This study determined whether a cadenced-based exercise prescription (CBEP) enabled participants to increase the time they spend doing moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) to a greater extent than Standard Care (SC). Forty-six participants were recruited from the ENCOURAGE study and were allocated to SC (n=25) or CBEP (n=21). Data was collected at baseline (T0), prior to the intervention (T1) and then again at 16 (T2) and 24 (T3) weeks. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was assessed by accelerometry in 10 minute (MVPA10min) and sporadic bouts (MVPASpor) as well as step counts (StepsTotal, StepsMVPA). Although participants reported that CBEP helped them to increase their motivation to become more active, none of the accelerometer parameters differed between SC and CBEP at baseline, 8, 16, or 24 weeks. These data suggest that CBEP did not have an added benefit for influencing physical activity over time amongst a population of previously sedentary adults.

This study determined whether a cadenced-based exercise prescription (CBEP) enabled participants to increase the time they spend doing moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) to a greater extent than Standard Care (SC). Forty-six participants were recruited from the ENCOURAGE study and were allocated to SC (n=25) or CBEP (n=21). Data was collected at baseline (T0), prior to the intervention (T1) and then again at 16 (T2) and 24 (T3) weeks. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was assessed by accelerometry in 10 minute (MVPA10min) and sporadic bouts (MVPASpor) as well as step counts (StepsTotal, StepsMVPA). Although participants reported that CBEP helped them to increase their motivation to become more active, none of the accelerometer parameters differed between SC and CBEP at baseline, 8, 16, or 24 weeks. These data suggest that CBEP did not have an added benefit for influencing physical activity over time amongst a population of previously sedentary adults.

A child’s level of physical activity is an important component of that child’s health. Our understanding of physical activity patterns in children is limited in rural settings, and virtually absent for climates with snow cover. Opportunities for physical activity intervention need to be identified. PURPOSE: Investigation of the relationships between pedometer-measured physical activity, body composition and aerobic performance in rural children in the winter and examination of within-day variation in stepping behavior using interval pedometry. METHODS: Aerobic performance (20 m shuttle run) with “talk test” validation and body composition (BMI, BF) were measured during mid-winter during the school year in 8 to 10 year old children. Pedometer step counts were recorded at 6 intervals throughout the day for 7 days. RESULTS: Fifty-six subjects (22 males and 34 females, mean age 9.09 (0.49), had the following measurements; BMI 17.9 (3.3), BF% 24.3 (9.5) (tricep/calf), 10,465 (±2506) steps/day, VO2 45.12 ml/kg/min (±2.87), shuttle run stage 3.0 (±1.34). Weekday steps/day (11,422 ±2573) were greater than weekend (8,112, ±3499) steps/day for both boys and girls (p<0.01). Town children recorded 1800 more steps/day than out of town children (p<0.01). All measures of body composition were found to be significantly related to aerobic power (p<0.01). Weekday steps were related to aerobic performance. The fittest (upper 1/3) children were leaner and had more afternoon school steps, and higher afternoon school step rates. CONCLUSION: Daily step counts were 2000-4000 steps lower than other studies and may be an impact of winter in Manitoba or the rural setting. This was consistent with overall low aerobic performance and higher adiposity of the children. Interval pedometry was capable of identifying differences in activity patterns between most and least fit children in rural Manitoba providing for targeted intervention strategies.

A child’s level of physical activity is an important component of that child’s health. Our understanding of physical activity patterns in children is limited in rural settings, and virtually absent for climates with snow cover. Opportunities for physical activity intervention need to be identified. PURPOSE: Investigation of the relationships between pedometer-measured physical activity, body composition and aerobic performance in rural children in the winter and examination of within-day variation in stepping behavior using interval pedometry. METHODS: Aerobic performance (20 m shuttle run) with “talk test” validation and body composition (BMI, BF) were measured during mid-winter during the school year in 8 to 10 year old children. Pedometer step counts were recorded at 6 intervals throughout the day for 7 days. RESULTS: Fifty-six subjects (22 males and 34 females, mean age 9.09 (0.49), had the following measurements; BMI 17.9 (3.3), BF% 24.3 (9.5) (tricep/calf), 10,465 (±2506) steps/day, VO2 45.12 ml/kg/min (±2.87), shuttle run stage 3.0 (±1.34). Weekday steps/day (11,422 ±2573) were greater than weekend (8,112, ±3499) steps/day for both boys and girls (p<0.01). Town children recorded 1800 more steps/day than out of town children (p<0.01). All measures of body composition were found to be significantly related to aerobic power (p<0.01). Weekday steps were related to aerobic performance. The fittest (upper 1/3) children were leaner and had more afternoon school steps, and higher afternoon school step rates. CONCLUSION: Daily step counts were 2000-4000 steps lower than other studies and may be an impact of winter in Manitoba or the rural setting. This was consistent with overall low aerobic performance and higher adiposity of the children. Interval pedometry was capable of identifying differences in activity patterns between most and least fit children in rural Manitoba providing for targeted intervention strategies.

