Lifelong Fitness Research Articles

WARM-UP PROTOCOLS FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.

The study compared the acute effects of three warm-up protocols on change-of-direction speed, reaction time, and movement time of upper extremities. Participants were 27 Greek high school students from an urban area (M age=17.2 yr., SD=0.2, range=16.5-18.0). All participants performed the following warm-up protocols on three different days: (a) 3 min. jogging followed by 5 min. static stretching, (b) 3 min. jogging followed by 5 min. dynamic stretching, and (c) 3 min. jogging followed by 5 min. of rest without stretching. At the end of each protocol, participants performed sprints of moderate to submaximal intensity. After the warm-up protocols, participants performed the following tests: "505-change-of-direction-speed," reaction time, and movement time (arm movements). There was no significant effect of protocols on the performance tests. Pre-exercise stretching may not be required for performance improvement in activities involving change-of-direction speed, reaction, and movement time if the final part of the warm-up involves sprinting. The advantage of a short duration warm-up is that it offers students more time to play in physical education lessons. However, it is generally important for students to learn the benefits of stretching and how to stretch for lifelong fitness.

Incorporating Outdoor Education into the Physical Education Curriculum

Low motivation to participate in traditional or team sports, apathy toward competitive environments, and a low rate of transfer of skills to lifetime activities and wellness can be barriers for student pursuits of lifelong fitness. Adding an outdoor component can be a solution for some of these problems, while still accomplishing the National Standards. This article offers a sample two- to four-week outdoor education plan that can be modified for any K-12 physical education program.

The State-Dependent Resource Allocation Hypothesis: Implications for the Foraging Ecology and Life History of Migratory Ungulates in the GYE

Understanding the behavioral and physiological responses of animals to environmental stressors is vital to our comprehension of their ecology and life history. The life-history strategy of ungulates is for females to prioritize survival over reproductive effort to maximize life-long fitness (Stearns 1992, Eberhardt 2002, Bårdsen et al. 2008). Consequently, an individual’s reproductive decisions are expected to be dependent on nutritional state (Bårdsen et al. 2008). Researchers have long assumed that individuals reduce their metabolism and energy expenditure to conserve nutritional reserves (i.e., fat and protein) during winter because winter has been demonstrated to be a period of energetic loss for temperate ungulates. Recent research, however, has shown that mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) in a poor nutritional state are capable of increasing their nutritional reserves over winter (Monteith et al. 2013), and hormone analysis of moose (Alces alces; Jesmer et al. in review) indicates that animals with low nutritional reserves have high energy expenditure and energy intake. Therefore, regulation of nutritional state through plasticity in foraging behavior may allow animals to cope with resource shortages. We refer to this notion, wherein animals alter their energy intake and expenditure via foraging behavior as the State-Dependent Resource Allocation Hypothesis (Figure 1). In 2014 we proposed to apply state-of-the-art nutritional, isotopic, and hormone analyses to test the State-Dependent Resource Allocation Hypothesis (SRAH) in migratory mule deer within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

Extending the Continuum of Care Poststroke

Opportunities for individuals poststroke to continue to exercise once formal rehabilitation has ended are limited and in many cases do not exist. Given the incidence of recurrent stroke, and the known and important role exercise plays in reducing stroke risk factors, extending the continuum of care beyond outpatient and home health services to include life-long fitness opportunities for those living with poststroke disability is needed. This article first describes the creation of a partnership between a health care system and a local fitness center to provide an affordable, accessible, safe, community-based exercise program for individuals poststroke and the subsequent development of the flagship program. The second section of this article describes the program's current operations. This includes the referral process, the physical therapists' role in the program's structure and operation, and both program and participant outcomes. This article is intended to provide a roadmap for others who desire to extend the continuum of care for stroke survivors in their community so that these individuals may remain healthy in the presence of disability and reduce their risk for recurrent stroke.Video Abstract available (see Video, Supplemental Digital Content 1, http://links.lww.com/JNPT/A47) for an overview of the Stroke Wellness Exercise Program.

An Overview of Dioxin-Like Compounds, PCB, and Pesticide Exposures Associated with Sexual Differentiation of Neuroendocrine Systems, Fluctuating Asymmetry, and Behavioral Effects in Birds

Dioxin, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and pesticides impact neural systems in birds due to interference with sexual differentiation. Early endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC) effects may delay maturation and have long-term effects on lifetime reproduction, especially in precocial birds that complete sexual differentiation prior to hatch. Semi-altricial and altricial species appear more resilient to EDC effects and show a gradient in sensitivity, especially in the neuroplastic song system. Embryonic steroid exposure occurs via maternally deposited steroids followed by embryo produced hormones; EDCs potentially affect these developing systems. As such, EDCs can impact lifelong fitness by acting on neural systems that regulate reproduction, metabolism, and behavior.

