Background: A cross-sectional design was employed to ascertain the relationship between dairy consumption and insulin resistance (IR) in 272 middle-aged, nondiabetic women. Methods: Participants kept a seven-day weighed food record to report their diets, including consumption of dairy foods. IR was assessed using the homeostatic model assessment (HOMA), using the following formula: fasting plasma insulin (µU/ml) x fasting plasma glucose (mg/dL)/405. The Bod Pod was used to examine body fat percentage, and accelerometry over a seven-day period was used to assess physical activity. HOMA values were log-transformed and regression analysis and the General Linear Model procedure were used to determine how mean HOMA differed across low, moderate, and high dairy intake groups. Results: (Mean ± SD) age: 40.1 ± 3.0 years, physical activity (average activity counts for one week, divided by 1,000): 2700.1 ± 781.9, body fat percentage: 31.7 ± 6.9, weight (kg): 66.1 ± 10.0, fasting glucose (mg/dL): 86.7 ± 5.9, fasting insulin (µU/mL): 7.0 ± 4.2, energy intake (kcal/day): 2051.9 ± 319.1, kcal from carbohydrate (%): 55.7 ± 6.2, kcal from protein (%): 13.8 ± 2.5, kcal from fat (%): 30.5 ± 5.8, soluble fiber (g per 1,000 kcal): 1.7 ± 0.9, insoluble fiber (g per 1,000 kcal): 3.8 ± 1.9, dairy intake (servings/day): 1.1 ± 1.0, HOMA: 1.5 ± 1.0, log-transformed HOMA: 0.3 ± 0.6. Those in the highest quartile for dairy consumption had significantly higher log-transformed HOMA (0.41 ± 0.53) than those in the moderate (0.22 ± 0.55) or low (0.19 ± 0.58) consumption categories (F = 6.90, p = 0.0091). This relationship remained significant after controlling for all covariates (F = 4.71, p = 0.030). Controlling for physical activity strengthened the relationship between dairy consumption and IR by 7%. Adjusting for body weight, percent of kcal from fat, and insoluble and soluble fiber intake also strengthened the relationship. Controlling for energy intake and body fat percentage weakened the relationship by 32% and 13%, respectively, though it remained significant. Conclusion: High dairy consumption is significantly associated with IR in middle-aged, nondiabetic women.

This study examined the acute effects of whole-body corrective exercise on postural alignment in a sample of 50 male participants (18-30 y) displaying asymmetrical postural deviations. All participants were randomly assigned to either a non-exercise control (n = 25) or corrective exercise treatment (n = 25) group. A three-dimensional motion analysis Vicon system was employed to quantify standing postural alignment at the beginning and end of a 6 d study. Postural misalignments were determined in degrees of symmetry (tilt) and rotation using horizontal and vertical virtual plumb lines for the following locations: hip (ASIS), leg (greater trochanter), shoulder (acromion process), and head (ear). The treatment group completed five corrective exercise sessions on separate days which included 11 exercises (requiring about 60 min per session to complete). The control group performed no intervention and maintained a normal lifestyle. At the commencement of the study there were no significant differences in the degree of postural misalignment between the control and treatment groups at any of the postural measurements. At the conclusion of the treatment period (following the five sessions of corrective exercise), there were no significant differences in any of the postural alignments of any of the postural measurements between the treatment and control groups. For example, all of the following postural measurements were not significantly different (critical F ≥ 4.24;df = 1,25) between groups: hip (ASIS) tilt (F = 0.05), hip (ASIS) rotation (F = 0.15), greater trochanter tilt (F = 1.58), greater trochanter rotation (F = 0.33), shoulder tilt (F = 2.63), shoulder rotation (F = 0.07), head tilt (F = 2.39), and head rotation (F = 2.79). The results of this study suggest that five sessions of corrective exercise were insufficient to significantly improve standing postural alignment. In addition, this study appears to be the first to document whole-body postural alignment using 3D video analysis.

