In this study twenty-two commercial real estate salespeople were randomly assigned to one of four experimental conditions: (1) pretest, training, posttest; (2) pretest, no training, posttest; (3) no pretest, training, posttest; (4) no pretest, no training, posttest. The training groups participated in a monitored aerobics training program designed by the Institute for Aerobics Research, Dallas, Texas. In conclusion, it appears that an improvement in employee cardiorespiratory fitness does not necessarily lead to an improvement in job satisfaction or job performance. It is important to note, however, several possible explanations for these results. First, the pretest scores for the Job Descriptive Index were already quite high indicating there was not much room for improvement on posttest scores. Secondly, with regard to performance scores the; small number of subjects may have contributed to the lack of statistical significance. The study had a 46 percent subject loss rate. Thirdly, it would have been more useful to have had subjects who earned approximately the same amount or, at least, did not have the enormous differences in earnings found in this study. Finally, it is suggested that commissions be watched for more than one sales cycle. By incorporating these changes, future studies will have a better chance of determining whether employee fitness affects employee performance or employee satisfaction.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of nonexercise (N-EX) data, specifically, the Perceived Functional Ability (PFA) and Physical Activity Rating (PA-R) questionnaires, with the treadmill walk-jog-run protocol to estimate VO2max in 12 to 17 year old boys and girls. Ninety-one participants (49 males and 42 females) took part in this study. Data were collected via PFA and PA-R questionnaires, a walk-jog-run submaximal treadmill test, and a maximal graded exercise test (GXT). Data collected included gender, age, height, weight, PFA and PA-R scores, heart rate (HR), treadmill speed, maximal treadmill grade, respiratory exchange ratio (RER), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and VO2max. Regression analysis resulted in the development of two valid and reliable models to predict VO2max. Nonexercise and submaximal exercise test data were used to build the following model: VO2max (mL∙kg-¹∙min-¹) = 11.201 + (6.877 x Gender; 0 = female; 1 = male) + (3.573 x treadmill speed; mph) – (0.174 x kg) + (0.405 x PFA score) + (0.653 x PA-R score) + (1.019 x age). The model resulted in an R2 = 0.69 and a SEE = 5.16 mL∙kg-¹∙min-¹. Maximal exercise test data were used to build the following model: VO2max (mL∙kg-¹∙min-¹) = -3.264 + (3.359 x Gender; 0 = female; 1 = male) – (0.082 x kg) + (7.351 x treadmill speed; mph) + (1.750 x maximal treadmill grade). The model resulted in an R2 = 0.88 and a SEE = 3.16 mL∙ kg-¹∙min-¹. The cross-validation PRESS statistics for both models demonstrated minimal shrinkage in the accuracy of the regression model. The results of this study demonstrate, for the first time, that N-EX data can be used to accurately predict VO2max in youth. The submaximal and maximal exercise tests validated in this study can be used to assess cardiorespiratory fitness of youth having a wide range on interests and fitness levels. In addition, the use of PFA and PA-R questionnaires enforces initiatives to increase physical activity among youth. Both exercise tests use a self-selected treadmill speed that elicits a steady-state HR of 70% of the participants age-predicted maximal HR. The use of a self-selected walking, jogging, or running speed accommodates youth with different levels of physical fitness, motivation, and interests. The exercise test protocol presented in this study is practical for use in schools, athletic facilities, and community fitness centers. The equipment required to administer the exercise test presented in this study is limited to a treadmill and a HR monitor. Together with the use of PFA and PA-R questionnaires, the submaximal and maximal exercise tests are efficacious to coaches, fitness professionals, and physical educators in a variety of settings.

No description available.

