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

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.

Aerobics-one of the popular and favorite body culture forms between the girls and women of different age. Popularity of this type of sport is determined by the simplicity, the emotional feelings and efficiency. Different types of the effect of aerobic training were analyzed by: D. Vizbaraitė (2000), R. Kviklienė (2001), S. Poteliūnienė (2000), R. Baublienė (1998). The peculiarities of inner and outer Aerobic motivation were analyzed by: R. Malinauskas, O. Batutis, D. Jetkevičius (2005). However, the deeper influence of aerobic for the women of the age 18 – 23 was not widely analyzed.. Aim: to discover the efficiency of aerobic training for the women`s aged 18 – 23 coordinational abilities. 25 women were participating in the pedagogical experiment. Experiment was done in 2005 september 19th – 2005 december 5th in Olympic Gym sports club. Aerobic exercises took place two times a week for 45 minutes. We formulated the complexes of aerobical training. They were used from September 26th ,2005 until December 2nd, 2005. We have tested the ability level of some physical features and separate coordinational faculties in the beginning of the test and in the end as well. The complexes of exercises were structured by emphasizing the variety of exercises, plenty of steps, the consistency and the level of complication of separate parts of the body during exercising. 50% of participants stated that aerobic exercises positively influenced the development of their physical features. 84%... [to full text]

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Auburn University, 2007. / Abstract. Includes bibliographic references (ℓ.102-121 )

Thesis (M.S. Ed.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1994. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 125-134). Also available via the Internet.

Thesis (M.S. Ed.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1994. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 81-87). Also available via the Internet.

Thesis (M.A.)--San Jose State University, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 57-62). Also available online (PDF file) by a subscription to the set or by purchasing the individual file.

Thesis (M.A.)--San Jose State University, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 57-62).

The purpose of this study was to examine the changes in the ventilatory (VT) and lactate (LT) thresholds and VO₂max following prolonged aerobic exercise. Six well-trained distance runners (T:age=25.2 yrs, Ht=170.0 cm, Wt=65.0 kg, VO₂max=59.6 ml •kg⁻¹•min⁻¹) and six untrained (UT:age=25.3 yrs, Ht=180.3 cm, Wt=79.2 kg, VO₂max=46.8 ml•kg⁻¹•min⁻¹) males were studied on two occasions seven days apart. The initial evaluation involved a continuous horizontal treadmill test with a starting velocity of 2.22 m•s⁻¹, which was increased by 0.22 m•s⁻¹ each minute until fatigue. Expired gases were continuously sampled and analyzed by a Beckman Metabolic Measurement Cart. Measurements were processed by a data acquisition system (HP 3052A), which determined respiratory gas exchange variables every 15 seconds. Blood lactate measurements were taken via an indwelling catheter during the last 10 sec of each minute of work. VT and LT were determined by visual inspection of the excess CO₂ elimination and lactate curves, respectively. Seven days later the subjects repeated the treadmill test preceded by a 60 minute treadmill run at a heart rate corresponding to their LT. The physiological measurements recorded during the first session were repeated. There were significant (p<0.10) reductions in VO₂max, LT, VT, and total treadmill time on the VO₂max test (TTT) in the T group (59.6 to 56.9 ml •kg⁻¹•min⁻¹, 9.6 to 9.3 mph , 8.9 to 8.2 mph , and 925.0 to 882.5 sec, respectively). VO₂max, LT, VT, and TTT were reduced in the UT group (46.8 to 45.0 ml•kg⁻¹•min⁻¹ 7.7 to 7.6 mph, 8.0 to 7.2 mph, and 730.0 to 652.5 sec, respectively), however, only VT and TTT were reduced significantly (p<0.10). Although the groups were significantly different (p<0.05) in the initial physiological measures due to training status, there was no change in the rate of decline in VO₂max, LT, VT, or TTT when the UT group was compared to T. As LT and VT are affected by prolonged aerobic exercise it is questionable whether these thresholds can be used with confidence to predict endurance performance in events up to 60 min duration for well-trained and recreational athletes. / Education, Faculty of / Curriculum and Pedagogy (EDCP), Department of / Graduate

The efficacy of an aerobic conditioning program (jogging) in modifying self-reported chronic intermittent stress is compared to stress-innoculation training (self-statement modification) and a waiting list control group. Guiding this research is a transactional model of stress. The participants were community residents; 48 were females and 25 were males. Therapy sessions were conducted over a 10-week period with subjects meeting in groups for 1 1/2 hours per week and also completing homework assignments and activities. The State and Trait Anxiety Inventories, the Tension Thermometer, a Thought-listing Technique and a Self-efficacy Scale were administered at pre, post, and three-month follow-up. In addition, a submaximal bicycle ergometer test was utilized to predict maximum oxygen uptake (a measure of cardiovascular fitness). Multivariate analyses of variance indicate that both the aerobic conditioning program and the stress-innoculation training were effective in reducing self-reported anxiety and increasing self-efficacy. These changes were maintained three months after completing the program. Subjects who experienced stress more cognltlvely than somatically reduced their level of stress from pre- to post-testlng significantly more than those who experienced stress more somatically, regardless of treatment condition. However, from post to follow-up the somatic subjects continued to improve while the cognitive subjects stayed approximately the same. Compared to the waiting list control group, subjects' positive self-statement ratings increased significantly from pre- to post-testing for the stress-inoculation group. Subjects' self-statement ratings and judges self-statement ratings changed differentially between groups and over time. Subjects in the aerobic conditioning program improved their cardiovascular fitness compared to the stress-inoculation and waiting list groups. Participation in an aerobic conditioning program was found to be a viable alternative to stress-innoculation training as a stress-management treatment. Although the pattern of changes differed between treatment groups and among types of individuals from pre- to post-testing on some measures, at three-months follow-up few differences were found between treatment groups. / Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies / Graduate