To provide a quantitative synthesis of randomized controlled trials examining the effect of exercise training on symptomatic fatigue in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS).Electronic databases (Web of Science, PubMed, PsycInfo, and Google Scholar) were searched for articles published between 1960 and October 2012 by using the key words "fatigue," OR "tiredness," OR "energy," OR "mood," OR "lassitude," AND "exercise," OR "physical activity," OR "rehabilitation," OR "fitness" WITH "multiple sclerosis." The initial search resulted in 311 articles, of which 74 were reviewed in detail and 17 met the inclusion criteria and provided enough data to compute effect sizes (ESs; Cohen d). The meta-analysis was conducted using a meta-analysis software program, and a random-effects model was used to calculate the overall ES, expressed as Hedge g.The weighted mean ES from 17 randomized controlled trials with 568 participants with MS was 0.45 (standard error = 0.12, 95% confidence interval = 0.22-0.68, z = 3.88, p ≤ .001). The weighted mean ES was slightly heterogeneous (Q = 29.9, df = 16, p = .019).The cumulative evidence supports that exercise training is associated with a significant small reduction in fatigue among persons with MS.
ABSTRACT Introduction Military service members disproportionately experience sexual violence (SV) and its related health concerns. Although recent work has shown physical activity to be an effective strategy for improving physical and mental health among trauma-exposed military populations, little of this work has focused specifically on military service members with a history of SV. To address these gaps in knowledge and practice, this study identified the most salient perceived benefits/barriers of exercise among men and women survivors of SV with military affiliations. Additionally, these analyses explore willingness to engage in exercise programs, and preferences for the structure/content of these programs, among men and women survivors of SV with military affiliations. Materials and Methods An online, cross-sectional survey of women (n = 355) and men (n = 198) survivors of SV was completed using Amazon Mechanical Turk. Inclusion criteria were men and women, age between 18 and 65 years, self-reported history of SV, and located in the United States. Information on sociodemographics and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms was collected alongside perceived barriers and benefits to exercise, willingness to engage in exercise programs, and preferences for the structure/content of these programs. Analyses were stratified by sex. Comparisons by history of military involvement (active duty military or veteran; no military involvement/civilian) were reported. Results Both military-involved men (n = 68) and women (n = 139) were more likely to prefer at-home and online exercise options when compared to civilians (Ps < .05; Cramer’s Vs 0.19–0.36). Additionally, both men and women with military involvement reported strongly favoring exercising with an instructor over no instructor and preferred that this instructor identifies with their same gender (Ps < .01; Cramer’s Vs 0.28–0.36). Women with military involvement also preferred shorter program durations and exercising alone or in a group online or in person, whereas men with military involvement were open to longer program durations, when compared to their civilian counterparts (Ps < .05; Cramer’s Vs 0.19–0.37). Women and men with military involvement were more likely than their civilian counterparts to perceive that exercise benefits their psychological outlook and social interactions. They were also more likely than civilians to indicate poor exercise environment, high time expenditure, and family discouragement as perceived barriers to exercise (Ps < .05; Cohen’s ds 0.21–0.97). Military-involved women were also more likely than civilian women to endorse the perceived barrier of hard physical exercise (P < .05; Cohen’s d = 0.25). Conclusions This study identified perceived benefits and barriers to exercise, along with willingness to engage in exercise programs, and exercise preferences among men and women survivors of SV with military involvement. Targeting these factors in intervention planning will be important for physical activity promotion and program engagement among veterans to reduce the disproportionate impact of SV and disease burden among U.S. service members and veterans.
