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The problem of the study was to measure the association between physical self-efficacy, using the Physical Self-Efficacy Scale, and frequency, intensity, time and type of exercise among mid-west college students who participated in regular physical activity.The role of physical self-efficacy on preventative health behaviors has been well established in the literature and is of interest to health educators. This study was designed to measure the strength of association between physical self-efficacy and the specific components of exercise.The sample consisted of Ball State students (n= 412) who completed an Exercise Behavior and Physical Self-Efficacy questionnaire. Multiple regression and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to measure associations.Levels of physical self-efficacy were most closely correlated with intensity of exercise participation (r2 = 0.15). Duration of exercise sessions was only slightly related (r2 = 0.01) and frequency was not found to be significant. Students who participated in the types of exercises which required the greatest amount of intensity also had the highest self-efficacy scores. / Department of Physiology and Health Science

Research has argued that effortful cognitive functioning is more susceptible to age-related decline compared to tasks that can be performed with minimal cognitive effort. Aerobic exercise has also been associated with beneficial cognitive effects for tasks implicating higher order executive control processing. Therefore, the current study aims to investigate whether aerobic exercise selectively improves executive control processing which is known to be disproportionately effected by aging, potentially counteracting cognitive deterioration in healthy aging. Although behavioural studies have provided inconsistent findings, EEG/ERP studies investigating the effects of acute exercise intensity on neural activity during executive control tasks are limited in numbers and have mainly focused on younger rather than older populations. Ten healthy participants consisting of five young (mean age = 20±1 years, two male, three female) and five older adults (mean age = 67±4 years, three male, two female) performed a computerised Stroop test with continuous EEG following a 20 minute bout of acute cycling at 40% and 70% heart rate reserve, compared to a no exercise control. Behavioural reaction times showed no significant age effects for exercise condition or congruency, although moderate exercise was associated with the fastest reaction times for congruent trials. The P3b and N450 components also showed no significant higher order effects specific to trial congruency, although significant age effects were observed at the frontal region following acute exercise. The P3b and N450 amplitudes were reduced at the frontal region for the young group following moderate exercise compared to the control, suggesting processing efficiency was enhanced. However, for the older group P3b and N450 amplitudes increased at the frontal region following high intensity exercise compared to moderate, suggesting that high intensity exercise had a negative effect on cognitive processing. Acute exercise does not selectively improve executive control processing during the Stroop test, but rather seems to facilitate a non-specific global activation of neural resources at the frontal region. Acute moderate and high intensity exercise were associated with enhanced frontal processing for young adults, but impaired functioning for older adults. These findings are understood in terms of Compensatory-Related Utilization of Neural Circuits, the Posterior-Anterior Shift in Aging and Scaffolding Theory of Cognitive Aging.

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The aim of this investigation was to analyze the effects of induced physical exertion on the performance of an immediate mathematical mental ability task among second-grade students. The purpose of the study was to gain information concerning the effects of physical exertion on a mathematical mental task and to evaluate each of four experimental treatment periods (twenty, thirty, forty, and fifty minutes) used to induce physical exertion. Another purpose was to determine whether males or females were more affected by experimentally induced treatments of physical exertion. It was concluded that fifty minutes of prolonged physical exertion as induced by relay game activities had a positive effect on certain mathematical tasks. This conclusion was based on the comparison of the fifty minute treatment performance to the pre-test treatment performed without induced physical exertion. Another conclusion derived from the data was that physical exertion periods of twenty, thirty, and forty minutes had no significant positive or negative effect on certain mental performance when compared to a non-induced physical exertion treatment. It was also concluded that there were no significant differences between male and female mean difference performances.

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Because half of age-related physical losses result from inactivity and disuse, and loss frequently antecedes depression and decreased self-esteem; exercise intervention offers potential physiological and psychological benefits. Self-efficacy and personal control is additionally promoted in a wellness concept program. The effect of twelve weeks of wellness-oriented exercise upon depression, self-esteem, and locus of control orientation is studied in an exercise and non-exercise control group of community residing women 65 and older. Statistically significant post-exercise changes result from reductions in two self-report measures of depression in the exercise group, and increased self-esteem scores in the control group. A non-representative sample may account for high pre-exercise scores in all three dependent variables. A replication with a larger, random, representative sample of older people and domain-specific measures is recommended to improve the study of hypothesized psychological benefits associated with exercise.

