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Introduction: Individual attributes including disability and sex/gender have the potential to intersect and determine the likelihood of unmet workplace support needs. Our study compares unmet workplace support needs between workers with and without a disability, and according to disability type and sex/gender differences. Methods: Workers with (n = 901) and without (n = 895) a disability were surveyed to examine their need and use of workplace supports including job accommodations, work modifications and health benefits. A multivariable logistic model was conducted to examine the relationship between disability status, disability type and sex/gender and unmet workplace support needs. The model included interaction terms between sex/gender × physical disability, sex/gender × nonphysical disability, and sex/gender × physical and nonphysical disability. Results: Among participants with a disability, 24% had a physical disability, 20% had a nonphysical disability (e.g., cognitive, mental/emotional or sensory disability) and 56% had both physical and nonphysical disability. Over half of the respondents were women (56%). Results from the multivariable model showed that nondisabled women were more likely to report unmet workplace support needs when compared to nondisabled men (odds ratio [OR] = 1.54, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13–2.10). Findings also showed an intersection between the number and type of disability and sex/gender; women with both a physical and nonphysical disability had the greatest likelihood of reporting unmet workplace support needs when compared to nondisabled men (OR = 2.73; 95% CI, 1.83–4.08). Conclusions: Being a woman and having one or more disabilities can determine unmet workplace support needs. Strategies to address workplace support needs should consider the intersection between disability and sex/gender differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine the need for and availability and use of formal and informal workplace resources and to uncover differences across the life course in adults with arthritis.Methods: Focus groups and interviews were conducted with young (aged 18-34 years; n = 7), middle-aged (35-54 years; n = 13), and older adults (≥55 years; n = 25) with a diagnosis of inflammatory arthritis, osteoarthritis, or other rheumatic disease. Participants were asked about their employment experiences, formal and informal workplace resource needs, and availability and use of workplace resources. Differences based on chronological, functional, psychosocial, organizational, and lifespan dimensions of age were examined. A modified grounded theory approach was used to inductively analyze the data.Results: Young, middle-aged, and older adult participants required similar workplace resources. Across all participants, scheduling modifications tended to be the most needed workplace resource. In contrast, the perceived availability and use of formal workplace resources differed among participants. Young adult participants and those who were newer to their jobs reported that workplace resources were less available and utilized. Middle-aged and older adults reported greater availability of workplace resources. Scheduling accommodations and at-work modifications were the workplace resources that were used most by middle-aged and older adults, respectively.Conclusion: Similar workplace resources could meet the employment needs of individuals with arthritis across the life course. Attention should be paid to young adults and those who are new to their jobs, because they may perceive more barriers to accessing formal workplace resources and be susceptible to work disability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To systematically synthesize and appraise research regarding test-retest reliability or criterion validity of subjective measures for assessing aerobic exercise intensity in adults with spinal cord injury (SCI). Data Sources Electronic databases (Pubmed, PsychINFO, SPORTDiscus, EMBASE, and CINAHL) were searched from inception to January 1, 2016. Study Selection Studies involving at least 50% of participants with SCI who performed an aerobic exercise test that included measurement of subjective and objective intensity based on test-retest reliability or criterion validity protocols. Data Extraction Characteristics were extracted on study design, measures, participants, protocols, and results. Each study was evaluated for risk of bias based on strength of the study design and a quality checklist score (COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments [COSMIN]). Data Synthesis The 7 eligible studies (1 for reliability, 6 for validity) evaluated overall, peripheral and/or central ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) on a scale of 6-20 (RPE 6-20). No eligible studies were identified for other subjective intensity measures. The evidence for reliability and validity were synthesized separately for each measure and were assessed using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE). Overall, very low GRADE confidence ratings were established for reliability and validity evidence generalizable to the entire population with SCI and various upper-body and lower-body modalities. There was low confidence for the evidence showing that overall RPE 6-20 has acceptable validity for adults with SCI and high fitness levels performing moderate to vigorous-intensity upper-body aerobic exercise. Conclusions