The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of dynamic and static stretching on muscular peak power production and hip and knee range of motion in a sample of college age recreational males. Forty-two males (aged 18-24) healthy, physically active volunteers from a University of Pittsburgh physical education class participated as subjects in this investigation. Subjects performed pre and post test measures of sit and reach, hip and knee goniometry measures, and vertical jump test. A one repetition maximum leg press was performed prior to pre-tests to determine group differences in strength. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of three stretch groups (dynamic, static, and control). All subjects began with a five minute warm-up on an upright cycle that elevated the heart rate to 110 beats per minute. Following the warm-up period, subjects immediately began their stretching program (dynamic or static), or remained seated for 12 minutes. A one-way ANOVA was conducted to detect group differences in strength levels conducted during pre-tests. A 3x2 factorial ANOVA was conducted to determine between and within group differences in treatment groups. Statistical significance was set at á = 0.05. Results of the investigation showed significant time effects for all dependent measures (p < 0.05). Significant time x treatment interactions were found for maximum jump height, maximum peak power, and sit and reach in the DS and SS + DS groups, respectively (p < 0.05). However, there was no time x treatment interactions for mean jump height, mean peak power, knee range of motion, or hip range of motion. The results of the present study suggest that static and dynamic stretching for 20 seconds prior to a vertical jump can improve mean vertical jump height, mean peak power, and hip and knee range of motion in a sample of male college age recreational athletes. Future research is needed to investigate the effect of intensity of stretch on force production, and the relationship between stretch intensity and duration on force production to establish a dose-response relationship between stretching and its effect on force production.

The purpose of this research study was to examine the association of cortisol levels to exertional perception and exercise induced changes in affect during a bout of exercise. It was expected that increased levels of salivary cortisol would be associated with a negative shift in affect in response to a submaximal and maximal treadmill test. It was also hypothesized that increased levels of salivary cortisol levels would be associated with an increased perception of exertion during a submaximal and maximal treadmill test. Males and females between 27 and 35 years of age (n=33) were recruited to participate in this study. Salivary cortisol was assessed at baseline, 5 minutes after the submaximal treadmill test, 5 minutes after the maximal treadmill test, and 30 minutes after the maximal treadmill test. Affect was measured using the Total Mood Disturbance (TMD) score of the Profile of Mood Scale (POMS). The greater the TMD scores, the more negative the mood. Affect was measured at baseline, 5 minutes after the submaximal treadmill test, 5 minutes after the maximal treadmill test, and 30 minutes after the maximal treadmill test. Perceived exertion (RPE) was measured using the OMNI Scale of Perceived Exertion. Final RPE for legs, chest and breathing, and overall body was assessed during the final minute of the submaximal treadmill test, and immediately at the end of the maximal treadmill test. Session RPE was assessed 5 minutes after the cessation of both the submaximal and maximal treadmill test. Partial correlations were conducted to examine the association between cortisol values, affect, and RPE. Results indicated there was a positive correlation between cortisol values and negative affect. This association was found only in males and the correlation was strongest in both the change in cortisol levels from baseline to 5 minutes and 30 minutes after the maximal treadmill test and the change in affect from baseline to 5 minutes after the maximal treadmill test. Final RPE assessed for the maximal treadmill test was positively correlated with cortisol levels 30 minutes after maximal treadmill test. This correlation was found only in females. There appears to be evidence that increased cortisol levels post exercise are associated with a negative mood shift following a maximal treadmill test and higher perceived exertion during a maximal treadmill test. Future examination of the association among cortisol levels, affect, and perceived exertion during exercise is warranted. Examining the physiological and psychological responses to exercise may assist with the development of better strategies that will help increase exercise adaptation and adherence.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the changes in muscular strength, physical function and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) with the addition of resistance training to a 12 week behavioral weight loss intervention in overweight and obese adults. METHODS: Forty-eight overweight adults (body mass index = 33.3�3.5 kg/m2) participated in this study. Thirty-eight subjects completed the 12 week behavioral weight loss intervention consisting of weekly behavioral counseling and weekly exercise sessions. Twenty-two subjects completed the 12 week standard behavioral weight loss intervention (SBWI) and sixteen subjects completed the 12 week home-based resistance exercise program (HBRE). The following measurements were performed at baseline and again at week 12: body weight, body mass index, body composition, muscular strength (1 RM chest press and 1 RM leg extension), physical function and HRQOL. RESULTS: A repeated measures ANOVA showed that there were significant decreases from baseline to week 12 for body weight, body mass index, lean body mass, and percent body fat. Measures of physical function showed improvement in step-up time, walk test time, chair rise time, and single leg balance time. There was a significant reduction in absolute upper body muscular strength, with no significant change in absolute lower body muscular strength. There were significant improvements is subscales of HRQOL for role physical, vitality, and general health (p<0.05), with a trend towards improvement in physical functioning (p=0.07). There were no significant differences in the pattern of change in any of the outcome measures between SBWI and HBRE. However, compliance to prescribed resistance exercise was approximately 40% of prescribed exercise days for HBRE. CONCLUSION: Overall, this investigation produced positive changes from baseline to week 12 in the outcome variables of weight, body composition, physical function, and HRQOL. Resistance exercise did not further improve these outcomes compared to what was achieved with a non-resistance exercise behavioral weight loss intervention. This may have been a result of less than optimal compliance to the resistance exercise training aspect of the intervention in HBRE. These results imply that the addition of resistance training to a standard behavioral weight loss program offers no increased benefit in the variables of interest, possibly resulting from low compliance, and future studies should examine strategies to improve the compliance to resistance exercise in overweight adults undertaking a behavioral weight loss intervention.

