Comparison of lower body specific resistance training on the hamstring to quadriceps strength ratios in men and women

In this study, we compared hamstring (H) and quadriceps (Q) strength changes in men and women, as well as changes in conventional and functional H:Q ratios following an identical 12-week resistance training program. An isokinetic dynamometer was used to assess 14 male and 14 female participants before and after the intervention, and conventional and functional H:Q ratios were calculated. Hamstring strength improved similarly in men and women, but improvement in quadriceps strength was significantly greater in men, while women showed only modest improvements. For the conventional and functional H:Q ratios, women showed significantly greater improvements than men. Both men and women were able to exceed the commonly recommended 0.6 conventional and 1.0 functional H:Q ratios after the 12-week lower-body resistance training program.     

肌肉疲劳后不同恢复手段介入效益的对比实验研究

目的：探讨肌肉疲劳后,被动(Passive Recovery,PR)、主动(Active Recovery,AR)、振动(Vibration Recovery,VR)和冰敷(Cryotherapy Recovery,CR)等不同恢复方式对肌肉表现(最大肌力MVC、爆发力MP、肌肉激活程度sEMG)和力学特性(肌肉硬度MS、肿胀程度SD)的影响及差异。方法：20名身体健康的普通男性大学生为受试者,平均年龄(20.4±2.3 yrs.),平均身高(173.5±3.4 cm),平均体重(68.7±3.9 kg)。先测量非惯用手肱二头肌的SD、MS、MVC和sEMG,之后进行肘关节屈曲45°/s向心与离心收缩运动直至疲劳,再进行后测。其后以随机方式进行其中1种恢复,10 min恢复后立即进行后测,各恢复方式间隔7天。以单因素重复测量方差分析检验SD、MS、MVC和sEMG在不同检测时间点的差异及恢复效果。结果：10 min VR和CR均有约15%的力量恢复效果,其中VR介入后sEMG的恢复效果显著高达(32.50±16.10%)。另外,CR可以缓解疲劳后的SD,但AR后SD(28.51±2.79 cm)显著高于疲劳前(27.93±2.93 cm),且MS(11.14±1.58 mm/2kg)相较于疲劳后(11.59±1.40 mm/2kg)也显著下降。结论：CR与VR均可有效帮助疲劳后的肌力恢复,2组间恢复效果无显著差异;同比之下AR则无法改善肌肉疲劳的恢复,甚至造成SD增加且MS降低。     

The effectiveness of a 17-week lifestyle intervention on health behaviors among airline pilots during COVID-19

PurposeThe aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a 17-week, 3-component lifestyle intervention for enhancing health behaviors during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.MethodsA parallel-group (intervention and control) study was conducted amongst 79 airline pilots over a 17-week period during the COVID-19 pandemic. The intervention group (n = 38) received a personalized sleep, dietary, and physical activity (PA) program. The control group (n = 41) received no intervention. Outcome measures for sleep, fruit and vegetable intake, PA, and subjective health were measured though an online survey before and after the 17-week period. The changes in outcome measures were used to determine the efficacy of the intervention.ResultsSignificant main effects for time × group were found for International Physical Activity Questionnaire-walk (p = 0.02) and for all other outcome measures (p < 0.01). The intervention group significantly improved in sleep duration (p < 0.01; d = 1.35), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score (p < 0.01; d = 1.14), moderate-to-vigorous PA (p < 0.01; d = 1.44), fruit and vegetable intake (p < 0.01; d = 2.09), Short Form 12v2 physical score (p < 0.01; d = 1.52), and Short Form 12v2 mental score (p < 0.01; d = 2.09). The control group showed significant negative change for sleep duration, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score, and Short Form 12v2 mental score (p < 0.01).ConclusionResults provide preliminary evidence that a 3-component healthy sleep, eating, and PA intervention elicit improvements in health behaviors and perceived subjective health in pilots and may improve quality of life during an unprecedented global pandemic.     

