The purpose of this study was to understand the relationship between back squat one-repetition maximum relative to body mass (1RMrel), countermovement jump height (CMJH), and optimal drop height in drop jump (DHopt). Fifteen male participants with various sport backgrounds and training experience completed a one repetition maximum (1RM) back squat, maximum countermovement jump (CMJ), and drop jumps (DJ) from incrementally increasing drop heights to determine which drop height elicited the greatest jump height. The DHopt testing protocol was unique in that smaller increments were used to determine DHopt compared to what has been reported in literature previously. Pearson correlation coefficients revealed that DHopt had small (r=0.214) and moderate (r=0.464) relationships with 1RMrel and CMJH, respectively. A second analysis (n=13) was conducted after two participants (i.e. powerlifters) were identified as possibly being representative of a different population. The second analysis found that DHopt had strong relationships with 1RMrel (r=0.645) and CMJH (r=0.690). Results from this study seem to suggest that individuals with greater 1RMrel and CMJH tend to have a higher DHopt. However, this relationship may not be observed among all populations due to likely differences in sport background, genetics, and/or training experience.

The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between milk-fat intake and obesity, particularly abdominal obesity, in 13,544 U.S. adults. A secondary objective was to determine the extent to which the association was influenced by multiple potential confounding variables. This cross-sectional study used data from the 2011–2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Level of milk-fat content regularly consumed was the exposure variable. Body mass index (BMI) and sagittal abdominal diameter (SAD), a measure of abdominal obesity, were the outcome variables. SAD correlates strongly with visceral fat, when measured by computed tomography, and has been shown to predict cardiometabolic disorders better than BMI. After controlling for age, gender, race, physical activity, sedentary behavior, alcohol habits, and cigarette use, significantly lower BMIs were associated with regular nonfat and full-fat milk consumption (F = 4.1, P = 0.0063). A significantly lower SAD was associated only with regular consumption of nonfat milk (F = 5.0, P = 0.0019). No significant differences were found between the other milk-fat groups or milk abstainers. In this nationally representative sample, only 19.6% of adults regularly consumed low-fat milk. In conclusion, regular nonfat milk intake was associated with lower levels of abdominal adiposity compared to consumption of higher levels of milk-fat.

It has been hypothesized that an increase in the ratio of plasma tryptophan (TRP) to branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) concentrations may mediate an increase in cerebral serotonin synthesis, through an increased cerebral tryptophan uptake. It is postulated that the increased brain serotonin content may induce central fatigue during prolonged exercise. Until present, this postulate had not been subject to rigorous scientific testing during prolonged exercise. Therefore the aim of this study was to investigate whether ingesting a BCAA supplement during prolonged exercise improves physical performance and central fatigue. The use of such a supplement during prolonged exercise could then be expected to have a large effect on performance. Eight trained cyclists (VO₂ max= 61.9 ± 4.3 ml 02/kg/min) ingested, in random order, a drink containing either 10% carbohydrate (CHO), 10% CHO and 0.16% branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) or 0.16% BCAA. Every hour, for the duration of the exercise (4 hours, 55% VO₂ max) blood samples were analysed for amino acids, ammonia, free fatty acids, glycerol, glucose and insulin concentrations. Urine was analysed for urea and creatinine concentrations. Heart rate, oxygen consumption (VO₂), respiratory exchange ratio (RER) and rating of perceived exertion were also analysed. Thereafter, subject's 40km time trial performance and RPE was assessed on a Velodyne windtrainer. Central fatigue following the time trial was quantified using the Sternberg reaction-time paradigm. The serum concentration of the BCAA's declined as a result of the exercise, in the BCAA only trial. Tryptophan concentration, however, did not change during the exercise. The serum TRP:BCAA ratio increased (0.16 ± 0.06 to 0.20 ± 0.10; p≤0.05) in the CHO trial only. The BCAA trial differed from the two trials in which CHO was ingested because plasma ammonia and glucose concentrations did not increase, while free fatty acids (FF A's) and glycerol concentrations increased significantly (p≤0.05). The lower RER in the BCAA trials suggests a higher proportion of fat was oxidised in these trials, compared to the other two trials. Cycling performance, over a 40km time trial, (CHO= 68.59 ± 6.02; CHO+ BCAA = 68.00 ± 3.01; BCAA = 69.43 ± 5.35 min/sec), ratings of perceived exertion, submaximal or maximal heart rates, and mental performance were not different between trials. Data from this study appears to refute the thesis hypothesis that an increase in serum TRP:BCAA decreases physical performance and central fatigue, during prolonged exercise.