Rationale Within Australia, cardiac rehabilitation attendance is poor, with typically thirty percent of eligible patients attending programs. The majority of cardiac patients are not receiving the support or detailed information required to increase physical activity participation after hospitalisation. Further, many cardiac patients are not exercising independently, regardless of their attendance at cardiac rehabilitation. As physical activity is important in the prevention and treatment of heart disease, there could be substantial benefits to the individual and cost savings for the health system if cardiac patients were more active. Physical activity interventions based on social cognitive theory have demonstrated success in improving physical activity among people with chronic diseases. However, there is little research conducted with cardiac patients, in particular, with those who do not attend cardiac rehabilitation. This research addresses this gap in public health practice by providing an intervention to cardiac patients, irrespective of their attendance at cardiac rehabilitation, thereby addressing a population that is often overlooked and hard to reach. Research aims ?? To determine the uptake rate of cardiac rehabilitation in the north Illawarra and Shoalhaven areas of New South Wales and identify the characteristics of cardiac rehabilitation attendees and non attendees. ?? To evaluate the efficacy of a pedometer based physical activity intervention in cardiac patients referred to cardiac rehabilitation. Methodology This thesis consisted of three related studies: a cross sectional analysis of the characteristics of cardiac rehabilitation referrals (n = 944) over a 10 month period; and two randomised controlled trials conducted simultaneously. The Cardiac Rehabilitation Trial participants (n = 110) were patients who had attended cardiac rehabilitation; Community Trial participants (n = 215) were those who did not attend cardiac rehabilitation. The six week intervention evaluated in the trials included self monitoring of daily physical activity using a pedometer and step calendar, and two behavioural counselling and goal setting sessions delivered via telephone. Additional support for intervention group participants was provided through two brief telephone calls made after the six week intervention period. Self reported physical activity levels were collected at baseline, six weeks and six months. The questionnaire also collected information about psychosocial factors affecting physical activity participation. The exercise capacity of the participants in the Cardiac Rehabilitation Trial was objectively measured at baseline, six weeks and six months using a gas exchange analysis system. Results The cardiac rehabilitation uptake rate was 28.8 per cent of referred patients. Cardiac rehabilitation attendees were significantly younger and more likely to have had a coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABGS) or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedure than non attendees. Study groups in both trials were not significantly different at baseline. In the Cardiac Rehabilitation Trial, improvements in total weekly physical activity sessions (p=0.002), walking time (p=0.013) and walking sessions (p<0.001) in the intervention group were significantly greater than the change in the control group at the end of the six week intervention. At six months, improvements in the intervention group remained significantly greater than the control group in total physical activity time (p=0.044), total physical activity sessions (p=0.016) and walking sessions (p=0.035) after adjusting for baseline differences. These self reported behavioural changes were corroborated by improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness at six months in the intervention group (p=0.010). Improvements in the intervention group in behavioural (p=0.039) and cognitive (p=0.024) self management strategy use were significantly greater than the controls at six weeks after adjusting for baseline differences. The improvement in cognitive strategy use (p=0.001) remained significantly greater in the intervention group compared to controls at six months after adjusting for baseline differences. Self efficacy, outcome expectancies and psychological distress were not significantly different between groups at six weeks or six months after adjusting for baseline differences. In the Community Trial, improvements in total weekly physical activity time (p=0.027), total physical activity sessions (p=0.003), walking time (p=0.013) and walking sessions (p=0.002) in the intervention group were significantly greater than the control group at six weeks after adjusting for baseline differences. At six months, improvements in total physical activity time (p=0.015), total physical activity sessions (p=0.019), walking time (p=0.002) and walking sessions (p=0.026) in the intervention group remained significantly greater than the control group after adjusting for baseline differences. Improvements in outcome expectancies (p=0.038) and cognitive self management strategy use (p=0.028) in the intervention group were significantly greater than the change in the control group at six weeks, after adjusting for baseline differences. However, these differences did not remain significant at six months. Conclusion This research showed that participation in a six week pedometer based intervention significantly increased the physical activity level and psychosocial status of people with heart disease. These findings suggest the pedometer based intervention could be offered as an effective and accessible option for those who do not attend cardiac rehabilitation to increase their physical activity levels. This intervention could also be promoted as an important adjunct to existing cardiac rehabilitation programs to promote adherence to physical activity after cardiac rehabilitation attendance. These studies provide community based evidence of an effective physical activity intervention for those eligible for cardiac rehabilitation, including those who do not attend. This provides a public health approach to cardiac rehabilitation programs and has the potential to improve health outcomes in this population.