Health care professionals and scientists need to be aware of the very low to low confidence in the evidence, which currently prohibits a strong clinical recommendation for the use of subjective measures for assessing aerobic exercise intensity in adults with SCI. However, a tentative, conditional recommendation regarding overall RPE 6-20 seems applicable, depending on participants’ fitness level as well as the exercise intensity and modality used. Level of Evidence NA [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pregnancy and lactation are a time when adequate calcium consumption is essential for the development of the fetus and to ensure the health of the mother. Over 50% of Canadian women of childbearing and rearing age fail to meet the recommended daily intake of calcium. Identification of effective behavioural intervention strategies for increasing calcium intake is needed within this specific population. This paper brings together all published behavioural interventions designed to increase calcium consumption in pregnant, lactating or post‐partum mothers in a systematic review. Relevant studies were obtained through searches of MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL and the Cochrane Library with no date restrictions. Studies were evaluated using previously published criteria for evaluating calcium behaviour change interventions. This systematic literature review identified five behavioural calcium interventions conducted within this population. Three interventions aimed to improve overall dietary behaviours, the fourth aimed to promote breastfeeding (including increasing calcium consumption) and the fifth aimed to increase daily servings of yoghurt. Only one of the five interventions yielded large effect sizes, with a mean change of 954 mg of calcium per day post‐intervention. The number of behavioural change techniques did not appear to be related to intervention efficacy. Only one study used a theoretical framework to guide the intervention. This review highlights the lack of research examining behaviour change interventions aimed at increasing calcium consumption in pregnant, lactating and post‐partum women and provides practical suggestions for researchers wishing to intervene with this population in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Telephone-based counseling is an efficacious intervention strategy for maintaining leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) intentions and increasing LTPA behavior among adults with spinal cord injury (SCI). However, no research has examined the real-world application of this intervention strategy within the SCI community. Objective To assess the individual-level impact of a previously tested telephone-based counseling intervention among adults within the SCI community by using the first 2 components of the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance framework. Design A prospective study. Setting General community, tertiary care. Participants Community-dwelling adults with SCI (n = 65; 57% men; mean [standard deviation], 50.4 ± 12.8 years; mean (standard deviation) years after injury, 14.5 ± 12.7 years) living in Canada who enrolled in a national telephone-based counseling service. Of the 65 clients who enrolled, 53 participated in the effectiveness evaluation component of the Get In Motion service. Intervention A 6-month, individualized telephone-counseling program with a trained exercise counselor. The program was based on a previously tested intervention that used aspects of the Health Action Process Approach model, with a particular focus on developing and strengthening clients' social cognitions for engaging in self-managed LTPA. Main Outcome Measurements On enrollment, all 65 clients completed demographics and staging questionnaires. The 53 clients who participated in the effectiveness evaluation also completed a validated LTPA intentions item, and the 7-day, self-report LTPA Questionnaire for People with SCI over the telephone at baseline, and 2, 4, and 6 months. Results In terms of the reach of Get In Motion, a total of 65 clients enrolled in the service between June 2008 and June 2011, and were representative of the larger Canadian SCI population on most measured demographic characteristics. Evaluation of the effectiveness of the service showed that, as hypothesized, intentions for engaging in LTPA remained high throughout enrollment ( P = .44), with a trend for more clients engaging in moderate-to-heavy–intensity LTPA at 6 months (52%) versus baseline (35%) ( P = .09). Conclusions Telephone-based counseling is a promising strategy for promoting community-based LTPA behavior among Canadian adults with SCI. Continued evaluation of all 5 Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance framework components of Get In Motion will help establish the real-world impact of this intervention strategy on community-based LTPA participation within the SCI population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study investigated the effects of listening to self-selected uplifting music on positive emotional states and self-control. The participants ( n = 72; Mage 22.26 ± 5.97) performed two endurance handgrip squeezes separated by a varied set of experimental manipulations. In two conditions, participants performed a Stroop (self-control depletion) task and then either listened to self-selected uplifting music or rested quietly. Controls performed a reading task and then rested quietly. Listening to uplifting music evoked