Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Heart Failure Readmission And The Physical Activity Vital Sign (Pavs): Is There A Relationship?, Jacob Aaron Barlow

Theses and Dissertations

Background - Heart failure costs Americans billions of dollars a year and takes a toll on the patients afflicted by the disease. Recent changes in how healthcare systems and providers are reimbursed have motivated them to find new ways to prevent heart failure readmission. There is no cure for heart failure so healthcare providers try to help patients manage their symptoms. Physical activity is one of the interventions healthcare providers recommend for their patients in the management of heart failure. The Physical Activity Vital Sign is a tool that can be quickly administer and has significant validity. Objective - The …

A Profile Of Physical Activity In The City Of Knoxville's Lonsdale Park, Carly Scot Eakin

Chancellor’s Honors Program Projects

No abstract provided.

Physical Activity Prevalence Among Migrants In United Arab Emirate, Rowaa Elhidia Elobaid Abd-Allatif

Dissertations

Insufficient physical activity is a leading risk for non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Few data were available on the physical activity levels of migrants in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This study aimed to determine leisure time physical activity levels and their associated socio-demographic determinants and NCD risk factors among migrants in Al Ain, UAE. A random sample of male South Asian migrants (n=1375) (76.4% response rate) and female South Asian, Arab, and Philippines migrants (n=555) (75% participation rate) was recruited from the government Visa Screening Center in Al Ain, UAE. An adapted version of the WHO STEPS Survey with a short …

The Tampa Gym Study: An Ethnographic Exploration Of Gyms, Female Gym-Goers And The Quest For Fitness In Tampa, Fl, Danielle Reneé Rosen

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The Tampa Gym Study was an ethnographic examination of veteran women exercisers, their workout routines, and their attitudes towards the workouts that they undertake in two Tampa area gyms. The study’s principle objective was to study “fitness culture” in these facilities and the manner in which that culture is embodied in the language women use to describe themselves and their exercise behaviors.

The obesity crisis in the United States has been significantly responsible for an increase in membership in gyms and fitness facilities nationwide. The “culture of fitness” as it is embodied in these facilities has impacted women and their …

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

Masters Theses

The ACSM Metabolic Equation is a widely recognized equation for predicting metabolic intensity from walking speed. However, an equation that uses an observable metric (i.e., cadence [steps/min]), accounts for individual characteristics, and is validated across walking conditions may enable more accessible and accurate predictions of walking intensity. PURPOSE: To develop metabolic equations that predict metabolic intensity (oxygen consumption; mL/kg/min) from cadence using a large treadmill walking dataset (Study One) and cross-validate these equations during overground unconstrained and cadence-constrained walking conditions (Study Two). METHODS: In Study One, 193 adults (21-81 years) completed treadmill walking bouts while oxygen consumption was measured with …

Optimizing The Carrot Rewards App: An Examination Of Team-Based Financial Incentives To Increase Walking, Emma Pearson

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Mobile health applications (mHealth apps) targeting physical activity (PA) have increased in popularity, yet effectiveness is often limited by low engagement. This study examined the impact of adding a team-based feature, Step Together Challenges (STCs), to an existing incentive-based mHealth app (i.e., Carrot Rewards) on PA. A 24-week retrospective matched pairs study was conducted (n=61,170; pre-intervention: weeks 1-12; intervention: weeks 13-24). Participants who used STCs (experimental group) were matched with those who did not (controls). STC users could earn team incentives for collaboratively reaching individual daily step goals 10 times in seven days. Controlling for pre-intervention mean daily step count, …

The Effects Of A Mobile Fitness Application On Weight Management And Physical Acticity Amongst University Students, Erica Deenihan

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

The prevalence of obesity, and obesity related diseases throughout America, specifically in regard to the college student population has steadily climbed over the course of the last forty years, due largely in part to the increase in sedentary lifestyle behaviors, amongst other factors (Swanson, 2016). Physical activity has been widely recognized as a valid means of combatting obesity and weight gain while promoting health related quality of life (Swanson, 2016). Therefore, implementing strategies aimed at increasing physical fitness in attempt to control weight management is imperative to promoting improved health outcomes. The purpose of this evidence-based project was to examine …