abstract: Among its many roles in the body, ascorbic acid functions as a cofactor in carnitine and catecholamine synthesis, metabolites involved in fat oxidation and mood regulation, respectively. Given that fat oxidation and mood affect one's feelings of vigor, I hypothesized that those with lower levels of plasma ascorbic acid would be less likely to exercise at high levels than individuals with adequate or high levels of vitamin C. To test this, I conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled intervention. A group of healthy, non-smoking males between the ages of 18 and 40 were put on a vitamin C-restricted diet for two weeks and then randomized to a control group that received placebo capsules for six weeks or an intervention group that received 500 mg of vitamin C daily for six weeks. The men were restricted from eating foods high in vitamin C, instructed to wear a pedometer daily and to record their step counts, and to take a pill daily (either the placebo or vitamin C supplement). Unexpectedly, the subjects receiving the intervention had lower step counts than the control group; the control group, rather than the vitamin C group, significantly (p=0.017) increased their steps at week 8 compared to week 2. However, I also estimated daily Metabolic Equivalent Tasks (METs), and subjects receiving the placebo had lower MET outputs than subjects receiving vitamin C at the end of the trial, in spite of having higher step counts. This means the intensity of their activity was higher, based on METs expenditure. Additionally, depression scores (POMS-D) as measured by the Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire were significantly higher (p=0.041) among subjects receiving the placebo at the end of the study. These latter results are consistent with my expectations that subjects with higher levels of plasma vitamin C would have improved mood and higher energy output than subjects with low levels of vitamin C. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.S. Nutrition 2011

This diploma thesis was focused on comparison of movement activity of dairy cows of Czech Fleckvieh Breed and Holstein Breed. Three herds of Czech Fleckvieh Breed and three herds of Holstein Breed were chosen on six farms. An observation of movement activity of dairy cows took place using pedometers during one year. Gained data was processed afterwards and then the comparison of breed influence on their movement activity was made. Possible effect of season on movement activity and effect of movement activity on efficiency was taken into account. The observation did not prove any difference of moving activity between observed breeds.

The purpose of this study was to determine children's and parents' activity levels, examine the relationship between mothers' and children's mean step counts, and fathers' and children's mean step counts, and determine if there are differences in physical activity levels among children with mothers who work full time, work part time, or are not employed. Fifty-eight families participated in this 12-day study. Each family member wore a Walk4Life LS 2525 or a Walk4Life LS 2505 pedometer to measure daily step counts. Additionally, all participants completed the pedometer step count logs each night, and parents completed a short demographic form. In looking at all children, males averaged more steps per day than females in all three age categories (5-10 years, male = 12,555 to female = 10,729; 11-13 years, male = 13,749 to female = 10,373; 14-18 years, 11,849 to female = 9,795). Additionally, fathers were more active than mothers (fathers' mean step counts averaged 9,490 and mothers' mean step counts averaged 8,715). Pearson correlations revealed that parents' physical activity levels were significantly correlated with children's activity levels (mothers to their children = .247, p = .003 & fathers to their children = .316, p = .000). Further analysis using Pearson correlations showed significant correlations between mothers and their female children (.291, p = .022) and between fathers and their male children (.342, p = .002). ANOVA (mothers' employment status x mean daily step count) was used to determine differences among the three groups (full time, part time, and not employed). No significant differences in children's mean step counts were found among any of the groups (F (2, 141) = 2.545, p = .082).