positive emotional states, F(2, 69) = 6.98, p = .002, partial η2 = .71; however, participants in both self-control depletion conditions performed worse than controls on the exercise task ( p ≤ .07). Findings support the strength model of self-control but raise questions about the effects of positive emotional states on self-control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This review article provides an overview of the evidence that links exercise and sports participation to physical and psychological well-being among people with spinal cord injury. Two aspects of physical well-being are examined, including the prevention of chronic disease and the promotion of physical fitness. Multiple aspects of psychosocial well-being are discussed, including mental health, social participation, and life satisfaction. The review concludes with future research recommendations and a discussion of challenges and opportunities for using exercise and sports to promote health and well-being among people living with spinal cord injury. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of a self-regulatory strength depletion manipulation on performance of a physical endurance (isometric handgrip) task. In addition, the effect of depletion on EMG activity in the working forearm muscles during the endurance task was explored. Sedentary undergraduates ( N=49) were randomly assigned to either a cognitive depletion condition (modified Stroop task) or a control (color word) group and completed two maximal isometric exercise endurance trials separated by the cognitive task. Participants in the depletion group showed significant ( p<.05) degradations in performance and exhibited higher EMG activation on the second endurance trial ( p<.05) compared to controls. Results are consistent with the limited strength model of self-regulation and are interpreted in light of the central fatigue hypothesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the exercise stereotype phenomenon and the moderating effects of exerciser impression motivation and construction on this stereotype in a sample of 176 female and 96 male Swedish university students. The participants read a description of one of the following female targets: a typical exerciser, an active living target, an excessive exerciser, a non-exerciser, or a control target, and then rated these targets on 12 personality (e.g., lazy–hard worker, dependent–independent) and 8 physical (e.g., scrawny–muscular, sick–healthy) dimensions. They also completed the Self Presentation in Exercise Questionnaire, measuring motivation to self-present as an exerciser and the propensity to construct the image of an exerciser. MANCOVAs revealed a significant main effect for both personality and physical attributes ( p < 0.05). In general, the typical exerciser and active living targets received the most favorable ratings, especially on the physical attributes, whereas the excessive exerciser obtained the least positive ratings. Exerciser impression motivation moderated the exercise status/rating relationship for the physical attributes only. Differences between Swedish and North American students’ impressions of exercisers and non-exercisers are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To systematically synthesize and appraise research regarding test-retest reliability or criterion validity of subjective measures for assessing aerobic exercise intensity in adults with spinal cord injury (SCI).Data Sources: Electronic databases (Pubmed, PsychINFO, SPORTDiscus, EMBASE, and CINAHL) were searched from inception to January 1, 2016.Study Selection: Studies involving at least 50% of participants with SCI who performed an aerobic exercise test that included measurement of subjective and objective intensity based on test-retest reliability or criterion validity protocols.Data Extraction: Characteristics were extracted on study design, measures, participants, protocols, and results. Each study was evaluated for risk of bias based on strength of the study design and a quality checklist score (COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments [COSMIN]).Data Synthesis: The 7 eligible studies (1 for reliability, 6 for validity) evaluated overall, peripheral and/or central ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) on a scale of 6-20 (RPE 6-20). No eligible studies were identified for other subjective intensity measures. The evidence for reliability and validity were synthesized separately for each measure and were assessed using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE). Overall, very low GRADE confidence ratings were established for reliability and validity evidence generalizable to the entire population with SCI and various upper-body and lower-body modalities. There was low confidence for the evidence showing that overall RPE 6-20 has acceptable validity for adults with SCI and high fitness levels performing moderate to vigorous-intensity upper-body aerobic exercise.Conclusions: Health care professionals and scientists need to be aware of the very low to low confidence in the evidence, which currently prohibits a strong clinical recommendation for the use of subjective measures for assessing aerobic exercise intensity in adults with SCI. However, a tentative, conditional recommendation regarding overall RPE 6-20 seems applicable, depending on participants' fitness level as well as the exercise intensity and modality used.Level Of Evidence: NA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]