<p>The merits of low-volume high-intensity interval exercise (HIT) have been established in healthy populations; however, no studies have examined this exercise prescription in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). The present thesis examined the acute and chronic effects of HIT in patients with CAD.</p> <p>The first study demonstrated transient improvements in brachial artery endothelial-dependent function, assessed using flow-mediated dilation (FMD), 60-minutes following a single bout of either HIT or moderate-intensity endurance exercise (END) in habitually active patients. The second study demonstrated no effects of training status on the acute endothelial responses to exercise; following 12-weeks of either HIT or END training. However, there was a significant reduction in endothelial-independent function immediately post-exercise, at both pre- and post-training, which requires further examination. The third study demonstrated comparable increases in fitness and resting FMD following 12-weeks of END and HIT, lending support to the notion that favorable adaptations are obtainable with a smaller volume of exercise. Lastly, the fourth study demonstrated no change in heart rate recovery following 12-weeks of END and HIT. However, pre-training heart rate recovery values reported by our sample were in a low risk range, which suggests training induced improvements may only be achievable in populations with attenuated pre-training values.</p> <p>The results of this thesis provide preliminary evidence supporting the use of HIT in patients with CAD. The findings of favorable transient and chronic improvements following HIT are notable, especially given the HIT protocol involves less time and work than END, which was modeled after the current exercise prescription in cardiac rehabilitation. Further investigations are necessary, including the assessment of additional physiological indices, the feasibility and adherence to HIT, the inclusion of CAD populations with co-morbidities including heart failure and diabetes, as well as other forms of HIT training including HIT combined with resistance training.</p> / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Despite known associations between fitness and recurrent cardiovascular events, changes in cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and muscle strength with long-term cardiac rehabilitation (CR) have not been extensively examined in men, and data in women is absent in the literature. The purpose of this thesis was to estimate changes in CRF and muscle strength associated with long-term CR program enrollment in men and women, and to examine the influence of baseline fitness and age on these fitness trajectories in men. Our methods and interpretations of the findings are discussed in the thesis, but in brief, using mixed model analyses we observed important fitness benefits over long-term CR enrollment in men and women and influences of baseline fitness and age on the trajectories in men. Our data provide new evidence of improved fitness trajectories in men and women after long-term CR enrollment and highlight the importance of long-term exercise-based CR after the completion of short-term programs. Larger prospective cohort studies are warranted to confirm the observations, and to identify potential mechanisms underlying these findings. / Dissertation / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Yes / Born in Bradford (BiB) is a prospective multi-ethnic pregnancy and birth cohort study that was established to examine determinants of health and development during childhood and, subsequently, adult life in a deprived multi-ethnic population in the north of England. Between 2007 and 2010, the BiB cohort recruited 12,453 women who experienced 13,776 pregnancies and 13,858 births, along with 3353 of their partners. Forty five percent of the cohort are of Pakistani origin. Now that children are at primary school, the first full follow-up of the cohort is taking place. The aims of the follow-up are to investigate the determinants of children's pre-pubertal health and development, including through understanding parents' health and wellbeing, and to obtain data on exposures in childhood that might influence future health. Methods: We are employing a multi-method approach across three data collection arms (community-based family visits, school based physical assessment, and whole classroom cognitive, motor function and wellbeing measures) to follow-up over 9000 BiB children aged 7-11 years and their families between 2017 and 2021. We are collecting detailed parent and child questionnaires, cognitive and sensorimotor assessments, blood pressure, anthropometry and blood samples from parents and children. Dual x-ray absorptiometry body scans, accelerometry and urine samples are collected on subsamples. Informed consent is collected for continued routine data linkage to health, social care and education records. A range of engagement activities are being used to raise the profile of BiB and to disseminate findings. Discussion: Our multi-method approach to recruitment and assessment provides an efficient method of collecting rich data on all family members. Data collected will enhance BiB as a resource for the international research community to study the interplay between ethnicity, socioeconomic circumstances and biology in relation to cardiometabolic health, mental health, education, cognitive and sensorimotor development and wellbeing. / BiB receives core infrastructure funding from the Wellcome Trust (WT101597MA) and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) under its Collaboration for Applied Health Research and Care (CLAHRC) for Yorkshire and Humber and Clinical Research Network (CRN) research delivery support. Further support for genome-wide and multiple ‘omics measurements is from the UK Medical Research Council (G0600705), National Institute of Health Research (NF-SI-0611-10196), US National Institute of Health (R01 DK10324), and the European Research Council under the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007–2013) / ERC grant agreement no 669545. The follow-up of BiB participants, which is the focus of this paper, is funded by a joint grant from the UK Medical Research Council and UK Economic and Social Science Research Council (MR/N024397/1) and a grant from the British Heart Foundation (CS/16/4/32482.) D.A.L. works in a unit that receives UK Medical Research Council funding (MC_UU_00011/6) and is a UK National Institute of Health Research senior investigator (NF-SI-0611-10196).

