Choice of activity-intensity classification thresholds impacts upon accelerometer-assessed physical activity-health relationships in children

It is unknown whether using different published thresholds (PTs) for classifying physical activity (PA) impacts upon activity-health relationships. This study explored whether relationships between PA (sedentary [SED], light PA [LPA], moderate PA [MPA], moderate-to-vigorous PA, vigorous PA [VPA]) and health markers differed in children when classified using three different PTs

Exhaled nitric oxide and the management of childhood asthma : yet another promising biomarker "has been" or a misunderstood gem

Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Peer reviewedPostprin

Effect of high-intensity interval training in adolescents with asthma: The eXercise for Asthma with Commando Joe's® (X4ACJ) trial

BackgroundHigher levels of cardiorespiratory fitness are associated with reduced asthma severity and increased quality of life in those with asthma. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a 6-month high-intensity interval training (HIIT) intervention in adolescents with and without asthma.MethodsA total of 616 adolescents (334 boys; 13.0 ± 1.1 years; 1.57 ± 0.10m; 52.6 ± 12.9kg, mean ± SD), including 155 with asthma (78 boys), were recruited as part of a randomized control trial from 5 schools (4 control, 1 intervention). The 221 intervention participants (116 boys; 47 asthma) completed 6 months of school-based HIIT (30mins, 3 times per week, 10–30s bouts at >90% age-predicted maximum heart rate with equal rest). At baseline, mid-intervention, post-intervention and 3-month follow-up, measurements for 20-metre shuttle run, body mass index (BMI), lung function, Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory, Paediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire and Asthma Control Questionnaire were collected. Additionally, 69 adolescents (21 boys; 36 asthma) also completed an incremental ramp test. For analysis, each group's data (intervention and control) was divided into those with and without asthma.ResultsParticipants with asthma did not differ from their peers in any parameter of aerobic fitness, at any time-point, but were characterised by a greater BMI. The intervention elicited a significant improvement in maximal aerobic fitness but no change in sub-maximal parameters of aerobic fitness, lung function or quality of life, irrespective of asthma status. Those in the intervention group maintained their BMI, whereas BMI significantly increased in the control group throughout the 6-month period.ConclusionsHIIT represents an effective tool for improving aerobic fitness and maintaining BMI in adolescents, irrespective of asthma status. HIIT was well tolerated by those with asthma, who evidenced a similar aerobic fitness to their healthy peers and responded equally well to a HIIT programme

Accelerometer Measured Levels of Moderate-to-Vigorous Intensity Physical Activity and Sedentary Time in Children and Adolescents with Chronic Disease: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Context: Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary time (ST) are important for child and adolescent health. Objective: To examine habitual levels of accelerometer measured MVPA and ST in children and adolescents with chronic disease, and how these levels compare with healthy peers. Methods: Data sources: An extensive search was carried out in Medline, Cochrane library, EMBASE, SPORTDiscus and CINAHL from 2000–2017. Study selection: Studies with accelerometer-measured MVPA and/or ST (at least 3 days and 6 hours/day to provide estimates of habitual levels) in children 0–19 years of age with chronic diseases but without co-morbidities that would present major impediments to physical activity. In all cases patients were studied while well and clinically stable. Results: Out of 1592 records, 25 studies were eligible, in four chronic disease categories: cardiovascular disease (7 studies), respiratory disease (7 studies), diabetes (8 studies), and malignancy (3 studies). Patient MVPA was generally below the recommended 60 min/day and ST generally high regardless of the disease condition. Comparison with healthy controls suggested no marked differences in MVPA between controls and patients with cardiovascular disease (1 study, n = 42) and type 1 diabetes (5 studies, n = 400; SMD -0.70, 95% CI -1.89 to 0.48, p = 0.25). In patients with respiratory disease, MVPA was lower in patients than controls (4 studies, n = 470; SMD -0.39, 95% CI -0.80, 0.02, p = 0.06). Meta-analysis indicated significantly lower MVPA in patients with malignancies than in the controls (2 studies, n = 90; SMD -2.2, 95% CI -4.08 to -0.26, p = 0.03). Time spent sedentary was significantly higher in patients in 4/10 studies compared with healthy control groups, significantly lower in 1 study, while 5 studies showed no significant group difference. Conclusions: MVPA in children/adolescents with chronic disease appear to be well below guideline recommendations, although comparable with activity levels of their healthy peers except for children with malignancies. Tailored and disease appropriate intervention strategies may be needed to increase MVPA and reduce ST in children and adolescents with chronic disease

Vill du bli medlem? : En kvantitativ studie om studenters köpintentioner gentemot Mälardalens studentkår.

