D.Phil. / Asthma exemplifies a major medical concern and is a considerable cause of morbidity and mortality globally and in South Africa. Biokineticists have in the past primarily prescribed aerobic modes of exercise to asthmatics regardless of other modes of exercise that could be used in the management of asthma, each with their own unique benefits. The aim of this investigation was to develop a management model from a biokinetic perspective for the management of asthma in moderate, persistent asthmatics. The present study utilised a quantitative, comparative, research trial making use of a pre-test, eight-week intervention period and a post-test. Eighty-eight sedentary moderate, persistent asthmatics were matched by age and gender and randomly assigned to either a non-exercising control group (NE) (n = 22), an aerobic exercise group (AE) (n = 22), a diaphragmatic inspiratory resistive breathing group (DR) (n = 22) or an aerobic exercise combined with diaphragmatic resistive breathing group (CE) (n = 22). Dependent t-Tests and rank-ordered analyses revealed that five of the 13 pulmonary function parameters assessed were found to be significantly altered following the AE and CE training, with the CE training having a larger impact than AE training. The DR training resulted in improvements in four of the 13 pulmonary function parameters. The CE and AE training were also found to be equally effective at altering physical work capacity, while the DR training proved ineffective at altering physical work capacity. The CE training proved to be the most effective at improving the abdominal and chest wall excursion parameters. The DR training was found to be the least effective mode of exercise training to impact favourably on abdominal and chest wall excursion parameters. The DR and CE training had a similar significant and favourable change in respiratory muscle flexibility followed by the AE training only impacting on nine of the 11 respiratory muscle flexibility parameters. Regarding the respiratory muscle strength, despite AE and CE training altering 18 of the 20 parameters, CE training was found to be more effective. DR training only altered 16 of the 20 respiratory muscle strength parameters. The DR training was the only modality to alter a postural parameter, albeit unfavourably. Even though the DR and AE training significantly altered four of the six anthropometric parameters, the AE training proved to be superior, while CE training proved least effective as it altered v only three of the measured anthropometric parameters. The overall success of the CE training exemplified the fact that an optimal training regime for the management of asthma may require both an aerobic exercise and diaphragmatic inspiratory resistive breathing component. Exercise training, and specifically CE training is a cost-effective, home-based asthma management programme that may reduce the public health burden of this disease and provide the patient with alternative treatment options. CE training should form the cornerstone in the management of asthma to minimise and prevent asthma exacerbations and thus improve health-related quality of life and may even prove to be life-saving.

Background: While the physical and mental health advantages of regular physical activity are evident, 68% of adult Canadians are not meeting PA guidelines. Over the last thirty years, exercise behaviour has been mostly studied under the guise of the social cognitive framework, but emerging findings have shown identity to demonstrate predictive validity with physical activity independent of social cognitions. Exercise identity has been associated with increased frequency, duration, and intensity of exercise behaviour. Despite the bivariate correlation between identity and PA, the literature currently lacks longitudinal research to enhance the understanding of identity formation in new exercisers. Objective: The purpose of this study was to understand changes in identity among new exercisers based on the Physical Activity Self-Definition model and investigate whether exercise identity can predict exercise behaviour variations over nine weeks. Methods: Participants for this study were healthy adults (18-65) who were recruited from local gyms and recreation centres in Victoria, BC. The inclusion criteria were that participants must be new exercisers (new exercisers are those who just decided to exercise regularly or started exercising for less than 2 weeks, before baseline measurement) who were not meeting the Canadian Physical Activity guidelines upon recruitment. The study used a prospective, observational design with four measurement periods across nine weeks. Demographics were collected and exercise identity, affective attitude, commitment, capability and exercise behaviour were measured using questionnaires. The exercise Identity questionnaire was administered at 1 week, 3 weeks, 6 weeks and 9 weeks. Data analysis and longitudinal models used HLM and descriptive were generated with SPSS. Results: Affective attitude and commitment had significant correlations with identity, and identity had a significant correlation with exercise behaviour across all measurement times. Affective attitude, however, was the only significant predictor of exercise identity change over time. Capability was not associated with exercise identity. Furthermore, identity did not predict change in exercise over time. Discussion: This study provided insight into some of the factors that influence shifting exercise identity of new exercisers by testing the physical activity self-definition model (Kendzierski & Morganstein, 2009a) with longitudinal modelling. Based on the present results, it is recommended that health promoters focus on designing enjoyable programs for their novice clients, and provide a positive affective attitude toward exercising during each session. Although, exercise behaviours of the participants improved significantly during the course of this study, exercise identity was not able to predict the variation in exercise behaviour over 9 weeks. Overall, exercise identity formation can be a time-consuming process in adults, however, engaging in identity-related behaviours that are enjoyable can accelerate this process. / Graduate

The problem addressed in this study is whether physiologic, hematologic, and performance parameters obtained during and after a long term program of anaerobic and aerobic exercise can be used as markers of chronic fatigue.