Childhood Obesity: Getting Back To The Basics, Fanny Powell

DNP Qualifying Manuscripts

Childhood obesity is an epidemic that affects the nation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2015) states that over the past thirty years, the prevalence of childhood obesity has more than doubled in younger children and quadrupled in adolescents (CDC, 2015). Although obesity is a multifactorial health issue that is affected by genetics, metabolic factors, socioeconomic factors, and lifestyle choices (Stanford, 2018), a majority of pediatric obesity is as a result of consuming more energy than the body utilizes. There are both immediate and long-term consequences of obesity that negatively affect a child’s health which may carry over …

Self-Report Participation Of Physical Activity Outside Of School On Rate Of Motor Skills Development In Elementary Students, Maritza Cuevas, Kara Lynn Boynewicz Dr., Brandi Eveland-Sayers Dr.

Undergraduate Honors Theses

In this research project, the question of why some younger children appear to have better motor skills than older children is investigated. The hypothesis proposed is that children involved in physical activities after school or in the evenings have better motor skills at younger ages than children who are not involved in physical activities outside of school. Young children have very varied levels of motor skills competency that have developed due to living in different environments and having varied opportunity to be physically active. These differences are a result of factors like socioeconomic status, parental influence, climate, culture, etc.1 Sports …

Fitness Vs Fatness And Cardiovascular Health In Adolescents, Ashley E. Hensley

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

Background: Adolescent obesity has been on the rise with studies showing obesity tracks into adulthood. Obesity is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD); CVD is the leading cause of adult death in the U.S. Previous research shows a strong positive relationship between physical activity (PA) and cardiovascular (CV) health even in an obese adult population. Thus, the relationship between adolescent physical fitness and lifetime risk for CVD and all-cause mortality should be investigated. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine associations between PA and adiposity with cardiovascular health in obese and non-obese weight adolescents, with the …

Training For Evidence-Based Youth Physical Activity Leader Practices, A. Jake Larose

Capstone Experience

Purpose: From a social ecological viewpoint, the way in which individuals interact with their surrounding environment, has a direct effect on their actions. One approach to modify behavior change is to strive to change the environment, thus driving behavior change. Participating in physical activity (PA) is a behavior to be targeted, due to its numerous health benefits. A population to consider targeting for increasing PA is children, as creating PA habits in childhood has been shown to track into adulthood . Change at a population level should begin by focusing efforts on the environments in which children are spending their …

A Profile Of Physical Activity In Knoxville Parks, Margaret R. Bailey

Chancellor’s Honors Program Projects

No abstract provided.

Understanding Wellness In A University Setting: Insight Through The Experiences Of Frequently, Physically Active Students Engaged In Resistance Training, Alia T. Sadek, Payal Shah, Michael Lagomarsine

Senior Theses

The health and wellness of undergraduate students at the local and national level is a growing public health concern, especially as college enrollment rates increase. Although wellness-based approaches are utilized to improve undergraduate health, current methods and adopted frameworks vary and lack conformity across universities making it difficult to identify effective means to improving this issue. One aim of this study was to explore a novel method of understanding wellness at the undergraduate level using both a traditional wellness questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. Using these methods, the wellness of undergraduate students attending a large, south-eastern university was evaluated across two …

Healthcare Provider Influence On Health Behavior Modification In Gestational Diabetics, Denise K. Fryzelka

Dissertations (1934 -)

The overall aim was to understand the process of healthcare provider influence by exploring associations between professional influence measures and patient engagement in health behavior modification in women with Gestational Diabetic Mellitus (GDM). An integrative literature review resulted in defining and developing the Healthcare Provider Influence (HPI) conceptual model based on the Integrated Theory of Health Behavior Change and Transformational Leadership theory. HPI is defined as a process wherein a purposeful interpersonal interactive, collaborative, and transformative relationship develops between a patient and a healthcare provider working together toward a specific focus of health behavior modification outcomes. Measures for testing the …

A Need For A Culturally Congruent Obesity Intervention At A Community Safety-Net Clinic, Claudia D. Rivera-Salas

Doctoral Projects

Background: Obesity is an epidemic in the United States which causes numerous chronic conditions and disproportionally impacts underserved populations. The removal of barriers that prevent active lifestyles such as unaffordable facilities and inaccessibility are of primary importance in promoting a healthy lifestyle.

