Search

Purpose: To identify factors that influence Black women’s body size perceptions Design: Interviews (cognitive mapping exercise) with 25 women; focus group with 7 additional women Setting: Mississippi Delta Participants: Thirty-two black women Measures: Influences on body size perceptions, body mass index, and body satisfaction Analysis: Interviewee maps were combined and condensed, using matrix addition and qualitative aggregation, to create a social map. The social map was presented to a focus group. A paired sample t test and descriptive statistics were run to assess weight perception accuracy and body satisfaction. Results: The initial social map contained 27 variables. Male preferences (87.5%) and appearance (64%) were believed by most participants to influence perceptions of body size. The focus group identified lack of encouragement, stress, and substance use as factors worth adding to the map. A statistically significant proportion of interviewees possessed an inaccurate weight perception, t(24) = 2.741, P < .05. Furthermore, 76% were dissatisfied with their current weight status and 80% desired a healthy body size. Conclusion: These findings provide practitioners with leverage points, beyond diet and physical activity, that may improve the efficacy of weight reduction interventions among black women. Considering the paucity of research regarding influences on body size perceptions, this study also provides researchers with participant-defined variables worthy of further examination.

Context: Studies developed the frail elderly handgrip strength (HGS) diagnostic criteria using multiple types of handgrip dynamometers. If different handgrip dynamometers report different values, then this would have the potential to misclassify people into the wrong diagnostic category. Objective: To examine the characteristics of HGS measured by 2 standard handgrip dynamometers and to investigate the influence of hand size on HGS. Setting: University research laboratory. Participants: A total of 87 young and middle-aged adults between the ages of 20 and 60 years participated in this study. Main Outcome Measures: Standard methods of HGS measurements were used for hydraulic and Smedley spring-type dynamometers, although the participants were instructed to maintain an upright standing position in both tests. Results: Test–retest reliability of hydraulic and Smedley dynamometers provided comparable results to that observed with previous studies. However, the difference in HGS between the 2 dynamometers (Hydraulic–Smedley difference) was positively associated (r = .670, P 45 kg) produced greater strength values with the hydraulic compared with the Smedley. The hand and palm lengths were weakly correlated (r = .349 and r = .358, respectively, both Ps Conclusions: Test–retest reliability of hydraulic and Smedley dynamometers provides comparable results to previous studies. However, the difference in HGS between the 2 dynamometers was positively associated with the mean of the 2 dynamometers. This Hydraulic–Smedley difference would not affect persons who have relatively low HGS (at least

Functional limitations persist in obese patients after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This study assessed the effect of an exercise program (EP) and fitness trackers (FT) in obese patients with TKA. Sixty patients 1 year after orthopedic surgery were recruited and received a 16-week tailored EP; half were randomized to receive an FT. FT had no measurable effect compared with EP alone. EP improved knee range of motion, strength, and quality-of-life scores. This study provides preliminary evidence that a 16-week EP in obese individuals 1 year post TKA is feasible and effective in improving function and quality of life.

Objectives To develop regression-based equations for estimating dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) derived appendicular fat-free adipose tissue (FFAT) using a single ultrasound image in the forearm, and to investigate the validity of those equations to calculate FFAT-free appendicular lean mass (aLM-minus-FFATappendicular) in 311 Japanese adults aged 60 to 79 years. Methods Subjects were randomly separated into two groups: 215 in the model-development group (91 men and 124 women) and 96 in the cross-validation group (42 men and 54 women). Appendicular fat mass and aLM were measured by the DXA, and subcutaneous adipose tissue (AT-forearm) and muscle (MT-ulna) thicknesses were measured by ultrasound. Appendicular FFAT was calculated based on the results of a previous study (appendicular FFAT = appendicular fat mass/0.85 x 0.15). The aLM was estimated from MT-ulna using a previously published equation (aLM = 4.89 x MT-ulna x body height – 9.15). Stepwise linear regression analysis was used to determine predictive models for DXA-derived appendicular FFAT from AT-forearm, sex, age, and anthropometrical variables. The best ultrasound prediction equation for estimation of appendicular FFAT was developed and then cross-validated in a subsample of older adults. Results There was no significant difference between the DXA-derived and ultrasound-predicted aLM-minus-FFATappendicular. A strong correlation was observed between the DXA-derived and ultrasound-predicted aLM-minus-FFATappendicular (r = 0.935, P

Obese patients are more likely to have osteoarthritis and total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This investigation sought to evaluate physical function, activity level, and quality of life (QOL). Obese participants near 1-year postsurgical follow-up appointment were recruited. Evaluation included QOL and activity questionnaire, medical histories, anthropometrics, strength, and aerobic capacity. Sixty participants completed assessments. Obese TKA patients have physical performance limitations and low physical activity levels 1 year after surgery and completion of postoperative rehabilitation.

