Objective. Determine the relationship between dietary quality and body weight/composition in college women. Specific emphasis was made regarding adherence to current MyPyramid guidelines, fruit, vegetable and junk food consumption. Design/Participants. The study used a cross-sectional design. One hundred and sixty three women were recruited to participate in the study. All participants were university students (20.4 ± 1.6 y). Diet intake was measured using the Dietary History Questionnaire (DHQ) and the Healthy Eating Index (HEI) was calculated to assess diet quality. Body fat percentage was assessed using the Bod Pod and BMI was calculated using height and weight measurements. Physical activity was measured objectively using accelerometers over seven consecutive days. Results. There was no significant difference in BMI or body fat percentage across university year. There was no relationship between diet quality (as measured using the Healthy Eating Index) and percent body fat or BMI. The number of MyPyramid equivalents of fruit was negatively correlated to body fat percentage (r = -0.2, p ≤ 0,05) but not BMI (r = -0.093, p =0.26). The number of MyPyramid equivalents of dairy was also negatively related to both body fat percentage (r = -0.21, p ≤ 0.05) and BMI (r = -0.21, p ≤ 0.05). Percentage of calories from Non Nutrient Dense Foods (NNDF) was positively related to percent body fat ( r= 0.179, p = 0.029). For every 1-percentage increase in NNDF, there was a 0.12 percentage point increase in body fat. Conclusion. Increasing fruit, dairy, and vegetable intake, and reducing intake from Non Nutrient Dense Foods (NNDF) such as French fries, cookies, and candy, may have a beneficial influence on body composition in college women.

At any given running speed, weight support with a lower body positive pressure (LBPP) device (i.e. Alter-G treadmill) reduces V̇O2. However, it is unknown how application of LBPP during running impacts lactate metabolism, specifically lactate threshold. Purpose: To determine if body weight unloading with the Alter-G treadmill alters lactate threshold. Methods. Maximal aerobic capacity (V̇O2max) and lactate threshold (LT) was determined in 8 male subjects on an Alter-G treadmill at 100% and 80% body weight loading at 0% grade in a randomized crossover design. V̇O2max tests started at 7 mile h-1 and increase speed by 1 mile h-1 every 2 min till voluntary exhaustion and were separated by a minimum of 7 days. LT tests started at 5 mile h-1 and increased speed to 6, 7, 7.5, 8.0, 8.5, 9.0 (additional stages increase speed by 0.5 mile h-1) every 3 min until the subject reached ¡Ö85% of V̇O2max. LT tests were separated by a minimum 3 days. V̇O2, heart rate (HR), mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and changes in Hct, [Hb], and total protein ([TP]) were determined on separate days in a randomized crossover design. Plasma lactate concentrations were determined from venous blood samples (4 ml) obtained at rest and during the last minute of each exercise stage. Lactate threshold was determined from a log-log plot of lactate concentration (mM) and relative V̇O2 (ml O2 min-1 kg-1 BM). Results. V̇O2max determined during running at 100% and 80% loading were similar (52.3 ± 0.9 and 52.7 ± 0.7 ml O2 min-1 kg-1 BM, respectively). The energy cost of running at 9 mile h-1 (all subjects completed stages between 5 and 9 mile h-1) was reduced by 12% at 80% body weight (37.2 ± 2.9 ml O2 min-1 kg-1 BM) compared to running at 100% body weight (42.3 ± 1.7 ml O2 min-1 kg-1 BM, <0.05). However, plasma lactate at 9 mile h-1 was similar during 80% and 100% body weight running (3.4 ± 0.4 and 3.1 ± 0.7 mM, respectively). Plasma lactate at a given V̇O2 was higher (p < 0.05) while running at 80% body weight compared to 100% body weight running. Calculated LT at 100% BW loading (36.3 ± 1.3 ml O2 min-1 kg-1 BM) was higher than 80% BW loading (32.2 ± 1.8 ml O2 min-1 kg-1 BM, p<0.05). During running at 80% BW HR was reduced compared to 100% BW running (p<0.05) however the MAP response was similar. During exercise the reduction in PV, at any given V̇O2 was larger at 80% BW compared to 100% BW running (p<0.001). Conclusion. During running, BW unloading with LBPP decreased the energy cost of exercise but not lactate levels. Body weight unloading caused a lowering of the LT. The reduction in whole body energy cost was not associated with a reduction in the lactate production since plasma lactate accumulation at a given speed was similar with and without LBPP.

