The purpose of this investigation was to compare associative and dissociative psychological strategies of attentional focus for their effects on self - report ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), and heart rate during endurance exercise. Trained cyclists (n = 7) performed three 60 minute experimental rides on a bicycle ergometer which consisted of an association ride (attention focused on heart rate feedback), a dissociation ride (attention focused on responding to a cue word on a videotape), and a control condition ride in which focus of attention was not purposely manipulated. Results indicated that the deliberate application of a cognitive strategy designed to encourage an individual to associate or dissociate did not differentially effect either actual efficiency (heart rate) or perception of exercise intensity (RPE scores). Overall, it was concluded that there was a trend for the dissociation condition to result in higher RPE scores than the association condition or control condition. / School of Physical Education

The aim of this study was to examine whether vitamins E (200 IU) and C (1 g) in combination would influence exercise-induced lipid peroxidation to a greater extent than vitamin E (400 IU) alone. A placebo-controlled study was carried out on 7 collegiate cyclists who were supplemented with 1) vitamin C (1 g); 2) vitamins E (200 IU) and C (1 g); and vitamin E (400 IU) during 3 treatments, each 3 weeks in duration. The serum concentrations of hematocrit and MDA, one marker of lipid peroxidation, were measured immediately before, immediately after, and 24 hours after each exercise bout. After the vitamin C treatment, MDA serum concentration of the athletes (n=7) increased 85% above the baseline values of the placebo values, the vitamin E/C treatment showed a 29% increase, and the vitamin E treatment showed a 39% decrease. Pre- to post-exercise serum MDA levels increased 64% in the placebo group, a 29% increase in the vitamin C treatment group, a 23.2% increase in the vitamins E/C treatment group, and a 46.9% increase in the vitamin E treatment group. It is concluded that exercise-induced lipid peroxidation is more greatly influenced post-exercise by a combination of vitamins E (200 IU) and C (1 g), than by either vitamin C (1 g) alone, or vitamin E (400 IU) alone. / Department of Family and Consumer Sciences

The purpose of this study was to examine the participants of the Ball State University Retirees Fitness (BSURF) program in order to determine the role that habitual participation in an exercise program plays on the aging process. The participants of the BSURF program were divided into two groups: those that have been exercising for seven or more years (LT; n=14), and those that have been exercising for six years or less (ST; n=10). Subjects underwent testing on the following variables: BMI, body composition, resting heart rate and blood pressure, blood lipid profile, biceps muscular strength, trunk flexibility, and the Rockport Walk Test. Group differences were determined using an independent t-test. Despite a significant difference in age and duration of participation time between the LT and ST groups, no statistically significant differences in cardiovascular measurements, anthropometric measurements, and body size were seen between the two study groups. The only exception to the positive effects of this exercise program on the aging process is demonstrated by the trunk flexibility data. The ST group was significantly more flexible (27.6 ± 1.51 cm) than the LT group (17.7 ± 2.67 cm). The results of this study suggest that continued participation in the BSURF program enabled the LT group to maintain their physiological functioning. Further, the length of participation by the members of the BSURF program clearly demonstrates significant adherence, and suggests that a program of moderate intensity in combination with a large social aspect may play a role in the exercise adherence of older adults. / School of Physical Education

This study examined the effects of 14 days of L-carnitine supplementation on blood and muscle lactate concentrations, and carnitine fractions, during high intensity sprint cycling exercise. Eight subjects performed three experimental trials - control I (CON I, 0 days), control II (CON II, 14 days), and L-carnitine (LCN, 28 days). Each trial consisted of a 4 min ride at 90% VO2max, followed by a rest period of 20 min, and then 5 x 1 min rides at 115% VO2max (2 min restbetween each). Following CON II, all subjects began dietary supplementation of L-carnitine for a period of 14 days (4 g/day). L-carnitine supplementation had no significant effect on either muscle carnitine or lactate concentrations following the 4 min 90% ride. Plasma total acid soluable and free carnitine concentrations were significantly higher at all time points following supplementation. Differences observed in blood hydrogen ion and lactate concentrations between CON I and CON II appear to be the result of an order effect. The data from the present investigation indicate that L-carnitine supplementation has no significant effect on blood or muscle lactate accumulation following high intensity sprint cycling exercise. / School of Physical Education

Although the benefits of exercise to non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) are well-known, individuals with NIDDM are at risk for macrovascular and microvascular complications associated with an abnormal systolic blood pressure (SBP) elevation during exercise. In order to compare the SBP and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) response between individuals with NIDDM and apparently healthy controls during submaximal exercise, eight individuals representative of each group completed a 10-minute submaximal treadmill exercise trial at 65% of functional capacity. Heart rate, blood pressure and RPE were monitored throughout the trial. Between group comparisons were made for SBP and RPE response, and the frequency of exercise SBP response _> 200 mmHg was investigated. No significant differences were observed in either SBP or RPE response between groups during the submaximal treadmill trials. In addition, none of the subjects from either group achieved a SBP ? 200 mmHg. While this study indicates that exercise at 65% of functional capacity is safe for this particular group of subjects with NIDDM, additional research is warranted to investigate cardiovascular response to exercise in a broader subject pool representative of the entire NIDDM population. / School of Physical Education

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of high intensity eccentric muscle damage on plasma creatine kinase and plasma malondialdehyde. Twelve subjects, who served as their own control, performed 10 sets of eccentric knee extensions at a 10 RM intensity with their dominant leg. The subjects lowered the resistance in slow controlled manner to a three count of a metronome set at one beat per second. The resistance was set at an intensity equal to 120% of the subject's concentric 1RM. Creatine kinase and malondialdehyde were measured pre-exercise and at 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 hours post-exercise. Results (p<_ .05) showed a significant increase in both creatine kinase and malondialdehyde compared to baseline. Creatine kinase showed significant increases through 120 hours post-exercise, and peaked at 96 hours post-exercise. Malondialdehyde showed significant increases through 72 post-exercise and peaked at 24 hours postexercise. It appears that a single bout, of high intensity, eccentric exercise can cause significant increases in creatine kinase and malondialdehyde. / Department of Speech Pathology & Audiology