Purpose: An experimental study to examine the effects of CardioWaves interval training (IT) and continuous training (CT) on resting blood pressure, resting heart rate, and mind-body wellness. Methods: Fifty-two normotensive (blood pressure <120/80 mmHg), pre-hypertensive (120-139/80-89 mmHg), and hypertensive (>140/90 mmHg) participants were randomly assigned and equally divided between the IT and CT groups. Both groups participated in the assigned exercise protocol thirty minutes per day, four days per week for eight weeks. Resting blood pressure, resting heart rate, and mind-body wellness were measured pre- and post-intervention. Results: A total of 47 participants (15 females and 32 males) were included in the analysis. The IT group had a non-significant trend of reduced systolic blood pressure (SBP) and increased diastolic blood pressure (DBP) while the CT group had a statistically significant decrease in awake SBP (p=0.01) and total SBP (p=0.01) and a non-significant decrease in DBP. With both groups combined, the female participants had a statistically significant decrease in awake SBP (p=0.002), asleep SBP (p=0.01), total SBP (p=0.003), awake DBP (p=0.02), and total DBP (p=0.05). The male participants had an increase in SBP and DBP with total DBP showing a statistically significant increase (p=0.05). Neither group had consistent change in resting heart rate. Both groups showed improved mind-body wellness. Conclusion: IT and CT reduced resting blood pressure, with CT having a greater effect. Resting heart rate did not change in either group. Additionally, both IT and CT improved mind-body wellness.

The problem of this study was to determine the relative levels of physical fitness of male L.D.S. Missionaires who were commencing and those just concluding their missionary service. The study was conducted with 50 randomly chosen subjects in each group.The following conclusions were drawn based on the findings of the study:1. Returning missionaries were found to have experienced a significant decrease at the .01 level in the following areas: leg and back strength, total strength score, strength quotient, total seconds ran, total endurance score and over-all fitness score.2. Returning missionaries increased in gripping strength at the .01 level of significance.3. There was no significant difference at the .01 level between the two groups in the areas of body weight or arm strength.4. Ninty percent of the returning missionaries were found to be below McCloy's National Strength Norms at .01 level of significance.5. Eighty-six percent of the returning missionaries were classified as being in poor over-all condition as opposed to 26 percent prior to their departing for the mission field.

INTRODUCTION: While strengthening and aerobic exercise have been shown to decrease chronic knee and hip pain, little is known about the effectiveness of Egoscue corrective exercises, which are intended to reduce musculoskeletal pain by bringing the body into postural alignment. PURPOSE: An experimental study to determine the acute effect following one treatment and the short-term effect after a 2 week program of Egoscue corrective exercises on knee pain, hip pain, and whole-body postural alignment. METHODS: Forty participants with chronic knee and/or hip pain (defined as pain on most days of the week for at least the previous 12 weeks) were randomly assigned and equally divided between an exercise group (n = 20) and a control group (n = 20). The exercise group completed a corrective exercise routine, as per the Egoscue Method, at least 5 d/wk for two weeks. The control group simply maintained their current lifestyle for the 2-week duration of the study. All participants kept a daily log of their average pain levels at rest and during movement using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Standing posture was assessed using PostureScreen Mobile® and pain and function were recorded using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) at baseline and at the end of week 1 and 2. RESULTS: The exercise group experienced a significant decrease in pain during everyday movement as reported in daily VAS logs (p = 0.019). After controlling for age, BMI, past surgeries, arthritis status, and location of pain, there was a significant group x time interaction in WOMAC scores (p = 0.015). At week 2, WOMAC scores were significantly lower in the exercise group (p = 0.001) but not the control group (p > 0.05). Pain was not significantly different after one treatment. No significant changes in posture were observed in this study. CONCLUSION: Two weeks of corrective exercises significantly decreased knee and hip pain and improved function. Although an observable change in posture was not detected, further research is warranted to investigate the effects of Egoscue corrective exercises on posture over longer periods of time.

