<p>Twelve 60-70 and ten 20-30 year old sedentary healthy males participated in this study to determine the effects of endurance training in improving the exercise capacity of elderly individuals and to examine the mechanisms related to oxygen transport that may contribute to any such change. Oxygen intake (VO2), CO2 output (VCO2), ventilation (VE), heart rate, blood pressure, cardiac output, and the ability of muscles to generate short-term power were measured during exercise before and after twelve weeks of high intensity endurance training.</p> <p>Before training, the elderly had a 37% lower peak VO2 then the young subjects, associated with lower peak cardiac output, and arterio-venous oxygen ((a-v)O2) difference, heart rate and stroke volume and a lower vascular conductance. The capacity to generate short-term power was also about 30% lower in the elderly.</p> <p>After training, peak VO2 (1/min) increased from 1.599 ± 0.073 to 2.212 ± 0.093 (38Z) in the elderly and 2.536 ± 0.141 to 3.263 ± 0.181 (29Z) in the young. Although the extent of the improvement was similar, different mechanisms contributed to the improvement in the two groups.</p> <p>Firstly, in the elderly, peak cardiac output (1/min) increased from 12.7 ± 0.6 to 16.5 ± 0.4 (30%); the (a-v)O2 difference (ml/l) increased only by 6% (126.5 ± 3.7 to 134.7 ± 2.7). In the young, there were equal increases in cardiac output (a-v)O2 difference (14%). Secondly, the increase in peak cardiac output in the elderly was accompanied by a marked increase in peak stroke volume (78.9 ± 3.5 to 95.6 ± 2.5 ml, 21%), with a smaller but significant increase in peak heart rate (161 ± 3.8 to 173 ± 3.9 beats/min, 7%); in the young, stroke volume and heart rate increased to a similar extent (9% and 5% respectively). In addition, significant increases were observed after training in the elderly in submaximal stroke volume, cardiac output and vascular conductance; their systolic blood pressure during submaximal exercise was significantly lower. There were no changes in the young group. The changes in short-term power output were similar in both groups; total work increased by 13% in old and 8% in young, associated with decreases in plasma lactate and muscle fatigue. These changes together with decreases in the RER suggest improved aerobic metabolic processes in muscle.</p> <p>In conclusion, elderly individuals respond to high intensity endurance training by increases in peak VO2 that are of the same magnitude as in young subjects. Marked training-associated increases is submaximal and peak stroke volume and cardiac output in the elderly are accompanied by decreases in heart rate, systolic blood pressure and increases in vascular conductance. These changes suggest improvement in the perfusion of exercising muscles which enabled these trained elderly to achieve higher levels of exercise and peak VO2.</p> / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

This paper examines the role and significance of kinesthetic empathy through a framework modeled in Dance/Movement Therapy. With the innate capacity to connect with others, understand ourselves in greater depth, and learn about the world around us, this paper argues for the human importance of creating empathy in intersubjective dynamics and relations, for the betterment of all parties involved. A system of phases is proposed which includes biological and psychological factors to create a model for intentional kinesthetic empathy. The model looks at empathy through the lens of kinesthesia, as the most authentic way to create this empathic potential to be used as a learning tool.