Adolescence is a developmental period during which boys and girls are at high risk of developing major or minor depression. Increases in fitness have been associated with lower levels of depressive symptomatology and improvements in psychological well-being, yet the mechanisms that underlie this relationship have not been thoroughly examined. Three such psychosocial variables (i.e. body satisfaction, social physique anxiety, and physical activity self-efficacy) have been identified as possible mechanisms and although they have theoretical support, additional research is needed to demonstrate empirically the potential effects of these variables. Self-report measures were used to assess the psychosocial variables and the Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run (PACER) in conjunction with age, Body Mass Index [BMI], and sex was used to determine an estimate of aerobic capacity (VO2max). Path analyses were used to test the proposed model using version 6.2 EQS Multivariate Software. Results of study revealed that the boys’ and girls’ depressive scores were determined based on the extent that their fitness levels improved their satisfaction with their bodies and lowered the anxiety they experience in relation to real or imagined judgments of their physique. Although all pathways in the model were significant, with the exception of physical activity self-efficacy to depression, differences emerged between the boys and girls in terms of the strength of some of the relations amongst the variables. Limitations include restricted generalizability, self-report measures, and cross-sectional design. Results have implications for individuals in a context intended to improve physical and psychosocial well-being of adolescents.

By undertaking a number of different experimental approaches at the genetic, cellular/ molecular and integrative physiology levels, I investigated functional variation in the Hypoxia-Inducible Factor (HIF) transcription pathway in humans. My studies focused on Tibetan natives. Tibetan highlanders are adapted to life in a hypoxic environment and exhibit distinct physiological traits at high altitude. Recent studies identified positive selection at two genetic loci, EPAS1 (HIF2α) and EGLN1 (PHD2), in Tibetan highlanders and demonstrated an association of EGLN1/EPAS1 genotype with haemoglobin concentration. Both are genes of the HIF pathway, which coordinates an organism’s response to hypoxia. Patients living at sea level with genetic diseases of the HIF pathway have characteristic phenotypes at both the integrative physiology and cellular levels. I investigated whether Tibetans living at sea level also possess distinct phenotypic characteristics, and whether these may be related to underlying variation within the HIF pathway. I compared Tibetans living at sea level with Han Chinese, their most closely-related major ethnic group, and found that Tibetans possess a significantly different integrative physiology phenotype. Tibetans had a lower haemoglobin concentration and haematocrit, a higher pulmonary ventilation relative to metabolism, and blunted pulmonary vascular responses to both acute (minutes) and sustained (8 hours) hypoxia. Regarding genotype- phenotype relationships within the Tibetans, I found a significant correlation between both EPAS1 and EGLN1 genotype and the induction of erythropoietin by systemic hypoxia. At an intermediate cellular level, the relative expression and the hypoxic induction of HIF- regulated genes were significantly lower in peripheral blood lymphocytes from Tibetans compared with Han Chinese. I also investigated whether the genetic variation in EPAS1 selected for in Tibetans may be functional at the molecular level by affecting transcription of EPAS1 in cells and whether certain coding variants in <e,>EGLN1 found in Tibetans affect protein (PHD2) activity in cells and in vitro. A small supplementary study was undertaken in patients with idiopathic erythrocytosis, who have elevated or inappropriately normal erythropoietin levels, to investigate if they have genetic alterations in the HIF system.

A crescente demanda pelo treinamento resistido tem incentivado a procura de metodologias para a prescrição deste tipo de exercício. Por isso, há uma busca incessante para se prescrever corretamente qual parâmetro e/ou intensidade seja a ideal para a execução do exercício resistido. Dessa forma protocolos incrementais podem ser interessantes, uma vez que podem determinar a magnitude das respostas fisiológicas (principalmente lactato e consumo de oxigênio) em diferentes domínios (leve, moderado e alto), pois através deles é possível identificar parâmetros de aptidão aeróbia e anaeróbia, como o limiar de lactato, limiar anaeróbio e carga crítica. No entanto, poucos estudos têm analisado de forma sistematizada diferentes intensidades de exercício resistido com o objetivo de determinar a magnitude das respostas cardiorrespiratórias, metabólicas e eletromiográficas para então propor estratégias reabilitadoras a indivíduos idosos baseada nestas respostas. Dessa forma, o objetivo principal desse estudo foi comparar as intensidades determinadas como limiar anaeróbio e carga crítica, em relação aos parâmetros de frequência cardíaca, ventilação, consumo de oxigênio, lactato, débito cardíaco, volume sistólico, além da análise eletromiográfica, entre jovens e idosos. Participaram deste estudo 35 homens ativos, sendo 20 jovens (média de idade de 23 ± 3 anos) e 15 idosos (média de idade de 70 ± 2,4 anos), aparentemente saudáveis. Todos os voluntários realizaram, de forma aleatória e em dias diferentes a: 1) teste de 1 RM em exercício resistido no Leg Press 45°; 2) teste de exercício físico resistido dinâmico crescente