Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1974.

Thesis (M.S.)--Brock University, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 69-85).

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1974.

It has been well-documented in the literature that there are many physical and psychological benefits to be derived from regular aerobic exercise. It has also been noted that adherence/compliance to aerobic exercise regimens tends to be quite low. Investigators have found that a number of factors tend to correlate with adherence, but it has been difficult thus far to determine a mechanism which underlies a tendency to adhere versus a tendency to drop-out. This study examined the problem of non-adherence from the perspective of Self-Efficacy Theory (Bandura, 1977). Subjects for this investigation included all patients seen during a four week period in the Cooper Clinic at the Aerobics Center in Dallas, Texas. Patients at the clinic receive a complete physical examination and health prescriptions based upon the results of their examination. During this four week period, half were administered a Self-Efficacy Questionnaire. Approximately three months later all patients seen during this four week period received a followup (adherence questionnaire in the mail). It was hypothesized that there would be a positive relationship between responses on the Self-Efficacy Questionnaire and responses on the Adherence Questionnaire. A second hypothesis stated that there would be a positive relationship between items which specifically pertained to exercise on each of the questionnaires. In addition, it was expected that there would be no difference in adherence rates between those who made self-efficacy judgments and those who did not. Results of a t-test conducted between the group which made self-efficacy judgments and the group that was not asked to make such an evaluation demonstrated no significant difference in adherence rates. A correlational analysis revealed that there was not a statistically significant relationship between total self-efficacy scores and total adherence scores. There was, however, a statistically significant relationship between levels of exercise self-efficacy and levels of exercise adherence. In addition to these main variables of interest, correlations between other variables (sex, age, percent bodyfat, etc.) were examined and discussed.

No description available.

Nineteen obese women were studied to determine the effects of two different exercise prescriptions which differed in the type of activity but were matched for total energy expenditure. All women met once per week for twelve weeks as a group to receive the same recommendations concerning dietary modification. A low fat, self selected diet of approximately 1200-1500 kcal was recommended. Ten women participated in a walking program four days/week (GP1) which progresses to 160 minutes per week at 70% HR max. The second group (GP2) of nine women did two days/week (up to 90 minutes/week) walking and two days/week resistance training (up to 90 minutes/week). The resistance training consisted of eight exercises, 8-15 repetitions, at 50-85% of 1 RM, and three sets. All exercises were supervised and attendance for all women was greater than 92% of all the sessions. Losses of body weight (BW) (-5.7 ± 1.1 kg and - 4.5 ± 1.0 kg for GP1 and GP2, respectively), body fat (-3.9 ± 1.1 kg and -4.9 ± 1.0 kg for GP1 and GP2 , respectively) and fat free mass (-2.1 ± .7 kg and -1.6 ± .9 kg for GP1 and GP2, respectively), and percent body fat (- 2.1 ± .7 and -1.5 ± .9 for GP1 and GP2, respectively) were significant over time for both groups with no significant differences between groups. However, GP1 tended to lose more percent body fat and FFM than GP2. Absolute RMR showed a nonsignificant decrease overtime for both groups (-139.7 ± 107.5 kcal/day and -48.1 ± 75.0 kcal/day for GP1 and GP2, respectively). RMR expressed per bodyweight (kg) or fat free mass was maintained for both groups over the experiment (+.4 RMR/kg and -1.1 RMR/FFM respectively for GP1 and +.6 RMR/kg and -.04 RMR/FFM respectively for GP2). In conclusion, the total energy cost of exercise rather than the type of activity seems most important in body composition and metabolic rate changes during weight loss. / Master of Science

published_or_final_version / Human Performance / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

Ability to duplicate an inspired volume level was studied in five healthy males using the psychophysical method of reproduction. Three conditions were evaluated in order to investigate the perceptual cues used for obtaining a specific inspired volume. Conditions were designed to progressively remove cues that might affect the subject's ability to duplicate an inspired lung volume. In each, the subject performed a standard inspiration, spanning from end expiratory position to 35% of inspiratory capacity. Conditions were varied as follows: (1) subjects were instructed to perform both the standard and test (reproduction) inspirations at the same flow rate and beginning at the same lung volume, (2) subjects were instructed to make the flow rate of the test inspiration faster or slower from standard inspiration, and (3) subjects were instructed to begin the test inspiration at a different lung volume than the standard inspirations. The group mean error for all conditions combined for the first day on which each condition was performed was 173 ml, compared to a mean error of 133 ml. Reduction in errors for all conditions from the first to the second day of performance indicates a practice effect. There was no significant difference in errors between conditions. These results indicate the final lung volume, which remained constant for all three conditions, is important for accurate duplication of inspired volume. This finding for learned respiratory movements is comparable to that found by other researchers for skilled limb movements.

Dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Health Services in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, at Technikon Natal, 2001. / This study aims to provide insight into the relative effectiveness of two different approaches in the treatment of sacro - iliac syndrome. Until recently, the sacro - iliac joints were not commonly considered to be mobile enough to suffer from detectable restriction of motion (Panzer and Gatterman 1995:453). Kirkaldy - Willis et al. (1992:126) however, states that sacro - iliac syndrome is a well defined and common type of dysfunction. Frymoyer et al. (1991 :2114) also reports sacro - iliac syndrome to be common, although it is frequently overlooked as a source of low back pain. This study will attempt to determine whether manipulation of the sacro - iliac joints together with Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (P.N.F.) stretching of the piriformis muscles is a more effective treatment for sacro - iliac syndrome, than manipulation alone. This will be accomplished by determining which approach yields the best patient response in terms of subjective and objective clinical findings. The study conducted was a randomised clinical trial consisting of two groups of 30 patients each. The patients were randomly allocated into the two groups. All patients received four treatments over a two - week period. Group one received manipulation of the sacro - iliac joints alone, while Group two received manipulation of the sacro - iliac joints together with P.N.F. stretching of the piriformis muscles. Only the sacro - iliac joint on the side of the sacro - iliac syndrome was manipulated, and only the piriformis muscle on the side of the sacro - iliac syndrome was stretched. If any patients became asymptomatic within the treatment period, then the treatment was terminated. The patients were however required to return for all the remaining consultations for observational purposes. The results of the Numerical Pain Rating Scale, Oswestry Low Back Disability Index questionnaire, inclinometer and algometer readings, as well as the sacro - iliac orthopaedic tests, were recorded before the first and second treatments, and immediately following the fourth (final) treatment. / M

No description available.