Preparation for an Half-Ironmantm Triathlon amongst Amateur Athlete: Finishing rate and physiological adaptation.

International Journal of Exercise Science 13(6): 766-777, 2020. Long distance triathlon has gained in popularity amongst the general population. Coaches establish training programs based upon their knowledge, personal experience and on current training principles. The goal was to observe the effect of a triathlon training program for a half Ironman event in neophyte amateur athletes. A specific triathlon training program was followed from February to June 2016 by a group preparing for their first half ironman. Out of the 32 participants (19 Males and 13 Females; mean age of 39 ± 9.9 years old; body weight of 72.7 ± 13.4 kg and a height of 171.5 ± 10.2 cm), only one did not complete the event. A mean training volume of 410 ± 201 min per week led to a mean finishing time of 6 hours 28 minutes. The training program significantly increased the maximal oxygen consumption (45.9 ± 8.2 to 48.6 ± 7.5 ml/kg/min, p =0.002) and the maximal power output (293.1 ± 63.7 to 307.8 ± 58.7 W, p \u3c 0.001). The absolute oxygen consumption and power output at both ventilatory thresholds also significantly increased (VT1: 2.2 ± 0.4 to 2.5 ± 0.5 L, p = 0.001; 157.8 ± 41.8 to 176.7 ± 41.1 W p = 0.009 and VT2: 2.9 ± 0.4 to 3.0 ± 0.4 L, p = 0.017; 229.3 ± 62.0 to 244.8± 55.2 W, p = 0.022 ). A significant diminution of waist circumference was observed (83.2 ± 10.0 to 81.8 ± 9.5 cm, p = 0.032) with no significant changes in body weight. Thus, a 24-week specific training program appears to be safe and efficient for amateur athletes aiming to finish their first half- Ironman event

Momentum During a Running Competition: A Sequential Explanatory Mixed-Methods Study

International Journal of Exercise Science 13(5): 615-632, 2020. The purpose of this study was to better understand the psychological momentum (PM) in varsity cross-country competitive runners during a 3000 m selection trials. A sequential explanatory mixed methods design was used: recruitment trial race day (quantitative) and interview day (qualitative + maximal aerobic running speed [MARS]). Sample was consisted of fifteen university distance runners (n = six women [25.9 ± 7.0 years old; 22.2 ± 1.8 BMI] and nine men [23.2 ± 2.4 years old; 22.6 ± 1.6 BMI]). During the recruitment trial race, athletes’ MARS was measured and used to create a performance index (PERFI) relative to selected moments. Also, the recruitment trial race was filmed. During the interviews, the recorded film was used to support athletes in the identification of key moments of the race, as well as to discuss positive and negative PM. PM was both defined by participants and devised by three themes: psychological, physiological and psychophysiological change. A significant PERFI difference (p \u3c 0.001) was observed between positive (97.04 ± 5.88%) and negative (108.46 ± 7.76%) moments of PM. The results of PERFI for men and women athletes were not significantly different (p = 0.118). The PERFI standard deviation for women was not correlated (r2 = 0.26, p = 0.30) with the 3000 m time trial performance, but it was significantly correlated for men (r2 = 0.94, p \u3c 0.001). The results of the present study could help developing interventions to focus on specific elements of the momentum such as race management/strategy, the attentiveness of the runner during the race and other elements of mental and physical preparation of the athletes

Training physicians in behavioural change counseling: A systematic review

Background: Poor health behaviours (e.g., smoking, physical inactivity) represent major underlying causes of non-communicable chronic diseases (NCDs). Prescriptive behaviour change interventions employed by physicians show limited effectiveness. Physician training in evidence-based behaviour change counselling (BCC) may improve behavioural risk factor management, but the efficacy and feasibility of current programs remains unclear. Objective: (1) To systematically review the efficacy of BCC training programs for physicians, and (2) to describe program content, dose and structure, informing better design and dissemination. Methods: Using PRISMA guidelines, a database search up to January 2018, yielded 1889 unique articles, screened by 2 authors; 9 studies met inclusion criteria and were retained for analysis. Results: 100% of studies reported significant improvements in BCC skills among physicians, most programs targeting provider-patient collaboration, supporting patient autonomy, and use of open questions to elicit “change-talk”. Limitation included: poor reporting quality, high program heterogeneity, small sample sizes, 78% of studies having no comparison group, and less than 30% of skills taught being formally assessed. Conclusion: Training programs were efficacious, but methodological weaknesses limit the ability to determine content and delivery. Caution is necessary when interpreting the results

