Life Sciences Commons^™

Alterg Anti-Gravity Treadmill Walking Program On An Extremely Obese Female, Jane Shimon, Shawn Simonson, Elaine Long, Brooke Lester

Elaine M. Long

No abstract provided.

Evaluation Of Artificial Neural Network Algorithms For Predicting Mets And Activity Type From Accelerometer Data: Validation On An Independent Sample, Patty S. Freedson, Kate Lyden, Sarah Kozey-Keadle, John Staudenmayer

Patty S. Freedson

Previous work from our laboratory provided a “proof of concept” for use of artificial neural networks (nnets) to estimate metabolic equivalents (METs) and identify activity type from accelerometer data (Staudenmayer J, Pober D, Crouter S, Bassett D, Freedson P, J Appl Physiol 107: 1330–1307, 2009). The purpose of this study was to develop new nnets based on a larger, more diverse, training data set and apply these nnet prediction models to an independent sample to evaluate the robustness and flexibility of this machine-learning modeling technique. The nnet training data set (University of Massachusetts) included 277 participants who each completed 11 …

Evaluation Of The Minimum Energy Hypothesis And Other Potential Optimality Criteria For Human Running, Ross H. Miller, Brian R. Umberger, Joseph Hamill, Graham E. Caldwell

Joseph Hamill

A popular hypothesis for human running is that gait mechanics and muscular activity are optimized in order to minimize the cost of transport (CoT). Humans running at any particular speed appear to naturally select a stride length that maintains a low CoT when compared with other possible stride lengths. However, it is unknown if the nervous system prioritizes the CoT itself for minimization, or if some other quantity is minimized and a low CoT is a consequential effect. To address this question, we generated predictive computer simulations of running using an anatomically inspired musculoskeletal model and compared the results with …

The Collage Of Functional Health Education For Effective Healthy Decisions And Health Promotion, Prof. Jerome Okonkwo Okafor

Prof. Jerome O Okafor

No abstract provided.

17th-Inaugural Lecture Series @ Unizik, Jerome Okafor

Prof. Jerome O Okafor

No abstract provided.

Impact Of Metformin On Peak Aerobic Capacity, Barry Braun, Pamela Eze, Brooke R. Stephens, Todd A. Hagobian, Carrie G. Sharoff, Stuart R. Chipkin, Benjamin Goldstein

Stuart R. Chipkin

Individually, exercise and the drug metformin have been shown to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. Metformin mildly inhibits complex I of the electron transport system and may impact aerobic capacity in people exercising while taking metformin. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effects of metformin on maximal aerobic capacity in healthy individuals without mitochondrial dysfunction. Seventeen healthy, normal-weight men (n=11) and women (n=6) participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over design. Peak aerobic capacity was measured twice using a continuous, incrementally graded protocol; once after 7-9 d of metformin (final dose=2000 mg/d) and once with placebo, with …

Obesogenic Family Types Identified Through Latent Profile Analysis, Brian Martinson, Gabriela Vazquezbenitez, Carrie Patnode, Mary Hearst, Nancy Sherwood, Emily Parker, John Sirard, Keryn Pasch, Leslie Lytle

John Sirard

Background—Obesity may cluster in families due to shared physical and social environments. Purpose—This study aims to identify family typologies of obesity risk based on family environments. Methods—Using 2007–2008 data from 706 parent/youth dyads in Minnesota, we applied latent profile analysis and general linear models to evaluate associations between family typologies and body mass index (BMI) of youth and parents. Results—Three typologies described most families with 18.8% “Unenriched/Obesogenic,” 16.9% “Risky Consumer,” and 64.3% “Healthy Consumer/Salutogenic.” After adjustment for demographic and socioeconomic factors, parent BMI and youth BMI Z-scores were higher in unenriched/obesogenic families (BMI difference=2.7, p<0.01 and BMI Z-score difference=0.51, p<0.01, respectively) relative to the healthy consumer/salutogenic typology. In contrast, parent BMI and youth BMI Z-scores were similar in the risky consumer families relative to those in healthy consumer/salutogenic type. Conclusions—We can identify family types differing in obesity risks with implications for public health interventions.