Impedance cardiography is an important tool in determining a person's hemodynamic properties. The makers obtained through thoracic impedance have been shown to be of great importance when monitoring critical care patients. Technological developments have made this process noninvasive and ambulatory, opening up new possibilities for potential use. A study was conducted by remotely monitoring healthy subjects (n=5), who performed an 8-minute mild-to-moderate aerobic exercise protocol, followed up by a four minute cognitive stress test. Testing was conducted onsite at Kennedy Space Center in association with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration using the MW1000A (MindWare Technologies LTD, Gahanna, OH) ambulatory impedance cardiography monitoring (ICG) device. The current study was conducted in order to establish the test-retest reliability of the ICG during aerobic exercise and cognitive stress across a 2 week period. For the purpose of this study Heart Rate (HR), Left Ventricular Ejection Time (LVET) Stroke Volume (SV), Cardiac Output (CO), and Pre-Ejection Period (PEP) were acquired and analyzed during three phases. The phases were, walking on a level treadmill, walking at incline, and an at rest mental arithmetic stress test. Testing has shown that the MW1000A device can provide accurate ambulatory impedance cardiography monitoring with no significant difference between testing intervals. The simple application of electrodes makes this device easy to use and requires little training. Its non-invasive properties render employing ICG both a simple and effective means of determining the hemodynamic properties of a subject.

Previous studies of age-related differences in substrate oxidation over 24 hours and during exercise have provided divergent results, leaving it unclear how and if substrate oxidation is influenced with aging. The purpose of this study was to evaluate age-related differences in substrate oxidation during distinct periods of a 24-hr stay in a room calorimeter: over the entire 24 hours, during activities of daily living (ADLs), and during a 30-min treadmill walk (30MTW, at 1.3 m·s-1). Further, oxygen consumption transients were quantified in response to the 30MTW. Gas exchange measures were obtained during an incremental treadmill test in 9 young (28 + 3 yr) and 6 older (71 + 5 yr) healthy males to quantify VO2peak. On a separate visit, oxygen consumption (VO2) and carbon dioxide production (VCO2) were measured throughout a 24-hr stay in a whole-room calorimeter, and used to determine substrate oxidation from carbohydrate (CHO) and fat for the selected periods. Energy expenditure (EE), CHO oxidation, and fat oxidation were normalized to lean mass (kJ∙kg LM-1), determined by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. Oxygen consumption on- (oxygen deficit, mL) and off- (rate constant for VO2 decay) transients were determined in response to the 30MTW. As expected, VO2peak (ml∙kg-1 LM∙min-1) was ~24% lower in older compared to young (p=0.021). EE (kJ∙kg LM-1) did not differ significantly by group for any period (p>0.099). Compared with young, older oxidized less CHO over 24 hr (p0.053). In contrast, during the 30MTW CHO oxidation did not differ by group (p>0.148), but older oxidized more fat per LM than young (p=0.002). The contrast in substrate selection between the lower-intensity ADLs (~16 and 20% VO2peak in young and older) and the 30MTW (~28 and 39% VO2peak in young and older) is consistent with a crossover from predominantly fat to CHO at a relatively higher VO2peak (relative to LM and %peak) in this group of relatively fit older males. Notably, when expressed as a percent of total substrate oxidation, older oxidized relatively more fat and less CHO over 24 hr (p=0.012), ADLs (p