Due to recent advances in aquatic research, technology, and facilities, many modes of aquatic therapy now exist. These aquatic modes assist individuals (e.g., osteoarthritis patients) in the performance of activities that may be too difficult to complete on land. However, the biomechanical requirements of each aquatic therapy mode may elicit different physiological and functional responses. Therefore, the purpose of this thesis was to: (a) provide a review of the physiological and biomechanical differences between aquatic and land based exercises, and (b) examine the acute effects of underwater and land treadmill exercise on oxygen consumption (VO2), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), perceived pain, mobility, and gait kinematics for patients with osteoarthritis (OA). Methods consisted of the retrieval of experimental studies examining the physiological and biomechanical effects of deep water running (DWR), shallow water running (SWR), water calisthenics, and underwater treadmill therapy. The methods also examined the physiological and biomechanical effects on 19 participants during and after three consecutive exercise sessions on an underwater treadmill and on a land-based treadmill. Based on the studies reviewed, when compared to a similar land-based mode, VO2 values are lower during both DWR and SWR, but can be higher during water calisthenics and underwater treadmill exercise. RPE responses during DWR are similar during max effort, and stride frequency and stride length are both lower in all four aquatic modes than on land. Pain levels are no different between most water calisthenics, and most studies reported improvements in mobility after aquatic therapy, but no difference between the aquatic and land-based modes. The OA participants achieved VO2 values that were not different between conditions during moderate intensities, but were 37% greater during low intensity exercise on land than in water (p = 0.001). Perceived pain and Time Up & Go scores were 140% and 240% greater, respectively, for land than underwater treadmill exercise (p = 0.01). Patients diagnosed with OA may walk on an underwater treadmill at a moderate intensity with less pain and equivalent energy expenditures compared to walking on a land-based treadmill.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of an 8-week judo program on self-competency, physical activity (PA) motivation, and enjoyment of PA in children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). METHODS: The sample included 20 children (ages 8 – 17) with a primary diagnosis of ASD. The participants completed an 8-week judo program that occurred once a week for 45 minutes. Participants were instructed to complete a series of questionnaires that measured athletic self-competency, PA motivation, and PA enjoyment at baseline and at the end of the 8-week judo program. Paired t-tests were conducted to examine differences in psychosocial factors from baseline and post-judo. Additionally, correlational analyses were conducted to examine the association between the psychosocial variables and attendance during the 8-week program. RESULTS: Although increases in psychosocial factors were observed following the cessation of the judo program, these changes were not statistically significant for any of the psychosocial factors following the 8-week program. There was a significant, positive association between PA motivation and judo attendance (r=.43, p=.05), however, neither athletic competency nor PA enjoyment were correlated with judo attendance. CONCLUSION: Although not significant, improvement in psychosocial factors were observed post-judo program. Future studies should consider increasing the duration and frequency of the judo program to potentially elicit greater changes in psychosocial factors related to PA.

A test of standing broad jump ability was administered to ninety-three sixth grade boys to compare the kinesthetic and demonstration methods of instruction. The subjects were classified on the Neilson-Cozens Classification Index and divided into three groups. The first group received the kinesthetic method of instruction, the second group was instructed using the demonstration method, and the third group did not receive any formal instruction. The data were examined by computing the mean and standard deviation of each pre-test and post-test group. The mean and standard deviation of the pre-test scores were 60.61 and 7.589. The mean and standard deviation of the post-test scores were 61.31 and 7.397. When each pre-test score was subtracted from its corresponding post-test score it was revealed that the demonstration group showed an increase in performance of eighteen boys, the kinesthetic group increased by sixteen boys and the group receiving no formal instruction increased by seven boys. Analysis of variance of matched groups revealed an F ratio of 2.68 which was not significant at the .05 level. An alternate approach was attempted in which the effect of the pre-test scores were partialled out from the post-test scores. Subjected to matched group analysis of variance design indicated an F ratio of 2.68 which was not significant at the .05 level. The resu1ts of a randomized group analysis without matching revealed an F ratio of 2.68 which was quite similar to the previous results and also insignificant at the .05 level. Randomized group analysis without matching between post-test scores and the regression equation indicated an F ratio of 2.72 which again was found insignificant at the .05 level of significance. It was found that no statistically significant difference could be obtained by use of one instructional technique exclusively in preference to another.

This study was undertaken for the purpose of investigating the effects of limited training in hypnosis upon reaction time. More specifically, this study was conducted: (1) to find the immediate effect of a post-hypnotic suggestion for improvement upon simple reaction time responses of the preferred hand to a visual stimulus; and (2) to find the carry-over effect of the posthypnotic suggestion after three weeks with no further hypnosis, practice, or instruction.

