The Association Between Mood States and Physical Activity in Postmenopausal Obese, Sedentary Women

Mood states influence evaluative judgments that can affect the decision to exercise or to continue to exercise

Magnification Loupes in U.S. Entry-Level Dental Hygiene Programs - Occupational Health and Safety

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine policies and practices regarding magnification loupes among faculty and students in accredited dental hygiene programs as measured by a 31 item, self-designed questionnaire. In addition, the study compared policies among dental hygiene programs in 2 year versus 4 year programs in terms of requirements for the use of magnification loupes. Methods: After institutional review board approval, a 31 item self-designed questionnaire was emailed via Survey Monkey to 303 entry-level dental hygiene programs. An overall response rate of 75% was obtained. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square test of independence. Results: Results reveal the vast majority of programs do not require loupes for faculty or students, with only 23% of responding schools requiring students to purchase loupes and 8% requiring faculty to use loupes. More dental hygiene programs require students to wear loupes than require faculty to wear loupes. No statistically significant differences (p-value=0.54) in program policies were found requiring the purchase of magnifying loupes by students, based on 2 year and 4 year dental hygiene educational programs. Odds ratio (1.25) give the odds of students purchasing loupes in a 2 year program as 25% higher than a 4 year program. Almost two thirds of respondents reported loupes instruction as a curriculum component, although most respondents spent 2 or less hours teaching in this area. Most programs (90%) do not plan to require students to purchase loupes in the future, although the majority believes proper use of loupes should be integrated in the curriculum. Conclusion: Most respondents see advantages to loupes, but clinical policies on loupes do not appear to correlate with beliefs. Educational programs in dental hygiene seem slow to adopt and require the use of loupes. Current clinical polices on loupes should be reviewed to ensure graduates experience the potential ergonomic benefits magnification brings to clinical practice during their education

Attitudes of young adults about breastfeeding and the association of breastfeeding exposure

This study was conducted to determine the attitudes of young adults in Clark County, Nevada about breastfeeding and was a replication of part of a study by Marrone, Vogeltanz-Holm, and Holm (2008). The theory for reasoned action was used as the framework to guide the study. This theory explains deliberate behavior and how specific behaviors, such as breastfeeding, are affected by individual attitudes and social support. The research is a cross-sectional correlational study and sought to test two null hypotheses: (1) There is no association between previous exposure to breastfeeding and positive attitudes toward breastfeeding, and (2) There is no difference between male subjects’ and female subjects’ attitudes about breastfeeding. A convenience sample of 190 young adults (male and female students between the ages of 18 and 24), which is adequate to detect a statistical difference for a small effect size (.20) at .80 power, was obtained from various classes at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). The research showed the Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale (IIFAS) to be a valid predictor of desire to breastfeed future children in this sample

Oral Health Promotion: Knowledge, Confidence, and Practices in Preventing Early-Severe Childhood Caries of Virginia WIC Program Personnel

Purpose: This study assessed the oral health knowledge, confidence and practices of Virginia personnel in the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). Methods: In 2009, 257 WIC personnel were electronically emailed via an investigator-designed 22-item Survey Monkey® questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square and Fishers Exact tests compared personnel demographics and oral health knowledge, confidence and practices at the p≤0.01 and 0.05 significance level. Results: Response rate was 68%. WIC personnel were knowledgeable about basic oral health concepts. More than half of those reporting were not confident assessing for visual signs of dental decay and do not routinely assess for visual signs of decay. Only 4% of personnel apply fluoride therapy. Conclusion: Findings support the need for health promotion/disease prevention at WIC. This study supports the NDHRA priority area, Health Promotion/Disease Prevention: Validate and test assessment instruments/strategies/mechanisms that increase health promotion and disease prevention among diverse populations

Implications of a Behavioral Weight Loss Program for Obese, Sedentary Women: A Focus on Mood Enhancement and Exercise Enjoyment

The benefits of a 6-month behavioral weight loss program were investigated by examining mood changes after a graded exercise test (GXT), changes in exercise enjoyment, and the relation of mood and enjoyment to program success. Obese, sedentary, postmenopausal women completed a demographic questionnaire, and physical and psychological measures. Women who completed the program (n = 25) significantly decreased their body weight and body mass index and reported significantly less tension and confusion post-GXT when measured both at the beginning and end of the program. Although their exercise enjoyment increased, their exercise-related mood changes appeared to be independent of enjoyment. Finally, women who completed the program initially reported more positive mood changes post-GXT than did dropouts (n = 7). In conclusion, mood alteration may be a factor leading to successful completion of a behavioral weight loss program by obese women. © 2010 ISSP

Reducing Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Postmenopausal Women Through a Lifestyle Change Intervention

Background: The impact of a 6-month lifestyle change intervention on cardiovascular risk factors in obese, sedentary, postmenopausal women was examined. A secondary aim of this investigation was to determine whether the addition of self-control skills training to an empirically supported lifestyle change intervention would result in greater cardiovascular risk reduction. Methods: Forty-four women were randomly assigned to receive either a lifestyle change or a lifestyle change with self-control skills intervention. Pretreatment and posttreatment weight loss, body composition, physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness, diet, blood pressure (BP), blood lipids, and psychosocial functioning were assessed. Also, at 1-year posttreatment, weight loss, body composition, self-reported physical activity, and psychosocial functioning were assessed. Results: The women significantly increased their physical activity (+39.6%) and cardiorespiratory fitness (+13.5%) and reduced their body weight (-6.5%), fat mass (-7.4%), body fat (-2.4%), BP (SBP -6.2%, DBP -9.2%), total cholesterol (-7.4%), triglycerides (-16.5%), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (9.1%) and improved their diet (p \u3c 0.05). At the 1-year follow-up, women had regained approximately 63% of their posttreatment weight loss (p \u3c 0.05), but had maintained their previous increases in physical activity. Additionally, there were no significant changes in fat free mass, body fat, anxiety, or depression between the end of treatment and 1-year posttreatment. The addition of self-control skills training did not significantly improve cardiovascular risk reduction. Conclusions: Lifestyle change interventions may be an effective means for reducing cardiovascular risk in obese, sedentary, postmenopausal women. However, greater attention should be devoted to the maintenance of these positive lifestyle changes