Healthy for Life/PE4ME

Childhood obesity is a growing public health concern in the United States that disproportionately affects disadvantaged youth. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of the Healthy for Life program on childhood overweight and obesity and its impact on lifestyle behaviors that promote lifelong fitness and healthy eating among children and adolescents. The program was offered as a physical education class mostly in schools in underprivileged areas across Southern California. Classes were specifically tailored for children in preschools, elementary, middle, and high schools. In addition to an initial screening physical conducted by a physician, program staff conducted anthropometric measurements three times in the school year. Lifestyle behaviors and self-esteem were also evaluated. Fifty-one schools and 1,469 students enrolled in the program. BMI decreased significantly for students at or above the 85th percentile. Students also demonstrated significant improvements in self-esteem scores and indicators for lifestyle behavior. Healthy for Life has important implications for health practitioners. The program has the potential to improve the health of underprivileged youth whose neighborhoods are unsafe and often lack facilities for exercise. Furthermore, it provides a safe, accessible, no cost, and effective method to minimize some of the causal factors of obesity.

Fighting Fat: How Do Fat Stereotypes Influence Beliefs About Physical Education?

The purpose of this study was to examine college students' beliefs about youth obesity, the roles of schools and physical education in addressing obesity, and the training they receive to work with overweight youth. Physical education-related (n = 212) and nonphysical education-related (n = 218) majors completed a demographic questionnaire, a Modified Fat Stereotypes Questionnaire (M-FSQ), and a Perceptions of Physical Education Questionnaire. On the basis of M-FSQ scores, participants were identified as endorsing stereotypes (n = 360) or not endorsing stereotypes (n = 70). The importance of youth being normal weight was rated most highly among participants in physical education-related majors and among those who endorsed fat stereotypes. Participants who endorsed fat stereotypes, compared to those who did not, were more likely to believe that all school professionals should be involved in treating childhood obesity. Participants who endorsed fat stereotypes, compared to those who did not, more strongly agreed that physical educators should be role models by maintaining normal weight and educating parents on childhood obesity, and PE classes should focus on lifelong fitness. No group differences in perceived competencies to develop exercise, weight loss, nutritional, and educational programs for overweight youth were found. Future research is needed to determine the extent to which these types of differences result from educational curricula that link weight and health and, possibly, reinforce negative stereotypes of overweight children. Methods for effectively intervening in educational training environments to reduce fat stereotypes among preprofessionals need to be investigated.

The Female Athlete Triad

1. Sarah J. Lerand, MD, MPH 1. University of Minnesota Minneapolis, Minn 1. Janet F. Williams, MD 1. University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, Tex The Female Athlete Triad: American College of Sports Medicine Position Stand . Otis CL, Drinkwater B, Johnson M, Loucks A, Wilmore J. Med Sport Sci Exer . 1997;29: i-ix Bone Mineral Content of Amenorrheic and Eumenorrheic Athletes . Drinkwater BL, Nilson K, Chesnut CH 3rd, Bremner WJ, Shainholtz S, Southworth MB. N Engl J Med . 1984;311:277–281 Bone Mineralization, Hypothalamic Amenorrhea and Sex Steroid Therapy in Female Adolescents and Young Adults . Hergenroeder AC. J Pediatr . 1995;126:683–689 Disordered Eating and the Female Athlete Triad . Sanborn CF, Horea M, Siemers BJ, Dieringer KI. Clin Sports Med . 2000;19:199–213 The female athlete triad is a phrase used to describe the constellation of disordered eating, amenorrhea, and osteoporosis that can develop in physically active girls and women. Although recently described in the medical literature as a clinical condition, this is not a new entity. The various components of the triad have been noted for years by athletes, parents, coaches, trainers, and health-care personnel, particularly team physicians. This same team of individuals must work together to prevent, identify, and treat this condition, which can have significant morbidity and mortality. Females participating in athletics are more likely to benefit from their sports participation than to be at risk for harmful effects. Early sports participation sets a precedent for lifelong cardiovascular fitness. In addition, girls who participate in sports are more likely than are nonparticipants to experience academic success and graduate from high school. Sports participation is associated with decreased initiation of high-risk health behaviors, such as using drug, alcohol, or tobacco and …

