Thesis (M.S.)--University of Memphis, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 29-32).

Thesis (M.S.)--Springfield College, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available online (PDF file) by a subscription to the set or by purchasing the individual file.

Thesis (M.S.)--Springfield College, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references.

There is an established link between exercise, neurogenesis, and memory. Most of this research has been focused on rodent models, with little known about the effects of exercise on cognition in young adults. In rodents, exercise promotes hippocampal neurogenesis by enhancing cell proliferation in the dentate gyrus, while cognitive training promotes hippocampal neurogenesis by enhancing cell survival. Both physical exercise and cognitive training independently induce hippocampal neurogenesis in rodents, suggesting that these different forms of training may work through complimentary neurological pathways to benefit hippocampal memory in young adults. The present study examined the effects of six weeks of physical exercise and cognitive training on hippocampal-mediated memory processes in young adults to determine whether combined training yields enhanced memory benefits. Sixty-six sedentary young adults (32 females; age range 17-30 years) were randomly assigned to one of four groups: 1) Exercise training group (n=15), 2) Cognitive training group (n=16), 3) Combined exercise and cognitive training group (n=18), or 4) No-contact control group (n=17). Memory performance was assessed before and after the intervention on a putative hippocampal neurogenesis-dependent task, the Pattern Separation task. Growth factors that support neuron survival and function, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) were measured in blood serum using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Based on the literature, the combination of exercise and cognitive training was expected to improve pattern separation performance more than the exercise or cognitive training alone, and display augmented effects for high responders to the exercise training. Additionally, if BDNF and IGF-1 were found to be involved in the mechanisms regulating the observed changes in memory, they too were expected to increase the most from the combined training and be dependent on individual changes in aerobic fitness. Critically, the combination of exercise and cognitive training led to the greatest increase in memory requiring pattern separation [t(16) = 2.91, p < 0.01] , indicating improved hippocampal-mediated memory function. BDNF and IGF-1 were not associated with this change in memory performance but were associated with the individual’s response to the exercise training, such that high responders to exercise had greater BDNF [F(1, 29) = 7.81, p < 0.01] and IGF-1 [F(1, 29) = 5.09, p < 0.05] than low responders to exercise. The results suggest that exercise and cognitive training may work through synergistic mechanisms to enhance hippocampal neurogenesis and support pattern separation processing. However, BDNF and IGF-1 may not be mediating this change in memory function. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