The Reorganization Of A Professional Sports League - A Critical Analysis Of The Restructuring Of The Australian National Basketball League, Winston Wing Hong To, Shayne Quick, Darwin Semotiuk

Winston Wing Hong To

There are numerous examples of professional sports leagues that have failed. Australia has witnessed professor soccer (National Soccer League) and rugby leagues (Super League, Australian Rugby Football League) disappear, be restructured, or reintroduced under a new brand and name (soccer: A-League, rugby league: National Rugby league) (MacDonald & Karg & Lock, 2010; Commonwealth of Australia, 2006). North America has seen the closure of a number of professional sports leagues such as the XFL (American Football), World Hockey Association (Ice Hockey), and the Canadian Soccer League (Football/Soccer) (Bostwick, 2007; Golokhov, nd). There are numerous reasons why these professional sports leagues fail. …

Calibrating A Novel Multi-Sensor Physical Activity Measurement System, D. John, S. Liu, J. Saski, C. Howe, J. Staudenmayer, R. Gao, Patty Freedson

Patty S. Freedson

Advancing the field of physical activity (PA) monitoring requires the development of innovative multi-sensor measurement systems that are feasible in the free-living environment. The use of novel analytical techniques to combine and process these multiple sensor signals is equally important. This paper, describes a novel multi-sensor ‘Integrated PA Measurement System’ (IMS), the lab-based methodology used to calibrate the IMS, techniques used to predict multiple variables from the sensor signals, and proposes design changes to improve the feasibility of deploying the IMS in the free-living environment. The IMS consists of hip and wrist acceleration sensors, two piezoelectric respiration sensors on the …

The Effects Of 24 Weeks Of Resistance Training With Simultaneous Elastic And Free Weight Loading On Muscular Performance Of Novice Lifters, Todd C. Shoepe, David A. Ramirez, Robert J. Rovetti, David R. Kohler, Hawley C. Almstedt

Hawley Almstedt

The purpose of this investigation was to assess the effectiveness of variable resistance as provided through elastic plus free weight techniques in college aged males and females. Twenty novice lifters were randomly assigned to a traditional free weight only (6 males and 5 females) or elastic band plus free weight group (5 males and 5 females) and 9 more normally active controls (5 males and 4 females), were recruited to maintain normal activity for the duration of the study. No differences existed between control, free weight and elastic band at baseline for age, body height, body mass, body mass index, …

The Effects Of 24 Weeks Of Resistance Training With Simultaneous Elastic And Free Weight Loading On Muscular Performance Of Novice Lifters, Todd C. Shoepe, David A. Ramirez, Robert J. Rovetti, David R. Kohler, Hawley C. Almstedt

Robert J. Rovetti

The purpose of this investigation was to assess the effectiveness of variable resistance as provided through elastic plus free weight techniques in college aged males and females. Twenty novice lifters were randomly assigned to a traditional free weight only (6 males and 5 females) or elastic band plus free weight group (5 males and 5 females) and 9 more normally active controls (5 males and 4 females), were recruited to maintain normal activity for the duration of the study. No differences existed between control, free weight and elastic band at baseline for age, body height, body mass, body mass index, …

Evaluating A Model Of Youth Physical Activity, Carrie D. Heitzler, Leslie A. Lytle, Darin J. Erickson, Daheia Barr-Anderson, John R. Sirard, Mary Story

John Sirard

Objective—To explore the relationship between social influences, self-efficacy, enjoyment, and barriers and physical activity. Methods—Structural equation modeling examined relationships between parent and peer support, parent physical activity, individual perceptions, and objectively measured physical activity using accelerometers among a sample of youth aged 10–17 years (N=720). Results—Peer support, parent physical activity, and perceived barriers were directly related to youth activity. The proposed model accounted for 14.7% of the variance in physical activity. Conclusions—The results demonstrate a need to further explore additional individual, social, and environmental factors that may influence youth’s regular participation in physical activity.

