Notes: Evaluation of Physical Education in North Carolina High Schools

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine if there were differences in learning to perform a novel motor task between two equated groups: one group was subjected to learning the task immediately following a heavy physical work bout on a bicycle ergometer; the other group was subjected to learning the task with no imposed physical exercise. It was found that the subjects who practiced the stabilometer exercise in a fatigued state performed significantly better than subjects in the control group except for test 4. The experimental group also performed significantly better than the control group during the 5th test which was performed without any fatiguing task. It appears from this study that the fatigue state of the learner had a favorable influence on both performance and learning of certain novel motor skills.     

Running economy and effort after cycling: Effect of methodological choices

ABSTRACT

Prior exercise can negatively affect movement economy of a subsequent task. However, the impact of cycling exercise on the energy cost of subsequent running is difficult to ascertain, possibly because of the use of different methods of calculating economy. We examined the influence of a simulated cycling bout on running physiological cost (running economy, heart rate and ventilation rates) and perceptual responses (ratings of perceived exertion and effort) by comparing two running bouts, performed before and after cycling using different running economy calculation methods. Seventeen competitive male triathletes ran at race pace before and after a simulated Olympic-distance cycling bout. Running economy was calculated as V?O₂ (mL?kg^?1?min^?1), oxygen cost (EO₂, mL?kg^?1?m^?1) and aerobic energy cost (E_aer, J?kg^?1?m^?1). All measures of running economy and perceptual responses indicated significant alterations imposed by prior cycling. Despite a good level of agreement with minimal bias between calculation methods, differences (p < 0.05) were observed between E_aer and both V?O₂ and EO₂. The results confirmed that prior cycling increased physiological cost and perceptual responses in a subsequent running bout. It is recommended that E_aer be calculated as a more valid measure of running economy alongside perceptual responses to assist in the identification of individual responses in running economy following cycling.     

Neuromuscular,biomechanical, and energetic adjustments following repeated bouts of downhill running

PurposeThis study used downhill running as a model to investigate the repeated bout effect (RBE) on neuromuscular performance, running biomechanics, and metabolic cost of running.MethodsTen healthy recreational male runners performed two 30-min bouts of downhill running (DR1 and DR2) at a –20% slope and 2.8 m/s 3 weeks apart. Neuromuscular fatigue, level running biomechanics during slow and fast running, and running economy parameters were recorded immediately before and after the downhill bouts, and at 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, 96 h, and 168 h thereafter (i.e., follow-up days).ResultsAn RBE was confirmed by attenuated muscle soreness and serum creatine kinase rise after DR2 compared to DR1. An RBE was also observed in maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) force loss and voluntary activation where DR2 resulted in attenuated MVC force loss and voluntary activation immediately after the run and during follow-up days. The downhill running protocol significantly influenced level running biomechanics; an RBE was observed in which center of mass excursion and, therefore, lower-extremity compliance were greater during follow-up days after DR1 compared to DR2. The observed changes in level running biomechanics did not influence the energy cost of running.ConclusionThis study demonstrated evidence of adaptation in neural drive as well as biomechanical changes with the RBE after DR. The higher neural drive resulted in attenuated MVC force loss after the second bout. It can be concluded that the RBE after downhill running manifests as changes to global and central fatigue parameters and running biomechanics without substantially altering the energy cost of running.     

跆拳道对改善大学生羞怯感和身体自我概念的影响

采用分层抽样法抽取安徽农业大学255名在读大学生进行调查和实验研究,试图探讨跆拳道在改善大学生羞怯感和身体自我概念中的作用。经过1学期(15周)的跆拳道实验干预发现,实验组实验后羞怯感总均分显著低于实验前,说明跆拳道干预后,大学生的羞怯感显著低于实验前;在身体协调、体育活动、身体肥胖、运动能力、整体身体、外表、力量、灵活、耐力、自尊和身体自我概念总均分上显著高于实验前;在身体健康因子上差异不显著,但表现为实验后的均分高于实验前。对照组前后测试无显著性差异。用差值的方式来进一步检验研究结果发现,在羞怯总均分、身体协调、体育活动、运动能力、整体身体、外表、力量、灵活、耐力和总均分差值上表现为实验组差值显著高于对照组;在身体健康、身体肥胖和自尊上差值差异不显著,但表现为实验组差值高于对照组;在身体肥胖差值上表现为女性显著高于男性;在羞怯总均分及身体自我描述其他因子及总均分差值上无显著性别差异,但在整体身体、力量、自尊差值平均分上表现为男性高于女性,其他因子表现为女性均分高于男性。     