The primary aim of this thesis was to investigate the gender-specific responses to supramaximal cycling and to examine the changes in anaerobic and aerobic metabolism that occur in response to high-intensity interval training (HIT). All subjects in the present experiments were untrained, healthy young adults aged between 18 and 35 yr. Cycle ergometry was used for all experimental test procedures and training programs. The accumulated oxygen (AO2) deficit was used to quantify the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) via anaerobic metabolism during supramaximal cycling. In addition, pulmonary oxygen uptake measured at the onset of exercise was described using mathematical modeling to determine the rate response of the aerobic energy system during exercise. The purpose of experiment one was to examine the test-retest reliability of the maximal accumulated oxygen deficit (MAOD) measured at 110% and 120% of peak oxygen uptake for cycling in seven untrained male and seven untrained female subjects. After one familiarization trial, all subjects performed two MAOD tests at a power output corresponding to 110% and two tests at 120% of peak oxygen uptake in random order. MAOD was calculated for each subject as the difference between the estimated AO2 demand and the AO2 uptake measured during the exercise bout. The mean±standard error time to exhaustion (TE) for the group was not significantly different between trial one (226±13 s) and trial two (223±14 s) of the 110% test. Likewise, the difference in the TE between trial one (158±11 s) and trial two (159±10 s) was not significant for the 120% test. The intra-class correlation coefficients for the TE were 0.95 for the 110% test and 0.98 for the 120% test. The mean MAOD value obtained in trial one (2.62±0.17 L) was not significantly different from the mean value obtained in trial two (2.54±0.19 L) for the 110% test. Additionally, the mean values for the two trials did not differ significantly for MAOD (2.64±0.21 L for trial one and 2.63±0.19 L for trial two) in the 120% test. The intra-class correlation coefficients for MAOD were 0.95 for the 110% test and 0.97 for the 120% test. All intra-class correlation coefficients were significant at p < 0.001. When conducted under standardized conditions, the determination of MAOD for cycling was highly repeatable at both 110% and 120% of peak oxygen uptake in untrained male and female subjects. The results observed in experiment one suggest that the MAOD may be used to compare the anaerobic capacity (AC) of men and women and to examine changes in the contribution of the anaerobic energy systems before and after training. Experiment two examined the gender-specific differences in MAOD before and after 4 and 8 wk of HIT. Untrained men (n=7) and women (n=7) cycled at 120% of pre-training peak oxygen uptake to exhaustion (MAOD test) pre-, mid-, and post-training. A post-training timed test was also completed at the MAOD test power output, but this test was stopped at the TE achieved during the pre-training MAOD test. The 14.3±5.2% increase in MAOD observed in males after 4 wk of training was not different from the 14.0±3.0% increase seen in females (p > 0.05). MAOD increased by a further 6.6±1.9% in males and this change was not different from the additional 5.1±2.3% increase observed in females after the final 4 wk of training. Peak oxygen uptake measured during incremental cycling increased significantly (p < 0.01) in male but not in female subjects after 8 wk of training. Moreover, the AO2 uptake was higher in men during the post-training timed test compared to the pre-training MAOD test (p < 0.01). In contrast, the AO2 uptake was unchanged from pre- to post-training in female subjects. The increase in MAOD with training was not different between men and women suggesting an enhanced ability to produce ATP anaerobically in both groups. However, the increase in peak oxygen uptake and AO2 uptake obtained in male subjects following training indicates improved oxidative metabolism in men but not in women. It was concluded that there are basic gender differences that may predispose males and females to specific metabolic adaptations following an 8-wk period of HIT. Increases in AO2 uptake during supramaximal cycling demonstrated in men after training led to the hypothesis that peak oxygen uptake kinetics are speeded in male subjects with short-term HIT. It was suggested that training does not improve peak oxygen uptake kinetics in women as no change in AO2 uptake was found after 8 wk of HIT in female subjects. The purpose of experiment three was to examine peak oxygen uptake kinetics before and after 8 wk of HIT in six men and six women during cycling at 50% (50% test) and 110% (110% test) of pre-training peak oxygen uptake. A single-term exponential equation was used to model the peak oxygen uptake response (after phase I) during the 50% and 110% tests pre- and post-training. In addition, phase II and III of the peak oxygen uptake response during the 110% tests were examined using a two-term equation. The end of the phase I peak oxygen uptake response was identified visually and omitted from the modeling process. The duration of phase I determined during all experimental tests was not different between men and women and did not change with training in either group. Before training, men obtained a phase II peak oxygen uptake time constant (t2) of 29.0±3.3 s during the 50% test which was not different to the t2 of 28.8±2.2 s attained by women. In addition, the t2 determined during the 50% test was unchanged after 8 wk of HIT in both groups. The peak oxygen uptake kinetics examined during the 110% tests before training were well described by a single-term model in all male and female subjects. The t2 determined before training for the 110% test was significantly faster in men than in women. Furthermore, peak oxygen uptake was unchanged in female subjects and the t2 remained unaltered with 8 wk HIT (pre 45.5±2.2; post 44.8±2.3 s). In contrast, male subjects achieved a significantly higher peak oxygen uptake after training and the t2 determined for men during the 110% test was faster after training (36.4±1.6 s) than before training (40.1± 1.9 s). Improved model fits were obtained with the two-term equation compared to the single-term equation in two of the six male subjects during the 110% test post-training. It was found that the onset of the peak oxygen uptake slow component occurred at a mean time of 63.5±2.5 s and the t2 was reduced to 18.4±1.7 s. Using a Wilcoxon Signed Ranks z-test, the t2 described by the single-term equation in the remaining four subjects was determined to be significantly faster after training than before training, thus confirming the results obtained from the original group (n=6) of male subjects. End exercise heart rate (HREE) values obtained during the 50% and 110% tests were not different between men and women. During the 50% test, HREE values were unchanged, whereas HREE was significantly decreased during the 110% test after training in both groups. These data show that HIT might improve oxidative metabolism in men but not in women as reflected by a greater peak oxygen uptake and faster peak oxygen uptake kinetics during supramaximal work rates. We further suggest that the faster peak oxygen uptake kinetics demonstrated in men after training are probably not due to an improvement in cardiac function. Finally, the augmentation of oxidative metabolism during exercise after HIT in men might be dependent on the intensity of the exercise bout at which the peak oxygen uptake response is examined. The findings presented in this thesis suggest that MAOD is a reliable measure in both male and female subjects and can be used to monitor changes in anaerobic ATP production during supramaximal cycling. Moreover, these data suggest that 4 and 8 wk of HIT produce similar changes in anaerobic ATP generation in men and women. Finally, 8 wk of HIT results in the increase of peak oxygen uptake and AO2 uptake as well as the speeding of peak oxygen uptake kinetics during supramaximal cycling in male subjects. There was no evidence to suggest that oxidative metabolism was improved in women after short-term HIT. In conclusion, improvement in supramaximal exercise performances should be examined specifically for changes in the anaerobic and aerobic contributions to energy production. In addition, it is suggested that gender should be of primary consideration when designing exercise-training programs where improvement in both anaerobic and aerobic metabolism is required.