The aim of this review was to highlight research that has focused on examining expressions of peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) in children and youth, with special reference to allometric scaling. VO2peak is considered the highest VO2 during an increasing workload treadmill or bicycle ergometer test until volitional termination. We have reviewed scholarly works identified from PubMed, One Search, EBSCOhost and Google Scholar that examined VO2peak in absolute units (L·min(-1)), relative units [body mass, fat-free mass (FFM)], and allometric expressions [mass, height, lean body mass (LBM) or LBM of the legs raised to a power function] through July 2015. Often, the objective of measuring VO2peak is to evaluate cardiorespiratory function and fitness level. Since body size (body mass and height) frequently vary greatly in children and youth, expressing VO2peak in dimensionless units is often inappropriate for comparative or explanatory purposes. Consequently, expressing VO2peak in allometric units has gained increased research attention over the past 2 decades. In our review, scaling mass was the most frequent variable employed, with coefficients ranging from approximately 0.30 to over 1.0. The wide variance is probably due to several factors, including mass, height, LBM, sex, age, physical training, and small sample size. In summary, we recommend that since skeletal muscle is paramount for human locomotion, an allometric expression of VO2peak relative to LBM is the best expression of VO2peak in children and youth.

To test the validity of published equations, 79 Caucasian adults (40 men and 39 women) aged 50–78 y had muscle thickness (MT) measured by ultrasound at nine sites of the body. Fat-free mass (FFM), lean soft tissue mass (LM) and total muscle mass (TMM) were estimated from MT using equations previously published in the literature. Appendicular LM (aLM) was estimated using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and this method served as the reference criterion. There were strong correlations (range r = 0.85–0.94) between DXA-derived aLM and estimated FFM, leg LM or TMM. Total error between DXA-derived aLM and TMM (∼2 kg) was lower compared with the three other selected equations (6–10 kg). A Bland-Altman plot revealed that there was no systematic bias between aLM and TMM; however, the other three equations included systematic error. Our results suggest that an ultrasound equation for TMM is appropriate and useful for evaluating skeletal muscle mass in the body.

Prior work has reported that the declines observed in body mass index (BMI) and circumference measurements in their cross-sectional data were twice as large when calculated from distance energy expenditure estimations compared to energy expenditure estimations based on time and intensity. The primary purpose of this study was to compare walking/running for distance to walking/running for time as part of an exercise intervention. This study followed a between-subjects, repeated measures design. Fifteen overweight, but otherwise healthy participants completed the study. The time-based group walked/ran for self-reported time while the distance-based group walked/ran for self-reported distance. A mixed-factor repeated-measures ANOVA was used to compare all dependent variables both within-subjects and between-subjects. Weekly adherence rates to the exercise program did not exhibit a significant difference (p > 0.05). Significant interactions were shown for mean body mass loss between groups as well as mean blood glucose level (p < 0.05). Distance-based group exhibited a decline in body mass and blood glucose while the time-based group exhibited an increase in both variables. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the present study is the first to directly compare a distance-based vs. a time-based exercise program for walking and running for improvement of risk factors of cardiovascular disease. The results of this study would suggest that a distance-based exercise prescription of walking or running should provide a clinician or researcher with a closer estimation of overall accumulated exercise and resultant weight loss.