Syfte och frågeställningar: Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka manliga gymnasieelever i Stockholmsområdet, deras aeroba förmåga (VO2max) samt deras grad av fysisk aktivitet mätt genom antal steg som tas per dag. (1) Vad har manliga gymnasieelever för aerob förmåga och i vilken grad uppnår de fysisk aktivitet registrerad genom pedometer? (2) Finns det något samband mellan aerob förmåga och fysisk aktivitet hos manliga gymnasieelever? (3) Förekommer det någon skillnad i aerob förmåga och fysisk aktivitet mellan yrkesförberedande- och studieförberedande manliga elever?  Metod: Denna studie är en kvantitativ experimentell studie där 25 manliga gymnasieelevers aeroba förmåga (VO2max) och aktivitetsnivå har undersökts. Nio av deltagarna studerar ett yrkesförberedande program och 14 deltagare studerar ett studieförberedande program. För att få ett mått på aerob förmåga har eleverna fått utföra ett Yo-Yo intermittent Recovery Level 1 test (IR1), och för att få svar på elevernas aktivitetsnivå samt om det finns något samband mellan aerob förmåga och fysisk aktivitet har eleverna fått bära pedometer under veckodagarna torsdag och fredag samt helgdagen lördag. För att beräkna normalfördelning i grupperna användes Shapiro-Wilks test. Signifikansnivån bestämde vi till att vara (p ≤0,05) och analyserades med hjälp av Pearsons chi2-test.  Resultat: Resultatet visar en signifikant skillnad mellan grupperna, den studieförberedande gruppen har en signifikant högre aerob förmåga än den yrkesförberedande gruppen (p=0,00043). Undersökningen visar att det inte finns något samband mellan aerob förmåga och fysisk aktivitet i antal steg. Det finns inga signifikanta skillnader mellan grupperna i fysisk aktivitet (p=0,38773).  Slutsats: Denna studie visar att det endast finns en signifikant skillnad mellan yrkesförberedande- och studieförberedande elever i aerob förmåga. Den studieförberedande gruppen har en signifikant högre aerob förmåga än den yrkesförberedande gruppen (p=0.00043). Eleverna visade sig vara som mest aktiva på torsdagen och minst aktiva på lördagen. Pedometer anses inte vara reliabelt för att mäta fysisk aktivitetsnivå. / Aim: This study aims to investigate physical capacity (VO2max) and physical activity (number of steps/day) among male high-school students in Stockholm. (1) What is the level of physical capacity among the students and to what extent do the students reach physical activity measured with pedometer? (2) Is there a correlation between aerobic capacity and physical activity among male high-school students? (3) Are there any differences in physical capacity and physical activity between students who study academic or vocational programs?  Method: This review is a quantitative experimental study in which 25 male high school students and their physical capacity (V02max) and levels of physical activity has been investigated. Nine of the participants studied a vocational program and 14 of the participants studied an academic program. To get a measure of aerobic capacity the students conducted a Yo-Yo intermittent Recovery Level 1 test (IR1). To get answer to the students' physical activity and the connection between aerobic capacity and physical activity, the students carried pedometers during the weekdays Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Shapiro-Wilks test was used to examine normal distribution among the groups. Pearson chi2-test was used to compare if there were any differences between the groups. The level of statistical significance was set as (p ≤ 0,05).   Results: The results showed significant differences between the academic and vocational group in aerobic capacity (VO2max) (p = 0.00043). The review shows no correlation between aerobic capacity and physical activity in number of steps. The results showed no significant differences between the academic and vocational group in physical activity by steps (p = 0.38773).   Conclusions: The study shows there is only one significant difference between the vocational and academic student in aerobic capacity (VO2max) (p = 0.00043). The academic students show significant higher physical capacity than the vocational students. The students are most active on Thursdays and least active on Saturdays. Pedometer is not a valuable tool to measure levels of physical activity.

The aim of the work was to objectively examine the physical activity of children in two different types of preschools, in forest kindergarten and common kindergartens. The theoretical part deals with the characteristic of movement in the preschool children, with factors influencing physical activity, the benefits for this age and the means for measuring objectively physical activity. Research is focused on one particular forest kindergarten. Pedometer was elected for measuring the examined physical activity. According to the results children in the forest kindergarten make more steps during their stay in school as well as overall per day than children in regular kindergartens. Conversely in the afternoon after leaving the nursery they are less active than the children from regular kindergartens. The most prominent difference in the level of physical activity between the two groups of children showed during their stay in pre-school facilities. Forest nursery could be a good alternative to preschool education in terms of sufficient physical activity.