The Effects Of 24 Weeks Of Resistance Training With Simultaneous Elastic And Free Weight Loading On Muscular Performance Of Novice Lifters, Todd C. Shoepe, David A. Ramirez, Robert J. Rovetti, David R. Kohler, Hawley C. Almstedt

Todd Shoepe

The purpose of this investigation was to assess the effectiveness of variable resistance as provided through elastic plus free weight techniques in college aged males and females. Twenty novice lifters were randomly assigned to a traditional free weight only (6 males and 5 females) or elastic band plus free weight group (5 males and 5 females) and 9 more normally active controls (5 males and 4 females), were recruited to maintain normal activity for the duration of the study. No differences existed between control, free weight and elastic band at baseline for age, body height, body mass, body mass index, …

The Motherland, The Godfather, And The Birth Of A Basketball Dynasty: American Efforts To Promote Basketball In Lithuania, Chad R. Carlson

Chad Carlson

The United States transported basketball to other nations around the world in many different ways and with varying degrees of success during the early decades of the twentieth century. In Lithuania, the efforts of Lithuanian Americans star Frank Lubin and other Americans in Lithuania proved wildly successful and wove basketball into the fabric of Lithuanian national identity. Throughout the late 1930s, these members of the Lithuanian community in the United States spent a great deal of time in their motherland and changed local perceptions of basketball to the point at which it became Lithuania's national pastime.

Distribution Of Myosin Attachment Times Predicted From Viscoelasticmechanics Of Striatedmuscle, Bradley M. Palmer, Yuan Wang, Mark S. Miller

Mark S. Miller

We demonstrate that viscoelastic mechanics of striated muscle, measured as elastic and viscous moduli, emerge directly from the myosin crossbridge attachment time, tatt, also called time-on. The distribution of tatt was modeled using a gamma distribution with shape parameter, p, and scale parameter, β. At 5mM MgATP, β was similar between mouse α-MyHC (16.0 ± 3.7ms) and β-MyHC (17.9 ± 2.0ms), and p was higher (P < 0.05) for β-MyHC (5.6 ± 0.4 no units) compared to α-MyHC (3.2 ± 0.9). At 1mMMgATP, p approached a value of 10 in both isoforms, but β rose only in the β-MyHC (34.8 ± 5.8ms). The estimated mean tatt (i.e., pβ product) was longer in the β-MyHC compared to α-MyHC, and became prolonged in both isoforms as MgATP was reduced as expected. The application of our viscoelastic model to these isoforms and varying MgATP conditions suggest that tatt is better modeled as a gamma distribution due to its representing multiple temporal events occurring within tatt compared to a single exponential distribution which assumes only one temporal event within tatt.

Effect Of Resistance Training On Physical Disability In Chronic Heart Failure, Patrick Savage, Anthony O. Shaw, Mark S. Miller, Peter Vanburen, Martin M. Lewinter, Philip A. Ades, Michael J. Toth

Mark S. Miller

Purpose—Patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) report difficulty performing activities of daily living. To our knowledge, however, no study has directly measured performance in activities of daily living in these patients to systematically assess their level of physical disability. Moreover, the contribution of skeletal muscle weakness to physical disability in CHF remains unclear. Thus, we measured performance in activities of daily living in CHF patients and controls, its relationship to aerobic capacity and muscle strength and the effect of resistance exercise training to improve muscle strength and physical disability. Methods—Patients and controls were assessed for performance in activities of daily …

Cooh-Terminal Truncation Of Flightin Decreases Myofilament Lattice Organization, Cross-Bridge Binding, And Power Output Indrosophila Indirect Flight Muscle, Bertrand C.W. Tanner, Mark S. Miller, Becky M. Miller, Panagiotis Lekkas, Thomas C. Irving, David W. Maughan, Jim O. Vigoreaux

Mark S. Miller

IN MUSCLE, THE THICK AND THIN filament lattice provides the structural and mechanical foundation for transmitting contractile forces throughout the cell. The highly ordered indirect flight muscle (IFM) of Drosophila melanogaster is an attractive model system to study the relationship between lattice structure and muscle function, because its in vivo lattice organization can be measured via X-ray diffraction in living flies (15) and its function can be measured from the whole fly to the molecule (14, 20, 30). In addition, the means for producing genetic alterations of specific proteins in D. melanogaster are well established, permitting precise manipulation of thick …