‘Motivate’: the effect of a Football in the Community delivered weight loss programme on over 35-year old men and women’s cardiovascular risk factors

The purpose of this study was to examine whether an innovative, inclusive and integrated 12-week exercise, behaviour change and nutrition advice-based weight management programme could significantly improve the cardiovascular risk factors of overweight and obese men and women over the age of 35. One hundred and ninety-four men and 98 women (mean age?=?52.28?±?9.74 and 51.19?±?9.04) attending a community-based intervention delivered by Notts County Football in the Community over one year, took part in the study. Height (m), weight (kg), fitness (meters covered during a 6?min walk) and waist circumference (cm) were measured at weeks 1 and 12 as part of the intervention. Changes in body weight, waist circumference and fitness for men and women were measured by a 2-way repeated measures ANOVA, with significance set to p?<?0.05.Weight, waist circumference and fitness significantly improved over time in both men (4.96?kg, 6.29?cm, 70.22?m; p?<?0.05) and women (4.26?kg, 5.90?cm, 35.29?m; p?<?0.05). The results demonstrated that the FITC lead weight loss intervention was successful in significantly improving cardiovascular risk factors in both men and women. In particular, the weight loss reductions achieved were comparable to those seen in similar, more costly men-only programmes. This is the first study to demonstrate the efficacy of such an intervention in an inclusive, mixed gender programme and more specifically, in women.     

Effect of a Pedometer-Based Intervention on Daily Step Counts of Community-Dwelling Older Adults

This study investigated the effect of a 12-week pedometer-based intervention on daily step counts of 147 older adults randomly assigned to an intervention or wait-list control group (M age = 72.9 years, SD = 8.8). The intervention group significantly increased their daily step counts after 12 weeks (M = 639, SD = 2,239) and continued to significantly increase during a 12-week maintenance period (M = 680, SD = 1,721). The control group exhibited no change during the control period (M =-393, SD = 2,050) but had a significant increase in daily step counts (M = 1,580, SD = 2,305) when enrolled in the intervention. The pedometer-based intervention was effective in increasing participants' daily step counts.     

Effect of a pedometer-based intervention on daily step counts of community-dwelling older adults

This study investigated the effect of a 12-week pedometer-based intervention on daily step counts of 147 older adults randomly assigned to an intervention or wait-list control group (M age = 72.9 years, SD = 8.8). The intervention group significantly increased their daily step counts after 12 weeks (M=639, SD=2239) and continued to significantly increase during a 12-week maintenance period (M=680, SD=1721). The control group exhibited no change during the control period (M = -393, SD=2050) but had a significant increase in daily step counts (M=1580, SD=2305) when enrolled in the intervention. The pedometer-based intervention was effective in increasing participants' daily step counts.     

动作发展视域下幼儿足球促进粗大动作发展水平研究

探讨幼儿足球对幼儿粗大动作发展水平的影响,为干预幼儿粗大动作发展提供依据。选取嘉兴市108名5~6岁幼儿为受试对象,以班级为单位随机分为干预组与对照组。干预组进行12周幼儿足球游戏活动教学,2次*40min/周;对照组幼儿为静态性的课堂班级活动。干预前后采用PGMQS测量幼儿位移能力、操控能力及平衡能力。采用独立样本t检验、配对样本t检验及协方差分析两组幼儿前后测结果的差异性。结果显示:①干预前,两组幼儿粗大动作发展水平无显著性差异(P>0.05);干预后,两组幼儿粗大动作发展水平存在显著性差异(P<0.05),干预组高于对照组。②干预组和对照组幼儿后测结果与前测结果间均存在显著性差异(P<0.05),后测结果高于前测。研究结果表明幼儿粗大动作发展存在延长效应,但结构化幼儿足球游戏活动明显提高了幼儿粗大动作发展水平。因此建议抓牢幼儿早期动作发展的敏感期,以动作发展为主线科学设计幼儿足球游戏活动并保证活动的顺利开展,为幼儿健康、全面发展奠定良好的基础。     

An integrated curriculum approach to increasing habitual physical activity in deprived South Asian children

Integrating physical activity (PA) within a school curriculum is a promising approach for increasing PA in children. To date, no research has examined its effectiveness in increasing the low levels of PA witnessed in deprived South Asian (SA) children. The study aims to ascertain whether an integrated school-based curriculum and pedometer intervention could increase PA in children from deprived SA backgrounds. Following ethical approval and informed consent, 134 deprived SA children (63 boys, 71 girls, control (n?=?40, mean age?=?11.12 years, SD?=?0.32 years) and intervention (n?=?94, mean age?=?9.48 years, SD?=?0.62 years)) from a primary school in England, UK, completed a 6-week integrated PA intervention based on virtually walking from their school (middle of the country) to the coast and back (March–July 2013). Habitual PA was determined at baseline and post 6 weeks intervention for both groups, and determined weekly during the intervention in the experimental group. The results indicated that average daily steps were significantly higher at post 6 weeks compared to baseline for the intervention group (intervention mean change?=?8694 steps/day, SD?=?7428 steps/day vs. control mean change?=??1121 steps/day, SD?=?5592 steps/day, 95% CI of difference, 6726–7428 steps/day, P?=?.001, d?=?1.76). In addition, significant decreases in BF% and waist circumference were observed in the intervention group post 6 weeks (mean change for BF%?=??4.5%, mean change for WC?=??1.7?cm, P?=?.001). School-based integrated curriculum and pedometer interventions provide a feasible and effective mechanism for increasing habitual PA in primary school children from deprived SA backgrounds.     

