Ball And Ramp, How Far Can You Move It?

Using Interactive Physics 4 eighth grade students explored the question “What are the best combination of variables to move a 2 kilogram mass 20 meters?” This was the first introduction for these students to this program. As part of the NYS 8th grade Performance Test students must run an experiment using a golf ball and ramp to move a cup. They have to run 3 trials by rolling the golf ball down a ramp from a 25 cm release point. They then record the distance the cup was moved. On the Performance Test they are instructed to use the distance recorded to show a general pattern of movement and explain why this pattern could be observed. They are then asked to extrapolate this data to other variables that may effect movement. This Interactive Physics exercise was used to help students prepare for this Performance Test. It allowed students to explore several variables over a short period of time. It allowed students to manipulate variables of their choice. Interactive Physics allowed students to track and explain the patterns that resulted from their chosen manipulated variable. After participating in this activity these students expressed an interest in sharing this experience with other students. They also indicated they would like to work with Interactive Physics on a more regular basis. As all four students said “When can we do this again?

Modeling Metacognitive Strategies for Student Adoption within a Problem-Based Learning Unit

Much has been written about problem-based learning and its ability to promote metacognition and self-directed learning. (Sage and Torp, 1998) This study was designed to determine if teacher modeling of metacognitive strategies, within a problem-based learning unit, would help students become independent, reflective thinkers. Metacognitive strategies modeled were the need-to-know-board, mind mapping, and reflective writing in daily problem logs. The study was conducted in a seventh grade science classroom over a one-month period. Students were enrolled in the district\u27s Major Achievement Program. Data collection included responses from daily problem logs and a summative reflective essay. Additional data was collected from teacher observations and a videotaped focus group of nine students. The study concludes that teacher modeling of metacognitive strategies, within a problem-based learning unit, does increase students self-directed learning behavior through adoption of these strategies. Additionally, this study showed a growth in t h e way students perceived their ability to solve problems. Finally this study suggests that students must experience several problem-based learning situations before they can become expert self-directed learners

EPOC Comparison Between Resistance Training and High-Intensity Interval Training in Aerobically Fit Women

International Journal of Exercise Science 14(2): 1027-1035, 2021. Previous research has shown that various modes of exercise may elicit significant increases in resting metabolism for up to 24 hours post-exercise, but typically using untrained or moderately active subjects. The purpose of the present study was to compare excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) between circuit-style resistance training (RT) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) in young, aerobically fit women. During the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle, seven participants reported to the laboratory for evening and morning baseline resting metabolic rate (RMR) measurements via indirect calorimetry. Participants fasted and slept overnight in the laboratory between RMR measurements. Following the morning RMR measurement, participants were randomly assigned to complete either a total-body, circuit-style RT protocol (30 seconds of lifting at 80% 1RM:one minute rest) or treadmill HIIT (30-second run at 90% VO2 max:one minute stationary recovery). RMR was repeated 14 and 24 hours post-exercise. All procedures were replicated during the follicular phase of the next menstrual cycle using the remaining exercise protocol. Resting VO2 was significantly (p\u3c0.05) higher 14 hours after RT (3.8±0.3 ml/kg/min) compared to baseline (3.4±0.3 ml/kg/min), however HIIT showed no significant change (3.7±0.3 ml/kg/min). Both RT and HIIT showed significantly higher energy expenditure 14 hours post-exercise (33±5 and 33±4 kcals/30 minutes, respectively) compared to baseline (30±3 kcal). Neither protocol sustained a RMR change at 24 hours. Based on the magnitude and duration of post-exercise energy expenditure, EPOC responses may be a worthwhile consideration when prescribing exercise for weight maintenance in young, fit women

Relationship of Physical Performance with Body Composition and Bone Mineral Density in Individuals over 60 Years of Age: A Systematic Review

The purpose of this review was to examine the relationship between physical performance and body composition measurements, including fat/muscle mass and bone mineral density (BMD) in individuals ≥60 years of age. Various measurements used to assess body composition, BMD, and physical performance (PP) were discussed as well. Medline/PubMed, CINAHL, and SCIE were used to identify articles. After limiting the search for age and kind of physical performance measures, 33 articles were evaluated. Higher fat mass was associated with poorer physical performance while higher muscle mass was a predictor of better physical performance, especially in the lower extremities. Additionally, evidence showed that higher muscle fat infiltration was a determinant of poorer physical performance. BMD was shown to be a good predictor of physical performance although the relationship was stronger in women than in men. Developing standardized methods for PP measurements could help in further investigation and conclusions of its relationship with body composition

The impact of a pre-loaded multi-ingredient performance supplement on muscle soreness and performance following downhill running