Objectives: Collaboration with community organizations to increase access to culturally congruent nutrition and exercise classes for underserved Latino/Hispanic patients of a Midwestern safety-net clinic to reduce obesity, increase physical activity, and improve dietary habits.

Methods: Assessment of current practices revealed the need for project development. Six-week nutrition education class and exercise classes were held for eligible patients which …

So You Think You Can Exercise: The Gap Between Exercise Confidence And Physical Activity Among Samoan Adults, Diksha Brahmbhatt

Public Health Theses

Samoa is experiencing one of the highest prevalence of overweight and obesity in the world, placing its population at increased risk of developing several noncommunicable diseases including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The role of physical activity in reducing the burden of these diseases and overweight is well-established. Exercise self-efficacy or confidence is a predictor, if not determinant, of recreational physical activity. The purpose of this study, therefore, is to assess the relationship between exercise confidence and levels of recreational physical activity among Samoan adults. We confirm that exercise confidence is correlated with time spent exercising. However, despite considerable …

The Relationship Between Campus Wellness Center Usage And Symptoms Of Depression In College Freshmen, Allison Leonard

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

There is limited research done on the relationship between the program utilization at a campus wellness facility and the symptoms of depression in college freshmen. College students have been found to have a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms than the general population, possibly due to the stressors college life can add. Studies have been done on the effects of physical activity as an intervention for depression as well as on the benefits of campus wellness facilities; however, there have been few studies that look at both campus recreation and depression. The author’s purpose for this study was to see if …

Factors That Influence Physical Activity Among African American Mothers At Recreation Centers, Nichole Leigh Glover

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Physical activity is a critical factor in preventing obesity and other chronic illnesses. African American women experience higher rates of physical inactivity than the general population. As a key figure in the family, African American mothers should model healthy behaviors to the family, especially their children. This qualitative study explored the physical activity attitudes of African American mothers who frequently visit a recreation center in the Columbus, Ohio, area. The research questions focused on the possible barriers and motivators for physical activity engagement. The theory of planned behavior, which emphasizes behaviors, intentions, and attitudes when exploring health behaviors, guided the …

Leisure Computer Usage And Perceived Body Weight, Diet, And Physical Activity, Santina Jaronko

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Screened media platforms have been blamed for contributing to the childhood obesity epidemic. The purpose of this study was to determine if leisure computer usage, such as engaging in social media, impacted perceived body weight, dietary habits, and physical activity. The social network theory and the social cognitive theory were the theoretical frameworks of this cross-sectional study using secondary data. The data set used was the 2015 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey including a sample size of 8,241 youths between Grades 9 and 12. Chi-square test and binary logistic regression analysis were performed to …

Examining The Role Of Perceived Benefits And Barriers In Physical Activity Behavior For Cancer Prevention And Control, Matthew Cole Ainsworth

All ETDs from UAB

Physical activity (PA) is important for health outcomes like breast cancer, but most U.S. adults do not meet recommended guidelines. Behavioral theories like the Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) have demonstrated success in PA behavior change, but perceived benefits and barriers are understudied. PA time barriers are shared between healthy and cancer survivor populations, and study of time use in breast cancer survivors using mobile phone technology like the Life in a Day (LiaD) app would support future intervention development. We conducted 3 studies to investigate benefits and barriers to PA in adults and time use among breast cancer survivors to …

The Impact Of Exercise During Radiation Therapy For Breast Cancer Patients, Diane Yu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death among women. In 2017, breast, lung and bronchus, prostate, and colorectal cancers accounted for almost 50% of all new cancer cases in the United States. Breast conservation therapy with lumpectomy (i.e., surgery) and adjuvant radiation therapy is commonly used as treatment for early stage breast cancer. However, side effects such as pain and poor sleep quality can affect quality of life for breast cancer patients undergoing radiation treatment. The main purpose of this quantitative study, using the health belief model (HBM) theoretical framework, was to investigate the correlations between the …