Summary 21st century is a turmoil world as a result of worldwide migration¡Bchange of life style¡Btransformation of environment¡Bglobal warming and racial conflicts, simultaneously push forward unceasing head-on disaster invasion. The SARS attack of Taiwan in 2003 had brought a serious impact to our society. During the battle against SARS, several pitfalls were found including command system¡Broles division¡Bunited information and temporary team manpower, all showed lacking of training and coordination. So our country desperately needs to set up a commanding/coordination system in response to disaster event. When disaster strikes, we are facing the deficiency of training for command/ coordinating and shortage of individual respond personnel. Especially due to disaster possesses wide spectrum and is unpredictable, we need to train professional personnel for surge capacity and surge capability, and to reserve multi-skills responder in order to coping with disaster. Although there are varies training activities in our country, we still lack of a proper unified and coordinating training system. The primary goal of the study is to establish a disaster medical education training facility. First is to construct the¡uDisaster training model¡vto integrate spectrum of disaster¡Bdisaster responsiveness¡Bdisaster training outline and learning method into one conceptual module. Besides, when an emerging epidemic occur, the past experiences and rules are not capable to handle such event. We also cannot take advantages of every rare incident to accumulate our knowledge/skills and to examine the standard operating procedures. In stead, we should practicing our preparedness at the mitigation period and to set up a training platform for exercise/drills. Through exercise we may test and challenge the existing system, explore pitfalls in order to make up the gaps, improve more accurate contingency and finally set up a systemic training program. The theory of the training module is base upon double loop learning, a proper way for adult learning process. However, most individuals or organization response to the learning process through instinct and reflexive defensive mechanism, a so-called single learning loop process. During a disaster event, there will be collision between multiple single loops and result in a devastated conflict and outcome. Therefore, through the concept of double loop learning and by using ¡§learning from history and experiences¡¨ as a methodology, we can set up the structure of disaster responsive plan and unify the training program. Another weakness of Taiwan¡¦s adult learning process was the current teaching method only focused on cram school, this is common situation of our culture. We combine e-learning technology and teaching organization concept as an entity, so we could concrete the educational effect and have a chance to regain a full-scale disaster responsive training system. Through the aforementioned conceptual framework, our study initially set up the e-learning website as a platform and create communities for learning and teaching subgroups¡A through e-learning to join together education¡Btraining and exercise activities¡A collaborate with evaluation and managing system. The final goal is to develop a module for adult learning organization, and take a further step to built up the systematic nationwide health crisis training framework.

Thesis (M.S.E.C.E.)--Baylor University, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 141).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Western Australia, 2006.

The aim of this research was to develop a novel multi-function exercise system for use in a broad range of applications. Market research indicates that the demand for aerobic and anaerobic exercise devices will continue to grow with the introduction of government physical activity guidelines and increased social pressure regarding health related issues. A detailed investigation of the basic exercise science fundamentals and training methodologies was conducted in order to develop a system which would provide efficient and effective training related stimuli for improving fitness. The generation, storage and utilisation of actual and virtual load and velocity profiles for use in the development of original training modes was identified as an important area of the research. The proposed solution utilises an electromechanical programmable motion control system which provides all of the necessary exercise modalities defined in the system specification. This system combines existing industrial servo drive technology with proprietary software and database facilities to provide a step change in functionality, ease of use and safety for all users. Development of these hardware and software elements was supported by the creation of a series of system models at the initial stages of the research using the computer integrated manufacturing open systems architecture (CIMOSA) modelling approach. These diagrams were an invaluable resource during the concept generation and refinement processes and have clearly demonstrated the cross-discipline applications of such formalised modelling techniques. Validation and reliability data collected during prototype testing indicated that the exercise motion generation capabilities and performance measurement facilities were comparable to existing isokinetic dynamometer equipment. Additional subject testing produced results with peak output values and parameter trends which correlated closely to those determined during clinical and academic research. These experimental results suggest that the modular exercise system could be a valuable tool for the collection of research data to be used in support of current and future training theories.

The purpose with this study was to examine whether gender moderate the associationbetween body satisfaction and posting photos of exercise and training on Instagram. We usedan online survey to collect our participants that we posted in a local social network site forstudents in a swedish medium sized city (n = 239). The results of the moderated regressionanalysis showed that gender affect the association between body satisfaction and postingphotos of exercise and training on Instagram. As we hypothesized, men who rated high inbody satisfaction posted more photos of exercise and training on Instagram. Women’s postingof exercise and training on Instagram was not affected by their levels of body satisfaction. / Syftet med denna studie var att undersöka om kön modererar associationen mellankroppstillfredsställelse och att publicera foton av motion och träning på Instagram. Vi utfördeen webbaserad enkätundersökning som vi publicerade på en webbplats för studenter i ensvensk mellanstor stad (n = 239). Resultatet av moderation regressionsanalysen visade attkön påverkade associationen mellan kroppstillfredsställelse och att publicera foton av motionoch träning på Instagram. Enligt vår hypotes så visade resultatet att män med hög nivå avkroppstillfredsställelse publicerade mer foton av motion och träning på Instagram. Kvinnorspublicerande av motion- och träningsfoton på Instagram påverkades inte av deras nivå avkroppstillfredsställelse.