Metabolic Costs of Stair-Stepping Methods

Walking up stairs is physically demanding, causing high levels of perceived exertion and increased oxygen consumption compared to level walking. While stair-climbing exercise can be used to improve one’s cardiorespiratory fitness, individuals often choose the elevator for convenience and to minimize perceived exertion. Determining if a single step or double step method of stair-climbing requires different levels of oxygen consumption, and thereby exertion, could provide useful information potentially encouraging people to use the stairs. PURPOSE: This study was performed to determine whether stair-climbing using the single step method or double step method on a staircase creates greater oxygen consumption. The single step method was also done on a stepmill machine to have a standardized comparison between a building’s staircase and a workout machine. METHODS: Twelve participants (20±1 years) walked up a staircase at a set pace for 4 trials. Participants returned to perform the single step method on a stepmill machine. Each trial was done under the same time constraints using a metronome. Oxygen consumption was measured using a portable metabolic device (PNOĒ). Data was analyzed using a one-way repeated measures ANOVA on SPSS. RESULTS: Oxygen consumption for the double step method (2521 ± 367 ml/min) was significantly greater (pCONCLUSION: Even when matched for total work rate, the double step method requires higher oxygen consumption. This study supports previous literature that determines double step as a method that requires more energy expenditure

Measurement of Respiratory Exchange Ratio (RER) with Oral Versus Oronasal Breathing After Sports Drink Mouth Rinse

The ratio of carbon dioxide produced to oxygen consumed, the respiratory exchange ratio (RER), is often used to determine the balance of carbohydrate and fat oxidation during exercise. However, introducing carbohydrates into the mouth and pharynx could possibly influence the value while not actually changing the whole-body metabolism. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine if a sports drink mouth rinse during steady-state (SS) exercise affects RER. METHODS: Eleven participants exercised at steady state in 4 different, randomized conditions while respiratory gases were analyzed: 1) Breathing through the mouth after water rinse; 2), breathing through the mouth after carbohydrate solution rinse; 3) breathing through the nose and mouth after water rinse; 4) breathing through the nose and mouth after carbohydrate solution rinse. RER and heart rate were measured continuously through each 5-minute trial. RESULTS: RER values of the oral breathing trials, 0.838 ± 0.055 and 0.859 ± 0.076, were significantly higher than oronasal trials, 0.801 ± 0.054 and 0.804 ± 0.042. RER values of the sports drink trials, 0.859 ± 0.076 and 0.804 ± 0.042, were significantly higher than the water trials, 0.838 ± 0.055 and 0.801 ± 0.054. CONCLUSION: Swirling sports drinks before measuring RER values significantly increases the RER values. This could potentially bring the reliability of the RER value into question

Changes in Hemoglobin Concentration After Two Weeks of Apnea Training

Hemoglobin concentration has been shown to increase immediately after maximal-duration apneas in both divers and untrained individuals. Relatively few studies have examined how apnea training programs influence hemoglobin concentration in untrained individuals. PURPOSE: To examine how a two-week maximal duration breath-hold training program, consisting of five maximal duration voluntary apneas per day, would change hemoglobin concentration in healthy adults. This study looked at short-term changes in hemoglobin after a series of breath-holds when untrained and trained in addition to long-term changes in resting hemoglobin before and after training. METHODS: Fifteen healthy adults (22.4 ± 4.8 years) came to the lab and had their hemoglobin concentration measured, performed a breath-hold training session of five maximal duration breath-holds, followed by another hemoglobin concentration measurement. They performed the same training session at home for two weeks before returning to the lab for visit two, now considered trained, where the same protocol as visit one was repeated. RESULTS: Females (before and after training) and untrained males did not exhibit a short-term increase in hemoglobin but trained males had a statistically insignificant short-term increase in hemoglobin (p = 0.142) after a series of breath-holds. Resting hemoglobin concentration was not significantly different after training for females (p = 1.000) or males (p = 0.071). CONCLUSION: Although previous studies have shown short-term increases in hemoglobin when untrained and trained, this study opposes research by only replicating a short-term increase, to a statistically insignificant degree, for trained males. The lack of increased resting hemoglobin after two weeks of breath-hold training supports findings from the limited existing literature on the subject