Morphological and health-related changes associated with a 12-week self-guided exercise programme in overweight adults: a pilot study

Abstract

Over 12 weeks, supervised physical activity (PA) interventions have demonstrated improvements in morphological and health parameters, whereas community walking programmes have not. The present study piloted a self-guided programme for promoting PA and reducing sedentary behaviour in overweight individuals and measured its effect on a range of health outcomes. Six male and 16 female sedentary adults aged 48.5 ± 5.5 years with body mass index (BMI) 33.4 ± 6.3 kg m^?2 were assessed for anthropometric variables, blood pressure, functional capacity, well-being and fatigue. After an exercise consultation, participants pursued their own activity and monitored PA points weekly. At baseline, mid-point and 12 weeks, eight participants wore activity monitors, and all participants undertook a 5-day food diary to monitor dietary intake. In 17 completers, mass, BMI, sit-to-stand, physical and general fatigue had improved by 6 weeks. By 12 weeks, waist, sagittal abdominal diameter (SAD), diastolic blood pressure, well-being and most fatigue dimensions had also improved. Throughout the intervention, PA was stable, energy intake and lying time decreased and standing time increased; thus, changes in both energy intake and expenditure explain the health-related outcomes. Observed changes in function, fatigue and quality of life are consistent with visceral fat loss and can occur at levels of weight loss which may not be considered clinically significant.     

Reduced barriers mediated physical activity maintenance among breast cancer survivors

To better understand mechanisms of physical activity (PA) behavior change in breast cancer survivors, we examined mediation of a successful PA behavior change intervention by social cognitive theory (SCT) constructs. Our exploratory study randomized 41 breast cancer survivors to receive the 3-month intervention (INT) or usual care (UC). We used the Freedman and Schatzkin approach to examine mediation of intervention effect on PA 3 months postintervention by changes in SCT constructs from baseline to immediately postintervention. Compared with UC, the INT group reported lower barriers interference (mean difference = -7.8, 95% CI [-15.1, -0.4], d = -0.67, p = .04) and greater PA enjoyment (mean difference = 0.7, 95% CI [0, 1.5], d = 0.61, p = .06). Barriers interference mediated 39% (p = .004) of the intervention effect on PA 3 months postintervention. PA enjoyment was not a significant mediator. Reducing barriers to PA partially explained our intervention effect.     

运动干预对中老年Ⅱ型糖尿病病人症状改善作用研究

目的:为了探究运动干预对Ⅱ型糖尿病患者的治疗效果,向患者普及科学健身的知识和方法,增强其体质,延缓病情进一步恶化。方法:通过对社区医院109名40~69岁的Ⅱ型糖尿病患者实施运动干预,并于实验前、中、后期对受试者形态、机能、素质及糖脂代谢指标进行测试。结果:与同期对照组和组内干预前相比,12周末运动组的体重、BMI、收缩压、TC和TG显著降低(P<0.05),12周末的台阶指数、坐位体前屈显著增加(P<0.05);6周末和12周末运动组的肺活量、HDL显著增加(P<0.05),6周末和12周末运动组的选择反应时、FPG、2hPBG、HbA1c、LDL显著降低(P<0.05)。结论:12周运动干预能够在一定程度上改善形态、素质和机能指标,提高机体的有氧代谢能力,其中对改善糖脂代谢的效果较好,能够在一定程度上有效控制FPG、2hPBG、HbA1c水平,提升HDL水平,降低TC、TG和LDL水平,更好地调控血糖。     

The effects of a 4-week static stretching programme on the individual muscles comprising the hamstrings

The aims of this study were to investigate the effects of a 4-week intervention of static stretching (SS) on muscle hardness of the semitendinosus (ST), semimembranosus (SM) and biceps femoris (BF) muscles. Shear elastic modulus was measured by using ultrasound shear wave elastography as the index of muscle hardness. Thirty healthy men (age 22.7 ± 2.2 years) volunteered for this study and were randomly assigned to the SS intervention group (n = 15) or the control group (n = 15). Participants in the SS intervention group received a 4-week stretch intervention for the hamstrings of their dominant leg. Shear elastic moduli of the hamstrings were measured at initial evaluation and after 4 weeks in both groups at a determined angle. In all muscles, the shear elastic modulus decreased significantly after SS intervention. The percentage change in the shear elastic modulus from the value at initial evaluation to after 4 weeks intervention was greatest in the SM. These results suggest that SS intervention has chronic effects on reducing hardness of the hamstring muscle components, especially the SM muscle.     