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is considered the leading cause of inactivity and lost employment time. It can be extremely difficult to treat as most conventional therapies have poor success rates. People with LBP need to be made more aware of the diverse and economical treatments available in order to save on expenses and diminish stress. Patients and healthcare professionals have many choices when deciding on the best plan of care; however, it is often difficult to determine which option is best. Objectives: The purpose of this systematic review was to determine if aerobic exercises play a role in reducing pain in the low back. Methods: A computerized electronic search was performed using CINAHL, Medline, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials with key words including low back pain or lumbar pain combined with aerobic and exercise. Inclusion criteria consisted of studies that were randomized controlled trials or controlled clinical trials, peer reviewed, published in the English language, identified low back pain as the primary concern, and identified aerobic exercises as one of the treatment options. Results: The initial search of the database revealed a total of 40 studies. Hand searching of the references had also revealed an additional 7. Of those 47 studies, 13 were selected as potentially meeting the inclusion criteria. Ultimately, 10 studies were retained for the final results of the systematic review. Conclusion: The evaluations provided evidence to suggest that aerobic exercise has positive effects on subjects with LBP. Aerobic exercise encourages strength, flexibility, and muscular endurance. This outcome has also shown to promote levels of activity, leaving the subject feeling better both physically and mentally.

Previous research has shown an inverse relationship between age and the relative intensity at which ventilatory threshold (VT) occurs in adolescent boys. However, no study has examined the effect of maturity status on VT in the differences in boys from the onset of puberty, adolescents. The purpose of this study was to compare VT among adolescent boys of different maturational groups. Methods: For this study, moderately active adolescent male participants (14 ± 3 y) completed this study. Maturational status of the participants was determined via years from peak height velocity (PHV), which is an estimation of somatic maturity status derived from age, standing height, seated height, body mass, and leg length. Participants were categorized into PRE- (lesser than 1 year till PHV), PERI- (within 1 year of PHV), and POST-PHV (greater than 1 year past PHV). All participants completed a ramp graded exercise test on a cycle ergometer. During the test, participants were given a three-minute warm-up with no resistance before starting at a workload of 30 watts which increased at a rate of 1 watt every 3 seconds until volitional fatigue. Throughout the test, oxygen consumption (VO2) and ventilation were measured. VT was determined, as a percentage of VO2max, from the ventilation versus VO2 graph using the maximal deviation method. Differences in VT between maturational groups were examined using one-way ANOVA. Results: A significant (F=5.36; p=0.014) difference in VT among maturational groups was found (Appendix A, Figure 2). Post hoc analysis revealed that PRE (p=0.029) and PERI (p=0.009) had VT occur at a significantly greater relative percentage of VO2max than POST. However, no significant (p=0.970) differences were found between PRE and PERI (Appendix A, Figure 3). Conclusion: Adolescent males in PRE and PERI demonstrated higher VT as a percentage of their VO2max compared to POST. This finding suggests the differences in the delayed switch from aerobic to anaerobic metabolism during incremental exercise in adolescent boys who are PRE and PERI.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the blood flow/pressure relationship (linear or nonlinear) in the superficial femoral artery when seated, as well as to investigate blood flow changes with exercise using varying cuff pressures and a preexercise (PE) condition. The presence of venous outflow with occlusion at rest and exercise was also investigated.Methods: Twenty-three subjects visited the lab on 3 occasions. First to determine linearity of blood flow using 0% to 90% arterial occlusion pressure (AOP), and venous outflow at rest and during exercise with cuff inflated to 40% AOP. Subsequent visits compared blood flow between rest and PE conditions to determine average blood flow, heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure changes in response to a blood flow-restricted (BFR) exercise protocol. Results: Blood flow/pressure relationship is nonlinear at the superficial femoral artery (p < 0.01). No significant differences in average blood flow, conductance or mean arterial pressure (MAP) were found between 30% to 80% AOP (p = 1.0 to .08). Blood flow is not significantly different between rest and PE groups (p = 0.49) although initial 40% AOP and 40% exercise arterial occlusion pressure (EAOP) values were different between rest and PE groups. (p < 0.01). Conclusion: The nonlinear relationship at the superficial femoral artery demonstrates higher cuff pressures are not necessary to reduce blood flow in BFR exercise of the lower extremity. Furthermore, PE or warm-up is not necessary prior to determining EAOP as it does not alter blood flow responses during BFR exercise. We found evidence of venous outflow above the cuff both at rest and during exercise at 40% AOP.