The Effect of External Ankle Support on Lower Extremity Biomechanics

ACL injury risk has been related to abnormal frontal plane knee mechanics. It’s not clear whether constraining another lower extremity joint with bracing or taping might contribute to this increased injury risk by altering knee movements. PURPOSE: To examine the effect of external ankle support on lower extremity kinematics during a drop landing. METHODS: Twenty-five participants (20.3 ± 1.2 years, 168.7 ± 32.9 cm, 78.0 ± 14.9 kg) performed drop landings from a height of 61 cm under three conditions; no ankle support, athletic tape, and a lace-up ankle brace. The subject performed three trials per condition. Sixteen reflective markers were placed on the lower extremity to produce a modified Helen Hayes lower-extremity model. The subject then completed a 3-minute walking trial at a self-selected speed prior to completing each set of trials for the three landing conditions. Three-dimensional ankle, knee, and hip kinematics were collected using the Vicon Nexus 2 System. Knee and hip angles in the frontal and sagittal plane upon landing were determined. Ankle movement during landing was computed as the range of motion of the ankle angle in the sagittal plane from initial ground contact to the lowest point achieved during the landing phase. RESULTS: Mean ± SD ankle movement within the sagittal plane in the ankle tape condition (13.7±6.0 degrees) was significantly less (pCONCLUSION: This present study showed only the taped condition restricted ankle motion during the landing. However, the frontal plane knee motion was only affected when the ankle brace was used. While it is not clear why this occurred, it may be related to altering the proprioception of the ankle with the brace

Southwestern University Community Perception on the Implementation of Active Workstations on Campus

Physical inactivity is a leading health concern facing our nation. The implementation of active workstations on college campuses serves to help reduce the amount of sedentary activity and increase physical activity of the campus community. PURPOSE: To see if the Southwestern community not only utilizes active workstations, but also perceives them to have an impact on their physical activity, productivity, and stress levels. METHODS: Forty-three students and twenty faculty members participated in a questionnaire regarding the physical activity level (Godin Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire), sedentary behavior, and perception and use of the active workstations located on campus. Student participants were recruited via flyers through online solicitation as well as at the active workstations while faculty in the Fondren Jones Science Building were emailed the questionnaire link. Data was analyzed using Qualtrics Reports, two-tailed independent t-tests, and Cohen’s d to determine effect size. RESULTS: Ninety percent of students and eighty percent of faculty ranked as “Active” on the Godin Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire. There was a significant difference (t(36), p= 0.007) between faculty (n=18) and students (n=43) over the belief that their productivity and/or concentration increased while working by using this active workstation compared to a standard desk. There was a significant difference (t(33), p= 0.005) between faculty (n=18) and students (n=43) over the belief that their stress and/or anxiety levels decreased while working by using this active workstation compared to a standard desk. Students were more likely to reduce sedentary activity when spending time with friends or family who would prefer to be seated when compared to faculty (Cohen’s d= 0.53). Students were more likely to believe that their physical activity increased with usage of the active workstation when compared with faculty (Cohen’s d =0.50). CONCLUSION: Overall, students found active workstations to be more beneficial in regards to productivity, physical activity, and lowering stress levels when compared to faculty who use sit-to-stand desks. Positive student perception has led to more initiatives to increase the availability and accessibility of active workstations around the campus community. Specifically in areas in which students tend to spend long hours engaging in sedentary practices (i.e. studying)