The influence of exercise-induced fatigue on cognitive function

Abstract

Although anecdotal reports suggest that information processing and decision making is impaired immediately following prolonged periods of physical activity, results obtained from laboratory studies of exercise-induced fatigue have been inconsistent. Fatigue effects may be task specific and related to the time of post-exercise testing. The present study examined the effects on adults' performance of two cognitive tasks that differed in processing demands over an 80-min period of fatigue. Thirty young adult men and women were randomly assigned to either an exercise group and completed a 60-min bout of cycle ergometry at 90% ventilatory threshold or a control group and rested for 60 min. Following interventions, each participant completed a simple and complex version of a visual perceptual discrimination test, a 40-min memory-based vigilance test and a repetition of the visual perceptual discrimination tests. Those who exercised evidenced significant decrements in performance on complex perceptual-discrimination tasks compared to participants who rested. The response time of exercisers during a memory-demanding vigilance test were significantly slower than those of participants who rested; however, detection performance did not differ between groups neither was there a decrease in target detection across the vigil. The effects of exercise-induced fatigue may be task specific, with greater effects on perceptual tasks, which involve relatively automatic processing, compared to effortful memory-based tasks.     

The influence of exercise-induced fatigue on cognitive function

Although anecdotal reports suggest that information processing and decision making is impaired immediately following prolonged periods of physical activity, results obtained from laboratory studies of exercise-induced fatigue have been inconsistent. Fatigue effects may be task specific and related to the time of post-exercise testing. The present study examined the effects on adults' performance of two cognitive tasks that differed in processing demands over an 80-min period of fatigue. Thirty young adult men and women were randomly assigned to either an exercise group and completed a 60-min bout of cycle ergometry at 90% ventilatory threshold or a control group and rested for 60 min. Following interventions, each participant completed a simple and complex version of a visual perceptual discrimination test, a 40-min memory-based vigilance test and a repetition of the visual perceptual discrimination tests. Those who exercised evidenced significant decrements in performance on complex perceptual-discrimination tasks compared to participants who rested. The response time of exercisers during a memory-demanding vigilance test were significantly slower than those of participants who rested; however, detection performance did not differ between groups neither was there a decrease in target detection across the vigil. The effects of exercise-induced fatigue may be task specific, with greater effects on perceptual tasks, which involve relatively automatic processing, compared to effortful memory-based tasks.     

青少年体育活动中的目标定向和自我决定理论: 年龄和性别的差异

以英格兰824名初中生为调查对象,主要考察了在目标定向、行为调节、能力知觉和体育活动参与情况上的年龄和性别差异,并且采用动机变量预测校外体育活动参与情况.研究结果呈现出明显的性别差异,男生有较高的自我定向、自我决定动机和能力知觉.与此一致的结果是男生比女生更喜爱体育活动.对男生来说,自我定向、自我决定动机和能力知觉是参加体育活动的正相关预测指标,而任务定向和无动机与体育活动参与没有关系.对女生来说,任务定向和能力知觉能够积极预测体育活动参与情况,而自我定向和无动机与体育活动的参与有负相关关系.     

Cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness associations with older adolescent cognitive control

Background:Participation in physical activity supports greater cardiorespiratory fitness(CRF),a correlate of cognitive control.However,the relationship between muscular fitness(MF)and cognitive control is less clear.The present study investigated the differential relationship of CRF and MF with cognitive control in older adolescents.Methods:This cross-sectional study involved students(15
17 years old,n=541,43%female)from 20 secondary schools who completed tests of inhibition(modified flanker task),working memory(n-back task),CRF(Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run),and MF(standing long jump and push-up test).Multilevel analyses tested the association between CRF or MF and cognitive outcomes while accounting for the influence of the other fitness variable and relevant demographic factors.Results:CRF predicted response accuracy during incongruent flanker trials,the condition requiring greater inhibition.For the working memory task,CRF predicted greater target accuracy and greater d’scores on the 1-back task,requiring lesser amounts of working memory.In the 2-back task,which requires greater amounts of working memory,CRF also predicted greater target and non-target accuracy and d’scores.Comparatively,MF did not predict any cognitive outcomes after adjustment for CRF.Conclusion:CRF was selectively related to better performance during task conditions that require greater amounts of inhibition and working memory.This finding suggests that CRF,but not MF,may benefit cognitive control in older adolescents.This selective influence of CRF on older adolescents’cognition highlights the value of aerobic physical activity.     

