Cardiorespiratory Fitness Is Inversely Associated With Clustering of Metabolic Syndrome Risk Factors: The Ball State Adult Fitness Program Longitudinal Lifestyle Study

Objective: The focus of this study was the association between the metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) defined as maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max). Although previous research has shown a relationship between MetSyn and CRF, most studies are based on less objective measures of CRF and different cardiometabolic risk factor thresholds from earlier guidelines

Uncovering motivators and stumbling blocks: Exploring the clinical research experiences of speech-language pathologists

Purpose : Healthcare providers increasingly expect that allied health staff will not only translate research evidence into their clinical practice, but also generate research. Little is known about how well prepared clinicians are to meet these expectations. Research suggests that allied health professionals, including speech-language pathologists, have moderate levels of interest in research, but only little-to-moderate experience participating in research activities. The present study aimed to explore the experiences and attitudes of speech-language pathologists in regards to undertaking research in their clinical settings

An Evaluation of Accounting Method Choice: A Study of the Transition Obligation Upon Adoption of SFAS 106.

The purpose of this research was to examine the factors which motivated managers\u27 choices of transition method for the adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 106 (SFAS 106), Employers\u27 Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions. This statement allowed employers the option of recognizing the entire transition amount in the year of adoption or amortizing it over a future period. Many opponents of this statement had expressed concern that the large financial impact brought about by recognizing this obligation would cause managers to seek ways to minimize the effect, possibly at the expense of plan participants. Since managers had the opportunity to make a choice of how to recognize this obligation, there existed a possibility that managers could use the adoption of SFAS 106 in attempt to justify plan changes. Thus, the primary question of interest in this research was: Is there a significant relationship between plan amendments and transition method choice? . In this research, several variables which were specific to the issue of postretirement benefits (a ratio measuring maturity of a firm\u27s workforce, the size of the transition obligation, concurrent adoption of SFAS 109, and the announcement of plan amendments) were examined along with some of the more traditional firm specific variables which have previously been shown to influence decisions made by managers. A sample of 196 firms collected from COMPUSTAT and NAARS data bases was used and eight hypotheses were tested using both univariate analysis and logistic regression models. Five variables were shown to be significant to the choice of transition method choices: bonus plan, early adoption, industry regulation, maturity of a firm\u27s workforce, and concurrent adoption of SFAS 109. There was no evidence that the announcement of plan amendments was significant to the transition method choice, thus contradicting the theory that firms would use the adoption of SFAS 106 to justify plan amendments

Do Attachment Styles Predict General Wellness?

Attachment has been shown to be indicative of many different specific facets of health and wellbeing. (Rapoza et al., 2016) Generally secure attachment seems to be predictive of positive life outcomes and vice versa. (Kwon & Choi, 2022) However, there is a lack of integrative research done which examines wellness as a general construct or how the different facets of wellness interact in relation to attachment. In this study we created a construct of “general wellness” (social, emotional, and physical wellness) and examined its relationship with attachment style. 40 Belmont students (by means of a Qualtrics survey) were given an assessment of general wellbeing and then of attachment style. We anticipate that anxious and avoidant attachment will be negatively related to general wellness. Additionally, we hypothesize that avoidance will be negatively related to social wellness and anxiety will be negatively related to emotional wellness. The style of parent to child attachment has lasting implications for a child’s adulthood wellness. The findings of this study could be used to help parents improve their children\u27s social, emotional, and physical wellness, starting with how they relate to them when they are young

VALIDATION OF INERTIAL MEASUREMENT UNITS FOR TRACKING 100M SPRINT DATA

Wearable micro sensor measurement devices are a promising development in sports technology. This paper presents preliminary data evaluating the accuracy of an inertial measurement unit during 100m sprints against a criterion measure from a tripod-mounted Laveg laser. The inertial measurement units were found to be a valid tool for the analysis of peak velocity (r = 0.92) and average split velocities for splits after the first 10m (r = 0.85 - 0.95). Validation data suggests some caution should be taken in interpretation of the first lorn split (r = 0.32). Whilst data from the two devices for this split were correlated, the inertial measurement unit showed an overestimation for this parameter in comparison to the athlete velocity as measured by the laser. Further in-depth analysis should investigate this period

Improving the normalization of complex interventions: part 1 - development of the NoMAD instrument for assessing implementation work based on normalization process theory (NPT)