Weight History Association with Current Cardiorespiratory and Muscular Fitness

High cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness are often associated with lower body fat mass. Age-associated increases in body mass might be attenuated by maintaining a higher level of fitness into middle-age. PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness of individuals who have maintained body mass during adulthood to those who have had substantial increases and/or decreases in body mass in adulthood. METHODS: Obese, overweight, and non-obese adults were recruited to participate. Long-term health and weight history was collected retrospectively on 79 individuals. Total body composition, maximal oxygen consumption, grip strength, and maximal isometric knee extension strength were measured. Participants were subsequently categorized based on short term and long-term weight loss history, cardiorespiratory fitness, and muscle function for further analysis. RESULTS: Participants (31 Male, 45 female, aged 41.0 ± 12.3 years) were 29.2 ± 10.1% body fat having gained 9.3 ± 11.7 kg since 20 years of age. Current cardiorespiratory fitness as indicated by relative maximal oxygen consumption was 36.6 ± 12.0 ml*kg-1*min-1. No significant relationship existed between weight gain since age 20 and current cardiorespiratory fitness (r = -0.12). No differences in weight history were observed after classification of participants into high vs. low cardiorespiratory fitness nor high vs. low muscular fitness. CONCLUSIONS: Current cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness are independent of past body weight history. Despite the limitations of retrospective analysis of weight history and inability to determine previous levels of fitness, these results imply that high fitness might not be protective against age-associated body mass increases, but also that low fitness might not destine an individual to larger than normal gains in body mass

The Metabolic Cost of Pushing versus Carrying a Golfbag

The two most common non-motorized methods for transporting golf clubs in recreational and amateur golf are carrying a double strap bag or pushing a wheeled cart. The transportation method of golf clubs can have a direct impact on the necessary metabolic, musculoskeletal and cardiorespiratory requirements of golf performance. PURPOSE: To compare the metabolic cost of pushing versus carrying a golf bag. METHODS: Twenty two participants (18 Male, 3 Female, 24.2±8.9 yrs, 176.6±14.5 cm, and 76.2±14.5 kg) were recruited for one session in which they walked one mile while carrying and one mile while pushing a 25lb golf bag (determined as the average weight of a tournament bag for 5 male and 5 female collegiate golfers). Half of the participants completed the carrying condition first while the remaining participants completed the pushing condition first. All testing was performed on an indoor track. An approximate pace of 3.5mph during each walk was maintained by checking the time every 1/16 mile at which point feedback was provided to the participant to speed up, slow down, or maintain pace. It was required that each trial be completed with a time corresponding to ±5% of the 3.5 mph target pace. The walking trials were separated by a 10-minute recovery period. VO2 and HR were recorded for each transportation method using the PNOE (Athens, Greece) portable metabolic measurement system and Polar (Bethpage, NY) heart rate monitor. The use of the PNOE device required participants to breathe through a mask, which sealed the nose and mouth, for the duration of both walks. The device was removed during the recovery period. Steady state VO2 and average HR were computed for the five-minute period between minute 7 and minute 12 of each trial. Steady state VO2 and average HR were compared between walking conditions using a paired t-test. RESULTS: The mean±SD VO2 and HR were 1.48±0.19 L/min and 118.2±17.3 bpm, respectively for the carry condition and 1.34±0.17 L/min and 110.4±17.9 bpm, respectively for the push condition. Pushing the cart resulted in a significant 10.4% reduction in VO2 (t19=1.73, p19=1.73, pCONCLUSION:This study provides novel evidence that transporting a competition golf bag using a pushcart significantly reduces metabolic cost as compared to carrying. Thus, these data support utilizing a pushcart and shows that removing the load of equipment from the body has the potential to reduce fatigue experienced by the golfer. Currently within the golf community and especially within the demographic of college aged and younger golfers, there is a stigma around utilizing a pushcart. There has been no published study thus far that focuses on providing empirical evidence on the metabolic cost of pushing versus carrying a golf bag and therefore no evidence to support the choice of either method from an energy cost standpoint. Given the significant reduction in metabolic cost observed during the pushing method in this study, further study is warranted to see how the mode of transporting equipment would affect metabolic cost during an actual golf round