The effects of multi-ingredient performance supplements (MIPS) on perceived soreness, strength, flexibility and vertical jump performance following eccentric exercise are unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of MIPS (NO-Shotgun®) pre-loaded 4 weeks prior to a single bout of downhill running (DHR) on muscle soreness and performance. Trained male runners (n = 20) were stratified by VO(2max), strength, and lean mass into two groups; MIPS (n = 10) ingested one serving daily of NO-Shotgun® for 28 days and 30 min prior to all post-testing visits, Control (CON; n = 10) consumed an isocaloric maltodextrin placebo in an identical manner as MIPS. Perceived soreness and performance measurements (strength, flexibility, and jump height) were tested on 6 occasions; 28 days prior to DHR, immediately before DHR (PRE), immediately post (POST) DHR, 24, 48, and 72 hr post-DHR. Perceived soreness significantly increased (p < 0.05) post DHR compared to PRE at all time-points, with no difference between groups. Creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) increased over time (p < 0.001) with no group x time interactions (p = 0.236 and p = 0.535, respectively). Significant time effects were measured for strength (p = 0.001), flexibility (p = 0.025) and vertical jump (p < 0.001). There were no group x time interactions for any performance measurements. Consumption of MIPS for 4 weeks prior to a single bout of DHR did not affect perceived soreness, muscle damage, strength, flexibility, or jump performance compared to an isocaloric placebo in trained male runners following a single bout of DHR

Whole-body Vibration Training in Frail, Skilled Nursing Home Residents

International Journal of Exercise Science 13(3): 140-156, 2020. Frailty is a geriatric syndrome characterized by diminished muscle strength, endurance, and weakened physical function. Physical frailty is often unaddressed clinically as it tends to manifest among chronic illnesses and sarcopenia, and consensus criteria for frailty diagnosis remains elusive. Whole-body vibration training (WBVT) has been used to improve deficits in lower body muscular strength and functional performance in healthy and high functioning older adults; therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the effects of WBVT on physical frailty in skilled nursing home residents. This study compared the effects of 12 wks (2x/wk) of WBVT (n = 10) to standard care, which served as the control (CON: n = 10), on isometric knee extension strength (KE), body composition, and functional performance in 20 (16 female) pre-frail and frail skilled nursing home residents (82 ± 5 yrs). Frailty was assessed using the FRAIL scale and function was measured using the short physical performance battery (SPPB). WBVT consisted of 4 lower body exercises (partial squat, narrow squat, wide squat, calf raise) during vertical vibration (25 - 40 Hz). Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA (group x time) and post-hoc paired and independent t-tests. Significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. There were significant group-by-time interactions for KE and SPPB. Post-hoc paired t-tests revealed that WBVT improved KE (22.3 ± 4.0 to 29.0 ± 4.5 kg) and improvement in SPPB performance approached significance (4.5 ± 2.3 to 5.2 ± 2.1 units, p = 0.089). WBVT was well tolerated and occurred without adverse health complications. WBVT can be used to counteract losses in leg strength without adverse health complications in skilled nursing home residents

Twelve Week Calcium Collagen Chelate or Calcium plus Vitamin D Supplementation Does Not Affect Bone Metabolism in Trained Cyclists

The purpose of the present study was to determine whether 12 weeks of calcium collagen chelate (CCC) supplementation during habitual training would affect body composition, bone mineral density (BMD), and biomarkers of bone metabolism in competitive cyclists. Twenty trained (maximal aerobic capacity \u3e 50 ml/kg/min, mean training volume: 28 h/wk) male cyclists performed maximal exercise testing and 40-km time trials (TT) on an electronically braked cycle ergometer. BMD of the whole body, lumbar spine (L1-L4), and both hips were measured via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). The cyclists were assigned to one of two groups: 1) 6 g/d of CCC with 600 mg calcium and 400 IU vitamin D or 2) a placebo control (CON) composed of an inert compound with equivalent calcium and vitamin D concentrations to CCC. Two-way repeated measures ANOVA and Pearson product-moment correlations were used to determine the effects of CCC or CON supplementation on BMD, bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP), tartrate resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRAP5b), and sclerostin (SCL); significance was accepted at p \u3c 0.05. No within- or between-group differences in dependent variables were found. Significant correlations were found between weekly training volume and TRAP5b (r = 0.531), BAP and VO2 max (r = -0.561), and BAP/TRAP5b ratio and both right/left hip BMD (r = -0.649 and r = -0.646, respectively). In conclusion, 12 weeks supplementation of CCC does not affect body composition, BMD, or biomarkers of bone metabolism in trained, competitive cyclists in comparison to equivalent amounts of calcium plus vitamin D

Effect of Carbohydrate-Protein Supplement Timing on Acute Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage

Purpose: To determine if timing of a supplement would have an effect on muscle damage, function and soreness. Methods: Twenty-seven untrained men (21 ± 3 yrs) were given a supplement before or after exercise. Subjects were randomly assigned to a pre exercise (n = 9), received carbohydrate/protein drink before exercise and placebo after, a post exercise (n = 9), received placebo before exercise and carbohydrate/protein drink after, or a control group (n = 9), received placebo before and after exercise. Subjects performed 50 eccentric quadriceps contractions on an isokinetic dynamometer. Tests for creatine kinase (CK), maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and muscle soreness were recorded before exercise and at six, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h post exercise. Repeated measures ANOVA were used to analyze data. Results: There were no group by time interactions however, CK significantly increased for all groups when compared to pre exercise (101 ± 43 U/L) reaching a peak at 48 h (661 ± 1178 U/L). MVC was significantly reduced at 24 h by 31.4 ± 14.0%. Muscle soreness was also significantly increased from pre exercise peaking at 48 h. Conclusion: Eccentric exercise caused significant muscle damage, loss of strength, and soreness; however timing of ingestion of carbohydrate/protein supplement had no effect