The Metabolic Cost of Two Ranges of Arm Position Height with and without Hand Weights during Low Impact Aerobic Dance

Abstract

To determine the energy cost of low impact aerobic dance while varying arm movement height and the use of hand weights, 10 adults volunteered to participate in four choreographed trials. All trials consisted of identical leg movements. Arm movements, however, were performed above shoulder level both with and without 0.9-kg hand weights and below shoulder level both with and without 0.9-kg hand weights. Open circuit spirometry was employed throughout the 10-min videotape guided trials, and heart rate was measured by telemetry. Neither the use of hand weights nor the change in arm position height significantly altered the energy cost of low impact aerobic dance. However, heart rate responses were significantly different. Caution should be observed by aerobics instructors and participants as to the use of heart rate as an indicator of intensity for low impact aerobic dance.     

Effect of Including Parents in a School-Based Exercise and Nutrition Program for Children

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of parental involvement in a school-based program about exercise and nutrition. One fifth grade and one sixth grade class were randomly assigned to each of the three different treatment conditions, a school-and-home condition (n = 45), a school-only condition (n = 43), and a control condition (n = 44). In the school-and-home condition, the children's parents were also asked to participate in nutritional and exercise activities at home as a family “home team.” A multivariate analysis of variance on change scores was completed on the following variables: height, weight, skinfold, sit-and-reach, sit-ups, mile run, exercise knowledge, saturated fat, cholesterol, percent calories from fat, percent calories from carbohydrates, and nutrition knowledge. There was a significant difference among groups. The school-and-home and school-only groups showed significantly greater improvement than the control group but were not significantly different from each other. Univariate analyses on posttest scores indicated that the school-and-home children scored significantly higher than the control group on sit-and-reach flexibility and nutrition knowledge. The results indicate that including the family was primarily effective in facilitating children's improvements in flexibility and nutrition knowledge rather than in diet and exercise behaviors.     

Attention Demands of Precision Pistol-Shooting as a Function of Skill Level

This study provided initial validity evidence for multidimensional measures of coaching competency derived from the Coaching Competency Scale (CCS). Data were collected from intercollegiate men's (n = 8) and women's (n = 13) soccer and women's ice hockey teams (n = 11). The total number of athletes was 585. Within teams, a multidimensional internal model was retained in which motivation, game strategy, technique, and character building comprised the dimensions of coaching competency. Some redundancy among the dimensions was observed. Internal reliabilities ranged from very good to excellent. Practical recommendations for the CCS are given in the Discussion section.     

Comparison of Recovery Procedures for the Reduction of Exercise Stress

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of three types of recovery procedure on (a) circulatory recovery from a standardized bicycle ergometer exercise, (b) performance in a second standardized bicycle ergometer exercise, and (c) circulatory recovery from the second exercise. The recovery procedures were complete rest, light activity, and cold showers. Each of 10 male subjects underwent each recovery procedure on separate days. Analysis of variance for a randomized complete blocks design was used in the analysis of the data. Results indicated that cold showers decreased recovery heart rate after the first standardized exercise from 115 to 96 beats/minute and after the second exercise from 164 to 152 beats/ minute when compared with the other two conditions. Speed of performance in the second exercise was improved from 40.4 and 40.3 sec. in the case of rest and light activity to 38.9 sec. for cold showers. These improvements were all statistically significant at the .05 level. Three physiological explanations, not necessarily independent, are advanced: (a) local vasoconstriction of the skin vessels and vasodilatation of the muscle vessels causing a greater proportion of total blood flow to the working muscles, (b) establishment of a greater thermal gradient between the core and shell of the body allowing heat movement to the surface of the body by conduction between tissues rather than by skin blood flow, and (c) a decrease in sweat rate, thereby suppressing release of bradykinin, a vasodilator substance.     

Physical Fitness,Self-Esteem,and Attitudes toward Physical Activity

Abstract

A total of 165 adolescent boys took measures of physical fitness, general self-esteem, and attitudes toward physical activities. High-fit compared to low-fit boys were higher in self-estimates of physical ability (P < .007) and self-reported attraction to physical activities (P < .007) but not significantly different in general self-esteem nor in reported extent of participation in voluntary physical activities. In addition significant correlations were observed between self-estimates of physical ability and attraction to physical activity, and between attraction to physical activity and extent of voluntary participation in physical activity.     

Relative Isometric Endurance and Different Levels of Athletic Achievement

Abstract

Relative isometric endurance tests of 50, 60, 70, and 80 percent weight loads were used to evaluate the muscular endurance of three groups of male college students. The 47 students were grouped according to level of athletic achievement. Analysis of variance models failed to detect any differences between the endurance of the three groups. Consideration was given to the use of relative endurance tests for evaluating levels of motivation.     

Returning to competition after a serious injury: The role of self-determination

Abstract

We tested hypotheses grounded in self-determination theory regarding athletes' cognitive appraisals and emotional reactions when returning to competition following a serious injury. Professional male athletes (N = 225) competing in the Australian Football League were presented with return-to-competition scenarios that varied with respect to: (1) degree of self-determination and (2) salience of re-injury concern. Significant MANOVA main effects were observed for the degree of self-determination on both primary appraisals and emotional responses as well as for the salience of re-injury concern on emotional response. Follow-up ANOVA polynomial trend analyses provided support for the hypothesized trends for greater self-determination in the return to sport to result in more positive appraisals and affect. Findings support self-determination theory contentions and research indicating the psychological benefits of increased self-determination.