Southwestern University Student Athlete Wellbeing Survey - Pilot Study

1 in 5 Americans live with a mental health condition. Student athletes\u27 mental health is imperative for their performance and overall health. The pressures and challenges student athletes face can contribute towards a poor mental state. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is encouraging athletics departments to create a culture of mental wellness. PURPOSE: To assess the wellbeing (state of health and happiness emotionally, physically, and psychologically) of student athletes at Southwestern University. METHODS: Using Google Forms, a survey was created including questions that would examine the anxiety (BECK anxiety scale) and stress (combination of the Student Stress Scale and the Inventory of College Students Recent Life Experiences) levels in Division III student athletes. The survey also assessed student athlete perception as well as Daily Recovery (i.e. sleep, hydration, eagerness to train, upper/lower body soreness and wellness level). An introductory email was sent out to all (n=514) student athletes informing them of the study and survey. Two days after the introductory email was sent, an email including the link with the survey was sent out to all athletes requesting participation. The survey was available for three weeks and a reminder email was sent out at the beginning of each week. Once the survey link was closed, each participant was categorized into a low, moderate, or high level of stress and anxiety. RESULTS: A total of (n=148) participants completed the survey however, two did not provide consent for a total of (n=146) responses. Anxiety and stress scores identified low (12+8.72) levels of anxiety and moderate (39.84+9.79) levels of stress. Overall perception of the mental wellbeing survey was positive and well received by the student athletes. The Daily Recovery survey was not well received and perceived as a ‘daily hassle’. CONCLUSION: Student athlete feedback indicated they would appreciate more individual counseling from the athletic trainers over daily recovery scores. Evaluating stress and anxiety levels throughout the semester will allow administrators to track the mental wellbeing of our athletes (in season and out of season). At risk students can then be identified and guided toward necessary services to improve mental health

Associations With the Number of Well-Known Grocery Stores, Gyms, and Parks to Median Household Income

Segregated neighborhoods are linked to the environmental exposures, education and behavior of their residents. Access to exercise and nutrition resources are dependent on whether or not residents are able to afford it or not. PURPOSE: To identify the associations between the location of nutrition and exercise resources to household income. METHODS: Selective Zip codes in the Austin Area were used to identify the median household income through an online search where data is collected from the U.S. Census. Selective grocery store companies and gyms were found through an online search of their website “store locator.” Neighborhood parks were identified by the Austin Park Directory, provided by austintexas.gov website. Total number of resources were collected in correspondence to their zip code. RESULTS: There is no significant difference between the total number of grocery stores, gyms, and neighborhood parks and the median household income, r (40) = -.20, p \u3e 0.05. CONCLUSION: Though the study has shown that there is no correlation between median household income and resources, other factors may contribute. This may be further studied by adjusting to include all types of nutrition and exercise. The study has shown that areas considered middle-class seem to have more resources than areas considered as low-class

The Effects of Visuospatial Environment on Endurance Treadmill Running Performance, RPE, and Heart Rate

The psychobiological model of endurance exercise suggests that endurance exercise performance is determined primarily by perception of effort. Previous research has shown that inducing mental and physical fatigue affects rating of perceived exertion (RPE), ultimately affecting endurance performance. However, there is limited literature describing the effect of visual stimuli on RPE. In particular, effects of visuospatial environment, one that elicits thought processes involving visual and spatial awareness, have not been investigated. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of visuospatial environment on endurance exercise performance, RPE, and heart rate (HR). METHODS: 22 participants completed a self-paced 20-minute treadmill run in an open visuospatial environment (treadmill in front of an open window) and a closed visuospatial environment (treadmill surrounded by privacy curtains). A randomized cross-over design was used and each participant experienced each condition. The main outcome measures were total distance covered during the 20-minute trial and RPE, which was measured every 2 minutes. Additionally, HR was recorded throughout the trial. RESULTS: Total distance traveled was similar between groups (3.49 (0.51) km and 3.44 (0.60) km for open and closed conditions, respectively) with no differences between groups in RPE or HR (p \u3e 0.05). This suggests that open and closed visuospatial environments are not influencing factors on endurance performance, RPE, and HR. Further research is required to investigate other factors that contribute to perceived effort during endurance exercise. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that visuospatial environment has no effect on perception or performance during endurance exercise on a motorized treadmill . Future studies should consider using a non-motorized endurance test, such as a stationary bike or non-motorized treadmill. Additionally, unwanted visual stimuli should be limited