Effects of 5 Different Finger Rest Positions on Arm Muscle Activity During Scaling by Dental Hygiene Students

Purpose. This study was conducted to determine the effects of 5 different finger rest positions: opposite arch, standard intraoral, basic extraoral, cross arch, and finger on finger on the muscle activity of 4 forearm muscles (extensor carpi radialis longus, flexor carpi ulnaris, biceps brachii, and pronator teres) during a simulated periodontal scaling experience. Methods. A convenience sample of 32 consenting senior dental hygiene students who met inclusion criteria participated. Using a 4 x 5 counter-balanced research design, each participant used a Gracey 11/12 curet to scale one cc of artificial calculus from first permanent molar typodont teeth (#3,14,19,30). Five different typodonts were set up for each participant with fulcrums randomly assigned for use on each typodont. While scaling, the participant’s muscle activity was measured by surface electromyography. Two-way analysis of variance with repeated measures was used to determine if significant differences existed in the amount of muscle activity generated with each fulcrum. Results. Results revealed no statistically significant interaction effect between area of the mouth scaled, muscle activity, and fulcrum used. Similar muscle activity was produced throughout the mouth regardless of the fulcrum used. The upper right quadrant produced the most muscle activity (p= 0.0101) and the lower left quadrant produced the least (p=\u3c .0001). When comparing the overall muscle activity generated with each fulcrum, only the cross arch fulcrum when compared to the opposite fulcrum produced statistically significant results (p=0.0110). Conclusions. Based on the results, similar muscle activity is produced when using any of the 5 fulcrums in each quadrant of the mouth. Clinicians appear to experience minimal ergonomic advantage in terms of fulcrums used and area of the mouth scaled during a simulated scaling experience

Physiological Characteristics of Youth Synchronized Skaters

International Journal of Exercise Science 9(3): 270-282, 2016. Figure skating is a lifelong sport with participation rates increasing for skaters of all ages. Development within the five disciplines of figure skating (individual skating, synchronized skating, pairs skating, ice dancing, and theater on ice) has led to increased physical demands placed on skaters’ bodies. As a result, focus on sport performance testing, training, and injury prevention specific to figure skating is increasing. The purpose of this study was to use field tests to describe the physical characteristics of synchronized skaters and to determine the relationships between these physiological characteristics and skating abilities. Anthropometric data were collected and field tests (sit-and-reach, vertical jump, hexagon, one-min sit-ups, one-min modified pushups, timed wall sit, and one-mile walk/run) were performed during off-ice fitness classes as part of synchronized skating camps. Participants were divided into Advanced (ADV) (n = 20; “intermediate and above”) and Beginner (BEG) (n = 21; “juvenile and below”) groups determined by their Moves in the Field (MITF) test levels. Significant differences were found between ADV and BEG groups for age, body weight, height, BMI, sit-and-reach (SR), and vertical jump height (VJ). Results from univariate statistics and paired t-tests (p \u3c 0.05) indicated that the anthropometric variables of age, body weight, height, and BMI were greater for the ADV group as compared to the BEG group and were consistent with their greater physical development. SR (flexibility) and VJ (explosive power) were greater for the ADV group; as such, these may be athletic components to target as skating ability develops. Future research to identify fitness norms for skaters by level of skating ability (MITF) may assist synchronized skating coaches in the design of off-ice training programs to improve on-ice skating performance

A practical review of energy saving technology for ageing populations

Fuel poverty is a critical issue for a globally ageing population. Longer heating/cooling requirements combine with declining incomes to create a problem in need of urgent attention. One solution is to deploy technology to help elderly users feel informed about their energy use, and empowered to take steps to make it more cost effective and efficient. This study subjects a broad cross section of energy monitoring and home automation products to a formal ergonomic analysis. A high level task analysis was used to guide a product walk through, and a toolkit approach was used thereafter to drive out further insights. The findings reveal a number of serious usability issues which prevent these products from successfully accessing an important target demographic and associated energy saving and fuel poverty outcomes. Design principles and examples are distilled from the research to enable practitioners to translate the underlying research into high quality design-engineering solutions

Treatment of Produced Waters Using a Surfactant Modified Zeolite/Vapor Phase Bioreactor System

This report summarizes work performed on this project from April 2005 through September 2005. In previous work, a series of laboratory scale experiments were conducted to determine the feasibility of using a SMZ system coupled with a VPB to remove and ultimately destroy the organic pollutants found in produced water. Based on the laboratory scale data, a field test of the process was conducted at the McGrath Salt Water Disposal facility in July and August of 2005. The system performed well over repeated feed and regeneration cycles demonstrating the viability of the process for long term operation. Of the BTEX components present in the produced water, benzene had the lowest adsorption affinity for the SMZ and thus controlled the sorption cycle length. Regeneration of the SMZ using air sparging was found to be sufficient in the field to maintain the SMZ adsorption capacity and to allow continuous operation of the system. As expected, the BTEX concentrations in the regeneration off gas stream were initially very high in a given regeneration cycle. However, a granular activated carbon buffering column placed upstream of the VPB reduced the peak BTEX concentrations to acceptable levels for the VPB. In this way, the VPB was able to maintain stable performance over the entire SMZ regeneration period despite the intermittent nature of the feed