Medicine and Health Sciences | Open Access Articles

N-95 Masks Have No Effect On Spontaneous Physical Activity, Dalton Lesser, Jake Laufenberg, Zachary Zeigler

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

In recent years, the use of facemasks has greatly increased, especially due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many individuals were required to wear a face mask for long durations. The impact of mask wearing on spontaneous physical activity (PA) is unknown. PURPOSE: This study seeks to determine if wearing an N-95 mask for extended duration would have any impact on spontaneous physical activity. METHODS: 12 total participants aged 18-21 yr. were recruited for this experimental cross-over study. Subjects reported to the lab twice, separated by one week, to receive a wrist-worn accelerometer. One condition was control …

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Effect Of A University Physical Activity Challenge On Levels Of Anxiety, Depression, Stress, And Perceived Dependency Of Wearing A Physical Activity Tracker, Emily M. Jackson, Sarah M. Camhi, Stephanie L. Cooper

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Many studies have researched the benefits of physical activity (PA) and well-being, leading many universities to promote PA on campus. There is limited research on how university-based PA promotion impacts mental health, as well as the impact of wearing a physical activity tracker (PAT) and its potential to create dependency on wearing the device. PURPOSE: To understand the effects of a 4-week campus-wide PA challenge on levels of anxiety, depression, and stress in college students, and the potential dependency effects of wearing a PAT. METHODS: For the duration of the 4-week challenge, 44 undergraduate and 6 graduate students …

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Academic Stress And Motivation For Physical Activity In College Students, Gustavo Donis-Castro, Sarah Dunn

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

PURPOSE: Stress and the college experience go hand in hand. Stress has been shown to negatively impact a college student’s life and their confidence. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the influence that academic stress in college students has on one's motivation to participate in physical activity (PA). METHODS: An Institutional Review Board approved Qualtrics, cross-sectional online survey was conducted during the fall 2021 term. This study utilized the 13-item Perceived Stress Inventory (PSI), and 9-item Self-Efficacy for Exercise (SEE), based on studies by Avdija, A. S. (2018) and Resnick, et al. (2000) respectively. Questions …

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The Big Hearts Program: Developing A Physical Activity Program For Adults With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities, Kathryn A. Rorer, Vanessa Q. Mikan Phd, Edward K. Merritt Phd

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Less than one-third of the population of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs) meet the World Health Organization's (WHO) weekly recommended physical activity (PA) requirements (Temple et al., 2006). This qualitative case study focused on a PA program for five women with IDDs. PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to (a) engage participants in in-person encouragement via completing the tasks with participants and motivational words during activities and (b) assess the level of daily physical activity (via daily step count through an activity tracker). METHODS: Participants completed a month-long study, consisting of wearing a fitness tracker, …

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Exercise Is Medicine-On Campus Initiative At Southwestern University, Kali Rose, Vanessa Mikan Phd

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

BACKGROUND: The Exercise Is Medicine (EIM) global health initiative aims to increase the amount of physical activity (PA) people are engaging in, with the intent of helping them meet the U.S. National PA guidelines. INTRODUCTION: The need for an increase in daily PA is becoming more evident with the steady increase in overweight and obesity rates impacting our quality of non-diseased life years. Research supports the numerous physical and mental benefits associated with exercise. The historical use of exercise as medicine dates back to over two millennia ago in which it was prescribed to help cure a variety of ailments. …

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An Eight-Week Physical Activity Intervention Is Associated With Gross Motor Skills In Preschool Children, Azeem A. Hussain, Fernando Juarez Jr., Shiyu Li, Vanessa Estrada, Jill Johnstone, Erica T. Sosa, Zenong Yin

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

The preschool age (three to five years old) is critical in developing gross motor skills. Additionally, children with higher fundamental movement skills are more likely to participate in high levels of physical activity (Han, Fu, Cobley, & Sanders, 2018). PURPOSE: To determine if the eight-week physical activity (PA) pilot intervention program is associated with gross motor development in preschool children ages three to five years old. METHODS: Study participants were 35 children (average age=3.74 (SD 0.74); 82.67% Hispanics, 8.57% African American, 2.86% white, and 5.71% others) enrolled in two Head Start Centers in San Antonio, Texas. Gross motor …

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