long jump, 71% of the variability in the triple jump, and 51% of the variability in the high jump. These relationships were significant (p<.01). CONCLUSIONS: There is a correlation between vertical jump scores and track and field jumping performance. While other variables will also contribute to success in the jumping events, this simple test could be used by coaches as one predictor of performance potential.
The gold standard for determining aerobic fitness is VO2max testing, a time-consuming test which requires expensive equipment. The Yo-Yo Intermittent shuttle test is a field test purported to provide a more soccer-specific estimate of aerobic fitness, but its validity varies with the population being tested. PURPOSE: To determine whether the addition of anthropometric measures and body composition data would strengthen the predictability of the Original Yo-Yo (YYO) test for estimating VO2max for collegiate women soccer players. METHODS: Division II female soccer players who completed fitness assessments as part of their normal pre-season evaluation were invited to participate. Thirty-one women (18-23 yrs) consented and 29 completed assessments. Fitness assessments were conducted during fall camp on a rest day. Measures of height, weight, waist circumference, and sum of 7 skinfolds were collected by a trained investigator; body fat percentage was estimated with the Bod Pod; VO2max was measured on a motor driven treadmill with gas analysis using a ParvoMedics TrueOne metabolic system. The Yo-Yo test was performed as a group two days later. Regression analysis was used to determine which variables impacted the prediction equation, and correlation analysis was used to compare the original (YYO) and revised (YYR) Yo-Yo formulas against measured VO2max. RESULTS: Analysis showed that the Yo-Yo distance (p = .00075) but not anthropometrics and body composition (p > 0.05) significantly impacted the VO2max prediction resulting in the following YYR formula: VO2max = (0.00574 x Yo-Yo distance (m)) + 30.952. Measured VO2max (45.2 + 1.1 ml/kg/min) was correlated with predicted VO2max from YYR (45.4 + .67 ml/kg/min, r = .58) and YYO (57.6 + .98 ml/kg/min, r = .58). CONCLUSION: The addition of body composition variables did not strengthen the ability of the Yo-Yo Intermittent shuttle test to accurately predict VO2max in women soccer players.
Internet applications (apps) have been shown to motivate people to form and maintain healthy dietary (D) and exercise (Ex) habits. However, research on the effectiveness of using apps by persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) is limited. PURPOSE: To evaluate the use of a smartphone app (Ap) compared to app plus text reminders (Ap+T) for tracking D and Ex behavior in persons with IDD in an independent setting without caregiver support. METHODS: Young adults (n=5, 19-26 yrs) who were enrolled in a college experience program consented to participate in the study which had been approved by the university’s IRB. Participants were living on campus and had their own smartphones. Baseline conditions were determined as participants used paper and pencil to self-record D and Ex for at least 5 days. In a single-case design, participants served as their own controls and were randomly assigned to alternating treatments of Ap or Ap+T conditions. The Ap (Kurbo Health Inc.) allowed tracking of food items and portions as well as exercise tracking in 10-minute segments. The Ap+T condition added 4 times/d text message reminders about recording D and Ex. Treatment conditions changed every 1-2 days in random order over the course of 3 weeks. Data analysis included evaluation of mean level increases and percentages of nonoverlapping data (PND) between conditions. RESULTS: Participants demonstrated mean level increases from baseline to Ap (range: 15-66%) and baseline to Ap+T (range: 23-72%). Comparisons between baseline and treatment conditions yielded PND scores ranging from 45-77% for Ap and 33-92% for Ap+T. Comparison between treatments revealed a PND range of 0-50%. CONCLUSION: Although neither treatment emerged as superior, results of the study indicated that use of smartphone apps by persons with IDD increased self-recording of D and Ex behaviors and is a promising tool for promoting independent living skills.
