Osteoarthritis is a disease that causes decreases in hand function in the elderly adult and can lead to full disability of the hand. There is no clear cause of osteoarthritis of the hand, although injury and overuse can contribute to development of the disease. Traditional treatments include splinting, paraffin therapy, medications and, in severe cases, joint replacement. Nontraditional therapies include mobility training, therapeutic touch, acupuncture and exercise. The purpose of this study was to explore the non-traditional treatment of hand-strengthening exercise as a way to improve hand function. Specifically, this study evaluated the effects of an eightweek hand exercise program utilizing Hand Exercisers and FlexBars on hand grip strength and dexterity in 13 elderly women aged 70-85 (M=80.4, SD= +/- 4.25) who showed signs and symptoms of hand osteoarthritis, which are pain, stiffness and swelling.. Participants were evaluated before and after the exercise intervention for grip strength, pinch strength, range of motion of the trapeziometacarpal, metacarpophalangeal, interphalangeal and wrist joints, and were timed on a hand dexterity test that involved putting on and buttoning a shirt with ten 3/8th inch buttons. A repeated measures ANOVA was the mode of data analysis. Hand strength significantly improved (p<0.05), as both grip (19%) and pinch (26%) strength showed improvements. In range of motion testing, palmar flexion (12%), interphalangeal flexion (46%), metacarpophalangeal flexion (39%) and wrist extension (11%) showed significant improvements while palmar abduction (12%) and wrist flexion (8%) did not. Hand dexterity also improved as evidenced by a 24% decrease in the amount of time to button a shirt. Pain, stiffness and disability, as measured by the AUSCAN, also decreased significantly, with a 17.3% decrease in means. The results indicate that hand exercise programs can be used to increase hand function while decreasing the signs and symptoms in patients with hand osteoarthritis. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--Wichita State University, College of Education, Dept. of Kinesiology and Sport Studies. / "July 2006." / Includes bibliographic references (leaves 33-37).

The purpose of this report is to evaluate the potential utility of online social networking in enhancing participation in, and maintenance of, a university-based exercise program through the provision of social support. Ninety-one employees previously enrolled in an exercise program were surveyed. Participants were asked about their online social networking habits and their opinions on the possible use of online social networks to increase social support for and adherence to an exercise program. Respondents already belonging to a social networking site (SNS) (79%) were optimistic about the utility, particularly after their exercise program, while those who do not belong to an SNS were less positive. The findings imply that using online social networking to add social support both during and after an exercise program could be effective. / text

This investigation evaluated the effects of exercise on balance and ability to transfer in an elderly population.Eighteen elderly subjects (aged 65-96) were volunteers in this study. Nine of the elderly subjects participated in a six week exercise program, while the other nine were placed into a control group. It was hypothesized that the exercise group would improve balance and gait transfer. The variables of interest were: timed one-leg stance, spontaneous sway, transfer from bed to a chair, and an ABC (Activities-specific Balance Confidence) Scale. The variable of timed one-leg stance (sec), with both eyes open and closed, increased significantly (P(0.05) with the exercise training. The pre and post testing measures for the timed one leg stance found that the X increased from 2.56 to 4.64, the SO was 6.06 and the SE was 1.43. However, the pre and post testing measures for the variables of spontaneous sway (sec), transfer (high, med, low) and the ABC scale showed little or no change This investigation evaluated the effects of exercise on balance and ability to transfer in an elderly population. Eighteen elderly subjects (aged 65-96) were volunteers in this study. Nine of the elderly subjects participated in a six week exercise program, while the other nine were placed into a control group. It was hypothesized that the exercise group would improve balance and gait transfer. The variables of interest were: timed one-leg stance, spontaneous sway, transfer from bed to a chair, and an ABC (Activities-specific Balance Confidence) Scale. The variable of timed one-leg stance (sec), with both eyes open and closed, increased significantly (P(0.05) with the exercise training. The pre and post testing measures for the timed one leg stance found that the X increased from 2.56 to 4.64, the SO was 6.06 and the SE was 1.43. However, the pre and post testing measures for the variables of spontaneous sway (sec), transfer (high, med, low) and the ABC scale showed little or no change This investigation evaluated the effects of exercise on balance and ability to transfer in an elderly population. Eighteen elderly subjects (aged 65-96) were volunteers in this study. Nine of the elderly subjects participated in a six week exercise program, while the other nine were placed into a control group. It was hypothesized that the exercise group would improve balance and gait transfer. The variables of interest were: timed one-leg stance, spontaneous sway, transfer from bed to a chair, and an ABC (Activities-specific Balance Confidence) Scale. The variable of timed one-leg stance (sec), with both eyes open and closed, increased significantly (P(0.05) with the exercise training. The pre and post testing measures for the timed one leg stance found that the X increased from 2.56 to 4.64, the SO was 6.06 and the SE was 1.43. However, the pre and post testing measures for the variables of spontaneous sway (sec), transfer (high, med, low) and the ABC scale showed little or no change (P>0.05) for both the control and exercise groups. / Master of Science

The problem of this study was to determine the effects of four dynamic exercise programs on physical fitness as measured by selected items from the American Association for Health, Physical Education, and Recreation Youth Fitness Test.