Studies assessing the reliability of the Borg rating of perceived exertion (RPE) scale for regulating exercise training intensity have reported mixed results. Differences in experimental designs and analytical techniques make it difficult to compare results. The purpose of this study was to examine the reliability of perceptually-based treadmill (TM) exercise. Eleven subjects (42.5 ± 19.5 yrs) completed a maximal test (GXT) and 3 RPEproduction trials (PT) on a TM. Each PT consisted of two 10-minute bouts where subjects selected speeds and grades to elicit an intensity equated with an RPE of 11-12 (RPE-L) and RPE of 15-16 (RPE-H). Speed and grade, heart rate (HR), oxygen uptake (V02), and ventilatory equivalent for oxygen (VE/V02) were assessed throughout the GXT and the last 3 minutes of each PT. Blood lactate concentration (BLC) was assessed at RPE-L and RPE-H during the GXT and at the completion of each PT intensity. Reliability was assessed using an ANOVA with repeated-measures, intraclass correlations, and absolute differences (ABS A) across the PTs at each intensity. No significant meangroup differences were noted in any of the physiological variables at either intensity across the PTs. Reliability coefficients were higher for the selected workload and the metabolic measures than for HR or BLC. Reliability increased across trials for all measures, and as a function of intensity for V02 (L = 0.91 & H = 0.98), HR (L = 0.60 & H = 0.84), and BLC (L = 0.50 & H = 0.64). Mean ABS A evaluated the inter-trial reliability for HR (bpm) and V02 (METS) at the low intensity PT 1 vs. PT2 = 013 bpm; A3.3 METS, PT 1 vs. PT3 = 010 bpm ; A3.3 METS, and PT2 vs. PT3 = A7 bpm; 01.6 METS and the high intensity PT 1 vs. PT2 = 011 bpm; A2.5 METS, PT 1 vs. PT3 = 011 bpm; A3.4 METS, and PT2 vs. PT3 = A9 bpm; A2.2 METS, respectively. Mean ABS A decreased for HR and V02 between PT2 vs. PT3. These data suggest that reliability of perceptually-based TMexercise varies among physiological measures and various analytical techniques, and individual variation in physiological data across PTs should be considered prior torecommending RPE for the self-regulation of exercise. / School of Physical Education

The present qualitative study explored the beliefs that military service members hold in regards to their physical activity participation. Additionally, service members (N=9) were asked about their perceptions of a potential physical activity based therapy program that incorporates psychological skill training. This study took a phenomenological approach and utilized a semi-structured interview guide. The interviews were initially recorded and then transcribed by the researcher. Qualitative analysis revealed nine domains throughout the interviews: 1) deployment and military influence, 2) methods of stress relief, 3) perceived barriers to physical activity, 4) physical activity participation and preferences, 5) motivation to be physically active, 6) impact of physical activity, 7) psychological skills, 8) program expectations, and 9) program preferences. These domains were used to code the interviews. Of these domains, 5 themes emerged: 1) participants indicated positive benefits resulting from physical activity participation and negative consequences resulting from inactivity, 2) serving in the military and being on deployment significantly influenced physical activity participation, 3) participants expressed interest in a potential physical activity program, 4) participants anticipated some initial resistance from service members in regards to participating in a potential physical activity program, and 5) most participants indicated a preference for a mixed model program that would allow them to choose between individual or group activities. Overall, results from this study indicate that service members positively view their physical activity participation and recognize the potentials of a physical activity program that incorporates psychological skills training. Designing physical activity programs to meet the unique needs of service members remains relatively unexplored. Important implications and evidence-based recommendations were discussed. / Access to thesis permanently restricted to Ball State community only.