The purposes of these studies were to determine if an acute static stretch influenced isokinetic peak torque (IPT), and to examine if the order in which the warm up routine was performed affected peak knee extension torque. Twenty trained college male students performed maximal isokinetic knee extensions under four conditions: a control consisting of no stretching, a stretch only trial, jog then stretch, and stretch then jog conditions. Each stretch was held for a total volume of 360 s. Measurements were taken on a Biodex System 3 isokinetic dynamometer at speeds of 60º s-1 and 300º s-1. Data were analyzed using t-tests to compare the stretch condition with the control. The results indicated that there was a significant difference between the stretch and the control at 300 º s-1 (p = 0.03 t = 2.42) but not at 60 º s-1 (p = 0.16). A 2 x 3 ANOVA (300 º s-1 x 60 º s-1, and control x stretch then jog x jog then stretch) yielded no significance at either speed (p > 0.05). Conclusions from this study indicate that stretching should not be the sole exercise in a warm-up routine as previous research confirms the decrease in IPT after stretching. Another finding of this study is that the negative effects of stretching can be diminished when combined with an aerobic activity such as jogging prior to performance. Further research is needed to determine the underlying factors that contribute to the post stretch decrease in IPT and the factors that lead to the restoration of force after aerobic activity. Caution is advised since these were controlled tests in a laboratory and results may vary with actual performance.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of exercise on the immune system of older adults. Physical exercise has been known to affect one’s health positively. However, specific statistics relating to types of exercise intervention and older adults are dispersed. Autoimmune diseases are a lifelong disease that results in an overactive immune system, causing it to attack healthy cells. Which then leads to symptoms such as fatigue, pain, swelling, and digestive issues. This thesis includes systemic literature reviews that directly discuss the benefits of moderate-intensity exercise regarding the immune system of the elderly population. Results from this review reveal that there is often a positive correlation between incorporating moderate-intensity exercises and the decline of the aging immune system of older adults. However, this review does not address the long-term effects of moderate-intensity exercise.

Athletes are at risk of sustaining a concussion in all sports and at all competitive levels which may lead to balance impairments. Balance results from the integration of visual, vestibular, and somatosensory information. The underlying pathophysiology for balance impairments is not well understood and visuo-motor processing impairments and how these impairments contribute to balance in concussed athletes has not been reported. Objectives: (1) to investigate the influence of visual perturbation on upright postural stability and balance in athletes who have recently suffered a sports-related concussion, (2) to establish the test-retest reliability of a simple visuo-motor processing task. Design: A longitudinal, cohort design. Setting: University research laboratory. Subjects: Fourteen interscholastic, club, and intercollegiate athletes (8 males, 6 females, age 17.21±2.97 years, height 176.43±12.73cm, mass 75.55±22.76kg) participated. Seven subjects with acute concussions (injury) were matched to seven control subjects. Intervention(s): All subjects completed a simple visuo-motor processing task (SVMP), Sensory Organization Test (SOT), and modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction in Balance (mCTSIB). Each subject’s balance was tested under two visual testing conditions: (1) standard testing methods with normal visual fields, and (2) visual distraction through optical flow motion using a computer-generated optical flow pattern. Testing was done 24-48 hours and ten days following injury. The order of the testing was counterbalanced (standard protocol or visual distraction) and day of testing. Main Outcome Measures: Reaction time, accuracy, number of errors on SVMP; composite equilibrium score, sensory system preference on SOT; and mean center of gravity sway velocity on mCTSIB. Results: Significant impairments were noted on day 1 of testingcompared to day 10 for SVMP reaction time (day 1=496.18±52.82ms, day 10=439.01±20.62ms, F=4.72, p=0.01), and SOT composite equilibrium score standard (day 1=73.14±5.73, day 10=83.57±2.15, F=7.60, p<0.001). Conclusion: Physiological changes occur immediately following concussions that affect the visual system, more specifically, visuo-motor processing. The SVMP task provides unique information about visuo-motor processing following a concussion that is not currently being assessed. Visuo-motor processing is correlated with upright balance and should be evaluated following a sports-related concussion.

