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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences

Development And Cross-Validation Of A Cadence-Based Metabolic Equation For Walking, Christopher C. Moore Jul 2019

Cardiovascular Disease Risk And Menopause: Effects Of Cardiorespiratory Fitness, Exercise, And Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Corinna Serviente Nov 2018

Cardiovascular Disease Risk And Menopause: Effects Of Cardiorespiratory Fitness, Exercise, And Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Corinna Serviente

Doctoral Dissertations

Menopause is associated with adverse changes in cardiovascular disease risk factors. A reduction in estrogens is most commonly associated with changing cardiovascular disease risk; however, recent observations suggest that the increase in follicle stimulating hormone that accompanies menopause may also influence risk, potentially through its influence on lipid levels. The changes in cardiovascular disease risk factors may adversely affect endothelial cell function, a pre-clinical marker for cardiovascular disease. Whether cardiorespiratory fitness is protective of endothelial health in this population, thereby mitigating the changes in risk that accompany menopause, is unclear. This dissertation evaluated differences in endothelial health and endothelial responses …


The Effects Of Ovarian Hormones And Exercise On Gene Markers Of Cardiac Dysfunction, Anisha S. Patel Jul 2015

The Effects Of Ovarian Hormones And Exercise On Gene Markers Of Cardiac Dysfunction, Anisha S. Patel

Masters Theses

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women in the United States. Premenopausal women appear to have better cardiac function and lower risk of heart disease compared to male postmenopausal female counterparts. Ovarian hormone loss influences blood pressure homeostasis and causes systemic inflammation, which may result in chronic stress on the heart. Two key physiological changes in cardiac dysfunction are reemergence of the fetal gene pattern and myocardial remodeling. Physical activity has been linked to improved cardiac function. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of ovariectomy on early markers of cardiac dysfunction and fibrosis …


Sustained And Shorter Bouts Of Physical Activity Are Related To Cardiovascular Health, Nicole Glazer, Asya Lyass, Dale Esliger, Susan Blease, Patty Freedson, Joseph Massaro, Joanne Murabito, Ramachandran Vasan Jan 2013

Sustained And Shorter Bouts Of Physical Activity Are Related To Cardiovascular Health, Nicole Glazer, Asya Lyass, Dale Esliger, Susan Blease, Patty Freedson, Joseph Massaro, Joanne Murabito, Ramachandran Vasan

Patty S. Freedson

Purpose—Whereas greater physical activity (PA) is known to prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD), the relative importance of performing PA in sustained bouts of activity versus shorter bouts of activity on CVD risk is not known. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), measured in bouts ≥10 minutes and <10 minutes, and CVD risk factors in a well-characterized, community-based sample of white adults. Methods—We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 2109 Framingham Heart Study Third Generation participants (mean age 47 years, 55% women) who underwent objective assessment of PA by accelerometry over 57 days. Total MVPA, MVPA done in bouts ≥10 minutes (MVPA10+), and MVPA done in bouts <10 minutes (MVPA<10) were calculated. MVPA exposures were related to individual CVD risk factors, including measures of adiposity and blood lipid and glucose levels, using linear and logistic regression. Results—Total MVPA was significantly associated with higher high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels, and with lower triglycerides, BMI, waist circumference and Framingham risk score (P<0.0001). MVPA<10 showed similar statistically significant associations with these CVD risk factors (P <0.001). Compliance with national guidelines (≥150 minutes of total MVPA) was significantly related to lower BMI, triglycerides, Framingham risk score, waist circumference, higher HDL, and a lower prevalence of obesity and impaired fasting glucose (P < 0.001 for all). Conclusions—Our cross-sectional observations on a large middle-aged community-based sample confirm a positive association of MVPA with a healthier CVD risk factor profile, and indicate that accruing physical activity in bouts <10 minutes may favorably influence cardiometabolic risk. Additional investigations are warranted to confirm our findings.


Physical Activity And Sedentary Activity Patterns Among Children And Adolescents: A Latent Class Analysis Approach, Carrie Heitzler, Leslie Lytle, Darin Erickson, John Sirard, Daheia Barr-Anderson, Marry Story May 2011

Physical Activity And Sedentary Activity Patterns Among Children And Adolescents: A Latent Class Analysis Approach, Carrie Heitzler, Leslie Lytle, Darin Erickson, John Sirard, Daheia Barr-Anderson, Marry Story

John Sirard

Background—While much is known about the overall levels of physical activity and sedentary activity among youth, few studies have attempted to define clusters of such behaviors. The purpose of this study was to identify and describe unique classes of youth based on their participation in a variety of physical activity and sedentary behaviors. Methods—Latent class analysis was used to characterize segments of youth based on patterns of self-reported and accelerometer-measured participation in 12 behaviors. Children and adolescents (N=720) from 6th–11th grade were included in the analysis. Differences in class membership were examined using multinomial logistic regression. Results—Three distinct classes emerged …


Feasibility And Efficacy Of A Physical Activity Intervention Among Pregnant Women: The Behaviors Affecting Baby And You (B.A.B.Y.) Study, Lisa Chasan-Taber, Marushka Silveira, Bess Marcus, Barry Braun, Edward Stanek, Glenn Markenson Jan 2011

Feasibility And Efficacy Of A Physical Activity Intervention Among Pregnant Women: The Behaviors Affecting Baby And You (B.A.B.Y.) Study, Lisa Chasan-Taber, Marushka Silveira, Bess Marcus, Barry Braun, Edward Stanek, Glenn Markenson

Barry Braun

Background: Physical activity during pregnancy is associated with reduced risk of adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. However, the majority of pregnant women are inactive and interventions designed to increase exercise during pregnancy are sparse. We evaluated the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of an exercise intervention among a diverse sample of pregnant women. Methods: The B.A.B.Y. (Behaviors Affecting Baby and You) Study is conducted at a large tertiary care facility in Western Massachusetts. We randomized 110 prenatal care patients (60% Hispanic) to an individually tailored 12-week exercise intervention arm (n = 58) or to a health and wellness control arm (n …