Psychological Status During and After the Preparation of a Long-distance Triathlon Event in Amateur Athletes

International Journal of Exercise Science 14(5): 134-148, 2021. Preparation for an endurance event among amateur athletes requires a major commitment on their part. Knowing amateur athletes’ psychological characteristics during a training period should be a priority for coaches and athletes. The aim of our longitudinal study was to characterize the psychological profile of amateur athletes over a training period of six months prior to and after a long-distance triathlon. Thirty-two amateur athletes (13 females; 19 males; 1.5±1.3 years of experience) were recruited for this observational study. All participants (39±9.9 years old; weighs 73±12.9 kg; measure 172±10.2 cm) underwent a physical fitness assessment pre- and post 6-months of training, a monthly psychological questionnaire battery assessing mood, positive and negative affect, passion and motivation and, for some participants (n=5), an interview post event. Positive emotions increased until the sixth month, from 38.1±22.0 to 54.3±7.2 (Z=3.49, p\u3c0.001, r=0.80). Participants were more harmonious (29.0±3.0) than obsessive (13.0±1.0) with their triathlon\u27s passion (Z=4.91, p\u3c0.001, r=0.85). Participants felt a high level of intrinsic motivation (15.9±1.76) and a low level of external motivation (4.9±1.08) about their triathlon training (p\u3c0.05). The vigor score is the only sub scale that significantly changed from the 1st to the 6th month of training, and ranged between 21.4±10.6 and 28.1±4.1 (Z=2.0, p=0.046, r=0.46). This longitudinal observational study is the first to have explored athletes\u27 psychological and emotional parameters over a training period of six months prior to a long-distance triathlon event and one month after. Thus, specific interventions and mental training can be structured around these important milestones

COvid-19 Pandemic and Exercise for Health Care Workers (COPE HCW) Trial: A Randomized Study Examining Physical Activities and Wellbeing.

A 12-week app-based exercise at-home randomized controlled trial in healthcare worker

Prevalence and Motivators of Getting a COVID-19 Booster Vaccine in Canada : Results from the iCARE Study

Studies have shown that the protection afforded by COVID-19 vaccines against hospitalization and death decreases slowly over time due to the emergence of new variants and waning immunity. Accordingly, booster doses remain critical to minimizing the health impacts of the pandemic. This study examined the prevalence rate, sociodemographic determinants, and motivators of getting a COVID-19 booster vaccine within the Canadian population. We recruited a representative sample of 3001 Canadians aged 18+ years as part of the iCARE study using an online polling form between 20 January and 2 February 2022. Participants self-reported their booster status and were dichotomized into two groups: those who did vs. did not receive at least one booster dose. A total of 67% of participants received a booster dose. Chi-square analyses revealed that older age (p < 0.001) and having a chronic disease diagnosis (p < 0.001) were associated with being more likely to get a booster. Boosted individuals reported motivators tied to efficacy and altruism, whereas non-boosted individuals reported motivators tied to efficacy and safety. Results suggest that messaging will require careful tailoring to address the identified behavioral motivators among non-boosted individuals who emphasize safety and efficacy of additional vaccine doses.Education, Faculty ofNon UBCKinesiology, School ofReviewedFacultyResearcherPostdoctora

The impact of COVID-19 on the lives of Canadians with and without non-communicable chronic diseases : results from the iCARE Study

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic and its prevention policies have taken a toll on Canadians, and certain subgroups may have been disproportionately affected, including those with non-communicable diseases (NCDs; e.g., heart and lung disease) due to their risk of COVID-19 complications and women due to excess domestic workload associated with traditional caregiver roles during the pandemic. Aims/Objectives: We investigated the impacts of COVID-19 on mental health, lifestyle habits, and access to healthcare among Canadians with NCDs compared to those without, and the extent to which women with NCDs were disproportionately affected. Methods: As part of the iCARE study (www.icarestudy.com), data from eight cross-sectional Canadian representative samples (total n = 24,028) was collected via online surveys between June 4, 2020 to February 2, 2022 and analyzed using general linear models. Results: A total of 45.6% (n = 10,570) of survey respondents indicated having at least one physician-diagnosed NCD, the most common of which were hypertension (24.3%), chronic lung disease (13.3%) and diabetes (12.0%). In fully adjusted models, those with NCDs were 1.18–1.24 times more likely to report feeling lonely, irritable/frustrated, and angry ‘to a great extent’ compared to those without (p’s < 0.001). Similarly, those with NCDs were 1.22–1.24 times more likely to report worse eating and drinking habits and cancelling medical appointments/avoiding the emergency department compared to those without (p’s < 0.001). Moreover, although there were no sex differences in access to medical care, women with NCDs were more likely to report feeling anxious and depressed, and report drinking less alcohol, compared to men with NCDs (p’s < 0.01). Conclusion: Results suggest that people with NCDs in general and women in general have been disproportionately more impacted by the pandemic, and that women with NCDs have suffered greater psychological distress (i.e., feeling anxious, depressed) compared to men, and men with NCDs reported having increased their alcohol consumption more since the start of COVID-19 compared to women. Findings point to potential intervention targets among people with NCDs (e.g., prioritizing access to medical care during a pandemic, increasing social support for this population and mental health support).Education, Faculty ofNon UBCKinesiology, School ofReviewedFacultyResearche