descontínuo; 3) três testes de exercícios resistidos de alta intensidade de carga constante (60%, 75% e 90% de 1 RM) até a fadiga e, após estes testes realizaram:, 4) teste de tolerabilidade no limiar anaeróbio, obtido através do teste crescente e, 5) teste de tolerabilidade da carga crítica obtida, pela regressão linear e relação hiperbólica entre carga e tempo de execução. Com relação ao limiar anaeróbio, obtido no teste incremental, foi possível determinar que este ocorreu em torno de 30% 1 RM e a carga crítica foi aproximadamente 52% 1 RM, para ambos os grupos. Com relação aos parâmetros estudados nas intensidades de exercício executadas, o envelhecimento mostrou ser determinante para uma redução nos valores relativos à capacidade aeróbia bem como na frequência cardíaca. Já com relação especificamente as intensidades do limiar anaeróbio e carga crítica, em ambos os grupos a ventilação, foi maior e consumo de oxigênio foi menor na intensidade da carga crítica. Já para as respostas de lactato, nós observamos menores valores para o grupo idoso, tanto para o limiar como na carga crítica. O débito cardíaco apresentou diferença apenas entre os grupos e não entre as intensidades, sendo que devido ao envelhecimento, houve redução dos valores. Já para a EMG, houve maiores quedas do slope da FM para idosos quando comparado aos jovens em 30%, e além disso, na intensidade de 30% acarretou em menor queda que em 52%. Ao comparar ao longo do tempo a FM e o RMS, o comportamento destes foi semelhantes nas duas intensidades, ou seja, de queda e aumento, respectivamente, o que é indicativo de maior fadigabilidade ao final do exercício. Além disso, a taxa de queda foi maior no grupo idoso, sendo que esse parâmetro é um indicador de maior fadiga muscular para este grupo. Entretanto, o comportamento do RMS ao final das duas intensidades foi menor nos idosos. Dessa forma, nossos resultados podem ter aplicações como uma forma de avaliar o desempenho funcional durante exercícios resistidos em diferentes populações e também pode ter utilidade na prescrição de um programa de treinamento dependo do objetivo a ser alcançado, elucidando a importância prática da aplicação de exercícios de resistência dinâmica. / The increasing demand for resistance training has motivated the search methodologies for prescribing this type of exercise. Therefore, there is a constant search to correctly prescribe which parameter and/or intensity is ideal for the implementation of resistance exercise. Thus incremental protocols may be interesting, since they can determine the magnitude of physiological responses (mainly lactate and oxygen consumption) in different domains (mild, moderate and high), because it is possible through them to identify parameters of aerobic and anaerobic fitness as the lactate threshold, anaerobic threshold and critical load. However, few studies have examined systematically different resistance exercise intensities form in order to determine the magnitude of the cardiorespiratory, metabolic and electromyographic responses and then propose the elderly rehabilitation strategies based on these answers. Thus, the aim of this study was to compare the intensities determined as anaerobic threshold and critical load, with respect to heart rate parameters, ventilation, oxygen consumption, lactate, cardiac output, stroke volume, besides the electromyographic analysis, between young and senior citizens. The study included 35 active men, 20 young (mean age 23 ± 3 years) and 15 older adults (mean age 70 ± 2.4 years), apparently healthy. All volunteers pertormed randomly on different days to: 1) 1 RM test in resistance exercise in Leg Press 45º; 2) dynamic resistance exercise test growing discontinuous; 3) three tests of resistance exercise high intensity constant load (60%, 75% and 90% of 1 RM) to failure and after these tests, performed 4) tolerance test at the anaerobic threshold, obtained by increasing test, 5) tolerability test critical load obtained by linear regression and hyperbolic relationship between load and runtime. Regarding the anaerobic threshold obtained in the incremental test, was determined that this occurred around 30% 1 RM and the critical load was approximately 52% 1 RM for both groups. As for the parameters studied in the exercise intensities performed, aging proved to be decisive for a reduction in the relative values of aerobic capacity and heart rate. In relation specifically the intensities of the anaerobic threshold and critical load in both grups, ventilation was higher and oxygen consumption was lower in the intensity of the critical load. As for the lactate responses, we observed lower values for the elderly group, both the threshold and the critical load. Cardiac output was difference only between groups and not between the intensities, and due to aging, decreased the values. As for EMG, was greater MF of the slope falls to elderly compared to 30% in young, and furthermore, intensity of 30% fall which resulted in less by 52%. Comparing over time RMS and MF, was similar in behavior of the two intensities, ie, increase and decrease, respectively, which is indicative of greater fatigue at the end of exercise. Furthermore, the decrease rate was higher in the elderly group, and this parameter is an indicator of increased muscle fatigue for this group. However, RMS behavior at the end of the two intensities were lower in the elderly. Thus, our results may have applications as a way to evaluate the functional performance during resistance training in different populations and can also be useful in prescribing a training program depend on the objective to be achieved, explaining the practical importance of the application of resistance exercise dynamics.