Evaluation of a university course to promote physical activity: project GRAD

Project GRAD (Graduate Ready for Activity Daily) evaluates a university course to promote physical activity. In a randomized study, 338 university seniors participated in either an intervention or control course for academic credit, and posttest data were collected on 321. The control course was knowledge-oriented. The intervention course taught behavior change skills in weekly lectures and peer-led labs. Physical activity was assessed with 7-Day Physical Activity Recall interviews. The intervention had no significant effects on men. Among women, the intervention increased total physical activity during leisure, strengthening exercises, and flexibility exercise. This university course had the intended effects of promoting healthful patterns of physical activity among women, but no effects were observed on men, who were more active than women at baseline.     

Parental Support and Objectively Measured Physical Activity in Children: A Yearlong Cluster-Randomized Controlled Efficacy Trial

Purpose: We studied whether physical activity (PA) counseling for parents influenced the level of parental support of children’s PA and leisure-time PA in children of different levels of initial parental support. We hypothesized that the initial level of parental support would moderate the intervention efficacy. Method: Children (n = 44, M_age = 6.09 ± 1.17 years) and their parents (n = 61) randomly assigned to an intervention group received counseling for 6 months. Children in the control group (n = 47, M_age = 6.12 ± 1.11 years) and their parents (n = 63) did not receive any counseling. Parental support was assessed using the Family Physical Activity Environment Questionnaire, and children’s leisure-time PA was recorded using triaxial accelerometers at baseline, at 6 months, and at 12 months. The efficacy of the intervention was tested by linear mixed-effects modeling adjusted for confounding variables (Model 1) and additionally for children’s participation in organized PA or sports (Model 2). Results: Parents within the lowest initial parental support intervention tertile significantly increased their support, and their children’s mean level of leisure-time PA significantly improved compared with the corresponding controls during the counseling period. On the other hand, intervention was found to have an unfavorable influence especially in the PA of children of initially highly supportive parents. Conclusion: Targeting PA counseling for parents with low support of their children’s PA could contribute to better family-based PA counseling efficacy.     

The effects of an enhanced quality Physical Education programme on the physical activity levels of Grade 7 learners in Potchefstroom,South Africa

Background: The absence of Physical Education (PE) from the South African school curriculum before its reintroduction in recent years contributed to health concerns regarding the low physical activity (PA) levels of children and adolescents in South Africa.

Purpose: This study evaluated the effects of a once-a-week enhanced quality PE programme on the PA levels of South African Grade 7 learners.

Methods: Using a pre-test and post-test control-group design, 110 Grade 7 learners aged 12–13 years (experimental school, n?=?40; control schools, n?=?70) from two primary schools in Potchefstroom, South Africa, were studied. They participated in a 12-week PE intervention programme based on the guidelines of the South African Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement, which allocates one hour per week to PE teaching. The intervention included five quality-enhancing components, namely well-trained teachers, homework activities, a reward system, hand-made apparatus and the monitoring of activity intensity. In the experimental school, 40 learners were randomly assigned from the total Grade 7 class (n?=?124) to the experimental group, while two control groups (n?=?37 and n?=?33) were used, one from the same school as the experimental school and the other from a different school. Additionally, to control for PE teacher interaction effect, the experimental group was divided into 4 experimental sub-groups of 10 learners each, which were taught by 4 different PE teachers, and the pre-test and post-test data of these experimental sub-groups were also analysed. Children's PA levels were measured before and after the intervention using a validated Children's Leisure Activities Study Survey questionnaire. The Kruskal–Wallis and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used to evaluate the effects of the intervention programme.

Results: No significant differences were found within the experimental group between the 4 experimental sub-groups and between the 2 control groups at pre- and post-test measurements (p?>?.05). There was a significant effect for the experimental group as a whole, as results of the total experimental group showed statistically significant increases in moderate PA (ES?=?0.47; p?=?.014), vigorous PA (ES?=?0.48; p?=?.012) and total PA (ES?=?0.51; p?=?.008) as well as decreases in sedentary behaviours (ES?=?0.39; p?=?.041) after the 12-week intervention programme, whereas no significant changes were found in the control group. Statistically significant improvements were also found in all 4 experimental sub-groups between pre- and post-tests for the time spent in moderate PA (p?=?.028–.05; ES?=?0.23–0.64), vigorous PA (p?=?.018–.036; ES?=?0.23–0.63), total PA (p?=?.017–.05; ES?=?0.30–0.68) and sedentary time (p?=?.014–.049; ES?=?0.26–0.66), whereas no marked changes were observed among the two control groups, indicating no PE teacher interaction effect on the results.