How Well do Covariates Perform When Adjusting for Sampling Bias in Online COVID-19 Research? Insights from Multiverse Analyses

Background. COVID-19 research has relied heavily on convenience-based samples, which—though often necessary—are susceptible to important sampling biases. We begin with a theoretical overview and introduction to the dynamics that underlie sampling bias. We then empirically examine sampling bias in online COVID-19 surveys and evaluate the degree to which common statistical adjustments for demographic covariates successfully attenuate such bias. Methods. We analysed responses to identical questions from three convenience and three largely representative samples (total N = 13,731) collected online in Canada within the International COVID-19 Awareness and Responses Evaluation Study (www.icarestudy.com). We compared samples on 11 behavioural and psychological outcomes (e.g., adherence to COVID-19 prevention measures, vaccine intentions) across three time points and employed multiverse-style analyses to examine how 512 combinations of demographic covariates (e.g., sex, age, education, income, ethnicity) impacted sampling discrepancies on these outcomes. Results. Significant discrepancies emerged between samples on 73% of outcomes. Participants in the convenience samples held more positive thoughts towards and engaged in more COVID-19 prevention behaviours. Covariates attenuated sampling differences in only 55% of cases and increased differences in 45%. No covariate performed reliably well. Conclusion. Our results suggest that online convenience samples may display more positive dispositions towards COVID-19 prevention behaviours being studied than would samples drawn using more representative means. Adjusting results for demographic covariates frequently increased rather than decreased bias, suggesting that researchers should be cautious when interpreting adjusted findings. Using multiverse-style analyses as extended sensitivity analyses is recommended

PROJECT PAGE - How Well do Covariates Perform When Adjusting for Sampling Bias in Online COVID-19 Research? Insights from Multiverse Analyses

Project Page for the following Article: Joyal-Desmarais, K., Stojanovic, J., Kennedy, E. B., Enticott, J. C., Gosselin-Boucher, V., Vo, H., Košir, U., Lavoie, K. L., Bacon, S. L., on behalf of the iCARE Study Team (2022). How well do covariates perform in adjusting for sampling bias in Online COVID-19 research? Insights from multiverse analyses

How well do covariates perform when adjusting for sampling bias in online COVID-19 research? Insights from multiverse analyses

COVID-19 research has relied heavily on convenience-based samples, which-though often necessary-are susceptible to important sampling biases. We begin with a theoretical overview and introduction to the dynamics that underlie sampling bias. We then empirically examine sampling bias in online COVID-19 surveys and evaluate the degree to which common statistical adjustments for demographic covariates successfully attenuate such bias. This registered study analysed responses to identical questions from three convenience and three largely representative samples (total N = 13,731) collected online in Canada within the International COVID-19 Awareness and Responses Evaluation Study (www.icarestudy.com). We compared samples on 11 behavioural and psychological outcomes (e.g., adherence to COVID-19 prevention measures, vaccine intentions) across three time points and employed multiverse-style analyses to examine how 512 combinations of demographic covariates (e.g., sex, age, education, income, ethnicity) impacted sampling discrepancies on these outcomes. Significant discrepancies emerged between samples on 73% of outcomes. Participants in the convenience samples held more positive thoughts towards and engaged in more COVID-19 prevention behaviours. Covariates attenuated sampling differences in only 55% of cases and increased differences in 45%. No covariate performed reliably well. Our results suggest that online convenience samples may display more positive dispositions towards COVID-19 prevention behaviours being studied than would samples drawn using more representative means. Adjusting results for demographic covariates frequently increased rather than decreased bias, suggesting that researchers should be cautious when interpreting adjusted findings. Using multiverse-style analyses as extended sensitivity analyses is recommended