Validating the Adidas miCoach for estimating pace, distance, and energy expenditure during outdoor over-ground exercise accelerometer

The Adidas miCoach was developed as a personal training system to estimate pace, distance and energy expenditure (EE) but has yet to be validated. PURPOSE: To validate the Adidas miCoach for estimating pace (min/km), distance (km) and EE (kcal/min) during outdoor over-ground walking and running for two different sensor configurations. METHODS: Six male and 8 female moderately endurance trained participants (mean ± SD age: 28.2 ± 8.5 y; height: 167.4 ± 7.8 cm; mass: 60.9 ± 11.1 kg; VO2max: 54.4 ± 5.5 mL/kg/min) completed this validation study. The protocol consisted of walking at 53.6, 80.4, and 107.2 m/min and running at 134.0, 160.8, 187.6, and 214.0 m/min on an outdoor track while wearing a portable metabolic measurement unit (Cosmed K4b2). A miCoach sensor was attached to the right shoelaces (Laces) and a second miCoach sensor was inserted in the right insole of the shoe (Midsole). Estimated pace, distance and EE were compared to values determined by criterion methods (Actual). Data were analyzed using a repeated-measure ANOVA (pace, distance) or ANCOVA (EE) to evaluate significant differences. RESULTS: A significant main effect (P \u3c 0.035) was observed for speed indicating an increase in measured values at each subsequent speed for pace, distance, and EE. For pace at all speeds, the laces and midsole miCoach estimated pace were significantly different from each other (P \u3c 0.01), and from actual pace (P \u3c 0.02). For distance, the laces and midsole miCoach estimates were similar for all speeds; however, significant differences were observed for the midsole at 53.6 m/min (P = 0.003) and for both laces and midsole at 80.4 and 107.2 m/min (P ≤ 0.05) compared to actual distance. For walking speeds, miCoach estimated EE was significantly different between laces and midsole (P \u3c 0.04), and compared to actual EE (P \u3c 0.001); however, midsole at 160.8 m/min (P = 0.035) and both laces and midsole at 187.6 and 214.4 m/min (P \u3c 0.01) were significantly different from actual EE. CONCLUSION: These data indicate that the Adidas miCoach is accurate for estimating distance. However, it lacks the ability to accurately estimate pace and EE across a range of walking and running speeds. Additionally, it appears that the laces configuration produced more accurate estimates than the midsole

The robust nature of the biopsychosocial model challenge and threat: A reply to Wright and Kirby

This article responds to Wright and Kirby's (this issue) critique of our biopsychosocial (BPS) analysis of challenge and threat motivation. We counter their arguments by re- Wright and Kirby (this issue) critiqued our challenge and threat theory and its supporting empirical data. We disagree with their assessment and believe their criticisms (a) are based on a misunderstanding and selective presentation of elements of our current theory and data; (b) are based on a rational-economic perspective entailing only objective comparison of the amount of effort individuals are willing and able to expend to the amount required by the situation, which fails to integrate contextual elements involved in social behavior, in general, and subjectivity and automatic processing, in particular; and (c) provide some interesting challenges for our theory that should be construed as research questions within an ongoing, evolving theoretical framework rather than fatal flaws. Here, we first provide a brief summary of our current challenge and threat theory and research. We then respond to Wright and Kirby's criticisms and finally provide our conclusions regarding their critique. Challenge and Threat: Is the Model Coherent and the Evidence Compelling? Our theory and research address how people evaluate, react to, and behave in goal-relevant performanc

Transportation Matters: A Health Impact Assessment in Rural New Mexico

This Health Impact Assessment (HIA) informed the decision of expanding public transportation services to rural, low income communities of southern Doña Ana County, New Mexico on the U.S./Mexico border. The HIA focused on impacts of access to health care services, education, and economic development opportunities. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected from surveys of community members, key informant interviews, a focus group with community health workers, and passenger surveys during an initial introduction of the transit system. Results from the survey showed that a high percentage of respondents would use the bus system to access the following: (1) 84% for health services; (2) 83% for formal and informal education opportunities; and (3) 81% for economic opportunities. Results from interviews and the focus group supported the benefits of access to services but many were concerned with the high costs of providing bus service in a rural area. We conclude that implementing the bus system would have major impacts on resident’s health through improved access to: (1) health services, and fresh foods, especially for older adults; (2) education opportunities, such as community colleges, universities, and adult learning, especially for young adults; and (3) economic opportunities, especially jobs, job training, and consumer goods and services. We highlight the challenges associated with public transportation in rural areas where there are: (1) long distances to travel; (2) difficulties in scheduling to meet all needs; and (3) poor road and walking conditions for bus stops. The results are applicable to low income and fairly disconnected rural areas, where access to health, education, and economic opportunities are limited

Cognitive and Physiological Antecedents of Threat and Challenge Appraisal

Cognitive appraisal theories of stress and emotion propose that cognitive appraisals precede physiological responses, whereas peripheralist theories propose that physiological arousal precedes cognitive processes. Three studies examined this issue regarding threat and challenge responses to potential stress. Study 1 supported cognitive appraisal theory by demonstrating that threat and challenge cognitive appraisals and physiological responses could be elicited experimentally by manipulating instructional set. Studies 2 and 3, in contrast, found that manipulations of physiological response patterns consistent with challenge and threat did not result in corresponding changes in cognitive appraisal. Appraisals in Study 3, however, were related to subjective pain independent of the physiological manipulation. These studies suggest a central role for cognitive appraisal processes in elicitation of threat and challenge responses to potentially stressful situations

The Robust Natures of the Biopsychosocial Model: A Reply to Wright & Kirby

This article responds to Wright and Kirby\u27s (this issue) critique of our biopsychosocial (BPS) analysis of challenge and threat motivation. We counter their arguments by reviewing the current state of our theory as well as supporting data, then turn to their specific criticisms. We believe that Wright and Kirby failed to accurately represent the corpus of our work, including both our theoretical model and its supporting data. They critiqued our model from a contextual, rational-economic perspective that ignores the complexity and subjectivity of person-person and person-environmental interactions as well as nonconscious influences. Finally, they provided criticisms regarding possible underspecificity of antecedent components of our model that do not so much indicate theoretical flaws as provide important and interesting questions for future research. We conclude by affirming that our BPS model of challenge and threat is an evolving, generative theory directed toward understanding the complexity of personality and social psychological factors underlying challenge and threat states

The Robust Natures of the Biopsychosocial Model: A Reply to Wright & Kirby

This article responds to Wright and Kirby\u27s (this issue) critique of our biopsychosocial (BPS) analysis of challenge and threat motivation. We counter their arguments by reviewing the current state of our theory as well as supporting data, then turn to their specific criticisms. We believe that Wright and Kirby failed to accurately represent the corpus of our work, including both our theoretical model and its supporting data. They critiqued our model from a contextual, rational-economic perspective that ignores the complexity and subjectivity of person-person and person-environmental interactions as well as nonconscious influences. Finally, they provided criticisms regarding possible underspecificity of antecedent components of our model that do not so much indicate theoretical flaws as provide important and interesting questions for future research. We conclude by affirming that our BPS model of challenge and threat is an evolving, generative theory directed toward understanding the complexity of personality and social psychological factors underlying challenge and threat states