Fat intake and injury in female runners

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Our purpose was to determine the relationship between energy intake, energy availability, dietary fat and lower extremity injury in adult female runners. We hypothesized that runners who develop overuse running-related injuries have lower energy intakes, lower energy availability and lower fat intake compared to non-injured runners.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Eighty-six female subjects, running a minimum of 20 miles/week, completed a food frequency questionnaire and informed us about injury incidence over the next year.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Injured runners had significantly lower intakes of total fat (63 ± 20 vs. 80 ± 50 g/d) and percentage of kilocalories from fat (27 ± 5 vs. 30 ± 8 %) compared with non-injured runners. A logistic regression analysis found that fat intake was the best dietary predictor, correctly identifying 64% of future injuries. Lower energy intake and lower energy availability approached, but did not reach, a significant association with overuse injury in this study.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Fat intake is likely associated with injury risk in female runners. By documenting these associations, better strategies can be developed to reduce running injuries in women.</p

Evaluation of the Physical Activity and Public Health Course for Practitioners

From 1996–2013, a 6-day Physical Activity and Public Health Course for Practitioners has been offered yearly in the United States. An evaluation was conducted to assess the impact of the course on building public health capacity for physical activity and on shaping the physical activity and public health careers of fellows since taking the courses

Evaluation of the Physical Activity and Public Health Course for Researchers

Since 1995, an 8-day Physical Activity and Public Health Course for Researchers has been offered yearly in the United States

Associations of objectively measured and self-reported sleep duration with carotid artery intima media thickness among police officers

BACKGROUND: We aimed to examine the association of objectively measured and self-reported sleep duration with carotid artery intima media thickness (IMT) among 257 police officers, a group at high risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). METHODS: Sleep duration was estimated using actigraphic data and through self-reports. The mean maximum IMT was the average of the largest 12 values scanned bilaterally from three angles of the near and far wall of the common carotid, bulb, and internal carotid artery. Linear and quadratic regression models were used to assess the association of sleep duration with IMT. RESULTS: Officers who had fewer than 5 or 8 hr or more of objectively measured sleep duration had significantly higher maximum IMT values, independent of age. Self-reported sleep duration was not associated with either IMT measure. CONCLUSION: Attainment of sufficient sleep duration may be considered as a possible strategy for atherosclerosis prevention among police officers

The Physical Activity and Redesigned Community Spaces (PARCS) Study: Protocol of a Natural Experiment to Investigate The Impact of Citywide Park Redesign and Renovation

Background: The built environment plays a critical role in promoting physical activity and health. The association between parks, as a key attribute of the built environment, and physical activity, however, remains inconclusive. This project leverages a natural experiment opportunity to assess the impact of the Community Parks Initiative (CPI), a citywide park redesign and renovation effort in New York City, on physical activity, park usage, psychosocial and mental health, and community wellbeing. Methods: The project will use a longitudinal design with matched controls. Thirty intervention park neighborhoods are socio-demographically matched to 20 control park neighborhoods. The study will investigate whether improvements in physical activity, park usage, psychosocial and mental health, and community wellbeing are observed from baseline to 3 years post-renovation among residents in intervention vs. control neighborhoods. Discussion: This study represents a rare opportunity to provide robust evidence to further our understanding of the complex relationship between parks and health. Findings will inform future investments in health-oriented urban design policies and offer evidence for addressing health disparities through built environment strategies

Inflammatory Biomarkers and Subclinical Atherosclerosis in African-American Women with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

Women with lupus are at increased risk for developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). Previous studies of atherosclerosis in SLE have not been representative of the minority groups most affected by lupus and its complications. Therefore, a study of 41 lupus cases and 83 controls was conducted to investigate the relationship between carotid atherosclerosis and inflammation in African-American women. Participation consisted of a questionnaire, physical examination, fasting blood draw, and ultrasound of the carotid arteries. There were observed differences between cases and controls with regard to carotid intima media thickness (IMT) and traditional cardiovascular risk factors, although few reached statistical significance. Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha was significantly related to carotid IMT, lupus, body mass index, and hypertension, indicating that it may be an important factor to consider in future studies of cardiovascular risk in African American women with lupus. This study adds to scientific literature by demonstrating that there may be other factors in the link between SLE and CVD

LEFT ANTERIOR SMALL THORACOTOMY VERSUS CORONARY ARTERY BYPASS GRAFT FOR SINGLE-VESSEL OCCLUSION A Cost Identification Analysis

Objectives: Single-vessel bypass can often be accomplished through less invasive techniques than conventional coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) at substantially lower cost. We undertook a study to empirically determine the cost savings associated with one such technique, left anterior small thoracotomy (LAST).Methods: Reviewing medical and billing records, we measured the difference in hospitalization costs between two methods of coronary bypass surgery. The study groups consisted of 50 patients who underwent LAST and 28 who underwent single-vessel conventional CABG during 1995 and 1996. A subsequent validation sample of 50 patients who underwent LAST was also analyzed. Hospitalization costs were estimated using a relative value unit methodology and were risk-adjusted for both perioperative risk factors and changes in operating room technology.Results: Risk-adjusted hospitalization costs for those undergoing LAST were $9,510 and$12,546 for the CABG control subjects (p < .01), with differences in surgical costs reflecting over 62% of this overall difference. Differences in average length of stay were under a half-day (10.0 for LAST vs. 10.46 for CABG). Only one inpatient fatality was reported; therefore, no inference regarding mortality differences could be made.Conclusions: LAST is substantially less costly than conventional surgery, and the savings are potentially greater if hospital length of stay is reduced to a clinically recommended time of 2 days

Feasibility of using pedometers in a state-based surveillance system: 2014 Arizona Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System

Background: Despite their utility in accessing ambulatory movement, pedometers have not been used consistently to monitor physical activity in U.S. surveillance systems. This study was designed to determine the feasibility of using pedometers to assess daily steps taken in a sub-sample of adults from Maricopa County who completed the 2014 Arizona Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey. Methods: Respondents were sent an Omron HJ324U pedometer, a logbook to record steps taken, and a walking questionnaire. The pedometer was worn for 7 days. Feasibility was assessed for acceptability (interest in study), demand (procedures followed correctly), implementation (time to complete study), and practicality (cost). Results: Acceptability was modest with 23.9% (830/3476) agreeing to participate. Among those participating (92.9%; 771/830), 50.1% (386/771) returned the logbook. Demand was modest with 39.3% (303/771) of logbooks returned with valid data. Implementation represented 5 months to recruit participants. The cost to obtain valid step-count data was USD61.60 per person. An average of 6363 ± 3049 steps/day were taken with most participants classified as sedentary (36.0%) or low active (35.6%). Conclusion: The feasibility of using pedometers in a state-based surveillance system is modest at best. Feasibility may potentially be improved with easy-to-use pedometers where data can be electronically downloaded