This study was divided into three stages. The first phase of the study aimed to examine factors influencing the students' participation in physical activity. Eight female and male university students participated in the focus group. It was found that the participants' perceived benefits of physical activity were physical, psychological and social. Their perceived barriers to physical activity included both internal and external factors. Peer groups and family were found to be influential factors in the participants' decision to engage in physical activity. The second phase was designed to investigate 1,464 Thai university students' stages of change based on the Transtheoretical model (TTM) in relation to physical activity behavior. Regarding the stages of change, 19.6% of the participants were in the Precontemplation stage, 21.8% in the Contemplation stage, 44.2% in the Preparation stage, 8.9% in the Action stage, and 5.5% in the Maintenance stage. The majority of participants' BMI statuses were normal. There were significant differences in response according to gender and BMI status, gender and stages of change, and BMI status and stages of change. The third study used a pre-post randomized control group design to determine the effectiveness of the TTM-based intervention in improving physical activity behavior among university students. 210 freshman students, who classified in Precontemplation, Contemplation and Preparation stages, were randomly assigned to either experiment or control groups in each stage. The students in the experimental group received an eight-week stage-matched intervention, while the students in the control group participated in physical education activity classes. At the follow-up stage, the students in the experiment group significantly improved their scores compared to the baseline in all of the study variables (Stages of Change, Self-Efficacy, Pros, Cons, and Experiential and Behavioral Processes of Change). It was also found that students in the experimental group had higher improvement in Stages of Change, Self- Efficacy, Pros, Experiential and Behavioral Processes of Change, and perceived fewer Cons to physical activity. There were significant differences found in Processes of Change and Physical Activity Levels across Stages of Change, but not in other variables. The results of this study indicated that stage-matched intervention can be an effective means of increasing participation in physical activity among university students. / Graduation date: 2006

Patients with chronic pain are generally thought to be physically unfit and less active. Hence, physical reconditioning programs are traditionally proposed to such patients as part of their comprehensive rehabilitation program. Traditional physical fitness evaluation is often implemented in patients with low-back pain. However, most methods have not been validated in that context. We recall and discuss earliest findings in the field of physical fitness tests in patients with low-back pain. Maximal physical tests can be reliable when testing conditions are well defined, standardized and controlled. Reliability, however, does not imply validity. Maximal physical tests as applied to patients with pain should indeed be considered as multidimensional since performance to such tests is often limited by psychological factors as fear-avoidance. Hence, maximal physical tests do not allow valid evaluation of physical fitness in most patients with pain. To obtain valid unidimensional fitness assessment in such patients, submaximal testing should be preferred, which is only possible for cardiorespiratory endurance and body composition assessment. We present our personal contribution to the field. Most of this contribution can be found in 7 previously published papers that are included in our manuscript: • Nielens, H. and L. Plaghki. Evaluation of physical adaptation to exercise of chronic pain patients by a step-test procedure. The Pain Clinic. 1:21-28, 1991 • Nielens, H. and L. Plaghki. Perception of pain and exertion during exercise on a cycle ergometer in chronic pain patients. Clin J Pain. 10:204-209, 1994 • Nielens, H., V. Boisset, and E. Masquelier. Fitness and perceived exertion in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome. Clin J Pain. 16:209-213, 2000 • Nielens, H., T. M. Lejeune, A. Lalaoui, J. P. Squifflet, Y. Pirson, and E. Goffin. Increase of physical activity level after successful renal transplantation: a 5 year follow-up study. Nephrol Dial Transplant. 16:134-140, 2001 • Nielens, H. and E. Masquelier. The role of exercise in the treatment of fibromyalgia: An overview. Int Sportmed J. 2:1-8, 2001 • Nielens, H. and L. Plaghki. Cardiorespiratory fitness, physical activity level, and chronic pain: are men more affected than women? Clin J Pain. 17:129-137, 2001 • Nielens, H., D. Cornet, and F. Rigot. Maximal versus submaximal testing protocols to evaluate fitness of patients with chronic low back pain; abstract. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 34, 2002 We developed an original submaximal cycle ergometer test that allows calculation of an original Physical Working Capacity index, the PWC65%/kg and an original Rate of Perceived Exertion index, the RPE65%. We evaluated the reliability and the validity of the PWC65%/kg as a cardiorespiratory endurance index. We also present and discuss our results obtained in chronic pain patients with those indexes. Clearly, male patients with severe chronic pain are more affected than females in terms of physical fitness and activity, probably due to socio-cultural factors. Exertion perception of most patients with low-back pain and/or sciatica seems normal. However, females with fibromyalgia present with a very significant distortion of exertion perception. Physical reconditioning combined with education seems helpful in most patients with chronic pain directly through fitness improvement but also through the major cognitive change it contributes to generate.

Due to the lack of morphological data on prepubertal Indian male soccer players in South Africa, this study was undertaken on ninety male prepubertal subjects. The subjects were divided into three groups of thirty subjects each: Experienced "E" (those playing organized soccer for more than two years), beginners "8" (those playing organized soccer for less than two years) and sedentary "S" (those not participating in organized soccer). All subjects were measured according to Heath - Carter anthropometric somatotype methods. Fitness tests comprising power and strength tests (vertical jump height and standing broad jump) and muscle endurance tests (push - ups and sit - ups) were also done. The three groups were first compared to each other and then to available international data. There were no statistical differences among the three groups for: height, weight, age, triceps, subscapular, suprailiac, calf and total skinfolds, humerus and biceps girth, ectomorphy, mesomorphy and endomorphy, suggesting a general homogenicity between groups. For fitness tests the "E" group performed significantly better than the others for standing broad jump and sit - ups (p = 0.005 and p = 0.036 respectively). For push - ups the "8" and "E" were significantly better than the "S" group, (p = 0.013, for "8" versus "S" group), indicating that in soccer muscle strength and explosive strength are important. The lack of difference between the groups for anthropometric criteria in this study may be explained by the experienced players' inadequate training. Other factors may include the lack of parental involvement, inadequate knowledge on fitness aspects and poor training methods. Furthermore, the sedentary group may be participating in unorganized activities which renders them at a level similar to the experienced group. Data on non - Indian South African junior players is required to help us understand the lack of significant Indian talent in the National team. Other factors such as diet, cultural differences, training methods, level of coaching, environmental factors and sport facilities need investigation and be addressed if we want to see an improvement in the South African Indian soccer players. / Thesis (M.Med.Sc.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1997.

The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an injury prevention and training programme for elite cricketers in regard to biomechanical, physical and motor and anthropometric variables over a period of six cricketing off-seasons (1998/1999-2003/2004). A secondary aim was to investigate the injury epidemiology of elite cricket players over a six-season period (1998/1999 – 2003/2004). A total of 93 cricket players, who were part of the North-West professional cricket squad, were evaluated over a six-season period stretching from the 1998/1999 cricket season to 2003/2004 cricket season. The players were all evaluated at the end of the off-season (middle September) of the commencing season and the injury lists were compiled throughout each playing season. This included all players who needed medical attention due to injury sustained while representing the North-West cricket team in a cricket match. An analysis was done of literature sources by making use of electronic media, library search and sports medicine journals. Databases such as Pubmed, EbscoHost (Academic Search Elite), Sciencedirect, Medline, Eric, Health Source - Consumer Edition, Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition and SPORTDiscus were used. Special consideration was given to cricket injury epidemiology, injury prevention strategies in cricket, biomechanics in cricket and general injury prevention strategies. The recorded data were statistically processed and the practical significances were calculated. Three different protocols were followed to evaluate the effectiveness of the injury prevention and training programme. The recorded data were analysed for the six off-season periods (1998/1999-2003/2004, protocol 1) of the study for the biomechanical, physical and motor and anthropometric evaluations, as well as for the injury epidemiology. The players were then divided into four exposure times (protocol 2) in the study for the biomechanical, physical and motor and anthropometric evaluations. Then the players were divided into two groups (protocol 3), with each group consisting of the same players, and over a three off-season period each evaluated for the biomechanical, physical and motor and anthropometric variables. Lastly, the results for the last three seasons of protocol 1 were compared with the result of the last three seasons of protocol 3 (group 2) for the biomechanical, physical and motor and anthropometric evaluations, as well as for the injury epidemiology. The results for this study indicate that the injury prevention and training programme was successful in improving and maintaining the biomechanical, physical and motor and anthropometric profile of the cricketers over the six off-season periods (1998/1999-2003/2004). Although all injuries could not be prevented, injuries resulting from structural vulnerability did decrease. Injuries resulting from structural vulnerability (mechanism of injury) decreased from the 1998/1999 season (67,67% of the total injuries suffered during the 1998/1999 season) to the 2003/2004 season (10% of the total injuries suffered during the 2003/2004 season), indicating that the training and prevention programme played a role in the prevention of these injuries. Injury incidence per 10 000 hours of play was 5,82 injuries for the six-season period (1998/1999- 2003/2004). The injury prevention and training programme used in this study can be utilised to improve the biomechanical, physical and motor and anthropometric profile of cricketers. The biomechanical, physical and motor and anthropometric evaluations can also be used as injury prevention strategies by identifying possible injury risk factors as a result of poor biomechanical, physical and motor and anthropometric profiles. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Education))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.

The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an injury prevention and training programme for elite cricketers in regard to biomechanical, physical and motor and anthropometric variables over a period of six cricketing off-seasons (1998/1999-2003/2004). A secondary aim was to investigate the injury epidemiology of elite cricket players over a six-season period (1998/1999 – 2003/2004). A total of 93 cricket players, who were part of the North-West professional cricket squad, were evaluated over a six-season period stretching from the 1998/1999 cricket season to 2003/2004 cricket season. The players were all evaluated at the end of the off-season (middle September) of the commencing season and the injury lists were compiled throughout each playing season. This included all players who needed medical attention due to injury sustained while representing the North-West cricket team in a cricket match. An analysis was done of literature sources by making use of electronic media, library search and sports medicine journals. Databases such as Pubmed, EbscoHost (Academic Search Elite), Sciencedirect, Medline, Eric, Health Source - Consumer Edition, Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition and SPORTDiscus were used. Special consideration was given to cricket injury epidemiology, injury prevention strategies in cricket, biomechanics in cricket and general injury prevention strategies. The recorded data were statistically processed and the practical significances were calculated. Three different protocols were followed to evaluate the effectiveness of the injury prevention and training programme. The recorded data were analysed for the six off-season periods (1998/1999-2003/2004, protocol 1) of the study for the biomechanical, physical and motor and anthropometric evaluations, as well as for the injury epidemiology. The players were then divided into four exposure times (protocol 2) in the study for the biomechanical, physical and motor and anthropometric evaluations. Then the players were divided into two groups (protocol 3), with each group consisting of the same players, and over a three off-season period each evaluated for the biomechanical, physical and motor and anthropometric variables. Lastly, the results for the last three seasons of protocol 1 were compared with the result of the last three seasons of protocol 3 (group 2) for the biomechanical, physical and motor and anthropometric evaluations, as well as for the injury epidemiology. The results for this study indicate that the injury prevention and training programme was successful in improving and maintaining the biomechanical, physical and motor and anthropometric profile of the cricketers over the six off-season periods (1998/1999-2003/2004). Although all injuries could not be prevented, injuries resulting from structural vulnerability did decrease. Injuries resulting from structural vulnerability (mechanism of injury) decreased from the 1998/1999 season (67,67% of the total injuries suffered during the 1998/1999 season) to the 2003/2004 season (10% of the total injuries suffered during the 2003/2004 season), indicating that the training and prevention programme played a role in the prevention of these injuries. Injury incidence per 10 000 hours of play was 5,82 injuries for the six-season period (1998/1999- 2003/2004). The injury prevention and training programme used in this study can be utilised to improve the biomechanical, physical and motor and anthropometric profile of cricketers. The biomechanical, physical and motor and anthropometric evaluations can also be used as injury prevention strategies by identifying possible injury risk factors as a result of poor biomechanical, physical and motor and anthropometric profiles. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Education))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.

Orientadores: Antonio de Azevedo Barros Filho, Edilson Serpeloni Cyrino / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciencias Medicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-10T14:51:11Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Silva_KarinaElainedeSouza_D.pdf: 1533831 bytes, checksum: 5d6ee5a3a0ed9bfb1d7aab1a0a8db5b9 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007 / Resumo: Objetivo: Avaliar o crescimento e a aptidão física relacionada à saúde em escolares de Cascavel-PR. Métodos: 2180 escolares, sendo 1693 de escolas públicas (882 meninos e 811 meninas) e 487 de escolas privadas (226 meninos e 261 meninas) foram submetidos a medidas antropométricas (massa corporal, estatura, espessura de dobras cutâneas), composição corporal (índice de massa corporal - IMC, somatório de dobras cutâneas, gordura corporal relativa e massa corporal magra) e aos seguintes testes motores: sentar-e-alcançar (FLEX), abdominal modificado em um minuto (ABD), salto horizontal (SH), corrida de 50m (50 m) e corrida/caminhada de 9 min (9 min). Nas comparações entre as proporções de escolares que atenderam aos critérios de saúde foi aplicado o teste ?2 e exato de Fisher, e a associação entre as variáveis morfológicas e os testes motores foi obtida pela análise de regressão múltipla ¿stepwise¿ (p<0,05). Resultados: A prevalência de desnutrição, de acordo com a relação IMC/I, foi menor do que 1%. Por outro lado, a prevalência de obesidade foi de 6% nas escolas públicas e 13% nas escolas privadas. Com relação ao desempenho motor, verificou-se que 65%, 25% e 29% dos escolares analisados atenderam aos pontos de corte estabelecidos para saúde, de acordo o desempenho nos testes motores FLEX, ABD e 9 min, respectivamente. Entretanto, somente 6% dos avaliados conseguiram atender os critérios adotados nesses três testes conjuntamente. Os indicadores morfológicos utilizados, quando combinados, explicaram 3%, 15%, 35%, 37% e 11% do desempenho motor nos testes de FLEX, ABD, SH, 50 m e 9 min, respectivamente. Conclusão: Os resultados indicaram que a maioria dos escolares avaliados apresentava níveis de aptidão física relacionada à saúde abaixo do padrão desejado, independente das escolas freqüentadas. Todavia, a prevalência de obesidade das escolas privadas foi aproximadamente duas vezes maior do que nas escolas públicas / Abstract: Objective: To evaluate growth and fitness related to students¿ health in Cascavel-PR. Methods: 2180 students, being 1693 from public schools (882 boys and 811 girls) and 487 from private schools (226 boys and 261 girls) underwent anthropometrical measurements (body mass, height, skin fold thickness), body composition (body mass index-BMI, skin fold summation, relative fat and thin mass) and the following motor tests: sit and stretch (FLEX), one-minute abdominal compression test or "the hepatojugular reflux¿ (ABD), horizontal jump (SH), 50-meter run (50m) and 9-min run/walk (9 min). During the comparison of the rates among students who fitted the health criteria the ?2 test and the Fisher's Exact Test were applied, and the relation among the morphological variants and the motor tests was gotten through ¿stepwise¿ multiple regression analysis (p<0,05). Results: The prevalence of malnutrition, according to the relation BMI/I was lower than 1 %. On the other hand, the prevalence of obesity was 6% in public schools and 13% in private ones. In relation to motor performance, it was noticed that 65%, 25%, 29% of the analyzed students fitted the fold points established to health, according to the performance in the FLEX, ABD and 9 min motor tests, respectively. However, only 6% of the ones who were evaluated could fit the criteria adopted in these three tests. The morphological indexes used, when combined, explained 3%, 15%, 35%, 37% and 11% of the performance in the FLEX, ABD, SH, 50 m and 9 min tests, respectively. Conclusion: The results indicate that most of the evaluated students present with physical fitness levels related to health lower than the desired pattern, no matter which school they attend. The prevalence of obesity in private schools was nearly twice as much as in public schools, though / Doutorado / Saude da Criança e do Adolescente / Doutor em Saude da Criança e do Adolescente

Orientador: Antonio de Azevedo Barros Filho / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciencias Medicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-11T14:38:52Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Goncalves_LigiaAndreaPereira_D.pdf: 2150459 bytes, checksum: 83165ddf8a89e752ef127e8565e39e7b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008 / Resumo: Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi o de referir características de crescimento, antropometria nutricional, alterações de composição corporal e distribuição de gordura em relação à menarca de ginastas praticantes de Ginástica Rítmica de diferentes localidades do Brasil. Metodologia: Avaliou-se, 342 ginastas de 8 a 19 anos, de 11 estados e 24 cidades, no Torneio Nacional de Ginástica Rítmica. Os dados coletados antropométricos foram: estatura, peso, espessura da dobra cutânea tricipital (TR) e subescapular (SB), circunferência de braço e o índice de massa corporal (IMC), os valores de antropometria nutricional de área de braço (A. Braço), área de músculo (A. Músculo) e área de gordura (A. Gordura), porcentagem de gordura, massa magra e distribuição da gordura corporal, além da idade de menarca. Utilizou-se procedimentos da estatística descritiva, valores de escore Z considerando valores médios de estudos, análise de variâncias e valores de F. Resultados: O estudo pode verificar que as ginastas apresentaram valores inferiores aos referenciais, para todas as informações pesquisadas. Houve poucas diferenças referentes às comparações entre grupos etários. Estes resultados estão concordantes com outros estudos na modalidade, que demonstraram existir um perfil antropométrico especifico para o desenvolvimento da modalidade. Foi possível concluir que os escores z, colocados à + 2 DP e ¿ 2 DP, não confirmam característica de desnutrição, e desta forma, não existir carência nutricional. Quanto aos dados de composição corporal relacionados à maturação, os resultados demonstraram que, as ginastas que ainda não apresentaram menarca, têm valores de peso, estatura, IMC e massa magra com diferenças irrelevantes quando comparadas às pós-menarca. Contudo à quantidade e distribuição de gordura apontam valores inferiores favoráveis às ginastas (pré-menarca), além de diferenças significativas entre os grupos em várias faixas etárias. A variável que se mostrou mais sensível entre os grupos, foi à espessura da dobra cutânea subescapular, que denota o componente de centralização de gordura quanto a sua distribuição. Quando da comparação dos dois ficam evidentes: a) as diferenças entre todas as variáveis. b) as alterações são menos freqüentes no peso, estatura e IMC, e mais notadas na composição corporal, em especial a gordura. Conclusão: Em função deste estudo confirmamos que se por uma vertente não tenham sido constatadas diferenças significativas com estudos de referência no que diz respeito às questões de crescimento, por outra, um conjunto de modificações sucede o advento da menarca com relação às informações de composição corporal e distribuição de gordura, principalmente um aumento progressivo da adiposidade subescapular. Desta forma as atletas de Ginástica Rítmica apresentaram um perfil antropométrico específico para o desenvolvimento eficiente neste esporte. Palavras chaves: Composição Corporal, Menarca, Ginástica Rítmica / Abstract: Objective: The objective of this study was to analyze and to compare characteristic of growth, nutritional anthropometry, and alterations of body composition and distribution of fat in relation to the menarche of practicing gymnasts of Rhythmic Gymnastics of different localities of Brazil. Methodology: It was evaluated, 342 gymnasts of 8 the 19 years, 11 states and 24 cities, in the National Match of Rhythmic Gymnastics. The collected data anthropometrics had been: stature, weight, thickness of the triceps skinfold (TR) and to subscapular skinfold (SB), circumference of arm and the index of corporal mass (BMI), the values of nutritional anthropometry of arm area (Upper Arm Area), area of muscle (Upper Muscle Area) and area of fat (Upper Fat Area), percentage of fat, lean mass and distribution of the corporal fat, beyond the age of menarche. One used procedures of the descriptive statistics, values of props up Z considering average values of studies, analysis of variances and values of F. Results: The study it can verify that the gymnasts had presented inferior values to the references, for all the searched information. It had few referring differences to the comparisons between some year¿s groups. These results are concordant with other studies in the modality, that had demonstrated to exist an anthropometrics profile specify for the development of the modality. It was possible to conclude that you prop up them z, placed to + the 2 DP and - 2 DP, they do not confirm characteristic of malnutrition, and this form, not to exist nutritional lack. How much to the related data of body composition to the maturation, the results had demonstrated that, the gymnasts who had still not presented menarche, have values of weight, stature, IMC and lean mass with irrelevant differences when compared with the ones after-menarche. However to the amount and distribution of fat they point inferior values favorable to the gymnasts (daily pay-menarche), beyond significant differences between the groups in some years bands. The variable that if it showed more sensible between the groups, was to the thickness of the subscapular skinfold, that it denotes the component of centralization of fat how much its distribution. When of xivthe comparison of the two groups, they are evident: a) the differences between all the variable, b) the alterations are less frequent in the weight, stature and BMI, and more noticed in the body composition, special the fat. Conclusion: In function of this study we confirm that if for a source they have not been evidenced significant differences with information considering in that it says respect the growth questions, for another one, a set of modifications succeeds the advent of the menarche with relation to the information of body composition and distribution of fat, mainly a gradual increase of the adiposity to subscapular. Of this form the athletes of Rhythmic Gymnastics had presented a specific anthropometric profile for the efficient development in this sport. Key Words: Body Composition, Menarche, Rhythmic Gymnastics / Doutorado / Saude da Criança e do Adolescente / Doutor em Saude da Criança e do Adolescente