Effect Of New Equipment And Technology On Physical Fitness Scores In Adolescents

The growing obesity and health risk of American youth demands new PE curriculums that use effective strategies to improve fitness, health, and teach lifelong disease prevention strategies. The New PE movement introduces technology into the classroom to better teach the connection between physical activity and physiological consequences along with modern workout equipment, commonly used by adults, to train youth in lifelong fitness techniques. The merit of this approach to PE has not been evaluated. PURPOSE Does purchasing and incorporating new fitness equipment and technologies into a high school physical education program improve physical fitness test scores over two years? METHODS Fitness-assessment software, cardiovascular exercise equipment, resistance training equipment, and heart-rate monitors were provided to a high school PE program in fall 2002. Pre-test President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports scores on one-minute curl-ups (n = 471), shuttle run (n = 458), pull-ups (n = 275), sit and reach (n = 477) and the mile run (n = 370) were collected for all high school students at the beginning of school in fall 2002 and compared to the same student's scores at the end of the year in spring 2004. Comparisons were made to identify improvements in each student's fitness ranking, mean change in scores, and mean percent changes during the two-year span. Student pre-post test score comparisons were made using a t-test with repeated measures. RESULTS From pre- to post-test, curl-ups increased 9.0%, shuttle run time decreased 0.2%, sit and reach increased 5.9%, mile run decreased 0.1% and pull-ups increased 42.0%. Of the five tests, curl-up and shuttle run were found to be significantly different. However, mean score differences between pre- and post-test indicated that all scores improved. CONCLUSIONS Though improvement occurred for all tests, changes for the two years were not large and may have reflected physical maturation. The increased activities and opportunities provided by new equipment and technology do not automatically enhance student fitness. Teacher training in the use of sophisticated equipment, technology, and teaching of health and fitness principles is necessary for educators to fully utilize these technological advances to effectively educate students. Funded by IL Office of Attorney General, Vitamin Anti-Trust Settlement and IAPHERD Jump Rope for Heart Program.

Promoting Lifelong Fitness and Health Within an Athletic Population

Promoting Lifelong Fitness and Health Within an Athletic Population

Promoting Lifelong Fitness and Health Within an Athletic Population

Promoting Lifelong Fitness and Health Within an Athletic Population

The Wellness guide to lifelong fitness: the fitness bible for the 90's

The Wellness guide to lifelong fitness: the fitness bible for the 90's

Transition of Students with Disabilities into Community Recreation: The Role of the Adapted Physical Educator

The mission of education is to prepare all students with and without disabilities for adult life in the community. Recent amendments to Public Law 94-142 now require transition services, which promote movement from school to postschool activities, for all students with disabilities to begin as early as age 14 and to be included in the student’s IEP. Most special education programs provide vocational, domestic, and community independent living skills training. However, the same cannot be said for lifelong sport and fitness training. A life-skills model for teaching sport and fitness skills that are chronologically age appropriate, functional, and community based is preferred to the traditional developmental approach for teaching adapted physical education. The life-skills model for teaching adapted physical education changes the setting–from school sport facilities to community sport and recreation facilities–in which adapted physical education classes are conducted. It also expands the role of the adapted physical educator from direct service provider to include transition team member, consultant to regular physical education and community sport and recreation agencies, trainer of support personnel, and environmental analyst.

Parents' Perceptions of Childhood Obesity and the Role of Schools

Abstract This survey assessed parents' perceptions regarding childhood obesity and the schools' role in dealing with the problem. A sample of 498 parents was obtained from two midwest cities; 375 (75 percent) completed the questionnaire. Eighty-seven percent believed normal weight is very important to child health. Only 28 percent believed schools were not doing enough to alleviate childhood obesity; more parents (38 percent) opposed the idea of schools as places for treatment of obesity than were in support of the idea (18 percent). The parents were most supportive of physical education classes that teach lifelong fitness (85 percent), followed by health classes in all schools that include topics on food and weight control (71 percent) and doing away with all “junk food” machines (65 percent). Perceptions of parents toward childhood obesity did not vary regardless of whether the parent or their child was obese. However, beliefs did differ between parents who perceived themselves as overweight or obese, a...

Lifelong Fitness

Lifelong Fitness