Os objetivos do presente estudo foram analisar os efeitos dos videogames interativos Kinect Adventures comparados com a fisioterapia convencional por meio de um treinamento multimodal no controle postural, na marcha, na aptidão cardiorrespiratória e na cognição de idosos da comunidade e verificar a duração dos efeitos das intervenções após 30 dias de seguimento. Tratou-se de um ensaio clínico aleatorizado e cego. Participaram do estudo 50 idosos que foram aleatorizados entre grupo controle e grupo experimental, 25 em cada grupo. Todos os sujeitos foram submetidos a 14 sessões de intervenção, duas vezes por semana, por sete semanas. O grupo controle realizou treinamento multimodal, que incluiu aquecimento, treinamento de equilíbrio estático e dinâmico, condicionamento físico, treinamento de força muscular, treinamento de coordenação motora, flexibilidade muscular e desaquecimento. O grupo experimental praticou quatro jogos do Kinect Adventures, cinco tentativas de cada jogo por sessão. Todos os participantes foram submetidos a três avaliações: inicial (pré), final (pós) e trinta dias após as intervenções (seguimento), realizadas por um avaliador cego em relação ás intervenções. O desfecho primário do estudo foi o controle postural, avaliado por meio do Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test. Os desfechos secundários foram: (1) marcha, avaliada por meio Functional Gait Assessment; (2) aptidão cardiorrespiratória, avaliada por meio do Teste do Degrau de seis minutos e (3) cognição, avaliada por meio da Avaliação Cognitiva de Montreal. A análise estatística foi realizada por meio da ANOVA de medidas repetidas e do teste de pós hoc de Tukey para a verificação de possíveis diferenças entre os grupos e avaliações. Foi adotado alfa de 0,05. Não houve diferença entre os grupos após as intervenções e no seguimento em todos os desfechos. Ambos os grupos apresentaram melhora no controle postural, na marcha e na cognição após as intervenções (testes de Pós hoc de Tukey, P < 0,05). Em relação à aptidão cardiorrespiratória, o grupo experimental apresentou melhora após a intervenção e manutenção dos resultados no período de seguimento. Já o grupo controle apresentou melhora somente no período de seguimento. Conclui-se que ambas as intervenções podem proporcionar efeitos positivos no controle postural, na marcha na aptidão cardiorrespiratória e na cognição de idosos da comunidade, sem superioridade entre elas / The objectives of the present study were to analyze the effects of Kinect Adventures interactive videogames compared to conventional physiotherapy through multimodal training in postural control, gait, cardiorespiratory fitness and cognition of the elderly in the community and to verify the duration of the effects of the interventions after 30 days of follow-up. It was a randomized, blinded clinical trial. Fifty elderly individuals who were randomized between the control group and the experimental group participated in the study, 25 in each group. All subjects underwent 14 intervention sessions, twice a week, for seven weeks. The control group performed multimodal training, which included warm-up, static and dynamic balance training, physical conditioning, muscle strength training, motor coordination training, muscle flexibility and cooling. The experimental group practiced four games of Kinect Adventures, five attempts of each game per session. All participants were submitted to three evaluations: initial (pre), final (post) and thirty days after the interventions (follow-up), performed by a blind evaluator in relation to the interventions. The primary endpoint of the study was postural control, evaluated through the Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test. The secondary outcomes were: (1) gait assessed by Functional Gait Assessment; (2) cardiorespiratory fitness assessed by the Six-Minute Step Test and (3) cognition assessed through the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Statistical analysis was performed using repeated measures ANOVA and Tukey post hoc test to verify possible differences between groups and evaluations. Alpha of 0.05 was adopted. There was no difference between the groups after the interventions and in the follow-up in all the outcomes. Both groups showed improvement in control, gait and cognition after the interventions (Tukey Post hoc tests, P < 0.05). Regarding cardiorespiratory fitness, the experimental group presented improvement after the intervention and maintenance of the results in the follow-up period. The control group showed improvement only in the follow-up period. It is concluded that both interventions can provide positive effects on postural control, gait in cardiorespiratory fitness and on the cognition of elderly in the community, without any superiority between them