Electric muscle stimulation (EMS) has been widely used in the rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries. Patterned electrical neuromuscular stimulation (PENS), a specific form of EMS, has been developed to better educate muscles to contract properly. The physiological efficacy of PENS has not been quantifiably identified. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to determine the acute effect of one PENS training session (3 sets of 10 1-sec repetitions) on maximal isometric knee extensor (MVIC) torque production and surface EMG (sEMG) in healthy nonathlete college students. DESIGN: A randomized repeated-measures design was used in this study. METHODS: Twenty-two male college students participated in the study. All participants completed two training sessions, one with PENS and one without, in a randomized crossover design. RESULTS: One bout of PENS training significantly increased MVIC (3.1% ± 1.7%, p = 0.03) which was greater than the change in MVIC of the control group (p = 0.03). Control training did not alter MVIC but resulted in significant decrease in average sEMG amplitude (-7.8% ± 1.6%, p ≤ 0.01) and peak sEMG amplitude (-10.4% ± 2.7%, p ≤ 0.01). These reductions in sEMG following control training were significantly different from the PENS group (p = 0.03 and p ≤ 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that strength training in conjunction with PENS can enhance torque production after just one bout of training. The increase in torque with no change in sEMG amplitude can be explained by increased motor unit synchronization or decreased cocontraction of antagonist muscles.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of long-term (24 weeks) physical activity on attention allocated toward food in college freshmen women. Methods: Seventy-nine freshmen college women wore a multi-function pedometer for 24 weeks after being randomly assigned to a daily step level: 10,000; 12,500; or 15,000. After at least 16 weeks of intervention, participants were given a cognitive viewing task (pictures of food and flowers) with the neural response measured using electroencephalogram (EEG) and event-related potentials (ERPs). P300s and LPPs are components of the ERP indicating increased attention to stimuli. Results: There was a significant difference in daily step counts between groups. No interaction between step group and picture condition (food vs. flowers) was found for any of the three ERP (event-related potential) variables (P300 amplitude, P300 latency, LPP amplitude). The 12,500 group showed a significantly elevated response in comparison to the other groups for both food and flowers (F=8.84; P=0.0002). Additionally, subjective rating of hunger was significantly lower in the 15,000 step group (F=4.72; P=0.0030). Conclusion: It appears that long-term increases in physical activity are capable of reducing neural orientation toward hedonic food cues as well as subjective hunger ratings. In addition to increasing energy expenditure, increases in long-term physical activity may also influence the physiological drive to consume food.