Fatigue and exercise intolerance are common symptoms experienced by patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). Historically it has been argued that central cardiopulmonary factors including pulmonary congestion and reduced lung compliance cause dyspnoea that limits the exercise tolerance of such patients. But recent studies have indicated that exercise capacity in patients with CHF may not be limited solely by central cardiorespiratory factors. Rather the focus has shifted to aspects of the peripheral circulation and skeletal muscle function as possible factors limiting the exercise tolerance of patients with CHF. However there are few studies describing both the structural and functional abnormalities in the skeletal muscle of patients with CHF. In the first study of this dissertation, 11 patients with end-stage heart failure (NYHA class Ill-IV) and 10 healthy control subjects (C) underwent i) graded exercise to exhaustion for determination of peak oxygen consumption (VO₂ peak) and peak work load (Wlpeak); ii) isometric and isokinetic tests of skeletal muscle function and iii) radionuclide angiography for determination of ejection fraction (EF%). VO₂ peak (12.5 ± 1.0 vs 34.3 ± 3.5 mlO₂fkg/min; p<0.001), Wlpeak (73 ± 10 vs 224 ± 14 W; p<0.001), total work performed by the quadriceps muscles (TWQ) in a 30 sec isokinetic test (TWQ; 1565 ± 166 vs 2892 ± 345 J; p<0.05), and hamstring muscles (TWH) (TWH; 604 ± 163 vs 2003 ± 326 J; p<0.05), maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVC) of the quadriceps muscles (MVC; 134 ± 12 vs 194 ± 11 Nm; p<0.001) and isokinetic peak torque of the ~uadriceps (PKTQ) (PKTQ; 133 ± 15 vs 203 ± 23 Nm; p<0.05) and hamstring muscles (PKTH) (PKTH; 60 ± 8 vs 108 ± 16 Nm; p<0.05) and time to fatigue during a test of isometric endurance (68 ± 12 vs 100 ± 10 sec; p<0.05) were all significantly lower in patients with CHF. However when corrected for the reduced lean thigh volume (muscle mass) in patients with CHF, PKTQ, PKTH and MVC were no longer different from control values. But the total work performed by the quadriceps and hamstring muscles in a 30 second isokinetic test was reduced even when corrected for the reduced lean thigh volume in patients with CHF. Furthermore, patients with CHF terminated progressive cycle exercise to exhaustion at heart rates, rates of ventilation, respiratory exchange ratios and blood lactate concentrations that were significantly lower than values achieved by control subjects during maximal dynamic exercise. These data suggest that skeletal muscle functional abnormalities including a decreased resistance to the development of fatigue exist in patients with severe CHF. In the second study of this dissertation, 10 patients with CHF who participated in the first study and eight control subjects underwent a skeletal muscle biopsy of the vastus lateralis muscle for light and electron microscopic analysis. Significant histological and ultrastructural changes were found in all SM biopsies from patients with CHF. These included atrophy and hypertrophy of fibres, fibre splitting, internalized nuclei, nuclear knots, moth-eaten fibres, increased lipid droplets. Electron microscopy showed a large variety of nonspecific abnormalities, including mitochondrial changes, Z-band degeneration and accumulation of intracellular glycogen. Ultrastructural morphometry revealed capillary basement membrane width significantly increased in the SM of patients with CHF, (409 ± 13 vs 121 ± 3 nm; p<0.01). A novel, blinded, impartially scored method for grading SM pathology showed that SM biopsies of patients with CHF had higher scores for myopathic changes compared to C (12.0 ± 1.5 vs 1.6 ± 1.0 arbitrary units; p<0.05). SM pathology score correlated significantly with VO₂ peak, Wlpeak, and TWQ (p<0.05 to p<0.02) but not with EF%. EF% did not correlate with either VO₂ peak, Wlpeak or TWQ. These data support the hypothesis that: i) severe SM structural and functional abnormalities may limit exercise capacity in patients with CHF; ii) the severity of SM pathology but not resting systolic cardiac function, predicts exercise performance in patients with CHF.