PURPOSE: To examine the effect of aerobic exercise intensity on components of the differentiated perceived exertion model in young women performing weight bearing and non-weight bearing aerobic exercise. METHODS: Subjects were 18-25 yr old women who were recreationally active (N = 19; VO2max = 33.40 ml/kg/min) and trained (N = 22; VO2max = 43.3 ml/kg/min). Subjects underwent two graded exercise tests (GXT) separated by 48 hours. The first GXT used a treadmill and employed a modified Bruce protocol to assess ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and VO2max. The second GXT used a cycle ergometer with a load incremented protocol to assess RPE and VO2peak. RPE-Overall, -Legs, and Chest, as well as oxygen uptake (VO2) and heart rate were recorded each minute. Individual regression analyses were used to identify RPE-Overall,-Legs, and -Chest at 40, 60, 80% VO2max/peak. Separate two factor (site (3) x intensity (3)) ANOVAs with repeated measures on site and intensity were computed for each training status. Furthermore, RPE responses were also examined with a one factor (site (3)) within subject ANOVA with repeated measure on site at the ventilatory breakpoint. RESULTS: For both the recreationally active and trained groups no significant differences were observed for RPE-Overall, -Legs, and Chest during treadmill exercise. However, for cycling exercise results indicated that RPE-Legs was significantly greater at all exercise intensities than RPE-Overall and RPE-Chest for trained subjects while for recreationally active subjects RPE-Legs was only significantly higher at the highest exercise intensity. Responses at the ventilatory breakpoint during cycle exercise indicated that RPE-Legs was significantly greater than RPE-Chest and RPE-Overall for trained subjects but not for recreationally active subjects. Signal dominance was not observed at an intensity equivalent to the ventilatory breakpoint during treadmill exercise in either of the groups. CONCLUSION: In recreationally active and trained females signal dominance was demonstrated only during cycling exercise, but not during treadmill exercise. Signal integration could not be demonstrated during cycling and treadmill exercise at various intensities.

Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and is usually diagnosed between the ages of two and three years (2-4). The term autism refers to not one disorder but a group of disorders known as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). ASD is described as impairment in one or more of the following three categories: reciprocal social interaction, communication, and specific pattern of behaviors, interest, and activities. For any of these impairments, the child has the potential to display distressed behaviors (5). Distressed behaviors can include verbal outburst, self stimulatory behaviors, aggression, etc. and various other behaviors of concerns. Distressed behaviors, such as hand flapping, appear to form a functional response to stimuli this response often negatively impacts others. These behaviors are more likely among persons who are receiving aversive stimulation, such as having to engage in non preferred academic task. (5). Of concern in this paper is can the use of physical activity decrease distressed behavior. The literature demonstrates that increasing physical activity can has also demonstrated decreased distressed behaviors; unfortunately physical education programs have been decreasing in many public schools (11). Along with academic and behavioral benefits, there is a well established link between physical activity and positive health outcomes. A large part of this risk is associated with physical inactivity. The majority of literature regarding physical activity involves children who are typically developing. This study will apply these findings to a student with Autism. This research will introduce three ten minute bouts of noncontingent physical activity per day will decrease distressed behavior and increase time-ontask. A single subject design was utilized to observe a student with autism in a classroom setting. It was hypothesized that a correlation exists between physical activity, distressed behavior, and time-ontask. During this study a wealth of data were collected regarding the impact of physical activity on distressed behaviors and time-on-task. The Fischer exact probability test was significance (p =.025); from base line through intervention the subject decreased the number of disruptive behaviors. This study demonstrated that physical activity should be implemented amongst students with Autism to decrease distressed behaviors for a single subject.