Myostatin (GDF-8) is the chief chalone in skeletal muscle and negatively controls adult skeletal muscle growth. The role of myostatin during overload-induced hypertrophy of adult muscle is unclear. We tested the hypothesis that overloaded adult rodent skeletal muscle would result in reduced myostatin protein levels. Overload-induced hypertrophy was accomplished by unilateral tenotomy of the gastrocnemius tendon in male adult Sprague-Dawley rats followed by a two-week period of compensatory overload of the plantaris and soleus muscles. Western blot analysis was performed to evaluate changes in active, latent and precursor myostatin protein levels. Significant hypertrophy was noted in the plantaris (494 ± 29 vs. 405 ± 15 mg, p < 0.05) and soleus (289 ± 12 vs. 179 ± 37 mg, p < 0.05) muscles following overload. Overloaded soleus muscle decreased the concentration of active myostatin protein by 32.7 ± 9.4% (p < 0.01) while the myostatin precursor protein was unchanged. Overloaded plantaris muscle decreased the concentration of active myostatin protein by 28.5 ± 8.5% (p < 0.01) while myostatin precursor levels were reduced by 17.5 ± 5.9% (p < 0.05). Myostatin latent complex concentration decreased in the overloaded soleus and plantaris muscle by 15.0 ± 5.9% and 70.0 ± 2.3% (p < 0.05), respectively. These data support the hypothesis that the myostatin signaling pathway in overloaded muscles is generally downregulated and contributes to muscle hypertrophy. Plasma concentrations of total and active myostatin proteins were similar in overloaded and control animals and averaged 8865 ± 526 pg/ml and 569 ± 28 pg/ml, respectively. Tissue levels of BMP-1, an extracellular proteinase that converts myostatin to its active form, also decreased in overloaded soleus and plantaris muscles by 40.4 ± 12.9% and 32.9 ± 6.9% (p < 0.01), respectively. These data support the hypothesis that local, rather than systemic, regulation of myostatin contributes to the growth of individual muscles, and that an association exists between the extracellular matrix proteinase BMP-1 and the amount of active myostatin in overloaded muscles.

In this study, we examined how hill running affects the Achilles tendon, which is a common location for injuries in runners. Twenty females ran for 10 min on three randomly selected grades (-6%, 0%, +6%). Achilles tendon (AT) cross-sectional area (CSA) was imaged using Doppler ultrasound and peak vertical forces were analyzed using high-speed (240 Hz) videography. A metabolic cart and gas analyzer ensured a similar metabolic cost across grades. Data were analyzed using a forward selection regression. Results showed a decrease in AT CSA from pre-run to post-run (p = .0001). Peak vertical forces were different across grades (p = .0001) with the largest occurring during downhill running and smallest during uphill running. The results suggest that the Achilles tendon is affected by running and a decrease in CSA appears to be a normal response. The AT CSA does not differ between grade conditions when metabolic cost of running is matched, suggesting an adaptive effect of the AT. Coaches and athletes can use this knowledge to develop workout protocols that transition runners to downhill running and allow them to adapt to these greater forces.

The purpose of this study was to locate and examine statements within the writings and recorded speeches of certain leaders of the L.D.S. Church which refer to various objectives, activities, and desirable experiences inherent in well organized and properly conducted physical education and recreation programs.Data dating from 1830 through 1969 were gathered from the resources and through the services provided by the historical libraries of the L.D.S. Church and Brigham Young University. Available biographical and historical information was presented to denote circumstances possibly influencing the statement itself, the significance of the statement, or the intent of the statement.Without exception, the men discussed in this study supported wholesome competitive and non-competitive physical activities so long as they did not interfere with Church activities, so long as they were not participated in on Sunday, and so long as the value to the participant was wholesome and conducive to his spiritual, mental, and physical health and welfare.

Research has related both physical fitness and religiosity to health. This study combined these ideas and examined the relationship between religiosity and physical fitness among middle aged Mormon men (n=110). Mormons are an ideal population for study because of their strict health code. Fitness variables were grip strength, waist/hip ratio, body mass index (BMI) and estimated maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max). A questionnaire assessed level of religiosity and separated subjects into two groups: highly religious (n=35) and less religious (n=14). Moderately religious subjects (n=61) were omitted. A one way ANOVA (between-groups design) found no significant differences in fitness variables between groups. Results indicate that fitness and religiosity do not appear to be related among Mormon men. These factors were found to be related in Mormon women (Blakemore, 1997:16). Therefore, an increase in religiosity may be associated with improved physical fitness for Mormon women, however, based on this study no such association can be made for Mormon men.