This thesis presents two separate experiments concerning aerobic and anaerobic amphibian energetics. The first study (Part I) investigates differential alterations in the kinetics of the anaerobic enzyme lactate dehydrogenase, in nine species of anurans with varying natural histories. The second study (Part II) studies changes in different anaerobic and aerobic physiological parameters in a single species (Rana catesbeiana) after six weeks of chronic exercised, unexercised-captive and for field frogs. The common theme of these two experiments involves the potential for physiological changes due to environmental stress. Part I examines different species to infer a possible evolutionary relationship to environmental stresses at the molecular level of lactate dehydrogenase. Part II comprises the effects on captivity on aerobic and anaerobic capacities of R. catesbeiana,

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects that aerobic exercise activities can have on various stereotypical behaviors found in children on the autism spectrum. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a lifelong, developmental disability that can impact how an individual communicates, behaves, as well as moves. Physical activity has long been implemented in the treatment plans of children with diagnoses along the autism spectrum; However, specific data relating to the impact of aerobic activity is quite scattered. Aerobic activities require the body to be able to take oxygen from the air around it and circulate it through the blood as a form of energy production and can include exercises of low to high intensity. This strain on the cardiovascular system then stimulates behaviors for a child with ASD. By using systematic literature review methodology this study discusses the benefits that aerobic activities, in particular, can have on the many stereotypical behaviors found in children on the autism spectrum including, irregular sleep patterns, shortened attention spans, repetitive movements, as well as overall wellness and the health improvements that arise as a result of this physical activity. Results from this review indicate that there is a positive correlation between increased aerobic activities and a decline in stereotypical behavior in children on the autism spectrum, however, the long-term effects of this practice are not discussed in this literature review.

Recently, comparisons of "periodized" strength training methods have become a focus of sport science. Daily undulating periodization (DUP), using daily alterations in repetitions, has been developed and touted as a superior method of training. The purpose of this study is to compare traditional periodization (TRA) to DUP in Division I track and field athletes. Thirty-one athletes were assigned to either a TRA or the DUP group training programs based on sex, year, and event. Training lasted 10 weeks. There were 4 testing sessions focusing on strength characteristics. Although, trends favored the TRA group for strength and rate of force development, no significant differences were found between the groups. Significant differences (p≤0.05) in volume and the amount of improvement per volume load were found to be significantly different (p≤0.05) between the TRA and DUP groups. These data indicate that TRA is more efficient in producing strength gains than DUP.