Conclusions: The enhanced quality PE programme can be used as a valuable framework for PE implementation targeted at promoting learners’ PA levels, even in the presence of restricted time allocation, and limited teaching and learning resources.     

Independent and joint associations of physical activity and fitness with fibromyalgia symptoms and severity: The al-Ándalus project

We examined independent and joint associations of objectively measured physical activity (PA) and physical fitness (PF) with pain, fatigue and the overall impact of fibromyalgia in 386 fibromyalgia women aged 51.2 ± 7.6 years. Levels of PA (light, moderate and vigorous) and PF were measured with triaxial accelerometry and the Senior Fitness Test, respectively. We used the Short-Form health survey-36 pain sub-scale and the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory to assess pain and multiple dimensions of fatigue, respectively. The impact of fibromyalgia was studied with the Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQR). Both, total PA and global PF were independently associated with pain pressure threshold, SF-36 pain, reduced activity, reduced motivation and FIQR total score (all, P ≤ 0.027). The associations between total PA and symptoms were weaker than those observed between global PF and symptoms. Overall, unfit patients with low PA showed a worse profile that fit patients with high PA (all, P ≤ 0.001). In summary, PA and PF are independently associated with pain, fatigue and the overall impact of fibromyalgia in women. Although PF presented greater associations with symptoms, the results suggest that both being physically active and keep adequate fitness levels might be convenient for fibromyalgia women.     

Influence of moderate intensity physical activity levels and gender on conditioned pain modulation

This study examined the potential influence of moderate intensity physical activity (PA) levels and gender on central pain modulation using conditioned pain modulation (CPM) in healthy men and women. Twenty four individuals (12 men and 12 women) who reported engaging in the moderate intensity PA for 150 min or more per week and 24 individuals (12 men and 12 women) who reported engaging in moderate intensity PA for 60 min or less per week completed a self-report PA questionnaire and a 7-day PA assessment using an accelerometer. Furthermore, the participants completed the CPM testing to evaluate the efficiency of central pain modulation. The active individuals scored higher on the PA questionnaire and spent more minutes for light, lifestyle, moderate and vigorous intensity PA than the less active individuals. The active men and women exhibited comparable magnitudes of CPM, and showed a greater magnitude of CPM when compared to their less active counterparts. However, these beneficial effects of higher dose moderate intensity PA disappeared when time spent for vigorous intensity PA was statistically controlled for. These results suggest that the higher dose moderate intensity PA does not add to the benefits from vigorous intensity PA to further improve central pain modulatory systems.     

Promoting physical activity using a wearable activity tracker in college students: A cluster randomized controlled trial

This study examined the effects of utilizing a wearable activity tracker in a credit-based physical activity instructional program (PAIP) for promoting physical activity (PA) in college students. Fourteen PAIP courses in a large public university were randomly assigned into intervention (k = 7; n = 101) and control (k = 7; n = 86) groups. All courses focused on a core curriculum that covers basic exercise and behavioral science contents through lectures and activity sessions. A Misfit Flash activity tracker was provided to students in the intervention group. Objective PA assessments occurred at baseline, mid-, and end-of-semester during a 15-week academic semester. The control group showed a significant reduction in moderate- and vigorous-intensity PA (MVPA) minutes from baseline to the end-of-semester (P <.05), whereas the intervention group showed no changes in MVPA minutes over time. However, the intervention group also showed increased sedentary time and decreased time spent in light-intensity PA during the intervention period. Taken together, the present study found null effects of utilizing the wearable activity tracker in promoting PA in college students suggesting that intervention of primary using the wearable activity tracker as a behavior change strategy may not be effective to increase in PA in this setting.     

Exergaming impact on physical activity and interest in elementary school children

In this study, I explored the impact of exergaming on in-class physical activity (PA) and motivation in physical education. Elementary children participated in a 4-week exergaming unit and a 4-week fitness unit. A t test showed the children's in-class PA in the exergaming unit was significantly lower than in the fitness unit. Results also indicated that students' situational interest in exergaming was significantly higher than in the fitness unit at the beginning and end of instruction. Children's interest declined significantly in both units and at the same rate. The evidence suggests that exergames may have strong motivational power but it is premature to claim they will increase physical activity enough for children to receive health benefits in physical education.