Physical Fitness in College Students

Obesity is a major problem facing the United States today. Physical inactivity can lead to obesity resulting in a variety of health problems, including premature death. Therefore the objective of the study was to identify physical fitness differences between gender, age, and physical activity level in college students. A fitness assessment test consisting of cardiorespiratory endurance, flexibility, muscular strength, and muscular endurance was performed in seventy-nine (43 male, 36 female) subjects ranging in age from 18 to 22 years old. Results indicate greater physical fitness in upper classmen when compared to lower classmen. Also, our data indicate that students that exercise 150 or more minutes per week are more physically fit when compared to students that exercise less than 150 minutes per week. In conclusion, physical activity interventions should be offered to college students and especially underclassmen to decrease the incidence of inactivity and obesity

Recruiting hard-to-reach populations to physical activity studies : evidence and experiences

Most researchers who are conducting research with a public health focus face difficulties in recruiting the segments of the population that they really want to reach. This symposium presented evidence and experiences on recruiting participants to physical activity research, including both epidemiological and intervention based studies. Results from a systematic review of recruitment strategies suggested that we know little about how best to recruit and highlighted the need for researchers to report this in more detail, including metrics of reach into the target population such as number, proportion, and representativeness of participants. Specific strategies used to optimise responses to a population-based mail survey were presented such as study promotion, survey design, multiple mailings, and personal engagement. Finally, using place based recruiting via schools or places of worship to target ethnic minority youth were discussed. Overall the symposium presenters suggested that we need to learn more about how best to recruit participants, in particular those typically under-represented, and that researchers need to apportion a similar amount of planning effort to their recruitment strategies as they do the their research design. Finally we made a plea for researchers to report their recruitment processes in detail

Criterion-referenced mCAFT cut-points to identify metabolically healthy cardiorespiratory fitness among adults aged 18–69 years: An analysis of the Canadian Health Measures Survey

Objective: This study aimed to develop and validate health-related criterion-referenced cutpoints for the modified Canadian Aerobic Fitness Test (mCAFT), a field-based measure to predict cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) among adults (18–69 years). Methods: Criterionreferenced mCAFT cut-points were developed using nationally representative data from cycles 1 (2007–09) and 2 (2009–11) of the Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS). Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to identify age- and sex-specific cut-points for measured waist circumference, blood pressure, and high-density lipoprotein. Cut-points were validated against metabolic syndrome using a fasted sub-sample (n=1,093) from cycle 5 (2016– 17). Results: 4,967 participants (50% women) were retained for the main analyses. The mCAFT cut-points ranged from 28 to 43 mL•kg–1•min–1 (AUC: 0.60-0.87) among men, and 23 to 37 mL•kg–1•min–1 (AUC: 0.61-0.86) among women. The likelihood of meeting the new mCAFT cut-points decreased with an increase in the presence of metabolic risk factors. In total, 54% (95%CI: 42 to 67%) of Canadian adults met the new mCAFT cut-points in 2016–17. Conclusion: This study developed and validated the first health-related criterion-referenced mCAFT cutpoints for metabolic health among Canadian adults aged 18–69 years. These mCAFT cut-points may be useful in health surveillance, clinical, and public health settings. Novelty bullets We developed and validated new criterion-referenced cut-points for the modified Canadian Aerobic Fitness Test to help identify adults at potential risk of poor metabolic health. These new cut-points could help support national health surveillance efforts

Can Resistance Training Contribute to the Aerobic Components of the Physical Activity Guidelines?