This field study is about well-being. It examines the proposition that exercise is a pathway to well-being. Participants in two "keep fit" groups at the Australian National University Sports Union and members of Lifestyle health and fitness club in Woden, Canberra, A.C.T. provided the population for the study. A critical review of the literature on well-being suggests that a number of differing perspectives exist and that these should be clarified before commencing such a study. The existence of multidimensional indices of well-being points to the use of a holistic model of well-being but did not provide an existing methodology. Therefore an experimental method was attempted using established and open-ended questionnaires. In addition, a short participant observation study of exercise programming in the A.N.U. groups was carried out. Implications for future studies of well-being are drawn, particularly suggesting that existing tools designed for special unidimensional examinations are inherently unsuitable. The development of new research tools to evaluate the different dimensions of well-being which together form the whole are foreshadowed.

Background: People who have experienced a moderate or severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) will most likely live with motor and cognitive deficits including balance and poor mobility. These deficits may lead to limitations in activity participation, life satisfaction, and may increase the risk of falls. Improving access to rehabilitation care in the chronic phase of recovery is essential to prevent ongoing health issues. However, geographical restrictions, cost of transportation, or recently the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions may limit access to rehabilitation services. Telerehabilitation could serve as an alternative method to provide rehabilitation care while increasing access. Objectives: The overall objective of this dissertation was to understand the implementation of high-intensity telerehabilitation exercise programs for people living with a moderate or severe TBI and their family partners. This was accomplished by 1) determining the feasibility of using telerehabilitation, 2) investigating the effectiveness of high-intensity home-based telerehabilitation exercise programs on physical activity, functional mobility and dynamic balance, 3) understanding the perspectives and lived experiences of completing a telerehabilitation program, and 4) exploring how interpersonal behaviours can influence practice and be perceived in a telerehabilitation setting. Methodology: Influenced by a people-centered approach and explained by the Self-Determination Theory, this dissertation followed a mixed-method alternating single-subject design methodology. Five dyads composed of five persons living with a moderate or severe TBI and their family partners completed two high-intensity telerehabilitation programs remotely supervised, daily and weekly. The feasibility and effectiveness of the telerehabilitation programs were measured from a quantitative and qualitative perspective to replicate the clinical realities and understand all perspectives. Results: In this dissertation, the feasibility of using telerehabilitation with this population was highlighted by reporting high adherence, high usability, active engagement and safety. The effectiveness on physical activity levels, functional mobility, dynamic balance and concerns with falling was also demonstrated with no differences between the daily and weekly remote supervision schedule. The dyads described being highly satisfied, engaged, and enjoyed the remotely supervised exercise programs. The individuals with the TBI perceived more supportive behaviours than thwarting behaviours from the physiotherapist. Conclusion: This dissertation advances knowledge on telerehabilitation implementation for people living with cognitive and motor deficits following a TBI. High-intensity home-based telerehabilitation programs were shown to be feasible and effective. I introduced the importance of assessing needs-supportive and needs-thwarting interpersonal behaviours in the telerehabilitation context. Integrating these novel telerehabilitation concepts within emerging telerehabilitation models of care could significantly impact long-lasting positive health outcomes for individuals living with a moderate or severe TBI.

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Thepurpose of my study is to investigate pedagogues experience of working methodsto promote linguistic phonological development in pre-school children whoselanguage development is weak. The aim is further tohighlight the obstacles and opportunities that the pedagogues in the studyconsider to aggravate and stimulate the work of language development inchildren with weak phonological awareness and how the organization's designaffects the teachers 'work in this area. Today's society places highdemands on reading and writing skills for citizens who, in turn, place highdemands and good knowledge of reading and writing lessons for all educators andteachers. Through qualitative semistructured interviews, I interviewed fiveeducator active pre-school class. The five teaching educators are from fivedifferent schools in four municipalities. The results of the study have shownthat all educators work conscious language development with language games,more or less systematically and organized. The Bornholm model is the screeningmaterial and exercises used most frequently. The biggest obstacles theeducators need to deal with is the absence of colleagues. Then the planningtime that everyone considers necessary to provide quality education is lost.Factors that promote linguistic work on phonological awareness are commoncompetence development and collaboration in the work team. In my limited study,I have gained insight into how language development works in the municipalities.I have also received good examples of language development, fun working method andmethods.