A History Of Low Back Pain Associates With Altered Electromyographic Activation Patterns In Response To Perturbations Of Standing Balance, Jesse Jacobs, Sharon Henry, Stephanie Jones, Juvena Hitt, Janice Bunn

Stephanie Jones

People with a history of low back pain (LBP) exhibit altered responses to postural perturbations, and the central neural control underlying these changes in postural responses remains unclear. To characterize more thoroughly the change in muscle activation patterns of people with LBP in response to a perturbation of standing balance, and to gain insight into the influence of early- vs. late-phase postural responses (differentiated by estimates of voluntary reaction times), this study evaluated the intermuscular patterns of electromyographic (EMG) activations from 24 people with and 21 people without a history of chronic, recurrent LBP in response to 12 directions of …

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 …

Can Self-Esteem Protect Against The Deleterious Consequences Of Self-Objectification For Mood And Body Satisfaction In Physically Active Female University Students?, Cecilie Thøgersen-Ntoumani, Nikos Ntoumanis, Jennifer Cumming, Kimberley J. Bartholomew, Gemma Pearce

Jennifer Cumming

Using objectification theory (Fredrickson & Roberts, 1997), this study tested the interaction between self-objectification, appearance evaluation, and self-esteem in predicting body satisfaction and mood states. Participants (N = 93) were physically active female university students. State self-objectification was manipulated by participants wearing tight revealing exercise attire (experimental condition) or baggy exercise clothes (control condition). Significant interactions emerged predicting depression, anger, fatness, and satisfaction with body shape and size. For participants in the self-objectification condition who had low (as opposed to high) appearance evaluation, low self-esteem was associated with high depression, anger, and fatness and low satisfaction with body shape and …

Regulatory Light Chain Phosphorylation And N-Terminal Extension Increase Cross-Bridge Binding And Power Output In Drosophila At In Vivo Myofilament Lattice Spacing, Mark S. Miller, Gerrie P. Farman, Joan M. Braddock, Felipe N. Soto-Adames, Thomas C. Ivring, Jim O. Vigoreaux, David W. Maughan

Mark S. Miller

The N-terminal extension and phosphorylation of the myosin regulatory light chain (RLC) independently improve Drosophila melanogaster flight performance. Here we examine the functional and structural role of the RLC in chemically skinned fibers at various thick and thin filament lattice spacings from four transgenic Drosophila lines: rescued null or control (Dmlc2þ), truncated N-terminal extension (Dmlc2D2-46), disrupted myosin light chain kinase phosphorylation sites (Dmlc2S66A,S67A), and dual mutant (Dmlc2D2-46; S66A,S67A). The N-terminal extension truncation and phosphorylation sites disruption mutations decreased oscillatory power output and the frequency of maximum power output in maximally Ca2+-activated fibers compressed to near in vivo inter-thick filament spacing, …

Cuba Offers More Than 'Sports For All', Winston Wing Hong To, Dana Poeta, Brook Russell

Winston Wing Hong To

A summary about the Cuban sport system and their philosophy on "sports for all" from the first hand perspective of students that were part of the 2011 course "An Educational Exploration of Sport and Physical Activity in Cuba" offer by The University of Western Ontario Kinesiology Department.

Efficacy Of A Family Practice-Based Lifestyle Intervention Program To Increase Physical Activity And Reduce Clinical And Physiological Markers Of Vascular Health In Patients With High Normal Blood Pressure And/Or High Normal Blood Glucose (Snac): Study Protocol For A Randomized Controlled Trial, Robert Petrella, Kuni Aizawa, Kevin Shoemaker, Tom Overend, Leonard Piché, Mauricio Marin, Sheree Shapiro, Sophie Atkin

Leonard Piché

BACKGROUND: Previous interventions to increase physical activity and reduce cardiovascular risk factors have been targeted at individuals with established disease; less attention has been given to intervention among individuals with high risk for disease nor has there been determination of the influence of setting in which the intervention is provided. In particular, family practice represents an ideal setting for the provision and long-term maintenance of lifestyle interventions for patients at risk (ie high-normal blood pressure or impaired glucose tolerance).