International Journal of Exercise Science 7(4) : 278-285, 2014. To evaluate if resistance training can reach Moderate to Vigorous Intensity (MVI) and contribute to the aerobic component of the international physical activity guidelines. Sixteen participants aged between 20 and 35 were recruited. Heart rate was recorded by heart rate monitor during a resistance training program. Based on maximal heart rate, time spent at MVI (55-69% of maximal heart rate) was calculated. Participants displayed a HR equal or above MVI for 51.5% ± 21.7% of time. When stratifying by lower and upper body sessions, that proportion was median (25-75th); 75.0% (32.5%-89.2%) and 45.8% (30.0%-66.8%) respectively. Body mass (r=.68; p\u3c.01), body mass index (r=.54; p=.03), and leg press strength (r=.59; p=02) were positively associated with time spent at MVI. Assuming 10-minute bouts of aerobic exercise are not needed to achieve health benefits, it is possible to reach MVI with resistance training. Emphasis on the importance of performing resistance training should be done to reach the aerobic component of the physical activity guidelines and optimize health benefits. This provides an alternative option to those who may have difficulty or be unable to reach the required aerobic intensity by traditional aerobic exercises

Extension Wellness Ambassadors: Individual Effects of Participation in a Health-Focused Master Volunteer Program

We present findings from a pilot implementation of the Extension Wellness Ambassador Program, a health-focused master volunteer program, and briefly describe the program approach and purpose. Program participants received 40 hr of training and completed assessments of self-efficacy, physical activity, and functional fitness at baseline and 3-month follow-up. Paired-samples t-tests showed significant positive changes in mean for general self-efficacy, self-efficacy for practicing health behaviors, physical activity, and nearly all functional fitness measures. Our findings demonstrate that participation in a health-focused master volunteer program can positively influence participants\u27 lifestyle behaviors as they work to improve health and quality of life in their communities

THE ROLE OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN ANTHROPOMETRIC PARAMETERS AT TEENAGE GIRLS IN DIFFERENT KIND OF SPORTS

The aim of the study is to compare the levels of physical activity and anthropometric parameters during the curricular time of a 45 minutes physical education lesson three time a week, in different kind of sports: volleyboll, basketball and athletics. A total of 88 teenage girls aged from 13-14 years old from “Pjetër Budi” elementary school in Tirana, have taken part volunteering in this study. The study period lasted from September to June 2014. The body mass index (BMI) significantly decreased in the group which was engaged with basketball (p < 0.000), which was associated from a decreased in body weight. A significant increase in height, body weight and BMI (p < 0.005) was observed in both volleyball and athletic groups. No significant changes were detected comparing between groups by paired t-test for equality. The t-test within groups revealed that some anthropometric parameters significantly were changed during this period in all three groups of sports. The Anova analysis showed that no significant changes were observed comparing these groups to each-other (p > 0.005), except the height parameter between volleyball and athletic groups  (p < 0.05). Although an addition of an hour a week increase in physical activity, accordingly to the new curricular program of physical education lesson, a clear improvement in health fitness parameters will help the children to achieve better results of motor performance in the future.  Article visualizations