SAMMANFATTNING Datum: 2020-06-07 Nivå: Kandidatuppsats i företagsekonomi, 15 hp Institution: Akademin för Ekonomi, Samhälle och Teknik, Mälardalens högskola Författare: Jonathan Vahlkvist – (97/12/20) Max Gren – (94/02/02) Titel: Vet du ens om att jag finns? – En utredning av studentkårens marknadskommunikation. Handledare: Aswo Safari Nyckelord: Förtroende, engagemang, Mälardalens studentkår, köpintentioner, kommunikationsstrategi, attityd Frågeställning: Vilka faktorer påverkar studenters framtida köpintentioner gentemot studentkåren? Avgränsningar: Faktorer: attityd, engagemang, förtroende, kommunikationsstrategi. Syfte: Syftet med studien är att utvärdera påverkan mellan studentkårens kommunikation och studenternas upplevda förtroende, engagemang, attityd och köpintentioner. Därav ämnar denna studie att undersöka Mälardalens studentkårs kommunikation och relation till studenterna, för att bidra till förbättrade kommunikationsmöjligheter, som sedan kan resultera i en bättre studentkår för studenterna på Mälardalens högskola. Metod: Studien använder en deduktiv ansats. Empiriska data är framtagen i form av enkäter riktade till studenter på Mälardalens högskola. Slutsats: De faktorer som påverkar studenternas framtida köpintentioner gentemot studentkåren är förtroende, engagemang samt attityd. De kommunikationsstrategier som lämpar sig bäst för Mälardalens studentkår är de med fokus på att kommunicera regelbundet med medlemmarna, kommunicera med underhållande och kreativ information samt den där kommunikationen är tydlig och korrekt

Comparison of CPAP and HFNC in Management of Bronchiolitis in Infants and Young Children

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) has been used in infants with bronchiolitis for decades. Recently, high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) therapy was introduced We conducted a retrospective study of treatment with CPAP vs. HFNC between 2013 and 2015, comparing the development in respiratory rate, fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) and heart rate, treatment failure, duration of treatment, and length of hospital stay. A sample size of 49 children were included. Median age was 1.9 months. Median baseline pCO2 was 7.4 kPa in both groups, respiratory rate per minute was 57 vs. 58 (CPAP vs. HFNC). Respiratory rate decreased faster in the CPAP group (p < 0.05). FiO2 decreased in the CPAP group and increased in the HFNC group during the first 12 h, whereafter it decreased in both groups. (p < 0.01). Heart rate development was similar in both groups. Twelve children (55%) changed systems from HFNC to CPAP due to disease progression. There was no difference in length of treatment, hospital stay, or transmission to intensive care unit between the groups. CPAP was more effective than HFNC in decreasing respiratory rate (RR) and FiO2. No differences were observed in length of treatment or complications. Further studies should be conducted to compare the efficacy of the two treatments of bronchiolitis, preferably through prospective randomized trials

Ska företaget belöna för att belönas? : – en kvalitativ studie om försäljningsbudgetens påverkan på säljpersonalens prestationer

Frågeställning: Påverkas säljpersonalens prestation om de: är välinformerade om samt delaktiga i försäljningsbudgeten? har möjlighet att få belöningar vid uppnådd försäljningsbudget? har möjlighet att få belöningar i monetära former vid uppnådd försäljningsbudget?   Syfte: Denna studie syftar till att utvärdera hur vetskapen om och delaktigheten i en försäljningsbudget samt belöning vid uppnådd försäljningsbudget påverkar säljpersonalens prestation.   Metod: Studien är av en kvalitativ art och en komparativ design har använts. Teori har samlats in i form av både primär- och sekundärdata. Sex intervjuer har utförts med respondenter från tre olika företag med hjälp av semistrukturerade intervjuer. Den insamlade empirin har ställts emot teorin och analyserats. Slutsatser har sedan dragits utifrån detta.   Slutsatser: Tydliga och rimliga mål ökar motivationen för de anställda. Det är viktigt att personalen är välinformerad om försäljningsbudgeten. Studier visar på att delaktighet i försäljningsbudgeten är viktigt men respondenterna är oeniga om detta. Belöningar motiverar de anställda till att öka sin prestation och effektiviteten på arbetsplatsen. Huruvida monetära incitament är den sorts belöning som påverkar prestationen mest positivt är respondenterna men också tidigare studier oeniga om, då det även finns många andra faktorer att ta hänsyn till.  Research questions: Does the sales employees performance get affected if they: are well-informed about and involved in the sales budget? have the ability to get rewards when reaching the sales budget? have the ability to get rewards in monetary forms upon reaching the sales budget?   Purpose: This study aims to evaluate how the knowledge and commitment in a sales budget and a reward upon reaching the sales budget affect the sales employees performance.   Method: The study is of a qualitative nature and a comparative design has been used. Theory have been collected in the form of both primary and secondary data. Six interviews were conducted with respondents from three different companies through semi-structured interviews. The empirical data have been set against the theory and then analyzed. From this conclusions then have been drawn.   Conclusions: Clear and reasonable goals increases the employees motivation. It is important that the employees are well informed about the sales budget. Studies show that participation in the sales budget is important, but the respondents does not agree with this.   Rewards motivates the employees to increase their performance and the efficiency at the workplace. Whether money is the reward that affects the performance the most positively the respondents but also previous studies disagree about. There are many other factors to take in consideration.