METHODS/DESIGN: The Staged Nutrition and Activity Counseling (SNAC) study is a randomized clustered design clinical trial that will investigate the effectiveness …

A Comprehensive Evaluation Of Commonly Used Accelerometer Energy Expenditure And Met Prediction Equations, Kate Lyden, Sarah L. Kozey, John W. Staudenmayer, Patty S. Freedson

Patty S. Freedson

Numerous accelerometers and prediction methods are used to estimate energy expenditure (EE). Validation studies have been limited to small sample sizes in which participants complete a narrow range of activities and typically validate only one or two prediction models for one particular accelerometer. Purpose—To evaluate the validity of nine published and two proprietary EE prediction equations for three different accelerometers. Methods—277 participants completed an average of 6 treadmill (TRD) (1.34, 1.56, 2.23 m・sec−1 each at 0% and 3% grade) and 5 self-paced activities of daily living (ADLs). EE estimates were compared to indirect calorimetry. Accelerometers were worn while EE was …

A Comprehensive Evaluation Of Commonly Used Accelerometer Energy Expenditure And Met Prediction Equations, Kate Lyden, Sarah L. Kozey, John W. Staudenmayer, Patty S. Freedson

Patty S. Freedson

Numerous accelerometers and prediction methods are used to estimate energy expenditure (EE). Validation studies have been limited to small sample sizes in which participants complete a narrow range of activities and typically validate only one or two prediction models for one particular accelerometer. Purpose—To evaluate the validity of nine published and two proprietary EE prediction equations for three different accelerometers. Methods—277 participants completed an average of 6 treadmill (TRD) (1.34, 1.56, 2.23 m・sec−1 each at 0% and 3% grade) and 5 self-paced activities of daily living (ADLs). EE estimates were compared to indirect calorimetry. Accelerometers were worn while EE was …

Can Culture Shape The Identity Of A Sport? A Case Study On Lifesaving Sport - Surf Lifesaving Australia And Lifesaving/Sauvetage Canada, Winston Wing Hong To

Winston Wing Hong To

Sport is an important marker of our country's culture and identity. Citizens within a country will cheer and support their sport teams if they are successful, or criticize and judge if they are doing poorly. The importance of culture within sport is an important indicator of a country's success or failure within international competitions; such as the Olympics and World Championships. However, can culture shape the identity of a sport within a country?

Lifesaving is a vital aspect of a country's swim program, as it focuses on reducing injury and death in, on, or around the water. Within Lifesaving, there …

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 …

A Time-Efficient Method For Analyzing Bone Strain With Large Subject Pools, Daniel Leib, Eric Dugan, Henry Wang

Daniel Leib

No abstract provided.

Imagining Yourself Dancing To Perfection? Correlates Of Perfectionism Among Ballet And Contemporary Dancers, Sanna M. Nordin-Bates, Jennifer Cumming, Danielle Aways, Lucinda Sharp

Jennifer Cumming

The present study investigated perfectionism prevalence and its relationship to imagery and performance anxiety. Two hundred and fifty (N = 250) elite students (66.4% female; Mage = 19.19, SD = 2.66) studying mainly classical ballet or contemporary dance in England, Canada, and Australia completed questionnaires assessing perfectionism, imagery, and performance anxiety. Cluster analysis revealed three distinct cohorts: dancers with perfectionistic tendencies (40.59% of the sample), dancers with moderate perfectionistic tendencies (44.35%), and dancers with no perfectionistic tendencies (15.06%). Notably, these labels are data driven and relative; only eight dancers reported high absolute scores. Dancers with perfectionistic tendencies experienced more debilitative …

Measuring Athlete Imagery Ability: The Sport Imagery Ability Questionnaire, Sarah E. Williams, Jennifer Cumming

Jennifer Cumming

This research aimed to develop and provide initial validation of the Sport Imagery Ability Questionnaire (SIAQ). The SIAQ assesses athletes’ ease of imaging different types of imagery content. Following an extensive pilot study, 375 athletes completed a 20-item SIAQ in Study 1. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a 4-factor model assessing skill, strategy, goal, and affect imagery ability. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) established this 4-factor structure in Study 2 (N = 363 athletes). In Study 3 (N = 438 athletes), additional items were added to create a fifth mastery imagery subscale that was confirmed through CFA. Study 4 (N = 220 …