Physical aptitude classification tables for users of public parks

INTRODUÇÃO: Devido à difusão dos benefícios da atividade física, muitas pessoas passaram a se exercitar em parques públicos, o que incentivou o surgimento de projetos que orientam a prática nestes locais. Estes projetos precisam avaliar a aptidão física de seus clientes com testes fáceis, cujos resultados são comparados a padrões de estadiamento. Porém, os padrões existentes não se adequam à população em questão. OBJETIVO: Construir tabelas de estadiamento para a avaliação da aptidão física de adultos e idosos. MÉTODOS: Foram utilizados os dados de 713 avaliações feitas em indivíduos de ambos os sexos e com mais de 20 anos. Foram avaliadas a aptidão cardiorrespiratória (marcha estacionária e Cooper), a capacidade muscular (flexão de cotovelo, impulsão vertical e resistência abdominal) e a flexibilidade (sentar e alcançar e flexibilidade de ombros). RESULTADOS: Foi avaliado o percentil 50 de cada teste: marcha estacionária = 105 passadas; Cooper = 1.200m; flexão de cotovelo = 20 rep; resistência abdominal = 18 rep; força de membros inferiores: 18cm; flexibilidade de ombros = 1cm e flexibilidade lombar = 23cm. Estes resultados foram maiores que os verificados nas tabelas originais, o que confirmou a necessidade da criação das tabelas específicas. CONCLUSÃO: Foram construídas sete tabelas separadas por gênero e faixa etária e com o desempenho classificado em: fraco - < que percentil 20; regular - entre 20 e 40; médio - entre 40 e 60; bom - entre 60 e 80; e ótimo - &gt; que o percentil 80.INTRODUCTION: Due to the spread of the health benefits of physical activity, many subjects began to exercise in public parks. This behavior promoted the creation of projects which stimulate and guide on physical activity practice. Nevertheless, for being considered effective, these projects need to evaluate the subjects' physical aptitude by applying easy tests, whose results are compared to classification tables. However, these tables are not adequate to the target population. OBJECTIVE: To design fitness classification tables based on simple fitness tests applied to adults and elderly subjects. METHODS: Data from 713 evaluations conducted with subjects of both genders older than 20 years were analyzed. Cardiorespiratory fitness (stationary gait and Cooper tests), muscle fitness (elbow flexion, vertical jump and abdominal resistance), and flexibility (sit and reach and shoulder flexibility) were evaluated. RESULTS: The 50 percentile for the tests were stationary gait = 105 steps; Cooper = 1200m; elbow flexion = 20 repetitions; abdominal resistance = 18 repetitions; legs strength =18 cm; shoulder flexibility = 1 cm; and lumbar flexibility = 23 cm. These results were higher than the original ones described for each test, which confirmed the need for specific classifications tables. CONCLUSION: Seven tables were designed with the results separated by gender and age group (20 to 80 year-olds divided in 10-year stages). Results were classified as: weak = < than 20 percentile; average= from 20 to 40 percentile; medium = from 40 to 60 percentile; good = from 60 to 80 percentile; and excellent = &gt; than 80 percentile.CNPqUniversidade de São Paulo (USP) - Pró-Reitoria de Cultura e Extensã

Prevalence and factors associated with low lumbar strength in adolescents

Introduction: Low back pain is a multifactorial disorder and is one of the most common musculoskeletal discomfort in adolescents and adults. Objective: To determine the prevalence and factors associated with low levels of lumbar force in adolescents.  Methods: This is a cross-sectional study involving 909 adolescents aged 14 to 16 years enrolled in public schools in São José, of Santa Catarina State – Southern Brazil. Lumbar force was analyzed by the lumbar extension test developed by a Canadian research group, which proposes different cutoffs according sex. Independent variables were sex, age, socioeconomic status, alcohol consumption, screen time, physical activity, aerobic fitness and mass body index. For data analysis, binary logistic regression was used, with significance level of 5%.  Results: The prevalence of low levels of lumbar force was 45.2%, being 36.2% for boys and 53.1% for girls. The population subgroups most likely to present low levels of lumbar force were females (OR: 1,99; CI95%: 1,52 to 2,60) and those adolescents with overweight (OR: 1,48; CI95%: 1,12 to 1,96). Conclusion: Almost half of the students had low levels of lumbar force. The girls, the adolescents with overweight and with excessive time in front of the screen most likely present low levels of lumbar force. The innovation of this study is  modifiable factors such as  the excessive time screen and overweight may be used to promote health  interventions to improve  levels of  lumbar strength of youth.Objetivo: Verificar a prevalência e fatores associados a baixos níveis de força lombar em adolescentes de 14 a 19 anos de idade.Método: Trata-se de um estudo transversal, com 909 adolescentes de 14 a 19 anos, estudantes de escolas públicas da cidade de São José, Santa Catarina – Brasil. Analisou-se a força lombar por meio do teste de extensão lombar proposto pela Canadian Physical Activity, Fitness and Lifestyle Approach (CPAFLA) que propõe pontos de corte distintos para os sexos. As variáveis independentes analisadas foram: sexo, idade, nível econômico, tempo de tela, atividade física, aptidão aeróbia e Indíce de Massa corporal. Para a análise dos dados utilizou-se a regressão logística binária com nível de significância de 5%.Resultados: A prevalência de baixos níveis de força lombar foi de 45,2%, sendo 36,2% para os meninos e 53,1% para as meninas. Os subgrupos populacionais com maiores chances de baixos níveis de força lombar foram o sexo feminino (OR: 1,99; IC95%: 1,52-2,60) e adolescentes com excesso de peso (OR: 1,48; IC95%: 1,12-1,96). Conclusão: Quase metade dos estudantes apresentaram baixos níveis de força lombar. As meninas e os adolescentes com excesso de peso estiveram mais propícios a ter baixos níveis de força lombar