No description available.

Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts (Clinical Psychology) in the Department of Psychology University of Zululand, 2005. / There is an increasing international need for additional interventions to be established that prevent mental illness and promote mental health. This study set out to investigate the impact of exercise as a treatment option for depression and low levels of psychological well-being over a two-month period. A comprehensive literature review examining previous studies using exercise as a treatment approach for depression and psychological well-being formed a foundation from which this study could be based. The design of this study used both a quantitative and qualitative approach. Data was collected through standardized questionnaires and completed pre and post-test by forty participants randomly assigned to an experimental and control group. Additional data was attained through two open-ended questions given to participants in the experimental group. The quantitative results were not statistically significant however did indicate clear trends towards positive changes in certain variables. These results in conjunction with the qualitative findings suggested that exercise does have a positive impact on depression and psychological well-being.

The purpose of this study was to: (a) determine if listening to music can reduce the potential aversiveness of an acute session of sprint interval training (SIT) by improving affect, motivation and enjoyment, and examine the effects of music on performance; and (b) evaluate participants’ attitudes and intentions towards SIT and determine if they would change after experiencing SIT. Twenty moderately active adults (22±4y), unfamiliar with interval exercise, completed an acute session of SIT under two different conditions: music and no music. The exercise consisted of four, 30-second Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAnT) bouts on a cycle ergometer, separated by 4 minutes of rest. Power output, ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), affect, motivation, and enjoyment of the exercise were measured. Attitudes and intentions towards SIT were evaluated at baseline and follow-up. Mixed-effects models were used to evaluate changes in the dependent measures over time and between the two conditions. Paired sample t-tests were conducted to compare differences between attitudes and intentions from baseline to follow-up. Peak and mean power over the course of the exercise session were higher in the music than no music condition (coefficients=49.72 [SE=13.55], 23.65 [SE=11.30], ps<0.05). A significant time X condition effect emerged for peak power (coefficients=-12.31 [SE=4.95], p<0.05). There were no between-condition differences for RPE, affect or motivation. Perceived enjoyment increased over time, and was consistently higher in the music condition (coefficient=7.00 [SE=3.05], p<0.05). Finally, attitudes and intentions towards SIT were positive at baseline and did not change upon study completion. Overall, the results suggest music enhanced in-task performance and enjoyment of an acute bout of SIT. Listening to music during intense interval exercise may be an effective strategy to facilitate participation in, and adherence to, this form of training. Furthermore, experiencing an intense SIT protocol does not alter pre-existing positive attitudes and intentions towards SIT. / Thesis / Master of Science in Kinesiology

Therapeutic exercise has previously been shown to alter the static height of the medial longitudinal arch (MLA). It is still unknown, however, if these effects carry over into dynamic activities. PURPOSE: To determine if an 8-week foot strengthening exercise program increases static arch height and reduces vertical deformation of the MLA during mid-stance in running.METHODS: Thirty-four recreational runners (17 males, 17 females) have completed this ongoing study (age 24.06 ± 3.61 years, body mass 68.63 ± 12.95 kg, and height 173.34 ± 9.54 cm). To date, 22 subjects have been assigned to the control group (8 weeks of normal running) and 12 to the foot strengthening group (8 weeks of foot strengthening, along with normal running). Static arch height (SAH) and dynamic arch drop (DAD) were measured at baseline and following the 8-week intervention using Vicon motion analysis. Reflective markers were placed on the proximal and distal ends of the 1st and 5th metatarsals. These 4 markers were recorded in static double leg stance to estimate SAH, and in single leg mid-stance to give a measure of DAD during treadmill running at a self-selected pace. Ten-second trials were recorded at minutes 3 and 4 during running and DAD was evaluated for right and left feet by comparing arch height in mid-stance to the SAH. Following the intervention, data for SAH and DAD were compared across time points and statistical analysis performed to identify differences in the amount of change in SAH and DAD between groups. RESULTS: There was no difference noted in DAD between the groups as a whole, but the change in DAD from baseline to the end of week 8 was statistically significant for those in the foot strengthening group with an initial DAD of ≥ 3.80 mm (p < .028). There was also a statistically significant increase in SAH in the foot strengthening group compared to the control group (p = .013). CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary data suggest that the foot strengthening intervention was effective in increasing SAH compared to the control group. The intervention was most effective at decreasing DAD in those with the largest amount of DAD at baseline. At this time it is unknown whether this decrease in arch drop is associated with performance benefits or decreased injury risk in the recreational runner, and further research is needed to determine the clinical significance of these findings.

