Acute Effects of Plyometric and Resistance Training on Running Economy in Trained Runners

Results regarding the acute effects of plyometric and resistance training (PRT) on running economy (RE) are conflicting. Eight male collegiate distance runners (21 +/- 1 years, 62.5 +/- 7.8 ml/kg/min V[Combining Dot Above]O2 peak) completed V[Combining Dot Above]O2 peak and 1 repetition maximum (1RM) testing. Seven days later, subjects completed a 12 minute RE test at 60% and 80% V[Combining Dot Above]O2 peak, followed by a PRT protocol or a rested condition of equal duration (CON). The PRT protocol consisted of 3 sets of 5 repetitions at 85% 1RM for barbell squats, Romanian deadlifts, and barbell lunges; the same volume was utilized for resisted lateral lunges, box jumps, and depth jumps. Subjects completed another RE test immediately following the treatments as well as 24 hours later. Subjects followed an identical protocol six days later with condition assignment reversed. RE was determined by both relative V[Combining Dot Above]O2 (ml/kg/min) as well as energy expenditure (kcal/min). There was a significant (p \u3c 0.05) between-trial increase in V[Combining Dot Above]O2 (37.1 +/- 4.2 ml/kg/min PRT vs. 35.5 +/- 3.9 ml/kg/min CON) and energy expenditure (11.4 +/- 1.3 kcal/min PRT vs. 11.0 +/- 1.4 kcal/min CON) immediately post-PRT at 60% V[Combining Dot Above]O2 peak, but no significant changes were observed at 80% V[Combining Dot Above]O2 peak. Respiratory exchange ratio (RER) was significantly (p \u3c 0.05) reduced 24 hours post-PRT (0.93 +/- 0.0) as compared to the CON trial (0.96 +/- 0.0) at 80% V[Combining Dot Above]O2 peak. Results indicate that high intensity PRT may acutely impair RE in aerobically trained individuals at a moderate running intensity, but that the attenuation lasts less than 24 hours in duration

Health Behaviors and Pandemics

Human health behaviors are essential to reducing the spread and impact of pandemics. However, most behavioral scientists do not work in the area of pandemics given the infrequency of their occurrences. This editorial examines relevant health behavior theories, in particular the precaution adoption process model, and how these apply to the COVID-19 pandemic

Reliability of BOD POD Measurements Remain High Following a Short Duration Low-Carbohydrate Diet

The purpose of the present study was to determine whether expected changes in body weight via a three day low-carbohydrate (CHO) diet will disrupt the reliability of air displacement plethysmography measurements via BOD POD. Twenty-four subjects recorded their typical diets for three days prior to BOD POD and seven-site skinfold analyses. Subjects were matched for lean body mass and divided into low-CHO (LC) and control (CON) groups. The LC group was given instruction intended to prevent over 50 grams/day of carbohydrate consumption for three consecutive days, while the CON group replicated their previously recorded diet. Body composition measurements were repeated post-dietary intervention. Test -retest reliability measures were significant (p \u3c 0.01) and high for body fat percentage in both the LC and CON groups (r = 0.993, 0.965, respectively). Likewise, skinfold analysis for body fat percentage reliability was high in both groups (r = 0.996, 0.997, respectively). There were significant differences between first and second BOD POD measurements for body mass (72.9 ± 13.3 vs. 72.1 ± 13.0 kg) and body volume (69.0 ± 12.7 to 68.1 ± 12.2 L) in the LC group (p \u3c 0.05). However, there were no differences (p \u3e 0.05) in BOD POD-determined body fat percentage, lean body mass, or fat mass between the first and second trial in either groups. Body composition measures via BOD POD and seven-site skinfolds remain reliable after three days of a LC diet despite significant decreases in body mass

Identifying Windows of Opportunity for Active Living and Healthy Eating Policies in Connecticut, 2016

We examined the relative importance of 23 community issues among elected officials and health directors in Connecticut in 2016. For this cross-sectional study, 74 elected officials (40.7% response rate) and 47 health directors (62.7% response rate), who were purposively sampled, completed a questionnaire to rate their perceived importance of 23 community issues. Eight of these issues were related to active living, healthy eating, or obesity. We used χ2 tests to evaluate differences in responses. Compared with elected officials, health directors significantly more often perceived obesity, access to healthy groceries, poor nutrition, lack of pedestrian walkways, and pedestrian safety as important. Elected officials significantly more often than health directors perceived lack of good jobs, quality of public education, and cost of living as important. Health advocates should work with both groups to develop and frame policies to address both upstream (eg, jobs, education) and downstream (eg, healthy eating policies) determinants of obesity

Physical Activity and Cognitive-Health Content in Top-Circulating Magazines, 2006–2008

Physical activity may promote cognitive health in older adults. Popular media play an important role in preventive health communication. This study examined articles discussing associations between physical activity and cognitive health in top-circulating magazines targeting older adults. 42,753 pages of magazines published from 2006 to 2008 were reviewed; 26 articles met inclusion criteria. Explanations regarding the link between physical activity and cognitive health were provided in 57.7% of articles. These explanations were generally consistent with empirical evidence; however, few articles included empirical evidence. Physical activity recommendations were presented in 80.8% of articles; a wide range was recommended (90–300 min of physical activity per wk). Socioeconomic status and education level were not mentioned in the text. Results suggest an opportunity for greater coverage regarding the role of physical activity in promoting cognitive health in popular media. Magazine content would benefit from including more empirical evidence, culturally sensitive content, and physical activity recommendations that are consistent with U.S. guidelines

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