It is unknown whether age-related site-specific muscle loss is associated with areal bone mineral density (aBMD) in older adults. To examine the relationships between aBMD and whole-body muscle thickness distribution, 97 healthy adults (46 women and 51 men) aged 50-78 years volunteered. Total and appendicular lean soft tissue mass, aBMD of the lumbar spine (LS-aBMD) and femoral neck (FN-aBMD) were determined using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Muscle thickness (MT) was measured by ultrasound at nine sites of the body (forearm, upper arm, trunk, upper leg, and lower leg). Relationships of each co-variate with aBMD were tested partialling out the effect of age. aBMD was not correlated with either MT of the trunk or anterior lower leg in either sex. In men, significant and relatively strong correlations were observed between anterior and posterior upper arms, posterior lower leg, and anterior upper leg MT and LS-aBMD or FN-aBMD. In women, significant correlations were observed between anterior and posterior upper legs, posterior lower leg, and anterior upper arm MT and FN-aBMD. LS-aBMD was only correlated with forearm and posterior upper leg MT in women. In conclusion, the site-specific association of MT and aBMD differs between sexes and may be associated with the participants' daily physical activity profile.

To develop regression-based equations for estimating dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) derived appendicular fat-free adipose tissue (FFAT) using a single ultrasound image in the forearm, and to investigate the validity of those equations to calculate FFAT-free appendicular lean mass (aLM-minus-FFATSubjects were randomly separated into two groups: 215 in the model-development group (91 men and 124 women) and 96 in the cross-validation group (42 men and 54 women). Appendicular fat mass and aLM were measured by the DXA, and subcutaneous adipose tissue (AT-forearm) and muscle (MT-ulna) thicknesses were measured by ultrasound. Appendicular FFAT was calculated based on the results of a previous study (appendicular FFAT = appendicular fat mass/0.85 x 0.15). The aLM was estimated from MT-ulna using a previously published equation (aLM = 4.89 x MT-ulna x body height - 9.15). Stepwise linear regression analysis was used to determine predictive models for DXA-derived appendicular FFAT from AT-forearm, sex, age, and anthropometrical variables. The best ultrasound prediction equation for estimation of appendicular FFAT was developed and then cross-validated in a subsample of older adults.There was no significant difference between the DXA-derived and ultrasound-predicted aLM-minus-FFATOur results indicated that a single ultrasound forearm measurement can be used to accurately estimate DXA-derived aLM-minus-FFAT

Purpose: Use of alternative footwear options such as flip-flop style sandals and minimalist athletic shoes are becoming increasingly popular footwear choices. The purpose of the investigation was to analyze the energy expenditure and oxygen consumption requirements of walking at preferred pace while wearing flip-flops, slip-on style shoes, and minimalist athletic shoes. Methods: Eighteen healthy male adults participated in this study. In addition to an initial familiarization session, participants were tested in three different footwear conditions [thong-style flip-flops (FF), Croc® slip on shoes (CROC), and Vibram Fivefingers® minimalist shoes (MIN)]. Then after a brief warm-up, participants walked a one-mile distance at their preferred pace. Immediately following completion of the one-mile walk, participants stood quietly on the treadmill for an additional period to assess excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC). Results: A repeated-measures ANOVA that the following variables did not show evidence of a significant differently value between conditions: preferred pace (p = 0.392), average oxygen consumption (p = 0.804), energy expenditure per mile (p = 0.306), or EPOC (p = 0.088). There was shown to be a significantly higher RER during exercise in CROC compared to MIN (p = 0.031) with no significant differences observed when comparing CROC to FF (p = 0.106) or FF to MIN (p = 0.827). Conclusion: Based on the results of the current study, it appears that the alternative footwear selected for evaluation do not lead to a substantial alteration of walking pace or overall EE. However, the significant difference in RER suggesting a slightly elevated exercise intensity while wearing the CROC could perhaps be related to the softer sole, influencing overall mechanical efficiency. The study was funded by a grant awarded by the Graduate Student Council at the author’s University.

The primary aim of this study was to examine the effects of exercise intensity and duration on choice reaction time with a secondary aim to examine the influence of aerobic fitness on choice reaction time. Fifteen college-aged men enrolled in a physical fitness activity course participated. We observed a cubic trend ( r =.99) across exercise intensity that ranged from unloaded cycling to 90% of physical working capacity (PWC). However, no significant differences were noted across intensity (medium effect size) or duration (small effect size). The fastest choice reaction time occurred at 75% of PWC, which was near the ventilatory threshold (72.6% of VO2max). Aerobic fitness was average for college-aged men (39.3 ml/kg/min.) and was poorly correlated with choice reaction time across exercise intensity. Further research is needed to compare choice reaction time in high to low fitness groups across exercise intensity.