Understanding The Intersection Of Cannabis And Physical Activity, Lukas E. Coppen

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Cannabis use has been gaining wider social acceptance, and with increased legalization cannabis users are talking more openly about how and why they consume cannabis. Moreover, professional and non-professional athletes are openly discussing their cannabis use in training. There is a distinct lack of cannabis research in humans, particularly as it relates to physical activity (PA). PURPOSE: To understand how and why people use cannabis with PA as well as categorizing the preferred mode of PA users engage in. METHODS: Subjects (n = 101; with ages ranging from 18-55 years old) participated in an anonymous online survey if they reported …

Impact Of Concussion And Orthopedic Injuries On Physical Activity And Quality Of Life After Sport Retirement, Makenna Hancock

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

CONTEXT: Concussions and orthopedic injuries represent a significant risk related to participation in collegiate athletics. These injuries can create significant long-term impairments and functional limitations which may also decrease former athletes’ quality of life (QoL) and inhibit their ability to engage in physical activity. OBJECTIVE: To investigate QoL and physical activity levels of former collegiate athletes with a history of concussion and orthopedic injury, orthopedic injury only, and healthy controls. DESIGN: Descriptive, experimental study.
SETTING: Daily life as former National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I collegiate athlete.
PARTICIPANTS: Former Division I collegiate athletes competing in football, women’s soccer, baseball, softball, …

Examining Web-Based Lifestyle Interventions For Cancer Survivors, Victoria Williams

All ETDs from UAB

Diet, physical activity, and body weight status are important modifiable risk factors for many health outcomes among cancer survivors, including cancer recurrence. Face-to-face, print, and mailed lifestyle interventions have been used to promote behavior change in cancer survivors successfully. However, such approaches are costly and have limited reach. Web-based lifestyle interventions represent a promising solution to this public health concern. Therefore, this project involved first reviewing and identifying gaps in the existing literature in this area and then developing and pilot testing a web-based lifestyle intervention for cancer survivors. For this three-part dissertation, study 1 was a narrative review of …

Physical Activity Promotion Among Adolescents With Pediatric Onset Multiple Sclerosis, Elizabeth Morghen Sikes

All ETDs from UAB

Pediatric onset multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic and disabling disease of the central nervous system with an onset before 18 years of age. Youth with pediatric onset MS may benefit from physical activity as evidenced by past research suggestsing higher levels of physical activity are associated with reduced physical and psychosocial disease manifestations. Unfortunately, published estimates of physical activity participation among those with pediatric onset MS are very low (<10 min/day). This dissertation aimed to describe the current literature regarding physical activity among youth with pediatric MS, and to further explore experiences, patterns, correlates, and potential confounders of physical activity for the ultimate purpose of informing future behavior change interventions. Results are presented through five single study chapters. Briefly, interventions developed to promote physical activity for adolescents with pediatric onset MS should be individually tailored, include a strong social component, aim to educate regarding safety and outcomes of physical activity, and differentially target weekday and weekend day activity and sedentary behavior. Social cognitive theory (SCT) is an appropriate method for promoting physical activity behavior change among youth with pediatric onset MS, and SCT constructs including exercise goal setting, barriers self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and social support should be incorporated in the intervention as appropriate. Further, physical activity is seemingly an appropriate method for the management of functional limitations for youth with pediatric onset MS. Clinicians and researchers seeking to promote physical activity among those with pediatric onset MS may find this dissertation especially useful in providing a framework for the development of behavior change interventions.

The Impact Of School Nutrition Education And Physical Education Programs On Weight Status Of Obese Children Aged 5-12 Years, Lamia Alotaibi

Masters Theses

Epidemiological studies indicate that 12.5 million children and adolescents are considered obese (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2017). Obesity is on the rise globally, and while it affects both children and adults, early measures can be taken to reduce the number of children who are obese, and therefore, come into adulthood at a higher risk for obesity-related diseases, such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and sleep apnea. There are many studies in which programs are implemented and tested for effectiveness; therefore, a systematic review of these studies that examine which factors play into overall obesity prevention and health improvements among …