A great deal of research has been done to assess the effects of exercise intensity and duration on excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC). But the effects of an elevated core temperature (Tc) post-exercise have not been directly examined. To assess the effects of an elevated Tc on EPOC, eight healthy, active male subjects (27.5 ± 6.1 years) underwent two 45 minute exercise trials at =70% VO2max in an environmental chamber (36 °C / 10% RH) followed by a 45 minute recovery in either the environmental chamber (42 °C / 10% RH) wearing insulating clothing (HC), or in the ambient conditions of the testing lab (22 °C / 42% RH) without any additional clothing (AM). Oxygen consumption (V02), minute ventilation (VE), heart rate (HR), and rectal temperature (Tc) were recorded pre-, exercise, and post- during both trials. Subjects were monitored postexercise for 45 minutes. EPOC was determined by subtracting pre-trial V02 from the recovery V02 until the difference between the values equaled zero or until 45 minutes had elapsed. Within 25 minutes post-exercise, V02 during the AM recovery had returned to near resting levels (p = 0.146), while V02 during the HC recovery remained significantly elevated for at least 45 minutes (p = 0.027). Given that V02 remained significantly elevated through 45 minutes of recovery, and that all other measured variables (HR, VE, and respiratory exchange ratio) were significantly affected during the HC recovery, it is clear that an elevated Tc has an effect on EPOC. / School of Physical Education

The purpose of this study was to lower body core temperature prior to a simulated portion of a triathlon (swim-15min; bike-45min) and examine whether precooling could attenuate thermal strain and increase subjective exercise tolerance in the heat. Six endurance trained triathletes (mean ± SE, 28 ± 2 yr, 8.2 ± 1.7 % body fat) completed two randomly-assigned trials, one week apart. The precooling trial (PC) involved lowering body core temperature (-0.5°C) in water prior to swimming and cycling. The control trial (CON) was identical except no precooling was performed. Water temperature and environmental conditions were maintained at -25.6°C and -26.6°C/60% RH respectively, throughout all testing. Mean time to precool was 31:37 ± 8:03 and average time to reach baseline temperature during cycling was 9:35 ± 7:60. Oxygen consumption (VO2), heart rate (HR), rate of perceived exertion (RPE), thermal sensation (TS), and skin (Tsk) and core (Ta) temperatures were recorded following the swim segment and throughout cycling. No significant differences in mean body (TO or Tsk were noted between PC and CON, but a significant difference (P<0.05) in T, between treatments was noted through the early phases of cycling. No significant differences were reported in HR, V02, RPE, TS or sweat rate (SR) between treatments. Body heat storage (S) was negative following swimming in both PC (92 ± 6 W/m2) and CON (66 ± 9 W/m2). A greater increase in S occurred in PC (109 ± 6 W/m2) vs. CON (79 ±4 W/m2) during cycling (P<0.05) . Precooling attenuated the rise in T,, but this effect was transient. Based on the results from this study, precooling is not recommended prior to endurance exercise in the heat. / School of Physical Education

This study examined the physiological and perceptual effects of carbohydrate (CHO) on variable-intensity exercise (VIE) in boys and men. It was hypothesized that CHO would increase RER in boys and men and that this increase would be greater in boys. Additionally, it was hypothesized that RPE would be attenuated by CHO. Five boys (10-12 years) and seven men (18-30 years) consumed CHO or a placebo (PL) beverage before and throughout VIE. VIE included three 12-min sets of cycling; intensity varied every 20-30 seconds between 25, 50, 75, and 125% VO2max. Boys’ post-exercise glucose was higher in the CHO trial than the PL trial and RER was lower in boys than men, but was not affected by trial. RPE increased over time but was not different between groups or trials. Though VIE responses varied between boys and men, CHO ingestion before and during VIE did not provide physiological or perceptual benefits. / School of Physical Education, Sport, and Exercise Science

Purpose: The impact of temperature on the coagulative response to exercise has not been well described. The purpose of this study was to assess the response of plasma thrombin-antithrombin (TAT) to exercise during exposure to both hot and cold temperatures, and to compare those responses to exercise under normal, temperate conditions. Methods: Fifteen healthy male subjects (25.3 + 4.3 years) volunteered to participate in this study. Subjects completed maximal cycle ergometer exercise tests in three different temperatures (20°C, 5° or 8° C, and 30°C) in an environmental chamber. All tests were conducted in random order and separated by at least seven days. Blood samples were obtained before and immediately after exercise and analyzed by Elisa to determine plasma concentrations of thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT). Results: Subjects demonstrated significantly elevated plasma levels of TAT in all three temperatures immediately after exercise (normal =1.04 ± 0.44 ng/ml, cold =1.34 ± 0.79 ng/ml, hot =1.18 + 0.95 ng/ml) when compared to baseline measures (normal = 0.45 ± 0.26 ng/ml, cold = 0.88 + 0.57 ng/ml, hot = 0.64 + g/ml). Subjects also showed significant elevations in TAT concentrations both before and after exercise in the cold temperature when compared with the normal temperature. There was no significant difference between the hot and normal temperatures. Conclusion: An individual's coagulation potential is increased following maximal physical exertion and may be further increased by exposure to colder temperature. Key Words: coagulation, physical exertion, temperature, thrombosis. / School of Physical Education, Sport, and Exercise Science