Females incur non-contact anterior cruciate ligament injuries at a rate four to six times higher than their male peers. This increased incidence may be attributed to lower extremity biomechanical differences between girls and boys during landings from athletic maneuvers. While most of the published literature focuses on a postpubsent population, there are little data investigating the differences between prepubescent girls and boys. The purpose of this study was to investigate if biomechanical differences at the knee were present between prepubescent girls and boys during a landing and jumping task. Nineteen (10 boys / 9 girls) prepubescent soccer players participated in this study. A motion analysis system and force plate were used to collect data. Knee flexion/extension angle, varus/valgus angle, vertical ground reaction forces and anterior tibial shear force were assessed during the vertical jump and landing task. Statistical analysis revealed no significant differences between genders for vertical ground reaction force, peak posterior ground reaction force, anterior tibial shear force, knee flexion/extension and varus/valgus angle at peak vertical ground reaction force and varus/valgus angle at initial contact with the force plate. There was significance between genders for the knee flexion/extension angle at initial contact with the force plate for the landing task only. The results of this research indicate that the biomechanical differences of the lower extremity may emerge during or after puberty. Based upon these findings, it may be appropriate to initiate injury prevention programs at an earlier age to aid in correcting the high risk biomechanical differences typically seen in the postpubescent population.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this project was to examine concurrent and construct validity of two newly developed Adult OMNI Elliptical Ergometry ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) Scales. METHODS: Fifty-nine sedentary to recreationally active, college-aged volunteers (males, n = 30; age = 21.3 + 3.3 yrs and females, n = 29; 22.3 + 3.5 yrs) participated in this study. A single observation, cross-sectional perceptual estimation trial was employed with subjects exercising to volitional fatigue on an elliptical ergometer. Oxygen consumption (VO2), heart rate (HR) and RPE-Overall Body (O), Legs (L) and Chest/Breathing (C) were recorded each stage from the Borg 15 Category Scale and two different OMNI RPE scale formats. One scale maintained the original format of the OMNI Picture System of Perceived Exertion. The second scale modified verbal, numerical and pictorial descriptors at the low end of the response range. Concurrent validity was established by correlating RPE-O, L and C from each scale with VO2 and HR obtained from each test stage during the estimation trial. Construct validity was established by correlating RPE-O, L and C from the Adult OMNI Elliptical Ergometry Scales with RPE-O, L and C from the Borg Scale. RESULTS: Correlation analyses indicated the relation between RPE-O, L and C from each OMNI RPE Scale distributed as a positive linear function of both VO2 (males, r = .941 - .951 and females, r = .930 - .946) and HR (males, r = .950 - .960 and females, r = .963 - .966). A strong, positive relation was also exhibited between differentiated and undifferentiated RPE from the Adult OMNI Elliptical Ergometry Scales and the Borg 15 Category Scale (males, r = .961 - .972 and females, r = .973 - .977). CONCLUSION: Concurrent and construct validity were established for both formats of the Adult OMNI Elliptical Ergometry Scale during partial weight bearing exercise. Either scale can be used to estimate RPE during elliptical ergometer exercise in health-fitness settings. However, because of the potential use of RPE in caloric expenditure indices and prediction models, the modified scale depicting the rest pictorial may be more practical.

The incidence of morbid obesity (BMI ≥ 40 kgmˉ²) is increasing at an exponential rate. Currently, the most viable option for weight loss is bariatric surgery. Success following surgical procedure is guided by the individuals ability to make behavioral changes. A better understanding of the physical activity behavior of individuals who undergo bariatric surgery will enable the development of effective post-surgical exercise guidelines and interventions to enhance surgical weight loss outcomes. PURPOSE: To define the physical activity profile of subjects 2-5 years post bariatric surgery by examining the relationship between physical activity and weight loss. Additionally, this study examines the association between physical function, psychosocial correlates of physical activity, and weight loss. METHODS: Thirty-seven adults (percentage excess weight loss (%EWL) = 62.15 ±19.93, age = 50.76 ±9.99 years) participated. Subjects wore an activity monitor to measure their physical activity. Body height, weight, physical function, psychosocial variables of physical activity (self-efficacy, expected outcomes (benefits) and perceived barriers) and health related quality of life were measured. Assessment also included demographics, medical history, and dietary questionnaires. RESULTS: This study determined that subjects who have undergone bariatric surgery participated in 205.33 ±136.98 minutes per week of ≥ 3METs for ≥ 1 minute bouts. The average dropped to 47.56 ± 69.84 minutes per week when including only bouts of 10 continuous minutes or more. Physical activity was correlated with %EWL (r=0.47, p=<0.01) and self-efficacy (r=0.39, p<=0.02), but not with physical function, expected outcomes (benefits), perceived barriers, or HRQOL. Physical function was correlated with %EWL (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The subjects activity level failed to meet standards that have been shown necessary for weight maintenance. Those subjects that were more confident in their ability to exercise were more active and had more success losing weight. These findings suggest that behavioral interventions should include a strategy to address self-efficacy. The disparity between physical activity and physical function would suggest that subjects are capable of performing most exercise and mobility activities. Future research should focus on exercise interventions that address self-efficacy and other behavioral barriers (e.g. musculoskeletal pain, psychosocial factors, and social stigma) with the goal of maximizing post surgical weight loss success.