Sixty premenopausal women (age 25-50) finished a 16 week randomized controlled trial looking at the effects of different jump programs on hip and spine bone mineral density (BMD). Subjects were randomly assigned to a control group or one of two jumping groups. The Jump 10 group performed 10 jumps with 30 seconds of rest between jumps, twice daily, while the Jump 20 group performed the same protocol but with 20 jumps. At 8 weeks, BMD percent change (%Δ) at the hip was significantly different among groups when age, weight change, and subject compliance were simultaneously adjusted. In particular, the Jump 20 group had a greater %Δ in hip BMD compared to controls. However, %Δ in BMD for the neck of the hip (NOH), trochanter, or spine was not different among groups at 8 weeks. Following 16 weeks of jumping, BMD %Δ at the total hip and trochanter were significantly different among groups after adjusting for all covariates. Specifically, at the hip and trochanter, the Jump 10 and Jump 20 groups showed significantly greater %Δ in BMD compared to controls. There were no significant differences among groups for the BMD %Δ at NOH or spine at 16 weeks. Within-group analyses revealed no significant changes from baseline to 16 weeks for the jumping groups, but controls lost significant BMD. In conclusion, after 16 weeks of high-impact jump training, BMD at the hip and trochanter can be improved by jumping 10 or 20 times, twice daily, with 30 seconds of rest between each jump, compared to controls.

No description available.

The purpose of this thesis was to investigate the effects of nutritional supplementation following resistance exercise on protein metabolism, muscle glycogen resynthesis rate, hormonal responses and training status through two unique investigations. The purpose of the first investigation was to determine the effect of post-resistance exercise glucose supplementation upon skeletal muscle fractional synthetic rate (FSR), urinary urea excretion, and whole body and myofibrillar protein degradation (WBPD and MPD, respectively). Eight healthy young males performed unilateral knee extensor resistance exercise(8sets/~1 0reps/~85% 1 RM) such that the non-exercised limb served as a control. They received a carbohydrate (CHO) supplement (1g/kg) or placebo (PL) immediately (t=Oh) and 1 h (t=+1 h) following exercise. FSR was determined for both exercised (EX) and control (CON) limbs by incremental L-[1-13C]leucine enrichment of biopsy samples of vastus lateralis over -10 hours post-exercise. Plasma insulin and glucose were determined at t= -1.5, 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.25, 1.5, 1.75, 2, 2.25, 2.5, -10, and -10.5h post-exercise. MPD and WBPD were estimated from 24 hr urinary 3-methylhistidine (3-MH) and L-[1-13C]leucine flux, respectively, and whole body net protein balance was estimated from 24 hr urinary urea excretion. Plasma insulin concentration was greater (p<0.01) at 0.5, 0.75, 1.25, 1.5, 1.75 and 2 h in the CHO compared to PL condition, as was plasma glucose at 0.5 and 0. 75 h (p<0.05). FSR was 36.1% greater in the CHO/EX leg than in the CHO/CON leg (p=N.S.) and 6.3% greater in the PUEX leg than in the PUCON leg(p=N.S.). 3-MH excretion was lower in the CHO (110.43 ± 3.62 J μmol/g creatinine) than PL condition (120.14 ± 5.82)(p<0.05) as was urinary urea nitrogen(8.60 ± 0.66 g/g creat vs. 12.28 ± 1.84)(p<0.05). These findings suggest that CHO supplementation (1g/kg) immediately and 1h following resistance exercise can significantly decrease myofibrillar protein breakdown and urinary urea excretion, thus resulting in a more positive muscle and whole body protein balance. The purpose of the second investigation was to determine the effect of various nutritional supplements upon whole body protein synthesis, urinary urea excretion, and whole body and myofibrillar protein degradation (WBPD and MPD respectively). Ten healthy young male resistance athletes performed a whole body circuit set workout (9 exercises/3 sets/80% 1 Repitition Maximum). Exercises for the legs were performed unilaterally so that the non-exercised leg served as a control They received a carbohydrate (CHO) supplement (1g/kg), a mixed CHO/PRO/FAT supplement (isoenergetic to CHO supplement)(68% CHO, 22% PRO, 10% FAT) or placebo (PL) immediately (t=Oh) and 1 h (t=+1h) following exercise. Immediately following exercise muscle glycogen was significantly lower (p<0.05) in vastus lateralis of the exercised leg than in the control leg immediately post-exercise in all three conditions. Both the CHO and CHO/PRO/FAT supplements resulted in significantly greater increases (p<0.05) in plasma insulin and glucose post-exercise than PL. The CHO and CHO/PRO/FAT also resulted in significantly greater(p<0.05) rates of muscle glycogen resynthesis vs. Placebo. No significant differences were observed between the three conditions for plasma testosterone and cortisol concentration post-exercise. Similarly, no differences were observed between the three conditions for urinary creatinine, and 3-MH and urea nitrogen excretion. Thus, nutritional supplements do not appear to decrease myofibrillar protein degradation as indicated by 3-MH and urea nitrogen excretion in highly trained resistance athletes. Taken together, the two studies suggest that highly trained resistance athletes and untrained individuals both benefit from nutritional supplementation following resistance exercise, but may do so through different mechanisms. / Thesis / Master of Science (MS)