Background Understanding and measuring implementation processes is a key challenge for implementation researchers. This study draws on Normalization Process Theory (NPT) to develop an instrument that can be applied to assess, monitor or measure factors likely to affect normalization from the perspective of implementation participants. Methods An iterative process of instrument development was undertaken using the following methods: theoretical elaboration, item generation and item reduction (team workshops); item appraisal (QAS-99); cognitive testing with complex intervention teams; theory re-validation with NPT experts; and pilot testing of instrument. Results We initially generated 112 potential questionnaire items; these were then reduced to 47 through team workshops and item appraisal. No concerns about item wording and construction were raised through the item appraisal process. We undertook three rounds of cognitive interviews with professionals (n = 30) involved in the development, evaluation, delivery or reception of complex interventions. We identified minor issues around wording of some items; universal issues around how to engage with people at different time points in an intervention; and conceptual issues around the types of people for whom the instrument should be designed. We managed these by adding extra items (n = 6) and including a new set of option responses: ‘not relevant at this stage’, ‘not relevant to my role’ and ‘not relevant to this intervention’ and decided to design an instrument explicitly for those people either delivering or receiving an intervention. This version of the instrument had 53 items. Twenty-three people with a good working knowledge of NPT reviewed the items for theoretical drift. Items that displayed a poor alignment with NPT sub-constructs were removed (n = 8) and others revised or combined (n = 6). The final instrument, with 43 items, was successfully piloted with five people, with a 100% completion rate of items. Conclusion The process of moving through cycles of theoretical translation, item generation, cognitive testing, and theoretical (re)validation was essential for maintaining a balance between the theoretical integrity of the NPT concepts and the ease with which intended respondents could answer the questions. The final instrument could be easily understood and completed, while retaining theoretical validity. NoMAD represents a measure that can be used to understand implementation participants’ experiences. It is intended as a measure that can be used alongside instruments that measure other dimensions of implementation activity, such as implementation fidelity, adoption, and readiness

Inequalities in diet and physical activity in Europe

The contribution of food, nutrition and physical activity to inequalities in health across Europe is largely unexplored. This paper summarizes cross sectional survey data on food patterns and nutrient intakes, and briefer data on physical activity, by various indicators of socio-economic status for countries across Europe. Factors are examined which underlie the outcome data seen. These include structural and material conditions and circumstances which contribute to excluding sociodemographic groups from participating in mainstream patterns of living. Trends in social and economic conditions, and their implications for nutritional and physical wellbeing are briefly outlined

Why is it difficult to implement e-health initiatives? A qualitative study

<b>Background</b> The use of information and communication technologies in healthcare is seen as essential for high quality and cost-effective healthcare. However, implementation of e-health initiatives has often been problematic, with many failing to demonstrate predicted benefits. This study aimed to explore and understand the experiences of implementers - the senior managers and other staff charged with implementing e-health initiatives and their assessment of factors which promote or inhibit the successful implementation, embedding, and integration of e-health initiatives.<p></p> <b>Methods</b> We used a case study methodology, using semi-structured interviews with implementers for data collection. Case studies were selected to provide a range of healthcare contexts (primary, secondary, community care), e-health initiatives, and degrees of normalization. The initiatives studied were Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) in secondary care, a Community Nurse Information System (CNIS) in community care, and Choose and Book (C&B) across the primary-secondary care interface. Implementers were selected to provide a range of seniority, including chief executive officers, middle managers, and staff with 'on the ground' experience. Interview data were analyzed using a framework derived from Normalization Process Theory (NPT).<p></p> <b>Results</b> Twenty-three interviews were completed across the three case studies. There were wide differences in experiences of implementation and embedding across these case studies; these differences were well explained by collective action components of NPT. New technology was most likely to 'normalize' where implementers perceived that it had a positive impact on interactions between professionals and patients and between different professional groups, and fit well with the organisational goals and skill sets of existing staff. However, where implementers perceived problems in one or more of these areas, they also perceived a lower level of normalization.<p></p> <b>Conclusions</b> Implementers had rich understandings of barriers and facilitators to successful implementation of e-health initiatives, and their views should continue to be sought in future research. NPT can be used to explain observed variations in implementation processes, and may be useful in drawing planners' attention to potential problems with a view to addressing them during implementation planning

Restraint Free in 2023

This EBP project evaluated if in hospitalized adult patients on Sands 800 does the use of a restraint management bundle decrease the use of restraints during the inpatient admission compared to current restraint practices. In the SICU, restraint usage is an initial response instead of last intervention. This culture of care concerns nurses and providers. It was hypothesized that decrease restraint usage and time in restraints will allow the patient to remain safer by evaluating usage of restraint alternatives, cost savings, patient mobility, and clinical staff understanding of appropriate restraint usage. The SICU was educated on the least restrictive device, which in this project was soft mitts. In-services and poster included the restraint wheel that provided alternatives to restraints. The team prioritized peer support and chart review. Restrained patients were reported to leadership daily with a focus on restraint use greater than 72 hours. Twice-daily audits verified orders and nursing documentation then were reported at shift change. The RGH results showed 636 orders for non-violent restraint orders across 17 units with 96.7 average restraint time in hours June 1, 2023 to June 11, 2023. SICU restraint use decreased since the implementation of restraint education and restraint alternative wheel. Prior to implementation, 38 total patients restrained in March decreased to 28 restrained in August 2023. From the results, the hypotheses was supported. An increased availability of alternatives and types of alternatives as well as education for staff members would continue the culture change.https://scholar.rochesterregional.org/nursingresearchday_2023/1011/thumbnail.jp