Thesis (M.S. in Management)--Naval Postgraduate School, March 2004. / Thesis advisor(s): Kathleen I. Kujawa. Includes bibliographical references. Also available online.

Heidelberg, Universität, Thesis (doctoral), 2002.

This thesis aimed to investigate the benefit of game-based dual-task recumbent bicycle (DT-RC) training among older adults. In addition, the thesis examined the change in cardiac fitness over an 8-week training program. Eleven healthy older adults (70-80 years old) were recruited and received an 8-week dual-task training program; combines a recumbent bicycle with interactive cognitive video games. Outcome measures were collected pre and post the intervention and included measures to assess COP for core balance, spatial-temporal gait variables, performance in visual tracking and cognitive games, neuropsychological tests and HR to workload ratio. Results showed a significant improvement in COP excursion, head tracking and success rate for cognitive games, trails making test and HR to workload ratio decreased by 44%. No significant effects were found for spatial-temporal gait variables. This study shows that the DT-RC program has beneficial effects on dual-task functions and cardiac fitness among healthy older adults.

This thesis project reconsiders the purpose and effectiveness of public, free-to-use outdoor gyms, resulting in the Health Loop nine-station outdoor gym. The project identifies three key areas of failings in existing gyms: intimidation, lack of understanding, and lack of enjoyment.The design solution creates a gym which focuses firstly on providing a comfortable, appealing, approachable space and equipment. This is achieved through simplicity, a non-sporting atmosphere, and targeting the workout to relatively inactive people. The second key focus is on quick-to-understand, engaging, enjoyable workout routines for each station. This aspect is delivered through an interactive digital display and sensors to provide gamified routines and feedback.

Objective The primary objective of this study was two-fold. First, to determine whether incidental physical activity (IPA), which is composed of both light-intensity physical activity (LPA) and sporadic moderate-intensity physical activity (MPA; physical activity accrued in bouts less than 10 minutes), was associated with cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF). Second, to determine whether sporadic MPA was associated with CRF. Methods Participants were abdominally obese (defined as a waist circumference > 102 cm in men and > 88 cm in women), inactive, adult men (N = 24; [mean ± SD] age = 55.5 ± 7.8 years) and women (N = 55; age = 52.3 ± 7.5 years) recruited from Kingston, Canada. Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed using a graded treadmill test. IPA (activity ≥ 1 metabolic equivalent (MET)) and sporadic MPA (activity ≥ 3 METs accrued in bouts less than 10 minutes) was measured using the SenseWear Pro Armband (SWA). IPA and sporadic MPA were categorized into duration (minutes/day) and expenditure (MET-minutes/day). In secondary analyses, we investigated the association between LPA (activity between 1 – 2.99 METs), sedentary behaviour (SED; activity < 1.0 MET) and CRF. Results Participants accumulated an average of 326.6 ± 127 minutes of IPA per day which was composed of 40.7 ± 17.8 minutes of sporadic MPA and 285.9 ± 118.2 minutes of LPA. Both duration and expenditure of IPA were significantly associated with CRF independent of sex, however, after further control for body mass index and age neither association remained significant (p > 0.05). Sporadic MPA was significantly associated with CRF after control for covariates (p ≤ 0.05). Neither LPA nor SED were associated with CRF after control for covariates (p > 0.05). Conclusions IPA was not significantly associated with CRF, however, sporadic MPA was an independent predictor of CRF. / Thesis (Master, Kinesiology & Health Studies) -- Queen's University, 2011-07-30 16:43:47.703

No description available.

In today’s neoliberal climate, a burgeoning health consciousness pervades American society. Health and fitness discourses are increasingly framed through neoliberal ideologies, contributing to the rise of “healthism”. This theory prescribes that health should be taken up as an individual responsibility and moral obligation. Healthism, coupled with societal pressure to adhere to certain cultural bodily ideals, propels individuals to take ownership of their health and well-being. More specifically, Americans are encouraged to strive towards cultivating a “healthy” body, which is a fit body, because the physical body has come to symbolize health and morality. With the phenomenal growth of the health and fitness industry, gyms have become an increasingly popular venues where individuals go to address their health and fitness needs. However, class status plays a critical role in Americans’ capacity to pursue health-promoting knowledge and resources. Structural barriers related to economic inequalities alienate individuals of low-socioeconomic status from mainstream health practices, including gym participation. The current project draws upon ethnographic fieldwork in a commercial gym in the Boston, Massachusetts area. Through a qualitative investigation of Planet Fitness, I seek to contribute to the empirical base of knowledge surrounding gyms, specifically, and health and fitness discourses, at large. Planet Fitness, a hugely successful gym franchise across the United States, has developed a unique brand that recognizes the various economic and social barriers that prevent and discourage gym participation. Findings reveal that by dramatically lowering the price of memberships, developing an inclusive environment, called the “Judgment Free Zone”, and offering the convenience of nearly 700 locations nationwide, Planet Fitness makes health and wellness more affordable and accessible for Americans. / Thesis (Master, Sociology) -- Queen's University, 2014-02-03 09:31:17.172

This thesis presents an examination of how the body is situated within the field of physical fitness: it examines how individuals learn what a ‘fit’ body looks and ‘performs’ like, and explores the benefits of having the appearance of a fit body in our society. The research findings, observations, and conclusions contained within this text are drawn from two inter-related sources: a commonly used fitness industry textbook called Foundations of Professional Personal Training (Anderson, Bates, Cova, & Macdonald, 2008) and my own experiences as a professional within that industry, captured in an auto-ethnographic journal. There are three main, highly interconnected, hegemonic discourses that frame the Foundations of Professional Personal Training text: biomedical expert knowledge, neoliberal biopedagogy, and, most importantly, the discourse of risk management mediated by healthiest risk discourse.

This thesis presents an examination of how the body is situated within the field of physical fitness: it examines how individuals learn what a ‘fit’ body looks and ‘performs’ like, and explores the benefits of having the appearance of a fit body in our society. The research findings, observations, and conclusions contained within this text are drawn from two inter-related sources: a commonly used fitness industry textbook called Foundations of Professional Personal Training (Anderson, Bates, Cova, & Macdonald, 2008) and my own experiences as a professional within that industry, captured in an auto-ethnographic journal. There are three main, highly interconnected, hegemonic discourses that frame the Foundations of Professional Personal Training text: biomedical expert knowledge, neoliberal biopedagogy, and, most importantly, the discourse of risk management mediated by healthiest risk discourse.

No description available.