Context: Knee pain is a common symptom in knee pathology and is associated with alterations in quadriceps activation and movement patterns. Reducing pain through intervention may help reestablish neuromuscular function. The independent effects of knee pain are difficult to examine and unclear. Objective: To investigate the effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on quadriceps activation and vertical ground reaction force (VGRF) during walking. Design: Crossover. Setting: Laboratory. Subjects: 15 in the TENS group (10M and 5F, 23.5 ± 2.8 yrs, 70.5 ± 12.5 kg, 178.1 ± 7.4 cm), and 15 in the sham group (10M and 5F, 22.5 ± 2.0 yrs, 72.1 ± 13.7 kg, 177.5 ± 9.3 cm). Interventions: Subjects underwent three experimental conditions (pain, sham, and control). Measurements were recorded across four time points (preinfusion, infusion, treatment, and posttreatment). Hypertonic or isotonic saline, respectively, was infused into the infrapatellar fat pad for 48 minutes (total 7.7 mL). The TENS group received a 20-minute treatment. A sham treatment was administered to the sham group. Main Outcome Measures: Perceived knee pain on a 10-cm visual analog scale, knee extension maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) normalized to body mass, knee extension central activation ratio (CAR), and VGRF. Results: Knee pain peaked at 4 cm during infusion and remained consistent across time in the sham group (F2,28 = 49.90, P < 0.0001), while knee pain gradually decreased to 1.5 cm following TENS treatment (F2,28 = 23.11, P < 0.0001). A group x condition x time interaction was detected for both the MVIC (F6,168 = 2.92, P < 0.01) and CAR (F6,168 = 3.03, P < 0.008) measurements. Post hoc analysis revealed that the infusion of hypertonic saline reduced knee extension MVIC by 29% in the TENS group, and by 26% in the sham group (P < 0.05). However, while the MVIC remained depressed by 26% following sham treatment, the MVIC was found to improve by 12% following TENS treatment (P < 0.05). Similarly, a 10% decrease in CAR was detected in both sham and TENS groups prior to treatment. This 10% deficit held, with a 9% deficit following sham treatment, while the deficit of CAR was improved by 4% following TENS treatment (P < 0.05). For the TENS group, infusion of hypertonic saline changed VGRF at initial loading, midstance, and push-off phase. VGRF was only different at initial loading and push-off phase following TENS treatment. For the sham group however, sham treatment did not restore VGRF, showing alterations in initial loading, midstance, and push-off phase (α = 0.05). Conclusions: Infusion of hypertonic saline increased perceived knee pain, reduced knee extension MVIC, reduced CAR, and altered VGRF over some of stance phase. TENS lessened the deficits in MVIC, CAR, and VGRF, suggesting decreased muscle inhibition and improved movement function.

Purpose The vascular endothelium is an influential contributor to vasodilation at rest, yet its role during peak exercise is relatively unknown. The purpose of this study is to determine if exercise leg blood flow during dynamic submaximal and maximal exercise is related to resting vascular endothelial function. Methods Nineteen subjects (aged 23 ± 0.57 yr) completed multiple assessments of vascular endothelial function including passive leg movement (PLM), rapid onset vasodilation, (ROV) and flow-mediated dilation (FMD). Peak muscle blood flow was assessed during single leg knee extension (KE) exercise. Doppler ultrasound of the femoral artery was utilized to assess muscle blood flow. Results Peak exercise blood flow was linearly related with microvascular endothelial function determined by PLM (P < 0.001) and ROV (P < 0.001). Normalizing muscle blood flow for quadriceps mass did not change this significant association. Individuals with high vascular endothelial function had greater muscle blood flow during KE compared to those with low endothelial function (P = 0.05). Post hoc analysis indicated a significant difference in blood flow between high and low endothelial function groups at 20 W, 30 W, and peak flow (P = 0.042, 0.048, 0.001, respectively). Conclusion Peak muscle blood flow during dynamic exercise is correlated with vascular endothelial function, as measured by PLM and ROV, accounting for between 30 to 50% of the variance in this relationship. These data support the hypothesis that endothelial function significantly contributes to the peak blood flow response during dynamic exercise.