Variability in muscle damage after eccentric exercise and the repeated bout effect

The first purpose of this study was to determine a possible explanation for the variability in the response to eccentric exercise by having participants repeat the same exercise 1 year apart. The second purpose was to examine whether initial injury in response to eccentric exercise was associated with the extent of the repeated bout effect (RBE). Male students performed 30 eccentric contractions (ECC) of the elbow flexors using a dumbbell set at 80% of the pre-exercise maximal isometric force (MIF). Participants were then classified into low (LR; n=6), medium (MR; n=6), high (HR; n=5), and higher (HrR; n=7) based on the increase in blood creatine kinase (CK) activity. A year later, participants repeated this exercise (ECC30). Four days after ECC30, participants performed 70 eccentric contractions (ECC70). Range of motion, MFI upper arm circumference, soreness, and blood CK activity were measured before and up to 9 days after each bout. The change in the criterion measures following ECC and ECC30 were similar for each group. There were no further changes in all parameters after ECC70 for MR, HR, and HrR, although there was a small increase in CK after ECC70 for LR. LR showed a smaller RBE after ECC70 compared with the other groups. It is concluded that participants who exercised 1 year apart showed remarkably similar responses between the bouts. The extent of the RBE following the second bout for the LR group is less for participants who demonstrate the least evidence of muscle damage after a first exercise bout.     

Changes in the relationship between joint angle and torque production associated with the repeated bout effect

A single bout of eccentric exercise induces a protective adaptation against damage from a repeated bout. The aim of this study was to determine whether this repeated bout effect is due to a change in the length-tension relationship. Twelve individuals performed an initial bout of six sets of 10 eccentric quadriceps contractions and then performed a repeated bout 2 weeks later. Eccentric contractions were performed on an isokinetic dynamometer at 1.04 rad x s(-1) with a target intensity of 90% of isometric strength at 70 degrees of knee flexion. Isometric strength and pain were recorded before and after both eccentric bouts and on each of the next 3 days. Isometric strength was tested at 30 degrees, 50 degrees, 70 degrees, 90 degrees and 110 degrees of knee flexion. On the days following the initial bout, there was a significant loss of isometric strength at all knee flexion angles except 110 degrees (bout x angle: P < 0.01). On day 2, strength averaged 86% of baseline for 30-90 degrees and 102% of baseline for 110 degrees. Strength loss and pain after the initial bout was contrasted by minimal changes after the repeated bout (pain: P < 0.001; strength: P < 0.01). The repeated bout effect was associated with a rightward shift in the length-tension curve; before the repeated bout, isometric strength was 6.8% lower at 30 degrees and 13.6% higher at 110 degrees compared with values before the initial bout (bout x angle: P < 0.05). Assuming that torque production at 110 degrees occurs on the descending limb of the length-tension curve, the increase in torque at 110 degrees may be explained by a longitudinal addition of sarcomeres. The addition of sarcomeres would limit sarcomere strain for subsequent eccentric contractions and may explain the repeated bout effect observed here.     

Does weight status influence associations between children's fundamental movement skills and physical activity?

This study sought to determine whether weight status influences the association among children's fundamental movement skills (FMS) and physical activity (PA). Two hundred forty-eight children ages 9-12 years participated. Proficiency in three object-control skills and two locomotor skills was examined. Accelerometers objectively assessed physical activity. Body mass index was calculated to determine weight status. Correlations between physical activity and FMS proficiency were evident among boys and girls. No significant interaction was apparent when examining FMS proficiency scores, PA variables, and weight status. Future studies should examine a broader range of skills and types of activities to better characterize this relationship and to inform the promotion of movement skill proficiency and PA.     

Fundamental movement skill performance of preschool children in relation to family context

Evidence suggests the development of fundamental movement skill (FMS) is a key factor in promoting long-term physical activity. Low levels of activity among preschool children and the relationship between physical activity and the development of fundamental movement skills underline the need to determine the factors associated with children's development of such skills. As parents play an important role in the socialization process, the aim of this study was to examine correlates of family and neighbourhood characteristics as well as parental behaviour and beliefs on FMS performance in 4- to 6-year-old preschool children. Relationships between preschool children's FMS performance and family contextual variables were examined within a sample of 846 preschool children. Results identified positive associations of FMS performance with parental education, father's physical activity, transport to school by bicycle, and the high value placed by parents high on sport-specific aspects of children's physical activity. Variables negatively associated with preschool children's FMS performance included father-child interaction in TV-viewing and reading books, the high importance placed by parents on winning and performance in children's physical activity. Furthermore, the ambiguity of associations between FMS performance and parental beliefs underlined its complexity.     

