Meta-Analysis of the Reasoned Action Approach (RAA) to Understanding Health Behaviors

YesBackground: Reasoned action approach (RAA) includes subcomponents of attitude (experiential/instrumental), perceived norm (injunctive/descriptive), and perceived behavioral control (capacity/autonomy) to predict intention and behavior. Purpose: To provide a meta-analysis of the RAA for health behaviors focusing on comparing the pairs of RAA subcomponents and differences between health protection and health-risk behaviors. Methods: The present research reports a meta-analysis of correlational tests of RAA subcomponents, examination of moderators, and combined effects of subcomponents on intention and behavior. Regressions were used to predict intention and behavior based on data from studies measuring all variables. Results: Capacity and experiential attitude had large, and other constructs had small-medium-sized correlations with intention; all constructs except autonomy were significant independent predictors of intention in regressions. Intention, capacity, and experiential attitude had medium-large, and other constructs had small-medium-sized correlations with behavior; intention, capacity, experiential attitude, and descriptive norm were significant independent predictors of behavior in regressions. Conclusions: The RAA subcomponents have utility in predicting and understanding health behaviors

ISSN exercise & sport nutrition review: research & recommendations

Sports nutrition is a constantly evolving field with hundreds of research papers published annually. For this reason, keeping up to date with the literature is often difficult. This paper is a five year update of the sports nutrition review article published as the lead paper to launch the JISSN in 2004 and presents a well-referenced overview of the current state of the science related to how to optimize training and athletic performance through nutrition. More specifically, this paper provides an overview of: 1.) The definitional category of ergogenic aids and dietary supplements; 2.) How dietary supplements are legally regulated; 3.) How to evaluate the scientific merit of nutritional supplements; 4.) General nutritional strategies to optimize performance and enhance recovery; and, 5.) An overview of our current understanding of the ergogenic value of nutrition and dietary supplementation in regards to weight gain, weight loss, and performance enhancement. Our hope is that ISSN members and individuals interested in sports nutrition find this review useful in their daily practice and consultation with their clients

Effect of Near Work on Intraocular Pressure in Emmetropes

Objective. To determine whether accommodation induced by reading alters intraocular pressure (IOP) in healthy, young, emmetropic adults and to document the duration and magnitude of this effect. Design. Cross-sectional study. Participants. Fifteen healthy, emmetropic young adults. Methods. Subjects performed 20 minutes of near work (reading at 33 cm) followed by 20 minutes of far work (reading at 520 cm) while IOP was measured using an iCare tonometer at baseline and every 5 minutes thereafter. Statistical analysis was performed using repeated measures ANOVA. Main Outcome Measures. Intraocular pressure. Results. IOP decreased significantly compared to baseline IOP after 10 minutes of near work (average change of −1.60 ± 2.2 (SD) mm Hg, p<0.05). IOP remained lower than baseline IOP throughout all subsequent near and far work. The difference in IOP at the end of experimentation compared to baseline IOP was −1.87 ± 1.81 mm Hg (p<0.05). The minimum IOP reached during experimentation compared to baseline was on average −3.8 ± 2.2 (SD) mm Hg (range: 0 to −8.0 mm Hg). 13 of 15 subjects (87%) and 9 of 15 subjects (60%) had at least one IOP measurement of at least 2 mm Hg and 4 mm Hg less than their baseline IOPs, respectively. Conclusions. Near work decreases IOP in healthy emmetropes, and this effect is sustained for at least 20 minutes after discontinuing prolonged near work. Providers may need to consider this effect when measuring IOP in clinical practice