A Facilitação Neuromuscular Proprioceptiva (FNP) é um método de tratamento que combina padrões de movimentos em diagonal e espiral e técnicas de facilitação neuromuscular, com objetivo de melhorar o controle e a função neuromuscular. Este estudo comparou por eletromiografia de superfície (EMGs) e dinamometria a irradiação de força muscular na cintura escapular, após estimulação à distância no hemicorpo contralateral (grupo FNP) e local por Cinesioterapia Clássica (grupo CC). Participaram 113 indivíduos saudáveis. A EMGs dos músculos trapézio superior (TS), trapézio médio (TM), deltoide médio (D) e serrátil anterior (S) foi realizada antes, durante e após os protocolos. A preensão palmar, antes e após os protocolos, foi avaliada por dinamometria. Valores de RMS (Root Mean Square) e dinamometria foram submetidos a ANOVA Two Way e pós-teste de Holm-Sidack, p <0,05. No FNP, as diagonais póstero-depressão (PD) e extensão-abdução-rotação interna (EARI) aumentaram o RMS em relação às demais (F4,1180: 42,53) e os músculos TS, TM e D aumentaram o RMS em relação ao S (F3,1180: 25,73). No CC, remada alta, elevação lateral e elevação frontal do braço aumentaram o RMS em relação à rotação interna e rotação externa (F4,1180: 172,28). Músculos TS, TM e D aumentaram o RMS em relação ao S (F3,1180: 178,32). Contrações máximas iniciais e finais aos protocolos, não modificaram o RMS no CC ou FNP. Porém, TS no CC apresentou aumento inicial e final, em relação ao FNP (F1,888: 8,62). Valores da dinamometria, revelaram maior força inicial e final do membro dominante em relação ao não dominante (F3,444: 4,71), maior força no CC (F3,444: 4,71) e maior força final no CC em relação ao FNP (F3,444: 0,04). Diagonais PD e EARI são mais eficientes para irradiar força nos músculos TS, TM e D. / The Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) is a method of treatment that combines diagonal movement patterns and spiral and neuromuscular facilitation techniques, in order to improve the control and neuromuscular function. This study compared by surface electromyography (sEMG) and grip strength irradiation of muscle strength in the shoulder girdle, after stimulation distance in the contralateral hemisphere (FNP group) and local by Kinesiotherapy Classic (CC group). They participated in 113 healthy subjects. The EMGs of the upper trapezius muscles (TS), middle trapezius (TM), middle deltoid (D) and serratus anterior (S) was carried out before, during and after the protocols. Grips with hands before and after the protocol was evaluated by dynamometry. RMS values (Root Mean Square) and grip strength were subjected to Two Way ANOVA and Holm-Sidack post-test, p <0.05. FNP in the posterolateral diagonal depression (PD) and extension-abduction-internal rotation (EAIR) increased RMS in relation to the other (F4,1180: 42.53) and TS muscles, TM and D increased the RMS relative S (F3,1180: 25.73). In DC, upright row, side elevation and front elevation of the arm increased RMS in relation to internal rotation and external rotation (F4,1180: 172.28). TS muscles, TM and D increased the RMS relative to S (F3,1180: 178.32). Initial maximal contractions and final protocols did not change the RMS in DC or PNF. However, the TS initial and final WC was increased, compared to PMF (F1,888: 8.62). Values of grip strength, showed greater initial force and the end of the dominant member in relation to the non-dominant (F3,444: 4.71), the largest force in the CC (F3,444: 4.71) and a higher ultimate strength in DC in relation to FNP (F3,444: 0.04). PD diagonals and EAIR are more efficient to radiate strength in muscles TS, TM and D.