Children's motivation in elementary physical education: an expectancy-value model of achievement choice

This study examined children's motivation in elementary physical education within an expectancy-value model developed by Eccles and her colleagues. Four hundred fourteen students in second and fourth grades completed questionnaires assessing their expectancy-related beliefs, subjective task values, and intention for future participation in physical education. Results indicated that expectancy-related beliefs and subjective task values were clearly distinguishable from one another across physical education and throwing. The two constructs were related to each other positively. Children's intention for future participation in physical education was positively associated with their subjective task values and/or expectancy-related beliefs. Younger children had higher motivation for learning in physical education than older children. Gender differences emerged and the findings provided empirical evidence supporting the validity of the expectancy-value model in elementary physical education.     

Childhood movement skills: predictors of physical activity in Anglo American and Mexican American adolescents?

We assessed the relationship between young children's movement skills and their physical activity in early adolescence. Balance, agility, eye-hand coordination, and skinfold thicknesses in 207 Mexican American and Anglo American children (104 boys, 103 girls) were measured at ages 4, 5, and 6 years. Habitual physical activity was assessed at the age of 12 years by two interviewer-administered 7-day recalls. Ethnic differences in movement skills were not found. Young girls were better at jumping and balancing, and young boys were better at catching. Tracking of skills was low, and children's early childhood skills were not related to their physical activity 6 years later. Further studies involving additional movement skills and other populations are recommended to determine if enhanced movement skills in children promote subsequent physical activity.     

Variability in Muscle Damage After Eccentric Exercise and the Repeated Bout Effect

The first purpose of this study was to determine a possible explanation for the variability in the response to eccentric exercise by having participants repeat the same exercise 1 year apart. The second purpose was to examine whether initial injury in response to eccentric exercise was associated with the extent of the repeated bout effect (RBE). Male students performed 30 eccentric contractions (ECC) of the elbow flexors using a dumbbell set at 80% of the pre-exercise maximal isometric force (MIF). Participants were then classified into low (LR; n = 6), medium (MR; n = 6), high (HR; n = 5), and higher (HrR; n = 7) based on the increase in blood creatine kinase (CK) activity. A year later, participants repeated this exercise (ECC30). Four days after ECC30, participants performed 70 eccentric contractions (ECC70). Range of motion, MIF, upper arm circumference, soreness, and blood CK activity were measured before and up to 9 days after each bout. The change in the criterion measures following ECC and ECC30 were similar for each group. There were no further changes in all parameters after ECC70 for MR, HR, and HrR, although there was a small increase in CK after ECC70 for LR. LR showed a smaller RBE after ECC70 compared with the other groups. It is concluded that participants who exercised 1 year apart showed remarkably similar responses between the bouts. The extent of the RBE following the second bout for the LR group is less for participants who demonstrate the least evidence of muscle damage after a first exercise bout.     

The effects of physical activity and physical fitness on children's achievement and cognitive outcomes: a meta-analysis

It is common knowledge that physical activity leads to numerous health and psychological benefits. However; the relationship between children's physical activity and academic achievement has been debated in the literature. Some studies have found strong, positive relationships between physical activity and cognitive outcomes, while other studies have reported small, negative associations. This study was a comprehensive, quantitative synthesis of the literature, using a total of 59 studies from 1947 to 2009 for analysis. Results indicated a significant and positive effect of physical activity on children's achievement and cognitive outcomes, with aerobic exercise having the greatest effect. A number of moderator variables were also found to play a significant role in this relationship. Findings are discussed in light of improving children's academic performance and changing school-based policy.     

The effect of single and repeated bouts of prolonged cycling and circadian variation on saliva flow rate, immunoglobulin A and alpha-amylase responses

