Australian cardiac rehabilitation exercise parameter characteristics and perceptions of high-intensity interval training: a cross-sectional survey

Purpose: This study explored current demographics, characteristics, costs, evaluation methods, and outcome measures used in Australian cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs. It also determined the actual usage and perceptions of high-intensity interval training (HIIT). Methods: A cross-sectional observational web-based survey was distributed to 328 Australian CR programs nationally. Results: A total of 261 programs completed the survey (79.6% response rate). Most Australian CR programs were located in a hospital setting (76%), offered exercise sessions once a week (52%) for 6–8 weeks (49%) at moderate intensity (54%) for 46–60 min (62%), and serviced 101–500 clients per annum (38%). HIIT was reported in only 1% of programs, and 27% of respondents believed that it was safe while 42% of respondents were unsure. Lack of staff (25%), monitoring resources (20%), and staff knowledge (18%) were the most commonly reported barriers to the implementation of HIIT. Overall, Australian CR coordinators are unsure of the cost of exercise sessions. Conclusion: There is variability in CR delivery across Australia. Only half of programs reassess outcome measures postintervention, and cost of exercise sessions is unknown. Although HIIT is recommended in international CR guidelines, it is essentially not being used in Australia and clinicians are unsure as to the safety of HIIT. Lack of resources and staff knowledge were perceived as the biggest barriers to HIIT implementation, and there are inconsistent perceptions of prescreening and monitoring requirements. This study highlights the need to educate health professionals about the benefits and safety of HIIT to improve its usage and patient outcomes

High-intensity interval training versus moderate-intensity continuous training within cardiac rehabilitation:a systematic review and meta-analysis

Aerobic capacity has been shown to be inversely proportionate to cardiovascular mortality and morbidity and there is growing evidence that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) appears to be more effective than moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) in improving cardiorespiratory fitness within the cardiac population. Previously published systematic reviews in cardiovascular disease have neither investigated the effect that the number of weeks of intervention has on cardiorespiratory fitness changes, nor have adverse events been collated.We aimed to undertake a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) within the cardiac population that investigated cardiorespiratory fitness changes resulting from HIIT versus MICT and to collate adverse events.A critical narrative synthesis and meta-analysis was conducted after systematically searching relevant databases up to July 2017. We searched for RCTs that compared cardiorespiratory fitness changes resulting from HIIT versus MICT interventions within the cardiac population.Seventeen studies, involving 953 participants (465 for HIIT and 488 for MICT) were included in the analysis. HIIT was significantly superior to MICT in improving cardiorespiratory fitness overall (SMD 0.34 mL/kg/min; 95% confidence interval [CI; 0.2-0.48]; p6-week duration. Programs of 7-12 weeks' duration resulted in the largest improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness for patients with coronary artery disease. HIIT appears to be as safe as MICT for CR participants

Effectiveness of the Project P.A.T.H.S. in Hong Kong: Evaluation Based on Different Strategies and Different Studies over Time

2012-2013 > Academic research: refereed > Publication in refereed journalVersion of RecordPublishe

Project P.A.T.H.S. in Hong Kong: New Curriculum in Response to Adolescent Developmental Issues

2011-2012 > Academic research: refereed > Publication in refereed journalVersion of RecordPublishe

Book Review on The Philosophical Challenge from China (Edited by Brian Bruya)

In this paper, I review the book The Philosophical Challenge from China, edited by Brian Bruya. I critically discuss each of the 13 contributions

A Brief Overview of Adolescent Developmental Problems in Hong Kong

Several adolescent developmental problems in Hong Kong are briefly reviewed in this paper. First, rising adolescent substance abuse trends are described. Second, Internet use problems and Internet addiction among young people are examined. Third, worrying trends in adolescent sexuality are identified. Fourth, phenomena on bullying among young people are reviewed. Finally, phenomena related to adolescent materialistic orientation are focused upon. With reference to these adolescent developmental problems, possible solutions are briefly discussed particularly with reference to the ecological perspective. It is argued that the related scientific literature provides useful pointers for designing the curriculum in the extension phase of the Project P.A.T.H.S. in Hong Kong

Generalized Loading Protocols for Experimentally Simulating Multidirectional Earthquake Actions on Building Columns in Regions of Low-to-Moderate Seismicity

This study aimed to quantitatively develop realistic quasi-static loading protocols for simulating bidirectional cyclic actions and axial load variation on building columns in a way that is representative of an actual response during earthquake ground excitation. A case-study building was subjected to a suite of 15 ground motions that were scaled to design basis earthquake (DBE) and maximum considered earthquake (MCE) levels of a typical region of low-to-moderate seismicity. The results showed that the displacement path of a building column under earthquake actions is generally in the form of elliptical loops of various orientations due to the phase difference in the sinusoidal displacements in the two orthogonal axes of the column. Accordingly, this work proposes a bidirectional lateral loading protocol that simplifies and generalizes the displacement path of the column in the form of elliptical loops of four different orientations. Similarly, the patterns of axial load variation in columns were also studied in detail, which led to the development of separate axial load variation protocols for external and internal columns of a building, which can be applied in tandem with the bidirectional lateral loading protocol. The paper concludes with a brief overview of the results of two reinforced concrete (RC) column specimens, which were experimentally tested using the proposed bidirectional loading protocol.</p

Development of a New Curriculum in a Positive Youth Development Program: The Project P.A.T.H.S. in Hong Kong

The design of a new curriculum in a positive youth development program (Project P.A.T.H.S.) in Hong Kong is outlined. The Tier 1 Program of the original phase of the Project P.A.T.H.S. is a universal positive youth development program for students in Secondary 1 to Secondary 3 with the curricula developed by a research team comprising scholars in different disciplines (e.g., social work, psychology, and education). The 120 teaching units are designed with reference to 15 positive youth development constructs identified in the successful positive youth development programs. In the extension phase of the project, a new curriculum with 60 teaching units is developed in accordance with these 15 constructs with specific reference to five major adolescent developmental issues. These issues include substance abuse, sexuality issue, Internet addiction, bullying, and money and success issues. The principles underlying the program development and implementation strategies are outlined