PURPOSE: Examine whether engaging in a variety of leisure-time physical activities (LTPA), despite not meeting physical activity (PA) guidelines, leads to better cognitive function in older adults. METHODS: Data was retrieved from the 1999-2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Older adults (N = 2,773, M age = 71.4 yrs, 50.6% ♀, 60.9% non-Hispanic White) reported their moderate- and vigorous-intensity LTPA during the past 30 days, including the specific type (e.g., hiking, tennis, or running), frequency (e.g., d·wk-1), and average duration. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was calculated by multiplying the metabolic equivalent values of the activities MET) by the frequency and duration (MVPA-min·wk-1 = MET level x frequency x duration). A dichotomous variable was created categorizing those who met PA guidelines (n = 831) based on federal guidelines (≥600 MVPA-min·wk-1). LTPA-variety was calculated as the total number of activities participated in at least once a month. Cognitive function was assessed via the Digit Symbol Substitution Task (DSST). Age, sex, education, race, and whether the reported PA was similar over the previous 10-years were used as covariates in all analyses. Total minutes spent in MVPA was controlled for in all analyses as it was possible to engage in some PA and not meet PA guidelines. RESULTS: A multivariable linear regression model revealed a significant effect of LTPA-Variety on DSST (β = 7.14, 95% CI: 4.78-9.50, P < 0.01); MVPA--min·wk-1 was not a significant predictor (P = 0.41). Univariate analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) of those not meeting PA guidelines (n = 1942) revealed a significant effect (F1,29 = 7.99, r2 = 0.41, P < 0.01) for LTPA-Variety on DSST. In those not meeting PA guidelines, engaging in 2 or more different types of LTPA, compared to less, resulted in significantly greater cognitive functioning (M = 45.60 vs M = 40.09, P < 0.01) when accounting for MVPA--min·wk-1. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that, for older adults, engaging in a greater variety of leisure-time physical activities can promote greater cognitive function regardless of the amount of time spent in moderate-to-vigorous activities. This has future implications for examining the primary metric of focus for physical activity engagement in this population.
1135 Knowing the level of exercise intensity at which individuals prefer to exercise and which they can tolerate may be helpful in developing exercise prescriptions likely to improve rates of exercise adherence. There have been calls for increased examination of individual differences in the preference for and tolerance of exercise intensity, but there has only been limited systematic research in this regard [Ekkekakis, Hall, & Petruzzello (2001). Summary of symposium: Individual differences in preference for and tolerance of exercise intensity. J Sport & Exerc Psychol, 23, S9]. This could be due, at least in part, to the lack of a validated self-report measure of such individual differences. PURPOSE: To describe evidence for the concurrent convergent and discriminant validity, the internal consistency for the Preference for and Tolerance of Intensity of Exercise Questionnaire (PRETIE-Q). The PRETIE-Q is a 16-item selfreport measure designed to assess individual differences for preferences for (P) and tolerances of (T) intense exercise. METHODS: A large sample (N = 601 females, 20.1 yrs, BMI = 22.0) of undergraduates completed a test battery including the PRETIE-Q and other relevant measures. RESULTS: The alpha coefficient of internal consistency for the P scale was 0.89 and for the T scale was 0.86. Both P and T subscales were significantly related to self-reported exercise behavior (rs = 0.25, 0.32) and Strenuous exercise measured via the Godin Leisure Time Physical Activity questionnaire (rs = 0.30, 0.36) but not with either Moderate or Mild exercise. Significant relationships also emerged between both subscales and measures of exercise commitment, reasons for exercise, exercise dependence, and obligatory exercise (rs = 0.13 – 0.56). CONCLUSION: These data reflect the adequate internal consistency of the measure. Furthermore, although the magnitude of the relations was generally moderate, the results also reflect further evidence of the construct validity of the PRETIE-Q.
Physical function is regarded as the cornerstone of healthy aging, and exercise is an important determinant of healthy aging. This study examined the feasibility and physiological (heart rate, blood pressure, blood lactate, and rate of perceived exertion) and psychological (enjoyment) response resulting from an acute progressive sled-push (SLP) exercise session using the novel XPO Sled Trainer in older adults and compared that with walking (WKC) condition. The exercise session comprised six exercise bouts at 75%, 85%, 100% (2×), and 125% (2×) of normal velocity with a 2-min rest between bouts. Thirty-six older adults were randomly allocated into either the SLP or WKC conditions. No adverse events were observed during the exercise session, and all participants completed the exercise protocol as prescribed. One-third of the participants in the SLP group reported minimal body discomfort. Significantly higher responses were observed for all physiological variables as the intensity of the exercise increased in the SLP group compared with the WKC group ( p < .001). The SLP group presented a decline in enjoyment as the intensity of the exercise increased (during), but similar enjoyment level than the WKC group for the overall exercise session ( p = .711). Our findings support the viability and safety of SLP exercise using the XPO Sled Trainer in older adults. Such exercise demonstrated an intensity-driven modality that may have potential to elucidate positive adaptations in the cardiovascular system of older adults with acceptable levels of enjoyment.
