Thesis (Ph. D.)--Oregon State University, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 44-51)

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Oregon State University, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 74-81). Also available online (PDF file) by a subscription to the set or by purchasing the individual file.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Oregon State University, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 74-81).

The purpose of this study was to determine the interrelationships between oxygen intake capacity, strength, body composition and physical working capacity, as measured by the Sjostrand PWC₁₇₀ test. The subsidiary problems were: 1. to determine what statistical procedure, i.e., zero order correlations, first order partial correlations, twenty-second order partial correlations or stepwise multiple regression analysis, gave the greatest insight into the physiological relationships between the variables selected for this study, 2. to determine the form in which the variables investigated have the most meaning biologically, i.e., as raw scores, as scores divided by body weight, or as scores divided by fat free weight, and 3. to determine the accuracy of calculating PWC₁₇₀ by graphical estimation of the best fitting straight line as compared with the computer calculated values obtained by the least squares regression method. Fifty-four subjects from the School of Physical Education and Recreation at the University of British Columbia participated in this study. The Sjostrand PWC₁₇₀ test was conducted to estimate physical working capacity, and an "all out" ride on the bicycle ergometer was administered to determine maximum oxygen intake values. Body density was determined by the hydrostatic weighing technique, and body fat was calculated by the formula derived by Keys and Brozek. A comprehensive strength test was also conducted on all the subjects. The statistical analysis of the data were obtained through the Computing Center at the University of British Columbia (Program - Triangular Regression Package). A zero order correlation analysis was conducted to assess the accuracy of the graphic method in the calculation of PWC₁₇₀ scores. A zero order correlation analysis was also conducted to investigate the interrelationships between all the variables when no variables were held constant. Two first order correlation analysis were conducted to investigate the interrelationships between all the variables when body size was held constant, i.e., body weight and fat free weight, respectively. A twenty-second order correlation matrix was obtained to investigate the interrelationship between two variables when all others were held constant. Three stepwise multiple regression analysis were conducted to determine the interrelationships between each of the dependent variables (PWC₁₇₀ kpm per min; PWC₁₇₀ kpm per min per kg body weight; PWC₁₇₀ kpm per mln per kg fat free weight) with two or more of the independent variables. Within the limitations of the study, it was concluded that the conventional graphic technique appeared to be an accurate method to estimate the best fitting straight line in the calculation of the PWC₁₇₀ scores. The results obtained in this study appeared to support the use of performance scores divided by fat free weight as the most biologically meaningful way to express performance capacity data. This appeared to be the preferred method for comparisons of individuals' "true" abilities or capacities without regard to differences in body size or body fat. Consequently, the procedure appeared to be very appropriate for use in normative tables. The first order partial correlations of non-ratio variables with fat free weight held constant appeared to be the best statistical procedure in providing Insight into physiological relationships between oxygen intake capacity, strength and physical working capacity (PWC₁₇₀ kpm per min). The zero order correlation analysis, first order partial correlation analysis and stepwise multiple regression analysis showed the following apparent relationships to exist between the variables explored in this study: i) Fat free weight appeared to be the common factor in the relationships between many of the variables in this study, ii) Oxygen intake in liters per min was significantly related to physical working capacity (PWC₁₇₀ kpm per min) in zero order and first order correlation analysis (significant at the 0.01 level of confidence). In the stepwise multiple regression analysis, oxygen intake in liters per minute did not contribute to the prediction of PWC₁₇₀ kpm per min, but it would have been the best single predictor in the absence of fat free weight. Oxygen intake in ml per min per kg body weight was the best predictor of PWC₁₇₀ kpm per min per kg body weight. It was also the best predictor of PWC₁₇₀ kpm per min per kg fat free weight, but this appeared to be due to the smaller dispersions of oxygen intake in ml per min per kg fat free weight. iii) Strength of the right leg extensor muscles correlated significantly with PWC₁₇₀ kpm per min in zero order and first order correlation analysis (significant at the 0.05 level of confidence). This variable made a small contribution to the prediction of physical working capacity in all three stepwise multiple regression analysis, iv) Body density correlated significantly with PWC₁₇₀ kpm per min per kg body weight in zero order correlation analysis and with FWC₁₇₀ kpm per min when body weight was statistically held constant (significant at the 0.01 level of confidence). It contributed to the prediction of FWC₁₇₀ kpm per min per kg body weight only slightly less than oxygen intake ml per min per kg body weight. Thus, it appeared that in this study, leaner subjects appeared to attain higher PWC₁₇₀ kpm per min per kg body weight scores. / Education, Faculty of / Curriculum and Pedagogy (EDCP), Department of / Graduate

No description available.

No description available.

Digitized by Kansas Correctional Industries

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1945 K5 / Master of Science

Walking groups are increasingly being set up to increase physical activity in sedentary population groups, but little is known about whether they are effective at doing so and how they work. The present thesis aims to build an evidence base of whether walking groups are effective at promoting public health and what factors account for their effectiveness. Methods: Four studies were conducted to address the overall aim. Study One: a systematic literature review with meta-analysis investigated whether interventions to promote walking in groups are effective at promoting physical activity. Study 2: a multi-perspective thematic analysis of interviews with walkers, walk leaders and walk co-ordinators, includingfollow up interviews with walkers, explored whether the needs and expectations of people who participated in walking groups were satisfied. The sample was gained from walking schemes run by Coventry City Council. Study Three: awalk-along interview study with walk leaders explored what and how environmental factors are seen to affect walking behaviours in groups. Study Four: a prospective cohort survey explored what theoretical constructspredict maintenance of attendance at walking groups in the Midlands. Results: Study One:interventions to promote walking in groups were found to be effective at promoting physical activity within efficacy studies targeting adults (d=0.42). Study Two: walkers reported that they joined walking groups to gain social and health benefits. Three months later the same walkers reported that they continued attending walking groups when their initial needs were satisfied by the other people in the group. Walk leaders and walk coordinators often acknowledged the same reasons but expressed lack of confidence to effectively address them. Study Three: walk leaders describedenvironmental factors that were important facilitators for behaviours within walking places. Lap walking places were reported to facilitate physical activity, park walking places were reported to facilitate social interactions and city centre walking places were reported to facilitate time efficient behaviours. Study Four: recovery self-efficacy and satisfaction with outcome expectancies and overall experiences within the groups were found to predict maintenance of attendance at walking groups. ix Conclusions:The results of this thesis suggest that walking groups increase physical activity. Furthermore, successful walking groups should include theory based techniques to promote behaviour change and social integration within participants. The outcomes of this thesiscan be used as an evidence base for developing, implementing and evaluating effective walking groups within the community.

published_or_final_version / Human Performance / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy