Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the association between parental patterns of physical activity (PA) from adolescence to young adulthood and parental beliefs for child PA. Methods: Of 231 eligible participants, 108 completed a questionnaire (72% female, 27% minority, 29.5 ± 1.2 years) assessing their importance and encouragement beliefs for child PA. Importance and encouragement belief scores were summed to yield two scores, each from 7-35. PA was measured using the same questionnaire during adolescence and young adulthood to yield a summary score in hours per week of PA. Spearman correlations, univariate, and multivariate analyses were used to examine beliefs across categories of PA. Results: Spearman correlations revealed weak, positive associations between beliefs and PA for both genders. After adjusting for appropriate covariates, moderate levels of adolescent PA were positively associated with encouragement beliefs in males (p=0.02), and moderate levels of young adult PA was positively associated with encouragement beliefs in females (p=0.04). Multivariate analyses also showed that females with persistently moderate levels of PA from adolescence to young adulthood had higher encouragement beliefs than females with persistently low levels of PA (p=0.04). No significant differences were found for importance beliefs. Conclusions: Overall, moderate levels of PA appear to be positively associated with encouragement for child PA. The association was moderated by parent gender and PA behavior. These results add an important element to previous research that has examined the link between parental encouragement and child PA, and may be useful for interventions that focus on improving parental encouragement for child PA.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this investigation was to develop and validate a one-repetition maximum (1-RM) prediction model for the upper and the lower body in non-resistance trained women. METHODS: Sixty seven healthy, non-resistance trained women between the ages of 18 and 25 years volunteered for this investigation. The investigation was performed in 2 phases. During phase I, all subjects completed 2 experimental sessions. During the first session, subjects performed a bench press repetition to fatigue (RTF) test with 45 lb and 55 lb. Subjects also performed a leg press RTF with 175 lb and 215 lb. Additional variables that were measured were: body height (in.), body weight (lb), and sum of skinfolds (mm). During the second session, subjects performed a 1-RM bench press and a 1-RM leg press. Phase II of the experiment involved the development and validation of 1-RM prediction models for the bench press and the leg press exercise. RESULTS: A stepwise regression analysis was carried out to develop a 1-RM prediction model for the bench press exercise and for the leg press exercise. The initial set of predictor variables considered for the upper body prediction model were: RTF with the bench press, body height (in.), body weight (lb), and sum of skinfolds (mm). The variable selected by the stepwise regression analysis for inclusion in the bench press prediction model was RTF with 55 lb (r = 0.914). The model to predict 1-RM bench press was: Model I: 1-RM bench press = 56.199 + 1.94(RTF55). A paired samples t-test indicated that the difference between the mean measured and mean predicted 1-RM was not significant (p>.05). The correlation between the measured and the predicted 1-RM values for the bench press was r = 0.935. The initial set of predictor variables considered for the lower body prediction model were: RTF with the leg press, body height (in.), body weight (lb), and sum of skinfolds (mm). The variables selected by the stepwise regression analysis for inclusion in the leg press prediction model were RTF with 215 lb and body weight (lb) (r = 0.798). The model to predict 1-RM leg press was: Model II: 1-RM leg press = 145.099 + 2.752 (RTF215) + .618 (body weight). A paired samples t-test indicated that the difference between the mean measured and mean predicted 1-RM was not significant (p>.05). The correlation between the measured and the predicted 1-RM values for the leg press was r = 0.695. CONCLUSION: The models developed in this investigation can be used to estimate the upper and/or lower body 1-RM strength of non-resistance trained women. These models will be useful for coaches, personal trainers, and fitness professionals who wish to design strength-training programs to enhance performance and the health-fitness levels of recreationally active females.

Declines in physical activity (PA) and increases in obesity levels in children have prompted increasing interest in understanding childrens PA behavior. The mastery of fundamental movement skills (FMS) is a potential correlate of the involvement of childrens participation in PA as stated in the Surgeon Generals Report (1996) and in the Youth Physical Activity Promotion Model. This research study investigated the relationship between FMS and PA in second grade children. It is hypothesized that a positive moderate correlation exists between FMS and PA. Body mass index (BMI) was tested as a moderator of the relationship of FMS and PA. The study investigated the associations among total FMS, manipulative skills, locomotor skills, habitual PA, organized PA, sedentary behavior, and BMI for males and females. To assess FMS a process-oriented technique was used. Mann-Whitney and t-tests were used to test for gender differences and spearman correlations, and hierarchical regression analyses were used to test relationships. Gender differences were observed for total FMS, manipulative skills, and step count, therefore further analysis were conducted separately for males and females. The strength of the relationship of FMS and PA in second grade children in this study was gender and skill specific. Habitual PA was positively correlated with total FMS and manipulative skills for males. No significant correlations were found for females. The organized PA was positively correlated with total FMS for males and females and locomotor skills for females. BMI was not a moderator of the correlations of habitual PA and FMS. These results expanded previous research conducted with product-oriented FMS assessments in elementary school children. Results of this study are important for PE teachers and parents. Physical education and physical activity intervention programs must target motor skill development, especially the manipulative skills, which appears to be needed for increasing childrens PA behavior.

INFLUENCE OF DIET-INDUCED WEIGHT LOSS AND MODERATE AEROBIC EXERCISE ON SKELETAL MUSCLE FIBER AREA IN OVERWEIGHT OLDER ADULTS. Chomentowski P, University of Pittsburgh While diet-induced weight loss is a common method for the reduction of excess fat-mass, there is also a concomitant reduction in lean fat-free mass. This loss of lean muscle mass could exacerbate the loss of muscle mass, i.e. sarcopenia, that normally occurs in older men and women. However, the effects of intentional diet-induced weight loss on the loss of muscle mass in older adults have not been elucidated. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of diet-induced weight loss, alone and in combination with moderate aerobic exercise, on skeletal muscle mass in older adults. METHODS: Twenty-nine overweight(BMI=31.81±3.37kg/m2) older(67.23±4.2years) men(n=13) and women(n=16) completed a 4-month intervention consisting of diet-induced weight loss(WL) with or without or exercise(WL/EX).The WL intervention consisted of a 10% reduction in total body weight(kg) through a caloric restriction of 500-1000kcal/day.The WL/EX group achieved the same weight loss and exercised 3-5 times a week, 35-45 minutes, at a heart rate 65-75% of maximal predicted. Whole body DEXA, thigh computed tomography(CT) and a percutaneous muscle biopsy on the left vastus lateralis were collected to assess changes in skeletal muscle mass. RESULTS: Mixed ANOVA demonstrated both groups had decreases in mean bodyweight (WL, -9.2%; WL/EX, -9.1%) and whole body fat mass (WL, -17%; WL/EX, -21%). However, whole body fat-free mass decreased in the WL (-4%) and didnt change in the WL/EX (-1%). Similarly, Type I muscle fiber area decreased in the WL (-19%) and remained unchanged in the WL/EX (<1%). Type IIA fiber area decreased in both groups (WL, -15%; WL/EX, -8%). There was no change in Type IIX fiber area between WL and WL/EX. Thigh muscle cross-sectional area by CT decreased in both groups (WL, -5%; WL/EX, -4%). CONCLUSION: Diet-induced weight loss in the absence of increased physical activity significantly decreased fat-free muscle mass in older adults. Further, the addition of moderate aerobic exercise to intentional weight loss attenuated or prevented the loss of muscle mass in overweight to obese older adults.

Impaired metabolism of fatty acids is associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Based on evidence in lean adults, the expected response of skeletal muscle to aerobic training is an increase in the oxidation of fatty acids. However, considerably less is known about the response of fat oxidation to aerobic training in those with obesity and/or T2D. PURPOSE: 1) To determine if sedentary overweight adults with and without type 2 diabetes exhibit significant improvements in fatty acid metabolism at rest and during physical activity due to endurance training. 2) To compare changes in the oxidation of intramuscular triacylglycerols (IMTG) during sub-maximal exercise between those with and without T2D. METHODS: 13 (10 without T2D, 3 with T2D) overweight (BMI: 28-40 kg/m2) men and women aged 28-55 completed an 8-week aerobic exercise intervention. Pre and post intervention, all subjects underwent a DEXA, maximal graded exercise test, and indirect calorimetry with non-radioactive labeled isotopes palmitate and acetate to determine energy expenditure, fat oxidation, and source of fatty acids for oxidation at rest and during exercise. RESULTS: VO2max improved by an average of 14% (40.8+1.6 to 46.5+1.7ml/kg LBM/min) in the OW group (p<0.01) and 13.4% (34.8+4.5 to 38.0+1.7 ml/kg/LBM/min) in the T2D group (p=0.10). A non-significant increase in whole body fat oxidation during exercise was measured in both the OW (6.2%) and T2D (5.1%) group. There were no changes in whole body fat oxidation at rest in either group. Before and after intervention, IMTG oxidation during exercise was 4.13 + 1.7 and 5.5 + 2.3 uMol/kg Changes in Fat Oxidation with Endurance Activity in Adults with and without Type 2 Diabetes Anne Mathews, RD, PhD University of Pittsburgh, 2008 v LBM/min in OW and 3.42 + 1.9 and 2.41 + 2.8 uMol/kg LBM/min in T2D. These changes were not significant due to the intervention (p=0.62). CONCLUSIONS: Eight weeks of moderate intensity aerobic exercise results in increased cardiorespiratory fitness but not a significant increase in whole body fatty acid oxidation during rest and exercise in overweight adults with or without type 2 diabetes. Moreover, oxidation of fatty acids from IMTG was not enhanced by the 8-week intervention.

Behavioral weight loss programs typically result in short-term weight loss of approximately 7-10%. However, it is important to continue to develop innovative weight loss treatments for the overweight and obese to improve upon this weight loss and related outcomes. PURPOSE: To examine the effect of mindfulness meditation and home-based resistance exercise on weight loss, weight loss behaviors, and various psychosocial correlates in overweight adults across a 6-month behavioral weight loss intervention. METHODS: Seventy-one subjects (BMI = 32.9+3.7 kg/m2; age = 45.1+8.3 years) participated in a 6-month behavioral weight loss intervention. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups: standard behavioral weight loss program (SBWL, n=24), SBWL plus resistance exercise (RT, n=23), or SBWL plus mindfulness training (MD, n=24). All participants were instructed to decrease energy intake to 1200-1500 kcal/d and dietary fat intake to 20-30% of total energy intake, increase physical activity to 300 min/wk, and attend weekly group meetings. SBWL+RT consisted of the addition a resistance training component using resistance tubing and exercise balls. SBWL+MD consisted of mindfulness training using meditation, yoga, and mindful eating techniques. Body weight, process measures of weight loss (physical activity, energy intake, eating behavior inventory), and psychosocial correlates of weight loss (eating and physical activity self-efficacy, outcome expectations (benefits) and barriers to exercise, dietary restraint and disinhibition, and body image) were measured at 0, 3, and 6 months. RESULTS: Weight significantly decreased in all groups at 6 months (p<0.05), but did not differ between groups (SBWL= -6.1±2.4 kg; SBWL+RT= -8.8±1.9 kg, SBWL+MD= -8.0±0.2 kg). Physical activity significantly increased in all groups at 3 months (average increase = 833+439 kcal/wk) (p<0.05), but did not differ between groups. Adoption of weight loss eating behaviors increased in all groups (p<0.05) with no significant difference between groups. Physical activity and eating self-efficacy, dietary restraint, and most subscales of body image increased over the 6-month intervention, while dietary disinhibition, perceived hunger, and overall exercise barriers decreased significantly over time, with no difference between the groups. Significant decreases in body weight were correlated with improvements in physical activity and weight loss eating behaviors (p<.05), but not with decreases in energy intake. Significant correlates of physical activity included perceived barriers to physical activity (negative), physical activity self-efficacy (positive), and some subscales of body image (positive). Significant correlates of weight loss eating behaviors included body image (positive), eating self-efficacy (positive), dietary restraint (positive), dietary disinhibition (negative), and perceived hunger (negative). CONCLUSIONS: The behavioral weight loss intervention resulted in significant weight loss and improvements in physical activity and eating behaviors. However, the addition of resistance exercise or mindfulness training did not improve these short-term outcomes. It remains important that alternative behavioral approaches be examined over a longer duration to improve weight-related outcomes in overweight adults.

This study examined the effect of acute physical activity on cognitive tasks of 37, 7th and 8th grade females. Subjects cognitive performance following acute physical activity was hypothesized to be significantly better on five tasks (choice reaction time, probed memory, dual task, vigilance, executive function) used in the study, with no significant difference in performance hypothesized for the sixth (simple reaction time). The study assessed cognitive tasks twice, following a 30 minute sedentary period and 30 minutes of physical activity. The within subject design compared the independent variable of physical activity level (activity or none) on the dependent variables simple reaction time, choice reaction time, dual task-tracking and simple reaction time, vigilance, probed memory, and executive function. Results indicated that for the simple reaction time task subjects demonstrated significantly faster (reaction and movement) times following acute physical activity. For choice reaction time the percent of correct responses was significantly higher following sedentary behavior, while for choice reaction and movement time, subjects were significantly faster following acute physical activity. Analysis of probed memory reported no significance between the scores following the two activity sessions. Analysis of dual task reported no significance for two subcomponents, however a significant difference was reported for the third subcomponent. Analysis of vigilance reported subjects demonstrated significantly improved performance on two subcomponents following physical activity. Analysis of the third subcomponent did not report significance. Performance on the executive function task was mixed with no significance reported for subjects between the following physical activity and following sedentary behavior scores, while significance was reported with regard to time to complete the task. Levels of significance were not reached for every task, however there was a trend consistent with expectations for those that did not reach significance (With the exception of choice reaction time percentage of correct responses.), following physical activity, performance was better.

Objective: The purpose of this investigation is to examine the association of genetic variations in 4 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the AKT1 gene and 3 SNPs of the AMPKá2 gene with percent change in lean muscle mass, arm mass-adjusted strength, and leg mass-adjusted strength following a resistance exercise training (RET) program while controlling for the effects of age, gender, and RET history. These genes are part of the mTOR signaling pathway, which has been shown to be an important mediator of protein synthesis in adult animals. Design: Participants were young men and women (age 18-31) from the Molecular Epidemiology of Resistance Exercise Training (MERET) study who completed 10 weeks of RET. Participants trained 3 days per week at 75% of one repetition maximum, performing 3 sets (6-10 repetitions) of 13 resistance exercises. Results: There were no significant associations between the individual AKT1 and AMPKá2 SNPs examined in this investigation to percent changes in lean muscle mass, arm mass-adjusted strength, or leg mass-adjusted strength following RET. However, significant interactions between various SNPS of the AKT1 and AMPKá2 genes and measures of muscle mass and strength were observed. Conclusion: The results of this investigation suggest that future research involving the mTOR signaling pathway and its association to variations in the individual response of skeletal muscle response to standardized RET is warranted.

Dance, Dance Revolution (DDR) is an innovative product that combines the popularity of video games with a dance activity component. DDR has the potential to be an activity that results in sufficient energy expenditure (EE) and one children will find enjoyable. Research is necessary to quantify and provide more adequate data on the EE of DDR. In addition, to date there are no published data on the enjoyment of DDR. PURPOSE: To examine the EE and enjoyment of a single bout of DDR in severely overweight children compared to alternative forms of physical activity. METHODS: Twenty severely overweight (body mass percentile for age and sex = 98.3±0.86%) children (10 boys and 10 girls) between 9 and 12 years of age (10.6+1.23 years) performed experimental trials for three separate modes of activity; treadmill walking, in-home walking video, and DDR. Each testing session consisted of a single activity bout that was 15 minutes in duration. EE was assessed using indirect calorimetry with data summed over the 15 minute activity session. Perceived enjoyment was assessed immediately after each testing session using the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale. RESULTS: No significant differences were found for EE (p=0.115) among modes of activity. Separate comparisons revealed DDR elicited a statistically lower EE than the walk video (70.84+16.58 vs. 60.65+15.95 kcal; p=0.010) and a non-statistically lower EE than the treadmill walk (78.0±34.42 vs. 62.30±15.53 kcal; p=0.093). Significant differences were found for enjoyment (p=0.598) among mode of activity. DDR elicited a higher level of enjoyment than the treadmill walk and walk video (71.45+10.72 vs. 64.25+9.71 vs. 66.75+11.85; p=001). No gender effect was observed for EE (p=0.446) or enjoyment (p=0.468) across modes of activity. CONCLUSIONS: The present investigation was the first to investigate the EE and enjoyment of DDR in severely overweight children. It was also the first to compare the EE and enjoyment of DDR to alternate forms of activity. Thus, future research should further investigate the EE and enjoyment of DDR and how this compares to alternate forms of activity. Findings from such research may assist in further understanding how interactive video games such as DDR may be successfully used in interventions to promote physical activity in children.

Developing valid and reliable portable devices to assess energy expenditure (EE) has been and still remains a challenge to researchers. The SenseWear Pro Armband¥ (SWA) is a device that utilizes a combination of measurement techniques in an attempt to increase the accuracy of predicting EE. Current research has produced conflicting results when validating this device in children and no research has focused on the validity of this device in severely overweight children. PURPOSE: The primary aim of this investigation was to examine the validity of the SWA to assess EE during various modes of activity in severely overweight children. METHODS: Twenty severely overweight children (10 boys, 10 girls) between 9-12 years of age participated in validation trials for three modes of exercise that included treadmill walking, a walk video, and Dance, Dance Revolution (DDR). During each exercise protocol, EE was measured simultaneously by indirect calorimetry (IC) and the SWA. RESULTS: There were significant differences between IC (70.84+29.65) and the armband (96.18+36.33) for assessing EE for the walk video (p=0.002). There were trends towards significance between EE from IC (78.26+29.65) and the SWA (88.99+31.18) for treadmill walking (p=0.097) and between IC (62.30+15.53) and the armband (75.60+31.67) for DDR (p=0.054). For all exercise modes, EE estimated from the armband was greater than EE measured by IC. There was a significant correlation between these two devices when assessing EE during treadmill walking (r=0.591, p=0.006), the walk video (r=0.849, p<0.001), and DDR (r=0.654, p=0.008). Results also demonstrated that there was no significant effect of gender on the validity of the armband to estimate EE compared to IC. CONCLUSION: The SWA overestimated EE for all modes of activity. The accuracy of the armband does not appear to vary by gender for these activities in severely overweight children. These findings demonstrate the need to increase the accuracy of this device in estimating EE in severely overweight children during these modes of activity. Future studies should be conducted to confirm the findings of this investigation and to expand on the research related to refinement of the SWA technology and algorithms to estimate EE in severely overweight children.