Firefighters (FFs) work in hazardous, volatile environments with considerable physical and mental demands that might influence cognitive performance. The nature and extent of such influence requires examination. PURPOSE: Determine the influence of a night-burn FF drill on new-recruit FFs' perceptual sensations (thermal, respiratory, effort), physical workload (heart rate; HR), and cognitive performance (modified Flanker task), while identifying individual risk factors. METHODS: New-recruit, male FFs (N=28; 24.96 ± 4.2 yrs) participated in a live-fire night-burn drill (48:54±03:46 mins) as part of a 6-wk training program. This involved emergency response, fire attack, and search and rescue. Aerobic fitness was estimated from 1.5-mi run time. Cognitive behavioral performance on a modified Flanker task and perceptual states (thermal sensation, RPE, respiratory distress, feelings, felt arousal, fatigue, anxiety) of each FF were measured on a separate baseline day, as well as pre- and post-firefighting (Post-0, End). HR was continuously recorded throughout. RESULTS: After accounting for baseline, M HR during drill predicted variance in post-task affect (state anxiety: 24.5%, P= 0.01); TS: 18.1%, P= 0.025; FS: 14.6%, P= 0.046); VAS nervousness: 17.4%, P= 0.028). M HR during drill also predicted cognitive performance Post-0 for Flanker Accuracy on all trials (16.8%, P= 0.033). FS change from Pre to Post-0 also explained Accuracy for all trials (14.4%, P= 0.047). 1.5-mi run time predicted variance in Post-0 Flanker SD for all trials (20.2%, P= 0.016). VAS fatigue change from Pre to Post-0 also explained Flanker SD (16.5%, P= 0.032). CONCLUSIONS: Simple, on-line tracking of HR may be able to help incident commanders recognize FFs who, indicated by greater relative HR during emergency response, may have diminished decision-making capacity on the fireground. Other factors (e.g., trait anxiety, dispositional resilience) may influence physical effort put forth in an emergency scenario and may put certain FFs at higher risk for making errors. Future research should determine trainability of such factors in order to enhance performance and, ultimately, safety for FFs. Manifestation of such changes in cognitive performance, in terms of decision making during a live-fire emergency, needs further investigation.
Personality traits, participatory motives, and behavior regulation have been linked to physical activity engagement. It is possible that these dimensions are associated with the type of physical activity one chooses to engage. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine individual differences in those participating in various primary modes of physical activity (PMA) and determine which individual differences are predictive of exercise frequency.403 adults (36.3 ± 11.6 yrs, 35.5% male) completed an online survey. The survey included questions related to their PMA, items for the Big Five Inventory (BFI), Exercise Motivation Inventory (EMI-2), and the Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire (BREQ-3). PMAs were divided into 5 main groups: CrossFit® Training (n = 89), Group Exercise (n = 59), Aerobic Training (n = 97), Resistance Training (n = 127), and Sport (n = 31).A multivariate ANOVA revealed significant differences in exercise motivation [ps ≤ .001, η2p = .05 - .22] and behavior regulation [ps ≤ .05, η2p = .03 - .06] between PMAs, but personality dimensions did not differ. A linear regression revealed that differences in motivation and regulation explained 17.1% (p = .001) variance in exercise behavior.These findings support the notion that individual differences exist between motivational dimensions and individuals' preference to engage in a particular physical activity mode. Further, these differences in motivation influence physical activity engagement (i.e., frequency).