INTRODUCTION: Worksite health promotion programs (WHPP) promote maintenance and changes of health-related behaviors of employees. Some companies opt to contract with a third party provider to implement a WHPP. PURPOSE: This study evaluated the participation rates, availability and use of health coaching, and changes in biometric data over a 2-year time period of employees in 13 companies for whom the WHPP was implemented by Wellness Corporate Solutions (WCS). METHODS: We had 2 years of biometric, health risk appraisal (HRA), or health coaching data on 4,473 employees. The statistical analysis included biometric screening data (percent body fat, body mass index (BMI), total cholesterol (TC), high- and low-density lipoproteins (HDL-C, LDL-C), TC/HDL ratio, triglycerides, glucose, systolic and diastolic blood pressures (SBP and DBP)) from all 13 companies and health coaching data from five companies. RESULTS: Employee participation rates of the 13 companies ranged from 35% to 75%. Five of the 13 companies provided voluntary telephonic health coaching to employees participating in their WHPPs. Of those employees for which we had 2-year data, 125 (12.9%) actually participated in health coaching. Only one of the 13 companies demonstrated improvement in all 10 biometric measurements and 1 company demonstrated improvement in only one biometric measurement. The biometric measurements that showed the greatest improvements over time were triglycerides, blood pressure, BMI, and TC. There was no association found between the number of variables that improved and employee participation rate (p = 0.8814) or the type of incentives offered to employees (p = 0.1389). Availability and use of health coaching did not appear to affect the number of variables that improved. Compared to employees who did not use health coaching, there were significantly greater changes in DBP, HDL-C, and BMI (p < 0.05) in employees who used health coaching. The magnitude of change in variables of interest was dependent, in part, on the baseline value. CONCLUSIONS: Voluntary participation in WHPPs results in positive changes in health-related biometric variables. Health coaching can positively affect the magnitude of change in some biometric variables and the magnitude of change is likely related to the baseline value and the frequency of coaching interactions. Further research should evaluate the benefits of various forms and frequencies of health coaching. Worksite health promotion programs and health coaching may also have a positive impact on other variables (e.g., employee attitudes and morale) not addressed in this study.

The main purpose of this dissertation was to compare performance and physiological outcomes of between a repetition maximum (RM) and a relative intensity using sets-and-repetitions (RISR) resistance training (RT) program in well-trained lifters. Fifteen subjects underwent RT 3 d·wk-1 for 10-weeks in either a RM group (n=8) or RISR group (n=7). The RM group achieved a relative maximum each day while the RISR group trained based on percentages. Testing included percutaneous needle biopsies of the vastus lateralis, ultrasonography, unweighted (g to assess within and between-group alterations. RISR from pre-to-post yielded statistically significant increases in Type I CSA (p=0.018), Type II CSA (p=0.012), ACSA (p=0.002), unweighted (p=0.009) and 20 kg SJ JH (p=0.012), unweighted (p=0.003) and 20kg SJ PPa (p=0.026), IPF (ppSR increased in unweighted (p=0.023) and 20kg SJ JH (p=0.014), and 20kg SJ PPa (p=0.026) from pre-to-post taper. RM yielded statistically significant increases from only pre-to-post taper for 20kg SJ JH (p=0.003) and CMJ JH (p=0.031). Additionally, RM had a statistically significant pre-to-post decrease in RFD from 0-50ms (p=0.018) and 0-100ms (p=0.014). Between-group effect sizes supported RISR for Type I CSA (g=0.48), Type II CSA (g=0.50), ACSA (g=1.03), all MYH isoforms (g=0.31-0.87), all SJ variables (g=0.64-1.07), unweighted and 20kg CMJ JH (g=0.76-0.97), unweighted CMJ PPa (g=0.35), IPFa (g=0.20), and all RFD (g=0.31-1.25) time-points except 0-200ms; with all other effects being of trivial magnitude (gSR training yielded greater improvements in vertical jump, RFD and maximal strength compared RM training. These performances results may, in part, be explained mechanistically by the superior physiological adaptations observed in the RISR group within the skeletal muscle. Taken together, these data support the use of RISR training in well-trained populations.

Objective: To determine the variance in percent body fat between and within families as measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Methods: Percent body fat (%BF) assessed in 95 females, 120 males (included 54 sets of biological siblings) using DXA. Physical activity questionnaire used to assess current physical activity habits in each participant. Results: Variance in %BF between and within families is similar. Amount of television viewing and levels of physical activity can affect %BF. Discussion: A model such as the one derived in this study can be a useful tool in intervention programs implemented to decrease obesity.