Resistance Training Contribute to the Aerobic Components of an Exercise Session in Adults but not as Much in Older Adults

International Journal of Exercise Science 10(3): 406-416, 2017. Previous research has indicated that active adults are able to achieve moderate intensity as measured via heart rate during a typical resistance training (RT) session. The main objective was to identify if overweight adults and older adults can reach aerobic moderate intensity at a rate comparable to adults displaying a recommended body mass index. Twenty participants in each group were asked to visit a fitness facility twice if they self-reported doing RT for a minimum two days per week. At the first session baseline characteristics and maximal lifting capacity for each RT exercise. At the second, intensity was monitored via heart rate monitor during a RT exercise program composed of 10 exercises targeting major muscle groups. Three sets of 10 repetitions at 70% of maximal load were completed for each exercise. Moderate intensity was defined as a minimum of 40% of heart rate reserve. The proportion of time spent at moderate to vigorous intensity between the comparison group and the overweight adult group was not significantly different, with a median (25th -75th) proportion time of 82.6% (69.2-94.6) versus 92.5% (73.3-99.1); p=.54 or an average time of 42 minutes versus 45 minutes. The older adults group, however, spent a lower proportion of time at moderate to vigorous intensity compared with the comparison group, 51.5% (22.0-86.6) or 24 minutes; p\u3c.01 compared with the comparison group. This study suggests that a good proportion of time spent doing RT can contribute to an aerobic component of the international guidelines, and therefore reduce the weekly time commitment especially for men and women age below 60 years old

The effects of acute exercise on tobacco cravings and withdrawal symptoms in temporary abstinent pregnant smokers

Introduction: Smoking during pregnancy is common, and quitting at any point during pregnancy can yield benefits to both the fetus and mother. Smoking cessation is typically followed by withdrawal symptoms and a strong desire to smoke, both of which are likely to contribute to relapse. Research has shown that a bout of exercise minimizes cravings and tobacco withdrawal symptoms (TWS) after temporary abstinence in smokers, but these findings have not been replicated in pregnant smokers. This study examined the effect of 20. min of exercise on cravings (primary outcome) and TWS (secondary outcomes) among temporary abstinent, inactive pregnant smokers. Methods: Thirty female smokers (Mean(M) age = 25.7. years, Standard Deviation(SD) = 5.5; M weeks pregnant = 18.2, SD = 5.3; Fagerstrom Test for Cigarette Dependence = 3.3, SD = 2.2; M 9.3 cigarettes/day, SD = 4.7; M hours abstained = 17.2, SD = 2.8) were randomized to 20. min of mild-to-moderate intensity exercise (EC; n= 14) or passive (PC; n= 16) condition. Cravings and TWS were assessed immediately before, during (at 10. min), immediately post, and at 10, 20, and 30. min post-condition. Results: A 2 (condition)×6 (time) repeated measures ANOVA revealed that the EC significantly (p\u3c0.05) reduced cravings (ή2=0.46) compared with the PC, across time. Non-significant, but nevertheless, large effects were evident favouring the EC over time for TWS restlessness (ή2=0.34), stress (ή2=0.24), irritability (ή2=0.21), tension (ή2=0.15), and depression (ή2=0.14). Conclusions: Consistent with previous research, this study reveals that in pregnant smokers, a bout of exercise is associated with a reduction in cravings and similar patterns exist for TWS. Therefore, exercise may have the potential to assist in the initial stages of smoking cessation attempts during pregnancy. © 2013