Improving the quality of physical education is necessary to achieve potential health-benefits in the child and adolescent populations. PURPOSE: This study described instruction time, teacher qualifications and facilities available to support physical education in high schools (10th, 11th, 12th grades) located in Southwestern Pennsylvania, and examined whether there are demographic characteristics of the school (locale, size, socio-economic status) that affect these components. METHODS: 39 of the 91 public high schools in Allegheny, Beaver, Indiana and Westmoreland counties were recruited to participate in this cross-sectional quantitative study. The physical education department chairperson or physical education teacher designated by the school district was invited to complete an electronic self-administered survey. The online survey assessed time requirements for physical education, teacher qualifications, and instructional facilities that the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) has identified to be important for offering quality physical education programs. RESULTS: The number of days that physical education was offered per week was 2.8±1.4, 2.7±1.4, and 2.5±1.4 in 10th, 11th, and 12th grades, respectively. Physical education was offered for 104.9±54.3, 100.1±55.1, and 92.3±53.4 min/wk in 10th, 11th, and 12th grades, respectively. Further analysis showed that the allocated physical education instruction time was not influenced by physical education teacher qualifications or facilities available to support physical education instruction. Moreover, the pattern of results was not affected by school size, school locale, or socio-economic status of the school. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that high schools in Southwestern Pennsylvania do not offer physical education daily and do not offer the recommended 225 minutes of physical education per week. It does not appear that the factors recommended by NASPE influence the amount of time that is allocated for physical education instruction. However, this does not suggest that these factors do not influence physical activity time within physical education. Thus, it may be necessary to revise the NASPE guidelines for quality physical education to include participation in physical activity rather than duration of instruction time.

Mastery in fundamental movement skill (FMS) performance (e.g., kicking, jumping, throwing) has been considered an important factor in preventing unhealthy weight gain (Okely, Booth & Chey, 2004); as well as helping increases in participation of organized and habitual physical activity (Foley, Harvey, Chun & Kim, 2008; Hume, Okely, Bagley, Telford, Booth, Crawford & Salmon, 2008; Mazzardo, 2008; Okely, Booth & Chey, 2004; Okely, Booth & Patterson, 2001) among children and adolescents. Thus, assessing FMS development becomes crucial in school settings. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to develop and collect initial validity evidence for a new observational assessment tool (FG-COMPASS) to evaluate FMS development of children 5- to 10 years of age. In Phase I of this study, 110 video clips of children performing 5 locomotor and 6 object-control FMS were developed. In Phase II, the rating scales (composite decision trees) were developed for each FMS. In addition, the efficacy of the decision trees was evaluated by comparing judgments of 30 undergraduate students with a standard. Weighted kappa indicated that the agreement was best for hop (Kw= .85), followed by strike and batting (Kw= .79), skip (Kw= .77), overhand throw (Kw= .74), catch and hand dribble (Kw= .72), and horizontal jump (Kw= .70). The poorest agreement occurred in the skills of kick (Kw= .51), and side slide and leap (Kw= .61). The proportion of specific agreement (Ps) was calculated for each skill with the purpose to find out the source of disagreement. Skills that had at least one category (e.g., initial, elementary, mature) with Ps values below .70 were further inspected. Six skills were selected for further analysis (side slide, horizontal jump, leap, kick, hand dribble, and overhand throw). The decision trees for all six skills underwent modifications. In conclusion, this study provided initial validity evidence that the decision trees (rating scale) developed for the FG-COMPASS could be used to classify individuals based on their FMS development. However, reliability and objectivity studies need to be conducted to test the feasibility of this instrument when used in the field.