The purpose of this study was to establish the effect of exercise at different times of day on saliva flow rate, immunoglobulin A (sIgA) concentration and secretion rate, and alpha-amylase activity, and to establish how these parameters change following a second exercise bout performed on the same day. In a counterbalanced design, eight male volunteers participated in three experimental trials separated by at least 4 days. On the trial with afternoon exercise only, the participants cycled for 2 h at 60% VO2max starting at 14:00 h. On the other two trials, participants performed either two bouts of exercise at 60% VO2max for 2 h (the first started at 09:00 h and the second started at 14:00 h) or a separate resting trial. Unstimulated saliva samples were obtained 10 min before exercise, after 58 - 60 min and during the last 2 min of exercise, and at 1 h and 2 h after exercise. Venous blood samples were taken 5 min before exercise and immediately after exercise for both bouts. Participants remained fasted between 23:00 h on the day before the trials and 18:00 h on the day of the trial. Circadian variations were found in sIgA concentration, which decreased with time from its highest value in the early morning to its lowest value in the evening, and salivary alpha-amylase secretion rate, which increased from its lowest value in the morning to its highest value in the late afternoon. Cycling at 60% VO2max for 2 h significantly decreased saliva flow rate, increased sIgA concentration and alpha-amylase activity, but did not influence sIgA secretion rate. Performing prolonged cycling at different times of day did not differentially affect the salivary and plasma hormonal responses in the short term. Performance of a second prolonged exercise bout elicited a greater plasma stress hormone response but did not appear to compromise oral immunity acutely. These findings also suggest that, in terms of saliva secretion, sIgA and alpha-amylase responses, a 3 h rest is enough to recover from previous strenuous exercise. During such exercise, sympathetic stimulation appears to be strong enough to inhibit saliva flow rate; however, it appears that it does not increase sIgA output via transcytosis.     

Effects of recombinant human erythropoietin injections on physical self in endurance athletes

This study examined the time course of mean self-esteem and physical self scores in three groups: male endurance athletes treated with recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO group, n = 6), a placebo group (n = 5) injected with a sodium chloride solution and a control group who did not receive any injection (n = 6). Each participant completed the Physical Self Inventory twice a day (between 07.00 and 09.00 h and between 19.00 and 21.00 h). Using a 10 cm visual analog scale, the participants assessed global self-esteem, physical self-worth and the sub-domains of physical condition, sport competence, attractive body and physical strength (Fox & Corbin, 1989). This was conducted over three consecutive periods: in the 2 weeks before the course of injections, during the 6 weeks of injections and for 4 weeks after the injections. Aerobic capacity was assessed before and after 4 weeks of treatment. The results showed a significant increase in aerobic physical fitness in the rHuEPO group and a significant increase in perceived physical condition and physical strength scores at the end of treatment. The main psychological result was that endurance athletes were highly sensitive to the effects of rHuEPO on physical fitness. The perception of increased physical condition may lead to a stronger commitment to training. The rHuEPO injections presented a dangerous hedonic effect linked to endurance training. These results confirm the need to tackle rHuEPO abuse at any time during the training season.     

Assessing preschool children's physical activity: the Observational System for Recording Physical Activity in children-preschool version

In this paper we present initial information concerning a new direct observation system-the Observational System for Recording Physical Activity in Children-Preschool Version. The system will allow researchers to record young children's physical activity levels while also coding the topography of their physical activity, as well as detailed indoor and outdoor social and nonsocial contextual information. With respect to interobserver agreement (IOA), the kappa and category-by-category agreement mean of those obtained for the three illustrative preschools were generally above .80. Hence, our IOA data indicated that trained observers in the three preschools frequently agreed on the eight observational categories and accompanying codes. The results for preschoolers' level of physical activity indicated they spent the majority of observational intervals in sedentary activity (i.e., more than 80% intervals) and were observed in moderate to vigorous physical activity much less frequently (i.e., 5% or fewer intervals). For the 15 indoor and 12 outdoor activity contexts, variability across both the activity contexts and the three preschools were evident. Nevertheless, three classroom contexts-transition, snacks, and naptime--accounted for the greatest porportion of coded activity contexts for the children. In the three preschools, 4 of 17 physical activity types--sit and squat, lie down, stand, and walk--accounted for the topography of much of children's physical activity behavior Systematic observation of more representative preschool samples might better inform our present understanding of young children's physical activity in community preschool programs.     

Goal orientations,self-determination and pupils' discipline in physical education

In this study, we examined the patterns of goal orientations, perceived competence, reasons for behaving well and self-reported discipline in school physical education among 511 pupils from years 8 and 9 (mean age 14.2 years). Cluster analyses were conducted on two randomly split subsamples to identify homogeneous groups of pupils on these measures of achievement motivation and discipline. Three meaningful clusters emerged for the first subsample, which were then cross-validated for the second subsample. One group of pupils revealed low scores on task and ego orientations, perceived competence and feelings of self-determination about their behaviour in lessons. These perceptions were related to lower ratings of discipline in physical education than pupils who scored more highly on these variables. The highest discipline scores were reported by pupils with high task and ego orientations, perceived competence and feelings of autonomy. The results are useful for teachers and other physical activity leaders in enhancing motivation and disciplined behaviour in young people. Promoting more self-determined reasons for being disciplined, for example, could lead to more orderly classes.